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Electronic and magnetic coupling through nonalternant π-systems is an area of intense interest in photonics and molecular electronics research, yet relatively little is known regarding coupling through nonalternant π-systems. Herein we present magnetic exchange coupling in two semiquinone-based biradicals: 1,3-SQ2Fc has two semiquinone radicals attached to the one- and three-positions of the same cyclopentadienyl ligand (a nonalternant π-system) of ferrocene, whereas 1,1'-SQ2Fc has one semiquinone radical attached to each of the two cyclopentadienyl ligands of ferrocene.

A change in the sign of the ground-state electron spin polarization (ESP) is reported in complexes where an organic radical (nitronylnitroxide, NN) is covalently attached to a donor–acceptor chromophore via two different meta-phenylene bridges in (bpy)Pt(CAT-m-Ph-NN) (mPh-Pt) and (bpy)Pt(CAT-6-Me-m-Ph-NN) (6-Me-mPh-Pt) (bpy = 5,5′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine, CAT = 3-tert-butylcatecholate, m-Ph = meta-phenylene). These molecules represent a new class of chromophores that can be photoexcited with visible light to produce an initial exchange-coupled, 3-spin (bpy˙−, CAT+˙ = semiquinone (SQ), and NN), charge-separated doublet 2S1 (S = chromophore excited spin singlet configuration) excited state. Following excitation, the 2S1 state rapidly decays to the ground state by magnetic exchange-mediated enhanced internal conversion via the 2T1 (T = chromophore excited spin triplet configuration) state. This process generates emissive ground state ESP in 6-Me-mPh-Pt while for mPh-Pt the ESP is absorptive. It is proposed that the emissive polarization in 6-Me-mPh-Pt results from zero-field splitting induced transitions between the chromophoric 2T1 and 4T1 states, whereas predominant spin–orbit induced transitions between 2T1 and low-energy NN-based states give rise to the absorptive polarization observed for mPh-Pt. The difference in the sign of the ESP for these molecules is consistent with a smaller excited state 2T1 – 4T1 gap for 6-Me-mPh-Pt that derives from steric interactions with the 6-methyl group. These steric interactions reduce the excited state pairwise SQ-NN exchange coupling compared to that in mPh-Pt., A change in the sign of the ground state electron spin polarization (ESP) is reported in complexes where an organic radical (nitronylnitroxide, NN) is covalently attached to a donor–acceptor chromophore via two different meta-phenylene bridges.

Both the sign and intensity of photoinduced electron spin polarization (ESP) in the electronic ground state doublet (2S0/D0) of chromophore-radical complexes can be controlled by changing the nature of the metal ion. The complexes consist of an organic radical (nitronyl nitroxide, NN) covalently attached to a donor-acceptor chromophore via a m-phenylene bridge, (bpy)M(CAT-m-Ph-NN) (1) (bpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine, M = PdII (1-Pd) or PtII (1-Pt), CAT = 3-tert-butylcatecholate, m-Ph = meta-phenylene). In both complexes, photoexcitation with visible light produces an initial exchange-coupled, three-spin (bpy•-, CAT•+ = semiquinone (SQ), and NN•), charge-separated doublet 2S1 (S = chromophore excited spin singlet configuration) excited state that rapidly decays to the ground state via a 2T1 (T = chromophore excited spin triplet configuration) state. This process is not expected to be spin selective, and only very weak emissive ESP is found for 1-Pd. In contrast, strong absorptive ESP is generated in 1-Pt. It is postulated that zero-field-splitting-induced transitions between the chromophoric 2T1 and 4T1 states (1-Pd and 1-Pt) and spin-orbit-induced transitions between 2T1 and NN-based quartet states (1-Pt) account for the differences in polarization.

Oligomers of poly(thiophene) and poly(ortho-phenyleneethynylene) having pendant S = 1/2 semiquinone radicals (as complexes of cobalt(III)) have been prepared and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and magnetic measurements (superconducting quantum interferences device = SQUID magnetometry). Our results show that exchange coupling of semiquinone groups along a polythiophene backbone is greater than the corresponding coupling along a poly(ortho-phenyleneethynylene) backbone.

Calculated conductance through Aun–S–Bridge–S–Aun (Bridge = organic σ/π-system) constructs are compared to experimentally-determined magnetic exchange coupling parameters in a series of TpCum,MeZnSQ–Bridge–NN complexes, where TpCum,Me = hydro-tris(3-cumenyl-1-methylpyrazolyl)borate ancillary ligand, Zn = diamagnetic zinc(ii), SQ = semiquinone (S = 1/2), and NN = nitronylnitroxide radical (S = 1/2). We find that there is a nonlinear functional relationship between the biradical magnetic exchange coupling, JD→A, and the computed conductance, gmb. Although different bridge types (monomer vs. dimer) do not lie on the same JD→Avs. gmb, curve, there is a scale invariance between the monomeric and dimeric bridges which shows that the two data sets are related by a proportionate scaling of JD→A. For exchange and conductance mediated by a given bridge fragment, we find that the ratio of distance dependent decay constants for conductance (βg) and magnetic exchange coupling (βJ) does not equal unity, indicating that inherent differences in the tunneling energy gaps, Δε, and the bridge–bridge electronic coupling, HBB, are not directly transferrable properties as they relate to exchange and conductance. The results of these observations are described in valence bond terms, with resonance structure contributions to the ground state bridge wavefunction being different for SQ–Bridge–NN and Aun–S–Bridge–S–Aun systems., Calculated conductance through Aun–S–Bridge–S–Aun constructs are compared to experimental magnetic exchange coupling parameters in TpCum,MeZn(SQ–Bridge–NN) complexes, where SQ = semiquinone radical and NN = nitronylnitroxide radical.

The torsional dependence of the ground state magnetic exchange coupling (J) and the corresponding electronic coupling matrix element (HDA) for eight transition metal complexes possessing donor-acceptor (D-A) biradical ligands is presented. These biradical ligands are composed of an S = 1/2 metal semiquinone (SQ) donor and an S = 1/2 nitronylnitroxide (NN) acceptor, which are coupled to each other via para-phenylene, methyl-substituted para-phenylenes, or a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane ring. The observed trends in electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectral features are in accord with a reduction in electronic and magnetic coupling between D and A units within the framework of our valence bond configuration interaction model. Moreover, our spectroscopic results highlight different orbital mechanisms that modulate coupling in these complexes, which is not manifest in the ferromagnetic JSQ-B-NN values. The work provides new detailed insight into the effects of torsional rotations which contribute to inhomogeneities in experimentally determined exchange couplings, electron transfer rates, and electron transport conductance measurements.

Dichalcogenolene platinum(II) diimine complexes, (LE,E′)Pt(bpy), are characterized by charge-separated dichalcogenolene donor (LE,E′) → diimine acceptor (bpy) ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LL′CT) excited states that lead to their interesting photophysics and potential use in solar energy conversion applications. Despite the intense interest in these complexes, the chalcogen dependence on the lifetime of the triplet LL′CT excited state remains unexplained. Three new (LE,E′)Pt(bpy) complexes with mixed chalcogen donors exhibit decay rates that are dominated by a spin–orbit mediated nonradiative pathway, the magnitude of which is proportional to the anisotropic covalency provided by the mixed-chalcogen donor ligand environment. This anisotropic covalency is dramatically revealed in the 13C NMR chemical shifts of the donor carbons that bear the chalcogens and is further probed by S K-edge XAS. Remarkably, the NMR chemical shift differences also correlate with the spin–orbit matrix element that connects th...

Properties of two isomeric triplet ground state biradical molecules, which serve as constant-bias analogs of single-molecule electronic devices, are described and experimental results are compared with transport calculations in a device geometry., The correlation of electron transfer with molecular conductance (g: electron transport through single molecules) by Nitzan and others has contributed to a fundamental understanding of single-molecule electronic materials. When an unsymmetric, dipolar molecule spans two electrodes, the possibility exists for different conductance values at equal, but opposite electrode biases. In the device configuration, these molecules serve as rectifiers of the current and the efficiency of the device is given by the rectification ratio (RR = gforward/greverse). Experimental determination of the RR is challenging since the orientation of the rectifying molecule with respect to the electrodes and with respect to the electrode bias direction is difficult to establish. Thus, while two different values of g can be measured and a RR calculated, one cannot easily assign each conductance value as being aligned with or opposed to the molecular dipole, and calculations are often required to resolve the uncertainty. Herein, we describe the properties of two isomeric, triplet ground state biradical molecules that serve as constant-bias analogs of single-molecule electronic devices. Through established theoretical relationships between g and electronic coupling, H2, and between H2 and magnetic exchange coupling, J (g ∝ H2 ∝ J), we use the ratio of experimental J-values for our two isomers to calculate a RR for an unsymmetric bridge molecule with known geometry relative to the two radical fragments of the molecule and at a spectroscopically-defined potential bias. Our experimental results are compared with device transport calculations.

Increasing interactions between spin centers in molecules and molecular materials is a desirable goal for applications such as single-molecule magnets for information storage or magnetic metal–organic frameworks for adsorptive separation and targeted drug delivery and release. To maximize these interactions, introducing unpaired spins on bridging ligands is a concept used in several areas where such interactions are otherwise quite weak, in particular, lanthanide-based molecular magnets and magnetic metal–organic frameworks. Here, we use Kohn–Sham density functional theory to study how much the ground spin state is stabilized relative to other low-lying spin states by creating an additional spin center on the bridge for a series of simple model compounds. The di- and triradical structures consist of nitronyl nitroxide (NNO) and semiquinone (SQ) radicals attached to a meta-phenylene(R) bridge (where R = −NH•/–NH2, −O•/OH, −CH2•/CH2). These model compounds are based on a fully characterized SQ–meta-phenylen...

Control of excited-state processes is crucial to an increasing number of important device technologies that include displays, photocatalysts, solar energy conversion devices, photovoltaics, and photonics. However, the manipulation and control of electronic excited-state lifetimes and properties continue to be a challenge for molecular scientists. Herein, we present the results of ground-state and transient absorption spectroscopies as they relate to magnetic exchange control of excited-state lifetimes. We describe a novel mechanism for controlling these excited-state lifetimes that involves varying the magnetic exchange interaction between a stable organic radical and the unpaired electrons present in the open-shell configuration of a charge-separated excited state. Specifically, we show that the excited-state lifetime can be controlled in a predictable manner based on an a priori knowledge of the pairwise magnetic exchange interactions between excited-state spins. These magnetic exchange couplings affect the excited-state electronic structure in a manner that introduces variable degrees of spin forbiddenness into the nonradiative decay channel between the excited state and the electronic ground state.

Excited state processes involving multiple electron spin centers are crucial elements for both spintronics and quantum information processing. Herein, we describe an addressable excited state mechanism for precise control of electron spin polarization. This mechanism derives from excited state magnetic exchange couplings that occur between the electron spins of a photogenerated electron-hole pair and that of an organic radical. The process is initiated by absorption of a photon followed by ultrafast relaxation within the excited state spin manifold. This leads to dramatic changes in spin polarization between excited states of the same multiplicity. Moreover, this photoinitiated spin polarization process can be "read" spectroscopically using a magnetooptical technique that is sensitive to the excited state electron spin polarizations and allows for the evaluation of wave functions that give rise to these polarizations. This system is unique in that it requires neither intersystem crossing nor magnetic resonance techniques to create dynamic spin-polarization effects in molecules.

Valence tautomeric interconversion (VTI) is a reversible process occurring in metal complexes in which an intramolecular metal–ligand electron transfer is accompanied by a change of metal ion spin state, creating two switchable electronic states (redox isomers). Herein, we describe the low-temperature, 30–100 K, single-crystal study of the [Co(diox)2(4-CN-py)2]·benzene complex (1) (diox = 3,5-di-t-butylsemiquinonate (SQ•-) and/or 3,5-di-t-butylcatecholate (Cat2–) radical; 4-CN-py = 4-cyano-pyridine) using hard synchrotron X-ray radiation with different intensities. We demonstrate for the first time that hard X-rays can induce VTI, and that the interconversion molar fraction is dependent on both intensity and exposure time. This in turn shows that X-rays, as a probe, might be altering the very nature of many structures under investigation at low temperatures, and consequently their properties. Our findings add new perspectives to VTI studies and might be of significant interest to the entire community investigating photoresponsive complexes.

The preparation and characterization of three new donor-bridge-acceptor biradical complexes are described. Using variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility, EPR hyperfine coupling constants, and the results of X-ray crystal structures, we evaluate both exchange and electronic couplings as a function of bridge length for two quintessential molecular bridges: oligo(para-phenylene), β = 0.39 Å(-1) and oligo(2,5-thiophene), β = 0.22 Å(-1). This report represents the first direct comparison of exchange/electronic couplings and distance attenuation parameters (β) for these bridges. The work provides a direct measurement of superexchange contributions to β, with no contribution from incoherent hopping. The different β values determined for oligo(para-phenylene) and oligo(2,5-thiophene) are due primarily to the D-B energy gap, Δ, rather than bridge-bridge electronic couplings, H(BB). This is supported by the fact that the H(BB) values extracted from the experimental data for oligo(para-phenylene) (H(BB) = 11,400 cm(-1)) and oligo(2,5-thiophene) (12,300 cm(-1)) differ by10%. The results presented here offer unique insight into the intrinsic molecular factors that govern H(DA) and β, which are important for understanding the electronic origin of electron transfer and electron transport mediated by molecular bridges.

A combination of variable-temperature EPR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements have been performed on Tp(Cum,Me)Zn(SQ-m-Ph-NN) (1-meta) a donor-bridge-acceptor (D-B-A) biradical that possesses a cross-conjugated meta-phenylene (m-Ph) bridge and a spin singlet ground state. The experimental results have been interpreted in the context of detailed bonding and excited-state computations in order to understand the excited-state electronic structure of 1-meta. The results reveal important excited-state contributions to the ground-state singlet-triplet splitting in this cross-conjugated D-B-A biradical that contribute to our understanding of electronic coupling in cross-conjugated molecules and specifically to quantum interference effects. In contrast to the conjugated isomer, which is a D-B-A biradical possessing a para-phenylene bridge, admixture of a single low-lying singly excited D → A type configuration into the cross-conjugated D-B-A biradical ground state makes a negligible contribution to the ground-state magnetic exchange interaction. Instead, an excited state formed by a Ph-NN (HOMO) → Ph-NN (LUMO) one-electron promotion configurationally mixes into the ground state of the m-Ph bridged D-A biradical. This results in a double (dynamic) spin polarization mechanism as the dominant contributor to ground-state antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the SQ and NN spins. Thus, the dominant exchange mechanism is one that activates the bridge moiety via the spin polarization of a doubly occupied orbital with phenylene bridge character. This mechanism is important, as it enhances the electronic and magnetic communication in cross-conjugated D-B-A molecules where, in the case of 1-meta, the magnetic exchange in the active electron approximation is expected to be J ~ 0 cm(-1). We hypothesize that similar superexchange mechanisms are common to all cross-conjugated D-B-A triads. Our results are compared to quantum interference effects on electron transfer/transport when cross-conjugated molecules are employed as the bridge or molecular wire component and suggest a mechanism by which electronic coupling (and therefore electron transfer/transport) can be modulated.

Scanning tunneling microscopy and local conductance mapping show spin-state coexistence in bilayer films of Fe[(H(2)Bpz(2))(2)bpy] on Au(111) that is independent of temperature between 131 and 300 K. This modification of bulk behavior is attributed in part to the unique packing constraints of the bilayer film that promote deviations from bulk behavior. The local density of states measured for different spin states shows that high-spin molecules have a smaller transport gap than low-spin molecules and are in agreement with density functional theory calculations.

The nature of the electronic coupling in transition metal Donor–Acceptor and Donor–Bridge–Acceptor systems has become a subject of interest in the last decade due to the importance of electronic coupling in molecular electronics. Here we review the synthesis, structure, magnetism, and spectroscopy of donor–acceptor biradicals as they pertain to understanding the electronic origins and magnitude of the electronic coupling matrix element that figures prominently in electron transfer (transport). Stable D–A systems may be thought of as ground state analogues of charge separated states generated in photoinduced electron transfer processes and as model systems for understanding single molecule mediated electron transport between biased nanoelectrodes. The strong coupling (adiabatic) regime will be covered in this review as well as the methodology for probing the magnitude of the electronic coupling in this limit. D–A biradicals can facilitate long-range ferromagnetic exchange between localized spins mediated by delocalized electrons, and this is a new phenomenon in molecular systems. The use of the VBCI approach to develop a complete electronic structure description of strong electronic coupling in D–A and D–B–A biradicals, the origin of long-range biradical ferromagnetic exchange, and the relationship of these biradicals to molecular electronic materials will form the basis of the review.

Crystals of [Co(diox)2(4-NO2-py)2] (1) and [Co(diox)2(4-CN-py)2] (2) where diox are the o-dioxolene 3,5-di-tbutylsemiquinonate(SQ•-) and/or 3,5-di-t-butylcatecholate (Cat2-) ions, 4-NO2-py is 4-nitro-pyridine, 4-CN-py is 4-cyano-pyridine,are among the few known crystals presenting both thermally-induced and photoinduced ls-[M+3(SQ•-)(Cat2-)]↔hs-[M2+(SQ•-)2] valencetautomeric interconversion (VTI). In 2, the thermal-induced VTI is cooperative, characterizing an abrupt conversion, and in 1it is non-cooperative. In this work, crystals of [Co(diox)2(4-NO2-py)2]·benzene (1BZ), [Co(diox)2(4-NO2-py)2]·toluene (1TL),[Co(diox)2(4-CN-py)2]·benzene (2BZ) and [Co(diox)2(4-CN-py)2]·toluene (2TL) have been prepared and analyzed by single crystalX-ray diffraction in order to investigate how solvation modulates thermally-induced VTI. Crystallographic data was also successfullyused together with two-state equilibrium equation to estimate ΔH° and ΔS° VTI thermodynamic parameters. The solvate crystals,like the non-solvated ones, present essentially reversible thermally-induced VTI. 1TL crystal presents the same monoclinicsymmetry and the same intermolecular hydrogen-bonded network of 1 and both present a non-cooperative thermal-induced VTI.1BZ crystal has triclinic symmetry and present a cooperative VTI with a thermal hysteresis of ~30 K. In contrast to 2, thermallyinducedVTI in 2BZ and 2TL is non-cooperative despite the fact that 2, 2BZ and 2TL crystals exhibit the same monoclinic symmetryand the same intermolecular hydrogen-bonded network. In 2BZ and 2TL benzene and toluene molecules as well as thet-butyl groups of the o-dioxolene molecules convert gradually from being dynamically disordered at about 300 K to a static disorderstate below 150 K. The layer separation distance of interacting [Co(diox)2(4-X-py)2], X=CN and NO2, molecules in all solvate crystalsis ~15 Å whereas in the 2, which presents cooperative VTI, it is ~12 Å. An order-disorder component might account to the stabilizationof the metastable hs-Co2+ state in 2BZ and in 2TL but no disorder was found in the 1TL crystals. Therefore, the lack ofcooperativity in the thermally-induced VTI in these crystals seems to be due to the large distance between the layers of interactingmolecules. Cooperativity in the VTI of 1BZ crystal is likely to be related with the unique molecular bond scheme network that connectsneighboring active [Co(diox)2(4-NO2-py)2] molecules through the o-dioxolene oxygen atoms bonded directly to the Co ion.

The design of novel, functionalized bis-metaphenylene semiquinone (SQ) ligands and their corresponding metal complexes which combine conformational flexibility and electron-withdrawing, electron-donating, and conjugating substituents enable investigation of multiple structure–property relationships. Along these lines, we report the synthesis of three new bis(Zn II (SQ)Tp Cum,Me ) complexes containing the bis-metaphenylene coupling fragment. Using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, ab initio computations and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, we show how spin-density is affected by the bis-metaphenylene system substituents. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Supporting information may be found in the online version of this paper.

Linear free-energy relationships for a series of functionalized semiquinone ligands and their MnII- and CuIIhydro-tris(3-cumenyl-5-methylpyrazolyl) borate complexes were examined. Quinone–semiquinone cycle half-wave reduction potentials and semiquinone hydrogen hyperfine coupling constants (aH) were determined and their correlation with Hammett σ parameters reported. A new σ parameter, σaH, has been proposed. MnII and CuII metal complex metal–ligand charge transfer and n π* UV transitions were found to be modulated by substituents. Satisfactory Hammett correlations between UV transitions and various σ values have been determined and compared in a number of instances. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Computations and EPR spectroscopy are used to probe the spin distribution of donor-bridge-acceptor (D-B-A) biradical complexes: Tp(Cum,Me)Zn(SQ-NN) (1), Tp(Cum,Me)Zn(SQ-1,4-Ph-NN) (2), Tp(Cum,Me)Zn(SQ-2,5-TP-NN) (3), and Tp(Cum,Me)Zn(SQ-2,5-Xyl-NN) (4) (SQ = orthosemiquinone and NN = nitronylnitroxide). These complexes are ground-state analogs of the charge-separated excited states formed in photoinduced electron transfer reactions. The intraligand magnetic exchange interaction (J) in these complexes is mediated by the bridges and has been found to stabilize the triplet ground states of 1 and 2. Detailed spectroscopic and bonding calculations have been used to elucidate the role of the bridge fragment (B) and its conformation relative to donor (SQ) and acceptor (NN) on spin density distributions. The computed results correlate well with experimental nitrogen hyperfine coupling constants.

We describe the electronic structure and the origin of ferromagnetic exchange coupling in two new metal complexes, NN-SQ-Co(III)(py)(2)Cat-NN (1) and NN-Ph-SQ-Co(III)(py)(2)Cat-Ph-NN (2) (NN = nitronylnitroxide radical, Ph = 1,4-phenylene, SQ = S = (1)/(2) semiquinone radical, Cat = S = 0 catecholate, and py = pyridine). Near-IR electronic absorption spectroscopy for 1 and 2 reveals a low-energy optical band that has been assigned as a Psi(u) --> Psi(g) transition involving bonding and antibonding linear combinations of delocalized dioxolene (SQ/Cat) valence frontier molecular orbitals. The ferromagnetic exchange interaction in 1 is so strong that only the high-spin quartet state (S(T) = (3)/(2)) is thermally populated at temperatures up to 300 K. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility data for 2 reveals that an excited state spin doublet (S(T) = (1)/(2)) is populated at higher temperatures, indicating that the phenylene spacer modulates the magnitude of the magnetic exchange. The valence delocalization within the dioxolene dyad of 2 results in ferromagnetic alignment of two localized NN radicals separated by over 22 A. The ferromagnetic exchange in 1 and 2 results from a spin-dependent delocalization (double exchange type) process and the origin of this strong electron correlation has been understood in terms of a valence bond configuration interaction (VBCI) model. We show that ferromagnetic coupling promoted by organic mixed-valency provides keen insight into the ability of single molecules to communicate spin information over nanoscale distances. Furthermore, the strong interaction between the itinerant dioxolene electron and localized NN electron spins impacts our ability to understand the exchange interaction between delocalized electrons and pinned magnetic impurities in technologically important dilute magnetic semiconductor materials. The long correlation length (22 A) of the itinerant electron that mediates this coupling indicates that high-spin pi-delocalized organic molecules could find applications as nanoscale spin-polarized electron injectors and molecular wires.

Activation of NF-κB requires the inhibitor of κB (IκB) kinase (IKK) complex, which is made up of two functional kinases, IKKα and IKKβ, and the scaffolding protein IKKγ. We recently identified seve...

Two new bimetallic complexes, [Cp*2Yb]2(μ-1,3-(2,2‘-bipyridyl)-5-tBu-C6H3) (1) and [Cp*2Yb]2(μ-1,4-(2,2‘-bipyridyl)-C6H4) (2), and their corresponding two-electron oxidation products [1]2+ and [2]2+ have been synthesized with the aim of determining the impact of the bridging ligand geometry on the electronic and magnetic properties of these materials. Electrochemistry, optical spectroscopy, and bulk susceptibility measurements all support a ground-state electronic configuration of the type [(f)13-(πa*)1-(πb*)1-(f)13]. Density functional theory calculations on the uncomplexed bridging ligands as doubly reduced species also indicate that the diradical electronic configuration is the lowest lying for both meta- and para-bis(bipyridyl) systems. The electrochemical and optical spectroscopic data indicate that the electronic coupling between the metal centers mediated by the diradical bridges is weak, as evidenced by the small separation of the metal-based redox couples and the similarity of the f−f transitions...

A Valence Bond Configuration Interaction (VBCI) model is used to relate the intraligand magnetic exchange interaction (J) to the electronic coupling matrix element (HAB) in Tp(Cum,MeZn)(SQNN), a compound that possesses a Donor-Acceptor (D-A) SemiQuinone-NitronylNitroxide (SQNN) biradical ligand. Within this framework, an SQ --NN charge transfer state mixes with the ground state and stabilizes the spin triplet (S = 1). This charge-transfer transition is observed spectroscopically and probed using resonance Raman spectroscopy. In addition, the temperature-dependent electronic absorption spectrum of the Ni(II) complex, Tp(Cum,MeNi)(SQNN), has been studied. Exchange coupling between the S = 1 Ni(II) ion and S = 1 SQNN provides a mechanism for observing the formally spin-forbidden, ligand-based 3GC --1CTC transition. This provides a means of determining U, the mean GC --CTC energy, and a one-center exchange integral, K(0). The experimental determination of J, U, and K(0) permits facile calculation of HAB, and we show that this methodology can be extended to determine the electronic coupling matrix element in related SQ-Bridge-NN molecules. As magnetic susceptibility measurements are easily acquired in the solid state, H(AB) may be effectively determined for single molecules in a known geometry, provided a crystal structure exists for the biradical complex. Thus, SQ-Bridge-NN molecules possess considerable potential for probing both geometric and electronic structure contributions to the magnitude of the electronic coupling matrix element associated with a given bridge fragment.

A series of functionalized radical anion semiquinone (SQ-Ar) ligands and their MnII- and CuIIhydro-tris(3-cumenyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate (TpCum,MeMII) complexes were prepared and characterized. The semiquinone ligands have substituted phenyl rings (Ar = -C6H5NO2, -C6H5OMe, -C6H5-tert-Bu, etc.) attached to the SQ 5-position. Despite the "remoteness" of the phenyl ring substituents, the MII-SQ exchange parameters, J, were found to vary nearly 3-fold. Attempts to quantify the substituent effects on J are complicated by the fact that not all complexes could be structurally characterized. As such, substituent effects and phenyl-ring torsion angles could conspire to produce the observed variation in J values. Although there is no clear trend in the J values as a function of SQ substituent for the MnII complexes, for the CuII complexes, electron-withdrawing substituents on the phenyl ring have greater ferromagnetic J values than the CuII complexes of SQ ligands with electron-donating substituents. This trend suggests a FM contribution from MLCT excited states in the copper complexes.

The torsional dependence of donor-bridge-acceptor (D-B-A) electronic coupling matrix elements (H(DA), determined from the magnetic exchange coupling, J) involving a spin SD = 1/2 metal semiquinone (Zn-SQ) donor and a spin S(A) = 1/2 nitronylnitroxide (NN) acceptor mediated by the σ/π-systems of para-phenylene and methyl-substituted para-phenylene bridges and by the σ-system of a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BCO) bridge are presented and discussed. The positions of methyl group(s) on the phenylene bridge allow for an experimentally determined evaluation of conformationally dependent (π) and conformationally independent (σ) contributions to the electronic and magnetic exchange couplings in these D-B-A biradicals at parity of D and A. The trend in the experimental magnetic exchange couplings are well described by CASSCF calculations. The torsional dependence of the pairwise exchange interactions are further illuminated in three-dimensional, "Ramachandran-type" plots that relate D-B and B-A torsions to both electronic and exchange couplings. Analysis of the magnetic data shows large variations in magnetic exchange (J ≈ 1-175 cm(-1)) and electronic coupling (H(DA) ≈ 450-6000 cm(-1)) as a function of bridge conformation relative to the donor and acceptor. This has allowed for an experimental determination of both the σ- and π-orbital contributions to the exchange and electronic couplings.

The synthesis and characterization of an Fe(III) catecholate-nitronylnitroxide (CAT-NN) complex (1-NN) that undergoes Fe(III) spin-crossover is described. Our aim is to determine whether the intraligand exchange coupling of the semiquinone-nitronylnitroxide Fe(II)(SQ-NN) excited state resulting from irradiation of the CAT → Fe(III) LMCT band would affect either the intrinsic photophysics or the iron spin-crossover event when compared to the complex lacking the nitronylnitroxide radical (1). X-ray crystallographic analysis provides bond lengths consistent with a ferric catecholate charge distribution. Mössbauer spectroscopy clearly demonstrates Fe(III) spin-crossover, hyperfine couplings, and a weak ferromagnetic Fe(III)-CAT-NN exchange, and spin-crossover is corroborated by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and electronic absorption studies. To explore the effect of the NN radical on photophysical processes, we conducted room-temperature transient absorption experiments. Upon excitation of the ligand-to-metal charge transfer band, an Fe(II)SQ state is populated and most likely undergoes fast intersystem crossing to the ligand field manifold, where it rapidly decays into a metastable low-spin Fe(III)CAT state, followed by repopulation of the high-spin Fe(III)CAT ground state. The decay components of 1-NN are slightly faster than those obtained for 1, perhaps due to the higher number of microstates present within the LMCT and LF manifolds for 1-NN. Although the effects of the NN radical are manifest in neither the spin-crossover nor the photophysics, our results lay the groundwork for future studies.

The design of novel, functionalized semiquinone (SQ) ligands which combine structural rigidity and electron-withdrawing, electron-donating, and electroneutral substituents enables investigation of multiple structure-property relationships and building blocks for new materials, including components of sensors, switches, and molecular spintronics. Along these lines, we report the synthesis of several new SQ ligands containing fused heterocyclic ring systems. Using both electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations, we show how spin density is affected by the fused ring system substituents.

A cobalt(III)-polydioxolene polymer undergoing valence tautomeric interconversion was irradiated at cryogenic temperatures. Magnetic and EPR data suggest the occurrence of photoinduced VT interconversion, with a maximum degree of about 10%. The kinetics data evidence a larger amount of cooperativity than previously observed in simple monomer, a phenomenon that we attribute to the 1D nature of the system. In the range 9–40 K the relaxation time follows two different regimes, both temperature dependent. The small values of the activation energies suggest the existence of phonon assisted relaxation mechanisms based on a tunneling process involving the totalsymmetric breathing mode of the complex.

The complex, ( NNSQ )CuTp Cum,Me , is comprised of three different spin carrying units. These three S = 1/2 sites are comprised of Cu(II), nitronyl nitroxide ( NN ), and 5- tert -butyl-semiquinone ( SQ ). Both the Cu(II)– SQ and SQ – NN pairwise interactions are strongly exchange coupled resulting an S T = 3/2 ground state due to ferromagnetic interactions. Low-temperature EPR spectroscopy confirms the S T = 3/2 ground state determined from magnetic susceptibility studies and indicates that the quartet is zero-field split by | D | ∼ 0.5 cm −1 . We have probed the origin of the strong ferromagnetic exchange within the NNSQ heterospin biradical ligand by a combination of electronic absorption, and low-temperature magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopies. The origin of the strong intraligand NNSQ ferromagnetic exchange has been suggested to result from an intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) transition transition that possesses appreciable SQ π → NN π* charge transfer character. The magnitude of the ferromagnetic exchange has been related to the energy of this ILCT transition, the magnitude of the NN single site exchange integral, and the magnitude of the electronic coupling matrix element that connects the SQ SOMO with the NN LUMO.

The synthesis, variable-temperature electronic absorption spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility of a novel valence tautomer are presented, and thermodynamic parameters for the valence tautomeric equilibrium were determined. The dioxolene used is a semiquinone–nitronylnitroxide donor–acceptor ligand. Due to the ferromagnetic coupling inherent in the semiquinone–nitronylnitroxide donor–acceptor biradical, the Co III form of the valence tautomer may display an additional stabilization of the high-spin ground state resulting from valence delocalization. As such, this would represent a unique example of double exchange in an organic system.

A magnetostructural correlation (conformational electron spin exchange modulation) within an isostructural series of biradical complexes is presented. X-ray crystal structures, variable-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, zero-field splitting parameters, and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements were used to evaluate molecular conformation and electron spin exchange coupling in this series of molecules. Our combined results indicate that the ferromagnetic portion of the exchange couplings occurs via the cross-conjugated pi-systems, while the antiferromagnetic portion occurs through space and is equivalent to incipient bond formation. Thus, molecular conformation controls the relative amounts of ferro- and antiferromagnetic contributions to exchange coupling. In fact, the exchange parameter correlates with average semiquinone ring torsion angles via a Karplus-Conroy-type relation. Because of the natural connection between electron spin exchange coupling and electronic coupling related to electron transfer, we also correlate the exchange parameters in the biradical complexes to mixed valency in the corresponding quinone-semiquinone radical anions. Our results suggest that delocalization in the cross-conjugated, mixed-valent radical anions is proportional to the ferromagnetic contribution to the exchange coupling in the biradical oxidation states.

Frontier orbital perturbation theory analysis provides insight into a donor–acceptor contribution to ferromagnetic exchange in biradicals having two, chemically distinct paramagnetic groups.

A theory is developed to describe the electronic structure of mixed-valent, exchange-coupled organic biradicals. The phenomena described are analogous to those of spin-dependent delocalization observed in binuclear inorganic complexes in the sense that coupling of delocalized hole states favors a triplet state over a singlet state. However, the mathematical description of the delocalization is quite similar to Kramers' treatment of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic terms in metal oxides (Physica 1934, 1, 182). There is a similarity in that a delocalized orbital in the mixed-valent biradical anion can play the role of oxide in conventional superexchange. As in Kramers' theory, there are two terms that result from the analysis, a second-order term and a third-order term. However, the significance of the terms is different for delocalized magnetic orbitals than for the metal-bridge-metal system considered by Kramers. The computational chemistry shows that the third-order ferromagnetic term dominates for large dihedral angles, in agreement with previous experimental results. The mechanism presented suggests a new paradigm for the design of high-spin organic molecules.

Three S = 1 bis(semiquinone) complexes have been prepared. To ensure ferromagnetic intramolecular exchange coupling, the two semiquinones are attached 1,3 to a 5-substituted phenylene ring. The biradical complexes differ in their meta-substituents: 1-NMe(2)(), X = N,N-dimethylamino; 1-t-Bu, X = tert-butyl; 1-NO(2)(), X = nitro. All three structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Results of structural studies indicate that the biradical ligands of all three complexes have nearly identical conformations with average semiquinone ring torsions of 32 degrees +/- 2 degrees relative to the 5-substituted phenylene ring. The exchange parameter, J (Eta = -2JS(1).S(2)), ranges from +31.0 +/- 0.6 cm(-)(1) for 1-NO(2)() to +59.3 +/- 1.2 cm(-)(1) for 1-t-Bu, with J = +34.9 +/- 0.7 cm(-)(1) for 1-NMe(2)(). Since the conformations are nearly identical, the differences in exchange coupling parameter J are due to substituent effects. The experimental results are supported by Huckel theory arguments and previous computational work.

The tris-bidentate ligand 1,3,5-tris(5'-tert-butyl-3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)benzene ((TBCat)(3)Ph) was synthesized. The reaction of this molecule in basic solution with two paramagnetic acceptors, i.e., a nickel(II)minus signtetraazamacrocyclic ligand complex (Ni(CTH)) (CTH = dl-5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) and manganese(II)-hydrotris[3-(4'-cumenyl)-5-methylpyrazolyl]borate (Mn(Tp(Cum,Me))), yielded two complexes whose analytical formulas are consistent with those of trinuclear complexes. Spectroscopic and magnetic measurements suggest that these derivatives contain divalent metal ions coordinated to the tris(semiquinone) form of the ligand. Analysis of the magnetic data shows that the pi-connectivity of the ligand enforces ferromagnetic coupling between the three semiquinone units of the molecule, giving rise to complexes with S = 9/2 (M = Ni(II)) and S = 6 (M = Mn(II)) ground states. The coupling within the tris(semiquinone) unit is quite large (J = -26 cm(-1) for the nickel(II) derivative and J = -40 cm(-1) for the manganese(II) one, using the general exchange Hamiltonian H = sigma J(ij)S(i)S(j)), and it is of the same order of magnitude as that observed in an analogous series of bis(semiquinone) complexes that we recently reported.

The utility of cross-conjugated, redox-active semiquinone ligands and their complexes for exploration and elucidation of various molecular structure-property relationships is discussed.

Transient absorption and emission spectroscopic studies on a series of diimineplatinum(II) dichalcogenolenes, LPtL', reveal charge-separated dichalcogenolene → diimine charge-transfer (LL'CT) excited-state lifetimes that display a remarkable and nonperiodic dependence on the heteroatoms of the dichalcogenolene ligand. Namely, there is no linear relationship between the observed lifetimes and the principle quantum number of the E donors. The results are explained in terms of heteroatom-dependent singlet-triplet (S-T) energy gaps and anisotropic covalency contributions to the M-E (E = O, S, Se) bonding scheme that control rates of intersystem crossing. For the dioxolene complex, 1-O,O', E(T2)E(S1) and rapid nonradiative decay occurs from S1 to S0. However, E(T2) ≤ E(S1) for the heavy-atom congeners, and this provides a mechanism for rapid intersystem crossing. Subsequent internal conversion to T1 in 3-S,S produces a long-lived, emissive triplet. The two LPtL' complexes with mixed chalcogen donors and 5-Se,Se show lifetimes intermediate between those of 1-O,O' and 3-S,S.

The utility of cross-conjugated, redox-active molecules for exploration and elucidation of molecular structure–property relationships is demonstrated. In particular, connections between mixed valency and exchange coupling in two different oxidation states of cross-conjugated molecules are made.

We assert that redox-active paramagnetic ligands will play an important role in molecule-based magnetic materials. In addition, cross-conjugated redox-active molecules are uniquely suited for correlating exchange coupling in biradical oxidation states with spin/charge delocalization in mixed-valent oxidation states. We present several examples of such ligands and emphasize pertinent molecular structure–property relationships.

Bis-dioxolene bridged dinuclear metal complexes of general formula M2(CTH)2(diox-diox)(PF6)n (n = 2, 3; M = Co(III), Cr(III); CTH = tetraazamacrocycle) have been synthesized using the bis-bidentate ligand 5,5'-di-tert-butyl-3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxybiphenyl. These complexes were characterized by means of ESR, UV-vis, temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility, and cyclic voltammetry. Our results unambiguously suggest that the tripositive dimetal cations can be described as containing a fully delocalized bis-dioxolene trinegative radical ligand (Cat-Sq) bridging two tripositive metal cations. In this frame the sextet electronic ground state characterizes the Cr2(CTH)2(Cat-SQ)3+ as a result of the antiferromagnetic coupling of the radical bridging ligand with the two equivalent paramagnetic metal centers. The electronic and geometrical structure and the magnetic properties of Cat-Sq and of its complexes have been studied with density functional theory.

The growth of films of [H2B(pz)2]Fe(II)(bpy) on Au(111) is characterized from the bilayer film to multilayer film regime. Scanning tunneling microscopy shows a transition from a well-ordered, uniform bilayer film to a poorly-ordered film at larger thicknesses. Previous local tunneling spectroscopy and conductance mapping in bilayer films permit the identification of coexisting molecular spin-states at all temperatures. New ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy is consistent with this picture and in agreement with the density of states calculated by density functional theory. In thicker films with a polycrystalline morphology, evidence for a more bulk-like change in spin composition as a function of temperature is obtained by observing the reduction in intensity of Fe 2p core level satellites in X-ray photoelectron spectra.

The π-connectivity of a bis(semiquinone) ligand enforces ferromagnetic coupling between the two semiquinone halves of the molecule. Using the ligand in connection with paramagnetic metal ions leads to complexes with S = 3 (M = NiII), S = 2 (M = CuII), and S = 2 (M = CrIII) ground states.

The most common chromosomal translocation in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), t15;17(q22;q21), creates PMLRAR andRARPML fusion genes. We previously developed a mouse model of APL by expressing PMLRAR in murine myeloid cells. In order to examine the mechanisms by which PMLRAR can initiate leukemia, we have now generated transgenic mice expressingPMLRARm4 and RARm4, proteins that are unable to activate transcription in response to retinoic acid.PMLRARm4 transgenic mice developed myeloid leukemia, demonstrating that transcriptional activation by PMLRAR is not required for leukemic transformation. The characteristics of the leukemias arising in the PMLRARm4 transgenic mice varied from those previously observed in our PMLRAR transgenic mice, indicating that ligand responsiveness may influence the phenotype of the leukemic cells. The leukemias that arose in PMLRARm4transgenic mice did not differentiate in response to retinoic acid therapy. This result supports the hypothesis that a major therapeutic effect of retinoic acid is mediated directly through thePMLRAR protein. However, a variable effect on survival suggested that this agent may be of some benefit in APL even when leukemic cells are resistant to its differentiative effects. Transgenic mice expressing high levels of RARm4 have not developed leukemia, providing evidence that the PML domain ofPMLRAR plays a specific and critical role in the pathogenesis of APL.

Three protected catechol-containing conjugated oligomers have been prepared using Pd-mediated coupling reactions. Two of the oligomers are poly[o-phenylenevinylene] type while the other is poly[o-p...

The synthesis and characterization of seven (ZnII)2bis(porphyrin) molecules are described. The molecular structures of two bis(porphyrin)s (6 and 7) were determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Four of the compounds have their porphyrin moieties attached in a meta-fashion to a substituted benzene ring (1−4), two have porphyrin rings attached in a gem-fashion to a carbon−carbon double bond (6 and 7), and one bis(porphyrin) (5) has a p-phenylene coupler. Bis(porphyrin)s 1, 4, and 5 contain tetraaryl-type porphyrins, while 2, 3, 6, and 7 contain triarylethynylporphyrins. Except for exciton coupling in the unoxidized species, interaction between porphyrins is greater in the triarylethynyl-type bis(porphyrin)s than in the tetraaryl-type bis(porphyrin)s regardless of the number of bonds through which the interaction propagates. The cyclic voltammetry of the bis(porphyrin)s was examined, and a varying degree of interaction between electrophores within the series was found. Redox splitting was observed for porph...

The synthesis and characterization of a biradical in which two semiquinone rings are held rigidly co-planar and are attached in a geminal fashion to a carbon-carbon double bond is described. The results of cyclic voltammetry and variable-temperature EPR studies are interpreted in terms of the interaction of the two semiquinones through the carbon-carbon double bond coupling unit.

We describe the oxidations of bisporphyrins 1-Zn2 - 6-Zn2 , and present EPR spectra of chemically oxidized species that are consistent with exchange-coupled biradicals.