X-ray crystallographic analysis of the antiferromagnetic low-temperature phase of galvinoxyl: investigating magnetic duality in organic radicals.

Galvinoxyl, as one of the most extensively studied organic stable free radicals, exhibits a notable phase transition from a high-temperature (HT) phase with a ferromagnetic (FM) intermolecular interaction to a low-temperature (LT) phase with an antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling at 85 K. Despite significant research efforts, the crystal structure of the AFM LT phase has remained elusive. This study successfully elucidates the crystal structure of the LT phase, which belongs to the P1̄ space group. The crystal structure of the LT phase is found to consist of a distorted dimer, wherein the distortion arises from the formation of short intermolecular distances between anti-node carbons in the singly-occupied molecular orbital (SOMO). Starting from the structure of the LT phase, wave function calculations show that the AFM coupling 2J/kB varies significantly from -1069 K to -54 K due to a parallel shift of the molecular planes within the dimer.

Ideal trigonal prismatic coordination geometry of Co(II) in a honeycomb MOF with a triptycene-based ligand.

A metal-organic framework (MOF) comprised of cobalt ions and triptycene-based 3-fold symmetric bridging ligands 9,10-[1,2]benzenoanthracene-2,3,6,7,14,15(9H,10H)-hexaone (o-TT) was prepared. Single-crystal structure analysis revealed a 2D honeycomb network structure and the ideal trigonal prismatic geometry of the Co(II) ion. The magnetic anisotropy of the Co(II) ion in the trigonal prism coordination geometry was analyzed via magnetic measurements and model calculations.

Synthesis of Isomeric Tb3+ -Phthalocyanine Double-Decker Complexes Depending on the Difference in the Direction of Coordination Plane and Their Magnetic Properties.

Invited for the cover of this issue are Kentaro Tanaka at Nagoya University and co-workers. The image depicts three isomers of a terbium(III) phthalocyanine double-decker complex made from C4h symmetrically substituted phthalocyanines and their magnetic properties. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202203272.

Synthesis of Isomeric Tb3+ -Phthalocyanine Double-Decker Complexes Depending on the Difference in the Direction of Coordination Plane and Their Magnetic Properties.

A C4h symmetrically substituted phthalocyanine, 1,8,15,22-tertrakis(2,4-dimethylpent-3-oxy)phthalocyanine (H2 TdMPPc), was used to synthesize Tb3+ -phthalocyanine double-decker complexes ([Tb(TdMPPc)2 ]s). Because H2 TdMPPc has C4h symmetry, S,S, R,R, and meso isomers of [Tb(TdMPPc)2 ] were obtained depending on the difference in the direction of the coordination plane of two C4h -type phthalocyanines with respect to a central Tb3+ ion. We investigated the physical properties of these [Tb(TdMPPc)2 ] isomers, including their single-ion magnetic properties, and found that the spin-reversal energy barrier (Ueff ) of the meso isomer was apparently higher than that of the enantiomers. Detailed crystal structural analyses indicated that the meso isomer has a more symmetrical structure than do the enantiomers, thereby suggesting that the higher Ueff of the meso isomer originated from the more highly symmetrical structure.

Potential modulations in flatland: near-infrared sensitization of MoS2 phototransistors by a solvatochromic dye directly tethered to sulfur vacancies.

Near-infrared sensitization of monolayer MoS2 is here achieved via the covalent attachment of a novel heteroleptic nickel bis-dithiolene complex into sulfur vacancies in the MoS2 structure. Photocurrent action spectroscopy of the sensitized films reveals a discreet contribution from the sensitizer dye centred around 1300 nm (0.95 eV), well below the bandgap of MoS2 (2.1 eV), corresponding to the excitation of the monoanionic dithiolene complex. A mechanism of conductivity enhancement is proposed based on a photo-induced flattening of the corrugated energy landscape present at sulfur vacancy defect sites within the MoS2 due to a dipole change within the dye molecule upon photoexcitation. This method of sensitization might be readily extended to other functional molecules that can impart a change to the dielectric environment at the MoS2 surface under stimulation, thereby extending the breadth of detector applications for MoS2 and other transition metal dichalcogenides.

3D molecular network and magnetic ordering, formed by multi-dentate magnetic couplers, bis(benzene)chromium(i) and [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazolidyl.

The reaction between bis(benzene)chromium(0), Cr0(C6H6)2, and [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (abbreviated as TDTD) formed single crystals of the 1 : 1 salt, [CrI(C6H6)2]+[TDTD]-. The crystal structure of [Cr(C6H6)2][TDTD] belongs to the monoclinic P21/c space group, and involves a CdSO4-type network (or quartz dual net), which is formed by CHN hydrogen bonds between [Cr(C6H6)2]+ (S = 1/2) and [TDTD]- (S = 1/2). In addition to this network, the two components form an alternating chain crystal with a π-π overlap along the [110] and [11[combining macron]0] directions. The theoretical calculations for the pairwise intermolecular magnetic exchange interactions in [Cr(C6H6)2][TDTD] reveal the presence of 3D interactions, ranging from an antiferromagnetic interaction of -8.96 cm-1 to a ferromagnetic one of 1.70 cm-1. The temperature dependence of the paramagnetic susceptibility χp indicates the dominance of an antiferromagnetic interaction with a negative Weiss constant of -4.8 K and a magnetic ordering at 8 K, which can be characterized in terms of weak ferromagnetism.

An exotic band structure of a supramolecular honeycomb lattice formed by a pancake π-π interaction between triradical trianions of triptycene tribenzoquinone.

A supramolecular honeycomb lattice was successfully formed by using triradical trianion species of triptycene tribenzoquinone (TT) which forms strong intermolecular π-π pancake bonds toward three directions. The crystal structure of Rb3TT·2H2O belongs to the hexagonal P6/m space group, the tight-binding band calculation of which reveals Dirac cones and flat bands.

Structural and Electronic Effects Due to Fluorine Atoms on Dibenzotetraaza-Annulenes Complexes.

The preparation and characterization of Ni(II) (1F) and Cu(II) (2F) complexes of the ligand 15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22-octafluoro-dibenzotetraaza[14]annulene (LF) are here reported. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, mass and UV-vis spectroscopies, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and computational studies. The effects due to the presence of fluorine atoms have been highlighted by comparison with the analogous complexes of the ligand LH (Ni: 1H; Cu: 2H), which bears hydrogen atoms at the benzenoid rings instead of fluorine. 1F and 2F are isostructural, with the metal ions bound to the four nitrogen atoms in a square-planar geometry and where the planar molecules are arranged in a herringbone motif in the crystal lattice. Remarkable differences in the intermolecular interactions between 1F and 2F and the corresponding H-complexes are shown by Hirshfeld surface calculations. Moreover, the effects of fluorination on the electronic structures have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations. The compounds with LF and LH ligands present corresponding molecular orbitals (MOs) with similar shapes. Furthermore, while the presence of F-atoms lowers the energy of the MOs in comparison with those of the LH complexes, it does not remarkably affect the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and HOMO-LUMO + 1 gaps, in agreement with the UV-vis results.

3D Spin-Liquid State in an Organic Hyperkagome Lattice of Mott Dimers.

We report the first 3D spin liquid state of isotropic organic spins. Structural analysis, and magnetic and heat-capacity measurements were carried out for a chiral organic radical salt, (TBA)_{1.5}[(-)-NDI-Δ] (TBA denotes tetrabutylammonium and NDI denotes naphthalene diimide), in which (-)-NDI-Δ forms a K_{4} structure due to its triangular molecular structure and an intermolecular π-π overlap between the NDI moieties. This lattice was identical to the hyperkagome lattice of S=1/2 Mott dimers, and should exhibit 3D spin frustration. In fact, even though the high-temperature magnetic susceptibility followed the Curie-Weiss law with a negative Weiss constant of θ=-15 K, the low-temperature magnetic measurements revealed no long-range magnetic ordering down to 70 mK, and suggested the presence of a spin liquid state with a large residual paramagnetism χ_{0} of 8.5×10^{-6} emu g^{-1} at the absolute zero temperature. This was supported by the ^{14}N NMR measurements down to 0.38 K. Further, the low-temperature heat capacities c_{p} down to 68 mK clearly indicated the presence of c_{p} for the spin liquid state, which can be fitted to the power law of T^{0.62} in the wide temperature range 0.07-4.5 K.

Molecular and thin film properties of cobalt half-sandwich compounds for optoelectronic application.

The structure and electronic properties of a novel cobalt half sandwich complex of cyclopentadiene (Cp) and diaminonaphthalene (DAnap) [CpCo(DAnap)] are described and compared to the previously reported diaminobenzene derivative [CpCo(DAbnz)] in view of their potential for (opto)electronic device application. Both complexes show stable redox processes, tunable through the diaminoacene ligand, and show strong absorption in the visible region, with additional transitions stretching into the near infrared (NIR). CpCo(DAnap) crystallises with a particularly large unit cell (9301 Å3), comprising 32 molecules, with a gradual rotation over 8 molecules along the long c-axis. In the solid state the balance of the optical transitions in both complexes is reversed, with a suppression of the visible band and an enhancement of the NIR band, attributed to extensive intermolecular electronic interaction. In the case of CpCo(DAnap), highly crystalline thin films could be formed under physical vapor deposition, which show a photocurrent response stretching into the NIR, and p-type semiconductor behavior in field effect transistors with mobility values of the order 1 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 s-1. The device performance is understood through investigation of the morphology of the grown films.

Deuterium substitution effects on the structural and magnetic phase transitions of a hydrogen-bonded coordination polymer, bis(glycolato)copper(ii).

Bis(glycolato)copper(ii) [Cu(HOCH2CO2)2] shows a structural phase transition around 220 K under cooling and 270 K under heating, and ferromagnetic ordering at 1.1 K. Deuterium substitution of the hydroxyl groups in it induced a large shift in the structural transition temperature while no shift in the ferromagnetic transition temperature took place.

Discovery of the K4 Structure Formed by a Triangular π Radical Anion.

The K4 structure was theoretically predicted for trivalent chemical species, such as sp(2) carbon. However, since attempts to synthesize the K4 carbon have not succeeded, this allotrope has been regarded as a crystal form that might not exist in nature. In the present work, we carried out electrochemical crystallization of the radical anion salts of a triangular molecule, naphthalene diimide (NDI)-Δ, using various electrolytes. X-ray crystal analysis of the obtained crystals revealed the K4 structure, which was formed by the unique intermolecular π overlap directed toward three directions from the triangular-shape NDI-Δ radical anions. Electron paramagnetic resonance and static magnetic measurements confirmed the radical anion state of NDI-Δ and indicated an antiferromagnetic intermolecular interaction with the Weiss constant of θ = -10 K. The band structure calculation suggested characteristic features of the present material, such as a metallic ground state, Dirac cones, and flat bands.

The key role of vibrational entropy in the phase transitions of dithiazolyl-based bistable magnetic materials.

The neutral radical 1,3,5-trithia-2,4,6-triazapentalenyl (TTTA) is a prototype of molecule-based bistable materials. TTTA crystals undergo a first-order phase transition between their low-temperature diamagnetic and high-temperature paramagnetic phases, with a large hysteresis loop that encompasses room temperature. Here, based on ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and new X-ray measurements, we uncover that the regular stacking motif of the high-temperature polymorph is the result of a fast intra-stack pair-exchange dynamics, whereby TTTA radicals continually exchange the adjacent TTTA neighbour (upper or lower) with which they form an eclipsed dimer. Such unique dynamics, observed in the paramagnetic phase within the whole hysteresis loop, is the origin of a significant vibrational entropic gain in the low-temperature to high-temperature transition and thereby it plays a key role in driving the phase transition. This finding provides a new key concept that needs to be explored for the rational design of novel molecule-based bistable magnetic materials.

Thiadiazole dioxide-fused picene: acceptor ability, anion radical formation, and n-type charge transport characteristics.

Picene, which is an organic p-channel semiconductor and a component of superconductors, was derivatized with a thiadiazole-dioxide moiety to afford a novel acceptor molecule (PTDAO2). PTDAO2 can form stable anion radical species in solution and as a crystal, and its neutral crystalline thin film exhibits n-type transistor characteristics.

Transition metal complexes and radical anion salts of 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives annulated with a 1,2,5-tiadiazole and 1,2,5-tiadiazole 1,1-dioxide moiety: multidimensional crystal structures and various magnetic properties.

Advances in the molecular variety and the elucidation of the physical properties of 1,10-phenanthroline annulated with 1,2,5-thiadiazole and 1,2,5-thiadiazole 1,1-dioxide moieties have been achieved, and are described herein. A 1,2,5-thiadiazole compound, [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-f][1,10]phenanthroline (tdap), was used as a ligand to create multidimensional network structures based on S•••S and S•••N intermolecular interactions. A 1,2,5-thiadiazole 1,1-dioxide compound, [1,2,5] thiadiazolo[3,4-f][1,10]phenanthroline, 1,1-dioxide (tdapO2), was designed to create a stable radical anion, as well as good network structures. Single crystal X-ray structure analyses revealed that transition metal complexes of tdap, and radical anion salts of tdapO2 formed multidimensional network structures, as expected. Two kinds of tdap iron complexes, namely [Fe(tdap)2(NCS)2] and [Fe(tdap)2(NCS)2]•MeCN exhibited spin crossover transitions, and their transition temperatures showed a difference of 150 K, despite their similar molecular structures. Magnetic measurements for the tdapO2 radical anion salts revealed that the magnetic coupling constants between neighboring radical species vary from strongly antiferromagnetic (J=-320 K) to ferromagnetic (J=24 K), reflecting the differences in their π overlap motifs.

Multidimensional network structures and versatile magnetic properties of intermolecular compounds of a radical-anion ligand, [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-f][1,10]phenanthroline 1,1-dioxide.

The crystal structures and magnetic properties of seven kinds of [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-f][1,10]phenanthroline 1,1-dioxide (tdapO2) radical-anion salts, namely, K·tdapO2, K·tdapO2·0.5MeCN, K·(tdapO2)2, Rb·(tdapO2)2, Cs7·(tdapO2)6·ClO4, (NH4)2·tdapO2·I, and Hppda·tdapO2·MeCN, were investigated. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of these radical-anion salts revealed formation of π-stacking columns and the presence of intercolumnar coordination bonding or hydrogen bonding. The intermolecular magnetic coupling constants in these salts range from strong antiferromagnetic (J/kB = -310 K) to ferromagnetic (J/kB = 24 K). Ab initio calculations performed on the nearest-neighbor radical pairs in the π-stacking columns suggested that the magnetic interactions are strongly governed by the overlap between the two anionic radical species and well explain the observed ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. In addition, calculations of a hypothetical oxygen-less tdap analogue suggested that the presence of oxygen in tdapO2 significantly reduces the hopping integral and enhances the probability of ferromagnetic interaction.

Monovalent and mixed-valent potassium salts of [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-f][1,10]phenanthroline 1,1-dioxide: a radical anion for multidimensional network structures.

A novel phenanthlorine derivative, [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-f][1,10]phenanthroline 1,1-dioxide (tdapO(2)), was prepared to act as a radical-anion building block for coordination polymers. The crystal structures and magnetic properties of the monovalent and mixed-valent radical-anion salts K·tdapO(2) and K·(tdapO(2))(2) were elucidated and confirm the possibility of tdapO(2) to act as a bridging ligand and its capability to exhibit magnetic ordering at 15 K.