N. 
            Bridonneau
          
        
      a, 
      
        
          
            L.-M. 
            Chamoreau
          
        
      a, 
      
        
          
            G. 
            Gontard
          
        
      a, 
      
        
          
            J.-L. 
            Cantin
          
        
      b, 
      
        
          
            J. 
            von Bardeleben
          
        
      b and 
      
        
          
            V. 
            Marvaud
          
        
      *a
      
aIPCM – CNRS UMR-8232, UPMC – Univ. Paris 6, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France. E-mail: valerie.Marvaud@upmc.fr;  Fax: +33 (0)1 44 27 38 41
      
bINSP – CNRS UMR-7588, UPMC – Univ. Paris 6, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France
    
First published on 27th April 2016
A high-nuclearity metal-cyanide cluster [Mo6Cu14] has been prepared and its photomagnetic properties investigated. The photoswitchable magnetic phenomenon observed is thermally reversible (T ≈ 230 K). In the field of photomagnetism, [Mo6Cu14] represents a unique example of a nanocage and the highest nuclearity observed so far.
Besides the synthetic challenge of obtaining such molecular architectures, one could benefit from the important number of metal centers to improve magnetic properties by optimizing spin and anisotropy. Furthermore, designing multi-metallic compounds might be a fruitful strategy for reaching multifunctional architectures. The first examples of polynuclear complexes with attractive magnetic properties are [Mn12]5 and [Fe19]4 published by Gatteschi's and Powell's groups respectively. Following this approach, high spin molecules and single-molecule magnets have been described in the past few years by several teams.7–11 Recently, Whitehead and Winpenny showed that heterometallic rings could be assembled in different supramolecular architectures, like the [(Ni12)(Cr7Ni)6]12 complex, where the central [Ni12] ring acts as a Lewis acid bearing terminal THF ligands that can be removed by the [Cr7Ni] Lewis base building blocks to form the “ring of ring” structure. Many other examples of high-nuclearity clusters might be found in the literature.13–17 Among them, several groups have taken advantage of the cyanide ligand that is known to mediate strong magnetic coupling between spin carriers, allowing us to get various heterometallic structures such as [M6Mn9]18 (M = Mo, W), [M6Co9]19 (M = Mo, W), [W7Cu13],20 [Fe8Co6],21 [Co6Fe4]21 or the [Fe42] nanocage.22 Very few switchable architectures have been also reported in the literature, especially by Holmes,23 Oshio24 and Sieklucka.25
In our group, we have demonstrated the feasibility of synthesizing discrete polynuclear complexes based on polycyanometallate cores (M = Co(CN)6, Cr(CN)6, Mo(CN)8, W(CN)8) surrounded by external metallic building blocks (M = Cu, Ni, Mn, Co) bearing a capping ligand.26 In particular, the use of octacyanometallate centers has proven to be an effective way of obtaining multiple kinds of architectures with promising photomagnetic properties27 due to its versatile accessible coordination polyhedra (square base antiprism, dodecahedron or mixed geometries).
The design of these assemblies enabled a precise control of nuclearity and magnetic properties. In particular, the role of the blocking ligand has proven to be of crucial influence on the metal-ion environment and consequently on the overall topology of the final product. By using blocking ligands that leave only one accessible position on the metal ions, we succeeded in obtaining high nuclearity complexes such as [CrMn6]26 or [MoCu6].27 This latter example exhibits impressive photomagnetic response up to room temperature. However, the steric hindrance coupled to charge repulsion between the peripheral metal atoms prevent increasing the nuclearity of the [MoCu6] complex, despite the eight cyanide ligands available for complexation. In order to obtain higher nuclearity complexes, we selected blocking ligands with potentially two free reactive positions instead of one: tacn (1,4,7-triazacyclononane) and Me3tacn (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane). Following such an approach, we succeeded in synthesizing two new high nuclearity complexes based on the octacyanometallate core and peripheral copper atoms: [Mo6Cu14-tacn] (1) and [Mo3Cu4-Me3tacn] (2). In addition, both complexes exhibit photomagnetic behavior, the [Mo6Cu14-tacn] (1) being the most effective one with a relaxation temperature above 200 K.
![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) :
:![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) v = 1
v = 1![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) :
:![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) 2). Slow evaporation of the solution gave purple diamond shaped crystals. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P
2). Slow evaporation of the solution gave purple diamond shaped crystals. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P![[1 with combining macron]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_0031_0304.gif) . Cell parameters are a = 19.1825(10) Å, b = 19.3041(10) Å, c = 19.3498(10) Å, α = 76.569(3)°, β = 75.823(3)° and γ = 75.935(3)°, with a cell volume of V = 6624.1(6) Å3.
. Cell parameters are a = 19.1825(10) Å, b = 19.3041(10) Å, c = 19.3498(10) Å, α = 76.569(3)°, β = 75.823(3)° and γ = 75.935(3)°, with a cell volume of V = 6624.1(6) Å3.
          Under similar conditions, an apparent capping ligand (Me3tacn), leads to a different compound, [Mo3Cu4–Me3tacn] noted as 2 in the present paper (Fig. 2). Taking into account that the quality of the X-ray structure can lead to a discussion (vide supra), we shall focus mainly on compound 1. Nevertheless, it is important to note that compound 2 has been identified without ambiguity and the proposed structure is wholly consistent with the analytical, spectroscopic and magnetic data.
The characterization of the polynuclear complexes 1 and 2 performed by infrared spectroscopy indicates similarities between the samples. In the 2000–2200 cm−1 range, characteristic of the anti-symmetric stretching vibration of the cyanido groups, two bands are observed for 1: at 2152 cm−1 relative to the bridging cyanide and another at 2124 cm−1 assigned to the free cyanides (2153 and 2123 cm−1 for 2 respectively, with a slightly different ratio).
[Mo 6 Cu 14 -tacn] (1) is composed of six octacyanomolybdate centers Mo1, Mo2 and Mo3 forming an octahedron, each molybdenum apex being linked together through a copper atom via cyanide bonds. Finally, two supplementary centrosymmetric copper atoms (Cu7) occupy the center of the structure (Fig. 1), giving an overall positively charged architecture with the following chemical formula: [(Mo(CN)7)6{(μ-CN)(CuC6H15N3)12(CuOH)2}](ClO4)2·xH2O and (x ∼ 23).
Molybdenum atoms thus connect four different copper ions plus the central ones and have three free cyanides directed outwards from the structure. The outer copper atoms (Cu1 to Cu6) have a coordination number of five and adopt a square based pyramidal environment. The central copper atom Cu7 is disordered (2 crystallographic positions in an approx. 70/30 proportion, Cu7/Cu7b), with a Cu7⋯Cu7 distance of 3.074(2) Å. Cu7 adopts a particular 4-coordinated environment, connecting three molybdenum centers and an oxygen atom located close to the Cu7b crystallographic position, with a distorted geometry already observed in the literature.28 Hence a different way of describing the [Mo6Cu14] structure is to consider four [Mo3Cu4] moieties connected together by two copper atoms in the center of the octahedron (see ESI, Fig. S4†). This particular arrangement can be explained by the great similarity of the two capping ligands Me3tacn and tacn, which impose the same geometry onto the copper ions.
Molybdenum atoms in the [Mo6Cu14] complex (1) adopt a mixed geometry between the square based antiprism and dodecahedron (as shown by Shape30 analysis, see ESI, Table S1†). The Mo⋯Cu distances are comprised between 5.108(2) (Mo3–Cu2) and 5.269(1) Å (Mo3–Cu1). Mo–C(![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) N) bond lengths are similar to the previous Mo3Cu4 structure and range from 2.116(9) Å to 2.189(12) Å and the C–N ones from 1.112(13) Å to 1.171(15) Å. Cyano bridges are linear on the molybdenum side with Mo–C
N) bond lengths are similar to the previous Mo3Cu4 structure and range from 2.116(9) Å to 2.189(12) Å and the C–N ones from 1.112(13) Å to 1.171(15) Å. Cyano bridges are linear on the molybdenum side with Mo–C![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) N angles ranging from 172.5(8)° to 178.1(10)°. C
N angles ranging from 172.5(8)° to 178.1(10)°. C![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) N–Cu angles are bent and range from 157.5(9)° to 177.1(10)°. [Mo6Cu14] complexes are well separated from each other by perchlorate anions and solvent molecules; the shortest distance separating two metal atoms from different molecules is 7.448(1) Å, reported between molybdenum and copper ions.
N–Cu angles are bent and range from 157.5(9)° to 177.1(10)°. [Mo6Cu14] complexes are well separated from each other by perchlorate anions and solvent molecules; the shortest distance separating two metal atoms from different molecules is 7.448(1) Å, reported between molybdenum and copper ions.
![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) 488(1) Å3. 2 is composed of three molybdenum and three copper atoms alternatively linked by cyanide bonds forming a ring that exhibits a chair conformation, in the center of which a fourth copper atom connects the three octacyanomolybdate centers (Fig. 2). This last copper atom Cu2 is offset to the side of the hexagonal ring, giving a bowl shape to the whole molecule. All molybdenum centers in 2 adopt a similar environment with a mixed geometry between a square based antiprism and dodecahedron (as shown by Shape analysis, see ESI, Table S3†). Each molybdenum atom connects two different copper ions and the central one Cu2. The Mo⋯Cu distances are comprised between 5.208(2) Å and 5.408(1) Å. Due to the Me3tacn ligand, copper atoms forming the ring, Cu1 and Cu3, adopt a square base pyramid environment. The last copper atom Cu2 situated in the center of the ring is linked to the three molybdenum atoms as well as the ligand, thus adopting a slightly distorted octahedron geometry (N–Cu2–N angles are 81.368° on the ligand side and 92.011° on the ring side). The hexacoordinated geometry imposes sensibly longer Cu2–N(
488(1) Å3. 2 is composed of three molybdenum and three copper atoms alternatively linked by cyanide bonds forming a ring that exhibits a chair conformation, in the center of which a fourth copper atom connects the three octacyanomolybdate centers (Fig. 2). This last copper atom Cu2 is offset to the side of the hexagonal ring, giving a bowl shape to the whole molecule. All molybdenum centers in 2 adopt a similar environment with a mixed geometry between a square based antiprism and dodecahedron (as shown by Shape analysis, see ESI, Table S3†). Each molybdenum atom connects two different copper ions and the central one Cu2. The Mo⋯Cu distances are comprised between 5.208(2) Å and 5.408(1) Å. Due to the Me3tacn ligand, copper atoms forming the ring, Cu1 and Cu3, adopt a square base pyramid environment. The last copper atom Cu2 situated in the center of the ring is linked to the three molybdenum atoms as well as the ligand, thus adopting a slightly distorted octahedron geometry (N–Cu2–N angles are 81.368° on the ligand side and 92.011° on the ring side). The hexacoordinated geometry imposes sensibly longer Cu2–N(![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) C) bond lengths (2.0037(9) to 2.118(6) Å) than the ones observed for Cu1–N(
C) bond lengths (2.0037(9) to 2.118(6) Å) than the ones observed for Cu1–N(![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) C) and Cu3–N(
C) and Cu3–N(![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) C). Cyano bridge angles are linear on the molybdenum side with Mo–C
C). Cyano bridge angles are linear on the molybdenum side with Mo–C![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) N angles ranging from 176.3(6)° to 177.8(7)°; but slightly distorted on the copper side with C
N angles ranging from 176.3(6)° to 177.8(7)°; but slightly distorted on the copper side with C![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) N–Cu angles comprised between 167.7(8)° and 177.6(8)°. The Mo–C(
N–Cu angles comprised between 167.7(8)° and 177.6(8)°. The Mo–C(![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) N) bond lengths range from 2.138(8) Å to 2.177(9) Å and the C
N) bond lengths range from 2.138(8) Å to 2.177(9) Å and the C![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif) N ones from 1.130(12) Å to 1.157(13) Å. See ESI, Table S2† for additional interatomic distances and angles.
N ones from 1.130(12) Å to 1.157(13) Å. See ESI, Table S2† for additional interatomic distances and angles.
          Within the crystal, the complexes are ordered in a head to tail manner, forming large channels along the b-axis, with a diameter of approximately 19 Å, that contain highly disordered molecules (see ESI, Fig. S6†). The presence of this disorder thus reduces resolution of the overall MOF-like structure as already observed in the literature.29 As the unit cell contains four negatively charged [Mo3Cu4] complexes alongside two perchlorate anions, we can therefore expect the presence of potassium and residual copper ions in the cavity. Unfortunately, despite all our efforts, it was not possible to accurately locate them and we preferred to leave the channels empty. However, with an approximate volume of 3800 Å3 per unit cell, the channel seems large enough to accommodate potassium and copper complexes without any organisation. The resulting chemical formula for the crystal would be [(Mo(CN)7)3{(μ-CN)CuC9H21N3}4][CuC9H21N3]2(ClO4)2K2·20H2O, in accordance with the elementary analysis as well as the magnetic and EPR experiments.
The samples were then irradiated for 4 hours at 18 K using a 405 nm laser beam (20 mW) equipped with a fiber. A clear increase of magnetization was immediately observed upon light irradiation and saturation occurring typically after 3 to 4 hours (ESI, Fig. S8 for 1 and S11 for 2†). For both complexes, stopping the irradiation causes no decrease of the recorded magnetization, proving that a long-lived metastable state is obtained. After switching off the laser the temperature was cooled down to 2 K, then the magnetization data were recorded on the heating mode (2–300 K). Magnetic susceptibility data recorded after irradiation showed a clear increase, as depicted in Fig. 3 for complex 1 (see ESI, Fig. S12 for 2†). The maximum of the observed χmT product for 1 evolved from 5.22 to 8.97 cm3 mol−1 K at 5 K. This positive deviation from Curie's law indicates ferromagnetic interactions between the spin carriers. With increasing temperature the χmT product gradually decreases and both curves merge to the same value at a temperature approaching 230 K for 1 (∼90 K for 2), showing unambiguously that the system is thermally reversible. A small evolution of the magnetization curves recorded after irradiation was also reported (ESI Fig. S9 and S12†), the increase being completely reversible after heating the compound to 300 K and cooling it, demonstrating again the thermal reversibility of the process.
|  | ||
| Fig. 3 χ m T versus T plots of complex 1 before (black) and after (red) irradiation with a 405 nm laser for 3.5 h (lines are guides for the eye). | ||
Similar results have been obtained for compound (2) and on desolvated samples. See details in the ESI.†
|  | ||
| Fig. 4 EPR spectra of complex 1 before irradiation (black), under irradiation (red) and after relaxation (green) at 4 K. | ||
Complexes 1 and 2 presented herein exhibit an unambiguously photomagnetic response. Magnetic and EPR experiments support the existence of a long-lived photo-induced metastable state for both compounds. The photomagnetic properties of these compounds can be rationalized considering the two usually assumed hypotheses for “molybdenum–copper” complexes, as suggested by us and others:3,31 spin transition on the molybdenum center (MoIV-LS (d2, S = 0) → MoIV-HS (d2, S = 1)) and a photo-induced electron transfer between molybdenum and copper atoms (MoIV-LS–CuII → MoV–CuI). In the present study, and especially for the [Mo6Cu14] (1) complex, the remarkably high relaxation temperature observed from the magnetic data (Trelax ∼ 230 K) is consistent with the electron transfer hypothesis31 and is also supported by previous calculations realized on [MoCux] complexes32 and the preliminary results on the [Mo6Zn14] analogue with no photomagnetic effect. Considering the hypothesis of an electron transfer involving the CuII centers located at the center of the structure (i.e. a diamagnetic copper dimer leading to a paramagnetic center), the expected χmT value would then be 10.25 cm3 mol−1 K at a low temperature (considering two MoVCuICu4II and four isolated CuII centers), which is relatively close to the observed value of 8.97 cm3 mol−1 K. In contrast, considering only a high spin state would lead to a considerably higher χmT value.
From a synthetic point of view, these new compounds open the route to high nuclearity functional complexes. Furthermore, bearing either a positive or negative charge, the complexes 1 and 2, might be viewed as very promising clusters for the design of even more complex architectures.
IR spectra were obtained between 4000 and 250 cm−1 on a Bio-Rad FTS 165 FT-IR spectrometer on KBr pellets.
![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) :
:![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) v = 1
v = 1![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) :
:![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) 2). Slow evaporation of the blue solution afforded purple crystals shaped as diamonds after a few days.
2). Slow evaporation of the blue solution afforded purple crystals shaped as diamonds after a few days.
          Yield: 15%. IR (KBr): 2152, 2124, 1626, 1451, 1100, 1090, 916, 618. Anal. Calc. for (Mo(CN)8)6(CuC6H15N3)12(Cu2(OH)2)(ClO4)2(H2O)23 (KClO4)2: Mo 11.09; Cu 17.15; C 27.77; H 4.43; N 22.68; Cl 2.73. Found: Mo 10.76; Cu 17.3; C 28.05; N 22.84; H 4.37; Cl 2.93.
Yield: 40%. IR (KBr): 2153, 2123, 1639, 1461, 1080, 1009, 629. Anal. Calc. for Mo3Cu6C78H166N42Cl2K2O28: Mo 9.39; Cu 12.44; C 30.94; N 19.74; H 5.09; Cl 3.47. Found: Mo 8.54; Cu 13.52; C 32.92; N 19.50; H 5.44; Cl 4.25.
![[1 with combining macron]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_0031_0304.gif) space group, which led to a lower R1 factor and no disorder of the ligands. A second dataset was thus collected on a second sample and the results, considering a triclinic symmetry, are reported herein. However, even if results are better than the ones from the first dataset some residual density remains which can be due to the very large solvent region. All non-hydrogen atoms of the cation were refined anisotropically while some solvent molecules were refined isotropically. Hydrogen atoms were placed at calculated positions for tacn ligands and acetonitrile molecules. No hydrogen atoms were introduced for water molecules. The inside part of the complex is highly disordered and we were not able to fully characterize it. The sum of sof for Cu7/Cu7b was restrained to be equal to 1. Much information on the environment of this copper atom is still missing, as we were not able to model the residual density located between two central copper atoms. We suppose they are bridged with a O(H) atom but were not able, with SC-XRD, to really confirm that hypothesis. Two solvent molecules, located near the cation, were refined as a disorder of water and acetonitrile. The perchlorate anion is disordered over two orientations and undergoes restraints. Most of the final residual density is located near metallic atoms. We also notice a non-negligible amount of density in the large solvent region.
 space group, which led to a lower R1 factor and no disorder of the ligands. A second dataset was thus collected on a second sample and the results, considering a triclinic symmetry, are reported herein. However, even if results are better than the ones from the first dataset some residual density remains which can be due to the very large solvent region. All non-hydrogen atoms of the cation were refined anisotropically while some solvent molecules were refined isotropically. Hydrogen atoms were placed at calculated positions for tacn ligands and acetonitrile molecules. No hydrogen atoms were introduced for water molecules. The inside part of the complex is highly disordered and we were not able to fully characterize it. The sum of sof for Cu7/Cu7b was restrained to be equal to 1. Much information on the environment of this copper atom is still missing, as we were not able to model the residual density located between two central copper atoms. We suppose they are bridged with a O(H) atom but were not able, with SC-XRD, to really confirm that hypothesis. Two solvent molecules, located near the cation, were refined as a disorder of water and acetonitrile. The perchlorate anion is disordered over two orientations and undergoes restraints. Most of the final residual density is located near metallic atoms. We also notice a non-negligible amount of density in the large solvent region.
      
    
  
    | Footnote | 
| † Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC 1052206 and 1426776 for 1 and 2. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c6dt00743k | 
| This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016 |