Synthesis and magnetic characterization of enneanuclear Fe₆M₃ (M= Ca^II, La^III) clusters

Cody Daneluik, Khalil A. Abboud, and George Christou

University of Florida

Iron-oxo compounds have steadily developed interest across many disciplines of chemistry and materials science. In addition to their inherent advantage of being naturally abundant, and thus readily available, these iron-containing materials are of value to the aforementioned fields due to their versatile array of useful properties. Important properties therein include, yet are not limited to, magnetic or catalytic capabilities. In the preparation of iron-oxo compounds, a synthetic challenge that researchers compete with is the profound tendency of Fe^III to undergo hydrolysis and form polymeric products. To circumvent this rapid aggregation, various synthetic strategies have been developed in decades past. The concerted employment of organic ligands and heterometal ions to trap an iron-oxo core has proven to be a feasible route towards the preparation of novel, discrete iron-oxo compounds. To this end, the present work is exemplary through the successful isolation of Fe₆M₃ (M= Ca^II or La^III) clusters. The synthesis and magnetic characterization of these clusters is highlighted herein.