23 Magnetism

Abstract

This report begins with a celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the synthesis of Prussian Blue. The synthesis of this material marked a turning point in chemical science and the birth of synthetic organometallic chemistry. 300 years on, studies of Prussian Blue and its relatives still represent an important frontier of scientific research. They display many of the properties that captivate current research into magnetism. Some particular aspects of this are briefly reviewed before this report continues with the wider literature on magnetism. In this way the research into the Prussian Blues is used to create a context for the research which follows. At the same time the more general review creates its own context, one which celebrates the wealth of science that is so well demonstrated by the Prussian Blues.