Spin switching via targeted structural distortion

The deliberate "stepwise" structural distortion of the [MnIII6O2(sao)6(O2CR)2L4] (S = 4, Ueff = 28 K) family of SMMs (where sao2- is the dianion of salicylaldoxime or 2-hydroxybenzaldeyhyde oxime and L = MeOH, EtOH) via the use of derivatized oxime ligands and bulky carboxylates leads to a family of single-molecule magnets with larger spin ground states and enhanced blocking temperatures. Replacing sao2- and HCO2- in the molecule [MnIII6O2(sao)6(O2CH)2(MeOH)4] (1), with Et-sao2- (Et-saoH2 = 2-hydroxypropiophenone oxime) and Me3CCO2- (pivalate), produces the complex [MnIII6O2(Et-sao)6(O2CCMe3)2(EtOH)5] (2) that displays an S = 7 ground state with Ueff = 30 K. Replacing Me3CCO2- with PhCO2- produces the complex [MnIII6O2(Et-sao)6(O2CPh)2(EtOH)4(H2O)2] (3) that displays an S = 12 ground state with Ueff = 53 K. The ligand substitution invokes a subtle structural distortion to the core of the molecule evidenced by an increased "twisting" of the oxime moiety (Mn-N-O-Mn) and a change in carboxylate ligation, which, in turn, invokes a dramatic change in the observed magnetic properties by switching weak antiferromagnetic exchange to weak ferromagnetic exchange.     

Polymetallic clusters of iron(III) with derivatised salicylaldoximes

The synthesis and magnetic properties of the compounds [HNEt(3)][Fe(2)(OMe)(Ph-sao)(2) (Ph-saoH)(2)].5MeOH (1.5MeOH), [Fe(3)O(Et-sao)(O(2)CPh)(5)(MeOH)(2)].3MeOH (2.3MeOH), [Fe(4)(Me-sao)(4)(Me-saoH)(4)] (3), [HNEt(3)](2)[Fe(6)O(2)(Me-sao)(4)(SO(4))(2)(OMe)(4)(MeOH)(2)] (4), [Fe(8)O(3)(Me-sao)(3)(tea)(teaH)(3)(O(2)CMe)(3)] (5), [Fe(8)O(3)(Et-sao)(3)(tea)(teaH)(3)(O(2)CMe)(3)] (6), and [Fe(8)O(3)(Ph-sao)(3)(tea)(teaH)(3)(O(2)CMe)(3)] (7) are reported (Me-saoH(2) is 2'-hydroxyacetophenone oxime, Et-saoH(2) is 2'-hydroxypropiophenone oxime and Ph-saoH(2) is 2-hydroxybenzophenone oxime). 1-7 are the first Fe(III) compounds synthesised using the derivatised salicylaldoxime ligands, R-saoH(2). 1 is prepared by treatment of Fe(2)(SO(4))(3).6H(2)O with Ph-saoH(2) in the presence of NEt(3) in MeOH; 2 prepared by treatment of Fe(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O with Et-saoH(2) and NaO(2)CPh in the presence of NEt(4)OH in MeOH; 3 prepared by treatment of Fe(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O with Me-saoH(2) and NaO(2)CCMe(3) in the presence of NEt(4)OH in MeOH; and 4 prepared by treatment of Fe(2)(SO(4))(3).6H(2)O with Me-saoH(2) in the presence of NEt(3) in MeOH. 4 is a rare example of a polynuclear iron complex containing a coordinated SO(4)(2-) ion. Compounds 5-7 are prepared by treatment of Fe(O(2)CMe)(2) with Me-saoH(2) (5), Et-saoH(2) (6), Ph-saoH(2) (7) in the presence of H(3)tea (triethanolamine) in MeOH, and represent the largest nuclearity Fe(III) clusters containing salicyladoxime-based ligands, joining a surprisingly small family of characterised octanuclear Fe complexes. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibilty measurements of 1, 3 and 5-7 reveal all five complexes possess S = 0 spin ground states; 2 possesses an S = 1/2 spin ground state, while 4 has an S = 4 +/- 1 spin ground state.     

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of ferrous and ferric oxo/peroxo pivalate complexes in relation to Gif-type oxygenation of substrates

This study examines structural features and aspects of reactivity of Gif-type reagents, which depend on O2/Zn to mediate oxidation of hydrocarbons. The reagents investigated derive from the use of iron complexes with the anion of the weak carboxylic acid Me3CCO2H (pivalic acid (PivH)) in pyridine/PivH. In these solutions, the known compound [Fe3O(O2CCMe3)6(py)3] is reduced by Zn to generate yellow-green [FeII(O2CCMe3)2(py)4], which readily reverts to [Fe3O(O2CCMe3)6(py)3], and eventually to [Fe3O(O2CCMe3)6(py)3]+, upon exposure to dioxygen. All three species are equally well suited to mediate Gif-like oxygenation of substrates supported by O2/Zn. [FeIII3O(O2CCMe3)6(L)3]+ (L = H2O, py) is converted by H2O2 to afford the hexairon(III) peroxo compounds [Fe6(O2)(O)2(O2CCMe3)12(L)2] (L = Me3CCO2H, py), which feature a [Fe6(eta 2-mu 4-O2)(mu 3-O)2] core previously documented in the closely related [Fe6(O2)(O)2(O2CPh)12(H2O)2]. A similar peroxo species, [Fe6(O2)(O)2(O2CCMe3)2(O2CCF3)10(H2O)2], is obtained upon replacing all pivalate ligands by trifluoroacetate groups with the exception of those pivalates that bridge between the two [Fe3O(O2CCF3)5(H2O)]2+ units. The structure of the [Fe6(O2)(O)2] core in these peroxo species is found to range from a recliner to a butterfly-type conformation. Reduction of [Fe6(O2)(O)2(O2CCMe3)12(HO2CCMe3)2] with NaBH4 generates [Na2Fe4(O)2(O2CCMe3)10(L)(L')] (L = CH3CN, L' = Me2CO; L = L' = Me3CCO2H), which feature a [Na2Fe4(O)2] core possessing a bent butterfly conformation of the [Fe4(O)2] unit. Oxidation of the same peroxo complex by CeIV or NOBF4 regenerates the oxo-bridged [Fe3O(O2CCMe3)6(solv)3]+ (solv = EtOH, H2O, thf). Employment of the sterically encumbered 2-Me-5-Etpyridine provides the tetrairon compound [Fe4(O)2(O2CCMe3)8(2-Me-5-Etpy)2], which can be readily transformed upon treatment with H2O2 to the asymmetric peroxo complex [Fe6(O2)(O)2(O2CCMe3)12(2-Me-5-Etpy)2]. The peroxo-containing complexes oxidize both cis-stilbene and adamantane in either benzene or py/PivH, but only under forceful conditions and at very low yields. The low reactivity and high selectivity (tert/sec = 8) obtained in the oxidation of adamantane suggests that the present type of peroxo species is not directly involved in catalytic Gif-type oxygenations of adamantane.     

Hexa- and octanuclear iron(III) salicylaldoxime clusters

The syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of six iron complexes stabilised with the derivatised salicylaldoxime ligands Me-saoH(2) (2-hydroxyethanone oxime) and Et-saoH(2) (2-hydroxypropiophenone oxime) are discussed. The four hexanuclear and two octanuclear complexes of formulae [Fe(8)O(2)(OMe)(4)(Me-sao)(6)Br(4)(py)(4)]·2Et(2)O·MeOH (1·2Et(2)O·MeOH), [Fe(8)O(2)(OMe)(3.85)(N(3))(4.15)(Me-sao)(6)(py)(2)] (2), [Fe(6)O(2)(O(2)CPh-4-NO(2))(4)(Me-sao)(2)(OMe)(4)Cl(2)(py)(2)] (3), [Fe(6)O(2)(O(2)CPh-4-NO(2))(4)(Et-sao)(2)(OMe)(4)Cl(2)(py)(2)]·2Et(2)O·MeOH (4·2Et(2)O·MeOH), [HNEt(3)](2)[Fe(6)O(2)(Me-sao)(4)(SO(4))(2)(OMe)(4)(MeOH)(2)] (5) and [HNEt(3)](2)[Fe(6)O(2)(Et-sao)(4)(SO(4))(2)(OMe)(4)(MeOH)(2)] (6) all are built from a series of edge-sharing [Fe(4)(μ(4)-O)](10+) tetrahedra. Complexes 1 and 2 display a new μ(4)-coordination mode of the oxime ligand and join a small group of Fe-phenolic oxime complexes with nuclearity greater than six.     

Grafting derivatives of Mn6 single-molecule magnets with high anisotropy energy barrier on Au111 surface

We study the magnetic properties of two new functionalized single-molecule magnets belonging to the Mn 6 family (general formula [Mn (III)6O2(R-sao)6(O2C-th)2L(4-6)], where R=H (1) or Et (2), HO2C-th=3-thiophene carboxylic acid, L=EtOH, H2O and saoH2 is salicylaldoxime) and their grafting on the Au(111) surface. Complex 1 exhibits spin ground-state S=4, as the result of ferromagnetic coupling between the two antiferromagnetic Mn (III) 3 triangles, while slight structural changes in complex 2, switch the dominant magnetic exchange interactions from anti- to ferromagnetic, enhancing the spin ground-state to S=12 and, consequently, the effective energy barrier for the relaxation of magnetization. Direct-current and alternating-current magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the functionalized complexes preserve the main magnetic properties of the corresponding not-functionalized Mn 6 clusters (i.e., total spin value and magnetic behavior as a function of temperature), though a reduction of the anisotropy barrier is observed in complex 2. For both complexes, the -O2C-th functionalization allows the direct grafting on Au(111) surface by liquid-phase deposition. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy demonstrates that the stoichiometry of the molecular cores is preserved after grafting. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) reveals a sub-monolayer distribution of isolated clusters with a slightly higher coverage for complex 1. The cluster stability in the STM images and the S-2p energy positions demonstrate, for both derivatives, the strength of the grafting with the gold surface.     

Ferromagnetic manganese "cubes": from PSII to single-molecule magnets

The reaction of Mn(O?CMe)?·2H?O with Me-saoH? (Me-saoH? = 2-hydroxyphenylethanone oxime) in MeCN forms the complex [Mn(III)?(Me-sao)?(Me-saoH)?] (1) in good yields. Replacing Me-saoH? with Naphth-saoH? (Naphth-saoH? = 2-hydroxy-1-napthaldoxime) in the presence of CH?ONa forms the complex [Mn(III)?(Naphth-sao)?(Naphth-saoH)?] (2) in low yields, while the reaction between Mn(ClO?)?·6H?O, Et-saoH? (Et-saoH?= 2-hydroxypropiophenone oxime) and NBu?OH in MeCN gives the complex [Mn(III)?(Et-sao)?(Et-saoH)?] (3) in moderate yields. All three tetrametallic cages exclusively contain Mn(III) centres arranged in a "cube"-like topology, in which the metal centres are connected by -N-O(oximate) groups. The magnetic properties of 1-3 are near identical, revealing the presence of only ferromagnetic interactions between the metal ions leading to high-spin ground states of S = 8. The complexes display frequency dependent out-of-phase signals in ac susceptibility studies and, in the case of 1 single-molecule magnetism has been observed by means of single-crystal hysteresis loop measurements.     

Enhancing SMM properties in a family of [Mn6] clusters

The complex [Mn(6)O(2)(Et-sao)(6)(O(2)C(11)H(15))(2)(EtOH)(6)] has U(eff) = 80 K.     

Syntheses of four-membered metallacyclic complexes with nitrosylruthenium and their ring-opening upon HCl addition

Symmetrically disubstituted bis(3-hydroxyalkynyl) complex [TpRu{C[triple chemical bond]CCPh(2)(OH)}(2)(NO)] (1) (Tp = BH(pyrazol-1-yl)(3)) and unsymmetrically mixed (arylalkynyl)(3-hydroxyalkynyl) congener [TpRu(C[triple chemical bond]CC(6)H(4)Me){C[triple chemical bond]CCPh(2)(OH)}(NO)] (2) were newly prepared. Treatment of 1 or 2 with p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate was carried out to give unusual four-membered metallacyclic complexes [TpRu{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)C(=CPh(2))}(NO)] (3) and [TpRu{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)CH(C(6)H(4)Me)}(NO)] (5), respectively, as major products. Formation mechanism of 3 and 5 would involve insertion of the generated allenylidene group (Ru=C=C=CPh(2)) into the other Ru--C(alkynyl) bond, followed by hydration of the resulting alpha-alkynyl--allenyl fragment. With regards to the chemical reactivity of their four-membered metallacycles, treatment with aq. HCl in MeOH afforded the ring-opened one-HCl adducts, [TpRuCl{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)CH=CPh(2)}(NO)] (7) and [TpRuCl{C(=C=CPh(2))C(O)CH(2)(C(6)H(4)Me)}(NO)] (8). On the other hand, the use of CH(2)Cl(2) and THF as the reaction solvent gave another type of one-HCl adducts [TpRu{CH(C(Cl)=CPh(2))C(O)C(==CPh(2))}(NO)] (9 a/9 b) and [TpRu{CH(C(Cl)=CPh(2))C(O)CH(C(6)H(4)Me)}(NO)] (11 a/11 b) as diastereomeric pairs, still retaining the four-membered ring structure. Moreover, their kinetically controlled products 9 b and 11 b were treated with aq. HCl to afford the ring-opened two-HCl adducts [TpRuCl{C(C(Cl)=CPh(2))(H)C(O)CH=CPh(2)}(NO)] (10) and [TpRuCl{CH(C(6)H(4)Me)C(O)CH(2)(C(Cl)=CPh(2))}(NO)] (12), respectively. In 10 and 12, each one Ru--C bond is cleaved at mutually different positions in the ring. Protonation on the carbonyl group would trigger the formation of 7-12.     

Highly reduced, polyoxo(alkoxo)vanadium(III/IV) clusters

A family of high nuclearity oxo(alkoxo)vanadium clusters in unprecedentedly low oxidation states is reported, synthesised from simple vanadium diketonate precursors in alcohols under solvothermal conditions. Crystal structures of [V18(O)12(OH)2(H2O)4(EtO)22(O2CPh)6(acac)2] (1), [V16Na2(O)18(EtO)16(EtOH)2(O2CPh)6(HO2CPh)2]infinity (2), [V13(O)13(EtO)15(EtOH)(RCO2)3] in which R=adamantyl (3) or Ph3C (4), and [V11(O)12(EtO)13(EtOH)(Ph3CCO2)2(MePO3)] (5) are reported, revealing these to be {VIII 16VIV 2} (1), {VIII 9VIV 3VV} (3 and 4) and {VIII 3VIV 8} (5) clusters, while 2 consists of isolated {VIII 8VIV 8} clusters bridged into polymeric chains by {Na2(OEt)2} fragments. Solvothermal conditions are essential to the formation of these species, and the level of oxidation of the isolated clusters is in part controlled by the crystallisation time, with the lowest mean-oxidation-state species being isolated by direct crystallisation on controlled cooling of the reaction solutions.     

Mn12O12(OMe)2(O2CPh)16(H2O)2]2- single-molecule magnets and other manganese compounds from a reductive aggregation procedure

A new synthetic procedure has been developed in Mn cluster chemistry involving reductive aggregation of permanganate (MnO4-) ions in MeOH in the presence of benzoic acid, and the first products from its use are described. The reductive aggregation of NBu(n)4MnO4 in MeOH/benzoic acid gave the new 4Mn(IV), 8Mn(III) anion [Mn12O12(OMe)2(O2CPh)16(H2O)2]2-, which was isolated as a mixture of two crystal forms (NBu(n)4)2[Mn12O12(OMe)2(O2CPh)16(H2O)2].2H2O.4CH2Cl2 (1a) and (NBu(n)4)2[Mn12O12(OMe)2(O2CPh)16(H2O)2].2H2O.CH2Cl2 (1b). The anion of 1 contains a central [Mn(IV)4(mu3-O)2(mu-O)2(mu-OMe)2]6+ unit surrounded by a nonplanar ring of eight Mn(III) atoms that are connected to the central Mn4 unit by eight bridging mu3-O2- ions. This compound is very similar to the well-known [Mn12O12(O2CR)16(H2O)4] complexes (hereafter called "normal Mn12"), with the main difference being the structure of the central cores. Longer reaction times (approximately 2 weeks) led to isolation of polymeric [Mn(OMe)(O2CPh)2]n2, which contains a linear chain of repeating [Mn(III)(mu-O2CPh)2(mu-OMe)Mn(III)] units. The chains are parallel to each other and interact weakly through pi-stacking between the benzoate rings. When KMnO4 was used instead of NBu(n)4MnO4, two types of compounds were obtained, [Mn12O12(O2CPh)16(H2O)4] (3), a normal Mn12 complex, and [Mn4O2(O2CPh)8(MeOH)4].2MeOH (4.2MeOH), a new member of the Mn4 butterfly family. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 exhibits three irreversible processes, two reductions and one oxidation. One-electron reduction of 1 by treatment with 1 equiv of I- in CH2Cl2 gave (NBu(n)4[Mn12O12(O2CPh)16(H2O)3].6CH2Cl2 (5.6CH2Cl2), a normal Mn12 complex in a one-electron reduced state. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 1, 2, and 5 were studied by both direct current (dc) and alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements. Variable-temperature dc magnetic susceptibility studies revealed that (i) complex 1 possesses an S = 6 ground state, (ii) complex 2 contains antiferromagnetically coupled chains, and (iii) complex 5 is a typical [Mn12]- cluster with an S = 19/2 ground state. Variable-temperature ac susceptibility measurements suggested that 5 and both isomeric forms of 1 (1a,b) are single-molecule magnets (SMMs). This was confirmed by the observation of hysteresis loops in magnetization vs dc field scans. In addition, 1a,b, like normal Mn12 clusters, display both faster and slower relaxing magnetization dynamics that are assigned to the presence of Jahn-Teller isomerism.     

A family of hexanuclear Mn(III) single-molecule magnets

In an attempt to employ salicylic acid (HOsalH), 2,6-dihydroxy benzoic acid {(HO)₂PhCO₂H}, and naphthalene-1,8-dicarboxylic acid {1,8-naph(CO₂H)₂} in Mn(III) salicylaldoximate chemistry as a means to alter the structural identity of the hexanucluear clusters usually obtained from this reaction system, we have isolated a family of hexanuclear Mn(III) complexes based on salicyladloxime (saoH₂) and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde oxime (naphthsaoH₂). Five hexanuclear clusters, [Mn₆O₂(sao)₆(HOsal)₂(EtOH)₄]·EtOH (1·EtOH), [Mn₆O₂(sao)₆{1,8-naph(CO₂Me)(CO₂)}₂(MeOH)₆]·3MeOH (2·3MeOH), [Mn₆O₂(naphthsao)₆{1,8-naph(CO₂Et)(CO₂)}₂(EtOH)₆] (3·2MeOH), [Mn₆O₂(naphthsao)₆(MeCO₂)₂(EtOH)₄]·2H₂O (4·2H₂O), and [Mn₆O₂(naphthsao)₆{(HO)₂PhCO₂}₂(EtOH)₄]·4EtOH (5·4EtOH), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The magnetic properties of 3, 4, and 5 are discussed.     

New structural types and different oxidation levels in the family of Mn6-oxime single-molecule magnets

The synthesis and magnetic properties of three new members of a family of salicyaldoxime based [Mn6] single-molecule magnets possessing new structural types, core topologies and Mn oxidation state distributions are reported. The isostructural complexes [MnIII6O2(R-sao)6(X)2(EtOH)6] (R = Et, X = Br (1); R = Me, X = I (2)) exhibit single-molecule magnet behaviour with spin Hamiltonian parameters S = 12, g = 1.98 and D = -0.36 cm(-1) in both cases. The hexametallic cluster [MnIII4MnIV2O2(OMe)(4-)(Et-sao)6(MeOH)2].MeOH (3.MeOH) possesses a planar rod-like topology and a mixed valent [MnIV4MnIII2] core, which is unprecedented in this family of [Mn6] SMMs.     

Tetranuclear clusters containing a CrIII-doped MnIII4O2 core: syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties

The oxidation of MnII carboxylates by (NBu4)Cr2O7 in the presence of different phosphonic acids and chelating ligands results in six CrIII-doped tetranuclear manganese clusters formulated [Mn3CrO2(O2CCH3)4(O3PC5H4N)2(bpy)2] (1), [Mn3CrO2(O2CCH3)4(O3PC5H4N)2(phen)2] (2), [Mn3CrO2(O2CPh)4(O3PC5H4NO)2(phen)2] (3), [Mn3CrO2(O2CPh)4(O3PC6H11)2(bpy)2] (4), [Mn 3CrO2(O2CPh)4(O3PC6H11)2(phen) 2] (5), and [Mn3CrO2(O2CCH3)4(O3PC6H11)2(bpy)2] (6). Single-crystal X-ray analyses reveal that all the compounds contain similar [M4O2]8+ cores with the four metal sites arranged in planar topologies. The metal ions within the core are bridged by both carboxylate and phosphonate ligands. Temperature-dependent magnetic measurements show that in all cases dominant antiferromagnetic interactions are propagated between the metal centers. The ac magnetic measurements on compounds 5 and 6 reveal that both the in-phase and the out-of-phase signals are frequency dependent, characteristic of single-molecule magnet behaviors.     

Oxo-, hydroxo-, and peroxo-bridged Fe(III) phosphonate cages

A series of five Fe(III) phosphonate clusters with four different topologies is reported. The choice of coligand carboxylate plays an important role in directing the structure of the molecule. [Fe9(O)4(O2CCMe3)13(C10P)3] (1) and [Fe9(O)2(OH)(CO2Ph)10(C10P)6(H2O)2](CH3CN)7 (2; camphyl phosphonic acid, C10H17PO3H2 = C10PH2) represent two unprecedented nonanuclear Fe(III) cages having Fe9O4 and Fe9(O)2(OH) core structures, respectively. Whereas [Fe6O2(O)2(O2CCMe3)8(C10P)2 (H2O)2](CH3CN)4 (3) is a peroxo-bridged hexameric compound with an Fe6(O)2(O2) core. [Fe4(O)(O2CCMe3)4(C10P)3(Py)4](CH3CN)3 (4) and [Fe4(O)(O2CPh)4(C10P)3(Py)4](Py)3(CH3CN)2 (5; Py = pyridine) represents two tetranuclear clusters with the same Fe4O core structure.     

Nickel pivalate complexes: structural variations and magnetic susceptibility and inelastic neutron scattering studies

The synthesis and structural characterisation of three small nickel(II) cages are reported, all stabilised by pivalate ligands. The magnetic properties of the cages have been studied by a combination of susceptibility measurements and inelastic neutron scattering. For a dinuclear cage, [Ni2(mu-OH2)(O2CCMe3)4(HO2CCMe3)4] 1 the ground state is S=2, with a ferromagnetic exchange interaction between the Ni(II) centres of J=0.32 meV and D(S=2)=-0.09 meV in the ground state. For a tetranuclear heterocubane cage, [Ni4(mu(3)-OMe)4(O2CCMe3)4(MeOH)4] 2, two ferromagnetic exchange interactions are found and an S=4 ground state observed. While the zero-field splitting of this state cannot be determined unambigiously the most likely value is DS=4=-0.035 meV. For a tetranuclear nickel butterfly, [Ni4(mu3-OH)2(O2CCMe3)6(EtOH)6] 3, three exchange interactions are required, two anti-ferromagnetic and one weakly ferromagnetic; the resulting ground state is S=0. The data enable us to estimate the zero-field splitting of single Ni(II) ions involved in the cage as Di=+1.0 meV. Both and are therefore expected to be new single molecule magnets.     

Single-molecule magnets: a family of MnIII/CeIV complexes with a [Mn8CeO8]12+ core

Four heterometallic, enneanuclear Mn8Ce clusters [Mn8CeO8(O2CMe)12(H2O)4] (4), [Mn8CeO8(O2CMe)12(py)4] (5), [Mn8CeO8(O2CPh)12(MeCN)4] [Mn8CeO8(O2CPh)12(dioxane)4] (6), and [Mn8CeO8(O2CCHPh2)12(H2O)4] (7) have been prepared by various methods. Their cores are essentially isostructural and comprise a nonplanar, saddlelike [MnIII8O8]8+ loop containing a central CeIV ion attached to the eight micro3-O2- ions. Peripheral ligation around the [Mn8CeO8]12+ core is provided by eight micro- and four micro3-O2CR- groups. Terminal ligation on four MnIII atoms is provided by H2O in 4 and 7, pyridine in 5, and MeCN/dioxane in 6. Solid-state magnetic susceptibility studies, fits of dc magnetization vs field and temperature data, and in-phase ac susceptibility studies in a zero dc field have established that complexes 4, 5, and 7 possess S=16, S=4 or 5, and S=6+/-1 spin ground states, respectively, but in all cases there are very low-lying excited states. The large variation in the ground-state spins for this isostructural family is rationalized as due to a combination of weak exchange interactions between the constituent MnIII atoms, and the presence of both nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-interactions of comparable magnitudes. Magnetization vs applied dc field sweeps on single crystals of 4.4H2O and 7.4H2O.3MeCN.2CH2Cl2 down to 0.04 K have established that these two complexes are new single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The former also shows an exchange-bias, a perturbation of its single-molecule properties from very weak intermolecular interactions mediated by hydrogen-bonding interactions with lattice-water molecules of crystallization.     

Synthesis and characterization of mixed-valent manganese phosphonate cage complexes

The reaction of phenylphosphonic acid (PhPO(3)H(2)) with the mixed-valent basic oxo-centered manganese triangle [Mn(3)O(O(2)CCMe(3))(6)(py)(3)] (1; where py=pyridine) in the presence of a suitable base gives four different manganese clusters depending on the identity of the base. The syntheses and structural characterization of [Mn(18)(mu(3)-O)(8)(PhPO(3))(14)(O(2)CCMe(3))(12)(py)(6)(H(2)O)(2)] (2), [Mn(7)(mu(3)-O)(3)(O(3)PPh)(3)(O(2)CCMe(3))(8)(py)(3)] (3), [Mn(9)Na(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(4)-O)(2)(O(3)PPh)(2)(O(2)CCMe(3))(12)(H(2)O)(2)(H(2)O)(0.67)(Py)(0.33)] (4), and [Mn(13)(mu(3)-O)(8)(OMe)(8)(O(3)PPh)(4)(O(2)CCMe(3))(10)] (5) are described. Complexes 4 and 5 are homovalent Mn(III) cages, while 2 and 3 contain divalent, trivalent, and/or tetravalent ions. All the manganese centers are valence-localized, the octahedral Mn(III) sites being recognizable by marked Jahn-Teller distortions. The magnetic properties of compounds 2-5 have been investigated in the polycrystalline state by magnetic susceptibility and high-field magnetization measurements, which reveal that spin ground states vary from 0< or =S > or =8. AC susceptibility measurements performed on 4 and 5, in the 1.6-10.0 K ranges show the presence of out of AC susceptibility signal (chi(M)') for 4, and an effective energy barrier (U(eff)) for the re-orientation of the magnetization is found to be 17 K, but for 5, the chi(M)' maximum is found to be below 1.5 K.     

Mixed-valence tetra- and hexanuclear manganese complexes from the flexibility of pyridine-containing beta-diketone ligands

The reactions of [Mn3O(O2CCCl3)6(H2O)3] with 1-phenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)propane-1,3-dione (HL(1)) and 1-(2-pyridly)-3-(p-tolyl)propane-1,3-dione (HL(2)) in CH2Cl2 afford the mixed-valence Mn(II)2Mn(III)2 tetranuclear complexes [Mn4O(O2CCCl3)6(L(1))2] (1) and [Mn4O(O2CCCl3)6L2(2)] (2), respectively. Similar reactions employing [Mn3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)(py)2] with HL(1) and HL(2) give the Mn(II)3Mn(III)3 hexanuclear complexes [Mn6O2(O2CPh)8(L(1))3] (3) and [Mn6O2(O2CPh)8L3(2)] (4), respectively. Complexes 1.2CH2Cl2, 2.2CH2Cl2.H2O, 3.1.5CH2Cl2.Et2O.H2O, and 4.2CH2Cl2 crystallize in the triclinic space group P1, monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, monoclinic space group P2 1/ n, and monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 consist of a trapped-valence tetranuclear core of [Mn(II)2Mn(III)2(mu4-O)](8+), and complexes 3 and 4 represent a new structural type, possessing a [Mn(II)3Mn(III)3(mu4-O)2](11+) core. The magnetic data indicate that complexes 3 and 4 have a ground-state spin value of S = 7/2 with significant magnetoanisotropy as gauged by the D values of -0.51 cm (-1) and -0.46 cm (-1), respectively, and frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals in alternating current magnetic susceptibility studies indicate their superparamagnetic behavior. In contrast, complexes 1 and 2 are low-spin molecules with an S = 1 ground state. Single-molecule magnetism behavior confirmed for 3 the presence of sweep-rate and temperature-dependent hysteresis loops in single-crystal M versus H studies at temperatures down to 40 mK.     

New members of the [Mn6/oxime] family and analogues with converging [Mn3] planes

The synthesis, structural, and magnetic characterization of five new members of the hexanuclear oximate [Mn^III₆] family are reported. All five clusters can be described with the general formula [Mn^III₆O₂(R-sao)₆(R′-CO₂)₂(sol)_x(H₂O)_y] (where R-saoH₂ = salicylaldoxime substituted at the oxime carbon with R = H, Me and Et; R′ = 1-naphthalene, 2-naphthalene, and 1-pyrene; sol = MeOH, EtOH, or MeCN; x = 0–4 and y = 0–4). More specifically, the reaction of Mn(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O with salicylaldoxime-like ligands and the appropriate carboxylic acid in alcoholic or MeCN solutions in the presence of base afforded complexes 1–5: [Mn₆O₂(Me-sao)₆(1-naphth-CO₂)₂(H₂O)(MeCN)]·4MeCN (1·4MeCN); [Mn₆O₂(Me-sao)₆(2-naphth-CO₂)₂(H₂O)(MeCN)]·3MeCN·0.1H₂O (2·3MeCN·0.1H₂O); [Mn₆O₂(Et-sao)₆(2-naphth-CO₂)₂(EtOH)₄(H₂O)₂] (3); [Mn₆O₂(Et-sao)₆(2-naphth-CO₂)₂(MeOH)₆] (4) and [Mn₆O₂(sao)₆(1-pyrene-CO₂)₂(H₂O)₂(EtOH)₂]·6EtOH (5·6EtOH). Clusters 3, 4, and 5 display the usual [Mn₆/oximate] structural motif consisting of two [Mn₃O] subunits bridged by two O_oximate atoms from two R-sao^2? ligands to form the hexanuclear complex in which the two triangular [Mn₃] units are parallel to each other. On the contrary, clusters 1 and 2 display a highly distorted stacking arrangement of the two [Mn₃] subunits resulting in two converging planes, forming a novel motif in the [Mn₆] family. Investigation of the magnetic properties for all complexes reveal dominant antiferromagnetic interactions for 1, 2, and 5, while 3 and 4 display dominant ferromagnetic interactions with a ground state of S = 12 for both clusters. Finally, 3 and 4 display single-molecule magnet behavior with U_eff = 63 and 36 K, respectively.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Di-, Tri- and Tetra-nuclear Cobalt(II)-Lanthanide(III) Carboxylate Complexes

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