Four quadruple metal–metal bonds lined up: linear nonachromium(ii) metal string complexes

The Origin of Magnetic Anisotropy and Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior in Chromium(II)-Based Extended Metal Atom Chains

Chromium(II)-based extended metal atom chains have been the focus of considerable discussion regarding their symmetric versus unsymmetric structure and magnetism. We have now investigated four complexes of this class, namely, [Cr3(dpa)4X2] and [Cr5(tpda)4X2] with X = Cl- and SCN- [Hdpa = dipyridin-2-yl-amine; H2tpda = N2,N6-di(pyridin-2-yl)pyridine-2,6-diamine]. By dc/ac magnetic techniques and EPR spectroscopy, we found that all these complexes have easy-axis anisotropies of comparable magnitude in their S = 2 ground state (|D| = 1.5-1.8 cm-1) and behave as single-molecule magnets at low T. Ligand-field and DFT/CASSCF calculations were used to explain the similar magnetic properties of tri- versus pentachromium(II) strings, in spite of their different geometrical preferences and electronic structure. For both X ligands, the ground structure is unsymmetric in the pentachromium(II) species (i.e., with an alternation of long and short Cr-Cr distances) but is symmetric in their shorter congeners. Analysis of the electronic structure using quasi-restricted molecular orbitals (QROs) showed that the four unpaired electrons in Cr5 species are largely localized in four 3d-like QROs centered on the terminal, "isolated" Cr2+ ion. In Cr3 complexes, they occupy four nonbonding combinations of 3d-like orbitals centered only on the two terminal metals. In both cases, then, QRO eigenvalues closely mirror the 3d-level pattern of the terminal ions, whose coordination environment remains quite similar irrespective of chain length. We conclude that the extent of unpaired-electron delocalization has little impact on the magnetic anisotropy of these wire-like molecular species.

Ligand effects on the structure, mixed-valence sites and magnetic properties of novel pentanickel string complexes

We report the syntheses, characterization, electronic structures and magnetic properties of four redox pairs of novel nickel-extended metal-atom chain (EMAC) complexes containing pyridine-, naphthyridine- and sulfonyl-containing ligands (H₂Tspnda and H₂Mspnda) (1-2 and 5-6). We further study the corresponding phenyl-substituted ligands (H₂Tsphpnda and H₂Msphpnda) (3-4 and 7-8) to examine the details of ligand effects. The X-ray structure of one-electron-reduced [Ni₅]⁹⁺ complexes shows shorter Ni-Ni bond distances (2.2646(6) for 1, 2.2943(7) for 3, 2.2436(11) for 5 and 2.2322(8) Å for 7) in comparison with an average Ni-Ni distance of 2.3187(8) Å for these complexes, indicative of a partial metal-metal bond interaction in the mixed-valence [Ni₂]³⁺ (S = 3/2) unit. The most striking result is that the [Ni₂]³⁺ site migrates from Ni(1)-Ni(2) to Ni(2)-Ni(3) when we replace the p-tolyl-sulfonyl group with methyl-sulfonyl group. These complexes present a rare example of the effect of crystal packing on the symmetric molecular structure yielding unsymmetric electronic distribution. Cyclic voltammetry measurements show four reversible redox waves and display the lower potentials of the [Ni₅]⁹⁺ complexes. These unusual lower potentials facilitate one-electron oxidation of these four complexes to [Ni₅]¹⁰⁺-core forms. We applied the magnetic susceptibility and EPR measurements to examine the magnetic properties of these four [Ni₅]⁹⁺-core pentanickel complexes and study the bonding nature of these mixed-valence [Ni₂]³⁺ units. Indeed, the results of EPR measurements reflect the migration of the mixed-valence site and the change of symmetry. Surprisingly, the oxidized [Ni₅]¹⁰⁺ counterparts behave differently: complex 2 exhibits an antiferromagnetic interaction with J = -13.59 cm^-1 between the two terminal Ni ions, while the others (4, 6 and 8) display diamagnetic properties as all of the Ni²⁺ ions are in low-spin (S = 0) states. These three complexes, to the best of our knowledge, are the first examples of all Ni²⁺ ions in a null spin configuration for pentanickel chains. Even though the structures of these complexes are similar to each other, their corresponding electronic structure and oxidized products show drastic changes in their magnetic properties and bonding nature. These differences of the properties and bonding nature of these pentanickel complexes are attributed to the ligand effects.

Band Structures of Quasi-One-Dimensional Incommensurate Helical Systems: A Case Study of Infinite Chromium Extended Metal Atom Chain

Extended metal atom chains (EMACs) are promising candidates for molecular wires but their band structures remain to be explored. As a quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) system, the incommensurate helical nature of EMACs hinders such calculations. In this work, we resolved this issue via explicit implementation of helical symmetry. Moreover, the pattern of metal d bands was rationalized by a systematic investigation on a series of related Q1D helical systems. Two critical factors, helical ligand field and chemically asymmetric ligand field, are proposed and identified. We found that the symmetry and ligand fields of the system dominate the pattern of the metal d bands, instead of specific chemical composition of ligands. The presented method and rationale are applicable to not only EMACs but also related Q1D helical systems.

Solution structure of a pentachromium(ii) single molecule magnet from DFT calculations, isotopic labelling and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy

Solution NMR spectroscopy on isotopically-labelled samples of [Cr₅(tpda)₄Cl₂] unveils a D₄ symmetric molecule, implying fast shuttling between the two unsymmetric ground configurations over NMR timescale.

A coordination polymer consisting of two different one-dimensional copper(II) chains

The title compound, catena-poly[[[diaqua(methanol-κO)copper(II)]-μ-N-(4-methylpyrimidin-2-yl-κN(1))pyrazin-2-amine-κ(2)N(1):N(4)] [[aqua(aqua/methanol-κO)(perchlorato-κO)copper(II)]-μ-N-(4-methylpyrimidin-2-yl-κN(1))pyrazin-2-amine-κ(2)N(1):N(4)] tris(perchlorate) methanol monosolvate 1.419-hydrate], {[Cu(C9H9N5)(CH3OH)(H2O)2][Cu(C9H9N5)(ClO4)(CH3OH)0.581(H2O)1.419](ClO4)3·CH3OH·1.419H2O}n, is a one-dimensional straight-chain polymer of N-(4-methylpyrimidin-2-yl)pyrazin-2-amine (L) with Cu(ClO4)2. The complex consists of two crystallographically independent one-dimensional chains in which the Cu(II) atoms exhibit two different octahedral coordination geometries. The L ligand coordinates to two Cu(II) centres in a tridentate manner, with the pyrazine ring acting as a bridge linking the Cu(II) coordination units and building an infinite one-dimensional chain. Extensive hydrogen bonding among perchlorate anions, water molecules and L ligands results in three-dimensional networks.

A magnetic and conductive study on a stable defective extended cobalt atom chain

A defective extended cobalt atom chain complex has been synthesized and the magnetism and conductance are studied. The formation and the electron transporting pathway of EMACs are investigated.

First stable reduced form of [Co(5)](+10): fine tuning of linear pentacobalt(ii) complexes containing delocalized metal-metal bonds through ligand modification

Pentacobalt EMACs [Co(5)(mu(5)-dpzpda)(4)X(2)] (X = Cl(-) (), NCS(-) ()) with fine-tuning of the supporting ligand based on the tripyridyldiamine ligand, N,N'-di(pyrazin-2-yl)pyridine-2,6-diamine (H(2)dpzpda), and their reduced form (Ph(4)P)[Co(5)(mu(5)-dpzpda)(4)X(2)] (X = Cl(-) (), NCS(-) ()) were first synthesized and structurally characterized. The structures of showed direct Co-Co bonds with Co-Co distances in the range 2.2385(7)-2.2888(15) A, and valence electrons delocalized through the whole metal chain with distances of longer than 9.06 A. The distances of the inner Co-Co bonds and the Co-axial ligands became longer after reduction, whereas no significant change was observed in the distances of the outer Co-Co bonds and Co-N (supporting ligand) bonds, which was consistent with the MO analysis. Electrochemical studies on both and showed one reversible oxidation and one reversible reduction at E(1/2) = +0.82 and -0.05 V for , and at E(1/2) = +0.89 and +0.02 V for , respectively. The redox reactions of the thiocyanate complex happened at higher potentials than the chloride complex . A magnetism study of revealed anomalous magnetic behaviour similar to that of heptacobalt EMACs, and a deviation from the Curie-Weiss law was observed. The chi(M)T value at 300 K is 0.84 and 1.16 emu K mol(-1) for and , respectively, suggesting spin-equilibrium or a spin-admixture between doublet and quartet states arising from the Boltzmann distribution over different energy levels. Similar results were obtained for and , showing intermediate chi(M)T values between a diamagnetic and a triplet state of 0.15-0.96 emu K mol(-1) in the temperature range 5-300 K. The structural and magnetic results were interpreted through an EHMO study.

The nano-scale molecule with the longest delocalized metal–metal bonds: linear heptacobalt(ii) metal string complexes [Co7(µ7-L)4X2]

A new type of pyrazine-modulated oligo-alpha-pyridylamino ligands, N2-(pyrazin-2-yl)-N6-(6-(pyrazin-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)pyridine-2,6-diamine (H3pzpz) and N2-(pyrazin-2-yl)-N6-(6-(pyridin-2-ylamino)pyridin-2-yl)pyridine-2,6-diamine (H3tpz), were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H NMR and MS(FAB). Using and , the linear heptacobalt(II) metal string complexes [Co7(micro7-L)4X2] (L=pzpz3-, X=Cl-, NCS-; L=tpz3-, X=Cl-, X=NCS-) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The structures showed the shortest Co-Co distance (2.194 A) and the longest Co chain (13.5 A) obtained to date with direct Co-Co bonds. The Co-Co distances are in the range 2.194-2.309 A. Electrochemical studies showed two reversible oxidations and one reversible reduction, while all the redox reactions of H3pzpz complexes, and , occurred at higher potentials than H3tpz complexes, and . The complexes are fairly stable to oxidation. Temperature-dependent magnetic research on revealed anomalous magnetic behavior with intermediate magnetic moment values between quartet and doublet states, and deviation from the Curie-Weiss law.

New versatile ligand family, pyrazine-modulated oligo-α-pyridylamino ligands, from coordination polymer to extended metal atom chains

Here we designed and synthesized a new ligand, di(2-pyrazyl)amine (Hdpza) (1) and studied its coordination modes and the corresponding complexes with Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cr(II). Hdpza is an analogue of the well-studied di(2-pyridyl)amine (Hdpa) ligand, which was used to generate the first extended metal atom chain. Three types of coordination modes were found: anti-anti style which resulted in a mononuclear compound [Cu(Hdpza)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (2); anti-syn which was observed in a complex for the first time and resulted in a 2-D coordination polymer [Co(mu(2)-Hdpza)(2)(NCS)(2)] (3); and syn-syn type which was observed in extended metal atom chains [Ni(3)(mu(3)-dpza)(4)Cl(2)] (4), [Ni(3)(mu(3)-dpza)(4)(NCS)(2)] (5) and [Cr(3)(mu(3)-dpza)(4)Cl(2)] (6). Weak antiferromagnetic coupling via Hdpza was observed in 3, whereas magnetic studies on extended metal atom chains 4 and 5 revealed that the interaction parameter was more than -200 cm(-1). Electrochemistry showed that the extended metal atom chains 4-6 are much more stable to oxidation than the Hdpa complexes, and are able to undergo reduction.