Magnetic and neutron diffraction study on melilite-type oxides Sr2MGe2O7 (M = Mn, Co)

The crystal structures and magnetic properties of melilite-type oxides Sr(2)MGe(2)O(7) (M = Mn, Co) were investigated. These compounds crystallize in the melilite structure with space group P ?42(1)m, in which the M and Ge ions occupy two kinds of tetrahedral sites in an ordered manner. The magnetic M ions form a square-planar lattice in the ab plane. Both compounds do not show the structural phase transition down to 2.5 K. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility for Sr(2)MnGe(2)O(7) shows a broad peak at ~6.0 K because of a two-dimensional magnetic interaction between Mn ions in the ab plane. At 4.4 K, an antiferromagnetic transition was observed. The magnetic structure was determined by the neutron powder diffraction measurements at 2.5 K. It can be represented by the propagation vector k = (0, 0, 1/2), and the magnetic moments of Mn(2+) (3.99 μ(B)) ions order antiferromagnetically in a collinear manner along the c axis. On the other hand, Sr(2)CoGe(2)O(7) shows an antiferromagnetic transition at 6.5 K with divergence between zero-field-cooled and field-cooled susceptibilities. Its magnetic structure determined at 2.5 K has a magnetic propagation vector k = (0, 0, 0), and the ordered magnetic moment of Co(2+) (2.81 μ(B)) adopts a collinear arrangement lying on the ab plane.     

High-pressure synthesis and study of the crystal and magnetic structure of the distorted SeNiO3 and SeMnO3 perovskites

We describe the preparation of SeMO(3) (M = Ni, Mn) under high pressure conditions (3.5 GPa), starting from reactive H(2)SeO(3) and MO mixtures, contained in sealed gold capsules under the reaction conditions 850 degrees C for 1 h. The polycrystalline samples have been studied by neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data and magnetization measurements. SeMO(3) (M = Ni, Mn) are orthorhombically distorted perovskites (space group Pnma). Below T(N) approximately 104 K (M = Ni) and T(N) approximately 53.5 K (M = Mn) these oxides experience an antiferromagnetic ordering, as demonstrated by susceptibility and NPD measurements. The magnetic reflections observed in the neutron patterns can be indexed with a propagation vector k = 0. Both compounds present the same magnetic structure, which is given by the basis vector (0, 0, A(z)). It can be described as antiferromagnetic (010) layers of magnetic moments lying along the c direction, which are antiferromagnetically coupled along the b direction. For the Ni(2+) ions, the ordered magnetic moment at T = 2.3 K is 2.11(3) micro(B), whereas for Mn(2+) at T = 2.6 K, |m| = 4.64(2) micro(B), consistent with the electronic configurations te (Ni(2+)) and te (Mn(2+)).     

Neutron diffraction and theoretical DFT studies of two dimensional molecular-based magnet K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O

Exchange mechanisms and magnetic structure in the two-dimensional cyano-bridged molecule-based magnet K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O have been investigated by a combination of neutron diffraction studies on both single crystal and powder samples and theoretical DFT calculations. The experimental spin density has been deduced from a new refinement of previously obtained polarized neutron diffraction (PND) data which was collected in the ordered magnetic state at 4 K under a saturation field of 3 T performed in the C2/c space group, determined by an accurate re-evaluation of the X-ray structure. Positive spin populations were observed on the two manganese sites, and negative spin populations were observed on the molybdenum site, which provides evidence of antiferromagnetic Mo3+-Mn2+ exchange interactions through the cyano bridge. The experimental data have been compared to the results of DFT calculations. Moreover, theoretical studies reveal the predominance of the spin polarization mechanism in the Mo-C-N-Mn sequence, with the antiferromagnetic nature of the interaction being due to the overlap between the magnetic orbitals relative to manganese and molybdenum in the cyano bridging region. The magnetic structure of K2[Mn(H2O)2]3[Mo(CN)7]2.6H2O has been solved at low temperature in zero field by powder neutron diffraction measurements. The structure was found to be ferrimagnetic where the manganese and molybdenum spins are aligned along the axis in opposite directions.     

Structural and magnetic behavior of a quasi-1D antiferromagnetic chain compound Cu(NCS)2(pyz)

Synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) were used to determine the structure of Cu(NCS)₂(pyz) (pyz=pyrazine=C₄N₂H₄), which consists of a stacking of CupyzCu chains. While NPD measurements showed no evidence of long-range magnetic ordering, the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and magnetization suggests that the system can be adequately described on the local scale as a spin-1/2 antiferromagnet (AFM) chain with an intrachain exchange interaction J/k_B=−8 K (∼0.7 meV). Comparison of isothermal magnetization data acquired up to 30 T at 1.6 K to a linear chain model shows excellent agreement, making this material a nearly ideal example of an isotropic Heisenberg AFM chain.     

Characterization of the crystal and magnetic structures of the mixed-anion coordination polymer Cu(HCO2)(NO3)(pyz) {pyz = Pyrazine} by X-ray diffraction, ac magnetic susceptibility, dc magnetization, muon-spin relaxation, and spin dimer analysis

The mixed-anion coordination polymer Cu(HCO2)(NO3)(pyz) was synthesized, its crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction, and its magnetic structure was characterized by ac susceptibility, dc magnetization, muon-spin relaxation, and spin dimer analysis. The crystal structure consists of five-coordinate Cu2+ ions that are connected through syn-anti bridging mu-HCO2- and mu-pyz ligands to form a highly corrugated two-dimensional layered network. Bulk magnetic measurements show a broad maximum in chi(T) at 6.6 K. The HCO2- and pyz ligands mediate ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic spin exchange interactions between adjacent Cu2+ ions with the spin exchange parameters J/kB = 8.17 and -5.4 K, respectively (H = -JSigmaSi x Sj). The muon-spin relaxation data show a transition to a long-range magnetic ordering below TN = 3.66(3) K. For T < TN, the M(H) and chi'ac measurements provide evidence for a field-induced spin-flop transition at 15.2 kOe. That Cu(HCO2)(NO3)(pyz) undergoes a long-range magnetic ordering is an unexpected result because the one-dimensional Cu(NO3)2(pyz) and three-dimensional Cu(HCO2)2(pyz) compounds display linear chain antiferromagnetism with no long-range magnetic ordering down to 2 K.     

Spin frustration in MII[C(CN)3]2 (M = V,Cr). A magnetism and neutron diffraction study

Three-dimensional coordination network solids of MII[C(CN)3]2 (M = V, Cr) composition possess interpenetrating rutile-like network structures. Each [C(CN)3]- bonds to three different metal ions in a triangular array, affording a geometrical topology akin to a Kagomé lattice leading to competing spin exchange interactions and spin frustration. The crystal and magnetic structure of CrII[C(CN)3] was determined by Rietveld refinement of the powder neutron diffraction data at 2 and 15 K and belongs to the orthorhombic space group Pmna [a = 7.313(1) A, b = 5.453(1) A, c = 10.640(1) A, Z = 2, T = 15 K]. Each CrII has a tetragonally elongated octahedral structure with four Cr-N(1) distances of 2.077(2) A and two significantly longer axial Cr-N(2) distances of 2.452(2) A. Magnetic susceptibility measurements between 1.7 and 300 K reveal strong antiferromagnetic interactions for both V- and Cr[C(CN)3]2 with theta = -67 and -46 K, respectively, from a fit to the Curie-Weiss law. Long-range magnetic ordering does not occur for M = V above 1.7 K, in contrast to M = Cr, which antiferromagnetically orders at low temperature. This is attributed to Jahn-Teller distorted CrII site relieving frustration in one dimension, leading to 2-D Ising antiferromagnetism, as observed by both magnetic susceptibility and specific heat studies. Neutron diffraction experiments at 2 K for Cr[C(CN)3]2 yielded additional Bragg reflections as a result of antiferromagnetic ordering with the moments on the CrII atoms aligned parallel to c and 4.7(1) microB. Fitting of the magnetic order parameter to a power law yielded TN = 6.12(4) K and beta = 0.18(1) consistent with 2-D Ising behavior. A TN of 6.13 K is also observed from the specific heat data.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetism of a 1-D polymeric manganese(II) complex with pyrazine-2-carboxylate as bridging ligand

A one-dimensional chain complex {[Mn(pyz)(SCN)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O} (pyz = pyrazine-2-carboxylic anion) has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X-ray crystallography. In the complex each Mn ion is located in a distorted octahedral environment with two oxygen atoms O(3), O(4) from terminal ligands of two water molecules, another oxygen atom O(1) from the carboxylate group of pyz, and three nitrogen atoms N(1), N(2A) from two different pyz units and N(3) from the terminal ligand thiocyanate anion, in which a chelated five-membered ring is formed by coordination of O(1) and N(1) to the Mn(1) atom. Thus, an infinite zigzag chain consisting of Mn and pyz is constructed and the chains are linked together by hydrogen bonding from coordinated and uncoordinated water molecules, the sulfur atom of thiocyanate and the carboxylate oxygen of pyz. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility of the complex was measured in the 4–300 K range. The magnetic coupling parameter is consistent with an antiferromagnetic exchange between the two manganese(II) centers and the data fit a binuclear magnetic exchange model based on the Hamiltonian operator (H = –2JS ₁ S ₂, S ₁ = S ₂ = 5/2), giving the antiferromagnetic coupling parameter of 2J = –0.17 cm^–1. This is the first pyrazine-2-carboxylic anion bridging complex dealing with the magnetic interaction study.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a novel family of heterometallic nonanuclear Na(I)2Mn(III)6Ln(III) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) complexes

The structures and magnetic properties of four isomorphous nonanuclear heterometallic complexes [Na(2){Mn(3)(III)(μ(3)-O(2-))}(2)Ln(III)(hmmp)(6)(O(2)CPh)(4)(N(3))(2)]OH·0.5 CH(3)CN·1.5H(2)O are reported, where Ln(III) = Eu (1), Gd (2), Tb (3) and Dy (4), H(2)hmmp = 2-[(2-hydroxyethylimino)methyl]-6-methoxyphenol. Complexes 1-4 were prepared by the reactions of hmmpH(2) with a manganese salt and the respective lanthanide salt together with NaO(2)CPh and NaN(3). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the six Mn(III) and one Ln(III) metal topology in the aggregate can be described as a bitetrahedron. The two peripheral [Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O(2-))](7+) triangles are each bonded to a central Ln(III) ion with rare distorted octahedral geometry. The magnetic properties of all the complexes were investigated using variable temperature magnetic susceptibility and both antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions exist in the [Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O(2-))](7+) triangle. Weak ferromagnetic exchange between the Ln(III) and Mn(III) ions has been established for the corresponding Gd derivative. The Gd, Tb and Dy complexes show no evidence of slow relaxation behaviour above 2.0 K.     

Stabilization and study of SrFe(1-x)Mn(x)O2 oxides with infinite-layer structure

A series of layered oxides of nominal composition SrFe(1-x)Mn(x)O(2) (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) have been prepared by the reduction of three-dimensional perovskites SrFe(1-x)Mn(x)O(3-δ) with CaH(2) under mild temperature conditions of 583 K for 2 days. The samples with x = 0, 0.1, and 0.2 exhibit an infinite-layer crystal structure where all of the apical O atoms have been selectively removed upon reduction. A selected sample (x = 0.2) has been studied by neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Both techniques indicate that Fe and Mn adopt a divalent oxidation state, although Fe(2+) ions are under tensile stress whereas Mn(2+) ions undergo compressive stress in the structure. The unit-cell parameters progressively evolve from a = 3.9932(4) ? and c = 3.4790(4) ? for x = 0 to a = 4.00861(15) ? and c = 3.46769(16) ? for x = 0.2; the cell volume presents an expansion across the series from V = 55.47(1) to 55.722(4) ?(3) for x = 0 and 0.2, respectively, because of the larger effective ionic radius of Mn(2+) versus Fe(2+) in four-fold coordination. Attempts to prepare Mn-rich compositions beyond x = 0.2 were unsuccessful. For SrFe(0.8)Mn(0.2)O(2), the magnetic properties indicate a strong magnetic coupling between Fe(2+) and Mn(2+) magnetic moments, with an antiferromagnetic temperature T(N) above room temperature, between 453 and 523 K, according to temperature-dependent NPD data. The NPD data include Bragg reflections of magnetic origin, accounted for with a propagation vector k = ((1)/(2), (1)/(2), (1)/(2)). A G-type antiferromagnetic structure was modeled with magnetic moments at the Fe/Mn position. The refined ordered magnetic moment at this position is 1.71(3) μ(B)/f.u. at 295 K. This is an extraordinary example where Mn(2+) and Fe(2+) ions are stabilized in a square-planar oxygen coordination within an infinite-layer structure. The layered SrFe(1-x)Mn(x)O(2) oxides are kinetically stable at room temperature, but in air at ~170 °C, they reoxidize and form the perovskites SrFe(1-x)Mn(x)O(3-δ). A cubic phase is obtained upon reoxidation of the layered compound, whereas the starting precursor SrFeO(2.875) (Sr(8)Fe(8)O(23)) was a tetragonal superstructure of perovskite.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the new one-dimensional manganate Cs3Mn2O4

Cs(3)Mn(2)O(4), a new member of the small family of ternary manganese (II/III) mixed-valent compounds, has been synthesized via the azide/nitrate route and studied using powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurements and density functional theory (DFT). Its crystal structure (P2(1)/c, Z = 8, a = 1276.33(1) pm, b = 1082.31(2) pm, c = 1280.29(2) pm, β = 118.390(2)°) is based on one-dimensional MnO(2)(1.5-) chains built up from edge-sharing MnO(4) tetrahedra. The title compound is the first example of an intrinsically doped transition metalate of the series A(x)MnO(2), (A = alkali metal) where a complete 1:1 charge ordering of Mn(2+) and Mn(3+) is observed along the chains (-Mn(2+)-Mn(3+)-Mn(2+)-Mn(3+)-). From the magnetic point of view it basically consists of ferrimagnetic MnO(2) chains, where the Mn(2+) and Mn(3+) ions are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled up to high temperatures. Very interestingly, their long-range three-dimensional ordering below the Néel temperature (T(N)) ~12 K give rise to conspicuous field dependent magnetic ordering phenomena, for which we propose a consistent picture based on the change from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic coupling between the chains. Electronic structure calculations confirm the antiferromagnetic ordering as the ground state for Cs(3)Mn(2)O(4) and ferrimagnetic ordering as its nearly degenerate state.     

Interpenetrating three-dimensional diamondoid lattices and antiferromagnetic ordering (T(c) = 73 K) of Mn(II)(CN)2

Thermolysis of either the 3-D, bridged-layered [NEt(4)]Mn(II)(3)(CN)(7) or 2-D, layered [NEt(4)](2)Mn(II)(3)(CN)(8) forms Mn(II)(CN)(2). Rietveld analysis of the high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data determined that Mn(II)(CN)(2) is cubic [a = 6.1488(3) ?] (space group = Pn3m) consisting of two independent, interpenetrating networks having the topology of the diamond lattice. Each tetrahedrally coordinated Mn(II) is bonded to four orientationally disordered cyanide ligands. Mn(II)(CN)(2) magnetically orders as an antiferromagnet with a T(c) = 73 K determined from the peak in d(χT)/dT. Exchange coupling estimated via the mean field Heisenberg model from the transition temperature (J/k(B) = -4.4 K) and low temperature magnetic susceptibility of the ordered phase (J/k(B) = -7.2 K) indicate that Mn(II)(CN)(2) experiences weak antiferromagnetic coupling. The discrepancy between those estimates is presumably due to local anisotropy at the Mn(II) sites arising from the CN orientational disorder or interactions between the interpenetrating lattices.     

Synthesis, structure, and unexpected magnetic properties of La3Re2O10

The compound La(3)Re(2)O(10) has been synthesized by solid-state reaction and characterized by powder neutron diffraction, SQUID magnetometry, and heat capacity measurements. Its structure consists of isolated [Re(2)O(10)](9-) dimer units of two edge-shared ReO(6) octahedra, separated by La(3+) within the lattice. The Re-Re distance within the dimer units is 2.488 A, which is indicative of metal-metal bonding with a bond order of 1.5. The average oxidation state of the Re atom is +5.5, leaving one unpaired electron per dimer unit (S = 1/2). Although the closest interdimer distance is 5.561 A, the magnetic susceptibility data and heat capacity measurements indicate this compound exhibits both short- and long-range magnetic order at surprisingly high temperatures. The zero field cooled (ZFC) magnetic susceptibility data show two broad features at 55 and 105 K, indicating short-range order, and a sharper cusp at 18 K, which signifies long-range antiferromagnetic order. The heat capacity of La(3)Re(2)O(10) shows a lambda-type anomaly at 18 K, which is characteristic of long-range magnetic order. DFT calculations determined that the unpaired electron resides in a pi-bonding orbital and that the unpaired electron density is widely delocalized over the atoms within the dimer, with high values at the bridging oxygens. Extended Hückel spin dimer calculations suggest possible interaction pathways between these dimer units within the crystal lattice. Results from the calculations and fits to the susceptibility data indicate that the short-range magnetic ordering may consist of 1-D antiferromagnetic linear chains of coupled S = 1/2 dimers. The magnetic structure of the antiferromagnetic ground state could not be determined by unpolarized neutron powder diffraction.     

Synthesis and characterization of T[Ni(CN)4]·2pyz with T=Fe, Ni; pyz=pyrazine: Formation of T-pyz-Ni bridges

The formation of T-pyz-Ni bridges (pyz=pyrazine) in the T[Ni(CN)₄]·2pyz series is known for T=Mn, Zn, Cd and Co but not with T=Fe, Ni. In this contribution the existence of such bridges also for T=Fe, Ni is discussed. The obtained pillared solids, T[Ni(CN)₄]·2pyz, were characterized from XRD, TG, UV-Vis, IR, Raman, Mössbauer and magnetic data. Their crystal structures were refined in the orthorhombic Pmna space group from XRD powder patterns. The structural behavior of these solids on cooling down to 77 K was also studied. In the 180-200 K temperature range the occurrence of a structural transition to a monoclinic structure (P2₁/c space group) was observed. No temperature induced spin transition was observed for Fe[Ni(CN)₄]·2pyz. The iron (II) was found to be in high spin electronic state and this configuration is preserved on cooling down to 2 K. The magnetic data indicate the occurrence of a low temperature weak anti-ferromagnetic interaction between T metal centers within the T[Ni(CN)₄] layer. In the paramagnetic region for Ni[Ni(CN)₄]·2pyz, a reversible temperature induced spin transition for the inner Ni atom was detected.     

Control of magnetic ordering by Jahn--Teller distortions in Nd(2)GaMnO(6) and La(2)GaMnO(6).

The substitution of Ga(3+) into the Jahn--Teller distorted, antiferromagnetic perovskites LaMnO(3) and NdMnO(3) strongly affects both the crystal structures and resulting magnetic ordering. In both compounds the Ga(3+) and Mn(3+) cations are disordered over the six coordinate sites. La(2)GaMnO(6) is a ferromagnetic insulator (T(c) = 70 K); a moment per Mn cation of 2.08(5) mu(B) has been determined by neutron powder diffraction at 5 K. Bond length and displacement parameter data suggest Jahn--Teller distortions which are both coherent and incoherent with the Pnma space group symmetry of the perovskite structure (a = 5.51122(4) A, b = 7.80515(6) A, c = 5.52947(4) A) at room temperature. The coherent distortion is strongly suppressed in comparison with the parent LaMnO(3) phase, but the displacement ellipsoids suggest that incoherent distortions are significant and arise from local Jahn--Teller distortions. The preparation of the new phase Nd(2)GaMnO(6) has been found to depend on sample cooling rates, with detailed characterization necessary to ensure phase separation has been avoided. This compound also adopts the GdFeO(3)-type orthorhombically distorted perovskite structure (space group Pnma, a = 5.64876(1) A, b = 7.65212(2) A, c = 5.41943(1) A at room temperature). However, the B site substitution has a totally different effect on the Jahn--Teller distortion at the Mn(3+) centers. This phase exhibits a Q(2) mode Jahn--Teller distortion similar to that observed in LaMnO(3), although reduced in magnitude as a result of the introduction of Ga(3+) onto the B site. There is no evidence of a dynamic Jahn-Teller distortion. At 5 K a ferromagnetically ordered Nd(3+) moment of 1.06(6) mu(B) is aligned along the y-axis and a moment of 2.8(1) mu(B) per Mn(3+) is ordered in the xy plane making an angle of 29(2) degrees with the y-axis. The Mn(3+) moments couple ferromagnetically in the xz plane. However, along the y-axis the moments couple ferromagnetically while the x components are coupled antiferromagnetically. This results in a canted antiferromagnetic arrangement in which the dominant exchange is ferromagnetic. Nd(2)GaMnO(6) is paramagnetic above 40(5) K, with a paramagnetic moment and Weiss constant of 6.70(2) mu(B) and 45.9(4) K, respectively. An ordered moment of 6.08(3) mu(B) per Nd(2)GaMnO(6) formula unit was measured by magnetometry at 5 K in an applied magnetic field of 5 T.     

Two novel cyanide-bridged bimetallic magnetic chains derived from manganese(III) Schiff bases and hexacyanochromate(III) building blocks

Two novel complexes, [{Mn(salen)}(2){Mn(salen)(CH(3)OH)}{Cr(CN)(6)}](n)·2nCH(3)CN·nCH(3)OH (1) and [Mn(5-Clsalmen)(CH(3)OH)(H(2)O)](2n)[{Mn(5-Clsalmen)(μ-CN)}Cr(CN)(5)](n)·5.5nH(2)O (2) (salen(2-) = N,N'-ethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato) dianion; 5-Clsalmen(2-) = N,N'-(1-methylethylene)-bis(5-chlorosalicylideneiminato) dianion), were synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The structural analyses show that complex 1 consists of one-dimensional (1D) alternating chains formed by the [{Cr(CN)(6)}{Mn(salen)}(4){Mn(salen)(CH(3)OH)}(2)](3+) heptanuclear cations and [Cr(CN)(6)](3-) anions. While in complex 2, the hexacyanochromate(III) anion acts as a bis-monodentate ligand through two trans-cyano groups to bridge two [Mn(5-Clsalmen)](+) cations to form a straight chain. The magnetic analysis indicates that complex 1 shows three-dimensional (3D) antiferromagnetic ordering with the Ne?el temperature of 5.0 K, and it is a metamagnet displaying antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition at a critical field of about 2.6 kOe at 2 K. Complex 2 behaves as a molecular magnet with Tc = 3.0 K.     

Frequency-domain Fourier-transform terahertz spectroscopy of the single-molecule magnet (NEt4)[Mn2(5-Brsalen)2(MeOH)2Cr(CN)6

We have investigated the novel single-molecule magnet (NEt(4))[Mn(2)(5-Brsalen)(2)(MeOH)(2)Cr(CN)(6)] (1; 5-Brsalen = N,N'-ethylenebis(5-bromosalicylidene)iminato anion) using spectroscopic as well as magnetization and susceptibility measurements. Frequency-domain Fourier-transform terahertz electron paramagnetic resonance (FDFT THz-EPR) based on the generation of THz radiation from a synchrotron in combination with inelastic neutron scattering (INS) allows for the discrimination between intermultiplet and intramultiplet transitions. Together with ac/dc magnetic susceptibility measurements the obtained set of data provides a complete characterization of the lowest energetic magnetic excitations. We find that the new compound 1 exhibits much weaker intermolecular interactions than found in the closely related compound: K[Mn(2)(5-Brsalen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)Cr(CN)(6)] (2). Furthermore, two phonon lines in the vicinity of the magnetic excitations are detected.     

Room temperature antiferromagnetic order in the Mn(II) Oxide 4H-Ba(0.5)Sr(0.5)MnO(2+delta)

The synthesis of the Mn(II) phase 4H-Ba(0.5)Sr(0.5)MnO(2+delta) via the topotactic reduction of 4H-Ba(0.5)Sr(0.5)MnO(3-x) with the novel reducing agent LiH, is described. Neutron powder diffraction data show that oxide ions are deintercalated from the host structure in a disordered manner to yield "tetrahedral" MnO(4) coordination sites. Magnetic susceptibility and neutron powder diffraction data show that the title phase adopts a canted antiferromagnetically ordered state below T(N) = 355K, consistent with the strong magnetic coupling expected between d(5) centers.     

Reexamination of the magnetic properties of Cu(2)(dca)(4)(2,5-me(2)pyz) [dca = dicyanamide; me(2)pyz = dimethylpyrazine]: isolated spin-1/2 dimers versus long-range magnetic ordering

The magnetic properties of Cu(2)(dca)(4)(2,5-me(2)pyz) have been reexamined. The extended structure of Cu(2)(dca)(4)(2,5-me(2)pyz) can be viewed in terms of Cu(2)(2,5-me(2)pyz)(4+) dimer units interconnected via mu(1,5)-dca ligands. The bulk magnetic susceptibility chi(T) and the isothermal M(H) of Cu(2)(dca)(4)(2,5-me(2)pyz) are shown to be well described by an isolated dimer model. This finding was confirmed by carrying out a spin dimer analysis based on tight-binding calculations, which shows that the 2,5-me(2)pyz ligand provides a substantial spin exchange interaction between the Cu(2+) ions while the dca ligands do not.     

Solid-state ligand dynamics in interpenetrating Mn[N(CN)(2)](2)(pyrazine): a neutron spectroscopy study

We have used quasielastic neutron scattering to probe the solid-state ligand dynamics in the coordination polymer Mn[N(CN)(2)](2)(pyz) [pyz = pyrazine] which has double-interpenetrating 3D lattices. A reversible structural phase transition occurs at 410 K as shown by neutron spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The origin of this transition is linked to rotational dynamics associated with the bridging pyz ligands. At 425 K, the pyrazine ring motion can be solely regarded as a 180 degrees reorientational jump about the axis defined by the Mn-N coordinative bonds, occurring with a correlation time of approximately 70 ps. This model can be extended to the 200-410 K temperature region using high-resolution backscattering spectroscopy to measure an identical motion on the time scale of nanoseconds with an activation energy of 24 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1). In contrast, no quasielastic scattering is seen for the 2D layered variant beta-Cu[N(CN)(2)](2)(pyz), owing to its more compact layer packing motif. Importantly, this work represents the very first study of solid-state rotational dynamics in an interpenetrating lattice structure.