Dc Magnetic Susceptibility Data Research Articles

Metal-Halide Covalency, Exchange Coupling, and Slow Magnetic Relaxation in Triangular (CpiPr5)3U3X6 (X = Cl, Br, I) Clusters.

The actinide elements are attractive alternatives to transition metals or lanthanides for the design of exchange-coupled multinuclear single-molecule magnets. However, the synthesis of such compounds is challenging, as is unraveling any contributions from exchange coupling to the overall magnetism. To date, only a few actinide compounds have been shown to exhibit exchange coupling and single-molecule magnetism. Here, we report triangular uranium(III) clusters of the type (CpiPr5)3U3X (1-X; X = Cl, Br, I; CpiPr5 = pentaisopropylcyclopentadienyl), which are synthesized via reaction of the aryloxide-bridged precursor (CpiPr5)2U2(OPhtBu)4 with excess Me3SiX. Spectroscopic analysis suggests the presence of covalency in the uranium-halide interactions arising from 5f orbital participation in bonding. The dc magnetic susceptibility data reveal the presence of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the uranium(III) centers in these compounds, with the strength of the exchange decreasing down the halide series. Ac magnetic susceptibility data further reveal all compounds to exhibit slow magnetic relaxation under zero dc field. In 1-I, which exhibits particularly weak exchange, magnetic relaxation occurs via a Raman mechanism associated with the individual uranium(III) centers. In contrast, for 1-Br and 1-Cl, magnetic relaxation occurs via an Orbach mechanism, likely involving relaxation between ground and excited exchange-coupled states. Significantly, in the case of 1-Cl, magnetic relaxation is sufficiently slow such that open magnetic hysteresis is observed up to 2.75 K, and the compound exhibits a 100-s blocking temperature of 2.4 K. This compound provides the first example of magnetic blocking in a compound containing only actinide-based ions, as well as the first example involving the uranium(III) oxidation state.

Tau-borides (Mnx{Ru,Os,Ir}1-x)23B6: X-ray single crystal and TEM data, physical properties

Investigation (electron microprobe and X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction analyses) of the phase relations in the Mn-rich corner (> 45 at% Mn) of the systems Mn-{Ru,Os,Ir}-B, prompted in all three systems a ternary compound with formula (Mnx{Ru,Os,Ir}1-x)23B6. For the systems Mn-Ru-B, Mn-Ir-B phase equilibria have been determined at 950°C (Ru), 900°C (Ir) revealing in both cases a small homogeneity region at constant B-content (Mn1-xRux)23B6 (0.29 < x < 0.37); (Mn1-xOsx)23B6 (0.33 < x < 0.37), as well as (Mn1-xIrx)23B6 (0.29 < x < 0.34). The crystal structure of the three compounds was determined from single crystal and X-ray powder intensity data analyses to be isotypic with the Cr23B6-type (so-called tau-phase, space group Fm3¯m, No. 225). In all cases Mn atoms fully occupy the 4a site (0,0,0) at the origin of the unit cell. For the 8c site (¼,¼,¼) we observed a random distribution of Mn1-x(PM)x with decreasing PM content (PM stands for a platinum group metal atom) going from Ru to Os and Ir, where Mn atoms fully occupy 8c. Whereas the remaining sites (48h, 32f) show various ratios of the two metal species, boron atoms fully occupy the centers (24e site) of the Archimedean metal atom antiprisms. A transmission electron microscopic study confirms the absence of superstructures related to these metal atom disorder, thus Mn and PM atoms randomly share their sites. The latter is well reflected in the behavior of the electrical resistivity of these compounds, which is dominated by disorder scattering. For (Mn0.6{Ru,Os}0.4)23B6, temperature dependent dc magnetization studies reveal distinct antiferromagnetic-like anomalies at TN ≅ 72 K and 114 K, respectively. Low field dc and ac magnetic susceptibility data of (Mn0.7Ir0.3)23B6 display a distinct ferromagnetic-like transition at TC = 280 K, consistent with a pronounced specific heat anomaly and a rather continuous temperature dependent evolution of magnetic anisotropy effects. Mechanical properties (hardness) characterize the tau phases among rather hard and brittle intermetallics (about 5–6 GPa).

Magnetic and spectroscopic properties of chloride-bridged guanidinate dilanthanide complexes

The guanidinate ligand scaffold offers a unique combination of hard anionic charges, steric tunability, and electronic modulation, rendering it an ideal candidate for the molecular design of lanthanide complexes. Here, we present two dilanthanide chloride complexes [{(Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2}2Ln(μ–Cl)]2 (Ln = Gd (1), and Tb (2)) where each metal ion is ligated to two guanidinate anions and bridged to the other metal ion by two chloride ligands. The isostructural complexes 1 and 2 were synthesized through salt metathesis reactions and characterized through single–crystal X–ray diffraction analysis, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometry. The half-filled f-electron valence shell of GdIII ion allows an accurate study of magnetic coupling through fitting of the dc magnetic susceptibility data to a spin–only Hamiltonian, affording values of J = -0.0242 cm−1 and g = 2.0192. The operative superexchange coupling mechanism was confirmed through broken–symmetry density functional theory calculations, which additionally provide insight into the spectral analysis of 1.

A Trinuclear Gadolinium Cluster with a Three-Center One-Electron Bond and an S = 11 Ground State.

The recent discovery of metal-metal bonding and valence delocalization in the dilanthanide complexes (CpiPr5)2Ln2I3 (CpiPr5 = pentaisopropylcyclopentadienyl; Ln = Y, Gd, Tb, Dy) opened up the prospect of harnessing the 4fn5dz21 electron configurations of non-traditional divalent lanthanide ions to access molecules with novel bonding motifs and magnetism. Here, we report the trinuclear mixed-valence clusters (CpiPr5)3Ln3H3I2 (1-Ln, Ln = Y, Gd), which were synthesized via potassium graphite reduction of the trivalent clusters (CpiPr5)3Ln3H3I3. Structural, computational, and spectroscopic analyses support valence delocalization in 1-Ln resulting from a three-center, one-electron σ bond formed from the 4dz2 and 5dz2 orbitals on Y and Gd, respectively. Dc magnetic susceptibility data obtained for 1-Gd reveal that valence delocalization engenders strong parallel alignment of the σ-bonding electron and the 4f electrons of each gadolinium center to afford a high-spin ground state of S = 11. Notably, this represents the first clear instance of metal-metal bonding in a molecular trilanthanide complex, and the large spin-spin exchange constant of J = 168(1) cm-1 determined for 1-Gd is only the second largest coupling constant characterized to date for a molecular lanthanide compound.

3d Ion-Driven Hexanuclear Heterometallic Clusters with Amazing Structures and Magnetic Properties

By using a heptadentate Schiff base ligand with three NO2 pockets to react with 3d and 4f acetate precursors, three series of M4Ln2 complexes (M, Ln = Ni, Gd for 1NiGd; Ni, Dy for 2NiDy; Co, Gd for 3CoGd; Co, Dy for 4CoDy; Cu, Gd for 5CuGd; Cu, Dy for 6CuDy) have been obtained and characterized. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses indicated that Ni4Ln2 series exhibit butterfly structures with extended wings, the Co4Ln2 series are made up of four fused linear defective open cubes, and the Cu4Ln2 series display H-typed topology structures. The dc magnetic susceptibility data revealed that all of the Gd derivatives possess significant magnetic entropy change, whereas the alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements identified that only the NiDy derivative displays single-molecule magnet behavior with energy barrier of 15.69 K under zero dc field. These results reveal that 3d ions are important in adjusting the structure and magnetic properties for 3d–4f complexes.

Exploiting Strong {CrIII–DyIII} Ferromagnetic Exchange Coupling to Quench Quantum Tunneling of Magnetization in a Novel {CrIII2DyIII3} Single-Molecule Magnet

The {3d–4f} pentanuclear complexes with the formula [CrIII2LnIII3(PhCO2)7(OH)6 (iPrO)(NO3)(H2O)3] (iPrO = isopropoxide) (where Ln = Dy (1), Gd (2)) have been synthesized and characterized using magnetic and theoretical studies. The metal core of complexes 1 and 2 has a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement with three LnIII ions in the triangular plane and two CrIII ions occupying the axial positions. These ions are held together by six μ3-OH bridges and seven carboxylate bridges. The dc magnetic susceptibility data reveal ferromagnetic interactions presiding between CrIII and LnIII ions in 1 and 2. The fitting of the susceptibility curve employing the DFT calculated J (vide infra), yield JGdIII–GdIII = +0.008 cm–1, JCrIII–GdIII = +0.27 cm–1, and JCrIII–CrIII = −0.007 cm–1 for 2. The dynamic (ac) magnetic susceptibility studies on 1 indicate slow relaxation of magnetization with a Ueff value of 30.9 K (21.4 cm–1) and τ0 = 4.09 × 10–10 s. These extracted parameters are among the highest for any reported {CrIIIDyIII} complexes. DFT and ab initio CASSCF/RASSI–SO/SINGLE_ANISO/POLY_ANISO calculations were carried out to estimate the exchange interactions and their role in quenching the quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) behavior. Ab initio calculations on the DyIII ions reveal three asymmetric DyIII centers with the estimated single ion barrier in the range of 78–184 cm–1, however, with a large QTM probability. Despite a triangular {Dy3} motif, the gzz axes do not align in the triangular plane as observed in the {CrIIIDyIII6} single-molecule toroids (SMT) reported earlier by us. This is essentially due to the presence/absence of the iPrO–/carboxylate group that alters the charge distribution around the DyIII ion and hence the orientation of the corresponding gzz axis. The combination of DFT and ab initio CASSCF calculations yield JDyIII–DyIII = +0.012 cm–1, JCrIII–DyIII = +1.20 cm–1, and JCrIII–CrIII = −0.95 cm–1 for 1. The mechanism of magnetization relaxation developed for the {CrIII2DyIII3} cluster reveals that the relatively strong ferromagnetic CrIII–DyIII exchange interaction reduces the ground state QTM significantly yielding a Ueff of 38.6 cm–1, which agrees with the experimental value. Thus, our study iterates the importance of CrIII ion to enhance the exchange coupling in the {3d–4f} family of clusters.

Ferromagnetic Coupling and Single-Ion Magnet Phenomenon in Mononuclear Ruthenium(III) Complexes Based on Guanine Nucleobase

Two mononuclear RuIII complexes of formula trans-[RuCl4(Hgua)(dmso)]·2H2O (1) and trans-[RuCl4(Hgua)(gua)]·3H2O (2) [Hgua = protonated guanine (gua), dmso = dimethyl sulfoxide] have been synthesized and characterized magnetostructurally. 1 and 2 crystallize in the monoclinic system with space groups P21/n and Pc, respectively. Each RuIII ion in 1 and 2 is bonded to four chloride ions and one (1) or two (2) nitrogen atoms from guanine molecules and one sulfur atom (1) of a dmso solvent molecule, generating axially compressed octahedral geometries in both cases. In their crystal packing, the RuIII complexes are connected through an extended network of N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds and π⋯Cl intermolecular interactions, forming novel supramolecular structures of this paramagnetic 4d ion. Variable-temperature dc magnetic susceptibility data were obtained from polycrystalline samples of 1 and 2 and their plots show a different magnetic behavior. While 1 is a ferromagnetic compound at low temperature, 2 exhibits a behavior of magnetically isolated mononuclear RuIII complexes with S = 1/2. The study on ac magnetic susceptibility data reveal slow relaxation of the magnetization, when external dc fields are applied, only for 2. These results highlight the presence of field-induced single-ion magnet (SIM) behavior for this mononuclear guanine-based RuIII complex.

Air-Stable Dy(III)-Macrocycle Enantiomers: From Chiral to Polar Space Group

Air-Stable Dy(III)-Macrocycle Enantiomers: From Chiral to Polar Space Group

New family of Ln9Mn4 (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy) and Y9Mn4 clusters from the use of methyl-2-pyridyl-ketone oxime in heterometallic Mn chemistry

A new family of [Ln9Mn4O8(OH)4(O2CPh)17(mpko)4] (LnIII = Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (4); 2MnIII, 2MnIV) clusters and their diamagnetic YIII analog (1) have been obtained from the reaction of Mn(O2CPh)2, LnCl3 or YCl3, methyl-2-pyridyl-ketone oxime (mpkoH), and NMe4OH in a 2:2:2:4 M ratio in MeCN/CH2Cl2 (22:3 mL). The crystal structure of 4·CH2Cl2·8MeCN reveals a very low-symmetry core comprising a [Dy2Mn2O4] cubane sandwiched between a {Dy7MnO4(OH)4} unit and an external Mn atom; alternatively, it can be described as a zig-zag 1-D {MnIVOMnIVO2MnIIIOMnIII}6+ unit sandwiched between Dy5 and Dy4 units. Fitting of the variable-temperature, solid-state dc and ac magnetic susceptibility data on the Mn4 unit of 1 revealed dominant antiferromagnetic (AF) Mn⋯Mn interactions: J1 = −22.5(9) cm−1, J2 = −7.6(5) cm−1, and J3 = +0.30(3) cm−1, with a constant g = 1.97, where J1, J2, and J3 are the J(MnIVMnIV), J(MnIVMnIII), and J(MnIIIMnIII) exchange parameters, respectively. These parameters indicate an S = 4 ground state with ST = 3 and ST = 2 excited states at 2.4 and 4.2 cm−1, respectively, above it. The many non-equivalent Mn∙∙∙Gd interactions in Gd9Mn4 complex 2 were deduced to include both F and AF interactions leading to an S = 18 or 19 ground state. Complexes 3 and 4 exhibited frequency-dependent ac out-of-phase (χ“M) signals below 4 K indicating them to be weak SMMs.

Carboxylate-Decorated Aggregation of Octanuclear Co4Ln4 (Ln = Dy, Ho, Yb) Complexes from Ligand-Controlled Hydrolysis: Synthesis, Structures, and Magnetic Properties

One-pot reactions of an asymmetric carboxy-ether-phenol based Schiff base H2L (2-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)benzoic acid) with selected Ln(NO3)3·nH2O and [Co2(μ-OH2)(O2CCMe3)4(HO2CCMe3)4] (Co2-Piv) in basic MeOH medium resulted in a family of three octanuclear complexes, [CoII4LnIII4L4(μ1,3-Piv)4(μ1,1,3-Piv)2(η1-Piv)2(μ3-OH)4(MeOH)2]·mMeOH·nH2O (Ln = Dy; m = 3, n = 1 (1), Ho; m = 4, n = 0 (2), Yb; m = 3, n = 1 (3)). The coordination aggregates thus obtained were nicely sustained by four ligand anions and eight externally added carboxylate anions showing three different modes of intermetallic connectivity. The options for incorporating different 4f ions in an investigative synthesis, without altering the resulting intermetallic core structure, were successful for the three representative examples. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the compounds are isostructural and built from two initially formed partial dicubane-type Co2Ln2L2 units. In each of the tetranuclear parts, the metal ion centers are held together by two L2-, two μ3-HO-, three Piv- bridges, one terminal Piv-, and one terminal MeOH. Four carboxylate ends of four L2- units are responsible for connecting two Co2Ln2 units into octanuclear structures. The unique distortion around the CoII centers is achieved from the facile coordination of bigger 4f ions to the adjacent hard OO sites. The distortion is further maintained by the presence of terminal COO- groups from L2-. The dc magnetic susceptibility data revealed ferromagnetic coupling between the CoII and LnIII centers within the series, whereas the ac magnetic susceptibility measurements identified only 1, having a highly anisotropic DyIII ion, as a single-molecule magnet in the absence of any external magnetic field, with an energy barrier Ueff of 12.5 K.

Nickel(II) complexes with 2-Hfur and N-donors: The magnetic effects of the structural variations, thermal properties and antimycobacterial activity against Mycolicibacterium smegmatis

New complexes of nickel(II) with 2-furoic acid (2-Hfur) and different N-donor ligands of the composition [Ni(fur)2(phen)(H2O)2]·H2O (1) (phen = 1,10-phenantroline), [Ni(fur)2(2,2′-bpy)] (2, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), [Ni(fur)2(4,4′-bpy)(CH3OH)2]n (3, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), [Ni(fur)2(pz)4]·2MeCN (4) (pz = pyrazole) have been synthesized. The structure of the compounds was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 1, 2, and 4 are mononuclear, complex 3 is a 1D coordination polymer. The DC magnetic susceptibility data measured for 2 and 3 are indicative of antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the metal centers, which proved to be negligibly weak in 2 and more pronounced in 3. A quantum-chemical analysis of intermolecular (for 2) and intra- and interchain (for 3) magnetic exchange pathways confirms these findings, revealing the presence of magnetic chains formed by a network of very weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic exchange interactions in the crystal of 2 and a strengthening of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling in the polymeric chains of 3. Thermal behavior of 1 and 2 was studied by simultaneous thermal analysis (STA). According to PXRD data, the final thermolysis product of complex 2 is metal Ni nanocrystals (d = 14.7(3) nm). Analysis of the results of biological activity of 1–4in vitro against Mycolicibacterium smegmatis showed a low sensitivity of the mycobacterial wall to Ni2+ cations.

Unusual Mn5 cluster with a ‘twisted bow-tie’ topology and MnIIMnIII2MnIV2 oxidation states: Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

The ‘reductive aggregation’ procedure involving the reaction of MnO4- in MeOH in the presence of a carboxylic acid has been extended for the first time to the use of a dicarboxylic acid and the additional presence of a chelate, namely phthalic acid (phthH2) and 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), respectively. The MnO4-:phthH2:bpy = 1:2:1 reaction in MeOH has led to isolation of [Mn5O4(phth)3(phthH)(bpy)4](phthH2)(phthH) (1), whose Mn5 cation possesses a ‘twisted bow-tie’ topology comprising two near-perpendicular MnII,III,IV3 scalene triangles fused at the MnII ion. Each triangle is bridged by a central μ3-O2- and a μ2-O2- on the MnIIIMnIV edge. Peripheral ligation is provided by the phthalate groups bridging in various modes, and a chelating bpy on each MnIII and MnIV ion. The cation is a rare example of a cluster with three Mn oxidation states, and it is also the first MnIV-containing phthalate complex. Fitting of variable-temperature, solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility data collected in a 0.1 T field in the 5.0–300 K range gave J1 = J(MnIIIMnIV) = − 116(3) cm−1, J2 = J(MnIIMnIV) = − 6.0(4) cm−1, J3 = J(MnIIMnIII) = +3.8(8) cm−1, and g = 1.95, with TIP = 500 × 10-6 cm3 mol−1. These indicate an S = 7/2 spin ground state, which was confirmed by a fit of magnetization data collected in the 0.1–7.0 T and 1.8–10.0 K ranges, and by ac in-phase susceptibility data in zero dc field and a 3.5 G ac field at a 1000 Hz frequency.

A rare isostructural series of 3d-4f cyanido-bridged heterometallic squares obtained by assembling [FeIII{HB(pz)3}(CN)3]- and LnIII ions: synthesis, X-ray structure and cryomagnetic study.

A new series of cyanido-bridged {FeIIILnIII}2 neutral molecular squares of general formula [Fe{HB(pz)3}(CN)(μ-CN)2Ln(NO3)2(pyim)(Ph3PO)]2·2CH3CN [Ln = Ce (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), Gd (4), Tb (5), Dy (6) and Er (7); {HB(pz)3}- = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate, pyim = 2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine and Ph3PO = triphenylphosphine oxide] were obtained by reacting the low-spin [Fe{HB(pz)3}(CN)3]- species with the preformed [LnIII(pyim)(NO3)2(pyim)(Ph3PO)]+ complex anions (generated in situ by mixing the nitrate salt of each Ln(III) ion with pyim and Ph3PO molecules). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that 1-7 are isostructural compounds that crystallize in the triclinic P1̄ space group. Their crystal structures consist of centrosymmetric cyanido-bridged {FeIIILnIII}2 molecular squares where two [Fe{HB(pz)3}(CN)3]- units adopt bis-monodentate coordination modes towards two [LnIII(pyim)(NO3)2(pyim)(Ph3PO)]+ moieties. The cis-oriented convergent sites from both low-spin FeIII and LnIII fragments form a quasi square-shaped molecule in which the 3d and 4f ions alternatively occupy the corners of the square. Both FeIII ions show a distorted octahedral surrounding (C3v symmetry), whereas the LnIII ions exhibit a distorted muffin-like geometry (Cs symmetry) in 1-7. The intramolecular FeIII⋯LnIII distances across the two cyanido-bridges range from ca. 5.48/5.46 up to ca. 5.58/5.61 Å. The molecular squares in 1-7 are interlinked through hydrogen bonds, weak π⋯π stacking and very weak C-H⋯π type interactions into three-dimensional supramolecular networks. The analysis of the solid-state direct-current (dc) magnetic susceptibility data of 1-7 in the temperature range 1.9-300 K reveals the occurrence of weak intra- and intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions. The small intramolecular antiferromagnetic couplings in 4 compare well with those previously reported for parent systems. Although the coexistence of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) of the low-spin iron(III) and lanthanide(III) ions in the remaining compounds together with the ligand field effects mask the visualization and make difficult the evaluation of the possible magnetic interactions in them, we were able to do it through a SOC model applied on exact or effective Hamiltonians. Frequency-dependent alternating current magnetic susceptibility signals in the temperature range 2.0-9.0 K under zero and non-zero static fields were observed for 5-7 which indicate slow magnetic relaxation (SMM) behavior. The usual absence of χ''M maxima moved us to estimate their energy barriers through ln(χ''M/ χ'M) vs. 1/T plots, obtaining values from 25 to 40 cm-1.

Spin Crossover in Bipyridine Derivative Bridged One-Dimensional Iron(III) Coordination Polymer

Herein, the syntheses, solid-state molecular structures, and characterization of two types of one-dimensional FeIII coordination polymers showing thermally induced spin crossover are reported. The reaction of [Fe(acen)Cl] (acen2− = N,N′-ethylenebis(acetylacetonylideneaminate) with 3,3′-bpy or 4,4′-bpy (bpy = bipyridine) produced zigzag and linear one-dimensional chain complexes, [Fe(acen)(3,3′-bpy)][BPh4] (1) or [NEt3H][Fe(acen)(4,4′-bpy)][BPh4]2·0.5(4,4′-bpy) (2), respectively, as confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Variable-temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements, continuous-wave X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, 57Fe Mössßauer spectra, and DC magnetic susceptibility data revealed that complex 1 exhibited a gradual and complete spin crossover at a transition temperature of 212 K, while complex 2 undergoes an incomplete spin crossover even at 400 K.

Long-Range Ferromagnetic Exchange Interactions Mediated by Mn-CeIV-Mn Superexchange Involving Empty 4f Orbitals.

Reactions involving reductive aggregation of MnO4- in methanol in the presence of CeIV and an excess of carboxylic acid have led to the synthesis of structurally related Ce/Mn clusters, [Ce3Mn5O8(OMe)(O2CBut)13(MeOH)] (1) and [Ce2Mn3O5(O2CPh)9(MeOH)3] (2), containing at least one {Mn2Ce2O4} cubane unit. The cores of both clusters contain Mnx units separated by three (1) or two (2) CeIV ions. Fits of variable-temperature, solid-state dc and ac magnetic susceptibility data reveal dominant ferromagnetic interactions within 1 and 2, resulting in the maximum S = 17/2 and S = 5 ground state spins, respectively, and thus suggesting significant ferromagnetic (F) interactions between the Mnx units that are ≥6 Å apart and separated by four intervening bonds through diamagnetic CeIV. Fits of magnetic susceptibility data also revealed unusual long-range F interactions, and this finding was further supported by high-field EPR measurements and simulations. Density functional theory calculations and a Wannier function analysis confirm long-range interactions and indicate a Mn-Ce-Mn superexchange pathway via Mn-d/Ce-f orbital overlap/hybridization.

Insensitivity of Magnetic Coupling to Ligand Substitution in a Series of Tetraoxolene Radical-Bridged Fe2 Complexes.

The elucidation of magnetostructural correlations between bridging ligand substitution and strength of magnetic coupling is essential to the development of high-temperature molecule-based magnetic materials. Toward this end, we report the series of tetraoxolene-bridged FeII2 complexes [(Me3TPyA)2Fe2(RL)]n+ (Me3TPyA = tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine; n = 2: OMeLH2 = 3,6-dimethoxy-2,5-dihydroxo-1,4-benzoquinone, ClLH2 = 3,6-dichloro-2,5-dihydroxo-1,4-benzoquinone, Na2[NO2L] = sodium 3,6-dinitro-2,5-dihydroxo-1,4-benzoquinone; n = 4: SMe2L = 3,6-bis(dimethylsulfonium)-2,5-dihydroxo-1,4-benzoquinone diylide) and their one-electron-reduced analogues. Variable-temperature dc magnetic susceptibility data reveal the presence of weak ferromagnetic superexchange between FeII centers in the oxidized species, with exchange constants of J = +1.2(2) (R = OMe, Cl) and +0.3(1) (R = NO2, SMe2) cm-1. In contrast, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy establish a ligand-centered radical in the reduced complexes. Magnetic measurements for the radical-bridged species reveal the presence of strong antiferromagnetic metal-radical coupling, with J = -57(10), -60(7), -58(6), and -65(8) cm-1 for R = OMe, Cl, NO2, and SMe2, respectively. The minimal effects of substituents in the 3- and 6-positions of RLx-• on the magnetic coupling strength is understood through electronic structure calculations, which show negligible spin density on the substituents and associated C atoms of the ring. Finally, the radical-bridged complexes are single-molecule magnets, with relaxation barriers of Ueff = 50(1), 41(1), 38(1), and 33(1) cm-1 for R = OMe, Cl, NO2, and SMe2, respectively. Taken together, these results provide the first examination of how bridging ligand substitution influences magnetic coupling in semiquinoid-bridged compounds, and they establish design criteria for the synthesis of semiquinoid-based molecules and materials.

Structural and Magnetic Studies of ABO4-Type Ruthenium and Osmium Oxides.

Oxides of the form ABO4 with A = K, Rb, Cs and B = Ru and Os have been synthesized and characterized by diffraction and magnetic techniques. For A = K the oxides adopted the tetragonal (I41/a) scheelite structure. RbOsO4, which crystallizes as a scheelite at room temperature, underwent a continuous phase transition to I41/amd near 550 K. RbRuO4 and CsOsO4 were found to crystallize in the orthorhombic (Pnma) pseudoscheelite structure, and both displayed discontinuous phase transitions to I41/a at high temperatures. CsOsO4 was determined to undergo a phase transition to a P21/c structure below 140 K. CsRuO4 crystallizes with a baryte-type structure at room temperature. Upon heating CsRuO4 a first order phase transition to the scheelite structure in I41/a is observed at 400 K. A continuous phase transition is observed to P212121 below 140 K. DC magnetic susceptibility data is consistent with long-range antiferromagnetic ordering at low temperatures for all compounds except for CsOsO4, which is paramagnetic to 2 K. The effective magnetic moments are in agreement with the spin only values for an S = 1/2 quantum magnet. Effective magnetic moments calculated for Os compounds were lower than their Ru counterparts, reflective of an enhanced spin orbit coupling effect. A magnetic structure is proposed for RbRuO4 consisting of predominately antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering along the 001 direction, with canting of spins in the 100 plane. A small ordered magnetic moment of 0.77 μB was determined.

Feasibility of ground state spin switching in a molecular analogue of the mixed-metal oxides with the perovskite structure

The carboxylate substitution reaction between the reported all-benzoate complex [Ce3Mn8O8(PhCO2)18(PhCO2H)2] (1) and 2-Cl-benzoic acid has led to isolation of [Ce3Mn8O8(2-Cl-PhCO2)15.3(PhCO2)2.7(H2O)2] (2). The structures of 1 and 2 are very similar, both containing a tetragonally-elongated MnIII8 cuboid with a CeIV at its center and two CeIII attached to opposite faces, but 2 shows extensive disorder in the ligands and the Cl atom positions and occupancies. Variable-temperature (T) solid-state dc and ac magnetic susceptibility data for 2 are significantly different from those for 1 and are assigned as due to small ligand-induced structural perturbation of the core that has brought an A-type antiferromagnetic (AF) excited state much closer to the C-type AF ground state. Fits of the dc χMT vs T data support this interpretation but due to the ligand disorder in 2, a more definitive description of the lowest energy spin states of 2 is not possible. Nevertheless, these results provide important support for the feasibility of ground state spin switching by ligand-induced core perturbation (‘chemical pressure’) in this family, and they encourage further studies.

New MnIIMnIII8 and MnII2MnIII10MnIV2 clusters from the reaction of methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime with [Mn12O12(O2CR)16(H2O)4

The syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of two mixed-valence Mn clusters [MnIIMnIII8O6(mpko)3(O2CMe)11] (1) and [MnII2MnIII10MnIV2O12(mpko)6(O2CPh)12(H2O)2] (2) are reported. They were obtained from the corresponding reactions in MeCN of [Mn12O12(O2CR)16(H2O)4] (R = Me (3), Ph (4)) with eight equivalents of methyl(pyridine-2-yl)ketone oxime (mpkoH). The cores of 1 and 2 are structurally related: 1 possesses a [Mn9(µ3-O)6]14+ core with an unusual topology comprising a near-planar MnIII-centered MnIII6 hexagon with additional MnII and MnIII ions above and below the plane. Complex 2 possesses a [Mn14(µ4-O)2(µ3-O)10]18+ core that can be described as a dimer of two Mn7 incomplete-cores of 1. It is also a rare example of a Mn cluster containing three Mn oxidation states. Fits of variable-temperature, solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility data collected in a 0.1 T field in the 5.0–300 K range established that 1 and 2 possess ground state spins of S = 3/2 and S = 1, respectively, which were confirmed by ac in-phase susceptibility data.

Single-Molecule Magnetism in Three Dy2 Complexes from the Use of a Pentadentate Schiff Base Ligand and Different Benzoates.

Three dinuclear dysprosium(III) complexes, [Dy2 L2 (O2 CPh)2 ]⋅2 MeOH (1), [Dy2 L2 {(2-NO2 )O2 CPh}2 ] (2), and [Dy2 L2 {(2-OH)O2 CPh}2 ]⋅MeOH⋅MeCN (3) (H2 L=N1 ,N3 -bis(4-chlorosalicyladehyde)diethylenetriamine), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complexes 1-3 possess similar Ln2 cores and differ in substituents at the benzyl rings of benzoates. Direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility studies in the 2-300 K range showed weak antiferromagnetic interactions between two dysprosium(III) ions in 1-3. The alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements indicated that they all exhibited SMM behavior. The strategic attachment of the -NO2 group (in 2) and the -OH functionality (in 3) on the skeleton of the benzoic acid led to subtle variations of the bond lengths and bond angles in the coordination environments of the central dysprosium(III) ions, consequently resulting in the enhancement of the energy barriers for 2 and 3. Complete-active-space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations were employed to rationalize the experimental outcomes. Theoretical calculations confirm the existence of antiferromagnetic interactions in 1-3, and the calculated dc magnetic susceptibility data agree well with those obtained experimentally. The computational results reveal more axial g tensors, as well as higher first excited Kramers doublets in 2 and 3; thus resulting in higher energy barriers in compounds 2 and 3.