Elucidating the 2D magnetic topology of the 'metal-radical' TTTA⋅Cu(hfac)2 system

The TTTA⋅Cu(hfac)2 polymer (1; in which TTTA = 1,3,5-trithia-2,4,6-triazapentalenyl, and hfac = (1,1,1,5,5,5)-hexafluoroacetylacetonate) is one of the most prominent examples of the rational use of the 'metal-radical' synthetic approach to achieve ferromagnetic interactions. Experimentally, the magnetic topology of 1 could not be fully deciphered. Herein, the first-principles bottom-up procedure was applied to elucidate the nature and strength of the magnetic JAB exchange interactions present in 1. The computed JAB values give rise to a 2D magnetic topology of ferromagnetic dimers (+11.9 cm(-1)) coupled through weaker antiferromagnetic interactions (-3.0 and -3.2 cm(-1)) in two different spatial directions. The hitherto unknown origin of the antiferromagnetic interdimer interactions is thus unveiled. By using the 2D magnetic topology, the agreement between calculated and experimental χT(T) data is extraordinary. In the metal-radical TTTA⋅Cu(hfac)2 compound, the computational model transcends the local dimer cluster model owing to strong interactions between metal centers and organic radicals, thereby creating a de facto biradical. In addition, it is shown that the magnetic topology cannot be inferred from the polymeric [TTTA⋅⋅⋅Cu(hfac)2]n crystal motif, that is, from its chemical coordination pattern. Instead, one should think in terms of magnetic building blocks, namely, the de facto biradicals.