Alpha-benzoin oxime in higher oxidation state 3d metal cluster chemistry: structural and magnetic study of a new Mn(III)(9) complex.

The initial employment of alpha-benzoin oxime (bzoxH(2)) in higher oxidation state 3d metal cluster chemistry has provided access to a new enneanuclear Mn(III) complex with an unprecedented metal-core topology consisting of two triangular [Mn(3)(mu(3)-Omicron(2-))(mu-OmicronNu)(3)](4+) fragments connected by a linear [Mn(3)(mu-OmicronNu)(6)](3+) unit. The Mn(III)(9) cluster is antiferromagnetically coupled and has an S = 3 spin ground state.