Americium Oxalate: An Experimental and Computational Investigation of Metal-Ligand Bonding

A novel actinide-containing coordination polymer, [Am(C₂O₄)(H₂O)₃Cl] (Am-1), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The crystallographic analysis reveals that the structure is two-dimensional and comprised of pseudo-dimeric Am³⁺ nodes that are bridged by oxalate ligands to form sheets. Each metal center is nine-coordinate, forming a distorted capped square antiprism geometry with a C₁ symmetry, and features bound oxalate, aqua, and chloro ligands. The Am³⁺-ligand bonds were probed computationally using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules nd natural localized molecular orbital approaches to investigate the underlying mechanisms and hybrid atomic orbital contributions therein. The analyses indicate that the bonds within Am-1 are predominantly ionic and the 5f shell of the Am³⁺ metal centers does not add a significant covalent contribution to the bonds. Our bonding assessment is supported by measurements on the optical properties of Am-1 using diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The position of the principal absorption band at 507 nm (⁵L_6' ← ⁷F_0') is notable because it is consistent with previously reported americium oxalate complexes in solution, indicating similarities in the electronic structure and ionic bonding. Compound Am-1 is an active phosphor, featuring strong bright-blue oxalate-based luminescence with no evidence of metal-centered emission.

Does H3O+ Really Act as a Ligand in the Solid State?

The evidence for the existence of metal complexes containing H₃O⁺ as a ligand in the solid state is examined. Each of the 68 examples in the Cambridge Structural Database in which H₃O⁺ is bound to a transition metal, lanthanoid, actinoid, or main group metal ion is detailed and critically appraised. It is concluded that none of the reported examples of complexes containing coordinated H₃O⁺ have been unequivocally characterized and that they result from either curation errors or misinterpretations of the crystallographic data. These conclusions are supported by computational techniques, which show that three purported H₃O⁺ complexes based on the 1,4,7,10,13,16,21,24-octa-azabicyclo(8.8.8)hexacosane azacryptand skeleton are better described as aqua complexes, with protonation occurring at the amine ligand.

Rare-earth metal–organic frameworks: from structure to applications

In the past 30 years, rare-earth metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been gaining attention owing to their diverse chemical structures, and tunable properties.

Assembly of Three Lanthanide Coordination Polymers from 2-(4-Carboxybenzyloxy) Benzoic Acid Ligand: Synthesis, Structure, and Fluorescent Properties

Three new coordination polymers, {[Ln(cbb)(Hcbb)(DMF)·H2O]n, Ln=Sm (1), Eu (2), Tb(3), H2cbb=2-(4-carboxybenzyloxy) benzoic acid, DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide}, have been synthesised by a solvothermal reaction and structurally characterised by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetry analysis, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The results of single-crystal X-ray diffraction indicate that the coordination polymers 1–3 are isostructural, belong to a triclinic system, space group P-1, and show 1D chain structures through the H2cbb ligands connecting adjacent lanthanide ions. In addition, the fluorescence properties of polymers 1–3 were also investigated.

Geomimetic approaches in the design and synthesis of metal-organic frameworks

The recent discovery of minerals with metal-organic framework (MOF) structures has challenged the view of MOFs as purely synthetic materials. At the same time, the application of geo-inspired synthetic methodologies, such as accelerated ageing and pseudomorphic replication, has enabled a cleaner, more environmentally friendly synthesis of MOFs from mineral-like feedstocks, as well as the assembly of materials with structure controlled at both micro- and meso-scales. These almost concomitant developments have highlighted the previously unknown relationships between geology and MOF chemistry. Here, we outline examples of MOF structures found in minerals, and note geologically inspired approaches to MOF synthesis, as a means to highlight how the emergent geomimetic concepts in MOF chemistry can lead to advances in the design and synthesis of MOFs. This article is part of the theme issue 'Mineralomimesis: natural and synthetic frameworks in science and technology'.

Magnetic, luminescence, topological and theoretical studies of structurally diverse supramolecular lanthanide coordination polymers with flexible glutaric acid as a linker

This contribution explores the topological, supramolecular, magnetic and luminescent properties of previously unknown CPs, which fall into category of glutarates without auxiliary coligands.

Magnetic and luminescent coordination networks based on imidazolium salts and lanthanides for sensitive ratiometric thermometry

The synthesis and characterization of six new lanthanide networks [Ln(L)(ox)(H₂O)] with Ln = Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ is reported. They were synthesized by solvo-ionothermal reaction of lanthanide nitrate Ln(NO₃)₃·xH₂O with the 1,3-bis(carboxymethyl)imidazolium [HL] ligand and oxalic acid (H₂ox) in a water/ethanol solution. The crystal structure of these compounds has been solved on single crystals and the magnetic and luminescent properties have been investigated relying on intrinsic properties of the lanthanide ions. The synthetic strategy has been extended to mixed lanthanide networks leading to four isostructural networks of formula [Tb_{1- x} Eu _x (L)(ox)(H₂O)] with x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.10. These materials were assessed as luminescent ratiometric thermometers based on the emission intensities of ligand, Tb³⁺ and Eu³⁺. The best sensitivities were obtained using the ratio between the emission intensities of Eu³⁺ (⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition) and of the ligand as the thermometric parameter. [Tb_0.97Eu_0.03(L)(ox)(H₂O)] was found to be one of the best thermometers among lanthanide-bearing coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks, operative in the physiological range with a maximum sensitivity of 1.38%·K^-1 at 340 K.

[Ln16] complexes (Ln = GdIII, DyIII): molecular analogues of natural minerals such as hydrotalcite

Two new hexadecanuclear lanthanide complexes employing H₂bsc ligand are crystallized in the R3̄ space group, which is unprecedented in a family of lanthanide complexes with such high nuclearity.

Structural aspects of displacive transformations: what can optical microscopy contribute? Dehydration of Sm2(C2O4)3·10H2O as a case study

For martensitic transformations the macroscopic crystal strain is directly related to the corresponding structural rearrangement at the microscopic level. In situ optical microscopy observations of the interface migration and the change in crystal shape during a displacive single crystal to single crystal transformation can contribute significantly to understanding the mechanism of the process at the atomic scale. This is illustrated for the dehydration of samarium oxalate decahydrate in a study combining optical microscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Water-stable Eu-MOF fluorescent sensors for trivalent metal ions and nitrobenzene

We have synthesized two functionalized Eu-MOFs and found that the MOFs are promising luminescent probes for selectively sensing metal ions (Fe³⁺and Cr³⁺) and nitrobenzene.

Luminescence and white-light emitting luminescent sensor of tetrafluoroterephthalate-lanthanide metal–organic frameworks

H₂TFBDC lanthanide complexes emitting white light was synthesized and a luminescent sensor for the detection of benzaldehyde has been produced.

3D oxalato-bridged lanthanide(iii) MOFs with magnetocaloric, magnetic and photoluminescence properties

Four isostructural 3D lanthanide(iii) metal–organic frameworks with the general formula (H₆edte)_0.5[Ln^III(ox)₂(H₂O)] (Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3) and Ho (4); H₄edte = N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine) and ox = oxalate have been synthesized from oxalate.

Crystal structure of a compact three-dimensional metal-organic framework based on Cs+ and (4,5-di-cyano-1,2-phenyl-ene)bis-(phospho-nic acid)

A new metal-organic framework compound, poly[[μ7-dihydrogen (4,5-di-cyano-1,2-phenyl-ene)diphospho-nato]-(oxonium)caesium], [Cs(C8H4N2O6P2)(H3O)] n (I), based on Cs+ and the organic linker 4,5-di-cyano-1,2-phenyl-ene)bis-(phospho-nic acid, (H4cpp), containing two distinct coordinating functional groups, has been prepared by a simple diffusion method and its crystal structure is reported. The coordination polymeric structure is based on a CsO8N2 complex unit comprising a monodentate hydro-nium cation, seven O-atom donors from two phospho-nium groups of the (H2cpp)2- ligand, and two N-atom donors from bridging cyano groups. The high level of connectivity from both the metal cation and the organic linker allow the formation of a compact and dense three-dimensional network without any crystallization solvent. Topologically (I) is a seven-connected uninodal network with an overall Schäfli symbol of {417.64}. Metal cations form an undulating inorganic layer, which is linked by strong and highly directional O-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions. These metallic layers are, in turn, connected by the organic ligands along the [010] direction to form the overall three-dimensional framework structure.

A 3D MOF constructed from dysprosium(iii) oxalate and capping ligands: ferromagnetic coupling and field-induced two-step magnetic relaxation

Field-induced two-step magnetic relaxation was observed in the first ferromagnetic 3D lanthanide(iii) oxalate framework with a capping ligand.

Crystal structure of a mixed-ligand terbium(III) coordination polymer containing oxalate and formate ligands, having a three-dimensional fcu topology

The title compound, poly[(μ 3-formato)(μ 4-oxalato)terbium(III)], [Tb(CHO2)(C2O4)] n , is a three-dimensional coordination polymer, and is isotypic with the La(III), Ce(III) and Sm(III) analogues. The asymmetric unit contains one Tb(III) ion, one formate anion (CHO2 (-)) and half of an oxalate anion (C2O4 (2-)), the latter being completed by application of inversion symmetry. The Tb(III) ion is nine-coordinated in a distorted tricapped trigonal-prismatic manner by two chelating carboxyl-ate groups from two C2O4 (2-) ligands, two carboxyl-ate oxygen atoms from another two C2O4 (2-) ligands and three oxygen atoms from three CHO2 (-) ligands, with the Tb-O bond lengths and the O-Tb-O bond angles ranging from 2.4165 (19) to 2.478 (3) Å and 64.53 (6) to 144.49 (4)°, respectively. The CHO2 (-) and C2O4 (2-) anions adopt μ 3-bridging and μ 4-chelating-bridging coordination modes, respectively, linking adjacent Tb(III) ions into a three-dimensional 12-connected fcu topology with point symbol (3(24).4(36).5(6)). The title compound exhibits thermal stability up to 623 K, and also displays strong green photoluminescence in the solid state at room temperature.

Preparation, characterization, and properties of PMMA-doped polymer film materials: a study on the effect of terbium ions on luminescence and lifetime enhancement

Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) doped with Tb-based imidazole derivative coordination polymer {[Tb(3)(L)(μ(3)-OH)(7)]·H(2)O}(n) (1) (L = N,N'-bis(acetoxy)biimidazole) was synthesized and its photophysical properties were studied. The L'(L' = N,N'-bis(ethylacetate)biimidazole) ligand was synthesized by an N-alkylation reaction process followed by ester hydrolysis to produce ligand L. Polymer 1 and ligand L' have been characterized by (1)H NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, PXRD and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Coordination polymer 1 is the first observation of a CdCl(2) structure constructed with hydroxy groups and decorated by ligand L in lanthanide N-heterocyclic coordination polymers. In the 2D layered structure of 1, each Tb3 metal center is connected with three Tb1 and three Tb2 metal centers by seven hydroxyl groups in different directions, resulting in a six-membered ring. After doping, not only the luminescence intensity and lifetime enhanced, but also their thermal stability was increased in comparison with 1. When 1 was doped into poly(methylmethacrylate) (1@PMMA), polymer film materials were formed with the PMMA polymer matrix (w/w = 2.5%-12.5%) acting as a co-sensitizer for Tb(3+) ions. The luminescence intensity of the Tb(3+) emission at 544 nm increases when the content of Tb(3+) was 10%. The lifetime of 1@PMMA (914.88 μs) is more than four times longer than that of 1 (196.24 μs). All τ values for the doped polymer systems are higher than coordination polymer 1, indicating that radiative processes are operative in all the doped polymer films. This is because PMMA coupling with the O-H oscillators from {[Tb(3)(L)(μ(3)-OH)(7)]·H(2)O}(n) can suppress multiphonon relaxation. According to the variable-temperature luminescence (VT-luminescence) investigation, 1@PMMA was confirmed to be a stable green luminescent polymer film material.

Highly pH-dependent synthesis of two novel three-dimensional dysprosium complexes with interesting magnetic and luminescence properties

Two unprecedented Dy-MOFs with interesting magnetic and luminescence properties were obtained using identical starting materials and method but at different pH values.

A series of coordination polymers based on varied polycarboxylates and different imidazole-containing ligands: syntheses, crystal structures and physical properties

To investigate the effect of organic ligands on the coordination frameworks, seven nickel(ii) coordination polymers, based on varied polycarboxylates and different imidazole-containing ligands, are synthesized under hydrothermal method.

Luminescent lanthanide MOFs based on conjugated 1,1′-ethynebenzene-3,3′,5,5′-tetracarboxylate ligand: syntheses, structures and photoluminescent properties

Nine isostructural lanthanide MOFs based on 1,1′-ethynebenzene-3,3′,5,5′-tetracarboxylate ligand capable of emitting from the visible to near-infrared wavelengths have been synthesized and characterized in detail.

A series of d10metal coordination polymers based on a flexible bis(2-methylbenzimidazole) ligand and different carboxylates: synthesis, structures, photoluminescence and catalytic properties

Six d¹⁰metal coordination polymers have been prepared and characterized. Complexes possess structural diversities with interesting topologies and high catalytic activities for the degradation of methyl orange.