Syntheses,structures and single-molecule magnetic behaviors of two dicubane Mn4 complexes

The reaction of MnX₂ · 4H₂O (X = Cl or Br) with 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylphenol (H₃L) and NaOH in methanol solution yielded two tetranuclear manganese complexes, [Mn₄(HL)₄(MeOH)₄Cl₂] (1) and [Mn₄(HL)₄(MeOH)₄Br₂] (2). Both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group C₂/c with cell parameters: a = 26.0945(19) Å, b = 11.4999(8) Å, c = 21.2188(16) Å, β = 121.050(1)° and z = 4 for 1 · 2Et₂O; a = 25.8145(3) Å, b = 11.6734(2) Å, c = 21.3956(3) Å, β = 120.1277(6)° and z = 4 for 2 · 2Et₂O. Both complexes consist of a mixed-valence dicubane structure, which comprises two Mn^II and two Mn^III ions. Magnetic susceptibilities and magnetization of complexes 1 and 2 in the solid state indicate that two clusters have an S = 9 ground state. Frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals of alternating current magnetic susceptibilities were observed in the low temperature range (<3 K) for both complexes indicating a slow magnetic relaxation.     

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.     

New derivatives of an enneanuclear Mn SMM

The reaction of the neutral triangular species [Mn₃O(O₂CR)₆L₃] (R = Me, Ph, CMe₃; L = py) with the tripodal ligands H₃tmp (1, 1, 1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane) and H₄peol (pentaerythritol) affords the enneanuclear complexes [Mn₉O₇(O₂CMe)₁₁(tmp)(py)₃(H₂O)₂] (2); [Mn₉O₇(O₂CMe)₁₁(Hpeol)(py)₃(H₂O)₂] (3); [Mn₉O₇(O₂CCMe₃)₁₁(Hpeol)(py)₃(H₂O)₂] (4); and [Mn₉O₇(O₂CPh)₁₁(Hpeol)(py)₃(H₂O)₂] (5). Complexes 2–5 are characterized by spin ground states of S = 17/2 with axial zero-field splitting parameters in the range D = −0.26–0.30 cm⁻¹. Sweep-rate and temperature dependent hysteresis loops diagnostic of SMM behaviour are observed below 1.2 K featuring steps at regular intervals of field.     

A convenient MnIII starting material for the synthesis of homo- and heterometallic manganese carboxylate clusters: Mn9 and Mn10−xFex complexes

The use of a convenient source of Mn^III ions, namely the [Mn(OR)(O₂CR′)₂]_n (R = H, Me, and R′ = Me, Bu^t) family of 1-D coordination polymers, afforded two new enneanuclear and decanuclear molecular clusters, homometallic [Mn₉O₇(O₂CBu^t)₁₃(MeCN)₂] (3) and heterometallic [Mn_10?xFe_x(OMe)₂₀(O₂CMe)₁₀] (x < 10) (4), respectively. Compound 3 was synthesized by a solvent-induced structural transformation, whereas complex 4 resulted from the reaction of [Mn(OH)(O₂CMe)₂]_n with an Fe^III source. The core of 3 comprises two [Mn₄O₂]⁸⁺ butterfly units and a [Mn₃O]⁷⁺ triangular unit fused together by sharing one Mn atom. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 3 revealed dominant antiferromagnetic interactions within the molecule, and a ground state of S = 1 with many low-lying excited states. Complex 4 is a mixed Fe^III/Mn^III single-strand molecular wheel, which forms 3D nanotubular stacks arranged in a zig–zag fashion. The described work suggests that the [Mn(OR)(O₂CR′)₂]_n compounds represent excellent starting materials for Mn^III carboxylate cluster chemistry.     

Electrochemical and magnetic properties of inorganic polymers constructed from Mn(II)/Co(II)-substituted heteropolymolybdates

Two inorganic polymers constructed from transition metal-substituted heteropolymolybdates, [(CH₃)₃NH]_5n[PMo₁₁MO₃₉]_n·xH₂O (M = Mn²⁺, x = n (1); M = Co²⁺, x = 2n (2)), have been synthesized in aqueous solutions and characterized by IR, TGA, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystal data: 1, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 17.1322(7) Å, b = 17.6062(7) Å, c = 17.6459(7) Å, β = 103.2220(10)°, V = 5181.5(4) Å³ and Z = 4; 2, triclinic, P-1, a = 12.1986(7) Å, b = 13.0973(7) Å, c = 16.7736(9) Å, α = 97.1810(10)°, β = 98.5040(11)°, γ = 96.3920(10)°, V = 2606.5(2) Å³ and Z = 2. The cyclic voltammograms of 1 and 2 show irreversible redox peaks in DMF solution and there are three reversible couples after addition of 0.1 M H₂SO₄ aqueous solutions. The cyclic voltammograms of 1/2-modified carbon paste electrode (1-CPE/2-CPE) show two consecutive reversible two-electron redox processes. Especially, 2-CPE shows good electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide. The magnetic properties of the two complexes have also been investigated.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and magnetic properties of K4Mn3(HPO4)4(H2PO4)2

A new layered compound, K₄Mn₃(HPO₄)₄(H₂PO₄)₂ (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 8.874(2) Å, b = 6.554(1) Å, c = 18.075(4) Å, and β = 93.39(3)°. The structure consists of zigzag [Mn₃O₁₄]_n chains of edge-sharing MnO₆ octahedrons and MnO₇ pentagonal bi-pyramids, which form layers of formula [Mn₃(HPO₄)₄(H₂PO₄)₂]^4? in the ab plane via H₂PO₄ and HPO₄ units with vertex-sharing. Potassium ions lie between these layers. Magnetic measurements indicate Curie–Weiss behavior above 6 K for 1. A Heisenberg model, with alternating exchange interactions J₁J₁J₂… within the chain and exchange interactions J₃J₃… between the chains, is proposed to describe the magnetic behavior.     

55Mn nuclear spin relaxation in the truly axial single-molecule magnet Mn12-t-butylacetate thermally-activated down to 400 mK

We report on the measurements of the spin–lattice relaxation time, T₁, of Mn₁₂O₁₂(O₂CCH₂Bu^t)₁₆(CH₃OH)₄ · CH₃OH, a truly axial symmetry Mn₁₂ single-molecule magnet (SMM), with the view to examining the role of point symmetry and lattice-solvate molecules in this Mn₁₂ SMM. The measurements were made over 0.390–1.8 K, on freshly prepared single crystals which afforded much higher spectral resolution than magnetically aligned powder. The measured T₁ is found to be thermally activated, and follows either a T² or exponential behavior over 0.390–0.7 K, in contrast to the temperature-independent behavior for Mn₁₂-acetate, where Jahn–Teller isomers are thought to be the origin of the temperature-independent nuclear relaxation mechanism.     

Synthesis,structures and magnetic properties of two hexanuclear complexes

The reaction of salicylaldoxime (H₂salox) with Mn(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, NaN(CN)₂ and NEt₃ in MeOH affords a Mn^III₆ hexanuclear complex of [Mn₆O₂(salox)₆(MeOH)₆(NCNCONH₂)₂] (1), while reaction of H₂salox with MnCl₂ · 4H₂O and NEt₄OH in EtOH affords a Mn^III₆ hexanuclear complex of [Mn₆O₂(salox)₆(EtOH)₄(H₂O)₂Cl₂] (2). Both complexes 1 and 2 contain a [Mn^III₆(μ₃-O)₂]¹⁴⁺ core, which is a known structural type in the family of Mn₆ complexes. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibilities and magnetization measurement of complexes 1 and 2 have been carried out. Exchange interactions of metal centers for complexes 1 and 2 are fitted by a full diagonalization matrix method. The fitting results indicate that both complexes 1 and 2 have the ground-state spin value of S = 4, and the ground state of complex 1 has the much closer energy to low-lying spin states than that of complex 2. Magnetization measurements at 2.0–4.0 K and 10–70 kG confirm that the ground state is S = 4, with significant magnetoanisotropy as gauged by the D value of ?0.82 cm^?1 and ?1.18 cm^?1, for 1 and 2, respectively. The frequency dependence of the out-of-phase component in alternating current magnetic susceptibilities for both complexes 1 and 2 indicates the slow magnetic relaxation of superparamagnetic behaviour with a U_eff of 27.0(1) K and τ₀ = 3.8(2) × 10^?9 s for complex 1, and U_eff of 25.1(6) K and τ₀ = 4.6(1) × 10^?8 s for complex 2.     

Magnetic and theoretical characterization of a ferromagnetic Mn(III) dimer

Reaction of 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane (H₃thme) with the complex [Mn₂O₂(bpy)₄](ClO₄)₃ produces the dimeric species [Mn₂(Hthme)₂(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ in high yield. Magnetic measurements in the temperature range 1.8–300 K and in fields up to 7 T reveal weak ferromagnetic exchange between the metal centres with J = +2.13 cm⁻¹. A fit of the magnetization data, assuming only the ground state is populated, gives S = 4, g = 1.71 and D = −0.65 cm⁻¹. Low temperature single crystal measurements suggest the co-existence of SMM behaviour and strong intermolecular interactions. Density functional calculations also support a weak exchange interaction between the Mn ions.     

Thermal investigation and infrared evolved gas analysis of light lanthanide(III) complexes with pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid

The characterisation of light lanthanide(III) complexes with pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid of the formula Ln₂pdc₃·nH₂O where Ln denotes lanthanides from La to Gd, pdc = C₇H₅NO₄²⁻; n = 6 for Ce(III), n = 7 for Pr(III) and Sm(III), n = 8 for La and n = 13 for Nd(III), Eu(III) and Gd(III) was performed by the thermal analysis TG-DTA and the simultaneous infrared evolved gas analysis TG-FTIR. Heating of the crystalline complexes resulted in the dehydration process at first. Next, dehydrated compounds decompose releasing of CO₂, CO, CH₄ and hydrocarbons. Free pyridine molecules were detected only in the gaseous products of lanthanum(III) complex decomposition.     

High-spin molecules: A mixed-valence Mn6 octahedron with an S = 11 ground state

The employment of 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane ligand in higher oxidation state Mn cluster chemistry has yielded a new hexanuclear, mixed-valence (II,III,IV) compound with a rare [Mn₆(μ₆-O)]¹⁸⁺ octahedral core. The Mn₆ molecule is completely ferromagnetically coupled and possesses an S = 11 ground state, the maximum for a Mn^II, 2Mn^III, 3Mn^IV species.     

Metal–metal bond cleavage of carbene complexes by halogens: The crystal and molecular structures of ax-[Mn2(CO)9{C(OEt)2-thienyl}], [Mn(CO)4(I){C(OEt)2-thienyl}] and eq-[Mn2(CO)9{C(NH2)2-thienyl}]

The metal–metal bond in [M₂(CO)₉{C(OEt)R}] (M = Mn (1), Re (2), R = 2-thienyl (a), 2-bithienyl (b)) is readily cleaved with halogens to afford cis-[M(CO)₄(X){C(OEt)R}] (M = Mn (3), X = I; M = Re (4), X = Br). In the binuclear manganese complex, the carbene ligand is found in an axial position due to steric reasons, whereas the electronically favoured equatorial position is found for the carbene ligands in the corresponding rhenium complexes and in [Mn₂(CO)₉{C(NH₂)thienyl}] (5a), containing a sterically less demanding NH₂-substituent.     

High performance LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode materials synthesized by a combinational annealing method

High performance LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ was prepared by a combinational annealing method. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared, and cell measurements. With increasing the annealing time at 600 °C, LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ showed a decreased lattice parameter and an enhanced Ni-ordering. The electrochemical property of LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ was optimized by controlling the annealing time. It was found that after annealing at 600 °C for 8 h, LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ can discharge up to 138 mA h g⁻¹ with a superior cycling performance at the rate of 5/7 C. High-rate test indicated that LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ exhibited excellent electrochemical performance when charged and discharged at 1.2 C and 2.5 C, respectively. The findings reported in this work are expected to pave the way for the practical application of LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄.     

Controlling the dimensionality of oxalate-based bimetallic complexes: The ferromagnetic chain {[K(18-crown-6)][Mn(bpy)Cr(ox)3]}∞(18-crown-6 = C12H24O6, ox=C2O42-, bpy = C10H8N2)

The bimetallic ferromagnetic chain {[K(18-crown-6)][Mn(bpy)Cr(ox)₃]}_∞ (1) has been synthesized and characterized. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic chiral space group P2₁2₁2₁ [a = 9.0510(2) Å, b = 14.4710(3) Å, c = 26.8660(8) Å, V = 3510.97(1) Å³, Z = 2]. Compound 1 is made up by anionic [Mn(bpy)Cr(ox)₃]⁻ 1D chains and cationic [K(18-crown-6)]⁺ complexes. The magnetic exchange within the chain is ferromagnetic [J = +7.8(7) cm⁻¹]. In the solid state, the ferromagnetic chains are well isolated magnetically and no long range magnetic ordering has been observed above 2 K.     

Efficient synthesis of 2,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyindolizidines (castanospermine analogues) via the dipolar cycloadditions of N-benzyl-C-(tetrofuranos-4-yl)nitrones to methyl acrylate

The dipolar cycloaddition of (Z)-N-benzyl-(3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-ribofuranos-5-ylidene)amine N-oxide to methyl acrylate gives a 53:16:26:5 diastereomeric mixture of isoxazolidine derivatives. The dipolar cycloaddition of the xylo analogue to methyl acrylate is more diastereoselective, producing a 44:13:43 mixture of only three diastereomers. The ribo-configured adducts have been converted (4 steps only) into the new (2R,6S,7S,8R,8aR)-, (2S,6S,7S,8R,8aR)-, (2S,6S,7S,8R,8aS)- and (2R,6S,7S,8R,8aS)-2,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyindolizidines. Similarly, the two xylo-configured major isoxazolidine derivatives were converted into the known derivatives (2R,6S,7R,8R,8aS)- and (2S,6S,7R,8R,8aR)-2,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyindolizidines. The six isomeric indolizidine derivatives obtained have been evaluated for their inhibiting activities towards 15 glycosidases. Only the (2R,6S,7S,8R,8aR)-configured isomer is a selective inhibitor of amyloglucosidases from Aspergillus niger (IC₅₀ = 350 μM) and from Rhizopus mold (IC₅₀ = 90 μM, K_i = 195 μM, non-competitive), the other indolizidines show very little inhibitory activity at 1 mM concentration.     

Two-color emission of Zn2SiO4:Mn from ionic liquid mediated synthesis

Yellow emitting β-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ and green emitting α-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ nanoparticles are synthesized by nucleation applying a zinc-containing ionic liquid. As-prepared material is non-agglomerated and very uniform with a mean diameter of 32 nm. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) two crystallographic different modifications of Zn₂SiO₄ can be realized by annealing of as-prepared and non-crystalline nanomaterial at 750 and 1000 °C. Surprisingly, these crystalline materials are still nanosized, non-agglomerated and redispersible. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirm particle diameters of 18 nm (β-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺) and 14 nm (α-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺). Photoluminescence indicates Mn²⁺-related emission at an average wavelength of 579 nm and 528 nm, and a quantum yield of 7% and 12% for β-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ and α-Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺, respectively.     

Inhibitors for magnesium corrosion: Metal organic frameworks

Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that magnesium surfaces can be protected by alkyl carboxylate. In a nearly neutral pH solution of sodium decanoate, the reduced corrosion rate and a passivation behaviour are attributed to the formation of Mg(C₁₀H₁₉O₂)₂(H₂O)₃ (Mg(C10)₂) at the magnesium surface whereas heptanoate Mg(C₇H₁₃O₂)₂(H₂O)₃ (Mg(C7)₂) is not efficient in such media. The crystal structures of the two metal carboxylates Mg(C7)₂ and Mg(C10)₂ are determined by X-ray diffraction. Single crystal data: Mg(C7)₂, P2₁/a, a = 9.130(5) Å, b = 8.152(5) Å, c = 24.195(5) Å, β = 91.476(5)°, V = 1800.3(15) Å³, D_x = 1.242 g cm⁻³, Z = 4. Synchrotron powder data: Mg(C10)₂, P2₁/a, a = 9.070(3) Å, b = 8.165(1) Å, c = 32.124(1) Å, β = 98.39(1)°, V = 2353.85(8) Å³, D_x = 1.188 g cm⁻³, Z = 4. Their layered structures are quite similar and differ mainly by the length of the hydrophobic chains. They consist of two planes of O-octahedra centred by Mg atoms, parallel to (001). The distorted octahedra are constituted by three oxygen atoms from carboxylate groups and by three oxygen atoms coming from water molecules. The layers are connected by hydrogen bonds. The carboxylate chains are located perpendicularly and on both sides of these planes. One carboxylate chain is bridging the Mg atom along [010] while the other is monodendate. The presence of structural water is confirmed by thermal analyses.     

A mixed-valence Mn6 cluster capped by nitronyl nitroxide units

A mixed-valence Mn₆ cluster, [Mn₆O₂(t-BuCO₂)₁₀(H₂O)(NNPy)₂] (2), has been synthesized by the assembly of [Mn₆O₂(t-BuCO₂)₁₀(THF)₄] · THF (1) with a nitronyl nitroxide radical molecule, 2-(p-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (NNPy). Complex 2 consists of [Mn₆O₂]¹⁰⁺ core and two NNPy radical attachments, where the [Mn₆O₂]¹⁰⁺ core is composed of two Mn^III ions (i.e., the inner Mn ions) bridged by two μ₄-O²⁻ and four Mn^II ions (i.e., the outer Mn ions) surrounding the inner Mn^III ions via the two μ₄-O²⁻, forming an edge-shared double-tetrahedral polygon (vertices: Mn ions, centers: μ₄-O²⁻). Bridges by pivalate groups in μ₂- and μ₃-modes assist the coordination spheres around these Mn ions. Two of the outer Mn^II ions in trans position are, to the sixth coordination site, occupied by NNPy molecule (pyridine-N coordination). One of the outer Mn^II ions is occupied by a water molecule to complete octahedral geometry, but the rest of them is vacancy taking a square-pyramidal geometry. The variable-temperature direct current (DC) magnetic susceptibility was collected in the temperature range of 1.81 to 300 K at a 1 kOe appled field. The molar magnetic susceptibility (χ_M) steadily increases from 0.053 emu mol⁻¹ at 300 K to 0.29 emu mol⁻¹ at 20 K, showing a kink (peak), and then increases rapidly to 0.70 emu mol⁻¹ at 1.81 K. The profile of this magnetic behavior indicates that the intracluster spin cancellation takes place bellow 20 K to derive an S_Mn6 = 0 by strong antiferromagnetic interaction between Mn ions. This is consequently leading to paramagnetic isolation of only the two nitronyl nitroxide units as if remaining as exchange-uncorrelated spin carriers. The variable-temperature ESR spectra show a sharp signal below 30 K with g = 2.00, proving the presence of free nitronyl nitroxide radical, in which double integral of such signal obeys the Curie–Weiss law that follows the susceptibility result in the low-temperature region.     

Synthesis and structure of a new scorpionate-dithio carboxyl oxovanadium complex and an organic dithio carboxyl compound

A new complex of oxovanadium(IV), V₂O₂[(HB(pz)₃)₂(pyrro)₂ (1) and a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound (C₅H₈NS₂)₂ (2) have been synthesized by the reaction of VOSO₄·nH₂O with NaHB(pz)₃ and pyrrolidine dithio carboxylic acid ammonium salt. They were characterized by element analysis, IR spectra, UV–vis spectra and X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses of 1 and 2 gave the following parameters: 1, triclinic, P-1, a = 7.732(4) Å, b = 14.285(8) Å, c = 17.802(9) Å, α = 101.314(8)°, β = 92.682(9)°, γ = 92.228(9)°, V = 1923.6(18) Å³, and Z = 4; 2, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 13.857(2) Å, b = 10.4213(18) Å, c = 9.436(2) Å, β = 97.099(2), V = 1352.1(4) Å³, and Z = 4. In complex 1, vanadium atom adopts a distorted tetragonal bipyramid structure, which is typical for oxovanadium(IV) complexes. Compound 2 is a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound with S–S bond. In addition, thermal analysis was performed for analyzing the stabilization of the complexes.