Single-molecule magnet achieved through topological tuning with sodium ions

A triangular MnIII3-based 2D framework exhibiting SMM properties was achieved by tuning the topological arrangement of cluster units and the intra-unit parameters through the linkage of diamagnetic Na(i) ions.

A family of 3d metal clusters based on N-N single bonds bridged quasi-linear trinuclear cores: the Mn analogue displaying single-molecule magnet behavior

The reactions of the diacylhydrazine ligands N,N'-bisalicyl-2,6-pyridine dicarbohydrazide (H6sphz) and N,N'-bis(3-methoxysalicyl)-2,6-pyridine dicarbohydrazide (H6msphz) with various 3d metal salts, afforded a series of coordination clusters, namely, [MnIII 2MnII(sphz)(acac)2(CH3OH)4] (1, acac- = acetylacetone anions), [NiII 3(msphz)(Py)4] (2, Py = pyridine), [CuII 6(sphz)2(Py)4] (3) and [CuII 6(msphz)2(Py)4]·2DMF·2H2O (4). Cluster 1 and 2 are single ligand assembled quasi-linear trinuclear structures. Both 3 and 4 consist a pair of quasi-linear {Cu3} cores, which are linked together by two crossed ligands. The adjacent 3d metal ions in all trinuclear cores of 1-4 are bridged by N-N single bonds of ligands, which convey ferromagnetic (FM) interactions between 3d metal centers of 1, and antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions between those of 2-4. In particular, the FM interactions and linear arrangement of mixed-valence Mn centers in 1 result in a large spin ground states value (S T) of 13/2, as well as single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior of slow relaxation and hysteresis of magnetization.

A hexameric [MnNa6] wheel based on [MnO]7+ sub-units

A novel hexameric [MnNa₆] wheel-like aggregate consisting of [MnO] triangles is reported. It is the second highest nuclearity oxime-based Mn cluster, the largest member of the recently-developed family of molecular oligomers based on [MnO] triangles, and the only one with a wheel-like metal topology.

A Ferromagnetic Salicylaldoximate/Azide Mn(II)2Mn(III)6 Cluster with an S = 17 Ground State and a Single-Molecule-Magnet Response

One new Mn(II)2Mn(III)6 cluster exhibiting an S = 17 spin ground state and single-molecule-magnet properties has been designed linking Mn(III)3-salicylaldoximate triangles and tetracoordinated Mn(II) cations by means of end-on azido bridges. The ferromagnetic coupling has been rationalized as a function of their structural parameters.

Redox Switches for Single-Molecule Magnet Activity: An Ab Initio Insight

A dinuclear Co(II) complex (1) featuring unprecedented anodic and cathodic switches for single-molecule magnet (SMM) activity has been recently investigated (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 14670). The presence of sandwiched radicals in different oxidation states of this compound mediates magnetic coupling between the high-spin (S=3/2) cobalt ions, which gives rise to SMM activity in both the oxidized ([1(OEt2)](+)) and reduced ([1](-)) states. This feature represents the first example of a SMM exhibiting fully reversible, dual ON/OFF switchability. Here we apply ab initio and broken-symmetry DFT calculations to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for magnetic properties and magnetization blocking in these compounds. It is found that due to the strong delocalization of the magnetic molecular orbital, there is a strong antiferromagnetic interaction between the radical and cobalt ions. The lack of high axiality of the cobalt centres explains why these compounds possess slow relaxation of magnetization only in an applied dc magnetic field.

Synthesis and first use of pyridine-2,6-diylbis(pyrazine-2-ylmethanone) in metal cluster chemistry: a {MnIII3Na2} complex with an ideal trigonal bipyramidal geometry

A new {Mn₃Na₂} compound with trigonal bipyramidal topology was obtained from a metal-assisted transformation of the ligand (pz)CO(py)CO(pz).

22-Azametallacrown-8 complex with a triazole-bridged ligand: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

Reaction of Mn(OAc)2·4H2O with the H2L ligand affords a new manganese 22-MC-8 azametallacrown [Mn8(μ3-O)2(μ3-OH)2(μ2-OH)2(L)6(OAc)2(OH2)4]·2DMF (H2L = 3-(2-oxyphenyl)-5-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole). The structural analysis of the complex reveals that the azaMC ring possesses -[Mn-O-Mn-N-N-Mn-N-N-Mn-N-N]- connectivity. The magnetic behavior of the complex shows the dominant antiferromagnetic interactions between the manganese ions with S = 4 and the frequency-dependent out-of-phase signal.

A family of polynuclear cobalt complexes upon employment of an indeno-quinoxaline based oxime ligand

The employment of an indeno-quinoxaline based oxime ligand in cobalt chemistry afforded a new family of polynuclear cobalt clusters.

Role of dicarboxylate linkers in Mn(III)-salicylaldoximate based extended structures: synthesis, structures, and magnetic behavior

Four new oxo-centered Mn(III)-salicylaldoximate triangle-based extended complexes [Mn(III)6O2(salox)6(EtOH)4(phda)]n·(saloxH2)n·(2H2O)n (1), [Mn(III)6O2(salox)6(MeOH)5(5-I-isoph)]n·(3MeOH)n (2), [Mn(III)6O2(salox)6(MeOH)4(H2O) (5-N3-isoph)]n·(4MeOH)n (3) and [Mn(III)3NaO(salox)3(MeOH)4(5-NO2-isoph)]n·(MeOH)n (H2O)n (4) [salox=salicylaldoximate, phda=1,3-phenylenediacetate, isoph=isophthalate] have been synthesized under similar reaction conditions. Single crystal X-ray structures show that in 1, only one type of Mn6 cluster is arranged in 1D, whereas in 2 and 3 there are two types of clusters, differing in the way the triangle units are joined and assembled. In complex 4, however, the basic building structure is heteronuclear and based on Mn3 units extended in 2D. Susceptibility measurements (dc and ac) over a wide range of temperatures and fields show that the complexes 1, 2, and 3 behave as single molecule magnets (SMMs) with S=4 ground state, while 4 is dominantly antiferromagnetic with a ground spin state S=2. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on model complexes to provide a qualitative theoretical interpretation for their overall magnetic behavior.

Synthesis of an S(T) = 7 [Mn3] mixed-valence complex based on 1,3-propanediol ligand derivatives and its one-dimensional assemblies

Controlled organization of high-spin complexes and single-molecule magnets is a great challenge in molecular magnetism in order to study the effect of the intercomplex magnetic interactions on the intrinsic properties of a given magnetic object. In this work, a new S(T) = 7 trinuclear mixed-valence Mn complex, [Mn(III)Mn(II)2(LA)2(Br)4(CH3OH)6] ·Br·(CH3OH)(1.5)·(H2O)(0.5) (1), is reported using a pyridinium-functionalized 1,3-propanediol ligand (H2L(A)Br = 1-(3-bromo-2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propyl)pyridinium bromide). Using azido anions as bridging ligands and different pyridinium-functionalized 1,3-propanediol ligands (H2L(B)Br = 1-(3-bromo-2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propyl)-4-picolinium bromide; H2L(C)Br = 1-(3-bromo-2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propyl)-3,5-lutidinium bromide), the linear [Mn(III)Mn(II)2L2X4](+) building block has been assembled into one-dimensional coordination networks: [Mn(III)Mn(II)2(LA)2(Br)4(CH3OH)4(N3)]·((C2H5)2O)1.25 (2∞), [Mn(III)Mn(II)2(L(B))2(Br)4(C2H5OH)(CH3OH)(H2O)2(N3)]·(H2O)0.25 (3∞), and [Mn(III)Mn(II)2(L(C))2(Cl)(3.8)(Br)(0.2)(C2H5OH)3(CH3OH)(N3)] (4∞). The syntheses, characterization, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of these new [Mn3]-based materials are reported.

Comproportionation reactions to manganese(III/IV) pivalate clusters: a new half-integer spin single-molecule magnet

The comproportionation reaction between Mn(II) and Mn(VII) reagents under acidic conditions has been investigated in the presence of pivalic acid as a route to new high oxidation state manganese pivalate clusters containing some Mn(IV). The reaction of Mn(O(2)CBu(t))(2) and NBu(n)(4)MnO(4) with an excess of pivalic acid in the presence of Mn(ClO(4))(2) and NBu(n)(4)Cl in hot MeCN led to the isolation of [Mn(8)O(6)(OH)(O(2)CBu(t))(9)Cl(3)(Bu(t)CO(2)H)(0.5)(MeCN)(0.5)] (1). In contrast, the reaction of Mn(NO(3))(2) and NBu(n)(4)MnO(4) in hot MeCN with an excess of pivalic acid gave a different octanuclear complex, [Mn(8)O(9)(O(2)CBu(t))(12)] (2). The latter reaction but with Mn(O(2)CBu(t))(2) in place of Mn(NO(3))(2), and in a MeCN/THF solvent medium, gave [Mn(9)O(7)(O(2)CBu(t))(13)(THF)(2)] (3). Complexes 1-3 possess rare or unprecedented Mn(x) topologies: 1 possesses a [Mn(III)(7)Mn(IV)(μ(3)-O)(4)(μ(4)-O)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(μ(4)-Cl)(μ(2)-Cl)](8+) core consisting of two body-fused Mn(4) butterfly units attached to the remaining Mn atoms via bridging O(2-), OH(-), and Cl(-) ions. In contrast, 2 possesses a [Mn(6)(IV)Mn(2)(III)(μ(3)-O)(6)(μ-O)(3)](12+) core consisting of two [Mn(3)O(4)] incomplete cubanes linked by their O(2-) ions to two Mn(III) atoms. The cores of 1 and 2 are unprecedented in Mn chemistry. The [Mn(III)(9)(μ(3)-O)(7)](13+) core of 3 also contains two body-fused Mn(4) butterfly units, but they are linked to the remaining Mn atoms in a different manner than in 1. Solid-state direct current (dc) and/or alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility data established S = (15)/(2), S = 2, and S = 1 ground states for 1·MeCN, 2·(1)/(4)MeCN, and 3, respectively. The ac susceptibility data also revealed nonzero, frequency-dependent out-of-phase (χ″(M)) signals for 1·MeCN at temperatures below 3 K, suggesting possible single-molecule magnet behavior, which was confirmed by single-crystal magnetization vs dc field scans that exhibited hysteresis loops. The combined work thus demonstrates the continuing potential of comproportionation reactions for isolating high oxidation state Mn(x) clusters, and the sensitivity of the product identity to minor changes in the reaction conditions.

Mn4 single-molecule-magnet-based polymers of a one-dimensional helical chain and a three-dimensional network: syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties

Two Mn(4) single-molecule-magnet (SMM)-based coordination polymers, {[Mn(4)O(salox)(3)(N(3))(3)(DMF)(2)(H(2)O)(dpp)]·0.5MeOH}(n) (1·0.5MeOH; H(2)salox = salicylaldoxime; dpp = 1,3-di-4-pyridylpropane; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) and {[Mn(4)O(Me-salox)(3)(N(3))(3)(dpp)(1.5)]·1.5Et(2)O}(n) (2·1.5Et(2)O; Me-H(2)salox = hydroxyphenylethanone oxime), are self-assembled from Mn(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O/H(2)salox and Mn(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O/Me-H(2)salox systems with dpp and NaN(3) in DMF/MeOH, respectively. Both compounds comprise a mixed-valence tetranuclear manganese core, [Mn(II)Mn(III)(3)O](9+), which serves as a building unit for subsequent assembly via oximate and azido ligands. The flexible dpp ligand links with a Mn(4) unit, leading to the formation of a one-dimensional helical structure in 1·0.5MeOH and a three-dimensional pcu network in 2·1.5Et(2)O. The magnetic data analysis shows that antiferromagnetic interactions within the Mn(4) units resulted in S = (3)/(2) and (7)/(2) ground states for 1·0.5MeOH and 2·1.5Et(2)O, respectively. Both compounds show SMM behavior, as evidenced by frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals in alternating-current magnetic susceptibility and magnetic hysteresis loop studies with an energy barrier of U(eff) = 37 K for 2·1.5Et(2)O.

Linking [M(III)3] triangles with "double-headed" phenolic oximes

Strapping two salicylaldoxime units together with aliphatic α,Ω-aminomethyl links in the 3-position gives ligands which allow the assembly of the polynuclear complexes [Fe(7)O(2)(OH)(6)(H(2)L1)(3)(py)(6)](BF(4))(5)·6H(2)O·14MeOH (1·6H(2)O·14MeOH), [Fe(6)O(OH)(7)(H(2)L2)(3)](BF(4))(3)·4H(2)O·9MeOH (2·4H(2)O·9MeOH) and [Mn(6)O(2)(OH)(2)(H(2)L1)(3)(py)(4)(MeCN)(2)](BF(4))(5)(NO(3))·3MeCN·H(2)O·5py (3·3MeCN·H(2)O·5py). In each case the metallic skeleton of the cluster is based on a trigonal prism in which two [M(III)(3)O] triangles are tethered together via three helically twisted double-headed oximes. The latter are present as H(2)L(2-) in which the oximic and phenolic O-atoms are deprotonated and the amino N-atoms protonated, with the oxime moieties bridging across the edges of the metal triangles. Both the identity of the metal ion and the length of the straps connecting the salicylaldoxime units have a major impact on the nuclearity and topology of the resultant cluster, with, perhaps counter-intuitively, the longer straps producing the "smallest" molecules.

A new oxime ligand in manganese chemistry: a [Mn8] and a [Mn6] cage from the use of 2-dihydroxy-2-phenylacetamidine

The use of phamidoxH(2) (phamidoxH(2) = 2-dihydroxy-2-phenylacetamidine) in manganese cluster chemistry led to the synthesis and characterization of a hexametallic and an octametallic Mn(III) cluster, both of which display a S = 3 ground state.

Twisted molecular magnets

The use of derivatised salicylaldoximes in manganese chemistry has led to the synthesis of a family of approximately fifty hexanuclear ([Mn(III)(6)]) and thirty trinuclear ([Mn(III)(3)]) Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs). Deliberate, targeted structural distortion of the metallic core afforded family members with increasingly puckered configurations, leading to a switch in the pairwise magnetic exchange from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic. Examination of both the structural and magnetic data revealed a semi-quantitative magneto-structural correlation, from which the factors governing the magnetic properties could be extracted and used for predicting the properties of new family members and even more complicated structures containing analogous building blocks. Herein we describe an overview of this extensive body of work and discuss its potential impact on similar systems.

Twisting, bending, stretching: strategies for making ferromagnetic [Mn(III)3] triangles

The synthesis and characterisation of a large family of trimetallic [Mn(III)(3)] Single-Molecule Magnets is presented. The complexes reported can be divided into three categories with general formulae (type 1) [Mn(III)(3)O(R-sao)(3)(X)(sol)(3-4)] (where R = H, Me, (t)Bu; X = (-)O(2)CR (R = H, Me, Ph etc); sol = py and/or H(2)O), (type 2) [Mn(III)(3)O(R-sao)(3)(X)(sol)(3-5)] (where R = Me, Et, Ph, (t)Bu; X = (-)O(2)CR (R = H, Me, Ph etc); sol = MeOH, EtOH and/or H(2)O), and (type 3) [Mn(III)(3)O(R-sao)(3)(sol)(3)(XO(4))] (where R = H, Et, Ph, naphth; sol = py, MeOH, beta-pic, Et-py, (t)Bu-py; X = Cl, Re). We show that deliberate structural distortions of the molecule can be used to tune the observed magnetic properties. In the crystals the ferromagnetic triangles are involved in extensive inter-molecular H-bonding which is clearly manifested in the magnetic behaviour, producing exchange-biased SMMs. These interactions can be removed by ligand replacement to give "simpler" SMMs.

Ferromagnetic [Mn3] Single-Molecule Magnets and Their Supramolecular Networks

The complexes [MnIII3O(Et-sao)3(O2CPh(Cl)2)(MeOH)3(H2O)] (1), [MnIII3O(Et-sao)3(ClO4)(MeOH)3] (2), [MnIII3O(Et-sao)3(O2Ph(CF3)2)(EtOH)(H2O)3] (3), and [MnIII3O(Ph-sao)3(O2C-anthra)(MeOH)4]·Ph-saoH2 (4·Ph-saoH2) display dominant ferromagnetic exchange interactions leading to molecules with S = 6 ground states. The molecules are single molecule magnets (SMM) displaying large effective energy barriers for magnetization reversal. In each case their crystal structures reveal multiple intermolecular H-bonding interactions. Single crystal hysteresis loop measurements demonstrate that these interactions are strong enough to cause a clear field bias, but too weak to transform the spin networks into classical antiferromagnets. These three-dimensional networks of exchange coupled SMMs demonstrate that quantum tunnelling magnetization can be controlled using exchange interactions, suggesting supramolecular chemistry can be exploited to modulate the quantum physics of molecular magnets.