David P. Mills

Molecular magnetic hysteresis at 60 kelvin in dysprosocenium

Lanthanides have been investigated extensively for potential applications in quantum information processing and high-density data storage at the molecular and atomic scale. Experimental achievements include reading and manipulating single nuclear spins, exploiting atomic clock transitions for robust qubits and, most recently, magnetic data storage in single atoms. Single-molecule magnets exhibit magnetic hysteresis of molecular origin—a magnetic memory effect and a prerequisite of data storage—and so far lanthanide examples have exhibited this phenomenon at the highest temperatures. However, in the nearly 25 years since the discovery of single-molecule magnets, hysteresis temperatures have increased from 4 kelvin to only about 14 kelvin using a consistent magnetic field sweep rate of about 20 oersted per second, although higher temperatures have been achieved by using very fast sweep rates (for example, 30 kelvin with 200 oersted per second). Here we report a hexa-tert-butyldysprosocenium complex—[Dy(Cpttt)2][B(C6F5)4], with Cpttt = {C5H2tBu3-1,2,4} and tBu = C(CH3)3—which exhibits magnetic hysteresis at temperatures of up to 60 kelvin at a sweep rate of 22 oersted per second. We observe a clear change in the relaxation dynamics at this temperature, which persists in magnetically diluted samples, suggesting that the origin of the hysteresis is the localized metal–ligand vibrational modes that are unique to dysprosocenium. Ab initio calculations of spin dynamics demonstrate that magnetic relaxation at high temperatures is due to local molecular vibrations. These results indicate that, with judicious molecular design, magnetic data storage in single molecules at temperatures above liquid nitrogen should be possible.

A delocalized arene-bridged diuranium single-molecule magnet

Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) are compounds that, below a blocking temperature, exhibit stable magnetization purely of molecular origin, and not caused by long-range ordering of magnetic moments in the bulk. They thus show promise for applications such as data storage of ultra-high density. The stability of the magnetization increases with increasing ground-state spin and magnetic anisotropy. Transition-metal SMMs typically possess high-spin ground states, but insufficient magnetic anisotropies. Lanthanide SMMs exhibit large magnetic anisotropies, but building high-spin ground states is difficult because they tend to form ionic bonds that limit magnetic exchange coupling. In contrast, the significant covalent bonding and large spin-orbit contributions associated with uranium are particularly attractive for the development of improved SMMs. Here we report a delocalized arene-bridged diuranium SMM. This study demonstrates that arene-bridged polyuranium clusters can exhibit SMM behaviour without relying on the superexchange coupling of spins. This approach may lead to increased blocking temperatures.

Synthesis of a Uranium(VI)-Carbene: Reductive Formation of Uranyl(V)-Methanides, Oxidative Preparation of a [R2C═U═O]2+ Analogue of the [O═U═O]2+ Uranyl Ion (R = Ph2PNSiMe3), and Comparison of the Nature of UIV═C, UV═C, and UVI═C Double Bonds

We report attempts to prepare uranyl(VI)- and uranium(VI) carbenes utilizing deprotonation and oxidation strategies. Treatment of the uranyl(VI)-methanide complex [(BIPMH)UO(2)Cl(THF)] [1, BIPMH = HC(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2)] with benzyl-sodium did not afford a uranyl(VI)-carbene via deprotonation. Instead, one-electron reduction and isolation of di- and trinuclear [UO(2)(BIPMH)(μ-Cl)UO(μ-O){BIPMH}] (2) and [UO(μ-O)(BIPMH)(μ(3)-Cl){UO(μ-O)(BIPMH)}(2)] (3), respectively, with concomitant elimination of dibenzyl, was observed. Complexes 2 and 3 represent the first examples of organometallic uranyl(V), and 3 is notable for exhibiting rare cation-cation interactions between uranyl(VI) and uranyl(V) groups. In contrast, two-electron oxidation of the uranium(IV)-carbene [(BIPM)UCl(3)Li(THF)(2)] (4) by 4-morpholine N-oxide afforded the first uranium(VI)-carbene [(BIPM)UOCl(2)] (6). Complex 6 exhibits a trans-CUO linkage that represents a [R(2)C═U═O](2+) analogue of the uranyl ion. Notably, treatment of 4 with other oxidants such as Me(3)NO, C(5)H(5)NO, and TEMPO afforded 1 as the only isolable product. Computational studies of 4, the uranium(V)-carbene [(BIPM)UCl(2)I] (5), and 6 reveal polarized covalent U═C double bonds in each case whose nature is significantly affected by the oxidation state of uranium. Natural Bond Order analyses indicate that upon oxidation from uranium(IV) to (V) to (VI) the uranium contribution to the U═C σ-bond can increase from ca. 18 to 32% and within this component the orbital composition is dominated by 5f character. For the corresponding U═C π-components, the uranium contribution increases from ca. 18 to 26% but then decreases to ca. 24% and is again dominated by 5f contributions. The calculations suggest that as a function of increasing oxidation state of uranium the radial contraction of the valence 5f and 6d orbitals of uranium may outweigh the increased polarizing power of uranium in 6 compared to 5.

Regioselective C-H activation and sequential C-C and C-O bond formation reactions of aryl ketones promoted by an yttrium carbene.

Rare earth carbenes exclusively exhibit Wittig-type reactivity with carbonyl compounds to afford alkenes. Here, we report that yttrium carbenes can effect regioselective ortho-C-H activation and sequential C-C and C-O bond formation reactions of aryl ketones to give iso-benzofurans and hydroxymethylbenzophenones. With MeCOPh, cyclotetramerization occurs giving a substituted cyclohexene. This demonstrates new rare earth carbene reactivity which complements existing Wittig-type reactivity.

The Inherent Single-Molecule Magnet Character of Trivalent Uranium†

SMMs are often based on transition-metal clusters, but significant attention has recently focused on complexes of single and multiple lanthanoid ions, because the crystal-field splitting of the lowest Russell–Saunders multiplet engenders large magnetic anisotropies. [5–11] These anisotropies are responsible for high relaxation barriers and therefore slow magnetic relaxation. However, well isolated high-spin ground states are difficult to achieve within polynuclear lanthanoid SMMs because the valence 4f orbitals have limited radial extension and are usually energetically incompatible with ligand orbitals. These inherent 4f orbital properties give predominantly ionic interactions and results in weak magnetic exchange coupling with neighboring spin centers, with very few exceptions. [7, 12] In principle, actinoids, and in particular uranium, possess properties that render these ions ideal candidates from which to construct SMMs. This is because, compared to the lanthanoids, uranium exhibits enhanced crystal field splitting, [13, 14] as well as increased covalency, the latter enabling significant spin couplings in polynuclear systems, [15] and therefore both stronger magnetic exchange and anisotropies can be envisaged. This premise was realized recently with reports of several closely related single-ion pyrazolylborate uranium(III) complexes which were shown to display SMM behavior. [14, 16–20] In addition, two neptunium complexes were shown to display slow relaxation of the magnetization. [15, 21] The fact that all uranium(III) SMMs reported to date are closely related to each other raises the question as to how sensitive SMM behavior in trivalent uranium is to the composition of the coordination sphere and its symmetry. SMM behavior in all published examples is much more pronounced in an external field than in zero field, which suggests that quantum tunneling of the magnetization plays a significant role in shortening the relaxation times. However, in principle, low-symmetry crystal field components cannot induce tunneling of the magnetization, because uranium(III) is a Kramers half-integer angular momentum ion. Also the nuclear spin I = 0o f 238 U cannot induce tunneling of the

The reactivity of gallium(I) and indium(I) halides towards bipyridines, terpyridines, imino-substituted pyridines and bis(imino)acenaphthenes

“GaI” reacts with 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) to give salts of composition [Ga(bipy)3][I]3, [{(bipy)2Ga}2(μ-OH)2]2[Ga2I6][I]6 or [{(bipy)2Ga}2(μ-OH)2][I]4, depending upon the reaction conditions. “GaI” also reacts with 4′-phenyl-2,2′∶6′,2″-terpyridine (Phterpy) to give the salt [GaI2(Phterpy)][I]. When “GaI” is treated with the imino-substituted pyridines RNC(H)Py, Py = 2-pyridyl, R = Ar (C6H3Pri2-2,6) or But, a reductive coupling of the CN functionality occurs to give the diamido-digallium(III) complexes [{I2Ga[η2-(Py)(NR)C(H)]}2]. In contrast, InCl reacts with ArNC(H)Py to give an adduct, [InCl3(THF){η2-ArNC(H)Py}], via disproportionation of the metal halide. Similarly, the reaction of the bis(imino)pyridine, 2,6-{ArNC(Me)}2(NC5H3), bimpy, with “GaI” affords the salt [GaI2(bimpy)][GaI4]. Finally, the reaction of bis(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)acenaphthene (ArBIAN) with “GaI” leads to a paramagnetic Ga(III) complex [GaI2(ArBIAN)˙]. The X-ray crystal structures of all prepared complexes are reported.

The nature of the U=C double bond: pushing the stability of high oxidation state uranium-carbenes to the limit

Treatment of [K(BIPM(Mes)H)] (BIPM(Mes)={C(PPh2NMes)2}(2−); Mes=C6H2-2,4,6-Me3) with [UCl4(thf)3] (1 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM(Mes)H)(Cl)3(thf)] (1), which generated [U(BIPM(Mes))(Cl)2(thf)2] (2), following treatment with benzyl potassium. Attempts to oxidise 2 resulted in intractable mixtures, ligand scrambling to give [U(BIPM(Mes))2] or the formation of [U(BIPM(Mes)H)(O)2(Cl)(thf)] (3). The complex [U(BIPM(Dipp))(μ-Cl)4(Li)2(OEt2)(tmeda)] (4) (BIPM(Dipp)={C(PPh2NDipp)2}(2−); Dipp=C6H3-2,6-iPr2; tmeda=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) was prepared from [Li2(BIPM(Dipp))(tmeda)] and [UCl4(thf)3] and, following reflux in toluene, could be isolated as [U(BIPM(Dipp))(Cl)2(thf)2] (5). Treatment of 4 with iodine (0.5 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM(Dipp))(Cl)2(μ-Cl)2(Li)(thf)2] (6). Complex 6 resists oxidation, and treating 4 or 5 with N-oxides gives [{U(BIPM(Dipp)H)(O)2- (μ-Cl)2Li(tmeda)] (7) and [{U(BIPM(Dipp)H)(O)2(μ-Cl)}2] (8). Treatment of 4 with tBuOLi (3 equiv) and I2 (1 equiv) gives [U(BIPM(Dipp))(OtBu)3(I)] (9), which represents an exceptionally rare example of a crystallographically authenticated uranium(VI)–carbon σ bond. Although 9 appears sterically saturated, it decomposes over time to give [U(BIPM(Dipp))(OtBu)3]. Complex 4 reacts with PhCOtBu and Ph2CO to form [U(BIPM(Dipp))(μ-Cl)4(Li)2(tmeda)(OCPhtBu)] (10) and [U(BIPM(Dipp))(Cl)(μ-Cl)2(Li)(tmeda)(OCPh2)] (11). In contrast, complex 5 does not react with PhCOtBu and Ph2CO, which we attribute to steric blocking. However, complexes 5 and 6 react with PhCHO to afford (DippNPPh2)2C=C(H)Ph (12). Complex 9 does not react with PhCOtBu, Ph2CO or PhCHO; this is attributed to steric blocking. Theoretical calculations have enabled a qualitative bracketing of the extent of covalency in early-metal carbenes as a function of metal, oxidation state and the number of phosphanyl substituents, revealing modest covalent contributions to U=C double bonds.

A Heterobimetallic Gallyl Complex Containing an Unsupported Ga−Y Bond

The synthesis and characterization of the first unsupported Ga-Y bond in [Y{Ga(NArCH)(2)}{C(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2)}(THF)(2)] (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) is described; structural and computational analyses are consistent with a highly polarized covalent Ga-Y bond.

Synthesis and reactivity of the yttrium-alkyl-carbene complex [Y(BIPM)(CH2C6H5)(THF)] (BIPM = {C(PPh2NSiMe3)2})

Reaction of [YI(3)(THF)(3.5)] with three equivalents of [KBz] (Bz = CH(2)C(6)H(5)) affords the tri-benzyl complex [Y(Bz)(3)(THF)(3)] () in excellent yield. Complex reacts with H(2)C(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2) (H(2)BIPM) to afford the yttrium-alkyl-carbene complex [Y(BIPM)(Bz)(THF)] (, BIPM = {C(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2)}). Compound reacts with one equivalent of benzophenone to give the alkoxy 1,2-migratory insertion product [Y(BIPM)(OCPh(2)Bz)(THF)] () rather than the alkene Wittig-product Ph(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]C(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2). Reaction of with one or more equivalents of benzophenone does not afford any detectable alkene products, rather it apparently catalyses rearrangement of monomeric to afford dimeric [{Y(micro-BIPM)(OCPh(2)Bz)}(2)] (). Investigations reveal that formation of is proportional to the amount of benzophenone added, but the benzophenone is recovered at the end of the reaction. Reaction of with diphenyldiazene affords the 1,2-migratory insertion product [Y(BIPM){N(Ph)N(Ph)(Bz)}(THF)] () Compounds , , , , and have been variously characterised by X-ray crystallography, multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and CHN micro-analyses. Density functional theory calculations on reveal the HOMO to be localised at the Y-C(alkyl) bond which is commensurate with the observed reactivity.

Bis(phosphorus-stabilised)methanide and methandiide derivatives of group 1-5 and f-element metals

In the past 11 years bis(phosphorus-stabilised)methanides and methandiides have emerged as valuable ligands for metals across the periodic table. This Review, focussing on structurally characterised examples, covers the synthesis, bonding, and reaction chemistry of {CH(PR2NR′)2}− methanide and {C(PR...