Core-Shell {Mn⊂(Mn,Cd)} Assembled from Core {Mn} Disc.

Postsynthetic decoration of the Mn, {Mn⊂Mn}, core with Cd in the outer shell to form the next generation MnCd, {Mn⊂MnMn⊂ MnCd}, core-shell disc was achieved and confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The formation of MnCd has only been successful with Cd and if the Cd salt is added within the first half hour window when the inner Mn has formed. EDX and ICP-AES gave the accurate content and confirm the average found by X-ray diffraction. HR-ESI-MS was even more precise by revealing three prominent molecular species, MnCd, MnCd and MnCd, having a distribution of metals. The presence of nonmagnetic metal on the periphery reduces the exchange between these clusters as well as the low magnetic moment decreases the dipolar interaction resulting in a paramagnet compared to the ferrimagnetism found for the parent Mn, {Mn⊂MnMn⊂Mn}, disc. This study opens the way for the syntheses of heterometallic core-shell clusters in a controllable fashion.