Clusters and ions in {TR6}X12R (T=Fe, Co, Ru, Os, Ir, R=Dy, Ho, Er, X=Br, I)—A magnetic study

Abstract Eight cluster complex compounds with the composition {TR 6 }X 12 R (T=Fe, Co, Ru, Os, Ir, R=Dy, Ho, Er, X=Br, I) exhibiting the same crystal structure, {BSc 6 }Cl 12 Sc type, were investigated by magnetometry. A diversity of magnetic properties was recorded depending on chemical compositions. Long range spin order is suggested for {CoHo 6 }I 12 Ho, {FeHo 6 }I 12 Ho and {OsDy 6 }I 12 Dy below 40, 20 and 17 K, respectively. The occurrence of 1–10% magnetic energy losses at lower temperatures with strong frequency dependence makes several of the compounds comparable with molecular magnets. Both the {TR 6 } cluster and the single R 3+ ion contribute to out-of-phase susceptibility; these effects appear separately and can be investigated individually by employing an AC-magnetic field.