Slow Magnetization Relaxation in a Family of Triangular {CoIII 2 LnIII } Clusters: The Effect of Diamagnetic CoIII Ions on the LnIII Magnetic Dynamics.

The first use of the Schiff base chelate N-naphthalidene-o-aminophenol (naphH2 ) in Co/Ln chemistry has afforded a family of isostructural [CoIII 2 LnIII (OMe)2 (naph)2 (O2 CMe)3 (MeOH)2 ] (Ln=Tb, Dy and Er) complexes, revealing a rare {CoIII 2 Ln(µ3 -OMe)}8+ triangular core composed of two diamagnetic CoIII ions and a 4f-ion with slightly distorted square antiprismatic geometry. Alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility studies revealed that {Co2 Dy}, and its magnetic diluted analogue {Co2 Dy0.05 Y0.95 }, behave as mononuclear single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with similar energy barriers for the magnetization reversal, Ueff , of ~85-90 K. SMM properties were also detected for {Co2 Er}, with the compound exhibiting a Ueff of 18.7 K under an applied magnetic field of 800 Oe. To interpret the experimental magnetic results, ab initio CASSCF/RASSI-SO and DFT calculations were performed as a means of exploring the single-ion characteristics of LnIII ions and comprehend the role of the diamagnetic CoIII ions in the magnetization relaxation of the three heterometallic compounds.

4f-Metal Clusters Exhibiting Slow Relaxation of Magnetization: A {Dy7} Complex with An Hourglass-like Metal Topology.

The reaction between Dy(NO3)3∙6H2O and the bulky Schiff base ligand, N-naphthalidene-2-amino-5-chlorobenzoic acid (nacbH2), in the presence of the organic base NEt3 has led to crystallization and structural, spectroscopic and magnetic characterization of a new heptanuclear [Dy7(OH)6(OMe)2(NO3)1.5(nacb)2(nacbH)6(MeOH)(H2O)2](NO3)1.5 (1) compound in ~40% yield. Complex 1 has a unique hourglass-like metal topology, among all previously reported {Dy7} clusters, comprising two distorted {Dy4(µ3-OH)3(µ3-OMe)}8+ cubanes that share a common metal vertex (Dy2). Peripheral ligation about the metal core is provided by the carboxylate groups of four η1:η1:η1:µ single-deprotonated nacbH- and two η1:η1:η2:η1:µ3 fully-deprotonated nacb2- ligands. Complex 1 is the first structurally characterized 4f-metal complex bearing the chelating/bridging ligand nacbH2 at any protonation level. Magnetic susceptibility studies revealed that 1 exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization at a zero external dc field, albeit with a small energy barrier of ~5 K for the magnetization reversal, most likely due to the very fast quantum-tunneling process. The combined results are a promising start to further explore the reactivity of nacbH2 upon all lanthanide ions and the systematic use of this chelate ligand as a route to new 4f-metal cluster compounds with beautiful structures and interesting magnetic dynamics.

'Metal Complexes as Ligands' for the Synthesis of Coordination Polymers: A MnIII Monomer as a Building Block for the Preparation of an Unprecedented 1-D {MnIIMnIII}n Linear Chain.

A relatively unexplored synthetic route in redox-active Mn(II/III) coordination chemistry has been employed toward the preparation of a new mixed-valence MnII/III 1-D linear chain from the reaction of [MnIII(sacb)2]- precursor with a MnII source, where sacbH2 is the Schiff base ligand N-salicylidene-2-amino-5-chlorobenzoic acid. The mononuclear (Pr2NH2)[MnIII(sacb)2] (1) compound was obtained in excellent yields (>85%) from the 1:2:3 reaction of Mn(O2CMe)2∙4H2O, sacbH2 and Pr2NH, respectively. In 1, the two doubly deprotonated sacb2- ligands act as Ocarboxylate,Nimine,Ophenoxide-tridentate chelates, while the second carboxylate O atom of sacb2- is dangling and H-bonded to the Pr2NH2+ countercation. Complex 1 was subsequently used as a 'ligand' to react stoichiometrically with the 'metal' Mn(NO3)2∙4H2O, thus leading to the 1-D coordination polymer {[MnIIMnIII(sacb)2(H2O)2(MeOH)2](NO3)}n (2) in good yields (~50%). The removal of Pr2NH2+ from the vicinity of the [MnIII(sacb)2]- metalloligand has rendered possible (vide infra) the coordination of the second Ocarboxylate of sacb2- to neighboring {MnII(H2O)2(MeOH)2}2+ units, and consequently the formation of the 1-D polymer 2. Direct-current (dc) magnetic susceptibility studies revealed the presence of very weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between alternating MnIII and MnII atoms with a coupling constant of J = -0.08 cm-1 for g = 2.00. The combined results demonstrate the potential of the 'metal complexes as ligands' approach to yield new mixed-valence Mn(II/III) coordination polymers with interesting structural motifs and physicochemical properties.