A Redox‐Active Bridging Ligand to Promote Spin Delocalization,High‐Spin Complexes,and Magnetic Multi‐Switchability

A dinuclear Co^II complex, [Co₂(tphz)(tpy)₂]ⁿ⁺ (n=4, 3 or 2; tphz: tetrapyridophenazine; tpy: terpyridine), has been assembled using the redox‐active and strongly complexing tphz bridging ligand. The magnetic properties of this complex can be tuned from spin‐crossover with T_1/2≈470 K for the pristine compound (n=4) to single‐molecule magnet with an S_T=5/2 spin ground state when once reduced (n=3) to finally a diamagnetic species when twice reduced (n=2). The two successive and reversible reductions are concomitant with an increase of the spin delocalization within the complex, promoting remarkably large magnetic exchange couplings and high‐spin species even at room temperature.     

A Redox‐Active Bridging Ligand to Promote Spin Delocalization,High‐Spin Complexes,and Magnetic Multi‐Switchability

A dinuclear Co^II complex, [Co₂(tphz)(tpy)₂]ⁿ⁺ (n=4, 3 or 2; tphz: tetrapyridophenazine; tpy: terpyridine), has been assembled using the redox‐active and strongly complexing tphz bridging ligand. The magnetic properties of this complex can be tuned from spin‐crossover with T_1/2≈470 K for the pristine compound (n=4) to single‐molecule magnet with an S_T=5/2 spin ground state when once reduced (n=3) to finally a diamagnetic species when twice reduced (n=2). The two successive and reversible reductions are concomitant with an increase of the spin delocalization within the complex, promoting remarkably large magnetic exchange couplings and high‐spin species even at room temperature.     

Density functional study of structural and electronic properties of maximum‐spin n+1Aun−1Ag clusters

The structures and relative stabilities of high‐spin ⁿ⁺¹Au_n?1Ag and ⁿAu_n?1Ag⁺ (n = 2–8) clusters have been studied with density functional calculation. We predicted the existence of a number of previously unknown isomers. Our results revealed that all structures of high‐spin neutral or cationic Au_n?1Ag clusters can be understood as a substitution of an Au atom by an Ag atom in the high‐spin neutral or cationic Au_n clusters. The properties of mixed gold–silver clusters are strongly sized and structural dependence. The high‐spin bimetallic clusters tend to be holding three‐dimensional geometry rather than planar form represented in their low‐spin situations. Silver atom prefers to occupy those peripheral positions until to n = 8 for high‐spin clusters, which is different from its position occupied by light atom in the low‐spin situations. Our theoretical calculations indicated that in various high‐spin Au_n?1Ag neutral and cationic species, ⁵Au₃Ag, ³AuAg and ⁵Au₄Ag⁺ hold high stability, which can be explained by valence bond theory. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Complete basis set prediction of methanol isotropic nuclear magnetic shieldings and indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants (SSCC) using polarization‐consistent and XZP basis sets and B3LYP and BHandH density functionals

Efficient B3LYP and BHandH density functionals were used to estimate methanol's nuclear magnetic isotropic shieldings and spin–spin coupling constants in the basis set limit. Polarization‐consistent pcS‐n and pcJ‐n (n = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4), and segmented contracted XZP, where X = D, T, Q and 5, basis sets were used and the results fitted with simple mathematical formulas. The performance of the methods was assessed from comparison with experiment and higher level calculations. ¹J(CH) and ³J(HH) values were determined from very diluted solutions in deuterochloroform and compared with theoretical predictions. The agreement between complete basis set (CBS) density functional theory (DFT) predicted isotropic shieldings and spin–spin values and experiment was good. The BHandH/pcS‐n methanol shieldings obtained using structures optimized at the same level of theory are approaching the accuracy of the advanced coupled‐cluster‐singles‐doubles‐approximate triples (CCSD(T)) calculations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Temperature‐induced phase transition of poly(N‐n‐propylacrylamide‐co‐butyl methacrylate‐co‐N,N‐diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)

Terpolymers composed of N‐n‐propylacrylamide (NPAAm), butyl methacrylate (BMA), and N,N‐diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEMA) were prepared in an attempt to investigate the temperature‐induced phase transition and its mechanism. Poly(NPAAm) showed the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 24°C in water. With the incorporation of DEAEMA with NPAAm, the LCST change was characterized by an initial increase. However, the LCST was shifted to the lower temperature at the later stage. This might be explained in terms of hydrophilic/hydrophobic contribution of DEAEMA to the LCST. The swelling behavior of copolymer gel in the various solvents and spin‐lattice relaxation time (T₁) study by NMR strongly suggested the hydrophilic/hydrophobic contribution of DEAEMA to the LCST depending on the local environment. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1407–1411, 1999     

Spin uncoupling in ethylene activation by palladium and platinum atoms

Spin‐dependent effects in complex formation reactions of the ethylene molecule with palladium and platinum atoms were studied by electron correlation calculations with account of spin–orbit coupling. Simple correlation diagrams illustrating spin‐uncoupling mechanisms were obtained, showing that the low spin state of the transition‐metal atom or the transition‐metal atom complex is always more reactive than are the high spin states because of the involvement of the triplet excited molecule in the chemical activation. Spin–orbit coupling calculations of the reaction between a platinum atom and ethylene explain the high‐spin Pt(³D) reactivity as due to an effective spin flip at the stage of the weak triplet complex formation. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 581–596, 1999     

A Main‐Group Element Radical Based One‐Dimensional Magnetic Chain

The first main‐group element radical based one‐dimensional magnetic chain ( 1K )_n was realized by one‐electron reduction of the pyridinyl functionalized borane 1 with elemental potassium in THF in the absence of 18‐crown‐6 (18‐c‐6). The electron spin density of ( 1K )_n mainly resides at the boron centers with a considerable contribution from central benzene and pyridine moieties. The spin centers exhibit an antiferromagnetic interaction as demonstrated by magnetic measurements and theoretical calculations. In contrast, the reduction in the presence of 18‐c‐6 afforded the separated radical anion salt 1K(Crown) , in which the potassium cation was trapped by THF and 18‐c‐6 molecules. Further one‐electron reduction of 1K(Crown) and ( 1K )_n led to the diamagnetic monomer and polymer, respectively.     

Rapid cooling experiments and use of an anionic nuclear probe to sense the spin transition of the 1D coordination polymers [Fe(NH2trz)3]SnF6n x H2O (NH2trz=4-amino-1,2,4-triazole)

[Fe(NH₂trz)₃]SnF₆ ? n H₂O (NH₂trz=4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole; n=1 ( 1 ), n=0.5 ( 2 )) are new 1D spin‐crossover coordination polymers. Compound 2 exhibits an incomplete spin transition centred at around 210 K with a thermal hysteresis loop approximately 16 K wide. The spin transition of 2 was detected by the Mössbauer resonance of the ¹¹⁹Sn atom in the SnF₆^2? anion primarily on the basis of the evolution of its local distortion. Rapid‐cooling ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and superconducting quantum interference device experiments allow dramatic widening of the hysteresis width of 2 from 16 K up to 82 K and also shift the spin‐transition curve into the room temperature region. This unusual behaviour of quenched samples on warming is attributed to activation of the molecular motion of the anions from a frozen distorted form towards a regular form at temperatures well above approximately 210 K. Potential applications of this new family of materials are discussed.     

Theoretical study of a simple rotational‐echo double‐resonance NMR for homonuclear spin‐1/2 pairs

We investigate theoretically intriguing aspects of a simple rotational‐echo double‐resonance (REDOR) NMR technique for homonuclear spin‐1/2 pairs undergoing MAS. The simple technique sets Gaussian soft π pulses at every half MAS rotational period in the pulse sequence. The reduction in rotational echo amplitude (the REDOR echo reduction) is observed at the end of the evolution period t_e = (n + 1)T_r, where T_r is a MAS rotational period. The exact average Hamiltonians for the homonuclear REDOR (hm‐REDOR) technique are calculated by dividing the evolution period into four periods. We show theoretically and experimentally that the hm‐REDOR technique produces the REDOR echo reductions for homonuclear spin‐1/2 pairs. In addition, the theoretical results reveal that the REDOR echo reductions are independent of the chemical‐shift difference, δ, under a simple condition of κ = δ/ω_r ≥ 6 and t_e < 10 ? (1/d′), where ω_r is the sample spinning frequency and d′ is the dipolar coupling constant expressed in Hz. We call this simple condition the master condition. This means that the REDOR echo reductions for a homonuclear spin‐1/2 pair can be calculated under the master condition by considering only d′ and ω_r, which is the case for a heteronuclear spin pair. Finally, we demonstrate that four‐phase cycling yields the multiple‐quantum filtered hm‐REDOR experiment, where the appearance of the REDOR echo reductions shows that the echo reductions are definitely attributable to the homonuclear dipolar interaction even if there is a slight unwanted effect from the recovered chemical‐shift anisotropy in these reductions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

BASHD‐J‐resolved‐HMBC,an efficient method for measuring proton–proton and heteronuclear long‐range coupling constants

Natural products often possess various spin systems consisting of a methine group directly bonded to a methyl group (e.g. –CH_a–CH_b(CH₃)–CH_c–). The methine proton H_b splits into a broadened multiplet by coupling with several vicinal protons, rendering analysis difficult of ⁿJ_C–H with respect to H_b in the J‐resolved HMBC‐1. In purpose of the reliable and easy measurements of ⁿJ_C–H and ⁿJ_H–H in the aforesaid spin system, we have developed a new technique, named BASHD‐J‐resolved‐HMBC. This method incorporates band selective homo decoupled pulse and J‐scaling pulse into HMBC. In this method, high resolution cross peaks can be observed along the F₁ axis by J‐scaling pulse, and band selective homo decoupled pulse simplified multiplet signals. Determinations of ⁿJ_C–H and ⁿJ_H–H of multiplet signals can easily be performed using the proposed pulse sequence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of the unitary group approach to evaluate spin density for configuration interaction calculations in a basis of S2 eigenfunctions

We present an implementation of the spin‐dependent unitary group approach to calculate spin densities for configuration interaction calculations in a basis of spin symmetry‐adapted functions. Using S² eigenfunctions helps to reduce the size of configuration space and is beneficial in studies of the systems where selection of states of specific spin symmetry is crucial. To achieve this, we combine the method to calculate U(n) generator matrix elements developed by Downward and Robb (Theor. Chim. Acta 1977, 46, 129) with the approach of Battle and Gould to calculate U(2n) generator matrix elements (Chem. Phys. Lett. 1993, 201, 284). We also compare and contrast the spin density formulated in terms of the spin‐independent unitary generators arising from the group theory formalism and equivalent formulation of the spin density representation in terms of the one‐ and two‐electron charge densities.     

Two‐component calculations of spin–orbit effects for a van der Waals molecule Rn2

Electronic structures of the weakly bound Rn₂ were calculated by the two‐component Møller–Plesset second‐order perturbation and coupled‐cluster methods with relativistic effective core potentials including spin–orbit operators. The calculated spin–orbit effects are small, but depend strongly on the size of basis sets and the amount of electron correlations. Magnitudes of spin–orbit effects on D_e (0.7–3.0 meV) and R_e (−0.4∼−2.2 Å) of Rn₂ are comparable to previously reported values based on configuration interaction calculations. A two‐component approach seems to be a promising tool to investigate spin–orbit effects for the weak‐bonded systems containing heavy elements. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 139–143, 1999     

[Fe(TPT)2/3{MI(CN)2}2]⋅nSolv (MI=Ag,Au): New Bimetallic Porous Coordination Polymers with Spin‐Crossover Properties

Two new heterobimetallic porous coordination polymers with the formula [Fe(TPT)_2/3{M^I(CN)₂}₂] ? nSolv (TPT=[(2,4,6‐tris(4‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine]; M^I=Ag (nSolv=0, 1 MeOH, 2 CH₂Cl₂), Au (nSolv=0, 2 CH₂Cl₂)) have been synthesized and their crystal structures were determined at 120 K and 293 K by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. These structures crystallized in the trigonal R‐3m space group. The Fe^II ion resides at an inversion centre that defines a [FeN₆] coordination core. Four dicyanometallate groups coordinate at the equatorial positions, whilst the axial positions are occupied by the TPT ligand. Each TPT ligand is centred in a ternary axis and bridges three crystallographically equivalent Fe^II ions, whilst each dicyanometallate group bridges two crystallographically equivalent Fe^II ions that define a 3D network with the topology of NbO. There are two such networks, which interpenetrate each other, thereby giving rise to large spaces in which very labile solvent molecules are included (CH₂Cl₂ or MeOH). Crystallographic analysis confirmed the reversible structural changes that were associated with the occurrence of spin‐crossover behaviour at the Fe^II ions, the most significant structural variation being the change in unit‐cell volume (about 59 ų per Fe^II ion). The spin‐crossover behaviour has been monitored by means of thermal dependence of the magnetic properties, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and calorimetry.     

Phase structures and transition behaviors in polymers containing rigid rodlike backbones with flexible side chains. V. Methylene side‐chain effects on structure and molecular motion in a series of polyimides

A series of organo‐soluble hairy‐rod polyimides was recently synthesized from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and di[n‐alkyl]‐4,4′‐diamino‐6,6′‐dibromo‐2,2′‐biphenyldicarboxylate with side chains of varying lengths (the numbers of methylene units), BACBP(n). Dynamic mechanical (DM) results reveal two cooperative relaxation processes for BACBPs(n > 10), which correspond to the two (low‐ and high‐) transition temperatures observed in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For BACBPs(n < 10), although two DM relaxation processes can be observed, the low‐temperature relaxation peak shifts into a medium temperature region that is difficult to observe in DSC experiments. Measurements indicate that the density of BACBP(n)s decreases with increasing numbers of methylene units. A discontinuity in the rate of density change can be seen at BACBP(10). Variable temperature solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance experiments were also carried out to determine the molecular origins of each of the observed DM relaxation processes. The low‐ [for BACBPs(n > 10)] and possibly the medium‐ [for BACBPs(n < 10)] temperature relaxations are associated with the onset of motion in the side chains, and the high‐temperature relaxation is associated with motion in the backbones. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction analysis indicates that the lateral packing periodicity of the backbones in the unoriented polyimides changes its relationship with the side‐chain length at around 10 methylene units. In the oriented films of these polyimides, furthermore, those having the long side chains [BACBPs(n > 10)] adopt monoclinic unit cells, whereas those having the short side chains [BACBPs(n ≤ 10)] possess hexagonal unit cells. The drastic temperature difference between the low‐ and medium‐relaxation processes observed in DM experiments may be explained because of a change in the lateral packing arising from the variation of the side‐chain length. The limited mobility afforded the BACBPs(n ≤ 10) is a result of their more ordered conformation and interdigitation between the neighboring side chains. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1633–1646, 1999     

Polymerization of (p‐vinylphenyl)hydrogalvinoxyl and formation of a stable polyradical derivative

4‐[(3,5‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐oxo‐cyclohexa‐ 2,5‐dienylidene)methyl]styrene (abbreviated as (p‐vinylphenyl)hydrogalvinoxyl) was polymerized using AIBN as an initiator to give a bright yellow polymer with M w = 3.2 × 10⁴. The polymer was oxidized to give the corresponding polyradical derivative, whose spin concentration could be increased up to about 70 mol % depending on oxidative conditions. ESR signal line‐width in the solid state was greatly increased below 200 K for the polyradical with a high spin concentration (> 50 mol %). The magnetization and magnetic susceptibility indicated weak antiferromagnetic interaction among the radical sites. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 189–198, 1999     

Efficient generation of Heisenberg Hamiltonian matrices for VB calculations of potential energy surfaces

The spin‐Hamiltonian valence bond theory relies upon covalent configurations formed by singly occupied orbitals differing by their spin counterparts. This theory has been proven to be successful in studying potential energy surfaces of the ground and lowest excited states in organic molecules when used as a part of the hybrid molecular mechanics—valence bond method. The method allows one to consider systems with large active spaces formed by n electrons in n orbitals and relies upon a specially proposed graphical unitary group approach. At the same time, the restriction of the equality of the numbers of electrons and orbitals in the active space is too severe: it excludes from the consideration a lot of interesting applications. We can mention here carbocations and systems with heteroatoms. Moreover, the structure of the method makes it difficult to study charge‐transfer excited states because they are formed by ionic configurations. In the present work we tackle these problems by significant extension of the spin‐Hamiltonian approach. We consider (i) more general active space formed by n ± m electrons in n orbitals and (ii) states with the charge transfer. The main problem addressed is the generation of Hamiltonian matrices for these general cases. We propose a scheme combining operators of electron exchange and hopping, generating all nonzero matrix elements step‐by‐step. This scheme provides a very efficient way to generate the Hamiltonians, thus extending the applicability of spin‐Hamiltonian valence bond theory. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Structure and stability of high‐spin Aun(n = 2–8) clusters

The structures and relative stability of the maximum‐spin ⁿ⁺¹Au_n and ⁿAu (n = 2–8) clusters have been determined by density‐functional theory. The structure optimizations and vibrational frequency analysis are performed with the gradient‐corrections of Perdew along with his 1981 local correlation functional, combined with SBKJC effective core potential, augmented in the valence basis set by a set of f functions. We predicted the existence of a number of previously unknown isomers. The energetic and electronic properties of the small high‐spin gold clusters are strongly dependent on sizes. The high‐spin clusters tend to holding three‐dimensional geometry rather than planar form preferred in low‐spin situations. In whole high‐spin Au_n (n = 2–8) neutral and cationic species, ⁵Au₄, ²Au, and ⁴Au are predicted to be of high stability, which can be explained by valence bond theory. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Energy spectrum of extended Hubbard model with spin‐dependent hopping and related spin ladder model

We studied the energy spectrum of the 1‐D extended Hubbard model with spin‐dependent hopping and related spin ladder system formed by two coupled XXZ spin 1/2 chains with the interchain interaction of Ising type. It was proved that the model excitation spectrum has no gap excepting some special values of z‐projection of the ground‐state total spin. The thorough analytic consideration of two‐magnon states was given. The existence up to five bound states at specified value of quasimomentum of the pair of inverted spins was shown. We also present the results of density matrix renormalization group calculations that showed nonadequacy of the pair approximation for n‐magnon bound states of the extended model with the strong electron–electron interactions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002     

Confined Crystallization of Spin‐Crossover Nanoparticles in Block‐Copolymer Micelles

Nanoparticles of the spin‐crossover coordination polymer [FeL(bipy)]_n were synthesized by confined crystallization within the core of polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymer micelles. The 4VP units in the micellar core act as coordination sites for the Fe complex. In the bulk material, the spin‐crossover nanoparticles in the core are well isolated from each other allowing thermal treatment without disintegration of their structure. During annealing above the glass transition temperature of the PS block, the transition temperature is shifted gradually to higher temperatures from the as‐synthesized product (T_1/2↓=163 K and T_1/2↑=170 K) to the annealed product (T_1/2↓=203 K and T_1/2↑=217 K) along with an increase in hysteresis width from 6 K to 14 K. Thus, the spin‐crossover properties can be shifted towards the properties of the related bulk material. The stability of the nanocomposite allows further processing, such as electrospinning from solution.