A dinuclear Co(III)/Co(II) complex based on the H2pmide ligand showing field-induced SMM behaviour.

We report the synthesis, structural characterization and SMM behaviour of a new mixed valence Co(II)/Co(III) dinuclear complex bearing the H2pmide ligand. Well defined molecule pairs are observed in the crystal structure, bound through H-bond interactions directed by aqua ligands. From DC magnetometry data, a spin-only Hamiltonian approach including an axial zero-field splitting term seems to be enough for reasonable modelling, with a sizeable D parameter close to 40 cm-1. The first order orbital contribution is extensively quenched due to strong distortion from octahedral symmetry of the Co(II) site. Quantum computation at the CASSCF level supports this interpretation. To model low temperature magnetization data, the H-bond intermolecular exchange interaction is required, with a magnitude close to -1 cm-1, well supported by broken-symmetry DFT computation. This exchange is highly anisotropic due to the existence of a well isolated Kramers doublet at the Co(II) site. AC magnetic susceptibility shows field-induced SMM behaviour with competing Orbach and Raman relaxation pathways as well as a quantum tunnelling process at the lowest probed temperatures. The Orbach thermal barrier agrees with the expected one from combined experimental and quantum computed DC magnetometry analysis.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic property study of {Cr3Ln3}, Ln = Gd and Dy complexes.

We have successfully prepared and structurally characterized triangle-in-triangle {Cr3Ln3} complexes with Ln = Gd and Dy employing alcohol-amine, N-methyldiethanolamine (H2mdea) and pivalate ligands. These complexes and the Yttrium analogue proved to be isostructural and crystallized in a P1 triclinic cell. DC and AC magnetic measurements were carried out and supported by quantum computations at DFT and CASSCF levels. DC magnetic data are dominated by the Cr(III)-Ln(III) antiferromagnetic interaction and by single-ion anisotropy in the case of the Dy(III) complex. Ln(III)-Ln(III) magnetic interactions are negligible, as well as Cr(III)-Cr(III) ones. From AC data, slow relaxation of the magnetization is observed at 0 DC applied magnetic field in the case of the Dy(III) complex below 4 K. From temperature and field dependence data, possible Raman and Orbach relaxation mechanisms are established in the absence of quantum tunnelling pathways, suggesting a successful suppression of the latter due to the Cr(III)-Dy(III) exchange interaction.

Anisotropic exchange interaction and field-induced SMM behaviour in a mixed valence {CoCo} complex.

We are reporting the synthesis and structural characterization of a new hexanuclear Co(ii)/Co(iii) complex starting from a versatile pivalate cobalt precursor and the racemic mixture of a chelating Schiff base type ligand. The main [CoII4CoIII2(µ3-OH)2(µ-OR)2(µ-OR')2(µ-OR'')2]6+ core is unprecedented and exhibits an inversion center that affords only two unique Co(ii) sites. We performed DC and AC magnetic measurements and analysed them in terms of the anisotropic exchange of ground Kramers doublets at each Co(ii) site due to their unquenched angular orbital contribution to the magnetic moment. Quantum computations support the experimental data treatment. The interplay of dominant antiferromagnetic exchange, inversion symmetry and a non-collinear main quantization axis affords an exchange energy spectrum with mostly non-magnetic states. Nevertheless, field induced SMM behaviour is observed at 1500 Oe and below 3 K which might be explained by the relaxation of the first excited magnetic state (which is populated enough) through the next closest excited state. The Orbach and/or Raman mechanism could be operative from the experimental and quantum computed results.

New Highly Charged Iron(III) Metal-Organic Cube Stabilized by a Bulky Amine.

In this work, we report a new octanuclear cluster based on FeIII and the ligand 1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid, [Et3NH]12[Fe8(IDC)12]·10DMF·13H2O (1), with a metal core containing eight FeIII connected by only one type of organic ligand. A peak at 573 m/z in the mass spectra of the compound suggests the adduct species {[Fe8(IDC)12]+8H}4-. By X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the oxidation state of the iron cation was confirmed to be 3+, also identifying the presence of a quaternary nitrogen species, which act as a countercation of the anionic metal core [Fe8(IDC)12]12-. Mössbauer spectra recorded at different temperatures show an isomer shift and quadrupole splitting parameters that confirm the existence of only FeIII-HS in the structure of 1. X-ray analysis reveals that compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system space group Ibam, confirming a molecular cluster structure with an almost regular cube as geometry, with the FeIII atoms located at the corners of the cube and connected by µ-1κ2 N,O:2κ2 N',O‴-IDC3- bridges. Additionally, the magnetic measurements reveal a weak antiferromagnetic coupling in the Fe8 III coordination cluster (J = -3.8 cm-1). To the best of our knowledge, 1 is the first member of the family of cubes assembled with 1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid and FeIII cation, exhibiting high pH stability over a broad pH range, making it an ideal candidate for the design of supramolecular structures and metal-organic frameworks.

Co0 superparamagnetic nanoparticles stabilized by an organic layer coating with antimicrobial activity.

Cobalt (Co) is one of the most promising materials in nanotechnology due to its superior magnetic properties. However, due to the high cytotoxicity of cobalt, the activity in biological systems has been little studied. In this work, we report the structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of cobalt nanoparticles stabilized with an organic layer (Co0@C-NPs) and its potential antimicrobial activity. The Co0@C-NPs were obtained from solvothermal conditions and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, electronic microscopy, and magnetic measurements. The organic layer was analysed by thermogravimetric analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectrometer, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. From the TEM image, an organic coating layer is observed around Co0 where this coating prevents NPs from oxidation allowing it to remain stable until 400 °C. Surface composition studies by SEM/EDS allowed the identification of carbon, oxygen, and cobalt elements present in the organic layer. This result was corroborated later by FITR analysis. Preliminary antibacterial properties were also investigated, which showed that the cobalt nanoparticles are active against Staphylococcus aureus after 1 h of exposure. The superparamagnetic properties and organic coating Co0@C-NPs could be biocompatible with biological systems, but more research is needed to apply these nanoparticles in biomedical products.

Retraction: Ni2[LnCl6] (Ln = EuII, CeII, GdII): the first LnII compounds stabilized in a pure inorganic lattice.

Retraction of 'Ni2[LnCl6] (Ln = EuII, CeII, GdII): the first LnII compounds stabilized in a pure inorganic lattice' by Bianca Baldo et al., Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 7531-7534.

Substitution Effect on the Charge Transfer Processes in Organo-Imido Lindqvist-Polyoxomolybdate.

Two new aromatic organo-imido polyoxometalates with an electron donor triazole group ([n-Bu4N]2[Mo6O18NC6H4N3C2H2]) (1) and a highly conjugated fluorene ([n-Bu4N]2[Mo6O18NC13H9]) (2) have been obtained. The electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of several organo-imido systems were studied. These properties were analysed by the theoretical study of the redox potentials and by means of the excitation analysis, in order to understand the effect on the substitution of the organo-imido fragment and the effect of the interaction to a metal centre. Our results show a bathochromic shift related to the charge transfer processes induced by the increase of the conjugated character of the organic fragment. The cathodic shift obtained from the electrochemical studies reflects that the electronic communication and conjugation between the organic and inorganic fragments is the main reason of this phenomenon.

Ni2[LnCl6] (Ln = EuII, CeII, GdII): the first LnII compounds stabilized in a pure inorganic lattice.

Here we report the first examples of 3d-4f compounds based on LnII cations. We have obtained a series of Ni2[LnCl6] isostructural compounds where LnII = Ce 1, Eu 2 and Gd 3 which were characterized in a cubic crystalline system with a Fm3[combining macron]m space group. Magnetic and optical characterization was also performed on this new class of compounds.

The first ReI organometallic complex with an organoimido-polyoxometalate ligand.

The spectroscopic, electrochemical and photophysical properties of the first ReI organometallic organoimido-polyoxometalate complex [n-Bu4N][Mo6O18NC6H4-CH2-N3C2H2-Re-phen(CO)3] compared with all fragments are reported. The UV-Vis spectra are analysed using experimental and theoretical tools. In contrast to the reported studies in the literature, our results show that a new more intense band is present in the spectra of the hybrid ligand obscuring the intra-polyanion charge transfer. The electrochemical results show that the strong acceptor character of the polyoxometalate fragment is quenched by the condensation of the phenyl-triazole molecule.

First copper(ii) phase M'0.2Mn0.8PS3·0.25H2O and analogous M' = Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) materials obtained by microwave assisted synthesis.

M'0.2Mn0.8PS3·0.25H2O materials are obtained by a mild microwave assisted reaction (M' = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)), which permitted us to obtain the first copper(ii) bimetallic phase. All these materials have a lower energy gap and antiferromagnetic interactions with lower values of the Weiss constant, than that of the pristine phase MnPS3.

1D magnetic interactions in Cu(II) oxovanadium phosphates (VPO), magnetic susceptibility, DFT, and single-crystal EPR.

We report the crystal face indexing and molecular spatial orientation, magnetic properties, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of two previously reported oxovanadium phosphates functionalized with Cu(II) complexes, namely, [Cu(bipy)(VO2)(PO4)]n (1) and [{Cu(phen)}2(VO2(H2O)2)(H2PO4)2 (PO4)]n (2), where bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, obtained by a new synthetic route allowing the growth of single crystals appropriate for the EPR measurements. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic group P1̅ and in the orthorhombic Pccn group, respectively, containing dinuclear copper units connected by two -O-P-O- bridges in 1 and by a single -O-P-O- bridge in 2, further connected through -O-P-O-V-O- bridges. We emphasize in our work the structural aspects related to the chemical paths that determine the magnetic properties. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate bulk antiferromagnetism for both compounds, allowing to calculate J = -43.0 cm(-1) (dCu-Cu = 5.07 Å; J defined as Hex(i,j) = -J Si·Sj), considering dinuclear units for 1, and J = -1.44 cm(-1) (dCu-Cu = 3.47 Å) using the molecular field approximation for 2. The single-crystal EPR study allows evaluation of the g matrices, which provide a better understanding of the electronic structure. The absence of structure of the EPR spectra arising from the dinuclear character of the compounds allows estimation of weak additional exchange couplings |J'| > 0.3 cm(-1) for 1 (dCu-Cu = 5.54 Å) and a smaller value of |J'| ≥ 0.15 cm(-1) for 2 (dCu-Cu = 6.59 Å). DFT calculations allow evaluating two different exchange couplings for each compound, specifically, J = -36.60 cm(-1) (dCu-Cu = 5.07 Å) and J' = 0.20 cm(-1) (dCu-Cu =5.54 Å) for 1 and J = -1.10 cm(-1) (dCu-Cu =3.47 Å) and J' = 0.01 cm(-1) (dCu-Cu = 6.59 Å) for 2, this last value being in the range of the uncertainties of the calculations. Thus, these values are in good agreement with those provided by magnetic and single-crystal EPR measurements.

Crystal lattice effect on the quenching of the intracluster magnetic interaction in [V12B18O60H6](10-) polyoxometalate.

In the present work, the synthesis and structural characterization of four new polyoxovanadoborate (BVO) frameworks based on the [V12B18O60H6](10-) polyanion are reported: (NH4)8(1,3-diapH2)[V12B18O60H6]·5H2O (1), K8(NH4)2[V12B18O60H6]·18H2O (2), K10[V12B18O60H6]·10H2O (3) and K8Cs2[V12B18O60H6]·10H2O (4). A global antiferromagnetic behaviour is observed for these 10V(IV)/2V(V) mixed valence clusters. The magnetic data of 1, 2 and 3, which present different countercation environments, show that 1 is more coupled than 2 and 3. DFT calculations show that the positive charges strongly influence the polarization mechanism of the spin density of the vanadyl groups and the extent of the magnetic orbitals, therefore corroborating the experimental observation of the quenching effect of the magnetic coupling between vanadium centres of 2 and 3.

The layered structure of poly[[hexaaqua(µ4-benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylato)dicopper(II)] tetrahydrate].

In the structure of the title compound, {[Cu2(C10H2O8)(H2O)6]·4H2O}n, the benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylate ligand, (btec)(4-), is located on a crystallographic inversion centre in a µ4-coordination mode. The coordination environment of each pentacoordinated Cu(II) centre is square pyramidal (SBP), formed by three water molecules and two carboxylate O atoms from two different (btec)(4-) ligands. The completely deprotonated (btec)(4-) ligand coordinates in a monodentate mode to four Cu(II) atoms. The alternation of (btec)(4-) ligands and SBP Cu(II) centres leads to the formation of a planar two-dimensional covalent network of parallelograms, parallel to the ab plane. Hydrogen bonds between a basal water molecule and an apical one from an adjacent [Cu(btec)0.5(H2O)3] unit exist in the intralayer space. Hydrogen bonds are also present between the two-dimensional network and the water molecules filling the channels in the structure.

Unusual conformation of a dinuclear paddle wheel copper(II) complex. Synthesis, structural characterization and EPR studies.

An unusual and unique conformation of a paddle wheel type binuclear copper(II) complex containing acetate and acetamido ligands, {Cu2(µ2-O2CCH3)4}(OCNH2CH3) (1), was obtained by solvothermal synthesis. The structural characterization of this compound shows that the apical (acetamido) ligands are disposed at a 62° dihedral angle, generating a special conformation as a consequence of the synthetic method used. This conformation has not been reported in other paddle wheel copper(II) tetraacetate compounds. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of powder samples of (1) were obtained at 9.5 and 33.8 GHz, while single crystal spectra were obtained at 33.8 GHz with a B0 applied in three orthogonal planes. The fit of the single crystal experimental data allowed gave g∥ = 2.345 ± 0.003, and g⊥ = 2.057 ± 0.005. The angular variation of the EPR line allows evaluation of the fine structure of (1), giving D = -0.337 ± 0.002 cm(-1) and E = -0.005 ± 0.001 cm(-1). The line width angular dependence, used together with the Anderson model and Kubo-Tomita theory, permitted the interdimer interaction to be evaluated as |J'| = (0.051 ± 0.002) cm(-1). Using the powder spectral temperature dependence it was possible to evaluate the intradinuclear exchange coupling constan J0 as -101 ± 2 cm(-1), which is considerably lower than that reported for other analogous copper(II) tetraacetate paddle wheel compounds (Cu(II)-PW), showing the remarkable effect of the conformation of the terminal ligands on the magnetic interaction.

catena-Poly[tris(µ3-acetylacetonato)nickelate(II)sodium(I)].

The title complex, [NaNi(C5H7O2)3]n, contains an anionic tris(acetylacetonato)nickelate(II) unit, [Ni(acac)3](-) (acac is acetylacetonate), with a highly regular octahedral coordination geometry. The Ni(II) cation lies on a Wyckoff a site, resulting in D3 symmetry of the anion. Charge balance is provided by sodium cations, which occupy Wyckoff type b sites. Each sodium cation is surrounded by two [Ni(acac)3](-) anions, each of which is connected to the alkali metal through three O atoms, in a fac configuration. This arrangement leads to the formation of linear [Na{Ni(acac)3}]n chains along the c axis. The Ni···Na distance is 2.9211 (10) Å. The title complex is one of the few examples of heterometallic systems based on alkali and transition metal cations bridged by acetylacetonate ligands.

Theoretical description of the magnetic properties of µ3-hydroxo bridged trinuclear copper(II) complexes.

A theoretical study of the magnetic properties, using density functional theory, of a family of trinuclear µ3-OH copper(II) complexes reported in the literature is presented. The reported X-ray crystal structures of [Cu3(µ3-OH)(aat)3(H2O)3](NO3)2 · H2O (HUKDUM), where aat: 3-acetylamine-1,2,4-triazole; [Cu3(µ3-OH)(aaat)3(H2SO4)(HSO4)(H2O)] (HUKDOG), where aaat: 3-acetylamine-5-amine-1,2,4-triazole; [Cu3(µ3-OH)(PhPyCNO)3(tchlphac)2] (HOHQUR), where PhPyCNO: phenyl 2-pyridyl-ketoxime and tchlphac: acid 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic; [Cu3(µ3-OH)(PhPyCNO)3(NO3)2(CH3OH)] (ILEGEM); [Cu3(µ3-OH)(pz)3(Hpz)3(ClO4)2] (QOPJIP), where Hpz = pyrazole; [Cu3(µ3-OH)(pz)3(Hpz)(Me3CCOO)2] ∙ 2Me3CCOOH (DEFSEN) and [Cu3(µ3-OH)(8-amino-4-methyl-5-azaoct-3-en-2-one)3][CuI3] (RITXUO), were used in the calculations. The magnetic exchange constants were calculated using the broken-symmetry approach. The calculated J values are for HUKDUM J1 = -68.6 cm(-1), J2 = -69.9 cm(-1), J3 = -70.4 cm(-1); for HUKDOG, J1 = -73.5 cm(-1), J2 = -58.9 cm(-1), J3 = -62.1 cm(-1); for HOHQUR J1 = -128.3 cm(-1), J2 = -134.1 cm(-1), J3 = -120.4 cm(-1); for ILEGEM J1 = -151.6 cm(-1), J2 = -173.9 cm(-1), J3 = -186.9 cm(-1); for QOPJIP J1 = -118.3 cm(-1), J2 = -106.0 cm(-1), J3 = -120.6 cm(-1); for DEFSEN J1 = -74.9 cm(-1), J2 = -64.0 cm(-1), J3 = -57.7 cm(-1) and for RITXUO J1 = -10.9 cm(-1), J2 = +14.3 cm(-1), J3 = -35.4 cm(-1). The Kahn-Briat model was used to correlate the calculated magnetic properties with the overlap of the magnetic orbitals. Spin density surfaces show that the delocalization mechanism is predominant in all the studied compounds.

Single crystal electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of Cu(II) ions in Cu(tyrosine)(2): a study of weak exchange interactions mediated by resonance assisted hydrogen bonds (RAHB).

EPR measurements have been performed on single crystals of [Cu(L-tyrosine)(2)](∞) at 33.8 GHz and at room temperature. The EPR spectra display partially resolved EPR lines for most orientations of the magnetic field in the ab plane, and only one resonance for orientations close to the crystal axes, while only a single line is observed along any direction in the ca and cb crystal planes. This behavior is a result of the selective collapse of the resonances corresponding to the four copper sites in the unit cell produced by the exchange interactions between the copper ions. The magnitudes of the exchange interactions between the copper ions were evaluated from the angular variation of the line width and the collapse of the EPR lines. The value |J(AD)/k(B)|=0.8 K between neighboring copper atoms at 4.942 Å is assigned to a syn-anti equatorial-apical carboxylate bridge with a total bond length of 6.822 Å, while the small value |J(AB)/k(B)|=0.004 K is assigned to a long bridge of 11 atoms with a total bond length of 19.186 Å, that includes one resonance assisted hydrogen bond (RAHB). This finding is discussed in terms of values obtained for similar paths in other model compounds and in proteins.

Mononuclear and polynuclear copper(II) complexes derived from pyridylalkylaminomethylphenol polypodal ligands.

Four mononuclear complexes [Cu(HL(1))Cl]PF(6).CH(3)OH (1), [Cu(HSL(1))Cl]PF(6).0.75H(2)O (2), [Cu(HL(2))Cl]PF(6).CH (3)OH (3), [Cu(HSL(2))Cl]PF(6).1.5CH(3)OH (4), and two polynuclear complexes [Cu (2)(SL(2))(2)](PF(6))(2).2CH(3)OH (5) and {Cu[Cu(SL(2))(Cl)](2)}(PF(6))(2) (6) (HL(1): 2-[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-amino)methyl]-4-methylphenol; HSL(1): 2-[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino) methyl]-4-methyl-6-(methyl-thio)phenol; HL(2): 2-[(2-pyridylmethyl)(2'-pyridylethyl)-aminomethyl)]-4-methylphenol; HSL(2): 2-[(2-pyridylmethyl)(2'-pyridylethyl)amino-methyl]-4-methyl-6-(methylthio)phenol were obtained and characterized. The crystal structures of the mononuclear complexes 1-4 show the copper centers in a square-base pyramidal environment with the phenolic oxygen coordinated at the axial position. Dinuclear complex 5 has two copper centers with different geometry and bridged by phenoxo oxygens; one of the copper atoms is square pyramidal while the other can be described with a highly distorted octahedral geometry with a long Cu-S distance (2.867 A). Density functional theory calculations were used to obtain the reported structure of 6, since single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction were not isolated. Magnetic studies done for 5 and 6 show an antiferromagnetic behavior for 5 (J = -134 cm(-1)) and a ferromagnetic behavior for 6 (J = +11.9 cm(-1)). Redox potentials for the mononuclear complexes were measured by cyclic voltammetry; the values show the effect of the chelating ring size (-213 mV and -142 mV for Cu-HL(1) and Cu-HL(2), respectively) and the presence of the thiomethyl substituent (-213 mV and -184 mV for Cu-HL(1) and Cu-HSL(1), respectively).

[Cu(H2btec)(bipy)]infinity: a novel metal organic framework (MOF) as heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of olefins.

A new extended metal-organic framework [Cu(H2btec)(bipy)]infinity. (1) (H4btec= 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid; bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) has been hydrothermally synthesized. Violet crystals are formed in a monoclinic system with a space group C2/c; a = 10.1810(18) A, b = 14.4360(18) A, c = 12.894(3) A, beta = 112.94(3) degrees. In the title compound 1 each Cu(II) centre has a distorted square planar environment, completed by two N atoms from one bipy ligand and two O atoms belonging to two dihydrogen benzene-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylate anions (H2btec2-). The {Cu(bipy)}2+ moieties are bridged by H2btec2- anions to form an infinite one-dimensional coordination polymer with a zig-zag chain structure along the c axis. A double-chain structure is formed by hydrogen bonds between adjacent zig-zag chains. There are also pi-pi stacking interactions between the bipy ligands, with an average distance of 3.62 A resulting in a two-dimensional network structure. Compound 1 was tested as a catalyst for the oxidation of cyclohexene and styrene, with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. The catalytic activity (24 h and 75 degrees C) found for [Cu(H2btec)(bipy)]infinity shows a high value for the conversion of cyclohexene (64.5%), and a lower one for styrene (23.7%). High turnover frequency (TOF) values for the epoxide products were observed, indicating that the catalyst synthesized in this work, not only has a high activity and selectivity for epoxidation reactions but is also very efficient.

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new chiral manganese(II) three-dimensional framework: Na(3)[Mn(3)(HCOO)(9)].

A structural and magnetic characterization of a trinuclear chiral Mn(II) formate three-dimensional framework exhibiting a triangular arrangement is presented. Compound Na(3)[Mn(3)(HCOO)(9)] was obtained by solvothermal synthesis and crystallizes in the chiral cubic space group P2(1)3 and is well described by a Delta conformation. The structure displays triangular Mn(3) building blocks, in which the metal centers are bonded by formate ligands in a syn-anti mode (Mn-Mn 5.697(1) A). The coordination sphere of manganese(II) is completed by six oxygen atoms from six formate ligands, resulting in an octahedral geometry. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed antiferromagnetic interactions at high temperature and a strongly field dependent magnetic behavior below 40 K. At fields higher than 1.0 kOe only the antiferromagnetic interactions can be observed. At applied fields lower than 1.0 kOe magnetic susceptibility becomes irreversible with maxima observed at 22 and 34 K. These maxima suggest a weak ferromagnetic behavior because of spin canting, allowed by the presence of the noncentrosymmetric syn-anti HCOO bridges linking the Mn sites. This non-collinear antiferromagnetism and irreversible behavior can be due to the existence of a high degree of frustration in this unique lattice composed of linked triangular arrangements of interacting magnetic centers.