Implementation of 2,2′-azobispyridine radical mono- and dianions in dinuclear rare earth metal complexes

The seminal isolation of a dinuclear rare earth metal complex comprising a bridging 2,2 '-azobispyridyl radical anion, [(Cptet2Y)2(mu-abpy(center dot))](BPh4), is presented, which was obtained from a one-electron chemical oxidation of [(Cptet2Y)2(mu-abpy)]. The unprecedented compounds were characterized by crystallography, spectroscopy and DFT computations. The radical character was proven by EPR spectroscopy. An unprecedented dinuclear rare earth metal complex with a bridging 2,2'-azobispyridyl radical anion was isolated from the one-electron oxidation of the parent neutral complex. Both were characterized through crystallography, spectroscopy, and DFT.