Metal-organic compounds: a new approach for drug discovery. N1-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2,3,6-trimethoxybenzamide copper(II) complex as an inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus 1 protease.

The use of metal-organic complexes is a potentially fruitful approach for the development of novel enzyme inhibitors. They hold the attractive promise of forming stronger attachments with the target by combining the co-ordination ability of metals with the unique stereoelectronic properties of the ligand. We demonstrated that this approach can be successfully used to inhibit the protease of the human immunodeficiency virus (type 1). Several ligands bearing substituents designed to interact with the catalytic site of the enzyme when complexed to Cu(2+) were synthesised. The inhibition pattern of the resulting copper(II) complexes was analysed. We showed that the copper(II) complex of N1-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2,3,6-trimethoxybenzamide (C1) interacts with the active site of the enzyme leading to competitive inhibition. On the other hand, N2-pyridine-amide ligands and oxazinane carboxamide ligand were found to be poor chelators of the cupric ion under the enzymatic assay conditions. In these cases, the observed inhibition was attributed to released cupric ions which react with cysteine residues on the surface of the protease. While unchelated metal cations are not likely to be useful agents, metal chelates such as C1 should be considered as promising lead compounds for the development of targeted drugs.

Optical Absorption Spectroscopy of the Tetranuclear Compound [Mn{Cu(oxpn)}(3)](ClO(4))(2).2H(2)O (oxpn = N,N'-Bis(3-aminopropyl)oxamide): Complementarity with Magnetic Properties.

The optical absorption spectroscopy of the tetranuclear compound [Mn{Cu(oxpn)}(3)](ClO(4))(2).2H(2)O, with oxpn standing for N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)oxamide, has been investigated in the 4-300 K temperature range. The central Mn(II) ion is linked to three Cu(oxpn) complex ligands, so the molecular symmetry may be defined as D(3). The spectra, in addition to a d-d transition at 19 230 cm(-)(1) due to the Cu(II) ion in square planar surroundings, exhibit narrow and intense Mn(II) spin-forbidden transitions in the 24 300-28 750 cm(-)(1) range. These transitions are activated by an exchange mechanism. The temperature dependence of the main feature corresponding to the (6)A(1) --> (4)A(1),(4)E(G) Mn(II) transition was investigated. Using a model proposed first by Tanabe and co-workers and adapted to the MnCu(3) topology, a theoretical expression for the temperature dependence of the intensity of the transition has been established and compared with the experimental data. The only parameter of this expression is the interaction parameter J between the local ground states (H = -J summation operator(i)()S(Mn)()i.S(Cu)()i), which has been found to be -33.8 cm(-)(1). The energy of the transition has been found to be shifted by 47 cm(-)(1) toward the high energies as the temperature was lowered. A theoretical expression for the energy shift of the transition has been given. It depends on both J and the interaction parameter J between the Cu(II) ions in their ground states and the Mn(II) ion in the spin flip excited state. The comparison with the experimental data has led to a negative J value of the same order of magnitude as the J value. These results have been discussed in relation with the information deduced from magnetic measurements.

Nature of the Interaction between Ln(III) and Cu(II) Ions in the Ladder-Type Compounds {Ln(2)[Cu(opba)](3)}.S (Ln = Lanthanide Element; opba = ortho-Phenylenebis(oxamato), S = Solvent Molecules).

To date, most of the studies dealing with the magnetic properties of 4f-3d compounds have been limited to the case in which the 4f ion was Gd(III), with a pure spin ground state. For the lanthanide(III) ions with a first-order orbital momentum, the determination of the nature of the 4f-3d interaction is still a challenge. This paper addresses this problem. The magnetic properties of the compounds of formula {Ln(2)[M(opba)](3)}.S (abbreviated hereafter as Ln(2)M(3)) have been investigated; Ln stands for a lanthanide element, M for Cu or Zn, opba for ortho-phenylenebis(oxamato), and S for solvent molecules. All of these compounds have similar one-dimensional structures consisting of ladder-type motifs. Our approach consisted of comparing the magnetic properties of Ln(2)Cu(3) and Ln(2)Zn(3) for each Ln(III) ion. The former are governed by both the thermal population of the Stark components of Ln(III) and the Ln(III)-Cu(II) interaction; the latter are only governed by the thermal population of the Ln(III) Stark components. It has been confirmed that the Gd(III)-Cu(II) interaction was ferromagnetic, and it was found that the Tb(III)-Cu(II) and Dy(III)-Cu(II) interactions were ferromagnetic as well. The Tm(III)-Cu(II) interaction might also be ferromagnetic; the situation, however, is uncertain. On the other hand, in all other cases the Ln(III)-Cu(II) interaction is not ferromagnetic; it is either not detectable by the magnetic technique or antiferromagnetic. The difference between Dy(III)-Cu(II) (ferromagnetic) and Ho(III)-Cu(II) (not ferromagnetic) is particularly striking. These findings have been discussed.

Ferromagnetic Interactions in the Mn(N(3))(4)[Ni(en)(2)(NO(2))](2) Trinuclear Compound. Crystal Structure and Physical Properties.

The goal of this work was to design a ferromagnetically coupled Mn(2+)Ni(2+) species. For this, we attempted to combine nitro-nitrito and end-on azido bridges which are both known to be ferromagnetic couplers. This has led us to the compound of formula Mn(N(3))(4)[Ni(en)(2)NO(2)](2) (en = ethylenediamine). The crystal structure has been solved at room temperature. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2, with a = 12.631(14) Å, b = 15.636(2) Å, c = 13.43(2) Å, beta = 90.14(6) degrees, and Z = 4. The structure consists of two very similar but crystallographically independent neutral trinuclear units with a MnNi(2) isoceles triangular shape. The Mn and Ni atoms are doubly bridged by an end-on azido and a nitro-nitrito (with respect to Ni and Mn, respectively) group. Both the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and the field dependence of the magnetization at 2 K have been investigated and have revealed Mn(2+)-Ni(2+) ferromagnetic interactions, which give rise to an S = (9)/(2) ground state for the triad. The quantitative interpretation of these magnetic properties has given an interaction parameter J between Mn(2+) and Ni(2+) ions equal to 1.4(1) cm(-)(1) (H = -JS(Mn)().(S(Ni1)() + S(Ni2)()). The electronic absorption spectrum has been recorded at various temperatures down to 20 K and interpreted.

Magnetic Transitions in the Cyano-Bridged Bimetallic Ferromagnet Mn(2)(H(2)O)(5)Mo(CN)(7).4.75H(2)O (beta Phase).

Slow diffusion of two aqueous solutions containing K(4)[Mo(CN)(7)].2H(2)O and [Mn(H(2)O)(6)](NO(3))(2), respectively, has afforded two kinds of single crystals whose formulas are Mn(2)(H(2)O)(5)Mo(CN)(7)].4H(2)O (alpha phase) and Mn(2)(H(2)O)(5)Mo(CN)(7)].4.75H(2)O (beta phase). This paper is devoted to the latter compound. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, a = 7.885(3) Å, b = 10.406(7) Å, c = 25.233(11) Å, beta = 98.11(2) degrees, Z = 4. The Mo site is surrounded by seven -C-N-Mn linkages in a distorted pentagonal bipyramid fashion. There are two distorted octahedral Mn sites, one with four and the other with three -N-C-Mo linkages. The structure is three-dimensional. It consists of bent ladders made of edge-sharing (MoCNMnNC)(2) lozenge motifs running along the a direction. These ladders are linked further along the a and c directions. The a, b, and c axes were determined to be the magnetic axes. Both temperature and field dependence of the magnetization have been measured along the magnetic axes. The angular dependence of the magnetization in the ab plane as a function of the external field has also been measured. Single crystal magnetic measurements revealed that the compound orders ferromagnetically at T(c) = 51 K, without a hysteresis effect. They have also shown that the compound has a complex magnetic phase diagram when the field is applied along the a direction, with several ferromagnetically ordered domains and a spin reorientation domain. The boundaries between these domains have been determined. These results have been compared to those obtained with Mn(2)(H(2)O)(5)Mo(CN)(7)].4H(2)O (alpha phase).

Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of [Cu(4-Me-3-Nit-trz)(4)](ClO(4))(2), with 4-Me-3-Nit-trz = 2-(3-[4-Methyl-1,2,4-triazolyl])-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-Oxide. Intra- and Intermolecular Spin Interactions.

The first two transition metal compounds incorporating triazole-nitronyl-nitroxide radicals as ligands have been synthesized. These compounds are [Cu(4-Me-3-Nit-trz)(4)](ClO(4))(2) (1) and [Ni(4-Me-3-Nit-trz)(4)](ClO(4))(2) (2) with 4-Me-3-Nit-trz = 2-(3-[4-methyl-1,2,4-triazolyl])-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide. Compound 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P&onemacr;. The lattice parameters are a = 9.742(2) Å, b = 12.214(12) Å, c = 12.981(4) Å, alpha = 67.19(4) degrees, beta = 81.48(2) degrees, and gamma = 79.24(4) degrees, with Z = 1. The structure consists of centrosymmetrical [Cu(4-Me-3-Nit-trz)(4)]](2+)cations and noncoordinated perchlorate anions. The Cu(II) ion is in an N(4)O(2) elongated tetragonal environment with two oxygen atoms of two nitroxide groups occupying the apical positions. Within the lattice the cations form infinite chains with short intermolecular contacts involving the nitronyl-nitroxide moieties of two adjacents cations. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and the field dependence of the magnetization at 2 K have been investigated. Both intermolecular antiferromagnetic and intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions are operative. A theoretical model has been developed to interpret quantitatively the magnetic data, which allows us to determine the values of the interaction parameters.

New Metal Oxamates as Precursors of Low-Dimensional Heterobimetallics.

The goal of this work was to synthesize new molecular bricks which could be used as precursors of heterobimetallic low-dimensional compounds. Along this line, four compounds have been synthesized and structurally characterized, namely (NBu(4))(2)[Ni(Cl(2)opba)] (1), (NBu(4))(2)[Cu(Cl(2)opba)] (2), (NBu(4))(5)[Mn(Cl(2)opba)(DMSO)(2)](4) (3), and Cu(en)(2)[Mn(Cl(2)opba)(H(2)O)(2)](2).2DMSO (4), with Cl(2)opba = (4,5-dichloro-o-phenylene)bis(oxamato), NBu(4) = tetra-n-butylammonium, en = ethylenediamine, and DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural; they crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, Z = 4, with a = 18.708(2) Å, b = 17.525(2) Å, c = 14.763(9) Å, and beta = 92.03(4) degrees for 1 and a = 18.928(2) Å, b = 17.634(2) Å, c = 14.704(9) Å, and beta = 92.38(3) degrees for 2. 3 crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group P&fourmacr;2(1)c, Z = 2, with a = 26.295(10) Å and c = 12.342(7) Å. The structure shows a random occupation of the metal site by Mn(III) and Mn(II) ions in 3/4 and 1/4 ratios, respectively. 4 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P&onemacr;, Z = 1, with a = 7.066(7) Å, b = 11.844(1) Å, c = 14.292(5) Å, alpha = 105.64(2) degrees, beta = 97.67(5) degrees, and gamma = 102.13(3) degrees. The structure consists of Mn(III)Cu(II)Mn(III) trinuclear species, with Cu-O-Mn bridges involving oxygen atoms of the oxamato groups already linked to the metal atom. The magnetic properties of compounds 1-4 have been investigated and quantitatively interpreted. For 3, this magnetic investigation has been performed on a single crystal, which allows us to determine unambiguously the sign of the axial zero-field splitting parameter for the Mn(III) ion. The potentialities of these new molecular bricks have been discussed.

Ferro- and Antiferromagnetic Exchange in Decamethylbimetallocenes.

With the aim of studying next-neighbor magnetic interactions in polymeric metallocenes the paramagnetic decamethylbimetallocenes (M'M') have been chosen as most simple model compounds. They have been synthesized for vanadium, cobalt, and nickel (to yield V'V', Co'Co', and Ni'Ni', respectively) by starting from dilithium and dithallium salts of the fulvalene dianion. The latter have been characterized by (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Decamethylbiferrocene has been synthesized as a diamagnetic standard compound, and decamethylbicobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate, as a precursor to Co'Co'. While the methylated M'M' species were stable when protected from air, the synthesis of the parent binickelocene (Ni'Ni') was accompanied by the formation of the ternickelocene NiNiNi. According to (1)H NMR spectroscopy NiNi and NiNiNi were antiferromagnetic and underwent ligand exchange to nickelocene and bisfulvalenedinickel. Unlike the usually green nickelocenes Ni'Ni' was deep red-violet owing to a new band at 528 nm. Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility (chi(m)) and the magnetization established a rare example of ferromagnetic interaction within a purely organometallic compound for Co'Co'. By contrast, V'V' and Ni'Ni' were antiferromagnetic (J = -1.6 and -180 cm(-)(1), respectively, with H = -JS(A).S(B)). The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra confirmed the expected structures of Co'Co' and Ni'Ni', while the synthesis of V'V'-d(8) and (2)H NMR spectroscopy were necessary to fully establish the vanadium compound. Temperature-dependent measurements of the (1)H NMR signal shifts and of chi(m) yielded similar J values for Ni'Ni'. MO calculations were carried out for M'M', and the results were converted into theoretical NMR spectra of the bridging fulvalene ligand depending on the spin-carrying MO. This allowed the full assignment of the NMR signals and showed that the spin is delocalized to more than one MO. The MOs were shown to have different magnetic coupling capabilities, and the different magnetic behavior of M'M' was attributed to the near-degeneracy of the magnetic orbitals.

Two-Step Spin Conversion for the Three-Dimensional Compound Tris(4,4'-bis-1,2,4-triazole)iron(II) Diperchlorate.

The title compound, [Fe(btr)(3)](ClO(4))(2), has been synthesized. The investigation of its magnetic properties has revealed a low-spin <--> high-spin conversion occurring in two steps, each step involving 50% of the Fe(2+) ions. The low-temperature step is very abrupt and occurs with a thermal hysteresis whose width is about 3 K around T(1) = 184 K. The high-temperature step, centered around T(2) = 222 K, is rather gradual. Differential scanning calorimetric measurements have confirmed the occurrence of a two-step spin conversion. The enthalpy and entropy variations associated with the two steps have been found as DeltaH(1) = 5.7 kJ mol(-)(1) and DeltaS(1) = 30.1 J mol(-)(1) K(-)(1), and DeltaH(2) = 6.5 kJ mol(-)(1) and DeltaS(2) = 28.6 J mol(-)(1) K(-)(1), respectively. The crystal structure of [Fe(btr)(3)](ClO(4))(2) has been solved at three temperatures, namely, above the high-temperature step (260 K), between the two steps (190 K), and below the low-temperature step (150 K). The compound crystallizes in the trigonal system, space group R&thremacr;, at the three temperatures. The structure is three-dimensional. There are two Fe(2+) sites, denoted Fe1 and Fe2. Each of them is located on a 3-fold symmetry axis and an inversion center and is surrounded by six btr ligands through the nitrogen atoms occupying the 1- or 1'-positions. Each btr ligand bridges an Fe1 and an Fe2 site, with an Fe1-Fe2 separation of 8.67 Å at 260 K. The perchlorate anions are located in the voids of the three-dimensional architecture and are hydrogen bonded to the triazole rings of the btr ligands. These anions do not interact with the Fe1 and Fe2 sites exactly in the same way. At 260 K, both the Fe1 and Fe2 sites are high-spin (HS) with Fe-N bond lengths of 2.161(3) and 2.164(3) Å, respectively. At 190 K, the Fe1 site remains HS while the Fe2 site is low-spin (LS) with Fe-N bond lengths of 2.007(3) Å. Finally, at 150 K, both the Fe1 and Fe2 sites are LS with Fe-N bond lengths of 1.987(5) and 1.994(5) Å, respectively. It turns out that the two-step spin conversion is associated with the presence of two slightly different Fe(2+) sites. The spin conversion regime has also been followed by Mössbauer spectroscopy. These findings have been discussed and compared to the previously reported cases of two-step spin conversions.

Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetism of Mono- and Binuclear Manganese(II) Compounds of Nitronyl Nitroxide Substituted Phosphine Oxides.

Complexes of manganese(II)-containing aminoxyl radical substituted phosphine oxide ligands are reported. The compounds [(o-nitronyl nitroxide-phenyl)diphenylphosphine oxide]bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)manganese(II), 3, and bis{[(p-nitronyl nitroxide-phenyl) diphenylphosphine oxide]bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)manganese(II)}, 4, prepared by addition of the free radical phosphine oxides to Mn(hfac)(2), were structurally characterized. Complex 3 is mononuclear, containing an O,O-chelating ortho-substituted radical phosphine oxide ligand, while in 4 the para-substituted ligands bridge two Mn(hfac)(2) units to yield a binuclear molecular rectangle. The magnetic behavior of both systems is dominated by a strong antiferromagnetic Mn(II)-aminoxyl interaction (J = -213 (3), -218 (4) cm(-)(1) with H = -JS(Mn).S(rad)) to give effective S = 2 ground state units. The S = 3 excited state is populated at high temperatures. At low temperatures a decrease in chi(M)T in both complexes is attributable primarily to inter- or intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions rather than zero-field splitting (ZFS) of the S = 2 ground state. For the bimetallic compound, the magnetic data indicate that ligand-mediated interactions between the Mn(II) spin carriers are weak. The powder EPR spectra of both systems have been recorded and successfully simulated, giving a ZFS parameter D = 0.112 cm(-)(1). Crystals of 3 are triclinic, space group P&onemacr; with a = 10.6672(19) Å, b = 13.270(6) Å, c = 15.363(3) Å, alpha = 93.84(2) degrees, beta = 108.054(16) degrees, gamma = 105.69(3) degrees, and Z = 2. Crystals of 4 are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/a with a = 12.463(6) Å, b = 19.315(3) Å, c = 17.084(9) Å, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 98.49(2) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, and Z = 2.

Structural, Magnetic, and Photomagnetic Studies of a Mononuclear Iron(II) Derivative Exhibiting an Exceptionally Abrupt Spin Transition. Light-Induced Thermal Hysteresis Phenomenon.

The new spin-crossover compound Fe(PM-BiA)(2)(NCS)(2) with PM-BiA = N-(2-pyridylmethylene)aminobiphenyl has been synthesized. The temperature dependence of chi(M)T (chi(M) = molar magnetic susceptibility and T = temperature) has revealed an exceptionally abrupt transition between low-spin (LS) (S = 0) and high-spin (HS) (S = 2) states with a well-reproducible hysteresis loop of 5 K (T(1/2) downward arrow = 168 K and T(1/2) upward arrow = 173 K). The crystal structure has been determined both at 298 K in the HS state and at 140 K in the LS state. The spin transition takes place without change of crystallographic space group (Pccn with Z = 4). The determination of the intermolecular contacts in the LS and HS forms has revealed a two-dimensional structural character. The enthalpy and entropy variations, DeltaH and DeltaS, associated with the spin transition have been deduced from heat capacity measurements. DeltaS (= 58 J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1)) is larger than for other spin transition bis(thiocyanato) iron(II) derivatives. At 10 K the well-known LIESST (light-induced excited spin state trapping) effect has been observed within the SQUID cavity, by irradiating a single crystal or a powder sample with a Kr(+) laser coupled to an optical fiber. The magnetic behavior recorded under light irradiation in the warming and cooling modes has revealed a light-induced thermal hysteresis (LITH) effect with 35 < T(1/2) < 77 K. The HS --> LS relaxation after LIESST has been found to deviate from first-order kinetics. The kinetics has been investigated between 10 and 78 K. A thermally activated relaxation behavior at elevated temperatures and a nearly temperature independent tunneling mechanism at low temperatures have been observed. The slow rate of tunneling from the metastable HS state toward the ground LS state may be explained by the unusually large change in Fe-N bond lengths between these two states.

Spin Transition in [Fe(DPEA)(NCS)(2)], a Compound with the New Tetradentate Ligand (2-Aminoethyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (DPEA): Crystal Structure, Magnetic Properties, and Mössbauer Spectroscopy.

The new spin transition compound [Fe(II)(DPEA)(NCS)(2)], where DPEA [(2-aminoethyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] is a new tetradentate ligand, has been synthesized, and its structure, magnetic properties, and Mössbauer spectra have been investigated. The crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction at 298 K. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group is P2(1)/c, with Z = 4,a = 9.358(1) Å, b = 11.812(2) Å, c = 17.135(2) Å, and beta = 94.5(4) degrees. The distorted [FeN(6)] octahedron is formed from four nitrogen atoms belonging to DPEA and two provided by the cis thiocyanate groups. The two pyridine rings of DPEA are in mer positions. Each molecule is linked to its neighbors by hydrogen-bonding interactions as well as by numerous van der Waals contacts supposed to be responsible for the cooperativity of the system. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements (20-290 K) have evidenced a relatively abrupt S = 2 right harpoon over left harpoon S = 0 transition centered at T(1/2) = 138 K. The thermal variation of the high spin state fraction observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy is in agreement with that obtained from magnetic susceptibility measurements. The fitting of Mössbauer and magnetic data with the Ising-like model allowed us to determine the energy gap between the high-spin and low-spin states (Delta(eff) = 835 K) and to estimate the variation of the thermodynamic parameters upon spin transition. The calculated variations of enthalpy (DeltaH = 6.76 kJ mol(-)(1)) and entropy (DeltaS = 49 J mol(-)(1) K(-)(1)) associated with the spin transition are in agreement with those previously observed for iron(II) spin-crossover compounds. The spin conversion is found to be close to a first-order phenomenon.

Polymorphism in Spin Transition Systems. Crystal Structure, Magnetic Properties, and Mössbauer Spectroscopy of Three Polymorphic Modifications of [Fe(DPPA)(NCS)(2)] [DPPA = (3-Aminopropyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine].

Three polymorphic modifications A-C of [Fe(II)(DPPA)(NCS)(2)], where DPPA = (3-aminopropyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine is a new tetradentate ligand, have been synthesized, and their structures, magnetic properties, and Mössbauer spectra have been investigated. For polymorph A, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements as well as Mössbauer spectroscopy have revealed the occurrence of a rather gradual HS if LS transition without hysteresis, centered at about 176 K. The same methods have shown that polymorph B is paramagnetic over the temperature range 4.5-295 K, whereas polymorph C exhibits a very abrupt S = 2 if S = 0 transition with a hysteresis. The hysteresis width is 8 K, the transitions being centered at T(c) downward arrow = 112 K for decreasing and T(c) upward arrow = 120 K for increasing temperatures. The crystal structures of the three polymorphs have been solved by X-ray diffraction at 298 K. Polymorph A is triclinic, space group P&onemacr; with Z = 2, a = 8.710(2) Å, b = 15.645(2) Å, c = 7.985(1) Å, alpha = 101.57(1) degrees, beta = 112.59(2) degrees, and gamma = 82.68(2) degrees. Polymorph B is monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c with Z = 4, a = 8.936(2) Å, b = 16.855(4) Å, c = 13.645(3) Å, and beta = 97.78(2) degrees. Polymorph C is orthorhombic, space group Pbca with Z = 8, a = 8.449(2) Å, b = 14.239(2) Å, and c = 33.463(5) Å. In the three polymorphs, the asymmetric units are almost identical and consist of one chiral complex molecule with the same configuration and conformation. The distorted [FeN(6)] octahedron is formed by four nitrogen atoms belonging to DPPA and two provided by the cis thiocyanate groups. The two pyridine rings of DPPA are in fac positions. The main differences between the structures of the three polymorphs are found in their crystal packing. The stabilization of the high-spin ground state of polymorph B is tentatively explained by the presence of two centers of steric strain in the crystal lattice resulting in the elongation of the Fe-N(aromatic) distance. The observed hysteresis in polymorph C seems to be due to the existence of an array of intermolecular contacts in the crystal lattice making the spin transition more cooperative than in polymorph A.

Analytical determination of the [Ln-aminoxyl radical] exchange interaction taking into account both the ligand-field effect and the spin-orbit coupling of the lanthanide ion (Ln = DyIII and HoIII).

Numerous compounds in which a paramagnetic LnIII ion is in an exchange interaction with a second spin carrier, such as a transition metal ion or an organic radical, have been described. However, except for GdIII, very little has been reported about the magnitude of the interactions. Indeed, for these ions both the ligand-field effects and the exchange interactions between the magnetic centers become relevant in the same temperature range; this makes the analysis of the magnetic behavior of such compounds more difficult. In this study, quantitative analyses of the thermal variations of the static isothermal initial magnetic susceptibility measured on powdered samples of the [Ln(NO3)3-[organic radical]2] (Ln = DyIII and HoIII) compounds were performed. The ligand-field effects on the Ln ions were taken into account, and the exchange interactions within a molecule were treated exactly within an appropriate Racah formalism. Values of the intramolecular [Ln-aminoxyl radical] exchange parameter have thus been rigorously deduced for both the Dy Kramers and Ho non-Kramers ion-based compounds. Ferromagnetic [Ln-radical] interactions are found for both the Dy and Ho derivatives with J = 8 cm(-1) and J = 4.5 cm(-1), respectively.

Spin densities in a ferromagnetic bimetallic chain compound: polarized neutron diffraction and DFT calculations.

The spin population distribution in the ferromagnetically coupled hetero-bimetallic chain compound [MnNi(NO(2))(4)(en)(2)] (en = 1,2-ethanediamine) has been investigated by means of polarized neutron diffraction experiments, and the results compared with those from theoretical estimates obtained via calculations based on density functional theory on dinuclear molecular models of the chain. The spin distributions obtained from experiment and from theory are consistent and reflect a larger spin delocalization from the Ni atom due to the more covalent character of the Ni-N bonds compared to the Mn-O ones. Also a nearly isotropic spin distribution is observed for the more ionic d(5) Mn(2+) ion and a clearly anisotropic distribution for the d(8) Ni(2+) ion. The use of dinuclear molecular models for the calculation of the exchange coupling constant between Ni and Mn provide upper and lower limits (+17.6 and -4.2 cm(-)(1)) for the experimentally determined value (+1.3 cm(-)(1)), depending on how the missing part of the chain is simulated, but yield essentially the same spin distribution. The Mn(II)-Ni(II) weak ferromagnetic coupling in the chain is interpreted in a spin delocalization mechanism as resulting from the weakness of the overlap between the magnetic orbitals centered on nickel and those centered on manganese which are only weakly delocalized on the ligands.

Substantial increase of the ordering temperature for [MnII/MoIII(CN)7]-based magnets as a function of the 3d ion site geometry: example of two supramolecular materials with Tc = 75 and 106 K.

Two molecule-based magnets, [Mn(2)(tea)Mo(CN)(7)].H(2)O, 1, and [Mn(2)(tea)Mo(CN)(7)], 2 (tea stands for triethanolamine), formed with the 4d ion building block, [Mo(CN)(7)](4)(-), Mn(II) ions, and an additional ligand, tea, have been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray analyses. Whereas 1 is obtained by a self-assembling process in solution, compound 2 is quantitatively formed through a smooth thermal treatment of 1. Their magnetic properties revealed that these compounds exhibit magnetic ordering at T(c) = 75 and 106 K respectively for compounds 1 and 2. The difference for their critical temperature is attributed to the geometry of the coordination sphere of a Mn(II) site found to be square-pyramidal for 1 and tetrahedral for 2.