Magnetism and structure in chains of copper dinuclear paddlewheel units.

An anhydrous copper carboxylate compound of formula [Cu(trans-2-butenoate)(2)](n) has been characterized. X-ray analysis reveals a structure built by paddlewheel units bridged by pairs of Cu...O axial bonds to give infinite chains arranged in a new topological motif. Susceptibility measurements in the 10-300 K temperature range, and isothermal magnetization curves at 2, 5, 10, and 50 K with fields up to 5 T, were obtained. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectra of powder samples were measured at 33.9 GHz at 300 K, and at 9.60 GHz at temperatures in the range 90