Planar tetranuclear lanthanide clusters with the Dy4 analogue displaying slow magnetic relaxation

Two isostructural tetranuclear lanthanide clusters of general formula [Ln(III)(4)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(o-van)(4)(O(2)CC(CH(3))(3))(4)(NO(3))(2)]·CH(2)Cl(2)·1.5H(2)O (Ln = Gd (1) and Dy (2)) (o-van = 3-methoxysalicylaldehydato anion) are reported. The metallic cores of both complexes display a planar 'butterfly' arrangement. Magnetic studies show that both are weakly coupled, with 2 displaying probable SMM behaviour.     

A series of Salen-type homodinuclear lanthanide complexes and their slow magnetic relaxation in Dy2 and Ho2

A series of homodinuclear lanthanide complexes, namely, [Ln₂(L)₂(MeOH)₂(NO₃)₂] [Ln = Gd ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 ), Dy ( 3 ), and Ho ( 4 )], were synthesized by the reaction of Salen-type ligand, namely N, N′-bis(5-bromosalicylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine (H₂L), with lanthanide salts in methanol and acetonitrile solution. The two Ln^III ions in 1 – 4 are linked by two O_phenoxo atoms of two L²⁻ ligands to build a dinuclear skeleton. The eight-coordinate Ln^III center adopts a triangular dodecahedron geometry of D_2d symmetry. Theoretical calculations revealed that antiferromagnetic interactions exist in those complexes. Dynamic magnetic properties studies indicate that the Dy₂ complex behaves as a single-molecule magnet with an anisotropy barrier of U_eff ≈ 47.68 K and a pre-exponential factor τ₀ = 3.17 × 10⁻⁶ s under a zero applied field, whereas the Ho₂ complex exhibits a fast tunneling relaxation process that is rationalized through ab initio calculations.     

Polydentate-ligand-supported self-assembly of heterometallic T-shaped Co4Dy cluster showing slow magnetic relaxation

A novel mixed-valent heterometallic pentanuclear CoⅢ3 CoⅡ Dy Ⅲ cluster has been rationally assembled taking advantage of a bifunctional ligand with o-vanillin and tripodal tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane units. This unique heterometallic cluster represents a rare example of T-shaped molecules exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation.     

Structures and magnetic properties of two series of Schiff base binuclear lanthanide complexes

Until now, although there are many examples of studying the magnetic properties of Schiff base binuclear lanthanide complexes, the relationship between the structure and magnetic properties of the complexes still is worth further investigation in order to improve the magnetic properties of Schiff base lanthanide complexes. In this work, we successfully obtained two series of binuclear Ln complexes by in situ reaction of 4-diethylaminosalicylaldehyde, benzoic hydrazide and different lanthanide salts at 80°C under solvothermal conditions, namely, [Ln₂(L)₃(NO₃)₃]·CH₃CN·CH₃OH·H₂O [Ln = Dy ( 1 ), Ho ( 2 ), Gd ( 3 ) L = deprotonated 4-diethylamino salicylaldehyde benzoylhydrazine], [Ln₂(L)₄(CH₃COO)]CH₃COO·CH₃CN [Ln = Dy ( 4 ), Ho ( 5 ), Gd ( 6 )]. The complex 1 contains three Schiff base ligands L, two Dy (III) ions, and three NO₃⁻. The ligand H₁L is formed by in situ Schiff base reaction with 4-diethylaminosalicylaldehyde and benzoic hydrazide with the participation of Ln (NO₃)₃. When replacing Ln (NO₃)₃ with Ln (OAc)₃, obtained three μ₂-OAc bridged binuclear Ln (III) complexes. The magnetic study showed that complex 4 exhibits field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior while complex 1 does not show any SMMs behavior. In addition, we have studied the magnetocaloric effect of complexes 3 and 6 , their maximum −ΔS_m values are 21.37 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ and 15.32 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively, under ΔH = 7 T and T = 2 K.     

A series of 1D Dy(III) compound showing slow magnetic relaxation: synthesis, structure, and magnetic studies

In this work, we present the synthesis, structure, and magnetic studies of three 1D homo-spin Dy(III) compounds in detail. For 1, one crystallography-independent Dy(III) site is contained and the coordination surrounding is a distorted square-antiprism geometry. Within 2, four crystallography-independent Dy(III) sites with largely distorted square-antiprism geometry are observed. As for 3, two crystallography-independent Dy(III) sites showing bicapped triangular-prism geometry are involved. The magnetic studies suggest weak ferromagnetic interactions for 1 and weak antiferromagnetic interactions for 2 and 3. Their dynamic magnetic properties are investigated by means of alternating current (ac) susceptibility measurement, revealing their slow magnetic relaxation. Moreover, a field-dependent ac signal is observed in 1, when by applying a static dc = 1000 Oe field, strong frequency-dependent ac signals and the peak of out-of-phase (χ') can be clearly found. Ultimately, by fitting the Arrhenius law the energy barrier and relaxation time are estimated.     

A series of tetranuclear [Ln4] clusters with defect-dicubane cores including a Dy4 single-molecule magnet

A series of tetranuclear lanthanide compounds, [Ln₄(μ₃-OH)₂L₄(NO₃)₂(DMF)₂] (H₂L = 2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino)phenol; Ln = Dy (1); Tb (2); Er (3); and Gd (4)), have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals that 1–4 are polymorphs. The cores of the structures can be described as co-planar defect-dicubane. The solid-state luminescent properties indicate that the Ln^III ions have very deep influence on the luminescence of H₂L. The magnetic properties for 1–4 were studied. The Dy₄ complex exhibits single-molecule magnet behavior.     

Regulating the slow magnetic relaxation behavior of two different shapes Dy4 clusters with in situ formed penta- and heptadentate Schiff base ligands

The design and synthesis of clusters possessing the same number of cores but different connection methods and properties have always been difficult. Herein, we used 2-pyridinaldehyde, 1,3-diamino-2-propanol, and Dy (ClO₄)₃·6H₂O at room temperature (RT) to obtain the cluster [Dy₄(L¹)₄(μ₂-OH)₄]·4ClO₄⁻ ( 1 , HL¹ = 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde-1,3-diamino-2-propanol) with square Dy₄O₈ cluster cores. Cluster 1 consisted of four Schiff base ligands (L¹)⁻, four Dy(III) ions, four bridged (μ₂-OH)⁻, and four free ClO₄⁻. The ligand HL¹ was formed by in situ Schiff base reaction with 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde and 1,3-diamino-2-propanol in the presence of Dy(III) ions. 2-Aldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline, 1,3-diamino-2-propanol, and Dy (NO₃)₃·6H₂O reacted at RT to yield a tetranuclear Dy(III) cluster [Dy₄(L²)₂(μ₃-OH)₂(NO₃)₄(EtOH)₂]·2CH₃CN ( 2 , H₃L² = 2-aldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline-1,3-diamino-2-propanol) with butterfly-shaped Dy₄O₆ cluster core. Cluster 2 consisted of two ligands (L²)³⁻, four Dy(III) ions, two bridged μ₃-OH, two end-group-coordinated ethanol molecules, and four bidentate-chelated NO₃⁻. The in situ reaction of 2-aldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline and 1,3-diamino-2-propanol under Dy(III) ion-assisted catalytic conditions provided the ligand H₃L². It is worth noting that the magnetic test showed that 1 is a typical single-molecule magnet (SMM), whereas 2 only showed a significant frequency dependence behavior. We considered Orbach and Raman processes (τ⁻¹ = τ₀⁻¹ exp(−U_eff/k_BT) + CTⁿ) to fit 1 and 2 in the high-temperature range and obtained U_eff = 7.01 and 5.43 K and τ₀ = 1.18 × 10⁻⁴ and 4.14 × 10⁻⁵ s, respectively.     

Crystal structures and magnetic and luminescent properties of a series of homodinuclear lanthanide complexes with 4-cyanobenzoic ligand

A series of homodinuclear lanthanide(III) complexes with the 4-cba ligand, [La2(4-cba)6(phen)2(H2O)6] (1) and [Ln2(4-cba)6(phen)2(H2O)2] (Ln = Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Gd (6), and Dy (7); 4-Hcba = 4-cyanobenzoic acid; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, two water molecules bridge two nine-coordinated La ions, and six 4-cba ligands coordinate to the two La ions in terminal mode. In the isostructural complexes 2-7, two eight-coordinated Ln ions are connected by four bidentate 4-cba ligands, and another two 4-cba ligands terminate the two Ln ions. The variable-temperature magnetic properties of 2-7 have been investigated. Complex 7 shows a significant ferromagnetic interaction between Dy(III), while no magnetic interaction exists between Gd(III) ions in 6. In 2-5, the value of chi(M)T decreases with decreasing temperature, but the magnetic interactions between the Ln(III) ions cannot definitely be concluded. Notably, the spin-orbit coupling parameters, lambda, for Sm(III) (216(2) cm(-1)) and Eu(III) (404(2) cm(-1)) have been obtained in 4 and 5, respectively. The strong fluorescent emissions of 4, 5, and 7 demonstrate that ligand-to-Ln(III) energy transfer is efficient and that the coordinated water molecules do not quench their luminescence by the nonradiative dissipation of energy.     

A luminescent linear trinuclear Dy(III) complex exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation of single ion origin

A luminescent trinuclear Dy(III) complex, in which the three Dy(III) centers with different geometries take a nearly linear disposition, shows the slow magnetic relaxation processes of single ion origin.     

Thiacalix[4]monocrowns with terpyridine functional groups as new structural units for luminescent polynuclear lanthanide complexes

Abstract

The synthesis and structure of thiacalix[4]monocrowns in 1,3-alternate configuration substituted by terpyridyl fragments on the lower rim are being discussed. It has been shown that the number of oxyethylene units in oligoethylene glycol chain affects the distribution of the yields of the cross-linking products leading to either thiacalix[4]monocrowns or bisthiacalix[4]arenes. Their complexation ability towards alkali metal and lanthanide ions has been studied using liquid extraction and MALDI TOF MS, in addition to luminescent properties of ligands and their lanthanide complexes. The NMR titration data discovered the participation of both crown ether and terpyridyl fragment in the coordination of lanthanide cations. The fluorescent titration showed the nonlinear emission response to the amount of lanthanide ions.     

Importance of out-of-state spin-orbit coupling for slow magnetic relaxation in mononuclear Fe(II) complexes

Two mononuclear high-spin Fe(II) complexes with trigonal planar ([Fe(II)(N(TMS)(2))(2)(PCy(3))] (1) and distorted tetrahedral ([Fe(II)(N(TMS)(2))(2)(depe)] (2) geometries are reported (TMS = SiMe(3), Cy = cyclohexyl, depe = 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane). The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 reveal the profound effect of out-of-state spin-orbit coupling (SOC) on slow magnetic relaxation. Complex 1 exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization under an applied optimal dc field of 600 Oe due to the presence of low-lying electronic excited states that mix with the ground electronic state. This mixing re-introduces orbital angular momentum into the electronic ground state via SOC, and 1 thus behaves as a field-induced single-molecule magnet. In complex 2, the lowest-energy excited states have higher energy due to the ligand field of the distorted tetrahedral geometry. This higher energy gap minimizes out-of-state SOC mixing and zero-field splitting, thus precluding slow relaxation of the magnetization for 2.     

Polynuclear lanthanide complexes of a series of bridging ligands containing two tridentate N,N',O-donor units: structures and luminescence properties

A set of three potentially bridging ligands containing two tridentate chelating N,N',O-donor (pyrazole-pyridine-amide) donors separated by an o, m, or p-phenylene spacer has been prepared and their coordination chemistry with lanthanide(III) ions investigated. Ligand L(1) (p-phenylene spacer) forms complexes with a 2:3 M:L ratio according to the proportions used in the reaction mixture; the Ln(2)(L(1))(3) complexes contain two 9-coordinate Ln(III) centres with all three bridging ligands spanning both metal ions, and have a cylindrical (non-helical) 'mesocate' architecture. The 1:1 complexes display a range of structural types depending on the conditions used, including a cyclic Ln(4)(L(1))(4) tetranuclear helicate, a Ln(2)(L(1))(2) dinuclear mesocate, and an infinite one-dimensional coordination polymer in which metal ions and bridging ligands alternate along the sequence. ESMS studies indicate that the 1:1 complexes form a mixture of oligonuclear species {Ln(L(1))}(n) in solution (n up to 5) which are likely to be cyclic helicates. In contrast, ligands L(2) and L(3) (with o- and m-phenylene spacers, respectively) generally form dinuclear Ln(2)L(2) Ln(III) complexes in which the two ligands may be arranged in a helical or non-helical architecture about the two metal ions. These complexes also contain an additional exogenous bidentate bridging ligand, either acetate or formate, which has arisen from hydrolysis of solvent molecules promoted by the Lewis-acidity of the Ln(III) ions. Luminescence studies on some of the Nd(III) complexes showed that excitation into ligand-centred pi-pi* transitions result in the characteristic near-infrared luminescence from Nd(III) at 1060 nm.     

Assessing the exchange coupling in binuclear lanthanide(iii) complexes and the slow relaxation of the magnetization in the antiferromagnetically coupled Dy2 derivative

We report here the synthesis and the investigation of the magnetic properties of a series of binuclear lanthanide complexes belonging to the metallacrown family. The isostructural complexes have a core structure with the general formula [Ga₄Ln₂(shi^3–)₄(Hshi^2–)₂(H₂shi^–)₂(C₅H₅N)₄(CH₃OH)_x(H₂O)_x]·xC₅H₅N·xCH₃OH·xH₂O (where H₃shi = salicylhydroxamic acid and Ln = Gd^III1; Tb^III2; Dy^III3; Er^III4; Y^III5; Y^III_0.9Dy^III_0.16). Apart from the Er-containing complex, all complexes exhibit an antiferromagnetic exchange coupling leading to a diamagnetic ground state. Magnetic studies, below 2 K, on a single crystal of 3 using a micro-squid array reveal an opening of the magnetic hysteresis cycle at zero field. The dynamic susceptibility studies of 3 and of the diluted DyY 6 complexes reveal the presence of two relaxation processes for 3 that are due to the excited ferromagnetic state and to the uncoupled Dy^III ions. The antiferromagnetic coupling in 3 was shown to be mainly due to an exchange mechanism, which accounts for about 2/3 of the energy gap between the antiferro- and the ferromagnetic states. The overlap integrals between the Natural Spin Orbitals (NSOs) of the mononuclear fragments, which are related to the magnitude of the antiferromagnetic exchange, are one order of magnitude larger for the Dy₂ than for the Er₂ complex.     

Structural variety and magnetic properties of tetranuclear nickel(II) complexes with a central mu4-azide

Using a set of pyrazolate-based dinucleating ligands with thioether sidearms and a set of different carboxylates, seven tetranuclear nickel(II) complexes of types [L2Ni4(N3)3(O2CR)2](ClO4) (1) and [L2Ni4(N3)(O2CR)4](ClO4) (2) featuring an unprecedented central mu4-1,1,3,3-azide could be isolated and fully characterized. X-ray crystal structures are discussed for 1a,b,e and 2b. The mu4-1,1,3,3-azide is symmetric in all cases except 1a but exhibits distinct binding modes with significantly different Ni-N(azide)-Ni angles and Ni-NNN-Ni torsions in type 1 and 2 complexes, which indicates high structural flexibility of this novel bridging unit. Also, IR-spectroscopic signatures and magnetic properties are distinct for type 1 and 2 complexes. Magnetic data for 1a,b,d,e and 2a,b were investigated and analyzed in a three-J approach. The only model that gave a satisfactory fit for all type 1 complexes includes one dominant antiferromagnetic coupling and two ferromagnetic interactions (one large and one smaller), indicating some degree of frustration. On the basis of magneto-structural correlations for end-on and end-to-end azide linkages, it is reasonable to assign the antiferromagnetic interaction to the intradimer exchange along the pyrazolate and the end-to-end linkage of the mu4-azide. Overall, the magnitude of the coupling constants differs significantly for the two distinct types of compounds, 1 or 2, and depends on the individual geometric details of the Ni4 array and the mu4-1,1,3,3-azide.     

Preparation, crystal structures, and magnetic features for a series of dinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)] Schiff-base complexes: evidence for slow relaxation of the magnetization for the Dy(III) derivative

A series of dinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)] Schiff-base complexes (using a Schiff-base dicompartmental ligand derived from o-vanillin [H(2)valpn = 1,3-propanediylbis(2-iminomethylene-6-methoxy-phenol)]) with Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and a hydroxo-bridged tetranuclear [Ni(II)Yb(III)] are reported. The crystal structures have been solved for 10 dinuclear complexes revealing four arrangements for the dinuclear units, which are modulated by the coordinated solvent molecules and the nitrato-anion interactions. The magnetic behaviors have been investigated, and the nature of the Ni(II)-Ln(III) exchange interaction has been emphasized by comparison with the behavior of the related [Zn(II)Ln(III)] derivatives. This allowed for establishing that the interaction within these compounds is antiferromagnetic with the 4f ions of the beginning of the Ln series and turns ferromagnetic from Gd(III) toward the end of the series. AC susceptibility investigations clearly show the occurrence of slow relaxation processes of the magnetization close to 2 K for the dinuclear [Ni(II)Dy(III)] complex.     

A (3, 4, 14)-connected framework with various distorted triangular magnetic lattices exhibiting field-induced metamagnetism, spin competition and spin reorientation

A (3, 4, 14)-connected framework with complicated distorted triangular magnetic lattices, {[Co(7)(H(2)O)(4)(trz)(8)(sip)(2)]·3H(2)O}(n) (trz = 1,2,4-triazolate, sip = 5-sulfoisophthalate), exhibits continuous field-induced metamagnetic transition from an antiferromagnetic ordering to a ferrimagnetic state at 15 kOe, spin competition at 26 kOe and spin reorientation at 50 kOe, respectively.     

A new class of macrocyclic lanthanide complexes for cell labeling and magnetic resonance imaging applications

Lanthanide complexes have wide applications in biochemical research and biomedical imaging. We have designed and synthesized a new class of macrocyclic lanthanide chelates, Ln/DTPA-PDA-C(n), for cell labeling and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. Two lipophilic Gd3+ complexes, Gd/DTPA-PDA-C(n) (n = 10, 12), labeled a number of cultured mammalian cells noninvasively at concentrations as low as a few micromolar. Cells took up these agents rapidly and showed robust intensity increases in T1-weighed MR images. Labeled cells showed normal morphology and doubling time as control cells. In addition to cultured cells, these agents also labeled primary cells in tissues such as dissected pancreatic islets. To study the mechanism of cellular uptake, we applied the technique of diffusion enhanced fluorescence resonance energy transfer (DEFRET) to determine the cellular localization of these lipophilic lanthanide complexes. After loading cells with a luminescent complex, Tb/DTPA-PDA-C10, we observed DEFRET between the Tb3+ complex and extracellular, but not intracellular, calcein. We concluded that these cyclic lanthanide complexes label cells by inserting two hydrophobic alkyl chains into cell membranes with the hydrophilic metal binding site facing the extracellular medium. As the first imaging application of these macrocyclic lanthanide chelates, we labeled insulin secreting beta-cells with Gd/DTPA-PDA-C12. Labeled cells were encapsulated in hollow fibers and were implanted in a nude mouse. MR imaging of implanted beta-cells showed that these cells could be followed in vivo for up to two weeks. The combined advantages of this new class of macrocyclic contrast agents ensure future imaging applications to track cell movement and localization in different biological systems.     

Structural variations across the lanthanide series of macrocyclic DOTA complexes: insights into the design of contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

It was early shown that the macrocyclic Ln(DOTA) complexes (DOTA = 1,4,7,10-tetra-azacyclododecane-N,N',N' ',N' "-tetraacetic acid) exists in solution as a mixture of two enantiomeric pairs of diastereoisomers differing in the ligand conformation, namely, square antiprismatic (SA) and twisted square antiprismatic (TSA) geometries, respectively. Later, extensive (1)H NMR investigations suggested that a coordination change may be superimposed on this conformational equilibrium involving two additional structures in which the metal ion possesses a coordination number of eight (CN 8). It was predicted that these two species, lacking the apical coordinated water molecule, would maintain the SA and TSA coordination geometries, and therefore, they have been labeled as SA' and TSA', respectively. In this work we report the X-ray solid-state crystal structure determination of six Ln(DOTA) complexes representative of all four coordination geometry typologies deduced from NMR solution studies. A distinctive structural feature that discriminates SA (and SA') and TSA (and TSA') structures is represented by the twist angle between the two square planes of the antiprism, the basal four nitrogen, and the apical four oxygen planes. [Ce(DOTA)(H(2)O)](-) displays a TSA structural typology with a twist angle of 25 degrees and a Ce-O(water) distance of 2.59 A. The SA-type structure has been found in the case of complexes with Pr(III), Nd(III), and Dy(III), where the twist angle is 39, 39, and 38 degrees, respectively, and the metal-water oxygen distance varies significantly (Pr-O(w) 2.529 A; Nd-O(w) 2.508 A; and Dy-O(w) 2.474 A). [Tm(DOTA)](-) displays a TSA'-type structure with a twist angle of 24 degrees. As compared with the TSA structure of the corresponding Ce(III) complex, the Tm(III) complex shows an overall marked shrinkage of all metal-nitrogen and metal-oxygen distances (ca. 0.2 A), which reflects the contraction of the metal ionic radius across the series but also the effect associated with the decrease of the CN from 9 to 8. In [Sc(DOTA)](-), the even smaller ionic radius of Sc(III) shifts the geometry of the coordination cage to the more compact SA' typology with a twist angle of 41 degrees, a value very similar to that found in the SA structures of lanthanide(III) ions with CN 9. Finally, an investigation was made into the hydration spheres of the complexes with SA and TSA geometries to account for the experimental evidence of a markedly different rate of water exchange for the two isomeric structures. This is of fundamental importance to the understanding of the corresponding Gd(III) complexes as MRI contrast agents.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic analyses of a family of heterometallic hexanuclear [Ni4M2] (M = Gd, Dy, Y) compounds: observation of slow magnetic relaxation in the Dy(III) derivative

We described the syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic behavior of a novel series of heterometallic [Ni(4)M(2)] [M = Gd (1), Dy (2) and Y (3)] hexanuclear compounds afforded by the reaction of rare-earth(III) nitrate, nickel(II) acetate, and Schiff-base ligand 2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino)phenol (H(2)L) in a mixture of ethanol and dichloromethane in the presence of triethylamine. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that all three compounds have a metal core made up of two Ni(2)MO(4) defective cubanes. The magnetic properties of all compounds have been studied. Solid-state direct-current magnetic susceptibility analyses demonstrate competing antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions within both compounds 1 and 3. Solid-state alternating-current magnetic susceptibility investigations show a frequency-dependent out-of-phase signal for compound 2 below 4 K, suggestive of slow magnetic relaxation.