Recent developments in the coordination chemistry of stable free radicals

Several advances in the coordination chemistry of stable free-radical species over the past six years are documented in this review article. Specifically, a number of recent reports focused on the coordination chemistry of chelating nitroxide ligands are highlighted, with an emphasis on enhanced magnetic or optical properties in these complexes. Furthermore, very intriguing recent magnetic and optical studies with one-dimensional nitroxide chain complexes (new "Glauber" chains and chiral magnets) are also discussed. The verdazyls are another family of stable radicals whose coordination chemistry was literally unexplored prior to 1997. A summary of recent reports discussing metal-verdazyl coordination complexes is also presented, followed by an eye to the future of stable radical design and the coordination chemistry of these interesting molecules.