Metal ion-dependent fluorescent dynamics of photoexcited zinc-porphyrin and zinc-myoglobin modified with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

The reconstituted zinc-myoglobin (ZnMb) dyads, ZnMb-[M(II)(edta)], have been prepared by incorporating a zinc-porphyrin (ZnP) cofactor modified with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (H(4)edta) into apo-Mb. In case of the monomeric ZnP(edta) cofactor coordinated by one pyridine molecule, ZnP(py)(edta), a spontaneous 1:1 complex with a transient metal ion was formed in an aqueous solvent, and the photoexcited singlet state of ZnP, (1)(ZnP)*, was quenched by the [Cu(II)(edta)] moiety through intramolecular photoinduced electron-transfer (ET) reaction. The rate constant for the intramolecular quenching ET (k(q)) at 25 degrees C was successfully obtained as k(q) = 5.1 x 10(9) s(-1). In the case of Co(2+), Ni(2+), and Mn(2+), intersystem crossing by paramagnetic effect was mainly considered between (1)(ZnP)* and the [M(II)(edta)] complex. For the ZnMb-[M(II)(edta)] systems, the intramolecular ET reaction between the excited singlet state of (1)(ZnMb)* and the [Cu(II)(edta)] moieties provided the slower quenching rate constant, k(q) = 2.1 x 10(8) s(-1), compared with that of the ZnP(py)(edta) one. Kinetic studies also presented the efficient fluorescence quenching of the (1)(ZnMb)*-[Co(II)(edta)] dyad. Our study clearly demonstrates that wrapping of the ZnP cofactor by the apoprotein matrix and synthetic manipulation at the Mb surface ensure metal ion-sensitive fluorescent dynamics of ZnMb and provides valuable information to elucidate the complicated mechanism of the biological photoinduced ET reactions of hemoproteins.     

Cyanide ion complexation by a cationic borane

While we have previously reported that [1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6]+ ([2]+) complexes fluoride ions to form [1-(Mes2FB)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6] (2-F), we now show that this cationic borane also complexes cyanide to form [1-(Mes2(NC)B)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6] (2-CN). This reaction also occurs under biphasic conditions (H2O-CHCl3) and may serve to transport cyanide in organic phases. The zwitterionic cyanoborate 2-CN has been fully characterized and its crystal structure determined. UV-vis titration experiments carried out in THF indicate that [2]+ has a higher affinity for fluoride (K > 10(8) M(-1)) than cyanide (K = 8.0 (+/-0.5) x 10(5) M(-1)). Steric effects which impede cyanide binding to the sterically congested boron center of [2]+ are most likely at the origin of this selectivity. Finally, electrochemical studies indicate that [2]+ is significantly more electrophilic than its neutral precursor 1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me2NCH2)-(C10H6) (1). These studies also show that reduction of [2]+ is irreversible, possibly because of elimination of the NMe3 moiety under reductive conditions. In fact, [2]OTf reacts with NaBH4 to afford 1-(Mes2B)-8-(CH3)-(C10H6) (4) which has also been fully characterized.     

Fluoride ion capture from water with a cationic borane

The reaction of the [Li(THF)4]+ salt of dimesityl-1,8-naphthalenediylborate with [Me2NCH2]I affords a borane (1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me2NCH2)-C10H6) which can be converted into a cationic borane [3]+ ([1-(Mes2B)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6]+) by methylation with MeOTf. This cationic borane promptly complexes fluoride to afford the corresponding zwitterionic ammonium/fluoroborate 3-F (1-(Mes2FB)-8-(Me3NCH2)-C10H6). Cation [3]+ fails to react with chloride, bromide, and iodide indicating that fluoride complexation is selective. Structural, spectroscopic, and computational studies carried out on 3-F show the existence of an unusual C-H...F-B hydrogen bond. Remarkably, [3]+ captures fluoride from water under biphasic conditions (H2O/CHCl3) to form 3-F. The high fluoride affinity of [3]+ can be correlated to the Coulombic forces which stabilize the B-F bond against heterolysis.     

Cyclic voltammetry of the electron transfer reaction between bis(cyclopentadienyl)iron in 1,2-dichloroethane and hexacyanoferrate in water.

The electron transfer (ET) reaction between bis(cyclopentadienyl)iron(II) ([Fe(II)(C(5)H(5))2]) in 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) and hexacyanoferrate redox couple ([Fe(II/III)(CN)6](4-/3-)) in water (W) at the interface has been studied by using cyclic voltammetry. The voltammetric results can be explained well by a theoretical equation for the so-called IT-mechanism, in which a homogeneous ET reaction between [Fe(C(5)H(5))2] (partially distributed from 1,2-DCE) and [Fe(CN)6](3-) takes place in the W phase and the resultant [Fe(C(5)H(5))2]+ ion is responsible for current passage across the interface. The forward rate constant of the homogeneous ET reaction, [Fe(C(5)H(5))2] + [Fe(CN)6](3-) = [Fe(C(5)H(5))2]+ + [Fe(CN)6](4-) in W phase, k(f)(IT), was determined to be (2.9 +/- 2.2)x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), which was in good agreement with k(f)(IT) = (3.2 +/- 2.0)x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), which had been determined by using normal-pulse voltammetry.     

Electron-transfer chemistry of Ru-linker-(heme)-modified myoglobin: rapid intraprotein reduction of a photogenerated porphyrin cation radical

We report the synthesis and characterization of RuC7, a complex in which a heme is covalently attached to a [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) complex through a -(CH(2))(7)- linker. Insertion of RuC7 into horse heart apomyoglobin gives RuC7Mb, a Ru(heme)-protein conjugate in which [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) emission is highly quenched. The rate of photoinduced electron transfer (ET) from the resting (Ru(2+)/Fe(3+)) to the transient (Ru(3+)/Fe(2+)) state of RuC7Mb is >10(8) s(-1); the back ET rate (to regenerate Ru(2+)/Fe(3+)) is 1.4 x 10(7) s(-1). Irreversible oxidative quenching by [Co(NH(3))(5)Cl](2+) generates Ru(3+)/Fe(3+): the Ru(3+) complex then oxidizes the porphyrin to a cation radical (P*+); in a subsequent step, P*+ oxidizes both Fe(3+) (to give Fe(IV)=O) and an amino acid residue. The rate of intramolecular reduction of P*+ is 9.8 x 10(3) s(-1); the rate of ferryl formation is 2.9 x 10(3) s(-1). Strong EPR signals attributable to tyrosine and tryptophan radicals were recorded after RuC7MbM(3+) (M = Fe, Mn) was flash-quenched/frozen.     

Dynamic docking and electron transfer between Zn-myoglobin and cytochrome b(5)

We present a broad study of the effect of neutralizing the two negative charges of the Mb propionates on the interaction and electron transfer (ET) between horse Mb and bovine cyt b(5), through use of Zn-substituted Mb (ZnMb, 1) to study the photoinitiated reaction, ((3)ZnP)Mb + Fe(3+)cyt b(5) --> (ZnP)(+)Mb + Fe(2+)cyt b(5). The charge neutralization has been carried out both by replacing the Mb heme with zinc-deuteroporphyrin dimethylester (ZnMb(dme), 2), which replaces the charges by small neutral hydrophobic patches, and also by replacement with the newly prepared zinc-deuteroporphyrin diamide (ZnMb(diamide), 3), which converts the charged groups to neutral, hydrophilic ones. The effect of propionate neutralization on the conformation of the zinc-porphyrin in the Mb heme pocket has been studied by multinuclear NMR with an (15)N labeled zinc porphyrin derivative (ZnMb((15)N-diamide), 4). The rates of photoinitiated ET between the Mb's (1-3) and cyt b(5) have been measured over a range of pH values and ionic strengths. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and NMR methods have been used to independently investigate the effect of charge neutralization on Mb/b(5) binding. The neutralization of the two heme propionates of ZnMb by formation of the heme diester or, for the first time, the diamide increases the second-order rate constant of the ET reaction between ZnMb and cyt b(5) by as much as several 100-fold, depending on pH and ionic strength, while causing negligible changes in binding affinity. Brownian dynamic (BD) simulations and ET pathway calculations provide insight into the protein docking and ET process. The results support a new "dynamic docking" paradigm for protein-protein reactions in which numerous weakly bound conformations of the docked complex contribute to the binding of cyt b(5) to Mb and Hb, but only a very small subset of these are ET active, and this subset does not include the conformations most favorable for binding; the Mb surface is a large "target" with a small "bullseye" for the cyt b(5) "arrow". This paradigm differs sharply from the more familiar, "simple" docking within a single, or narrow range of conformations, where binding strength and ET reactivity increase in parallel. Likewise, it is distinct from, although complementary to, the well-known picture of conformational control of ET through "gating", or a related picture of "conformational coupling". The new model describes situations in which tight binding does not correlate with efficient ET reactivity, and explains how it is possible to modulate reactivity without changing affinity. Such "decoupling" of reactivity from binding clearly is of physiological relevance for the reduction of met-Mb in muscle and of met-Hb in a red cell, where tight binding of cyt b(5) to the high concentration of ferrous-Mb/Hb would prevent the cytochrome from finding and reducing the oxidized proteins; it likely is of physiological relevance in other situations, as well.     

Triiodide quenching of ruthenium MLCT excited state in solution and on TiO2 surfaces: an alternate pathway for charge recombination

The excited states of [Ru(bpy)2(deeb)](PF6)2, where bpy is 2,2-bipyridine and deeb is 4,4'-(CO2CH2CH3)2-2,2'-bipyridine, were found to be efficiently quenched by triiodide (I3-) in acetonitrile and dichloromethane. In dichloromethane, I3- was found to quench the excited states by static and dynamic mechanisms; Stern-Volmer analysis of the time-resolved and steady-state photoluminescence data produced self-consistent estimates for the I3- + Ru(bpy)2(deeb)2+ <==> [Ru(II)(bpy)2(deeb)2+,(I3-)]+ equilibrium, K = 51,000 M(-1), and the bimolecular quenching rate constant, kq = 4.0 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1). In acetonitrile, there was no evidence for ion pairing and a dynamic quenching rate constant of k(q) = 4.7 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1) was calculated. Comparative studies with Ru(bpy)2(deeb)2+ anchored to mesoporous nanocrystalline TiO2 thin films also showed efficient excited-state dynamic quenching by I3- in both acetonitrile and dichloromethane, kq = 1.8 x 10(9) and 3.6 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. No reaction products for the excited-state quenching processes were observed by nanosecond transient absorption measurements from 350 to 800 nm under any experimental conditions. X-ray crystallographic, IR, and Raman data gave evidence for interactions between I3- and the bpy and deeb ligands in the solid state.     

Photoinduced intermolecular and intramolecular actions between eosin and porphyrin

Two dyads of eosin and porphyrin linked with a semi-rigid (-CH2phCH2-) or flexible (-(CH2)4-) bridge and their reference model compounds were synthesized and characterized The intermoleccular interaction and intramolecular photoinduced singlet energy transfer and electron transfer were studied by their absorp tion spectra,fluorescence emission,excitation spectra and fluorescence lifetime The model compounds,ethyl ester of eosm (EoEt) and porphyrin (PorEt),could form complexes in the ground state.When the eosin moieties in dyads were excited,they could transfer some singlet energy to the porphyrins; in the meantime,they could also ndsce electron transfer between two chromophores.Exciting the porphyrin moieties in dyads could induce electron transfer from eosin moieties to porphyrin moieties.The efficiencies (EnT,ET) and rate constants (kEnT,kET) were related to the polarity of solvents and mutual orientation of the two chromophores in dyads.     

Investigation of the electron-transfer mechanism by cross-linking between Zn-substituted myoglobin and cytochrome b(5)

We have investigated the photoinduced electron transfer (ET) in the 1:1 cross-linked complex (CL-ZnMb/b(5)) formed by a cross-linking reagent, EDC, between Zn-substituted myoglobin (ZnMb) and cytochrome b(5) (Cytb(5)) to reveal the mechanism of the inter-protein ET reactions under the condition of multiple encounter complexes. A variety of the ZnMb-Cytb(5) orientations was suggested because of failure to identify the single and specific cross-linking site on Cytb(5) by the peptide-mapping analysis using mass spectrometry. In CL-ZnMb/b(5), a laser pulse generates the triplet excited state of the ZnMb domain ((3)ZnMb()), which can transfer one electron to the Cytb(5) domain. The decay kinetics of (3)ZnMb() in CL-ZnMb/b(5) consists of a facile power-law ET phase to Cytb(5) domain ( approximately 30%) and a slower single-exponential phase ( approximately 70%). The application of the Marcus equation to this power-law phase indicates that CL-ZnMb/b(5) has a variety of ZnMb-Cytb(5) orientations for the facile ET in which the distance between the redox centers (D-A distance) is distributed over 13-20 A. The single-exponential phase in the (3)ZnMb() decay kinetics of CL-ZnMb/b(5) is similar to the intrinsic decay of (3)ZnMb() in its rate constant, 65 s(-)(1). This implies that the ET is impeded in about 70% of the total ZnMb-Cytb(5) orientations due to the D-A distance larger than 20 A. Combined with the results of the Brownian dynamics simulations for the encounter complexes, the overall bimolecular ET rate, k(app), can be reproduced by the sum of the ET rates for the minor encounter complexes of which D-A distance is less than 20 A. On the other hand, the encounter complexes with longer D-A distance, which are the majority of the encounter complexes between ZnMb and Cytb(5), have little contribution to the overall bimolecular ET rate. These observations experimentally demonstrate that ZnMb forms a variety of encounter complexes with Cytb(5), among which a minor set of the complexes with the shorter D-A distance (< approximately 20 A) regulates the overall bimolecular ET between the proteins.     

Ground vs. excited state electron transfer: adsorbed monolayers and trimers in solution

Transient emission spectroscopy has been used to probe the rate of photoinduced electron transfer between metal centres within a novel trimeric complex [[Os(bpy)2(bpe)2][Os(bpy)2Cl]2]4+, where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridyl and bpe is trans-1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)ethylene. Transient emission experiments on the trimer, and on [Os(bpy)2 (bpe)2]2+ in which the [Os(bpy)2 Cl]+ quenching moieties are absent, reveal that the rate of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) across the bpe bridge is 1.3 +/- 0.1 x 10(8) s(-1). Investigations into the driving forces for oxidation and reduction of the electronically excited state within the trimer indicate that quenching of the [Os(bpy)2 (bpe)2]2+ centre within the trimer involves electron transfer from the [bpe Os(bpy)2 Cl]+ centres to the electronically excited state with a driving force of -0.3 eV. Monolayers of the complex, [Os(bpy)2 bpe pyridine]2+, have been formed by spontaneous adsorption onto platinum microelectrodes and used to probe the dynamics of electron transfer across the trans-1,2-bis-(4-pyridyl)ethylene bridge in the ground state. These monolayers are stable and exhibit well defined voltammetric responses for the Os2+/3+ redox reaction. Cyclic voltammograms recorded at high scan rates can be accurately modelled according to a non-adiabatic electron transfer model based on the Marcus theory using a standard heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant, k(o), of 3.1 +/- 0.2 x 10(4) s(-1) and a reorganization energy of 0.4 +/- 0.1 eV. This rate constant is a factor of approximately two orders of magnitude smaller than that found for photoinduced electron transfer across the same bpe bridge for identical driving forces. This significant difference is interpreted in terms of both the nature of the orbitals involved in electrochemically and optically driven electron transfer, as well as the strength of electronic coupling between two molecular components as opposed to a molecular component and a metal electrode.     

Kinetics and mechanism for reversible chloride transfer between mercury(II) and square-planar platinum(II) chloro ammine, aqua, and sulfoxide complexes. Stabilities, spectra, and reactivities of transient metal-metal bonded platinum-mercury adducts

The Hg2+aq- and HgCl+aq-assisted aquations of [PtCl4]2- (1), [PtCl3(H2O)]- (2), cis-[PtCl2(H2O)2] (3), trans-[PtCl2(H2O)2] (4), [PtCl(H2O)3]+ (5), [PtCl3Me2SO]- (6), trans-[PtCl2(H2O)Me2SO] (7), cis-[PtCl(H2O)2Me2SO]+ (8), trans-[PtCl(H2O)2M32SO]+ (9), trans-[PtCl2(NH3)2] (10), and cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] (11) have been studied at 25.0 degrees C in a 1.00 M HClO4 medium buffered with chloride, using stopped-flow and conventional spectrophotometry. Saturation kinetics and instantaneous, large UV/vis spectral changes on mixing solutions of platinum complex and mercury are ascribed to formation of transient adducts between Hg2+ and several of the platinum complexes. Depending on the limiting rate constants, these adducts are observed for a few milliseconds to a few minutes. Thermodynamic and kinetics data together with the UV/vis spectral changes and DFT calculations indicate that their structures are characterized by axial coordination of Hg to Pt with remarkably short metal-metal bonds. Stability constants for the Hg2+ adducts with complexes 1-6, 10, and 11 are (2.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(4), (8 +/- 1) x 10(2), 94 +/- 6, 13 +/- 2, 5 +/- 2, 60 +/- 6, 387 +/- 2, and 190 +/- 3 M-1, respectively, whereas adduct formation with the sulfoxide complexes 7-9 is too weak to be observed. For analogous platinum(II) complexes, the stabilities of the Pt-Hg adducts increase in the order sulfoxide < aqua < ammine complex, reflecting a sensitivity to the pi-acid strength of the Pt ligands. Rate constants for chloride transfer from HgCl+ and HgCl2 to complexes 1-11 have been determined. Second-order rate constants for activation by Hg2+ are practically the same as those for activation by HgCl+ for each of the platinum complexes studied, yet resolved contributions for Hg2+ and HgCl+ reveal that the latter does not form dinuclear adducts of any significant stability. The overall experimental evidence is consistent with a mechanism in which the accumulated Pt(II)-Hg2+ adducts are not reactive intermediates along the reaction coordinate. The aquation process occurs via weaker Pt-Cl-Hg or Pt-Cl-HgCl bridged complexes.     

Layered inorganic materials as redox agents: ferrocenium-intercalated zirconium phosphate

The direct intercalation reaction of ferrocene (bis(eta5-cyclopentadienyl)iron(II), Fc) with a highly hydrated layered zirconium phosphate (ZrP) resulted in the formation of the ferrocenium ion (Fc+) within the ZrP material. The Fc+-intercalated ZrP material has an interlayer distance of 10.7 A. The intercalated material was used as an electron acceptor for the oxidation of both ferro-cytochrome c and the excited state of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(bpy)3]2+). Upon contact of the material with a 1.5 x 10(-5) M solution of ferro-cytochrome c, the UV-vis absorption spectrum shows the successful formation of ferri-cytochrome c. Luminescence spectroscopy shows that the Fc+-intercalated ZrP material quenches the luminescence of [Ru(bpy)3]2+. The excited-state quenching mechanism of [Ru(bpy)3]2+* by Fc+-intercalated ZrP follows a dynamic plus sphere of action model. The second-order dynamic quenching rate constant kq is 2.2 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1).     

Encapsulation of electron donor-acceptor dyads in beta-cyclodextrin cavity: unusual planarization and enhancement in rate of electron-transfer reaction

Interaction of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) with a few novel electron donor acceptor dyads 1a-c and 2a-c, having aryl and flexible methylene spacer groups, has been investigated through photophysical, chiroptical, electrochemical, NMR, and microscopic techniques. Dyads 1a and 1c, with p-tolyl and biphenyl spacer groups, respectively, exhibited significantly decreased fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes in the presence of beta-CD, while negligible changes were observed for dyad 1b with an o-tolyl spacer. In contrast, spacer-length-dependent significant enhancement in fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes was observed for dyads 2a-c, with flexible polymethylene (n = 1, 3, 11) spacer groups. Association constants of beta-CD encapsulated complexes have been determined and the contrast behavior observed in these systems is explained through an electron transfer (kET) mechanism based on calculated favorable change in free energy (DeltaGET = -1.27 eV) and the redox species characterized through laser flash photolysis studies. Rates of kET have been estimated and are found to increase ca. 2-fold in the case of dyads 1a and 1c when encapsulated in beta-CD, while significantly decreased kET values were observed for the dyads 2a-c with flexible spacer (ca. 9-fold for 2c). As characterized through cyclic voltammetry, 2D NMR [correlated (COSY) and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOESY) spectroscopy], and laser flash photolysis studies, the beta-CD encapsulation of dyads with aliphatic spacer groups leads to the conformational unfolding of a sandwich type of structure, whereas dyads with rigid aryl spacer groups undergo unusual planarization as compared to the uncomplexed dyads, resulting in enhanced electron-transfer reaction between the donor and acceptor moieties.     

Protective effect of Boldo and tea infusions on the visible light-mediated pro-oxidant effects of vitamin B2, riboflavin

The effect of Boldo and black tea infusions on the pro-oxidant effects of vitamin B2, riboflavin (RF), when exposed to the action of visible light was studied. The amounts of antioxidants present in Boldo and tea infusions were evaluated by a procedure based on the bleaching of preformed 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cations and were expressed as 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carboxylic acid equivalent concentrations. The quenching rate constants of singlet oxygen (1O2; [kq]Boldo = 6.0 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) and [kq]Tea = 3.2 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)) and triplet RF (3RF; [3RFkq]Boldo = 10 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) and [3RFkq]TEA = 3.2 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) with Boldo and tea were determined by flash photolysis. These data allow a quantitative interpretation of the results obtained. Our data suggest that most of the oxygen consumption observed in the photolysis of RF in the presence of tea and Boldo infusions is caused by 1O2 reactions. The oxygen consumption quantum yield is considerably smaller than the fraction of RF triplets trapped by the additives (AH) present in the infusion, indicating that their interaction with 3RF does not lead to chemical reactions or that the AH*+ radical ions initially formed participate in secondary processes that do not consume oxygen. Boldo and tea infusions have a significant protective effect when a system containing RF and tryptophan (Trp) is exposed to visible light, not only by quenching the 1O2 and interfering with the Type-I mechanism but also by repairing the damage to Trp molecules associated with the latter mechanism.     

Room-temperature emission from platinum(II) complexes intercalated into zirconium phosphate-layered materials

The direct ion exchange of chloro(2,6-bis(N-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine)platinum(II) ([Pt(Me(2)bzimpy)Cl]+) and chloro(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine)platinum(II) ([Pt(tpy)Cl]+) complexes within a zirconium phosphate (ZrP) framework has been accomplished. The physical and spectroscopic properties of [Pt(Me(2)bzimpy)Cl]+ and [Pt(tpy)Cl]+ intercalated in ZrP were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray photoelectron, infrared, absorption, and luminescence spectroscopies. In contrast to unintercalated complexes in fluid solution, which do not emit at room temperature, both intercalated materials in the solid state and in colloidal suspensions exhibit intense emissions at room temperature. A [Pt(Me(2)bzimpy)Cl]+-exchanged ZrP colloidal methanol suspension gives rise to an emission at 612 nm that originates from a lowest (3)MMLCT[dsigma*(Pt) --> pi*(tpy)] state (MMLCT = metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer) characteristic of strong Pt...Pt interactions. A [Pt(tpy)Cl]+-exchanged ZrP colloidal aqueous suspension exhibits a strong emission band at 600 nm. The accumulated data demonstrate that at high concentrations, [Pt(Me(2)bzimpy)Cl]+ and [Pt(tpy)Cl]+ ions can serve as luminescent pillars inside the ZrP framework.     

Conformationally gated photoinduced processes within photosensitizer-acceptor dyads based on osmium(II) complexes with triarylpyridinio-functionalized terpyridyl ligands: insights from experimental study

[(ttpy)Os(tpy-ph-TPH(3)(+))](3+) (2), [(ttpy)Os(tpy-xy-TPH(3)(+))](3+) (3), [(ttpy)Os(tpy-ph-TPH(2)(NO(2))(+))](3+) (4), and [(ttpy)Os(tpy-xy-TPH(2)(NO(2))(+))](3+) (5) are a series of dyads made of an Os(II) bis-tpy complex (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) as the photosensitizer (P) and 2,4,6-triarylpyridinium group (TP(+)) as the electron acceptor (A). These dyads were designed to form charge-separated states (CSS) upon light excitation. Together with analogous Ru(II) complexes (7-10), they have been synthesized and fully characterized. We describe herein how intramolecular photoinduced processes are affected when the electron-accepting strength of A (by nitro-derivatization of TP(+)) and/or the steric hindrance about intercomponent linkage (by replacing a phenyl spacer by a xylyl one) are changed. Electronic absorption and electrochemical behavior revealed that (i) chemical substitution of TP(+) (i.e., TP(+)-NO(2)) has no sizable influence on P-centered electronic features, (ii) reduction processes located on TP(+) depend on the intercomponent tilt angle. Concerning excited-state properties, photophysical investigation evidenced that phosphorescence of P is actually quenched in dyads 4 and 5 only. Ultrafast transient absorption (TA) experiments allowed attributing the quenching in conformationally locked dyad 5 to oxidative electron transfer (ET) from the (3)MLCT level to the TP(+)-NO(2) acceptor (k(el) = 1.1 x 10(9) s(-)(1)). For 4, geometrically unlocked, the (3)MLCT state was shown to first rapidly equilibrate (reversible energy transfer; k(eq) approximately 2 x 10(9) s(-)(1)) with a ligand centered triplet state before undergoing CSS formation. Thus, the pivotal role of conformation in driving excited-state decay pathways is demonstrated. Also, inner P structural planarization as a relaxation mode of the (3)MLCT states has been inferred from TA experiments.     

Photooxidation of dibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene sensitized by N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoborate: mechanism and intermediates investigation

Photooxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) sensitized by N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoborate (NMQ(+)BF4-) has been investigated in O2-saturated acetonitrile solutions. Nearly 100% oxidation of DBT and DMDBT was observed, and the oxidized products are predominantly composed of sulfoxides and sulfones, which are formed via photoinduced electron transfer (ET). Such ET processes were studied with fluorescence quenching of NMQ+, time-resolved transient absorption measurement, and ESR experiments. The fluorescence of NMQ+ is efficiently quenched by DBT and DMDBT via diffusion-controlled processes, with bimolecular quenching constants of 1.6 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1) for DBT and 2.3 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1) for DMDBT. The electron-transfer nature of the quenching is evidenced by the transient absorption measurement of the neutral radical NMQ*, which is formed by electron transfer from the substrates (DBT or DMDBT) to the excited singlet state of NMQ+. The ESR spectra of the superoxide radical anion (O2*-) trapped by 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) in the photooxygenation of DBT and DMDBT as well as their sulfoxides manifest that O2 traps an electron from NMQ* to form O2*-. The fact that the formation of sulfoxides and sulfones is greatly suppressed in the presence of benzoquinone (BQ), an efficient electron trap for NMQ* and O2*-, further indicates an ET process in the photooxidation of DBT and DMDBT. As inferred from the control experiments, the role of singlet oxygen (1O2) in the photooxidation is negligible. The intermediates responsible for the formation of sulfoxides and sulfones have been examined in detail.     

Photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen from ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) bipyridyl complexes

Photophysical properties for a number ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) bipyridyl complexes are reported in dilute acetonitrile solution. The lifetimes of the excited metal to ligand charge transfer states (MLCT) of the osmium complexes are shorter than for the ruthenium complexes. Rate constants, kq, for quenching of the lowest excited metal to ligand charge transfer states by molecular oxygen are found to be in the range (1.1-7.7) x 10(9) dm3 mol(-1) s(-1). Efficiencies of singlet oxygen production, fDeltaT, following oxygen quenching of the lowest excited states of these ruthenium and osmium complexes are in the range of 0.10-0.72, lower values being associated with those compounds having lower oxidation potentials. The rate constants for quenching of the excited MLCT states, kq, are found to be generally higher for osmium complexes than for ruthenium complexes. Overall quenching rate constants, kq were found to give an inverse correlation with the energy of the excited state being quenched, and also to correlate with the oxidation potentials of the complexes. However, when the contribution of quenching due exclusively to energy transfer to produce singlet oxygen, kq1, is considered, its dependence on the energy of the excited states is more complex. Rate constants for quenching due to energy dissipation of the excited MLCT states without energy transfer, kq3, were found to show a clear correlation with the oxidation potential of the complexes. Factors affecting both the mechanism of oxygen quenching of the excited states and the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation following this quenching are discussed. These factors include the oxidation potential, the energy of the lowest excited state of the complexes and spin-orbit coupling constant of the central metal.     

Isostructural bisdithiazolyl and bisthiaselenazolyl radicals: trends in bandwidth and conductivity

Reaction of N-alkylated pyridine-bridged bisdithiazolylium cations [1]+ (R1 =Me, Et; R2 =Ph) with selenium dioxide in acetic acid provides a one-step high-yield synthetic route to bisthiaselenazolylium cations [2]+ (R1 = Me, Et; R2 = Ph). The corresponding radicals 1 and 2 can be prepared by chemical or electrochemical reduction of the cations. Structural analysis of the radicals has been achieved by a combination of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods. While the two sulfur radicals 1 adopt different space groups (P3(1)21 for R1 = Me and P(-)1 for R1 = Et), the two selenium radicals 2 (space groups P3(1)21 for R1 = Me and P3(2)21 for R1 =Et) are isostructural with each other and also with 1 (R1 = Me, R2 = Ph). Variable-temperature magnetic measurements on all four compounds confirm that they are undimerized S = 1/2 systems, with varying degrees of weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic coupling. Variable-temperature electrical conductivity measurements on the two selenium radicals provide conductivities sigma(300 K) = 7.4 x 10-6 (R1 = Et) and 3.3 x 10-5 S cm-1 (R1 = Me), with activation energies, E(act), of 0.32 (R1 = Et) and 0.29 eV (R1 = Me). The differences in conductivity within the isostructural series is interpreted in terms of their relative solid-state bandwidths, as estimated from Extended Hückel band-structure calculations.     

Ammonium boranes for the selective complexation of cyanide or fluoride ions in water

With the recognition of aqueous fluoride and cyanide ions as an objective, we have investigated the anion binding properties of two isomeric ammonium boranes, namely [p-(Mes2B)C6H4(NMe3)]+ ([1]+) and [o-(Mes2B)C6H4(NMe3)]+ ([2]+). These cationic boranes, which could be obtained by reaction of the known 4- and 2-dimesitylboryl-N,N-dimethylaniline with MeOTf, have been investigated both experimentally and computationally. They both react with fluoride and cyanide ions in organic solvents to afford the corresponding fluoroborate/ or cyanoborate/ammonium zwitterions 1F, 1CN, 2F, and 2CN. In aqueous solution, however, these cationic boranes behave as remarkably selective receptors. Indeed, [1]+ only complexes cyanide ions while [2]+ only complexes fluoride ions. In H2O/DMSO 60:40 vol (HEPES 6 mM, pH 7), the cyanide binding constant of [1]+ and the fluoride binding constant of [2]+ are respectively equal to 3.9 (+/-0.1) x 108 and 910 (+/-50) M-1. Structural and computational studies indicate that both steric and electronic effects contribute to the unusual selectivity displayed by these cationic boranes. Owing to favorable Coulombic effects, the para-derivative [1]+ has a very high affinity for cyanide; yet these effects are not sufficiently intense to allow complexation of the more efficiently hydrated and less basic fluoride anion. In the case of the ortho-derivative [2]+, the proximity of the ammonium moiety leads to an increase in the Lewis acidity of the boron center thus making fluoride binding possible. However, steric effects prevent cyanide coordination to the boron center of [2]+. Finally, cation [1]+ and [2]+ bind their dedicated anions reversibly and show a negligible response in the presence of other common anions including Cl-, Br-, I-, NO3-, OAc-, H2PO4-, and HSO4-.