Linear trimetallic complexes with 24 d electrons: Magnetic interactions in [Ni3]6+ and [Ni–Pd–Ni]6+ dipyridylamide chain complexes from density functional theory

Study of Electronic and Vibrational Structures of Reduced, Neutral, and Oxidized Ni3(dpa)4X2 Using Density Functional Theory and Raman Spectroscopy

The electronic and vibrational structures of trinickel metal string complexes [Ni₃(dpa)₄X₂]^1-,0,1+ (X = Cl, NCS) were investigated using both theoretical calculations and spectroscopic methods. We used the density functional theory (DFT) method B3LYP*-D3, including less exact exchange energy and the van der Waals interaction of metal ions, to obtain the geometries and vibrational structures, which were found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data. The ground state of Ni₃(dpa)₄X₂ is an antiferromagnetic (AF) singlet state, and the next state is a quintet state, which was detected using temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy under a magnetic field. The vibrational structure of the quintet state is nearly identical to that of the AF state, according to the measured Raman spectra, except that the stretching of Ni-Cl is blue-shifted from 282.5 cm^-1 in the AF state to 283.8 cm^-1 in the quintet state. Two oxidized Ni₃ complexes were found to have [Ni₃]⁷⁺ cores, the doublet [Ni₃(dpa)₄]³⁺ without axial ligands and the quartet [Ni₃(dpa)₄X₂]⁺. Complex [Ni₃(dpa)₄X₂]^-, which was produced from a reduction reaction by gold nanoparticles at room temperature, consists of a quartet state as the ground state and a doublet state lying nearby.

Paramagnetic Metal-Metal Bonded Heterometallic Complexes

Significant progress has been made in the past 10-15 years on the design, synthesis, and properties of multimetallic coordination complexes with heterometallic metal-metal bonds that are paramagnetic. Several general classes have been explored including heterobimetallic compounds, heterotrimetallic compounds of either linear or triangular geometry, discrete molecular compounds containing a linear array of more than three metal atoms, and coordination polymers with a heterometallic metal-metal bonded backbone. We focus in this Review on the synthetic methods employed to access these compounds, their structural features, magnetic properties, and electronic structure. Regarding the metal-metal bond distances, we make use of the formal shortness ratio (FSR) for comparison of bond distances between a broad range of metal atoms of different sizes. The magnetic properties of these compounds can be described using an extension of the Goodenough-Kanamori rules to cases where two magnetic ions interact via a third metal atom. In describing the electronic structure, we focus on the ability (or not) of electrons to be delocalized across heterometallic bonds, allowing for rationalizations and predictions of single-molecule conductance measurements in paramagnetic heterometallic molecular wires.

Fine-Tuning of Magnetic Properties in Nickel(II) Trinuclear EMACs via Modifications of Equatorial Ligands

The relationship between equatorial ligands structures and magnetic response of [Ni3]6+ extended metal atom chain core has been investigated. The distances between metal ions in Ni metal strings are largely predefined by framework provided through equatorial ligands. The equatorial ligands thus have primary influence on the magnitude of magnetic coupling between terminal high spin centers. Since the σ channel has greatest contribution to J, the variations in Ni–Ni bond lengths have immediate and strong effect on magnetic properties. The secondary, yet important role is played by ligand field strength and nucleophilicity. It has been shown that energy difference between singly occupied σ-type MOs composed of d(z2) of terminal ions and doubly occupied σ-type MO evolved from d(z2) of the central ion in antiferromagnetic state solution is inversely proportional to magnitude of J. Hence, the alignment between energies of d(z2) orbitals on HS and LS centers directly affected by ligand field strength governs the magnetic response. Moreover, the greater basicity of lone pairs coordinating terminal metal atoms correlates with the larger absolute value of magnetic coupling constant.

Towards a low-spin configuration in extended metal atom chains. Theoretical study of trimetallic systems with 22 metal electrons

Different electronic configurations of a series of trinuclear heterometallic chains with 22 metallic electrons, MM'M(dpa)(4)X(2) (M = Co, Rh; M' = Ni, Pd; X = Cl, NCS), have been modelled in search of new systems with novel electrical properties. For this purpose, we explore the possibility of obtaining low-spin (extensively closed-shell) states by introducing chemical changes to the reference compound CoPdCo(dpa)(4)Cl(2) (1), isoelectronic to the herein studied systems, but possessing magnetically coupled localized electrons. The discussion is based on the orbital energies obtained by the DFT methodology. Among the systems herein analysed, CoNiCo(dpa)(4)(NCS)(2) has only two unpaired electrons vs. six in the case of 1, its closed-shell configuration appearing at high energies. For Rh(2)M-based chains, changes go a step further and the RhPdRh(dpa)(4)Cl(2) and RhPdRh(dpa)(4)(NCS)(2) molecules present a closed-shell ground state in close competition with the broken symmetry solution with S = ½ on each Rh(II). One-electron reduction of the latter compounds has been computed with marked structural changes. Our calculations show that the two lowest 23-electron states are separated by 7-8 kcal mol(-1) in favour of the state with an unpaired localized electron on the δ(Pd-N)* orbital instead of the delocalized one (σ(nb))(2)(σ*)(1).

Group 6 complexes with iron and zinc heterometals: understanding the structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of a complete series of M≡M···M' compounds

Binuclear quadruply bonded complexes Cr(2)(dpa)(4) (1, dpa = 2,2'-dipyridylamide), Mo(2)(dpa)(4) (2), and W(2)(dpa)(4) (3) react with anhydrous FeCl(2), yielding heterometallic compounds CrCrFe(dpa)(4)Cl(2) (4), MoMoFe(dpa)(4)Cl(2) (5), and WWFe(dpa)(4)Cl(2) (6). These molecules are structurally similar, having a linear M≡M···Fe chain that is axially capped by chloride ions and is equatorially supported by the helically twisted dpa ligands. A structurally related zinc analog, CrCrZn(dpa)(4)Cl(2) (7), can be prepared upon metalation of 1 with ZnCl(2). This reaction also persistently produces a 2:1 adduct of ZnCl(2) with 1, [Cr(2)(dpa)(4)](ZnCl(2))(2) (8), which is in equilibrium with 7 and has the two zinc ions bound externally to the Cr(2) core and axial bridging chloro ligands attached to each Cr ion. The sole isolable product of the addition of ZnCl(2) to 3 is a 1:1 adduct, [W(2)(dpa)(4)]ZnCl(2) (9). The structurally related chain complexes 4, 5, 6, and 7 are characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy for the iron complexes in order to gain insights into the nature of heterometallic interactions, electronic excited states, and redox properties of these compounds, which have implications for all other M≡M···M' molecules. Additionally, NMR spectroscopy has been used to gain insight into the mechanism of the metalation of 1 by Zn(II).

A New Generation of Metal String Complexes: Structure, Magnetism, Spectroscopy, Theoretical Analysis, and Single Molecular Conductance of an Unusual Mixed-Valence Linear [Ni5]8+ Complex

Two new linear pentanickel complexes [Ni5(bna)4(Cl)2][PF6]2 (1) and [Ni5(bna)4(Cl)2][PF6]4 (2; bna=binaphthyridylamide), were synthesized and structurally characterized. A derivative of 1, [Ni5(bna)4(NCS)2][NCS]2 (3), was also isolated for the purpose of the conductance experiments carried out in comparison with [Ni5(tpda)4(NCS)2] (4; tpda=tripyridyldiamide). The metal framework of complex 2 is a standard [Ni5]10+ core, isoelectronic with that of [Ni5(tpda)4Cl2] (5). Also as in 5, complex 2 has an antiferromagnetic ground state (J=-15.86 cm(-1)) resulting from a coupling between the terminal nickel atoms, both in high-spin sate (S=1). Complex 1 displays the first characterized linear nickel framework in which the usual sequence of NiII atoms has been reduced by two electrons. Each dinickel unit attached to the naphthyridyl moieties is assumed to undergo a one-electron reduction, whereas the central nickel formally remains NiII. DFT calculations suggest that the metal framework of the mixed-valence complex 1 should be described as intermediate between a localized picture corresponding to NiII-NiI-NiII-NiI-NiII and a fully delocalized model represented as (Ni2)3+-NiII-(Ni2)3+. Assuming the latter model, the ground state of 1 results from an antiferromagnetic coupling (J=-34.03 cm(-1)) between the two (Ni2)3+ fragments, considered each as a single magnetic centre (S=3/2). An intervalence charge-transfer band is observed in the NIR spectrum of 1 at 1186 nm, suggesting, in accordance with DFT calculations, that 1 should be assigned to Robin-Day class II of mixed-valent complexes. Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) methodology was used to assess the conductance of single molecules of 3 and 4. Compound 3 was found approximately 40% more conductive than 4, a result that could be assigned to the electron mobility induced by mixed-valency in the naphthyridyl fragments.