Noncollinear antiferromagnetic structure of the molecule-based magnet Mn[N(CN){sub 2}]{sub 2}

The crystallographic and magnetic properties of the Mn[N(CN){sub 2}]{sub 2} compound have been investigated by dc magnetization, ac susceptibility, specific heat, and zero-field neutron diffraction on polycrystalline samples. The magnetic structure consists of two sublattices which are antiferromagnetically coupled and spontaneously canted. The spin orientation is mainly along the a axis with a small uncompensated moment along the b axis. The ground state is a crystal-field sextet with large magnetic anisotropy. The crystal structure consists of discrete octahedra which are axially elongated and successively tilted in the ab plane. Comparisons of the magnetic structures for the isostructural M[N(CN){sub 2}]{sub 2} (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) series suggest that the spin direction is stabilized by crystal fields and the spin canting is induced by the successive tilting of the octahedra. We propose that the superexchange interaction is the mechanism responsible for the magnetic ordering in these compounds and we find that a crossover from noncollinear antiferromagnetism to collinear ferromagnetism occurs for a superexchange angle of {alpha}{sub c}=142.0(5) degree sign . (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.