New Organic Superconductors in the System (ET)2 M(CF3)4(Solvent) (M = Cu, Ag, Au): Dramatic Effects of Organometallic Anion and Solvent Replacement

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Abstract
Over twenty molecular-based superconductors have been synthesized recently via electrocrystallization of the organic bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF or ET) electron donor molecule with the novel organometallic M(CF3)4 − (M = Cu, Ag, and Au) anions in a variety of 1,1,2-trihaloethane solvents. The highly anisotropic physical properties of these solvated (ET)2 M(CF3)4(1,1,2-trihaloethane) salts can be tuned via modifications of each of their three discrete molecular components. These unique salts crystallize in two distinct structural modifications of the κ-type packing motif (sheets of dimerized electron-donor molecules arranged in a parquet fashion). Crystals of the lower T c phase (κL) have a plate-like morphology and superconducting transition temperatures in the 2–6 K range, while the transitions of the higher T c phase (κH), which typically have a needle-like morphology, are in the 9–11 K range. The synthesis, structure, and physical properties of this new family of materials will be discussed.

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