METAL-metal bonding in molecular LanthanIde CompoUndS

ongoing

Molecules with bonds between elements that should not normally share an electron pair provide important new knowledge of electronic structure. Studies of the various orbital overlaps between two d-block metals have made fundamental contributions to our understanding of bonding. Bonds involving an f-block metal ion, with even more orbitals, offer even greater potential contributions to new knowledge. Molecular complexes with d-4f metal bonds are extremely rare and those with 4f-4f metal bonding even more so. Rational design and precise synthesis of compounds exhibiting technologically desirable properties (i.e. magnetic, optical or catalytic properties) is challenging because we still lack the deep understanding of the structure-property relation and thus the synthetic capability to prepare them. The objective of METALLICUS is to open new vistas in our understanding of lanthanide-metal bonds using improved synthetic control and rational design of compounds containing 4f metal-metal bonds with outstanding magnetic properties. The project will bring together an international team of scientists to 1) design and synthesise new compounds containing d-4f and 4f-4f metal-metal bonds with a well-defined molecular architecture, and 2) investigate their unique chemical and physical nature using a multi-technique approach involving magnetism, spectroscopy and electrochemistry with the support of computational methods. METALLICUS is an ambitious research project that represents a concrete opportunity to advance knowledge of lanthanide bonding and develop new compounds with unprecedented magnetic properties. Chemistry and physics will collaborate to exceed the current limits of single molecule magnets (SMMs) and spintronic materials. The knowledge generated by METALLICUS will open new horizons in classical and quantum information technology, with further impact in critical areas such as rare earth separations and recovery.