Crystal and magnetic structures of electrochemically delithiated Li1−xCoPO4 phases

Precise structural data have been determined from a combined Rietveld refinement, based on neutron and X-ray powder diffraction data simultaneously, for the three phases LiCoPO₄, Li_zCoPO₄ with a specific intermediate Li-content z = 0.60(10) and CoPO₄, which are obtained by electrochemical Li-extraction from LiCoPO₄. All three phases are isopointal. Therefore, the transitions between these phases are necessarily of first order, in agreement with their observed coexistence. The same collinear antiferromagnetic structures with magnetic moments nearly parallel to the [010] direction are observed for LiCoPO₄ and Li_zCoPO₄, but with a significantly higher Néel temperature of 76 K for the latter compound in comparison with 23 K for LiCoPO₄. Olivine-type CoPO₄ can only be prepared from LiCoPO₄ by delithiation and its physical properties were investigated for the first time. An antiferromagnetic arrangement along the [100] direction is observed for CoPO₄ with an additional weak ferromagnetic component along the [001] direction (magnetic space group Pn′m′a and T_C = 45 K). The magnetic moment of 3.1(2) μ_B per Co-ion indicates a mainly high-spin state for Co³⁺ in the octahedral coordination of CoPO₄, which is exceptional and probably the first example in a phosphate. The easy axes and the magnetic exchange interactions between Co-ions change dramatically with the Co²⁺ ? Co³⁺ transition. A continuous change of the formal oxidation state of a transition element by electrochemical Li-extraction and a quasi-continuous in situ observation of the resulting magnetic structure by neutron diffraction appear feasible.     

Quantitative analysis of the magnetism of the meta-(methoxy)phenyl nitronyl nitroxide crystal: A bottom–up analysis of a crystal presenting competing ferro and antiferromagnetic interactions

Crystals of the meta isomer of the (methoxy)phenyl nitronyl nitroxide radical, m-(OMe)PhNN, present the characteristics of an antiferromagnet (paramagnetic θ = −0.97 K, |J| = 1.6 cm⁻¹, [L. Angeloni, A. Caneschi, L. David, A. Fabretti, F. Ferraro, D. Gatteschi, A. le Lirzin, R. Sessoli, J. Mater. Chem. 4 (1994) 1047]). Using our quantitative bottom–up approach, we analyze here the magnetism of this crystal by first computing its magnetic topology and, then, using this information, the macroscopic magnetic susceptibility χ(T) of the crystal. The crystal presents one ferro and two antiferromagnetic exchange interactions, J_AB, of similar strength (+0.20, −0.20 and −0.11 cm⁻¹) that create a complex three-dimensional magnetic topology of interacting planes. This complex network of competing ferro and antiferromagnetic pathways does not allow a sounding prediction of the macroscopic magnetic susceptibility using qualitative considerations. Our approach computes the χT versus T curve that fully reproduces the experimental shape.     

Cooperative Jahn–Teller distortion leading to the spin-1/2 uniform antiferromagnetic chains in triclinic perovskites AgCuF3 and NaCuF3

Polycrystalline samples of AgCuF₃, isostructural with NaCuF₃, were synthesized by solid state reaction and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of AgCuF₃ and NaCuF₃ were examined by measuring their magnetic susceptibilities and evaluating their spin exchange interactions. The three-dimensional CuF₃ network of corner-sharing CuF₆ octahedra present in AgCuF₃ and NaCuF₃ shows a cooperative Jahn–Teller distortion such that their magnetic susceptibilities above 50 K are well described by an S = 1/2 Heisenberg uniform antiferromagnetic chain model with average spin exchange of J/k_B ≈ ?300 and ?180 K, respectively. The relative strengths of these interactions are well reproduced by spin dimer analysis based on tight-binding calculations, but not by mapping analysis based on first principles density functional calculations.     

The competing roles of topology and spin density in the magnetic behavior of spin-delocalized radicals: Donor–acceptor annelated nitronyl nitroxides

The effects of acceptor–donor interactions in thienyl substituted benzimidazole-nitronyl nitroxides (TBNN) on the absorption spectroscopy, spin density distribution, magnetic behavior, and crystallographic packing were explored through spectroscopy, computation, and characterization of structure and magnetic properties in the crystalline phase. The electronic spectra of the radicals exhibit a strong broad absorption in the NIR (λ_max ～ 1000 nm) that exhibits solvatochromism consistent with charge transfer between the thienyl (donor) and benzonitronyl nitroxide (acceptor) dyads. Computational analysis allowed assignment of the transition as a HOMO–SOMO transition (TD-DFT UB3LYP/6-31G7). The TBNN radicals form highly disordered slipped π-stacks in the solid state that give rise to antiferromagnetic interactions consistent with 1D chain interactions. The magnetic behavior was well-fit to a Bonner–Fisher model to give exchange parameters of J = ?2 to ?10 cm^?1 depending on substitution. The weak exchange parameters are attributed to the degree of solid-state disorder, and the observed properties can be rationalized by the effects of substitution on the electronic structure and topology of the radicals.     

Design,synthesis and physical properties of the metal complexes using π-radical with photo-excited high-spin state as a ligand

Two π-radicals, 3-pyridinyl-phenylanthracene(iminonitroxide) (3) and 3-pyridinyl-phenylanthracene-(nitronylnitroxide) (4) were designed as candidates of the ligand for the metal complexes to clarify the exchange interactions between the paramagnetic centers of the metal ions and the photo-excited high-spin states of the purely organic π-radical. Compounds 3 and 4 were synthesized and their magnetic properties were examined, showing weak antiferromagnetic interactions, θ = −1.5 K for 3 and −0.7 K for 4. The photo-excited states of 3 and 4 were investigated by time-resolved ESR and clarified that both π-radicals have the quartet (S = 3/2) high-spin states as their lowest photo-excited states. Two metal complexes [Fe(III)(L)(4)] · (BPh₄) (Low spin) (LH₂ = N,N′-bis(1-hydroxy-2-benzyliden)-1,7-diamino-4-azaheptane) and [Cu(II)(hfac)₂(4)₂] using 4 were prepared. Their magnetic behaviors are well analyzed with the Bleaney–Bowers model with J/k_B = − 0.86 K and three S = 1/2 spin cluster model with J/k_B = −1.0 K, respectively, showing weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic centers of the metal ions and the π-radical in the ground state.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of hydrogen bonded charge-transfer compound – TMPD:TCNB

1,2,4,5-Tetracyanobenzene (TCNB), a moderate electron acceptor, reacts readily with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD), a strong electron donor, to form black colored TMPD:TCNB complex when treated in 1:1 molar ratio. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies on this complex showed that molecule of TMPD and TCNB are alternately stacked with an interplanar distance of 3.4 Å between them. The structure of the complex does not seem to show usual π–π interaction between the two aromatic rings, but indicates the presence of n–π interaction localized between the nitrogen atoms of TMPD and the cyano groups of TCNB. Along with this a prominent presence of CN···HAr hydrogen bonded ribbon network between nitrogen of cyanide moiety and hydrogen of neighboring aromatic carbon is observed with distance of 2.610 Å and angle of 147.19°. Magnetic measurements on the powdered compound using SQUID magnetometer (5–20 K) showed that the complex is weakly antiferromagnetic (θ = ?0.85 K). To my best knowledge CN···HAr interaction amongst electron acceptor molecules, to form a ribbon-like network, has not been observed before for a magnetic complex.     

Frustration effects in antiferromagnetic molecules: The cuboctahedron

Frustration of magnetic systems which is caused by competing interactions is the driving force of several unusual phenomena such as plateaus and jumps of the magnetization curve as well as of unusual energy spectra with for instance many singlet levels below the first triplet state. The antiferromagnetic cuboctahedron can serve as a paradigmatic example of certain frustrated antiferromagnets. In addition it has the advantage that its complete energy spectrum can be obtained up to individual spin quantum numbers of s = 3/2 (16 777 216 states).     

Structural,magnetic and Mössbauer spectroscopic investigations of the magnetoelectric relaxor Pb(Fe0.6W0.2Nb0.2)O3

The complex perovskite lead iron tungsten niobium oxide, Pb(Fe_0.6W_0.2Nb_0.2)O₃ (PFWN) which belongs to the class of disordered magnetoelectrics, has been studied by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, magnetic and Mössbauer spectroscopic measurements. Structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of PFWN are presented and reviewed. Magnetic measurements indicate that the most important interactions are of antiferromagnetic nature yielding T_N = 300 K, however, with indications of a reentrant spin glass behaviour below 20 K. The parameters of Mössbauer spectra also support the existence of the magnetic order and are consistent with the presence of high-spin Fe³⁺ cations located in the octahedral B-site. Rietveld refinements of diffraction data at different temperatures between 10 and 700 K have been carried out. The long-range structure of PFWN is cubic (space group Pm−3m) over the whole temperature interval. The Fe, W and Nb cations were found to be disordered over the perovskite B-sites. The Pb cations show a position disorder along the 〈111〉 direction shifting from their high-symmetry position. At the temperatures below T_N, an antiferromagnetic arrangement of the magnetic moments of Fe³⁺ cations in the B-site is proposed in accordance with the antiferromagnetic properties of PFWN. The factors governing the observed nuclear and magnetic structures of PFWN are discussed and compared with those of pure Pb(Fe_0.67W_0.33)O₃, Pb(Fe_0.5Nb_0.5)O₃ and other quaternary Pb-based perovskites containing iron.     

Effect of glycine,dl-alanine and dl-2-aminobutyric acid on the temperature of maximum density of water

The effect of glycine, dl-alanine and dl-2-aminobutyric acid on the temperature of maximum density of water was determined from density measurements using a magnetic float densimeter.Densities of aqueous solutions were measured within the temperature range from T = (275.65 to 278.65) K at intervals of T = 0.50 K over the concentration range between (0.0300 and 0.1000) mol · kg⁻¹. A linear relationship between density and concentration was obtained for all the systems in the temperature range considered.The temperature of maximum density was determined from the experimental results. The effect of the three amino acids is to decrease the temperature of maximum density of water and the decrease is proportional to molality according to Despretz equation. The effect of the amino acids on the temperature of maximum density decreases as the number of methylene groups of the alkyl chain becomes larger. The results are discussed in terms of (solute + water) interactions and the effect of amino acids on water structure.     

Structural and magnetic properties of metal telluromolybdates MxM′1−xTeMoO6 (M,M′ = Mn,Co, Cd)

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of metal telluromolybdates M_xM′_1?xTeMoO₆ (M, M′ = Mn, Co, Cd) have been investigated. Their crystal structures have two-dimensional arrays of M and M′ atoms. From the powder X-ray diffraction measurements, Mn_xCo_1?xTeMoO₆ adopt an orthorhombic structure throughout the composition range (x = 0.0–1.0). On the other hand, Mn_xCd_1?xTeMoO₆ and Co_xCd_1?xTeMoO₆ adopt two types of structures corresponding to their end members (orthorhombic for Mn- or Co-rich solid solutions; tetragonal for Cd-rich ones). In the intermediate compositions, it was found that two phases coexist with different metal components. Magnetic properties of these solid solutions were investigated. All the Mn_xCo_1?xTeMoO₆ exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition at ～23 K. The antiferromagnetic transition was also observed in Mn_xCd_1?xTeMoO₆ and Co_xCd_1?xTeMoO₆. However, the Néel temperature rapidly decreases with increasing the concentration of Cd and disappeared below x = 0.6, which is characteristic for two-dimensional magnetic system.     

Structures and magnetic properties of one-dimensional copper(II) complexes bridged with diazaaromatic rings

Seven kinds of polynuclear complexes of [Cu(hfac)₂] (Hhfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione) with diazaaromatic rings have been prepared. The crystal structures of [{Cu(hfac)₂(μ-L)}_n] (L = 2,5- and 2,6-dimethylpyrazines, propylpyrazine (prpyz), quinoxaline, phenazine, 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine, and 1,6-naphthyridine) have been determined. These complexes consist of a one-dimensional chain structure, and the geometry around the copper ion is approximately an octahedral structure. The relations between the magnetic properties and coordination structure were discussed from the magnetic measurements. In the μ-prpyz complex, one nitrogen atom is coordinated to a copper ion at an axial position, and at the same time the other coordinated at an equatorial site of a neighboring copper ion. This complex showed antiferromagnetic interaction with J/k_B = −0.086(3) K estimated from the Bonner–Fisher model. Weak magnetic interaction is caused by the somewhat long Cu–N distances due to the steric effect from the bridging ligands.     

Magnetic properties of nitronylnitroxide and iminonitroxide triradicals as model compounds for generalized ferrimagnets

A novel iminonitroxide triradical, p-triIN (1), has been synthesized, in which a π-conjugated biradical with a singlet ground state and a doublet monoradical are united by σ-bonds. The intramolecular exchange interaction within the para-phenylene-based biradical moiety has been found to be antiferromagnetic (2J(π)/k_B = −30.8 K) from magnetic susceptibility measurements on a parent biradical, p-bisIN (2). The magnetic properties of 1 have been examined by magnetic susceptibility χ_m. Upon cooling, the χ_mT value for 1 has decreased and passed across 0.38 emu mol⁻¹ K, which is expected for one mol of S = 1/2 spin with g = 2.0. The magnetic behavior of 1 indicates that the ground state of the molecular assemblage of 1 in the crystal is diamagnetic, which is attributable to one of the exotic spin states as predicted in a theoretical model of generalized ferrimagnetism. The possible occurrence of the generalized ferrimagnetic spin alignment is concluded in view of the magnetic properties of 1.     

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.     

Diastereoselective reductive N-alkylation of (R,R)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane with prochiral ketones using the Ti(OiPr)4/NaBH4 system

A simple and convenient one-pot method for the reductive N-alkylation of (R,R)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane by prochiral ketones using a Ti(OⁱPr)₄/NaBH₄ system to obtain the corresponding alkyl amine derivatives in 76–95% yields with good diastereoselectivity (dr = up to 23:1:1) is reported.     

Antiferromagnetic resonance in quasi-one-dimensional ferromagnet γ-p-NPNN

The low frequency (∼300 MHz) and low-temperature (0.4 K) ESR were performed in the γ-phase of p-NPNN, which is considered to be as a quasi-one-dimensional ferromagnet above the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature (0.65 K without a static magnetic field). Below 0.6 K, we succeeded in observing the antiferromagnetic resonance (AFMR) for the first time. The frequency–field relation is well reproduced by the two-sublattice model with orthorhombic anisotropy. In addition, we measured magnetic torque using small single crystal, which has the dimension of 0.25 × 0.10 × 0.10 mm³. A spin–flop transition and AF-paramagnetic (AF-P) transition are observed at 470 and 2100 G at 0.4 K, respectively. Both AFMR and magnetic torque measurements indicate that the spin-easy axis is almost parallel to the direction to phenyl ring from the ONCNO fragments.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the new cobalt tellurite halide Co5(TeO3)4X2 (X = Cl,Br)

Two new cobalt tellurite halides Co₅(TeO₃)₄Cl₂ and Co₅(TeO₃)₄Br₂ have been synthesized and found to be iso-structural with Ni₅(TeO₃)₄X₂ (X = Cl, Br). Co₅(TeO₃)₄X₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic system space group C2/c, and the Br-phase has the lattice parameters a = 20.440(1) Å, b = 5.2760(2) Å, c = 16.4710(7) Å, β = 124.790(5)°, and Z = 4. The crystal structures were solved from single-crystal X-ray data, R1 = 1.90 and 1.77, respectively, for the Cl- and Br-phases. The crystal structure is layered with only weak van der Waals' interactions in between the layers. The layers are built by large [Co₅O₁₆X₂] groups consisting of five edge- and face-sharing Co-octahedra. Each group is connected to adjacent groups via corner sharing through common oxygen atoms as well as through [TeO₃E] groups. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on oriented single crystals reveal pronounced anisotropy in a broad temperature range and clear signs of antiferromagnetic ordering at low temperatures. Anisotropic susceptibility of an iso-structural Ni-based compound was also studied and compared with the corresponding results of Co₅(TeO₃)₄X₂. Magnetic anisotropy is discussed in framework of single-ion anisotropy effects.     

On the existence of temperature induced changes in the magnetic topology of crystals that show no first-order crystallographic phase transitions

The First-Principles Bottom–Up study of the 88 K and 273 K X-ray diffraction structures of the bis-2,3-dimethylpyridinium tetrabromocuprate molecular magnet shows that the analysis of the magnetic properties of a molecule-based magnet, that does not present any first order polymorphic transition in the range of temperature studied, depends on the X-ray structure employed. The reason is the thermal expansion anisotropy when the crystal goes from the low temperature phase to 273 K, which induces changes in the radical–radical J_AB interactions. As a consequence, the magnetic topology of the low temperature and 273 K structures change, a fact that induces a change in the macroscopic magnetic susceptibility curve (only the 88 K structure of bis-2,3-dimethylpyridinium tetrabromocuprate reproduces well the two-leg spin ladder experimental properties of this magnet). When anisotropic thermal effects are suspected one should use low temperature structures to study the magnetic properties at low temperature, and high temperature structures for the study of the magnetic properties in that range of temperatures.     

A theoretical study of electronic structures and intermolecular magnetic interactions for spiro-biphenalenyls

In order to inquire into the mechanism of the change in the magnetism of spiro-biphenalnyls, intermolecular magnetic interaction has been investigated in terms of the effective exchange integral of the Heisenberg model for dimeric pairs of diethyl-substituted spiro-biphenalenyl. Variation of the magnetic interaction with respect to temperature has been evaluated for X-ray crystallographic structures at several temperature points by Kohn–Sham hybrid-DFT. The intermolecular magnetic interactions have been calculated for the π-dimers to be antiferromagnetic at each temperature, which has decreased by approximately 30% in the magnitude from 100 to 173 K. In addition, the interactions have been almost none at 100 and 173 K except for one pair and the remaining pair had ferromagnetic interaction. Therefore, it has been found that the change in their magnetism is understood by the formation of a ferromagnetic dimer-pair at 173 K. Moreover, the natural orbital analysis for the electronic structure of diethyl-substituted spiro-biphenelenyl has shown our solutions are essentially identified to Haddon’s proposal in terms of the valence bond picture.     

Molecular nanoclusters as magnetic refrigerants: The case of Fe14 with very large spin ground-state

We report on the magnetic and thermal properties of the Fe₁₄ molecular nanocluster. We find a huge magnetocaloric response in the temperature range below 10 K. This is to large extent caused by its very large spin ground-state combined with an excess of entropy arising from the admixture of low-lying excited S states. We also show that the high degree of symmetry of the Fe₁₄ cluster core, resulting in a very small cluster magnetic anisotropy, enables the occurrence of long-range antiferromagnetic order below T_N = 1.87 K.     

Low temperature heat capacity Study of Fe(PO3)3 and Fe2P2O7

The heat capacities of two iron phosphates, Fe(PO₃)₃ and Fe₂P₂O₇, have been measured over the temperature range from (2 to 300) K using the heat capacity option of a Quantum Design Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS). A phase transition related to magnetic ordering has been found in the heat capacity at T = 8.76 K for Fe(PO₃)₃ and T = 18.96 K for Fe₂P₂O₇, which are comparable with literature values from magnetic measurements. By fitting the experimental heat capacity values, the thermodynamic functions, magnetic heat capacities, and magnetic entropies have been determined. Additionally, theoretical fits at low temperatures suggest that Fe₂P₂O₇ has an anisotropic antiferromagnetic contribution to the heat capacity and a large linear term likely caused by oxygen vacancies. Further data fitting in a series over widened temperature regions found that this linear term exists only below 15 K and disappears gradually from (15 to 17) K.