Implementation of 2,2′-azobispyridine radical mono- and dianions in dinuclear rare earth metal complexes

Abstract

The seminal isolation of a dinuclear rare earth metal complex comprising a bridging 2,2′-azobispyridyl radical anion, [(Cptet2Y)2(μ-abpy˙)](BPh4), is presented, which was obtained from a one-electron chemical oxidation of [(Cptet2Y)2(μ-abpy)]. The unprecedented compounds were characterized by crystallography, spectroscopy and DFT computations. The radical character was proven by EPR spectroscopy.