Millimetre-wave studies on single crystals of the organic radical 2-benzimidazolyl nitronyl nitroxide

We report temperature dependent millimetre-wave spectroscopic experiments on single crystals of the organic molecular magnet 2-benzimidazolyl nitronyl nitroxide, in the range 1.4–100 K. This organic radical shows quasi one-dimensional (1-d) ferromagnetic intermolecular interactions with the intrachain exchange coupling constant J/k_B = +22 K and interchain coupling constant J′/k_B = 0.24 K. The linewidth of the electron spin resonance at low temperatures was seen to be considerably broadened as compared to that at higher temperatures. This is consistent with the low dimensional behaviour of the linewidth predicted theoretically. We also see a shift in resonance field at low temperatures. We also present the results of angular dependence experiments carried out at temperatures of 1.4 and 50 K, and frequency dependence experiments at 1.4 and 50 K.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and ferromagnetic interactions of a silver(I) complex with imizadolyl-substituted nitroxide radicals

A silver(I) complex with nitronyl nitroxide, [Ag₂(NIT-R)₄(NO₃)₂]?·?CH₃OH [NIT-R?=?2-(5-methylimidazol-4-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide], has been prepared and characterized by magnetic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In the complex, the silver(I) ion is coordinated with two monodentate nitronyl nitroxide radicals by the nitrogen of the imizadole ring. The silver(I) ion is two-coordinate and forms a dimer through Ag?···?Ag weak metal bonding interactions. The magnetic properties for the title complex have been investigated in the temperature range 2?～?300?K showing ferromagnetic interactions between the coordinated nitronyl nitroxides (J?=?3.64?cm^?1) and intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Triplet Diradical-Cation Salts Consisting of the Phenothiazine Radical Cation and a Nitronyl Nitroxide

The spin–spin and magnetic properties of two (nitronyl nitroxide)-(di-p-anisylamine-phenothiazine) diradical cation salts, ( DAA-PTZ ) ⁺ -NN⋅ MBr₄⁻ (M=Ga, Fe), have been investigated. These diradical-cation species were prepared by the cross-coupling of iodophenothiazine DAA-PTZ-I with NN-AuPPh₃ followed by oxidation with the thianthrenium radical cation ( TA⁺⋅ MBr₄⁻). These salts were found to be highly stable under aerobic conditions. For the GaBr₄ salt, large ferromagnetic intramolecular and small antiferromagnetic intermolecular interactions (J₁/k_B=+320 K and J₂/k_B=−2 K, respectively) were observed. The magnetic property of the Fe³⁺ salt was analyzed by using a six-spin model assuming identical intramolecular exchange interaction (J₃/k_B=+320 K) and the other exchange interactions (J₄/k_B=−7 K and J₅/k_B=−4 K). A significant color change was observed in the UV/Vis/NIR absorption spectra upon electrochemical oxidation of the doublet DAA-PTZ-NN to the triplet ( DAA-PTZ ) ⁺ -NN .     

Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of (Pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl)–(Nitronyl Nitroxide)/(Iminonitroxide)‐Dyads

Unlike extensively studied diradicals linked by π‐conjugated systems, only a few studies have investigated weakly coupled diradicals linked by an sp³ carbon atom. Herein, we prepared pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl–(nitronyl nitroxide)‐dyad 5 and pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl–iminonitroxide‐dyad 6 . From the observed temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, 5 and 6 were determined to be in singlet ground states with 2J_intra/k_B=?35.2 K and ?13.6 K, respectively. From these results and theoretical calculations of related diradicals, the spin‐polarization model counting the small spin density of the sp³ carbon atom could be used as a spin‐prediction model.     

Redox-Induced Modulation of Exchange Interaction in a High-Spin Ground-State Diradical/Triradical System

A triplet ground-state diradical molecule, bis(nitronyl nitroxide)-substituted diphenyldihydrophenazine ( 1 ^..), that can be converted into a one-electron oxidized species, 1 ^{… +} , in the quartet ground state has been developed. Surprisingly, these species, 1 ^.. and 1 ^{… +} , can be used under ambient conditions because they are reasonably stable under aerobic conditions, even in solution. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities reveal that 1 ^.. and 1 ^{… +} are in the triplet state, with a weak exchange interaction (J₁/k_B = +3.1 K) and quartet ground state with a strong exchange interaction (J₂/k_B = +160 K), respectively. The interconversion between the neutral and one-electron oxidized species can be realized through electrochemical reactions. Significantly different absorption bands in the near-IR region newly appeared in the electronic spectra acquired during electrochemical oxidation/reduction.     

Magnetic interactions in p-phenylene-bis(nitronyl nitroxide) biradicals with large torsion angles

We have designed and synthesized new biradicals of p-phenylene-bis(nitronyl nitroxide) substituted with two methoxy groups at 2,3- (2) and 2,5-positions (3). A parent biradical p-phenylene-bis(nitronyl nitroxide) (1) has intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange interaction of 2J/k_B = −104 K ∼ −106 K with a torsion angle of 28.5° between the phenyl and the imidazole rings of nitronyl nitroxide. X-ray crystal structure analysis shows that the bulky substituents in 2 and 3 give large torsion angles of 65–70°. The larger torsion angles should weaken the magnitude of intramolecular exchange interactions, which is attributed to a decrease in π-conjugation over the p-phenylene and the radical groups. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that the intramolecular exchange interactions in 2 and 3 are severely weakened to about 6% of that in 1, 2J/k_B = −6 K ∼ −8 K. The relation between the torsion angle and the intramolecular exchange interaction is consistent with DFT calculations. The ground-state singlet biradicals with suppressed intramolecular exchange interactions can be a building block for exotic exchange-coupled spin systems as predicted in our theoretical studies.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of an iminonitroxide-substituted phenolate–Cu complex

A new spin-chelate, iminonitroxide-substituted phenolate–copper complex (1), was designed and prepared. The structure of the complex 1 was considerably deviated from a square-planar geometry. The dihedral angle between the two planes defined by a set of copper, oxygen and nitrogen atoms was about 41°. The complex was found to have a relatively strong ferromagnetic interaction and a weaker antiferromagnetic interaction: J/k_B=+250 K and θ=−17 K using a three-spin model. The ferromagnetic interaction was assigned to the intramolecular interaction between the copper atom and the iminonitroxide. The antiferromagnetic interaction was assigned as an intermolecular interaction. These assignments were supported by susceptibility measurements for the diluted sample in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film. The antiferromagnetic interaction was tentatively assigned due to the observed short intermolecular contacts between the C5 and O1 atoms or between the H5 and O1 atoms.     

C(sp2)‐Coupled Nitronyl Nitroxide and Iminonitroxide Diradicals

Spin‐labelled compounds are widely used in chemistry, physics, biology and the materials sciences but the synthesis of stable high‐spin organic molecules is still a challenge. We succeeded in synthesising heteroatom analogues of the 1,1,2,3,3‐pentamethylenepropane (PMP) diradicals with two nitronyl nitroxide ( DR¹ ) and with two iminonitroxide ( DR² ) fragments linked through the C(sp²) atom of the nitrone group. According to magnetic susceptibility measurements, EPR data and ab initio calculations at the (8,6)CASSCF and (8,6)NEVPT2 levels, DR¹ and DR² have singlet ground states. The singlet–triplet energy splitting (2J) is low (J/k=?7.4 for DR¹ and ?6.0 K for DR² ), which comes from the disjoint nature of these diradicals. The reaction of [Cu(hfac)₂] with DR¹ gives rise to different heterospin complexes in which the diradical acts as a rigid ligand, retaining its initial conformation. For the [{Cu(hfac)₂}₂( DR¹ )(H₂O)] complex, sufficiently strong ferromagnetic interactions (J₁/k=42.7 and J₂/k=14.1 K) between two coordinating Cu^II ions and DR¹ were revealed. In [{Cu(hfac)₂}₂( DR¹ )(H₂O)][Cu(hfac)₂(H₂O)], the very strong and antiferromagnetic (J/k=?416.1 K) exchange interaction between one of the coordinating Cu^II ions and DR¹ is caused by the very short equatorial Cu?O bond length (1.962 Å).     

Cyclic Triradicals Composed of Iminonitroxide–Gold(I) with Intramolecular Ferromagnetic Interactions

A triangular gold(iminonitroxide‐2‐ide) trimer complex ( 5 ) was prepared and investigated to determine its magnetic properties. The results showed that the metalloid triradical is highly stable, even in solution under aerated conditions. The intramolecular exchange interaction of 5 was found to be positive (J_intra/k_B≈+29 K), thus showing that 5 is in a quartet ground state. In addition, a silver sandwich complex ( 5 ‐Ag⁺‐ 5 ) was prepared and its electronic and magnetic properties were also clarified.     

(Nitronyl Nitroxide)‐Substituted Trioxytriphenylamine Radical Cation Tetrachlorogallate Salt: A 2p‐Electron‐Based Weak Ferromagnet Composed of a Triplet Diradical Cation

The synthesis and the solid state magnetic properties of (nitronyl nitroxide)‐substituted trioxytriphenylamine radical cation tetrachlorogallate, NNTOT+·GaCl4? , are reported. In the temperature region between 300 and 3 K, the magnetic behavior is characterized by the strong intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction (J/k_B=+400 K) between the radical ( NN ) and the radical cation ( TOT ⁺) and the weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic interaction (J/k_B=?1.9 K) between NNTOT⁺ ions. Below 3 K, a 3D‐type long‐range magnetic ordering into a weak ferromagnet was observed (T_N=2.65 K). The magnetic entropy (S_mag=8.97 J K^?1 mol^?1) obtained by the heat capacity measurement is in good agreement with the theoretical value of R ln3=9.13 J K^?1 mol^?1 based on the S=1 state.     

Synthesis and intramolecular magnetic interaction of triphenylamine derivatives with nitronyl nitroxide radicals

Two triphenylamine derivatives bearing nitronyl nitroxide radicals, tris[4-(1-oxyl-3-oxide-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-yl)phenyl]amine (1) and N,N-bis[4-(1-oxyl-3-oxide-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-yl)phenyl]-4-methoxyphenylamine (2) were synthesized. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements showed the weak antiferromagnetic interactions in the powder samples of 1 and 2. The electrochemical and ESR measurements revealed that the first oxidation process of 1 and 2 corresponds to the oxidation of nitronyl nitroxide moieties.     

Structure and Magnetic Property of a Novel Nitronyl Nitroxide Biradical

A new biradical of nitronyl nitroxide, 1,3‐[di‐2‐(4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazolyl‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide) phenoxy]propane [BNITPhOPr ( 1 )], was prepared and characterized. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility values were observed for 1 in the range of 2–300 K. The observed data was successfully simulated giving the exchange integral J = ?0.47 cm^?1, θ = ?0.94 K. This result indicates a weak antiferromagnetic spin exchange interaction between the biradicals.     

Preparation and magnetic properties of 4,6-bis(imino nitroxide)-substituted resorcinol and its Cu-complex

A novel bis(imino nitroxide)-substituted resorcinol 3H, that has two metal-binding sites with two pairs of the phenolate anion and the imino nitrogen atom, was prepared. The powdered sample of 3H showed an intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction (J/k_B = +5 K) between two (imino nitroxide)s through a m-phenylene bridge and a weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic interaction (J/k_B = − 0.9 K). The reaction of 3H with copper acetate in methanolic ammonia was examined to give a hardly soluble Cu-complex that exhibited ferromagnetic behavior in relatively high temperatures (298–55 K).     

(Azulene‐1,3‐diyl)‐bis(nitronyl nitroxide) and (Azulene‐1,3‐diyl)‐bis(iminonitroxide) and Their Copper Complexes

In contrast to diradicals connected by alternant hydrocarbons, only a few studies on those connected by nonalternant hydrocarbons have been reported. The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of azulene‐1,3‐diyl linked bis(nitronyl nitroxide) (NN₂Az) and bis(iminonitroxide) (IN₂Az) diradicals and their Cu(hfac)₂ (hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate) complexes were investigated. NN₂Az was shown to have an intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction with J _obs/k _B=+10.0 K (H =−2J S ₁ ⋅S ₂) between (nitronyl nitroxide) spins, whereas IN₂Az was estimated to have a much weaker intramolecular magnetic interaction. The reactions of NN₂Az and IN₂Az with Cu(hfac)₂ gave a 1:2 [{Cu(hfac)₂}₂(NN₂Az)] complex and a 1:1 [Cu(hfac)₂(IN₂Az)] ⋅ C₆H₁₂ complex, respectively. [{Cu(hfac)₂}₂(NN₂Az)] showed strong intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions (J _1‐Cu‐R/k _B≈−800 K, J _2‐Cu‐R/k _B≈−500 K) between the Cu^II spins and the coordinating NN spins, whereas [Cu(hfac)₂(IN₂Az)] exhibited a ferromagnetic exchange interaction (J _obs‐Cu‐R/k _B=+114 K) between the Cu^II spin and the imino‐coordinated iminonitroxide spin.     

Nitroxide-substituted nitronyl nitroxide and iminonitroxide

We report on the highly compact nitroxide-substituted nitronyl nitroxide 1 and iminonitroxide 2; they have isoelectronic structures with trimethylenemethane. These diradicals are stable under aerated conditions at room temperature and have large positive exchange interactions: J/k(B) = +390 K (H = -2JS(1)(/)(2)·S(1/2)) for 1 and J/k(B) ≈ +550 K for 2.     

The mechanism of the magnetic interaction in the β phase of the p-(nitro)phenyl nitronyl nitroxide (KAXHAS). A bottom-up study using only ab initio data

The magnetism of the β phase of p-(nitro)phenyl nitronyl nitroxide (KAXHAS) crystal has been studied using a recently developed theoretical approach ‘J. Phys. Chem. A 106 (2002) 1299’. This approach is a bottom-up study based on the evaluation of the magnetic interaction between all pairs of radicals (J_AB), which allows the definition of the magnetic structure of the crystal. With only such knowledge, one solves an algebraic Heisenberg Hamiltonian on a properly chosen finite subset of the magnetic structure and then computes the magnetic susceptibility χ(T) and/or heat capacity C_p(T) curves for the crystal. This method is applied here to the KAXHAS crystal. The theoretical χ(T) and C_p(T) results are in very good agreement with the available experimental data. This theoretical methodology is first reviewed here on physical terms, and then used to rationalize the bulk ferromagnetic behavior of KAXHAS in terms of its corresponding microscopic J_AB pair interactions.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Magnetic Property of New Trispin Ln(III)‐Nitronyl Nitroxide Complexes

Four Ln(III) complexes based on a new nitronyl nitroxide radical have been synthesized and structurally characterized: {Ln(hfac)₃[NITPh(MeO)₂]₂} (Ln = Eu( 1 ), Gd( 2 ), Tb( 3 ), Dy( 4 ); NITPh(MeO)₂ = 2‐(3′,4′‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate). The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that these complexes have similar mononuclear trispin structures, in which central Ln(III) ion is eight‐coordinated by two O‐atoms from two nitroxide groups and six O‐atoms from three hfac anions. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibility study reveals that there exist ferromagnetic interactions between Gd(III) and the radicals, and antiferromagnetic interactions between two radicals (J_Gd‐Rad = 3.40 cm^?1, J_Rad‐Rad = ?9.99 cm^?1) in complex 2 . Meanwhile, antiferromagnetic interactions are estimated between Eu(III) (or Dy(III)) and radicals in complexes 1 and 4 , and ferromagnetic interaction between Tb(III) and radicals in complex 3 , respectively.     

A density functional study on magnetic exchange interaction between Mn(II) ion and nitronyl nitroxide radical in <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-metal-radical complexes

The magneto-structural correlation between a Mn(ll) ion, coordinated in an octahedral environment, and two nitronyl nitroxide radical ligands in trans- and cis-metal-radical complexes is investigated by the broken symmetry (BS) approach within density functional theory (DFT). The dependences of coupling constants J on three structural parameters: (i) bond angle θ (Mn-O-N (nitroxide)); (ii) rotating angle ψ, defined by the nitronyl nitroxide radical plane rotating around the axial Mn-O (nitroxide); (iii) bond distance R (Mn-O (nitroxide)) are directly calculated. Our calculations showed that both trans- and cis-Mn(ll)-radical complexes behave a stronger antiferromagnetic interaction, consistent with experiments. In view of molecular orbital theory, the direct exchanges, including σ-type and π-type exchanges, are responsible for the magnetic exchange pathways. There is a preferable linear correlation between the calculated coupling constants J and the overlap integral squares S b between the local magnetic orbitals at the various rotating angle ψ at the fixed bond angle θ and bond distance R, in both trans- and cis-Mn(ll)-radical complexes.     

Photochromism of diarylethenes with two nitronyl nitroxides: photoswitching of an intramolecular magnetic interaction

Photochromic diarylethenes that have p-phenylene-substituted benzothiophene aryl groups with and without nitronyl nitroxide radicals at both ends of the molecules were synthesized. The absorption maxima of the closed-ring isomers showed a hypsochromic shift with the increase in the pi-conjugated chain length. The unique behavior was attributed to the stabilization by the resonant quinoid structures. Both photocyclization and photocycloreversion quantum yields of the diarylethene with nitronyl nitroxide radicals were found to increase with the increase in the pi-conjugated chain length. Photoswitching of the magnetic interaction between two nitronyl nitroxide radicals was studied by means of ESR spectroscopy. The change in exchange interaction between open- and closed-ring isomers of 1,2-bis[6-[4-[4-(1-oxyl-3-oxide-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolin-2-yl)phenyl]phenyl]-2-methyl-1-benzothiophen-3-yl]hexafluorocyclopentene was determined to be more than 30-fold.     

Two novel oxamido-bridge dinuclear copper(II) complexes containing four spin carriers involving the nitroxide radical ligand: synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties

The combined use of nitroxide free radicals as terminal ligands and precursor [Cu₂(oxpn)]²⁺ anions has led to the preparation of two novel oxamido-bridged dinuclear copper(II) complexes containing nitronyl nitroxide Cu₂(oxpn)(NIToBA)₂ (1) or imino nitroxide [Cu₂(oxpn)(IM_pPy)₂](ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O (2). X-ray crystallography shows that both (1) and (2) have like as coordination modes where the oxamido group as a trans-form bridged ligand, combine two copper(II) atoms. Each copper (II) ion has a similar coordination environment, in which it adopts a distorted square planar geometry. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility measurements shows the weak antiferromagnetic co upling interaction between the copper(II) atoms and the nitronyl nitroxide radicals in both complexes.