Interpretation of EPR and optical spectra of Ni(II) ions in crystalline lattices at ambient temperature

Many biologically important paramagnetic metal ions are characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to use as spin probes to investigate the structure and function of biomolecules. Though nickel(II) ions are an essential trace element and part of many biomolecules, the EPR properties are least understood. Herein, the EPR and optical absorption spectra measured at 300 K for Ni(II) ions diluted in two different diamagnetic hosts are investigated and reported. The EPR spectrum of a polycrystalline Ni/Mg(3-methylpyrazole)₆(ClO₄)₂ [Ni/MMPC] shows two transitions at X-band frequency (~9.5 GHz), suggesting the zero-field splitting parameter (D) is larger than the resonance field of the free electron (H_o). This incomplete and complex spectrum is successfully analyzed to obtain EPR parameters. The EPR spectrum of the polycrystalline Ni/Zn(pyrazole)₆(NO₃)₂ [Ni/ZPN] shows a triplet spectrum indicating D < H_o. A detailed analysis of single-crystal EPR data yielded the spin Hamiltonian parameters. The optical absorption spectra are deconvoluted to understand the symmetry of the coordination environment in the complex.     

Identification of static JT in copper(II) doped hexaimidazole M(II) lattices: M=Co and Ni: an EPR study

Single crystal EPR studies on Cu(II) doped paramagnetic host lattices, hexaimidazole M(II) dichloride tetrahydrate (M=Co and Ni), isomorphous with M=Zn, have been carried out from room temperature to 77K to understand the nature of Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion in these paramagnetic host systems. The paramagnetic impurity, doped in the present two paramagnetic host lattices, shows anisotropic EPR spectra with superhyperfine from ligands, even at room temperature. An interesting observation noticed in the EPR spectra at room temperature is that there are more resonances corresponding to the second site in the paramagnetic hosts than in the diamagnetic host at 4.2K. This difference in behavior between the diamagnetic and paramagnetic host lattices indicates a change in the depth of the JT valleys. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated for Cu(II) ion in both the host lattices and the relaxation times have been calculated for the ion in cobalt host lattice only.     

Single-Chain Magnet Based on Cobalt(II) Thiocyanate as XXZ Spin Chain

The cobalt(II) in [Co(NCS)₂(4-methoxypyridine)₂]_n are linked by pairs of thiocyanate anions into linear chains. In contrast to a previous structure determination, two crystallographically independent cobalt(II) centers have been found to be present. In the antiferromagnetic state, below the critical temperature (T_c=3.94 K) and critical field (H_c=290 Oe), slow relaxations of the ferromagnetic chains are observed. They originate mainly from defects in the magnetic structure, which has been elucidated by micromagnetic Monte Carlo simulations and ac measurements using pristine and defect samples. The energy barriers of the relaxations are Δ_τ1=44.9(5) K and Δ_τ2=26.0(7) K for long and short spin chains, respectively. The spin excitation energy, measured by using frequency-domain EPR spectroscopy, is 19.1 cm⁻¹ and shifts 0.1 cm⁻¹ due to the magnetic ordering. Ab initio calculations revealed easy-axis anisotropy for both Co^II centers, and also an exchange anisotropy J_xx/J_zz of 0.21. The XXZ anisotropic Heisenberg model (solved by using the density renormalization matrix group technique) was used to reconcile the specific heat, susceptibility, and EPR data.     

Epr Spectroscopy of Adsorbed Spin-Labeled Peptides: Immobilization of Trichogin on the Titanium Oxide

The TOAC-spin-labeled peptide Trichogin GA IV adsorbed on the TiO₂ surface is studied. It is shown that the continuous wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum does not depend on temperature in a wide range of 77–300 K. A pulsed EPR method of electron spin echo (ESE) utilizing a two-pulse sequence (π/2-τ-π) is used to study temperature dependence of the phase relaxation time, T_F. The T_F values are found to change from 750 ns to 100 ns in the interval of 77–300 K. The pulsed electronelectron double resonance (PELDOR) measurements utilizing the pulse sequence((π/2)_A,-T-π_B,-(τ-T)-π_A) show that the space distribution of spin labels on the surface remains uniform irrespective of the temperature, and provide the fractal dimension of the surface of 2.7±0.1. The obtained results testify that EPR pulse experiments can be used to study adsorbed spin-labeled molecules at room temperatures, i.e. not only at cryogenic temperatures.     

Slow Magnetic Relaxation of Ni(III) Complexes toward Molecular Spin Qubits

Molecule-based magnetic materials are promising candidates for molecular spin qubits, which utilize spin relaxation behavior. Various kinds of transition metal complexes with S=1/2 have been reported to act as spin qubits with long spin-spin relaxation times (T₂). However, the spin qubit properties of low-spin Ni(III) complexes are not as well known since Ni(III) compounds are often unstable. We report here the slow magnetic relaxation behavior and T₂ values for three kinds of low-spin Ni(III) based complexes with S=1/2 under magnetically diluted conditions. [Ni(cyclam)X₂]Y (cyclam=1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) with octahedral structures and [Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ (mnt=maleonitriledithiolate) with a square-planar structure underwent slow magnetic relaxations in the presence of a dc magnetic bias field. From electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, the Ni(III) complexes exhibited observable T₂, indicating that Ni(III) complexes are promising candidates for use as molecule-based spin qubits.     

Structures of o-hydroxy Schiff-base copper(II) complexes derived from p-benzylamines

Nine copper(II) complexes of o-hydroxy Schiff bases derived from benzylamine, p-methoxybenzylamine, p-nitrobenzylamine, salicylaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthalenecarboxaldehyde, and 3-hydroxy-2-naphthalenecarboxaldehyde were synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, mass spectrometry, UV-Vis, infrared and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and seven X-ray crystal structures. The X-ray diffraction studies of these compounds showed that the geometry around the copper is square planar in six of the seven complexes. EPR studies of all the complexes in DMF solution at 77 K suggest that their geometries in solution are square planar as well.     

Synthesis, characterisation and electrochemical behaviour of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes derived from acetylacetone and p -anisidine and their antimicrobial activity

Neutral tetradentate N₂O₂ type complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) have been synthesised using the Schiff base formed by the condensation of acetylacetone andp-anisidine. Microanalysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, IR, UV-Vis,¹ H NMR, CV and EPR studies have been carried out to determine the structure of the complexes. From the data, it is found that all the complexes possess square-planar geometry. The EPR spectrum of the copper complex in DMSO at 300 K and 77 K was recorded and its salient features are reported. All the title complexes were screened for antimicrobial activity by the well diffusion technique using DMSO as solvent. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were calculated at 37°C for a period of 24 h. It has been found that all the complexes are antimicrobially active and show higher activity than the free ligand.     

Nickel(II) Complex with Optically Active (3S)-3-Hydroxyaminocaran-4-one E-oxime and Its Oxidation into a Complex with Nitroxyl Radicals

Ni(II) chelate with (3S)-3-hydroxyaminocaran-4-one E-oxime (H₂L) of composition Ni(HL)₂ · 2H₂O was synthesized. The compound is diamagnetic, which suggests the square-planar structure of a NiN₄ coordination unit. The electronic absorption spectroscopy and EPR methods were used to study its oxidative dehydrogenation in benzene resulting in a compound containing nitroxyl radicals Ni(HL^·)₂ and exhibiting strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling of unpaired electrons of the radicals. An intermediate paramagnetic form Ni(HL)(HL^·) was discovered by the EPR method.     

Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) Complexes with 1-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-Triazole

New complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) with 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (L) of the composition ML₂(H₂O)₂(NO₃)₂ · nH₂O (M = Co(II), n = 3; M = Ni(II), n = 0; M = Cu(II), n = 0) were synthesized and studied by photoelectron and IR spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermogravimetry, and X-ray powder diffraction analysis. The type of _eff(T) relationship suggests that paramagnetic centers in the Co(II) chloride and Cu(II) nitrate and bromide complexes are involved in antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. The exchange energy values were estimated by the molecular field method.     

Electrical and magnetic properties of some organic charge transfer complexes

Two 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) complexes with cystein and guanine have been investigated. EPR spin signals of these charge transfer complexes were recorded and the electron spin lattice relaxation time (T₁) temperature dependence was investigated. The electron scattering time, calculated from T₁, agreed reasonably well with that from the current carrier effective mass (as determined through the Hall mobility measurements).     

A Nitroxide‐Tagged Platinum(II) Complex Enables the Identification of a DNA G‐Quadruplex Binding Mode

We reported a novel strategy for investigating small molecule binding to G‐quadruplexes (GQs). A newly synthesized dinuclear platinum(II) complex (Pt₂L) containing a nitroxide radical was shown to selectively bind a GQ‐forming sequence derived from human telomere (hTel). Using the nitroxide moiety as a spin label, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was carried out to investigate binding between Pt₂L and hTel GQ. Measurements indicated that two molecules of Pt₂L bind with one molecule of hTel GQ. The inter‐spin distance measured between the two bound Pt₂L, together with molecular docking analyses, revealed that Pt₂L predominately binds to the neighboring narrow and wide grooves of the G‐tetrads as hTel adopts the antiparallel conformation. The design and synthesis of nitroxide tagged GQ binders, and the use of spin‐labeling/EPR to investigate their interactions with GQs, will aid the development of small molecules for manipulating GQs involved in crucial biological processes.     

Electronic properties of the linear ladder polymer,poly[4-(3-pyridyl),8-methyl,2,3–6,7-quinolino] (PPMQ)

Electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and conductivity of pristine and iodine-doped PPMQ were studied. The pristine polymer EPR signal exhibited a Lorentzian line shape. Unpaired spin density measurements indicated that the spin concentrations of the undoped polymer lie in the range of one spin per 150–190 repeat units at room temperature. The peak-to-peak width doubled, the line shape became asymmetric and the spin concentration in the polymer increased slightly after doping with iodine. EPR saturation experiments show that the spin lattice relaxation time T₁ is sensitive to trace impurity. Considerable reduction of T₁ after doping with iodine shows strong coupling between the spin system and N-iodonium nucleus. Conductivity increases up to 5 orders of magnitude by iodine doping; at room temperature, the best value found was 0.017 S/cm. The activation energy for conductance after doping is about half that of pristine polymer.     

Synthesis and characterization of TCNQ derivatives of Ni(II) and Cu(II) with pyrazole-based ligands

Reactions between nickel(II) and copper(II) salts [M(L) _n ](ClO₄)₂ [L: 2-(pyrazole-1-ylmethyl)pyridine; n = 3 for Ni(II) and n = 2 for Ni(II) and Cu(II)] and LiTCNQ or mixture of LiTCNQ/TCNQ and Et₃NH(TCNQ)₂ yielded [Ni(L)₃](TCNQ)₂ · H₂O, [Ni(L)₂(TCNQ)₂], [Ni(L)₃](TCNQ)₃, [Ni(L)₂(TCNQ)₃], and [Cu(L)₂(TCNQ)₃] · 3H₂O. These complexes were characterized by infrared, electronic absorption, variable temperature magnetic moments and electron paramagnetic studies. Magnetic moments increase with increase in temperature attributed to contribution from TCNQ, which has also been examined by electron paramagnetic resonance.     

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.     

ESR and NMR studies of poly (amidoamine) dendrimers with ionic surfactants in different media

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study has been carried out for the micellar solutions of various ionic surfactant solutions as well as various generations of aqueous dendrimer both in their respective presence as well as their absence at 25°C and in different media. From these measurements, the rotation correlation time (τ_B) have been calculated for all the ionic surfactant + PAMAM + water system. A variation in the τ_Bvalue remains mostly constant for the dodecyltrimethyammonium bromide (DTAB) and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) + PAMAM + water ternary mixtures. The τ_Bvalue shows an increase with the increase in the amount of PAMAM for SDS in basic medium and for 12-2-12 in acidic medium. It has been concluded from these results that SDS undergo complexation with all generations of PAMAM in basic medium and 12-2-12 in acidic medium and produce stronger hydrophobic environment. The nuclear magnetic resonance study (NMR) allowed us to evaluate the spin–spin relaxation (T₁) times of SDS in the presence of all generations of PAMAM. The T₁ values for all the tail protons of SDS showed a slight decrease with the increase in the constant amount of PAMAM suggesting the adsorption of PAMAM molecules on the micelle surface.     

Semiconducting poly(dicyanoacetylenes)

Poly(dicyanoacetylene) (PDCA) has been synthesized and characterized. The pristine polymer has EPR g-value, linewidth, unpaired spin concentration, spin—spin relaxation time (T₂), and room temperature dc conductivity (σ_RT) very similar to those of pristine cis-polyacetylene (PA), but shorter spin—lattice relaxation time (T₁). Saturation doping with iodine has little effect on most EPR characteristics of the polymer except for a slight increase in T₁. The doped PDCA has σ_RT value of only 5 X 10^-9 (Ω cm)^-1, indicating either low carrier concentration and/or carrier mobility. Partial cyclization of the nitrile groups by heating at 400°C of PDCA produces l-PDCA with significant increases in unpaired spin concentration and σ_RT but marginal effects on other properties. Saturation doping of l-PDCA with iodine increases σ_RT to 7 × 10^-3 (Ω cm)^-1 without appreciable changes in EPR characteristics. The dopants in both polymers can be removed by evacuation indicating only weak charge transfer interactions. The possible stereoelectronic contribution toward the property differences between the PDCA polymers and PA are discussed.     

A family of enneanuclear iron(II) single-molecule magnets

Complexes [Fe₉(X)₂(O₂CMe)₈{(2‐py)₂CO₂}₄] (X^?=OH^? ( 1 ), N₃^? ( 2 ), and NCO^? ( 3 )) have been prepared by a route previously employed for the synthesis of analogous Co₉ and Ni₉ complexes, involving hydroxide substitution by pseudohalides (N₃^?, NCO^?). As indicated by DC magnetic susceptibility measurements, this substitution induced higher ferromagnetic couplings in complexes 2 and 3 , leading to higher ground spin states compared to that of 1 . Variable‐field experiments have shown that the ground state is not well isolated from excited states, as a result of which it cannot be unambiguously determined. AC susceptometry has revealed out‐of‐phase signals, which suggests that these complexes exhibit a slow relaxation of magnetization that follows Arrhenius behavior, as observed in single‐molecule magnets, with energy barriers of 41 K for 2 (τ₀=3.4×10^?12 s) and 44 K for 3 (τ₀=2.0×10^?11 s). Slow magnetic relaxation has also been observed by zero‐field ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Characteristic integer‐spin electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals have been observed at X‐band for 1 , whereas 2 and 3 were found to be EPR‐silent at this frequency. ¹H NMR spectrometry in CD₃CN has shown that complexes 1 – 3 are stable in solution.     

Effects of cation siting and spin–spin interactions on the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Cu exchanged X Faujasite zeolite

Copper(II) exchanged Na X Faujasite zeolite was cation exchanged at levels from one Cu(II) in 30 unit cells (0.033 Cu(II)/UC) to 38 Cu(II) per unit cell (38 Cu/UC) and was examined by continuous wave and two-pulse and three-pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at temperatures from 10 K to 300 K. In this work exchange of Cu²⁺ into X Faujasite zeolite is shown by EPR spectral and pulsed EPR relaxation measurements to begin into site I′, where it lies coordinated to a hexagonal prism face with Si:Al ratios of predominantly 4:2 and 5:1. Spin–spin interactions influence EPR g-value averaging, spin–spin relaxation, and spin spectral diffusion in a manner highly dependent on Cu exchange. Spin–lattice relaxation is relatively independent of exchange. The marked increase observed in spin–spin relaxation and g-value averaging at 8 Cu/UC and an effective Cu–Cu distance of 1.2 nm can be understood in terms of filling sodalite cages with an average of 1 Cu²⁺ each.     

Structure of bis[ethyl (trifluoroacetyl)acetato]copper(II) and its adduct with 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine: EPR and X-ray study

Bis[ethyl (trifluoroacetyl)acetato]copper(II), [Cu(etfac)₂], has been prepared and studied by X-ray crystallography and EPR spectroscopy. The complex is centrosymmetrical and crystallizes in the P2₁/c space group with two formula units per unit cell. After dissolving of the complex in solid matrix or in suitable solvents some changes are detected in the EPR spectra and are discussed. The EPR spectra of the complex magnetically diluted in the corresponding Pd(II) complex reveal the presence of only one paramagnetic species further denoted as B. However, EPR spectra measured in solution indicate the presence of two different paramagnetic species: (i) non-distorted parent species B, and (ii) rhombic-distorted species A, which prevail in solutions. The A:B species ratio is a function of the solvent and temperature. The [Cu(etfac)₂] adduct with 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine has also been studied and found to crystallize in the C2/c space group. The adduct EPR spectrum monitored in solution shows the presence of only one paramagnetic species.