Field-induced Single-molecule Magnet Research Articles

Multifunctional Dy3+ Complexes with Triphenylmethanolates: Structural Diversity, Luminescence, and Magnetic Relaxation.

The coordination environment of magneto-luminescent Dy3+-based Single-Molecule Magnets (SMM) is a crucial factor influencing both magnetic and luminescent properties. In this work, we explore how triphenylmethanolate (Ph3CO-), in combination with other ligands, can modulate the structure and, therefore, the magnetic properties of Dy3+-based SMM. Using triphenylmethanolate in combination with THF and pyridine (Py) as co-ligands, we synthesized a series of mononuclear cis-[Dy(OCPh3)2(THF)4][BPh4]·(2,6-Me2C5H3N) (1), trans-Dy(OCPh3)3(THF)2 (2), fac-Dy(OCPh3)3(py)3 (3) and dinuclear [(Ph3CO)Dy(THF){(μ2-Cl)2Li(THF)2}μ2-Cl]2 (4) complexes where the Dy3+ ion presents five- or six-coordinate geometries. Dinuclear compound 4 exhibits a genuine SMM behavior with a relatively high energy barrier of 421 cm-1, while mononuclear complexes 1-3 are field-induced SMM. These complexes also present Dy3+-characteristic luminescence, highlighting their multifunctional character.

Isostructural Oxamate Complexes with Visible Luminescence (Eu3+) and Field-Induced Single-Molecule Magnet (Nd3+).

The search for new metal-organic compounds as candidates for quantum information processing technologies is in the spotlight. Several metal ions and organic linkers have been used to obtain such compounds. Herein, we describe the synthesis, crystal structures, and cryomagnetic properties of two air-stable isostructural neodymium(III) and europium(III) one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers of formula [Nd(Hmpa)3(DMSO)2]n (1) and [Eu(Hmpa)3(DMSO)2]n (2) [Hmpa=N-(4-methylphenyl)oxamate, and DMSO=dimethylsulfoxide]. These complexes were prepared by reacting n-Bu4N(Hmpa) proligand [n-Bu4N+=tetra-n-butylammonium] and the correspondent LnCl3 ⋅ 6H2O salt (Ln=Nd or Eu) in the open air and mild conditions. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 reveal the Ln3+ ion surrounded by two DMSO molecules and three oxamate ligands, one of them connecting to adjacent mononuclear entities through carboxylate bridges featuring a homometallic chain, while the other two establishing double N-H ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ O hydrogen bonds among adjacent polymers to give a resultant supramolecular 2D network. Cryomagnetic measurements in the static (dc) and dynamic current (ac) regimes reveal that 1 behaves as a field-induced single-molecule magnet below 8.8 K. A photoluminescence study shows that Hmpa ligands efficiently sensitize the luminescence of Eu3+ complex in the visible region in the solid state at room temperature.

Thirty Years of Hide-and-Seek: Capturing Abundant but Elusive MIII@C3v(8)-C82 Isomer, and the Study of Magnetic Anisotropy Induced in Dy3+ Ion by the Fullerene π-Ligand.

Our knowledge about endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) is restricted to the structures with sufficient kinetic stability to be extracted from the arc-discharge soot and processed by chromatographic and structural techniques. For the most abundant rare-earth monometallofullerene MIII@C82, experimental studies repeatedly demonstrated C2v(9) and Cs(6) carbon cage isomers, while computations predicted equal stability of the "missing" C3v(8) isomer. Here we report that this isomer is indeed formed but has not been recovered from soot using standard protocols. Using a combination of redox extraction and subsequent benzylation and trifluoromethylation with single-crystal XRD analysis of CF3 adduct, we prove that Dy@C3v(8)-C82 is one of the most abundantly produced metallofullerenes, which was not identified in earlier studies because of the low kinetic stability. Further, using the Dy@C3v(8)-C82(CF3) and Dy@C3v(8)-C82(CH2Ph) monoadducts for the case study, we analyzed the role of metal-fullerene bonding on the single-ion magnetic anisotropy of Dy in EMFs. The multitechnique approach, combining ab initio calculations, EPR spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometry, demonstrated that coordination of the Dy ion to the fullerene cage induces moderate, nonaxial, and very fluid magnetic anisotropy, which strongly varies with small alterations in the Dy-fullerene coordination geometry. As a result, Dy@C3v(8)-C82(CH2Ph) is a weak field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM), whose signatures of magnetic relaxation are detectable only below 3 K. Our results demonstrate that metal-cage interactions should have a detrimental effect on the SMM performance of EMFs. At the same time, the strong variability of the magnetic anisotropy with metal position suggests tunability and offers strategies for future progress.

Integrating Polyoxometalate into Dy(III)-based Single-molecule Magnets with Pentagonal Bipyramidal Symmetry.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) with various coordination fashions are versatile ligands for constructing single-ion magnets (SIMs), but enforcing POM-SIMs with a specific geometry remains a synthetic challenge. Herein, we synthesized a POM-cocrystallized DyIII-SIM [Dy(OPPh3)4(H2O)3][PW12O40]·4EtOH (1Dy) and a POM-ligated DyIII-SIM [{Dy(OPPh3)3(H2O)3}{PW12O40}]·Ph3PO·H2O (2Dy) with pentagonal bipyramidal local coordination geometry. Magnetic measurements indicate that 1Dy displays field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior and the relaxation is dominated by under-barrier processes. 2Dy exhibits spin-lattice relaxation at a broader temperature region with a reversal barrier over 300 K. Magneto-structural analysis reveals that the enhancement of SMM behavior originated from the equatorial replacement of Ph3PO by POM, which strengthens the axial anisotropy in 2Dy. Luminescent experiments indicate that the characteristic DyIII emissions of 1Dy are covered up by the strong π-π* emission of Ph3PO at low-temperature regions. As for 2Dy, partial DyIII emission persists thanks to the antenna effect between DyIII and POM.

Syntheses and properties of seven 3,4-dichlorobenzoate-based zinc-rare earth heterometallic complexes containing a field-induced Zn(II)-Dy(III)-Dy(III)-Zn(II) single-molecule magnet

Under solvothermal conditions of CH3CH2OH and H2O, a series of 3d-4f heterometallic complexes [Ln2Zn2(3,4-DCB)10(2,2′-bpy)2] [Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), Dy (5), Er (6) and Yb (7), 3,4-DCB = 3,4-dichlorobenzoic acid, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine] were synthesized by the reactions of Ln(NO3)3·6H2O, Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, 3,4-HDCB, 2,2′-bpy and NaOH. These complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermo analysis (DTA). Complexes 1–7 show two types of different zero-dimensional (0D) structures although they have the same molecular formula. Complexes 1–5 are isomorphic, and complexes 6 and 7 are isomorphic. In 1–7, linear tetranuclear clusters are formed from 3,4-DCB connecting Ln(III) and Zn(II). They can be expanded into one-dimensional (1D) supramolecular chains or two-dimensional (2D) supramolecular layers by the intermolecular π–π interactions. The photoluminescent properties of 1, 2, 4 and 5 and the magnetic properties of 3–7 were studied in detail. Complex 5 exhibits an obvious field-induced single-molecule magnet behavior with a Ueff value of approximately 24 K.

From Dy-chain to Dy-dimer: Significant structural variation induced only by counter cations and slow magnetic relaxation behaviors

Herein we report a family of Dy complexes with 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4‑dione (Hhfac), [Et2MeNH][Dy(hfac)3(OAc)] (1), [Et3NH][Dy(hfac)3(OAc)] (2) and [(n-Pr)3NH]2[Dy2(hfac)6(OAc)2] (3), among which a rare structural variation has been realized by the change of organic ammonium counter cations. These complexes are all constructed from mononuclear [Dy(hfac)3] building units and OAc− linkages, while employing different protonated tertiary amines as the counter cations. The Namine-H∙∙∙Oacetate hydrogen bonds, which are formed between counter cations and OAc− bridges in all complexes, make each counter cations just wedge into the gaps between adjacent [Dy(hfac)3] building units. The hfac‒ groups of each [Dy(hfac)3] unit thus inversed to other side along with the enlarging of the steric hindrance of counter cations, resulting in a significant structural variation from infinite chain topologies of 1 and 2 to discrete dimer structure of 3. For such significant structural variation induced only by the counter cations, to our knowledge, it is the first time in the whole lanthanide complex family. The magnetic studies revealed that 1–3 all show field-induced single-molecule magnets (SMMs) behavior, with the efficient energy barriers (Ueff) of 23.9, 8.5, and 11.2 K, respectively.

Field-Induced Slow Magnetic Relaxation in Mononuclear Cobalt(II) Complexes Decorated by Macrocyclic Pentaaza Ligands.

Two cobalt(II) complexes [CoL1](OTf)2 (1, L1 = 6,6''-di(anilino)-4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) and [CoL2](OTf)2·MeOH (2, L2 = 6,6''-di(N,N-dimethylamino)-4'-phenyl-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) were synthesized and characterized. Crystal structure analyses showed that the spin carries were coordinated by five N atoms from the neutral pentaaza ligands, forming distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination environments. Ab initio calculations revealed large easy-axial anisotropy in complexes 1 and 2. Magnetic measurements suggest that complexes 1 and 2 are field-induced single-molecule magnets, whose relaxations are mainly predominated by Raman and direct processes.

Dy4 and Dy5 complexes based on tautomeric hydrazone Schiff-base ligand regulated by temperature showing single-molecule magnet behaviour

Two dysprosium complexes [Dy4(H2L)6]⋅4H2O (Dy4) and [Dy5(H2L)(HL)2(L)(µ3OH)2Cl(H2O)(MeCN)2]⋅4MeOH⋅7H2O (Dy5) (H4L = (N',N'''E,N',N'''E)-N',N'''-(pyridine-2,6-diylbis(methanylylidene))bis(2-hydroxybenzohydrazide)) based on hydrazone Schiff-base ligand were synthesized, which could be regulated by controlling temperature (Dy4, below 293 K and Dy5, over 308 K). Magnetic studies show that complex Dy4 is a typical field-induced single-molecule magnet with an effective energy barrier (Ueff) of 42.9 K under 1 kOe dc field. Complex Dy5 is a zero dc field single-molecule magnet with an effective energy barrier (Ueff) of 4.18 K. The results indicate the synthesis of lanthanide complexes is sensitive to substitute of ligand and temperature.

Heptanuclear Mixed-Valence Co4IIICo3II Molecular Wheel─A Molecular Analogue of Layered Double Hydroxides with Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior and Electrocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Evolution Reactions.

We present a bifunctional heptanuclear cobalt(II)/cobalt(III) molecular complex formulated as [Co7(μ3-OH)4(H2L1)2(HL2)2](NO3)6·6H2O (1) (where H5L1 is 2,2'-(((1E,1'E)-((2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(methanylylidene))bis(azanylylidene))bis(propane-1,3-diol)) and H2L2 is 2-amino-1,3-propanediol). Compound 1 has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis along with other spectral and magnetic measurements. Structural analysis indicates that 1 contains a mixed-valence Co7 cluster where a central Co(II) ion is connected to six different Co centers (four CoIII and two CoII ions) by four μ3-OH groups, giving rise to a planar heptanuclear cluster that resembles a molecular fragment of a layered double hydroxide (LDH). Two triply deprotonated (H2L1)3- ligands form the outer side of the cluster while two singly deprotonated (HL2)- ligands are located at the top and bottom of the central heptanuclear core. Variable temperature magnetic measurements indicate the presence of weak ferromagnetic CoII···CoII interactions (J = 3.53(6) cm-1) within the linear trinuclear CoII cluster. AC susceptibility measurements show that 1 is a field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) with τ0 = 8.2(7) × 10-7 s and Ueff = 11.3(4) K. The electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of 1 in homogeneous phase shows an overpotential of 455 mV, with a Faradaic efficiency of 81% and a TOF of 8.97 × 104 μmol H2 h-1 mol-1.

Two dysprosium single molecule magnets with planar skeleton built from edge-shared Dy3 triangles

Two dysprosium clusters [Dy4(µ3-OH)2(L1)6(L2)2]·2CH3CN (1) and [Dy6(µ3-OH)2(L3)2(HL3)2(H2L3)2(EtOH)2Cl2]Cl2·2EtOH·4CH3CN (2) bearing in-situ formed Schiff base ligands (H2L2 and H3L3) were obtained from the solvothermal reactions of Dy(NO3)3∙5H2O with 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde and anthranilic acid (HL1), and DyCl3∙6H2O with 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-methyl-2-amino-1,3-propanediol, respectively. They present planar tetranuclear and hexanuclear skeletons constructed from two and four edge-shared triangular Dy3 units for 1 and 2, respectively. Magnetic tests showed that both titled dysprosium clusters are field-induced single molecule magnets. Ab initio calculations were also performed to interpret their SMM performances. Single molecule magnets bearing such planar skeletons are rarely reported.

Novel lanthanide complexes with quinoline-2-carboxylic acid: Structural variety and magnetism

By means of the reaction of lanthanide chlorides with quinaldic (quinoline-2-carboxylic, HQA) acid in an aqueous-ethanolic medium in the presence of pyridine, the following complexes were obtained: the known binuclear [Nd2(QA)6(H2O)6]·3H2O (1) one and the novel compounds built of binuclear dicationic and mononuclear anionic moieties [Ln2(QA)4(H2O)4]2+[Ln(QA)4(H2O)]ˉ2·2EtOH·6H2O (Ln = Gd (2), Dy (3), Er (4), Yb (5)), as well as the anionic mononuclear one, [Hpy2]+[Er(QA)4]ˉ·4H2O (6). The complexes 2–5 were characterized by dc and ac magnetic measurements. Complex 3 exhibits the properties of a single-molecule magnet (SMM) in a zero static field with remagnetization barrier (Δeff/kB) of 82 K, while the other complexes display the properties of field-induced SMMs with the Δeff/kB values of 24, 19, and 33 K for the complexes 2, 4, and 5, respectively.

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.

Tuning the slow magnetic relaxation with the substituents in anilate bridged bis(dysprosium) complexes.

Dinuclear lanthanide complexes [((HB(pz)3)2Dy)2(μ-Th2An)] (1Dy) and [((HB(pz)3)2Dy)2(μ-ClCNAn)] (2Dy), based on the hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate (HBpz3-) scorpionate capping ligand and anilate (An2-) bridging linkers, namely homosubstituted dithiophene- and heterosubstituted chlorocyanoanilate, bearing electron-donating and withdrawing substituents at the 3,6-positions of the benzoquinone core, are reported. 1Dy shows an octacoordinated {N6O2} DyIII ion within a D4h distorted square antiprismatic coordination, an ideal geometry for Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behavior, given its oblate nature, whereas in 2Dy the octacoordinated DyIII ion adopts a D2d triangular dodecahedron geometry, while maintaining the same {N6O2} coordination sphere. Both complexes show field-induced single molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour, with tuning of the slow magnetic relaxation as a function of the nature of the substituents at the 3,6-positions of the anilate moiety. A comparison of the Arrhenius fitting parameters for 1Dy and 2Dy supports the hypothesis that square antiprismatic DyIII complexes, as 1Dy, exhibit higher energy barriers. This interpretation is supported by ab initio calculations that also shed light on the crucial role of intermolecular dipolar interactions.

Two multifunctional Dy(iii)-based metal–organic frameworks exhibiting proton conduction, magnetic properties and second-harmonic generation

Two novelty Dy-MOFs were synthesized using H4DTTP-2OMe ligand. MOF 1 displays a more superior proton conductivity, field-induced single molecule magnets behavior and obvious second-order nonlinear optical properties.

In situ hydrolysis of a carbophosphazene ligand leads to one-dimensional lanthanide coordination polymers. Synthesis, structure and dynamic magnetic studies.

An in situ hydrolysis of the P-Cl bonds of the carbophosphazene [{NC(NMe2)}2{NPCl2}] (LPCl2) in the presence of hydrated lanthanide(III) nitrates in a dichloromethane and methanol (2 : 1) solvent mixture afforded a series of novel 1D coordination polymers: [{Ln(LHPO2)3(NO3)2(CH3OH)(H2O)} (Cl)]n {where Ln(III) = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), or Er (4) and LHPO2 is the hydrolyzed carbophosphazene (LPCl2) ligand}. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that complexes 1-4 are isostructural and crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system having P21/c space group. The coordination polymers are formed because of the involvement of the geminal P(O)(OH) moieties of the carbophosphazene ligand. Each lanthanide(III) ion is 9-coordinate (9O) in a distorted muffin geometry. Magnetic measurements revealed that both DyIII and ErIII analogues exhibit field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior at 0.8 kOe and 2.2 k Oe, respectively. At such dc fields, the dynamic magnetic susceptibility displays complex behavior with a triple magnetic relaxation contribution for 3, while two contributions were identified for 4. The observed static and dynamic magnetic behavior for complexes 1-4 were further rationalized with the aid of BS-DFT and CASSCF/SO-RASSI/SINGLE_ANISO calculations.

Multifunctional chiral metal hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks constructed from lanthanide ions with a trigonal prismatic coordination environment.

Two pairs of chiral enantiomers D/L-Dy(PMP)3·2H2O (D-1/L-1) and D/L-Yb(PMP)3·2H2O (D-2/L-2) were synthesized by the introduction of enantiomerically pure D/L-PMP (PMP = (phosphonomethyl)proline) ligands into lanthanide coordination chemistry. The chiral characteristics of these products were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction, second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. These complexes are composed of 1D chains constructed from lanthanide ions with a trigonal prismatic coordination geometry and PMP ligands. The assembly of the 1D chains led to the formation of a lanthanide hydrogen-bonded organic framework with 1D water chains filled in the channels. Zero-field slow relaxation of magnetization was detected in L-1, whereas L-2 showed field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior. Complexes D-1, L-1 and L-2 show proton conductive ability and their conductivity values reach the order of 10-5 S cm-1 at 90 °C and 98% relative humidity.

Photoluminescence and magnetic properties of isostructural europium(III), gadolinium(III) and terbium(III) oxamate-based coordination polymers.

Developing and investigating advanced multifunctional materials with magnetic properties as candidates for assembling spin qubits for quantum computing is imperative. A new polytopic ligand based on oxamate and aniline was used to promote the synthesis of three neutral homometallic lanthanide-coordinated polymers. New complexes with the formula {Ln(phox)3(DMSO)2(H2O)}n, where Ln = Eu3+ (1), Gd3+ (2), and Tb3+ (3) [phox = N-(phenyl)oxamate and DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide], were synthesized and well characterized by spectroscopic methods as well as X-ray crystallographic analysis. All crystalline structures comprise neutral zigzag chains. The lanthanide ions are linked by three phox ligands, in which two oxygen atoms from two different ligands are responsible for connecting the trivalent lanthanide ions, and one phox ligand completes the coordination sphere in a bis-bidentate mode, together with two DMSO molecules and one water coordination molecule. The coordination sphere of lanthanide ions consisted of spherical capped square antiprism (CSAPR-9) symmetry. The magnetic properties of 1-3 were investigated in the 2-300 K temperature range. The dynamic (ac) magnetic properties of 2 reveal a frequency dependence involving the phonon bottleneck mechanism below 33 K under nonzero applied dc magnetic fields, resulting in an example of a field-induced single-molecule magnet. Solid-state photophysical measurements for Eu3+ (1) and Tb3+ (3) complexes indicate that the N-(phenyl)oxamate ligands are very efficient in sensitizing the lanthanide(III) ions in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited an emission in the red and green regions, respectively. Experimental results and theoretical calculations using the Sparkle/RM1 method support a quantum efficiency of ∼72% for 1, suggesting its potential as a candidate for light conversion molecular devices (LCMDs).

Magneto-structural correlation in lanthanide luminescent [2.2]paracyclophane-based single-molecule magnets.

The association of lanthanide ions and paracyclophane derivatives has been very scarcely reported in the literature. In this study, elaboration of five coordination lanthanide complexes involving the 1,4(1,4)-dibenzenacyclohexaphane-12,43-diylbis(diphenylphosphine oxide) ligand (L) was achieved with the determination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures of four mononuclear complexes of formula [Ln(hfac)3(L)] (hfac- = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate) (Ln = Dy(III) (1-Dy) and Yb(III) (2-Yb)) and [Ln(tta)3(L)] (tta- = 2-tenoyl-trifluoroacetylacetonate) (Ln = Dy(III) (3-Dy) and Yb(III) (4-Yb)) and one dinuclear complex [Na(Dy2(hfac)6(L)2)](BArF) (BArF- = tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate) (5-Dy). The compounds were characterized using elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, DC and AC magnetic measurements and photophysical investigations. L is an efficient organic chromophore for the sensitization of both visible Dy(III) (1-Dy) and near-infrared Yb(III) (2-Yb and 4-Yb) luminescence. The combination of excitation and emission spectra allowed the determination of the crystal field spitting of both the 2F7/2 ground state and 2F5/2 excited state for 2-Yb and 4-Yb. Moreover, 3-Dy and the two Yb(III) derivatives displayed field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour with slow magnetic relaxation occurring through the Raman process only for 2-Yb and 4-Yb, whereas a combination of Orbach and Raman processes was identified for 3-Dy.

Spin dynamics phenomena of a cerium(III) double-decker complex induced by intramolecular electron transfer.

Switchable spin dynamic properties in single-molecule magnets (SMMs) via an applied stimulus have applications in single-molecule devices. Many SMMs containing heavy lanthanoid ions with strong uniaxial magnetic anisotropy have been reported to exhibit SMM characteristics in the absence of an external magnetic field. On the other hand, SMMs containing light lanthanoid cerium(III) (Ce3+) ions exhibit field-induced slow magnetic relaxation. We investigated the chemical conversion of a diamagnetic Ce4+ ion (4f0) to a paramagnetic Ce3+ ion (4f1) in Ce-phthalocyaninato double-decker complexes (TBA+[Ce(obPc)2]- (1) and TBA+[Ce(Pc)2]- (2)) which exhibit field-induced SMM behaviour due to a 4f1 system. The phthalocyaninato ligands with electron-donating substituents (obPc2- = 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octabutoxyphthalocyaninato) in 1 have a significant effect on the valence state of the Ce ion, which is reflected in its magnetic properties due to the mixed valence state of the Ce ion. Given that Ce double-decker complexes with π-conjugated ligands undergo intramolecular electron transfer (IET) to the Ce ion mixed valence state, characterised by a mixture of 4f0 and 4f1 configurations, we examined the dynamic disorder inherent in IET influencing magnetic relaxation.

A magnetic Ni-based metal-organic framework with interesting transformation dynamics

Herein, a flexible system composed of two Ni(II)-based coordination compounds: a 3D framework of {[Ni(μ-3isoani)2]·DMF}n (1) formula and a 0D monomeric [Ni(3isoani)2(H2O)4] (2) complex (where 3isoani = 3-aminoisonicotinato and DMF = dimethylformamide) which show mutual solvent-induced reversible transformations into each other is reported. The system shows reversible 1 ↔ 2 transformations upon the exposure of one compound to the solvent present in the other, that is, the MOF (1) in water and the monomer (2) in DMF. The process is easily followed by the naked eye because it involves a colour change from green (1)-to-brownish green (2), making the process traceable as previously observed for the Co(II)-based system. Moreover, these compounds present very different magnetic properties since 1 shows field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour, which corresponds to one of the few Ni(II)-based compounds showing single-ion behaviour (being Ni(II) the unique spin carrier), whereas 2 behaves as a regular paramagnet, all of which is explained according to a careful study of the magnetic properties by means of experimental direct-current (dc) and alternating-current (ac) measurements. Obtained experimental results are well supported by active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations that allow understanding the slow relaxation occurring in the Ni(II) ion.