2,2′-Bipyridine-6,6′-diyl bisnitroxide as a paramagnetic host: Encapsulation of a zinc(II) ion

A chelate complex of zinc(II) and 2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-diyl bis(tert-butyl nitroxide) (bpybNO) with a metal/ligand ratio of 1/2 was structurally characterized to be [Zn(bpybNO)₂][Zn(hfac)₃]₂, where Hhfac stands for 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione. The magnetic susceptibility measurement indicates the presence of considerable antiferromagnetic interaction among the four S = 1/2 spins. The exchange parameter J was estimated as 2J/k_B = −103(1) K, on the basis of a tetrahedral coupling model. The antiferromagnetic coupling is stronger after complexation than before. The density-functional theory calculation on related model compounds supports the present analysis and clarified the role of the zinc ion as a superexchange coupler.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new dinuclear copper(II) amino acid complex [Cu2(l-arg)2(μ-HPO4-O)(μ-HPO4-O,O′)(μ-OH)] · (H3O) · (H2O)6

A novel dinuclear copper(II) complex with the amino acid l-arginine (l-arg), with mono and bidentate HPO₄²⁻ oxoanions and an OH⁻ anion. [Cu₂(l-arg)₂(μ-HPO₄-O)(μ-HPO₄-O,O′)(μ-OH)]⁻ · (H₃O)⁺ · 6H₂O (1) was prepared and its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The two independent copper ions are in a distorted square pyramidal coordination, each bonded to one l-arginine molecule. These two Cu(l-arg) units are bridged by two monoatomic equatorial–apical oxygen ligands belonging to a monodentate hydrogenphosphate group, and to the hydroxyl group. The copper ions in the dinuclear unit at d = 3.1948(8) Å are also connected by two equatorial oxygen belonging to a bidentate hydrogenphosphate. This dinuclear character and bridging scheme, not common for metal–amino acid compounds, is a consequence of the properties of the phosphate anions. The magnetic susceptibility at temperatures between 2 and 300 K and the isothermal magnetization curves at T = 2.29(1) K with applied fields up to 9 T were measured. The magnetic data indicate an antiferromagnetic intradinuclear exchange coupling J/k_B = −3.7(1) K and using a molecular field approximation we estimated a weaker ferromagnetic interaction J′/k_B ∼ 0.3 K between neighbour dinuclear units.     

Theoretical study of intra- and inter-chain magnetic interactions in [Ni(chxn)2Br]Br2

The intra- and the inter-chain magnetic interactions in [Ni(chxn)₂Br]Br₂, which is one of the typical one-dimensional (1-D) MX complexes are examined by using an unrestricted hybrid DFT (UB3LYP) method. Calculated effective exchange integral (J) value along the 1-D chain is 2J_Intra = −4016 K and is close to an experimental result (−3600 K). On the other hand, a very weak anti-ferromagnetic inter-chain interaction through Br⁻ ions is observed. The value is estimated to be 2J_Inter = −2 to −6 K. In addition to the J values, transfer integral (t), on-site Coulomb repulsion (U) and charge transfer energy (E^CT) values along the 1-D chain are also estimated to be 0.46, 2.46 and 0.6 eV, respectively.     

Characterization of quasi-one-dimensional S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnets Sr2Cu(PO4)2 and Ba2Cu(PO4)2 with magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and thermal analysis

Properties of Sr₂Cu(PO₄)₂ and Ba₂Cu(PO₄)₂ having [Cu(PO₄)₂]_∞ linear chains in their structures with Cu-O-P-O-Cu linkages were studied by magnetic susceptibility (T=2-400 K, H=100 Oe) and specific heat measurements (T=0.45-21 K). Magnetic susceptibility versus temperature curves, χ(T), showed broad maxima at T_M=92 K for Sr₂Cu(PO₄)₂ and T_M=82 K for Ba₂Cu(PO₄)₂ characteristic of quasi-one-dimensional systems. The χ(T) data were excellently fitted by the spin susceptibility curve for the uniform S=1/2 chain (plus temperature-independent and Curie-Weiss terms) with g=2.153(4) and J/k_B=143.6(2) K for Sr₂Cu(PO₄)₂ and g=2.073(4) and J/k_B=132.16(9) K for Ba₂Cu(PO₄)₂ (Hamiltonian H=JΣS_iS_i+1). The similar J/k_B values were obtained from the specific heat data. No anomaly was observed on the specific heat from 0.45 to 21 K for both compounds indicating that the temperatures of long-range magnetic ordering, T_N, were below 0.45 K. Sr₂Cu(PO₄)₂ and Ba₂Cu(PO₄)₂ are an excellent physical realization of the S=1/2 linear chain Heisenberg antiferromagnet with k_BT_N/J<0.34% together with Sr₂CuO₃ (k_BT_N/J≈0.25%) and γ-LiV₂O₅ (k_BT_N/J<0.16%). Sr₂Cu(PO₄)₂ and Ba₂Cu(PO₄)₂ were stable in air up to 1280 and 1150 K, respectively.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of Na6Co2O6

Na₆Co₂O₆ was synthesized via the azide/nitrate route by reaction between NaN₃, NaNO₃ and Co₃O₄. Stoichiometric mixtures of the starting materials were heated in a special regime up to 500°C and annealed at this temperature for 50 h in silver crucibles. Single crystals have been grown by subsequent annealing of the reaction product at 500°C for 500 h in silver crucibles, which were sealed in glass ampoules under dried Ar. According to the X-ray analysis of the crystal structure (, Z=1, a=5.7345(3), b=5.8903(3), c=6.3503(3) Å, α=64.538(2), β=89.279(2), γ=85.233(2)°, 1006 independent reflections, R₁=8.34% (all data)), cobalt is tetrahedrally coordinated by oxygen. Each two CoO₄ tetrahedra are linked through a common edge forming Co₂O₆^6- anions. Cobalt ions within the dimers, being in a high spin state (S=2), are ferromagnetically coupled (J=17 cm^-1). An intercluster spin exchange (zJ′=−4.8 cm^-1) plays a significant role below 150 K and leads to an antiferromagnetically ordered state below 30 K. Heat capacity exhibits a λ-type anomaly at this temperature and yields a value of 19.5 J/mol K for the transition entropy, which is in good agreement with the theoretical value calculated for the ordering of the ferromagnetic-coupled dimers. In order to construct a model for the spin interactions in Na₆Co₂O₆, the magnetic properties of Na₅CoO₄ have been measured. This compound features isolated CoO₄ tetrahedra and shows a Curie-Weiss behavior (μ=5.14 μ_B, Θ=−20 K) down to 15 K. An antiferromagmetic ordering is observed in this compound below 10 K.     

Neutron diffraction studies of RSn1+xGe1−x (R=Tb-Er) compounds

The magnetic structures of RSn_1+xGe_1−x (R=Tb, Dy, Ho and Er, x≈0.1) compounds have been determined by neutron diffraction studies on polycrystalline samples. The data recorded in a paramagnetic state confirmed the orthorhombic crystal structure described by the space group Cmcm. These compounds are antiferromagnets at low temperatures. The magnetic ordering in TbSn_1.12Ge_0.88 is sine-modulated described by the propagation vector k=(0.4257(2), 0, 0.5880(3)). Tb magnetic moment equals 9.0(1) μ_B at 1.62 K. It lies in the b-c plane and form an angle θ=17.4(2)° with the c-axis. This structure is stable up to the Nèel temperature equal to 31 K. The magnetic structures of RSn_1+xGe_1−x, where R are Dy, Ho and Er at low temperatures are described by the propagation vector k=(1/2, 1/2, 0) with the sequence (++−+) of magnetic moments in the crystal unit cell. In DySn_1.09Ge_0.91 and HoSn_1.1Ge_0.9 magnetic moments equal 7.25(15) and 8.60(6) μ_B at 1.55 K, respectively. The moments are parallel to the c-axis. For Ho-compound this ordering is stable up to T_N=10.7 K. For ErSn_1.08Ge_0.92, the Er magnetic moment equals 7.76(7) μ_B at T=1.5 K and it is parallel to the b-axis. At T_t=3.5 K it tunes into the modulated structure described by the k=(0.496(1), 0.446(4), 0). With the increase of temperature there is a slow decrease of k_x component and a quick decrease of k_y component. The Er magnetic moment is parallel to the b-axis up to 3.9 K while at 4 K and above it lies in the b-c plane and form an angle 48(3)° with the c-axis. In compounds with R=Tb, Ho and Er the magnetostriction effect at the Nèel temperature is observed.     

On the magnetic structure of DyNiO3

The crystallographic structure of DyNiO₃ has been investigated at T=200, 100, and 2 K from high-resolution neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data. We show that the structure is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, from the metal-insulator transition temperature at T_MI=564 K down to 2 K. The Ni atoms occupy two different sites 2d (Ni1) and 2c (Ni2), whose valences, estimated from bond-valence consideration, are +2.43(1) and +3.44(1) at 2 K, respectively. This is interpreted as the result of a partial charge disproportionation of the type 2Ni³⁺→Ni1^(3−δ)++Ni2^(3+δ)+, with δ≈0.55 at T=2 K. The magnetic structure has been studied from a NPD pattern at T=2 K, well below the establishment of the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering at T_N=154 K, as well as from sequential data collected from 16 K down to 2 K. The magnetic order is defined by the propagation vector k=(1/2,0,1/2). Two possible magnetic structures are compatible with the magnetic intensities. In the second solution both Ni sublattices participate in the magnetic order, as well as Dy since it corresponds to a total disproportionation of Ni³⁺ to Ni²⁺ and Ni⁴⁺. In the second solution both Ni sublattices participate in the magnetic order, as well as Dy. The magnetic moments for Ni1 and Ni2 atoms at T=2 K are 1.8 (2) and 0.8 (2) μ_B, respectively. These values are also compatible with a partial charge disproportionation. Dy³⁺ ions exhibit long-range magnetic ordering below 8 K. An abrupt contraction of the unit-cell volume is observed at this temperature, due to a magnetoelastic coupling. The magnetic moment for Dy³⁺ at T=2 K is 7.87 (6) μ_B.     

Physical and optical properties of the quaternary sulfides SrCu2MS4 and EuCu2MS4 (M=Ge and Sn)

Four quaternary sulfides SrCu₂MS₄ and EuCu₂MS₄ (M=Ge and Sn) were prepared from a thoroughly ground mixture of EuS or SrS, Cu, or Sn, and S in stoichiometric proportions. Electrical conductivity measurements on pressed pellets showed that all the phases are semiconductors. The optical band gaps were assessed at 2.8 eV for SrCu₂GeS₄, 2.1 eV for SrCu₂SnS₄, 2.2 eV for EuCu₂SnS₄, and 1.6 eV for EuCu₂GeS₄. Both Sr-based compounds present a temperature-independent paramagnetism, of about +135×10⁻⁶ and +92×10⁻⁶ emu/mol, for SrCu₂SnS₄ and SrCu₂GeS₄, respectively. In the case of the europium compounds, they follow a Curie-Weiss dependence above 1.8 K (EuCu₂GeS₄) and above 4 K (for EuCu₂SnS₄), with values of the magnetic effective moment μ_eff and the Curie-Weiss temperature Θ, equal to 6.27 μ_B and −2.8 K for EuCu₂GeS₄, and 6.81 μ_B and +0.7 K, for EuCu₂SnS₄. The experimental magnetic moments confirm that the europium ion is in divalent state, similar to Sr in the related compounds.     

2-Pyridyl ketone oximes in iron(III) carboxylate chemistry: Synthesis,structural and physical studies of tetranuclear clusters containing the [Fe4(μ3-O)2] ‘butterfly’ core

The use of 2-pyridyl ketone oximes, pyC(R)NOH (R = H, Me), in iron(III) carboxylate chemistry yielded the tetranuclear complexes [Fe₄O₂Cl₂(O₂CPh)₂{pyC(R)NO}₄] (R = H, 1; R = Me, 2). The crystal structure of 2 revealed the presence of a central [Fe₄(μ₃-O)₂]⁸⁺ core comprising four Fe^III ions in a ‘butterfly’ disposition and two μ₃-O²⁻ ions, each bridging three Fe^III ions forming the ‘wings’ of the ‘butterfly’. The Mössbauer spectra from polycrystalline samples of 2 consist of composite quadrupole-split doublets, with parameters typical for high-spin iron(III) in octahedral environments. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on 2 revealed antiferromagnetic interactions between the S = 5/2 ferric ions; fits to the data required the use of two different parameters for the wingtip–body interactions. The best-fit values for these interactions were J₁ = −85 cm⁻¹ and J₂ = −27 cm⁻¹ (-2J_ijS_iS_j Hamiltonian formalism) resulting to a diamagnetic ground state.     

Mononuclear Fe(III) and tetranuclear [Fe(III)Gd(III)]2 complexes with a Schiff-base ligand derived from the o-vanillin: Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties

The mononuclear high-spin iron(III) complexes [Fe(3-MeOsalpn)Cl(H₂O)] (1) and [Fe(3-MeOsalpn)(NCS)(H₂O)]·0.5CH₃CN (2) and the tetranuclear oxo-bridged compound [{Fe(3-MeOsalpn)Gd(NO₃)₃}₂(μ-O)]·CH₃CN (3) [3-MeOsalpn²⁻ = N,N′-propylenebis(3-methoxysalicylideneiminate)] have been prepared and magneto-structurally characterised. The iron(III) ion in 1 and 2 is six-coordinated in a somewhat distorted octahedral surrounding with the two phenolate-oxygens and two imine-nitrogens from the Schiff-base building the equatorial plane and a water (1 and 2) and a chloro (1)/thiocyanate-nitrogen (2) in the axial positions. The neutral mononuclear units of 1 and 2 are assembled into centrosymmetric dinuclear motifs through hydrogen bonds between the axially coordinated water molecule of one iron centre and methoxy-oxygen atoms from the Schiff-base of the adjacent iron atom. The values of the intradimer metal-metal distance within the supramolecular dimers are 4.930 (1) and 4.878 Å (2). The tetranuclear of 3 can be described as two {Fe^III(3-MeOsalpn)} units connected through an oxo-bridge, each one hosting a [Gd^III(NO₃)₃] entity in the outer cavity defined by the two phenolate- and two methoxy-oxygen atoms. The values of the intramolecular Fe?Fe and Fe?Gd distances in 3 are 3.502 and 3.606 Å, respectively. The analysis of the magnetic data of 1-3 in the temperature range 1.9-300 K shows the occurrence of weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions in 1 and 2 [J = −0.76 (1) and −0.75 cm⁻¹ (2) with the Hamiltonian defined as H = −JS_Fe1·S_Fe1] whereas two intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions coexist in 3, one very strong between the two iron(III) ions (J₁) through the oxo bridge and the other much weaker between the iron(III) and the Gd(III) ions (J₂) across the double phenoxo oxygens [J₁ = −275 cm⁻¹ and J₂ = −3.25 cm⁻¹, the Hamiltonian being defined as H=-J₁S_Fe1·S_Fe1^′-J₂(S_Fe1·S_Gd1+S_Fe1^′·S_Gd1^′)]. These values are analysed in the light of the structural data and compared with those of related systems.     

Neutron powder diffraction study of the magnetic and crystal structures of SrFe2(PO4)2

The crystal and magnetic structures of SrFe²⁺₂(PO₄)₂ have been determined by neutron powder diffraction data at low temperatures (space group P2₁/c (no. 14); Z=4; a=9.35417(13) Å, b=6.83808(10) Å, c=10.51899(15) Å, and β=109.5147(7)° at 15 K). Two magnetic phase transitions were found at T₁=7.4 K (first-order phase transition) and T₂=11.4 K (second-order phase transition). The transition at T₂ was hardly detectable by dc and ac magnetization measurements, and a small anomaly was observed by specific heat measurements. At T₁, strong anomalies were found by dc and ac magnetization and specific heat. The structure of SrFe₂(PO₄)₂ consists of linear four-spin cluster units, Fe2-Fe1-Fe1-Fe2. Below T₁, the propagation vector of the magnetic structure is k=[0,0,0]. The magnetic moments of the inner Fe1-Fe1 atoms of the four-spin cluster unit are ferromagnetically coupled. The magnetic moment of the outer Fe2 atom is also ferromagnetically coupled with that of the Fe1 atom but with spin canting. The four-spin cluster units form ferromagnetic layers parallel to the [−101] plane, while these layers are stacked antiferromagnetically in the [−101] direction. Spin canting of the outer Fe2 atoms provides a weak ferromagnetic moment of about 1 μ_B along the b-axis. The refined magnetic moments at 3.5 K are 4.09 μ_B for Fe1 and 4.07 μ_B for Fe2. Between T₁ and T₂, a few weak magnetic reflections were observed probably due to incommensurate magnetic order.     

Structure and properties of the CaFe2O4-type cobalt oxide CaCo2O4

The calcium cobalt oxide CaCo₂O₄ was synthesized for the first time and characterized from a powder X-ray diffraction study, measuring magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, electrical resistivity, and thermoelectric power. CaCo₂O₄ crystallizes in the CaFe₂O₄ (calcium ferrite)-type structure, consisting of an edge- and corner-shared CoO₆ octahedral network. The structure of CaCo₂O₄ belongs to an orthorhombic system (space group: Pnma) with lattice parameters, a=8.789(2) Å, b=2.9006(7) Å and c=10.282(3) Å. Curie-Weiss-like behavior in magnetic susceptibility with the nearly trivalent cobalt low-spin state (Co³⁺, 3d, S=0), semiconductor-like temperature dependence of resistivity (ρ=3×10⁻¹ Ω cm at 380 K) with dominant hopping conduction at low temperature, metallic-temperature-dependent large thermoelectric power (Seebeck coefficient: S=+147 μV/K at 380 K), and Schottky-type specific heat with a small Sommerfeld constant (γ=4.48(7) mJ/Co mol K²), were observed. These results suggest that the compound possesses a metallic electronic state with a small density of states at the Fermi level. The doped holes are localized at low temperatures due to disorder in the crystal. The carriers probably originate from slight off-stoichiometry of the phase. It was also found that S tends to increase even more beyond 380 K. The large S is possibly attributed to residual spin entropy and orbital degeneracy coupled with charges by strong electron correlation in the cobalt oxides.     

Heat capacity, enthalpy and entropy of ternary bismuth tantalum oxides

Heat capacity and enthalpy increments of ternary bismuth tantalum oxides Bi₄Ta₂O₁₁, Bi₇Ta₃O₁₈ and Bi₃TaO₇ were measured by the relaxation time method (2-280 K), DSC (265-353 K) and drop calorimetry (622-1322 K). Temperature dependencies of the molar heat capacity in the form C_pm=445.8+0.005451T−7.489×10⁶/T² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, C_pm=699.0+0.05276T−9.956×10⁶/T² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and C_pm=251.6+0.06705T−3.237×10⁶/T² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Bi₃TaO₇, Bi₄Ta₂O₁₁ and for Bi₇Ta₃O₁₈, respectively, were derived by the least-squares method from the experimental data. The molar entropies at 298.15 K, S°_m(298.15 K)=449.6±2.3 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Bi₄Ta₂O₁₁, S°_m(298.15 K)=743.0±3.8 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Bi₇Ta₃O₁₈ and S°_m(298.15 K)=304.3±1.6 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Bi₃TaO₇, were evaluated from the low-temperature heat capacity measurements.     

Mononuclear Cu and dinuclear Cu–Ln complexes of benzimidazole based ligands including N and O donors: Syntheses,characterization, X-ray molecular structures and magnetic properties

The synthesis of two mononuclear precursor copper complexes, [(HL²)₂Cu], 1, and [(HL³)₂Cu]·H₂O, 2, and three dinuclear Cu–Ln complexes, [(HL¹)₂Cu(CH₃CN)₂Gd(NO₃)₃], 3, [(HL³)₂CuGd(NO₃)₃]·2(H₂O), 4, and [(HL³)₂CuTb(NO₃)₃]·2(H₂O), 5, based on the ligands H₂L¹ (4-bromo-2-[1-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]-6-methoxyphenol), H₂L² (2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-4-bromo-6-methoxyphenol) and H₂L³ (2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-6-methoxyphenol) are described in this contribution. The X-ray crystal structures of H₂L², 1, 3, 4, and 5 have been solved. The novel ligand H₂L² crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit; several intermolecular hydrogen contacts connect alternate independent H₂L² molecules into chains developing along c. In complex 1, two (HL²)⁻ ligands chelate the copper ion through their imidazolyl nitrogen and phenoxo oxygen atoms, in a relative head to tail arrangement. The molecular structure of 3 is similar to those of the previously reported Cu–Ln complexes of H₂L¹. In the isostructural complexes 4 and 5, two HL³ ligands sandwich one Cu²⁺ ion through their N,O sites and one Ln³⁺ ion through their O₂ site, implying a relative head to head arrangement, at variance with the relative head to tail arrangement of HL² in the mononuclear copper precursor 1. The magnetic properties of 1, 3, 4, and 5 have been investigated. Extended intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions operate in complex 1 ((J_Chain = −0.8(1) cm⁻¹). Ferromagnetic interactions between Gd (S = 7/2) and Cu (S = 1/2) centers operate in complexes 3 and 4, leading to an S = 4 ground state (J_CuGd = 7.2(2) cm⁻¹ for 3 and J_CuGd = 6.5(2) cm⁻¹ for 4). Depopulation of the Tb Stark levels, preclude obtaining reliable information on the presence and sign of the Cu–Tb interaction in 5. These new complexes are complementary to those previously reported: the Cu–O₂–Gd core is planar while deformations are borne by the ligands at variance with previous examples where the constraints were located at the Cu–O₂–Gd core. The presence of two independent ligands in the Cu,Gd coordination spheres confers a degree of freedom greater than that allowed by a unique tetradentate ligand. As a result, the strength of the magnetic interaction is not solely related to the dihedral angle between the CuOO and GdOO planes in the central core.     

A high-frequency EPR characterization of the S = 2 linear tri-atomic chain in Cr3(dpa)4Cl2·CH2Cl2

We report the high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) study of Cr₃(dpa)₄Cl₂, a linear tri-atomic (Cr^II)₃ chain, that was reported to be EPR silent at the X-band (9.5 GHz). Higher frequencies yield well resolved spectra for this S = 2 system even at room temperature. At 30 K, our variable frequency (34-400 GHz) EPR spectra yield a large axial zero-field splitting (D) of −1.643(1) cm⁻¹ as well as a small rhombic ZFS parameter E = 0.0339(4) cm⁻¹; with g_x = 1.9978(4), g_y = 1.9972(4), and g_z = 1.9808(4). The magnetic susceptibility measurements fully support the earlier magnetic susceptibility studies and the current EPR results. The observation of the EPR spectrum of only the S = 2 state at room temperature suggests that the ground state is well isolated from the excited states.     

Structural, thermal and magnetic characterization of the manganese oxyhalide layered perovskite, (MnCl)LaNb2O7

Mn-Cl sheets were inserted into the perovskite blocks of a double-layered Dion-Jacobson compound by ion exchange at low temperature (390°C). The Rietveld structural analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data (P4/mmm) indicates that the product, (MnCl)LaNb₂O₇, has the manganese coordinated by two apical oxygens from the perovskite layers and four in-plane chlorines within the interlayer space. On heating, this compound exhibits an exothermic transition between 650°C and 750°C that is consistent with metastability. Magnetic characterization shows Curie-Weiss behavior at higher temperatures (>200 K) with a magnetic moment corresponding to the presence of high-spin Mn²⁺ ion (S=5/2). At lower temperatures, antiferromagnetic interactions become significant and the broad maximum at 63 K reveals the 2-D character of the magnetic behavior. The susceptibility data, fit with the high temperature expansion for a Heisenberg square planar system, show a negative exchange interaction of J/k=−3.77 K.     

Synthesis of a new donor, BEDT-HBDST and crystal structures, electrical and magnetic properties of (BEDT-HBDST)2MX4 (M=Fe, Ga, X=Cl, Br), where BEDT-HBDST=2,5-bis(4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-diselenol-2-ylidene)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrothiophene

A novel conjugation-elongated bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene (BETS) type donor, 2,5-bis(4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-diselenol-2-ylidene)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrothiophene (BEDT-HBDST) and its magnetic and non-magnetic anion salts, (BEDT-HBDST)₂MX₄ (MX₄⁻=FeCl₄⁻, GaCl₄⁻, FeBr₄⁻ and GaBr₄⁻), were prepared. These four salts are isostructural and belong to the space group of P2/c. They showed semiconducting behavior with small activation energies (59-64 meV). The band structures of these salts are quasi one-dimensional and there is a midgap between the upper band and the lower band, since the degree of dimerization is significant in the stacking direction. The MX₄⁻ ions are located between the donor columns and near to the ethylenedithio moieties of the donor molecules. The magnetic susceptibilities of the FeCl₄⁻ and FeBr₄⁻ salts follow the Curie-Weiss law with Curie constants of 4.6 and 4.8 emu K mol⁻¹ (sum of the spins of S=5/2 and S=1/2) and negative Weiss temperatures of θ=−1.2 and −4.9 K, respectively, revealing a weak antiferromagnetic interaction of 3d spins of the FeCl₄⁻ and FeBr₄⁻ anions. The Fe?Fe (6.66-7.60 Å), Cl?Cl (4.81-4.82 Å) and Br?Br (4.74-4.77 Å) distances in the crystal structures of these salts are significantly long. Therefore, the direct magnetic interaction between the 3d spins of the nearest neighboring Fe³⁺ ions appears to be not readily accessible.     

Chiral single-molecule magnet with a 35 K energy barrier for relaxation of the magnetization

The reaction of [Mn^II(S-mandelato)₂] complexes with 5-Methyl-salicylaldoxim (5-Me-saloxH₂) leads to the chiral hexanuclear manganese(III) complex [Mn₆(μ₃-O)₂(5-Me-salox)₆(S-mandelato)₂(EtOH)₆]. The structure can be viewed as two neutral stacked {Mn₃(μ₃-O)(5-Me-salox)₃(S-mandelato)(EtOH)₃} triangular subunits linked together in a head-to-tail manner by two phenoxo and two oximato μ₃-oxygen atoms of the deprotonated oxime groups of the ligands. The magnetic study of this chiral hexanuclear manganese(III) complex reveals a SMM behaviour with an energy barrier of the slow relaxation of the magnetisation equal to 35 K. Considering the structural features, the fitting of the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility gives a good agreement with the experimental data considering two sets of interactions: J₁ = +0.37 cm⁻¹ and J₂ = −0.70 cm⁻¹ within (ferromagnetic) and between (antiferromagnetic), respectively, the {Mn₃(μ₃-O)(5-Me-salox)₃(S-mandelato)(EtOH)₃} triangular subunits.