Spin configuration of Mn(HCOO)2·2(NH2)2CO

Abstract The magnetic spin arrangement of Mn 2+ in the crystal of manganese formate di-urea, Mn(HCOO) 2 ·2(NH 2 ) 2 CO, is investigated within the Weiss molecular field approximation at T =0. This compound has the P4 1 2 1 2 tetragonal crystal structure and is a rather complicated antiferromagnet with eight sublattices. It is shown that this spin configuration is possible by taking into account the anisotropy energies due to the magnetic dipole field and the anisotropic exchange field, both caused by the small displacement of Mn 2+ from the perfect lattice sites, in addition to the superexchange interactions between the magnetic spins.