Theoretical Modeling of the Magnetic Behavior of Thiacalix[4]arene Tetranuclear Mn(II)2Gd(III)2 and Co(II)2Eu(III)2 Complexes.

In view of a wide perspective of 3d-4f complexes in single-molecule magnetism, here we propose an explanation of the magnetic behavior of the two thiacalix[4]arene tetranuclear heterometallic complexes Mn(II)2Gd(III)2 and Co(II)2Eu(III)2. The energy pattern of the Mn(II)2Gd(III)2 complex evaluated in the framework of the isotropic exchange model exhibits a rotational band of the low-lying spin excitations within which the Landé intervals are affected by the biquadratic spin-spin interactions. The nonmonotonic temperature dependence of the χT product observed for the Mn(II)2Gd(III)2 complex is attributed to the competitive influence of the ferromagnetic Mn-Gd and antiferromagnetic Mn-Mn exchange interactions, the latter being stronger (J(Mn, Mn) = -1.6 cm(-1), Js(Mn, Gd) = 0.8 cm(-1), g = 1.97). The model for the Co(II)2Eu(III)2 complex includes uniaxial anisotropy of the seven-coordinate Co(II) ions and an isotropic exchange interaction in the Co(II)2 pair, while the Eu(III) ions are diamagnetic in their ground states. Best-fit analysis of χT versus T showed that the anisotropic contribution (arising from a large zero-field splitting in Co(II) ions) dominates (weak-exchange limit) in the Co(II)2Eu(III)2 complex (D = 20.5 cm(-1), J = -0.4 cm(-1), gCo = 2.22). This complex is concluded to exhibit an easy plane of magnetization (arising from the Co(II) pair). It is shown that the low-lying part of the spectrum can be described by a highly anisotropic effective spin-(1)/2 Hamiltonian that is deduced for the Co(II)2 pair in the weak-exchange limit.

Single-Ion Magnet Et4N[CoII(hfac)3] with Nonuniaxial Anisotropy: Synthesis, Experimental Characterization, and Theoretical Modeling.

In this article we report the synthesis and structure of the new Co(II) complex Et4N[CoII(hfac)3] (I) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) exhibiting single-ion magnet (SIM) behavior. The performed analysis of the magnetic characteristics based on the complementary experimental techniques such as static and dynamic magnetic measurements, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in conjunction with the theoretical modeling (parametric Hamiltonian and ab initio calculations) demonstrates that the SIM properties of I arise from the nonuniaxial magnetic anisotropy with strong positive axial and significant rhombic contributions.

Highly anisotropic exchange interactions in a trigonal bipyramidal cyanide-bridged Ni(II)3Os(III)2 cluster.

This article is a part of our efforts to control the magnetic anisotropy in cyanide-based exchange-coupled systems with the eventual goal to obtain single-molecule magnets with higher blocking temperatures. We give the theoretical interpretation of the magnetic properties of the new pentanuclear complex {[Ni(II)(tmphen)(2)](3)[Os(III)(CN)(6)](2)} x 6 CH(3)CN (Ni(II)(3)Os(III)(2) cluster). Because the system contains the heavy Os(III) ions, spin-orbit coupling considerably exceeds the contributions from the low-symmetry crystal field and exchange coupling. The magnetic properties of the Ni(II)(3)Os(III)(2) cluster are described in the framework of a highly anisotropic pseudo-spin Hamiltonian that corresponds to the limit of strong spin-orbital coupling and takes into account the complex molecular structure. The model provides a good fit to the experimental data and allows the conclusion that the trigonal axis of the bipyramidal Ni(II)(3)Os(III)(2) cluster is a hard axis of magnetization. This explains the fact that in contrast with the isostructural trigonal bipyramidal Mn(III)(2)Mn(II)(3) cluster, the Ni(II)(3)Os(III)(2) system does not exhibit the single-molecule magnetic behavior.

A highly anisotropic cobalt(II)-based single-chain magnet: exploration of spin canting in an antiferromagnetic array.

In this article we report for the first time experimental details concerning the synthesis and full characterization (including the single-crystal X-ray structure) of the spin-canted zigzag-chain compound [Co(H2L)(H2O)]infinity [L = 4-Me-C6H4-CH2N(CPO3H2)2], which contains antiferromagnetically coupled, highly magnetically anisotropic Co(II) ions with unquenched orbital angular momenta, and we also propose a new model to explain the single-chain magnet behavior of this compound. The model takes into account (1) the tetragonal crystal field and the spin-orbit interaction acting on each Co(II) ion, (2) the antiferromagnetic Heisenberg exchange between neighboring Co(II) ions, and (3) the tilting of the tetragonal axes of the neighboring Co units in the zigzag structure. We show that the tilting of the anisotropy axes gives rise to spin canting and consequently to a nonvanishing magnetization for the compound. In the case of a strong tetragonal field that stabilizes the orbital doublet of Co(II), the effective pseudo-spin-1/2 Hamiltonian describing the interaction between the Co ions in their ground Kramers doublet states is shown to be of the Ising type. An analytical expression for the static magnetic susceptibility of the infinite spin-canted chain is obtained. The model provides an excellent fit to the experimental data on both the static and dynamic magnetic properties of the chain.

Evidence of field induced slow magnetic relaxation in cis-[Co(hfac)2(H2O)2] exhibiting tri-axial anisotropy with a negative axial component.

We report a combined experimental characterization and theoretical modeling of the hexa-coordinated high-spin Co(ii) complex cis-[Co(hfac)2(H2O)2] (I). The magnetic static field (DC) data and EPR spectra (measurements were carried out on the powder samples of diluted samples cis-[Co0.02Zn0.98 (hfac)2(H2O)2]) were analyzed with the aid of the parametric Griffith Hamiltonian for the high-spin Co(ii) supported by the ab initio calculations of the crystal field (CF) parameters, g-factors and superexchange parameters between H-bonded Co(ii) ions in the neighboring molecules in a 1D network. This analysis suggests the presence of the easy axis of magnetic anisotropy and also shows the existence of a significant rhombic component. The detected frequency dependent (AC) susceptibility signal shows that complex I exhibits slow paramagnetic relaxation in the applied DC field belonging thus to the class of non-uniaxial field induced single ion magnets with a negative axial component of anisotropy. It is demonstrated that the main contributions to the relaxation come from the direct one-phonon process dominating at low temperatures, while the contribution of the two-phonon Raman process becomes important with increasing temperature.

Highly anisotropic orbitally dependent superexchange in cyano-bridged clusters containing Mn(III) and Mn(II) ions.

We study the orbitally dependent magnetic exchange in cyanide-based clusters as a source of the barrier for reversal magnetization. We consider the Mn(III)-CN-Mn(II) dimer and linear Mn(II)-NC-Mn(III)-CN-Mn(II) trimer containing octahedrally coordinated Mn(III) and Mn(II) ions with special emphasis on the magnetic manifestations of the orbital degeneracy of the Mn(III) ion. The kinetic exchange mechanism involves the electron transfer from the single occupied t(2) orbitals of the Mn(II) ion [6A1(t2(3)e2) ground state] to the singly occupied t(2) orbitals of the Mn(III) ion [3T1(t2(4)) ground state] resulting in the charge-transfer 5T2(t2(2)e2)Mn(III) - 2T2(t2(5))Mn(II) state of the pair. The deduced effective exchange Hamiltonian that takes into account orbital degeneracy leads to an essentially non-Heisenberg energy pattern. The energy levels are shown to be dependent on both spin and orbital quantum numbers, thus providing direct information about the magnetic anisotropy of the system. Along with the magnetic exchange, the model includes an axial component of the crystal field and spin-orbit coupling operating within the ground 3T1(t2(4)) cubic term of the Mn(III) ion. We have shown that under certain conditions both named interactions lead to the occurrence of the barrier for the reversal of magnetization, which significantly increases when passing from the dimer to the trimer. This provides a possible way for raising the magnetic barrier in the family of cyano-bridged manganese clusters.

Isotropic magnetic exchange between anisotropic Yb(III) ions. Study of Cs3Yb2Cl9 and Cs3Yb2Br9 crystals.

Despite the prevalent belief about a strong anisotropy of the magnetic exchange in rare-earth compounds, Cs3Yb2Cl9 and Cs3Yb2Br9 crystals are found to exhibit fully isotropic exchange coupling between Yb3+ ions. In this article, we attempt to reveal the physical origin of this surprising feature. Our theoretical consideration is based on a model of the kinetic exchange between two octahedrally coordinated Yb3+ ions in their ground Kramers doublet states. It is shown that a mechanism of kinetic exchange involving intercenter electron hopping between 4f orbitals of two Yb3+ ions in a face-shared binuclear unit results in fully isotropic antiferromagnetic exchange coupling, while a mechanism in which the electron jumps from the 4f to the 5d orbital gives rise to a highly anisotropic interaction. Comparison of these results with the experimental data along with qualitative arguments regarding the relative significance of these two contributions to the overall exchange indicate that, in face-shared Yb3+ binuclear units, the 4f <--> 4f mechanism plays a dominant role.

Control of the Barrier in Cyanide Based Single Molecule Magnets Mn(III)2Mn(II)3: Theoretical Analysis.

The aim of this communication is to probe the possibility of increasing the barrier for reversal of magnetization in the family of new cyano-bridged pentanuclear Mn(III)2Mn(II)3 clusters in which single molecule magnet behavior has been recently discovered. In this context, we analyze the global magnetic anisotropy arising from the unquenched orbital angular momenta of ground terms (3)T1(t2(4)) of the two apical Mn(III) ions. The model takes into account the trigonal component of the crystal field, spin-orbit interaction in (3)T1(t2(4)), and an isotropic exchange interaction between Mn(III) and Mn(II) ions. The height of the barrier is shown to be sensitive to the change of the trigonal field stabilizing orbital doublet (3)E, which carries the first-order orbital magnetic contribution and enhances with an increase of the trigonal field. This result is expected to be useful for the more rational design of new cyano-bridged SMMs with high blocking temperatures.

Modeling spin interactions in a cyclic trimer and a cuboidal Co4O4 core with Co(II) in tetrahedral and octahedral environments.

The X-ray crystallographic structures, the magnetic susceptibilities from 2 to 300 K, and a theoretical analysis of the magnetism for a triangular and a tetranuclear molecule consisting of linked high-spin cobalt(II) centers are described. The interpretation of the magnetic data for the triangular compound [Co(depa)Cl](3) (depa is the anion of 2,2'-(bis-4-ethylpyridyl)amine), which has tetrahedrally coordinated Co(2+) ions, entails isotropic antiferromagnetic exchange interaction and antisymmetric exchange acting within the two low-lying spin doublets. Two strong isotropic ferromagnetic interactions have been modeled in the cuboidal compound Co(4)(DPM)(4)(CH(3)O)(4)(CH(3)OH)(4) (DPM represents the anion of dipivaloylmethane), which has octahedral coordination, and the system can be approximately considered as two weakly coupled S = 3 species.

Microscopic approach to the pseudo-spin-1/2 Hamiltonian for Kramers doublets in exchange coupled Co(II) pairs.

The microscopic theory of the magnetically anisotropic effective pseudo-spin-(1)/(2) Hamiltonian for a pair of Co(2+) ions is reported. In the framework of the second-order perturbation approach, the analytical expressions are found for the components of the tensor of the exchange interaction, g-tensor, and the factor in the temperature independent paramagnetic contribution. The parameters of the Hamiltonian are expressed in terms of the basic intra- and intercenter parameters of the pair, namely, the spin-orbit coupling constant, orbital reduction factor, exchange integral, and low symmetry crystal field parameters including axial and rhombic terms.

Role of the orbitally degenerate Mn(III) ions in the single-molecule magnet behavior of the cyanide cluster ([MnII(tmphen)2]3[Mn(III)(CN)6]2) (tmphen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline).

We report a new theoretical model that accounts for the unusual magnetic properties of the cyanide cluster ([MnII(tmphen)2]3[MnIII(CN)6]2) (tmphen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline). The model takes into account (1) the spin-orbit interaction, (2) the trigonal component of the crystal field acting on the ground-state cubic (3)T(1) terms of the apical Mn(III) ions, and (3) the isotropic contribution to the exchange interaction between Mn(III) and Mn(II) ions. The ground state of the cluster was shown to be the state with the total angular momentum projection |M(J)| = 15/2; the energies of the low-lying levels obtained from this treatment increase with decreasing |M(J)| values, a situation that leads to a barrier for the reversal of magnetization (U(eff) approximately 30 cm(-1)). The new model explains the recently discovered single-molecule magnet behavior of the ([MnII(tmphen)2]3[MnIII(CN)6]2)in contrast to the traditional approach that takes into account only the ground-state spin (S) and a negative zero-field splitting parameter (D(S) < 0).