The Structure and Magnetic Properties of a New Family of 1D Chromium Thiolate Coordination Polymers

The synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of two novel, pseudo-1D chromium thiolate coordination polymers (CPs), CrBTT and Cr2BDT3, are reported. The structures of these materials were determined using X-ray powder diffraction revealing highly symmetric 1D chains embedded within a CP framework. The magnetic coupling of this chain system was measured by SQUID magnetometry, revealing a switch from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior dictated by the angular geometrical constraints within the CP scaffold consistent with the Goodenough-Kanamori-Anderson rules. Intrachain magnetic coupling constants JNN of −32 K and +5.7 K were found for CrBTT and Cr2BDT3 respectively using the 1D Bonner-Fisher model of magnetism. The band structure of these materials has also been examined by optical spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations revealing semiconducting behavior. Our findings here demonstrate how CP scaffolds can support idealized low-dimensional structural motifs and dictate magnetic interactions through tuning of geometry and inter-spin couplings.