Magnetic Ordering in the Rare Earth Molecule-Based Magnets, Ln(TCNE)3 (Ln = Gd, Dy; TCNE = Tetracyanoethylene)

The reaction of LnI(3) x xMeCN (Ln = Gd, Dy) and TCNE (tetracyanoethylene) in acetonitrile forms Ln(2)[C(4)(CN)(8)](3) x xMeCN. These paramagnetic light-colored solids contain the S = 0 octacyanobutandiide dianion, [C(4)(CN)(8)](2-), which upon desolvation of these products forms dark green Ln(TCNE)(3). In these compounds the central C[bond]C sigma bond in [C(4)(CN)(8)](2-) is broken, re-forming S = 1/2 [TCNE]*(-). as evidenced by the color change and the infrared spectra. Ln(TCNE)(3) exhibit coupling between Ln(3+) and [TCNE]*(-) and magnetically order as ferrimagnets at 8.5 (Dy) and 3.5 (Gd) K.