Interpenetrating Three-Dimensional Diamondoid Lattices and Antiferromagnetic Ordering (Tc = 73 K) of MnII(CN)2

Abstract

Thermolysis of either the 3-D, bridged-layered [NEt(4)]Mn(II)(3)(CN)(7) or 2-D, layered [NEt(4)](2)Mn(II)(3)(CN)(8) forms Mn(II)(CN)(2). Rietveld analysis of the high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data determined that Mn(II)(CN)(2) is cubic [a = 6.1488(3) Å] (space group = Pn3m) consisting of two independent, interpenetrating networks having the topology of the diamond lattice. Each tetrahedrally coordinated Mn(II) is bonded to four orientationally disordered cyanide ligands. Mn(II)(CN)(2) magnetically orders as an antiferromagnet with a T(c) = 73 K determined from the peak in d(χT)/dT. Exchange coupling estimated via the mean field Heisenberg model from the transition temperature (J/k(B) = -4.4 K) and low temperature magnetic susceptibility of the ordered phase (J/k(B) = -7.2 K) indicate that Mn(II)(CN)(2) experiences weak antiferromagnetic coupling. The discrepancy between those estimates is presumably due to local anisotropy at the Mn(II) sites arising from the CN orientational disorder or interactions between the interpenetrating lattices.