Experimental realization of Lieb-Mattis plateau in a quantum spin chain.

Topological properties in material science have recently received tremendous attention, as exemplified by topological insulators. As for quantum spin systems, the Haldane chain with integer spins is the best known example1. The realization of a topological quantum phase in the Haldane chain is an innovative research development related to the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics. For mixed spin chains composed of two different spins, the appearance of a topologically quantized magnetization plateau is predicted by the Lieb-Mattis theorem2 in combination with the Oshikawa-Yamanaka-Affleck criterion3. However, the actual magnetization plateau in the mixed spin chain has not yet been observed. Here, we present a model compound forming a mixed spin-(1/2, 5/2) chain. We observe a clear Lieb-Mattis plateau and well explain it quantitatively. The present results demonstrate a quantum many-body effect based on quantum topology and provide a new stage in the search for topological properties in condensed matter physics.

Triplet Diradical-Cation Salts Consisting of the Phenothiazine Radical Cation and a Nitronyl Nitroxide.

The spin-spin and magnetic properties of two (nitronyl nitroxide)-(di-p-anisylamine-phenothiazine) diradical cation salts, (DAA-PTZ)+ -NN⋅MBr4 - (M=Ga, Fe), have been investigated. These diradical-cation species were prepared by the cross-coupling of iodophenothiazine DAA-PTZ-I with NN-AuPPh3 followed by oxidation with the thianthrenium radical cation (TA+ ⋅MBr4 - ). These salts were found to be highly stable under aerobic conditions. For the GaBr4 salt, large ferromagnetic intramolecular and small antiferromagnetic intermolecular interactions (J1 /kB =+320 K and J2 /kB =-2 K, respectively) were observed. The magnetic property of the Fe3+ salt was analyzed by using a six-spin model assuming identical intramolecular exchange interaction (J3 /kB =+320 K) and the other exchange interactions (J4 /kB =-7 K and J5 /kB =-4 K). A significant color change was observed in the UV/Vis/NIR absorption spectra upon electrochemical oxidation of the doublet DAA-PTZ-NN to the triplet (DAA-PTZ)+ -NN.

Randomness-induced quantum spin liquid on honeycomb lattice.

Quantum entanglement in magnetic materials is expected to yield a quantum spin liquid (QSL), in which strong quantum fluctuations prevent magnetic ordering even at zero temperature. This topic has been one of the primary focuses of condensed-matter science since Anderson first proposed the resonating valence bond state in a certain spin-1/2 frustrated magnet in 1973. Since then, several candidate materials featuring frustration, such as triangular and kagome lattices, have been reported to exhibit liquid-like behavior. However, the mechanisms that stabilize the liquid-like states have remained elusive. Here, we present a QSL state in a spin-1/2 honeycomb lattice with randomness in the exchange interaction. That is, we successfully introduce randomness into the organic radial-based complex and realize a random-singlet (RS) state (or valence bond glass). All magnetic and thermodynamic experimental results indicate the liquid-like behaviors, which are consistent with those expected in the RS state. Our results suggest that the randomness or inhomogeneity in the actual systems stabilize the RS state and yield liquid-like behavior.

Cyclic Triradicals Composed of Iminonitroxide-Gold(I) with Intramolecular Ferromagnetic Interactions.

A triangular gold(iminonitroxide-2-ide) trimer complex (5) was prepared and investigated to determine its magnetic properties. The results showed that the metalloid triradical is highly stable, even in solution under aerated conditions. The intramolecular exchange interaction of 5 was found to be positive (Jintra /kB ≈+29 K), thus showing that 5 is in a quartet ground state. In addition, a silver sandwich complex (5-Ag(+) -5) was prepared and its electronic and magnetic properties were also clarified.

Experimental Realization of a Quantum Pentagonal Lattice.

Geometric frustration, in which competing interactions give rise to degenerate ground states, potentially induces various exotic quantum phenomena in magnetic materials. Minimal models comprising triangular units, such as triangular and Kagome lattices, have been investigated for decades to realize novel quantum phases, such as quantum spin liquid. A pentagon is the second-minimal elementary unit for geometric frustration. The realization of such systems is expected to provide a distinct platform for studying frustrated magnetism. Here, we present a spin-1/2 quantum pentagonal lattice in the new organic radical crystal α-2,6-Cl2-V [=α-3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1,5-diphenylverdazyl]. Its unique molecular arrangement allows the formation of a partially corner-shared pentagonal lattice (PCPL). We find a clear 1/3 magnetization plateau and an anomalous change in magnetization in the vicinity of the saturation field, which originate from frustrated interactions in the PCPL.

(Nitronyl nitroxide)-substituted trioxytriphenylamine radical cation tetrachlorogallate salt: a 2p-electron-based weak ferromagnet composed of a triplet diradical cation.

The synthesis and the solid state magnetic properties of (nitronyl nitroxide)-substituted trioxytriphenylamine radical cation tetrachlorogallate, NNTOT(+)⋅GaCl(4)(-), are reported. In the temperature region between 300 and 3 K, the magnetic behavior is characterized by the strong intramolecular ferromagnetic interaction (J/k(B)=+400 K) between the radical (NN) and the radical cation (TOT(+)) and the weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic interaction (J/k(B)=-1.9 K) between NNTOT(+) ions. Below 3 K, a 3D-type long-range magnetic ordering into a weak ferromagnet was observed (T(N)=2.65 K). The magnetic entropy (S(mag)=8.97 J K(-1) mol(-1)) obtained by the heat capacity measurement is in good agreement with the theoretical value of R ln3=9.13 J K(-1) mol(-1) based on the S=1 state.

Synthesis and properties of oxo-carboxylato- and dioxo-bridged diosmium complexes of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine.

A series of oxo-bridged diosmium complexes with tpa ligand (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) are synthesized. The hydrolytic reaction of the mononuclear osmium complex [Os(III)Cl(2)(tpa)]PF(6) in aqueous solution containing a sodium carboxylate yields a µ-oxo-µ-carboxylato-diosmium(III) complex, [Os(III)(2)(µ-O)(µ-RCOO)(tpa)(2)](PF(6))(3) (R = C(3)H(7) (1), CH(3) (2), or C(6)H(5) (3)). One-electron oxidation of 1 with (NH(4))(2)Ce(IV)(NO(3))(6) gives a mixed-valent [Os(III)Os(IV)(µ-O)(µ-C(3)H(7)COO)(tpa)(2)](PF(6))(4) complex (4). A mixed-valent di-µ-oxo-diosmium complex, [Os(III)Os(IV)(µ-O)(2)(tpa)(2)](PF(6))(3) (5), is also synthesized from 1 in an aerobic alkaline solution (pH 13.5). All the complexes exhibit strong absorption bands in a visible-near-infrared region based on interactions of the osmium dπ and oxygen pπ orbitals of the Os-O-Os moiety. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of 1, 3, and 4 shows that the osmium centers take a pseudo-octahedral geometry in the µ-oxo-µ-carboxylato-diosmium core. The mixed-valent osmium(III)osmium(IV) complex 4 has a shorter osmium-oxo bond and a larger osmium-oxo-osmium angle as compared with those of the diosmium(III) complex 1 having the same bridging carboxylate. Crystal structure of 5 reveals that the two osmium ions are bridged by two oxo groups to give an Os(2)(µ-O)(2) core with the significantly short osmium-osmium distance (2.51784(7) Å), which is indicative of a direct osmium-osmium bond formation with the bond order of 1.5 (σ(2)π(2)δ(2)δ*(2)π*(1) configuration). In the electrochemical studies, the µ-oxo-µ-carboxylato-diosmium(III) complexes exhibit two reversible Os(III)Os(III)/Os(III)Os(IV) and Os(III)Os(IV)/Os(IV)Os(IV) oxidation couples and one irreversible redox wave for the Os(III)Os(III)/Os(II)Os(III) couple in CH(3)CN. The irreversible reductive process becomes reversible in CH(3)CN/H(2)O (1:1 Britton-Robinson buffer; pH 5-11), where the {1H(+)/2e(-)} transfer process is indicated by the plot of the redox potentials against the pH values of the solution of 1. Thus, the µ-oxo-µ-butyrato-diosmium(III) center undergoes proton-coupled electron transfer to yield a µ-hydroxo-µ-butyrato-diosmisum(II) species. The di(µ-oxo) complex 5 exhibits one reversible Os(III)Os(IV)/Os(IV)Os(IV) oxidation process and one reversible Os(III)Os(IV)/Os(III)Os(III) reduction process in CH(3)CN. The comproportionation constants K(com) of the Os(III)Os(IV) states for the present diosmium complexes are on the order of 10(19). The values are significantly larger when compared with those of similar oxo-bridged dimetal complexes of ruthenium and rhenium.

A new ferrimagnet based on a radical-substituted radical cation salt.

Radical-substituted radical cations are attractive spin building blocks of molecule-based magnets. The introduction of an additional spin as a counteranion provides a unique three-spin system wherein the magnetic interactions between the spins of the radical substituent and the radical cation (J(intra)) and those between the spins of the radical cation and the anion (J(inter)) play decisive roles in determining the magnetic properties of the system. We report the first demonstration of a ferrimagnet by utilizing a large-J(intra) system, nitronyl nitroxide-substituted dihydrophenazine radical cation (NNDPP(*+)) in combination with tetrabromoferrate (FeBr(4)(-)) as the counteranion. On the basis of measurements of dc and ac magnetic susceptibilities and heat capacity, the magnetic properties of NNDPP(*+) x FeBr(4)(-) are elucidated to be those of a three-dimensional long-range-ordered ferrimagnet with T(c) = 6.7 K.

Diiron amido-imido complex [(CpFe)2(mu2-NHPh)(mu2-NPh)]: synthesis and a net hydrogen atom abstraction reaction to form a bis(imido) complex.

A reaction between [CpFeCl]x and LiNHPh (1 equiv to Fe) produces a new paramagnetic Fe(II)-Fe(III) mu2-amido-mu2-imido complex [(CpFe)2(mu2-NHPh)(mu2-NPh)] (1), which, upon interaction with 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), undergoes a net N-H hydrogen atom abstraction reaction to give a diamagnetic Fe(III)-Fe(III) mu2-imido dimer [CpFe(mu2-NPh)]2 (2). The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Molecular rotor of Cs2([18]crown-6)3 in the solid state coupled with the magnetism of [Ni(dmit)2].

Nanoscale molecular rotors that can be driven in the solid state have been realized in Cs2([18]crown-6)3[Ni(dmit)2]2 crystals. To provide interactions between the molecular motion of the rotor and the electronic system, [Ni(dmit)2]- ions, which bear one S=1/2 spin on each molecule, were introduced into the crystal. Rotation of the [18]crown-6 molecules within a Cs2([18]crown-6)3 supramolecule above 220 K was confirmed using X-ray diffraction, NMR, and specific heat measurements. Strong correlations were observed between the magnetic behavior of the [Ni(dmit)2]- ions and molecular rotation. Furthermore, braking of the molecular rotation within the crystal was achieved by the application of hydrostatic pressure.

Design of novel inorganic-organic hybrid materials based on iron-chloranilate mononuclear complexes: characteristics of hydrogen-bond-supported layers toward the intercalation of guests.

Novel intercalation compounds constructed from the common two-dimensional hydrogen-bond-supported layers and functional guests [(H(0.5)phz)(2)[Fe(CA)(2)(H(2)O)(2)].2H(2)O](n)(1), ([Fe(Cp)(2)][Fe(CA)(2)(H(2)O)(2)])(n)(2), ([Fe(Cp*)(2)][Fe(CA)(2)(H(2)O)(2)])(n)(3), and [(TTF)(2)[Fe(CA)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]](n)(4) (H(2)CA = chloranilic acid, phz = phenazine, [Fe(Cp)(2)] = ferrocene, [Fe(Cp*)(2)] = decamethylferrocene, TTF = tetrathiafulvalene) are described. The guest cations are introduced between the ([Fe(CA)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](m-))(l) layers by electrostatic (1-4) and pi-pi stacking (3, 4) interactions. [Fe(Cp*)(2)](+) cations in 3 are stacked on each other making tilted columns which are included in the channel created by the chlorine atoms of CA(2-) dianions. TTF cations in 4 are stacked face to face with two types of S...S distances (type A; 3.579(3) A, and type B; 3.618(3) A) making a columnar structure. The TTF cations in the stacked column have a head-to-tail arrangement with respect to the iron-chloranilate layer. Mössbauer spectroscopy suggests that [Fe(CA)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](m-) anion in 3 is consistent with high-spin (S = 5/2) iron(III) ions and [Fe(Cp*)(2)](+) in the low-spin (S = 1/2) iron(III) ions. In 4, Mössbauer spectroscopy shows high-spin iron(II) ions (IS = 1.10 mm.s(-1) and QS = 1.66 mm.s(-1) at 297 K) and high-spin iron(III) ions (IS = 0.42 mm.s(-1) and QS = 1.27 mm.s(-1) at 297 K), suggesting that the anionic layer of iron-chloranilate has a valence-trapped mixed-valence state. At the temperature range of 77-300 K, the compounds 1, 2, and 3 are EPR silent, whereas the EPR spectrum of 4 shows two types of signals with g = 2.008 indicating the radical form of TTF.