Solvothermal synthesis of discrete cages and extended networks comprising {Cr(III)(3)O(O2CR)(3)(oxime)(3)}(2-) (R = H, CH3, C(CH3)(3), C14H9) building blocks

The synthesis, structural and magnetic characterisation of a family of related Cr(III) cages are reported. Each member comprises {Cr(III)(3)O(O2CR1)(3)(R-2-sao)(3)}(2-) (R-1 = H, CH3, C(CH3)(3), C14H9; R-2 = Me, Ph, Bu-t, C10H8) triangles linked by Na+ cations, resulting in either the discrete complexes [H3O][NEt4](2)[NaCr(III)(6)O-2(O2C-C14H9)(6)(Naphth-sao)(6)] (1) and [Na4Cr(III)(6)O-2(O2CC(CH3)(3))(6)(3,5-di-tBu-sao)(6)(MeCN)(6)] (3); or the extended networks [H3O](2)[Na2Cr(III)(6)O-2(O2CH)(6)(Ph-sao)(6)(MeCN)(2)(H2O)(2)](n)center dot 4MeCN (2); [H3O][Na3Cr(III)(6)O-2(O2CCH3)(6)(Mesao)(6)(MeCN)](n) (4) and [Na2Cr(III)(3)O(O2CCH3)(3)(Me-sao)(3)(H2O)(6)](n)center dot 3MeCN (5). Magnetic susceptibility data obtained for 2 and 4 reveal weak antiferromagnetic exchange between the Cr(III) ions in the triangles.