A new class of metalphosphinates containing bridging formamide ligands

Methylphenylphosphinic acid reacts with Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in formamide forming polymeric compounds of the formula ML₂Fa·Fa (L = O₂P(CH₃)(C₆H₅); Fa = formamide; M = Mn, 1; M = Co, 2; M = Cu, 3). The structures consist of one dimensional polymeric chains in which two phosphinate groups form double bridges and a formamide oxygen atoms forms a μ-O bridge between metal atoms. The intrachain metal distances in 1, 2 and 3 are 4.020(1), 3.947(1) and 4.056(1) Å respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous and crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m. In 1, a = 22.446(3), b = 8.041(1), c = 11.612(2) Å, β = 92.20(4)°, V = 2094(1) ų and Z = 4. In 2, a = 22.352(3), b = 7.894(1), c = 11.638(2) Å, β = 92.74(3)°, V = 2051(1) ų and Z = 4. Compound 3 is triclinic, space group P1 with a = 11.550(2), b = 11.569(1), c = 8.113(1) Å, α = 107.98(5), β = 90.86(4), γ = 91.32(4)°, V = 1031(1) ų and Z = 2.