Quantum tunneling of the magnetization in [MnIII6M]3+ (M=CrIII, MnIII) SMMs: Impact of molecular and crystal symmetry

A heptanuclear {Dy2Cu5} complex as a single-molecule magnet

The structure and magnetic properties of a complex containing a {Dy2Cu5} core are presented. In 1, the Dy(III) are 9- and the Cu(II) are 4-, 5- and 6-coordinated. Antiferromagnetic interactions cause an irregular energy spectrum with the ground state J = 25/2. The complex is a single molecule magnet exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation in zero magnetic field.

A graceful break-up: serendipitous self-assembly of a ferromagnetically coupled [NiII14] wheel

The complex [NiII14(HL²)₁₂(HCOO)₁₄Cl₁₄(MeOH)(H₂O)] describes an aesthetically pleasing wheel displaying ferromagnetic nearest neighbour exchange.

Metal-Metal-Bonded Fe4 Clusters with Slow Magnetic Relaxation

Reaction of FeBr₂ with Li(N═C^tBu₂) (0.5 equiv) and Zn⁰ (2 equiv) results in the formation of the formally mixed-valent cluster [Fe₄Br₂(N═C^tBu₂)₄] (1) in moderate yield. The subsequent reaction of 1 with Na(N═C^tBu₂) results in formation of [Fe₄Br(N═C^tBu₂)₅] (2), also in moderate yield. Both 1 and 2 were characterized by zero-field ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. Their tetrahedral [Fe₄]⁶⁺ cores feature short Fe-Fe interactions (ca. 2.50 Å). Additionally, both 1 and 2 display S = 7 ground states at room temperature and slow magnetic relaxation with zero-field relaxation barriers of U_eff = 14.7(4) and 15.6(7) cm^-1, respectively. Moreover, AC magnetic susceptibility measurements were well modeled by assuming an Orbach relaxation process.

Probing the generality of spin crossover complex T½vs. ligand 15N NMR chemical shift correlations: towards predictable tuning

A study of 6 families (42 members) demonstrates that within a family the easily calculated 15N-NMR values of ligands enable predictable tuning of T1/2 in the corresponding complexes, except for 2 families with weakly influencing meta-substituents.

Quantitative and Chemically Intuitive Evaluation of the Nature of M-L Bonds in Paramagnetic Compounds: Application of EDA-NOCV Theory to Spin Crossover Complexes

To improve understanding of M-L bonds in 3d transition metal complexes, analysis by energy decomposition analysis and natural orbital for chemical valence model (EDA-NOCV) is desirable as it provides a full, quantitative and chemically intuitive ab initio description of the M-L interactions. In this study, a generally applicable fragmentation and computational protocol was established and validated by using octahedral spin crossover (SCO) complexes, as the transition temperature (T1/2 ) is sensitive to subtle changes in M-L bonding. Specifically, EDA-NOCV analysis of Fe-N bonds in five [FeII (Lazine )2 (NCBH3 )2 ], in both low-spin (LS) and paramagnetic high-spin (HS) states led to: 1) development of a general, widely applicable, corrected M+L6 fragmentation, tested against a family of five LS [FeII (Lazine )3 ](BF4 )2 complexes; this confirmed that three Lazine are stronger ligands (ΔEorb,σ+π =-370 kcal mol-1 ) than 2 Lazine +2 NCBH3 (=-335 kcal mol-1 ), as observed. 2) Analysis of Fe-L bonding on LS→HS, reveals more ionic (ΔEelstat ) and less covalent (ΔEorb ) character (ΔEelstat :ΔEorb 55:45 LS→64:36 HS), mostly due to a big drop in σ (ΔEorb,σ ↓50 %; -310→-145 kcal mol-1 ), and a drop in π contributions (ΔEorb,π ↓90 %; -30→-3 kcal mol-1 ). 3) Strong correlation of observed T1/2 and ΔEorb,σ+π , for both LS and HS families (R2 =0.99 LS, R2 =0.95 HS), but no correlation of T1/2 and ΔΔEorb,σ+π (LS-HS) (R2 =0.11). Overall, this study has established and validated an EDA-NOCV protocol for M-L bonding analysis of any diamagnetic or paramagnetic, homoleptic or heteroleptic, octahedral transition metal complex. This new and widely applicable EDA-NOCV protocol holds great promise as a predictive tool.

An iron ketimide single-molecule magnet [Fe4(N[double bond, length as m-dash]CPh2)6] with suppressed through-barrier relaxation

Reaction of FeBr₂ with 1.5 equiv. of LiN[double bond, length as m-dash]CPh₂ and 2 equiv. of Zn, in THF, results in the formation of the tetrametallic iron ketimide cluster [Fe₄(N[double bond, length as m-dash]CPh₂)₆] (1) in moderate yield. Formally, two Fe centers in 1 are Fe(i) and two are Fe(ii); however, Mössbauer spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry suggests that the [Fe₄]⁶⁺ core of 1 exhibits complete valence electron delocalization, with a thermally-persistent spin ground state of S = 7. AC and DC SQUID magnetometry reveals the presence of slow magnetic relaxation in 1, indicative of single-molecule magnetic (SMM) behaviour with a relaxation barrier of U _eff = 29 cm^-1. Remarkably, very little quantum tunnelling or Raman relaxation is observed down to 1.8 K, which leads to an open hysteresis loop and long relaxation times (up to 34 s at 1.8 K and zero field and 440 s at 1.67 kOe). These results suggest that transition metal ketimide clusters represent a promising avenue to create long-lifetime single molecule magnets.

1D Copper(II)-Aroylhydrazone Coordination Polymers: Magnetic Properties and Microwave Assisted Oxidation of a Secondary Alcohol

The 1D Cu(II) coordination polymers [Cu₃(L¹)(NO₃)₄(H₂O)₂]_n (1) and [Cu₂(H₂L²)(NO₃)(H₂O)₂]_n(NO₃)_n (2) have been synthesized using the aroylhyrazone Schiff bases N'¹,N'²-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)oxalohydrazide (H₂L¹) and N'¹,N'³-bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene)malonohydrazide (H₄L²), respectively. They have been characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), single crystal X-ray diffraction and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements (for 2). The ligand (L¹)²⁻ coordinates in the iminol form in 1, whereas the amide coordination is observed for (H₂L²)²⁻ in 2. Either the ligand bridge or the nitrate bridge in 2 mediates weak antiferromagnetic coupling. The catalytic performance of 1 and 2 has been investigated toward the solvent-free microwave-assisted oxidation of a secondary alcohol (1-phenylethanol used as model substrate). At 120°C and in the presence of the nitroxyl radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperydil-1-oxyl (TEMPO), the complete conversion of 1-phenylethanol into acetophenone occurs with TOFs up to 1,200 h⁻¹.

New field-induced single ion magnets based on prolate Er(iii) and Yb(iii) ions: tuning the energy barrierUeffby the choice of counterions within an N3-tridentate Schiff-base scaffold

Counterions modulate the structure and magnetic properties of rarely observed high-coordinate SIM species.

Proof of Principle: Immobilisation of Robust CuII3 TbIII -Macrocycles on Small, Suitably Pre-functionalised Gold Nanoparticles

In a proof-of-principle study, a soluble macrocyclic single-molecule magnet (SMM) containing a Cu^II₃ Tb^III magnetic core was covalently grafted onto small gold nanoparticles pre-functionalised with carboxylate-terminated tethers. A modified microemulsion method allowed production of the small and monodisperse nanoparticles (approximately 3.5 nm in diameter) for the chemisorption of a large amount of intact macrocyclic complexes in the hybrid system.

Enhancing the ferromagnetic coupling in extended phloroglucinol complexes by increasing the metal SOMO–ligand overlap: synthesis and characterization of a trinuclear CoII3 triplesalophen complex

The better overlap of the SOMO with the central π-system in the CoII3 than in the CuII3 complex enhances the spin-polarization and thus the ferromagnetic coupling.

A family of fourteen soluble stable macrocyclic [NiII3LnIII] heterometallic 3d–4f complexes

Fourteen macrocyclic NiII3Ln^III (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb or Lu) complexes were made, and checked for Single-Molecule Magnet behaviour; two acyclic analogues were structurally characterised.