A molecular-based magnet with a fully interlocked three-dimensional structure.

Stumpf, H O; Pei, Y; Kahn, O; Ouahab, L; Grandjean, D · Science · 1993

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A compound has been synthesized with the formula (rad)(2)Mn(2)[Cu(opba)](3)(DMSO)(2).2H(2)O, where rad(+) is 2-(4-N-methylpyridinium)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, opba is orthophenylenebis(oxamato), and DMSO is dimethyl sulfoxide. It consists of two nearly perpendicular graphite-like networks with edge-sharing Mn(II)(6)Cu(II)(6) hexagons. The two networks are fully interlocked with the same topological relationship as that between adjacent rings of a necklace. The compound has three kinds of spin carriers: Mn(II) and Cu(II) ions, antiferromagnetically coupled through oxamato bridges, and rad(+) radical cations, bridging the Cu(II) ions through the nitronyl nitroxide groups and forming Cu-rad chains. The temperature dependence of the magnetization reveals that below 22.5 K, the compound behaves as a magnet.