EPR study of the electronic properties and weak exchange interactions in bis(L-phenylalaninamidato)Cu(II)

We performed EPR measurements in powder and single crystal samples of bis(L-phenylalaninamidato)Cu(II) (C18H22CuN4O2). We evaluated the crystal and molecular g-factors, and estimate an exchange interaction of 0.15 K< or = J(AB)/k < or =0.32 K between coppers spaced apart 6.24 A, transmitted through an amidate bridge Cu-O-C-N-Cu. An unusual line shape is observed in powder samples arising from the relative orientation of symmetry-related molecules in the structure. The dipolar interaction and the layered structure of the copper ions produce a strong temperature variation of the spectral shape when the copper spins are polarized by the applied magnetic field.