Magnetochemistry. Compounds and Concepts.

New materials in today’s magnetochemistry are reviewed, among them spin-crossover compounds, single-molecule magnets, supramolecular magnetic materials, ferrofluids, and ferromagnetic nanocrystal superlattices, each with its specific application potential. Advanced computer programs are available which consider all relevant perturbations on the ’magnetic electrons’ and allow, on the basis of precise measurement results, the evaluation of magnetic parameters, above all the exchange parameter J. By means of molecular, ionic, and metallic compounds the J values are discussed with respect to sign and magnitude on the basis of concepts which take into consideration overlap of magnetic orbitals (direct exchange, superexchange) and the conduction electron concentration. Finally, further developments in the field of magnetochemistry are prospected.