The first azide(mu1,1)-bridged binuclear cobalt(II)-imino nitroxide complex with ferromagnetic behavior.

The first azide(mu1,1)-bridged binuclear cobalt(II) complex with a chelated imino nitroxide radical, [Co2(immepy)2(N3)(4)].2EtOH, was structurally and magnetically characterized, where immepy = 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(6'-methyl-2'-pyridyl) imidazoline-1-oxyl. Five nitrogen atoms complete the coordination sphere of the Co(II) ion, showing a distorted trigonal bipyramid geometry. Two N(3)(-) anions act as bridges between cobalt ions in the mu1,1 coordination mode, resulting in a binuclear structure with an inversion center. Magnetic studies show that ferromagnetic couplings occurred between the adjacent cobalt(II) ions through N3(-)(mu1,1)) bridges, and antiferromagnetic couplings between the cobalt(II) ions and organic radicals.