STRUCTURE AND SPIN-SPIN INTERACTIONS IN A LINEAR TRINUCLEAR NI(II) COMPLEX

[Ni-3(C2H3O2)(2)(C3H8NO)(2)L(2)] [(L=N,N'-1,3-propyl-disalicylaIdimine ), (C2H3O2)=acetate, (C3H8NO)=hydroxymethyl-dimethylamine] has been sy nthesized and its crystal structure determined, [C44H54N6O10Ni3], tric linic, space group <P(1)over bar>, a = 9.560(1) b = 10.681(1), c = 12. 200(1) Angstrom, alpha = 112.17(1), beta = 101.25(1), gamma = 90.32(1) degrees, V = 1127.3 Angstrom(3), Z = 1. The molecule is linearly trinu clear with octahedral coordination of each nickel ion. The Ni-Ni dista nce is 3.048(1) Angstrom. Each nickel(II) atom is in an octahedral coo rdination. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the range 4.2 < T < 280 K have revealed antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent Ni at oms (J(1) = -2.2 cm(-1)) and between the terminal Ni atoms (J(2) = -1. 7 cm(-1)).