Structure and magnetic properties of a decanuclear Mn(II)₂Mn(III)₂Dy₆ aggregate

Using glycerol (H?gly) as a primary ligand, the decanuclear aggregate [Mn(II)?Mn(III)?Dy?(μ?-OH)?(Hgly)?(H?gly)?-(PhCO?)??(H?O)?]·10CH?CN (1) has been synthesised; it has a structure built up from two Mn?Dy? heterocubane units linked through a central Dy?(μ-benzoate)? paddle-wheel dimer and shows slow relaxation of its magnetisation.     

Manganese clusters derived from a 2,6-diacetylpyridine dioximato ligand: structure and magnetic study

Reactions of 2,6-diacetylpyridine dioxime (dapdoH?) with Mn(NO?)? or Mn(SO?CF?)? under a variety of conditions or co-ligands yield compounds with the formula [Mn?O?(OMe)?(dapdo)?(dapdoH)?](X)? in which X = NO?? (1) or SO?CF?? (2), [Mn?O?(dapdo)?(NO?)?]·H?O (3) and [Mn(dapdoH?)(N?)?](n) (4). Compounds 1, 3 and 4 were structurally characterized and equivalent structures for 1 and 2 were inferred from spectroscopic and analytical results. Compounds 1 and 2 consist of hexanuclear Mn?(II)Mn?(III) complexes whereas 3 consists of an octanuclear Mn?(II)Mn?(III) cluster in which the manganese atoms exhibit a rare bicapped elongated octahedral topology. Compound 4 consists of a 1D system bridged by double end-on azido ligands. Variable temperature magnetic studies were performed between 2-300 K, confirming the ground state S = 5 for 1 and 2, S = 0 for 3 and ferromagnetic response for 4.     

A family of double-bowl pseudo metallocalix[6]arene discs

We report the synthesis and magnetic characterisation of a series of planar [M?] (M= Ni(II), Zn(II)) disc complexes [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)? (1), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeOH (2), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·3MeNO? (3), [Ni?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeCN (4), [Zn?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·2MeOH·H?O (5) and [Zn?(OH)?(L?)?](NO?)?·3MeNO? (6) (where HL? = 2-iminomethyl-6-methoxy-phenol, HL? = 2-iminomethyl-4-bromo-6-methoxy-phenol). Each member exhibits a double-bowl pseudo metallocalix[6]arene topology whereby the individual [M?] units form molecular host cavities which are able to accommodate various guest molecules (MeCN, MeNO? and MeOH). Magnetic susceptibility measurements carried out on complexes 1 and 4 indicate weak exchange between the Ni(II) centres.     

Supertetrahedral icosanuclear and ring-like decanuclear mixed valent manganese(II/III) triethanolamine clusters

The synthesis and characterisation of three new mixed-valent manganese clusters [Mn(II)?Mn(III)??O??(OH)?(tea)?(chp)?]·6MeOH·4H?O (1), [Mn(II)?Mn(III)?(teaH)?(teaH?)?(tpaa)?(F)?]·2Et?O·4MeCN (2) and [Mn(II)?Mn(III)?(teaH)?(teaH?)?(2-bpca)?(F)?]·4MeCN (3) are reported. They were obtained by the reaction of simple manganese salts with triethanolamine (teaH?), triethylamine (NEt?) and the appropriate co-ligand. In the case of 1, 6-chloro-2-hydroxypyridine (Hchp) was used, for 2, triphenylacetic acid (tpaa) and 3, 2-biphenylcarboxylic acid (2-bpca). The core of 1 is a Mn?? supertetrahedron, while the cores of 2 and 3 are identical and have distorted ring-like topologies. Variable-temperature, solid-state DC and AC magnetic studies were performed on 1-3 in the 2-300 K (DC) and 2-18 K (AC) ranges. Cluster 1 has a S = 9 ground state with excited S states, larger in value than 9, close in energy. No SMM features were apparent in 1. In contrast, clusters 2 and 3, with S = 12 or 13 ground states, and with excited S levels of lower value than 12 lying close in energy, do show SMM features, albeit below 2 K in their AC out-of-phase, frequency dependent data.     

Variation of the ground spin state in homo- and hetero-octanuclear copper(II) and nickel(II) double-star complexes with a meso-helicate-type metallacryptand core

Homo- and heterometallic octanuclear complexes of formula Na?{[Cu?(mpba)?][Cu(Me?dien)]?}-(ClO?)?·12H?O (1), Na?{[Cu?(Mempba)?][Cu(Me?dien)]?}(ClO?)?·12H?O (2), Na?{[Ni?(mpba)?]-[Cu(Me?dien)]?}(ClO?)?·12H?O (3), Na?{[Ni?(Mempba)?][Cu(Me?dien)]?}(ClO?)?·9H?O (4), {[Ni?(mpba)?][Ni(dipn)(H?O)]?}(ClO?)?·12.5H?O (5), and {[Ni?(Mempba)?][Ni(dipn)-(H?O)]?}(ClO?)?·12H?O (6) [mpba = 1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate), Mempba = 4-methyl-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate), Me?dien = N,N,N',N',N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, and dipn = dipropylenetriamine] have been synthesized through the "complex-as-ligand/complex-as-metal" strategy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of 1, 3, and 5 show cationic M(II)?M'(II)? entities (M, M' = Cu and Ni) with an overall double-star architecture, which is made up of two oxamato-bridged M(II)M'(II)? star units connected through three meta-phenylenediamidate bridges between the two central metal atoms leading to a binuclear metallacryptand core of the meso-helicate-type. Dc magnetic susceptibility data for 1-6 in the temperature range 2-300 K have been analyzed through a "dimer-of-tetramers" model [H = - J(S(1A)·S(3A) + S(1A)·S(4A) + S(1A)·S(5A) + S(2B)·S(6B) + S(2B)·S(7B) + S(2B)·S(8B)) - J'S(1A)·S(2B), with S(1A) = S(2B) = S(M) and S(3A) = S(4A) = S(5A) = S(6B) = S(7B) = S(8B) = S(M')]. The moderate to strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the M(II) and M'(II) ions through the oxamate bridge in 1-6 (-J(Cu-Cu) = 52.0-57.0 cm?1, -J(Ni-Cu) = 39.1-44.7 cm?1, and -J(Ni-Ni) = 26.3-26.6 cm?1) leads to a non-compensation of the ground spin state for the tetranuclear M(II)M'(II)? star units [S(A) = S(B) = 3S(M') - S(M) = 1 (1 and 2), 1/2 (3 and 4), and 2 (5 and 6)]. Within the binuclear M(II)? meso-helicate cores of 1-4, a moderate to weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the M(II) ions (-J'(Cu-Cu) = 28.0-48.0 cm?1 and -J'(Ni-Ni) = 0.16-0.97 cm?1) is mediated by the triple m-phenylenediamidate bridge to give a ground spin singlet (S = S(A) - S(B) = 0) state for the octanuclear M(II)?Cu(II)? molecule. Instead, a weak ferromagnetic coupling between the Ni(II) ions (J'(Ni-Ni) = 2.07-3.06 cm?1) operates in the binuclear Ni(II)? meso-helicate core of 5 and 6 leading thus to a ground spin nonet (S = S(A) + S(B) = 4) state for the octanuclear Ni(II)? molecule. Dc magnetization data for 5 reveal a small but non-negligible axial magnetic anisotropy (D = -0.23 cm?1) of the S = 4 Ni(II)? ground state with an estimated value of the energy barrier for magnetization reversal of 3.7 cm?1 (U = -DS2). Ac magnetic susceptibility data for 5 show an unusual slow magnetic relaxation behaviour at low temperatures which is typical of "cluster glasses". The temperature dependence of the relaxation time for 5 has been interpreted on the basis of the Vogel-Fulcher law for weakly interacting clusters, with values of 2.5 K, 1.4 × 10?? s, and 4.0 cm?1 for the intermolecular interaction parameter (T?), the pre-exponential factor (τ?), and the effective energy barrier (U(eff)), respectively.     

A missing high-spin molecule in the family of cyanido-bridged heptanuclear heterometal complexes, [(LCu(II))₆Fe(III)(CN)₆]3+, and its Co(III) and Cr(III) analogues, accompanied in the crystal by a novel octameric water cluster

Three isostructural cyanido-bridged heptanuclear complexes, [{Cu(II)(saldmen)(H?O)}?{M(III)(CN)?}]-(ClO?)?·8H?O (M= Fe(III) 2; Co(III), 3; Cr(III) 4), have been obtained by reacting the dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu?(saldmen)?(μ-H?O)(H?O)?](ClO?)?·2H?O 1, with K?[Co(CN)?], K?[Fe(CN)?], and K?[Cr(CN)?], respectively (Hsaldmen is the Schiff base resulting from the condensation of salicylaldehyde with N,N-dimethylethylenediamine). A unique octameric water cluster, with bicyclo[2,2,2]octane-like structure, is sandwiched between the heptanuclear cations in 2, 3 and 4. The cryomagnetic investigations of compounds 2 and 4 reveal ferromagnetic couplings of the central Fe(III) or Cr(III) ions with the Cu(II) ions (J(CuFe) = +0.87 cm?1, J(CuCr) = +30.4 cm?1). The intramolecular Cu···Cu exchange interaction in 3, across the diamagnetic cobalt(III) ion, is -0.3 cm?1. The solid-state 1H-NMR spectra of compounds 2 and 3 have been investigated.     

Study of the luminescent and magnetic properties of a series of heterodinuclear [Zn(II)Ln(III)] complexes

Herein, we report the synthesis, structural investigation, and magnetic and photophysical properties of a series of 13 [Zn(II)Ln(III)] heterodinuclear complexes, which have been obtained employing a Schiff-base compartmental ligand derived from o-vanillin [H(2)valpn = 1,3-propanediylbis(2-iminomethylene-6-methoxy-phenol)]. The complexes have been synthesized starting from the [Zn(valpn)(H(2)O)] mononuclear compound and the corresponding lanthanide nitrates. The crystallographic investigation indicated two structural types: the first one, [Zn(H(2)O)(valpn)Ln(III)(O(2)NO)(3)], contains 10-coordinated Ln(III) ions, while in the second one, [Zn(ONO(2))(valpn)Ln(III)(H(2)O)(O(2)NO)(2)]·2H(2)O, the rare earth ions are nine-coordinated. The Zn(II) ions always display a square-pyramidal geometry. The first structural type encompasses the larger Ln ions (4f(0)-4f(9)), while the second is found for the smaller ions (4f(8)-4f(11)). The dysprosium derivative crystallizes in both forms. Luminescence studies for the heterodinuclear compounds containing Nd(III), Sm(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), and Yb(III) revealed that the [Zn(valpn)(H(2)O)] moiety acts as an antenna. The magnetic properties for the paramagnetic [Zn(II)Ln(III)] complexes have been investigated.     

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.     

Ferromagnetic manganese "cubes": from PSII to single-molecule magnets

The reaction of Mn(O?CMe)?·2H?O with Me-saoH? (Me-saoH? = 2-hydroxyphenylethanone oxime) in MeCN forms the complex [Mn(III)?(Me-sao)?(Me-saoH)?] (1) in good yields. Replacing Me-saoH? with Naphth-saoH? (Naphth-saoH? = 2-hydroxy-1-napthaldoxime) in the presence of CH?ONa forms the complex [Mn(III)?(Naphth-sao)?(Naphth-saoH)?] (2) in low yields, while the reaction between Mn(ClO?)?·6H?O, Et-saoH? (Et-saoH?= 2-hydroxypropiophenone oxime) and NBu?OH in MeCN gives the complex [Mn(III)?(Et-sao)?(Et-saoH)?] (3) in moderate yields. All three tetrametallic cages exclusively contain Mn(III) centres arranged in a "cube"-like topology, in which the metal centres are connected by -N-O(oximate) groups. The magnetic properties of 1-3 are near identical, revealing the presence of only ferromagnetic interactions between the metal ions leading to high-spin ground states of S = 8. The complexes display frequency dependent out-of-phase signals in ac susceptibility studies and, in the case of 1 single-molecule magnetism has been observed by means of single-crystal hysteresis loop measurements.     

Co₃(2-OOCC₆H₄PO₃)₂(H₂O)₃·H₂O: a layered metal phosphonate showing reversible dehydration-rehydration behavior and ferrimagnetism

Two isostructural metal phosphonates M?(2-cpp)?(H?O)?·H?O [M(II) = Co (1), Zn (2), 2-cppH? = 2-carboxyphenylphosphonic acid] are synthesized and structurally characterized. Both exhibit layer structures in which -Co-O- "columns" are connected by the {PO?C} linkages. The "column" consists of triangular shaped {M?O?} trimers, inter-linked through either corner- or edge-sharing of the {MO?} octahedra. The phenyl groups are grafted on the two sides of the inorganic layer. Thermal analyses suggest that the layer structures of 1 and 2 are stable after removal of the lattice and coordination water. The dehydrated sample can be rehydrated reversibly in the case of compound 1. Magnetic studies reveal that antiferromagnetic interactions dominate in both 1 and 1-de, resulting in ferrimagnetic layers in both cases. The large inter-layer distance in 1 favors a ferromagnetic interaction between the layers. Hence ferrimagnetism is observed in both cases at low temperature. For 1-de, slow magnetization relaxation is also observed below ca. 2.8 K.     

键长和电子效应共同调控的β-二酮Dy(Ⅲ)配合物的合成、结构与磁性

以N-乙基-3-吲哚三氟甲基β-二酮(EIFD)为主配体,分别以乙二醇单甲醚(EM)、乙二醇二甲醚(EDM)、二缩三乙二醇(TEG)为辅助配体,与DyCl3·6H2O反应合成了一系列Dy(Ⅲ)配合物[Dy(EIFD)3(EM)]·CH2Cl2(1)、[Dy(EIFD)3(EDM)]·CH2Cl2(2)和[Dy(EIFD)3(TEG)](3)。X射线单晶衍射分析表明,3个配合物都是八配位的单核结构,配位构型分别为双帽三棱柱、正十二面体和双帽三棱柱,分别具有C2v、D2d和C2v对称性。磁学性质显示了配合物1~3具有慢弛豫现象,能垒分别为95.1 K (1)、40.5 K (2)、53.8和13.4 K (3),且配合物1和3有明显的蝴蝶状磁滞回线。进一步讨论了配合物中Dy-O键长和含氧辅助配体的电子效应对配合物有效翻转能垒的影响。     

NMR study of ligand exchange and electron self-exchange between oxo-centered trinuclear clusters [Fe3(μ3-O)(μ-O2CR)6(4-R'py)3](+/0)

The syntheses, single crystal X-ray structures, and magnetic properties of the homometallic μ?-oxo trinuclear clusters [Fe?(μ?-O)(μ-O?CCH?)?(4-Phpy)?](ClO?) (1) and [Fe?(μ?-O)(μ-O?CAd)?(4-Mepy)?](NO?) (2) are reported (Ad = adamantane). The persistence of the trinuclear structure within 1 and 2 in CD?Cl? and C?D?Cl? solutions in the temperature range 190-390 K is demonstrated by 1H NMR. An equilibrium between the mixed pyridine clusters [Fe?(μ?-O)(μ-O?CAd)?(4-Mepy)(3-x)(4-Phpy)(x)](NO?) (x = 0, 1, 2, 3) with a close to statistical distribution of these species is observed in CD?Cl? solutions. Variable-temperature NMR line-broadening made it possible to quantify the coordinated/free 4-Rpy exchanges at the iron centers of 1 and 2: k(ex)2?? = 6.5 ± 1.3 × 10?1 s?1, ΔH(?) = 89.47 ± 2 kJ mol?1, and ΔS(?) = +51.8 ± 6 J K?1 mol?1 for 1 and k(ex)2?? = 3.4 ± 0.5 × 10?1 s?1, ΔH(?) = 91.13 ± 2 kJ mol?1, and ΔS(?) = +51.9 ± 5 J K?1 mol?1 for 2. A limiting D mechanism is assigned for these ligand exchange reactions on the basis of first-order rate laws and positive and large entropies of activation. The exchange rates are 4 orders of magnitude slower than those observed for the ligand exchange on the reduced heterovalent cluster [Fe(III)?Fe(II)(μ?-O)(μ-O?CCH?)?(4-Phpy)?] (3). In 3, the intramolecular Fe(III)/Fe(II) electron exchange is too fast to be observed. At low temperatures, the 1/3 intermolecular second-order electron self-exchange reaction is faster than the 4-Phpy ligand exchange reactions on these two clusters, suggesting an outer-sphere mechanism: k?2?? = 72.4 ± 1.0 × 103 M?1 s?1, ΔH(?) = 18.18 ± 0.3 kJ mol?1, and ΔS(?) = -90.88 ± 1.0 J K?1 mol?1. The [Fe?(μ?-O)(μ-O?CCH?)?(4-Phpy)?](+/0) electron self-exchange reaction is compared with the more than 3 orders of magnitude faster [Ru?(μ?-O)(μ-O?CCH?)?(py)?](+/0) self-exchange reaction (ΔΔG(exptl)(?298) = 18.2 kJ mol?1). The theoretical estimated self-exchange rate constants for both processes compare reasonably well with the experimental values. The equilibrium constant for the formation of the precursor to the electron-transfer and the free energy of activation contribution for the solvent reorganization to reach the electron transfer step are taken to be the same for both redox couples. The larger ΔG(exptl)(?298) for the 1/3 iron self-exchange is attributed to the larger (11.1 kJ mol?1) inner-sphere reorganization energy of the 1 and 3 iron clusters in addition to a supplementary energy (6.1 kJ mol?1) which arises as a result of the fact that each encounter is not electron-transfer spin-allowed for the iron redox couple.     

Heterometallic cubane-like {M2Ln2} (M = Ni, Zn; Ln =, Gd, Dy) and {Ni2Y2} aggregates. Synthesis, structures and magnetic properties

The syntheses, structural determinations and magnetic studies of tetranuclear M(II)Ln(III) complexes (M = Ni, Zn; Ln = Y, Gd, Dy) involving an in situ compartmentalized schiff base ligand HL derived from the condensation of o-vanillin and 2-hydrazinopyridine as main ligand are described. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that all complexes are closely isostructural, with the central core composed of distorted {M(2)Ln(2)O(4)} cubes of the formulas [Ni(2)Ln(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(L)(2)(OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(3.5)](ClO(4))(2)·3H(2)O (Ln = Y 1 and Gd 2), [Ni(2)Dy(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(L)(2)(OAc)(5)(EtOH)(H(2)O)(1.5)](ClO(4))·EtOH·H(2)O (3) and [Zn(2)Ln(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(L)(2)(OAc)(5)(EtOH)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))·2EtOH·1.5H(2)O (Gd 4 and Dy 5). The Ln(III) ions are linked by two hydroxo bridges and each M(II) ion is also involved in a double phenoxo-hydroxo bridge with the two Ln(III) ions, so that each hydroxo group is triply linked to the two Ln(III) and one M(II) ions. The magnetic properties of all complexes have been investigated. Ni(2)Y(2) (1) has a ferromagnetic Ni(II)Ni(II) interaction. A weak ferromagnetic Ni(II)Ln(III) interaction is observed in the Ni(2)Ln(2) complexes (Ln = Gd 2, Dy 3), along with a weak antiferromagnetic Ln(III)Ln(III) interaction, a D zero-field splitting term for the nickel ion and a ferromagnetic Ni(II)Ni(II) interaction. The isomorphous Zn(2)Ln(2) (Ln = Gd 4, Dy 5) does confirm the presence of a weak antiferromagnetic Ln(III)Ln(III) interaction. The Ni(2)Dy(2) complex (3) does not behave as a SMM, which could result from a subtractive combination of the Dy and Ni anisotropies and an increased transverse anisotropy, leading to large tunnel splittings and quantum tunneling of magnetization. On the other hand, Zn(2)Dy(2) (5) exhibits a possible SMM behavior, where its slow relaxation of magnetization is probably attributed to the presence of the anisotropic Dy(III) ions.     

High nuclearity manganese(III) compounds containing phenol-pyrazole ligands: the influence of the ligand on the core geometry

Three high-nuclearity manganese(III) clusters have been synthesized and characterized: [Mn?(μ?-O)?(phpzH)?(thf)?] (1), [Mn?(μ?-O)?(phpzH)?(EtOH)?]·2EtOH (2), and [Mn?(μ?-O)?(μ?-Br)?(HphpzEt)?(phpzEt)] (3). Compounds 1 and 2 contain a [Mn?(μ?-O?)(phpzH)?] core in which antiferromagnetic interactions between the manganese(III) ions are found. Compound 3 is a hexanuclear manganese(III) cluster in which weak ferromagnetic interactions appear to be operative. The formation and the stability of the cluster cores in relation to the type of phenol-pyrazole ligand and the reaction conditions are discussed.     

Preparation, crystal structures, and magnetic features for a series of dinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)] Schiff-base complexes: evidence for slow relaxation of the magnetization for the Dy(III) derivative

A series of dinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)] Schiff-base complexes (using a Schiff-base dicompartmental ligand derived from o-vanillin [H(2)valpn = 1,3-propanediylbis(2-iminomethylene-6-methoxy-phenol)]) with Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and a hydroxo-bridged tetranuclear [Ni(II)Yb(III)] are reported. The crystal structures have been solved for 10 dinuclear complexes revealing four arrangements for the dinuclear units, which are modulated by the coordinated solvent molecules and the nitrato-anion interactions. The magnetic behaviors have been investigated, and the nature of the Ni(II)-Ln(III) exchange interaction has been emphasized by comparison with the behavior of the related [Zn(II)Ln(III)] derivatives. This allowed for establishing that the interaction within these compounds is antiferromagnetic with the 4f ions of the beginning of the Ln series and turns ferromagnetic from Gd(III) toward the end of the series. AC susceptibility investigations clearly show the occurrence of slow relaxation processes of the magnetization close to 2 K for the dinuclear [Ni(II)Dy(III)] complex.     

From a Dy(III) Single Molecule Magnet (SMM) to a Ferromagnetic [Mn(II)Dy(III)Mn(II)] Trinuclear Complex

The Schiff base compound 2,2'-{[(2-aminoethyl)imino]bis[2,1-ethanediyl-nitriloethylidyne]}bis-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid (H(4)L) as a proligand was prepared in situ. This proligand has three potential coordination pockets which make it possible to accommodate from one to three metal ions allowing for the possible formation of mono-, di-, and trinuclear complexes. Reaction of in situ prepared H(4)L with Dy(NO(3))(3)·5H(2)O resulted in the formation of a mononuclear complex [Dy(H(3)L)(2)](NO(3))·(EtOH)·8(H(2)O) (1), which shows SMM behavior. In contrast, reaction of in situ prepared H(4)L with Mn(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O and Dy(NO(3))(3)·5H(2)O in the presence of a base resulted in a trinuclear mixed 3d-4f complex (NHEt(3))(2)[Dy{Mn(L)}(2)](ClO(4))·2(H(2)O) (2). At low temperatures, compound 2 is a weak ferromagnet. Thus, the SMM behavior of compound 1 can be switched off by incorporating two Mn(II) ions in close proximity either side of the Dy(III). This quenching behavior is ascribed to the presence of the weak ferromagnetic interactions between the Mn(II) and Dy(III) ions, which at T > 2 K act as a fluctuating field causing the reversal of magnetization on the dysprosium ion. Mass spectrometric ion signals related to compounds 1 and 2 were both detected in positive and negative ion modes via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) reactions with ND(3) were performed in a FT-ICR Penning-trap mass spectrometer.     

Structures and magnetic properties of an antiferromagnetically coupled polymeric copper(II) complex and ferromagnetically coupled hexanuclear nickel(II) clusters

Reactions between 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol (DFMF) and tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (THMAM = H(3)L2) in the presence of copper(II) salts, CuX(2) (X = CH(3)CO(2)(-), BF(4)(-), ClO(4)(-), Cl(-), NO(3)(-)) and Ni(CH(3)CO(2))(2) or Ni(ClO(4))(2)/NaC(6)H(5)CO(2), sodium azide (NaN(3)), and triethylamine (TEA), in one pot self-assemble giving a coordination polymer consisting of repeating pentanuclear copper(II) clusters {[Cu(2)(H(5)L(2-))(μ-N(3))](2)[Cu(N(3))(4)]·2CH(3)OH}(n) (1) and hexanuclear Ni(II) complexes [Ni(6)(H(3)L1(-))(2)(HL2(2-))(2)(μ-N(3))(4)(CH(3)CO(2))(2)]·6C(3)H(7)NO·C(2)H(5)OH (2) and [Ni(6)(H(3)L1(-))(2)(HL2(2-))(2)(μ-N(3))(4)(C(6)H(5)CO(2))(2)]·3C(3)H(7)NO·3H(2)O·CH(3)OH (3). In 1, H(5)L(2-) and in 2 and 3 H(3)L1(-) and HL2(2-) represent doubly deprotonated, singly deprotonated, and doubly deprotonated Schiff-base ligands H(7)L and H(4)L1 and a tripodal ligand H(3)L2, respectively. 1 has a novel double-stranded ladder-like structure in which [Cu(N(3))(4)](2-) anions link single chains comprised of dinuclear cationic subunits [Cu(2)(H(5)L(2-))(μ-N(3))](+), forming a 3D structure of interconnected ladders through H bonding. Nickel(II) clusters 2 and 3 have very similar neutral hexanuclear cores in which six nickel(II) ions are bonded to two H(4)L1, two H(3)L2, four μ-azido, and two μ-CH(3)CO(2)(-)/μ-C(6)H(5)CO(2)(-) ligands. In each structure two terminal dinickel (Ni(2)) units are connected to the central dinickel unit through four doubly bridging end-on (EO) μ-azido and four triply bridging μ(3)-methoxy bridges organizing into hexanuclear units. In each terminal dinuclear unit two nickel centers are bridged through one μ-phenolate oxygen from H(3)L1(-), one μ(3)-methoxy oxygen from HL2(2-), and one μ-CH(3)CO(2)(-) (2)/μ-C(6)H(5)CO(2)(-) (3) ion. Bulk magnetization measurements on 1 show moderately strong antiferromagnetic coupling within the [Cu(2)] building block (J(1) = -113.5 cm(-1)). Bulk magnetization measurements on 2 and 3 demonstrate that the magnetic interactions are completely dominated by ferromagnetic coupling occurring between Ni(II) ions for all bridges with coupling constants (J(1), J(2), and J(3)) ranging from 2.10 to 14.56 cm(-1) (in the ? = -J(1)(?(1)?(2)) - J(1)(?(2)?(3)) - J(2)(?(3)?(4)) - J(1)(?(4)?(5)) - J(1)(?(5)?(6)) - J(2)(?(1)?(6)) - J(3)(?(2)?(6)) - J(3)(?(2)?(5)) - J(3)(?(3)?(5)) convention).     

Ligand field-tuned single-molecule magnet behaviour of 2p-4f complexes

Three new 2p-4f complexes of [Ln(acac)(3)(NIT-2Py)]·0.5NIT-2Py [Ln(III) = Gd(1), Dy(2)] and [Dy(tfa)(3)(NIT-2Py)]·0.5C(7)H(16) (3) (NIT-2Py = 2-(2'-pyridyl)- 4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide; acac = acetylacetonate and tfa = trifluoroacetylacetonate) have been synthesized, and structurally and magnetically characterized. The X-ray structural analysis exhibits that the three complexes show similar mononuclear structures, in which NIT-2Py radical chelates the Ln(III) ion through the oxygen atom of the NO group and the nitrogen atom from the pyridine ring. The static magnetic measurements on the three complexes exhibit ferromagnetic coupling between the lanthanide ion and the radical. Compared to the silence of the out-of-phase ac susceptibility of complex 3, the magnetic relaxation behavior of complex 2 is observed, suggesting single-molecule magnet behavior. The different magnetic relaxation behaviours of 2 and 3 are due to their slightly different crystal structure around the Dy(III) ions. It was demonstrated that the spin dynamic can be modified by the careful adjustment of the ligand field around the metal center.     

Structure, magnetism and theory of a family of nonanuclear Cu(II)5Ln(III)4-triethanolamine clusters displaying single-molecule magnet behaviour

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic studies are reported for four new heterometallic Cu(II)-Ln(III) clusters. The reaction of Cu(NO(3))(2)·3H(2)O with triethanolamine (teaH(3)), pivalic acid, triethylamine and Ln(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O (Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho) results in the formation of four isostructural nonanuclear complexes of general formula [Cu(II)(5)Ln(III)(4)O(2)(teaH)(4){O(2)CC(CH(3))(3)}(2)(NO(3))(4)(OMe)(4)]·2MeOH·2Et(2)O [Ln=Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3) and Ho (4)]. The metal core of each cluster is made up of four face- and vertex-sharing tetrahedral units. Solid-state DC magnetic susceptibility studies reveal competing anti- and ferromagnetic interactions within each cluster leading to large-spin ground states for 1-4. Solid-state AC magnetic susceptibility studies show frequency-dependent out-of-phase (χ'(M)) signals for 2-4 below 4 K, suggestive of single-molecule magnet behaviour. Ab initio calculations on one of the anisotropic examples (3) provided a rare set of J values for Dy-Cu and Cu-Cu exchange interactions (Dy-Dy zero), some ferro- and some antiferromagnetic in character, that explain its magnetic behaviour.     

Making the golden connection: reversible mechanochemical and vapochemical switching of luminescence from bimetallic gold-silver clusters associated through aurophilic interactions

Aiming at the development of new architectures within the context of the quest for strongly luminescent materials with tunable emission, we utilized the propensity of the robust bimetallic clusters [Au?Ag?(R(I)/R(II))?] (R(I) = 4-C?F?I, R(II) = 2-C?F?I) for self-assembly through aurophilic interactions. With a de novo approach that combines the coordination and halogen-bonding potential of aromatic heteroperhalogenated ligands, we have generated a family of remarkably luminescent bimetallic materials that provide grounds to address the relevance, relative effects, and synergistic action of the two interactions in the underlying photophysics. By polymerizing the green-emitting (λ(max)(em) = 540 nm) monomer [Au?Ag?R(II)?(tfa)?]2? (tfa = trifluoroacetate) to a red-emitting (λ(max)(em) = 660 nm) polymer [Au?Ag?R(II)?(MeCN)?](n), we demonstrate herein that the degree of cluster association in these materials can be effectively and reversibly switched simply by applying mechanochemical and/or vapochemical stimuli in the solid state as well as by solvatochemistry in solution, the reactions being coincident with a dramatic switching of the intense, readily perceptible photoluminescence. We demonstrate that the key event in the related equilibrium is the evolution of a metastable yellow emitter (λ(max)(em) = 580 nm) for which the structure determination in the case of the ligand R(II) revealed a dimeric nonsolvated topology [Au?Ag?R(II)?]?. Taken together, these results reveal a two-stage scenario for the aurophilic-driven self-assembly of the bimetallic clusters [Au?Ag?(R(I)/R(II))?]: (1) initial association of the green-emitting monomers to form metastable yellow-emitting dimers and desolvation followed by (2) resolvation of the dimers and their self-assembly to form a red-emitting linear architecture with delocalized frontier orbitals and a reduced energy gap. The green emission from [Au?Ag?R(II)?(tfa)?]2? (λ(max)(em) = 540 nm) exceeds the highest energy observed for [Au?Ag?]-based structures to date, thereby expanding the spectral slice for emission from related structures beyond 140 nm, from the green region to the deep-red region.