A keplerate magnetic cluster featuring an icosidodecahedron of Ni(II) ions encapsulating a dodecahedron of La(III) ions

A series of cobalt and nickel clusters based on thiol-containing ligands accompanied by in situ ligand formation

We report a series of cobalt and nickel clusters based on thiol-containing ligands, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (HMBT) and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (H₂MBI), accompanied by in situ ligand transformation of HMBT. The magnetic properties of the cobalt clusters have been investigated.

Two nanosized 3d–4f clusters featuring four Ln6 octahedra encapsulating a Zn4 tetrahedron

Two high-nuclearity 3d–4f clusters Ln₂₄Zn₄ (Ln = Gd and Sm) featuring four Ln₆ octahedra encapsulating a Zn₄ tetrahedron were obtained through the self-assembly of Zn(OAc)₂ and Ln(ClO₄)₃.

Anion dependent self-assembly of 56-metal Cd-Ln nanoclusters with enhanced near-infrared luminescence properties

Two series of Cd-Ln clusters: nano-drum [Ln₈Cd₂₄L₁₂(OAc)₄₈] and nano-double-drum [Ln₁₂Cd₄₄L₂₀Cl₃₀(OAc)₅₄] (Ln = Nd and Yb) were prepared using a flexible Schiff base ligand bearing two aryl-Br groups. Chloride (Cl(-)) ions, together with the interactions of Br with other electronegative atoms, play a key role in the formation of the nano-double-drums. The structures were studied by TEM and photophysical properties were determined.

Homologous size-extension of hybrid vanadate capsules - solid state structures, solution stability and surface deposition

The dimensions and cavity sizes of the molecular capsules with the general formula [V10O18L4](10-) can be controlled modularly through the nature of the bifunctional, rigid organophosphonate ligands L(1) and L(2) (L(1) = bis(4-phosphonatophenyl)ethyne and L(2) = bis(4-phosphonatophenyl)butadiyne); the solution stability of the molecular entities as demonstrated by ESI-MS studies permits their assembly on the Au(111) surface on a sub-monolayer scale giving rise to a 2D supramolecular structure that is comparable to the packing arrangements of the capsules in the crystal structures.

Tuning the magnetic behaviors in [FeIII12LnIII4] clusters with aromatic carboxylate ligands

Six new Fe–Ln clusters composed of a Fe₁₂Ln₄ core derived from two monocarboxylate ligands have been successfully obtained with a step-by-step strategy. Magnetic analyses suggest that 1–6 show different magnetic properties, and 2 and 6 display SMM-like behaviors.

Experimental, DFT and quantum Monte Carlo studies of a series of peptide-based metal–organic frameworks: synthesis, structures and properties

Properties and the function–structure relation of four peptide-based MOFs were identified by experimental measurements, DFT and quantum Monte Carlo calculation.

Antimony tartrate transition-metal-oxo chiral clusters

A chiral precursor K2Sb2(L-tartrate)2 was used for the assembly of three homochiral heterometallic antimony(III)-tartrate transition-metal-oxo clusters: Mn(H2O)6[Fe4Mn4Sb6(μ4-O)6(μ3-O)2(l-tartrate)6(H2O)8]·10.5H2O (1), [V4Mn5Sb6(μ4-O)6(μ3-O)2(L-tartrate)6(H2O)13]·9.5H2O (2), and (H3O)[Ni(H2O)6]2[NiCrSb12(μ3-O)8(μ4-O)3(l-tartrate)6]·6H2O (3). In 1 and 2, the antimony tartrate dimer precursor decomposes and recombines to form Sb3(μ3-O)(L-tartrate)3 chiral trimers, which act as scaffolds to construct negative-charged [Fe4Mn4Sb6(μ4-O)6(μ3-O)2(L-tartrate)6](2-) in 1 and neutral [V4Mn5Sb6(μ4-O)6(μ3-O)2(L-tartrate)6] in 2. The scaffold is flexible and accommodates different types of transition-metal-oxo clusters due to the different possible coordination modes of the L-tartrate ligand. In 3, a two-level chiral scaffold Sb3(μ3-O)(L-tartrate)3Sb3 is formed from the precursor. Two such scaffolds are linked by three bridging oxygen atoms to form a cavity occupied by one Cr(3+) ion and one Ni(2+) ion disordered over two positions. Cr(3+) and Ni(2+) ions are located in two face-shared MO6 octahedra at the center of a negatively charged [NiCrSb12(μ3-O)8(μ4-O)3(L-tartrate)6](3-) cluster.

Development of composite inorganic building blocks for MOFs

A general direction for diversifying metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is demonstrated by the synthesis of composite inorganic clusters between indium and s-, d-, and f-block elements. These previously unknown heterometallic clusters, with various nuclearity, geometry, charge, and metal-to-metal ratios, significantly expand the pool of inorganic building blocks that are highly effective for the construction of porous MOFs with high gas uptake capacity.

High-nuclearity 3d-4f clusters as enhanced magnetic coolers and molecular magnets

Four 52-metal-ion 3d-4f cluster complexes featuring a common core of Ln(42)M(10) (Ln = Gd(3+), Dy(3+); M = Co(2+/3+), Ni(2+)) were obtained through self-assembly of the metal ions templated by mixed anions (ClO(4)(-) and CO(3)(2-)). Magnetic studies revealed that the Gd(42)Co(10) and Gd(42)Ni(10) clusters exhibit the largest magnetocaloric effect (MCE) among any known 3d-4f complexes. Replacement of Gd(3+) ions with anisotropic Dy(3+) ions caused significant changes in the magnetic behavior of the clusters; both Dy(42)Co(10) and Dy(42)Ni(10) displayed slow relaxation of the magnetization.