Chiral molecular magnets: synthesis, structure, and magnetic behavior of the series [M(L-tart)] (M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II); L-tart = (2R,3R)-(+)-tartrate).

A new series of layered magnets with the formula [M(L-tartrate)] (M = Mn(II), Co(II), Fe(II), Ni(II); L-tartrate = (2R,3R)-(+)-tartrate) has been prepared. All of these compounds are isostructural and crystallize in the chiral orthorhombic space group I222, as found by X-ray structure analysis. Their structure consists of a three-dimensional polymeric network in which each metal shows distorted octahedral coordination bound to four L-tartrate ligands, two of which chelate through an alcohol and a carboxylate group and the other two bind terminally through a monodentate carboxylate group. The chirality of the ligand imposes a Delta conformation on all metal centers. Magnetically, the paramagnetic metal centers form pseudotetragonal layers in which each metal is surrounded by four other metals, with syn,anti carboxylate bridges. These salts show intralayer antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic interactions, depending on the electronic configuration of the metal, and weak interlayer antiferromagnetic interaction. In all cases the magnetic properties are strongly affected by the anisotropy of the system, and the presence of magnetic canting has been found. The Mn derivative behaves as a weak ferromagnet with a critical temperature of 3.3 K. The Ni derivative shows very unusual magnetic behavior in that it exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering below 6 K, the onset of spontaneous magnetization arising from spin reorientation into a canted phase below 4.5 K, and a field-induced ferromagnetic state above 0.3 T at 2 K, behavior typical of metamagnets. The Fe and Co derivatives show antiferromagnetic interactions between spin carriers, but do not order above 2 K.