Luminescent Er3+ based single molecule magnets with fluorinated alkoxide or aryloxide ligands.

We report the synthesis, structures, and magnetic and luminescence properties of a series of new mono- and dinuclear Er3+ complexes derived from sterically demanding aryloxide and fluorinated alkoxide ligands: [4-tBu-2,6-(Ph2CH)2C6H2O]3Er(THF) (1), [(C6F5)3CO]3Er(Me3SiOH) (2), [(C6F5)3CO]3Er[(Me3Si)2NH] (3), [(C6F5)3CO]3Er(C6H5CH3) (4), [(C6F5)3CO]3Er(o-Me2NC6H4CH3) (5) and {[Ph(CF3)2CO]2Er(µ2-OC(CF3)2Ph)}2 (6). In compounds 1, 2, and 4, the Er3+ ion is four-coordinated and adopts a distorted trigonal pyramidal geometry, while in 3, 5, and 6, the coordination geometry of Er3+ is impacted by the presence of several relatively short Er⋯F distances, making them rather 6-coordinated. All compounds behave as field-induced Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs) and exhibit an Er3+ characteristic near infrared (NIR) emission associated with the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition with a remarkably long lifetime going up to 73 µs, which makes them multifunctional luminescent SMMs. The deconvolution of the NIR emission spectra allowed us to provide a direct probe of the crystal field splitting in these compounds, which was correlated with magnetic data.

Ca(II) and Yb(II) complexes featuring M(C≡C)4 structural motif: enforced proximity or genuine η2 -bonding?

Bis(carbazolide) complexes M[3,6-tBu2 -1,8-(RC≡C)2 Carb]2 (THF)n (R=SiMe3 , n=0, M=Ca, Yb; R=Ph, n=1, M=Ca, Yb; n=0, M=Yb) were synthesized through transamination reaction of M[N(SiMe3 )2 ]2 (THF)2 with two molar equivalents of carbazoles. The complexes feature M(η2 -C≡C)4 structural motif composed of M(II) ions encapsulated by four acetylene fragments due to atypical for alkaline- and rare-earth metals η2 -interactions with triple C≡C bond. This interaction is evidenced experimentally by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy in the solid state and by NMR-spectroscopy in the solution. According to QTAIM analysis there are 4 bond critical points (3;-1) between the metal atom and each of the triple bonds, which are connected by a strongly curved, almost T-shaped bond pathway.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Coordinated M(II) (M = Yb, Sm, Ca) Bisamides: Expanding the Limits of Intermolecular Alkene Hydrophosphination.

A series of NHC-stabilized amido compounds (NHC)nM[N(SiMe3)2]2 (M = Yb(II), Sm(II), Ca(II); n = 1, 2) showed remarkable catalytic efficiency in addition of PhPH2 and PH3 to alkenes under mild conditions and low catalyst loading. The effect of σ-donor capacity of NHCs on catalytic activity in hydrophosphination of styrene with PhPH2 and PH3 was revealed. For the series of three-coordinate complexes 1-4M, a tendency to increase the catalytic activity with growth of σ-donating strength of the carbene ligand was clearly demonstrated. The complex (NHC)2Sm[N(SiMe3)2]2 (NHC = 1,3-diisopropyl-2H-imidazole-2-ylidene) (5Sm) proved to be the most efficient catalyst, which enabled hardly realizable transformations such as PhPH2 addition across internal C═C bonds of norbornene and cis- and trans-stilbenes, providing the highest reaction rate for addition of PH3 to styrene. Excellent regio- and chemoselectivities of alkylation of PH3 with styrenes allow for a selective and good-yield synthesis of desired organophosphines─either primary, secondary, or tertiary. Stepwise alkylation of PH3 with various substituted styrenes can be efficiently applied as an approach to nonsymmetric secondary phosphines. The rate equation of the addition of styrene to PH3 promoted by 5Sm was found: rate = k[styrene]1[5Sm]1.

π-Carbazolyl supported bis(alkyl) complexes of Sc, Y and La for α-olefin polymerization and hydrogenation.

A series of new half-sandwich bis(alkyl) rare-earth metal complexes coordinated by a sterically demanding 1,3,6,8-tetra-tert-butyl-carbazol-9-yl ligand [tBu4Carb]La(CH2C6H5)2(THF) (1-La), [tBu4Carb]Ln(o-NMe2C6H4CH2)2 (Ln = Sc (2-Sc), Y (2-Y), La (2-La), [tBu4Carb]Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(THF) (Ln = Sc (3-Sc), Y (3-Y)), were synthesized. 1-La, 2-La, and 2-Y were prepared by an alkane elimination protocol, while 2-Sc, 3-Sc, and 3-Y became accessible only when salt metathesis reactions of tBu4CarbK with R2Ln(THF)n+[BPh4]- were employed. X-ray analysis revealed that in all complexes the carbazolyl ligand exhibits π-coordination with metal ions. 2-Sc and 3-Sc when activated with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] demonstrate excellent activity in α-olefin (octene-1, nonene-1, decene-1 and 1,1-diphenyl-but-1-ene) polymerization. When H2 was used as a chain transfer agent (1 bar, rt) in the presence of 3-Sc/[Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] or 2-Y, 2-La olefin hydrogenation occurred with quantitative conversion.

Sc and Y bis(alkyl) complexes supported by bidentate and tridentate amidinate ligands. Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity in polymerization of isoprene and 1-heptene.

A series of bis(alkyl) complexes {(tBu)C[N(2,6-Me2C6H3)]2}Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(THF)n (Ln = Y, n = 1 (1); Ln = Sc, n = 1 (2)), {2-[Ph2P(O)]C6H4NC(tBu)N(2,6-Me2C6H3)}Sc(CH2SiMe3)2 (3), {2-[Ph2P(NPh)]C6H4NC(tBu)N(2,6-Me2C6H3)}Sc(CH2SiMe3)2 (4) coordinated by bidentate (N,N) and tridentate (N,N,O; N,N,N) amidinate ligands are synthesized using an alkane elimination approach. Yttrium complex 1 demonstrated a half-life of ∼2.5 days at room temperature in benzene-D6 (C6D6) solution, whereas scandium complexes proved to be much more stable (25 d (2), 30 d (3) and 42 d (4)). Complexes 1-4 as a part of ternary catalytic systems 1-4/TB, HNB/AlR3 (AlR3 = AliBu3, AliBu2H; TB = [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4], HNB = [PhNHMe2][B(C6F5)4]) demonstrated high catalytic activity in isoprene polymerization and enable 80%-100% conversion of 1000 equivalents of monomer into polymer at 25 °C within 3-180 min. The isolated polyisoprenes feature predominantly cis-1,4-regularity (69.2%-87.3%) and polydispersities Mw/Mn = 2.26-8.92. Moreover, the binary (2/TB) and ternary (1-4/TB/10 AliBu3) systems initiate 1-heptene polymerization providing 40%-100% conversion of 500 equivalents of monomer in 24 h at 25 °C giving polymer samples with Mn = 1.55-190.2 × 103 and Mw/Mn = 1.55-3.87.

Using N-Heterocyclic Carbenes as Weak Equatorial Ligands to Design Single-Molecule Magnets: Zero-Field Slow Relaxation in Two Octahedral Dysprosium(III) Complexes.

We report the synthesis, structures, and magnetic investigations of two new octahedral dysprosium complexes, based on the original N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) tridentate bis(phenoxide) ligand, of the respective formulas mer-[DyL(THF)2Cl] (1) and mer-[DyL(THF)3][BPh4] (2), where L = 1,3-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-oxidophenyl)-5,5-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-1-ium chloride and THF = tetrahydrofuran. The short Dy-O distances in the axial direction in association with the weak donor ability of the NHC moiety provide a suitable environment for slow relaxation of magnetization, overcoming the previous single-molecule magnets based on NHC ligands.

2-Imino-2,3-dihydrobenzoxazole-a useful platform for designing rare- and alkaline earth complexes with variable di- and trianionic O,N,N, ligands.

The reactions of 2-imino-2,3-dihydrobenzoxazole LH with M[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2 (M = Yb and Ca) and Y(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 proceed with the opening of the dihydrobenzoxazole ring and the elimination of HN(SiMe3)2 or SiMe4. Besides, in the case of Yb[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2, an electron transfer from Yb(II) to L takes place and Yb(III) complex 1 is coordinated by a dianionic phenolate ligand containing a pendant radical-anionic diazabutadiene fragment form. When LH is reacted with Ca[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2, C-H bond activation of a methyl fragment by imino nitrogen occurs and affords a dimeric calcium complex 2. In 2, the phenolate ligand is dianionic due to the presence of the amido-imino fragment [R-NC(CH3)-C(CH2)-NR']- (R = 2,4-tBu2-C6H2O; R' = 2,6-iPr2C6H3). In situ generated ate-complex {Na(Et2O)n}{Ca[N(SiMe3)2]3} also enables C-H bond activation, however the dianionic phenolate ligand in the resulting complex 3 contains an amido-imino fragment [R-N-C(CH2)-C(CH3)NR']- featuring the sequence of N-C and NC bonds opposite to that in 2. The reaction of Y(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 with LH affords mono(alkyl) yttrium complex 4. 4 contains a dianionic amido-imino phenolate ligand resulting from the migration of one alkyl group to the CN bond [R-N-C(Me)(CH2SiMe3)-C(Me)NR']. 4 undergoes slow intramolecular C-H bond activation of the residual CH3 group to afford a yttrium complex coordinated by a trianionic diamido-phenolate ligand [R-N-C(Me)(CH2SiMe3)-C(CH2)NR'].

Amine-boranes reactions promoted by lanthanide(II) ions.

The catalytic activity in amine-borane dehydrogenation is shown for the first time for Ln(II) species using complexes [{(p-tBu-C6H4)2CH}2M·L] (M = Yb, Sm, L = (DME)2, TMEDA). The protonation of M(II)-C bonds with HNR1R2BH3 affords amidoborane complexes [M(NR1R2BH3)2L], which under excess HNMe2BH3 transform to [NMe2BH2NMe2BH3]- derivatives, both serving as the dehydrocoupling intermediates.

High magnetization reversal barriers in luminescent dysprosium octahedral and pentagonal bipyramidal single-molecule magnets based on fluorinated alkoxide ligands.

We report the synthesis and structures of three luminescent dysprosium(iii) complexes based on fluorinated alkoxide ligands of formulas [Dy(L1)2(THF)4][BPh4]·0.5THF (1), [Dy(L2)2(THF)5][BPh4]·2.5THF (2) and [Dy(L3)2(THF)5][BPh4]·2THF (3) (L1 = (CF3)3CO-, L2 = C6F5C6F4O-, L3 = C6F5C(CH3)O-). Despite the different dysprosium ion geometries (octahedral vs. distorted pentagonal bipyramidal), these systems exhibit a single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior, but with distinct relaxation dynamics. Moreover, a typical dysprosium-based luminescence is observed for the three complexes, which make them bifunctional magneto-luminescent SMMs. Remarkably, complex 3 exhibits a high anisotropy barrier of 1469 cm-1 and a blocking temperature of 22 K, making it one of the most performant alkoxide-based SMMs with the highest blocking temperature for a luminescent SMM.

Ln(II) amido complexes coordinated by ring-expanded N-heterocyclic carbenes - promising catalysts for olefin hydrophosphination.

First Ln(ii) ring-expanded NHC complexes (er-NHC)Ln[N(SiMe3)2]2 (Ln = Sm, Yb) are synthesized and proved to be highly efficient pre-catalysts for the intermolecular hydrophosphination of such indolent substrates as 1-alkenes, cyclohexene and norbornene.

Single-molecule magnet behavior in heterolopetic Dy3+-chloro-diazabutadiene complexes: influence of the nuclearity and ligand redox state.

We report the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties investigations of a series of new dysprosium heteroleptic mono- and dinuclear complexes based on the association of chloride and different diazabutadiene (DAD2R = [2,6-iPr2C6H3N-CR[double bond, length as m-dash]CR-NC6H3iPr2-2,6]; R = H, Me) ligands showing different redox states. While using dianionic DAD2R ligands affords the formation of dichloro-bridged dinuclear complexes [Dy2(DAD2R)(µ-Cl)2(THF)2] (R = H (1), Me (2)), two different mononuclear complexes of general formula [DyCl2(DAD2R)(THF)2] (R = H (3), Me (4)) could be obtained with either a radical monoanionic and a monoanionic DAD2R state, respectively. Remarkably, all the complexes exhibit a slow relaxation of their magnetization where the relaxation dynamics depends on both the nuclearity of the system and the DAD2R redox state.

Synthesis, Structure, Magnetic and Photoluminescent Properties of Dysprosium(III) Schiff Base Single-Molecule Magnets: Investigation of the Relaxation of the Magnetization.

We report here the synthesis, structure, magnetic and photoluminescent properties of three new bifunctional Schiff-base complexes [Dy(L1 )2 (py)2 ][B(Ph)4 ]⋅py (1), [Dy(L1 )2 Cl(DME)] ⋅ 0.5DME (2) and [Dy(L2 )2 Cl] ⋅ 2.5(C7 H8 ) (3) (HL1 =Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-[[(2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)imino]methyl]; HL2 =Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-6-[[(2-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl]). The coordination environment of the Dy3+ ion and the direction of the anisotropic axis may be controlled by the combination of the substituent groups of the Schiff bases, the nature of the counter-ions (Cl- vs. BPh4 - ) and the coordinative solvent molecules. A zero-field slow relaxation of the magnetization is evidenced for all complexes but strong differences in the relaxation dynamics are observed depending on the Dy3+ site geometry. In this sense, complex 1 exhibits an anisotropy barrier of 472 cm-1 , which may be favourably compared to other related examples due to the shortening of the Dy-O bond in the axial direction. Besides, the three complexes exhibit a ligand-based luminescence making them as bifunctional magneto-luminescent systems.

Single-molecule magnet behavior in luminescent carbazolyl Dy(iii) octahedral complexes with a quasi linear N--Dy-N- angle.

We report the synthesis, photoluminescence and magnetic properties of two octahedral dysprosium complexes [DyR2(py)4][BPh4]·2py (1) and [DyR2(THF)4][BPh4] (2) (R = carbazolyl, py = pyridine, THF = tetrahydrofuran) exhibiting a quasi linear N-Dy-N angle in the axial direction, suitable for providing a coordination environment allowing the zero-field slow relaxation of magnetization.

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a series of Ln(iii) complexes with radical-anionic iminopyridine ligands: effect of lanthanide ions on the slow relaxation of the magnetization.

We report the investigation of synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a series of homoleptic Ln(iii) complexes coordinated by radical-anionic iminopyridine ligands of general formula [Ln(IPy)3]·solv (IPy = iminopyridine; Ln = Tb, Dy, Er, Y, Gd). The dysprosium analogue exhibits a zero-field Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behavior.

Alternative (κ1-N:η6-arene vs.κ2-N,N) coordination of a sterically demanding amidinate ligand: are size and electronic structure of the Ln ion decisive factors?

The amine elimination reaction of equimolar amounts of ansa-bis(amidine) C6H4-1,2-{NC(tBu)NH(2,6-iPr2C6H3)}2 (L1H) and [(Me3Si)2N]2Yb(THF)2 affords a bis(amidinate) YbII complex [C6H4-1,2-{NC(tBu)N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)}2]Yb(THF) (1) in 68% yield. Complex 1 features a rather rare η1-amido:η6-arene coordination of both amidinate fragments to the YbII ion, resulting in the formation of a bent bis(arene) structure. Oxidation of 1 by I2 regardless of the molar ratio of reagents (2 : 1 or 1 : 1) leads to the formation of the YbIII species [{(2,6-iPr2C6H3)[double bond, length as m-dash]NC(tBu)NH}-C6H4-1,2-{NC(tBu)N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)}]YbI2(THF)2 (2) in which only one amidinate fragment is coordinated to the ytterbium ion in κ2-N,N'-chelating coordination mode, while the second NCN fragment is protonated in the course of the reaction and is not bound to the metal ion. The outcome of the salt metathesis reaction of LaCl3 with lithium amidinates [C6H4-1,2-{NC(tBu)N(2,6-R2C6H3)}2Li2] (R = Me, iPr) is proven to be strongly affected by the substituent 2,6-R2C6H3 on the amidinate nitrogens. When R = iPr, the salt metathesis reaction occurs smoothly and results in the formation of an ate-chloro-amidinate complex [C6H4-1,2-{NC(tBu)N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)}2]La(µ2-Cl)Li(THF)(µ2-Cl)2Li(THF)2 (3) in which the LaIII ion is coordinated by both amidinate fragments in a "classic"κ2-N,N'-chelating fashion. In the case of R = Me, the reaction requires prolonged heating for completion. Moreover, the salt metathesis reaction is accompanied by the fragmentation of the ligand and affords a trinuclear chloro-amidinate complex [C6H4-1,2-{NC(tBu)N(2,6-Me2C6H3)}2]La{[(tBu)C(N-2,6-Me2C6H3)2]La(THF)}2(µ2-Cl)4(µ3-Cl)2 (4) containing one dianionic ansa-bis(amidinate) and two monoanionic [(tBu)C(N-2,6-Me2C6H3)2] amidinate fragments. DFT calculations are conducted to determine the factor that governs this change in coordination mode and, in particular, the effect of the metal oxidation state.

Thermally Stable Ln(II) and Ca(II) Bis(benzhydryl) Complexes: Excellent Precatalysts for Intermolecular Hydrophosphination of C-C Multiple Bonds.

A series of Ln(II) and Ca(II) bis(alkyl) complexes with bulky benzhydryl ligands, [( p- tBu-C6H4)2CH]2M(L n) (M = Sm, L = DME, n = 2 (1); M = Sm, Yb, Ca, L = TMEDA, n = 1 (2, 3, 4), were synthesized by the salt-metathesis reaction of MI2(THF) n ( n = 0-2) and [( p- tBu-C6H4)2CH]-Na+. In complex 1, the benzhydryl ligands are bound to the metal center in η2-coordination mode. Unlike complex 1, in isomorphous complexes 3 and 4, due to the coordination unsaturation of the metal center, the both benzhydryl ligands coordinate to the metal in η3-fashion. In complex 2, one ligand is η3-coordinated while the second one is η4-coordinated to the Sm(II) ion. Complexes 2-4 demonstrated unprecedented thermal stability: no evidence of decomposition was observed after heating their solutions in C6D6 at 100 °C during 72 h. Complex 1 behaves differently: thermolysis in C6D6 solution at 75 °C results in total decomposition in 8 h. Addition of DME promotes decomposition of 2-4 and makes it feasible at 40 °C. Complexes 1-4 demonstrated high catalytic activity and excellent regio- and chemoselectivities in intermolecular hydrophosphination of double and triple C-C bonds with both primary and secondary phosphines. Complexes 2 and 3 enable addition of PhPH2 toward the internal C═C bond of Z- and E-stilbenes with 100% conversion under mild conditions. Double sequential hydrophosphination of phenylacetylene with Ph2PH and PhPH2 was realized due to the application of Yb(II) complex as a catalyst.

Correction: Amido Ca(ii) complexes supported by Schiff base ligands for catalytic cross-dehydrogenative coupling of amines with silanes.

Correction for 'Amido Ca(ii) complexes supported by Schiff base ligands for catalytic cross-dehydrogenative coupling of amines with silanes' by Natalia V. Forosenko et al., Dalton Trans., 2018, 47, 12570-12581.

CaII , YbII and SmII Bis(Amido) Complexes Coordinated by NHC Ligands: Efficient Catalysts for Highly Regio- and Chemoselective Consecutive Hydrophosphinations with PH3.

The first example of intermolecular hydrophosphination of styrene, 2-vinylpyridine and phenylacetylene with PH3 catalyzed by bis-(amido) complexes [(Me3 Si)2 N]2 M(NHC)2 (M=Ca, Yb, Sm) coordinated by NHC ligands is described. The reactions of styrene with PH3 proceed under mild conditions in quantitative yields to afford only anti-Markovnikov product and allow for the chemoselective synthesis of primary, secondary and tertiary phosphines. Addition of phenylacetylene to PH3 regardless the initial molar substrates ratio results in the exclusive formation of a tertiary tris-(Z-styryl)-phosphine. Crucial effect of the Lewis base coordinated to the metal ion in precatalyst on catalytic activity in styrene hydrophosphination with PH3 was demonstrated. Free NHCs were also found to be able to promote addition of PH3 to styrene, however they provide much lower reaction rates compared to the metal complexes.

Dysprosium Single-Molecule Magnets with Bulky Schiff Base Ligands: Modification of the Slow Relaxation of the Magnetization by Substituent Change.

The synthesis, and magnetic and photoluminescence investigations of two bifunctional dysprosium complexes based on tridentate Schiff base ligands is reported. Magnetic investigations reveal a genuine single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior, with out-of-phase signals up to 60 K, and tunable emission arising from the Schiff base ligands.

Single-molecule magnet behaviour in a Dy(iii) pentagonal bipyramidal complex with a quasi-linear Cl-Dy-Cl sequence.

We report the synthesis and magnetic investigation of a dysprosium pentagonal bipyramidal complex [Dy(THF)5Cl2][BPh4] (1) exhibiting a linear Cl-Dy-Cl sequence suitable for providing a coordination environment allowing a zero-field slow relaxation of the magnetization. Besides, the complex also shows dual luminescence originating from [BPh4]- and Dy3+.