Environmental influence on the single-molecule magnet behavior of [Mn(III)6Cr(III)]3+: molecular symmetry versus solid-state effects.

The structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic properties of a series of [Mn(III)(6)Cr(III)](3+) (= [{(talen(t-Bu(2)))Mn(III)(3)}(2){Cr(III)(CN)(6)}](3+)) compounds have been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and electronic absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis, electro spray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), cyclic voltammetry, AC and DC magnetic measurements, as well as theoretical analysis. The crystal structures obtained with [Cr(III)(CN)(6)](3-) as a counterion exhibit (quasi-)one-dimensional (1D) chains formed by hydrogen-bonded (1) or covalently linked (2) trications and trianions. The rod-shaped anion lactate enforces a rod packing of the [Mn(III)(6)Cr(III)](3+) complexes in the highly symmetric space group R3[overline] (3) with a collinear arrangement of the molecular S(6) axes. Incorporation of the spherical anion BPh(4)(-) leads to less-symmetric crystal structures (4-6) with noncollinear orientations of the [Mn(III)(6)Cr(III)](3+) complexes, as evidenced by the angle between the approximate molecular C(3) axes taking no specific values in the range of 2°-69°. AC magnetic measurements on freshly isolated crystals (1a and 3a-6a), air-dried crystals (3b-6b), and vacuum-dried powder samples (3c-6c) indicate single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior for all samples with U(eff) values up to 28 K. The DC magnetic data are analyzed by a full-matrix diagonalization of the appropriate spin-Hamiltonian including isotropic exchange, zero-field splitting, and Zeeman interaction, taking into account the relative orientation of the D-tensors. Simulations for 3a-6a and 3c-6c indicate a weak antiferromagnetic exchange between the Mn(III) ions in the trinuclear subunits (J(Mn-Mn) = -0.70 to -0.85 cm(-1), H(ex) = -2∑(i

Structural influences on the exchange coupling and zero-field splitting in the single-molecule magnet [Mn(III)6Mn(III)]3+.

A comprehensive synthetic, structural, mass spectrometrical, FT-IR and UV/Vis spectroscopic, electrochemical, and magnetic study on [Mn(III)(6)Mn(III)](3+) (= [{(talen(t-Bu(2)))Mn(III)(3)}(2){Mn(III)(CN)(6)}](3+)) is presented. The high stability of [Mn(III)(6)Mn(III)](3+) in solution allows the preparation of different salts and solvates: [Mn(III)(6)Mn(III)](BPh(4))(3)·3MeOH·3MeCN·3Et(2)O (), [Mn(III)(6)Mn(III)(MeOH)(4)](BPh(4))(3)·5MeOH (), [Mn(III)(6)Mn(III)(MeOH)(6)](BF(4))(3)·9MeOH (), [Mn(III)(6)Mn(III)(MeOH)(6)](PF(6))(2)(OAc)·11MeOH (), and [Mn(III)(6)Mn(III)(MeOH)(6)](lactate)(3)·5MeOH·10H(2)O (). The molecular structure of [Mn(III)(6)Mn(III)](3+) is closely related to the already published [Mn(III)(6)M(c)](3+) complexes (M(c) = Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(III)). ESI mass spectra exhibit the signal of the [{(talen(t-Bu(2)))Mn(III)(3)}(2){Mn(III)(CN)(6)}](3+) trication. FT-IR spectra show the characteristic bands of the triplesalen ligand in [Mn(III)(6)M(c)](3+) and the symmetric ν(C≡N) vibration of the [Mn(III)(CN)(6)](3-) unit at 2135 cm(-1). UV/Vis spectra are dominated by intense transitions of the trinuclear Mn(III)(3) triplesalen subunits above 20,000 cm(-1). The electrochemical studies establish the occurrence of ligand-centered oxidations at ≈1.0 V vs. Fc(+)/Fc, an oxidation of the central Mn(III) at 0.78 V, and a series of reductions of the terminal Mn(III) ions between -0.6 and -1.2 V. AC magnetic measurements indicate single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior for all compounds. The DC magnetic data are analyzed by a full-matrix diagonalization of the appropriate spin-Hamiltonian including isotropic exchange, zero-field splitting with full consideration of the relative orientation of the D-tensors, and Zeeman interaction, taking into account the diamagnetic nature of the central Mn(III) at low temperatures as inferred from a previous ab initio study. The spin-Hamiltonian simulations indicate Mn(III)-Mn(III) interactions in the -0.37 to -0.70 cm(-1) range within the trinuclear triplesalen subunits and in the -0.02 to +0.23 cm(-1) range across the central Mn(III) ion, while D(Mn) = -3.1 to -5.0 cm(-1). The differences in the exchange parameters and the relaxation behavior of the [Mn(III)(6)Mn(III)](3+) compounds are rationalized in terms of subtle variations in the molecular structures, especially regarding the distortion of the central [Mn(III)(CN)(6)](3-) core and the ligand folding. In comparison with the other [Mn(III)(6)M(c)](3+) compounds, this allows us to establish some general magnetostructural correlations for this class of complexes.

A Mn(III) triplesalen-based 1D pearl necklace: exchange interactions and zero-field splittings in a C3-symmetric Mn(III)6 complex.

The reaction of the tert-butyl-substituted triplesalen ligand H(6)talen(t-Bu(2)) with 2.8 equivalents of Mn(OAc)(2) x 4 H(2)O in MeOH in the presence of NaBPh(4) results in the formation of the one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer {[{(talen(t-Bu(2)))Mn(3)(MeOH)}(2)(mu(2)-OAc)(3)](mu(2)-OAc)}(n)(BPh(4))(2n) ({[Mn(III)(6)](OAc)}(n)(BPh(4))(2n)) which has been characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis, ESI-MS, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The triplesalen ligand (talen(t-Bu(2)))(6-) provides three salen-like coordination compartments bridged in a meta-phenylene arrangement by a phloroglucinol backbone resulting in the trinuclear Mn(III) base unit {(talen(t-Bu(2)))Mn(3)}(3+). Two of these base units are bridged by three inner acetate ligands giving rise to the hexanuclear complex [{(talen(t-Bu(2)))Mn(3)(MeOH)}(2)(mu(2)-OAc)(3)](3+) ([Mn(III)(6)](3+)). These complexes are bridged by a single external acetate to form a 1D chain as pearls in a pearl necklace. Variable temperature-variable field and mu(eff)vs. T magnetic data have been analyzed in detail by full-matrix diagonalization of the appropriate spin-Hamiltonian consisting of isotropic exchange, zero-field splitting, and Zeeman interaction taking into account the relative orientation of the D-tensors. Satisfactory reproduction of the experimental data have been obtained for parameters sets J(1) = -(0.60 +/- 0.15) cm(-1), J(2) = -(1.05 +/- 0.15) cm(-1), and D(Mn) = -(3.0 +/- 0.7) cm(-1) with J(1) describing the exchange through the phloroglucinol backbone and J(2) describing the exchange through the inner acetates. The non-necessity to incorporate the bridging outer acetates correlates with the longer Mn-O bonds. The experimental data can neither be analyzed without incorporating zero-field splitting nor by the application of a single effective spin ground state.

Exchange interactions and zero-field splittings in C3-symmetric Mn(III)6Fe(III): using molecular recognition for the construction of a series of high spin complexes based on the triplesalen ligand.

The reaction of the tris(tetradentate) triplesalen ligand H6talen(t-Bu2), which provides three salen-like coordination environments bridged in a meta-phenylene arrangement by a phloroglucinol backbone, with Mn(II) salts under aerobic conditions affords, in situ, the trinuclear Mn(III) triplesalen complexes [(talen(t-Bu2)){Mn(III)(solv)n}3]3+. These can be used as molecular building blocks in the reaction with [Fe(CN)6]3- as a hexaconnector to form the heptanuclear complex [{(talen(t-Bu2)){Mn(III)(solv)n}3}2{Fe(III)(CN)6}]3+ ([Mn(III)6Fe(III)]3+). The regular ligand folding observed in the trinuclear triplesalen complexes preorganizes the three metal ions for the reaction of three facially coordinated nitrogen atoms of a hexacyanometallate and provides a driving force for the formation of the heptanuclear complexes [M(t)6M(c)]n+ (M(t), terminal metal ion of the triplesalen building block; M(c), central metal ion of the hexacyanometallate) by molecular recognition, as has already been demonstrated for the single-molecule magnet [Mn(III)6Cr(III)]3+. [{(talen(t-Bu2))(Mn(III)(MeOH))3}2{Fe(III)(CN)6}][Fe(III)(CN)6] (1) was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR, ESI- and MALDI-TOF-MS, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. The molecular structure of [Mn(III)6Fe(III)]3+ is overall identical to that of [Mn(III)6Cr(III)]3+ but exhibits a different ligand folding of the Mn(III) salen subunits with a helical distortion. The Mössbauer spectra demonstrate a stronger distortion from octahedral symmetry for the central [Fe(CN)6]3- in comparison to the ionic [Fe(CN)6]3-. At low temperatures in zero magnetic fields, the Mössbauer spectra show magnetic splittings indicative of slow relaxation of the magnetization on the Mössbauer time scale. Variable-temperature-variable-field and mu(eff) versus T magnetic data have been analyzed in detail by full-matrix diagonalization of the appropriate spin-Hamiltonian, consisting of isotropic exchange, zero-field splitting, and Zeeman interaction taking into account the relative orientation of the D tensors. Satisfactory reproduction of the experimental data has been obtained for parameters sets J(Mn-Mn) = -(0.85 +/- 0.15) cm(-1), J(Fe-Mn) = +(0.70 +/- 0.30) cm(-1), and D(Mn) = -(3.0 +/- 0.7) cm(-1). Comparing these values to those of [Mn(III)6Cr(III)]3+ provides insight into why [Mn(III)6Fe(III)]3+ is not a single-molecule magnet.

Trinuclear copper complexes with triplesalen ligands: geometric and electronic effects on ferromagnetic coupling via the spin-polarization mechanism.

A series of trinuclear Cu(II) complexes with the tris(tetradentate) triplesalen ligands H(6)talen, H(6)talen(tBu(2) ), and H(6)talen(NO(2) ), namely [(talen)Cu(II) (3)] (1), [(talen(tBu(2) ))Cu(II) (3)] (2), and [(talen(NO(2) ))Cu(II) (3)] (3), were synthesized and their molecular and electronic structures determined. These triplesalen ligands provide three salen-like coordination environments bridged in a meta-phenylene arrangement by a phloroglucinol backbone. The structure of [(talen)Cu(II) (3)] (1) was communicated recently. The structure of the tert-butyl derivative [(talen(tBu(2) ))Cu(II) (3)] (2) was established in three different solvates. The molecular structures of these trinuclear complexes show notable differences, the most important of which is the degree of ligand folding around the central Cu(II)-phenolate bonds. This folding is symmetric with regard to the central phloroglucinol backbone in two structures, where it gives rise to bowl-shaped overall geometries. For one solvate two trinuclear triplesalen complexes form a supramolecular disk-like arrangement, hosting two dichloromethane molecules like two pearls in an oyster. The FTIR spectra of these complexes indicate the higher effective nuclear charge of Cu(II) in comparison to the trinuclear Ni(II) complexes by the lower C--O and higher C=N stretching frequencies. The UV/Vis/NIR spectra of 1-3 reflect the stronger ligand folding in the tert-butyl complex 2 by an intense phenolate-to-Cu(II) LMCT. This absorption is absent in 1 and is obscured by the nitro chromophore in 3. The more planar molecular structures cause orthogonality of the Cu(II) d(x(2)-y(2) ) orbital and the phenolate O p(z) orbital, which leads to small LMCT dipole strengths. Whereas 1 and 3 exhibit only irreversible oxidations, 2 exhibits a reversible one-electron oxidation at +0.26 V, a reversible two-electron oxidation at +0.59 V, and a reversible one-electron oxidation at +0.81 V versus Fc(+)/Fc. The one-electron oxidized form 2(+) is strongly stabilized with respect to reference mononuclear salen-like Cu complexes. Chemical one-electron oxidation of 2 to 2(+) allows the determination of its UV/Vis/NIR spectrum, which indicates a ligand-centered oxidation that can be assigned to the central phloroglucinol unit by analogy with the trinuclear Ni triplesalen series. Delocalization of this oxidation over three Cu(II)-phenolate subunits causes the observed energetic stabilization of 2(+). Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal ferromagnetic couplings for all three trinuclear Cu(II) triplesalen complexes. The trend of the coupling constants can be rationalized by two opposing effects: 1) electron-withdrawing terminal substituents stabilize the central Cu(II)-phenolate bond, which results in a stronger coupling, and 2) ligand folding around the central Cu(II)-phenolate bond opens a bonding pathway between the magnetic Cu(II) d(x(2)-y(2) ) orbital and the phenolate O p(z) orbital, which results in a stronger coupling. Density functional calculations indicate that both spin-polarization and spin-delocalization are operative and that slight geometric variations alter their relative magnitudes.

Trinuclear nickel complexes with triplesalen ligands: simultaneous occurrence of mixed valence and valence tautomerism in the oxidized species.

The coordination chemistries of the triple tetradentate triplesalen ligands H(6)talen, H(6)talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2), and H(6)talen(NO)(2) have been investigated with nickel(II). These triplesalen ligands provide three salen-like coordination environments bridged in a meta-phenylene arrangement by a phloroglucinol backbone. The structures of the complexes [(talen)Ni(II)(3)], [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2)Ni(II)(3)], and [(talen(NO)(2)Ni(II)(3)] have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All three compounds are composed of neutral trinuclear complexes with square-planar coordinated Ni(II) ions in a salen-like coordination environment. Whereas the overall molecular structure of [(talen(NO)(2)Ni(II)(3)] is nearly planar, the structures of [(talen)Ni(II)(3)] and [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2)Ni(II)(3)] are bowl-shaped as a result of ligand folding. The strongest ligand folding occurs at the central nickel-phenolate bond of [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2)Ni(II)(3)], resulting in the formation of a chiral hemispherical pocket. The dependence of the physical properties by the substituents on the terminal phenolates has been studied by FTIR, resonance Raman, UV-vis-NIR absorption, and electrochemistry. The three nickel-salen subunits are electronically interacting via the pi system of the bridging phloroglucinol backbone. The strength of this interaction is mediated by two opposing effects: the electron density at the terminal phenolates and the folding of the ligand at the central phenolates. The parent complex [(talen)Ni(II)(3)] is irreversibly oxidized at 0.32 V versus ferrocenium/ferrocene (Fc(+)/Fc), whereas [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)2)Ni(II)(3)] and [(talen(NO)(2)Ni(II)(3)] exhibit reversible oxidations at 0.22 V versus Fc(+)/Fc and 0.52 V versus Fc(+)/Fc, respectively. The oxidized species [(talen(t)(-)(Bu)(2)Ni(3)](+) and [(talen(NO)(2)Ni(3)](+) undergo a valence-tautomeric transformation involving a Ni(III) and a phenoxyl radical species, as observed by EPR spectroscopy. Thus, these oxidized forms exhibit the phenomena of valence tautomerism and mixed valence simultaneously. The extent of delocalization of the radical species and of the Ni(III) species is discussed.

Targeted ferromagnetic coupling in a trinuclear copperII complex: analysis of the St = 3/2 spin ground state.

The trinuclear Cu(II) complex [(talen)Cu(II)(3)] (1) using the new triplesalen ligand H(6)talen has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The three Cu(II) ions are bridged in a m-phenylene linkage by the phloroglucinol backbone of the ligand. This m-phenylene bridging mode results in ferromagnetic couplings with an S(t) = (3)/(2) spin ground state, which has been analyzed by means of EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The EPR spectrum exhibits an unprecedented pattern of 10 hyperfine lines due to the coupling of three Cu(II) ions (I = (3)/(2)). Resonances around g = 4 in both perpendicular and parallel mode EPR spectra demonstrate a zero-field splitting of D approximately 74 x 10(-4) cm(-1) arising from anisotropic/antisymmetric exchange interactions. The DFT calculations show an alteration in the sign of the spin densities of the central benzene ring corroborating the spin-polarization mechanism as origin for the ferromagnetic coupling.