The nature and magnitude of the magnetic anisotropy of heptacoordinate mononuclear Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes were investigated by a combination of experiment and ab initio calculations. The zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters D of [Ni(H(2)DAPBH)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(2)⋅2 H(2)O (1) and [Co(H(2)DAPBH)(H(2)O)(NO(3))](NO(3)) [2; H(2)DAPBH = 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis- (benzoyl hydrazone)] were determined by means of magnetization measurements and high-field high-frequency EPR spectroscopy. The negative D value, and hence an easy axis of magnetization, found for the Ni(II) complex indicates stabilization of the highest M(S) value of the S = 1 ground spin state, while a large and positive D value, and hence an easy plane of magnetization, found for Co(II) indicates stabilization of the M(S) = ±1/2 sublevels of the S = 3/2 spin state. Ab initio calculations were performed to rationalize the magnitude and the sign of D, by elucidating the chemical parameters that govern the magnitude of the anisotropy in these complexes. The negative D value for the Ni(II) complex is due largely to a first excited triplet state that is close in energy to the ground state. This relatively small energy gap between the ground and the first excited state is the result of a small energy difference between the d(xy) and d(x(2)-y(2)) orbitals owing to the pseudo-pentagonal-bipyramidal symmetry of the complex. For Co(II), all of the excited states contribute to a positive D value, which accounts for the large magnitude of the anisotropy for this complex.

Supramolecular organization of a metal complex may significantly contribute to the magnetization dynamics of mononuclear SMMs. This is illustrated for a heptacoordinated Fe(II) complex with rather moderate Ising-type anisotropy for which a slow magnetization relaxation with significant energy barrier was reached when this complex was properly organized in the crystal lattice. Incidentally, it is the first example of single-ion magnet behaviour of Fe(II) in a pentagonal bipyramid surrounding.

Pentagonal bipyramid Fe complexes have been investigated to evaluate their potential as Ising-spin building units for the preparation of heteropolynuclear complexes that are likely to behave as single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The considered monometallic complexes were prepared from the association of a divalent metal ion with pentadentate ligands that have a 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(hydrazone) core (H L ). Their magnetic anisotropy was established by magnetometry to reveal their zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter D, which ranged between -4 and -13 cm and was found to be modulated by the apical ligands (ROH versus Cl). The alteration of the D value by N-bound axial CN ligands, upon association with cyanometallates, was also assessed for heptacoordinated Fe as well as for related Ni and Co derivatives. In all cases, N-coordinated cyanide ligands led to large magnetic anisotropy (i.e., -8 to -18 cm for Fe and Ni, +33 cm for Co). Ab initio calculations were performed on three Fe complexes, which enabled one to rationalize the role of the ligand on the nature and magnitude of the magnetic anisotropy. Starting from the pre-existing heptacoordinated complexes, a series of pentanuclear compounds were obtained by reactions with paramagnetic [W(CN) ] . Magnetic studies revealed the occurrence of ferromagnetic interactions between the spin carriers in all the heterometallic systems. Field-induced slow magnetic relaxation was observed for mononuclear Fe complexes (U /k up to 53 K (37 cm ), τ =5×10 s), and SMM behavior was evidenced for a heteronuclear [Fe W ] derivative (U /k =35 K and τ =4.6 10 s), which confirmed that the parent complexes were robust Ising-type building units. High-field EPR spectroscopic investigation of the ZFS parameters for a Ni derivative is also reported.

The present study explores the reducing and capping potentials of ethanolic flower extract of the plant Nyctanthes arbortristis for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The extract at different volume fractions were stirred with HAuCl4 aqueous solution at 80 °C for 30 min. The UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis of the reaction products confirmed successful reduction of Au(3+) ions to gold nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed dominant spherical morphology of the gold nanoparticles with an average diameter of 19.8 ± 5.0 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirmed crystalline nature of the synthesized particles. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of the purified and lyophilized gold nanoparticles confirmed the surface adsorption of biomolecules during preparation and caused long-term (6 months) stability. Low reaction temperature (25 °C) favored anisotropy. The strong reducing power of the flower extract can also be tested in the green synthesis of other metallic nanoparticles.

No abstract

Heptacoordinated nickel(II) complexes characterized by substantial Ising-type single-ion anisotropy have been involved in the construction of two pentanuclear [Ni3W2] compounds by association with [W(CN)8](3-). For one of them, slow relaxation of magnetization was observed to occur concomitantly with antiferromagnetic ordering.

The possibility of controlling magnetic anisotropy by tuning contribution of second order perturbation to spin-orbit coupling through modulation of the coordination environment is investigated. Subtle variation of the coordination environment triggers a remarkable deviation in the axial zero field splitting parameter of seven coordinate Co(II) complexes.

Not just any old iron ion: A linear, two-coordinate ionic Fe(I) complex with a S=3/2 ground state has a large energy barrier for magnetization reversal, Ueff =226 cm(-1) , and undergoes slow magnetic relaxation in the absence of an applied magnetic field. The preparation of complexes with these properties is a step towards the eventual practical application of single-molecule magnets.