Magnetic coupling and slow relaxation of magnetization in chain-based Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) coordination frameworks.

Three isomorphous coordination polymers based on the chain with triple (μ-1,1-N3)(μ-1,3-COO)2 bridges have been synthesized from a new zwitterionic dicarboxylate ligand [L(-) = 1-(4-carboxylatobenzyl)pyridinium-4-carboxylate]. They are of formula [M(L)(N3)]n·3nH2O [M = Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II)]. In these compounds, the mixed-bridge chains are linked into 2D coordination networks by the N-benzylpyridinium spacers. The magnetic properties depend strongly on the nature of the metal center. The magnetic coupling through (μ-1,1-N3)(μ-1,3-COO)2 is antiferromagnetic in the Mn(II) compound but ferromagnetic in the Co(II) and Ni(II) analogues. Magnetostructural analyses indicate that the magnitude of the magnetic coupling can be correlated to the M-N-M angle of the azide bridge and the average M-O-C-O torsion angle of the carboxylate bridge. As the values of these parameters increase, the antiferromagnetic coupling for Mn(II) decreases while the ferromagnetic coupling for Co(II) increases. With strong magnetic anisotropy, the Co(II) compound behaves as a single-chain magnet showing hysteresis and Glauber-type slow dynamics probably in the infinite-chain region, with Δ(τ)/k = 86 K, Δ(ξ)/k = 26 K, and Δ(A)/k = 34 K. With weaker anisotropy, the Ni(II) species shows slow relaxation of magnetization at much lower temperature.