Assembly of Homochiral Magneto-Optical Dy6 Triangular Clusters by Fixing Carbon Dioxide in the Air

A new hydrazone Schiff base bridging ligand (H2LSchiff (E)-N'-((1-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)methylene)pyrazine-2-carbohydrazide) and L/D-proline were used to construct a pair of homochiral Dy6 cluster complexes, [Dy6(CO3)(L-Pro)6(LSchiff)4(HLSchiff)2]·5DMA·2H2O (L-1, L-HPro = L-proline; DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide) and [Dy6(CO3)(D-Pro)6(LSchiff)4(HLSchiff)2]·5DMA·2H2O (D-1, D-HPro = D-proline), which show a novel triangular Dy6 topology. Notably, the fixation of CO2 in the air formed a carbonato central bridge, playing a key role in assembling L-1/D-1. Magnetic measurements revealed that L-1/D-1 displays intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling and magnetic relaxation behaviours. Furthermore, L-1/D-1 shows a distinct magneto-optical Faraday effect and has a second harmonic generation (SHG) response (1.0 × KDP) at room temperature. The results show that the immobilization of CO2 provides a novel pathway for homochiral multifunctional 4f cluster complexes.

Heterometallic 3d-4f Alkoxide Precursors for the Synthesis of Binary Oxide Nanomaterials

In this study, a new method for the synthesis of heterometallic 3d-4f alkoxides by the direct reaction of metallic lanthanides (La, Pr, Nd, Gd) with MCl₂ (M = Mn, Ni, Co) in 2-methoxyethanol was developed. The method was applied to the synthesis of the heterometallic oxo-alkoxide clusters [Ln₄Mn₂(μ₆-O)(μ₃-OR)₈(HOR)_xCl₆] (Ln = La (1), Nd (2), Gd (3); x = 0, 2, 4); [Pr₄M₂(μ₆-O)(μ₃-OR)₈(HOR)_xCl₆] (M = Co (4), Ni (5); x = 2, 4); and [Ln₄Mn₂(μ₃-OH)₂(μ₃-OR)₄(μ-OR)₄(μ-Cl)₂(HOR)₄Cl₆] (Ln = La (11) and Pr (12)). Mechanistic investigation led to the isolation of the homo- and heterometallic intermediates [Pr(μ-OR)(μ-Cl)(HOR)Cl]_n (6), [Co₄(μ₃-OR)₄(HOR)₄Cl₄] (7), [Ni₄(μ₃-OR)₄(HOEt)₄Cl₄] (8), [Mn₄(μ₃-OR)₄(HOR)₂(HOEt)₂Cl₄] (9), and [Nd(HOR)₄Cl][CoCl₄] (10). In the presence of an external M(II) source at 1100 °C, 1-4 and 12 were selectively converted into binary metal oxide nanomaterials with trigonal or orthorhombic perovskite structures, i.e., LaMnO₃, GdMnO₃, NdMnO₃, Pr_0.9MnO₃, and PrCoO₃. Compound 5 decomposed into a mixture of homo- and heterometallic oxides. The method presented provides a valuable platform for the preparation of advanced heterometallic oxide materials with promising magnetic, luminescence, and/or catalytic applications.

New Heterotrinuclear CuIILnIIICuII (Ln = Ho, Er) Compounds with the Schiff Base: Syntheses, Structural Characterization, Thermal and Magnetic Properties

New heterotrinuclear complexes with the general formula [Cu₂Ln(H₂L)(HL)(NO₃)₂]·MeOH (Ln = Ho (1), Er (2), H₄L = N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydroxybenzylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane) were synthesized using compartmental Schiff base ligand in conjugation with auxiliary ligands. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, TG, DSC, TG-FTIR and XRD analysis. The N₂O₄ salen-type ligand coordinates 3d and 4f metal centers via azomethine nitrogen and phenoxo oxygen atoms, respectively, to form heteropolynuclear complexes having CuO₂Ln cores. In the crystals 1 and 2, two terminal Cu(II) ions are penta-coordinated with a distorted square-pyramidal geometry and a Ln^III ion with trigonal dodecahedral geometry is coordinated by eight oxygen atoms from [Cu^II(H₂L)(NO₃)]⁻ and [Cu^II(HL)(NO₃)]²⁻ units. Compounds 1 and 2 are stable at room temperature. During heating, they decompose in a similar way. In the first decomposition step, they lose solvent molecules. The exothermic decomposition of ligands is connected with emission large amounts of gaseous products e.g., water, nitric oxides, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide. The final solid products of decomposition 1 and 2 in air are mixtures of CuO and Ho₂O₃/Er₂O₃. The measurements of magnetic susceptibilities and field dependent magnetization indicate the ferromagnetic interaction between Cu^II and Ho^III ions 1.

Zero-field slow magnetic relaxation behavior of Zn2Dy in a family of trinuclear near-linear Zn2Ln complexes: synthesis, experimental and theoretical investigations

We hereby report a series of near-linear trinuclear [Zn₂Ln^III(HL)₄(CH₃COO)]·(NO₃)₂ (where Ln^III = La (1-La), Ce (2-Ce), Nd (3-Nd), Sm (4-Sm), Tb (5-Tb), and Dy (6-Dy)) complexes with Schiff base ligand (H2L). Magnetization relaxation dynamic studies on complexes 2-Ce, 5-Tb, and 6-Dy reveal the existence of well resolved frequency dependent zero-field out-of-phase χ''_M signals, which is an indicator of a typical single-ion magnet behavior observed only for complex 6-Dy with U_eff = 43.7 K (τ₀ = 2.42 × 10^-6 s). The presence of two Zn(II) ions near the coordination geometry of Dy(III) ion in 6-Dy is likely to keep the first excited m_J levels significantly away from the ground state m_J level and is responsible for the observation of zero field slow magnetic relaxation behavior. The data collected in the presence of a magnetic field of H_dc = 2 kOe enhances the energy barrier by two-fold (88.63 K, τ₀ = 1.36 × 10^-7 s) in 6-Dy, suggesting the presence of QTM at zero field along with other under barrier relaxations, such as the Raman process. On the other hand, complex 2-Ce shows field induced slow relaxation of magnetization behavior with an effective energy barrier of 12.24 K (τ₀ = 1.89 × 10^-4 s). The CASSCF/SO-RASSI/SINGLE_ANISO based ab initio calculations using MOLCAS 8.0 code further rationalized our experimentally observed magnetization 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.

Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of Trinuclear {Ni2Ln} (LnIII = Dy, Ho) and {Ni2Y} Complexes with Schiff Base Ligands

The reaction of the Schiff base ligand o-OH-C6H4-CH=N-C(CH2OH)3, H4L, with Ni(O2CMe)2∙4H2O and lanthanide nitrate salts in a 4:2:1 ratio lead to the formation of the trinuclear complexes [Ni2Ln(H3L)4(O2CMe)2](NO3) (Ln = Dy (1), Ho (2), and Y (3)) which crystallize in the non-centrosymmetric space group Pna21. The complex cation consists of the three metal ions in an almost linear arrangement. The {Ni2Ln} moieties are bridged through two deprotonated Ophenolato groups from two different ligands. Each terminal NiII ion is bound to two ligands through their Ophenolato, the Nimino atoms and one of the protonated Oalkoxo groups in a distorted octahedral. The central lanthanide ion is coordinated to four Ophenolato oxygen from the four ligands, and four Ocarboxylato atoms from two acetates which are bound in the bidentate chelate mode, and the coordination polyhedron is biaugmented trigonal prism, which probably results in a non-centrosymmetric arrangement of the complexes in the lattice. The magnetic properties of 1–3 were studied and showed that 1 exhibits field induced slow magnetic relaxation.

Hexanuclear Co4 Dy2 , Zn4 Dy2 , and Co4 Y2 Complexes with Defect Tetracubane Cores: Syntheses, Structures, and Magnetic Properties

A hexanuclear heterometallic cluster of composition [Dy₂ Co₄ (L)₄ (NO₃ )₂ (OH)₄ (C₂ H₅ OH)₂ ] ⋅ 2 C₂ H₅ OH (1) was synthesized by employing a Schiff base 2-(((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl) imino)methyl)-4-methoxyphenol (H₂ L) as ligand and utilizing Dy(NO₃ )₃  ⋅ 6H₂ O and Co(NO₃ )₂  ⋅ 6H₂ O as metal ion sources. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis indicated that complex 1 contains a defect tetracubane core and possesses central symmetric structure, with two Dy^III ions being in the central body position of the molecule and four Co^II ions being arranged at the outer sites. Magnetic studies reveal that complex 1 behaves as single-molecule magnet (SMM) with energy barrier of 27.50 K. To investigate the individual contribution of Dy^III and Co^II ions to the SMM behavior, another two complexes of formulae [Dy₂ Zn₄ (L)₄ (NO₃ )₂ (OH)₄ ] ⋅ 4CH₃ OH (2) and [Y₂ Co₄ (L)₄ (NO₃ )₂ (OH)₄ (C₂ H₅ OH)₂ ] ⋅ 2 C₂ H₅ OH (3) were prepared. Complexes 1 and 3 are isomorphous. The coordination geometries of Dy^III ions in 1 and 2 are different. The Dy^III ions are eight-coordinated in 2 and nine-coordinated in 1. Complex 2 exhibits SMM behavior with energy barrier of 69.67 K, but complex 3 does not display SMM property. These results reveal that the SMM behaviors of 1 and 2 are mainly originated from Dy^III ions. It might be the higher symmetry of Dy^III ions in 2 that results in the higher energy barrier.

Validation of Ab-Initio-Predicted Magnetic Anisotropies and Magneto-structural Correlations in Linear Hetero-trinuclear DyIII -NiII 2 Compounds

Reported are single crystal SQUID and single crystal high-frequency/high-field EPR data of a trinuclear complex with a rare six-coordinate coordination sphere of a DyIII center coupled to two terminal six-coordinate NiII ions. The analysis of the single crystal spectroscopic parameters allows for an accurate description of the ground state wavefunction. The experimental analysis is supplemented by the analysis of the paramagnetic NMR spectra, allowing for a thorough description of the DyIII center. The experimental data are interpreted on the basis of an ab initio ligand field analysis, and the computed parameters are in good agreement with the experimental observations. This supports the quality of the theoretical approach based on a pseudo-spin Hamiltonian for the electronic ground state. Further support emerges from the ab initio ligand field theory based analysis of a structurally very similar system that, in contrast to the complex reported here, shows single molecule magnetic properties, and this is in agreement with the quantum-chemical prediction and analysis.

Heterometallic Complexes Containing the NiII-LnIII-NiII Moiety—Structures and Magnetic Properties

This review summarizes the structural characteristics and magnetic properties of trinuclear complexes containing the NiII-LnIII-NiII moiety and also oligonuclear complexes and coordination polymers containing the same trinuclear moiety. The ligands used are mainly polydentate Schiff base ligands and reduced Schiff base ligands and, in some cases, oximato, β-diketonato, pyridyl ketone ligands and others. The compounds reported are restricted to those containing one, two and three oxygen atoms as bridges between the metal ions; examples of carboxylato and oximato bridging are also included due to structural similarity. The magnetic properties of the complexes range from ferro- to antiferromagnetic depending on the nature of the lanthanide ion.

Isocyanate Insertion into a La-P Phosphide Bond: A Versatile Route to Phosphaureate-Bridged Heterobimetallic Lanthanide-Coinage-Metal Complexes

A new route to heterobimetallic lanthanide-coinage-metal complexes is disclosed. The selective insertion of organic substrates such as phenyl iso(thio)cyanate into the La-P bond of the primary phosphido complex (PN)2La(PHMes) (1) (with PN- = (N-(2-(diisopropylphosphanyl)-4-methylphenyl)-2,4,6-trimethylanilide) yields the phospha(thio)ureate complexes (PN)2La(OC(NPh)(PHMes)) (2) and (PN)2La(SC(NPh)(PHMes)) (3) with retention of the PH protons. Subsequent deprotonation of the phosphaureate complex 2 with potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS, K[N(SiMe3)2]) leads to the polymeric complex [K{(PN)2La(OC(NPh)(PMes))}]n (4). Complex 4 was found to be an excellent precursor for salt metathesis reactions with copper(I) and gold(I) chlorides supported by an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC, 5 and 6) or a cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC, 7 and 8). This resulted in the unprecedented formation of heterobimetallic lanthanum-coinage-metal complexes, containing the first example of a μ,κ2(O,N):κ1(P)-phosphaureate bridging ligand. For an alternative route to complex 8 a direct protonolysis protocol between a new basic gold(I) precursor, namely (MeCAAC)Au(HMDS), and 2 was also investigated. The complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography (except for 8).

Trinuclear NiII-LnIII-NiII Complexes with Schiff Base Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties

The reaction of the Schiff base ligand o-OH-C6H4-CH=N-C(CH2OH)3, H4L, with Ni(O2CMe)2∙4H2O and lanthanide nitrate salts in a 4 : 2 : 1 ratio lead to the formation of the trinuclear complexes [Ni2Ln(H3L)4(O2CMe)2](NO3) (Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4)). The complex cations contain the strictly linear NiII-LnIII-NiII moiety. The central LnIII ion is bridged to each of the terminal NiII ions through two deprotonated phenolato groups from two different ligands. Each terminal NiII ion is bound to two ligands in distorted octahedral N2O4 environment. The central lanthanide ion is coordinated to four phenolato oxygen atoms from the four ligands, and four carboxylato oxygen atoms from two acetates which are bound in the bidentate chelate mode. The lattice structure of complex 4 consists of two interpenetrating, supramolecular diamond like lattices formed through hydrogen bonds among neighboring trinuclear clusters. The magnetic properties of 1-4 were studied. For 3 the best fit of the magnetic susceptibility and isothermal M(H) data gave JNiGd = +0.42 cm-1, D = +2.95 cm-1 with gNi = gGd = 1.98. The ferromagnetic nature of the intramolecular Ni···Gd interaction revealed ground state of total spin S = 11/2. The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) parameters for 3 show that the change of the magnetic entropy (-ΔSm) reaches a maximum of 14.2 J kg-1 K-1 at 2 K. A brief literature survey of complexes containing the NiII-LnIII-NiII moiety is discussed in terms of their structural properties.

Zn2Ln2 complexes with carbonate bridges formed by the fixation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere: single-molecule magnet behaviour and magnetocaloric effect

In the self-assembly process, CO₂ in the air is automatically fixed to Zn₂Ln₂ cluster molecular materials.

Dinuclear lanthanide–lithium complexes based on fluorinated β-diketonate with acetal group: magnetism and effect of crystal packing on mechanoluminescence

A convenient and straightforward synthesis of a novel type of Ln–Li β-diketonates with a discrete molecular structure is presented.

Single molecule magnet behaviors of Zn4Ln2 (Ln = DyIII, TbIII) complexes with multidentate organic ligands formed by absorption of CO2 in air through in situ reactions

Two novel Zn–Ln (Ln = Dy (1), Tb (2)) complexes showing single molecule magnet behaviors have been reported.

Heteronuclear cobalt(iii)/sodium complexes with salen type compartmental Schiff base ligands: methylene spacer regulated variation in nuclearity

Three unique heteronuclear cobalt(iii)/sodium Schiff base complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Nuclearity of these complexes changes as a result of alteration of the steric hindrance in the ligand moiety.

Tm(iii) complexes undergoing slow relaxation of magnetization: exchange coupling and aging effects

The present study focuses on the dynamic magnetic behaviour of exchange coupled 3d-4f complexes containing the scarcely investigated non-Kramers Tm³⁺ center, the 3d metal ions being either the low-spin Fe³⁺ (1) or the diamagnetic Co³⁺ (2) ion. Both complexes display field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization. The field and temperature dependences of the relaxation rate provided indication of relevant contributions from quantum tunnelling, direct, Orbach and Raman processes, with only minor effects from exchange coupling interactions. Furthermore, the aged sample of 2 exhibited an additional relaxation process, possibly due to structural modifications accompanied by solvent loss, highlighting the importance of a careful consideration of this factor when analysing the magnetization dynamics in solvated systems.

Anion dependent self-assembly of sandwich 13-metal Ni-Ln nanoclusters with a long-chain Schiff base ligand

Two classes of Ni-Ln clusters [Ln₄Ni₃L₃(OAc)₆(NO₃)₃(OH)₃] (Ln = Gd (1) and Tb (2)) and [Ln₆Ni₇L₆(OAc)₁₂(OH)₆](OH)₂ (Ln = Gd (3) and Dy (4)) were prepared using a specifically designed Schiff base ligand built around a flexible (CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂O(CH₂)₂ chain. 1 and 2 exhibit cone-like structures, while 3 and 4 have nanosized sandwich architectures. The structures were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and TEM, and magnetic properties were investigated.

Three series of heterometallic NiII–LnIII Schiff base complexes: synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic characterization

Three series of Ni^II–Ln^III complexes were synthesized using compartmental Schiff base ligands in conjunction with auxiliary ligands. Their magnetic properties have been well studied.

Ligand-directed assembly of trinuclear and one-dimensional heterotrimetallic CuIILnIIIFeIIIcomplexes: unusual antiferromagnetic CuIIFeIIIcoupling via cyano bridges

Rare phenoxo- and cyano-bridged CuLnFe trinuclear complexes were prepared. The 1D Cu₂DyFe complex displays both single-chain magnetic properties and the intrachain Cu(ii)–Fe(iii) antiferromagnetic coupling.

Terminal solvent effects on the anisotropy barriers of Dy2 systems

A family of three dinuclear dysprosium complexes, all of which exhibit single-molecule magnet behaviour under zero applied dc fields, have exemplified that terminally bonded solvent molecules can drastically impact slow magnetic relaxation properties.