The introduction of Keggin-type POMs
of [PMo12O40]3– or [SiW12O40]4– as counteranions into
the FeIII–MII cyanometalate system afforded
three chain complexes: [(Tp*)Fe(CN)3Ni(DMF)4]2{[(Tp*)Fe(CN)3Ni(DMF)3(H2O)]2Ni(DMF)4}[PMo12O40]2·14DMF (1, Tp*= hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate)
and {[(Tp*)Fe(CN)3M(DMF)3(H2O)]2M(DMF)4}[SiW12O40]·3DMF (2, M = NiII; 3, M = CoII). Complex 1 contains
both discrete cationic [Fe2Ni2]2+ squares and less-studied {Fe2Ni3}
n
pearl chains, namely 3,2-chains, while 2 and 3 consist of pure 3,2-chains due to the replacement
of [PMo12O40]3– with [SiW12O40]4– bearing one more negative
charge. Magnetic studies revealed that all of the complexes exhibit
single-chain-magnet (SCM) behaviors with the effective thermal barriers
of Δτ1/k
B = 61.6
K (infinite regime) and Δτ2/k
B = 36.5 K (finite regime) for 1, Δτ/k
B = 46.9 K for 2 (finite), and Δτ/k
B = 30.6 K for 3 (finite). The POM moieties may play
a pivotal role for the realization of this promising archetype of
favoring SCM property: (1) the highly negatively charged POMs may
facilitate the formation of the uncommon highly positive “pearl
chain”; (2) the nanosized POMs necessarily led to the good
isolation of the chains in the title complexes, and (3) the employment
of POMs with different charges may regulate the resultant complexes
in both structure and magnetism.