Synthesis, redox, and magnetic properties of a neutral, mixed-valent heptanuclear manganese wheel with S = 27/2 high-spin ground state

Reaction of lithium tetrachloromanganate(II) with N-n-butyldiethanolamine H2L3 (3) in the presence of LiH leads to the formation of wheel-shaped, mixed-valent heptanuclear, neutral complex {MnII subset[MnII2MnIII4Cl6(L3)6]} (4). The manganese wheel crystallizes in the triclinic space group P as 4.2CHCl3 or 4.3THF when either diethyl ether or n-pentane was allowed to diffuse into solutions of 4 in chloroform or tetrahydrofuran. The oxidation states of each manganese ion in 4.2CHCl3 or 4.3THF were assigned on the basis of detailed symmetry, bond length, and charge considerations, as well as by the Jahn-Teller axial elongation observed for the manganese(III) ions, and were further supported by cyclic voltammetry. The analysis of the SQUID magnetic susceptibility data for complex 4.2CHCl3 showed that the intramolecular magnetic coupling of the manganese(II,III) ions is dominated by ferromagnetic exchange interactions. This results in an S = 27/2 ground-state multiplet at low magnetic field. At fields higher than 0.68 T, the energetically lowest state is given by the mS = 31/2 component of the S = 31/2 multiplet due to the Zeeman effect. The ligand-field-splitting parameters were determined by anisotropy SQUID measurements on single crystalline samples along the crystallographic x, y, and z axes (D = -0.055 K, E = 6.6 mK) and by high-frequency electron spin resonance measurements on a polycrystalline powder of 4.2CHCl3 (D = -0.068 K, E = 9.7 mK). The resulting barrier height for magnetization reversal amounts to U approximately 10 K. Finally, 2DEG Hall magnetization measurements revealed that 4.2CHCl3 shows single-molecule magnet behavior up to the blocking temperature of about 0.6 K with closely spaced steps in the hysteresis because of the quantum tunneling of the magnetization.     

Catching gaseous SO2 in cone-type lanthanide complexes: an unexpected coordination mode for SO2 in f-element chemistry

Easy come, easy go: the first molecular SO(2) complexes of the lanthanides (Ln=Sm, Eu) have been prepared. The compounds can reversibly coordinate gaseous SO(2). Concomitant with the addition and removal of SO(2), the color of the complexes changes reversibly. The structures of the SO(2) compounds could be confirmed in solution and in the solid state.     

Tocher's Principle of Modelling: Practical Significance and Mathematical Implications

This paper describes an important principle of modelling put forward by the late K. D. Tocher, namely that a clear distinction should be made between a system modelled and problems about the system. An example illustrates the many different practical problems one may be led to solve about a given economic system, e.g. an industrial firm. The example also shows that problems often result from the solutions to other problems, and thus cannot all be simultaneously anticipated. This suggests the need for a modelling system which, given a model of a system, may be used to solve any problem about the system.The overall problem can be described as that of solving an underdetermined system of equations. The precise meaning of the problem is defined for the case of sparse systems. Finally, the main features of a computer program based on Tocher's philosopy are outlined.     

Host‐Guest Complexes of [TriPip222], the Piperazine Analogue of [2.2.2]: Prediction of Ion Selectivity by Quantum Chemical Calculations VIII[#]

The selectivity of the cryptand [TriPip222], a per‐aza analogue of cryptand [2.2.2], in which each of the linking arms contains a piperazine ring for the endohedral complexation of metal cations of the I, II, and III main groups and group 12 of the periodic table of elements, was predicted on the basis of DFT [B3LYP/LANL2DZp (LANL2DZp = LANL2DZ augmented with polarization functions on non‐hydrogen atoms)] calculated structures and complex‐formation energies. The cavity size of the studied cryptand is similar to that of [bpy.bpy.bpy], [2.bpy.bpy] and [2.phen.phen], such that the complexation of K⁺ > Na⁺ and of Sr²⁺ ≈ Ca²⁺ > Ba²⁺ are most favorable. The essential flexibility for achieving the selectivity of the cryptand is mainly associated with a twist of the CH₂–N_bridgehead ··· N_bridgehead–CH₂ angle and not with the piperazine moiety.