Paramagnetic resonance, magnetic susceptibility, and antiferromagnetic exchange in a Cr5+ paramagnet: Potassium perchromate (K3CrO8)

Elucidating the mechanism of multiferroicity in (NH4)3Cr(O2)4 and its tailoring by alkali metal substitution

The antiferromagnetic Cr(V) peroxychromates, M(3)Cr(O(2))(4), M = K, Rb, and Cs, become ferroelectric when mixed with NH(4)(+), but the underlying mechanism is not understood. Our dielectric relaxation, Raman scattering, and high-frequency EPR measurements on the M(3-x)(NH(4))(x)Cr(O(2))(4) family clarify this mechanism. At 295 K, (NH(4))(3)Cr(O(2))(4) is tetragonal (I42m), with the NH(4)(+) ions occupying two distinctly different sites, N1 and N2. A ferroelectric transition at T(c1) = 250 K is revealed by λ-type anomalies in C(p) and dielectric constant, and lowering of symmetry to Cmc2(1). Below T(c1), the N1 sites lose their tetrahedral symmetry and thus polarization develops. Raman detection of translational modes involving the NH(4)(+) ions around 193 cm(-1) supports this model. EPR around T(c1) revealed that the [Cr(O(2))(4)](3-) ions reorient by about 10°. A minor peak at T(c2) ≈ 207 K is attributed to a short-range ordering that culminates in a long-range, structural order at T(c3) ≈ 137 K. At T(c3), the symmetry is lowered to P1 with significant changes in the cell parameters. Rb(+) and Cs(+) substitutions that block the N1 and N2 sites selectively show that T(c1) is related to the torsional motion of the N1 site, while T(c2) and T(c3) are governed by the motional slowing down of the N2 site. These data show that the multiferroic behavior of this family is governed by the rotational and translational dynamics of the NH(4)(+) ions and is tunable by their controlled substitutions. Relevance to other classes of possible multiferroics is pointed out.

Theory of EPR lineshape in samples concentrated in paramagnetic spins: effect of enhanced internal magnetic field on high-field high-frequency (HFHF) EPR lineshape

A theoretical treatment is provided for the calculation of EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) lineshape as affected by interactions with paramagnetic ions in the vicinity. The internal fields seen by the various paramagnetic ions due to interactions with paramagnetic ions in their vicinity, as well as the resulting lineshapes, become quite significant at high magnetic fields required in high-frequency (HFHF) EPR. The resulting EPR signals for the various ions are therefore characterized by different g-shifts and lineshapes, so that the overall EPR lineshape, which is an overlap of these, becomes distorted, or even split in HFHF EPR, from that observed at lower frequencies. The observed EPR lineshapes in MnSO(4)⋅H(2)O powder and K(3)CrO(8) single-crystal samples have been simulated here taking into account g-shifts and modified lineshapes. These simulations show that in these samples, concentrated in paramagnetic spins, the position and lineshapes of EPR signals are significantly modified in HFHF EPR involving very high magnetic fields.

Ba4KFe3O9: a novel ferrite containing discrete 6-membered rings of corner-sharing FeO4 tetrahedra

Single crystals of a new iron-containing oxide, Ba(4)KFe(3)O(9), were grown from a hydroxide melt, and the crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This ferrite represents the first complex oxide containing isolated 6-membered rings of corner-sharing FeO(4) tetrahedra. Mössbauer measurements are indicative of two tetrahedral high-spin Fe(3+) coordination environments. The observed magnetic moment (~3.9 μ(B)) at 400 K is significantly lower than the calculated spin-only (~5.2 μ(B)) value, indicating the presence of strong antiferromagnetic interactions in the oxide. Our density functional theory calculations confirm the strong antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent Fe(3+) sites within each 6-membered ring and estimate the nearest-neighbor spin-exchange integral as ~200 K; next-nearest-neighbor interactions are shown to be negligible. The lower than expected effective magnetic moment for Ba(4)KFe(3)O(9) calculated from χT data is explained as resulting from the occupation of lower-lying magnetic states in which more spins are paired. X-band (9.5 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of a powder sample consist of a single line at g ~ 2.01 that is characteristic of Fe(3+) ions in a tetrahedral environment, thus confirming the Mössbauer results. Further analysis of the EPR line shape reveals the presence of two types of Fe(6) magnetic species with an intensity ratio of ~1:9. Both species have Lorentzian line shapes and indistinguishable g factors but differ in their peak-to-peak line widths (δB(pp)). The line-width ratio δB(pp)(major)/δB(pp)(minor) ~ 3.6 correlates well with the ratio of the Weiss constants, θ(minor)/θ(major) ~ 4.

M(3-x)(NH4)(x)CrO8 (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs): a new family of Cr5+-based magnetic ferroelectrics

Upon consideration of the hydrogen-bonding properties of the NH(4)(+) cation, we synthesized a new class of compounds, M(3-x)(NH(4))(x)CrO(8) (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs). These magnetic compounds with the simple 3d(1) ground state become ferroelectric. X-ray studies confirmed that the phase transition involves a symmetry change from I42m to Cmc2(1) to P1. The transition temperature depends linearly on the composition variable x. The transitions are of the order-disorder type, with N-H···O bonding playing the central role in the mechanism. Extension of this idea to the introduction of ferroelectricity in several other classes of materials is suggested.

Review of chromium (VI) apoptosis, cell-cycle-arrest, and carcinogenesis

Hexavalent chromium combines with glutathione in chloride intracellular channel carrier to form tetravalent and pentavalent chromium in plasma and organelle membranes. It also combines with NADH/NADPH to form pentavalent chromium in mitochondria. Tetravalent- and pentavalent- chromium (directly and indirectly) mediated DNA double strand breaks activate DNA damage signaling sensors: DNA-dependent-protein-kinase signals p53-dependent intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis, and ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated and ataxia-telangiectasia-Rad3-related signal cell-arrest for DNA repair. Tetravalent chromium may be the most potent species since it causes DNA breaks and somatic recombination, but not apoptosis. Upon further failure of apoptosis and senescence/DNA-repair, damaged cells may become immortal with loss-of-heterozygosity and genetic plasticity.

Catalytic aerobic oxidation by a trianionic pincer Cr(III)/Cr(V) couple

Aerobic oxidation that incorporates both O atoms into a substrate (PPh(3)) is achieved by employing a Cr(III)/Cr(V)[triple bond]O catalytic couple. A terphenyl trianionic pincer ligand stabilizes a high oxidation state Cr(V)[triple bond]O complex, and both the reduced (Cr(III), IR/X-ray) and oxidized (Cr(V)[triple bond]O, electron paramagnetic resonance/IR/X-ray) participants in the catalytic cycle are characterized.

Thermomagnetic properties of the Finland trityl radical

The Finland trityl paramagnet is characterized by magnetic susceptibility and a new form of quantitative electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) that utilizes a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) as a detection method. This radical is of interest due to its use as a dynamic nuclear polarization agent as well as a potential magnetic refrigerant and quantum computing bit. The SQUID-EPR data show that the EPR linewidth of a concentrated trityl powder decreases dramatically from 4.4 to 1.4 mT as the temperature is increased from 1.8 to 10 K. The quantitative nature of SQUID-EPR is used to thermodynamically quantify the EPR energy transfer times and saturated fractions. At 95 GHz and 1.8 K, only 40% of the spins are in resonance at the onset of saturation. Conventional dc magnetic susceptibility over 1.8-150 K indicates an S=12 Curie-Weiss relationship with little long range interaction. Magnetization versus applied field at 1.8 and 4 K fits a Brillouin function with >80% electronic polarization at a normalized field of gmu(B)mu(0)HkT approximately 3. These results provide information required for theoretical modeling and engineering of the trityl radical for a wide range of applications.

Coherent manipulation of electron spins up to ambient temperatures in Cr5+ (S = 1/2) doped K3NbO8

We report coherent spin manipulation on Cr(5+) (S = 1/2, I = 0) doped K(3)NbO(8), which constitutes a dilute two-level model relevant for use as a spin qubit. Rabi oscillations are observed for the first time in a spin system based on transition metal oxides up to room temperature. At liquid helium temperature the phase coherence relaxation time T2 reaches approximately 10 micros and, with a Rabi frequency of 20 MHz, yields a single-qubit figure of merit Q(M) of about 500. This shows that a diluted ensemble of Cr(5+) (S = 1/2) doped K(3)NbO(8) is a potential candidate for solid-state quantum information processing.

Better Understanding of the Species with the Shortest Re26+ Bonds and Related Re27+ Species with Tetraguanidinate Paddlewheel Structures

A series of compounds has been made containing quadruply bonded Re2(hpp)4X2 species (hpp = the anion of 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2a]pyrimidine), where X is CF3SO3 (1), CF3CO2 (2), and F (3). The distances of 2.1562(7), 2.1711(5), and 2.1959(4) A for 1-3 show significant effects of the sigma and pi electron donating ability of the axial ligands on the metal-metal distance. With the weakly coordinating triflate ligand the Re-Re distance is the shortest for any quadruple bonded species known. In addition to examining the effects of axial ligands on the Re2(hpp)42+ core, our study of the Re2(hpp)43+ core is being extended beyond the preliminary results previously reported in only one compound [Re2(hpp)4Cl2]PF6 (Dalton Trans. 2003, 1218). We now report the structural characterization by both X-ray and neutron diffraction of the compound [Re2(hpp)4F](TFPB)2, 4 (TFPB = the anion tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate), and a detailed study by EPR spectroscopy of [Re2(hpp)4Cl2]PF6 at 9.5, 34.5, and 95 GHz frequencies, using dilute fluid solutions, frozen glass, and neat powder, show that the unpaired electron in the [Re2(hpp)4Cl2]+ ion is in an MO of predominant metal character with little mixing from the guanidinate ligands.

A Fractional Bond Order of 1/2 in Pd25+−Formamidinate Species; The Value of Very High-Field EPR Spectra

Reaction of Pd(2)(DAniF)(4), 1, (DAniF = di-p-anisylformamidinate) with 1 equiv of AgPF(6) in CH(2)Cl(2) at or below -10 degrees C produces the paramagnetic species [Pd(2)(DAniF)4]PF(6), 1-PF(6), that has been studied by X-ray crystallography, UV-vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and multifrequency (9.5, 34.5, 110, and 220 GHz) EPR spectroscopy. Upon oxidation of the precursor, the Pd-Pd distance decreases by 0.052 Angstrom from 2.6486(8) to 2.597(1) Angstrom. The EPR spectra show broad signals with line widths of about 1000 G. The spectra collected at high field show a large spread of g tensor components ( approximately 0.03), but these are masked at lower frequencies (9.5 and 34.5 GHz). A reinvestigation using high-field EPR of the p-tolyl analogue, which is the only other structurally characterized Pd(2)(5+) species (Cotton, F. A.; Matusz, M.; Poli, R.; Feng, X. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 110, 1144), shows that this species, which had been reported to give an isotropic 9.5 GHz EPR spectrum, also gives anisotropic 110 and 220 GHz EPR spectra with a similarly large spread of g tensor components consistent with the unpaired electron residing in a metal-based MO. The results of these studies and calculations using density functional theory are consistent with the oxidation being metal-based, resulting in an uncommon Pd(2)(5+) species with a Pd-Pd bond order of 1/2.

Long-Range Electronic Coupling of MM Quadruple Bonds (M = Mo or W) via a 2,6-Azulenedicarboxylate Bridge

The preparation of 2,6-azulenedicarboxylic acid (I) from its diester, 2-CO(2)(t)Bu-6-CO(2)-C(10)H(6) (II), is reported together with the crystal and molecular structure of the ester, II. From the reactions between the dicarboxylic acid I and the MM quadruply bonded complexes M(2)(O(2)C(t)Bu)(4), where M = Mo or W, the azulenedicarboxylate bridged complexes [M(2)(O(2)C(t)Bu)(3)](2)(mu-2,6-(CO(2))(2)-C(10)H(6)) have been isolated, III (M = Mo) and IV (M = W). The latter compounds provide examples of electronically coupled M(2) centers via a polar bridge. The compounds show intense electronic absorptions due to metal-to-bridge charge transfer. This occurs in the visible region of the spectrum for III (M = Mo) but in the near-IR for IV (M = W). One electron oxidation with Ag(+)PF(6)(-) in THF generates the radical cations III(+) and IV(+). By both UV-vis-NIR and EPR spectroscopy the molybdenum ion III(+) is shown to be valence trapped or Class II on the Robin and Day classification scheme. Electrochemical, UV-vis-NIR, and EPR spectroscopic data indicate that, in the tungsten complex ion IV(+), the single electron is delocalized over the two W(2) centers that are separated by a distance of ca. 13.6 A. Furthermore, from the hyperfine coupling to (183)W (I = (1)/(2)), the singly occupied highest molecular orbital is seen to be polarized toward one W(2) center in relationship to the other. Electronic structure calculations employing density functional theory indicate that the HOMO in compounds III and IV is an admixture of the two M(2) delta orbitals that is largely centered on the M(2) unit having proximity to the C(5) ring of the azulenedicarboxylate bridge. The energy of the highest occupied orbital of the bridge lies very close in energy to the M(2) delta orbitals. However, this orbital does not participate in electronic coupling by a hole transfer superexchange mechanism, and the electronic coupling in the radical cations of III and IV occurs by electron transfer through the bridge pi system.

Cations M2(O2CtBu)4+, Where M = Mo and W, and MoW(O2CtBu)4+. Theoretical, Spectroscopic, and Structural Investigations

With the aid of density function theory, the molecular and electronic structures of the molecules Mo2(O2CMe)4, MoW(O2CMe)4, and W2(O2CMe)4 and their single-electron oxidized radical cations have been determined; this includes calculated observables such as v(MM) and the delta --> delta* electronic transition energies. The calculated properties are compared with those for the corresponding pivalates, M2(O2CtBu)4 (M = Mo or W) and MoW(O2CtBu)4 and their radical cations prepared in situ by oxidation with Cp2FePF6. The EPR spectra of the radical cations are also reported. The EPR spectrum of the MoW(O2CtBu)4+ cation reveals that the unpaired electron is in a polarized MM delta orbital having 70% Mo and 30% W character. The MM stretching frequencies show good correlation with the MM bond lengths obtained from single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of MoW(O2CtBu)4, W2(O2CtBu)4, and W2(O2CtBu)4+PF6- compounds, along with previously reported structures. These data provide benchmark parameters for valence trapped dicarboxylate bridged radical cations of the type [(tBuCO2)3M2]2(micro-O2C-X-CO2)+ (X = conjugated spacer).

Applications of high-field (W-band) EPR to M-M bonded units (M = Cr, Mo): the first confirmed oxidation of a Cr2 4+ paddlewheel complex to a stable isostructural Cr2 5+ product

The EPR spectra of [Cr(2)[(PhN)(2)CN(CH(2))(4)](4)]PF(6) and [Mo(2)(TiPB)(4)]PF(6) (TiPB = anion of 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoic acid) at W-band are shown to have g values significantly lower than 2.00 and exhibit parallel and perpendicular components (not resolved at X-band). Therefore the unpaired electrons of the M(2)(5+) units must reside on metal-based (not ligand-based) orbitals. Thus, the chromium compound must be considered as the first confirmed oxidation product of a Cr(2)(4+) paddlewheel complex comparable to the Mo(2)(5+) compounds.

1-370 GHz EPR linewidths for K3CrO8: a comprehensive test for the Anderson-Weiss model

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements have been carried out over the frequency range of 1-370 GHz on single crystals of potassium peroxychromate (K3CrO8) with the view of examining the current models of exchange narrowing of EPR signals in solids. K3CrO8 has a simple (tetragonal) lattice structure, can be grown as single crystals pure or diluted with an isostructural diamagnetic host K3NbO8, and its paramagnetism can be described by a very simple (S = 12, I = 0) spin Hamiltonian. The measurements were made at various orientations of single crystals in the Zeeman field, with emphasis on the principal directions of the g-tensor. For essentially all orientations, the linewidth decreases monotonically for measurements at resonance frequencies, omega0, from 1 to about 100 GHz, and then starts to increase at higher omega0. In order to delineate the spin exchange effects from other sources of line broadening, the measurements were repeated with a diluted spin system, K3NbO8 containing approximately/= 0.5 mole % of K3CrO8, representing the broadening effect of all the magnetic field dependent terms, such as the broadening due to the g-strain and sample holder/waveguide magnetization at the high field utilized, up to 14 T. Using these data, the K3CrO8 linewidths were analyzed in terms of the current models of spin exchange narrowing in three-dimensional systems. A reasonably good agreement was found with the Anderson-Weiss model, when modified for various line broadening effects. The accuracy of the analysis procedure was confirmed by the comparison of the presently determined values of the exchange constant, J, and the dipolar field, Hp, with their values obtained by dc magnetic susceptibility measurements and theoretical analysis, respectively; the agreement was within 5% for J (=1.35 K) and about 25% for Hp (160 G). However, some deviations and unusual splittings were noted in measurements at 370 GHz, whose origin remains unclear.

One-electron reduction of chromate by NADPH-dependent glutathione reductase

Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements provide evidence for the formation of Cr(V) intermediates in the enzymatic reduction of Cr(VI) by glutathione reductase (GSSG-R) in the presence of NADPH, indicating an initial single-electron transfer step in the reduction mechanism. Depending on the pH, at least two different Cr(V) species are generated which are relatively long-lived. In addition, we have detected the hydroxyl (.OH) radical formation during the GSSG-R catalyzed reduction of Cr(VI) by spin trapping, employing 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) and alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN) as spin traps. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) causes only a minor effect on the .OH radical and Cr(V) formation, indicating that the O2- is not significantly involved in the reaction mechanism. Catalase enhances the Cr(V) formation and substantially inhibits the .OH radical formation, indicating the involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the reaction mechanism. Addition of H2O2 suppresses Cr(V) and enhances the .OH radical formation. Measurements involving N-ethylmaleimide show that the Cr(V) species, produced enzymatically by the reduction of Cr(VI) by GSSG-R, react with H2O2 to generate .OH radicals, which might participate in the initiation of Cr(VI) carcinogenicity.

Evidence for a Fenton-type mechanism for the generation of .OH radicals in the reduction of Cr(VI) in cellular media

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy has been employed to examine the role of tetraperoxochromate (V) ions (CrO3-8) and other Cr(V) species in the generation of hydroxyl (OH) radicals in the reaction of Cr(VI) with H2O2 in biological media. In contrast to earlier suggestions, the present ESR studies using crystalline K3CrO8 as a source of CrO3-8 show that decomposition of CrO3-8 in water or in H2O2 does not generate significant amounts of OH radicals. Addition of NADH to a solution containing CrO3-8 yields a Cr(V)-NADH complex, which readily reacts with H2O2 to generate OH radicals. Similar results obtained from several other biological reductants, including vitamin B2, indicate that a vacant coordination site on a Cr(V) complex facilitates its reaction with H2O2 to generate .OH radicals. We thus suggest that in biological media, reaction [3] instead of [1] or [2] is the major pathway for the .OH radical generation: [formula, see text]

On the hydroxyl radical formation in the reaction between hydrogen peroxide and biologically generated chromium(V) species

Electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements on solutions and isolated powders provide direct evidence for the involvement of Cr(V) species in the reduction of Cr(VI) by NAD(P)H. ESR analysis of an isolated Cr(V)-NAD(P)H solid yields g parallel = 1.9831 and g perpendicular = 1.9772, indicating that the unpaired electron occupies the dz2 orbital of the Cr(V) ion, with square-pyramidal geometry. Addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to the NAD(P)H-Cr(VI) reaction mixtures suppresses the Cr(V) species and generates hydroxyl (.OH) radicals. The .OH radicals were detected via ESR spin trapping, employing 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide and alpha-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone as spin traps. The dependence of Cr(V) and .OH radical formation on the H2O2 and Cr(VI) concentrations indicates that the Cr(V) species react with H2O2 to generate the .OH radicals. Similar results were obtained by using various diols (arabinose, cellobiose, FAD, fructose, glyceraldehyde, ribose, and tartaric acid), alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids, and glutathione. Investigations with superoxide dismutase showed no significant participation of O2- in the generation of .OH radicals. These results thus indicate that the Cr(V) complexes, produced in the reduction of Cr(VI) by cellular reductants, react with H2O2 to generate .OH radicals, which might be initiators of the primary events in the Cr(VI) cytotoxicity.

On the mechanism of the chromate reduction by glutathione: ESR evidence for the glutathionyl radical and an isolable Cr(V) intermediate

With a view of elucidating the role of glutathione (GSH) in the biochemical pathways of the chromate-exposure related carcinogenesis, we carried out electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopic investigations of the chromate-GSH redox reactions. The ESR measurements, employing spin-traps, provide evidence for the involvement of the glutathione (GS) radical, as well as an isolable Cr(V)-glutathione intermediate. These results indicate a new mechanism for the reduction of chromate by GSH in in vitro cellular environment and help understand the (unexpected) increase in Cr(VI)-induced DNA strand breaks at elevated GSH levels.