Sonia Pérez-Yáñez

Lanthanide(III)/Pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate/Oxalate Extended Frameworks: A Detailed Study Based on the Lanthanide Contraction and Temperature Effects

Detailed structural, magnetic, and luminescence studies of six different crystalline phases obtained in the lanthanide/pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate/oxalate system have been afforded: {[Ln(μ-pmdc)(μ-ox)(0.5)(H(2)O)(2)]·3H(2)O}(n) (1-Ln), {[Ln(μ-pmdc)(μ-ox)(0.5)(H(2)O)(3)]·2H(2)O}(n) (2-Ln), {[Ln(μ(3)-pmdc)(μ-ox)(0.5)(H(2)O)(2)]·~2.33H(2)O}(n) (3-Ln), {[Ln(2)(μ(3)-pmdc)(μ(4)-pmdc)(μ-ox)(H(2)O)(3)]·5H(2)O}(n) (4-Ln), {[Ln(μ(3)-pmdc)(μ-ox)(0.5)(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O}(n) (5-Ln), and [Ln(pmdc)(1.5)(H(2)O)(2.5)] (6-Ln). The slow generation of the oxalate (ox) anion, obtained from the in situ partial hydrothermal decomposition of the pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate (pmdc) ligand, allows us to obtain good shaped single crystals, while direct addition of potassium oxalate provides the same compounds but as polycrystalline samples. The crystal structures of all compounds are based on the double chelation established by the pmdc and ox ligands to provide distorted 2D honeycomb layers that, in some cases, are fused together, leading to 3D systems, by replacing some of the coordinated water molecules that complete the coordination sphere of the lanthanide by uncoordinated carboxylate oxygen atoms of the pmdc. The presence of channels occupied by crystallization water molecules is also a common feature with the exception of compounds 5-Ln. It is worth noting that compounds 3-Ln present a commensurate crystal structure related to the partial occupancy of the crystallization water molecules placed within the channels. Topological analyses have been carried out, showing a previously nonregistered topology for compounds 4-Ln, named as jcr1. The crystal structures are strongly dependent on the lanthanide ion size and the temperature employed during the hydrothermal synthesis. The lanthanide contraction favors crystal structures involving sterically less hindranced coordination environments for the final members of the lanthanide series. Additionally, reinforcement of the entropic effects at high temperatures directs the crystallization process toward less hydrated crystal structures. The magnetic data of these compounds indicate that the exchange coupling between the lanthanide atoms is almost negligible, so the magnetic behavior is dominated by the spin-orbit coupling and the ligand field perturbation. The luminescence properties that exhibit the compounds containing Nd(III), Eu(III), and Tb(III) have been also characterized.

Synthetic control to achieve lanthanide(III)/pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate compounds by preventing oxalate formation: structural, magnetic, and luminescent properties.

Control over the synthetic conditions in many metal/diazinedicarboxylato systems is crucial to prevent oxalate formation, since dicarboxylato ligands easily undergo degradation in the presence of metal salts. We report here an efficient route to obtain oxalato-free compounds for the lanthanide/pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylato (pmdc) system on the basis of the reaction temperature and nonacidic pH or oxygen free atmosphere. Two different crystal architectures have been obtained: {[Ln(μ-pmdc)(1.5)(H(2)O)(3)]·xH(2)O}(n) (1-Ln) and {[Ln(2)(μ(4)-pmdc)(2)(μ-pmdc)(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O}(n) (2-Ln) with Ln(III) = La-Yb, except Pm. Both crystal structures are built from distorted two-dimensional honeycomb networks based on the recurrent double chelating mode established by the pmdc. In compounds 1-Ln, the tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination environment of the lanthanides is completed by three water molecules, precluding a further increase in the dimensionality. Crystallization water molecules are arranged in the interlamellar space, giving rise to highly flexible supramolecular clusters that are responsible for the modulation found in compound 1-Gd. Two of the coordinated water molecules are replaced by nonchelating carboxylate oxygen atoms of pmdc ligands in compounds 2-Ln, joining the metal-organic layers together and thus providing a compact three-dimensional network. The crystal structure of the compounds is governed by the competition between two opposing factors: the ionic size and the reaction temperature. The lanthanide contraction rejects the sterically hindered coordination geometries whereas high-temperature entropy driven desolvation pathway favors the release of solvent molecules leading to more compact frameworks. The characteristic luminescence of the Nd, Eu, and Tb centers is improved when moving from 1-Ln to 2-Ln compounds as a consequence of the decrease of the O-H oscillators. The magnetic properties of the compounds are dominated by the spin-orbit coupling and the ligand field perturbation, the exchange coupling being almost negligible.

Influence of the synthetic conditions on the structural diversity of extended manganese-oxalato-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene systems.

We report herein the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of eight new manganese-oxalato compounds with 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe): {(Hbpe)(2)[Mn(2)(μ-ox)(3)]·∼0.8(C(2)H(5)OH)·∼0.4(H(2)O)}(n) (1), {[Mn(μ-ox)(μ-bpe)]·xH(2)O}(n) (2), [Mn(2)(μ-ox)(2)(μ-bpe)(bpe)(2)](n) (3), [Mn(μ-ox)(μ-bpe)](n) (4a and 4b), and {[Mn(4)(μ-ox)(3)(μ-bpe)(4)(H(2)O)(4)]·(X)(2)·mY}(n) with X = NO(3)(-) (5a), Br(-) (5b), and ClO(4)(-) (5c) and Y = solvation molecules. The appropriate selection of the synthetic conditions allowed us to control the crystal structure and to design extended 2D and 3D frameworks. Compound 1 is obtained at acid pH values and its crystal structure consists of stacked [Mn(2)(μ-ox)(3)](2-) layers with cationic Hbpe(+) molecules intercalated among them. Compound 2 was obtained at basic pH values with a manganese/bpe ratio of 1:1, and the resulting 3D structure consists of an interpenetrating framework in which metal-oxalato chains are bridged by bpe ligands, leading to a microporous network that hosts a variable number of water molecules (between 0 and 1) depending on the synthetic conditions. Compound 3, synthesized with a manganese/bpe ratio of 1:3, shows a 2D framework in which linear metal-oxalato chains are joined by bis-monodentate 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene ligands. The thermal treatment of compound 3 permits the release of one of the bpe molecules, giving rise to two new 2D crystalline phases of formula [Mn(μ-ox)(μ-bpe)](n) (4a and 4b) depending on the heating rate. The open structures of 5a-5c were synthesized in a medium with a high concentration of nitrate, perchlorate, or bromide salts (potassium or sodium as cations). These anions behave as templating agents directing the crystal growing toward a cationic porous network, in which the anions placed in the voids and channels of the structure present high mobility, as inferred from the ionic exchange experiments. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show an overall antiferromagnetic behavior for all compounds, which are discussed in detail.

Porous supramolecular compound based on paddle-wheel shaped copper(II)–adenine dinuclear entities

The reaction between CuCl2 and adenine in a non-aqueous solvent provides a 3D porous structure based on paddle-wheel [Cu2(µ-adenine)4Cl2]2+ cations and Cl− anions that are held together by a robust supramolecular hydrogen bonding network. The desolvated compound is able to host different guest molecules within the ∼6 A diameter 1D channels.

Porous materials based on metal–nucleobase systems sustained by coordination bonds and base pairing interactions

The present work summarizes the different approaches that can be applied to achieve porous materials based on metal–nucleobase systems. The rigidity and the multiple donor sites of the nucleobases make them suitable linkers to provide coordination bond sustained metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Furthermore, the ability of the nucleobases to establish complementary hydrogen bonding interactions allows one to achieve similar metal–nucleobase porous materials but sustained by hydrogen bond pairing interactions between the nucleobases (supramolecular metal–organic frameworks, SMOFs).

Porous MII/Pyrimidine‐4,6‐Dicarboxylato Neutral Frameworks: Synthetic Influence on the Adsorption Capacity and Evaluation of CO2‐Adsorbent Interactions

The understanding of the factors that affect the real pore-network structure for a given bulk material due to different synthetic procedures is essential to develop the material with the best adsorption properties. In this work, we have deeply studied the influence of the crystallinity degree over the adsorption capacity on three new isostructural MOFs with the formula {[CdM(μ4-pmdc)2(H2O)2]⋅solv}n (in which, pmdc = pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate; solv = corresponding solvent; M(II) = Cd (1), Mn (2), Zn (3)). Compared with other methods, the solvent-free synthesis stands as the most effective route because, apart from enabling the preparation of the heterometallic compounds 2 and 3, it also renders the adsorbents with the highest performance, which is indeed close to the expected one derived from Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) calculations. The structural analysis of the as-synthesised and evacuated frameworks reveals the existence of a metal atom exposed to the pore. The accessibility of this site is limited due to its atomic environment, which is why it is considered as a pseudo-open-metal site. The chemical and physical characterisation confirms that this site can be modified as the metal atom is replaced in compounds 2 and 3. To assess the effect of the metal replacement on the adsorption behaviour, an exhaustive study of CO2 experimental isotherms has been performed. The affinity of the pseudo-open metal sites towards CO2 and the distribution of the preferred adsorption sites are discussed on the basis of DFT and GCMC calculations.

From isolated to 2D coordination polymers based on 6-aminonicotinate and 3d-metal ions: towards field-induced single-ion-magnets

We report herein the synthesis and structural and chemical characterization of six new compounds consisting of 6-aminonicotinate (6ani) ligands and first-row transition metal ions, namely, [Mn2(μ-6ani)2(H2O)8](6ani)2 (1), [Co(6ani)(bipy)2(H2O)3](6ani)·5H2O (2), [M(μ-6ani)(6ani)(H2O)3]·2H2O [MII = Co (3), Ni (4)], and [M(μ-6ani)2]·H2O [MII = Co (5), Cu (6)] (where bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine). Compounds 1 and 2 consist of isolated dimeric and monomeric entities held together by supramolecular interactions governed by 6ani free anions. The rigid and low symmetry of 6ani ligands, in addition to their coordination as terminal and bridging ligands to octahedral metal geometries, gives rise to chiral 1D chains of compounds 3 and 4. 2D sql layers are formed (5 and 6) when 6ani ligands act as ligands bridging the metal ions, which precludes the presence of water molecules in the framework. Despite the wide structural diversity observed, all architectures share the occurrence of magnetically isolated 3d metal ions, given the poor exchange achieved through 6ani bridges, as confirmed by dc susceptibility measurements and DFT calculations. Dynamic ac susceptibility measurements reveal best-in-class field-induced slow magnetic relaxation behaviour in Co-based compounds with easy-plane magnetic anisotropy. The effective energy barriers (Ueff) of 39.6 K and 18.7 K for 3 and 5, respectively, estimated using the Arrhenius law are remarkably high among CoII-SIM coordination polymers reported so far.

Aerogels of 1D Coordination Polymers: From a Non-Porous Metal-Organic Crystal Structure to a Highly Porous Material

The processing of an originally non-porous 1D coordination polymer as monolithic gel, xerogel and aerogel is reported as an alternative method to obtain novel metal-organic porous materials, conceptually different to conventional crystalline porous coordination polymer (PCPs) or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Although the work herein reported is focused upon a particular kind of coordination polymer ([M(μ-ox)(4-apy)2]n, M: Co(II), Ni(II)), the results are of interest in the field of porous materials and of MOFs, as the employed synthetic approach implies that any coordination polymer could be processable as a mesoporous material. The polymerization conditions were fixed to obtain stiff gels at the synthesis stage. Gels were dried at ambient pressure and at supercritical conditions to render well shaped monolithic xerogels and aerogels, respectively. The monolithic shape of the synthesis product is another remarkable result, as it does not require a post-processing or the use of additives or binders. The aerogels of the 1D coordination polymers are featured by exhibiting high pore volumes and diameters ranging in the mesoporous/macroporous regions which endow to these materials the ability to deal with large-sized molecules. The aerogel monoliths present markedly low densities (0.082–0.311 g·cm−3), an aspect of interest for applications that persecute light materials.

3D Magnetically Ordered Open Supramolecular Architectures Based on Ferrimagnetic Cu/Adenine/Hydroxide Heptameric Wheels

The present work provides two new examples of supramolecular metal-organic frameworks consisting of three-dimensional extended noncovalent assemblies of wheel-shaped heptanuclear [Cu7(μ-H2O)6(μ3-OH)6(μ-adeninato-κN3:κN9)6](2+) entities. The heptanuclear entity consists of a central [Cu(OH)6](4-) core connected to six additional copper(II) metal centers in a radial and planar arrangement through the hydroxides. It generates a wheel-shaped entity in which water molecules and μ-κN3:κN9 adeninato ligands bridge the peripheral copper atoms. The magnetic characterization indicates the central copper(II) center is anti-ferromagnetically coupled to external copper(II) centers, which are ferromagnetically coupled among them leading to an S = 5/2 ground state. The packing of these entities is sustained by π-π stacking interactions between the adenine nucleobases and by hydrogen bonds established among the hydroxide ligands, sulfate anions, and adenine nucleobases. The sum of both types of supramolecular interactions creates a rigid synthon that in combination with the rigidity of the heptameric entity generates an open supramolecular structure (40-50% of available space) in which additional sulfate and triethylammonium ions are located altogether with solvent molecules. These compounds represent an interesting example of materials combining both porosity and magnetic relevant features.

Towards multicomponent MOFs via solvent-free synthesis under conventional oven and microwave assisted heating

Herein we prove the efficiency of the oven heating solvent-free synthesis, based on the acid–base reaction between a metal oxide/hydroxide, adenine (HAde) and monocarboxylic acids, to afford otherwise not accessible new MBioFs of formula [M2(μ3-Ade)2(μ2-OOC(CH2)xCH3)2]n expressed as 1_M@monocarboxylate [M(II): Ni or Zn; monocarboxylate: butanoato (But) and propanoato (Prop)]. Additionally, a microwave assisted solvent-free procedure has been carried out, leading to products with a somewhat lower adsorption performance but with the advantages of reducing the reaction times to the minute scale and incorporating randomly distributed additional meso/macropores generated during the release of the water vapour by-product. Both heating techniques provide the resulting products in a monolithic form. The N2 (77 K) and CO2 (273 K) adsorption isotherms indicate a great selectivity towards CO2 for the 1_Ni@But compound. On the other hand, a careful control over the solvent-free conditions provided good-quality single crystals of three new compounds based on the metal/nucleobase/carboxylate system: [Zn3(μ3-Ade)2(μ-OOCCH3)4]n·3H2O (2), [Zn(μ-Hypo)(μ-OOCCH3)]n (3) (Hypo: hypoxanthinate) and [Ni2(μ-HAde)2(μ-OOCH)2(OOCH)2(OH2)2]·2{(H2Ade)(HCOO)}·2HCOOH (4). Compounds 2 and 3 show lamellar structures without accessible voids. Compound 4 represents an intermediate stage between the initial reagent mixture and the final extended coordination polymers that depicts an insight into the reaction mechanism of the solvent-free approach. It also shows the difficulties in stabilizing the porous structure of 1 when short aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, such as acetic and formic acids, are employed.