Methyloxy Substituted Heteroleptic Bis(phthalocyaninato) Yttrium Complexes: Density Functional Calculations

The effects of alkyloxy substituents attached to one phthalocyanine ligand of three heteroleptic bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium complexes Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₄] ( 1 ), Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₈] ( 2 ), and Y(Pc)[Pc(β‐OCH₃)₈] ( 3 ), as well as their reduction products {Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₄]}^? ( 4 ), {Y(Pc)[Pc(α‐OCH₃)₈]}^? ( 5 ), and {Y(Pc)[Pc(β‐OCH₃)₈]}^? ( 6 ) [H₂Pc(α‐OCH₃)₄=1,8,15,22‐tetrakis(methyloxy)phthalocyanine; H₂Pc(α‐OCH₃)₈=1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25‐octakis(methyloxy)phthalocyanine; H₂Pc(β‐OCH₃)₈=2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24‐octakis(methyloxy)phthalocyanine] are studied by DFT calculations. Good consistency is found between the calculated results and experimental data for the electronic absorption, IR, and Raman spectra of 1 and 3 . Introduction of electron‐donating methyloxy groups on one phthalocyanine ring of the heteroleptic double‐deckers induces structural deformation in both phthalocyanine ligands, electron transfer between the two phthalocyanine rings, changes in orbital energy and composition, shift of electronic absorption bands, and different vibrational modes of the unsubstituted and substituted phthalocyanine ligands in the IR and Raman spectra in comparison with the unsubstituted homoleptic counterpart Y(Pc)₂. The calculations reveal that incorporation of methyloxy substituents at the nonperipheral positions has greater influence on the structure and spectroscopic properties of bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium double‐deckers than at the peripheral positions, which increases with increasing number of substituents. Nevertheless, the substituent effect of alkyloxy substituents at one phthalocyanine ligand of the double‐decker on the unsubstituted phthalocyanine ring and on the whole molecule and the importance of the position and number of alkyloxy substituents are discussed. In addition, the effect of reducing 1 – 3 to 4 – 6 on the structure and spectroscopic properties of the bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium compounds is also discussed. This systemic DFT study is not only useful for understanding the structure and spectroscopic properties of bis(phthalocyaninato) rare earth metal complexes but also helpful in designing and preparing double‐deckers with tunable structure and properties.     

Electrochemical and electrochromic properties of rare-earth metal diphthalocyanine complexes

The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of several new rare-earth metal diphthalocyanine complexes with different substituents containing both electron-withdrawing and -donating substituents in the phthalocyanine rings were studied. The influence of structural modification of the phthalocyanine complexes (viz., the nature of the central metal atom and substituents in the phthalocyanine rings and the number of phthalocyanine rings in the complexes) on the total number of redox transitions, their potentials, and spectral characteristics of anionic and cationic forms of the complexes was examined. The potentials of the first anodic and cathodic redox transitions of the diphthalocyanine complexes are in a good linear correlation with the ionic radii of lanthanides. The potentials of the observed redox transitions of the complexes under study correlate well with the sums of Hammett constants for the substituents and the minimum molecular electrostatic potential of the benzene rings in the phthalocyanine moiety, which serves as a measure of electron perturbations introduced by the substituents. The revealed regularities allow the prediction of the redox properties and structure of rare-earth element diphthalocyanine complexes, which are redox-active in a specified potential range.     

Photophysical, photochemical and BSA binding/BQ quenching properties of quaternizable coumarin containing water soluble zinc phthalocyanine complexes

The non-peripherally (np-QZnPc) and peripherally (p-QZnPc) tetrakis-[7-oxo-(3-[(2-diethylaminomethyliodide)ethyl)]-4-methylcoumarin]-phthalocyaninatozinc complexes have been prepared by quaternization of non-peripherally and peripherally tetrakis[7-oxo-(3-[(2-diethylamino)ethyl)]-methylcoumarin] phthalocyaninato zinc complexes with methyliodide in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The new quaternized zinc phthalocyanine complex (np-QZnPc) has been characterized by elemental analysis, MALDI-TOF, IR and UV-vis spectral data. The photophysical and photochemical properties of the peripherally and non-peripherally quaternized tetrakis-3-[(2-diethylamino)ethyl]-7-oxo-4-methylcoumarin substituted zinc phthalocyanines are reported. The effects of the position of the substituents and the aggregation of the phthalocyanine molecules on the photophysical and photochemical properties are also investigated. General trends are described for photodegradation, singlet oxygen and fluorescence quantum yields, and fluorescence lifetimes for complexes np-ZnPc/p-ZnPc in DMSO and for complexes np-QZnPc/p-QZnPc in DMSO, phosphate buffered solution (PBS) and PBS+Triton-X 100 solutions. The fluorescence of the tetra-substituted quaternized zinc phthalocyanine complexes (np-QZnPc/p-QZnPc) are effectively quenched addition of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) and this study also presented the ionic zinc phthalocyanine complexes strongly bind to bovine serum albumin (BSA).     

Oligomeric cadmium-phthalocyanine complexes: novel supramolecular free radical structures

Certain cadmium-metallated phthalocyanines give rise to EPR active triple-decker sandwich complexes containing two Cd ions and three phthalocyanine (Pc) ligands. These have been shown to form when the ligands bear either eight non- peripheral alkyl or alkenyl substituents or eight peripheral 2-ethylhexyl groups. They can be derived either from three equivalents of a cadmium phthalocyanine precursor or from a 2:1 mixture of a cadmium phthalocyanine (CdPc) and a metal-free phthalocyanine (H(2)Pc). The mode of their formation has been investigated by a series of "cross" experiments. The results indicate that the triple-decker structures are formed by a self-assembly process. This is deduced from results that show that they can disassemble and reassemble with incorporation of differently substituted ligands derived from either an H(2)Pc or CdPc. The reassembled structures in these cross experiments can contain more than one ligand that originated from either the added CdPc or, and more surprisingly, the H(2)Pc compound. Mass spectrometry has also established that higher order oligomers can be formed when steric requirements between the alkyl substituents on adjacent rings in the stack are reduced. Thus an isotopic cluster for a Cd(5)Pc(6) complex has been observed when the eight peripheral substituents are hexyl chains and tetrameric complexes are formed when two different ligands are incorporated within a stack, with one carrying substituents at the peripheral sites and the other bearing substituents at the non-peripheral sites.     

Computational study of ground-state properties of μ2-bridged group 14 porphyrinic sandwich complexes

The structural properties of μ₂-bridged porphyrinic double-decker complexes are investigated and the influence of various ligands, metals, substituents, and bridging atoms on the dominant structural motif is elucidated. A variety of quantum chemical methods including semiempirical (SQM) methods and density functional theory (DFT) is assessed for the calculation of ecliptic and staggered conformational energies. Local coupled cluster (DLPNO-CCSD(T1)) data are generated for reference. The r²SCAN-3c composite scheme as well as the B2PLYP-D4/def2-QZVPP approach are identified as reliable methods. Energy decomposition analyses (EDA) and localized molecular orbital analyses (LMO) are used to investigate the bonding situation and the nature of the inter-ligand interaction energy underlining the crucial role of attractive London dispersion interactions. Targeted modification of the bridging atom, e.g., by replacing O²⁻ by S²⁻ is shown to drastically change the major structural features of the investigated complexes. Further, the influence of different substituents of varying size at the phthalocyanine ligand regarding the dominant conformation is described.     

Effects of peripheral substituents and axial ligands on the electronic structure and properties of iron phthalocyanine

The effects of peripheral substituents and axial ligands on the electronic structure and properties of iron phthalocyanine, H(16)PcFe, have been investigated using a DFT method. Substitution by electron-withdrawing fluorinated groups alters the ground state of H(16)PcFe and gives rise to large changes in the ionization potentials and electron affinity. For the six-coordinate adducts with acetone, H(2)O, and pyridine, the axial coordination of two weak-field ligands leads to an intermediate-spin ground state, while the strong-field ligands make the system diamagnetic. The electronic configuration of a ligated iron phthalocyanine is determined mainly by the axial ligand-field strength but can also be affected by peripheral substituents. Axial ligands also exert an effect on ionization potentials and electron affinity and can, as observed experimentally, even change the site of oxidation/reduction.     

Effect of the nature of axial ligand on the effective charge of the metal center in PcFe(II) complexes

Disubstituted iron phthalocyanine complexes were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Fe2p _3/2, N1s, and C1s XPS spectra were analyzed, and the role of the ligand in their generation was determined. Assignment of the magnetic properties of phthalocyanine iron complexes was done. Covalence of the metal-ligand bond was determined. The nature of the axial ligand in Pc^tFe affects the electronic state of the central iron atom.     

Effect of peripheral hydrophobic alkoxy substitution on the organic field effect transistor performance of amphiphilic tris(phthalocyaninato) europium triple-decker complexes

A series of four amphiphilic heteroleptic tris(phthalocyaninato) europium complexes with different lengths of hydrophobic alkoxy substituents on one outer phthalocyanine ligand [Pc(15C5)4]Eu[Pc(15C5)4]Eu[Pc(OCnH(2n+1))8] (n = 4, 6, 10,12) (1, 2, 4, and 5) was designed and prepared. Their film forming and organic field effect transistor properties have been systematically studied in comparison with analogous [Pc(15C5)4]Eu[Pc(15C5)4]Eu[Pc(OC8H17)8] (3). Experimental results showed that all these typical amphiphilic sandwich triple-decker molecules have been fabricated into highly ordered films by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique, which displays carrier mobility in the direction parallel to the aromatic phthalocyanine rings in the range of 0.0032-0.60 cm2 V(-1) s(-1) depending on the length of the hydrophobic alkoxy substituents. This is rationalized on the basis of comparative morphology analysis results of the LB films by the atomic force microscopy technique.     

X-ray structures and homolysis of some alkylcobalt(III) phthalocyanine complexes

The first crystallographic data for sigma-bonded alkylcobalt(III) phthalocyanine complexes are reported. A single-crystal X-ray structure of CH(3)CH(2)Co(III)Pc (Pc = dianion of phthalocyanine) reveals that the solid consists of centrosymmetric face-to-face dimers in which the CH(3)CH(2)Co(III)Pc units retain their square pyramidal geometry. The structure appears to be the first one reported for a five-coordinate RCo(III)(chelate) complex with an electron-deficient equatorial system. The Co-C bond in CH(3)CH(2)Co(III)Pc (2.031(5) A) is the longest found in five-coordinate RCo(III)(chel) complexes (R = simple primary alkyl group). Another X-ray study demonstrates that CH(3)Co(III)Pc(py) has a distorted octahedral geometry with axial bonds of very similar length to those in methylcobalamin. The axial bonds are shorter than those in its octaethylporphyrin analogue, in accordance with a weaker trans axial influence in six-coordinate complexes containing an electron-deficient phthalocyanine equatorial ligand. A different trend has been observed for five-coordinate RCo(III)(chel) complexes: electron-rich equatorial systems seem to make the Co-C axial bond shorter. Kinetic data for the homolysis of RCo(III)Pc complexes (R = Me, Et) in dimethylacetamide are also reported. Homolysis of ethyl derivatives is faster. The Co-C bond dissociation energies (BDEs) for the pyridine adducts of the methyl and the ethyl derivative are 30 +/- 1 and 29 +/- 1 kcal/mol, respectively. The BDE for CH(3)CoPc(py) is considerably lower than that for MeCbl despite the very similar lengths of the axial bonds in the two complexes. The results of this work do not support any correlation between the Co-C bond length and the bond strength as defined by BDE.     

Self-association of sulfo derivatives of cobalt phthalocyanine in aqueous solution

Sulfo derivatives of cobalt phthalocyanine containing naphthalene fragments have been synthesized, and their self-association and molecular complexation with pyridine in aqueous solution have been studied by spectrophotometry. The dissociation constants of the dimeric associates have been determined. The effects of the number of functional groups in the peripheral substituents and of the axial ligand on the phthalocyanine dimerization process have been revealed.     

Ru(II) complexes of tetradentate ligands related to 2,9-di(pyrid-2'-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline

A series of 1,10-phenanthrolines were prepared having additional ligating substituents at the 2,9-positions. These substituents were either a 4-substituted pyrid-2-yl, quinolin-2-yl, 1,8-naphthyrid-2-yl, N-methyl imidazo-2-yl, or N-methyl benzimidazo-2-yl group. Additionally, 3,6-di-(pyrid-2'-yl)-dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine was prepared. All but two of these ligands coordinated Ru(II) in a tetradentate equatorial fashion with two 4-methylpyridines bound in the axial sites. An X-ray structure analysis of the diimidazoyl system indicates considerable distortion from square planar geometry in the equatorial plane. Previously reported variations in the axial ligand for such complexes appear to have a stronger effect on the electronic absorption and redox properties of the system than similar changes in the equatorial ligand. In the presence of excess Ce(IV) as a sacrificial oxidant at pH 1, all the systems examined catalyze the decomposition of water to generate oxygen. Turnover numbers are modest, ranging from 146 to 416.     

Controlling the nature of mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare-earth(III) double-decker complexes: the effects of nonperipheral alkoxy substitution of the phthalocyanine ligand

The half-sandwich rare-earth complexes [M(III)(acac)(TClPP)] (M = Sm, Eu, Y; TClPP = meso-tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrinate; acac = acetylacetonate), generated in situ from [M(acac)3] x n H2O and H2(TClPP), were treated with 1,8,15,22-tetrakis(3-pentyloxy)phthalocyanine [H2{Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4}] (Pc = phthalocyaninate) under reflux in n-octanol to yield both the neutral nonprotonated and protonated (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare-earth double-decker complexes, [M(III){Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4}(TClPP)] (1-3) and [M(III)H{Pc(alpha-OC5H11)4}(TClPP)] (4-6), respectively. In contrast, reaction of [Y(III)(acac)(TClPP)] with 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octakis(1-butyloxy)phthalocyanine [H2Pc(alpha-OC4H9)8] gave only the protonated double-decker complex [Y(III)H{Pc(alpha-OC4H9)8}(TClPP)] (7). These observations clearly show the importance of the number and positions of substituents on the phthalocyanine ligand in controlling the nature of the (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare-earth double-deckers obtained. In particular, alpha-alkoxylation of the phthalocyanine ligand is found to stabilize the protonated form, a fact supported by molecular-orbital calculations. A combination of mass spectrometry, NMR, UV-visible, near-IR, MCD, and IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses, facilitated the differentiation of the newly prepared neutral nonprotonated and protonated double-decker complexes. The crystal structure of the protonated form has been determined for the first time.     

Porphyrin-appended europium(III) bis(phthalocyaninato) complexes: synthesis, characterization, and photophysical properties

Mixed cyclization of 3-mono-, 4-mono-, or 4,5-di(porphyrinated) phthalonitrile compounds 2, 3, or 6 and unsubstituted phthalonitrile with the half-sandwich complex [EuIII(acac)(Pc)] (Pc=phthalocyaninate, acac=acetylacetonate) as the template in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in n-pentanol afforded novel porphyrin-appended europium(III) bis(phthalocyaninato) complexes 7-9 in 30-40% yield. These mixed tetrapyrrole triads and tetrad were spectroscopically and electrochemically characterized and their photophysical properties were also investigated with steady-state and transient spectroscopic methods. It has been found that the fluorescence of the porphyrin moiety is quenched effectively by the double-decker unit through an intramolecular photoinduced electron-transfer process, which takes place in several hundred femtoseconds, while the recombination of the charge-separated state occurs in several picoseconds. By using different phthalocyanines containing different numbers of porphyrin substituents at the peripheral or nonperipheral position(s) of the ligand, while the other unsubstituted phthalocyanine remains unchanged in these double-deckers, the effects of the number and the position of the porphyrin substituents on these photophysical processes were also examined.     

Tandem cofacial stacks of porphyrin-phthalocyanine dyads through complementary coordination

A novel straightforward methodology to organize discrete heterogeneous stacks of porphyrin and phthalocyanine employed an imidazolyl-to-zinc complementary coordination protocol for a Zn(II) phthalocyanine that contains an imidazolyl terminal with an ethynylporphyrin as a coplanar spacer. Structural elucidation was performed by means of size-exclusion chromatography, spectral titration, and NMR spectroscopy. The association constants for the complementary coordination of the heterogeneous slipped-cofacial tetrads reached extremely high values, in the order of 10(14) M(-1). Close contact of the porphyrin and phthalocyanine planes led to a strong shielding of the cofacial protons, which were split due to the slipped-cofacial heterogeneous environment. In variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy, the split signals remained in the aromatic region, a result suggesting structural robustness. Addition of trifluoroacetic acid dissociated the coordination structure to unify the split signals. The stacked tetrads showed unique electronic structures, such as strong exciton coupling and charge-transfer properties between the porphyrin and phthalocyanine units, which were modulated by the peripheral substituents of the phthalocyanine subunit and by the solvent. Interconversion between the coordination tetrad and the corresponding dyad was observed upon addition of an axial ligand.     

Even-numbered metal chain complexes: synthesis, characterization, and DFT analysis of [Ni4(mu4-Tsdpda)4(H2O)2] (Tsdpda2- = N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)dipyridyldiamido), [Ni4(mu4-Tsdpda)4]+, and related Ni4 string complexes

The synthesis and the X-ray structure of two complexes exhibiting a linear chain of four nickel atoms is reported, following Ni4(mu4-phdpda)4 (1), which had been characterized previously. [Ni4(mu4-Tsdpda)4(H2O)2], where H2Tsdpda is N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)dipyridyldiamine (2), is axially coordinated to two water molecules, at variance with 1. One-electron oxidation of 2 resulted in the loss of the axial ligands, yielding [Ni4(mu4-Tsdpda)4]+, [3]+, which was also structurally characterized. Finally, we report the structure of Ni4(mu4-DAniDANy)4 (4), a complex synthesized starting from the new ligand N,N'-bis-p-anisyl-2,7-diamino-1,8-naphthyridine. Magnetic measurements concluded that 4 is diamagnetic, like 1, whereas 2 is antiferromagnetic (-2J(14) = 80 cm(-)(1), using the Heisenberg Hamiltonian H = -2J(14) S(1).S(4)), as are other axially coordinated chains with an odd number of nickel atoms. DFT calculations are reported on these complexes in order to rationalize their electronic structure and their magnetic behavior. The magnetic properties of the [Ni4]8+ complexes are governed by the electronic state of the Ni(II) atoms, which may be either low-spin (S = 0), or high-spin (S = 1). DFT calculations show that the promotion to high spin of two Ni atoms in the chain, either external or internal, depends on the interplay between axial and equatorial coordination. The synergy between axial coordination and the presence of electron-withdrawing toluenesulfonyl substituents in 2 favors the promotion to the high-spin state of the terminal Ni atoms, thus yielding an antiferromagnetic ground state for the complex. This is at variance with complexes 1 and 4, for which the lowest quintet state results from the promotion to high spin of the internal nickel atoms, together with an important ligand participation, and is destabilized by 9 to 16 kcal mol(-1) with respect to the diamagnetic ground state.     

Titanium-salen complexes as initiators for the ring opening polymerisation of rac-lactide

A family of bis(iso-propoxide) titanium(IV) complexes supported by tetradentate Schiff base (salen) ligands has been synthesised and characterised, including a structural determination of N,N'-bis(6'-methylenimino-2',4'-di-tert-butylphenoxy)cyclohexyl-(1R,2R)-diamino titanium(IV) bis(iso-propoxide). Their suitability for initiating the ring-opening polymerisation of rac-lactide has been investigated. Polymerisation activities are shown to correlate with the electronic properties of the substituents within the salen ligand. In contrast to aluminium-salen initiators, electron-withdrawing substituents on the Schiff base ligand have a detrimental influence upon polymerisation activities, whereas the use of electron-donating alkoxy-functionalized ligands has allowed the highest recorded activity to date for a titanium-based initiator.     

Thermal Stability of 4-Chloro-3-Nitro- and 5-Chloro-2-Nitrobenzoates of Rare Earth Elements

The physico-chemical properties and thermal stabilities in air of rare earth element 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoates and 5-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates were compared and the influence of the positions of the Cl and NO₂ substituents on their thermal stabilities was investigated. The complexes of both series are crystalline, hydrated or anhydrous salts with colours typical of Ln³⁺. The carboxylate group in these complexes is a bidentate, chelating ligand. The NO₂ group in the chloronitro complexes does not undergo isomerization. The thermal stabilities of the 4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoates of Y and the lanthanides were studied in the temperature range 273-1173 K, but those of the 5-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates of these elements were studied only at 273-523 K, because they decompose explosively above 523 K. The positions of the Cl and NO₂ substituents on the benzene ring influence the thermal properties of the complexes and their decomposition mechanisms. The different thermal stabilities of the complexes are connected with various inductive and mesomeric effects of the Cl and NO₂ substituents on the electron density in the benzene ring. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electrochemical characterization of Co(II) and Pd(II) phthalocyanines carrying diethoxymalonyl and carboxymethyl substituents

In this study, electrochemical behaviors of Co(II) and Pd(II) phthalocyanines carrying tetrakisdiethoxymalonyl and Pd(II) phthalocyanine carrying tetrakiscarboxymethyl substituents at the peripheral positions are investigated by cyclic voltammetry and applied potential chronocoulometry techniques. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that, while Pd(II) phthalocyanines carrying diethoxymalonyl and carboxymethyl substituents give up to three common phthalocyanine ring reductions, Co(II) phthalocyanine carrying diethoxymalonyl substituents gives a metal-centered oxidation and a metal-centered reduction and three ligand-centered reduction and a ligand-centered oxidation processes. First reduction processes of both the PdPc complexes have shoulders. This different voltammetric behaviors of Pd(II) phthalocyanines carrying carboxymethyl and diethoxymalonyl substituents results from interaction of this distinctive substituents with the phthalocyanine ring π electron system and interaction with the different solvent systems. Observation of the splitting of the first reduction process of Pd(II) phthalocyanines carrying diethoxymalonyl and carboxymethyl substituents suggests the aggregation of the complex. Very small diffusion coefficient of the complexes with respect to Co(II) phthalocyanine also confirms the existence of the aggregation of the complex during the electrochemical studies. Effects of the substituents and the solvent media are clearly observed from the differences of the voltammograms of Pd(II) phthalocyanines carrying diethoxymalonyl and carboxymethyl substituents in DMSO and THF solvent media, respectively. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2006, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 36–43. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

The synthesis and glass-forming properties of phthalocyanine-containing poly(aryl ether) dendrimers

The synthesis, structural characterisation and properties of a number of phthalocyanine-containing dendrimers are described. Peripheral substitution of phthalocyanine (Pc) with four poly(aryl ether) dendritic wedges (1st, 2nd or 3rd generation) produces materials whose properties are dominated both by the columnar self-association of the Pc core and by the glass-forming character of the dendritic substituents. Asymmetric Pcs containing a single poly(aryl ether) dendron display a columnar mesophase, the structure of which can be frozen into an anisotropic glass at room temperature. Placing the dendritic wedges at the axial sites of silicon phthalocyanine prohibits self-association and gives materials from which can be fabricated robust, isotropic solid solutions of Pc with high glass transition temperatures. A single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of one of these compounds illustrates the ability of the axial dendrons to prevent cofacial aggregation in the solid state.     

Anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes with N,N'-bis(fluoroaryl) and N,N'-bis(perfluoroaryl) substituents

A series of rhodium complexes, [Rh(cod)(NHC-F(x))(OH(2))] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene; NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene), incorporating anionic N-heterocyclic carbenes with 2-tert-butylmalonyl backbones and 2,6-dimethylphenyl (x = 0), 2,6-difluorophenyl (x = 4), 2,4,6-trifluorophenyl (x = 6), and pentafluorophenyl (x = 10) N,N'-substituents, respectively, has been prepared by deprotonation of the corresponding zwitterionic precursors with potassium hexamethyldisilazide, followed by immediate reaction of the resulting potassium salts with [{RhCl(cod)}(2)]. These complexes could be converted to the related carbonyl derivatives [Rh(CO)(2)(NHC-F(x))(OH(2))] by displacement of the COD ligand with CO. IR and NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that the degree of fluorination of the N-aryl substituents has a considerable influence on the σ-donating and π-accepting properties of the carbene ligands and could be effectively used to tune the electronic properties of the metal center. The carbonyl groups on the carbene ligand backbone provided a particularly sensitive probe for the assessment of the metal-to-ligand π donation. The ortho-fluorine substituents on the N-aryl groups in the carbene ligands interacted with the other ligands on rhodium, determining the conformation of the complexes and creating a pocket suitable for the coordination of water to the metal center. Computational studies were used to explain the influence of the fluorinated N-substituents on the electronic properties of the ligand and evaluate the relative contribution of the σ- and π-interactions to the ligand-metal interaction.