A {Co32} Nanosphere Supported by p-tert-Butylthiacalix[4]arene

A monomeric bowl-like pyrogallol[4]arene Ti12 coordination complex

Herein, an unprecedented monomeric bowl-like coordination complex, Ti₁₂PgC₃ (PgC₃ = C-propylpyrogallol[4]arene), has been successfully synthesized. To the best of our knowledge, Ti₁₂PgC₃ not only presents the first pyrogallol[4]arene-based titanium coordination complex, but also the highest nuclearity titanium coordination complex in the metal-calixarene system. In addition, this titanium coordination complex can effectively degrade the methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight.

Thiacalix[4]arene-supported tetradecanuclear cobalt nanocage cluster as precursor to synthesize CoO/Co9S8@CN composite for supercapacitor application

A new high nuclearity N,S-co-rich Co₁₄ cage cluster was used as a precursor to synthesize CoO/Co₉S₈@CN composites for applications in supercapacitors.

A metal-calixarene coordination nanotube with 5-(pyrimidin-5-yl)isophthalic acid

A coordination nanotube with truncated metal-calixarene octahedra exhibited a good ability to separate CH₄ from C₂H₆ and from C₃H₈.

Cage-like crystal packing through metallocavitands within a cobalt cluster-based supramolecular assembly

The generation of cage-like crystal packing geometry of TSHs in the solid state induced by the host–guest interactions among metallocavitands.

Organoamine-induced isomerism of calixarene-based complexes: from 1D to 2D

Two isomers of the calixarene-based cobalt complex [Co₄Cl(TC4A)(BCPT)₂]⁻ (H₄TC4A = p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene; H₂BCPT = 3,5-bis (4′-carboxy-phenyl)-1,2,4-triazole) were obtained under the solvothermal conditions with tetramethylammonium/tetraethylammonium hydroxide (CIAC-236) and triethylamine (CIAC-237). Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that CIAC-236 has a 1D zigzag aggregate constructed by bridging the shuttlecock-like Co₄–TC4A secondary building units (SBUs) with two pairs of opposite V-shaped BCPT ligands while CIAC-237 possesses a 2D layer assembly with each Co₄–TC4A SBU bonded by four BCPT ligands in a same direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), which indicates that different shapes of the organoamines lead to different assembly of the BCPT ligands and the formation of different extended aggregates. For comparison, only the 1D structure ([Fe₄Cl(TC4A)](BCPT)₂]⁻, CIAC-238) was obtained for the iron complexes with all these three organoamines, which would be attributed to different property and coordination of iron element. Magnetic properties of all these three compounds were studied.

Two isomers of the calixarene-based cobalt complex, 1D aggregate and 2D network, were obtained with different organoamine templates.

A Cobalt Supramolecular Triple-Stranded Helicate-based Discrete Molecular Cage

We report a strategy to achieve a discrete cage molecule featuring a high level of structural hierarchy through a multiple-assembly process. A cobalt (Co) supramolecular triple-stranded helicate (Co-TSH)-based discrete molecular cage (1) is successfully synthesized and fully characterized. The solid-state structure of 1 shows that it is composed of six triple-stranded helicates interconnected by four linking cobalt species. This is an unusual example of a highly symmetric cage architecture resulting from the coordination-driven assembly of metallosupramolecular modules. The molecular cage 1 shows much higher CO2 uptake properties and selectivity compared with the separate supramolecular modules (Co-TSH, complex 2) and other molecular platforms.

Linking cobalt–water chains with cis-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate bridges to form a 2D network exhibiting spin-canted antiferromagnetism

A 2D magnetic network consisting of water-bridged 1D Co²⁺ chains and cis-CHDA bridges displays spin-canted antiferromagnetism with spin-glass behavior.

Self-assembly, structures, magnetic properties and solution behaviors of six mixed-valence cobalt clusters

Six novel mixed-valence cobalt clusters with flexible {Co^II_xCo^III_y} cores have been constructed via in situ synthesis and stepwise synthesis routes. Their solution behaviors and possible assembly evolutions were detected by HRESI-MS. All of them also show interesting magnetic behaviours.

Anion-directed supramolecular chemistry modulating the magnetic properties of nanoscopic Mn coordination clusters: from polynuclear high-spin complexes to SMMs

We report a supramolecular approach to mixed-valent Mn coordination clusters that demonstrates how halide ions can be applied to influence the assembly of distinct tetranuclear building units to produce a number of related Mn coordination clusters with dense core structures that derive from a cuboctahedral arrangement of Mn ions. In all compounds the alignment of the Jahn-Teller axes of the Mn^III centers coincides with the positions of the stabilizing chloride ligands. Thus, the relative chloride concentrations in the reaction mixtures allow us to modify the symmetry and magnetic anisotropy of this basic core structures resulting in isotropic polynuclear high-spin complexes at high Cl^- concentrations and Single-Molecule Magnets at lower relative Cl^- concentrations.

Filling the gap between the quantum and classical worlds of nanoscale magnetism: giant molecular aggregates based on paramagnetic 3d metal ions

In this review, aspects of the syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of giant 3d and 3d/4f paramagnetic metal clusters in moderate oxidation states are discussed. The term "giant clusters" is used herein to denote metal clusters with nuclearity of 30 or greater. Many synthetic strategies towards such species have been developed and are discussed in this paper. Attempts are made to categorize some of the most successful methods to giant clusters, but it will be pointed out that the characteristics of the crystal structures of such compounds including nuclearity, shape, architecture, etc. are unpredictable depending on the specific structural features of the included organic ligands, reaction conditions and other factors. The majority of the described compounds in this review are of special interest not only for their fascinating nanosized structures but also because they sometimes display interesting magnetic phenomena, such as ferromagnetic exchange interactions, large ground state spin values, single-molecule magnetism behaviour or impressively large magnetocaloric effects. In addition, they often possess the properties of both the quantum and the classical world, and thus their systematic study offers the potential for the discovery of new physical phenomena, as well as a better understanding of the existing ones. The research field of giant clusters is under continuous evolution and their intriguing structural characteristics and magnetism properties that attract the interest of synthetic Inorganic Chemists promise a brilliant future for this class of compounds.

Aggregation of the metallocycles {Cu8} and {Cu20} using [Cu(bp)] units (H2bp = bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)amine): structures and magnetic properties

Two metallocycles, {Cu8(bp)4(OH)4(H2O)4(ClO4)4} (1) and {Cu20(bp)20} (2), were afforded by the reactions of the semi-flexible tridentate ligand bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)amine (H2bp) with Cu(ClO4)2·6H2O and Cu(OAc)2·H2O. Complex 1 has a saddle-shaped cyclic structure and complex 2 has a nanosized wheel-shaped structure. The two compounds consist of [Cu(bp)] units.

Molecular tectonics: dimensionality and geometry control of silver coordination networks based on pyrazolyl appended thiacalixarenes

Combinations of six new tetrakis-pyrazolyl appended calix[4]arenes derivatives, blocked in 1,3-A conformation as coordinating tectons, with AgX salts (X = NO₃⁻, BF₄⁻, XF₆⁻ (X = P, As and Sb)) lead to nine new silver coordination networks.

Rare double spin canting antiferromagnetic behaviours in a [Co24] cluster

A fish-basket-shaped [Co₂₄] cluster, [Co₂₄(μ₃-O)₄(ampc)₄(μ₃-OH)₄(μ₂-OH)₄(NO₃)₅(HCO₂)₂₂(H₂O)₁₀]·[(HCO₂)·2(CH₃OH)·x(H₂O)], was woven by bridging oxygen atoms from O²⁻, OH⁻, NO₃⁻ and HCO₂⁻ groups, and stabilized terminally by a semi-rigid organic ligand 4′,4′-[(dimethylamino)dimethylene]-bis[(1,1′-biphenyl)-2-carboxylate] (ampc⁻).

A platonic solid templating Archimedean solid: an unprecedented nanometre-sized Ag37 cluster

The spontaneous formation of discrete spherical nanosized molecules is prevalent in nature, but the authentic structural mimicry of such highly symmetric polyhedra from edge sharing of regular polygons has remained elusive. Here we present a novel ball-shaped {(HNEt3)[Ag37S4(SC6H4(t)Bu)24(CF3COO)6(H2O)12]} cluster () that is assembled via a one-pot process from polymeric {(HNEt3)2[Ag10(SC6H4(t)Bu)12]}n and CF3COOAg. Single crystal X-ray analysis confirmed that is a Td symmetric spherical molecule with a [Ag36(SC6H4(t)Bu)24] anion shell enwrapping a AgS4 tetrahedron. The shell topology of belongs to one of 13 Archimedean solids, a truncated tetrahedron with four edge-shared hexagons and trigons, which are supported by a AgS4 Platonic solid in the core. Interestingly, the cluster emits green luminescence centered at 515 nm at room temperature. Our investigations have provided a promising synthetic protocol for a high-nuclearity silver cluster based on underlying geometrical principles.

Discrete polynuclear manganese(ii) complexes with thiacalixarene ligands: synthesis, structures and photophysical properties

The solid state luminescence of [Mn₄(ThiaSO₂)₂F]X (X = K⁺ and [K(18-crown-6)]⁺, ThiaSO₂ = p-tert-butylsulphonylcalix[4]arene) compounds show a strong O₂ pressure dependence.

Functional group effects on structure and topology of cadmium(ii) frameworks with mixed organic ligands

Cadmium(ii) complexes were obtained by tuning functional groups of benzenedicarboxylate and reaction conditions, their ferroelectric and photoluminescence properties were studied.

‘All three-in-one’: ferromagnetic interactions, single-molecule magnetism and magnetocaloric properties in a new family of [Cu4Ln] (LnIII = Gd, Tb, Dy) clusters

A new family of [Cu₄Ln] clusters with a ‘propeller’-like topology was obtained; all complexes are ferromagnetically-coupled and display either MCE or SMM properties.

An intuitional hierarchical assembly of cluster–organic frameworks with a thickness of 1.97 nm from a discrete Co14 cluster

An intuitional hierarchical assembly, metaphorically referred to as a “blossom and yield fruit” process, from a discrete cluster {[Co₁₄(CH₃O)₄(dpbt)₆Cl₁₂]·14CH₃OH, (1)} to 2D cluster organic frameworks {[Co₁₄(CH₃O)₁₀(dpbt)₆ Cl₆]·12CH₃OH, (2)}, has been established.

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.

Functionalities and architectures of coordination polymers with multi-dimensionalities via transition metal–dicarboxylate ligands

Five coordination polymers based on the flexible H₂dpd ligand and different metal salts have been synthesised. The configuration of the ligand and the reaction temperature have important effects on the final structures.

Systematic design of secondary building units by an efficient cation-directing strategy under regular vibrations of ionic liquids

A cobalt-1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid system in a systematic series of ionic liquids with different alkyl chain lengths of imidazolium cations governed the construction of four MOFs with regular changes of secondary building units (SBUs).

Constructing calixarene-supported high nuclearity Co27, Co28 and Ni18Na6 clusters with triazoles as co-bridges

Four high nuclearity compounds are constructed by M₄-calixarene SBUs and triazole co-bridges.