Synthesis, spectroscopic and thermal investigation, and crystal structure of triaqua-trans-bis (3,4-dimethylpyridine) nitratomanganese(II) nitrate

A mixed ligand complex of manganese(II) nitrate (triaqua-trans-bis(3,4-dime thylpyridine)nitratomanganese(II) nitrate, [Mn(3,4-dimethylpyridine)(2)(H2O )(3)(NO3)]NO3) has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic sys tem (space group Pbca (No. 61), a = 7.616(3), b = 19.230(6), c = 28.109(9) Angstrom, Z = 8) and consists of a discrete cation [MnL2(NO3)(H2O)(3)](+) a nd a nitrate anion (L=3,4-dimethylpyridine). In the cation, each metal atom links three water molecules (Mn-O = 2.148(5), 2.194(5), and 2.198(4) Angst rom) and is further coordinated to a nitrate group (Mn-O = 2.259(5) Angstro m) and two 3,4-dimethylpyridine molecules (Mn-N = 2.247(5) and 2.289(5) Ang strom). The lattice structure is stabilized by stacking of the 3,4-dimethyl pyridine groups of different asymmetric units along the ac plane and by hyd rogen bonding along the b axis. The IR and ESR spectra are reported and cor related with the structure of the complex. The thermal decomposition of the solid complex was investigated derivatographically in a nitrogen atmospher e.