Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
Ferromagnetic interactions in heterobimetallic chains formed through the secondary coordination of dithiolene
Olivier Jeannin1, Rodolphe Clérac, Thomas Cauchy
1Université Rennes 1 & CNRS, Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, UMR6226, Bât 10C, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes cedex, France.
Abstract:
A novel paramagnetic ( S = 1/2) copper dithiolene complex based on the tfadt ligand (tfadt: 3-trifluoromethyl-acrylonitrile-2,3-dithiolate) is prepared as its n-Bu 4N (+) salt and crystallized with [Ni(cyclam)] (2+) into infinite, one-dimensional chains through CN...Ni interactions, avoiding any direct (antiferromagnetic) overlap between the dithiolene complexes. An unprecedented ferromagnetic interaction within the heterobimetallic chains between the S = 1/2 [Cu(tfadt) 2] (2-) and the S = 1 [Ni(cyclam)] (2+) tectons is observed, despite the fact that the SOMOs of both [Cu(tfadt) 2] (2-) (with d x (2) - y (2) symmetry) and [Ni(cyclam)] (2+) (with d x (2) - y (2) and d z (2) symmetry) have the same e g symmetry. The experimental exchange interaction deduced from the fit of the magnetic susceptibility ( J exp/ k B = +5.0 K) was confirmed by theoretical calculations ( J calc/ k B = +7.3 K), and a rationale is given for the presence of an intrachain ferromagnetic interaction.
Related Concept Videos
Valence Bond Theory
Metal-Ligand Bonds
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect
Ferromagnetism

