FeII, CoII and NiII complexes based on 1-chloro-3-(pyridin-2-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine: synthesis, structures, single-molecule magnetic and electrocatalytic properties

Abstract

Three complexes of formulae [Fe2(L)2Cl4] (1), [Co2(L)2Cl4] (2) and [Ni(L)2Cl2]∙CH2Cl2 (3) were constructed from the reactions of the L ligand (L = 1-chloro-3-(pyridin-2-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine) with chloride salts of FeII, CoII, and NiII ions under solvothermal conditions. The structures of 1-3 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The binuclear complexes 1 and 2 are isostructural. The two metal ions of each complex show different coordination environments. Complex 3 displays a mononuclear structure. The magnetic properties of 1-3 were investigated. Complex 1 exhibits slow magnetization relaxation behaviour. The catalytic properties of complexes 1-3 toward OER reaction under basic condition were studied. They were all catalytically active, and complex 3 showed higher activity.