Elucidating the superexchange mechanisms in magnetic coordination polymer [Co(HCOO)2(H2O)2]? through chemical bonding analysis

Below 5 K the Co(ii) formate dihydrate (Co-formate) coordination polymer, [Co(HCOO)(HO)], obtains an antiferromagnetic planar structure intercalated by paramagnetic Co ions. Structurally, the magnetic planes are composed of Co(1)-sites coordinated to six formate ligands, whereas the paramagnetic Co(2) ions coordinated to two formate ligands and four water molecules do not exhibit a two-dimensional magnetic correlation. Signs of short-range ferromagnetic interaction between the magnetic planes and paramagnetic ions have been observed upon further cooling. Here we study the electron density and chemical bonding in the Co-formate system through single crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements at 25 K. Derived Laplacian maps indicate that the formate ligands can interact with the Co(1) d-orbitals of t-symmetry through a ?-symmetric interaction. This opens up the possibility of superexchange facilitated via ?-symmetric interactions in addition to ?-symmetric interactions across the delocalised formate electron system. Application of superexchange symmetry rules in concert with the experimental d-orbital populations obtained from the experimental electron density allow for a mechanistic description of the antiferromagnetic two-dimensional structure as well as the short-range ferromagnetic interactions, where the former is facilitated by ?-symmetric interactions and the latter by ?-symmetric interactions.