Trinuclear Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes bridged by mu(3)-carbonato anion

The trinuclear Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes [(CuTPA)(3)(mu(3)-CO3)] (ClO4)(4 ) (1) and [(ZnTPA)(3)(mu(3)-CO3)](ClO4)(4) (2) (TPA = tri(pyridylmethyl)ami ne) have been synthesized. X-ray structure analysis of the two complexes pr oves that CO32- anion has an unusual triply bridging ligand, bridging three CuTPA and ZnTPA units respectively, and assembles new trinuclear complexes . The CO32- comes from atmospheric CO2. The structure of each trinuclear un it consists of three copper or zinc atoms in a five-coordinate triangular b ipyramidal environment. The [(CuTPA)(3)(mu(3)-CO3)](ClO4)(4) compound shows a very weak antiferromagnetic coupling.