Heterometallic Hexanuclear [Cu2 Ln4 ] Complexes Showing Zero-field SMM Behaviour and Magnetocaloric Effect

Three heterometallic hexanuclear 3d-4f complexes bearing the formula [Cu₂ (L)₂ Ln₄ (L)₄ (o-van)₂ ] [L=2-((E)-((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino]methyl)phenol; o-van=ortho-vanillin] (Ln^III =Gd^III (1), Dy^III (2), and Tb^III (3)) have been synthesized and characterized. DC magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal overall antiferromagnetic interactions in 1 and 3, whereas co-existence of ferro- as well as antiferromagnetic interactions were observed in 2. The magnetocaloric effect has been observed for 1 with an entropy change (-ΔS_m ) of 22.3 J kg^-1  K^-1 at 3 K and 7 T. Zero-field single molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour has been observed for 2, where Raman relaxation and quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) played a role in magnetization relaxation. The Cu-O-Ln angle well explains the magnetic exchange coupling occurring in the complexes. BS-DFT calculation for the complexes provides an estimate of the exchange interactions between the paramagnetic centres. Ab initio calculations performed for complex 2 established a good correlation to the experimental relaxation dynamics.

Two Heterometallic Nanoclusters [DyIII4NiII8] and [DyIII10MnIII4MnII2]: Structure, Assembly Mechanism, and Magnetic Properties

A full understanding of the assembly mechanisms of coordination complexes is of great importance for a directional synthesis under control. We thus explored here the formation mechanisms of the two new heterometallic nanoclusters [Dy^III₄Ni^II₈(μ₃-OH)₈(L)₈(OAc)₄(H₂O)₄]·3.25EtOH·4CH₃CN (1) and [Dy^III₁₀Mn^III₄Mn^II₂O₄(OH)₁₂(OAc)₁₆(L)₄(HL)₂(EtOH)₂]·2EtOH·2CH₃CN·2H₂O (2) with different cubane-based squarelike ring structures, which were obtained from the reactions of 4-bromo-2-[(2-hydroxypropylimino)methyl]phenol (H₂L) with Dy(NO)₃·6H₂O and the transition metal salt Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O or Mn(OAc)₂·4H₂O. The high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESI-MS) tests showed that the skeletons of clusters 1 and 2 have a high stability under the measurement conditions for HRESI-MS. The intermediates formed in the reaction courses of clusters 1 and 2 were tracked using time-dependent HRESI-MS, which helped to determine the proposed hierarchical assembly mechanisms for 1 (H₂L → NiL → Ni₂L₂ → Ni₃L₄ → Ni₄L₄ → DyNi₄L₅ → Dy₂Ni₆L₆ → Dy₃Ni₆L₆ → Dy₃Ni₇L₇ → Dy₄Ni₈L₈) and 2 (H₂L → MnL → DyMnL → DyMn₂L → Dy₂Mn₂L_x → Dy₈Mn₂L₂ → Dy₁₀Mn₂L₂ → Dy₁₀Mn₆L_x and H₂L → DyL → Dy₄L₂ → Dy₆L₂ → Dy₈Mn₂L₂ → Dy₁₀Mn₂L₂ → Dy₁₀Mn₆L_x). This is one of the rare examples of investigating the assembly mechanisms of 3d-4f heterometallic clusters. Magnetic studies indicated that the title complexes both show slow magnetic relaxation behaviors and cluster 1 is a field-induced single-molecule magnet.

Co3Gd4 Cage as Magnetic Refrigerant and Co3Dy3 Cage Showing Slow Relaxation of Magnetisation

Two structurally dissimilar 3d-4f cages having the formulae [(Co^III)₃Gd₄(μ₃-OH)₂(CO₃) (O₂C^tBu)₁₁(teaH)₃]·5H₂O (1) and [(Co^III)₃Dy₃(μ₃-OH)₄(O₂C^tBu)₆(teaH)₃]·(NO₃)₂·H₂O (2) have been isolated under similar reaction conditions and stoichiometry of the reactants. The most important factor for structural diversity seems to be the incorporation of one μ₃-carbonate anion in 1 and not in 2. Co atoms are in a +3 oxidation state in both complexes, as shown by the Bond Valence Sum (BVS) calculations and bond lengths, and as further supported by magnetic measurements. Co₃Gd₄ displays a significant magnetocaloric effect (−∆S_m = 25.67 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹), and Co₃Dy₃ shows a single molecule magnet (SMM) behavior.

Heterodinuclear [Co-Ln] complexes of semicarbazide-arm bearing ligand: synthesis from the cleavage of starting [Co-Co] complex, structures and magnetic properties

Cleavage of a [Co-Co] precursor by an anionic form of 1-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)semicarbazide in the presence of Ln(NO)₃·nH₂O salts provided new dinuclear [Co-Ln] complexes from a single-ligand anion support and scrambling of pivalate ions.

A new series of 3D lanthanide phenoxycarboxylates: synthesis, crystal structure, magnetism and photoluminescence studies

A new series of 3D Ln-carboxylates was synthesized, where the Tb one shows antiferromagnetic coupling and the Dy one shows ferromagnetic interaction, and with emission spectra combining the intra-4f emission of the Ln ions and that of the ligand.

Exchange Interactions Switch Tunneling: A Comparative Experimental and Theoretical Study on Relaxation Dynamics by Targeted Metal Ion Replacement

The magnetic relaxation and magnetization blocking barriers of tailor-made homo- and heterodinuclear compounds [Dy₂ (opch)₂ (OAc)₂ (H₂ O)₂ ]⋅MeOH (1) and [DyMn(opch)₂ (OAc)(MeOH)(H₂ O)₂ ] (2), where H₂ opch is (E)-N'-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)pyrazine-2-carbohydrazide, were systematically investigated and the change in single-molecule magnet behavior originating from targeted replacement of one dysprosium site in the Dy₂ compound with manganese was elucidated through a combination of experimental and theoretical studies. A detailed comparative study on these closely related model compounds revealed remarkable changes of the crystal-field splitting and anisotropy of the Dy site and the total exchange spectrum due to the replacement of Dy by Mn. The blocking barriers of these two compounds, which explain their different relaxation behaviors, were analyzed. The two Ising doublets arising from the magnetic interaction in the case of 1 are strongly uniaxial, with tunneling splittings smaller than 10^-6  cm^-1 , and this leads to magnetic relaxation at temperatures exceeding the exchange energy (2.14 cm^-1 ), which involves transition via the excited states corresponding to local transitions on the excited doublet at the Dy site. The third and fourth exchange doublets in 2 (located at 2.16 and 3.25 cm^-1 , respectively) show much larger tunneling splittings (of 10^-4 and 10^-3  cm^-1 , respectively), and thus open an important path for magnetic relaxation.

Exploring the Influence of Diamagnetic Ions on the Mechanism of Magnetization Relaxation in {CoIII2LnIII2} (Ln = Dy, Tb, Ho) "Butterfly" Complexes

The synthesis and magnetic and theoretical studies of three isostructural heterometallic [Co^III₂Ln^III₂(μ₃-OH)₂(o-tol)₄(mdea)₂(NO₃)₂] (Ln = Dy (1), Tb (2), Ho (3)) "butterfly" complexes are reported (o-tol = o-toluate, (mdea)^2- = doubly deprotonated N-methyldiethanolamine). The Co^III ions are diamagnetic in these complexes. Analysis of the dc magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the two Ln^III ions for all three complexes. ac magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior for complex 1, in the absence of an external magnetic field, with an anisotropy barrier U_eff of 81.2 cm^-1, while complexes 2 and 3 exhibit field induced SMM behavior, with a U_eff value of 34.2 cm^-1 for 2. The barrier height for 3 could not be quantified. To understand the experimental observations, we performed DFT and ab initio CASSCF+RASSI-SO calculations to probe the single-ion properties and the nature and magnitude of the Ln^III-Ln^III magnetic coupling and to develop an understanding of the role the diamagnetic Co^III ion plays in the magnetization relaxation. The calculations were able to rationalize the experimental relaxation data for all complexes and strongly suggest that the Co^III ion is integral to the observation of SMM behavior in these systems. Thus, we explored further the effect that the diamagnetic Co^III ions have on the magnetization blocking of 1. We did this by modeling a dinuclear {Dy^III₂} complex (1a), with the removal of the diamagnetic ions, and three complexes of the types {K^I₂Dy^III₂} (1b), {Zn^II₂Dy^III₂} (1c), and {Ti^IV₂Dy^III₂} (1d), each containing a different diamagnetic ion. We found that the presence of the diamagnetic ions results in larger negative charges on the bridging hydroxides (1b > 1c > 1 > 1d), in comparison to 1a (no diamagnetic ion), which reduces quantum tunneling of magnetization effects, allowing for more desirable SMM characteristics. The results indicate very strong dependence of diamagnetic ions in the magnetization blocking and the magnitude of the energy barriers. Here we propose a synthetic strategy to enhance the energy barrier in lanthanide-based SMMs by incorporating s- and d-block diamagnetic ions. The presented strategy is likely to have implications beyond the single-molecule magnets studied here.

Construction of 3D homochiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of Cd(ii): selective CO2adsorption and catalytic properties for the Knoevenagel and Henry reaction

Syntheses of two new homochiral, 3D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of Cd(ii) and the selective CO₂adsorption and catalytic properties of1has been demonstrated.

Coming full circle: constructing a [Gd6] wheel dimer by dimer and the importance of spin topology

Conversion of dimer → linear tetramer → cyclic hexamer reveals remarkable topological size effects.

Unusual Mn(III/IV)4 Cubane and Mn(III)16M4 (M = Ca, Sr) Looplike Clusters from the Use of Dimethylarsinic Acid

Three complexes are reported from the initial use of dimethylarsinic acid (Me2AsO2H) in Mn(III/IV) cluster chemistry, [Mn4O4(O2AsMe2)6] (3; 2Mn(III), 2Mn(IV)), and [Mn16X4O8(O2CPh)16(Me2AsO2)24] (X = Ca(2+) (4) or Sr(2+) (5); 16Mn(III)). They were obtained from reactions with [Mn12O12(O2CR)16(H2O)4] (R = Me, Ph) either without (3) or with (4 and 5) the addition of X(2+) salts. Complex 3 contains a [Mn4O4](6+) cubane, whereas isostructural 4 and 5 contain a planar loop structure comprising four Mn4 asymmetric "butterfly" units linked by alternating anti,anti μ-O2AsMe2 and {X2(O2AsMe2)(O2CPh)2} units. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility (χM) data were collected on dried microcrystalline samples of 3-5 in the 5.0-300 K range in a 0.1 T (1000 G) direct-current (dc) magnetic field. Data for 3 were fit to the appropriate Van Vleck equation (using the [Formula: see text] = -2JŜi·Ŝj convention) for a cubane of virtual C2v symmetry, giving J33 = 0.0(1) cm(-1), J34 = -3.4(4) cm(-1), J44 = -9.8(2) cm(-1), and g = 1.99(1), where the Jij subscripts refer to the oxidation states of the interacting Mn atoms. The ground state thus consists of two coupled Mn(IV) and two essentially noninteracting Mn(III). For 4 and 5, low-lying excited states from the high nuclearity and weak couplings prevent fits of dc magnetization data, but in-phase alternating current susceptibility χ'MT data down to 1.8 K indicate them to possess S = 4 ground states, if considered single Mn16 units. If instead they are treated as tetramers of weakly coupled Mn4 units, then each of the latter has an S = 2 ground state. Complexes 4 and 5 also exhibit very weak out-of-phase χ″M signals characteristic of slow relaxation, and magnetization versus dc field scans on a single crystal of 4·15MeCN at T ≥ 0.04 K showed hysteresis loops but with unusual features suggesting the magnetization relaxation barrier consists of more than one contribution.

First heterometallic GaIII–DyIII single-molecule magnets: implication of GaIII in extracting Fe–Dy interaction

First heterometallic Ga^III–Dy^III single-molecule magnets have been synthesized and the role of the Ga^III in extracting Fe^III–Dy^III interaction has been assessed.

Construction of 2D interwoven and 3D metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) of Cd(ii): the effect of ancillary ligands on the structure and the catalytic performance for the Knoevenagel reaction

The effect of ancillary ligands on structure and catalytic activity for Knoevenagel reaction of three new metal–organic coordination networks of Cd(ii) constructed from a rigid dicarboxylate ligand and various bipyridine spacers has been presented.

Synthesis, structure, magnetic properties and EPR spectroscopy of a copper(ii) coordination polymer with a ditopic hydrazone ligand and acetate bridges

The synthesis, structure, EPR spectroscopy and magnetic properties of a 1D coordination polymer of Cu(ii) containing two kinds of acetate bridged dimers is reported.

Heterometallic 3d–4f single-molecule magnets

This perspective gives an overview of what researchers want to achieve by preparing 3d–4f single-molecule magnets, the most significant results obtained so far and the challenges still ahead of us.

Temperature-controlled polymorphism of chiral CuII–LnIII dinuclear complexes exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation

A family of chiral Cu–Ln dinuclear complexes with two different space groups has been constructed. The temperature-controlled reversible conversion from one chiral single-crystal to another chiral single-crystal with slow magnetic relaxation has been achieved.

Trinuclear [CoIII 2 -LnIII] (Ln=Tb, Dy) single-ion magnets with mixed 6-chloro-2-hydroxypyridine and Schiff base ligands

The Schiff base ligand N1,N3-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)diethylenetriamine (H(2)valdien) and the co-ligand 6-chloro-2-hydroxypyridine (Hchp) were used to construct two 3d-4f heterometallic single-ion magnets [Co(2) Dy(valdien)2 (OCH(3))(2) (chp)(2)]⋅ClO(4)⋅5 H(2)O 1 and [Co(2) Tb(valdien)(2) (OCH(3))(2)(chp)(2)]⋅ClO(4)⋅(2) H(2)O⋅CH(3)OH(2). The two trinuclear [Co(III) 2 Ln(III)] complexes behave as a mononuclear Ln(III) magnetic system because of the presence of two diamagnetic cobalt(III) ions. Complex 1 has a molecular symmetry center, and it crystallizes in the C2/c space group, whereas complex 2 shows a lower molecular symmetry and crystallizes in the P(2)1/c space group. Magnetic investigations indicated that both complexes are field-induced single-ion magnets, and the Co(III)(2)-Dy(III) complex possesses a larger energy barrier [74.1(4.2) K] than the Co(III)(2) -Tb(III) complex [32.3(2.6) K].

The coordination chemistry and magnetism of some 3d-4f and 4f amino-polyalcohol compounds

Triethanolamine, teaH3, and diethanolamine, RdeaH2, 3d-4f and 4f compounds demonstrate an enormous variety in their structure and bonding. This review examines the synthetic strategies to these molecules and their magnetic properties, whilst trying to assess these ligands' suitability towards new SMMs and magnetic refrigerants.

Modulating the magnetic properties by structural modification in a family of Co-Ln (Ln = Gd, Dy) molecular aggregates

Two types of 3d–4f cages are reported where the Gd analogues show significant magnetic refrigeration and the Dy containing compounds display SMM behaviour.