Structure of a spin-crossover Fe(II)–1,2,4-triazole polymer complex dispersed in an isotactic polystyrene matrix

Isotactic polystyrene (i-PS) was employed as a matrix to disperse a metallo-organic polymer of [Fe(II) (4-octadecyl-1,2,4-triazole)₃(ClO₄)₂] in order to obtain novel functional materials exhibiting thermal spin-crossover transition. A detailed investigation of the structure of the metallo-organic polymer and metallo-organic polymer/iPS blends has been carried out by DSC, WAXD and SAXS techniques as a function of temperature and metallo-organic polymer/iPS proportion.The results obtained confirm on the one hand that a structural transition associated with a change in the magnetic susceptibility of the metallo-organic polymer is preserved in the presence of i-PS. This transition was found to be associated to both, an inter-conversion of lamellar structures into hexagonal structures and to an increase of inter-sheet distances within the lamellar structures in metallo-organic polymer films prepared by casting from toluene solutions. On the other hand, an increase of the degree of crystallinity of the iPS is observed in the presence of the metallo-organic polymer which suggests some nucleating effect of the metallo-organic polymer in the crystallization of isotactic polystyrene.     

Iron carbonyl complexes of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(methylene)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. Crystal and molecular structure of (C10H10O)Fe(CO)3 and (C9H10CO)Fe2(CO)6

The reaction of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(methylene)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (I) with iron carbonyls in various solvents yields the (η⁴-1,3-diene)Fe(CO)₃ isomers (II: exo; III: endo) and the bimetallic isomers bis[(η⁴-1,3-diene)Fe(CO)₃] (IV: bis(exo); V: endo,exo). In weakly coordinating solvents, a parallel rearrangement of I occurs through CO bond cleavage of the allylic ether by Fe₂(CO)₉ yielding an unsaturated ketone (VI) bonded to two Fe(CO)₃ groups through a trimethylenemethane and a 1,3-diene system, respectively. The geometries of III and VI have been ascertained by X-ray crystal structure determinations.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a new open-framework iron phosphate (NH4)4Fe3(OH)2F2[H3(PO4)4]: Novel linear trimer of corner-sharing Fe(III) octahedra

A new iron phosphate (NH₄)₄Fe₃(OH)₂F₂[H₃(PO₄)₄] has been synthesized hydrothermally at HF concentrations from 0.5 to 1.2 mL. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals its three-dimensional open-framework structure (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n (No. 14), a=6.2614(13) Å, b=9.844(2) Å, c=14.271(3) Å, β=92.11(1)°, V=879.0(3) Å³). This structure is built from isolated linear trimers of corner-sharing Fe(III) octahedra, which are linked by (PO₄) groups to form ten-membered-ring channels along [1 0 0]. This isolated, linear trimer of corner-sharing Fe(III) octahedra, [(FeO₄)₃(OH)₂F₂], is new and adds to the diverse linkages of Fe polyhedra as secondary building units in iron phosphates. The trivalent iron at octahedral sites for the title compound has been confirmed by synchrotron Fe K-edge XANES spectra and magnetic measurements. Magnetic measurements also show that this compound exhibit a strong antiferromagnetic exchange below T_N=17 K, consistent with superexchange interactions expected for the linear trimer of ferric octahedra with the Fe-F-Fe angle of 132.5°.     

Study on the spin-crossover transition in [Fe(cis-/trans-stpy)4(X)2] (stpy: styrylpyridine, X: NCS, NCBH3) under high pressure toward ligand-driven light-induced spin change

Toward the realization of a ligand-driven light-induced spin change (LD-LISC) around room temperature, we have investigated the spin-crossover phenomenon in [Fe(stpy)₄(X)₂] (stpy = styrylpyridine, X = NCS, NCBH₃) under high pressure. The spin transition temperature increases from 110 to 220 K with increasing applied pressure up to 0.75 GPa for [Fe(trans-stpy)₄(NCS)₂], while [Fe(cis-stpy)₄(NCS)₂] shows the high-spin state in the temperature region between 2 and 300 K even at 0.75 GPa. In the case of X = NCBH₃, due to the stronger ligand field of NCBH₃, the spin transition temperature increases from 240 to 360 K with increasing applied pressure up to 0.50 GPa for [Fe(trans-stpy)₄(NCBH₃)₂]. In the case of [Fe(cis-stpy)₄(NCBH₃)₂], the spin state is the high-spin state in the temperature region between 2 and 300 K. However, the spin transition appears at 125 K under 0.5 GPa and the transition temperature increases with increasing applied pressure. In this way, we have decided the applied pressure region of 0.65-1.09 GPa where [Fe(stpy)₄(NCBH₃)₂] undergoes LD-LISC at room temperature.     

Magnetic and calorimetric studies on rare-earth iron borates LnFe3(BO3)4 (Ln=Y, La-Nd, Sm-Ho)

A series of rare-earth iron borates having general formula LnFe₃(BO₃)₄ (Ln=Y, La-Nd, Sm-Ho) were prepared and their magnetic properties have been investigated by the magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectrum measurements. These borates show antiferromagnetic transitions at low temperatures and their magnetic transition temperatures increase with decreasing Ln³⁺ ionic radius from 22 K for LaFe₃(BO₃)₄ to 40 K for TbFe₃(BO₃)₄. In addition, X-ray diffraction, specific heat, and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements indicate that the phase transition occurs for the LnFe₃(BO₃)₄ compounds with Ln=Eu-Ho, Y, and its transition temperature increases remarkably with decreasing Ln³⁺ ionic radius from 88 K for Ln=Eu to 445 K for Ln=Y.     

Synthesis, structural determination and magnetic properties of layered hybrid organic-inorganic, iron (II) propylphosphonate, Fe[(CH3(CH2)2PO3)(H2O)], and iron (II) octadecylphosphonate, Fe[(CH3(CH2)17PO3)(H2O)]

Fe[(CH₃(CH₂)₂PO₃)(H₂O)] (1) and Fe[(CH₃(CH₂)₁₇PO₃)(H₂O)] (2) were synthesized by reaction of FeCl₂·6H₂O and the relevant phosphonic acid in water in presence of urea and under inert atmosphere. The compounds were characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, UV-visible and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of (1) was determined from X-ray single crystal diffraction studies at room temperature: monoclinic symmetry, space group P2₁, , , , and β=98.62(3)°. The compound is lamellar and the structure is hybrid, made of alternating inorganic and organic layers along the c direction. The inorganic layers consist of Fe(II) ions octahedrally coordinated by five phosphonate oxygen atoms and one from the water molecule, separated by bi-layers of propyl groups. A preliminary structure characterization of compound (2) suggests a similar layered structure, but with an interlayer spacing of 40.3 Å. The magnetic properties of the compounds were both studied by a dc and ac SQUID magnetometer. Fe[(CH₃(CH₂)₂PO₃)(H₂O)] (1) obeys the Curie-Weiss law at temperatures above 50 K (, ), indicating a Fe +II oxidation state, a high-spin d⁶ (S=2) electronic configuration and an antiferromagnetic exchange couplings between the near-neighbouring Fe(II) ions. Below , Fe[(CH₃(CH₂)₂PO₃)(H₂O)] exhibits a weak ferromagnetism. The critical temperature of has been determined by ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. Compound (2) shows the same paramagnetic behaviour of the iron (II) propyl derivative. The values of C and θ were found to be and −44 K, respectively, thus suggesting the presence of Fe +II ion in the S=2 spin state and antiferromagnetic interactions between Fe(II) ions at low temperatures. Zero-field and field cooled magnetic susceptibility vs. T plots do not overlap below , suggesting the presence of an ordered magnetic state. The critical temperature, T_N, has been located by the peaks at from the ac susceptibility (χ′and χ″) vs. T plots. Below T_N hysteresis loops recorded in the temperature region show an S-shape, while below 15 K assume an ellipsoid form. They reveal that compound (2) is a weak ferromagnet. The critical temperature T_N in these layered Fe(II) alkylphosphonates is independent of the distance between the inorganic layers.     

Thermal low spin-high spin equilibrium of Fe(II) in thiospinels CuFe0.5(Sn(1−x)Tix)1.5S4 (0≤x≤1)

A series of spinel compounds with composition CuFe_0.5(Sn_(1−x)Ti_x)_1.5S₄ (0≤x≤1) is analysed by X-ray diffraction, measurements of magnetic susceptibilities and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. All samples show a temperature-dependent equilibrium between an electronic low spin 3d(t_2g)⁶(e_g)⁰ and a high spin 3d(t_2g)⁴(e_g)² state of the Fe(II) ions. The spin crossover is of the continuous type and extends over several hundred degrees in all samples. The Sn/Ti ratio influences the thermal equilibrium between the two spin states. Substitution of Sn(IV) by the smaller Ti(IV) ions leads to a more compact crystal lattice, which, in contrast to many metal-organic Fe(II) complexes, does not stabilise the low spin state, but increases the residual high spin fraction for T→0 K. The role played by antiferromagnetic spin coupling in the stabilisation of the high spin state is discussed. The results are compared with model calculations treating the effect of magnetic interactions on spin state equilibria.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the monoclinic modification of Yb(ReO4)3(H2O)4

Ytterbium(III) tetraaquatris(tetraoxorhenate(VII)), Yb(ReO₄)₃(H₂O)₄, was prepared by the reaction of Yb₂O₃ with concentrated HReO₄ at room temperature. The colorless compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n (No. 14) with four formula units per unit cell (a=730.5(1) pm, b=1484.1(5) pm, c=1311.7(2) pm, β=93.69(1)). The main feature of the crystal structure is the formation of chains _∞¹[Yb(H₂O)₄(ReO₄)₂(ReO₄)_2/2] running along [100]. This arrangement shows distorted cubic antiprisms of [Yb(H₂O)₄(ReO₄)₂(ReO₄)_2/2] interconnected via the ReO₄⁻ ligands. The chains are held together in the solid by hydrogen bonding. The compound is paramagnetic and follows the Curie-Weiss law with a magnetic moment of 4.0 μ_B at room temperature and θ=−42 K. It loses hydration water in two steps at temperatures below 400 K; decomposition begins at 850 K, forming Yb₂O₃(Re₂O₇)₂ and is complete at 1350 K leading to Yb₂O₃ as final product.     

Temperature behavior of the protonic conductor K4LiH3(SO4)4

The results of the X-ray structural study for the K₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ single crystal are presented at a wide temperature range. The thermal expansion of the crystal using the X-ray dilatometry and the capacitance dilatometry from 8 to 500 K was carried out. The crystal structures data collection, solution and refinement at 125, 295, 443 and 480 K were performed. The K₄LiH₃(SO₄)₄ crystal has tetragonal symmetry with the P4₁ space group (Z=4) at room temperature as well as at the considered temperature range. The existence of a low-temperature, para-ferroelastic phase transition at about 120 K is excluded. The layered structure of the crystal reflects a cleavage plane parallel to (001) and an anisotropy of the protonic conductivity. The superionic high-temperature phase transition at T_S=425 K is isostructural. Nevertheless, taking into account an increase of the SO₄ tetrahedra libration above T_S, a mechanism of the Grotthus type could be applied for the proton transport explanation.     

Intermediates in the intramolecular ligand transfer reactions of h5-C5H5Fe(CO)2R complexes

Dissolution of h⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂R (I) (R = cyclohexyl or cyclohexylmethyl) in DMSO leads to the formation of a solvent coordinated acyl complex, h⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)(COR)(DMSO) (II). Treatment of this complex with triphenylphosphine leads to its conversion to h⁵-C₅H₅Fe(COR)(PPh₃) (III). Rates for the reaction I ? and II → III have been determined. A comparison of the rates of the reaction I → III in eight solvents shows no specific rate acceleration in DMSO and no correlation with solvent donicity. The results are in accord with a two step mechanism in which the first intermediate is the coordiantively-unsaturated species h⁵-C₅H₅Fe(COR)(CO). The small spread in rates for solvents of widely different dielectric constants suggests little charge separation in the transition state for this step.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of the helical oxalate-bridged copper(II) chain {[(CH3)4N]2[Cu(C2O4)2] · H2O}n

The preparation, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new oxalate-containing copper(II) chain of formula {[(CH₃)₄N]₂[Cu(C₂O₄)₂] · H₂O}_n (1) [(CH₃)₄N⁺ = tetramethylammonium cation] are reported. The structure of 1 consists of anionic oxalate-bridged copper(II) chains, tetramethylammoniun cations and crystallization water molecules. Each copper(II) ion in 1 is surrounded by three oxalate ligands, one being bidentate and the other two exhibiting bis-bidenate coordination modes. Although all the tris-chelated copper(II) units from a given chain exhibit the same helicity, adjacent chains have opposite helicities and then an achiral structure results. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 show the occurrence of a weak ferromagnetic interaction through the oxalate bridge [J = +1.14(1) cm⁻¹, the Hamiltonian being defined as H = –J ∑_nmS_i · S_j]. This value is analyzed and discussed in the light of available magneto-structural data for oxalate-bridged copper(II) complexes with the same out-of-plane exchange pathway.     

Ba3 (VO4)2-K2 Ba(MoO4)2 and Pb3 (VO4)2-K2 Pb(MoO4)2 systems

Phase equilibria in the Ba₃(VO₄)₂-K₂Ba(MoO₄)₂ and Pb3(VO₄)₂-K₂Pb(MoO₄)₂ systems have been investigated. In the first system, a continuous series of substitutional solid solutions with the palmierite structure is formed, and in the second one, the polymorphic transition in lead orthovanadate at 100°C restricts the extent of the palmierite-type solid solution to 10–100 mol % K₂Pb(MoO₄)₂. Original Russian Text ? V.D. Zhuravlev, Yu.A. Velikodnyi, A.S. Vinogradova-Zhabrova, A.P. Tyutyunnik, V.G. Zubkov, 2008, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 10, pp. 1746–1748.     

Spin transition in [Fe(phen)2(NCS)2] and [Fe(bipy)2(NCS)2]: Hysteresis and effect of crystal quality

Detailed magnetic susceptibility measurements on the polycrystalline complexes [Fe(phen)₂(NCS)₂] (phen = 1.10-phenanthroline) and [Fe(bipy)₂(NCS)₂] (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have revealed a narrow hysteresis in both systems indicative of a first-order nature of the spin transition ⁵T_2g(O_h) ? ¹ A_tg(O_h). The crystal quality, in particular crystal defects (through preparation or grinding), have been shown to influence strongly the spin transition behaviour.     

A new three-dimensional cobalt phosphate: Co5(OH2)4(HPO4)2(PO4)2

A three-dimensional (3D) cobalt phosphate: Co₅(OH₂)₄(HPO₄)₂(PO₄)₂ (1), has been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and magnetic techniques. The title compound is a template free cobalt phosphate. Compound 1 exhibits a complex net architecture based on edge- and corner-sharing of CoO₆ and PO₄ polyhedra. The magnetic susceptibility measurements indicated that the title compound obeys Curie-Weiss behavior down to a temperature of 17 K at which an antiferromagnetic phase transition occurs.     

Neutron powder diffraction study of the magnetic and crystal structures of SrFe2(PO4)2

The crystal and magnetic structures of SrFe²⁺₂(PO₄)₂ have been determined by neutron powder diffraction data at low temperatures (space group P2₁/c (no. 14); Z=4; a=9.35417(13) Å, b=6.83808(10) Å, c=10.51899(15) Å, and β=109.5147(7)° at 15 K). Two magnetic phase transitions were found at T₁=7.4 K (first-order phase transition) and T₂=11.4 K (second-order phase transition). The transition at T₂ was hardly detectable by dc and ac magnetization measurements, and a small anomaly was observed by specific heat measurements. At T₁, strong anomalies were found by dc and ac magnetization and specific heat. The structure of SrFe₂(PO₄)₂ consists of linear four-spin cluster units, Fe2-Fe1-Fe1-Fe2. Below T₁, the propagation vector of the magnetic structure is k=[0,0,0]. The magnetic moments of the inner Fe1-Fe1 atoms of the four-spin cluster unit are ferromagnetically coupled. The magnetic moment of the outer Fe2 atom is also ferromagnetically coupled with that of the Fe1 atom but with spin canting. The four-spin cluster units form ferromagnetic layers parallel to the [−101] plane, while these layers are stacked antiferromagnetically in the [−101] direction. Spin canting of the outer Fe2 atoms provides a weak ferromagnetic moment of about 1 μ_B along the b-axis. The refined magnetic moments at 3.5 K are 4.09 μ_B for Fe1 and 4.07 μ_B for Fe2. Between T₁ and T₂, a few weak magnetic reflections were observed probably due to incommensurate magnetic order.     

Crystal structures and phase transitions of SrZr(PO4)2-BaZr(PO4)2 solid solutions

A complete series of solid solutions was prepared in the SrZr(PO₄)₂-BaZr(PO₄)₂ system and examined by conventional X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The crystals of Sr_xBa_1−xZr(PO₄)₂ with x?0.1 were isomorphous with yavapaiite (KFe(SO₄)₂, space group C2/m). The solid solution with 0.2?x?0.7 has been composed of a new phase, showing a superstructure along the a-axis (c-axis of the yavapaiite substructure). The crystals with 0.8?x?0.9 were composed of both the new phase and the triclinic phase, the latter being isostructural with SrZr(PO₄)₂ (x=1). The crystal structure of the new phase has been determined using direct methods, and it has been further refined by the Rietveld method. The crystal of Sr_0.7Ba_0.3Zr(PO₄)₂ (x=0.7) is monoclinic (space group P2/c, Z=4 and D_x/Mg m⁻³=3.73) with a=1.53370(8) nm, b=0.52991(3) nm, c=0.84132(4) nm, β=92.278(1)° and V=0.68321(6) nm³. Final reliability indices are R_wp=7.32%, R_p=5.60% and R_B=3.22%. The powder specimen was also examined by high-temperature XRPD and differential thermal analysis (DTA) to reveal the occurrence of two phase transitions during heating; the space group changed from P2/c to C2/m at ∼400 K, followed by the monoclinic-to-hexagonal (or trigonal) transition at 1060 K. The P2/c-to-C2/m transition has been, for the first time, described in the yavapaiite-type compounds.     

Phase transformation in Y2[Pt(CN)4]3-21H2O

Y₂[Pt(CN)₄]₃21H₂O (YCP) crystallizes in a columnar structure type with a mean in-chain PtPt distance of R = 3.18 A. At T_c = (218.5 ± 1) K YCP undergoes a first order phase transformation which is investigated spectroscopically (polarized emission) and thermodynamically (specific heat and differential thermal analysis). It is possible to record polarized emission spectra from the high temperature phase (phase I) T >T_c, the low temperature phase (phase II) T <T_c, and the supercooled phase I. From the spectroscopic data we deduce a PtPt distance reduction (at T_c) of ΔR = (?0.04 ± 0.005) A. The enthalpy of the transition from phase I to phase II is about +1500 J/mole.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and properties of three new metal selenites Na2Co2(SeO3)3, Na2Co1.67Ni0.33(SeO3)3, and Na2Ni2(SeO3)3

Three new sodium cobalt (nickel) selenite compounds, namely, Na₂Co₂(SeO₃)₃, Na₂Co_1.67Ni_0.33(SeO₃)₃, and Na₂Ni₂(SeO₃)₃ have been hydro-/solvothermally synthesized in the mixed solvents of acetonitrile and water. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that these isostructural compounds belong to the orthorhombic Cmcm space group and their structures feature three-dimensional open frameworks constructed by the two-dimensional layers of [MSeO₃] pillared by the [SeO₃]²⁻ groups. The two different types of Na⁺ ions reside in the intersecting two-dimensional channels parallel to the a- and c-axes, respectively. Their thermal properties have been investigated via TGA-DSC. The magnetic measurements indicate the existence of the antiferromagnetic interactions in these compounds.     

Thermal behaviour of (NH4)3VO2F4 and Na(NH4)2VO2F4

The thermal behaviour of (NH₄)₃VO₂F₄ and Na(NH₄)₂VO₂F₄ was investigated using TG, DTA and DSC techniques. The occurrence of a first order phase transition with the onset of decomposition in both the compounds is confirmed. The temperature, energetics and hysteresis of the transition are obtained. A possible path for the thermal degradation is given for both the compounds, and the residues are identified.     

[H2en]2{La2M(SO4)6(H2O)2} (M=Co, Ni): First organically templated 3d-4f mixed metal sulfates

The first organically templated 3d-4f mixed metal sulfates, [H₂en]₂{La₂M(SO₄)₆(H₂O)₂} (M=Co 1, Ni 2) have been synthesized and structurally determined from non-merohedrally twinned crystals. The two compounds are isostructural and their structures feature a three-dimensional anionic network formed by the lanthanum(III) and nickel(II) ions bridged by sulfate anions. The La(III) ions in both compounds are 10-coordinated by four sulfate anions in bidentate chelating fashion, and two sulfate anions in a unidentate fashion. The transition metal(II) ion is octahedrally coordinated by six oxygens from four sulfate anions and two aqua ligands. The doubly protonated enthylenediamine cations are located at the tunnels formed by 8-membered rings (four La and four sulfate anions).