Definition of the Labile Capping Bond Effect in Lanthanide Complexes.

Two macrocyclic ligands containing a cyclen unit, a methyl group, a picolinate arm, and two acetate pendant arms attached to two nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle either in trans (1,7-H3 Medo2 ampa = 2,2'-(7-((6-carboxypyridin-2-yl)methyl)-10-methyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4-diyl)diacetic acid) or in cis (1,4-H3 Medo2 ampa) positions are reported. These ligands provide eight-coordination to the Ln3+ ions, leaving a coordination position available for a water molecule that occupies a capping position in the twisted square antiprismatic polyhedron (1,4-H3 Medo2 ampa) or one of the positions of the square antiprism (1,7-H3 Medo2 ampa). The charge neutral [Gd(1,7-Medo2 ampa)] complex presents an unprecedentedly low water-exchange rate (kex298 =8.8×103  s-1 ), whereas water exchange in [Gd(1,4-Medo2 ampa)] is three orders of magnitude faster (kex298 =6.6×106  s-1 ). These results showcase the labile capping bond phenomenon: A ligand occupying a capping position is hindered by the environment and thus is intrinsically labile.