SYNTHESIS AND CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF A BINUCLEAR COPPER (II) COMPLEX BRIDGED BY OXAMIDATO, Cu2(μ-CIS-OXPN)(PHEN)(NO3)2

The complex [Cu2(μ-cis-oxpn)(phen)(NO3)2], where oxpn = N,N′ -bis(3-aminopropyl) oxamidato and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X-ray methods. The structure consists of binuclear copper (II) molecules in which the Cu(II) atoms are bridged by oxamidato group in the cis conformation, the Cu—Cu distance being 5.205(10) A. The coordination geometry around Cu (II) atoms is square pyramidal; the apex is occupied by a more weakly bonded O atom from a nitrate group. Electron delocalization is observed in the bridging oxamide moiety. The co-planarity of bridge ligand and basal plane around Cu (II) atoms may benefit spin super-exchange between two Cu (II) atoms. IR spectra of the binuclear complex are discussed.