A family of four Ln(III) complexes has been synthesized with the general formula [Ln2(NO3)4(L)2(S)] (Ln = Gd, Tb, Er, and S = H2O; 1, 2 and 4, respectively/Ln = Dy, S = MeOH, complex 3), where HL is the flexible ditopic ligand N’-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)pyridine-2-carbohydrazide. The structures of isostructural MeOH/H2O solvates of these complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two LnIII ions are doubly bridged by the deprotonated oxygen atoms of two “head-to-head” 2.21011 (Harris notation) L¯ ligands, forming a central, nearly rhombic {LnIII2(μ-OR)2}4+ core. Two bidentate chelating nitrato groups complete a sphenocoronal 10-coordination at one metal ion, while two bidentate chelating nitrato groups and one solvent molecule (H2O or MeOH) complete a spherical capped square antiprismatic 9-coordination at the other. The structures are critically compared with those of other, previously reported metal complexes of HL or L¯. The IR spectra of 1–4 are discussed in terms of the coordination modes of the organic and inorganic ligands involved. The f-f transitions in the solid-state (diffuse reflectance) spectra of the Tb(III), Dy(III), and Er(III) complexes have been fully assigned in the UV/Vis and near-IR regions. Magnetic susceptibility studies in the 1.85–300 K range reveal the presence of weak, intramolecular GdIII∙∙∙GdIII antiferromagnetic exchange interactions in 1 [J/kB = −0.020(6) K based on the spin Hamiltonian Ĥ = −2J(ŜGd1∙ ŜGd2)] and probably weak antiferromagnetic LnIII∙∙∙LnIII exchange interactions in 2–4. Ac susceptibility measurements in zero dc field do not show frequency dependent out-of-phase signals, and this experimental fact is discussed for 3 in terms of the magnetic anisotropy axis for each DyIII center and the oblate electron density of this metal ion. Complexes 3 and 4 are Single-Molecule Magnets (SMMs) and this behavior is optimally observed under external dc fields of 600 and 1000 Oe, respectively. The magnetization relaxation pathways are discussed and a satisfactory fit of the temperature and field dependencies of the relaxation time τ was achieved considering a model that employs Raman, direct, and Orbach relaxation mechanisms.
Pseudo-Tetrahedral vs Pseudo-Octahedral ErIII Single Molecule Magnets and the 'Disruptive' Role of Coordinated TEMPO Radicals
