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Zero-field splitting of a highly symmetric Co(ii) complex with single-molecule magnet properties has been probed by far-IR magneto-spectroscopy (FIRMS), high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR), and inelastic neutron scattering (INS). 

Magnetic anisotropy and spin–phonon coupling are key properties of single-molecule magnets. The use of far-IR and Raman magneto-spectroscopies (FIRMS and RaMS), and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) to determine the magnetic properties is highlighted. 

Two seven-coordinate mononuclear Co(ii) complexes are proved to have field-induced magnetic relaxation and one of them possesses capped octahedral geometry. 

Abstract Haldane topological materials contain unique antiferromagnetic chains with symmetry-protected energy gaps. Such materials have potential applications in spintronics and future quantum computers. Haldane topological solids typically consist of spin-1 chains embedded in extended three-dimensional (3D) crystal structures. Here, we demonstrate that [Ni(μ−4,4′-bipyridine)(μ-oxalate)]_n(NiBO) instead adopts a two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic framework (MOF) structure of Ni²⁺spin-1 chains weakly linked by 4,4′-bipyridine. NiBO exhibits Haldane topological properties with a gap between the singlet ground state and the triplet excited state. The latter is split by weak axial and rhombic anisotropies. Several experimental probes, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, variable-temperature powder neutron diffraction (VT-PND), VT inelastic neutron scattering (VT-INS), DC susceptibility and specific heat measurements, high-field electron spin resonance, and unbiased quantum Monte Carlo simulations, provide a detailed, comprehensive characterization of NiBO. Vibrational (also known as phonon) properties of NiBO have been probed by INS and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, indicating the absence of phonons near magnetic excitations in NiBO, suppressing spin-phonon coupling. The work here demonstrates that NiBO is indeed a rare 2D-MOF Haldane topological material. 

Recently, the choice of ligand and geometric control of mononuclear complexes, which can affect the relaxation pathways and blocking temperature, have received wide attention in the field of single-ion magnets (SIMs). To find out the influence of the coordination environment on SIMs, two four-coordinate mononuclear Co( ii ) complexes [NEt 4 ][Co(PPh 3 )X 3 ] (X = Cl − , 1; Br − , 2) have been synthesized and studied by X-ray single crystallography, magnetic measurements, high-frequency and -field EPR (HF-EPR) spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. Both complexes are in a cubic space group Pa 3̄ (No. 205), containing a slightly distorted tetrahedral moiety with crystallographically imposed C 3 v symmetry through the [Co(PPh 3 )X 3 ] − anion. The direct-current (dc) magnetic data and HF-EPR spectroscopy indicated the anisotropic S = 3/2 spin ground states of the Co( ii ) ions with the easy-plane anisotropy for 1 and 2. Ab initio calculations were performed to confirm the positive magnetic anisotropies of 1 and 2. Frequency- and temperature-dependent alternating-current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed slow magnetic relaxation for 1 and 2 at an applied dc field. Finally, the magnetic properties of 1 and 2 were compared to those of other Co( ii ) complexes with a [CoAB 3 ] moiety.