Controllable Structural Transformation of Non-Porous Propyl-Malonate Hexakis[60]fullerene by Chloroform Uptake/Release.

The design of dynamic structures with high recognition host-guest materials capable to host selectively small volatile molecules is an emergent field of research with both fundamental and applied implications. The challenge of exploring novel materials with advanced functionalities has led to the development of dynamic crystalline structures promoted by soft interactions. Here, a new pure organic dynamic framework based on hexakis[60]fullerene that are held together by weak van der Waals interactions is described. This crystalline structure is capable of absorbing and releasing chloroform, through internal structural reorganization. This research provides new insight into the design of organic molecular crystals for selective adsorption applications.

Unusual Stabilisation of Remarkably Bent Tetra-Cationic Tetra-radical Intermolecular Fe(III) µ-Oxo Tetranuclear Complexes.

A hitherto unknown series of air stable, π-conjugated, remarkably bent tetra-cation tetra-radical intermolecular Fe(III) µ-oxo tetranuclear complex, isolated from the dication diradical diiron(III) porphyrin dimers, has been synthesised and spectroscopically characterised along with single crystal X-ray structure determination of two such molecules. These species facilitate long-range charge/radical delocalisation through the bridge across the entire tetranuclear unit manifesting an unusually intense NIR band. Assorted spin states of Fe(III) centres are stabilised within these unique tetranuclear frameworks: terminal six-coordinate iron centres stabilise the admixed intermediate spin states while the central five-coordinate iron centres stabilise the high-spin states. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicated strong antiferromagnetic coupling for the Fe(III)-O-Fe(III) unit while the exchange interactions between the Fe centres and the porphyrin π-cation radicals are weaker as supported both by magnetic data and DFT calculations. The nature of orbital overlap between the SOMOs of Fe(III) and π* orbital of the porphyrin was found to rationalise the observed exchange coupling, establishing such a complex magnetic exchange in this tetranuclear model with a significant bioinorganic relevance.

Carboxylate-Decorated Aggregation of Octanuclear Co4Ln4 (Ln = Dy, Ho, Yb) Complexes from Ligand-Controlled Hydrolysis: Synthesis, Structures, and Magnetic Properties.

One-pot reactions of an asymmetric carboxy-ether-phenol based Schiff base H2L (2-((2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)benzoic acid) with selected Ln(NO3)3·nH2O and [Co2(µ-OH2)(O2CCMe3)4(HO2CCMe3)4] (Co2-Piv) in basic MeOH medium resulted in a family of three octanuclear complexes, [CoII4LnIII4L4(µ1,3-Piv)4(µ1,1,3-Piv)2(η1-Piv)2(µ3-OH)4(MeOH)2]·mMeOH·nH2O (Ln = Dy; m = 3, n = 1 (1), Ho; m = 4, n = 0 (2), Yb; m = 3, n = 1 (3)). The coordination aggregates thus obtained were nicely sustained by four ligand anions and eight externally added carboxylate anions showing three different modes of intermetallic connectivity. The options for incorporating different 4f ions in an investigative synthesis, without altering the resulting intermetallic core structure, were successful for the three representative examples. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the compounds are isostructural and built from two initially formed partial dicubane-type Co2Ln2L2 units. In each of the tetranuclear parts, the metal ion centers are held together by two L2-, two µ3-HO-, three Piv- bridges, one terminal Piv-, and one terminal MeOH. Four carboxylate ends of four L2- units are responsible for connecting two Co2Ln2 units into octanuclear structures. The unique distortion around the CoII centers is achieved from the facile coordination of bigger 4f ions to the adjacent hard OO sites. The distortion is further maintained by the presence of terminal COO- groups from L2-. The dc magnetic susceptibility data revealed ferromagnetic coupling between the CoII and LnIII centers within the series, whereas the ac magnetic susceptibility measurements identified only 1, having a highly anisotropic DyIII ion, as a single-molecule magnet in the absence of any external magnetic field, with an energy barrier Ueff of 12.5 K.

Luminescent and Magnetic Tb-MOF Flakes Deposited on Silicon.

The synthesis of a terbium-based 2D metal-organic framework (MOF), of formula [Tb(MeCOO)(PhCOO)2] (1), a crystalline material formed by neutral nanosheets held together by Van der Waals interactions, is presented. The material can be easily exfoliated by sonication and deposited onto different substrates. Uniform distributions of Tb-2D MOF flakes onto silicon were obtained by spin-coating. We report the luminescent and magnetic properties of the deposited flakes compared with those of the bulk. Complex 1 is luminescent in the visible and has a sizeable quantum yield of QY = 61% upon excitation at 280 nm. Photoluminescence measurements performed using a micro-Raman set up allowed us to characterize the luminescent spectra of individual flakes on silicon. Magnetization measurements of flakes-on-silicon with the applied magnetic field in-plane and out-of-plane display anisotropy. Ac susceptibility measurements show that 1 in bulk exhibits field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetization through two relaxation paths and the slowest one, with a relaxation time of τlf ≈ 0.5 s, is assigned to a direct process mechanism. The reported exfoliation of lanthanide 2D-MOFs onto substrates is an attractive approach for the development of multifunctional materials and devices for different applications.

A Multifunctional Dysprosium-Carboxylato 2D Metall-Organic Framework.

We report the microwave assisted synthesis of a bidimensional (2D) MOF of formula [Dy(MeCOO)(PhCOO)2 ]n (1) and its magnetically diluted analogue [La0.9 Dy0.1 (MeCOO)(PhCOO)2 ] (1 d). 1 is a 2D material with single-ion-magnet (SIM) behaviour and 1 d is a multifunctional, magnetic and luminescent 2D material. 1 can be exfoliated into stable nanosheets by sonication.

Cathecol and Naphtol Groups in Salphen-Type Schiff Bases for the Preparation of Polynuclear Complexes.

In this paper, we show a strategy to modify salphen-type Schiff base ligands with naphtol (SYML1) and pyrocathecol (2,3-dihydroxyphenyl) groups (SYML2), or a combination of both (ASYML). Each of these ligands can be used to obtain polynuclear metal complexes following two different strategies. One relies on using metals that are either too large for the N2O2 cavity or not fond of coordination number 4 and the other one relies on forcing the polynuclear species by adding functional groups to the hydroxybenzaldehayde in order to have extra coordination sites in the ligand. We report and characterize the mononuclear complexes SYML1-Cu and SYML1-Ce, along with the dinuclear complex SYML1-Fe and the tetranuclear species SYML2-Mn. The asymmetric ligand ASYML routinely hydrolyzes into the symmetric ligands in the reaction mixtures. SYML1-Fe displays a nearly linear Fe-O-Fe bridge with very strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the Fe(III) ions.

A Three-Dimensional Dynamic Supramolecular "Sticky Fingers" Organic Framework.

Engineering high-recognition host-guest materials is a burgeoning area in basic and applied research. The challenge of exploring novel porous materials with advanced functionalities prompted us to develop dynamic crystalline structures promoted by soft interactions. The first example of a pure molecular dynamic crystalline framework is demonstrated, which is held together by means of weak "sticky fingers" van der Waals interactions. The presented organic-fullerene-based material exhibits a non-porous dynamic crystalline structure capable of undergoing single-crystal-to-single-crystal reactions. Exposure to hydrazine vapors induces structural and chemical changes that manifest as toposelective hydrogenation of alternating rings on the surface of the [60]fullerene. Control experiments confirm that the same reaction does not occur when performed in solution. Easy-to-detect changes in the macroscopic properties of the sample suggest utility as molecular sensors or energy-storage materials.

Understanding the Molecule-Electrode Interface for Molecular Spintronic Devices: A Computational and Experimental Study.

A triple-decker SYML-Dy2 single-molecule magnet (SMM) was synthetized and grafted onto the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles (IO-NPs) coated by an oleic acid monolayer. The magnetism of the SYML-Dy2 complex, and the hybrid system, NP-Dy2, were studied by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to study both the energetics of the interaction between SYML-Dy2 complex to the organic capping, and the assembly presented by the oleic acid chains.

Two Isostructural Coordination Polymers Showing Diverse Magnetic Behaviors: Weak Coupling (Ni(II)) and an Ordered Array of Single-Chain Magnets (Co(II)).

Two isomorphic 3-D complexes with the formulas [M3(TPTA) (OH)2(H2O)4]n (M = Ni for 1 and Co for 2; H4TPTA = [1,1':4',1″-terphenyl]-2',3,3″,5'-tetracarboxylic acid) have been synthesized and magnetically characterized. Complexes 1 (Ni(II)) and 2 (Co(II)) have the same 1-D rod-shaped inorganic SBUs but exhibit significantly different magnetic properties. Complex 2(Co(II)) is a 3-D arrangement of a 1-D Co(II) single-chain magnet (SCM), while complex 1(Ni(II)) exhibits weak coupling.

Single-Crystal to Single-Crystal Linker Substitution, Linker Place Exchange, and Transmetalation Reactions in Interpenetrated Pillared-Bilayer Zinc(II) Metal-Organic Frameworks.

A twofold interpenetrated pillared-bilayer framework, {[Zn3 (L)2 (L2 )(DMF)]⋅(18DMF)(6H2 O)}n (1), has been synthesized from the ligands tris(4'-carboxybiphenyl)amine (H3 L) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (L2 ). The structure contains [Zn3 (COO)6 ] secondary building units (SBUs), in which three Zn(II) ions are almost linear with carboxylate bridging. This framework undergoes reversible pillar linker substitution reactions at the terminal Zn(II) centers with three different dipyridyl linkers of different lengths to afford three daughter frameworks, 2-4. Frameworks 2-4 are interconvertible through reversible linker substitution reactions. Also, competitive linker-exchange experiments show preferential incorporation of linker L3 in the parent framework 1. The larger linker L5 does not undergo such substitution reactions and framework 5, which contains this linker, can be synthesized solvothermally as a twofold interpenetrated structure. Interestingly, when framework 5 is dipped in a solution of L3 in DMF, linker substitution takes place as before, but linker L5 now moves and diagonally binds two Zn(II) centers to afford 6 as a nonpenetrated single framework. This linker place exchange reaction is unprecedented. All of these reactions take place in a single-crystal to single-crystal (SC-SC) manner, and have been observed directly through X-ray crystallography. In addition, each 3D framework undergoes complete copper(II) transmetalation.

Pentanuclear 3d-4f Heterometal Complexes of M(II)3Ln(III)2 (M = Ni, Cu, Zn and Ln = Nd, Gd, Tb) Combinations: Syntheses, Structures, Magnetism, and Photoluminescence Properties.

A new family of pentanuclear 3d-4f heterometal complexes of general composition [Ln(III)2(M(II)L)3(µ3-O)3H](ClO4)·xH2O (1-5) [Ln = Nd, M = Zn, 1; Nd, Ni, 2; Nd, Cu, 3; Gd, Cu, 4; Tb, Cu, 5] have been synthesized in moderate yields (50-60%) following a self-assembly reaction involving the hexadentate phenol-based ligand, viz., N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)-N('),N(')-diethylethylenediamine (H2L). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses have been used to characterize these complexes. The compounds are all isostructural, having a 3-fold axis of symmetry that passes through the 4f metal centers. The [M(II)L] units in these complexes are acting as bis-bidentate metalloligands and, together with µ3-oxido bridging ligands, complete the slightly distorted monocapped square antiprismatic nine-coordination environment around the 4f metal centers. The cationic complexes also contain a H(+) ion that occupies the central position at the 3-fold axis. Magnetic properties of the copper(II) complexes (3-5) show a changeover from antiferromagnetic in 3 to ferromagnetic 3d-4f interactions in 4 and 5. For the isotropic Cu(II)-Gd(III) compound 4, the simulation of magnetic data provides very weak Cu-Gd (J1 = 0.57 cm(-1)) and Gd-Gd exchange constants (J2 = 0.14 cm(-1)). Compound 4 is the only member of this triad, showing a tail of an out-of-phase signal in the ac susceptibility measurement. A large-spin ground state (S = 17/2) and a negative value of D (-0.12 cm(-1)) result in a very small barrier (8 cm(-1)) for this compound. Among the three Nd(III)2M(II)3 (M = Zn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II)) complexes, only the Zn(II) analogue (1) displays an NIR luminescence due to the (4)F(3/2) → (4)I(11/2) transition in Nd(III) when excited at 290 nm. The rest of the compounds do not show such Nd(III)/Tb(III)-based emission. The paramagnetic Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions quench the fluorescence in 2-5 and thereby lower the population of the triplet state.

Characterization of a robust co(II) fluorescent complex deposited intact on HOPG.

The new diimine fluorescent ligand ACRI-1 based on a central acridine yellow core is reported along with its coordination complex [Co2 (ACRI-1)2 ] (1), a fluorescent weak ferromagnet. Due to the strong fluorescence of the acridine yellow fluorophore, it is not completely quenched when the ligand is coordinated to Co(II) . The magnetic properties of bulk complex 1 and its stability in solution have been studied. Complex 1 has been deposited on highly ordered pyrolitic graphite (HOGP) from solution. The thin films prepared have been characterized by AFM, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and theoretical calculations. The data show that the complex is robust and remains intact on the surface of graphite.

Lanthanide-organic coordination frameworks showing new 5-connected network topology and 3D ordered array of single-molecular magnet behavior in the Dy case.

Five isostructural lanthanide-organic coordination frameworks with a unique 3-D 5-connected (4(7).6(3))(4(3).6(5).8(2)) network, namely, [Ln(phen)(L)]n (Ln = Dy for 1, Gd for 2, Ho for 3, Er for 4, and Tb for 5), have been prepared based on bridging 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (H3L) and chelating 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) coligand. Significantly, the Dy(III) complex 1 is an organized array of single-molecular magnets (SMMs), with frequency-dependent out-of-phase ac susceptibility signals and magnetization hysteresis at 4 K. Further analysis of the magnetic results can reveal that the SMM behavior of 1 should arise from the smaller ferromagnetic interaction between the Dy(III) ions. Complex 1 was also characterized by X-ray absorption spectra, which give the clear X-ray magnetic circular dichroism signal.

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.

New nanostructured materials: synthesis of dodecanuclear Ni(II) complexes and surface deposition studies.

Microwave-assisted synthesis has been used to obtain the family of dodecanuclear Ni(II) complexes [Ni12(NO3)(MeO)12(MeC6H4CO2)9(MeOH)10(H2O)2][ClO4]2 (1), [Ni12(NO3)(MeO)12(BrC6H4CO2)9(MeOH)10(H2O)2][ClO4]2 (2), [Ni12(CO3)(MeO)12(MeC6H4CO2)9(MeOH)10(H2O)2]2[SO4] (3) and [Ni12(NO3)(MeO)12(MeC6H4CO2)9(MeOH)8(H2O)7][NO3]2 (4). They contain three {Ni4O4} cubane units which template around a central µ6 anion, either NO3(-) or CO3(2-). Their magnetic properties have been studied by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry and high-field EPR measurements. The nanostructuration of the Ni12 species on mica surfaces is studied by AFM and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction, which reveal the formation of polycrystalline thin layers.

New structural form of a tetranuclear lanthanide hydroxo cluster: Dy4 analogue display slow magnetic relaxation.

A series of tetranuclear lanthanide (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho) hydroxo clusters has been synthesized by reaction of LnCl3·6H2O (Ln = Tb (1), Dy (2), Ho (3)) with o-vanilin based schiff base ligand 2-(2,3 dihydroxpropyl imino methyl) 6-methoxy phenol (H3L) in methanol and in the presence of triethylamine as base. The solid state structures of all the products were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Magnetism studies reveal that Dy4 analogue exhibits slow magnetic relaxation at low temperatures.

Carboxylate-free manganese(II) phosphonate assemblies: synthesis, structure, and magnetism.

The reaction of manganese(II) salts with organophosphonic acid [t-BuPO(3)H(2) or cyclopentyl phosphonic acid (C(5)H(9)PO(3)H(2))] in the presence of ancillary nitrogen ligands [1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 2,6-bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine (dpzpy)], afforded, depending on the stoichiometry of the reactants and the reaction conditions, dinuclear, trinuclear, and tetranuclear compounds, [Mn(2)(t-BuPO(3)H)(4)(phen)(2)]·2DMF (1), [Mn(3)(C(5)H(9)PO(3))(2)(phen)(6)](ClO(4))(2)·7CH(3)OH (2), [Mn(3)(t-BuPO(3))(2)(dpzpy)(3)](ClO(4))(2)·H(2)O (3), [Mn(4)(t-BuPO(3))(2)(t-BuPO(3)H)(2)(phen)(6)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (4), and [Mn(4)(C(5)H(9)PO(3))(2)(phen)(8)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(4) (5). Magnetic studies on 1, 2, and 4 reveal that the phosphonate bridges mediate weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Mn(II) ions have also been carried out.

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of a family of tetranuclear hydroxido-bridged Ni(II)2Ln(III)2 (Ln = La, Gd, Tb, and Dy) complexes: display of slow magnetic relaxation by the zinc(II)-dysprosium(III) analogue.

A new family of [2 × 2] tetranuclear 3d-4f heterometallic complexes have been synthesized. These are [Zn(2)Dy(2)L(2)(µ(3)-OH)(2)(µ(4)-OH)(dbm)(2)(MeOH)(2)](NO(3))·2H(2)O·MeOH (3), [Ni(2)Dy(2)L(2)(µ(3)-OH)(2)(µ(4)-OH)(dbm)(2)(MeOH)(2)](NO(3))·MeOH (4), [Ni(2)La(2)L(2)(µ(3)-OH)(2)(µ(4)-OH)(dbm)(2)(MeOH)(2)](ClO(4))·H(2)O·2MeOH (5), [Ni(2)Tb(2)L(2)(µ(3)-OH)(2)(µ(4)-OH)(dbm)(2) (MeOH)(2)](NO(3))·MeOH (6), and [Ni(2)Gd(2)L(2)(µ(3)-OH)(2)(µ(4)-OH)(dbm)(2)(MeOH)(2)](NO(3))·MeOH (7), [H(2)L = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)ethylenediamine and Hdbm = dibenzoylmethane] obtained through a single-pot synthesis using [Zn(HL)(dbm)] (for 3)/[Ni(HL)(dbm)]·2CH(3)OH (for 4, 5, 6, and 7) as 3d-metal ion precursors. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectroscopy have been used to establish their identities. Compounds are isostructural, in which the metal ions are all connected together by a bridging hydroxido ligand in a rare µ(4)-mode. In complexes 3-7, the metal ions are antiferromagnetically coupled. Taking a cue from the results of 3 and 5, precise estimations have been made for the antiferromagnetic Ni···Ni (J(Ni) = -50 cm(-1)), Ni···Gd (J(NiGd) = -4.65 cm(-1)), and Gd···Gd (J(Gd) = -0.02 cm(-1)) exchange interactions in 7, involving the gadolinium(III) ions. The Zn(II)(2)Dy(III)(2) compound 3 has shown the tail of an out-of-phase signal in alternating current (AC) susceptibility measurement, indicative of slow relaxation of magnetization. Interestingly, the Ni(II)(2)Dy(III)(2) compound 4 in which both the participating metal ions possess large single ion anisotropy, has failed to show up any slow magnetic relaxation.

Molecular [(Fe3)­(Fe3)] and [(Fe4)­(Fe4)] coordination cluster pairs as single or composite arrays.

The synthesis of molecular cluster pairs is a challenge for coordination chemists due to the potential applications of these species in molecular spintronics or quantum computing. The ligand H(4)L, 1,3-bis-(3-oxo-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyl)-2-methoxybenzene, has been successfully used to obtain a series of such complexes using the basic Fe(III) trinuclear carboxylates as starting materials. Synthetic control has allowed the isolation of the two molecular cluster pairs that form the composite [Fe(4)O(2)(PhCO(2))(6)(H(2)L)(pz)](2)[Fe(3)O(PhCO(2))(5)(py)(H(2)L)](2) (1). The dimers of trinuclear units, [Fe(3)O(PhCO(2))(5)(H(2)O)(H(2)L)](2) (2) and [Fe(3)O(o-MePhCO(2))(5)(H(2)L)(py)](2) (3), and the dimers of tetranuclear units, [Fe(4)O(2)(PhCO(2))(6)(H(2)L)(pz)](2) (4) and [Fe(4)O(2)(o-MePhCO(2))(6)(H(2)L)(pz)](2) (5), are presented here. The magnetic properties of the reported aggregates show that they are pairs of semi-independent clusters weakly interacting magnetically as required for two-qubit quantum gates.

Rational assembly of soluble copper(II) phosphonates: synthesis, structure and magnetism of molecular tetranuclear copper(II) phosphonates.

The reactions of the dinuclear copper complexes [Cu(2)(L)(OAc)] [H(3)L = N,N'-(2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis(salicylaldimine) or [Cu(2)(L')(OAc)] (H(3)L' = N,N'-(2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis(4,5-dimethylsalicylaldimine)] with various phosphonic acids, RPO(3)H(2) (R = t-Bu, Ph, c-C(5)H(9), c-C(6)H(11) or 2,4,6-i-Pr(3)-C(6)H(2)), leads to the replacement of the acetate bridge affording tetranuclear copper(II) phosphonates, [Cu(4)(L)(2)(t-BuPO(3))](CH(3)OH)(2)(C(6)H(6)) (1), [Cu(4)(L)(2)(PhPO(3))(H(2)O)(2)(NMe(2)CHO)](H(2)O)(2) (2), [Cu(4)(L')(2)(C(5)H(9)PO(3))](CH(3)OH)(2) (3), [Cu(4)(L')(2)(C(6)H(11)PO(3)](MeOH)(4)(H(2)O)(2) (4) and [Cu(4)(L')(2)(C(30)H(46)P(2)O(5))](PhCH(3)) (5). The molecular structures of 1-4 reveal that a [RPO(3)](2-) ligand is involved in holding the four copper atoms together by a 4.211 coordination mode. In 5, an in situ formed [(RPO(2))(2)O](4-) ligand bridges two pairs of the dinuclear subunits. Magnetic studies on these complexes reveal that the phosphonate ligand is an effective conduit for magnetic interaction among the four copper centers present; a predominantly antiferromagnetic interaction is observed at low temperatures.