Strong
and Anisotropic Superexchange in the Single-Molecule
Magnet (SMM) [Mn<sup>III</sup><sub>6</sub>Os<sup>III</sup>]<sup>3+</sup>: Promoting SMM Behavior through 3d–5d Transition Metal Substitution
The reaction of the <i>in situ</i> generated trinuclear triplesalen complex [(talen<sup><i>t</i>‑Bu<sub>2</sub></sup>)Mn<sup>III</sup><sub>3</sub>(solv)<sub><i>n</i></sub>]<sup>3+</sup> with (Ph<sub>4</sub>P)<sub>3</sub>[Os<sup>III</sup>(CN)<sub>6</sub>] and NaClO<sub>4</sub>·H<sub>2</sub>O affords <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>Os</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><b>]</b>(ClO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub> (= [{(talen<sup><i>t</i>‑Bu<sub>2</sub></sup>)Mn<sup>III</sup><sub>3</sub>}<sub>2</sub>{Os<sup>III</sup>(CN)<sub>6</sub>}](ClO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>) in the presence of the oxidizing agent [(tacn)<sub>2</sub>Ni<sup>III</sup>](ClO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub> (tacn =1,4,7-triazacyclononane),
while the reaction of [(talen<sup><i>t</i>‑Bu<sub>2</sub></sup>)Mn<sup>III</sup><sub>3</sub>(solv)<sub><i>n</i></sub>]<sup>3+</sup> with K<sub>4</sub>[Os<sup>II</sup>(CN)<sub>6</sub>] and NaClO<sub>4</sub>·H<sub>2</sub>O yields <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>Os</b><sup><b>II</b></sup><b>]</b>(ClO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> under an argon atmosphere. The molecular structure of <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>Os</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><b>]</b><sup><b>3+</b></sup> as determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction is closely related
to the already published <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>M</b><sup><b>c</b></sup><b>]</b><sup><b>3+</b></sup> complexes (M<sup>c</sup> = Cr<sup>III</sup>, Fe<sup>III</sup>, Co<sup>III</sup>, Mn<sup>III</sup>).
The half-wave potential of the Os<sup>III</sup>/Os<sup>II</sup> couple
is <i>E</i><sub>1/2</sub> = 0.07 V vs Fc<sup>+</sup>/Fc.
The FT-IR and electronic absorption spectra of <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>Os</b><sup><b>II</b></sup><b>]</b><sup><b>2+</b></sup> and <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>Os</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><b>]</b><sup><b>3+</b></sup> exhibit distinct features of dicationic and tricationic <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>M</b><sup><b>c</b></sup><b>]</b><sup><b><i>n</i>+</b></sup> complexes, respectively. The dc magnetic
data (μ<sub>eff</sub> vs <i>T</i>, <i>M</i> vs <i>B</i>, and VTVH) of <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>Os</b><sup><b>II</b></sup><b>]</b><sup><b>2+</b></sup> are successfully simulated
by a full-matrix diagonalization of a spin-Hamiltonian including isotropic
exchange, zero-field splitting with full consideration of the relative
orientation of the <b>D</b>-tensors, and Zeeman interaction,
indicating antiferromagnetic Mn<sup>III</sup>–Mn<sup>III</sup> interactions within the trinuclear triplesalen subunits (<i>J</i><sub>Mn–Mn</sub><sup>(1)</sup> = −(0.53 ± 0.01) cm<sup>–1</sup>, <i>Ĥ</i><sub>ex</sub> = −2∑<sub><i>i</i><<i>j</i></sub> <i>J</i><sub><i>ij</i></sub><b>Ŝ</b><sub><i>i</i></sub>·<b>Ŝ</b><sub><i>j</i></sub>) as well as across the
central Os<sup>II</sup> ion (<i>J</i><sub>Mn–Mn</sub><sup>(2,cis)</sup> = −(0.06
± 0.01) cm<sup>–1</sup>, <i>J</i><sub>Mn–Mn</sub><sup>(2,trans)</sup> = −(0.15 ± 0.01) cm<sup>–1</sup>), while <i>D</i><sub>Mn</sub> = −(3.9 ± 0.1) cm<sup>–1</sup>. The μ<sub>eff</sub> vs <i>T</i> data of <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>Os</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><b>]</b><sup><b>3+</b></sup> are excellently reproduced assuming an anisotropic Ising-like Os<sup>III</sup>–Mn<sup>III</sup> superexchange with a nonzero component <i>J</i><sub>Os–Mn</sub><sup>(aniso)</sup> = −(11.0 ± 1.0) cm<sup>–1</sup> along
the Os–Mn direction, while <i>J</i><sub>Mn–Mn</sub> = −(0.9 ± 0.1) cm<sup>–1</sup> and <i>D</i><sub>Mn</sub> = −(3.0 ± 1.0) cm<sup>–1</sup>.
Alternating current measurements indicate a slower relaxation of the
magnetization in the SMM <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>Os</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><b>]</b><sup><b>3+</b></sup> compared to the 3d analogue <b>[Mn</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><sub><b>6</b></sub><b>Fe</b><sup><b>III</b></sup><b>]</b><sup><b>3+</b></sup> due to the stronger and anisotropic M<sup>c</sup>–Mn<sup>III</sup> exchange interaction.