Magnetic concentration and polymorphism in di-n-octyl-, di-n-decyl-, and di-n-dodecylphosphinates of copper(II)

Abstract

Phosphinates of copper(II) of the type Cu(R2PO2)2 where R is n-octyl, n-decyl, and n-dodecyl have been synthesized and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy, and variable temperature (300 to 4.2 K) magnetic susceptibility studies. Each of these compounds was obtained in distinct α and β structural forms. All materials appear to have the double phosphinate bridged extended chain structure and the magnetic data have been successfully analyzed according to the isotropic Heisenberg model for linear chains. The α forms exhibit antiferromagnetic behaviour with J values of −25, −29, and −29 cm−1 for the octyl, decyl, and dodecyl derivatives respectively. The β forms are ferromagnetic and have corresponding J values of 1.8, 2.1, and 2.3 cm−1 respectively. Magneto-structural correlations in these extended chain coordination polymers are discussed.