Synthetic strategies to {CoIII2LnIII} complexes based on 2-pyridyl oximes (Ln = lanthanide)

Slow Magnetization Relaxation in a Family of Triangular {CoIII 2 LnIII } Clusters: The Effect of Diamagnetic CoIII Ions on the LnIII Magnetic Dynamics

The first use of the Schiff base chelate N-naphthalidene-o-aminophenol (naphH2 ) in Co/Ln chemistry has afforded a family of isostructural [CoIII 2 LnIII (OMe)2 (naph)2 (O2 CMe)3 (MeOH)2 ] (Ln=Tb, Dy and Er) complexes, revealing a rare {CoIII 2 Ln(μ3 -OMe)}8+ triangular core composed of two diamagnetic CoIII ions and a 4f-ion with slightly distorted square antiprismatic geometry. Alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility studies revealed that {Co2 Dy}, and its magnetic diluted analogue {Co2 Dy0.05 Y0.95 }, behave as mononuclear single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with similar energy barriers for the magnetization reversal, Ueff , of ~85-90 K. SMM properties were also detected for {Co2 Er}, with the compound exhibiting a Ueff of 18.7 K under an applied magnetic field of 800 Oe. To interpret the experimental magnetic results, ab initio CASSCF/RASSI-SO and DFT calculations were performed as a means of exploring the single-ion characteristics of LnIII ions and comprehend the role of the diamagnetic CoIII ions in the magnetization relaxation of the three heterometallic compounds.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation in a Co2 Dy Trimer and a Co2 Dy2 Tetramer

The combination of Co(III) and Dy(III) with a compartmental Schiff base ligand (H₃ L=3-[(2-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylidene)-amino]-propane-1,2-diol), presenting three different coordinating pockets, has allowed the synthesis of two novel Co(III)-Dy(III) complexes: [Co₂ Dy(HL)₄ ]NO₃  ⋅ 2CH₃ CN (1), a rare example of trinuclear linear Co^III ₂ Dy^III complex (and the first with slow relaxation of magnetization in absence of a DC field) and [Co₂ Dy₂ (μ₃ -OH)₂ (HL)₂ (OAc)₆ ] ⋅ 4.6H₂ O (2), the first tetranuclear Co^III ₂ Dy^III ₂ cluster with a rhomb-like structure where the Co(III) ions are connected along the short diagonal of the rhomb. 1 presents two different relaxation processes: a fast relaxation dominated by Quantum tunnelling (QT) and a slow relaxation with an energy barrier of 40 K. 2 shows two close relaxation processes without applied DC fields that follow QT and Orbach mechanisms whereas for H_DC =500 Oe, the QT is cancelled and a direct term appears. Here we present the synthesis, X-ray structure and magnetic characterization of these two Co(III)-Dy(III) single-ion/molecule magnets.

Dinuclear Lanthanide(III) Complexes from the Use of Methyl 2-Pyridyl Ketoxime: Synthetic, Structural, and Physical Studies

The first use of methyl 2-pyridyl ketoxime (mepaoH) in homometallic lanthanide(III) [Ln(III)] chemistry is described. The 1:2 reactions of Ln(NO3)3·nH2O (Ln = Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy; n = 5, 6) and mepaoH in MeCN have provided access to complexes [Ln2(O2CMe)4(NO3)2(mepaoH)2] (Ln = Nd, 1; Ln = Eu, 2; Ln = Gd, 3; Ln = Tb, 4; Ln = Dy, 5); the acetato ligands derive from the LnIII-mediated hydrolysis of MeCN. The 1:1 and 1:2 reactions between Dy(O2CMe)3·4H2O and mepaoH in MeOH/MeCN led to the all-acetato complex [Dy2(O2CMe)6(mepaoH)2] (6). Treatment of 6 with one equivalent of HNO3 gave 5. The structures of 1, 5, and 6 were solved by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Elemental analyses and IR spectroscopy provide strong evidence that 2-4 display similar structural characteristics with 1 and 5. The structures of 1-5 consist of dinuclear molecules in which the two LnIII centers are bridged by two bidentate bridging (η1:η1:μ2) and two chelating-bridging (η1:η2:μ2) acetate groups. The LnIII atoms are each chelated by a N,N'-bidentate mepaoH ligand and a near-symmetrical bidentate nitrato group. The molecular structure of 6 is similar to that of 5, the main difference being the presence of two chelating acetato groups in the former instead of the two chelating nitrato groups in the latter. The geometry of the 9-coordinate LnIII centers in 1, 5 and 6 can be best described as a muffin-type (MFF-9). The 3D lattices of the isomorphous 1 and 5 are built through H-bonding, π⋯π stacking and C-H⋯π interactions, while the 3D architecture of 6 is stabilized by H bonds. The IR spectra of the complexes are discussed in terms of the coordination modes of the organic and inorganic ligands involved. The Eu(III) complex 2 displays a red, metal-ion centered emission in the solid state; the TbIII atom in solid 4 emits light in the same region with the ligand. Magnetic susceptibility studies in the 2.0-300 K range reveal weak antiferromagnetic intramolecular GdIII…GdIII exchange interactions in 3; the J value is -0.09(1) cm-1 based on the spin Hamiltonian Ĥ = -J(ŜGd1·ŜGd2).