Cation Exchange in Small ZnS and CdS Molecular Analogues

The simplest means of altering the chemistry and electronic structure of any material, from molecular clusters to single crystals, is by the introduction of chemical impurities. We present a systematic study of the cation exchange reaction involving Co2+ ions with metal benzenethiolate clusters, [M4(SPh)10]2– (M = Zn, Cd), yielding diluted magnetic clusters having the general formula [(M1–x Co x )4(SPh)10]2–. This method allows high concentrations of doping at the molecular level without forming concentrated magnetic clusters such as [Co4(SPh)10]2–. Changes in the electronic structure of the molecular species containing on average