Hydrothermal synthesis, X-ray structure and complex magnetic behaviour of Ba4(C2O4)Cl2[[Fe(C2O4)(OH)]4]

Metal-Organic Framework Magnets

Metal-organic frameworks represent the ultimate chemical platform on which to develop a new generation of designer magnets. In contrast to the inorganic solids that have dominated permanent magnet technology for decades, metal-organic frameworks offer numerous advantages, most notably the nearly infinite chemical space through which to synthesize predesigned and tunable structures with controllable properties. Moreover, the presence of a rigid, crystalline structure based on organic linkers enables the potential for permanent porosity and postsynthetic chemical modification of the inorganic and organic components. Despite these attributes, the realization of metal-organic magnets with high ordering temperatures represents a formidable challenge, owing largely to the typically weak magnetic exchange coupling mediated through organic linkers. Nevertheless, recent years have seen a number of exciting advances involving frameworks based on a wide range of metal ions and organic linkers. This review provides a survey of structurally characterized metal-organic frameworks that have been shown to exhibit magnetic order. Section 1 outlines the need for new magnets and the potential role of metal-organic frameworks toward that end, and it briefly introduces the classes of magnets and the experimental methods used to characterize them. Section 2 describes early milestones and key advances in metal-organic magnet research that laid the foundation for structurally characterized metal-organic framework magnets. Sections 3 and 4 then outline the literature of metal-organic framework magnets based on diamagnetic and radical organic linkers, respectively. Finally, Section 5 concludes with some potential strategies for increasing the ordering temperatures of metal-organic framework magnets while maintaining structural integrity and additional function.

Poly[[tri-μ(3)-hydroxido-tris-(μ(4)-pyridine-2,5-dicarboxyl-ato)trineodymium(III)] monohydrate]

In the title compound, {[Nd(3)(C(7)H(3)NO(4))(3)(OH)(3)]·H(2)O}(n), the Nd(III) atom is eight-coordinated by the three O atoms of three asymmetrically μ(3)-bridging hydroxide groups, by four carboxyl-ate O atoms of four different pyridine-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate (2,5-pydc) ligands, and by the N atom of a 2,5-pydc ligand. Six Nd atoms are connected by six hydroxide groups, forming an [Nd(6)(μ(3)-OH)(6)] cluster unit of symmetry -3 and a slightly compressed octa-hedral geometry. Adjacent [Nd(6)(μ(3)-OH)(6)] clusters are connected by the 2,5-pydc ligands, via O and N atoms, forming chains along the c axis. The remaining O atoms of the 2,5-pydc ligands link these chains into a three-dimensional framework. A disordered water molecule, located on a threefold rotation axis at the opposite side of the [Nd(6)(μ(3)-OH)(6)] cluster and exposed to each of the three Nd atoms, completes the structure.

Domain-wall spin dynamics in kagome antiferromagnets

We report magnetization and neutron scattering measurements down to 60 mK on a new family of Fe based kagome antiferromagnets, in which a strong local spin anisotropy combined with a low exchange path network connectivity lead to domain walls intersecting the kagome planes through strings of free spins. These produce unfamiliar slow spin dynamics in the ordered phase, evolving from exchange-released spin flips towards a cooperative behavior on decreasing the temperature, probably due to the onset of long-range dipolar interaction. A domain structure of independent magnetic grains is obtained that could be generic to other frustrated magnets.

Synchrotron X-ray charge-density study of coordination polymer [Mn(HCOO)2(H2O)2]infinity

Three high-quality single-crystal X-ray diffraction data sets have been measured under very different conditions on a structurally simple, but magnetically complex, coordination polymer, [Mn(HCOO)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](infinity) (1). The first data set is a conventional 100(2) K Mo(Kalpha) data set, the second is a very high resolution 100(2) K data set measured on a second-generation synchrotron source, while the third data set was measured with a tiny crystal on a high brilliance third-generation synchrotron source at 16(2) K. Furthermore, the magnetic susceptibility (chi) and the heat capacity (C(p)) have been measured from 2 to 300 K on pressed powder. The charge density of 1 was determined from multipole modeling of the experimental structure factors, and overall there is good agreement between the densities obtained separately from the three data sets. When considering the fine density features, the two 100 K data sets agree well with each other, but show small differences to the 16 K data set. Comparison with ab initio theory suggests that the 16 K APS data set provides the most accurate density. Topological analysis of the metal-ligand bonding, experimental 3d orbital populations on the Mn atoms, and Bader atomic charges indicate quite ionic, high-spin metal atoms. This picture is supported by the effective moment estimated from the magnetization measurements (5.840(2) mu(B)), but it is at variance with earlier spin density measurements from polarized neutron diffraction. The magnetic ordering originates from superexchange involving covalent interactions with the ligands, and non-ionic effects are observed in the static deformation density maps as well as in plots of the valence shell charge concentrations. Overall, the present study provides a benchmark charge density that can be used in comparison with future metal formate dihydrate charge densities.

New Lanthanide Hybrid as Clustered Infinite Nanotunnel with 3D Ln−O−Ln Framework and (3,4)-Connected Net

A series of new lanthanide hybrids [Ln3(mu-OH)4 (2,5-pydc)(2,5-Hpydc)3(H2O)4]n (Ln = Gd (1), Dy (2), Er (3), Eu (4), Sm (5), Yb (6), Y (7); 2,5-pydc=pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylate), as clustered lanthanide oxide ring tunnels with helical dodecahedral chains and fully 3D Ln-O-Ln connectivity, has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. The inorganic skeleton of the hybrid can be specified by the Schläfli symbol (6210)2 (64102) as a single 3D (3,4)-connected net. The luminescence properties have been studied, and the results showed that the Dy(III) (2) and Eu(III) (4) complexes exhibited sensitized luminescence in the visible region. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1-6 showed that the complexes 1-3 are nearly paramagnets, whereas the depopulation of the Stark levels in complexes 4-6 leads to a continuous decrease in mu(eff) when the sample is cooled from 300 to 2 K.

Old materials with new tricks: multifunctional open-framework materials

The literature on open-framework materials has shown numerous examples of porous solids with additional structural, chemical, or physical properties. These materials show promise for applications ranging from sensing, catalysis and separation to multifunctional materials. This critical review provides an up-to-date survey to this new generation of multifunctional open-framework solids. For this, a detailed revision of the different examples so far reported will be presented, classified into five different sections: magnetic, chiral, conducting, optical, and labile open-frameworks for sensing applications. (413 references.)

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of a pseudo-cubic close-packed array of oxalate linked {FeII6(μ3-OH)6}6+clusters

The ionic hexanuclear cluster aggregate [FeII6(mu3-OH)6]6+ has been synthesised using hydrothermal conditions starting from ferrous oxalate in the presence of barium and bromide or iodide ions. A single crystal X-ray structure on the compound Ba4[FeII6(mu3-OH)6(C2O4)6]Br2.6H2O shows that the [FeII6(mu3-OH)6]6+ units are held together by bridging oxalates in a pseudo-cubic close-packed array. The barium ions in conjunction with oxalate groups provide a barrel-shaped cage between the FeII6 aggregates containing the bromide counterions and lattice waters and corresponding to an 'octahedral hole' in the pseudo-cubic close-packed structure. A magnetic susceptibility study shows that the FeII centres are antiferromagnetically coupled. Below 10 K the system displays a long range antiferromagnetic ordering mediated by the oxalate bridges and a molecular-based description of the magnetism is no longer valid.

The building block approach to extended solids: 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylate coordination compounds of increasing dimensionality

A series of M(II) complexes with the ligand 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid (H3dcp) has been synthesised mainly via hydrothermal reactions and their structures have been characterised. Simple mononuclear [Ni(Hdcp)(H2O)4] (1), Na2(mu-H2O)2(H2O)8[Ni(Hdcp)2(H2O)2] (2), [M(H2dcp)2(H2O)2] x 2H2O [M = Co (3), Zn (4) and Cu (5)] and dinuclear (Et3NH)2[Cu2(dcp)2(H2O)2] (9) building blocks have been isolated and subsequently linked into 1-D chains [Mn(Hdcp)(H2O)2]infinity (6), [[Mn(H2O)4][Mn(Hdcp)2(H2O)2] x 4H2O]infinity (7), [Ni2(Hdcp)2(mu-H2O)2(H2O)2]infinity (8), [[Ni(H2O)4][Ni2(dcp)2(H2O)4]]infinity (11), or 3-D arrays [[Na2(mu-H2O)2][Cu2(dcp)2]]infinity (10), [Cu3(dcp)2(H2O)4]infinity (12), utilising novel bridging modes of the H3dcp ligand. In the unprecedented 1-D Ni(II) chain 8, rarely reported double aqua-bridges link the Ni(II) ions to form an inter-linked double stranded chain. The magnetic properties of these compounds have been measured and reveal a variety of antiferromagnetic coupling behaviours induced by the ligand bridging modes.

A nanoporous molecular magnet with reversible solvent-induced mechanical and magnetic properties

Interest in metal-organic open-framework structures has increased enormously in the past few years because of the potential benefits of using crystal engineering techniques to yield nanoporous materials with predictable structures and interesting properties. Here we report a new efficient methodology for the preparation of metal-organic open-framework magnetic structures based on the use of a persistent organic free radical (PTMTC), functionalized with three carboxylic groups. Using this approach, we create an open-framework structure Cu3(PTMTC)2(py)6(CH3CH2OH)2(H2O), which we call MOROF-1, combining very large pores (2.8-3.1 nm) with bulk magnetic ordering. MOROF-1 shows a reversible and highly selective solvent-induced 'shrinking-breathing' process involving large volume changes (25-35%) that strongly influence the magnetic properties of the material. This magnetic sponge-like behaviour could be the first stage of a new route towards magnetic solvent sensors.