High-spin Electronic Configuration Research Articles

Effects of Temperature, Axial Ligand, and Photoexcitation on the Structure and Spin-State of Nickel(II) Complexes with Water-Soluble 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin.

Water-soluble metalloporphyrins, depending on the metal center, possess special spectral, coordination, and photochemical features. In nickel(II) porphyrins, the Ni(II) center can occur with low-spin or high-spin electronic configuration. In aqueous solution, the cationic nickel(II) complex (Ni(II)TMPyP4+, where H2TMPyP4+ = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin), exists in both forms in equilibrium. In this study, an equilibrium system involving the low-spin and high-spin forms of Ni(II)TMPyP4+ was investigated via application of irradiation, temperature change, and various potential axial ligands. Soret band excitation of this aqueous system, in the absence of additional axial ligands, resulted in a shift in the equilibrium toward the low-spin species due to the removal of axial solvent ligands. The kinetics and the thermodynamics of the processes were also studied via determination of the rate and equilibrium constants, as well as the ΔS, ΔH, and ΔG values. Temperature increase had a similar effect. The equilibrium of the spin isomers was also shifted by decreasing the solvent polarity (using n-propanol) as well as by the addition of a stronger coordinating axial ligand (such as ammonia). Since triethanolamine is an efficient electron donor in Ni(II)TMPyP4+-based photocatalytic systems, its interaction with this metalloporphyin was also studied. The results promote the development of efficient photocatalytic systems based on this complex.

Light-induced spin-state switching in Fe(II) spin-crossover complexes with thiazole-based chelating ligands.

Homoleptic complexes [Fe(4bt)3](ClO4)2 (1), [Fe(2bt)3](ClO4)2 (2), and [Fe(3tpH)3](ClO4)2 (3) were obtained by a reaction between the Fe(II) precursor salt and the corresponding thiazole-based bidentate ligand (L = 4bt = 4,4'-bithiazole, 2bt = 2,2'-bithiazole, 3tpH = 3-(thiazol-2-yl)pyrazole). X-ray crystal structure determination revealed crystallization of solvent-free complex 1, a solvate 2·MeOH, and a co-crystal 3·2(3tpH). The crystal packing of all these complexes is dominated by one-dimensional interactions between the [Fe(L)3]2+ cations. These interactions are stronger in 2·MeOH and 3·2(3tpH), leading to cooperative and slightly hysteretic transitions between the high-spin and low-spin electronic configurations at ∼235 K and 159 K, respectively. In contrast, weaker intermolecular interactions in 1 result in a gradual spin crossover above 300 K, with the maximum fraction of the HS state ∼25% achieved at 400 K. Complexes 2 and 3·2(3tpH) exhibit light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) under irradiation with white light or a 532 nm laser at 5 K. After the photoexcitation, the trapped metastable HS state relaxes to the ground LS state with the average relaxation temperature of 81 K and 68 K, respectively. Examination of the relaxation dynamics by optical absorption spectroscopy on a single crystal of 3·2(3tpH) revealed the sigmoidal shape of the relaxation curves at lower temperatures, attributed to cooperative effects, as well as a plateau at ∼10% of the HS fraction at intermediate temperatures, hinting at a more complex mechanism for the relaxation of the LIESST phase in this material.

Rh19-: A high-spin super-octahedron cluster.

Probing atomic clusters with magic numbers is of supreme importance but challenging in cluster science. Pronounced stability of a metal cluster often arises from coincident geometric and electronic shell closures. However, transition metal clusters do not simply abide by this constraint. Here, we report the finding of a magic-number cluster Rh19- with prominent inertness in the sufficient gas-collision reactions. Photoelectron spectroscopy experiments and global-minimum structure search have determined the geometry of Rh19- to be a regular Oh‑[Rh@Rh12@Rh6]- with unusual high-spin electronic configuration. The distinct stability of such a strongly magnetic cluster Rh19- consisting of a nonmagnetic element is fully unveiled on the basis of its unique bonding nature and superatomic states. The 1-nanometer-sized Oh-Rh19- cluster corresponds to a fragment of the face-centered cubic lattice of bulk rhodium but with altered magnetism and electronic property. This cluster features exceptional electron-spin state isomers confirmed in photoelectron spectra and suggests potential applications in atomically precise manufacturing involving spintronics and quantum computing.

X-ray and Neutron Diffraction Studies of SrTe2FeO6Cl, an Oxide Chloride with Rare Anion Ordering.

The oxychloride SrTe2FeO6Cl is obtained by high-temperature solid-state synthesis under inert conditions in closed reaction vessels. The compound crystallizes in a novel monoclinic crystal structure that is described in the space group P121/n1 (No. 14). The unit cell parameters, a = 10.2604(1) Å, b = 5.34556(5) Å, c = 26.6851(3) Å, and β = 93.6853(4)°, and atomic parameters were determined from synchrotron diffraction data, starting from a model that was obtained from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The anion lattice exhibits a rare ordering of oxide and chloride ions: one-dimensional zig-zag ladders of chlorine (squarelike motif) are surrounded by an oxygen matrix. Two different iron sites coordinated solely to oxygen are present in the structure, one octahedral and one square pyramidal, both distorted. Similarly, two different strontium coordinations are present; the first homoleptic coordinated to eight oxygen atoms and the second heteroleptic coordinated to four oxygen and four chlorine atoms in a fac-like manner. The lone pair of Te(IV) is directed toward the larger chlorine atoms. Magnetic susceptibility measurements confirm that Fe is +3 (d5) in the high-spin electronic configuration, exhibiting an almost ideal spin-only moment, μeff = 5.65 μB Fe-1. The slightly negative Weiss constant (θCW = -39 K) suggests dominating antiparallel spin-to-spin coupling in the paramagnetic temperature range, agreeing with an observed long-range antiferromagnetic spin ordering below Néel temperature, TN ∼ 13 K, and a broad second order-like anomaly in the specific heat measurement data. Low-temperature neutron diffraction data reveal that the antiferromagnetic ordered phase is C-type, with a k-vector (1/2, 1/2, 0) and ordered moment of 4.14(7) μB. The spin structure can be described as antiferromagnetic ordered layers stacked along the a-axis, forming layers of squares that alternate along the c-axis.

Effect of Redox Potential on Diiron-Mediated Disproportionation of Hydrogen Peroxide.

Heme and nonheme dimanganese catalases are widely distributed in living organisms to participate in antioxidant defenses that protect biological systems from oxidative stress. The key step in these processes is the disproportionation of H2O2 to O2 and water, which can be interpreted via two different mechanisms, namely via the formation of high-valent oxoiron(IV) and peroxodimanganese(III) or diiron(III) intermediates. In order to better understand the mechanism of this important process, we have chosen such synthetic model compounds that can be used to map the nature of the catalytically active species and the factors influencing their activities. Our previously reported μ-1,2-peroxo-diiron(III)-containing biomimics are good candidates, as both proposed reactive intermediates (FeIVO and FeIII2(μ-O2)) can be derived from them. Based on this, we have investigated and compared five heterobidentate-ligand-containing model systems including the previously reported and fully characterized [FeII(L1-4)3]2+ (L1 = 2-(2'-pyridyl)-1H-benzimidazole, L2 = 2-(2'-pyridyl)-N-methyl-benzimidazole, L3 = 2-(4-thiazolyl)-1H-benzimidazole and L4 = 2-(4'-methyl-2'-pyridyl)-1H-benzimidazole) and the novel [FeII(L5)3]2+ (L5 = 2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-pyridine) precursor complexes with their spectroscopically characterized μ-1,2-peroxo-diiron(III) intermediates. Based on the reaction kinetic measurements and previous computational studies, it can be said that the disproportionation reaction of H2O2 can be interpreted through the formation of an electrophilic oxoiron(IV) intermediate that can be derived from the homolysis of the O-O bond of the forming μ-1,2-peroxo-diiron(III) complexes. We also found that the disproportionation rate of the H2O2 shows a linear correlation with the FeIII/FeII redox potential (in the range of 804 mV-1039 mV vs. SCE) of the catalysts controlled by the modification of the ligand environment. Furthermore, it is important to note that the two most active catalysts with L3 and L5 ligands have a high-spin electronic configuration.

Facile and dynamic cleavage of every iron–sulfide bond in cuboidal iron–sulfur clusters

Nature employs weak-field metalloclusters to support a wide range of biological processes. The most ubiquitous metalloclusters are the cuboidal Fe-S clusters, which are comprised of Fe sites with locally high-spin electronic configurations. Such configurations enhance rates of ligand exchange and imbue the clusters with a degree of structural plasticity that is increasingly thought to be functionally relevant. Here, we examine this phenomenon using isotope tracing experiments. Specifically, we demonstrate that synthetic [Fe4S4] and [MoFe3S4] clusters exchange their Fe atoms with Fe2+ ions dissolved in solution, a process that involves the reversible cleavage and reformation of every Fe-S bond in the cluster core. This exchange is facile-in most cases occurring at room temperature on the timescale of minutes-and documented over a range of cluster core oxidation states and terminal ligation patterns. In addition to suggesting a highly dynamic picture of cluster structure, these results provide a method for isotopically labeling pre-formed clusters with spin-active nuclei, such as 57Fe. Such a protocol is demonstrated for the radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine enzyme, RlmN.

3d Metal Complexes in T-shaped Geometry as a Gateway to Metalloradical Reactivity.

ConspectusLow-valent, low-coordinate 3d metal complexes represent a class of extraordinarily reactive compounds that can act as reagents and catalysts for challenging bond-activation reactions. The pursuit of these electron-deficient metal complexes in low oxidation states demands ancillary ligands capable of providing not only energetic stabilization but also sufficiently high steric bulk at the metal center. From this perspective, pincer ligands are particularly advantageous, as their prearranged, meridional coordination mode scaffolds the active center while the substituents of the peripheral donor atoms provide effective steric shielding for the coordination sphere. In a T-shaped geometry, the transition metal complexes possess a precisely defined vacant coordination site, which, combined with the often observed high-spin electron configuration, exhibits unusually high selectivity of these compounds with respect to one-electron redox chemistry. In light of the intractable reaction pathways typically observed with related electronically unsaturated 3d transition metal complexes, the pincer coordination mode enables the isolation of low-valent compounds with more controlled and unique reactivity. We have thus investigated a series of T-shaped metal(I) complexes using three different types of pincer ligands, which may be regarded as "metalloradicals" due to their selectively exposed unpaired electrons.These compounds display remarkably high thermal stability and represent rarely observed "naked" monovalent metal species featuring both monomeric and dimeric structures. Extensive reactivity studies using various organic substrates highlight a strong tendency of these paramagnetic compounds to undergo one-electron oxidation, leading to the isolation of a plethora of metal(II) species with reduced organic ligands as unusual structural elements. The exploration of C2 symmetric T-shaped Ni(I) complexes as asymmetric catalysts also shows success in enantioselective hydrodehalogenation of geminal dihalogenides. In addition, this specific class of low-valent, low-coordinate complexes can be further diversified by introducing redox-active pincer ligands or building homobimetallic systems with two T-shaped units.This Account focuses on the discussion of selected examples of iron, cobalt, and nickel pincer complexes bearing a [P,N,P] or [N,N,N] donor set; however, their electronic structure and radical-type reactivity can be broadly extended to other pincer systems. The availability of various types of pincer ligands should allow fine-tuning of the reactivity of the T-shaped complexes. Given the unprecedented reactivity observed with these compounds, we expect the studies of T-shaped 3d metal complexes to be a fertile field for advancing base metal catalysis.

Crystallographic, spectroscopic, thermal, optical investigations and density functional theory calculations for novel Co(II) and Mn(II) complexes

Two new picolinate complexes, namely diaquabis(6-chloropyridine-2-carboxylato-N,O)cobalt(II) (1) and diaquabis(6-chloropyridine-2-carboxylato-N,O)manganese(II) (2) were synthesized. These complexes were all characterized using FT-IR and UV–Vis spectra, single crystal X-ray diffraction method and thermal analysis. Both complexes have similar molecular structure characterized as distorted octahedral geometry. B3LYP level was also executed to provide a deeper insight to the structural, electronic and nonlinear optical properties of 1 and 2. The detailed vibrational analysis was performed for 1 and 2 on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED) analysis. The natural bond orbital (NBO) energies between the lone pair electrons of donor N/O atoms and anti-lone pair electrons of Co(II) and Mn(II) ions also proved the distorted octahedral geometry for both complexes. The band gap energy values for the allowed direct transition are found 4.29 and 4.26 eV by using Tauc model for complex 1 and 2, respectively. Finally, the optical conductivity (σopt), electrical conductivity (σelec), the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ(3), the molar polarizability αp and dielectric property are determined for the title complexes in the UV–Vis region. The first-order hyperpolarizability (β) parameter for 2 was obtained as higher than that of 1 due to the high spin electronic configuration of Mn(II) central ions

Materials design of Kitaev spin liquids beyond the Jackeli–Khaliullin mechanism

The Kitaev spin liquid provides a rare example of well-established quantum spin liquids in more than one dimension. It is obtained as the exact ground state of the Kitaev spin model with bond-dependent anisotropic interactions. The peculiar interactions can be yielded by the synergy of spin-orbit coupling and electron correlations for specific electron configuration and lattice geometry, which is known as the Jackeli–Khaliullin mechanism. Based on this mechanism, there has been a fierce race for the materialization of the Kitaev spin liquid over the last decade, but the candidates have been still limited mostly to 4d- and 5d-electron compounds including cations with the low-spin d5 electron configuration, such as Ir4+ and Ru3+. Here we discuss recent efforts to extend the material perspective beyond the Jackeli–Khaliullin mechanism, by carefully reexamining the two requisites, formation of the jeff = 1/2 doublet and quantum interference between the exchange processes, for not only d- but also f-electron systems. We present three examples: the systems including Co2+ and Ni3+ with the high-spin d7 electron configuration, Pr4+ with the f1-electron configuration, and polar asymmetry in the lattice structure. In particular, the latter two are intriguing since they may realize the antiferromagnetic Kitaev interactions, in contrast to the ferromagnetic ones in the existing candidates. This partial overview would stimulate further material exploration of the Kitaev spin liquids and its topological properties due to fractional excitations.

The striking influence of oxophilicity differences in heterometallic Mo-Mn oxide cluster reactions with water.

Mixed-metal oxides have proven to be effective catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction, often outperforming either of the binary metal oxides. The reactivity of MnxMoOy - (x = 1, 2; y = 3, 4) clusters toward H2O was investigated via time-of-flight mass spectrometry with clear evidence of cluster oxidation and corresponding H2 production, specifically for MnxMoO3 - (x = 1, 2) clusters. Unlike previously studied MoxOy - clusters, which assumed a broad distribution of stoichiometries (typically x ≤ y ≤ 3x), both MnMoOy - and Mn2MoOy - preferentially formed y = 3 and 4 compositions in significant quantities under our source conditions. The electronic and molecular structures of the MnxMoOy (x = 1, 2; y = 3, 4) anion and neutral clusters were probed with anion photoelectron spectroscopy and analyzed with supporting density functional theory calculations. Our studies suggest that both metal centers are involved in initial cluster-water complex formation, while Mo is the center that undergoes oxidation; hence, reactivity terminates when Mo is saturated in its highest oxidation state of +6. Across these four clusters, Mn remains relatively reduced and is stable in a high-spin electronic configuration. The preferential reactivity of water molecules toward the Mo center rather than Mn is rationalized by the much lower relative oxophilicity of Mn.

Heterobimetallic complexes of IrM (M = FeII, CoII, and NiII) core and bridging 2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine: electronic structure and electrochemical behavior.

Three complexes based on an Ir-M (M = FeII, CoII, and NiII) heterobimetallic core and 2-(diphenylphosphino)pyridine (Ph2PPy) ligand were synthesized via the reaction of trans-[IrCl(CO)(Ph2PPy)2] and the corresponding metal chloride. Their structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as [Ir(CO)(μ-Cl)(μ-Ph2PPy)2FeCl2]·2CH2Cl2 (2), [IrCl(CO)(μ-Ph2PPy)2CoCl2]·2CH2Cl2 (3), and [Ir(CO)(μ-Cl)(μ-Ph2PPy)2NiCl2]·2CH2Cl2 (4). Time-dependent DFT computations suggest a donor-acceptor interaction between a filled 5dz2 orbital on iridium and an empty orbital on the first-row metal atom, which is supported by UV-vis studies. Magnetic moment measurements show that the first-row metals are in their high-spin electronic configurations. Cyclic voltammetry data show that all the complexes undergo irreversible decomposition upon either reduction or oxidation. Reduction of 4 proceeds through an ECE mechanism. While these complexes are not stable to electrocatalysis conditions, the data presented here refine our understanding of the bonding synergies of the first-row and third-row metals.

Reproducing benchmark potential energy curves of molecular bond dissociation with small complete active space aided with density and density-matrix functional corrections.

Various effects of electron correlation accompany molecular bond dissociation, which makes the efficient calculation of potential energy curves a notoriously difficult problem. In an attempt to reliably reproduce both absolute energies and shapes of the benchmark dissociation curves, calculations with the combined CASΠDFT method are carried out for the prototype molecules H2, BH, F2, and N2. The complete active space (CAS) part of CASΠDFT accounts for long-range nondynamic correlation, while short-range dynamic correlation is accounted for with the corrected Lee-Yang-Parr correlation functional of density functional theory (DFT). The correction represents the suppression of dynamic correlation with nondynamic correlation, and it is a function of the ratio x(r) between the conditional and conventional densities obtained with the CAS on-top pair density Π(r). For the single-bonded molecules H2, BH, and F2, CASΠDFT succeeds in reproducing the shapes and absolute energies (for H2 and BH) of the benchmark curves, while for the triple-bonded N2 molecule, the addition to CASΠDFT of a multibond correction is required. It accounts for the middle-range dynamic correlation of the same-spin electrons in the (symmetrized) high-spin atomic electron configurations of the dissociating N2.

Planar three-coordinate iron sulfide in a synthetic [4Fe-3S] cluster with biomimetic reactivity.

Iron-sulfur clusters are emerging as reactive sites for the reduction of small-molecule substrates. However, the four-coordinate iron sites of typical iron-sulfur clusters rarely react with substrates, implicating three-coordinate iron. This idea is untested because fully sulfide-coordinated three-coordinate iron is unprecedented. Here we report a new type of [4Fe-3S] cluster featuring an iron center with three bonds to sulfides. Although a high-spin electronic configuration is characteristic of other iron-sulfur clusters, the planar geometry and short Fe–S bonds lead to a surprising low-spin electronic configuration at the three-coordinate Fe center as determined by spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. In a demonstration of biomimetic reactivity, the [4Fe-3S] cluster reduces hydrazine, a natural substrate of nitrogenase. The product is the first example of NH2 bound to an iron-sulfur cluster. Our results demonstrate that three-coordinate iron supported by sulfide donors is a plausible precursor to reactivity in iron-sulfur clusters like the FeMoco of nitrogenase.

Mössbauer parameters of Fe57 substituents in the topological insulator Bi2Se3

$^{57}$Fe M\"ossbauer spectroscopy can probe several \emph{local} structural, electronic and magnetic properties of Fe-containing systems. However, to establish a direct relationship between these properties and a system's geometric structure, the experimental M\"ossbauer parameters need to be analyzed \emph{via} electronic structure calculations. Herein, structural, electronic and magnetic effects of iron substituents in the topological insulator $Bi_2Se_3$, as uniquely probed by $^{57}$Fe M\"ossbauer spectroscopy, have been determined \emph{via} spin-polarized electronic structure calculations. The iron ion substituents, of \emph{nominal} Fe$^{3+}(S = 5/2)$ oxidation and spin state, are unequivocally shown to substitute Bi$^{3+}$ sites in epitaxial $Bi_2Se_3$ thin-films used for M\"ossbauer measurements. Concomitant with iron substitution, \emph{localized} structural rearrangements take place whereby the longer Bi-Se bonds of the native system are replaced by significantly shorter Fe-Se counterparts in the Fe-containing system. The resulting distorted-octahedral environment about substituent iron ions gives rise to characteristic M\"ossbauer parameters ($\delta_{Fe} \approx$ 0.51 mm/s, $\Delta E_{Q} \approx$ 0.20 mm/s) which have been calculated in excellent agreement with measured values for Fe-doped $Bi_2Se_3$ thin films. Consistent with a substituent Fe$^{3+}$ ion's \emph{nominal} high-spin electronic configuration ($t_{2g}^{\uparrow \uparrow \uparrow} e_g^{\uparrow \uparrow}$), an Fe-centered spin density has been established which, nevertheless, extends towards neighboring Se atoms \emph{via} direct Fe-Se bonding and concomitant Fe(d)-Se(p) hybridization.

Monomeric, Divalent Vanadium Bis(arylamido) Complexes: Linkage Isomerism and Reactivity

Divalent complexes of vanadium were synthesized employing bulky silyl(aryl)amido ligands −N(SiiPr3)DIPP and −N(SitBu2Me)DIPP (DIPP = 2,6-iPr2C6H3). Solid-state structural characterization revealed that although the ligand −N(SiiPr3)DIPP supports a monomeric, bis(amido) complex of vanadium, its constitutional isomer −N(SitBu2Me)DIPP affords a homoleptic complex in which the vanadium center is sandwiched between the arene rings, an unusual binding mode for arylamido ligands. Magnetometry studies indicate that V[N(SiiPr3)DIPP]2 and V[(η5-DIPP)N(SitBu2Me)]2 have similar high-spin d3 electron configurations. However, spectroscopic methods, including electron paramagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and UV–visible spectroscopies, in addition to cyclic voltammetry and reactivity studies, suggest that V[N(SiiPr3)DIPP]2 is stereochemically nonrigid in solution, while V[(η5-DIPP)N(SitBu2Me)]2 is not. This nonrigidity explicitly impacts the reactivity of V[N(SiiPr3)DIPP]2, which can be used to a...

Electrical, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of Na and Mo doped Ca3Co4O9 materials.

We report the electrical, magnetic and magnetotransport properties of Na and Mo dual doped Ca3−2xNa2xCo4−xMoxO9 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) polycrystalline samples. The results indicate that the strength of ferrimagnetic interaction decreases with increase in doping, as is evident from the observed decrease in Curie temperatures (TC). The substitution of non-magnetic Mo6+ ions (4d0) in CoO2 layers and the presence of oxygen vacancies are responsible for decrease in ligand field strength, which results in an enhanced magnetization in the low doped x = 0.025 sample due to a change from the low spin to partial high spin electron configuration. The electrical resistivity of samples exhibits a semiconducting-like behavior in the low temperature range, a strongly correlated Fermi liquid-like behavior in the intermediate temperature range, and an incoherent metal-like behavior in the temperature range 210–300 K. All the samples show a large negative magnetoresistance (MR) at low temperature with a maximum MR value of −59% for the x = 0.025 sample at 2 K and 16 T applied field. The MR values follow the observed trend in magnetization at 5 K and sharply increase below the Curie temperatures of the samples, suggesting that the ferrimagnetic interactions are mainly responsible for the decrease in electrical resistivity under an applied magnetic field.

Hydroboration of Terminal Olefins with Pinacolborane Catalyzed by New Mono(2-Iminopyrrolyl) Cobalt(II) Complexes.

The 5-substituted 2-aryliminopyrrolyl ligand precursors of the type 5-R-2-[ N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)formimino]-1 H-pyrrole (R = 2,6-Me2-C6H3 (1a), 2,4,6-iPr3-C6H2 (1b), 2,4,6-Ph3-C6H3 (1c; reported in this work), anthracen-9-yl (1d), CPh3 (1e; reported in this work)) were treated with K[N(SiMe3)2] in toluene to yield the respective 5-R-2-[ N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)formimino]pyrrolyl potassium salts 2a-e in high yields. The paramagnetic 15-electron Co(II) complexes of the type [Co{κ2 N,N'-5-R-NC4H2-2-C(H)═N(2,6-iPr2-C6H3)}(Py)Cl] (3a-e; Py = pyridine) were prepared by salt metathesis of CoCl2(Py)4 with the respective potassium salts 2a-e in moderate to good yields. When the CoCl2(THF)1.5 precursor was combined with the in situ prepared sodium salt of ligand precursor 1b, the trinuclear complex [Co{κ2 N, N'-5-(2,4,6-iPr3-C6H2)-NC4H2-2-C(H)═N(2,6-iPr2-C6H3)}(μ-Cl)]2[(μ-Cl)2Co(THF)2] (4) was obtained in high yields. Complexes 3a-e have high-spin electronic configurations both in solution and in the solid state. X-ray diffraction studies of complexes 3a,e confirmed distorted tetrahedral coordination geometries. Complex 4, on the other hand, is a linear trinuclear Co(II)-Co(II)-Co(II) complex with two terminal distorted tetrahedral four-coordinate sites and a central octahedral six-coordinate site, all in the high-spin state, S = 3/2, as confirmed by the magnetization measurements and DFT calculations. Solid-state magnetic measurements in both complexes 3a and 4 point to paramagnetic behavior with a significant contribution of spin-orbit coupling. Additionally, intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling of the adjacent cobalt atoms is observed in 4. The Co(II) family 3a-d, on activation with K(HBEt3), catalyzed the hydroboration of several α-olefins with pinacolborane, in good to high yields (50-80%). This system almost exclusively yielded the anti-Markovnikov (a-Mk) addition product, except when styrene was used, where the selectivity in the Markovnikov (Mk) product increased with increasing steric bulkiness of the 5-R-2-iminopyrrolyl substituent, with the a-Mk:Mk molar ratio varying from 2.33:1 (3a, R = 2,6-Me2-C6H3) to 0.75:1 (3c, R = 2,4,6-Ph3-C6H3). Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the activation by K(HBEt3) gave rise to a Co(I) species, the catalyst system likely following an oxidative addition pathway.

Synthesis, characterization and magnetism of homoleptic bis(5-aryl-2-iminopyrrolyl) complexes of iron(II) and cobalt(II)

Four sterically congested and highly electronically unsaturated bis(5-aryl-2-iminopyrrolyl) ML2 complexes of Fe(II) and Co(II), [M{κ2N,N-5-(2,6-R2-C6H3)-NC4H2-2-C(H)N(2,6-iPr2-C6H3)}2] (M = Fe, R = H (1a); M = Fe, R = Me (1b); M = Co, R = H (2a); M = Co, R = Me (2b)), were synthesized by metathetic reaction of the in situ prepared sodium salts of the new 5-aryl-2-(N-2,6-diisopropylformimino)pyrrole HL type ligand precursors (R = H (Ia), Me (Ib)) with FeCl2 or CoCl2, in moderate to good yields. The four-coordinate complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurements in solution and in solid state, and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. All complexes have a high-spin electronic configuration, as measured both in solution, through the Evans method, and in solid state, through SQUID magnetic measurements, and Mössbauer spectroscopy for the case of Fe(II) complexes, displaying a tetracoordinated distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry about the respective metal center, as elucidated by X-ray diffraction. The inclusion of ortho-methyl groups in the 5-phenyl substituent of the 2-iminopyrrolyl ring in complexes 1b and 2b has an important influence in the structure of the complexes, giving rise to pronounced geometry distortions in particular for 1b. This complex exhibits a see-saw-like geometry whereas a pyramidalization of the pyrrolyl nitrogen is observed for 2b. Overall, the magnetic properties of the complexes can be rationalized by taking into account the effect of the magnetic anisotropy arising from the second-order spin-orbit coupling and the geometrical distortion. The simulation of the magnetic data using a zero-field splitting (ZFS) Hamiltonian led to values of the axial anisotropy, D, that are coherent for Co(II) and Fe(II) tetrahedral complexes, D ≈ −50 cm−1 (2a, 2b) and 4 cm−1 (1a). In the case of 1b the simulation evidenced a strong magnetic anisotropy with both axial and rhombic contributions (D ≈ −50 cm−1, E ≈ 10 cm−1) which are in line with the strongly distorted coordination sphere of the complex.

Spin-Crossover Complexes

Spin-crossover (SCO) is a spin-state switching phenomenon between a high-spin (HS) and low-spin (LS) electronic configurations in a transition metal center.

First-principles study on ferromagnetism in double perovskite Sr2AlTaO6 doped with Cu or Zn at B sites

The possibilities of ferromagnetism induced by nonmagnetic dopants (Cu, Zn) in double perovskite Sr2AlTaO6 at B sites are investigated by density functional theory. Calculations reveal that substitutions at Ta-site tend to form high spin electronic configurations and could induce ferromagnetism which can be attributed to the hole-mediated p-d hybridization between Cu (or Zn) eg states and the neighboring O 2p states. The dopants preferably substitute at Al-site and adopt low spin electronic structures. Due to the smaller hole concentration and weaker covalent intensity, Sr2AlTaO6 with dopants at Al-site exhibits p-type metallic semiconductors without spin polarization.