One-dimensional lanthanide complexes bridged by nitronyl nitroxide radical ligands with non-chelating nitrogen donors: Structure and magnetic characterization

A series of new lanthanide-radical complexes [{Ln(hfac)3}2(NITPhIM)2] (Ln = Nd (1), Eu (2), Tb (3), Er (4); hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate; NITPhIM = 2-[4-(1-imidazole)phenyl]-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) have been prepared and characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that these complexes are isostructural with one-dimensional chain structures. These consist in Ln(hfac)3 units bridged by the paramagnetic ligands by the means of coordination of their nitronyl nitroxide groups and imidazole rings. Interestingly, each Ln ion is either bound to two nitronyl nitroxide groups or to two imidazole units, and the different Ln centers alternate along the chain. Magnetic studies show that complex 3 exhibits a single-chain magnet behavior.