Formation of a Decanuclear Organometallic Dysprosium Complex via a Radical-Radical Cross-Coupling Reaction

Over the years, polynuclear cyclic or torus complexes have attracted increasing interest due to their unique metal topologies and properties. However, the isolation of polynuclear cyclic organometallic complexes is extremely challenging due to their inherent reactivity, which stems from the labile and reactive metal-carbon bonds. In this study, the pyrazine ligand undergoes a radical-radical cross-coupling reaction leading to the formation of a decanuclear [(Cp*)20Dy10(L1)10] ⋅ 12(C7H8) (1; where L1 = anion of 2-prop-2-enyl-2H-pyrazine; Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) complex, where all DyIII metal centres are bridged by the anionic L1 ligand. Amongst the family of polynuclear Ln organometallic complexes bearing CpR 2Lnx units (CpR = substituted cyclopentadienyl), 1 features the highest nuclearity obtained to date. In-depth computational studies were conducted to elucidate the proposed reaction mechanism and formation of L1, while probing of the magnetic properties of 1, revealed slow magnetic relaxation upon application of a static dc field.

LnIII/MnII-LnIII complexes derived from a salicylic azo dye ligand: synthesis, structures, magnetic and fluorescence properties

Two LnIII complexes Ln(HTMSA)3(H2O)2·5.5H2O (Ln = Dy (1) and Tb (2), H2TMSA = 5-azotriazolyl-3-methoxysalicylaldehyde) and two MnII-LnIII clusters [Mn(H2O)6][MnLn2(TTMSA)4(HTTMSA)2(H2O)6]·4H2O (Ln = Dy (3) and Tb (4), H2TTMSA = 5-azotetrazolyl-3-methoxysalicylaldehyde) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that 1 and 2 are isostructural complexes in which the LnIII ions are surrounded by six oxygen atoms from three chelate HTMSA ligands and two oxygen atoms from two coordinated water molecules forming a distorted square-anti-prismatic geometry. In complexes 3 and 4, the MnII ions adjust two LnIII mononuclear anion clusters into tri-nuclear LnIII-MnII-LnIII anion clusters, with an additional [Mn(H2O)6]2+ as a counter ion to maintain the electroneutrality of the compound. Magnetic studies reveal that all the complexes 1-4 show nonzero out-of-phase signals, indicating single-molecule magnet behavior. The photoluminescence spectra of all the complexes were investigated and are discussed in detail.

Tetra-Substituted p-Tert-Butylcalix[4]Arene with Phosphoryl and Salicylamide Functional Groups: Synthesis, Complexation and Selective Extraction of f-Element Cations

A new series of lanthanide (1-5) and uranyl (6) complexes with a tetra-substituted bifunctional calixarene ligand H2 L is described. The coordination environment for the Ln3+ and UO2 2+ ions is provided by phosphoryl and salicylamide functional groups appended to the lower rim of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene scaffold. Ligand interactions with lanthanide cations (light: La3+ , Pr3+ ; intermediate: Eu3+ and Gd3+ ; and heavy: Yb3+ ), as well as the uranyl cation (UO2 2+ ) is examined in the solution and solid state, respectively with spectrophotometric titration and single crystal X-ray diffractometry. The ligand is fully deprotonated in the complexation of trivalent lanthanide ions forming di-cationic complexes 2 : 2 M : L, [Ln2 (L)2 (H2 O)]2+ (1-5), in solution, whereas uranyl formed a 1 : 1 M : L complex [UO2 (L)(MeOH)]∞ (6) that demonstrated very limited solubility in 12 organic solvents. Solvent extraction behaviour is examined for cation selectivity and extraction efficiency. H2 L was found to be an effective extracting agent for UO2 2+ over La3+ and Yb3+ cations. The separation factors at pH 6.0 are: βUO2 2 + /La3 + =121.0 and βUO2 2 + /Yb3 + =70.0.

A unique dysprosium selenoarsenate(iii) exhibiting a photocurrent response and slow magnetic relaxation behavior

A unique dysprosium selenoarsenate(iii) contains large oligomeric cluster [As₃Se₆]³⁻anions with binuclear dysprosium complexes as counterions, and exhibits a photocurrent response and slow magnetic relaxation behavior.