Single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation in unusual three-dimensional manganese(II) frameworks exhibiting unprecedented topology and homospin ferrimagnet.

A new three-dimensional Mn(II) complex, [Mn(3)(HCO(2))(2)(L)(2)(OCH(3))(2)], 1 (L = nicotinate N-oxide), was synthesized by solvothermal reaction and magnetically characterized. Complex 1 exhibits an unprecedented 3,6-connected 5-nodal net topology with Schlafli notation {4(2);6}4{4(3)}2{4(6);6(6);8(3);10}2{4(8);6(6);8} and was assigned as a homospin ferrimagnet. Interestingly, when 1 was placed in air for ca. one month, the methoxy anions in 1 were gradually exchanged by hydroxyl anions and 1 underwent a single-crystal-to-single-crystal structural transition to a new but similar complex, [Mn(3)(HCO(2))(2)(L)(2)(OH)(2)] x 4 H(2)O, 2. The anion exchange and water molecules filling the channels of 2 affect the magnetic behavior at low temperature compared to that of 1.