Altering the Spectroscopy, Electronic Structure, and Bonding of Organometallic Curium(III) Upon Coordination of 4,4′−bipyridine

Abstract

Abstract Structural and electronic characterization of (Cp′3Cm)2(µ − 4,4′−bpy) (Cp′ = trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl, 4,4′−bpy = 4,4′−bipyridine) is reported and provides a rare example of curium − carbon bonding. Cp′3Cm displays unexpectedly low energy emission that is quenched upon coordination by 4,4′−bipyridine. Electronic structure calculations on Cp′3Cm and (Cp′3Cm)2(µ − 4,4′−bpy) rule out significant differences in the emissive state, rendering 4,4′−bipyridine as the primary quenching agent. Comparisons of (Cp′3Cm)2(µ − 4,4′−bpy) with its samarium and gadolinium analogues reveal atypical bonding patterns and electronic features that offer insights into bonding between carbon with f-block metal ions.