An S = 3/2, high-anisotropy building unit, trans-[ReCl(4)(CN)(2)](2-), representing the first paramagnetic complex with a mixture of just cyanide and halide ligands, has been synthesized through the reaction of (Bu(4)N)CN with ReCl(4)(THF)(2). This species is characterized in detail and employed in directing the formation of a series of one-dimensional coordination solids of formula (DMF)(4)MReCl(4)(CN)(2) (M = Mn (2), Fe (3), Co (4), Ni (5)). Variable-temperature dc magnetic susceptibility measurements demonstrate the presence of intrachain antiferromagnetic (2) and ferromagnetic (3-5) exchange coupling within these solids. In addition, probing the ac magnetic susceptibility as a function of both temperature and frequency reveals that all of the chain compounds exhibit slow relaxation of the magnetization. The relaxation time is shown to be thermally activated, with energy barriers to relaxation of Delta(tau) = 31, 56, 17, and 20 cm(-1) for 2-5, respectively. Notably, the field-dependent magnetization of the iron congener exhibits a significant hysteresis effect at low temperature, with a coercive field of H(C) = 1.0 T, thus demonstrating magnetlike behavior in this one-dimensional system. Finally, the magnetization dynamics of all solids occur within the finite-size regime, where the magnetic domain growth is limited due to physical defects along the chains within the crystals.

Face-capped octahedral [Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](3-/4-) clusters are used in place of octahedral [M(CN)(6)](3-/4-) complexes for the synthesis of microporous Prussian blue type solids with adjustable porosity. The reaction between [Fe(H(2)O)(6)](3+) and [Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](4-) in aqueous solution yields, upon heating, Fe(4)[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](3).36H(2)O (4). A single-crystal X-ray analysis confirms the structure of 4 to be a direct expansion of Prussian blue (Fe(4)[Fe(CN)(6)](3).14H(2)O), with [Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](4-) clusters connected through octahedral Fe(3+) ions in a cubic three-dimensional framework. As in Prussian blue, one out of every four hexacyanide units is missing from the structure, creating sizable, water-filled cavities within the neutral framework. Oxidation of (Bu(4)N)(4)[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)] (1) with iodine in methanol produces (Bu(4)N)(3)[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)] (2), which is then metathesized to give the water-soluble salt Na(3)[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)] (3). Reaction of [Co(H(2)O)(6)](2+) or [Ni(H(2)O)(6)](2+) with 3 in aqueous solution affords Co(3)[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](2).25H(2)O (5) or Ni(3)[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](2).33H(2)O (6). Powder X-ray diffraction data show these compounds to adopt structures based on the same cubic framework present in 4, but with one out of every three cluster hexacyanide units missing as a consequence of charge balance. In contrast, reaction of [Ga(H(2)O)(6)](3+) with 3 gives Ga[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)].6H(2)O (7), wherein charge balance dictates a fully occupied cubic framework enclosing much smaller cavities. The expanded Prussian blue analogues 4-7 can be fully dehydrated, and retain their crystallinity with extended heating at 250 degrees C. Consistent with the trend in the frequency of framework vacancies, dinitrogen sorption isotherms show porosity to increase along the series of representative compounds 7, Ga(4)[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](3).38H(2)O, and 6. Furthermore, all of these phases display a significantly higher sorption capacity and surface area than observed in dehydrated Prussian blue. Despite incorporating paramagnetic [Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](3-) clusters, no evidence for magnetic ordering in compound 6 is apparent at temperatures down to 5 K. Reactions related to those employed in preparing compounds 4-6, but carried out at lower pH, produce the isostructural phases H[cis-M(H(2)O)(2)][Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)].2H(2)O (M = Fe (8), Co (9), Ni (10)). The crystal structure of 8 reveals a densely packed three-dimensional framework in which [Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](4-) clusters are interlinked through a combination of protons and Fe(3+) ions.

Two new cyanorhenate complexes of potential utility in constructing magnetic and photomagnetic materials are reported. Reaction of (Bu4N)CN with [ReCl6]2- in acetonitrile affords yellow (Bu4N)3[Re(CN)7] (1), featuring the pentagonal bipyramidal complex [Re(CN)7]3-. The spectral and magnetic properties of 1 indicate that the complex has an S = 1/2 ground state with considerable anisotropy in the g tensor. In aqueous solution, 1 reacts with Mn2+ ions to generate the three-dimensional cyano-bridged solid [fac-Mn(H2O)3][cis-Mn(H2O)2][Re(CN)7].3H2O (2) containing diamagnetic [Re(CN)7]4-. Addition of KIO4 to the reaction solution, originally intended to prevent reduction of the rhenium during solid formation, instead yields white (Bu4N)3[Re(CN)8] (3). As crystallized in K3[Re(CN)8].2MeCN (4.2MeCN), the diamagnetic [Re(CN)8]3- complex adopts a nearly perfect square antiprismatic coordination geometry. In solution, this species behaves analogously to the isoelectronic [M(CN)8]4- (M = Mo, W) complexes, apparently converting to a dodecahedral geometry and photooxidizing under UV radiation to give paramagnetic [Re(CN)8]2-.