A one-dimensional chain structure based on unusual tetranuclear manganese(II) clusters.

The title coordination polymer, poly[bis(mu(4)-biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylato)(dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine)manganese(II)], [Mn(2)(C(14)H(8)O(4))(2)(C(18)H(10)N(4))](n), was obtained through the reaction of MnCl(2).4H(2)O, biphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid (H(2)dpdc) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (L) under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit contains two crystallographically unique Mn(II) ions, one unique L ligand and two unique dpdc ligands. One Mn ion is six-coordinated by four O atoms from three different dpdc ligands and two N atoms from one L ligand, adopting a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. The distortions from ideal octahedral geometry are largely due to the presence of chelating ligands and the resulting acute N-Mn-N and O-Mn-O angles. The second Mn ion is coordinated in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal fashion by five O atoms from four distinct dpdc ligands. Four Mn(II) ions are bridged by the carboxylate groups of the dpdc ligands to form an unusual tetranuclear Mn(II) cluster. Clusters are further connected by the aromatic backbone of the dicarboxylate ligands, forming a one-dimensional chain structure along the b axis. The title compound is the first example of a chain structure based on a tetranuclear Mn(II) cluster.