Organolanthanoids: VII. The crystal and molecular structure of dibromo-η5-cyclopentadienyltris(tetrahydrofuran)ytterbium(III)

Crystals of dibromo-η⁵-cyclopentadienyltris(tetrahydrofuran)ytterbium(III) are monoclinic, P2₁/n (C_2n⁵, No. 14), with a 15.310(15), b 16.900(17), c 7.968(8) Å, β 96.66(5)° and Z = 4. The ytterbium is pseudo-octahedrally coordinated by a cyclopentadienyl ligand, trans bromines, and mer tetrahydrofuran ligands, and the ytterbium—oxygen distance trans to cyclopentadienyl is longer than the other ytterbium—oxygen bonds.     

Role of donor and secondary interactions in the structures and thermal properties of alkaline-earth and rare-earth metal pyrazolates

The addition of neutral coligands to reduce the aggregation and improve the volatility of potential heavy alkaline-earth metal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) precursors has typically resulted in liberation of the coligand upon heating. A new series of dinuclear alkaline-earth and rare-earth metal pyrazolates, bis[bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)(tetrahydrofuran)calcium] (1), bis[bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)(tetrahydrofuran)strontium] (2), and bis[bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)bis(tetrahydrofuran)barium] (3), have been obtained from our previous donor-free oligonuclear complexes [{M(3,5-tBu2pz)2}n] (5, M = Ca, n = 3; 6, M = Sr, n = 4; 7, M = Ba, n = 6) by treatment with tetrahydrofuran (THF). Compounds 1-3, as well as the europium analogue bis[bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)(tetrahydrofuran)europium(II)] (4), can also be prepared by direct reaction of the metals and pyrazole in THF and anhydrous liquid ammonia. Recrystallization from hexane led to single crystals of 2-4, while the powder diffraction pattern of 1 revealed it to be isostructural with the previously published bis[bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolato)(tetrahydrofuran)ytterbium(II)] (8), providing important insight into differences and similarities between the two groups of metals. Detailed structural analysis of the compounds reveals secondary interactions including pi-bonding and agostic interactions, which are considered essential in stabilizing the metal complexes. The direct comparison of structural features and thermal properties (as evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and sublimation studies) of the donor-free oligonuclear and the donor-containing dinuclear species offers a better understanding of the role of donors and secondary interactions.     

CVD of metal organic and other rare-earth compounds

Three major applications have been found for rare-earth compounds in Metal Organic Chemical Vapour Depostion (MOCVD) or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD). Yttrium 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionates and 6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionates have been used in conjunction with barium and copper(II) β-diketonates to deposit YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ as superconducting thin films. Rare-earth fluorides and chlorides have been used for CFD doping of rare earths into MOCVD-deposited ZnS, whilst yttrium chloride has been used, with barium iodide and copper(I) chloride, to produce YBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ superconducting material by CVD. Lanthanoid (Ln) tris(cyclopentadienyl) compounds, Ln(C₅H₅)₃ or Ln(C₅H₄Me)₃, have been used for doping of rare earths into 13–15 (III–V) semiconductors. Their volatility, structure/volatility relationships, and preparations are discussed. Possible alternative reagents and problems to be faced in doping 12–16 (II–VI) semiconductors are also considered.     

Mono‐, Di‐, Tri‐ and Tetranuclear Rare Earth Complexes Obtained Using a Moderately Bulky Aryloxide Ligand

Redox transmetallation ligand exchange reactions involving a rare earth metal, 2,4,6‐trimethylphenol (HOmes), and a diarylmercurial afford rare earth aryloxo complexes, which are structurally characterized. Both the lanthanoid contraction and the identity of the reaction solvent are found to influence the outcome of the reactions. Using THF in the reaction affords a dinuclear species [Ln₂(Omes)₆(thf)₄]?2THF (Ln=La 1 , Nd 2 ) for the lighter rare earth metals, while a mononuclear species [Ln(Omes)₃(thf)₃] (Ln=Sm 3 , Tb 5 , Er 6 , Yb 7 , Y 8 ) is obtained for the heavier rare earth elements. Surprisingly, there is no change in metal coordination number between the two structural motifs. A divalent trinuclear linear complex [Eu₃(Omes)₆(thf)₆] 4 is obtained for Eu, and features solely bridging aryloxide ligands. Using DME as the reaction solvent affords [La(Omes)₃(dme)₂] 9 from the reaction mixture, and [Ln₂(Omes)₆(dme)₂]?PhMe (La 10 , Nd 11 ) and [Y(Omes)₃(dme)₂] 14 following crystallization of the crude product from toluene. The dinuclear species [Eu₂(Omes)₄(dme)₄] 12 contains two unidentate and two chelating DME ligands, and contrasts the linear structure of 4 . Treatment of HOmes and HgPh₂ with Yb metal in DME affords the mixed valent Yb^II/III complex [Yb₂(Omes)₅(dme)₂] 13 , which is stabilized by an intramolecular π‐Ph–Yb interaction, and is a rare example of a mixed valent rare earth aryloxide. Treatment of Er metal with HOmes at elevated temperature (solvent free) affords the homoleptic [Er₄(Omes)₁₂] 15 , which consists of a tetranuclear array of Er atoms arranged in a ‘herringbone’ fashion; the structure is stabilized by intramolecular π‐Ph–Er interactions. Reaction of La metal with HOmes under similar conditions yields toluene insoluble “La(Omes)₃”, which affords 1 following extraction with THF.     

Novel lanthanide-based polymeric chains and corresponding ultrafast dynamics in solution

Two types of structurally related one-dimensional coordination polymers were prepared by reacting lanthanide trichloride hydrates [LnCl(3)·(H(2)O)(m)] with dibenzoylmethane (Ph(2)acacH) and a base. Using cesium carbonate (Cs(2)CO(3)) and praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, or dysprosium salts yielded [Cs{Ln(Ph(2)acac)(4)}](n) (Ln = Pr (1), Nd (2), Sm (3), Dy (4)) in considerable yields. Reaction of potassium tert-butoxide (KOtBu) and the neodymium salt [NdCl(3)·(H(2)O)(6)] with Ph(2)acacH resulted in [K{Nd(Ph(2)acac)(4)}](n) (5). All polymers exhibit a heterobimetallic backbone composed of alternating lanthanide and alkali metal atoms which are bridged by the Ph(2)acac ligands in a linear fashion. ESI-MS investigations on DMF solutions of 1-5 revealed a dissociation of all the five compounds upon dissolution, irrespective of the individual lanthanide and alkali metal present. Temporal profiles of changes in optical density were acquired performing pump/probe experiments with DMF solutions of 1-5 via femtosecond laser spectroscopy, highlighting a lanthanide-specific relaxation dynamic. The corresponding relaxation times ranging from seven picoseconds to a few hundred picoseconds are strongly dependent on the central lanthanide atom, indicating an intramolecular energy transfer from ligands to lanthanides. This interpretation also demands efficient intersystem crossing within one to two picoseconds from the S(1) to T(1) level of the ligands. Magnetic studies show that [Cs{Dy(Ph(2)acac)(4)}](n) (4) has slow relaxation of the magnetization arising from the single Dy(3+) ions and can be described as a single-ion single molecule magnet (SMM). Below 0.5 K, hysteresis loops of the magnetization are observed, which show weak single chain magnet (SCM) behavior.     

Organothallium compounds XII NMR spectra of some polyfluorophenylthallium (III) compounds

The PMR and ¹⁹F NMR spectra of the complexes R₂TlBr (R = C₆F₅, $\text{o}$-HC₆F₄, $\text{m}$-HC₆F₄, 3,5-H₂C₆F₃, or 3,6-H₂C₆F₃ and R₃Tl(diox) (R = C₆F₅, $\text{m}$-HC₆F₄, or 3,5-H₂C₆F₃; diox = 1,4-dioxan) have been recorded. Proton and fluorine chemical shifts, thallium-proton, thallium-fluorine, fluorine-fluorine, and fluorine-proton coupling constants, and thallium substituent chemical shifts are given and discussed