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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Rational assembly of soluble copper(II) phosphonates: synthesis, structure and magnetism of molecular tetranuclear copper(II) phosphonates

The reactions of the dinuclear copper complexes [Cu(2)(L)(OAc)] [H(3)L = N,N'-(2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis(salicylaldimine) or [Cu(2)(L')(OAc)] (H(3)L' = N,N'-(2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis(4,5-dimethylsalicylaldimine)] with various phosphonic acids, RPO(3)H(2) (R = t-Bu, Ph, c-C(5)H(9), c-C(6)H(11) or 2,4,6-i-Pr(3)-C(6)H(2)), leads to the replacement of the acetate bridge affording tetranuclear copper(II) phosphonates, [Cu(4)(L)(2)(t-BuPO(3))](CH(3)OH)(2)(C(6)H(6)) (1), [Cu(4)(L)(2)(PhPO(3))(H(2)O)(2)(NMe(2)CHO)](H(2)O)(2) (2), [Cu(4)(L')(2)(C(5)H(9)PO(3))](CH(3)OH)(2) (3), [Cu(4)(L')(2)(C(6)H(11)PO(3)](MeOH)(4)(H(2)O)(2) (4) and [Cu(4)(L')(2)(C(30)H(46)P(2)O(5))](PhCH(3)) (5). The molecular structures of 1-4 reveal that a [RPO(3)](2-) ligand is involved in holding the four copper atoms together by a 4.211 coordination mode. In 5, an in situ formed [(RPO(2))(2)O](4-) ligand bridges two pairs of the dinuclear subunits. Magnetic studies on these complexes reveal that the phosphonate ligand is an effective conduit for magnetic interaction among the four copper centers present; a predominantly antiferromagnetic interaction is observed at low temperatures.     

Complexes of copper(II) with 3-(ortho-substituted phenylhydrazo)pentane-2,4-diones: syntheses, properties and catalytic activity for cyclohexane oxidation

Reactions of copper(II) with 3-phenylhydrazopentane-2,4-diones X-2-C(6)H(4)-NHN=C{C(=O)CH(3)}(2) bearing a substituent in the ortho-position [X = OH (H(2)L(1)) 1, AsO(3)H(2) (H(3)L(2)) 2, Cl (HL(3)) 3, SO(3)H (H(2)L(4)) 4, COOCH(3) (HL(5)) 5, COOH (H(2)L(6)) 6, NO(2) (HL(7)) 7 or H (HL(8)) 8] lead to a variety of complexes including the monomeric [CuL(4)(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O 10, [CuL(4)(H(2)O)(2)] 11 and [Cu(HL(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4)] 12, the dimeric [Cu(2)(H(2)O)(2)(μ-HL(2))(2)] 9 and the polymeric [Cu(μ-L(6))](n)] 13 ones, often bearing two fused six-membered metallacycles. Complexes 10-12 can interconvert, depending on pH and temperature, whereas the Cu(II) reactions with 4 in the presence of cyanoguanidine or imidazole (im) afford the monomeric compound [Cu(H(2)O)(4){NCNC(NH(2))(2)}(2)](HL(4))(2)·6H(2)O 14 and the heteroligand polymer [Cu(μ-L(4))(im)](n)15, respectively. The compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (complexes), electrochemical and thermogravimetric studies, as well as elemental analysis, IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopies (diones) and ESI-MS. The effects of the substituents in 1-8 on the HOMO-LUMO gap and the relative stability of the model compounds [Cu(OH)(L(8))(H(2)O)]·H(2)O, [Cu(L(1))(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O and [Cu(L(4))(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O are discussed on the basis of DFT calculations that show the stabilization follows the order: two fused 6-membered > two fused 6-membered/5-membered > one 6-membered metallacycles. Complexes 9, 10, 12 and 13 act as catalyst precursors for the peroxidative oxidation (with H(2)O(2)) of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, in MeCN/H(2)O (total yields of ca. 20% with TONs up to 566), under mild conditions.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure and preliminary reactivity behaviour of new heteropolytopic ligands based on the 1,3,5-triazine spacer and pyrazolyl, tris-pyrazolylmethyl and tris-pyrazolylethoxy bonding fragments

Four new potentially polytopic nitrogen donor ligands based on the 1,3,5-triazine fragment, L(1)-L(4) (L(1) = 2-chloro-4,6-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine, L(2) = N,N'-bis(4,6-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine, L(3) = 2,4,6-tris(tri(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-1,3,5-triazine, and L(4) = 2,4,6-tris(2,2,2-tri(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy)-1,3,5-triazine) have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of L(3) confirms that its molecular nature consists of a 1,3,5-triazine ring bearing three tripodal tris(pyrazolyl) arms. L(1), L(2), and L(4) react with Cu(I), Cu(II), Pd(II) and Ag(I) salts yielding mono-, di-, and oligonuclear derivatives: [Cu(L(1))(Cy(3)P)]ClO(4), [{Ag(2)(L(2))}(CF(3)SO(3))(2)]·H(2)O, [Cu(2)(L(2))(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2)·H(2)O, [Cu(2)(L(2))(CH(3)COO)(2)](CH(3)COO)(2)·3H(2)O, [Pd(2)(L(2))(Cl)(4)]·2H(2)O, [Ru(L(2))(Cl)(OH)]·CH(3)OH, [Ag(3)(L(4))(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(3) and [Ag(3)(L(4))(2)](BF(4))(3). The interaction of L(3) with Ag(I), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ru(II) complexes unexpectedly produced the hydrolysis of the ligand with formation, in all cases, of tris(pyrazolyl)methane (TPM) derivatives. In detail, the already known [Ag(TPM)(2)](CF(3)SO(3)) and [Cu(TPM)(2)](NO(3))(2), as well as the new [Zn(TPM)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) and [Ru(TMP)(p-cymene)]Cl(OH)·2H(2)O complexes have been isolated. Single-crystal XRD determinations on the latter derivatives confirm their formulation, evidencing, for the Ru(II) complex, an interesting supramolecular arrangement of the anions and crystallization water molecules.     

Defect-dicubane Ni2Ln2 (Ln = Dy, Tb) single molecule magnets

Two pairs of Ni(2)Dy(2) and Ni(2)Tb(2) complexes, [Ni(2)Ln(2)(L)(4)(NO(3))(2)(DMF)(2)] {Ln = Dy (1), Tb (2)} and [Ni(2)Ln(2)(L)(4)(NO(3))(2)(MeOH)(2)]·3MeOH {Ln = Dy (3), Tb (4)} (H(2)L is the Schiff base resulting from the condensation of o-vanillin and 2-aminophenol) possessing a defect-dicubane core topology were synthesized and characterized. All four complexes are ferromagnetically coupled, and the two Dy-analogues are found to be Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs) with energy barriers in the range 18-28 K. Compound 1 displays step-like hysteresis loops, confirming the SMM behavior. Although 1 and 3 show very similar structural topologies, the dynamic properties of 1 and 3 are different with blocking temperatures (3.2 and 4.2 K at a frequency of 1500 Hz) differing by 1 K. This appears to result from a change in orientation of the nitrate ligands on the Dy(III) ions, induced by changes in ligands on Ni(II).     

New Cu(II) complexes based on the hydroxo-bridged dinuclear [Cu(OH)2Cu] units: step-like di- and trimerizations of [Cu(OH)2Cu] units

Four new Cu(II) complexes {[Cu(4)(bpy)(4)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)]}(NO(3))(2)(C(7)H(5)O(2))(2)·6H(2)O 1, {[Cu(4)(bpy)(4)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)]}(NO(3))(2)(C(5)H(6)O(4))·8H(2)O 2, {[Cu(4)(bpy)(4)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)]}(C(5)H(6)O(4))(2)·16H(2)O 3 and {[Cu(6)(bpy)(6)(OH)(6)(H(2)O)(2)]}(C(8)H(7)O(2))(6)·12H(2)O 4 were synthesized (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, H(2)(C(5)H(6)O(4)) = glutaric acid, H(C(7)H(5)O(2)) = benzoic acid, H(C(8)H(7)O(2)) = phenyl acetic acid). The building units in 1-3 are the tetranuclear [Cu(4)(bpy)(4)(H(2)O)(2)(μ(2)-OH)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)](4+) complex cations, and in 4 the hexanuclear [Cu(6)(bpy)(6)(H(2)O)(2)(μ(2)-OH)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(4)](6+) complex cations, respectively. The tetra- and hexanuclear cluster cores [Cu(4)(μ(2)-OH)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)] and [Cu(6)(μ(2)-OH)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(4)] in the complex cations could be viewed as from step-like di- and trimerization of the well-known hydroxo-bridged dinuclear [Cu(2)(μ(2)-OH)(2)] entities via the out-of-plane Cu-O(H) bonds. The complex cations are supramolecularly assembled into (4,4) topological networks via intercationic ππ stacking interactions. The counteranions and lattice H(2)O molecules are sandwiched between the 2D cationic networks to form hydrogen-bonded networks in 1-3, while the phenyl acetate anions and the lattice H(2)O molecules generate 3D hydrogen-bonded anionic framework to interpenetrate with the (4,4) topological cationic networks with the hexanuclear complex cations in the channels. The ferromagnetic coupling between Cu(II) ions in the [Cu(4)(μ(2)-OH)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(2)] cores of 1-3 is significantly stronger via equatorial-equatorial OH(-) bridges than via equatorial-apical ones. The outer and the central [Cu(2)(OH)(2)] unit within the [Cu(6)(μ(2)-OH)(2)(μ(3)-OH)(4)] cluster cores in 4 exhibit weak ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions, respectively. Results about i.r. spectra, thermal and elemental analyses are presented.     

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.     

Syntheses, characterization, and magnetic studies of copper(II) complexes with the ligand N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-benzenediamine (1,3-tpbd) and its phenol derivative 2,6-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-p-cresol] (2,6-Htpcd)

The copper(II) complexes [Cu(4)(1,3-tpbd)(2)(H(2)O)(4)(NO(3))(4)](n)(NO(3))(4n)·13nH(2)O (1), [Cu(4)(1,3-tpbd)(2)(AsO(4))(ClO(4))(3)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2)·2H(2)O·0.5CH(3)OH (2), [Cu(4)(1,3-tpbd)(2)(PO(4))(ClO(4))(3)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2)·2H(2)O·0.5CH(3)OH (3), [Cu(2)(1,3-tpbd){(PhO)(2)PO(2)}(2)](2)(ClO(4))(4) (4), and [Cu(2)(1,3-tpbd){(PhO)PO(3)}(2)(H(2)O)(0.69)(CH(3)CN)(0.31)](2)(BPh(4))(4)·Et(2)O·CH(3)CN (5) [1,3-tpbd = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-benzenediamine, BPh(4)(-) = tetraphenylborate] were prepared and structurally characterized. Analyses of the magnetic data of 2, 3, 4, and [Cu(2)(2,6-tpcd)(H(2)O)Cl](ClO(4))(2) (6) [2,6-tpcd = 2,6-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-p-cresolate] show the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions, the bis-terdentate 1,3-tpbd/2,6-tpcd, μ(4)-XO(4) (X = As and P) μ(1,2)-OPO and μ-O(phenolate) appearing as poor mediators of exchange interactions in this series of compounds. Simple orbital symmetry considerations based on the structural knowledge account for the small magnitude of the magnetic couplings found in these copper(II) compounds.     

Planar tetranuclear lanthanide clusters with the Dy4 analogue displaying slow magnetic relaxation

Two isostructural tetranuclear lanthanide clusters of general formula [Ln(III)(4)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(o-van)(4)(O(2)CC(CH(3))(3))(4)(NO(3))(2)]·CH(2)Cl(2)·1.5H(2)O (Ln = Gd (1) and Dy (2)) (o-van = 3-methoxysalicylaldehydato anion) are reported. The metallic cores of both complexes display a planar 'butterfly' arrangement. Magnetic studies show that both are weakly coupled, with 2 displaying probable SMM behaviour.     

Heterospin systems constructed from [Cu2Ln]3+ and [Ni(mnt)2]1-,2- Tectons: First 3p-3d-4f complexes (mnt = maleonitriledithiolato)

New heterospin complexes have been obtained by combining the binuclear complexes [{Cu(H(2)O)L(1)}Ln(O(2)NO)(3)] or [{CuL(2)}Ln(O(2)NO)(3)] (L(1) = N,N'-propylene-di(3-methoxysalicylideneiminato); L(2) = N,N'-ethylene-di(3-methoxysalicylideneiminato); Ln = Gd(3+), Sm(3+), Tb(3+)), with the mononuclear [CuL(1)(2)] and the nickel dithiolene complexes [Ni(mnt)(2)](q)- (q = 1, 2; mnt = maleonitriledithiolate), as follows: (1)infinity[{CuL(1)}(2)Ln(O(2)NO){Ni(mnt)(2)}].Solv.CH(3)CN (Ln = Gd(3+), Solv = CH(3)OH (1), Ln = Sm(3+), Solv = CH(3)CN (2)) and [{(CH(3)OH)CuL(2)}(2)Sm(O(2)NO)][Ni(mnt)(2)] (3) with [Ni(mnt)2]2-, [{(CH(3)CN)CuL(1)}(2)Ln(H(2)O)][Ni(mnt)(2)]3.2CH(3)CN (Ln = Gd(3+) (4), Sm(3+) (5), Tb(3+) (6)), and [{(CH(3)OH)CuL(2)}{CuL(2)}Gd(O(2)NO){Ni(mnt)(2)}][Ni(mnt)(2)].CH(2)Cl(2) (7) with [Ni(mnt))(2]*-. Trinuclear, almost linear, [CuLnCu] motifs are found in all the compounds. In the isostructural 1 and 2, two trans cyano groups from a [Ni(mnt)2]2- unit bridge two trimetallic nodes through axial coordination to the Cu centers, thus leading to the establishment of infinite chains. 3 is an ionic compound, containing discrete [{(CH(3)OH)CuL(2)}(2)Sm(O(2)NO)](2+) cations and [Ni(mnt)(2)](2-) anions. Within the series 4-6, layers of discrete [CuLnCu](3+) motifs alternate with stacks of interacting [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) radical anions, for which two overlap modes, providing two different types of stacks, can be disclosed. The strength of the intermolecular interactions between the open-shell species is estimated through extended Hückel calculations. In compound 7, [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) radical anions coordinate group one of the Cu centers of a trinuclear [Cu(2)Gd] motif through a CN, while discrete [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) units are also present, overlapping in between, but also with the coordinated ones. Furthermore, the [Cu(2)Gd] moieties dimerize each other upon linkage by two nitrato groups, both acting as chelate toward the gadolinium ion from one unit and monodentate toward a Cu ion from the other unit. The magnetic properties of the gadolinium-containing complexes have been determined. Ferromagnetic exchange interactions within the trinuclear [Cu(2)Gd] motifs occur. In the compounds 4 and 7, the [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) radical anions contribution to the magnetization is clearly observed in the high-temperature regime, and most of it vanishes upon temperature decrease, very likely because of the rather strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the open-shell species. The extent of the exchange interaction in the compound 7, which was found to be antiferromagnetic, between the coordinated Cu center and the corresponding [Ni(mnt)(2)](*-) radical anion, bearing mostly a 3p spin type, was estimated through CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations. Compound 6 exhibits a slow relaxation of the magnetization.     

Diverse lanthanide coordination polymers tuned by the flexibility of ligands and the lanthanide contraction effect: syntheses, structures and luminescence

Two new flexible exo-bidentate ligands were designed and synthesized, incorporating different backbone chain lengths bearing two salicylamide arms, namely 2,2'-(2,2'-oxybis(ethane-2,1-diyl)bis(oxy))bis(N-benzylbenzamide) (L(I)) and 2,2'-(2,2'-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))bis(ethane-2,1-diyl))bis(oxy)bis(N-benzylbenzamide) (L(II)). These two structurally related ligands are used as building blocks for constructing diverse lanthanide polymers with luminescent properties. Among two series of lanthanide nitrate complexes which have been characterized by elemental analysis, TGA analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and IR spectroscopy, ten new coordination polymers have been determined using X-ray diffraction analysis. All the coordination polymers exhibit the same metal-to-ligand molar ratio of 2?:?3. L(I), as a bridging ligand, reacts with lanthanide nitrates forming two different types of 2D coordination complexes: herringbone framework {[Ln(2)(NO(3))(6)(L(I))(3)·mC(4)H(8)O(2)](∞) (Ln = La (1), and Pr (2), m = 1, 2)} as type I,; and honeycomb framework {[Ln(2)(NO(3))(6)(L(I))(3)·nCH(3)OH](∞) (Ln = Nd (3), Eu (4), Tb (5), and Er (6), n = 0 or 3)} as type II, which change according to the decrease in radius of the lanthanide. For L(II), two distinct structure types of 1D ladder-like coordination complexes were formed with decreasing lanthanide radii: [Ln(2)(NO(3))(6)(L(II))(3)·2C(4)H(8)O(2)](∞) (Ln = La (7), Pr (8), Nd (9)) as type III, [Ln(2)(NO(3))(6)(L(I))(3)·mC(4)H(8)O(2)·nCH(3)OH](∞) (Ln = Eu (10), Tb (11), and Er (12), m, n = 2 or 0) as type IV. The progressive structural variation from the 2D supramolecular framework to 1D ladder-like frameworks is attributed to the varying chain length of the backbone group in the flexible ligands. The photophysical properties of trivalent Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy complexes at room temperature were also investigated in detail.     

Investigation on structures, luminescent and magnetic properties of Ln(III)-M (M = Fe(II)(HS), Co(II)) coordination polymers

The structures, luminescent and magnetic properties of three series of coordination polymers with formulas-{[Fe(3)Ln(2)(L(1))(6)(H(2)O)(6)]·xH(2)O}(n) (Ln = Pr-Er; 1-9), {[Co(3)Ln(2)(L(1))(6)(H(2)O)(6)]·yH(2)O}(n) (Ln = Pr-Dy, Yb; 10-17) and {[Co(2)Ln(L(2))(HL(2))(2)(H(2)O)(7)]·zH(2)O}(n) (Ln = Eu-Yb; 18-25) (H(2)L(1) = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, H(3)L(2) = 4-hydroxyl-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) were systematically explored in this contribution. [Fe(II)(HS)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (1-9) and [Co(II)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (10-17) series are isostructural, and display 3D porous networks with 1D nanosized channels constructed by Fe/Co-OCO-Ln linkages. Furthermore, two types of "water" pipes are observed in 1D channels. [Co(II)-L(2)-Ln(III)] (18-25) series exhibit 2D open frameworks based on double-stranded helical motifs, which are further assembled into 3D porous structures by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl groups. The variety of the resulting structures is mainly due to the HO-substitution effect. These 3D coordination polymers show considerably high thermal stability, and do not decomposed until 400 °C. The high-spin Fe(II) ion in [Fe(II)(HS)-L(1)-Ln(III)] was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, M?ssbauer spectroscopy and magnetic studies. The luminescent spectra of coordination polymers associated with Sm(III), Eu(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III) were systematically investigated, and indicate that different d-metal ions in d-f systems may result in dissimilar luminescent properties. The magnetic properties of [Fe(II)(HS)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (3, 6, 7, 9, 13), [Co(II)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (15-17) and [Co(II)-L(2)-Ln(III)] (19-24) coordination polymers were also studied, and the χ(M)T values decrease with cooling. For the single ion behavior of Co(II) and Ln(III) ions, the magnetic coupling nature between Fe(II)(HS)/Co(II) and Ln(III) ions cannot be clearly depicted as antiferromagnetic coupling.     

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.     

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.     

Two novel heterometallic Cu(II)-Sr(II) coordination polymers based on 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid: synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties

The syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties are described for two novel 2D heterometallic Cu(II)-Sr(II) coordination polymers {Sr(H(2)O)(6)[(Im)(4)Cu(4)(pdc)(4)Sr(H(2)O)(4)]·6H(2)O}(n) (1) and [Cu(2)(H(2)O)(2)(pdc)(2)Sr(H(2)O)(3)](n) (2) (H(3)pdc = 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid; Im = imidazole). The 1 : 1 : 1 : 5 reaction of SrCl(2)·6H(2)O, Cu(NO(3))(2)·3H(2)O, H(3)pdc and imidazole in H(2)O-EtOH at 120 °C under autogenous pressure gave 1. Complex 2 was obtained from the 1 : 1 : 1 H(3)pdc/Sr(OH)(2)·8H(2)O/Cu(NO(3))(2)·3H(2)O reaction mixture in H(2)O-EtOH under solvothermal conditions. Complex 1 can be described as a 2D grid-shaped network with the four Cu(II) ions in a saddle-like conformation. In complex 2, Sr(II) ions link metalloligands [Cu(2)(pdc)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2-) to generate a 2D layer framework. Variable-temperature solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility studies have been performed in the temperature range 2.0-300 K for complexes 1 and 2. Antiferromagnetic Cu(II)···Cu(II) exchange interactions were found for both 1 and 2.