Magneto-structural characterization of metallocene-bridged nitronyl nitroxide diradicals by X-Ray, magnetic measurements, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations.

Crystallization of ferrocene and ruthenocene substituted in the 1- and 1'-positions by two nitronyl nitroxide radicals gave the new crystal phases beta-1 (besides the known phase alpha-1), alpha-2, and beta-2 whose structures were determined by X-ray analysis. In beta-1 the radical moieties adopt transoid positions, whereas two different cisoid conformations are adopted by alpha-2 and beta-2. These conformations result from inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds, respectively. All compounds experience antiferromagnetic interactions, and J/k(B) values up to -7 K have been found by fitting the experimental magnetic susceptibilities to a modified Bleaney-Bowers equation. The solid diradicals alpha-1, beta-1, alpha-2, and beta-2 as well as the ferrocene 3, which was substituted by a unique nitronyl nitroxide, were investigated by (13)C and (1)H NMR spectroscopy with magic angle spinning. The carbon signals cover a range of 2000 ppm, and are well resolved such that the structure could be confirmed. Conversion of the signal shifts into spin densities disclosed the mechanisms by which spin delocalization from the nitronyl nitroxide substituents to the metallocene core occurs. The spin density distribution in alpha-1, beta-1, and 3 was also predicted by DFT calculations. There is good agreement between the experimental and theoretical trends of the spin delocalization. The magnetic interactions were discussed in the light of intramolecular spin transfer and its dependence on geometric constraints, demonstrating that the 1,1'-metallocenylene bridge is not a robust magnetic coupler.