Lanthanide Complexes of Tritopic Bis(hydrazone) Ligands: Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior in a Linear DyIII3 Complex

[α-AsW9O33]9- bridged hexagonal clusters of Ln(III) showing field induced SMM behavior: experimental and theoretical insight

Polyoxometalates (POM), as inorganic polydentate oxygen donors, provide binding opportunities for oxophilic lanthanide metal centers to construct novel Ln-substituted POM materials with exciting structures and attractive properties. Herein, we have reported four arsenotungstate [α-AsW₉O₃₃]^9- based lanthanide-containing polyoxometalates [Cs_xK_36-x{Ln₆(H₂O)₁₂(α-AsW₉O₃₃)₆}]·yH₂O (Ln = Er (1), Gd (2), Ho (3), and Tb (4)), which are synthesized in an alkaline medium. Complexes 1-3 are the dimeric structures of [Ln₃(H₂O)₆(α-AsW₉O₃₃)₃]^18- polyanions, whereas complex 4 is a hexamer of the polyanion [Tb (H₂O)₂(α-AsW₉O₃₃)]^6- as a building unit. In all the complexes, [α-AsW₉O₃₃]^9- units are staggered up and down and give rise to the chair conformation, where one [α-AsW₉O₃₃]^9- unit bridges two Ln(III) centers through four μ₂-oxygen and two terminal oxygen atoms, resulting in the hexagonal arrangement of lanthanides. The dynamic magnetic measurement indicates that only complex 1 exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization with an applied dc field (1500 Oe). To gain insight into the slow relaxation of magnetization in complex 1, the ligand-field parameters and the splitting of the ground-state multiplet of the Er(III) ions have been estimated. The ab initio calculation results confirm that the ground state wave function of these molecules (1, 3, and 4) is mainly composed of a mixture of m_J states, and the non-axial crystal field (CF) terms are more predominant than the axial CF term. The solid-state fluorescence spectra of 1-4 reveal that the photoexcitation O → M ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) of arsenotungstate fragments is effectively quenched due to the spatial coordination environment around the Ln(III) ion.

Coordination-Directed Self-Assembly of Functional Polynuclear Lanthanide Supramolecular Architectures

Lanthanide supramolecular chemistry is a fast growing and intriguing research field due to the unique photophysical, magnetic, and coordination properties of lanthanide ions (Ln^III). Compared with the intensively investigated mononuclear Ln-complexes, polymetallic lanthanide supramolecular assemblies offer more structural superiority and functional advantages. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in polynuclear lanthanide supramolecules, varying from structural evolution to luminescent and magnetic functional materials. This review summarizes the design principles in ligand-induced coordination-driven self-assembly of polynuclear Ln-structures and intends to offer guidance for the construction of more elegant Ln-based architectures and optimization of their functional performances. Design principles concerning the water solubility and chirality of the lanthanide-organic assemblies that are vital in extending their applications are emphasized. The strategies for improving the luminescent properties and the applications in up-conversion, host-guest chemistry, luminescent sensing, and catalysis have been summarized. Magnetic materials based on supramolecular assembled lanthanide architectures are given in an individual section and are classified based on their structural features. Challenges remaining and perspective directions in this field are also briefly discussed.

Radii-dependent self-assembly polynuclear lanthanide complexes as catalysts for CO2 transformation into cyclic carbonates

A series of lanthanide complexes with structural variation from a dinuclear to pentanuclear structure are found to be dependent on the radii of Ln3+ ions, and show high catalytic performance to obtain cyclic carbonates under solvent-free conditions.

Cu(ii)-induced twisting of the biphenyl core: exploring the effect of structure and coordination environment of biphenyl-based chiral copper(ii) complexes on interaction with calf-thymus DNA

Biphenyl core-based clip-like receptors get twisted after complexation with Cu²⁺. The extent of interaction of the optically active complexes with ct-DNA varies depending on the structure and coordination environment.

Discrete and polymeric ensembles based on dinuclear molybdenum(vi) building blocks with adaptive carbohydrazide ligands: from the design to catalytic epoxidation

Discrete and polymeric ensembles based on dimolybdenum(vi) units with adaptive carbohydrazide ligands are described. The polymeric complexes are efficient catalysts for cyclooctene epoxidation under eco-friendly conditions.

Heterometallic grids: synthetic strategies and recent advances

Supramolecular metallogrid complexes are metalloclusters involving metal ions in planar array arrangements and organic ligands in perpendicular arrangements at each corner of the metal sites. Such essentially metal ion arrays have attracted great attention in the last three decades owing to their variety of interesting optical, electronic and magnetic properties. Among them, metallogrids containing more than one type of metal, that is heterometallic grids, are rare but have more potential to engineer a higher level functionality into one molecule. However, until now, only dozens of heterometallic grids have been reported without any specific review. Herein, we aim to give an overview of the assembly strategies, the physicochemical properties, and finally some perspectives on the future development of heterometallic grids.

Dy(iii) zig-zag chains assembled in a 3D framework with single-molecule magnet behaviour

A new lanthanide-based framework, [Dy(STP)(1,2-bdc)]_n (1), represents 1D dysprosium zigzag chain architecture in a 3D framework and displays SMM behaviour under zero dc field.

A W-Shaped Ga-Dy-Dy-Dy-Ga Cluster: Synthesis, Characterization, and Magnetic Properties

A W-shaped {Ga-Dy-Dy-Dy-Ga} coordination cluster, [Ga₂ Dy₃ (L)₆ (MeO)₂ (MeOH)₃ ]⋅NO₃ ⋅7 MeOH (1) with H₂ L, (E)-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylideneamino)phenol was synthesized, characterized, and the magnetic properties investigated. The magnetic measurements indicate that the compound shows single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior under zero dc field. This suggests that the combination of Ga^III ions and Dy^III ions (4 f) is a successful strategy to assemble SMM clusters. The combination of these metal ions also offers prospects in dual functionality therapeutics for medical applications.

Incorporating cuprous-halide clusters and lanthanide clusters to construct Heterometallic cluster organic frameworks with luminescence and gas adsorption properties

A series of heterometallic cluster organic frameworks based on cuprous-halide Cu₄I₄ clusters and lanthanide clusters have been successfully synthesized under solvothermal conditions.

Diacylhydrazone-assembled {Ln11} nanoclusters featuring a “double-boats conformation” topology: synthesis, structures and magnetism

A family of {Ln₁₁} (Ln = Gd, Tb and Dy) nanoclusters were assembled with the diacylhydrazone ligand. They feature an unprecedented “double-boats conformation” topology, which had not been previously reported. {Gd₁₁} and {Dy₁₁} display MCE and SMM behavior, respectively.

Lanthanide-directed synthesis of luminescent self-assembly supramolecular structures and mechanically bonded systems from acyclic coordinating organic ligands

Herein some examples of the use of lanthanide ions (f-metal ions) to direct the synthesis of luminescent self-assembly systems (architectures) will be discussed. This area of lanthanide supramolecular chemistry is fast growing, thanks to the unique physical (magnetic and luminescent) and coordination properties of the lanthanides, which are often transferred to the resulting supermolecule. The emphasis herein will be on systems that are luminescent, and hence, generated by using either visibly emitting ions (such as Eu(III), Tb(III) and Sm(III)) or near infrared emitting ions (like Nd(III), Yb(III) and Er(III)), formed through the use of templating chemistry, by employing structurally simple ligands, possessing oxygen and nitrogen coordinating moieties. As the lanthanides have high coordination requirements, their use often allows for the formation of coordination compounds and supramolecular systems such as bundles, grids, helicates and interlocked molecules that are not synthetically accessible through the use of other commonly used templating ions such as transition metal ions. Hence, the use of the rare-earth metal ions can lead to the formation of unique and stable species in both solution and in the solid state, as well as functional and responsive structures.

A single-stranded {Gd18} nanowheel with a symmetric polydentate diacylhydrazone ligand

A {Gd₁₈} nanowheel was solvothermally synthesized. It features a rare single-stranded skeleton that looks like a Reuleaux triangle with vertices buckled in, represents the highest nuclearity and the largest size in any pure Ln wheels reported, and shows a large MCE.

Pentanuclear [2.2] spirocyclic lanthanide(iii) complexes: slow magnetic relaxation of the DyIII analogue

A series of [2.2] spirocyclic complexes [Ln₅(LH)₄(η¹-Piv)(η²-Piv)₃(μ₂–η² η¹Piv)₂(H₂O)]·Cl (Ln = Dy^III, Tb^III and Ho^III) were synthesized. Magnetic analysis reveals that the Dy^III analogue showed slow relaxation of magnetization.

Synthesis, structure, and magnetism of non-planar heptanuclear lanthanide(iii) complexes

The reaction of 2-methoxy-6-(pyridine-2-yl-hydrazonomethyl) phenol (LH) with lanthanide(iii) salts (Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er) in the presence of an excess of triethylamine afforded a series of non-planar heptanuclear homometallic complexes. The Gd(iii) analogue shows good MCE behaviour (−ΔS_m(T) = 27.7 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 3 K over 0–7 T).

Anion-dependent assembly of Dy complexes: structures and magnetic behaviors

The in situ reaction of 2-aldehyde-8-hydroxyquinoline, histamine and LnX₃·6H₂O (X⁻ = OAc⁻, NO₃⁻ and ClO₄⁻) affords three distinct species of eight lanthanide complexes.

Constructing supramolecular grids: from 4f square to 3d–4f grid

Novel supramolecular 4f and 3d–4f grids were constructed using dihydrazone based ligands, where the 3d–4f grid represents the first example of this type and shows SMM behavior.

Magnetism of linear [Ln3](9+) oxo-bridged clusters (Ln = Pr, Nd) supported inside a [R3PR'](+) phosphonium coordination material

Two new isostructural phosphine coordination materials, Ln-PCM-21 (Ln = Pr, Nd), have been obtained using a tris(p-carboxylated) methyltriphenylphosphonium ligand that is formally dianionic when triply deprotonated, allowing access to materials based on uncommon metal-to-ligand ratios. The polymers of the formula [Ln3(mptbc)4]X·solv (X = Cl(-), NO3(-)) are cationic and contain unusual, linear oxo-bridged [Ln3](9+) clusters. Magnetic susceptibility data for both the Pr and Nd analogues has been compared to models based on three contrasting approaches.

A simple route to a 1D ferromagnetic Dy-containing compound showing magnetic relaxation behaviour

The relatively rare well-isolated 1D ferromagnetic chain of the Dy analogue displays magnetic relaxation behaviour.

Magnetic refrigeration and slow magnetic relaxation in tetranuclear lanthanide cages (Ln = Gd, Dy) with in situ ligand transformation

Three tetranuclear lanthanide cages featuring either hemicubane (1 and 2) or distorted hemicubane (3) like cores are reported. Magnetic studies reveal significant magnetic entropy changes for complex 1 and a slow relaxation of magnetisation for 3.

Synthesis, crystal structure and study of magnetocaloric effect and single molecular magnetic behaviour in discrete lanthanide complexes

Hydrazone based four lanthanide complexes were synthesized where two gadolinium complexes show significant magnetocaloric effect and dysprosium analogues show SMM behavior.