How the spin state tunes the slow magnetic relaxation field dependence in spin crossover cobalt(II) complexes.

A novel family of cobalt(II) compounds with tridentate pyridine-2,6-diiminephenyl type ligands featuring electron-withdrawing substituents of general formula [Co(n-XPhPDI)2](ClO4)2·S [n-XPhPDI = 2,6-bis(N-n-halophenylformimidoyl)pyridine with n = 4 (1-3) and 3 (4); X = I (1), Br (2 and 4) and Cl (3); S = MeCN (1 and 2) and EtOAc (3)] has been synthesised and characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance, and static (dc) and dynamic (ac) magnetic measurements combined with theoretical calculations. The structures of 1-4 consist of mononuclear bis(chelating) cobalt(II) complex cations, [CoII(n-XPhPDI)2]2+, perchlorate anions, and acetonitrile (1 and 2) or ethyl acetate (3) molecules of crystallisation. This unique series of mononuclear six-coordinate octahedral cobalt(II) complexes displays both thermally-induced low-spin (LS)/high-spin (HS) transition and field-induced slow magnetic relaxation in both LS and HS states. A complete LS ↔ HS transition occurs for 1 and 2, while it is incomplete for 4, one-third of the complexes being HS at low temperatures. In contrast, 3 remains HS in all the temperature range. 1 and 2 show dual spin relaxation dynamics under the presence of an applied dc magnetic field (Hdc), with the occurrence of faster- (FR) and slower-relaxing (SR) processes at lower (Hdc = 1.0 kOe) and higher fields (Hdc = 2.5 kOe), respectively. On the contrary, 3 and 4 exhibit only SR and FR relaxations, regardless of Hdc. Overall, the distinct field-dependence of the single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour along with this family of spin-crossover (SCO) cobalt(II)-n-XPhPDI complexes is dominated by Raman mechanisms and, occasionally, with additional temperature-independent Intra-Kramer [LS or HS (D > 0)] or Quantum Tunneling of Magnetisation mechanisms [HS (D < 0)] also contributing.

pH-Switching of the luminescent, redox, and magnetic properties in a spin crossover cobalt(ii) molecular nanomagnet.

The ability of mononuclear first-row transition metal complexes as dynamic molecular systems to perform selective functions under the control of an external stimulus that appropriately tunes their properties may greatly impact several domains of molecular nanoscience and nanotechnology. This study focuses on two mononuclear octahedral cobalt(ii) complexes of formula {[CoII(HL)2][CoII(HL)L]}(ClO4)3·9H2O (1) and [CoIIL2]·5H2O (2) [HL = 4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine], isolated as a mixed protonated/hemiprotonated cationic salt or a deprotonated neutral species. This pair of pH isomers constitutes a remarkable example of a dynamic molecular system exhibiting reversible changes in luminescence, redox, and magnetic (spin crossover and spin dynamics) properties as a result of ligand deprotonation, either in solution or solid state. In this last case, the thermal-assisted spin transition coexists with the field-induced magnetisation blockage of "faster" or "slower" relaxing low-spin CoII ions in 1 or 2, respectively. In addition, pH-reversible control of the acid-base equilibrium among dicationic protonated, cationic hemiprotonated, and neutral deprotonated forms in solution enhances luminescence in the UV region. Besides, the reversibility of the one-electron oxidation of the paramagnetic low-spin CoII into the diamagnetic low-spin CoIII ion is partially lost and completely restored by pH decreasing and increasing. The fine-tuning of the optical, redox, and magnetic properties in this novel class of pH-responsive, spin crossover molecular nanomagnets offers fascinating possibilities for advanced multifunctional and multiresponsive magnetic devices for molecular spintronics and quantum computing such as pH-effect spin quantum transformers.

Holmium(III) Single-Ion Magnet for Cryomagnetic Refrigeration Based on an MRI Contrast Agent Derivative.

The coexistence of field-induced blockage of the magnetization and significant magnetocaloric effects in the low-temperature region occurs in a mononuclear holmium(III) diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N″,N″-pentaacetate complex, whose gadolinium(III) analogue is a commercial MRI contrast agent. Both properties make it a suitable candidate for cryogenic magnetic refrigeration, thus enlarging the variety of applications of this simple class of multifunctional molecular nanomagnets.

Ferro- and Antiferromagnetic Interactions in Oxalato-Centered Inverse Hexanuclear and Chain Copper(II) Complexes with Pyrazole Derivatives.

Two novel copper(II) complexes of formulas {[Cu(4-Hmpz)4][Cu(4-Hmpz)2(µ3-ox-κ2O1,O2:κO2':κO1')(ClO4)2]}n (1) and {[Cu(3,4,5-Htmpz)4]2[Cu(3,4,5-Htmpz)2(µ3-ox-κ2O1,O2:κO2':κO1')(H2O)(ClO4)]2[Cu2(3,4,5-Htmpz)4(µ-ox-κ2O1,O2:κ2O2',O1')]}(ClO4)4·6H2O (2) have been obtained by using 4-methyl-1H-pyrazole (4-Hmpz) and 3,4,5-trimethyl-1H-pyrazole (3,4,5-Htmpz) as terminal ligands and oxalate (ox) as the polyatomic inverse coordination center. The crystal structure of 1 consists of perchlorate counteranions and cationic copper(II) chains with alternating bis(pyrazole)(µ3-κ2O1,O2:κO2':κO1'-oxalato)copper(II) and tetrakis(pyrazole)copper(II) fragments. The crystal structure of 2 is made up of perchlorate counteranions and cationic centrosymmetric hexanuclear complexes where an inner tetrakis(pyrazole)(µ-κ2O1,O2:κ2O2',O1'-oxalato)dicopper(II) entity and two outer mononuclear tetrakis(pyrazole)copper(II) units are linked through two mononuclear aquabis(pyrazole)(µ3-κ2O1,O2:κO2':κO1'-oxalato)copper(II) units. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 were investigated in the temperature range 2.0-300 K. Very weak intrachain antiferromagnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions through the µ3-ox-κ2O1,O2:κO2':κO1' center occur in 1 [J = -0.42(1) cm-1, the spin Hamiltonian being defined as H = -J∑S1,i · S2,i+1], whereas very weak intramolecular ferromagnetic [J = +0.28(2) cm-1] and strong antiferromagnetic [J' = -348(2) cm-1] couplings coexist in 2 which are mediated by the µ3-ox-κ2O1,O2:κO2':κO1' and µ-ox-κ2O1,O2:κ2O2',O1' centers, respectively. The variation in the nature and magnitude of the magnetic coupling for this pair of oxalato-centered inverse copper(II) complexes is discussed in the light of their different structural features, and a comparison with related oxalato-centered inverse copper(II)-pyrazole systems from the literature is carried out.

Field-induced slow magnetic relaxation and magnetocaloric effects in an oxalato-bridged gadolinium(iii)-based 2D MOF.

The coexistence of field-induced slow magnetic relaxation and moderately large magnetocaloric efficiency in the supra-Kelvin temperature region occurs in the 2D compound [Gd(ox)3(H2O)6]n·4nH2O (1), a feature that can be exploited in the proof-of-concept design of a new class of slow-relaxing magnetic materials for cryogenic magnetic refrigeration.

Electroswitching of the single-molecule magnet behaviour in an octahedral spin crossover cobalt(ii) complex with a redox-active pyridinediimine ligand.

Thermal-assisted spin crossover and field-induced slow magnetic relaxation coexist in the solid state for the mononuclear cobalt(ii) complex with the non-innocent 2,6-bis(N-4-methoxyphenylformimidoyl)pyridine ligand. One-electron oxidation of the paramagnetic low-spin CoII ion (SCo = 1/2) to the diamagnetic low-spin CoIII ion (SCo = 0) leads to the electroswitching of the slow magnetic relaxation in acetonitrile solution.

Dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes as multifunctional magnetic devices: a joint experimental and computational study.

Metallosupramolecular complexes constitute an important advance in the emerging fields of molecular spintronics and quantum computation and a useful platform in the development of active components of spintronic circuits and quantum computers for applications in information processing and storage. The external control of chemical reactivity (electro- and photochemical) and physical properties (electronic and magnetic) in metallosupramolecular complexes is a current challenge in supramolecular coordination chemistry, which lies at the interface of several other supramolecular disciplines, including electro-, photo-, and magnetochemistry. The specific control of current flow or spin delocalization through a molecular assembly in response to one or many input signals leads to the concept of developing a molecule-based spintronics that can be viewed as a potential alternative to the classical molecule-based electronics. A great variety of factors can influence over these electronically or magnetically coupled, metallosupramolecular complexes in a reversible manner, electronic or photonic external stimuli being the most promising ones. The response ability of the metal centers and/or the organic bridging ligands to the application of an electric field or light irradiation, together with the geometrical features that allow the precise positioning in space of substituent groups, make these metal-organic systems particularly suitable to build highly integrated molecular spintronic circuits. In this Account, we describe the chemistry and physics of dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclophanes with oxamato-containing dinucleating ligands featuring redox- and photoactive aromatic spacers. Our recent works on dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes and earlier ones on related organic cyclophanes are now compared in a critical manner. Special focus is placed on the ligand design as well as in the combination of experimental and computational methods to demonstrate the multifunctionality nature of these metallosupramolecular complexes. This new class of oxamato-based dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes affords an excellent synthetic and theoretical set of models for both chemical and physical fundamental studies on redox- and photo-triggered, long-distance electron exchange phenomena, which are two major topics in molecular magnetism and molecular electronics. Apart from their use as ground tests for the fundamental research on the relative importance of the spin delocalization and spin polarization mechanisms of the electron exchange interaction through extended π-conjugated aromatic ligands in polymetallic complexes, oxamato-based dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes possessing spin-containing electro- and chromophores at the metal and/or the ligand counterparts emerge as potentially active (magnetic and electronic) molecular components to build a metal-based spintronic circuit. They are thus unique examples of multifunctional magnetic complexes to get single-molecule spintronic devices by controlling and allowing the spin communication, when serving as molecular magnetic couplers and wires, or by exhibiting bistable spin behavior, when acting as molecular magnetic rectifiers and switches. Oxamato-based dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes also emerge as potential candidates for the study of coherent electron transport through single molecules, both experimentally and theoretically. The results presented herein, which are a first step in the metallosupramolecular approach to molecular spintronics, intend to attract the attention of physicists and materials scientists with a large expertice in the manipulation and measurement of single-molecule electron transport properties, as well as in the processing and addressing of molecules on different supports.

Dicopper(II) anthraquinophanes as multielectron reservoirs for oxidation and reduction: a joint experimental and theoretical study.

Two new dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclophanes with 1,4-disubstituted 9,10-anthraquinonebis(oxamate) bridging ligands are reported that can reversibly take and release electrons at the redox-active ligand and metal sites, respectively, to give the corresponding mono- and bis(semiquinonate and/or catecholate) Cu(II)2 species and mixed-valent Cu(II)/Cu(III) and high-valent Cu(III)2 ones. Density functional calculations allow us to give further insights on the dual ligand- and metal-based character of the redox processes in this novel family of antiferromagnetically coupled di- copper(II) anthraquinophanes. This unique ability for charge storage could be the basis for the development of new kinds of molecular spintronic devices, referred to as molecular magnetic capacitors (MMCs).

Dicopper(II) Metallacyclophanes with Electroswitchable Polymethyl-Substituted para-Phenylene Spacers.

Double-stranded anionic dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclic complexes of the paracyclophane type [Cu2L2](4-) have been prepared by the Cu(II)-mediated self-assembly of different para-phenylenebis(oxamato) bridging ligands with either zero-, one-, or four-electron-donating methyl substituents (L=N,N'-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (ppba; 1), 2-methyl- N,N'-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (Meppba; 2), and 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl- N,N'-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (Me4ppba; 3)). These complexes have been isolated as their tetra-n-butylammonium (1 a-3 a), lithium(I) (1 b-3 b), and tetraphenylphosphonium salts (1 c-3 c). The X-ray crystal structures of 1 a and 3 c show a parallel-displaced π-stacked conformation with a smaller deviation from perpendicularity between the two benzene rings and the basal planes of the square planar Cu(II) ions when increasing the number of methyl substituents (average dihedral angles (ϕ) of 58.72(7) and 73.67(5)° for 1 a and 3 c, respectively). Variable-temperature (2.0-300 K) magnetic-susceptibility measurements show an overall increase of the intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling with the number of methyl substituents onto the para-phenylene spacers (-J=75-95, 100-124, and 128-144 cm(-1) for 1 a-c, 2 a-c, and 3 a-c, respectively; H=-JS1×S2). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements show a reversible one-electron oxidation of the double polymethyl-substituted para-phenylenediamidate bridging skeleton at a relatively low formal potential that decreases with the number of methyl substituents (E1=+0.33, +0.24, and +0.15 V vs. SCE for 1-3, respectively). The monooxidized dicopper(II) π-radical cation species 3' prepared by the chemical oxidation of 3 with bromine exhibits intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible and near-IR (λmax=595 and 875 nm, respectively) regions together with a rhombic EPR signal with a seven-line splitting pattern due to hyperfine coupling with the nuclear spin of the two Cu(II) ions. Density functional (DF) calculations for 3' evidence a characteristic iminoquinonoid-type short-long-short alternating sequence of C-N and C-C bonds for both tetramethyl-para-phenylenediamidate bridges and a large amount of spin density of negative sign mainly delocalized along each of the four benzene C atoms directly attached to the amidate N atoms, which is in agreement with a fully delocalized π-stacked monoradical ligand description. Hence, the spins of the two Cu(II) ions (SCu=1/2) that are antiparallel aligned in 3 (OFF state) become parallel in 3' (ON state). Further developments may be then envisaged for this new permethylated dicopper(II) paracyclophane with a redox noninnocent ligand as a prototype for molecular magnetic electroswitch.

Dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes with oligo(p-phenylene-ethynylene) spacers: experimental foundations and theoretical predictions on potential molecular magnetic wires.

Two novel double-stranded dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes of formula (nBu4N)4[Cu2(dpeba)2]·4MeOH·2Et2O (1) and (nBu4N)4[Cu2(tpeba)2]·12H2O (2) have been prepared by the Cu(II)-mediated self-assembly of the rigid ('rod-like') bridging ligands N,N'-4,4'-diphenylethynebis(oxamate) (dpeba) and N,N'-1,4-di(4-phenylethynyl)phenylenebis(oxamate) (tpeba), respectively. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 confirms the presence of a dicopper(II)tetraaza[3.3]4,4'-diphenylethynophane metallacyclic structure featuring a very long intermetallic distance between the two square planar Cu(II) ions [r = 14.95(1) Å]. The overall parallel-displaced π-stacked conformation of the two nearly planar para substituted diphenylethyne spacers [dihedral angle (ψ) of 7.8(1)°] leads to important deviations from the perpendicular orientation of the copper mean basal planes with respect to the facing benzene planes [dihedral angles (φ) of 56.4(1) and 58.4(1)°]. X-band EPR spectra together with variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and variable-field magnetization measurements of 1 and 2, both in solution and in the solid state, show the occurrence of a non-negligible, moderate to weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling [-J = 3.9-4.1 (1) and 0.5-0.9 cm(-1) (2); H = -JS1·S2 with S1 = S2 = SCu = 1/2]. Density functional calculations on the BS singlet (S = 0) and triplet (S = 1) spin states of the model complexes 1 and 2 with an ideal orthogonal molecular geometry (ψ = 0° and φ = 90°) support the occurrence of a spin polarization mechanism for the propagation of the exchange interaction between the two unpaired electrons occupying the dxy orbital of each square planar Cu(II) ion through the predominantly π-type orbital pathway of the double p-diphenylethyne (1) and di(phenylethynyl)phenylene spacers (2). Time-dependent density functional calculations reproduce the observed bathochromic shift of the main intraligand (IL) π-π* transition in the electronic absorption spectra of 1 and 2 [λ1 = 308 (1) and 316 nm (2)]. In the series of orthogonal model complexes 1-5 with linear oligo(p-phenylene-ethynylene) (OPE) spacers, -C6H4(C≡CC6H4)n- (n = 1-5), a linear increase of the IL π-π* transition energy with the reciprocal of the intermetallic distance is theoretically predicted [νmax = 1.99 × 10(4) + 2.15 × 10(5) (1/r) (S = 0) or ν = 2.01 × 10(4) + 2.18 × 10(5) (1/r) (S = 1)], which clearly indicates that the effective π-conjugation length increases with the number of phenylethyne repeating units. This is accompanied by an exponential decay of the antiferromagnetic coupling with the intermetallic distance [-J = 1.08 × 10(3) exp(-0.31r)], which supports the ability of the extended π-conjugated OPEs to mediate the exchange interaction between the unpaired electrons of the two Cu(II) centers with intermetallic distances in the range of 1.5-4.3 nm. Further developments may be then envisaged for this new family of oxamato-based dicopper(II) oligo-p-phenylethynophanes on the basis of the unique ligand capacity to act as a molecular antiferromagnetic wire.

Multielectron transfer in a dicopper(II) anthraquinophane.

The new dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclophane with the non-innocent N,N'-1,4-bis(oxamate)-9,10-anthraquinone bridging ligand possesses a dual multielectron redox behavior featuring stepwise one-electron oxidation of the antiferromagnetically coupled Cu(II) ions and two-electron reduction of the anthraquinone spacers in a π-stacked anti conformation.

Field-induced slow magnetic relaxation in a six-coordinate mononuclear cobalt(II) complex with a positive anisotropy.

The novel mononuclear Co(II) complex cis-[Co(II)(dmphen)(2)(NCS)(2)]·0.25EtOH (1) (dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) features a highly rhombically distorted octahedral environment that is responsible for the strong positive axial and rhombic magnetic anisotropy of the high-spin Co(II) ion (D = +98 cm(-1) and E = +8.4 cm(-1)). Slow magnetic relaxation effects were observed for 1 in the presence of a dc magnetic field, constituting the first example of field-induced single-molecule magnet behavior in a mononuclear six-coordinate Co(II) complex with a transverse anisotropy energy barrier.

Redox switching of the antiferromagnetic coupling in permethylated dicopper(II) paracyclophanes.

A unique magnetic electroswitching behavior has been observed in an oxamato-based permethylated dicopper(II) paracyclophane; upon reversible one-electron oxidation of the double tetramethyl-substituted p-phenylenediamidate bridging skeleton, the spin alignment of the two Cu(II) ions (S(Cu) = ½) changes from antiparallel (OFF) to parallel (ON) in the resulting dicopper(II) π-radical cation species.

Theoretical insights into the ferromagnetic coupling in oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) and chromium(III)-manganese(II) dinuclear complexes with aromatic diimine ligands.

Two novel heterobimetallic complexes of formula [Cr(bpy)(ox)(2)Co(Me(2)phen)(H(2)O)(2)][Cr(bpy)(ox)(2)]·4H(2)O (1) and [Cr(phen)(ox)(2)Mn(phen)(H(2)O)(2)][Cr(phen)(ox)(2)]·H(2)O (2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and Me(2)phen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been obtained through the "complex-as-ligand/complex-as-metal" strategy by using Ph(4)P[CrL(ox)(2)]·H(2)O (L = bpy and phen) and [ML'(H(2)O)(4)](NO(3))(2) (M = Co and Mn; L' = phen and Me(2)phen) as precursors. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 consist of bis(oxalato)chromate(III) mononuclear anions, [Cr(III)L(ox)(2)](-), and oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) and chromium(III)-manganese(II) dinuclear cations, [Cr(III)L(ox)(µ-ox)M(II)L'(H(2)O)(2)](+)[M = Co, L = bpy, and L' = Me(2)phen (1); M = Mn and L = L' = phen (2)]. These oxalato-bridged Cr(III)M(II) dinuclear cationic entities of 1 and 2 result from the coordination of a [Cr(III)L(ox)(2)](-) unit through one of its two oxalato groups toward a [M(II)L'(H(2)O)(2)](2+) moiety with either a trans- (M = Co) or a cis-diaqua (M = Mn) configuration. The two distinct Cr(III) ions in 1 and 2 adopt a similar trigonally compressed octahedral geometry, while the high-spin M(II) ions exhibit an axially (M = Co) or trigonally compressed (M = Mn) octahedral geometry in 1 and 2, respectively. Variable temperature (2.0-300 K) magnetic susceptibility and variable-field (0-5.0 T) magnetization measurements for 1 and 2 reveal the presence of weak intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions between the Cr(III) (S(Cr) = 3/2) ion and the high-spin Co(II) (S(Co) = 3/2) or Mn(II) (S(Mn) = 5/2) ions across the oxalato bridge within the Cr(III)M(II) dinuclear cationic entities (M = Co and Mn) [J = +2.2 (1) and +1.2 cm(-1) (2); H = -JS(Cr)·S(M)]. Density functional electronic structure calculations for 1 and 2 support the occurrence of S = 3 Cr(III)Co(II) and S = 4 Cr(III)Mn(II) ground spin states, respectively. A simple molecular orbital analysis of the electron exchange mechanism suggests a subtle competition between individual ferro- and antiferromagnetic contributions through the σ- and/or π-type pathways of the oxalato bridge, mainly involving the d(yz)(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(xz)(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(x(2)-y(2))(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(yz)(Cr)/d(xz)(M), and d(xz)(Cr)/d(yz)(M) pairs of orthogonal magnetic orbitals and the d(x(2)-y(2))(Cr)/d(x(2)-y(2))(M), d(xz)(Cr)/d(xz)(M), and d(yz)(Cr)/d(yz)(M) pairs of nonorthogonal magnetic orbitals, which would be ultimately responsible for the relative magnitude of the overall ferromagnetic coupling in 1 and 2.

Reversible solvatomagnetic switching in a spongelike manganese(II)-copper(II) 3D open framework with a pillared square/octagonal layer architecture.

The concept of "molecular magnetic sponges" was introduced for the first time in 1999 by the creative imagination of the late Olivier Kahn. It refers to the exotic spongelike behavior of certain molecule-based materials that undergo a dramatic change of their magnetic properties upon reversible dehydration/rehydration processes. Here we report a unique example of a manganese(II)-copper(II) mixed-metal-organic framework of formula [Na(H(2)O)(4)](4)[Mn(4){Cu(2)(mpba)(2)(H(2)O)(4)}(3)]·56.5H(2)O (1) (mpba=N,N'-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate)). Compound 1 possesses a 3D Mn(II)(4)Cu(II)(6) pillared layer structure with mixed square and octagonal pores of approximate dimensions 1.2×1.2 nm and 2.1×3.0 nm, respectively, hosting a large amount of crystallization H(2)O molecules and hydrated Na(I) countercations as guests. It reversibly switches from a crystalline hydrated phase with long-range ferromagnetic ordering at a rather high critical temperature (T(c)) of 22.5 K to an amorphous dehydrated phase with T(c) as low as 2.3 K, which is accompanied by a breathing-type dynamic effect involving a large crystal volume (ca. 45%) and color changes after water desorption/adsorption. The combination of both the open-framework structure and the spongelike optical, mechanical, and magnetic switching behavior in this new class of oxamato-based porous magnets offers fascinating possibilities in designing multifunctional materials for host-guest molecular sensing.

Very long-distance magnetic coupling in a dicopper(II) metallacyclophane with extended π-conjugated diphenylethyne bridges.

Self-assembly of the rigid rodlike ligand N,N'-4,4'-diphenylethynebis(oxamate) (dpeba) and Cu(2+) ions affords a novel dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclophane (nBu(4)N)(4)[Cu(2)(dpeba)(2)]·4MeOH·2Et(2)O (1) featuring a very long intermetallic distance (r = 15.0 Å). Magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1 reveal a moderately weak but nonnegligible intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling between the two metal centers across the double para-substituted diphenylethynediamidate bridge (J = -3.9 cm(-1); H = -JS(1)S(2), where S(1) = S(2) = S(Cu) = (1)/(2)). Density functional electronic structure calculations on 1 support the occurrence of a spin polarization mechanism.

Photoswitching of the antiferromagnetic coupling in an oxamato-based dicopper(II) anthracenophane.

Thermally reversible photomagnetic (ON/OFF) switching behavior has been observed in a dinuclear oxamatocopper(II) anthracenophane upon UV light irradiation and heating; the two Cu(II) ions (S(Cu) = 1/2) that are antiferromagnetically coupled in the dicopper(II) metallacyclic precursor (ON state) become uncoupled in the corresponding [4+4] photocycloaddition product (OFF state), as substantiated from both experimental and theoretical studies.

Solid-state dinuclear-to-trinuclear conversion in an oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) complex as a new route toward single-molecule magnets.

A novel bis(oxalato)chromium(III) salt of a ferromagnetically coupled, oxalato-bridged dinuclear chromium(III)-cobalt(II) complex of formula [CrL(ox)(2)CoL'(H(2)O)(2)][CrL(ox)(2)]·4H(2)O (1) has been self-assembled in solution using different aromatic α,α'-diimines as blocking ligands, such as 2,2'-bipyridine (L = bpy) and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (L' = Me(2)phen). Thermal dehydration of 1 leads to an intriguing solid-state reaction between the S = 3/2 Cr(III) anions and the S = 3 Cr(III)Co(II) cations to give a ferromagnetically coupled, oxalato-bridged trinuclear chromium(III)-cobalt(II) complex of formula {[CrL(ox)(2)](2)CoL'} (2). Complex 2 possesses a moderately anisotropic S = 9/2 Cr(III)(2)Co(II) ground state, and it exhibits slow magnetic relaxation behavior at very low temperatures (T(B) < 2.0 K).

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of M(II)Cu(II) chains (M = Mn and Co) with sterically hindered alkyl-substituted phenyloxamate bridging ligands.

A series of neutral oxamato-bridged heterobimetallic chains of general formula [MCu(L(x)2 (S)2] · p S · q H2O [p = 0-1, q = 0-2.5; L1 = N-2,6-dimethylphenyloxamate, S = DMF with M = Mn (1a) and Co (1b); L2 = N-2,6-diethylphenyloxamate, S = DMF with M = Mn (2a) and Co (2b) or S = DMSO with M = Mn (2c) and Co (2 d); L3 = N-2,6-diisopropylphenyloxamate, S = DMF with M = Mn (3a) and Co (3b) or S = DMSO with M = Mn (3c) and Co (3d)] were prepared by treating the corresponding anionic oxamatocopper(II) complexes [Cu(L(x))(2)]2- (x = 1-3) with M(2+) cations (M = Mn and Co) in DMF or DMSO as the solvent. The single-crystal X-ray structures of 2a and 3a reveal the occurrence of well-isolated, zigzag, oxamato-bridged manganese(II)-copper(II) chains. The intrachain Cu···Mn distances across the oxamato bridge are 5.3761(7) and 5.4002(17) Å for 2a and 3a, respectively, whereas the shortest interchain Mn···Mn distances are 9.4475(16) and 8.1649(14) Å for 2a and 3 a, respectively. All of these M(II) Cu(II) chains (M = Mn and Co) exhibit 1D ferrimagnetic behaviour with moderately strong intrachain antiferromagnetic coupling between the square-planar Cu(II) and octahedral high-spin M(II) ions across the oxamato bridge [-J=31.4-35.2 and 33.4-44.8 cm(-1) , respectively; H = ∑(i)-JS(M,i) (S(Cu,i) +S(Cu,i-1))]. Only the Co(II) Cu(II) chains show slow magnetic relaxation effects characteristic of single-chain magnets (SCMs). Analysis of the magnetic relaxation dynamics of 3d shows a thermally activated mechanism (Arrhenius law dependence) with values of the pre-exponential factor (τ(0) = 2.6 × 10(-9) s) and activation energy (E(a) =7.7 cm(-1) ) that are typical of SCMs. In contrast, two relaxation regimes are observed for 2d in different temperature regions (τ(0) = 3.2 × 10(-10) s and E(a) = 24.7 cm(-1) for T < 4.5K and τ(0) = 3.2 × 10(-14) s and E(a) = 37.5 cm(-1) for T>4.5K).