Mixed valence states in cobalt iron cyanide

Cobalt iron cyanide with both Co and Fe in mixed valence states were prepared and characterized. In this mixed valence system the cobalt atom is found both as high spin Co(2+) and low spin Co(III) while iron always appears in low spin state to form two solid solutions: Co(2+)Co(III) hexacyanoferrates (II,III), and Co(2+)Co(III) hexacyanoferrate (II). Such solid solutions have the following formula units: (Co²⁺)_x(Co^III)_1−xK[(Fe^II)_1−x(Fe^III)_x(CN)₆]·H₂O and (Co²⁺)_1.5x(Co^III)_1−xK[Fe^II(CN)₆]·yH₂O (0?x?1, 1?y?14). Compounds within these two series were characterized from Infrared, Mössbauer, X-ray diffraction and thermo-gravimetric data, and magnetic measurements at low temperature. A model for their crystal structure is proposed and the structure for a representative composition refined from XRD powder patterns using the Rietveld method. A simple and reproducible procedure to prepare these solid solutions is provided. Within hexacyanoferrates, such mixed valence states system in both metal centres shows unique features, which are discussed from the obtained data.     

Synthesis, X-ray structure and magnetic properties of the quinone cobalt complexes [Co(3,5-DTBSQ)(bpy)2]x2 (x=BF4, ClO4)

Double oxidation of [Co^III(3,5-DTBCat)(3,5-DTBSQ)(bpy)] (1,ls-Co(III)) by AgBF₄ and of [Co^II(3,5-DTBSQ)₂(bpy)] (1,hs-Co(II)) by a mixture of HClO₄/H₂O₂ yielded [Co^III(3,5-DTBSQ) (bpy)₂]X₂, where X⁻=BF₄⁻ (4) and ClO₄⁻ (5), respectively. The mechanism for the double-oxidation process that leads to a loss of one of the quinone ligands and in some cases to a redistribution of the electronic charge is discussed here.     

A Pulsed EPR and DFT Investigation of the Stabilization of Coordinated Phenoxyl Radicals in a Series of Cobalt Schiff-Base Complexes

We recently demonstrated how the aerobic addition of acetic acid to N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexane-diamino Co^II, [Co(1)], leads to the formation of an unusual coordinated Co^III-phenoxyl radical. In this work, some of the structural aspects associated with the Schiff-base-derived ligand (1) that are crucial for the acid-mediated formation of the phenoxyl radical are investigated. For comparison with [Co(1)], we therefore studied the influence of acetic acid on two complexes: (1) the N,N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-ethane-diamino Co^II complex, [Co(2)], that lacks the cyclohexyl group of [Co(1)], and (2) the N′-disalicylidene-ethylenediamine Co^II salen complex, [Co(3)], that lacks both the tertiary butyl groups and the cyclohexyl groups. It is shown that the cyclohexyl group of [Co(1)] is not involved in the formation or stabilization of the phenoxyl radical, whereas the tertiary butyl groups of [Co(1)] play a crucial role. In addition, the characteristics of the phenoxyl radical, formed after aerobic addition of acetic acid to [Co(2)], are analyzed in detail by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance, in combination with isotopic labeling. The experimental data are compared to density functional theory computations and to previous data on the acid-mediated phenoxyl radical of [Co(1)].     

Novel RCo5Ga7 intermetallic compound

The novel RCo₅Ga₇ (R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) intermetallic compounds have been synthesized, and their crystallographic and magnetic properties have been studied using X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurement. RCo₅Ga₇ crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure with ScFe₆Ga₆ type. The space group is Immm, and Z=2. According to the structural refinement result, the 2a, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, and 8k crystal positions are occupied by 2R, 4Ga^I, 4(Ga^II, Co^I), 4Ga^III, 4(Ga^IV,Co^II), and 8(Co^III,Ga^V), respectively. The RCo₅Ga₇ intermetallic compound can be stabilized in the range of the radius ratio of R_Re/R_(Co,Ga)<1.36. The RCo₅Ga₇ compound exhibits a paramagnetic behavior. The magnetization at 5 K ranges from 28.93 to 40.62 emu/g.     

On bistability in molecular systems: Photomagnetic studies of inorganic complexes

Photo‐induced effects have been detected by magnetic measurements, Mössbauer spectroscopy and reflectivity. The LIESST effect has been achieved in the spin‐crossover system [Fe_xCo_1-x(btr)₂(NCS)₂]·H₂O. We investigated the purely photo‐induced magnetism of a Prussian Blue analogue Rb_0.52Co[Fe(CN)₆]_0.84, 2.31 H₂O, involving an optical electron transfer from Fe^II to Co^III. Inherent aspects of photomagnetic experiments are described: bulk and surface effects, magnetic and electronic metastabilities of the photo‐excited state.     

Cu(II)‐catalyzed oxidation of thiols by superoxide ligated to CoIII2

Copper(II) dramatically catalyzes the oxidation of thiols by a superoxide bridging two Co^III ions. The catalyzed path overwhelmingly dominates over the uncatalysed path and is first order in the superoxo complex concentration. The first‐order rate constants show a first‐order dependence in [Cu²⁺], a second‐order dependence in [thiol] and linearly varies with [H⁺]^?3. On the basis of observed kinetics reported here, it is proposed that Cu(II) reacts with two thiol molecules to form a Cu^II(thiol)₂ complex, an electron is transferred from one ligated thiol to the Cu^II center to form Cu^I(thiol) and a thiyl radical. The copper(I)‐thiol complex is oxidized by the conjugate base of the title complex to regenerate Cu^II(thiol). A Cu^II/I catalytic cycle is thus believed to be responsible for the observed catalysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystal structure and ferromagnetism of (n-C3H7)4N[CoFe(dto)3] (dto=C2O2S2)

Recently, we have discovered a new type of first order phase transition around 120 K for (n-C₃H₇)₄N[Fe^IIFe^III(dto)₃] (dto=C₂O₂S₂), where the charge transfer transition between Fe^II and Fe^III occurs reversibly. In order to elucidate the origin of this peculiar first order phase transition. Detailed information about the crystal structure is indispensable. We have synthesized the single crystal of (n-C₃H₇)₄N[Co^IIFe^III(dto)₃] whose crystal structure is isomorphous to that of (n-C₃H₇)₄N[Fe^IIFe^III(dto)₃], and determined its detailed crystal structure. Crystal data: space group P6₃, a=b=10.044(2) Å, c=15.960(6) Å, α=β=90°, γ=120°, Z=2 (C₁₈H₂₈NS₆O₆FeCo). In this complex, we found a ferromagnetic transition at T_c=3.5 K. Moreover, on the basis of the crystal data of (n-C₃H₇)₄N[Co^IIFe^III(dto)₃], we determined the crystal structure of (n-C₃H₇)₄N[Fe^IIFe^III(dto)₃] by simulation of powder X-ray diffraction results.     

Aftereffects in zeolite‐encapsulated 57Co‐complexes

Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)-⁵⁷Co^II and bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyridine)-⁵⁷Co^II complexes were synthesised in the supercages of zeolite‐Y in order to study the effect of molecular isolation on the aftereffects of the ⁵⁷Co(EC)⁵⁷Fe decay. As compared to the regular crystalline salts of the complex ions where, according to the emission Mössbauer spectra, the most abundant species is low‐spin Fe^II, the molecular isolation in the zeolite resulted in a larger fraction of low‐spin Fe^III and a varying amount of high‐spin Fe²⁺ species. In the investigated temperature range, 20 K to 295 K, the majority of the changes was observed above 80 K. In the case of tris (2,2'-bipyridyl)-⁵⁷Co^II-Y, the most characteristic change occurred in valence states, while for bis (2,2':6',2'-terpyridine)-⁵⁷Co^II‐Y, the temperature dependence of the spin states was more prominent. The change in the low spin valence states is explained partly by donor-acceptor properties of the zeolite lattice. The variation in the high spin fraction is explained by radiation damage of the ligand sphere and/or fragmentation of the complex ion followed by incomplete recombination in the supercage. Molecular isolation itself did not seem to increase the chance of fragmentation (as a consequence of charge neutralization following Auger ionization) of these highly conjugated complex molecules.     

Ferromagnetic order and spin-glass behavior in multi-metallic compound Ni1.125Co0.375[Fe(CN)6] · 6.8H2O

Multi-metallic Prussian blue compound Ni_1.125Co_0.375[Fe(CN)₆] · 6.8H₂O has been synthesized. The Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature and IR spectra study revealed that the metal ions are bonded through cyanide ligand and the presence of low spin Fe^III(S = 1/2) and high spin Fe^III(S = 5/2) ions, as showed in these structure: Fe^III(S = 1/2)-CN-(Co^II/Ni^II)(96%) and Fe^III(S = 5/2)-NC-(Co^II/Ni^II) (4%). The Curie constant of C = 3.00 cm³ K mol⁻¹ and Weiss paramagnetic Curie temperature of θ = 16.43 K were observed in fitting according to Curie–Weiss law. These results indicate that there existed a ferromagnetic exchange interaction in the complexes. The observed value of coercive field (H_c) and remanent magnetization (M_r) at 4 K for the compound are 497 Oe and 1.03 Nβ. The presence of spin-glass behaviours in the compound is ascribed mainly to domain mobility or domain growth under different cooling conditions.     

Mössbauer and infrared spectroscopic studies of novel mixed valence states in cobaltous ferrocyanides and ferricyanides

Novel mixed valence states have been obtained by the treatment of cobaltous ferrocyanides (Co⁺²Fe^II) and ferricyanides (Co⁺²Fe^III) in an ozone flow. The CN stretching bands occur at 2085 cm^–1 for Co⁺²Fe^II and at 2160 cm^–1 for Co⁺²Fe^III. After the ozonization process of Co⁺²Fe^II, an intense band approximately at 2125 cm^–1 is detected. This intermediate band must correspond to a mixed valence state of the type: Fe^II–CN–Co²⁺–NC–Fe^III Mössbauer spectra recorded in situ during the ozonization of Co⁺²Fe^II show the presence of two components: a doublet with isomer shift and quadrupole splitting values close to the cobalti ferricyanide and a very broad line for the mixed valence state. From the Mössbauer and infrared spectra of the aged samples of the Co⁺²Fe^II after ozonization, a relaxation process to the initial state of the samples is observed but the mixed valence state is stable.     

Effect of high magnetic field annealing on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Co-Fe layered double hydroxide

The effects of high magnetic field (10 T) on the products obtained by calcination of Co-Fe LDH precursors at different temperatures were investigated. The XRD results indicated that Fe^III substituted for Co^III in Co₃O₄ to yield Co^IICo^IIIFe^IIIO₄ under the calcination of Co-Fe LDH precursors at 400 °C. The products obtained by magnetic field annealing at 400 °C had a porous plate-like morphology, whereas the products without magnetic field annealing were composed of nanoparticles. It was seen that CoFe₂O₄ phase could be formed at low temperature (about 500 °C) under the magnetic field annealing. The grain size of products obtained by magnetic field annealing at 800 °C was larger than that of zero magnetic field. It was found that the saturation magnetization was significantly enhanced after magnetic field annealing, especially at lower temperature (≤600 °C). The possible reason for the effects on the microstructure and magnetic properties of products obtained by magnetic field annealing was discussed.     

Structural and 57Fe M?ssbauer study of EuCr1???x Fe x O3 nanocrystalline particles

Emission (⁵⁷Co) M?ssbauer spectra of the aspartic acid—⁵⁷CoCl₂ system were measured at T?=?80?K in frozen aqueous solution and in the form of a dried residue of this solution. The M?ssbauer spectra, besides a weak contribution from after-effects, showed two Fe^2?+?/Co^2?+? components which were ascribed to octahedrally and tetrahedrally coordinated ⁵⁷Co^II microenvironments in the Asp–cobalt(II) complex. This dual coordination mode may be due to the involvement of the second terminal carboxylic group of aspartic acid in the coordination sphere of Co.     

Magnetic and Mössbauer spectra observed for mixed-metal magnets NBu4 {\bf Fe}^{\bf II}_{\bf n}MA II 1 − n [FeIII(OX)3] (MA=Mn, Fe)

Mixed-metal molecular-based magnets NBu₄ ${\rm Fe}^{\rm II}_{\rm n}$ M_A ^II _1???n[Fe^III(OX)₃] (M_A=Mn, Fe) were investigated by magnetic and Mössbauer measurements. The magnetic susceptibility of NBu₄ ${\rm Fe}^{\rm II}_{0.07}{\rm Mn}^{\rm II}_{0.93}$ [Fe^III(OX)₃] can be fitted to a Curie-Weiss law with a Weiss paramagnetic Curie temperature of θ?=??114.76 K. The negative Weiss constant indicates an intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling interaction between the adjacent Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions through the oxalate bridge. In the complex NBu₄Fe^II[Fe^III(OX)₃], the Mössbauer results indicate that the Fe^II and Fe^III sublattices experience spontaneous magnetizations. The compound contains two different spin carriers; i.e. Fe^II(S = 2), Fe^III(S = 5/2). Two magnetic sublattices are defined. The appearance of nuclear Zeeman splittings suggests that long range magnetic ordering takes place below 50 K.     

X-ray study of metal oxide based anodes for Li-ion batteries

Cells were made from Co₃O₄ and Co₂SnO₄ and lithium metal and tested to determine reversible lithium capacity. Li is reversibly inserted into Co₃O₄, as was observed by electrochemistry, coupled with changes of cobalt oxidation state as observed by Co K-edge EXAFS. On lithium insertion the Co₃O₄ is reduced to yield only metallic cobalt species, and then on lithium removal an oxide of Co is formed. The EXAFS data further showed that the initial reduction was to Co(II) and then to metallic Co, and that both the metallic and oxide phases were disordered, having low co-ordination numbers and large shell spacings. The electrochemical behaviour of the Co₂SnO₄ cells was closer to that of SnO₂ than Co₃O₄, but did exhibit changes obviously caused by the cobalt. EXAFS on Co₂SnO₄ cells revealed that the Co is reduced to metallic cobalt on the initial discharge, but does not convert back to an oxide on cycling. Paper presented at the 7th Euroconference on Ionics, Calcatoggio, Corsica, France, Oct. 1–7, 2000.     

Raman investigations of Zn1−xCoxO nanocrystals: role of starting precursors on vibrational properties

The Raman spectra of sol–gel derived Co‐doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in the spectral range 100–1500 cm⁻¹ were investigated. In the sol–gel method, three different series of Co‐doped ZnO particles, i.e. Zn_1−xCo_xO (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20), were obtained using three different starting precursors, viz. cobalt chloride hexahydrate, cobalt acetate tetrahydrate, and cobalt nitrate hexahydrate, respectively. It has been observed that cobalt acetate is a better precursor in comparison to cobalt chloride and cobalt nitrate to obtain single‐phase Co‐doped ZnO NPs. As for cobalt acetate‐derived NPs, no hidden secondary phase of Co₃O₄ was observed for the lower (x = 0.05) Co concentration. The Fröhlich interaction associated with the longitudinal modes was found to be destroyed with increasing Co concentration due to structural disorder and defects induced by the dopant. In addition to ZnO and Co₃O₄ vibrational modes, a few additional modes near 550 and 715 cm⁻¹ were also observed in all cases, which could be attributed to the modes due to Co doping in ZnO. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low-temperature magnetic properties of the 2D molecular ferrimagnet N(n-C5H11)4 [FeIIFeIII(C2O4)3]

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and magnetometric studies of the molecular ferrimagnet N(n-C₅H₁₁)₄ [ Fe^IIFe^III(C₂O₄)₃] are indicative of a 2D magnetic character with strong uniaxial anisotropy in the basal plane of the crystal. It is established that the change in the sign of the net magnetization of this compound is related to a compensation between Fe^III and Fe^II sublattice magnetizations at T _comp=31.2 K. The form and parameters of the magnetic Hamiltonian describing the temperature dependence of the Fe^III sublattice and the net magnetizations are determined.     

Emission Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of57Fe atoms produced in57Co-labelled trinuclear cobalt-iron halogenoacetate complexes

Mixed-valence states of⁵⁷Fe atoms produced after EC-decay of⁵⁷Co in a series of trinuclear cobalt-iron halogenoacetate complexes, [Co^IIFe ₂ ^III O(CH_3?nX_nCO₂)₆(H₂O)₃] (0≤n≤3, X=Cl, Br, and I), were studied by comparing the results obtained by emission Mössbauer spectroscopy with those observed in absorption Mössbauer spectra of analogous trinuclear iron complexes, [Fe^IIFe ₂ ^III O(CH_3?nX_nCO₂)₆(H₂O)₃]. Some of the emission Mössbauer spectra show a temperature-dependent mixed-valence state as found in the absorption Mössbauer spectra. Others show a somewhat different temperature dependence compared with the absorption Mössbauer spectra. The results were interpreted in terms of after-effects of the EC-decay.     

Optical and magnetooptical properties of Co-doped YIG films

Conclusions Analysis of cobalt contributions to the Faraday rotation spectra in the series of (YCa)₃(FeCoGe)₅O₁₂ garnet films enabled us to distinguish between single contributions of Co²⁺ and Co³ ions in tetrahedral sites. It appeared that even the high counterdopes of calcium do not suppress the occurrence of tetrahedral Co²⁺ ions, although their concentration is greatly reduced in comparison with the original samples not containing any Ca. Noteworthy is also a rather high content of tetrahedral Co³⁺ in the samples not containing calcium even in cases when Ge content exceeds that of Co ions.     

Transformation of Fe(II)-Fe(III) Hydroxysulphite into Hydroxysulphate Green Rusts

Fe(II)-Fe(III) hydroxysulphite Green Rust 1, GR1(SO₃ ^2?), can be obtained by oxidation of Fe(OH)₂ precipitates in aqueous solution and characterised by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. In contrast to other Green Rusts (GRs) which then oxidise directly into ferric oxyhydroxides and magnetite, GR1(SO₃ ^2?) first oxidises into a Green Rust two compound, as identified by X-ray diffraction. Mössbauer analysis reveals that this GR2 is the Fe(II)-Fe(III) hydroxysulphate, GR2(SO₄ ^2?). Such an oxidation process, GR1(SO₃ ^2?) → GR2(SO₄ ^2?) confirms that the average oxidation number of Fe increases according to the chemical formulae previously proposed, [Fe^II ₆Fe^III ₂(OH)₁₆]²⁺[SO₃ · mH₂O]^2?, and [Fe^II ₄Fe^III ₂(OH)₁₂]²⁺[SO₄ · nH₂O]^2? for GR1(SO₃ ^2?) and GR2(SO₄ ^2?) with oxidation numbers of 2.25 and 2.33, respectively. The process implies likely the presence of sulphate ions inherent to the oxidation of sulphite in the solution.     

Magnetism in some layer molecular magnets as revealed by Mössbauer spectroscopy

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy was used to explore magnetic properties of two 2D molecular ferrimagnets. In NPn₄[Fe^IIFe^III(ox)₃] (Pn = n-C₅H₁₁, (ox) =(C₂O₄)^2?), the previously reported negative magnetization is shown here by external field studies to be due to a cross-over between Fe^III and Fe^II- magnetizations. The form and parameters of the magnetic Hamiltonian describing the temperature dependence of both the Fe^III hf-field and net magnetizations has been determined. In NBu₄[Mn^IIFe^III(ox)₃] (Bu = n-C₄H₉) soft XY-magnet the low temperature relaxation spectra are interpreted in terms of slowly varying classical magnetization-evolution at low temperature.