Connecting terminal carboxylate groups in nine-coordinate lanthanide podates: consequences on the thermodynamic,structural, electronic,and photophysical properties

The hydrolysis of terminal (t)butyl-ester groups provides the novel nonadentate podand tris[2-[N-methylcarbamoyl-(6-carboxypyridine-2)-ethyl]amine] (L13) which exists as a mixture of slowly interconverting conformers in solution. At pH = 8.0 in water, its deprotonated form [L13 - 3H](3-) reacts with Ln(ClO(4))(3) to give the poorly soluble and stable podates [Ln(L13 - 3H)] (log(beta(110)) = 6.7-7.0, Ln = La-Lu). The isolated complexes [Ln(L13 - 3H)](H(2)O)(7) (Ln = Eu, 8; Tb, 9; Lu, 10) are isostructural, and their crystal structures show Ln(III) to be nine-coordinate in a pseudotricapped trigonal prismatic site defined by the donor atoms of the three helically wrapped tridentate binding units of L13. The Ln-O(carboxamide) bonds are only marginally longer than the Ln-O(carboxylate) bonds in [Ln(L13 - 3H)], thus producing a regular triple helix around Ln(III) which reverses its screw direction within the covalent Me-TREN tripod. High-resolution emission spectroscopy demonstrates that (i) the replacement of terminal carboxamides with carboxylates induces only minor electronic changes for the metallic site, (ii) the solid-state structure is maintained in water, and (iii) the metal in the podate is efficiently protected from interactions with solvent molecules. The absolute quantum yields obtained for [Eu(L13 - 3H)] (Phi(Eu)(tot)= 1.8 x 10(-3)) and [Tb(L13 - 3H)] (Phi(Eu)(tot)= 8.9 x 10(-3)) in water remain modest and strongly contrast with that obtained for the lanthanide luminescence step (Phi(Eu) = 0.28). Detailed photophysical studies assign this discrepancy to the small energy gap between the ligand-centered singlet ((1)pi pi*) and triplet ((3)pi pi*) states which limits the efficiency of the intersystem crossing process. Theoretical TDDFT calculations suggest that the connection of a carboxylate group to the central pyridine ring prevents the sizable stabilization of the triplet state required for an efficient sensitization process. The thermodynamic and electronic origins of the advantages (stability, lanthanide quantum yield) and drawbacks (solubility, sensitization) brought by the "carboxylate effect" in lanthanide complexes are evaluated for programming predetermined properties in functional devices.     

Supramolecular inclusion complexes of two cyclic zinc bisporphyrins with C60 and C70: structural, thermodynamic, and photophysical characterization

The formation of thermodynamically stable inclusion complexes between two cyclic zinc bisporphyrins, differing in the saturation degree of the hydrocarbon linkers that connect their porphyrin units, and the fullerenes C(60) and C(70) is described. Binding and photophysical studies were performed in two solvents of very different polarity: toluene and dichloromethane. UV/Vis and fluorescence titration experiments showed π-π interactions between the cyclic zinc bisporphyrins and the fullerenes. Solid-state structures were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and gave valuable insight into the different complexation behaviors of the two macrocyclic systems towards the fullerenes. NMR titrations were also helpful in understanding the geometry of the complexes in solution. Upon fullerene complexation, the two macrocyclic bisporphyrins adopt very distinct conformations. Charge-transfer absorption bands point to ground-state interactions, and quenching of the porphyrin component luminescence indicates fast reactivity in the excited states. Energy transfer plus HOMO-HOMO and LUMO-LUMO electron-transfer processes occur within the complexes. Charge-separated states characterized by a reduced fullerene and an oxidized porphyrin radical, with lifetimes in the order of several hundred picoseconds, are detected.     

Globular carbosilane dendrimers with mannose groups at the periphery: synthesis, characterization and toxicity in dendritic cells

A synthetic strategy has been developed for the preparation of new globular carbosilane dendrimers with mannose groups at the periphery. It consists of hydrosilylation reaction of allyl tetraacetylmannose with carbosilane dendrimers containing monohydrosilane end groups and the subsequent deacetylation reaction. Evaluation of dendrimer toxicities in dendritic cells by MTT assay were carried out, and evidence a good biocompatibility.     

Pressure effects on the structural,electronic, and optical properties of Sin@SWCNTs

Well‐ordered single, double/four parallel, three/four‐strands helical chains, and five‐strand helical chain with a single atom chain at the center of Si nanowires (NWs) inside single‐walled carbon nanotubes (Si_n@SWCNTs) are obtained by means of molecular dynamics. On the basis of these optimized structures, the structural evolution of Si_n@SWCNTs subjected to axial stress at low temperature is also investigated. Interestingly, the double parallel chains depart at the center and transform into two perpendicular parts, the helical shell transformed into chain, and the strand number of Si NWs increases during the stress load. Through analyzis of pair correlation function (PCF), the density of states (DOS), and the z‐axis polarized absorption spectra of Si_n@SWCNTs, we find that the behavior of Si_n@SWCNTs under stress strongly depends on SWCNTs' symmetry, diameter, as well as the shape of NWs, which provide valuable information for potential application in high pressure cases such as seabed cable. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Six-membered ring chelate complexes of Ru(II): structural and photophysical effects

The structural and photophysical properties of Ru(II)-polypyridyl complexes with five- and six-membered chelate rings were studied for two bis-tridentate and two tris-bidentate complexes. The photophysical effect of introducing a six-membered chelate ring is most pronounced for the tridentate complex, leading to a room-temperature excited-state lifetime of 810 ns, a substantial increase from 180 ns for the five-membered chelate ring model complex. Contrasting this, the effect is the opposite in tris-bidentate complexes, in which the lifetime decreases from 430 ns to around 1 ns in going from a five-membered to six-membered chelate ring. All of the complexes were studied spectroscopically at both 80 K and ambient temperatures, and the temperature dependence of the excited-state lifetime was investigated for both of the bis-tridentate complexes. The main reason for the long excited-state lifetime in the six-membered chelate ring bis-tridentate complex was found to be a strong retardation of the activated decay via metal-centered states, largely due to an increased ligand field splitting due to the complex having a more-octahedral geometry.     

Electroluminescent zinc(II) bis(8-hydroxyquinoline): structural effects on electronic states and device performance

We present direct evidence for stable oligomers in vacuum-deposited thin films of zinc(II) bis(8-hydroxyquinoline) (Znq(2)). The tetramer [(Znq(2))(4)] is the energetically favored configuration in both the single crystal and the vacuum-deposited thin film. Oligomerization leads to distinct, symmetry-driven differences between the electronic states in Znq(2) and those in the archetypal organic electroluminescent molecule tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq(3)). In the case of the Znq(2) tetramer, symmetry leads to an extended network of overlapping pyridyl and phenolato moieties in the solid film. Analysis of the electronic structure of (Znq(2))(4) calculated by ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) methods reveals a localization and energy shift of high-lying occupied and low-lying unoccupied states on symmetry related ligands located on opposite sides of the supramolecular structure resulting in a dipole moment for (Znq(2))(4) tetramer close to zero. The optimal pi-overlap pathways, altered charge distributions, and extended electronic states of tetrameric Znq(2) may be expected to enable low operating voltage organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) based on Znq(2). We present preliminary evidence that the operating voltage of (Znq(2))(4)-based OLEDs is indeed lower than that of identical devices made with Alq(3). Strategic substitution of 8-hydroxyquinoline ligands and control of the structural symmetry of the corresponding metal chelates may offer a route to high efficiency and low operating voltage small molecule OLEDs.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of intercalation compounds containing perfluoroalkyl groups

Synthesis, structure and properties of various layered materials containing perfluoroalkyl groups in their interlayer space were summarized. They were obtained by ion exchange method for layered materials with ion exchange capacity and by silylation technique for those possessing acidic hydroxyl groups. The orientation of perfluoroalkyl groups greatly changed depending on their contents in the layered materials. The nature of the interlayer space of them changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic and they were well dispersed in appropriate organic solvents. Some of them formed so called nanosheet solution and film samples were prepared from it. Organic molecules were introduced into the intercalation compounds by co-adsorption or exfoliation-restacking methods. The empty space surrounded by perfluoroalky chains where organic molecules are included showed unique properties. The weak interaction between perfluoroalkyl chains and included organic molecules lead the easy diffusion of them in the interlayer space, which caused the aggregation of them or affected the distribution of isomers obtained by photochemical reaction. The low vibrational C-F bonding in perfluoroalky groups reduced radiational quenching, accordingly enhanced the fluorescence from included organic dyes.     

Phenoxy-benzothiadiazole dyes: Synthesis,photophysical properties and preliminary application in OLEDs

The synthesis of a phenoxy-benzothiadiazole (BTD) derivative is reported for the first time. This derivative was employed as an intermediate in the obtention of two novel highly fluorescent aryl-phenoxy-BTD dyes. Their photophysical properties were evaluated in solution and the results indicate a strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) character in the excited state. The luminophore 3a, possessing a donor-BTD-phenoxide architecture, exhibits superior fluorescence quantum yield (0.67) than the designed acceptor-BTD-phenoxide dye (0.06). After electrochemical and photoluminescence characterization of thin films of 3a, an OLED with the configuration ITO/PEDOT:PSS/3a/TPBi/LiF/Al was constructed. This device displayed a green emission centered at 547?nm, with CIE coordinates of (0.40, 0.55). For comparison, an OLED using a previously reported luminescent BTD-pyridyl derivative was also constructed. The OLED made with the phenoxy-BTD derivative operated using less current density and led to higher irradiance and electrical stability, indicating the high potential of ArO-BTD dyes for future application in electroluminescent devices.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of metal free, titanium, magnesium and zinc phthalocyanines substituted with a single carboxyl and hexylthio groups

2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-Octakis(hexylthio)phthalocyanines (4a-6a) and 2-carboxy-9,10,16,17,23,24-hexakis(hexylthio)phthalocyanines (4b-6b) were synthesized using a one-pot method by cyclotetramerization of the phthalonitriles: 4,5-bis(hexylthio)phthalonitrile and carboxylic acid phthalonitrile. 2-Carboxycatecholato-2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(hexylthio)phthalocyaninatotitanium(IV) (8) was prepared from 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(hexylthio)phthalocyaninatooxotitanium(IV) (7). The structures of these compounds were characterized by using elemental analyses, UV-Vis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectroscopies. Their photophysical properties were also studied. The Φ_F values are 0.12, 0.02, 0.10, 0.06, 0.10, 0.06, 0.65, 0.80 and the Φ_T values are 0.58, 0.56, 0.57, 0.64, 0.22, 0.48, 0.17, 0.12 for 4-8, respectively. The Φ_F value for complex 8 is higher than ever reported for phthalocyanine complexes. The triplet lifetimes (τ_T) values for all the complexes were generally good, ranging from 50 to 310 μs, and generally increased in the presence of the single carboxyl group. These complexes showed reasonable triplet quantum yields and lifetimes, and hence have potential for use as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer.     

Magnetic, electronic, and structural characterization of nonstoichiometric iron oxides at the nanoscale

We have investigated the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of nonstoichiometric iron oxide nanocrystals prepared by decomposition of iron(II) and iron(0) precursors in the presence of organic solvents and capping groups. The highly uniform, crystalline, and monodisperse nanocrystals that were produced enabled a full structural and compositional survey by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The complex and metastable behavior of nonstoichiometric iron oxide (wüstite) at the nanoscale was studied by a combination of Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic characterization. Deposition from hydrocarbon solvents with subsequent self-assembly of iron oxide nanocrystals into superlattices allowed the preparation of continuous thin films suitable for electronic transport measurements.     

New soluble methylendioxy-phenoxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanine derivatives: Synthesis, photophysical and photochemical studies

The syntheses of new three phthalonitriles (1, 2 and 3), together with photophysical and photochemical properties of the resulting peripherally and non-peripherally tetrakis- and octakis 3,4-(methylendioxy)-phenoxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanines (4, 5 and 6) are described for the first time. Complexes 4, 5 and 6 have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy and mass spectra. Complexes 4, 5 and 6 have good solubility in organic solvents such as CHCl₃, DCM, DMSO, DMF, THF and toluene and are mainly not aggregated (except for complex 6 in DMSO) within a wide concentration range. General trends are described for singlet oxygen, photodegradation, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times of these complexes in DMSO and toluene. Complex 4 has higher singlet oxygen quantum yields, fluorescence quantum yields, triplet quantum yields and triplet life times than complexes 5 and 6. The effect of the solvents on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the zinc(II) phthalocyanines (4, 5 and 6) are also reported.     

Novel semisquaraine regioisomers: isolation, divergent chemical reactivity and photophysical properties

A zwitterionic semisquaraine 1,3-regioisomer which exhibits distinct photophysical properties and chemical reactivity was isolated. Uniquely, this isomer has been identified as the reactive intermediate in the squaraine dye formation reaction rather than the neutral 1,2-isomer and opens up new avenues for the synthesis of novel dyes for optoelectronic applications.     

Quinones from plants of northeastern Brazil: structural diversity, chemical transformations, NMR data and biological activities

The present review focus in quinones found in species of Brazilian northeastern Capraria biflora, Lippia sidoides, Lippia microphylla and Tabebuia serratifolia. The review cover ethnopharmacological aspects including photography of species, chemical structure feature, NMR datea and biological properties. Chemical transformations of lapachol to form enamine derivatives and biological activities are discussed.     

Preparation and properties of phosphaethynes bearing bulky aryl groups with electron-donating substituents at the para position

Phosphaethynes bearing a 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(dimethylamino)phenyl, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxyphenyl, or 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl group were prepared. A (31)P NMR spectroscopic investigation of the chemical shifts indicated that electron-donating groups at the para position cause shifts to a higher field. Bathochromic shifts caused by the electron-donating groups were apparently observed in UV-vis spectra. The structure of 2-[2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1-phosphaethyne was analyzed by X-ray crystallography.     

Bipolar molecules with high triplet energies: synthesis, photophysical, and structural properties

This article sheds new light on the interplay of electronic and conformational effects in luminescent bipolar molecules. A series of carbazole/1,3,4-oxadiazole hybrid molecules is described in which the optoelectronic properties are systematically varied by substituent effects which tune the intramolecular torsion angles. The synthesis, photophysical properties, cyclic voltammetric data, X-ray crystal structures, and DFT calculations are presented. Excited state intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) is observed from the donor carbazole/2,7-dimethoxycarbazole to the acceptor phenyl/diphenyloxadiazole moieties. Introducing more bulky substituents onto the diphenyloxadiazole fragment systematically increases the singlet and triplet energy levels (E(S) and E(T)) and blue shifts the absorption and emission bands. The triplet excited state is located mostly on the oxadiazole unit. The introduction of 2,7-dimethoxy substituents onto the carbazole moiety lowers the value of E(S), although E(T) is unaffected, which means that the singlet-triplet gap is reduced (for 7bE(S) - E(T) = 0.61 eV). A strategy has been established for achieving unusually high triplet levels for bipolar molecules (E(T) = 2.64-2.78 eV at 14 K) while at the same time limiting the increase in the singlet energy.     

Synthesis, photophysical and thermal studies of symmetrical and unsymmetrical zinc phthalocyanines

The novel zinc phthalocyanine (3) with malonylester and chloro groups on each benzo unit was synthesized from 4-diethoxymalonyl-5-chloro-phthalonitrile (1). The unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanine (5), carrying hexylthio, malonylester and chloro groups at the periphery, was obtained from 4-diethoxymalonyl-5-chloro-phthalonitrile (1) and 4,5-bis-hexylsulfanyl-phthalonitrile (2) by a statistical condensation method as an A₃B type unsymmetrical phthalocyanine compound. Transesterification of the malonyl esters of the new symmetrical and unsymmetrical phthalocyanines occurred during the cyclotetramerization of dinitriles with Zn(CH₃COO)₂ in 1-pentanol in the presence of DBU. Octa-hexylthio-substituted zinc phthalocyanine (4) was prepared according to the literature. The photophysical and thermal properties of all the phthalocyanine complexes are described for the first time. These novel symmetrical and unsymmetrical phthalocyanine macrocycles have been characterized by a series of spectroscopic methods including ¹H NMR, electronic absorption, IR and mass spectroscopy, in addition to elemental analysis. Their narrow long wavelength absorption band shows that the bulky substituents on the periphery prevent aggregation. The unsymmetrically substituted phthalocyanine (5) gave a greater fluorescence quantum yield in chloroform than the symmetrical analogues (3 and 4).     

Theoretical study of the effects of solvent environment on photophysical properties and electronic structure of paracyclophane chromophores

We use first-principles quantum-chemical approaches to study absorption and emission properties of recently synthesized distyrylbenzene (DSB) derivative chromophores and their dimers (two DSB molecules linked through a [2.2]paracyclophane moiety). Several solvent models are applied to model experimentally observed shifts and radiative lifetimes in Stokes nonpolar organic solvents (toluene) and water. The molecular environment is simulated using the implicit solvation models, as well as explicit water molecules and counterions. Calculations show that neither implicit nor explicit solvent models are sufficient to reproduce experimental observations. The contact pair between the chromophore and counterion, on the other hand, is able to reproduce the experimental data when a partial screening effect of the solvent is taken into account. Based on our simulations we suggest two mechanisms for the excited-state lifetime increase in aqueous solutions. These findings may have a number of implications for organic light-emitting devices, electronic functionalities of soluble polymers and molecular fluorescent labels, and their possible applications as biosensors and charge/energy conduits in nanoassemblies.