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.

Preparation of monolayers of [MnIII6CrIII]3+ single-molecule magnets on HOPG, mica and silicon surfaces and characterization by means of non-contact AFM.

We report on the characterization of various salts of [MnIII6CrIII]3+ complexes prepared on substrates such as highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), mica, SiO2, and Si3N4. [MnIII6CrIII]3+ is a single-molecule magnet, i.e., a superparamagnetic molecule, with a blocking temperature around 2 K. The three positive charges of [MnIII6CrIII]3+ were electrically neutralized by use of various anions such as tetraphenylborate (BPh4-), lactate (C3H5O3-), or perchlorate (ClO4-). The molecule was prepared on the substrates out of solution using the droplet technique. The main subject of investigation was how the anions and substrates influence the emerging surface topology during and after the preparation. Regarding HOPG and SiO2, flat island-like and hemispheric-shaped structures were created. We observed a strong correlation between the electronic properties of the substrate and the analyzed structures, especially in the case of mica where we observed a gradient in the analyzed structures across the surface.

Spin resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of [Mn6(III)Cr(III)]3+ single-molecule magnets and of manganese compounds as reference layers.

Properties of the manganese-based single-molecule magnet [Mn(6)(III)Cr(III)](3+) are studied. It contains six Mn(III) ions arranged in two bowl-shaped trinuclear triplesalen building blocks linked by a hexacyanochromate and exhibits a large spin ground state of S(t) = 21/2. The dominant structures in the electron emission spectra of [Mn(6)(III)Cr(III)](3+) resonantly excited at the L(3)-edge are the L(3)M(2, 3)M(2, 3), L(3)M(2, 3)V and L(3)VV Auger emission groups following the decay of the primary p(3/2) core hole state. Significant differences of the Auger spectra from intact and degraded [Mn(6)(III)Cr(III)](3+) show up. First measurements of the electron spin polarization in the L(3)M(2, 3)V and L(3)VV Auger emission peaks from the manganese constituents in [Mn(6)(III)Cr(III)](3+) resonantly excited at the L(3)-edge near 640 eV by circularly polarized synchrotron radiation are reported. In addition spin resolved Auger electron spectra of the reference substances MnO, Mn(2)O(3) and Mn(II)(acetate)(2)·4H(2)O are given. The applicability of spin resolved electron spectroscopy for characterizing magnetic states of constituent atoms compared to magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) is verified: the spin polarization obtained from Mn(II)(acetate)(2)·4H(2)O at room temperature in the paramagnetic state compares to the MCD asymmetry revealed for a star-shaped molecule with a Mn(4)(II)O(6) core at 5 K in an external magnetic field of 5 T.

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.

Inelastic neutron scattering on three mixed-valence dodecanuclear polyoxovanadate clusters.

The magnetic exchange interactions in the mixed-valence dodecanuclear polyoxovanadate compounds Na(4)[V(IV)(8)V(V)(4)As(III)(8)O(40)(H(2)O)].23H(2)O, Na(4)[V(IV)(8)V(V)(4)As(III)(8)O(40)(D(2)O)].16.5D(2)O, and (NHEt(3))(4)[V(IV)(8)V(V)(4)As(III)(8)O(40)(H(2)O)].H(2)O were investigated by an inelastic neutron scattering (INS) study using cold neutrons. In addition, the synthesis procedures and the single-crystal X-ray structures of these compounds have been investigated together with the temperature dependence of their magnetic susceptibilities. The magnetic properties below 100 K can be described by simply taking into account an antiferromagnetically exchange coupled tetramer, consisting of four vanadium(IV) ions. Up to four magnetic transitions between the cluster S = 0 ground state and excited states could be observed by INS. The transition energies and the relative INS intensities could be modeled on the basis of the following exchange Hamiltonian: H(ex) = -2J(12)(xy)[S(1x)S(2x)+ S(3x)S(4x)+ S(1y)S(2y)+ S(3y)S(4y)] - 2J(12)(z)[(S(1z)S(2z)+ S(3z)S(4z)] - 2J(23)(xy)[(S(2x)S(3x)+ S(1x)S(4x)+ S(2y)S(3y)+ S(1y)S(4y)] - 2J(23)(z)[(S(2z)S(3z)+ S(1z)S(4z)]. The following sets of parameters were derived: for Na(4)[V(12)As(8)O(40)(H(2)O)].23H(2)O, J(12)(xy)() = J(12)(z)= -0.80 meV, J(23)(xy) = J(23)(z) = -0.72 meV; for Na(4)[V(12)As(8)O(40)(D(2)O)].16.5D(2)O, J(12)(xy) = J(12)(z) = J(23)(xy) = J(23)(z = -0.78 meV; for (NHEt(3))(4)[V(12)As(8)O(40)(H(2)O)].H(2)O, J(12)(xy) = -0.80 meV, J(12)(z) = -0.82 meV, J(23)(xy)() = -0.67 meV, J(23)(z) = -0.69 meV. This study of the same [V(12)As(8)]-type cluster in three different crystal environments allows us to draw some conclusions concerning the applicability on INS in the area of nondeuterated molecular spin clusters. In addition, the effects of using nondeuterated samples and different sample container shapes for INS were evaluated.

"Nanoobjects" by Self-Assembly Concomitant with Modifications under Alterable Boundary Conditions: Incorporation of Paramagnetic Metal Centers (Cu2+ ) in Ring-Shaped Molybdenum-Oxide Based Clusters.

Are adaptations in the nanocosmos observable? Or in other words, can formation or self-assembly of nanoparticles be achieved with a variety of characteristic modifications of a parent structure based solely on the variation of boundary conditions? This possibility exists for the ring-shaped nanostructured giant molybdenum clusters-known as "big wheels"-in which well-defined transformations and reactions can be observed at various well-defined positions on the surface and even internally. The integration of magnetic copper centers into cavities (violet tetrahedra) of exactly the right size is described.

Formation of a Ring-Shaped Reduced "Metal Oxide" with the Simple Composition [(MoO3 )176 (H2 O)80 H32 ].

The largest inorganic molecular system so far, [(MoO3 )176 (H2 O)80 H32 ] (1; the picture on the right shows the polyhedral representation), which has been characterized by X-ray structure analysis, possesses a cavity of diameter 2.3 nm and remarkably shows the stoichiometry of a (reduced) protonated and hydrated "molecular molybdenum trioxide". It is formed by reduction of an aqueous solution of lithium molybdate with tin(II) chloride at very high H+ concentrations.

Organizational Forms of Matter: An Inorganic Super Fullerene and Keplerate Based on Molybdenum Oxide.

Plato and Kepler would have been pleased. Despite the large number of atoms present the cluster anion 1 resembles an icosahedral-type structure. This represents definitively an unprecedented event in chemistry! The structure is made up of 12 {Mo11 } fragments such that the fivefold symmetry axes are retained in the resulting spherical object. As an inscribed icosahedron can be recognized in the spherical shell of 1 (see picture), similarities with Kepler's famous shell model of the cosmos can be seen.