Cationic Mn4 single-molecule magnet with a sterically isolated core.

The synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of a ligand-modified Mn(4) dicubane single-molecule magnet (SMM), [Mn(4)(Bet)(4)(mdea)(2)(mdeaH)(2)](BPh(4))(4), are presented, where the cationic SMM units are significantly separated from neighboring molecules in the crystal lattice. There are no cocrystallized solvate molecules, making it an ideal candidate for single-crystal magnetization hysteresis and high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance studies. Increased control over intermolecular interactions in such materials is a crucial factor in the future application of SMMs.

Isostructural single-chain and single-molecule magnets.

Isostructural single-chain magnet (SCM) and single-molecule magnets (SMM) with formulas [Mn(6)X(2)(salox)(6)O(2)(N(3))(8)] (X = Mn(II) (1), Cd(II) (2); H(2)salox = salicylaldoxime) have been synthesized and magnetically characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 possess significantly different magnetization reversal barriers of U(eff) = 100.3 and 57.0 K, in spite of comparable uniaxial anisotropies (D) and ground state spin values (S). These observations are indicative of the intrinsic spin dynamics in these structurally related yet magnetically distinct SCM/SMM systems.

Ferromagnetic ordering and simultaneous fast magnetization tunneling in a Ni4 single-molecule magnet.

Low-temperature heat capacity and oriented single-crystal field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetization data for the single-molecule magnet [Ni(hmp)(dmb)Cl](4) are presented that indicate the presence of ferromagnetic ordering at approximately 300 mK, which has little effect on the magnetization relaxation rates.

Magnetic quantum tunneling: insights from simple molecule-based magnets.

This perspectives article takes a broad view of the current understanding of magnetic bistability and magnetic quantum tunneling in single-molecule magnets (SMMs), focusing on three families of relatively simple, low-nuclearity transition metal clusters: spin S = 4 Ni(II)(4), Mn(III)(3) (S = 2 and 6) and Mn(III)(6) (S = 4 and 12). The Mn(III) complexes are related by the fact that they contain triangular Mn(III)(3) units in which the exchange may be switched from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic without significantly altering the coordination around the Mn(III) centers, thereby leaving the single-ion physics more-or-less unaltered. This allows for a detailed and systematic study of the way in which the individual-ion anisotropies project onto the molecular spin ground state in otherwise identical low- and high-spin molecules, thus providing unique insights into the key factors that control the quantum dynamics of SMMs, namely: (i) the height of the kinetic barrier to magnetization relaxation; and (ii) the transverse interactions that cause tunneling through this barrier. Numerical calculations are supported by an unprecedented experimental data set (17 different compounds), including very detailed spectroscopic information obtained from high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance and low-temperature hysteresis measurements. Comparisons are made between the giant spin and multi-spin phenomenologies. The giant spin approach assumes the ground state spin, S, to be exact, enabling implementation of simple anisotropy projection techniques. This methodology provides a basic understanding of the concept of anisotropy dilution whereby the cluster anisotropy decreases as the total spin increases, resulting in a barrier that depends weakly on S. This partly explains why the record barrier for a SMM (86 K for Mn(6)) has barely increased in the 15 years since the first studies of Mn(12)-acetate, and why the tiny Mn(3) molecule can have a barrier approaching 60% of this record. Ultimately, the giant spin approach fails to capture all of the key physics, although it works remarkably well for the purely ferromagnetic cases. Nevertheless, diagonalization of the multi-spin Hamiltonian matrix is necessary in order to fully capture the interplay between exchange and local anisotropy, and the resultant spin-state mixing which ultimately gives rise to the tunneling matrix elements in the high symmetry SMMs (ferromagnetic Mn(3) and Ni(4)). The simplicity (low-nuclearity, high-symmetry, weak disorder, etc.) of the molecules highlighted in this study proves to be of crucial importance. Not only that, these simple molecules may be considered among the best SMMs: Mn(6) possesses the record anisotropy barrier, and Mn(3) is the first SMM to exhibit quantum tunneling selection rules that reflect the intrinsic symmetry of the molecule.

Large spin-state changes in isostructural cyanate- and azide-bridged Mn(3)(III)Mn(2)(II) single-molecule magnets.

We prepared three structurally related Mn(3)(III)Mn(2)(II) complexes that possess S approximately 1-11 spin ground states as a result of variations in the geometry and identity of mu(2)-eta(1):eta(1) bridging groups. These complexes function as single-molecule magnets yet demonstrate other interesting behavior such as quasi-classical magnetization hysteresis and comparable magnetization reversal barriers (U(eff)).

Nanomodulation of molecular nanomagnets.

Detailed synthetic, structural, and magnetic characterizations for a family of six [Mn(3)Zn(2)](13+) complexes are presented. These complexes have planar [Mn(3)(III)-(mu(3)-oxo)](7+) core magnetic units and have formulas represented by [cation](3)[Mn(3)Zn(2)(R-salox)(3)O(N(3))(6)X(2)], where [cation](+) = [NEt(4)](3)(+) or [AsPh(4)](3)(+); R = H or Me; and X = Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), or N(3)(-). Least-squares fits to the magnetic susceptibility data for these complexes indicate large negative values of the axial zero field splitting (ZFS) parameter D (approximately -1.1 K) and spin ground states ranging from a highly spin-mixed S approximately 1 to a reasonably isolated S = 6 (DeltaE(S = 5) = 69.2 K). The strength and magnitude of the intramolecular exchange interactions have been observed to change with the crystal packing as a result of systematic variations in the co-crystallizing cation, terminal ion, and oximate ligand. Alternating current susceptibility data were collected from 1.8-7 K at 10-997 Hz, revealing strong frequency-dependent peaks in the out-of-phase susceptibility (chi''(M)) for ferromagnetic S = 6 complexes 1, 2, and 6. Fitting of these data to the Arrhenius equation gave U(eff) = 44.0 K and tau(0) = 3.8 x 10(-8) s for [NEt(4)](3)[Mn(3)Zn(2)(salox)(3)O(N(3))(6)Cl(2)] (1), and U(eff) = 45.6 K and tau(0) = 2.1 x 10(-7) s for [NEt(4)](3)[Mn(3)Zn(2)(Me-salox)(3)O(N(3))(6)Cl(2)] (6). The enhanced relaxation behavior in complex 6 is associated with stronger ferromagnetic exchange interactions and a more isolated S = 6 ground state than in 1 and 2. Comprehensive high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) experiments were conducted on single crystals of complexes 1, 2, and 6, revealing sharp absorption peaks and allowing for the precise determination of ZFS parameters. Similar experiments on [AsPh(4)](3)[Mn(3)Zn(2)(salox)(3)O(N(3))(6)Cl(2)] (4) resulted in the observation of a broad absorption peak, consistent with the highly spin-mixed ground state. Single crystal magnetization hysteresis measurements on complexes 1 and 2 indicate SMM behavior via temperature- and sweep-rate dependent hysteresis loops and the observance of very sharp quantum tunneling resonances. Additionally, the Hamiltonian parameters derived from the magnetic data, HFEPR, and hysteresis measurements are in good agreement and highlight the relationships between superexchange, spin-orbit interactions, and the varied relaxation behavior in these complexes.

Coherent manipulation and decoherence of s=10 single-molecule magnets.

We report coherent manipulation of S=10 Fe8 single-molecule magnets. The temperature dependence of the spin decoherence time T2 measured by high-frequency pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance indicates that strong spin decoherence is dominated by Fe8 spin bath fluctuations. By polarizing the spin bath in Fe8 single-molecule magnets at magnetic field B=4.6 T and temperature T=1.3 K, spin decoherence is significantly suppressed and extends the spin decoherence time T2 to as long as 712 ns. A second decoherence source is likely due to fluctuations of the nuclear spin bath. This hints that the spin decoherence time can be further extended via isotopic substitution to smaller nuclear magnetic moments.

Photoluminescent Mn4 single-molecule magnet.

The synthesis of [Mn(4)(anca)(4)(Hmdea)(2)(mdea)(2)].2CHCl(3) (1) is reported along with room temperature fluorescence, UV-vis, and NMR spectra. Direct current magnetization versus field data reveal a S = 8 ground state. Quantized steps in temperature- and field-dependent magnetization versus field hysteresis loops confirm single-molecule magnet behavior.

Single-molecule-magnet behavior and spin changes affected by crystal packing effects.

Five Mn 3Zn 2 heterometallic complexes have been synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized. Spin ground states up to S = 6 have been observed for these complexes and are shown to depend on the cocrystallizing cation and on the terminal ligand. Large axial zero-field interactions ( D = -1.16 K) are the result of near-parallel alignment of the Mn (III) Jahn-Teller axes. High-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance, single-crystal magnetization hysteresis, and alternating current susceptibility measurements are presented to characterize [NEt 4] 3[Mn 3Zn 2(salox) 3O(N 3) 6X 2] [X (-) = Cl (-) ( 1), Br (-) ( 2)] and [AsPh 4] 3[Mn 3Zn 2(salox) 3O(N 3) 6Cl 2] ( 3) and reveal that 1 and 2 are single-molecule magnets ( U eff = 44 K), while 3 is not.

Molecular wheels: new Mn12 complexes as single-molecule magnets.

The preparation, structure and magnetic properties of three new wheel-shaped dodecanuclear manganese complexes, [Mn12(Adea)8(CH3COO)14] x 7 CH3CN (1 x 7CH3CN), [Mn12(Edea)8(CH3CH2COO)14] (2) and [Mn12(Edea)8(CH3COO)2(CH3CH2COO)12] (3), are reported, where Adea(2-) and Edea(2-) are dianions of the N-allyl diethanolamine and the N-ethyl diethanolamine ligands, respectively. Each complex has six Mn(II) and six Mn(III) ions alternating in a wheel-shaped topology, with eight n-substituted diethanolamine dianions. All variable-temperature direct current (DC) magnetic susceptibility data were collected in 1, 0.1, or 0.01 T fields and in the 1.8-300 K temperature range. Heat capacity data, collected in applied fields of 0-9 T and in the 1.8-100 K temperature range, indicate the absence of a phase-transition due to long-range magnetic ordering for 1 and 3. Variable-temperature, variable-field DC magnetic susceptibility data were obtained in the 1.8-10 K and 0.1-5 T ranges. All complexes show out-of-phase signals in the AC susceptibility measurements, collected in a 50-997 Hz frequency range and in a 1.8-4.6 K temperature range. Extrapolation to 0 K of the in-phase AC susceptibility data collected at 50 Hz indicates an S = 7 ground state for 1, 2, and 3. Magnetization hysteresis data were collected on a single crystal of 1 in the 0.27-0.9 K range and on single crystals of 2 and 3 in the 0.1-0.9 K temperature range. Discrete steps in the magnetization curves associated with resonant quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) confirm these complexes to be single-molecule magnets. The appearance of extra QTM resonances on the magnetic hysteresis of 1 is a result of a weak coupling between two Mn ions at opposite ends of the wheel, dividing the molecule into two ferromagnetic exchange-coupled S = 7/2 halves. The absence of these features on 2 and 3, which behave as rigid spin S = 7 units, is a consequence of different interatomic distances.

Wheel-shaped Mn16 single-molecule magnets.

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of two new single-stranded hexadecanuclear manganese wheels [Mn16(CH3COO)8(CH3CH2CH2COO)8(teaH)12] x 10 MeCN (1 x 10 MeCN) and [Mn16((CH3)2CHCOO)16(teaH)12] x 4 CHCl3 (2 x 4 CHCl3), where teaH(2-) is the dianion of triethanolamine, are reported. 1 crystallizes in the tetragonal I4(1)/a space group [a = b = 33.519(4) A and c = 16.659(2) A]. 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group [a = 21.473(5), b = 26.819(6), c = 35.186(7), and beta = 93.447(5) degrees]. Both complexes consist of 8 Mn(II) and 8 Mn(III) ions alternating in a wheel-shaped topology with 12 monoprotonated triethanolamine ligands. Variable-temperature direct current (DC) magnetic susceptibility data were collected in 1 T, 0.1 and 0.01 T fields, and in the 1.8-300 K temperature range for 1 and 2. Variable-temperature variable-field DC magnetic susceptibility data were obtained in the 1.8-10 K and 0.1-5 T ranges and least-squares fitting of these reduced magnetization versus H/T data indicates a S = 13 ground-state for 1 and 2. Single-crystal magnetization hysteresis measurements were performed in a 0.04-1 K temperature range for complex 2. Hysteresis loops were observed that showed a temperature dependence, which indicates that 2 exhibits magnetization relaxation and is a SMM. Both 1 and 2 show frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals in the AC susceptibility measurements, collected in a temperature range of 1.8-5 K and in the frequency range of 50-10,000 Hz. Extrapolation of the in-phase component of the AC susceptibility data to 0 K indicates an S = 12 ground state for 1 and an S = 11 ground-state for 2. Complex 1 has the highest-spin ground state reported to date for a single-stranded manganese wheel and is likely to be an SMM based on a frequency-dependent out-of-phase signal in the AC susceptibility. The AC susceptibility as well as magnetization hysteresis data for 2 confirm that this species is an SMM.

Mechanochemical effect in the iron(III) spin crossover complex [Fe(3-MeO-salenEt2]PF6 as studied by heat capacity calorimetry.

Magnetic and thermal properties of the iron(III) spin crossover complex [Fe(3MeO-salenEt)(2)]PF(6) are very sensitive to mechanochemical perturbations. Heat capacities for unperturbed and differently perturbed samples were precisely determined by adiabatic calorimetry at temperatures in the 10-300 K range. The unperturbed compound shows a cooperative spin crossover transition at 162.31 K, presenting a hysteresis of 2.8 K. The anomalous enthalpy and entropy contents of the transition were evaluated to be Delta(trs)H = 5.94 kJ mol(-1) and Delta(trs)S = 36.7 J K(-1) mol(-1), respectively. By mechanochemical treatments, (1) the phase transition temperature was lowered by 1.14 K, (2) the enthalpy and entropy gains at the phase transition due to the spin crossover phenomenon were diminished to Delta(trs)H = 4.94 kJ mol(-1) and Delta(trs)S = 31.1 J K(-1) mol(-1), and (3) the lattice heat capacities were larger than those of the unperturbed sample over the whole temperature range. In spite of different mechanical perturbations (grinding with a mortar and pestle and grinding in a ball-mill), two sets of heat capacity measurements provided basically the same results. The mechanochemical perturbation exerts its effect more strongly on the low-spin state than on the high-spin state. It shows a substantial increase of the number of iron(III) ions in the high-spin state below the transition temperature. The heat capacities of the diamagnetic cobalt(III) analogue [Co(3MeO-salenEt)(2)]PF(6) also were measured. The lattice heat capacity of the iron compounds has been estimated from either the measurements on the cobalt complex using a corresponding states law or the effective frequency distribution method. These estimations have been used for the evaluation of the transition anomaly.

Heterometallic integer-spin analogues of S = 9/2 Mn4 cubane single-molecule magnets.

A family of distorted heterometallic cubanes, [Mn (III) 3Ni (II)(hmp) 3O(N 3) 3(O 2CR) 3], where O 2CR (-) is benzoate ( 1), 3-phenylpropionate ( 2), 1-adamantanecarboxylate ( 3), or acetate ( 4) and hmp (-) is the anion of 2-pyridinemethanol, was synthesized and structurally as well as magnetically characterized. These complexes have a distorted-cubane core structure similar to that found in the S = 9/2 Mn 4 cubane family of complexes. Complexes 1, 3, and 4 crystallize in rhombohedral, hexagonal, and cubic space groups, respectively, and have C 3 molecular symmetry, while complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc with local C 1 symmetry. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization hysteresis measurements and high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) spectroscopy established that complexes 1-4 have S = 5 spin ground states with axial zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters ( D) ranging from -0.20 to -0.33 cm (-1). Magnetization versus direct-current field sweeps below 1.1 K revealed hysteresis loops with magnetization relaxation, definitely indicating that complexes 1-4 are single-molecule magnets that exhibit quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) through an anisotropy barrier. Complex 2 exhibits the smallest coercive field and fastest magnetization tunneling rate, suggesting a significant rhombic ZFS parameter ( E), as expected from the low C 1 symmetry. This was confirmed by HFEPR spectroscopy studies on single crystals that gave the following parameter values for complex 2: gz = 1.98, gx = gy = 1.95, D = -0.17 cm (-1), B 4 (0) = -6.68 x 10 (-5) cm (-1), E = 6.68 x 10 (-3) cm (-1), and B 4 (2) = -1.00 x 10 (-4) cm (-1). Single-crystal HFEPR data for complex 1 gave g z = 2.02, gx = gy = 1.95, D = -0.23 cm (-1), and B 4 (0) = -5.68 x 10 (-5) cm (-1), in keeping with the C 3 site symmetry of this Mn 3Ni complex. The combined results highlight the importance of spin-parity effects and molecular symmetry, which determine the QTM rates.

Disorder and intermolecular interactions in a family of tetranuclear Ni(II) complexes probed by high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance.

High-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) data are presented for four closely related tetranuclear Ni(II) complexes, [Ni(hmp)(MeOH)Cl]4.H2O (1a), [Ni(hmp)(MeOH)Br]4.H2O (1b), [Ni(hmp)(EtOH)Cl]4.H2O (2), and [Ni(hmp)(dmb)Cl]4 (3) (where hmp(-) is the anion of 2-hydroxymethylpyridine and dmb is 3,3'-dimethyl-1-butanol), which exhibit magnetic bistability (hysteresis) and fast magnetization tunneling at low temperatures, properties which suggest they are single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The HFEPR spectra confirm spin S = 4 ground states and dominant uniaxial anisotropy (DSz(2), D < 0) for all four complexes, which are the essential ingredients for a SMM. The individual fine structure peaks (due to zero-field splitting) for complexes 1a, 1b, and 2 are rather broad. They also exhibit further (significant) splitting, which can be explained by the fact that there exists two crystallographically distinct Ni 4 sites in the lattices for these complexes, with associated differences in metal-ligand bond lengths and different zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters. The broad EPR lines, meanwhile, may be attributed to ligand and solvent disorder, which results in additional distributions of microenvironments. In the case of complex 3, there are no solvate molecules in the structure, and only one distinct Ni 4 molecule in the lattice. Consequently, the HFEPR data for complex 3 are extremely sharp. As the temperature of a crystal of complex 3 is decreased, the HFEPR spectrum splits abruptly at approximately 46 K into two patterns with very slightly different ZFS parameters. Heat capacity data suggest that this is caused by a structural transition at 46.6 K. A single-crystal X-ray structure at 12(2) K indicates large thermal parameters on the terminal methyl groups of the dmb (3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol) ligand. Most likely there exists dynamic disorder of parts of the dmb ligand above 46.6 K; an order-disorder structural phase transition at 46.6 K then removes some of the motion. A further decrease in temperature (<6 K) leads to further fine structure splittings for complex 3. This behavior is thought to be due to the onset of short-range magnetic correlations/coherences between molecules caused by weak intermolecular magnetic exchange interactions.

New Mn12 clusters with tunable oxidation states via the use of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine.

Room-temperature reactions of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine with manganese(II) salts yield a novel family of Mn(12) clusters incorporating the same Mn(12)O(4) core and tunable oxidation states of Mn(III)(x)Mn(II)(12-x) (x = 8, 10, and 12). Magnetic susceptibility data indicate that the spin of the ground state increases as the number of Mn(III) ions is increased, leading to increases in the magnitude of the out-of-phase ac susceptibility signal as the number of Mn(III) ions is increased.

Heterometallic cubane single-molecule magnets.

Two new heterometallic cubane molecules have been synthesized. High-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetization measurements indicate that [Mn(3)Ni(hmp)(3)O(N(3))(3)(C(7)H(5)O(2))(3)] (1) displays a well-isolated S = 5 ground state (DeltaE > 120 K), with g = 2.0, D = -0.23 cm(-1), and ferromagnetic Mn-Mn exchange interactions competing with antiferromagnetic Ni-Mn interactions. [Mn(3)Zn(hmp)(3)O(N(3))(3)(C(3)H(5)O(2))(3)] (2) possesses a S = 6 ground state (DeltaE > 105 K), with g = 2.0, D = -0.14 cm(-1), and ferromagnetic Mn-Mn exchange interactions. Magnetization vs magnetic field data for oriented single crystals of 1 and 2 indicate that both complexes are single-molecule magnets.

Signatures of molecular magnetism in single-molecule transport spectroscopy.

We report single-molecule-transistor measurements on devices incorporating magnetic molecules. By studying the electron-tunneling spectrum as a function of magnetic field, we are able to identify signatures of magnetic states and their associated magnetic anisotropy. A comparison of the data to simulations also suggests that sequential electron tunneling may enhance the magnetic relaxation of the magnetic molecule.

Fast magnetization tunneling in tetranickel(II) single-molecule magnets.

A series of Ni(4) cubane complexes with the composition [Ni(hmp)(ROH)Cl](4) complexes 1-4 where R= -CH(3) (complex 1), -CH(2)CH(3) (complex 2), -CH(2)CH(2)(C(4)H(9)) (complex 3), -CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)(C(6)H(11)) (complex 4), hmp(-) is the anion of 2-hydroxymethylpyridine, t-Buhmp(-) is the anion of 4-tert-butyl-2-hydroxymethylpyridine, and dmb is 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol] and [Ni(hmp)(dmb)Br](4) (complex 5) and [Ni(t-Buhmp)(dmb)Cl](4) (complex 6) were prepared. All six complexes were characterized by dc magnetic susceptibility data to be ferromagnetically coupled to give an S = 4 ground state with significant magnetoanisotropy (D approximately equal to -0.6 cm(-1)). Magnetization hysteresis measurements carried out on single crystals of complexes 1-6 establish the single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior of these complexes. The exchange bias observed in the magnetization hysteresis loops of complexes 1 and 2 is dramatically decreased to zero in complex 3, where the bulky dmb ligand is employed. Fast tunneling of magnetization is observed for the high-symmetry (S(4) site symmetry) Ni(4) complexes in the crystal of complex 3, and the tunneling rate can even be enhanced by destroying the S(4) site symmetry, as is the case for complex 4, where there are two crystallographically different Ni(4) molecules, one with C(2) and the other with C(1) site symmetry. Magnetic ordering temperatures due to intermolecular dipolar and magnetic exchange interactions were determined by means of very low-temperature ac susceptibility measurements; complex 1 orders at 1100 mK, complex 3 at 290 mK, complex 4 at approximately 80 mK, and complex 6 at <50 mK. This confirms that bulkier ligands correspond to more isolated molecules, and therefore, magnetic ordering occurs at lower temperatures for those complexes with the bulkiest ligands.

Aggregation of [(tBu3SiS)MX]: structures of {[Br2Fe(mu-SSitBu3)2)FeBr(THF)]Na(THF)4}infinity, cis-[(THF)FeI]2(mu-SSitBu3)2, [(tBu3SiS)Fe]2(mu-SSitBu3)2, and comparative structure and magnetism studies of [(tBu3SiS)MX]n (M = Fe, Co, X = Cl, n = 12; M = Fe, Ni, X = Br, n = 12; M = Fe, X = I, n = 14).

A convenient synthesis of (t)Bu(3)SiSH and (t)Bu(3)SiSNa(THF)(x)() led to the exploration of "(t)Bu(3)SiSMX" aggregation. The dimer, [((t)Bu(3)SiS)Fe](2)(mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))(2) (1(2)), was formed from [{(Me(3)Si)(2)N}Fe](2)(mu-N(SiMe(3))(2))(2) and the thiol, and its dissolution in THF generated ((t)Bu(3)SiS)(2)Fe(THF)(2) (1-(THF)(2)). Metathetical procedures with the thiolate yielded aggregate precursors [X(2)Fe](mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))(2)[FeX(THF)]Na(THF)(4) (3-X, X = Cl, Br) and cis-[(THF)IFe](2)(mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))(2) (4). Thermal desolvations of 3-Cl, 3-Br and 4 afforded molecular wheels [Fe(mu-X)(mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))](12)(C(6)H(6))(n) (5-FeX, X = Cl, Br) and the ellipse [Fe(mu-I)(mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))](14)(C(6)H(6))(n) (6-FeI). Related metathesis and desolvation sequences led to wheels [Co(mu-Cl)(mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))](12)(C(6)H(6))(n) (5-CoCl) and [Ni(mu-Br)(mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))](12)(C(6)H(6))(n) (5-NiBr). The nickel wheel disproportionated to give, in part, [((t)Bu(3)SiS)Ni](2)(mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))(2) (7), which was also synthesized via salt metathesis. X-ray structural studies of 1(2) revealed a roughly planar Fe(2)S(4) core, while 1-(THF)(2), 3-Br, and 4 possessed simple distorted tetrahedral and edge-shared tetrahedral structures. X-ray structural studies revealed 5-MX (MX = FeCl, FeBr, CoCl, NiBr) to be wheels based on edge-shared tetrahedra, but while the pseudo-D(6)(d) wheels of 5-FeCl, 5-CoCl, and 5-FeBr pack in a body-centered arrangement, those of pseudo-C(6)(v)() 5-NiBr exhibit hexagonal packing and two distinct trans-annular d(Br...Br). Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements were conducted on 5-FeCl, 5-CoCl, 5-FeBr, and 6-FeI, and the latter three are best construed as weakly antiferromagnetic, while 5-FeCl exhibited modest ferromagnetic coupling. Features suggesting molecular magnetism are most likely affiliated with phase changes at low temperatures.