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A room temperature stable Y(ii)bis(amide) has been prepared and fully characterized. The complex reacts withtert-butylisocyanide to make a rare example of a transition metal isocyanide, CN–Y(NHAr*)₂.

 

The synthesis and first structural characterization of the [K(18‐crown‐6)] bismolyl Bi^tet(C₄Me₄Bi) contact ion pair (1) is presented. Notably, according to Natural Resonance Theory calculations, the Bi^tetanion of1features two types of leading mesomeric structures with localized anionic charge and two lone pairs of electrons at the Bi^Icenter, as well as delocalized anionic charge in the π‐conjugated C₄Bi ring. The lone pairs at Bi enable a unique bridging coordination mode of the bismolyl ligand, as shown for the first rare earth metal bismolyl complex (Cp^tet₂Y)₂(μ‐η¹‐Bi^tet)₂(2). The latter results from the salt metathesis reaction of KBi^tetwith Cp^tet₂Y(BPh₄) (Cp^tet=C₅Me₄H). The Y‐Bi bonding interaction in2of 16.6 % covalency at yttrium is remarkably large.

 

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 spectroscopy. Electrochemical studies unfolded a quasi-reversible feature and emphasize the role of the metal centre for the Bbim redox-activity as neither the free ligand nor the Bbim 2− complex led to analogous CV results. Excitingly, a strong delocalization of the electron density through the Bbim 3− ˙ ligand was revealed via temperature-dependent EPR spectroscopy and confirmed through DFT calculations and magnetometry, rendering Bbim 3− ˙ an ideal candidate for single-molecule magnet design. 

A series of multinuclear metallocenes composed of a t Bu salophen dianion bound to two rare earth metal ions, where each is encased in a bis-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl scaffold, was realized. The isolated molecules (Cp* 2 RE) 2 (μ- t Bu salophen), where RE = Gd (1), Dy (2), and Y (3), constitute the first salophen-bridged metallocene complexes for any metal ion. 1–3 were characterised by X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry, IR, NMR, and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammograms of 1–3 excitingly exhibit quasi-reversable features attributed to the ( t Bu salophen 2− / t Bu salophen 3− ˙) redox couple. DFT calculations on 3 uncovered the highest occupied molecular orbital to be primarily localized on the metallocene and phenolate moieties of the t Bu salophen ligand. Furthermore, the nuclear spin I = ½ for yttrium allowed the collection of 89 Y NMR spectra for 3. Magnetic studies revealed slow magnetic relaxation, placing 2 among dysprosocenium-based single-molecule magnets containing a doubly anionic ligand in the equatorial plane. 

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 and give a comprehensive picture of the spin density of the azopyridyl ancillary ligand. This unexplored azopyridyl radical anion in heavy element chemistry bears crucial implications for the design of molecule-based magnets particularly comprising anisotropic lanthanide ions.