Coordination polymers derived from magnesium and barium complexes of redox-active ligands

The reactions of monomeric complexes [(dpp-bian)M(THF)_n](M = Mg, n = 3; M = Ba, n = 5; dpp-bian = 1,2-bis[(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy) in THF proceed with electron transfer from dpp- bian2– to 4,4'-bipy0 to afford 1D coordination polymers [(dpp-bian)M(4,4'-bipy)(THF)_n]_m (M = Mg, n = 1; M = Ba, n = 2) that contain simultaneously radical anion ligands dpp-bian– and 4,4'-bipy . Addition of DME to coordination polymer [(dpp-bian)Mg(4,4'-bipy)(THF)_n]_m results in fragmentation of polymeric chains to give dinuclear magnesium species [{(dpp-bian)Mg(DME)}₂(4,4'-bipy)]. Barium analogue [{(dpp-bian)Ba(DME)₂}₂(4,4'-bipy)] has been prepared by reacting of complex [(dpp-bian)Ba(DME)2.5] with 4,4'-bipy in DME.