Excited-State Reactivity of [Mn(im)(CO)3(phen)]+: A Structural Exploration

The electronic excited state reactivity of [Mn(im)(CO)₃(phen)]⁺ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; im = imidazole) ranging between 420 and 330 nm have been analyzed by means of relativistic spin–orbit time-dependent density functional theory and wavefunction approaches (state-average-complete-active-space self-consistent-field/multistate CAS second-order perturbation theory). Minimum energy conical intersection (MECI) structures and connecting pathways were explored using the artificial force induced reaction (AFIR) method. MECIs between the first and second singlet excited states (S₁/S₂-MECIs) were searched by the single-component AFIR (SC-AFIR) algorithm combined with the gradient projection type optimizer. The structural, electronic, and excited states properties of [Mn(im)(CO)₃(phen)]⁺ are compared to those of the Re(I) analogue [Re(im)(CO)₃(phen)]⁺. The high density of excited states and the presence of low-lying metal-centered states that characterize the Mn complex add complexity to the photophysics and open various dissociative channels for both the CO and imidazole ligands. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Unravelling the Reaction Mechanism for the Fast Photocyclisation of 2‐Benzoylpyridine in Aqueous Solvent by Time‐Resolved Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Calculations

A combined femtosecond transient absorption (fs‐TA) and nanosecond time‐resolved resonance Raman (ns‐TR³) spectroscopic investigation of the photoreaction of 2‐benzoylpyridine (2‐BPy) in acetonitrile and neutral, basic and acidic aqueous solvents is reported. fs‐TA results showed that the nπ* triplet 2‐BPy is the precursor of the photocyclisation reaction in neutral and basic aqueous solvents. The cis triplet biradical and the cis singlet zwitterionic species produced during the photocyclisation reaction were initially characterised by ns‐TR³ spectroscopy. In addition, a new species was uniquely observed in basic aqueous solvent after the decay of the cis singlet zwitterionic species and this new species was tentatively assigned to the photocyclised radical anion. The ground‐state conformation of 2‐BPy in acidic aqueous solvent is the pyridine nitrogen‐protonated 2‐BPy cation (2‐BPy‐NH⁺) rather than the neutral form of 2‐BPy. After laser photolysis, the singlet excited state (S₁) of 2‐BPy‐NH⁺ is generated and evolves through excited‐state proton transfer (ESPT) and efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) processes to the triplet exited state (T₁) of the carbonyl oxygen‐protonated 2‐BPy cation (2‐BPy‐OH⁺) and then photocyclises with the lone pair of the nitrogen atom in the heterocyclic ring. Cyclisation reactions take place both in neutral/basic and acidic aqueous solvents, but the photocyclisation mechanisms in these different aqueous solvents are very different. This is likely due to the different conformation of the precursor and the influence of hydrogen‐bonding of the solvent on the reactions.     

Decay Dynamics of N,N-Dimethylthioacetamide in S3(ππ*) State (cited: 1)

The decay dynamics of N,N-dimethylthioacetamide after excitation to the S₃(ππ^*) state was studied by using the resonance Raman spectroscopy and complete active space selfconsistent field method calculations. The UV-absorption and vibrational spectra were assigned. The A-band resonance Raman spectra were obtained in acetonitrile, methanol and water with the laser excitation wavelengths in resonance with the first intense absorption band to probe the Franck-Condon region structural dynamics. The CASSCF calculations were carried out to determine the excitation energies and optimized structures of the lowerlying singlet states and conical intersection point. The A-band structural dynamics and the corresponding decay mechanism were obtained by the analysis of the resonance Raman intensity pattern and the CASSCF calculated structural parameters. The major decay channel of _3,FC(ππ^*)→S₃(ππ^*)/S₁(nπ^*)→_{1(nπ^*) is proposed.}     

Ligand‐to‐Ligand Charge‐Transfer Transitions of Platinum(II) Complexes with Arylacetylide Ligands with Different Chain Lengths: Spectroscopic Characterization,Effect of Molecular Conformations,and Density Functional Theory Calculations

The complexes [Pt(tBu₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1R}]⁺ (n=1: R=alkyl and aryl (Ar); n=1–3: R=phenyl (Ph) or Ph‐N(CH₃)₂‐4; n=1 and 2, R=Ph‐NH₂‐4; tBu₃tpy=4,4’,4’’‐tri‐tert‐butyl‐2,2’:6’,2’’‐terpyridine) and [Pt(Cl₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (R=tert‐butyl (tBu), Ph, 9,9’‐dibutylfluorene, 9,9’‐dibutyl‐7‐dimethyl‐amine‐fluorene; Cl₃tpy=4,4’,4’’‐trichloro‐2,2’:6’,2’’‐terpyridine) were prepared. The effects of substituent(s) on the terpyridine (tpy) and acetylide ligands and chain length of arylacetylide ligands on the absorption and emission spectra were examined. Resonance Raman (RR) spectra of [Pt(tBu₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (R=n‐butyl, Ph, and C₆H₄‐OCH₃‐4) obtained in acetonitrile at 298 K reveal that the structural distortion of the C?C bond in the electronic excited state obtained by 502.9 nm excitation is substantially larger than that obtained by 416 nm excitation. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations on [Pt(H₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (R= n‐propyl (nPr), 2‐pyridyl (Py)), [Pt(H₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1Ph}]⁺ (n=1–3), and [Pt(H₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1C₆H₄‐N(CH₃)₂‐4}]⁺/+H⁺ (n=1–3; H₃tpy=nonsubstituted terpyridine) at two different conformations were performed, namely, with the phenyl rings of the arylacetylide ligands coplanar (“cop”) with and perpendicular (“per”) to the H₃tpy ligand. Combining the experimental data and calculated results, the two lowest energy absorption peak maxima, λ₁ and λ₂, of [Pt(Y₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (Y=tBu or Cl, R=aryl) are attributed to ¹[π(C?CR)→π*(Y₃tpy)] in the “cop” conformation and mixed ¹[d_π(Pt)→π*(Y₃tpy)]/¹[π(C?CR)→π*(Y₃tpy)] transitions in the “per” conformation. The lowest energy absorption peak λ₁ for [Pt(tBu₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1C₆H₄‐H‐4}]⁺ (n=1–3) shows a redshift with increasing chain length. However, for [Pt(tBu₃tpy){C?C(C6H4C?C)_n?1C₆H₄‐N(CH₃)₂‐4}]⁺ (n=1–3), λ₁ shows a blueshift with increasing chain length n, but shows a redshift after the addition of acid. The emissions of [Pt(Y₃tpy)(C?CR)]⁺ (Y=tBu or Cl) at 524–642 nm measured in dichloromethane at 298 K are assigned to the ³[π(C?CAr)→π*(Y₃tpy)] excited states and mixed ³[d_π(Pt)→π*(Y₃tpy)]/³[π(C?C)→π*(Y₃tpy)] excited states for R=aryl and alkyl groups, respectively. [Pt(tBu₃tpy){C?C(C₆H₄C?C)_n?1C₆H₄‐N(CH₃)₂‐4}]⁺ (n=1 and 2) are nonemissive, and this is attributed to the small energy gap between the singlet ground state (S₀) and the lowest triplet excited state (T₁).     

Electron Transfer between Hydrogen‐Bonded Pyridylphenols and a Photoexcited Rhenium(I) Complex

Two pyridylphenols with intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the phenol and pyridine units have been synthesized, characterized crystallographically, and investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Reductive quenching of the triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer excited state of the [Re(CO)₃(phen)(py)]⁺ complex (phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, py=pyridine) by the two pyridylphenols and two reference phenol molecules is investigated by steady‐state and time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy, as well as by transient absorption spectroscopy. Stern–Volmer analysis of the luminescence quenching data provides rate constants for the bimolecular excited‐state quenching reactions. H/D kinetic isotope effects for the pyridylphenols are on the order of 2.0, and the bimolecular quenching reactions are up to 100 times faster with the pyridylphenols than with the reference phenols. This observation is attributed to the markedly less positive oxidation potentials of the pyridylphenols with respect to the reference phenols (≈0.5 V), which in turn is caused by proton coupling of the phenol oxidation process. Transient absorption spectroscopy provides unambiguous evidence for the photogeneration of phenoxyl radicals, that is, the overall photoreaction is clearly a proton‐coupled electron‐transfer process.     

β‐Carotene Revisited by Transient Absorption and Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy

β‐Carotene in n‐hexane was examined by femtosecond transient absorption and stimulated Raman spectroscopy. Electronic change is separated from vibrational relaxation with the help of band integrals. Overlaid on the decay of S₁ excited‐state absorption, a picosecond process is found that is absent when the C₉‐methyl group is replaced by ethyl or isopropyl. It is attributed to reorganization on the S₁ potential energy surface, involving dihedral angles between C₆ and C₉. In Raman studies, electronic states S₂ or S₁ were selected through resonance conditions. We observe a broad vibrational band at 1770 cm^?1 in S₂ already. With 200 fs it decays and transforms into the well‐known S₁ Raman line for an asymmetric C=C stretching mode. Low‐frequency activity (<800 cm^?1) in S₂ and S₁ is also seen. A dependence of solvent lines on solute dynamics implies intermolecular coupling between β‐carotene and nearby n‐hexane molecules.     

Transient Raman detection of excited state electron,transfer to methyl viologen from photoexcited molecular reagents in fluid solution and anchored to SiO2

The lowest electronic excited state of the complexes [Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)₃]²⁺, fac-[ClRe (CO)₃(2,2′-bipyridine)], and fac-[(pyridine) Re (CO)₃(2,2′-bipyridine)]⁺ can be quenched by methyl viologen, MV²⁺, N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium, in fluid solutions. The quenching obeys Stern—Volmer kinetics as deduced from plots of relative luminescence quantum yield vs [MV²⁺], and the data are consistent with a quenching process that is essentially diffusion controlled. Pulsed laser excitation (18 ns, 354.7 nm frequency tripled Nd: YAG) of the metal complexes in the presence of MV²⁺ shows that a detectable fraction of the quenching results in net electron transfer to form MV⁺. The MV⁺ is detectable by resonance Raman scattering from the trailing portion of the excitation pulse. Excited state electron transfer to MV²⁺ from a photo-excited complex anchored to SiO₂ has also been detected by transient Raman spectroscopy. High surface area SiO₂ was functionalized by reaction with 4-[2-(trimethoxysilyl)ethyl]pyridine to give [SiO₂]-SiEtpyr. Reaction of [SiO₂]-SiEtpyr with [(CH₃CN)Re(CO)₃(2,2′-bipyridine)]⁺ then yields [SiO₂]-[(SiEtpyr) Re (CO)₃ (2,2′-bipyridine)]⁺. Electron transfer quenching of the photo-excited immobilized Re complex occurs when suspended in CH₃CN solutions of MV²⁺ to yield MV⁺ as detected by resonance Raman scattering and by lifetime attenuation in the presence of MV²⁺.     

ReV‐Phthalocyaninate und ReV‐Tetraphenylporphyrinate mit Oxo‐Liganden: Synthese,Eigenschaften und Kristallstruktur

Re^V‐Phthalocyaninates and Re^V‐Tetraphenylporphyrinates: Synthesis, Properties, and Crystal Structure Hexa‐coordinated Re^V phthalocyaninates (pc) and Re^V tetraphenylporphyrinates (tpp) of the type [Re(O)(X)p] (p: pc, tpp) with X = OCH₃, ReO₄, Cl/pc, F/pc, OH/tpp, [{Re(O)p}₂(μ‐O)] and (cat)^trans[Re(O)₂p] (cat: ⁿBu₄N, Et₄N/tpp) have been isolated and characterised by their UV‐Vis‐NIR, IR and resonance Raman (RR) spectra. In the RR spectra, the intensity of the (Re=O) and (Re–X) stretching vibrations (ν(Re=O/–X)) in [Re(O)(X)p] and [{Re(O)p}₂(μ‐O)] is selectively enhanced with excitation in coincidence with O → Re–CT between ca 19000 and 22000 cm^–1. In accordance to selection rules, data of ν(Re=O/–X) compare well with those of the complementary IR spectra. Because of the trans influence ν(Re=O) depends on the axial ligand X, ranging from 940 to 1010 cm^–1. The crystallographic characterization of [Re(O)(ReO₄)tpp] · CHCl₃ ( 1 ), [{Re(O)tpp}₂(μ‐O)] · py ( 2 ), (ⁿBu₄N)^trans[Re(O)₂tpp] ( 3 ), and (Et₄N)^trans[Re(O)₂tpp] · 2 H₂O ( 4 ) is described. The tpp centered Re atom is in a distorted octahedron of four N atoms of the porphyrinate and two axial O atoms in a mutual trans position. Average Re–N distances are 2.062 Å in 1 , 2.086 Å in 2 , 2.089 Å in 3 , and 2.082/2.086 Å in 4 . The Re–O distance of the terminal rhenyl group varies from 1.64(1) Å ( 1 ), 1.73(1)/1.70(1) Å ( 2 ) to 1.80(1) Å ( 4 ), that of the monodentate rhenate(VII) from 1.70(1) to 1.75(1) Å. The Re–O distances in the bridge of the linear O=Re–O–Re=O skeleton in 2 are 1.95(1)/1.89(1) Å. In 1 , with a bent O=Re–O^ ReO₃ moiety (∢(Re–O^ReO₃) = 143(1)°) and a mostly ionic coordinated rhenate(VII), these distances differ significantly (2.20(1) Å vs 1.75(1) Å). The porphyrinate in 1 is saucer‐shaped with a distal rhenate(VII), and the tpp centered Re atom is displaced by 0.31 Å out of the (N)₄ plane towards the rhenyl‐O atom. The distorted porphyrinates in 2 are rotated by 30.4(4)°, and the Re atoms are 0.1 Å out of their (N)₄ planes towards the terminal O atoms. In 3 and 4 the porphyrinates are almost planar with the Re atom in their centre.     

4-硝基咪唑A-带激发态结构动力学

通过共振拉曼光谱实验和量子化学计算的方法研究了4-硝基咪唑(4NI)A-带激发态衰变动力学. 对4NI的振动光谱、紫外电子吸收光谱、荧光光谱和共振拉曼光谱进行了指认. 在全活化空间自洽场法(CASSCF)/6-31G(d)计算水平下获得了单重激发态S₁(n_Oπ^*)和S₂(ππ^*)和势能面交叉点S₁(n_Oπ^*)/S₂(ππ^*)的优化几何结构和能量, 分析了A-带共振拉曼光谱的强度模式特征, 获得了短时结构动力学, 并结合全活化空间自洽场法(CASSCF)理论计算结果确定了4NI 在S₂(ππ^*)态衰变通道主要是S_{2, FC}→S_{2, min}(ππ^*)→S₀辐射弛豫.     

Strongly Phosphorescent Neutral Rhenium(I) Isocyanoborato Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, and Photophysical,Electrochemical, and Computational Studies

A new series of neutral isocyanoborato rhenium(I) diimine complexes [Re(CO)₃(N^N)(CNBR₃)], where N^N=bpy, 4,4′‐Me₂bpy, phen, 4,7‐Me₂phen, 2,9‐Me₂phen, 3,4,7,8‐Me₄phen; R=C₆F₅, C₆H₅, Cl, 4‐ClC₆H₄, 3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃, with various isocyanoborate and diimine ligands of diverse electronic and steric nature have been synthesized and characterized. The X‐ray crystal structures of six complexes have also been determined. These complexes displayed intense bluish green to yellow phosphorescence at room temperature in dichloromethane solution. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these complexes had been investigated. To elucidate the electronic structures and transitions of these complexes, DFT and TD‐DFT calculations have been performed, which revealed that the lowest‐energy electronic transition associated with these complexes originates from a mixture of MLCT [dπ(Re)→π*(N^N)] and LLCT [π(CNBR₃)→π*(N^N)] transitions.     

Theoretical investigations of Fe porphyrins. V. Low-lying electronic states of bisammineporphinatoiron(III)

Ab initio CI calculations are reported on the lowest doublet, quartet, and sextet states of [Fe^III(P)(NH₃)₂]⁺. The low-spin ground state is calculated as (d_xy² (d_π)³ with d_xy(d_π)⁴ higher by 0.15 eV. The near-ir bands at ～1 eV observed in low-spin ferriheme proteins are attributed to (π → d_π) transitions. The lowest high-spin state is ⁶A_1g, and the near-ir transitions of the high-spin ferriheme proteins observed at ～1.2 eV are attributed to higher ⁶[tripsextet] excited states [i.e., ring triplet, metal sextet]. The 30-ps “triplet” transient populated with low quantum yield observed in laser-flash studies on Fe^III(TPP)CI [TPP = tetrapbenylporphyrin] may be an ¹[tripsextet] state.     

Syntheses and characterization of mixed-anion cadmium(II) complexes,structural characterization of [Cd(phen)2(NO2)1.65(NO3)0.35], as a new eight-coordinate Cd(II) complex

New mixed-anion cadmium(II) complexes of 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands, [Cd(phen)₂(NO₂)_1.65(NO₃)_0.35] and Cd(bpy)(ClO₄)(CH₃COO) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR-, ¹H NMR-, ¹³C- NMR and ¹¹³Cd NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray data of [Cd(phen)₂(NO₂)_1.65(NO₃)_0.35] show the complex to be a monomer and that the Cd atom has an unsymmetrical eight-coordinate geometry, being coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of ‘phen’ ligands and four oxygen atoms of the nitrite and nitrate anions. There is a short π–π stacking interaction between parallel aromatic rings.     

Computational Assessment of MLCT versus MC Stabilities in First-to-Third-Row d6 Pseudo-Octahedral Transition Metal Complexes

An accurate modeling of metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT) and metal-centered (MC) excited state energies is key to predict the photoinduced response in transition metal complexes (TMCs). Herein, the importance of the ground state and excited state reference geometries is addressed for three-prototype d⁶ pseudo-octahedral TMCs, each displaying a different potential energy landscape of MLCT versus MC relative stabilities. Several functionals are used within the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), as well as multireference wave-function theory (MS-CASPT2), applied to [Mn(im)(CO)₃(phen)]⁺, [Ru(im)₂(bpy)₂]²⁺, and [Re(im)(CO)₃(phen)]⁺, (im: imidazole, bpy: bypiridine, phen: phenantroline). The results revel that TDDFT is robust except when using B3LYP functional for first-row d⁶ TMCs. In contrast, MS-CASPT2 calculations are strongly biased in those cases with competitive MLCT/MC states. The results reinforce the reliability of B3LYP to describe the excited states in d⁶ TMCs, but question the validity of assessing the density functional theory (DFT)/TDDFT performance via direct comparison with MS-CASPT2 performed at the same DFT reference geometry as a standard strategy. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Spektroskopische Untersuchung einiger α,β-ungesättigter cyclischer Ketone

The results of the spectroscopic investigation of the steroidal enones 1–6 can be summarized as follows:

• 1. Direct absorption and phosphorescence excitation techniques have been used to locate the ³(n,π*) states, and in each case it has been found to be the second triplet state.
• 2. The lowest excited state in each case is assigned as ³(π,π*) state.
• 3. The diffuseness in the phosphorescence emission from the ³(π,π*) states is attributed to a large change in the molecular geometry upon excitation (probably to a non-planar configuration).
• 4. The diffuseness in the S→ T_n,π* absorption is correspondingly attributed to interaction between the ³(n,π*) and ³(π,π*) states. A summary of the energy levels for these compounds is given in Fig. 4.

     

Revealing the structural chemistry of the group 12 halide coordination compounds with 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline

The coordination compounds of group 12 halides with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2[CdF₂(bpy)₂]·7H₂O (1), [ZnI(bpy)₂]⁺·I₃^? (2), [CdI₂(bpy)₂] (3), [Cd(SiF₆)H₂O(phen)₂]·[Cd(H₂O)₂(phen)₂]²⁺·F^–·0.5(SiF₆)^2–·9H₂O (4), [Hg(phen)₃]²⁺·(SiF₆)^2–·5H₂O (5), [ZnBr₂(phen)₂] (6), 6[Zn(phen)₃]²⁺·12Br^–·26H₂O (7) and [ZnI(phen)₂]⁺·I^– (8), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR spectroscopy, elemental and thermal analysis. Structural investigations revealed that metal?:?ligand stoichiometry in the inner coordination sphere is 1?:?2 or 1?:?3. A diversity of intra- and intermolecular interactions exists in structures of 1–8, including the rare halogen?halogen and halogen?π interactions. The thermal and spectroscopic properties were correlated with the molecular structures of 1–8. Structural review of all currently known coordination compounds of group 12 halides with bpy and phen is presented.     

Photophysics of Push–Pull Distyrylfurans,Thiophenes and Pyridines by Fast and Ultrafast Techniques

Time‐resolved transient absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy with nano‐ and femtosecond time resolution were used to investigate the deactivation pathways of the excited states of distyrylfuran, thiophene and pyridine derivatives in several organic solvents of different polarity in detail. The rate constant of the main decay processes (fluorescence, singlet–triplet intersystem crossing, isomerisation and internal conversion) are strongly affected by the nature [locally excited (LE) or charge transfer (CT)] and selective position of the lowest excited singlet states. In particular, the heteroaromatic central ring significantly enhances the intramolecular charge‐transfer process, which is operative even in a non‐polar solvent. Both the thiophene and pyridine moieties enhance the S₁→T₁ rate with respect to the furan one. This is due to the heavy‐atom effect (thiophene compounds) and to the ¹(π,π)*→³(n,π)* transition (pyridine compounds), which enhance the spin‐orbit coupling. Moreover, the solvent polarity also plays a significant role in the photophysical properties of these push–pull compounds: in fact, a particularly fast ¹LE*→¹CT* process was found for dimethylamino derivatives in the most polar solvents (time constant, τ≤400 fs), while it takes place in tens of picoseconds in non‐polar solvents. It was also shown that the CT character of the lowest excited singlet state decreased by replacing the dimethylamino side group with a methoxy one. The latter causes a decrease in the emissive decay and an enhancement of triplet‐state formation. The photoisomerisation mechanism (singlet/triplet) is also discussed.     

Darstellung und spektroskopische Eigenschaften von Nitridophthalocyaninatorhenium(V)

Preparation and Spectroscopical Properties of Nitridophthalocyaninatorhenium(V) Nitridophthalocyaninatorhenium(V) ([ReNPc^2?]) is prepared by the reaction of dirheniumheptoxide with ammoniumiodide in molten 1,2-dicyano-benzene. The diamagnetic complex is chemically und thermically extremely stable. In the Uv-vis spectra the typical π-π*-transitions of the Pc^2? ligand are observed. Extra bands in the solid state spectrum are due to strong excitonic coupling of ca. 2.8 kK. In the resonance Raman spectra the intensity of the Re≡N stretching vibration (v(Re≡N)) at 969 cm^?1 is selectively enhanced by laser excitations above 19.0 kK. v(Re≡N) is a dominant m.i.r. absorption at 976 cm^?1.     

Supramolecular Assemblies via Hydrogen Bonding and π-π Stacking Interactions: Crystal Structures of [Co(phen)(H2O)4]L·0.5H2O and [CO2(phen)2(H2O)2L2] with H2L = Adipic Acid

Reaction of freshly-prepared CoCO₃, phenanthroline monohydrate and adipic acid (H₂L) in CH₃OH/H₂O produced a mixture of [Co(phen)(H₂O)₄]L·0.5H₂O (1) and [CO₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂L₂] (2). Complex 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn with cell dimensions a = 23.380(2), b = 12.347(1), c = 12.821(1) Å, and D _calc = 1.390 g/cm³ for Z = 8, and complex 2 in the triclinic space group P1; with cell dimensions a = 8.203(1), b = 9.809(1), c = 11.827(1) Å, α = 70.34(1), β = 74.81(1), γ = 71.54(1)° and D _calc = 1.592 g/cm³ for Z = 1. Complex 1 consists of [Co(phen)(H₂O)₄]²⁺ complex cations, adipate anions and crystal H₂O molecules. The Co atoms are each octahedrally coordinated by one chelating phen ligand and four water molecules with d(Co-O) = 2.041-2.097 Å and d(Co-N) = 2.144, 2.160 Å. Through hydrogen bonds, the [Co(phen)(H₂O)₄]²⁺ complex cations and adipate anions are interconnected into 2D layers, whose assembly could be ascribed to weak π-π stacking interactions between interdigitating phen ligands. Complex 2 is composed of centrosymmetric dinuclear [Co₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂L₂) molecules, in which the Co atoms are each coordinated by two N atoms of one chelating phen ligand and four O atoms of one H₂O molecule and two adipato ligands to form distorted octahedra with d(Co-O) = 2.027-2.248 Å and d(Co-N) = 2.112, 2.162 Å. The centrosymmetric molecules are assembled via intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions into 2D layers.     

Optically Controlled Electron Transfer in a ReI Complex

Ultrafast optical control of intramolecular charge flow was demonstrated, which paves the way for photocurrent modulation and switching with a highly wavelength-selective ON/OFF ratio. The system that was explored is a fac-[Re(CO)₃(TTF-DPPZ)Cl] complex, where TTF-DPPZ=4’,5’-bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvenyl[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2’,3’-c]phenazine. DFT calculations and AC-Stark spectroscopy confirmed the presence of two distinct optically active charge-transfer processes, namely a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) and an intra-ligand charge transfer (ILCT). Ultrafast transient absorption measurements showed that the ILCT state decays in the ps regime. Upon excitation to the MLCT state, only a long-lived ³MLCT state was observed after 80 ps. Remarkably, however, the bleaching of the ILCT absorption band remained as a result of the effective inhibition of the HOMO–LUMO transition.     

Extending Metal‐to‐Polyoxometalate Charge Transfer Lifetimes: The Effect of Heterometal Location

In an effort to develop robust molecular sensitizers for solar fuel production, the electronic structure and photodynamics of transition‐metal‐substituted polyoxometalates (POMs), a novel class of compound in this context, was examined. Experimental and computational techniques including femtosecond (fs) transient absorption spectroscopy have been used to study the cobalt‐containing Keggin POMs, [Co^IIW₁₂O₄₀]^6? ( 1 a ), [Co^IIIW₁₂O₄₀]^5? ( 2 a ), [SiCo^II(H₂O)W₁₁O₃₉]^6? ( 3 a ), and [SiCo^III(H₂O)W₁₁O₃₉]^5? ( 4 a ), finding the longest lived charge transfer excited state so far observed in a POM and elucidating the electronic structures and excited‐state dynamics of these compounds at an unprecedented level. All species exhibit a bi‐exponential decay in which early dynamic processes with time constants in the fs domain yield longer lived excited states which decay with time constants in the ps to ns domain. The initially formed states of 1 a and 3 a are considered to result from metal‐to‐polyoxometalate charge transfer (MPCT) from Co^II to W, while the longer‐lived excited state of 1 a is tentatively assigned to a localized intermediate MPCT state. The excited state formed by the tetrahedral cobalt(II) centered heteropolyanion ( 1 a ) is far longer‐lived (τ=420 ps in H₂O; τ=1700 ps in MeCN) than that of 3 a (τ=1.3 ps), in which the single Co^II atom is located in a pseudo‐octahedral addendum site. Short‐lived states are observed for the two Co^III‐containing heteropolyanions 2 a (τ=4.4 ps) and 4 a (τ=6.3 ps) and assigned solely to O→Co^III charge transfer. The dramatically extended lifetime for 1 a versus 3 a is ascribed to a structural change permitted by the coordinatively flexible central site, weak orbital overlap of the central Co with the polytungstate framework, and putative transient valence trapping of the excited electron on a single W atom, a phenomenon not noted previously in POMs.