Mechanism of ligand photodissociation in photoactivable [Ru(bpy)2L2]2+ complexes: a density functional theory study

A series of four photodissociable Ru polypyridyl complexes of general formula [Ru(bpy)2L2](2+), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and L = 4-aminopyridine (1), pyridine (2), butylamine (3), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (4), was studied by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). DFT calculations (B3LYP/LanL2DZ) were able to predict and elucidate singlet and triplet excited-state properties of 1-4 and describe the photodissociation mechanism of one monodentate ligand. All derivatives display a Ru --> bpy metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption band in the visible spectrum and a corresponding emitting triplet (3)MLCT state (Ru --> bpy). 1-4 have three singlet metal-centered (MC) states 0.4 eV above the major (1)MLCT states. The energy gap between the MC states and lower-energy MLCT states is significantly diminished by intersystem crossing and consequent triplet formation. Relaxed potential energy surface scans along the Ru-L stretching coordinate were performed on singlet and triplet excited states for all derivatives employing DFT and TDDFT. Excited-state evolution along the reaction coordinate allowed identification and characterization of the triplet state responsible for the photodissociation process in 1-4; moreover, calculation showed that no singlet state is able to cause dissociation of monodentate ligands. Two antibonding MC orbitals contribute to the (3)MC state responsible for the release of one of the two monodentate ligands in each complex. Comparison of theoretical triplet excited-state energy diagrams from TDDFT and unrestricted Kohn-Sham data reveals the experimental photodissociation yields as well as other structural and spectroscopic features.     

Synthetic control of excited-state properties in cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes using ancillary ligands

The synthesis and photophysical characterization of a series of (N,C(2')-(2-para-tolylpyridyl))2 Ir(LL') [(tpy)2 Ir(LL')] (LL' = 2,4-pentanedionato (acac), bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligands and their analogues, diphosphine chelates and tert-butylisocyanide (CN-t-Bu)) are reported. A smaller series of [(dfppy)2 Ir(LL')] (dfppy = N,C(2')-2-(4',6'-difluorophenyl)pyridyl) complexes were also examined along with two previously reported compounds, (ppy)2 Ir(CN)2- and (ppy)2 Ir(NCS)2- (ppy = N,C(2')-2-phenylpyridyl). The (tpy)2 Ir(PPh2CH2)2 BPh2 and [(tpy)2 Ir(CN-t-Bu)2](CF3SO3) complexes have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The Ir-C(aryl) bond lengths in (tpy)2 Ir(CN-t-Bu)2+ (2.047(5) and 2.072(5) A) and (tpy)2 Ir(PPh2CH2)2 BPh2 (2.047(9) and 2.057(9) A) are longer than their counterparts in (tpy)2 Ir(acac) (1.982(6) and 1.985(7) A). Density functional theory calculations carried out on (ppy)2 Ir(CN-Me)2+ show that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) consists of a mixture of phenyl-pi and Ir-d orbitals, while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital is localized primarily on the pyridyl-pi orbitals. Electrochemical analysis of the (tpy)2 Ir(LL') complexes shows that the reduction potentials are largely unaffected by variation in the ancillary ligand, whereas the oxidation potentials vary over a much wider range (as much as 400 mV between two different LL' ligands). Spectroscopic analysis of the cyclometalated Ir complexes reveals that the lowest energy excited state (T1) is a triplet ligand-centered state (3LC) on the cyclometalating ligand admixed with 1MLCT (MLCT = metal-to-ligand charge-transfer) character. The different ancillary ligands alter the 1MLCT state energy mainly by changing the HOMO energy. Destabilization of the 1MLCT state results in less 1MLCT character mixed into the T1 state, which in turn leads to an increase in the emission energy. The increase in emission energy leads to a linear decrease in ln(k(nr)) (k(nr) = nonradiative decay rate). Decreased 1MLCT character in the T1 state also increases the Huang-Rhys factors in the emission spectra, decreases the extinction coefficient of the T1 transition, and consequently decreases the radiative decay rates (k(r)). Overall, the luminescence quantum yields decline with increasing emission energies. A linear dependence of the radiative decay rate (k(r)) or extinction coefficient (epsilon) on (1/deltaE)2 has been demonstrated, where deltaE is the energy difference between the 1MLCT and 3LC transitions. A value of 200 cm(-1) for the spin-orbital coupling matrix element 3LC absolute value(H(SO)) 1MLCT of the (tpy)2 Ir(LL') complexes can be deduced from this linear relationship. The (fppy)2 Ir(LL') complexes with corresponding ancillary ligands display similar trends in excited-state properties.     

Spirobifluorene bridged Ir(III) and Os(II) polypyridyl arrays: synthesis, photophysical characterization, and energy transfer dynamics

The synthesis, characterization, photophysics, and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of spirobifluorene-bipyridine based iridium(III), osmium(II), and mixed Ir/Os complexes are presented. The preparation of the reference and mixed complexes proceeded step-by-step and microwave irradiation facilitated the complexation of osmium. The absorption of the target heterobimetallic derivative, Ir-L-Os, is described by linear combination of half of the absorption spectra of the homobimetallic analogues, Ir-L-Ir and Os-L-Os, due to the occurrence of mixed ligand and metal based transitions when the spirobifluorene-(bpy)(2) bridging ligand L is linked to the metal, confirming a negligible interaction between the substituted metallic chromophores. TD-DFT calculations on monometallic, homo- and hetero-bimetallic complexes fully disentangled the origin of the absorption features. Noticeably, in the mixed Ir-L-Os complex an almost quantitative energy transfer from the (3)Ir to the (3)Os MLCT state is occurring, with a rate constant of 4.1 × 10(8) s(-1) and nearly exclusively via a Dexter-type mechanism mediated by the orbitals of the spiroconjugated ligand. This result, together with the outcomes of the TD-DFT calculations, supports the existence of spiroconjugation and evidences the interesting role of this kind of bridge in the energy transfer dynamics of the arrays. In all the complexes, moreover, the ligand fluorescence is heavily quenched by energy transfer processes toward the metallic appended units; the rate constant is estimated in the order of 10(10) s(-1) for Ir-L-Os and higher than 10(12) s(-1) for the other complexes. In the heterometallic array, both at room temperature and at 77 K, all photons are thus funneled to the emissive Os (3)MLCT state, which acts as energy trap for the antenna cascade.     

异构的蒽乙烯单钌配合物:合成与表征、电化学、光谱性质及理论计算

通过9-蒽乙炔基及2-蒽乙炔基分别与有机金属氢化物羰基氯氢三(三苯基膦)钌(Ⅱ)[Ru HCl(CO)(PPh_3)_3]反应,再使用三甲基膦(PMe_3)交换配体,合成并表征了具有同分异构结构的蒽乙烯单钌配合物1和2,其中配合物2的结构还经X射线单晶衍射的确证,结合理论计算研究了其电学及光学性质。密度泛函理论(DFT)优化配合物1和2的电子结构显示,在两个异构体中钌乙烯基与蒽配体呈现明显不同的构型,前线分子轨道图显示最高已占分子轨道(HOMO)上电子离域于整个分子骨架,其中以配体蒽乙烯基所占比例为90%,表明蒽乙烯基配体参与该配合物氧化进程的比例很大。电化学实验结果表明,配合物1的氧化还原可逆性明显低于配合物2。配合物1和2及前体分子1b和2b的电子吸收光谱结果表明,配合物与前体分子相比光谱性质呈现明显变化,其在紫外区域的强吸收峰明显减弱,而在长波长方向均出现了弱而宽的吸收峰,该吸收峰已经通过含时密度泛函理论(TDDFT)计算将其归属于π→π*以及金属配位电荷转移(MLCT)跃迁吸收,均来自于HOMO→LUMO跃迁产生。荧光发射光谱揭示金属配位之后其荧光强度和荧光量子产率明显降低。CCDC:1488284,2。     

Theoretical studies on structures and spectroscopic properties of photoelectrochemical cell ruthenium sensitizers, [Ru(Hmtcterpy)(NCS)3]n- (m = 0, 1, 2, and 3; n = 4, 3, 2, and 1)

A series of ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(tcterpy)(NCS)3](4-) (0H), [Ru(Htcterpy)(NCS)3](3-) (1H), [Ru(H2tcterpy)(NCS)3](2-) (2H), and [Ru(H3tcterpy)(NCS)3](-) (3H) (tcterpy = 4,4',4'-tricarboxy-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine), are investigated theoretically to explore their electronic structures and spectroscopic properties. The geometry structures of the complexes in the ground and excited states are optimized by the density functional theory and single-excitation configuration interaction methods, respectively. The absorption and emission spectra of the complexes in gas phase and solutions (ethanol and water) are predicted at the TDDFT(B3LYP) level. The calculations indicate that the protonation effect slightly affects the geometry structures of the complexes in the ground and excited states but leads to significant change in the electronic structures. In cases of both absorptions and emissions, the energy levels of HOMOs and LUMOs for 0H-3H decrease dramatically as a result of the introduction of the COOH groups. The protonation much stabilizes the unoccupied orbitals with respect to the occupied orbitals. Thus, both the absorptions and emissions are red-shifted from 0H to 3H. The phosphorescence of 0H-3H are attributed to tcterpyridine --> d(Ru)/NCS ((3)MLCT/(3)LLCT) transitions. The solvent media can influence the molecular orbital distribution of the complexes; as a consequence, the spectra calculated in the presence of the solvent are in good agreement with the experimental results. The MLCT/LLCT absorptions of 0H in ethanol and water are red-shifted relative to that in the gas phase. However, the MLCT/LLCT absorptions of the protonated complexes (1H-3H) are blue-shifted in ethanol and water with respect to the gas phase. Similarly, the solvent effect causes a blue-shift of the phosphorescent emission for 0H-3H.     

Ruthenium complexes of easily accessible tridentate ligands based on the 2-aryl-4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine motif: absorption spectra, luminescence properties, and redox behavior

A family of tridendate ligands 1 a-e, based on the 2-aryl-4,6-di(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine motif, was prepared along with their hetero- and homoleptic Ru(II) complexes 2 a-e ([Ru(tpy)(1 a-e)](2+); tpy=2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) and 3 a-e ([(Ru(1 a-e)(2)](2+)), respectively. The ligands and their complexes were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, ES-MS, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of 2 a and 2 e demonstrated that the triazine core is nearly coplanar with the non-coordinating ring, with dihedral angles of 1.2 and 18.6 degrees, respectively. The redox behavior and electronic absorption and luminescence properties (both at room temperature in liquid acetonitrile and at 77 K in butyronitrile rigid matrix) were investigated. Each species undergoes one oxidation process centered on the metal ion, and several (three for 2 a-e and four for 3 a-e) reduction processes centered on the ligand orbitals. All compounds exhibit intense absorption bands in the UV region, assigned to spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) transitions, and moderately intense spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption bands in the visible region. The compounds exhibit relatively intense emissions, originating from triplet MLCT levels, both at 77 K and at room temperature. The incorporation of triazine rings and the near planarity of the noncoordinating ring increase the luminescence lifetimes of the complexes by lowering the energy of the (3)MLCT state and creating a large energy gap to the dd state.     

Role of electronic structure of ruthenium polypyridyl dyes in the photoconversion efficiency of dye‐sensitized solar cells: Semiempirical investigation

ZINDO/S calculations on cis‐Ru(4,4′‐dicarboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine)₂(X)₂ and cis‐Ru(5,5′‐dicarboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine)₂(X)₂ complexes where X = Cl^?, CN^?, and NCS^? reveal that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of these complexes has a large amplitude on both the nonchromophoric ligand X and the central ruthenium atom. The lowest‐energy metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition in these complexes involves electron transfer from ruthenium as well as the halide/pseudohalide ligand to the polypyridyl ligand. The contribution of the halide/pseudohalide ligand(X) to the HOMO affects the total amount of charge transferred to the polypyridyl ligand and hence the photoconversion efficiency. The virtual orbitals involved in the second MLCT transition in 4,4′‐dicarboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine complexes have higher electron density on the ? COOH group compared to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and hence a stronger electronic coupling with the TiO₂ surface and higher injection efficiency at shorter wavelengths. In comparison, the virtual orbitals involved in the second MLCT transition in 5,5′‐dicarboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine complexes have lesser electron density on the ? COOH group, leading to a weaker electronic coupling with the TiO₂ surface and therefore lower efficiency for electron injection at shorter wavelengths for these complexes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002     

Photoluminescence studies of iodobis-(tricyclohexylphosphine)copper(I) and iodobis-(tricyclohexylphosphine)copper(I) benzene solvate

Two newly prepared complexes were found to exhibit strong solid state emission behavior. The complexes are iodobis-(tricyclohexylphosphine)copper(I) and iodobis-(tricyclohexylphosphine)copper(I) benzene solvate. To understand the emission behavior of these complexes, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed. These calculations allowed the identification of major atomic contributions to HOMO, LUMO and LUMO+n orbitals. The excitation mechanism was found to be a combination of ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT) and metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT), with the dominance of the former. The emission lifetimes were also investigated and the decays of the complexes were found to be a bi-exponential in both methanol and cyclohexane.     

On the excited states involved in the luminescent probe [Ru(bpy)2dppz]2+

The nature of the excited states of [Ru(bpy)2dppz]2+ has been investigated using density functional theory with the hybrid functional B3LYP. The excitations were studied via linear response theory (TDDFT) and DeltaSCF calculations and the solvent effects were introduced by embedding the molecule in a continuum dielectric medium. It was found that the solvent effects are critical in understanding the nature of the excitations. For the molecule in ethanol, the lowest absorption predicted by TDDFT is a dark state 3pi --> pi with the electron and hole spread over the dppz ligand. Next come the excitations of 3MLCT between the ruthenium and the dppz and finally the 3MLCT excitations between the ruthenium and the bpy ligands not associated with the phenazine. Using deltaSCF calculations two low-lying excited states were identified and the geometry optimized in the presence of the continuum medium. At the optimal geometry the lowest excited state is 3MLCT (Ru --> dppz). The 3pi --> pi state is found only 0.026 eV higher.     

Theoretical studies on molecular and structures of mono- and binuclear chromium carbazole derivatives for optoelectronics

Studies on the molecular geometries, electronic properties and second-order nonlinearities of a series of mono- and binuclear chromium carbazole complexes: (N-vinylcarbazole)Cr(CO)(3) (M1), (N-vinylcarbazole)Cr(CO)(2)PPh(3) (M2), (CO)(3)Cr(N-vinylcarbazole)Cr(CO)(3) (B1), and (CO)(3)Cr(N-vinylcarbazole)Cr(CO)(2)PPh(3) (B2) were carried out, using the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP//LanL2DZ/6-31G(d) level. The experimental singlet metal-to-ligand charge transfer ((1)MLCT) spectra of these complexes can also be well simulated and discussed by the time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) at the B3LYP//LanL2DZ/6-311+G(d) level associated with the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The computational results show that an unusual characteristic of chromium carbazole structures is explained in terms of interaction between frontier molecular orbitals of the metal and its ligands. The highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) of these complexes are composed of a set of distorted degenerated Cr 3d orbitals, whereas the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) are predominantly the N-vinylcarbazole ligand π* orbitals. The HOMO-LUMO energy gaps decrease in the order NVC > M1 > B1 > M2 > B2. The considerable coupling between the carbazole and (CO)(3) in M1 creates an asymmetric environment about the chromium atom, leading to modest second-order responses. The PPh(3) ligand is acting as a donor which increases the donating strength of the d(π) orbitals in chromium carbazole species, resulting in the large electronic asymmetry in M2. As for the binuclear chromium carbazole chromophores, a wide-range (1)MLCT band and large oscillator strength are found, allowing for the electronic interactions between two metal centers which can be modified by altering the ligand bound to the metals to induce peculiar asymmetry. Essentially, Cr(CO)(3) acceptor and Cr(CO)(2)PPh(3) donor units in B2 make significant contribution to the charge-transfer process or NLO responses via conventional push-pull chromophoric architecture.     

一类[Os(II)(CO)3(tfa)(L)](L=O^O,O^N,N^N)配合物的结构和光谱特征

采用密度泛函理论以及B3LYP方法和单激发组态相互作用(CIS)方法分别优化了一系列[Os(II)(CO)3(tfa)(L)](tfa为三氟乙酸; L=O^O(1), O^N(2), N^N(3), 其中O^O为六氟乙酰丙酮, O^N为羟基喹啉, N^N为3-(三氟甲基)-5-(2-吡啶基)吡唑)配合物的基态和激发态结构. 利用含时密度泛函理论(TD-DFT)结合极化连续溶剂化模型(PCM)计算了配合物在CH2Cl2溶液中的吸收和发射光谱. 研究结果表明, 优化得到的几何结构参数和相应的实验值符合得非常好, 激发态几何构型相对基态变化较小, 这与实验上观察到的较小的斯托克斯频移现象一致. 配合物1-3的最低能吸收分别在342、431和329 nm, 其磷光发射分别在521、638 和488 nm. 配合物1-3的最高占据分子轨道和最低空轨道主要表现为L配体的π和π*轨道特征, 所以它们的最低能吸收归属于π-π*电荷跃迁, 并混有少量的金属到配体的电荷跃迁(MLCT)和配体之间电荷跃迁(LLCT)微扰, 且其高能吸收也表现为配体内部(IL)和配体间(LL)的电荷跃迁. 此外, 它们的磷光发射和吸收有相似的跃迁特征.     

C60-多吡啶Ru(II)配合物电子光谱的密度泛函理论研究

应用密度泛函理论(DFT)方法对两种C60-多吡啶Ru(II)衍生物进行理论研究. 在TZP全电子基组优化构型基础上, 通过分析前线轨道组成, 探讨金属及配体对C60母体影响; 以LB及SAOP校正局域密度近似, 用含时密度泛函(TDDFT)方法, 考虑溶剂化效应, 计算化合物1和2的电子吸收光谱. 结果表明, 化合物1和2在气相与丙酮溶液中所对应的光谱值差异较为明显, 溶剂化效应使吸收光谱蓝移. 计算得到化合物1和2在丙酮溶液中电子光谱与实验值吻合较好, 低能跃迁多为金属参与的混合跃迁, 高能跃迁主要由C60与配体部分贡献.     

Spectroscopic and computational studies of a Ru(II) terpyridine complex: the importance of weak intermolecular forces to photophysical properties

The complex [Ru(tpy)(CO)(2)TFA]+[PF(6)]- (where tpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine and TFA = CF(3)CO(2)-) (1) has been synthesized and fully characterized spectroscopically. The X-ray structure of the complex has been determined. The photopysical properties of the ruthenium complex and the free ligand tpy have been investigated at room temperature and at 77 K in acetonitrile solution and in the solid state. Their electronic spectra are highly influenced by intermolecular stacking interactions, both in solution and in the solid state. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations have been performed to characterize the electronic structure and the excited states of [Ru(tpy)(CO)(2)TFA]+[PF(6)]- and tpy. TDDFT calculations on three different conformations of free ligand have been performed as well. Absorption and emission spectra of tpy have been studied at different temperatures and concentrations in order to have a better understanding of this ruthenium derivative's properties. The absorption spectrum of 1 is characterized by metal-perturbed ligand-centered (LC) bands in the UV region. No metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands are observed in the visible for the complex. Only at high concentrations (10(-4) M) does a very weak band appear at 470 nm. At 77 K and low concentrations, solutions of 1 exhibit a major 3LC emission band centered at 468 nm (21.4 x 10(-3) cm(-1)). When the concentration of the complex is increased, an unstructured narrow emission at 603 nm (16.6 x 10(-3) cm(-1)), with a lifetime of 10 micros, dominates the emission spectrum in glassy acetonitrile. This emission originates from a pi-pi stacked dimeric (or oligomeric) species. TDDFT calculations performed on a tail-to-tail dimer structure, similar to that seen in the solid state, ascribe the transition to a triplet excited state, where intermolecular metal (d) --> ligand (pi*, polypyridine) charge transfer occurs. A good estimate of the transition energy is also obtained (623 nm, 1.94 eV).     

Density functional theory/time-dependent DFT studies on the structures, trend in DNA-binding affinities, and spectral properties of complexes [Ru(bpy)2(p-R-pip)]2+ (R = -OH, -CH3, -H, -NO2)

Studies on the electronic structures and trend in DNA-binding affinities of a series of Ru(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)2(p-R-pip)]2+ (bpy = 2,2-bipyridine; pip = 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f] [1,10]-phenanthroline; R = -OH, -CH3, -H, -NO2) 1-4 have been carried out, using the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/LanL2DZ level. The electronic absorption spectra of these complexes were also investigated using time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) at the B3LYP//LanL2DZ/6-31G level. The computational results show that the substituents on the parent ligand (pip) have a significant effect on the electronic structures of the complexes, in particular, on the energies of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and near some unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO+x, x = 1-4). With the increase in electron-withdrawing ability of the substituent in this series, the LUMO+x (x = 0-4) energies of the complexes are substantially reduced in order, for example, epsilon(LUMO)(1) approximately epsilon(LUMO)(2) > epsilon(LUMO)(3) > epsilon(LUMO)(4), whereas the pi-component populations of the LUMO+x (x = 0-4) are not substantially different. Combining the consideration of the bigger steric hindrance of complex 2, the trend in DNA-binding affinities (K(b)) of the complexes, that is, K(b)(2) < K(b)(1) < K(b)(3) < K(b)(4) can be reasonably explained. In addition, the experimental singlet metal-to-ligand charge transfer ((1)MLCT) spectra of these complexes can be well simulated and discussed by the TDDFT calculations.     

Time-dependent density functional theory gradients in the Amsterdam density functional package: geometry optimizations of spin-flip excitations

An implementation of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) energy gradients into the Amsterdam density functional theory program package (ADF) is described. The special challenges presented by Slater-type orbitals in quantum chemical calculation are outlined with particular emphasis on details that are important for TDDFT gradients. Equations for the gradients of spin-flip TDDFT excitation energies are derived. Example calculations utilizing the new implementation are presented. The results of standard calculations agree well with previous results. It is shown that starting from a triplet reference, spin-flip TDDFT can successfully optimize the geometry of the four lowest singlet states of CH₂ and three other isovalent species. Spin-flip TDDFT is used to calculate the potential energy curve of the breaking of the C?CC bond of ethane. The curve obtained is superior to that from a restricted density functional theory calculation, while at the same time the problems with spin contamination exhibited by unrestricted density functional theory calculations are avoided.     

Iridium cyclometalated complexes with axial symmetry: time-dependent density functional theory investigation of trans-bis-cyclometalated complexes containing the tridentate ligand 2,6-diphenylpyridine

A new series of iridium cyclometalated complexes with a C/N/C dppy-type ligand and a N/N/N tpy-type ligand have been synthesized and characterized by various techniques such as mass spectrometry, 1H and 13C NMR, cyclic voltammetry, both steady-state and time-resolved emission and absorption studies, and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations. The complexes exhibit strong visible absorptions and long-lived (1.6-2.0 micros) emissions (lambdamax, ca. 680 nm) in room-temperature solution. DFT calculations on the ground-state geometry match that of an X-ray crystal structure. TDDFT calculations give accurate predictions of the electronic absorption energies and intensities, while geometry optimizations on the lowest energy triplet state give accurate energies for the emission. Examination of the relevant molecular orbitals shows that the inherent asymmetry of the coordination environment offers a unique directional character to the emitting excited state, which is predominately LLCT (dppy --> tpy) in nature.     

Synthesis, luminescence, and electrochemical studies of tris(homoleptic) ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes of 6'-tolyl-2,2':4',2'-terpyridine

The synthesis and photophysical and electrochemical properties of tris(homoleptic) complexes [Ru(tpbpy)3](PF6)2 (1) and [Os(tpbpy)3](PF6)2 (2) (tpbpy = 6'-tolyl-2,2':4',2' '-terpyridine) are reported. The ligand tpbpy is formed as the side product during the synthesis of 4'-tolyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (ttpy) and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: monoclinic, P21/c. The tridentate tpbpy coordinates as a bidentate ligand. The complexes 1 and 2 exhibit two intense absorption bands in the UV region (200-350 nm) assignable to the ligand-centered (1LC) pi-pi* transitions. The ruthenium(II) complex exhibits a broad absorption band at 470 nm while the osmium(II) complex exhibits an intense absorption band at 485 nm and a weak band at 659 nm assignable to the MLCT (dpi-pi*) transitions. A red shifting of the dpi-pi* MLCT transition is observed on going from the Ru(II) to the Os(II) complex as expected from the high-lying dpi Os orbitals. These complexes exhibit ligand-sensitized emission at 732 and 736 nm, respectively, upon light excitation onto their MLCT band through excitation of higher energy LC bands at room temperature. The MLCT transitions and the emission maxima of 1 and 2 are substantially red-shifted compared to that of [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 and [Os(bpy)3](PF6)2. The emission of both the complexes in the presence of acid is completely quenched indicating that the emission is not due to the protonation of the coordinated ligands. Our results indicate the occurrence of intramolecular energy transfer from the ligand to the metal center. Both the complexes undergo quasi-reversible metal-centered oxidation, and the E1/2 values for the M(II)/M(III) redox couples (0.94 and 0.50 V versus Ag/Ag+ for 1 and 2, respectively) are cathodically shifted with respect to that of [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 and [Os(bpy)3](PF6)2 (E1/2 = 1.28 and 1.09 V versus Ag/Ag+, respectively). The tris(homoleptic) Ru(II) and Os(II) complexes 1 and 2 could be used to construct polynuclear complexes by using the modular synthetic approach in coordination compounds by exploiting the coordinating ability of the pyridine substituent. Furthermore, these complexes offer the possibility of studying the influence of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents on the photophysical properties of Ru(II) and Os(II) polypyridine complexes.     

Theoretical investigations of the substituent effect on the absorption and emission properties for a series of platinum (II) complexes supported by tetradentate N2O2 chelates

The photophysical properties, which vary as R is varied, of a series of [Pt(N₂O₂)] complexes bearing bis(phenoxy)bipyridine auxiliaries with different substituents R=H (Pt-H) (1), 4,4′-2NH₂ (Pt-NH₂) (2), 4,4′-2tBu (Pt-tBu) (3), 4,4′-2CN (Pt-CN) (4), and 4,4′-2NO₂ (Pt-NO₂) (5) are investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The solvent effects are discussed in CH₂Cl₂, CH₃CN and CH₃OH solutions, respectively, by polarizable continuum model (PCM). It is anticipated that compared with σ-donor substituents, π-acceptors have more dramatic effects on the electronic and optical properties in this series of complexes. Introduction of π-electron withdrawing substituents on bipyridine ligand will benefit the LLCT (or MLCT) and prohibit the non-radiative pathways via d–d transitions by increasing the energy gap between the HOMO–LUMO and d–d transitions. The results also reveal that the lowest-energy excitations of all complexes show blue-shifts in the polarized solution and when the polarity of the solvent increases from CH₂Cl₂, CH₃CN and CH₃OH, the low-energy broad absorption band exhibit blue-shifts. The lowest-energy excitations and photoluminescence of all complexes are dominated by π(phenoxy)→π^*(bpy/NO₂) (LLCT) excited state mixed with some energetically dπ (Pt)→π^*(bpy/NO₂) (MLCT) transition.     

Syntheses and phosphorescent properties of blue emissive iridium complexes with tridentate pyrazolyl ligands

Novel neutral mixed-ligand Ir(N=C=N)(N=C)X complexes (N=C=N = 1,3-bis(3-methylpyrazolyl)benzene (bpzb), 1,5-dimethyl-2,4-bis(3-methylpyrazolyl)benzene (dmbpzb), and 1,5-difluoro-2,4-bis(3-methylpyrazolyl)benzene (dfbpzb); N=C = 2-phenyl pyridine (ppy); and X = Cl or CN) have been synthesized and characterized. An X-ray single-crystal structure of the complex Ir(dmbpzb)(ppy)Cl shows that the nitrogen atom in the ppy ligand occupied the trans position to the carbon atom in the tridentate N=C=N ligand of dmbpzb with the Ir-C bond length of 1.94(1) A, whereas the coordinating carbon atom occupied the trans position of chlorine. Electrochemical data show that the complexes exhibit an oxidation Ir(III/IV) process in the potential range of +0.5 approximately 0.9 V and two irreversible reductions at approximately -2.6 and -3.0 V against Fc (0)/Fc (+), respectively. All of the Ir(III) complexes do not emit phosphorescence at room temperature, although strong phosphorescence is exhibited at 77 K with the 0-0 transition centered at around 450 nm and lifetimes of 3-14 mus. DFT calculations indicate that the HOMOs are mainly localized on iridium 5dpi and chlorine ppi*, whereas the LUMOs are mainly from the ppy ligand pi* orbitals. The phosphorescence originates from a (3)LC state mixed with the (3)MLCT and (3)XLCT ones. Temperature-dependent lifetime measurements of Ir(dfbpzb)(ppy)Cl reveal the existence of a thermal deactivation process with a low activation energy (1720 cm (-1)) and very high frequency factor (2.3 x 10 (13) s (-1)). An unrestricted density functional theory indicates that the dd state, in which both the Ir-N (pyrazolyl) bond lengths increase considerably, exists almost at the same energy as that for the phosphorescent state. A thorough analysis based on the potential energy surfaces for the T 1 and S 0 states allows us to determine the reaction pathway responsible for this thermal deactivation. The calculated activation energies of 1600 approximately 1800 cm (-1) are in excellent agreement with the observed values.     

A time-dependent density functional theory investigation on the nature of the electronic transitions involved in the nonlinear optical response of [Ru(CF3CO2)3T] (T = 4'-(C6H4-p-NBu2)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine)

We report a theoretical study based on density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations on the nature and role of the absorption bands involved in the nonlinear optical response of the complexes [Ru(CF3CO2)3T] (T = T1, T2; T1 = 4'-(C6H4-p-NBu2)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine, T2 = 4'-(C6H4-p-NMe2)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine). Geometry optimizations, performed without any symmetry constraints, confirm a twisting of the -C6H4-p-NBu2 moiety with respect to the plane of the chelated terpyridine. Despite this lack of strong pi interaction, TDDFT excited states calculations of the electronic spectrum in solution provide evidence of a relevant role of the NBu2 donor group in the low-energy LMCT band at 911 nm. Calculations also show that the two bands at higher energy (508 and 455 nm) are not attributable only to LMCT and ILCT transitions but to a mixing of ILCT/MLCT and ILCT/pi-pi* transitions, respectively. The 911 nm LMCT band, appearing at lower wavelength of the second harmonic (670 nm) of the EFISH experiment, controls the negative value of the second-order NLO response. This is confirmed by our calculations of the static component beta0(zzz) of the quadratic hyperpolarizability tensor, showing a large positive value. In addition we have found that the increase of the dipole moment upon excitation occurs, in all the characterized transitions, along the dipole moment axis, thus explaining why the EFISH and solvatochromic experimental values of the quadratic hyperpolarizability agree as sign and value.