Modulating Magnetic and Photoluminescence Properties in 2-Aminonicotinate-Based Bifunctional Coordination Polymers by Merging 3d Metal Ions.

Herein, the synthesis and study of bifunctional coordination polymers (CPs) with both magnetic and photoluminescence properties, derived from a heterometallic environment, are reported. As a starting point, three isostructural monometallic CPs with the formula [M(μ-2ani) ] (M =Mn (1 ), Co (3 ) and Ni (4 ); 2ani=2-aminonicotinate), crystallise as chiral 2D-layered structures stacked by means of supramolecular interactions. These compounds show high thermal stability in the solid state (above 350 °C), despite which, in aqueous solution, compound 1 is shown to partially transform into a novel 1D chain CP with the formula [Mn(2ani) (μ-H O) ] (2 ). A study of the direct current (dc) magnetic properties of 1 , 3 and 4 reveals a spin-canted structure derived from antisymmetric antiferromagnetic weak exchanges along the chiral network (as confirmed by DFT calculations) and magnetic anisotropy of the ions, in such a way that long-range ordering is observed with variable magnitude for the spin carriers. Moreover, compounds 3 and 4 show no frequency-dependent alternating current (ac) susceptibility curves under zero dc field; this is characteristic behaviour of a glassy state that may be partially supressed for 3 by applying an external dc field. To overcome long-range magnetic ordering, Co ions are diluted in a diamagnetic Zn -based matrix, which enables single-molecule magnet behaviour. Interestingly, this strategy allows a bifunctional Co Zn 2ani material, which is imbued with a strong photoluminescent emitting capacity, as characterised by an intense blue light followed by a green afterglow, to be obtained.