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The synthesis of a novel family of homoleptic COT-based heterotrimetallic self-assemblies bearing the formula [LnKCa(COT) 3 (THF) 3 ] (Ln( iii ) = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb) is reported followed by their X-ray crystallographic and magnetic characterization. All crystals conform to the monoclinic P 2 1 / c space group with a slight compression of the unit cell from 3396.4(2) Å 3 to 3373.2(4) Å 3 along the series. All complexes exhibit a triple-decker structure having the Ln( iii ) and K( i ) ions sandwiched by three COT 2− ligands with an end-bound {Ca 2+ (THF) 3 } moiety to form a non-linear (153.5°) arrangement of three different metals. The COT 2− ligands act in a η 8 -mode with respect to all metal centers. A detailed structural comparison of this unique set of heterotrimetallic complexes has revealed consistent trends along the series. From Gd to Yb, the Ln to ring-centroid distance decreases from 1.961(3) Å to 1.827(2) Å. In contrast, the separation of K( i ) and Ca( ii ) ions from the COT-centroid (2.443(3) and 1.914(3) Å, respectively) is not affected by the change of Ln( iii ) ions. The magnetic property investigation of the [LnKCa(COT) 3 (THF) 3 ] series (Ln( iii ) = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm) reveals that the Dy, Er, and Tm complexes display slow relaxation of their magnetization, in other words, single-molecule magnet (SMM) properties. This behaviour is dominated by thermally activated (Orbach-like) and quantum tunneling processes for [DyKCa(COT) 3 (THF) 3 ] in contrast to [ErKCa(COT) 3 (THF) 3 ], in which the thermally activated and Raman processes appear to be relevant. Details of the electronic structures and magnetic properties of these complexes are further clarified with the help of DFT and ab initio theoretical calculations. 

The consequences of four-electron addition to [8]cycloparaphenylene ([8]CPP, 1 ) have been evaluated crystallographically, revealing a significant core deformation. The structural analysis exposes an elliptical distortion observed upon electron transfer, with the deformation parameter (D.P.) increased by 28% in comparison with neutral [8]CPP. The C–C bond length alteration pattern also indicates a quinoidal structural rearrangement upon four-fold reduction. The large internal cavity of [8]CPP 4− allows the encapsulation of two {K + (THF) 2 } cationic moieties with two additional cations bound externally in the solid-state structure of [{K + (THF) 2 } 4 ([8]CPP 4− )]. The experimental structural data have been used as a benchmark for the comprehensive theoretical description of the geometric changes and electronic properties of the highly-charged [8]CPP 4− nanohoop in comparison with its neutral parent. While neutral [8]CPP and the [8]CPP 2− anion clearly show aromatic behavior of all six-membered rings, subsequent addition of two more electrons completely reverses their aromatic character to afford the highly-antiaromatic [8]CPP 4− anion, as evidenced by structural, topological, and magnetic descriptors. The disentanglement of electron transfer from metal binding effects allowed their contributions to the overall core perturbation of the negatively-charged [8]CPP to be revealed. Consequently, the internal coordination of potassium cations is identified as the main driving force for drastic elliptic distortion of the macrocyclic framework upon reduction. 

Cu( i ) and Au( i ) ions, capped with an N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC), react with (TMS) 3 P 7 (TMS = trimethyl-silyl) to afford an η 4 -coordinated anion [NHC Dipp Cu–P 7 (TMS)] − and a neutral trinuclear complex (NHC Dipp Au) 3 P 7 . Protecting the P 7 cage with the TMS groups is instrumental in controlling the course of these reactions. 

One-electron reduction of bowl-shaped indenocorannulene, C 26 H 12 , with Rb metal in THF affords [{Rb + (18-crown-6)} 2 (C 26 H 12 –C 26 H 12 ) 2− ]·4THF, as confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The product consists of a dimeric σ-bonded dianion (C–C, 1.568(7) Å) having two endo -η 6 coordinated {Rb + (18-crown-6)} moieties (Rb–C, 3.272(4)–3.561(4) Å). The (C 26 H 12 –C 26 H 12 ) 2− dimer represents the first crystallographically confirmed example of spontaneous coupling for indenocorannulene monoanion radicals, C 26 H 12 ˙ − . Comprehensive theoretical investigation of the new dimer confirms the single σ-bond character of the linker and reveals a significant increase of both thermodynamic and kinetic stability of [σ-(C 26 H 12 ) 2 ] 2− in comparison with analogues formed by such π-bowls as corannulene and its dibenzo-derivative. The in-depth computational analysis and direct comparison of the series demonstrates the effect of curvature on radical coupling processes, allowing control over stability and reactivity of bowl-shaped π-radicals. 

Design of hetero tri metallic molecules, especially those containing at least two different metals with close atomic numbers, radii, and the same coordination number/environment is a challenging task. This quest is greatly facilitated by having a heterobimetallic parent molecule that features multiple metal sites with only some of those displaying substitutional flexibility. Recently, a unique heterobimetallic complex LiMn 2 (thd) 5 (thd = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) has been introduced as a single-source precursor for the preparation of a popular spinel cathode material, LiMn 2 O 4 . Theoretical calculations convincingly predict that in the above trinuclear molecule only one of the Mn sites is sufficiently flexible to be substituted with another 3d transition metal. Following those predictions, two hetero tri metallic complexes, LiMn 2−x Co x (thd) 5 ( x = 1 ( 1a ) and 0.5 ( 1b )), that represent full and partial substitution, respectively, of Co for Mn in the parent molecule, have been synthesized. X-ray structural elucidation clearly showed that only one transition metal position in the trinuclear molecule contains Co, while the other site remains fully occupied by Mn. A number of techniques have been employed for deciphering the structure and composition of hetero tri metallic compounds. Synchrotron resonant diffraction experiments unambiguously assigned 3d transition metal positions as well as provided a precise “site-specific Mn/Co elemental analysis” in a single crystal, even in an extremely difficult case of severely disordered structure formed by the superposition of two enantiomers. DART mass spectrometry and magnetic measurements clearly confirmed the presence of hetero tri metallic species LiMnCo(thd) 5 rather than a statistical mixture of two hetero bi metallic LiMn 2 (thd) 5 and LiCo 2 (thd) 5 molecules. Heterometallic precursors 1a and 1b were found to exhibit a clean decomposition yielding phase-pure LiMnCoO 4 and LiMn 1.5 Co 0.5 O 4 spinels, respectively, at the relatively low temperature of 400 °C. The latter oxide represents an important “5 V spinel” cathode material for the lithium ion batteries. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed a homogeneous distribution of transition metals in quaternary oxides obtained by pyrolysis of single-source precursors. 

Chemical reduction of pentacene (C₂₂H₁₄,1) with Group 1 metals ranging from Li to Cs revealed that1readily undergoes a two‐fold reduction to afford a doubly‐reduced1²⁻anion in THF. With the help of 18‐crown‐6 ether used as a secondary coordinating agent, five π‐complexes of1²⁻with different alkali metal counterions have been isolated and fully characterized. This series of complexes enables the first evaluation of alkali‐metal ion binding patterns and structural changes of the1²⁻dianion based on the crystallographically confirmed examples. The difference in coordination of the smallest Li⁺ion vs. heavier Group 1 congeners has been demonstrated. In addition, the use of benzo‐15‐crown‐5 in the reaction of1with Na metal allowed the isolation of the unique solvent‐separated ion product with a “naked” dianion,1²⁻. The detailed structural analyses of the series revealed the C−C bond alteration and core deformation of pentacene upon two‐fold reduction and complexation. The negative charge localization at the central six‐membered ring of1²⁻identified by theoretical calculations corroborates with the X‐ray crystallographic results. Subsequent in‐depth theoretical analysis provided a detailed description of changes in the electronic structure and aromaticity of pentacene upon reduction.

 

This work raises a fundamental question about the “real” structure of molecular compounds containing three different metals: whether they consist of genuine hetero tri metallic species or of a mixture of parent hetero bi metallic species. Heterotrimetallic complex Li 2 CoNi(tbaoac) 6 ( 1 , tbaoac = tert -butyl acetoacetate) has been designed based on the model tetranuclear structure featuring two transition metal sites in order to be utilized as a molecular precursor for the low-temperature preparation of the LiCo 0.5 Ni 0.5 O 2 battery cathode material. An investigation of the structure of 1 appeared to be very challenging, since the Co and Ni atoms have very similar atomic numbers, monoisotopic masses, and radii as well as the same oxidation state and coordination number/environment. Using a statistical analysis of heavily overlaid isotope distribution patterns of the [Li 2 MM′L 5 ] + (M/M′ = Co 2 , Ni 2 , and CoNi) ions in DART mass spectra, it was concluded that the reaction product 1 contains both heterotrimetallic and bimetallic species. A structural analogue approach has been applied to obtain Li 2 MMg(tbaoac) 6 (M = Co ( 2 ) and Ni ( 3 )) complexes that contain lighter, diamagnetic magnesium in the place of one of the 3d transition metals. X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, and NMR spectroscopy unambiguously confirmed the presence of three types of molecules in the reaction mixture that reaches an equilibrium, Li 2 M 2 L 6 + Li 2 Mg 2 L 6 ↔ 2Li 2 MMgL 6 , upon prolonged reflux in solution. The equilibrium mixture was shown to have a nearly statistical distribution of the three molecules, and this is fully supported by the results of theoretical calculations revealing that the stabilization energies of hetero tri metallic assemblies fall exactly in between those for the parent hetero bi metallic species. The LiCo 0.5 Ni 0.5 O 2 quaternary oxide has been obtained in its phase-pure form by thermal decomposition of heterometallic precursor 1 at temperatures as low as 450 °C. Its chemical composition, structure, morphology, and transition metal distribution have been studied by X-ray and electron diffraction techniques and compositional energy-dispersive X-ray mapping with nanometer resolution. The work clearly illustrates the advantages of heterometallic single-source precursors over the corresponding multi-source precursors.