Dinuclear Ln(iii) complexes constructed from an 8-hydroxyquinoline Schiff base derivative with different terminal groups show differing slow magnetic relaxation

Two series of Ln₂ complexes display substituent-dependent magnetic relaxation behavior.

Tetradecanuclearity in 3d–4f chemistry: relaxation and magnetocaloric effects in [NiII6LnIII8] species

The syntheses, structures, relaxation and magnetocaloric properties of two new hetero-tetradecametallic 3d–4f complexes are reported.

Coordination-Cluster-Based Molecular Magnetic Refrigerants

Coordination polymers serving as molecular magnetic refrigerants have been attracting great interest. In particular, coordination cluster compounds that demonstrate their apparent advantages on cryogenic magnetic refrigerants have attracted more attention in the last five years. Herein, we mainly focus on depicting aspects of syntheses, structures, and magnetothermal properties of coordination clusters that serve as magnetic refrigerants on account of the magnetocaloric effect. The documented molecular magnetic refrigerants are classified into two primary categories according to the types of metal centers, namely, homo- and heterometallic clusters. Every section is further divided into several subgroups based on the metal nuclearity and their dimensionalities, including discrete molecular clusters and those with extended structures constructed from molecular clusters. The objective is to present a rough overview of recent progress in coordination-cluster-based molecular magnetic refrigerants and provide a tutorial for researchers who are interested in the field.

Synthesis, structure, magnetic and biological activity studies of bis-hydrazone derived Cu(ii) and Co(ii) coordination compounds

Four coordination compounds of formulae [Cu(II)2(H2L(1))(HL(1))](ClO4)3·H2O (1), [Cu(II)2(H2L(2))(CH3OH)2](ClO4)2·2CH3OH (2), [Co(II)2(H2L(1))2](ClO4)4 (3) and [Co(II)2(H2L(2))2]·2H2O (4) were synthesized via self-assembly of succinohydrazone derived ligands (H2L(1) = N',N'-4-bis(2-pyridyl)succinohydrazide, H4L(2) = N',N'-4-bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene)succinohydrazide) and Cu(2+) and Co(2+) ions, respectively. The compounds were characterized by crystal structure determination, magnetic measurements and biological activities. Compounds 1, 3 and 4 have discrete double helicate structures, whereas compound 2 is a one-dimensional chain. Magnetic studies show antiferromagnetic exchange interactions in 2 with a J value of -67.1 cm(-1) and antiferromagnetic spin-canting in compound 3 originates through supramolecular H-bonding. For compound 3, a clear bifurcation was observed in zero field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) measurement at a temperature of 3.5 K and field of 0.1 T, implying long range magnetic ordering below this temperature. Interestingly, all of compounds 1-4 show significant changes in their absorption (hypo- and hyperchromism) in the presence of SS-DNA, inferring interaction between the compounds and DNA. In addition, compounds 1-4 significantly exhibited nuclease activities on both RNA and pUC19 plasmid DNA. Moreover, the nuclease activity was further enhanced in the presence of oxidant (H2O2) and suggests the possible role of reactive oxygen species in DNA nicking ability of compounds 1-4. Furthermore, compounds 1, 2 and 4 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against mammalian cancer cell lines (HeLa, A549 and MDAMB-231). In addition, our results from Annexin/PI staining and DNA fragmentation assays revealed that these compounds are capable of inducing apoptosis and have potential to act as anticancer drugs.

Bis-Calix[4]arenes: From Ligand Design to the Directed Assembly of a Metal-Organic Trigonal Antiprism

Calix[4]arenes (C[4]s) are versatile platforms for the construction of polymetallic clusters containing paramagnetic metal ions. Synthetic modification at the C[4] methylene bridge allows for the design of bis-C[4]s that, depending on the linker employed, can be used to either dictate which clusters can be formed or direct the assembly of a new metal-organic polyhedron (MOP). The assembly resulting from the latter approach displays thermal stability and uptake of N2 or H2 gas, confirming that this is a viable route to the synthesis of new, functional supramolecular architectures.

Tricarboxylate-based GdIII coordination polymers exhibiting large magnetocaloric effects

Hydrothermal reactions of Gd₂O₃ and two tricarboxylates generated two carboxylate-bridged 2D/3D Gd^III coordination polymers with large magnetocaloric effects.

Building 1D lanthanide chains and non-symmetrical [Ln2] “triple-decker” clusters using salen-type ligands: magnetic cooling and relaxation phenomena

Three series of related lanthanide polymers/dimers have been structurally and magnetically investigated.

Nitronyl nitroxide based 2p-3d-4f chains with the magnetocaloric effect and slow magnetic relaxation

Four new nitronyl nitroxide radical based hetero-tri-spin one-dimensional compounds, namely [{Ln(hfac)3}3{Cu(hfac)2}{NIT-Ph(OMe)2}4]n (Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), Er (4); hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate; NIT-Ph(OMe)2 = 2-(2',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazolyl-1-oxyl-3-oxide) have been successfully prepared. Single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that complexes 1-4 possess a 1D chain structure with a repeating [Cu-Rad-Ln-Rad-Ln-Rad-Ln-Rad] moiety in which Ln(hfac)3 and Cu(hfac)2 units are bridged by nitronyl nitroxide radicals through the NO groups. DC magnetic studies found that ferromagnetic interactions between metals and the coordinated NO groups are active in all four compounds. The Tb derivative displays frequency dependent ac magnetic susceptibilities, indicating slow magnetic relaxation behavior. The Gd complex shows an important cryogenic magnetocaloric effect with the entropy change (-ΔSm) of 13.5 J kg(-1) K(-1) at 2 K and a magnetic field of 7 T, representing the first example of Gd-radical molecular species exhibiting the magnetocaloric effect.

Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of an unusual family of carbonate-panelled [Ln(III)(6)Zn(III)(2)] cages

The reaction of the pro-ligand H4L, which combines the complementary phenolic oxime and diethanolamine moieties within the same organic framework, with Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and Ln(NO3)3·6H2O in a basic methanolic solution generates a family of isostructural heterometallic coordination compounds of general formula [Ln6Zn2(CO3)5(OH)(H2L)4(H3L)2(H4L)]NO3·xMeOH [Ln = Gd, x = 30 (), Ln = Dy, x = 32 (), Ln = Sm, x = 31 (), Ln = Eu, x = 29 (), Ln = Tb, x = 30 ()]. The octametallic skeleton of the cage describes a heavily distorted [Gd] octahedron capped on two faces by Zn(II) ions. The metal core is stabilised by a series of μ3- and μ4-CO3(2-) ions, originating from the serendipitous fixation of atmospheric CO2. The magnetic properties of all family members were examined via SQUID magnetometry, with the χMT product and VTVB data of the Gd analogue () being independently fitted by numerical diagonalisation to afford the same best-fit parameter JGd-Gd = -0.004 cm(-1). The MCE of complex was elucidated from specific heat data, with the magnetic entropy change reaching a value of 22.6 J kg(-1) K(-1) at T = 1.7 K, close to the maximum entropy value per mole expected from six Gd(III) spins (SGd = 7/2), 23.7 J kg(-1) K(-1).

Linked supramolecular building blocks for enhanced cluster formation

Methylene-bridged calix[4]arenes have emerged as extremely versatile ligand supports in the formation of new polymetallic clusters possessing fascinating magnetic properties. Metal ion binding rules established for this building block allow one to partially rationalise the complex assembly process. The ability to covalently link calix[4]arenes at the methylene bridge provides significantly improved control over the introduction of different metal centres to resulting cluster motifs. Clusters assembled from bis-calix[4]arenes and transition metal ions or 3d-4f combinations display characteristic features of the analogous calix[4]arene supported clusters, thereby demonstrating an enhanced and rational approach towards the targeted synthesis of complex and challenging structures.

Manganese–calcium clusters supported by calixarenes

An investigation inspired by the structure of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II has resulted in the isolation and structural characterization of the first examples of Mn/Ca clusters supported by a calixarene ligand.

Mn(II)2Gd(III)3 Phosphonate as a Molecular Refrigerant

3d-Gd phosphonate clusters are attractive for their potential applications as magnetic coolers. A new pentanuclear cluster [Mn(II)2Gd(III)3(OH)(dtbmfPO3)2(tBuCO2)8(HO2CtBu)(H2O)2]·HO2CtBu·CH3CN (1) (dtbmfPO3H2 = (2,7-di-tert-butyl-9-methyl-9H-fluoren-9-yl)phosphonic acid) has been synthesised and characterised. The cluster has a planar structure in which the trinuclear {MnGd2(OH)} and dinuclear {MnGdO2} units are joined together by two phosphonate groups. The magnetic studies reveal that 1 shows antiferromagnetic interactions and a large magnetocaloric effect (ΔS = 20.9 J kg–1 K–1 at ΔH = 7 T).

A nine-coordinated dysprosium(iii) compound with an oxalate-bridged dysprosium(iii) layer exhibiting two slow magnetic relaxation processes

A 2D oxalate-bridged dysprosium(iii) compound, formulated as [Dy(C₂O₄)_1.5(H₂O)₃]_n·2nH₂O (1), has been hydrothermally isolated.

Magnetocaloric effect and thermal conductivity of Gd(OH)3 and Gd2O(OH)4(H2O)2

The magnetocaloric effect and thermal conductivity of two gadolinium hydroxides, Gd(OH)₃ (1) and Gd₂O(OH)₄(H₂O)₂ (2), were investigated, respectively, revealing that 1 is the most promising candidate for an ultra-low temperature magnetic refrigeration material.

[LnIII–MnII–LnIII] heterometallic compounds: rare linear SMMs with divalent manganese ions

The perfectly linear metal array and the introduction of strong magnetic anisotropy Tb^IIIand Dy^IIIresult in new trinuclear heterometallic Ln^III–Mn^II–Ln^IIISMMs with high energy barriers.

Two GdIII complexes derived from dicarboxylate ligands as cryogenic magnetorefrigerants

Two Gd^III complexes with 1D/3D structures exhibit weak magnetic interactions and large magnetocaloric effects (−ΔSmaxm > 37.0 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹).

A family of Fe3+ based double-stranded helicates showing a magnetocaloric effect, and Rhodamine B dye and DNA binding activities

A series of Fe³⁺ based double-stranded helicates unveil a significant magnetocaloric effect as well as binding activities with Rhodamine B dye and CT-DNA.

Remarkable LnIII3FeIII2 clusters with magnetocaloric effect and slow magnetic relaxation

Two 3d–4f clusters were reported: Gd₃Fe₂ possesses significant magnetic entropy change and slow magnetic relaxation is observed in Dy₃Fe₂.

Modulating the magnetic properties by structural modification in a family of Co-Ln (Ln = Gd, Dy) molecular aggregates

Two types of 3d–4f cages are reported where the Gd analogues show significant magnetic refrigeration and the Dy containing compounds display SMM behaviour.

Magnetic refrigeration and slow magnetic relaxation in tetranuclear lanthanide cages (Ln = Gd, Dy) with in situ ligand transformation

Three tetranuclear lanthanide cages featuring either hemicubane (1 and 2) or distorted hemicubane (3) like cores are reported. Magnetic studies reveal significant magnetic entropy changes for complex 1 and a slow relaxation of magnetisation for 3.