An End‐On Azide‐Bridged Antiferromagnetic Single‐Chain Magnet Involving Spin Canting and Field‐Induced Two‐Step Magnetic Transitions

Two‐step magnetic transitions : An azide‐bridged 1D Mn^III coordination polymer with a unique single end‐on mode was prepared; it displayed atypical antiferromagnetic couplings and field‐induced two‐step magnetic transitions (see figure). The spin‐canted phenomenon in the antiferromagnetic chain complex plays a pivotal role in establishing the slow magnetic relaxation.

     

Reversible Crystal-to-Amorphous Structural Conversion in the Single End-On Azide-Bridged Co(II) Complex: Concomitant Color and Magnetic Modulations

Crystal clear: An end-on (EO) azide-bridged Co(II) layer (see scheme; 1) with coordinated water molecules, long spacer p-XBP4 ligands, and unbound azide anions was evacuated to generate a dehydrated sample of 2. A reversible crystal-to-amorphous structural transformation accompanied by color and magnetic changes takes place between 1 and 2 by using a desolvation-solvation protocol.     

Thermally Triggered Solid‐State Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Structural Transformation Accompanies Property Changes

The 1D complex [(CuL_0.5H₂O) ? H₂O]_n ( 1 ) (H₄L=2,2′‐bipyridine‐3,3′,6,6′‐tetracarboxylic acid) undergoes an irreversible thermally triggered single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) transformation to produce the 3D anhydrous complex [CuL_0.5]_n ( 2 ). This SCSC structural transformation was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns, variable‐temperature powder X‐ray diffraction (VT–PXRD) patterns, and IR spectroscopy. Structural analyses reveal that in complex 2 , though the initial 1D chain is still retained as in complex 1 , accompanied with the Cu‐bound H₂O removed and new O(carboxyl)?Cu bond forming, the coordination geometries around the Cu^II ions vary from a distorted trigonal bipyramid to a distorted square pyramid. With the drastic structural transition, significant property changes are observed. Magnetic analyses show prominent changes from antiferromagnetism to weak ferromagnetism due to the new formed Cu1‐O‐C‐O‐Cu4 bridge. The catalytic results demonstrate that, even though both solid‐state materials present high catalytic activity for the synthesis of 2‐imidazolines derivatives and can be reused, the activation temperature of complex 1 is higher than that of complex 2 . In addition, a possible pathway for the SCSC structural transformations is proposed.     

Breathing Effect in a Cobalt Phosphonate upon Dehydration/Rehydration: A Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Study

Two cobalt phosphonates, [Co₂(2,2′‐bpy)₂(H₂O)(pbtcH)] ( 1 ) and [Co₂(H₂O)(pbtcH)(phen)₂] ( 2 ; pbtcH₅=5‐phosphonatophenyl‐1,2,4‐tricarboxylic acid, 2,2′‐bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, phen=1,10‐phenanthroline), with layer structures are reported. Compound 1 contains O‐C‐O and O‐P‐O bridged tetramers of Co₄, which are further connected by pbtcH^4? units to form a layer. In compound 2 , the cobalt tetramers made up of water‐bridged Co₂ dimers and O‐P‐O linkages are connected into a layer by pbtcH^4? units. Upon dehydration, compounds 1 and 2 experience single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SC–SC) structural transformations to form [Co₂(2,2′‐bpy)₂(pbtcH)] ( 1 a ) and [Co₂(pbtcH)(phen)₂] ( 2 a ), respectively. The process is reversible in each case. Notably, a breathing effect is observed for 1 , accompanied by pore opening and closing due to the reorientation of the coordinated 2,2′‐bpy molecules. The transformation was also monitored by in situ IR measurements. Magnetic studies reveal that antiferromagnetic interactions are mediated between the magnetic centers in compounds 1 and 1 a , whereas ferromagnetic interactions are dominant in compound 2 .     

Reversible Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Photochemical Formation and Thermal Cleavage of a Cyclobutane Ring

A [2+2] cycloaddition reaction has been observed in a number of solids. The cyclobutane ring in a photodimerized material can be cleaved into olefins by UV light and heat. The high thermal stability of the metal–organic salt K₂SDC (H₂SDC=4,4’‐stilbenedicarboxylic acid) has been successfully utilized to investigate the reversible cleavage of a cyclobutane ring. The two polymorphs of K₂SDC undergo reversible cyclobutane formation by UV light and cleavage by heat in cycles. Of these, one polymorph retains its single‐crystal nature during the reversible processes. Polymorphs are known to show different physical properties and chemical reactivities. This work reveals that the retention of single‐crystal nature is strongly associated with the packing of molecules, which is controlled by kinetics and thermodynamics. The photoemissive nature of the products makes this as a promising material for photoswitches and optical data storage devices.     

A Hydrogen‐Bonded Framework Complex without Lattice Solvents: Synthesis Reversible Crystal‐to‐Amorphous Transformation and Chromic Properties

Reaction of Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with H₄BPTC (H₄BPTC = Biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic acid) produced a 3D hydrogen‐bonded framework complex 1 , not containing lattice solvents, with empirical formula [Ni(H₂O)₆]·H₂BPTC. The complex exhibits an interesting reversible crystal‐to‐amorphous transformation property unaccompanied by lattice solvents release/loading and shows selective and reversible chromic response to methanol.     

Water‐ and Temperature‐Triggered Reversible Structural Transformation of Tetranuclear Cobalt(II) Cores Sandwiched by Polyoxometalates

Although stimuli‐responsive structural transformations of inorganic materials have attracted considerable attention because of their potential use as functional switchable materials, multinuclear metal cores frequently suffer from unexpected dissociation of metal cations and/or irreversible transformations into infinite structures. In this study, we describe the successful demonstration of the water‐ and temperature‐triggered reversible structural transformation between cubane‐ and planar‐type tetranuclear Co^II cores sandwiched by polyoxometalates. The arrangements and coordination geometries of the Co^II cations were interconverted by simple hydration and dehydration, resulting in the manipulation of the magnetic and optical properties of these compounds. Moreover, this system showed unique thermochromism through temperature‐dependent reversible structural interconversion.     

Single Crystal‐to‐Single Crystal Site‐Selective Postsynthetic Metal Exchange in a Zn–MOF Based on Semi‐Rigid Tricarboxylic Acid and Access to Bimetallic MOFs

The metal ions in a neutral Zn–MOF constructed from tritopic triacid H₃L with inherent concave features, rigid core, and peripheral flexibility are found to exist in two distinct SBUs, that is, 0D and 1D. This has allowed site‐selective postsynthetic metal exchange (PSME) to be investigated and reactivities of the metal ions in two different environments in coordination polymers to be contrasted for the first time. Site‐selective transmetalation of Zn ions in the discrete environment is shown to occur in a single crystal‐to‐single crystal (SCSC) fashion, with metal ions such as Fe³⁺, Ru³⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, etc., whereas those that are part of 1D SBU sustain structural integrity, leading to novel bimetallic MOFs, which are inaccessible by conventional approaches. To the best of our knowledge, site‐selective postsynthetic exchange of an intraframework metal ion in a MOF that contains metal ions in discrete as well as polymeric SBUs is heretofore unprecedented.     

Two Trihydrazine‐Bridged Cobalt(II) Chain Compounds Exhibiting Antiferromagnetic Ordering and Single‐Chain Magnetic Behavior

Two new trihydrazine bridged Co^II chain compounds have been synthesized and magnetically characterized. The two compounds are both composed of [Co(N₂H₄)₃]²⁺ chains. One exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering behavior while the other behaves as a single‐chain magnet (SCM) at low temperature.     

阴离子主导的手性Cu(II)配位聚合物:可逆的结构转换,圆二色谱和二次谐波响应

用手性的V形双齿配体N,N''-（（1R,2R）-1,2-二取代环己二胺）双（N-苯甲酸（3-吡啶亚甲基）酰胺（1R,2R）-3-bcpb）和不同的Cu(II)盐反应,组装成2个新的手性Cu(II)配位聚合物{[Cu（（1R,2R）-3-bcpb）]Cl₂}_n（1）和{[Cu（（1R,2R）-3-bcpb）₂]（ClO₄）₂·2H₂O·2CH₃OH}_n（2）。其中1是一维链状结构,2具有二维（4,4）网络拓扑。溶剂热条件下,在甲醇溶剂体系中,通过引入AgClO₄,1能转换成2,同时通过加入NaCl,2也能转换成1。圆二色谱和二次谐波响应测试验证了它们具有结构上的手性。     

Triimidosulfonates as Acute Bite‐Angle Chelates: Slow Relaxation of the Magnetization in Zero Field and Hysteresis Loop of a CoII Complex

Starting from a polyimido sulfonate the four‐coordinate, N,N′‐chelated Co^II complex [Co{(NtBu)₃SMe}₂] ( 1 ) was synthesized, and its molecular structure was elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis. The acute N‐Co‐N bite angle imposed by the N,N′‐chelating ligand (NtBu)₃SMe^? leads to pronounced C_2v distortion of the tetrahedral coordination environment and thus to high anisotropy of the Co^II ion (D≈?58 cm^?1), favorable for single‐molecule‐magnet (SMM) properties. Magnetic measurements revealed a high barrier to spin reversal (U_eff=75 cm^?1) that gives rise to the observation of slow relaxation of the magnetization in zero field and a hysteresis loop at 2 K for this unique complex.     

Modelling the Magnetic Behaviour of Square‐Pyramidal CoII5 Aggregates: Tuning SMM Behaviour through Variations in the Ligand Shell

Three new μ₄‐bridged Co^II₅ clusters with similar core motifs have been synthesised with the use of N‐tert‐butyldiethanolamine (tbdeaH₂) and pivalic acid (piv): [Co^II₅(μ₄‐N₃)(tbdea)₂(μ‐piv)₄(piv)(CH₃CN)₂]?CH₃CN ( 1 ), [Co^II₅(μ₄‐Cl)(Cl)(tbdea)₂(μ‐piv)₄(pivH)₂] ( 2 ) and [Co^II₅(μ₄‐N₃)(Cl)(tbdea)₂(μ‐piv)₄(pivH)₂] ( 3 ). Magnetic measurements were performed for all three compounds. It was found that while the chloride‐bridged cluster 2 does not show an out‐of‐phase signal, which excludes single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour, the azide‐bridged compounds 1 and 3 show out‐of‐phase signals as well as frequency dependence of the ac susceptibility, as expected for SMMs. We confirmed that 1 is a SMM with zero‐field quantum tunnelling of the magnetisation at 1.8 K. Compound 3 is likely a SMM with a blocking temperature well below 1.8 K. We established a physical model to fit the χT versus T and M versus B curves of the three compounds to reproduce the observed SMM trend. The analysis showed that small changes in the ligand shell modify not only the magnitude of exchange constants, but also affect the J and g matrices in a non‐trivial way.     

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.     

Oligonuclear 3d–4f Complexes as Tectons in Designing Supramolecular Solid‐State Architectures: Impact of the Nature of Linkers on the Structural Diversity

Heteronuclear cationic complexes, [LCuLn]³⁺ and [(LCu)₂Ln]³⁺, were employed as nodes in designing high‐nuclearity complexes and coordination polymers with a rich variety of network topologies (L is the dianion of the Schiff base resulting from the 2:1 condensation of 3‐methoxysalycilaldehyde with 1,3‐propanediamine). Two families of linkers have been chosen: the first consists of exo‐dentate ligands bearing nitrogen‐donor atoms (bipyridine (bipy), dicyanamido (dca)), whereas the second consists of exo‐dentate ligands with oxygen‐donor atoms (anions derived from the acetylenedicarboxylic (H₂acdca), fumaric (H₂fum), trimesic (H₃trim), and oxalic (H₂ox) acids). The ligands belonging to the first family prefer copper(II ) ions, whereas the ligands from the second family interact preferentially with oxophilic rare‐earth cations. The following complexes have been obtained and crystallographically characterized: [LCu^II(OH₂)Gd^III(NO₃)₃] ( 1 ), [{LCu^IIGd^III(NO₃)₃}₂(μ‐4,4′‐bipy)] ( 2 ), [LCu^IIGd^III(acdca)_1.5(H₂O)₂] ? 13 H₂O ( 3 ), [LCu^IIGd^III(fum)_1.5(H₂O)₂] ? 4 H₂O ? C₂H₅OH ( 4 ), [LCu^IISm^III(H₂O)(Hfum)(fum)] ( 5 ), [LCu^IIEr^III(H₂O)₂(fum)]NO₃ ? 3 H₂O ( 6 ), [LCu^IISm^III(fum)_1.5(H₂O)₂] ? 4 H₂O ? C₂H₅OH ( 7 ), [{(LCu^II)₂Sm^III}₂fum₂](OH)₂ ( 8 ), [LCu^IIGd^III(trim)(H₂O)₂] ? H₂O ( 9 ), [{(LCu^II)₂Pr^III}(C₂O₄)_0.5(dca)]dca ? 2 H₂O ( 10 ), [LCu^IIGd^III(ox)(H₂O)₃][Cr^III(2,2′‐bipy)(ox)₂] ? 9 H₂O ( 11 ), and [LCuGd(H₂O)₄{Cr(CN)₆}] ? 3 H₂O ( 12 ). Compound 1 is representative of the whole family of binuclear Cu^II–Ln^III complexes which have been used as precursors in constructing heteropolymetallic complexes. The rich variety of the resulting structures is due to several factors: 1) the nature of the donor atoms of the linkers, 2) the preference of the copper(II ) ion for nitrogen atoms, 3) the oxophilicity of the lanthanides, 4) the degree of deprotonation of the polycarboxylic acids, 5) the various connectivity modes exhibited by the carboxylato groups, and 6) the stoichiometry of the final products, that is, the Cu^II/Ln^III/linker molar ratio. A unique cluster formed by 24 water molecules was found in crystal 11 . In compounds 2 , 3 , 4 , 9 , and 11 the Cu^II–Gd^III exchange interaction was found to be ferromagnetic, with J values in the range of 3.53–8.96 cm^?1. Compound 12 represents a new example of a polynuclear complex containing three different paramagnetic ions. The intranode Cu^II–Gd^III ferromagnetic interaction is overwhelmed by the antiferromagnetic interactions occurring between the cyanobridged Gd^III and Cr^III ions.     

An Investigation of Photo‐ and Pressure‐Induced Effects in a Pair of Isostructural Two‐Dimensional Spin‐Crossover Framework Materials

Two new isostructural iron(II) spin‐crossover (SCO) framework (SCOF) materials of the type [Fe(dpms)₂(NCX)₂] (dpms=4,4′‐dipyridylmethyl sulfide; X=S ( SCOF‐6(S) ), X=Se ( SCOF‐6(Se) )) have been synthesized. The 2D framework materials consist of undulating and interpenetrated rhomboid (4,4) nets. SCOF‐6(S) displays an incomplete SCO transition with only approximately 30 % conversion of high‐spin (HS) to low‐spin iron(II) sites over the temperature range 300–4 K (T_1/2=75 K). In contrast, the NCSe^? analogue, SCOF‐6(Se) , displays a complete SCO transition (T_1/2=135 K). Photomagnetic characterizations reveal quantitative light‐ induced excited spin‐state trapping (LIESST) of metastable HS iron(II) sites at 10 K. The temperature at which the photoinduced stored information is erased is 58 and 50 K for SCOF‐6(S) and SCOF‐6(Se) , respectively. Variable‐pressure magnetic measurements were performed on SCOF‐6(S) , revealing that with increasing pressure both the T_1/2 value and the extent of spin conversion are increased; with pressures exceeding 5.2 kbar a complete thermal transition is achieved. This study confirms that kinetic trapping effects are responsible for hindering a complete thermally induced spin transition in SCOF‐6(S) at ambient pressure due to an interplay between close T_1/2 and T(LIESST) values.