Magnetic properties of Cu(phen)(H2O)2SO4−S=12 zigzag ladder with spatially anisotropic exchange coupling

Low-temperature specific heat, susceptibility, magnetization, and electron paramagnetic resonance studies of Cu(phen)(H 2 O) 2 SO 4 have been performed to characterize the magnetic interactions. In contrast to expectations based on structural considerations, the investigations revealed surprisingly weak magnetic correlations which can be ascribed to the non-trivial magnetochemistry of the hydrogen bonds present in the structure.