[(Tmp)Co 2 L] Complexes through Preassembly on 2,6‐Diformyl‐ and 2,6‐Bis(benzylimino)‐4‐methylphenolate Templates

The reaction of the dinucleating ligand H 3 L {2‐(2′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,3‐bis[4‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐azabut‐3‐enyl]‐1,3‐imidazolidine} with Co(OAc) 2 · 4H 2 O and NaN 3 in MeOH produces the methoxide‐bridged dicobalt complex [Co III 2 (μ‐OMe)L(N 3 ) 2 ] ( 1 ) under aerobic conditions. If the reaction occurs in the presence of either 2,6‐diformyl‐4‐methylphenolate (dfp – ) or 2,6‐bis(benzyliminomethyl)‐4‐methylphenolate (bip – ), a preassembly of the [Co II 2 (OPh)] 3+ units takes place on these templates before coordination with L 3– in [Co II 2 (μ‐dfp)L] · 3H 2 O ( 2· 3H 2 O) and [Co II 2 (μ‐bip)L] · 3H 2 O ( 3· 3H 2 O), respectively. Incorporation of these coligands into the structure leads to stabilization of 3+ and 2+ oxidation states of the cobalt. In complex 2 , the Co II ions are engaged in a weak antiferromagnetic interaction. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)