Dr Stuart Langley

Academic and professional qualifications

Professional Highlights

• Stuart Langley graduated from the University of Manchester with a MChem (Hons) in 2002 and subsequently obtained a PhD in inorganic chemistry from the same institution by working on the development of novel molecular magnetic materials under the supervision of Professor Richard Winpenny. This work involved the synthesis of polynuclear 3d transition metal coordination complexes using Phosphonates and Phosphinates as bridging ligands. In 2008 he joined the group of Professor Keith Murray at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia) as a Postdcotoral Fellow to continue his studies on molecular nanomagnets. Over a six year period at Monash Dr Langley focussed his efforts on the synthesis of transition metal and lanthanide single-molecule magnets. In January 2015, Dr Langley joined the staff at Manchester Metropolitan University as a Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry.

Research expertise

My work focuses on the synthesis of new inorganic coordination complexes, with an emphasis on the magnetic applications of mono- and polynuclear compounds. Synthetic strategies rely on developing new ligands, new reaction conditions and new metal combinations, paying particular emphasis on 3d-4f, 4f and 4d/5d-4f complexes. The main technique we use to determine the molecular structures of our compounds is via X-ray Crystallography. By measuring the diffraction patterns formed from an X-ray beam passing through a crystal of our product we can determine its precise molecular structure. The strong synthetic approach is combined with in depth physical studies, allowing for the magnetic characterization of these molecules. This is achieved mainly via SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) and EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) magnetic measurements. Collaborative work with theoretical chemists and physicists is often employed to help interpret our data as well as with synthetic organic chemists in the area of ligand design and synthesis. Single-molecule magnetsMagnetic coolant materials (magnetic refrigeration).Magneto-structural correlations

Publications

• Featured Works

  SK. Langley, DP. Wielechowski, V. Vieru, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, et al. LF. Chibotaru, KS. Murray. (2014). Modulation of slow magnetic relaxation by tuning magnetic exchange in {Cr₂Dy₂} single molecule magnets. Chem. Sci.. 5(8), pp.3246-3256.

  SK. Langley, DP. Wielechowski, V. Vieru, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, et al. BF. Abrahams, LF. Chibotaru, KS. Murray. (2013). A {Cr(III)₂Dy(III)₂} single-molecule magnet: enhancing the blocking temperature through 3d magnetic exchange. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 52(46), pp.12014-12019.

  NF. Chilton, SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, A. Soncini, SR. Batten, et al. KS. Murray. (2013). Single molecule magnetism in a family of mononuclear β-diketonate lanthanide(iii) complexes: rationalization of magnetic anisotropy in complexes of low symmetry. Chemical Science. 4(4), pp.1719-1719.

• Journal articles

  D. Chauhan, KR. Vignesh, A. Swain, SK. Langley, KS. Murray, et al. M. Shanmugam, G. Rajaraman. (2023). Exploiting Strong {Cr^III–Dy^III} Ferromagnetic Exchange Coupling to Quench Quantum Tunneling of Magnetization in a Novel {Cr^III₂Dy^III₃} Single-Molecule Magnet. Crystal Growth & Design. 23(1), pp.197-206.

  A. Swain, R. Martin, KR. Vignesh, G. Rajaraman, KS. Murray, et al. SK. Langley. (2021). Enhancing the barrier height for magnetization reversal in 4d/4f RuIII2LnIII2 "butterfly" single molecule magnets (Ln = Gd, Dy) via targeted structural alterations. Dalton Trans. 50(35), pp.12265-12274.

  JM. Ashtree, I. Borilović, KR. Vignesh, A. Swain, SH. Hamilton, et al. YL. Whyatt, SL. Benjamin, W. Phonsri, CM. Forsyth, W. Wernsdorfer, A. Soncini, G. Rajaraman, SK. Langley, KS. Murray. (2021). Tuning the Ferrotoroidic Coupling and Magnetic Hysteresis in Double‐Triangle Complexes {Dy₃M^IIIDy₃} via the M^III‐linker. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. 2021(5), pp.435-444.

  KR. Vignesh, R. Martin, G. Miller, G. Rajaraman, KS. Murray, et al. SK. Langley. (2019). {Mn^III2Ln^III2} (Ln = Gd, La or Y) butterfly complexes: Ferromagnetic exchange observed between bis-μ-alkoxo bridged manganese(III) ions. Polyhedron. 170, pp.508-514.

  KR. Vignesh, SK. Langley, CJ. Gartshore, I. Borilović, CM. Forsyth, et al. G. Rajaraman, KS. Murray. (2018). Rationalizing the sign and magnitude of the magnetic coupling and anisotropy in dinuclear manganese(iii) complexes. Dalton Transactions. 47(34), pp.11820-11833.

  KR. Vignesh, SK. Langley, A. Swain, B. Moubaraki, M. Damjanović, et al. W. Wernsdorfer, G. Rajaraman, KS. Murray. (2018). Slow Magnetic Relaxation and Single-Molecule Toroidal Behaviour in a Family of Heptanuclear {CrIIILnIII6} (Ln=Tb, Ho, Er) Complexes. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 57(3), pp.779-784.

  KR. Vignesh, SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray, G. Rajaraman (2018). Understanding the Mechanism of Magnetic Relaxation in Pentanuclear {MnIVMnIII2LnIII2} Single-Molecule Magnets. Inorganic Chemistry. 57(3), pp.1158-1170.

  TN. Hooper, SK. Langley, S. Gómez-Coca, G. Lorusso, E. Ruiz, et al. KS. Murray, M. Evangelisti, EK. Brechin. (2017). Coming full circle: constructing a [Gd6] wheel dimer by dimer and the importance of spin topology. Dalton Transactions. 46(31), pp.10255-10263.

  A. Upadhyay, C. Das, S. Vaidya, SK. Singh, T. Gupta, et al. R. Mondol, SK. Langley, KS. Murray, G. Rajaraman, M. Shanmugam. (2017). Role of the Diamagnetic Zinc(II) Ion in Determining the Electronic Structure of Lanthanide Single-Ion Magnets. Chemistry: A European Journal. 23(20), pp.4903-4916.

  SK. Gupta, SK. Langley, K. Sharma, KS. Murray, R. Murugavel (2017). Pentanuclear Lanthanide Mono-organophosphates: Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetism. Inorganic chemistry. 56(7), pp.3946-3960.

  KR. Vignesh, SK. Langley, KS. Murray, G. Rajaraman (2017). Exploring the Influence of Diamagnetic Ions on the Mechanism of Magnetization Relaxation in {CoIII2LnIII2} (Ln = Dy, Tb, Ho) “Butterfly” Complexes. Inorganic Chemistry. 56(5), pp.2518-2532.

  KR. Vignesh, SK. Langley, CJ. Gartshore, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray, et al. G. Rajaraman. (2017). What Controls the Magnetic Exchange and Anisotropy in a Family of Tetranuclear {Mn2IIMn2III} Single-Molecule Magnets?. Inorganic Chemistry. 56(4), pp.1932-1949.

  RE. Mewis, AI. Aranburu Leiva, SL. Benjamin, SK. Langley (2016). Crystal structure of 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(hydroxymethyl)phenol. Acta Crystallographica Section E: Crystallographic Communications. 72, pp.1614-1617.

  SK. Langley, DP. Wielechowski, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2016). Enhancing the magnetic blocking temperature and magnetic coercivity of {CrLn} single-molecule magnets via bridging ligand modification. Chem Commun (Camb). 52(73), pp.10976-10979.

  A. Upadhyay, C. Das, SK. Langley, KS. Murray, AK. Srivastava, et al. M. Shanmugam. (2016). Heteronuclear Ni(ii)-Ln(iii) (Ln = La, Pr, Tb, Dy) complexes: synthesis and single-molecule magnet behaviour. Dalton Trans. 45(8), pp.3616-3626.

  KR. Vignesh, SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray, G. Rajaraman (2015). Large Hexadecametallic {Mn(III) -Ln(III) } Wheels: Synthesis, Structural, Magnetic, and Theoretical Characterization. Chemistry. 21(46), pp.16364-16369.

  SK. Langley, DP. Wielechowski, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2015). A Family of {Cr(III)2Ln(III)2} Butterfly Complexes: Effect of the Lanthanide Ion on the Single-Molecule Magnet Properties. Inorg Chem. 54(21), pp.10497-10503.

  SK. Gupta, AA. Dar, T. Rajeshkumar, S. Kuppuswamy, SK. Langley, et al. KS. Murray, G. Rajaraman, R. Murugavel. (2015). Discrete {Gd(III)₄M} (M = Gd(III) or Co(II)) pentanuclear complexes: a new class of metal-organophosphate molecular coolers. Dalton Trans. 44(13), pp.5961-5965.

  T. Rajeshkumar, HV. Annadata, M. Evangelisti, SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, et al. KS. Murray, G. Rajaraman. (2015). Theoretical studies on polynuclear {Cu(II)5Gd(III)n} clusters (n = 4, 2): towards understanding their large magnetocaloric effect. Inorg Chem. 54(4), pp.1661-1670.

  SK. Langley, CM. Forsyth, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2015). A fluoride bridged {Cr(III)4Dy(III)4} single molecule magnet. Dalton Trans. 44(3), pp.912-915.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2015). Single-molecule magnetism in {CoIII2DyIII2}-amine-polyalcohol-acetylacetonate complexes: effects of ligand replacement at the Dy^III sites on the dynamics of magnetic relaxation. Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers. 2(9), pp.867-875.

  SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, C. Tomasi, M. Evangelisti, EK. Brechin, et al. KS. Murray. (2014). Synthesis, structure, and magnetism of a family of heterometallic {Cu2Ln7} and {Cu4Ln12} (Ln = Gd, Tb, and Dy) complexes: the Gd analogues exhibiting a large magnetocaloric effect. Inorg Chem. 53(24), pp.13154-13161.

  N. Ahmed, C. Das, S. Vaidya, AK. Srivastava, SK. Langley, et al. KS. Murray, M. Shanmugam. (2014). Probing the magnetic and magnetothermal properties of M(II)-Ln(III) complexes (where M(II) = Ni or Zn; Ln(III) = La or Pr or Gd). Dalton Trans. 43(46), pp.17375-17384.

  N. Ahmed, C. Das, S. Vaidya, SK. Langley, KS. Murray, et al. M. Shanmugam. (2014). Nickel(II)-lanthanide(III) magnetic exchange coupling influencing single-molecule magnetic features in {Ni2 Ln2 } complexes. Chemistry. 20(44), pp.14235-14239.

  A. UPADHYAY, C. DAS, SN. MEERA, SK. LANGLEY, KS. MURRAY, et al. M. SHANMUGAM. (2014). Synthesis and magnetic properties of a 1-D helical chain derived from a Nickel-Sodium Schiff base complex. Journal of Chemical Sciences. 126(5), pp.1443-1449.

  A. Upadhyay, C. Das, M. Shanmugam, SK. Langley, KS. Murray, et al. M. Shanmugam. (2014). Electronic and Magnetic Properties of a Gadolinium(III) Schiff Base Complex. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. 2014(26), pp.4320-4325.

  A. Upadhyay, SK. Singh, C. Das, R. Mondol, SK. Langley, et al. KS. Murray, G. Rajaraman, M. Shanmugam. (2014). Enhancing the effective energy barrier of a Dy(III) SMM using a bridged diamagnetic Zn(II) ion. Chem Commun (Camb). 50(64), pp.8838-8841.

  SK. Langley, L. Ungur, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, LF. Chibotaru, et al. KS. Murray. (2014). Single-molecule magnetism in a family of {Co(III)2Dy(III)2} butterfly complexes: effects of ligand replacement on the dynamics of magnetic relaxation. Inorg Chem. 53(9), pp.4303-4315.

  NF. Chilton, GB. Deacon, O. Gazukin, PC. Junk, B. Kersting, et al. SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray, F. Schleife, M. Shome, DR. Turner, JA. Walker. (2014). Structure, magnetic behavior, and anisotropy of homoleptic trinuclear lanthanoid 8-quinolinolate complexes. Inorg Chem. 53(5), pp.2528-2534.

  SK. Langley, M. Helliwell, SJ. Teat, REP. Winpenny (2014). Synthesis and characterization of nickel(II) phosphonate complexes utilizing pyridonates and carboxylates as co-ligands. Inorg Chem. 53(2), pp.1128-1134.

  A. Upadhyay, N. Komatireddy, A. Ghirri, F. Tuna, SK. Langley, et al. AK. Srivastava, EC. Sañudo, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray, EJL. McInnes, M. Affronte, M. Shanmugam. (2014). Synthesis and magnetothermal properties of a ferromagnetically coupled Ni(II)-Gd(III)-Ni(II) cluster. Dalton Trans. 43(1), pp.259-266.

  KR. Vignesh, SK. Langley, KS. Murray, G. Rajaraman (2014). What Controls the Magnetic Exchange Interaction in Mixed- and Homo-Valent Mn7 Disc-Like Clusters? A Theoretical Perspective. Chemistry - A European Journal.

  SK. Langley, DP. Wielechowski, B. Moubaraki, BF. Abrahams, KS. Murray (2014). Magnetic Exchange Effects in {CrIII2DyIII2} Single Molecule Magnets Containing Alcoholamine Ligands. Australian Journal of Chemistry. 67(11), pp.1581-1581.

  SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2014). Heterometallic Tetranuclear {Mn2IIILn2III}n 1D Coordination Polymers: Employing Sulfonate Ligands as Connecting Groups. Australian Journal of Chemistry. 67(11), pp.1601-1601.

  SK. Langley, DP. Wielechowski, V. Vieru, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, et al. LF. Chibotaru, KS. Murray. (2014). Modulation of slow magnetic relaxation by tuning magnetic exchange in {Cr₂Dy₂} single molecule magnets. Chem. Sci.. 5(8), pp.3246-3256.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2013). Magnetic properties of octa- and heptadeca-nuclear heterometallic CoII–LnIII complexes derived from the ligand 6-chloro-2-hydroxypyridine. Polyhedron. 66, pp.48-55.

  SK. Langley, DP. Wielechowski, V. Vieru, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, et al. BF. Abrahams, LF. Chibotaru, KS. Murray. (2013). A {Cr(III)₂Dy(III)₂} single-molecule magnet: enhancing the blocking temperature through 3d magnetic exchange. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 52(46), pp.12014-12019.

  SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2013). Trinuclear, octanuclear and decanuclear dysprosium(III) complexes: Synthesis, structural and magnetic studies. Polyhedron. 64, pp.255-261.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2013). Anisotropy barrier enhancement via ligand substitution in tetranuclear {Co(III)2Ln(III)2} single molecule magnets. Chem Commun (Camb). 49(62), pp.6965-6967.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2013). Single-molecule magnetism in three related {Co(III)2Dy(III)2}-acetylacetonate complexes with multiple relaxation mechanisms. Inorg Chem. 52(12), pp.7183-7192.

  Y. Han, NF. Chilton, M. Li, C. Huang, H. Xu, et al. H. Hou, B. Moubaraki, SK. Langley, SR. Batten, Y. Fan, KS. Murray. (2013). Post-synthetic monovalent central-metal exchange, specific I2 sensing, and polymerization of a catalytic [3×3] grid of [Cu(II)5Cu(I)4L6]⋅(I)2⋅13 H2O. Chemistry. 19(20), pp.6321-6328.

  MR. Razali, NF. Chilton, A. Urbatsch, B. Moubaraki, SK. Langley, et al. KS. Murray, GB. Deacon, SR. Batten. (2013). Trinuclear and tetranuclear manganese clusters derived from cyano(imino(methoxy)methyl)nitrosomethanide (cmnm). Polyhedron. 52, pp.797-803.

  MR. Razali, ASR. Chesman, NF. Chilton, SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, et al. KS. Murray, GB. Deacon, SR. Batten. (2013). Structure and magnetism of a mixed-valence octanuclear manganese(II/III) cluster derived from carbamoylcyanonitrosomethanide (ccnm). Dalton Trans. 42(5), pp.1400-1405.

  NF. Chilton, SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, A. Soncini, SR. Batten, et al. KS. Murray. (2013). Single molecule magnetism in a family of mononuclear β-diketonate lanthanide(iii) complexes: rationalization of magnetic anisotropy in complexes of low symmetry. Chemical Science. 4(4), pp.1719-1719.

  M. Nematirad, WJ. Gee, SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, et al. KS. Murray, SR. Batten. (2012). Single molecule magnetism in a μ-phenolato dinuclear lanthanide motif ligated by heptadentate Schiff base ligands. Dalton Trans. 41(44), pp.13711-13715.

  L. Ungur, SK. Langley, TN. Hooper, B. Moubaraki, EK. Brechin, et al. KS. Murray, LF. Chibotaru. (2012). Net toroidal magnetic moment in the ground state of a {Dy6}-triethanolamine ring. J Am Chem Soc. 134(45), pp.18554-18557.

  SK. Langley, M. Helliwell, SJ. Teat, REP. Winpenny (2012). Synthesis and characterisation of cobalt(II) phosphonate cage complexes utilizing carboxylates and pyridonates as co-ligands. Dalton Trans. 41(41), pp.12807-12817.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, L. Ungur, B. Moubaraki, LF. Chibotaru, et al. KS. Murray. (2012). Heterometallic tetranuclear [Ln(III)2Co(III)2] complexes including suppression of quantum tunneling of magnetization in the [Dy(III)2Co(III)2] single molecule magnet. Inorg Chem. 51(21), pp.11873-11881.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2012). Unusual oxidation state distributions observed for two mixed-valence heptanuclear manganese disc-like clusters. Dalton Trans. 41(32), pp.9789-9796.

  SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2012). Magnetic properties of hexanuclear lanthanide(III) clusters incorporating a central μ6-carbonate ligand derived from atmospheric CO2 fixation. Inorg Chem. 51(7), pp.3947-3949.

  IA. Gass, B. Moubaraki, SK. Langley, SR. Batten, KS. Murray (2012). A π-π 3D network of tetranuclear μ2/μ3-carbonato Dy(III) bis-pyrazolylpyridine clusters showing single molecule magnetism features. Chem Commun (Camb). 48(15), pp.2089-2091.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2012). Structure and magnetic exchange in heterometallic 3d-3d transition metal triethanolamine clusters. Dalton Trans. 41(3), pp.1033-1046.

  MR. Razali, A. Urbatsch, SK. Langley, JG. MacLellan, GB. Deacon, et al. B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray, SR. Batten. (2012). Linear Trinuclear Copper(II) Complexes Derived from the Nucleophilic Addition Products of Dicyanonitrosomethanide [C(CN)2(NO)]–: Syntheses, Structures, and Magnetic Properties. Australian Journal of Chemistry. 65(7), pp.918-918.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, IA. Gass, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2011). Planar tetranuclear lanthanide clusters with the Dy4 analogue displaying slow magnetic relaxation. Dalton Trans. 40(47), pp.12656-12659.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2011). Self-assembled decanuclear Na(I)2Mn(II)4Mn(III)4 complexes: from discrete clusters to 1-D and 2-D structures, with the Mn(II)4Mn(III)4 unit displaying a large spin ground state and probable SMM behaviour. Dalton Trans. 40(45), pp.12201-12209.

  SK. Langley, L. Ungur, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, LF. Chibotaru, et al. KS. Murray. (2011). Structure, magnetism and theory of a family of nonanuclear Cu(II)5Ln(III)4-triethanolamine clusters displaying single-molecule magnet behaviour. Chemistry. 17(33), pp.9209-9218.

  SK. Langley, RA. Stott, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2011). A high nuclearity mixed valence {Mn32} complex. Chem Commun (Camb). 47(22), pp.6281-6283.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, B. Moubaraki, T. Hooper, EK. Brechin, et al. M. Evangelisti, KS. Murray. (2011). Molecular coolers: The case for [CuII5GdIII4]. Chemical Science. 2(6), pp.1166-1166.

  NF. Chilton, SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2010). Synthesis, structural and magnetic studies of an isostructural family of mixed 3d/4f tetranuclear 'star' clusters. Chem Commun (Camb). 46(41), pp.7787-7789.

  SK. Langley, NF. Chilton, M. Massi, B. Moubaraki, KJ. Berry, et al. KS. Murray. (2010). Synthesis and characterization of homo- and heterovalent tetra- hexa- hepta- and decanuclear manganese clusters using pyridyl functionalized beta-diketone, carboxylate and triethanolamine ligands. Dalton Trans. 39(31), pp.7236-7249.

  SK. Langley, B. Moubarakia, KS. Murray (2010). A heptadecanuclear Mn(III)9Dy(III)8 cluster derived from triethanolamine with two edge sharing supertetrahedra as the core and displaying SMM behaviour. Dalton Trans. 39(21), pp.5066-5069.

  SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, KJ. Berry, KS. Murray (2010). Supertetrahedral icosanuclear and ring-like decanuclear mixed valent manganese(II/III) triethanolamine clusters. Dalton Trans. 39(20), pp.4848-4855.

  SK. Langley, B. Moubaraki, CM. Forsyth, IA. Gass, KS. Murray (2010). Structure and magnetism of new lanthanide 6-wheel compounds utilizing triethanolamine as a stabilizing ligand. Dalton Trans. 39(7), pp.1705-1708.

  S. Langley, M. Helliwell, R. Sessoli, SJ. Teat, REP. Winpenny (2009). Synthesis and structural and magnetic characterisation of cobalt(II)-sodium phosphonate cage compounds. Dalton Trans. pp.3102-3110.

  SK. Langley, KJ. Berry, B. Moubaraki, KS. Murray (2009). Structure and magnetism of decanuclear and octadecanuclear manganese(II/III) triethanolamine clusters. Dalton Trans. pp.973-982.

  S. Langley, M. Helliwell, R. Sessoli, SJ. Teat, REP. Winpenny (2008). Synthesis and structural and magnetic characterization of cobalt(II) phosphonate cage compounds. Inorg Chem. 47(2), pp.497-507.

  S. Langley, M. Helliwell, J. Raftery, EI. Tolis, REP. Winpenny (2004). Phosphonate ligands encourage a platonic relationship between cobalt(II) and alkali metal ions. Chem Commun (Camb). 4(2), pp.142-143.

  EI. Tolis, M. Helliwell, S. Langley, J. Raftery, REP. Winpenny (2003). Synthesis and characterization of iron(III) phosphonate cage complexes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 42(32), pp.3804-3808.