Magnetic Anisotropy in “Scorpionate” First‐Row Transition‐Metal Complexes: A Theoretical Investigation

In this work we have analyzed in detail the magnetic anisotropy in a series of hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp^?) metal complexes, namely [VTpCl]⁺, [CrTpCl]⁺, [MnTpCl]⁺, [FeTpCl], [CoTpCl], and [NiTpCl], and their substituted methyl and tert‐butyl analogues with the goal of observing the effect of the ligand field on the magnetic properties. In the [VTpCl]⁺, [CrTpCl]⁺, [CoTpCl], and [NiTpCl] complexes, the magnetic anisotropy arises as a consequence of out‐of‐state spin–orbit coupling, and covalent changes induced by the substitution of hydrogen atoms on the pyrazolyl rings does not lead to drastic changes in the magnetic anisotropy. On the other hand, much larger magnetic anisotropies were predicted in complexes displaying a degenerate ground state, namely [MnTpCl]⁺ and [FeTpCl], due to in‐state spin–orbit coupling. The anisotropy in these systems was shown to be very sensitive to perturbations, for example, chemical substitution and distortions due to the Jahn–Teller effect. We found that by substituting the hydrogen atoms in [MnTpCl]⁺ and [FeTpCl] by methyl and tert‐butyl groups, certain covalent contributions to the magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) could be controlled, thereby achieving higher values. Moreover, we showed that the selection of ion has important consequences for the symmetry of the ground spin–orbit term, opening the possibility of achieving zero magnetic tunneling even in non‐Kramers ions. We have also shown that substitution may also contribute to a quenching of the Jahn–Teller effect, which could significantly reduce the magnetic anisotropy of the complexes studied.     

Rational Electrostatic Design of Easy‐Axis Magnetic Anisotropy in a ZnII–DyIII–ZnII Single‐Molecule Magnet with a High Energy Barrier

Two novel trinuclear complexes [ZnCl(μ‐L)Ln(μ‐L)ClZn][ZnCl₃(CH₃OH)]?3 CH₃OH (Ln^III=Dy ( 1 ) and Er ( 2 )) have been prepared from the compartmental ligand N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐3‐formyl‐5‐bromo‐benzyl)ethylenediamine (H₂L). X‐ray studies reveal that Ln^III ions are coordinated by two [ZnCl(L)]^? units through the phenoxo and aldehyde groups, giving rise to a LnO₈ coordination sphere with square‐antiprism geometry and strong easy‐axis anisotropy of the ground state. Ab initio CASSCF+RASSI calculations carried out on 1 confirm that the ground state is an almost pure M_J=±15/2 Kramers doublet with a marked axial anisotropy, the magnetic moment is roughly collinear with the shortest Dy?O distances. This orientation of the local magnetic moment of the Dy^III ion in 1 is adopted to reduce the electronic repulsion between the oblate electron shape of the M_J=±15/2 Kramers doublet and the phenoxo‐oxygen donor atoms involved in the shortest Dy?O bonds. CASSCF+RASSI calculations also show that the ground and first excited states of the Dy^III ion are separated by 129 cm^?1. As expected for this large energy gap, compound 1 exhibits, in a zero direct‐current field, thermally activated slow relaxation of the magnetization with a large U_eff=140 K. The isostructural Zn–Er–Zn species does not present significant SMM behavior as expected for the prolate electron‐density distribution of the Er^III ion leading to an easy‐plane anisotropy of the ground doublet state.     

Magnetic Relaxation in Single‐Electron Single‐Ion Cerium(III) Magnets: Insights from Ab Initio Calculations

Detailed ab initio calculations were performed on two structurally different cerium(III) single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) to probe the origin of magnetic anisotropy and to understand the mechanism of magnetic relaxations. The complexes [Ce^III{Zn^II(L)}₂(MeOH)]BPh₄ ( 1 ) and [Li(dme)₃][Ce^III(cot′′)₂] ( 1 ; L=N,N,O,O‐tetradentate Schiff base ligand; 2 ; DME=dimethoxyethane, COT′′=1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclooctatetraenyldianion), which are reported to be zero‐field and field‐induced SMMs with effective barrier heights of 21.2 and 30 K respectively, were chosen as examples. CASSCF+RASSI/SINGLE_ANISO calculations unequivocally suggest that m_J|±5/2〉 and |±1/2〉 are the ground states for complexes 1 and 2 , respectively. The origin of these differences is rooted back to the nature of the ligand field and the symmetry around the cerium(III) ions. Ab initio magnetisation blockade barriers constructed for complexes 1 and 2 expose a contrasting energy‐level pattern with significant quantum tunnelling of magnetisation between the ground state Kramers doublet in complex 2 . Calculations performed on several model complexes stress the need for a suitable ligand environment and high symmetry around the cerium(III) ions to obtain a large effective barrier.     

Lanthanide(II) Complexes Supported by N,O‐Donor Tripodal Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Ligand‐Dependent Redox Behavior

The preparation and characterization of a series of complexes of the Yb and Eu cations in the oxidation state II and III with the tetradentate N,O‐donor tripodal ligands (tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA), BPA^? (HBPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), BPPA^? (HBPPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), and MPA^2? (H₂MPA=(2‐pyridylmethyl)bis(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine) is reported. The X‐ray crystal structures of the heteroleptic Ln²⁺ complexes [Ln(TPA)I₂] (Ln=Eu, Yb) and [Yb(BPA)I(CH₃CN)]₂, of the Ln²⁺ homoleptic [Ln(TPA)₂]I₂ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) and [Eu(BPA)₂] complexes, and of the Ln³⁺ [Eu(BPPA)₂]OTf and [Yb(MPA)₂K(dme)₂] (dme=dimethoxyethane) complexes have been determined. Cyclic voltammetry studies carried out on the bis‐ligand complexes of Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺ show that the metal center reduction occurs at significantly lower potentials for the BPA^? ligand as compared with the TPA ligand. This suggests that the more electron‐rich character of the BPA^? ligand results in a higher reducing character of the lanthanide complexes of BPA^? compared with those of TPA. The important differences in the stability and reactivity of the investigated complexes are probably due to the observed difference in redox potential. Preliminary reactivity studies show that whereas the bis‐TPA complexes of Eu²⁺ and Yb²⁺ do not show any reactivity with heteroallenes, the [Eu(BPA)₂] complex reduces CS₂ to afford the first example of a lanthanide trithiocarbonate complex.     

Access to Heteroleptic Fluorido‐Cyanido Complexes with a Large Magnetic Anisotropy by Fluoride Abstraction

Silicon‐mediated fluoride abstraction is demonstrated as a means of generating the first fluorido‐cyanido transition metal complexes. This new synthetic approach is exemplified by the synthesis and characterization of the heteroleptic complexes, trans‐[M^IVF₄(CN)₂]^2? (M=Re, Os), obtained from their homoleptic [M^IVF₆]^2? parents. As shown by combined high‐field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetization measurements, the partial substitution of fluoride by cyanide ligands leads to a marked increase in the magnetic anisotropy of trans‐[ReF₄(CN)₂]^2? as compared to [ReF₆]^2?, reflecting the severe departure from an ideal octahedral (O_h point group) ligand field. This methodology paves the way toward the realization of new heteroleptic transition metal complexes that may be used as highly anisotropic building‐blocks for the design of high‐performance molecule‐based magnetic materials.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Magnetic Anisotropy in Lanthanide(III)‐Centered Fe3Ln Propellers

Compounds [Fe₃Ln(tea)₂(dpm)₆] ( Fe₃Ln ; Ln= Tb–Yb, H₃tea=triethanolamine, Hdpm=dipivaloylmethane) were synthesized as lanthanide(III)‐centered variants of tetrairon(III) single‐molecule magnets (Fe₄) and isolated in crystalline form. Compounds with Ln=Tb–Tm are isomorphous and show crystallographic threefold symmetry. The coordination environment of the rare earth, given by two tea^3? ligands, can be described as a bicapped distorted trigonal prism with D₃ symmetry. Magnetic measurements showed the presence of weak ferromagnetic Fe ??? Ln interactions for derivatives with Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er, and of weak antiferromagnetic or negligible coupling in complexes with Tm and Yb. Alternating current susceptibility measurements showed simple paramagnetic behavior down to 1.8 K and for frequencies reaching 10000 Hz, despite the easy‐axis magnetic anisotropy found in Fe₃Dy , Fe₃Er , and Fe₃Tm by single‐crystal angle‐resolved magnetometry. Relativistic quantum chemistry calculations were performed on Fe₃Ln (Ln=Tb–Tm): the ground J multiplet of Ln³⁺ ion is split by the crystal field to give a ground singlet state for Tb and Tm, and a doublet for Dy, Ho, and Er with a large admixture of m_J states. Gyromagnetic factors result in no predominance of g_z component along the threefold axis, with comparable g_x and g_y values in all compounds. It follows that the environment provided by the tea^3? ligands, though uniaxial, is unsuitable to promote slow magnetic relaxation in Fe₃Ln species.     

Large Hexadecametallic {MnIII–LnIII} Wheels: Synthesis,Structural, Magnetic,and Theoretical Characterization

The synthesis, gas sorption studies, magnetic properties, and theoretical studies of new molecular wheels of core type {Mn^III₈Ln^III₈} (Ln=Dy, Ho, Er, Y and Yb), using the ligand mdeaH₂, in the presence of ortho‐toluic or benzoic acid are reported. From the seven wheels studied the {Mn₈Dy₈} and {Mn₈Y₈} analogues exhibit SMM behavior as determined from ac susceptibility experiments in a zero static magnetic field. From DFT calculations a S=16 ground state was determined for the {Mn₈Y₈} complex due to weak ferromagnetic Mn^III–Mn^III interactions. Ab initio CASSCF+RASSI‐SO calculations on the {Mn₈Dy₈} wheel estimated the Mn^III–Dy^III exchange interaction as ?0.1 cm^?1. This weak exchange along with unfavorable single‐ion anisotropy of Dy^III/Mn^III ions, however, led to the observation of SMM behavior with fast magnetic relaxation. The orientation of the g‐anisotropy of the Dy^III ions is found to be perpendicular to the plane of the wheel and this suggests the possibility of toroidal magnetic moments in the cluster. The {Mn₈Ln₈} clusters reported here are the largest heterometallic Mn^IIILn^III wheels and the largest {3d–4f} wheels to exhibit SMM behavior reported to date.     

Unravelling the Complexities of Pseudocontact Shift Analysis in Lanthanide Coordination Complexes of Differing Symmetry

In two closely related series of eight‐coordinate lanthanide complexes, a switch in the sign of the dominant ligand field parameter and striking variations in the sign, amplitude and orientation of the main component of the magnetic susceptibility tensor as the Ln³⁺ ion is permuted conspire to mask modest changes in NMR paramagnetic shifts, but are evident in Yb EPR and Eu emission spectra.     

Angular‐Resolved Magnetometry Beyond Triclinic Crystals Part II: Torque Magnetometry of Cp*ErCOT Single‐Molecule Magnets

The experimental investigation of the molecular magnetic anisotropy in crystals in which the magnetic centers are symmetry related, but do not have a parallel orientation has been approached by using torque magnetometry. A single crystal of the orthorhombic organometallic Cp*ErCOT [Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadiene anion (C₅Me₅^?); COT=cyclooctatetraenedianion (C₈H₈^2?)] single‐molecule magnet, characterized by the presence of two nonparallel families of molecules in the crystal, has been investigated above its blocking temperature. The results confirm an Ising‐type anisotropy with the easy direction pointing along the pseudosymmetry axis of the complex, as previously suggested by out‐of‐equilibrium angular‐resolved magnetometry. The use of torque magnetometry, not requiring the presence of magnetic hysteresis, proves to be even more powerful for these purposes than standard single‐crystal magnetometry. Furthermore, exploiting the sensitivity and versatility of this technique, magnetic anisotropy has been investigated up to 150 K, providing additional information on the crystal‐field splitting of the ground J multiplet of the Er^III ion.     

Two C3‐Symmetric Dy3III Complexes with Triple Di‐μ‐methoxo‐μ‐phenoxo Bridges,Magnetic Ground State,and Single‐Molecule Magnetic Behavior

Two series of isostructural C₃‐symmetric Ln₃ complexes Ln₃ ? [BPh₄] and Ln₃ ? 0.33[Ln(NO₃)₆] (in which Ln^III=Gd and Dy) have been prepared from an amino‐bis(phenol) ligand. X‐ray studies reveal that Ln^III ions are connected by one μ₂‐phenoxo and two μ₃‐methoxo bridges, thus leading to a hexagonal bipyramidal Ln₃O₅ bridging core in which Ln^III ions exhibit a biaugmented trigonal‐prismatic geometry. Magnetic susceptibility studies and ab initio complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) calculations indicate that the magnetic coupling between the Dy^III ions, which possess a high axial anisotropy in the ground state, is very weakly antiferromagnetic and mainly dipolar in nature. To reduce the electronic repulsion from the coordinating oxygen atom with the shortest Dy?O distance, the local magnetic moments are oriented almost perpendicular to the Dy₃ plane, thus leading to a paramagnetic ground state. CASSCF plus restricted active space state interaction (RASSI) calculations also show that the ground and first excited state of the Dy^III ions are separated by approximately 150 and 177 cm^?1, for Dy₃ ? [BPh₄] and Dy₃ ? 0.33[Dy(NO₃)₆], respectively. As expected for these large energy gaps, Dy₃ ? [BPh₄] and Dy₃ ? 0.33[Dy(NO₃)₆] exhibit, under zero direct‐current (dc) field, thermally activated slow relaxation of the magnetization, which overlap with a quantum tunneling relaxation process. Under an applied H_dc field of 1000 Oe, Dy₃ ? [BPh₄] exhibits two thermally activated processes with U_eff values of 34.7 and 19.5 cm^?1, whereas Dy₃ ? 0.33[Dy(NO₃)₆] shows only one activated process with U_eff=19.5 cm^?1.     

Lanthanide(III) Complexes of 4,10‐Bis(phosphonomethyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,7‐diacetic acid (trans‐H6do2a2p) in Solution and in the Solid State: Structural Studies Along the Series

Complexes of 4,10‐bis(phosphonomethyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,7‐diacetic acid (trans‐H₆do2a2p, H₆ L ) with transition metal and lanthanide(III) ions were investigated. The stability constant values of the divalent and trivalent metal‐ion complexes are between the corresponding values of H₄dota and H₈dotp complexes, as a consequence of the ligand basicity. The solid‐state structures of the ligand and of nine lanthanide(III) complexes were determined by X‐ray diffraction. All the complexes are present as twisted‐square‐antiprismatic isomers and their structures can be divided into two series. The first one involves nona‐coordinated complexes of the large lanthanide(III) ions (Ce, Nd, Sm) with a coordinated water molecule. In the series of Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Er, Yb, the complexes are octa‐coordinated only by the ligand donor atoms and their coordination cages are more irregular. The formation kinetics and the acid‐assisted dissociation of several Ln^III–H₆ L complexes were investigated at different temperatures and compared with analogous data for complexes of other dota‐like ligands. The [Ce( L )(H₂O)]^3? complex is the most kinetically inert among complexes of the investigated lanthanide(III) ions (Ce, Eu, Gd, Yb). Among mixed phosphonate–acetate dota analogues, kinetic inertness of the cerium(III) complexes is increased with a higher number of phosphonate arms in the ligand, whereas the opposite is true for europium(III) complexes. According to the ¹H NMR spectroscopic pseudo‐contact shifts for the Ce–Eu and Tb–Yb series, the solution structures of the complexes reflect the structures of the [Ce(H L )(H₂O)]^2? and [Yb(H L )]^2? anions, respectively, found in the solid state. However, these solution NMR spectroscopic studies showed that there is no unambiguous relation between ³¹P/¹H lanthanide‐induced shift (LIS) values and coordination of water in the complexes; the values rather express a relative position of the central ions between the N₄ and O₄ planes.     

A New Family of Trinuclear Nickel(II) Complexes as Single‐Molecule Magnets

Three new trinuclear nickel (II) complexes with the general composition [Ni₃L₃(OH)(X)](ClO₄) have been prepared in which X=Cl^? ( 1 ), OCN^? ( 2 ), or N₃^? ( 3 ) and HL is the tridentate N,N,O donor Schiff base ligand 2‐[(3‐dimethylaminopropylimino)methyl]phenol. Single‐crystal structural analyses revealed that all three complexes have a similar Ni₃ core motif with three different types of bridging, namely phenoxido (μ₂ and μ₃), hydroxido (μ₃), and μ₂‐Cl ( 1 ), μ_1,1‐NCO ( 2 ), or μ_1,1‐N₃ ( 3 ). The nickel(II) ions adopt a compressed octahedron geometry. Single‐crystal magnetization measurements on complex 1 revealed that the pseudo‐three‐fold axis of Ni₃ corresponds to a magnetic easy axis, being consistent with the magnetic anisotropy expected from the coordination structure of each nickel ion. Temperature‐dependent magnetic measurements indicated ferromagnetic coupling leading to an S=3 ground state with 2J/k=17, 17, and 28 K for 1 , 2 , and 3 , respectively, with the nickel atoms in an approximate equilateral triangle. The high‐frequency EPR spectra in combination with spin Hamiltonian simulations that include zero‐field splitting parameters D_Ni/k=?5, ?4, and ?4 K for 1 , 2 , and 3 , respectively, reproduced the EPR spectra well after a anisotropic exchange term was introduced. Anisotropic exchange was identified as D_i,j/k=?0.9, ?0.8, and ?0.8 K for 1 , 2 , and 3 , respectively, whereas no evidence of single‐ion rhombic anisotropy was observed spectroscopically. Slow relaxation of the magnetization at low temperatures is evident from the frequency‐dependence of the out‐of‐phase ac susceptibilities. Pulsed‐field magnetization recorded at 0.5 K shows clear steps in the hysteresis loop at 0.5–1 T, which has been assigned to quantum tunneling, and is characteristic of single‐molecule magnets.     

[ReF6]2−: A Robust Module for the Design of Molecule‐Based Magnetic Materials

A facile synthesis of the [ReF₆]^2? ion and its use as a building block to synthesize magnetic systems are reported. Using dc and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements, INS and EPR spectroscopies, the magnetic properties of the isolated [ReF₆]^2? unit in (PPh₄)₂[ReF₆]?2 H₂O ( 1 ) have been fully studied including the slow relaxation of the magnetization observed below ca. 4 K. This slow dynamic is preserved for the one‐dimensional coordination polymer [Zn(viz)₄(ReF₆)]_∞ ( 2 , viz=1‐vinylimidazole), demonstrating the irrelevance of low symmetry for such magnetization dynamics in systems with easy‐plane‐type anisotropy. The ability of fluoride to mediate significant exchange interactions is exemplified by the isostructural [Ni(viz)₄(ReF₆)]_∞ ( 3 ) analogue in which the ferromagnetic Ni^II–Re^IV interaction (+10.8 cm^?1) dwarfs the coupling present in related cyanide‐bridged systems. These results reveal [ReF₆]^2? to be an unique new module for the design of molecule‐based magnetic materials.     

Size-Controlled Hapticity Switching in [Ln(C9H9)(C8H8)] Sandwiches

Sandwich complexes of lanthanides have recently attracted a considerable amount of interest due to their applications as Single Molecule Magnet (SMM). Herein, a comprehensive series of heteroleptic lanthanide sandwich complexes ligated by the cyclononatetraenyl (Cnt) and the cyclooctatetraenyl (Cot) ligand [Ln(Cot)(Cnt)] (Ln=Tb, Dy, Er, Ho, Yb, and Lu) is reported. The coordination behavior of the Cnt ligand has been investigated along the series and shows different coordination patterns in the solid-state depending on the size of the corresponding lanthanide ion without altering its overall anisotropy. Besides the characterization in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and in solution by ¹H NMR, static magnetic studies and ab initio computational studies were performed.     

Homoleptic Two‐Coordinate Silylamido Complexes of Chromium(I), Manganese(I), and Cobalt(I)

Anionic two‐coordinate complexes of first‐row transition‐metal(I) centres are rare molecules that are expected to reveal new magnetic properties and reactivity. Recently, we demonstrated that a N(SiMe₃)₂^? ligand set, which is unable to prevent dimerisation or extraneous ligand coordination at the +2 oxidation state of iron, was nonetheless able to stabilise anionic two‐coordinate Fe^I complexes even in the presence of a Lewis base. We now report analogous Cr^I and Co^I complexes with exclusively this amido ligand and the isolation of a [Mn^I{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]₂^2? dimer that features a Mn?Mn bond. Additionally, by increasing the steric hindrance of the ligand set, the two‐coordinate complex [Mn^I{N(Dipp)(SiMe₃)}₂]^? was isolated (Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃). Characterisation of these compounds by using X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements is provided along with ligand‐field analysis based on CASSCF/NEVPT2 ab initio calculations.     

Origin of the Magnetic Anisotropy in Heptacoordinate NiII and CoII Complexes

The nature and magnitude of the magnetic anisotropy of heptacoordinate mononuclear Ni^II and Co^II complexes were investigated by a combination of experiment and ab initio calculations. The zero‐field splitting (ZFS) parameters D of [Ni(H₂DAPBH)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ ? 2 H₂O ( 1 ) and [Co(H₂DAPBH)(H₂O)(NO₃)](NO₃) [ 2 ; H₂DAPBH=2,6‐diacetylpyridine bis‐ (benzoyl hydrazone)] were determined by means of magnetization measurements and high‐field high‐frequency EPR spectroscopy. The negative D value, and hence an easy axis of magnetization, found for the Ni^II complex indicates stabilization of the highest M_S value of the S=1 ground spin state, while a large and positive D value, and hence an easy plane of magnetization, found for Co^II indicates stabilization of the M_S=±1/2 sublevels of the S=3/2 spin state. Ab initio calculations were performed to rationalize the magnitude and the sign of D, by elucidating the chemical parameters that govern the magnitude of the anisotropy in these complexes. The negative D value for the Ni^II complex is due largely to a first excited triplet state that is close in energy to the ground state. This relatively small energy gap between the ground and the first excited state is the result of a small energy difference between the d_xy and ${{\rm{d}}_{x^2 - y^2 } }$ orbitals owing to the pseudo‐pentagonal‐bipyramidal symmetry of the complex. For Co^II, all of the excited states contribute to a positive D value, which accounts for the large magnitude of the anisotropy for this complex.     

Interaction between Anions and Cationic Metal Complexes Containing Tridentate Ligands with exo‐CH Groups: Complex Stability and Hydrogen Bonding

[Re(CO)₃([9]aneS₃)][BAr′₄] ( 1 ), prepared by reaction of ReBr(CO)₅, 1,4,7‐trithiacyclononane ([9]aneS₃) and NaBAr′₄, forms stable, soluble supramolecular adducts with chloride ( 2 ), bromide, methanosulfonate ( 3 ) and fluoride ( 4 ) anions. These new species were characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy and, for 2 and 3 , also by X‐ray diffraction. The results of the solid state structure determinations indicate the formation of CH???X hydrogen bonds between the anion (X) and the exo‐C?H groups of the [9]aneS₃ ligand, in accord with the relatively large shifts found by ¹H NMR spectroscopy in dichloromethane solution for those hydrogens. The stability of the chloride adduct contrasts with the lability of the [9]aneS₃ ligand in allyldicarbonyl molybdenum complexes recently studied by us. With fluoride, in dichloromethane solution, a second, minor neutral dimeric species 5 is formed in addition to 4 . In 4 , the deprotonation of a C?H group of the [9]aneS₃ ligand, accompanied by C?S bond cleavage and dimerization, afforded 5 , featuring bridging thiolates. Compounds [Mo(η³‐methallyl)(CO)₂(TpyN)][BAr′₄] ( 6 ) and [Mo(η³‐methallyl)(CO)₂(TpyCH)][BAr′₄] ( 7 ) were synthesized by the reactions of [MoCl(η³‐methallyl)(CO)₂(NCMe)₂], NaBAr′₄ and tris(2‐pyridyl)amine (TpyN) or tris(2‐pyridyl)methane (TpyCH) respectively, and characterized by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy in solution, and by X‐ray diffraction in the solid state. Compound 6 undergoes facile substitution of one of the 2‐pyridyl groups by chloride, bromide, and methanosulfonate anions. Stable supramolecular adducts were formed between 7 and chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, and perrhenate anions. The solid state structures of these adducts ( 12 – 16 ) were determined by X‐ray diffraction. Binding constants in dichloromethane were calculated from ¹H NMR titration data for all the new supramolecular adducts. The signal of the bridgehead C?H group is the one that undergoes a more pronounced downfield shift when tetrabutylammonium chloride was added to 7 , whereas smaller shifts were found for the 2‐pyridyl C(3)?H groups. In agreement, both types of C?H groups form hydrogen bonds to the anions in the solid state structures.     

Fluoride‐Bridged {GdIII3MIII2} (M=Cr,Fe, Ga) Molecular Magnetic Refrigerants

The reaction of fac‐[M^IIIF₃(Me₃tacn)]?x H₂O with Gd(NO₃)₃?5H₂O affords a series of fluoride‐bridged, trigonal bipyramidal {Gd^III₃M^III₂} (M=Cr ( 1 ), Fe ( 2 ), Ga ( 3 )) complexes without signs of concomitant GdF₃ formation, thereby demonstrating the applicability even of labile fluoride‐complexes as precursors for 3d–4f systems. Molecular geometry enforces weak exchange interactions, which is rationalized computationally. This, in conjunction with a lightweight ligand sphere, gives rise to large magnetic entropy changes of 38.3 J kg^?1 K^?1 ( 1 ) and 33.1 J kg^?1 K^?1 ( 2 ) for the field change 7 T→0 T. Interestingly, the entropy change, and the magnetocaloric effect, are smaller in 2 than in 1 despite the larger spin ground state of the former secured by intramolecular Fe–Gd ferromagnetic interactions. This observation underlines the necessity of controlling not only the ground state but also close‐lying excited states for successful design of molecular refrigerants.     

Probing the Origin of Magnetic Anisotropy in a Dinuclear {MnIIICuII} Single‐Molecule Magnet: The Role of Exchange Anisotropy

Using ab initio calculations all the components of the magnetic anisotropy in a dinuclear [Mn^IIICu^IICl(5‐Br‐sap)₂(MeOH)] single‐molecule magnet (SMM) have been computed. These calculations reveal that apart from the single‐ion anisotropy, the exchange anisotropy also plays a crucial role in determining the sign as well as the magnitude of the cluster anisotropy. Developed magneto‐structural correlations suggest that a large ferromagnetic exchange can in fact reduce the ground‐state anisotropy, which is an integral component in the design of SMMs.     

Unprecedented Sensitization of Visible and Near‐Infrared Lanthanide Luminescence by Using a Tetrathiafulvalene‐Based Chromophore

Ligand L was synthesized and then coordinated to [Ln(hfac)₃] ? 2 H₂O (Ln^III=Tb, Dy, Er; hfac^?=1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoroacetylacetonate anion) and [Ln(tta)₃]?2 H₂O (Ln^III=Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Yb; tta^?=2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) to give two families of dinuclear complexes [Ln₂(hfac)₆( L )] ? C₆H₁₄ and [Ln₂(tta)₆( L )] ? 2 CH₂Cl₂. Irradiation of the ligand at 37 040 cm^?1 and 29 410 cm^?1 leads to tetrathiafulvalene‐centered and 2,6‐di(pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐4‐pyridine‐centered fluorescence, respectively. The ligand acts as an organic chromophore for the sensitization of the infrared Er^III (6535 cm^?1) and Yb^III (10 200 cm^?1) luminescence. The energies of the singlet and triplet states of L are high enough to guarantee an efficient sensitization of the visible Eu^III luminescence (17 300–14 100 cm^?1). The Eu^III luminescence decay can be nicely fitted by a monoexponential function that allows a lifetime estimation of (0.49±0.01) ms. Finally, the magnetic and luminescence properties of [Yb₂(hfac)₆( L )] ? C₆H₁₄ were correlated, which allowed the determination of the crystal field splitting of the ²F_7/2 multiplet state with M_J=±1/2 as ground states.