A family of double-bowl pseudo metallocalix[6]arene discs

We report the synthesis and magnetic characterisation of a series of planar [M?] (M= Ni(II), Zn(II)) disc complexes [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)? (1), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeOH (2), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·3MeNO? (3), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeCN (4), [Zn?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeOH·H?O (5) and [Zn?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·3MeNO? (6) (where HL? = 2-iminomethyl-6-methoxy-phenol, HL? = 2-iminomethyl-4-bromo-6-methoxy-phenol). Each member exhibits a double-bowl pseudo metallocalix[6]arene topology whereby the individual [M?] units form molecular host cavities which are able to accommodate various guest molecules (MeCN, MeNO? and MeOH). Magnetic susceptibility measurements carried out on complexes 1 and 4 indicate weak exchange between the Ni(II) centres.     

A family of [Mn6] complexes featuring tripodal ligands

The synthesis and magnetic properties of four new Mn complexes containing tripodal alcohol ligands are reported: [Mn6(OAc)6(H2tea)2(tmp)2].2MeCN (1.2MeCN), [Mn6(acac)4(OAc)2(Htmp)2(H2N-ep)2] (2), [Mn6(OAc)8(tmp)2(py)4].2py (3.2py), and [Mn6(OAc)8(thme)2(py)4].2py (4.2py) [H3tea, triethanolamine; H3tmp, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane; H2N-H2ep, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol; H3thme, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane]. All complexes are mixed-valent with a [Mn(III)2Mn(II)4] oxidation assignment and are constructed from four edge-sharing triangles but differ slightly in that complexes 1 and 2 display a [Mn(III)2Mn(II)4(mu2-OR)6(mu3-OR)4]4+ core, while complexes 3 and 4 feature [Mn(III)2Mn(II)4(mu2-OR)2(mu3-OR)4]8+ and [Mn(III)2Mn(II)4(mu2-OR)4(mu3-OR)4]6+ cores, respectively. dc and ac magnetic susceptibility studies in the 2-300 K range for complexes 1-4 reveal the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions, leading to ground states of S = 0 for 1 and 2, while complexes 3 and 4 display S = 4 ground states with D = -0.44 and -0.58 cm(-1), respectively. Single-molecule magnetism behavior was confirmed for 3 and 4 by the presence of sweep-rate and temperature-dependent hysteresis loops in single-crystal M vs H studies at temperatures down to 40 mK. Theoretical density functional calculations were used to evaluate the individual pairwise exchange interactions present, confirming the diamagnetic ground states for 1 and 2 and the S = 4 ground states for 3 and 4.     

High-spin M2+ carboxylate triangles from the microwave

The reaction of M(O2CMe)2.4H2O (M = Ni, Co) with NaN3 in pyridine/MeOH under microwave irradiation and controlled pressure/temperature leads to the formation of the trimetallic species [M3(N3)3(O2CMe)3(py)5] (M = Ni, 1; Co, 2) in 4 min and in high yields. Both complexes display dominant ferromagnetic interactions and high-spin ground states.     

A finite element model for ultrasonic cutting

Using a single-blade ultrasonic cutting device, a study of ultrasonic cutting of three very different materials is conducted using specimens of cheese, polyurethane foam and epoxy resin. Initial finite element models are created, based on the assumption that the ultrasonic blade causes a crack to propagate in a controlled mode 1 opening, and these are validated against experimental data from three point bend fracture tests and ultrasonic cutting experiments on the materials. Subsequently, the finite element model is developed to represent ultrasonic cutting of a multi-layered material. Materials are chosen whose properties allow a model to be developed that could represent a multi-layer food product or biological structure, to enable ultrasonic cutting systems to be designed for applications both in the field of food processing and surgical procedures. The model incorporates an estimation of the friction condition between the cutting blade and the material to be cut and allows adjustment of the frequency, cutting amplitude and cutting speed.     

1,1,1-Tris(hydroxymethyl)propane in manganese carboxylate chemistry: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a mixed-valence [MnIII4MnII4] cluster featuring the novel [MnIII4MnII4(mu3-OR)6(mu2-OR)8]6+ core

The reaction between MnBr(2).4H(2)O with H(3)tmp (1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane) in MeCN in the presence of Na(O(2)CCMe(3)) and NBu(4)Br produces the complex [Mn(8)(O(2)CCMe(3))(2)(tmp)(2)(Htmp)(4)Br(4)(H(2)O)(2)].2MeCN (1.2MeCN) in good yield. The centrosymmetric octanuclear molecule consists of four Mn(III) and four Mn(II) ions assembled together by fourteen alkoxo bridges to give a [Mn(III)(4)Mn(II)(4)(mu(3)-OR)(6)(mu(2)-OR)(8)](6+) rod-like core in which the metal centres are arranged in a planar zigzag fashion. Peripheral ligation is provided by a combination of bridging pivalate ions, terminal bromides and water molecules. Dc magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic interactions leading to a spin ground state of S = 0. A rationalization of this result is attempted by structural comparison with previously reported tetranuclear manganese complexes containing the [Mn(III)(2)Mn(II)(2)(mu(3)-OR)(2)(mu(2)-OR)(4)] core in which the magnetic interactions are ferromagnetic.     

Nanoscale ablation through optically trapped microspheres

The ability to directly create patterns with size scales below 100 nm is important for many applications where the production or repair of high resolution and density features is needed. Laser-based direct-write methods have the benefit of being able to quickly and easily modify and create structures on existing devices, but ablation can negatively impact the overall technique. In this paper we show that self-positioning of near-field objectives through the optical trap assisted nanopatterning (OTAN) method allows for ablation without harming the objective elements. Small microbeads are positioned in close proximity to a substrate where ablation is initiated. Upon ablation, these beads are temporarily displaced from the trap but rapidly return to the initial position. We analyze the range of fluence values for which this process occurs and find that there exists a critical threshold beyond which the beads are permanently ejected.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a trinuclear [Mn(III)Mn(II)2] single-molecule magnet

Ferromagnetic exchange between the three Mn ions in the complex [Mn3(Hcht)2(bpy)4](ClO4)3 leads to a spin ground state of S = 7; single crystal studies reveal the temperature and sweep rate dependent hysteresis loops expected for a single-molecule magnet.     

New routes to high nuclearity clusters: fluoride-based octametallic and tridecametallic clusters of manganese

The reaction of MnF(3) with 5,6-dimethylbenzotriazole (Me(2)BTAH) gives the [Mn(III)(8)] complex [Mn(8)O(4)(OMe)(2)(Me(2)BTA)(6)F(8)(Me(2)BTAH)(MeOH)(8)] and the [Mn(IV)(3)Mn(III)(10)] complex [Mn(13)O(12)(Me(2)BTA)(12)F(6)(MeOH)(10)(H(2)O)(2)]. The octametallic species is an "intermediate" in the formation of the tridecametallic cluster.     

Single-molecule magnets: a new family of Mn(12) clusters of formula [Mn(12)O(8)X(4)(O(2)CPh)(8)L(6)

The reaction of (NBu(n)(4))[Mn(8)O(6)Cl(6)(O(2)CPh)(7)(H(2)O)(2)] (1) with 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (hmpH) or 2-(hydroxyethyl)pyridine (hepH) gives the Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)(10) title compounds [Mn(12)O(8)Cl(4)(O(2)CPh)(8)(hmp)(6)] (2) and [Mn(12)O(8)Cl(4)(O(2)CPh)(8)(hep)(6)] (3), respectively, with X = Cl. Subsequent reaction of 3 with HBr affords the Br(-) analogue [Mn(12)O(8)Br(4)(O(2)CPh)(8)(hep)(6)] (4). Complexes 2.2Et(2)O.4CH(2)Cl(2), 3.7CH(2)Cl(2), and 4.2Et(2)O.1.4CH(2)Cl(2) crystallize in the triclinic space group P1, monoclinic space group C2/c, and tetragonal space group I4(1)/a, respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 represent a new structural type, possessing isomeric [Mn(III)(10)Mn(II)(2)O(16)Cl(2)] cores but with differing peripheral ligation. Complex 4 is essentially isostructural with 3. A magnetochemical investigation of complex 2 reveals an S = 6 or 7 ground state and frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals in ac susceptibility studies that establish it as a new class of single-molecule magnet. These signals occur at temperatures higher than those observed for all previously reported single-molecule magnets that are not derived from [Mn(12)O(12)(O(2)CR)(16)(H(2)O)(x)]. A detailed investigation of forms of complex 2 with different solvation levels reveals that the magnetic properties of 2 are extremely sensitive to the latter, emphasizing the importance to the single-molecule magnet properties of interstitial solvent molecules in the samples. In contrast, complexes 3 and 4 are low-spin molecules with an S = 0 ground state.     

Quantum tunneling of magnetization in a new [Mn18]2+ single-molecule magnet with s = 13

The reaction between 2-(hydroxyethyl)pyridine (hepH) and a 2:1 molar mixture of [Mn3O(O2CMe)6(py)3](ClO4) and [Mn3O(O2CMe)6(py)3](py) in MeCN leads to isolation of [Mn18O14(O2CMe)18(hep)4(hepH)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (1) in 10% yield. The complex is 2MnII,16MnIII and consists of a Mn4O6 central unit to either side of which is attached a Mn7O9 unit. Magnetization data collected in the 2.0-4.0 K and 20-50 kG ranges were fit to yield S = 13, g = 1.86, and D = -0.13 cm-1 = -0.19 K, where D is the axial zero-field splitting parameter. AC susceptibility studies in the 0.04-4.0 K range at frequencies up to 996 Hz display out-of-phase (chiM' ') signals, indicative of a single-molecule magnet (SMM). Magnetization vs applied DC field scans exhibit hysteresis at <1.0 K, confirming 1 to be a SMM. DC magnetization decay data were collected on both a microcrystalline sample and a single crystal, and the combined data were used to construct an Arrhenius plot. Between 3.50 and 0.50 K, the relaxation rate is temperature-dependent with an effective barrier to relaxation (Ueff) of 14.8 cm-1 = 21.3 K. Below ca. 0.25 K, the relaxation rate is temperature-independent at 1.3 x 10-8 s-1, indicative of quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) between the lowest energy Ms = +/-13 levels of the S = 13 state. Complex 1 is both the largest spin and highest nuclearity SMM to exhibit QTM.