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This Perspective summarizes progress in the development of O2-selective metal–organic frameworks for adsorptive air separations and identifies key metrics and design considerations toward optimizing material performance for practical applications.

Lanthanide permanent magnets are widely used in applications ranging from nanotechnology to industrial engineering. However, limited access to the rare earths and rising costs associated with their extraction are spurring interest in the development of lanthanide-free hard magnets. Zero- and one-dimensional magnetic materials are intriguing alternatives due to their low densities, structural and chemical versatility, and the typically mild, bottom-up nature of their synthesis. Here, we present two one-dimensional cobalt(II) systems Co(hfac)2 (R-NapNIT) (R-NapNIT=2-(2'-(R-)naphthyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, R=MeO or EtO) supported by air-stable nitronyl nitroxide radicals. These compounds are single-chain magnets and exhibit wide, square magnetic hysteresis below 14 K, with giant coercive fields up to 65 or 102 kOe measured using static or pulsed high magnetic fields, respectively. Magnetic, spectroscopic, and computational studies suggest that the record coercivities derive not from three-dimensional ordering but from the interaction of adjacent chains that compose alternating magnetic sublattices generated by crystallographic symmetry.

The use of coordination complexes as building units within covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has significant potential to diversify the structures and properties of this class of materials. Here, we present a synergistic coordination and reticular chemistry approach to the design of a series of crystalline scandium–covalent organic frameworks (Sc–COFs), featuring tunable levels of metal incorporation. Removal of scandium from the material with the highest metal content results in a metal-imprinted COF (MICOF) that exhibits high affinity and capacity for Sc3+ ions in acidic environments and in the presence of competing metal ions. In particular, the selectivity of this MICOF for Sc3+ over common impurity ions such as La3+ and Fe3+ surpasses that of all reported scandium adsorbents. Importantly, analogous materials can be prepared starting from earth-abundant transition metals, highlighting the versatility of this approach for the development of tailor-made metal–COFs and MICOFs for applications involving selective metal ion capture.

Herein, we present a scalable approach for the synthesis of a hydrogen-bonded organic–inorganic framework via coordination-driven supramolecular chemistry, for efficient remediation of trace heavy metal ions from water. In particular, using copper as our model ion of interest and inspired by nature’s use of histidine residues within the active sites of various copper binding proteins, we design a framework featuring pendant imidazole rings and copper-chelating salicylaldoxime, known as zinc imidazole salicylaldoxime supramolecule. This material is water-stable and exhibits unprecedented adsorption kinetics, up to 50 times faster than state-of-the-art materials for selective copper ion capture from water. Furthermore, selective copper removal is achieved using this material in a pH range that was proven ineffective with previously reported metal–organic frameworks. Molecular dynamics simulations show that this supramolecule can reversibly breathe water through lattice expansion and contraction, and that water is initially transported into the lattice through hopping between hydrogen-bond sites., Heavy metals and metalloids pose major threats to health and environmental ecosystems, thus systems for low-cost remediation are needed. Here the authors report the scalable design of a hydrogen-bonded organic–inorganic framework for selective removal of trace heavy metal ions from water.

Lanthanide-based single-molecule magnet research has historically focused on molecules of the highly anisotropic Dy3+ and Tb3+ ions, while studies on the lighter, more abundant lanthanides are still relatively scarce. Recent advances with Dy3+ metallocene complexes in particular have led to some truly exceptional systems and the highest relaxation barrier to date, in excess of 1200 cm−1. Even still, the design and understanding of systems incorporating the earlier lanthanides is arguably of great importance if the field is to shift in the direction of identifying systems for practical application. Herein, we present magnetic characterization of the mononuclear metallocene complex Cp*2Nd(BPh4) ([Cp*]− = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl anion), which exhibits slow magnetic relaxation with a relaxation barrier of Ueff = 29(1) cm−1 in the presence of a small dc magnetic field, illustrating that the metallocene ligand framework can also be utilized in the design of single-molecule magnets of the earlier lanthanides. We also discuss dynamic magnetic susceptibility data for the Cp*2Ho(BPh4) and Cp*2Er(BPh4) congeners, which reveal that this particular ligand field is best suited to lanthanides ions exhibiting an oblate 4f electron density.

Nanoporous adsorbents are a diverse category of solid-state materials that hold considerable promise for vehicular hydrogen storage. Although impressive storage capacities have been demonstrated for several materials, particularly at cryogenic temperatures, materials meeting all of the targets established by the U.S. Department of Energy have yet to be identified. In this Perspective, we provide an overview of the major known and proposed strategies for hydrogen adsorbents, with the aim of guiding ongoing research as well as future new storage concepts. The discussion of each strategy includes current relevant literature, strengths and weaknesses, and outstanding challenges that preclude implementation. We consider in particular metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), including surface area/volume tailoring, open metal sites, and the binding of multiple H2 molecules to a single metal site. Two related classes of porous framework materials, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs), are also discussed, as are graphene and graphene oxide and doped porous carbons. We additionally introduce criteria for evaluating the merits of a particular materials design strategy. Computation has become an important tool in the discovery of new storage materials, and a brief introduction to the benefits and limitations of computational predictions of H2 physisorption is therefore presented. Finally, considerations for the synthesis and characterization of hydrogen storage adsorbents are discussed.

The reaction of ZrCl4 with 2′,3′,5′,6′-tetramethylamino-p-terphenyl-4,4″-dicarboxylic acid (H2tpdc-4CH2NH2·3HCl) in the presence of NaF affords Zr6O4(OH)2.1F1.9(tpdc-4CH2NH2·3HCl)6 (1), which is a new member of the Zr6O4(OH)4(dicarboxylate linker)12 or UiO-68 family, and exhibits high porosity with BET and Langmuir surface areas of 1910 m2/g and 2220 m2/g, respectively. Remarkably, fluoride ion incorporation in the zirconium clusters results in increased thermal stability, marking the first example of enhancement in the stability of a UiO framework by this defect-restoration approach. Although material 1 features four alkylamine groups on each organic linker, the framework does not exhibit the high CO2 uptake that would be expected for reaction between CO2 and the amine groups to form carbamic acid or ammonium carbamate species. The absence of strong CO2 adsorption can likely be attributed to protonation at some of the amine sites and the presence of counterions. Indeed, exposure of material 1 to acetonit...

The first structurally characterized hexafluorido complex of a tetravalent actinide ion, the [UF

We present the synthesis and characterization of alkali metal salts of the new tetraanionic, tetrapodal ligand 2,2'-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(2-methylmalonate) (A4[PY(CO2)4], A = Li(+), Na(+), K(+), and Cs(+)), via deprotection of the neutral tetrapodal ligand tetraethyl 2,2'-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(2-methylmalonate) (PY(CO2Et)4). The [PY(CO2)4](4-) ligand is composed of an axial pyridine and four equatorial carboxylate groups and must be kept at or below 0 °C to prevent decomposition. Exposing it to a number of divalent first-row transition metals cleanly forms complexes to give the series K2[(PY(CO2)4)M(H2O)] (M = Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+)). The metal complexes were comprehensively characterized via single-crystal X-ray diffraction, (1)H NMR and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Crystal structures reveal that [PY(CO2)4](4-) coordinates in a pentadentate fashion to allow for a nearly ideal octahedral coordination geometry upon binding an exogenous water ligand. Additionally, depending on the nature of the charge-balancing countercation (Li(+), Na(+), or K(+)), the [(PY(CO2)4)M(H2O)](2-) complexes can assemble in the solid state to form one-dimensional channels filled with water molecules. Aqueous electrochemistry performed on [(PY(CO2)4)M(H2O)](2-) suggested accessible trivalent oxidation states for the Fe, Co, and Ni complexes, and the trivalent Co(3+) species [(PY(CO2)4)Co(OH)](2-) could be isolated via chemical oxidation. The successful synthesis of the [PY(CO2)4](4-) ligand and its transition metal complexes illustrates the still-untapped versatility within the tetrapodal ligand family, which may yet hold promise for the isolation of more reactive and higher-valent metal complexes.

The first structurally characterized hexafluorido complex of a tetravalent actinide ion, the [UF6]2− anion, is reported in the (NEt4)2[UF6]⋅2 H2O salt (1). The weak magnetic response of 1 results from both UIV spin and orbital contributions, as established by combining X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy and bulk magnetization measurements. The spin and orbital moments are virtually identical in magnitude, but opposite in sign, resulting in an almost perfect cancellation, which is corroborated by ab initio calculations. This work constitutes the first experimental demonstration of a seemingly non‐magnetic molecular actinide complex carrying sizable spin and orbital magnetic moments.

The separation of acetylene from ethylene is a crucial process in the petrochemical industry, as even small acetylene impurities can lead to premature termination of ethylene polymerization. Herein, we present the synthesis of a robust, crystalline naphthalene diimide porous aromatic framework via imidization of linear naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and triangular tris(4-aminophenyl)amine. The resulting material, PAF-110, exhibits impressive thermal and long-term structural stability, as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction characterization. Gas adsorption characterization reveals that PAF-110 has a capacity for acetylene that is more than twice its ethylene capacity at 273 K and 1 bar, and it exhibits a moderate acetylene selectivity of 3.9 at 298 K and 1 bar. Complementary computational investigation of each guest binding in PAF-110 suggests that this affinity and selectivity for acetylene arises from its stronger electrostatic interaction with the carbonyl oxygen atoms of the framework. To the best of our knowledge, PAF-110 is the first crystalline porous organic material to exhibit selective adsorption of acetylene over ethylene, and its properties may provide insight into the further optimized design of porous organic materials for this key gas separation.

© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. The synthesis of new molecular complexes of U2+has been pursued to make comparisons in structure, physical properties, and reactivity with the first U2+complex, [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp′3U], 1 (Cp′=C5H4SiMe3). Reduction of Cp″3U [Cp″=C5H3(SiMe3)2] with KC8in the presence of 2.2.2-cryptand or 18-crown-6 generates [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp″3U], 2-K(crypt), or [K(18-crown-6)(THF)2][Cp″3U], 2-K(18c6), respectively. The UV/Vis spectra of 2-K and 1 are similar, and they are much more intense than those of U3+analogues. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data for 1 and 2-K(crypt) reveal lower room temperature χMT values relative to the experimental values for the 5f3U3+precursors. Stability studies monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy show that 2-K(crypt) and 2-K(18c6) have t1/2values of 20 and 15 h at room temperature, respectively, vs. 1.5 h for 1. Complex 2-K(18c6) reacts with H2or PhSiH3to form the uranium hydride, [K(18-crown-6)(THF)2][Cp″3UH], 3. Complexes 1 and 2-K(18c6) both reduce cyclooctatetraene to form uranocene, (C8H8)2U, as well as the U3+byproducts [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp′4U], 4, and Cp″3U, respectively.

We report the serendipitous discovery and magnetic characterization of a dysprosium bis(ammonia) metallocene complex, [(C5Me5)2Dy(NH3)2](BPh4) (1), isolated in the course of performing a well-established synthesis of the unsolvated cationic complex [(C5Me5)2Dy][(μ-Ph)2BPh2]. While side reactivity studies suggest that this bis(ammonia) species owes its initial incidence to impurities in the DyCl3(H2O)x starting material, we were able to independently prepare 1 and its tetrahydrofuran (THF) derivative, [(C5Me5)2Dy(NH3)(THF)](BPh4) (2), from the reaction of [(C5Me5)2Dy][(μ-Ph)2BPh2] with ammonia in THF. The low-symmetry complex 1 exhibits slow magnetic relaxation under zero applied direct-current (dc) field to temperatures as high as 46 K and notably exhibits an effective barrier to magnetic relaxation that is more than 150% greater than that previously reported for the [(C5Me5)2Ln][(μ-Ph)2BPh2] precursor. On the basis of fitting of the temperature-dependent relaxation data, magnetic relaxation is found to o...

The synthesis and full magnetic characterization of a new series of N2(3-) radical-bridged lanthanide complexes [{(R2N)2(THF)Ln}2(μ3-η(2):η(2):η(2)-N2)K] [1-Ln; Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy; NR2 = N(SiMe3)2] are described for comprehensive comparison with the previously reported series [K(18-crown-6)(THF)2]{[(R2N)2(THF)Ln]2(μ-η(2):η(2)-N2)} (2-Ln; Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy). Structural characterization of 1-Ln crystals grown with the aid of a Nd2Fe13B magnet reveals inner-sphere coordination of the K(+) counterion within 2.9 Å of the N2(3-) bridge, leading to bending of the planar Ln-(N2(3-))-Ln unit present in 2-Ln. Direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on 1-Gd reveal antiferromagnetic coupling between the Gd(III) centers and the N2(3-) radical bridge, with a strength matching that obtained previously for 2-Gd at J ∼ -27 cm(-1). Unexpectedly, however, a competing antiferromagnetic Gd(III)-Gd(III) exchange interaction with J ∼ -2 cm(-1) also becomes prominent, dramatically changing the magnetic behavior at low temperatures. Alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility characterization of 1-Tb and 1-Dy demonstrates these complexes to be single-molecule magnets under zero applied dc field, albeit with relaxation barriers (Ueff = 41.13(4) and 14.95(8) cm(-1), respectively) and blocking temperatures significantly reduced compared to 2-Tb and 2-Dy. These differences are also likely to be a result of the competing antiferromagnetic Ln(III)-Ln(III) exchange interactions of the type quantified in 1-Gd.

The recently reported series of divalent lanthanide complex salts, namely [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp'3Ln] (Ln = Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm; Cp' = C5H4SiMe3) and the analogous trivalent complexes, Cp'3Ln, have been characterized via dc and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. The salts of the complexes [Cp'3Dy](-) and [Cp'3Ho](-) exhibit magnetic moments of 11.3 and 11.4 μB, respectively, which are the highest moments reported to date for any monometallic molecular species. The magnetic moments measured at room temperature support the assignments of a 4f(n+1) configuration for Ln = Sm, Eu, Tm and a 4f(n)5d(1) configuration for Ln = Y, La, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er. In the cases of Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, simple models do not accurately predict the experimental room temperature magnetic moments. Although an LS coupling scheme is a useful starting point, it is not sufficient to describe the complex magnetic behavior and electronic structure of these intriguing molecules. While no slow magnetic relaxation was observed for any member of the series under zero applied dc field, the large moments accessible with such mixed configurations present important case studies in the pursuit of magnetic materials with inherently larger magnetic moments. This is essential for the design of new bulk magnetic materials and for diminishing processes such as quantum tunneling of the magnetization in single-molecule magnets.

Actinide single-molecule magnetism has experienced steady growth over the last five years since the first discovery of slow magnetic relaxation in the mononuclear complex U(Ph(2)BPz(2))(3). Given their large spin-orbit coupling and the radial extension of the 5f orbitals, the actinides are well-suited for the design of both mononuclear and exchange-coupled molecules, and indeed at least one new system has emerged every year. By some measures, the actinides are already demonstrating promise for one day exceeding the performance characteristics of transition metal and lanthanide complexes. However, much further work is needed to understand the nature of the slow relaxation in mononuclear actinide complexes, as well as the influence of magnetic exchange on slow relaxation in multinuclear species. This perspective seeks to summarize the successes in the field and to address some of the many open questions in this up and coming area of research.

Two isostructural series of trigonal prismatic complexes, M(Bp(Me))3 and M(Bc(Me))3 (M = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, U; [Bp(Me)](-) = dihydrobis(methypyrazolyl)borate; [Bc(Me)](-) = dihydrobis(methylimidazolyl)borate) are synthesized and fully characterized to examine the influence of ligand donor strength on slow magnetic relaxation. Investigation of the dynamic magnetic properties reveals that the oblate electron density distributions of the Tb(3+), Dy(3+), and U(3+) metal ions within the axial ligand field lead to slow relaxation upon application of a small dc magnetic field. Significantly, the magnetization relaxation is orders of magnitude slower for the N-heterocyclic carbene complexes, M(Bc(Me))3, than for the isomeric pyrazolate complexes, M(Bp(Me))3. Further, investigation of magnetically dilute samples containing 11-14 mol % of Tb(3+), Dy(3+), or U(3+) within the corresponding Y(3+) complex matrix reveals thermally activated relaxation is favored for the M(Bc(Me))3 complexes, even when dipolar interactions are largely absent. Notably, the dilute species U(Bc(Me))3 exhibits Ueff ≈ 33 cm(-1), representing the highest barrier yet observed for a U(3+) molecule demonstrating slow relaxation. Additional analysis through lanthanide XANES, X-band EPR, and (1)H NMR spectroscopies provides evidence that the origin of the slower relaxation derives from the greater magnetic anisotropy enforced within the strongly donating N-heterocyclic carbene coordination sphere. These results show that, like molecular symmetry, ligand-donating ability is a variable that can be controlled to the advantage of the synthetic chemist in the design of single-molecule magnets with enhanced relaxation barriers.

The structures and magnetic properties of [K(18-crown-6)](+) (1) and [K(18-crown-6)(THF)2](+) (2) salts of the η(8)-cyclooctatetraenide sandwich complex [Er(COT)2](-) (COT(2-) = cyclooctatetraene dianion) are reported. Despite slight differences in symmetry, both compounds exhibit slow magnetic relaxation under zero applied dc field with relaxation barriers of ∼150 cm(-1) and waist-restricted magnetic hysteresis. Dc relaxation and dilution studies suggest that the drop in the magnetic hysteresis near zero field is influenced by a bulk magnetic avalanche effect coupled with tunneling of the magnetization. Through dilution with [K(18-crown-6)(THF)2][Y(COT)2] (3), these phenomena are substantially quenched, resulting in an open hysteresis loop to 10 K. Importantly, this represents the highest blocking temperature yet observed for a mononuclear complex and the second highest for any single-molecule magnet. A comprehensive comparative analysis of the magnetism of [K(18-crown-6)][Ln(COT)2] (Ln = Sm, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb) reveals slow relaxation only for [K(18-crown-6)][Dy(COT)2] (4) with weak temperature dependence. Collectively, these results highlight the utility of an equatorial ligand field for facilitating slow magnetic relaxation in the prolate Er(III) ion.

Magnetically dilute samples of complexes Dy(H(2)BPz(Me2)(2))(3) (1) and U(H(2)BPz(2))(3) (3) were prepared through cocrystallization with diamagnetic Y(H(2)BPz(Me2)(2))(3) (2) and Y(H(2)BPz(2))(3). Alternating current (ac) susceptibility measurements performed on these samples reveal magnetic relaxation behavior drastically different from their concentrated counterparts. For concentrated 1, slow magnetic relaxation is not observed under zero or applied dc fields of several hundred Oersteds. However, a 1:65 (Dy:Y) molar dilution results in a nonzero out-of-phase component to the magnetic susceptibility under zero applied dc field, characteristic of a single-molecule magnet. The highest dilution of 3 (1:90, U:Y) yields a relaxation barrier U(eff) = 16 cm(-1), double that of the concentrated sample. These combined results highlight the impact of intermolecular interactions in mononuclear single-molecule magnets possessing a highly anisotropic metal center. Finally, dilution elucidates the previously observed secondary relaxation process for concentrated 3. This process is slowed down drastically upon a 1:1 molar dilution, leading to butterfly magnetic hysteresis at temperatures as high as 3 K. The disappearance of this process for higher dilutions reveals it to be relaxation dictated by short-range intermolecular interactions, and it stands as the first direct example of an intermolecular relaxation process competing with single-molecule-based slow magnetic relaxation.

The trigonal prismatic complex U(H(2)BPz(2))(3) is characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and ac magnetic susceptibility measurements. The ac susceptibility data demonstrate the presence of multiple processes responsible for slow magnetic relaxation. Out-of-phase signals observed at ac switching frequencies between 1 and 1500 Hz in dc fields of 500-5000 Oe indicate a thermal relaxation barrier of ca. 8 cm(-1) for the molecule, with a temperature-independent process taking over at the lowest temperatures probed. Significantly, an unprecedented, slower relaxation process becomes apparent for ac switching frequencies between 0.06 and 1 Hz, for which a monotonic increase of the relaxation time with an applied dc field suggests a direct relaxation pathway.