Spin-state energetics and magnetic anisotropy in penta-coordinated Fe(iii) complexes with different axial and equatorial ligand environments

Abstract

The penta-coordinated trigonal-bi-pyramidal (TBP) Fe(III) complex (PMe₂Ph)₂FeCl₃ shows a reduced magnetic anisotropy in its intermediate-spin (IS) state as compared to its methyl-analog (PMe₃)₂Fe(III)Cl₃. In this work, the ligand environment in (PMe₂Ph)₂FeCl₃ is systematically altered by replacing the axial –P with –N and –As, the equatorial –Cl with other halides, and the axial methyl group with an acetyl group. This has resulted in a series of Fe(III) TBP complexes modelled in their IS and high-spin (HS) states. Lighter ligands –N and –F stabilize the complex in the HS state, while the magnetically anisotropic IS state is stabilized by –P and –As at the axial site, and –Cl, –Br, and –I at the equatorial site. Larger magnetic anisotropies appear for complexes with nearly degenerate ground electronic states that are well separated from the higher excited states. This requirement, largely controlled by the d-orbital splitting pattern due to the changing ligand field, is achieved with a certain combination of axial and equatorial ligands, such as –P and –Br, –As and –Br, and –As and –I. In most cases, the acetyl group at the axial site enhances the magnetic anisotropy compared to its methyl counterpart. In contrast, the presence of –I at the equatorial site compromises the uniaxial type of anisotropy of the Fe(III) complex leading to an enhanced rate of quantum tunneling of magnetization.