The controlled assembly of molecular building blocks is an emerging strategy that allows for the preparation of materials with tailor-made properties. This involves the precise combination of molecular subunits that interact with one another via specifically designed reactive sites. Such a strategy has produced materials exhibiting remarkable properties, including those based on metal-organic frameworks and single-molecule magnets. The present Thesis aims to highlight how such metal-organic assemblies can be engineered at the molecular level to promote certain desired functionalities. Specifically, Chapter 2 will focus on the confinement effects of a crystalline sponge on a ferrocene-based guest molecule that is nanostructured within the porous cavities of a host material. In doing so, we evaluate how one can exert some level of control over the binding sites of the guest molecule, through the addition of electron-withdrawing groups, as well as tuning the physical properties of the guest itself through molecular encapsulation. Notably, we demonstrate a distinct change in the dynamic rotational motion of the ferrocene molecules once confined within the crystalline sponge. In Chapter 3, we investigate the generation of slow relaxation of the magnetization from a Co(II)-based metal-organic framework. We compare this to a closely related 2D Co(II) sheet network, and how slight changes in the crystal field, probed through computational methods, can impact the magnetic behaviour. This type of study may be particularly beneficial in the optimization of single-ion magnets, by sequestering metal centres in select chemical environments, and minimizing molecular vibrations that may offer alternative magnetic relaxation pathways.
We extend these principles in Chapter 4, through the use of a nitrogen-rich ligand that acts as a scaffold for Ln(III) ions, thereby yielding 0D and 1D architectures. The coordination chemistry of Ln(III) ions with N-donor ligands remains scarce, especially when evaluated from a magnetic perspective, and therefore, we sought to determine the magnetic behaviour of such compounds. The monomeric unit displays clear single-molecule magnet behaviour with an energetic barrier for the reversal of the magnetization, while the 1D chain displays weaker magnetic characteristics. Nevertheless, such compounds incorporating nitrogen-rich ligands offer much promise in the design of environmentally-friendly energetic materials. In Chapter 5, we take a look at different two different systems that involve the formation of radical species. On one hand, we can promote enhanced magnetic communication between Ln(III) ions, which is typically quite challenging to achieve given the buried nature of the 4f orbitals, and on the other hand, we rely on a redox-active ligand to design stimuli-responsive metal-organic assemblies. The latter case provides access to “smart” molecular materials that can respond to changes in their environment. Here, a multi-stimuli responsive nanobarrel was studied, which displayed sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, heat and chemical reduction.
Lastly, Chapter 6 provides a new method for the systematic generation of cationic frameworks, termed Asymmetric Ligand Exchange (ALE). This strategy focuses on the replacement of linear dicarboxylates with asymmetric linkers that features one less negative charge, in order to tune the ionicity of porous frameworks. This allows for the retention of the structural topology and chemical reactivity of the original framework, representing distinct advantages over other similar strategies. Methods to retain permanent porosity in such cationic frameworks are also proposed. Altogether, these studies highlight how the directed assembly of ordered networks can generate varied properties of high scientific interest.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uottawa.ca/oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/40385 |
| Date | 16 April 2020 |
| Creators | Brunet, Gabriel |
| Contributors | Murugesu, Muralee |
| Publisher | Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa |
| Source Sets | Université d’Ottawa |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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