Systematic Investigation of Reaction-Time Dependence of Three Series of Copper-Lanthanide/Lanthanide Coordination Polymers: Syntheses, Structures, Photoluminescence, and Magnetism

Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic and Biological Properties of Copper(II) Complexes with 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Derivatives

New coordination compounds of copper(II) with 2,5-bis(ethylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (L1) and 2,5-bis(pyridylmethylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (L2) with compositions Cu(L1)2Br2, Cu(L1)(C2N3)2, Cu(L2)Cl2, and Cu(L2)Br2 were prepared. The complexes were identified and studied by CHN analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD), and static magnetic susceptibility. The crystal structures of Cu(II) complexes with L1 were determined. The structures of the coordination core of complexes Cu(L2)Cl2 and Cu(L2)Br2 were determined by Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Magnetization measurements have revealed various magnetic states in the studied complexes, ranging from an almost ideal paramagnet in Cu(L1)2Br2 to alternating-exchange antiferromagnetic chains in Cu(L1)(C2N3)2, where double dicyanamide bridges provide an unusually strong exchange interaction (J1/kB ≈ -23.5 K; J2/kB ≈ -20.2 K) between Cu(II) ions. The cytotoxic activity of copper(II) complexes with L2 was estimated on the human cell lines of breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2).

Synergistic Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Luminescent-Magnetic Ln2Zn6 Clusters

The present work is part of our ongoing quest for developing functional inorganic complexes using unorthodox pyridyl-pyrazolyl-based ligands. Accordingly, we report herein the synthesis, characterization, and luminescence and magnetic properties of four 3d-4f mixed-metal complexes with a general core of Ln₂Zn₆ (Ln = Dy, Gd, Tb, and Eu). In stark contrast to the popular wisdom of using a compartmental ligand with separate islands of hard and soft coordinating sites for selective coordination, we have vindicated our approach of using a ligand with overcrowded N-coordinating sites that show equal efficiency with both 4f and 3d metals toward multinuclear cage-cluster formation. The encouraging red and green photolumiscent features of noncytotoxic Eu₂Zn₆ and Tb₂Zn₆ complexes along with their existence in nanoscale dimension have been exploited with live-cell confocal microscopy imaging of human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cells. The magnetic features of the Dy₂Zn₆ complex confirm the single-molecule-magnet behavior with befitting frequency- and temperature-dependent out-of-phase signals along with an U_eff value of ∼5 K and a relaxation time of 8.52 × 10^-6 s. The Gd₂Zn₆ complex, on the other hand, shows cryogenic magnetic refrigeration with an entropy change of 11.25 J kg^-1 K^-1 at a magnetic field of 7 T and at 2 K. Another important aspect of this work reflects the excellent agreement between the experimental results and theoretical calculations. The theoretical studies carried out using the broken-symmetry density functional theory, ORCA suite of programs, and MOLCAS calculations using the complete-active-space self-consistent-field method show an excellent synergism with the experimentally measured magnetic and spectroscopic data.

Homochiral Ferromagnetic Coupling Dy2 Single-Molecule Magnets with Strong Magneto-Optical Faraday Effects at Room Temperature

By the bridging action of the 6-chloro-2-hydroxypyridine (Hchp) ligand and the terminal coordination role of the homochiral ligand, (-)/(+)-3-trifluoroacetyl camphor (l-Htfc/d-Htfc), a pair of enantiomerically pure dysprosium(III) dinuclear complexes, [Dy₂(l-tfc)₄(chp)₂(MeOH)₂] (l-1) and [Dy₂(d-tfc)₄(chp)₂(MeOH)₂] (d-1), was obtained. Their circular dichroism (CD) spectra verified their enantiomeric nature. Magnetic investigation indicated that they exhibit ferromagnetic interaction and good zero field single-molecule magnet (SMM) properties. The U_eff/k values of l-1 and d-1 at 0 Oe are 180.5 and 181.3 K, respectively, which are large values for homochiral Dy(III) SMMs. A reasonable explanation for the magnetic properties of l-1 and d-1 was supplied by ab initio calculations. Remarkably, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) investigation revealed that the chiral Dy₂ enantiomers show a strong magneto-optical Faraday effect at room temperature, suggesting potential applications in magneto-optical devices.

Lanthanide-Aromatic Iminodiacetate Frameworks with Helical Tubes: Structure, Properties, and Low-Temperature Heat Capacity

A series of lanthanide coordination polymers [LnL(H₂O)₂] _n [Ln = Pr (1), Nd (2), Sm (3), Eu (4), and Gd (5), H₃L = N-(4-carboxy-benzyl)iminodiacetic acid] was hydrothermally prepared and structurally characterized. All the five compounds have been confirmed as 3D Ln-CPs with one-dimensional helical tunnels composed of four helical chains, although there are different coordination geometries around Ln³⁺. Enantiomeric helixes in 1-3, and absolute left-handed and right-handed helical chains in 4 and 5, respectively, lead to different tunnel spaces. Their conformations can also be featured by different space groups and unit cell dimensions. Photoluminescence measurement on 3 and 4 show characteristic emission peaks of Sm³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions, respectively. The low-temperature heat capacity of 1-4 has been investigated in the temperature range of 1.9-300 K. Their heat capacity values are nearly equal below 10 K and display a crossover with the value order C _p,m(2) > C _p,m(1) ≈ C _p,m(4) > C _p,m(3) above 10 K. The measured heat capacities have been fitted, and the corresponding thermodynamic functions were consequently calculated based on the fitting parameters. The standard molar entropies at 298.15 K have been determined to be (415.71 ± 4.16), (451.32 ± 4.51), (308.53 ± 3.09), and (407.62 ± 4.08) J·mol^-1·K^-1 for 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

Lanthanide clusters of phenanthroline containing a pyridine-pyrazole based ligand: magnetism and cell imaging

In this contribution, we report the synthesis, characterization and luminescence-magnetic properties of Ln-clusters (Ln = Gd3+, Eu3+ and Tb3+) using a new pyridine-pyrazole functionalized ligand fitted with a chromophoric phenanthroline backbone. The unorthodox N-rich ligand forms isostructural trinuclear lanthanide complexes with a topology that closely resembles two interdigitating hairpins. The clusters crystallize in chiral space groups and also exhibit chirality for bulk samples, which were further confirmed using solid state CD spectra. Magnetic studies on the complexes reveal their interesting features while the Gd cluster shows a significant cryogenic magnetic cooling behaviour with a moderately high magnetic entropy change of -23.42 J kg-1 K-1 at 7 T and 2 K. On the other hand, Eu and Tb complexes exhibit interesting fluorescence properties. The compounds were subsequently used as fluorescent probes for the imaging of human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cells. Live cell confocal microscopy images show that the complexes penetrate beyond the usual cytoplasm region and can be useful in imaging the nucleus region of MCF7 cells.

Multifunctional metal-organic frameworks in oil spills and associated organic pollutant remediation

The release of toxic organic compounds into the environment in an event of oil spillage is a global menace due to the potential impacts on the ecosystem. Several approaches have been employed for oil spills clean-up, with adsorption technique proven to be more promising for the total reclamation of a polluted site. Of the several adsorbents so far reported, adsorbent-based porous materials have gained attention for the reduction/total removal of different compounds in environmental remediation applications. The superior potential of mesoporous materials based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) against conventional adsorbents is due to their intriguing and enhanced properties. Therefore, this review presents recent development in MOF composites; methods of preparation; and their practical applications towards remediating oil spill, organic pollutants, and toxic gases in different environmental media, as well as potential materials in the possible deployment in reclaiming the polluted Niger Delta due to unabated oil spillage and gas flaring.

Metal/Carboxylate-Induced Versatile Structures of Nine 0D → 3D Complexes with Different Fluorescent and Electrochemical Behaviors

To investigate the effect of the polycarboxylates and metal ions on the assembly and structures of complexes based on a thiophene-containing bis-pyridyl-bis-amide N,N'-bis(pyridine-3-yl)thiophene-2,5-dicarboxamide (3-bptpa) ligand, nine 0D → 3D complexes of [Ni₂(3-bptpa)₄(1,2-BDC)₂(H₂O)₂] (1), [Ni(3-bptpa)(IP)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (2), [Ni(3-bptpa)(5-MIP)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (3), [Ni(3-bptpa)(5-NIP)(H₂O)] (4), [Ni(3-bptpa)(5-AIP)]·2H₂O (5), [Ni₂(OH)(3-bptpa)(1,3,5-BTC)]·DMA·5H₂O (6), [Cu(3-bptpa)(5-MIP)]·3H₂O (7), [Cu(3-bptpa)(5-AIP)(H₂O)_0.25]·H₂O (8), and [Cu(3-bptpa)(1,3,5-HBTC)] (9) (1,2-H₂BDC = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₂IP = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 5-H₂MIP = 5-methylisophthalic acid, 5-H₂NIP = 5-nitroisophthalic acid, 5-H₂AIP = 5-aminoisophthalic acid, DMA = N,N'-dimethylacetamide, and 1,3,5-H₃BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) have been hydrothermally/solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by IR, thermogravimetric, powder X-ray diffraction, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is a zero-dimensional (0D) bimetallic complex. Complexes 2 and 3 feature two similar one-dimensional ladderlike structures. Complex 4 displays a two-dimensional (2D) 4-connected network based on single-metallic nodes. Complex 5 shows a 2D double-layer structure containing a pair of 6³ [Ni(5-AIP)] honeycomblike sheets. Complex 6 is a 3,5-connected three-dimensional (3D) framework derived from bimetallic nodes and 6³ [Ni₂(OH)(1,3,5-BTC)] honeycomblike sheets. Complex 7 displays a 2D 4-connected grid based on bimetallic nodes. Complex 8 features a 2D double-layer structure based on two 4-connected [Cu(3-bptpa)(5-AIP)] sheets and bridging coordinated water molecules. Complex 9 is a 2D structure extended by incomplete deprotonation of 1,3,5-HBTC and 3-bptpa linkers. The effect of the metal ions and polycarboxylates on the structures of the title complexes was discussed, and the fluorescent properties of 1-9 were investigated. The carbon paste electrodes bulk-modified by complexes 3, 5, and 6-9 show different electrocatalytic activities for the oxidation of ascorbic acid as well as the reduction of hydrogen peroxide, nitrites, and bromates.

Mixed metal CoII1−xZnIIx–organic frameworks based on chains with mixed carboxylate and azide bridges: magnetic coupling and slow relaxation

A series of isomorphous three-dimensional metal–organic frameworks [Co^II_1−xZn^II_x(L)(N₃)]·H₂O (x = 0.26, 0.56 and 0.85) based on bimetallic Co^II_1−xZn^II_x (x = 0.26, 0.56 and 0.85) chains with random metal sites have been synthesized and magnetically characterized. The Co^II_1−xZn^II_x series, which intrinsically feature random anisotropic/diamagnetic sites, shows complex magnetic interactions. By gradually introducing the diamagnetic Zn^II ions into the pure anisotropic Co^II single-chain magnets system, the ferromagnetic interactions between Co^II ions are gradually diluted. Moreover, the slow magnetic relaxation behaviour of the mixed metal Co^II_1−xZn^II_x systems also changes. In this bimetallic series Co^II_1−xZn^II_x, the Co-rich materials exhibit slow relaxation processes that may arise from SCM mechanism, while the Zn^II-rich materials show significantly low slow magnetic relaxation. A general trend is that the activation energy and the blocking temperature decrease with the increase in diamagnetic Zn^II content, emphasizing the importance of anisotropy for slow relaxation of magnetization.

A series of mixed-metal systems consisting of Co^II_1−xZn^II_x chains with (μ-COO)₂(μ-EO-N₃) bridges were prepared, exhibiting interesting magnetic coupling and slow magnetic relaxation.

Polycarboxylate-directed semi-rigid pyridyl-amide-based various NiII complexes: electrochemical properties and enhancements of photocatalytic activities by calcination

Four different pyridyl-amide-based Ni-complexes were synthesized by tuning polycarboxylates, displaying bifunctional electrocatalytic properties and enhancements of photocatalytic activities by calcination.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation in Ladder-Type and Single-Strand 2p-3d-4f Heterotrispin Chains

Ladder-type and chain 2p-3d-4f complexes based on a bridging nitronyl nitroxide radical, namely, [LnCu(hfac)₅(NIT-Ph-p-OCH₂trz)]·0.5C₆H₁₄ [Ln = Y (1a), Dy (1b)] and [LnCu(hfac)₅(NIT-Ph-p-OCH₂trz)] [Ln = Y (2a), Dy (2b); NIT-Ph-p-OCH₂trz = 2-[4-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methoxy]phenyl]-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) have been successfully achieved through a one-pot reaction of the NIT-Ph-p-OCH₂trz radical with Cu(hfac)₂ and Ln(hfac)₃·2H₂O. Complexes 1a and 1b feature a ladder-like structure, where the rails are made of Ln(III) and Cu(II) ions alternatively bridged by nitronyl nitroxide and the triazole units while the NIT-Ph-p-OCH₂trz moieties act as the rungs of the ladder. Complexes 2a and 2b consist of one-dimensional nitronyl nitroxide bridged Ln coordination polymers with dangly Cu(II) units connected to the triazole moieties. All of compounds exhibit ferromagnetic NIT-Dy and/or NIT-Cu interactions. Both Dy derivatives (1b and 2b) show frequency-dependent out-of-phase magnetic susceptibility signals in a zero field indicating slow magnetic relaxation behavior.

An unusual zig-zag 1D copper(ii) coordination polymer displaying magnetic phase transition

A new Cu(ii)-based 1D chain was prepared and its magnetic behaviour was investigated, which indicated a magnetic phase transition below 25 K as well as long-range magnetic ordering.

Guest dependent structure and acetone sensing properties of a 2D Eu3+ coordination polymer

A new 2D Eu³⁺ coordination polymer 1 has been constructed and investigated with its acetone sensing properties. In addition, the desolvated sample 1a reveals enhanced sensing sensitivity compared with that of 1 owing to its flexible structure.

Fluorescent recognition of Fe3+ and Fe3+-functionalized composite materials for enhancing photocatalytic activities of CoII complexes

Six new Co^II complexes (1–6) based on a bi-methylene-bridged bis-pyridyl-bis-amide have been synthesized. 5 and 6 exhibit photoluminescent sensing selectivity for Fe³⁺, and Fe³⁺-functionalized composites Fe³⁺@5 and Fe³⁺@6 show photocatalytic properties for the degradation of organic dyes.

A series of organic–inorganic hybrid materials consisting of flexible organic amine modified polyoxomolybdates: synthesis, structures and properties

A series of hybrid materials consisting of Tris[(2-pyridyl)methyl]amine modified polyoxomolybdates were obtained and some complexes have efficient photocatalytic activities to degrade pararosaniline hydrochloride dye molecules.