Positive Zero-field Splitting Research Articles

Air-Stable Dinuclear Complexes of Four-Coordinate ZnII and NiII Ions with a Radical Bridge: A Detailed Look at Redox Activity and Antiferromagnetic Coupling.

Air-stable dinuclear complexes [(bmsab)NiII(tmsab)NiII(bmsab)]3- and [(bmsab)ZnII(tmsab)ZnII(bmsab)]3- (bmsab = bis(methanesulfoneamido)benzene, tmsab = tetra(methanesulfonamido)benzene) were prepared via a synthetic route based on heteroleptic precursor complexes. The new complexes combine a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment with an open-shell bridging ligand. The ZnII species was subjected to a detailed investigation of the (spectro-)electrochemical processes. The NiII species is a rare example of a complex that combines strong exchange coupling (J > 440 cm-1) with pronounced positive zero-field splitting (D = +72 cm-1). Combining SQUID magnetometry and (HF)EPR spectroscopy with ab initio calculations allowed for accurate quantification of the exchange interaction.

Slow magnetic relaxation in a complex of photochromic spiropyran in a merocyanine form and cobalt(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate.

The interaction between photochromic 8-methoxy-1',3',3'-trimethyl-6-nitro-spiro[chromene-2,2'-indole] (MNSP) and cobalt(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate yields a deep red-violet solution due to the coordination-induced transition of MNSP from a colorless closed state to a colored open merocyanine (MC) form. The resulting complex {CoII(hfac)2·MNSP} (1) is obtained as crystals, and its structure at 250 K shows the coordination of two oxygen atoms from MNSP with CoII, forming a distorted octahedral surrounding around CoII. The unit cell of 1 contracts below 170 K by 5.5%, which is accompanied by shortening O-Co bonds and altering O-Co-O angles in the structure solved at 150 K. The χMT value of 3.06 emu K mol-1 at 300 K indicates the formation of high-spin CoII (S = 3/2) with a large orbital contribution characteristic of the octahedral surrounding. The contraction of the unit cell of 1 below 170 K provides a reversible 2.2% change of χMT in the 170-160 K range during heating and cooling regimes without hysteresis. The electron paramagnetic resonance signal of 1 was simulated with g-values of gx = 2.342, gy = 2.364, and gz = 2.084, and an isotropic g-factor of 2.267. The temperature-dependent χMT and field-dependent magnetization of 1 allow us to determine a positive zero-field splitting parameter of +20.1 cm-1. A study of the dynamic properties of 1 shows slow magnetic relaxation for CoII in a static field of 1000 Oe. Magnetic hysteresis loops were observed for 1 at 0.5 and 2 K; these loops are closed in the zero field region but opened at fields higher than ±100 and 700 Oe, respectively. The collapse of the loop is observed at 5 K. Excitation of the solution of 1 with green light decreases partially the intensity of the bands of the complex, whereas subsequent exposure of this solution to UV light partially restores these intensities.

Homoleptic Fe(III) and Fe(IV) Complexes of a Dianionic C3-Symmetric Scorpionate.

High-valent iron species have been implicated as key intermediates in catalytic oxidation reactions, both in biological and synthetic systems. Many heteroleptic Fe(IV) complexes have now been prepared and characterized, especially using strongly π-donating oxo, imido, or nitrido ligands. On the other hand, homoleptic examples are scarce. Herein, we investigate the redox chemistry of iron complexes of the dianonic tris-skatylmethylphosphonium (TSMP2-) scorpionate ligand. One-electron oxidation of the tetrahedral, bis-ligated [(TSMP)2FeII]2- leads to the octahedral [(TSMP)2FeIII]-. The latter undergoes thermal spin-cross-over both in the solid state and solution, which we characterize using superconducting quantum inference device (SQUID), Evans method, and paramagnetic nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, [(TSMP)2FeIII]- can be reversibly oxidized to the stable high-valent [(TSMP)2FeIV]0 complex. We use a variety of electrochemical, spectroscopic, and computational techniques as well as SQUID magnetometry to establish a triplet (S = 1) ground state with a metal-centered oxidation and little spin delocalization on the ligand. The complex also has a fairly isotropic g-tensor (giso = 1.97) combined with a positive zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter D (+19.1 cm-1) and very low rhombicity, in agreement with quantum chemical calculations. This thorough spectroscopic characterization contributes to a general understanding of octahedral Fe(IV) complexes.

Synthesis and isolation of a triplet bismuthinidene with a quenched magnetic response.

Large spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is an intrinsic property of the heavy elements that directly affects the electronic structures of the compounds. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of a monocoordinate bismuthinidene that features a rigid and bulky ligand. All magnetic measurements [superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)] point to a diamagnetic compound. However, multiconfigurational quantum chemical calculations predict the ground state of the compound to be dominated (76%) by a spin triplet. The apparent diamagnetism is explained by an extremely large SOC-induced positive zero-field splitting of more than 4500 wavenumbers that leaves the MS = 0 magnetic sublevel thermally isolated in the electronic ground state.

A pentagonal bipyramidal Co(II) single-ion magnet based on an asymmetric tetradentate ligand with easy plane anisotropy

High-coordinate 3d single-ion magnets(SIMs) especially with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry as an emerging class of representative molecular magnets have received considerable concern. Whereas, it is not easy to construct and obtain 3d SIMs with high coordination numbers (CN = 7 or 8). Herein, a mononuclear Co(II) complex ([Co(pypzbeyz)(NCS)2(DMF)], pypzbeyz = N-((6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl)methylene)benzohydrazide) based on a tetradentate ligand has been synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the Co(II) complex adopts a seven-coordinate distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Magnetic investigations show that the Co(II) complex has large easy plane anisotropy with a positive D value (D = +36.8 cm−1) and a small E value, and exhibits slow magnetic relaxation behavior under a dc field. Theoretical calculations show a positive zero-field splitting of 33.5 cm−1, which is in excellent agreement with the experiment. The results support that the 3d high-coordinate SIMs could be effectively achieved by using a suitable multi-dentate ligand with a certain ligand field.

Slowing magnetic relaxation with open-shell diluents

SUMMARYStrategies for slowing magnetic relaxation via local environmental design are vital for developing next-generation spin-based technologies (e.g., quantum information processing). Herein, we demonstrate a technique to do so via chemical design of a local magnetic environment. We show that embedding the open-shell complex (Ph4P)2[Co(SPh)4] in solid-state matrices of the isostructural, open-shell species (Ph4P)2[M(SPh)4] (M = Ni2+, S = 1; M = Fe2+, S = 2; M = Mn2+,) will slow magnetic relaxation for the embedded [Co(SPh)4]2− ion by three orders of magnitude. Magnetometry, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and computational analyses reveal that integer spin and large, positive zero-field splitting (D) values for the diluent produce a quiet, local magnetic field that slows relaxation rates for the embedded Co molecules. These results will enable the investigation of magnetic systems for which strictly diamagnetic congeners are either synthetically inaccessible or are not isostructural.

The first pentagonal-bipyramidal vanadium(III) complexes with a Schiff-base N3O2 pentadentate ligand: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties.

A series of three mononuclear pentagonal-bipyramidal V(iii) complexes with the equatorial pentadentate N3O2 ligand (2,6-diacethylpyridinebis(benzoylhydrazone), H2DAPBH) in the different charge states (H2DAPBH0, HDAPBH1-, DAPBH2-) and various apical ligands (Cl-, CH3OH, SCN-) were synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically: [V(H2DAPBH)Cl2]Cl·C2H5OH (1), [V(HDAPBH)(NCS)2]·0.5CH3CN·0.5CH3OH (2) and [V(DAPBH)(CH3OH)2]Cl·CH3OH (3). All three complexes reveal paramagnetic behavior, resulting from isolated S = 1 spins with positive zero-field splitting energy expected for the high-spin ground state of the V3+ (3d2) ion in a PBP coordination. Detailed high-field EPR measurements for compound 3 show that its magnetic properties are best described by using the spin Hamiltonian with the positive ZFS energy (D = +4.1 cm-1) and pronounced dimer-like antiferromagnetic spin coupling (J = -1.1 cm-1). Theoretical analysis based on superexchange calculations reveals that the long-range spin coupling between distant V3+ ions (8.65 Å) is mediated through π-stacking contacts between the planar DAPBH2- ligands of two neighboring [V(DAPBH)(CH3OH)2]+ complexes.

Two Four-Coordinate and Seven-Coordinate CoII Complexes Based on the Bidentate Ligand 1, 8-Naphthyridine Showing Slow Magnetic Relaxation Behavior.

For a long time, the cobalt(II) complex ([Co(napy)4 ](ClO4 )2 ) (napy=1, 8-naphthyridine) has been considered as an eight-coordinate complex without any structural proof. After careful considerations, two complexes [Co(napy)2 Cl2 ] (1) and [Co(napy)4 ](ClO4 )2 (2) based on the bidentate ligand napy were synthesized and structurally characterized. X-ray single-crystal structural determination showed that the cobalt(II) center in [Co(napy)2 Cl2 ] (1) is four-coordinate with a tetrahedral geometry (Td ), while [Co(napy)4 ](ClO4 )2 (2) is seven-coordinate rather than eight-coordinate with a capped trigonal prism geometry (C2v ). Direct-current (dc) magnetic data revealed that complexes 1 and 2 possess positive zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters of 11.08 and 25.30 cm-1 , respectively, with easy-plane magnetic anisotropy. Alternating current(ac) susceptibility measurements revealed that both complexes showed slow magnetic relaxation behaviour. Theoretical calculations demonstrated that the presence of easy-plane magnetic anisotropy (D>0) for complexes 1 and 2 is in agreement with the experimental data. Furthermore, these results pave the way to obtain four-coordinate and seven-coordinate cobalt(II) single-ion magnets (SIMs) by using a bidentate ligand.

Magnetic anisotropy and slow magnetic relaxation of seven-coordinate cobalt(II)–nitrate complexes

Two seven-coordinate cobalt(II) complexes with the molecular formulae [Co(L)(NO3)2(CH3CN)] (L = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1; L = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2) were prepared and magnetically characterized. X-ray single crystal diffraction shows that 1 exhibit the distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry around the central Co(II) ion, similar to 2. Magnetic anisotropies and single-molecule magnet behaviors of 1 and 2 have been studied by direct and alternating current magnetic measurements. The static magnetic data show the easy-plane magnetic anisotropies with positive zero-field splitting D value of 32.9(2) cm−1 for 1 and 31.4(2) cm−1 for 2, which are confirmed by theoretical calculations by CASPT2 and DDCI3 methods. Both 1 and 2 display the field-induced slow magnetic relaxation under 0.1 T applied dc field.

Large magnetic anisotropy of chromium(III) ions in a bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalenium salt of chromium bis(dicarbollide), (ET)2[3,3′-Cr(1,2-C2B9H11)2

The synthesis of a radical-cation salt based on a derivative of tetrathiafulvalene, (ET)2[3,3′-Cr(1,2-C2B9H11)2] (ET = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalenium), was accomplished by electrochemical anodic oxidation of ET in the presence of (Me4N)[3,3´-Cr(1,2-C2B9H11)2] in the galvanostatic regime. An electric conductivity σ (293 K) = 7 × 10−3 Ohm−1 cm−1 with semiconductor activation energy Ea ≅ 0.1 eV in the range of 127–300 K was observed. The crystal structure of (ET)2[3,3′-Cr(1,2-C2B9H11)2] was determined by X-ray diffraction at 173 K, revealing the presence of structural tetramers in radical-cation stacks. The magnetic properties of the complex were investigated in the temperature range 1.8–300 K using magnetometry and EPR, showing that the magnetic structure of (ET)2[3,3′-Cr(1,2-C2B9H11)2] consists of two independent magnetic subsystems. Cation radicals form a rectangular magnetic lattice in the ab-plane with significant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. The chromium bis(dicarbollide) anions are characterized by unusually strong positive zero-field splitting of the Cr(III) ions, which was confirmed by ab initio calculations.

Chiral tetranuclear NiII clusters derived from Schiff bases and azido co-ligands

Chiral tetranuclear clusters have been obtained employing enantiomerically pure Schiff bases and azido coligands. The core of the new clusters shows defective dicubane topology with two vertices occupied by two μ1,1,1-N3 ligands. Linkage between the NiII cations is completed with two μ-O(phenoxo) and two μ-Cl bridging ligands. The new systems have been characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis, electronic circular dichroism and susceptibility/magnetization measurements that reveal ferromagnetic response and strong positive zero field splitting of the S = 4 ground state.

A new Mo(iv) complex with the pentadentate (N3O2) Schiff-base ligand: the first non-cyanide pentagonal-bipyramidal paramagnetic 4d complex.

A heptacoordinate complex [MoIV(DAPBH)Cl2] (H2DAPBH is 1,1'-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(ethan-1-yl-1-ylidene)dibenzohydrazine) has been synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. It exhibits a slightly distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry and reveals paramagnetic behaviour resulting from two unpaired electrons (S = 1) with large positive zero-field splitting (D = +50 cm-1) and pronounced temperature-independent paramagnetism.

Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Magnetic Properties, and Theoretical Investigation of a New Series of NiII-LnIII-WV Heterotrimetallics: Understanding the SMM Behavior of Mixed Polynuclear Complexes.

The polynuclear compounds containing anisotropic metal ions often exhibit efficient barriers for blocking of magnetization at fairly arbitrary geometries. However, at variance with mononuclear complexes, which usually become single-molecule magnets (SMM) under the sole requirement of a highly axial crystal field at the metal ion, the factors influencing the SMM behavior in polynuclear complexes, especially, with weakly axial magnetic ions, still remain largely unrevealed. As an attempt to clarify these conditions, we present here the synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic behavior, and ab initio calculations for a new series of NiII-LnIII-WV trimetallics, [(CN)7W(CN)Ni(H2O)(valpn)Ln(H2O)4]·H2O (Ln = Y 1, Eu 2, Gd 3, Tb 4, Dy 5, Lu 6). The surprising finding is the absence of the magnetic blockage even for compounds involving strongly anisotropic DyIII and TbIII metal ions. This is well explained by ab initio calculations showing relatively large transversal components of the g-tensor in the ground exchange Kramers doublets of 1 and 4 and large intrinsic tunneling gaps in the ground exchange doublets of 3 and 5. In order to get more insight into this behavior, another series of earlier reported compounds with the same trinuclear [WVNiIILnIII] core structure, [(CN)7W(CN)Ni(dmf)(valdmpn)Ln(dmf)4]·H2O (Ln = GdIII 7, TbIII 8a, DyIII 9, HoIII 10), [(CN)7W(CN)Ni(H2O)(valdmpn)Tb(dmf)2.5(H2O)1.5]·H2O·0.5dmf 8b, and [(CN)7W(CN)Ni(H2O)(valdmpn)Er(dmf)3(H2O)1]·H2O·0.5dmf 11, has been also investigated theoretically. In this series, only 8b exhibits SMM behavior which is confirmed by the present ab initio calculations. An important feature for the entire series is the strong ferromagnetic coupling between Ni(II) and W(V), which is due to an almost perfect trigonal dodecahedron geometry of the octacyano wolframate fragment. The reason why only 8b is an SMM is explained by positive zero-field splitting on the nickel site, precluding magnetization blocking in complexes with fewer axial Ln ions. Further analysis has shown that, in the absence of ZFS on Ni ion, all compounds in the two series (except those containing Y and Gd) would be SMMs. The same situation arises for perfectly axial ZFS on Ni(II) with the main anisotropy axis parallel to the main magnetic axis of Ln(III) ions. In all other cases the ZFS on Ni(II) will worsen the SMM properties. The general conclusion is that the design of efficient SMMs on the basis of such complexes should involve isotropic or weekly anisotropic metal ions, such as Mn(II), Fe(III), etc., along with strongly axial lanthanides.

Magnetic Transitions in Iron Porphyrin Halides by Inelastic Neutron Scattering and Ab Initio Studies of Zero-Field Splittings.

Zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters of nondeuterated metalloporphyrins [Fe(TPP)X] (X = F, Br, I; H₂TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin) have been directly determined by inelastic neutron scattering (INS). The ZFS values are D = 4.49(9) cm⁻¹ for tetragonal polycrystalline [Fe(TPP)F], and D = 8.8(2) cm⁻¹, E = 0.1(2) cm⁻¹ and D = 13.4(6) cm⁻¹, E = 0.3(6) cm⁻¹ for monoclinic polycrystalline [Fe(TPP)Br] and [Fe(TPP)I], respectively. Along with our recent report of the ZFS value of D = 6.33(8) cm⁻¹ for tetragonal polycrystalline [Fe(TPP)Cl], these data provide a rare, complete determination of ZFS parameters in a metalloporphyrin halide series. The electronic structure of [Fe(TPP)X] (X = F, Cl, Br, I) has been studied by multireference ab initio methods: the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and the N-electron valence perturbation theory (NEVPT2) with the aim of exploring the origin of the large and positive zero-field splitting D of the ⁶A₁ ground state. D was calculated from wave functions of the electronic multiplets spanned by the d⁵ configuration of Fe(III) along with spin–orbit coupling accounted for by quasi degenerate perturbation theory. Results reproduce trends of D from inelastic neutron scattering data increasing in the order from F, Cl, Br, to I. A mapping of energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the S = 3/2 excited states on ligand field theory was used to characterize the σ- and π-antibonding effects decreasing from F to I. This is in agreement with similar results deduced from ab initio calculations on CrX₆³⁻ complexes and also with the spectrochemical series showing a decrease of the ligand field in the same directions. A correlation is found between the increase of D and decrease of the π- and σ-antibonding energies e(λ)(X) (λ = σ, π) in the series from X = F to I. Analysis of this correlation using second-order perturbation theory expressions in terms of angular overlap parameters rationalizes the experimentally deduced trend. D parameters from CASSCF and NEVPT2 results have been calibrated against those from the INS data, yielding a predictive power of these approaches. Methods to improve the quantitative agreement between ab initio calculated and experimental D and spectroscopic transitions for high-spin Fe(III) complexes are proposed.

Synthesis and characterization of new complexes derived from 4-thienyl substituted pyrimidines

The behavior of 4-thienyl substituted pyrimidine ligands (L1–3) has been studied for the series of their reactions with various salts of 3d metals (Co, Zn, Ni, Cu) and platinoids (Pt, Pd). In particular, mononuclear Co(OTf)2(L1–3)2(H2O)2(MeCN)2 (1), binuclear Co2(Piv)2(L1–3)4 (2a,b), Cu2(Piv)2(L1–3)2 (5a,b), heterometallic polynuclear Li2Co2(Piv)6(L1–3)2 (4) and chelate [(L1)Pd(OAc)]2 (6) complexes have been obtained. The structures of all complexes have been established by X-ray diffraction. Also magnetic properties of coordination compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 have been studied in details. In particular, mononuclear Co(II) complexes 1 and 4 proved to exhibit paramagnetism with large positive zero-field splitting parameters. Dinuclear Co(II) complexes 2a,b show weak antiferromagnetic interactions. Dinuclear Cu(II) complexes 5a,b demonstrate strong antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions via four carboxylate bridges. The systems 2a,b and 5a,b are isolated as exchange coupled dimers.

Supramolecular control over molecular magnetic materials: γ-cyclodextrin-templated grid of cobalt(II) single-ion magnets.

Single-ion magnets (SIMs) are potential building blocks of novel quantum computing devices. Unique magnetic properties of SIMs require effective separation of magnetic ions and can be tuned by even slight changes in their coordination sphere geometry. We show that an additional level of tailorability in the design of SIMs can be achieved by organizing magnetic ions into supramolecular architectures, resulting in gaining control over magnetic ion packing. Here, γ-cyclodextrin was used to template magnetic Co(II) and nonmagnetic auxiliary Li(+) ions to form a heterometallic {Co, Li, Li}4 ring. In the sandwich-type complex [(γ-CD)2Co4Li8(H2O)12] spatially separated Co(II) ions are prevented from superexchange magnetic coupling. Ac/dc magnetic and EPR studies demonstrated that individual Co(II) ions with positive zero-field splitting exhibit field-induced slow magnetic relaxation consistent with the SIMs' behavior, which is exceptional in complexes with easy-plane magnetic anisotropy.

Electronic structure and slow magnetic relaxation of low-coordinate cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene stabilized iron(I) complexes.

Cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene stabilized two- and three-coordinate Fe(I) complexes, (cAAC)2FeCl (2) and [(cAAC)2Fe][B(C6F5)4] (3), respectively, were prepared and thoroughly studied by a bouquet of analytical techniques as well as theoretical calculations. Magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectroscopy reveal the +1 oxidation state and S = 3/2 spin ground state of iron in both compounds. 2 and 3 show slow magnetic relaxation typical for single molecule magnets under an applied direct current magnetic field. The high-frequency EPR measurements confirm the S = 3/2 ground state with a large, positive zero-field splitting (∼20.4 cm(-1)) and reveal easy plane anisotropy for compound 2. CASSCF/CASPT2/RASSI-SO ab initio calculations using the MOLCAS program package support the experimental results.

Positive zero-field splitting in a hexacoordinate nickel(II) complex

Abstract Novel molecular Ni(II) complex [Ni(H2O)4(2-Me-Snic)2]·4H2O has been synthesized and structurally characterized. It refers to an elongated tetragonal bipyramid for which a positive zero-field splitting is confirmed by magnetometry. The complex matches the magnetostructural D-correlation for hexacoordinate Ni(II) complexes with moderate structural and magnetic anisotropy Dstr = + 8.60 pm, Dmag = + 4.39 cm− 1.

A Combined Spectroscopic and Computational Study of a High-SpinS= 7/2 Diiron Complex with a Short Iron–Iron Bond

The nature of the iron-iron bond in the mixed-valent diiron tris(diphenylforamidinate) complex Fe(2)(DPhF)(3), which was first reported by Cotton, Murillo et al. (Inorg. Chim. Acta 1994, 219, 7-10), has been examined using additional spectroscopic and theoretical methods. It is shown that the coupling between the two iron centers is strongly ferromagnetic, giving rise to an octet spin ground state. On the basis of Mössbauer spectroscopy, the two iron centers, formally mixed-valent Fe(II)Fe(I), are completely equivalent with an isomer shift δ = 0.65 mm s(-1) and quadrupole splitting ΔE(Q) = +0.32 mm s(-1). A large, positive zero-field splitting D(7/2) = 8.2 cm(-1) has been determined from magnetic susceptibility measurements. Multiconfigurational quantum studies of the complete molecule Fe(2)(DPhF)(3) found one dominant configuration (σ)(2)(π)(4)(π*)(2)(σ*)(1)(δ)(2)(δ*)(2), which accounts for 73% of the ground-state wave function. By considering all the configurations, an estimated metal-metal bond order of 1.15 has been calculated. Finally, Fe(2)(DPhF)(3) exhibits weak electronic absorptions in the visible and near-infrared regions, which are assigned as d-d transitions from the doubly occupied metal-metal π molecular orbital to half-occupied π*, δ, and δ* orbitals.

Evidence for Mn2+ fine structure in CdMnSe/ZnSe quantum dots caused by their low dimensionality

The axial fine structure with strong positive zero-field splitting for Mn2+ ions in CdMnSe/ZnSe quantum dots caused by their low dimensionality was revealed. Magnetic resonance was measured as a variation of photoluminescence intensity. In spite of isotropic g factor of Mn2+ ions, the anisotropic behavior of the center of gravity of the resonance has been observed because of the high Boltzmann factor at 35 GHz and 2 K.