From tetranuclear cluster with single-molecule-magnet behavior to 1D alternating spin-canting chain in a Fe(III)-Mn(III) bimetallic system

A tetranuclear cluster and an alternating zigzag chain were synthesized via rational assembly of the same cyanometalate building blocks with different Mn(III) Schiff bases possessing varying proportions of sterically hindered groups causing steric hindrances. The tetranuclear cluster [(Tp*)Fe(CN)(3)](2)[Mn(salen)](2)center dot H2O [1; [(Tp*) Fe(CN)(3)](-) [Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl) borate], salen N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato) dianion] was formed with Schiff bases possessing smaller steric hindrances, whereas the one-dimensional alternating zigzag chain {[(Tp*)Fe(CN)(3)Mn(salcyen)]center dot 2CH(3)OH center dot H2O}(n) [2; salcyen = N,N'-(1,2-cyclohexanediylethylene) bis(salicylideneiminato) dianion] was formed with Schiff bases possessing larger steric hindrances. Magnetic measurements revealed that 1 exhibits single-molecule-magnet behavior with dominant ferromagnetic interactions, whereas 2 exhibits spin-canting behavior with dominant antiferromagnetic interactions. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.