Thiacalix[4]arene-Sandwiched Sandglass-like Ln9 Clusters (Ln = Tb and Eu): Insights into the Selective Luminescence Quenching Properties by p-Nitrobenzene Derivatives

Nonanuclear lanthanide clusters Ln₉ (Ln = Tb and Eu) based on p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (H₄TC4A) have been synthesized by the solvothermal reaction and were structurally determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The framework of Ln₉ can be termed as a sandglass-like structure whose two Ln₄-TC4A polynuclear secondary building units are bridged by one octa-coordinate {Ln(μ₃-O)₈} unit. Efficient TC4A-to-Ln energy transfer was observed for Tb₉ but not for Eu₉. The luminescence quantum yield (QY) of Tb₉ in the solid state at room temperature was determined to be 17.6%, while its highest QY in a methanolic solution (2 × 10^-5 mol/L) is 59.2% upon excitation at 318 nm. The luminescence of Tb₉ was quenched selectively by derivatives of p-nitrobenzene, as demonstrated by the results of photoluminescence and UV-vis titration experiments and supported by density functional theory calculations. We believe that the interactions between the analyte molecules and the pocket of Tb₉ are primarily responsible for the observed quenching. As such, this work represents one of the few examples of utilizing structurally interesting lanthanide cluster complexes as a sensory platform for the recognition of meaningful analytes and portends the further development of lanthanide-calixarene-complex-based functional materials.

Mixed Tb/Dy coordination ladders based on tetra(carboxymethyl)thiacalix[4]arene: a new avenue towards luminescent molecular nanomagnets

The macrocyclic ligand calix[4]arene (L1) and its sulphur-containing analogue thia[4]calixarene (L2) are promising precursors for functional molecular materials as they offer rational functionalization with various organic groups. Here, we present the first example of lanthanide-based coordination polymers built from the macrocyclic thiacalix[4]arene backbone bearing four carboxylic moieties, namely, ligand H₄L3. The combination of H₄L3 with the Tb³⁺ and Dy³⁺ cations led to the formation of 1D ladder-type coordination polymers with the formula [Ln^IIIHL3DMF₃]·(DMF) (where DMF = dimethylformamide and Ln = Tb or Dy, denoted as HL3–Tb and HL3–Dy), which resulted from the coordination of the lanthanide cations with the partially deprotonated ligand HL3³⁻ that behaved as a T-shape connector. The coordination sphere around the metal was completed by the coordinated DMF solvent molecules. By combining both Tb³⁺ and Dy³⁺ cations, isostructural heterobimetallic solid solutions HL3–Tb_1−xDy_x were also prepared. HL3–Tb and HL3–Dy showed visible light photoluminescence originating from the f–f electronic transitions of pale green emissive Tb³⁺ and pale yellow emissive Dy³⁺ with efficient sensitization by the functionalized thia[4]calixarene ligand HL3. In the HL3–Tb_1−xDy_x solid solutions, the Tb/Dy ratio governed both the emission colour as well as the emission quantum yield, which reached even 28% at room temperature for HL3–Tb. Moreover, HL3–Dy exhibited a slow magnetic relaxation effect related to the magnetic anisotropy of the dodecahedral Dy³⁺ complexes, which were well isolated in the crystal lattice by expanded organic spacers.

The single crystals of the two isostructural Tb³⁺- and Dy³⁺-based coordination polymers (HL3–Tb and HL3–Dy) were structurally characterized, and their photophysical properties were investigated, together with their corresponding solid solutions.

Constructing [CoII6] hexagon-centered heterometallic {Ln6Co6} (Ln = Y, Eu and Dy) clusters with a calix[8]arene ligand

Three isostructural 3d–4f polynuclear clusters {(LnIII6CoII6)(C8A)₃} (Ln = Y, Eu, Dy; C8A = p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene) feature some tripod-like entities in which three Ln₂-C8A SBUs bolster a [Co₆] hexagon.

Two sulfur and nitrogen-rich cobalt–thiacalix[4]arene compounds for the selective mercury removal from aqueous solutions

Two thiacalix[4]arene-based coordination compounds, a {Co₂₄} octahedral coordination cage and a {Co₈} cluster, are effective adsorbents towards Hg(ii) and the adsorption capacity of the {Co₂₄} cage compound reaches 330 mg g⁻¹.

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of novel tetrameric Ln2Mn2 and ring-like Ln4Mn4 clusters

Two series of heterometallic Ln–Mn clusters Ln2Mn2 and Ln4Mn4 were successfully synthesized in the presence of alcohol ligands, and the magnetic coupling interaction between metal ions were characterized by theoretical calculations.

Nuclearity control in calix[4]arene-based zinc(ii) coordination complexes

Three zinc-based coordination complexes were selectively generated in the crystalline phase using a new flexible molecular “tweezers” calix[4]arene derivative ligand decorated with two appended carboxylic moieties and benzyl spacers ((3-4H)).

Syntheses, structures, luminescence and magnetic properties of three high-nuclearity neodymium compounds based on mixed sulfonylcalix[4]arene-phosphonate ligands

The solvothermal reactions of p-tert-butylsulfonylcalix[4]arene (H₄BSC4A), phosphonic acid and neodymium chloride have resulted in three novel high-nuclearity neodymium coordination compounds.

A rare three-coordinated zinc cluster–organic framework with two types of secondary building units

A rare three-coordinated zinc cluster–organic framework was constructed by two types of secondary building units and two polycarboxylate ligands.

[LnIII–MnII–LnIII] heterometallic compounds: rare linear SMMs with divalent manganese ions

The perfectly linear metal array and the introduction of strong magnetic anisotropy Tb^IIIand Dy^IIIresult in new trinuclear heterometallic Ln^III–Mn^II–Ln^IIISMMs with high energy barriers.

Exploring the magnetic behavior of nickel-coordinated pyrogallol[4]arene nanocapsules

The magnetic behavior of nickel-seamed C-propylpyrogallol[4]arene dimeric and hexameric nanocapsular assemblies has been investigated in the solid state using a SQUID magnetometer. These dimeric and hexameric capsular entities show magnetic differentiation both in terms of moment per nanocapsule and potential antiferromagnetic interactions within individual nanocapsules. The weak antiferromagnetic behavior observed at low temperatures indicates dipolar interactions between neighboring nickel atoms; however, this effect is higher in the hexameric nickel-seamed assembly. The differences in magnetic behavior of dimer versus hexamer can be attributed to different coordination environments and metal arrangements in the two nanocapsular assemblies.

Carboxylate-free Mn(III)2Ln(III)2 (Ln = lanthanide) and Mn(III)2Y(III)2 complexes from the use of (2-hydroxymethyl)pyridine: analysis of spin frustration effects

The initial employment of 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine for the synthesis of Mn/Ln (Ln = lanthanide) and Mn/Y clusters, in the absence of an ancillary organic ligand, has afforded a family of tetranuclear [Mn(III)(2)M(III)(2)(OH)(2)(NO(3))(4)(hmp)(4)(H(2)O)(4)](NO(3))(2) (M = Dy, 1; Tb, 2; Gd, 3; Y; 4) anionic compounds. 1-4 possess a planar butterfly (or rhombus) core and are rare examples of carboxylate-free Mn/Ln and Mn/Y clusters. Variable-temperature dc and ac studies established that 1 and 2, which contain highly anisotropic Ln(III) atoms, exhibit slow relaxation of their magnetization vector. Fitting of the obtained magnetization (M) versus field (H) and temperature (T) data for 3 by matrix diagonalization and including only axial anisotropy (zero-field splitting, ZFS) showed the ground state to be S = 3. Complex 4 has an S = 0 ground state. Fitting of the magnetic susceptibility data collected in the 5-300 K range for 3 and 4 to the appropriate van Vleck equations revealed, as expected, extremely weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic ions; for 3, J(1) = -0.16(2) cm(-1) and J(2) = -0.12(1) cm(-1) for the Mn(III)···Mn(III) and Mn(III)···Gd(III) interactions, respectively. The S = 3 ground state of 3 has been rationalized on the basis of the spin frustration pattern in the molecule. For 4, J = -0.75(3) cm(-1) for the Mn(III)···Mn(III) interaction. Spin frustration effects in 3 have been quantitatively analyzed for all possible combinations of sign of J(1) and J(2).

catena-Poly[[[aqua-chlorido-manganese(II)]-bis-[μ-1,1'-(oxydi-p-phenyl-ene)di-1H-imidazole-κN:N]] chloride dimethyl-formamide mono-solvate monohydrate]

The title coordination polymer, {[MnCl(C₁₈H₁₄N₄O)₂(H₂O)]Cl·C₃H₇NO·H₂O}_n, obtained by the solvothermal reaction of BIDPE and manganese(II) salt in H₂O/DMF (DMF is dimethyl­formamide), is composed of a chain of [Mn₂(BIDPE)₂] [BIDPE is 1,1′-(oxydi-p-phenyl­ene)di-1H-imidazole] metallocyclic rings that exhibit inversion symmetry. The coordination about the Mn(II) ions is distorted octahedral with a MnClN₄O coordination set. In the crystal, the polymeric chains are linked by O—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (100). A number of C—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯O inter­actions are also present.