New cyanometalate building units: synthesis and characterization of [Re(CN)(7)]3- and [Re(CN)(8)]3-

Two new cyanorhenate complexes of potential utility in constructing magnetic and photomagnetic materials are reported. Reaction of (Bu4N)CN with [ReCl6]2- in acetonitrile affords yellow (Bu4N)3[Re(CN)7] (1), featuring the pentagonal bipyramidal complex [Re(CN)7]3-. The spectral and magnetic properties of 1 indicate that the complex has an S = 1/2 ground state with considerable anisotropy in the g tensor. In aqueous solution, 1 reacts with Mn2+ ions to generate the three-dimensional cyano-bridged solid [fac-Mn(H2O)3][cis-Mn(H2O)2][Re(CN)7].3H2O (2) containing diamagnetic [Re(CN)7]4-. Addition of KIO4 to the reaction solution, originally intended to prevent reduction of the rhenium during solid formation, instead yields white (Bu4N)3[Re(CN)8] (3). As crystallized in K3[Re(CN)8].2MeCN (4.2MeCN), the diamagnetic [Re(CN)8]3- complex adopts a nearly perfect square antiprismatic coordination geometry. In solution, this species behaves analogously to the isoelectronic [M(CN)8]4- (M = Mo, W) complexes, apparently converting to a dodecahedral geometry and photooxidizing under UV radiation to give paramagnetic [Re(CN)8]2-.     

Neutron diffraction and theoretical DFT studies of two dimensional molecular-based magnet K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O

Exchange mechanisms and magnetic structure in the two-dimensional cyano-bridged molecule-based magnet K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O have been investigated by a combination of neutron diffraction studies on both single crystal and powder samples and theoretical DFT calculations. The experimental spin density has been deduced from a new refinement of previously obtained polarized neutron diffraction (PND) data which was collected in the ordered magnetic state at 4 K under a saturation field of 3 T performed in the C2/c space group, determined by an accurate re-evaluation of the X-ray structure. Positive spin populations were observed on the two manganese sites, and negative spin populations were observed on the molybdenum site, which provides evidence of antiferromagnetic Mo3+-Mn2+ exchange interactions through the cyano bridge. The experimental data have been compared to the results of DFT calculations. Moreover, theoretical studies reveal the predominance of the spin polarization mechanism in the Mo-C-N-Mn sequence, with the antiferromagnetic nature of the interaction being due to the overlap between the magnetic orbitals relative to manganese and molybdenum in the cyano bridging region. The magnetic structure of K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O has been solved at low temperature in zero field by powder neutron diffraction measurements. The structure was found to be ferrimagnetic where the manganese and molybdenum spins are aligned along the axis in opposite directions.     

Novel class of heterometallic cubane and boride clusters containing heavier group 16 elements

Thermolysis of an in situ generated intermediate, produced from the reaction of [Cp*MoCl(4)] (Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) and [LiBH(4).THF], with excess Te powder yielded isomeric [(Cp*Mo)(2)B(4)TeH(5)Cl] (2 and 3), [(Cp*Mo)(2)B(4)(μ(3)-OEt)TeH(3)Cl] (4), and [(Cp*Mo)(4)B(4)H(4)(μ(4)-BH)(3)] (5). Cluster 4 is a notable example of a dimolybdaoxatelluraborane cluster where both oxygen and tellurium are contiguously bound to molybdenum and boron. Cluster 5 represents an unprecedented metal-rich metallaborane cluster with a cubane core. The dimolybdaheteroborane 2 was found to be very reactive toward metal carbonyl compounds, and as a result, mild pyrolysis of 2 with [Fe(2)(CO)(9)] yielded distorted cubane cluster [(Cp*Mo)(2)(BH)(4)(μ(3)-Te){Fe(CO)(3)}] (6) and with [Co(2)(CO)(8)] produced the bicapped pentagonal bipyramid [(Cp*MoCo)(2)B(3)H(2)(μ(3)-Te)(μ-CO){Co(3)(CO)(6)}] (7) and pentacapped trigonal prism [(Cp*MoCo)(2)B(3)H(2)(μ(3)-Te)(μ-CO)(4){Co(6)(CO)(8)}] (8). The geometry of 8 is an example of a heterometallic boride cluster in which five Co and one Mo atom define a trigonal prismatic framework. The resultant trigonal prism core is in turn capped by two boron, one Te, and one Co atom. In the pentacapped trigonal prism unit of 8, one of the boron atoms is completely encapsulated and bonded to one molybdenum, one boron, and five cobalt atoms. All the new compounds have been characterized in solution by IR, (1)H, (11)B, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and the structural types were unambiguously established by crystallographic analysis of 2 and 4-8.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of two low-dimensional materials constructed from [Mn(III)(salen)H2O]+ and [M(CN)8](3-/4-) (M = Mo or W) precursors

The syntheses, X-ray structures, and magnetic behaviors of two new cyano-bridged assemblies, the molecular [Mn(III)(salen)H2O]3[W(V)(CN)8].H2O (1) and one-dimensional [Mn(salen)(H2O)2]2[[Mn(salen)(H2O)][Mn(salen)]2[Mo(CN)(8)]].0.5ClO4.0.5OH.4.5H2O (2), are presented. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, has space group P2(1)/c, and has unit cell constants a = 13.7210(2) A, b = 20.6840(4) A, c = 20.6370(2) A, and Z = 4. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic system, has space group P, and has unit cell dimensions a = 18.428(4) A, b = 18.521(3) A, c = 18.567(4) A, and Z = 2. The structure of 1 consists of the asymmetric V-shaped Mn-NC-W-NC-Mn-O(phenolate)-Mn molecules, where W(V) coordinates with [Mn(salen)H2O] and singly phenolate-bridged [Mn(salen)H2O]2 moieties through the neighboring cyano bridges. The [W(V)(CN)8]3- ion displays distorted square-antiprism geometry. The structure of 2 consists of the cyano-bridged [Mn3(III)Mo(IV)]n- repeating units linked by double phenolate bridges into one-dimensional zigzag chains. The Mn(III) centers are bound to Mo(IV) of square-antiprism geometry through the neighboring cyano bridges. The magnetic studies of 1 reveal the antiferromagnetic intramolecular interactions through the CN and phenolate bridges and the relatively weak intermolecular interactions. Compound 1 becomes antiferromagnetically ordered below TN = 4.6 K. The presence of the magnetic anisotropy is documented with the MH measurements carried out for both polycrystalline and single-crystal samples. At T = 1.9 K, the spin-flop transition is observed in the field of 18 kOe applied parallel to the bc plane, which is the easy plane of magnetization. Field dependence of magnetization of 1 shows field-induced metamagnetic behavior from the antiferromagnetic ground state of ST = 3/2 to the state of ST = 5/2. The magnetic properties of 2 indicate a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Mn(III) centers in double-phenolate-bridged [Mn(III)(salen)]2 dinuclear subunits and a very weak ferromagnetic interaction between them through the diamagnetic [Mo(IV)(CN)8]4- spacer.     

A Luminescent and magnetic cyano-bridged Tb3+-Mo5+ coordination polymer: toward multifunctional materials

A new cyano-bridged coordination polymer network Tb(H2O)5-[Mo(CN)8] was obtained and characterized. This compound has a two-dimensional layered structure and presents luminescence along with a magnetic transition at low temperature.     

Photoinduced Mo−CN Bond Breakage in Octacyanomolybdate Leading to Spin Triplet Trapping

The photoinduced properties of the octacoordinated complex K₄Mo^IV(CN)₈⋅2 H₂O were studied by theoretical calculations, crystallography, and optical and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure recorded at 10 K after blue light irradiation reveals an heptacoordinated Mo(CN)₇ species originating from the light-induced cleavage of one Mo−CN bond, concomitant with the photoinduced formation of a paramagnetic signal. When this complex is heated to 70 K, it returns to its original diamagnetic ground state, demonstrating full reversibility. The photomagnetic properties show a partial conversion into a triplet state possessing significant magnetic anisotropy, which is in agreement with theoretical studies. Inspired by these results, we isolated the new compound [K(crypt-222)]₃[Mo^IV(CN)₇]⋅3 CH₃CN using a photochemical pathway, confirming that photodissociation leads to a stable heptacyanomolybdate(IV) species in solution.     

Photoinduced Mo−CN Bond Breakage in Octacyanomolybdate Leading to Spin Triplet Trapping

The photoinduced properties of the octacoordinated complex K₄Mo^IV(CN)₈?2 H₂O were studied by theoretical calculations, crystallography, and optical and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure recorded at 10 K after blue light irradiation reveals an heptacoordinated Mo(CN)₇ species originating from the light‐induced cleavage of one Mo?CN bond, concomitant with the photoinduced formation of a paramagnetic signal. When this complex is heated to 70 K, it returns to its original diamagnetic ground state, demonstrating full reversibility. The photomagnetic properties show a partial conversion into a triplet state possessing significant magnetic anisotropy, which is in agreement with theoretical studies. Inspired by these results, we isolated the new compound [K(crypt‐222)]₃[Mo^IV(CN)₇]?3 CH₃CN using a photochemical pathway, confirming that photodissociation leads to a stable heptacyanomolybdate(IV) species in solution.     

Near-infrared luminescent and magnetic cyano-bridged coordination polymers Nd(phen)n(DMF)m[M(CN)8] (M = Mo, W)

New cyano-bridged coordination polymers [Nd(phen)(2)(DMF)(2)(H(2)O)Mo(CN)(8)]·2H(2)O (1) and [Nd(phen)(DMF)(5)M(CN)(8)]·xH(2)O [M = Mo (2), W (3); phen = 1,10-phenanthroline] have one-dimensional structures with variable number of phenanthroline ligands. Compounds exhibit photoluminescence in the near-infrared region and ferromagnetic Nd(3+)-M(5+) interactions.     

Electrochemical synthesis, crystal structure, and photomagnetic properties of a three-dimensional cyano-bridged copper-molybdenum complex

A single crystal of Cs(I)2Cu(II)7[Mo(IV)CN8]4.6H2O was electrochemically prepared on a Pt wire electrode with a constant potential of +500 mV vs Ag/AgCl electrode. X-ray single-crystal structural analysis showed that this compound consists of a three-dimensional cyano-bridged Cu-Mo bimetallic assembly with a tetragonal structure of I4/mmm. The coordination geometry of Mo(IV) is bicapped trigonal prism, and that of Cu(II) is five-coordinate of square pyramidal or four-coordinate of square planar. This compound was also prepared as a 0.2-3.0 microm thick film on a SnO2-coated glass in the same electrochemical manner. When the sample, which shows paramagnetism due to Cu(II) (S = 1/2), was irradiated with 450-500 nm light at 5 K, spontaneous magnetization with a Curie temperature of 23 K was observed. This photoinduced change was recovered by a thermal treatment. In the infrared (IR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra after light irradiation, variations in the stretching IR peak of CN bridged to Mo(IV) and the paramagnetic ESR peak of Cu(II) were observed, respectively. The data indicate that this photomagnetism is caused by the electron transfer from Mo(IV) to Cu(II) and the ferromagnetic ordering between Cu(II) (S = 1/2) and Mo(V) (S = 1/2).     

镧系间苯二甲酸配位聚合物的晶体结构及铕配合物的荧光特性

水热条件下合成了3个镧系间苯二甲酸的配位聚合物[Ln2(ip)3(H2O)2]n•n(H2O) (H2ip＝间苯二甲酸, Ln＝Pr (1), Eu (2), n＝0; Ln＝Ho (3), n＝1). 用X射线单晶衍射法测定了3个配合物的晶体结构, 它们皆属单斜晶系, 空间群P2(1)/n. 配合物1和2为双核单元的同构晶体, 两个独立的晶体学金属中心分别为七配位的五角双锥和八配位的二帽三角棱柱构型; 而配合物3略有不同, 金属离子分别处于七配位的单帽三角棱柱和八配位的扭变二帽三角棱柱构型中. 3个配合物中都存在由间苯二甲酸连接成的左旋和右旋的金属链构成的二维网状结构. 热分析结果表明, 3个配合物受热后分两步失去水分子, 再一步分解为Ln2O3. 配合物的荧光光谱表明, 铕配合物与其脱水产物均具有较强的荧光性质.     

Cyano-bridged pentanuclear Fe(III)3M(II)2 (M = Ni, Co, Fe) clusters: synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties

The reactions of [M(II)(Tpm(Me))(H2O)3]2+ (M = Ni, Co, Fe; Tpm(Me) = tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazoyl)methane) with [Bu4N][(Tp)Fe(III)(CN)3] (Bu4N+ = tetrabutylammonium cation; Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate) in MeCN-Et2O afford three pentanuclear cyano-bridged clusters, [(Tp)3(Tpm(Me))2Fe(III)3M(II)2(CN)9]ClO4.15H2O (M = Ni, 1; M = Co, 2) and [(Tp)3(Tpm(Me))2Fe(III)3Fe(II)2(CN)9]BF4.15H2O (3). Single-crystal X-ray analyses reveal that they show the same trigonal bipyramidal structure featuring a D3h-symmetry core, in which two opposing Tpm(Me)-ligated M(II) ions situated in the two apical positions are linked through cyanide bridges to an equatorial triangle of three Tp-ligated Fe(III) (S = 1/2) centers. Magnetic studies for complex 1 show ferromagnetic coupling giving an S = 7/2 ground state and an appreciable magnetic anisotropy with a negative D(7/2) value equal to -0.79 cm(-1). Complex 2 shows zero-field splitting parameters deducted from the magnetization data with D = -1.33 cm(-1) and g = 2.81. Antiferromagnetic interaction was observed in complex 3.     

一个新颖氰根桥联化合物SmFe(CN)_6(DMSO)_2·H_2O的合成与结构

稀土氯化物SmCl3(6H2O与K3Fe(CN)6在水/乙醇/DMSO混合溶剂中反应合成了标题化合物: SmFe(CN)6(DMSO)2(H2O(C10H14N6O3S2FeSm, Mr = 536.59),晶体属单斜晶系,空间群 P2/n,a = 7.759(1), b = 10.673(1),c = 11.014（2）?,β= 97.106（2）(,V = 905.0（2）? 3, Z = 2 , Dc = 1.969 g/cm3, F（000）= 520,R = 0.0474 , wR = 0.0925。该化合物为氰基桥联稀土-过渡金属化合物,稀土离子(Sm3+)为7配位的五角双锥构型。化合物的结构可描述为由方砖铺砌成的楼梯状二维层结构,层之间由氢键连接沿b轴方向堆积而成三维网状结构。     

钼簇合物反应性能的研究: {Mo3S4[S2P(OEt)2]4H2O}的加硫反应以及产物{Mo3(μ3-S)(μ-S2)3[S2P(OEt2]3I}的晶体结构

由贫硫化合物{Mo_3S_4[S_2P(OEt)_2]_4·H_2O}通过加硫获得了富硫化合物{Mo_3S_7[S_2P(OEt)_2]_3·I}(CH_8C_6H_5).化合物属三斜晶系,空间群PI,晶胞参数为a=10.350(1)A,b=13.931(4)A,c=16.369(3)A,α=103.69(2),β=86.62(1),γ=111.99(2)°,V=2183A~3;z=2,D_c=1.817g·cm~(-3).最终结构偏离因子R为0.042. 簇分子{Mo_3(μ_3-S)(μ-S_2)_3[S_2P(OEt)_2]3·I}属{Mo_3(μ3一Y)(μ-S_2)_3[S_2P(OEt)_2]_3·X}(Y=O,S;X=Cl,I)系列构型.{Mo_3}基本上是一个正三角形,Mo—Mo键长分别为2.721(1),2.724(1),2.725(1)A,Mo的配位多面体为七个硫原子组成的畸变五角双锥,有一个I原子联结着三个(S_2)~(2-)桥基的三个不与Mo共平面的S原子,I—S距离平均为3.169A,比相应的Van der Waals距离(～4.00A)明显地短,显示一定程度的成键作用,簇分子的这一构型是一种较为稳定的结构类型.     

The isocloso capped pentagonal bipyramid versus the closo bisdisphenoid in hypoelectronic eight-vertex metallaboranes having 16 skeletal electrons

The lowest energy structures for all of the eight-vertex [M]CB₆H₇ {[M] = CpFe, CpRu. Co(CO)₂, Rh(CO)₂, (Me₃P)₂Fe(H), (Me₃P)₂Ru(H)}, [M]C₂B₅H₇ {[M] = CpMn, CpRe, Cr(CO)₃, Mo(CO)₃}, and [M]₂C₂B₄H₆ ([M] = CpFe, CpRu) systems having 16 skeletal electrons were found by density functional theory to be capped pentagonal bipyramids providing a degree 6 vertex for a metal atom. Thus the capped pentagonal bipyramid plays a similar role for eight-vertex metallaboranes with 16 skeletal electrons as the isocloso deltahedra play in 9- and 10-vertex metallaboranes with 18 and 20 skeletal electrons, respectively. Furthermore, in all of these metallaborane systems the closo bisdisphenoidal structures were always found to be higher energy structures than their capped pentagonal bipyramidal isomers. For the bimetallic systems Cp₂M₂C₂B₄H₆ (M = Fe, Ru) even higher energy hexagonal bipyramid structures with degree 6 vertices for both metal atoms were also found.     

Lanthanide-thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylate frameworks: ionothermal synthesis, helical structures, photoluminescent properties, and single-crystal-to-single-crystal guest exchange

Eight three-dimensional lanthanide-thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylate frameworks, [Ln(TDC)(2)]·(choline) (1-6; Ln = Gd, Nd, Eu, Er, Tb, Dy; TDC = thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylate), [Yb(TDC)(2)(e-urea)]·(choline)·H(2)O (7; e-urea = ethyleneurea), [Nd(2)(TDC)(3)(e-urea)(4)]·3(e-urea) (8) have been successfully prepared in deep eutectic solvents (choline chloride/e-urea), respectively. Compounds 1-7 are anionic frameworks with 8-connected bcu topology, while compound 8 features a neutral 6-connected rob-type framework with guest e-urea molecules. In these structures, lanthanide ions show dicapped trigonal prism, pentagonal bipyramid, and tricapped trigonal prism coordination configurations, respectively, and the TDC ligands exhibit different coordination modes. Versatile helical substructures are presented in these compounds. The photoluminescent properties of compounds 3 (Eu) and 8 (Nd) were studied. Moreover, compound 8 can perform single-crystal-to-single-crystal guest exchange. The ethanol-exchange mechanism of 8 can be ascribed to the kinetically controlled flexibility (KCF).     

Crystal structure and thermochemical reactivity of an unusual copper complex that contains copper in four different coordination geometries

According to X-ray single-crystal structure analysis, {[Cu(II)(en)2]2[Cu(I)2(CN)6]}[Cu(II)(en)2]2[Cu(I)(CN)3]2.2H2O contains copper in four different coordination environments: trigonal planar, square planar, square pyramidal and tetrahedral. The different coordination geometries of copper were investigated by quantum chemical calculations of model compounds, thus allowing to tentatively assign the different CN-bands in the IR spectrum. The thermolysis led to sub-microm sized rod-like copper(II) oxide particles.     

Shape and symmetry of heptacoordinate transition-metal complexes: structural trends

The stereochemistries of heptacoordinate transition-metal complexes are analyzed by using continuous symmetry and shape measures of their coordination spheres. The distribution of heptacoordination through the transition-metal series is presented based on structural database searches including organometallic and Werner-type molecular complexes, metalloproteins, and extended solids. The most common polyhedron seems to be the pentagonal bipyramid, while different preferences are found for specific families of compounds, as in the complexes with three or four carbonyl or phosphine ligands, which prefer the capped octahedron or the capped trigonal prism rather than the pentagonal bipyramid. The symmetry maps for heptacoordination are presented and shown to be helpful for detecting stereochemical trends. The maximal symmetry interconversion pathways between the three most common polyhedra are defined in terms of symmetry constants and a large number of experimental structures are seen to fall along those paths.     

[Er(nmp)4(H2O)3]H[SiMo12O40]·2nmp·0.5H2O的合成、性质与晶体结构

由Er2O3、H4SiMo12O40和nmp合成了分子组成为[Er(nmp)4(H2O)3]H[SiMo12O40]2nmp0.5H2O(nmp=N-甲基吡咯烷酮)的配合物,并通过单晶X-射线衍射测定了晶体结构。结果表明,该化合物属单斜晶系,P21/c空间群,晶胞参数a=17.4601(7),b=18.1906(5),c=22.9096(8)?b=105.2980(10),Z=4,V=7018.5(4)3,Dc=2.504g/cm3,R=0.0460,wR=0.1114,F(000)=5064.配合物中Er3+以七配位的单加冠三棱柱构型配阳离子形式存在,与之配位的是4个N-甲基吡咯烷酮和3个H2O分子,该配阳离子与[SiMo12O40]4-阴离子通过静电作用相结合。     

Diversity of coordination architecture of metal 4,5-dicarboxyimidazole

Seven complexes of metal 4,5-dicarboxyimidazole acid (H3dcbi), namely, [Cd(H2dcbi)2(H2O)3].H2O (1.alpha), [Cd(H2dcbi)2(H2O)2].2H2O (1.beta), [Cd(H2dcbi)2(H2O)2].2H2O (1.gamma), [Cd(H2dcbi)2(H2O)2] (2), [Cd(Hdcbi)(H2O)] (3), [Cd5(Hdcbi)2(dcbi)2(H2O)].XH2O (4), [Cd2(Hdcbi)(C2O4)] (5), [Ag5(Hdcbi)2(CN)] (6), and [Mn(Hdcbi)(H2O)] (7), have been hydro(solvo)thermally synthesized by fine control over synthetic conditions such as stoichiometry, solvent, and pH value. X-ray single-crystal structural analyses reveal that they have rich structural chemistry ranging from mononuclear (1), one-dimensional (2), and two-dimensional (3 and 7) to three-dimensional (4-6), among which 1 crystallizes in three types (alpha, beta, and gamma) of polymorphs. Seven coordination modes of H(n)dcbi ranging from monodentate to mu5 have been observed, among which four modes are found first. The coordination geometries of the Cd(II) sites vary from five-coordinate trigonal bipyramid and square pyramid, six-coordinate octahedron to seven-coordinate pentagonal bipyramid. Analyses of the synthetic conditions and structures of the Cd(II) complexes show that the influences of the solvent and the metal-to-ligand molar ratio are very important to the products and coordination modes of H(n)dcbi (n =0, 1, 2). Studies of the coordination modes of H(n)dcbi and the structures of the Cd(II) complexes also reveal that the singly deprotonated H2dcbi generally coordinates in the monodentate imidazole-N or N,O-chelate mode to result in mononuclear structures, the doubly deprotonated Hdcbi coordinates in the mu2, mu3, or mu4 mode to generate one-dimensional or two-dimensional structures, and the triply deprotonated dcbi can coordinate in the mu5 mode to form three-dimensional structures. The cyanide was in situ formed via C-C bond cleavage of acetonitrile during the preparation of 6, which adopts a rare mu4-kC,kC:kN,kN mode to bridge four Ag(I) ions. The microporous three-dimensional framework of 4 is maintained after the removal of the guest molecules. Compounds 1-5 show strong violet emissions with maxima around 380 nm, tentatively attributed to the ligand-centered transition.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of the face-centered cubic clusters [Tp(8)(H(2)O)(12)M(6)Fe(8)(CN)(24)](4+) (M = Co, Ni)

Reactions between K[TpFe(CN)3] (Tp- = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate) and M(ClO4)2 x 6H2O (M = Co or Ni) in a mixture of acetonitrile and methanol afford, upon crystallization via THF vapor diffusion, [Tp8(H2O)12Co6Fe8(CN)24](ClO4)4.12THF x 7H2O (1) and [Tp8(H2O)12Ni6Fe8(CN)24](ClO4)4.12THF x 7H2O (2). Both compounds contain cyano-bridged clusters with a face-centered cubic geometry, wherein octahedral CoII or NiII centers are situated at the face-centering sites. The results of variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate the presence of ferromagnetic exchange coupling within both molecules to give ground states of S = 7 and 10, respectively. Low-temperature magnetization data reveal significant zero-field splitting, with the best fits for the Co6Fe8 and Ni6Fe8 clusters yielding D = -0.54 and 0.21 cm-1, respectively; ac magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on both samples showed no evidence of the slow relaxation effects associated with single-molecule magnet behavior.