Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Author Spotlight: Magnetometric Characterization of Intermediates in the Solid-State Electrochemistry of Redox-Active Metal-Organic Frameworks
Published on: June 9, 2023
Modulation of magnetization dynamics of an Er(III) coordination polymer by the conversion of a ligand to a radical
Xiaoshuang Gou1, Ning Liu1, Yuewei Wu1
1Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry (MOE) and Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China. shiwei@nankai.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Light-induced substance conversion is highly promising for creating new radical-based compounds. Herein, we report an Er(III) coordination polymer [Er(CA)(ACA)(DMF)(H2O)] (1) and its Y(III)-diluted analogue 1@Y (H2CA = 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxy-p-quinone, HACA = 9-anthracene carboxylic acid) with the light-induced transformation of the ligand to a radical. The χMT values of light-transformed products 1a and 1a@Y are higher than those of 1 and 1@Y, respectively, due to the formation of radicals by ultraviolet light irradiation, confirmed by EPR measurement as well. The effective energy barriers for magnetization reversal (Ueff) decrease from 72 K for 1 to 67 K for 1a, and from 117 K for 1@Y to 94 K for 1a@Y. This work not only provides a new light-conversion system but also reveals the nature of photo-induced variation of magnetic properties.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy: Organic Radicals
Valence Bond Theory
Radical Reactivity: Overview
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation

