A gadolinium(III) nitronyl nitroxide linear chain with a complex spin structure

A new nitronyl nitroxide radical, 2-(4-carboxy-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetra-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-oxyl-3-oxide, was used to prepare a linear chain system containing Gd(II) ions and these radicals. With this radical which has two sets of coordinating oxygen atoms, it was possible to build a very peculiar spin system with a complex magnetic structure.