Ligand π‐Radical Interaction with f‐Shell Unpaired Electrons in Phthalocyaninato–Lanthanoid Single‐Molecule Magnets: A Solution NMR Spectroscopic and DFT Study

The phthalocyaninato double‐decker complexes [M(obPc)₂]⁰ (M= Y^III, Tb^III, Dy^III; obPc=2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24‐octabutoxyphthalocyaninato), along with their reduced ([M(obPc)₂]^?[P(Ph)₄]⁺; M=Tb^III, Dy^III) and oxidized ([M(obPc)₂]⁺[SbCl₆]^? (M=Y^III, Tb^III) counterparts were studied with ¹H, ¹³C and 2D NMR. From the NMR data of the neutral (i.e., with one unpaired electron in the ligands) and anionic Tb^III complexes, along with the use of dispersion corrected DFT methods, it was possible to separate the metal‐centered and ligand‐centered contributions to the hyperfine NMR shift. These contributions to the ¹H and ¹³C hyperfine NMR shifts were further analyzed in terms of pseudocontact and Fermi contact shifts. Furthermore, from a combination of NMR data and DFT calculations, we have determined the spin multiplicity of the neutral complexes [M(obPc)₂]⁰ (M=Tb^III and Dy^III) at room temperature. From the NMR data of the cationic Tb^III complex, for which actually no experimental structure determination is available, we have analyzed the structural changes induced by oxidation from its neutral/anionic species and shown that the interligand distance decreases upon oxidation. The fast electron exchange process between the neutral and anionic Tb^III double‐decker complexes was also studied.     

Redox‐Driven Symmetry Change for Terbium(III) Bis(porphyrinato) Double‐Decker Complexes by the Azimuthal Rotation of the Porphyrin Macrocycles

Molecular structures for three oxidation forms (anion, radical, and cation) of terbium(III) bis(porphyrinato) double‐decker complexes have been systematically studied. We found that the redox state controls the azimuthal rotation angle (φ) between the two porphyrin macrocycles. For [Tb^III(tpp)₂]ⁿ (tpp: tetraphenylporphyrinato, n=?1, 0, and +1), φ decreases at each stage of the oxidation process. The decrease in φ is due to the higher steric repulsion between the phenyl rings on the porphyrin macrocycle and the β hydrogen atoms on the other porphyrin macrocycle, which results from the shorter interfacial distance between the two porphyrin macrocycles. Conversely, φ=45° for both [Tb^III(oep)₂]^?1 and [Tb^III(oep)₂]⁰ (oep: octaethylporphyrinato), but φ=36° for [Tb^III(oep)₂]⁺¹. Theoretical calculations suggest that the smaller azimuthal rotation angle of the cation form is due to the electronic interaction in the doubly oxidized ligand system.     

Influence of Peripheral Substitution on the Magnetic Behavior of Single‐Ion Magnets Based on Homo‐ and Heteroleptic TbIII Bis(phthalocyaninate)

A series of homoleptic ([Tb^III(Pc)₂]) and heteroleptic ([Tb^III(Pc)(Pc′)]) Tb^III bis(phthalocyaninate) complexes that contain different peripheral substitution patterns (i.e., tert‐butyl or tert‐butylphenoxy groups) have been synthesized in their neutral radical forms and then reduced into their corresponding anionic forms as stable tetramethylammonium/tetrabutylammonium salts. All of these compounds were spectroscopically characterized and their magnetic susceptibility properties were investigated. As a general trend, the radical forms exhibited larger energy barriers for spin reversal than their corresponding reduced compounds. Remarkably, heteroleptic complexes that contain electron‐donor moieties on one of the two Pc ligands show higher effective barriers and blocking temperatures than their homoleptic derivatives. This result is assigned to the elongation of the N? Tb distances in the substituted macrocycle, which brings the terbium(III) ion closer to the unsubstituted Pc, thus enhancing the ligand‐field effect. In particular, heteroleptic [Tb^III(Pc)(Pc′)] complex 4 , which contains one octa(tert‐butylphenoxy)‐substituted Pc ring and one bare Pc ring, exhibits the highest effective barrier and blocking temperature for a single‐molecule magnet reported to date.     

Perylene Bisimide Radicals and Biradicals: Synthesis and Molecular Properties

Unprecedented neutral perylene‐3,4:9,10‐tetracarboxylic acid bisimide (PBI) radicals and biradicals were synthesized by facile chemical oxidation of 4‐hydroxyaryl‐substituted PBIs. Subsequent characterization by optical and magnetic spectroscopic techniques, as well as quantum chemical calculations, revealed an open‐shell singlet biradical ground state for the PBI biradical OS ‐ 2^.. (〈s²〉=1.2191) with a relatively small singlet–triplet energy gap of 0.041 eV and a large singlet biradical character of y=0.72.     

Lanthanide(III) Complexes of Bis‐semicarbazone and Bis‐imine‐Substituted Phenanthroline Ligands: Solid‐State Structures,Photophysical Properties,and Anion Sensing

Phenanthroline‐based hexadentate ligands L¹ and L² bearing two achiral semicarbazone or two chiral imine moieties as well as the respective mononuclear complexes incorporating various lanthanide ions, such as La^III, Eu^III, Tb^III, Lu^III, and Y^III metal ions, were synthesized, and the crystal structures of [ML¹Cl₃] (M=La^III, Eu^III, Tb^III, Lu^III, or Y^III) complexes were determined. Solvent or water molecules act as coligands for the rare‐earth metals in addition to halide anions. The big Ln^III ion exhibits a coordination number (CN) of 10, whereas the corresponding Eu^III, Tb^III, Lu^III, and Y^III centers with smaller ionic radii show CN=9. Complexes of L², namely [ML²Cl₃] (M=Eu^III, Tb^III, Lu^III, or Y^III) ions could also be prepared. Only the complex of Eu^III showed red luminescence, whereas all the others were nonluminescent. The emission properties of the Eu derivative can be applied as a photophysical signal for sensing various anions. The addition of phosphate anions leads to a unique change in the luminescence behavior. As a case study, the quenching behavior of adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP) was investigated at physiological pH value in an aqueous solvent. A specificity of the sensor for ATP relative to adenosine‐5′‐diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine‐5′‐monophosphate (AMP) was found. ³¹P NMR spectroscopic studies revealed the formation of a [EuL²(ATP)] coordination species.     

Switching of Single‐Molecule Magnetic Properties of TbIII–Porphyrin Double‐Decker Complexes and Observation of Their Supramolecular Structures on a Carbon Surface

Double‐decker complexes based on single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) are a class of highly promising molecules for applications in molecular spintronics, wherein control of both the ligand oxidative states and the 2D supramolecular structure on carbon materials is of great importance. This study focuses on the synthesis and study of 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18‐octaethylporphyrin (OEP)–Tb^III double‐decker complexes with different electronic structures comprising protonated, anionic, and radical forms. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that only the anionic and radical forms of the OEP–Tb^III double‐decker complexes exhibited SMM properties. The barrier heights for magnetic moment reversal were estimated to be 207 and 215 cm^?1 for the anionic and radical forms, respectively. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) investigations revealed that these OEP–Tb^III complexes form well‐ordered monolayers upon simple dropcasting from dilute dichloromethane solutions. All three complexes form an isomorphic pseudo‐hexagonal 2D pattern, regardless of the differences in the electronic structures of their porphyrin–Tb cores. This finding is of interest for SMM technology as ultrathin films of these materials undergoing chemical transformations will not require any detrimental reorganization. Finally, we demonstrate self‐assembly of the protonated 5,15‐bisdodecylporphyrin (BDP)–Tb^III double‐decker complex as an example of successful supramolecular design to achieve controlled alignment of SMM‐active sites.     

Density functional theory study of the magnetic properties of rare earth complexes: the magnetic coupling mechanism in YIII and GdIII complexes with nitronyl nitroxide

The magnetic coupling interactions of the nitronyl nitroxide radicals bound to diamagnetic (Y^III) and paramagnetic (Gd^III) rare earth ions in two model magnetic systems based on novel rare earth organic radical complexes Ln(hfac)₃(NITPhOCH₃)₂ (Ln = Y^III 1, Gd^III 2; hafc = hexafluoroacetylacetonate; NITPhOCH₃ = 4′-methoxyo-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT). The magnetic coupling mechanisms were also explored from the viewpoint of molecular orbital and spin density populations. DFT calculations show that the empty 4d-orbitals of Y^III and 5d-orbitals of Gd^III play an important role in the antiferromagnetic coupling between the two nitronyl nitroxide radical ligands, and that the ferromagnetic coupling between the Gd^III ion and the radical magnetic centers can be attributed to the nearly complete localization of the isotropic 4f-shell and singly occupied magnetic orbital (Π^*) of the nitronyl nitroxide.     

Binuclear Terbium(III) Complex as a Probe for Tyrosine Phosphorylation

By using the luminescence from binuclear complexes of Tb^III ( Tb₂‐L¹ and Tb₂‐L² ), phosphorylated Tyr residue in peptides was selectively detected in neutral aqueous solutions. Neither the non‐phosphorylated Tyr, pSer, pThr, nor the other phosphate‐containing biomolecules tested affected the luminescence intensity to any notable extent. Upon the binding of the pTyr to these Tb^III complexes, the luminescence from the metal ion was notably promoted, as the light energy absorbed by the benzene ring of pTyr is efficiently transferred to the Tb^III center. The binding activity of the binuclear Tb^III complexes towards pTyr is two orders of magnitude larger than that of the corresponding mononuclear complex. These binuclear complexes were successfully used for real‐time monitoring of enzymatic phosphorylation of a peptide by a tyrosine kinase.     

Exceptionally Long‐Lived Luminescence Emitted from TbIII Ion Caged in an AgI–TbIII–Thiacalix[4]arene Supramolecular Complex in Water

The compositions and photophysical properties of luminescent ternary complexes of thiacalix[4]arene‐p‐sulfonate (TCAS), Tb^III, and Ag^I ions were determined. At pH 6, Ag^I₂?Tb^III₂?TCAS₂ formed. Moreover, at pH 10, in the presence of a 20‐fold excess of Ag^I and a 50‐fold excess of TCAS with respect to Tb^III, Ag^I₂?Tb^III?TCAS₂ formed as the main luminescent species. The structure of these complexes was proposed: two TCAS ligands are linked by two S–Ag^I–S linkages to adopt a double‐cone supramolecular structure. Furthermore, each Tb^III ion in the former complex accepts O^?, S, O^? donation, whereas in the latter, the Tb^III center accepts eightfold O^? donation. The luminescence quantum yield (Φ) of Ag^I₂?Tb^III₂?TCAS₂ (0.16) was almost equal to that of Tb^III?TCAS, but the luminescence lifetime τ of the former (=1.09 ms) was larger than that of the latter. For Ag^I₂?Tb^III?TCAS₂, the yield Φ (=0.11) was small, which is attributed to the low efficiency of photosensitization (η=0.11). However, the τ value (4.61 ms) was exceptionally large and almost equal to the natural luminescence lifetime of Tb^III (4.7 ms), which is due to the absence of coordinating water molecules (q=0.1). This is compatible with the proposed structure in which the Tb^III ion is shielded by a supramolecular cage that expels coordinated water molecules responsible for luminescence quenching.     

New advances in the synthesis of tripyridinophane macrocycles suitable to enhance the luminescence of Ln(III) ions in aqueous solution

A series of four new 18-membered hexaaza macrocyclic ligands bearing three endocyclic pyridine units and acetate or methylenephosphonate pendant arms has been prepared. The new synthetic procedure is based on the use of amine and diamine precursors incorporating masked carboxylate or phosphonate functions and on an efficient sodium template effect which controls the crucial macrocyclization step (yields of macrocyclization reactions: 62–88%). This procedure appears as a suitable alternative compared to the classical Richman-Atkins methodology generally used for the preparation of this class of macrocycles. As demonstrated with the Eu^III and Tb^III complexes derived from two ligands, these tripyridinophane chelators form luminescent and stable mononuclear Ln^III complexes in aqueous solution at physiological pH. In such a medium, Tb^III complexes exhibit a brightness of 1700 (λ_exc?=?279?nm) and 3000 (λ_exc?=?268?nm)?M^?1?cm^?1.     

Synthesis of LnII-in-Cryptand Complexes by Chemical Reduction of LnIII-in-Cryptand Precursors: Isolation of a NdII-in-Cryptand Complex

Lanthanide triflates have been used to incorporate Nd^III and Sm^III ions into the 2.2.2-cryptand ligand (crypt) to explore their reductive chemistry. The Ln(OTf)₃ complexes (Ln=Nd, Sm; OTf=SO₃CF₃) react with crypt in THF to form the THF-soluble complexes [Ln^III(crypt)(OTf)₂][OTf] with two triflates bound to the metal encapsulated in the crypt. Reduction of these Ln^III-in-crypt complexes using KC₈ in THF forms the neutral Ln^II-in-crypt triflate complexes [Ln^II(crypt)(OTf)₂]. DFT calculations on [Nd^II(crypt)]²⁺], the first Nd^II cryptand complex, assign a 4f⁴ electron configuration to this ion.     

Six‐Coordinate Lanthanide Complexes: Slow Relaxation of Magnetization in the Dysprosium(III) Complex

A series of six‐coordinate lanthanide complexes {(H₃O)[Ln(NA)₂]?H₂O}_n (H₂NA=5‐hydroxynicotinic acid; Ln=Gd^III ( 1?Gd ); Tb^III ( 2?Tb ); Dy^III ( 3?Dy ); Ho^III ( 4?Ho )) have been synthesized from aqueous solution and fully characterized. Slow relaxation of the magnetization was observed in 3?Dy . To suppress the quantum tunneling of the magnetization, 3?Dy diluted by diamagnetic Y^III ions was also synthesized and magnetically studied. Interesting butterfly‐like hysteresis loops and an enhanced energy barrier for the slow relaxation of magnetization were observed in diluted 3?Dy . The energy barrier (Δ_τ) and pre‐exponential factor (τ₀) of the diluted 3?Dy are 75 K and 4.21×10^?5 s, respectively. This work illustrates a successful way to obtain low‐coordination‐number lanthanide complexes by a framework approach to show single‐ion‐magnet‐like behavior.     

Desolvation-Induced Highly Symmetrical Terbium(III) Single-Molecule Magnet Exhibiting Luminescent Self-Monitoring of Temperature

A conjunction of Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behavior and luminescence thermometry is an emerging research line aiming at contactless read-out of temperature in future SMM-based devices. The shared working range between slow magnetic relaxation and the thermometric response is typically narrow or absent. We report Tb^III-based emissive SMMs formed in a cyanido-bridged framework whose properties are governed by the reversible structural transformation from [Tb^III(H₂O)₂][Co^III(CN)₆] ⋅ 2.7H₂O ( 1 ) to its dehydrated phase, Tb^III[Co^III(CN)₆] ( 2 ). The 8-coordinated complexes in 1 show the moderate SMM effect but it is enhanced for trigonal-prismatic Tb^III complexes in 2 , showing the SMM features up to 42 K. They are governed by the combination of QTM, Raman, and Orbach relaxation with the energy barrier of 594(18) cm⁻¹ (854(26) K), one of the highest among the Tb^III-based molecular nanomagnets. Both systems exhibit emission related to the f–f electronic transitions, with the temperature variations resulting in the optical thermometry below 100 K. The dehydration leads to a wide temperature overlap between the SMM behavior and thermometry, from 6 K to 42 K. These functionalities are further enriched after the magnetic dilution. The role of post-synthetic formation of high-symmetry Tb^III complexes in achieving the SMM effect and hot-bands-based optical thermometry is discussed.     

Synthesis of LnII‐in‐Cryptand Complexes by Chemical Reduction of LnIII‐in‐Cryptand Precursors: Isolation of a NdII‐in‐Cryptand Complex

Lanthanide triflates have been used to incorporate Nd^III and Sm^III ions into the 2.2.2‐cryptand ligand (crypt) to explore their reductive chemistry. The Ln(OTf)₃ complexes (Ln=Nd, Sm; OTf=SO₃CF₃) react with crypt in THF to form the THF‐soluble complexes [Ln^III(crypt)(OTf)₂][OTf] with two triflates bound to the metal encapsulated in the crypt. Reduction of these Ln^III‐in‐crypt complexes using KC₈ in THF forms the neutral Ln^II‐in‐crypt triflate complexes [Ln^II(crypt)(OTf)₂]. DFT calculations on [Nd^II(crypt)]²⁺], the first Nd^II cryptand complex, assign a 4f⁴ electron configuration to this ion.     

Exchange coupling and magnetic anisotropy in a family of bipyrimidyl radical‐bridged dilanthanide complexes: Density functional theory and ab initio calculations

The origin of the magnetic anisotropy energy barriers in a series of bpym^? (bpym = 2,2′‐bipyrimidine) radical‐bridged dilanthanide complexes [(Cp*₂Ln)₂(μ‐bpym)]⁺ [Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; Ln = Gd^III ( 1 ), Tb^III ( 2 ), Dy^III ( 3 ), Ho^III ( 4 ), Er^III ( 5 )] has been explored using density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio methods. DFT calculations show that the exchange coupling between the two lanthanide ions for each complex is very weak, but the antiferromagnetic Ln‐bpym^? couplings are strong. Ab initio calculations show that the effective energy barrier of 2 or 3 mainly comes from the contribution of a single Tb^III or Dy^III fragment, which is only about one third of a single Ln energy barrier. For 4 or 5 , however, both of the two Ho^III or Er^III fragments contribute to the total energy barrier. Thus, it is insufficient to only increase the magnetic anisotropy energy barrier of a single Ln ion, while enhancing the Ln‐bpym^? couplings is also very important. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Coordinated lanthanide metal complexes ofN-benzoylglycine hydrazide

Summary N-benzoylglycine hydrazide (BzGH) reacts with trivalent lanthanide metal ions forming complexes of the type [Ln(BzGH)₂Cl(H₂O)₂]Cl₂·nH₂O, where Ln=La^III, Pr^III, Nd^III, Sm^III, Eu^III, Gd^III, Tb^III, Dy^III, or Y^III;n=1 or 2. The structures of the complexes have been studied by conductance, magnetic, electronic, i.r.,¹H n.m.r. and¹³C n.m.r. spectral techniques. The nephelauxetic ratio, the bonding parameter, Sinha's parameter and the covalency angular overlap parameter have been calculated from the electronic spectra of Pr^III, Nd^III and Sm^III complexes. Seven-coordination is proposed in the Nd^III complex. The i.r. and¹H n.m.r. spectral data suggest bidentate BzGH in all the complexes.     

Can Non‐Kramers TmIII Mononuclear Molecules be Single‐Molecule Magnets (SMMs)?

In recent years, plentiful lanthanide‐based (Tb^III, Dy^III, and Er^III) single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) were studied, while examples of other lanthanides, for example, Tm^III are still unknown. Herein, for the first time, we show that by rationally manipulating the coordination sphere, two thulium compounds, 1 [(Tp)Tm(COT)] and 2 [(Tp*)Tm(COT)] (Tp=hydrotris(1‐pyrazolyl)borate; COT=cyclooctatetraenide; Tp*=hydrotris(3,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrazolyl)borate), can adopt the structure of non‐Kramers SMMs and exhibit their behaviors. Dynamic magnetic studies indicated that both compounds showed slow magnetic relaxation under dc field and a relatively high effective energy barrier (111 K for 1 , 46 K for 2 ). Magnetic diluted 1 a [(Tp)Tm_0.05Y_0.95(COT)] and 2 a [(Tp*)Tm_0.05Y_0.95(COT)] even exhibited magnetic relaxation under zero dc field. Relativistic ab initio calculations combined with single‐crystal angular‐resolved magnetometry measurements revealed the strong easy axis anisotropy and nearly degenerated ground doublet states. The comparison of 1 and 2 highlights the importance of local symmetry for obtaining Tm SMMs.     

Chemiluminescence and catalysis of the decomposition of dispiro(diadamantane-1,2-dioxetane) in solutions of lanthanide perchlorates

Decomposition of dispiro(diadamantane-1,2-dioxetane) (1) in acetonitrile solutions of Eu^III, Gd^III, Tb^III, Pr^III, and Ce^III perchlorates was studied by tile chemiluminescence method. The rate constants of decomposition of1 in complexes of composition1 · Ln^III and stability constants of these complexes, as well as activation parameters of the decomposition of1 and thermodynamic parameters of the complexation were determined. A correlation between the thermodynamic parameters of complexation and ionic radii of Ln^III was found.Translated fromIzvestiya Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2479–2483, October, 1996.     

Syntheses,Structures, Photoluminescence,and Magnetism of a Series of Discrete Lanthanide Complexes based on 2,5‐Dichlorobenzoate and 1,10‐Phenanthroline

The syntheses and crystal structures of eight lanthanide complexes with formula [Ln(2,5‐DCB)_x(phen)_y] are reported, which are characterized via single‐crystal, powder X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, photoluminescence measurement, and DC/AC magnetic measurement. These eight complexes are isostructural, and possess a discrete dinuclear structure. The adjacent dinuclear molecules are linked by the hydrogen bonding interactions into a one‐dimensional (1D) supramolecular chain. The neighboring 1D chains are further extended into a two‐dimensional (2D) supramolecular layer by the π–π stacking interactions. The photoluminescent properties of complexes 1 (Nd^III), 2 (Sm^III), 3 (Eu^III), 5 (Tb^III), 6 (Dy^III), and 8 (Yb^III) were investigated. Magnetic investigations also reveal the presence of ferromagnetic interactions in complexes 4 (Gd^III), 6 (Dy^III), and 7 (Er^III). Additionally, complex 6 (Dy^III) demonstrates field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior.     

Tetrathiafulvalene‐amido‐2‐pyridine‐N‐oxide as Efficient Charge‐Transfer Antenna Ligand for the Sensitization of YbIII Luminescence in a Series of Lanthanide Paramagnetic Coordination Complexes

The tetrathiafulvalene‐amido‐2‐pyridine‐N‐oxide ( L ) ligand has been employed to coordinate 4f elements. The architecture of the complexes mainly depends on the ionic radii of the lanthanides. Thus, the reaction of L in the same experimental protocol leads to three different molecular structure series. Binuclear [Ln₂(hfac)₅(O₂CPhCl)( L )₃] ? 2 H₂O (hfac^?=1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoroacetylacetonate anion, O₂CPhCl^?=3‐chlorobenzoate anion) and mononuclear [Ln(hfac)₃( L )₂] complexes were obtained by using rare‐earth ions with either large (Ln^III=Pr, Gd) or small (Ln^III=Y, Yb) ionic radius, respectively, whereas the use of Tb^III that possesses an intermediate ionic radius led to the formation of a binuclear complex of formula [Tb₂(hfac)₄(O₂CPhCl)₂( L )₂]. Antiferromagnetic interactions have been observed in the three dinuclear compounds by using an extended empirical method. Photophysical properties of the coordination complexes have been studied by solid‐state absorption spectroscopy, whereas time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations have been carried out on the diamagnetic Y^III derivative to build a molecular orbital diagram and to reproduce the absorption spectrum. For the [Yb(hfac)₃( L )₂] complex, the excitation at 19 600 cm^?1 of the HOMO→LUMO+1/LUMO+2 charge‐transfer transition induces both line‐shape emissions in the near‐IR spectral range assigned to the ²F_5/2→²F_7/2 (9860 cm^?1) ytterbium‐centered transition and a residual charge‐transfer emission around 13 150 cm^?1. An efficient antenna effect that proceeds through energy transfer from the singlet excited state of the tetrathiafulvalene‐amido‐2‐pyridine‐N‐oxide chromophore is evidence of the Yb^III sensitization.