Syntheses, optical and intramolecular magnetic properties of mono- and di-radicals based on nitronyl-nitroxide and oxoverdazyl groups appended to 2,6-bispyrazolylpyridine cores

This paper presents the synthesis of a series of nitronyl-nitroxide (NN), oxoverdazyl (OVZ) based mono-, and bi-radicals attached to 4-phenyl-2,6-bispyrazolylpyridine coupling unit, their optical, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopic studies and computational analysis. The ESR studies revealed that the axial zero-field splitting (zfs) parameter of the NN biradical (|D/hc| = 0.00719 cm(-1)) is larger than the OVZ biradical (|D/hc| = 0.00601 cm(-1)). Additionally both biradicals displayed forbidden half-field transitions (ΔM(s) = ±2; g(av) ~ 4.01) at 170 K demonstrating their triplet nature. The cryogenic ESR measurements of the two biradicals showed a Curie magnetic behaviour of the ΔM(s) = ±2 signal intensities (χ(EPR)) down to 4.2 K. A detailed comparative analysis of the strength of hyperfine coupling, spin density distribution, zfs and the spin-spin exchange coupling (J) of both NN and OVZ based biradicals showed that the ground state spin multiplicity of both biradicals is probably triplet (S = 1) or it is nearly degenerate singlet-triplet states with J(NN)?J(OVZ).     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of an ionic C60 complex with decamethylcobaltocene: (Cp*2Co)2C60(C6H4Cl2, C6H5CN)2. Singlet-triplet transitions in the C60(2-) anion

The C(60) complex with decamethylcobaltocene, (Cp(2)Co)(2)C(60)(C(6)H(4)Cl(2), C(6)H(5)CN)(2) (1) (C(6)H(4)Cl(2) = 1,2-dichlorobenzene; C(6)H(5)CN = benzonitrile), has been obtained as single crystals by the diffusion method. The IR and UV-vis-NIR spectra show the presence of the C(60)(2)(-) and the Cp(2)Co(+) ions, which form a three-dimensional framework with channels accommodating solvent molecules. EPR and SQUID measurements show that C(60)(2)(-) has a diamagnetic singlet (S = 0) state in the 2-140 K range. The appearance of a broad EPR signal and the increase in magnetic susceptibility of 1 above 140 K are assigned to a thermal population of a close lying triplet (S = 1) state. The singlet-triplet energy gap for C(60)(2)(-) in solid 1 is estimated to be 730+/-10 cm(-)(1).     

A perimidine-derived non-Kekulé triplet diradical

6,9-Di(tert-butyl)-1-methyltetrazolo[1,5-a]perimidine (1) has been synthesized from naphthalene in seven steps. The EPR spectra, recorded after irradiation of 1 in a butyronitrile matrix at 77 K (lambda = 351 nm) and in Ar and Xe matrixes at 4.6 K (lambda > or = 345 nm), showed a six-line, high-field signal (Delta m(S) = +/- 1), centered at 3350 G in butyronitrile, along with a half-field signal (Delta m(S) = +/- 2), which is characteristic for triplets. Simulation of the observed EPR spectra gave values for the zero-field splitting parameters of |D/hc|/cm(-1) = 0.0105, |E/hc|/cm(-1) = 0.0014 in butyronitrile and |D/hc|/cm(-1) = 0.0107, |E/hc|/cm(-1) = 0.0016 in Ar. These EPR parameters are consistent with the diradical 5,8-di(tert-butyl)-2-(N-methylimino)perimidine-1,3-diyl ((3)2) as source of the EPR spectra. Linearity of the Curie-Weiss plot and UB3LYP and (14/14)CASPT2 calculations of the singlet-triplet energy difference (DeltaE(ST) approximately 8-10 kcal/mol) indicate that the triplet is the ground state of 2, as predicted for such a nondisjoint diradical.     

An octanuclear complex containing the [Fe3O]7+ metal core: structural, magnetic, Mössbauer, and electron paramagnetic resonance studies

A new asymmetrically coordinated bis-trinuclear iron(III) cluster containing a [Fe(3)O](7+) core has been synthesized and structurally, magnetically, and spectroscopically characterized. [Fe(6)Na(2)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(10)(pic)(4)(EtOH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2).2EpsilontOH (1.2EpsilontOH) crystallizes in the P space group and consists of two symmetry-related {Fe(3)O](7+) subunits linked by two Na(+) cations. Inside each [Fe(3)O](7+) subunit, the iron(III) ions are antiferromagnetically coupled, and their magnetic exchange is best described by an isosceles triangle model with two equal (J) and one different (J ') coupling constants. On the basis of the H = -2SigmaJ(ij)S(i)S(j) spin Hamiltonian formalism, the two best fits to the data yield solutions J = -27.4 cm(-1), J ' = -20.9 cm(-1) and J = -22.7 cm(-1), J ' = -31.6 cm(-1). The ground state of the cluster is S = (1)/(2). X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at liquid-helium temperature reveals a signal comprising a sharp peak at g approximately 2 and a broad tail at higher magnetic fields consistent with the S = (1)/(2) character of the ground state. Variable-temperature zero-field and magnetically perturbed M?ssbauer spectra at liquid-helium temperatures are consistent with three antiferromagnetically coupled high-spin ferric ions in agreement with the magnetic susceptibility and EPR results. The EPR and M?ssbauer spectra are interpreted by assuming the presence of an antisymmetric exchange interaction with |d| approximately 2-4 cm(-1) and a distribution of exchange constants J(ij).     

A dinuclear Ni(I) system having a diradical Ni2N2 diamond core resting state: synthetic, structural, spectroscopic elucidation, and reductive bond splitting reactions

One-electron reduction of the square-planar nickel precursor (PNP)NiCl ( 1) (PNP (-) = N[2-P(CHMe 2) 2-4-methylphenyl] 2) with KC 8 effects ligand reorganization of the pincer ligand to assemble a Ni(I) dimer, [Ni(mu 2-PNP)] 2 ( 2), containing a Ni 2N 2 core structure, as inferred by its solid-state X-ray structure. Solution magnetization measurements are consistent with a paramagnetic Ni(I) system likely undergoing a monomer <--> dimer equilibrium. The room-temperature and 4 K solid-state X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra display anisotropic signals. Low-temperature solid-state X-band EPR data at 4 K reveal rhombic values g z = 1.980(4), g x = 2. 380(4), and g y = 2.225(4), as well as a forbidden signal at g = 4.24 for the Delta M S = 2 half field transition, in accord with 2 having two weakly interacting metal centers. Utilizing an S = 1 model, full spin Hamiltonian simulation of the low-temperature EPR spectrum on the solid sample was achieved by applying a nonzero zero-field-splitting parameter ( D = 0.001 cm (-1)), which is consistent with an S = 0 ground state with a very closely lying S = 1 state. Solid-state magnetization data also corroborate well with our solid-state EPR data and reveal weak antiferromagnetic behavior ( J = -1.52(5) cm (-1)) over a 2-300 K temperature range at a field of 1 Tesla. Evidence for 2 being a masked "(PNP)Ni" scaffold originates from its reaction with N 2CPh 2, which traps the Ni(I) monomer in the form of a T-shaped species, Ni(PNPNNCPh 2), a system that has been structurally characterized. The radical nature of complex 2, or its monomer component, is well manifested through the plethora of cooperative H-X-type bond cleavage reactions, providing the nickel(II) hydride (PNP)NiH and the corresponding rare functionalities -OH, -OCH 3, -PHPh, and -B(catechol) integrated into the (PNP)Ni moiety in equal molar amounts. In addition to splitting H 2, compound 2 can also engage in homolytic X-X bond cleavage reactions of PhXXPh to form (PNP)Ni(XPh) (X = S or Se).     

Correspondence of Ru(III) Ru(II) and Ru(IV) Ru(III) mixed valent states in a small dinuclear complex

The diruthenium(III) compound [(μ-oxa){Ru(acac)(2)}(2)] [1, oxa(2-) =oxamidato(2-), acac(-) =2,4-pentanedionato] exhibits an S=1 ground state with antiferromagnetic spin-spin coupling (J=-40 cm(-1)). The molecular structure in the crystal of 1?2 C(7)H(8) revealed an intramolecular metal-metal distance of 5.433 ? and a notable asymmetry within the bridging ligand. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry (EPR, UV/Vis/NIR) of the two-step reduction and of the two-step oxidation (irreversible second step) produced monocation and monoanion intermediates (K(c) =10(5.9)) with broad NIR absorption bands (ε ca. 2000 M(-1)cm(-1)) and maxima at 1800 (1(-)) and 1500 nm (1(+)). TD-DFT calculations support a Ru(III)Ru(II) formulation for 1(-) with a doublet ground state. The 1(+) ion (Ru(IV)Ru(III)) was calculated with an S=3/2 ground state and the doublet state higher in energy (ΔE=694.6 cm(-1)). The Mulliken spin density calculations showed little participation of the ligand bridge in the spin accommodation for all paramagnetic species [(μ-oxa){Ru(acac)(2)}(2)](n), n=+1, 0, -1, and, accordingly, the NIR absorptions were identified as metal-to-metal (intervalence) charge transfers. Whereas only one such NIR band was observed for the Ru(III)Ru(II) (4d(5)/4d(6)) system 1(-), the Ru(IV)Ru(III) (4d(4)/4d(5)) form 1(+) exhibited extended absorbance over the UV/Vis/NIR range.     

Ferromagnetic interactions in a 1D alternating linear chain of π-stacked 1,3-diphenyl-7-(thien-2-yl)-1,4-dihydro-1,2,4-benzotriazin-4-yl radicals

X-ray studies show that 1,3-diphenyl-7-(thien-2-yl)-1,4-dihydro-1,2,4-benzotriazin-4-yl (6) adopts a distorted, slipped π-stacked structure of centrosymmetric dimers with alternate short and long interplanar distances (3.48 and 3.52 ?). Cyclic voltammograms of 7-(thien-2-yl)benzotriazin-4-yl 6 show two fully reversible waves that correspond to the -1/0 and 0/+1 processes. EPR and DFT studies on radical 6 indicate that the spin density is mainly delocalized over the triazinyl fragment. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that radical 6 obeys Curie-Weiss behavior in the 5-300 K region with C=0.378 emu K mol(-1) and θ=+4.72 K, which is consistent with ferromagnetic interactions between S=1/2 radicals. Fitting the magnetic susceptibility revealed the behavior is consistent with an alternating ferromagnetic chain (g=2.0071, J(1) =+7.12 cm(-1), J(2) =+1.28 cm(-1)).     

NC-(CF2)4-CNSSN radical containing 1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl radical dimer exhibiting triplet excited states at low temperature and thermal hysteresis on melting-solidification: structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic characterization

A high yield, one-pot synthesis of the 1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl radical NC-(CF2)4-CNSSN radical by reduction of the corresponding 1,3,2,4-dithiadiazolium salt is reported. In the solid state, the title compound is dimerized in trans-cofacial fashion with intra-dimeric Sdelta+...N(delta-) interactions of ca. 3.2 angstroms, and the dimeric units are linked by electrostatic -C triple bond N(delta-)...Sdelta+ interactions forming an infinite chain. Magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on the solid state sample indicate a magnetic moment of 1.8 microB per dimer (1.3 microB per monomer) at 300 K and a good fit to the Bleaney-Bowers model in the temperature range 2-300 K with 2J = -1500 +/- 50 cm(-1), g = 2.02(5), rho = 0.90(3)%, and TIP = 1.25(4) x 10(-3) emu mol(-1). The [NC-(CF2)4-CNSSN radical]2 dimer is the second example of a 1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl radical dimer with an experimentally detected triplet excited state as probed by solid-state EPR [2J = -1730 +/- 100 cm(-1), |D| = 0.0278(5) cm(-1), |E| = 0.0047(5) cm(-1)]. The value of the singlet-triplet gap has enabled us to estimate the "in situ" dimerization energy of the radical dimer as ca. -10 kJ mol(-1). The diradical character of the dimer was calculated [CASSCF(6,6)/6-31G*] as 35%. The title radical shows magnetic bistability in the temperature range of 305-335 K as probed by the solid-state EPR presumably arising from the presence of a metastable paramagnetic supercooled phase. Bistability is accompanied by thermochromic behavior with a color change from dark green (dimeric solid) to dark brown (paramagnetic liquid).     

Electronic structure and nature of the ground state of the mixed-valence binuclear tetra(mu-1,8-naphthyridine-N,N')-bis(halogenonickel) tetraphenylborate complexes: experimental and DFT characterization

The ground state electronic structure of the mixed-valence systems [Ni(2)(napy)(4)X(2)](BPh(4)) (napy=1,8-naphthyridine; X=Cl, Br, I) was studied with combined experimental (X-ray diffraction, temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, and high-field EPR spectroscopy) and theoretical (DFT) methods. The zero-field splitting (zfs) ground S=3/2 spin state is axial with /D/ approximately 3 cm(-1). The iodide derivative was found to be isostructural with the previously reported bromide complex, but not isomorphous. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a=17.240(5), b=26.200(5), c=11.340(5) A, beta=101.320(5) degrees. DFT calculations were performed on the S=3/2 state to characterize the ground state potential energy surface as a function of the nuclear displacements. The molecules can thus be classified as Class III mixed-valence compounds with a computed delocalization parameter, B=3716, 3583, and 3261 cm(-1) for the Cl, Br, and I derivatives, respectively.     

Electron spin-spin exchange coupling mediated by the porphyrin pi system

The syntheses and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectral characterizations of porphyrins (1-3) substituted with two radical groups bound to trans-meso positions are described. One of these compounds, 3, has been studied by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and has been structurally characterized. Biradical porphyrin 3 is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, with a = 12.239(2) A, b = 17.819(3) A, c = 34.445(7) A, alpha = 90 degrees , beta = 97.466(3) degrees , gamma = 90 degrees , and Z = 2. The bis(nitroxide) porphyrins 1 and 2 exhibit fluid solution EPR spectra consistent with |J| > |a|. No evidence was observed for conformational modulation of J by rotation about single bonds as shown by the lack of change of the EPR spectra as a function of temperature. The bis(semiquinone) porphyrin 3 exhibits frozen-solution EPR spectra with zero-field splitting and a Deltam(s) = 2 transition characteristic of a triplet state. The intensity of the Deltam(s) = 2 transition of 3 was measured as a function of temperature, and the data fit according to a singlet-triplet model to yield J(3,solution) = -75 cm(-1) (H = - 2J?1.?2). Polycrystalline samples of porphryin 3 were examined by variable-temperature magnetometry. The paramagnetic susceptibility data were fit using a modified Bleaney-Bowers equation to give J(3,solid) = -29 cm(-1) (H = - 2J?(1).?(2)). The antiferromagnetic J values are consistent with the pi topology of the porphyrin ring.     

A Mononuclear Fe(III) Single Molecule Magnet with a 3/2↔5/2 Spin Crossover

The air stable complex [(PNP)FeCl(2)] (1) (PNP = N[2-P(CHMe(2))(2)-4-methylphenyl](2)(-)), prepared from one-electron oxidation of [(PNP)FeCl] with ClCPh(3), displays an unexpected S = 3/2 to S = 5/2 transition above 80 K as inferred by the dc SQUID magnetic susceptibility measurement. The ac SQUID magnetization data, at zero field and between frequencies 10 and 1042 Hz, clearly reveal complex 1 to have frequency dependence on the out-of-phase signal and thus being a single molecular magnet with a thermally activated barrier of U(eff) = 32-36 cm(-1) (47-52 K). Variable-temperature M?ssbauer data also corroborate a significant temperature dependence in δ and ΔE(Q) values for 1, which is in agreement with the system undergoing a change in spin state. Likewise, variable-temperature X-band EPR spectra of 1 reveals the S = 3/2 to be likely the ground state with the S = 5/2 being close in energy. Multiedge XAS absorption spectra suggest the electronic structure of 1 to be highly covalent with an effective iron oxidation state that is more reduced than the typical ferric complexes due to the significant interaction of the phosphine groups in PNP and Cl ligands with iron. A variable-temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction study of 1 collected between 30 and 300 K also reveals elongation of the Fe-P bond lengths and increment in the Cl-Fe-Cl angle as the S = 5/2 state is populated. Theoretical studies show overall similar orbital pictures except for the d(z(2)) orbital, which has the most sensitivity to change in the geometry and bonding, where the quartet ((4)B) and the sextet ((6)A) states are close in energy.     

Synthesis, structure, magnetism, and spectroscopic properties of heterobinuclear copper(II)-zinc(II) complexes and their copper(II)-copper(II) analogues in asymmetric ligand environments

Heterobinuclear copper(II)-zinc(II) complexes and their homobinuclear dicopper(II) counterparts (1-4) of two asymmetric ligands (H2L1 and H2L2), based on 2-aminocyclopent-1-ene-1-dithiocarboxylate, are reported. The ligands are capable of providing both donor set and coordination number asymmetry in tandem. Metal centers in these complexes are connected by a micro-alkoxo and a bridging pyrazolate moiety, as confirmed by X-ray structure analyses of 1, 3, and 4. The Cu(1) site in the dicopper complex (1) is square planar and so are the copper sites in the Cu-Zn complexes 3 and 4. The pentacoordinated Zn sites in the latter complexes have distorted TBP geometry (tau = 0.74), while the corresponding Cu site in 1 has a highly distorted square pyramidal structure (tau = 0.54). The Cu...Zn separations in 3 and 4 are 3.3782 and 3.3403 angstroms, respectively, while the Cu...Cu distance in 1 is 3.3687 angstroms. The dicopper complexes are EPR silent at 77 K, in which the copper(II) centers are coupled by strong antiferromagnetic coupling (J = ca. -290 cm(-1)) as confirmed by variable-temperature (4-300 K) magnetic measurements. These compounds (1 and 2) undergo two one-electron reductions and a single step two-electron oxidation at ca. -0.26, -1.40, and 1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl reference, respectively, as indicated by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry done at subambient temperatures. EPR spectra of 3 and 4 display axial anisotropy at 77 K with the gperpendicular region being split into multiple lines due to N-superhyperfine coupling (AN = 15.3 x 10(-4) cm(-1)). The observed trend in the spin-Hamiltonian parameters, gparallel > gperpendicular > 2.04 and |Aperpendicular| < |Aparallel| approximately (120-150) x 10(-4) cm(-1), indicates a d(x2-y2)-based ground state with tetragonal site symmetry for the Cu(II) center in these molecules.     

High-frequency, high-field EPR; magnetic susceptibility; and X-ray studies on a ferromagnetic heterometallic complex of diethanolamine (H2L), [Cu4(NH3)4(HL)4][CdBr4]Br2.3dmf.H2O

The novel heterometallic complex [Cu(4)(NH(3))(4)(HL)(4)][CdBr(4)]Br(2).3dmf.H(2)O has been prepared in the reaction of zerovalent copper with cadmium oxide in the air-exposed solution of ammonium bromide and diethanolamine (H(2)L) in dimethylformamide (dmf). The compound is monoclinic, with space group P2(1)/c, a = 14.876(3) A, b = 33.018(6) A, c = 11.437(2) A, beta = 108.182(3)(o), and Z = 4. The crystal lattice consists of [Cu(4)(NH(3))(4)(HL)(4)](4+) cations, [CdBr(4)](2)(-), Br(-) anions, and uncoordinated dmf and water molecules. In the cation, four independent Cu atoms occupy vertexes of a distorted tetrahedron with bridged Cu...Cu distances in the range 3.127(2)-3.333(3) A and other Cu...Cu separations being 3.445(3)-3.503(2) A. The magnetic susceptibility and the EPR spectra were measured over the temperature ranges 1.8-300 and 3-300 K, respectively. The magnetic moment was found to increase with decreasing temperature to reach a maximum of 2.60 muB per one copper atom at ca. 10 K and was found, subsequently, to diminish slightly at lower temperatures owing to zero-field and Zeeman splitting of the S = 2 ground state. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility was fitted to the spin Hamiltonian H = J(ab)S(a)S(b) + J(bc)S(b)S(c) + J(cd)S(c)S(d) + J(ad)S(a)S(d) + J(ac)S(a)S(c) + J(bd)S(b)S(d) with the exchange integrals J(ab) = J(bc) = J(cd) = J(ad) = -65(3) cm(-1) and J(ac) = J(bd) = +1(3) cm(-1). High-field, high-frequency (95-380 GHz) EPR spectra due to an S = 2 ground state were simulated with g(x) = 2.138(1), g(y)) = 2.142(1), g(z) = 2.067(1), D = -0.3529(3) cm(-1), and E = -0.0469(8) cm(-1). Calculations based on the X-ray structure indicate a negligible contribution of the magnetic dipole-dipole interactions to the zfs parameters D and E. A discussion of the isotropic and anisotropic exchange interactions and their effect on the zfs parameters is also given.     

Photochemistry of furyl- and thienyldiazomethanes: spectroscopic characterization of triplet 3-thienylcarbene

Photolysis (λ > 543 nm) of 3-thienyldiazomethane (1), matrix isolated in Ar or N(2) at 10 K, yields triplet 3-thienylcarbene (13) and α-thial-methylenecyclopropene (9). Carbene 13 was characterized by IR, UV/vis, and EPR spectroscopy. The conformational isomers of 3-thienylcarbene (s-E and s-Z) exhibit an unusually large difference in zero-field splitting parameters in the triplet EPR spectrum (|D/hc| = 0.508 cm(-1), |E/hc| = 0.0554 cm(-1); |D/hc| = 0.579 cm(-1), |E/hc| = 0.0315 cm(-1)). Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) calculations reveal substantially differing spin densities in the 3-thienyl ring at the positions adjacent to the carbene center, which is one factor contributing to the large difference in D values. NBO calculations also reveal a stabilizing interaction between the sp orbital of the carbene carbon in the s-Z rotamer of 13 and the antibonding σ orbital between sulfur and the neighboring carbon-an interaction that is not observed in the s-E rotamer of 13. In contrast to the EPR spectra, the electronic absorption spectra of the rotamers of triplet 3-thienylcarbene (13) are indistinguishable under our experimental conditions. The carbene exhibits a weak electronic absorption in the visible spectrum (λ(max) = 467 nm) that is characteristic of triplet arylcarbenes. Although studies of 2-thienyldiazomethane (2), 3-furyldiazomethane (3), or 2-furyldiazomethane (4) provided further insight into the photochemical interconversions among C(5)H(4)S or C(5)H(4)O isomers, these studies did not lead to the spectroscopic detection of the corresponding triplet carbenes (2-thienylcarbene (11), 3-furylcarbene (23), or 2-furylcarbene (22), respectively).     

Multifrequency EPR and redox reactivity investigations of a bis(mu-thiolato)-dicopper(II,II) complex

From a new tripodal ligand [N2SS'H] with mixed N, S(thioether), and S(thiolate) donor set, the corresponding bis(mu-thiolato)dicopper(II) complex has been prepared and characterized. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the complex [Cu2(N2SS')2](ClO4)2.C4H10O (1) demonstrates that the two five-coordinated Cu atoms are bridged by two thiolates leading to a nearly planar Cu2S2 core with a Cu1...Cu1* distance of 3.418(8) A and a large bridging angle Cu1S1Cu1* of 94.92 degrees. X-band (10 GHz), Q-band (34 GHz), and F-Band (115 GHz) EPR spectra of 1 are consistent with a weakly coupled dicopper(II,II) center attributed to an S = 1 state. Simulations for the three frequencies are obtained with a unique set of electronic parameters. The mean values of the spin Hamiltonian parameters for 1 are D = 0.210(3) cm(-1), E = 0.0295(5) cm(-1), |E/D| = 0.140, gx = 2.030(2), gy = 2.032(2), gz = 2.128(2). The electrochemical one-electron reduction of 1 generates the mixed-valent CuIICuI species. EPR and UV-vis spectra are consistent with a type I localized mixed-valent species, while dinuclear CuA centers of native cytochrome c oxidase (CcO)1-3 or nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR)4 have a delocalized CuIICuI mixed-valent state. After reoxidation of the CuIICuI species, the initial complex 1 is regenerated through a reversible interconversion process.     

Magnetic properties of the seven-coordinated nanoporous framework material Co(bpy)(1.5)(NO(3))(2) (bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine)

The magnetic properties of the porous metal-organic complex Co(bpy)(1.5)(NO(3))(2) (bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine), investigated by SQUID magnetometry, EPR and heat capacity measurements, are reported. The tongue-and-groove structure of this complex is formed by the assembly of T-shaped building blocks, where each Co is bound to three bpy ligands. Co(ii) is hepta-coordinated by three N atoms from the bpy units, and four O atoms from two nitrate groups. Experimental results showed a large crystal field effect induced anisotropy with a zero field splitting of Δ = 198 K between the ground and excited Kramers doublets, a factor of two larger than previously reported values in Co(ii) hepta-coordinated complexes. EPR revealed orthorhombic crystal field anisotropy, with gyromagnetic principal values of g(1)(*) = 6.1, g(2)(*) = 4.2 and g(3)(*) = 2.2, in an S(*) = 1/2 effective spin on the ground state Kramers doublet. Ab initio simulations allowed us to assign the anisotropy easy axis of magnetization to the binary symmetry axis of the molecule, aligned with the Co-N apical direction of the T-block.     

Magneto-structural studies of two new cobalt(II)-N,N-diisobutylisonicotinamide compounds: [CoLCl2]n and [Co(L)2(H2O)4][CoLBr3]2·2H2O

Two similar synthetic pathways using the ligand N,N-diisobutylisonicotinamide (L) with anhydrous CoX(2) salts (being X = Cl(-), Br(-)) led to different species: a one-dimensional system, [CoLCl(2)](n), 1, and an ionic product [Co(L)(2)(H(2)O)(4)][CoLBr(3)](2)·2H(2)O, 2, respectively. Compound 1 is a polymer in which ligand L coordinates to tetrahedral Co(II) ions in a bidentate bridging fashion using the pyridine nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen atoms. Compound 2 consists of one octahedral cationic [Co(L)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](2+) entity and two tetrahedral anionic [CoLBr(3)](-) units. In this system, the ligand molecules coordinate only through the pyridine nitrogen atoms. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 were investigated in the temperature range of 2.0 to 300.0 K and correlations between both (due to the existence of similar features) examined. The study of the magnetic properties of 1 was carried out by considering each Co(II) ion as a perfectly isolated system, hence, J = 0, but taking into account a significant zero-field splitting contribution due to distortions on the tetrahedral environment of the cobalt atoms. The fit of the magnetic susceptibility data together with reduced magnetization vs H/T measurements provided similar parameters (|D| = 10.8 cm(-1), g(⊥) = 1.92, g(‖) = 2.92 for the former and |D| = 11.04 cm(-1)and g = 2.05 for the latter, respectively). On the other hand, the magnetic response of compound 2 has been analyzed using a model which considers the presence of two tetrahedral and one octahedral Co(ii) ions (Co(Td) and Co(Oh)). The study was carried out in two separated blocks, above and below 80 K, where only the most significant effects at each interval of temperature were considered. As a result, the analysis of the magnetic data shows weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Co(Oh)and the two Co(Td) ions (J = -0.41 cm(-1)) in 2. The best fit parameters were g(Co(Td)) = 2.89, g(Co(Oh)) = 3.50, |D(Co(Td))| = 10.62 cm(-1), |E(Co(Td))| = 2.95 cm(-1), Δ = 240.9 cm(-1) and J(L-S) = -107.1 cm(-1), from where λ was calculated with a final value of -144.8 cm(-1) (J(L-S) = Aκλ). The approximations performed to obtain these values provide reasonable results in agreement with compound 1 and also to other systems in the literature.     

Molecule-Based Magnets: Ferro- and Antiferromagnetic Interactions in Copper(II)-Polyorganosiloxanolate Clusters

The magnetic behavior of the clusters [(PhSiO(2))(6)Cu(6)(O(2)SiPh)(6)].6EtOH (1), Na(4)[(PhSiO(2))(12)Cu(4)].8(n)()BuOH (2), and K(4)[(C(2)H(3)SiO(2))(12)Cu(4)].6(n)()BuOH (3) has been investigated by combined magnetic susceptibility measurements and variable-temperature EPR techniques (9.25 and 245 GHz). The six copper(II) ions in the core of 1, which approaches 6/mmm symmetry, are ferromagnetically coupled as a result of the geometry at the bridging siloxanolate oxygen atoms (Cu-O-Cu = 91.5-94.6 degrees; J = -42 cm(-)(1) with H = J S(i)().S(i)()(+1), S(7) = S(1)). The ground S = 3 spin state is split in zero field mainly due to anisotropic exchange contributions (D = 0.30 cm(-)(1)). Notably, both the magnitude and the sign of the zero-field splitting parameter have been determined from HF-EPR spectra. Large antiferromagnetic Cu-Cu interactions (J approximately 200 cm(-)(1)) and an S = 0 ground state have been detected in the tetranuclear clusters 2 and 3 as a consequence of the larger Cu-O-Cu angles. The results presented in the paper are relevant to the search for new molecule-based magnetic materials.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of [(CH3CN)5V-O-V(CH3CN)5][BF4]4

The reaction of vanadium(III) acetylacetonate with HBF4 in acetonitrile yields [(CH3CN)5V-O-V(CH3CN)5][BF4]4, a material that serves as a convenient precursor to other [V-O-V]4+ species such as [(bipy)2(CH3CN)V-O-V(CH3CN)(bipy)2][BF4]4 (bipy=2,2'-bipyridine). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the V-O-V linkage of [(CH3CN)5V-O-V(CH3CN)5]4+ is linear. An Evans method measurement of the solution-phase magnetic susceptibility indicates strong ferromagnetic coupling between the vanadium centers. Magnetic susceptibility (chi) and magnetization (M(H)) data for a powdered sample and for a single crystal oriented with its V-O-V axis parallel to the applied field were measured over 1.8-300 K. The results suggest that the V(III) centers are ferromagnetically coupled with J approximately 72 K (approximately 50 cm(-1)) yielding a ground state with a total spin Stotal=2. Theoretical fit to the M(H) plot for the single crystal yielded g||=2.01+/-0.01 and the zero-field splitting parameter D=0.60+/-0.04 K (0.42+/-0.03 cm(-1)). EPR measurements at 34 and 101.6 GHz are consistent with the Stotal=2 ground state and yield g||=1.9825, g perpendicular=1.9725 and D=0.57+/-0.03 K.     

Low-valent low-coordinated manganese(I) ion dimer: a temperature dependent W-band EPR study

W-Band EPR spectra of [[HC(CMeNAr)(2)]Mn](2) (Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) have been measured at different temperatures. The spectra show a behavior which is typical for an antiferromagnetically coupled dimer with excited states populating upon increasing temperature. By following the intensity variation of the different features of the spectra with temperature, we attributed different groups of resonances to the S = 1, 2, and 3 states of the dimer. Their corresponding spin Hamiltonian parameters were derived from simulations. The zero-field-splitting parameters measured in this way were D(S=1) = 1.57 cm(-1) and E(S=1) = 0.064 cm(-1), D(S=2) = 0.266 cm(-1) and E(S=2) = 0.0045 cm(-1), and D(S=3) = 0.075 cm(-1) and E(S=3) = 0. On the basis of the molecular structure of the system, we could estimate that zero-field splitting (ZFS) is the result of anisotropic exchange and single-ion anisotropic contributions of similar magnitude (|D| approximately 0.2 cm(-1)). These results allow a deeper insight into the electronic structure of the Mn(I) centers in low-coordination environments, further supporting the electronic structure of Mn(I) to be 4s(1)3d(5), as previously indicated by DFT calculations.