Spin transition in heptanuclear star-shaped iron(III)–antimony(V) NCS- and CN-bridged compounds

The precursor [Fe^III(L)Cl] (LH₂ = N,N′-bis(2′-hydroxy-benzyliden)-1,6-diamino-3-azahexane) has been prepared and Mössbauer spectroscopy assigned a high-spin (S = 5/2) state at room temperature. The precursor is combined with the bridging units [Sb^V(X)₆]^? (X = CN^?, NCS^?) to yield star-shaped heptanuclear clusters [(LFe^III–X)₆Sb^V]Cl₅. The star-shaped compounds are in general high-spin systems at room temperature. On cooling to 20 K some of the iron(III) centers switch to the low-spin state as indicated by Mössbauer spectroscopy, i.e. multiple electronic transitions. While the cyano-bridged complex performs a multiple spin transition the thiocyanate-compound shows no significant population at both temperatures.     

Unprecedented multistability in dodecanuclear complex compound observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy

The precursors [Fe(III)(^5XL)Cl] (^5XLH₂ = N,N′-bis(1-hydroxy-2-benzyliden)-1,6-diamino-3-X-hexane, X = N,S) are high-spin (S = 5/2) complexes. This precursors are combined with the bridging unit [(NC)₅Fe(II)-CN-Co(III)(CN)₅]⁶⁻ to yield star-shaped dodecanuclear clusters, [(^5XLFe(III)-NC)₅Fe(II)-CN-Co(III)(CN-Fe(III)^5XL)₅]Cl₄. The star-shaped compounds are high-spin systems at room temperature. On cooling to 20 K some of the iron(III) centers in the N-star switch to the low-spin state as proven by Mössbauer spectroscopy, i.e. multiple electronic transitions, while the S-star remains in the high-spin state.     

Study on the valence fluctuation and the magnetism of an iron mixed-valence complex, (n-C4H9)4N[FeIIFeIII(mto)3](mto = C2O3S)

In the case of iron mixed-valence complexes whose spin states are situated in the spin-crossover region, conjugated phenomena coupled with spin and charge are expected. In general, the Fe site coordinated by six S atoms is in the low-spin state, while the Fe site coordinated by six O atoms is in the high-spin state. From this viewpoint, we have synthesized and investigated physical properties for an monothiooxalato-bridged (mto = C₂O₃S) iron mixed-valence complex, (n-C₄H₉)₄N[Fe^IIFe^III(mto)₃], consisting of Fe^IIIO₃S₃ and Fe^IIO₆ octahedra, which behaves as a ferrimagnet with its magnetic transition temperature of T_N = 38 K and Weiss temperature of θ = ?93 K. From the analysis of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra of ⁵⁷Fe enriched complexes, (n-C₄H₉)₄N[⁵⁷Fe^IIFe^III(mto)₃] and (n-C₄H₉)₄N[Fe^II57Fe^III(mto)₃], the charge transfer between Fe^II and Fe^III exists in the paramagnetic phase. Considering the time window of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, the time scale of the valence fluctuation is at least slower than 10^?7 s. In order to confirm the valence fluctuation between Fe^II and Fe^III, we investigated the dielectric constant and found an anomalous enhancement attributed to the Fe valence fluctuation between 170 and 250 K.     

Synthesis and immobilization of molecular switches onto titaniumdioxide nanowires

The precursor [Fe^III(L)Cl (L = N,N′-bis(2′-hydroxy-3′-methyl-benzyliden)-1,7-diamino-4-azaheptane) is combined with [Mo(CN)₈]^4? yields a star shaped nona-nuclear cluster, [Mo^IV{(CN)Fe^III(L)}₈]Cl₄. This Fe₈Mo molecule is a high-spin system at room temperature. On cooling to 20 K some of the iron(III) centres in the molybdenum(IV)-star switch to the low-spin state as proven by Mössbauer spectroscopy. This molecule was deposited on TiO₂ nanowires by electrostatic interactions between the cluster cations and the surface functionalized titanium oxide nanowire. The synthesis and surface binding of the multistable molecular switch was demonstrated using IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy (high-resolution) transmission electron microscopy ((HR)TEM) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. High- and low-temperature Mössbauer spectra indicate that the spin state transition of the free cluster molecules is preserved after surface binding. The above results emphasize the possibility of fabricating molecule-based low-dimensional structures by using traditional bottom-up approaches based on the electrostatic interaction between the cluster cations and polymer functionalized nanowires. These results can be generalized for the application to both charged and non-charged molecules.     

Organic derivatives of tin (II/IV): Investigation of their structure

The structures of tin(II)-oxalate, tin(IV)Na–EDTA and tin(IV)Na₈-inositol hexaphosphate were investigated using XRD analysis. Samples were identified using the Mössbauer study, thermal analysis and FTIR spectrometry. The Mössbauer study determined two different oxidation states of tin atoms, and consequently two different tin surroundings in the end products. The tin oxalate was found to be orthorhombic with space group Pnma, a=9.2066(3) Å, b=9.7590(1) Å, c=13.1848(5) Å, V=1184.62 Å³ and Z=8. SnNa–EDTA was found to be monoclinic with space group P2₁/c₁, a=10.7544(3) Å, b=10.1455(3) Å, c=16.5130(6) Å, β=98.59(2)°, V=1781.50(4) Å³ and Z=4. Sn(C₆H₆Na₈O₂₄P₆) was found to be amorphous.     

Synthesis,physico-chemical and spectral investigations of novel homo-bimetallic mixed-ligand complexes: 57Fe Mössbauer parameters of [Fe2(imda)2(H2O)3Cl]

The newly prepared homo-bimetallic complexes [M₂(imda)₂(H₂O)₄], [M₂(imda)₂(Bipy)₂] (M = Co, Ni or Cu) and [Fe₂(imda)₂(H₂O)₃Cl] (H₂imda = iminodiacetic acid and Bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been studied employing IR, FAB-mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, EPR and ligand field spectra, which indicated a high-spin state of metal ion with hexa-coordinate environment. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer data of the homo-bimetallic complex [Fe₂(imda)₂(H₂O)₃Cl] confirm a high-spin configuration with Fe (±3/2 → 1/2) nuclear transitions and the presence of Kramer's double degeneracy. At RT, the spin–spin interactions of the neighbouring nuclei (Fe³⁺–Fe³⁺ = S_5/2–S_5/2) are anti-ferromagnetically coupled. However, at LNT, the complex acquires a mixed-valent [Fe^III–Fe^II] composition corroborated from the X-band EPR data. CV studies indicated the presence of quasi-reversible redox Cu^II/I, Cu^II/III, Fe^III/II, Fe^III/I and Fe^II/I couples.     

Mixed valence states of Cr and Fe in La1−xSrxFe0.8Cr0.2O3−y

The La_1?xSr_xFe_0.8Cr_0.2O_3?y (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8) phases were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at room temperature and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy at different temperatures. Mixed valence states were observed both for chromium and iron ions, justifying the complex magnetic behaviour exhibited by these compounds. The Mössbauer results indicate the simultaneous presence of Fe³⁺, Fe⁴⁺ and Fe⁵⁺ at 4.2 K and the co-existence of Fe³⁺ and Fe⁽³⁺ⁿ⁾⁺ at T = 293 K, with the latter fraction increasing with increasing strontium content. The presence of Cr^3+/4+ is interpreted as being mainly responsible for the incomplete charge disproportionation reaction of iron at low temperature, as deduced from the Mössbauer results.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel intramolecularly O,C,O-coordinated heteroleptic organostannylenes and their tungstenpentacarbonyl complexes

The syntheses are reported of the novel heteroleptic organostannylenes [2,6-(ROCH₂)₂C₆H₃]SnCl (1, R = Me; 2, R = t-Bu) and of their tungstenpentacarbonyl complexes [2,6-(ROCH₂)₂C₆H₃](X)SnW(CO)₅ (3, X = Cl, R = Me; 4, X = Cl, R = t-Bu; 5, X = H, R = Me). The compounds were characterized by means of elemental analyses, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopies, electrospray mass spectrometry and in case of 3 and 4 also by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. For the two latter compounds the substituents bound at the ether oxygen atom control the strength of intramolecular O → Sn coordination. Thus, the O–Sn distances amount to 2.391(5)/2.389(5) (3) and 2.464(3)/2.513(3) Å (4).     

Potential energy surface and rate constant of the inversion substitution reactions CH3X + O2 → CH3O2• + X• (X = SH,NO2)

The temperature dependence of the rate constant of the inversion substitution reactions CH₃X + O₂ → CH₃O₂^? + X^? (X = SH, NO₂), can be expressed as k = 6.8 × 10^–12(T/1000)^1.49exp(–62816 cal mol^–1/RT) cm³ s^–1 (X = SH) and k = 6.8 × 10^–12(T/1000)^1.26 × × exp(–61319 cal mol^–1/RT) cm³ s^–1 (X = NO₂), as found with the use of high-level quantum chemical methods and the transition state theory.     

Magnetic dilution effect on the charge transfer phase transition and the ferromagnetic transition for an iron mixed-valence complex, (n-C3H7)4N[FeII1−xZnIIxFeIII(dto)3] (dto = C2O2S2)

Iron mixed-valence complex, (n-C₃H₇)₄N[Fe^IIFe^III(dto)₃] (dto = C₂O₂S₂) shows a new-type of phase transition coupled with spin and charge around 120 K, where the charge transfer between the Fe^II and Fe^III sites occurs reversibly, and shows the ferromagnetic transition at 7 K. To investigate the magnetic structure and its dimensionality of (n-C₃H₇)₄N[Fe^IIFe^III(dto)₃], we have synthesized a mixed crystal system, (n-C₃H₇)₄N[Fe^II_1?xZn^II_xFe^III(dto)₃], and measured its magnetic properties. In this system, the magnetic moment is reduced with increasing of Zn ratio. Moreover, the ferromagnetic interaction changes to the antiferromagnetic one and the remnant magnetization disappears between x = 0.48 and 0.96, while the charge transfer between the Fe^II and Fe^III sites disappears above x = 0.26. In this paper, we present the magnetic dilution effect on the charge transfer phase transition and the ferromagnetic transition by means of magnetic susceptibility measurement and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic study of photo-sensitive organic–inorganic hybrid system, (SP)[Fe(II)Fe(III)(dto)3](dto = C2O2S2, SP = spiropyran)

A photo-sensitive organic–inorganic hybrid system (SP)[Fe^IIFe^III(dto)₃] (SP = spiropyran, dto = C₂O₂S₂), has recently been developed, where the photo-isomerization of the intercalated spiropyran in solid state triggers the change of the magnetic properties, including the ferromagnetic transition temperature from 5 to 22 K. We performed ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer measurement in order to probe the microscopic states of iron ions in (SP)[Fe^IIFe^III(dto)₃] and have investigated the photo-induced effect on them. The sample without UV-irradiation shows the charge transfer phase transition between 200 and 70 K and the higher and lower temperature phases coexist below 70 K, whereas the UV-irradiated sample does not undergo the charge transfer phase transition and the higher temperature phase is stable between 200 and 6 K.     

Spectral and physico-chemical investigations of novel homo-dinuclear di-μ2-alkoxo bridged Schiff base complexes: 57Fe Mössbauer parameters of the Fe(III) complex

Spectral and molecular model computations on homo-dinuclear complexes [M₂L₂(H₂O)₂Cl₂] [L = 1-(salicylaldeneamino)-3-hydroxypropane, M = Cr³⁺, Mn³⁺, Fe³⁺, Co³⁺, Ni³⁺ or Cu³⁺] are consistent with a distorted hexa-coordinate geometry. X-band EPR spectral data indicated a rhombic distortion around Cu(II) ion. Magnetic moment and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer data confirmed a high-spin state electronic configuration (t_2g³e_g², S = 5/2) and asymmetric ligand environment around Fe(III) with nuclear transitions Fe(±3/2 → 1/2) exhibiting Kramer's double degeneracy. The neighboring Fe(III) nuclei in the homo-dinuclear species are antiferromagnetically coupled.     

Jahn–Teller coupling and the influence of strain in Tg and Eg ground and excited states – A ligand field and DFT study on halide MIIIX6 model complexes [M = TiIII–CuIII; X = F−, Cl−]

In contrast to well established experimental results of vibronic coupling effects in octahedral dⁿ complexes with E_g ground states (Cu²⁺, Ag²⁺; Cr²⁺, Mn³⁺ etc.), not much useful material is available for the Jahn–Teller (JT) effect in orbital triplet ground states. The present study is concerned with this deficiency, providing data for octahedral halide model complexes with 3dⁿ cations – in particular for Ti^III, V^III and high-spin Co^III, Ni^III with T_2g and T_1g ground states, which involve, to first-order, solely splitting of the π-antibonding t_2g MOs. Besides experimental results – structural and spectroscopic, mainly from d–d spectra – data from computations are needed for a quantitative treatment of the T_g ? (?_g + τ_2g) vibronic interaction as well as in the E_g ? ?_g coupling case (Mn^III, low-spin Ni^III); DFT was the method of choice, if only critically selected outcomes are utilised. The theoretical bases of the treatment are the dⁿ ligand field matrices in O_h, extended by the inclusion of lower-symmetry distortion parameters, and the conventional theory of vibronic coupling. Caution is needed when classifying the effects of interelectronic repulsion; DFT does not reproduce the magnitudes of the Racah parameters B, C, as deduced from the d–d spectra, properly – the presumed reasons are analysed. DFT even allows one to deduce reliable vibronic coupling constants via the analysis of orbitally degenerate excited states (Cr^III, ⁴A_2g ground state). The group-theoretical analysis of the interaction with the JT-active ?_g and τ_2g modes yields D_4h, D_3d and D_2h as the possible distortion symmetries in the case of a T_g ground state. The DFT-calculations give clear evidence, that the D_4h stationary points represent the absolute minima in the T_g ? (?_g + τ_2g) potential surface – in agreement with experiment, where available. For the first time, vibronic coupling constants, characterising JT splitting of ground and excited T_g states, can be presented for trivalent 3dⁿ cations in octahedral halide ligand fields. They turn out to be smaller by a factor of almost 3 in comparison to those, which determine the coupling in σ-antibonding e_g MOs.The tetragonal splitting of T_g states is typically only small, around 0.1 eV, and suggests that strain influences from a specific ligand arrangement and/or the presence of different ligands may modify the potential surface considerably. We have studied such effects via compounds A^IM^IIIF₄, where an elastic strain induced by the host structure, and a binding strain, due to the simultaneous existence of (largely) terminal and of bridging ligands, are active. A novel strain model, in its interplay with JT coupling, is proposed and applied – using energies from the d–d spectra, structural results and data from DFT.Chloride complexes are only known for Ti^III to Fe^III; the rather small electronegativity already of Co^III suggests a reducing ligand-to-metal (3dⁿ) electron transfer for n ≥ 6. Similarly, the low-lying ligand-to-metal charge transfer bands in the d–d spectra of the Cu^IIIF₆^3? complex and the reduced T_g ? ?_g coupling strength suggest a pronounced covalency of the Cu^III–F, and, even more distinctly, of the Cu^III–O bond, which is of interest for superconductivity. The Ni^IIIF₆^3? polyhedron possesses a low-spin configuration in the elpasolite structure. The spectroscopic evidence and the DFT data indicate, that the minimum positions of the alternative _a²A_1g(_a²E_g) and _a⁴A_2g (_a⁴T_1g) potential curves are only ≤0.02 eV apart, giving rise to interesting high-spin/low-spin phenomena. It is the strong E_g ? ?_g as compared to the T_1g ? ?_g coupling, which finally stabilises a spin-doublet ground state in D_4h.We think, that the selected class of solids is unique particularly for the study of Jahn–Teller coupling in T ground states, with model character for other systems. In our overview a procedure is sketched, which uses reliable computational results (here from DFT) for supplementing incomplete experimental data, and presents – on a semiquantitative scale – convincing statements, consistent with chemical intuition. It is also a pleading for ligand field theory, which rationalises d-d spectra in terms of chemical bonding; though the latter spectra provide frequently only rather coarse information, their assistance in the energy analysis is crucial.     

A family of dodecanuclear Mn11Ln single-molecule magnets

A series of four isostructural dodecanuclear complexes [Mn^III₉Mn^II₂Ln^III(O)₈(OH)(piv)₁₆(NO₃)(CH₃CN)]·xCH₃CN·yC₇H₁₆ (piv = pivalate; x = ½, y = ¾, Ln = Tb (1); x = 2, y = ½, Ln = Dy (2), Ho (3), and Y (4)) has been prepared for which the structural motif described as ‘a lanthanide ion nested in a large manganese shell’ is observed. All compounds show out-of-phase signals in their ac susceptibilities, and their single-molecule magnet behaviour was confirmed by single-crystal micro-SQUID studies of 1-3 which show hysteresis loops of molecular origin at T < 1.0 K. The SMM behaviour observed in compounds 1-3 is more pronounced than that for 4, which contains the diamagnetic Y^III ion. This is principally the result of ferromagnetic coupling between the paramagnetic anisotropic Ln^III ions (Tb^III, Dy^III and Ho^III) and the manganese shell, which enhances the total spin ground state of the complexes.     

Structural,magnetic and Mössbauer spectroscopic investigations of the magnetoelectric relaxor Pb(Fe0.6W0.2Nb0.2)O3

The complex perovskite lead iron tungsten niobium oxide, Pb(Fe_0.6W_0.2Nb_0.2)O₃ (PFWN) which belongs to the class of disordered magnetoelectrics, has been studied by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, magnetic and Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements. Structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of PFWN are presented and reviewed. Magnetic measurements indicate that the most important interactions are of antiferromagnetic nature yielding T_N = 300 K, however, with indications of a reentrant spin glass behaviour below 20 K. The parameters of Mössbauer spectra also support the existence of the magnetic order and are consistent with the presence of high-spin Fe³⁺ cations located in the octahedral B-site. Rietveld refinements of diffraction data at different temperatures between 10 and 700 K have been carried out. The long-range structure of PFWN is cubic (space group Pm−3m) over the whole temperature interval. The Fe, W and Nb cations were found to be disordered over the perovskite B-sites. The Pb cations show a position disorder along the 〈111〉 direction shifting from their high-symmetry position. At the temperatures below T_N, an antiferromagnetic arrangement of the magnetic moments of Fe³⁺ cations in the B-site is proposed in accordance with the antiferromagnetic properties of PFWN. The factors governing the observed nuclear and magnetic structures of PFWN are discussed and compared with those of pure Pb(Fe_0.67W_0.33)O₃, Pb(Fe_0.5Nb_0.5)O₃ and other quaternary Pb-based perovskites containing iron.     

Synthesis,characterization, and study of the photophysics and photocatalytic properties of the photoinitiated electron collector [{(phen)2Ru(dpp)}2RhBr2](PF6)5

The heterometallic photoinitiated electron collector [{(phen)₂Ru(dpp)}₂RhBr₂](PF₆)₅ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine) has been synthesized and studied by spectroscopic, photophysical, electrochemical, and photochemical techniques. Substitution of chloride with bromide in the previously reported [{(phen)₂Ru(dpp)}₂RhCl₂](PF₆)₅ complex presents a new photoinitiated electron collector which can assist in understanding the functioning of our supramolecular systems [{(TL)₂Ru(BL)}₂RhX₂](PF₆)₅ (TL = terminal ligand, BL = bridging ligand, X = halide) in the photoinitiated electron collection and generation of hydrogen through the reduction of water and a detailed comparison is presented. Both the bromide and chloride analogues of these supramolecular complexes contain low energy, emissive metal-to-ligand charge transfer (³MLCT) excited states that populate lower lying metal-to-metal charge transfer (³MMCT) excited states. The electrochemistry of these complexes showed an impact on the reduction of the central Rh^III upon halide substitution with the bromide analogue [(phen)₂Ru(dpp)}₂RhBr₂](PF₆)₅ having a slightly lower reduction potential than the corresponding chloride counterpart. The more positive reduction of Rh^III to generate the Rh^I species in the bromide analogue impacts the photocatalytic properties upon photolysis in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor. The trimetallic complex [{(phen)₂Ru(dpp)}₂RhBr₂](PF₆)₅ generates hydrogen through the reduction of water with higher yields than the chloride [{(phen)₂Ru(dpp)}₂RhCl₂](PF₆)₅ analogue under the same conditions. Despite the longer lived ³MLCT state of both [(TL)₂Ru(dpp)]²⁺ and [{(TL)₂Ru}₂(dpp)]⁴⁺ when TL = phen vs. bpy (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), the phen trimetallics with X = Cl^? or Br^? do not display longer lived ³MLCT states and show lower H₂ yields than the analogous bpy trimetallic systems.     

Synthesis and structures of N,N,O-scorpionatoruthenium(II) complexes featuring “non-innocent” o-benzoquinonediimines

A series of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing redox-active o-benzoquinonediimines (o-bqdi) was synthesized and characterized. Reactions of [RuCl(bdmpza)(η⁴-cod)] (bdmpza = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetato; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and 1,2-benzenediamines such as o-phenylenediamine (o-pdaH₂), 4,5-difluoro-1,2-benzenediamine (o-pdaF₂), 4,5-dichloro-1,2-benzenediamine (o-pdaCl₂), and 4,5-dimethoxy-1,2-benzenediamine (o-pda(OMe)₂) afforded [RuCl(bdmpza)(o-bqdiX₂)] (X = H, 1; X = F, 2; X = Cl, 3; X = OMe, 4).     

Conductometric study of some alkali metal halides in (dimethyl sulfoxide + acetonitrile) at T = 298.15 K

Electrolytic conductivities of some alkali metal halides, MX (M⁺ = Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺; X^? = Cl^?, Br^?, and I^?), NaBPh₄ and Bu₄NBr have been investigated in (20, 40, and 60) mass% {dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in DMSO + acetonitrile} at T = 298.15 K. The conductance results have been analyzed by the Fuoss-conductance-concentration equation in terms of the limiting molar conductance Λ° the association constant K_A and the association diameter R. The ionic contributions to the limiting molar conductance have been estimated using Bu₄NBPh₄ as the “reference electrolyte”. The association constant K_A tends to increase in the order mass percent 20 < 40 < 60 DMSO in (DMSO + acetonitrile) which is explained by the thermodynamic parameter ΔG° and Walden product Λ°η. The results have been interpreted in terms of ion–solvent interactions and structural changes in the mixed solvents.     

An SFG/DFG investigation of CN− adsorption at an Au electrode in 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ionic liquid

In this paper we report an SFG/DFG investigation of the adsorption of CN^? – used as a probe molecule to study the electrochemical double-layer structure – at a polycrystalline Au electrode in 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ([BMP][TFSA]) room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). The adsorption of CN^? yielded single SFG and DFG bands in the range from ca. 2125 to 2135 cm^?1, exhibiting a Stark tuning of ca. 3 cm^?1 V^?1. Vibrational resonances – corresponding to modes of the RTIL coadsorbed with CN^?, were found in the range from ca. 1200 to 1500 cm^?1. The study of the double-layer structure was complemented by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements, from which the differential double-layer capacity (C_DL) was estimated.