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Andrea Caneschi

Publications and source records attributed to Andrea Caneschi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A family of rare-earth-based single chain magnets: playing with anisotropy.

The first family of rare-earth-based single chain magnets is presented. Compounds of general formula [M(hfac)3(NITPhOPh)], where M = Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, or Yb, and PhOPh is the nitronyl-nitroxide radical (2,4'-benzoxo-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide), have been structurally characterized and found to be isostructural. The characterization of both static and dynamic magnetic properties of the whole family is reported. Dy, Tb, and Ho compounds display slow relaxation of the magnetization, and ac susceptibility shows a thermally activated regime with energy barriers of 69, 45, and 34 K for Dy, Tb, and Ho compounds, respectively, while only a frequency-dependent susceptibility is observed for Er below 2.0 K. In Gd and Yb derivatives, antiferromagnetic interactions dominate. The pre-exponential factors differ by about 4 orders of magnitude. Finite size effects, due to naturally occurring defects, affect the static and dynamic properties of the compounds differently.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Tuning anisotropy barriers in a family of tetrairon(III) single-molecule magnets with an S = 5 ground state.

Tetrairon(III) Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) with a propeller-like structure exhibit tuneable magnetic anisotropy barriers in both height and shape. The clusters [Fe4(L1)2(dpm)6] (1), [Fe4(L2)2(dpm)6] (2), [Fe4(L3)2(dpm)6].Et2O (3.Et2O), and [Fe4(OEt)3(L4)(dpm)6] (4) have been prepared by reaction of [Fe4(OMe)6(dpm)6] (5) with tripodal ligands R-C(CH2OH)3 (H3L1, R = Me; H3L2, R = CH2Br; H3L3, R = Ph; H3L4, R = tBu; Hdpm = dipivaloylmethane). The iron(III) ions exhibit a centered-triangular topology and are linked by six alkoxo bridges, which propagate antiferromagnetic interactions resulting in an S = 5 ground spin state. Single crystals of 4 reproducibly contain at least two geometric isomers. From high-frequency EPR studies, the axial zero-field splitting parameter (D) is invariably negative, as found in 5 (D = -0.21 cm(-1)) and amounts to -0.445 cm(-1) in 1, -0.432 cm(-1) in 2, -0.42 cm(-1) in 3.Et2O, and -0.27 cm(-1) in 4 (dominant isomer). The anisotropy barrier Ueff determined by AC magnetic susceptibility measurements is Ueff/kB = 17.0 K in 1, 16.6 K in 2, 15.6 K in 3.Et2O, 5.95 K in 4, and 3.5 K in 5. Both |D| and U(eff) are found to increase with increasing helical pitch of the Fe(O2Fe)3 core. The fourth-order longitudinal anisotropy parameter B4(0), which affects the shape of the anisotropy barrier, concomitantly changes from positive in 1 ("compressed parabola") to negative in 5 ("stretched parabola"). With the aid of spin Hamiltonian calculations the observed trends have been attributed to fine modulation of single-ion anisotropies induced by a change of helical pitch.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Validity of the classical monte carlo method to model the magnetic properties of a large transition-metal cluster: Mn19.

The susceptibility of the large transition-metal cluster [Mn19O12(MOE)14(MOEH)10].MOEH (MOE = OC2H2O-CH3) has been fitted through classical Monte Carlo simulation, and an estimation of the exchange coupling constants has been done. With these results, it has been possible to perform a full-matrix diagonalization of the cluster core, which was used to provide information on the nature of the low-lying levels.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Both spacer length and parity influence the thermal and light-induced properties of iron(II) alpha,omega-bis(tetrazole-1-yl)alkane coordination polymers.

A new series of [mu-tris-{1,n-bis(tetrazol-1-yl)alkane-N4,N4'}iron(II)] bis(perchlorate) spin-crossover coordination polymers ([Fe(nditz)3](ClO4)2]; n = 4-9) has been synthesised and characterised. The ditetrazole bridging ligands provide octahedral symmetry at the iron(II) centres while allowing the distance between iron(II) centres to be varied. These polymers have therefore been investigated to determine the effects of spacer length on their thermal and light-induced spin-transition behaviour. An increase in the number of carbon atoms in the spacer (n) raises the thermal spin-crossover temperature, while decreasing the stability of the light-induced metastable state generated through the light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) effect by irradiating the sample at 530 nm. Remarkably, however, the parity of the spacer also has an effect, enabling the series of complexes to be divided into two sub-series depending on whether the bridging ligand possesses an even or an odd number of carbon atoms. An explanation at the molecular level using the single configurational coordinate (SCC) model is presented.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Structural and magnetic properties of pure and Ca-doped LaCoO3 nanopowders obtained by a sol-gel route.

Pure and Ca-doped LaCoO3 nanopowders were prepared by a non-alkoxidic sol-gel route using cobalt(II) acetate, lanthanum(III) nitrate and calcium(II) acetate as oxide precursors. The structural evolution and magnetic properties of the samples were studied as a function of thermal treatments in air up to 1273 K. In particular, the microstructure and composition of the systems were analyzed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Both pure and calcium-doped samples annealing at 973 K resulted in the formation of cubic LaCoO3 (average crystallite size <30 nm). This phase was fully retained in the calcium-doped materials even after annealing at higher temperatures, whereas a transition to the rhomboedral polymorph was detected in the pure samples at 1073 K. The magnetic behavior of the nanopowders was investigated as a function of temperature and applied field using both dynamic and static susceptibility measurements. Pure lanthanum cobaltite samples underwent a transition to an ordered state at 88 K, and their magnetic properties changed as a function of thermal treatments. As concerns calcium-doped samples, they ordered ferromagnetically at 171 and 185 K depending on the annealing temperature and displayed open hysteresis loops with coercive fields as large as 1.75 T at low temperatures.

Calcium↗
PubMed2005

Mononuclear, dinuclear, and pentanuclear [[N,S(thiolate)]iron(II)] complexes: nuclearity control, incorporation of hydroxide bridging ligands, and magnetic behavior.

The mixed N3S(thiolate) ligand 1-[bis[2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]amino]-2-methylpropane-2-thiol (Py2SH) was used in the synthesis of four iron(II) complexes: [(Py2S)FeCl] (1), [(Py2S)FeBr] (2), [(Py2S)4Fe5II(mu-OH)2](BF4)4 (3), and [(Py2S)2Fe2II(mu-OH)]BF4 (4). The X-ray structures of 1 and 2 revealed monomeric iron(II)-alkylthiolate complexes with distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometries. The paramagnetic 1H NMR spectra of 1 and 2 display resonances from delta = -25 ppm to +100 ppm, consistent with a high-spin iron(II) ion (S = 2). Spectral assignments were made on the basis of chemical shift information and T1 measurements and show the monomeric structures are intact in solution. To provide entry into hydroxide-containing complexes, a novel synthetic method was developed involving strict aprotic conditions and limiting amounts of H2O. Reaction of Py2SH with NaH and Fe(BF4)2.6 H2O under aprotic conditions led to the isolation of the pentanuclear, mu-OH complex 3, which has a novel dimer-of-dimers type structure connected by a central iron atom. Conductivity data on 3 show this structure is retained in CH2Cl2. Rational modification of the ligand-to-metal ratio allows control over the nuclearity of the product, yielding the dinuclear complex 4. The X-ray structure of 4 reveals an unprecedented face-sharing, biooctahedral complex with an [S2O] bridging arrangement. The magnetic properties of 3 and 4 in the range 1.9-300 K were successfully modeled. Dinuclear 4 is antiferromagnetically coupled [J = -18.8(2) cm(-1)]. Pentanuclear 3 exhibits ferrimagnetic behavior, with a high-spin ground state of S(T) = 6, and was best modeled with three different exchange parameters [J = -15.3(2), J' = -24.7(3), and J'' = -5.36(7) cm(-1)]. DFT calculations provided good support for the interpretation of the magnetic properties.

Ferric Compounds↗
PubMed2005

Single-ion and molecular contributions to the zero-field splitting in an iron(III)-oxo dimer studied by single crystal W-band EPR.

Detailed knowledge of the type and strength of pair interactions between high-spin metal ions is paramount to the understanding and design of molecular magnetic materials. In this work, the anisotropic magnetic interactions in a beta-diketonate-alkoxide iron(III) dimer compound, [Fe2(OCH3)2(dbm)4, Hdbm=dibenzoylmethane] (Fe2) have been investigated by single crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in the W-band (at 95GHz). The diamagnetic substitution method was employed using the isomorphous gallium(III)-based compound doped with iron(III) to produce Ga-Fe dimers (GaFe). The single-ion zero-field splitting (ZFS) tensor could be separately determined in GaFe with the iron ion in a local environment quasi-identical to the one in Fe2. Its principal directions are found to point in arbitrary directions, uncorrelated with the Fe-O bonds. The Fe2 EPR spectra consist of transitions within the lowest multiplet states S=1,2,3, which were analyzed using the full spin Hamiltonian description of an exchange coupled pair of s=5/2 spins. The anisotropic spin-spin interaction tensor of Fe2 possesses a principal axis close to the Fe-Fe direction and was shown to arise both from through-space (dipolar) and through-bond (anisotropic exchange) contributions. The latter involves an rhombic component JE=(JX-JY)/2 approximately 0.093 cm-1 of magnitude comparable to the dipolar interaction, and even to the rhombic part of the single-ion ZFS (E=0.097 cm-1). Our results show that the anisotropic exchange, usually neglected for S-type ions, is significant for the anisotropic interactions in exchange-coupled iron(III) clusters, including the Fe4 and Fe8 families of single-molecule magnets and the antiferromagnetic iron wheels.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Synthesis and reaction of [[HC(CMeNAr)2]Mn]2 (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3): the complex containing three-coordinate manganese(I) with a Mn-Mn bond exhibiting unusual magnetic properties and electronic structure.

This paper reports on the synthesis, X-ray structure, magnetic properties, and DFT calculations of [[HC(CMeNAr)2]Mn]2 (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) (2), the first complex with three-coordinate manganese(I). Reduction of the iodide [[HC(CMeNAr)2]Mn(mu-I)]2 (1) with Na/K in toluene afforded 2 as dark-red crystals. The molecule of 2 contains a Mn2(2+) core with a Mn-Mn bond. The magnetic investigations show a rare example of a high-spin manganese(I) complex with an antiferromagnetic interaction between the two Mn(I) centers. The DFT calculations indicate a strong s-s interaction of the two Mn(I) ions with the open shell configuration (3d54s1). This suggests that the magnetic behavior of 2 could be correctly described as the coupling between two S1 = S2 = 5/2 spin centers. The Mn-Mn bond energy is estimated at 44 kcal mol(-1) by first principle calculations with the B3LYP functional. The further oxidative reaction of 2 with KMnO4 or O2 resulted in the formation of manganese(III) oxide [[HC(CMeNAr)2]Mn(mu-O)]2 (3). Compound 3 shows an antiferromagnetic coupling between the two oxo-bridged manganese(III) centers by magnetic measurements.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMed2005

Advances in single-molecule magnet surface patterning through microcontact printing.

We present an implementation of strategies to deposit single-molecule magnets (SMMs) using microcontact printing microCP). We describe different approaches of microCP to print stripes of a sulfur-functionalized dodecamanganese (III, IV) cluster on gold surfaces. Comparison by atomic force microscopy profile analysis of the patterned structures confirms the formation of a chemically stable single layer of SMMs. Images based on chemical contrast, obtained by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, confirm the patterned structure.

Crystallization↗
PubMed2004

Synthesis, structure, magnetism, and spectroscopic properties of heterobinuclear copper(II)-zinc(II) complexes and their copper(II)-copper(II) analogues in asymmetric ligand environments.

Heterobinuclear copper(II)-zinc(II) complexes and their homobinuclear dicopper(II) counterparts (1-4) of two asymmetric ligands (H2L1 and H2L2), based on 2-aminocyclopent-1-ene-1-dithiocarboxylate, are reported. The ligands are capable of providing both donor set and coordination number asymmetry in tandem. Metal centers in these complexes are connected by a micro-alkoxo and a bridging pyrazolate moiety, as confirmed by X-ray structure analyses of 1, 3, and 4. The Cu(1) site in the dicopper complex (1) is square planar and so are the copper sites in the Cu-Zn complexes 3 and 4. The pentacoordinated Zn sites in the latter complexes have distorted TBP geometry (tau = 0.74), while the corresponding Cu site in 1 has a highly distorted square pyramidal structure (tau = 0.54). The Cu...Zn separations in 3 and 4 are 3.3782 and 3.3403 angstroms, respectively, while the Cu...Cu distance in 1 is 3.3687 angstroms. The dicopper complexes are EPR silent at 77 K, in which the copper(II) centers are coupled by strong antiferromagnetic coupling (J = ca. -290 cm(-1)) as confirmed by variable-temperature (4-300 K) magnetic measurements. These compounds (1 and 2) undergo two one-electron reductions and a single step two-electron oxidation at ca. -0.26, -1.40, and 1.0 V vs Ag/AgCl reference, respectively, as indicated by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry done at subambient temperatures. EPR spectra of 3 and 4 display axial anisotropy at 77 K with the gperpendicular region being split into multiple lines due to N-superhyperfine coupling (AN = 15.3 x 10(-4) cm(-1)). The observed trend in the spin-Hamiltonian parameters, gparallel > gperpendicular > 2.04 and |Aperpendicular| << |Aparallel| approximately (120-150) x 10(-4) cm(-1), indicates a d(x2-y2)-based ground state with tetragonal site symmetry for the Cu(II) center in these molecules.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Self-assembly of high-nuclearity metal clusters: programmed expansion of a metallasiloxane cage to an octacopper(II) cluster.

The novel octanuclear copper(II) cluster [Cu6[(PhSiO2)6]2[NCCu(Me6tren)]2(MeOH)4]2+ (1) has been isolated as a perchlorate salt by reacting the hexacopper(II) metallasiloxane cage [Cu6[(PhSiO2)6]2(nBuOH)x] (x = 4, 6) with [Cu(Me6tren)CN]ClO4 in a methanol/chloroform mixture (Me6tren = tris(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl) amine). Crystal data for 1(ClO4)2 x MeOH: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (no. 14), a = 16.8490(3) angstroms, b = 22.2966(4) angstroms, c = 17.2508(3) angstroms, beta = 94.7658(5) degrees, V = 6458.3(2) angstroms3, Z = 2. The structure comprises a highly distorted hexagonal Cu6 array linked to two [Cu(Me6tren)] units via cyanide bridges. Magnetic measurements reveal that the addition of the copper cyanide complexes dramatically affects the magnetism of the Cu6 unit, whose ground spin state changes from S = 3 to S = 0.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Cavitand-based nanoscale coordination cages.

This communication reports design, self-assembly, solution, and solid-state characterization of nanoscale coordination cages formed by tetradentate cavitand ligands and appropriate metal precursors. The preorganization of the cavitand ligand in terms of structural rigidity and relative orientation of the pyridyl units leads to the exclusive formation of coordination cages in a wide temperature and concentration range. Desired features of the cage self-assembly process, such as reversibility in the presence of a competitive ligand and self-recognition of the cavitand components, have been assessed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Honeycomb nets with interpenetrating frameworks involving iminodiacetato-copper(II) blocks and bipyridine spacers: syntheses, characterization, and magnetic studies.

Three coordination polymers of copper(II), viz. ([Cu(ida)(4,4'-bipyH)]ClO(4))( proportional, variant ) (1), ([Cu(2)(ida)(2)(micro-4,4'-bipy)].2H(2)O)( proportional, variant ) (2), and [Cu(2)(ida)(2)(bpa)]( proportional, variant ) (3) have been synthesized by the process of self-assembly using Cu(ida) [ida = iminodiacetate(2-)] as the building block and 4,4'-bipyridyl and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpa) as linkers. Crystals of 1 are orthorhombic, of space group Pna2(1), with a = 13.8956(12) A, b = 16.3362(16) A, c = 7.3340(12), and Z = 4. Both compounds 2 and 3 crystallize in monoclinic space group P2(1)/a with a = 10.1887(8) A (9.6779(10) A for 3), b = 8.0008(11) A (9.1718(10) A), c = 11.6684(9) A (12.9144(12) A), beta = 98.307(11) degrees (102.796(18) degrees ), and Z = 2 (2). Compound 1 has a zigzag chain structure with an extensive hydrogen-bonded network while compounds 2 and 3 are honeycomb (6,3) nets with interpenetrating structures. Variable temperature (2-300 K) magnetic study indicates the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions (J = 0.82 +/- 0.01 cm(-)(1)) in 1 and ferromagnetic in 2 (J = -0.45 +/- 0.05 cm(-)(1)) and 3 (J = -0.21 +/- 0.02 cm(-)(1)). The extent of planarity of the bridging "Cu-O-C-O-Cu" moiety, acting as the super-exchange pathway between the neighboring copper centers, probably controls the sign of the magnetic exchange coupling in these compounds.

Journal Article↗