A Novel Sandwich‐type Dinuclear Complex for High‐capacity Hydrogen Storage

From density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we predicted that the sandwich‐type dinuclear organometallic compounds Cp₂Ti₂ and Cp₂Sc₂ can adsorb up to eight hydrogen molecules respectively, corresponding to a high gravimetric storage capacity of 6.7% and 6.8% (w), respectively. These sandwich‐type organometallocenes proposed in this work are favorable for reversible adsorption and desorption of hydrogen at ambient conditions.     

Halogen Bonding to Amplify Luminescence: A Case Study Using a Platinum Cyclometalated Complex

The cocrystallization of a weakly luminescent platinum complex [Pt(btpy)(PPh₃)Cl] ( 1 ) (Hbtpy=2‐(2benzothienyl)pyridine; emission quantum yield Φ_em=0.03) with fluorinated bromo‐ and iodoarenes C₆F_6‐nX_n (X=Br, I; n=1, 2) results in the formation of efficient halogen‐bonding (XB) interactions Pt? Cl???X? R. An up to 22‐fold enhancement (Φ_em=0.65) in the luminescence intensity of the cocrystallized compound is detected, without a substantial change of the emission energy. Based on crystallographic, photophysical, and theoretical investigations, the contribution of the XB donors C₆F_6‐nX_n to the amplification of luminescence intensity is attributed to the enhancement of spin–orbit coupling through the heavy‐atom effect, and simultaneously to the suppression of the nonradiative relaxation pathways by increasing the rigidity of the chromophore center.     

Reversible and Stepwise Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformation of a Platinum(II) Complex with Vapochromic Luminescence

The vapochromic single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transformation of a highly luminescent Pt^II complex bearing an N-heterocyclic carbene [Pt(CN)₂(tBu-impy)] (tBu-impyH⁺=1-tert-butyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-1H-imidazolium) is reported. The trihydrate form of the complex, which exhibits blue ³MMLCT emission owing to weak Pt⋅⋅⋅Pt interactions, changed its luminescence color from blue to yellowish-green upon the desorption of water molecules while keeping the high emission quantum yield of more than 0.45. Variable-temperature and continuous in-situ tracking of single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the SCSC transformation proceeds reversibly by the release and reabsorption of water molecules, thereby changing the stacked structure slightly. As a result, the dynamics of vapor-induced SCSC transformation were elucidated: that the anhydrous form returned to the original trihydrate form in a two-step process under a water vapor atmosphere. In addition, the Pt^II complex exhibited a similar SCSC response accompanied by a luminescence color change in the presence of methanol vapor, while being inactive toward ethanol vapor.     

Three Distinct Redox States of an Oxo‐Bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium Complex

A series of [{(terpy)(bpy)Ru}(μ‐O){Ru(bpy)(terpy)}]ⁿ⁺ ( [RuORu]ⁿ⁺ , terpy=2,2′;6′,2′′‐terpyridine, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) was systematically synthesized and characterized in three distinct redox states (n=3, 4, and 5 for Ru^II,III₂ , Ru^III,III₂ , and Ru^III,IV₂ , respectively). The crystal structures of [RuORu]ⁿ⁺ (n=3, 4, 5) in all three redox states were successfully determined. X‐ray crystallography showed that the Ru? O distances and the Ru‐O‐Ru angles are mainly regulated by the oxidation states of the ruthenium centers. X‐ray crystallography and ESR spectra clearly revealed the detailed electronic structures of two mixed‐valence complexes, [Ru^IIIORu^IV]⁵⁺ and [Ru^IIORu^III]³⁺ , in which each unpaired electron is completely delocalized across the oxo‐bridged dinuclear core. These findings allow us to understand the systematic changes in structure and electronic state that accompany the changes in the redox state.     

A Square‐Planar Complex of Platinum(0)

The Pt⁰ complex [Pt(PPh₃)(Eind₂‐BPEP)] with a pyridine‐based PNP‐pincer‐type phosphaalkene ligand (Eind₂‐BPEP) has a highly planar geometry around Pt with ∑(Pt)=358.6°. This coordination geometry is very uncommon for formal d¹⁰ complexes, and the Pd and Ni homologues with the same ligands adopt distorted tetrahedral geometries. DFT calculations reveal that both the Pt and Pd complexes are M⁰ species with nearly ten valence electrons on the metals whereas their atomic orbital occupancies are evidently different from one another. The Pt complex has a higher occupancy of the atomic 6s orbital because of strong s–d hybridization due to relativistic effects, thereby adopting a highly planar geometry reflecting the shape and orientation of the partially unoccupied orbital.     

A High‐Temperature Molecular Ferroelectric Zn/Dy Complex Exhibiting Single‐Ion‐Magnet Behavior and Lanthanide Luminescence

Multifunctional molecular ferroelectrics are exciting materials synthesized using molecular chemistry concepts, which may combine a spontaneous electrical polarization, switched upon applying an electric field, with another physical property. A high‐temperature ferroelectric material is presented that is based on a chiral Zn²⁺/Dy³⁺ complex exhibiting Dy³⁺ luminescence, optical activity, and magnetism. We investigate the correlations between the electric polarization and the crystal structure as well as between the low‐temperature magnetic slow relaxation and the optical properties.     

DNA Cross‐Linking Patterns Induced by an Antitumor‐Active Trinuclear Platinum Complex and Comparison with Its Dinuclear Analogue

The center of it all : An antitumor‐active trinuclear platinum complex forms unprecedented interstrand cross‐linked triadducts with 18‐mer DNA duplexes (see figure; complex in yellow with the platinum centers in red) and behaves differently from its dinuclear analogue.

     

Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of an Acetylide-Bridged Dinuclear Platinum（Ⅱ） Terpyridyl Complex

An acetylide-bridged dinuclear platinum(Ⅱ) terpyridyl complex, [Pt(4‘-p-tolyl-terpy)-≡-phenyl-≡-(4‘-p-tolylterpy)Pt](ClO4)2 (1), has been successfully synthesized and its photophysical properties are reported.     

Photofunctional Platinum Complexes Featuring N‐heterocyclic Carbene‐Based Pincer Ligands

Photoactive platinum complexes of stoichiometry [Pt(^RCCC^R)L]^0/+ (R=Me, nBu and L=? CN, ? C≡CPh, ? N≡CCH₃, ? Py, ? CO) featuring pincer‐type bis N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands (^RCCC^R) were synthesized. Organometallic syntheses of these complexes are facile and achievable through standard laboratory procedures. Control of intermolecular Pt???Pt interaction, π–π stacking, and emission tuning is achieved through suitable choice of the NHC‐wingtip substituent (R) and the auxiliary ligand (L). Exposure to specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or mechanical grinding triggers changes in emission colors, which render these complexes photofunctional. Solid‐state structures and photoluminescence results are described herein.     

Dinuclear ZnII Complexes Exhibiting Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence and Luminescence Polymorphism

Zn^II complexes exhibiting strong emission in the solid state remain scarce, and most of them exhibit only prompt fluorescence. Herein the synthesis, structures, and photoluminescence properties of two Zn^II complexes containing new donor–acceptor ligands is reported. The new Zn^II complexes have dinuclear structures in which each metal ion adopts a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The Zn^II complexes show strong emission in the solid state with quantum yields up to 50 %. Variable-temperature transient photoluminescence studies revealed an emission mechanism involving prompt and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). DFT calculations showed well-separated HOMO and LUMO in the ground state and small excited singlet–triplet energy splitting, accounting for the TADF. The complexes also exhibit different emission colors in the as-synthesized powder state and in single crystals, that is, they exhibit luminescence polymorphism. The single-crystal emission is responsive to mechanical grinding and was characterized by powder XRD.     

Water Oxidation Catalyzed by a Dinuclear Cobalt–Polypyridine Complex

The dinuclear Co complex [(TPA)Co(μ‐OH)(μ‐O₂)Co(TPA)](ClO₄)₃ ( 1 , TPA=tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine) catalyzes the oxidation of water. In the presence of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and S₂O₈^2?, photoinduced oxygen evolution can be observed with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 1.4±0.1 mol(O₂) mol( 1 )^?1 s^?1 and a maximal turnover number (TON) of 58±5 mol(O₂) mol( 1 )^?1. The complex is shown to act as a molecular and homogeneous catalyst and a mechanism is proposed based on the combination of EPR data and light‐driven O₂ evolution kinetics.     

Redox‐Active Ligand‐Induced Homolytic Bond Activation

Coordination of the novel redox‐active phosphine‐appended aminophenol pincer ligand (PNO^H2) to Pd^II generates a paramagnetic complex with a persistent ligand‐centered radical. The complex undergoes fully reversible single‐electron oxidation and reduction. Homolytic bond activation of diphenyldisulfide by the single‐electron reduced species leads to a ligand‐based mixed‐valent dinuclear palladium complex with a single bridging thiolate ligand. Mechanistic investigations support an unprecedented intramolecular ligand‐to‐disulfide single‐electron transfer process to induce homolytic S? S cleavage, thereby releasing a thiyl (sulfanyl) radical. This could be a new strategy for small‐molecule bond activation.     

A Redox‐Activated G‐Quadruplex DNA Binder Based on a Platinum(IV)–Salphen Complex

There has been increasing interest in the development of small molecules that can selectively bind to G‐quadruplex DNA structures. The latter have been associated with a number of key biological processes and therefore are proposed to be potential targets for drug development. Herein, we report the first example of a reduction‐activated G‐quadruplex DNA binder. We show that a new octahedral platinum(IV)–salphen complex does not interact with DNA in aqueous media at pH 7.4; however, upon addition of bioreductants such as ascorbic acid or glutathione, the compound is readily reduced to the corresponding square planar platinum(II) complex. In contrast to the parent platinum(IV) complex, the in situ generated platinum(II) complex has good affinity for G‐quadruplex DNA.     

Ionic Self‐Assembly and Red‐Phosphorescence Properties of a Charged Platinum(II) 8‐Quinolinol Complex Associated with Ammonium‐Based Amphiphiles

A series of ionic associates based on the platinum(II) chelate of 5‐sulfo‐8‐quinolinol, [Pt(qS)₂]^2?, and ammonium‐based amphiphiles is described. At variance with the prototypical neutral complex Pt(q)₂ (q=8‐quinolinol), these dianionic fluorophores, functionalized at the periphery with sulfonate groups, can be associated by the ionic self‐assembly approach with various ammonium cations, such as (H_{2 n+1}C_n)₂Me₂N⁺ (n=12, 16, 18) or complex ammonium cations carrying three C_n carbon chains (n=12, 14, 16) and an additional amide group. Investigations of their luminescence properties in solution, in the solid state, and, when possible, in thin films revealed that the phosphorescence properties in condensed phases are directly correlated to intermolecular interactions between the luminescent [Pt(qS)₂]^2? centers. Of particular interest is also the formation of a columnar liquid‐crystalline phase around room temperature (between ?25 and +180 °C), as well as the very good film‐forming ability of some of these fluorophores from organic solvents.     

Excited State Properties and Energy Transfer within Dipyrrin‐Based Binuclear Iridium/Platinum Dyads: The Effect of ortho‐Methylation on the Spacer

Luminescent cyclometalated iridium complexes based on pyridyl appended dipyrrin ligands were prepared and characterized both in the solid state and in solution. The functionalization of the peripheral pyridyl moiety causes dramatic changes on the emission properties of both mono‐ and hetero‐ binuclear complexes. A detailed photophysical investigation of the two mononuclear derivatives of the [(Ppy)₂Ir(dpm‐py)] family (Ppy=2‐phenylpyridine, dpm‐py=5‐(4‐pyridyl)dipyrrin) was carried out. Introduction of methyl groups at the 3 and 5 positions on the pyridyl unit diminishes the non‐radiative rate constant by locking the peripheral pyridyl group orthogonally to the dipyrrinato plane. Thus, they limit the rotational degree of freedom, as well as the charge‐transfer character of the excited state. The coordination of these two complexes to a cyclometalated [(dppy)Pt] fragment (dppy=2,6‐diphenylpyridine) led to the formation of binuclear species in which the iridium and platinum complexes behave as acceptors and donors, respectively. In these heterobinuclear compounds, the methyl groups do not influence the energy transfer efficiency, which is estimated to be above 90 %. However, they do limit the charge‐transfer character of the acceptor’s excited state, as well as its rotational degree of freedom, thus avoiding the detrimental effect upon the photophysical performance.     

Structural Elucidation of Selective Solvatochromism in a Responsive‐at‐Metal Cyclometalated Platinum(II) Complex

We report the synthesis, characterization, and spectroscopic investigations of a new responsive‐at‐metal cyclometalated platinum(II) complex. With mild chemical oxidants and reductants, it was possible to obtain the same complex in three different oxidation states and each of these complexes was structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. We discovered that the platinum(II) complex displays strong solvatochromism in the solid state, which can be attributed to modulation of Pt???Pt interactions that results in switching between optical and photoluminescent states. Incorporating responsive‐at‐metal species as dynamic components in nanostructured materials might facilitate response amplification, sensing, actuation, or self‐healing processes.     

Redox‐Active Peptide‐Functionalized Quinquethiophene‐Based Electrochromic π‐Gel

An electrochromic system based on a self‐assembled dipeptide‐appended redox‐active quinquethiophene π‐gel is reported. The designed peptide‐quinquethiophene consists of a symmetric bolaamphiphile that has two segments: a redox‐active π‐conjugated quinquethiophene core for electrochromism, and peptide motif for the involvement of molecular self‐assembly. Investigations reveal that self‐assembly and electrochromic properties of the π‐gel are strongly dependent on the relative orientation of peptidic and quinquethiophene scaffolds in the self‐assembly system. The colors of the π‐gel film are very stable with fast and controlled switching speed at room temperature.     

A Novel Proton Sensor with Luminescence and Color Signaling Based on Platinum（Ⅱ） Terpyridyl Acetylide Complex

A novel sensitive probe for proton based on platinum(Ⅱ) terpyridyl acetylide complex by monitoring the changes both in luminescence and color is described.     

Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Photophysics, and Broadband Nonlinear Absorption of a Platinum(II) Complex with the 6‐(7‐Benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9 H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridinyl Ligand

A platinum complex with the 6‐(7‐benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridinyl ligand ( 1 ) was synthesized and the crystal structure was determined. UV/Vis absorption, emission, and transient difference absorption of 1 were systematically investigated. DFT calculations were carried out on 1 to characterize the electronic ground state and aid in the understanding of the nature of low‐lying excited electronic states. Complex 1 exhibits intense structured ¹π–π* absorption at λ_abs<440 nm, and a broad, moderate ¹M LCT/¹LLCT transition at 440–520 nm in CH₂Cl₂ solution. A structured ³π–π*/³M LCT emission at about 590 nm was observed at room temperature and at 77 K. Complex 1 exhibits both singlet and triplet excited‐state absorption from 450 nm to 750 nm, which are tentatively attributed to the ¹π–π* and ³π–π* excited states of the 6‐(7‐benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine ligand, respectively. Z‐scan experiments were conducted by using ns and ps pulses at 532 nm, and ps pulses at a variety of visible and near‐IR wavelengths. The experimental data were fitted by a five‐level model by using the excited‐state parameters obtained from the photophysical study to deduce the effective singlet and triplet excited‐state absorption cross sections in the visible spectral region and the effective two‐photon absorption cross sections in the near‐IR region. Our results demonstrate that 1 possesses large ratios of excited‐state absorption cross sections relative to that of the ground‐state in the visible spectral region; this results in a remarkable degree of reverse saturable absorption from 1 in CH₂Cl₂ solution illuminated by ns laser pulses at 532 nm. The two‐photon absorption cross sections in the near‐IR region for 1 are among the largest values reported for platinum complexes. Therefore, 1 is an excellent, broadband, nonlinear absorbing material that exhibits strong reverse saturable absorption in the visible spectral region and large two‐photon‐assisted excited‐state absorption in the near‐IR region.