Electronic phase separation in transition metal oxide systems

Electronic phase separation is increasingly getting recognized as a phenomenon of importance in understanding the magnetic and electron transport properties of transition metal oxides. The phenomenon dominates the rare-earth manganates of the formula Ln(1-x)A(x)MnO(3)(Ln = rare earth and A = alkaline earth) which exhibit ferromagnetism and metallicity as well as charge-ordering, depending on the composition, size of A-site cations and external factors such as magnetic and electric fields. We discuss typical phase separation scenarios in the manganates, with particular reference to Pr(1-x)Ca(x)MnO(3)(x= 0.3-0.4), (La(1-x)Ln(x))(0.7)Ca(0.3)MnO(3)(Ln = Pr, Nd, Gd and Y) and Nd(0.5)Sr(0.5)MnO(3). Besides discussing the magnetic and electron transport properties, we discuss electric field effects. Rare-earth cobaltates of the type Pr(0.7)Ca(0.3)CoO(3) and Gd(0.5)Ba(0.5)CoO(3) also exhibit interesting magnetic and electron transport properties which can be understood in terms of phase separation.     

Synthesis and magnetooptical properties of mesomorphic complexes of lanthanides with β-aminovinyl ketones

Complexes of the composition L(LH)₂Ln(NO₃)₂ (Ln = La, Dy, Gd, Er, Eu, or Tb) were obtained by the reaction of -aminovinyl ketone (LH) with rare earth metal nitrates. All the compounds synthesized are thermotropic liquid crystals having the smectic S_A phase. The values of magnetic anisotropy of these complexes measured by magnetic birefringence are fairly high.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2331–2333, September, 1996.     

Synthesis and reactivity of rare earth metal alkyl complexes stabilized by anilido phosphinimine and amino phosphine ligands

Anilido phosphinimino ancillary ligand H(2)L(1) reacted with one equivalent of rare earth metal trialkyl [Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(3)(thf)(2)] (Ln=Y, Lu) to afford rare earth metal monoalkyl complexes [L(1)LnCH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)(THF)] (1 a: Ln=Y; 1 b: Ln=Lu). In this process, deprotonation of H(2)L(1) by one metal alkyl species was followed by intramolecular C--H activation of the phenyl group of the phosphine moiety to generate dianionic species L(1) with release of two equivalnts of tetramethylsilane. Ligand L(1) coordinates to Ln(3+) ions in a rare C,N,N tridentate mode. Complex l a reacted readily with two equivalents of 2,6-diisopropylaniline to give the corresponding bis-amido complex [(HL(1))LnY(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)] (2) selectively, that is, the C--H activation of the phenyl group is reversible. When 1 a was exposed to moisture, the hydrolyzed dimeric complex [{(HL(1))Y(OH)}(2)](OH)(2) (3) was isolated. Treatment of [Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(3)(thf)(2)] with amino phosphine ligands HL(2-R) gave stable rare earth metal bis-alkyl complexes [(L(2-R))Ln{CH(2)Si(CH(3))(3)}(2)(thf)] (4 a: Ln=Y, R=Me; 4 b: Ln=Lu, R=Me; 4 c: Ln=Y, R=iPr; 4 d: Ln=Y, R=iPr) in high yields. No proton abstraction from the ligand was observed. Amination of 4 a and 4 c with 2,6-diisopropylaniline afforded the bis-amido counterparts [(L(2-R))Y(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)(thf)] (5 a: R=Me; 5 b: R=iPr). Complexes 1 a,b and 4 a-d initiated the ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide with high activity to give atactic polylactides.     

Electronic,Structural and Functional Versatility in Tetrathiafulvalene-Lanthanide Metal–Organic Frameworks

Tetrathiafulvalene-lanthanide (TTF-Ln) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are an interesting class of multifunctional materials in which porosity can be combined with electronic properties such as electrical conductivity, redox activity, luminescence and magnetism. Herein a new family of isostructural TTF-Ln MOFs is reported, denoted as MUV-5(Ln) (Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er), exhibiting semiconducting properties as a consequence of the short intermolecular S⋅⋅⋅S contacts established along the chain direction between partially oxidised TTF moieties. In addition, this family shows photoluminescence properties and single-molecule magnetic behaviour, finding near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence in the Yb/Er derivative and slow relaxation of the magnetisation in the Dy and Er derivatives. As such properties are dependent on the electronic structure of the lanthanide ion, the immense structural, electronic and functional versatility of this class of materials is emphasised.     

A rare earth metallocene containing a 2,2′-azopyridyl radical anion

Introducing spin onto organic ligands that are coordinated to rare earth metal ions allows direct exchange with metal spin centres. This is particularly relevant for the deeply buried 4f-orbitals of the lanthanide ions that can give rise to unparalleled magnetic properties. For efficacy of exchange coupling, the donor atoms of the radical ligand require high-spin density. Such molecules are extremely rare owing to their reactive nature that renders isolation and purification difficult. Here, we demonstrate that a 2,2′-azopyridyl (abpy) radical (S = 1/2) bound to the rare earth metal yttrium can be realized. This molecule represents the first rare earth metal complex containing an abpy radical and is unambigously characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR, UV-Vis-NIR, and IR spectroscopy. In addition, the most stable isotope ⁸⁹Y with a natural abundance of 100% and a nuclear spin of ½ allows an in-depth analysis of the yttrium–radical complex via EPR and HYSCORE spectroscopy. Further insight into the electronic ground state of the radical azobispyridine-coordinated metal complex was realized through unrestricted DFT calculations, which suggests that the unpaired spin density of the SOMO is heavily localized on the azo and pyridyl nitrogen atoms. The experimental results are supported by NBO calculations and give a comprehensive picture of the spin density of the azopyridyl ancillary ligand. This unexplored azopyridyl radical anion in heavy element chemistry bears crucial implications for the design of molecule-based magnets particularly comprising anisotropic lanthanide ions.

Unambiguous characterization of the first 2,2′-azobispyridine radical-containing rare earth metal complex through X-ray crystallography, DFT computations, EPR and HYSCORE spectroscopy.     

Phase separation in metal oxides

A fascinating phenomenon, recently found to occur in certain transition-metal oxides, is phase separation wherein pure, nominally monophasic oxides of transition metals with well-defined compositions separate into two or more phases over a specific temperature range. Such phase separation is entirely reversible, and is generally the result of a competition between charge-localization and -delocalization, the two situations being associated with contrasting electronic and magnetic properties. Coexistence of more than one phase, therefore, gives rise to electronic inhomogeneity and a diverse variety of magnetic, transport, and other properties, not normally expected of the nominal monophasic composition. An interesting feature of phase separation is that it covers a wide range of length scales anywhere between 1-200 nm. While cuprates and manganates, especially the latter, provide excellent examples of phase separation, it is possible that many other transition-metal compounds with extended structures will be found to exhibit phase separation.     

Systematics and anomalies in rare earth/aluminum bromide vapor complexes: thermodynamic properties of the vapor complexes LnAl3Br12 from Ln = Sc to Ln = Lu

Systematics and anomalies in the rare earth/aluminum bromide vapor complexes have been investigated by the phase equilibrium-quenching experiments. The measurements suggest that the LnAl3Br12 complexes are the predominant vapor complexes for the 16 rare earth elements Ln = Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu in the temperature range 601-833 K and pressure range 0.01-0.22 MPa, which is different from the rare earth/aluminum chloride systems, where the predominant vapor complexes are LnAl3Cl12 from Ln = La to Ln = Lu, but LnAl2Cl9 for Ln = Sc and Y are roughly in the same ranges, which indicates the importance of the halogen anion radius on the rare earth vapor complex formation. In the temperature and pressure ranges, gaseous Al2Br6 and AlBr3 are dominant species and the molar fraction of LnAl3Br12 is normally less than 0.01. Thermodynamic functions of the reactions LnBr3(s) + (3/2)Al2Br6(g) = LnAl3Br12(g) were calculated from the measurements for the 16 rare earth elements and then smoothly interpolated for the radioelement Ln = Pm. The standard molar enthalpies and standard molar entropies show significant Gd divergences from LaAl3Br12 to LuAl3Br12 when plotted as functions of the rare earth atomic number. They also suggest nearly linear manner for ScAl3Br12, LuAl3Br12, YAl3Br12, and LaAl3Br12 when plotted as functions of the rare earth ionic radius.     

Preparation,characterization, and properties of two rare earth organic frameworks with 1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid

Reaction of rare earth metal ions with 1H-benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid (H₂BIC) acid yielded two rare earth organic frameworks [Ln(HBIC)₃] _n (Ln?=?Gd 1, Y 2; H₂BIC) under hydrothermal conditions. Both compounds were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their thermal stabilities, luminescent, and magnetic properties were also investigated. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphic and present 2-D networks constructed by bridging-chelating HBIC^? linkers and rare earth cation nodes, in which each asymmetric unit consists of one crystallographically unique Ln(III) ion and three HBIC^? with two kinds of coordination modes. The two compounds exhibit high-thermal stability, stable to 320?°C. Antiferromagnetic interactions between Gd(III) centers for 1 were observed from magnetic susceptibility data. 2 exhibits a strong blue emission band in the solid state.     

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of heteroleptic rare earth metal bis(phenolate) complexes

The synthesis, characterization and reactivity of heteroleptic rare earth metal complexes supported by the carbon-bridged bis(phenolate) ligand 2,2'-methylene-bis(6-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenoxo) (MBMP(2-)) are described. Reaction of (C(5)H(5))(3)Ln(THF) with MBMPH(2) in a 1 : 1.5 molar ratio in THF at 50 degrees C produced the heteroleptic rare earth metal bis(phenolate) complexes (C(5)H(5))Ln(MBMP)(THF)(n) (Ln = La, n = 3 (); Ln = Yb (), Y (), n = 2) in nearly quantitative yields. The residual C(5)H(5)(-) groups in complexes to can be substituted by the bridged bis(phenolate) ligands at elevated temperature to give the neutral rare earth metal bis(phenolate) complexes, and the ionic radii have a profound effect on the structures of the final products. Complex reacted with MBMPH(2) in a 1 : 0.5 molar ratio in toluene at 80 degrees C to produce a dinuclear complex (MBMP)La(THF)(mu-MBMP)(2)La(THF)(2) () in good isolated yield; whereas complexes and reacted with MBMPH(2) under the same conditions to give (MBMP)Ln(MBMPH)(THF)(2) (Ln = Yb (), Y ()) as the final products, in which one hydroxyl group of the phenol is coordinated to the rare earth metal in a neutral fashion. The reactivity of complexes and with some metal alkyls was explored. Reaction of complex with 1 equiv. of AlEt(3) in toluene at room temperature afforded unexpected ligand redistributed products, and a discrete ion pair ytterbium complex [(MBMP)Yb(THF)(2)(DME)][(MBMP)(2)Yb(THF)(2)] () was isolated in moderate yield. Furthermore, reaction of complex with 1 equiv. of ZnEt(2) in toluene gave a ligand redistributed complex [(mu-MBMP)Zn(THF)](2) () in reasonable isolated yield. Similar reaction of complex with ZnEt(2) also afforded complex ; whereas the reaction of complex with 1 equiv. of n-BuLi in THF afforded the heterodimetallic complex [(THF)Yb(MBMP)(2)Li(THF)(2)] (). All of these complexes were well characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and single-crystal structure determination, in the cases of complexes , and -.     

Electron-precise/deficient La(5-x)Ca(x)Ge4 (3.4 < or = x < or = 3.8) and Ce(5-x)Ca(x)Ge4 (3.0 < or = x < or = 3.3): probing low-valence electron concentrations in metal-rich Gd5Si4-type germanides

We report for the first time the syntheses of electron-precise/deficient alloys, Ln5-xCaxGe4 (Ln = La, Ce; x = 3.37, 3.66, 3.82 for La; x = 3.00, 3.20, 3.26 for Ce), in the metal-rich R5Tt4 Zintl system (R = rare earth metal; Tt = Si, Ge). The new alloys extend the phase width from electron-rich to open-shell electron-deficient region in the metal-rich Zintl system and demonstrate possible occurrence of varied electron deficiencies in Zintl phases without structural changes, as a result of other existing structure-forming factors.     

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of rare earth metal amides supported by a diamido ligand with a CH2SiMe2 link

A series of four coordinate rare earth metal amides with general formula ((CH2SiMe2)[(2,6- IPr2C6H3)N]2)LnN(SiMe3)2(THF) [(Ln = Yb(2), Y (3), Dy (4), Sm (5), Nd (6)] containing a diamido ligand (CH2SiMe2)[(2,6-iPr2C6H3)N]2(2-) with a CH2SiMe2 link were synthesized in good yields via reaction of [(Me3Si)2N]3Ln(III)(mu-Cl)Li(THF)3 with the corresponding diamine (CH2SiMe2)[(2,6-iPr2C6H3)NH]2 (1). All compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. Investigation of the catalytic properties of the complexes indicated that all complexes exhibited a high catalytic activity on the cyclotrimerization of aromatic isocyanates, which represents the first example of cyclopentadienyl-free rare earth metal complexes exhibiting a high catalytic activity and a high selectivity on cyclotrimerization of aromatic isocyanates. The temperatures, solvents, catalyst loading, and the rare earth metal effects on the catalytic activities of the complexes were examined.     

Rare earth metal complexes bearing thiophene-amido ligand: synthesis and structural characterization

2,6-diisopropyl-N-(2-thienylmethyl)aniline (H2L) has been prepared, which reacted with equimolar rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2, afforded rare earth metal mono(alkyl) complexes, LLn(CH2SiMe3)(THF)3 (:Ln=Lu; :Ln=Y). In this process, H2L was deprotonated by one metal alkyl species followed by intramolecular C-H activation of the thiophene ring to generate dianionic species L2- with the release of two tetramethylsilane. The resulting L2- combined with three THF molecules and an alkyl unit coordinates to Y3+ and Lu3+ ions, respectively, in a rare N,C-bidentate mode, to generate distorted octahedron geometry ligand core. Whereas, with treatment of H2L with equimolar Sc(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2, a heteroleptic complex (HL)(L)Sc(THF) () was isolated as the main product, where the dianionic L2- species bonds to Sc3+ via chelating N,C atoms whilst the monoanionic HL connects to Sc3+ in an S,N-bidentate mode. All complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.     

两个新型的1，10-菲罗啉桥联多胺配体及其配合物的合成与热力学性质

合成了2个新型的多齿配体：2，9-二-[1′-（2″-苯并咪唑基）-2′-氮杂-正丙基]-1，10-菲罗啉(L₁)和2，9-二-[2′-（2″-苯并咪唑基）-3′-氮杂-正丁基]-1，10-菲罗啉(L₂)并且用元素分析和 ¹H NMR谱作了表征。在25 ± 0.1 ℃，运用pH电位滴定法对这2个新的配体及其与过渡金属离子M(Ⅱ)(M=Co，Ni，Cu，Zn)和稀土金属离子Ln(Ⅲ)(Ln=La，Nd，Sm，Eu，Gd)的配合物进行了热力学稳定性研究。结果表明配体和金属离子的配位比为1∶1，但是，这2个系列的配合物在稳定性方面存在很大差异。     

La9Sb16Br3 and Ce9Sb16Cl3: stars and stripes in rare earth halide and intermetallic compounds

The title compounds were synthesized from Ln, LnX(3) (Ln = La, Ce; X = Cl, Br), and Sb under an Ar atmosphere at 950 degrees C. They crystallize in the space group P6(3)/m (No. 176) with lattice constants a = 21.232(5) and 20.862(2) Angstroms and c = 4.323(2) and 4.2728(7) Angstroms for La(9)Sb(16)Br(3) and Ce(9)Sb(16)Cl(3), respectively. The solids are the most metal-rich members in the reduced rare earth metal halide family and contain partial structures which are characteristic of reduced halides and intermetallic phases. These are the [Ln(6)X(6)](infinity) hexagon stars, Sb-centered [Ln(3)Sb](infinity) trigonal prismatic columns, and stripes of Sb square meshes. Computational analysis indicates that their electronic structure is valence-precise in the reduced halide part, but electron-deficient in the intermetallic part. Susceptibility and resistivity measurements reveal the metallic nature of the compounds.     

三缺位杂多阴离子XW9O34^1^0^-(X=Si,Ge)的稀土衍生物的合成与表征

三缺位杂多阴离子A, α-和A, β-SiW9, A, α-和A, β-GeW9与稀土硝酸盐反应生成A, α-和A, -β[Ln3O3.(X2W9O34)2]^1^7^-(Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd,Er)型杂多阴离子。183W NMR结果表明, 配体XW9O34^1^0^-的结构在反应前后并没有发生明显的变化, 本文还对合成化合物的磁性质及氧化还原性质等进行了研究。     

氯冉酸阴离子桥联的Nd(III)-Nd(III), Dy(III)-Dy(III)和 Ho(III)-Ho(III)双 核配合物的合成与磁性

本文合成了三个以氯冉酸阴离子为桥基的稀土双核配合物,Ln~2(Phen)~4(CA)(NCS)~4(Ln=Nd,Dy,Ho;Phen=菲咯啉;CA=氯冉酸二价阴离子)。通过元素分析,红外光谱,电导,电子吸收光谱及变温(4-300K)磁化率表征了配合物,并由变温磁化率观察到的数据和理论方程通过最小二乘法拟合,得出分子内稀土离子间的相互作用参数:Z'J'=-0.79(Nd),-0.67(Dy),-0.63cm^-^1(Ho);表明稀土离子间存在极弱的反铁磁性交换相互作用。零场分裂参数Δ=-0.16(Nd),-0.76(Dy),-2.55cm^-^1(Ho);g=0.618(Nd),1.739(Dy),1.601(Ho),拟合因子≈10^-^4。     

A study of interface-sustained ferromagnetism in 1/2(1-x)Ln2O3-xSrO/1/3Co3O4 nano-composite

The binary oxide composite, consisting of rock salt-type SrO and spinel Co3O4 nano-domains, exhibits soft ferromagnetic properties at ambient temperature. This ferromagnetism is originated from interface-induction, and the magnitude of the magnetic properties can be enhanced when the spinel phase of the composite is doped by a small amount of Ln2O3 (Ln = La, Nd, for instance). In this work, we study the composites of tri-oxide, 1/2(1-x)Ln2O3-xSrO/1/3Co3O4, where 0.01 < or =1-x < or = 0.6, by focusing on three areas: (i) generation of nano-composite dominant by interfacial phase via the pyrolysis of preceramic metallo-organic gel; (ii) influence of post-pyrolysis calcination and Ln2O3 content on the phase composition of the composite; and (iii) elucidation of different magnetic responses caused by the nature of Ln2O3 dissolved in the Co3O4 phase. The Ln(3+)-doped Co3O4 oxide displays only paramagnetic behavior at room temperature, but the ferromagnetic response is attained upon its mixing with SrO in nano-scale. The SrO phase plays the role in assisting Co3O4 phase with aligning unpaired electrons through interfacial induction.     

Novel One-dimensional Cyano-bridged Chain Molecular-based Magnet[Ln(DMF)4(H2O)2Mn(CN)6·H2O]n:Crystal Structure,Long-range Magnetic Ordering,High Tc and Strong Coercive Behavior

There has been great interest in the study of the magnetic properties of molecular-based compounds^[1,2]. In the present work, we employed N,N-dimethylformide (DMF) as a hybrid ligand to synthesize a new family of cyano-bridged complexes contain rare earth and Manganese:[Ln(DMF)₄(H₂O)₂Mn(CN)₆·H₂O]_n (abbreviated as LnMn, Ln=Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er) and the crystal data of former three complexes has been obtained, which display a remarkable variety of magnetochemical behavior and a rich structural chemistry.