M(III)Dy(III)3 (M = Fe(III), Co(III)) complexes: three-blade propellers exhibiting slow relaxation of magnetization

[Dy(III)(HBpz(3))(2)](2+) moieties (HBpz(3)(-) = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate) and a 3d transition-metal ion (Fe(III) or Co(III)) have been rationally assembled using an dithiooxalato dianion ligand into 3d-4f [MDy(3)(HBpz(3))(6)(dto)(3)]·4CH(3)CN·2CH(2)Cl(2) (M = Fe (1), Co (2) complexes. Single-crystal X-ray studies reveal that three eight-coordinated Dy(III) centers in a square antiprismatic coordination environment are connecting to a central octahedral trivalent Fe or Co ion forming a propeller-type complex. The dynamics of the magnetization in the two isostructural compounds, modulated by the nature of the central M(III) metal ion, are remarkably different despite their analogous direct current (dc) magnetic properties. The slow relaxation of the magnetization observed for 2 mainly originates from isolated Dy ions, since a diamagnetic Co(III) metal ion links the magnetic Dy(III) ions. In the case of 1, the magnetic interaction between S = 1/2 Fe(III) ion and the three Dy(III) magnetic centers, although weak, generates a complex energy spectrum of magnetic states with low-lying excited states that induce a smaller energy gap than for 2 and thus a faster relaxation of the magnetization.     

An S = 2 cyanide-bridged trinuclear Fe(III)2Ni(II) single-molecule magnet

Treatment of [NEt4][(pzTp)Fe(III)(CN)3] (1) with Ni(II)(OTf)2 (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) and 1,5,8,12-tetraazadodecane (L) affords {[(pzTp)Fe(III)(CN)3]2[Ni(II)L]} x 1/2MeOH (2), while 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) affords {[(pzTp)Fe(III)(CN)3]2[Ni(II)(bipy)2]} x 2 H2O (3). Magnetic measurements indicate that 2 and 3 have S = 2 ground states and that 3 exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization above 2 K.     

Structural, EPR, and Mössbauer characterization of (μ-alkoxo)(μ-carboxylato)diiron(II,III) model complexes for the active sites of mixed-valent diiron enzymes

To obtain structural and spectroscopic models for the diiron(II,III) centers in the active sites of diiron enzymes, the (μ-alkoxo)(μ-carboxylato)diiron(II,III) complexes [Fe(II)Fe(III)(N-Et-HPTB)(O(2)CPh)(NCCH(3))(2)](ClO(4))(3) (1) and [Fe(II)Fe(III)(N-Et-HPTB)(O(2)CPh)(Cl)(HOCH(3))](ClO(4))(2) (2) (N-Et-HPTB = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-(1-ethyl-benzimidazolylmethyl))-2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane) have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-visible absorption, EPR, and M?ssbauer spectroscopies. Fe1-Fe2 separations are 3.60 and 3.63 ?, and Fe1-O1-Fe2 bond angles are 128.0° and 129.4° for 1 and 2, respectively. M?ssbauer and EPR studies of 1 show that the Fe(III) (S(A) = 5/2) and Fe(II) (S(B) = 2) sites are antiferromagnetically coupled to yield a ground state with S = 1/2 (g= 1.75, 1.88, 1.96); M?ssbauer analysis of solid 1 yields J = 22.5 ± 2 cm(-1) for the exchange coupling constant (H = JS(A)·S(B) convention). In addition to the S = 1/2 ground-state spectrum of 1, the EPR signal for the S = 3/2 excited state of the spin ladder can also be observed, the first time such a signal has been detected for an antiferromagnetically coupled diiron(II,III) complex. The anisotropy of the (57)Fe magnetic hyperfine interactions at the Fe(III) site is larger than normally observed in mononuclear complexes and arises from admixing S > 1/2 excited states into the S = 1/2 ground state by zero-field splittings at the two Fe sites. Analysis of the "D/J" mixing has allowed us to extract the zero-field splitting parameters, local g values, and magnetic hyperfine structural parameters for the individual Fe sites. The methodology developed and followed in this analysis is presented in detail. The spin Hamiltonian parameters of 1 are related to the molecular structure with the help of DFT calculations. Contrary to what was assumed in previous studies, our analysis demonstrates that the deviations of the g values from the free electron value (g = 2) for the antiferromagnetically coupled diiron(II,III) core in complex 1 are predominantly determined by the anisotropy of the effective g values of the ferrous ion and only to a lesser extent by the admixture of excited states into ground-state ZFS terms (D/J mixing). The results for 1 are discussed in the context of the data available for diiron(II,III) clusters in proteins and synthetic diiron(II,III) complexes.     

A structural and Mössbauer study of complexes with Fe(2)(micro-O(H))(2) cores: stepwise oxidation from Fe(II)(micro-OH)(2)Fe(II) through Fe(II)(micro-OH)(2)Fe(III) to Fe(III)(micro-O)(micro-OH)Fe(III)

Dinuclear non-heme iron clusters containing oxo, hydroxo, or carboxylato bridges are found in a number of enzymes involved in O(2) metabolism such as methane monooxygenase, ribonucleotide reductase, and fatty acid desaturases. Efforts to model structural and/or functional features of the protein-bound clusters have prompted the preparation and study of complexes that contain Fe(micro-O(H))(2)Fe cores. Here we report the structures and spectroscopic properties of a family of diiron complexes with the same tetradentate N4 ligand in one ligand topology, namely [(alpha-BPMCN)(2)Fe(II)(2)(micro-OH)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) (1), [(alpha-BPMCN)(2)Fe(II)Fe(III)(micro-OH)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(3) (2), and [(alpha-BPMCN)(2)Fe(III)(2)(micro-O)(micro-OH)](CF(3)SO(3))(3) (3) (BPMCN = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane). Stepwise one-electron oxidations of 1 to 2 and then to 3 demonstrate the versatility of the Fe(micro-O(H))(2)Fe diamond core to support a number of oxidation states with little structural rearrangement. Insight into the electronic structure of 1, 2', and 3 has been obtained from a detailed M?ssbauer investigation (2' differs from 2 in having a different complement of counterions). Mixed-valence complex 2' is ferromagnetically coupled, with J = -15 +/- 5 cm(-)(1) (H = JS(1).S(2)). For the S = (9)/(2) ground multiplet we have determined the zero-field splitting parameter, D(9/2) = -1.5 +/- 0.1 cm(-)(1), and the hyperfine parameters of the ferric and ferrous sites. For T < 12 K, the S = (9)/(2) multiplet has uncommon relaxation behavior. Thus, M(S) = -(9)/(2) <--> M(S) = +(9)/(2) ground state transition is slow while deltaM(S) = +/-1 transitions between equally signed M(S) levels are fast on the time scale of M?ssbauer spectroscopy. Below 100 K, complex 2' is trapped in the Fe(1)(III)Fe(2)(II) ground state; above this temperature, it exhibits thermally assisted electron hopping into the state Fe(1)(II)Fe(2)(III). The temperature dependence of the isomer shifts was corrected for second-order Doppler shift, obtained from the study of diferrous 1. The resultant true shifts were analyzed in a two-state hopping model. The diferric complex 3 is antiferromagnetically coupled with J = 90 +/- 15 cm(-)(1), estimated from a variable-temperature M?ssbauer analysis.     

A novel Ni(4) complex exhibiting microsecond quantum tunneling of the magnetization

A highly asymmetric Ni(II) cluster [Ni(4)(OH)(OMe)(3)(Hphpz)(4)(MeOH)(3)](MeOH) (1) (H(2)phpz=3-methyl-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyrazole) has been prepared and its structure determined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction by using synchrotron radiation. Variable-temperature bulk-magnetization measurements show that the complex exhibits intramolecular-ferromagnetic interactions leading to a spin ground state S=4 with close-lying excited states. Magnetization and high-frequency EPR measurements suggest the presence of sizable Ising-type magnetic anisotropy, with zero-field splitting parameters D=-0.263 cm(-1) and E=0.04 cm(-1) for the spin ground state, and an isotropic g value of 2.25. The presence of both axial and transverse anisotropy was confirmed through low-temperature specific heat determinations down to 300 mK, but no slow relaxation of the magnetization was observed by AC measurements down to 1.8 K. Interestingly, AC susceptibility measurements down to temperatures as low as 23 mK showed no indication of slow relaxation of the magnetization in 1. Thus, despite the presence of an anisotropy barrier (U approximately 4.21 cm(-1) for the purely axial limit), the magnetization relaxation remains extremely fast down to the lowest temperatures. The estimated quantum tunneling rate, Gamma>0.667 MHz, makes this complex a prime candidate for observation of coherent tunneling of the magnetization.     

New mixed-valent Mn clusters from the use of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (edteH4): Mn3, Mn4, Mn6, and Mn10

The syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetochemical characterization are reported for the new mixed-valent Mn clusters [Mn(2)(II)Mn(III)(O(2)CMe)(2)(edteH(2))(2)](ClO(4)) (1), [Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)(2)(edteH(2))(2)(hmp)(2)Cl(2)](Mn(II)Cl(4)) (2), [Mn(III)(6)O(2)(O(2)CBu(t))(6)(edteH)(2)(N(3))(2)] (3), [Na(2)Mn(III)(8)Mn(II)(2)O(4)(OMe)(2)(O(2)CEt)(6)(edte)(2)(N(3))(6)] (4), and (NEt(4))(2)[Mn(8)(III)Mn(2)(II)O(4)(OH)(2)-(O(2)CEt)(6)(edte)(2)(N(3))(6)](5), where edteH(4) is N,N,N',N'-tetrakis-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine and hmpH is 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine. 1-5 resulted from a systematic exploration of the effect of different Mn sources, carboxylates, the presence of azide, and other conditions, on the Mn/edteH(4) reaction system. The core of 1 consists of a linear Mn(II)Mn(III)Mn(II) unit, whereas that of 2 is a planar Mn(4) rhombus within a [Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)(2)(μ(3)-OR)(2)] incomplete-dicubane unit. The core of 3 comprises a central [Mn(III)(4)(OR)(2)] incomplete-dicubane on either side of which is edge-fused a triangular [Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O)] unit. The cores of 4 and 5 are similar and consist of a central [Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)(2)(μ(3)-OR)(2)] incomplete-dicubane on either side of which is edge-fused a distorted [Mn(II)Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O)(2)(μ(3)-OR)(2)] cubane unit. Variable-temperature, solid-state direct current (dc) and alternating current (ac) magnetization studies were carried out on 1-5 in the 5.0-300 K range, and they established the complexes to have ground state spin values of S = 3 for 1, S = 9 for 2, and S = 4 for 3. The study of 3 provided an interesting caveat of potential pitfalls from particularly low-lying excited states. For 4 and 5, the ground state is in the S = 0-4 range, but its identification is precluded by a high density of low-lying excited states.     

Structure and magnetic exchange in heterometallic 3d-3d transition metal triethanolamine clusters

Synthetic methods are described that have resulted in the formation of seven heterometallic complexes, all of which contain partially deprotonated forms of the ligand triethanolamine (teaH(3)). These compounds are [Mn(III)(4)Co(III)(2)Co(II)(2)O(2)(teaH(2))(2)(teaH)(0.82)(dea)(3.18)(O(2)CMe)(2)(OMe)(2)](BF(4))(2)(O(2)CMe)(2)·3.18MeOH·H(2)O (1), [Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)(2)Co(III)(2)(teaH)(4)(OMe)(2)(acac)(4)](NO(3))(2)·2MeOH (2), [Mn(III)(2)Ni(II)(4)(teaH)(4)(O(2)CMe)(6)]·2MeCN (3), [Mn(III)(2)Co(II)(2)(teaH)(2)(sal)(2)(acac)(2)(MeOH)(2)]·2MeOH (4), [Mn(II)(2)Fe(III)(2)(teaH)(2)(paa)(4)](NO(3))(2)·2MeOH·CH(2)Cl(2) (5), [Mn(II)Mn(III)(2)Co(III)(2)O(teaH)(2)(dea)(Iso)(OMe)(F)(2)(Phen)(2)](BF(4))(NO(3))·3MeOH (6) and [Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)Co(III)(2)(OH)(teaH)(3)(teaH(2))(acac)(3)](NO(3))(2)·3CH(2)Cl(2) (7). All of the compounds contain manganese, combined with 3d transition metal ions such as Fe, Co and Ni. The crystal structures are described and examples of 'rods', tetranuclear 'butterfly' and 'triangular' Mn(3) cluster motifs, flanked in some cases by diamagnetic cobalt(III) centres, are presented. Detailed DC and AC magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies, combined with spin Hamiltonian analysis, have yielded J values and identified the spin ground states. In most cases, the energies of the low-lying excited states have also been obtained. The features of note include the 'inverse butterfly' spin arrangement in 2, 4 and 5. A S = 5/2 ground state occurs, for the first time, in the Mn(III)(2)Mn(II) triangular moiety within 6, the many other reported [Mn(3)O](6+) examples having S = ? or 3/2 ground states. Compound 7 provides the first example of a Mn(II)(2)Mn(III) triangle, here within a pentanuclear Mn(3)Co(2) cluster.     

Square planar vs tetrahedral coordination in diamagnetic complexes of nickel(II) containing two bidentate pi-radical monoanions

The reaction of three different 1-phenyl and 1,4-diphenyl substituted S-methylisothiosemicarbazides, H(2)[L(1-6)], with Ni(OAc)(2).4H(2)O in ethanol in the presence of air yields six four-coordinate species [Ni(L(1-6)(*))(2)] (1-6) where (L(1-6)(*))(1-) represent the monoanionic pi-radical forms. The crystal structures of the nickel complexes with 1-phenyl derivatives as in 1 reveal a square planar structure trans-[Ni(L(1)(-3)(*))(2)], whereas the corresponding 1,4-diphenyl derivatives are distorted tetrahedral as is demonstrated by X-ray crystallography of [Ni(L(5)(*))(2)] (5) and [Ni(L(6)(*))(2)] (6). Both series of mononuclear complexes possess a diamagnetic ground state. The electronic structures of both series have been elucidated experimentally (electronic spectra magnetization data). The square planar complexes 1-3 consist of a diamagnetic central Ni(II) ion and two strongly antiferromagnetically coupled ligand pi-radicals as has been deduced from correlated ab initio calculations; they are singlet diradicals. The tetrahedral complexes 4-6 consist of a paramagnetic high-spin Ni(II) ion (S(Ni) = 1), which is strongly antiferromagnetically coupled to two ligand pi-radicals. This is clearly revealed by DFT and correlated ab initio calculations. Electrochemically, complexes 1-6 can be reduced to form stable, paramagnetic monoanions [1-6](-) (S = (1)/(2)). The anions [1-3](-) are square planar Ni(II) (d,(8) S(Ni) = 0) species where the excess electron is delocalized over both ligands (class III, ligand mixed valency). In contrast, one-electron reduction of 4, 5, and 6 yields paramagnetic tetrahedral monoanions (S = (1)/(2)). X-band EPR spectroscopy shows that there are two different isomers A and B of each monoanion present in solution. In these anions, the excess electron is localized on one ligand [Ni(II)(L(4-6)(*))(L(4-6))](-) where (L(4-6))(2-) is the closed shell dianion of the ligands H(2)[L(4-6)] as was deduced from their electronic spectra and broken symmetry DFT calculations. Oxidation of 1 and 5 with excess iodine yields octahedral complexes [Ni(II)(L(1,ox))(2)I(2)] (7), [Ni(II)(L(1,ox))(3)](I(3))(2) (8), and trans-[Ni(II)(L(5,ox))(2)(I(3))(2)] (9), which have been characterized by X-ray crystallography; (L(1-)(6,ox)) represent the neutral, two-electron oxidized forms of the corresponding dianions (L(1-6))(2-). The room-temperature structures of complexes 1, 5, and 7 have been described previously in refs 1-5.     

Characterization of three members of the electron-transfer series [Fe(pda)2]n (n=2-, 1-, 0) by spectroscopy and density functional theoretical calculations [pda=redox non-innocent derivatives of N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-phenylenediamide(2-, 1.-, 0)

The four-coordinate iron complexes, [Fe(III)(pda(2-))(pda(.-))] (1) and [AsPh(4)](2)[Fe(II)(pda(2-))(2)] (2) were synthesized and fully characterized; pda(2-) is the closed-shell ligand N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-phenylenediamido(2-), and pda(.-) represents its one-electron-oxidized pi-radical anion. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1 and 2 performed at 100(2) K reveal a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment at the iron centers, as a result of the intramolecular pi-pi interactions between C(6)F(5) rings. The electronic structures of 1 and 2 were unambiguously determined by a combination of (57)Fe M?ssbauer and electronic spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements, X-ray crystallography, and DFT calculations. Compound 1 contains an intermediate-spin Fe(III) ion (S(Fe)=3/2) strongly antiferromagnetically coupled to a pi-ligand radical (S(R)=1/2) yielding an S(t)=1 ground state. Complex 2 possesses a high-spin Fe(II) center (S(Fe)=2) with two closed-shell dianionic ligands. Complexes 1 and 2 are members of the redox series [Fe(pda)(2)](n) with n=0 for 1 and n=2- for 2. The anion n=1- has been reported previously in the coordination salt [Fe(dad)(3)][Fe(pda)(2)] (3; dad=N,N'-bis(phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene). A complicated temperature-dependent electronic structure has been observed for this salt. Here, DFT calculations performed on 3 confirm the previous assignments of spin- and oxidation-states. Thus, [Fe(pda)(2)](n) (n=0, 1-, 2-) constitutes an electron-transfer series, which has also been established by cyclic voltammetry; the mono- and dications (n=1+ and 2+) are also accessible in solution, but have not been further investigated. The (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectra of [Fe(pda)(2)](n) species in 1 and 3 show extremely large quadrupole splitting constants due to addition of the valence and covalence contributions that have been confirmed by DFT calculations.     

Determination of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling in the tetrahedral thiolate-bridged diferrous complex [Fe2(SEt)6]2-

Protein-bound iron-sulfur clusters and their synthetic analogues are characterized by tetrahedral metal sites, multiple oxidation levels, and exchange coupling. The recent attainment of several all-ferrous protein clusters and the presence of sulfide- and thiolate-bridged sites in the all-ferrous state of the nitrogenase P-cluster provides an imperative for determination of exchange coupling between tetrahedral Fe(II) sites with sulfur bridges. The cluster in the previously reported compound (Et(4)N)(2)[Fe(2)(SEt)(6)] is centrosymmetric with distorted tetrahedral coordination and a planar Fe(2)(mu-SEt)(2) bridge unit. The compound is diamagnetic at 4.2 K, indicating antiferromagnetic coupling. The lower limit J > 80 cm(-)(1) (H = JS(1).S(2)) is obtained by M?ssbauer spectroscopy. Analysis of magnetic susceptibility data affords J = 165 +/- 15 cm(-)(1). It is noteworthy that the J value of the diferrous pair obtained here is comparable to the J values reported for the mixed-valence state of plant-type Fe(2)S(2) ferredoxins. The near temperature independence of the quadrupole splitting (DeltaE(Q) = 3.25 mm/s at 4.2 K and 3.20 mm/s at 180 K) indicates that no excited orbital states are appreciably populated at temperatures less than 300 K. The paramagnetism arises solely from thermal population of the S = 1 state of the spin ladder. This work provides the only measure of antiferromagnetic coupling by Fe(II) pairs in a tetrahedral sulfur environment.     

Photodissociation dynamics of IBr(-)(CO(2))(n), n<15

We report the ionic photoproducts produced following photoexcitation of mass selected IBr(-)(CO(2))(n), n=0-14, cluster ions at 790 and 355 nm. These wavelengths provide single state excitation to two dissociative states, corresponding to the A(') (2)Pi(1/2) and B 2 (2)Sigma(1/2) (+) states of the IBr(-) chromophore. Excitation of these states in IBr(-) leads to production of I(-)+Br and Br(-)+I( *), respectively. Potential energy curves for the six lowest electronic states of IBr(-) are calculated, together with structures for IBr(-)(CO(2))(n), n=1-14. Translational energy release measurements on photodissociated IBr(-) determine the I-Br(-) bond strength to be 1.10+/-0.04 eV; related measurements characterize the A(') (2)Pi(1/2)<--X (2)Sigma(1/2) (+) absorption band. Photodissociation product distributions are measured as a function of cluster size following excitation to the A(') (2)Pi(1/2) and B 2 (2)Sigma(1/2) (+) states. The solvent is shown to drive processes such as spin-orbit relaxation, charge transfer, recombination, and vibrational relaxation on the ground electronic state. Following excitation to the A(') (2)Pi(1/2) electronic state, IBr(-)(CO(2))(n) exhibits size-dependent cage fractions remarkably similar to those observed for I(2) (-)(CO(2))(n). In contrast, excitation to the B 2 (2)Sigma(1/2) (+) state shows extensive trapping in excited states that dominates the recombination behavior for all cluster sizes we investigated. Finally, a pump-probe experiment on IBr(-)(CO(2))(8) determines the time required for recombination on the ground state following excitation to the A(') state. While the photofragmentation experiments establish 100% recombination in the ground electronic state for this and larger IBr(-) cluster ions, the time required for recombination is found to be approximately 5 ns, some three orders of magnitude longer than observed for the analogous I(2) (-) cluster ion. Comparisons are made with similar experiments carried out on I(2) (-)(CO(2))(n) and ICl(-)(CO(2))(n) cluster ions.     

Family of double-cubane Mn4Ln2 (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) and Mn4Y2 complexes: a new Mn4Tb2 single-molecule magnet

The synthesis and characterization of a family of Mn(2)(III)Mn(2)(II)Ln(III)(2) complexes (Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), and Ho (4)) of formula [Mn(4)Ln(2)O(2)(O(2)CBu(t))(6)(edteH(2))(2)(NO(3))(2)] are reported, where edteH(4) is N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine. The analogous Mn(4)Y(2) (5) complex has also been prepared. They were obtained from reaction of Ln(NO(3))(3) or Y(NO(3))(3) with Mn(O(2)CBu(t))(2), edteH(4), and NEt(3) in a 2:3:1:2 molar ratio. The crystal structures of representative 1 and 2 were obtained, and their core consists of a face-fused double-cubane [Mn(4)Ln(2)(μ(4)-O(2-))(2)(μ(3)-OR)(4)] unit. Such double-cubane units are extremely rare in 3d metal chemistry and unprecedented in 3d-4f chemistry. Variable-temperature, solid-state dc and ac magnetic susceptibility studies on 1-5 were carried out. Fitting of dc χ(M)T vs T data for 5 gave J(bb) (Mn(III)···Mn(III)) = -32.6(9) cm(-1), J(wb) (Mn(II)···Mn(III)) = +0.5(2) cm(-1), and g = 1.96(1), indicating a |n, 0, n> (n = 0-5) 6-fold-degenerate ground state. The data for 1 indicate an S = 12 ground state, confirmed by fitting of magnetization data, which gave S = 12, D = 0.00(1) cm(-1), and g = 1.93(1) (D is the axial zero-field splitting parameter). This ground state identifies the Mn(II)···Gd(III) interactions to be ferromagnetic. The ac susceptibility data independently confirmed the conclusions about 1 and 5 and revealed that 2 displays slow relaxation of the magnetization vector for the Mn(4)Tb(2) analogue 2. The latter was confirmed as a single-molecule magnet by observation of hysteresis below 0.9 K in magnetization vs dc field scans on a single crystal of 2·MeCN on a micro-SQUID apparatus. The hysteresis loops also displayed well-resolved quantum tunneling of magnetization steps, only the second 3d-4f SMM to do so.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a new family of Ni(4) spin clusters

A new family of tetranuclear Ni complexes [Ni(4)(ROH)(4)L(4)] (H(2)L = salicylidene-2-ethanolamine; R = Me (1) or Et (2)) has been synthesized and studied. Complexes 1 and 2 possess a [Ni(4)O(4)] core comprising a distorted cubane arrangement. Magnetic susceptibility and inelastic neutron scattering studies indicate a combination of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic pairwise exchange interactions between the four Ni(II) centers, resulting in an S = 4 spin ground state. Magnetization measurements reveal an easy-axis-type magnetic anisotropy with D approximately -0.93 cm(-)(1) for both complexes. Despite the large magnetic anisotropy, no slow relaxation of the magnetization is observed down to 40 mK. To determine the origin of the low-temperature magnetic behavior, the magnetic anisotropy of complex 1 was probed in detail using inelastic neutron scattering and frequency domain magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The spectroscopic studies confirm the easy-axis-type anisotropy and indicate strong transverse interactions. These lead to rapid quantum tunneling of the magnetization, explaining the unexpected absence of slow magnetization relaxation for complex 1.     

Spin-frustrated (VO)36+-triangle-sandwiching octadecatungstates as a new class of molecular magnets

Spin-frustrated polyoxometalates, K(11)H[(VO)(3)(SbW(9)O(33))(2)].27H(2)O (1) and K(12)[(VO)(3)(BiW(9)O(33))(2)].29H(2)O (2), containing approximately equilateral and isosceles (VO)(3)(6+)-triangles (V(IV)...V(IV) separation of 5.4-5.5 A) sandwiched by two diamagnetic alpha-B nonatungstate ligands ([SbW(9)O(33)](9)(-) and [BiW(9)O(33)](9)(-)) with approximate D(3)(h) symmetry, are found to show magnetization jumps with distinct hysteresis for the S = (1)/(2) <--> S = (3)/(2) level crossing under fast sweeping pulsed magnetic fields (approximately 10(3) T/s) at T < or = 0.5 K. This unusual phenomenon is attributed to the theoretical prediction of half step magnetization, which is expected for an antiferromagnetic spin triangle with antisymmetrical Dzyaloshinky-Moriya interaction. The degeneracy of the S = (1)/(2) states for 1 is removed by slightly lower symmetry effects of triangular structure for 2. The calorimetry of 1 and 2 shows the heat capacity anomaly at 2 < or = T < or = 20 K which is associated with a thermal excitation from the S = (1)/(2) ground states to the S = (3)/(2) state at zero field. Zero-field splitting energies (5-7 K) between S = (1)/(2) and S = (3)/(2) states for 1 and 2, readily estimated by the level-crossing field for the magnetization, allow us to measure the hyperfine-structural 22 lines due to three equivalent I = (7)/(2) (51)V nuclei, the fine-structural triplet line of the S = (3)/(2) excited state, and the g anisotropy on the high-frequency ESR spectra. The spin-frustrated (VO)(3)(6+)-triangle for 1 and 2 is a good model of the magnetization between pure quantum states S = (1)/(2) and (3)/(2) and provides a new class of single-molecule magnets.     

EPR spectroscopy of [Fe2O2(5-Et3-TPA)2]3+: electronic origin of the unique spin-Hamiltonian parameters of the Fe2(III,IV)O2 diamond core

The electronic origins of the magnetic signatures of [Fe(2)O(2)(5-Et(3)-TPA)(2)](ClO(4))(3), where 5-Et(3)-TPA = tris(5-ethyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine, were investigated by density functional calculations. These signatures consist of a near-axial EPR spectrum, anisotropic superhyperfine broadening upon (17)O substitution in the Fe(2)O(2) core, and an unusually large, positive zero-field splitting parameter, D = 38 +/- 3 cm(-1). Density functional calculations identify the anisotropic (17)O superhyperfine broadening to be due to a preponderance of oxo 2p density perpendicular to the plane of the Fe(2)O(2) core in the three singly occupied molecular orbitals of the S = (3)/(2) ground state. The near-axial g-matrix arises from DeltaS = 0 spin-orbit mixing between the singly and doubly occupied d(pi) orbitals of the iron d-manifold. The large D is due to DeltaS = +/-1 spin-orbit mixing with low-lying d(pi) excited states. These experimental observables reflect the dominance of iron-oxo (rather than Fe-Fe) bonding in the Fe(2)O(2) core, and define the low-lying valence orbitals responsible for reactivity.     

Supramolecular spin-crossover iron complexes based on imidazole-imidazolate hydrogen bonds

The [Fe(II)(H(3)L)](BF(4))(2).3H(2)O (1) complex was synthesized, where H(3)L (tris[[2-[(imidazole-4-yl)methylidene]amino]ethyl]amine) is a tripodal ligand obtained by condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine and 4-formylimidazole (fim) in a 1:3 molar ratio. Starting from 1, a series of complexes, [Fe(II)(H(1.5)L)](BF(4))(0.5) (2) (=[Fe(II)(H(3)L)][Fe(II)(L)]BF(4)), [Fe(H(1.5)L)]BF(4) (3) (=[Fe(II)(H(3)L)][Fe(III)(L)](BF(4))(2)), [Fe(III)(H(3)L)](BF(4))(3).fim.H(2)O (4), and [Fe(III)(L)].2.5H(2)O (5), has been synthesized and characterized. The single-crystal X-ray structure of each complex has been determined. The Fe(II) compound, 2, and a mixed valence Fe(II)-Fe(III) compound, 3, involve formally hemi-deprotonated ligands, H(1.5)L. The structure of 3 consists of a homochiral two-dimensional assembled sheet, arising from the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between [Fe(II)(H(3)L)](2+) and [Fe(III)(L)](0) (3). All but 5 exhibit spin crossover between low-spin (LS) and high-spin (HS) states. This is a rare case where both Fe(II) and Fe(III) complexes containing the same ligand exhibit spin-crossover behavior. Magnetic susceptibility and M?ssbauer studies showed that 3 has three accessible electronic states: LS Fe(II)-LS Fe(III), HS Fe(II)-LS Fe(III), and HS Fe(II)-HS Fe(III). Compounds 1-3 show the light-induced excited spin-state trapping effect at the Fe(II) sites upon irradiation with green light. The solution magnetic properties, electronic spectra, and electrochemical properties of 1, 4, and 5 were also studied.     

Controlled intramolecular electron transfers in cyanide-bridged molecular squares by chemical modifications and external stimuli

A series of cyanide bridged Fe-Co molecular squares, [Co(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)(tp*)(2)(dtbbpy)(4)](PF(6))(2)·2MeOH (1), [Co(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)(tp*)(2)(bpy)(4)](PF(6))(2)·2MeOH (2), and [Co(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)(tp)(2)(dtbbpy)(4)](PF(6))(2)·4H(2)O (3) (tp = hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate, tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate, bpy =2,2'-bipyridine, dtbbpy =4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine), were prepared by the reactions of [Fe(CN)(3)(L)](-) (L = tp or tp*) with Co(2+) and bidentate ligands (bpy or dtbbpy) in MeOH. In the molecular squares, Fe and Co ions are alternately bridged by cyanide ions, forming macrocyclic tetranuclear cores. Variable temperature X-ray structural analyses and magnetic susceptibility measurements confirmed that 1 exhibits two-step charge-transfer induced spin transitions (CTIST) centered at T(1/2) = 275 and 310 K in the solid state. The Fe and Co ions in 1 are the low-spin (LS) Fe(III) and high-spin (HS) Co(II) ions, described here in the high-temperature (HT) phase ([Fe(III)(LS2)Co(II)(HS2)]) at 330 K, while a low-temperature (LT) phase ([Fe(II)(LS2)Co(III)(LS2)]) with LS Fe(II) and Co(III) ions was dominant below 260 K. X-ray structural analysis revealed that in the intermediate (IM) phase at 298 K 1 exhibits positional ordering of [Fe(III)(LS2)Co(II)(HS2)] and [Fe(II)(LS2)Co(III)(LS2)] species with the 2:2 ratio. In photomagnetic experiments on 1, light-induced CTIST from the LT to the HT phase was observed by excitation of Fe(II) → Co(III) intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band at 5 K and the trapped HT phase thermally relaxed to the LT phase in a two-step fashion. On the other hand, 2 and 3 are in the HT and LT phases, respectively, throughout the entire temperature range measured, and no CTIST was observed. UV-vis-NIR absorption spectral measurements and cyclic voltammetry in solution revealed that the different electronic states in 1-3 are ascribable to the destabilization of iron and cobalt ion d-orbitals by the introduction of methyl and tert-butyl groups to the ligands tp and bpy, respectively. Temperature dependence of UV-vis-NIR spectra confirmed that 1 exhibited a one-step CTIST in butyronitrile, of which T(1/2) varied from 227 to 280 K upon the addition of trifluoroacetic acid.     

Oxamato-bridged trinuclear Ni(II)Cu(II)Ni(II) complexes with irregular spin state structures and a binuclear Ni(II)Cu(II) complex with an unusual supramolecular structure: crystal structure and magnetic properties

Four oxamato-bridged heterotrinuclear Ni(II)Cu(II)Ni(II) complexes of formula ([Ni(bispictn)](2)Cu(pba))(ClO(4))(2).2.5H(2)O (1), ([Ni(bispictn)](2)Cu(pbaOH))(ClO(4))(2).H(2)O (2), ([Ni(cth)](2)Cu(pba))(ClO(4))(2) (3), and ([Ni(cth)](2)Cu(opba))(ClO(4))(2).H(2)O (4) and a binuclear Ni(II)Cu(II) complex of formula [Cu(opba)Ni(cth)].CH(3)OH (5) have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR, ESR, and electronic spectra, where pba = 1,3-propylenebis(oxamato), pbaOH = 2-hydroxyl-1,3-propylenebis(oxamato), opba = o-phenylenebis(oxamato), bispictn = N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, and cth = rac-5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane. The crystal structures of 1, 3, and 5 have been determined. The structures of complexes 1 and 3 consist of trinuclear cations and perchlorate anions, and that of 5 consists of neutral binuclear molecules which are connected by hydrogen bonds and pi-pi interactions to produce a unique supramolecular "double" sheet. In the three complexes, the copper atom in a square-planar or axially elongated octahedral environment and the nickel atom in a distorted octahedral environment are bridged by the oxamato groups, with Cu.Ni separations between 5.29 and 5.33 A. The magnetic properties of all five complexes have been investigated. The chi(M)T versus T plots for 1-4 exhibit the minimum characteristic of antiferromagnetically coupled NiCuNi species with an irregular spin state structure and a spin-quartet ground state. The chi(M)T versus T plot for 5 is typical of an antiferromagnetically coupled NiCu pair with a spin-doublet ground state. The Ni(II)-Cu(II) isotropic interaction parameters for the five complexes were evaluated and are between 102 and 108 cm(-)(1) (H = -JS(Cu).S(Ni)).