J. Krzystek

Field‐Induced Hysteresis and Quantum Tunneling of the Magnetization in a Mononuclear Manganese(III) Complex

High-nuclearity complexes of transition-metal ions have been of special interest during the last two decades owing to the possibility of observing slow magnetic relaxation effects at the molecular level. These molecular nanomagnets have potential applications as new high-density magnetic memories and quantum-computing devices in the field of molecular spintronics. The first example of a discrete molecule exhibiting hysteresis and quantum tunneling of the magnetization was the mixed-valent dodecanuclear manganese(III,IV) complex [Mn12O12(CH3CO2)16(H2O)4]. [3] Since then, a plethora of both homoand heterovalent, manganese-based molecular nanomagnets of varying metal oxidation states (i.e., Mn, Mn and/or Mn) have been reported, with nuclearities from up to [Mn84] down to the smaller [Mn III 2] species. [4] However, to our knowledge, there are no examples of mononuclear manganese complexes exhibiting the slow magnetic relaxation effects typical of molecular nanomagnets, referred to as single-ion magnet (SIMs). This is somewhat puzzling, since several SIMs of other highly anisotropic first-row transition metals (i.e., Co and Fe) have been recently reported which has rekindled the debate in the field of singlemolecular magnetism. The six-coordinated octahedral high-spin d Mn ion (S = 2) has an orbitally degenerate Eg ground electronic term that is split by the Jahn–Teller effect into A1g and B1g orbital singlet low-lying states. Owing to the large mixing between them, second-order spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effects are ultimately responsible for the occurrence of a large axial magnetic anisotropy whose sign depends on the ground state, that is, on the nature of the axial tetragonal distortion. For an axially elongated octahedral Mn environment, negative D values are expected that can potentially lead to a large energy barrier for the magnetization reversal between the two lowest MS = 2 states. To provide this type of geometry and obtain manganese(III)-based SIMs, planar tetradentate chelating ligands with strong donor groups are a well-suited choice. Herein, we report a complete study on the synthesis, structural characterization, spectroscopic and magnetic properties, and theoretical calculations of Ph4P[Mn(opbaCl2)(py)2] (1) [H4opbaCl2 = N,N’-3,4-dichloro-o-phenylenebis(oxamic acid), py = pyridine, and Ph4P + = tetraphenylphosphonium cation]. Complex 1 is the first example of a mononuclear manganese(III) complex exhibiting a field-induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior, thus increasing the number of first-row transition-metal-ion SIMs. Complex 1 was obtained as well-formed deep brown cubic prisms by slow evaporation of a methanol/pyridine (1:4 v/v) solution of its tetramethylammonium salt in the presence of an excess of Ph4PCl (see Supporting Information). It crystallizes in the P21/c space group of the monoclinic system (Table S1, Supporting Information). The crystal structure of 1 consists of mononuclear manganese(III) complex anions, [Mn(opbaCl2)(py)2] (Figure 1), which are well separated from each other due to the presence of the bulky tetraphenylphosphonium countercations (Figure S1, Supporting Information). The manganese atom of 1 has a tetragonally elongated octahedral coordination geometry which is typical of the Jahn–Teller distorted d Mn ion. The equatorial plane is formed by two amidate nitrogen and two carboxylate oxygen atoms from the opbaCl2 ligand, while the axial positions are occupied by two pyridine nitrogen atoms (Figure 1a). The planar opbaCl2 ligand adopts a tetradentate coordination

Frequency-domain magnetic resonance spectroscopy of molecular magnetic materials

A brief review is presented of a novel method of high-frequency magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which sweeps the frequency at a fixed magnetic field, including zero field. We describe the main features of this frequency-domain spectrometer which works in the spectral range from 30 GHz to 1.5 THz and at magnetic fields up to 8 T; the temperature can be as low as 0.4 K. The versatility of this technique is demonstrated by means of a number of examples from the field of molecular magnetism.

Magnetic excitations in the spin-1 anisotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain system NiCl(2)-4SC(NH(2))(2).

NiCl(2)-4SC(NH(2))(2) (DTN) is a quantum S=1 chain system with strong easy-pane anisotropy and a new candidate for the Bose-Einstein condensation of the spin degrees of freedom. ESR studies of magnetic excitations in DTN in fields up to 25 T are presented. Based on analysis of the single-magnon excitation mode in the high-field spin-polarized phase and previous experimental results [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 077204 (2006)10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.077204], a revised set of spin-Hamiltonian parameters is obtained. Our results yield D=8.9 K, J(c) = 2.2 K, and J(a,b) = 0.18 K for the anisotropy, intrachain, and interchain exchange interactions, respectively. These values are used to calculate the antiferromagnetic phase boundary, magnetization, and the frequency-field dependence of two-magnon bound-state excitations predicted by theory and observed in DTN for the first time. Excellent quantitative agreement with experimental data is obtained.

Anharmonic modulation for noise reduction in magnetic resonance force microscopy

This article presents a new modulation technique for noise reduction in magnetic resonance force microscopy. Applied fields are modulated at frequencies that are not rational fractions of the cantilever resonant frequency, thus avoiding overtones that contribute to the noise level. An on‐resonance signal is obtained because the nonlinear sample magnetization acts as a frequency mixer of the two modulation frequencies, producing a net force modulation at the cantilever resonant frequency. These techniques are experimentally demonstrated using electron spin resonance in a <15 ng sample of diphenylpicrylhydrazil.

Unsymmetrical FeIIICoII and GaIIICoII Complexes as Chemical Hydrolases: Biomimetic Models for Purple Acid Phosphatases (PAPs)

The design and development of suitable biomimetic catalytic systems capable of mimicking the functional properties of enzymes continues to be a challenge for bioinorganic chemists. In this study, we report on the synthesis, X-ray structures, and physicochemical characterization of the novel isostructural [Fe(III)Co(II)(BPBPMP)(mu-OAc)(2)]ClO(4) (1) and [Ga(III)Co(II)(BPBPMP)(mu-OAc)(2)]ClO(4) (2) complexes with the unsymmetrical dinucleating ligand H(2)BPBPMP (2-bis[{(2-pyridyl-methyl)-aminomethyl}-6-{(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-(2-pyridyl-methyl)}-aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol). The previously reported complex [Fe(III)Zn(II)(BPBPMP)(mu-OAc)(2)]ClO(4) (3) was investigated here by electron paramagnetic resonance for comparison with such studies on 1 and 2. A magneto-structural correlation between the exchange parameter J (cm(-1)) and the average bond lengh d (A) of the [Fe(III)-O-M(II)] structural unit for 1 and for related isostructural Fe(III)M(II) complexes using the correlation J = -10(7) exp(-6.8d) reveals that this parameter is the major factor that determines the degree of antiferromagnetic coupling in the series [(BPBPMP)Fe(III)(mu-OAc)(2)M(II)](+) (M(II) = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) of complexes. Potentiometric and spectrophotometric titrations along with electronic absorption studies show that, in aqueous solution, complexes 1 and 2 generate the [(HO)M(III)(mu-OH)Co(II)(H(2)O)] complex as the catalytically active species in diester hydrolysis reactions. Kinetic studies on the hydrolysis of the model substrate bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate by 1 and 2 show Michaelis-Menten behavior, with 2 being 35% more active than 1. In combination with k(H)/k(D) isotope effects, the kinetic studies suggest a mechanism in which a terminal M(III)-bound hydroxide is the hydrolysis-initiating nucleophilic catalyst. In addition, the complexes show maximum catalytic activity in DNA hydrolysis near physiological pH. The modest reactivity difference between 1 and 2 is consistent with the slightly increased nucleophilic character of the Ga(III)-OH terminal group in comparison to Fe(III)-OH in the dinuclear M(III)Co(II) species.

Diradical intermediate within the context of tryptophan tryptophylquinone biosynthesis

Despite the importance of tryptophan (Trp) radicals in biology, very few radicals have been trapped and characterized in a physiologically meaningful context. Here we demonstrate that the diheme enzyme MauG uses Trp radical chemistry to catalyze formation of a Trp-derived tryptophan tryptophylquinone cofactor on its substrate protein, premethylamine dehydrogenase. The unusual six-electron oxidation that results in tryptophan tryptophylquinone formation occurs in three discrete two-electron catalytic steps. Here the exact order of these oxidation steps in the processive six-electron biosynthetic reaction is determined, and reaction intermediates are structurally characterized. The intermediates observed in crystal structures are also verified in solution using mass spectrometry. Furthermore, an unprecedented Trp-derived diradical species on premethylamine dehydrogenase, which is an intermediate in the first two-electron step, is characterized using high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and UV-visible absorbance spectroscopy. This work defines a unique mechanism for radical-mediated catalysis of a protein substrate, and has broad implications in the areas of applied biocatalysis and understanding of oxidative protein modification during oxidative stress.

Reactivity Studies of a Masked Three-Coordinate Vanadium(II) Complex†

Dedicated to Professor Herbert W. RoeskyThe ability of vanadium to exist in various oxidation statesrenders this ion ideal for multielectron reactions, and there-fore, a suitable metal for incorporation into novel ligandframeworks. An archetypal example of a low-valent vana-dium species is vanadocene, [V(Cp)

Hydrogen Bonding of Tryptophan Radicals Revealed by EPR at 700 GHz

Redox-active tryptophans are important in biological electron transfer and redox biochemistry. Proteins can tune the electron transfer kinetics and redox potentials of tryptophan via control of the protonation state and the hydrogen-bond strength. We examine the local environment of two neutral tryptophan radicals (Trp108 on the solvent-exposed surface and Trp48 buried in the hydrophobic core) in two azurin variants. Ultrahigh-field EPR spectroscopy at 700 GHz and 25 T allowed complete resolution of all of the principal components of the g tensors of the two radicals and revealed significant differences in the g tensor anisotropies. The spectra together with (2)H ENDOR spectra and supporting DFT calculations show that the g tensor anisotropy is directly diagnostic of the presence or absence as well as the strength of a hydrogen bond to the indole nitrogen. The approach is a powerful one for identifying and characterizing hydrogen bonds that are critical in the regulation of tryptophan-assisted electron transfer and tryptophan-mediated redox chemistry in proteins.

Fabry-Pérot resonator for high-field multi-frequency ESR at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths

The design and performance of a Fabry-Perot (FP) resonator for high-field multi-frequency electron spin resonance (ESR) at microwave frequencies from 110 GHz to 330 GHz and corresponding Zeeman fields between 3.9 T and 12 T (at g = 2) is described. The tunable semiconfocal FP arrangement includes an inductive copper mesh that can be mechanically adjusted to obtain best performance in the entire temperature range from room temperature to 4 K. Sensitivity improvements (as compared to transmission mode experiments without a resonator) of about two orders of magnitude are obtained at 330 GHz. The potential of the configuration for investigating spin systems of low concentration with millimetre and submillimetre ESR is demonstrated on three examples.

Long-Range Ferromagnetic Dipolar Ordering of High-Spin Molecular Clusters

We report the first example of a transition to long-range magnetic order in a purely dipolarly interacting molecular magnet. For the magnetic cluster compound Mn6O4Br4(Et2dbm)6, the anisotropy experienced by the total spin S = 12 of each cluster is so small that spin-lattice relaxation remains fast down to the lowest temperatures, thus enabling dipolar order to occur within experimental times at T(c) = 0.16 K. In high magnetic fields, the relaxation rate becomes drastically reduced and the interplay between nuclear- and electron-spin lattice relaxation is revealed.