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.     

Structure, magnetism and theory of a family of nonanuclear Cu(II)5Ln(III)4-triethanolamine clusters displaying single-molecule magnet behaviour

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic studies are reported for four new heterometallic Cu(II)-Ln(III) clusters. The reaction of Cu(NO(3))(2)·3H(2)O with triethanolamine (teaH(3)), pivalic acid, triethylamine and Ln(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O (Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho) results in the formation of four isostructural nonanuclear complexes of general formula [Cu(II)(5)Ln(III)(4)O(2)(teaH)(4){O(2)CC(CH(3))(3)}(2)(NO(3))(4)(OMe)(4)]·2MeOH·2Et(2)O [Ln=Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3) and Ho (4)]. The metal core of each cluster is made up of four face- and vertex-sharing tetrahedral units. Solid-state DC magnetic susceptibility studies reveal competing anti- and ferromagnetic interactions within each cluster leading to large-spin ground states for 1-4. Solid-state AC magnetic susceptibility studies show frequency-dependent out-of-phase (χ'(M)) signals for 2-4 below 4 K, suggestive of single-molecule magnet behaviour. Ab initio calculations on one of the anisotropic examples (3) provided a rare set of J values for Dy-Cu and Cu-Cu exchange interactions (Dy-Dy zero), some ferro- and some antiferromagnetic in character, that explain its magnetic behaviour.     

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.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of diphenoxo-bridged M(II)Ln(III) complexes derived from N,N'-ethylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldiimine) (M = Cu or Ni; Ln = Ce-Yb): observation of surprisingly strong exchange interactions

A series of heterodinuclear Cu(II)Ln(III) and Ni(II)Ln(III) complexes, [M(II)L(1)Ln(III)(NO(3))(3)] (M = Cu or Ni; Ln = Ce-Yb), with the hexadentate Schiff base compartmental ligand N,N'-ethylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldiimine) (H(2)L(1)) have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure determinations of 13 of these compounds reveal that they are all isostructural. All of these complexes crystallize with the same orthorhombic P2(1)2(1)2(1) space group with closely similar unit cell parameters. Typically, the structure consists of a diphenoxo-bridged 3d-4f dinuclear core, self-assembled to two dimensions due to the intermolecular nitrate...copper(II) or nitrate...nickel(II) semicoordination and weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds. Despite that, the metal centers of the neighboring units are well separated (the ranges of the shortest intermolecular contacts (A) are (M...M) 7.46-7.60, (Ln...Ln) 8.56-8.69, and (M...Ln) 6.12-6.20). Variable-temperature (5-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements of all the complexes have been made. The nature of exchange interactions in the Cu(II)Ln(III) systems has been inferred from the Deltachi(M)T versus T plots, where Deltachi(M)T is the difference between the values of chi(M)T for a Cu(II)Ln(III) system and its corresponding Ni(II)Ln(III) analogue. Ferromagnetic interactions seem to be exhibited by the Cu(II)Gd(III), Cu(II)Tb(III), Cu(II)Dy(III), Cu(II)Ho(III), Cu(II)Tm(III), and Cu(II)Yb(III) complexes, while, for the Cu(II)Er(III) complex, no definite conclusion could be reached. On the other hand, among the lower members of the series, the complexes of Ce(III), Nd(III), and Sm(III) exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions, while the Cu(II)Pr(III) and Cu(II)Eu(III) analogues behave as spin-uncorrelated systems. The observations made here vindicate the proposition of Kahn (Inorg. Chem. 1997, 36, 930). The Deltachi(M)T versus T plots also suggest that, for most of the Cu(II)Ln(III) complexes, the exchange interactions are fairly strong, which probably could be related to the small dihedral angle (ca. 4 degrees) between the CuO(2) and LnO(2) planes.     

From a Dy(III) Single Molecule Magnet (SMM) to a Ferromagnetic [Mn(II)Dy(III)Mn(II)] Trinuclear Complex

The Schiff base compound 2,2'-{[(2-aminoethyl)imino]bis[2,1-ethanediyl-nitriloethylidyne]}bis-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid (H(4)L) as a proligand was prepared in situ. This proligand has three potential coordination pockets which make it possible to accommodate from one to three metal ions allowing for the possible formation of mono-, di-, and trinuclear complexes. Reaction of in situ prepared H(4)L with Dy(NO(3))(3)·5H(2)O resulted in the formation of a mononuclear complex [Dy(H(3)L)(2)](NO(3))·(EtOH)·8(H(2)O) (1), which shows SMM behavior. In contrast, reaction of in situ prepared H(4)L with Mn(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O and Dy(NO(3))(3)·5H(2)O in the presence of a base resulted in a trinuclear mixed 3d-4f complex (NHEt(3))(2)[Dy{Mn(L)}(2)](ClO(4))·2(H(2)O) (2). At low temperatures, compound 2 is a weak ferromagnet. Thus, the SMM behavior of compound 1 can be switched off by incorporating two Mn(II) ions in close proximity either side of the Dy(III). This quenching behavior is ascribed to the presence of the weak ferromagnetic interactions between the Mn(II) and Dy(III) ions, which at T > 2 K act as a fluctuating field causing the reversal of magnetization on the dysprosium ion. Mass spectrometric ion signals related to compounds 1 and 2 were both detected in positive and negative ion modes via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) reactions with ND(3) were performed in a FT-ICR Penning-trap mass spectrometer.     

Three-dimensional lanthanide(III)-copper(II) compounds based on an unsymmetrical 2-pyridylphosphonate ligand: an experimental and theoretical study

Based on an unsymmetrical 2-pyridylphosphonate ligand, two types of Ln(III)-Cu(II) compounds with three-dimensional structures were obtained under hydrothermal conditions, namely, Ln(2)Cu(3)(C(5)H(4)NPO(3))(6).4H(2)O (1.Ln; Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd) and Ln(2)Cu(3)(C(5)H(4)NPO(3))(6) (2.Ln; Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho). Compounds 1.Ln are isostructural and crystallize in chiral cubic space group I2(1)3. In these structures, each Ln ion is nine-coordinate and has a tricapped triprismatic geometry, while each Cu center is six-coordinate with an octahedral environment. The {LnO(9)} polyhedra and {CuN(2)O(4)} octahedra are connected by edge sharing to form an inorganic open framework structure with a 3-connected 10-gon (10,3) topology in which the Ln and Cu atoms are alternately linked by the phosphonate oxygen atoms. Compounds 2.Ln are isostructural and crystallize in trigonal space group R3. In these structures, the {LnO(6)} octahedra are triply bridged by the {CPO(3)} tetrahedra by corner sharing to form an infinite chain along the c axis. Each chain is connected to its six equivalents through corner sharing of {CPO(3)} tetrahedra and {CuN(2)O(2)} planes to form a three-dimensional framework structure in which the Ln and Cu atoms are linked purely by O-P-O units. The formation of these two types of structures is rationalized by quantum chemical calculations, which showed that both the lanthanide contraction and the electron configuration of Cu(II) play important roles. When Cu(II) was replaced by Zn(II), only the first type of compounds resulted. The magnetic properties of complexes 1.Ln and 2.Ln were investigated. The nature of Ln(III)-Cu(II) (Ln=Ce, Pr, Nd) interactions is illustrated by comparison with their Ln(III)-Zn(II) analogues.     

New oxamato-bridged trinuclear Cu(II)-Cu(II)-Cu(II) complexes with hydrogen-bond supramolecular structures: synthesis and magneto-structural studies

Three oxamato-bridged copper(II) complexes of formula [(Cu(H(2)O)(tmen)Cu(tmen))(mu-Cu(H(2)O)(Me(2)pba))](n)((PF(6))(2))(n).2nH(2)O (1), [(Cu(H(2)O)(tmen)Cu(NCS)(tmen))(mu-Cu(H(2)O)(Me(2)pba))](2)(ClO(4))(2).4H(2)O (2), and [(Cu(H(2)O)(tmen)Cu(NCS)(tmen))(mu-Cu(H(2)O)(Me(2)pba))](2)(PF(6))(2).4H(2)O (3), where Me(2)pba = 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylenebis(oxamato) and tmen = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, have been synthesized and characterized. Their crystal structures were solved. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1), with a = 15.8364(3) A, b =8.4592(2) A, c = 15.952 A, beta = 101.9070(10) degrees, and Z = 2. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 6.69530(10) A, b = 18.2441(3) A, c = 31.6127(5) A, beta = 90.1230(10) degrees, and Z = 4. Complex 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 6.68970(10) A, b = 18.150 A, c = 32.1949(4) A, beta = 90.0820(10) degrees, and Z = 4. The three complexes have a central core in common: a trinuclear Cu(II) complex with the two terminal Cu(II) ions blocked by N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine. The structure of complex 1 consists of trinuclear cationic entities connected by hydrogen bonds to produce a supramolecular one-dimensional array. The structure of complexes 2 and 3 consist of trinuclear cationic entities linked by pairs by hydrogen bonds between the water molecule of the central Cu(II) and one oxygen atom of the oxamato ligand of the neighboring entity, forming a hexanuclear complex. The magnetic properties of the three complexes were studied by susceptibility vs temperature measurement. For complexes 1-3 the fit was made by the irreducible tensor operator (ITO). The values obtained were J(1) = -386.48 cm(-1) and J(2) = 1.94 cm(-1) for 1, J(1) = -125.77 cm(-1) and J(2) = 0.85 cm(-1) for 2, and J(1) = -135.50 cm(-1) and J(2) = 0.94 cm(-1) for 3. In complex 1, the coordination polyhedron of the terminal Cu(II) atoms can be considered as square pyramidal; the apical positions are filled by the oxygen atom from a water molecule in the former and a F atom of the hexafluorophosphate anion in the latter showing a quasi-planar [Cu(CuMe(2)pba)Cu] network. For complexes 2 and 3, the square pyramidal environment of the terminal Cu(II) ions was strongly modified. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the longest distance (apical) in complexes with oxamato derivatives and bidentate amines as blocking ligands has been reported in one of the oxamato arms. The great difference in J(1) values between 1 and the other two complexes is interpreted as an orbital reversal of the magnetic orbitals of the terminal Cu(II) ions in 2 and 3.     

Oxamato-bridged trinuclear Ni(II)Cu(II)Ni(II) complexes with irregular spin state structures and a binuclear Ni(II)Cu(II) complex with an unusual supramolecular structure: crystal structure and magnetic properties

Four oxamato-bridged heterotrinuclear Ni(II)Cu(II)Ni(II) complexes of formula ([Ni(bispictn)](2)Cu(pba))(ClO(4))(2).2.5H(2)O (1), ([Ni(bispictn)](2)Cu(pbaOH))(ClO(4))(2).H(2)O (2), ([Ni(cth)](2)Cu(pba))(ClO(4))(2) (3), and ([Ni(cth)](2)Cu(opba))(ClO(4))(2).H(2)O (4) and a binuclear Ni(II)Cu(II) complex of formula [Cu(opba)Ni(cth)].CH(3)OH (5) have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR, ESR, and electronic spectra, where pba = 1,3-propylenebis(oxamato), pbaOH = 2-hydroxyl-1,3-propylenebis(oxamato), opba = o-phenylenebis(oxamato), bispictn = N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, and cth = rac-5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane. The crystal structures of 1, 3, and 5 have been determined. The structures of complexes 1 and 3 consist of trinuclear cations and perchlorate anions, and that of 5 consists of neutral binuclear molecules which are connected by hydrogen bonds and pi-pi interactions to produce a unique supramolecular "double" sheet. In the three complexes, the copper atom in a square-planar or axially elongated octahedral environment and the nickel atom in a distorted octahedral environment are bridged by the oxamato groups, with Cu.Ni separations between 5.29 and 5.33 A. The magnetic properties of all five complexes have been investigated. The chi(M)T versus T plots for 1-4 exhibit the minimum characteristic of antiferromagnetically coupled NiCuNi species with an irregular spin state structure and a spin-quartet ground state. The chi(M)T versus T plot for 5 is typical of an antiferromagnetically coupled NiCu pair with a spin-doublet ground state. The Ni(II)-Cu(II) isotropic interaction parameters for the five complexes were evaluated and are between 102 and 108 cm(-)(1) (H = -JS(Cu).S(Ni)).     

Synthesis, characterization, and magnetic properties of self-assembled compounds based on discrete homotrinuclear complexes of Cu(II)

Three new supramolecular entities of Cu(II) were synthesized and characterized: [(Cu(H(2)O)(tmen))(2)(mu-Cu(H(2)O)(opba))](2)[(ClO(4))(2)](2).2H(2)O (1), [(Cu(H(2)O)(tmen))(2) (mu-Cu(H(2)O) (Me(2)pba))](2)[(ClO(4))(2)](2) (2), and [(Cu(H(2)O)(tmen))(Cu(tmen))(mu-Cu(OHpba))](n)() ((ClO(4))(2))(n)().nH(2)O (3), where opba = o-phenylenbis(oxamato), Me(2)pba = 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylenbis(oxamato), OHpba = 2-hydroxy-1,3-propylenbis(oxamato), and tmen = N,N,N'N'-tetramethylethylenediamine. The crystal structures of 1, 2, and 3 were solved. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c with a = 20.572(4) A, b = 17.279(6) A, c = 22.023(19) A, beta = 103.13(4) degrees, and Z = 8. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 16.7555(7) A, b = 13.5173(5) A, c = 17.1240(7) A, beta = 104.9840(10) degrees, and Z = 4. Complex 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pca2(1) with a = 21.2859(4) A, b = 12.8286(10) A, c = 12.6456(2) A, and Z = 4. The three complexes are very similar in structure: a trinuclear Cu(II) complex with the two terminal Cu(II) ions blocked by N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, but with a different environment in the Cu(II) central ion. In the case of complex 1, two of these trinuclear entities are packed with a short distance between the central Cu(II) ions of two separate entities forming a hexanuclear-type compound. In the case of 2, two of these trinuclear entities are linked by a hydrogen bond between a water molecule of one terminal Cu(II) and one oxygen atom of the oxamato ligand of the neighboring entity, also forming a hexanuclear complex. In the case of complex 3, the intermolecular linkages give a one-dimensional system where the OH groups of the OHpba entities are linked to the terminal Cu(II) of the neighboring entities. The magnetic properties of the three complexes were studied by susceptibility measurements vs temperature. For complex 1, an intramolecular J value of -312.1 cm(-)(1) and a contact dipolar interaction of -0.44K were found. For complex 2 and 3 the fit was made by the irreducible tensor operator formalism (ITO). The values obtained were as follows: J(1) = -333.9 cm(-)(1) and J(2) = 0.67 cm(-)(1) for 2 and J(1) = -335.9 cm(-)(1) and J(2) = 3.5 cm(-)(1) for 3.     

Investigation on structures, luminescent and magnetic properties of Ln(III)-M (M = Fe(II)(HS), Co(II)) coordination polymers

The structures, luminescent and magnetic properties of three series of coordination polymers with formulas-{[Fe(3)Ln(2)(L(1))(6)(H(2)O)(6)]·xH(2)O}(n) (Ln = Pr-Er; 1-9), {[Co(3)Ln(2)(L(1))(6)(H(2)O)(6)]·yH(2)O}(n) (Ln = Pr-Dy, Yb; 10-17) and {[Co(2)Ln(L(2))(HL(2))(2)(H(2)O)(7)]·zH(2)O}(n) (Ln = Eu-Yb; 18-25) (H(2)L(1) = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, H(3)L(2) = 4-hydroxyl-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) were systematically explored in this contribution. [Fe(II)(HS)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (1-9) and [Co(II)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (10-17) series are isostructural, and display 3D porous networks with 1D nanosized channels constructed by Fe/Co-OCO-Ln linkages. Furthermore, two types of "water" pipes are observed in 1D channels. [Co(II)-L(2)-Ln(III)] (18-25) series exhibit 2D open frameworks based on double-stranded helical motifs, which are further assembled into 3D porous structures by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl groups. The variety of the resulting structures is mainly due to the HO-substitution effect. These 3D coordination polymers show considerably high thermal stability, and do not decomposed until 400 °C. The high-spin Fe(II) ion in [Fe(II)(HS)-L(1)-Ln(III)] was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, M?ssbauer spectroscopy and magnetic studies. The luminescent spectra of coordination polymers associated with Sm(III), Eu(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III) were systematically investigated, and indicate that different d-metal ions in d-f systems may result in dissimilar luminescent properties. The magnetic properties of [Fe(II)(HS)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (3, 6, 7, 9, 13), [Co(II)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (15-17) and [Co(II)-L(2)-Ln(III)] (19-24) coordination polymers were also studied, and the χ(M)T values decrease with cooling. For the single ion behavior of Co(II) and Ln(III) ions, the magnetic coupling nature between Fe(II)(HS)/Co(II) and Ln(III) ions cannot be clearly depicted as antiferromagnetic coupling.     

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.     

Trinuclear lanthanide complexes of a compartmental ligand N,N'-bis(2-pyridinyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide: a spectroscopic investigation

Trinuclear lanthanide complexes of the formula [Ln(3)(PPDA)(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(2)].NO(3).2H(2)O where Ln=La(III), Pr(III), Sm(III), Nd(III), Eu(III) Gd(III) Tb(III), Dy(III) and Y(III); H(2)PPDA=N,N'-bis(2-pyridinyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide, have been isolated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements and spectral (IR, NMR, UV-vis, fluorescence, FAB and EPR) and thermal studies.     

Highly efficient phosphodiester hydrolysis promoted by a dinuclear copper(II) complex

The interaction of Cu(II) with the ligand tdci (1,3,5-trideoxy-1,3,5-tris(dimethylamino)-cis-inositol) was studied both in the solid state and in solution. The complexes that were formed were also tested for phosphoesterase activity. The pentanuclear complex [Cu(5)(tdciH(-2))(tdci)(2)(OH)(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(4).6H(2)O consists of two dinuclear units and one trinuclear unit, having two shared copper(II) ions. The metal centers within the pentanuclear structure have three distinct coordination environments. All five copper(II) ions are linked by hydroxo/alkoxo bridges forming a Cu(5)O(6) cage. The Cu-Cu separations of the bridged centers are between 2.916 and 3.782 A, while those of the nonbridged metal ions are 5.455-5.712 A. The solution equilibria in the Cu(II)-tdci system proved to be extremely complicated. Depending on the pH and metal-to-ligand ratio, several differently deprotonated mono-, di-, and trinuclear complexes are formed. Their presence in solution was supported by mass, CW, and pulse EPR spectroscopic study, too. In these complexes, the metal ions are presumed to occupy tridentate [O(ax),N(eq),O(ax)] coordination sites and the O-donors of tdci may serve as bridging units between two metal ions. Additionally, deprotonation of the metal-bound water molecules may occur. The dinuclear Cu(2)LH(-3) species, formed around pH 8.5, provides outstanding rate acceleration for the hydrolysis of the activated phosphodiester bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP). The second-order rate constant of BNPP hydrolysis promoted by the dinuclear complex (T = 298 K) is 0.95 M(-1) s(-1), which is ca. 47600-fold higher than that of the hydroxide ion catalyzed hydrolysis (k(OH)). Its activity is selective for the phosphodiester, and the hydrolysis was proved to be catalytic. The proposed bifunctional mechanism of the hydrolysis includes double Lewis acid activation and intramolecular nucleophilic catalysis.     

Series of trinuclear NiIILnIIINiII complexes derived from 2,6-Di(acetoacetyl)pyridine: synthesis, structure, and magnetism

Eighteen trinuclear NiII2LnIII complexes of 2,6-di(acetoacetyl)pyridine (H2L) (Ln=La-Lu except for Pm) were prepared by a "one-pot reaction" of H2L, Ni(NO3)2.6H2O, and Ln(NO3)3.nH2O in methanol. X-ray crystallographic studies indicate that two L2- ligands sandwich two NiII ions with the terminal 1,3-diketonate sites and one LnIII ion with the central 2,6-diacylpyridine site, forming the trinuclear [Ni2Ln(L)2] core of a linear NiLnNi structure. The terminal Ni assumes a six-coordinate geometry together with methanol or water molecules, and the central Ln assumes a 10-coordinate geometry together with two or three nitrate ions. The [Ni2Ln(L)2] core is essentially coplanar for large Ln ions (La, Ce, Pr, Nd) but shows a distortion with respect to the two L2- ligands for smaller Ln ions. Magnetic studies for the Ni2Ln complexes of diamagnetic LaIII and LuIII indicate an antiferromagnetic interaction between the terminal NiII ions. A magnetic analysis of the Ni2Gd complex based on the isotropic Heisenberg model indicates a ferromagnetic interaction between the adjacent NiII and GdIII ions and an antiferromagnetic interaction between the terminal NiII ions. The magnetic properties of other Ni2Ln complexes were studied on the basis of a numerical approach with the Ni2La complex and analogous Zn2Ln complexes, and they indicated that the NiII-LnIII interaction is weakly antiferromagnetic for Ln=Ce, Pr, and Nd and ferromagnetic for Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er.     

Controlled aggregation of heterometallic nanoscale Cu12Ln6 clusters (Ln = Gd(III) or Nd(III)) into 2D coordination polymers

Discrete dinuclear and polymeric heterometallic copper(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes have been synthesized upon variation of pH and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Reactions of the ligand Htza (tetrazole-1-acetic acid) with copper(II) and lanthanide(III) salts gave dinuclear [CuLn(tza)4(H2O)5Cl] complexes at the low pH of 3.5 and 2D heterometallic coordination polymers with high-nuclearity [{Cu2(OH)2}2{Cu12Ln6(mu3-OH)24(Cl)(1/2)(NO3)(1/2)(tza)12(H2O)18}](NO3)(9).8H2O (Ln = Gd or Nd) at a higher pH of 6.6. The acidity of the reaction solution can cause drastic changes in the structures of the products. In the dinuclear complexes, each pair of adjacent dinuclear molecules is linked through hydrogen bonds and pi-pi stacking interactions, and the whole structure is a hydrogen-bonded three-dimensional cubic net. In the coordination polymers, the connecting nodes are [Cu12Ln6] units, which are interconnected by [Cu2O2] units into two-dimensional structures. Magnetic studies exhibit the existence of weak exchange interactions between the Cu(II) and Ln(III) ions bridged by carboxylate and hydroxy ligands.     

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.     

Syntheses and structures of isoindoline complexes of Zn(II) and Cu(II): an unexpected trinuclear Zn(II) complex

Deprotonation of the tridentate isoindoline ligand 1,3-bis[2-(4-methylpyridyl)imino]-isoindoline, 4'-MeLH, and reaction with hydrated zinc(II) perchlorate produces an unexpected trinuclear Zn(II) complex, [Zn(3)(4'-MeL)(4)](ClO(4))(2).5H(2)O (1), whereas reaction with hydrated copper(II) perchlorate in methanol produces the expected mononuclear product, [Cu(4'-MeL)(H(2)O)(2)]ClO(4) (2). X-ray diffraction shows that the trinuclear Zn(II) complex (1) contains a linear zinc backbone, and the arrangement of ligands about the outer chiral zinc(II) atoms is helical. The two terminal zinc ions exhibit approximate C(2) site symmetry, with tetrahedral coordination by two pyrrole and two pyridyl nitrogen atoms of the potentially tridentate isoindoline ligands. The central zinc ion exhibits approximate tetrahedral symmetry, with coordination by four pyridyl nitrogen atoms of four different isoindoline ligands. Pyridyl-pyrrole intramolecular pi-stacking interactions contribute to the stability of the trinuclear cation. The structure of the mononuclear copper(II) complex cation in 2 is best described as a distorted trigonal bipyramid. The isoindoline anion binds Cu(II) in both axial positions and one of the equatorial positions; water molecules occupy the other two equatorial positions.     

Structural, spectroscopic and thermal characterization of 2-tert-butylaminomethylpyridine-6-carboxylic acid methylester and its Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and UO(2)(II) complexes

Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and UO(2)(II) complexes with the ligand 2-tert-butylaminomethylpyridine-6-carboxylic acid methylester (HL(2)) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic moment, thermal analysis and spectral data. 1:1 M:HL(2) complexes, with the general formula [M(HL(2))X(2)].nH(2)O (where M = Co(II) (X = Cl, n = 0), Ni(II) (X = Cl, n = 3), Cu(II) (grey colour, X = AcO, n = 1), Cu(II) (yellow colour, X = Cl, n = 0) and Zn(II) (X = Br, n = 0). In addition, the Fe(III) and UO(2)(II) complexes of the type 1:2 M:HL(2) and with the formulae [Fe(L(2))(2)]Cl and [UO(2)(HL(2))(2)](NO(3))(2) are prepared. From the IR data, it is seen that HL(2) ligand behaves as a terdentate ligand coordinated to the metal ions via the pyridyl N, carboxylate O and protonated NH group; except the Fe(III) complex, it coordinates via the deprotonated NH group. This is supported by the molar conductance data, which show that all the complexes are non-electrolytes, while the Fe(III) and UO(2)(II) complexes are 1:1 electrolytes. IR and H1-NMR spectral studies suggest a similar behaviour of the Zn(II) complex in solid and solution states. From the solid reflectance spectral data and magnetic moment measurements, the complexes have a trigonal bipyramidal (Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes) and octahedral (Fe(III), UO(2)(II) complexes) geometrical structures. The thermal behaviour of the complexes is studied and the different dynamic parameters are calculated applying Coats-Redfern equation.     

Hydrothermal reaction of Cu(II)/pyrazine-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid and characterization of the copper(II) complexes

Four copper(II) complexes [Cu3(PZHD)2(2,2'-bpy)2(H2O)2].3H2O (1), [Cu3(DHPZA)2(2,2'-bpy)2] (2), [Cu(C2O4)phen(H2O)].H2O (3), and [Cu3(PZTC)2(2,2'-bpy)2].2H2O (4) were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions, in which the complexes 1-3 were obtained by the in situ Cu(II)/H3PZTC reactions (PZHD3- = 2-hydroxypyrazine-3,5-dicarboxylate, 2,2'-bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, DHPZA3- = 2,3-dihydroxypyrazine-5-carboxylate, C2O42- = oxalate, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and H3PZTC = pyrazine-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid). The Cu(II)/H3PZTC hydrothermal reaction with 2,2'-bpy, without addition of NaOH, results in the formation of complex 4. The complexes 1-4 and transformations from H3PZTC to PZHD3-, DHPZA3-, and C2O4(2-) were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations. In the complexes 1, 2, and 4, the ligands PZHD3-, DPHZA3-, and PZTC3- all show pentadentate coordination to Cu(II) ion forming three different trinuclear units. The trinuclear units in 1 are assembled by hydrogen-bonding and pi-pi stacking to form a 3D supramolecular network. The trinuclear units in 2 acting as building blocks are connected by the carboxylate oxygen atoms forming a 2D metal-organic framework (MOF) with (4,4) topology. While the trinuclear units in 4 are linked together by the carboxylate oxygen atoms to form a novel 2D MOF containing right- and left-handed helical chains. The theoretical characterization testifies that electron transfer between OH- and Cu2+ and redox of Cu 2+ and Cu+ are the most important processes involved in the in situ copper Cu(II)/H3PZTC reactions, forming complexes of 1-3.     

Ferromagnetic coupling in trinuclear, partial cubane Cu(II) complexes with a micro(3)-OH core: magnetostructural correlations

Three new trinuclear copper(II) complexes, [(CuL(1))(3)(micro(3)-OH)][ClO(4)](2).3 H(2)O (1), [(CuL(2))(3)(micro(3)-OH)][ClO(4)](2).H(2)O (2), and [(CuL(3))(3)(micro(3)-OH)][ClO(4)](2).7 H(2)O (3) have been synthesized from the three tridentate Schiff bases HL(1), HL(2), and HL(3) (HL(1)=6- aminomethyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-azahex-2-en-1-one, HL(2)=6-aminoethyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-azahex-2-en-1-one, and HL(3)=6-aminodimethyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-azahex-2-en-1-one). They have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and IR and UV spectroscopy, and their magnetic properties have been investigated. All the compounds contain a partial cubane [Cu(3)O(4)] core consisting of the trinuclear unit [(CuL)(3)(micro(3)-OH)](2+), perchlorate ions, and water molecules. In each of the complexes, the copper atoms are five-coordinate with a distorted square-pyramidal geometry except complex 1, in which one of the Cu(II) of the trinuclear unit is weakly coordinated to one of the perchlorate ions. Magnetic measurements performed in SQUID MPMS-XL7 using polycrystalline samples at an applied field of 2 kOe indicate a global intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling. Magnetostructural correlations have been calculated on the basis of theoretical models without symmetry restriction. Continuous shape measurements are an appropriate tool for establishing the degree of distortion of the Cu(II) from square-planar geometry. Structural, theoretical, and experimental magnetic data indicate that the higher the degree of distortion, the greater the ferromagnetic coupling.