Synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic properties, and photocatalytic activity of Ni₂^IIZn₂^II cluster complex based on 2-pyridinealdoxime ligand

Under solvothermal conditions, the reaction of 2-pyridinealdoxime (HL) with NiCl2 center dot 6H(2)O and Zn(OAc)(2)center dot 2H(2)O has led to a (Ni2Zn2II)-Zn-II cluster complex with composition [Ni2Zn2(L)(4)Cl-2(CH3O)(2)] (1). This complex was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, etc. The results show that 1 belongs to the orthorhombic system with the Pna2(1) space group. The structure of 1 contains two Ni-II ions, two Zn-II ions, two Cl- ions, four L- ligands, and two CH3O- anions. The magnetic properties and photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of dyes were investigated. Magnetic susceptibility measurements at 2-300 K for the microcrystals of 1 revealed antiferromagnetic Ni-II center dot center dot center dot Ni-II interactions. 1 exhibited excellent photocatalytic capability in the degradation of methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RhB) within 180 min under ultraviolet radiation. The degradation efficiencies reached 83.9% and 71.1% respectively. The mechanism of photocatalytic dye degradation was further discussed. CCDC: 2205562.