Design, synthesis, and physical studies of multifunctional magnetic materials: optically active (conductive) magnets, high spin molecules

• Applicant: Dr. Cyrille Train, since 8/2006
• Co-Applicants: Professor Dr. Pierre Gouzerh; Dr. Michel Gruselle
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2002 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5370192

Our aim is to provide rationally synthesised new materials in three scientific areas rapidly developing: anisotropic high spin molecules (single molecule-magnets), photomagnetism, optically active magnets and magneto-chiral effect. We chose these three different areas to enhance the collaboration between our laboratory in Paris an four german teams which are among the leaders in the field in Bielefeld, Mainz, München and Stuttgart/Grenoble. I. Single molecule magnets are molecular systems which behave as magnets below a blocking temperature due to an anisotropic barrier DSz2 and quantum magnetic tunneling. Only a few examples of this behaviour are known and we propose to explore this new field with polycyanometalates and polyoxometalates (Collaboration Bielefeld, Mainz). The interplay of light with (magnetized) matter is a very exciting an promising field: II. Photomagnetism: the light can modify the magnetic properties leading to long-live metastable magnetic states. We propose to focus on cobalt-iron Prussian blue analogues whose properties are deeply modified by the insertion of alkali cations to understand the reaction mechanisms (Collaboration with München) and to evidence new photophysical magnetic properties (Collaboration with Mainz). III. Optically Active Magnets and evidence of Magneto-Chiral Effect: in optically active magnets the light should be polarised both by natural dichroism (break of space symmetry) or by magnetic dichroism (break of time symmetry). We propose an ab initio rational synthesis of new µ-oxalato bimetallic systems, enantiomerically pure magnets and their magneto-optical study (Collaboration with Stuttgart-Grenoble).

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1137: Molecular Magnetism
• International Connection: France