Metal-radical coordination complexes of thiazyl and selenazyl ligands

Abstract The so-called “metal-radical approach” to the design of molecule-based magnetic materials relies on the availability of paramagnetic ligands that can reliably form coordination complexes with paramagnetic metal ions. While the most common radical ligands are based on nitroxides, other paramagnetic building blocks are also gaining attention. Thiazyls and their related selenazyls are promising candidates for the development of radical ligands and, because they have inherently interesting materials’ properties, their use as ligands has the potential to generate novel materials with unprecedented properties. Significant progress has been made in this field in the past ten years. This review is a timely look back at the development of the field, highlighting the diversity of complexes and designs, and a look forward to a promising future.