Structure and Magnetism of a Spin Ladder System: (C₅H₉NH₃)₂CuBr₄

Abstract

The crystal structure of bis(cyclopentylammonium)tetrabromocuprate(II) has been determined at room temperature and at -70 degrees C. The room temperature structure is orthorhombic, space group Pn2(1)a, with a = 12.092(6) A, b = 8.134(4) A, and c = 18.698(10) A. The low temperature structure is also orthorhombic, space group Pna2(1), with a = 24.111(5) A, b = 8.089(2) A, and c = 18.448(4) A. DSC studies reveal the presence of a weak endotherm at -13 degrees C. The structures of the two phases are very similar, differing only in the relative orientations of the cyclopentyl rings of the organic cations and slight displacements of the anionic tetrahedra. The CuBr(4)(2)(-) anions in the low temperature phase are arranged to define a spin ladder system through Cu-Br.Br-Cu two-halide exchange pathways. Magnetic susceptibility data have been analyzed and yield antiferromagnetic exchange strengths 2J(rail)/k = -11.6 K and 2J(rung)/k = -5.5 K with a singlet-triplet gap energy Delta/k(B) = 2.3 K. This is the first report of a spin ladder with a stronger interaction along the axis of the ladder than along the rungs.