Octanuclear {Co6W2} aggregate versus mixed valence {Co}3 cluster in the assembling of Co(phen)2Cl2 (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) with octacyano metallates: A case of non-isostructurality between {W(CN)8}4− and {Nb(CN)8}4−

An unprecedented octanuclear aggregate, [{Co(phen)₂}₆{W(CN)₈}₂Cl₂] · 2Cl, 2, resulted from the assembling of {Co(phen)₂Cl₂}, 1, and {W(CN)₈}^4?. Surprisingly, the reaction with the paramagnetic {Nb(CN)₈}^4? unit did not afford the homologous {Co–Nb} cluster. Instead the latter building unit undergoes dissociation which led to the formation of a mixed-valence [{Co^II(phen)₂}{Co^III(phen)(CN)₄}₂], 3. This observation is in contrast to the usual trend that {Nb^IV(CN)₈}^4? forms compounds isostructural to that observed for {Mo^IV(CN)₈}^4? and {W^IV(CN)₈}^4?. The structures of the compounds 2 and 3 have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Magnetic behaviors for compounds 1–3 are reported.     

Expanding the 4,4′-bipyridine ligand: Structural variation in {M(pytpy)2}2+ complexes (pytpy = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine,M = Fe,Ni, Ru) and assembly of the hydrogen-bonded,one-dimensional polymer {[Ru(pytpy)(Hpytpy)]}n3n+

The solid state structures of [Ni(1)₂][NO₃]₂ · 2MeOH · 2H₂O, [Fe(1)₂][ClO₄]₂ · 2MeOH · 0.5H₂O, [Ru(1)₂][PF₆]₂ and [Ru(1)₂][PF₆][NO₃] (1 = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) are presented and the structural variation observed for the {M(1)₂}²⁺ unit is discussed. Protonation of the pendant pyridine group in [Ru(1)₂]²⁺ leads to the formation of a hydrogen-bonded, one-dimensional polymer [{Ru(1)(H1)}_n]³ⁿ⁺ exemplifed by the solid-state structure of [{Ru(1)(H1)}{Fe(NCS)₆} · 1.25H₂O]_n.     

Structural and antitumor activity study of γ-octamolybdates containing aminoacids and peptides

γ-Type octamolybdates of the formulae, Na₄[Mo₈O₂₆(alaO)₂] · 18H₂O (I), Na₄[Mo₈O₂₆(glyglyO)₂] · 15H₂O (II) and Na₄[Mo₈O₂₆(glyglyO)₂] · 12H₂O (III) have been prepared from sodium molybdate in aqueous solution by adding dl-alanine or glycylglycine. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray structure analysis. dl-alanine and glycylglycine coordinate molybdenum atom in γ-octamolybdate [Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ anions via monodentate carboxylate-oxygen atom. The prepared octamolybdates were screened for the possible antiproliferative activity on a panel of five tumor cell lines and on a normal cell line. All tested compounds showed a differential cell-growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner selectively on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).     

Synthesis,crystal structures and properties of three rare earth substituted germanotungstates: M/[α-GeW11O39] (M = Nd,Eu, and Tb)

Three new polyoxometalate compounds based on the lacunary Keggin anion [α-GeW₁₁O₃₉]^8? and the rare earth cations (Ln = Nd^III, Eu^III, Tb^III), [(CH₃)₄N]_2.5H_7.5[Eu(GeW₁₁O₃₉)(H₂O)₂]₂ · 4.5H₂O (1), [(CH₃)₄N]₂H₈[Tb(GeW₁₁O₃₉)(H₂O)₂]₂ · 2.5H₂O (2) and [Nd_0.5(H₂O)₂]H_0.5[Nd₂(GeW₁₁O₃₉)(DMSO)₂(H₂O)₈] · 5.5H₂O (3), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasmas (ICP) analysis, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The solid-state structures of compounds 1 and 2 consist of one-dimensional linear wires built of [α-GeW₁₁O₃₉]^8? anions connected by Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ cations, while in compound 3, the introduction of the organic molecules DMSO (DMSO = dimethyl sulphoxide) leads to a double-parallel chainlike structure constructed by two linear wires {[Nd(1)(GeW₁₁O₃₉)(DMSO)(H₂O)₂]^5?}_n linked by Nd³⁺ coordination cation. Furthermore, the luminescent property of compound 1 and the thermal stability of compound 3 were also studied.     

Acetato complexes of molybdenum(V): A novel tetranuclear core based on the metal–metal bonded {Mo2O4}2+ units

A series of acetato complexes of molybdenum(V), based on the singly metal–metal bonded {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ structural fragment, has been prepared. A dinuclear (PyH)₃[Mo₂O₄Cl₄(OOCCH₃)] · CH₃CN (1) (PyH⁺ = pyridinium cation, C₅H₅NH⁺) was obtained upon the reaction of (PyH)₅[MoOCl₄(H₂O)]₃Cl₂ with the equimolar solution of pyridine and acetic acid in acetonitrile at ambient conditions. The acetato ligand in 1 is coordinated to a pair of molybdenum atoms in a syn–syn bidentate bridging manner. (PyH)_n[MoOBr₄]_n afforded in an analogous synthetic procedure a tetranuclear cluster, [Mo₄O₈(OOCCH₃)₃(OH)Py₄] · 1/2CH ₃CN · 1/2H₂O (3), with a novel core which may be envisioned as the acetate- and hydroxide-assisted assembly of {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ building blocks. Its structure is presented in terms of known tetranuclear clusters which are also composed of two {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ units. The acetato ligands in 3 adopted apart from bidentate bridging binding modes also a monodentate one. Partial substitution of chlorido ligands in (PyH)₃[Mo₂O₄Cl₄(OOCCH₃)] · CH₃CN (1) with pyridine resulted in a neutral [Mo₂O₄Cl(OOCCH₃)Py₃] · PrⁱOH · Py (2) which retained the original acetate coordination. The title compounds were fully characterized by X-ray diffraction studies and infrared vibrational spectroscopy.     

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials: Ligand influences on the structural chemistry of copper-vanadates

Hydrothermal reactions were used in the preparation of a series of bimetallic organic-inorganic hybrid materials of the M(II)/V_xO_y/organonitrogen ligand class. Compound 1, [{Cu₂(bpa)₂(C₂O₄)}₂V₄O₁₂]·H₂O, is molecular, while [{Cu(terpy)}₂V₆O₁₇] (2), [Cu₂(bpyrm)V₄O₁₂] (4) and [{Cu(phen)(H₂O)₂}VOF₄(H₂O)]·2H₂O (5) are two-dimensional, three-dimensional and one-dimensional, respectively (bpa = 2,2′-bipyridylamine; terpy = 2,2′:6,2″-terpyridine; bpyrm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). In contrast to the 2-D structure of 2, the Ni(II) analogue [{Ni(terpy)}₂V₄O₁₂]·2H₂O (3) is one-dimensional. The {V₄O₁₂}⁴⁻ cluster is a building block of structures 1, 3, and 4 while 2 is constructed from {V₆O₁₇}⁴⁻ rings.     

Linkage isomerism in the metal complex hexa(thiocyanato)rhenate(IV): Synthesis and crystal structure of (NBu4)2[Re(NCS)6] and [Zn(NO3)(Me2phen)2]2[Re(NCS)5(SCN)]

The linkage isomers [Re(NCS)₆]^2? and [Re(NCS)₅(SCN)]^2? are obtained by the reaction of [ReBr₆]^2? with NCS^? in dimethylformamide. Some differences in the chemical behavior allowed their separation and structural characterization in the form of (NBu₄)₂[Re(NCS)₆] (1) and [Zn(NO₃)(Me₂phen)₂]₂[Re(NCS)₅(SCN)] (2), respectively (Bu = n-C₄H₉ and Me₂phen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline).     

Hydrothermal syntheses and characterizations of two novel heteropolytungstate supported coordination compounds

Two novel heteropolytungstates, [Ni(2,2′-bpy)₃]_1.5{PW_10.79V_1.21O₄₀(VO)_0.5[Ni(2,2′-bpy)₂L]} · 0.5H₂O (1) (2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, L = 0.5H₂O + 0.5OH^?) and K[PW₁₂O₄₀[Ni(1,10-phen)₂(OH)]₂] · 2H₂O (2) (1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by IR, XPS, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The polyoxoanion of 1 is a mono-capped α-Keggin cluster which supports a metal coordination fragment [Ni(2,2′-bpy)₂L]^1.5+, while the structure of 2 exhibits a 1D chain constructed from pseudo-Keggin cluster bi-supported transition metal complexes linked by K⁺ ions. Studies of magnetic properties indicated the presence of paramagnetic behaviours for compounds 1 and 2.     

Synthesis of water-soluble dinuclear metal complexes [metal = cobalt(II) and nickel(II)] and their behavior in solution

Two dinuclear metal complexes, [Co₂(bhmp)(MeCO₂)₂]ClO₄ · 2H₂O (1) and [Ni₂(bhmp)(MeCO₂)₂]ClO₄ · 2H₂O (2), were synthesized with a dinucleating ligand, 2,6-bis[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol [H(bhmp)]. Both complexes were easily soluble in water as well as in DMF. Electronic spectra for both complexes were measured in both solvents and analyzed using the angular overlap model (AOM). From the electronic spectra and molar conductance, both complexes were determined to exist as [M₂(bhmp)(MeCO₂)₂]⁺ (M = Co^II or Ni^II) in DMF, dissociating perchlorate ions. On the other hand, in water, it was concluded that the acetate ions were partially dissociated and each complex existed as a mixture of some dissociated species, such as [M₂(bhmp)(MeCO₂)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ and [M₂(bhmp)(H₂O)₄]³⁺ (M = Co^II or Ni^II). Such dissociation was also confirmed by precipitation of the dissociated species when NaBPh₄ was added into an aqueous solution of the nickel complex.     

Synthesis,structures and reactivity of N-donor-functionalised Cu(I) aryloxides

The preparation and characterisation of the Cu(I) aryloxides [Cu₁₆(3-pyO)₁₆(dppm)₈] (1), [{Cu₂(2-pyO)₂(dppm)}₂] (2) and [{Cu₃(μ₃-6-OQ)₂(dppm)₃}{(6-HOQ)₂(μ-6-OQ)}] (3) (dppm = 1,2-bis-diphenylphosphinomethane, 6-HOQ = 6-hydroxyquinoline, py = pyridine) are described. A first attempt to employ organic anhydrides in insertion reactions with Cu(I) aryloxides was made producing the one-dimensional coordination polymer 1/_∞[Cu₃(3-pyO)(CO₂C₂H₄Boc)(dppm⁻)(dppm)]_∞ (4) (Boc = tert-butoxycarbonyl).     

Efficient synthesis of the cyclometalated complex fac-[Rh(ppy)3] (ppy = 2-phenylpyridinato)

A new convenient high-yield synthesis of the tris-cyclometalated complexes fac-[Rh(ppy)₃] (4; ppy = 2-phenylpyridinato) was developed. Complex 4 was prepared in a kind of one-pot synthesis starting from in situ prepared [Rh(acac)(coe)₂] (2) which was heated in refluxing 2-phenylpyridine for a short time. After purification by filtration over alumina, compound 4 was obtained in yields of 65%. Also [Rh(acac)(ppy)₂] (3) was prepared in a similar manner by oxidative addition of Hppy in refluxing toluene in high yields. In contrast to previous findings with the analogous iridium compounds, there was not any hint at the formation of the isomer mer-[Rh(ppy)₃] using similar reaction conditions as applied for iridium. Furthermore the compound [{Rh(μ-Cl)(ppy)₂}₂] (5) was prepared from [{Rh(μ-Cl)(coe)₂}₂] (1) and Hppy in refluxing toluene in nearly quantitative yield.     

Synthesis,characterization, structure and luminescence studies of dinuclear gold(I) alkynyls of bis(diphenylphosphino)alkyl- and aryl-amines

A series of alkynylgold(I) bis(diphenylphosphino)alkyl- and aryl-amine complexes, [{Ph₂PN(R)PPh₂}Au₂(CCR′)₂] [R = ⁿPr, R′ = Ph (1), C₆H₄OMe-p (2), C₆H₄Me-p (3), C₆H₄Cl-p (4); R = C₆H₄OMe-p, R′ = Ph (5)], has been synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 revealed the presence of short intramolecular Au⋯Au contacts with the distances of 2.8404(8) and 3.0708(7) Å. The luminescence behavior of the complexes were studied.     

A linear potassium metalated vanadium(IV) polymeric alkoxide: Structural and spectroscopic studies

We have been interested in the preparation of alkoxometallate “bricks” of the M′{M(OR)_n} type, with M′ = alkaline metal, M = vanadium(IV) and R = isopropyl or tert-butyl, to be employed as starting materials in salt-elimination reactions with other transition metal complexes. Here, we report the synthesis, spectroscopic characterisation and molecular structure of [{K₂(VO)₂(OPrⁱ)₆(PrⁱOH)₂}_∞] (1), prepared by a combination of Lewis acid–base and micro-hydrolysis reactions. The linear polymeric chain contains planar four-membered {(VO)₂(μ-OPrⁱ)₂} rings with vanadyl groups in anti-coplanar configuration; the rings are connected by “bridging” K(HOPrⁱ)⁺ units. Powder and solution EPR spectra suggest a spin triplet ground state, with a very weak ferromagnetic interaction between the vanadium(IV) centres at room temperature.     

First example of photomagnetic effects in ionic pairs [Ni(bipy)3]2[Mo(CN)8] · 12H2O

Ionic triads formed by [Ni^II(bipy)₃]²⁺ (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridyl) and diamagnetic [M^IV(CN)₈]^4? (M = Mo and W) were prepared and structurally characterized. The two compounds are isostructural and their structure consists of a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded framework where cation–anion interactions occur through short contacts M–CN?H–C(bipy). Before irradiation, the Mo analogue behaves as paramagnet with small intermolecular interactions between the [Ni^II(bipy)₃]²⁺ cations. Upon irradiation with visible light, it exhibits a reversible photomagnetic effect, which is interpreted in terms of the formation of paramagnetic [Mo^V(CN)₈]^3? and [Ni^II(bipy)₂(bipy^?)]⁺ due to the outer-sphere electron transfer.     

Syntheses,characterization, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline

In this study, four mononuclear M(II)-pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate (M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid or isocinchomeronic acid, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), [Co(Hpydc)₂(phen)]·H₂O (1), [Ni(pydc)(phen)₂]·6.5H₂O (2) [Cu(pydc)(phen)(H₂O)₂] (3) and [Zn(pydc)(phen)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (4) have been synthesized. Elemental, thermal and mass analyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibilities, IR and UV/vis spectroscopic studies have been performed to characterize the complexes. Subsequently, these ligands and complexes were tested for antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method on Gram positive, negative bacteria and yeast. In addition, cytotoxic activity tests were performed on rat glioma (C6) cells by MTT viability assay for 24 and 48 h. Antimicrobial activity results demonstrated that when compared to the standard antibiotics, phen displayed the most effective antimicrobial effect. The effect of synthesized complexes was close to phen or less. Cytotoxic activity results showed that IC₅₀ value of phen was determined as 31 μM for 48 h. (1) and (2) compared to the alone ligand had less toxic activity. IC₅₀ values of (3) for 24 and 48 h treatments were 2.5 and 0.6 μM, respectively. IC₅₀ value of (4) for 48 h was 15 μM. In conclusion, phen, (3) and (4) may be useful as antibacterial and antiproliferative agents in the future.     

New pentafluorophenyl complexes with phosphine-amide ligands

A series of nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes containing one or two pentafluorophenyl ligands and the phosphino-amides o-Ph₂PC₆H₄CONHR [R = ⁱPr (a), Ph (b)] displaying different coordination modes have been synthesised. The chelating ability of these ligands and the influence of both coligands and the metal centre in their potential hemilabile behaviour have been explored. The crystal structure of (b) has been determined and reveals N–H⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Bis-pentafluorophenyl derivatives [M(C₆F₅)₂(o-Ph₂PC₆H₄CO-NHR)] [M = Ni; R = ⁱPr (1a); R = Ph (1b); M = Pd; R = ⁱPr (2a); R = Ph (2b)] in which (a) and (b) act as rigid P, O-chelating ligands were readily prepared from the labile precursors cis-[M(C₆F₅)₂(PhCN)₂]. X-ray structures of (1a), (1b) and (2a) have been established, allowing an interesting comparative structural discussion. Dinuclear [{Pd(C₆F₅)(tht)(μ-Cl)}₂] reacted with (a) and (b) yielding the monopentafluorophenyl complexes [Pd(C₆F₅)Cl{PPh₂(C₆H₄–CONH–R)}] (R = ⁱPr (3a), Ph (3b)) that showed a P, O-chelating behaviour of the ligands, confirmed by the crystal structure determination of (3a). New cationic palladium(II) complexes in which (a) and (b) behave as P-monodentate ligands have been synthesised by reacting them with [{Pd(C₆F₅)(tht)(μ-Cl)}₂], stoichiometric Ag(O₃SCF₃) and external chelating reagents such as cod [Pd(C₆F₅)(cod){PPh₂(C₆H₄-CONH-R)}](O₃SCF₃)(R = ⁱPr (4a), Ph (4b)) and 2,2′-bipy [Pd(C₆F₅)(bipy){PPh₂(C₆H₄-CONH-R)}](O₃SCF₃) (R = ⁱPr (5a), Ph (5b)). When chloride abstraction in [{Pd(C₆F₅)(tht)(μ-Cl)}₂] is promoted by means of a dithioanionic salt as dimethyl dithiophospate in the presence of (a) or (b), the corresponding neutral complexes [Pd(C₆F₅){S(S)P(OMe)₂}{PPh₂(C₆H₄-CONH-R)}] (R = ⁱPr (6a), Ph (6b)) were obtained.     

Two new pseudohalide-bridged Cu(II) complexes with a hydrazone ligand: Syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic studies

Two new pseudohalide-bridged copper(II) complexes [{Cu(PBH)(μ_1,1-CNO)}₂] (1) and {Cu(PBH)(μ_1,5-NCNCN)}_n (2) (where HPBH = 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone) have been synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, CV, IR and UV–Vis spectral studies. The tridentate hydrazone pro-ligand (HPBH) was obtained by the condensation of benzhydrazide and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde. Structures of both complexes have been established by X-ray crystallography which shows that 1 is a μ_1,1-CNO^?-bridged dimer whereas 2 is a μ_1,5-dca-bridged (dca = dicyanamide) linear polynuclear structure. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies indicate weak antiferromagnetic interactions with J values ?0.50 cm^?1 and ?0.10 cm^?1 for 1 and 2, respectively.     

Coordination chemistry of copper-molybdates with alkoxide ligands: The {Mo4O10(OMe)6} and [Mo2O4{RC(CH2O)3}2] clusters as building blocks

The reactions of the Keplerate super cluster [Mo₁₃₂O₃₇₂(CH₃CO₂)₃₀(H₂O)₇₂]⁴²⁻ with a Cu(II) source and an organonitrogen donor in methanol/DMF solutions yielded a series of bimetallic organic-inorganic oxide hybrid materials, including the molecular species [Cu(phen)₂MoO₄] (1) and [{Cu(terpy)}₂(MoO₄)₂] (2) and a series of materials constructed from the tetranuclear building block {Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆}²⁻: the molecular [{Cu₂(phen)₂(O₂CCH₃)₂ (MeOH)}Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆] (3), [{Cu(terpy)(O₂CCH₃)}₂Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆] (4) and [{Cu(terpy)Cl}₂Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆] (5), the one-dimensional phases [{Cu(bpy)(HOMe)₂}Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆] (6), [{Cu(bpy)(DMF)₂}Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆] (7), [{Cu(bpa)(DMF)₂}Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆] (8), [{Cu(phen)(DMF)₂}Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆] (9) and [{CuCl(dpa)}₂Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆] (10), and the two-dimensional material [{Cu₂(DMF)₂(pdpa)}{Mo₄O₁₀(OMe)₆}₂] (11). When methanol is replaced by the tridentate alkoxide tris-methoxypropane (trisp), the {Mo₂O₄(trisp)₂}²⁻ cluster building block is observed for [Cu(phen)Mo₂O₄(trisp)₂] (12), [Cu(bpa)(DMF)Mo₂O₄(trisp)₂] (13) and [{Cu(bpy)(NO₃)}₂Mo₂O₄(trisp)₂] (14).     

Photophysical studies of hetero-bischelated complexes of rhodium(III) containing 2,2′-dipyridylamine

Four mixed-ligand complexes, cis-Rh[(bipy)(HDPA)Cl₂]Cl (1), cis-[Rh(phen)(HDPA)Cl₂]Cl (2), cis-[Rh(bipy)(DPA)Cl₂] (3), and cis-[Rh(phen)(DPA)Cl₂] (4) (where bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenantroline, HDPA = 2,2′-dipyridylamine, and DPA = the deprotonated form of 2,2′-dipyridylamine) have been synthesized and characterized. In slightly acidic solution and at low temperature (77 K), both complexes 1 and 2 show a broad, symmetric and structureless red emission with microsecond lifetime identified as dd* phosphorescence. In slightly basic solution, the deprotonated complexes (3 and 4) exhibit a broad and asymmetric blue emission, showing no vibrational structure with a lifetime in the order of microseconds. Emission of complex 3 reveals a blue shift of 0.81 μm⁻¹ compared to the emission of complex 1 and that of complex 4 shows a blue shift of 0.77 μm⁻¹ with respect to complex 2. Electrochemical data have also been obtained for the four complexes in CH₃CN. There are two reduction peaks observed for both complexes 1 and 2. Each peak is followed by a one-electron reduction at the metal, with an elimination of chloride during each reduction step, which is in consistent with the dd* phosphorescence assignment for the two complexes. For complexes 3 and 4, only a one-electron reduction process occurs at the metal with an elimination of chloride. Based on the luminescence and electrochemical data, the emission of complexes 3 and 4 are assigned as πd* phosphorescence. Results from density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide theoretical evidence in support of this πd* assignments.     

Tuning magnetic properties using targeted structural distortion: New additions to a family of Mn6 single-molecule magnets

We report the synthesis and magnetic properties of three hexametallic Mn clusters: [Mn₆O₂(Et-sao)₆(O₂C-Naphth)₂(EtOH)₄(H₂O)₂] (1) (HO₂C-Naphth = 1-naphthoic acid, Et-saoH₂ = 2-hydroxyphenylpropanone oxime), [Mn₆O₂(Et-sao)₆(O₂C-Anthra)₂(EtOH)₄(H₂O)₂] · 0.66EtOH · 0.33H₂O (HO₂C-Anthra = anthracene-9-carboxylic acid) (2 · 0.66EtOH · 0.33H₂O) and [Mn₆O₂(Et-sao)₆(O₂CPhCCH)₂(EtOH)₄(H₂O)₂] · 1.7EtOH · 0.3H₂O (HO₂CPhC  CH = 4-ethynylbenzoic acid) (3 · 1.7EtOH · 0.3H₂O). Clusters 1–3 exhibit ferromagnetic exchange between all six Mn^III centres resulting in S = 12 ground spin states. Ac magnetic susceptibility and single crystal micro-SQUID measurements on 1–3 confirm SMM behaviour with barriers to magnetisation reversal of 60.12 (1), 60.10 (2) and 66.79 (3) K.