Marilena Ferbinteanu

Chiral crystallization of a heterodinuclear Ni-Ln series: comprehensive analysis of the magnetic properties.

Four heterodinuclear (H(2)O)(2)NiL-Ln(NO(3))(3) complexes (Ln = Tb, Dy, Er, Yb) with a double phenoxo bridge coming from the dideprotonated Schiff-base ligand are synthesized and characterized by crystal and powder X-ray diffraction studies. This series of compounds devoid of any chiral center, crystallizes in a noncentrosymmetric space group P2(1), as the previously described (H(2)O)(2)NiL-Gd(NO(3))(3) equivalent. All four complexes are ferromagnetically coupled. If this behavior is clearly shown by the χ(M)T increase at low temperature in the case of the Ni-Tb and Ni-Dy complexes, it necessitates the preparation of the Zn-Er and Zn-Yb equivalent entities to be evidenced in the case of the Ni-Er and Ni-Yb complexes. Out-of-phase susceptibility signals are found in the four cases, but the SMM behavior is neither confirmed, nor completely studied because of the presence of fast quantum tunnelling at zero field. Thorough ab initio multiconfiguration calculations are carried out, achieving a realistic account of ligand field effects, exchange coupling and magnetic anisotropy in the discussed systems. The calculations reveal the ferromagnetic intercenter exchange coupling, the interplay with spin-orbit effects leading to a Ising-like scheme of the lowest levels. The ab initio simulation of the magnetic susceptibility is in semiquantitative agreement with experimental data, certifying the reasonableness of the theoretical treatments in obtaining valuable information for the interacting mechanisms. The anisotropy is accounted for by drawing polar diagrams of state-specific magnetization functions, obtained by handling of the data resulting from ab initio calculations including the spin-orbit effects. Supplementary, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations are carried out, presenting new methodological clues and assessments. The DFT is not perfectly adequate for lanthanide systems because of orbital pseudodegeneracy issues. However, we show that in particular circumstances the DFT can be partly used, succeeding here in mimicking different orbital configurations of the Ni-Tb system. The DFT seems to offer reasonable estimations of exchange coupling parameters, while it remains problematic in the complete account of Ligand Field splitting. The Paper presents unprecedented methodological advances and correlations with phenomenological and heuristic interpretation of experimental data, taking into focus relevant d-f systems constructed with a prototypical binucleating ligand.

Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study of Coumarin-based Dyes Adsorbed on TiO2 Nanoclusters—Applications to Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Coumarin-based dyes have been successfully used in dye-sensitized solar cells, leading to photovoltaic conversion efficiencies of up to about 8%. Given the need to better understand the behavior of the dye adsorbed on the TiO2 nanoparticle, we report results of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) studies of several coumarin-based dyes, as well as complex systems consisting of the dye bound to a TiO2 cluster. We provide the electronic structure and simulated UV-Vis spectra of the dyes alone and adsorbed to the cluster and discuss the matching with the solar spectrum. We display the energy level diagrams and the electron density of the key molecular orbitals and analyze the electron transfer from the dye to the oxide. Finally, we compare our theoretical results with the experimental data available and discuss the key issues that influence the device performance.

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the cyano-bridged heteropolynuclear complex [{(Cu(dien))2Co(CN)6}n][Cu(dien)(H2O)Co(CN)6]n·5nH2O

Abstract The reaction of [Cu(dien)(H2O)](NO3)2 with K3[Co(CN)6] leads to the cyano-bridged heteropolynuclear complex, [{(Cu(dien))2Co(CN)6}n][Cu(dien)(H2O)Co(CN)6]n·5nH2O, {Cu3Co2}, whose crystal structure has been solved. The structure consists of two distinct ionic units, namely one-dimensional cationic chains [{(Cu(dien))2Co(CN)6}n]n+, and discrete binuclear anionic entities [(H2O)(dien)Cu–NC–Co(CN)5]−. The cryomagnetic investigation of the title compound reveals a very weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) ions within the cationic chain (J=−1.02 cm−1, g=2.14). The complete elimination of the water molecules from the isomorphous {Cu3Co2}, {Cu3Fe2} and {Cu3Cr2} complexes causes the modification of the magnetic properties. The most dramatic one is observed with the Cu(II)–Fe(III) system, where the magnetic behavior changes from ferro- to antiferromagnetic. The dehydrated chromium derivative preserves the ferromagnetic coupling, which is observed at lower temperatures (below 30 K) in comparison with the parent compound (below 150 K).

Highly selective water adsorption in a lanthanum metal-organic framework.

We present a new metal-organic framework (MOF) built from lanthanum and pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylate (pyzdc) ions. This MOF, [La(pyzdc)1.5(H2O)2]⋅2 H2O, is microporous, with 1D channels that easily accommodate water molecules. Its framework is highly robust to dehydration/hydration cycles. Unusually for a MOF, it also features a high hydrothermal stability. This makes it an ideal candidate for air drying as well as for separating water/alcohol mixtures. The ability of the activated MOF to adsorb water selectively was evaluated by means of thermogravimetric analysis, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction and adsorption studies, indicating a maximum uptake of 1.2 mmol g(-1) MOF. These results are in agreement with the microporous structure, which permits only water molecules to enter the channels (alcohols, including methanol, are simply too large). Transient breakthrough simulations using water/methanol mixtures confirm that such mixtures can be separated cleanly using this new MOF.

Structure and Magnetism in Fe–Gd Based Dinuclear and Chain Systems. The Interplay of Weak Exchange Coupling and Zero Field Splitting Effects

The synthesis and characterization of two Fe-Gd systems based on bpca(-) (Hbpca = bis(2-pyridilcarbonyl)amine) as bridging ligand is presented, taking the systems as a case study for structure-property correlations. Compound 1, [Fe(LS)(II)(μ-bpca)(2)Gd(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)]NO(3)·2CH(3)NO(2), is a zigzag polymer, incorporating the diamagnetic low spin Fe(LS)(II) ion. The magnetism of 1 is entirely determined by the weak zero field splitting (ZFS) effect on the Gd(III) ion. Compound 2 is a Fe(III)-Gd(III) dinuclear compound, [Fe(LS)(III)(bpca)(μ-bpca)Gd(NO(3))(4)]·4CH(3)NO(2)·CH(3)OH, its magnetism being interpreted as due to the antiferromagnetic coupling between the S(Fe) = ½ and S(Gd) = 7/2 spins, interplayed with the local ZFS on the lanthanide center. In both systems, the d-f assembly is determined by the bridging capabilities of the ambidentate bpca(-) ligand, which binds the d ion by a tridentate moiety with nitrogen donors and the f center by the diketonate side. We propose a spin delocalization and polarization mechanism that rationalizes the factors leading to the antiferromagnetic d-f coupling. Although conceived for compound 2, the scheme can be proposed as a general mechanism. The rationalization of the weak ZFS effects on Gd(III) by multiconfiguration and spin-orbit ab initio calculations allowed us to determine the details of the small but still significant anisotropy of Gd(III) ion in the coordination sites of compounds 1 and 2. The outlined methodologies and generalized conclusions shed new light on the field of gadolinium coordination magnetochemistry.

Case study on a rare effect: the experimental and theoretical analysis of a manganese(III) spin-crossover system.

The six-coordinated mononuclear manganese(III) complex [Mn(5-Br-sal-N-1,5,8,12)]ClO(4) has been synthesized and isolated in crystalline form. Magnetic measurements and variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray crystallography corroborated with theoretical analysis provided firm evidence for the spin-crossover effects of this system. The monomeric complex cations are made by a hexadentate mixed-donor Schiff base ligand imposing a distorted octahedral geometry and subtle structural effects determining the manifestation of the variable spin properties of the manganese(III) centers. The spin crossover in [Mn(5-Br-sal-N-1,5,8,12)]ClO(4) has resulted in an unprecedented crystallographic observation of the coexistence of high-spin (HS; S = 2) and low-spin (LS; S = 1) manganese(III) complex cations in equal proportions around 100 K. At room temperature, the two crystallographically distinct manganese centers are both HS. Only one of the two slightly different units undergoes spin crossover in the temperature range ∼250-50 K, whereas the other remains in the HS state down to 50 K. The density functional theory calculations, performed as relevant numerical experiments designed to identify the role of orbital and interelectron effects, revealed unedited aspects of the manganese(III) spin-conversion mechanisms, developed in the conceptual frame of ligand-field models.

Synthesis and characterization of a new molecular magnet, [Ni(ampy)2]3[Fe(CN)6]2·6H2O, and synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of its mononuclear precursor, trans-[Ni(ampy)2(NO3)2] (ampy=2-aminomethylpyridine)

The reaction of trans -[Ni(ampy) 2 (NO 3 ) 2 ] ( 1 ) (ampy=2-aminomethylpyridine) with K 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ] affords a cyano-bridged bimetallic system, [Ni(ampy) 2 ] 3 [Fe(CN) 6 ] 2 ·6H 2 O ( 2 ). The crystal structure of compound 1 has been solved. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 121/ c 1 and consists of neutral mononuclear entities with the nickel atom located on an inversion center. The nickel atom exhibits a (pseudo)octahedral stereochemistry with the two nitrato ligands coordinated in trans positions. The NiN bond distances vary from 2.0690(15) to 2.0811(15) A, while the trans -NiO distances are 2.1665(13) A. The cryomagnetic investigation of compound 1 reveals an intermolecular ferromagnetic coupling ( θ =+3.7 K), which is mediated by the ππ stacking interactions between the mononuclear entities. Compound 2 is a soft ferromagnet with T c =7.5 K and a coercive field of 330 G at 2 K.

A New μ4‐Oxo Tetranuclear Magnesium Compound: Coordination Effects of the Azolato Ligands

The μ4-oxo tetranuclear magnesium compound [Mg4(μ4-oxo)(μ-tz)6] 1 (tz = 3,5-iPr2-1,2,4-triazolato) with six η1-η1-bridging triazolato ligands was prepared in a one-step reaction between MgBr2 and tzK. The solid state structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis showing the tetrahedral arrangement of the Mg4O core. The reaction of MgBr2 with pzK and pzH gave [Mg(pz)2(pzH)2] 2 (pz = 3,5-tBu2-pyrazolato), which contains hydrogen bonds between two different ligands, as established by X-ray crystal structure analysis. In solution, compound 2 shows a dynamic behavior involving two different processes. Line shape analysis of variable temperature NMR experiments suggests that the interconversion occurs via an η2-coordination of the pyrazolato ligand. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2002)

Crystal Structure, Fluorescence, and Nanostructuration Studies of the First ZnII Anthracene-Based Curcuminoid

In the following article the coordination properties of a recently reported curcuminoid 9Accm (9Accm = 1,7-(di-9-anthracene)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione) with Zn(II) are reported. Preparation, crystal structure, and fluorescence spectroscopic studies of [Zn(II)(9Accm)(2)(py)] (1) are presented, as well as preliminary AFM and confocal microscopy studies on graphite surfaces. Complex 1 is the first crystallographically characterized Zn-curcuminoid in the literature; the intrinsic features of the complex are contrasted with the free ligand, 9Accm, and [Cu(II)(9Accm)(2)(py)] (2), a similar copper system, which has been recently described by us. It is shown that complex 1 exhibits a chelation enhancement of fluorescence (CHEF) and 2 a chelation enhancement of quenching (CHEQ) with respect to the fluorescence response of the free ligand, demonstrating the highly sensitive response of 9Accm versus these two metals. All studies are supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Rationalization of the lanthanide-ion-driven magnetic properties in a series of 4f-5d cyano-bridged chains.

Magnetic properties of new d-f cyanido-bridged 1D assemblies [RE(pzam)(3)(H(2)O)W(CN)(8)]·H(2)O (RE(III) = Gd, 1, Tb, 2, Dy, 3; pzam = pyrazine-2-carboxamide) were studied by temperature- and field-dependent magnetization measurements. No evidence for 3D interchain magnetic ordering is found above 2 K. Multiconfiguration ab initio calculations and subsequent modeling afforded simulation of the weak zero-field splitting effect in 1 and discussion of magnetic anisotropy in the f units of compounds 2 and 3. A semiquantitative corroboration with the experimental magnetic measurements is presented, performing the simulation of magnetic susceptibility vs temperature and magnetization vs field variation. The association into molecular and supramolecular architectures is analyzed by means of energy decomposition subsequent to the DFT calculations on idealized molecular models extracted from the experimental chain structure.