Old materials with new tricks: multifunctional open-framework materials

A three-dimensional lanthanide-organic radical open-framework

The reaction of a 3-connecting PTMTC radical with Tb(III) ions forms a three-dimensional open-framework with the formula [Tb(PTMTC)(DMF)(3)] (1), which associates a lattice complex T topology with large channels, guest-induced reversible crystal to amorphous transformations and ferromagnetic metal-radical interactions.

Synthesis, structure, and polymorphism studies in amine-templated open-framework zinc phosphites

Five new zinc phosphites, [C10N4H26][Zn2(HPO3)4].2H2O, 1, [C10N4H26][Zn5(H2O)4(HPO3)6].4H2O, 2, [C10N4H26][Zn4(HPO3)6].2H2O, 3, [C10N4H26][Zn4(HPO3)6].2H2O, 4, and [Zn2(HPO3)2(C10N4H24)], 5, were synthesized employing solvo/hydrothermal reactions in the presence of 1,4-bis (3-aminopropyl) piperazine (APPIP). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies indicate that all the compounds form a hierarchy of structures. While the structures 1 and 2 are low-dimensional, 3-5 have three-dimensional connectivity. ZnO4 and HPO3 units form a 4-membered ring and are connected through their corners forming a one-dimensional chain structure in 1. 2 has one-dimensional ladders connected by ZnO2(H2O)4 octahedral units forming a layer with 4- and 8-membered apertures. Compounds 3 and 4 have similar molecular formulae and connectivity, which makes them polymorphic in nature. The amine molecules exist in gauche and all-trans form in 3 and 4, respectively. The amine molecule binds with the zinc center in 5 and acts as a pillar between the two zinc phosphite layers. The present study outlines the possible role of synthesis parameters for the isolation of a number of different structures by employing a single amine molecule, APPIP. The observation of polymorphic structures along with the interconvertibilities of one of the phases is important and noteworthy. The 31P chemical shifts observed in NMR studies, consistent with the single crystal data, have been correlated with the valence sum values of the oxygen that are bound with the distinct phosphorus.

Oxyfluorotitanophosphate cluster [Ti10P4O16F44]16-: synthesis and characterization of K16[Ti10P4O16F44]

One oxyfluorotitanophosphate cluster compound, K16[Ti10P4O16F44], has been synthesized and structurally characterized. As far as we know, it is the first cluster compound for titanophosphate.

Synthesis, Structure, and Upconversion Studies on Organically Templated Uranium Phosphites

Three new amine templated uranium phosphites, [C2N2H10][U2IVF6(HPO3)2], 1, [C4N2H12][U2IVF6(HPO3)2], 2, and [C4N2H12][(UVIO2)2F2(HPO3)2], 3, have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods. All of the compounds are built up from a connectivity between U(O/F)x (x = 7, 8) and HPO3 polyhedral units. The observation of a well-established secondary building unit, SBU-4, in 1 and 2 is noteworthy. In 1, the SBU-4 units are connected to form U-F-U chains, which are linked by U-O-P chains, forming the layered structure. In 2, the SBU-4 units are edge-shared and also interconnected forming the 3D structure. In 3, the connectivity between the building units forms a layer, the topology of which is similar to the mineral, johannite. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first observation of a well-known secondary building unit (SBU-4) in actinide framework compounds. Optical studies on 1 and 2, containing U(4+) species, indicate an intense blue emission through an upconversion process, and the magnetic susceptibility studies show antiferromagnetic behavior.