A Decade of Octacyanides in Polynuclear Molecular Materials

Switching of magnetic properties by topotactic reaction in a 1D CN-bridged Ni(II)-Nb(IV) system

Two 1D CN-bridged assemblies: the nearly straight Li2[Ni(cyclam)][Nb(CN)8]·7.5H2O (1) chains and the zigzag-shaped Li2[Ni(cyclam)][Nb(CN)8]·2H2O (2) chains, are obtained in the reaction between [Ni(cyclam)]2+ and [Nb(CN)8]4- in warm concentrated LiCl water solution. Both compounds are composed of alternating bimetallic Ni(II)-Nb(IV) chains and contain incorporated lithium cations, which compensate the negative charge of the coordination skeleton. The straight chain 1 (Ni-Nb-Ni angle = 153.2°) can be reversibly dehydrated under dry nitrogen flow at room temperature to an intermediate dihydrate phase 1d and further transformed to the zigzag-shaped chain 2 (Ni-Nb-Ni angle = 86.6°) by annealing at 150 °C. The process can be reversed by exposure to high humidity at room temperature, upon which 2 is converted back to 1. This water sorption-induced breathing effect is accompanied by changes in magnetic properties, most notably reflected in different values of saturation magnetization and critical field of metamagnetic transition, which indicate that both intra- and inter-chain interactions are affected by the structure reorganization.

New Photomagnetic Ionic Salts Based on [MoIV(CN)8]4− and [WIV(CN)8]4− Anions

Three new ionic salts containing [M(CN)8]4− (M = MoIV and WIV) were prepared using large complex cations based on a non-conventional motif built with the tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (noted hereafter tren) ligand, [{M’(tren)}3(μ-tren)]6+ (M’ = CuII and ZnII). The crystal structures of the three compounds show that the atomic arrangement is formed by relatively isolated anionic and cationic entities. The three compounds were irradiated with a blue light at low temperature, and show a significant photomagnetic effect. The remarkable properties of these compounds are (i) the long-lived photomagnetic metastable states for the [Mo(CN)8]4−-based compounds well above 200 K and (ii) the rare efficient photomagnetic properties of the [W(CN)8]4−-based compound. These photomagnetic properties are compared with the singlet-triplet conversion recently reported for the K4[Mo(CN)8]·2H2O compound.

Eightfold Electrophilic Methylation of Octacyanotungstate [W(CN)8]4-/3-: Preparation of Homoleptic, Eight-Coordinate Methyl Isocyanide Complexes [W(CNMe)8]4+/5

Homoleptic eightfold coordinated methyl isocyanide complexes of W(IV) and W(V) have been prepared for the first time. The reaction of [NBu₄]₄[W(CN)₈] with methyl triflate (MeOTf) gives [W(CNMe)₈][OTf]₄. The even stronger methylating mixture of methyl fluoride (MeF) and arsenic pentafluoride (AsF₅) in liquid sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is able to fully alkylate both [NBu₄]₄[W(CN)₈] and [NBu₄]₃[W(CN)₈]. The paramagnetic octakis(methyl isocyanide)tungsten(V) complex [W(CNMe)₈][AsF₆]₅ is thermally highly unstable above -30 °C. All compounds have been characterized via single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR, Raman, and NMR or EPR spectroscopy.

Guest-Dependent Pressure-Induced Spin Crossover in FeII 4 [MIV (CN)8 ]2 (M=Mo, W) Cluster-Based Material Showing Persistent Solvent-Driven Structural Transformations

Discrete molecular species that can perform certain functions in response to multiple external stimuli constitute a special class of multifunctional molecular materials called smart molecules. Herein, cyanido-bridged coordination clusters {[Fe^II (2-pyrpy)₂ ]₄ [M^IV (CN)₈ ]₂ }⋅4 MeOH⋅6 H₂ O (M=Mo (1 solv), M=W (2 solv) and 2-pyrpy=2-(1-pyrazolyl)pyridine are presented, which show persistent solvent driven single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations upon sorption/desorption of water and methanol molecules. Three full desolvation-resolvation cycles with the concomitant change of the host molecules do not damage the single crystals. More importantly, the Fe₄ M₂ molecules constitute a unique example where the presence of the guests directly affects the pressure-induced thermal spin crossover (SCO) phenomenon occurring at the Fe^II centres. The hydrated phases show a partial SCO with approximately two out-of-four Fe^II centres undergoing a gradual thermal SCO at 1 GPa, while in the anhydrous form the pressure-induced SCO effect is almost quenched with only 15 % of the Fe^II centres undergoing high-spin to low-spin transition at 1 GPa.

Isolation and Structural Characterization of Eightfold Protonated Octacyanometalates [M(CNH)8 ]4+ (M=MoIV , WIV ) from Superacids

Octacyanometalates K₄[Mo(CN)₈] and K₄[W(CN)₈] are completely protonated in superacidic mixtures of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and antimony pentafluoride. The resulting hydrogen isocyanide complexes [Mo(CNH)₈]⁴⁺ [SbF₆]⁻₄ and [W(CNH)₈]⁴⁺ [SbF₆]⁻₄ are the first examples of eight‐coordinate homoleptic metal complexes containing hydrogen isocyanide (CNH) ligands. The complexes were crystallographically characterized, revealing hydrogen‐bonded networks with short N⋅⋅⋅H⋅⋅⋅F contacts. Low‐temperature NMR measurements in HF confirmed rapid proton exchange even at −40 °C. Upon protonation, ν(C≡N) increases of about 50 cm⁻¹ which is in agreement with DFT calculations.

Multifunctional Molecular Magnets: Magnetocaloric Effect in Octacyanometallates

Octacyanometallate-based compounds displaying a rich pallet of interesting physical and chemical properties, are key materials in the field of molecular magnetism. The [M(CN)8]n− complexes, (M = WV, MoV, NbIV), are universal building blocks as they lead to various spatial structures, depending on the surrounding ligands and the choice of the metal ion. One of the functionalities of the octacyanometallate-based coordination polymers or clusters is the magnetocaloric effect (MCE), consisting in a change of the material temperature upon the application of a magnetic field. In this review, we focus on different approaches to MCE investigation. We present examples of magnetic entropy change ΔSm and adiabatic temperature change ΔTad, determined using calorimetric measurements supplemented with the algebraic extrapolation of the data down to 0 K. At the field change of 5T, the compound built of high spin clusters Ni9[W(CN)8]6 showed a maximum value of −ΔSm equal to 18.38 J·K−1 mol−1 at 4.3 K, while the corresponding maximum ΔTad = 4.6 K was attained at 2.2 K. These values revealed that this molecular material may be treated as a possible candidate for cryogenic magnetic cooling. Values obtained for ferrimagnetic polymers at temperatures close to their magnetic ordering temperatures, Tc, were lower, i.e., −ΔSm = 6.83 J·K−1 mol−1 (ΔTad = 1.42 K) and −ΔSm = 4.9 J·K−1 mol−1 (ΔTad = 2 K) for {[MnII(pyrazole)4]2[NbIV(CN)8]·4H2O}n and{[FeII(pyrazole)4]2[NbIV(CN)8]·4H2O}n, respectively. MCE results have been obtained also for other -[Nb(CN)8]-based manganese polymers, showing significant Tc dependence on pressure or the remarkable magnetic sponge behaviour. Using the data obtained for compounds with different Tc, due to dissimilar ligands or other phase of the material, the ΔSm ~ Tc−2/3 relation stemming from the molecular field theory was confirmed. The characteristic index n in the ΔSm ~ ΔHn dependence, and the critical exponents, related to n, were determined, pointing to the 3D Heisenberg model as the most adequate for the description of these particular compounds. At last, results of the rotating magnetocaloric effect (RMCE), which is a new technique efficient in the case of layered magnetic systems, are presented. Data have been obtained and discussed for single crystals of two 2D molecular magnets: ferrimagnetic {MnII(R-mpm)2]2[NbIV(CN)8]}∙4H2O (mpm = α-methyl-2-pyridinemethanol) and a strongly anisotropic (tetren)Cu4[W(CN)8]4 bilayered magnet showing the topological Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition.

Crystal structure of poly[bis-(μ-2-bromo-pyrazine)-tetra-μ2-cyanido-dicopper(I)iron(II)]: a bimetallic metal-organic framework

In the title metal-organic framework, [Fe(C4H3BrN2)2{Cu(CN)2}2] n , the FeII cation is located on an inversion center and has a slightly elongated octa-hedral coordination environment [FeN6], ligated by two pyrazine N atoms of symmetry-related bridging 2-bromo-pyrazine mol-ecules in the axial positions and by four N atoms of pairs of symmetry-related cyanido groups in the equatorial positions. The CuI center has a fourfold coordination environment [CuC3N], with an almost perfect trigonal-pyramidal geometry, formed by three cyanido C atoms and an N atom of a bridging 2-bromo-pyrazine mol-ecule. Copper(I) centers related by a twofold rotation axis are bridged by two carbon atoms from a pair of μ-CN groups, resulting in Cu2(CN)2 units. Each Cu2(CN)2 unit is linked to six FeII cations via a pair of linear CN units, the pair of μ-CN groups and two bridging 2-bromo-pyrazine ligands, resulting in the formation of a metal-organic framework, which is additionally stabilized by the short Cu⋯Cu contacts of 2.4450 (7) Å.

Chiral cyanido-bridged Mn–Nb magnets including halogen-bonds

Chiral and achiral three-dimensional cyanido-bridged metal assemblies with 4-halopyridine, [Mn^II(4-Xpy)₄]₂[Nb^IV(CN)₈] (X = I, 1; X = Cl, 2), are prepared. 1 and 2 show ferrimagnetism with T_C of 22 and 28 K, respectively. Chiral compound 1 exhibits second-harmonic generation.

The Heptacyanotungstate(IV) Anion: A New 5 d Transition-Metal Member of the Rare Heptacyanometallate Family of Anions

The heptacyanotungstate(IV) anion was isolated in the salt (n-Bu4 N)3 [W(IV) (CN)7 ] (1) from the reduction of (n-Bu4 N)3 [W(V) (CN)8 ] with concomitant loss of one cyanide ligand. The anion in 1 adopts a slightly distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry with an average W-C distance of 2.169 Å. The spectroscopic and magnetic properties are described.

Spontaneous Magnetization in Homometallic μ6-Oxalate Coordination Polymers

The reaction of 1,2,4-triazole and NaF with M(ox) (M = transition-metal dication; ox = oxalate dianion) under hydrothermal conditions has led to the isolation of a variety of hybrid organic-inorganic coordination polymers. Four structurally different 3D networks were obtained, depending on the transition metal, with stoichiometry [M2(H2O)(μ2-ox)][M2(μ3-trz)6] [M = Fe (1), Co (2), Ni (3)], [Zn2(H2O)(μ3-trz)2(μ2-ox)] (4), [Mn3(μ3-trz)2(μ6-ox)(μ3-F)2] (5), and [Fe3(μ3-trz)2(μ6-ox)(μ2-F)2] (6). In all cases, the magnetic behavior is dominated by antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between paramagnetic centers. Remarkably, 5 and 6 present a novel magnetic connectivity around the oxalate anion: a μ6-bridging mode. This magnetic geometry promotes multiple triangular arrangements among antiferromagnetically coupled spin carriers, resulting in a complex magnetic network because of the presence of competing interactions. These materials exhibit spontaneous magnetization below 9 and 66 K, respectively.

Magneto-structural variety of new 3d–4f–4(5)d heterotrimetallic complexes

Three families of heterotrimetallic chains with different topologies, have been obtained by reacting Schiff-base bicompartmental [Cu^II(L¹)] complexes and lanthanide(iii) salts, with (NHBu₃)₃[M(CN)₈] (M = Mo^V, W^V).

{CoIIIMnIII}ncorrugated chains based on heteroleptic cyanido metalloligands

The use of cyanide-bearing complexes affords one-dimensional coordination polymers with the formulas {[Mn^III(salen)(μ-NC)₂Co^III(4,4-dmbipy)(CN)₂]·H₂O}_n(1) and {[Mn^III(salen)(μ-NC)₂Co^III(dmphen)(CN)₂]}_n(2) .

Magnetic clusters based on octacyanidometallates

A complete review of all known octacyanide-based clusters with an extensive discussion of their structures, magnetic properties and multifunctionality.

The synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a one-dimensional terbium(III)-octacyanidomolybdate(V) assembly

A one-dimensional cyanide-bridged coordination polymer, poly[[aquadi-μ-cyanido-κ(4)C:N-hexacyanido-κ(6)C-(dimethylformamide-κO)bis(3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2)N,N')terbium(III)molybdate(V)] 4.5-hydrate], [MoTb(CN)8(C16H16N2)2(C3H7NO)(H2O)]·4.5H2O}n, has been prepared and characterized through IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound consists of one-dimensional chains in which cationic [Tb(tmphen)2(DMF)(H2O)](3+) (tmphen is 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and anionic [Mo(V)(CN)8](3-) units are linked in an alternating fashion through bridging cyanide ligands. Neighbouring chains are connected by three types of hydrogen bonds (O-H···O, O-H···N and C-H···O) and by π-π interactions to form a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. In addition, magnetic investigations show that ferromagnetic interactions exist in the compound.

A three-dimensional cyanide-bridged heterometallic coordination polymer: poly[[diacetonitrilediaqua[μ2-3,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-κ4N1,N6:N3,N4]tetra-μ-cyanido-tetracyanidodimanganese(II)molybdate(IV)] dihydrate]

A metal coordination polymer, {[Mn2Mo(CN)8(C12H8N6)(CH3CN)2(H2O)2]·2H2O}n, has been synthesized by the reaction of Mn(ClO4)2·6H2O with 3,6-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bptz) and (Bu3N)3[Mo(CN)8] at room temperature. The polymer was characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction, and the magnetic properties were also investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the compound is a new three-dimensional coordination polymer with a PtS-type network. Magnetic investigation shows antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent Mn2+cations.

Covalent embedding of Ni2+/Fe3+ cyanometallate structures in silica by sol-gel processing

Compound [Ni(AEAPTS)2]3[Fe(CN)6]2 (AEAPTS = N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane), in which Ni(2+) and Fe(3+) ions are ferromagnetically coupled through cyano bridges, was prepared. Sol-gel processing of the AEAPTS derivative resulted in incorporation of the cyanometallate in silica. The obtained material is magnetically ordered below 22 K with an effective magnetic moment μeff of 4.46 μB at room temperature, a maximum of 8.60 μB at approximately 15 K and a narrow hysteresis at 2 K, with a saturation remanence of about 300 emu mol(-1) and a coercitivity of 0.03 T.

Poly[[tetra-μ-cyanido-κ(8) C:N-dodeca-cyanido-κ(12) C-tris-(N,N-di-methyl-formamide-κO)tris-(methanol-κO)tris-(3,4,7,8-tetra-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2) N,N')trimanganese(II)ditungstate(V)] dihydrate]

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, {[Mn3{W(CN)8}2(C16H16N2)3(C3H7NO)3(CH3OH)3]·2H2O} n , consists of three [Mn(N,N-di-methyl-formamide)(methanol)(3,4,7,8-tetra-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline)](2+) cations, two [W(CN)8](3-) anions and two water mol-ecules. Each water mol-ecule is disordered over three sets of sites, with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.310 (9):0.275 (9):0.415 (9) for one mol-ecule and 0.335 (9):0.288 (9):0.377 (9) for the other mol-ecule. The Mn(II) atoms exhibit a distorted octa-hedral geometry, while the W(V) atoms adopt a distorted square-anti-prismatic geometry. The Mn(II) and W(V) atoms are linked alternatively through cyanide groups, forming a tetra-nuclear 12-atom rhombic metallacycle. Adjacent metallacycles are further connected by μ2-bridging cyanide anions, generating a 3,2-chain structure running parallel to [101]. Inter-chain π-π inter-actions are observed [centroid-centroid distances = 3.763 (3) and 3.620 (2) Å].

Sandwich-like octacyanometalate-based cadmium assemblies with the 4,4′-dipyridyl sulfide ligand

The self-assembly of octacyanotungstate, cadmium ions, and 4,4′-dipyridyl sulfide ligands has isolated the first octacyanometalate-based cadmium compounds, which exhibit novel sandwich-like coordination networks. The effect of solvent and temperature on the formation of products was discussed.

Design of one-dimensional coordination networks from a macrocyclic {3d-4f} single-molecule magnet precursor linked by [W(CN)8]3- anions

The outcome of 1:1 reactions of the tetranuclear 3d-4f Single Molecule Magnet (SMM) [Cu3Tb(L(Pr))(NO3)2(H2O)]NO3 (1) with (TBA)3[W(CN)8] (TBA = tri-n-butyl ammonium cation, [(n-Bu)3N-H](+)) in dimethylformamide (DMF) is dependent on the crystallization method employed: liquid-liquid diffusion of the reagents together gives {[Cu3Tb(L(Pr))W(CN)8(DMF)4]·(DMF)}n (2) whereas diethyl ether vapor diffusion into the reaction solution gives {[Cu3Tb(L(Pr))W(CN)8(DMF)3(H2O)3]·(DMF)1.5·(H2O)0.5}n (3). Both compounds are obtained as black single crystals and feature one-dimensional (1D) coordination networks (chains) of [1](3+) macrocycles linked by [W(CN)8](3-) anions. The two assemblies differ from a structural point of view. Complex 2 has a stepped arrangement with the linkers bound to the opposite faces of the macrocycle, whereas 3 has a square-wave arrangement due to the linkers binding to the same face of the macrocycle. Both compounds display an antiferromagnetic ground state below 3.5 and 2.4 K with a metamagnetic and antiferromagnetic (T, H) phase diagram for 2 and 3, respectively. Remarkably the slow dynamics of the magnetization of the [1](3+) macrocycle units is preserved in 3 while this property is quenched in 2 because of stronger intra- and interchain magnetic interactions inducing a higher critical temperature.

Two-dimensional coordination polymers constructed by [Ni(II)Ln(III)] nodes and [W(IV)(bpy)(CN)6]2- spacers: a network of [Ni(II)Dy(III)] single molecule magnets

Three isomorphous two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymers of general formula {[Ni(II)(valpn)Ln(III)(NO3)(H2O)(μ-NC)4W(IV)(bipy)(CN)2]·xH2O·yCH3CN}n have been synthesized by reacting Ph4P[W(V)(CN)6(bipy)] with the heterodinuclear [Ni(II)Ln(III)(valpn)(O2NO)3] complexes [H2valpn = 1,3-propanediyl-bis(2-iminomethylene-6-methoxyphenol), bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine, and Ln = Gd (1), Dy (2), and Tb (3) with x = 2 (1), 3.9 (2), and 3.35 (3) and y = 2.50 (1), 2 (2), and 1.8 (3)]. Their crystal structures consist of [Ni(II)Ln(III)] 3d-4f nodes which are connected by [W(IV)(bipy)(CN)6](2-) diamagnetic linkers resulting from the reduction of W(V) to W(IV) during the reaction process. The Ni(II) and Ln(III) ions occupy the inner and outer coordination sites of the dideprotonated valpn ligand, respectively, and they are doubly bridged by the phenoxo oxygen atoms of such a ligand. The value of Ni(II)···Ln(III) separation through this bridge is 3.4919(10) (1), 3.4760(10) (2), and 3.4799(9) (3) Å, and those of the angles at the bridgehead phenoxo atoms are 106.6(2) and 107.3(2) (1), 106.9(2), and 107.8(2) (2) and 106.5(2)-106.8(2)° (3). Each W(IV) is eight-coordinated with a bidentate bipy molecule and six cyanide-carbon atoms building a somewhat distorted square antiprism environment. The rare-earth cations are nine-coordinated, the donor atoms describing a monocapped square antiprism for 1 and 3 and a tricapped trigonal prism for 2. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 1.9-300 K show the occurrence of ferromagnetic interactions between the Ni(II) and Ln(III) ions in 1-3. Frequency-dependent alternating susceptibility signals were observed for the Dy(III) derivative below 8.0 K under an applied dc field of 2500 G indicating the presence of slow magnetic relaxation with values of the pre-exponential factor (τ0) and energy barrier (E(#)) of ca. 5.7 × 10(-8) s and 15.9 cm(-1), respectively. Complex 2 constitutes the first example of a 2D 3d-4f heterobimetallic single molecule magnet (SMM).

Incorporation of guanidinium ions in Cu(II)-[M(V)(CN)8]3- double-layered magnetic systems

The incorporation of guanidinium ions (Hgua+) in Cu(II)–M(V) systems results in the formation of two isostructural coordination polymers (Hgua)Cu(II)[M(V)(CN)8], M = W (1); Mo (2), which reveal a double-layered structure separated by guanidinium ions. The magnetic measurements reveal long range magnetic ordering with critical temperatures of 32.8 and 27.5 K for 1 and 2, respectively. Moreover, both assemblies exhibit hysteresis loops with coercive fields of 300 Oe for 1 and 50 Oe for 2, and a spin-flip transition around 120 Oe.