Single-molecule magnets: structure and properties of [Mn18O14(O2CMe)18(hep)4(hepH)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 with spin S = 13

The reaction of 2-(hydroxyethyl)pyridine (hepH) with a 2:1 molar mixture of [Mn3O(O2CMe)6(py)3]ClO4 and [Mn3O(O2CMe)6(py)3] in MeCN afforded the new mixed-valent (16Mn(III), 2Mn(II)), octadecanuclear complex [Mn18O14(O2CMe)18(hep)4(hepH)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (1) in 20% yield. Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P. Direct current magnetic susceptibility studies in a 1.0 T field in the 5.0-300 K range, and variable-temperature variable-field dc magnetization studies in the 2.0-4.0 K and 2.0-5.0 T ranges were obtained on polycrystalline samples. Fitting of magnetization data established that complex 1 possesses a ground-state spin of S = 13 and D = -0.18 K. This was confirmed by the value of the in-phase ac magnetic susceptibility signal. Below 3 K, the complex exhibits a frequency-dependent drop in the in-phase signal, and a concomitant increase in the out-of-phase signal, consistent with slow magnetization relaxation on the ac time scale. This suggests the complex is a single-molecule magnet (SMM), and this was confirmed by hysteresis loops below 1 K in magnetization versus dc field sweeps on a single crystal. Alternating current and direct current magnetization data were combined to yield an Arrhenius plot from which was obtained the effective barrier (U(eff)) for magnetization reversal of 21.3 K. Below 0.2 K, the relaxation becomes temperature-independent, consistent with relaxation only by quantum tunneling of the magnetization (QTM) through the anisotropy barrier via the lowest-energy MS = +/-13 levels of the S = 13 spin manifold. Complex 1 is thus the SMM with the largest ground-state spin to display QTM.     

A supramolecular aggregate of four exchange-biased single-molecule magnets

The reaction between 3-phenyl-1,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)pentane-1,5-dione dioxime (pdpdH(2)) and triangular [Mn(III)(3)O(O(2)CMe)(py)(3)](ClO(4)) (1) affords [Mn(12)O(4)(O(2)CMe)(12)(pdpd)(6))](ClO(4))(4) (3). Complex 3 has a rectangular shape and consists of four [Mn(III)(3)O](7+) triangular units linked covalently by the dioximate ligands into a supramolecular [Mn(3)](4) tetramer. Solid-state dc and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that [Mn(3)](4) contains four Mn(3) single-molecule magnets (SMMs), each with an S = 6 ground state. Magnetization versus dc-field sweeps on a single crystal gave hysteresis loops below 1 K that exhibited exchange-biased quantum tunneling of magnetization steps, confirming 3 to be a supramolecular aggregate of four weakly exchange-coupled SMM units.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of a Mn(21) single-molecule magnet

The reaction of [Mn(3)O(O(2)CMe)(6)(py)(3)](ClO(4)) (1; 3Mn(III)) with [Mn(10)O(4)(OH)(2)(O(2)CMe)(8)(hmp)(8)](ClO(4))(4) (2; 10Mn(III)) in MeCN affords the new mixed-valent complex [Mn(21)O(14)(OH)(2)(O(2)CMe)(16)(hmp)(8)(pic)(2)(py)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(4) (3; 3Mn(II)-18Mn(III); hmp(-) is the anion of 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine), with an average Mn oxidation state of +2.85. Complex 3.7MeCN crystallizes in the triclinic space group P. The structure consists of a low symmetry [Mn(21)(micro(4)-O)(4)(micro(3)-O)(12)(micro-O)(16)] core, with peripheral ligation provided by 16 MeCO(2)(-), 8 hmp(-), and 2 pic(-) groups and one molecule each of water and pyridine. The magnetic properties of 3 were investigated by both dc and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. Fitting of dc magnetization data collected in the 0.1-0.8 T and 1.8-4.0 K ranges gave S = (17)/(2), D approximately -0.086 cm(-)(1), and g approximately 1.8, where S is the molecular spin of the Mn(21) complex and D is the axial zero-field splitting parameter. ac susceptibility studies in the 10-997 Hz frequency range reveal the presence of a frequency-dependent out-of-phase ac magnetic susceptibility (chi(M)' ') signal consistent with slow magnetization relaxation rates. Fitting of dc magnetization decay versus time data to the Arrhenius equation gave a value of the effective barrier to relaxation (U(eff)) of 13.2 K. Magnetization versus applied dc field sweeps exhibited hysteresis. Thus, complex 3 is a new member of the small but growing family of single-molecule magnets.     

"Switching on" the properties of single-molecule magnetism in triangular manganese(III) complexes

The reaction between oxide-centered, triangular [MnIII3O(O2CR)6(py)3](ClO4) (R = Me (1), Et (2), Ph (3)) compounds and methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime (mpkoH) affords a new family of Mn/carboxylato/oximato complexes, [MnIII3O(O2CR)3(mpko)3](ClO4) [R = Me (4), Et (5), and Ph (6)]. As in 1-3, the cations of 4-6 contain an [MnIII3(mu3-O)]7+ triangular core, but with each Mn2 edge now bridged by an eta1:eta1:mu-RCO2- and an eta1:eta1:eta1:mu-mpko- group. The tridentate binding mode of the latter causes a buckling of the formerly planar [MnIII3(mu3-O)]7+ core, resulting in a relative twisting of the three MnIII octahedra and the central O2- ion now lying approximately 0.3 A above the Mn3 plane. This structural distortion leads to ferromagnetic exchange interactions within the molecule and a resulting S = 6 ground state. Fits of dc magnetization data for 4-6 collected in the 1.8-10.0 K and 10-70 kG ranges confirmed S = 6 ground states, and gave the following D and g values: -0.34 cm(-1) and 1.92 for 4, -0.34 cm(-1) and 1.93 for 5, and -0.35 cm(-1) and 1.99 for 6, where D is the axial zero-field splitting (anisotropy) parameter. Complexes 4-6 all exhibit frequency-dependent out-of-phase (chi" M) ac susceptibility signals suggesting them possibly to be single-molecule magnets (SMMs). Relaxation rate vs T data for complex 4 down to 1.8 K obtained from the chi" M vs T studies were supplemented with rate vs T data measured to 0.04 K via magnetization vs time decay studies, and these were used to construct Arrhenius plots from which was obtained the effective barrier to relaxation (Ueff) of 10.9 K. Magnetization vs dc field sweeps on single-crystals of 4.3CH2Cl2 displayed hysteresis loops exhibiting steps due to quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM). The loops were essentially temperature-independent below approximately 0.3 K, indicating only ground-state QTM between the lowest-lying Ms = +/-6 levels. Complexes 4-6 are thus confirmed as the first triangular SMMs. High-frequency EPR spectra of single crystals of 4.3CH2Cl2 have provided precise spin Hamiltonian parameters, giving D = -0.3 cm(-1), B40 = -3 x 10(-5) cm(-1), and g = 2.00. The spectra also suggest a significant transverse anisotropy of E > or = 0.015 cm(-1). The combined work demonstrates the feasibility that structural distortions of a magnetic core imposed by peripheral ligands can "switch on" the properties of an SMM.     

Single-molecule magnets: a large Mn30 molecular nanomagnet exhibiting quantum tunneling of magnetization

The largest single-molecule magnet (SMM) to date has been prepared and studied. Recrystallization of known [Mn(12)O(12)(O(2)CCH(2)Bu(t))(16)(H(2)O)(4)] (1; 8Mn(III), 4Mn(IV)) from CH(2)Cl(2)/MeNO(2) causes its conversion to [Mn(30)O(24)(OH)(8)(O(2)CCH(2)Bu(t))(32)(H(2)O)(2)(MeNO(2))(4)] (2; 3Mn(II), 26Mn(III), Mn(IV)). The structure of 2 consists of a central, near-linear [Mn(4)O(6)] backbone, to either side of which are attached two [Mn(13)O(9)(OH)(4)] units. Peripheral ligation around the resulting [Mn(30)O(24)(OH)(8)] core is by 32 Bu(t)CH(2)CO(2)(-), 2 H(2)O, and 4 MeNO(2) groups. The molecule has crystallographically imposed C(2) symmetry. Variable-temperature and -field magnetization (M) data were collected in the 1.8-4.0 K and 0.1-0.4 T ranges and fit by matrix diagonalization assuming only the ground state is occupied at these temperatures. The fit parameters were S = 5, D = -0.51 cm(-1) = -0.73 K, and g = 2.00, where D is the axial zero-field splitting parameter. AC susceptibility measurements in the 1.8-7.0 K range in a zero DC field and a 3.5 G AC field oscillating at frequencies in the 50-997 Hz range revealed a frequency-dependent out-of-phase (chi(M)') signal below 3 K, indicating 2 to be a single-molecule magnet (SMM), the largest yet obtained. Magnetization versus DC field sweeps show hysteresis loops but no clear steps characteristic of quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM). However, magnetization decay data below 1 K were collected and used to construct an Arrhenius plot that revealed temperature-independent relaxation below 0.3 K. The fit of the thermally activated region above approximately 0.5 K gave U(eff)/k = 15 K, where U(eff) is the effective relaxation barrier. Resonant QTM was confirmed from the appearance of a "quantum hole" when the recent quantum hole digging method was employed. The combined results demonstrate that SMMs can be prepared that are significantly larger than any known to date and that this new, large Mn(30) complex still demonstrates quantum behavior.     

Template synthesis and single-molecule magnetism properties of a complex with spin S = 16 and a [Mn8O8]8+ saddle-like core

The compound [CeIVMnIII8O8(O2CMe)12(H2O)4].4H2O (1.4H2O) has been obtained from a template synthesis involving the reaction of the chain polymer {[MnIII(OH)(O2CMe)2] .(MeCO2H).(H2O)}n (3) with Ce(IV). Compound 1 contains a MnIII8 loop inside which is held the Ce(IV) ion by the bridging oxide ions. Magnetization and magnetic susceptibility studies establish that 1 has an S = 16 spin ground state, the largest yet for a Mn cluster, and displays the slow magnetization relaxation and hysteresis behavior of a single-molecule magnet (SMM). It is thus the highest spin Mn SMM discovered to date.     

Large Mn25 single-molecule magnet with spin S = 51/2: magnetic and high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic characterization of a giant spin state

The synthesis and structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic characterization of a Mn25 coordination cluster with a large ground-state spin of S = 51/2 are reported. Reaction of MnCl2 with pyridine-2,6-dimethanol (pdmH2) and NaN3 in MeCN/MeOH gives the mixed valence cluster [Mn25O18(OH)2(N3)12(pdm)6(pdmH)6]Cl2 (1; 6Mn(II), 18Mn(III), Mn(IV)), which has a barrel-like cage structure. Variable temperature direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility data were collected in the 1.8-300 K temperature range in a 0.1 T field. Variable-temperature and -field magnetization (M) data were collected in the 1.8-4.0 K and 0.1-7 T ranges and fit by matrix diagonalization assuming only the ground state is occupied at these temperatures. The fit parameters were S = 51/2, D = -0.020(2) cm(-1), and g = 1.87(3), where D is the axial zero-field splitting parameter. Alternating current (ac) susceptibility measurements in the 1.8-8.0 K range and a 3.5 G ac field oscillating at frequencies in the 50-1500 Hz range revealed a frequency-dependent out-of-phase (chi(M)') signal below 3 K, suggesting 1 to be a single-molecule magnet (SMM). This was confirmed by magnetization vs dc field sweeps, which exhibited hysteresis loops but with no clear steps characteristic of resonant quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM). However, magnetization decay data below 1 K were collected and used to construct an Arrhenius plot, and the fit of the thermally activated region above approximately 0.5 K gave U(eff)/k = 12 K, where U(eff) is the effective relaxation barrier. The g value and the magnitude and sign of the D value were independently confirmed by detailed high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) spectroscopy on polycrystalline samples. The combined studies confirm both the high ground-state spin S = 51/2 of complex 1 and that it is a SMM that, in addition, exhibits QTM.     

Slow magnetic relaxation of a ferromagnetic Ni(II)5 cluster with an S = 5 ground state

Complex [Ni 5{pyCOpyC(O)(OMe)py} 2(O 2CMe) 4(N 3) 4(MeOH) 2].2MeOH.2.6H 2O ( 1.2MeOH.2.6H 2O) was synthesized by the reaction of Ni(O 2CMe) 2.4H 2O with pyCOpyCOpy and NaN 3 in refluxing MeOH. It crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/ c space group and consists of five Ni (II) atoms in a helical arrangement. Direct current magnetic susceptibility studies reveal ferromagnetic interactions between the Ni (II) ( S = 1) ions, stabilizing an S = 5 ground state. Alternating current susceptibility experiments revealed the existence of out-of-phase signals indicative of slow magnetic relaxation. Analysis of the signals showed that they are composite, suggesting more than one relaxation process, while analysis of their magnitudes suggests not all molecules undergo slow magnetic relaxation. Magnetization field-sweep experiments revealed hysteresis at 1.8 K, and magnetization decay experiments clearly verified the appearance of slow magnetic relaxation at that temperature.     

Heptanuclear and decanuclear manganese complexes with the anion of 2-hydroxymethylpyridine

The synthesis and magnetic properties are reported of two new clusters [Mn(10)O(4)(OH)(2)(O(2)CMe)(8)(hmp)(8)](ClO(4))(4) (1) and [Mn(7)(OH)(3)(hmp)(9)Cl(3)](Cl)(ClO(4)) (2). Complex 1 was prepared by treatment of [Mn(3)O(O(2)CMe)(6)(py)(3)](ClO(4)) with 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (hmpH) in CH(2)Cl(2), whereas 2 was obtained from the reaction of MnCl(2).4H(2)O, hmpH, and NBu(n)(4)MnO(4) in MeCN followed by recrystallization in the presence of NBu(n)(4)ClO(4). Complex 1.2py.10CH(2)Cl(2).2H(2)O crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The cation consists of 10 Mn(III) ions, 8 mu(3)-O(2)(-) ions, 2 mu(3)-OH(-) ions, 8 bridging acetates, and 8 bridging and chelating hmp(-) ligands. The hmp(-) ligands bridge through their O atoms in two ways: two with mu(3)-O atoms and six with mu(2)-O atoms. Complex 2.3CH(2)Cl(2).H(2)O crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The cation consists of four Mn(II) and three Mn(III) ions, arranged as a Mn(6) hexagon of alternating Mn(II) and Mn(III) ions surrounding a central Mn(II) ion. The remaining ligation is by three mu(3)-OH(-) ions, three terminal chloride ions, and nine bridging and chelating hmp(-) ligands. Six hmp(-) ligands contain mu(2)-O atoms and three contain mu(3)-O atoms. The Cl(-) anion is hydrogen-bonded to the three mu(3)-OH(-) ions. Variable-temperature direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility data were collected for complex 1 in the 5.00-300 K range in a 5 kG applied field. The chi(M)T value gradually decreases from 17.87 cm(3) mol(-1) K at 300 K to 1.14 cm(3) mol(-1) K at 5.00 K, indicating an S = 0 ground state. The ground-state spin of complex 2 was established by magnetization measurements in the 0.5-3.0 T and 1.80-4.00 K ranges. Fitting of the data by matrix diagonalization, incorporating only axial anisotropy (DS(z)(2)), gave equally good fits with S = 10, g = 2.13, D = -0.14 cm(-1) and S = 11, g = 1.94, D = -0.11 cm(-1). Magnetization versus dc field scans down to 0.04 K reveal no hysteresis attributable to single-molecule magnetism behavior, only weak intermolecular interactions.     

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.     

One-dimensional supramolecular organization of single-molecule magnets

An out-of-plane dimeric MnIII quadridentate Schiff-base compound, [Mn2(salpn)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (salpn(2-) = N,N'-(propane)bis(salicylideneiminate)), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The crystal structure reveals that the [Mn2(salpn)2(H2O)2](2+) units are linked through weak H-bonds (OHwater...OPh) in one dimension along the c-axis, forming supramolecular chains. The exchange interaction between MnIII ions via the biphenolate bridge is ferromagnetic (J/kB = +1.8 K), inducing an ST = 4 ground state. This dinuclear unit possesses uni-axial anisotropy observed in the out-of-plane direction with DMn2/kB = -1.65 K. At low temperatures, this complex exhibits slow relaxation of its magnetization in agreement with a single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior. Interestingly, the intermolecular magnetic interactions along the one-dimensional organization, albeit weak (J'/kB = -0.03 K), influence significantly the thermally activated and quantum dynamics of this complex. Thus, unique features such as M vs H data with multiple steps, hysteresis effects, and peculiar relaxation time have been explained considering SMMs in small exchange-field perturbations and finite-size effects intrinsic to the chain arrangement. The magnetic properties of this new complex can be regarded as an intermediate behavior between SMM and single-chain magnet (SCM) properties.     

Synthesis, structure, magnetic properties and DFT calculations of two hydroxo-bridged complexes based on Mn(III)(Schiff-Bases)

Two hydroxo-bridged complexes, {[Mn(III)(3-CH(3)O)salen](2)[Cr(III)(salen)(OH)(2)]}ClO(4)·6H(2)O (1) and {[Mn(III)(5-CH(3))salen](2)(OH)}ClO(4)·3H(2)O (2) [salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato) dianion], have been synthesized by the hydrolysis of the corresponding Mn(III)(Schiff-Bases) derivatives and [Cr(salen)(H(2)O)(2)]Cl precursors. X-Ray structure characterization reveals the discrete linear arched trinuclear structure of 1 and the 1D chain arrangement of 2. Magnetic experimental data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations both indicate the dominant antiferromagnetic interaction mediated by the hydroxo-bridges in both 1 and 2. Frequency-dependent AC susceptibilities reveal slow relaxation of 1 in low temperature. It is worth noting that the structure and magnetic properties of 1 is comparable to a reported cyano-bridged SMM, K[(5-Brsalen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)Mn(2)Cr(CN)(6)]·2H(2)O.     

N,N'-双(2-氨基丙基)草酰胺合铜(II)的铜(II)-锰(II)配合物的合成和磁性

合成和表征了两种新的异双核配合物[Cu(oxap)Mn(L)~2](ClO~4)~2, oxap表示N,N'-双(2-氨基丙基)草酰胺根阴离子, L表示1,10-邻菲咯啉(phen)和5-硝基-1,10-邻菲咯啉(NO~2-phen)。测定了配合物的变温磁化率(4.2-300K), 并用最小二乘法和从自旋Hamiltonian算符, ^^H=-2J^^S~1.^^S~2-D^^S~Z~1导出的磁方程拟合。求得交换积分为J=-74.72cm^-^1(phen)和J=-76.39cm^-^1(No~2-phen), 表明两个Cu(II)-Mn(II)双核配合物中有中等强度的反铁磁超交换作用。     

Unusual structural types in polynuclear iron chemistry from the use of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (edteH4): Fe5, Fe6, and Fe12 clusters

The syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetochemical characterization of five new iron clusters [Fe5O2(O2CPh)7(edte)(H2O)] (1), [Fe6O2(O2CBut)8(edteH)2] (2), [Fe12O4(OH)2(O2CMe)6(edte)4(H2O)2](ClO4)4 (3), [Fe12O4(OH)8(edte)4(H2O)2](ClO4)4 (4), and [Fe12O4(OH)8(edte)4(H2O)2](NO3)4 (5) (edteH4= N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine) are reported. The reaction of edteH4 with [Fe3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)3](NO3) and [Fe3O(O2CBut)6(H2O)3](OH) gave 1 and 2, respectively. Complex 3 was obtained from the reaction of edteH4 and NaO2CMe with Fe(ClO4)3, whereas 4 and 5 were obtained from the reaction of edteH4 with Fe(ClO4)3 and Fe(NO3)3, respectively. The core of 1 consists of a [Fe4(mu3-O)2]8+ butterfly unit to which is attached a fifth Fe atom by four bridging O atoms. The core of 2 consists of two triangular [Fe3(mu3-O)]7+ units linked together by six bridging O atoms. Finally, the cores of 3-5 consist of an [Fe12(mu4-O)4(mu-OH)2]26+ unit. Variable-temperature (T) and -field (H) solid-state direct and alternating current magnetization (M) studies were carried out on complexes 1-3 in the 1.8-300 K range. Analysis of the obtained data revealed that 1, 2, and 3-5 possess an S = 5/2, 5, and 0 ground-state spin, respectively. The fitting of the obtained M/N(muB) vs H/T data was carried out by matrix diagonalization, and this gave values for the axial zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter D of -0.50 cm-1 for 1 and -0.28 cm-1 for 2.     

Initial example of a triangular single-molecule magnet from ligand-induced structural distortion of a [MnIII3O]7+ complex

The reaction of [Mn3O(O2CR)6(py)3](ClO4) (R = Me, Et) with methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime (mpkoH) in a 1:3 molar ratio in MeOH/MeCN leads to [Mn3O(O2CR)3(mpko)3](ClO4) in 80-90% isolated yield. Ferromagnetic exchange interactions between the three MnIII ions in the nonplanar [MnIII3O]7+ triangular core lead to a spin ground state of S = 6; single-crystal studies reveal the temperature and sweep rate dependent hysteresis loops expected for a single-molecule magnet.     

Quantum tunneling and quantum phase interference in a [Mn(II)2Mn(III)2] single-molecule magnet

[Mn4(hmp)6(H2O)2(NO3)2](NO3)2.2.5H2O (1) has been synthesized from the reaction of 2-hydroxymethylpyridine (Hhmp) with Mn(NO3)2.4H2O in the presence of tetraethylammonium hydroxide. 1 crystallizes in the triclinic P space group with two crystallographically independent centrosymmetrical [Mn4(hmp)6(H2O)2(NO3)2]2+ complexes in the packing structure. Four Mn ions are arranged in a double-cuboidal fashion where outer Mn2+ are heptacoordinated and inner Mn3+ are hexacoordinated. dc magnetic measurements show that both Mn2+...Mn3+ and Mn3+...Mn3+ interactions are ferromagnetic with J(wb)/k(B) = +0.80(5) K, and J(bb)/k(B) = +7.1(1) K, respectively, leading to an S(T) = 9 ground state. Combined ac and dc measurements reveal the single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior of 1 with both thermally activated and ground-state tunneling regimes, including quantum phase interference. In the thermally activated regime, the characteristic relaxation time (tau) of the system follows an Arrhenius law with tau0 = 6.7 x 10(-)(9) s and delta(eff)/k(B) = 20.9 K. Below 0.34 K, tau saturates indicating that the quantum tunneling of the magnetization becomes the dominant relaxation process as expected for SMMs. Down to 0.04 K, field dependence of the magnetization measured using the mu-SQUID technique shows the presence of very weak inter-SMM interactions (zJ'/k(B) approximately -1.5 x 10(-3) K) and allows an estimation of D/k(B) at -0.35 K. Quantum phase interference has been used to confirm the D value and to estimate the transverse anisotropic parameter to E/k(B) = +0.083 K and the ground-state tunnel splitting delta(LZ) = 3 x 10(-7) K at H(trans) = 0 Oe. These results rationalize the observed tunneling time (tau(QTM)) and the effective energy barrier (delta(eff)).     

MnIII2 (5-Rsaltmen)2NiII(pao)2(L)]2+: an S(T)=3 building block for a single-chain magnet that behaves as a single-molecule magnet

Mn(III)-Ni(II)-Mn(III) linear-type trinuclear complexes bridged by oximate groups were selectively synthesized by the assembly reaction of [Mn2(5-Rsaltmen)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (5-Rsaltmen2-=N,N'-(1,1,2,2-tetramethylethylene) bis(5-R-salicylideneiminate); R=Cl, Br) with [Ni(pao)2(phen)] (pao-=pyridine-2-aldoximate; phen=1,10-phenanthroline) in methanol/water: [Mn2(5-Rsaltmen)2Ni(pao)2(phen)](ClO4)2 (R=Cl, 1; R=Br, 2). Structural analysis revealed that the [Mn(III)-ON-Ni(II)-NO-Mn(III)] skeleton of these trimers is in every respect similar to the repeating unit found in the previously reported series of 1D materials [Mn2(saltmen)2Ni(pao)2(L1)2](A)(2) (L(1)=pyridine, 4-picoline, 4-tert-butylpyridine, N-methylimidazole; A=ClO4-, BF4-, PF6-, ReO4-). Recently, these 1D compounds have attracted a great deal of attention for their magnetic properties, since they exhibit slow relaxation of the magnetization (also called single-chain magnet (SCM) behavior). This unique magnetic behavior was explained in the framework of Glauber's theory, generalized for chains of ferromagnetically coupled anisotropic spins. Thus, in these 1D compounds, the [Mn(III)-ON-Ni(II)-NO-Mn(III)] unit was considered as an S(T)=3 anisotropic spin. Direct-current magnetic measurements on 1 and 2 confirm their S(T)=3 ground state and strong uniaxial anisotropy (D/k(B) approximately -2.4 K), in excellent agreement with the magnetic characteristic deduced in the study on the SCM series. The ac magnetic susceptibility of these trimers is strongly frequency-dependent and characteristic of single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior. The relaxation time tau shows a thermally activated (Arrhenius) behavior with tau0 approximately 1x10(-7) s and Delta(eff)/k(B) approximately 18 K. The effective energy barrier for reversal of the magnetization Delta(eff) is consistent with the theoretical value (21 K) estimated from |D| S2T. The present results reinforce consistently the interpretation of the SCM behavior observed in the [Mn2(saltmen)2Ni(pao)2(L1)2](A)2 series and opens new perspectives to design single-chain magnets.     

A wheel-shaped single-molecule magnet of [MnII 3MnIII 4]: quantum tunneling of magnetization under static and pulse magnetic fields

The reaction of N-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl)iminodiethanol (=H3(5-NO2-hbide)) with Mn(OAc)2* 4 H2O in methanol, followed by recrystallization from 1,2-dichloroethane, yielded a wheel-shaped single-molecule magnet (SMM) of [MnII 3MnIII 4(5-NO2-hbide)6].5 C2H4Cl2 (1). In 1, seven manganese ions are linked by six tri-anionic ligands and form the wheel in which the two manganese ions on the rim and the one in the center are MnII and the other four manganese ions are MnIII ions. Powder magnetic susceptibility measurements showed a gradual increase with chimT values as the temperature was lowered, reaching a maximum value of 53.9 emu mol(-1) K. Analyses of magnetic susceptibility data suggested a spin ground state of S=19/2. The zero-field splitting parameters of D and B 0 4 were estimated to be -0.283(1) K and -1.64(1)x10(-5) K, respectively, by high-field EPR measurements (HF-EPR). The anisotropic parameters agreed with those estimated from magnetization and inelastic neutron scattering experiments. AC magnetic susceptibility measurements showed frequency-dependent in- and out-of-phase signals, characteristic data for an SMM, and an Arrhenius plot of the relaxation time gave a re-orientation energy barrier (DeltaE) of 18.1 K and a pre-exponential factor of 1.63x10(-7) s. Magnetization experiments on aligned single crystals below 0.7 K showed a stepped hysteresis loop, confirming the occurrence of quantum tunneling of the on magnetization (QTM). QTM was, on the other hand, suppressed by rapid sweeps of the magnetic field even at 0.5 K. The sweep-rate dependence of the spin flips can be understood by considering the Landau-Zener-Stückelberg (LZS) model.     

Single-molecule magnets: novel Mn(8) and Mn(9) carboxylate clusters containing an unusual pentadentate ligand derived from pyridine-2,6-dimethanol

The reactions of the Mn(III)(3) and Mn(II)Mn(III)(2) complexes [Mn(3)O(O(2)CEt)(6)(py)(3)][ClO(4)] and [Mn(3)O(O(2)CEt)(6)(py)(3)] with pyridine-2,6-dimethanol (pdmH(2)) afford the mixed-valence Mn(II)(6)Mn(III)(2) octanuclear complex [Mn(8)O(2)(py)(4)(O(2)CEt)(8)(L)(2)][ClO(4)](2) (1) and the Mn(II)(7)Mn(III)(2) enneanuclear complex [Mn(9)(O(2)CEt)(12)(pdm)(pdmH)(2)(L)(2)] (2), respectively. Both compounds contain a novel pentadentate ligand, the dianion of (6-hydroxymethylpyridin-2-yl)-(6-hydroxymethylpyridin-2-ylmethoxy)methanol (LH(2)), which is the hemiacetal formed in situ from the Mn-assisted oxidation of pdmH(2). Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with the following cell parameters at -160 degrees C: a = 16.6942(5) A, b = 13.8473(4) A, c = 20.0766(6) A, beta = 99.880(1) degrees, V = 4572.27 A(3), and Z = 2, R (R(w)) = 4.78 (5.25). Complex 2.0.2MeCN crystallizes in the triclinic space group Ponemacr; with the following cell parameters at -157 degrees C: a = 12.1312(4) A, b = 18.8481(6) A, c = 23.2600(7) A, alpha = 78.6887(8) degrees, beta = 77.9596(8) degrees, gamma = 82.3176(8) degrees, V = 5076.45 A(3), and Z = 2, R (R(w)) = 4.12 (4.03). Both complexes are new structural types comprising distorted-cubane units linked together, albeit in two very different ways. In addition, complex 2 features three distinct binding modes for the chelating ligands derived from deprotonated pdmH(2). Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by variable-temperature ac and dc magnetic susceptibility measurements and found to possess spin ground states of 0 and 11/2, respectively. Least-squares fitting of the reduced magnetization data gave S = 11/2, g = 2.0, and D = -0.11 cm(-1) for complex 2, where D is the axial zero-field splitting parameter. Direct current magnetization versus field studies on 2 at <1 K show hysteresis behavior at <0.3 K, establishing 2 as a new single-molecule magnet. Magnetization decay measurements gave an effective barrier to magnetization relaxation of U(eff) = 3.1 cm(-1) = 4.5 K.