Three new iso-structural ammonium metal formates of [dmpnH2 ][M2 (HCOO)6 ], in which dmpnH2 2+ =N,N'-dimethyl-1,3-propylenediammoium and M=divalent Co, Zn and Mg ions, are reported. They possess niccolite metal formate frameworks with long-shaped cavities for the accommodation of dmpnH2 2+ cations. The three materials display reversible phase transitions of similar mechanism from ordered, antipolar or antiferroelectric, low-temperature phases in space group C2/c, to disordered, paraelectric, high-temperature phases in space group P 1c, with quite high critical temperatures of 366, 370, and 334 K for Co, Zn, and Mg members, respectively. On warming, the dmpnH2 2+ cation experiences an ordered state with gradual increase of the local vibration motions of the central CH2 and terminal CH3 groups, a partially disordered state with gradually enhanced flipping motion between the major and minor orientations, and finally a twisting or rotating motion after the phase transition, accompanied by prominent anisotropic thermal expansions and dielectric anomalies/relaxations. The phase transition characters and relevant properties also exhibit a subtle metal-dependence. The Co member shows spin-canted antiferromagnetism below the Néel temperature of 16.1 K, with unusual large spontaneous magnetization and coercive field.
Keywords: ammonium metal formate; dielectricity; magnetism; niccolite structure; phase transition; thermal expansion.
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