Hydrothermal Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescent Properties of Three Organic‐Lanthanide Complexes with 3‐Hydroxycinnamic Acid

Three new homodinuclear lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln₂(L)₆(2,2′‐bipy)₂] [Ln = Tb^III ( 1 ), Sm^III ( 2 ), Eu^III ( 3 ); HL = 3‐hydroxycinnamic acid (3‐HCA); 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine] were synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. Complexes 1 – 3 crystallize in triclinic system, space group P$\bar{1}$ . In all complexes the lanthanide ions are nine‐coordinate by two nitrogen atoms from the 2,2′‐bipy ligand and seven oxygen atoms from one chelating L ligands and four bridging L ligands, forming distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic arrangements. The lanthanide(III) ions are intramolecularly bridged by eight carboxylate oxygen atoms forming dimeric complexes with Ln ··· Ln distances of 3.92747(15), 3.9664(6), and 3.9415(4) Å for complexes 1 – 3 , respectively. The luminescent properties in the solid state of HL ligand and Eu^III complex are also discussed.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Properties of a Series of Dinuclear Lanthanide Complexes Assembled by Acetate and a Schiff Base Ligand

Five dinuclear lanthanide complexes [Ln₂L₂(NO₃)₂(OAc)₄] · 2CH₃CN [Ln = Gd ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 ), Dy ( 3 ), Ho ( 4 ), and Er ( 5 )] [L = 2‐((2‐pyridinylmethylene)hydrazine)ethanol] were synthesized from the reactions of Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O with L and CH₃COOH in the presence of triethylamine. Their crystal structures were determined. They show similar dinuclear cores with the two lanthanide ions bridged by four acetate ligands in the μ₂‐η¹:η² and μ₂‐η¹:η¹ bridging modes. Each Ln^III ion in complexes 1 – 5 is further chelated by one L ligand and one nitrate ion, leading to the formation of a nine‐coordinated mono‐capped square antiprism arrangement. The dinuclear molecules in 1 – 5 are consolidated by hydrogen bonds and π ··· π stacking interactions to build a two‐dimensional sheet. Their magnetic properties were investigated. It revealed antiferromagnetic interactions between the Gd^III ions in 1 and ferromagnetic interactions between the Tb^III ions in 2 . The profiles of χ_mT vs. T curves of 3 – 5 reveal that the magnetic properties of 3 – 5 are probably dominated by the thermal depopulation of the Stark sublevels of Ln^III ions.     

Complexes of some 4f metal ions of the mesogenic Schiff-base,N,N′-di-(4-decyloxysalicylidene)-1′,3′-diaminobenzene: synthesis and spectral studies

A mesogenic Schiff-base, N,N′-di-(4-decyloxysalicylidene)-1′,3′-diaminobenzene, H₂ddsdbz (abbreviated as H₂L), that exhibits a nematic mesophase was synthesized and its structure was studied by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, NMR, and IR spectral techniques. The Schiff-base, H₂L, upon condensation with hydrated lanthanide(III) nitrates yields Ln^III complexes, [Ln₂(LH₂)₃(NO₃)₄](NO₃)₂, where Ln?=?La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho. Analyses of the IR and NMR spectral data imply bidentate Schiff-base through two phenolate oxygen atoms in its zwitterionic form to Ln^III, rendering the overall geometry of the complexes as a seven-coordinate polyhedron – possibly distorted mono-capped octahedron. Polarizing optical microscope and differential scanning calorimetry studies reveal that despite H₂L being mesogenic, none of the Ln^III complexes synthesized under this study exhibits mesomorphism.     

The Building Block [FeIII(pzphen)(CN)4]– and its Lanthanide Complexes: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Magnetic Properties

The cyanide building block [Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄]^– and its four lanthanide complexes [{Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄}₂Ln^III(H₂O)₅(DMF)₃] · (NO₃) · 2(H₂O) · (CH₃CN) [Ln = Nd ( 1 ), Sm ( 2 ), DMF = dimethyl formamide] and [{Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄}₂Ln^III(NO₃)(H₂O)₂(DMF)₂](CH₃CN) [Ln = Gd ( 3 ), Dy ( 4 )] were synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 are ionic salts with two [Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄]^– cations and one Ln^III ion, but compounds 3 and 4 are cyano‐bridged Fe^III‐Ln^III heterometallic 3d‐4f complexes exhibiting a trinuclear structure in the same conditions. Magnetic studies show that compound 3 is antiferromagnetic between the central Fe^III and Gd^III atoms. Furthermore, the trinuclear cyano‐bridged Fe^III₂Dy^III compound 4 displays no single‐molecular magnets (SMMs) behavior by the alternating current magnetic susceptibility measurements.     

Three Phenoxo‐Bridged Dinuclear Lanthanide Complexes: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties

Three dinuclear lanthanide complexes [Ln₂(H₂L)₂(NO₃)₄] [Ln = Dy ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 ), and Gd ( 3 )] [H₃L = 2‐hydroxyimino‐N′‐[(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)methylidene]‐propanohydrazone] were solvothermally synthesized by varying differently anisotropic rare earth ions. Single‐crystal structural analyses demonstrate that all the three complexes are crystallographically isostructural with two centrosymmetric Ln^III ions aggregated by a pair of monodeprotonated H₂L^– anions. Weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions with different strength were mediated by a pair of phenoxo bridges due to superexchange and/or single‐ion anisotropy. Additionally, the Dy^III‐based entity shows the strongest anisotropy exhibits field‐induced single‐molecule magnetic behavior with two thermally activated relaxation processes. In contrast, 3 with isotropic Gd^III ion has a significant cryogenic magnetocaloric effect with the maximum entropy change of 25.7 J · kg^–1 · K^–1 at 2.0 K and 70.0 kOe.     

One‐dimensional Salen‐type Chain‐like Lanthanide(III) Coordination Polymers: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Fluorescence Properties

Four salen‐type lanthanide(III) coordination polymers [LnH₂L(NO₃)₃(MeOH)_x]_n [Ln = La ( 1 ), Ce ( 2 ), Sm ( 3 ), Gd ( 4 )] were prepared by reaction of Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O with H₂L [H₂L = N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐cyclohexanediamine]. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that H₂L effectively functions as a bridging ligand forming a series of 1D chain‐like polymers. The solid‐state fluorescence spectra of polymers 1 and 2 emit single ligand‐centered green fluorescence, whereas 3 exhibits typical red fluorescence of Sm^III ions. The lowest triplet level of ligand H₂L was calculated on the basis of the phosphorescence spectrum of Gd^III complex 4 . The energy transfer mechanisms in the lanthanide polymers were described and 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.     

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.     

Two Lanthanide(III) Complexes based on the Schiff Base N,N′‐Bis(salicylidene)‐1,5‐diamino‐3‐oxapentane: Synthesis,Characterization, DNA‐binding Properties,and Antioxidation

The Schiff base N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,5‐diamino‐3‐oxapentane (H₂L) and its lanthanide(III) complexes, PrL(NO₃)(DMF)(H₂O) ( 1 ) and Ho₂L₂(NO₃)₂ · 2H₂O ( 2 ), were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Single crystal X‐ray structure analysis revealed that complex 1 is a discrete mononuclear species. The Pr^III ion is nine‐coordinate, forming a distorted capped square antiprismatic arrangement. Complex 2 is a centrosymmetric dinuclear neutral entity in which the Ho^III ion is eight‐coordinate with distorted square antiprismatic arrangement. The DNA‐binding properties of H₂L and its Ln^III complexes were investigated by spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the ligand H₂L and its Ln^III complexes both connect to DNA in a groove binding mode; the complexes bind more strongly to DNA than the ligand. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of the Ln^III complexes were in vitro determined by superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging methods, which indicate that complexes 1 and 2 have OH ^· and O₂^{– ·} radical scavenging activity.     

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.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Photoluminescence of Lanthanide Coordination Polymers with 4‐Acetamidobenzoate

The reactions of Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O and 4‐acetamidobenzoic acid (Haba) with 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bpy) in ethanol solution resulted in three new lanthanide coordination polymers, namely {[Ln(aba)₃(H₂O)₂] · 0.5(4,4′‐bpy) · 2H₂O}_∞ [Ln = Sm ( 1 ), Gd ( 2 ), and Er ( 3 ), aba = 4‐acetamidobenzoate]. Compounds 1 – 3 are isomorphous and have one‐dimensional chains bridged by four aba anions. 4,4′‐Bipyridine molecules don’t take part in the coordination with Ln^III ions and occur in the lattice as guest molecules. Moreover, the adjacent 1D chains in the complex are further linked through numerous N–H ··· O and O–H ··· O hydrogen bonds to form a 3D supramolecular network. In addition, complex 1 in the solid state shows characteristic emission in the visible region at room temperature.     

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.     

Heterotrimetallic Coordination Polymers: {CuIILnIIIFeIII} Chains and {NiIILnIIIFeIII} Layers: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties

The use of the [Fe^III(AA)(CN)₄]^? complex anion as metalloligand towards the preformed [Cu^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ or [Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ heterometallic complex cations (AA=2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10‐phenathroline (phen); H₂valpn=1,3‐propanediyl‐bis(2‐iminomethylene‐6‐methoxyphenol)) allowed the preparation of two families of heterotrimetallic complexes: three isostructural 1D coordination polymers of general formula {[Cu^II(valpn)Ln^III(H₂O)₃(μ‐NC)₂Fe^III(phen)(CN)₂ {(μ‐NC)Fe^III(phen)(CN)₃}]NO₃ ? 7 H₂O}_n (Ln=Gd ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 ), and Dy ( 3 )) and the trinuclear complex [Cu^II(valpn)La^III(OH₂)₃(O₂NO)(μ‐NC)Fe^III(phen)(CN)₃] ? NO₃ ? H₂O ? CH₃CN ( 4 ) were obtained with the [Cu^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ assembling unit, whereas three isostructural heterotrimetallic 2D networks, {[Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III(ONO₂)₂(H₂O)(μ‐NC)₃Fe^III(bipy)(CN)] ? 2 H₂O ? 2 CH₃CN}_n (Ln=Gd ( 5 ), Tb ( 6 ), and Dy ( 7 )) resulted with the related [Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ precursor. The crystal structure of compound 4 consists of discrete heterotrimetallic complex cations, [Cu^II(valpn)La^III(OH₂)₃(O₂NO)(μ‐NC)Fe^III(phen)(CN)₃]⁺, nitrate counterions, and non‐coordinate water and acetonitrile molecules. The heteroleptic {Fe^III(bipy)(CN)₄} moiety in 5 – 7 acts as a tris‐monodentate ligand towards three {Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III} binuclear nodes leading to heterotrimetallic 2D networks. The ferromagnetic interaction through the diphenoxo bridge in the Cu^II?Ln^III ( 1 – 3 ) and Ni^II?Ln^III ( 5 – 7 ) units, as well as through the single cyanide bridge between the Fe^III and either Ni^II ( 5 – 7 ) or Cu^II ( 4 ) account for the overall ferromagnetic behavior observed in 1 – 7 . DFT‐type calculations were performed to substantiate the magnetic interactions in 1 , 4 , and 5 . Interestingly, compound 6 exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization with maxima of the out‐of‐phase ac signals below 4.0 K in the lack of a dc field, the values of the pre‐exponential factor (τ_o) and energy barrier (E_a) through the Arrhenius equation being 2.0×10^?12 s and 29.1 cm^?1, respectively. In the case of 7 , the ferromagnetic interactions through the double phenoxo (Ni^II–Dy^III) and single cyanide (Fe^III–Ni^II) pathways are masked by the depopulation of the Stark levels of the Dy^III ion, this feature most likely accounting for the continuous decrease of χ_M T upon cooling observed for this last compound.     

Luminescence of Salen Lanthanide Bimetallic Complexes: Dual Emission and Energy Transfer

The luminescence properties of the tetranuclear bimetallic lanthanide complexes Sm₂Eu₂ ( 1 ) and Eu₂Tb₂ ( 2 ), were compared with those of the analogous homometallic complexes [Sm₄(μ₃‐OH)₂(salen)₂(acac)₆(CH₃OH)₂] · CH₃OH ( 3 ) and [Eu₄(μ₃‐OH)₂(salen)₂(acac)₆(CH₃OH)₂] ( 4 ) [H₂salen = N, N′‐ethylenebis(salicylideneimine), Hacac = acetylacetonate]. X‐ray crystallographic analysis reveals that complexes 3 and 4 have planar tetranuclear structures. For the Eu₂Tb₂ configurational isomer, the Tb^III ion in complex 2 mainly serves as a sensitizer. The quantum yields and lifetime measurements for 2 support the premise that Ln/Ln energy transfer occurs in such lanthanide bimetallic complexes, along with the usual ligand‐to‐metal triplet energy pathways. Complexes 3 and 4 exhibit the characteristic metal‐centered emission.     

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.     

A Series of High‐nuclear 3d‐4f (FeIII8LnIII2) Complexes: Syntheses,Structures, and Magnetic Properties

Six novel decanuclear clusters with formula of {[Fe₈Ln₂(O)₄(OH)₄(EtO)₂(dhbp)₄(dhbpH)₂(piv)₆]·4EtOH} (Ln = Y ( 1 ), Gd ( 2 ), Tb ( 3 ), Dy ( 4 ), Ho ( 5 ), Er ( 6 ), dhbpH₂ = 6,6′‐dihydroxyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, Hpiv = pivalic acid, EtOH = ethanol) have been synthesized and characterized. Single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that complexes 1 – 6 are isostructural and show a sandwich‐like Fe^III₈Ln^III₂ structure, in which the [Ln₂] unit is sandwiched by two planar [Fe₄] units. Magnetic properties of complexes 1 – 6 have been investigated and display dominant antiferromagnetic interactions, thereinto, complexes 4 and 6 display weak ferromagnetic behaviors associated with Ln^III ions, while others are antiferromagnetic‐like features. Furthermore, complex 4 (Fe^III₈Dy^III₂) shows temperature/frequency‐dependent ac signals with an energy barrier of 4.1 K, indicating that complex 4 should be a single‐molecule magnet (SMM)     

Trinuclear [CoIII2–LnIII] (Ln=Tb,Dy) Single‐Ion Magnets with Mixed 6‐Chloro‐2‐Hydroxypyridine and Schiff Base Ligands

The Schiff base ligand N1,N3‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)diethylenetriamine (H₂valdien) and the co‐ligand 6‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypyridine (Hchp) were used to construct two 3d–4f heterometallic single‐ion magnets [Co₂Dy(valdien)₂(OCH₃)₂(chp)₂] ? ClO₄ ? 5 H₂O ( 1 ) and [Co₂Tb(valdien)₂(OCH₃)₂(chp)₂] ? ClO₄ ? 2 H₂O ? CH₃OH ( 2 ). The two trinuclear [Co^III₂Ln^III] complexes behave as a mononuclear Ln^III magnetic system because of the presence of two diamagnetic cobalt(III) ions. Complex 1 has a molecular symmetry center, and it crystallizes in the C2/c space group, whereas complex 2 shows a lower molecular symmetry and crystallizes in the P2₁/c space group. Magnetic investigations indicated that both complexes are field‐induced single‐ion magnets, and the Co^III₂–Dy^III complex possesses a larger energy barrier [74.1(4.2) K] than the Co^III₂–Tb^III complex [32.3(2.6) K].     

Five Rare μ4‐O‐Centered Ln6 Clusters with Single‐Molecule Magnet Behavior for Dy6

Five hexanuclear lanthanide clusters of composition [Ln₆(μ₄‐O)₂(HCOO)₂L₄(HL′)₂(dmf)₂] [Ln=Dy ( 1 ), Er ( 2 ), Ho ( 3 ), Tb ( 4 ), Gd ( 5 ); H₂L=2‐{[2‐(hydroxymethyl)phenylimino]methyl}‐6‐methoxyphenol; H₃L′=3‐{[2‐(hydroxymethyl)phenylimino]methyl}benzene‐1,2‐diol; H₃L′ was derived in situ from the H₂L ligand] were prepared under solvothermal conditions. The [Ln₆] cores of 1 – 5 possess an unprecedented motif, namely, two tetrahedron Ln₄ units sharing an edge and two vertices. The six Ln^III ions of 1 – 5 are connected through two μ₄‐O anions. Magnetic susceptibility studies reveal that complex 1 exhibits frequency dependence of the alternating current susceptibility typical of single‐molecule magnets. Complex 1 possesses a relatively large energy barrier of 85 K among all of the reported Dy₆ single‐molecule magnets.     

Modulation of the Lifetime of Water Bound to Lanthanide Metal Ions in Complexes with Ligands Derived from 1,4,7,10‐Tetraazacyclododecane Tetraacetate (DOTA)

A series of di‐ and tetraamide derivatives of DOTA were synthesized, and their lanthanide(III) complexes were examined by multinuclear ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, and ¹⁷O‐NMR spectroscopy, and compared with literature data of similar, known complexes (Table). All ligands formed structures similar to the parent [Ln^III(DOTA)]^? complexes, with four N‐atoms and four O‐atoms from DOTA and one O‐atom from the inner‐sphere water molecules. Interestingly, the lifetimes τ_M of the inner‐sphere, metal‐bound water molecules vary widely, ranging from nano‐ to milliseconds, depending on the identity of the pendent amide side chains. In general, positively charged [Ln^III(DOTA‐tetraamide)]³⁺ complexes display the longest residence times (high τ_M values), while complexes with additional charged functional groups on the extended amides display much smaller τ_M values, even when the side groups are not directly coordinated to the central Ln³⁺ ions. The design of novel [Ln^III(DOTA‐tetraamide)]³⁺ complexes with a wide, tunable range of τ_M values is of prime importance for the application of fast‐responding, paramagnetic chemical‐exchange‐saturation‐transfer (PARACEST) imaging agents used for the study of physiological and metabolic processes.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Properties of the 3D Lanthanide Organic Frameworks with N‐Heterocyclic Polycarboxylic Acids

Four 3D lanthanide organic frameworks from potassium pyrazine‐2, 3, 5, 6‐tetracarboxylate (K₄pztc) or potassium pyridine‐2, 3, 5, 6‐tetracarboxylate (K₄pdtc), namely, {[KEu(pztc)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O}_n ( 1 ), {[KTb(pztc)(H₂O)₂] · 1.25H₂O}_n ( 2 ), {[KLn(pdtc)(H₂O)] · H₂O}_n [Ln = Gd ( 3 ), Ho ( 4 )], were synthesized by reaction of the corresponding lanthanide oxides with K₄pztc or K₄pdtc in presence of HCl under hydrothermal conditions, and characterized by elemental analysis, TGA, IR and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as X‐ray diffraction. In complexes 1 and 2 , the dodecadentate chelator pztc^4– links four Ln^III ions and four K^I ions. The coordination mode of the pztc^4– ligand is reported for the first time herein. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural with earlier reported Nd, Dy, Er complexes. Moreover, the Eu^III and Tb^III complexes exhibit the characteristic luminescence.