A mixed-valence polyoxovanadate(III,IV) cluster with a calixarene cap exhibiting ferromagnetic V(III)-V(IV) interactions.

A series of compounds (cat)[V6O6(OCH3)8(calix)(CH3OH)] was obtained under anaerobic conditions and solvothermal reaction of VOSO4 with p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (calix) in methanol using different types of bases (Et4NOH, NH4OH, pyridine, Et3N). All compounds contain the same polyoxo(alkoxo)hexavanadate anion [V6O6(OCH3)8(calix)(CH3OH)]- (1) exhibiting a mixed valence {VIIIVIV5O19} core with the so-called Lindqvist structure coordinated to a calix[4]arene macrocycle and cocrystallizing with the conjugated acid of the base (cat = Et4N+, NH4(+), pyridinium, Et3NH+) involved in the synthesis process. The structures have been fully established from X-ray diffraction on single crystals and the mixed valence state has been confirmed by bond valence sum calculations. The magnetic behavior of all compounds are the same because of the polyalkoxohexavanadate anion [V6O6(OCH3)8(calix)(CH3OH)]- (1) and have been interpreted by DFT calculations. Thus the V(III)...V(IV) interactions are found to be weakly ferromagnetic (<5.5 cm(-1)) while the V(IV)...V(IV) are antiferromagnetic (-17.6; -67.6 cm(-1)). The set of the coupling exchange parameters allows a good agreement with the magnetic experimental data.