The Series of Rare Earth Complexes [Ln2Cl6(μ‐4,4′‐bipy)(py)6], Ln=Y,Pr, Nd,Sm‐Yb: A Molecular Model System for Luminescence Properties in MOFs Based on LnCl3 and 4,4′‐Bipyridine

A series of 12 dinuclear complexes [Ln₂Cl₆(μ‐4,4′‐bipy)(py)₆], Ln=Y, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, ( 1 – 12 , respectively) was synthesized by an anhydrous solvothermal reaction in pyridine. The complexes contain a 4,4′‐bipyridine bridge and exhibit a coordination sphere closely related to luminescent lanthanide MOFs based on LnCl₃ and 4,4‐bipyridine. The dinuclear complexes therefore function as a molecular model system to provide a better understanding of the luminescence mechanisms in the Ln‐N‐MOFs ${\hbox{}{{\hfill 2\atop \hfill \infty }}}$ [Ln₂Cl₆(4,4′‐bipy)₃] ? 2(4,4′‐bipy). Accordingly, the luminescence properties of the complexes with Ln=Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, ( 1 , 4 – 8 ) were determined, showing an antenna effect through a ligand–metal energy transfer. The highest efficiency of luminescence is observed for the terbium‐based compound 7 displaying a high quantum yield (QY of 86 %). Excitation with UV light reveals typical emission colors of lanthanide‐dependent intra 4f–4f‐transition emissions in the visible range (Tb^III: green, Eu^III: red, Sm^III: salmon red, Dy^III: yellow). For the Gd^III‐ and Y^III‐containing compounds 6 and 1 , blue emission based on triplet phosphorescence is observed. Furthermore, ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer (LMCT) states, based on the interaction of Cl^? with Eu^III, were observed for the Eu^III compound 5 including energy‐transfer processes to the Eu^III ion. Altogether, the model complexes give further insights into the luminescence of the related MOFs, for example, rationalization of Ln‐independent quantum yields in the related MOFs.     

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.     

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.     

Assisted Self-Assembly to Target Heterometallic Mn-Nd and Mn-Sm SMMs: Synthesis and Magnetic Characterisation of [Mn7Ln3(O)4(OH)4(mdea)3(piv)9(NO3)3] (Ln=Nd,Sm, Eu,Gd)**

In an assisted self-assembly approach starting from the [Mn₆O₂(piv)₁₀(4-Me-py)₂(pivH)₂] cluster a family of Mn−Ln compounds (Ln=Pr−Yb) was synthesised. The reaction of [Mn₆O₂(piv)₁₀(4-Me-py)₂(pivH)₂] ( 1 ) with N-methyldiethanolamine (mdeaH₂) and Ln(NO₃)₃ ⋅ 6H₂O in MeCN generally yields two main structure types: for Ln=Tb−Yb a previously reported Mn₅Ln₄ motif is obtained, whereas for Ln=Pr−Eu a series of Mn₇Ln₃ clusters is obtained. Within this series the Gd^III analogue represents a special case because it shows both structural types as well as a third Mn₂Ln₂ inverse butterfly motif. Variation in reaction conditions allows access to different structure types across the whole series. This prompts further studies into the reaction mechanism of this cluster assisted self-assembly approach. For the Mn₇Ln₃ analogues reported here variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that antiferromagnetic interactions between the spin carriers are dominant. Compounds incorporating Ln=Nd^III( 2 ), Sm^III( 3 ) and Gd^III ( 5 ) display SMM behaviour. The slow relaxation of the magnetisation for these compounds was confirmed by ac measurements above 1.8 K.     

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.     

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.     

Molecular Design Guidelines for Large Magnetic Circular Dichroism Intensities in Lanthanide Complexes

Magneto optical devices based on the Faraday effects of lanthanide ion have attracted much attention. Recently, large Faraday effects were found in nano‐sized multinuclear lanthanide complexes. In this study, the Faraday rotation intensities were estimated for lanthanide nitrates [Ln^III(NO₃)₃?n H₂O: Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm) and Eu^III complexes with β‐diketone ligands, using magnetic circular dichroism. Eu ions exhibit the largest Faraday rotation intensity for ⁷F₀→⁵D₁ transitions, and high‐symmetry fields around the Eu ions induce larger Faraday effects. The molecular design for the enhancement of Faraday effects in lanthanide complexes is discussed.     

Wavelength-Dependent Singlet Oxygen Generation in Luminescent Lanthanide Complexes with a Pyridine-Bis(Carboxamide)-Terthiophene Sensitizer

Lanthanide ion (Ln^III) complexes, [Ln(3Tcbx)₂]³⁺ (Ln^III=Yb^III, Nd^III, Er^III) are isolated with a new pyridine-bis(carboxamide)-based ligand with a 2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene pendant (3TCbx), and their resulting photophysical properties are explored. Upon excitation of the complexes at 490 nm, only Ln^III emission is observed with efficiencies of 0.29 % at 976 nm for Ln^III=Yb^III and 0.16 % at 1053 nm for Ln^III=Nd^III. Er^III emission is observed but weak. Upon excitation at 400 nm, concurrent ¹O₂ formation is seen, with efficiencies of 11 % for the Yb^III and Nd^III complexes and 13 % for the Er^III complex. Owing to the concurrent generation of ¹O₂, as expected, the efficiency of metal-centered emission decreases to 0.02 % for Yb^III and 0.05 % for Nd^III. The ability to control ¹O₂ generation through the excitation wavelength indicates that the incorporation of 2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene results in access to multiple sensitization pathways. These energy pathways are unraveled through transient absorption spectroscopy.     

Photoluminescent Lanthanide(III) Single-Molecule Magnets in Three-Dimensional Polycyanidocuprate(I)-Based Frameworks

Three-dimensional bimetallic cyanido-bridged frameworks, [Ln^III(2,2′-bipyridine N,N′-dioxide)₂(H₂O)][Cu^I₂(CN)₅]⋅5 H₂O (Ln=Dy, 1 ; Yb, 2 ), are reported. They exhibit the effect of slow relaxation of magnetization, leading to a magnetic hysteresis loop, and sensitized visible-to-near-infrared photoluminescence. Both physical properties are related to the eight-coordinated lanthanide(III) complexes embedded in the unprecedented coordination skeleton composed of symmetry-breaking polycyanidocuprate linkers. The three-dimensional d–f cyanido-bridged network was shown to serve as an efficient coordination scaffold to achieve emissive lanthanide single-molecule magnets.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of Ir<Superscript>III</Superscript>-Ln<Superscript>III</Superscript> (Ln = Nd,Yb, Er) bimetallic complexes containing bipyrimidines as bridging ligands

Bipyrimidines have been chosen as (N∧N)(N∧N) bridging ligands for connecting metal centers. Ir^III-Ln^III (Ln = Nd, Yb, Er) bimetallic complexes [Ir(dfppy)₂(μ-bpm)Ln(TTA)₃]Cl were synthesized by using Ir(dfppy)₂(bpm)Cl as the ligand coordinating to lanthanide complexes Ln(TTA)₃·2H₂O. The stability constants between Ir(dfppy)₂(bpm)Cl and lanthanide ions were measured by fluorescence titration. The obvious quenching of visible emission from Ir^III complex in the Ir^III-Ln^III (Ln = Nd, Yb, Er) bimetallic complexes indicates that energy transfer occurred from Ir^III center to lanthanides. NIR emissions from Nd^III, Yb^III, and Er^III were obtained under the excitation of visible light by selective excitation of the Ir^III-based chromophore. It was proven that Ir(dfppy)₂(bpm)Cl as the ligand could effectively sensitize NIR emission from Nd^III, Yb^III, and Er^III.     

Influence of the Coordinated Transition Metal Ion on Magnetic Relaxation of Lanthanide Based Complexes with Imino Nitroxide Biradical Ligands

In spite of achievement of a lot of Ln-radical SMMs, how to improve magnetic behavior of Ln-radical system remains challenging. Here, two series of Ln-radical complexes have successfully been built using an imino nitroxide biradical, namely, [Ln₂(hfac)₆(ImPhPyobis)₂] (Ln^III=Gd 1 , Tb 2 , Dy 3 ) and [Ln₂Cu₂(hfac)₁₀(ImPhPyobis)₂] (Ln^III=Gd 4 , Dy 5 ; hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate and ImPhPyobis=5-(4-oxypyridinium-1-yl)-1,3-bis(1’-oxyl-4’,4’,5’,5’-tetramethyl-4,5-hydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzene). For these biradical-metal complexes, two imino nitroxide biradicals bind two Ln(III) ions via their oxygen atoms coming from 4-oxypyridinium units to produce a binuclear {Ln₂O₂} unit. Those imino nitroxide groups are free for complexes 1 – 3 , however one of imino nitroxide groups of the biradical is ligated to the copper(II) ion for complexes 4 and 5 . The distinct magnetic relaxation behaviors are observed for two Dy derivatives, as revealed by ac magnetic studies: complex 3 presents one magnetic process with the effective energy barrier(U_eff) of 74.0 K while complex 5 exhibits dual relaxation processes with U_eff values for the fast- and slow-relaxation being 20.2 K and 30.9 K, respectively, which implies that the second coordination sphere of Dy ion plays a critical role for magnetic relaxation.     

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.     

A Trinuclear Radical‐Bridged Lanthanide Single‐Molecule Magnet

Assembly of the triangular, organic radical‐bridged complexes Cp*₆Ln₃(μ₃‐HAN) (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy; HAN=hexaazatrinaphthylene) proceeds through the reaction of Cp*₂Ln(BPh₄) with HAN under strongly reducing conditions. Significantly, magnetic susceptibility measurements of these complexes support effective magnetic coupling of all three Ln^III centers through the HAN^3−. radical ligand. Thorough investigation of the Dy^III congener through both ac susceptibility and dc magnetic relaxation measurements reveals slow relaxation of the magnetization, with an effective thermal relaxation barrier of U_eff=51 cm⁻¹. Magnetic coupling in the Dy^III complex enables a large remnant magnetization at temperatures up to 3.0 K in the magnetic hysteresis measurements and hysteresis loops that are open at zero‐field up to 3.5 K.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Properties of Two New Tri‐spin Lanthanide‐Nitronyl Nitroxide (LnIII = GdIII and HoIII) Complexes

Abstract. Two radical–Ln^III–radical complexes, [Ln(hfac)₃(NITPh‐Ph)₂] [Ln = Gd ( 1 ) and Ho ( 2 ), hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate; and NITPh‐Ph = 4′‐biphenyl‐4, 4, 5, 5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide] were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, as well as IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. X‐ray crystal structure analysis revealed that the structures of both complexes are isomorphous, the central Ln^III ions are coordinated by six oxygen atoms from three hfac ligand molecules and two oxygen atoms from nitronyl radicals. The temperature dependencies of the magnetic susceptibilities were studied. They showed that in the Gd^III complex, ferromagnetic interactions between Gd^III and the radicals and antiferromagnetic interactions between the radicals coexist in this system (with J_Rad–Gd = 0.1 cm^–1, J_Rad–Rad = –0.309 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.     

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.     

Structural and Photophysical Properties of Lanthanide Nitrate 1:1 Complexes with planar tridentate nitrogen ligands analogous to 2,2′:6′,2′-terpyridine

The ligand 2,6-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (mbzimpy, 1 ) reacts with Eu^III to give [Eu(mbzimpy)(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)] [ 4 ] whose crystal structure (EuC₂₂H₂₁N₈O₁₀, a = 7.658(3) Å, b = 19.136(2) Å, c = 8.882 Å, β = 104.07(1)°, monoclinic, P2₁, Z = 2) shows a mononuclear structure where Eu^III is ten-coordinate by a meridional tridentate mbzimpy ligand, three bidentate nitrates, and one CH₃OH molecule, leading to a low-symmetry coordination sphere around the metalion. Essentially the same coordination is found in the crystal structure of [Eu(obzimpy)(NO₃)₃] ( 8 ) (EuC₃₅H₄₅N₈O₉, a = 9.095(2) Å, b = 16.624(2) Å, c = 26.198(6) Å, β = 95.85(1)°, monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z = 4) obtained by reaction of 2,6-bis(1-octylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (obzimpy, 2 ) with Eu^III. Detailed photophysical studies of crystalline [Ln(mbzimpy)(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)] and [Ln(obzimpy)(NO₃)₃] complexes (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu) show that 1 and 2 display ¹ππ* and ³ππ* excited states very similar to those observed in 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, leading to efficient ligand to Ln^III intramolecular energy transfer. Spectroscopic results show that an extremely efficient mbzimpy-to-Eu^III transfer occurs in [Ln(mbzimpy)(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)] and in the case of Tb^III, a Tb^III-to-mbzimpy back transfer is also implied in the deactivation process. The origin of these peculiar effects and the influence of ligand design by going from mbzimpy to obzimpy are discussed. ¹H-NMR and luminescence data indicate that the structure found in the crystal is essentially maintained in solution.     

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.     

Hetero‐tri‐spin [2p‐3d‐4f] Chain Compounds Based on Nitronyl Nitroxide Lanthanide Metallo‐Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Properties

Employing nitronyl nitroxide lanthanide(III) complexes as metallo‐ligands allowed the efficient and highly selective preparation of three series of unprecedented hetero‐tri‐spin (Cu?Ln‐radical) one‐dimensional compounds. These 2p–3d–4f spin systems, namely [Ln₃Cu(hfac)₁₁(NitPhOAll)₄] (Ln^III=Gd 1_Gd , Tb 1_Tb , Dy 1_Dy ; NitPhOAll=2‐(4′‐allyloxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide), [Ln₃Cu(hfac)₁₁(NitPhOPr)₄] (Ln^III=Gd 2_Gd , Tb 2_Tb , Dy 2_Dy , Ho 2_Ho , Yb 2_Yb ; NitPhOPr=2‐(4′‐propoxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐imidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide) and [Ln₃Cu(hfac)₁₁(NitPhOBz)₄] (Ln^III=Gd 3_Gd , Tb 3_Tb , Dy 3_Dy ; NitPhOBz=2‐(4′‐benzyloxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐imidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide) involve O‐bound nitronyl nitroxide radicals as bridging ligands in chain structures with a [Cu‐Nit‐Ln‐Nit‐Ln‐Nit‐Ln‐Nit] repeating unit. The dc magnetic studies show that ferromagnetic metal–radical interactions take place in these hetero‐tri‐spin chain complexes, these and the next‐neighbor interactions have been quantified for the Gd derivatives. Complexes 1_Tb and 2_Tb exhibit frequency dependence of ac magnetic susceptibilities, indicating single‐chain magnet behavior.