Marcin Kozieł

Tuning of Charge Transfer Assisted Phase Transition and Slow Magnetic Relaxation Functionalities in {Fe9–xCox[W(CN)8]6} (x = 0–9) Molecular Solid Solution

Precisely controlled stoichiometric mixtures of Co(2+) and Fe(2+) metal ions were combined with the [W(V)(CN)8](3-) metalloligand in a methanolic solution to produce a series of trimetallic cyanido-bridged {Fe(9-x)Co(x)[W(CN)8]6(MeOH)24}·12MeOH (x = 0, 1, ..., 8, 9; compounds 0, 1, ..., 8, 9) clusters. All the compounds, 0-9, are isostructural, and consist of pentadecanuclear clusters of a six-capped body-centered cube topology, capped by methanol molecules which are coordinated to 3d metal centers. Thus, they can be considered as a unique type of a cluster-based molecular solid solution in which different Co/Fe metal ratios can be introduced while preserving the coordination skeleton and the overall molecular architecture. Depending on the Co/Fe ratio, 0-9 exhibit an unprecedented tuning of magnetic functionalities which relate to charge transfer assisted phase transition effects and slow magnetic relaxation effects. The iron rich 0-5 phases exhibit thermally induced reversible structural phase transitions in the 180-220 K range with the critical temperatures being linearly dependent on the value of x. The phase transition in 0 is accompanied by (HS)Fe(II) W(V) ↔ (HS)Fe(III) W(IV) charge transfer (CT) and the additional minor contribution of a Fe-based spin crossover (SCO) effect. The Co-containing 1-5 phases reveal two simultaneous electron transfer processes which explore (HS)Fe(II) W(V) ↔ (HS)Fe(III) W(IV) CT and the more complex (HS)Co(II) W(V) ↔ (LS)Co(III) W(IV) charge transfer induced spin transition (CTIST). Detailed structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic studies help explain the specific role of both types of CN(-)-bridged moieties: the Fe-NC-W linkages activate the molecular network toward a phase transition, while the subsequent Co-W CTIST enhances structural changes and enlarges thermal hysteresis of the magnetic susceptibility. On the second side of the 0-9 series, the vanishing phase transition in the cobalt rich 6-9 phases results in the high-spin ground state, and in the occurrence of a slow magnetic relaxation process at low temperatures. The energy barrier of the magnetic relaxation gradually increases with the increasing value of x, reaching up to ΔE/kB = 22.3(3) K for compound 9.

Series of MI[Co(bpy)3][Mo(CN)8]·nH2O (MI = Li (1), K (2), Rb (3), Cs (4); n = 7−8) Exhibiting Reversible Diamagnetic to Paramagnetic Transition Coupled with Dehydration−Rehydration Process

In this paper we report the synthesis and the structural and magnetic properties of the series of ionic compounds with general formula: M(I)[Co(bpy)(3)][Mo(CN)(8)] x nH(2)O (M(I) = Li, n = 8 (1), M(I) = K, n = 8 (2), M(I) = Rb, n = 8 (3), M(I) = Cs, n = 7.5 (4)). Solids 1-4 are characterized by the optical outer-sphere metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) transition from Mo(IV) center to Co(III) center in the visible region and the Co(III)Mo(IV) <==> Co(II)Mo(V) spin equilibrium strongly dominated by the Co(III)Mo(IV) form. We show a gentle thermal treatment of diamagnetic compounds 1-4 leading to the dehydrated forms 1a-4a, which reveal a significant increase of paramagnetic contribution (from 0.5 to 2% to 30-40%). The rehydration allows to recover the diamagnetic phases 1b-4b of compositions and properties similar to those of 1-4. The irradiation of the dehydrated form 2a within the MMCT band in the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) cavity at T = 10 K causes further increase of the Co(II)Mo(V) contribution giving the metastable phase annealed back to the 2a phase after heating above T = 290 K. The IR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectroscopic data along with the magnetic data are interpreted in terms of strong modification of the Co(III)Mo(IV) <==> Co(II)Mo(V) equilibrium occurring in these systems.

Larger pores and higher Tc: {[Ni(cyclam)]3[W(CN)8]2·solv}n – a new member of the largest family of pseudo-polymorphic isomers among octacyanometallate-based assemblies

A new crystalline pseudo-polymorphic form of the 2D microporous honeycomb-like magnetic network {[Ni(cyclam)]3[W(CN)8]2·solv}n was obtained from the reaction between methanol-soluble {Ni[Ni(MeOH)3]8[W(CN)8]6} clusters and the [Ni(cyclam)]2+ complex in an acetonitrile-rich solvent mixture. In comparison to the three earlier characterised pseudo-polymorphs, which all crystallised in the triclinic space group P, the new form shows higher symmetry of C2/m, greater porosity of ca. 40% solvent accessible volume, and the highest magnetic ordering temperature of 12 K. It undergoes an irreversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation to the hexadecahydrate form that is stable in air at ambient temperature. A new synthetic pathway leading directly to methanol solvate of the same network, which was previously obtained by sorption of MeOH into the anhydrous form, is also reported.

Lidocaine barbiturate: a promising material for second harmonic generation

Lidocaine barbiturate is a novel organic, mechanically and optically stable non-linear optical material, which shows effects higher than that of KDP. The engineered material, which belongs to the group of organic salts containing polarizable components, was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, optical properties measurements and calculations.

Reversible Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformation in Photomagnetic Cyanido-Bridged Cd4M2 Octahedral Molecules

Two new hexanuclear octahedral cyanido-bridged clusters, {[CdII(bpy)2]4[WIV(CN)8]2}·10H2O (Cd4W2) and {[CdII(bpy)2]4[MoIV(CN)8]2}·10H2O (Cd4Mo2), have been obtained and characterized structurally and photomagnetically. Both compounds show a very rare and reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation upon dehydration accompanied by marked color changes in the case of Cd4W2. Moreover, irradiation of Cd4Mo2 using 436 nm light induces a reversible photomagnetic effect due to the LIESST-like singlet-triplet transition at the MoIV center. Analogous photomagnetic experiments for Cd4W2 did not lead to any significant change of its magnetic moment.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of novel inorganic-organic hybrid ferromagnetic Cu-pyz-[M(CN)8]3- assemblies.

We present a unique interpretation of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) spectra at Cu:K, W:L(3), and Mo:K edges of structurally related magnetic Cu(II)-[M(V)(CN)(8)](3-) compounds. The approach results in description of the structure of novel three-dimensional (3-D) Cu(II)(3)(pyz)[M(V)(CN)(8)](2)·xH(2)O, M = W (1), Mo, (2) polymers. Assemblies 1 and 2 represent hybrid inorganic-organic compounds built of {Cu(II)[W(V)(CN)(8)](-)}(n) double-layers linked by cyanido-bridged {Cu(II)-(μ-pyz)(2+)}(n) chains. These Cu(II)-M(V) systems reveal long-range magnetic ordering with T(c) of 43 and 37 K for 1 and 2, respectively. The presence of the 3-D coordination networks and 8 cyanido-bridges at M(V) centers leads to the highest Curie temperatures and widest hysteresis loops among Cu(II)-[M(V)(CN)(8)](3-) systems.

Physicochemical characterization of mineral deposits in human ligamenta flava

The aim of our study was the detailed characterization of calcium deposits in ligamenta flava. The use of microcomputed tomography allowed extending the routine medical investigations to characterize mineral grains in the microscopic scale. A possible connection between spinal stenosis and ligament mineralization was investigated. The studies were carried out on 24 surgically removed ligamentum flavum samples divided into control and stenosis groups. Physicochemical characterization of the inorganic material was performed using X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The minerals were present in 14 of 24 ligament samples, both in stenosis and control groups. The inorganic substance constitutes on average ~0.1% of the sample volume. The minerals are scattered in the soft tissue matrix without any regular pattern. It was confirmed that minerals possess an internal structure and consist of the organic material and small inorganic grains mixture. The physicochemical analyses show that the predominant crystalline phase was hydroxyapatite (HAP). In the stenosis group calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate (CPPD) was identified. Both structures were never present in a single sample. Two different crystal structures suggest two independent processes of mineralization. The formation of CPPD may be treated as a more intense process since CPPD minerals are characterized by bigger values of the structural parameters and higher density than HAP deposits. The formation of HAP minerals is a soft tissue degeneration process that begins, in some cases, at early age or may not occur at all. Various density and volume of mineral grains indicate that the mineralization process does not occur in a constant environment and proceeds with various speeds. The formation of minerals in ligamenta flava is not directly associated with diagnosed spinal canal stenosis.

Dehydration-Triggered Charge Transfer and High Proton Conductivity in (H3O)[NiIII(cyclam)][MII(CN)6] (M = Ru, Os) Cyanide-Bridged Chains

The coexistence of dehydration-driven charge transfer, magnetic interactions, and high proton conductivity was found in two bimetallic alternating CN-bridged chains {(H3O)[NiIII(cyclam)][MII(CN)6]·5H2O} n (M = Ru (1), Os (2); cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane). Dehydration of these materials causes structural transformation and triggers charge transfer between the metal centers: NiIII-NC-MII → NiII-NC-MIII. The CT process, whose extent is tuned by the change of the anionic building block, causes significant increase of magnetic moment, appearance of antiferromagnetic interactions, and noticeable changes in color. The high conductivity values of σ = 1.09 × 10-3 (1) and 1.12 × 10-3 S cm-1 (2) at 295 K and 100% relative humidity allow the classification of the materials as superionic conductors. The proton conduction occurs according to the Grotthuss mechanism as a hopping of protons between H-bonded water molecules due to the presence of the H3O+ ions, which compensate negative charge of the coordination chains.

Frontispiece: Tuning of High Spin Ground State and Slow Magnetic Relaxation within Trimetallic Cyanide-Bridged {NiII x CoII 9−x [WV(CN)8]6} and {MnII x CoII 9−x [WV(CN)8]6} Clusters

Two series of trimetallic {NiII x CoII 9-x [WV (CN)8 ]6 } (NiCoW) and {MnII x CoII 9-x [WV (CN)8 ]6 } (MnCoW) (x=1-8) crystalline solid-solutions were constructed and systematically studied by SEM EDX, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC XRD), and magnetic measurements. The atomic Ni:Co:W and Mn:Co:W ratios in the solid state follow the stoichiometric concentration in the mother MeOH solutions fairly well. The structural studies revealed a definite strong tendency of smaller 3d ions to locate in the central [M(μ-NC)6 ] moiety of the skeleton: NiII over the CoII and CoII over MnII . In contrast, the external fac-[M(μ-NC)3 (MeOH)3 ] are consecutively occupied by the mixture of 3d metal ions, accessible according to the stoichiometry of the mother solutions. The DC magnetic χT(T) and M(H) curves illustrate the continuous tendency of change with x along both series, nicely reproducing the changes of the theoretical high spin in the ground state Sgr , assuming the ferromagnetic HS CoII -NC-WV and antiferromagnetic MnII -NC-WV interactions established by numerous literature reports. The AC magnetic measurements indicate the occurrence of slow magnetic relaxation, with the highest energy barrier ΔE/kB of 26 K for the Ni6 Co3 W6 congener and of 17 K for the Mn6 Co3 W6 congener, and relatively large values of distribution parameter α. The values of ΔE are correlated with possible anisotropy of distribution of fac-[CoII (μ-NC)3 (MeOH)3 ] moieties at the external corners of the cube substructure.