Versatile Reactivity of MnII Complexes in Reactions with N-Donor Heterocycles: Metamorphosis of Labile Homometallic Pivalates vs. Assembling of Endurable Heterometallic Acetates.

Reaction of 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy) or 1,10-phenantroline (phen) with [Mn(Piv)2(EtOH)]n led to the formation of binuclear complexes [Mn2(Piv)4L2] (L = 2,2'-bipy (1), phen (2); Piv- is the anion of pivalic acid). Oxidation of 1 or 2 by air oxygen resulted in the formation of tetranuclear MnII/III complexes [Mn4O2(Piv)6L2] (L = 2,2'-bipy (3), phen (4)). The hexanuclear complex [Mn6(OH)2(Piv)10(pym)4] (5) was formed in the reaction of [Mn(Piv)2(EtOH)]n with pyrimidine (pym), while oxidation of 5 produced the coordination polymer [Mn6O2(Piv)10(pym)2]n (6). Use of pyrazine (pz) instead of pyrimidine led to the 2D-coordination polymer [Mn4(OH)(Piv)7(µ2-pz)2]n (7). Interaction of [Mn(Piv)2(EtOH)]n with FeCl3 resulted in the formation of the hexanuclear complex [MnII4FeIII2O2(Piv)10(MeCN)2(HPiv)2] (8). The reactions of [MnFe2O(OAc)6(H2O)3] with 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy) or trans-1,2-(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) led to the formation of 1D-polymers [MnFe2O(OAc)6L2]n·2nDMF, where L = 4,4'-bipy (9·2DMF), bpe (10·2DMF) and [MnFe2O(OAc)6(bpe)(DMF)]n·3.5nDMF (11·3.5DMF). All complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Desolvation of 11·3.5DMF led to a collapse of the porous crystal lattice that was confirmed by PXRD and N2 sorption measurements, while alcohol adsorption led to porous structure restoration. Weak antiferromagnetic exchange was found in the case of binuclear MnII complexes (JMn-Mn = -1.03 cm-1 for 1 and 2). According to magnetic data analysis (JMn-Mn = -(2.69 ÷ 0.42) cm-1) and DFT calculations (JMn-Mn = -(6.9 ÷ 0.9) cm-1) weak antiferromagnetic coupling between MnII ions also occurred in the tetranuclear {Mn4(OH)(Piv)7} unit of the 2D polymer 7. In contrast, strong antiferromagnetic coupling was found in oxo-bridged trinuclear fragment {MnFe2O(OAc)6} in 11·3.5DMF (JFe-Fe = -57.8 cm-1, JFe-Mn = -20.12 cm-1).

Tetrathiafulvalene-Based Helicene Ligand in the Design of a Dysprosium Field-Induced Single-Molecule Magnet.

The design of a coordination complex that involves a ligand combining both a tetrathiafulvalene core and a helicene fragment was achieved thanks to the reaction between the new 2-{1-[2-methyl[6]helicene]-4,5-[4,5-bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvalenyl]-1 H-benzimidazol-2-yl}pyridine ligand (L) and the Dy(hfac)3·2H2O metalloprecursor. Magnetic investigations showed field-induced single-molecule-magnet (SMM) behavior under an applied magnetic field of 1000 Oe for [Dy(hfac)3(L)]·0.5CH2Cl2, while experimentally oriented single-crystal magnetic measurements allowed for determination of the magnetic anisotropy orientation. The magnetic behavior was rationalized through ab initio CASSCF/SI-SO calculations. This redox-active chiral-field-induced SMM paves the way for the design of switchable-multiproperty SMMs.

Lanthanide ion and tetrathiafulvalene-based ligand as a "magic" couple toward luminescence, single molecule magnets, and magnetostructural correlations.

The synthesis of molecules featuring different properties is a perpetual challenge for the chemists' community. The coexistence and even more the synergy of those properties open new perspectives in the field of molecular devices and molecular electronics. In that sense, coordination chemistry contributed to the development of new functional molecules through, for instance, single-molecule magnets (SMMs) and light emitting molecules with potential applications in high capacity data storage and OLEDs, respectively. The appealing combination of both electronic properties into one single object may offer the possibility to have magnetized luminescent entities at nanometric scale. To that end, lanthanides seem to be one of the key ingredients since their peculiar electronic structures endow them with specific magnetic and luminescence properties. Indeed, lanthanides cover a wide range of emission wavelengths, from infrared to UV, which add up to a large variety of magnetic behaviors, from the fully isotropic spin (e.g., Gd(III)) to highly anisotropic magnetic moments (e.g., Dy(III)). In lanthanide complexes, ligands play a fundamental role because on one hand they govern the orientation of the magnetic moment of anisotropic lanthanides and on the other hand they can sensitize efficiently the luminescence. The design of appropriate organic ligands to elaborate such chemical objects with the desired property appears to be essential but remains a perpetual challenge. In this Account, we describe the design of lanthanide-based complexes that emit light, behave as SMMs, or combine both properties. We have paid peculiar attention to the design of ligands based on the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) moiety. TTF and its derivatives are well-known chemical entities, stable at different oxidation states, and employed mainly in the synthesis of molecular conductors and superconductors. In addition to their redox properties, TTF-based derivatives act as organic chromophores for the sensitization of visible and near-infrared (NIR) luminescence of lanthanides. The mechanism of sensitization involves either antenna effect (energy transfer from the excited state) or photoinduced electron transfer. TTF-based ligands act also as structural agents in the conception of SMM in crystals. Such objects are obtained with the highly anisotropic Dy(III) ion in crystalline phase as well as in frozen solution with magnetic memory at helium-4 temperature (4 K). We highlight the influence of the magnetic dilution (both in amorphous solution and in diamagnetic crystalline matrix) and, particular case of dysprosium based SMMs, the effect of metal-centered isotope enrichment on the SMM properties. Our aim is not only to realize functional molecules but to rationalize both luminescence and magnetic properties on the basis of the structure of the molecules. These two properties are intimately intricate and governed by the electronic structure, which can be calculated and interpreted using modern quantum chemistry tools.

Multiple single-molecule magnet behaviors in dysprosium dinuclear complexes involving a multiple functionalized tetrathiafulvalene-based ligand.

The reaction between the 2-(1-(2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-methylpyridyl)-4,5-(4,5-bis(propylthio)-tetrathiafulvalenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-pyridine ligand (L) and 2 equiv of Dy(hfac)3·2H2O (hfac(-) = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate) and 1 equiv each of Dy(hfac)3·2H2O and Dy(tta)3·2H2O (tta(-) = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) metallic precursors leads to two dinuclear complexes, [Dy2(hfac)6(L)]·(CH2Cl2)2·C6H14 (1) and [Dy2(hfac)3(tta)3(L)] (2), respectively. Their X-ray structures reveal that the two coordination sites are occupied by one Dy(III) ion. The Dy(III) ion coordinated to the benzoimidazolylpyridine (bzip) moiety adopts a D4d coordination sphere, while the Dy(III) ion coordinated to the 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-pyridine (dpp) moiety is in a D3h surrounding. In a zero dc field, the dynamic magnetic measurements show a slow relaxation for the D4d eight-coordination Dy(III) magnetization for 1 and 2. Application of an external dc field induces multirelaxation signals of the magnetic susceptibility for both compounds. The low frequency and high frequency of the out-of-phase magnetic signals are attributed to the Dy(III) ion in D4d and D3h surroundings, respectively. The two complexes can be described as double induced-field mononuclear single-molecule magnets.

Luminescence and single-molecule magnet behavior in lanthanide complexes involving a tetrathiafulvalene-fused dipyridophenazine ligand.

The reaction between the TTF-fused dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) ligand (L) and 1 equiv of Ln(hfac)3·2H2O (hfac(-) = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetyacetonate) or 1 equiv of Ln(tta)3·2H2O (tta(-) = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) (Ln(III) = Dy(III) or Yb(III)) metallic precursors leads to four mononuclear complexes of formula [Ln(hfac)3(L)]·C6H14 (Ln(III) = Dy(III) (1), Yb(III) (2)) and [Ln(tta)3(L)]·C6H14 (Ln(III) = Dy(III) (3), Yb(III) (4)), respectively. Their X-ray structures reveal that the Ln(III) ion is coordinated to the bischelating nitrogenated coordination site and adopts a D4d coordination environment. The dynamic magnetic measurements show a slow relaxation of the Dy(III) magnetization for 1 and 3 with parameters highlighting a slower relaxation for 3 than for 1 (τ0 = 4.14(±1.36) × 10(-6) and 1.32(±0.07) × 10(-6) s with Δ = 39(±3) and 63.7(±0.7) K). This behavior as well as the orientation of the associated magnetic anisotropy axes have been rationalized on the basis of both crystal field splitting parameters and ab initio SA-CASSCF/RASSI-SO calculations. Irradiation of the lowest-energy HOMO → LUMO ILCT absorption band induces a (2)F5/2 → (2)F7/2 Yb-centered emission for 2 and 4. For these Yb(III) compounds, Stevens operators method has been used to fit the thermal variation of the magnetic susceptibilities, and the resulting MJ splittings have been correlated with the emission lines.

Solvent-Induced Change of Electronic Spectra and Magnetic Susceptibility of Co(II) Coordination Polymer with 2,4,6-Tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine.

One-dimensional coordination polymer [Co(Piv)2(4-ptz)(C2H5OH)2]n (compound 1, Piv(-) = pivalate, 4-ptz = 2,4,6-tris(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine) was synthesized by interaction of Co(II) pivalate with 4-ptz. Desolvation of 1 led to formation of [Co(Piv)2(4-ptz)]n (compound 2), which adsorbed N2 and H2 at 78 K as a typical microporous sorbent. In contrast, absorption of methanol and ethanol by 2 at 295 K led to structural transformation probably connected with coordination of these alcohols to Co(II). Formation of 2 from 1 was accompanied by change of color of sample from orange to brown and more than 2-fold decrease of molar magnetic susceptibility (χM) in the temperature range from 2 to 300 K. Resolvation of 2 by ethanol or water resulted in restoration of spectral characteristics and χM values almost to the level of that of 1. χMT versus T curves for 1 and samples, obtained by resolvation of 2 by H2O or C2H5OH, were fitted using a model for Co(II) complex with zero-field splitting of this ion.

Magnetic memory in an isotopically enriched and magnetically isolated mononuclear dysprosium complex.

The influence of nuclear spin on the magnetic hysteresis of a single-molecule is evidenced. Isotopically enriched Dy(III) complexes are synthesized and an isotopic dependence of their magnetic relaxation is observed. This approach is coupled with tuning of the molecular environment through dilution in an amorphous or an isomorphous diamagnetic matrix. The combination of these approaches leads to a dramatic enhancement of the magnetic memory of the molecule. This general recipe can be efficient for rational optimization of single-molecule magnets (SMMs), and provides an important step for their integration into molecule-based devices.

Magnetic poles determinations and robustness of memory effect upon solubilization in a Dy(III)-based single ion magnet.

The [Dy(tta)3(L)] complex behaves as a single ion magnet both in its crystalline phase and in solution. Experimental and theoretical magnetic anisotropy axes perfectly match and lie along the most electro-negative atoms of the coordination sphere. Both VSM and MCD measurements highlight the robustness of the complex, with persistence of the memory effect even in solution up to 4 K.

Slow magnetic relaxation in condensed versus dispersed dysprosium(III) mononuclear complexes.

Reaction of the ligands 4,5-bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvalene-2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole (L(1)) and 4,5-bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvalene-2-(2-pyridyl)-3-(2-pyridinylmethyl)benzimidazole (L(2)) with Dy(hfac)3⋅2 H2O (hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate) gave mononuclear complexes [Dy(hfac)3(L(1))] (1) and [Dy(hfac)3(L(2))] (2). In both compounds the Dy(III) ion is surrounded by six oxygen and two nitrogen atoms. Complex 1 displays single-ion magnet (SIM) behaviour only in solution (Δ=12(1) K and τ0 =1.9(4)×10(-6)  s), while complex 2 is a SIM in both solution (Δ=15(2) K and τ0 =1.5(3)×10(-6)  s) and solid state (Δ=17(2) K and τ0 =9.5(2)×10(-6)  s). The SIM behaviour is obtained if the hydrogen bond is broken by dissolution (1 in solution) or by alkylation (2). Multiple relaxation processes were identified for 2 with two competing processes: a fast one in zero field and a slow one for fields higher than 500 Oe. The two processes coexist for intermediate applied magnetic field. Magnetic-dilution and frozen-solution measurements led to the conclusion that the origin of these multiple relaxation processes is not due to the property of a single molecule.

Hybrid molecular systems containing tetrathiafulvalene and iron-alkynyl electrophores: five-component functional molecules obtained from C-H bond activation.

Treatment of [Cp*(dppe)Fe-C≡C-TTFMe3] (1) with Ag[PF6] (3 equiv) in DMF provides the binuclear complex [Cp*(dppe)Fe=C=C=TTFMe2 =CH-CH=TTFMe2 =C=C=Fe(dppe)Cp*][PF6]2 (2[PF6 ]2) isolated as a deep-blue powder in 69 % yield. EPR monitoring of the reaction and comparison of the experimental and calculated EPR spectra allowed the identification of the radical salt [Cp*(dppe)Fe=C=C=TTFMe2 =CH][PF6]2 ([1-CH][PF6]) an intermediate of the reaction, which results from the activation of the methyl group attached in vicinal position with respect to the alkynyl-iron on the TTF ligand by the triple oxidation of 1 leading to its deprotonation by the solvent. The dimerization of [1-CH][PF6] through carbon-carbon bond formation provides 2[PF6]2. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments show that 2[PF6]2 is subject to two sequential well-reversible one-electron reductions yielding the complexes 2[PF6] and 2. The CV also shows that further oxidation of 2[PF6]2 generates 2[PF6]n (n=3-6) at the electrode. Treatment of 2[PF6]2 with KOtBu provides 2[PF6] and 2 as stable powders. The salts 2[PF6] and 2[PF6]2 were characterized by XRD. The electronic structures of 2(n+) (n=0-2) were computed. The new complexes were also characterized by NMR, IR, Mössbauer, EPR, UV/Vis and NIR spectroscopies. The data show that the three complexes 2[PF6]n are iron(II) derivatives in the ground state. In the solid state, the dication 2(2+) is diamagnetic and has a bis(allenylidene-iron) structure with one positive charge on each iron building block. In solution, as a result of the thermal motion of the metal-carbon backbone, the triplet excited state becomes thermally accessible and equilibrium takes place between singlet and triplet states. In 2[PF6], the charge and the spin are both symmetrically distributed on the carbon bridge and only moderately on the iron and TTFMe2 electroactive centers.

Cu(II) and Cu(I) coordination complexes involving two tetrathiafulvalene-1,3-benzothiazole hybrid ligands and their radical cation salts.

Preparations, crystal structure analyses, and magnetic property investigations on a new Cu(II)(hfac)2 complex coordinated with two TTF-CH═CH-BTA ligands, where hfac is hexafluoroacetylacetonate, TTF is tetrathiafulvalene, and BTA is 1,3-benzothiazole, are reported together with those of its dicationic AsF6(-) salt, [Cu(hfac)2(TTF-CH═CH-BTA)2](AsF6)2, in which each TTF part is in a radical cation state. In these Cu(II)(hfac)2 complexes, two ligands are bonded to the central Cu atom of the Cu(hfac)2 part through the nitrogen atom of the 1,3-benzothiazole ring and occupy the two apical positions of the Cu(hfac)2 complex with an elongated octahedral geometry. These two ligands are located parallelly in a transverse head-to-tail manner, and the Cu(hfac)2 moiety is closely sandwiched by these two ligands. In the AsF6(-) salt of the Cu(hfac)2 complex, each TTF dimer is separated by the AsF6(-) anions and has no overlap with each other within the one-dimensional arrays, resulting in an insulating behavior. Both Cu(hfac)2 complexes showed the simple Curie-like temperature dependence of paramagnetic susceptibilities (χM), indicating that no interaction exists between the paramagnetic Cu(II) d spins. Furthermore, crystal structure analysis and magnetic/conducting properties of a radical cation ReO4(-) salt of the Cu(I) complex with two TTF-CH═CH-BTA ligands, [Cu(TTF-CH═CH-BTA)2](ReO4)2, are also described. Two nitrogen atoms of the ligands are connected to the central Cu(I) in a linear dicoordination with a Cu-N bond length of 1.879(9) Å. Two TTF parts of the neighboring complexes form a dimerized structure, and such a TTF dimer forms a one-dimensional uniform array along the a direction with a short S-S contact of 3.88 Å. Magnetic property measurement suggested the existence of a strongly antiferromagnetic one-dimensional uniform chain of S = 1/2 spins that originate from the radical cation states of the TTF dimers. Due to the construction of the one-dimensional uniform array of the radical cation state of the TTF dimer along the a axis, a semiconducting behavior is observed with σ(rt) = of 6 × 10(-5) S cm(-1) and an activation energy of E(a) = 0.16 eV.

Lanthanide dinuclear complexes involving tetrathiafulvalene-3-pyridine-N-oxide ligand: semiconductor radical salt, magnetic, and photophysical studies.

Centro-symmetric dinuclear complexes of formula [Ln(tta)(3)(L)](2)·xCH(2)Cl(2), (tta(-) = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate anion, x = 0.5 for Ln = Eu (1a), Tb (3), and Dy (4) and x = 0 for Ln = Eu (1b) and Nd (2)) have been synthesized using the tetrathiafulvalene-3-pyridine-N-oxide as a bridging ligand (L). X-ray structures have shown the formation of channels with CH(2)Cl(2) solvent inside. 1 is stable with both filled channels (at 150 K) and empty channels (at room temperature). The Dy(III) analogue displays a complex butterfly like hysteresis loop at 1.5 K. Photophysical properties of the coordination complexes have been studied by solution and solid-state absorption spectroscopy. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations have been carried out on the diamagnetic Y(III) derivative to shed light on the absorption spectrum. For 2, the excitation of the charge transfer transitions induces line shape emission in the near-infrared spectral range assigned to (4)F(3/2) → (4)I(9/2), (4)F(3/2) → (4)I(11/2), and (4)F(3/2) → (4)I(13/2) neodymium centered transitions. The reversible redox-activity of the ligand L makes possible an original sensitization process involving a ligand centered charge separation followed by energy transfer to the Nd(III) ion upon recombination.

High nuclearity complexes of lanthanide involving tetrathiafulvalene ligands: structural, magnetic, and photophysical properties.

The reaction between the tetrakis(2-pyridyl-N-oxidemethylthio)tetrathiafulvalene ligand (L) and Ln(hfac)(3)·2H(2)O precursors (where hfac(-) = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate anion and Ln = Tb(III) (1), Dy(III) (2), Er(III) (3), and Yb(III) (4) and (4b)) leads to the formation of five tetranuclear complexes of formula [Ln(4)(hfac)(12)(L)(2)](n)·xCHCl(3)·yC(6)H(14) (n = 1, x = 2, y = 0 for (1), (2), and (4), n = 1, x = 4 for (3), and n = 2, x = 2.5, y = 1 for (4b)). Their X-ray structures reveal that the surrounding of each Ln(III) center is filled by two N-oxide groups coming from two different ligands L. These tetranuclear complexes have the highest nuclearity which is reported until now for coordination compounds of lanthanide involving TTF-based ligands. Direct current (dc) measurements highlight the paramagnetic behavior of the compounds with a significant crystal field effect. The temperature dependences of static magnetic measurements for 4 have been fitted. The ground state corresponds to M(J) = ±5/2 while the first excited state (M(J) = ±3/2) was localized at +214 cm(-1) which was well correlated with the luminescence transition. UV-visible absorption properties have been experimentally measured and rationalized by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. Upon irradiation at 77 K and room temperature, in the range 24390-20835 cm(-1), both compounds 3 and 4 display a metal-centered luminescence attributed to (4)I(13/2) → (4)I(15/2) (6660 cm(-1)) and (2)F(5/2) → (2)F(7/2) (signal centered around the value of 9966 cm(-1)) transitions, respectively. The observed six transitions could be attributed to the M(J) state splitting due to the existence of two Yb1 and Yb2 ions with slightly different polyhedra in 4.

A series of tetrathiafulvalene-based lanthanide complexes displaying either single molecule magnet or luminescence-direct magnetic and photo-physical correlations in the ytterbium analogue.

The reaction between (4,5-bis(2-pyridyl-N-oxidemethylthio)-4',5')-ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvene (L(1)) or -methyldithiotetrathiafulvene (L(2)) ligands and Ln(hfac)3·nH2O precursors (Ln(III) = Pr, Tb, Dy, Er, and Yb) leads to the formation of seven dinuclear complexes of formula [Ln2(hfac)6(H2O)x(L(y))2] (x = 2 and y = 1 for Ln(III) = Pr (1); x = 0 and y = 1 for Ln(III) = Tb (2), Dy (3), Er (4) and Yb (5); x = 0 and y = 2 for Ln(III) = Tb (6) and Dy (7)). Their X-ray structures reveal that the coordination environment of each Ln(III) center is filled by two N-oxide groups coming from two different ligands L(y). UV-visible absorption properties have been experimentally measured and rationalized by TD-DFT calculations. The temperature dependences of static magnetic measurements have been fitted. The ground state corresponds to the almost pure |M(J) = ±13/2〉 while the first excited state (±0.77|±11/2〉 ± 0.50|±3/2〉 ± 0.39|±5/2〉) is located at 19 cm(-1) and 26.9 cm(-1) respectively for 3 and 7. Upon irradiation at 77 K and at room temperature, in the range 25,000-20,835 cm(-1), both compounds 4 and 5 display a metal-centered luminescence attributed to (4)I(13/2) → (4)I(15/2) (6660 cm(-1)) and (2)F(5/2) → (2)F(7/2) (9972 cm(-1)) transitions, respectively. Emission spectroscopy provides a direct probe of the |±5/2〉 ground state multiplet splitting, which has been confronted to magnetic data. The energy separation of 225 cm(-1) between the ground state and the first excited level (M(J) = ±3/2) fits exactly the second emission line (234 cm(-1)). While no out-phase-signal is detected for 3, the change of ligand L(1) → L(2) induces a change of coordination sphere symmetry around the Dy(III) increasing the energy splitting between the ground and first excited states, and 7 displays a single molecule magnet behavior.

Difluorodioxophosphate-based hollow hexanuclear lanthanide(III) clusters decorated with tetrathiafulvalene ligands.

The galvanostatic reaction of the [4,5-bis(2-pyridyl-N-oxidemethylthio)]-4',5'-methyldithiotetrathiafulvalene ligand with lanthanide ions in the presence of hexafluorophosphate (PF6(-)) anions afforded the highest-nuclearity lanthanide clusters decorated by tetrathiafulvalene-based ligands thanks to the original partial hydrolysis of the PF6(-) anions in difluorodioxophosphate (PO2F2(-)) bridging ligands.

Spectroscopic studies of the phase transition from the mott insulator state to the charge-ordering state of κ-(ET)4[M(CN)6][N(C2H5)4]·2H2O (M = Co(III) and Fe(III)) salts.

Polarized reflectivity spectra versus temperature of two isostructural charge-transfer salts κ-(ET)4[M(CN)6][N(C2H5)4]·2H2O (M = Co(III) and Fe(III)) (ET = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene) were studied. The electronic and vibrational spectra exhibit a drastic change at around 150 K. On the basis of the spectral analysis, we deduced the nature of the phase transition. The phase transition at 150 K is due to a charge ordering; above this temperature, strong charge fluctuations are observed.

2D porous honeycomb polymers versus discrete nanocubes from trigonal trinuclear complexes and ligands with variable topology.

Trinuclear building block {Fe(2)NiO(Piv)(6)} (Piv = pivalate), which possessed pseudo-D(3h) symmetry, was linked by two ligands, pseudo-D(3h) ligand tris-(4-pyridyl)pyridine (L1) and C(2v) ligand 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl-2,6-bis(4-pyridyl)pyridine (L2) into two products with different topologies: 2D coordination polymer [Fe(2)NiO(Piv)(6)(L1)](n) (1), and discrete molecule [{Fe(2)NiO(Piv)(6)}(8) {L2}(12)], which had a nanocube structure (2). In compound 1, trinuclear {Fe(2)NiO(Piv)(6)} blocks were linked through ligand L1 into layers with honeycomb topology. In compound 2, eight trinuclear blocks were located in the vertices of the nanocube, with each L2 ligand linked to two {Fe(2)NiO(Piv)(6)} units. In the crystal structure, these nanocubes formed infinite catenated chains. Analysis of possible structures that could be assembled from these building blocks showed that compounds 1 and 2 corresponded to their respective predicted topologies. Compound [1⋅solvent] possessed a porous structure, in which the voids were filled by solvent molecules (DMF or DMSO). This structure was retained following desolvation, and compound 1 absorbed significant quantities of N(2) and H(2) at 78 K (S(BET) = 730 m(2) g(-1), H(2) sorption capacity: 0.9 % by weight at 865 Torr). Desolvation of [2⋅solvent] led to disorder of its crystal structure, and compound 2 only adsorbed negligible quantities of N(2) but adsorbed 0.27 % H(2) (by weight) at 855 Torr and 78 K. The magnetic properties of these complexes (temperature dependence of molar magnetic susceptibility) were governed by the magnetic properties of the trinuclear "building block".

3d4f heterobimetallic dinuclear and tetranuclear complexes involving tetrathiafulvalene as ligands: X-ray structures and magnetic and photophysical investigations.

Six new 3d4f heterobimetallic dinuclear complexes, [(L(1))MLn(hfac)(3)] [M = Cu(II), Ni(II); Ln = Y(III), Er(III), Yb(III); L(1) = 4,5-bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvalene-N,N'-phenylenebis(salicylideneimine) and hfac(-) = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate], and one tetranuclear complex, [(L(2))Cu(OH)Er(hfac)(3)](2) (where L(2) = 4,5-bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvalene-N,N'-phenyleneaminosalicylideneimine), have been synthesized. All of the X-ray structures of the coordination complexes have been resolved from single-crystal diffraction. A quantitative magnetic approach has allowed one to determine the Cu-Ln ferromagnetic interaction for Gd(III) (1.29 cm(-1)) and Tb(III) (0.40 cm(-1)) and the antiferromagnetic interaction for Dy(III) (-0.46 cm(-1)) and Yb(III) (-2.25 cm(-1)), while in the case of Er(III), the magnetic interactions are negligible. The UV-visible absorption properties have been studied in a chloroform solution and rationalized by DFT and TD-DFT calculations. Upon oxidation, intramolecular SOMO → LUMO (20,800 cm(-1)) and SOMO-n → SOMO (11,350 cm(-1)) charge transfers appear, while the HOMO → LUMO charge transfers (20,750 cm(-1)) disappear. The reversibility of the oxidation has been confirmed by electrochemistry and absorption properties upon the addition of a reducing agent. Irradiation at the HOMO → LUMO charge-transfer energy of the dinuclear complex [(L(1))NiY(hfac)(3)] induces a ligand-centered fluorescence at 14,450 cm(-1).

In solution sensitization of Er(III) luminescence by the 4-tetrathiafulvalene-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid dimethyl antenna ligand.

In the [Er(hfac)(3)(L)](2) complex (1) (L = 4-tetrathiafulvalene-2,6-pyridinecarboxylic acid dimethyl ester), the Er(III) ion is bonded to the tridentate coordination site. Electrochemical and photophysical measurements in solution reveal that the tetrathiafulvalene moiety is a versatile antenna for erbium luminescence sensitization at 6540 cm(-1) upon excitation in the low-energy charge transfer transition (donor to acceptor charge transfer) at 16600 cm(-1) assigned via time-dependent density functional theory calculations.

Single-molecule magnet behaviour in a tetrathiafulvalene-based electroactive antiferromagnetically coupled dinuclear dysprosium(III) complex.

The reactions between the [Ln(tta)(3)]·2H(2)O precursors (tta(-)=2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate anion) and the tetrathiafulvalene-3-pyridine-N-oxide ligands (L(1)) lead to dinuclear complexes of formula [{Ln(tta)(3)(L(1))}(2)]·xCH(2)Cl(2) (x=0.5 for Ln=Dy(III) (1) and x=0 for Ln=Gd(III) (2)). The crystal structure reveals that two {Ln(tta)(3)} moieties are bridged by two donors through the nitroxide groups. The Dy(III) centre adopts a distorted square antiprismatic oxygenated polyhedron structure. The antiferromagnetic nature of the exchange interaction between the two Dy(III) ions has been determined by two methods: 1) an empirical method using the [Dy(hfac)(3)(L(2))(2)] mononuclear complex as a model (3) (hfac(-)=1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate anion, L(2)=tetrathiafulvaleneamido-2-pyridine-N-oxide ligand), and 2) assuming an Ising model for the Dy(III) ion giving an exchange energy of -2.30 cm(-1), g=19.2 in the temperature range of 2-10 K. The antiferromagnetic interactions have been confirmed by a quantitative determination of J for the isotropic Gd(III) derivative (J=-0.031 cm(-1), g=2.003). Compound 1 displays a slow magnetisation relaxation without applied external magnetic fields. Alternating current susceptibility shows a thermally activated behaviour with pre-exponential factors of 5.48(4)×10(-7) s and an energy barrier of 87(1) K. The application of an external field of 1.6 kOe compensates the antiferromagnetic interactions and opens a new quantum tunnelling path.