Magneto-Structural Correlations in Cu(tn)Cl2 (tn = 1,3-Diaminopropane): Two-Dimensional Spatially Anisotropic Triangular Magnet Formed by Hydrogen Bonds

Interplay of Spin and Spatial Anisotropy in Low-Dimensional Quantum Magnets with Spin 1/2

Quantum Heisenberg chain and square lattices are important paradigms of a low-dimensional magnetism. Their ground states are determined by the strength of quantum fluctuations. Correspondingly, the ground state of a rectangular lattice interpolates between the spin liquid and the ordered collinear Néel state with the partially reduced order parameter. The diversity of additional exchange interactions offers variety of quantum models derived from the aforementioned paradigms. Besides the spatial anisotropy of the exchange coupling, controlling the lattice dimensionality and ground-state properties, the spin anisotropy (intrinsic or induced by the magnetic field) represents another important effect disturbing a rotational symmetry of the spin system. The S = 1/2 easy-axis and easy-plane XXZ models on the square lattice even for extremely weak spin anisotropies undergo Heisenberg-Ising and Heisenberg-XY crossovers, respectively, acting as precursors to the onset of the finite-temperature phase transitions within the two-dimensional Ising universality class (for the easy axis anisotropy) and a topological Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless phase transition (for the easy-plane anisotropy). Experimental realizations of the S = 1/2 two-dimensional XXZ models in bulk quantum magnets appeared only recently. Partial solutions of the problems associated with their experimental identifications are discussed and some possibilities of future investigations in quantum magnets on the square and rectangular lattice are outlined.

Magnetic Structure and Exchange Interactions in Quasi-One-Dimensional MnCl2(urea)2

MnCl2(urea)2 is a new linear chain coordination polymer that exhibits slightly counter-rotated Mn2Cl2 rhomboids along the chain-axis. The material crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric orthorhombic space group Iba2, with each Mn(II) ion equatorially surrounded by four Cl(-) that lead to bibridged ribbons. Urea ligands coordinate via O atoms in the axial positions. Hydrogen bonds of the Cl···H-N and O···H-N type link the chains into a quasi-3D network. Magnetic susceptibility data reveal a broad maximum at 9 K that is consistent with short-range magnetic order. Pulsed-field magnetization measurements conducted at 0.6 K show that a fully polarized magnetic state is achieved at Bsat = 19.6 T with another field-induced phase transition occurring at 2.8 T. Zero-field neutron diffraction studies made on a powdered sample of MnCl2(urea)2 reveal that long-range magnetic order occurs below TN = 3.2(1) K. Additional Bragg peaks due to antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering can be indexed according to the Ib'a2' magnetic space group and propagation vector τ = [0, 0, 0]. Rietveld profile analysis of these data revealed a Néel-type collinear ordering of Mn(II) ions with an ordered magnetic moment of 4.06(6) μB (5 μB is expected for isotropic S = (5)/2) oriented along the b-axis, i.e., perpendicular to the chain-axis that runs along the c-direction. Owing to the potential for spatial exchange anisotropy and the pitfalls in modeling bulk magnetic data, we analyzed inelastic neutron scattering data to retrieve the exchange constants: Jc = 2.22 K (intrachain), Ja = -0.10 K (interchain), and D = -0.14 K with J > 0 assigned to AFM coupling. This J configuration is most unusual and contrasts the more commonly observed AFM interchain coupling of 1D chains.

Extremely Long Axial Cu−N Bonds in Chiral One-Dimensional Zigzag Cyanide-Bridged CuII-NiII and CuII-PtII Bimetallic Assemblies

Preparations, crystal structures, and spectral and magnetic properties of two new chiral one-dimensional cyano-bridged coordination polymers, [Cu(II)L2]M(II)(CN)].2H2O (M(II) = Ni(II) (1) and Pt(II) (2), L = trans-cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine) have been presented. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2(1) space group with a = 9.864(4) A, b = 15.393(8) A, c = 7.995(4) A, beta = 110.32(3) degrees , V = 1138.4(10) A3, and Z = 2, while 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2(1) space group with a = 9.899(3) A, b = 15.541(4) A, c = 8.102(2) A, beta = 111.02(2) degrees , V = 1163.6(5) A3, and Z = 2. The unique zigzag cyano-bridged chains along the crystallographic b axis consist of alternate chiral [CuL(2)]2+ cations and square-planar [M(CN)4]2- anions. One side of the axial Cu-N(triple bond C) bond distances are 2.324(6) and 2.34(1) A with Cu-N[triple bond]C angles of 137.8(6) degrees and 138.2(9) degrees for 1 and 2, respectively. On the other hand, the opposite side of the axial Cu-N(triple bond C) bond distances are 3.120(8) and 3.09(1) A with significantly large bent Cu-N[triple bond]C angles of 97.9(5) degrees and 96.8(7) degrees for 1 and 2, respectively. The novel axial bonding features of extremely long semi-coordination Cu-N bonds are attributed to coexistence of pseudo-Jahn-Teller elongation and electrostatic interaction in the unique zigzag cyano-bridged chains. The characteristic bonding features with overlap between small 3d (Ni(II)) or large 5d (Pt(II)) and 3d (Cu(II)) orbitals results in larger shifts in XPS peaks of not only Cu2p(1/2) and Cu2p(3/2) but also Ni2p(1/2) and Ni2p(3/2) for 1 than those of 2, which is also consistent with weak antiferromagnetic interactions with Weiss constants of -5.31 and -5.94 K for 1 and 2, respectively. The d-d, pi-pi*, and CT bands in the electronic, CD, and MCD spectra for 1 and 2 in the solid state at room temperature are discussed from the viewpoint of magneto-optical properties.