Magnetic properties of a novel quasi-2D Cu(II)-trimer system.

We present structural and magnetic data of a new Cu(2+)(S = 1/2)-containing magnetic trimer system 2b·3CuCl(2)·2H(2)O (b = betaine, C(5)H(11)NO(2)). The trimers form a quasi-2D quantum spin system with an unusual intra-layer exchange coupling topology, which, in principle, supports diagonal four-spin exchange. To describe the magnetic properties, a 2D effective interacting-trimer model has been developed including an intra-trimer coupling J and two inter-trimer couplings J(a) and J(b).