Three-component coordination networks based on [Ru(phen)(CN)4(2-) anions, near-infrared luminescent lanthanide(III) cations, and ancillary oligopyridine ligands: structures and photophysical properties

A series of cyanide-bridged coordination networks has been prepared which contain [Ru(phen)(CN)4](2-) anions, Ln(III) cations, and additional oligopyridine ligands (1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine or 2,2'-bipyrimidine) which coordinate to the Ln(III) centres. Five structural types have been identified and examples of each type of structure are described: these are hexanuclear Ru4Ln2 clusters; two-dimensional Ru-Ln sheets with a honeycomb pattern of edge-linked Ru6Ln6 hexagons; one-dimensional chains consisting of two parallel cross-linked strands in a ladder-like arrangement; simple single-stranded chains of alternating Ru/Ln components; and a one-dimensional 'chain of squares' in which Ru2Ln2 squares are linked by bipyrimidine bridging ligands which connect to the Ln(III) corners of adjacent squares in the sequence. The 3MLCT luminescence characteristic of the [Ru(phen)(CN)4](2-) units is quenched in those networks containing Ln(III) which have low-lying near-infrared luminescent f-f states [Pr(III), Nd(III), Er(III), Yb(III)], with sensitised Ln(III)-based near-IR luminescence generated by d --> f energy-transfer. The rate of d --> f energy-transfer, and hence the degree of quenching of the 3MLCT luminescence from the [Ru(phen)(CN)4](2-) units, depends on the availability of f-f levels of an appropriate energy on the Ln(III) centre, with Nd(III) (with a high density of low-lying f-f states) being the most effective energy-acceptor and Yb(III) (with a single low-lying f-f state) being the least effective. Rates of d --> f energy-transfer to different Ln(III) centres could be determined from both the residual (partially quenched) lifetimes of the 3MLCT luminescence, and--in the case of the Yb(III) networks--by a rise-time for the sensitised near-IR luminescence. The presence of the 'blocking' polypyridyl ligands, which reduced the number of cyanide and water ligands that would otherwise coordinate to the Ln(III) centres, resulted in increases in the Ln(III)-based emission lifetimes compared to networks where these blocking ligands were not used.     

Luminescent Pt(II)(bipyridyl)(diacetylide) chromophores with pendant binding sites as energy donors for sensitised near-infrared emission from lanthanides: structures and photophysics of Pt(II)/Ln(III) assemblies

The complexes [Pt(bipy){CC-(4-pyridyl)}(2)] (1) and [Pt(tBu(2)bipy){CC-(4-pyridyl)}(2)] (2) and [Pt(tBu(2)-bipy)(CC-phen)(2)] (3) all contain a Pt(bipy)(diacetylide) core with pendant 4-pyridyl (1 and 2) or phenanthroline (3) units which can be coordinated to {Ln(diketonate)(3)} fragments (Ln = a lanthanide) to make covalently-linked Pt(II)/Ln(III) polynuclear assemblies in which the Pt(II) chromophore, absorbing in the visible region, can be used to sensitise near-infrared luminescence from the Ln(III) centres. For 1 and 2 one-dimensional coordination polymers [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) are formed, whereas 3 forms trinuclear adducts [3{Ln(hfac)(3)}(2)] (tta=anion of thenoyl-trifluoroacetone; hfac=anion of hexafluoroacetylacetone). Complexes 1-3 show typical Pt(II)-based (3)MLCT luminescence in solution at approximately 510 nm, but in the coordination polymers [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) the presence of stacked pairs of Pt(II) units with short PtPt distances means that the chromophores have (3)MMLCT character and emit at lower energy ( approximately 630 nm). Photophysical studies in solution and in the solid state show that the (3)MMLCT luminescence in [1Ln(tta)(3)](infinity) and [2Ln(hfac)(3)](infinity) in the solid state, and the (3)MLCT emission of [3{Ln(hfac)(3)}(2)] in solution and the solid state, is quenched by Pt-->Ln energy transfer when the lanthanide has low-energy f-f excited states which can act as energy acceptors (Ln=Yb, Nd, Er, Pr). This results in sensitised near-infrared luminescence from the Ln(III) units. The extent of quenching of the Pt(II)-based emission, and the Pt-->Ln energy-transfer rates, can vary over a wide range according to how effective each Ln(III) ion is at acting as an energy acceptor, with Yb(III) usually providing the least quenching (slowest Pt-->Ln energy transfer) and either Nd(III) or Er(III) providing the most (fastest Pt-->Ln energy transfer) according to which one has the best overlap of its f-f absorption manifold with the Pt(II)-based luminescence.     

Structural and photophysical properties of coordination networks combining [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- anions and lanthanide(III) cations: rates of photoinduced Ru-to-lanthanide energy transfer and sensitized near-infrared luminescence

Co-crystallization of K2[Ru(bipy)(CN)4] with lanthanide(III) salts (Ln = Pr, Nd, Gd, Er, Yb) from aqueous solution affords coordination oligomers and networks in which the [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- unit is connected to the lanthanide cation via Ru-CN-Ln bridges. The complexes fall into two structural types: [{Ru(bipy)(CN)4}2{Ln(H2O)m}{K(H2O)n}] x xH2O (Ln = Pr, Er, Yb; m = 7, 6, 6, respectively), in which two [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- units are connected to a single lanthanide ion by single cyanide bridges to give discrete trinuclear fragments, and [{Ru(bipy)(CN)4}3{Ln(H2O)4}2] x xH2O (Ln = Nd, Gd), which contain two-dimensional sheets of interconnected, cyanide-bridged Ru2Ln2 squares. In the Ru-Gd system, the [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- unit shows the characteristic intense (3)metal-to-ligand charge transfer luminescence at 580 nm with tau = 550 ns; with the other lanthanides, the intensity and lifetime of this luminescence are diminished because of a Ru --> Ln photoinduced energy transfer to low-lying emissive states of the lanthanide ions, resulting in sensitized near-infrared luminescence in every case. From the degree of quenching of the Ru-based emission, Ru --> Ln energy-transfer rates can be estimated, which are in the order Yb (k(EnT) approximately 3 x 10(6) sec(-1), the slowest energy transfer) < Er < Pr < Nd (k(EnT) approximately 2 x 10(8) sec(-1), the fastest energy transfer). This order may be rationalized on the basis of the availability of excited f-f levels on the lanthanide ions at energies that overlap with the Ru-based emission spectrum. In every case, the lifetime of the lanthanide-based luminescence is short (tens/hundreds of nanoseconds, instead of the more usual microseconds), even when the water ligands on the lanthanide ions are replaced by D2O to eliminate the quenching effects of OH oscillators; we tentatively ascribe this quenching effect to the cyanide ligands.     

Sensitised near-infrared luminescence from lanthanide(III) centres using Re(I) and Pt(II) diimine complexes as energy donors in d-f dinuclear complexes based on 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine

The luminescent transition metal complexes [Re(CO)(3)Cl(bppz)] and [Pt(CC-C(6)H(4)CF(3))(2)(bppz)] [bppz = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine], in which one of the diimine binding sites of the potentially bridging ligand bppz is vacant, have been used as 'complex ligands' to make heterodinuclear d-f complexes by attachment of a {Ln(dik)(3)} fragment (dik = a 1,3-diketonate) at the vacant site. When Ln = Pr, Nd, Er or Yb the lanthanide centre has low-energy f-f excited states capable of accepting energy from the (3)MLCT excited state of the Pt(II) or Re(I) centre, quenching the (3)MLCT luminescence and affording sensitised lanthanide(III)-based luminescence in the near-IR region. UV/Vis and luminescence spectroscopic titrations allowed measurement of (i) the association constants for binding of the {Ln(dik)(3)} fragment at the vacant diimine site of [Re(CO)(3)Cl(bppz)] or [Pt(CC-C(6)H(4)CF(3))(2)(bppz)], and (ii) the degree of quenching of the (3)MLCT luminescence according to the nature of the Ln(III) centre. In all cases Nd(III) was found to be the most effective of the series at quenching the (3)MLCT luminescence of the d-block component because the high density of f-f excited states of the appropriate energy make it a particularly effective energy-acceptor.     

Structural and photophysical properties of coordination networks combining [Ru(Bpym)(CN)4]2- or [[Ru(CN)4]2(mu-bpym)]4- anions (bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) with lanthanide(III) cations: sensitized near-infrared luminescence from Yb(III), Nd(III), and Er(III) following Ru-to-lanthanide energy transfer

Reaction of the cyanoruthenate anions [Ru(bpym)(CN)4]2- and [[Ru(CN)4]2(mu-bpym)]4- (bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) with lanthanide(III) salts resulted in the crystallization of coordination networks based on Ru-CN-Ln bridges. Four types of structure were obtained: [Ru(bpym)(CN)4][Ln(NO3)(H2O)5] (Ru-Ln; Ln = Sm, Nd, and Gd) are one-dimensional helical chains; [Ru(bpym)(CN)4]2[Ln(NO3)(H2O)2][Ln(NO3)(0.5)(H2O)(5.5)](NO3)(0.5).5.5H2O (Ru-Ln; Ln = Er and Yb) are two-dimensional sheets containing cross-linked chains based on Ru2Ln2(mu-CN)4 diamond units, which are linked into one-dimensional chains via shared Ru atoms; [[Ru(CN)4]2(mu-bpym)][Ln(NO3)(H2O)5]2.3H2O (Ru2-Ln; Ln = Nd and Sm) are one-dimensional ladders with parallel Ln-NC-Ru-CN-Ln-NC strands connected by the bipyrimidine "cross pieces" acting as rungs on the ladder; and [[Ru(CN)4]2(mu-bpym)][Ln(H2O)6](0.5)[Ln(H2O)4](NO3)(0.5).nH2O (Ru2-Ln; Ln = Eu, Gd, and Yb; n = 8.5, 8.5, and 8, respectively) are three-dimensional networks in which two-dimensional sheets of Ru2Ln2(mu-CN)4 diamonds are connected via cyanide bridges to Ln(III) ions between the layers. Whereas Ru-Gd shows weak triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) luminescence in the solid state from the Ru-bipyrimidine chromophore, in Ru-Nd, Ru-Er, and Ru-Yb, the Ru-based emission is quenched, and all of these show, instead, sensitized lanthanide-based near-IR luminescence following a Ru --> Ln energy transfer. Similarly, Ru2-Nd and Ru2-Yb show lanthanide-based near-IR emission following excitation of the Ru-bipyrimidine chromophore. Time-resolved luminescence measurements suggest that the Ru --> Ln energy-transfer rate is faster (when Ln = Yb and Er) than in related complexes based on the [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- chromophore, because the lower energy of the Ru-bpym 3MLCT provides better spectroscopic overlap with the low-energy f-f states of Yb(III) and Er(III). In every case, the lanthanide-based luminescence is relatively short-lived as a result of the CN oscillations in the lattice.     

Heteronuclear bipyrimidine-bridged Ru-Ln and Os-Ln dyads: low-energy 3MLCT states as energy-donors to Yb(III) and Nd(III)

The complexes [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)(bpym)X(2)] (X = Cl, NCS) and [M((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(bpym)][PF(6)](2) (M = Ru, Os) all have a low-energy LUMO arising from the presence of a 2,2'-bipyrimidine ligand, and consequently have lower-energy (1)MLCT and (3)MLCT states than analogous complexes of bipyridine. The vacant site of the bpym ligand provides a site at which [Ln(diketonate)(3)] units can bind to afford bipyrimidine-bridged dinuclear Ru-Ln and Os-Ln dyads; four such complexes have been structurally characterised. UV/Vis and luminescence spectroscopic studies show that binding of the Ln(III) fragment at the second site of the bpym ligand reduces the (3)MLCT energy of the Ru or Os fragment still further. The result is that in the dyads [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)X(2)(mu-bpym)Ln(diketonate)(3)] (X = Cl, NCS) and [Os((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(mu-bpym)Ln(diketonate)(3)][PF(6)](2) the (3)MLCT is too low to sensitise the luminescent f-f states of Nd(III) and Yb(III), but in [Ru((t)Bu(2)bipy)(2)(mu-bpym)Ln(diketonate)(3)][PF(6)](2) the (3)MLCT energy of 13,500 cm(-1) permits energy transfer to Yb(III) and Nd(III) resulting in sensitised near-infrared luminescence on the microsecond timescale.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of dinuclear complexes containing d-block and f-block luminophores. Sensitization of NIR luminescence from Yb(III), Nd(III), and Er(III) centers by energy transfer from Re(I)- and Pt(II)-bipyrimidine metal centers

Mononuclear complexes [Re(bpym)(CO)(3)Cl] and [Pt(bpym)(CC-C(6)H(4)CF(3))(2)] (bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine), in which one of the bipyrimidine sites is vacant, have been used as "complex ligands" to prepare heterodinuclear d-f complexes in which a lanthanide tris(1,3-diketonate) unit is attached to the secondary bipyrimidine site to evaluate the ability of d-block chromophores to act as antennae for causing sensitized near-infrared (NIR) luminescence from adjacent lanthanide(III) centers. The two sets of complexes so prepared are [Re(CO)(3)Cl(mu-bpym)Ln(fod)(3)] (abbreviated as Re-Ln; where Ln = Yb, Nd, Er) and [(F(3)C-C(6)H(4)-CC)(2)Pt(mu-bpym)Ln(hfac)(3)] (abbreviated as Pt-Ln; where Ln = Nd, Gd). Members of both series have been structurally characterized; the metal-metal separation across the bipyrimidine bridge is approximately 6.3 A in each case. In these complexes, the (3)MLCT (MLCT = metal to ligand charge-transfer) luminescences of the mononuclear [Re(bpym)(CO)(3)Cl] and [Pt(bpym)(CC-C(6)H(4)CF(3))(2)] complexes are quenched by energy transfer to those lanthanides (Ln = Yb, Nd, Er) that have low-lying f-f states capable of NIR luminescence; as a result, sensitized NIR luminescence is seen from the lanthanide center following excitation of the d-block unit. In the solid state, quenching of the luminescence from the d-block chromophore is complete, indicating efficient d --> f energy transfer, as a result of the short metal-metal separation across the bipyrimidine bridge. In a CH(2)Cl(2) solution, partial dissociation of the dinuclear complexes into the mononuclear units occurs, with the result that some (3)MLCT luminescence is observed from mononuclear [Re(bpym)(CO)(3)Cl] or [Pt(bpym)(CC-C(6)H(4)CF(3))(2)] present in the equilibrium mixture. Solution UV-vis and luminescence titrations, carried out by the addition of portions of Ln(fod)(3)(H(2)O)(2) or Ln(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2) to the d-block complex ligands, indicate that binding of the lanthanide tris(1,3-diketonate) unit at the secondary bipyrimidine site to give the d-f dinuclear complexes occurs with an association constant of ca. 10(5) M(-)(1).     

Photophysical and structural properties of cyanoruthenate complexes of hexaazatriphenylene

The tritopic bridging ligand hexaazatriphenylene (HAT) has been used to prepare the mono-, di-, and trinuclear cyanoruthenate complexes [Ru(CN)(4)(HAT)](2-) ([1](2-)), [{Ru(CN)(4)}(2)(mu(2)-HAT)](4-) ([2](4-)), and [{Ru(CN)(4)}(3)(mu(3)-HAT)](6-) ([3](6-)). These complexes are of interest both for their photophysical properties and ability to act as sensitizers, associated with strong MLCT absorptions; and their structural properties, with up to 12 externally directed cyanide ligands at a single "node" for preparation of coordination networks. The complexes are strongly solvatochromic, with broad and intense MLCT absorption manifolds arising from the presence of low-lying pi* orbitals on the HAT ligand, as confirmed by DFT calculations; in aprotic solvents [3](6-) is a panchromatic absorber of visible light. Although nonluminescent in fluid solution, the lowest MLCT excited states have lifetimes in D(2)O of tens of nanoseconds and could be detected by time-resolved IR spectrosocopy. For dinuclear [2](4-) and trinuclear [3](6-) the TRIR spectra are indicative of asymmetric MLCT excited states containing distinct Ru(III) and Ru(II) centers on the IR time scale. The complexes show red (3)MLCT luminescence as solids and in EtOH/MeOH glass at 77 K. Ln(III) salts of [1](2-), [2](4-), and [3](6-) form infinite coordination networks based on Ru-CN-Ln bridges with a range of one-, two-, and three-dimensional polymeric structures. In the Yb(III) and Nd(III) salts of [3](6- )the complex anion forms an 8-connected node. Whereas all of the Gd(III) salts show strong (3)MLCT luminescence in the solid state, the Ru-based emission in the Nd(III) and Yb(III) analogues is substantially quenched by Ru --> Ln photoinduced energy transfer, which results in sensitized near-infrared luminescence from Yb(III) and Nd(III).     

On the mechanism of d-f energy transfer in RuII/LnIII and OsII/LnIII dyads: Dexter-type energy transfer over a distance of 20 A

We have used time-resolved luminescence methods to study rates of photoinduced energy transfer (PEnT) from [M(bipy)3]2+ (M=Ru, Os) chromophores to Ln(III) ions with low-energy f-f states (Ln=Yb, Nd, Er) in d-f dyads in which the metal fragments are separated by a saturated -CH2CH2- spacer, a p-C6H4 spacer, or a p-(C6H4)2 spacer. The finding that d-->f PEnT is much faster across a conjugated p-C6H4 spacer than it is across a shorter CH2CH2 spacer points unequivocally to a Dexter-type energy transfer, involving electronic coupling mediated by the bridging ligand orbitals (superexchange) as the dominant mechanism. Comparison of the distance dependence of the Ru-->Nd energy-transfer rate across different conjugated spacers [p-C6H4 or p-(C6H4)2 groups] is also consistent with this mechanism. Observation of Ru-->Nd PEnT (as demonstrated by partial quenching of the RuII-based 3MLCT emission (MLCT=metal-to-ligand charge transfer), and the growth of sensitised NdIII-based emission at 1050 nm) over approximately 20 A by an exchange mechanism is a departure from the normal situation with lanthanides, in which long-range energy transfer often involves through-space Coulombic mechanisms.     

Covalent linking of near-infrared luminescent ternary lanthanide (Er(3+), Nd(3+), Yb(3+)) complexes on functionalized mesoporous MCM-41 and SBA-15

The near-infrared (NIR) luminescent lanthanide ions, such as Er(III), Nd(III), and Yb(III), have been paid much attention for the potential use in the optical communications or laser systems. For the first time, the NIR-luminescent Ln(dbm)(3)phen complexes have been covalently bonded to the ordered mesoporous materials MCM-41 and SBA-15 via a functionalized phen group phen-Si (phen-Si = 5-(N,N-bis-3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl)ureyl-1,10-phenanthroline; dbm = dibenzoylmethanate; Ln = Er, Nd, Yb). The synthesis parameters X = 12 and Y = 6 h (X denotes Ln(dbm)(3)(H(2)O)(2)/phen-MCM-41 molar ratio or Ln(dbm)(3)(H(2)O)(2)/phen-SBA-15 molar ratio and Y is the reaction time for the ligand exchange reaction; phen-MCM-41 and phen-SBA-15 are phen-functionalized MCM-41 and SBA-15 mesoporous materials, respectively) were selected through a systematic and comparative study. The derivative materials, denoted as Ln(dbm)(3)phen-MCM-41 and Ln(dbm)(3)phen-SBA-15 (Ln = Er, Nd, Yb), were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), elemental analysis, and fluorescence spectra. Upon excitation of the ligands absorption bands, all these materials show the characteristic NIR luminescence of the corresponding lanthanide ions through the intramolecular energy transfer from the ligands to the lanthanide ions. The excellent NIR-luminescent properties enable these mesoporous materials to have potential uses in optical amplifiers (operating at 1.3 or 1.5 mum), laser systems, or medical diagnostics. In addition, the Ln(dbm)(3)phen-SBA-15 materials show an overall increase in relative luminescent intensity and lifetime compared to the Ln(dbm)(3)phen-MCM-41 materials, which was explained by the comparison of the lanthanide ion content and the pore structures of the two kinds of mesoporous materials in detail.     

Electrochemical, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties of structurally diverse polyazine-bridged Ru(II),Pt(II) and Os(II),Ru(II),Pt(II) supramolecular motifs

Five new tetrametallic supramolecules of the motif [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)PtCl(2)](6+) and three new trimetallic light absorbers [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)](6+) (TL = bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine or phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; M = Ru(II) or Os(II); BL = dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine, dpq = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)quinoxaline, or bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) were synthesized and their redox, spectroscopic, and photophysical properties investigated. The tetrametallic complexes couple a Pt(II)-based reactive metal center to Ru and/or Os light absorbers through two different polyazine BL to provide structural diversity and interesting resultant properties. The redox potential of the M(II/III) couple is modulated by M variation, with the terminal Ru(II/III) occurring at 1.58-1.61 V and terminal Os(II/III) couples at 1.07-1.18 V versus Ag/AgCl. [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)](PF(6))(6) display terminal M(dπ)-based highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) with the dpp(π*)-based lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy relatively unaffected by the nature of BL. The coupling of Pt to the BL results in orbital inversion with localization of the LUMO on the remote BL in the tetrametallic complexes, providing a lowest energy charge separated (CS) state with an oxidized terminal Ru or Os and spatially separated reduced BL. The complexes [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)](6+) and [{(TL)(2)M(dpp)}(2)Ru(BL)PtCl(2)](6+) efficiently absorb light throughout the UV and visible regions with intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions in the visible at about 540 nm (M = Ru) and 560 nm (M = Os) (ε ≈ 33,000-42,000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and direct excitation to the spin-forbidden (3)MLCT excited state in the Os complexes about 720 nm. All the trimetallic and tetrametallic Ru-based supramolecular systems emit from the terminal Ru(dπ)→dpp(π*) (3)MLCT state, λ(max)(em) ≈ 750 nm. The tetrametallic systems display complex excited state dynamics with quenching of the (3)MLCT emission at room temperature to populate the lowest-lying (3)CS state population of the emissive (3)MLCT state.     

Near-infrared luminescent hybrid materials doped with lanthanide (Ln) complexes (Ln = Nd, Yb) and their possible laser application

The crystal structures of ternary Ln(DBM)(3)phen complexes (DBM = dibenzoylmethane, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and Ln = Nd, Yb) and their in situ syntheses via the sol-gel process are reported. The properties of the Ln(DBM)(3)phen complexes and their corresponding Ln(3+)/DBM/phen-co-doped luminescent hybrid gels obtained via an in situ method (Ln-D-P gel) have been studied. The results reveal that the lanthanide complexes are successfully in situ synthesized in the corresponding Ln-D-P gels. Both Ln(DBM)(3)phen complexes and Ln-D-P gels display sensitized near-infrared (NIR) luminescence upon excitation at the maximum absorption of the ligands, which contributes to the efficient energy transfer from the ligands to the Ln(3+) ions (Ln = Nd, Yb), an antenna effect. The radiative properties of the Nd(3+) ion in a Nd-D-P gel are discussed using Judd-Ofelt analysis, which indicates that the (4)F(3/2) --> (4)I(11/2) transition of the Nd(3+) ion in the Nd-D-P gel can be considered as a possible laser transition.     

Metal-to-ligand charge-transfer sensitisation of near-infrared emitting lanthanides in trimetallic arrays M2Ln (M=Ru, Re or Os; Ln=Nd, Er or Yb)

The new pro-ligand 4-methyl-4'-(carbonylamino(2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)ethyl))-2,2'-bipyridyl (L1) has been prepared and used to synthesise the complex fac-Re(I)Cl(CO)3(L1) 1 and the complex salts [M(II)(bipy)2(L1)](PF6)2 (M=RuII 8 or OsII 15). Deprotection with trifluoroacetic acid affords the amine-functionalised derivatives fac-Re(I)Cl(CO)3(L2) 2, [M(II)(bipy)2(L2)](PF6)2 (M=RuII 9 or OsII 16) which react with the dianhydride of diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) to give the binuclear complex {fac-Re(I)Cl(CO)3}2(L3) 3 and the complex salts [{M(II)(bipy)2}2(L3)](PF6)4 (M = RuII 10 or OsII 17). The latter react with salts Ln(OTf)3 to afford a series of 12 heterotrimetallic compounds that contain a lanthanide (Ln) ion in the DTPA binding site; {fac-Re(I)Cl(CO)3}2(L3)LnIII (Ln=Nd 4, Er 5, Yb 6 or Y 7) and [{M(II)(bipy)2}2(L3)LnIII](PF6)(OTf)3 (M=RuII, Ln=Nd 11, Er 12, Yb 13 or Y 14; M=OsII, Ln=Nd 18, Er 19, Yb 20 or Y 21). All of these trimetallic species display absorption bands ascribed to metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excitations, and luminescence measurements show that these excited states can be used to sensitise near-infrared emission from LnIII (Ln=Nd, Er or Yb) ions. Single crystal X-ray structures of L1 and [RuII(bipy)2(L2H)](H2PO4)3.(CH3)2CO.0.8H2O were obtained, the latter revealing the presence of H2PO4- counter anions, the source of which is presumed to be hydrolysis of PF6- ions.     

Anthracene as a sensitiser for near-infrared luminescence in complexes of Nd(III), Er(III) and Yb(III): an unexpected sensitisation mechanism based on electron transfer

The ligand L(1), which contains a chelating 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole (PB) unit with a pendant anthacenyl group An connected via a methylene spacer, (L(1) = PB-An), was used to prepare the 8-coordinate lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln(hfac)(3)(L(1))] (Ln = Nd, Gd, Er, Yb) which have been structurally characterised and all have a square antiprismatic N(2)O(6) coordination geometry. Whereas free L(1) displays typical anthracene-based fluorescence, this fluorescence is completely quenched in its complexes. The An group in L(1) acts as an antenna unit: in the complexes [Ln(hfac)(3)(L(1))] (Ln = Nd, Er, Yb) selective excitation of the anthracene results in sensitised near-infrared luminescence from the lanthanide centres with concomitant quenching of An fluorescence. Surprisingly, the anthracene fluorescence is also quenched even in the Gd(III) complex and in its Zn(II) adduct in which quenching via energy transfer to the metal centre is not possible. It is proposed that the quenching of anthracene fluorescence in coordinated L(1) arises due to intra-ligand photoinduced electron-transfer from the excited anthracene chromophore (1)An* to the coordinated PB unit generating a short-lived charge-separated state [An(.+)-PB(.-)] which collapses by back electron-transfer to give (3)An*. This electron-transfer step is only possible upon coordination of L(1) to the metal centre, which strongly increases the electron acceptor capability of the PB unit, such that (1)An* --> PB PET is endoergonic in free L(1) but exergonic in its complexes. Thus, rather than a conventional set of steps ((1)An* -->(3)An* --> Ln), the sensitization mechanism now includes (1)An* --> PB photoinduced electron transfer to generate charge-separated [An(.+)-PB(.-)], then back electron-transfer to generate (3)An* which finally sensitises the Ln(III) centre via energy transfer. The presence of (3)An* in L(1) and its complexes is confirmed by nanosecond transient absorption studies, which have also shown that the (3)An* lifetime in the Nd(III) complex matches the rise time of Nd-centred near-infrared emission, confirming that the final step of the sequence is (3)An* --> Ln(III) energy-transfer.     

Ru(ii) sensitized lanthanide luminescence: synthesis, photophysical properties, and near-infrared luminescent determination of alpha-fetal protein (AFP)

A series of dinuclear compounds of [Ru(bpy)(2)(tpphz)Ln(TTA)(3)](PF(6))(2) (tpphz = tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3',2'-h:3',4'-j]phenazine; Ln = Er(iii), Nd(iii), Yb(iii) and Gd(iii); TTA = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone) have been prepared by attachment of a [Ln(TTA)(3)] fragment at the vacant diimine site of the luminescent mononuclear complex [Ru(bpy)(2)(tpphz)](PF(6))(2). In the solid state, in CH(2)Cl(2) solution and in Tris-HCl buffer solution of these dinuclear complexes , sensitized near-infrared (NIR) luminescence is observed from Nd and Yb centres following excitation of the d-block unit, which results from the effective Ru → Ln (Ln = Nd, Yb) energy transfer, but no Er-based NIR luminescence is produced. The (3)MLCT (MLCT = metal to ligand charge transfer) emission is partly quenched in the complex, slightly increased in the complex, and is not changed in the complex. Interestingly, alpha-fetal protein (AFP) tends to decrease the NIR luminescence intensity of the complex in Tris-HCl buffer solution. A novel NIR luminescent method for the determination of AFP was developed with a linear range of 0.5-18 ng mL(-1), and a detection limit of 0.2 ng mL(-1) based on 3 times the ratio of the signal-to-noise. Considering the attractive features, such as good selectivity, stability and rapidity, the proposed NIR luminescent method provides promising potential for AFP detection in clinical diagnosis and biomedical applications.     

Sensitized near-IR luminescence of Ln(III) complexes with benzothiazole derivatives

Lanthanide complexes with benzothiazole derivatives (Btz-R, R = OCH(3) and OH) and terpyridine (tpy) ligands were synthesized, and their photophysical properties were precisely investigated. The free Btz-OCH(3) ligand in toluene, excited with UV light, produced the normal emission bands around 410 nm, whereas Btz-OH produced a strong excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) band at 510 nm. The Ln(III) complexes (Ln = Nd, Er, and Yb) exhibited sensitized near-IR luminescence when the Btz-R ligands were excited. The sensitized luminescence quantum yields (Phi(Ln)) of the lanthanide complexes were markedly enhanced by ESIPT: for [Nd(Btz-R)(tpy)] in toluene solution, Phi(Ln) = 0.04% for Btz-OCH(3) and 0.39% for Btz-OH. The sensitized luminescence of the Er(III) complexes (Phi(Ln) = 0.002% for Btz-OCH(3) and 0.009% for Btz-OH) was less efficient than that of the Nd(III) complexes. This difference is due to the smaller energy gap between the emitting and ground levels of the Er(III) ion. The rate constants for the energy transfer from Btz-R to Ln(III) were about approximately 10(9) s(-1), as evaluated by the F?rster resonance energy transfer mechanism.     

Re(I) sensitised near-infrared lanthanide luminescence from a hetero-trinuclear Re2Ln array

The trinuclear complexes Re2Ln (Ln = Nd, Yb or Er) contain two Re(I) tricarbonyl units linked to a DTPA binding site via 2,2'-bipyridyl ligands; Ln(III)-centred emission is sensitised by the Re(I) MLCT excited states.     

Os(bipy)(CN)4]2- and its relatives as components of polynuclear assemblies: structural and photophysical properties

A series of diimine-tetracyanoosmate anions [Os(diimine)(CN)4]2- [diimine=2,2'-bipyridine (bipy), 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpym), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and 4,4'-tBu2-2,2'-bipyridine (tBu2bpy)] were prepared and isolated as their Na+ salts (water soluble) or PPN+ salts (soluble in organic solvents). Several examples were crystallographically characterized; the Na+ salts form a range of 1D, 2D, or 3D infinite coordination polymers via coordination of the cyanide groups to Na+ cations in either an end-on or a side-on manner. The [Os(diimine)(CN)4]2- anions are solvatochromic, showing three MLCT absorptions, which are considerably blue-shifted in water compared to organic solvents, in the same way as is well-known for the analogous [Ru(diimine)(CN)4]2- anions. Luminescence in the red region of the spectrum is very weak but (following the expected solvatochromic behavior) is higher energy and more intense in water. However, by exploiting the effect of metallochromism (ref 4), the emission from [Os(tBu2bpy)(CN)4]2- in MeCN can be very substantially boosted in energy, intensity, and lifetime in the presence of Lewis-acidic metal cations (Na+, Ba2+, Zn2+), which, in a relatively noncompetitive solvent, coordinate to the cyanide groups of [Os(tBu2bpy)(CN)4]2-. This has an effect similar in principle to hydrogen bonding of the cyanides to delta+ protons of water, but very much stronger, such that in the presence of Zn2+ ions in MeCN the 1MLCT and 3MLCT absorptions are blue-shifted by ca. 7000 cm(-1), and the luminescence moves from 970 nm (vanishingly weak) to 610 nm with a lifetime of 120 ns (dominant component). Thus, the binding of metal cations to the cyanides provides a mechanism to incorporate [Os(diimine)(CN)4]2- complexes into polynuclear assemblies and simultaneously increases their 3MLCT energy and lifetime to an extent that makes them comparable to much-stronger luminophores such as Ru(II)-polypyridines.     

A family of 13 tetranuclear zinc(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes of a [3+3] Schiff-base macrocycle derived from 1,4-diformyl-2,3-dihydroxybenzene

A family of thirteen tetranuclear heterometallic zinc(II)-lanthanide(III) complexes of the hexa-imine macrocycle (L(Pr))(6-), with general formula Zn(II)(3)Ln(III)(L(Pr))(NO(3))(3)·xsolvents (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm or Yb), were prepared in a one-pot synthesis using a 3:1:3:3 reaction of zinc(II) acetate, the appropriate lanthanide(III) nitrate, the dialdehyde 1,4-diformyl-2,3-dihydroxybenzene (H(2)L(1)) and 1,3-diaminopropane. A hexanuclear homometallic zinc(II) macrocyclic complex [Zn(6)(L(Pr))(OAc)(5)(OH)(H(2)O)]·3H(2)O was obtained using a 2:0:1:1 ratio of the same reagents. A control experiment using a 1:0:1:1 ratio failed to generate the lanthanide-free [Zn(3)(L(Pr))] macrocyclic complex. The reaction of H(2)L(1) and zinc(II) acetate in a 1:1 ratio yielded the pentanuclear homometallic complex of the dialdehyde H(2)L(1), [Zn(5)(L(1))(5)(H(2)O)(6)]·3H(2)O. An X-ray crystal structure determination revealed [Zn(3)(II)Pr(III)(L(Pr))(NO(3))(2)(DMF)(3)](NO(3))·0.9DMF has the large ten-coordinate lanthanide(III) ion bound in the central O(6) site with two bidentate nitrate anions completing the O(10) coordination sphere. The three square pyramidal zinc(II) ions are in the outer N(2)O(2) sites with a fifth donor from DMF. Measurement of the magnetic properties of [Zn(II)(3)Dy(III)(L(Pr))(NO(3))(3)(MeOH)(3)]·4H(2)O with a weak external dc field showed that it has a frequency-dependent out-of-phase component of ac susceptibility, indicative of slow relaxation of the magnetization (SMM behaviour). Likewise, the Er and Yb analogues are field-induced SMMs; the latter is only the second example of a Yb-based SMM. The neodymium, ytterbium and erbium complexes are luminescent in the solid phase, but only the ytterbium and neodymium complexes show strong lanthanide-centred luminescence in DMF solution.     

Diplatinum alkynyl chromophores as sensitisers for lanthanide luminescence in Pt2Ln2 and Pt2Ln4 (Ln = Eu, Nd, Yb) arrays with acetylide-functionalized bipyridine/phenanthroline

Incorporation of diplatinum complex Pt2(micro-dppm)2(bpyC[triple bond]C)4 or Pt2(mu-dppm)2(phenC[triple bond]C)4 with Ln(hfac)3(H2O)2 (Ln = Nd, Eu, Yb) gave a series of Pt2Ln2 and Pt2Ln4 bimetallic arrays, in which the excitation of d(Pt) -->pi*(R-C[triple bond]C) MLCT absorption induces sensitisation of lanthanide luminescence through efficient d --> f energy transfer from Pt(II) alkynyl chromophores.