Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Hydrogen Bonding of μ- Hydroxo-μ-peroxo-bis[bis(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III)] squarate
Black-brown needle-shaped single crystals of [Co2(en)4(O2)(OH)][C4O4]1.5 4H2O(en = ethylenediamine) have been prepared in aqueous solution at room temperature. Spacegroup P-1 (no.2) with a = 800.20(8), b = 1225.48(7), c = 1403.84(9) pm, = 100.282(5), =94.515(7), = 95.596(6)°. The Co3+ cations [Co(1), Co(2)] are coordinated in an octahedralmanner by four nitrogen atoms stemming from the ethylenediamine molecules and twooxygen atoms each from a hydroxo group and a peroxo group, respectively. Both Co3+coordination polyhedra are connected by a common corner and by the peroxo group leadingto the binuclear [(en)2Co(O2)(OH)Co(en)2]3+ cation. The squarate dianions, not bonded toCo3+, and the [(en)2Co(O2)(OH)Co(en)2]3+ cations are linked by hydrogen bonds forming athree-dimensional supramolecular network containing water molecules. Magneticmeasurements reveal a diamagnetic behaviour indicating a low-spin electron configuration ofCo3+. The UV-Vis spectra shows two LMCT bands ( *(O22 ) d *(Co3+)) at 274 and 368nm and the d-d transition (1A1g 1T1g) at 542 nm. Thermoanalytical investigations in airshow that the compound is stable up to 120 °C. Subsequent decomposition processes to cobaltoxide are finished at 460 °C.