Magnetic-field-induced superconductivity in a two-dimensional organic conductor

Electrical properties of new organic conductor (BEST)(2)InBr(4) [BEST = bis(ethylenediseleno)tetrathiafulvalene] up to 10.8 GPa and antiferromagnetic transition of (BEST)(2)FeBr(4)

A new organic conductor, (BEST)(2)InBr(4), with alternating donor layer arrangement has been synthesized, and the electrical properties have been investigated up to 10.8 GPa. The temperature dependence of the high-pressure resistivity shows a complicated metal-semiconductor transition behavior. The room temperature resistivity decreases with pressure up to 8.6 GPa but increases at higher pressures. The magnetic susceptibility of an isostructural (BEST)(2)FeBr(4) salt shows an antiferromagnetic transition at 4.4 K, which is suppressed with increasing magnetic field.

Magneto-optical studies of low-dimensional organic conductors

Our periodic orbit resonance (POR) results on quasi-two-dimensional (q2D), highly anisotropic q2D and quasi-one-dimensional (q1D) organic conductors are reviewed together with our rotational cavity magneto-optical measurement system. Higher order POR up to seventh order has been observed in the q2D system (BEDT-TTF)₂Br(DIA), and the experimental conditions to observe POR and the cyclotron resonance (CR) are discussed. Highly anisotropic q2D Fermi surface (FS) in β″-(BEDT-TTF)(TCNQ), which was considered to have q1D FS previously, is proposed by our POR measurements, and the possible interpretations of other experimental results of β″-(BEDT-TTF)(TCNQ) are discussed assuming the highly anisotropic q2D FS. Finally, detailed q1D FS of (DMET)₂I₃, obtained from our POR results, is discussed in connection with the typical q1D system (TMTSF)₂ClO₄.

On the nature of the reversibility of hydration-dehydration on the crystal structure and magnetism of the ferrimagnet [MnII(enH)(H2O)][CrIII(CN)6].H2O

We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and thermal and magnetic properties of the two-dimensional achiral soft ferrimagnet [Mn(II)(enH)(H(2)O)][Cr(III)(CN)(6)].H(2)O (1), en = 1,2-diaminoethane, as well as the recyclability of the dehydration and rehydration and their influence on the crystal structure and its magnetic properties. Unlike [Mn(S-pnH)(H(2)O)][Cr(CN)(6)].H(2)O (2S, pn = 1,2-diaminopropane), which is a chiral (P2(1)2(1)2(1)) enantiopure ferrimagnet (T(C) = 38 K), 1 crystallizes in the achiral orthorhombic Pcmn space group, having a similar two-dimensional square network of Mn-Cr with bridging cyanide, and 1 behaves also as a soft ferrimagnet (T(C) = 42 K). X-ray diffraction experiments on a single crystal of 1 indicate a transformation from a single crystal to an amorphous phase upon dehydrataion and partial recovery of its crystallinity upon rehydration. The dehydrated phase 1-DP exhibits long-range ordering at 75 K to a ferrimagnetic state and coercive field at 2 K of 100 Oe, which are a higher critical temperature and coercive field than for the virgin sample (H(C) = 60 Oe). Thermogravimetric analyses indicate that the crystallinity deteriorates upon hydration-dehydration cycling, with persistence toward the amorphous phase, as also seen by magnetization measurements. This effect is associated with an increase of statistical disorder inherent in the dehydration-rehydration process. X-ray powder diffraction suggests that 1-DP may retain order within the layers but loses coherence in the stacking of the layers.

Pi-donor BETS based bifunctional superconductor with polymeric dicyanamidomanganate(II) anion layer: kappa-(BETS)2Mn[N(CN)2]3

Crystals of the bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene (BETS) radical cation salt with dicyanamidomanganate(II) anion, kappa-(BETS)2Mn[N(CN)2]3, were synthesized, which combine conducting and magnetic properties at ambient pressure and are superconducting (Tc approximately/= 5 K) at a moderate pressure of 0.3 kbar.

Antiferromagnetic d-electron exchange via a spin-singlet pi-electron ground state in an organic conductor

Electron spin resonance reveals the spin behavior of conduction (pi) and localized (d) electrons in beta-(BDA-TTP)2MCl4 (M=Fe, Ga). Both the Ga3+(S=0) and Fe3+(S=5/2) compounds exhibit a metal-insulator transition at 113 K with the simultaneous formation of a spin-singlet ground state in the pi electron system of the donor molecules. The behavior is consistent with charge ordering in beta-(BDA-TTP)2MCl4 at the metal-insulator transition. At 5 K, the Fe3+ compound orders antiferromagnetically, even though the pi electrons, which normally would facilitate magnetic exchange, are localized nonmagnetic singlets.

Field-Induced Ferrimagnetic State in a Molecule-Based Magnet Consisting of a CoII Ion and a Chiral Triplet Bis(nitroxide) Radical

We present the synthesis, crystal structure, and temperature and field dependence of the magnetic properties of a new molecule-based magnet, [Co(hfac)2].BNO* (1), where hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonato and BNO* is the chiral triplet bis(nitroxide), 1,3-bis(N-tert-butyl-N-oxylamino)-5-{1'-methyl-1'-[2' '-(S)-methylbutoxy]ethyl}benzene. The presence of enantiomer-pure BNO induces the formation of chiral one-dimensional chains that are packed parallel to each other in the noncentrosymmetric P1 space group. 1 exhibits four magnetic ground states: paramagnetic; antiferromagnetic; forced ferrimagnetic; field-induced metastable ferrimagnetic. In the paramagnetic state (T > 20 K), it presents short-range antiferromagnetic interaction between Co ion and nitroxide radical and has a minimum of chimT value at 220 K. The Weiss temperature estimated in the temperature range 220-300 K is found to be -89.9 K. At 20 K (TN), an antiferromagnetic long-range ordering is established. In the temperature range 4 K < T < 20 K, the isothermal magnetization curve show a spin-flip transition to the forced ferrimagnetic state at around 850 Oe. Below 4 K, this compound enters into a field-induced ferrimagnetic state, which is metastable and stabilized by the Ising character of the Co ion. In the low-temperature phase, the material becomes a very hard magnet with wide hysteresis loop whose coercive field reaches 25 kOe at 2 K. The magnetic phase diagram based on these magnetic data is presented.

New BEDT-TTF/[Fe(C5O5)3]3- Hybrid System: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Physical Properties of a Chirality-Induced α Phase and a Novel Magnetic Molecular Metal

The paramagnetic and chiral anion [Fe(C5O5)3]3- (C5O52-=croconate) has been combined with the organic donor BEDT-TTF (=ET=bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene) to synthesize a novel paramagnetic semiconductor with the first chirality-induced alpha phase, alpha-(BEDT-TTF)5[Fe(C5O5)3].5H2O (1), and one of the few known paramagnetic molecular metals, beta-(BEDT-TTF)5[Fe(C5O5)3].C6H5CN (2). Both compounds present layers of BEDT-TTF molecules, with the alpha or beta packing modes, alternating with layers containing the high-spin S=5/2 Fe(III) anions and solvent molecules. In the alpha phase, the alternation of the chiral [Fe(C5O5)3]3- anions along the direction perpendicular to the BEDT-TTF chains induces an alternation of the tilt angle of the BEDT-TTF molecules, giving rise to the observed alpha phase. The alpha phase presents a semiconductor behavior with a high room-temperature conductivity (6 S.cm-1) and an activation energy of 116 meV. The beta phase presents a metallic behavior down to ca. 120 K, where a charge localization takes place with a reentrance to the metallic state below ca. 20 K followed by a metal-semiconductor transition at ca. 10 K. The magnetic properties are dominated by the paramagnetic S=5/2 [Fe(C5O5)3]3- anion with an extra Pauli-type paramagnetism in the metallic beta phase. The ESR spectra confirm the presence of the high-spin Fe(III)-containing anion and show a progressive localization in the organic sublattice along with an antiferromagnetic coupling below ca. 120 K that, in the metallic beta phase, could be at the origin of the transition from the metallic to the activated conductivity regime. The correlation between crystal structure and conductivity behavior has been studied by means of tight-binding band structure calculations which provide a rationalization of the charge distribution and conductivity results.

Synthesis of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) derivatives functionalised with two, four or eight hydroxyl groups

Short synthetic routes to a range of BEDT-TTF derivatives functionalised with two, four or eight hydroxyl groups are reported, of interest because of their potential for introducing hydrogen bonding between donor and anion into their radical cation salts. The cycloaddition of 1,3-dithiole-2,4,5-trithione with alkenes to construct 5,6-dihydro-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-b]1,4-dithiin-2-thiones is a key step, with homo- or hetero-coupling procedures and O-deprotection completing the syntheses. The first synthesis of a single diastereomer of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)BEDT-TTF, the cis,trans product, was achieved by careful choice of O-protecting groups to facilitate separation of homo- and hetero-coupled products. Cyclisation of the trithione with enantiopure 1R,2R,5R,6R-bis(O,O-isopropylidene)hex-3-ene-1,2,5,6-tetrol (from D-mannitol) gave two separable diastereomeric thiones, which can be transformed to enantiomeric BEDT-TTF derivatives with four or eight hydroxyl groups.

Occurrence of a Rare 49·66 Structural Topology, Chirality, and Weak Ferromagnetism in the [NH4][MII(HCOO)3] (M = Mn, Co, Ni) Frameworks

We report the synthesis, crystal structures, thermal, IR, UV-vis, and magnetic properties of a series of divalent transition metal formates, [NH4][M(HCOO)3], where M = divalent Mn, Co, or Ni. They crystallize in the hexagonal chiral space group P6(3)22. The structure consists of octahedral metal centers connected by the anti-anti formate ligands, and the ammonium cations sit in the channels. The chiral structure is a framework with the rarely observed 49.66 topology, and the chirality is derived from the handedness imposed by the formate ligands around the metals and the presence of units with only one handedness. The thermal properties are characterized by a decomposition at ca. 200 degrees C. The three compounds exhibit an antiferromagnetic ground state at 8.4, 9.8, and 29.5 K for Mn, Co, and Ni, respectively. The last two display a weak spontaneous magnetization due to a small canting of the moments below the critical temperature, and the Co compound shows a further transition at lower temperatures. The isothermal magnetizations at 2 K show spin-flop fields of 600 Oe (Mn), 14 kOe (Co), and above 50 kOe (Ni) and a small hysteresis with a remnant magnetization of 25 cm3 G mol(-1) (Co) and 50 cm3 G mol(-1) (Ni) and coercive field of 400 Oe (Co) and 830 Oe (Ni).

Enhancement of the Curie Temperature by Isomerization of Diarylethene (DAE) for an Organic−Inorganic Hybrid System: Co4(OH)7(DAE)0.5·3H2O

Intercalation of an organic photochromic molecule into layered magnetic systems may provide multifunctional properties such as photomagnetism. To build up a photosensitive multifunctional magnet, an organic-inorganic hybrid system coupled with a photochromic diarylethene anion, 2,2'-dimethyl-3,3'-(perfluorocyclopentene-1,2-diyl)bis(benzo[b]thiophene-6-sulfonate) (DAE), and cobalt LDHs (layered double hydroxides), Co4(OH)7(DAE)0.5.3H2O, was synthesized by the anion exchange reaction between Co2(OH)3(CH3COO).H2O and DAE. In the dark and under UV-irradiated (313 nm) conditions, Co4(OH)7(DAE)0.5.3H2O with open and closed forms of DAE were obtained, respectively. The magnetic susceptibility measurements elucidated ferromagnetic intra- and interlayer interactions and Curie temperatures of TC = 9 and 20 K for cobalt LDHs with the open and closed forms of DAE, respectively. The enhancement of the Curie temperature from 9 to 20 K by substitution of the open form of DAE with the closed form of DAE as an intercalated molecule is attributed to the delocalization of the pi-electrons in the closed form of DAE, which enhances the interlayer magnetic interaction. The enhancement of the interlayer magnetic interaction induced by the delocalization of pi-electrons in intercalated molecules is strongly supported by the fact that the Curie temperature (26.0 K) of cobalt LDHs with (E,E)-2,4-hexadienedioate having a conjugated pi-electron system is enormously higher than that (7.0 K) of the cobalt LDHs with hexanedioate. By UV irradiation at 313 nm, Co4(OH)7(DAE)0.5.3H2O shows the photoisomerization of DAE from the open form to the closed one in the solid state, which leads to the enhancement of Curie temperature.

Vortex dynamics and the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state in a magnetic-field-induced organic superconductor

Under special conditions, a superconducting state where the order parameter oscillates in real space, the so-called FFLO state, is theoretically predicted to exist near the upper critical field, as first proposed by Fulde and Ferrell, and Larkin and Ovchinnikov. We report systematic measurements of the interlayer resistance in high magnetic fields to 45 T in the two-dimensional magnetic-field-induced organic superconductor lambda-(BETS)2FeCl4, where BETS is bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene. The resistance is found to show characteristic dip structures in the superconducting state. The results are consistent with pinning interactions between the vortices penetrating the insulating layers and the order parameter of the FFLO state. This gives strong evidence for an oscillating order parameter in real space.

CH···π Interaction for Rhenium-Based Rectangles: An Interaction That Is Rarely Designed into a Host−Guest Pair

Alkoxy- and thiolato-bridged Re(I) molecular rectangles [{(CO)3Re(mu-ER)2Re(CO)3}2(mu-bpy)2] (ER = SC4H9, 1a; SC8H17, 1b; OC4H9, 2a; OC12H25, 2b; bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) exhibit strong interactions with several planar aromatic molecules. The nature of their binding was studied by spectral techniques and verified by X-ray diffraction analysis. Standard absorption and fluorescence titrations showed that a relatively strong 1:1 interaction occurs between aromatic guests such as pyrene and these rectangles. The results of a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis show that the recognition of 1 with a pyrene molecule is mainly due to CH...pi interactions and the face of the guest pyrene is located over the edges of the bpy linkers of 1. This is a fairly novel example of an interaction that is rarely designed into a host-guest pair. Furthermore, the interaction of 1 with Ag+ results in the self-organization of supramolecular arrays, as revealed by solid-state data.

Structural and Magnetic Properties of [BDTA]2[MCl4] [M = Cu (1), Co (2), and Mn (3)], Revealing an S = 1/2 Square-Lattice Antiferromagnet with Weak Magnetic Exchange

We report the synthesis and structural and magnetic characterization of model square or rectangular antiferromagnets [BDTA]2[MCl4] [BDTA = benzo-1,3,2-dithiazolyl; M = Cu (1), Co (2), and Mn (3)]. All of these compounds display a molecular structure of sandwich layers of [MCl4]2- between two sheets of [BDTA]+ molecules. Consideration of likely superexchange pathways suggests that 1 presents a model square lattice of S = 1/2 moments, while 2 and 3 present model rectangular lattices with S = 3/2 and 5/2, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that all of these materials have modest antiferromagnetic exchange fields, with near-neighbor exchange J/k(B) running from 0.018(1) through 0.35(3) to 2.10(2) K as M runs from Mn to Co to Cu. No signature of any three-dimensional magnetic ordering could be observed down to 1.8 K. 1 is of particular interest because it belongs to a similar class of magnets as the high-Tc superconducting cuprates but has a much smaller exchange field; it has been proposed that the application of a magnetic field to this type of magnet can induce novel quantum states in this class of magnet, but the observation of such states is only experimentally feasible for small exchange. More detailed characterization of 1 by heat capacity measurements showed a broad cusp centered at 1.3 K in the absence of an applied magnetic field but failed to observe any sign of long-range order down to 0.33 K; this suggests that interplane magnetic exchange is weak.

Electrical Conductivity Modulation Coupled to a High-Spin−Low-Spin Conversion in the Molecular System [FeIII(qsal)2][Ni(dmit)2]3·CH3CN·H2O

The synergy between the electrical conductivity within the stacks of Ni(dmit)2 in the newly electrocrystallized [Fe(qsal)2][Ni(dmit)2]3.CH3CN.H2O and the spin conversion of Fe(qsal)2 is evidenced. In addition, the presence of a light-induced excited spin state trapping effect suggests that this complex is a prototypal photoswitchable spin-crossover molecular conductor.

Compensation of effective field in the field-induced superconductor kappa-(BETS)2FeBr4 observed by 77Se NMR

We report results of 77Se NMR frequency shift in the normal state of the organic charge-transfer salt kappa-(BETS)2FeBr4 which shows magnetic field-induced superconductivity (FISC). From a simple mean-field analysis, we determined the field and the temperature dependences of the magnetization m(pi) of the pi conduction electrons on BETS molecules. We found that the Fe spins are antiferromagnetically coupled to the pi electrons and determined the exchange field to be J = -2.3T/microB. The exchange field from the fully saturated Fe moments (5 microB) is compensated by an external field of 12 T. This is close to the central field of the FISC phase, consistent with the Jaccarino-Peter local field-compensation mechanism for FISC [Phys. Rev. Lett. 9, 290 (1962)].

Hybrid Organic−Inorganic Conductor with a Magnetic Chain Anion: κ-BETS2[FeIII(C2O4)Cl2] [BETS = Bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene]

The synthesis, crystal structure, and electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of kappa-BETS2[Fe(III)(C2O4)Cl2], where BETS is bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene, are reported. The black plate crystals consist of parallel donor layers, two per unit cell, displaying a kappa-type packing of BETS(0.5+) within the bc plane and anionic magnetic chains, [Fe(C2O4)Cl2-]n, running along the c axis. It displays metallic behavior down to 4.2 K, and analysis of the optical reflectivity data gives unscreened plasma energies of 0.69 eV (E parallel c) and 0.40 eV (E perpendicular c). The optical anisotropy is larger than that seen for other kappa phases and is described well by transfer integrals obtained from extended Hückel calculations. However, the transfer integrals need to be scaled down uniformly by a factor of 1.21 to reproduce the absolute experimental plasma frequencies. The band structure consists of a one-dimensional (1D) band and a hole pocket, characteristics of kappa phases. The magnetic properties were modeled by the sum of a 1D antiferromagnetic chain contribution from the d spins of Fe3+, a temperature-independent paramagnetic contribution, and a Curie impurity term. At 4.5 K, there is a signature of long-range magnetic ordering to a canted-antiferromagnetic state in the zero-field-cooled-field-cooled magnetizations, and at 2 K, a small hysteresis loop is observed.

Metal−Organic Frameworks from Homometallic Chains of Nickel(II) and 1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylate Connectors: Ferrimagnet−Ferromagnet Transformation

The hydrothermal reactions of nickel(II) nitrate with a mixture of the geometric cis and trans isomers of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (1,4-chdc or C6H10(COOH)2) and a base yield three structurally different complexes, [Ni3(mu3-OH)2(mu4-cis-1,4-chdc)2(H2O)4].2H2O (1), [Ni(3)(mu3-OH)2(mu4-trans-1,4-chdc)2(H2O)4].4H2O (2), and [Ni(H2O)4(mu2-trans-1,4-chdc)], depending on the reaction conditions. The single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of 1 and 2 reveal segregation of the isomers and formation of frameworks based on infinite Ni3(OH)2(H2O)4 chains, acting as secondary building units, connected by either cis- or trans-chdc for 1 and 2, respectively. The frameworks sustain channels that house two or four water molecules, respectively, according to the size and shape of the channels that depend on the particular isomer. The structure of 3 consists of chains of square-planar Ni(H2O)4 bridged by trans-chdc. Magnetic data as a function of temperature and field of the virgin samples for 1 indicate long-range ordering (LRO) to a ferrimagnetic ground state at 2.1 K that is reversibly transformed into a ferromagnet below 4.4 K upon partial dehydration and rehydration. Powder X-ray diffraction of 1, in its virgin state, after dehydration and after rehydration, confirms the stability of the framework. The magnetic data for 2 tend toward a LRO state to possibly a ferrimagnet below 2 K. The temperature dependence of the susceptibility of the two compounds is accounted for by the presence of both ferro- and antiferromagnetic exchanges within each chain via Ni-O-Ni and Ni-O-C-O-Ni pathways and weak coupling between neighboring chains via the 1,4-chdc unit. 3 is a uniform s = 1 antiferromagnetic chain (J/kB = 2.27(1) K).

A chirality-induced alpha phase and a novel molecular magnetic metal in the BEDT-TTF/tris(croconate)ferrate(iii) hybrid molecular system

The novel paramagnetic and chiral anion [Fe(C5O5)3]3- has been combined with the organic donor BEDT-TTF (= ET = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene) to yield the first chirality-induced alpha phase and a paramagnetic metal.

Interaction of the ground state of quarter-filled one-dimensional strongly correlated electronic system with localized spins

We study numerically the ground-state properties of the one-dimensional quarter-filled strongly correlated electronic system interacting antiferromagnetically with localized S = 1/2 spins. It is shown that the charge-ordered state is significantly stabilized by the introduction of relatively small coupling with the localized spins. When the coupling becomes large the spin and charge degrees of freedom behave quite independently and the ferromagnetism is realized. Moreover, the coexistence of ferromagnetism with charge order is seen in the strongly interacting region. The present theoretical results are to be compared with the experiments on phthalocyanine compounds.