Structure and Magnetism of VnBzn+1 Sandwich Clusters

First-principles calculations of inorganic metallocene nanowires

Inspired by the recently synthesized inorganic metallocene derivatives Fe(P4)22-, we have identified four stable inorganic metallocene nanowires, MP4 (M = Sc, Ti, Cr and Fe) in configurations of either regular quadrangular prism (Q-type) or anticube (A-type), and further investigated their magnetic and electronic characteristics utilizing the first-principles calculation. It shows that CrP4 is a ferromagnetic metal, while other nanowires are semiconducting antiferromagnets with bandgaps of 0.44, 1.88, and 2.29 eV within the HSE06 level. It also shows that both ScP4 and TiP4 can be stabilized in the Q-type and A-type, corresponding to the antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic ground states, respectively, indicating a configuration-dependent magnetism. The thermodynamic and lattice stabilities are confirmed by the ab initio molecular dynamics and phonon spectra. This study has unmasked the structural and physical properties of novel inorganic metallocene nanowires, and revealed their potential application in spintronics.

Transition Metal Triple-decker Sandwich Complexes Containing Group 13 Elements

Transition metal triple-decker complexes are an interesting class of sandwich complexes that engrossed great attention due to their structures and properties. Over the decades, synthesis of triple-decker complexes featuring homocyclic, heterocyclic or π-conjugated rings as middle decks have been abundantly reported. In this regard, the chemistry of such complexes bearing boron in the middle deck are well explored due to the ability of boron-containing cycles to readily coordinate bifacially with metal atoms thereby forming triple-decker complexes. On the other hand, electron counting rules and theoretical calculations have strengthened our knowledge of the structure and bonding in these complexes. Further, these complexes can be used as synthons to generate organometallic polymers having interesting electronic, optical and magnetic properties that can be appropriately tuned to cater to a wide range of applications. In our quest for novel metallaboranes and metallaheteroboranes, we have been successful in isolating various triple-decker complexes that feature boron in the middle deck. This review explained elaborately the synthesis, structures, and bonding in such complexes reported by us and others.

Photodissociation Spectroscopy and Photofragment Imaging to Probe Fe+(Benzene)1,2 Dissociation Energies

Tunable laser photodissociation spectroscopy measurements and photofragment imaging experiments are employed to investigate the dissociation energy of the Fe+(benzene) ion-molecule complex. Additional spectroscopy measurements determine the dissociation energy of Fe+(benzene)2. The dissociation energies for Fe+(benzene) determined from the threshold for the appearance of the Fe+ fragment (48.4 ± 0.2 kcal/mol) and photofragment imaging (≤49.3 ± 3.2 kcal/mol) agree nicely with each other and with the value determined previously by collision-induced dissociation (49.5 ± 2.9 kcal/mol), but they are lower than the values produced by computational chemistry at the density functional theory level using different functionals recommended for transition-metal chemistry. The threshold measurement for Fe+(benzene)2 (43.0 ± 0.2 kcal/mol) likewise agrees with the value (44.7 ± 3.8 kcal/mol) from previous collision-induced dissociation measurements.

Ab Initio Study of Structural, Electronic and Magnetic Properties of TM&(B@C60) (TM = V, Cr) Sandwich Clusters and Infinite Molecular Wires

The geometrical structure, electronic and magnetic properties of B-endoped C60 (B@C60) ligand sandwich clusters, TM&(B@C60)2 (TM = V, Cr), and their one-dimensional (1D) infinite molecular wires, [TM&(B@C60)]∞, have been systematically studied using first-principles calculations. The calculations showed that the TM atoms can bond strongly to the pentagonal (η5-coordinated) or hexagonal rings (η6-coordinated) of the endoped C60 ligands, with binding energies ranging from 1.90 to 3.81 eV. Compared to the configurations with contrast-bonding characters, the η6- and η5-coordinated bonding is energetically more favorable for V-(B@C60) and Cr-(B@C60) complexes, respectively. Interestingly, 1D infinite molecular wire [V&(B@C60)-η6]∞ is an antiferromagnetic half-metal, and 1D [Cr&(B@C60)-η5]∞ molecular wire is a ferromagnetic metal. The tunable electronic and magnetic properties of 1D [TM&(B@C60)]∞ SMWs are found under compressive and tensile stains. These findings provide additional possibilities for the application of C60-based sandwich compounds in electronic and spintronic devices.

Transport properties of MoS2/V7(Bz)8 and graphene/V7(Bz)8 vdW junctions tuned by bias and gate voltages

The MoS2/V7(Bz)8 and graphene/V7(Bz)8 vdW junctions are designed and the transport properties of their four-terminal devices are comparatively investigated based on density functional theory (DFT) and the nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) technique. The MoS2 and graphene nanoribbons act as the source-to-drain channel and the spin-polarized one-dimensional (1D) benzene-V multidecker complex nanowire (V7(Bz)8) serves as the gate channel. Gate voltages applied on V7(Bz)8 exert different influences of electron transport on MoS2/V7(Bz)8 and graphene/V7(Bz)8. In MoS2/V7(Bz)8, the interplay of source and gate bias potentials could induce promising properties such as negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior, output/input current switching, and spin-polarized currents. In contrast, the gate bias plays an insignificant effect on the transport along graphene in graphene/V7(Bz)8. This dissimilarity is attributed to the fact that the conductivity follows the sequence of MoS2 < V7(Bz)8 < graphene. These transport characteristics are examined by analyzing the conductivity, the currents, the local density of states (LDOS), and the transmission spectra. These results are valuable in designing multi-terminal nanoelectronic devices.

Metal cyclopropenylidene sandwich cluster and nanowire: structural, electronic, and magnetic properties

Organometallic sandwich clusters and nanowires can offer prototypes for molecular ferromagnet and nanoscale spintronic devices due to the strong coupling of local magnetic moments in the nanowires direction and experimental feasibility. Here, on the basis of first-principles calculations, we reportTM_n(c-C₃H₂)_n+1(TM= Ti, Mn;n= 1-4) sandwich clusters and 1D [TM(c-C₃H₂)]_∞sandwich nanowires building from transitional metal and the smallest aromatic carbene of cyclopropenylidene (c-C₃H₂). Based on the results of lattice dynamic and thermodynamic studies, we show that the magnetic moment of Mn_n(c-C₃H₂)_n+1clusters increases linearly with the number ofn, and 1D [Mn(c-C₃H₂)]_∞nanowire is a stable ferromagnetic semiconductor, which can be converted into half metal with carrier doping. In contrary, both Ti_n(c-C₃H₂)_n+1and 1D [Ti(c-C₃H₂)]_∞nanowire are nonmagnetic materials. This study reveals the potential application of the [TM(c-C₃H₂)]_∞nanowire in spintronics.

Triple-Decker Sandwich Complexes of Tungsten with Planar and Puckered Middle Decks

A triple-decker complex of tungsten, [(Cp*W)₂{μ-η⁶:η⁶-B₄H₄Co₂(CO)₅}(H)₂] (1; Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅), with a planar middle deck has been isolated by thermolysis of an in situ formed intermediate from the reaction of Cp*WCl₄ and LiBH₄ with Co₂(CO)₈. In addition, we have also isolated another triple-decker complex, [(Cp*W)₂{μ-η⁶:η⁶-B₅H₅Fe(CO)₃}(H)₂] (4), having a puckered central ring, from a similar reaction with Fe₂(CO)₉. Clusters 1 and 4 are unprecedented examples of a triple-decker complex having a 24-valence electron with bridging hydrogen atoms.

A high performance N-doped graphene nanoribbon based spintronic device applicable with a wide range of adatoms

Designing and fabricating nanosize spintronic devices is a crucial task to develop information technology of the future. However, most of the introduced spin filters suffer from several limitations including difficulty in manipulating the spin current, incapability in utilizing a wide range of dopants to provide magnetism, or obstacles in their experimental realization. Here, by employing first principles calculations, we introduce a structurally simple and functionally efficient spin filter device composed of a zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) with an embedded nitrogenated divacancy. We show that the proposed system, possessing a robust ferromagnetic (FM) ordering, exhibits perfect half metallic behavior in the absence of frequently used transition metals (TMs). Our calculations also show that the suggested system is compatible with a wide range of adatoms including basic metals, metalloids, and TMs. It means that besides d electron magnetism originating from TMs, p electrons of incorporated elements of the main group can also cause half metallicity in the electronic structure of the introduced system. Our system exploiting the robustness of doping-induced FM ordering would be beneficial for promising multifunctional spin filter devices.

Spin Transport Properties of One-Dimensional Benzene Ligand Organobimetallic Sandwich Molecular Wires

Organometallic sandwich complexes, composed of cyclic hydrocarbon ligands and transition-metal atoms, display unique physical and chemical properties. In this work, the electronic and spin transport properties of one-dimensional (1D) VBz2 ligand bimetallic sandwich complexes, VBz2-TM (TM = Cr, Mn, and Fe), are systematically investigated using density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's function method. The results show that all the 1D infinite molecular wires [(VBz2)TM]∞ (TM = Cr-Fe) are found to be thermodynamically stable with high binding energies (∼1.0-3.45 eV). In particular, they are predicted to be ferromagnetic half metals. Moreover, the I-V curves exhibit negative differential resistance for one, two, and three VBz2-TM wires at TM = Cr, Mn, and Fe, respectively, which is of great significance for certain electronic applications. Our findings strongly suggest that the benzene ligand bimetallic sandwich molecular wires are good candidates for potential electronics and spintronics.

Half-metallic behavior in ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl organometallic sandwich molecules

We have theoretically investigated spin transport properties of one-dimensional ruthenium-cyclopentadienyl sandwich molecules, Ru_n(Cp)_n+1, between two gold electrodes. Calculations were performed based on the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism and density functional theory. The results clearly reveal that for n = 1, no spin-polarized behavior is observed due to the fully occupied valence shell of ruthenocene molecule, while for the higher n values, the total magnetic moments increase with increasing size of the cluster and a half metallic behavior has been achieved. This can be attributed to the altered ligand field of π-conjugate systems generated by metal centers. Interestingly, for n values higher than 1, not only do the current-voltage curves exhibit an efficient spin-current generation but also a pronounced negative differential resistance behavior can be detected in the bias region. Our results will be strongly informative for the design and control of high-performance organometallic sandwich molecules based on spin-electronic devices.

Theoretical Study on Sandwich-Like Transition-Metal-Cyclooctatetraene Clusters and One-Dimensional Infinite Molecular Wires

Using density functional theory calculations, we investigated the structure and electronic properties of cyclooctatetraene (C8H8, COT)-ligand mono- or bi-transition-metal (M) sandwich clusters, M n (COT) n+1 (M = Sc, Ti, Cr, Mn, n = 1, 2) or (COT)M1(COT)M2(COT), as well as their one-dimensional infinite molecular wires. All the sandwich M-COT clusters and molecular wires are rather stable with their binding energies ranging from 3.20 to 7.48 eV per transition-metal atom. Superior to M n Bz n+1 complexes, most sandwich M-COT complexes are in their high spin states with ultrahigh magnetic moments. Moreover, one-dimensional infinite molecular wires, [Cr(COT)]∞, [(COT)V(COT)Ti]∞ and [(COT)Sc(COT)Cr]∞, are predicted to be ferromagnetic half-metals. Our findings suggest that such M-COT sandwich complexes may be potential candidates for applications in spintronics.

The role of Cr, Mo and W in the electronic delocalization and the metal–ring interaction in metallocene complexes

Metal influence over triple-decker, sandwich-like and pyramidal structured benzenes was studied by means of energy decomposition analysis (Morokuma–Ziegler), combined with extended transition state natural orbitals for chemical valence, and Nucleus Independent Chemical Shift descriptors.

Low-Energy Photoelectron Imaging Spectroscopy of Lan(benzene) (n = 1 and 2)

La_n(benzene) (n = 1 and 2) are formed in a pulsed laser-ablation molecular beam source and characterized by low-energy photoelectron imaging spectroscopy. The photoelectron spectrum of La₂(benzene) displays a strong origin band, a short metal-ligand stretching progression, and a weak ring deformation band. Four isomers are considered for La₂(benzene), and the preferred structure is an inverse sandwich with two La atoms residing on the opposite sides of the benzene ring. The ground electronic state of the inverse sandwich is ¹A_1g (D_3d) with (5d_xy,x²-y² + π*)⁴6s² electron configuration. Ionization removes a La-based 6s electron and yields a ²A_1g ion. The spectrum of La(benzene) is similar to the zero-electron kinetic energy spectrum reported previously by our group, although the spectral line width is somewhat broader. The measurement of the photoelectron angular distribution of La(benzene) confirms that the ejected electron has largely a p wave character. The metal-ligand bonding of La₂(benzene) is considerably stronger than that of La(benzene) due to the threefold binding of each La atom in the dilanthanum species and the twofold binding in the monolanthanum complex.

Size-Dependent Ligand Quenching of Ferromagnetism in Co3(benzene)n+ Clusters Studied with X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy

Cobalt-benzene cluster ions of the form Co₃(bz)_n⁺ (n = 0-3) were produced in the gas phase, mass-selected, and cooled in a cryogenic ion trap held at 3-4 K. To explore ligand effects on cluster magnetic moments, these species were investigated with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy. XMCD spectra yield both the spin and orbital angular momenta of these clusters. Co₃⁺ has a spin magnetic moment of μ_S = 6 μ_B and an orbital magnetic moment of μ_L = 3 μ_B. Co₃(bz)⁺ and Co₃(bz)₂⁺ complexes were found to have spin and orbital magnetic moments identical to the values for ligand-free Co₃⁺. However, coordination of the third benzene to form Co₃(bz)₃⁺ completely quenches the high spin state of the system. Density functional theory calculations elucidate the spin states of the Co₃(bz)_n⁺ species as a function of the number of attached benzene ligands, explaining the transition from septet to singlet for n = 0 → 3.

Effects of valence, geometry and electronic correlations on transport in transition metal benzene sandwich molecules

We study the impact of the valence and the geometry on the electronic structure and transport properties of different transition metal-benzene sandwich molecules bridging the tips of a Cu nanocontact. Our density-functional calculations show that the electronic transport properties of the molecules depend strongly on the molecular geometry which can be controlled by the nanocontact tips. Depending on the valence of the transition metal center certain molecules can be tuned in and out of half-metallic behaviour facilitating potential spintronics applications. We also discuss our results in the framework of an Anderson impurity model, indicating cases where the inclusion of local correlations alters the ground state qualitatively. For Co and V centered molecules we find indications of an orbital Kondo effect.

Structure and electronic properties of bilayer graphene functionalized with half-sandwiched transition metal-cyclopentadienyl complexes

Tuning the electronic and magnetic properties of graphene is a crucial problem in the design of practical on-off electronic devices. Using density functional theory calculations, we explore the electronic and magnetic properties of bilayer graphene functionalized by cyclopentadienyl (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, C5H5) based half-sandwich ligands, CpTM (TM = Sc-Ni). It is found that the adsorption of CpTM ligands can introduce high magnetic moments and open the band gap of bilayer graphene, due to the electron doping as well as the asymmetric charge distribution between two graphene layers. Furthermore, the p-n doping of bilayer graphene by co-binding F/NO2 and CpTM on two external sides of BLG can further widen the band gap up to 366.1 meV. This study proposes an effective way to the modulation of the electronic and magnetic properties of graphene.

Electronic and transport properties of the (VBz)n@MoS2NT nanocable

The electronic structure of a novel inorganic (8, 8) MoS2 nanotube nanocable, (VBz)n@MoS2NT, (where Bz refers as C6H6), is investigated using density functional theory. Transport property calculations are further performed employing non-equilibrium Green's function methods by modeling a two-probe device with a finite-sized nanocable sandwiched between two electrodes of its own. It is found that the transport properties of the nanocable agree well with its electronic structure. The core (VBz)n nanowire in the (VBz)n@MoS2NT plays a significant role in electron transportation, meanwhile, the sheath MoS2NT also participates in electron transportation. This phenomenon is different from those of (VBz)n@CNT and (VBz)n@BNNT nanocables. For the (VBz)n@CNT, the transport properties are majorly dominated by the metallic CNT sheath, while for the (VBz)n@BNNT, it is merely decided by the core (VBz)n. The conductivity of the (VBz)n@MoS2NT is slightly better in comparison with pure (VBz)n. Similar to pure (VBz)n, the (VBz)n@MoS2NT shows spin-polarized transport properties: the spin-down state gives a higher conductivity than the spin-up state. The values of the spin filter efficiency of the (VBz)n@MoS2NT can be up to >80%, indicating it to be a good candidate for spin filters. In addition, it is also found that encapsulating (VBz)n into the MoS2NT could introduce magnetism. More importantly, the ferromagnetic (VBz)n@MoS2NT is thermally rather stable. Therefore, encapsulating (VBz)n into the MoS2NT can effectively tune the electronic and transport properties for exploring novel functional nanodevices.

Dinuclear first-row transition metal–(C8Me6)2complexes: metal–metal and metal–ligand bonds determined by the d electron configuration of the metal atom

The nature and strength of the metal–metal and metal–ligand bonds depend on the d electron configuration of the transition metal.

Electronic and transport properties of [V(Bz)2]n@SWCNT and [V(Bz)2]n@DWCNT nanocables

Novel nanocables with [V(Bz)₂]_n inside SWCNT and DWCNT.

Electronic and magnetic properties regulation of finite to infinite half sandwich organo-transition-metal-complexes functionalized graphene

Total band gaps (Δt) and band gaps of free “graphene”, ignoring impurity bands of TM_nOLs (Δg).

An electron-poor di-molybdenum triple-decker with a puckered [B4Ru2] bridging ring is an oblato-closo cluster

An unprecedented, 22-valence-electron triple-decker sandwich complex [(Cp*Mo)2{μ-η(6):η(6)-B4H4Ru2(CO)6}], 2, has been prepared. In an effort to generate analogous triple-deckers with group 6 metal carbonyl fragments in the middle deck, we have isolated [(Cp*MoCO)2(μ-H)2B4H4], 3, that provides the first direct evidence for the missing link between [(Cp*MoCl)2B3H7] and [(Cp*Mo)2B5H9] clusters.

Electronic excited states of chromium and vanadium bisarene complexes revisited: interpretation of the absorption spectra on the basis of TD DFT calculations

The influence of the (η⁶-arene)₂M (M = Cr, V, Cr⁺) composition on parameters of intravalency and Rydberg transitions is explained on the basis of time-dependent DFT.

[(B3O3H3)(n)M]+ (n = 1, 2;M = Cu, Ag, Au): a new class of metal-cation complexes

A density functional theory (DFT) investigation into the structures and bonding characteristics of [(B3O3H3)nM](+)(n = 1, 2;M = Cu, Ag, Au) complexes was performed. DFT calculations and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses indicate that the ΙB metal complexes of boroxine exhibit intriguing bonding characteristics, different from the typical cation-π interactions between ΙB metal-cations and benzene. The complexes of [B3O3H3M](+) and [(B3O3H3)2 M](+) (M = Cu, Ag, and Au) favor the conformation of perfectly planar structures with the C2v and D2h symmetry along one of the threefold molecular axes of boroxine, respectively. Detailed natural resonance theory (NRT) and canonical molecular orbitals (CMOs) analyses show that interaction between the metal cation and the boroxine in [B3O3H3M](+) (M = Cu, Ag, and Au) is mainly ionic, while the ΙB metal-cations←π donation effect is responsible for the binding site. In these complexes, boroxine serves as terminals η(1)-B3O3H3 with one O atom of the B3O3 ring. The infra-red (IR) spectra of [B3O3H3M](+) were simulated to facilitate their future experimental characterization. The complexes all give two IR active modes at about 1,300 and 2,700 cm(-1), which are inactive in pure boroxine. Simultaneously, the B-H stretching modes of the complexes are red-shifted due to the interaction between the metal-cation and boroxine. To explore the possibility of the structural pattern developed in this work forming mesoporous materials, complexes [(B3O3H3M)6](6+) (M = Cu, Ag, and Au) were also studied, which appear to be unique and particular interesting: they are all true minima with D6h symmetries and pore sizes ranging from 12.04 Å to 13.65 Å.

Boratabenzene-vanadium sandwich molecular wire and its properties

Different from all reported sandwich molecular wires (SMWs), a novel class of SMW including vanadium boratabenzene (HBBz) clusters and their related one-dimensional (1D) SMWs are explored by using a density functional theory approach. The uniqueness of this class of SMWs lies in the boron heterocycles, where they possess a reactive functional atom. These features may overcome the limitation of existing SMWs which are inert and are difficult to be absorbed stably on surfaces. Theoretical calculations of the novel vanadium boratabenzene clusters indicated that they are energetically stable, with the rings having a restricted degree of rotation. In addition, its metallic 1D analog shows great promise in the applications of molecular electronics and spintronics.

The magnetic and quantum transport properties of benzene-vanadium-borazine mixed sandwich clusters: a new kind of spin filter

Using density functional theory and the non-equilibrium Green's function technique, we performed theoretical investigations on the magnetic and quantum transport properties of benzene-vanadium-borazine mixed organic/inorganic ligand sandwich clusters. The calculated results show that these finite sandwich clusters coupled to Ni electrodes exhibit novel quantum transport properties such as half-metallicity, negative differential resistance and spin-reversal effect, and can be viewed as a new kind of spin filter. However, for the infinite molecular wire, the ground state was identified as a ferromagnetic semiconductor with high stability. These findings suggest that the mixed organic/inorganic ligand sandwich clusters and molecular wires are promising materials for application in molecular electronics and spintronics.

Structures and magnetism of multinuclear vanadium-pentacene sandwich clusters and their 1D molecular wires

Two types of multinuclear sandwich clusters, (V(3))(n)Pen(n+1), (V(4))(n)Pen(n+1) (Pen = Pentacene; n = 1, 2), and their corresponding infinite one-dimensional (1D) molecular wires ([V(3)Pen](∞), [V(4)Pen](∞)) are investigated theoretically, especially on their magnetic coupling mechanism. These sandwich clusters and molecular wires are found to be of high stability and exhibit intriguing magnetic properties. The intra-layered V atoms in (V(3))(n)Pen(n+1) clusters prefer antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling, while they can be either ferromagnetic (FM) or AFM coupling in (V(4))(n)Pen(n+1) depending on the intra-layered V-V distances via direct exchange or superexchange mechanism. The inter-layered V atoms favor FM coupling in (V(3))(2)Pen(3), whereas they are AFM coupled in (V(4))(2)Pen(3). Such magnetic behaviors are the consequence of the competition between direct exchange and superexchange interactions among inter-layered V atoms. In contrast, the 1D molecular wires, [V(3)Pen](∞) and [V(4)Pen](∞), appear to be FM metallic with ultra high magnetic moments of 6.8 and 4.0 μ(B) per unit cell respectively, suggesting that they can be served as good candidates for molecular magnets.

Theoretical study of structure, bonding, and electronic behavior of novel sandwich compounds M₃(C6R6)₂ (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; R = H, F)

The correlations between the structural and electronic properties of the monolayer clusters M₃ (where M = Ni, Pd, Pt) and the sandwich complexes M₃(C₆R₆)₂ (where M = Ni, Pd, Pt; R = H, F) were studied by performing quantum-chemical calculations. All of the sandwich complexes are strongly donating and backdonating metal-ligand bonding structures. The influence of the ligand as well as significant variations in the M-C, M-M, and C-C bond lengths and binding energies were examined to obtain a qualitative and quantitative picture of the intramolecular interactions in C₆R₆-M₃. Our theoretical investigations show that the binding energies of these sandwich complexes gradually decrease from Ni to Pt as well as from H to F, which can be explained via the frontier orbitals of the clusters M₃ and C₆R₆.

Triple-decker-sandwich versus rice-ball structures for tris(benzene)dimetal derivatives of the first-row transition metals

Compounds of the type M(2)Bz(3) (Bz = benzene, C(6)H(6)) have been of interest since the related triple-decker mesitylenechromium sandwich (1,3,5-Me(3)C(6)H(3))(3)Cr(2) has been synthesized and characterized structurally by X-ray crystallography. Theoretical studies predict the lowest-energy M(2)Bz(3) structures of the early transition metals Ti, V, and Cr to be the triple-decker sandwiches trans-Bz(2)M(2)(η(6),η(6)-μ-C(6)H(6)) having quintet, triplet, and singlet spin states, respectively. In these structures, the central benzene ring functions as a hexahapto ligand to each metal atom. The singlet rice-ball cis-Bz(2)M(2)(μ-C(6)H(6)) structures with a 2.64-Å Mn═Mn double bond or a 2.81-Å Fe-Fe single bond are preferred for the central transition metals Mn and Fe. Singlet triple-decker-sandwich structures trans-Bz(2)M(2)(μ-C(6)H(6)) return as the lowest-energy structures for the late transition metals Co and Ni but with the central benzene ring only partially bonded to each metal atom. Thus, the lowest-energy cobalt derivative has a trans-Bz(2)Co(2)(η(3),η(3)-μ-C(6)H(6)) structure in which the central benzene ring acts as a trihapto ligand to each metal atom. Similarly, the lowest-energy nickel derivative has a trans-Bz(2)Ni(2)(η(2),η(2)-μ-C(6)H(6)) structure in which the central benzene ring acts as a dihapto ligand to each metal atom, leaving an uncomplexed C═C double bond. The metal-metal bond orders in the singlet "rice-ball" structures cis-Bz(2)M(2)(μ-C(6)H(6)) (M = Mn, Fe) and the hapticities of the central benzene rings in the singlet late-transition-metal triple-decker-sandwich structures trans-Bz(2)M(2)(μ-C(6)H(6)) (M = Co, Ni) are governed by the desirability for the metal atoms to attain the favored 18-electron configuration.

Tetracene-doped anthracene nanowire arrays: preparation and doping effects

Large-scale tetracene-doped anthracene nanowire arrays were prepared, and the doping effects were studied. The high doping concentration up to 10% (molar ratio) has been achieved, attributed to both the unique long-nanowire geometry and the excellent structural compatibility of anthracene and tetracene. The incorporation of long tetracene molecules into the matrix of short anthracene molecules induced an enlarged interlayer thickness, a decreased nanowire thickness, and an expanded nanowire width. The tetracene molecules were homogeneously embedded into the anthracene matrix at low doping concentrations (<1%). The doping became inhomogeneous at high doping concentrations (≥1%). The energy transfer efficiency between anthracene and tetracene is nearly 100% at doping concentrations ≥1%.