Precisely tunable magnetic phase transition temperature, TC, through the formation of a molecular alloy in [NixPt1−x(mnt)2]−-based spin systems (mnt2− = maleonitriledithiolate, x = 0.09–0.91)

Abstract

Nine molecular substitutional alloys with formula [Cl–BzPy][Ni_xPt_1−x(mnt)₂] (x = 0.09–0.91) were prepared by mixing the isostructural [Cl–BzPy][Ni(mnt)₂] and [Cl–BzPy][Pt(mnt)₂] in acetonitrile according to the molar ratio of x/(1 − x), where mnt²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate, Cl–BzPy⁺ = 1-(4′-chloro-benzyl)pyridinium. Each alloy compound is isostructural with the parent compounds and shows a magnetic transition; the T_C decreases linearly with the molar fraction x, indicating that T_C is precisely tunable in this alloy system.