Odd and Even Numbered Ferric Wheels.

The structurally related odd and even numbered wheels [FeIII11ZnII4(tea)10(teaH)1(OMe)Cl8] (1) and [FeIII12ZnII4(tea)12Cl8] (2) can be synthesized under ambient conditions by reacting FeIII and ZnII salts with triethanolamine (teaH3), the change in nuclearity being dictated by the solvents employed. An antiferromagnetic exchange between nearest neighbors, J = ‐10.0 cm−1 for 1 and J = −12.0 cm−1 for 2, leads to a frustrated S = 1/2 ground state in the former and an S = 0 ground state in the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]