New nanostructured materials: synthesis of dodecanuclear Ni(II) complexes and surface deposition studies

Microwave-assisted synthesis has been used to obtain the family of dodecanuclear Ni(II) complexes [Ni12(NO3)(MeO)12(MeC6H4CO2)9(MeOH)10(H2O)2][ClO4]2 (1), [Ni12(NO3)(MeO)12(BrC6H4CO2)9(MeOH)10(H2O)2][ClO4]2 (2), [Ni12(CO3)(MeO)12(MeC6H4CO2)9(MeOH)10(H2O)2]2[SO4] (3) and [Ni12(NO3)(MeO)12(MeC6H4CO2)9(MeOH)8(H2O)7][NO3]2 (4). They contain three {Ni4O4} cubane units which template around a central μ6 anion, either NO3(-) or CO3(2-). Their magnetic properties have been studied by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry and high-field EPR measurements. The nanostructuration of the Ni12 species on mica surfaces is studied by AFM and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction, which reveal the formation of polycrystalline thin layers.