Topological Motifs in Cyanometallates: From Building Units to Three-Periodic Frameworks

Chemical CO2 fixation using a cyanido bridged heterometallic Zn(II)-Mn(II) 2D coordination polymer

A new cyanido bridged Zn(II)-Mn(II) mixed-metal coordination polymer, {[Zn(μ-L)(μ-CN)2Mn0.5]·(CH3OH)}n (1), has been synthesized by the reaction of Zn(CN)2, Mn(II) salts and a hydrazone ligand (HL = (E)-N'-(phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)isonicotinohydrazide) in methanol. Compound 1 was characterized using various analytical methods (including elemental analysis, photoluminescence, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDX analyses, and TGA), and its structure was determined by X-ray analysis. These analyses confirmed the formation of a mixed metal Zn(II)-Mn(II) coordination polymer containing both cyanide and hydrazone bridging ligands. This mixed metal coordination polymer exhibits interesting emission spectra by having several emissions via excitation at 230, 270, 375 and 385 nm. The catalytic activity of compound 1 in chemical CO2 fixation was investigated in the presence of epoxides, and the effects of various parameters on its catalytic performance were evaluated. The results of catalytic studies show that compound 1 can efficiently catalyze the chemical CO2 fixation reaction under mild conditions. The amount of co-catalyst, temperature of the reaction, nature of the solvent and also the substituent connected to the epoxide ring are some of the important parameters that have considerable effects on the catalytic activity of 1.

Bridge vs Terminal Cyano-coordination in Binuclear Cobalt Porphyrin Dimers: Interplay of Electrons between Metal and Ligand and Spin-Coupling via Bridge

Three cyano-coordinated cobalt porphyrin dimers were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. The X-ray structure of the complexes reveals that cyanide binds in a terminal fashion in both the anti and trans isomers of ethane- and ethylene-bridged cobalt porphyrin dimers, while in the cis ethylene-bridged dimer, cyanides bind in both terminal and bridging modes. The nonconjugated ethane-bridged complex stabilizes exclusively a diamagnetic metal-centered oxidation of type CoIII(por)(CN)2 both in the solid and in solution. In contrast, the complexes with the conjugated ethylene-bridge contain signatures of both paramagnetic ligand-centered oxidation of the type CoII(por•+)(CN)2 and diamagnetic metal-centered oxidation of type CoIII(por)(CN)2 with the metal-centered oxidized species being the major component in the solid state as observed in XPS, while the ligand-centered oxidized species are present in a significant amount in solution. 1H NMR spectrum in solution displays two set of signals corresponding to the simultaneous presence of both the diamagnetic and paramagnetic species. EPR and magnetic investigation reveal that there is a moderate ferromagnetic coupling between the unpaired electrons of the low-spin CoII center and the porphyrin π-cation radical in CoII(por•+)(CN)2 species as well as an antiferromagnetic coupling between the two CoII(por•+) units through the ethylene and CN bridges.

Alkoxy-Bridged Dicopper(II) Cores Meet Tetracyanonickelate Linkers: Structural, Magnetic, and Theoretical Investigation of Cu/Ni Coordination Polymers

Two heterometallic Cu(II)/Ni(II) coordination polymers, [Cu2(Hbdea)2Ni(CN)4]n (1) and [Cu2(dmea)2Ni(CN)4]n·nH2O (2), were successfully self-assembled in water by reacting Cu(II) nitrate with H2bdea (N-butyldiethanolamine) and Hdmea (N,N-dimethylethanolamine) in the presence of sodium hydroxide and [Ni(CN)4]2-. These new coordination polymers were investigated by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction and fully characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, elemental analysis, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements, and theoretical DFT and CASSCF calculations. Despite differences in crystal systems, in both compounds, each dinuclear building block [Cu2(μ-aminopolyalcoholate)2]2+ is bridged by diamagnetic [Ni(CN)4]2- linkers, resulting in 1D (1) or 2D (2) metal-organic architectures. Experimental magnetic studies show that both compounds display strong antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -602.1 cm-1 for 1 and -151 cm-1 for 2) between Cu(II) ions within the dimers mediated by the μ-O-alkoxo bridges. These results are corroborated by the broken symmetry DFT studies, which also provide further insight into the electronic structures of copper dimeric units. By reporting a facile self-assembly synthetic protocol, this study can be a model to widen a still limited family of heterometallic Cu/Ni coordination polymer materials with different functional properties.

[Ru3(CN)3(CO)9]3-: Building Block for Multimetallic Cages

A cluster-ligand is disclosed in the form of [Ru3(CN)3(CO)9]3- ([1]3-). Produced by simple reaction of [Ru3(CO)12] with cyanide, [1]3- serves as a precursor to a series of μ-CN cages. When treated with [Ru3(CO)12], it readily forms the prism [Ru6(μ-CN)3(CO)18]3-. With 1.5 equiv of [Cu(MeCN)4]+ [1]3- reacts to give the expanded prism {Cu3[Ru3(μ-CN)3(CO)9]2}3-, which features three two-coordinate Cu(I) centers. Sources of Ni2+ and Fe2+ bind two equivalents of [1]3-, giving the double cages {M[Ru3(μ-CN)3(CO)9]2}4- (M = Ni, Fe) wherein the central metal is octahedral. The 1:1 reaction using [Fe(H2O)6]2+ gave the interpenetrated super-tetrahedrane {Fe4(μ4-O)[Ru3(μ-CN)3(CO)9]4}4-.

Lanthanide Hexacyanidoruthenate Frameworks for Multicolor to White-Light Emission Realized by the Combination of d-d, d-f, and f-f Electronic Transitions

We report an effective strategy toward tunable room-temperature multicolor to white-light emission realized by mixing three different lanthanide ions (Sm³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Ce³⁺) in three-dimensional (3D) coordination frameworks based on hexacyanidoruthenate(II) metalloligands. Mono-lanthanide compounds, K{Ln^III(H₂O)_n[Ru^II(CN)₆]}·mH₂O (1, Ln = La, n = 3, m = 1.2; 2, Ln = Ce, n = 3, m = 1.3; 3, Ln = Sm, n = 2, m = 2.4; 4, Ln = Tb, n = 2, m = 2.4) are 3D cyanido-bridged networks based on the Ln-NC-Ru linkages, with cavities occupied by K⁺ ions and water molecules. They crystallize differently for larger (1, 2) and smaller (3, 4) lanthanides, in the hexagonal P6₃/m or the orthorhombic Cmcm space groups, respectively. All exhibit luminescence under the UV excitation, including weak blue emission in 1 due to the d-d ³T_1g → ¹A_1g electronic transition of Ru^II, as well as much stronger blue emission in 2 related to the d-f ²D_3/2 → ²F_5/2,7/2 transitions of Ce^III, red emission in 3 due to the f-f ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_{5/2,7/2,9/2,11/2} transitions of Sm^III, and green emission in 4 related to the f-f ⁵D₄ → ⁷F_6,5,4,3 transitions of Tb^III. The lanthanide emissions, especially those of Sm^III, take advantage of the Ru^II-to-Ln^III energy transfer. The Ce^III and Tb^III emissions are also supported by the excitation of the d-f electronic states. Exploring emission features of the Ln^III-Ru^II networks, two series of heterobi-lanthanide systems, K{Sm_xCe_1-x(H₂O)_n[Ru(CN)₆]}·mH₂O (x = 0.47, 0.88, 0.88, 0.99, 0.998; 5-9) and K{Tb_xCe_1-x(H₂O)_n[Ru(CN)₆]}·mH₂O (x = 0.56, 0.65, 0.93, 0.99, 0.997; 10-14) were prepared. They exhibit the composition- and excitation-dependent tuning of emission from blue to red and blue to green, respectively. Finally, the heterotri-lanthanide system of the K{Sm_0.4Tb_0.599Ce_0.001(H₂O)₂[Ru(CN)₆]}·2.5H₂O (15) composition shows the rich emission spectrum consisting of the peaks related to Ce^III, Tb^III, and Sm^III centers, which gives the emission color tuning from blue to orange and white-light emission of the CIE 1931 xy parameters of 0.325, 0.333.

A Ferroelectric Aminophosphonium Cyanoferrate with a Large Electrostrictive Coefficient as a Piezoelectric Nanogenerator

Hybrid materials possessing piezo- and ferroelectric properties emerge as excellent alternatives to conventional piezoceramics due to their merits of facile synthesis, lightweight nature, ease of fabrication and mechanical flexibility. Inspired by the structural stability of aminophosphonium compounds, here we report the first A₃ BX₆ type cyanometallate [Ph₂ (ⁱ PrNH)₂ P]₃ [Fe(CN)₆ ] (1), which shows a ferroelectric saturation polarization (P_s ) of 3.71 μC cm^-2 . Compound 1 exhibits a high electrostrictive coefficient (Q₃₃ ) of 0.73 m⁴  C^-2 , far exceeding those of piezoceramics (0.034-0.096 m⁴  C^-2 ). Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) analysis demonstrates the polarization switching and domain structure of 1 further confirming its ferroelectric nature. Furthermore, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) polymer composite films of 1 were prepared and employed as piezoelectric nanogenerators. Notably, the 15 wt % 1-TPU device gave a maximum output voltage of 13.57 V and a power density of 6.03 μW cm^-2 .

Polymorphs and solid solutions: materials with new luminescent properties obtained through mechanochemical transformation of dicyanoaurate(I) salts

We report the use of mechano- and thermochemical methods to create new solid-state luminescent materials from well-known inorganic salts, potassium dicyanoaurate(I) KAu(CN)₂, and potassium dicyanocuprate(I) KCu(CN)₂. In particular, manual grinding or ball milling of commercial samples of KAu(CN)₂ led to the formation of a novel polymorph of the salt, herein termed m-KAu(CN)₂, evident by a significant change in color of the fluorescence emission of the solid material from orange to violet. The formation of m-KAu(CN)₂ is reversible upon addition of small amounts of solvents, and powder X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the structure of m-KAu(CN)₂ might be related to that of pristine KAu(CN)₂ through a change in ordering of Au(CN)₂^- ions in a layered structure. Thermal treatment of KAu(CN)₂ led to the discovery of another polymorph of this well-known salt, herein termed t-KAu(CN)₂, making KAu(CN)₂ a rare example of a system in which thermochemical and mechanochemical treatments lead to the formation of different, in each case previously not reported, polymorphic forms. The thermally-induced transformation from KAu(CN)₂ to t-KAu(CN)₂ takes place around 250 °C and proceeds in a crystal-to-crystal fashion, which enabled the preliminary structural characterisation through single crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing the retention of the layered structure and a change in ordering of Au(CN)₂^- ions. Milling of the simple salt KAu(CN)₂ in the presence of equimolar amounts or less of its copper(I)-based analogue coordination polymer KCu(CN)₂ leads to the formation of a series of solid solution materials, isostructural to m-KAu(CN)₂ and with visible fluorescence emission distinct from KCu(CN)₂ or any herein investigated forms of KAu(CN)₂.

General Synthesis of Large Inorganic Nanosheets via 2D Confined Assembly of Nanoparticles

Assembling nanoparticles to spatially well-defined functional nanomaterials and sophisticated architectures has been an intriguing goal for scientists. However, maintaining a long-range order of assembly to create macrostructures remains a challenge, owing to the reliance on purely interparticle interactions. Here, we present a general strategy to synthesize a class of inorganic nanosheets via a bottom-up directional freezing method. We demonstrate that, by confining a homogeneously dispersed metal-cyano colloidal suspension at the ice-water interface, followed by removal of ice crystals, large nanosheets with a lateral scale of up to several millimeters can be produced. The formation of millimeter-sized nanosheets is attributed to balanced electrostatic forces between dispersed nanoparticles, coupled with an appropriate hydrodynamic size of nanoparticles, potentially favorable lattice matching between nanoparticles and ice crystals, and the intermediate water at the ice-particle interface. The highly anisotropic growth of ice crystals can therefore guide the 2D confined assembly of nanoparticles in a long-range order, leading to well-defined 2D nanosheets. This contribution sheds light on the potential of nanoparticle assembly at larger length scales in designing families of large 2D nanoarchitectures for practical applications.

Neutral dicyanidoferrate(II) metalloligands for the rational design of dysprosium(III) single-molecule magnets

Diamagnetic cis-dicyanidoferrate(II) complexes bearing blocking aromatic diimines, cis-[Fe^II(CN)₂(L_NN)₂]⁰ (L_NN = 2,2'-bipyridine, 1,10'-phenanthroline) serve as metalloligands to Dy^III centres leading to a rigid cyanido-bridged chain of vertex-sharing {Dy^III₂Fe^II₂} squares which constrains the equatorial plane of embedded 4f metal ions. This results in a novel convenient route to rationally designed single-molecule magnets as the magnetic anisotropy of Dy^III centres can be efficiently generated by inserting aromatic N-oxide ligands on labile axial positions.

Construction of Pyrazine-Appended 1D and 3D Cobalt(II) Succinate Coordination Polymers: Influence of Solvent on Architectures and Applications in Gas Adsorption and NAC Detection

An underexplored reaction of pyrazine (rigid and linear) and succinic acid (flexible) with Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O afforded four new coordination polymers (CPs): [Co(H₂O)(pyz)(suc)] (1), [Co(H₂O)₂(pyz)(suc)] (2), [Co(H₂O)₄(pyz)](suc) (3) and [Co₂(H₂O)₂(pyz)(suc)₂] (4), as well as [Co(HCO₂)₂(pyz)] (5) being lately reported along with well-known 6 and 7. The CPs were obtained as stable crystalline materials and characterized by conventional solid-state techniques, including X-ray crystallography. Hydrothermally produced compounds 1 and 2 were both 3D CPs. While 3 and 4 obtained under ambient/solvothermal conditions in DMSO generated 1D and 3D structures, 5 isolated from DMF under solvothermal conditions had a 3D structure. The topologies of the coordination polymers 1-7 were described by underlying nets 3D 5-c fet, 3D 4-c cds, 1D 2-c 2C1, 3D 5-c bnn, 3D 6-c rob, 1D 2-c 2C1, and 3D 6-c pcu, respectively. The plot of χ_M ^-1 versus T was essentially linear in the entire temperature range following the Curie-Weiss law with a Curie constant (C) of 2.525 and a negative Weiss constant (ϕ) of -46.24 K, suggesting weak antiferromagnetic (AF) exchange interactions. CO₂ and N₂ adsorption studies of 1-5 featured type III isotherms. 1 was found to show remarkably higher quenching efficiencies for nitrophenols (η = 98% for o-NP) over other NACs. The Stern-Volmer plot exhibited deviation in linearity with K _sv values about 200 times greater than that for the simplest nitroaromatic compound (NB), signifying its exclusive quenching ability toward 1. The LOD for p-NP addition to 1 was found to be 0.995 ppm.

Crystal engineering of aurophilic supramolecular architectures and coordination polymers based on butterfly-like Copper-dicyanoaurate complexes: vapochromism, P-T behaviour and multi-metallic cocrystal formation

Using the equilibrium properties of CuII in the presence of the chelating ligand and the characteristics of the dicyanoaurate anion, we were able to obtain a family of 10 bimetallic...

Topological transformations in metal–organic frameworks: a prospective design route?

We apply a topological approach based on the underlying net and transformation pattern concepts as well as on the ‘supernet–subnet’ formalism to uncover mechanisms of solid-state transformations in coordination polymers and metal–organic frameworks.

Topological Motifs in Dicyanamides of Transition Metals

Dicyanamides of d-metals provide a wide range of magnetic properties tuned by external cations, encapsulated ions and coordination modes of anions. Analysis of molecular, one-periodic (1D chain), two-periodic (2D layered)...

Revisiting the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Fitting Procedure through a Machine Learning-Based Approach

A novel approach for the analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra is developed exploiting an inverse machine learning-based algorithm. Through this approach, it is possible to explore and account for, in a precise way, the nonlinear geometry dependence of the photoelectron backscattering phases and amplitudes of single and multiple scattering paths. In addition, the determined parameters are directly related to the 3D atomic structure, without the need to use complex parametrization as in the classical fitting approach. The applicability of the approach, its potential and the advantages over the classical fit were demonstrated by fitting the EXAFS data of two molecular systems, namely, the KAu (CN)₂ and the [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂ complexes.

Coordination Properties of Hydroxyisophthalic Acids: Topological Correlations, Synthesis, Structural Analysis, and Properties of New Complexes

Hydroxyisophthalic acids are valuable polytopic ligands for the design of functional materials based on coordination polymers due to the variety of charges and coordination modes they possess. Herein, we describe the synthesis, thermal stability, nonlinear optical (NLO) and spectroscopic properties of five novel coordination compounds, [K₂ L(H₂ O)₂ ], [MgL(H₂ O)₂ ] ⋅ 3H₂ O, [CaL(H₂ O)₃ ], [SrL(H₂ O)₃ ] ⋅ H₂ O, [BaL(H₂ O)(H₂ O)₅ ], and one salt, (NH₄ )₂ L ⋅ 2H₂ O, with 4,5,6-trihydroxyisophthalic acid (H₂ L), which has not been tested in assembling crystalline coordination networks before. The peculiarities of the structural organization of the compounds were analyzed and compared with those for other hydroxyisophthalates. The coordination properties of hydroxyisophthalic acids were studied from the topological point of view, and a comparative topological analysis of coordination and H-bonded networks was performed. Structural correlations revealed in this study could be useful for the design of hydroxyisophthalate-based coordination networks, including porous metal-organic frameworks, proton conductors, and NLO materials.

Stabilization of Re37+/Re38+ Metalloclusters by Cyanide Ligands in New Trinuclear Rhenium Cluster Complexes [{Re3X3}(CN)9]4-/[{Re3X3}(CN)9]5- (X = Br or I)

The interaction of rhenium(III) halides Re₃Br₉ and Re₃I₉ with aqueous solution of sodium cyanide resulted in the formation of the first trinuclear halide-cyanide rhenium cluster complexes [{Re₃X₃}(CN)₉]^5-/[{Re₃X₃}(CN)₉]^4- (X = Br or I) crystallized as salts of the compositions Cs₄Na[{Re₃Br₃}(CN)₉]·5.25H₂O (1), Cs₄Na[{Re₃I₃}(CN)₉]·6H₂O (2), Cs₄[{Re₃Br₃}(CN)₉]·2H₂O·0.5CsCl (3), and Cs₄[{Re₃I₃}(CN)₉]·(4). All of the compounds are stable in air in the solid state and in aqueous solution. The substitution of apical halide ligands in the parent compounds Re₃X₉ by cyanides led to reduction of the original metallocluster Re₃⁹⁺ (12 cluster valence electrons (CVEs)) to Re₃⁷⁺ (14 CVEs), forming the compounds 1 and 2. The apical CN^- ligands affect the electronic structure of the Re₃ metallocluster stabilizing reduced form. Complexes 1 and 2 represent the first examples of triangular rhenium clusters with the Re₃⁷⁺ metallocluster. The reaction of 1 and 2 with H₂O₂ resulted in formation of compounds 3 and 4 with the formal charge of the Re₃ metallocluster equal to 8+, and no further oxidation to Re₃⁹⁺ occurred. The compounds were characterized by the X-ray diffraction analysis, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and magnetic susceptibility measurements.

Cyanido-bridged {FeIIILnIII} heterobimetallic chains assembled through the [FeIII{HB(pz)3}(CN)3]− complex as metalloligand: synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

The first isostructural series of cyanido-bridged 3d–4f chains showing a unique zig-zag motif have been obtained by using the heteroleptic [Fe^III{HB(pz)₃}(CN)₃]⁻ complex as a metalloligand towards the preformed [Ln^III(bpdo)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺ species.

Diverse physical functionalities of rare-earth hexacyanidometallate frameworks and their molecular analogues

The combination of rare-earth metal complexes and hexacyanidometallates of transition metals is a fruitful pathway for achieving functional materials exhibiting a wide scope of mechanical, magnetic, optical, and electrochemical properties.

Cyanide Complexes Based on {Mo6I8}4+ and {W6I8}4+ Cluster Cores

Compounds based on new cyanide cluster anions [{Mo₆I₈}(CN)₆]^2–, trans-[{Mo₆I₈}(CN)₄(MeO)₂]^2– and trans-[{W₆I₈}(CN)₂(MeO)₄]²⁻ were synthesized using mechanochemical or solvothermal synthesis. The crystal and electronic structures as well as spectroscopic properties of the anions were investigated. It was found that the new compounds exhibit red luminescence upon excitation by UV light in the solid state and solutions, as other cluster complexes based on {Mo₆I₈}⁴⁺ and {W₆I₈}⁴⁺ cores do. The compounds can be recrystallized from aqueous methanol solutions; besides this, it was shown using NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy that anions did not undergo hydrolysis in the solutions for a long time. These facts indicate that hydrolytic stabilization of {Mo₆I₈} and {W₆I₈} cluster cores can be achieved by coordination of cyanide ligands.

X-ray Structure and Magnetic Properties of Heterobimetallic Chains Based on the Use of an Octacyanidodicobalt(III) Complex as Metalloligand

The assembly of [Co2III(μ-2,5-dpp)(CN)8]2− anions and [MII(CH3OH)2(DMSO)2]2+ cations resulted into the formation of two heterobimetallic 1D coordination polymers of formula [MII(CH3OH)2(DMSO)2(μ-NC)2Co2III(μ-2,5-dpp)(CN)6]n·4nCH3OH [M = CoII (1)/FeII (2) and 2,5-dpp = 2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine. The [Co2III(μ-2,5-dpp)(CN)8]2− metalloligand coordinates the paramagnetic [MII(CH3OH)2(DMSO)2]2+ complex cations, in a bis-monodentate fashion, to give rise to neutral heterobimetallic chains. Cryomagnetic dc (1.9–300 K) and ac (2.0–13 K) magnetic measurements for 1 and 2 show the presence of Co(II)HS (1) and Fe(II)HS (2) ions (HS – high-spin), respectively, with D values of +53.7(5) (1) and −5.1(3) cm−1 (2) and slow magnetic relaxation for 1, this compound being a new example of SIM with transversal magnetic anisotropy. Low-temperature Q-band EPR study of 1 confirms that D value is positive, which reveals the occurrence of a strong asymmetry in the g-tensors and allows a rough estimation of the E/D ratio, whereas 2 is EPR silent. Theoretical calculations by CASSCF/NEVPT2 on 1 and 2 support the results from magnetometry and EPR. The analysis of the ac magnetic measurements of 1 shows that the relaxation of M takes place in the ground state under external magnetic dc fields through dominant Raman and direct spin-phonon processes.

Azido-Cyanide Mixed-Bridged FeIII-NiII Complexes

The successful introduction of azide ions as secondary bridges into the Fe^III-Ni^II cyanide system afforded two clusters and one unique 4(3),2-ribbon chain: [(bpzpy)₂Ni₂(μ₂-1,1-N₃)₂{(pzTp)Fe(CN)₃}₂]·3H₂O [1; bpzpy = 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine, and pzTp = tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate], [(L1)₂Ni₄(μ₃-1,1,1-OCH₃)₂(μ₂-1,1-N₃)₂(H₂O)₂{(Tp)Fe(CN)₃}₂]·2CH₃OH·H₂O [2; Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate, and HL1 = 2,6-bis{(2-hydroxypropylimino)methyl}-4-methylphenol], and [(L2)₂Ni₃(μ₂-1,1-N₃)₄{(pzTp)Fe(CN)₃}₂]_n (3; L2 = 2-{[phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylene]amino}ethan-1-amine). Both 1 and 2 feature the centrosymmetric {Fe^III-Ni^II₂-Fe^III} and {Fe^III-Ni^II₄-Fe^III} rodlike structures in which the two peripheral [(Tp^R)Fe(CN)₃]^- anions act as monodentate ligands via one cyanide group to link the central azide-bridged [Ni₂] and [Ni₄] subunit, respectively, while 3 displays an extended structure of the double-zigzag (4,2-ribbon) chain in which the double end-on azide-bridged trinuclear [Ni₃] subunits serve as the 4-connected nodes. Magnetic study revealed that intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling is dominated by the azide or cyanide bridges in all of the complexes. Remarkably, complex 1 behaves as a single-molecule magnet with an effective energy barrier of 16.5 cm^-1 at zero dc field, while complex 3 exhibits metamagnetism with a hidden spin canting property below 12 K.

Heteronuclear Dirhodium-Gold Anionic Complexes: Polymeric Chains and Discrete Units

In this article, we report on the synthesis and characterization of the tetracarboxylatodirhodium(II) complexes [Rh2(μ-O2CCH2OMe)4(THF)2] (1) and [Rh2(μ-O2CC6H4-p-CMe3)4(OH2)2] (2) by metathesis reaction of [Rh2(μ-O2CMe)4] with the corresponding ligand acting also as the reaction solvent. The reaction of the corresponding tetracarboxylato precursor, [Rh2(μ-O2CR)4], with PPh4[Au(CN)2] at room temperature, yielded the one-dimensional polymers (PPh4)n[Rh2(μ-O2CR)4Au(CN)2]n (R = Me (3), CH2OMe (4), CH2OEt (5)) and the non-polymeric compounds (PPh4)2{Rh2(μ-O2CR)4[Au(CN)2]2} (R = CMe3 (6), C6H4-p-CMe3 (7)). The structural characterization of 1, 3·2CH2Cl2, 4·3CH2Cl2, 5, 6, and 7·2OCMe2 is also provided with a detailed description of their crystal structures and intermolecular interactions. The polymeric compounds 3·2CH2Cl2, 4·3CH2Cl2, and 5 show wavy chains with Rh-Au-Rh and Rh-N-C angles in the ranges 177.18°-178.69° and 163.0°-170.4°, respectively. A comparative study with related rhodium-silver complexes previously reported indicates no significant influence of the gold or silver atoms in the solid-state arrangement of these kinds of complexes.

The {Re4} Tetrahedral Cyanometalate Cluster Anion [{Re4(μ3-CCN)4}(CN)12]8- with Inner (μ3-CCN)3- Ligands and Its Features in Coordination of Cu2+ Cations

A reaction between ReI₃ and KCN at elevated temperature led to the formation of the new cyanometalate cluster anion [{Re₄(μ₃-CCN)₄}(CN)₁₂]^8- (1). The anion contains μ₃-CCN^3- ligands, which are stabilized by the coordination to the triangular faces of the tetrahedral {Re₄} metallocluster in a μ₃ mode. The compound crystallized as a potassium salt, and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It was shown that μ₃-CCN^3- ligands are ambidentate and can interact with transition-metal cations similarly to terminal CN groups, resulting in the polymer framework formation.

Octacyanidometallates for multifunctional molecule-based materials

Octacyanidometallates have been successfully employed in the design of heterometallic coordination systems offering a spectacular range of desired physical properties with great potential for technological applications. The [M(CN)8]n- ions comprise a series of complexes of heavy transition metals in high oxidation states, including NbIV, MoIV/V, WIV/V, and ReV. Since the discovery of the pioneering bimetallic {MnII4[MIV(CN)8]2} and {MnII9[MV(CN)8]6} (M = Mo, W) molecules in 2000, octacyanidometallates were fruitfully explored as precursors for the construction of diverse d-d or d-f coordination clusters and frameworks which could be obtained in the crystalline form under mild synthetic conditions. The primary interest in [M(CN)8]n--based networks was focused on their application as molecule-based magnets exhibiting long-range magnetic ordering resulting from the efficient intermetallic exchange coupling mediated by cyanido bridges. However, in the last few years, octacyanidometallate-based materials proved to offer varied and remarkable functionalities, becoming efficient building blocks for the construction of molecular nanomagnets, magnetic coolers, spin transition materials, photomagnets, solvato-magnetic materials, including molecular magnetic sponges, luminescent magnets, chiral magnets and photomagnets, SHG-active magnetic materials, pyro- and ferroelectrics, ionic conductors as well as electrochemical containers. Some of these materials can be processed into the nanoscale opening the route towards the development of magnetic, optical and electronic devices. In this review, we summarise all important achievements in the field of octacyanidometallate-based functional materials, with the particular attention to the most recent advances, and present a thorough discussion on non-trivial structural and electronic features of [M(CN)8]n- ions, which are purposefully explored to introduce desired physical properties and their combinations towards advanced multifunctional materials.

The immobilisation and reactivity of Fe(CN)63−/4− in an intrinsically microporous polyamine (PIM-EA-TB)

Protonation of the molecularly rigid polymer of intrinsic microporosity PIM-EA-TB can be coupled to immobilisation of Fe(CN)63−/4− (as well as immobilisation of Prussian blue) into 1–2 nm diameter channels. The resulting films provide redox-active coatings on glassy carbon electrodes. Uptake, transport, and retention of Fe(CN)63−/4− in the microporous polymer are strongly pH dependent requiring protonation of the PIM-EA-TB (pKA ≈ 4). Both Fe(CN)64− and Fe(CN)63− can be immobilised, but Fe(CN)64− appears to bind tighter to the polymer backbone presumably via bridging protons. Loss of Fe(CN)63−/4− by leaching into the aqueous solution phase becomes significant only at pH > 9 and is likely to be associated with hydroxide anions directly entering the microporous structure to combine with protons. This and the interaction of Fe(CN)63−/4− and protons within the molecularly rigid PIM-EA-TB host are suggested to be responsible for retention and relatively slow leaching processes. Electrocatalysis with immobilised Fe(CN)63−/4− is demonstrated for the oxidation of ascorbic acid.

Europium(III) Photoluminescence Governed by d8-d10 Heterometallophilic Interactions in Trimetallic Cyanido-Bridged Coordination Frameworks

We report an efficient pathway toward sensitization of red room temperature Eu^III emission by the charge-transfer (CT) states related to d⁸-d¹⁰ heterometallophilic interactions achieved by the simultaneous application of tetracyanidometallates of Pt^II/Pd^II and dicyanidometallates of Au^I/Ag^I in the construction of a trimetallic d-d-f assembly. The combination of Eu³⁺, [M^II(CN)₄]^2- (M = Pt, Pd), and [M^I(CN)₂]^- (M = Au, Ag) ions along with 4,4'-bipyridine N,N'-dioxide (4,4'-bpdo) results in four novel isostructural 2D {[Eu^III(4,4'-bpdo)(H₂O)₂][M^II(CN)₄]}·[M^I(CN)₂]·H₂O (M^II/M^I = Pt/Au, 1; Pt/Ag, 2; Pd/Au, 3; Pd/Ag, 4) coordination networks. They are built of hybrid coordination layers, based on cyanido-bridged {Eu^III[M^II(CN)₄]}_n square grids coexisting with metal-organic {Eu^III(4,4'-bpdo)}_n chains, with the further attachment of [M^I(CN)₂]^- ions through metallophilic {M^II-M^I} interactions. This results in dinuclear {M^IIM^I} units generating an orange emissive metal-to-metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MMLCT) state, whose energy is tuned by the applied d⁸-d¹⁰ metal centers. Thanks to these CT states, 1-4 exhibit room temperature red Eu^III photoluminescence enhanced by energy transfer from {M^IIM^I} units, with the additional role of 4,4'-bpdo also transferring the energy to lanthanides. These donor CT states lying in the visible range successfully broaden the available efficient excitation range up to 500 nm. The overall emission quantum yield ranges from 8(1)% for 4 to 15(2)% for 1, with the intermediate values for 2 and 3 relatively high among the reported Eu^III-based compounds with tetracyanido- and dicyanidometallates. We found that the sensitization efficiency is equally high for all compounds because of the similar energies of the CT states, while the main differences are related to the observed emission lifetimes ranging from ca. 80 μs for 4 to 120-130 μs for 2 and 3 to ca. 180 μs for 1. This phenomenon was correlated with the energies of the vibrational states, e.g., cyanide stretching vibrations, responsible for nonradiative deactivation of Eu^III excited states, which are the highest for the Pd/Ag pair of 4 and the lowest for the Pt/Au pair in 1. Thus, the heaviest pair of Pt^II/Au^I cyanide metal complexes is proven to be the best candidate for the sensitization of room temperature Eu^III luminescence.

[{Re6Q8}(SO3)6]10- (Q = S or Se): Facile Synthesis and Properties of the Most Highly Charged Octahedral Cluster Complexes and High Magnetic Relaxivity of Their Colloids with Gd3+ Ions

New octahedral rhenium cluster complexes [{Re₆Q₈}(SO₃)₆]^10- (Q = S or Se) were synthesized starting from [{Re₆Q₈}(H₂O)₄(OH)₂]·12H₂O. The complexes were crystallized as sodium salts and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and elemental analyses, IR, UV/vis and luminescence spectroscopies. Magnetic relaxation data demonstrate the complex formation of the cluster units with gadolinium ions. The analysis of the magnetic relaxation rates measured at various Gd:cluster ratios and different concentrations revealed the conversion of the aggregates (Gd_x[{Re₆Se₈}(SO₃)₆]_y)^n- into a nanoparticulate form even at x = 1 and y ≥ 1. Thus, the self-assembly of the cluster units into the nanoparticles is greatly facilitated by counterion binding with sodium cations. The concentration conditions were optimized for the formation and hydrophilization of Na_xGd_y[{Re₆Q₈}(SO₃)₆]-based colloids with the magnetic relaxivity values of r₁₍₂₎ = 21.0(24.1) and r₁₍₂₎ = 25.9(29.8) mM^-1 s^-1 for the {Re₆S₈}²⁺ and {Re₆Se₈}²⁺ derivatives, respectively.

Crystal structure of [K(18-crown-6)]+ 2[Pt(CN)4]2

In the title compound, di-μ-cyanato-1:2κ2 N:C;2:3κ2 C:N-di-cyanato-2κ2 C-bis-(1,4,7,10,13,16-hexa-oxa-cyclo-octa-deca-ne)-1κ6 O;3κ6 O-1,3-dipotassium(I)-2-platinum(II), [K2Pt(CN)4(C12H24O6)2] or [K(18-crown-6)]2·[Pt(CN)4], two trans-orientated cyano groups of the square-planar [Pt(CN)4]2- dianion (Pt site symmetry ) bind to one potassium ion each, which are additionally coordinated by the six O atoms of 18-crown-6. No Pt⋯Pt inter-actions occur in the crystal, but very weak Pt⋯H contacts (2.79 Å) are observed.

Linear One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers Constructed by Dirhodium Paddlewheel and Tetracyanido-Metallate Building Blocks

In this article, we describe the preparation of anionic heteronuclear one-dimensional coordination polymers made by dirhodium paddlewheels and tetracyanido-metallatate building blocks. A series of complexes of (PPh4)2n[{Rh2(µ-O2CCH3)4}{M(CN)4}]n (M = Ni (1), Pd (2), Pt (3)) formulae were obtained by reaction of [Rh2(μ-O2CCH3)4] with (PPh4)2[M(CN)4] in a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio. Crystals of 1−3 suitable for single crystal X-ray diffraction were grown by slow diffusion of a dichloromethane solution of the dirhodium complex into a chloroform solution of the corresponding tetracyanido–metallatate salt. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and crystallize in the triclinic P-1 space group, while compound 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic P21/n space group. A detailed description of the structures is presented, including the analysis of the packing of anionic chains and PPh4+ cations.

Dehydration-Hydration Switching of Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior and Visible Photoluminescence in a Cyanido-Bridged DyIIICoIII Framework

Microporous magnets compose a class of multifunctional molecule-based materials where desolvation-driven structural transformation leads to the switching of magnetic properties. Herein, we present a special type of microporous magnet where a dehydration-hydration process within a bimetal coordination framework results in the switching of emissive Dy^III single-molecule magnets (SMMs). We report a three-dimensional (3-D) cyanido-bridged coordination polymer, {[Dy^III(H₂O)₂][Co^III(CN)₆]}·2.2H₂O (1), and its dehydrated form of {Dy^III[Co^III(CN)₆]} (2), which was obtained through a reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation. Both phases are composed of paramagnetic Dy^III centers alternately arranged with diamagnetic hexacyanidocobaltates(III). The hydrated phase contains eight-coordinated [Dy^III(μ-NC)₆(H₂O)₂]^3- complexes of a square antiprism geometry, while the dehydrated form contains six-coordinated [Dy^III(μ-NC)₆]^3- moieties of a trigonal prism geometry. This change in coordination geometry results in the generation of Dy^III single-molecule magnets in 2, whereas slow magnetic relaxation effect is not observed for Dy^III sites in 1. The D_4d-to-D_3h symmetry change of Dy^III complexes produces also the shift of photoluminescent color from nearly white to deep yellow thanks to the modulation of emission bands of f-f electronic transitions. A combined approach utilizing dc magnetic data and low-temperature emission spectra confirmed an axial crystal field of trigonal prismatic Dy^III complexes in 2, which produces an Orbach type of slow magnetic relaxation. Therefore, we present a unique route to the efficient switching of SMM behavior and photoluminescence of Dy^III complexes embedded in a 3-D cyanido-bridged framework.

Heterometallic 3d-4d coordination polymers assembled from trans-[RuIII(L)(CN)2]- tectons and 3d cations

Five new cyanido-bridged heterometallic coordination polymers have been obtained by reacting PPh4[RuIII(salpn)(CN)2]·H2O (1) and AsPh4[RuIII(valen)(CN)2]·8.5H2O (2) (H2salpn and H2valen being Schiff-base proligands resulting from the condensation reaction of salicylaldehyde with 1,3-propanediamine and, respectively, o-vanillin with 1,2-ethanediamine) with divalent transition metal perchlorate salts: ∞1[{RuIII(salpn)(CN)2}3{MII(DMF)3}2](ClO4)·4DMF (MII = Mn, 3; Co, 4) and ∞2[{RuIII(valen)(CN)2}4{MII(DMF)3}2{MII(DMF)4}](ClO4)2·4DMF (MII = Mn, 5; Co, 6; Ni, 7), respectively. The dicyanido species, trans-[Ru(salpn)(CN)2]- and trans-[Ru(valen)(CN)2]-, act as metalloligands with the 3d metal ions. Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers with a ladder topology. Each MII ion is hexacoordinated by three cyanido groups arising from three {Ru(salpn)(CN)2} units and by the oxygen atoms from three DMF molecules, which are coordinated at meridional positions. Compounds 5-7 are also isostructural, their structures consisting of 2D networks with a herringbone topology. The magnetic susceptibility measurements of these 1D and 2D systems reveal the presence of dominating RuIII-MII antiferromagnetic (AF) interactions in compounds 3, 4, 5 and 6, while ferromagnetic RuIII-NiII interactions are observed in 7. All these compounds stay in their paramagnetic state down to 1.8 K except compound 4 which possesses a 3D ordered AF ground state.