Synthesis, Crystal and Network Structures, and Magnetic Properties of a Hybrid Layered Compound: [K(18-cr)(2-PrOH)(2)][{Mn(acacen)}(2){Fe(CN)(6)}] (18-cr = 18-Crown-6-ether, acacen = N,N'-Ethylenebis(acetylacetonylideneiminate)).

A hybrid layered compound [{K(18-cr)(2-PrOH)(2)}{Mn(acacen)}(2){Fe(CN)(6)}] has been prepared by the reaction of [Mn(acacen)(Cl)] with K(18-cr)(H(2)O)(2)[Fe(CN)(6)].3H(2)O in an ethanol/2-propanol mixed solvent (18-cr = 18-crown-6-ether, acacen = N,N'-ethylenebis(acetylacetonylideneiminate)). It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/a with cell dimensions of a = 13.272(3) Å, b = 15.768 (2) Å, c = 14.771(2) Å, beta = 105.64(1) degrees, Z = 2. It assumes a hybrid layered structure of alternating arrays of two types of layers. One of the layers is formed by the anionic part {Mn(acacen)}(2){Fe(CN)(6)}()(n)()(-), where Fe(CN)(6)(-) coordinates through its four cyanide groups on a plane to the axial sites of four Mn(acacen) entities. The two-dimensional layer consists of the cyclic octamer -Mn-NC-Fe-CN- having the Fe ions at the corners and the Mn ions on the edges of a deformed square. Another layer is formed by the cationic part K(18-cr)(2-PrOH)(2) that has a hexagonal-bipyramidal geometry about the metal with two 2-PrOH molecules at the apexes of the nearly planar K(18-cr). The anionic and cationic layers are combined by the hydrogen bond between the cyanide groups (free from coordination) of the anionic layer and the 2-propanol groups of the cationic layer with bond distance of N.O = 2.861(5) Å. Magnetic studies (magnetic susceptibility vs T, field-cooled magnetization vs T, saturation magnetization vs H) indicate that the compound is a metamagnet with a Néel temperature T(N) = 5.0 K, showing the onset of ferromagnetic ordering within the anionic layer and an antiferromagnetic interlayer interaction. Magnetization as a function of the applied magnetic field indicates a spin-flipping from antiferromagnetic arrangement to ferromagnetic arrangement between the layers around 1200 Oe and exhibits hysteresis behavior.