Metal-radical coordination complexes of thiazyl and selenazyl ligands

Lanthanide-radical single-molecule magnets: current status and future challenges

In the field of molecular magnetism, the lanthanide-radical (Ln-Rad) method has become one of the most appealing tactics for introducing strong magnetic interactions and has spurred on the booming development of heterospin single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The article is a timely retrospect on the research progress of Ln-Rad heterospin systems and special attention is invested on low dimensional Ln-Rad compounds with SMM behavior, primarily concerning with nitrogen-based radicals, semiquinone and nitroxide radicals. Rational design, molecular structures, magnetic behaviors and magneto-structural correlations are highlighted. Meanwhile, particular attention is focused on the influence of exchange couplings on the dynamic magnetic properties, with the purpose of helping to guide the design of prospective radical-based Ln-SMMs.

Understanding the Exchange Interaction between Paramagnetic Metal Ions and Radical Ligands: DFT and Ab Initio Study on Semiquinonato Cu(II) Complexes

The exchange coupling, represented by the J parameter, is of tremendous importance in understanding the reactivity and magnetic behavior of open-shell molecular systems. In the past, it was the subject of theoretical investigations, but these studies are mostly limited to the interaction between metallic centers. The exchange coupling between paramagnetic metal ions and radical ligands has hitherto received scant attention in theoretical studies, and thus the understanding of the factors governing this interaction is lacking. In this paper, we use DFT, CASSCF, CASSCF/NEVPT2, and DDCI3 methods to provide insight into exchange interaction in semiquinonato copper(II) complexes. Our primary objective is to identify structural features that affect this magnetic interaction. We demonstrate that the magnetic character of Cu(II)-semiquinone complexes are mainly determined by the relative position of the semiquinone ligand to the Cu(II) ion. The results can support the experimental interpretation of magnetic data for similar systems and can be used for the in-silico design of magnetic complexes with radical ligands.

A Theoretical Account of the Coupling between Metal- and Ligand-centred Spins

This study addresses the magnetic interaction between paramagnetic metal ions and the radical ligands taking the [Cu^II (hfac)₂ (imVDZ)] and [M^II (hfac)₂ (pyDTDA)] (imVDZ=1,5-dimethyl-3-(1-methyl-2-imidazolyl)-6-oxoverdazyl; hfac=(1,1,1,5,5,5)hexafluroacetylacetonate; pyDTDA=4-(2'-pyridyl)-1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl), (M=Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn) compounds as reference systems. The coupling between the metal and ligand spins is quantified in terms of the exchange coupling constant (J) in the platform of density functional theory (DFT) and the wave function-based complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method. Application of DFT and broken symmetry (BS) formalism results ferromagnetic coupling for all the transition metal complexes except the Mn(II) complex. This DFT-BS prediction of magnetic nature matches with the experimental finding for all the complexes other than the Fe(II)-pyDTDA complex, for which an antiferromagnetic coupling between high spin iron and the thiazyl ligand has been reported. However, evaluation of spin state energetics through the multiconfigurational wave function-based method produces the S=3/2 ground spin state for the iron-thiazyl in parity with experiment. Electronic structure analyses find the overlap between the metal- and ligand-based singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) to be one of the major reasons attributing to different extent of exchange coupling in the systems under investigation.

Long-Range Intramolecular Spin Coupling through a Redox-Active Bridge upon Stepwise Oxidations: Control and Effect of Metal Ions

Dinickel(II) and dicopper(II) porphyrin dimers have been constructed in which two metalloporphyrin units are widely separated by a long unconjugated dipyrrole bridge. Two macrocycles are aligned somewhat orthogonally to each other, while oxidation of the bridge generates a fully π-conjugated butterfly-like structure, which, in turn, upon stepwise oxidations by stronger oxidants result in the formation of the corresponding one- and two-electron-oxidized species exhibiting unusual long-range charge/radical delocalization to produce intense absorptions in the near-infrared (NIR) region and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals of a triplet state due to interaction between the unpaired spins on the Cu(II) ions. Although the two metal centers have a large physical separation through the bridge (more than 16 Å), they share electrons efficiently between them, behaving as a single unit rather than two independent centers. Detailed UV-vis-NIR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, IR, variable-temperature magnetic study, and EPR spectroscopic investigations along with X-ray structure determination of unconjugated, conjugated, and one electron-oxidized complexes have been exploited to demonstrate the long-range electronic communication through the bridge. The experimental observations are also supported by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations. The present study highlights the crucial roles played by a redox-active bridge and metal in controlling the long-range electronic communication.

Unexpected Charge Effects Strengthen π-Stacking Pancake Bonding

Phenalenyls (PLYs) are important synthons in many functional and electronic materials, which often display favorable molecule-to-molecule overlap for electron or hole transport. They also serve as a prototype for π-stacking pancake bonding based on two-electron multicenter bonding (2e/mc). Unexpected near-doubling of the binding energy is obtained for the positively charged PLY2 + dimer with an effect similar to that seen for the positively charged olympicenyl (OPY) radical dimer. This charge effect is reversed for the perfluorinated (PF) dimers, and the negatively charged perfluorinated (PF) dimers PF-PLY2 - and PF-OPY2 - become strongly bound. Long-range interactions reflect these differences. Also surprising is that in this case the pancake bonding corresponds to single-electron (1e/mc) or a three-electron (3e/mc) multicenter bonding in contrast to the 2e/mc bonding that occurs for the neutral radical dimers. The strong preference for a large intermolecular overlap is maintained in these charged dimers. Importantly, the preference for π-bonding in the charged dimers compared to σ-bonding is strongly enhanced relative to the neutral PLY dimers.

Heisenberg Spin Chains via Chalcogen Bonding: Noncovalent S···O Contacts Enable Long-Range Magnetic Order

The new radical ligand 5,8-dimethyl-1,4-dioxonaphtho[2,3-d][1,2,3]dithiazolyl (1) is reported. Two crystal polymorphs, 1α and 1β, differing in their pancake-bonded dimerization motif and S···O contact network, are identified. The self-assembly of Mn(II) metal ions with 1 leads to the formation of [Mn(hfac)₂]₃(1)₂ that exhibits a Mn(II)-radical-Mn(II)-radical-Mn(II) linear arrangement of three Mn(hfac)₂ units bridged by two radical ligands (hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonato-). Characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction of this Mn(II) complex packing structure reveals close noncovalent S···O contacts between the [Mn(hfac)₂]₃(1)₂ units in one dimension along the b-c direction. The magnetic properties of the coordination complex are characterized by dc and ac susceptibility measurements on a microcrystalline solid. The magnetic data down to 4.8 K indicate the presence of effective ferromagnetic interactions (J/k_B = +0.16 K) between the molecular S_T = 13/2 units along the supramolecular chain involving noncovalent S···O contacts. Below 2.9 K, a non-zero out-of-phase component appears in the ac susceptibility, indicating the presence of a three-dimensional magnetic phase transition.

Tailoring Valence Tautomerism by Using Redox Potentials: Studies on Ferrocene-Based Triarylmethylium Dyes with Electron-Poor Fluorenylium and Thioxanthylium Acceptors

Three new electrochromic ferrocenyl triarylmethylium dyes with fluorenylium (1 a⁺ , 1 b⁺ ) or thioxanthylium (1 c⁺ ) residues were selected in order to keep the intrinsic differences of redox potentials for ferrocene oxidation and triarylmethylium reduction small and to trigger valence tautomerism (VT). UV/Vis/NIR and quantitative EPR spectroscopy identified paramagnetic diradical isomers 1 a^..+ -1 c^..+ alongside diamagnetic forms 1 a⁺ -1 c⁺ , which renders these complexes magnetochemical switches. The diradical forms 1 a^..+ -1 c^..+ as well as the one-electron-reduced triarylmethyl forms of the complexes were found to dimerize in solution. For radical 1 a^. , dimerization occurs on the timescale of cyclic voltammetry; this allowed us to determine the kinetics and equilibrium constant for this process by digital simulation. Mößbauer spectroscopy indicated that 1 a⁺ and 1 b⁺ retain VT even in the solid state. UV/Vis/NIR spectro-electrochemistry revealed the poly-electrochromic behaviour of these complexes by establishing the distinctly different electronic absorption profiles of the corresponding oxidized and reduced forms.

Bis(2,1,3-benzotelluradiazolidyl)2,1,3-benzotelluradiazole: a pair of radical anions coupled by TeN chalcogen bonding

Reduction of 2,1,3-benzotelluradiazole (3) yielded a crystalline solid that features a trimeric dianion formally composed of two [3]˙- and one 3 bridged by unusually asymmetric TeN chalcogen bonds. The solid is diamagnetic due to strong antiferromagnetic coupling, as revealed by CASSCF/CASPT2 and BS-DFT.

High-Spin and Incomplete Spin-Crossover Polymorphs in Doubly Chelated [Ni(L)2Br2] (L = tert-Butyl 5-Phenyl-2-pyridyl Nitroxide)

Complexation of nickel(II) bromide with tert-butyl 5-phenyl-2-pyridyl nitroxide (phpyNO) gave two morphs of doubly chelated [Ni(phpyNO)₂Br₂] as a 2p-3d-2p heterospin triad. The α phase crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn. An asymmetric unit involves a half-molecule. The torsion angle around Ni-O-N-C_2py is as small as 6.5(3)° at 100 K and 7.0(6)° at 400 K, guaranteeing an orthogonal arrangement between the magnetic radical π* and metal 3d_x²-y² and 3d_z² orbitals. Magnetic study revealed the high-spin ground state with the exchange coupling constant 2J/k_B = +288(5) K, on the basis of a symmetrical spin Hamiltonian. The β phase crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The whole molecule is an independent unit. The Ni-O-N-C_2py torsion angles are 24.2(6) and 37.2(5)° at 100 K and 10.4(7) and 25.9(6)° at 400 K. A magnetic study revealed a very gradual and nonhysteretic spin transition. An analysis based on the van't Hoff equation gave a successful fit with the spin-crossover temperature of 134(1) K, although the susceptibility did not reach the theoretical high-spin value at 400 K. Density functional theory calculation on the β phase showed ground S_total = 0 in the low-temperature structure while S_total = 2 in the high-temperature structure, supporting the synchronized exchange coupling switch on both sides. Consequently, the β phase can be recognized as an "incomplete spin crossover" material, as a result of conflicting thermal depopulation effects in a high-temperature region.

A family of lanthanide complexes with a bis-tridentate nitronyl nitroxide radical: syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

Eleven new lanthanide complexes based on a bis-tridentate nitronyl nitroxide radical NIT-Pm2Py (2-(4,6-di(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-2-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-1-oxy-3-oxide), namely (NIT-Pm2Py)Ln(hfac)₃ (Ln = Gd (1_Gd), Tb (2_Tb), Dy (3_Dy), Ho (4_Ho), Er (5_Er), Yb (6_Yb)), [(NIT-Pm2Py)Ln₂(hfac)₆]·xH₂O (Ln = Gd (7_Gd), Tb (8_Tb), Ho (10_Ho), x = 0.5 for 7_Gd and 1 for 8_Tb and 10_Ho) and (NIT-Pm2Py)Ln₂(hfac)₆ (Ln = Dy (9_Dy), Er (11_Er)) were prepared and characterized. These complexes can be selectively prepared by controlling the reaction ratio of Ln(hfac)₃·2H₂O to the radical ligand NIT-Pm2Py. Single crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses confirmed that 1_Gd-6_Yb are isostructural 2p-4f Ln^III-radical complexes, in which the NIT-Pm2Py radical acts as a terminal tridentate ligand chelating to one Ln^III ion. On the other hand, 7_Gd-11_Er are isostructural 4f-2p-4f Ln^III-radical-Ln^III complexes with the NIT-Pm2Py acting as a bridging ligand between two Ln^III ions. 7_Gd-11_Er represent a rare family of complexes showing the NIT bridged 4f-2p-4f three-spin motif. Alternating-current (ac) magnetic susceptibility investigations revealed that complex 6_Yb exhibits field-induced frequency dependence, suggesting a possible field-induced single-molecule magnet behavior. Ab initio calculations were performed on all these complexes. The fitting of the magnetic susceptibilities of these complexes indicates weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Ln^III and NIT radical.

Structural, Magnetic, and Optical Studies of the Polymorphic 9'-Anthracenyl Dithiadiazolyl Radical

The fluorescent 9'-anthracenyl-functionalized dithiadiazolyl radical (3) exhibits four structurally determined crystalline phases, all of which are monomeric in the solid state. Polymorph 3α (monoclinic P2₁/ c, Z' = 2) is isolated when the radical is condensed onto a cold substrate (enthalpically favored polymorph), whereas 3β (orthorhombic P2₁ 2₁ 2₁, Z' = 3) is collected on a warm substrate (entropically favored polymorph). The α and β polymorphs exhibit chemically distinct structures with 3α exhibiting face-to-face π-π interactions between anthracenyl groups, while 3β exhibits edge-to-face π-π interactions. 3α undergoes an irreversible conversion to 3β on warming to 120 °C (393 K). The β-phase undergoes a series of reversible solid-state transformations on cooling; below 300 K a phase transition occurs to form 3γ (monoclinic P2₁/ c, Z' = 1), and on further cooling below 165 K, a further transition is observed to 3δ (monoclinic P2₁/ n, Z' = 2). Both 3β → 3γ and 3γ → 3δ transitions are reversible (single-crystal X-ray diffraction), and the 3γ → 3δ process exhibits thermal hysteresis with a clear feature observed by heat capacity measurements. Heating 3β above 160 °C generates a fifth polymorph (3ε) which is distinct from 3α-3δ based on powder X-ray diffraction data. The magnetic behavior of both 3α and the 3β/3γ/3δ system reflect an S = 1/2 paramagnet with weak antiferromagnetic coupling. The reversible 3δ ↔ 3γ phase transition exhibits thermal hysteresis of 20 K. Below 50 K, the value of χ_m T for 3δ approaches 0 emu·K·mol^-1 consistent with formation of a gapped state with an S = 0 ground-state configuration. In solution, both paramagnetic 3 and diamagnetic [3][GaCl₄] exhibit similar absorption and emission profiles reflecting similar absorption and emission mechanisms for paramagnetic and diamagnetic forms. Both emit in the deep-blue region of the visible spectrum (λ_em ∼ 440 nm) upon excitation at 255 nm with quantum yields of 4% (3) and 30% ([3][GaCl₄]) affording a switching ratio [Φ_F(3⁺)/Φ_F(3)] of 7.5 in quantum efficiency with oxidation state. Solid-state films of both 3 and [3][GaCl₄] exhibit emission bands at a longer wavelength (490 nm) attributed to excimer emission.

Europium and ytterbium complexes with o-iminoquinonato ligands: synthesis, structure, and magnetic behavior

Complexes of divalent ytterbium (1) and europium (2) with a dianionic o-amidophenolate ligand were prepared by both the direct reduction of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone (dpp-IQ) and the salt metathesis reaction of potassium o-amidophenolate with LnI2 (Ln = Yb, Eu). Oxidation of o-amidophenolates 1, 2 with one equivalent of dpp-IQ as well as the salt metathesis reaction of potassium o-iminosemiquinolate with LnI2 afforded ligand mixed-valent o-iminosemiquinonato-amidophenolato complexes of trivalent ytterbium (3) and europium (4). All novel complexes 1-4 were fully characterized, including the solid state structures of 1 and 2 determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of paramagnetic 2-4 were examined.

Probing through-space and through-bond magnetic exchange couplings in a new benzotriazinyl radical and its metal complexes

A new Blatter radical and its Zn(ii) (1), Ni(ii) (2) and Co(ii) (3) complexes were isolated. Complex 1 exhibited radical⋯radical antiferromagnetic exchange coupling, whereas complexes 2 and 3 showed ferromagnetic metal–radical coupling.

Mononuclear manganese(iii) complexes with reduced imino nitroxide radicals by single-electron transfer and intermolecular hydrogen bonds as an intramolecular structural driving force

One-electron transfer from Mn(ii) ions to an imino nitroxide radical gives mononuclear Mn(iii) complexes of the reduced amino imine-oxide form for which crystal structures evidence hydrogen bonds networks acting as a stabilizing driving-force.

Exploring through-bond and through-space magnetic communication in 1,3,2-dithiazolyl radical complexes

Coordination of the dithiazolyl radical MBDTA leads to strong intramolecular metal–radical magnetic exchange but the strength of the intermolecular exchange coupling is strongly dependent on molecular packing.

Structure–property-reactivity studies on dithiaphospholes

The crystal structures of P-halo-1,2,3-dithiaphospholes and the reduced P–P coupled dimer are reported. Treatment with Lewis acids affords phosphenium cations which are shown to be active catalysts for hydroboration reactions.

Multifunctional Dithiadiazolyl Radicals: Fluorescence, Electroluminescence, and Photoconducting Behavior in Pyren-1'-yl-dithiadiazolyl

The pyren-1'-yl-functionalized dithiadiazolyl (DTDA) radical, C₁₆H₉CNSSN (1), is monomeric in solution and exhibits fluorescence in the deep-blue region of the visible spectrum (440 nm) upon excitation at 241 nm. The salt [1][GaCl₄] exhibits similar emission, reflecting the largely spectator nature of the radical in the fluorescence process, although the presence of the radical leads to a modest quenching of emission (Φ_F = 98% for 1⁺ and 50% for 1) through enhancement of non-radiative decay processes. Time-dependent density functional theory studies on 1 coupled with the similar emission profiles of both 1⁺ and 1 are consistent with the initial excitation being of predominantly pyrene π-π* character. Spectroscopic studies indicate stabilization of the excited state in polar media, with the fluorescence lifetime for 1 (τ = 5 ns) indicative of a short-lived excited state. Comparative studies between the energies of the frontier orbitals of pyren-1'-yl nitronyl nitroxide (2, which is not fluorescent) and 1 reveal that the energy mismatch and poor spatial overlap between the DTDA radical SOMO and the pyrene π manifold in 1 efficiently inhibit the non-radiative electron-electron exchange relaxation pathway previously described for 2. Solid-state films of both 1 and [1][GaCl₄] exhibit broad emission bands at 509 and 545 nm, respectively. Incorporation of 1 within a host matrix for OLED fabrication revealed electroluminescence, with CIE coordinates of (0.205, 0.280) corresponding to a sky-blue emission. The brightness of the device reached 1934 cd/m² at an applied voltage of 16 V. The crystal structure of 1 reveals a distorted π-stacked motif with almost regular distances between the pyrene rings but alternating long-short contacts between DTDA radicals. Solid state measurements on a thin film of 1 reveal emission occurs at shorter wavelengths (375 nm) whereas conductivity measurements on a single crystal of 1 show a photoconducting response at longer wavelength excitation (455 nm).

3D molecular network and magnetic ordering, formed by multi-dentate magnetic couplers, bis(benzene)chromium(i) and [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazolidyl

The bis(benzene)chromium(i) salt of [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-c][1,2,5]thiadiazolyl radical-anion formed a 3D network structure and realized a magnetically ordered state below 8 K.

The magnetic fingerprint of dithiazolyl-based molecule magnets

The ferromagnetic fingerprint of dithiazolyl-based molecule materials is uncovered. Interestingly geometrical rather than electronic structure factors play the leading role.

Synthesis of new hybrid 1,4-thiazinyl-1,2,3-dithiazolyl radicals via Smiles rearrangement

The condensation reaction of 2-aminobenzenethiols and 3-aminopyrazinethiols with 2-amino-6-fluoro-N-methylpyridinium triflate afforded thioether derivatives that were found to undergo Smiles rearrangement and cyclocondensation with sulphur monochloride to yield new hybrid 1,4-thiazine-1,2,3-dithiazolylium cations. The synthesized cations were readily reduced to the corresponding stable neutral radicals with spin densities delocalized over both 1,4-thiazinyl and 1,2,3-dithiazolyl moieties.

Functionalized nitronyl nitroxide biradical bridged one-dimensional lanthanide chains: slow magnetic relaxation in the Tb and Dy analogues

The first examples of Ln-nitronyl nitroxide 1D chains based on the functionalized nitronyl nitroxide biradical have been obtained, and complexes Dy and Tb exhibit slow magnetic relaxation behavior.

Halide Influence on Molecular and Supramolecular Arrangements of Iron Complexes with a 3,5-Bis(2-Pyridyl)-1,2,4,6-Thiatriazine Ligand

A series of iron centered complexes, namely, [Fe(Py2TTA)Cl2] (1), [Fe(Py2TTA)Br2] (2), and [Fe(μ-F)(Py2TTAO)F]∞ (3), were isolated via complexation of 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,6-thiatriazine (Py2TTAH) with various ferric halides (e.g., FeF3, FeCl3, and FeBr3). Comparison of the optical and electrochemical spectroscopy, structural analysis, and magnetic studies reveal numerous similarities between the chlorido (1) and bromido (2) derivatives, which crystallize as discrete five-coordinate iron centered complexes with coordination geometries that are intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square base pyramid. Conversely, the fluorido derivative (3) results in a completely different structure due to oxidation of the ligand and the formation of a one-dimensional coordination polymer held together through a bridging fluoride ion. Consequently, the spectroscopic and magnetic behavior of 3 differs significantly compared with 1 and 2. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit paramagnetic properties typical for a mononuclear S = 5/2 system with weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions at low temperatures, whereas complex 3 demonstrates significant exchange couplings within the chain and weak antiferromagnetic interchain interactions, which stabilize a canted antiferromagnetic state below 4.2 K.

A 1,2,3-dithiazolyl-o-naphthoquinone: a neutral radical with isolable cation and anion oxidation states

A redox active ligand with three isolatable oxidations states is created by combining a thiazyl ring and ano-naphthoquinone.