Solid state and solution studies of lanthanide(III) complexes of cyclohexanetriols, models of the coordination sites found in sugars

This report covers studies in trivalent lanthanide complexation by two simple cyclohexanetriols that are models of the two coordination sites found in sugars and derivatives. Several complexes of trivalent lanthanide ions with cis,cis-1,3,5-trihydroxycyclohexane (L(1)()) and cis,cis-1,2,3-trihydroxycyclohexane (L(2)()) have been characterized in the solid state, and some of them have been studied in organic solutions. With L(1)(), Ln(L)(2) complexes are obtained when crystallization is performed from acetonitrile solutions whatever the nature of the salt (nitrate or triflate) [Ln(L(1)())(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3)) (Ln = Pr, Nd); [Ln(L(1)())(2)(NO(3))H(2)O](NO(3))(2) (Ln = Eu, Ho, Yb); [Ln(L(1)())(2)(OTf)(2)(H(2)O)](OTf) (Ln = Nd, Eu). Lanthanum nitrate itself gives a mixed complex [La(L(1)())(2)(NO(3))(2)][LaL(1)()(NO(3))(4)] from acetonitrile solution while [La(L(1)())(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3)) is obtained using dimethoxyethane as reaction solvent and crystallization medium. With L(2)(), Ln(L)(2) complexes have also been crystallized from methanol solution [Ln(L(2)())(2)(NO(3))(2)]NO(3), (Ln = Pr, Nd, Eu). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses are reported for these complexes. Complex formation in solution has been studied for several triflate salts (La, Pr, Nd, Eu, and Yb) with L(1 )()and L(2)(), respectively in acetonitrile and in methanol. In contrast to the solid state, both structures Ln(L) and Ln(L)(2) equilibrate in solution, as was demonstrated by low-temperature (1)H NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry experiments. Competing experiments in complexing abilities of L(1)() and L(2)() with trivalent lanthanide cations have shown that only L(2)() exhibits a small selectivity (Nd > Pr > Yb > La > Eu) in methanol.     

Luminescence tuning of imidazole-based lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy

To tune the lanthanide luminescence in related molecular structures, we synthesized and characterized a series of lanthanide complexes with imidazole-based ligands: two tripodal ligands, tris{[2-{(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (Me(3)L), and tris{[2-{(imidazol-4-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (H(3)L), and the dipodal ligand bis{[2-{(imidazol-4-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (H(2)L). The general formulas are [Ln(Me(3)L)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(3)·3H(2)O (Ln = 3+ lanthanide ion: Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), and Dy (5)), [Ln(H(3)L)(NO(3))](NO(3))(2)·MeOH (Ln(3+) = Sm (6), Eu (7), Gd (8), Tb (9), and Dy (10)), and [Ln(H(2)L)(NO(3))(2)(MeOH)](NO(3))·MeOH (Ln(3+) = Sm (11), Eu (12), Gd (13), Tb (14), and Dy (15)). Each lanthanide ion is 9-coordinate in the complexes with the Me(3)L and H(3)L ligands and 10-coordinate in the complexes with the H(2)L ligand, in which counter anion and solvent molecules are also coordinated. The complexes show a screw arrangement of ligands around the lanthanide ions, and their enantiomorphs form racemate crystals. Luminescence studies have been carried out on the solid and solution-state samples. The triplet energy levels of Me(3)L, H(3)L, and H(2)L are 21?000, 22?700, and 23?000 cm(-1), respectively, which were determined from the phosphorescence spectra of their Gd(3+) complexes. The Me(3)L ligand is an effective sensitizer for Sm(3+) and Eu(3+) ions. Efficient luminescence of Sm(3+), Eu(3+), Tb(3+), and Dy(3+) ions was observed in complexes with the H(3)L and H(2)L ligands. Ligand modification by changing imidazole groups alters their triplet energy, and results in different sensitizing ability towards lanthanide ions.     

Trinuclear to dinuclear: a radii dependence lanthanide(III) self-assembly coordination behavior of an amide-type tripodal ligand

Lanthanide nitrate complexes with the heptadentate ligand L (6-[2-(2-(diethylamino)-2-oxoethoxy)ethyl]-N,N,12-triethyl-11-oxo-3,9-dioxa-6,12-diazatetradecanamide), [Ln(2)L(NO(3))(6)] (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Ho), have been prepared and characterized. The X-ray crystallographic studies show that, in [La(2)L(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)].H(2)O (1), two complex cations [LaL(H(2)O)](3+) are linked by a hexanitrato anion [La(NO(3))(6)](3)(-) and form a trinuclear cation. In [Nd(2)L(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)].CHCl(3).1/2CH(3)OH.1/2H(2)O (2), one complex cation [NdL(H(2)O)](3+) and a hexanitrato complex anion [Nd(NO(3))(6)](3)(-) are linked by a bridging NO(3)(-) to form a dinuclear complex. In both complexes, the bridging nitrate is an unusual tetradentate ligand. The metal ions are 12-coordinated in hexanitrato anions and 10-coordinated in complex cations. The chainlike supramolecular structures of La(3+) complex are parallel and have no hydrogen bonds in between, while, in the Nd(3+) complex, a chiral cavity is formed by hydrogen bonds between two adjacent supramolecular chains. These influences are further investigated by assessing the separation efficiency of L and (1)H NMR spectra of its lanthanide nitrate mixtures in solution.     

Ferromagnetic NiII-GdIII interactions in complexes with NiGd, NiGdNi, and NiGdGdNi cores supported by tripodal ligands

Dinuclear [(NiL)Gd(hfac)(2)(EtOH)](H(3)L = 1,1,1-tris(N-salicylideneaminomethyl)ethane, Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone), trinuclear [(NiL)(2)Gd(NO(3))], and tetranuclear [(NiL)Gd(CH(3)CO(2))(2)(MeOH)](2) complexes, were prepared by treating [Ni(HL)] with [Gd(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)], Gd(NO(3))(3).6H(2)O, and Gd(CH(3)CO(2))(3).4H(2)O, respectively, in the presence of Et(3)N. All the complexes show that ferromagnetic interactions occur between the Ni(II) and Gd(III) ions.     

Synthesis, characterizations and luminescent properties of three novel aryl amide type ligands and their lanthanide complexes

Three new aryl amide type ligands, N-(phenyl)-2-(quinolin-8-yloxy)acetamide (L(1)), N-(benzyl)-2-(quinolin-8-yloxy)acetamide (L(2)) and N-(naphthalene-1-yl)-2-(quinolin-8-yloxy)acetamide (L(3)) were synthesized. With these ligands, three series of lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared: [Ln(L(1))(2)(NO(3))(2)]NO(3), [Ln(L(2))(2)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)]NO(3).H(2)O and [Ln(L(3))(2)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)]NO(3).H(2)O (Ln=La, Sm, Eu, Gd). The complexes were characterized by the elemental analyses, molar conductivity, (1)H NMR spectra, IR spectra and TG-DTA. The fluorescence properties of complexes in the solid state and the triplet state energies of the ligands were studied in detail, respectively. It was found that the Eu(III) complexes have bright red fluorescence in solid state. The energies of excited triplet state for the three ligands are 20325 cm(-1) (L(3)), 21053 cm(-1) (L(2)) and 22831 cm(-1) (L(1)), respectively. All the three ligands sensitize Eu(III) strongly and the order of the emission intensity for the Eu(III) complexes with the three ligands is L(3)>L(2)>L(1). It can be explained by the relative energy gap between the lowest triplet energy level of the ligand (T) and (5)D(1) of Eu(III). This means that the triplet energy level of the ligand is the chief factor, which dominates Eu(III) complexes luminescence.     

Anion dependant self-assembly and the first X-ray structure of a neutral homoleptic lanthanide salen complex Tb4(salen)6

Reaction of H(2)salen (H(2)L) with Tb(OAc)(3).4H(2)O (3 : 2) in MeOH-MeCN under reflux gave homoleptic Tb(4)L(6) (1) in 40% yield; in contrast, similar reactions of Tb(NO(3))(3).6H(2)O and LnCl(3).6H(2)O (Ln = Tb, Nd and Yb) gave [TbL(NO(3))(MeOH)](2)(micro-H(2)L) (2) and [LnL(Cl)(MeOH)](2)(micro-H(2)L) (Ln = Tb (3), Nd (4) and Yb (5); H(2)L = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneimine)).     

Synthesis and coordination properties of new bis(phosphinomethyl)pyridine N,P,P'-trioxides

In a search for more hydrocarbon solvent soluble derivatives of the parent ligand, 2,6-[Ph(2)P(O)CH(2)](2)C(5)H(3)NO (1a), a series of new ligands, 2,6-[R(2)P(O)CH(2)](2)C(5)H(3)NO [R = Bz (1b); Tol (1c); Et (1d); Pr (1e); Bu (1f); Pn (1g); Hx (1h); Hp (1i); and Oct (1j)] and 2,6-[RR'P(O)CH(2)](2)C(5)H(3)NO [R = Ph, R' = Bz (2a); R = Ph, R' = Me (2b); R = Ph, R' = Hx (2c); R = Ph, R' = Oct (2d)], have been prepared by either Arbusov or Grignard substitutions on 2,6-bis(chloromethyl)pyridine followed by N-oxidation. The new ligands have been characterized by spectroscopic methods, and their coordination chemistry with selected lanthanide ions has been surveyed. Several 1:1 and 2:1 ligand/metal complexes have been isolated, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses for Nd(2a)(NO(3))(3), Er(2a)(NO(3))(3), Yb(1d)(NO(3))(3), and [Nd(1c)(2)](NO(3))(3) are described. The new structural data are discussed in relation to the structures of complexes formed by 1a.     

Heterospin systems constructed from [Cu2Ln]3+ and [Ni(mnt)2]1-,2- Tectons: First 3p-3d-4f complexes (mnt = maleonitriledithiolato)

New heterospin complexes have been obtained by combining the binuclear complexes [{Cu(H(2)O)L(1)}Ln(O(2)NO)(3)] or [{CuL(2)}Ln(O(2)NO)(3)] (L(1) = N,N'-propylene-di(3-methoxysalicylideneiminato); L(2) = N,N'-ethylene-di(3-methoxysalicylideneiminato); Ln = Gd(3+), Sm(3+), Tb(3+)), with the mononuclear [CuL(1)(2)] and the nickel dithiolene complexes [Ni(mnt)(2)](q)- (q = 1, 2; mnt = maleonitriledithiolate), as follows: (1)infinity[{CuL(1)}(2)Ln(O(2)NO){Ni(mnt)(2)}].Solv.CH(3)CN (Ln = Gd(3+), Solv = CH(3)OH (1), Ln = Sm(3+), Solv = CH(3)CN (2)) and [{(CH(3)OH)CuL(2)}(2)Sm(O(2)NO)][Ni(mnt)(2)] (3) with [Ni(mnt)2]2-, [{(CH(3)CN)CuL(1)}(2)Ln(H(2)O)][Ni(mnt)(2)]3.2CH(3)CN (Ln = Gd(3+) (4), Sm(3+) (5), Tb(3+) (6)), and [{(CH(3)OH)CuL(2)}{CuL(2)}Gd(O(2)NO){Ni(mnt)(2)}][Ni(mnt)(2)].CH(2)Cl(2) (7) with [Ni(mnt))(2]*-. Trinuclear, almost linear, [CuLnCu] motifs are found in all the compounds. In the isostructural 1 and 2, two trans cyano groups from a [Ni(mnt)2]2- unit bridge two trimetallic nodes through axial coordination to the Cu centers, thus leading to the establishment of infinite chains. 3 is an ionic compound, containing discrete [{(CH(3)OH)CuL(2)}(2)Sm(O(2)NO)](2+) cations and [Ni(mnt)(2)](2-) anions. Within the series 4-6, layers of discrete [CuLnCu](3+) motifs alternate with stacks of interacting [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) radical anions, for which two overlap modes, providing two different types of stacks, can be disclosed. The strength of the intermolecular interactions between the open-shell species is estimated through extended Hückel calculations. In compound 7, [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) radical anions coordinate group one of the Cu centers of a trinuclear [Cu(2)Gd] motif through a CN, while discrete [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) units are also present, overlapping in between, but also with the coordinated ones. Furthermore, the [Cu(2)Gd] moieties dimerize each other upon linkage by two nitrato groups, both acting as chelate toward the gadolinium ion from one unit and monodentate toward a Cu ion from the other unit. The magnetic properties of the gadolinium-containing complexes have been determined. Ferromagnetic exchange interactions within the trinuclear [Cu(2)Gd] motifs occur. In the compounds 4 and 7, the [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) radical anions contribution to the magnetization is clearly observed in the high-temperature regime, and most of it vanishes upon temperature decrease, very likely because of the rather strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the open-shell species. The extent of the exchange interaction in the compound 7, which was found to be antiferromagnetic, between the coordinated Cu center and the corresponding [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) radical anion, bearing mostly a 3p spin type, was estimated through CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations. Compound 6 exhibits a slow relaxation of the magnetization.     

A family of 13 tetranuclear zinc(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes of a [3+3] Schiff-base macrocycle derived from 1,4-diformyl-2,3-dihydroxybenzene

A family of thirteen tetranuclear heterometallic zinc(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes of the hexa-imine macrocycle (L(Pr))(6-), with general formula Zn(II)(3)Ln(III)(L(Pr))(NO(3))(3)·xsolvents (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm or Yb), were prepared in a one-pot synthesis using a 3:1:3:3 reaction of zinc(II) acetate, the appropriate lanthanide(III) nitrate, the dialdehyde 1,4-diformyl-2,3-dihydroxybenzene (H(2)L(1)) and 1,3-diaminopropane. A hexanuclear homometallic zinc(II) macrocyclic complex [Zn(6)(L(Pr))(OAc)(5)(OH)(H(2)O)]·3H(2)O was obtained using a 2:0:1:1 ratio of the same reagents. A control experiment using a 1:0:1:1 ratio failed to generate the lanthanide-free [Zn(3)(L(Pr))] macrocyclic complex. The reaction of H(2)L(1) and zinc(II) acetate in a 1:1 ratio yielded the pentanuclear homometallic complex of the dialdehyde H(2)L(1), [Zn(5)(L(1))(5)(H(2)O)(6)]·3H(2)O. An X-ray crystal structure determination revealed [Zn(3)(II)Pr(III)(L(Pr))(NO(3))(2)(DMF)(3)](NO(3))·0.9DMF has the large ten-coordinate lanthanide(III) ion bound in the central O(6) site with two bidentate nitrate anions completing the O(10) coordination sphere. The three square pyramidal zinc(II) ions are in the outer N(2)O(2) sites with a fifth donor from DMF. Measurement of the magnetic properties of [Zn(II)(3)Dy(III)(L(Pr))(NO(3))(3)(MeOH)(3)]·4H(2)O with a weak external dc field showed that it has a frequency-dependent out-of-phase component of ac susceptibility, indicative of slow relaxation of the magnetization (SMM behaviour). Likewise, the Er and Yb analogues are field-induced SMMs; the latter is only the second example of a Yb-based SMM. The neodymium, ytterbium and erbium complexes are luminescent in the solid phase, but only the ytterbium and neodymium complexes show strong lanthanide-centred luminescence in DMF solution.     

Family of carboxylate- and nitrate-diphenoxo triply bridged dinuclear Ni(II)Ln(III) complexes (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, Y): synthesis, experimental and theoretical magneto-structural studies, and single-molecule magnet behavior

Seven acetate-diphenoxo triply bridged M(II)-Ln(III) complexes (M(II) = Ni(II) and Ln(III) = Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, and Y; M(II) = Zn(II) and Ln(III) = Ho(III) and Er(III)) of formula [M(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Ln(NO(3))(2)], one nitrate-diphenoxo triply bridged Ni(II)-Tb(III) complex, [Ni(μ-L)(μ-NO(3))Tb(NO(3))(2)]·2CH(3)OH, and two diphenoxo doubly bridged Ni(II)-Ln(III) complexes (Ln(III) = Eu, Gd) of formula [Ni(H(2)O)(μ-L)Ln(NO(3))(3)]·2CH(3)OH have been prepared in one pot reaction from the compartmental ligand N,N',N"-trimethyl-N,N"-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)diethylenetriamine (H(2)L). Moreover, Ni(II)-Ln(III) complexes bearing benzoate or 9-anthracenecarboxylate bridging groups of formula [Ni(μ-L)(μ-BzO)Dy(NO(3))(2)] and [Ni(μ-L)(μ-9-An)Dy(9-An)(NO(3))(2)]·3CH(3)CN have also been successfully synthesized. In acetate-diphenoxo triply bridged complexes, the acetate bridging group forces the structure to be folded with an average hinge angle in the M(μ-O(2))Ln bridging fragment of ~22°, whereas nitrate-diphenoxo doubly bridged complexes and diphenoxo-doubly bridged complexes exhibit more planar structures with hinge angles of ~13° and ~2°, respectively. All Ni(II)-Ln(III) complexes exhibit ferromagnetic interactions between Ni(II) and Ln(III) ions and, in the case of the Gd(III) complexes, the J(NiGd) coupling increases weakly but significantly with the planarity of the M-(O)(2)-Gd bridging fragment and with the increase of the Ni-O-Gd angle. Density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations on the Ni(II)Gd(III) complexes and model compounds support these magneto-structural correlations as well as the experimental J(NiGd) values, which were found to be ~1.38 and ~2.1 cm(-1) for the folded [Ni(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Gd(NO(3))(2)] and planar [Ni(H(2)O)(μ-L)Gd(NO(3))(3)]·2CH(3)OH complexes, respectively. The Ni(II)Dy(III) complexes exhibit slow relaxation of the magnetization with Δ/k(B) energy barriers under 1000 Oe applied magnetic fields of 9.2 and 10.1 K for [Ni(μ-L)(μ-BzO)Dy(NO(3))(2)] and [Ni(μ-L)(μ-9-An)Dy(9-An)(NO(3))(2)]·3CH(3)CN, respectively.     

Gadolinium(III) complexes of mono- and diethyl esters of monophosphonic acid analogue of DOTA as potential MRI contrast agents: solution structures and relaxometric studies

Two new macrocyclic DOTA-like chelates containing one phosphonate pendant arm were synthesised as potential contrast agents for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). The chelates bind to the lanthanide(III) in an octadentate manner, via four nitrogen atoms, three carboxylate and one phosphonate oxygen atoms. Solution structures of [Ln(do3ap(OEt2))(H(2)O)] and [Ln(do3ap(OEt))(H(2)O)](-) were studied using (31)P and (1)H NMR spectroscopy and SAP (square-antiprismatic)/TSAP (twisted square-antiprismatic) isomerism was observed. Depending on the nature of the lanthanide(III) ion, the lanthanide(III) complexes of H(4)do3ap(OEt) are present in solution as up to four different diastereoisomers observable with NMR. The TSAP isomer is the most abundant at the beginning of the lanthanide series and, with a decrease of the ionic radius of lanthanide(III) ions, both TSAP and SAP forms were observed. A second interconversion (SAP<-->TSAP') becomes important at the end of the series (TSAP' means the TSAP species without a coordinated water molecule). The remaining axial coordination site is occupied by one water molecule for the Gd(3+)-complex. The calculated fraction of the TSAP isomer in the gadolinium(III) complexes increases in the order [Gd(DOTA)(H(2)O)](-) < [Gd(do3ap(OEt2))(H(2)O)] < [Gd(do3ap(OEt))(H(2)O)](-) < [Gd(do3ap)(H(2)O)](2-). Gadolinium(III) complexes of phosphorus-containing chelates, generally, have the advantage of a relatively fast water exchange rate due to a greater sterical demand of the phosphorus acid moiety and of the presence of the second-sphere water shell, which also contributes to the overall relaxivity. The [Gd(do3ap(OEt2))(H(2)O)] and [Gd(do3ap(OEt))(H(2)O)](-) complexes were studied by variable-temperature (17)O NMR and (1)H NMRD. The experimental data were evaluated simultaneously with commonly used equations based on Solomon-Bloembergen-Morgan approximation, extended by a contribution of the second coordination sphere. The water exchange rates were found to be strongly dependent on the TSAP/SAP isomeric ratio and the overall charge of the complex: the monoanionic [Gd(do3ap(OEt))(H(2)O)](-) complex with TSAP molar fraction equal to 0.36 has the water exchange rate of 20 x 10(6) s(-1) (tau(M) = 50 ns) while neutral [Gd(do3ap(OEt2))(H(2)O)] complex with TSAP molar fraction 0.28 has an exchange rate equal to 4.4 x 10(6) s(-1) (tau(M) = 227 ns).     

A simple thermodynamic model for rationalizing the formation of self-assembled multimetallic edifices: application to triple-stranded helicates

Reaction of the bis-tridentate ligand bis[1-ethyl-2-[6'-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl)pyridin-2'-yl]benzimidazol-5-yl]methane (L2) with Ln(CF(3)SO(3))(3).xH(2)O in acetonitrile (Ln = La-Lu) demonstrates the successive formation of three stable complexes [Ln(L2)(3)](3+), [Ln(2)(L2)(3)](6+), and [Ln(2)(L2)(2)](6+). Crystal-field independent NMR methods establish that the crystal structure of [Tb(2)(L2)(3)](6+) is a satisfying model for the helical structure observed in solution. This allows the qualitative and quantitative beta23 (bi,Ln1,Ln2)characterization of the heterobimetallic helicates [(Ln(1))(Ln(2))(L2)(3)](6+). A simple free energy thermodynamic model based on (i) an absolute affinity for each nine-coordinate lanthanide occupying a terminal N(6)O(3) site and (ii) a single intermetallic interaction between two adjacent metal ions in the complexes (DeltaE) successfully models the experimental macroscopic constants and allows the rational molecular programming of the extended trimetallic homologues [Ln(3)(L5)(3)](9+).     

Lanthanoid-containing open Wells-Dawson silicotungstates: synthesis, crystal structures, and properties

Five novel lanthanoid-containing silicotungstates with polymeric crystal structures [Ln(2)(H(2)O)(7)Si(2)W(18)O(66)](n)(10n-) [Ln = Gd(III) (Gd-1 and Gd-2), Tb(III), Ho(III)] and [Dy(2)(H(2)O)(6.5)(C(2)H(4)O(2))(0.5)Si(2)W(18)O(66)](n)(10n-) were obtained from the one-step reaction of Na(10)[SiW(9)O(34)]·nH(2)O with Ln(NO(3))(3)·nH(2)O in a sodium acetate buffer. The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and a wide range of analytical methods, including FT-IR, UV/vis, and photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as electrochemistry and thermogravimetric analysis. This new polyoxotungstate series is the first example of lanthanoids embedded in the open Wells-Dawson silicotungstate anion [α-Si(2)W(18)O(66)](16-). The lanthanoid-containing Wells-Dawson-type polyoxoanions [Ln(2)(H(2)O)(7)Si(2)W(18)O(66)](10-) [Ln = Gd(III) (Gd-1 and Gd-2), Tb(III), Ho(III)] and [Dy(2)(H(2)O)(6.5)(C(2)H(4)O(2))(0.5)Si(2)W(18)O(66)](10-) are linked by Ln(3+) cations to form 3D architectures for Gd-1 or 2D frameworks for the isostructural compounds Tb-2, Dy-2, Ho-2, and Gd-2. The structure-directing influence of the lanthanoid cation on the local structure of the dimeric building blocks and on the crystal packing motifs is investigated in detail. The photoluminescence properties of Tb-2 and Dy-2 were investigated at room temperature, and Ho-2 exhibits an interesting photochromic behavior. The magnetic susceptibility of Gd-1 and Gd-2 was studied in the temperature range between 2 and 300 K for its effective magnetic moment.     

Lanthanide(III) and group 13 metal ion complexes of tripodal amino phosphinate ligands

The tripodal amino-phosphinate ligands, tris(4-(phenylphosphinato)-3-benzyl-3-azabutyl)amine (H(3)ppba.2HCl.H(2)O) and tris(4-(phenylphosphinato)-3-azabutyl)amine (H(3)ppa.HCl.H(2)O) were synthesized and reacted with Al(3+), Ga(3+), In(3+) and the lanthanides (Ln(3+)). At 2 : 1 H(3)ppba to metal ratios, complexes of the type [M(H(3)ppba)(2)](3+)(M = Al(3+), Ga(3+), In(3+), Ho(3+)-Lu(3+)) were isolated. The bicapped [Ga(H(3)ppba)(2)](NO(3))(2)Cl.3CH(3)OH was structurally characterized and was shown indirectly by various techniques to be isostructural with the other [M(H(3)ppba)(2)](3+) complexes. Also, at 2 : 1 H(3)ppba to metal ratios, complexes of the type [M(H(4)ppba)(2)](5+)(M = La(3+)-Tb(3+)) were characterized, and the X-ray structure of [Gd(H(4)ppba)(2)](NO(3))(4)Cl.3CH(3)OH was determined. At 1 : 1 H(3)ppba to metal ratios, complexes of the type [M(H(4)ppba)](4+)(M = La(3+)-Er(3+)) were isolated and characterized. Elemental analysis and spectroscopic evidence supported the formation of a 1 : 1 monocapped complex. Reaction of 1 : 1 ratios of H(3)ppa with Ln(3+) and In(3+) yielded complexes of the type [M(H(3)ppa)](3+)(M = La(3+)-Yb(3+)) but with Ga(3+), complex of the type [Ga(ppa)].3H(2)O was obtained. Reaction of 1 : 1 ratios of H(3)ppa with Ln(3+) and In(3+) yielded complexes of the type [M(H(3)ppa)](3+)(M = La(3+)-Yb(3+)) but with Ga(3+) a neutral complex [Ga(ppa)].3H(2)O was obtained. The formation of an encapsulated 1 : 1 complex is supported by elemental analysis and spectroscopic evidence.     

Heterometallic 20-membered {Fe16Ln4} (Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) metallo-ring aggregates

The reaction of triethanolamine (teaH(3)) with [Fe(III)(3)O(O(2)CCH(3))(6)(H(2)O)(3)]Cl·6H(2)O and Ln(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O in acetonitrile yields [Fe(16)Ln(4)(tea)(8)(teaH)(12)(μ-O(2)CCH(3))(8)](NO(3))(4)·16H(2)O·xMeCN (Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), Dy (5), Ho (6); x = 10 or 11). These 20-membered metallo-ring complexes are the largest such single-stranded oxygen-bridged rings so far reported. The structure is stabilised by two of the acetate ligands, which form anti,anti-bridges across the centre of the ring, pinching the ring and giving it rigidity. The magnetic properties are dominated by the antiferromagnetic couplings between the Fe(III) centres. Although the Fe(2) and Fe(6) sub-chains within the ring are fully spin-compensated at low temperatures with S(subchain) = 0, coupling between the Gd(III) cations and the Fe(III) centres at the ends of the sub-chains (in 3) results in a pinning of the lanthanide spins. The (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectra of 3 and 5 obtained at low temperatures are consistent with the presence of Fe(III) intracluster strong antiferromagnetic coupling. The applied field spectrum for 3 reveals no magnetic hyperfine interaction apart from that of the nucleus with the applied field, while the one for 5 is a superposition of three subspectra which show contributions from each of the peripheral as well as from the central iron sites.     

Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of heteronuclear Cu(II)-Ln(III) (Ln = La, Gd, or Tb) complexes

Facile one-pot reactions led to the formations of dinuclear [CuLn(hmp)2(NO3)3(H2O)2] (Ln = Tb (1.Tb), Gd (1.Gd), or La (1.La)), and trinuclear [Cu2Ln(mmi)4(NO3)(H2O)2](ClO4)(NO3).2H2O (Ln = Tb (2.Tb) or Gd (2.Gd)) and [Cu2La(mmi)4(NO3)2(H2O)](ClO4).2H2O (2.La) with polydentate ligands 2-(hydroxymethyl)-pyridine and 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-imidazole. In these complexes, each pair of Cu(II) and Ln(III) ions is linked by a double mu-alkoxo bridge. The temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibilities of 1 and 2 were investigated in the range of 2-300 K. The dinuclear and trinuclear Cu-Gd complexes exhibit ferromagnetic interaction. The coupling constant J values in the heterodinuclear Cu-Gd complexes are correlated to values of the dihedral angles alpha between the two O-Cu-O and O-Gd-O fragments of the bridging CuO2Gd networks, with the largest J value associated with the smallest alpha value. The occurrence of a ferromagnetic interaction between Cu(II) and Gd(III) ions of the trinuclear entity is supported by the field dependence of the magnetization. The field dependence of the magnetization at 2 K of 1.Gd and 2.Gd confirms the nature of the ground state and of the Cu(II)-Gd(III) interaction, while alternating current susceptibility measurements demonstrates out-of-phase ac susceptibility signals of 1.Tb, which is the molecule-based magnetic material of the smallest nuclearity which exhibits frequency-dependent behavior within the 3d-4f mixed-metal systems.     

The first self-assembled trimetallic lanthanide helicates driven by positive cooperativity

The segmental tris-tridentate ligand L7 reacts with stoichiometric quantities of Ln(III) (Ln=La-Lu) in acetonitrile to give the complexes [Ln(2)(L7)(3)](6+) and [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](9+). Formation constants point to negligible size-discriminating effects along the lanthanide series, but Scatchard plots suggest that the self-assembly of the trimetallic triple-stranded helicates [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](9+) is driven to completion by positive cooperativity, despite strong intermetallic electrostatic repulsions. Crystallization provides quantitatively [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(9) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu) and the X-ray crystal structure of [Eu(3)(L7)(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(9).(CH(3)CN)(9).(H(2)O)(2) (Eu(3)C(216)H(226)N(48)O(35)F(27)S(9), triclinic, P1, Z=2) shows the three ligand strands wrapped around a pseudo-threefold axis defined by the three metal ions rigidly held at about 9 A. Each metal ion is coordinated by nine donor atoms in a pseudo-trigonal prismatic arrangement, but the existence of terminal carboxamide units in the ligand strands differentiates the electronic properties of the terminal and the central metallic sites. Photophysical data confirm that the three coordination sites possess comparable pseudo-trigonal symmetries in the solid state and in solution. High-resolution luminescence analyses evidence a low-lying LMCT state affecting the central EuN(9) site, so that multi-metal-centered luminescence is essentially dominated by the emission from the two terminal EuN(6)O(3) sites in [Eu(3)(L7)(3)](9+). New multicenter equations have been developed for investigating the solution structure of [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](9+) by paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy and linear correlations for Ln=Ce-Tb imply isostructurality for these larger lanthanides. NMR spectra point to the triple helical structure being maintained in solution, but an inversion of the magnitude of the second-rank crystal-field parameters, obtained by LIS analysis, for the LnN(6)O(3) and LnN(9) sites with respect to the parameters extracted for Eu(III) from luminescence data, suggests that the geometry of the central LnN(9) site is somewhat relaxed in solution.     

Synthesis, characterization of bridged bis(amidinate) lanthanide amides and their application as catalysts for addition of amines to nitriles for monosubstituted N-arylamidines

A series of lanthanide amide complexes supported by bridged bis(amidinate) ligand L, LLnNHAr(1)(DME) (L = [Me(3)SiNC(Ph)N(CH(2))(3)NC(Ph)NSiMe(3)], Ar(1) = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3), DME = dimethoxyethane, Ln = Y (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), Gd (4), Yb (5)), [Yb(μ(2)-NHPh)](2)(μ(2)-L)(2) (6) and [LYb](2)(μ(2)-NHAr(2))(2) (7) (Ar(2) = (o-OMe)C(6)H(4)), were synthesized by reaction of LLnCl(THF)(2) with the corresponding lithium amide in good yields and structurally characterized by X-ray crystal structure analyses. All complexes were found to be precatalysts for the catalytic addition of aromatic amines to aromatic nitriles to give monosubstituted N-arylamidines. The catalytic activity was influenced by lanthanide metals and the amido groups with the active sequence of Y (1) < Gd (4) < Nd (3) < Pr (2) ～ Yb (5) for the lanthanide metals and -NHAr(2) < -NHPh < -NHAr(1) for the amido groups. The catalytic addition reaction with complex 5 showed a good scope of aromatic amines. Some key reaction intermediates were isolated and structurally characterized, including the amidinate complexes LLn[NPhCNAr(1)](PhCN) (Ln = Y (8), Ln = Yb (9)), LYb[NAr(2)CNAr(1)](Ar(2)CN) (10), and amide complex 5 prepared by protonation of 9 by Ar(1)NH(2). Reactivity studies of these complexes suggest that the present catalytic formation of monosubstituted N-arylamidines proceeds through nucleophilic addition of an amido species to a nitrile, followed by amine protonolysis of the resultant amidinate species.     

Heterobimetallic lanthanide-gold coordination polymers: structure and emissive properties of isomorphous [(n)Bu4N]2[Ln(NO3)4Au(CN)2] 1-D chains

A new series of lanthanide-containing dicyanoaurate coordination polymers, [(n)Bu(4)N](2)[Ln(NO(3))(4)Au(CN)(2)] (Ln = Nd, Eu, Gd or Tb), were synthesized and structurally characterized. They form an isomorphous series, crystallizing in the space group I2(1)2(1)2(1). The structure is composed of a one dimensional zigzag of Ln-N-C-Au-C-N-Ln chains with no intra- or inter-chain aurophilic interactions. The series is related to and can be described as a reduced dimensionality analogue of the previously studied Ln[Au(CN)(2)](3)·3H(2)O. Unlike the Ln[Au(CN)(2)](3)·3H(2)O series, there is no efficient energy transfer between dicyanoaurate and the lanthanide metal centers in the complexes and they essentially act as two separate emissive chromophores.     

Separation and characterization of the two diastereomers for [Gd(DTPA-bz-NH2)(H2O)]2-, a common synthon in macromolecular MRI contrast agents: their water exchange and isomerization kinetics

Chiral, bifunctional poly(amino carboxylate) ligands are commonly used for the synthesis of macromolecular, Gd(III)-based MRI contrast agents, prepared in the objective of increasing relaxivity or delivering the paramagnetic Gd(III) to a specific site (targeting). Complex formation with such ligands results in two diastereomeric forms for the complex which can be separated by HPLC. We demonstrated that the diastereomer ratio for Ln(III) DTPA derivatives (approximately 60:40) remains constant throughout the lanthanide series, in contrast to Ln(III) EPTPA derivatives, where it varies as a function of the cation size with a maximum for the middle lanthanides (DTPA(5-) = diethylenetriaminepentaacetate; EPTPA(5-) = ethylenepropylenetriaminepentaacetate). The interconversion of the two diastereomers, studied by HPLC, is a proton-catalyzed process (k(obs) = k(1)[H(+)]). It is relatively fast for [Gd(EPTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2-) but slow enough for [Gd(DTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2-) to allow investigation of pure individual isomers (isomerization rate constants are k(1) = (3.03 +/- 0.07) x 10(4) and 11.6 +/- 0.5 s(-1) M(-1) for [Gd(EPTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2)(-) and [Gd(DTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2-), respectively). Individual water exchange rates have been determined for both diastereomers of [Gd(DTPA-bz-NH(2))(H(2)O)](2-) by a variable-temperature (17)O NMR study. Similarly to Ln(III) EPTPA derivatives, k(ex) values differ by a factor of 2 (k(ex)(298) = (5.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(6) and (3.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(6) s(-1)). This variance in the exchange rate has no consequence on the proton relaxivity of the two diastereomers, since it is solely limited by fast rotation. However, such difference in k(ex) will affect proton relaxivity when these diastereomers are linked to a slowly rotating macromolecule. Once the rotation is optimized, slow water exchange will limit relaxivity; thus, a factor of 2 in the exchange rate can lead to a remarkably different relaxivity for the diastereomer complexes. These results have implications for future development of Gd(III)-based, macromolecular MRI contrast agents, since the use of chiral bifunctional ligands in their synthesis inevitably generates diastereomeric complexes.