Photoluminescence and magnetic properties of isostructural europium(III), gadolinium(III) and terbium(III) oxamate-based coordination polymers

Developing and investigating advanced multifunctional materials with magnetic properties as candidates for assembling spin qubits for quantum computing is imperative. A new polytopic ligand based on oxamate and aniline was used to promote the synthesis of three neutral homometallic lanthanide-coordinated polymers. New complexes with the formula {Ln(phox)3(DMSO)2(H2O)}n, where Ln = Eu3+ (1), Gd3+ (2), and Tb3+ (3) [phox = N-(phenyl)oxamate and DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide], were synthesized and well characterized by spectroscopic methods as well as X-ray crystallographic analysis. All crystalline structures comprise neutral zigzag chains. The lanthanide ions are linked by three phox ligands, in which two oxygen atoms from two different ligands are responsible for connecting the trivalent lanthanide ions, and one phox ligand completes the coordination sphere in a bis-bidentate mode, together with two DMSO molecules and one water coordination molecule. The coordination sphere of lanthanide ions consisted of spherical capped square antiprism (CSAPR-9) symmetry. The magnetic properties of 1-3 were investigated in the 2-300 K temperature range. The dynamic (ac) magnetic properties of 2 reveal a frequency dependence involving the phonon bottleneck mechanism below 33 K under nonzero applied dc magnetic fields, resulting in an example of a field-induced single-molecule magnet. Solid-state photophysical measurements for Eu3+ (1) and Tb3+ (3) complexes indicate that the N-(phenyl)oxamate ligands are very efficient in sensitizing the lanthanide(III) ions in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited an emission in the red and green regions, respectively. Experimental results and theoretical calculations using the Sparkle/RM1 method support a quantum efficiency of ∼72% for 1, suggesting its potential as a candidate for light conversion molecular devices (LCMDs).

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of Ln = Dy, Tb carborane-based metal-organic frameworks

We present the synthesis and magneto-thermal properties of carborane-based lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with the formula {[(Ln)3(mCB-L)4(NO3)(DMF)n]·Solv}, where Ln = Dy or Tb, characterized by dc and ac susceptibility, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and heat capacity measurements. The MOF structure is formed by polymeric 1D chains of Ln ions with three different coordination environments (Ln1, Ln2, Ln3) running along the b-axis, linked by carborane-based linkers thus to provide a 3D structure. Static magnetic measurements reveal that these MOFs behave at low temperature as a system of S* = 1/2 Ising spins, weakly interacting ferromagnetically along the 1D polymeric chain (J*/kB = +0.45 K (+0.5 K) interaction constant estimated for Dy-MOF (Tb-MOF)) and coupled to Ln ions in adjacent chains through dipolar antiferromagnetic interactions. The Dy MOF exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization through a thermally activated process, transitioning to quantum tunneling of the magnetization at low temperatures, while both compounds exhibit field-induced relaxation through a very slow, direct process. The maximum magnetic entropy changes (-ΔSmaxm) for an applied magnetic field change of 2-0 T are 5.71 J kg-1 K-1 and 4.78 J kg-1 K-1, for Dy and Tb MOFs, respectively, while the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) peak for both occurs at T ∼ 1.6 K, approximately double that for the Gd counterpart.

From field-induced to zero-field SMMs associated with open/closed structures of bis(ZnDy) tetranuclear complexes: a combined magnetic, theoretical and optical study

We have prepared a bis(compartmental) Mannich base ligand H4L (1,4,8,11-tetraaza-1,4,8,11-tetrakis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)cyclotetradecane) specifically designed to obtain bis(TMIILnIII) tetranuclear complexes (TM = transition metal). In this regard, we have succeeded in obtaining three new complexes of the formula [Zn2(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Dy2(NO3)2]·[Zn2(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Dy2(NO3)(OAc)]·4CHCl3·2MeOH (1) and [TM2(μ-H2L)2(μ-succinate)Ln2(NO3)2] (NO3)2·2H2O·6MeOH (TMII = Zn, LnIII = Dy (2); TMII = Co, LnIII = Dy (3)). Compound 1 contains two different bis(ZnDy) tetranuclear molecules that cocrystallize in the structure, in which acetato bridging ligands connect the ZnII and DyIII ions within each ZnDy subunit. This compound does not exhibit slow magnetic relaxation at zero field, but it is activated in the presence of an applied dc magnetic field and/or by Dy/Y magnetic dilution, showing two relaxation processes corresponding to each of the two different bis(ZnDy) units found in the structure. As revealed by the theoretical calculations, magnetic relaxation in 1 is single-ion in origin and takes place through the first excited state of each DyIII ion. When using the succinato dicarboxylate bridging ligand instead of acetate, compounds 2 and 3 were serendipitously formed, which have a closed structure with the succinate anion bridging two ZnDy subunits belonging to two different ligands. It should be noted that only compound 2 exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization in the absence of an external magnetic field. According to experimental and theoretical data, 2 relaxes through the second excited Kramers doublet (Ueff = 342 K). In contrast, 3 displays field-induced SMM behaviour (Ueff = 203 K). However, the Co/Zn diluted version of this compound 3Zn shows slow relaxation at zero field (Ueff = 347 K). Ab initio theoretical calculations clearly show that the weak ferromagnetic coupling between CoII and DyIII ions is at the origin of the lack of slow relaxation of this compound at zero field. Compound 2 and its diluted analogues 2Y and 3Zn show hysteresis loops at very low temperature, thus confirming their SMM behaviour. Finally, compounds 1 and 2 show DyIII based emission even at room temperature that, in the case of 2, allows us to extract the splitting of the ground 6H15/2 term, which matches reasonably well with theoretical calculations.

Slow magnetic relaxation in a europium(II) complex

Single-ion anisotropy is vital for the observation of Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) properties (i.e., a slow dynamics of the magnetization) in lanthanide-based systems. In the case of europium, the occurrence of this phenomenon has been inhibited by the spin and orbital quantum numbers that give way to J = 0 in the trivalent state and the half-filled population of the 4f orbitals in the divalent state. Herein, by optimizing the local crystal field of a quasi-linear bis(silylamido) EuII complex, the [EuII(N{SiMePh2}2)2] SMM is described, providing an example of a europium complex exhibiting slow relaxation of its magnetization. This behavior is dominated by a thermally activated (Orbach-like) mechanism, with an effective energy barrier of approximately 8 K, determined by bulk magnetometry and electron paramagnetic resonance. Ab initio calculations confirm second-order spin-orbit coupling effects lead to non-negligible axial magnetic anisotropy, splitting the ground state multiplet into four Kramers doublets, thereby allowing for the observation of an Orbach-like relaxation at low temperatures.

Slow magnetic relaxation in 8-coordinate Mn(II) compounds

The design and synthesis of high-spin Mn(II)-based single-molecule magnets (SMMs) have not been well developed to a great extent, as compared with a large number of SMMs based on the other first row transition metal complexes. In light of our success in designing Fe(II), Co(II) and Fe(III)-based SMMs with a high coordination number of 8, it is of great interest to design Mn(II) analogues with such a strategy. In this contribution, four Mn(II) compounds, [MnII(Ln)2](ClO4)2 (1-4) were obtained from reactions of neutral tetradentate ligands, L1-L4, with hydrated MnII(ClO4)2 (L1 = 2,9-bis(carbomethoxy)-1,10-phenanthroline, L2 = 2,9-bis(carbomethoxy)-2,2'-dipyridine, L3 = N2,N9-dibutyl-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxamide, L4 = 6,6'-bis(2-(tert-butyl)-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine). Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography and it clearly shows that the Mn(II) centers in these compounds have an oversaturated coordination number of 8. Their magnetic properties have been investigated in detail; to our surprise, all of these Mn(II) compounds show interesting slow magnetic relaxation behaviors under an applied direct current field, although they have very small negative D values.

Porous Mn2+ Magnet with a Pt-Cl Framework: Correlation between Water Vapor Adsorption/Desorption and Slow Magnetic Relaxation

We report the water adsorption/desorption behavior and dynamic magnetic properties of the Pt-Cl chain complex [{[Pt(en)₂ ][PtCl₂ (en)₂ ]}₃ ][{(MnCl₅ )Cl₃ }₂ ] ⋅ 12H₂ O (1). Upon heating 1 in a vacuum, we obtained the dehydrated form [{[Pt(en)₂ ][PtCl₂ (en)₂ ]}₃ ][{(MnCl₅ )Cl₃ }₂ ] (1DH). The framework structures of 1 and 1DH are identical, and both complexes underwent slow magnetic relaxation. However, the magnetic relaxation times for 1DH were shorter than those for 1, meaning that the dynamic magnetic properties were controlled upon water vapor adsorption/desorption. From detailed analyses of the dynamic magnetic behavior, a phonon-bottleneck effect contributes to the magnetic relaxation processes. We discuss the mechanism for the changes in the magnetic relaxation processes upon dehydration in terms of the heat capacity and thermal conductivity.

Luminescence, CPL and magnetic properties of 1D enantiopure Ln3+ complexes with (S-) and (R-) α-methoxyphenylacetate ligand

The reaction of Ln(NO₃)₂·6H₂O (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy and Sm) with (R)-(-)-α-methoxyphenylacetic acid (R-HMPA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in EtOH/H₂O allows the isolation of 1D chiral compounds of formula [Ln(μ-R-MPA)(R-MPA)₂(phen)]_n in which Ln = Eu (R-Eu), Tb (R-Tb), Dy (R-Dy) and Sm (R-Sm). The same synthesis by using (S)-(+)-α-methoxyphenylacetic acid (S-HMPA) instead of (R)-(-)-α-methoxyphenylacetic acid allows the isolation of the enantiomeric compounds with formula [Ln(μ-S-MPA)(S-MPA)₂(phen)]_n where Ln = Eu (S-Eu), Tb (S-Tb), Dy (S-Dy) and Sm (S-Sm). Single crystal X-Ray diffraction measurements were performed for compounds R/S-Eu, R/S-Tb, S-Dy and S-Sm. The luminescence and the circular dichroism measured in the solid state are reported. All compounds show sensitized luminescence, notably the Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ones, whose emission color can be perceived by the naked eye. For the Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ derivatives the quantum yield and the circular polarized luminescence have been measured. For the magnetic allowed transition ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ of the Eu³⁺ compound, the anisotropy factor g_lum is ±0.013 (+for S-Eu). Also, magnetic properties of all compounds were studied with the Dy³⁺ analogue showing slow relaxation of the magnetization under a direct current magnetic field of 1000 Oe.

Oxalate-bridging NdIII-based arsenotungstate with multifunctional NIR-luminescence and magnetic properties

Oxalate bridged Nd-based arsenotungstate, K₁₄Na₆H₄[{(As₂W₁₉O₆₇(H₂O))Nd(H₂O)₂}₂(C₂O₄)]·64H₂O (1), was obtained from the reaction of K₁₄[As₂W₁₉O₆₇(H₂O)], oxalic acid, and NdCl₃·6H₂O in mildly acidic aqueous solution. The polyanion exhibits a dimeric structure in which the fully deprotonated oxalate ligands bridge two Nd^III cations and the arsenotungstate anions act as blocking ligands. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of 1 shows the characteristic emission peak of Nd^III in the near-infrared (NIR) region. However, the O → W charge-transfer transitions of arsenotungstate cannot effectively sensitize the emission of Nd^III cations as confirmed by the emission spectrum, due to the mismatch of the energy gap between ³T_1u → ¹A_1g (21.57 × 10³ cm^-1) of arsenotungstate components and ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2 (11.43 × 10³ cm^-1) of Nd^III cations. Magnetic studies of 1 demonstrate its field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior. Direct current magnetic susceptibility studies imply the weak ferromagnetic couplings present between the two neighboring Nd^III cations. In addition, the synergy between the coordination configuration of Nd^III cations and the intramolecular magnetic interaction was discussed.

One-Dimensional Gadolinium (III) Complexes Based on Alpha- and Beta-Amino Acids Exhibiting Field-Induced Slow Relaxation of Magnetization

Gadolinium (III) complexes exhibiting slow relaxation of magnetization are uncommon and have been much less studied than other compounds based on anisotropic lanthanide (III) ions. We prepared two one-dimensional gadolinium (III) complexes based on α-glycine (gly) and β-alanine (β-ala) amino acids, with the formula {[Gd2(gly)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·5H2O}n (1) and {[Gd2(β-ala)6(H2O)4](ClO4)6·H2O}n (2), which were magneto-structurally characterized. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic system (space group Pī). In complex 1, two Gd (III) ions are eight-coordinate and bound to six oxygen atoms from six gly ligands and two oxygen atoms from two water molecules, the metal ions showing different geometries (bicapped trigonal prism and square antiprism). In complex 2, two Gd (III) ions are nine-coordinate and bound to seven oxygen atoms from six β-ala ligands and two oxygen atoms from two water molecules in the same geometry (capped square antiprism). Variable-temperature dc magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on microcrystalline samples of 1 and 2 show similar magnetic behavior for both compounds, with antiferromagnetic coupling between the Gd (III) ions connected through carboxylate groups. Ac magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal slow relaxation of magnetization in the presence of an external dc field in both compounds, hence indicating the occurrence of the field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) phenomenon in both 1 and 2.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation and Luminescent Properties of Mononuclear Lanthanide-Substituted Keggin-Type Polyoxotungstates with Compartmental Organic Ligands

The reaction of mid to late lanthanide ions with the N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-formyl-5-bromobenzyl)ethylene-diamine organic ligand and monolacunary Keggin type [α-SiW₁₁O₃₉]^8– anion affords a series of isostructural compounds, namely, K₅[Ln^III(α-SiW₁₁O₃₉)(C₂₀H₂₂Br₂N₂O₄)]·14H₂O (1-Ln, Ln = Sm to Lu). The molecular structure of these sandwich-type complexes is formed by the Ln^III ion in a biaugmented trigonal prismatic geometry, which occupies the external O₄ site of the organic ligand and the vacant site of the lacunary polyoxometalate (POM) unit. The empty N₂O₂ coordination site of the organic ligand allows its unprecedented folding, which displays a relative perpendicular arrangement of aromatic groups. Weak Br···Br and π–π interactions established between adjacent molecular units govern the crystal packing, which results in the formation of assemblies containing six hybrid species assembled in a chairlike conformation. 1-Gd and 1-Yb display slow relaxation of the magnetization after the application of an external magnetic field with maxima in the out-of-phase magnetic susceptibility plots below ∼5–6 K, which is ascribed to the presence of various relaxation mechanisms. Moreover, photoluminescent emission is sensitized for 1-Sm and 1-Eu in the visible region and 1-Er and 1-Yb in the NIR. In contrast, the quenching of metal-centered luminescence in the 1-Tb derivative has been attributed to the out-of-pocket coordination mode of the lanthanide center within the POM fragment. It is demonstrated that the 1-Yb dual magneto-luminescent material represents the first lanthanide-containing POM reported to date with simultaneous slow magnetic relaxation and NIR emission. Solution stability of the hybrid molecular species in water is also confirmed by ESI-mass spectrometry experiments carried out for 1-Tb and 1-Tm.

A series of solution stable, molecular polyoxometalate hybrids, namely, [α-SiW₁₁O₃₉Ln^III(C₂₀H₂₂N₂Br₂O₄)]⁵⁻ (Ln^III = Sm to Lu) have been synthesized from the combination of mid-to-late lanthanides, lacunary Keggin-type anions, and a compartmental organic ligand. Metal-centered luminescence in both the visible and NIR region as well as slow relaxation of magnetization was found for different members of this family, including the Yb derivative, which represents the first POM-based system with slow magnetic relaxation and sensitized emission in the NIR region.

Quasi-isotropic SMMs: slow relaxation of the magnetization in polynuclear CuII/MnII complexes

Three field induced SMMs built from quasi-isotropic cations like Cu^II and Mn^II have been characterized, showing that relatively large clusters with quasi-negligible D and different ground spin states, S = 3/2, 2 or 4, can also exhibit field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization.

Multifunctionality of the [C2mim][Ln(fod)4] series (Ln = Nd–Tm except Pm): magnetic, luminescence and thermochemical studies

The [C2mim][Ln(fod)4] series presents a rare and reversible polymorphism, NIR and visible emission as well as SMM behavior. The varieties of physical behaviors make these compounds suitable for potential technological and/or biomedical applications.

Large easy-axis magnetic anisotropy in a series of trigonal prismatic mononuclear cobalt (II) complexes with zero-field hidden single-molecule magnet behaviour: The important role of the distortion of the coordination sphere and intermolecular interactions on the slow relaxation

The complexes [Co(L)]X·S (X = CoCl42- , S = CH3CN (1); X = ZnCl42- , S = CH3OH (2)), [Co(L)]X2·S (X = ClO4-, S = 2CH3OH (3) and X =...

Europium(III), Terbium(III), and Gadolinium(III) Oxamato-Based Coordination Polymers: Visible Luminescence and Slow Magnetic Relaxation

The reaction of aqueous solutions of Eu^III, Tb^III, and Gd^III ions with Na₂Hpcpa [H₃pcpa = N-(4-carboxyphenyl)oxamic acid] afforded three new isostructural oxamate-containing lanthanide(III) coordination polymers of general formula {Ln^III₂(Hpcpa)₃(H₂O)₅·H₂O}_n [Ln = Eu (1),Tb (2), and Gd(3)]. Their structure is made up of neutral zigzag chains running parallel to the [101] direction where double syn-syn carboxylate(oxamate)-bridged dilanthanide(III) pairs (Ln1 and Ln2) are linked by three Hpcpa^2- ligands, one of them with the μ-κ²O,O':κO″ coordination mode and the other two with the μ₃-κ²O,O':κO″:κO'''. Additionally, two of those chains are interlinked through hydrogen bonding and π-π type interactions, resulting in a porous structure with channels where water molecules are hosted. The emission properties of 1 and 2 are evaluated as a function of the temperature, exhibiting an emission in red and green, respectively. The external quantum yield for 2 is approximately 7 times that obtained for 1, indicating that the oxamate ligand is a better sensitizer for Tb^III ions. The temperature dependence of the dc magnetic properties of 1-3 reveals a different magnetic behavior depending on the nature of the Ln^III ion. A continuous decrease of χ_MT occurs for 1 upon cooling, and finally χ_MT tends to vanish, as expected for the thermal depopulation of the six magnetic ⁷F_J excited states (J = 1-6) of the Eu^III ion with a nonmagnetic ⁷F₀ ground state. χ_MT for 2 decreases sharply with decreasing the temperature due to the depopulation of the splitted m_J levels of the ⁷F₇ ground state of the magnetically anisotropic Tb^III ion. A very weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the magnetically isotropic Gd^III ions across the double carboxylate(oxamate) bridge is responsible for the small decrease of χ_MT at low temperatures for 3. The dynamic (ac) magnetic properties of 2 and 3 reveal a slow magnetic relaxation with very incipient frequency-dependent χ_M″ signals below 6.0 K (2) and frequency-dependent χ_M″ peaks below 10.0 K (3) under nonzero applied dc magnetic fields, being thus new examples of field-induced single molecule magnets (SMMs).

Correlating the axial Zero Field Splitting with the slow magnetic relaxation in GdIII SIMs

The field-induced out-of-phase magnetic response of a GdIII complex, selected by its good isolation in the network, has been analyzed and the behaviour of this quasi-isotropic cation has been related to its weak axial zero field splitting ∼0.1 cm-1.

Family of Isomeric CuII-LnIII (Ln = Gd, Tb, and Dy) Complexes Presenting Field-Induced Slow Relaxation of Magnetization Only for the Members Containing GdIII

The strategic design and synthesis of two isomeric Cu^II complexes, [CuL^A] and [CuL^B], of asymmetrically dicondensed N₂O₃-donor Schiff-base ligands (where H₂L^A and H₂L^B are N-salicylidene-N'-3-methoxysalicylidenepropane-1,2-diamine and N-3-methoxysalicylidene-N'-salicylidenepropane-1,2-diamine, respectively) have been accomplished via a convenient Cu^II template method. These two complexes have been used as metalloligands for the synthesis of three pairs of Cu-Ln isomeric complexes [CuL(μ-NO₃)Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O)]·CH₃CN (for complexes 1A-3A, L = L^A, and for complexes 1B-3B, L = L^B and Ln = Gd, Tb, and Dy, respectively), all of which have been characterized structurally. In all six isomorphous and isostructural complexes, the decacoordinated Ln^III centers and pentacoordinated Cu^II centers possess sphenocorona and square-pyramidal geometries, respectively. The isomeric pair of Cu-Gd compounds shows field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization, although they present the typical isotropic behavior of Gd^III complexes, indicating that slow relaxation is not due to the usual energy barrier originating from the magnetic anisotropy. The isostructural derivatives with the ion-anisotropic lanthanides Tb^III and Dy^III do not show slow magnetic relaxation with or without a direct-current bias field, demonstrating that the magnetic response of the isotropic system Cu^II-Gd^III occurs through different mechanisms than the rest of the Ln cations.

Improving the emission quantum yield in dinuclear Eu(iii) and Tb(iii) complexes with 2-fluorobenzoate

Luminescence studies performed on Ln(iii) compounds with the formula [Ln2(μ2-2FBz)4(2FBz)2(H-2FBz)2(H2O)2] for Ln = Eu (1) and Tb (2) indicate improved luminescence emission.

Molecular and Polymer Ln2M2 (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy; M = Zn, Cd) Complexes with Pentafluorobenzoate Anions: The Role of Temperature and Stacking Effects in the Structure; Magnetic and Luminescent Properties

Varying the temperature of the reaction of [{Cd(pfb)(H2O)4}+n·n(pfb)-], [Ln2(pfb)6(H2O)8]·H2O (Hpfb = pentafluorobenzoic acid), and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in MeCN followed by crystallization resulted in the isolation of two type of products: 1D-polymers [LnCd(pfb)5(phen)]n·1.5nMeCN (Ln = Eu (I), Gd (II), Tb (III), Dy (IV)) which were isolated at 25 °C, and molecular compounds [Tb2Cd2(pfb)10(phen)2] (V) formed at 75 °C. The transition from a molecular to a polymer structure becomes possible because of intra- and intermolecular interactions between the aromatic cycles of phen and pfb from neighboring tetranuclear Ln2Cd2 fragments. Replacement of cadmium with zinc in the reaction resulted in molecular compounds Ln2Zn2 [Ln2Zn2(pfb)10(phen)2]·4MeCN (Ln = Eu (VI), Tb (VIII), Dy (IX)) and [Gd2Zn2(pfb)10(H2O)2(phen)2]·4MeCN (VII). A new molecular EuCd complex [Eu2Cd2(pfb)10(phen)4]·4MeCN (X)] was isolated from a mixture of cadmium, zinc, and europium pentafluorobenzoates (Cd:Zn:Ln = 1:1:2). Complexes II-IV, VII and IX exhibit magnetic relaxation at liquid helium temperatures in nonzero magnetic fields. Luminescent studies revealed a bright luminescence of complexes with europium(III) and terbium(III) ions.

Coexistence of Spin-Lattice Relaxation and Phonon-Bottleneck Processes in GdIII -Phthlocyaninato Triple-Decker Complexes under Highly Diluted Conditions

Gd³⁺ complexes have been shown to undergo unusual slow magnetic relaxation processes similar to those of single-molecule magnets (SMMs), even though Gd³⁺ does not exhibit strong magnetic anisotropy. To reveal the origin of the slow magnetic relaxation of Gd³⁺ complexes, we have investigated the magnetic properties and heat capacities of two Gd³⁺ -phthalocyaninato triple-decker complexes, one of which has intramolecular Gd³⁺ -Gd³⁺ interactions and the other does not. It was found that the Gd³⁺ -Gd³⁺ interactions accelerate the magnetic relaxation processes. In addition, magnetically diluted samples, prepared by doping a small amount of the Gd³⁺ complexes into a large amount of diamagnetic Y³⁺ complexes, underwent dual magnetic relaxation processes. A detailed dynamic magnetic analysis revealed that the coexistence of spin-lattice relaxation and phonon-bottleneck processes is the origin of the dual magnetic relaxation processes.

Magnetic chains of Fe3 clusters in the {Fe3YO2} butterfly molecular compound

The "butterfly" molecule [Fe3Y(μ3-O)2(CCl3COO)8(H2O)(THF)3] (in brief {Fe3YO2}) includes three Fe3+ ions which build a robust Fe3 cluster with a strong intracluster antiferromagnetic exchange and a total spin S = 5/2. It represents the starting magnetic system to study further interactions with magnetic rare earths when Y is replaced with lanthanides. We present heat capacity and equilibrium susceptibility measurements below 2 K, which show that each cluster has a sizeable magnetic anisotropy pointing to the existence of intercluster interactions. However, no phase transition to a long-range magnetically ordered phase is observed down to 20 mK. The intercluster interaction is analysed in the framework of the one-dimensional Blume-Capel model with an antiferromagnetic chain interaction constant J/kB = -40(2) mK between Fe3 cluster spins, and a uniaxial anisotropy with parameter D/kB = -0.56(3) K. This is associated to single chains of Fe3 clusters oriented along the shortest intercluster distances displayed by the crystal structure of {Fe3YO2}. Ac susceptibility measurements reveal that the magnetic relaxation is dominated by a quantum tunnelling process below 0.2 K, and by thermally activated processes above this temperature. The experimental activation energy of this single chain magnet, Ea/kB = 3.4(6) K, can be accounted for by the combination of contributions arising from single-molecule magnetic anisotropy and spin-spin correlations along the chains.

Magnetization Dynamics and Coherent Spin Manipulation of a Propeller Gd(III) Complex with the Smallest Helicene Ligand

A homoleptic gadolinium(III) complex with the smallest helicene-type ligand, 1,10-phenanthroline-N,N'-dioxide (phendo) [Gd(phendo)₄](NO₃)₃·xMeOH (phendo = 1,10-phenanthroline-N,N'-dioxide, MeOH = methanol), shows slow relaxation of the magnetization characteristic for Single Ion Magnets (SIM), despite negligible magnetic anisotropy, confirmed by ab initio calculations. Solid state dilution magnetic and EPR studies reveal that the magnetization dynamics of the [Gd(phendo)₄]³⁺ cation is controlled mainly by a Raman process. Pulsed EPR experiments demonstrate long phase memory times (up to 2.7 μs at 5 K), enabling the detection of Rabi oscillations at 20 K, which confirms coherent control of its spin state.

Coumarin-lanthanide based compounds with SMM behavior and high quantum yield luminescence

Coumarin-based lanthanide complexes of general formula [Ln(coum)3(phen)(H2O)x]·yH2O (Ln-phen, x = 0,1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1.5; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; coum = 3-acetyl-4-hydroxylato-coumarin; Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Tm) and [Ln(coum)3(batho)]·0.7EtOH (Ln-batho, batho = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Tm) were synthesized. The magnetic relaxation and photoluminescence behavior of these complexes was compared with that of the related compounds [Ln(coum)3(EtOH)(H2O)]·EtOH (Ln-coum), so as to investigate the effects of incorporating a second chromophore, either the phen or batho ligand, to the original coordination scaffold, provided with three coumarin (coum) ligands. Slow relaxation of the magnetization under H = 0 with moderate activation energies was observed for the Dy-phen (U/kB = 99.1 K) and Dy-batho (U/kB = 67.1 K) compounds, whereas Tb analogues presented field-induced single molecule magnet (SMM) behavior, with U/kB = 11.7 K (16.6 K@3 kOe) for Tb-phen (Tb-batho), respectively. Luminescent emission in the visible range was observed for all the Ln-coumarin based compounds upon ligand sensitization, with high quantum yields of 45 (40%) for Eu-phen (Eu-batho) compounds and 65-76-58% for Tb-coum, phen, batho analogues. Sensitization is mainly provided by the coumarin ligand having the energy difference ΔE between its triplet state T1 and the lanthanide emitting level closest to the optimum, while the second ligand can play either a synergistic or competing sensitizing role. The Tb-phen/batho compounds presented simultaneously SMM and luminescent behavior, with excellent values of the bifunctional figure of merit (ηSMM-QY ∼ 1000% K). The reported compounds represent a new class of bifunctional materials with potential interesting application in various fields.

Tuning magnetic anisotropy by the π-bonding features of the axial ligands and the electronic effects of gold(i) atoms in 2D {Co(L)2[Au(CN)2]2}n metal–organic frameworks with field-induced single-ion magnet behaviour

Au^I atoms play an important role in determining the anisotropy of Co^II nodes in 2D Au^I–Co^II field-induced SIMs.

High relaxation barrier in neodymium furoate-based field-induced SMMs

Two new neodymium molecular magnets of formula {[Nd(α-fur)₃(H₂O)₂]·DMF}_n (1) and {[Nd_0.065La_0.935(α-fur)₃(H₂O)₂]}_n (2), α-fur = C₄H₃OCOO, have been synthesized. In (1) the furoate ligands, in bidentate bridging mode, consolidate zig-zag chains running along the a-direction. Compound (2) is a magnetically diluted complex of a polymeric chain along the b-axis. Heat capacity, dc magnetization and ac susceptibility measurements have been performed from 1.8 K up to room temperature. Ab initio calculations yielded the gyromagnetic factors g_x* = 0.52, g_y* = 1.03, g_z* = 4.41 for (1) and g_x* = 1.35, g_y* = 1.98, g_z* = 3.88 for (2), and predicted energy gaps of Δ/k_B = 125.5 K (1) and Δ/k_B = 58.8 K (2). Heat capacity and magnetometry measurements agree with these predictions, and confirm the non-negligible transversal anisotropy of the Kramers doublet ground state. A weak intrachain antiferromagnetic interaction J'/k_B = -3.15 × 10^-3 K was found for (1). No slow relaxation is observed at H = 0, attributed to the sizable transverse anisotropy component, and/or dipolar or exchange interactions enhancing the quantum tunnelling probability. Under an external applied field as small as 80 Oe, two slow relaxation processes appear: above 3 K the first relaxation mechanism is associated to a combination of Orbach process, with a sizeable activation energy U/k_B = 121 K at 1.2 kOe for (1), Raman and direct processes; the second, slowest relaxation mechanism is associated to a direct process, affected by phonon-bottleneck effect. For complex (2) a smaller U/k_B = 61 K at 1.2 kOe is found, together with larger g*-transversal terms, and the low-frequency process is quenched. The reported complexes represent rare polymeric Nd single-ion magnets exhibiting high activation energies among the scarce Nd(iii) family.

Dinuclear CoIIYIIIvs. tetranuclear CoII2YIII2 complexes: the effect of increasing molecular size on magnetic anisotropy and relaxation dynamics

The lower distortion of the Co^II ions in the new tetranuclear CoII2YIII2 complex leads to a larger magnetic anisotropy than in its Co^IIY^III counterparts, whereas its larger size and flexibility seem to promote a faster relaxation dynamic.

Slow magnetic relaxation in a {EuCu5} metallacrown

A {Eu^IIICu₅} metallacrown displays field-induced slow magnetic relaxation, in which the Eu^III with diamagnetic ground state enhances the relaxation rates.

Slow magnetic relaxation in Ni–Ln (Ln = Ce, Gd, Dy) dinuclear complexes

Unusual magnetic behaviour is observed in compounds with three Cl ligands in fac-mode coordination to dysprosium, cerium and even gadolinium.

Effect of the change of the ancillary carboxylate bridging ligand on the SMM and luminescence properties of a series of carboxylate-diphenoxido triply bridged dinuclear ZnLn and tetranuclear Zn2Ln2 complexes (Ln = Dy, Er)

Eleven new dinuclear and tetranuclear compounds of general formulae [Zn(μ-L)(μ-X)Ln(NO3)2]·nS, [Zn2Dy2(μ3-L')2(μ-sal)2(NO3)(CH3OH)](NO3)·5CH3OH and [Zn2Er2(μ3-L')2(μ-sal)2(CH3OH)2](NO3)2·4CH3OH (X = benzoate, anthracenate, diclofenac, salicylate, 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate; Ln = Dy, Er; S = water, acetonitrile, methanol) were prepared from the N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3-formyl-5-bromobenzyl)ethylenediamine compartmental ligand (H2L). Complexes 1-6 and 9-11 consist of diphenoxido-carboxylate triply bridged compounds, which differ mainly in the carboxylate bridging ligand. It should be noted that the acidic character of the salicylic acid promotes, in the presence of methanol, the methoxylation of the H2L ligand thereby yielding a hemiacetal H3L', which is able to connect the Ln(iii) ions of two ZnLn dinuclear units forming the Zn2Ln2 tetranuclear complexes 7 and 8. All compounds display SMM behaviour in the presence of an external field with effective energy barriers (Ueff) as high as 61 K. Magneto-structural data for these complexes reveal that their SMM behaviour is not only significantly affected by the type of Ln(iii) ion but also by the carboxylate bridging ligand connecting the Zn(ii) and Ln(iii) ions. Photoluminescence properties have also been accomplished, showing that the ligands are able to sensitize lanthanide centred emissions in the visible and near-infrared regions with variable capacity. Moreover, the analysis of the luminescence decay curves reveals emission lifetimes in the range of few microsecond or hundreds of nanoseconds for Dy(iii)-based or Er(iii)-based luminophores, respectively.

Closing the Circle of the Lanthanide-Murexide Series: Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior and Near-Infrared Emission of the NdIII Derivative

Up to now, even if murexide-based complexometric studies are performed with all 3d or 4f ions, the crystal structures of the light-lanthanide derivatives of the lanthanide-murexide series are unknown. In this work, we report the crystal structure of the NdIII derivative named NdMurex. Contrary to all known complexes of the 3d or 4f series, a dimeric compound was obtained. As for its already reported DyIII and YbIII parents, the NdIII complex responsible for the color-change behaves as a single-molecule magnet (SMM). This behavior was observed on both the crystalline (NdMurex: Ueff = 6.20(0.80) K, 4.31 cm−1; τ0 = 2.20(0.92) × 10−5 s, Hdc = 1200 Oe) and anhydrous form (NdMurexAnhy: Ueff = 6.25(0.90) K, 4.34 cm−1; τ0 = 4.85(0.40) × 10−5 s, Hdc = 1200 Oe). The SMM behavior is reported also for the anhydrous CeIII derivative (CeMurexAnhy: Ueff = 5.40(0.75) K, 3.75 cm−1; τ0 = 3.02(1.10) × 10−5 s, Hdc = 400 Oe). The Near-Infrared Emission NIR emission was observed for NdMurexAnhy and highlights its bifunctionality.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation in a Palladium-Gadolinium Complex Induced by Electron Density Donation from the Palladium Ion

Incorporating palladium in the first coordination sphere of acetato-bridged lanthanoid complexes, [Pd₂ Ln₂ (H₂ O)₂ (AcO)₁₀ ]⋅2 AcOH (Ln=Gd (1), Y (2), Gd_0.4 Y_1.6 (3), Eu (4)), led to significant bonding interactions between the palladium and the lanthanoid ions, which were demonstrated by experimental and theoretical methods. We found that electron density was donated from the d⁸ Pd²⁺ ion to Gd³⁺ ion in 1 and 3, leading to the observed slow magnetic relaxation by using local orbital locator (LOL) and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis. Field-induced dual slow magnetic relaxation was observed for 1 up to 20 K. Complex 3 and frozen aqueous and acetonitrile solutions of 1 showed only one relaxation peak, which confirms the role of intermolecular dipolar interactions in slowing the magnetic relaxation of 1. The slow magnetic relaxation occurred through a combination of Orbach and Direct processes with the highest pre-exponential factor (τ_o =0.06 s) reported so far for a gadolinium complex exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation. The results revealed that transition metal-lanthanoid (TM-Ln) axial interactions indeed could lead to new physical properties by affecting both the electronic and magnetic states of the compounds.

Lanthanide(III) (Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) Complexes Derived from 4-(Pyridin-2-yl)methyleneamino-1,2,4-triazole: Crystal Structure, Magnetic Properties, and Photoluminescence

The reaction of lanthanide(III) nitrates with 4-(pyridin-2-yl)methyleneamino-1,2,4-triazole (L) was studied. The compounds [Ln(NO3 )3 (H2 O)3 ]⋅2 L, in which Ln=Eu (1), Gd (2), Tb (3), or Dy (4), obtained in a mixture of MeCN/EtOH have the same structure, as shown by XRD. In the crystals of these compounds, the mononuclear complex units [Ln(NO3 )3 (H2 O)3 ] are linked to L molecules through intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions to form a 2D polymeric supramolecular architecture. An investigation into the optical characteristics of the Eu3+ -, Tb3+ -, and Dy3+ -containing compounds (1, 3, and 4) showed that these complexes displayed metal-centered luminescence. According to magnetic measurements, compound 4 exhibits single-ion magnet behavior, with ΔEeff /kB =86 K in a field of 1500 Oe.

Structural diversity and photo-physical and magnetic properties of dimeric to 1D polymeric coordination polymers of lighter lanthanide(iii) dinitrobenzoates

Single crystal diffraction studies reveal the formation of the following 10 new complexes of lighter Ln(iii) ions with general formulas {[Ln(μ2-L1)3·(H2O)2]·H2O}n (Ln = Nd (1) and Eu (2)), [Nd(μ2-L2)2·(CH3COO)·(H2O)2]n (3), [Ln2(μ2-L2)5·(L2)·(H2O)4]n (Ln = Sm (4), Ce (5), and Pr (6)), [La2(μ2-L2)6·(H2O)3·(DMF)]n (7) (DMF = dimethylformamide), [Ln(μ2-L2)2·(L2)·(H2O)3]2 (Ln = Eu (8) and Gd (9)) and [Gd(L2)·(CH3COO)2·(H2O)2]2 (10), where L1 and L2 are anions of 3,5- and 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid, respectively. Complexes 1-7 are 1D coordination polymers, while 8-10 are dinuclear complexes. The luminescence properties of Nd(iii) and Eu(iii) analogues displayed metal-centred emission with L1 exhibiting weak but more efficient sensitization than L2. A study of the magnetic properties of the compounds clearly demonstrated the field-induced single ion magnet behaviour of the Nd(iii) compounds 1 and 3. Their behaviour has been compared to previously reported analogous Nd(iii) complexes and the role of the lattice solvent and polymorphism on the magnetic behaviour has been evaluated.

Giant exchange coupling and field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization in Gd2@C79N with a single-electron Gd-Gd bond

Magnetic properties of the azafullerene Gd2@C79N are studied by SQUID magnetometry. The effective exchange coupling constant jGd,e between the Gd spins and the spin of unpaired electron residing on the single-electron Gd-Gd bond is determined to be 170 ± 10 cm-1. Low temperature AC measurements revealed field-induced millisecond-long relaxation of magnetization.

The influence of structural isomerism on fluorescence and organic dye selective adsorption in two complexes based on flexible ligands

Based on Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and 4,4'-((5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene)bis(oxy))dibenzoic acid (H₃cpbda), two isomeric coordination polymers, {[Cd_1.5(cpbda)(bpa)(H₂O)₂]·1.5H₂O}_n (1), [Cd(H₂cpbda)₂(bpa)_0.5(H₂O)]_n (2), were synthesized by using different solvent-systems. The complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Owing to the obvious structural difference between the two isomeric complexes, the further fluorescence sensing and dye selection and adsorption were investigated. The 3D tight stacking structure of 1 strengthened the fluorescence emission and the loose 2D layer structure of 2 generated the active selection and adsorption of the Malachite Green Oxalate (MGO) dye.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation in a Mononuclear Ruthenium(III) Complex

The development of magnetic molecules with long spin reversal/decoherence times highly depends on the understanding of relaxation behavior under different external conditions. Herein, a magnetic study on a Ru^III complex (1) is presented. Detailed analysis of the relaxation time and the magneto-heat capacity data suggests that the resonant phonon trapping process dominates the magnetic relaxation in the crystalline sample of 1, slowing down the spin relaxation rate, as further confirmed by the measurements on a ground sample and frozen solution. Thus, it provides a rare example showing that 4d metal-centered mononuclear compounds without second-order anisotropy can display slow magnetic relaxation.

Giant Exchange Coupling Evidenced with a Magnetization Jump at 52 T for a Gadolinium-Nitroxide Chelate

The Gd-radical complex [Gd^III(hfac)₃(6bpyNO)] (6bpyNO = 2,2'-bipyridin-6-yl tert-butyl nitroxide; Hhfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione) showed a magnetization jump at 52 T observed in a pulsed-field facility, corresponding to an exchange coupling constant of -17.4 K. Furthermore, hysteretic behavior due to a relatively slow magnetization reversal was recorded around 2 T. From the high-frequency EPR study, the exchange coupling between Gd and radical spins accompanies an anisotropic character, which is responsible for both the broad jump and the slow magnetization reversal.

Novel mononuclear and 1D-polymeric derivatives of lanthanides and (η6-benzoic acid)tricarbonylchromium: synthesis, structure and magnetism

Novel derivatives of lanthanides and (η⁶-benzoic acid)tricarbonylchromium were synthesized and characterized; complexes of Tb, Dy, Er and Yb exhibit SMM behavior.