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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.

Supported by endogenous (part of the ligand, in-built) phenoxo bridges provided by the ligand 2,6-bis[{{(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzyl)}{(2-(pyridylethyl)}amino}methyl]-4-methylphenol) (H

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.

In the course of taxonomic studies on saprobic microfungi from Spain, several slow-growing, dematiaceous hyphomycetes were isolated from soil, submerged plant material and river sediments. Sixteen of these strains were identified as members of the ascomycete order Chaetothyriales on the basis of morphology and DNA sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region and partial large subunit ribosomal RNA gene. These included three novel species (Cladophialophora pseudocarrionii, Cyphellophora chlamydospora, and Rhinocladiella amoena) and five interesting, little-known or clinically-relevant species (Cyphellophora suttonii, Exophiala aquamarina, E. lacus, E. radicis, and Rhinocladiella similis). In addition, Exophiala oligosperma, an emerging opportunistic fungus, was found for the first time in an aquatic freshwater environment (river sediments). Cladophialophora pseudocarrionii resembles C. carrionii in the branching pattern of its conidial chains, but differs from the latter species in its inability to grow at 30 °C. Cyphellophora chlamydospora differs from other species of the genus in the absence of conidiation, producing only chlamydospores in vitro. Rhinocladiella amoena shows branched conidiophores similar to those of R. anceps, R. atrovirens, R. basitona and R. similis, but differs from them in conidial shape and size. The ex-type strain of Phialophora livistonae, included in the phylogenetic study, clustered with high statistical support with members of the genus Cyphellophora and is transferred to this genus.

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).

We report two novel three-dimensional porous coordination polymers (PCPs) of formulas Li4{Mn4[Cu2(Me3mpba)2]3}·68H2O (2) and K4{Mn4[Cu2(Me3mpba)2]3}·69H2O (3) obtained-via alkali cation exchange in a single-crystal to single-crystal process-from the earlier reported anionic manganese(II)-copper(II) PCP of formula Na4{Mn4[Cu2(Me3mpba)2]3}·60H2O (1) [Me3mpba(4-) = N,N'-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate)]. This postsynthetic process succeeds where the direct synthesis in solution from the corresponding building blocks fails and affords significantly more robust PCPs with enhanced magnetic properties [long-range 3D magnetic ordering temperatures for the dehydrated phases (1'-3') of 2.0 (1'), 12.0 (2'), and 20.0 K (3')]. Changes in the adsorptive properties upon postsynthetic exchange suggest that the nature, electrostatic properties, mobility, and location of the cations within the framework are crucial for the enhanced structural stability. Overall, these results further confirm the potential of postsynthetic methods (including cation exchange) to obtain PCPs with novel or enhanced physical properties while maintaining unaltered their open-framework structures.

The circumscription of the genus Acremonium (Hypocreales) was recently reviewed on the basis of a DNA phylogenetic study. Several species were subsequently transferred to Sarocladium, but the relationships between both genera remained unresolved. Based on multilocus phylogenetic inferences combined with phenotypic data, we have revised the species concepts within Sarocladium and some genetically related species of Acremonium. As a result of these studies, six species are described as new, viz. S. bifurcatum, S. gamsii, S. hominis, S. pseudostrictum, S. subulatum and S. summerbellii. In addition, the new combinations S. implicatum and S. terricola are proposed for A. implicatum and A. terricola, respectively. Sarocladium attenuatum is confirmed as synonym of the type species of the genus, S. oryzae. An epitype and neotype are also introduced for S. oryzae and S. implicatum, respectively. Although Sarocladium species have traditionally been considered as important phytopathogens, the genus also contains opportunistic human pathogens. This study extends the spectrum of clinical species that could be diagnosed as causal agents of human infections.

Metallosupramolecular complexes constitute an important advance in the emerging fields of molecular spintronics and quantum computation and a useful platform in the development of active components of spintronic circuits and quantum computers for applications in information processing and storage. The external control of chemical reactivity (electro- and photochemical) and physical properties (electronic and magnetic) in metallosupramolecular complexes is a current challenge in supramolecular coordination chemistry, which lies at the interface of several other supramolecular disciplines, including electro-, photo-, and magnetochemistry. The specific control of current flow or spin delocalization through a molecular assembly in response to one or many input signals leads to the concept of developing a molecule-based spintronics that can be viewed as a potential alternative to the classical molecule-based electronics. A great variety of factors can influence over these electronically or magnetically coupled, metallosupramolecular complexes in a reversible manner, electronic or photonic external stimuli being the most promising ones. The response ability of the metal centers and/or the organic bridging ligands to the application of an electric field or light irradiation, together with the geometrical features that allow the precise positioning in space of substituent groups, make these metal-organic systems particularly suitable to build highly integrated molecular spintronic circuits. In this Account, we describe the chemistry and physics of dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclophanes with oxamato-containing dinucleating ligands featuring redox- and photoactive aromatic spacers. Our recent works on dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes and earlier ones on related organic cyclophanes are now compared in a critical manner. Special focus is placed on the ligand design as well as in the combination of experimental and computational methods to demonstrate the multifunctionality nature of these metallosupramolecular complexes. This new class of oxamato-based dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes affords an excellent synthetic and theoretical set of models for both chemical and physical fundamental studies on redox- and photo-triggered, long-distance electron exchange phenomena, which are two major topics in molecular magnetism and molecular electronics. Apart from their use as ground tests for the fundamental research on the relative importance of the spin delocalization and spin polarization mechanisms of the electron exchange interaction through extended π-conjugated aromatic ligands in polymetallic complexes, oxamato-based dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes possessing spin-containing electro- and chromophores at the metal and/or the ligand counterparts emerge as potentially active (magnetic and electronic) molecular components to build a metal-based spintronic circuit. They are thus unique examples of multifunctional magnetic complexes to get single-molecule spintronic devices by controlling and allowing the spin communication, when serving as molecular magnetic couplers and wires, or by exhibiting bistable spin behavior, when acting as molecular magnetic rectifiers and switches. Oxamato-based dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes also emerge as potential candidates for the study of coherent electron transport through single molecules, both experimentally and theoretically. The results presented herein, which are a first step in the metallosupramolecular approach to molecular spintronics, intend to attract the attention of physicists and materials scientists with a large expertice in the manipulation and measurement of single-molecule electron transport properties, as well as in the processing and addressing of molecules on different supports.

The synthesis, crystal structure and preliminary magnetic characterization of a new heterobimetallic [MnII5CuII5] wheel containing a flexible bis-oxamate type ligand are described. This decanuclear compound exhibits a relatively strong intra-wheel antiferromagnetic interaction leading to a ground spin state S = 10.

A one-pot synthesis of a 3d–3d′–3d′′ heterotrimetallic coordination polymer with double diphenoxido, single cyanido and bis-bidentate oxalate as alternating bridges which exhibits an overall antiferromagnetic behaviour has been developed.

A new high-spin d4 roughly trigonal–bipyramidal (TBP) manganese(III) complex with a salen type ligand (H2L), namely MnL(NCS)·0.4H2O, has been synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, ESI mass spectrometry, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, and spectroelectrochemistry. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an axial compression of the approximate TBP. 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 this complex and, in particular, determine the spin Hamiltonian parameters: g-values and the zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters D and E. The HFEPR spectra allowed the extraction of fourth order ZFS parameters. Quantum chemical calculations reproduced well the electronic and geometric structures of this unusual complex and, in particular, its electronic absorption spectrum along with the spin Hamiltonian parameters.

Six novel one-dimensional chloro-bridged Re

Two CoII–CoIII mixed-valence complexes of molecularformulas [Co2(H2L)2(H2O)2][Co2(H2L)2(H2O)(m-phth)]·8(H2O) {1;H2L2–= 2-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino]-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diolato, m-phth = 1,3-benzene-dicarboxylate} and [Co4(H2L)4(H2O)2(ppda)]·2(dmf)·3.2(H2O) {2;ppda = 1,4-phenylenediacrylate; dmf = N,N-dimethyl-formamide} were synthesized and characterized by single-crys-tal X-ray diffraction and magnetic studies at low temperature.The structural determination reveals that 1 is composed of di-nuclear ion pairs, namely, a cationic [Co2(H2L)2(H2O)2]+(1+) andan anionic [Co2(H2L)2(H2O)(m-phth)]–(1–) unit. In each of these ions, the CoIIand CoIIIcenters present distorted octahedralgeometries. Compound 2 is a centrosymmetric tetranuclearcomplex comprising two symmetry-related dinuclear CoII–CoIIIunits bridged by ppda anions.

The fungal genus Curvularia includes numerous plant pathogens and some emerging opportunistic pathogens of humans. In a previous study we used morphology and sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) gene to identify species within a set of 99 clinical Curvularia isolates from the USA. Seventy-two isolates could be identified while the remaining 27 isolates belonged in three unclassified clades that were tentatively labelled Curvularia sp. I, II and III. In the present study, we further assess the taxonomic placement of these isolates using sequences of ITS, gpd, the large subunit rDNA, and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. DNA sequence comparisons with a set of 87 isolates representing 33 Curvularia spp. and members of the closely-related genera Bipolaris and Exserohilum revealed that Curvularia sp. I, II and III represent novel lineages in Curvularia. These lineages are morphologically different from the currently accepted species. In the phylogenetic tree, Curvularia sp. I and sp. III were each split into two distinct lineages. Morphology and phylogeny supported the proposal of five new species, to be named C. americana, C. chlamydospora, C. hominis, C. muehlenbeckiae and C. pseudolunata. The concatenated 4-locus phylogeny revealed the existence of six clades in Curvularia, which are associated with particular morphological features. They were named after representative species, namely americana, eragrostidis, hominis, lunata, spicifera and trifolii.

The reaction of 8-quinolinol-2-carboaldoxime (LH2) with Ni(II) and Ln(III) salts afforded the heterometallic decanuclear compounds [Ni8Dy2(μ3-OH)2(L)8(LH)2(H2O)6](ClO4)2·16H2O (1), [Ni8Gd2(μ3-OH)2(L)8(LH)2(H2O)4(MeOH)2](NO3)2·12H2O (2), [Ni8Ho2(μ3-OH)2(L)8(LH)2(H2O)4(MeOH)2](ClO4)2·2MeOH·12H2O (3) and [Ni8Tb2 (μ3-OH)2(L)8(LH)2(MeOH)4(OMe)2]·2CH2Cl2·8H2O (4). While compounds 1-3 are dicationic, compound 4 is neutral. These compounds possess an S-shaped architecture and comprise a long chain of metal ions bound to each other. In all the complexes, the eight Ni(II) and two Ln(III) ions of the multimetallic ensemble are hold together by two μ3-OH, eight dianionic (L(2-)) and two monoanionic oxime ligands (LH(-)) whereas compound 4 has two μ3-OH, eight dianionic (L(2-)), two monoanionic oxime ligands (LH(-)) and two terminal methoxy (MeO(-)) ligands. The central portion of the S-shaped molecular wire is made up of an octanuclear Ni(II) ensemble which has at its two ends the Ln(III) caps. Magnetic studies on 1-4 reveal that the magnetic interactions between neighboring metal ions are negligible at room temperature. On the other hand, at lower temperatures in all the compounds anti-ferromagnetic interactions seem to be dominated. Analysis of the magnetic data for the Gd(III) derivative indicates Ni(II)-Ni(II) anti-ferromagnetic interactions and Gd(III)-Ni(II) ferromagnetic interactions at low temperatures. A theoretical density functional study on the magnetic behavior of the Gd(III) derivative suggests that while the weak ferromagnetic interaction between Gd(III) and Ni(II) is in line with the expectation of the magnetic interactions between orthogonal d and f orbitals, antiferromagnetic Ni(II)-Ni(II) interactions are related to the wide Ni-O-Ni angles (∼102°) and quasi-planar conformation of the Ni2O2 core.

The reaction of Co(ClO4)2·6H2O with symmetrical N4O3 coordinating heptadentate ligand (H3L) in presence of triethylamine yielded cobalt(II) tetranuclear complexes [Co4(L)2](ClO4)2, 1. When the same reaction is carried out with sodium azide instead of triethylamine afforded tetranuclear mixed-valence Co(II/III) species, [Co4(L)2(μ1,3–N3)2](ClO4)2, 2. Here L3− is the deprotonated form of 2,6-bis[{{(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)}amino}methyl]-4-methylphenol. Complex 1 crystallizes in the cubic system, space group Fd-3c, with unit-cell parameters a = b = c = 43.320(5) A, Z = 48, whereas complex 2 crystallizes in the space group I41/a in the tetragonal crystal system with Z = 8 and unit-cell parameters a = b = 16.3243(15) A, c = 50.093(4) A. The X-ray structures of 1 and 2 have revealed a CoII4O6 core in 1 and a [CoII2CoIII2O2(μ1,3–N3)2] core in 2. Tetranuclear Co(II) compound shows interesting magnetic property and exhibit antiferromagnetic interaction between the paramagnetic centers. Density functional theory has been used to justify the exchange pathways for 1. Exchange coupling in the mixed valence cobalt complexes studied is insignificant, due to the large distances of separation of the Co(II) centers in tetranuclear units.

The rhenium(IV) complex (NBu4)2[ReBr4(ox)] (1) (ox = oxalate and NBu4(+) = tetra-n-butylammonium cation) has been prepared and its crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction. The structure is made up of discrete [ReBr4(ox)](2-) anions and bulky NBu4(+) cations. Each [ReBr4(ox)](2-) anion is surrounded by six NBu4(+) cations, which preclude any significant intermolecular contact between the anionic entities, the shortest rhenium···rhenium distance being 9.373(1) Å. Variable temperature dc and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements and field-dependent magnetization experiments on polycrystalline samples of 1 reveal the occurrence of highly anisotropic magnetically isolated Re(IV) centers (S(Re) = 3/2), which exhibit slow relaxation of the magnetization at very low temperatures in a dc field. Ac measurements conducted on a polycrystalline sample of the complex (NBu4)2[ReCl4(ox)] (2) [compound isostructural to 1 whose structure and dc magnetic susceptibility study were previously reported in Tomkiewicz, A.; Bartczak, T. J.; Kruszyński, R.; Mroziński, J. J. Mol. Struct. 2001, 595, 225] show a similar behavior, both complexes thus constituting new examples of mononuclear single-molecule magnets. High-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance on polycrystalline samples of 1 and 2 and on single crystals of 2 allowed for the determination for the first time of the negative sign and confirmed a significant magnitude and rhombicity (E/D) of the zero-field splitting tensor of the [ReCl4(ox)](2-) and [ReBr4(ox)](2-) centers, originating from a combination of spin-orbit coupling and low molecular symmetry. D and E values of 1 and 2 were estimated through magnetization measurements and theoretically calculated through complete active space and density functional theory methodologies.

Double-stranded anionic dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclic complexes of the paracyclophane type [Cu2L2]4- have been prepared by the CuII-mediated self-assembly of different para-phenylenebis(oxamato) bridging ligands with either zero-, one-, or four-electron-donating methyl substituents (L=N,N′-para- phenylenebis(oxamate) (ppba; 1), 2-methyl- N,N′-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (Meppba; 2), and 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl- N,N′-para-phenylenebis(oxamate) (Me4ppba; 3)). These complexes have been isolated as their tetra-n-butylammonium (1 a-3 a), lithium(I) (1 b-3 b), and tetraphenylphosphonium salts (1 c-3 c). The X-ray crystal structures of 1 a and 3 c show a parallel-displaced π-stacked conformation with a smaller deviation from perpendicularity between the two benzene rings and the basal planes of the square planar CuII ions when increasing the number of methyl substituents (average dihedral angles (φ) of 58.72(7) and 73.67(5)° for 1 a and 3 c, respectively). Variable-temperature (2.0-300 K) magnetic-susceptibility measurements show an overall increase of the intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling with the number of methyl substituents onto the para-phenylene spacers (-J=75-95, 100-124, and 128-144 cm-1 for 1 a-c, 2 a-c, and 3 a-c, respectively; H=-JS1×S 2). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements show a reversible one-electron oxidation of the double polymethyl-substituted para- phenylenediamidate bridging skeleton at a relatively low formal potential that decreases with the number of methyl substituents (E1=+0.33, +0.24, and +0.15 V vs. SCE for 1-3, respectively). The monooxidized dicopper(II) π-radical cation species 3′ prepared by the chemical oxidation of 3 with bromine exhibits intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible and near-IR (λmax=595 and 875 nm, respectively) regions together with a rhombic EPR signal with a seven-line splitting pattern due to hyperfine coupling with the nuclear spin of the two CuII ions. Density functional (DF) calculations for 3′ evidence a characteristic iminoquinonoid-type short-long-short alternating sequence of C-N and C-C bonds for both tetramethyl-para-phenylenediamidate bridges and a large amount of spin density of negative sign mainly delocalized along each of the four benzene C atoms directly attached to the amidate N atoms, which is in agreement with a fully delocalized π-stacked monoradical ligand description. Hence, the spins of the two CuII ions (SCu=1/2) that are antiparallel aligned in 3 (OFF state) become parallel in 3′ (ON state). Further developments may be then envisaged for this new permethylated dicopper(II) paracyclophane with a redox noninnocent ligand as a prototype for molecular magnetic electroswitch. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim., This work was supported by the MICINN (Spain) (Projects CTQ2010–15364, MAT2010–16981, CSD2007–00010, CSD2006–00015, and DPI2010–21103-C04–03), the University of Valencia (Project UV-INVAE11–38904), the Generalitat Valenciana (Spain) (Project PROMETEO/2009/108, GV/2012/051, and ISIC/2012/002), the ACIISI-Gobierno Autónomo de Canarias (Spain) (Project PIL-2070901), the ESRF (France) (Project HS3902), and the Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica (Italy) through the Centro di Eccellenza CEMIF.CAL (Grant CLAB01TYEF). M.C. and J.F.-S. thank the MICINN and the Generalitat Valenciana, respectively, for doctoral grants. E.P. thanks the MICINN (Project “Juan de la Cierva”) for a postdoctoral contract.

Two novel double-stranded dicopper(II) metallacyclophanes of formula (nBu4N)4[Cu2(dpeba)2]·4MeOH·2Et2O (1) and (nBu4N)4[Cu2(tpeba)2]·12H2O (2) have been prepared by the Cu(II)-mediated self-assembly of the rigid ('rod-like') bridging ligands N,N'-4,4'-diphenylethynebis(oxamate) (dpeba) and N,N'-1,4-di(4-phenylethynyl)phenylenebis(oxamate) (tpeba), respectively. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 confirms the presence of a dicopper(II)tetraaza[3.3]4,4'-diphenylethynophane metallacyclic structure featuring a very long intermetallic distance between the two square planar Cu(II) ions [r = 14.95(1) Å]. The overall parallel-displaced π-stacked conformation of the two nearly planar para substituted diphenylethyne spacers [dihedral angle (ψ) of 7.8(1)°] leads to important deviations from the perpendicular orientation of the copper mean basal planes with respect to the facing benzene planes [dihedral angles (φ) of 56.4(1) and 58.4(1)°]. X-band EPR spectra together with variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and variable-field magnetization measurements of 1 and 2, both in solution and in the solid state, show the occurrence of a non-negligible, moderate to weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling [-J = 3.9-4.1 (1) and 0.5-0.9 cm(-1) (2); H = -JS1·S2 with S1 = S2 = SCu = 1/2]. Density functional calculations on the BS singlet (S = 0) and triplet (S = 1) spin states of the model complexes 1 and 2 with an ideal orthogonal molecular geometry (ψ = 0° and φ = 90°) support the occurrence of a spin polarization mechanism for the propagation of the exchange interaction between the two unpaired electrons occupying the dxy orbital of each square planar Cu(II) ion through the predominantly π-type orbital pathway of the double p-diphenylethyne (1) and di(phenylethynyl)phenylene spacers (2). Time-dependent density functional calculations reproduce the observed bathochromic shift of the main intraligand (IL) π-π* transition in the electronic absorption spectra of 1 and 2 [λ1 = 308 (1) and 316 nm (2)]. In the series of orthogonal model complexes 1-5 with linear oligo(p-phenylene-ethynylene) (OPE) spacers, -C6H4(C≡CC6H4)n- (n = 1-5), a linear increase of the IL π-π* transition energy with the reciprocal of the intermetallic distance is theoretically predicted [νmax = 1.99 × 10(4) + 2.15 × 10(5) (1/r) (S = 0) or ν = 2.01 × 10(4) + 2.18 × 10(5) (1/r) (S = 1)], which clearly indicates that the effective π-conjugation length increases with the number of phenylethyne repeating units. This is accompanied by an exponential decay of the antiferromagnetic coupling with the intermetallic distance [-J = 1.08 × 10(3) exp(-0.31r)], which supports the ability of the extended π-conjugated OPEs to mediate the exchange interaction between the unpaired electrons of the two Cu(II) centers with intermetallic distances in the range of 1.5-4.3 nm. Further developments may be then envisaged for this new family of oxamato-based dicopper(II) oligo-p-phenylethynophanes on the basis of the unique ligand capacity to act as a molecular antiferromagnetic wire.

A novel heterotetranuclear chromium(III)–copper(II) complex of formula {[CrIII(bpy)(ox)2]2CuII2(bpy)2(ox)}·6H2O (1) has been synthesized by the ligand exchange reaction between Ph4P[CrIII(bpy)(ox)2]·H2O and [CuII(bpy)2(NO3)]NO3·MeOH in methanol (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; ox2− = oxalate dianion). The X-ray crystal structure of 1 consists of neutral oxalato-bridged CrIII2Cu2II zigzag entities which are formed by the monodentate coordination of two [CrIII(bpy)(ox)2]− mononuclear anionic units through one of its two oxalato groups toward a [CuII2(bpy)2(ox)]2+ dinuclear cationic moiety featuring relatively long axial bonds at the square pyramidal CuII ions. Variable temperature (2.0–300 K) magnetic susceptibility and variable-field (0–5.0 T) magnetization measurements for 1 have been interpreted on the basis of the linear tetranuclear topology of the CrIII2CuII2 entities [H = –J(S1 · S2 + S3 · S4) – J′ S2 · S3 with S1 = S4 = SCr = 3/2 and S2 = S3 = SCu = 1/2]. A weak antiferromagnetic coupling occurs between the outer CrIII and inner CuII ions through the peripheral bidentate/monodentate(outer) oxalates (J = –8.7 cm−1), while a strong antiferromagnetic coupling is operative between the inner CuII ions across the central bis-bidentate oxalate (J′ = –472.2 cm−1), leading thus to a S = (SCr – SCu) – (SCr – SCu) = 0 ground spin state for the CrIII2CuII2 entity of 1. A simple orbital analysis of the electron exchange interaction in the oxalato-bridged CuII2 and CrIIICuII fragments identify the σ-type pathways involving the d x 2 - y 2 (Cu)/ d x 2 - y 2 (Cu) and dxy(Cr)/ d x 2 - y 2 (Cu) pairs of magnetic orbitals as the two main contributions responsible for the different strength of the intramolecular magnetic coupling parameters for 1. A magneto-structural correlation between the nature and magnitude of the magnetic coupling and the bending angle at the axial carbonyl-oxygen to copper bond has been established for 1 and related oxalato-bridged chromium(III)–copper(II) dinuclear complexes.

The new tetranuclear cobalt(II) complex with formula [Co4(N3)8(4,5-diazafluoren-9-one)4] (1) is reported. Complex 1 is a cobalt(II) defective dicubane azide-bridged compound showing only azido bridging ligands in the μ1,1– and μ1,1,1– coordination modes. The magnetic properties of 1 are reported. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate ferromagnetic coupling. The magnetic data have been fitted to 2 K by considering two different superexchange coupling constants. The out-of-phase signal χM″ displays frequency-dependence below approximately 9 K.

A mononuclear cobalt(II) complex [Co(3,5-dnb)2(py)2(H2O)2] {3,5-Hdnb = 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid; py = pyridine} was isolated in two polymorphs, in space groups C2/c (1) and P21/c (2). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that 1 and 2 are not isostructural in spite of having equal formulas and ligand connectivity. In both structures, the Co(II) centers adopt octahedral {CoN2O4} geometries filled by pairs of mutually trans terminal 3,5-dnb, py, and water ligands. However, the structures of 1 and 2 disclose distinct packing patterns driven by strong intermolecular O-H···O hydrogen bonds, leading to their 0D→2D (1) or 0D→1D (2) extension. The resulting two-dimensional layers and one-dimensional chains were topologically classified as the sql and 2C1 underlying nets, respectively. By means of DFT theoretical calculations, the energy variations between the polymorphs were estimated, and the binding energies associated with the noncovalent interactions observed in the crystal structures were also evaluated. The study of the direct-current magnetic properties, as well as ab initio calculations, reveal that both 1 and 2 present a strong easy-plane magnetic anisotropy (D0), which is larger for the latter polymorph (D is found to exhibit values between +58 and 117 cm(-1) depending on the method). Alternating current dynamic susceptibility measurements show that these polymorphs exhibit field-induced slow relaxation of the magnetization with Ueff values of 19.5 and 21.1 cm(-1) for 1 and 2, respectively. The analysis of the whole magnetic data allows the conclusion that the magnetization relaxation in these polymorphs mainly takes place through a virtual excited state (Raman process). It is worth noting that despite the notable difference between the supramolecular networks of 1 and 2, they exhibit almost identical magnetization dynamics. This fact suggests that the relaxation process is intramolecular in nature and that the virtual state involved in the two-phonon Raman process lies at a similar energy in polymorphs 1 and 2 (∼20 cm(-1)). Interestingly, this value is recurrent in Co(II) single-ion magnets, even for those displaying different coordination number and geometry.

Three cobalt(II) complexes of formulae [Co(dca)2(bim)4] (1), [Co(dca)2(bim)2]n (2) and [Co(dca)2(bmim)2]n (3) [dca = dicyanamide, bim = 1-benzylimidazole and bmim = 1-benzyl-2-methylimidazole] were prepared and structurally analyzed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 is a mononuclear species where the cobalt(II) ion is six-coordinate with four bim molecules in the equatorial positions [Co–Nbim = 2.1546(15) and 2.1489(15) A] and two trans-positioned dca ligands [Co–Ndca = 2.1575(18) A] in the axial sites of a somewhat distorted octahedral surrounding. The structures of 2 and 3 consist of two-dimensional grids of cobalt(II) ions where each metal atom is linked to the other four metal centres by single dca bridges exhibiting the μ1,5-dca coordination mode [Co–Ndca = 2.190(3)–2.220(3) (2) and 2.127(3)–2.153(3) A (3)]. Two trans-coordinated bim (2)/bmim (3) molecules achieve the six-coordination around each cobalt(II) ion [Co–Nbim = 2.128(3)–2.134(4) A (2) and Co–Nbmim = 2.156(3)–2.163(39) A (3)]. The values of the cobalt–cobalt separation through the single dca bridges are 8.927(2) and 8.968(2) A in 2 and 8.7110(5) and 8.7158(5) A in 3. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1–3 in the temperature range of 2.0–300 K reveal that these compounds behave as magnetically isolated high-spin cobalt(II) ions with a significant orbital contribution to the magnetic moment. Alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1–3 show a frequency dependence of out-of-phase susceptibility under static applied fields in the range of 500–2500 G, a feature which is characteristic of the single-ion magnet behaviour (SIM) of the Co(II) ion in them. The values of the energy barrier for the magnetic relaxation (Ea) are 5.45–7.74 (1), 4.53–9.24 (2) and 11.48–15.44 cm−1 (3). They compare well with those previously reported for the analogous dca-bridged 2D compound [Co(dca)2(atz)2]n (4) (Ea = 5.1 cm−1 under an applied static field of 1000 G), which was the subject of a previous report.

The complexing ability of copper(II) in solution by the ligand N,N'-2,6-pyridinebis(oxamic acid) (H4mpyba, H4L) was determined through potentiometric and UV-vis spectroscopy at 25 °C and 0.15 M NaCl. The logarithms of the equilibrium constants for its copper(II) complexes according to the eqs 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2(H2L)2], 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2(H2L) (HL)] + H, 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2(HL)2] + 2H, 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2(HL)(L)] + 3H, and 2H2L + 2Cu ⇆ [Cu2L2] + 4H were 12.02(7), 8.04(5), 1.26(6), -7.51(6), and -16.36(6), respectively. The knowledge of the solution behavior has supported the synthesis of three new compounds bearing the common building block Cu2L2(4-). Their formulas are (Me4N)4[Cu2(mpyba)2(H2O)2]·H2O (1), (Me4N)4[K2Na2Cu4(mpyba)4(H2O)6.8]·1.6H2O (2), and [Na6Cu2(mpyba)2Cl2(H2O)8]·7H2O (3) (Me4N(+) = tetramethylammonium cation). The [Cu2(mpyba)2(H2O)2](4-) tetraanionic unit, which is present in 1, has a [3,3] metallacyclophane-type motif connected by two N-Cu-N bonds. In 2, a heterotrimetallic decanuclear nanocage is formed through front-to-front assembly of two [Cu2(mpyba)2](4-) units, which also coordinate to potassium(I) and sodium(I) cations by means of carboxylate oxygens from oxamate. The structure of 3 consists of heterobimetallic layers of formula [Na6Cu2(mpyba)2Cl2(H2O)8] and crystallization water molecules, which are interlinked by hydrogen bonds leading to a supramolecular three-dimensional network. The investigation of the magnetic properties of 1-3 in the temperature range 1.9-300 K shows the occurrence of ferromagnetic interactions between the dicopper(II) metallacyclophane unit [J = +6.85 (1), +7.40 (2), and +7.90 cm(-1) (3); H = -JSCu1·SCu2, where SCu1 = SCu2 = 1/2]. Theoretical calculations on 1-3 were carried to substantiate the nature and magnitude of the involved magnetic interactions and to support the occurrence of a spin polarization mechanism accounting for them.

Experimental and theoretical studies on the structure of several complexes based on (R)-3,3'-Br-2-BINOL ligand and group (IV) metals used as catalysts in an enantioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones have been carried out. NMR spectroscopic studies of these catalysts have been performed, which suggested that at room temperature the catalysts would form a monomeric structure in the case of Ti-IV and a dimeric structure in the cases of Zr-IV and Hf-IV. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations clearly corroborate the conclusions of these experimental spectroscopic studies. The dimeric structure with a doubly bridged motif [Zr-2(IV)(mu-(R)-3,3'-Br-2-BINOL)(2)] where each binaphthol ligand acts as bridge between the metal centers (Novak's model) is more stable than the dimeric structure with a doubly bridged motif [Zr-2(IV)(mu-(OBu)-Bu-t)(2)] where the tert-butoxide groups act as bridging ligands (Kobayashi's model). The scope of the Friedel-Crafts alkylation with regard to the indole structure has been studied. Finally a plausible mechanism for the Friedel-Crafts reaction and a stereomodel for the mode of action of the catalyst that explain the observed stereochemistry of the reaction products have been proposed., Financial support from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Gobierno de Espana and FEDER, European Union (Grant CTQ 2009-13083) and the Generalitat Valenciana (Grants ACOMP/2012/212 and ISIC 2012/001) is acknowledged. C.V. thanks the Generalitat Valenciana for a predoctoral grant

A new family of oxalate-bridged chains of formula (C(1))[Mn(H(2)O)(3)Cr(ox)(3)]·H(2)O (1), (C(2))(4)[Mn(2)(H(2)O)(3)ClCr(2)(ox)(6)]Cl·H(2)O·2C(2)H(6)O (2a), (C(2))(4)[Co(2)(H(2)O)(3)ClCr(2)(ox)(6)]Cl·2H(2)O·2C(2)H(6)O (2b), [Mn(C(3))(H(2)O)(2)Cr(ox)(3)]·H(2)O (3), and (C(4))(4)[Mn(H(2)O){Cr(ox)(3)}(2)]·H(2)O (4) [C(1)(+) = tetramethylammonium, C(2)(+) = 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridinium, C(3)(+) = 1-hydroxyethyl-4-N,N-dimethylamino-pyridinium, C(4)(+) = 1-hydroxyethyl-4-(4'-dimethylamino-α-styryl)-pyridinium, ox(2-) = oxalate] have been synthesized by self-assembly of the (C(n))(3)[Cr(ox)(3)] (n = 1-4) mononuclear compound and the chloride salts of the corresponding metal(II) ions. The crystal structures of the five chain compounds have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the Pc and P2(1)/c centrosymmetrical space groups, respectively, whereas 3 and 4 crystallize in the C2cb and P1 noncentrosymmetrical space groups, respectively. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 adopt a zigzag chain structure while 4 exhibits a comb-like chain structure consisting of the repetition of the [Mn(H(2)O){Cr(μ-ox)(ox)(2)}{Cr(μ-ox)(2)(ox)}](4-) entities. Compound 3 displays large second-order optical nonlinearity. The magnetic properties of 1-4 have been investigated in the temperature range 2-300 K. Monte Carlo simulations on 1, 2a, 2b, and 3 provide a quantitative description of the magnetic properties indicating ferromagnetic interactions through the bis(bidentate) oxalate bridges [J = +0.55 cm(-1) (1), J = +1.02 cm(-1) (2a), J = +3.83 cm(-1) (2b), and J = +0.75 cm(-1) (3) using Hamiltonian Ĥ = -J(Ŝ(i)·Ŝ(j))]. On the other side, the fit of the magnetic susceptibility data of 4 by full-matrix diagonalization agrees with a ferromagnetic exchange interaction within the [Mn(H(2)O){Cr(μ-ox)(ox)(2)}{Cr(μ-ox)(2)(ox)}](4-) trinuclear units (J = +2.07 cm(-1)) antiferromagnetically coupled along the chain. Compound 2b exhibits a metamagnetic behavior, the value of the critical field being H(C) = 1000 G, due to the occurrence of weak interchain antiferromagnetic interactions.

The crystal structure of a binuclear Mn(III) complex of a scorpiand-like ligand (L) displays an unsupported single oxo bridging ligand with a Mn(III)-O-Mn(III) angle of 174.7°. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the two metal centers. DFT calculations have been carried out to understand the magnetic behavior and to analyze the nature of the observed Jahn-Teller distortion. Paramagnetic (1)H NMR has been applied to rationalize the formation and magnetic features of the complexes formed in solution.

A novel isoreticular oxamato-based manganese(II)-copper(II) open metal-organic framework H(2)O@iso1 featuring a pillared square/octagonal layer structure with alternating open and closed octagonal pores has been rationally prepared. The open-framework topology is responsible for a large selectivity in the separation of small gas (CO(2) over CH(4)) and vapor molecules (CH(3)OH over CH(3)CN and CH(3)CH(2)OH). H(2)O@iso1 displays a long-range three-dimensional ferromagnetic ordering with a drastic variation of the critical temperature as a function of the guest molecule [T(C)2.0 K (CO(2)@iso1 and CH(4)@iso1) and T(C) = 6.5 (CH(3)OH@iso1) and 21.0 K (H(2)O@iso1)].