Paramagnetic Molecular Semiconductors Combining Anisotropic Magnetic Ions with TCNQ Radical Anions

We report the synthesis, magnetic properties, and transport properties of paramagnetic metal complexes, [Co(DMF)₄(TCNQ)₂](TCNQ)₂ (1), [La(DMF)₈(TCNQ)](TCNQ)₅ (2), and [Nd(DMF)₇(TCNQ)](TCNQ)₅ (3) (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide, TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane). All three compounds contain fractionally charged TCNQ^δ- anions (0 < δ < 1) and mononuclear complex cations in which the coordination environment of a metal center includes several DMF molecules and one or two terminally coordinated TCNQ^δ- anions. The coordinated TCNQ^δ- anions participate in π-π stacking interactions with noncoordinated TCNQ^δ- anions, forming columnar substructures that provide efficient charge-transporting pathways. As a result, temperature-dependent conductivity measurements demonstrate that all three compounds exhibit semiconducting behavior.

Strong antiferromagnetic coupling of the cobalt(ii)–semiquinone radical in a dinuclear complex with 2,2′-bipyrimidine ligands

A new dinuclear cobalt(ii)–semiquinone radical complex was synthesised and displayed strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling, having −90.25 cm⁻¹ of a J value, between the cobalt(ii) centres and semiquinone radicals.

Electrochemically Directed Synthesis of Cobalt(II) and Nickel(II) TCNQF21–/2– Coordination Polymers: Solubility and Substituent Effects in the TCNQFn (n=0, 1, 2, 4) Series of Complexes

The reversible diffusion controlled cyclic voltammetry for the reduction of TCNQF­n0/1–/2– (where n=0, 1, 2, 4) changes significantly on addition of Co2+ and Ni2+ transition metal ions (M2+) because the kinetics associated with electrocrystallisation of the resulting coordination polymers [M(TCNQF2)2(H2O)2] and [M(TCNQF2)] are rapid on the voltammetric time scale. The voltammetry of solutions containing M2+ and TCNQF­2 was undertaken in acetonitrile (0.1M Bu4NPF6) at both GC and ITO electrodes. New one electron reduced TCNQF2 materials prepared via electrochemically directed synthesis were shown to have the formula [M(TCNQF2)2(H2O)2], assessed by vibrational (IR and Raman) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The solubility of [Ni(TCNQF2)2(H2O)2] (Ksp=8.29×10−11 M3) was significantly higher than the [Co(TCNQF2)2(H2O)2] (Ksp=1.43×10−11M3). Cyclic voltammetric data suggest the electrocrystallisation of two phases of [Ni(TCNQF2)2(H2O)2] occurs, which is not evident for [Co(TCNQF2)2(H2O)2]. Electrocrystallisation of the highly insoluble [M(TCNQF2)] was achieved at low M2+ and TCNQF2 concentrations. A comparison with published data on the voltammetry of TCNQF­n (n=0, 1, 2 and 4) for the series of TCNQF­n (n=0, 1, 2 and 4) containing M2+ is provided. An assessment of the electronic impact of the fluorine substituent of the underlying redox reactions also is established. Predictions are made for the voltammetric behaviour expected for the other transition metal cations with reduced TCNQFn derivatives.

Solvent-, Cation- and Anion-Induced Structure Variations in Manganese-Based TCNQF4 Complexes: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, Electrochemistry and Their Catalytic Properties

The reaction of Mn(BF₄ )₂ ⋅x H₂ O with (Pr₄ N)₂ TCNQF₄ (TCNQF₄ =2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) in a mixture of CH₃ OH/CH₂ Cl₂ gives a 2:3 stoichiometric complex of (Pr₄ N)₂ [Mn₂ (TCNQF₄ )₃ (CH₃ OH)₂ ] (1). If the solvent system used for the crystallisation of 1 is changed to CH₃ OH/DMF, then a different product, [Mn(TCNQF₄ )(DMF)₂ ]⋅(CH₃ OH)₂ (2), is obtained. The use of Li₂ TCNQF₄ instead of (Pr₄ N)₂ TCNQF₄ leads to the generation of [Mn₂ (TCNQF₄ )₂ (DMF)₄ ]⋅3 DMF (3). An unexpected mixed oxidation state network with a composition of [Mn^II ₄ Mn^III ₁₆ O₁₀ (OH)₆ (OCH₃ )₂₄ (TCNQF₄ )₂ ](NO₃ )₂ ⋅24 CH₃ OH (4), is formed if Mn(NO₃ )₂ ⋅x H₂ O is used in place of Mn(BF₄ )₂ ⋅x H₂ O in the reaction that leads to the formation of 3. Compounds 1-3 have been characterised by X-ray crystallography; FTIR, Raman and UV/Vis spectroscopy; and electrochemistry. Compound 4 has only been analysed by X-ray crystallography and vibrational spectroscopy (Raman, FTIR), owing to rapid deterioration of the compound upon exposure to air. These results indicate that relatively minor changes in reaction conditions have the potential to yield products with vastly different structures. Compound 1 adopts an anionic 2D network with unusual π-stacked dimers of the TCNQF₄ ^2- dianion, whereas 2 and 3 are composed of similar neutral sheets of [Mn(TCNQF₄ )(DMF)₂ ]. Interestingly, the solvent has a significant influence on the stacking of the sheets in the structures of 2 and 3. In compound 4, clusters with a composition of [Mn^II ₄ Mn^III ₁₆ O₁₀ (OH)₆ (OCH₃ )₂₄ (CH₃ OH)₄ ]⁶⁺ serve as eight-connecting nodes, whereas TCNQF₄ ^2- ligands act as four-connecting nodes in a 3D network that has the same topology as fluorite. Compound 3 exhibits an exceptionally high super-catalytic activity for the electron-transfer reaction between ferricyanide and thiosulfate ions in aqueous media.