Thiophenyl Anilato-Based NIR-Emitting Lanthanide (Ln = Er, Yb) Dinuclear Complexes.

By combining Er and Yb ions with 3,6-dithiophene-anilate (ThAn) and scorpionate hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate (HBpz) ligands new luminescent dinuclear complexes are obtained. The two materials formulated as [((HB(pz))Yb)(μ-thAn)]·4DCM·1.3HO and [((HB(pz))Er)(μ-thAn)]·4DCM·1.

A highly conducting tetrathiafulvalene-tetracarboxylate based dysprosium(iii) 2D metal-organic framework with single molecule magnet behaviour.

The synthesis and whole characterization by a multitechnique approach of an unprecedented dysprosium(iii) 2D metal organic framework (MOF), involving the redox-active tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)-based linker TTF-tetracarboxylate (TTF-TC), are herein reported. The single-crystal X-ray structure, formulated as [Dy(TTF-TC)(HO)]·21HO (1), reveals a complex 2D topology, with hexanuclear Dy clusters as secondary building units (SBUs) interconnected by five linkers, stacked almost parallel in each layer and eclipsed along the [111] direction, leading to the formation of 1D channels filled by water molecules. The mixed valence of the TTF units is confirmed by both bond distance analysis, Raman microscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and further supported by band structure calculations, which also predict activated conductivity for this material.

Tunable SIM properties in a family of 3D anilato-based lanthanide-MOFs.

By reacting a 3,6-ditriazolyl-2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone (HtrzAn) anilato linker with Ln ions (Ln = Dy, Tb, Ho), two different series of polymorphs, formulated as [Ln(trzAn)(HO)] ·10HO (Dy, 1a; Tb, 2a, Ho, 3a) and [Ln(trzAn)(HO)] ·7HO (Dy, 1b, Tb, 2b, Ho, 3b) have been obtained. In these series the two Dy-coordination networks (1a and 1b) and the Tb-coordination polymer (2b) show a Single Ion Magnet (SIM) behavior. 1-3a MOFs show reversible structural flexibility upon removal of a coordinated water molecule from a distorted hexagonal 2D framework to a distorted 3,6-brickwall rectangular 3D structure in [Ln(trzAn)(HO)] ·2HO (Dy, 1a_des; Tb, 2a_des, Ho, 3a_des) involving shrinkage/expansion of the hexagonal-rectangular networks.

Slow magnetic relaxation in a heteroleptic anilate-based Dy metal-organic framework.

Novel heteroleptic anilate-based lanthanide MOFs (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho) have been obtained under hydrothermal conditions by the ancillary ligand synthetic strategy. These structurally isomorphous species contain octacoordinated Ln ions with coordination polyhedra approaching an ideal symmetry, best described by a distorted biaugmented trigonal prismatic geometry. In the whole series, only the Dy-MOF exhibits SMM behaviour.

Tuning the slow magnetic relaxation with the substituents in anilate bridged bis(dysprosium) complexes.

Dinuclear lanthanide complexes [((HB(pz))Dy)(μ-ThAn)] (1Dy) and [((HB(pz))Dy)(μ-ClCNAn)] (2Dy), based on the hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate (HBpz) scorpionate capping ligand and anilate (An) bridging linkers, namely homosubstituted dithiophene- and heterosubstituted chlorocyanoanilate, bearing electron-donating and withdrawing substituents at the 3,6-positions of the benzoquinone core, are reported. 1Dy shows an octacoordinated {NO} Dy ion within a distorted square antiprismatic coordination, an ideal geometry for Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behavior, given its oblate nature, whereas in 2Dy the octacoordinated Dy ion adopts a triangular dodecahedron geometry, while maintaining the same {NO} coordination sphere. Both complexes show field-induced single molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour, with tuning of the slow magnetic relaxation as a function of the nature of the substituents at the 3,6-positions of the anilate moiety.

Insights into Nd to Yb Energy Transfer and Its Implications in Luminescence Thermometry.

This work challenges the conventional approach of using NdF lifetime changes for evaluating the experimental Nd → Yb energy transfer rate and efficiency. Using near-infrared (NIR) emitting Nd:Yb mixed-metal coordination polymers (CPs), synthesized via solvent-free thermal grinding, we demonstrate that the Nd [H → I] → Yb [F → F] pathway, previously overlooked, dominates energy transfer due to superior energy resonance and -level selection rule compatibility. This finding upends the conventional focus on the Nd [F → I] → Yb [F → F] transition pathway.

Terbium and Europium Chlorocyananilate-Based 2D Coordination Polymers.

Two-dimensional layered coordination polymers based on the hetero-substituted 3-chloro-6-cyano-2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone ligands, hereafter ClCNAn anilate, and Ln ions (Tb and Eu) are reported. Compounds and , formulated as Ln(ClCNAn)(DMSO) (Ln = Tb, ; Eu, ), and their related intermediates and , formulated as Ln(ClCNAn)(HO)·yHO (x + y likely = 12, Ln = Tb, ; and Eu, ), were prepared by a conventional one-pot reaction (the latter) and recrystallized from DMSO solvent (the former). Polyhydrated intermediates and show very similar XRPD patterns, while, despite their common stoichiometry, and are not isostructural.

Reversible tuning of luminescence and magnetism in a structurally flexible erbium-anilato MOF.

By combining 3,6--ditriazolyl-2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (HtrzAn) with NIR-emitting Er ions, two different 3D neutral polymorphic frameworks (1a and 1b), differing in the number of uncoordinated water molecules, formulated as [Er(trzAn)(HO)] ·HO ( = 10, a; = 7, b), have been obtained. The structure of 1a shows layers with (6,3) topology forming six-membered rings with distorted hexagonal cavities along the plane. These 2D layers are interconnected through the N4 atoms of the two pendant arms of the trzAn linkers, leading to a 3D framework, where neighboring layers are eclipsed along the axis, with hexagonal channels filled with water molecules.

Silicon-based fluorescent platforms for copper(ii) detection in water.

The potential of silicon-based fluorescent platforms for the detection of trace toxic metal ions was investigated in an aqueous environment. To this aim, silicon chips were first functionalized with amino groups, and fluorescein organic dyes, used as sensing molecules, were then covalently linked to the surface formation of thiourea groups. The obtained hybrid heterostructures exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity towards copper(ii), a limit of detection compatible with the recommended upper limits for copper in drinking water, and good reversibility using a standard metal-chelating agent.

Combined Experimental/Theoretical Study on the Luminescent Properties of Homoleptic/Heteroleptic Erbium(III) Anilate-Based 2D Coordination Polymers.

The synthesis, structural and photophysical characterization, and theoretical studies on homo/heteroleptic neutral 2D-layered coordination polymers (CPs), obtained by combining the Er ion with chlorocyananilate (ClCNAn) and/or tetrafluoroterephthalate (FBDC) linkers, are herein reported. The structure of the heteroleptic Er-based CP, formulated as [Er(ClCNAn)(FBDC)(DMSO)] () is also reported. crystallizes in the triclinic 1̅ space group, and the structure consists of neutral 2D layers formed by Er ions linked through the two linkers oriented in such a way that the neighboring 2D layers are eclipsed along the axis, leading to parallelogram-like cavities.

Nanoscaled Metal-Organic Frameworks: Challenges Towards Biomedical Applications.

Achieving metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in the form of nanoparticles (NanoMOFs) represents a recent challenge due to the possibility to combine the intrinsic porosity of these materials with the nanometric dimension, a fundamental requirement for strategic biomedical applications. In this outlook we envision the current/future opportunities of the NanoMOFs in the field of biomedicine, with particular emphasis on (i) biocompatible MOFs composition; (ii) MOFs miniaturization and (iii) nanoMOFs applications.

On the synthesis of bi-magnetic manganese ferrite-based core-shell nanoparticles.

Multifunctional nano-heterostructures (NHSs) with controlled morphology are cardinal in many applications, but the understanding of the nanoscale colloidal chemistry is yet to be fulfilled. The stability of the involved crystalline phases in different solvents at mid- and high-temperatures and reaction kinetics considerably affect the nucleation and growth of the materials and their final architecture. The formation mechanism of manganese ferrite-based core-shell NHSs is herein investigated.

Magnetic Molecular Conductors Based on Bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) and the Tris(chlorocyananilato)ferrate(III) Complex.

Electrocrystallization of the bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) organic donor in the presence of the [Fe(ClCNAn)] tris(chlorocyananilato)ferrate(III) paramagnetic anion in different stoichiometric ratios and solvent mixtures afforded two different hybrid systems formulated as [BEDT-TTF][Fe(ClCNAn)]·3HO () and [BEDT-TTF][Fe(ClCNAn)]·2CHCN () (An = anilato). Compounds and present unusual structures without the typical segregated organic and inorganic layers, where layers of are formed by Λ and Δ enantiomers of the anionic paramagnetic complex together with mixed-valence BEDT-TTF tetramers, while layers of are formed by Λ and Δ enantiomers of the paramagnetic complex together with dicationic BEDT-TTF dimers and monomers. Compounds and show semiconducting behaviors with room-temperature conductivities of ca.

Dysprosium Chlorocyanoanilate-Based 2D-Layered Coordination Polymers.

A series of two-dimensional (2D)-layered coordination polymers (CPs) based on the heterosubstituted anilate ligand ClCNAn derived from 3-chloro-6-cyano-2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone and Dy are reported. By changes in the synthetic methods (layering technique, solvothermal or conventional one-pot reactions) and conditions (solvent, concentration, etc.), different types of 2D extended networks could be prepared and structurally characterized.

Raman Spectroscopy as a Probe for Monitoring the Zinc Presence in Zn-Substituted Cobalt Ferrites.

A Raman study on Zinc-substituted Cobalt ferrites, with different Zn(II) contents in each sample of formula: CoFe₂O₄ (), ZnCoFeO₄ (), ZnCoFeO₄ (), ZnCoFeO₄ () is reported. These samples show the same crystallite size (∼6 nm), particle size (∼7 nm) and particle size distribution (∼20%) and they have been synthesized through heating up surfactant-assisted thermal decomposition of metalorganic precursors. The effect of Zn(II) substitution in the cationic distribution is investigated by using the known metal-oxygen vibrational modes in tetrahedral and octahedral sites.

Bifacial Diffuse Absorptance of Semitransparent Microstructured Perovskite Solar Cells.

An optical radiometry technique enabling simultaneous transmittance and reflectance measurements from both sides of a device was used to investigate bifacial diffuse absorptance of neutral-colored semitransparent perovskite solar cells based on a thin film of microsized perovskite islands. In such microstructured solar cells, diffuse irradiance was more effectively absorbed than direct irradiance at near-normal incidence, in contrast to reference solar cells comprising a continuous perovskite thin film. Experimental findings were discussed in ray-optic approximation in relation to the surface texture of the active layer, highlighting the role of light trapping.

Conducting Anilate-Based Mixed-Valence Fe(II)Fe(III) Coordination Polymer: Small-Polaron Hopping Model for Oxalate-Type Fe(II)Fe(III) 2D Networks.

The mixed-valence FeFe 2D coordination polymer formulated as [TAG][FeFe(ClCNAn)]·(solvate) 1 (TAG = tris(amino)-guanidinium, ClCNAn = chlorocyanoanilate dianionic ligand) crystallized in the polar trigonal space group P3. In the solid-state structure, determined both at 150 and at 10 K, anionic 2D honeycomb layers [FeFe(ClCNAn)] establish in the ab plane, with an intralayer metal-metal distance of 7.860 Å, alternating with cationic layers of TAG.

Synthesis and Physical Properties of Purely Organic BEDT-TTF-Based Conductors Containing Hetero-/Homosubstituted Cl/CN-Anilate Derivatives.

Radical cation salts composed of a bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (ET) donor with homo-/heterosubstituted Cl/CN anilic acids as purely organic molecular conducting materials formulated as [BEDT-TTF][HClCNAn] (1) and [BEDT-TTF][HClAn] (2) have been prepared by electrocrystallization. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2/c for 1 and I2/a for 2, showing segregated donor-anion layers arranged in a α'-type donor packing pattern (1) and twisted parallel columns (2), respectively. Single-crystal conductivity measurements show that 1 is a semiconductor with room-temperature conductivity of 10 S cm and an activation energy E of 1900 K.

Switching-on luminescence in anilate-based molecular materials.

A simple change of one chloro substituent on the chloranilate ligand with a cyano group dramatically affects the electronic properties of the anilate moiety inducing unprecedented luminescence properties in the class of anilate-based ligands and their metal complexes. Here we report on the optimized synthesis and full characterization, including photoluminescence, of the chlorocyananilate ligand (ClCNAn(2-)) (dianion of the 3-chloro-6-cyano-2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone, H2ClCNC6O4), a unique example of a heterosubstituted anilate ligand whose electronic properties, optical properties and coordination chemistry have never been investigated to date, even though it has been known since 1966. The synthesis and full characterization of its tris-chelated metal complexes with Cr(iii), Fe(iii), and Al(iii) metal ions are also described herein.

Complete series of chiral paramagnetic molecular conductors based on tetramethyl-bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (TM-BEDT-TTF) and Chloranilate-bridged heterobimetallic honeycomb layers.

Electrocrystallization of enantiopure (S,S,S,S)- and (R,R,R,R)-tetramethyl-bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (TM-BEDT-TTF) donors, as well as the racemic mixture, in the presence of potassium cations and the tris(chloranilato)ferrate(III) [Fe(Cl2An)3](3-) paramagnetic anion afforded a complete series of chiral magnetic molecular conductors formulated as β-[(S,S,S,S)-TM-BEDT-TTF]3PPh4[K(I)Fe(III)(Cl2An)3]·3H2O (1), β-[(R,R,R,R)-TM-BEDT-TTF]3PPh4[K(I)Fe(III)(Cl2An)3]·3H2O (2), and β-[(rac)-TM-BEDT-TTF]3PPh4[K(I)Fe(III)(Cl2An)3]·3H2O (3). Compounds 1-3 are isostructural and crystallize in triclinic space groups (P1 for 1 and 2, P-1 for 3) showing a segregated organic-inorganic crystal structure, where anionic honeycomb layers obtained by self-assembling of the Λ and Δ enantiomers of the paramagnetic complex with potassium cations alternate with organic layers where the chiral donors are arranged in the β packing motif. Compounds 1-3 show a molecular packing strongly influenced by the topology of the inorganic layers and behave as molecular semiconductors with room-temperature conductivity values of ca.

Ln3Q9 as a molecular framework for ion-size-driven assembly of heterolanthanide (Nd, Er, Yb) multiple near-infrared emitters.

A unique example of discrete molecular entity Nd(y)Er(x)Yb(3-(x+y))Q9 (1) (Q = quinolinolato) containing three different lanthanides simultaneously emitting in three different spectral regions in the NIR, ranging from 900 to 1600 nm, has been synthesized and fully chararacterized. A simple molecular strategy based on tuning metal composition in the Ln3Q9 framework, which contains inequivalent central and terminal coordination sites, has allowed a satisfactory ion-size-driven control of molecular speciation close to 90%. In 1 the central position of the larger Nd ion is well distinguished from the terminal ones of the smaller Yb(3+) and Er(3+), which are almost "vicariants" as found in the heterobimetallic Er(x)Yb(3-x)Q9 (2).

Thiophene-benzoquinones: synthesis, crystal structures and preliminary coordination chemistry of derived anilate ligands.

2,5-Bis(thiophene) and 2,5-bis(ethylenedioxy-thiophene) (EDOT) derivatives of 3,6-diethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (para isomers) were prepared by Stille coupling between the 2,5-dibromo-3,6-diethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone precursors and (n-Bu)3Sn-R (R = 2-thiophenyl or 3,4-ethylenedioxy-2-thiophenyl) reagents. In a parallel series of experiments 2,6-bis(thiophene) and 2,6-EDOT-3,5-diethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (meta isomers) were synthesized by the same strategy. The four compounds were structurally characterized.

Ultrafast electronic and vibrational relaxations in mixed-ligand dithione-dithiolato Ni, Pd, and Pt complexes.

Ultrafast excited-state dynamics of planar Pt, Pd, and Ni dithione-dithiolato complexes were investigated by transient absorption spectroscopy on the femtosecond-picosecond timescale. All studied complexes show a common photobehaviour, although individual kinetics parameters and quantum yields vary with the metal, the dithione ligand and, namely the solvent (DMF, MeCN). Laser pulse irradiation at 800 nm populates the lowest singlet excited state of a dithiolato → dithione charge transfer character, (1)LL'CT.

Structural diversity and physical properties of paramagnetic molecular conductors based on bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) and the tris(chloranilato)ferrate(III) complex.

Electrocrystallization of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) in the presence of the tris(chloranilato)ferrate(III) [Fe(Cl2An)3](3-) paramagnetic chiral anion in different stoichiometric ratios and solvent mixtures afforded three different hybrid systems formulated as [BEDT-TTF]3[Fe(Cl2An)3]·3CH2Cl2·H2O (1), δ-[BEDT-TTF]5[Fe(Cl2An)3]·4H2O (2), and α‴-[BEDT-TTF]18[Fe(Cl2An)3]3·3CH2Cl2·6H2O (3). Compound 1 presents an unusual structure without the typical alternating organic and inorganic layers, whereas compounds 2 and 3 show a segregated organic-inorganic crystal structure where layers formed by Λ and Δ enantiomers of the paramagnetic complex, together with dicationic BEDT-TTF dimers, alternate with layers where the donor molecules are arranged in the δ (2) and α‴ (3) packing motifs. Compound 1 behaves as a semiconductor with a much lower conductivity due to the not-layered structure and strong dimerization between the fully oxidized donors, whereas 2 and 3 show semiconducting behaviors with high room-temperature conductivities of ca.

Halogen-bonding in a new family of tris(haloanilato)metallate(III) magnetic molecular building blocks.

Here we report on new tris(haloanilato)metallate(III) complexes with general formula [A]3[M(X2An)3] (A = (n-Bu)4N(+), (Ph)4P(+); M = Cr(III), Fe(III); X2An = 3,6-dihalo derivatives of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone (H4C6O4), chloranilate (Cl2An(2-)), bromanilate (Br2An(2-)) and iodanilate (I2An(2-))), obtained by a general synthetic strategy, and their full characterization. The crystal structures of these Fe(III) and Cr(III) haloanilate complexes consist of anions formed by homoleptic complexes formulated as [M(X2An)3](3-) and (Et)3NH(+), (n-Bu)4N(+), or (Ph4)P(+) cations. All complexes exhibit octahedral coordination geometry with metal ions surrounded by six oxygen atoms from three chelate ligands.