A cyano-bridged tubular coordination polymer with dominant ferromagnetic interactions.

It is a challenge to synthesize a porous tubular coordination polymer with magnetic properties. Utilizing [Fe(II)(bipy)(CN)4](2-) (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) as the building block to react with Mn(2+), we successfully synthesized a cyano-bridged tubular coordination polymer with dominant ferromagnetic interactions. The inner surface of the heterometallic tube is hydrophilic, whereas the outer surface is hydrophobic. The framework is stable up to 320 °C and can adsorb N2 and CO2. The ferromagnetic interactions were transmitted via the diamagnetic N-C-Fe(II)-C-N species between Mn(2+) ions in the tube.