Divalent metal ions modulated strong frustrated M(ii)–Fe(iii)3O (M = Fe, Mn, Mg) chains with metamagnetism only in a mixed valence iron complex

Abstract

Linking magnetically frustrated triangular Fe^III₃O units by divalent metal ions (M^II = Fe^II for 1, Mn^II for 2) gives isostructural 1D spin chains. Strong antiferromagnetic interactions were found in these complexes with significant frustrations but very interesting ferrimagnetic like transition and metamagnetism were found in mixed valence 1. By comparing the magnetic behaviours with isostructural complex 3 (with M^II = Mg^II), it is proposed that the spins of Fe^II ions and Mn^II ions have ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic contributions respectively.