Abstract
The structurally related odd and even numbered wheels [Fe(III) (11) Zn(II) (4) (tea)(10) (teaH)(1) (OMe)Cl(8) ] (1) and [Fe(III) (12) Zn(II) (4) (tea)(12) Cl(8) ] (2) can be synthesized under ambient conditions by reacting Fe(III) and Zn(II) salts with triethanolamine (teaH(3) ), the change in nuclearity being dictated by the solvents employed. An antiferromagnetic exchange between nearest neighbors, J = -10.0 cm(-1) for 1 and J = -12.0 cm(-1) for 2, leads to a frustrated S = 1/2 ground state in the former and an S = 0 ground state in the latter.