Near‐IR Core‐Substituted Naphthalenediimide Fluorescent Chemosensors for Zinc Ions: Ligand Effects on PET and ICT Channels

Near‐IR (NIR) emission can offer distinct advantages for both in vitro and in vivo biological applications. Two NIR fluorescent turn‐on sensors N,N′‐di‐n‐butyl‐2‐(N‐{2‐[bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)amino]ethyl})‐6‐(N‐piperidinyl)naphthalene‐1,4,5,8‐tetracarboxylic acid bisimide and N,N′‐di‐ n‐butyl‐2‐[N,N,N′‐tri(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)amino]ethyl‐6‐(N‐piperidinyl)naphthalene‐1,4,5,8‐tetracarboxylic acid bisimide (PND and PNT) for Zn²⁺ based on naphthalenediimide fluorophore are reported. Our strategy was to choose core‐substituted naphthalenediimide (NDI) as a novel NIR fluorophore and N,N‐di(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (DPEA) or N,N,N′‐tri(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (TPEA) as the receptor, respectively, so as to improve the selectivity to Zn²⁺. In the case of PND, the negligible shift in absorption and emission spectra is strongly suggestive that the secondary nitrogen atom (directly connected to the NDI moiety, N¹) is little disturbed with Zn²⁺. The fluorescence enhancement of PND with Zn²⁺ titration is dominated with a typical photoinduced electron‐transfer (PET) process. In contrast, the N¹ atom for PNT can participate in the coordination of Zn²⁺ ion, diminishing the electron delocalization of the NDI moiety and resulting in intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) disturbance. For PNT, the distinct blueshift in both absorbance and fluorescence is indicative of a combination of PET and ICT processes, which unexpectedly decreases the sensitivity to Zn²⁺. Due to the differential binding mode caused by the ligand effect, PND shows excellent selectivity to Zn²⁺ over other metal ions, with a larger fluorescent enhancement centered at 650 nm. Also both PND and PNT were successfully used to image intracellular Zn²⁺ ions in the living KB cells.     

A coordinatively flexible hexadentate ligand gives structurally isomeric complexes M2(L)X3 (M = Cu,Zn; X = Br,Cl)

Polypyridyl multidentate ligands based on ethylenediamine backbones are important metal‐binding agents with applications in biomimetics and homogeneous catalysis. The seemingly hexadentate tpena ligand [systematic name: N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetate] reacts with zinc chloride and zinc bromide to form trichlorido[μ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dizinc(II), [Zn₂(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)Cl₃], and tribromido[μ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dizinc(II), [Zn₂Br₃(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)]. One Zn^II ion shows the anticipated N₅O coordination in an irregular six‐coordinate site and is linked by an anti carboxylate bridge to a tetrahedral ZnX₃ (X = Cl or Br) unit. In contrast, the Cu^II ions in aquatribromido[μ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dicopper(II)–tribromido[μ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dicopper(II)–water (1/1/6.5) [Cu₂Br₃(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)][Cu₂Br₃(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)(H₂O)]·6.5H₂O, occupy two tpena‐chelated sites, one a trigonal bipyramidal N₃Cl₂ site and the other a square‐planar N₂OCl site. In all three cases, electrospray ionization mass spectra were dominated by a misleading ion assignable to [M(tpena)]⁺ (M = Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺).     

A one‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer incorporating [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate and N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide ligands

In the title compound, catena‐poly[[[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]chloridozinc(II)]‐μ‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylato‐[[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]chloridozinc(II)]‐μ‐[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]], [Zn₂(C₁₄H₈O₄)Cl₂(C₂₆H₂₂N₄O₂)₃]_n, the Zn^II centre is four‐coordinate and approximately tetrahedral, bonding to one carboxylate O atom from a bidentate bridging dianionic [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligand, to two pyridine N atoms from two N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide ligands and to one chloride ligand. The pyridyl ligands exhibit bidentate bridging and monodentate terminal coordination modes. The bidentate bridging pyridyl ligand and the bridging [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligand both lie on special positions, with inversion centres at the mid‐points of their central C—C bonds. These bridging groups link the Zn^II centres into a one‐dimensional tape structure that propagates along the crystallographic b direction. The tapes are interlinked into a two‐dimensional layer in the ab plane through N—H...O hydrogen bonds between the monodentate ligands. In addition, the thermal stability and solid‐state photoluminescence properties of the title compound are reported.     

Magnetic properties of a mononuclear iron(II) complex with a typical FeN6 coordination octahedron

A mononuclear iron(II) complex with the tripodal ligand bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)(quinolin‐2‐ylmethyl)amine (dpqa) has been synthesized and structurally characterized, namely [bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)(quinolin‐2‐ylmethyl)amine‐κ⁴N,N′,N′′,N′′′]bis(thiocyanato‐κS)iron(II), [Fe(NCS)₂(C₂₂H₂₀N₄)], exhibits a three‐dimensional supramolecular network viaπ–π interactions and S...H—C hydrogen‐bonding interactions between adjacent Fe^II centres. Temperature‐dependent magnetic measurements under different external pressures and X‐ray diffraction measurements indicate that all the Fe^II centres in this complex retain a high‐spin state upon cooling from 300 to 2 K. The surprising absence of spin‐crossover behaviour for this mononuclear iron(II) complex is attributed to the steric hindrance originating from the substituted quinoline ring in the dpqa ligand.     

Synthesis,structure, thermostability and luminescence properties of ZnII and CdII coordination polymers based on dimethysuccinate and flexible 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene ligands

The design and synthesis of functional coordination polymers is motivated not only by their structural beauty but also by their potential applications. Zn^II and Cd^II coordination polymers are promising candidates for producing photoactive materials because these d¹⁰ metal ions not only possess a variety of coordination numbers and geometries, but also exhibit luminescence properties when bound to functional ligands. It is difficult to predict the final structure of such polymers because the assembly process is influenced by many subtle factors. Bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)‐substituted alkane/benzene molecules are good bridging ligands because their flexibility allows them to bend and rotate when they coordinate to metal centres. Two new Zn^II and Cd^II coordination polymers based on mixed ligands, namely, poly[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′]bis(μ₃‐2,2‐dimethylbutanoato‐κ³O¹:O⁴:O^4′)dizinc(II)], [Zn₂(C₆H₈O₄)₂(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n, and poly[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′]bis(μ₃‐2,2‐dimethylbutanoato‐κ⁵O¹,O^1′:O⁴,O^4′:O⁴)dicadmium(II)], [Cd₂(C₆H₈O₄)₂(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Both complexes crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with similar unit‐cell parameters and feature two‐dimensional structures formed by the interconnection of S‐shaped Zn(Cd)–2,2‐dimethylsuccinate chains with 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene bridges. However, the Cd^II and Zn^II centres have different coordination numbers and the 2,2‐dimethylsuccinate ligands display different coordination modes. Both complexes exhibit a blue photoluminescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

Structural Diversity in Luminescent MOFs Containing a Bent Electron‐rich Dicarboxylate Linker and a Flexible Capping Ligand: Selective Detection of 4‐Nitroaniline in Water

A combination of a bent bis(naphthalene) and hydroxy‐based dicarboxylate linker and a flexible bis(tridentate)polypyridyl ligand has been employed to self‐assemble with two different d¹⁰ metal centers, Zn^II and Cd^II, to form structurally diversified luminescent metal–organic frameworks, [Zn₂(tpbn)(mbhna)₂(H₂O)₂]?4 H₂O?1.5DMF ( 1 ) and {[Cd₂(tpbn)(mbhna)₂]?2DMF}_n ( 2 ), respectively (where, tpbn=N,N′,N′′,N′′′‐tetrakis(pyridine‐2‐ylmethyl)butane‐1,4‐diamine and H₂mbhna=4,4′‐methylene‐bis[3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthalene carboxylic acid]). Both 1 and 2 are characterized and analyzed by various analytical techniques including single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. Their excellent emissive nature is studied in different solvents and further utilized to selectively detect aromatic amines, particularly 4‐nitroaniline in water with detection limits at sub‐ppm level. The difference in sensing activity of 1 and 2 toward 4‐NA is corroborated well with their structures. The mechanism of action has been established through Stern–Volmer plot, spectral overlap, time‐resolved lifetime studies and HOMO–LUMO energy calculations. In addition, 1 and 2 are found to be recyclable and display good stability after sensing experiments.     

1,2‐Bis[(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]ethane and its dimorphic hydrochloride salt

Although having been described as a liquid in the literature for 41 years, 1,2‐bis[(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]ethane, C₁₄H₁₆N₂S₂, (I), has now been obtained as monoclinic crystals via a new and convenient method of purification. Molecules of (I) are located on crystallographic inversion centres and are held together by C—H...N and C—H...S interactions, resulting in the formation of a three‐dimensional network structure. In addition, two polymorphs of the corresponding hydrochloride salt, 2‐[({2‐[(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]ethyl}sulfanyl)methyl]pyridin‐1‐ium dichloride, C₁₄H₁₈N₂S₂²⁺·2Cl⁻, (II) and (III), have been isolated. Molecules of (II) and (III) have similar conformations and are located on inversion centres. Both polymorphs form three‐dimensional networks through N—H...Cl, C—H...Cl and C—H...S interactions. The structure of (III) displays voids of 35 ų.     

Synthesis,structure and luminescence properties of two new acylamide metal–organic frameworks showing 4‐connected CdSO4 and a threefold interpenetrating dia net

Two new acylamide metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), based on mixed N‐ and O‐donor ligands, with 4‐connected topologies have been obtained, namely poly[[μ₂‐N¹,N⁴‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)terephthalamide]bis(μ₃‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)dizinc(II)], [Zn₂(C₁₄H₈O₅)₂(C₁₈H₁₄N₄O₂)]_n, (1), and poly[[(μ₂‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)[μ₂‐N⁴,N^4′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]dicadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd(C₈H₄O₄)(C₂₄H₁₈N₄O₂)]·2H₂O}_n, (2). Complex (1) is a 4‐connected CdSO₄ net with no interpenetration, where the Zn^II cation is regarded as a 4‐connecting node with square geometry. Complex (2) is a 4‐connected dia net with threefold interpenetration, where the Cd^II cation acts as a 4‐connecting node with tetrahedral geometry. The results of thermogravimetric and luminescence analyses are described in detail.     

A two‐dimensional CdII coordination polymer based on naphthalenediimide: synthesis,crystal structure and photochromic properties

Naphthalenediimides, a class of organic dyes with an expanded π‐electron‐deficient plane, have attracted considerable interest because of their photoinduced electron transfer from neutral organic moieties to stable anionic radicals. This makes them excellent candidates for organic linkers in the construction of photochromic coordination polymers. Such a photochromic two‐dimensional coordination polymer has been prepared using N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)naphthalene‐1,8:4,5‐bis(dicarboximide) (DPMNI). In crystallization tubes, upon slow diffusion of an MeOH solution of cadmium perchlorate into a CHCl₃ solution of DPMNI, the complex poly[[bis[μ₂‐2,7‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)benzo[imn][3,8]phenanthroline‐1,3,6,8(2H,7H)‐tetrone‐κ²N:N′]bis(perchlorato‐κO)cadmium(II)] chloroform tetrasolvate], {[Cd(C₂₆H₁₆N₄O₄)₂(ClO₄)₂]·4CHCl₃}_n, (I), was obtained. The asymmetric unit contains one Cd²⁺ cation, two DPMNI ligands, two coordinated ClO₄⁻ anions and four CHCl₃ solvent molecules. Each Cd²⁺ cation is interconnected by four DPMNI linkers to generate a neutral two‐dimensional naphthalenediimide coordination network with all the ClO₄⁻ anions above or below this plane. Strong interlaminar anion–π interactions between the coordinated ClO₄⁻ anions and the imide rings of an adjacent layer lead to a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. Compound (I) exhibits reversible photochromic behaviour and photocontrolled tunable luminescence properties, which may originate from the photoinduced electron‐transfer generation of radicals in the DPMNI ligand.     

Photoluminescence properties of a cationic trinuclear zinc(II) complex with the tetradentate Schiff base ligand 6‐methyl‐2‐({[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolate

Metal complexes with Schiff base ligands have been suggested as potential phosphors in electroluminescent devices. In the title complex, tetrakis[6‐methyl‐2‐({[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolato‐1:2κ⁸N,N′,O:O;3:2κ⁸N,N′,O:O]trizinc(II) hexafluoridophosphate methanol monosolvate, [Zn₃(C₁₄H₁₃N₂O)₄](PF₆)₂·CH₃OH, the Zn^II cations adopt both six‐ and four‐coordinate geometries involving the N and O atoms of tetradentate 6‐methyl‐2‐({[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]imino}methyl)phenolate ligands. Two terminal Zn^II cations adopt distorted octahedral geometries and the central Zn^II cation adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The O atoms of the phenolate ligands bridge three Zn^II cations, forming a dicationic trinuclear metal cluster. The title complex exhibits a strong emission at 469 nm with a quantum yield of 15.5%.     

Preparation,characterization and luminescence‐sensing properties of two ZnII MOFs with mixed 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalic acid and bipyridyl‐type ligands

The bromo‐substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acid 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalic acid (H₂ATBIP), in the presence of the N‐donor flexible bipyridyl‐type ligands 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane (bpp) and N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)oxalamide (4‐bpme) and Zn^II ions, was used as an O‐donor ligand to assemble two novel luminescent metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), namely poly[[(μ‐5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalato‐κ²O¹:O³)[μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane‐κ²N:N′]zinc(II)] dimethylformamide monosolvate], {[Zn(C₈H₂Br₃NO₄)(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)]·C₃H₇NO}_n, ( 1 ), and poly[[(μ‐5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalato‐κ²O¹:O³)diaqua[μ‐N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)oxalamide‐κ²N:N′]zinc(II)] monohydrate], {[Zn(C₈H₂Br₃NO₄)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄O₂)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n, ( 2 ), using the solution evaporation method. Both ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) were characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (EA), solid‐state diffuse‐reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopy, and powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complex ( 1 ) shows a two‐dimensional (2D) corrugated layer simplified as a 2D (4,4) topological network. The supramolecular interactions (π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding and C—Br…Br halogen bonding) play significant roles in the formation of an extended three‐dimensional (3D) supramolecular network of ( 1 ). Complex ( 2 ) crystallizes in the chiral space group P2₁2₁2₁ and exhibits a novel 3D homochiral framework, showing a diamond‐like topology with Schläfli symbol 6⁶. The homochirality of ( 2 ) is further confirmed by the solid‐state circular dichroism (CD) spectrum. The second harmonic generation (SHG) property of ( 2 ) was also investigated. The hydrogen and C—Br…Br/O halogen bonding further stabilize the framework of ( 2 ). The central Zn^II ions in ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) show tetrahedral and octahedral coordination geometries, respectively. The coordinated and uncoordinated water molecules in ( 2 ) could be removed selectively upon heating. Most importantly, ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) show rapid and highly sensitive sensing for a large pool of nitroaromatic explosives (NAEs).     

A New Luminescent Ruthenium(II) Polypyridine‐derived Dipicolylamine Complex as a Sensor for Cu2+ Ions

A chemo‐sensor [Ru(bpy)₂(bpy‐DPF)](PF₆)₂ ( 1 ) (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, bpy‐DPF=2,2′‐bipyridyl‐4,4′‐bis(N,N‐di(2‐picolyl))formylamide) for Cu²⁺ using di(2‐picolyl)amine (DPA) as the recognition group and a ruthenium(II) complex as the reporting group was synthesized and characterized successfully. It demonstrates a high selectivity and efficient signaling behavior only for Cu²⁺ with obvious red‐shifted MLCT (metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer transitions) absorptions and dramatic fluorescence quenching compared with Zn²⁺ and other metal ions.     

Synthesis and characterization of two one‐dimensional CdII coordination polymers (CPs) with 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalic acid and flexible N‐donor bipyridyl ligands

The bromo‐substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acid 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalic acid (H₂ATBIP) was used to assemble with Cd^II ions in the presence of the N‐donor flexible bipyridyl ligands 3,3′‐(diazene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine (mzpy) and 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)urea (3bpmu), leading to the formation of two chain coordination polymers by adopting solution methods, namely, catena‐poly[[[triaqua(5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalato‐κO)cadmium(II)]‐μ‐3,3′‐(diazene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine‐κ²N¹:N^1′] dihydrate], {[Cd(C₈H₂Br₃NO₄)(C₁₀H₈N₄)(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O}_n or {[Cd(ATBIP)(mzpy)(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O}_n, ( 1 ), and catena‐poly[[[tetraaquacadmium(II)]‐μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)urea‐κ²N¹:N^1′‐[diaquabis(5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalato‐κO)cadmium(II)]‐μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)urea‐κ²N¹:N^1′] octahydrate], {[Cd(C₈H₂Br₃NO₄)(C₁₂H₁₂N₄O)(H₂O)₃]·4H₂O}_n or {[Cd(ATBIP)(3bpmu)(H₂O)₃]·4H₂O}_n, ( 2 ). Both complexes were characterized by FT–IR spectroscopic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), solid‐state diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis, and single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis (PXRD). The mzpy and 3bpmu ligands bridge the Cd^II metal centres in ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) into one‐dimensional chains, and the ATBIP²⁻ ligands show a monodentate coordination to the Cd^II centres in both coordination polymers. A discrete water tetramer exists in ( 1 ). Within the chains of ( 1 ) and ( 2 ), there are halogen bonds between adjacent ATBIP²⁻ and mzpy or 3bpmu ligands, as well as hydrogen bonds between the ATBIP²⁻ ligands and the coordinated water molecules. With the aid of weak interactions, the structures of ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) are further extended into three‐dimensional supramolecular networks. An analysis of the solid‐state diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectra of ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) indicates that a wide indirect band gap exists in both complexes. Complexes ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) exhibit irreversible and reversible dehydration–rehydration behaviours, respectively, and the solid‐state fluorescence properties of both complexes have been studied.     

ESI‐MS studies of the non‐covalent interactions between biologically important metal ions and N‐sulfonylcytosine derivatives

The aim of this report is to present the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry results of the non‐covalent interaction of two biologically active ligands, N‐1 ‐ (p‐toluenesulfonyl)cytosine, 1‐TsC, 1 and N‐1 ‐ methanesulfonylcytosine, 1‐MsC, 2 and their Cu(II) complexes Cu(1‐TsC‐N3)₂Cl₂, 3 and Cu(1‐MsC‐N3)₂Cl₂ and 4 with biologically important cations: Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The formation of various complex metal ions was observed. The alkali metals Na⁺ and K⁺ formed clusters because of electrostatic interactions. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ salts produced the tris ligand and mixed ligand complexes. The interaction of Zn²⁺ with 1–4 produced monometal and dimetal Zn²⁺ complexes as a result of the affinity of Zn²⁺ ions toward both O and N atoms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A luminescent bis(pyridyl)‐substituted benzimidazole platinum(II) complex exhibiting an intermolecular anagostic interaction

The photophysical properties of transition metal complexes of the 5,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole ligand are of interest. Dichlorido[5,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κ²N ²,N ³]platinum(II), [PtCl₂(C₂₀H₁₈N₄)], is luminescent in the solid state at room temperature. The compound displays a distorted square‐planar coordination geometry. The Pt—N(imidazole) bond length is shorter than the Pt—N(pyridine) bond length. The extended structure reveals that symmetry‐related molecules display weak C—H…N, C—H…Cl, and C—H…Pt hydrogen‐bonding interactions that are clearly discernable in the Hirshfeld surface and fingerprint plots. The intermolecular C—H…Pt and C—H…N interactions have been explored using density functional theory. The result of an analysis of the distance dependence of C—H…Pt yields a value consistent with that observed in the solid‐state structure. The energy of interaction for the C—H…Pt interaction is found to be about −11 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Three one‐dimensional coordination polymers based on 1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole and HgX2 (X = Cl,Br and I)

A new 2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole bridging organic ligand, namely 1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole, C₂₆H₂₀N₆, L or (I), has been synthesized and used to create three new one‐dimensional coordination polymers, viz.catena‐poly[[dichloridomercury(II)]‐μ‐1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐2,2′‐bi‐1H‐benzimidazole], [HgCl₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₆)]_n, (II), and the bromido, [HgBr₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₆)]_n, (III), and iodido, [HgI₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₆)]_n, (IV), analogues. Free ligand L crystallizes with two symmetry‐independent half‐molecules in the asymmetric unit and each L molecule resides on a crytallographic inversion centre. In structures (II)–(IV), the L ligand is also positioned on a crystallographic inversion centre, whereas the Hg centre resides on a crystallographic twofold axis. Compound (I) adopts an anti conformation in the solid state and forms a two‐dimensional network in the crystallographic bc plane viaπ–π and C—H...π interactions. The three Hg^II coordination complexes, (II)–(IV), have one‐dimensional zigzag chains composed of L and HgX₂ (X = Cl, Br and I), and the Hg^II centres are in a distorted tetrahedral [HgX₂N₂] coordination geometry. Complexes (III) and (IV) are isomorphous, whereas complex (II) displays an interesting conformational difference from the others, i.e. a twist in the flexible bridging ligand.     

A Molecular Copper Catalyst for Electrochemical Water Reduction with a Large Hydrogen‐Generation Rate Constant in Aqueous Solution

The copper complex [(bztpen)Cu](BF₄)₂ (bztpen=N‐benzyl‐N,N′,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine) displays high catalytic activity for electrochemical proton reduction in acidic aqueous solutions, with a calculated hydrogen‐generation rate constant (k_obs) of over 10000 s^?1. A turnover frequency (TOF) of 7000 h^?1 cm^?2 and a Faradaic efficiency of 96 % were obtained from a controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) experiment with [(bztpen)Cu]²⁺ in pH 2.5 buffer solution at ?0.90 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) over two hours using a glassy carbon electrode. A mechanism involving two proton‐coupled reduction steps was proposed for the dihydrogen generation reaction catalyzed by [(bztpen)Cu]²⁺.     

Tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium Derivatives with Multiple Viologen Acceptors: Quadratic Dependence of Photocatalytic H2 Evolution Rate on the Local Concentration of the Acceptor Site

Three Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ derivatives tethered to multiple viologen acceptors, [Ru(bpy)₂(4,4′‐MV2)]⁶⁺, [Ru(bpy)₂(4,4′‐MV4)]¹⁰⁺, and [Ru(bpy)(4,4′‐MV4)₂]¹⁸⁺ [bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, 4,4′‐MV2=4‐ethoxycarbonyl‐4′‐(N‐G₁‐carbamoyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine, and 4,4′‐MV4=4,4′‐bis(N‐G₁‐carbamoyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine, where G₁=Asp(NHG₂)‐NHG₂ and G₂=‐(CH₂)₂‐N⁺C₅H₄‐C₅H₄N⁺‐CH₃] were prepared as “photo‐charge separators (PCSs)”. Photoirradiation of these complexes in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor (EDTA) results in storage of electrons per PCS values of 1.3, 2.7, and 4.6, respectively. Their applications in the photochemical H₂ evolution from water in the presence of a colloidal Pt H₂‐evolving catalyst were investigated, and are discussed along with those reported for [Ru(bpy)₂(5,5′‐MV4)]¹⁰⁺, [Ru(4,4′‐MV4)₃]²⁶⁺, and [Ru(5,5′‐MV4)₃]²⁶⁺ (Inorg. Chem. Front. 2016 , 3, 671–680). The PCSs with high dimerization constants (K_d=10⁵–10⁶ m ^?1) are superior in driving H₂ evolution at pH 5.0, whereas those with lower K_d values (10³–10⁴ m ^?1) are superior at pH 7.0, where K_d=[(MV⁺)₂]/[MV^{+ .} ]². The (MV⁺)₂ site can drive H₂ evolution only at pH 5.0 as a result of its 0.15 eV lower driving force for H₂ evolution relative to MV^{+ .} , whereas the PCSs with lower K_d values exhibit higher performance at pH 7.0 owing to the higher population of free MV^{+ .} . Importantly, the rate of electron charging over the PCSs is linear to the apparent H₂ evolution rate, and shows an intriguing quadratic dependence on the number of MV²⁺ units per PCS.     

The Stability of Metal N,N,N′,N′‐Tetrakis(2‐aminoethyl)ethane‐ 1,2‐diamine (=penten) Complexes and the X‐Ray Crystal Structure of [Tl(NO3)(penten)](NO3)2

Complex formation between N,N,N′,N′‐tetrakis(2‐aminoethyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (penten) and the metal ions Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, and Tl³⁺ (in 1.00M NaNO₃ and 25°) was investigated by potentiometry and spectrophotometry. These are the first reported values of the stability constants for this ligand with Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, and Tl³⁺. The X‐ray crystal structure of [Tl(NO₃)(penten)](NO₃)₂ was determined. In this structure, Tl³⁺ shows a coordination number of seven made up of the six N‐donors and one O‐atom of NO.     

A novel three‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer based on 3,3′‐{[1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(oxy)}dibenzoic acid and 1,4‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene: synthesis,crystal structure and photocatalytic properties

A novel three‐dimensional (3D) Zn^II coordination polymer, namely, poly[[[1,4‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene](μ₃‐3,3′‐{[1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(oxy)}dibenzoato)zinc(II)] 1,4‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene], {[Zn(C₂₂H₁₆O₆)(C₁₆H₁₂N₂)]·C₁₆H₁₂N₂}_n or {[Zn(PMBD)(DPB)]·DPB}_n, 1 , where H₂PMBD is 3,3′‐{[1,3‐phenylenebis(methylene)]bis(oxy)}dibenzoic acid and DPB is 1,4‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene, has been synthesized by self‐assembly using zinc nitrate, a semi‐rigid dicarboxylic acid and a nitrogen‐containing ligand. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination indicates that 1 possesses an intriguing 3D architecture with a 4‐connected uninodal cds topology, which is constructed from dinuclear {Zn₂} clusters and V‐shaped PMBD^2? linkers. Compound 1 exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity on the degradation of the organic dyes Rhodamine B (RhB), Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) and Methyl Red (MR).