A few examples of cis trans isomerization in complexes involving the oxamide function

Synthesis of heterodinuclear 3d transition metal complexes in which two metal ions are introduced in equivalent coordination sites of a ligand is quite uncommon. We have previously shown that the application of the cis–trans isomerization of the oxamido group was able to furnish such a possibility. In the present paper we demonstrate that this synthetic pathway, relying on the possibility of changing the conformation (cis vs trans) of the oxamido group, can be extended to other ligands. Although we have not been able to characterize these complexes by structural determinations, FAB-MS, EPR and magnetic data do confirm the efficiency of this reaction pathway. We also demonstrate that the cis–trans isomerization of the oxamido group is not due to a particular property of the ion involved in the reaction. In fact, isomerization is governed by the basicity of the reaction medium. According to the reaction condition, it is possible to favor or not this phenomenon, and to increase the accessibility to a larger number of novel genuine complexes. But the oxophilic character of the lanthanide ions limits the use of this synthetic pathway because it impedes this isomerization. Eventually, the very weak magnetic interactions observed in these Cu-Gd complexes can be explained thanks to spin polarization.