The crystal structure of the complex [ ( H20),Cu(cdta)Ni]~3H20 (1 ) (cdta = trans-cyclohexane-l,2diamine-NNN"'-tetra-acetate) has been determined by X-ray methods. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P i with Z = 2 in a cell of dimensions a = 8.685(4), b = 11.41 5(6), c = 12.841 (4) A, cx = 96.43(4), [I > 2.50(/)] and 31 6 parameters gave a final R = 0.036. The molecular structure consists of heterobimetallic units in which the Cull ion occupies a 'hydrated' octahedral site and the Nil' ion a 'chelated' one. The two metal ions are linked through a bridging oxygen belonging to a carboxylate group. The molecular structure of [(H,O)(2) is described, based on that determined previously for the isostructural zinc-copper compound. Magnetic properties of these compounds are analyzed in terms of isolated (Cull, Nil1) ion pairs. Whereas there is no exchange coupling detected down to 4 K for the nickel-copper compound (2), an antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -30.6 cm-') is found for the copper-nickel one, (1). This difference is discussed based on comparison of the structural features of the bridging network and co-ordination sites.= 96.60(3), y = 102.23( 6)". Least-squares refinement of 2 368 reflections Over the past few years a new approach has arisen in magnetism: instead of studying magnetic properties as available in nature, research workers started to look for and to synthesize the materials they needed for a given purpose.' Co-ordination chemistry offers a great flexibility in the design of a magnetic lattice. A great variety of ligands and complexes can be used to build up materials with the desired properties (magnetic dimensionality, strength and range of the interactions, spin values, etc-.).
The ability ofethylenediamine-NNN'N'-tetra-acetate (edta) to form bimetallic ordered systems has been established., Thus, a large family of alternating-heterometallic chain compounds of formula [(H2O),M(edta)M']*2H,O (M = Mg, Mn, Co, Zn, or Ni; M' = Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn) exhibiting 'onedimensional ferrimagnetism,' has been c h a r a ~t e r i z e d . ~~~ Recently, by hydrothermal extrusion of co-ordinated water, a new series of materials formulated as [MM'(edta)].2H20 ( M = Mg, Co, or Zn; M' = Co or Ni) has been preparedand their structure determined.' In this case, the cationic alternation generates a novel quasi-two-dimensional network that may support the existence of 'two-dimensional ferrimagnetism.' rruns-Cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-NNN"'-tetra-acetate (cdta) is a similar ligand which also forms bimetallic ordered complexes.' Nevertheless, the subtle competition between the ability of the carboxylate groups as bridging ligands and steric hindrance from the cyclohexane moiety allows a wide variety of structures to be obtained.*-" On the other hand, the inertness of some cdta complexes in solution makes these systems of t 1,1,1,1-Tetra-aqua-~-[rrans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-NNN'N'-tetraacetato-NN'OO'WO'''( Ni); p-O'";U""(Cu) ]-copper( u)nickel(ii) trihydrate.