Structure and magnetic properties of linear-chain complexes of rare-earth ions (gadolinium, europium) with nitronyl nitroxides

Magnetic properties of a europium(III) complex - possible multiplet crossover

A dinuclear complex [(H2O)Zn(LH)Eu(NO3)3] containing a hexadentate Schiff-base {N2O4}-donor ligand LH2- was prepared and characterized by X-ray structural analysis and IR, electronic and fluorescence spectroscopy. DC magnetic data show that upon heating the diamagnetic complex with the ground state Eu(III)-7F0 and Zn(II)-1S switches to paramagnetic species due to the population of 7FJ (J = 1 to 6) magnetic multiplets. The magnetic susceptibility increases from zero, passes through a maximum, and then decreases upon heating. This behaviour can be explained using a spin-orbit Hamiltonian with an axial distortion term. There is an alternative interpretation of the susceptibility data based on a two-level model similar to that used in the spin crossover theory.

A metal-radical hetero-tri-spin SCM with methyl-pyrazole-nitronyl nitroxide bridges

The preparation, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of a family of hetero-tri-spin 1-D coordination polymers with the formula [Ln(hfac)₃Cu(hfac)₂(4-NIT-MePyz)₂] (Ln = Gd, 1, Tb, 2, Dy, 3; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate; 4-NIT-MePyz = 2-{4-(1-methyl)-pyrazolyl}-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) are reported. In these complexes, the 4-NIT-MePyz radical acts as a linker to bridge the Cu^II and Ln^III ions through its pyrazole and aminoxyl groups to form a chain structure. Magnetic properties typical of spin-chains are observed for Dy and Tb derivatives but single-chain magnet (SCM) behavior was evidenced only for the Tb compound which is characterized by an energy gap for demagnetization Δ_τ/k_B of 31 K.

Regulating Spin Dynamics of Nitronyl Nitroxide Biradical Lanthanide Complexes through Introducing Different Transition Metals

Four biradical-Ln complexes with different transition metal ions, namely [LnM(hfac)₅ (NITPh-PyPzbis)] (M^II =Mn^II and Ln^III =Gd 1, Dy 2; M^II =Ni^II and Ln^III =Tb 3, Dy 4), were prepared by the reaction of Ln(hfac)₃  ⋅ 2H₂ O, Mn(hfac)₂  ⋅ 2H₂ O or Ni(hfac)₂  ⋅ 2H₂ O with NITPh-PyPzbis biradical (hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate, NITPh-PyPzbis=5-(3-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3-bis(1'-oxyl-3'-oxido- 4',4',5',5'-tetramethyl-4,5-hydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzene). In complexes 1-4, the NITPh-PyPzbis biradical chelates one Ln^III ion by means of its aminoxyl moieties and the transition metal ion is introduced through the two N donors from the pyridyl pyrazolyl moiety. Magnetic investigations indicate that complex 4 displays visible maxima in frequency/temperature-dependent χ'' signals with two-step relaxation processes, but complex 2 exhibits no slow magnetization relaxation. The comparison of structure parameters of both Dy complexes indicates that the symmetries of coordination spheres of two Dy ions are D_2d for 2 and C_2v for 4, which thus probably results in different magnetic relaxation behaviors. This work provides new insight for improving properties of Ln-biradical based SMMs.

Heterometallic Ln-Cu complexes derived from a phenyl pyrimidyl substituted nitronyl nitroxide biradical

Utilizing a novel nitronyl nitroxide biradical bisNITPhPyrim involving a pyrimidine group ([5-(5-pyrimidyl)-1,3-bis(1'-oxyl-3'-oxido-4',4',5',5'-tetramethyl-4,5-hydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)]benzene), three heterometallic Ln-Cu complexes with formulas [Ln(hfac)₃Cu(hfac)₂(bisNITPhPyrim)] (Ln^III = Gd 1, Tb 2, and Dy 3; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) have been achieved. In these complexes, the Cu^II ions are linked by N atoms of pyrimidine rings of bisNITPhPyrim radicals to form a one-dimensional chain structure, whereas each Ln^III ion is chelated with two neighboring NO groups of two NIT moieties of the radical. Magnetic studies reveal the presence of ferromagnetic interactions between the Gd^III ion and coordinated NO groups, and between the pyrimidine-bridged copper(ii) spins, which are quantified by a magnetic model, giving J₁ = 4.20 cm^-1 and J₃ = 0.50 cm^-1 (J₁ and J₃ are magnetic exchanges for Gd^III-ON and Cu^II-Cu^II, respectively). Interestingly, ac magnetic measurements show that complex 3 exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization.

Lanthanide chains containing the naphthalenyl nitronyl nitroxide radical

Three lanthanide(iii)–nitronil nitroxide chains containing polyaromatic naphthalenyl substituents have been synthesized and characterized. The dysprosium and terbium chains show single-chain magnet behavior.

A loop chain and a three-dimensional network assembled from a multi-dentate nitronyl nitroxide radical and M(hfac)2 (M = CoII, CuII)

A multi-dentate nitronyl nitroxide radical Nit-Ph-3,5-bIm (Nit-Ph-3,5-bIm = 2-[3,5-bis(1-imidazole)-phenyl]-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) reacted with Co(hfac)2·2H2O or Cu(hfac)2 to yield two novel 3d-radical complexes {[Co(hfac)2]2(Nit-Ph-3,5-bIm)}n1 and {[Cu(hfac)2]7(Nit-Ph-3,5-bIm)3}n2 (hfac- = hexafluoroacetylacetonate). In both compounds, the Nit-Ph-3,5-bIm radical ligand behaves as a tetradentate ligand to link four M(hfac)2 units in a μ4-η1:η1:η1:η1-coordination mode via its two NO groups and two N atoms of imidazole, generating a unique loop chain for 1 and a three-dimensional framework for 2. The magnetic studies revealed a strong antiferromagnetic Co-ON exchange interaction in 1 while a ferromagnetic Cu-ON interaction is observed in 2. The dc magnetic behaviors of two complexes are analyzed by means of appropriate magnetic models. Furthermore, ac magnetic susceptibilities of the Co complex reveal slow relaxation of magnetization.

Chiral, Heterometallic Lanthanide–Transition Metal Complexes by Design

Achieving control over coordination geometries in lanthanide complexes remains a challenge to the coordination chemist. This is particularly the case in the field of molecule-based magnetism, where barriers for magnetic relaxation processes as well as tunneling pathways are strongly influenced by the lanthanide coordination geometry. Addressing the challenge of design of 4f-element coordination environments, the ubiquitous Ln(hfac)3 moieties have been shown to be applicable as Lewis acids coordinating transition metal acetylacetonates facially leading to simple, chiral lanthanide–transition metal heterodinuclear complexes. The broad scope of this approach is illustrated by the synthesis of a range of such complexes LnM: LnM(hfac)3(μ2-acac-O,O,O′)3 (Ln = La, Pr, Gd; M = Cr, Fe, Ga), with approximate three-fold symmetry. The complexes have been crystallographically characterized and exhibit polymorphism for some combinations of 4f and 3d metal centers. However, an isostructural set of systems spanning several lanthanides which exhibit spontaneous resolution in the orthorhombic Sohncke space group P212121 is presented here. The electronic structure and ensuing magnetic properties have been studied by EPR spectroscopy and magnetometry. The GdFe, PrFe, and PrCr complexes exhibit ferromagnetic coupling, while GdCr exhibits antiferromagnetic coupling. GdGa exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization in applied static fields.

Magnetic Exchange Interaction in Nitronyl Nitroxide Radical-Based Single Crystals of 3d Metal Complexes: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

Two stable nitronyl nitroxide free radicals {R ¹ = 4'-methoxy-phenyl-4,4,5,5,-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (NNPhOMe) and R ² = 2-(2'-thienyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline 3-oxide 1-oxyl (NNT)} are successfully synthesized using Ullmann condensation. The reactions of these two radicals with 3d transition metal ions, in the form of M(hfac)₂ (where M = Co or Mn, hfac: hexafluoroacetylacetone), result in four metal-organic complexes Co(hfac)₂(NNPhOMe)₂, 1; Co(hfac)₂(NNT)₂·(H₂O), 2; Mn(hfac)₂(NNPhOMe)·x(C₇H₁₆), 3; and Mn(hfac)₂(NNT)₂, 4. The crystal structure and magnetic properties of these complexes are investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, dc magnetization, infrared, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. The compounds 1 and 4 crystallize in the triclinic, P1̅, space group, whereas complex 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic structure with the C2/c space group and forms chain-like structure along the c direction. The complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic symmetry with the P2₁/c space group in which the N-O unit of the radical coordinates with the Co ion through hydrogen bonding of a water molecule. All compounds exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions between the transition metal ions and nitronyl nitroxide radicals. The magnetic exchange interactions (J/K _B) are derived using isotropic spin Hamiltonian H = -2J∑(S _metal S _radical) for the model fitting to the magnetic susceptibility data for 1, 2, 3, and 4. The exchange interaction strengths are found to be -328, -1.25, -248, and -256 K, for the 1, 2, 3, and 4 metal-organic complexes, respectively. Quantum chemical density functional theory (DFT) computations are carried out on several models of the metal-radical complexes to elucidate the magnetic interactions at the molecular level. The calculations show that a small part of the inorganic spins are delocalized over the oxygens from hfac {∼0.03 for Co(II) and ∼0.015 for Mn(II)}, whereas a more significant fraction {∼0.24 for Mn(II) and ∼0.13 for Co(II)} of delocalized spins from the metal ion is transferred to the coordinated oxygen atom(s) of nitronyl nitroxide.

Nitronyl nitroxide bridged 3d–4f hetero-tri-spin chains: synthesis strategy, crystal structure and magnetic properties

Three series of 2p–3d–4f one-dimensional chains based on different substituted nitronyl nitroxide ligands have been synthesized with two kinds of crystal structures.

Nitronyl nitroxide based 2p-3d-4f chains with the magnetocaloric effect and slow magnetic relaxation

Four new nitronyl nitroxide radical based hetero-tri-spin one-dimensional compounds, namely [{Ln(hfac)3}3{Cu(hfac)2}{NIT-Ph(OMe)2}4]n (Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), Er (4); hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate; NIT-Ph(OMe)2 = 2-(2',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazolyl-1-oxyl-3-oxide) have been successfully prepared. Single crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that complexes 1-4 possess a 1D chain structure with a repeating [Cu-Rad-Ln-Rad-Ln-Rad-Ln-Rad] moiety in which Ln(hfac)3 and Cu(hfac)2 units are bridged by nitronyl nitroxide radicals through the NO groups. DC magnetic studies found that ferromagnetic interactions between metals and the coordinated NO groups are active in all four compounds. The Tb derivative displays frequency dependent ac magnetic susceptibilities, indicating slow magnetic relaxation behavior. The Gd complex shows an important cryogenic magnetocaloric effect with the entropy change (-ΔSm) of 13.5 J kg(-1) K(-1) at 2 K and a magnetic field of 7 T, representing the first example of Gd-radical molecular species exhibiting the magnetocaloric effect.

Unusual Gd-nitronyl nitroxide antiferromagnetic coupling and slow magnetic relaxation in the corresponding Tb analogue

The lanthanide-radical approach has been applied to construct three isomorphous mononuclear lanthanide complexes [Ln(hfac)3(NIT2-PyOCH3)] (Ln(III) = Gd , Tb , Er ) in which the nitronyl nitroxide radical NIT2-PyOCH3 (NIT2-PyOCH3 = 2-(3'-methoxy-2'-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) acts as a tridentate chelating ligand via the pyridyl nitrogen atom, the oxygen atom from the NO group and the oxygen atom from the methoxy group. The central lanthanide ions are nine-coordinated and their coordination geometry can be considered as an intermediate between muffin and spherical capped square antiprisms. Interestingly, an unusual antiferromagnetic interaction was observed between the Gd(iii) and the coordinated nitronyl nitroxide radical in complex . Moreover, ac magnetic susceptibilities display frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals in the case of the anisotropic Tb complex, indicating magnetic relaxation behavior.

Three new mononuclear tri-spin lanthanide-nitronyl nitroxide radical compounds: syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

Based on the nitronyl nitroxide radical, 2-(4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazolin-1-oxyl-3-oxide (1, NITPhCOOMe), and three mononuclear tri-spin compounds [Ln(hfac)3(NITPhCOOMe)2] (Ln = Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (4); hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) are successfully synthesized and fully characterized. Compounds 2 and 4 are isostructural and crystallize in the C2/c space group, while compound 3 crystallizes in the P2₁/c space group. For compounds 2-4, the central metal ions are all eight-coordinate in distorted triangular dodecahedral LnO8 coordination geometry (D(2d) symmetry) completed by three bischelate hfac(-) ligands and two monodentate radicals. Magnetic studies show that radical 1 undertakes the transition from the paramagnetic state to 3D antiferromagnetic ordering at 4.2 K. In addition, compound 3 exhibits field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior.

Slow magnetic relaxation and field-induced metamagnetism in nitronyl nitroxide-Dy(iii) magnetic chains

Four new one-dimensional Ln-nitronyl nitroxide complexes have been obtained. The Dy chain exhibits slow magnetic relaxation and three-step metamagnetism.

Single-molecule magnet involving strong exchange coupling in terbium(iii) complex with 2,2′-bipyridin-6-yl tert-butyl nitroxide

Intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction in Tb-6bpyNO was confirmed by comparison with the magnetic properties of Tb-6bpyCO and Y-6bpyNO. Tb-6bpyNO showed a hysteresis loop below 1.6 K, but Tb-6bpyCO did not behave as a single-molecule magnet.

Slow magnetic relaxation in two-dimensional 3d–4f complexes based on phenyl pyrimidyl substituted nitronyl nitroxide radicals

Three isostructural two-dimensional nitronyl nitroxide bridged 3d–4f complexes have been achieved. The Tb complex shows field-induced two-step magnetic relaxation behavior.

Magnetic exchange in {GdIII–radical} complexes: method assessment, mechanism of coupling and magneto-structural correlations

Which functional is best suit to calculate Js in lanthanide–radical pairs?

Interweaving spins with their environment: novel inorganic nanohybrids with controllable magnetic properties

We discuss the developments in the synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanohybrids made of molecular magnets and nanostructured materials.