Dlf complexes with uniform coordination geometry: structural and magnetic properties of an LnNi2 core supported by a heptadentate amine phenol ligand

Experimental and theoretical insights into Co-Ln magnetic exchange and the rare slow-magnetic relaxation behavior of [CoII2Pr]2+ in a series of linear [CoII2Ln]2+ complexes

We herein report a series of near-linear trinuclear complexes [Co₂Ln(HL)₄(NO₃)](NO₃)₂ (where HL = (2-methoxy-6-[(E)-2'-hydroxymethyl-phenyliminomethyl]-phenolate) with Ln(III) = La (1), Ce (2), Pr (3)). For the comparative study, we have also included the recently reported analogous complexes of Gd(III), Tb(III), and Dy(III) (complexes 4-6) with the same H₂L ligand. The experimental nature of the dc magnetic susceptibilities profile and an empirical approach revealed that the magnetic exchange interaction between Co(II) and Ln(III) having <4f⁷ (complexes 2 and 3) is antiferromagnetic while the dominant interaction between Co(II) and Ln(III) having ≥4f⁷ (complexes 4-6) is ferromagnetic. Dynamic magnetic relaxation studies on complexes 1-3 revealed the field induced single-molecule magnetic (SMM) behavior of 1 and 3 with effective energy barriers of 10.65 K and 15.03 K respectively, for magnetic relaxation. To the best of our knowledge, 3d-Pr(III) based zero or field induced SMMs have not been reported to date. CASSCF/SO-RASSI/SINGLE_ANISO based ab initio calculations on the X-ray structures of complexes 1-6, followed by POLY_ANISO simulations, estimated the magnetic exchange coupling constants J_Co-Ln and J_Co-Co and also rationalized our experimental findings for the dynamic magnetic properties.

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.

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.

Bimetallic nickel-lutetium complexes: tuning the properties and catalytic hydrogenation activity of the Ni site by varying the Lu coordination environment

We present three heterobimetallic complexes containing an isostructural nickel center and a lutetium ion in varying coordination environments. The bidentate ⁱPr₂PCH₂NHPh and nonadentate (ⁱPr₂PCH₂NHAr)₃tacn ligands were used to prepare the Lu metalloligands, Lu(ⁱPr₂PCH₂NPh)₃ (1) and Lu{(ⁱPr₂PCH₂NAr)₃tacn} (2), respectively. Reaction of Ni(COD)₂ (where COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene) and 1 afforded NiLu(ⁱPr₂PCH₂NPh)₃ (3), with a Lu coordination number (CN) of 4 and a Ni-Lu distance, d(Ni-Lu), of 2.4644(2) Å. Complex 3 can further bind THF to form 3-THF, increasing both the Lu CN to 5 and d(Ni-Lu) to 2.5989(4) Å. On the other hand, incorporation of Ni(0) into 2 provides NiLu{(ⁱPr₂PCH₂NAr)₃tacn} (4), in which the Lu coordination environment is more saturated (CN = 6), and the d(Ni-Lu) is substantially elongated at 2.9771(5) Å. Cyclic voltammetry of the three Ni-Lu complexes shows an overall ∼410 mV shift in the Ni(0/I) redox couple, suggesting tunability of the Ni electronics across the series. Computational studies reveal polarized bonding interactions between the Ni 3d _{z ²} (major) and the Lu 5d _{z ²} (minor) orbitals, where the percentage of Lu character increases in the order: 4 (6.0% Lu 5d _{z ²} ) < 3-THF (8.5%) < 3 (9.3%). All three Ni-Lu complexes bind H₂ at low temperatures (-30 to -80 °C) and are competent catalysts for styrene hydrogenation. Complex 3 outperforms 4 with a four-fold faster rate. Additionally, adding increasing THF equivalents to 3, which would favor build-up of 3-THF, decreases the rate. We propose that altering the coordination sphere of the Lu support can influence the resulting properties and catalytic activity of the active Ni(0) metal center.

3d–4f heterometallic trinuclear complexes derived from amine-phenol tripodal ligands exhibiting magnetic and luminescent properties

The syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of a family of new 3d–4f heterometallic trinuclear complexes were investigated. Slow magnetic relaxation was observed for the Zn–Dy–Zn complex besides stronger fluorescent emissions.

Control of structure, stability and catechol oxidase activity of copper(ii) complexes by the denticity of tripodal platforms

The speciation and catecholase-like activity of trinuclear complexes can be fine tuned by the denticity of tripodal platforms.

Heteronuclear Ni(ii)–Ln(iii) (Ln = La, Pr, Tb, Dy) complexes: synthesis and single-molecule magnet behaviour

The crystal structures are reported for three heterometallic Ni₂Ln and a Ni₂Dy₂ complex, using the Schiff base ligand 2-methoxy-6-[(E)-phenyliminomethyl] phenol. Detailed dc and ac magnetic susceptibility studies were reported for all the complexes. The complexes 3 and 4 shows frequency dependent out-of-phase susceptibility signals.

Employment of methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime in 3d/4f-metal chemistry: dinuclear nickel(II)/lanthanide(III) species and complexes containing the metals in separate ions

The use of methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime (mpkoH) for the synthesis of Ni(II)/Ln(III) (Ln = lanthanide) complexes, using "one-pot" reactions in the absence of an external base, is described. Depending on the reaction and crystallization conditions employed, two families of complexes have been obtained. The first family consists of true heterometallic species and involves complexes [NiLn(mpko)(3)(mpkoH)(3)](ClO(4))(2), where Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er. The second family contains the pseudo heterometallic complexes [Ni(mpkoH)(3)](2)[Ln(NO(3))(6)](ClO(4)), where Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm. The crystal structures of [NiCe(mpko)(3)(mpkoH)(3)](ClO(4))(2) (1), [NiDy(mpko)(3)(mpkoH)(3)](ClO(4))(2) (8) and [Ni(mpkoH)(3)](2)[La(NO(3))(6)](ClO(4)) (11) have been determined by single-crystal, X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1·1.2MeOH·0.6H(2)O and 8·1.2MeOH·0.6H(2)O crystallise in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/a and are isomorphous; there are two crystallographically independent cations in the unit cell, but their interatomic distances and angles differ little. The Ni(II) and Ln(III) ions are bridged by three oximate groups belonging to the η(1):η(1):η(1):μ mpko(-) ligands. The Ni(II) centre is octahedrally coordinated by the six nitrogen atoms of the mpko(-) ligands in a facial arrangement. The Ln(III) centre is bound to an (O(oximate))(3)N(6) set of donor atoms, the nitrogen atoms belonging to the three N,N'-bidentate chelating mpkoH ligands. The stereochemistry of the Ln(III) atoms has been evaluated by means of continuous shape measures (CShM). The two crystallographically independent Ce(III) atoms in 1 have tricapped trigonal prismatic and capped square antiprismatic coordination geometries, while the polyhedra of the Dy(III) atoms in 8 are both close to a tricapped trigonal prism. The octahedral Ni(II) atoms in 11 are both facially bound to a N(6) set of donor atoms from three N,N'-bidentate chelating mpkoH ligands, while the 12-coordinate La(III) centre in [La(NO(3))(6)](3-) is coordinated by six bidentate chelating nitrato groups. Variable-temperature, solid state dc magnetic susceptibility studies were carried out on complexes 2, 6, 7 and 8. The dc susceptibility data for 6 in the 2.0-300 K range have been fit to a model with one J value, revealing an antiferromagnetic Ni(II)···Gd(III) exchange interaction [J = -1.1 cm(-1) based on H = -J (Ŝ(Ni)·Ŝ(Gd))]. Antiferromagnetic Ni(II)···Pr(III), Ni(II)···Tb(III) and Ni(II)···Dy(III) exchange interactions have also been suggested for 2, 7 and 8, respectively. The combined work demonstrates the usefulness of mpko(-) in the preparation of interesting Ni(II)/Ln(III) compounds, without requiring the presence of external base and ancillary organic ligands.

Compartmental Schiff-base ligands--a rich library of tectons in designing magnetic and luminescent materials

The binuclear complexes (3d-3d, 3d-3d', 3d-4f) with compartmental ligands can efficiently act as tectons in crystal engineering. Various high nuclearity clusters and coordination polymers can be easily obtained by choosing the appropriate spacers. The main interest in such systems arises from their magnetic and photophysical properties. Moreover, 3d-3d' and 3d-4f complexes are useful precursors in designing heterotrimetallic systems with relevance in molecular magnetism.

Molecular architectures for trimetallic d/f/d complexes: magnetic studies of a LnCu2 core

Five new trinuclear Cu-Ln-Cu cluster complexes have been prepared by a one-pot reaction using H3bcn (tris- N,N',N''-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) and Ln = La(III), Nd(III), Gd(III), Dy(III), and Yb(III) where the d- and f-block metal ions are in close proximity desirable for magnetic studies. The [LnCu2(bcn)2]ClO4.nH2O complexes possess the same stoichiometry as the previously reported [LnNi2(bcn)2]ClO4.nH2O and [LnZn2(bcn)2]ClO4.nH2O systems. Additionally, the solid state structures of the LnCu2 complexes appear to be isostructural to the LnNi2 and LnZn2 species as determined by their nearly superimposable IR spectra. The similarities in the structures of the [LnTM2(bcn)2]ClO4.nH2O series, where TM = Zn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II), allow for direct comparison of their magnetic exchange. An empirical approach, removing first-order anisotropic contributions determined from the analogous [LnZn2(bcn)2]ClO4.nH2O was used to study the d/f/d spin interactions in the [LnCu2(bcn)2]ClO4.nH2O complexes. A ferromagnetic exchange was determined where Ln = Gd(III), Dy(III), or Yb(III) and an antiferromagnetic exchange for Ln = Nd(III), identical to the magnetic exchange observed for the [LnNi2(bcn)2]ClO4.nH2O complexes. An exchange integral of 3.67 cm(-1) for the trimetallic [GdCu2(bcn)2]ClO4.3H2O species was determined using a modified spin Hamiltonian. The [Cu(Hbcn)] and the [Cu3(Hbcn)2](ClO4)2 building blocks of the larger coaggregated d/f/d species were also synthesized, and their structures are reported.

Series of trinuclear NiIILnIIINiII complexes derived from 2,6-Di(acetoacetyl)pyridine: synthesis, structure, and magnetism

Eighteen trinuclear NiII2LnIII complexes of 2,6-di(acetoacetyl)pyridine (H2L) (Ln=La-Lu except for Pm) were prepared by a "one-pot reaction" of H2L, Ni(NO3)2.6H2O, and Ln(NO3)3.nH2O in methanol. X-ray crystallographic studies indicate that two L2- ligands sandwich two NiII ions with the terminal 1,3-diketonate sites and one LnIII ion with the central 2,6-diacylpyridine site, forming the trinuclear [Ni2Ln(L)2] core of a linear NiLnNi structure. The terminal Ni assumes a six-coordinate geometry together with methanol or water molecules, and the central Ln assumes a 10-coordinate geometry together with two or three nitrate ions. The [Ni2Ln(L)2] core is essentially coplanar for large Ln ions (La, Ce, Pr, Nd) but shows a distortion with respect to the two L2- ligands for smaller Ln ions. Magnetic studies for the Ni2Ln complexes of diamagnetic LaIII and LuIII indicate an antiferromagnetic interaction between the terminal NiII ions. A magnetic analysis of the Ni2Gd complex based on the isotropic Heisenberg model indicates a ferromagnetic interaction between the adjacent NiII and GdIII ions and an antiferromagnetic interaction between the terminal NiII ions. The magnetic properties of other Ni2Ln complexes were studied on the basis of a numerical approach with the Ni2La complex and analogous Zn2Ln complexes, and they indicated that the NiII-LnIII interaction is weakly antiferromagnetic for Ln=Ce, Pr, and Nd and ferromagnetic for Ln=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er.

Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of High-Nuclear 3d−4f Clusters with Amino Acid as Ligand: {Gd6Cu24}, {Tb6Cu26}, and {(Ln6Cu24)2Cu} (Ln= Sm, Gd)

Four novel high-nuclear 3d-4f heterometallic clusters were obtained through the self-assembly of Ln(III), Cu(II), and amino acid ligands (2-methylalanine (mAla), glycine (Gly), and L-proline (Pro), respectively). The metal skeleton of cluster 1, [Gd6Cu24(mu3-OH)30(mAla)16(ClO4)(H2O)22].(ClO4)17.(OH)2.(H2O)2(0), may be described as a huge {Gd6Cu12} octahedron connected with 12 additional Cu(II) ions. The structure of cluster 2, Na4[Tb6Cu26(mu3-OH)30(Gly)18(ClO4)(H2O)22].(ClO4)25.(H2O)42, may be described as a {Tb6Cu24} main structure connected with two [Cu(Gly)(H2O)2]+ groups. Compounds {[Ln6Cu24(mu3-OH)30(Pro)12(Ac)6(ClO4)(H2O)13]2Cu(Pro)2}.(ClO4)18.(OH)16.(H2O)55 (Ln= Sm (3), Gd (4)) are 61-nuclear clusters, which represent the largest known 3d-4f clusters so far, the structure can be described as two {Ln6Cu24} octahedral units connected by a trans-Cu(proline)2 bridge. The electrical conductivity measurements reveal that they are temperature-sensitive semiconductors. The magnetic susceptibility measurements display that compound 4 is ferromagnetic.

Oligonuclear 3d-4f Complexes as Tectons in Designing Supramolecular Solid-State Architectures: Impact of the Nature of Linkers on the Structural Diversity

Heteronuclear cationic complexes, [LCuLn]3+ and [(LCu)2Ln]3+, were employed as nodes in designing high-nuclearity complexes and coordination polymers with a rich variety of network topologies (L is the dianion of the Schiff base resulting from the 2:1 condensation of 3-methoxysalycilaldehyde with 1,3-propanediamine). Two families of linkers have been chosen: the first consists of exo-dentate ligands bearing nitrogen-donor atoms (bipyridine (bipy), dicyanamido (dca)), whereas the second consists of exo-dentate ligands with oxygen-donor atoms (anions derived from the acetylenedicarboxylic (H2acdca), fumaric (H2fum), trimesic (H3trim), and oxalic (H2ox) acids). The ligands belonging to the first family prefer copper(II) ions, whereas the ligands from the second family interact preferentially with oxophilic rare-earth cations. The following complexes have been obtained and crystallographically characterized: [LCu(II)(OH2)Gd(III)(NO3)3] (1), [{LCu(II)Gd(III)(NO3)3}2(mu-4,4'-bipy)] (2), 1infinity[LCu(II)Gd(III)(acdca)(1.5)(H2O)2].13H2O (3), 2infinity[LCu(II)Gd(III)(fum)(1.5)(H2O)2].4H2O.C2H5OH (4), 1infinity[LCu(II)Sm(III)(H2O)(Hfum)(fum)] (5), 1infinity[LCu(II)Er(III)(H2O)2(fum)]NO3.3H2O (6), 2infinity[LCu(II)Sm(III)(fum)(1.5)(H2O)2].4H2O.C2H5OH (7), [{(LCu(II))2Sm(III)}2fum2](OH)2 (8), 1infinity[LCu(II)Gd(III)(trim)(H2O)2].H2O (9), 2infinity[{(LCu(II))2Pr(III)}(C2O4)(0.5)(dca)]dca.2H2O (10), [LCu(II)Gd(III)(ox)(H2O)3][Cr(III)(2,2'-bipy)(ox)2].9H2O (11), and [LCuGd(H2O)4{Cr(CN)6}].3H2O (12). Compound 1 is representative of the whole family of binuclear Cu(II)-Ln(III) complexes which have been used as precursors in constructing heteropolymetallic complexes. The rich variety of the resulting structures is due to several factors: 1) the nature of the donor atoms of the linkers, 2) the preference of the copper(II) ion for nitrogen atoms, 3) the oxophilicity of the lanthanides, 4) the degree of deprotonation of the polycarboxylic acids, 5) the various connectivity modes exhibited by the carboxylato groups, and 6) the stoichiometry of the final products, that is, the Cu(II)/Ln(III)/linker molar ratio. A unique cluster formed by 24 water molecules was found in crystal 11. In compounds 2, 3, 4, 9, and 11 the Cu(II)-Gd(III) exchange interaction was found to be ferromagnetic, with J values in the range of 3.53-8.96 cm(-1). Compound 12 represents a new example of a polynuclear complex containing three different paramagnetic ions. The intranode Cu(II)-Gd(III) ferromagnetic interaction is overwhelmed by the antiferromagnetic interactions occurring between the cyanobridged Gd(III) and Cr(III) ions.

A series of trinuclear Cu(II)Ln(III)Cu(II) complexes derived from 2,6-Di(acetoacetyl)pyridine: synthesis, structure, and magnetism

A series of trinuclear Cu(II)Ln(III)Cu(II) complexes with the bridging ligand 2,6-di(acetoacetyl)pyridine have been prepared by one-pot reaction with Cu(NO(3))(2).3H(2)O and Ln(NO(3))(3).nH(2)O in methanol. X-ray crystallographic studies for all the complexes indicate that two L(2)(-) ligands selectively sandwich two Cu(II) ions with the 1,3-diketonate entities and one Ln(III) ion with the 2,6-acetylpyridine entity to form a trinuclear CuLnCu core bridged by the enolate oxygen atoms. Cryomagnetic properties of the complexes are studied with respect to the electronic structure of the Ln ion.

Ferromagnetic NiII–GdIIIinteractions in complexes with NiGd, NiGdNi, and NiGdGdNi cores supported by tripodal ligands

Dinuclear [(NiL)Gd(hfac)(2)(EtOH)](H(3)L = 1,1,1-tris(N-salicylideneaminomethyl)ethane, Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone), trinuclear [(NiL)(2)Gd(NO(3))], and tetranuclear [(NiL)Gd(CH(3)CO(2))(2)(MeOH)](2) complexes, were prepared by treating [Ni(HL)] with [Gd(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)], Gd(NO(3))(3).6H(2)O, and Gd(CH(3)CO(2))(3).4H(2)O, respectively, in the presence of Et(3)N. All the complexes show that ferromagnetic interactions occur between the Ni(II) and Gd(III) ions.

Heterotrimetallic 4f−3d Coordination Polymers: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties

A series of cyano-bridged heterotrimetallic complexes [CuL](2)Ln(H(2)O)(2)M(CN)(6).7H(2)O have been synthesized by the reactions of CuL (L(2)(-) = dianion of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotradecane-2,3-dione), Ln(3+) (Ln = Gd or La), and [M(CN)(6)](3)(-) (M = Co, Fe, or Cr). X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that these complexes are isostructural and have a novel chain structure. The Ln(3+) ion is eight-coordinated by six oxygen atoms of two CuL and two water molecules and two nitrogen atoms of the bridging cyano ligands of two [M(CN)(6)](3)(-), while the [M(CN)(6)](3)(-) anion connects two Ln(3+) using two trans-CN(-) ligands giving rise to a chainlike structure. In the chain, every CuL group tilts toward the CN(-) ligand of adjacent [M(CN)(6)](3)(-) with the Cu-N(cyano) contacts ranging from 2.864(6) to 2.930(6) A. Magnetic studies on the CuGdCo complex (1) indicate the presence of ferromagnetic coupling between Cu(II) and Gd(III). The CuLaCr (5) and CuLaFe (2) complexes exhibit ferromagnetic interaction between paramagnetic Cu(II) and Cr(III)/Fe(III) ions through the weak cyano bridges (Cu-N(cyano) = 2.930(6) A for 2). A global ferromagnetic interaction is operative in the CuGdFe complex (3) with the concurrence of dominant ferromagnetic Cu(II)-Gd(III) and minor antiferromagnetic Gd(III)-Fe(III) as well as the ferromagnetic Cu(II)-Fe(III) interaction. For the CuGdCr complex (4), an overall antiferromagnetic behavior was observed, which is attributed to the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic Cr(III)-Gd(III) coupling and the minor ferromagnetic Cu(II)-Gd(III) and Cu(II)-Cr(III) interaction. Moreover, a spin frustration phenomenon was found in complex 4, which results from the ferro-ferro-antiferromagnetic exchanges in the trigonal Cu-Gd-Cr units. The magnetic susceptibilities of these complexes were simulated using suitable models. The magneto-structural correlation was investigated. These complexes did not show a magnetic phase transition down to 1.8 K.