Veronika Hoeke

Environmental Influence on the Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior of [MnIII6CrIII]3+: Molecular Symmetry versus Solid-State Effects

The structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic properties of a series of [Mn(III)(6)Cr(III)](3+) (= [{(talen(t-Bu(2)))Mn(III)(3)}(2){Cr(III)(CN)(6)}](3+)) compounds have been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and electronic absorption spectroscopy, elemental analysis, electro spray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), cyclic voltammetry, AC and DC magnetic measurements, as well as theoretical analysis. The crystal structures obtained with [Cr(III)(CN)(6)](3-) as a counterion exhibit (quasi-)one-dimensional (1D) chains formed by hydrogen-bonded (1) or covalently linked (2) trications and trianions. The rod-shaped anion lactate enforces a rod packing of the [Mn(III)(6)Cr(III)](3+) complexes in the highly symmetric space group R3[overline] (3) with a collinear arrangement of the molecular S(6) axes. Incorporation of the spherical anion BPh(4)(-) leads to less-symmetric crystal structures (4-6) with noncollinear orientations of the [Mn(III)(6)Cr(III)](3+) complexes, as evidenced by the angle between the approximate molecular C(3) axes taking no specific values in the range of 2°-69°. AC magnetic measurements on freshly isolated crystals (1a and 3a-6a), air-dried crystals (3b-6b), and vacuum-dried powder samples (3c-6c) indicate single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior for all samples with U(eff) values up to 28 K. The DC magnetic data are analyzed by a full-matrix diagonalization of the appropriate spin-Hamiltonian including isotropic exchange, zero-field splitting, and Zeeman interaction, taking into account the relative orientation of the D-tensors. Simulations for 3a-6a and 3c-6c indicate a weak antiferromagnetic exchange between the Mn(III) ions in the trinuclear subunits (J(Mn-Mn) = -0.70 to -0.85 cm(-1), Ĥ(ex) = -2∑(i<j )J(ij)Ŝ(i)·Ŝ(j)) that is overcome by the stronger antiferromagnetic interaction via the Cr-C≡N-Mn pathway (J(Cr-Mn) = -3.00 to -5.00 cm(-1)), leading to an overall ferrimagnetic coupling scheme with an S(t) = (21)/(2) spin ground state. The differences in U(eff), J(Mn-Mn), and J(Cr-Mn) for the investigated samples are rationalized in terms of subtle variations in the molecular and crystal structures. In particular, a magnetostructural correlation between the Mn-N(C≡N) bond length and the J(Cr-Mn) exchange coupling is inferred from the magnetic measurements and corroborated by DFT calculations. The results of this detailed study on [Mn(III)(6)Cr(III)](3+) allow the formulation of some key recipes for a rational improvement of the SMM behavior.

Strong and Anisotropic Superexchange in the Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) [MnIII6OsIII]3+: Promoting SMM Behavior through 3d–5d Transition Metal Substitution

The reaction of the in situ generated trinuclear triplesalen complex [(talent-Bu2)MnIII3(solv)n]3+ with (Ph4P)3[OsIII(CN)6] and NaClO4·H2O affords [MnIII6OsIII](ClO4)3 (= [{(talent-Bu2)MnIII3}2{OsIII(CN)6}](ClO4)3) in the presence of the oxidizing agent [(tacn)2NiIII](ClO4)3 (tacn =1,4,7-triazacyclononane), while the reaction of [(talent-Bu2)MnIII3(solv)n]3+ with K4[OsII(CN)6] and NaClO4·H2O yields [MnIII6OsII](ClO4)2 under an argon atmosphere. The molecular structure of [MnIII6OsIII]3+ as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction is closely related to the already published [MnIII6Mc]3+ complexes (Mc = CrIII, FeIII, CoIII, MnIII). The half-wave potential of the OsIII/OsII couple is E1/2 = 0.07 V vs Fc+/Fc. The FT-IR and electronic absorption spectra of [MnIII6OsII]2+ and [MnIII6OsIII]3+ exhibit distinct features of dicationic and tricationic [MnIII6Mc]n+ complexes, respectively. The dc magnetic data (μeff vs T, M vs B, and VTVH) of [MnIII6OsII]2+ are successfully simulated by a full-matrix diagonalization of a spin-Hamiltonian including isotropic exchange, zero-field splitting with full consideration of the relative orientation of the D-tensors, and Zeeman interaction, indicating antiferromagnetic MnIII–MnIII interactions within the trinuclear triplesalen subunits (JMn–Mn(1) = −(0.53 ± 0.01) cm–1, Ĥex = −2∑i<j JijŜi·Ŝj) as well as across the central OsII ion (JMn–Mn(2,cis) = −(0.06 ± 0.01) cm–1, JMn–Mn(2,trans) = −(0.15 ± 0.01) cm–1), while DMn = −(3.9 ± 0.1) cm–1. The μeff vs T data of [MnIII6OsIII]3+ are excellently reproduced assuming an anisotropic Ising-like OsIII–MnIII superexchange with a nonzero component JOs–Mn(aniso) = −(11.0 ± 1.0) cm–1 along the Os–Mn direction, while JMn–Mn = −(0.9 ± 0.1) cm–1 and DMn = −(3.0 ± 1.0) cm–1. Alternating current measurements indicate a slower relaxation of the magnetization in the SMM [MnIII6OsIII]3+ compared to the 3d analogue [MnIII6FeIII]3+ due to the stronger and anisotropic Mc–MnIII exchange interaction.

Hysteresis in the ground and excited spin state up to 10 T of a [MnIII6MnIII]3+ triplesalen single-molecule magnet

We have synthesized the triplesalen-based single-molecule magnet (SMM) [MnIII6MnIII]3+ as a variation of our SMM [MnIII6CrIII](BPh4)3. The use of the rod-shaped anion lactate (lac) was intended to enforce a rod packing and resulted in the crystallization of [MnIII6MnIII](lac)3 in the highly symmetric space group R. This entails a crystallographic S6 symmetry of the [MnIII6MnIII]3+ molecules, which in addition are all aligned with the crystallographic c axis. Moreover, the molecular environment of each [MnIII6MnIII]3+ molecule is highly symmetric. Single-crystals of [MnIII6MnIII](lac)3 exhibit a double hysteresis at 0.3 K with a hysteretic opening not only for the spin ground state up to 1.8 T, but also for an excited state becoming the ground state at ≈ 3.4 T with a hysteretic opening up to 10 T. Ab initio calculations including spin-orbit coupling establish a non-magnetic behavior of the central MnIII low-spin (l.s.) ion at low temperatures, demonstrating that predictions from ligand-field theory are corroborated in the case of MnIII l.s. by ab intio calculations. Simulations of the field- and temperature-dependent magnetization data indicate that [MnIII6MnIII]3+ is in the limit of weak exchange (J ≪ D) with antiferromagnetic interactions in the trinuclear MnIII3 triplesalen subunits resulting in intermediate S* = 2 spins. Slight ferromagnetic interactions between the two trinuclear MnIII3 subunits lead to a ground state in zero-field that is approximately described by a total spin quantum number S = 4. This ground state exhibits only a very small anisotropy barrier due to the misalignment of the local zero-field splitting tensors. At higher magnetic fields of ≈ 3.4 T, the spin configuration changes to an all-up orientation of the local MnIII spins, with the main part of the Zeeman energy needed for the spin-flip being required to overcome the local MnIII anisotropy barriers, while only minor contributions of the Zeeman energy are needed to overcome the antiferromagnetic interactions. These combined theoretical analyses provide a clear picture of the double-hysteretic behavior of the [MnIII6MnIII]3+ single-molecule magnet with hysteretic openings up to 10 T.

Synthesis and Characterization of the Heptanuclear [MnIII 6 CoIII]3+ Triplesalen Complex: Evidence for Exchange Pathways Involving Low-spin CoIII

The reaction of the tert-butyl-substituted triplesalen ligand H6talent-Bu2 with MnII(OAc)2・ 4H2O and K3[CoIII(CN)6] results in the formation of the heptanuclear complex [{(talent-Bu2 )- (MnIII(MeOH))3}2{CoIII(CN)6}](PF6)2(OAc)・11MeOH ([MnIII6 CoIII](PF6)2(OAc)・11MeOH, 1 ・11MeOH), which has been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, ESI-MS, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. The molecular structure of the [MnIII6 CoIII]3+ complex is closely related to the already published analogs [MnIII6CrIII]3+ and [MnIII6 FeIII]3+. Variable-temperature variable-field and μeff vs. T magnetic data have been analyzed in detail by full-matrix diagonalization of the appropriate spin-Hamiltonian consisting of isotropic exchange, zero-field splitting, and Zeeman interaction, taking into account the relative orientation of the D tensors. This allowed a careful inspection of the MnIII-MnIII exchange interaction involving a diamagnetic central metal ion. A satisfactory reproduction of the magnetic data required the incorporation not only of an exchange interaction between the MnIII ions belonging to one triplesalen half unit, but also of an exchange coupling between MnIII ions belonging to different triplesalen subunits. Satisfactory reproduction of the experimental data has been obtained for the parameter set J1 = −(0.50±0.04) cm−1, J2 = +(0.05±0.02) cm−1, and D = −(2.5±0.5) cm−1. A detailed analysis of the J1 coupling taking into account the molecular structures of the three available heptanuclear complexes [MnIII6MIII]3+ (M = Cr, Fe, Co) indicates that the exchange interaction between the MnIII ions belonging to the same triplesalen subunit involves not only an exchange pathway through the central phloroglucinol unit but also an exchange pathway through the central metal ion. Graphical Abstract Synthesis and Characterization of the Heptanuclear [MnIII 6 CoIII]3+ Triplesalen Complex: Evidence for Exchange Pathways Involving Low-spin CoIII

Spin resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of [Mn6IIICrIII]3 + single-molecule magnets and of manganese compounds as reference layers

Properties of the manganese-based single-molecule magnet [Mn(6)(III)Cr(III)](3+) are studied. It contains six Mn(III) ions arranged in two bowl-shaped trinuclear triplesalen building blocks linked by a hexacyanochromate and exhibits a large spin ground state of S(t) = 21/2. The dominant structures in the electron emission spectra of [Mn(6)(III)Cr(III)](3+) resonantly excited at the L(3)-edge are the L(3)M(2, 3)M(2, 3), L(3)M(2, 3)V and L(3)VV Auger emission groups following the decay of the primary p(3/2) core hole state. Significant differences of the Auger spectra from intact and degraded [Mn(6)(III)Cr(III)](3+) show up. First measurements of the electron spin polarization in the L(3)M(2, 3)V and L(3)VV Auger emission peaks from the manganese constituents in [Mn(6)(III)Cr(III)](3+) resonantly excited at the L(3)-edge near 640 eV by circularly polarized synchrotron radiation are reported. In addition spin resolved Auger electron spectra of the reference substances MnO, Mn(2)O(3) and Mn(II)(acetate)(2)·4H(2)O are given. The applicability of spin resolved electron spectroscopy for characterizing magnetic states of constituent atoms compared to magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) is verified: the spin polarization obtained from Mn(II)(acetate)(2)·4H(2)O at room temperature in the paramagnetic state compares to the MCD asymmetry revealed for a star-shaped molecule with a Mn(4)(II)O(6) core at 5 K in an external magnetic field of 5 T.

Preparation of monolayers of [MnIII6CrIII]3+ single-molecule magnets on HOPG, mica and silicon surfaces and characterization by means of non-contact AFM

We report on the characterization of various salts of [MnIII6CrIII]3+ complexes prepared on substrates such as highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), mica, SiO2, and Si3N4. [MnIII6CrIII]3+ is a single-molecule magnet, i.e., a superparamagnetic molecule, with a blocking temperature around 2 K. The three positive charges of [MnIII6CrIII]3+ were electrically neutralized by use of various anions such as tetraphenylborate (BPh4-), lactate (C3H5O3-), or perchlorate (ClO4-). The molecule was prepared on the substrates out of solution using the droplet technique. The main subject of investigation was how the anions and substrates influence the emerging surface topology during and after the preparation. Regarding HOPG and SiO2, flat island-like and hemispheric-shaped structures were created. We observed a strong correlation between the electronic properties of the substrate and the analyzed structures, especially in the case of mica where we observed a gradient in the analyzed structures across the surface.

Crystallographic order and decomposition of [MnIII6CrIII]3+ single-molecule magnets deposited in submonolayers and monolayers on HOPG studied by means of molecular resolved atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin probe force microscopy in UHV

Monolayers and submonolayers of [MnIII6CrIII]3+ single-molecule magnets (SMMs) adsorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) using the droplet technique characterized by non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) as well as by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) show island-like structures with heights resembling the height of the molecule. Furthermore, islands were found which revealed ordered 1D as well as 2D structures with periods close to the width of the SMMs. Along this, islands which show half the heights of intact SMMs were observed which are evidences for a decomposing process of the molecules during the preparation. Finally, models for the structure of the ordered SMM adsorbates are proposed to explain the observations.

The structure of [MnIII6 CrIII]3+ single-molecule magnets deposited in submono-layers and monolayers on surfaces studied by means of molecular resolved atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy in UHV

Single molecule magnets (SMM) deposited in submonolayers and monolayers have been analyzed with respect to their structures by means of non-contact AFM (topographic as well as damping mode) and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy with molecular resolution.

The local magnetic properties of [MnIII6 CrIII]3+ and [FeIII6 CrIII]3+ single-molecule magnets deposited on surfaces studied by spin-polarized photoemission and XMCD with circularly polarized synchrotron radiation

It is demonstrated that local magnetic moments of single molecule magnets (SMM) normally studied by XMCD at very low temperatures and high magnetic fields can be measured by means of spin-resolved electron emission in the paramagnetic phase at room temperature by use of circularly polarized radiation.

The adsorption, stability and properties of Mn6Cr Single-Molecule-Magnets studied by means of nc-AFM, STM, XAS and Spin-resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy

The ionic single-molecule-magnet [MnIII6CrIII]3 with corresponding three counterions has been deposited on different surfaces and studied with respect to its structure and its electronic and magnetic properties. This is the first time that spin polarization of photoelectrons ejected by means of circularly polarized synchrotron radiation has been measured in a single-molecule-magnet.