Coordination properties of a diarylaza crown ether appended with a luminescent [Ru(bipy)3]2+ unit

The [Ru(bipy)(2)(1)](PF(6))(2) (bipy refers to 2,2'-bipyridine) complex, comprising a ruthenium(II) tris(2,2'-bipyridine) luminophore covalently linked to a di[(o-triethyleneglycoxy)phenyl]amine crown ether 1, has been synthesized and fully characterized. The photophysical properties of this metal complex have been examined in solution at ambient temperature. Luminescence from the metal complex is enhanced significantly in the presence of various adventitious cations, including protons. In particular, Li(+) cations bind to the crown ether, as evidenced by (1)H NMR and luminescence spectroscopy. Cation binding serves to decrease the rate of reductive quenching of the triplet state of the metal complex, thereby increasing the extent of luminescence. The solution-phase conformation of [Ru(bipy)(2)(1)](PF(6))(2), with and without encapsulated Li(+), has been examined by 2-D NMR and by molecular dynamics simulations.     

Supramolecular isomerism of 2,2'-bipyrazine complexes with cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II): ligand rotational state and sequential orientation determine the 3D shape of metallacycles

2,2'-Bipyrazine (2,2'-bpz) reacts with cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II) in water to give a variety of products, several of which were isolated and characterized by X-ray analysis: cis-[Pt(NH(3))(2)(2,2'-bpz-N4)(2)](NO(3))(2)·3H(2)O (1), [{cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)(2,2'-bpz-N4,N4')}(3)]-(PF(6))(5)NO(3)·7H(2)O (2a), [{cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)(2,2'-bpz-N4,N4')}(3)](BF(4))(2)-(SiF(6))(2)·15H(2)O (2b), and [{cis-Pt(NH(3))(2)(2,2'-bpz-N4,N4')}(4)]-(SO(4))(4)·22H(2)O (3). In 1, 2b, and 3 the 2,2'-bpz ligands adopt approximately C(2h) symmetries, hence the two pyrazine halves are in trans orientation, whereas in 2a all three 2,2'-bpz bridges are approximately C(2v) symmetric, with the pyrazine halves cis to each other. The topologies of the two triangular complexes 2a and 2b are consequently distinctly different, but nevertheless both cations act as hosts for anions. In 2a a PF(6)(-) and a NO(3)(-) anion are associated simultaneously with the +6 cation, whereas in 2b it is a BF(4)(-) anion and a water molecule, which are trapped in its cavity. There is no anion inclusion in case of the metallasquare 3. In principle, 3 can exist in a large number of stereoisomers, depending on the rotational states of the bridging 2,2'-bpz ligands. Isolation of a single rotamer form of 3 with C(2h) symmetric 2,2'-bpz ligands and an overall meso form is proposed to be a consequence of a highly efficient self-assembly process that starts from the precursor 1 and reaction with two cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II) units. This process leads to the isolated rotamer of 3 regardless of whether two cations 1 in head-head form react with two cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II), or whether the Δ enantiomer of the chiral head-tail form of 1 combines with its Λ enantiomer through two cis-(NH(3))(2)Pt(II) entities.     

Mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(II) 1,6,7,12-tetraazaperylene complexes

We report the synthesis of free 1,6,7,12-tetraazaperylene (tape). Tape was obtained from 1,1'-bis-2,7-naphthyridine by potassium promoted cyclization followed by oxidation with air. Mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(II) 1,6,7,12-tetraazaperylene complexes of the general formulas [Ru(L-L)(2)(tape)](PF(6))(2), [1](PF(6))(2)-[5](PF(6))(2), and [{Ru(L-L)(2)}(2)(μ-tape)](PF(6))(4), [6](PF(6))(4)-[10](PF(6))(4), with{L-L = phen, bpy, dmbpy (4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine), dtbbpy (4,4'-ditertbutyl-2,2'-bipyridine) and tmbpy (4,4'5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-bipyridine)}, respectively, were synthesized. The X-ray structures of tape·2CHCl(3) and the mononuclear complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(tape)](PF(6))(2)·0.5CH(3)CN·0.5toluene, [Ru(dmbpy)(2)(tape)](PF(6))(2)·2toluene and [Ru(dtbbpy)(2)(tape)](PF(6))(2)·3acetone·0.5H(2)O were solved. The UV-vis absorption spectra and the electrochemical behavior of the ruthenium(ii) tape complexes were explored and compared with the data of the analogous dibenzoeilatin (dbneil), 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpym) and tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3',2'-h:2',3'-j]phenazin (tpphz) species.     

Taco grande: a dumbbell bis(crown ether)/paraquat [3](taco complex)

The first paraquat-based [3](taco complex) was successfully prepared from a linear bis(crown ether) host and paraquat as shown by proton NMR characterization and X-ray analysis. It has a dumbbell shape in the solid state. The two crown ether binding sites are independent of each other during their complexation in solution.     

Peroxide solvation by a toroidal lithium inverse crown ether complex assembled by multidentate polyimido sulfonates

In this communication we present the synthesis of the inverse crown ether complex [Li(2)O(2)·Li(4){CH(2)(N(Me)CH(2)S(NtBu)(2))(2)}(2)] (1) which is able to accommodate peroxide in a torus of lithium ions.     

Synthesis and anion sensing of water-soluble metallomacrocycles

The self-assembly of (TMEDA)Pd(NO(3))(2) or (TMEDA)Pt(NO(3))(2) (where TMEDA = N(1),N(1),N(2),N(2)-tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine) and anthracene- or ferrocene-based diimidazole ligands (L(1-3)) in aqueous solution affords a series of positively charged [M(2)L(2)](4+) dimetallomacrocycles. Their structures were characterized by (1)H NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and in the cases of {[(TMEDA)Pd](2)L(1)(2)}(NO(3))(4) (1), {[(TMEDA)Pd](2)L(1)(2)}(PF(6))(4) (1a), and {[(TMEDA)Pd](2)L(3)(2)}(NO(3))(4) (4) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Interestingly, the NMR spectra of 1 and 1a revealed that the difference of their structures, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis, was that a NO(3)(-) of 1 was encapsulated inside the cavity of the basket-shaped metallomacrocycle by C-H···O hydrogen bonds, while PF(6)(-) of 1a was bound outside by C-H···F hydrogen bonds. The fluorescence titration experiment exhibited the formation of 1:1 host-guest complexation for anthracene-based positively charged [M(2)L(2)](4+)-type metallomacrocycles with NO(3)(-). The interactions between metallomacrocycles and various anions were investigated via fluorescence titration and cyclic voltammetry studies, respectively.     

Ruthenium(II)-polyazine light absorbers bridged to reactive cis-dichlororhodium(III) centers in a bimetallic molecular architecture

Bimetallic complexes of the form [(bpy)(2)Ru(BL)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and BL = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp) or 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpm), were synthesized, characterized, and compared to the [{(bpy)(2)Ru(BL)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) trimetallic analogues. The new complexes were synthesized via the building block method, exploiting the known coordination chemistry of Rh(III) polyazine complexes. In contrast to [{(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) and [{(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5), [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) and [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) have a single visible light absorber subunit coupled to the cis-Rh(III)Cl(2) moiety, an unexplored molecular architecture. The electrochemistry of [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) showed a reversible oxidation at 1.61 V (vs Ag/AgCl) (Ru(III/II)), quasi-reversible reductions at -0.39 V, -0.74, and -0.98 V. The first two reductive couples corresponded to two electrons, consistent with Rh reduction. The electrochemistry of [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) exhibited a reversible oxidation at 1.76 V (Ru(III/II)). A reversible reduction at -0.14 V (bpm(0/-)), and quasi-reversible reductions at -0.77 and -0.91 V each corresponded to a one electron process, bpm(0/-), Rh(III/II), and Rh(II/I). The dpp bridged bimetallic and trimetallic display Ru(dpi)-->dpp(pi*) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions at 509 nm (14,700 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 518 nm (26,100 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. The bpm bridged bimetallic and trimetallic display Ru(dpi)-->bpm(pi*) charge transfer (CT) transitions at 581 nm (4,000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 594 nm (9,900 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. The heteronuclear complexes [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) and [{(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) had (3)MLCT emissions that are Ru(dpi)-->dpp(pi*) CT in nature but were red-shifted and lower intensity than [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(4). The lifetimes of the (3)MLCT state of [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) at room temperature (30 ns) was shorter than [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(4), consistent with favorable electron transfer to Rh(III) to generate a metal-to-metal charge-transfer ((3)MMCT) state. The reported synthetic methods provide means to a new molecular architecture coupling a single Ru light absorber to the Rh(III) center while retaining the interesting cis-Rh(III)Cl(2) moiety.     

Tetrahedral-shaped anions as a template in the synthesis of high-nuclearity silver(I) dithiophosphate clusters

Novel Ag(32) clusters, [Ag(16)(EO(4)){S(2)P(OEt)(2)}(12)](2) (PF(6))(4) (E = S, 1; Se, 2) and [Ag(16)(MO(4)){S(2)P(OEt)(2)}(12)](2)(PF(6))(4) (M = Cr, 3; Mo, 4), were prepared in situ from the addition of a tetrahedral-shaped anion as a template to the pentanuclear extended chain [Ag(5){S(2)P(OEt)(2)}(4)](n)(PF(6))(n).     

Colorless, non-luminescent; colorless, luminescent; and yellow, luminescent crystals of the cation [Au{C(NHCH(3))(NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)}(2)](+). The roles of anions and hydrogen bonding in determining the aggregation of two-coordinate gold(I) cations

Crystallographic and luminescence studies on salts of the two-coordinate carbene cation, [Au{C(NHCH(3))(NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)}(2)](+), demonstrate the ability of the cation to exist in three different states of aggregation. In colorless, non-luminescent [Au{C(NHCH(3))(NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)}(2)]Cl the cation crystallizes as a monomer with the nearest gold(i) center 6.7890(11) A away. Colorless, luminescent [Au{C(NHCH(3))(NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)}(2)]AsF(6) forms dimers with an AuAu separation of 3.1288(4) A. These dimers form weakly associated extended chains of cations with additional AuAu separations of 3.6625(5) A. [Au{C(NHCH(3))(NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)}(2)]PF(6) is isostructural. Yellow, luminescent [Au{C(NHCH(3))(NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)}(2)](3)(AsF(6))(2)Cl.0.5(H(2)O)(2) and [Au{C(NHCH(3))(NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)}(2)](3)(PF(6))(2)Cl.0.5(H(2)O)(2) form trimers that further aggregate into extended chains with rather short AuAu separations of 3.1301(14) A, 3.1569(14) A and 3.1415(14) A. Absorption, emission and excitation spectra are reported for these salts. The excitation and emission results from the interactions between the gold centers and involves transitions between the filled d(z)((2)) band and the empty p(z) bands with the z axis pointing along the chain of cations.     

Anion-induced structures and luminescent properties of chiral lanthanide-organic frameworks assembled by an achiral tripodal ligand

To confirm how different anions influence sup-ramolecular self-assembly of lanthanide-organic frameworks (LnOFs) as well as their luminescent properties, a new flexible achiral tripodal ligand, 1,1,1-tris-{[(2'-benzylaminoformyl)phenoxyl]methyl}ethane (L) and the LnOFs {[EuL(NO(3))(3)]·1.5CHCl(3)}(n) and [EuL(pic)(3)](n) have been designed and assembled. In the two LnOFs, {[EuL(NO(3))(3)]·1.5CHCl(3)}(n) demonstrates an unprecedented chiral noninterpenetrated two-dimensional (2D) honeycomblike (6,3) (hcb, Schla?fli symbol 6(3), vertex symbol 6·6·6) topological network, and [EuL(pic)(3)](n) confirms an unusual chiral LnOF with three-dimensional (3D) (10,3)-a (srs, SrSi(2), Schla?fli symbol 10(3), vertex symbol 10(2)·10(4)·10(4)) topological framework. Also the anion-induced structures and energy transfer processes in the luminescence behavior of the two LnOFs were discussed in detail.     

Binuclear (salen)osmium phosphinidine and phosphiniminato complexes

The preparation of a number of binuclear (salen)osmium phosphinidine and phosphiniminato complexes using various strategies are described. Treatment of [Os(VI)(N)(L(1))(sol)](X) (sol = H(2)O or MeOH) with PPh(3) affords an osmium(IV) phosphinidine complex [Os(IV){N(H)PPh(3)}(L(1))(OMe)](X) (X = PF(6)1a, ClO(4)1b). If the reaction is carried out in CH(2)Cl(2) in the presence of excess pyrazine the osmium(III) phosphinidine species [Os(III){N(H)PPh(3)}(L(1))(pz)](PF(6)) 2 can be generated. On the other hand, if the reaction is carried out in CH(2)Cl(2) in the presence of a small amount of H(2)O, a μ-oxo osmium(IV) phosphinidine complex is obtained, [(L(1)){PPh(3)N(H)}Os(IV)-O-Os(IV){N(H)PPh(3)}(L(1))](PF(6))(2)3. Furthermore, if the reaction of [Os(VI)(N)(L(1))(OH(2))]PF(6) with PPh(3) is done in the presence of 2, the μ-pyrazine species, [(L(1)){PPh(3)N(H)}Os(III)-pz-Os(III){N(H)PPh(3)}(L(1))](PF(6))(2)4 can be isolated. Novel binuclear osmium(IV) complexes can be prepared by the use of a diphosphine ligand to attack two Os(VI)≡N. Reaction of [Os(VI)(N)(L(1))(OH(2))](PF(6)) with PPh(2)-C≡C-PPh(2) or PPh(2)-(CH(2))(3)-PPh(2) in MeOH affords the binuclear complexes [(MeO)(L(1))Os(IV){N(H)PPh(2)-R-PPh(2)N(H)}Os(IV)(L(1))(OMe)](PF(6))(2) (R = C≡C 5, (CH(2))(3)6). Reaction of [Os(VI)(N)(L(2))Cl] with PPh(2)FcPPh(2) generates a novel trimetallic complex, [Cl(L(2))Os(IV){NPPh(2)-Fc-PPh(2)N}Os(IV)(L(2))Cl] 7. The structures of 1b, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Diverse structures and adsorption properties of quasi-Werner-type copper(II) complexes with flexible and polar axial bonds

The quasi-Werner-type copper(II) complex, [Cu(PF(6))(2)(4-mepy)(4)] (1), in which 4-mepy is the 4-methylpyridine ligand, has flexible and polar axial bonds of Cu-PF(6). Flexibility of the Cu-PF(6) bonds induces diverse and unprecedented guest-inclusion structures, such as {[Cu(PF(6))(2)(4-mepy)(4)][Cu(PF(6))(4-mepy)(4)(acetone)]·PF(6)·4acetone} (γ-1?2.5acetone), {[Cu(PF(6))(2)(4-mepy)(4)][Cu(PF(6))(4-mepy)(4)(2-butanone)]·PF(6)·3.5(2-butanone)} (γ-1?2.25(2-butanone)), {[Cu(PF(6))(2)(4-mepy)(4)][Cu(PF(6))(4-mepy)(4)(H(2)O)]·PF(6)·4benzene} (γ-1?0.5H(2)O·2benzene), and {[Cu(PF(6))(2)(4-mepy)(4)]·2benzene} (γ-1?2benzene). Exposure of the dense form, α-1, to benzene vapor affords the benzene-inclusion complex {[Cu(PF(6))(2)(4-mepy)(4)]·2benzene} (γ-1?2benzene), all benzene guests of which are easily removed by vacuum drying, reforming guest-free, dense α-1' with smaller sized crystals than α-1. In contrast to α-1, which shows almost no CO(2) adsorption, α-1' adsorbs CO(2) gas with structural transformations, this being the first example that exhibits adsorption of gas in a dense Werner-type complex and a drastic change in adsorption properties depending on the size of the crystals.     

Multimetallic complexes of group 10 and 11 metals based on polydentate dithiocarbamate ligands

The ligands KS(2)CN(Bz)CH(2)CH(2)N(Bz)CS(2)K (K(2)L(1)), N(CH(2)CH(2)N(Me)CS(2)Na)(3) (Na(3)L(2)), and the new chelates {(CH(2)CH(2))NCS(2)Na}(3) (Na(3)L(3)) and {CH(2)CH(2)N(CS(2)Na)CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)NCS(2)Na}(2) (Na(4)L(4)), react with the gold(I) complexes [ClAu(PR(3))] (R = Me, Ph, Cy) and [ClAu(IDip)] to yield di-, tri-and tetragold compounds. Larger metal units can also be coordinated by the longer, flexible linker, K(2)L(1). Thus two equivalents of cis-[PtCl(2)(PEt(3))(2)] react with K(2)L(1) in the presence of NH(4)PF(6) to yield the bimetallic complex [L(1){Pt(PEt(3))(2)}(2)](PF(6))(2). The compounds [NiCl(2)(dppp)] and [MCl(2)(dppf)] (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, dppf = 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) also yield the dications, [L(1){Ni(dppp)}(2)](2+) and [L(1){Ni(dppf)}(2)](2+) in an analogous fashion. In the same manner, reaction between [(L'(2))(AuCl)(2)] (L'(2) = dppm, dppf; dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) and KS(2)CN(Bz)CH(2)CH(2)N(Bz)CS(2)K yield [L(1){Au(2)(L'(2))}(2)]. The molecular structures of [L(1){M(dppf)}(2)](PF(6))(2) (M = Ni, Pd) and [L(1){Au(PR(3))}(2)] (R = Me, Ph) are reported.     

Syntheses, structural characterization and properties of transition metal complexes of 5,5'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)bdt), 5',5'-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diylbis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)dbdt) and 5,5',5'-(1,3,5-phenylene)tris(1H-tetrazole) (H(3)btt)

The hydrothermal chemistry of a variety of M(II)SO(4) salts with the tetrazole (Ht) ligands 5,5'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)bdt), 5',5'-(1,1'-biphenyl)4,4'-diylbis(1H-tetrazole) (H(2)dbdt) and 5,5',5'-(1,3,5-phenylene)tris(1H-tetrazole) (H(3)btt) was investigated. In the case of Co(II), three phases were isolated, two of which incorporated sulfate: [Co(5)F(2)(dbdt)(4)(H(2)O)(6)]·2H(2)O (1·2H(2)O), [Co(4)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(bdt)(2)(H(2)O)(4)] (2) and [Co(3)(OH)(SO(4))(btt)(H(2)O)(4)]·3H(2)O (3·3H(2)O). The structures are three-dimensional and consist of cluster-based secondary building units: the pentanuclear {Co(5)F(2)(tetrazolate)(8)(H(2)O)(6)}, the tetranuclear {Co(4)(OH)(2)(SO(4))(2)(tetrazolate)(6)}(4-), and the trinuclear {Co(3)(μ(3)-OH)(SO(4))(2) (tetrazolate)(3)}(2-) for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The Ni(II) analogue [Ni(2)(H(0.67)bdt)(3)]·10.5H(2)O (4·10.5H(2)O) is isomorphous with a fourth cobalt phase, the previously reported [Co(2)(H(0.67)bat)(3)]·20H(2)O and exhibits a {M(tetrazolate)(3/2)}(∞) chain as the fundamental building block. The dense three-dimensional structure of [Zn(bdt)] (5) consists of {ZnN(4)}tetrahedra linked through bdt ligands bonding through N1,N3 donors at either tetrazolate terminus. In contrast to the hydrothermal synthesis of 1-5, the Cd(II) material (Me(2)NH(2))(3)[Cd(12)Cl(3)(btt)(8)(DMF)(12)]·xDMF·yMeOH (DMF = dimethylformamide; x = ca. 12, y = ca. 5) was prepared in DMF/methanol. The structure is constructed from the linking of {Cd(4)Cl(tetrazolate)(8)(DMF)(4)}(1-) secondary building units to produce an open-framework material exhibiting 66.5% void volume. The magnetic properties of the Co(II) series are reflective of the structural building units.     

Preparation, structure, and properties of tetranuclear vanadium(III) and (IV) complexes bridged by diphenyl phosphate or phosphate

Three novel tetranuclear vanadium(III) or (IV) complexes bridged by diphenyl phosphate or phosphate were prepared and their structures characterized by X-ray crystallography. The novel complexes are [{V(III)(2)(μ-hpnbpda)}(2){μ-(C(6)H(5)O)(2)PO(2)}(2)(μ-O)(2)]·6CH(3)OH (1), [{V(III)(2)(μ-tphpn)(μ-η(3)-HPO(4))}(2)(μ-η(4)-PO(4))](ClO(4))(3)·4.5H(2)O (2), and [{(V(IV)O)(2)(μ-tphpn)}(2)(μ-η(4)-PO(4))](ClO(4))(3)·H(2)O (3), where hpnbpda and tphpn are alkoxo-bridging dinucleating ligands. H(3)hpnbpda represents 2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diamino-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N'-diacetic acid, and Htphpn represents N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediamine. A dinuclear vanadium(IV) complex without a phosphate bridge, [(VO)(2)(μ-tphpn)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(3)·2H(2)O (4), was also prepared and structurally characterized for comparison. The vanadium(III) center in 1 adopts a hexacoordinate structure while that in 2 adopts a heptacoordinate structure. In 1, the two dinuclear vanadium(III) units bridged by the alkoxo group of hpnbpda are further linked by two diphenylphosphato and two oxo groups, resulting in a dimer-of-dimers. In 2, the two vanadium(III) units bridged by tphpn are further bridged by three phosphate ions with two different coordination modes. Complex 2 is oxidized in aerobic solution to yield complex 3, in which two of the three phosphate groups in 2 are substituted by oxo groups.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, photophysical properties and theoretical analysis of gold(I) thiolate-phosphine complexes

A series of luminescent dinuclear neutral complexes of stoichiometry [(AuSPh)(2)(PPh(2)-(C(6)H(4))(n)-PPh(2))] (n = 1, 2, 3) as well as their tetranuclear cationic derivatives [(Au(2)SPh)(2)(PPh(2)-(C(6)H(4))(n)-PPh(2))(2)](PF(6))(2) are reported. Their crystal structures have been elucidated by X-ray studies. These studies indicate that, for the dinuclear species, only when n = 1 the molecules exhibit intermolecular aurophilic interactions. None of the tetranuclear species crystallizes in their molecular form, due to the formation of aggregates through Au···Au interactions. The origin of the luminescence has been analyzed by computational studies indicating that the presence or absence of aurophilic interactions does not affect the luminescent behavior and that intraligand charge transfer processes which involve the thiolate and the diphosphine are responsible for the emissions. The result is in contrast with the thiolate-gold charge transfer processes which dominate the photophysics of gold-thiolate compounds and reveals the influence of the phenylene spacers in the emissive behavior of these compounds.     

Terpyridine platinum(ii) complexes containing triazine di- or tri-thiolate bridges: structures, luminescence, electrochemistry, and aggregation

Dinuclear complexes [{Pt(trpy)}(2)(L)](PF(6))(2) (trpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine, L = 2-octylthio-1,3,5-triazine-4,6-dithiolate ion (1), L = 2-octadecylthio-1,3,5-triazine-4,6-dithiolate ion (2), L = 2-di-n-butylamino-1,3,5-triazine-4,6-dithiolate ion (3)) and a trinuclear complex [{Pt(trpy)}(3)(L)](PF(6))(3) (L = 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trithiolate ion (4)) have been synthesized and characterized. The single crystal X-ray analysis revealed that the two {Pt(trpy)}(2+) fragments in 1 and 3 adopt a syn-configuration. The PtPt distances are around 4.3 ?, suggesting no intramolecular PtPt interactions. Complexes 1-4 in acetonitrile show broad absorption bands at around 470 nm, assigned to mainly the ligand-to-ligand charge transfer ((1)LLCT) from triazine thiolates to trpy based on the comparison to the related complexes and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The red luminescence of 1-4 in acetonitrile is attributable to emission predominantly from (3)LLCT. Cyclic voltammograms of 1-3 exhibit four redox couples from -2.0 V to 0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The two consecutive processes at around -0.70 V are assigned to the sequential reduction of two trpy ligands. This assignment was further supported by the observation of the anion radical of trpy in spectroelectrochemical experiments. The splitting of the redox potentials of two trpy ligands evidences the moderate electronic coupling interactions mediated by the triazine dithiolate bridges. Complex 2 formed a transparent red gel in CH(3)CN, whereas 4 produced a gel-like solid in the mixtures of CH(3)CN and other solvents. The interactions dominating the aggregative behaviours have been discussed based on the results of electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy.     

Air-stable platinum and palladium complexes featuring bis[2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphinous acid ligands

Secondary phosphane oxides, R(2)P(O)H, are commonly used as preligands for transition-metal complexes of phosphinous acids, R(2)P-OH (R=alkyl, aryl), which are relevant as efficient catalysts in cross-coupling processes. In contrast to previous work by other groups, we are interested in the ligating properties of an electron-deficient phosphinous acid, (R(f))(2)P-OH, bearing the strongly electron-withdrawing and sterically demanding 2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group towards catalysis-relevant metals, such as palladium and platinum. The preligand bis[2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]phosphane oxide, (R(f))(2)P(O)H, reacts smoothly with solid platinum(II) dichloride yielding the trans-configured phosphinous acid platinum complex trans-[PtCl(2)({2,4-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)POH)(2)]. The deprotonation of one phosphinous acid ligand with an appropriate base leads to the cis-configured monoanion complex cis-[PtCl(2)({2,4-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)PO)(2)H](-), featuring the quasi-chelating phosphinous acid phosphinito unit, (R(f))(2)P-O-H···O=P(R(f))(2), which exhibits a strong hydrogen bridge substantiated by an O···O distance of 245.1(4) pm. The second deprotonation step is accompanied by a rearrangement to afford the trans-configured dianion trans-[PtCl(2)({2,4-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)PO)(2)](2-). The reaction of (R(f))(2)P(O)H with solid palladium(II) dichloride initially yields a mononuclear palladium complex [PdCl(2)({2,4-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)POH)(2)], which condenses under liberation of HCl to the neutral dinuclear palladium complex [Pd(2)(μ-Cl)(2){({2,4-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)PO)(2)H}(2)]. The equilibrium between the mononuclear [PdCl(2)({2,4-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)POH)(2)] and dinuclear [Pd(2)(μ-Cl)(2){({2,4-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)PO)(2)H}(2)] palladium complexes is reversible and can be shifted in each direction by the addition of base or HCl, respectively. Treatment of palladium(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate, [Pd(F(6)acac)(2)], with a slight excess of (R(f))(2)P(O)H yields the complex [Pd(F(6)acac)({2,4-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)}(2)PO)(2)H]. The quasi-chelating phosphinous acid phosphinito unit, which is formed by the liberation of HF(6)acac, is characterized by a O···O distance of 244.1(3) pm. These transition metal complexes are stable towards air and moisture and can be stored for months without any evidence of decomposition.     

Blue-emitting dinuclear N-heterocyclic dicarbene gold(I) complex featuring a nearly unit quantum yield

Dinuclear N-heterocyclic dicarbene gold(I) complexes of general formula [Au(2)(RIm-Y-ImR)(2)](PF(6))(2) (R = Me, Cy; Y = (CH(2))(1-4), o-xylylene, m-xylylene) have been synthesized and screened for their luminescence properties. All the complexes are weakly emissive in solution whereas in the solid state some of them show significant luminescence intensities. In particular, crystals or powders of the complex with R = Me, Y = (CH(2))(3) exhibit an intense blue emission (λ(max) = 450 nm) with a high quantum yield (Φ(em) = 0.96). The X-ray crystal structure of this complex is characterized by a rather short intramolecular Au···Au distance (3.272 ?). Time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations have been used to calculate the UV/vis properties of the ground state as well as of the first excited state of the complex, the latter featuring a significantly shorter Au···Au distance.     

Folding and unfolding movements in a [2]pseudorotaxane

A new dibenzo[24]crown-8 derivative (1) was synthesized and functionalized with aromatic moieties such as naphthalene and coumarin units. These two fluorophores are known to form an effective FRET (Forster resonance energy transfer) pair, and this formed the basis for the design of this host crown ether derivative. Results of the steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence studies confirmed the resonance energy transfer between the donor naphthalene moiety and acceptor coumarin fragment, while NMR spectra and computational studies support a folded conformation for the uncomplexed crown ether 1. This was found to form an inclusion complex, a [2]pseudorotaxane type with imidazolium ion derivatives as the guest molecules with varying alkyl chain lengths ([C(4)mim](+) or [C(10)mim](+)). The host crown ether (1) tends to adopt an open conformation on formation of the interwoven inclusion complex (1·[C(4)mim](+) or 1·[C(10)mim](+)). This change in conformation, from the folded to a open one, was predicted by computational as well as (1)H NMR studies and was confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure for one (1·[C(4)mim](+)) of the two inclusion complexes. The increase in the effective distance between the naphthalene and coumarin moieties in the open conformation of these inclusion complexes was also supported by the decrease in the effective FRET process that was operational between naphthalene and coumarin moieties in the free molecule (1). Importantly, this inclusion complex formation was found to be reversible, and in the presence of a stronger base/polar solvent, such as triethyl amine/DMSO, the deprotonation/effective solvation of the cationic imidizolium ions ([C(4)mim](+) or [C(10)mim](+)) resulted in decomplexation or dethreading with restoration of the original emission spectra for 1, which signifies the subsequent increase in the FRET process. Thus we could demonstrate that a molecular folding-unfolding type of movement in the crown ether derivative could be induced by chemical input as an imidazolium ion.