Application of a Pillared-Layer Zn-Triazolate Metal-Organic Framework in the Dispersive Miniaturized Solid-Phase Extraction of Personal Care Products from Wastewater Samples.

The pillared-layer Zn-triazolate metal-organic framework (CIM-81) was synthesized, characterized, and used for the first time as a sorbent in a dispersive micro-solid phase extraction method. The method involves the determination of a variety of personal care products in wastewaters, including four preservatives, four UV-filters, and one disinfectant, in combination with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and UV detection. The CIM-81 MOF, constructed with an interesting mixed-ligand synthetic strategy, demonstrated a better extraction performance than other widely used MOFs in D-µSPE such as UiO-66, HKUST-1, and MIL-53(Al). The optimization of the method included a screening design followed by a Doehlert design. Optimum conditions required 10 mg of CIM-81 MOF in 10 mL of the aqueous sample at a pH of 5, 1 min of agitation by vortex and 3 min of centrifugation in the extraction step; and 1.2 mL of methanol and 4 min of vortex in the desorption step, followed by filtration, evaporation and reconstitution with 100 µL of the initial chromatographic mobile phase. The entire D-µSPE-UHPLC-UV method presented limits of detection down to 0.5 ng·mL-1; intra-day and inter-day precision values for the lowest concentration level (15 ng·mL-1)-as a relative standard deviation (in %)-lower than 8.7 and 13%, respectively; average relative recovery values of 115%; and enrichment factors ranging from ~3.6 to ~34. The reuse of the CIM-81 material was assessed not only in terms of maintaining the analytical performance but also in terms of its crystalline stability.

Influence of Ligand Functionalization of UiO-66-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks When Used as Sorbents in Dispersive Solid-Phase Analytical Microextraction for Different Aqueous Organic Pollutants.

Four metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), specifically UiO-66, UiO-66-NH2, UiO-66-NO2, and MIL-53(Al), were synthesized, characterized, and used as sorbents in a dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (D-µSPE) method for the determination of nine pollutants of different nature, including drugs, phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and personal care products in environmental waters. The D-µSPE method, using these MOFs as sorbents and in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and diode-array detection (DAD), was optimized. The optimization study pointed out to UiO-66-NO2 as the best MOF to use in the multi-component determination. Furthermore, the utilization of isoreticular MOFs based on UiO-66 with the same topology but different functional groups, and MIL-53(Al) to compare with, allowed us for the first time to evaluate the influence of such functionalization of the ligand with regards to the efficiency of the D-µSPE-HPLC-DAD method. Optimum conditions included: 20 mg of UiO-66-NO2 MOF in 20 mL of the aqueous sample, 3 min of agitation by vortex and 5 min of centrifugation, followed by the use of only 500 µL of acetonitrile as desorption solvent (once the MOF containing analytes was separated), 5 min of vortex and 5 min of centrifugation. The validation of the D-µSPE-HPLC-DAD method showed limits of detection down to 1.5 ng·L-1, average relative recoveries of 107% for a spiked level of 1.50 µg·L-1, and inter-day precision values with relative standard deviations lower than 14%, for the group of pollutants considered.

Photoluminescent and Slow Magnetic Relaxation Studies on Lanthanide(III)-2,5-pyrazinedicarboxylate Frameworks.

In the series described in this work, the hydrothermal synthesis led to oxidation of the 5-methyl-pyrazinecarboxylate anion to the 2,5-pyrazinedicarboxylate dianion (2,5-pzdc) allowing the preparation of three-dimensional (3D) lanthanide(III) organic frameworks of formula {[Ln2(2,5-pzdc)3(H2O)4]·6H2O}n [Ln = Ce (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), and Eu (4)] and {[Er2(2,5-pzdc)3(H2O)4]·5H2O}n (5). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction on 1-5 reveals that they crystallize in the triclinic system, P1̅ space group with the series 1-4 being isostructural. The crystal structure of the five compounds are 3D with the lanthanide(III) ions linked through 2,5-pzdc2- dianions acting as two- and fourfold connectors, building a binodal 4,4-connected (4·648)(426282)-mog network. The photophysical properties of the Nd(III) (3) and Eu(III) (4) complexes exhibit sensitized photoluminescence in the near-infrared and visible regions, respectively. The photoluminescence intensity and lifetime of 4 were very sensitive due to the luminescence quenching of the 5D0 level by O-H oscillators of four water molecules in the first coordination sphere leading to a quantum efficiency of 11%. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1-5 reveal behaviors as expected for the ground terms of the magnetically isolated rare-earth ions [2F5/2, 2H4, 4I9/2, 7F0, and 4I15/2 for Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Eu(III), and Er(III), respectively] with MJ = 0 (2 and 4) and ±1/2 (1, 3, and 5). Q-band electron paramagnetic resonance measurements at low temperature corroborate these facts. Frequency-dependent alternating-current magnetic susceptibility signals under external direct-current fields in the range of 100-2500 G were observed for the Kramers ions of 1, 3, and 5, indicating slow magnetic relaxation (single-ion magnet) behavior. In these compounds, τ-1 decreases with decreasing temperature at any magnetic field, but no Arrhenius law can simulate such a dependence in all the temperature range. This dependence can be reproduced by the contributions of direct and Raman processes, the Raman exponent (n) reaching the expected value (n = 9) for a Kramers system.

Two-dimensional 3d-4f heterometallic coordination polymers: syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of six new Co(II)-Ln(III) compounds.

Six new heterometallic cobalt(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes of formulas [Ln(bta)(H2O)2]2[Co(H2O)6]·10H2O [Ln = Nd(III) (1) and Eu(III) (2)] and [Ln2Co(bta)2(H2O)8]n·6nH2O [Ln = Eu(III) (3), Sm(III) (4), Gd(III) (5), and Tb(III) (6)] (H4bta = 1,2,4,5-benzenetretracaboxylic acid) have been synthesized and characterized via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 and 2 are isostructural compounds with a structure composed of anionic layers of [Ln(bta)(H2O)2]n(n-) sandwiching mononuclear [Co(H2O)6](2+) cations plus crystallization water molecules, which are interlinked by electrostatic forces and hydrogen bonds, leading to a supramolecular three-dimensional network. 3-6 are also isostructural compounds, and their structure consists of neutral layers of formula [Ln2Co(bta)2(H2O)8]n and crystallization water molecules, which are connected through hydrogen bonds to afford a supramolecular three-dimensional network. Heterometallic chains formed by the regular alternation of two nine-coordinate lanthanide(III) polyhedra [Ln(III)O9] and one compressed cobalt(II) octahedron [Co(II)O6] along the crystallographic c-axis are cross-linked by bta ligands within each layer of 3-6. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on polycrystalline samples for 3-6 have been carried out in the temperature range of 2.0-300 K. The magnetic behavior of these types of Ln(III)-Co(II) complexes, which have been modeled by using matrix dagonalization techniques, reveals the lack of magnetic coupling for 3 and 4, and the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions within the Gd(III)-Gd(III) (5) and Tb(III)-Tb(III) (6) dinuclear units through the exchange pathway provided by the double oxo(carboxylate) and double syn-syn carboxylate bridges.

Synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic characterization of the three-dimensional compound [Co2(cbut)(H2O)3]n (H4cbut = 1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic acid).

A novel cobalt(II) complex of formula [Co2(cbut)(H2O)3]n (1) (H4cbut = 1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic acid) has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and its crystal structure has been determined by means of synchrotron radiation and neutron powder diffraction. The crystal structure of 1 consists of layers of cobalt(II) ions extending in the bc-plane which are pillared along the crystallographic a-axis through the skeleton of the cbut(4-) ligand. Three crystallographically independent cobalt(II) ions [Co(1), Co(2), and Co(3)] occur in 1. They are all six-coordinate with four carboxylate-oxygens [Co(1)-Co(3)] and two cis-[Co(1)] or trans-water molecules [Co(2) and Co(3)] building distorted octahedral surroundings. Regular alternating double oxo(carboxylate) [between Co(1) and Co(1a)] and oxo(carboxylate) plus one aqua and a syn-syn carboxylate bridges [between Co(1) and Co(2)] occur along the crystallographic b-axis, the values of the cobalt-cobalt separation being 3.1259(8) and 3.1555(6) Å, respectively. These chains are connected to the Co(3) atoms through the OCO carboxylate along the [011] direction leading to the organic-inorganic bc-layers with Co(1)-OCO(anti-syn)-Co(3) and Co(2)-OCO(anti-anti)-Co(3) distances of 5.750(2) and 4.872(1) Å. The shortest interlayer cobalt-cobalt separation through the cbut(4-) skeleton along the crystallographic a-axis is 7.028(2) Å. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show the occurrence of antiferromagnetic ordering with a Néel temperature of 5.0 K, followed by a field-induced ferromagnetic transition under applied dc fields larger than 1500 Oe. The magnetic structure of 1 has been elucidated at low temperatures in zero field by neutron powder diffraction measurements and was found to be formed by ferromagnetic chains running along the b-axis which are antiferromagnetically coupled with the Co(3) ions through the c-axis giving rise to noncompensated magnetic moments within each bc-layer (ferrimagnetic plane). The occurrence of an antitranslation operation between these layers produces a weak interlayer antiferromagnetic coupling along the a-axis which is overcome by dc fields greater than 1500 Oe resulting in a phase transition toward a ferromagnetic state (metamagnetic behavior).

Dicopper(II) Metallacyclophanes with Electroswitchable Polymethyl-Substituted para-Phenylene Spacers.

Double-stranded anionic dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclic complexes of the paracyclophane type [Cu2L2](4-) have been prepared by the Cu(II)-mediated self-assembly of different para-phenylenebis(oxamato) bridging ligands with either zero-, one-, or four-electron-donating methyl substituents (L=N,N'-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (ppba; 1), 2-methyl- N,N'-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (Meppba; 2), and 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl- N,N'-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (Me4ppba; 3)). These complexes have been isolated as their tetra-n-butylammonium (1 a-3 a), lithium(I) (1 b-3 b), and tetraphenylphosphonium salts (1 c-3 c). The X-ray crystal structures of 1 a and 3 c show a parallel-displaced π-stacked conformation with a smaller deviation from perpendicularity between the two benzene rings and the basal planes of the square planar Cu(II) ions when increasing the number of methyl substituents (average dihedral angles (ϕ) of 58.72(7) and 73.67(5)° for 1 a and 3 c, respectively). Variable-temperature (2.0-300 K) magnetic-susceptibility measurements show an overall increase of the intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling with the number of methyl substituents onto the para-phenylene spacers (-J=75-95, 100-124, and 128-144 cm(-1) for 1 a-c, 2 a-c, and 3 a-c, respectively; H=-JS1×S2). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements show a reversible one-electron oxidation of the double polymethyl-substituted para-phenylenediamidate bridging skeleton at a relatively low formal potential that decreases with the number of methyl substituents (E1=+0.33, +0.24, and +0.15 V vs. SCE for 1-3, respectively). The monooxidized dicopper(II) π-radical cation species 3' prepared by the chemical oxidation of 3 with bromine exhibits intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible and near-IR (λmax=595 and 875 nm, respectively) regions together with a rhombic EPR signal with a seven-line splitting pattern due to hyperfine coupling with the nuclear spin of the two Cu(II) ions. Density functional (DF) calculations for 3' evidence a characteristic iminoquinonoid-type short-long-short alternating sequence of C-N and C-C bonds for both tetramethyl-para-phenylenediamidate bridges and a large amount of spin density of negative sign mainly delocalized along each of the four benzene C atoms directly attached to the amidate N atoms, which is in agreement with a fully delocalized π-stacked monoradical ligand description. Hence, the spins of the two Cu(II) ions (SCu=1/2) that are antiparallel aligned in 3 (OFF state) become parallel in 3' (ON state). Further developments may be then envisaged for this new permethylated dicopper(II) paracyclophane with a redox noninnocent ligand as a prototype for molecular magnetic electroswitch.

Low-dimensional 3d-4f complexes assembled by low-spin [Fe(III)(phen)(CN)4]- anions.

The synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of four new mixed 3d-4f complexes with formulas [{Fe(III)(phen)(CN)(4)}(4)Gd(2)(III)(bpym)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(4)]·2CH(3)CN·2H(2)O}(n) (1), [{Fe(III)(phen)(CN)(4)}(4)Tb(2)(III)(bpym)(H(2)O)(8)]·(NO(3))(2)·2CH(3)CN}(n) (2), [{Fe(III)(phen)(CN)(4)}(4)Sm(III)(bpym)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(5)]·2CH(3)CN}(n) (3), and [{Fe(III)(phen)(CN)(4)}(2)Pr(2)(III)(bpym)()(NO(3))(4)(H(2)O)(2)](n) (4) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) are discussed here. Compounds 1-3 are isomorphous and their structure consists of neutral ladder-like motifs where the rungs are made up by bpym-bridged dilanthanide(III) cations and the rods are defined by [Fe(phen)(CN)(4)](-) units adopting a bis-monodentate coordination mode through two of its four cyanide ligands. The electroneutrality in this family is achieved by either a chelating [at the Gd(III) (1) and Sm(III) (3)] or free [at the Tb(III) (2)] nitrate group and a peripheral [Fe(phen)(CN)(4)](-) entity, which act as a monodentate ligand across one of its four cyanide groups toward the rare-earth cation (1-3). Compound 4 exhibits a neutral two-dimensional structure where (µ-bpym)bis[diaquadi(nitrato-κ(2)-O,O')praseodymium(III)] fragments are interlinked through [Fe(phen)(CN)(4)](-) units adopting a tris-monodentate coordination mode across three of its four cyanide groups. Each iron(III) ion in 1-4 is six-coordinate with two nitrogen atoms from a chelating phen and four cyanide-carbon atoms building a somewhat distorted octahedral environment. The trivalent rare-earth cations are 9- (1-3) and 10-coordinate (4) having in common two nitrogen atoms from a bidentate bpym and three (1-3)/two (4) cyanide nitrogens, the coordination environment being completed by chelating nitrate (1, 3, 4) and water molecules (1-4). Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the 1.9-300 K temperature range show the occurrence of antiferromagnetic interactions in 1 through both the single cyanide- and the bis-bidentate bpym ligands. A weak ferromagnetic interaction is observed for 3 whereas very weak, if any, magnetic interactions would occur in 2 and 4, with the spin-orbit coupling of the low-spin iron(III) ion and the ligand field effects of the Tb(III) (2) and Pr(III) (4) masking their visualization.

Neutron diffraction studies of the molecular compound [Co2(bta)]n (H4bta =1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid): in the quest of canted ferromagnetism.

The exchange mechanism and magnetic structure of the organic-inorganic layered molecule-based magnet [Co2(bta)]n (1) (H4bta =1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) have been investigated through variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements and supported with a series of neutron diffraction experiments. Cryomagnetic studies have shown an antiferromagnetic ordering at a transition temperature of 16 K that is followed by the appearance of a weak ferromagnetism below 11 K. The weak antiferromagnetic interlayer interaction plays an important role in this system in spite of the long interlayer separation. A ferromagnetic ordering is induced by applied magnetic fields greater than 1800 G (metamagnetic behavior), and a slow magnetic relaxation from this ferromagnetic phase to the antiferromagnetic one is observed. The magnetic structure of 1 has been elucidated at low temperatures in zero field by neutron powder diffraction measurements and was found to be of antiferromagnetic nature with the local cobalt(II) spins (magnetic moments) being aligned ferromagnetically in the ac plane and antiferromagnetically coupled along the crystallographic b axis. No evidence for a long-range spontaneous ferromagnetic component below 11 K was observed in the neutron experiment.

Molecular engineering to control the magnetic interaction between single-chain magnets assembled in a two-dimensional network.

Two two-dimensional (2D) systems having the formula [{Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)}(2)Co(II)L](n) [L = pyetNO (1), tvpNO (2)] and consisting of single-chain magnets connected through organic ligands (L) have been prepared, and their magnetic properties have been investigated. The overall magnetic behavior depends on the capacity of the organic pillars to transmit long-range magnetic interactions. 1 is the first example of a 2D compound exhibiting double relaxation of the magnetization, whereas 2 behaves as a metamagnet.

Selective gas and vapor sorption and magnetic sensing by an isoreticular mixed-metal-organic framework.

A novel isoreticular oxamato-based manganese(II)-copper(II) open metal-organic framework H(2)O@iso1 featuring a pillared square/octagonal layer structure with alternating open and closed octagonal pores has been rationally prepared. The open-framework topology is responsible for a large selectivity in the separation of small gas (CO(2) over CH(4)) and vapor molecules (CH(3)OH over CH(3)CN and CH(3)CH(2)OH). H(2)O@iso1 displays a long-range three-dimensional ferromagnetic ordering with a drastic variation of the critical temperature as a function of the guest molecule [T(C) < 2.0 K (CO(2)@iso1 and CH(4)@iso1) and T(C) = 6.5 (CH(3)OH@iso1) and 21.0 K (H(2)O@iso1)].

Reversible solvatomagnetic switching in a spongelike manganese(II)-copper(II) 3D open framework with a pillared square/octagonal layer architecture.

The concept of "molecular magnetic sponges" was introduced for the first time in 1999 by the creative imagination of the late Olivier Kahn. It refers to the exotic spongelike behavior of certain molecule-based materials that undergo a dramatic change of their magnetic properties upon reversible dehydration/rehydration processes. Here we report a unique example of a manganese(II)-copper(II) mixed-metal-organic framework of formula [Na(H(2)O)(4)](4)[Mn(4){Cu(2)(mpba)(2)(H(2)O)(4)}(3)]·56.5H(2)O (1) (mpba=N,N'-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate)). Compound 1 possesses a 3D Mn(II)(4)Cu(II)(6) pillared layer structure with mixed square and octagonal pores of approximate dimensions 1.2×1.2 nm and 2.1×3.0 nm, respectively, hosting a large amount of crystallization H(2)O molecules and hydrated Na(I) countercations as guests. It reversibly switches from a crystalline hydrated phase with long-range ferromagnetic ordering at a rather high critical temperature (T(c)) of 22.5 K to an amorphous dehydrated phase with T(c) as low as 2.3 K, which is accompanied by a breathing-type dynamic effect involving a large crystal volume (ca. 45%) and color changes after water desorption/adsorption. The combination of both the open-framework structure and the spongelike optical, mechanical, and magnetic switching behavior in this new class of oxamato-based porous magnets offers fascinating possibilities in designing multifunctional materials for host-guest molecular sensing.

Slow relaxation of the magnetization in a 4,2-wavelike Fe(III)2Co(II) heterobimetallic chain.

The reaction of the low-spin iron(III) complex [Fe(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](-) (1) with fully solvated cobalt(II) ions affords the cyanide-bridged heterobimetallic chain {[Fe(III)(dmbpy)(CN)(4)](2)Co(II)(H(2)O)(2)}(n) · 4nH(2)O (2), which exhibits intrachain ferromagnetic coupling and double slow relaxation of the magnetization.

Theoretical insights into the ferromagnetic coupling in oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) and chromium(III)-manganese(II) dinuclear complexes with aromatic diimine ligands.

Two novel heterobimetallic complexes of formula [Cr(bpy)(ox)(2)Co(Me(2)phen)(H(2)O)(2)][Cr(bpy)(ox)(2)]·4H(2)O (1) and [Cr(phen)(ox)(2)Mn(phen)(H(2)O)(2)][Cr(phen)(ox)(2)]·H(2)O (2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and Me(2)phen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) have been obtained through the "complex-as-ligand/complex-as-metal" strategy by using Ph(4)P[CrL(ox)(2)]·H(2)O (L = bpy and phen) and [ML'(H(2)O)(4)](NO(3))(2) (M = Co and Mn; L' = phen and Me(2)phen) as precursors. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 consist of bis(oxalato)chromate(III) mononuclear anions, [Cr(III)L(ox)(2)](-), and oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) and chromium(III)-manganese(II) dinuclear cations, [Cr(III)L(ox)(µ-ox)M(II)L'(H(2)O)(2)](+)[M = Co, L = bpy, and L' = Me(2)phen (1); M = Mn and L = L' = phen (2)]. These oxalato-bridged Cr(III)M(II) dinuclear cationic entities of 1 and 2 result from the coordination of a [Cr(III)L(ox)(2)](-) unit through one of its two oxalato groups toward a [M(II)L'(H(2)O)(2)](2+) moiety with either a trans- (M = Co) or a cis-diaqua (M = Mn) configuration. The two distinct Cr(III) ions in 1 and 2 adopt a similar trigonally compressed octahedral geometry, while the high-spin M(II) ions exhibit an axially (M = Co) or trigonally compressed (M = Mn) octahedral geometry in 1 and 2, respectively. Variable temperature (2.0-300 K) magnetic susceptibility and variable-field (0-5.0 T) magnetization measurements for 1 and 2 reveal the presence of weak intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions between the Cr(III) (S(Cr) = 3/2) ion and the high-spin Co(II) (S(Co) = 3/2) or Mn(II) (S(Mn) = 5/2) ions across the oxalato bridge within the Cr(III)M(II) dinuclear cationic entities (M = Co and Mn) [J = +2.2 (1) and +1.2 cm(-1) (2); H = -JS(Cr)·S(M)]. Density functional electronic structure calculations for 1 and 2 support the occurrence of S = 3 Cr(III)Co(II) and S = 4 Cr(III)Mn(II) ground spin states, respectively. A simple molecular orbital analysis of the electron exchange mechanism suggests a subtle competition between individual ferro- and antiferromagnetic contributions through the σ- and/or π-type pathways of the oxalato bridge, mainly involving the d(yz)(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(xz)(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(x(2)-y(2))(Cr)/d(xy)(M), d(yz)(Cr)/d(xz)(M), and d(xz)(Cr)/d(yz)(M) pairs of orthogonal magnetic orbitals and the d(x(2)-y(2))(Cr)/d(x(2)-y(2))(M), d(xz)(Cr)/d(xz)(M), and d(yz)(Cr)/d(yz)(M) pairs of nonorthogonal magnetic orbitals, which would be ultimately responsible for the relative magnitude of the overall ferromagnetic coupling in 1 and 2.

Solid-state aggregation of metallacyclophane-based Mn(II)Cu(II) one-dimensional ladders.

Two distinct one-dimensional (1) and two-dimensional (2) mixed-metal-organic polymers have been synthesized by using the "complex-as-ligand" strategy. The structure of 1 consists of isolated ladderlike Mn(II)(2)Cu(II)(2) chains separated from each other by neutral Mn(II)(2) dimers, whereas 2 possesses an overall corrugated layer structure built from additional coordinative interactions between adjacent Mn(II)(2)Cu(II)(2) ladders. Interestingly, 1 and 2 show overall ferri- and antiferromagnetic behavior, respectively, as a result of their distinct crystalline aggregation in the solid state.

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of M(II)Cu(II) chains (M = Mn and Co) with sterically hindered alkyl-substituted phenyloxamate bridging ligands.

A series of neutral oxamato-bridged heterobimetallic chains of general formula [MCu(L(x)2 (S)2] · p S · q H2O [p = 0-1, q = 0-2.5; L1 = N-2,6-dimethylphenyloxamate, S = DMF with M = Mn (1a) and Co (1b); L2 = N-2,6-diethylphenyloxamate, S = DMF with M = Mn (2a) and Co (2b) or S = DMSO with M = Mn (2c) and Co (2 d); L3 = N-2,6-diisopropylphenyloxamate, S = DMF with M = Mn (3a) and Co (3b) or S = DMSO with M = Mn (3c) and Co (3d)] were prepared by treating the corresponding anionic oxamatocopper(II) complexes [Cu(L(x))(2)]2- (x = 1-3) with M(2+) cations (M = Mn and Co) in DMF or DMSO as the solvent. The single-crystal X-ray structures of 2a and 3a reveal the occurrence of well-isolated, zigzag, oxamato-bridged manganese(II)-copper(II) chains. The intrachain Cu···Mn distances across the oxamato bridge are 5.3761(7) and 5.4002(17) Å for 2a and 3a, respectively, whereas the shortest interchain Mn···Mn distances are 9.4475(16) and 8.1649(14) Å for 2a and 3 a, respectively. All of these M(II) Cu(II) chains (M = Mn and Co) exhibit 1D ferrimagnetic behaviour with moderately strong intrachain antiferromagnetic coupling between the square-planar Cu(II) and octahedral high-spin M(II) ions across the oxamato bridge [-J=31.4-35.2 and 33.4-44.8 cm(-1) , respectively; H = ∑(i)-JS(M,i) (S(Cu,i) +S(Cu,i-1))]. Only the Co(II) Cu(II) chains show slow magnetic relaxation effects characteristic of single-chain magnets (SCMs). Analysis of the magnetic relaxation dynamics of 3d shows a thermally activated mechanism (Arrhenius law dependence) with values of the pre-exponential factor (τ(0) = 2.6 × 10(-9) s) and activation energy (E(a) =7.7 cm(-1) ) that are typical of SCMs. In contrast, two relaxation regimes are observed for 2d in different temperature regions (τ(0) = 3.2 × 10(-10) s and E(a) = 24.7 cm(-1) for T < 4.5K and τ(0) = 3.2 × 10(-14) s and E(a) = 37.5 cm(-1) for T>4.5K).

Rational enantioselective design of chiral heterobimetallic single-chain magnets: synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of oxamato-bridged M(II)Cu(II) chains (M=Mn, Co).

A new series of neutral oxamato-bridged M(II)Cu(II) chiral chains of general formula [MCuL(x)(S)(m)(H(2)O)(n)]·aS·bH(2)O [L(1)=(M)-1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-bis(oxamate) with M=Mn (1a) and Co (1b); L(2)=(P)-1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-bis(oxamate) with M=Mn (2a) and Co (2b)] and the analogous racemic chains of formula [MCuL(3)(S)(m)(H(2)O)(n)]·aS·bH(2)O [L(3)=1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-bis(oxamate) with M=Mn (3a) and Co (3b)] have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding dianionic oxamatocopper(II) complex [Cu(L(x))](2-) with Mn(2+) or Co(2+) cations in either dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Solid circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the bimetallic chain compounds were recorded to establish their chiral and enantiomeric nature. They exhibit maximum positive and negative Cotton effects, each pair of enantiomeric chains being non-superimposable mirror images. The crystal structures of the Mn(II)Cu(II) (1a-3a) and the Co(II)Cu(II) (1b and 2b) chain compounds were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Our attempts to obtain X-ray quality crystals of 3b were unsuccessful. The values of the shortest interchain Mn···Mn and Co···Co distances are indicative of a good isolation of neighbouring chains in the crystal lattice, which is caused by the bulky aromatic ligand. Although all the Mn(II)Cu(II) and Co(II)Cu(II) chains exhibit ferrimagnetic behaviour (-J(MnCu)=18.9-26.6 cm(-1) and -J(CoCu)=19.5-32.5 cm(-1)), only the enantiopure Co(II)Cu(II) chains (1b and 2b) show slow magnetic relaxation at low temperatures (T(B)=0.6-1.8 K), which is a characteristic of single-chain magnets (SCMs) and is related to the magnetic anisotropy of the high-spin Co(II) ion. Analysis of the SCM behaviour of 1b and 2b, based on Glauber's theory for an Ising one-dimensional system, shows a thermally activated mechanism for the magnetic relaxation (Arrhenius law dependence). The energy barriers (E(a)) to reverse the magnetisation direction are 8.2 (1b) and 8.1cm(-1) (2b), whereas the pre-exponential factor (τ(0)) is 1.9×10(-8) (1b) and 6.0×10(-9) s (2b). Interestingly, the racemic Co(II)Cu(II) chain analogue, 3b, showed no evidence of SCM behaviour.

Spin control in oxamato-based manganese(II)-copper(II) coordination polymers with brick-wall layer architectures.

Two new heterobimetallic manganese(II)-copper(II) coordination polymers of formulas [Mn(2)Cu(2)(Me(3)mpba)(2)(H(2)O)(6)]·8H(2)O (1) and [Mn(2)Cu(2)(Me(4)ppba)(2)(H(2)O)(6)]·8H(2)O (2) [Me(3)mpba = 2,4,6-trimethyl-N,N'-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate) and Me(4)ppba = 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-N,N'-1,4-phenylenebis(oxamate)] have been synthesized following a molecular-programmed self-assembly method from the corresponding dicopper(II) complexes acting as metalloligands toward Mn(II) ions. 1 and 2 consist of neutral Mn(II)(2)Cu(II)(2) layers with a brick-wall structure made up of oxamato-bridged Mn(II)Cu(II) chains connected through double meta- (1) and para-substituted (2) permethylated phenylene spacers. Overall magnetic (1) and nonmagnetic (2) layer ground states result from the ferro- and antiferromagnetic interchain interactions between the oxamato-bridged Mn(II)Cu(II) ferrimagnetic chains across m- and p-phenylene spacers, respectively. Interestingly, compound 1 exhibits a long-range ferromagnetic ordering with a rather high Curie temperature (T(C)) of 20.0 K.

Synthesis, structural analysis, and magnetic properties of ethylmalonate-manganese(II) complexes.

Five manganese(II) complexes of formulas [Mn(2)(Etmal)(2)(H(2)O)(2)(L)](n) (1-4) and {[Mn(Etmal)(2)(H(2)O)][Mn(H(2)O)(4)]}(n) (5) with H(2)Etmal = ethylmalonic acid (1-5) and L = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpa) (1), 4,4'-azobispyridine (azpy) (2), 4,4'-bipyridyl (4,4'-bpy) (3), and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) (4) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Their thermal behavior and variable-temperature magnetic properties were also investigated. The structure of the compounds 1-4 consists of corrugated layers of aquamanganese(II) units with intralayer carboxylate-ethylmalonate bridges in the anti-syn (equatorial-equatorial) coordination mode which are linked through bis-monodentate bpa (1), azpy (2), 4,4'-bpy (3), and bpe (4) ligands to build up a three-dimensional (3D) framework. The structure of compound 5 is made up by zigzag chains of manganese(II) ions with a regular alternation of [Mn(H(2)O)(4)](2+) and chiral (either Δ or λ enantiomeric forms) [Mn(Etmal)(2)(H(2)O)](2-) units within each chain. In contrast to the bidentate/bis-monodentate coordination mode of the Etmal ligand in 1-4, it adopts the bidentate/monodentate coordination mode in 5 with the bridging carboxylate-ethylmalonate also exhibiting the anti-syn conformation but connecting one equatorial and an axial position from adjacent metal centers. The manganese-manganese separation through the carboxylate-ethylmalonate bridge in 1-5 vary in the range 5.3167(4)-5.5336(7) Å. These values are much shorter than those across the extended bis-monodentate N-donors in 1-4 with longest/shortest values of 11.682(3) (3)/13.9745(9) Å (4). Compounds 1-5 exhibit an overall antiferromagnetic behavior, where the exchange pathway is provided by the carboxylate-ethylmalonate bridge. Monte Carlo simulations based on the classical spin approach (1-5) were used to successfully reproduce the magnetic data of 1-5.

Solid-state dinuclear-to-trinuclear conversion in an oxalato-bridged chromium(III)-cobalt(II) complex as a new route toward single-molecule magnets.

A novel bis(oxalato)chromium(III) salt of a ferromagnetically coupled, oxalato-bridged dinuclear chromium(III)-cobalt(II) complex of formula [CrL(ox)(2)CoL'(H(2)O)(2)][CrL(ox)(2)]·4H(2)O (1) has been self-assembled in solution using different aromatic α,α'-diimines as blocking ligands, such as 2,2'-bipyridine (L = bpy) and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (L' = Me(2)phen). Thermal dehydration of 1 leads to an intriguing solid-state reaction between the S = 3/2 Cr(III) anions and the S = 3 Cr(III)Co(II) cations to give a ferromagnetically coupled, oxalato-bridged trinuclear chromium(III)-cobalt(II) complex of formula {[CrL(ox)(2)](2)CoL'} (2). Complex 2 possesses a moderately anisotropic S = 9/2 Cr(III)(2)Co(II) ground state, and it exhibits slow magnetic relaxation behavior at very low temperatures (T(B) < 2.0 K).

The construction of open Gd(III) metal-organic frameworks based on methanetriacetic acid: new objects with an old ligand.

The preparation, X-ray crystallography and magnetic investigation of the first examples of methanetriacetate (mta)-containing lanthanide(III) complexes of formulae [Gd(mta)(H(2)O)(3)](n)4 n H(2)O (1) [Gd(mta)(H(2)O)(3)](n)2 n H(2)O (2) and [Gd(2)(mta)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](n)2 n H(2)O (3) are described herein. This tripodal ligand promotes the formation of 6(3) networks; thus 1 consists of a honeycomb structure, whereas in 2 two of these layers are condensed to form a rare five-connected two-dimensional (4(8)6(2)) network. Compound 3 can be seen as an aggregation of 6(3) layers leading to a three-dimensional (6,6)-connected binodal (4(12)6(3))(4(9)6(6))-nia net, in which the gadolinium(III) ions and the mta ligands act as octahedral and as trigonal prismatic nodes, respectively. The magnetic properties of 1-3 were investigated in the temperature range 1.9-300 K. A close fit to the Curie law (1) and weak either antiferro- [J=-0.0063(1) cm(-1) (2)] or ferromagnetic [J=+0.0264(6) cm(-1) (3)] interactions between the Gd(III) ions are observed; the different exchange pathways involved [extended tris-bidentate mta (1) and mu-O(1);kappa(2)O(1),O(2) (2 and 3) plus single syn-syn carboxylate-mta (3)] accounting for these magnetic features. The nature and magnitude of the magnetic interactions, between the Gd(III) ions in 1-3, agree with the small amount of data existing in the literature for these kind of bridges.