Magnetic Molecular Conductors

Tetrathiafulvalene-supported triple-decker phthalocyaninato dysprosium(III) complex: synthesis, properties and surface assembly

Self-assembly of functional compounds into a prerequisite nanostructure with desirable dimension and morphology by controlling and optimizing intermolecular interaction attracts an extensive research interest for chemists and material scientist. In this work, a new triple-decker sandwich-type lanthanide complex with phthalocyanine and redox-active Schiff base ligand including tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) units has been synthesized, and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, absorption spectra, electrochemical and magnetic measurements. Interestingly, the non-centrosymmetric target complex displays a bias dependent selective adsorption on a solid surface, as observed by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at the single molecule level. Density function theory (DFT) calculations are utilized to reveal the formation mechanism of the molecular assemblies, and show that such electrical field dependent selective adsorption is regulated by the interaction between the external electric field and intrinsic molecular properties. Our results suggest that this type of multi-decker complex involving TTF units shows intriguing multifunctional properties from the viewpoint of structure, electric and magnetic behaviors, and fabrication through self-assembly.

Unprecedented sensitization of visible and near-infrared lanthanide luminescence by using a tetrathiafulvalene-based chromophore

Ligand L was synthesized and then coordinated to [Ln(hfac)3]⋅2 H2O (Ln(III)=Tb, Dy, Er; hfac(-)=1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate anion) and [Ln(tta)3]⋅2 H2O (Ln(III)=Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Yb; tta(-)=2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) to give two families of dinuclear complexes [Ln2(hfac)6(L)]⋅C6H14 and [Ln2(tta)6(L)]⋅2 CH2Cl2. Irradiation of the ligand at 37,040 cm(-1) and 29,410 cm(-1) leads to tetrathiafulvalene-centered and 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-pyridine-centered fluorescence, respectively. The ligand acts as an organic chromophore for the sensitization of the infrared Er(III) (6535 cm(-1)) and Yb(III) (10,200 cm(-1)) luminescence. The energies of the singlet and triplet states of L are high enough to guarantee an efficient sensitization of the visible Eu(III) luminescence (17,300-14,100 cm(-1)). The Eu(III) luminescence decay can be nicely fitted by a monoexponential function that allows a lifetime estimation of (0.49±0.01) ms. Finally, the magnetic and luminescence properties of [Yb2(hfac)6(L)]⋅C6H14 were correlated, which allowed the determination of the crystal field splitting of the (2)F(7/2) multiplet state with M(J)=±1/2 as ground states.

Anion-π and halide-halide nonbonding interactions in a new ionic liquid based on imidazolium cation with three-dimensional magnetic ordering in the solid state

We present the first magnetic phase of an ionic liquid with anion-π interactions, which displays a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic ordering below the Néel temperature, TN = 7.7 K. In this material, called Dimim[FeBr4], an exhaustive and systematic study involving structural and physical characterization (synchrotron X-ray, neutron powder diffraction, direct current and alternating current magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, heat capacity, Raman and Mössbauer measurements) as well as first-principles analysis (density functional theory (DFT) simulation) was performed. The crystal structure, solved by Patterson-function direct methods, reveals a monoclinic phase (P21 symmetry) at room temperature with a = 6.745(3) Å, b = 14.364(3) Å, c = 6.759(3) Å, and β = 90.80(2)°. Its framework, projected along the b direction, is characterized by layers of cations [Dimim](+) and anions [FeBr4](-) that change the orientation from layer to layer, with Fe···Fe distances larger than 6.7 Å. Magnetization measurements show the presence of 3D antiferromagnetic ordering below TN with the existence of a noticeable magneto-crystalline anisotropy. From low-temperature neutron diffraction data, it can be observed that the existence of antiferromagnetic order is originated by the antiparallel ordering of ferromagnetic layers of [FeBr4](-) metal complex along the b direction. The magnetic unit cell is the same as the chemical one, and the magnetic moments are aligned along the c direction. The DFT calculations reflect the fact that the spin density of the iron ions spreads over the bromine atoms. In addition, the projected density of states (PDOS) of the imidazolium with the bromines of a [FeBr4](-) metal complex confirms the existence of the anion-π interaction. Magneto-structural correlations give no evidence for direct iron-iron interactions, corroborating that the 3D magnetic ordering takes place via superexchange coupling, the Fe-Br···Br-Fe interplane interaction being defined as the main exchange pathway.

Photo-switching in a hybrid material made of magnetic layered double hydroxides intercalated with azobenzene molecules

A magnetic photoresponsive hybrid material is prepared by intercalation of a switchable trans-azobenzene-4,4'-dicarboxylate guest in the interlamellar space offered by a ferromagnetic Co(2+)Al(3+)-layered double hydroxide (LDH) host. Magnetic switching is triggered by compression/modification of the in-plane structure coupled the guest's isomerization causing a change in the magnetization of 27%.

A multifunctional magnetic material under pressure

Fe(II)(Metz)6](Fe(III)Br4)2 (Metz = 1-methyltetrazole) is one of the rare systems combining spin-crossover and long-range magnetic ordering. A joint neutron and X-ray diffraction and magnetometry study allows determining its collinear antiferromagnetic structure, and shows an increase of the Néel temperature from 2.4 K at ambient pressure, to 3.9 K at 0.95 GPa. Applied pressure also enables a full high-spin to low-spin switch at ambient temperature.

Halogen-bonding in a new family of tris(haloanilato)metallate(III) magnetic molecular building blocks

Here we report on new tris(haloanilato)metallate(III) complexes with general formula [A]3[M(X2An)3] (A = (n-Bu)4N(+), (Ph)4P(+); M = Cr(III), Fe(III); X2An = 3,6-dihalo derivatives of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone (H4C6O4), chloranilate (Cl2An(2-)), bromanilate (Br2An(2-)) and iodanilate (I2An(2-))), obtained by a general synthetic strategy, and their full characterization. The crystal structures of these Fe(III) and Cr(III) haloanilate complexes consist of anions formed by homoleptic complexes formulated as [M(X2An)3](3-) and (Et)3NH(+), (n-Bu)4N(+), or (Ph4)P(+) cations. All complexes exhibit octahedral coordination geometry with metal ions surrounded by six oxygen atoms from three chelate ligands. These complexes are chiral according to the metal coordination of three bidentate ligands, and both Λ and Δ enantiomers are present in their crystal lattice. The packing of [(n-Bu)4N]3[Cr(I2An)3] (5a) shows that the complexes form supramolecular dimers that are held together by two symmetry related I···O interactions (3.092(8) Å), considerably shorter than the sum of iodine and oxygen van der Waals radii (3.50 Å). The I···O interaction can be regarded as a halogen bond (XB), where the iodine behaves as the XB donor and the oxygen atom as the XB acceptor. This is in agreement with the properties of the electrostatic potential for [Cr(I2An)3](3-) that predicts a negative charge accumulation on the peripheral oxygen atoms and a positive charge accumulation on the iodine. The magnetic behaviour of all complexes, except 5a, may be explained by considering a set of paramagnetic non-interacting Fe(III) or Cr(III) ions, taking into account the zero-field splitting effect. The presence of strong XB interactions in 5a are able, instead, to promote antiferromagnetic interactions among paramagnetic centers at low temperature, as shown by the fit with the Curie-Weiss law, in agreement with the formation of halogen-bonded supramolecular dimers.

A perception of ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions in a two dimensional Ni(ii) heterochiral coordination polymer showing unusual CO2 uptake behavior

A robust 2D heterochiral Ni(ii) coordination polymer is reported which shows ferro-, antiferromagnetic interactions and unusual CO₂ uptake behavior.

Lanthano-phosphotungstate: A water soluble and reusable catalyst for oxidation of alcohols using H2O2 as an oxidant

Oxidation of alcohols using H₂O₂ to corresponding carbonyl compounds in good yields for lanthano-phosphotungstates catalysts and its recyclability up to five cycles was envisaged in water.

Radicals in metal–organic frameworks

We discuss early advances in the incorporation of radicals into the ever evolving class of materials known as metal–organic frameworks.

Crystal lattice effect on the quenching of the intracluster magnetic interaction in [V12B18O60H6]10− polyoxometalate

Quenching effect of the intracluster antiferromagnetic coupling by alkaline ions of the crystalline packing.

Acetato-bridged dinuclear lanthanide complexes with single molecule magnet behaviour for the Dy2 species

Five dinuclear Ln complexes bridged by acetate groups in the η¹:η²:μ₂ mode are reported with the Dy₂ analogue behaving as a SMM.

Magnetic relaxation in mononuclear Tb complex involving a nitronyl nitroxide ligand

One novel mononuclear Tb-nitronyl nitroxide complex, which exhibits SMM behavior, has been obtained.

Lanthanoid containing phosphotungstates: the syntheses, crystal structure, electrochemistry, photoluminescence and magnetic properties

A series of Peacock and Weakley type dimers was synthesized in a one pot reaction with high yield using ligand [P₂W₁₉O₆₉(H₂O)]¹⁴⁻. All nano clusters were structurally characterized by various analytical techniques.

Nonelectrochemical synthesis, crystal structure, and physical properties of the radical salt [ET]2[CuCl4] (ET = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene)

The radical salt [ET]2[CuCl4] was obtained by chemical oxidation of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (ET) with the tetranuclear copper(II) halide cluster [Cu4OCl10](4-). Although a complex mixture of anions forms in solution during the redox reaction, only this product is obtained as large (>3 mm) single crystals. X-ray diffraction analysis determined that the ET molecules stack in the solid state forming dimerized 1D chains along the a axis, interleaved by [CuCl4](2-) anions. The ET dimers show very short S···S contacts (<3.41 Å). The physical properties are dominated by these intradimer ET interactions. The magnetic behavior shows antiferromagnetic coupling with a singlet-triplet gap >620 K (430 cm(-1)). The Cu(2+) (S = 1/2) centers are magnetically isolated and yield a narrow EPR line in the X-band at g = 2.01. The ET moieties are EPR silent.

Structures and properties of a BEDT-TTF-based organic charge transfer salt and the zwitterion of ferrocenesulfonate

The structure and properties of a new semiconducting BEDT-TTF-based charge-transfer salt containing the ferrocenesulfonate (Fc-SO3(-)) anion, α-(BEDT-TTF)2Fc-SO3·2.5H2O, are described. The structure and magnetic properties of a zwitterion of ferrocenesulfonate, Fc(+)-SO3(-), are also reported.

Charge fluctuations and ethylene-group-ordering transition in β''-(BEDT-TTF)4[(H3O)Fe(C2O4)3]⋅Y molecular charge-transfer salts

The polarized infrared reflectance and Raman spectra of the three quasi-two-dimensional β''-(BEDT-TTF)4[(H3O)Fe(C2O4)3]⋅Y bifunctional charge-transfer salts, where BEDT-TTF = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene and Y = C6H5Br, (C6H5CN)0.17(C6H5Br)0.83, (C6H5CN)0.4(C6H5F)0.6, have been measured as a function of the temperature. Signatures of charge inhomogenity have been found in both Raman and infrared spectra of the β''-(BEDT-TTF)4[(H3O)Fe(C2O4)3]⋅Y superconductors. A 100 K transition to a mixed insulating/metallic state is clearly seen for the first time in the temperature dependence of the electronic spectra of superconducting β''-(BEDT-TTF)4[(H3O)Fe(C2O4)3]⋅C6H5Br. We suggest that this phase transition is due to subtle changes in the ethylene groups ordering, which are related to a structural phase transition in the anionic layer. The infrared and Raman spectra of quasi-two-dimensional metal α-'pseudo-κ'-(BEDT-TTF)4[(H3O)Fe(C2O4)3]C6H4Br2 are also investigated.