A Cu/Zn heterometallic complex with solvent-binding cavity, catalytic activity for the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol and unusual magnetic properties.

Mononuclear and polymeric complexes of zinc(ii) and copper(ii) have been synthesized using two isomers of the hemi-salen ligand with a different mutual orientation of donor atoms. The heterometallic Cu/Zn metallocycle features a catalytic niche filled with the molecule of water and molecules of methanol. This unusual compound exhibits both pronounced catalytic activity in the reaction of oxidation of a secondary alcohol to ketone and field induced slow magnetic relaxation, which is a very rare phenomenon among Cu(ii) complexes.