A Nonanuclear Iron(II) Single-Molecule Magnet

A family of enneanuclear iron(II) single-molecule magnets.

Complexes [Fe 9 (X) 2 -(02CMe)8{(2-py) 2 CO 2 } 4 ] (X - = OH (1), N 3 - (2), and NCO- (3)) have been prepared by a route previously employed for the synthesis of analogous Co 9 and Ni 9 complexes, involving hydroxide substitution by pseudohalides (N 3 - , NCO-). As indicated by DC magnetic susceptibility measurements, this substitution induced higher ferromagnetic couplings in complexes 2 and 3, leading to higher ground spin states compared to that of 1. Variable-field experiments have shown that the ground state is not well isolated from excited states, as a result of which it cannot be unambiguously determined. AC susceptometry has revealed out-of-phase signals, which suggests that these…