Ln12‐Containing 60‐Tungstogermanates: Synthesis,Structure, Luminescence,and Magnetic Studies

A new class of hexameric Ln₁₂‐containing 60‐tungstogermanates, [Na(H₂O)₆?Eu₁₂(OH)₁₂(H₂O)₁₈Ge₂(GeW₁₀O₃₈)₆]^39? ( Eu₁₂ ), [Na(H₂O)₆?Gd₁₂(OH)₆(H₂O)₂₄Ge(GeW₁₀O₃₈)₆]^37? ( Gd₁₂ ), and [(H₂O)₆?Dy₁₂(H₂O)₂₄(GeW₁₀O₃₈)₆]^36? ( Dy₁₂ ), comprising six di‐Ln‐embedded {β(4,11)‐GeW₁₀} subunits was prepared by reaction of [α‐GeW₉O₃₄]^10? with Ln^III ions in weakly acidic (pH 5) aqueous medium. Depending on the size of the Ln^III ion, the assemblies feature selective capture of two (for Eu₁₂ ), one (for Gd₁₂ ), or zero (for Dy₁₂ ) extra Ge^IV ions. The selective encapsulation of a cationic sodium hexaaqua complex [Na(H₂O)₆]⁺ was observed for Eu₁₂ and Gd₁₂ , whereas Dy₁₂ incorporates a neutral, distorted‐octahedral (H₂O)₆ cluster. The three compounds were characterized by single‐crystal XRD, ESI‐MS, photoluminescence, and magnetic studies. Dy₁₂ was shown to be a single‐molecule magnet.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Magnetic Behaviour of the new Tetrameric Gadolinium Carboxylate [Gd4(OH)4(CF3COO)8(H2O)4] · 2.5 H2O

The novel tetrameric gadolinium(III) compound [Gd₄(OH)₄(CF₃COO)₈(H₂O)₄] · 2.5 H₂O was synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The Gd³⁺ ions are bridged by hydroxide ions and carboxylate groups to tetramers with Gd³⁺‐Gd³⁺ distances between 384.2(2) and 388.1(2) pm. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (Z = 4). The magnetic behaviour of [Gd₄(OH)₄(CF₃COO)₈(H₂O)₄] · 2.5 H₂O was investigated in the temperature range of 2 to 300 K. The magnetic data of this compound indicate antiferromagnetic interactions (J_ex = ?0.0197 cm^?1).     

A Dodecalanthanide Wheel Supported by p‐tert‐Butylsulfonylcalix[4]arene

A dodecaholmium wheel of [Ho₁₂(L)₆(mal)₄(AcO)₄(H₂O)₁₄] ( 1 ; mal=malonate) was synthesized by using p‐tert‐butylsulfonylcalix[4]arene (H₄L) as a cluster‐forming ligand. The wheel consists of three fragments of mononuclear A^3? ([Ho(L)(mal)(H₂O)]^3?), trinuclear B^3? ([Ho(H₂O)₂(mal)(Ho(L)(AcO))₂]^3?), and C³⁺ ([Ho(H₂O)₂]³⁺), and an alternate arrangement of these fragments (A^3?? C³⁺? B^3?? C³⁺? A^3?? C³⁺? B^3?? C³⁺? ) results in a wheel structure. The longest and shortest diameters of the core were estimated to be 17.7562(16) and 13.6810(13) Å, respectively, and the saddle‐shaped molecule possesses a pocketlike cavity inside.     

Single‐Molecule Magnetism,Enhanced Magnetocaloric Effect,and Toroidal Magnetic Moments in a Family of Ln4 Squares

Three cationic [Ln₄] squares (Ln=lanthanide) were isolated as single crystals and their structures solved as [Dy₄(μ₄‐OH)(HL)(H₂L)₃(H₂O)₄]Cl₂?(CH₃OH)₄?(H₂O)₈ ( 1 ), [Tb₄(μ₄‐OH)(HL)(H₂L)₃(MeOH)₄]Cl₂?(CH₃OH)₄?(H₂O)₄ ( 2 ) and [Gd₄(μ₄‐OH)(HL)(H₂L)₃(H₂O)₂(MeOH)₂]Br₂?(CH₃OH)₄?(H₂O)₃ ( 3 ). The structures are described as hydroxo‐centered squares of lanthanide ions, with each edge of the square bridged by a doubly deprotonated H₂L^2? ligand. Alternating current magnetic susceptibility measurements show frequency‐dependent out‐of‐phase signals with two different thermally assisted relaxation processes for 1 , whereas no maxima in χ_M“ appears above 2.0 K for complex 2 . For 1 , the estimated effective energy barrier for these two relaxation processes is 29 and 100 K. Detailed ab initio studies reveal that complex 1 possesses a toroidal magnetic moment. The ab initio calculated anisotropies of the metal ions in complex 1 were employed to simulate the magnetic susceptibility by using the Lines model (POLY_ANISO) and this procedure yields J₁=+0.01 and J₂=?0.01 cm^?1 for 1 as the two distinct exchange interactions between the Dy^III ions. Similar parameters are also obtained for complex 1 (and 2 ) from specific heat measurements. A very weak antiferromagnetic super‐exchange interaction (J₁=?0.043 cm^?1 and g=1.99) is observed between the metal centers in 3 . The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) was estimated by using field‐dependent magnetization and temperature‐dependent heat‐capacity measurements. An excellent agreement is found for the ?ΔS_m values extracted from these two measurements for all three complexes. As expected, 3 shows the largest ?ΔS_m variation (23 J Kg^?1 K^?1) among the three complexes. The negligible magnetic anisotropy of Gd indeed ensures near degeneracy in the (2S+1) ground state microstates, and the weak super‐exchange interaction facilitates dense population of low‐lying excited states, all of which are likely to contribute to the MCE, making complex 3 an attractive candidate for cryogenic refrigeration.     

Lanthanide‐Based Layer‐Type Two‐Dimensional Coordination Polymers Featuring Slow Magnetic Relaxation,Magnetocaloric Effect and Proton Conductivity

Three lanthanide‐based two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymers (CPs), [Ln(L)(H₂O)₂]_n, {H₃L=(HO)₂P(O)CH₂CO₂H; Ln=Dy³⁺ (CP 1 ), Er³⁺ (CP 2 )} and [{Gd₂(L)₂(H₂O)₃}^.H₂O]_n, (CP 3 ) were hydrothermally synthesized using phosphonoacetic acid as a linker. Structural features revealed that the dinuclear Ln³⁺ nodes were present in the 2D sheet of CP 1 and CP 2 while in the case of CP 3 , nodes were further connected to each other forming a chain‐type arrangement throughout the network. The magnetic studies show field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation property in CP 1 and CP 2 with U_eff values of 72 K (relaxation time, τ₀=3.05×10^?7 s) and 38.42 K (relaxation time, τ₀=4.60×10^?8 s) respectively. Ab‐initio calculations suggest that the g tensor of Kramers doublet of the lanthanide ion (Dy³⁺ and Er³⁺) is strongly axial in nature which reflects in the slow magnetic relaxation behavior of both CPs. CP 3 exhibits a significant magnetocaloric effect with ?ΔS_m=49.29 J kg^?1 K^?1, one of the highest value among the reported 2D CPs. Moreover, impedance analysis of all the CPs show high proton conductivity with values of 1.13×10^?6 S cm^?1, 2.73×10^?3 S cm^?1 and 2, 6.27×10^?6 S cm^?1 for CPs 1 – 3 , respectively, at high temperature (>75 °C) and maximum 95 % relative humidity (RH).     

Three Phenoxo‐Bridged Dinuclear Lanthanide Complexes: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties

Three dinuclear lanthanide complexes [Ln₂(H₂L)₂(NO₃)₄] [Ln = Dy ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 ), and Gd ( 3 )] [H₃L = 2‐hydroxyimino‐N′‐[(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)methylidene]‐propanohydrazone] were solvothermally synthesized by varying differently anisotropic rare earth ions. Single‐crystal structural analyses demonstrate that all the three complexes are crystallographically isostructural with two centrosymmetric Ln^III ions aggregated by a pair of monodeprotonated H₂L^– anions. Weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions with different strength were mediated by a pair of phenoxo bridges due to superexchange and/or single‐ion anisotropy. Additionally, the Dy^III‐based entity shows the strongest anisotropy exhibits field‐induced single‐molecule magnetic behavior with two thermally activated relaxation processes. In contrast, 3 with isotropic Gd^III ion has a significant cryogenic magnetocaloric effect with the maximum entropy change of 25.7 J · kg^–1 · K^–1 at 2.0 K and 70.0 kOe.     

The Building Block [FeIII(pzphen)(CN)4]– and its Lanthanide Complexes: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Magnetic Properties

The cyanide building block [Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄]^– and its four lanthanide complexes [{Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄}₂Ln^III(H₂O)₅(DMF)₃] · (NO₃) · 2(H₂O) · (CH₃CN) [Ln = Nd ( 1 ), Sm ( 2 ), DMF = dimethyl formamide] and [{Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄}₂Ln^III(NO₃)(H₂O)₂(DMF)₂](CH₃CN) [Ln = Gd ( 3 ), Dy ( 4 )] were synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 are ionic salts with two [Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄]^– cations and one Ln^III ion, but compounds 3 and 4 are cyano‐bridged Fe^III‐Ln^III heterometallic 3d‐4f complexes exhibiting a trinuclear structure in the same conditions. Magnetic studies show that compound 3 is antiferromagnetic between the central Fe^III and Gd^III atoms. Furthermore, the trinuclear cyano‐bridged Fe^III₂Dy^III compound 4 displays no single‐molecular magnets (SMMs) behavior by the alternating current magnetic susceptibility measurements.     

Low‐Dimensional Carboxylate‐Bridged GdIII Complexes for Magnetic Refrigeration

Four carboxylate‐bridged Gd^III complexes ( 1 – 4 ) with 1D/2D structures have been synthesized by using the hydrothermal reaction of Gd₂O₃ with various carboxylate ligands. Compounds 1 and 2 contained the same [2n] Gd^III? OH ladders, but with different crystallographically independent Gd^III ions, whilst the structures of compounds 3 and 4 were composed of [Gd₄(μ₃‐OH)₂(piv)₈(H₂O)₂]²⁺ units and 1D ladder Gd^III chains, respectively. Antiferromagnetic interactions occurred in compounds 1 – 3 , owing to their small Gd? O? Gd angles, whereas ferromagnetic coupling occurred in compound 4 , in which the Gd? O? Gd angles were larger. These complexes exhibited a distinct magnetocaloric effect (MCE), which was affected by their different magnetic densities and exchange interactions. Among these compounds, complex 4 presented the largest MCE (?ΔS_m^max=43.6 J kg^?1 K^?1), the lowest M_w/N_Gd ratio (the highest magnetic density), and weak ferromagnetic coupling. Therefore, a lower M_w/N_Gd ratio and weaker exchange interactions (a smaller absolute value of θ) between Gd^III ions resulted in a larger MCE for the Gd^III complexes.     

Proton‐Conducting Magnetic Coordination Polymers

Three isostructural lanthanide‐based two‐ dimensional coordination polymers (CPs) {[Ln₂(L)₃(H₂O)₂]_n ? 2n CH₃OH) ? 2n H₂O} (Ln=Gd³⁺ ( 1 ), Tb³⁺ ( 2 ), Dy³⁺ ( 3 ); H₂L=cyclobutane‐1,1‐dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized by using a low molecular weight dicarboxylate ligand and characterized. Single‐crystal structure analysis showed that in complexes 1 – 3 lanthanide centers are connected by μ₃‐bridging cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands along the c axis to form a rod‐shaped infinite 1D coordination chain, which is further linked with nearby chains by μ₄‐connected cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands to form 2D CPs in the bc plane. Viewing the packing of the complexes down the b axis reveals that the lattice methanol molecules are located in the interlayer space between the adjacent 2D layers and form H‐bonds with lattice and coordinated water molecules to form 1D chains. Magnetic properties of complexes 1 – 3 were thoroughly investigated. Complex 1 exhibits dominant ferromagnetic interaction between two nearby gadolinium centers and also acts as a cryogenic magnetic refrigerant having a significant magnetic entropy change of ?ΔS_m=32.8 J kg^?1 K^?1 for ΔH=7 T at 4 K (calculated from isothermal magnetization data). Complex 3 shows slow relaxation of magnetization below 10 K. Impedance analysis revealed that the complexes show humidity‐dependent proton conductivity (σ=1.5×10^?5 S cm^?1 for 1 , σ=2.07×10^?4 S cm^?1 for 2 , and σ=1.1×10^?3 S cm^?1 for 3 ) at elevated temperature (>75 °C). They retain the conductivity for up to 10 h at high temperature and high humidity. Furthermore, the proton conductivity results were correlated with the number of water molecules from the water‐vapor adsorption measurements. Water‐vapor adsorption studies showed hysteretic and two‐step water vapor adsorption (182000 μL g^?1 for 1 , 184000 μL g^?1 for 2 , and 1874000 μL g^?1 for 3 ) in the experimental pressure range. Simulation of water‐vapor adsorption by the Monte Carlo method (for 1 ) confirmed the high density of adsorbed water molecules, preferentially in the interlayer space between the 2D layers.     

Heterotrimetallic Coordination Polymers: {CuIILnIIIFeIII} Chains and {NiIILnIIIFeIII} Layers: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties

The use of the [Fe^III(AA)(CN)₄]^? complex anion as metalloligand towards the preformed [Cu^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ or [Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ heterometallic complex cations (AA=2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10‐phenathroline (phen); H₂valpn=1,3‐propanediyl‐bis(2‐iminomethylene‐6‐methoxyphenol)) allowed the preparation of two families of heterotrimetallic complexes: three isostructural 1D coordination polymers of general formula {[Cu^II(valpn)Ln^III(H₂O)₃(μ‐NC)₂Fe^III(phen)(CN)₂ {(μ‐NC)Fe^III(phen)(CN)₃}]NO₃ ? 7 H₂O}_n (Ln=Gd ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 ), and Dy ( 3 )) and the trinuclear complex [Cu^II(valpn)La^III(OH₂)₃(O₂NO)(μ‐NC)Fe^III(phen)(CN)₃] ? NO₃ ? H₂O ? CH₃CN ( 4 ) were obtained with the [Cu^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ assembling unit, whereas three isostructural heterotrimetallic 2D networks, {[Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III(ONO₂)₂(H₂O)(μ‐NC)₃Fe^III(bipy)(CN)] ? 2 H₂O ? 2 CH₃CN}_n (Ln=Gd ( 5 ), Tb ( 6 ), and Dy ( 7 )) resulted with the related [Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ precursor. The crystal structure of compound 4 consists of discrete heterotrimetallic complex cations, [Cu^II(valpn)La^III(OH₂)₃(O₂NO)(μ‐NC)Fe^III(phen)(CN)₃]⁺, nitrate counterions, and non‐coordinate water and acetonitrile molecules. The heteroleptic {Fe^III(bipy)(CN)₄} moiety in 5 – 7 acts as a tris‐monodentate ligand towards three {Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III} binuclear nodes leading to heterotrimetallic 2D networks. The ferromagnetic interaction through the diphenoxo bridge in the Cu^II?Ln^III ( 1 – 3 ) and Ni^II?Ln^III ( 5 – 7 ) units, as well as through the single cyanide bridge between the Fe^III and either Ni^II ( 5 – 7 ) or Cu^II ( 4 ) account for the overall ferromagnetic behavior observed in 1 – 7 . DFT‐type calculations were performed to substantiate the magnetic interactions in 1 , 4 , and 5 . Interestingly, compound 6 exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization with maxima of the out‐of‐phase ac signals below 4.0 K in the lack of a dc field, the values of the pre‐exponential factor (τ_o) and energy barrier (E_a) through the Arrhenius equation being 2.0×10^?12 s and 29.1 cm^?1, respectively. In the case of 7 , the ferromagnetic interactions through the double phenoxo (Ni^II–Dy^III) and single cyanide (Fe^III–Ni^II) pathways are masked by the depopulation of the Stark levels of the Dy^III ion, this feature most likely accounting for the continuous decrease of χ_M T upon cooling observed for this last compound.     

White Light Emissive DyIII Single‐Molecule Magnets Sensitized by Diamagnetic [CoIII(CN)6]3− Linkers

The self‐assembly of Dy^III–3‐hydroxypyridine (3‐OHpy) complexes with hexacyanidocobaltate(III) anions in water produces cyanido‐bridged {[Dy^III(3‐OHpy)₂(H₂O)₄] [Co^III(CN)₆]}?H₂O ( 1 ) chains. They reveal a single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behavior with a large zero direct current (dc) field energy barrier, ΔE=266(12) cm^?1 (≈385 K), originating from the single‐ion property of eight‐coordinated Dy^III of an elongated dodecahedral geometry, which are embedded with diamagnetic [Co^III(CN)₆]^3? ions into zig‐zag coordination chains. The SMM character is enhanced by the external dc magnetic field, which results in the ΔE of 320(23) cm^?1 (≈460 K) at H_dc=1 kOe, and the opening of a butterfly hysteresis loop below 6 K. Complex 1 exhibits white Dy^III‐based emission realized by energy transfer from Co^III and 3‐OHpy to Dy^III. Low temperature emission spectra were correlated with SMM property giving the estimation of the zero field ΔE. 1 is a unique example of bifunctional magneto‐luminescent material combining white emission and slow magnetic relaxation with a large energy barrier, both controlled by rich structural and electronic interplay between Dy^III, 3‐OHpy, and [Co^III(CN)₆]^3?.     

Gadolinium(III)‐Hydroxy Ladders Trapped in Succinate Frameworks with Optimized Magnetocaloric Effect

Two kinds of inorganic gadolinium(III)‐hydroxy “ladders”, [2×n] and [3×n], were successfully trapped in succinate (suc) coordination polymers, [Gd₂(OH)₂(suc)₂(H₂O)]_n ? 2n H₂O ( 1 ) and [Gd₆(OH)₈(suc)₅(H₂O)₂]_n ? 4n H₂O ( 2 ), respectively. Such coordination polymers could be regarded as alternating inorganic–organic hybrid materials with relatively high density. Magnetic and heat capacity studies reveal a large cryogenic magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in both compounds, namely (ΔH=70 kG) 42.8 J kg^?1 K^?1 for complex 1 and 48.0 J kg^?1 K^?1 for complex 2 . The effect of the high density is evident, which gives very large volumetric MCEs up to 120 and 144 mJ cm^?3 K^?1 for complexes 1 and 2 , respectively.     

Rational Design of a Lanthanide‐Based Complex Featuring Different Single‐Molecule Magnets

The rational synthesis of the 2‐{1‐methylpyridine‐N‐oxide‐4,5‐[4,5‐bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvalenyl]‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl}pyridine ligand ( L ) is described. It led to the tetranuclear complex [Dy₄(tta)₁₂( L )₂] ( Dy‐Dy₂‐Dy ) after coordination reaction with the precursor Dy(tta)₃?2 H₂O (tta^?=2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetonate). The X‐ray structure of Dy‐Dy₂‐Dy can be described as two terminal mononuclear units bridged by a central antiferromagnetically coupled dinuclear complex. The terminal N₂O₆ and central O₈ environments are described as distorted square antiprisms. The ac magnetism measurements revealed a strong out‐of‐phase signal of the magnetic susceptibility with two distinct sets of data. The high‐ and low‐frequency components were attributed to the two terminal mononuclear single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) and the central dinuclear SMM, respectively. A magnetic hysteresis loop was detected at very low temperature. From both structural and magnetic points of view, the tetranuclear SMM Dy‐Dy₂‐Dy is a self‐assembly of two known mononuclear SMMs bridged by a known dinuclear SMM.     

Guest‐, Light‐ and Thermally‐Modulated Spin Crossover in [FeII2] Supramolecular Helicates

A new bis(pyrazolylpyridine) ligand (H₂L) has been prepared to form functional [Fe₂(H₂L)₃]⁴⁺ metallohelicates. Changes to the synthesis yield six derivatives, X@[Fe₂(H₂L)₃]X(PF₆)₂?xCH₃OH ( 1 , x=5.7 and X=Cl; 2 , x=4 and X=Br), X@[Fe₂(H₂L)₃]X(PF₆)₂?yCH₃OH?H₂O ( 1 a , y=3 and X=Cl; 2 a , y=1 and X=Br) and X@[Fe₂(H₂L)₃](I₃)₂?3 Et₂O ( 1 b , X=Cl; 2 b , X=Br). Their structure and functional properties are described in detail by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments at several temperatures. Helicates 1 a and 2 a are obtained from 1 and 2 , respectively, by a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal mechanism. The three possible magnetic states, [LS–LS], [LS–HS], and [HS–HS] can be accessed over large temperature ranges as a result of the structural nonequivalence of the Fe^II centers. The nature of the guest (Cl^? vs. Br^?) shifts the spin crossover (SCO) temperature by roughly 40 K. Also, metastable [LS–HS] or [HS–HS] states are generated through irradiation. All helicates (X@[Fe₂(H₂L)₃])³⁺ persist in solution.     

Heterometallic SrII‐MII (M=Co,Ni, Zn and Cu) Coordination Polymers: Synthesis,Temperature‐Dependent Structural Transformation,and Luminescent and Magnetic Properties

The use of pyridine‐2,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂pydc) in the construction of Sr^II and Sr^II‐M^II (M=Co, Ni, Zn and Cu) coordination polymers is reported. Eight complexes, that is, [Sr(pydc)H₂O]_n ( 1 ), [MSr(pydc)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (M=Co ( 2 ), Ni ( 3 ), Zn ( 4 )), [ZnSr(pydc)₂(H₂O)₇]_n?4 nH₂O ( 5 ), [SrCu(pydc)₂]_n ( 6 ), [SrCu(pydc)₂(H₂O)₃]_n?2 nH₂O ( 7 ), and [Cu₃Sr₂(pydc)₄(Hpydc)₂(H₂O)₂]_n ( 8 ), have been synthesized via dexterously choosing the appropriate strontium sources and transition metal salts, and rationally controlling the temperature of the reaction systems. Complexes 1 , 2 ( 3 , 4 ), 6 , and 8 display four types of 3‐D framework structures. Complexes 5 and 7 exhibit a 2‐D network and a 1‐D chain structure, respectively. The 2‐D complex 7 can be reversibly transformed into 3‐D compound 6 through temperature‐induced solvent‐mediated structural transformation. The luminescent property studies indicated that complex 1 shows a strong purple luminescent emission and 4 exhibits a strong violet luminescence emission. The magnetic properties of 2 , 3 , and 8 were also studied. Antiferromagnetic M^II???M^II interactions were determined for these complexes.     

Copper(II) and Cadmium(II) Complexes Based on N,N‐Bis(3, 5‐dimethyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine Ligand: Syntheses,Structures, Magnetic,and Luminescent Properties

The reaction of the aryl‐oxide ligand H₂L [H₂L = N,N‐bis(3, 5‐dimethyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine] with CuSO₄ · 5H₂O, CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, CuBr₂, CdCl₂ · 2.5H₂O, and Cd(OAc)₂ · 2H₂O, respectively, under hydrothermal conditions gave the complexes [Cu(H₂L¹)₂] · SO₄ · 3CH₃OH ( 1 ), [Cu₂(H₂L²)₂Cl₄] ( 2 ), [Cu₂(H₂L²)₂Br₄] ( 3 ), [Cd₂(HL)₂Cl₂] ( 4 ), and [Cd₂(L)₂(CH₃COOH)₂] · H₂L ( 5 ), where H₂L¹ [H₂L¹ = 2, 4‐dimethyl‐6‐((pyridin‐2‐ylmethylamino)methyl)phenol] and H₂L² [H₂L² = 2‐(2, 4‐dimethyl‐6‐((pyridin‐2‐ylmethylamino)methyl)phenoxy)‐4, 6‐dimethylphenol] were derived from the solvothermal in situ metal/ligand reactions. These complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elementary analysis, and X‐ray diffraction. A low‐temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement for the solid sample of 2 revealed antiferromagnetic interactions between two central copper(II) atoms. The emission property studies for complexes 4 and 5 indicated strong luminescence emission.     

Butterfly‐Shaped Pentanuclear Dysprosium Single‐Molecule Magnets

Two new “butterfly‐shaped” pentanuclear dysprosium(III) clusters, [Dy₅(μ₃‐OH)₃(opch)₆(H₂O)₃] ? 3 MeOH ? 9 H₂O ( 1 ) and [Dy₅(μ₃‐OH)₃(Hopch)₂(opch)₄(MeOH)(H₂O)₂] ? (ClO₄)₂ ? 6 MeOH ? 4 H₂O ( 2 ), which were based on the heterodonor‐chelating ligand o‐vanillin pyrazine acylhydrazone (H₂opch), have been successfully synthesized by applying different reaction conditions. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the butterfly‐shaped cores in both compounds were comparable. However, their magnetic properties were drastically different. Indeed, compound 1 showed dual slow‐relaxation processes with a transition between them that corresponded to energy gaps (Δ) of 8.1 and 37.9 K and pre‐exponential factors (τ₀) of 1.7×10^?5 and 9.7×10^?8 s for the low‐ and high‐temperature domains, respectively, whilst only a single relaxation process was noted for compound 2 (Δ=197 K, τ₀=3.2×10^?9 s). These significant disparities are most likely due to the versatile coordination of the H₂opch ligands with particular keto–enol tautomerism, which alters the strength of the local crystal field and, hence, the nature or direction of the easy axes of anisotropic dysprosium ions.     

Tuning the Magnetic Interactions and Relaxation Dynamics of Dy2 Single‐Molecule Magnets

Efficient modulation of single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behavior was realized by deliberate structural modification of the Dy₂ cores of [Dy₂( a ′ povh )₂(OAc)₂(DMF)₂] ( 1 ) and [Zn₂Dy₂( a′povh )₂(OAc)₆] ? 4 H₂O ( 2 ; H₂ a ′ povh =N′‐[amino(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)methylene]‐o‐vanilloyl hydrazine). Compound 1 having fourfold linkage between the two dysprosium ions shows high‐performance SMM behavior with a thermal energy barrier of 322.1 K, whereas only slow relaxation is observed for compound 2 with only twofold connection between the dysprosium ions. This remarkable discrepancy is mainly because of strong axiality in 1 due to one pronounced covalent bond, as revealed by experimental and theoretical investigations. The significant antiferromagnetic interaction derived from bis(μ₂‐O) and two acetate bridging groups was found to be crucial in leading to a nonmagnetic ground state in 1 , by suppressing zero‐field quantum tunneling of magnetization.     

Lanthanide(III) (Eu,Gd, Tb,Dy) Complexes Derived from 4‐(Pyridin‐2‐yl)methyleneamino‐1,2,4‐triazole: Crystal Structure,Magnetic Properties,and Photoluminescence

The reaction of lanthanide(III) nitrates with 4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyleneamino‐1,2,4‐triazole (L) was studied. The compounds [Ln(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃] ? 2 L, in which Ln=Eu ( 1 ), Gd ( 2 ), Tb ( 3 ), or Dy ( 4 ), obtained in a mixture of MeCN/EtOH have the same structure, as shown by XRD. In the crystals of these compounds, the mononuclear complex units [Ln(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃] are linked to L molecules through intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions to form a 2D polymeric supramolecular architecture. An investigation into the optical characteristics of the Eu³⁺‐, Tb³⁺‐, and Dy³⁺‐containing compounds ( 1 , 3 , and 4 ) showed that these complexes displayed metal‐centered luminescence. According to magnetic measurements, compound 4 exhibits single‐ion magnet behavior, with ΔE_eff/k_B=86 K in a field of 1500 Oe.     

A Dinuclear Dysprosium Complex as an Air‐Stable and Recyclable Catalyst: Applications in the Deacetylation of Carbohydrate,Aliphatic, and Aromatic Molecules

Two dinuclear Dy^III complexes, [Dy₂(hmb)₂(OTf)₂(H₂O)₄] ? HOTf ? 2 THF ( A? HOTf ? 2 THF) and [Dy₂(hmi)₃(H₂O)₂] ? 2 HOTf ( B? 2 HOTf), have been synthesized by the reaction of Dy(OTf)₃ and the Schiff‐base ligands H₂hmb (N′‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide) or H₂hmi ((2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)methylene isonicotinohydrazine). Disarmed glycosyl trichloroacetimidates can be activated by complex A in the synthesis of 1,2‐trans‐glycosides with primary and secondary acceptors. This method offers an efficient route to selectively deacetylated monosaccharides and disaccharides in high yields and a green catalyst that can be easily recycled and reused.