Enantioselective self-assembly, crystallographic structure and magnetic properties of the two enantiomers of the optically active canted antiferromagnet [Ru(bpy)3][Mn2(ox)3]

Spontaneous resolution of a Δ/Λ-chiral-at-metal pseudo-tetrahedral Schiff-base zinc complex to a racemic conglomerate with C–H⋯O organized 41- and 43-helices

Weak supramolecular interactions can be decisive!

Magnetic order in a novel 3D oxalate-based coordination polymer {[Cu(bpy)3][Mn2(C2O4)3]·H2O}n

A heterometallic coordination polymer {[Cu(bpy)3][Mn2(C2O4)3]·H2O}n (1; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) was synthesized using a building-block approach and characterized by IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, magnetization measurement, and X-band ESR spectroscopy both on a single crystal and a polycrystalline sample. The molecular structure of 1 is made of a three-dimensional (3D) anionic network [Mn2(C2O4)3]n(2n-) and tris-chelated cations [Cu(bpy)3](2+) occupying the vacancies of the framework. In compound 1 magnetic order is confirmed below 12.8 K - magnetization measurements reveal an antiferromagnetic-like network of canted Mn(2+) spins with incorporated paramagnetic Cu(2+) centres. The ESR spectroscopy distinctly shows the phase transition; above T≈ 13 K, single isotropic Lorentzian lines of Mn(2+) ions in the high spin state S = 5/2 were observed, while below this temperature, only characteristic Cu(2+) signals from cations were detected. Thermal decomposition residues of 1 at different temperatures (800-1000 °C) were analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction; by heating the sample up to 1000 °C the spinel oxide CuMn2O4 [94.1(2) wt%] was formed. From the refined structural parameters, it could be seen that the obtained spinel is characterized by the inversion parameter δ∼ 0.8, and therefore the structural formula at room temperature can be written as (tet)[Cu0.17Mn0.83](oct)[Mn1.17Cu0.83]O4.

A 3D oxalate-based network as a precursor for the CoMn₂O₄ spinel: synthesis and structural and magnetic studies

A novel heterometallic oxalate-based compound of the formula {[Co(bpy)3][Mn2(C2O4)3]·H2O}n (1; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), and magnetization measurement. The molecular structure of 1 is made of a three-dimensional (3D) anionic network, [Mn2(C2O4)3]n(2n-), and tris-chelated cations [Co(bpy)3](2+) occupying the vacancies of the framework. Splitting between the zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) branches of susceptibility below the small peak at 13 K indicates magnetic ordering. Compound 1 was used as a single-source precursor for the formation of the mixed-metal oxide CoMn2O4. This conversion via thermal decomposition was explored by thermal analysis (TGA and DTA), IR spectroscopy, powder XRD, and magnetic susceptibility measurement. From refined structural parameters, it could be seen that the spinel obtained by the thermal treatment of 1 at 800 °C is characterized by the inversion parameter δ = 21%, and therefore the structural formula at room temperature can be written as (tet)[Co(0.79)Mn(0.21)](oct)[Co(0.105)Mn(0.895)]2O4. The temperature dependence of magnetization for CoMn2O4 points to at least three magnetic phases: the ferrimagnetic state is observed below 83 K, and up to 180 K blocking of the magnetic moments of nanocrystallites of 31 nm appears, transforming to paramagnetic-like behavior above 180 K. Microstructural characterization of the CoMn2O4 sample was carried out by means of XRD line-broadening analysis.

Ruthenium(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridine)-templated zinc(II) 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene metal organic frameworks: structural characterization and photophysical properties

The ability to confine photoactive catalysts within metal organic framework (MOF) materials affords the opportunity to expand the functional diversity of these materials into solar-based applications. Here, two new Ru(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridine) (RuBpy)-based photoactive materials derived from reactions between Zn(II) ions and 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene and templated by the presence of RuBpy (RWLC-1 and RWLC-2) are described with regard to structure and RuBpy photophysics. RuBpy cations have been successfully encapsulated within the cavities (RWLC-1) and channels (RWLC-2) of the new negatively charged frameworks, both of which are synthesized simultaneously in a single reaction vial. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies allowed for determination of the RuBpy position within crystal voids. RuBpy encapsulated in each of the two new MOFs exhibits biphasic triplet metal to ligand charge transfer ((3)MLCT) emission decay lifetimes (τRWLC-1-fast = 237 ns, τRWLC-1-slow = 1.60 μs, τRWLC-2-fast = 171 ns, and τRWLC-2-slow = 797 ns at 25 °C) consistent with two populations of RuBpy complexes, one being encapsulated in highly space-restricted cavities giving rise to a longer (3)MLCT lifetime, while the second is encapsulation within a larger nonperiodic pore or defect with a coencapsulated quencher giving rise to short emission lifetimes. Taken together, these results represent examples of the templating ability of RuBpy to produce novel materials with distinct photophysical environments of the encapsulated guests.

Rationalizing the molecular origins of Ru- and Fe-based dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells

As part of an effort to design more efficient dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), structure–property relationships are established in the world's best-performing chemical series of dyes: 2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-carboxylatoruthenium(II) complexes. Statistical analysis, based on crystallographic data from the Cambridge Structural Database, is used to determine common structural features and the effects of structural change to its salient molecular constituents. Also included is the report of two new crystal structures for tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II)hexahydrate and tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)iron(II)dithiocyanate; these add to this statistical enquiry. Results show that the metal (M) core exhibits a distorted octahedral environment with M—N π-backbonding effects affording the propensity of the metal ion towards oxidation. The same characteristics are observed in iron-based analogues. The role of carboxylic groups in this series of dyes is assessed by comparing complexes which contain or are devoid of COOH groups. Space-group variation and large molecular conformational differences occur when COOH groups are present, while such structural features are very similar in their absence. The nature of the anion is also shown to influence the structure of COOH-containing complexes. These structural findings are corroborated by solution-based UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and DSC device performance tests. The presence of COOH groups in this series of compounds is shown to be mandatory for dye-uptake in TiO2 in the DSC fabrication process. Throughout this study, results are compared with those of the world's most famous DSC dye, N3 (N719 in its fully protonated form): cis-bis(isothiocyanato)bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylato)ruthenium(II). Overall, the molecular origins of charge-transfer in these complexes are ascertained. The findings have important implications to the materials discovery of more efficient dyes for DSC technology.

Magnetically ordered molecule-based materials

Magnets composed of molecular components that provide both electron spins and spin-coupling pathways can stabilize bulk magnetic ordering. This was first reported for the ionic, zero-dimensional (0-D) electron transfer salt [Fe(C(5)Me(5))(2)](+)[TCNE]˙(-) (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene), which orders as a ferromagnet at T(c) = 4.8 K. Later V[TCNE](x) (x ∼ 2) was characterized to order above room temperature at 400 K (127 °C). Subsequently, numerous examples of organic- and molecule-based magnets have been characterized. In this critical review, after a discussion of the important aspects of magnetism pertaining to molecule-based magnets, including the determination of the magnetic ordering temperature (T(c)) these magnetically ordered materials are reviewed from a perspective of the structural dimensionality (208 references).

Six-fold Oxygen-Coordinated Triplet (S = 1) Palladium(II) Moieties Templated by Tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) Ions

Tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) is used as a templating agent to insert palladium(II) into three-dimensional oxalate-based networks. The templated-assembly of [Ru(bpy)(3)][Pd(2)(ox)(3)] (Pd(2)) and [Ru(bpy)(3)][PdMn(ox)(3)] (PdMn) is described. The latter compound is structurally characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. These techniques reveal an unusual 6-fold oxygen environment around the Pd(II) atoms with two short (2.02 Angstrom) and four long (2.17 Angstrom) Pd-O distances. As stated by magnetometry, this environment is associated with a triplet ground state (S = 1) of the palladium(II) ion: when the temperature is decreased, the chiMT product shows a monotonous decrease from 5.54 cm(3) K mol(-1) at 300 K, a value which is slightly lower than the one expected for independent paramagnetic Pd(II) (S = 1, g = 2) and Mn(II) (S = 5/2, g = 2) ions. This thermal variation is due to antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the two spin bearers. Nevertheless, no long-range magnetic order is detected down to 2 K. These results are confirmed by an analysis of the [MII(C(2)O(4))(3)](4-) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) complex and of a [Pd(II){mu-(C(2)O(4))Mn(II)(OH(2))(4)}(3)](2+) tetranuclear model using density functional theory.