Introducing spin onto organic ligands that are coordinated to rare earth metal ions allows direct exchange with metal spin centres. This is particularly relevant for the deeply buried 4f-orbitals of the lanthanide ions that can give rise to unparalleled magnetic properties. For efficacy of exchange coupling, the donor atoms of the radical ligand require high-spin density. Such molecules are extremely rare owing to their reactive nature that renders isolation and purification difficult. Here, we demonstrate that a 2,2′-azopyridyl (abpy) radical ( S = 1/2) bound to the rare earth metal yttrium can be realized. This molecule represents the first rare earth metal complex containing an abpy radical and is unambigously characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR, UV-Vis-NIR, and IR spectroscopy. In addition, the most stable isotope 89 Y with a natural abundance of 100% and a nuclear spin of ½ allows an in-depth analysis of the yttrium–radical complex via EPR and HYSCORE spectroscopy. Further insight into the electronic ground state of the radical azobispyridine-coordinated metal complex was realized through unrestricted DFT calculations, which suggests that the unpaired spin density of the SOMO is heavily localized on the azo and pyridyl nitrogen atoms. The experimental results are supported by NBO calculations andmore »
This content will become publicly available on May 25, 2023
Isolation of the elusive bisbenzimidazole Bbim 3− ˙ radical anion and its employment in a metal complex
The discovery of singular organic radical ligands is a formidable challenge due to high reactivity arising from the unpaired electron. Matching radical ligands with metal ions to engender magnetic coupling is crucial for eliciting preeminent physical properties such as conductivity and magnetism that are crucial for future technologies. The metal-radical approach is especially important for the lanthanide ions exhibiting deeply buried 4f-orbitals. The radicals must possess a high spin density on the donor atoms to promote strong coupling. Combining diamagnetic 89 Y ( I = 1/2) with organic radicals allows for invaluable insight into the electronic structure and spin-density distribution. This approach is hitherto underutilized, possibly owing to the challenging synthesis and purification of such molecules. Herein, evidence of an unprecedented bisbenzimidazole radical anion (Bbim 3− ˙) along with its metalation in the form of an yttrium complex, [K(crypt-222)][(Cp* 2 Y) 2 (μ-Bbim˙)] is provided. Access of Bbim 3− ˙ was feasible through double-coordination to the Lewis acidic metal ion and subsequent one-electron reduction, which is remarkable as Bbim 2− was explicitly stated to be redox-inactive in closed-shell complexes. Two molecules containing Bbim 2− (1) and Bbim 3− ˙ (2), respectively, were thoroughly investigated by X-ray crystallography, NMR and UV/Vis more »
- Award ID(s):
- 1919565
- Publication Date:
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10346970
- Journal Name:
- Chemical Science
- Volume:
- 13
- Issue:
- 20
- Page Range or eLocation-ID:
- 5818 to 5829
- ISSN:
- 2041-6520
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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