The first Re(IV) system incorporating a 4f ion has been reported by Martínez-Lillo and colleagues at the University of Edinburgh.
At present, molecular magnetism in heavy 4d, 5d and 4f-type metal ions is heavily researched since most known systems only involve 3d ions. Attempts to extend this research into the unexplored area of mixed 5d-4f systems has paid off with this discovery of a mixed Re(IV)-Gd(III) system.
Single crystals of the new compound, (NBu4)5[Gd{ReBr4(μ-ox)}4(H2O)]·H2O, were analysed at the ESRF to obtain a crystal structure. Magnetic studies were performed on the new compound, and significant intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions were found to occur unambiguously between Re(IV) and Gd(III).
Further work on the preparation of the parent Re(IV)-Ln(III) complex will be carried out in the near future.
To read more about this new compound, its crystal structure and its intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling, check out this HOT article (free to access for a limited period).
José Martínez-Lillo, Laura Cañadillas-Delgado, Joan Cano, Francesc Lloret, Miguel Julve and Juan Faus
Posted on behalf of Katie Renouf, Chemical Communications web science writer.
