Scintillation and Optical Characterization of CsCu2I3 Single Crystals from 10 to 400 K.

Currently only Eu2+-based scintillators have approached the light yield needed to improve the 2% energy resolution at 662 keV of LaBr3:Ce3+,Sr2+. Their major limitation, however, is the significant self-absorption due to Eu2+. CsCu2I3 is an interesting new small band gap scintillator. It is nonhygroscopic and nontoxic, melts congruently, and has an extremely low afterglow, a density of 5.01 g/cm3, and an effective atomic number of 50.6. It shows self-trapped exciton emission at room temperature. The large Stokes shift of this emission ensures that this material is not sensitive to self-absorption, tackling one of the major problems of Eu2+-based scintillators. An avalanche photo diode, whose optimal detection efficiency matches the 570 nm mean emission wavelength of CsCu2I3, was used to measure pulse height spectra. From the latter, a light yield of 36 000 photons/MeV and energy resolution of 4.82% were obtained. The scintillation proportionality of CsCu2I3 was found to be on par with that of SrI2:Eu2+. Based on temperature-dependent emission and decay measurements, it was demonstrated that CsCu2I3 emission is already about 50% quenched at room temperature. Using temperature-dependent pulse height measurements, it is shown that the light yield can be increased up to 60 000 photons/MeV by cooling to 200 K, experimentally demonstrating the scintillation potential of CsCu2I3. Below this temperature, the light yield starts to decrease, which can be linked to the unusually large increase in the band gap energy of CsCu2I3.

Avoiding concentration quenching and self-absorption in Cs4EuX6 (X = Br, I) by Sm2+ doping.

The benefits of doping Cs4EuBr6 and Cs4EuI6 with Sm2+ are studied for near-infrared scintillator applications. It is shown that undoped Cs4EuI6 suffers from a high probability of self-absorption, which is almost completely absent in Cs4EuI6:2% Sm. Sm2+ doping is also used to gain insight in the migration rate of Eu2+ excitations in Cs4EuBr6 and Cs4EuI6, which shows that concentration quenching is weak, but still significant in the undoped compounds. Both self-absorption and concentration quenching are linked to the spectral overlap of the Eu2+ excitation and emission spectra which were studied between 10 K and 300 K. The scintillation characteristics of Cs4EuI6:2% Sm is compared to that of the undoped samples. An improvement of energy resolution from 11% to 7.5% is found upon doping Cs4EuI6 with 2% Sm and the scintillation decay time shortens from 4.8 s to 3.5 s in samples of around 3 mm in size.

Photocatalytic Activity of Fibrous Ti/Ce Oxides Obtained by Hydrothermal Impregnation of Short Flax Fibers.

Fibrous Ti/Ce oxide photocatalysts were prepared for the first time by a biomimetic solution process using short flax fibers (flax straw processing waste) as a biotemplate. Titanium polyhydroxy complex solutions with 3% and 5% cerium were used as precursors. Flax fibers were impregnated in an autoclave under hydrothermal conditions. Ti/Ce oxides were obtained from the biotemplate by annealing at 600 °C. The photocatalytic activity of the Ti/Ce oxides was studied by the adsorption and decomposition of the dye rhodamine B under UV irradiation. The photocatalytic decomposition of the dye was 50% and 75% faster for Ti/Ce oxides with 3% and 5% Ce, respectively, than for the analogous undoped fibrous TiO2. The morphologies, textures, and structures of the photocatalysts were studied by scanning electron microscopy, low temperature N2 adsorption/desorption, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray and XPS analytical methods. It was shown that the introduction of Ce into the precursor solution increased the surface irregularity of the Ti/Ce oxide crystallites compared to pure TiO2. This effect scaled with the Ce concentration. Ce improved the UV light absorption of the material. The Ti/Ce oxides contained Ce4+/Ce3+ pairs that played an important role in redox processes and intensified the photocatalytic activity.

Optimized photoluminescence quantum yield in upconversion composites considering the scattering, inner-filter effects, thickness, self-absorption, and temperature.

Optimizing upconversion (UC) composites is challenging as numerous effects influence their unique emission mechanism. Low scattering mediums increase the number of dopants excited, however, high scattering mediums increase the UC efficiency due to its non-linear power dependency. Scattering also leads to greater thermal effects and emission saturation at lower excitation power density (PD). In this work, a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) increase of 270% was observed when hexagonal NaYF4:(18%)Yb3+,(2%)Er3+ phosphor is in air compared to a refractive index-matched medium. Furthermore, the primary inner-filter effect causes a 94% PLQY decrease when the excitation focal point is moved from the front of the phosphor to 8.4 mm deep. Increasing this effect limits the maximum excitation PD, reduces thermal effects, and leads to emission saturation at higher excitation PDs. Additionally, self-absorption decreases the PLQY as the phosphor's thickness increases from 1 to 9 mm. Finally, in comparison to a cuboid cuvette, a 27% PLQY increase occurs when characterizing the phosphor in a cylindrical cuvette due to a lensing effect of the curved glass, as supported by simulations. Overall, addressing the effects presented in this work is necessary to both maximize UC composite performance as well as report their PLQY more reliably.

Formation of Defect-Dicubane-Type NiII 2LnIII 2 (Ln = Tb, Er) Clusters: Crystal Structures and Modeling of the Magnetic Properties.

In the field of molecular nanoclusters, cubane and defect-dicubane, or butterfly structures, are typical examples of tetranuclear metal core architectures. In this work, a halogenated and anionic Schiff-base ligand (L2-) is utilized as it is predisposed to chelate within a cluster core to both 3d and 4f metal ions, in different binding configurations (H2L = 4-chloro-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyliden amino)phenol). The phenolate oxygen atoms of the deprotonated ligand can act in µ-O and µ3-O bridging binding modes for the intramolecular assembly of metal ions. Based on that, two tetranuclear and isostructural compounds [Ni2Tb2(L)4(NO3)2(DMF)2]·2CH3CN (1) and [Ni2Er2(L)4(NO3)2(DMF)2]·0.5CH3CN (2) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization data indicate the occurrence of dominant intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions between the spin centers. Particular emphasis is given to the theoretical description of the magnetic behavior, taking into account the Ln-Ni and Ni-Ni coupling paths and the magnetic anisotropy of the LnIII and NiII ions. The study is distinguished for its discussion of two distinct models, whereby model A relies on the uniaxial B 20 Stevens term describing the lanthanide anisotropy and model B is based on point-charge model calculations. Importantly, the physical meaning of the obtained parameters for both models was critically scrutinized.

Upconversion luminescence in sub-10 nm ß-NaGdF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanoparticles: an improved synthesis in anhydrous ionic liquids.

Sub-10 nm ß-NaGdF4:18% Yb3+,2% Er3+ nanoparticles were synthesized in ethylene glycol and various ionic liquids under microwave heating. The products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and upconversion (UC) luminescence spectroscopy. After Yb3+ excitation at 970 nm, Er3+ ions are excited by energy transfer upconversion and show the typical green and red emission bands. The UC luminescence intensity was optimized with respect to reactant concentrations, solvents, and reaction temperature and time. The strongest UC emission was achieved for sub-20 nm core-shell nanoparticles which were obtained in the ionic liquid diallyldimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide from a two-step synthesis without intermediate separation. Strictly anhydrous reaction conditions, a high fluoride/rare earth ion ratio, and a core-shell structure are important parameters to obtain highly luminescent nanoparticles. These conditions reduce non-radiative losses due to defects and high energy acceptor modes of surface ligands. A low power excitation of the core-shell particles by 70 mW at 970 nm results in an impressive UC emission intensity of 0.12% compared to the bulk sample.

On the Border between Low-Nuclearity and One-Dimensional Solids: A Unique Interplay of 1,2,4-Triazolyl-Based {CuII5(OH)2} Clusters and MoVI-Oxide Matrix.

A pentanuclear CuII5-hydroxo cluster possessing an unusual linear-shaped configuration was formed and crystallized under hydrothermal conditions as a result of the unique cooperation of bridging 1,2,4-triazole ligand ( trans-1,4-cyclohexanediyl-4,4'-bi(1,2,4-triazole) ( tr2 cy)), MoVI-oxide, and CuSO4. This structural motif can be rationalized by assuming in situ generation of {Cu2Mo6O22}4- anions, which represent heteroleptic derivatives of γ-type [Mo8O26]4- further interlinked by [Cu3(OH)2]4+ cations through [ N- N] bridges. The framework structure of the resulting compound [Cu5(OH)2( tr2 cy)2Mo6O22]·6H2O (1) is thus built up from neutral heterometallic {Cu5(OH)2Mo6O22} n layers pillared with tetradentate tr2 cy. Quantum-chemical calculations demonstrate that the exclusive site of the parent γ-[Mo8O26]4- cluster into which CuII inserts corresponds with the site that has the lowest defect ("MoO2 vacancy") formation energy, demonstrating how the local metal-polyoxomolybdate chemistry can express itself in the final crystal structure. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 show strong antiferromagnetic coupling within the Cu5 chain with exchange parameters J1 = -500(40) K (-348(28) cm-1), J2 = -350(10) K (-243(7) cm-1) and g = 2.32(2), χ2 = 6.5 × 10-4. Periodic quantum-chemical calculations reproduce the antiferromagnetic character of 1 and connect it with an effective ligand-mediated spin coupling mechanism that comes about from the favorable structural arrangement between the Cu centers and the OH-, O2-, and tr2 cy bridging ligands.

Quasi-2D Heisenberg Antiferromagnets [CuX(pyz)2](BF4) with X = Cl and Br.

Two Cu2+ coordination polymers [CuCl(pyz)2](BF4) 1 and [CuBr(pyz)2](BF4) 2 (pyz = pyrazine) were synthesized in the family of quasi two-dimensional (2D) [Cu(pyz)2]2+ magnetic networks. The layer connectivity by monatomic halide ligands results in significantly shorter interlayer distances. Structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction of 1 revealed rigid [Cu(pyz)2]2+ layers that do not expand between 5 K and room temperature, whereas the expansion along the c-axis amounts to 2%. The magnetic susceptibility of 1 and 2 shows a broad maximum at ∼8 K, indicating antiferromagnetic interactions within the [Cu(pyz)2]2+ layers. 2D Heisenberg model fits result in J∥ = 9.4(1) K for 1 and 8.9(1) K for 2. The interlayer coupling is much weaker with | J⊥| = 0.31(6) K for 1 and 0.52(9) K for 2. The electron density, experimentally determined and calculated by density functional theory, confirms the location of the singly occupied orbital (the magnetic orbital) in the tetragonal plane. The analysis of the spin density reveals a mainly σ-type exchange through pyrazine. Kinks in the magnetic susceptibility indicate the onset of long-range three-dimensional magnetic order below 4 K. The magnetic structures were determined by neutron diffraction. Magnetic Bragg peaks occur below TN = 3.9(1) K for 1 and 3.8(1) K for 2. The magnetic unit cell is doubled along the c-axis ( k = 0, 0, 0.5). The ordered magnetic moments are located in the tetragonal plane and amount to 0.76(8) µB/Cu2+ for 1 and 0.6(1) µB/Cu2+ for 2 at 1.5 K. The moments are coupled antiferromagnetically both in the ab plane and along the c-axis. The Cu2+ g-tensor was determined from electron spin resonance spectra as g x = 2.060(1), g z = 2.275(1) for 1 and g x = 2.057(1), g z = 2.272(1) for 2 at room temperature.

Exploration of a Variety of Copper Molybdate Coordination Hybrids Based on a Flexible Bis(1,2,4-triazole) Ligand: A Look through the Composition-Space Diagram.

We investigated the coordination ability of the bis(1,2,4-triazolyl) module, tr2pr = 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)propane, toward the engineering of solid-state structures of copper polyoxomolybdates utilizing a composition space diagram approach. Different binding modes of the ligand including [N-N]-bridging and N-terminal coordination and the existence of favorable conformation forms (anti/anti, gauche/anti, and gauche/gauche) resulted in varieties of mixed metal CuI/MoVI and CuII/MoVI coordination polymers prepared under hydrothermal conditions. The composition space analysis employed was aimed at both the development of new coordination solids and their crystallization fields through systematic changes of the reagent ratios [copper(II) and molybdenum(VI) oxide precursors and the tr2pr ligand]. Nine coordination compounds were synthesized and structurally characterized. The diverse coordination architectures of the compounds are composed of cationic fragments such as [CuII3(µ2-OH)2(µ2-tr)2]4+, [CuII3(µ2-tr)6]6+, [CuII2(µ2-tr)3]4+, etc., connected to polymeric arrays by anionic species (molybdate MoO42-, isomeric α-, δ-, and ß-octamolybdates {Mo8O26}4- or {Mo8O28H2}6-). The inorganic copper(I,II)/molybdenum(VI) oxide matrix itself forms discrete or low-dimensional subtopological motifs (0D, 1D, or 2D), while the organic spacers interconnect them into higher-dimensional networks. The 3D coordination hybrids show moderate thermal stability up to 230-250 °C, while for the 2D compounds, the stability of the framework is distinctly lower (∼190 °C). The magnetic properties of the most representative samples were investigated. The magnetic interactions were rationalized in terms of analyzing the planes of the magnetic orbitals.

Dinuclear Complexes Formed by Hydrogen Bonds: Synthesis, Structure and Magnetic and Electrochemical Properties.

The synthesis is reported of a series of homo- and hetero-dinuclear octahedral complexes of the ligand 1, 1,2-bis(1-methyl-benzimidazol-2-yl) ethanol, where the two metal centres are linked by hydrogen bonds between coordinated alcohols and coordinated alkoxides. Homonuclear divalent MII MII , mixed-valent MII MIII and heteronuclear MII M'III species are prepared. The complexes have been characterised by X-ray crystallography and show unusually short O⋅⋅⋅O distances for the hydrogen bonds. Magnetic measurements show the hydrogen-bond bridges can lead to ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic coupling. The electrochemistry of the dinuclear species is significantly different from the mononuclear systems: the latter show irreversible waves in cyclic voltammograms as a result of the need to couple proton and electron transfer. The dinuclear species, in contrast, show reversible waves, which are attributed to rapid intramolecular proton transfer facilitated by the hydrogen-bonded structure.

Modeling blue to UV upconversion in ß-NaYF4:Tm3.

Samples of 0.01% and 0.3% Tm3+-doped ß-NaYF4 show upconverted UV luminescence at 27 660 cm-1 (361 nm) after blue excitation at 21 140 cm-1 (473 nm). Contradictory upconversion mechanisms in the literature are reviewed and two of them are investigated in detail. Their agreement with emission and two-color excitation experiments is examined and compared. Decay curves are analyzed using the Inokuti-Hirayama model, an average rate equation model, and a microscopic rate equation model that includes the correct extent of energy transfer. Energy migration is found to be negligible in these samples, and hence the average rate equation model fails to correctly describe the decay curves. The microscopic rate equation model accurately fits the experimental data and reveals the strength and multipolarity of various interactions. This microscopic model is able to determine the most likely upconversion mechanism.

New Insights in 4f(12)5d(1) Excited States of Tm(2+) through Excited State Excitation Spectroscopy.

Optical excitation of ions or molecules typically leads to an expansion of the equilibrium bond lengths in the excited electronic state. However, for 4f(n-1)5d(1) excited states in lanthanide ions both expansion and contraction relative to the 4f(n) ground state have been reported, depending on the crystal field and nature of the 5d state. To probe the equilibrium distance offset between different 4f(n-1)5d(1) excited states, we report excited state excitation (ESE) spectra for Tm(2+) doped in CsCaBr3 and CsCaCl3 using two-color excited state excitation spectroscopy. The ESE spectra reveal sharp lines at low energies, confirming a similar distance offset for 4f(n-1)5d(t2g)(1) states. At higher energies, broader bands are observed, which indicate the presence of excited states with a different offset. On the basis of ab initio embedded-cluster calculations, the broad bands are assigned to two-photon d-d absorption from the excited state. In this work, we demonstrate that ESE is a powerful spectroscopic tool, giving access to information which cannot be obtained through regular one-photon spectroscopy.

Tripod USPIONs with high aspect ratio show enhanced T2 relaxation and cytocompatibility.

AIM: We synthesized ultra-small iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs) with tripod morphology and studied the effect of the aspect ratio (AR) of the tripod arms on mass magnetization, T2 relaxation and cytocompatibility in human cell lines. MATERIALS & METHODS: Tripods were prepared by controlling the temperature during the thermal decomposition of Fe(CO)5, and their magnetic properties were characterized by superconducting quantum interference device, and NMR. Citric acid stabilized USPIONs were used to assess cytocompatibility. RESULTS: T2 relaxivity of tripods showed dependency on AR of the tripod arm. Liver enzyme levels in presence of tripods were comparable to spherical USPIONs, and surprisingly tripods induced lower levels of reactive oxygen species. CONCLUSION: Tripod USPIONs with high AR arms possess excellent magnetic properties and cytocompatibility for further exploration as MRI contrast agents.

Composition Space Analysis in the Development of Copper Molybdate Hybrids Decorated by a Bifunctional Pyrazolyl/1,2,4-Triazole Ligand.

A bitopic ligand, 4-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hpz-tr) (1), containing two different heterocyclic moieties was employed for the design of copper(II)-molybdate solids under hydrothermal conditions. In the multicomponent Cu(II)/Hpz-tr/Mo(VI) system, a diverse set of coordination hybrids, [Cu(Hpz-tr)2SO4]·3H2O (2), [Cu(Hpz-tr)Mo3O10] (3), [Cu4(OH)4(Hpz-tr)4Mo8O26]·6H2O (4), [Cu(Hpz-tr)2Mo4O13] (5), and [Mo2O6(Hpz-tr)]·H2O (6), was prepared and characterized. A systematic investigation of these systems in the form of a ternary crystallization diagram approach was utilized to show the influence of the molar ratios of starting reagents, the metal (Cu(II) and Mo(VI)) sources, the temperature, etc., on the reaction products outcome. Complexes 2-4 dominate throughout a wide crystallization range of the composition triangle, while the other two compounds 5 and 6 crystallize as minor phases in a narrow concentration range. In the crystal structures of 2-6, the organic ligand behaves as a short [N-N]-triazole linker between metal centers Cu···Cu in 2-4, Cu···Mo in 5, and Mo···Mo in 6, while the pyrazolyl function remains uncoordinated. This is the reason for the exceptional formation of low-dimensional coordination motifs: 1D for 2, 4, and 6 and 2D for 3 and 5. In all cases, the pyrazolyl group is involved in H bonding (H-donor/H-acceptor) and is responsible for π-π stacking, thus connecting the chain and layer structures in more complicated H-bonding architectures. These compounds possess moderate thermal stability up to 250-300 °C. The magnetic measurements were performed for 2-4, revealing in all three cases antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between neighboring Cu(II) centers and long-range order with a net moment below Tc of 13 K for compound 4.

A one-dimensional coordination polymer based on Cu3-oximato metallacrowns bridged by benzene-1,4-dicarboxylato ligands: structure and magnetic properties.

A one-dimensional linear coordination polymer {[Cu3(µ3-OH)(2-pyao)3(bdc)]·6(H2O)}n () composed of trinuclear [Cu3(µ3-OH)(2-pyao)3](2+) metallacrown cores bridged by bis-carboxylato linkers has been obtained by treatment of copper(ii) fluoride with pyridine-2-aldoxime (2-pyaoH) ligand and benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (H2bdc). Magnetic susceptibility measurements show strong antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu(ii) centers within the trinuclear metallacrown core with J = -430 cm(-1).

Triazolyl-based copper-molybdate hybrids: from composition space diagram to magnetism and catalytic performance.

The multicomponent mixed-metal Cu(II)/Mo(VI) oxides/1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)adamantane (tr2ad) system was thoroughly studied employing a compositional diagram approach. The concept allowed us to prepare three layered copper-molybdate hybrid solids [Cu(II)2(tr2ad)4](Mo8O26) (1), [Cu4(II)(µ4-O)(tr2ad)2(MoO4)3]·7.5H2O (2), and [Cu(I)2(tr2ad)2](Mo2O7)·H2O (3), and to elucidate the relationship between initial reagent concentration/stoichiometry and the stability of the resultant structural motifs. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to dominate throughout a wide crystallization range of the concentration triangle, whereas compound 3 was formed by redox processes in the narrow crystallization area having a high excess of Cu(OAc)2·H2O. Independent experiments carried out with Cu(OAc)2 and (NH4)6Mo7O24 in the absence of tr2ad, under the same conditions, revealed the formation of low-valent and bimetallic oxides, including Cu2O, MoO2, Cu(Mo3O10)·H2O, and Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2. Compounds 1 and 2 show high thermal and chemical stability as examined as catalysts in the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene and the oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BzOH) with different types of oxidants. The oxidation reaction of BzOH using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant, in the presence of 1 or 2, led to benzaldehyde and benzoic acid (PhCO2H), with the latter being formed in up to 90% yield at 24 h. The results suggest that 1 and 2 may be favorable heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of PhCO2H. Whereas compound 1 only reveals a weak ferromagnetic coupling between neighboring Cu(II) centers (J = 0.41 cm(-1)), compound 2 shows distinct intracluster antiferromagnetic exchange interactions (J = -29.9 cm(-1), J' = -25.7 cm(-1)), which consequently results in a diamagnetic ground state.

Enhanced up-conversion for photovoltaics via concentrating integrated optics.

Concentrating optics are integrated into up-conversion photovoltaic (UC-PV) devices to independently concentrate sub-band-gap photons on the up-conversion layer, without affecting the full solar concentration on the overlying solar cell. The UC-PV devices consist of silicon solar cells optimized for up-conversion, coupled with tapered and parabolic dielectric concentrators, and hexagonal sodium yttrium fluoride (ß-NaYF4) up-converter doped with 25% trivalent erbium (Er³âº). A normalized external quantum efficiency of 1.75x10⁻² cm²/W and 3.38x10⁻² cm²/W was obtained for the UC-PV device utilizing tapered and parabolic concentrators respectively. Although low to moderate concentration was shown to maximize UC, higher concentration lead to saturation and reduced external quantum efficiency. The presented work highlights some of the implications associated with the development of UC-PV devices and designates a substantial step for integration in concentrating PV.

Mixed-ligand hydroxocopper(II)/pyridazine clusters embedded into 3D framework lattices.

Rational combination of pyridazine, hydroxo and carboxylate bridging ligands led to the assembly of three types of mixed-ligand polynuclear Cu(II) clusters (A: [Cu2(µ-OH)(µ-pdz)(µ-COO)]; B: [Cu4(µ3-OH)2(µ-pdz)2]; C: [Cu5(µ-OH)2(µ-pdz)4(µ-COO)2(µ-H2O)2]) and their integration into 3D framework structures. Mixed-ligand complexes [Cu2(µ-OH){TMA}(L)(H2O)] (1), [Cu4(µ3-OH)2{ATC}2(L)2(H2O)2]·H2O (2) [Cu4(µ3-OH)2{TDC}3(L)2(H2O)2]·7H2O (3) (L = 1,3-bis(pyridazin-4-yl)adamantane; TMA(3-) = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate, ATC(3-) = adamantane-1,3,5-tricarboxylate, TDC(2-) = 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) and [Cu5(µ-OH)2{X}4(L)2(H2O)2]·nH2O (X = benzene-1,3-dicarboxylate, BDC(2-), n = 5 (4) and 5-hydroxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxylate, HO-BDC(2-), n = 6 (5)) are prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Trigonal bridges TMA(3-) and ATC(3-) generate planar Cu(II)/carboxylate subtopologies further pillared into 3D frameworks (1: binodal 3,5-coordinated, doubly interpenetrated tcj-3,5-Ccc2; 2: binodal 3,8-coordinated tfz-d) by bitopic pyridazine ligands. Unprecedented triple bridges in 1 (cluster of type A) support short CuCu separations of 3.0746(6) Å. The framework in 3 is a primitive cubic net (pcu) with multiple bis-pyridazine and TDC(2-) links between the tetranuclear nodes of type . Compounds 4 and 5 adopt uninodal ten-coordinated framework topologies (bct) embedding unprecedented centrosymmetric open-chain pentanuclear clusters of type C with two kinds of multiple bridges, Cu(µ-OH)(µ-pdz)2Cu and Cu(µ-COO)(µ-H2O)Cu (CuCu distances are 3.175 and 3.324 Å, respectively). Magnetic coupling phenomena were detected for every type of cluster by susceptibility measurements of 1, 3 and 4. For binuclear clusters A in 1, the intracluster antiferromagnetic exchange interactions lead to a diamagnetic ground state (J = -17.5 cm(-1); g = 2.1). Strong antiferromagnetic coupling is relevant also for type B, which consequently results in a diamagnetic ground state (J1 = -110 cm(-1); J2 = -228 cm(-1), g = 2.07). For pentanuclear clusters of type C in 4, the exchange model is based on a strongly antiferromagnetically coupled central linear trinuclear Cu3 group (J1 = -125 cm(-1)) and two outer Cu centers weakly antiferromagnetically coupled to the terminal Cu ions of the triad (J2 = -12.5 cm(-1)).

Tetracarboxylate ligands as new chelates supporting copper(II) paddlewheel-like structures.

Two new ligands N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-methylbenzoic acid)-1,4-diaminomethylbenzene, 5H4, and N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-methylbenzoic acid)-4,4'-diaminomethyldiphenyl, 6H4, carrying four carboxylate groups suitable for bridging dinuclear centers have been prepared and their paddlewheel complexes with copper(II) prepared. The phenyl-bridged ligand 5H4 gives a cyclic octanuclear species [(Cu2)4(5)4], while the diphenyl-bridged ligand 6H4 gives a lantern-like tetranuclear species [(Cu2)2(6)2]; both were characterized by X-ray crystallography. If the amine functions of 5 are protonated, intramolecular hydrogen bonds position the four carboxylates in such a way as to allow formation of the unusual compound [Cu4(5H2)2Cl](3+) in which a Cu4 square centered by a chloro ligand is sandwiched between two (5H2)(2-) ligands. The magnetic properties of this compound have been studied and show antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent coppers (J = -33.7 cm(-1)).

The coordination chemistry of tartronic acid with copper: magnetic studies of a quasi-equilateral tricopper triangle.

The coordination chemistry of tartronic acid, , with copper(ii) has been investigated. Structures of two complexes are reported containing respectively the complex [Cu(-2H)2Cl](3-) where acts as a bidentate ligand through carboxylates, and [Cu3(-3H)3](3-) where the alcohol function is deprotonated to bridge two coppers in a triangular trinuclear complex. The latter species undergoes facile oxidation leading to carbon-carbon bond formation. The magnetic and EPR properties of the trinuclear complex have been studied in detail.