A ring cycle: studies of heterometallic wheels

Preparation and Ground-State Electronic Structure of Heterobimetallic Yb-PtIV-Alkyl Complexes

This article focuses on the synthesis of heterobimetallic complexes of lanthanide and platinum. It describes the synthesis of the Cp*Yb(bipym)PtMe2 complex and its characterization, followed by its reactivity with oxidants, giving access to various Pt + IV compounds of trismethyl (PtMe3) and tetramethyl (PtMe4) fragments. Characterization of the electronic properties of the complexes by magnetic measurements demonstrated that the tetramethyl complex possesses a singlet ground state. The trismethyl fragments, on the other hand, have a ground state that evolves as a function of the ligand saturating the coordination sphere: a singlet for triflate and pyridine and a triplet for iodine, demonstrating the capacity for simple tuning of the electronic structure of these complexes. While the addition of B(C6F5)3 to the platinum + II bis methyl complex leads to FLP-like reactivity triggering THF opening, reactivity with [Ph3C]+[BPh4]- leads to oxidation of the bipym ligand. Furthermore, the light reactivity of the tetramethyl complex indicated the possible transfer of a methyl group, leading to functionalization of the bridging bipym ligand.

Aluminum Molecular Ring Meets Deep Eutectic Solvents: Adaptive Assembly and Optical Behavior

Different from the previous neutral reaction solvent system, this work explores the synthesis of Al-oxo rings in ionic environments. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) formed by quaternary ammonium salts hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and phenols hydrogen bond donor (HBD) further reduce the melting point of the reaction system and provide an ionic environment. Further, the quaternary ammonium salt was chosen as the HBA because it contains a halogen anion that matches the size of the central cavity of the molecular ring. Based on this thought, five Al8 ion pair cocrystals were synthesized via "DES thermal". The general formula is Q+ ⊂ {Cl@[Al8(BD)8(μ2-OH)4L12]} (AlOC-180-AlOC-185, Q+ = tetrabutylammonium, tetrapropylammonium, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole; HBD = phenol, p-chlorophenol, p-fluorophenol; HL = benzoic acid, 1-naphthoic acid, 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid, anthracene-9-carboxylic acid). Structural studies reveal that the phenol-coordinated Al molecular ring and the quaternary ammonium ion pair form the cocrystal compounds. The halogen anions in the DES component are confined in the center of the molecular ring, and the quaternary ammonium cations are located in the organic shell. Such an adaptive cocrystal binding pattern is particularly evident in the structures coordinated with low-symmetry ligands such as naphthoic acid and pyrene acid. Finally, the optical behavior of these cocrystal compounds is understood from the analysis of crystal structure and theoretical calculation.

Challenges for exploiting nanomagnet properties on surfaces

Molecular complexes with single-molecule magnet (SMM) or qubit properties, commonly called molecular nanomagnets, are great candidates for information storage or quantum information processing technologies. However, the implementation of molecular nanomagnets in devices for the above-mentioned applications requires controlled surface deposition and addressing the nanomagnets' properties on the surface. This Perspectives paper gives a brief overview of molecular properties on a surface relevant for magnetic molecules and how they are affected when the molecules interact with a surface; then, we focus on systems of increasing complexity, where the relevant SMMs and qubit properties have been observed for the molecules deposited on surfaces; finally, future perspectives, including possible ways of overcoming the problems encountered so far are discussed.

Molecular nanomagnets: a viable path toward quantum information processing?

Molecular nanomagnets (MNMs), molecules containing interacting spins, have been a playground for quantum mechanics. They are characterized by many accessible low-energy levels that can be exploited to store and process quantum information. This naturally opens the possibility of using them as qudits, thus enlarging the tools of quantum logic with respect to qubit-based architectures. These additional degrees of freedom recently prompted the proposal for encoding qubits with embedded quantum error correction (QEC) in single molecules. QEC is the holy grail of quantum computing and this qudit approach could circumvent the large overhead of physical qubits typical of standard multi-qubit codes. Another important strength of the molecular approach is the extremely high degree of control achieved in preparing complex supramolecular structures where individual qudits are linked preserving their individual properties and coherence. This is particularly relevant for building quantum simulators, controllable systems able to mimic the dynamics of other quantum objects. The use of MNMs for quantum information processing is a rapidly evolving field which still requires to be fully experimentally explored. The key issues to be settled are related to scaling up the number of qudits/qubits and their individual addressing. Several promising possibilities are being intensively explored, ranging from the use of single-molecule transistors or superconducting devices to optical readout techniques. Moreover, new tools from chemistry could be also at hand, like the chiral-induced spin selectivity. In this paper, we will review the present status of this interdisciplinary research field, discuss the open challenges and envisioned solution paths which could finally unleash the very large potential of molecular spins for quantum technologies.

Nanostructures as the Substrate for Single-Molecule Magnet Deposition

Anchoringsingle-molecule magnets (SMMs) on the surface of nanostructures is gaining particular interest in the field of molecular magnetism. The accurate organization of SMMs on low-dimensional substrates enables controlled interactions and the possibility of individual molecules' manipulation, paving the route for a broad range of nanotechnological applications. In this comprehensive review article, the most studied types of SMMs are presented, and the quantum-mechanical origin of their magnetic behavior is described. The nanostructured matrices were grouped and characterized to outline to the reader their relevance for subsequent compounding with SMMs. Particular attention was paid to the fact that this process must be carried out in such a way as to preserve the initial functionality and properties of the molecules. Therefore, the work also includes a discussion of issues concerning both the methods of synthesis of the systems in question as well as advanced measurement techniques of the resulting complexes. A great deal of attention was also focused on the issue of surface-molecule interaction, which can affect the magnetic properties of SMMs, causing molecular crystal field distortion or magnetic anisotropy modification, which affects quantum tunneling or magnetic hysteresis, respectively. In our opinion, the analysis of the literature carried out in this way will greatly help the reader to design SMM-nanostructure systems.

Origin of the Unusual Ground-State Spin S = 9 in a Cr10 Single-Molecule Magnet

The molecular wheel [Cr₁₀(OMe)₂₀(O₂CCMe₃)₁₀], abbreviated {Cr₁₀}, with an unusual intermediate total spin S = 9 and non-negligible cluster anisotropy, D/k_B = -0.045(2) K, is a rare case among wheels based on an even number of 3d-metals, which usually present an antiferromagnetic (AF) ground state (S = 0). Herein, we unveil the origin of such a behavior. Angular magnetometry measurements performed on a single crystal confirmed the axial anisotropic behavior of {Cr₁₀}. For powder samples, the temperature dependence of the susceptibility plotted as χT(T) showed an overall ferromagnetic (FM) behavior down to 1.8 K, whereas the magnetization curve M(H) did not saturate at the expected 30 μ_B/fu for 10 FM coupled 3/2 spin Cr³⁺ ions, but to a much lower value, corresponding to S = 9. In addition, the X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measured at high magnetic field (170 kOe) and 7.5 K showed the polarization of the cluster moment up to 23 μ_B/fu. The magnetic results can be rationalized within a model, including the cluster anisotropy, in which the {Cr₁₀} wheel is formed by two semiwheels, each with four Cr³⁺ spins FM coupled (J_FM/k_B = 2.0 K), separated by two Cr³⁺ ions AF coupled asymmetrically (J₂₃/k_B = J₇₈/k_B = -2.0 K; J₃₄/k_B = J₈₉/k_B = -0.25 K). Inelastic neutron scattering and heat capacity allowed us to confirm this model leading to the S = 9 ground state and first excited S = 8. Single-molecule magnet behavior with an activation energy of U/k_B = 4.0(5) K in the absence of applied field was observed through ac susceptibility measurements down to 0.1 K. The intriguing magnetic behavior of {Cr₁₀} arises from the detailed asymmetry in the molecule interactions produced by small-angle distortions in the angles of the Cr-O-Cr alkoxy bridges coupling the Cr³⁺ ions, as demonstrated by ab initio and density functional theory calculations, while the cluster anisotropy can be correlated to the single-ion anisotropies calculated for each Cr³⁺ ion in the wheel.

New Homometallic Octanuclear Chromium(III) Rings

Four new {Cr8} rings have been synthesized and characterized; they are all based on the classic [CrF(O2CtBu)2]8 ring 1. Three routes have been studied. The first is direct synthesis, by reacting hydrated chromium(III) fluorides with the acid; this has been used to produce LS[CrF(O2CEt)2]8 3. The second route uses 3 as a precursor and substitute with an incoming carboxylate. This has been used to make [CrF(O2CCCl3)2]8 4 and [CrF(O2CC6F5)2]8 5. The third route uses LSN-ethyl-D-glucamine (H5Etglu) as a template and produces chiral rings [Cr8F4(Etglu)(O2CtBu)15] 6. The single crystal X-ray structures of these new compounds are reported.

Record Aluminum Molecular Rings for Optical Limiting and Nonlinear Optics

Crystalline cluster materials, a class of functional motif aggregations, provide a great opportunity for tuning the properties stemming from the flexible and accurate variation of inorganic and organic compositions. In this study, we demonstrate the effects of functional ligand and ring size regulation on the structures and third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. Revealed by the single-crystal X-ray analysis results, aluminum molecular ring expansion is achieved by 2×9 and 3×6 strategies. In terms of the given organic shells, we further tuned the aluminum molecular ring sizes from 3.0 nm to 1.7 nm. The picosecond Z-scan measurements results revealed that the third-order NLO performances do not only depend on the general conjugate interactions but are also related to hydrogen bonding, polarizability, and ring sizes. The large nonlinear absorption coefficient and onset prove that the observed samples are promising candidates for the field of nonlinear optics.

[Cu{SC(O)OiPr}]96: A Giant Self-Assembled Copper(I) Supramolecular Wheel Exhibiting Photoluminescence Tuning and Correlations with Dynamic Solvation and Solventless Synthesis

The hierarchical self-organization of structurally complex high-nuclearity metal clusters with metallosupramolecular wheel architectures that are obtained from the self-assembly of smaller solvated cluster units is rare and unique. Here, we use the potentially heteroditopic monothiocarbonate ligand and demonstrate for the first time the synthesis and structure of a solvated non-cyclic hexadecanuclear cluster [Cu{SC(O)OⁱPr}]₁₆·2THF (1) that can simultaneously desolvate and self-assemble in solution and subsequently form a giant metallaring, [Cu{SC(O)OⁱPr}]₉₆ (2). We also demonstrate a luminescent precursor to cluster (2) can be achieved through a solventless and rapid mechanochemical synthesis. Cluster (2) is the highest nuclearity copper(I) wheel and the largest metal cluster containing a heterodichalcogen (O, S) ligand reported to date. Cluster (2) also exhibits solid-state luminescence with relatively long emission lifetimes at 4.1, 13.9 (μs). The synthetic strategy described here opens new research avenues by replacing solvent molecules in stable {Cu₁₆} clusters with designed building units that can form new hybrid and multifunctional finite supramolecular materials. This finding may lead to the development of novel high-nuclearity materials self-assembled in a facile manner with tunable optical properties.

Heterometallic 3d-4f Complexes as Air-Stable Molecular Precursors in Low Temperature Syntheses of Stoichiometric Rare-Earth Orthoferrite Powders

Four 3d-4f hetero-polymetallic complexes [Fe₂Ln₂((OCH₂)₃CR)₂(O₂C^tBu)₆(H₂O)₄] (where Ln = La (1 and 2) and Gd (3 and 4); and R = Me (1 and 3) and Et (2 and 4)) are synthesized and analyzed using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and SQUID magnetometry. Crystal structures are obtained for both methyl derivatives and show that the complexes are isostructural and adopt a defective dicubane topology. The four heavy metals are connected with two alkoxide bridges. These four precursors are used as single-source precursors to prepare rare-earth orthoferrite pervoskites of the form LnFeO₃. Thermal decomposition in a ceramic boat in a tube furnace gives orthorhombic LnFeO₃ powders using optimized temperatures and decomposition times: LaFeO₃ formed at 650 °C over 30 min, whereas GdFeO₃ formed at 750 °C over 18 h. These materials are structurally characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray map spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometry. EDX spectroscopy mapping reveals a homogeneous spatial distribution of elements for all four materials consistent with LnFeO₃. Magnetic measurements on complexes 1-4 confirm the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the central Fe(III) ions of the clusters and negligible ferromagnetic interaction with peripheral Gd(III) ions in 3 and 4. Zero-field-cooled and field-cooled measurements of magnetization of LaFeO₃ and GdFeO₃ in the solid-state suggest that both materials are ferromagnetic, and both materials show open magnetic hysteresis loops at 5 and 300 K, with M_sat higher than previously reported for these nanomaterials. We conclude that this is a new and facile low temperature route to these important magnetic materials that is potentially universal, limited only by what metals can be programmed into the precursor complexes.

Hyperstable chromium(iii)/manganese(ii) bimetallic wheel clusters with visible photoactivity

Two new chromium and manganese bimetallic nanoclusters, [Cr8-xMnx(OH)8-x(H2O)x(OOCC6H5)16, x = 1.11] (1) and [Cr4Mn4O4(OOCC6H5)12·3CH3CN·H2O] (2), have been synthesized in a one-pot solvothermal reaction in this work. Under visible irradiation, cluster 1 can produce an increased photocurrent and exhibits significant visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for H2 evolution in an aqueous system. Most importantly, it exhibits ultrahigh stability in both acid and base aqueous solutions, making it an excellent synthon for preparing functional materials.

Electric Field Control of Spins in Molecular Magnets

Coherent control of individual molecular spins in nanodevices is a pivotal prerequisite for fulfilling the potential promised by molecular spintronics. By applying electric field pulses during time-resolved electron spin resonance measurements, we measure the sensitivity of the spin in several antiferromagnetic molecular nanomagnets to external electric fields. We find a linear electric field dependence of the spin states in Cr_{7}Mn, an antiferromagnetic ring with a ground-state spin of S=1, and in a frustrated Cu_{3} triangle, both with coefficients of about 2  rad s^{-1}/V m^{-1}. Conversely, the antiferromagnetic ring Cr_{7}Ni, isomorphic with Cr_{7}Mn but with S=1/2, does not exhibit a detectable effect. We propose that the spin-electric field coupling may be used for selectively controlling individual molecules embedded in nanodevices.

A cyanide-bridged wheel featuring a seven-coordinate Mo(iii) center

A new, cyanide-bridged Mo₆Ni₁₂ wheel shows ferromagnetic coupling.

Microwave assisted synthesis of heterometallic 3d–4f M4Ln complexes

We describe the solvent-free microwave assisted synthesis and magnetic properties of a series of 3d–4f complexes of formula [M₄Ln(OH)₂(chp)₄(SALOH)₅(H₂O)(MeCN)(Solv)] (Solv = MeOH, MeCN, H₂O, M = Ni(ii), Co(ii); Ln = La, Gd, Dy, Tb).

Anisotropy of CoII transferred to the Cr7Co polymetallic cluster via strong exchange interactions

In the Cr₇Co model-system the anisotropy of Co^II is effectively transferred to the whole cluster through strong and anisotropic exchange interactions.

The Cr₇Co ring represents a model system to understand how the anisotropy of a Co^II ion is transferred to the effective anisotropy of a polymetallic cluster by strong exchange interactions. Combining sizeable anisotropy with exchange interactions is an important point in the understanding and design of new anisotropic molecular nanomagnets addressing fundamental and applicative issues. By combining electron paramagnetic resonance and inelastic neutron scattering measurements with spin Hamiltonian and ab initio calculations, we have investigated in detail the anisotropy of the Co^II ion embedded in the antiferromagnetic ring. Our results demonstrate a strong and anisotropic exchange interaction between the Co and the neighbouring Cr ions, which effectively transmits the anisotropy to the whole molecule.

Wheel-type heterometallic ferromagnetic clusters: [Ni7−xMx(HL)6(μ3-OMe)4(μ3-OH)2]Cl2 (M = Zn, Co, Mn; x = 1, 3)

Wheel-type heptanuclear heterometallic clusters display metal ion dependent ferromagnetic properties and express single molecule magnet behavior based on the magnetic anisotropy.

Ultralarge 3d/4f Coordination Wheels: From Carboxylate/Amino Alcohol-Supported {Fe4Ln2} to {Fe18Ln6} Rings

A family of wheel-shaped charge-neutral heterometallic {Fe^III₄Ln^III₂}- and {Fe^III₁₈M^III₆}-type coordination clusters demonstrates the intricate interplay of solvent effects and structure-directing roles of semiflexible bridging ligands. The {Fe₄Ln₂}-type compounds [Fe₄Ln₂(O₂CCMe₃)₆(N₃)₄(Htea)₄]·2(EtOH), Ln = Dy (1a), Er (1b), Ho (1c); [Fe₄Tb₂(O₂CCMe₃)₆(N₃)₄(Htea)₄] (1d); [Fe₄Ln₂(O₂CCMe₃)₆(N₃)₄(Htea)₄]·2(CH₂Cl₂), Ln = Dy (2a), Er (2b); [Fe₄Ln₂(O₂CCMe₃)₄(N₃)₆(Htea)₄]·2(EtOH)·2(CH₂Cl₂), Ln = Dy (3a), Er (3b) and the {Fe₁₈M₆}-type compounds [Fe₁₈M₆(O₂CCHMe₂)₁₂(Htea)₁₈(tea)₆(N₃)₆]·n(solvent), M = Dy (4, 4a), Gd (5), Tb (6), Ho (7), Sm (8), Eu (9), and Y (10) form in ca. 20–40% yields in direct reaction of trinuclear Fe^III pivalate or isobutyrate clusters, lanthanide/yttrium nitrates, and bridging triethanolamine (H₃tea) and azide ligands in different solvents: EtOH for the smaller {Fe₄Ln₂} wheels and MeOH/MeCN or MeOH/EtOH for the larger {Fe₁₈M₆} wheels. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that 1–3 consist of planar centrosymmetric hexanuclear clusters built from Fe^III and Ln^III ions linked by an array of bridging carboxylate, azide, and aminopolyalcoholato-based ligands into a cyclic structure with a cavity, and with distinct sets of crystal solvents (2 EtOH per formula unit in 1a–c, 2 CH₂Cl₂ in 2, and 2 EtOH and 2 CH₂Cl₂ in 3). In 4–10, the largest 3d/4f wheels currently known, nearly linear Fe₃ fragments are joined via mononuclear Ln/Y units by a set of isobutyrates and amino alcohol ligands into virtually planar rings. The magnetic properties of 1–10 reveal slow magnetization relaxation for {Fe₄Tb₂} (1d) and slow relaxation for {Fe₄Ho₂} (1c), {Fe₁₈Dy₆} (4), and {Fe₁₈Tb₆} (6).

The expansion from {Fe^III₄Ln^III₂}- to {Fe^III₁₈Ln^III₆}-type wheel-shaped coordination clusters, featuring semiflexible bridging ligands (carboxylates, amino alcohols) and azide, showcases the utility of solvent effects: whereas EtOH produces smaller species, MeOH/MeCN or MeOH/EtOH mixtures result in {Fe₁₈Ln₆} wheels.

Overcoming the Crystallization Bottleneck: A Family of Gigantic Inorganic {Pdx }(L) (x=84, 72) Palladium Macrocycles Discovered using Solution Techniques

The {Pd₈₄}^Ac wheel, initially discovered serendipitously, is the only reported giant palladium macrocycle—a unique structure that spontaneously assembles from small building blocks. Analogues of this structure are elusive. A new modular route to {Pd₈₄}^Ac is described, allowing incorporation of other ligands, and a new screening approach to cluster discovery. Structural assignments were made of new species from solution experiments, overcoming the need for crystallographic analysis. As a result, two new palladium macrocycles were discovered: a structural analogue of the existing {Pd₈₄}^Ac wheel with glycolate ligands, {Pd₈₄}^Gly, and the next in a magic number series for this cluster family—a new {Pd₇₂}^Prop wheel decorated with propionate ligands. These findings confirm predictions of a magic number rule for the family of {Pd_x} macrocycles. Furthermore, structures with variable fractions of functional ligands were obtained. Together these discoveries establish palladium clusters as a new class of tunable nanostructures. In facilitating the discovery of species that would not have been discovered by orthodox crystallization approaches, this work also demonstrates the value of solution‐based screening and characterization in cluster chemistry, as a means to decouple cluster formation, discovery, and isolation.

Halogen dependent symmetry change in two series of wheel cluster organic frameworks built from La18 tertiary building units

Two series of wheel cluster organic frameworks (WCOFs) built from La18 tertiary building units are hydrothermally made, which show halogen-dependent structural symmetry, and demonstrate different chiral performances.

Coherent Spin Dynamics in Molecular Cr8Zn Wheels

Controlling and understanding transitions between molecular spin states allows selection of the most suitable ones for qubit encoding. Here we present a detailed investigation of single crystals of a polynuclear Cr8Zn molecular wheel using 241 GHz electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in high magnetic field. Continuous wave spectra are well reproduced by spin Hamiltonian calculations, which evidence that transitions in correspondence to a well-defined anticrossing involve mixed states with different total spin. We studied, by means of spin echo experiments, the temperature dependence of the dephasing time (T2) down to 1.35 K. These results are reproduced by considering both hyperfine and intermolecular dipolar interactions, evidencing that the dipolar contribution is completely suppressed at the lowest temperature. Overall, these results shed light on the effects of the decoherence mechanisms, whose understanding is crucial to exploit chemically engineered molecular states as a resource for quantum information processing.

Overcoming Statistical Complexity: Selective Coordination of Three Different Metal Ions to a Ligand with Three Different Coordination Sites

In general, it is difficult to selectively introduce different metal ions at specific positions of a cluster-like structure. This is mainly due to statistical problems as well as the reversibility of the formation of coordination bonds. To overcome this statistical problem, we used a carefully designed ligand, H6 L, which can accommodate three different kinds of metal ions in three types of coordination sites. The complex [LNiZn2La](3+), which contains three different metals, was quantitatively obtained by a stepwise procedure, but different products were obtained when the metal ions were added in a different order. However, equilibration studies indicated that this complex was almost solely formed among 54 (=3×3×3H2) possible products upon heating; the formation efficiency (ca. 100%) was significantly higher than the statistical probability (2.47%). Such carefully designed ligands should be useful for the synthesis multimetallic systems, which are of interest because of the interplay between the different metals.

Heterometallic Rings: Their Physics and use as Supramolecular Building Blocks

An enormous family of heterometallic rings has been made. The first were Cr7 M rings where M = Ni(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), and rings have been made with as many as fourteen metal centers in the cyclic structure. They are bridged externally by carboxylates, and internally by fluorides or a penta-deprotonated polyol. The size of the rings is controlled through templates which have included a range of ammonium or imidazolium ions, alkali metals and coordination compounds. The rings can be functionalized to act as ligands, and incorporated into hybrid organic-inorganic rotaxanes and into molecules containing up to 200 metal centers. Physical studies reported include: magnetic measurements, inelastic neutron scattering (including single crystal measurements), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (including measurements of phase memory times), NMR spectroscopy (both solution and solid state), and polarized neutron diffraction. The rings are hence ideal for understanding magnetism in elegant exchange-coupled systems.

g-Engineering in Hybrid Rotaxanes To Create AB and AB2 Electron Spin Systems: EPR Spectroscopic Studies of Weak Interactions between Dissimilar Electron Spin Qubits

Hybrid [2]rotaxanes and pseudorotaxanes are reported where the magnetic interaction between dissimilar spins is controlled to create AB and AB2 electron spin systems, allowing independent control of weakly interacting S=${{ 1/2 }}$ centers.

Direct observation of finite size effects in chains of antiferromagnetically coupled spins

Finite spin chains made of few magnetic ions are the ultimate-size structures that can be engineered to perform spin manipulations for quantum information devices. Their spin structure is expected to show finite size effects and its knowledge is of great importance both for fundamental physics and applications. Until now a direct and quantitative measurement of the spatial distribution of the magnetization of such small structures has not been achieved even with the most advanced microscopic techniques. Here we present measurements of the spin density distribution of a finite chain of eight spin-3/2 ions using polarized neutron diffraction. The data reveal edge effects that are a consequence of the finite size and of the parity of the chain and indicate a noncollinear spin arrangement. This is in contrast with the uniform spin distribution observed in the parent closed chain and the collinear arrangement in odd-open chains.

Molecular magnets are among the smallest structures that may be exploited for quantum information processing. Here, Guidi et al. use polarized neutron scattering to observe finite size effects and a noncollinear spin arrangement in a Cr₈Cd ring molecule, an even-numbered open antiferromagnetic spin-3/2 chain.

Binary behaviour of an oxidation-responsive MRI nano contrast agent

A new nano contrast agent has been prepared incorporating a molecular magnet in oxidation-responsive nanoparticles; this system has shown a remarkable sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (detection down to at least 40 μM), which was used as a model reactive oxygen species. Surprisingly, the response had a binary (off/on) character, due to a non-linear cascade relation between extent of oxidation and water permeability in the particles.

Ligand field variations: tuning the toroidal moment of Dy6 rings

We show how the toroidal moment in Dy₆ cyclic coordination clusters can be tuned and optimised.

A two-dimensional honeycomb coordination network based on fused triacontanuclear heterometallic {Co12Mn18} wheels

An unprecedented two-dimensional honeycomb paramagnetic network based on fused triacontanuclear heterometallic wheels of 3.4 nm, {[Co₂(Mn₃O)(N₃)₂(pic)₆(NO₃)]⁻}₆, has been assembled.

Planar copper and nickel triangles with a guanidine-derived ligand

A novel guanidine-derived ligand with three tetradentate N₄ coordination sites and its trinuclear copper and nickel complexes, [Cu₃] and [Ni₃], were synthesized. X-ray structural analyses of [Cu₃] and [Ni₃] reveal the complexes to have planar triangular structures with pseudo C₃ symmetry.

A hybrid organic–inorganic molecular daisy chain

A hybrid daisy-chain has been made, involving an organic thread for an inorganic ring, where the organic thread for the ring also acts as a ligand for a second ring. The ring contains six chromium(iii) and two zinc(ii) ions, and two isomers of the rings are found in the daisy-chain.

Metal distribution and disorder in the crystal structure of [NH2Et2][Cr7MF8(tBuCO2)16] wheel molecules forM= Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd

The homometallic wheel compound [Cr8F8(O2CCMe3)16] formed with fluorine and pivalic acid ligands can be modified by introducing in the synthesis process a divalent cationMcapable of octahedral coordination instead of one of the trivalent Cr centres in the ring. Heterometallic mono-anionic species [Cr7MF8(O2CCMe3)16]−can form diethylammonium salts and be crystallized from ethylacetate solution as compounds with the general formula [NH2Et2][Cr7MF8(tBuCO2)16][C4H8O2]0.5forM= Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd. Their structures are isomorphous, belonging to the space groupP21/c. The study has determined the degree of order for the individualMheterometal over the possible metal positions of the ring in the crystal structure by modelling based on X-ray diffraction data. The model took into account disorder intert-butyl groups of the pivalate ligands and in the position and orientation of the ethylacetate solvent molecule. The heterometal turned out to be partly ordered in the crystal structure.