Oxalate and 2,2′-bipyrimidine as bis-chelating ligands in the honeycomb layered compound {[Fe2(bpym)(ox)2]·5H2O}n

The novel two-dimensional iron(II) compound of formula {[Fe2(bpym)(ox)2]·5H2O}n (1) [bpym = 2,2′-bipyrimidine and ox = oxalate dianion] is obtained by reaction of oxalic acid, iron(II) chloride and 2,2′-bipyrimidine in aqueous solution. The structure of 1 is made up of oxalato-bridged iron(II) chains cross-linked by bischelating bpym affording a honeycomb lattice. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data of 1 show the occurrence of relatively large antiferromagnetic interactions between the high spin iron(II) ions separated by more than 5.5 A through bridging bpym [Jbpym = −4.0(2) cm−1] and ox [Jox = ca. −7.8(2) cm−1] ligands. These values compare well with those obtained in the ir…