ORIGINAL

Abstract

A series of (quasi) one-dimensional NiCl-based compounds are reported in this thesis with the general formula ANiCl3 where A = Cs+, CH3NH3+, CH(NH2)2+, C(NH2)3+, N(CH3)4+. In these compounds, the magnetic properties are dictated by the inorganic backbone which consists of chains of face-sharing NiCl6 octahedra, coordinated by the A cation. This class of compound represents S = 1 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic spin chains which attract special interest as potential Haldane systems. Magnetic properties of three three NiCl-based organic-inorganic hybrids (A = CH3NH3+, CH(NH2)2+, C(NH2)3+) are reported for the first time in this thesis. This data reveals that the magnetic properties of the inorganic backbone can be tuned by using different organic molecules in place of the A cation. This thesis will conclude with a discussion on the influence of the organic molecules on the variations of the magnetic properties observed in these NiCl spin chains.