A family of porous magnets, [M3(HCOO)6] (M = Mn, Fe, Co and Ni)

A family of porous magnets of [M3(HCOO)6] (M = Mn, Fe, Co and Ni) with open diamond framework based on M-centred MM4 tetrahedral nodes, can be prepared by conventional solution chemistry method. They display permanent porosity, stability for thermal treatment, guest removal, and guest inclusion for a wide spectrum of both polar and non-polar guests of different size. The porous magnets show 3D long-range magnetic ordering and guest-modulated magnetic properties due to the subtle structure change of the magnetic framework that conforms to the guests and the nature of host–guest interaction. The dilution of [Fe3(HCOO)6] framework by diamagnetic zinc ion results in a mixed-metal porous [FexZn3−x(HCOO)6] series showing gradual evolution from 3D long-range ordering to spin glass then superparamagnet and finally paramagnet.

Graphical abstractA family of porous magnets of [M3(HCOO)6] (M = divalent Mn, Fe, Co and Ni), with open diamond framework based on M-centred MM4 tetrahedron, prepared by conventional solution chemistry method, displays permanent porosity, stability for thermal treatment, guest removal, guest inclusion for a wide spectrum of guests of different size, 3D long-range magnetic ordering and guest-modulated magnetic properties. The mixed-metal porous [FexZn3−x(HCOO)6] series shows gradual evolution from 3D long-range ordering to spin glass then superparamagnet and finally paramagnet upon magnetic dilution.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide