Enantiomerically Pure Chiral {Fe28} Wheels

Wheels of steel : Two enantiomerically pure chiral {Fe₂₈} wheel‐like aggregates have been synthesized from the acetate buffer solution containing ferric ions and chiral tartrate ligands (see picture). These compounds are the largest chiral ferric aggregates isolated to date.

     

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of M(II)Cu(II) chains (M = Mn and Co) with sterically hindered alkyl-substituted phenyloxamate bridging ligands

A series of neutral oxamato‐bridged heterobimetallic chains of general formula [MCu(L^x)₂(S)₂] ? p S ? q H₂O [p=0–1, q=0–2.5; L¹=N‐2,6‐dimethylphenyloxamate, S=DMF with M=Mn ( 1 a ) and Co ( 1 b ); L²=N‐2,6‐diethylphenyloxamate, S=DMF with M=Mn ( 2 a ) and Co ( 2 b ) or S=DMSO with M=Mn ( 2 c ) and Co ( 2 d ); L³=N‐2,6‐diisopropylphenyloxamate, S=DMF with M=Mn ( 3 a ) and Co ( 3 b ) or S=DMSO with M=Mn ( 3 c ) and Co ( 3 d )] were prepared by treating the corresponding anionic oxamatocopper(II) complexes [Cu(L^x)₂]^2? (x=1–3) with M²⁺ cations (M=Mn and Co) in DMF or DMSO as the solvent. The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of 2 a and 3 a reveal the occurrence of well‐isolated, zigzag, oxamato‐bridged manganese(II)–copper(II) chains. The intrachain Cu ??? Mn distances across the oxamato bridge are 5.3761(7) and 5.4002(17) Å for 2 a and 3 a , respectively, whereas the shortest interchain Mn ??? Mn distances are 9.4475(16) and 8.1649(14) Å for 2 a and 3 a , respectively. All of these M^IICu^II chains (M=Mn and Co) exhibit 1D ferrimagnetic behaviour with moderately strong intrachain antiferromagnetic coupling between the square‐planar Cu^II and octahedral high‐spin M^II ions across the oxamato bridge [?J=31.4–35.2 and 33.4–44.8 cm^?1, respectively; H =∑_i?J S _M,i( S _Cu,i+ S _Cu,i?1)]. Only the Co^IICu^II chains show slow magnetic relaxation effects characteristic of single‐chain magnets (SCMs). Analysis of the magnetic relaxation dynamics of 3 d shows a thermally activated mechanism (Arrhenius law dependence) with values of the pre‐exponential factor (τ₀=2.6×10^?9 s) and activation energy (E_a=7.7 cm^?1) that are typical of SCMs. In contrast, two relaxation regimes are observed for 2 d in different temperature regions (τ₀=3.2×10^?10 s and E_a=24.7 cm^?1 for T<4.5 K and τ₀=3.2×10^?14 s and E_a=37.5 cm^?1 for T>4.5 K).     

Understanding the two-step spin-transition phenomenon in Iron(II) 1D chain materials

Three analogous one dimensional (1D) polymeric iron(II) spin crossover (SCO) materials containing the new ligand 4,6-bis(2',2'-pyridyl)pyrazine (bdpp) have been comprehensively characterised magnetically (thermal and light-induced) and structurally. Within this series are two polymorphs of the formula [Fe(NCS)(2)(bdpp)], 1 and 2 a, which differ magnetically in that phase 1 undergoes a full two-step SCO (T(1/2(1))=135 K and T(1/2(2))=90 K) whereas phase 2 a remains high spin (HS) over all temperatures. The central distinction between these two materials lies in the presence of intermolecular pi-pi interactions generated by the crystal packing in 1, which are absent in 2 a. The isostructural selenocyanate analogue of 2 a, [Fe(NCSe)(2)(bdpp)], 2 b, undergoes a full two-step SCO (T(1/2(1))=200 K and T(1/2(2))=125 K). Structural analyses of 1 and 2 b at a range of temperatures provide deep insight into their two-step SCO nature. Structural analysis of 1 at 25 K (1(LS-LS)), 123 K (1(LS-HS)) and 250 K (1(HS-HS)) reveals two distinct iron(II) centres at each temperature, with ordered, alternating HS and LS (low spin) sites at the intermediate plateau (IP) temperatures. In contrast, structural analysis of 2 b at 90 K (2 b(LS)), 150 K (2 b(LS/HS)) and 250 K (2 b(HS)) reveals one unique iron(II) centre at each temperature with an "averaged" LS/HS character at the IP temperature. Weak planes of diffuse scattering in the single-crystal X-ray diffraction patterns were observed for this phase at 90 and 150 K, indicating that 1D long range ordering of alternating HS/LS iron(II) centres occurs along the 1D coordination chains, but that there is no correlation between chains. The lack of observable diffuse scattering at 250 K suggests that the onset of the 1D structural ordering in the chain direction corresponds to the first step of the SCO and that this structural transition is electronically driven. The photomagnetic properties of both 1 and 2 b have been investigated and show approximately 62 and 53 % photo-excitation of a HS metastable state at low temperatures and T(LIESST) values of 55 and 49 K, respectively. Relaxation studies on the HS fraction in 2 b fitted well to a stretched exponential model with kinetic parameters indicative of weak cooperativity.     

Ein neuer Typ ternärer Cobaltsulfide A9Co2S7 (A \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \buildrel \wedge \over = $\end{document} K,Rb, Cs) mit trigonalplanaren [CoS3]-Baugruppen des zwei- und dreiwertigen Cobalts

A New Type of Ternary Cobalt Sulphide, A₉Co₂S₇ (A $ \buildrel \wedge \over = $ K, Rb or Cs), containing Trigonal-Planar [CoS₃] Units of Two- and Three-Valent Cobalt The passage of a stream of hydrogen over an alkali carbonate/cobalt/sulphur melt resulted in the preparation of the compounds K₉Co₂S₇, Rb₉Co₂S₇ and Cs₉Co₂S₇. The structure of the potassium compound (Space group P2₁3, Z = 4) could be determined from X-ray diffraction experiments on single crystals whilst X-ray investigations of powdered samples of the rubidium and caesium compounds indicate isotypic atomic arrangements with K₉Co₂S₇. The characteristic structural elements of these compounds are trigonal-planar [CoS₃]-units of two- and three-valent cobalt. The results from investigations of the magnetic properties of these ternary cobalt sulphides are in agreement with those expected for mixed-valent Co^II/Co^III structures. The analogously-composed ferrates are closely structurally-related to these sulphides and show corresponding magnetic properties [1].     

K3FeSe3 und K3Fe2Se4, zwei neue Verbindungen im System K/Fe/Se

K₃FeSe₃ and K₃Fe₂Se₄, Two New Compounds in the System K/Fe/Se The two selenides K₃FeSe₃ and K₃Fe₂Se₄ were synthesised by fusion reactions of potassium carbonate with iron and selenium in a stream of hydrogen charged with selenium at 695 °C and 710–730 °C, respectively. The crystal structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometer data. The atomic arrangement of K₃FeSe₃ is characterised by edge sharing [Fe₂Se₆] double tetrahedra separated by potassium ions (space group P2₁/c, Z = 4). The characteristic structural unit of the mixed‐valent compound K₃Fe₂Se₄ is a zig‐zag chain of edge‐sharing, iron‐centred selenium tetrahedra, again separated by potassium ions (space group Pnma, Z = 4).     

Redox‐Controlled Exchange Bias in a Supramolecular Chain of Fe4 Single‐Molecule Magnets

Tetrairon(III) single‐molecule magnets [Fe₄(pPy)₂(dpm)₆] ( 1 ) (H₃pPy=2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane‐1,3‐diol, Hdpm=dipivaloylmethane) have been deliberately organized into supramolecular chains by reaction with Ru^IIRu^II or Ru^IIRu^III paddlewheel complexes. The products [Fe₄(pPy)₂(dpm)₆][Ru₂(OAc)₄](BF₄)_x with x=0 ( 2 a ) or x=1 ( 2 b ) differ in the electron count on the paramagnetic diruthenium bridges and display hysteresis loops of substantially different shape. Owing to their large easy‐plane anisotropy, the s=1 diruthenium(II,II) units in 2 a act as effective s_eff=0 spins and lead to negligible intrachain communication. By contrast, the mixed‐valent bridges (s=3/2, s_eff=1/2) in 2 b introduce a significant exchange bias, with concomitant enhancement of the remnant magnetization. Our results suggest the possibility to use electron transfer to tune intermolecular communication in redox‐responsive arrays of SMMs.     

First dicyanamide-bridged spin-crossover coordination polymer: synthesis, structural, magnetic, and spectroscopic studies

We report here on the synthesis and characterisation of a first iron(II) spin-crossover coordination polymer with the dca spacer ligand, having the formula [Fe(aqin)2(dca)]ClO4.MeOH (aqin=8-aminoquinoline, dca=dicyanamide), which displays a two-step complete spin transition. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and M?ssbauer spectroscopy have revealed that the two relatively gradual steps are centred at 215 and 186 K and are separated by an inflection point at about 201 K, at which 50 % of the complex molecules undergo a spin transition. The two steps are related to the existence of two crystallographically inequivalent metal sites, as confirmed by the structural and M?ssbauer studies. The crystal structure was resolved at 293 K (HS form) and 130 K (LS form). Both spin-state structures belong to the triclinic P1 space group (Z=2). The complex assumes a linear chain structure, in which the active iron(II) sites are linked to each other by anionic dicyanamide ligands acting as chemical bridges. The Fe-Fe distances through the dca ligand are 8.119(1) and 7.835(1) A in the high-spin and low-spin structures, respectively. The polymeric chains extend along a (1, 0, -1) axis and are packed in sheets, between which the perchlorate anions and methanol molecules are inserted. The complex molecules are linked together by pi-stacking interactions and H-bonding between the H-donor aqin ligands and the perchlorate ions. These structural features provide a basis for cooperative interactions in the crystal lattice. Analysis of the two-step spin-crossover character in this compound suggests that covalent interactions through the spacer ligand do not provide the main mechanism of cooperativity.     

Fine Tuning of the Anisotropy Barrier by Ligand Substitution Observed in Linear {Dy2Ni2} Clusters

Three new heterometallic single‐molecule magnets (SMMs), [Dy₂Ni₂(bipy)₂(RC₆H₄COO)₁₀] [bipy=2,2′‐bipyridine, R=H ( 1 ), CH₃ ( 2 ), and NO₂ ( 3 )], are synthesized solvothermally with different 3‐substituted benzoate ligands (RC₆H₄COO^?), and are characterized both structurally and magnetically. Structural analyses reveal that the three entities are structurally analogous, exhibiting an approximately linear {Dy₂Ni₂} core bridged by ten carboxylate moieties from the RC₆H₄COO^? ligands. A noncoordinating substituent group attached on the phenyl ring results in minor geometry distortions of 1 – 3 , but causes a significant decrease in the Mulliken atomic charge on the axially shortest O donor through inductive and/or conjugative effects. Weak intramolecular ferromagnetic (for Dy^III???Dy^III) and antiferromagnetic (for Dy^III???Ni^II) interactions with slightly different coupling strengths are observed in 1 – 3 at low temperatures, and the effective anisotropy barriers to block the magnetization reversal are 39.9, 25.9, and 2.8 cm^?1, respectively, under zero direct‐current field. Ab initio calculations reveal that ligand substitution by the noncoordinating electron‐withdrawing/electron‐donating group can give rise to good modulation of the energy gap between the two lowest Kramers doublets, as well as the orientation of the local easy axis of the Dy^III ion magnetization. The directions of the local easy axis of the Dy^III ion can further influence the dipole spin–spin interaction and the molecular anisotropy of the entire molecule, which, together with the energy separation between the ground and first excited ground states, become the significant factors determining the effective anisotropy barrier heights of 1 – 3 . These important results demonstrate that the charge distributions of the ligand‐field environments play essential roles in SMM performance, which should be considered seriously and utilized efficiently during the rational design of new, more feasible and practical SMMs.     

BaFeO3: a ferromagnetic iron oxide

Magnetic attraction: The cubic perovskite BaFeO(3) (see picture, Ba?blue, Fe?brown, O?white), which is obtained by a low-temperature reaction using ozone as an oxidant, exhibits ferromagnetism with a fairly large moment of 3.5?μ(B) per Fe ion above a small critical field of approximately 0.3?T. This specific ferromagnetism is attributed to the enhancement of O→Fe charge transfer that arises from deepening of the Fe(4+) d levels.     

一维链钴配位聚合物{[Co(H2O)4(3,3′-azpy)](3,3′-azpy)3(PF6)2}n的结构和性质的研究

The complex {[Co(H₂O)₄(3,3′-azpy)](3,3′-azpy)₃(PF₆)₂}_n(3,3′-azpy=3,3′-azobispyridine) has been synthesized and characterized. The crystal (C₄₀H₄₀F₁₂CoN₁₆O₄P₂, M_r=1157.75) belongs to the triclinic system, space group P1 with the following crystallographic parameters: a=10.759(2),b=11.012(2), c=23.207(4)?; α=85.330(10), β=83.470(10),γ=69.770(10)°;V=2560.6(8)?³,D_c=1.502g·cm^-3, μ(MoKα)= 0.498mm^-1,F(000)=1178,Z=2, and final R₁=0.0469, wR₂=0.1053 for observed reflections 5549 (I> 2.00σ(I)).The X-ray analysis reveals that cobalt(Ⅱ) cation coordination environment is a distorted octahedral geometry, the Co²⁺ ion is coordinated by four oxygen atoms of water in the equatorial plane, while the two nitrogen atoms of 3,3′-azpy occupy the axial positions. The complex forms a one-dimensional chain structure via 3,3′-azpy bridging ligand. The one-dimensional chain forms three-dimensional network by hydrogen bonds and π-π inter-actions.     

Pt3Co Octapods as Superior Catalysts of CO2 Hydrogenation

As the electron transfer to CO₂ is a critical step in the activation of CO₂, it is of significant importance to engineer the electronic properties of CO₂ hydrogenation catalysts to enhance their activity. Herein, we prepared Pt₃Co nanocrystals with improved catalytic performance towards CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol. Pt₃Co octapods, Pt₃Co nanocubes, Pt octapods, and Pt nanocubes were tested, and the Pt₃Co octapods achieved the best catalytic activity. Both the presence of multiple sharp tips and charge transfer between Pt and Co enabled the accumulation of negative charges on the Pt atoms in the vertices of the Pt₃Co octapods. Moreover, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy confirmed that the high negative charge density at the Pt atoms in the vertices of the Pt₃Co octapods promotes the activation of CO₂ and accordingly enhances the catalytic activity.     

Studies of a molecular hourglass: synthesis and magnetic characterisation of a cyclic dodecanuclear {Cr10Cu2} complex

The synthesis, structure, EPR, and magnetic studies of two dodecanuclear heterometallic cyclic clusters are reported. The compounds have the general formula [R(2)NH(2)](2)[Cr(10)Cu(2)F(14)(O(2)CCMe(3))(22)] (R=Me, 1 or iPr, 2). Both structures contain an array of metal centers which describe an approximate "hourglass", with an ammonium cation in the center of each half of the figure. The chromium sites are all six-coordinate, with the two copper sites five-coordinate. The majority of metal-metal edges are bridged by a single fluoride and two pivalate ligands, while two Cr--Cu edges are bridged by a single fluoride and a single pivalate. Magnetic studies show that 1 and 2 exhibit similar (but not identical) behavior, which can be attributed to ten antiferromagnetic and two ferromagnetic exchange interactions around the ring which gives an S=0 ground state. Quantum Monte Carlo calculations have been used to quantify the exchange interactions by successfully simulating the susceptibility for the full temperature range and thus clarifying the distinction between 1 and 2. EPR spectroscopy shows signals due to excited states, and a variable-temperature study has provided an estimate of the energy gap between the first excited state (S=1) and second excited state (S=2) for 1 that is consistent with the value obtained using the QMC method.     

Fluoride‐Bridged {GdIII3MIII2} (M=Cr,Fe, Ga) Molecular Magnetic Refrigerants

The reaction of fac‐[M^IIIF₃(Me₃tacn)]?x H₂O with Gd(NO₃)₃?5H₂O affords a series of fluoride‐bridged, trigonal bipyramidal {Gd^III₃M^III₂} (M=Cr ( 1 ), Fe ( 2 ), Ga ( 3 )) complexes without signs of concomitant GdF₃ formation, thereby demonstrating the applicability even of labile fluoride‐complexes as precursors for 3d–4f systems. Molecular geometry enforces weak exchange interactions, which is rationalized computationally. This, in conjunction with a lightweight ligand sphere, gives rise to large magnetic entropy changes of 38.3 J kg^?1 K^?1 ( 1 ) and 33.1 J kg^?1 K^?1 ( 2 ) for the field change 7 T→0 T. Interestingly, the entropy change, and the magnetocaloric effect, are smaller in 2 than in 1 despite the larger spin ground state of the former secured by intramolecular Fe–Gd ferromagnetic interactions. This observation underlines the necessity of controlling not only the ground state but also close‐lying excited states for successful design of molecular refrigerants.