Rational Approaches to Organic Ferromagnets Based on Neutral Radicals Appended to Organosulfur Donors

The science of molecule-based materials is an exciting subject in light of its fundamental scientific interest and potential applications. Considerable efforts are now being invested in developing strategies for the design and preparation of new materials involving an interplay or synergy between electrical conductivity and magnetic properties. This review examines approaches for the preparation of organic conducting ferromagnets from organic spin systems in the form of stable organic radicals that are covalently appended to organosulfur donors. The concept of a spin-polarized donor and spin alignment via itinerant electrons is addressed, together with an overview of the most important classes of stable organic radicals. A full comprehensive discussion of progress and achievements in this area spanning the last 15 years is presented.