Nitrate-Bridged "Pseudo-Double-Propeller"-Type Lanthanide(III)-Copper(II) Heterometallic Clusters: Syntheses, Structures, and Magnetic Properties

Two discrete nitrate-bridged novel "pseudo-double-propeller"-shaped hexanuclear Cu/Ln clusters of the formula [Cu(4)Ln(2)L(4)L'(4)(NO(3))(2)(OH(2))(2)]·3NO(3)·4H(2)O [Ln = Dy, Gd; LH = o-vanilin; L'H = 2-(hydroxyethyl)pyridine] were synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed the trimeric half-propeller-type Cu(2)/Ln core connected to other opposite-handed similar trimers by a bridging nitrate ligand. The Dy analogue, [Cu(4)Dy(2)L(4)L'(4)(NO(3))(2)(OH(2))(2)]·3NO(3)·4H(2)O, shows frequency-dependent out-of-phase alternating-current magnetic susceptibility, which indicates that this novel discrete [Cu(4)Dy(2)] heterometallic cluster may exhibit single-molecule-magnet behavior.     

Heterometallic 20-membered {Fe16Ln4} (Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) metallo-ring aggregates

The reaction of triethanolamine (teaH(3)) with [Fe(III)(3)O(O(2)CCH(3))(6)(H(2)O)(3)]Cl·6H(2)O and Ln(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O in acetonitrile yields [Fe(16)Ln(4)(tea)(8)(teaH)(12)(μ-O(2)CCH(3))(8)](NO(3))(4)·16H(2)O·xMeCN (Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), Dy (5), Ho (6); x = 10 or 11). These 20-membered metallo-ring complexes are the largest such single-stranded oxygen-bridged rings so far reported. The structure is stabilised by two of the acetate ligands, which form anti,anti-bridges across the centre of the ring, pinching the ring and giving it rigidity. The magnetic properties are dominated by the antiferromagnetic couplings between the Fe(III) centres. Although the Fe(2) and Fe(6) sub-chains within the ring are fully spin-compensated at low temperatures with S(subchain) = 0, coupling between the Gd(III) cations and the Fe(III) centres at the ends of the sub-chains (in 3) results in a pinning of the lanthanide spins. The (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectra of 3 and 5 obtained at low temperatures are consistent with the presence of Fe(III) intracluster strong antiferromagnetic coupling. The applied field spectrum for 3 reveals no magnetic hyperfine interaction apart from that of the nucleus with the applied field, while the one for 5 is a superposition of three subspectra which show contributions from each of the peripheral as well as from the central iron sites.     

Using the flexible ligand bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-tris (hydroxymethyl)methane ("bis-tris") to access a family of 3d-4f Mn(III)4Ln4 complexes

A series of isostructural 3d-4f coordination clusters (CCs) [Mn(4)Ln(4)(OH)(6)(H(2)L)(2)(H(3)L)(2)(PhCO(2))(2)(N(3))(2)(MeOH)(4)]Cl(1.6)(N(3))(0.4)(NO(3))(2)·2.4H(2)O·1.6MeOH where Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er and H(5)L = bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-tris(hydroxymethyl)methane (bis-tris) has been synthesised and structurally characterised. The paramagnetic metal ions within the clusters are weakly antiferromagnetically coupled, with the Tb and Dy compounds displaying slow relaxation of their magnetisation. This is the first report of this versatile ligand being used to target 3d-4f CCs.     

A series of tetranuclear lanthanide complexes comprising two edge-sharing triangular units with field-induced slow magnetic relaxation for Dy4 species

The syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic studies are reported for a series of Ln(4) clusters formulated as Ln(4)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(php)(2)(OAc)(6)(H(2)O)(2)]·4MeOH·nH(2)O (Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3) (n = 2) and Ho (4) (n = 0); H(2)php = 2,6-(picolinoylhydrazone)pyridine). The overall metal core of each cluster is comprised of two edge-sharing triangular Ln(3) units linked by μ(3)-OH bridges. Direct-current (dc) magnetic susceptibility studies reveal that the Ln(III) ions are very weakly coupled in all four compounds. Alternating-current (ac) magnetic susceptibility studies for 3 indicate that field-induced slow relaxation phenomenon occurs for this compound.     

Family of carboxylate- and nitrate-diphenoxo triply bridged dinuclear Ni(II)Ln(III) complexes (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, Y): synthesis, experimental and theoretical magneto-structural studies, and single-molecule magnet behavior

Seven acetate-diphenoxo triply bridged M(II)-Ln(III) complexes (M(II) = Ni(II) and Ln(III) = Gd, Tb, Ho, Er, and Y; M(II) = Zn(II) and Ln(III) = Ho(III) and Er(III)) of formula [M(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Ln(NO(3))(2)], one nitrate-diphenoxo triply bridged Ni(II)-Tb(III) complex, [Ni(μ-L)(μ-NO(3))Tb(NO(3))(2)]·2CH(3)OH, and two diphenoxo doubly bridged Ni(II)-Ln(III) complexes (Ln(III) = Eu, Gd) of formula [Ni(H(2)O)(μ-L)Ln(NO(3))(3)]·2CH(3)OH have been prepared in one pot reaction from the compartmental ligand N,N',N"-trimethyl-N,N"-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)diethylenetriamine (H(2)L). Moreover, Ni(II)-Ln(III) complexes bearing benzoate or 9-anthracenecarboxylate bridging groups of formula [Ni(μ-L)(μ-BzO)Dy(NO(3))(2)] and [Ni(μ-L)(μ-9-An)Dy(9-An)(NO(3))(2)]·3CH(3)CN have also been successfully synthesized. In acetate-diphenoxo triply bridged complexes, the acetate bridging group forces the structure to be folded with an average hinge angle in the M(μ-O(2))Ln bridging fragment of ~22°, whereas nitrate-diphenoxo doubly bridged complexes and diphenoxo-doubly bridged complexes exhibit more planar structures with hinge angles of ~13° and ~2°, respectively. All Ni(II)-Ln(III) complexes exhibit ferromagnetic interactions between Ni(II) and Ln(III) ions and, in the case of the Gd(III) complexes, the J(NiGd) coupling increases weakly but significantly with the planarity of the M-(O)(2)-Gd bridging fragment and with the increase of the Ni-O-Gd angle. Density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations on the Ni(II)Gd(III) complexes and model compounds support these magneto-structural correlations as well as the experimental J(NiGd) values, which were found to be ~1.38 and ~2.1 cm(-1) for the folded [Ni(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Gd(NO(3))(2)] and planar [Ni(H(2)O)(μ-L)Gd(NO(3))(3)]·2CH(3)OH complexes, respectively. The Ni(II)Dy(III) complexes exhibit slow relaxation of the magnetization with Δ/k(B) energy barriers under 1000 Oe applied magnetic fields of 9.2 and 10.1 K for [Ni(μ-L)(μ-BzO)Dy(NO(3))(2)] and [Ni(μ-L)(μ-9-An)Dy(9-An)(NO(3))(2)]·3CH(3)CN, respectively.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a novel family of heterometallic nonanuclear Na(I)2Mn(III)6Ln(III) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) complexes

The structures and magnetic properties of four isomorphous nonanuclear heterometallic complexes [Na(2){Mn(3)(III)(μ(3)-O(2-))}(2)Ln(III)(hmmp)(6)(O(2)CPh)(4)(N(3))(2)]OH·0.5 CH(3)CN·1.5H(2)O are reported, where Ln(III) = Eu (1), Gd (2), Tb (3) and Dy (4), H(2)hmmp = 2-[(2-hydroxyethylimino)methyl]-6-methoxyphenol. Complexes 1-4 were prepared by the reactions of hmmpH(2) with a manganese salt and the respective lanthanide salt together with NaO(2)CPh and NaN(3). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the six Mn(III) and one Ln(III) metal topology in the aggregate can be described as a bitetrahedron. The two peripheral [Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O(2-))](7+) triangles are each bonded to a central Ln(III) ion with rare distorted octahedral geometry. The magnetic properties of all the complexes were investigated using variable temperature magnetic susceptibility and both antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions exist in the [Mn(III)(3)(μ(3)-O(2-))](7+) triangle. Weak ferromagnetic exchange between the Ln(III) and Mn(III) ions has been established for the corresponding Gd derivative. The Gd, Tb and Dy complexes show no evidence of slow relaxation behaviour above 2.0 K.     

Fluoride-bridged {Ln(2)Cr(2)} polynuclear complexes from semi-labile mer-[CrF(3)(py)(3)] and [Ln(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)

The trifluorido complex mer-[CrF(3)(py)(3)] (py = pyridine) reacts with 1 equiv. of [Ln(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)] and depending on the solvent forms the tetranuclear clusters [Cr(2)Ln(2)(μ-F)(4)(μ-OH)(2)(py)(4)(hfac)(6)], 1Ln, and [Cr(2)Ln(2)(μ-F)(4)F(2)(py)(6)(hfac)(6)], 2Ln, in acetonitrile and 1,2-dichloroethane, respectively (Ln = Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er; hfacH = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone). Reaction with [Dy(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)] in dichloromethane produces the dinuclear cluster [CrDy(μ-F)F(OH(2))(py)(3)(hfac)(4)], 3Dy. All the clusters feature fluoride bridges between the chromium(iii) and lanthanide(iii) centres. Fits of susceptibility data for 1Gd and 2Gd reveal the fluoride-mediated chromium(iii)-lanthanide(iii) exchange interactions to be 0.43(5) cm(-1) and 0.57(7) cm(-1), respectively (in the convention). Heat capacity measurements on 2Gd reveal a moderate magneto-caloric effect (MCE) reaching -ΔS(m)(T) = 11.4 J kg(-1) K(-1) for ΔB(0) = 9 T → 0 T at T = 4.1 K. Out-of-phase alternating-current susceptibility (χ') signals are observed for 1Dy, 2Dy and 2Tb, demonstrating slow relaxation of the magnetization.     

Family of double-cubane Mn4Ln2 (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) and Mn4Y2 complexes: a new Mn4Tb2 single-molecule magnet

The synthesis and characterization of a family of Mn(2)(III)Mn(2)(II)Ln(III)(2) complexes (Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), and Ho (4)) of formula [Mn(4)Ln(2)O(2)(O(2)CBu(t))(6)(edteH(2))(2)(NO(3))(2)] are reported, where edteH(4) is N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine. The analogous Mn(4)Y(2) (5) complex has also been prepared. They were obtained from reaction of Ln(NO(3))(3) or Y(NO(3))(3) with Mn(O(2)CBu(t))(2), edteH(4), and NEt(3) in a 2:3:1:2 molar ratio. The crystal structures of representative 1 and 2 were obtained, and their core consists of a face-fused double-cubane [Mn(4)Ln(2)(μ(4)-O(2-))(2)(μ(3)-OR)(4)] unit. Such double-cubane units are extremely rare in 3d metal chemistry and unprecedented in 3d-4f chemistry. Variable-temperature, solid-state dc and ac magnetic susceptibility studies on 1-5 were carried out. Fitting of dc χ(M)T vs T data for 5 gave J(bb) (Mn(III)···Mn(III)) = -32.6(9) cm(-1), J(wb) (Mn(II)···Mn(III)) = +0.5(2) cm(-1), and g = 1.96(1), indicating a |n, 0, n> (n = 0-5) 6-fold-degenerate ground state. The data for 1 indicate an S = 12 ground state, confirmed by fitting of magnetization data, which gave S = 12, D = 0.00(1) cm(-1), and g = 1.93(1) (D is the axial zero-field splitting parameter). This ground state identifies the Mn(II)···Gd(III) interactions to be ferromagnetic. The ac susceptibility data independently confirmed the conclusions about 1 and 5 and revealed that 2 displays slow relaxation of the magnetization vector for the Mn(4)Tb(2) analogue 2. The latter was confirmed as a single-molecule magnet by observation of hysteresis below 0.9 K in magnetization vs dc field scans on a single crystal of 2·MeCN on a micro-SQUID apparatus. The hysteresis loops also displayed well-resolved quantum tunneling of magnetization steps, only the second 3d-4f SMM to do so.     

Heptanuclear heterometallic [Cu6Ln] clusters: trapping lanthanides into copper cages with artificial amino acids

Employment of the artificial amino acid 2-amino-isobutyric acid, aibH, in Cu(II) and Cu(II)/Ln(III) chemistry led to the isolation and characterization of 12 new heterometallic heptanuclear [Cu(6)Ln(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(OAc)(3)(NO(3))(3)] complexes consisting of trivalent lanthanide centers within a hexanuclear copper trigonal prism (aibH = 2-amino-butyric acid; Ln = Ce (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Gd (6), Tb (7), Dy (8), Ho (9), Er (10), Tm (11), and Yb (12)). Direct curent magnetic susceptibility studies have been carried out in the 5-300 K range for all complexes, revealing the different nature of the magnetic interactions between the 3d-4f metallic pairs: dominant antiferromagnetic interactions for the majority of the pairs and dominant ferromagnetic interactions for when the lanthanide center is Gd(III) and Dy(III). Furthermore, alternating current magnetic susceptibility studies reveal the possibility of single-molecule magnetism behavior for complexes 7 and 8. Finally, complexes 2, 5-8, 10, and 12 were analyzed using positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS), establishing the structural integrity of the heterometallic heptanuclear cage structure in acetonitrile.     

Lanthanoid-containing open Wells-Dawson silicotungstates: synthesis, crystal structures, and properties

Five novel lanthanoid-containing silicotungstates with polymeric crystal structures [Ln(2)(H(2)O)(7)Si(2)W(18)O(66)](n)(10n-) [Ln = Gd(III) (Gd-1 and Gd-2), Tb(III), Ho(III)] and [Dy(2)(H(2)O)(6.5)(C(2)H(4)O(2))(0.5)Si(2)W(18)O(66)](n)(10n-) were obtained from the one-step reaction of Na(10)[SiW(9)O(34)]·nH(2)O with Ln(NO(3))(3)·nH(2)O in a sodium acetate buffer. The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and a wide range of analytical methods, including FT-IR, UV/vis, and photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as electrochemistry and thermogravimetric analysis. This new polyoxotungstate series is the first example of lanthanoids embedded in the open Wells-Dawson silicotungstate anion [α-Si(2)W(18)O(66)](16-). The lanthanoid-containing Wells-Dawson-type polyoxoanions [Ln(2)(H(2)O)(7)Si(2)W(18)O(66)](10-) [Ln = Gd(III) (Gd-1 and Gd-2), Tb(III), Ho(III)] and [Dy(2)(H(2)O)(6.5)(C(2)H(4)O(2))(0.5)Si(2)W(18)O(66)](10-) are linked by Ln(3+) cations to form 3D architectures for Gd-1 or 2D frameworks for the isostructural compounds Tb-2, Dy-2, Ho-2, and Gd-2. The structure-directing influence of the lanthanoid cation on the local structure of the dimeric building blocks and on the crystal packing motifs is investigated in detail. The photoluminescence properties of Tb-2 and Dy-2 were investigated at room temperature, and Ho-2 exhibits an interesting photochromic behavior. The magnetic susceptibility of Gd-1 and Gd-2 was studied in the temperature range between 2 and 300 K for its effective magnetic moment.     

Trinuclear lanthanide complexes of a compartmental ligand N,N'-bis(2-pyridinyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide: a spectroscopic investigation

Trinuclear lanthanide complexes of the formula [Ln(3)(PPDA)(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(2)].NO(3).2H(2)O where Ln=La(III), Pr(III), Sm(III), Nd(III), Eu(III) Gd(III) Tb(III), Dy(III) and Y(III); H(2)PPDA=N,N'-bis(2-pyridinyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide, have been isolated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements and spectral (IR, NMR, UV-vis, fluorescence, FAB and EPR) and thermal studies.     

Luminescence tuning of imidazole-based lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy

To tune the lanthanide luminescence in related molecular structures, we synthesized and characterized a series of lanthanide complexes with imidazole-based ligands: two tripodal ligands, tris{[2-{(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (Me(3)L), and tris{[2-{(imidazol-4-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (H(3)L), and the dipodal ligand bis{[2-{(imidazol-4-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine (H(2)L). The general formulas are [Ln(Me(3)L)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(3)·3H(2)O (Ln = 3+ lanthanide ion: Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), and Dy (5)), [Ln(H(3)L)(NO(3))](NO(3))(2)·MeOH (Ln(3+) = Sm (6), Eu (7), Gd (8), Tb (9), and Dy (10)), and [Ln(H(2)L)(NO(3))(2)(MeOH)](NO(3))·MeOH (Ln(3+) = Sm (11), Eu (12), Gd (13), Tb (14), and Dy (15)). Each lanthanide ion is 9-coordinate in the complexes with the Me(3)L and H(3)L ligands and 10-coordinate in the complexes with the H(2)L ligand, in which counter anion and solvent molecules are also coordinated. The complexes show a screw arrangement of ligands around the lanthanide ions, and their enantiomorphs form racemate crystals. Luminescence studies have been carried out on the solid and solution-state samples. The triplet energy levels of Me(3)L, H(3)L, and H(2)L are 21?000, 22?700, and 23?000 cm(-1), respectively, which were determined from the phosphorescence spectra of their Gd(3+) complexes. The Me(3)L ligand is an effective sensitizer for Sm(3+) and Eu(3+) ions. Efficient luminescence of Sm(3+), Eu(3+), Tb(3+), and Dy(3+) ions was observed in complexes with the H(3)L and H(2)L ligands. Ligand modification by changing imidazole groups alters their triplet energy, and results in different sensitizing ability towards lanthanide ions.     

A family of 13 tetranuclear zinc(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes of a [3+3] Schiff-base macrocycle derived from 1,4-diformyl-2,3-dihydroxybenzene

A family of thirteen tetranuclear heterometallic zinc(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes of the hexa-imine macrocycle (L(Pr))(6-), with general formula Zn(II)(3)Ln(III)(L(Pr))(NO(3))(3)·xsolvents (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm or Yb), were prepared in a one-pot synthesis using a 3:1:3:3 reaction of zinc(II) acetate, the appropriate lanthanide(III) nitrate, the dialdehyde 1,4-diformyl-2,3-dihydroxybenzene (H(2)L(1)) and 1,3-diaminopropane. A hexanuclear homometallic zinc(II) macrocyclic complex [Zn(6)(L(Pr))(OAc)(5)(OH)(H(2)O)]·3H(2)O was obtained using a 2:0:1:1 ratio of the same reagents. A control experiment using a 1:0:1:1 ratio failed to generate the lanthanide-free [Zn(3)(L(Pr))] macrocyclic complex. The reaction of H(2)L(1) and zinc(II) acetate in a 1:1 ratio yielded the pentanuclear homometallic complex of the dialdehyde H(2)L(1), [Zn(5)(L(1))(5)(H(2)O)(6)]·3H(2)O. An X-ray crystal structure determination revealed [Zn(3)(II)Pr(III)(L(Pr))(NO(3))(2)(DMF)(3)](NO(3))·0.9DMF has the large ten-coordinate lanthanide(III) ion bound in the central O(6) site with two bidentate nitrate anions completing the O(10) coordination sphere. The three square pyramidal zinc(II) ions are in the outer N(2)O(2) sites with a fifth donor from DMF. Measurement of the magnetic properties of [Zn(II)(3)Dy(III)(L(Pr))(NO(3))(3)(MeOH)(3)]·4H(2)O with a weak external dc field showed that it has a frequency-dependent out-of-phase component of ac susceptibility, indicative of slow relaxation of the magnetization (SMM behaviour). Likewise, the Er and Yb analogues are field-induced SMMs; the latter is only the second example of a Yb-based SMM. The neodymium, ytterbium and erbium complexes are luminescent in the solid phase, but only the ytterbium and neodymium complexes show strong lanthanide-centred luminescence in DMF solution.     

Carboxylate-free Mn(III)2Ln(III)2 (Ln = lanthanide) and Mn(III)2Y(III)2 complexes from the use of (2-hydroxymethyl)pyridine: analysis of spin frustration effects

The initial employment of 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine for the synthesis of Mn/Ln (Ln = lanthanide) and Mn/Y clusters, in the absence of an ancillary organic ligand, has afforded a family of tetranuclear [Mn(III)(2)M(III)(2)(OH)(2)(NO(3))(4)(hmp)(4)(H(2)O)(4)](NO(3))(2) (M = Dy, 1; Tb, 2; Gd, 3; Y; 4) anionic compounds. 1-4 possess a planar butterfly (or rhombus) core and are rare examples of carboxylate-free Mn/Ln and Mn/Y clusters. Variable-temperature dc and ac studies established that 1 and 2, which contain highly anisotropic Ln(III) atoms, exhibit slow relaxation of their magnetization vector. Fitting of the obtained magnetization (M) versus field (H) and temperature (T) data for 3 by matrix diagonalization and including only axial anisotropy (zero-field splitting, ZFS) showed the ground state to be S = 3. Complex 4 has an S = 0 ground state. Fitting of the magnetic susceptibility data collected in the 5-300 K range for 3 and 4 to the appropriate van Vleck equations revealed, as expected, extremely weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic ions; for 3, J(1) = -0.16(2) cm(-1) and J(2) = -0.12(1) cm(-1) for the Mn(III)···Mn(III) and Mn(III)···Gd(III) interactions, respectively. The S = 3 ground state of 3 has been rationalized on the basis of the spin frustration pattern in the molecule. For 4, J = -0.75(3) cm(-1) for the Mn(III)···Mn(III) interaction. Spin frustration effects in 3 have been quantitatively analyzed for all possible combinations of sign of J(1) and J(2).     

Explorations of new quaternary phases in the Ln(III)-V(V)(d0)-Se(IV)-O (Ln = Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb) systems

Systematic explorations of new phases in the Ln(III)-V(V)-Se(IV)-O systems by hydrothermal syntheses led to four new quaternary compounds, namely, Nd(2)(V(V)(2)O(4))(SeO(3))(4)·H(2)O (1), Ln(V(V)O(2))(SeO(3))(2) (Ln = Eu 2, Gd 3, Tb 4). The structure of Nd(2)(V(V)(2)O(4))(SeO(3))(4)·H(2)O features a 3D framework composed of the 2D layers of [N d(SeO(3))](+) bridged by the infinite [VO(2)(SeO(3))](-) chains with the lattice water molecules located at the 6-membered ring tunnels formed. The structure of Ln(V(V)O(2))(SeO(3))(2) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb) also features a 3D framework composed of 2D layers of [Ln(SeO(3))](+) bridged by the infinite [(VO(2))(SeO(3))](-) double chains. The 1D vanadium oxide selenite chain of 1 differs significantly from those in compounds 2-4 in terms of the coordination modes of the selenite groups and the connectivities between neighbouring VO(6) octahedra. Luminescent and magnetic properties of these compounds were also measured.     

Heterometallic cubanes: syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of lanthanide(III)-nickel(II) architectures

Reactions of lanthanide(III) perchlorate (Ln = Dy, Tb, and Gd), nickel(II) acetate, and ditopic ligand 2-(benzothiazol-2-ylhydrazonomethyl)-6-methoxyphenol (H(2)L) in a mixture of methanol and acetone in the presence of NaOH resulted in the successful assembly of novel Ln(2)Ni(2) heterometallic clusters representing a new heterometallic 3d-4f motif. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that all compounds are isostructural, with the central core composed of distorted [Ln(2)Ni(2)O(4)] cubanes of the general formula [Ln(2)Ni(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(OH)(OAc)(4)(HL)(2)(MeOH)(3)](ClO(4))·3MeOH [Ln = Dy (1), Tb (2), and Gd (3)]. The magnetic properties of all compounds have been investigated. Magnetic analysis on compound 3 indicates ferromagnetic Gd···Ni exchange interactions competing with antiferromagnetic Ni···Ni interactions. Compound 1 displays slow relaxation of magnetization, which is largely attributed to the presence of the anisotropic Dy(III) ions, and thus represents a new discrete [Dy(2)Ni(2)] heterometallic cubane exhibiting probable single-molecule magnetic behavior.     

Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of heteronuclear Cu(II)-Ln(III) (Ln = La, Gd, or Tb) complexes

Facile one-pot reactions led to the formations of dinuclear [CuLn(hmp)2(NO3)3(H2O)2] (Ln = Tb (1.Tb), Gd (1.Gd), or La (1.La)), and trinuclear [Cu2Ln(mmi)4(NO3)(H2O)2](ClO4)(NO3).2H2O (Ln = Tb (2.Tb) or Gd (2.Gd)) and [Cu2La(mmi)4(NO3)2(H2O)](ClO4).2H2O (2.La) with polydentate ligands 2-(hydroxymethyl)-pyridine and 2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-imidazole. In these complexes, each pair of Cu(II) and Ln(III) ions is linked by a double mu-alkoxo bridge. The temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibilities of 1 and 2 were investigated in the range of 2-300 K. The dinuclear and trinuclear Cu-Gd complexes exhibit ferromagnetic interaction. The coupling constant J values in the heterodinuclear Cu-Gd complexes are correlated to values of the dihedral angles alpha between the two O-Cu-O and O-Gd-O fragments of the bridging CuO2Gd networks, with the largest J value associated with the smallest alpha value. The occurrence of a ferromagnetic interaction between Cu(II) and Gd(III) ions of the trinuclear entity is supported by the field dependence of the magnetization. The field dependence of the magnetization at 2 K of 1.Gd and 2.Gd confirms the nature of the ground state and of the Cu(II)-Gd(III) interaction, while alternating current susceptibility measurements demonstrates out-of-phase ac susceptibility signals of 1.Tb, which is the molecule-based magnetic material of the smallest nuclearity which exhibits frequency-dependent behavior within the 3d-4f mixed-metal systems.     

2-Aminoisobutyric acid in Co(II) and Co(II)/Ln(III) chemistry: homometallic and heterometallic clusters

The synthesis and magnetic properties of 13 new homo- and heterometallic Co(II) complexes containing the artificial amino acid 2-amino-isobutyric acid, aibH, are reported: [Co(II)(4)(aib)(3)(aibH)(3)(NO(3))](NO(3))(4)·2.8CH(3)OH·0.2H(2)O (1·2.8CH(3)OH·0.2H(2)O), {Na(2)[Co(II)(2)(aib)(2)(N(3))(4)(CH(3)OH)(4)]}(n) (2), [Co(II)(6)La(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(4)(CH(3)CN)(2)]·0.5[La(NO(3))(6)]·0.75(ClO(4))·1.75(NO(3))·3.2CH(3)CN·5.9H(2)O (3·3.2CH(3)CN·5.9H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Pr(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·[Pr(NO(3))(5)]·0.41[Pr(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.5)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·0.59[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.2(ClO(4))·0.25H(2)O (4·0.25H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Nd(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2.8)(CH(3)OH)(4.7)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·2.7(ClO(4))·0.5(NO(3))·2.26CH(3)OH·0.24H(2)O (5·2.26CH(3)OH·0.24H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Sm(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·[Sm(NO(3))(5)]·0.44[Sm(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.5)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·0.56[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.22(ClO(4))·0.3H(2)O (6·0.3H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Eu(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)OH)(4.87)(H(2)O)(1.13)](ClO(4))(2.5)(NO(3))(0.5)·2.43CH(3)OH·0.92H(2)O (7·2.43CH(3)OH·0.92H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Gd(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2.9)(CH(3)OH)(4.9)(H(2)O)(1.2)]·2.6(ClO(4))·0.5(NO(3))·2.58CH(3)OH·0.47H(2)O (8·2.58CH(3)OH·0.47H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Tb(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·[Tb(NO(3))(5)]·0.034[Tb(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.5)(H(2)O)(0.5)]·0.656[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.343(ClO(4))·0.3H(2)O (9·0.3H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Dy(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2.9)(CH(3)OH)(4.92)(H(2)O)(1.18)](ClO(4))(2.6)(NO(3))(0.5)·2.5CH(3)OH·0.5H(2)O (10·2.5CH(3)OH·0.5H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Ho(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·0.27[Ho(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.35)(H(2)O)(0.15)]·0.656[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.171(ClO(4)) (11), [Co(II)(6)Er(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(4)(NO(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(2.5)(H(2)O)(3.5)](ClO(4))(3)·CH(3)CN·0.75H(2)O (12·CH(3)CN·0.75H(2)O), and [Co(II)(6)Tm(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)(6)]·1.48(ClO(4))·1.52(NO(3))·3H(2)O (13·3H(2)O). Complex 1 describes a distorted tetrahedral metallic cluster, while complex 2 can be considered to be a 2-D coordination polymer. Complexes 3-13 can all be regarded as metallo-cryptand encapsulated lanthanides in which the central lanthanide ion is captivated within a [Co(II)(6)] trigonal prism. dc and ac magnetic susceptibility studies have been carried out in the 2-300 K range for complexes 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13, revealing the possibility of single molecule magnetism behavior for complex 10.     

Structural,electrical, and magnetic properties of a series of molecular conductors based on BDT-TTP and lanthanoid nitrate complex anions (BDT-TTP = 2,5-Bis(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene)

The platelike crystals of a series of novel molecular conductors, which are based on the pi-donor molecules BDT-TTP (2,5-bis(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene) with a tetrathiapentalene skeleton and lanthanide nitrate complex anions [Ln(NO3)x](3-x)(Ln = La, Ce, (Pr), Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) with localized 4f magnetic moments, were synthesized. Except for the Ce complex, the salts were composed of (BDT-TTP)(5)[Ln(NO(3))(5)] and were isostructural. Even though the Ce crystal had a different composition, (BDT-TTP)(6)[Ce(NO(3))(6)](C(2)H(5)OH)(x)() (x approximately 3), the crystals all had the space group P(-)1. Although the X-ray examination of the Pr salts was insufficient, the existence of two modifications was suggested in these systems by preliminary X-ray examination. Previously, we reported the crystal structures and unique magnetic properties of (BDT-TTP)(5)[Ln(NO(3))(5)] (Ln = Sm, Eu, Nd, Gd). Thus, by combining the results of this work with previous one, we for the first time succeeded in obtaining a complete set of organic conductors composed of the identical pi-donors (BDT-TTP in this case) and all the lanthanide nitrate complex anions (except the complex with Pm(3+)). The crystals were all metallic down to 2 K. Electronic band structure calculations resulted in two-dimensional Fermi surfaces, which was consistent with their stable metallic states. Except for the Lu complex, which lacked paramagnetic moments, the magnetic susceptibilities were measured on the six heavy lanthanide ion complex salts by a SQUID magnetometer (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb). The large paramagnetic susceptibilities, which were caused by the paramagnetic moments of the rare-earth ions, were obtained. The Curie-Weiss law fairly accurately reproduced the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibilities of (BDT-TTP)(5)[Ho(NO(3))(5)] in the experimental temperature range (2-300 K) and a comparatively large Weiss temperature (|THETAV;|) was obtained (THETAV;(Ho) = -15 K). A Weiss temperature (THETAV;(Tm) = -8 K) was also obtained for Tm. The |THETAV;| values of other (BDT-TTP)(5)[Ln(NO(3))(5)] salts and (BDT-TTP)(6)[Ce(NO(3))(6)](C(2)H(5)OH)x(x approximately 3) were as follows: |THETAV;|/K = 4 (Er), < or =2 (Ce, Tb, Dy, Yb). The comparatively strong intermolecular magnetic interaction between Ho(3+) ions, which was suggested by the |THETAV;| value, is inconsistent with the traditional image of strongly localized 4f orbitals shielded by the electrons in the outer 5s and 5p orbitals. The dipole interactions between Ln(3+) ions causing the Curie-Weiss behavior and the comparatively large THETAV; value of (BDT-TTP)(5)[Ho(NO(3))(5)] is inconsistent with the data, since the complexes exhibit isostructural properties and there is not a clear relationship between the magnitudes of THETAV; values and those of magnetic moments. Therefore, it is possible that the 4f orbitals of Ho atom are sensitive to the ligand field, which will have an effect on the orbital moment of the Ho(3+) ion and/or produce a small amount of mixing between 4f and ligand orbitals to give rise to "real" intermolecular antiferromagnetic interaction through intermolecular overlapping between pi (BDT-TTP) and ligand orbitals of lanthanide nitrate complex anions.     

Syntheses, structure, and magnetic properties of hexanuclear Mn(III)(2)M(III)(4) (M = Y, Gd, Tb, Dy) complexes

The synthesis and characterizations of a family of isomorphous [Mn(III)(2)M(III)(4)L(2)(μ(4)-O)(2)(N(3))(2)(CH(3)O)(2)(CH(3)OH)(4)(NO(3))(2)]·2H(2)O (M = Y(1), Gd(2), Tb(3), Dy(4)) are reported, where H(4)L = N,N'-dihydroxyethyl-N,N'-(2-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylbenzyl)ethylenediamine. They were obtained from the reactions of H(4)L with M(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O, Mn(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O, NaN(3) and NEt(3) in a 1?:?1?:?1?:?2?:?2 molar ratio. The core structure consists of a Mn(2)M(4) unit. The four M(III) ions that are held together by two μ(4)-bridging oxygen atoms form a butterfly M(4) moiety. The M(4) core is further connected to the two five-coordinate trigonal-bipyramidal Mn(III) ions via one μ(4)-O(2-), two alkyloxo and one methoxo triple bridges. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate the presence of intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions in complex 2, and overall intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions in complexes 3 and 4. The alternating current (AC) magnetic susceptibility studies revealed that complexes 3 and 4 showed frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals, which indicates that they exhibit slow relaxation of the magnetization.