Virtual free ion magnetism and the absence of Jahn-Teller distortion in a linear two-coordinate complex of high-spin iron(II)

Unlocking the Metalation Applications of TMP-powered Fe and Co(II) bis(amides): Synthesis, Structure and Mechanistic Insights

Typified by LiTMP and TMPMgCl.LiCl, (TMP=2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide), s-block metal amides have found widespread applications in arene deprotonative metalation. On the contrary, transition metal amides lack sufficient basicity to activate these substrates. Breaking new ground in this field, here we present the synthesis and full characterisation of earth-abundant transition metals M(TMP)2 (M=Fe, Co). Uncovering a new reactivity profile towards fluoroarenes, these amide complexes can promote direct M-H exchange processes regioselectively using one or two of their basic amide arms. Remarkably, even when using a perfluorinated substrate, selective C-H metalation occurs leaving C-F bonds intact. Their kinetic basicity can be boosted by LiCl or NBu4Cl additives which enables formation of kinetically activated ate species. Combining spectroscopic and structural studies with DFT calculations, mechanistic insights have been gained on how these low polarity metalation processes take place. M(TMP)2 can also be used to access ferrocene and cobaltocene by direct deprotonation of cyclopentadiene and undergo efficient CO2 insertion of both amide groups under mild reaction conditions.

Electronic Structure of Three-Coordinate FeII and CoII β-Diketiminate Complexes

The β-diketiminate supporting group, [ArNCRCHCRNAr]-, stabilizes low coordination number complexes. Four such complexes, where R = tert-butyl, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, are studied: (nacnactBu)ML, where M = FeII, CoII and L = Cl, CH3. These are denoted FeCl, FeCH3, CoCl, and CoCH3 and have been previously reported and structurally characterized. The two FeII complexes (S = 2) have also been previously characterized by Mössbauer spectroscopy, but only indirect assessment of the ligand-field splitting and zero-field splitting (zfs) parameters was available. Here, EPR spectroscopy is used, both conventional field-domain for the CoII complexes (with S = 3/2) and frequency-domain, far-infrared magnetic resonance spectroscopy (FIRMS) for all four complexes. The CoII complexes were also studied by magnetometry. These studies allow accurate determination of the zfs parameters. The two FeII complexes are similar with nearly axial zfs and large magnitude zfs given by D = -37 ± 1 cm-1 for both. The two CoII complexes likewise exhibit large and nearly axial zfs, but surprisingly, CoCl has positive D = +55 cm-1 while CoCH3 has negative D = -49 cm-1. Theoretical methods were used to probe the electronic structures of the four complexes, which explain the experimental spectra and the zfs parameters.

Slow magnetic relaxation in two mononuclear Mn(II) complexes not governed by the over-barrier Orbach process

Two hexacoordinate Mn(II) complexes containing a chelating residue of hexafluoroacetylacetone and (Cl-substituted) 4-benzylpyridine show DC magnetic functions typical for S = 5/2 spin systems: g ∼ 2, D - small. The AC susceptibility confirms a field supported slow magnetic relaxation in which the over-barrier Orbach relaxation process does not play a role. Both systems possess two or three slow relaxation channels.

On the Single-Molecule Magnetic Behavior of Linear Iron(I) Arylsilylamides

The rational design of 3d-metal-based single-molecule magnets (SMM) requires a fundamental understanding of their intrinsic electronic and structural properties and how they translate into experimentally observable features. Here, we determined the magnetic properties of the linear iron(I) silylamides K{crypt}[FeL₂] and [KFeL₂] (L = -N(Dipp)SiMe₃; crypt = 4,7,13,16,21,24-Hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosan). For the former, slow-relaxation of the magnetization with a spin reversal barrier of U_eff = 152 cm^-1 as well as a closed-waist magnetic hysteresis and magnetic blocking below 2.5 K are observed. For the more linear [KFeL₂], in which the potassium cation is encapsulated by the aryl substituents of the amide ligands, the relaxation barrier and the blocking temperature increase to U_eff = 184 cm^-1 and T_B = 4.5 K, respectively. The increase is rationalized by a more pronounced axial anisotropy in [KFeL₂] determined by dc-SQUID magnetometry. The effective relaxation barrier of [KFeL₂] is in agreement with the energy spacing between the ground and first-excited magnetic states, as obtained by field-dependent IR-spectroscopy (178 cm^-1), magnetic measurements (208 cm^-1), as well as theoretical analysis (212 cm^-1). In comparison with the literature, the results show that magnetic coercivity in linear iron(I) silylamides is driven by the degree of linearity in conjunction with steric encumbrance, whereas the ligand symmetry is a marginal factor.

Single-Molecule Magnetism in Linear Fe(I) Complexes with Aufbau and Non-Aufbau Ground States

With the ongoing efforts on synthesizing mononuclear single-ion magnets (SIMs) with promising applications in high-density data storage and spintronics devices, the linear or quasi-linear Fe(I) complexes emerge as the enticing candidates possessing large unquenched angular momentum. Herein, we have studied five experimentally synthesized linear Fe(I) complexes to uncover the origin of single-molecule magnetic behavior of these complexes. To begin with, we benchmarked the methodology on the experimentally and theoretically well-studied complex [Fe(C(SiMe₃)₃)₂]^-1 (1) (SiMe₃ = trimethylsilyl), which is characterized with a large spin-reversal barrier of 226 cm^-1. Subsequently, the spin-phonon coupling coefficients are calculated for the low-frequency vibrational modes to understand the relaxation mechanism of the complex. Furthermore, the two Fe(I) complexes, that is, [Fe(cyIDep)₂]⁺¹ (2) (cyIDep = 1,3-bis(2',6'-diethylphenyl)-4,5-(CH₂)₄-imidazole-2-ylidene) and [Fe(sIDep)₂]⁺¹ (3) (sIDep = 1,3-bis(2',6'-diethylphenyl)-imidazolin-2-ylidene), are studied that are experimentally reported with no SIM behavior under ac or dc magnetic fields; however, they exhibit large opposite axial zero field splitting (-62.4 and +34.0 cm^-1, respectively) from ab initio calculations. We have unwrapped the origin of this contrasting observation between experiment and theory by probing their magnetic relaxation pathways and the pattern of d orbital splitting. Additionally, the two experimentally synthesized Fe(I) complexes, that is, [(η⁶-C₆H₆)FeAr*-3,5-Pr₂ⁱ] (4) (Ar*-3,5-Pr₂ⁱ = C₆H-2,6-(C₆H₂-2,4,6-Pr₃ⁱ)₂-3,5-Pr₂ⁱ) and [(CAAC)₂Fe]⁺¹ (5) (CAAC = cyclic (alkyl) (amino)carbene), are investigated for SIM behavior, since there is no report on their magnetic anisotropy. To this end, complex 4 presents itself as the possible candidate for SIM.

Extreme -Tensor Anisotropy and Its Insensitivity to Structural Distortions in a Family of Linear Two-Coordinate Ni(I) Bis-N-heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

We report a new series of homoleptic Ni(I) bis-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes with a range of torsion angles between the two ligands from 68° to 90°. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements revealed a strongly anisotropic g-tensor in all complexes with a small variation in g_∥ ∼ 5.7-5.9 and g_⊥ ∼ 0.6. The energy of the first excited state identified by variable-field far-infrared magnetic spectroscopy and SOC-CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations is in the range 270-650 cm^-1. Magnetic relaxation measured by alternating current susceptibility up to 10 K is dominated by Raman and direct processes. Ab initio ligand-field analysis reveals that a torsion angle of <90° causes the splitting between doubly occupied d_xz and d_yz orbitals, which has little effect on the magnetic properties, while the temperature dependence of the magnetic relaxation appears to have no correlation with the torsion angle.

Stabilization of a high-spin three-coordinate Fe(III) imidyl complex by radical delocalization

High-spin, late transition metal imido complexes have attracted significant interest due to their group transfer reactivity and catalytic C−H activation of organic substrates. Reaction of a new two-coordinate iron complex,...

Modern physical methods for the molecular design of single-molecule magnets

Many paramagnetic metal complexes have emerged as unique magnetic materials (single-molecule magnets), which behave as conventional magnets at the single-molecule level, thereby making it possible to use them in modern devices for data storage and processing. The rational design of these complexes, however, requires a deep understanding of the physical laws behind a single-molecule magnet behaviour, the mechanisms of magnetic relaxation that determines the magnetic properties and the relationship of these properties with the structure of single-molecule magnets. This review focuses on the physical methods providing such understanding, including different versions and various combinations of magnetometry, electron paramagnetic and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Many of these methods are traditionally used to determine the composition and structure of new chemical compounds. However, they are rarely applied to study molecular magnetism.

The bibliography includes 224 references.

Homoleptic quasilinear metal(i/ii) silylamides of Cr-Co with phenyl and allyl functions - impact of the oxidation state on secondary ligand interactions

Herein we describe the synthesis and characterization of a variety of new quasilinear metal(i/ii) silylamides of the type [M(N(Dipp)SiR₃)₂]^0,- (M = Cr-Co) with different silyl substituents (SiR₃ = SiPh_3-nMe_n (n = 1-3), SiMe₂(allyl)). By comparison of the solid state structures we show that in the case of phenyl substituents secondary metal-ligand interactions are suppressed upon reduction of the metal. Introduction of an allyl substituted silylamide gives divalent complexes with additional metal-π-alkene interactions with only weak activation of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bond but substantial bending of the principal N-M-N axis. 1e^--reduction makes cobalt a more strongly bound alkene substituent, whereas for chromium, reduction and intermolecular dimerisation of the allyl unit are observed. It thus indicates that the general view of low-coordinate 3d-metal ions as electron deficient seems not to apply to anionic metal(i) complexes. Additionally, the obtained cobalt(i) complexes are reacted with an aryl azide giving trigonal imido metal complexes. These can be regarded as rare examples of high-spin imido cobalt compounds from their structural and solution magnetic features.

Equation-of-Motion Coupled-Cluster Protocol for Calculating Magnetic Properties: Theory and Applications to Single-Molecule Magnets

We present a new computational protocol for computing macroscopic magnetic properties of transition-metal complexes using the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster (EOM-CC) framework. The approach follows a two-step state-interaction scheme: we first compute zero-order states using nonrelativistic EOM-CC and then use these states to evaluate matrix elements of the spin-orbit and Zeeman operators. Diagonalization of the resulting Hamiltonian yields spin-orbit- and field-perturbed eigenstates. Temperature- and field-dependent magnetization and susceptibility are computed by numerical differentiation of the partition function. To compare with powder-sample experiments, these quantities are numerically averaged over field orientations. We applied this protocol to several single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with Fe(II) and Fe(III) in trigonal pyramidal, linear, and trigonal bipyramidal coordination environments. We described the underlying electronic structure by the electron-attachment (EOM-EA) and spin-flip (EOM-SF) variants of EOM-CC. The computed energy barriers for spin inversion, and macroscopic magnetization and susceptibility agree well with experimental data. Trends in magnetic anisotropy and spin-reversal energy barriers are explained in terms of a molecular orbital picture rigorously distilled from spinless transition density matrices between many-body states. The results illustrate excellent performances of EOM-CC in describing magnetic behavior of mononuclear transition-metal SMMs.

Three-Coordinate Pd(0) with Rare-Earth Metalloligands: Synergetic CO Activation and Double P-C Bond Cleavage-Formation Reactions

Metalation of β-diketiminato rare-earth metal complexes L^nacnacLn(PhNCH₂PPh₂)₂ (Ln = Y, Yb, Lu) with (COD)Pd(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ afforded three-coordinate Pd(0) complexes supported by two sterically less bulky phosphines and a Pd → Ln dative interaction. The Pd(0) center is prone to ligation with isonitrile and CO; in the latter case, the insertion of a second CO with the Y-N bond was assisted via a precoordination of CO on the Pd(0) center, which led to the formation of an anionic Pd(0) carbamoyl. The reaction of the Pd-Y complex with iodobenzene showed a remarkable double P-C bond cleavage-formation pathway within the heterobimetallic Pd-Y core to afford (Ph₃P)₂PdI(Ph), imine PhNCH₂, and a β-diketiminato yttrium diiodide. In the related reaction of L^nacnacY(PhNCH₂PPh₂)₂ with (Ph₃P)₂PdI(Ph), the P-C bond cleavage following with a N-C bond formation was observed. Computational studies revealed a synergetic bimetallic mechanism for these reactions.

Quasilinear 3d-metal(i) complexes [KM(N(Dipp)SiR3)2] (M = Cr-Co) - structural diversity, solution state behaviour and reactivity

The synthesis and characterization of neutral quasilinear 3d-metal(i) complexes of chromium to cobalt of the type [KM(N(Dipp)SiMe₃)₂] (Dipp = 2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl) are reported. In solid state these metal(i) complexes either occur as isolated molecules (Co) or are part of a potassium ion linked 1D-coordination polymer (Cr-Fe). In solution the potassium cation is either ligated within the ligand sphere of the metal silylamide or is separated from the complex depending on the solvent. For iron, we showcase that it is possible to use sodium or lithium metal for the reduction of the metal(ii) precursor. However, in these cases the resulting iron(i) complexes can only be isolated upon cation separation using an appropriate crown-ether. Further, the neutral metal(i) complexes are used to introduce NBu₄⁺ as an organic cation in the case of cobalt and iron. The impact of the intramolecular cation complexation was further demonstrated upon reaction with diphenyl acetylene which leads to bond formation processes and redox disproportionation instead of η²-alkyne complex formation.

Experimental and Theoretical Evidence for an Unusual Almost Triply Degenerate Electronic Ground State of Ferrous Tetraphenylporphyrin

Iron porphyrins exhibit unrivalled catalytic activity for electrochemical CO₂-to-CO conversion. Despite intensive experimental and computational studies in the last 4 decades, the exact nature of the prototypical square-planar [Fe^II(TPP)] complex (1; TPP^2- = tetraphenylporphyrinate dianion) remained highly debated. Specifically, its intermediate-spin (S = 1) ground state was contradictorily assigned to either a nondegenerate ³A_2g state with a (d_xy)²(d_z²)²(d_xz,yz)² configuration or a degenerate ³E_g^θ state with a (d_xy)²(d_xz,yz)³(d_z²)¹/(d_z²)²(d_xy)¹(d_xz,yz)³ configuration. To address this question, we present herein a comprehensive, spectroscopy-based theoretical and experimental electronic-structure investigation on complex 1. Highly correlated wave-function-based computations predicted that ³A_2g and ³E_g^θ are well-isolated from other triplet states by ca. 4000 cm^-1, whereas their splitting Δ_A-E is on par with the effective spin-orbit coupling (SOC) constant of iron(II) (≈400 cm^-1). Therfore, we invoked an effective Hamiltonian (EH) operating on the nine magnetic sublevels arising from SOC between the ³A_2g and ³E_g^θ states. This approach enabled us to successfully simulate all spectroscopic data of 1 obtained by variable-temperature and variable-field magnetization, applied-field ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer, and terahertz electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. Remarkably, the EH contains only three adjustable parameters, namely, the energy gap without SOC, Δ_A-E, an angle θ that describes the mixing of (d_xy)²(d_xz,yz)³(d_z²)¹ and (d_z²)²(d_xy)¹(d_xz,yz)³ configurations, and the ⟨r_d^-3⟩ expectation value of the iron d orbitals that is necessary to estimate the ⁵⁷Fe magnetic hyperfine coupling tensor. The EH simulations revealed that the triplet ground state of 1 is genuinely multiconfigurational with substantial parentages of both ³A_2g (<88%) and ³E_g (>12%), owing to their accidental near-triple degeneracy with Δ_A-E = +950 cm^-1. As a consequence of this peculiar electronic structure, 1 exhibits a huge effective magnetic moment (4.2 μB at 300 K), large temperature-independent paramagnetism, a large and positive axial zero-field splitting, strong easy-plane magnetization (g_⊥ ≈ 3 and g_∥ ≈ 1.7) and a large and positive internal field at the ⁵⁷Fe nucleus aligned in the xy plane. Further in-depth analyses suggested that g_⊥ ≫ g_∥ is a general spectroscopic signature of near-triple orbital degeneracy with more than half-filled pseudodegenerate orbital sets. Implications of the unusual electronic structure of 1 for CO₂ reduction are discussed.

57Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy as a Tool for Study of Spin States and Magnetic Interactions in Inorganic Chemistry

In this mini-review of our research group's activity, the application of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy in studies of electronic structure, coordination environment, and magnetic interactions in an interesting series of Fe(II/III) compounds selected is discussed. We selected two prominent phenomena that arose during investigations of selected groups of compounds carried out at different periods of time: (1) very high magnetic hyperfine fields observed at low temperatures; (2) changes in the oxidation state of the central iron atom of complexes in the solid state during interactions with gaseous O₂/H₂O mixtures, resulting in spin crossover (SCO).

Aufbau vs. non-Aufbau ground states in two-coordinate d7 single-molecule magnets

Magnetic anisotropy is generated in two related d7 single-molecule magnets; (1) via 3d-4s orbital mixing in FeI; and (2) a non-Aufbau ground state in CoII, demonstrating that the electronic configurations are large retained independent of geometry.

Role of Coordination Number and Geometry in Controlling the Magnetic Anisotropy in FeII , CoII , and NiII Single-Ion Magnets

Since the last decade, the focus in the area of single-molecule magnets (SMMs) has been shifting constructively towards the development of single-ion magnets (SIMs) based on transition metals and lanthanides. Although ground-breaking results have been witnessed for Dy^III -based SIMs, significant results have also been obtained for some mononuclear transition metal SIMs. Among others, studies based on Co^II ion are very prominent as they often exhibit high magnetic anisotropy or zero-field splitting parameters and offer a large barrier height for magnetisation reversal. Although Co^II possibly holds the record for having the largest number of zero-field SIMs known for any transition metal ion, controlling the magnetic anisotropy in these systems are is still a challenge. In addition to the modern spectroscopic techniques, theoretical studies, especially ab initio CASSCF/NEVPT2 approaches, have been used to uncover the electronic structure of various Co^II SIMs. In this article, with some selected examples, the aim is to showcase how varying the coordination number from two to eight, and the geometry around the Co^II centre alters the magnetic anisotropy. This offers some design principles for the experimentalists to target new generation SIMs based on the Co^II ion. Additionally, some important Fe^II /Fe^III and Ni^II complexes exhibiting large magnetic anisotropy and SIM properties are also discussed.

Physical Properties of Molecules and Condensed Materials Governed by Onsite Repulsion, Spin-Orbit Coupling and Polarizability of Their Constituent Atoms

The onsite repulsion, spin-orbit coupling and polarizability of elements and their ions play important roles in controlling the physical properties of molecules and condensed materials. In celebration of the 150th birthday of the periodic table this year, we briefly review how these parameters affect the physical properties and are interrelated.

Electronic and Structural Factors Controlling the Spin Orientations of Magnetic Ions

Magnetic ions M in discrete molecules and extended solids form ML_n complexes with their first-coordinate ligand atoms L. The spin moment of M in a complex ML_n prefers a certain direction in coordinate space because of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). In this minireview, we examine the structural and electronic factors governing the preferred spin orientations. Elaborate experimental measurements and/or sophisticated computational efforts are required to find the preferred spin orientations of magnetic ions, largely because the energy scale of SOC is very small. The latter is also the very reason why one can readily predict the preferred spin orientation of M by analyzing the SOC-induced highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) interactions of the ML_n complexes in terms of qualitative perturbation theory. The strength of this HOMO-LUMO interaction depends on the spin orientation, which is governed by the selection rules based on the minimum |ΔL_z| value (i.e., the minimum difference in the magnetic quantum numbers) between the HOMO and LUMO. With the local z axis of ML_n chosen as its n-fold rotational axis, the preferred spin orientation is parallel to the z axis (∥z) when |ΔL_z| = 0 but perpendicular to the z axis (⊥z) when |ΔL_z| = 1.

A Two-Coordinate Iron(II) Imido Complex with NHC Ligation: Synthesis, Characterization, and Its Diversified Reactivity of Nitrene Transfer and C-H Bond Activation

Iron terminal imido species are typically implicated as reaction intermediates in iron-catalyzed transformations. While a large body of work has been devoted to mid- and high-valent iron imidos, to date the chemistry of iron(II) imidos has remained largely unexplored due to the difficulty in accessing them. Herein, we present a study on the two-coordinate iron(II) imido complex [(IPr)Fe(NAr^Trip)] (3; IPr = 1,3-bis(2′,6′-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene; Ar^Trip = 2,6-bis(2′,4′,6′-triisopropylphenyl)phenyl) prepared from the reaction of an iron(0) complex with the bulky azide Ar^TripN₃. Spectroscopic investigations in combination with DFT calculations established a high-spin S = 2 ground spin state for 3, consistent with its long Fe–N multiple bond of 1.715(2) Å revealed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 3 exhibits unusual activity of nitrene transfer and C–H bond activation in comparison to the reported iron imido complexes. Specifically, the reactions of 3 with CH₂=CHAr^CF3, an electron-deficient alkene, and CO, a strong π acid, readily afford nitrene transfer products, Ar^CF3CH=CHNHAr^Trip and Ar^TripNCO, respectively, yet no similar reaction occurs when 3 is treated with electron-rich alkenes and PMe₃. Moreover, 3 is inert toward the weak C(sp³)–H bonds in 1,4-cyclohexadiene, THF, and toluene, whereas it can cleave the stronger C(sp)–H bond in p-trifluoromethylphenylacetylene to form an iron(II) amido alkynyl complex. Interestingly, intramolecular C(sp³)–H bond functionalization was observed by adding (p-Tol)₂CN₂ to 3. The unique reactivity of 3 is attributed to its low-coordinate nature and the high negative charge population on the imido N atom, which render its iron–imido unit nucleophilic in nature.

The two-coordinate iron(II) imido complex (IPr)Fe(NAr^Trip) (3) exhibits a high-spin ground state (S = 2) and was found to be reactive toward electron-deficient alkene, diazo compounds, terminal alkyne, et al., in which diversified reactivities of nitrene transfer, C−H bond activation, and C−N bond formation have been observed. The reactivity pattern reflects the nucleophilic nature of the imido moiety of the high-spin iron(II) complex.

Insights into Single-Molecule-Magnet Behavior from the Experimental Electron Density of Linear Two-Coordinate Iron Complexes

A breakthrough in the study of single-molecule magnets occurred with the discovery of zero-field slow magnetic relaxation and hysteresis for the linear iron(I) complex [Fe(C(SiMe₃)₃)₂]^- (1), which has one of the largest spin-reversal barriers among mononuclear transition-metal single-molecule magnets. Theoretical studies have suggested that the magnetic anisotropy in 1 is made possible by pronounced stabilization of the iron d _z² orbital due to 3d _z²-4s mixing, an effect which is predicted to be less pronounced in the neutral iron(II) complex Fe(C(SiMe₃)₃)₂ (2). However, experimental support for this interpretation has remained lacking. Here, we use high-resolution single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to generate multipole models of the electron density in these two complexes, which clearly show that the iron d _z² orbital is more populated in 1 than in 2. This result can be interpreted as arising from greater stabilization of the d _z² orbital in 1, thus offering an unprecedented experimental rationale for the origin of magnetic anisotropy in 1.

Synthesis and Electronic Structure of Neutral Square-Planar High-Spin Iron(II) Complexes Supported by a Dianionic Pincer Ligand

Two square-planar high-spin Fe^II complexes bearing a dianionic pyridine dipyrrolate pincer ligand and a diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran ligand were synthesized and structurally characterized, and their electronic structures were elucidated by a combined spectroscopic and computational approach. In contrast to previous examples, the S = 2 ground states of these square-planar Fe^II complexes do not require an overall anionic charge of the compounds or incorporation of alkali metal cations. The tetrahydrofuran complex exhibits an equilibrium between four- and five-coordinate species in solution, which was supported by ¹H NMR and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and comparison to a structurally characterized five-coordinate pyridine dipyrrolate iron bis-pyridine adduct. A detailed computational analysis of the electronic structures of the four- and five-coordinate species via density functional theory provides insight into the origins of the unusual ground state configurations for Fe^II in a square-planar ligand field and explains the associated characteristic spectroscopic parameters.

A linear cobalt(II) complex with maximal orbital angular momentum from a non-Aufbau ground state

Orbital angular momentum is a prerequisite for magnetic anisotropy, although in transition metal complexes it is typically quenched by the ligand field. By reducing the basicity of the carbon donor atoms in a pair of alkyl ligands, we synthesized a cobalt(II) dialkyl complex, Co(C(SiMe2ONaph)3)2 (where Me is methyl and Naph is a naphthyl group), wherein the ligand field is sufficiently weak that interelectron repulsion and spin-orbit coupling play a dominant role in determining the electronic ground state. Assignment of a non-Aufbau (dx2–y2, dxy)3(dxz, dyz)3(dz2)1 electron configuration is supported by dc magnetic susceptibility data, experimental charge density maps, and ab initio calculations. Variable-field far-infrared spectroscopy and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements further reveal slow magnetic relaxation via a 450–wave number magnetic excited state.

Effects of Remote Ligand Substituents on the Structures, Spectroscopic, and Magnetic Properties of Two-Coordinate Transition-Metal Thiolate Complexes

The first-row transition-metal(II) dithiolates M(SAr^iPr₄)₂ [Ar^iPr₄ = C₆H₃-2,6-(C₆H₃-2,6-iPr₂)₂; M = Cr (1), Mn (3), Fe (4), Co (5), Ni (6), and Zn (7)] and Cr(SAr^Me₆)₂ [2; Ar^Me₆ = C₆H₃-2,6-(C₆H₂-2,4,6-Me₃)₂] and the ligand-transfer reagent (NaSAr^iPr₄)₂ (8) are described. In contrast to their M(SAr^iPr₆)₂ (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn; Ar^iPr₆ = C₆H₃-2,6-(C₆H₂-2,4,6-iPr₃)₂) congeners, which differ from 1 and 3-6 in having p-isopropyl groups on the flanking aryl rings of the terphenyl substituents, compounds 1 and 4-6 display highly bent coordination geometries with S-M-S angles of 109.802(2)° (1), 120.2828(3)° (4), 91.730(3)° (5), and 92.68(2)° (6) as well as relatively close metal-flanking aryl ring η⁶ interactions with metal-centroid distances of 2.11477(6) Å (1), 1.97188(3) Å (2), 2.15269(6) Å (4), 1.62058(9) Å (5), and 1.724(8) Å (6). However, the d⁵ (Mn) and d¹⁰ (Zn) complexes 3 and 7 display linear or near-linear coordination with no close metal-ligand distances. The nonlinear geometries of 1 and 4-6 also contrast with those of their Ar^iPr₄-substituted alkoxo and amido congeners, which have strictly linear coordination. Complexes 1-7 were synthesized by the reaction of the lithium or sodium thiolate salt with the metal dihalide or, in the case of 3, by the reaction of the thiol with the amido complex Mn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂. All compounds were characterized by electronic spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and magnetic measurements using Evans' method and SQUID magnetometry. It was concluded that, despite the large bulk of the Ar^iPr₄ substituents, the absence of p-isopropyl groups on the flanking rings of the ligand permits close secondary metal-flanking ring distances. The compounds are characterized by more intense colors and display magnetic moments that are generally lower than the spin-only values, in agreement with the covalent character of the close metal-flanking ring η⁶ interactions.

Single-Domain Ferromagnet of Noncentrosymmetric Uniaxial Magnetic Ions and Magnetoelectric Interaction

The feasibility of a single-domain ferromagnet based on uniaxial magnetic ions was examined. For a noncentrosymmetric uniaxial magnetic ion of magnetic moment μ at a site of local electric dipole moment p, it is unknown to date whether μ prefers to be parallel or antiparallel to μ. The nature of this magnetoelectric interaction was probed in terms of analogical reasoning based on the Rashba effect and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We show that μ and p prefer an antiparallel arrangement, predict that Fe-doped CaZnOS is a single-domain ferromagnet like a bar magnet, and find the probable cause for the ferromagnetism and weak magnetization hysteresis in Fe-doped hexagonal ZnO and ZnS at very low dopant concentrations.

Pentagonal Bipyramid FeII Complexes: Robust Ising-Spin Units towards Heteropolynuclear Nanomagnets

Pentagonal bipyramid Fe^II complexes have been investigated to evaluate their potential as Ising-spin building units for the preparation of heteropolynuclear complexes that are likely to behave as single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The considered monometallic complexes were prepared from the association of a divalent metal ion with pentadentate ligands that have a 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(hydrazone) core (H₂ L^N3O2R ). Their magnetic anisotropy was established by magnetometry to reveal their zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter D, which ranged between -4 and -13 cm^-1 and was found to be modulated by the apical ligands (ROH versus Cl). The alteration of the D value by N-bound axial CN ligands, upon association with cyanometallates, was also assessed for heptacoordinated Fe^II as well as for related Ni^II and Co^II derivatives. In all cases, N-coordinated cyanide ligands led to large magnetic anisotropy (i.e., -8 to -18 cm^-1 for Fe and Ni, +33 cm^-1 for Co). Ab initio calculations were performed on three Fe^II complexes, which enabled one to rationalize the role of the ligand on the nature and magnitude of the magnetic anisotropy. Starting from the pre-existing heptacoordinated complexes, a series of pentanuclear compounds were obtained by reactions with paramagnetic [W(CN)₈ ]^3- . Magnetic studies revealed the occurrence of ferromagnetic interactions between the spin carriers in all the heterometallic systems. Field-induced slow magnetic relaxation was observed for mononuclear Fe^II complexes (U_eff /k_B up to 53 K (37 cm^-1 ), τ₀ =5×10^-9  s), and SMM behavior was evidenced for a heteronuclear [Fe₃ W₂ ] derivative (U_eff /k_B =35 K and τ₀ =4.6 10^-10  s), which confirmed that the parent complexes were robust Ising-type building units. High-field EPR spectroscopic investigation of the ZFS parameters for a Ni derivative is also reported.

Two Exceptional Homoleptic Iron(IV) Tetraalkyl Complexes

The formation of the high-valent iron complex [Fe(cyclohexyl)₄ ] from Fe^II under reducing conditions is best explained by disproportionation of a transient organoiron intermediate which is driven by dispersive forces between the cyclohexyl ligands and the formation of short and strong Fe-C bonds. The (meta)stability of this diamagnetic complex (S=0) is striking if one considers that it has empty d-orbitals at its disposal and contains, at the same time, no less than twenty H-atoms available for either α- or β-hydride elimination.

Heteroleptic, two-coordinate [M(NHC){N(SiMe3)2}] (M = Co, Fe) complexes: synthesis, reactivity and magnetism rationalized by an unexpected metal oxidation state

The linear, two-coordinate and isostructural heteroleptic [M(IPr){N(SiMe₃)₂}] (IPr = 1,3-bis(diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene), formally M^I complexes (M = Co, 3; Fe, 4) were obtained by the reduction of [M(IPr)Cl{N(SiMe₃)₂}] with KC₈, or [Co(IPr){N(SiMe₃)₂}₂] with mes*PH₂, mes* = 2,4,6-tBu₃C₆H₂. The magnetism of 3 and 4 implies Co^II and Fe^II centres coupled to one ligand-delocalized electron, in line with XPS and XANES data; the ac susceptibility of 4 detected a pronounced frequency dependence due to slow magnetization relaxation. Reduction of [Fe(IPr)Cl{N(SiMe₃)₂}] with excess KC₈ in toluene gave the heteronuclear 'inverse-sandwich' Fe-K complex 7, featuring η⁶-toluene sandwiched between one Fe⁰ and one K⁺ centre.

Slow magnetic relaxation in a mononuclear 8-coordinate Fe(ii) complex

The synthesis and structure of an 8-coordinate Fe(ii) compound [Fe^II(L1)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) with a [FeN₄O₄] core are reported. It is the first example of an 8-coordinate Fe(ii) complex exhibiting field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour.

Maximizing Electron Exchange in a [Fe3] Cluster

The one-electron reduction of ((tbs)L)Fe₃(thf)¹ furnishes [M][((tbs)L)Fe₃] ([M]⁺ = [(18-C-6)K(thf)₂]⁺ (1, 76%) or [(crypt-222)K]⁺ (2, 54%)). Upon reduction, the ligand (tbs)L⁶⁻ rearranges around the triiron core to adopt an almost ideal C₃-symmetry. Accompanying the ((tbs)L) ligand rearrangement, the THF bound to the neutral starting material is expelled, and the Fe-Fe distances within the trinuclear cluster contract by ∼0.13 Å in 1. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data indicates a well-isolated S = 11/2 spin ground state that persists to room temperature. Slow magnetic relaxation is observed at low temperature as evidenced by the out-of-phase (χ(M)″) component of the alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility data and by the appearance of hyperfine splitting in the zero-field ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra at 4.2 K. Analysis of the ac magnetic susceptibility yields an effective spin reversal barrier (U(eff)) of 22.6(2) cm⁻¹, nearly matching the theoretical barrier of 38.7 cm⁻¹ calculated from the axial zero-field splitting parameter (D = -1.29 cm⁻¹) extracted from the reduced magnetization data. A polycrystalline sample of 1 displays three sextets in the Mössbauer spectrum at 4.2 K (H(ext) = 0) which converge to a single six-line pattern in a frozen 2-MeTHF glass sample, indicating a unique iron environment and thus strong electron delocalization. The spin ground state and ligand rearrangement are discussed within the framework of a fully delocalized cluster exhibiting strong double and direct exchange interactions.

Origin of Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy and Large Orbital Moment in Fe Atoms on MgO

We report on the magnetic properties of individual Fe atoms deposited on MgO(100) thin films probed by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and scanning tunneling spectroscopy. We show that the Fe atoms have strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with a zero-field splitting of 14.0±0.3  meV/atom. This is a factor of 10 larger than the interface anisotropy of epitaxial Fe layers on MgO and the largest value reported for Fe atoms adsorbed on surfaces. The interplay between the ligand field at the O adsorption sites and spin-orbit coupling is analyzed by density functional theory and multiplet calculations, providing a comprehensive model of the magnetic properties of Fe atoms in a low-symmetry bonding environment.

Cr(i)Cl as well as Cr+ are stabilised between two cyclic alkyl amino carbenes

Complexes with two and three coordinate chromium(i).

Cr(i)Cl is a very unstable species. The present work describes the stabilisation of Cr(i)Cl in the low coordinate environment of cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene ligands and its synthetic application to yield an unprecedented cationic complex with a two coordinate Cr(i). One electron reduction of (cAAC)₂CrCl₂ (1) with equivalent amount of KC₈ results in the formation of (cAAC)₂CrCl (2), with a distorted trigonal planar configuration at the metal centre. SQUID, EPR and theoretical studies reveal a Cr(i) centre with S = 5/2 spin ground state for 2. It represents the first example of a mononuclear Cr complex showing slow relaxation of magnetisation under an applied magnetic field. The chlorine atom in 2 is expected to be prone to further reactions with appropriate reagents. This qualifies 2 as a promising precursor for the preparation of various interesting complexes with Cr(i) in a low coordinate environment. The first example of this metathesis reaction is observed when 2 is treated with Na[B(C₆H₃(CF₃)₂)₄] resulting in [(cAAC)₂Cr]⁺[B(C₆H₃(CF₃)₂)₄]^–, a linear cationic complex with two coordinate Cr(i) and an S = 5/2 spin ground state.

Ligand field influence on the electronic and magnetic properties of quasi-linear two-coordinate iron(ii) complexes

The magnetic properties and ligand-field effects for quasi-linear iron(ii) complexes are explored with the aid of theoretical models.