Spin state, inorganic compounds

Often the electronic spin states are not stationary with respect to the Mossbauer time scale but fluctuate and show transitions due to coupling to the vibrational states of the chemical environment (the lattice vibrations or phonons). The rate l/Tj of this spin-lattice relaxation depends among other variables on temperature and energy splitting (see also Appendix H). Alternatively, spin transitions can be caused by spin-spin interactions with rates 1/T2 that depend on the distance between the paramagnetic centers. In densely packed solids of inorganic compounds or concentrated solutions, the spin-spin relaxation may dominate the total spin relaxation 1/r = l/Ti + 1/+2 [104]. Whenever the relaxation time is comparable to the nuclear Larmor frequency S)A/h) or the rate of the nuclear decay ( 10 s ), the stationary solutions above do not apply and a dynamic model has to be invoked... 

By far the most utilized Mossbauer isotope is Fe, particularly in (bio)inorganic chemistry. Most iron compounds are found in the oxidation states iron(ll) and iron (III), either with low-spin or high-spin electron configuration. The literature on the application of Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy in this field of research has been reviewed in several textbooks, which are referenced in Chap. 1. The present chapter is intended as a survey of the Mossbauer studies on iron compounds with less common, nevertheless increasingly interesting, valence and spin states. 

Note In this table all metal ions are in high-spin states and liganding atoms are small O, N donors. S-donors favour lower co-ordination numbers. Ligand-field theory, that is polarisation of and binding by the core electrons and orbitals of the metal ion compounds, can explain the above observations see inorganic chemistry textbooks in Further Reading . 

Selected properties of the element are shown in Table 1.1.1. It is in Group 14 of the Periodic Table, with the electronic configuration [Kr] 4d ° 5s 5p its principal valence state is Sn(IV), though Sn(II) inorganic compounds are common, and many stannous organic compounds, with specially designed structures, have been prepared in recent years. Tin has 10 stable isotopes (Table 1.1.2), which is the largest number for any element, and results in very characteristic mass spectra. The " Sn and Sn isotopes, each with spin 1/2, are used in NMR spectroscopy. The y-active " Sn isotope, which is prepared by the neutron-irradiation of enriched Sn, is used in Mossbauer spectroscopy. 

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