Ultrawide band multifrequency high-field EMR technique: A methodology for increasing spectroscopic information

Dinuclear manganese(iii) complexes with bioinspired coordination and variable linkers showing weak exchange effects: a synthetic, structural, spectroscopic and computation study

High-resolution HFEPR indicates weak exchange interactions between Mn^III ions in agreement with DFT calculations.

A mononuclear five-coordinate Co(ii) single molecule magnet with a spin crossover between the S = 1/2 and 3/2 states

Although a great number of single-ion magnets (SIMs) and spin-crossover (SCO) compounds have been discovered, multifunctional materials with the combination of SCO and SIM properties are extremely scarce. Here magnetic studies have been carried out for a mononuclear, five-coordinate cobalt(ii) complex [Co(3,4-lut)4Br]Br (1) with square pyramidal geometry. Direct-current magnetic measurement confirms the spin transition between the S = 1/2 and 3/2 states in the range of 150-290 K with a small hysteresis loop. Frequency- and temperature-dependent alternating-current magnetic susceptibility reveals slow magnetization relaxation under an applied dc field of 3000 Oe. The work here presents the first instance of the five-coordinate mononuclear cobalt(ii)-based SIM exhibiting the thermally induced complete SCO.

Multi-frequency rapid-scan HFEPR

Gaining access to electron spin dynamics at (sub-)THz frequencies is highly challenging. However, this information is highly relevant for the understanding and development of spin polarization agents in dynamic nuclear polarization methods and single-molecule magnets for quantum computation. Here we demonstrate the first rapid-scan EPR experiment in 200 GHz frequency region. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) generated fast sinusoidal frequency sweeps with scan rates up to 3×10⁵ THz/s after the frequency multiplication, which is equal to 10⁷ T/s in field representation. Such high scan rates provide access to extremely short relaxation times T₂=2π×sweeprate^-0.5≈1 ns. The absence of a microwave cavity allowed us to perform multi-frequency experiments in the 170-250 GHz range. A further advantage of a cavity-less approach is the possibility to use vast sweeps, which in turn, allows the deconvolution using a linear sweep function. The deconvoluted spectra obtained with this method are identical to the slow-rate spectrum. We find spin-spin relaxation times of several nanoseconds for pure LiPc samples in this frequency range. These values cannot be obtained by means of conventional pulsed EPR methods.

Square-planar Co(iii) in {O4} coordination: large ZFS and reactivity with ROS

Oxidation of distorted square-planar perfluoropinacolate Co compound [CoII(pinF)2]2-, 1, to [CoIII(pinF)2]1-, 2, is reported. Rigidly square-planar 2 has an intermediate-spin, S = 1, ground state and very large zero-field splitting (ZFS) with D = 67.2 cm-1; |E| = 18.0 cm-1, (E/D = 0.27), g⊥ = 2.10, g‖ = 2.25 and χTIP = 1950 × 10-6 cm3 mol-1. This Co(iii) species, 2, reacts with ROS to oxidise two (pinF)2- ligands to form tetrahedral [CoII(Hpfa)4]2-, 3.

Force-detected high-frequency electron spin resonance spectroscopy using magnet-mounted nanomembrane: Robust detection of thermal magnetization modulation

In this study, we report a conceptually novel broadband high-frequency electron spin resonance (HFESR) spectroscopic technique. In contrast to the ordinary force-detected electron spin resonance (ESR) technique, which detects the magnetization change due to the saturation effect, this method measures the magnetization change due to the change of the sample temperature at resonance. To demonstrate its principle, we developed a silicon nitride nanomembrane-based force-detected ESR spectrometer, which can be stably operated even at high magnetic fields. Test measurements were performed for samples with different spin relaxation times. We succeeded in obtaining a seamless ESR spectrum in magnetic fields of 15 T and frequencies of 636 GHz without significant spectral distortion. A high spin sensitivity of 10¹² spins/G s was obtained, which was independent of the spin relaxation time. These results show that this technique can be used as a practical method in research fields where the HFESR technique is applicable.

Catalytic Nitrene Homocoupling by an Iron(II) Bis(alkoxide) Complex: Bulking Up the Alkoxide Enables a Wider Range of Substrates and Provides Insight into the Reaction Mechanism

The reaction of HOR' (OR' = di-t-butyl-(3,5-diphenylphenyl)methoxide) with an iron(II) amide precursor forms the iron(II) bis(alkoxide) complex Fe(OR')₂(THF)₂ (2). 2 (5-10 mol %) serves as a catalyst for the conversion of aryl azides into the corresponding azoarenes. The highest yields are observed for aryl azides featuring two ortho substituents; other substitution patterns in the aryl azide precursor lead to moderate or low yields. The reaction of 2 with stoichiometric amounts (2 equiv) of the corresponding aryl azide shows the formation of azoarenes as the only organic products for the bulkier aryl azides (Ar = mesityl, 2,6-diethylphenyl). In contrast, formation of tetrazene complexes Fe(OR')₂(ArNNNNAr) (3-6) is observed for the less bulky aryl azides (Ar = phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl). The electronic structure of selected tetrazene complexes was probed by spectroscopy (field-dependent ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and high-frequency EPR) and density functional theory calculations. These studies revealed that Fe(OR')₂(ArNNNNAr) complexes contain high-spin ( S = 5/2) iron(III) centers exchange-coupled to tetrazene radical anions. Tetrazene complexes Fe(OR')₂(ArNNNNAr) produce the corresponding azoarenes (ArNNAr) upon heating. Treatment of a tetrazene complex Fe(OR')₂(ArNNNNAr) with a different azide (N₃Ar') produces all three possible products ArNNAr, ArNNAr', and Ar'NNAr'. These experiments and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations exploring the reaction mechanism suggest that the tetrazene functionality serves as a masked form of the reactive iron mono(imido) species.

Probing Fe-V Bonding in a C3-Symmetric Heterobimetallic Complex

Direct metal-metal bonding of two distinct first-row transition metals remains relatively unexplored compared to their second- and third-row heterobimetallic counterparts. Herein, a recently reported Fe-V triply bonded species, [V( ⁱPrNPPh₂)₃FeI] (1; Kuppuswamy, S.; Powers, T. M.; Krogman, J. P.; Bezpalko, M. W.; Foxman, B. M.; Thomas, C. M. Vanadium-iron complexes featuring metal-metal multiple bonds. Chem. Sci. 2013, 4, 3557-3565), is investigated using high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance, field- and temperature-dependent ⁵⁷Fe nuclear gamma resonance (Mössbauer) spectroscopy, and high-field electron-electron double resonance detected nuclear magnetic resonance. From the use of this suite of physical methods, we have assessed the electronic structure of 1. These studies allow us to establish the effective g̃ tensors as well as the Fe/V electro-nuclear hyperfine interaction tensors of the spin S = ¹/₂ ground state. We have rationalized these tensors in the context of ligand field theory supported by quantum chemical calculations. This theoretical analysis suggests that the S = ¹/₂ ground state originates from a single unpaired electron predominately localized on the Fe site.

High-Frequency/High-Field Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Theoretical Studies of Tryptophan-Based Radicals

Tryptophan-based free radicals have been implicated in a myriad of catalytic and electron transfer reactions in biology. However, very few of them have been trapped so that biophysical characterizations can be performed in a high-precision context. In this work, tryptophan derivative-based radicals were studied by high-frequency/high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) and quantum chemical calculations. Radicals were generated at liquid nitrogen temperature with a photocatalyst, sacrificial oxidant, and violet laser. The precise g-anisotropies of l- and d-tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-methoxytryptophan, 5-fluorotryptophan, and 7-hydroxytryptophan were measured directly by HFEPR. Quantum chemical calculations were conducted to predict both neutral and cationic radical spectra for comparison with the experimental data. The results indicate that under the experimental conditions, all radicals formed were cationic. Spin densities of the radicals were also calculated. The various line patterns and g-anisotropies observed by HFEPR can be understood in terms of spin-density populations and the positioning of oxygen atom substitution on the tryptophan ring. The results are considered in the light of the tryptophan and 7-hydroxytryptophan diradical found in the biosynthesis of the tryptophan tryptophylquinone cofactor of methylamine dehydrogenase.

X-band EPR setup with THz light excitation of Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser: Goals, means, useful extras

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) station at the Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser (NovoFEL) user facility is described. It is based on X-band (∼9 GHz) EPR spectrometer and operates in both Continuous Wave (CW) and Time-Resolved (TR) modes, each allowing detection of either direct or indirect influence of high-power NovoFEL light (THz and mid-IR) on the spin system under study. The optics components including two parabolic mirrors, shutters, optical chopper and multimodal waveguide allow the light of NovoFEL to be directly fed into the EPR resonator. Characteristics of the NovoFEL radiation, the transmission and polarization-retaining properties of the waveguide used in EPR experiments are presented. The types of proposed experiments accessible using this setup are sketched. In most practical cases the high-power radiation applied to the sample induces its rapid temperature increase (T-jump), which is best visible in TR mode. Although such influence is a by-product of THz radiation, this thermal effect is controllable and can deliberately be used to induce and measure transient signals of arbitrary samples. The advantage of tunable THz radiation is the absence of photo-induced processes in the sample and its high penetration ability, allowing fast heating of a large portion of virtually any sample and inducing intense transients. Such T-jump TR EPR spectroscopy with THz pulses has been previewed for the two test samples, being a useful supplement for the main goals of the created setup.

Self-assembly of a mixed-valence FeII–FeIII tetranuclear star

A self-assembled mixed-valence Fe^II–Fe^III tetranuclear star is reported that shows ferromagnetic coupling, field-induced single molecule magnetism and strong magnetic anisotropy at the peripheral Fe^II centres.

Ultra-broadband EPR spectroscopy in field and frequency domains

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is a powerful technique to investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of a wide range of materials.

First crystal structures of oxo-bridged [CrIIITaV] dinuclear complexes: spectroscopic, magnetic and theoretical investigations of the Cr–O–Ta core

The vibrational, electronic, structural and magnetic properties of dinuclear compounds with a Cr–O–Ta bridge were validated with DFT calculations.

Magnetic anisotropy and relaxation behavior of six-coordinate tris(pivalato)-Co(ii) and -Ni(ii) complexes

Magnetic measurements, HFEPR and theoretical calculations have been used to study the magnetic anisotropy of the six-coordinate field-induced single ion magnet (NBu₄)[Co(piv)₃] and its Ni analogue.

Across the tree of life, radiation resistance is governed by antioxidant Mn2+, gauged by paramagnetic resonance

Despite concerted functional genomic efforts to understand the complex phenotype of ionizing radiation (IR) resistance, a genome sequence cannot predict whether a cell is IR-resistant or not. Instead, we report that absorption-display electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of nonirradiated cells is highly diagnostic of IR survival and repair efficiency of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) caused by exposure to gamma radiation across archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes, including fungi and human cells. IR-resistant cells, which are efficient at DSB repair, contain a high cellular content of manganous ions (Mn²⁺) in high-symmetry (H) antioxidant complexes with small metabolites (e.g., orthophosphate, peptides), which exhibit narrow EPR signals (small zero-field splitting). In contrast, Mn²⁺ ions in IR-sensitive cells, which are inefficient at DSB repair, exist largely as low-symmetry (L) complexes with substantially broadened spectra seen with enzymes and strongly chelating ligands. The fraction of cellular Mn²⁺ present as H-complexes (H-Mn²⁺), as measured by EPR of live, nonirradiated Mn-replete cells, is now the strongest known gauge of biological IR resistance between and within organisms representing all three domains of life: Antioxidant H-Mn²⁺ complexes, not antioxidant enzymes (e.g., Mn superoxide dismutase), govern IR survival. As the pool of intracellular metabolites needed to form H-Mn²⁺ complexes depends on the nutritional status of the cell, we conclude that IR resistance is predominantly a metabolic phenomenon. In a cross-kingdom analysis, the vast differences in taxonomic classification, genome size, and radioresistance between cell types studied here support that IR resistance is not controlled by the repertoire of DNA repair and antioxidant enzymes.

Synthetic, Structural, and Spectroscopic Characterization of a Novel Family of High-Spin Iron(II) [(β-Diketiminate)(phosphanylphosphido)] Complexes

This work describes a series of iron(II) phosphanylphosphido complexes. These compounds were obtained by reacting lithiated diphosphanes R₂PP(SiMe₃)Li (R = t-Bu, i-Pr) with an iron(II) β-diketiminate complex, [LFe(μ₂-Cl)₂Li(DME)₂] (1), where DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane and L = Dippnacnac (β-diketiminate). While the reaction of 1 with t-Bu₂PP(SiMe₃)Li yields [LFe(η¹-Me₃SiPP-t-Bu₂)] (2), that of 1 with equimolar amounts of i-Pr₂PP(SiMe₃)Li, in DME, leads to [LFe(η²-i-Pr₂PPSiMe₃)] (3). In contrast, the reaction of 1 with (i-Pr₂N)₂PP(SiMe₃)Li provides not an iron-containing complex but 1-[(diisopropylamino)phosphine]-2,4-bis(diisopropylamino)-3-(trimethylsilyl)tetraphosphetane (4). The structures of 2-4 were determined using diffractometry. Thus, 2 exhibits a three-coordinate iron site and 3 a four-coordinate iron site. The increase in the coordination number is induced by the change from an anticlinal to a synclinal conformation of the phoshpanylphosphido ligands. The electronic structures of 2 and 3 were assessed through a combined field-dependent ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer and high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic investigation in conjunction with analysis of their magnetic susceptibility and magnetization data. These studies revealed two high-spin iron(II) sites with S = 2 ground states that have different properties. While 2 exhibits a zero-field splitting described by a positive D parameter (D = +17.4 cm^-1; E/D = 0.11) for 3, this parameter is negative [D = -25(5) cm^-1; E/D = 0.15(5)]. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations provide insights into the origin of these differences and allow us to rationalize the fine and hyperfine structure parameters of 2 and 3. Thus, for 2, the spin-orbit coupling mixes a z²-type ground state with two low-lying {xz/yz} orbital states. These interactions lead to an easy plane of magnetization, which is essentially parallel to the plane defined by the N-Fe-N atoms. For 3, we find a yz-type ground state that is strongly mixed with a low-lying z²-type orbital state. In this case, the spin-orbit interaction leads to a partial unquenching of the orbital momentum along the x axis, that is, to an easy axis of magnetization oriented roughly along the Fe-P bond of the phosphido moiety.

Field-Assisted Slow Magnetic Relaxation in a Six-Coordinate Co(II)-Co(III) Complex with Large Negative Anisotropy

The reaction of Co(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O with the Schiff base ligand LH₄ derived from o-vanillin and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane produces the dinuclear mixed-valence complex [Co^IICo^III(LH₂)₂(CH₃COO)(H₂O)](H₂O)₃ (1), which has been investigated using IR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, HFEPR spectroscopy, and ac susceptibility measurements at various frequencies, temperatures, and external magnetic fields. The structure of 1 consists of neutral molecules in which two cobalt ions with distorted octahedral geometries, Co^IIO₆ and Co^IIIN₂O₄, are bridged by two deprotonated -CH₂O^- groups of the two LH₂^2- ligands. 1 completes a series with Cl, Br, NO₃, and NCS anions published before by different authors. Low-temperature HFEPR measurements reveal that the ground electronic state of the Co(II) center in 1 is a highly anisotropic Kramers doublet; the effective g values of 7.18, 2.97, and 1.96 are frequency-independent over the frequency ranges 200-630, 200-406, and 200-300 GHz for the highest, intermediate, and lowest g_eff values, respectively. The two lower values were not seen at higher frequencies because the magnetic field was not high enough. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and field-dependent magnetization data confirm high magnetic anisotropy of the easy axis type. Complex 1 behaves as a single-ion magnet under a small applied external field and demonstrates two relaxation modes that strongly depend on the applied static dc field. The observation of multiple relaxation pathways clearly distinguishes 1 from the Cl and Br analogues.

Spectroscopic and Computational Studies of Spin States of Iron(IV) Nitrido and Imido Complexes

High-oxidation-state metal complexes with multiply bonded ligands are of great interest for both their reactivity as well as their fundamental bonding properties. This paper reports a combined spectroscopic and theoretical investigation into the effect of the apical multiply bonded ligand on the spin-state preferences of threefold symmetric iron(IV) complexes with tris(carbene) donor ligands. Specifically, singlet (S = 0) nitrido [{PhB(Im^R)₃}FeN], R = ^tBu (1), Mes (mesityl, 2) and the related triplet (S = 1) imido complexes, [{PhB(Im^R)₃}Fe(NR')]⁺, R = Mes, R' = 1-adamantyl (3), ^tBu (4), were investigated by electronic absorption and Mössbauer effect spectroscopies. For comparison, two other Fe(IV) nitrido complexes, [(TIMEN^Ar)FeN]⁺ (TIMEN^Ar = tris[2-(3-aryl-imidazol-2-ylidene)ethyl]amine; Ar = Xyl (xylyl), Mes), were investigated by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, including applied-field measurements. The paramagnetic imido complexes 3 and 4 were also studied by magnetic susceptibility measurements (for 3) and paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy: high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (for 3 and 4) and frequency-domain Fourier-transform (FD-FT) terahertz electron paramagnetic resonance (for 3), which reveal their zero-field splitting parameters. Experimentally correlated theoretical studies comprising ligand-field theory and quantum chemical theory, the latter including both density functional theory and ab initio methods, reveal the key role played by the Fe 3d_z² (a₁) orbital in these systems: the nature of its interaction with the nitrido or imido ligand dictates the spin-state preference of the complex. The ability to tune the spin state through the energy and nature of a single orbital has general relevance to the factors controlling spin states in complexes with applicability as single molecule devices.

Gd3+-Gd3+ distances exceeding 3 nm determined by very high frequency continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in combination with site-directed spin labeling is a very powerful tool for elucidating the structure and organization of biomolecules. Gd3+ complexes have recently emerged as a new class of spin labels for distance determination by pulsed EPR spectroscopy at Q- and W-band. We present CW EPR measurements at 240 GHz (8.6 Tesla) on a series of Gd-rulers of the type Gd-PyMTA-spacer-Gd-PyMTA, with Gd-Gd distances ranging from 1.2 nm to 4.3 nm. CW EPR measurements of these Gd-rulers show that significant dipolar broadening of the central |-1/2〉 → |1/2〉 transition occurs at 30 K for Gd-Gd distances up to ∼3.4 nm with Gd-PyMTA as the spin label. This represents a significant extension for distances accessible by CW EPR, as nitroxide-based spin labels at X-band frequencies can typically only access distances up to ∼2 nm. We show that this broadening persists at biologically relevant temperatures above 200 K, and that this method is further extendable up to room temperature by immobilizing the sample in glassy trehalose. We show that the peak-to-peak broadening of the central transition follows the expected 1/r3 dependence for the electron-electron dipolar interaction, from cryogenic temperatures up to room temperature. A simple procedure for simulating the dependence of the lineshape on interspin distance is presented, in which the broadening of the central transition is modeled as an S = 1/2 spin whose CW EPR lineshape is broadened through electron-electron dipolar interactions with a neighboring S = 7/2 spin.

A five-coordinate manganese(iii) complex of a salen type ligand with a positive axial anisotropy parameter D

Quantum chemical calculations reproduced well the electronic absorption spectrum and spin Hamiltonian parameters for MnL(NCS).

Magnetic Anisotropy of Tetrahedral CoII Single-Ion Magnets: Solid-State Effects

This study reports the static and dynamic magnetic characterization of two mononuclear tetrahedral Co^II complexes, [Co{ⁱPr₂P(E)NP(E)ⁱPr₂}₂], where E = S (CoS₄) and Se (CoSe₄), which behave as single-ion magnets (SIMs). Low-temperature (15 K) single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies point out that the two complexes exhibit similar structural features in their first coordination sphere, but a disordered peripheral ⁱPr group is observed only in CoS₄. Although the latter complex crystallizes in an axial space group, the observed structural disorder leads to larger transverse magnetic anisotropy for the majority of the molecules compared to CoSe₄, as confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Static magnetic characterization indicates that both CoS₄ and CoSe₄ show easy-axis anisotropy, with comparable D values (∼-30 cm^-1). Moreover, alternating-current susceptibility measurements on these Co^II complexes, magnetically diluted in their isostructural Zn^II analogues, highlight the role of dipolar magnetic coupling in the mechanism of magnetization reversal. In addition, our findings suggest that, despite their similar anisotropic features, CoS₄ and CoSe₄ relax magnetically via different processes. This work provides experimental evidence that solid-state effects may affect the magnetic behavior of SIMs.

HFEPR and Computational Studies on the Electronic Structure of a High-Spin Oxidoiron(IV) Complex in Solution

Nonheme iron enzymes perform diverse and important functions in biochemistry. The active form of these enzymes comprises the ferryl, oxidoiron(IV), [FeO](2+) unit. In enzymes, this unit is in the high-spin, quintet, S = 2, ground state, while many synthetic model compounds exist in the spin triplet, S = 1, ground state. Recently, however, Que and co-workers reported an oxidoiron(IV) complex with a quintet ground state, [FeO(TMG3tren)](OTf)2, where TMG3tren = 1,1,1-tris{2-[N2-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidino)]ethyl}amine and OTf = CF3SO3(-). The trigonal geometry imposed by this ligand, as opposed to the tetragonal geometry of earlier model complexes, favors the high-spin ground state. Although [FeO(TMG3tren)](2+) has been earlier probed by magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and Mössbauer spectroscopies, the technique of high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) is superior for describing the electronic structure of the iron(IV) center because of its ability to establish directly the spin-Hamiltonian parameters of high-spin metal centers with high precision. Herein we describe HFEPR studies on [FeO(TMG3tren)](OTf)2 generated in situ and confirm the S = 2 ground state with the following parameters: D = +4.940(5) cm(-1), E = 0.000(5), B4(0) = -14(1) × 10(-4) cm(-1), g⊥ = 2.006(2), and g∥ = 2.03(2). Extraction of a fourth-order spin-Hamiltonian parameter is unusual for HFEPR and impossible by other techniques. These experimental results are combined with state-of-the-art computational studies along with previous structural and spectroscopic results to provide a complete picture of the electronic structure of this biomimetic complex. Specifically, the calculations reproduce well the spin-Hamiltonian parameters of the complex, provide a satisfying geometrical picture of the S = 2 oxidoiron(IV) moiety, and demonstrate that the TMG3tren is an "innocent" ligand.

Origin of the Zero-Field Splitting in Mononuclear Octahedral Mn(IV) Complexes: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

The aim of this work was to determine and understand the origin of the electronic properties of Mn(IV) complexes, especially the zero-field splitting (ZFS), through a combined experimental and theoretical investigation on five well-characterized mononuclear octahedral Mn(IV) compounds, with various coordination spheres (N6, N3O3, N2O4 in both trans (trans-N2O4) and cis configurations (cis-N2O4) and O4S2). High-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR) spectroscopy has been applied to determine the ZFS parameters of two of these compounds, MnL(trans-N2O4) and MnL(O4S2). While at X-band EPR, the axial-component of the ZFS tensor, D, was estimated to be +0.47 cm(-1) for MnL(O4S2), and a D-value of +2.289(5) cm(-1) was determined by HFEPR, which is the largest D-magnitude ever measured for a Mn(IV) complex. A moderate D value of -0.997(6) cm(-1) has been found for MnL(trans-N2O4). Quantum chemical calculations based on two theoretical frameworks (the Density Functional Theory based on a coupled perturbed approach (CP-DFT) and the hybrid Ligand-Field DFT (LF-DFT)) have been performed to define appropriate methodologies to calculate the ZFS tensor for Mn(IV) centers, to predict the orientation of the magnetic axes with respect to the molecular ones, and to define and quantify the physical origin of the different contributions to the ZFS. Except in the case of MnL(trans-N2O4), the experimental and calculated D values are in good agreement, and the sign of D is well predicted, LF-DFT being more satisfactory than CP-DFT. The calculations performed on MnL(cis-N2O4) are consistent with the orientation of the principal anisotropic axis determined by single-crystal EPR, validating the calculated ZFS tensor orientation. The different contributions to D were analyzed demonstrating that the d-d transitions mainly govern D in Mn(IV) ion. However, a deep analysis evidences that many factors enter into the game, explaining why no obvious magnetostructural correlations can be drawn in this series of Mn(IV) complexes.

Supramolecular aggregates of single-molecule magnets: exchange-biased quantum tunneling of magnetization in a rectangular [Mn3]4 tetramer

Exchange-biased QTM within a magnetically-supramolecular tetramer of Mn₃ single-molecule magnets with spin S = 6 has been analyzed.

The syntheses and properties of four magnetically-supramolecular oligomers of triangular Mn₃ units are reported: dimeric [Mn₆O₂(O₂CMe)₈(CH₃OH)₂(pdpd)₂] (3) and [Mn₆O₂(O₂CMe)₈(py)₂(pdpd)₂](ClO₄)₂ (4), and tetrameric [Mn₁₂O₄(O₂CR)₁₂(pdpd)₆](ClO₄)₄ (R = Me (5), ^tBu (6)). They were all obtained employing 3-phenyl-1,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)pentane-1,5-dione dioxime (pdpdH₂), either in direct synthesis reactions involving oxidation of Mn^II salts or in metathesis reactions with the preformed complex [Mn₃O(O₂CMe)₆(py)₃](ClO₄) (1); complex 6 was then obtained by carboxylate substitution on complex 5. Complexes 3 and 4 contain two [MnIII2Mn^II(μ₃-O)]⁶⁺ and [MnIII3(μ₃-O)]⁷⁺ units, respectively, linked by two pdpd^2– groups. Complexes 5 and 6 contain four [MnIII3(μ₃-O)]⁷⁺ units linked by six pdpd^2– groups into a rectangular tetramer [MnIII3]₄. Solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility studies showed that the Mn₃ subunits in 3 and 4 have a ground-state spin of S = 3/2 and S = 2, respectively, while the Mn₃ subunits in 5 and 6 possess an S = 6 ground state. Complexes 5 and 6 exhibit frequency-dependent out-of-phase (χ′′_M) ac susceptibility signals indicating 5 and 6 to be tetramers of Mn₃ single-molecule magnets (SMMs). High-frequency EPR studies of a microcrystalline powder sample of 5·2CH₂Cl₂ provided precise spin Hamiltonian parameters of D = –0.33 cm^–1, |E| = 0.03 cm^–1, B04 = –8.0 × 10^–5 cm^–1, and g = 2.0. Magnetization vs. dc field sweeps on a single crystal of 5·xCH₂Cl₂ gave hysteresis loops below 1 K that exhibit exchange-biased quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) steps with a bias field of 0.19 T. Simulation of the loops determined that each Mn₃ unit is exchange-coupled to the two neighbors linked to it by the pdpd^2– linkers, with an antiferromagnetic inter-Mn₃ exchange interaction of J/k_B = –0.011 K (Ĥ = –2Jŝ_i·ŝ_j convention). The work demonstrates a rational approach to synthesizing magnetically-supramolecular aggregates of SMMs as potential multi-qubit systems for quantum computing.

Covalently Linked Dimer of Mn3 Single-Molecule Magnets and Retention of Its Structure and Quantum Properties in Solution

[Mn3O(O2CMe)3(dpd)3/2)]2(I3)2 has been obtained from the reaction of 1,3-di(pyridin-2-yl)propane-1,3-dione dioxime (dpdH2) with triangular [Mn(III)3O(O2CMe)(py)3](ClO4). It comprises two [Mn(III)3O](7+) triangular units linked covalently by three dioximate ligands into a [Mn3]2 dimer. Solid state dc and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that each Mn3 subunit of the dimer is a separate single-molecule magnet (SMM) with an S = 6 ground state and that the two SMM units are very weakly ferromagnetically exchange coupled. High-frequency EPR spectroscopy on a single crystal displays signal splittings indicative of quantum superposition/entanglement of the two SMMs, and parallel studies on MeCN/toluene (1:1) frozen solutions reveal the same spectral features. The dimer thus retains its structure and inter-Mn3 coupling upon dissolution. This work establishes that covalently linked molecular oligomers of exchange-coupled SMMs can be prepared that retain their oligomeric nature and attendant inter-SMM quantum mechanical coupling in solution, providing a second phase for their study and demonstrating the feasibility of using solution methods for their deposition on surfaces and related substrates for study.

Effective catalytic disproportionation of aqueous H2O2 with di- and mono-nuclear manganese(II) complexes containing pyridine alcohol ligands

The two novel manganese(II) complexes with 2-hydroxymethylpyridine (2-CH2OHpy) {[Mn2(μ-Cl)2(2-CH2OHpy)4]Cl2·2H2O (1)} and 2-hydroxyethylpyridine (2-(CH2)2OHpy) {[Mn(2-(CH2)2OHpy)2(NCS)2] (2)} were synthesized and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, IR, EPR, HF EPR spectroscopy, magnetic and TG/DTG data. The complexes show catalase-like activity in neutral aqueous solution since they were able to disproportionate H2O2 to harmless H2O and O2. Both complexes act as true catalysts since they reverted to their original form after depleting all the H2O2, as suggested by the operando resonant inelastic X-ray spectroscopy (RIXS) measurements.

General magnetic transition dipole moments for electron paramagnetic resonance

We present general expressions for the magnetic transition rates in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments of anisotropic spin systems in the solid state. The expressions apply to general spin centers and arbitrary excitation geometry (Voigt, Faraday, and intermediate). They work for linear and circular polarized as well as unpolarized excitation, and for crystals and powders. The expressions are based on the concept of the (complex) magnetic transition dipole moment vector. Using the new theory, we determine the parities of ground and excited spin states of high-spin (S=5/2) Fe(III) in hemin from the polarization dependence of experimental EPR line intensities.

Structural, spectroscopic, magnetic behavior and DFT investigations ofl-tyrosinato nickel(ii) coordination polymer

The 4,4′-bpy molecules are weakly bonded with nickel(ii) ions in 1Dl-tyrosinato coordination polymer.