Terbium and Europium Chlorocyananilate-Based 2D Coordination Polymers.

Two-dimensional layered coordination polymers based on the hetero-substituted 3-chloro-6-cyano-2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone ligands, hereafter ClCNAn2- anilate, and LnIII ions (Tb and Eu) are reported. Compounds 1 and 2, formulated as Ln2(ClCNAn)3(DMSO)6 (LnIII = Tb, 1; Eu, 2), and their related intermediates 1' and 2', formulated as Ln2(ClCNAn)3(H2O)x·yH2O (x + y likely = 12, Ln = Tb, 1'; and Eu, 2'), were prepared by a conventional one-pot reaction (the latter) and recrystallized from DMSO solvent (the former). Polyhydrated intermediates 1' and 2' show very similar XRPD patterns, while, despite their common stoichiometry, 1 and 2 are not isostructural. Compound 1 consists of a 2D coordination framework of 3,6 topology, where [Tb(DMSO)3]III moieties are bridged by three bis-chelating ClCNAn2- ligands, forming distorted hexagons. Ultrathin nanosheets of 1 were obtained by exfoliation via the liquid-assisted sonication method and characterized by atomic force microscopy, confirming the 2D nature of 1. The crystal structure of 2, still showing the presence of 2D sheets with a "hexagonal" mesh and a common (3,6) connectivity, is based onto flat, non-corrugated slabs. Indeed, at a larger scale, the different "rectangular tiles" show clear roofing in 1, which is totally absent in 2. The magnetic behavior of 1 very likely indicates depopulation of the highest crystal-field levels, as expected for TbIII compounds.

Combined Experimental/Theoretical Study on the Luminescent Properties of Homoleptic/Heteroleptic Erbium(III) Anilate-Based 2D Coordination Polymers.

The synthesis, structural and photophysical characterization, and theoretical studies on homo/heteroleptic neutral 2D-layered coordination polymers (CPs), obtained by combining the ErIII ion with chlorocyananilate (ClCNAn) and/or tetrafluoroterephthalate (F4BDC) linkers, are herein reported. The structure of the heteroleptic ErIII-based CP, formulated as [Er2(ClCNAn)2(F4BDC)(DMSO)6]n (1) is also reported. 1 crystallizes in the triclinic P1̅ space group, and the structure consists of neutral 2D layers formed by ErIII ions linked through the two linkers oriented in such a way that the neighboring 2D layers are eclipsed along the a axis, leading to parallelogram-like cavities. Photophysical measurements highlight the prominent role of chlorocyananilate linkers as optical antennas toward lanthanide ions, while wave-function-theory analysis supports the experimental findings, providing evidence for the effect of ligand substitution on the luminescence properties of homo/heteroleptic 2D CPs.

Dysprosium Chlorocyanoanilate-Based 2D-Layered Coordination Polymers.

A series of two-dimensional (2D)-layered coordination polymers (CPs) based on the heterosubstituted anilate ligand ClCNAn2- derived from 3-chloro-6-cyano-2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone and DyIII are reported. By changes in the synthetic methods (layering technique, solvothermal or conventional one-pot reactions) and conditions (solvent, concentration, etc.), different types of 2D extended networks could be prepared and structurally characterized. Compounds 1 and 1', two polymorphs with the formula [Dy2(ClCNAn)3(DMSO)6]n·(H2O)x [x = 7 (1), 0 (1')], were prepared by a conventional one-pot reaction and recrystallized at different concentrations. Compound 2, formulated as [Dy2(ClCNAn)3(DMF)6]n, was prepared by a layering technique, while compound 3, formulated as {(Me2NH2)2[Dy2(ClCNAn)4(H2O)2]·(DMF)2·(H2O)5}n, was obtained by a solvothermal method. Compounds 1 and 2 are neutral 2D CPs of the ClCNAn2- ligand and DyIII ions, while 3 presents 2D anionic layers of [Dy2(ClCNAn)4(H2O)2]2- alternating with cationic layers of Me2NH2+ ions. These compounds show very diverse networks, with compound 1 forming 2D (8,3) and (4,3) topology with eight- and four-membered rings with square cavities, 1' and 2, respectively, a 2D (6,3) topology with six-membered rings (a rectangular cavity for 1' and a regular hexagonal cavity for 2), and 3 a 2D (4,4) topology with distorted square cavities. In this respect, 1 and 1' represent the first examples of polymorphism in the family of anilate-based CPs. Thermal analysis measurements (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry) show an exothermic polymorphic transformation from the kinetically stable 1' phase to the thermodynamically stable phase 1. The magnetic behavior of 1-3 very likely indicates depopulation of the mJ levels, while the presence of weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the DyIII centers mediated by the anilate bridge cannot be excluded.

Magnetic Molecular Conductors Based on Bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) and the Tris(chlorocyananilato)ferrate(III) Complex.

Electrocrystallization of the bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) organic donor in the presence of the [Fe(ClCNAn)3]3- tris(chlorocyananilato)ferrate(III) paramagnetic anion in different stoichiometric ratios and solvent mixtures afforded two different hybrid systems formulated as [BEDT-TTF]4[Fe(ClCNAn)3]·3H2O (1) and [BEDT-TTF]5[Fe(ClCNAn)3]2·2CH3CN (2) (An = anilato). Compounds 1 and 2 present unusual structures without the typical segregated organic and inorganic layers, where layers of 1 are formed by Λ and Δ enantiomers of the anionic paramagnetic complex together with mixed-valence BEDT-TTF tetramers, while layers of 2 are formed by Λ and Δ enantiomers of the paramagnetic complex together with dicationic BEDT-TTF dimers and monomers. Compounds 1 and 2 show semiconducting behaviors with room-temperature conductivities of ca. 6 × 10-3 S cm-1 (ambient pressure) and 1 × 10-3 S cm-1 (under applied pressure of 12.1 GPa), respectively, due to strong dimerization between the donors. Magnetic measurements performed on compound 1 indicate weak antiferromagnetic coupling between high-spin FeIII (SFe = 5/2) and mixed-valence radical cation diyads (BEDT-TTF)2+ (Srad = 1/2) mediated by the anilate ligands, together with an important Pauli paramagnetism typical for conducting systems.

Raman Spectroscopy as a Probe for Monitoring the Zinc Presence in Zn-Substituted Cobalt Ferrites.

A Raman study on Zinc-substituted Cobalt ferrites, with different Zn(II) contents in each sample of formula: CoFe2O4 (1), Zn0.30Co0.70Fe2.00O4 (2), Zn0.46Co0.54Fe2.02O4 (3), Zn0.53Co0.47Fe2.02O4 (4) is reported. These samples show the same crystallite size (∼6 nm), particle size (∼7 nm) and particle size distribution (∼20%) and they have been synthesized through heating up surfactant-assisted thermal decomposition of metalorganic precursors. The effect of Zn(II) substitution in the cationic distribution is investigated by using the known metal-oxygen vibrational modes in tetrahedral and octahedral sites. The presence of Zn(II) metal ion is determined through the band at 150 cm-1 (T2g(1) phonon mode), which is not present in the pure Co-ferrite, a blue-shift of the Eg vibrational mode depending on Zn(II)/Co(II) cationic distribution and a shoulder at ∼250 cm-1, which appears when zinc enters in the structure, and a broadening and a red-shift in the A1g phonon mode is observed in Raman spectra of 2-4 samples. Interestingly the latter represents a potential key probe to monitor the Zn(II) presence in Zn-substituted Co-ferrites.

Conducting Anilate-Based Mixed-Valence Fe(II)Fe(III) Coordination Polymer: Small-Polaron Hopping Model for Oxalate-Type Fe(II)Fe(III) 2D Networks.

The mixed-valence FeIIFeIII 2D coordination polymer formulated as [TAG][FeIIFeIII(ClCNAn)3]·(solvate) 1 (TAG = tris(amino)-guanidinium, ClCNAn2- = chlorocyanoanilate dianionic ligand) crystallized in the polar trigonal space group P3. In the solid-state structure, determined both at 150 and at 10 K, anionic 2D honeycomb layers [FeIIFeIII(ClCNAn)3]- establish in the ab plane, with an intralayer metal-metal distance of 7.860 Å, alternating with cationic layers of TAG. The similar Fe-O distances suggest electron delocalization and an average oxidation state of +2.5 for each Fe center. The cation imposes its C3 symmetry to the structure and engages in intermolecular N-H···Cl hydrogen bonding with the ligand. Magnetic susceptibility characterization indicates magnetic ordering below 4 K and the presence of a hysteresis loop at 2 K with a coercive field of 60 Oe. Mössbauer measurements are in agreement with the existence of Fe(+2.5) ions at RT and statistic charge localization at 10 K. The compound shows semiconducting behavior with the in-plane conductivity of 2 × 10-3 S/cm, 3 orders of magnitude higher than the perpendicular one. A small-polaron hopping model has been applied to a series of oxalate-type FeIIFeIII 2D coordination polymers, providing a clear explanation on the much higher conductivity of the anilate-based systems than the oxalate ones.

Synthesis and Physical Properties of Purely Organic BEDT-TTF-Based Conductors Containing Hetero-/Homosubstituted Cl/CN-Anilate Derivatives.

Radical cation salts composed of a bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (ET) donor with homo-/heterosubstituted Cl/CN anilic acids as purely organic molecular conducting materials formulated as [BEDT-TTF]2[HClCNAn] (1) and [BEDT-TTF][HCl2An] (2) have been prepared by electrocrystallization. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2/c for 1 and I2/a for 2, showing segregated donor-anion layers arranged in a α'-type donor packing pattern (1) and twisted parallel columns (2), respectively. Single-crystal conductivity measurements show that 1 is a semiconductor with room-temperature conductivity of 10-2 S cm-1 and an activation energy Ea of 1900 K.

Ln3Q9 as a molecular framework for ion-size-driven assembly of heterolanthanide (Nd, Er, Yb) multiple near-infrared emitters.

A unique example of discrete molecular entity Nd(y)Er(x)Yb(3-(x+y))Q9 (1) (Q = quinolinolato) containing three different lanthanides simultaneously emitting in three different spectral regions in the NIR, ranging from 900 to 1600 nm, has been synthesized and fully chararacterized. A simple molecular strategy based on tuning metal composition in the Ln3Q9 framework, which contains inequivalent central and terminal coordination sites, has allowed a satisfactory ion-size-driven control of molecular speciation close to 90%. In 1 the central position of the larger Nd ion is well distinguished from the terminal ones of the smaller Yb(3+) and Er(3+), which are almost "vicariants" as found in the heterobimetallic Er(x)Yb(3-x)Q9 (2). The Ln3Q9 molecular architecture, which allows communication between the ions, has proved to afford multiple NIR emission in 1 and 2, and is promising to develop a variety of multifunctional materials through the variation of the Ln composition.

Complete series of chiral paramagnetic molecular conductors based on tetramethyl-bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (TM-BEDT-TTF) and Chloranilate-bridged heterobimetallic honeycomb layers.

Electrocrystallization of enantiopure (S,S,S,S)- and (R,R,R,R)-tetramethyl-bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (TM-BEDT-TTF) donors, as well as the racemic mixture, in the presence of potassium cations and the tris(chloranilato)ferrate(III) [Fe(Cl2An)3](3-) paramagnetic anion afforded a complete series of chiral magnetic molecular conductors formulated as ß-[(S,S,S,S)-TM-BEDT-TTF]3PPh4[K(I)Fe(III)(Cl2An)3]·3H2O (1), ß-[(R,R,R,R)-TM-BEDT-TTF]3PPh4[K(I)Fe(III)(Cl2An)3]·3H2O (2), and ß-[(rac)-TM-BEDT-TTF]3PPh4[K(I)Fe(III)(Cl2An)3]·3H2O (3). Compounds 1-3 are isostructural and crystallize in triclinic space groups (P1 for 1 and 2, P-1 for 3) showing a segregated organic-inorganic crystal structure, where anionic honeycomb layers obtained by self-assembling of the Λ and Δ enantiomers of the paramagnetic complex with potassium cations alternate with organic layers where the chiral donors are arranged in the ß packing motif. Compounds 1-3 show a molecular packing strongly influenced by the topology of the inorganic layers and behave as molecular semiconductors with room-temperature conductivity values of ca. 3 × 10(-4) S cm(-1). The magnetic properties are dominated by the paramagnetic S = 5/2 [Fe(Cl2An)3](3-) anions whose high-spin character is confirmed by magnetic susceptibility measurements. The correlation between crystal structure and conducting behavior has been studied by means of tight-binding band structure calculations which support the observed conducting properties.

Structural diversity and physical properties of paramagnetic molecular conductors based on bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) and the tris(chloranilato)ferrate(III) complex.

Electrocrystallization of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) in the presence of the tris(chloranilato)ferrate(III) [Fe(Cl2An)3](3-) paramagnetic chiral anion in different stoichiometric ratios and solvent mixtures afforded three different hybrid systems formulated as [BEDT-TTF]3[Fe(Cl2An)3]·3CH2Cl2·H2O (1), δ-[BEDT-TTF]5[Fe(Cl2An)3]·4H2O (2), and α‴-[BEDT-TTF]18[Fe(Cl2An)3]3·3CH2Cl2·6H2O (3). Compound 1 presents an unusual structure without the typical alternating organic and inorganic layers, whereas compounds 2 and 3 show a segregated organic-inorganic crystal structure where layers formed by Λ and Δ enantiomers of the paramagnetic complex, together with dicationic BEDT-TTF dimers, alternate with layers where the donor molecules are arranged in the δ (2) and α‴ (3) packing motifs. Compound 1 behaves as a semiconductor with a much lower conductivity due to the not-layered structure and strong dimerization between the fully oxidized donors, whereas 2 and 3 show semiconducting behaviors with high room-temperature conductivities of ca. 2 S cm(-1) and 8 S cm(-1), respectively. The magnetic properties are dominated by the paramagnetic S = 5/2 [Fe(Cl2An)3](3-) anions whose high-spin character is confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The correlation between crystal structure and conductivity behavior was studied by means of tight-binding band structure calculations, which support the observed conducting properties.

Thiophene-benzoquinones: synthesis, crystal structures and preliminary coordination chemistry of derived anilate ligands.

2,5-Bis(thiophene) and 2,5-bis(ethylenedioxy-thiophene) (EDOT) derivatives of 3,6-diethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (para isomers) were prepared by Stille coupling between the 2,5-dibromo-3,6-diethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone precursors and (n-Bu)3Sn-R (R = 2-thiophenyl or 3,4-ethylenedioxy-2-thiophenyl) reagents. In a parallel series of experiments 2,6-bis(thiophene) and 2,6-EDOT-3,5-diethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (meta isomers) were synthesized by the same strategy. The four compounds were structurally characterized. The thiophene derivatives show essentially planar conformation thanks to the conjugation and establishment of S···O 1,5-nonbonded interactions, while in the EDOT derivatives the thiophene moieties are twisted with respect to the benzoquinone ring because of the steric hindrance. TD-DFT calculations were performed on both para and meta thiophene isomers in order to explain the differences observed in the UV-Vis absorption spectra. The 2,5-derivatives are valuable precursors for thiophene containing anilate (An) ligands, as the first examples of electron rich substituent based anilates. The Cu(II) complex [Cu(Th2An)(tbbpy)]·2H2O (Th2An = thiophene-anilate; tbbpy = 4,4'-bis(tert-butyl)-2,2'-bipyridine) was isolated and structurally characterized. The metal center lies within a square planar coordination geometry, while the ligands engage in a set of intermolecular contacts.

Tuning the slow magnetic relaxation with the substituents in anilate bridged bis(dysprosium) complexes.

Dinuclear lanthanide complexes [((HB(pz)3)2Dy)2(µ-Th2An)] (1Dy) and [((HB(pz)3)2Dy)2(µ-ClCNAn)] (2Dy), based on the hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate (HBpz3-) scorpionate capping ligand and anilate (An2-) bridging linkers, namely homosubstituted dithiophene- and heterosubstituted chlorocyanoanilate, bearing electron-donating and withdrawing substituents at the 3,6-positions of the benzoquinone core, are reported. 1Dy shows an octacoordinated {N6O2} DyIII ion within a D4h distorted square antiprismatic coordination, an ideal geometry for Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behavior, given its oblate nature, whereas in 2Dy the octacoordinated DyIII ion adopts a D2d triangular dodecahedron geometry, while maintaining the same {N6O2} coordination sphere. Both complexes show field-induced single molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour, with tuning of the slow magnetic relaxation as a function of the nature of the substituents at the 3,6-positions of the anilate moiety. A comparison of the Arrhenius fitting parameters for 1Dy and 2Dy supports the hypothesis that square antiprismatic DyIII complexes, as 1Dy, exhibit higher energy barriers. This interpretation is supported by ab initio calculations that also shed light on the crucial role of intermolecular dipolar interactions.

Insights into NdIII to YbIII Energy Transfer and Its Implications in Luminescence Thermometry.

This work challenges the conventional approach of using NdIII 4F3/2 lifetime changes for evaluating the experimental NdIII → YbIII energy transfer rate and efficiency. Using near-infrared (NIR) emitting Nd:Yb mixed-metal coordination polymers (CPs), synthesized via solvent-free thermal grinding, we demonstrate that the NdIII [2H11/2 → 4I15/2] → YbIII [2F7/2 → 2F5/2] pathway, previously overlooked, dominates energy transfer due to superior energy resonance and J-level selection rule compatibility. This finding upends the conventional focus on the NdIII [4F3/2 → 4I11/2] → YbIII [2F7/2 → 2F5/2] transition pathway. We characterized Nd0.890Yb0.110(BTC)(H2O)6 as a promising cryogenic NIR thermometry system and employed our novel energy transfer understanding to perform simulations, yielding theoretical thermometric parameters and sensitivities for diverse Nd:Yb ratios. Strikingly, experimental thermometric data closely matched the theoretical predictions, validating our revised model. This novel perspective on NdIII → YbIII energy transfer holds general applicability for the NdIII/YbIII pair, unveiling an important spectroscopic feature with broad implications for energy transfer-driven materials design.

New BDH-TTP/[M(III)(C5O5)3]3- (M = Fe, Ga) isostructural molecular metals.

Two new isostructural molecular metals-(BDH-TTP)(6)[M(III)(C(5)O(5))(3)]·CH(2)Cl(2) (BDH-TTP = 2,5-bis(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene, where M = Fe (1) and Ga (2))-have been prepared and fully characterized. Compound 1 is a molecular conductor showing paramagnetic behavior, which is due to the presence of isolated [Fe(C(5)O(5))(3)](3-) complexes with high-spin S = (5)/(2) Fe(III) metal ions. The conductivity originates from the BDH-TTP organic donors arranged in a κ-type molecular packing. At 4 kbar, compound 1 behaves as a metal down to ∼100 K, showing high conductivity (∼10 S cm(-1)) at room temperature. When applying a pressure higher than 7 kbar, the metal-insulator (M-I) transition is suppressed and the compound retains the metallic state down to low temperatures (2 K). For 1, ESR signals have been interpreted as being caused by the fine structure splitting of the high-spin (S = 5/2) state of Fe(III) in the distorted octahedral crystal field from the ligands. At 4 kbar, the isostructural compound 2 behaves as a metal down to ∼100 K, although it is noteworthy that the M-I transition is not suppressed, even at pressures of 15 kbar. For 2, only the signal assigned to delocalized π-electrons has been observed in the ESR measurements.

A family of layered chiral porous magnets exhibiting tunable ordering temperatures.

A simple change of the substituents in the bridging ligand allows tuning of the ordering temperatures, Tc, in the new family of layered chiral magnets A[M(II)M(III)(X2An)3]·G (A = [(H3O)(phz)3](+) (phz = phenazine) or NBu4(+); X2An(2-) = C6O4X2(2-) = 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone derivative dianion, with M(III) = Cr, Fe; M(II) = Mn, Fe, Co, etc.; X = Cl, Br, I, H; G = water or acetone). Depending on the nature of X, an increase in Tc from ca. 5.5 to 6.3, 8.2, and 11.0 K (for X = Cl, Br, I, and H, respectively) is observed in the MnCr derivative. Furthermore, the presence of the chiral cation [(H3O)(phz)3](+), formed by the association of a hydronium ion with three phenazine molecules, leads to a chiral structure where the Δ-[(H3O)(phz)3](+) cations are always located below the Δ-[Cr(Cl2An)3](3-) centers, leading to a very unusual localization of both kinds of metals (Cr and Mn) and to an eclipsed disposition of the layers. This eclipsed disposition generates hexagonal channels with a void volume of ca. 20% where guest molecules (acetone and water) can be reversibly absorbed. Here we present the structural and magnetic characterization of this new family of anilato-based molecular magnets.

Synthesis and physical properties of K4[Fe(C5O5)2(H2O)2](HC5O5)2·4H2O (C5O5(2-) = croconate): a rare example of ferromagnetic coupling via H-bonds.

The reaction of the croconate dianion (C(5)O(5))(2-) with a Fe(III) salt has led, unexpectedly, to the formation of the first example of a discrete Fe(II)-croconate complex without additional coligands, K(4)[Fe(C(5)O(5))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](HC(5)O(5))(2)·4H(2)O (1). 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2(1)/c space group and presents discrete octahedral Fe(II) complexes coordinated by two chelating C(5)O(5)(2-) anions in the equatorial plane and two trans axial water molecules. The structure can be viewed as formed by alternating layers of trans-diaquabis(croconato)ferrate(II) complexes and layers containing the monoprotonated croconate anions, HC(5)O(5)(-), and noncoordinated water molecules. Both kinds of layers are directly connected through a hydrogen bond between an oxygen atom of the coordinated dianion and the protonated oxygen atom of the noncoordinated croconate monoanion. A H-bond network is also formed between the coordinated water molecule and one oxygen atom of the coordinated croconate. This H-bond can be classified as strong-moderate being the O···O bond distance (2.771(2) Å) typical of moderate H-bonds and the O-H···O bond angle (174(3)°) typical of strong ones. This H-bond interaction leads to a quadratic regular layer where each [Fe(C(5)O(5))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2-) anion is connected to its four neighbors in the plane through four equivalent H-bonds. From the magnetic point of view, these connections lead to an S = 2 quadratic layer. The magnetic properties of 1 have been reproduced with a 2D square lattice model for S = 2 ions with g = 2.027(2) and J = 4.59(3) cm(-1). This model reproduces quite satisfactorily its magnetic properties but only above the maximum. A better fit is obtained by considering an additional antiferromagnetic weak interlayer coupling constant (j) through a molecular field approximation with g = 2.071(7), J = 2.94(7) cm(-1), and j = -0.045(2) cm(-1) (the Hamiltonian is written as H = -JS(i)S(j)). Although this second model might still be improved since there is also an extra contribution due to the presence of ZFS in the Fe(II) ions, it confirms the presence of weak ferromagnetic Fe-Fe interactions through H-bonds in compound 1 which represents one of the rare examples of ferromagnetic coupling via H-bonds.

Reversible tuning of luminescence and magnetism in a structurally flexible erbium-anilato MOF.

By combining 3,6-N-ditriazolyl-2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (H2trz2An) with NIR-emitting ErIII ions, two different 3D neutral polymorphic frameworks (1a and 1b), differing in the number of uncoordinated water molecules, formulated as [Er2(trz2An)3(H2O)4] n ·xH2O (x = 10, a; x = 7, b), have been obtained. The structure of 1a shows layers with (6,3) topology forming six-membered rings with distorted hexagonal cavities along the bc plane. These 2D layers are interconnected through the N4 atoms of the two pendant arms of the trz2An linkers, leading to a 3D framework, where neighboring layers are eclipsed along the a axis, with hexagonal channels filled with water molecules. In 1b, layers with (6,3) topology in the [101] plane are present, each ErIII ion being connected to three other ErIII ions through bis-bidentate trz2An linkers, forming rectangular six-membered cavities. 1a and 1b are multifunctional materials showing coexistence of NIR emission and field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetization. Remarkably, 1a is a flexible MOF, showing a reversible structural phase transition involving shrinkage/expansion from a distorted hexagonal 2D framework to a distorted 3,6-brickwall rectangular 3D structure in [Er2(trz2An)3(H2O)2] n ·2H2O (1a_des). This transition is triggered by a dehydration/hydration process under mild conditions (vacuum/heating to 360 K). The partially dehydrated compound shows a sizeable change in the emission properties and an improvement of the magnetic blocking temperature with respect to the hydrated compound, mainly related to the loss of one water coordination molecule. Theoretical calculations support the experimental findings, indicating that the slight improvement observed in the magnetic properties has its origin in the change of the ligand field around the ErIII ion due to the loss of a water molecule.

Redox-switchable chromophores based on metal (Ni, Pd, Pt) mixed-ligand dithiolene complexes showing molecular second-order nonlinear-optical activity.

The synthesis and full characterization of the redox-active nickel triad mixed-ligand dithiolene complexes based on Bz(2)pipdt = 1,4-dibenzylpiperazine-3,2-dithione and dmit = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate ligands are reported. These complexes show a reversibly bleacheable solvatochromic peak and a remarkably high negative molecular first hyperpolarizability, whose values depend on the metal being highest for the platinum(II) compound.

Combined experimental and theoretical study on redox-active d8 metal dithione-dithiolato complexes showing molecular second-order nonlinear optical activity.

Synthesis, characterization, NLO properties, and theoretical studies of the mixed-ligand dithiolene complexes of the nickel triad [M(II)(Bz(2)pipdt)(mnt)] (Bz(2)pipdt = 1,4-dibenzyl-piperazine-3,2-dithione, mnt = maleonitriledithiolato, M(II) = Ni, 1, Pd, 2, Pt, 3) are reported. Molecular structural characterization of 1-3 points out that four sulfur atoms are in a slightly distorted square-planar geometry. While the M-S bond distances are only slightly different, comparison of the C-C and C-S bonds in the C(2)S(2)MS(2)C(2) core allows us to point out a significant difference between the C-C and the C-S distances in Bz(2)pipdt and mnt. These findings suggest assigning a dithiolato character to mnt (pull ligand) and a dithione one (push ligand) to Bz(2)pipdt. Cyclic voltammetry of 1-3 exhibits two reversible reduction waves and a broad irreversible oxidation wave. These complexes are characterized in the visible region by a peak of moderately strong intensity, which undergoes negative solvatochromism. The molecular quadratic optical nonlinearities were determined by the EFISH technique, which provided the following values µß(λ) (10(-48) esu) = -1436 (1), -1450 (2), and -1950 (3) converted in µß(0) (10(-48) esu) = -463 (1), -684 (2), and -822 (3), showing that these complexes exhibit large negative second-order polarizabilities whose values depend on the metal, being highest for the Pt compound. DFT and TD-DFT calculations on 1-3 allow us to correlate geometries and electronic structures. Moreover, the first molecular hyperpolarizabilities have been calculated, and the results obtained support that the most appealing candidate as a second-order NLO chromophore is the platinum compound. This is due to (i) the most extensive mixture of the dithione/metal/dithiolato orbitals, (ii) the influence of the electric field of the solvent on the frontier orbitals that maximizes the difference in dipole moments between the excited and the ground state, and (iii) the largest oscillator strength in the platinum case vs nickel and palladium ones.

Electronic state of a conducting single molecule magnet based on Mn-salen type and Ni-dithiolene complexes.

The electrochemical oxidation of an acetone solution containing [Mn(III) (5-MeOsaltmen)(H(2)O)](2)(PF(6))(2) (5-MeOsaltmen(2-) = N,N'-(1,1,2,2-tetramethylethylene)bis(5-methoxysalicylideneiminate)) and (NBu(4))[Ni(dmit)(2)] (dmit(2-) = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate) afforded a hybrid material, [Mn(5-MeOsaltmen)(acetone)](2)[Ni(dmit)(2)](6) (1), in which [Mn(2)](2+) single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with an S(T) = 4 ground state and [Ni(dmit)(2)](n-) molecules in a charge-ordered state (n = 0 or 1) are assembled in a layer-by-layer structure. Compound 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with an inversion center at the midpoint of the Mn···Mn dimer. The [Mn(2)](2+) unit has a typical nonplanar Mn(III) dimeric core and is structurally consistent with previously reported [Mn(2)] SMMs. The six [Ni(dmit)(2)](n-) (n = 0 or 1) units have a square-planar coordination geometry, and the charge ordering among them was assigned on the basis of ν(C═C) in IR reflectance spectra (1386, 1356, 1327, and 1296 cm(-1)). The [Mn(2)](2+) SMM and [Ni(dmit)(2)](n-) units aggregate independently to form hybrid frames. Electronic conductivity measurements revealed that 1 behaved as a semiconductor (ρ(rt) = 2.1 × 10(-1) Ω·cm(-1), E(a) = 97 meV) at ambient pressure and as an insulator at 1.7 GPa (ρ(1.7GPa) = 4.5 Ω·cm(-1), E(a) = 76 meV). Magnetic measurements indicated that the [Mn(2)](2+) units in 1 behaved as S(T) = 4 SMMs at low temperatures.