Optical Phenomena in Molecule-Based Magnetic Materials

Since the last century, we have witnessed the development of molecular magnetism which deals with magnetic materials based on molecular species, i.e., organic radicals and metal complexes. Among them, the broadest attention was devoted to molecule-based ferro-/ferrimagnets, spin transition materials, including those exploring electron transfer, molecular nanomagnets, such as single-molecule magnets (SMMs), molecular qubits, and stimuli-responsive magnetic materials. Their physical properties open the application horizons in sensors, data storage, spintronics, and quantum computation. It was found that various optical phenomena, such as thermochromism, photoswitching of magnetic and optical characteristics, luminescence, nonlinear optical and chiroptical effects, as well as optical responsivity to external stimuli, can be implemented into molecule-based magnetic materials. Moreover, the fruitful interactions of these optical effects with magnetism in molecule-based materials can provide new physical cross-effects and multifunctionality, enriching the applications in optical, electronic, and magnetic devices. This Review aims to show the scope of optical phenomena generated in molecule-based magnetic materials, including the recent advances in such areas as high-temperature photomagnetism, optical thermometry utilizing SMMs, optical addressability of molecular qubits, magneto-chiral dichroism, and opto-magneto-electric multifunctionality. These findings are discussed in the context of the types of optical phenomena accessible for various classes of molecule-based magnetic materials.

Canting angle dependence of single-chain magnet behaviour in chirality-introduced antiferromagnetic chains of acetate-bridged manganese(III) salen-type complexes

Canted antiferromagnetism (AFM) is considered an effective tool for designing single-chain magnets (SCMs) in homometallic chain systems. The family of manganese(iii) (MnIII) salen-type Schiff-base complexes is an outstanding building-unit candidate for designing SCMs because such complexes possess relatively large uniaxial magnetic anisotropy in the out-of-plane direction. However, SCM behaviour in simple alternating chains based on monomeric MnIII salen-type complexes has not been studied extensively. Herein, we report the SCM behaviour of canted AFM in an alternating chain of an acetate-bridged MnIII salen-type complex.

Variation of the Chain Geometry in Isomeric 1D Co(NCS)2 Coordination Polymers and Their Influence on the Magnetic Properties

Two different isomers of [Co(NCS)₂(4-chloropyridine)₂]_n (3C and 3L) were synthesized from solution and by thermal decomposition of Co(NCS)₂(4-chloropyridine)₂(H₂O)₂ (2), which show a different metal coordination leading to corrugated chains in 3C and to linear chains in 3L. Solvent mediated conversion experiments prove that 3C is thermodynamically stable at room temperature where 3L is metastable. Magnetic measurements reveal that the magnetic exchange in 3L is comparable to that observed for previously reported related chain compounds, whereas in 3C with corrugated chains, the ferromagnetic interaction within the chains is strongly suppressed. The magnetic ordering takes place at 2.85 and 0.89 K, for 3L and 3C, respectively, based on specific heat measurements. For 3L the field dependence of magnetic relaxations in antiferromagnetically ordered ferromagnetic chains is presented. In addition, 3L is investigated by FD-FT THz-EPR spectroscopy, revealing a ground to first excited state energy gap of 14.0 cm^-1. Broken-symmetry DFT calculations for 3C and 3L indicate a ferromagnetic intrachain interaction. Ab initio CASSCF/CASPT2/RASSI-SO computational studies reveal significantly different single-ion anisotropies for the crystallographically independent cobalt(II) centers in 3C and 3L. Together with the geometry of the chains this explains the magnetic properties of 3C and 3L. The ab initio results also explain the weaker exchange interaction in 3C and 3L as compared to previously reported [Co(NCS)₂(L)₂]_n compounds with linear chains.

A cyanide-bridged FeIII-MnII heterobimetallic one-dimensional coordination polymer: synthesis, crystal structure, experimental and theoretical magnetism investigation

A new cyanide-bridged Fe^III-Mn^II heterobimetallic coordination polymer (CP), namely catena-poly[[[N,N'-(1,2-phenylene)bis(pyridine-2-carboxamidato)-κ⁴N,N',N'',N''']iron(III)]-μ-cyanido-κ²C:N-[bis(4,4'-bipyridine-κN)bis(methanol-κO)manganese(II)]-μ-cyanido-κ²N:C], {[FeMn(C₁₈H₁₂N₄O₂)(CN)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂(CH₃OH)₂]ClO₄}_n, (1), was prepared by the self-assembly of the trans-dicyanidoiron(III)-containing building block [Fe(bpb)(CN)₂]^- [bpb^2- = N,N'-(1,2-phenylene)bis(pyridine-2-carboxamidate)], [Mn(ClO₄)₂]·6H₂O and 4,4'-bipyridine, and was structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray crystallography and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that CP 1 possesses a cationic linear chain structure consisting of alternating cyanide-bridged Fe-Mn units, with free perchlorate as the charge-balancing anion, which can be further extended into a two-dimensional supramolecular sheet structure via inter-chain π-π interactions between the 4,4'-bipyridine ligands. Within the chain, each Mn^II ion is six-coordinated by an N₆ unit and is involved in a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Investigation of the magnetic properties of 1 reveals an antiferromagnetic coupling between the cyanide-bridged Fe^III and Mn^II ions. A best fit of the magnetic susceptibility based on the one-dimensional alternating chain model leads to the magnetic coupling constants J₁ = -1.35 and J₂ = -1.05 cm^-1, and the antiferromagnetic coupling was further confirmed by spin Hamiltonian-based density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations.

Strong Fluorescent Lanthanide Salen Complexes: Photophysical Properties, Excited-State Dynamics, and Bioimaging

The synthesis, excited-state dynamics, and biological application of luminescent lanthanide salen complexes (Ln = Lu, Gd, Eu, Yb, salen = N, N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine-based ligands) with sandwich structures are described. Among them, Lu(III) complexes show unusually strong ligand-centered fluorescence with quantum yields up to 62%, although the metal center is close to a chromophore ligand. The excited-state dynamic studies including ultrafast spectroscopy for Ln-salen complexes revealed that their excited states are solely dependent on the salen ligands and the ISC rates are slow (10⁸-10⁹ s^-1). Importantly, time-dependent density functional theory calculations attribute the low energy transfer efficiency to the weak spin-orbital coupling (SOC) between the singlet and triplet excited states. More importantly, Lu-salen has been applied as a molecular platform to construct fluorescence probes with organelle specificity in living cell imaging, which demonstrates the advantages of the sandwich structures as being capable of preventing intramolecular metal-ligand interactions and behaviors different from those of the previously reported Zn-salens. Most importantly, the preliminary study for in vivo imaging using a mouse model demonstrated the potential application of Ln coordination complexes in therapeutic and diagnostic bioimaging beyond living cells or in vitro.

Five transition metal coordination polymers driven by a semirigid trifunctional nicotinic acid ligand: selective adsorption and magnetic properties

Five coordination polymers have been synthesized by a new organic linker containing three distinct types of functional groups together with the mixed 2,2′-bipy or 4,4′-bipy co-ligand, revealing various framework structures and selective gas adsorption and magnetic properties.

Synthesis, structures and magnetic properties of heterobimetallic RuIII–3d (3d = Mn, Ni) compounds based on the chiral RuIII building block

Two pairs of new chiral Ru^III–Mn/Ni compounds have been successfully synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, circular dichroism (CD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra.

Redox effects of low-spin Ru(ii/iii) on slow magnetic relaxation of Ru-Mn(iii) 1D cyanide-bridged complexes

A new one-dimensional cyanide-bridged complex [Mn^III(salphen)Ru^II(DMAP)₄(CN)₂](PF₆) (1) and its oxidized derivative [Mn^III(salphen)Ru^III(DMAP)₄(CN)₂](PF₆)₂ (2) have been synthesized and fully characterized. Magnetic measurements showed that 1 shows simple paramagnetism but 2 shows intrachain ferromagnetic interaction with slow magnetic relaxation.

A ruthenium(iii) complex derived from N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine as a chemosensor for the selective recognition of acetate and its interaction with cells for bio-imaging: experimental and theoretical studies

A ruthenium(iii) complex ofN,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine (L¹) was used as chemosensor for the recognition of acetate in cells for bio-imaging.

Influence of metal coordination and co-ligands on the magnetic properties of 1D Co(NCS)2 coordination polymers

Two 1D Co(NCS)₂ coordination polymers were synthesized and their magnetic properties were investigated by susceptibility and specific heat measurements as well as DFT and ab initio calculations.

Chiral heterobimetallic chains from a dicyanideferrite building block including a π-conjugated TTF annulated ligand

The π-conjugated tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) annulated ligand was introduced into a dicyanometallate for the first time, leading to the synthesis of the versatile redox-active dicyanideferrite building block [(n-Bu)₄N][Fe(TTFbp)(CN)₂] (H₂TTFbp = N-(2-(4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-5-(picolinamido) benzo[d][1,3]dithiol-6-yl) picol inamide). The incorporation of the new precursor with chiral Mn^III Schiff-base complexes resulted in two enantiopure one-dimensional complexes, [Mn((R,R)-salphen)Fe(TTFbp)(CN)₂]_n (2-(RR)) and [Mn((S,S)-salphen)Fe(TTFbp)(CN)₂]_n (2-(SS)) (Salphen = N,N'-1,2-diphenylethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato) dianion), which were synthesized and structurally characterized. Circular dichroism (CD) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra confirmed the enantiomeric nature of the optically active complexes, and structural analyses revealed the formation of neutral cyanide-bridged double chains in 2-(RR) and 2-(SS). Solution and solid state CV studies revealed the redox-active characteristics of the complexes. Antiferromagnetic couplings were detected between Fe^III and Mn^III centers within a chain, and a field-induced magnetic phase transition was observed (T_N = 4.8 K). The introduction of electroactivity and chirality into cyanide-bridged complexes with interesting magnetic properties leads the way towards new multifunctional materials.

Two Isostructural Metal-Organic Frameworks Directed by the Different Center Metal Ions, Exhibiting the Ferrimagnetic Behavior and Slow Magnetic Relaxation

Two 3D isostructural metal-organic frameworks with 1D ferrimagnetic chains, formulated as [M3(L)(μ3-OH)2(H2O)4] [H4L = (1,1':4',1″-terphenyl)-2',3,3″,5'-tetracarboxylic acid, where M = Mn for 1 and Co for 2], have been successfully synthesized by employing different center metal ions and a multicarboxylate ligand under identical reaction conditions in this work. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction data of 1 and 2 reveal that the complexes are two 3D isostructural frameworks based on 1D [M3(OH)2]n chains composed of triangular subunits as rod-shaped secondary building units, which are classified as binodal 4,6-connected fry nets with the point symbol (5(10)·6(3)·7(8))(5(4)·6(2)). The magnetic properties revealed that complexes 1 and 2 exhibit ferrimagnetic behavior. Also, the alternating-current susceptibility of 2 displays slow magnetic relaxation, showing interesting magnetic behavior of a single-chain magnet with an effective energy barrier of 32 K.

Homochiral and heterochiral Mn(II) coordination frameworks: spontaneous resolution dependent on dipyridyl ligands

An unsymmetric tetracarboxylic ligand collaborates with 4,4'-bipyridine to induce spontaneous resolution to form homochiral 3D coordination frameworks, while the use of longer dipyridyl ligands instead of 4,4'-bipyridine leads to isoreticular but heterochiral frameworks.

Three Chiral Schiff-Base-Manganese(III)-Based Complexes: Synthesis, Structures and Magnetic Properties

Three chiral manganese(III) Schiff-base complexes [Mn(R,R-Salcy)(CH3OH)(N3)], [Mn(S,S-Salcy)(DMF)(N3)] (both monomers by X-structure determination) and the trinuclear complex (X-ray structure) {[Mn(R,R-Salcy)(H2O)]2[μ-Ni(CN)4]}·3CH3OH·H2O [Salcy = N,N′-(1,2-cyclohexanediylethylene)bis(salicylideneiminato)dianion)] have been synthesised. The trimeric complex shows weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent Mn(III) ions.

LnIII ion dependent magnetism in heterometallic Cu–Ln complexes based on an azido group and 1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylate as co-ligands

Four Cu–Ln coordination polymers [Cu₂Ln(tda)₂N₃(H₂O)₄·2H₂O] (Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), Sm (4), tda = 1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarboxylate) have been synthesized by employing H₃tda and azido as co-ligands.

Synthesis, structure and properties of [Co(NCS)2(4-(4-chlorobenzyl)pyridine)2]n, that shows slow magnetic relaxations and a metamagnetic transition

[Co(NCS)₂(4-(4-chlorobenzyl)pyridine)₂]_n shows a metamagnetic behavior and slow relaxations of magnetization indicative of a single chain magnet behavior.

A pair of dinuclear Re(i) enantiomers: synthesis, crystal structures, chiroptical and ferroelectric properties

A pair of dinuclear Re(i) enantiomers have been successfully synthesized, representing the first example of polynuclear Re(i) complexes with ferroelectric properties and possessing a multifunctional feature combining chirality, NLO-activity and ferroelectricity within one molecule.

The new dicyanoruthenium(iii) building block with 2′-hydroxyacetophenone imine for heterobimetallic complexes

Five one-dimensional heterobimetallic chains based on the new dicyanoruthenium(iii) complex, trans-(Ph₄P)[Ru(L)₂(CN)₂] (L = 2′-hydroxyacetophenone imine), are synthesized and structurally characterized. Magnetostructural correlation for these compounds is discussed.

Synthesis, structures and magnetism of a series of dinuclear and one-dimensional Ni–Ln complexes: single-molecule magnetic behavior in one-dimensional nitrate-bridged Dy analogue

By using a salen-type ligand and changing the reaction solvent, a series of Ni^II–Ln^III complexes have been obtained and structurally and magnetically characterized.

Temperature-induced one-dimensional chiral Ag(i) linear chains and left-handed 21 helices: DFT studies, luminescence and SHG response

Two pairs of chiral coordination polymers have been synthesized with the same materials at 25 and 90 °C, respectively.

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of chiral heterobimetallic chains based on the dicyanoruthenate building block

Two pairs of 1D enantiomers based on the dicyanoruthenate building block were prepared and characterized. Compounds 1-(RR) and 1-(SS) show metamagnetic behavior with a critical field of about 7.2 kOe at 1.9 K.

A single chain magnet involving hexacyanoosmate

The first single chain magnet (SCM) based on the orbitally degenerate [Os(CN)₆]³⁻ anion was prepared. The high energy barriers are a result of interplay of Mn³⁺ single-ion magnetic anisotropy and highly anisotropic three axes exchange interactions between the paramagnetic centres.