Lanthanide(III) complexes with a tetrapyridine pendant-armed macrocyclic ligand: 1H NMR structural determination in solution, X-ray diffraction, and density-functional theory calculations

Complexes between the tetrapyridyl pendant-armed macrocyclic ligand (L) and the trivalent lanthanide ions have been synthesized, and structural studies have been made both in the solid state and in aqueous solution. The crystal structures of the La, Ce, Pr, Gd, Tb, Er, and Tm complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, all the cation complexes show a 10-coordinated geometry close to a distorted bicapped antiprism, with the pyridine pendants situated alternatively above and below the main plane of the macrocycle. The conformations of the two five-membered chelate rings present in the complexes change along the lanthanide series. The La(III) and Ce(III) complexes show a lambdadelta (or deltalambda) conformation, while the complexes of the heavier lanthanide ions present lambdalambda (or deltadelta) conformation. The cationic [Ln(L)]3+ complexes (Ln = La, Pr, Eu, Tb, and Tm) were also characterized by theoretical calculations at the density-functional theory (DFT) B3LYP level. The theoretical calculations predict a stabilization of the lambdalambda (or deltadelta) conformation on decreasing the ionic radius of the Ln(III) ion, in agreement with the experimental evidence. The solution structures show a good agreement with the calculated ones, as demonstrated by paramagnetic NMR measurements (lanthanide induced shifts and relaxation rate enhancements). The 1H NMR spectra indicate an effective D2 symmetry of the complexes in D2O solution. The 1H lanthanide induced shifts (LIS) observed for the Ce(III), Tm(III), and Yb(III) complexes can be fit to a theoretical model assuming that dipolar contributions are dominant for all protons. The resulting calculated values are consistent with highly rhombic magnetic susceptibility tensors with the magnetic axes being coincident with the symmetry axes of the molecule. In contrast with the solid-state structure, the analysis of the LIS data indicates that the Ce(III) complexes present a lambdalambda (or deltadelta) conformation in solution.     

Sulfur-bridged Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) trinuclear complexes with mixed aliphatic and aromatic thiolate ligands: effect of nonbridging ligands on the homochiral linkage of cobalt(III) octahedrons by platinum(II)

The reaction of [Ni[Co(aet)(2)(pyt)](2)](2+) (aet = 2-aminoethanethiolate, pyt = 2-pyridinethiolate) with [PtCl(4)](2)(-) gave an S-bridged Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) trinuclear complex composed of two [Co(aet)(2)(pyt)] units, [Pt[Co(aet)(2)(pyt)](2)](2+) ([1](2+)). When a 1:1 mixture of [Ni[Co(aet)(2)(pyt)](2)](2+) and [Ni[Co(aet)(2)(en)](2)](4+) was reacted with [PtCl(4)](2)(-), a mixed-type S-bridged Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) complex composed of one [Co(aet)(2)(pyt)] and one [Co(aet)(2)(en)](+) units, [Pt[Co(aet)(2)(en)][Co(aet)(2)(pyt)]](3+) ([2](3+)), was produced, together with [1](2+) and [Pt[Co(aet)(2)(en)](2)](4+). The corresponding Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) trinuclear complexes containing pymt (2-pyrimidinethiolate), [Pt[Co(aet)(2)(pymt)](2)](2+) ([3](2+)) and [Pt[Co(aet)(2)(en)][Co(aet)(2)(pymt)]](3+) ([4](3+)), were also obtained by similar reactions, using [Ni[Co(aet)(2)(pymt)](2)](2+) instead of [Ni[Co(aet)(2)(pyt)](2)](2+). While [Pt[Co(aet)(2)(en)](2)](4+) formed both the deltalambda (meso) and deltadelta/lambdalambda (racemic) forms in a ratio of ca. 1:1, the preferential formation of the deltadelta/lambdalambda form was observed for [1](2+) (ca. deltalambda:deltadelta/lambdalambda = 1:3) and [2](3+) (ca. delta(en)lambda(pyt)/lambda(en)delta(pyt):deltadelta/lambdalambda = 1:2). Furthermore, [3](2+) and [4](3+) predominantly formed the deltadelta/lambdalambda form. These results indicate that the homochiral selectivity for the S-bridged Co(III)Pt(II)Co(III) trinuclear complexes composed of two octahedral [Co(aet)(2)(L)](0 or +) units is enhanced in the order L = en < pyt < pymt. The isomers produced were separated and optically resolved, and the crystal structures of the meso-type deltalambda-[1]Cl(2).4H(2)O and the spontaneously resolved deltadelta-[4](ClO(4))(3).H(2)O were determined by X-ray analyses. In deltalambda-[1](2+), the delta and Lambda configurational mer(S).trans(N(aet))-[Co(aet)(2)(pyt)] units are linked by a square-planar Pt(II) ion through four aet S atoms to form a linear-type S-bridged trinuclear structure. In deltadelta-[4](3+), a similar linear-type trinuclear structure is constructed from the delta-mer(S).trans(N(aet))-[Co(aet)(2)(pymt)] and delta-C(2)-cis(S)-[Co(aet)(2)(en)](+) units that are bound by a Pt(II) ion with a slightly distorted square-planar geometry through four aet S atoms.     

Lanthanide complexes of new nonadentate imino-phosphonate ligands derived from 1,4,7-triazacyclononane: synthesis, structural characterisation and NMR studies

The polyamino ligand 1,4,7-tris(2-aminoethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (1) has been used to synthesise two new ligands by Schiff-base condensation with methyl sodium acetyl phosphonate to give ligand L and methyl sodium 4-methoxybenzoyl phosphonate to give ligand L1 in the presence of lanthanide ion as templating agent to form the complexes [Ln(L)] and [Ln(L1)](Ln = Y, La, Gd, Yb). Both ligands L and L1 have nine donor atoms comprising three amine and three imine N-donors and three phosphonate O-donors and form Ln(III) complexes in which the three pendant arms of the ligands wrap around the nine-coordinate Ln(III) centres. Complexes with Y(III), La(III), Gd(III) and Yb(III) have been synthesised and the complexes [Y(L)], [Gd(L)] and [Gd(L1)] have been structurally characterised. In all the complexes the coordination polyhedron about the lanthanide centre is slightly distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic with the two triangular faces of the prism formed by the macrocyclic N-donors and the phosphonate O-donors. Interestingly, given the three chiral phosphorus centres present in [Ln(L)] and [Ln(L1)] complexes, the three crystal structures reported show the presence of only one diastereomer of the four possible. 1H, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopic studies on diamagnetic [Y(L)] and [La(L)] and on paramagnetic [Yb(L)] complexes indicate the presence in solution of all the four different diastereomers in varying proportions. The stability of complexes [Y(L)] and [Y(L1)] in D2O in both neutral and acidic media, and the relaxivity of the Gd(III) complexes, have also been investigated.     

Positively charged lanthanide complexes with cyclen-based ligands: synthesis, solid-state and solution structure, and fluoride interaction

The syntheses of a new cyclen-based ligand L(2) containing four N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl]acetamide pendant arms and of its lanthanide(III) complexes [LnL(2)(H(2)O)]Cl(3) (Ln = La, Eu, Tb, Yb, or Lu) are reported, together with a comparison with some Ln(III) complexes of a previously reported analogue L(1) in which two opposite amide arms have been replaced by coordinating pyridyl units. The structure and dynamics of the La(III), Lu(III), and Yb(III) complexes in solution were studied by using multinuclear NMR investigations and density functional theory calculations. Luminescence lifetime measurements in H(2)O and D(2)O solutions of the [Ln(L(2))(H(2)O)](3+) complexes (Ln = Eu or Tb) were used to investigate the number of H(2)O molecules coordinated to the metal ion, pointing to the presence of an inner-sphere H(2)O molecule in a buffered aqueous solution. Fluoride binding to the latter complexes was investigated using a combination of absorption spectroscopy and steady-state and time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy, pointing to a surprisingly weak interaction in the case of L(2) (log K = 1.4 ± 0.1). In contrast to the results in solution, the X-ray crystal structure of the lanthanide complex showed the ninth coordination position occupied by a chloride anion. In the case of L(1), the X-ray structure of the [(EuL(1))(2)F] complex features a bridging fluoride donor with an uncommon linear Eu-F-Eu entity connecting two almost identical [Eu(L(1))](3+) units. Encapsulation of the F(-) anion within the two complexes is assisted by π-π stacking between the pyridyl rings of two complexes and C-H···F hydrogen-bonding interactions involving the anion and the pyridyl units.     

Enantiomeric self-recognition in homo- and heterodinuclear macrocyclic lanthanide(III) complexes

The controlled formation of lanthanide(III) dinuclear μ-hydroxo-bridged [Ln(2)L(2)(μ-OH)(2)X(2)](n+) complexes (where X = H(2)O, NO(3)(-), or Cl(-)) of the enantiopure chiral macrocycle L is reported. The (1)H and (13)C NMR resonances of these complexes have been assigned on the basis of COSY, NOESY, TOCSY, and HMQC spectra. The observed NOE connectivities confirm that the dimeric solid-state structure is retained in solution. The enantiomeric nature of the obtained chiral complexes and binding of hydroxide anions are reflected in their CD spectra. The formation of the dimeric complexes is accompanied by a complete enantiomeric self-recognition of the chiral macrocyclic units. The reaction of NaOH with a mixture of two different mononuclear lanthanide(III) complexes, [Ln(1)L](3+) and [Ln(2)L](3+), results in formation of the heterodinuclear [Ln(1)Ln(2)L(2)(μ-OH)(2)X(2)](n+) complexes as well as the corresponding homodinuclear complexes. The formation of the heterodinuclear complex is directly confirmed by the NOESY spectra of [EuLuL(2)(μ-OH)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](4+), which reveal close contacts between the macrocyclic unit containing the Eu(III) ion and the macrocyclic unit containing the Lu(III) ion. While the relative amounts of homo- and heterodinuclear complexes are statistical for the two lanthanide(III) ions of similar radii, a clear preference for the formation of heterodinuclear species is observed when the two mononuclear complexes contain lanthanide(III) ions of markedly different sizes, e.g., La(III) and Yb(III). The formation of heterodinuclear complexes is accompanied by the self-sorting of the chiral macrocyclic units based on their chirality. The reactions of NaOH with a pair of homochiral or racemic mononuclear complexes, [Ln(1)L(RRRR)](3+)/[Ln(2)L(RRRR)](3+), [Ln(1)L(SSSS)](3+)/[Ln(2)L(SSSS)](3+), or [Ln(1)L(rac)](3+)/[Ln(2)L(rac)](3+), results in mixtures of homochiral, homodinuclear and homochiral, heterodinuclear complexes. On the contrary, no heterochiral, heterodinuclear complexes [Ln(1)L(RRRR)Ln(2)L(SSSS)(μ-OH)(2)X(2)](n+) are formed in the reactions of two different mononuclear complexes of opposite chirality.     

Structural and photophysical properties of visible- and near-IR-emitting tris lanthanide(III) complexes formed with the enantiomers of N,N'-bis(1-phenylethyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide

The enantiomers of N,N'-bis(1-phenylethyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (L), namely, (R,R)-1, and (S,S)-1, react with Ln(III) ions to give stable [LnL(3)](3+) complexes in an anhydrous acetonitrile solution and in the solid state, as evidenced by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, NMR, luminescence titrations, and their X-ray crystal structures, respectively. All [LnL(3)](3+) complexes [Ln(III) = Eu, Gd, Tb, and Yb; L = (R,R)-1 and (S,S)-1] are isostructural and crystallize in the cubic space group I23. Although the small quantum yields of the Ln(III)-centered luminescence clearly point to the poor efficiency of the luminescence sensitization by the ligand and the intersystem crossing and ligand-to-metal energy transfers, the ligand triplet-excited-state energy seems relatively well suited to sensitize many Ln(III) ion's emission for instance, in the visible (Eu and Tb), near-IR (Nd and Yb), or both regions (Pr, Sm, Dy, Er, and Tm).     

Pyridine and phosphonate containing ligands for stable lanthanide complexation. An experimental and theoretical study to assess the solution structure

We report an experimental and theoretical study of the stability and solution structure of lanthanide complexes with two novel ligands containing pyridine units and phosphonate pendant arms on either ethane-1,2-diamine (L2) or cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (L3) backbones. Potentiometric studies have been carried out to determine the protonation constants of the ligands and the stability constants of the complexes with Gd(III) and the endogenous metal ions Zn(II) and Cu(II). While the stability constant of the GdL2 complex is too high to be determined by direct pH-potentiometric titrations, the cyclohexyl derivative GdL3 has a lower and assessable stability (log K(GdL3)=17.62). Due to the presence of the phosphonate groups, various protonated species can be detected up to pH approximately 8 for both ligands and all metal ions studied. The molecular clusters [Ln(L)(H2O)](3-).19H2O (Ln=La, Nd, Ho or Lu; L=L2 or L3) were characterized by theoretical calculations at the HF level. Our calculations provide two minimum energy geometries where the ligand adopts different conformations: twist-wrap (tw), in which the ligand wraps around the metal ion by twisting the pyridyl units relative to each other, and twist-fold (tf), where the slight twisting of the pyridyl units is accompanied by an overall folding of the two pyridine units towards one of the phosphonate groups. The relative free energies of the tw and tf conformations of [Ln(L)(H2O)]3- (L=L2, L3) complexes calculated in aqueous solution (C-PCM) by using the B3LYP model indicate that the tw form is the most stable one along the whole lanthanide series for the complexes of L3, while for those of L2 only the Gd(III) complex is more stable in the tf conformation by ca. 0.5 kcal mol-1. 1H NMR studies of the Eu(III) complex of L3 show the initial formation of the tf complex in aqueous solution, which slowly converts to the thermodynamically stable tw form. The structures calculated for the Nd(III) complexes are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental solution structures, as demonstrated by Nd(III)-induced relaxation rate enhancement effects in the 1H NMR spectra.     

Trinuclear to dinuclear: a radii dependence lanthanide(III) self-assembly coordination behavior of an amide-type tripodal ligand

Lanthanide nitrate complexes with the heptadentate ligand L (6-[2-(2-(diethylamino)-2-oxoethoxy)ethyl]-N,N,12-triethyl-11-oxo-3,9-dioxa-6,12-diazatetradecanamide), [Ln(2)L(NO(3))(6)] (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Ho), have been prepared and characterized. The X-ray crystallographic studies show that, in [La(2)L(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)].H(2)O (1), two complex cations [LaL(H(2)O)](3+) are linked by a hexanitrato anion [La(NO(3))(6)](3)(-) and form a trinuclear cation. In [Nd(2)L(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)].CHCl(3).1/2CH(3)OH.1/2H(2)O (2), one complex cation [NdL(H(2)O)](3+) and a hexanitrato complex anion [Nd(NO(3))(6)](3)(-) are linked by a bridging NO(3)(-) to form a dinuclear complex. In both complexes, the bridging nitrate is an unusual tetradentate ligand. The metal ions are 12-coordinated in hexanitrato anions and 10-coordinated in complex cations. The chainlike supramolecular structures of La(3+) complex are parallel and have no hydrogen bonds in between, while, in the Nd(3+) complex, a chiral cavity is formed by hydrogen bonds between two adjacent supramolecular chains. These influences are further investigated by assessing the separation efficiency of L and (1)H NMR spectra of its lanthanide nitrate mixtures in solution.     

Solid state and solution studies of lanthanide(III) complexes of cyclohexanetriols, models of the coordination sites found in sugars

This report covers studies in trivalent lanthanide complexation by two simple cyclohexanetriols that are models of the two coordination sites found in sugars and derivatives. Several complexes of trivalent lanthanide ions with cis,cis-1,3,5-trihydroxycyclohexane (L(1)()) and cis,cis-1,2,3-trihydroxycyclohexane (L(2)()) have been characterized in the solid state, and some of them have been studied in organic solutions. With L(1)(), Ln(L)(2) complexes are obtained when crystallization is performed from acetonitrile solutions whatever the nature of the salt (nitrate or triflate) [Ln(L(1)())(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3)) (Ln = Pr, Nd); [Ln(L(1)())(2)(NO(3))H(2)O](NO(3))(2) (Ln = Eu, Ho, Yb); [Ln(L(1)())(2)(OTf)(2)(H(2)O)](OTf) (Ln = Nd, Eu). Lanthanum nitrate itself gives a mixed complex [La(L(1)())(2)(NO(3))(2)][LaL(1)()(NO(3))(4)] from acetonitrile solution while [La(L(1)())(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3)) is obtained using dimethoxyethane as reaction solvent and crystallization medium. With L(2)(), Ln(L)(2) complexes have also been crystallized from methanol solution [Ln(L(2)())(2)(NO(3))(2)]NO(3), (Ln = Pr, Nd, Eu). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses are reported for these complexes. Complex formation in solution has been studied for several triflate salts (La, Pr, Nd, Eu, and Yb) with L(1 )()and L(2)(), respectively in acetonitrile and in methanol. In contrast to the solid state, both structures Ln(L) and Ln(L)(2) equilibrate in solution, as was demonstrated by low-temperature (1)H NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry experiments. Competing experiments in complexing abilities of L(1)() and L(2)() with trivalent lanthanide cations have shown that only L(2)() exhibits a small selectivity (Nd > Pr > Yb > La > Eu) in methanol.     

Lanthanide-mediated triangular cationic assemblies: structural and physico-chemical properties

This contribution investigates Ln(III) complexes formed with a small ditopic ligand, L1, and their structural, thermodynamic and photophysical properties. The spectrophotometric and NMR titrations evidence the triangular assemblies [Ln(3)(L1-H)(3)](6+) at stoichiometric conditions and their properties are discussed in relation to L2-containing analogues. In addition, the dinuclear species, [Ln(2)(L1-H)](5+), is observed with an excess of metal.     

Lanthanide complexes of macrocyclic polyoxovanadates by VO4 units: synthesis, characterization, and structure elucidation by X-ray crystallography and EXAFS spectroscopy

Reactions of a tetravanadate anion, [V(4)O(12)](4-), with a series of lanthanide(III) salts yield three types of lanthanide complexes of macrocyclic polyoxovanadates: (Et(4)N)(6)[Ln(III)V(9)O(27)] [Ln = Nd (1), Sm (2), Eu (3), Gd (4), Tb (5), Dy (6)], (Et(4)N)(5)[(H(2)O)Ho(III)(V(4)O(12))(2)] (7), and (Et(4)N)(7)[Ln(III)V(10)O(30)] [Ln = Er (8), Tm (9), Yb (10), Lu (11)]. Lanthanide complexes 1-11 are isolated and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). Lanthanide complexes 1-6 are composed of a square-antiprism eight-coordinated Ln(III) center with a macrocyclic polyoxovanadate that is constructed from nine VO(4) tetrahedra through vertex sharing. The structure of 7 is composed of a seven-coordinated Ho(III) center, which exhibits a capped trigonal-prism coordination environment by the sandwiching of two cyclic tetravanadates with a capping H(2)O ligand. Lanthanide complexes 8-11 have a six-coordinated Ln(III) center with a 10-membered vanadate ligand. The structural trend to adopt a larger coordination number for a larger lanthanide ion among the three types of structures is accompanied by a change in the vanadate ring sizes. These lanthanide complexes are examined by EXAFS spectroscopies on lanthanide L(III) absorption edges, and the EXAFS oscillations of each of the samples in the solid state and in acetonitrile are identical. The Ln-O and Ln···V bond lengths obtained from fits of the EXAFS data are consistent with the data from the single-crystal X-ray studies, reflecting retention of the structures in acetonitrile.     

A simple thermodynamic model for rationalizing the formation of self-assembled multimetallic edifices: application to triple-stranded helicates

Reaction of the bis-tridentate ligand bis[1-ethyl-2-[6'-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl)pyridin-2'-yl]benzimidazol-5-yl]methane (L2) with Ln(CF(3)SO(3))(3).xH(2)O in acetonitrile (Ln = La-Lu) demonstrates the successive formation of three stable complexes [Ln(L2)(3)](3+), [Ln(2)(L2)(3)](6+), and [Ln(2)(L2)(2)](6+). Crystal-field independent NMR methods establish that the crystal structure of [Tb(2)(L2)(3)](6+) is a satisfying model for the helical structure observed in solution. This allows the qualitative and quantitative beta23 (bi,Ln1,Ln2)characterization of the heterobimetallic helicates [(Ln(1))(Ln(2))(L2)(3)](6+). A simple free energy thermodynamic model based on (i) an absolute affinity for each nine-coordinate lanthanide occupying a terminal N(6)O(3) site and (ii) a single intermetallic interaction between two adjacent metal ions in the complexes (DeltaE) successfully models the experimental macroscopic constants and allows the rational molecular programming of the extended trimetallic homologues [Ln(3)(L5)(3)](9+).     

Optimizing millisecond time scale near-infrared emission in polynuclear chrome(III)-lanthanide(III) complexes

This work illustrates a simple approach for optimizing long-lived near-infrared lanthanide-centered luminescence using trivalent chromium chromophores as sensitizers. Reactions of the segmental ligand L2 with stoichiometric amounts of M(CF(3)SO(3))(2) (M = Cr, Zn) and Ln(CF(3)SO(3))(3) (Ln = Nd, Er, Yb) under aerobic conditions quantitatively yield the D(3)-symmetrical trinuclear [MLnM(L2)(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(n) complexes (M = Zn, n = 7; M = Cr, n = 9), in which the central lanthanide activator is sandwiched between the two transition metal cations. Visible or NIR irradiation of the peripheral Cr(III) chromophores in [CrLnCr(L2)(3)](9+) induces rate-limiting intramolecular intermetallic Cr→Ln energy transfer processes (Ln = Nd, Er, Yb), which eventually produces lanthanide-centered near-infrared (NIR) or IR emission with apparent lifetimes within the millisecond range. As compared to the parent dinuclear complexes [CrLn(L1)(3)](6+), the connection of a second strong-field [CrN(6)] sensitizer in [CrLnCr(L2)(3)](9+) significantly enhances the emission intensity without perturbing the kinetic regime. This work opens novel exciting photophysical perspectives via the buildup of non-negligible population densities for the long-lived doubly excited state [Cr*LnCr*(L2)(3)](9+) under reasonable pumping powers.     

Heteronuclear bipyrimidine-bridged Ru-Ln and Os-Ln dyads: low-energy 3MLCT states as energy-donors to Yb(III) and Nd(III)

The complexes [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)(bpym)X(2)] (X = Cl, NCS) and [M((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(bpym)][PF(6)](2) (M = Ru, Os) all have a low-energy LUMO arising from the presence of a 2,2'-bipyrimidine ligand, and consequently have lower-energy (1)MLCT and (3)MLCT states than analogous complexes of bipyridine. The vacant site of the bpym ligand provides a site at which [Ln(diketonate)(3)] units can bind to afford bipyrimidine-bridged dinuclear Ru-Ln and Os-Ln dyads; four such complexes have been structurally characterised. UV/Vis and luminescence spectroscopic studies show that binding of the Ln(III) fragment at the second site of the bpym ligand reduces the (3)MLCT energy of the Ru or Os fragment still further. The result is that in the dyads [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)X(2)(mu-bpym)Ln(diketonate)(3)] (X = Cl, NCS) and [Os((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(mu-bpym)Ln(diketonate)(3)][PF(6)](2) the (3)MLCT is too low to sensitise the luminescent f-f states of Nd(III) and Yb(III), but in [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(mu-bpym)Ln(diketonate)(3)][PF(6)](2) the (3)MLCT energy of 13,500 cm(-1) permits energy transfer to Yb(III) and Nd(III) resulting in sensitised near-infrared luminescence on the microsecond timescale.     

The first self-assembled trimetallic lanthanide helicates driven by positive cooperativity

The segmental tris-tridentate ligand L7 reacts with stoichiometric quantities of Ln(III) (Ln=La-Lu) in acetonitrile to give the complexes [Ln(2)(L7)(3)](6+) and [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](9+). Formation constants point to negligible size-discriminating effects along the lanthanide series, but Scatchard plots suggest that the self-assembly of the trimetallic triple-stranded helicates [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](9+) is driven to completion by positive cooperativity, despite strong intermetallic electrostatic repulsions. Crystallization provides quantitatively [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(9) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu) and the X-ray crystal structure of [Eu(3)(L7)(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(9).(CH(3)CN)(9).(H(2)O)(2) (Eu(3)C(216)H(226)N(48)O(35)F(27)S(9), triclinic, P1, Z=2) shows the three ligand strands wrapped around a pseudo-threefold axis defined by the three metal ions rigidly held at about 9 A. Each metal ion is coordinated by nine donor atoms in a pseudo-trigonal prismatic arrangement, but the existence of terminal carboxamide units in the ligand strands differentiates the electronic properties of the terminal and the central metallic sites. Photophysical data confirm that the three coordination sites possess comparable pseudo-trigonal symmetries in the solid state and in solution. High-resolution luminescence analyses evidence a low-lying LMCT state affecting the central EuN(9) site, so that multi-metal-centered luminescence is essentially dominated by the emission from the two terminal EuN(6)O(3) sites in [Eu(3)(L7)(3)](9+). New multicenter equations have been developed for investigating the solution structure of [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](9+) by paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy and linear correlations for Ln=Ce-Tb imply isostructurality for these larger lanthanides. NMR spectra point to the triple helical structure being maintained in solution, but an inversion of the magnitude of the second-rank crystal-field parameters, obtained by LIS analysis, for the LnN(6)O(3) and LnN(9) sites with respect to the parameters extracted for Eu(III) from luminescence data, suggests that the geometry of the central LnN(9) site is somewhat relaxed in solution.     

Tuning the self-assembly of lanthanide triple stranded heterobimetallic helicates by ligand design

The heterobitopic ligands L(AB4) and L(AB5) have been designed and synthesised with the ultimate aim of self-assembling dual-function lanthanide complexes containing either a magnetic and a luminescent probe or two luminescent probes emitting at different wavelengths. They react with lanthanide ions to form complexes of composition [Ln(2)(L(ABX))(3)](6+) of which three (X = 4; Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm) have been isolated and characterised by means of X-ray diffraction. The unit cells contain triple-stranded helicates in which the three ligand strands are wrapped tightly around the two lanthanide ions. In acetonitrile solution the ligands form not only homobimetallic, but also heterobimetallic complexes of composition [Ln(1)Ln(2)(L(ABX))(3)](6+) when reacted with a pair of different lanthanide ions. The yield of heterobimetallic complexes is analyzed in terms of both the difference in ionic radii of the lanthanide ions and of the inherent tendency of the ligands to form high percentages of head-head-head (HHH) helicates in which all three ligand strands are oriented in the same direction with respect to the Ln-Ln vector. The latter is very sensitive to slight modifications of the tridentate coordinating units.     

Dynamic chiral-at-metal stability of tetrakis(d/l-hfc)Ln(III) complexes capped with an alkali metal cation in solution

Chiral tetrakis(β-diketonate) Ln(III) complexes Δ-[NaLa(d-hfc)(4)(CH(3)CN)] (1) and Λ-[NaLa(l-hfc)(4) (CH(3)CN)] (2) (d/l-hfc(-) = 3-heptafluo-robutylryl-(+)/(-)-camphorate) are a pair of enantiomers and crystallize in the same Sohncke space group (P2(1)2(1)2(1)) with dodecahedral (DD) geometry. Typically positive and negative exciton splitting patterns around 320 nm were observed in the solid-state circular dichroism (CD) spectra of complexes 1 and 2, which indicate that their shell configurational chiralities are Δ and Λ, respectively. The apparent bisignate couplets in the solid-state CD spectra of [CsLn(d-hfc)(4)(H(2)O)] [Ln = La (3), Yb (5)] and [CsLn(l-hfc)(4)(H(2)O)] [Ln = La (4), Yb (6)] show that they are a pair of enantiomers and their absolute configurations are denoted Δ and Λ, respectively. The crystallographic data of 5 reveals that its coordination polyhedron is the square antiprism (SAP) geometry and it undergoes a phase transition from triclinic (α phase, P1) to monoclinic (β phase, C2) upon cooling. The difference between the two phases is brought about by the temperature dependent behaviour of the coordination water molecules, but this did not affect the configurational chirality of the Δ-SAP-[Yb(d-hfc)(4)](-) moiety. Furthermore, time-dependent CD, UV-vis and (19)F NMR were applied to study the solution behavior of these complexes. It was found that the chiral-at-metal stability of the three pairs of complexes is different and affected by both the Ln(3+) and M(+) ion size. The results show that the Cs(+) cation can retain the metal center chirality and stablize the structures of [Ln(d/l-hfc)(4)](-) or the dissociated tris(d/l-hfc)Ln(III) species in solution for a longer time than that of the Na(+) cation, and it is important that the Cs(+) ion successfully lock the configurational chirality around the Yb(3+) center of the complex species in solution. This is reasoned by the short Cs(+)···FC, Cs(+)···O-Yb and Cs(+)···Yb(3+) interactions observed in the crystal structure of α-5 and further confirmed by the chiral self-assembly of 5 or 6 from [Yb(H(2)O)(d/l-hfc)(3)] induced by CsI in a CHCl(3) solution.     

Synthesis and luminescence studies of mono- and C3-symmetric, tris(ligand) complexes of Sm(III), Y(III) and Eu(III) with sulfur-bridged binaphtholate ligands

A series of trivalent mono- and tris(ligand) lanthanide complexes of a sulfur-bridged binaphthol ligand [1,1'-S(2-HOC(10)H(4)Bu(t)(2)-3,6)(2)] H(2)L(SN), have been prepared and characterised both structurally and photophysically. The H(2)L(SN) ligand provides an increased steric bulk and offers an additional donor atom (sulfur) as compared with 1,1'-binaphthol (BINOL), a ligand commonly used to complex Lewis acidic lanthanide catalysts. Reaction of the diol H(2)L(SN) with [Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)] affords silylamido- and amino- derivatives [Sm(L(SN))[N(SiMe(3))(2)][HN(SiMe(3))(2)]] and the crystallographically characterised [Sm(L(SN))[N(SiMe(3))(2)](thf)(2)] with different degrees of structural rigidity, depending on the presence of coordinating solvents. The binaphthyl groups of the L(SN) ligand act as sensitisers of the metal centred emission, which is observed for the Eu(III) and Sm(III) complexes studied. We have therefore sought to use emission spectroscopy as a non-invasive technique to monitor a monomer-dimer equilibrium in these complexes. A dramatic difference between the emission properties of the unreactive dimeric Sm(III) aryloxide complex, the solvated monomeric analogues and the amido adduct demonstrated the potential use of such a technique. For a few representative lanthanides (Ln = Sm, Eu and Y) the reaction of the dilithium salt Li(2)L(SN) with either [Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2]3)] or [LnCl(3)(thf)(3)] affords only the homoleptic complex [Li(S)(3)][LnL(SN)(3)](S = thf or diethyl ether); we report the structural characterisation of the Sm complex. However, the reactions of this dipotassium salt K(2)L(SN) with [Sm[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)] or [SmCl(3)(thf)(3)] give only [SmL(SN)N(SiMe(3))(2)], or intractable mixtures respectively, in which no (tris)binaphtholate is observed. The only isolable lanthanide-L(SN) halide adduct so far is [YbL(SN)I(thf)].     

1H NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance, and density functional theory study of dinuclear pentaammineruthenium dicyanamidobenzene complexes

Paramagnetic (1)H NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies and density functional theory (DFT) spin density calculations were selectively performed on the [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](3+,?4+,?5+) complexes, where L is 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-, 2,5-dichloro-, 2,5-dimethyl-, and unsubstituted 1,4-dicyanamidobenzene dianion, to characterize the electronic structure of these complexes. EPR spectra of the [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](3+) complexes in N,N'-dimethylformamide at 4 K showed a ruthenium axial signal, and thus the complexes are [Ru(II),L(2-), Ru(III)] mixed-valence systems. DFT spin density calculations of [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](3+) where L = 1,4-dicyanamidobenzene dianion gave mostly bridging-ligand centered spin distribution for both vacuum and implicit solvent calculations, in poor agreement with EPR, but more realistic results were obtained when explicit electrostatic interactions between solute and solvent were included in modeling. For the [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](4+) complexes, EPR spectroscopy showed no signal down to 4 K. Nevertheless, solvent-dependent (1)H NMR data and analysis support a [Ru(III),L(2-), Ru(III)] state. Hyperfine coupling constants (A(c)/h) of trans- and cis-ammine and phenyl hydrogens were determined to be 17.2, 3.8, and -1.5 MHz respectively. EPR studies of the [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](5+) complexes showed a metal-radical axial signal and based on previously published (1)H NMR data, a [Ru(IV),L(2-), Ru(III)] state is favored over a [Ru(III),L(-), Ru(III)] state.     

Observation of slow magnetic relaxation in triple-stranded lanthanide helicates

Two dinuclear triple-stranded helicates [Ln(2)L(3)](3+) (Ln = Dy and Tb) obtained via self-assembly from the ligand HL (2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol di(benzoylhydrazone)) and lanthanide perchlorate have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structural analysis demonstrates that three ligand strands wrap around a pseudo-threefold axis defined by the two metal ions, leading to a 'meso'-relation between the right- (Δ) and left-hand (Λ) configurations of [Ln(2)L(3)](3+) in the crystal. Each Ln(III) ion is coordinated by nine donor atoms in a distorted tricapped trigonal-prismatic arrangement. Alternating current (ac) susceptibility measurements of [Dy(2)L(3)](3+) reveal a frequency-dependent out-of-phase signal under a 700 Oe dc field, indicating the onset of the slow relaxation of magnetization with a roughly estimated activation energy of ～5 K and τ(0) of 10(-7) s.