Structural and photomagnetic studies of a 1-D bimetallic chain [Mn-2(II)(L)(2)(H2O)][Mo-IV(CN)(8)]center dot 5H(2)O (L = macrocycle): analogy with the photo-oxidation of K-4[Mo-IV(CN)(8)]center dot 2H(2)O

A one-dimensional chain [Mn-2(II)(L)(2)(H2O)][Mo-IV(CN)(8)]. 5H(2)O 2 (L= 2 ,13-dimethyl-3,6,9,12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),2,12,14,16-p entaene, macrocyclic ligand) has been prepared from the reaction of K-4[Mo- IV(CN)(8)]. 2H(2)O 1 with the complex [(MnL)-L-II(H2O)(2)]Cl-2. 4H(2)O and its structure and photomagnetic properties have been studied. The structure of 2 consists of a polymeric zigzag chain of alternating Mn(L) and Mo(CN)( 8) units with another Mn(L) unit linked to the Mo as a pendant arm. The par amagnetic compound 2 shows important modifications of its magnetic properti es under UV-light irradiation, leading to the formation of ferrimagnetic ch ains. This non-reversible photomagnetic effect is thought to be caused by a n internal photo-oxidation of Mo-IV (diamagnetic) to Mo-V (paramagnetic) as observed in the precursor 1. The crystallographic data seem to indicate th at the formation of hydrogen bonds between water molecules and nitrogen ato ms of non-bridging cyano groups is a key factor to observe the molybdenum p hoto-oxidation.