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The coexistence of field-induced blockage of the magnetization and significant magnetocaloric effects in the low-temperature region occurs in a mononuclear holmium(III) diethylenetriamine-N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentaacetate complex, whose gadolinium(III) analogue is a commercial MRI contrast agent. Both properties make it a suitable candidate for cryogenic magnetic refrigeration, thus enlarging the variety of applications of this simple class of multifunctional molecular nanomagnets., A mononuclear holmium(III) complex is proposed as a new prototype of a multifunctional molecular nanomagnet for the physical implementation of cryomagnetic refrigeration near the strategically relevant hydrogen liquefaction temperature. Significant magnetocaloric effects occur in a wide temperature range just above the field-induced magnetization blockage.

Two new complexes [CoIII2CoII(μ-OL)2(μ-OOCCH3)2(μ-N3)2(N3)2]·Et2O (1·Et2O) and [NiII5(μ-OL)4(μ-OOCCH3)2(OOCCH3)2(μ-N3)2]·CH3CN (2) (HOL = 2-((2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylamino)methyl)phenol) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Structural analysis revealed that 1 is a discrete trinuclear and 2 is a discrete pentanuclear coordination complex. In complex 1, terminal metal (CoIII) is in a distorted octahedral MN4O2 environment where coordination is satisfied by two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom of the ligand, and an oxygen atom from the acetate group and two nitrogen atoms from azide (one each from the bridging and terminal ones). The central metal (CoII) is also in a distorted octahedral MN2O4 environment where coordination is satisfied by two oxygen atoms from the phenoxo bridge, two oxygen atoms from the acetate bridge and two nitrogen atoms from the azide bridge. In complex 2, each Ni is in a distorted octahedral MN2O4/MN3O3 environment where coordination is satisfied by different donor atoms (amine, pyridine, acetate, phenolate and azide). Direct current (DC) variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements on polycrystalline samples of 1·Et2O and 2 were carried out in the temperature range of 1.8–300 K. The magnetic behaviour of 1·Et2O indicates the presence of magnetic anisotropy of the cobalt(II) ion. The magnetic data of 2 reveal the coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions within the Ni5 unit. Theoretical calculations made from the crystal structures reveal a very good agreement with the experimental findings.

The coexistence of field-induced slow magnetic relaxation and moderately large magnetocaloric efficiency in the supra-Kelvin temperature region occurs in the 2D compound [GdIII2(ox)3(H2O)6]n·4nH2O (1), a feature that can be exploited in the proof-of-concept design of a new class of slow-relaxing magnetic materials for cryogenic magnetic refrigeration.

Mono-, di-, tri-, and tetranuclear compounds of nickel(II) of formula [Ni(dppn)3](NCS)2·0.5dppn (1), [{Ni(dppn)(NCS)}2(μ-dppn)(μ-NCS)]NCS (2), [Ni3(dppn)2(N3)2(μ-dppn)2(μ-N3)2](ClO4)2·CH3CH2OH·2H2O...

We report the preparation, spectroscopic characterisation, crystal structure determination and cryomagnetic investigation of three cobalt(II) complexes of formula trans-[Co(bim)4(NCS)2] (1), [Co(bim)2(NCO)2] (2) and [Co(bim)2(N3)2]n (3) (bim = 1-benzylimidazole). The structure of 1 is made up of neutral [Co(bim)4(NCS)2] mononuclear units, where the cobalt(II) ion is six-coordinate with four monodentate bim ligands in equatorial positions and two N-thiocyanato groups in the axial sites building a slightly compressed octahedron. In contrast to 1, each cobalt(II) ion in 2 is four-coordinate with two imidazole-nitrogen atoms from two bim molecules and two N-cyanato ligands describing a slightly distorted tetrahedral geometry, the value of Okuniewski's structural parameter being 0.925. The structure of 3 consists of uniform chains of cobalt(II) ions connected by double end-to-end azido bridges in equatorial positions with two trans-coordinated bim molecules occupying the axial sites. The Co–Nbim bond lengths in 3 are ca. 0.06 A shorter than the Co–Nazido distances, the value of the tetragonality parameter being 1.03. The intrachain cobalt–cobalt separation is 5.361(1) A, a value which is much shorter than the shortest interchain one (ca. 12.4 A). Detailed solid state ac and dc magnetic studies show that 1 and 2 are field-induced single-ion magnets with D = +88.6 (1) and −6.8 cm−1 (2). Q-band EPR spectrometry measurements for polycrystalline samples of 1 and 2 confirm the signs of D and reveal the occurrence of a strong (1)/low (2) low asymmetry in the g-tensors. Theoretical calculations by CASSCF/NEVPT2 support the results from magnetometry and EPR for 1 and 2. The values of the spin reversal barrier which were obtained from the corresponding Arrhenius plots cover the ranges 48.0–50.2 cm−1 (1) and 25.9–27.2 and 11.5–13.1 cm−1 for the high- and low-temperature relaxation processes (2). Compound 3 exhibits an overall antiferromagnetic behaviour with a maximum of the magnetic susceptibility at ca. 70 K, the intrachain antiferromagnetic coupling being J = −26.5 cm−1 (the spin Hamiltonian being defined as ). This value is of the same nature and its size compares well with those reported for the scarce examples of this type of cobalt(II) chain.

Thermal-assisted spin crossover and field-induced slow magnetic relaxation coexist in the solid state for the mononuclear cobalt(II) complex with the non-innocent 2,6-bis(N-4-methoxyphenylformimidoyl)pyridine ligand. One-electron oxidation of the paramagnetic low-spin CoII ion (SCo = 1/2) to the diamagnetic low-spin CoIII ion (SCo = 0) leads to the electroswitching of the slow magnetic relaxation in acetonitrile solution.

Construction of efficient multifunctional materials is one of the greatest challenges of our time. We herein report the magnetic and catalytic characterization of dinuclear [CoIIICoII(HL1)2(EtOH)(H2O)]Cl·2H2O (1) and trinuclear [CoIIICoII2(HL2)2(L2)Cl2]·3H2O (2) mixed valence complexes. Relevant structural features of the complexes have been mentioned to correlate with their magnetic and catalytic properties. Unique structural features, especially in terms of significant distortions around the CoII centre(s), prompted us to test both spin–orbit coupling (SOC) and zero field splitting (ZFS) methodologies for the systems. The positive sign of D values has been established from X-band EPR spectra recorded in the 5–40 K temperature range and reaffirmed by CAS/NEVPT2 calculations. ZFS tensors are also extracted for the compounds along with CoIIGaIII and CoIIZnIICoIII model species. Interestingly, 1 shows slow relaxation of magnetization below 6.5 K in the presence of a 1000 Oe external dc field with two relaxation processes (Ueff = 37.0 K with τ0 = 1.57 × 10−8 s for the SR process and Ueff = 7 K with τ0 = 1.66 × 10−6 s for the FR process). As mixed valence cobalt complexes with various nuclearities are central to the quest for water oxidation catalysts, we were prompted to explore their features and to our surprise, water oxidation ability has been realized for both 1 and 2 with significant nuclearity control.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) provide rigid and highly symmetric coordination sites and can be used as a strategy for the stabilization of magnetic ions. Herein, we report a new member of the Keggin archetype, the Cr-centered Keggin anion [α-CrW12O40]5– (CrW12), with the unusual tetrahedral coordination of CrIII reported for the first time in POMs conferring unattended magnetic properties. POM chemistry has recently presented excellent examples of single-molecule and single-ion magnets (SMMs and SIMs) as well as molecular spin qubits; however, the majority of POM-based SIMs reported to date contain lanthanoid ions. CrW12, as the first example of a chromium(III) SIM, exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization and quantum tunneling with a single-ion magnetic behavior even above 10 K with an energy barrier for the reversal of the magnetization of 3.0 K. The first 3d-metal SIM based on a nonlacunary Keggin anion is the foundation for a new research area in POM chemistry.

International audience; We describe herein the first examples of six-coordinate CoII single-ion magnets (SIMs) based on the β-diimine Mebik ligand [Mebik = bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)ketone]: two mononuclear [CoII(Rbik)2L2] complexes and one mixed-valence {CoIII2CoII}n chain of formulas [CoII(Mebik)(H2O)(dmso)(μ-NC)2CoIII2(μ-2,5-dpp)(CN)6]n·1.4nH2O (3) [L = NCS (1), NCSe (2) and 2,5-dpp = 2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (3)]. Two bidentate Mebik molecules plus two monodentate N-coordinated pseudohalide groups in cis positions build somewhat distorted octahedral surroundings around the high-spin cobalt(II) ions in 1 and 2. The diamagnetic [CoIII2(μ-2,5-dpp)(CN)8]2− metalloligand coordinates the paramagnetic [CoII(Mebik)(H2O)(dmso)]2+ complex cations in a bis-monodentate fashion to afford neutral zigzag heterobimetallic chains in 3. Ab initio calculations, and cryomagnetic dc (2.0–300 K) and ac (2.0–12 K) measurements as well as EPR spectroscopy for 1–3 show the existence of magnetically isolated high-spin cobalt(II) ions with D values of 59.84–89.90 (1), 66.32–93.90 (2) and 70.40–127.20 cm−1 (3) and field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetization, being thus new examples of SIMs with transversal magnetic anisotropy. The analysis of their relaxation dynamics reveals that the relaxation of the magnetization occurs by the Raman (with values of the n parameter covering the range 6.0–6.8) and direct spin-phonon processes.

Electrocrystallization of the bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) organic donor in the presence of the [Fe(ClCNAn)3]3– tris(chlorocyananilato)ferrate(III) paramagnetic anion in different stoichiometric ratios and solvent mixtures afforded two different hybrid systems formulated as [BEDT-TTF]4[Fe(ClCNAn)3]·3H2O (1) and [BEDT-TTF]5[Fe(ClCNAn)3]2·2CH3CN (2) (An = anilato). Compounds 1 and 2 present unusual structures without the typical segregated organic and inorganic layers, where layers of 1 are formed by Λ and Δ enantiomers of the anionic paramagnetic complex together with mixed-valence BEDT-TTF tetramers, while layers of 2 are formed by Λ and Δ enantiomers of the paramagnetic complex together with dicationic BEDT-TTF dimers and monomers. Compounds 1 and 2 show semiconducting behaviors with room-temperature conductivities of ca. 6 × 10–3 S cm–1 (ambient pressure) and 1 × 10–3 S cm–1 (under applied pressure of 12.1 GPa), respectively, due to strong dimerization between the donors. Magnetic measurements performed on compound 1 indicate weak antiferromagnetic coupling between high-spin FeIII (SFe = 5/2) and mixed-valence radical cation diyads (BEDT-TTF)2+ (Srad = 1/2) mediated by the anilate ligands, together with an important Pauli paramagnetism typical for conducting systems., This work was supported in France by the CNRS, the University of Angers, the RFI Regional LUMOMAT project ASCO-MMM (grant to A.A.). The work in Italy was supported by the Fondazione di Sardegna-Convenzione triennale tra la Fondazione di Sardegna e gli Atenei Sardi, Regione Sardegna-L.R. 7/2007 annualità 2016-DGR 28/21 del 17.05.2015 “Innovative Molecular Functional Materials for Environmental and Biomedical Applicatons” (grant to S.A.S.) and INSTM. M.J.O. acknowledges support from the Ministerio Español de Ciencia e Innovación (Project CTQ2016-75068P) and Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu (Project MDM-2015-0538). Work at Bellaterra (Spain) was supported by the Spanish MICIU through Grant PGC2018-096955-B-C44 and the MINECO through the Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellence Program under Grant SEV-2015-0496 as well as by Generalitat de Catalunya (2017SGR1506).

Thin films of an anionic oxamato-bridged cobalt(II)–copper(II) 3D MOF have been growth at 120 °C in DMSO through a one-pot reaction from Co(NO3)2·6H2O and (Me4N)2[Cu(2,6-Et2pa)2]·6H2O (2,6-Et2pa = N-2,6-diethylphenyloxamate) over Si(111) surfaces functionalized with carboxylic acid terminating groups. These heterobimetallic CoII2CuII3 MOF thin films (2) of about ten nanometers thickness show a ferrimagnetically ordered phase below ca. 10 K with a relatively large magnetic hysteresis similar to that of the bulk material of formula (Me4N)2[Co2Cu3(2,6-Et2pa)6]·5H2O (1).

A leitmotiv in the field of molecular magnetism is the study of the electron exchange (EE) magnetic interactions among distant metal centers through the corresponding bridging ligands in polynuclear coordination compounds. The present review provides a historical perspective on the use of dinuclear copper(II) complexes with either simple inorganic or extended organic bridging ligands as experimental and theoretical models for the fundamental research on the relative importance of the spin delocalization and spin polarization mechanisms of the EE interaction across σ- and π-type orbital pathways. Particular focus is placed on the work by Professor Miguel Julve, outstanding researcher and an excellent teacher, best friend and colleague, in recognition of his invaluable contributions to molecular magnetism on the occasion of his 65th anniversary.

Two novel compounds, {[Cr(pyim)(ox)2]2Mn}n·2nCH3OH (1) and {[Cr(pyim)(ox)2]2Co(H2O)2}·7.5H2O (2) [pyim = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole and H2ox = oxalic acid], were synthesized by using the mononuclear chromium(III) complex PPh4[Cr(pyim)(ox)2]·H2O (PPh4+ = tetraphenylphosphonium) as metalloligand towards the fully solvated manganese(II) (1) and cobalt(II) (2) ions as perchlorate salts. The structure of 1 consists of neutral double chains, with diamond-shaped units sharing the manganese(II) ions with the two other corners being occupied by the chromium(III) ions. The two metal centres in 1 are connected by bis-bidentate oxalate groups, each [CrIII(pyim)(ox)2]− unit being bound to two manganese(II) ions through its two oxalate ligands. Complex 2 is a centrosymmetric trinuclear compound where two outer [CrIII(pyim)(ox)2]− units act as bidentate ligands through one of their two oxalate groups towards the inner trans-diaquacobalt(II) entity. The values of the chromium(III)–manganese(II) (1) and chromium(III)–cobalt(II) (2) separation across the oxalate bridge are 5.5233(14) [Cr(1)…Mn(1)], 5.5735(14) [Cr(1)…Mn(1b)] and 5.3681(11) A [Cr1⋯Co(1)]. The investigation of the magnetic properties of 1 and 2 in the temperature range 1.9–300 K reveals the occurrence of significant ferromagnetic interactions between the chromium(III) and the high-spin manganese(II) (1)/cobalt(II) (2) across the oxalate bridge. Monte Carlo simulations were used to evaluate the intrachain magnetic interaction in 1. Simple molecular orbital analysis of the exchange interactions in 1 and 2 identify the σ- and π-type pathways involving the d(x2 − y2) (Mn and Co)/d(xy) (Cr) and d(xz) (Cr)/d(yz) (Mn and Co) pairs of orthogonal magnetic orbitals as the main individual contributions accounting for the overall ferromagnetic couplings in these compounds.

Three dimanganese(iii) complexes have been synthesised and fully characterised by standard spectroscopic methods and spectroelectrochemistry. Each MnIII ion is chelated by a salen type ligand (H2L), but there is variation in the bridging group: LMn(OOCCH[double bond, length as m-dash]CHCOO)MnL, LMn(OOCC6H4COO)MnL, and LMn(OOCC6H4C6H4COO)MnL. X-ray diffraction revealed an axial compression of each six-coordinate high-spin d4 MnIII ion, which is a Jahn-Teller-active ion. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility and variable temperature-variable field (VTVH) magnetisation measurements, as well as high-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR) spectroscopy were used to accurately describe the magnetic properties of the complexes, not only the single-ion spin Hamiltonian parameters: g-values and zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters D and E, but also the exchange interaction constant J between the two ions, which has been seldom determined for a di-MnIII complex, particularly when there is more than a single bridging atom. Quantum chemical calculations reproduced well the electronic and geometric structure of these unusual complexes, and, in particular, their electronic absorption spectra along with the spin Hamiltonian and exchange parameters.

The preparation, X-ray crystal structure, spectroscopic and variable-temperature dc and ac magnetic properties of two six-coordinate cobalt(ii) complexes of formula [Co(bim)4(tcm)2] (1) and [Co(bmim)4(tcm)2] (2) (bim = 1-benzylimidazole, bmim = 1-benzyl-2-methylbenzimidazole and tcm- = tricyanomethanide ion) are reported. 1 and 2 crystallize in the monoclinic P21/n and C2/c space groups with the asymmetric units composed of one tcm- ion and half the [Co(bim)4]2+ and [Co(bmim)4]2+ complex cations, respectively. Their cobalt atoms are in compressed (1)/rhombic (2) CoN6 octahedral environments, the axial positions being occupied by monodentate tricyanomethanide anions. The neutral molecules in 1 are linked through weak C-HN type interactions into supramolecular chains, which are further interconnected into supramolecular 2D motifs by C-Hπ stacking. No short intermolecular interactions occur in 2. The values of the shortest intermolecular cobalt-cobalt separation are 10.901(1) (1) and 10.577(3) Å (2). Detailed ac and dc magnetic studies indicate that 1 and 2 are field-induced single-ion magnets (SIMs) with D = +46.1 (1)/+80.1 cm-1 (2) thus presenting new examples of SIMs with transversal magnetic anisotropy. Theoretical calculations by CASSCF/NEVPT2 support these results and suggest that the relaxation of the magnetization occurs in the ground state under applied fields through two Orbach processes possibly bound to low-lying vibrational modes. Q-band EPR study for polycrystalline samples 1 and 2 at low temperatures confirms the positive sign of D, allows the rough estimation of the E/D ratio [0.144 (1) and 0.180 (2)] and reveals the occurrence of a strong asymmetry in the g-tensors. The values found for the spin-reversal barrier, Ea ≈ 28 and 11 cm-1 (1) and 20 and 9 cm-1 (2), are within the range of those found in other cobalt(ii) field-induced SIMs with a pseudooctahedral trans-CoN4N'2 chromophore.

Two mononuclear cobalt(II) complexes, with the formulas [Co(2,6-dfba)2(bpp)2(H2O)2]n (1) and [Co(2,6-dfba)2(bpe)2(H2O)2]n (2) (2,6-Hdfba = 2,6-difluorobenzoic acid, bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane, bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene), have been synthesized by combining Co(II) ions with benzoate derivatives and two homogeneous N-donor ligands, respectively. Constrained by the analogous CoN2O4 coordination spheres, the discretely hexa-coordinated Co(II) cores in both complexes display stretched octahedral geometries. The equatorial environments in both complexes are identical, whereas the axial sites are finely modulated by the different chemical natures of the terminal N-donor ligands. The combined analyses of the magnetic data, the high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) and the ab initio calculations unveil large easy-plane magnetic anisotropies for both complexes (D = +53.19 and +65.67 cm−1 for 1 and 2, respectively), which function as field-induced single-ion magnets (SIMs) with effective barriers (Ueff) of 45.34 (1) and 57.97 K (2). This work demonstrates how fine-tuning the coordination microenvironment of metal ions results in a non-negligible manipulation of their magnetic anisotropy.

The successful utilization of the “direct synthesis” approach yielded the unprecedented hexanuclear complex of formula [Co2MnII2MnIV2(L1)4Cl2(μ3-O)2(dmf)4]·2dmf (1) (H3L is the Schiff base derived from the condensation of salicylaldehyde and 3-aminopropane-1,2-diol). Single crystal X-ray analysis revealed that 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system P21/c and it contains a rare mixed-valence {CoIII2MnII2MnIV2(μ2-O)8(μ3-O)2} core where all metal ions are linked through the phenolato and alkoxo groups of the L3− ligand. Besides the charge balance resulting from the X-ray structure, the oxidation state of the metal ions has been confirmed by XPS spectroscopy. Cryomagnetic studies indicate the coexistence of ferro- (MnIV–MnII, J2 = +1.10(3) cm−1, J3 = +2.19(3) cm−1; MnII–MnII, j = +0.283(3) cm−1) and antiferromagnetic interactions (MnIV–MnIV, J1 = −17.31(4) cm−1), with the six-coordinate CoIII ions being diamagnetic. DFT type calculations were carried out to substantiate these values. The energy diagram for the different spin states using the best-fit parameters shows the occurrence of six low-lying spin states (S = 0–5) which are close in energy but clearly separated from the remaining ones, with the ground spin state being S = 5. Complex 1 is found to be the first example where weak ferromagnetic exchange between MnII ions through the long –O–MnIV–O– pathway takes place.

The use of the cyanide-bearing dicobalt(III) complex (PPh 4 ) 2 [Co 2 III (m-2,5-dpp)(CN) 8 ] as a metalloligand towards [Mn(salen)(H 2 O)]ClO 4 afforded the heterobimetallic two-dimensional compound of formula [{Mn III (salen)} 2 {(m-NC) 4 Co 2 III (m-2,5-dpp)(CN) 4 }] n (1) [PPh 4 + = teraphenylphosphonium cation, 2,5-dpp = 2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine and H 2 salen = N,N’ -ethylenebis(salicylideneimine)] whose structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a neutral brick-wall structure, where each [Co 2 III (m-2,5-dpp)(CN) 8 ] 2- unit adopts a tetrakis-monodentate bridging mode towards four {Mn III (salen)} + fragments through four of its eight cyanide ligands. Each cobalt(III) ion is six-coordinate with one pyrazine- and one pyridine-nitrogen atoms of the 2,5-dpp molecule and four cyanide-carbon atoms describing a somewhat distorted octahedral surrounding. The two crystallographically independent manganese(III) ions are also six-coordinate in an elongated octahedral environment with two imino-nitrogen and two phenoxo-oxygen atoms occupying the equatorial positions and two cyanide-nitrogen atoms filling the axial sites. Variable-temperature direct- (1.9-300 K) and alternating-current (2.0-5.0 K) magnetic measurements of 1 show the occurrence of magnetically isolated manganese(III) ions with a local negative zero-field splitting ( D = -5.87 cm -1 ) and slow magnetic relaxation, this compound being a new example of field-induced Single-Ion Magnet (SIM). The analysis of the ac magnetic data of 1 under an applied dc field 5000 G reveals that the value of the energy barrier ( E a ) to reverse the magnetization direction and that of the pre-exponential factor (t 0 ) are 10.8 cm -1 and 2.7 x 10 -8 s, respectively. These values compare well with those reported for the few examples of manganese(III)-based SIMs nowadays.

International audience; A mononuclear iron(III) porphyrin compound exhibiting unexpectedly slow magnetic relaxation, which is a characteristic of single-ion magnet behaviour, is reported. This behaviour originates from the close proximity (approximate to 550 cm(-1)) of the intermediate-spinS=3/2 excited states to the high-spinS=5/2 ground state. More quantitatively, although the ground state is mostlyS=5/2, a spin-admixture model evidences a sizable contribution (approximate to 15 %) ofS=3/2 to the ground state, which as a consequence experiences large and positive axial anisotropy (D=+19.2 cm(-1)). Frequency-domain EPR spectroscopy allowed them(S)= |+/- 1/2⟩->|+/- 3/2⟩ transitions to be directly accessed, and thus the very large zero-field splitting in this 3d(5)system to be unambiguously measured. Other experimental results including magnetisation, Mossbauer, and field-domain EPR studies are consistent with this model, which is also supported by theoretical calculations.

Molecular magnetism has travelled a long way from the pioneering studies on electron exchange and double exchange or spin crossover and valence tautomerism in small oligonuclear complexes, from mono- to di- and tetranuclear species, to the current investigations about magnetic anisotropy and spin dynamics or quantum coherence of simple mono- or large polynuclear complexes, behaving as switchable bistable molecular nanomagnets for potential applications in information data storage and processing. In this review, we focus on the origin and development of the research in the field of molecular magnetism from a coordination chemistry viewpoint, which dates back to the establishment of magnetochemistry as a novel discipline among the molecular sciences. This overview is conceived as an attempt to orientate coordination chemists regarding their role in the future direction that molecular magnetism will undergo in its further evolution toward molecular spintronics and quantum computation. A particular emphasis will be given to some selected recent advances in single-molecule spintronic circuitry and quantum computing devices based on the large class of multiresponsive and multifunctional magnetic metal complexes to stimulate the progress in the field of molecular magnetism.

In the series described in this work, the hydrothermal synthesis led to oxidation of the 5-methyl-pyrazinecarboxylate anion to the 2,5-pyrazinedicarboxylate dianion (2,5-pzdc) allowing the preparation of three-dimensional (3D) lanthanide(III) organic frameworks of formula {[Ln2(2,5-pzdc)3(H2O)4]·6H2O}n [Ln = Ce (1), Pr (2), Nd (3), and Eu (4)] and {[Er2(2,5-pzdc)3(H2O)4]·5H2O}n (5). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction on 1–5 reveals that they crystallize in the triclinic system, P1 space group with the series 1–4 being isostructural. The crystal structure of the five compounds are 3D with the lanthanide(III) ions linked through 2,5-pzdc2– dianions acting as two- and fourfold connectors, building a binodal 4,4-connected (4·648)(426282)-mog network. The photophysical properties of the Nd(III) (3) and Eu(III) (4) complexes exhibit sensitized photoluminescence in the near-infrared and visible regions, respectively. The photoluminescence intensity and lifetime of 4 were very sensitive due to the luminescence que...

A family of tetrahedral mononuclear CoII complexes with the cytosine nucleobase ligand is used as the playground for an in-depth study of the effects that the nature of the ligand, as well as their noninnocent distortions on the Co(II) environment, may have on the slow magnetic relaxation effects. Hence, those compounds with greater distortion from the ideal tetrahedral geometry showed a larger-magnitude axial magnetic anisotropy (D) together with a high rhombicity factor (E/D), and thus, slow magnetic relaxation effects also appear. In turn, the more symmetric compound possesses a much smaller value of the D parameter and, consequently, lacks single-ion magnet behavior.

We have developed a new strategy for the design and synthesis of multifunctional molecular materials showing reversible magnetic and optical switching., A vast impact on molecular nanoscience can be achieved using simple transition metal complexes as dynamic chemical systems to perform specific and selective tasks under the control of an external stimulus that switches “ON” and “OFF” their electronic properties. While the interest in single-ion magnets (SIMs) lies in their potential applications in information storage and quantum computing, the switching of their slow magnetic relaxation associated with host–guest processes is insufficiently explored. Herein, we report a unique example of a mononuclear cobalt(ii) complex in which geometrical constraints are the cause of easy and reversible water coordination and its release. As a result, a reversible and selective colour and SIM behaviour switch occurs between a “slow-relaxing” deep red anhydrous material (compound 1) and its “fast-relaxing” orange hydrated form (compound 2). The combination of this optical and magnetic switching in this new class of vapochromic and thermochromic SIMs offers fascinating possibilities for designing multifunctional molecular materials.

A series of zinc(II), cobalt(II) and manganese(II) coordination networks with phosphoserine ligand (H3PSer) are synthesized and characterized. Whereas in compounds 1 and 2 with the general formula [M(HPser)]n [M = Zn (1) and Co (2)], the metal(II) ion presents a tetrahedral geometry, in [Co(HPSer)(H2O)2]n (3) and [Mn(HPSer)(H2O)]n (4), the metal(II) ions are in a distorted octahedral geometry. The 3D frameworks are formed by inorganic layers built up from MO4 or MO6 polyhedra and phosphate groups. These layers are linked by the carboxylate groups of the phosphoserine ligand. The presence of extended hydrogen bonding stabilizes the 3D network and favours the proton transfer leading to moderate proton conductors. The highest proton conductivity, 2.70 × 10−5 S cm−1 (at 80 °C and 95% RH), is obtained for compound 3. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements for 2–4 reveal predominant antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic metal(II) ions.

This work studies the effect of the σ-Hammett parameter (σp) – i.e., the σ-donation effect caused by substitution at the para position of a bipyridine ligand (4,4′-R2bipy, where R is MeO, Me, H, NO2) – on both the photo- and electro-luminescence features of a series of heteroleptic copper(I) complexes – i.e., [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]+ where N^N and P^P ligands are R2bipy and Xantphos, respectively. By virtue of a comprehensive photophysical, theoretical, and thin-film lighting device – i.e., light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) – investigation, we note a clear relationship between the σp and the photo- and electro-luminescence parameters, such as photoluminescence quantum yields, excited-state lifetimes, and emission maxima, as well as device brightness, stability, and efficacy, respectively. As the most relevant finding, the substitution with the group featuring the most negative σp – i.e., MeO – provides a ca. five-fold enhancement of all of the aforementioned figures-of-merit upon comparison within the series of complexes. As such, this work provides a new guideline for a device optimization through a rational ligand design for heteroleptic copper(I) complexes.

The employment of pyrazine (pyz), pyrimidine (pym) and s-triazine (triz) ligands in ReIV chemistry leads to the isolation of a family of complexes of general formula (NBu4)2[(ReX5)2(μ-L)] (L = pyz, X = Cl (1) or Br (2); L = pym, X = Br (3); L = triz, X = Br (4)). 1-4 are dinuclear compounds where two pentahalorhenium(iv) fragments are connected by bidentate pyz, pym and triz ligands. Variable-temperature magnetic measurements, in combination with detailed theoretical studies, uncover the underlying magneto-structural correlation whereby the nature of the exchange between the metal ions is dictated by the number of intervening atoms. That is, the spin-polarization mechanism present dictates that odd and even numbers of atoms favour ferromagnetic (F) and antiferromagnetic (AF) exchange interactions, respectively. Hence, while the pyz ligand in 1 and 2 mediates AF coupling, the pym and triz ligands in 3 and 4 promote F interactions.

Two mononuclear cobalt(II) compounds of formula [Co(dmphen)2(OOCPh)]ClO4·1/2H2O·1/2CH3OH (1) and [Co(dmbipy)2(OOCPh)]ClO4 (2) (dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dmbipy = 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine and HOOCPh = benzoic acid) are prepared and magnetostructurally investigated. Each cobalt(II) ion is six-coordinate with a distorted octahedral CoN4O2 environment. The complex cations are interlinked leading to supramolecular chains (1) and pairs (2) that grow along the crystallographic c-axis with racemic mixtures of (Δ,Λ)-Co units. FIRMS allowed us to directly measure the zero-field splitting between the two lowest Kramers doublets, which led to axial anisotropy values of 58.3 cm-1 ≤ D < 60.7 cm-1 (1) and 63.8 cm-1 ≤ D < 64.1 cm-1 (2). HFEPR spectra of polycrystalline samples of 1 and 2 at low temperatures confirm the positive sign of D and provide an estimate of the E/D quotient [0.147/0.187 (1) and 0.052 (2)]. Detailed ac and dc magnetic studies reveal that 1 and 2 are new examples of field-induced single-ion magnets (SIMs) with small transversal anisotropy. CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations support these results. Two Orbach processes or one Orbach plus a direct relaxation mechanism provide similar agreements with the nonlinear experimental Arrhenius plots at Hdc = 500 and 2500 G for 1. Two independent relaxation processes occur in 2, but in contrast to 1, an observed linear dependence of ln(τ) vs 1/T substantiates Orbach processes against the most widely proposed Raman and direct mechanisms. The analysis of each relaxation process in 2 provided values for Ea and τ0 that are very close to those found for 1, validating the predominant role of the Orbach relaxations in both compounds and, probably, also in other cobalt(II) SIMs. A mechanism based on a spin-phonon coupling is proposed to account for the SIM behavior in 1 and 2 with any Raman or direct processes being discarded.

Substituted pyrazines were successfully used to prepare two new coordination polymers of formulas {[Co(dca)2(NH2pyz)2]·H2O}n (1) and [Co3(dca)6(HOpyz)5(H2O)2]n (2) [dca = dicyanamide, NH2pyz = 2-aminopyrazine and HOpyz = 2-hydroxypyrazine] whose structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The structure of 1 consists of a two-dimensional rhombus grid of cobalt(II) ions where the dca ligand adopts the μ1,5 bridging mode with trans-positioned monodentate NH2pyz molecules completing the six-coordination around each metal ion. Compound 2 exhibits a stair-like two-dimensional structure where the intralayer connections are performed by the dca and HOpyz groups exhibiting μ1,5 and bis-monodentate coordination modes, respectively. The values of the cobalt–cobalt separation through the dca bridges are 8.2107(3) (1) and 8.4746(4) and 8.5249(4) A (2) whereas the value through the hydroxypyrazine is 7.2052(6) A (2). Solid-state direct-current magnetic susceptibility analyses in the temperature range of 1.9–300 K for 1 and 2 reveal the occurrence of magnetically isolated high-spin cobalt(II) ions with a significant contribution to the magnetic moment (1 and 2), D = +95.4 (1) and +76.5 cm−1 (2) and the antiferromagnetically coupled pairs of cobalt(II) centres through the bis-monodentate 2-hydroxypyrazine, J = −0.3 cm−1 (2). Both compounds exhibit frequency dependence of the out-of-phase alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility (χ′′M) under non-zero applied dc fields, a feature which is characteristic of single-ion magnet behaviour (SIM). Q-band EPR studies on the polycrystalline samples of 1 and 2 at low temperatures confirm the positive sign of D and reveal the occurrence of a strong asymmetry in the g-tensors. Theoretical calculations by CASSCF/NEVPT2 support these results. An analysis of the dynamic behaviour of 1 and 2 suggests that the relaxation of the magnetization occurs in the ground state under applied fields through two Orbach processes possibly bound to low-lying vibrational modes in the high temperature range, and to the slowing down of the fast interconversion between the two contributions of the ground Kramers doublet at lower temperatures induced by the applied dc field.

This work describes the synthesis, and structural, spectroscopic, and theoretical studies of a mononuclear silver(i) complex with the formula [Ag(Xantphos)(4,4'-(MeO)2-2,2'-bipy)]BF4·DCM (1·BF4) [Xantphos: 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9,9'-dimethylxanthene]. We provide meaningful insights into the enhancement of the photoluminescence features of this silver(i) complex compared to its copper(i) analogue.

Three Co(II) metal–organic frameworks, namely, {[Co2(L)2(OBA)2(H2O)4]·xG}n (1), {[Co(L)0.5(OBA)]·xG}n (2), and {[Co2(L)2(OBA)2(H2O)]·DMA·xG}n (3) [where L = 2,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene, H2OBA = 4,4′-oxybisbenzoic acid, DMF = dimethylformamide, DMA = dimethylacetamide, and G denotes disordered guest molecules], have been synthesized under diverse reaction conditions through self-assembly of a bent dicarboxylate and a linear spacer with a Co(II) ion. While 1 is crystallized at room temperature in DMF to form a 2D layer structure, 2 is formed by the assembly of similar components under solvothermal conditions with a 3D network structure. On the other hand, changing the solvent to DMA, 3 could be crystallized at room temperature with a 3D architecture. Out of the three, activated sample 2 was found to be permanently microporous in nature, with a BET surface area of 385 m2/g, and exhibited moderately high uptake capacity for C2H2 and CO2 while taking up much less CH4 and N2 at ambient conditions...

We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic characterization of a novel two-dimensional copper(II)–dysprosium(III) coordination polymer of formula [LiI(OH2)4]2[DyIIICuII2(Me2pma)4Cl(H2O)] . 4H2O (1) [Me2pma = N-2,6-dimethylphenyloxamate]. Compound 1 was obtained using the mononuclear anionic complex [CuII(Me2pma)2]2–, as a bis(bidentate) metalloligand toward solvated dysprosium(III) cations, and it shows a square [DyIIICuII2] layered structure of (44.62) net topology. Interestingly, the combination of two factors, the well-known efficiency of oxamato ligands to transmit strong magnetic couplings between neighboring atoms and such structural topology, is responsible for the observation of a ferromagnetic interaction between copper(II) and dysprosium(III) cations and a magnetic ordering (TC = 7.5 K), paving the way for the obtention of novel future examples of the still very scarce magnetically ordered lanthanide-based coordination polymers.

The use of the cyanide-bearing dicobalt(III) complex (PPh4)2[Co2III(μ−2,5-dpp)(CN)8] as a metalloligand towards [Mn(salen)(H2O)]ClO4 afforded the heterobimetallic two-dimensional compound of formula [{MnIII(salen)}2{(μ-NC)4Co2III(μ−2,5-dpp)(CN)4}]n (1) [PPh4+ = teraphenylphosphonium cation, 2,5-dpp = 2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine and H2salen = N,N’-ethylenebis(salicylideneimine)] whose structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a neutral brick-wall structure, where each [Co2III(μ−2,5-dpp)(CN)8]2− unit adopts a tetrakis-monodentate bridging mode towards four {MnIII(salen)}+ fragments through four of its eight cyanide ligands. Each cobalt(III) ion is six-coordinate with one pyrazine- and one pyridine-nitrogen atoms of the 2,5-dpp molecule and four cyanide-carbon atoms describing a somewhat distorted octahedral surrounding. The two crystallographically independent manganese(III) ions are also six-coordinate in an elongated octahedral environment with two imino-nitrogen and two phenoxo-oxygen atoms occupying the equatorial positions and two cyanide-nitrogen atoms filling the axial sites. Variable-temperature direct- (1.9–300 K) and alternating-current (2.0–5.0 K) magnetic measurements of 1 show the occurrence of magnetically isolated manganese(III) ions with a local negative zero-field splitting (D = −5.87 cm−1) and slow magnetic relaxation, this compound being a new example of field-induced Single-Ion Magnet (SIM). The analysis of the ac magnetic data of 1 under an applied dc field of 5000 G reveals that the value of the energy barrier (Ea) to reverse the magnetization direction and that of the pre-exponential factor (τ0) are 10.8 cm−1 and 2.7 × 10−8 s, respectively. These values compare well with those reported for the few examples of manganese(III)-based SIMs nowadays.

Proton conduction in solids attracts great interest, not only because of possible applications in fuel cell technologies, but also because of the main role of this process in many biological mechanisms. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can exhibit exceptional proton-conduction performances, because of the large number of hydrogen-bonded water molecules embedded in their pores. However, further work remains to be done to elucidate the real conducting mechanism. Among the different MOF subfamilies, bioMOFs, which have been constructed using biomolecule derivatives as building blocks and often affording water-stable materials, emerge as valuable systems to study the transport mechanisms involved in the proton-hopping dynamics. Herein, we report a versatile chiral three-dimensional (3D) bioMOF, exhibiting permanent porosity, as well as high chemical, structural, and water stability. Moreover, the choice of this suitable bioligand results in proton conductivity, and allows us to propose a proton-conducting mech...

Two tetranuclear CoII clusters [Co4(L)2(µ3-Cl)2Cl2] have been prepared by using multidentate diaminobisphenolate ligands. The solid-state structures of the complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cores of the cluster compounds can be defined as a two-vertex-deficient dicubane geometry (pseudo-dicubane). In the central unit, the cobalt(II) cations are linked through phenoxide oxygen (outer bridges) and chloride anions (inner bridges), previously unprecedented in this type of cobalt cluster. The magnetic properties were studied by both experimental and computational methods. By using a combination of techniques, we were able to determine the nature and strength of the intramolecular magnetic exchange coupling mediated by the different bridging fragments between the crystallographically different cobalt(II) cations.

Two novel families of coordination polymers, [Ln(bzlida)(Hbzlida)]·H2O (Ln = La, Nd) and [Ln2(bzlida)3]·3H2O (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) were prepared by hydrothermal reaction of Ln2O3 with benzyliminodiacetic acid (H2bzlida). The conditions of synthesis, in particular the pH value, were selected on the basis of previous speciation studies reported in this work. The first type of complex consists of 1D chains built by a fully deprotonated ligand bridging two lanthanide ions and protonated Hbzlida(-) ligands connecting three cations. The second type is formed by [Ln2(bzlida)3] bimetallic units in which the ligand has a tridentate NOO coordination mode. This is expanded to a 2D network through carboxylate linkers. Under similar synthetic conditions but including copper acetate in the reaction mixture, a new compound was also obtained and characterized: [Cu(bzlida)2{Er(AcO)(H2O)5}2][Cu(bzlida)2]·6H2O (AcO = acetate). This salt is made up of the [Cu(bzlida)2{Er(AcO)(H2O)5}2](2+) heterotrimetallic complex cation containing an acetato bridge, and the [Cu(bzlida)2](2-) anion. The same reaction produces the monomeric [Cu(Hbzlida)2]·4H2O whose structure was also elucidated. Magnetic properties of the Gd(iii) derivative were studied and analyzed experimentally and theoretically. The results are compared and discussed with respect to those reported in the literature and a magnetostructural correlation is suggested.

Theoretical calculations on a series of molecular models based on amino derivatives of linear and cycled acenes acting as organic linkers between two copper(ii) ions have shown a wire-like magnetic behaviour, so that the intermetallic magnetic communication does not vanish when the linker becomes larger due to its polyradical nature. Hence, these models can be considered as molecular magnetic wires, which can be used as active components for molecular spintronics, where the information transport is based on spin carriers instead of the more conventional charge transport. The nature of the spin ground state along these two series of models is governed by the topology of the organic linker, in agreement with the spin polarization mechanism, allowing a wide diversity in the design of molecular spintronic circuits. Different approaches to search for the more stable spin configuration have been tested, the most efficient being the one that allows generating a guess function that agrees with the spin polarization mechanism.

Using a dicarboxylate ligand appended with (2-pyridyl)ethylamine unit, a new cluster [NiII8(L4)6(DMF)2(CH3OH)2(H2O)6][ClO4]4·2CH3OH·2CH3CO2C2H5 (1) [L4(2−): 3-[N-{2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl}amino]-bis(propionate)] has been synthesized, through ‘coordination-driven self-assembly’. The crystal structure of 1 reveals a centrosymmetric octanuclear carboxylate-bridged nickel(II) tetracation, with a distorted cubane topology. The four crystallographically independent nickel(II) centres differ markedly in their coordination environment. Magnetic studies (2–300 K) reveal that in 1 the net magnetic-exchange is antiferromagnetic. Based on geometric parameters associated with two interacting nickel(II) centres, six magnetic-exchange coupling constants (J values) were considered for magnetic data analysis. Notably, 1 provides the first example of a NiII8 cluster (i) bridged solely by carboxylates in three bridging modes (monatomic, syn–anti and anti–anti), (ii) exhibiting four ferromagnetic and two antiferromagnetic magnetic-interactions and (iii) demonstrating a good agreement between six J values (obtained from experimental data analysis) and those obtained from DFT calculations, at the B3LYP-level of theory.

The assembly of [Co2III(μ-2,5-dpp)(CN)8]2− anions and [MII(CH3OH)2(DMSO)2]2+ cations resulted into the formation of two heterobimetallic 1D coordination polymers of formula [MII(CH3OH)2(DMSO)2(μ-NC)2Co2III(μ-2,5-dpp)(CN)6]n·4nCH3OH [M = CoII (1)/FeII (2) and 2,5-dpp = 2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine. The [Co2III(μ-2,5-dpp)(CN)8]2− metalloligand coordinates the paramagnetic [MII(CH3OH)2(DMSO)2]2+ complex cations, in a bis-monodentate fashion, to give rise to neutral heterobimetallic chains. Cryomagnetic dc (1.9–300 K) and ac (2.0–13 K) magnetic measurements for 1 and 2 show the presence of Co(II)HS (1) and Fe(II)HS (2) ions (HS – high-spin), respectively, with D values of +53.7(5) (1) and −5.1(3) cm−1 (2) and slow magnetic relaxation for 1, this compound being a new example of SIM with transversal magnetic anisotropy. Low-temperature Q-band EPR study of 1 confirms that D value is positive, which reveals the occurrence of a strong asymmetry in the g-tensors and allows a rough estimation of the E/D ratio, whereas 2 is EPR silent. Theoretical calculations by CASSCF/NEVPT2 on 1 and 2 support the results from magnetometry and EPR. The analysis of the ac magnetic measurements of 1 shows that the relaxation of M takes place in the ground state under external magnetic dc fields through dominant Raman and direct spin-phonon processes.

Three, mononuclear complexes of the formula [Co(bmim)2(SCN)2] (1), [Co(bmim)2(NCO)2] (2) and [Co(bmim)2(N3)2] (3) [bmim = 1-benzyl-2-methylimidazole] were prepared and structurally analyzed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The cobalt(ii) ions in 1-3 are tetrahedrally coordinated with two bmim molecules and two pseudohalide anions. The angular distortion parameter δ was calculated and the SHAPE program (based on the CShM concept) was used for 1-3 to estimate the angular distortion from an ideal tetrahedron. The molecules of 1-3 are effectively separated, and the values of the shortest distance of cobalt-cobalt are 8.442(6) and 6.774(8) A for 1, 10.349(8) and 10.716(8) A for 2 and 6.778(1) and 9.232(1) A for 3. Direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements on the crushed crystals of 1-3 were carried out in the temperature range 1.9-295 K. The variable-temperature magnetic data of 1-3 mainly obey the zero-field splitting effect (D) of the 4A2 ground term of the tetrahedral cobalt(ii) complexes (2D being the energy gap between the |±1/2 and |±3/2 levels of the spin). The analysis of their magnetic data through the Hamiltonian H = D[S2z - S(S + 1)/3] + E(Sx2 - Sy2) + gβHS led to the following best-fit parameters: g = 2.29, D = -7.5 cm-1 and E/D = 0.106 (1), g = 2.28, D = + 6.3 cm-1 and E/D = 0.007 (2) and g = 2.36, D = + 6.7 cm-1 and E/D = 0.090 (3). The signs of D for 1-3 were confirmed by Q-band EPR spectra on powdered samples in the temperature range 4.0-20 K. Field-induced SIM behaviour was observed for 1-3 below 4.0 K, and the frequency-dependent maxima of χ''M were observed for 1 and only incipient signals of χ''M occurred for 2 and 3. The values of the exponential factor (τ0) and activation energy (Ea) for 1-3 which were obtained from the Arrhenius plot suggest a single relaxation process characteristic of an Orbach mechanism.

A one-pot strategy for the direct growth of continuous and regular thin films of a neutral oxamato-bridged heterobimetallic chain, synthesized from Co2+ nitrate and the tetramethylammonium salt of the anionic copper(II) complex (Me4N)2[Cu(2,6-Et2pa)2]·6H2O (1) (2,6-Etpa = N-2,6-diethylphenyloxamate) over Si(111) surfaces functionalized with carboxylic acid terminating groups has been developed. Variation of the growth conditions can provide important differences in the morphology of the obtained films when working in H2O at 20 °C. An anisotropic growth of 1-D fibers is observed under stoichiometric conditions (Co2+/1 = 1:1), while an isotropic growth of 3-D particles occurs for an excess of Co2+, as demonstrated by AFM. The dc magnetic measurements performed over the fiber- (3d) or particle-based films (3e) show a characteristic behavior of a 1-D ferrimagnetic chain compound. They are comparable to the ones of the bulk material of formula [CoCu(2,6-Et2pa)2(H2O)2] (2) prepared in H2O at 20 °C which possesses slow magnetic relaxation effects typical of a SCM.

International audience; The aim of this review is to pay tribute to the legacy of O. Kahn. Kahn's credo was to synthesize magnetic compounds with predictable structure and magnetic properties. This is illustrated herein with results obtained by Kahn's group during his Orsay period thirty years ago, but also on the basis of our recent results on the synthesis of coordination polymers with oxamate ligands. The first part of this review is devoted to a short description of the necessary knowledge in physics and theoretical chemistry that Kahn and his group have used to select oxamate ligands, the complex‐as‐ligand strategy and the synthesis of heterobimetallic systems. Then, we describe the strategies we have later used to obtain the desired target compounds. The use of complexes as building‐blocks, associated to a control of the metal ions chirality and stoichiometry, allowed us to obtain coordination polymers with predictable dimensionality. For the synthesis of single‐chain magnets (SCMs) we show that the ligand chemical flexibility makes the isolation of the chains in the solid and the occurence of slow magnetic relaxation possible. For 1D and 2D molecule‐based magnets (MBMs), the magnetic ordering strongly depends on the interchain or interplane interactions, which are difficult to control. Again the flexibility of the oxamate ligands allowed their strengthening in the solid sate, yielding MBMs with critical temperatures up to 30 K. We will also present our results on 3D coordination polymers, particularly on the porous magnets displaying large octagonal channels. This family of porous MBMs possess outstanding chemical properties, such as post‐synthetic transformation in the solid state. Finally, we will also show that oxamate ligands allows the design of multifunctional materials, as in the case of the first chiral SCM. Overall, the results presented in this review show the impressive potential the oxamate ligands have for the design of coordination polymers.

Dinuclear copper(II) complexes of the metallacyclophane-type, (nBu4N)4[Cu2(2,6-anba)2] (1) and (nBu4N)4[Cu2(1,5-naba)2]·4H2O (2) with photoactive 2,6-anthracene-(2,6-anba) and 1,5-naphthalenebis(oxamate) (1,5-naba) bridging ligands, are reported. They undergo a thermally reversible, solid-state photomagnetic (ON/OFF) switching between the moderately strong antiferromagnetically coupled dicopper(II) species and the corresponding magnetically uncoupled [4+4] photocycloaddition product. Density functional calculations give further insights on the intramolecular (“pseudo-bimolecular”) photocycloaddition reaction of the two facing 2,6-anthracene or 1,5-naphthalene spacers in this novel family of dicopper(II) oligoacenophanes. The unique ability of oligoacenes as photoswitchable antiferromagnetic wires between two CuII ions separated by relatively long intermetallic distances could be the basis for the development of new kinds of molecular spintronic devices, referred to as molecular magnetic switches., This work was supported by the Spanish MINECO (projects CTQ2016-75068P and CTQ2016-75671P), the Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu (Project MDM-2015-0538), the Generalitat Valenciana (GV2012/051 and PROMETEOII/2014/070), and the ACIISI-Gobierno Autónomo de Canarias (Spain) (Project PIL-2070901).