Donor–anion interactions at the charge localization and charge ordering transitions of (TMTTF)2AsF6 probed by NEXAFS

Detection of the charge localization and charge ordering transitions of (TMTTF)₂AsF₆ at T_ρ ≈ 230 K and T_CO ≈ 102 K, respectively.

The metallic transport of (TMTSF)2X organic conductors close to the superconducting phase

Comparing resistivity data of the quasi-one-dimensional superconductors (TMTSF)2PF6 and (TMTSF)2ClO4 along the least conducting c(⋆)-axis and along the high conductivity a-axis as a function of temperature and pressure, a low temperature regime is observed in which a unique scattering time governs the transport along both directions of these anisotropic conductors. However, the pressure dependence of the anisotropy implies a large pressure dependence of the interlayer coupling. This is in agreement with the results of first-principles density functional theory calculations implying methyl group hyperconjugation in the TMTSF molecule. In this low temperature regime, both materials exhibit for ρ(c) a temperature dependence aT + bT(2). Taking into account the strong pressure dependence of the anisotropy, the T-linear ρ(c) is found to correlate with the suppression of the superconducting Tc, in close analogy with ρ(a) data. This work reveals the domain of existence of the three-dimensional coherent regime in the generic (TMTSF)2X phase diagram and provides further support for the correlation between T-linear resistivity and superconductivity in non-conventional superconductors.

Hidden fermi surface nesting and charge density wave instability in low-dimensional metals

The concept of hidden Fermi surface nesting was introduced to explain the general observation that certain low-dimensional metals with several partially filled bands exhibit charge density wave (CDW) instabilities, although their individual Fermi surfaces do not reveal the observed nesting vectors. This concept was explored by considering the Fermi surfaces of the purple bronze AMo(6)O(17) (A = sodium or potassium) and then observing the CDW spatial fluctuations expected from its hidden nesting on the basis of diffuse x-ray scattering experiments. The concept of hidden Fermi surface nesting is essential for understanding the electronic instabilities of low-dimensional metals.

Synthesis, electronic and crystal structure of a new organic semiconductor tetramethyltetrathiafulvalene-trinitroresorcinol (2:1), (TMTTF)2(C6H2N3O8)

A new organic semiconductor with trinitroresor-cinol as the anion, (TMTTF)2(C6H2N3O8) (1) (TMTTF: tetramethyltetrathiafulvalene),

has been synthesized and its crystal structure has been investigated at room and low temperatures (295 and 110 K). The crystal structure of 1 is formed by one-dimensional stacks of cation-radicals (TMTTF)+1/2 separated by trinitroresorcinol anions (C6H2N3O8)–. This novel salt reveals semiconducting properties. Tight-binding band structure calculations for 1 have been carried out in order to understand the charge distribution among the different donors.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Physical Properties of (BEDT-TTF)[Ni(tdas)2] (BEDT-TTF = Bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene; tdas = 1,2,5-Thiadiazole-3,4-dithiolate): First Monomeric [Ni(tdas)2]- Monoanion

We report the synthesis, structure, and physical properties of (BEDT-TTF)[Ni(tdas)2] [BEDT-TTF, or ET, is bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene; tdas is 1,2,5-thiadiazole-3,4-dithiolate], which is the first example of a salt containing monomeric [Ni(tdas)2]- monoanions. This salt, which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 17.2324(6) A, b = 13.2740(5) A, c = 10.9467(4) A, beta = 96.974(2) degrees, and V = 2485.5(2) A(3), forms a layered structure. One layer contains dimerized BEDT-TTF electron donor molecules and isolated [Ni(tdas)2]- monoanions, while the second layer contains chains of [Ni(tdas)2]- monoanions. Conductivity measurements show that (BEDT-TTF)[Ni(tdas)2] has a semiconductor-to-semiconductor transition near 200 K, while magnetic measurements indicate that it is an S = 1/2 paramagnet with weak antiferromagnetic coupling. Reflectance spectra reveal bands in the near-infrared region (6.6 x 10(3) and 10.6 x 10(3) cm(-1)) which are typical of (BEDT-TTF)2(2+) dimers. From these data, we can conclude that the unpaired electron lies on the [Ni(tdas)2]- anions. Tight-binding band structure calculations were used to analyze the electronic structure of this salt.

Hybrid molecular materials based upon organic pi-electron donors and metal complexes. Radical salts of bis(ethylenethia)tetrathiafulvalene (BET-TTF) with the octahedral anions hexacyanoferrate(III) and nitroprusside. The first kappa phase in the BET-TTF family

The synthesis, structure, and physical characterization of two new radical salts formed with the organic donor bis(ethylenethia)tetrathiafulvalene (BET-TTF) and the octahedral anions hexacyanoferrate(III), [Fe(CN)(6)](3-), and nitroprusside, [Fe(CN)(5)NO](2-), are reported. These salts are (BET-TTF)(4)(NEt(4))(2)[Fe(CN)(6)] (1) (monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 38.867(7) A, b = 8.438(8) A, c = 11.239(6) A, beta = 90.994(9) degrees, V = 3685(4) A(3), Z = 4) and (BET-TTF)(2)[Fe(CN)(5)NO].CH(2)Cl(2) (2) (monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 16.237(6) A, b = 18.097(8) A, c = 12.663(7) A, beta = 106.016(9) degrees, V = 3576(3) A(3), Z = 4). In salt 1 the organic BET-TTF molecules are packed in orthogonal dimers, forming the first kappa phase observed for this donor. The analysis of the bond distances and the electronic and IR spectra suggests a degree of ionicity of 1/4 per BET-TTF molecule, in agreement with the stoichiometry of the salt. The electrical properties show that 1 is a semiconductor with a high room-temperature conductivity (11.6 S cm(-1)) and a low activation energy (45 meV), in agreement with the band structure calculations. The magnetic susceptibility of 1 shows, besides the paramagnetic contribution from the anion, a temperature-independent paramagnetism (TIP) of the Pauli type due to the electronic delocalization observed at high temperatures in the organic sublattice. This Pauli type paramagnetism is confirmed by the ESR spectra that also show a Dysonian line when the magnetic field is parallel to the conducting plane, typical of metallic and highly conducting systems. Salt 2 presents an unprecedented packing of the organic molecules that form zigzag tunnels where the anions and the solvent molecules are located. The stoichiometry indicates that all the BET-TTF molecules bear a charge of +1, and accordingly, 2 behaves as a semiconductor with a very low room-temperature conductivity. The magnetic properties of this salt indicate that the unpaired electrons on the organic molecules are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled, giving rise to a diamagnetic behavior of 2, as the nitroprusside anion is also diamagnetic.

Activation of C--H... Halogen (Cl, Br, and I) hydrogen bonds at the organic/inorganic interface in fluorinated tetrathiafulvalenes salts

The electrocrystallization of fluorinated bis(2,2'-difluoropropylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (1) in the presence of linear (ICl2-, IBr2-, I2Br-) or cluster ([Mo6Cl14]2-) anions affords 1:1 and 2:1 cation radical salts such as [1][ICl2] and [1]2[Mo6Cl14].(CH3CN)2. In both salts, the 1*+ radical ion adopts a boat conformation and envelops the anion through C-H...Hal(anion) (Hal(anion) = Cl, Br, I) hydrogen bonds. This demonstrates the activating role of the neighboring electron-withdrawing CF2 moieties in the stabilization of bi- or trimolecular neutral entities. With smaller linear anions, fluorine segregation controls the solid-state associations of the bimolecular [1]*+[X] entities, and gives rise to layered materials with a limited overlap interaction between the open-shell organic cations and magnetic spin chain behavior. With the larger [Mo6Cl14]2 ions, a strong overlap interaction between radical cations gives rise to diamagnetic [1]2(2+) dimers, which alternate with the cluster anions to form hybrid organic/inorganic ...[1]2(2+)[Mo6Cl14]2... chains. This behavior is also observed in [2]2(2+)[Mo6Cl14]2-.(CH2Cl2)2, in which compound 2 is the unsymmetrically substituted (ethylenedithio)(2,2'-difluoropropylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene. On the other hand, the unsymmetrically substituted 2,2'-difluoropropylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene (3) affords a mixed-valence 4:1 salt with [Mo6Cl14]2, which is formulated as [3]4[Mo6Cl14].(CH3CN)2. This semiconducting salt is characterized by the coexistence of both the fluorine/fluorine segregation (with solvent inclusion) and the organic/inorganic segregation (with delocalized overlap interactions). Both Csp2-H...Cl and Csp3-H...Cl hydrogen bonds facilitate the stabilization of the organic/inorganic interface and the presence of conducting organic slabs.

Electronic structures of M21S8 (M = Nb, Zr) and (M,M')21S8 (M, M' = Hf, Ti; Nb, Ta) phases and reasons for variations in the metal site occupations

The electronic structures of binary M21S8 (M = Nb, Zr) and isostructural ternary (M,M')21S8 (M, M' = Hf, Ti; Nb, Ta) phases have been studied by means of extended Hückel tight-binding band structure calculations. For the valence electron concentration in the binary group 5 metal phase Nb21S8, metal-metal bonding is optimized whereas, in the isostructural group 4 metal phase Zr21S8, metal-metal bonding levels exist above the Fermi level. However, the electronic structure analysis suggests a stable structure for M21S8 phases with group 4 metals and that (M,M')21S8 phases with mixed group 4 and group 5 metals, even if not yet reported, could well exist. In the ternary phase Nb6.9Ta14.1S8, a linear relationship exists between the magnitude of the metal-metal bonding capacity (as expressed by the total metal-metal Mulliken overlap population) of each crystallographically independent metal site and the occupation of the site with the heavier metal (i.e., the element with the greater bonding capability). The situation is quite more complex in Hf7.5Ti13.5S8, where the metal-metal bonding capacity of each site, differences in electronegativity between Ti and Hf, and site volume arguments must be taken into account to understand the metal site occupation.