Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization,and crystal structures of copper(I) iodide clusters of N-methylthiourea and 1,3-diazinane-2-thione

Two copper(I) iodide complexes, [Cu₄(Metu)₆I₄] (I) and [Cu₈(Diaz)₁₂I₈] (II) (Metu = N-methylthiourea; Diaz = 1,3-diazinane-2-thione), have been prepared and their structures been determined by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures show that complex I is a tetranuclear, while II is an octanuclear cluster, both having a Cu : S ratio of 2 : 3, characteristic of metallothioneins. In I, each of the four copper atoms is coordinated to three thiourea ligands and one iodide ion in a distorted tetrahedral mode adopting admantane-like structure. In II, four types of core arrangements are observed around copper(I), which include, Cu(μ-S₂)I₂, Cu(μ-S₂)(μ-I)I, Cu(μ-S₃)I, and Cu(μ-S₃)S each having copper(I) tetrahedrally coordinated. The complexes were also characterized by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structure and Luminescent Properties of Co-ordination Networks Based on Copper(I) Iodide Clusters from 1, 4-Bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene

This paper presents novel and distinctive Copper(I) iodide polymers with intriguing structure motifs, constructed from 1, 4-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)benzene (bix). Treatment of bix with CuI generated [(Cu₄I₄)(bix)₂] _n 1, whose X-ray single crystal structural determination revealed a novel 2-D battlement-like sheet structure with square grids based on distorted cubane-like Cu₄I₄ clusters. The structural features and photoluminescence of the complexes are discussed. The present finding may provide insight into the coordination versatility of copper(I) halide clusters with N-donor ligands and an inspiration for the self-assembly of novel supramolecular networks based on copper(I) halide clusters.     

Amination and amidation of aryl iodides catalyzed by copper(I)-phenanthroline complexes

Four kinds of copper(I)-phenanthroline complexes ([Cu^I(phen)₂]Cl, [Cu^I(phen)Cl]₂, [Cu^I(phen)₂]BF₄, and Cu^I(phen)PPh₃Cl) were prepared and used as catalysts for amination and amidation of aryl iodide to investigate the influence on the yields of products due to differences of the structures. These complexes were found to work as catalysts on these reactions and showed that the differences of structures of copper(I) complexes significantly influenced the yield of aryl-nitrogen bond forming processes.     

Luminescent Coordination Polymers Constructed from a Flexible,Tetradentate Diisopyrazole Ligand and Copper(I) Halides

One‐ and two‐dimensional coordination polymers composed of a structurally flexible, tetradentate diisopyrazole ligand and copper(I) halides were synthesized as crystalline solids. Complexation with copper(I) chloride or bromide resulted in the formation of infinite coordination chains through connecting each diisopyrazole ligand with two copper(I) ions in a trigonal planar coordination geometry. Contrarily, the combination of a diisopyrazole ligand and copper(I) iodide gave a two‐dimensional coordination network comprising Cu₄I₄ units with stair‐step type geometry and diisopyrazoles that acted as both tetradentate and bidentate bridging ligands. All the coordination polymers exhibited visible photo‐emission upon UV irradiation, and the Cu₄I₄ complex showed thermochromic behavior.     

Visualizing Biological Copper Storage: The Importance of Thiolate-Coordinated Tetranuclear Clusters

Bacteria possess cytosolic proteins (Csp3s) capable of binding large quantities of copper and preventing toxicity. Crystal structures of a Csp3 plus increasing amounts of Cu^I provide atomic-level information about how a storage protein loads with metal ions. Many more sites are occupied than Cu^I equiv added, with binding by twelve central sites dominating. These can form [Cu₄(S-Cys)₄] intermediates leading to [Cu₄(S-Cys)₅]⁻, [Cu₄(S-Cys)₆]²⁻, and [Cu₄(S-Cys)₅(O-Asn)]⁻ clusters. Construction of the five Cu^I sites at the opening of the bundle lags behind the main core, and the two least accessible sites at the opposite end of the bundle are occupied last. Facile Cu^I cluster formation, reminiscent of that for inorganic complexes with organothiolate ligands, is largely avoided in biology but is used by proteins that store copper in the cytosol of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, where this reactivity is also key to toxicity.     

Visualizing Biological Copper Storage: The Importance of Thiolate‐Coordinated Tetranuclear Clusters

Bacteria possess cytosolic proteins (Csp3s) capable of binding large quantities of copper and preventing toxicity. Crystal structures of a Csp3 plus increasing amounts of Cu^I provide atomic‐level information about how a storage protein loads with metal ions. Many more sites are occupied than Cu^I equiv added, with binding by twelve central sites dominating. These can form [Cu₄(S‐Cys)₄] intermediates leading to [Cu₄(S‐Cys)₅]⁻, [Cu₄(S‐Cys)₆]²⁻, and [Cu₄(S‐Cys)₅(O‐Asn)]⁻ clusters. Construction of the five Cu^I sites at the opening of the bundle lags behind the main core, and the two least accessible sites at the opposite end of the bundle are occupied last. Facile Cu^I cluster formation, reminiscent of that for inorganic complexes with organothiolate ligands, is largely avoided in biology but is used by proteins that store copper in the cytosol of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, where this reactivity is also key to toxicity.     

Cluster Light-Emitting Diodes Containing Copper Iodine Cube with 100 % Exciton Utilization Using Host-Cluster Synergy

Clusters combine the advantages of organic molecules and inorganic nanomaterials, which are promising alternatives for optoelectronic applications. Nonetheless, recently emerged cluster light-emitting diodes require further excited state optimization of cluster emitters, especially to reduce population of the cluster-centered triplet quenching state (³CC). Here we report that redox-active ligands enhance reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) of Cu₄I₄ cluster for triplet-to-singlet conversion, and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) host can provide an external RISC channel. It indicates that the complementarity between TADF host and cluster in RISC transitions gives rise to 100 % triplet conversion efficiency and complete singlet exciton convergence, rendering 100-fold increased singlet radiation rate constant and tenfold decreased triplet non-radiation rate constant. We achieve a photoluminescence quantum yield of 99 % and a record external quantum efficiency of 29.4 %.     

Highly Luminescent Inks: Aggregation‐Induced Emission of Copper–Iodine Hybrid Clusters

Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) is an attractive phenomenon in which materials display strong luminescence in the aggregated solid states rather than in the conventional dissolved molecular states. However, highly luminescent inks based on AIE are hard to be obtained because of the difficulty in finely controlling the crystallinity of AIE materials at nanoscale. Herein, we report the preparation of highly luminescent inks via oil‐in‐water microemulsion induced aggregation of Cu–I hybrid clusters based on the highly soluble copper iodide‐tris(3‐methylphenyl)phosphine (Cu₄I₄(P‐(m‐Tol)₃)₄) hybrid. Furthermore, we can synthesize a series of AIE inks with different light‐emission colors to cover the whole visible spectrum range via a facile ligand exchange processes. The assemblies of Cu–I hybrid clusters with AIE characteristics will pave the way to fabricate low‐cost highly luminescent inks.     

Copper(I) complexes with fluorinated hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate: Influence of electronic effects on their structure,physicochemical properties,and reactivity

Copper(I) coordination complexes of the anionic fluorinated ligand, hydrotris(3-trifluoromethyl-5-methyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (L0f⁻), i.e. the copper(I) carbonyl complex, [Cu^I(L0f)(CO)] (1), the copper(I) triphenylphosphine complex, [Cu^I(L0f)(PPh₃)] (2), the copper(I) acetonitrile complex, [Cu^I(L0f)(NCMe)] (3), and the corresponding copper(I) triphenylphosphine complex with hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)-borate anion (L1⁻), i.e. [Cu^I(L1)(PPh₃)] (4), were synthesized in order to investigate the influence of the electron-withdrawing groups on the pyrazolyl rings. The structures of complexes 1, 2, and 4 were determined by X-ray crystallography. While X-ray crystallography did not show definitive trends in terms of copper(I) atom geometry, the clear influence of the electronic structure of the pyrazolyl rings is observed by spectroscopic techniques, namely, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Finally, the relative stability of the copper(I) complexes is discussed.     

Post-Nickelation of a Crystalline Trinuclear Copper Organic Framework for Synergistic Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Conversion

Rational regulation of electronic structures and functionalities of framework materials still remains challenging. Herein, reaction of 4,4′,4′′-nitrilo-tribenzhydrazide with tris(μ₂-4-carboxaldehyde-pyrazolato-N,N′)-tricopper (Cu₃Py₃) generates the crystalline copper organic framework USTB-11(Cu). Post-modification with divalent nickel ions affords the heterometallic framework USTB-11(Cu,Ni). Powder X-ray diffraction and theoretical simulations reveal their two-dimensional hexagonal structure geometry. A series of advanced spectroscopic techniques disclose the mixed Cu^I/Cu^II state nature of Cu₃Py₃ in USTB-11(Cu,Ni) with a uniform bistable Cu₃⁴⁺(Cu^I₂Cu^II) : Cu₃⁵⁺(Cu^ICu^II₂) (ca. 1 : 3) oxidation state, resulting in a significantly improved formation efficiency of the charge-separation state. This endows the Ni sites with enhanced activity and USTB-11(Cu,Ni) with outstanding photocatalytic CO₂ to CO performance with a conversion rate of 22 130 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and selectivity of 98 %.     

Stepwise Oxidations in a Cofacial Copper(II) Porphyrin Dimer: Through-Space Spin-Coupling and Interplay between Metal and Radical Spins

cis and trans-copper(II) porphyrin dimers have been synthesized, in which two Cu^II porphyrin macrocycles are bridged through a rigid ethene linker for possible through-space and through-bond spin-couplings between the paramagnetic Cu^II centers. It has been found that the two macrocycles come closer after 1 e⁻ oxidation, however, they move far apart upon further 1 e⁻ oxidation leading to transformation of the cis to the trans isomer. Detailed investigations are performed here on the interactions between the two porphyrin macrocycles, between two unpaired spins of closely spaced Cu^II centers, and also between the unpaired spins of metal and porphyrin π–cation radicals. Spectroscopic investigations along with the X-ray structure of the 2 e⁻-oxidized complex displayed strong electronic communications through the bridge between two porphyrin π–cation radicals. The counterion I₉⁻ is stabilized in an unusual trigonal-pyramidal structure in the 2 e⁻-oxidized complex in which the central iodide ion is bound with four iodine (I₂) molecules. Variable-temperature magnetic study revealed strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the two porphyrin π–cation radical spins (J_r–r) in the 2 e⁻-oxidized complex. DFT calculations suggest stabilization of the triplet state, which is also in good agreement with the experiment. Ab initio molecular dynamics allowed the variation of the structural details to be followed upon stepwise oxidations and also the final isomerization process including its associated energy barrier.     

A novel luminescent ionic trinuclear Cu3I2 cluster cuprous complex supported by a P^N ligand: synthesis,structure characterization,properties and TD–DFT calculations

Luminescent cuprous complexes are an important class of coordination compounds due to their relative abundance, low cost and ability to display excellent luminescence. The title ionic trinuclear Cu₃I₂ complex, tris[μ₂‐diphenyl(pyridin‐2‐yl)phosphane‐κ²P:N]di‐μ₃‐iodido‐tricopper(I)(3 Cu—Cu) hexafluoridophosphate, [Cu₃I₂(C₃₉H₃₂NP)₃]PF₆, conventionally abbreviated as [Cu₃I₂(Ph₂PPy)₃]PF₆, is described. Each Cu^I atom is coordinated by two μ₃‐iodide ligands and by a P and an N atom from two Ph₂PPy ligands, giving rise to a CuI₂PN tetrahedral coordination geometry about each Cu^I centre. The electronic absorption and photoluminescence properties of this trinuclear cluster have been studied on as‐synthesized samples, which had been examined previously by powder X‐ray diffraction. A detailed time‐dependent density functional theory (TD–DFT) study was carried out and showed a green emission derived from a halide‐to‐ligand charge transfer and metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer ³(X+M)LCT excited state.     

Doubly Boron-Doped TADF Emitters Decorated with ortho-Donor Groups for Highly Efficient Green to Red OLEDs

Doubly boron-doped thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters based on a 9,10-diboraanthracene (DBA) acceptor decorated with ortho-donor groups (Cz2oDBA, 2 ; BuCz2oDBA, 3 ; DMAC2oDBA, 4 ) are prepared to realize high-efficiency green-to-red organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). X-ray diffraction analyses of 2 and 4 reveal the symmetrical and highly twisted ortho-donor–acceptor–donor (D-A-D) structure of the emitters. The twisted conformation leads to a very small energy splitting (ΔE_ST <0.08 eV) between the excited singlet and triplet states that gives rise to strong TADF, as supported by theoretical studies. Depending on the strength of the donor moieties, the emission color is fine-tuned in the visible region from green ( 2 ) to yellow ( 3 ) to red ( 4 ). Carbazole-containing 2 and 3 exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) approaching 100 %, whereas DMAC-substituted 4 is moderately emissive (PLQY=44 %) in a doped host film. Highly efficient green-to-red TADF-OLEDs are realized with the proposed ortho-D-A-D compounds as emitters. The green and yellow OLEDs incorporating Cz2oDBA ( 2 ) and BuCz2oDBA ( 3 ) emitters exhibit high external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 26.6 % and 21.6 %, respectively. In particular, the green device shows an excellent power efficiency above 100 lm W⁻¹. A red OLED fabricated with a DMAC2oDBA ( 4 ) emitter exhibits a maximum EQE of 10.1 % with an electroluminescence peak at 615 nm.     

Coinage Metal Complexes of Bis(quinoline-2-ylmethyl)phenylphosphine-Simple Reactions Can Lead to Unprecedented Results

The different coordination behavior of the flexible yet sterically demanding, hemilabile P,N ligand bis(quinoline-2-ylmethyl)phenylphosphine ( bqmpp ) towards selected Cu^I, Ag^I and Au^I species is described. The resulting X-ray crystal structures reveal interesting coordination geometries. With [Cu(MeCN)₄]BF₄, compound 1 [Cu₂(bqmpp)₂](BF₄)₂ is obtained, wherein the copper(I) atoms display a distorted square planar and square pyramidal geometry. The steric demand and π-stacking of the ligand allow for a short Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu distance (2.588(9) Å). Cu^I complex 2 [Cu₄Cl₃(bqmpp)₂]BF₄ contains a rarely observed Cu₄Cl₃ cluster, probably enabled by dichloromethane as the chloride source. In the cluster, even shorter Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu distances (2.447(1) Å) are present. The reaction of Ag[SbF₆] with the ligand leads to a dinuclear compound ( 3 ) in solution as confirmed by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. During crystallization, instead of the expected phosphine complex 3 , a tris(quinoline-2-ylmethyl)bisphenyl-phosphine ( tqmbp ) compound [Ag₂(tqmbp)₂](SbF₆)₂ 4 is formed by elimination of quinaldine. The Au(I) compound [Au₂(bqmpp)₂]PF₆ ( 5 ) is prepared as expected and shows a linear arrangement of two phosphine ligands around Au^I.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Properties of a 2D Cu(I) Coordination Polymer Based on Cu<Subscript>3</Subscript>I<Subscript>3</Subscript> Chains Linked by 1,3-Di-(1,2,4-Triazole-4-yl)Benzene

A new copper(I) iodide coordination polymer, [(CuI)₃(dtb)] _n (1) (dtb = 1,3-di-(1,2,4-triazole-4-yl)benzene) has been synthesized solvothermally and structurally characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffractions, elemental analysis, IR, and thermogravimetric analysis. Overall, 1 exhibits a 2D hybrid structure containing dtb as structure-directing agents (SDAs) and 1D Cu₃I₃ chain as inorganic moiety. The copper-iodide chain can be regarded as two Cu₂I₂ rhomboids are connected by CuI fragments via Cu–I bonds. Dtb act as bridging ligands regularly link the Cu₃I₃ chains along both sides through Cu–N bonds to give the final 2D network. Moreover, solid state luminescent property of 1 has been investigated at room temperature.     

Reactions of a Polyhalide Ionic Liquid with Copper,Silver, and Gold

The reactions of copper, silver, and gold with the imidazolium-based polyhalide ionic liquid (IL) [C₆C₁Im][Br₂I] were investigated by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), weight-loss measurements, and gas-phase mass spectrometry. All three Group 11 metals are strongly corroded by the IL at moderate temperatures to give a very high content of dissolved Cu^I, Ag^I, and Au^I species. The IL–metal solutions are stable against contact with water and air. The replacement of imidazolium with inorganic sodium cations decreased metal corrosion rates by orders of magnitude. Our results clearly indicate metal oxidation by iodide from dibromoiodide anions to form molecular iodine and anionic [Br-M^I-Br]⁻ (M=Cu, Ag, Au) complexes stabilized by imidazolium counterions. From experiments with a trihalide IL with imidazolium methylated at the 2-position, we ruled out the formation of imidazole–carbene as a cause of the observed corrosion. In contrast to Group 11 metals, molybdenum is inert against the trihalide IL, which is attributed to surface passivation.     

An Adaptable N-Heterocyclic Carbene Macrocycle Hosting Copper in Three Oxidation States

A neutral hybrid macrocycle with two trans-positioned N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and two pyridine donors hosts copper in three oxidation states (+I–+III) in a series of structurally characterized complexes ( 1 – 3 ). Redox interconversion of [LCu]^+/2+/3+ is electrochemically (quasi)reversible and occurs at moderate potentials (E_1/2=−0.45 V and +0.82 V (vs. Fc/Fc⁺)). A linear C^NHC-Cu-C^NHC arrangement and hemilability of the two pyridine donors allows the ligand to adapt to the different stereoelectronic and coordination requirements of Cu^I versus Cu^II/Cu^III. Analytical methods such as NMR, UV/Vis, IR, electron paramagnetic resonance, and Cu Kβ high-energy-resolution fluorescence detection X-ray absorption spectroscopies, as well as DFT calculations, give insight into the geometric and electronic structures of the complexes. The XAS signatures of 1 – 3 are textbook examples for Cu^I, Cu^II, and Cu^III species. Facile 2-electron interconversion combined with the exposure of two basic pyridine N sites in the reduced Cu^I form suggest that [LCu]^+/2+/3+ may operate in catalysis via coupled 2 e⁻/2 H⁺ transfer.     

Two anionic [Cu6X7]n (X=Br and I) chain-based organic-inorganic hybrid solids with N-substituted benzotriazole ligands

Solvothermal reactions of the flexible ligand 1,6-Bi(benzotriazole)hexane with CuI and KI or CuBr and KBr in ethanol generate two hybrid compounds, namely, {(HETA)[(Cu₆I₇)(ETA)₂]}_n(1) and {K(Cu₆Br₇)(BBTH)}_n(2) (ETA=N-ethylbenzotriazole, HETA=protonated N-ethylbenzotriazole, BBTH=1,6-bi(benzotriazole)hexane). In 1, two [Cu₃I₄] vertex missing cubane-like subunits link each other by sharing one I atom to give a [Cu₆I₇] cluster, which further form novel 1D [Cu₆I₇]_nⁿ⁻ anionic chain. Two in-situ generated ETA ligands finished the 4-coordinated environments of copper centers and another one discrete protonated ETA ligand keeps the charge neutrality for 1. In complex 2, bowl-shaped [Cu₅Br₄] clusters and rhomboid [Cu₂Br₂] dimers link each other to generate a [Cu₆Br₇]_nⁿ⁻ 1D chain. BBTH ligands complete the tetrahedral spheres of Cu(I), and 7-coordinated K atoms further extend the 1D chain motifs to a 2D hybrid layer of 2. The UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum and luminescence measurements show that compound 1 and 2 both are potential semiconductor and photoluminescence materials.     

A Facile Route for Constructing Effective Cu−Nx Active Sites for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

The coordination number between copper and nitrogen in copper/nitrogen-based electrocatalysts is important for boosting the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, it is difficult to control unsaturated copper/nitrogen constructions as well as to compare their ORR performances in similar carbon matrices in a simple yet efficient manner. In this study, we have easily attained two types of Cu⁺−N₂ and Cu²⁺−N₄ constructions simply by etching pyrolyzed Cu-doped zeolitic imidazolate framework nanoleaves (Cu-ZIF-L) with sulfuric acid or nitric acid, respectively. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra were recorded to further confirm the different copper/nitrogen constructions after the different acid treatments. Electrochemical studies have demonstrated that Cu⁺−N₂ sites are more active in boosting the ORR performance than Cu²⁺−N₄ sites. Furthermore, Cu−N/C−H₂SO₄, used as an air cathode in a zinc-air battery, exhibited excellent performance and stability.     

Pseudo-2D Layered Organic-Inorganic Manganese Bromide with a Near-Unity Photoluminescence Quantum Yield for White Light-Emitting Diode and X-Ray Scintillator

Eco-friendly lead-free organic–inorganic manganese halides (OIMHs) have attracted considerable attention in various optoelectronic applications because of their superior optical properties and flexible solution processibility. Herein, we report a novel pseudo-2D layered OIMH (MTP)₂MnBr₄ (MTP: methyltriphenylphosphonium), which exhibits intense green emission under UV/blue or X-ray excitation, with a near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield, high resistance to thermal quenching (I_{150 °C}=84.1 %) and good photochemical stability. These features enable (MTP)₂MnBr₄ as an efficient green phosphor for blue-converted white light-emitting diodes, demonstrating a commercial-level luminous efficiency of 101 lm W⁻¹ and a wide color gamut of 116 % NTSC. Moreover, these (MTP)₂MnBr₄ crystals showcase outstanding X-ray scintillation properties, delivering a light yield of 67000 photon MeV⁻¹, a detection limit of 82.4 nGy s⁻¹, and a competitive spatial resolution of 6.2 lp mm⁻¹ for X-ray imaging. This work presents a new avenue for the exploration of eco-friendly luminescent OIMHs towards multifunctional light-emitting applications.