Excited-state dynamics in fac-[Re(CO)3(Me4phen)(L)]+

Excited-state dynamics in fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Me(4)phen)(cis-L)](+) (Me(4)phen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, L = 4-styrylpyridine (stpy) or 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe)) were investigated by steady-state and time-resolved techniques. A complex equilibrium among three closely lying excited states, (3)IL(cis-L), (3)MLCT(Re→Me(4)phen), and (3)IL(Me(4)phen), has been established. Under UV irradiation, cis-to-trans isomerization of coordinated cis-L is observed with a quantum yield of 0.15 in acetonitrile solutions. This photoreaction competes with radiative decay from (3)MLCT(Re→Me(4)phen) and (3)IL(Me(4)phen) excited states, leading to a decrease in the emission quantum yield relative to the nonisomerizable complex fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Me(4)phen)(bpa)](+) (bpa = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane). From temperature-dependent time-resolved emission measurements in solution and in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films, energy barriers (ΔE(a)) for interconversion between (3)MLCT(Re→Me(4)phen) and (3)IL(Me(4)phen) emitting states were determined. For L = cis-stpy, ΔE(a) = 11 (920 cm(-1)) and 15 kJ mol(-1) (1254 cm(-1)) in 5:4 propionitrile/butyronitrile and PMMA, respectively. For L = cis-bpe, ΔE(a) = 13 kJ mol(-1) (1087 cm(-1)) in 5:4 propionitrile/butyronitrile. These energy barriers are sufficient to decrease the rate constant for internal conversion from higher-lying (3)IL(Me(4)phen) state to (3)MLCT(Re→Me(4)phen), k(i) ? 10(6) s(-1). The decrease in rate allows for the observation of intraligand phosphorescence, even in fluid medium at room temperature. Our results provide additional insight into the role of energy gap and excited-state dynamics on the photochemical and photophysical properties of Re(I) polypyridyl complexes.     

Aggregation in nanobundles and the effect of diverse environments on the solution-phase photochemistry and photophysics of -Re(CO)3L+ (L = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2'-bipyridine) pendants bonded to poly(4-vinylpyridine)

The UV-vis spectroscopy and photochemical properties of {(vpy-[Re(CO)3(2,2'-bpy)])m(vpy-[Re(CO)3(phen)])n(vpy)p}(CF3SO3)(m+n)}, vpy = 4-vinylpyridine, m = 131, n = 131 or m = 200, n = 150, and m + n + p = 600, were investigated in solution phase. The polymers exist in solution as aggregates of polymer strands with radii as large as approximately 10(2) nm. Given the size of the poly-vpy backbone, the aggregates must contain a large number of strands. The luminescence spectrum exhibits a strong resemblance to the emission spectrum of {(vpy-[Re(CO)3(phen)])200(vpy)400}(CF3SO3)200. The existence of Re(I) chromophores in diverse environments was shown by the intrinsic kinetics of the luminescence, the decay kinetics of the MLCT excited states observed by time resolved-absorption spectroscopy, and the quenching of the luminescence by various quenchers. Redox reactions of the MLCT excited states with the quenchers were responsible for the luminescence quenching. While static quenching resulted when Cu(II) and Fe(III) EDTA complexes were the quenchers, a dynamic quenching resulted with Fe(CN)6(4-) or 2,2',2' '-triethanolamine, TEOA. The photochemical and photophysical properties of the mixed-pendant polymers have been discussed in terms of arrays of MLCT excited states whose energies are determined by the diverse environments of the Re(I) chromophores. Conversions (with and without radiation) of the upper-energy MLCT excited states to the ground state and lower-energy MLCT excited states and the latter excited state to the ground state account for the experimental results.     

Mechanism of the photochemical ligand substitution reactions of fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(PR(3))](+) complexes and the properties of their triplet ligand-field excited states

We report herein the mechanism of the photochemical ligand substitution reactions of a series of fac-[Re(X(2)bpy)(CO)(3)(PR(3))](+) complexes (1) and the properties of their triplet ligand-field ((3)LF) excited states. The reason for the photostability of the rhenium complexes [Re(X(2)bpy)(CO)(3)(py)](+) (3) and [Re(X(2)bpy)(CO)(3)Cl] (4) was also investigated. Irradiation of an acetonitrile solution of 1 selectively gave the biscarbonyl complexes cis,trans-[Re(X(2)bpy)(CO)(2)(PR(3))(CH(3)CN)](+) (2). Isotope experiments clearly showed that the CO ligand trans to the PR(3) ligand was selectively substituted. The photochemical reactions proceeded via a dissociative mechanism from the (3)LF excited state. The thermodynamical data for the (3)LF excited states of complexes 1 and the corrective nonradiative decay rate constants for the triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MLCT) states were obtained from temperature-dependence data for the emission lifetimes and for the quantum yields of the photochemical reactions and the emission. Comparison of 1 with [Re(X(2)bpy)(CO)(3)(py)](+) (3) and [Re(X(2)bpy)(CO)(3)Cl] (4) indicated that the (3)LF states of some 3- and 4-type complexes are probably accessible from the (3)MLCT state even at ambient temperature, but these complexes were stable to irradiation at 365 nm. The photostability of 3 and 4, in contrast to 1, can be explained by differences in the trans effects of the PR(3), py, and Cl(-) ligands.     

New synthetic routes to biscarbonylbipyridinerhenium(I) complexes cis,trans-[Re(X2bpy)(CO)2(PR3)(Y)n+ (X2bpy = 4,4'-X2-2,2'-bipyridine) via photochemical ligand substitution reactions, and their photophysical and electrochemical properties

Photochemical ligand substitution of fac-[Re(X2bpy)(CO)3(PR3)]+ (X2bpy = 4,4'-X2-2,2'-bipyridine; X = Me, H, CF3; R = OEt, Ph) with acetonitrile quantitatively gave a new class of biscarbonyl complexes, cis,trans[Re(X2bpy)(CO)2(PR3)(MeCN)]+, coordinated with four different kinds of ligands. Similarly, other biscarbonylrhenium complexes, cis,trans-[Re(X2bpy)(CO)2(PR3)(Y)]n+ (n = 0, Y = Cl-; n = 1, Y = pyridine, PR'3), were synthesized in good yields via photochemical ligand substitution reactions. The structure of cis,trans-[Re(Me2bpy)(CO)2[P(OEt)3](PPh3)](PF6) was determined by X-ray analysis. Crystal data: C38H42N2O5F6P3Re, monoclinic, P2(1/a), a = 11.592(1) A, b = 30.953(4) A, c = 11.799(2) A, V = 4221.6(1) A3, Z = 4, 7813 reflections, R = 0.066. The biscarbonyl complexes with two phosphorus ligands were strongly emissive from their 3MLCT state with lifetimes of 20-640 ns in fluid solutions at room temperature. Only weak or no emission was observed in the cases Y = Cl-, MeCN, and pyridine. Electrochemical reduction of the biscarbonyl complexes with Y = Cl- and pyridine in MeCN resulted in efficient ligand substitution to give the solvento complexes cis,trans-[Re(X2bpy)(CO)2(PR3)(MeCN)]+.     

The effects of the substitution on the imidazole ligand on the photochemical properties of fac-[Mn(CO)3(phen)(Imidazole)](SO3CF3) complexes

Photochemical and photophysical data are reported for a series of fac-[Mn(CO)(3)(phen)(Im-R)](SO(3)CF(3)) complexes, where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and Im is imidazole. Intraligand and metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions are observed in the electronic absorption spectra of these complexes and are sensitive to the nature of the ligand substituent. At room temperature the emission spectra show a clear progression from broad structureless MLCT to highly structured pi-pi* emission on going from R = -H, -CH(3), -C(6)H(5), to -Metro, where Metro is 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole. Even at low temperatures the latter complexes show only the pi-pi* emission. The trend in the photophysical properties found in the emission spectra parallels the changes in the photochemical properties with the electron-donating or electron-withdrawing power of the substituent on the imidazole ligand. Although MLCT irradiation of the complexes with R = -H, -CH(3) leads to the mer-[Mn(CO)(3)(phen)(Im-R)](+) isomers, the complexes with the imidazole ligand substituted by -C(6)H(5) or -Metro release the Im-R ligand and produce the stereoretentive fac-[Mn(CO)(3)(phen)(S)](+) complexes. The stereochemical fate and mechanistic implications of the photolysis reactions are discussed in terms of the nature of ligand substitution.     

Ultrafast excited-state dynamics preceding a ligand trans-cis isomerization of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(t-4-styrylpyridine)2] and fac-[Re(t-4-styrylpyridine)(CO)3(2,2'-bipyridine)]+

UV-vis absorption and resonance Raman spectra of the complexes fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(stpy)2] and fac-[Re(stpy)(CO)3(bpy)]+ (stpy = t-4-styrylpyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) show that their lowest absorption bands are dominated by stpy-localized intraligand (IL) pi pi* transitions. For the latter complex a Re --> bpy transition contributes to the low-energy part of the absorption band. Optical population of the 1IL excited state of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(stpy)2] is followed by an intersystem crossing (< or =0.9 ps) to an 3IL state with the original planar trans geometry of the stpy ligand. This state undergoes a approximately 90 degrees rotation around the stpy C=C bond with a 11 ps time constant. An electronically excited species with an approximately perpendicular orientation of the phenyl and pyridine rings of the stpy ligand is formed. Conversion to the ground state and isomerization occurs in the nanosecond range. Intraligand excited states of fac-[Re(stpy)(CO)3(bpy)]+ show the same behavior. Moreover, it was found that the planar reactive 3IL excited state is rapidly and efficiently populated after optical excitation into the Re --> bpy 1MLCT excited state. A 1MLCT --> 3MLCT intersystem crossing takes place first with a time constant of 0.23 ps followed by an intramolecular energy transfer from the ReI(CO)3(bpy) chromophore to a stpy-localized 3IL state with a 3.5 ps time constant. The fast rate ensures complete conversion. Coordination of the stpy ligand to the ReI center thus switches the ligand trans-cis isomerization mechanism from singlet to triplet (intramolecular sensitization) and, in the case of fac-[Re(stpy)(CO)3(bpy)]+, opens an indirect pathway for population of the reactive 3IL excited state via MLCT states.     

Photochemical ligand substitution reactions of fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl] and derivatives

Excitation by high-energy light, such as that of 313 nm wavelength, induces a photochemical ligand substitution (PLS) reaction of fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl] (1a) to give the solvento complexes (OC-6-34)- and (OC-6-44)-[Re(bpy)(CO)2(MeCN)Cl] (2 and 3) in good yields. The disappearance quantum yield of 1a was 0.01+/-0.001 at 313 nm. The products were isolated, and X-ray crystallographic analysis was successfully performed for 2. Time-resolved IR measurements clearly indicated that the CO ligand dissociates with subpicosecond rates after excitation, leading to vibrationally hot photoproducts, which relax within 50-100 ps. Detailed studies of the reaction mechanism show that the PLS reaction of 1a does not proceed via the lowest vibrational level in the 3MLCT excited state. The PLS reaction gives 2 and (OC-6-24)-[Re(bpy)(CO)2(MeCN)Cl] (5) as primary products, and one of the products, 5, isomerizes to 3. This type of PLS reaction is more general, occurring in various fac-rhenium(I) diimine tricarbonyl complexes such as fac-[Re(X2bpy)(CO)3Cl] (X2bpy=4,4'-X2-bpy; X=MeO, NH2, CF3), fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)3(pyridine)]+, and fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)3(MeCN)]+. The stable photoproducts (OC-6-44)- and (OC-6-43)-[Re(bpy)(CO)2(MeCN)(pyridine)]+ and (OC-6-32)- and (OC-6-33)-[Re(bpy)(CO)2(MeCN)2]+ were isolated. The PLS reaction of rhenium tricarbonyl-diimine complexes is therefore applicable as a general synthetic method for novel dicarbonyls.     

Excited-state dynamics of fac-[ReI(L)(CO)3(phen)]+ and fac-[ReI(L)(CO)3(5-NO2-phen)]+ (L = imidazole, 4-ethylpyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) complexes

The nature and dynamics of the lowest excited states of fac-[Re(I)(L)(CO)(3)(phen)](+) and fac-[Re(I)(L)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+) [L = Cl(-), 4-ethyl-pyridine (4-Etpy), imidazole (imH); phen = 1,10-phenanthroline] have been investigated by picosecond visible and IR transient absorption spectroscopy in aqueous (L = imH), acetonitrile (L = 4-Etpy, imH), and MeOH (L = imH) solutions. The phen complexes have long-lived Re(I) --> phen (3)MLCT excited states, characterized by CO stretching frequencies that are upshifted relative to their ground-state values and by widely split IR bands due to the out-of-phase A'(2) and A"nu(CO) vibrations. The lowest excited states of the 5-NO(2)-phen complexes also have (3)MLCT character; the larger upward nu(CO) shifts accord with much more extensive charge transfer from the Re(I)(CO)(3) unit to 5-NO(2)-phen in these states. Transient visible absorption spectra indicate that the excited electron is delocalized over the 5-NO(2)-phen ligand, which acquires radical anionic character. Similarly, involvement of the -NO(2) group in the Franck-Condon MLCT transition is manifested by the presence of an enhanced nu(NO(2)) band in the preresonance Raman spectrum of [Re(I)(4-Etpy)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+). The Re(I) --> 5-NO(2)-phen (3)MLCT excited states are very short-lived: 7.6, 170, and 43 ps for L = Cl(-), 4-Etpy, and imH, respectively, in CH(3)CN solutions. The (3)MLCT excited state of [Re(I)(imH)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+) is even shorter-lived in MeOH (15 ps) and H(2)O (1.3 ps). In addition to (3)MLCT, excitation of [Re(I)(imH)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+) populates a (3)LLCT (imH --> 5-NO(2)-phen) excited state. Most of the (3)LLCT population decays to the ground state (time constants of 19 (H(2)O), 50 (MeOH), and 72 ps (CH(3)CN)); in a small fraction, however, deprotonation of the imH.+ ligand occurs, producing a long-lived species, [Re(I)(im.)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen).-]+.     

fac-[Re(CO)3(dmso-O)3](CF3SO3): a new versatile and efficient Re(I) precursor for the preparation of mono and polynuclear compounds containing fac-[Re(CO)3]+ fragments

We show here that the new complex fac-[Re(CO)3(dmso-O)3](CF3SO3) (1), efficiently prepared in one step from [ReBr(CO)5] and featuring a broad range of solubility, is, in general, a better precursor for the one-step synthesis of mono- and polynuclear inorganic compounds containing fac-[Re(CO)3]+ fragments compared to the commonly used (NEt4)2fac-[ReBr3(CO)3] and fac-[Re(CO)3(CH3CN)3](Y) (Y = PF6, BF4, ClO4) species. Compound 1 is the first example of a Re(I)-dmso complex structurally characterized and confirms the rule that dmso is always O-bonded when trans to CO. The reactivity of 1 was tested in the one-step preparation of several new and known complexes. The O-bonded sulfoxides of 1 are replaced under mild conditions by tri- (L3) and bidentate ligands (L2) to produce fac-[Re(CO)3(L3)]+ and fac-[Re(CO)3(L2)(dmso-O)]+ compounds, respectively. An excess of monodentate ligands (L) and more forcing conditions are needed to prepare fac-[Re(CO)3(L)3]+ compounds. The new compounds include fac-[Re(CO)3(bipy)(dmso-O)](CF3SO3) (4), that turned out to be an excellent precursor for binding the luminescent fac-[Re(CO)3(bipy)]+ fragment to polytopic ligands for the construction of more elaborate assemblies. One example reported here is the two-step preparation of fac-[{Re(CO)3(bipy)}(mu-4,4'-bipy){Ru(TPP)(CO)}](CF3SO3) (8) (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin). The X-ray structures of the new compounds 1, 4, of the bis-porphyrin complex fac-[Re(CO)3Cl(4'MPyP)2] (13) (4'MPyP = 5-(4'pyridyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin), and of the rhenium-cyclophane [{(CO)3Re(mu-OH)2Re(CO)3}2(micro-4,4'-bipy)2] (15), among others, are described. Compound 1 might find useful applications in supramolecular chemistry (metal-mediated assembly of large architectures), in the in situ preparation of stable Re compounds to be used in nuclear medicine, and for the labeling of biomolecules.     

Electronic structure and excited states of rhenium(I) amido and phosphido carbonyl-bipyridine complexes studied by picosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy and DFT calculations

UV-vis absorption and picosecond time-resolved IR (TRIR) spectra of amido and phosphido complexes fac-[Re(ER2)(CO)3(bpy)] (ER2 = NHPh, NTol2, PPh2, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, Tol = 4-methylphenyl) were investigated in conjunction with DFT and TD-DFT calculations in order to understand their ground-state electronic structure, low-lying electronic transitions and excited-state character and dynamics. The HOMO is localized at the amido/phosphido ligand. Amide and phosphide ligands are sigma-bonded to Re, the pi interaction being negligible. Absorption spectra show a weak band at low energies (1.7-2.1 eV) that arises from essentially pure ER(2) --> bpy ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT). The lowest excited state is the corresponding triplet, (3)LLCT. Low triplet energies and large distortions diminish the excited-state lifetimes to 85 and 270 ps for NHPh and NTol(2), respectively, and to ca. 30 ps for PPh2. nu(CO) vibrations undergo only very small ( bpy MLCT character, is a unique feature of the amido/phoshido complexes, whose lowest excited state can be viewed as containing a highly unusual aminyl/phosphinyl radical-cationic ligand. For comparison, the amino and phosphino complexes fac-[Re(NHPh(2))(CO)3(bpy)]+ and fac-[Re(PPh3)(CO)3(bpy)]+ are shown to have the usual Re --> bpy (3)MLCT lowest excited states, characterized by upshifted nu(CO) bands.     

Synthesis, functionalization, characterization, and photophysical study of carbonyl-containing isocyano rhenium(I) diimine complexes

New classes of tunable rhenium(I) diimine luminophores with formula of [Re(CO)(CNR)(3)(N-N)]PF(6) and [Re(CO)(L(x))(CNC(6)H(4)Cl-4)(2)(1,10-phenanthroline)]PF(6), (R = C(6)H(5), 4-BrC(6)H(4), 4-ClC(6)H(4), 4-MeOC(6)H(4), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3); N-N = 1,10-phenanthroline, 5,6-dibromo-1,10-phenanthroline, 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine; L(x) = MeCN, pyridine and PPh(3)) have been synthesized. Different synthetic routes including photo-ligand substitution and thermal carbonyl ligand substitution through the oxidative decarbonylation with trimethyl amine N-oxide, for the facial and meridional isomeric forms of [Re(CO)(CNR)(3)(N-N)]PF(6) were investigated. On the basis of these synthetic strategies, different ligand modification and functionalization of the rhenium(I) diimine luminophores with tailored excited state properties could be readily achieved. The structures of both facial and meridional conformations of [Re(CO)(CNR)(3)(N-N)]PF(6) and the complex precursors fac-[Re(CO)(3)(CNC(6)H(3)(i)Pr-2,6)(3)]OTf were determined by X-ray crystallography. These complexes display an orange to red (3)MLLCT [dπ(Re) → π*(N-N)] phosphorescence at room temperature. Detailed photophysical investigations revealed that the physical, photophysical, electrochemical, and excited state properties can be fine-tuned and tailored through the modifications of the substituents on isocyanide or diimine ligands.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure, and electrochemical, photophysical, and protein-binding properties of luminescent rhenium(I) diimine indole complexes

We report the synthesis, characterization, and photophysical and electrochemical properties of a series of luminescent rhenium(I) diimine indole complexes, [Re(N-N)(CO)3(L)](CF3SO3) (N-N = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me4-phen), L = N-(3-pyridoyl)tryptamine (py-3-CONHC2H4-indole) (1a), N-[N-(3-pyridoyl)-6-aminohexanoyl]tryptamine, (py-3-CONHC5H10CONHC2H4-indole) (1b); N-N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), L = py-3-CONHC2H4-indole (2a), py-3-CONHC5H10CONHC2H4-indole (2b); N-N = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me2-phen), L = py-3-CONHC2H4-indole (3a), py-3-CONHC5H10CONHC2H4-indole (3b); N-N = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Ph2-phen), L = py-3-CONHC2H4-indole (4a), py-3-CONHC5H10CONHC2H4-indole (4b)), and their indole-free counterparts, [Re(N-N)(CO)3(py-3-CONH-Et)](CF3SO3) (py-3-CONH-Et = N-ethyl-(3-pyridyl)formamide; N-N = Me4-phen (1c), phen (2c), Me2-phen (3c), Ph2-phen (4c)). The X-ray crystal structure of complex 3a has also been investigated. Upon irradiation, most of the complexes exhibited triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) (d pi(Re) --> pi*(diimine)) emission in fluid solutions at 298 K and in low-temperature glass. However, the structural features and long emission lifetimes of the Me4-phen complexes in solutions at room temperature suggest that the excited state of these complexes exhibited substantial triplet intraligand (3IL) (pi --> pi*) (Me4-phen) character. The binding interactions of these complexes to indole-binding proteins including bovine serum albumin and tryptophanase have been examined.     

Development of an efficient photocatalytic system for CO2 reduction using rhenium(I) complexes based on mechanistic studies

The reaction mechanism of photocatalytic CO2 reduction using rhenium(I) complexes has been investigated by means of a detailed comparison of the photocatalyses of three rhenium(I) complexes, fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)3L] (L = SCN- (1-NCS), Cl- (1-Cl), and CN- (1-CN)). The corresponding one-electron-reduced species (OER) of the complexes play two important roles in the reaction: (a) capturing CO2 after loss of the monodentate ligand (L) and (b) donation of the second electron to CO2 by another OER without loss of L. In the case of 1-NCS, the corresponding OER has both of the capabilities in the photocatalytic reaction, resulting in more efficient CO formation (with a quantum yield of 0.30) than that of 1-Cl (quantum yield of 0.16), for which OER species have too short a lifetime to accumulate during the photocatalytic reaction. On the other hand, 1-CN showed no photocatalytic ability, because the corresponding OER species does not dissociate the CN- ligand. Based on this mechanistic information, the most efficient photocatalytic system was successfully developed using a mixed system with fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)3(CH3CN)]+ and fac-[Re{4,4'-(MeO)2bpy}(CO)3{P(OEt)3}]+, for which the optimized quantum yield for CO formation was 0.59.     

N-heterocyclic carbenes as π*-acceptors in luminescent Re(I) triscarbonyl complexes

Two rhenium(I) carbonyl complexes of the type fac-[Re(CO)(3)(N^C)X] where N^C is an N-heterocyclic carbene [3-butyl-1-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene] and X is either Cl or Br have been synthesised via an in situ method from [Re(CO)(5)X] and a respective benzimidazolium salt. The complexes have been characterised by (1)H and (13)C NMR, infra-red spectroscopy and in the case of the bromo-complex by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The photophysical properties of the complexes have been investigated, revealing similar phosphorescent emission which was attributed to radiative decay from a (3)MLCT state partially mixed with a (3)LLCT state. However, the analysis of excited state lifetime and quantum yield values revealed distinct photophysical behaviour for the two complexes, which was attributed to the more labile nature of the bromo ligand with respect to the chloro one. The explanation was supported by the time-dependent emission profile change in diluted acetonitrile solutions.     

Design of rhenium(I) polypyridine biotin complexes as a new class of luminescent probes for avidin

This paper describes the design of a series of luminescent rhenium(I) polypyridine biotin complexes containing different spacer-arms, [Re(N-N)(CO)3 (py-4-CH2-NH-biotin)](PF6) (py-4-CH2-NH-biotin = 4-(biotinamidomethyl)pyridine; N-N = 1,10-phenanthroline, phen (1a), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, Me4-phen (2a), 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, Me2-Ph2-phen (3a), dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline, dpq (4a)), [Re(N-N)(CO)3 (py-3-CO-NH-en-NH-biotin)](PF6) (py-3-CO-NH-en-NH-biotin = 3-(N-((2-biotinamido)ethyl)amido)pyridine; N-N = phen (1b), Me4-phen (2b), Me2-Ph2-phen (3b), dpq (4b)), and [Re(N-N)(CO)3 (py-4-CH2-NH-cap-NH-biotin)](PF6) (py-4-CH2-NH-cap-NH-biotin = 4-(N-((6-biotinamido)hexanoyl)aminomethyl)pyridine; N-N = phen (1c), Me4-phen (2c), Me2-Ph(2)-phen (3c), dpq (4c)). Upon irradiation, all of the rhenium(I)-biotin complexes exhibited intense and long-lived triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) (d pi(Re) --> pi* (diimine)) emission in fluid solutions at 298 K. The interactions of these biotin-containing complexes with avidin have been studied by 4'-hydroxyazobenzene-2-carboxylic acid (HABA) assays, emission titrations, and competitive association and dissociation assays. On the basis of the results of these experiments, homogeneous assays for biotin and avidin have been designed.     

Substitution of the terminal chloride ligands of [Re(6)S(8)Cl(6)](4-) with triethylphosphine: photophysical and electrochemical properties of a new series of [Re(6)S(8)](2+) based clusters

A systematic substitution of the terminal chlorides coordinated to the hexanuclear cluster [Re(6)S(8)Cl(6)](4-) has been conducted. The following complexes: [Re(6)S(8)(PEt(3))Cl(5)](3-) (1), cis- (cis-2) and trans-[Re(6)S(8)(PEt(3))(2)Cl(4)](2-) (trans-2), mer- (mer-3) and fac-[Re(6)S(8)(PEt(3))(3)Cl(3)](-) (fac-3), and cis- (cis-4) and trans-[Re(6)S(8)(PEt(3))(4)Cl(2)] (trans-4) were synthesized and fully characterized. Compared to the substitution of the halide ligands of the related [Re(6)S(8)Br(6)](4-) and [Re(6)Se(8)I(6)](3-) clusters, the chloride ligands are slower to substitute which allowed us to prepare the first monophosphine cluster (1). In addition, the synthesis of fac-3 was optimized by using cis-2 as the starting material, which led to a significant increase in the overall yield of this isomer. Notably, we observed evidence of phosphine isomerization taking place during the preparation of the facial isomer; this was unexpected based on the relatively inert nature of the Re-P bond. The structures of Bu(4)N(+) salts of trans-2, mer-3, and fac-3 were determined using X-ray crystallography. All compounds display luminescent behavior. A study of the photophysical properties of these complexes includes measurement of the excited state lifetimes (which ranged from 4.1-7.1 μs), the emission quantum yields, the rates of radiative and non-radiative decay, and the rate of quenching with O(2). Quenching studies verify the triplet state nature of the excited state.     

Rhenium(I) polypyridine biotin isothiocyanate complexes as the first luminescent biotinylation reagents: synthesis, photophysical properties, biological labeling, cytotoxicity, and imaging studies

We report here the design of the first class of luminescent biotinylation reagents derived from rhenium(I) polypyridine complexes. These complexes [Re(N-N)(CO)(3)(py-biotin-NCS)](PF(6)) (py-biotin-NCS = 3-isothiocyanato-5-(N-((2-biotinamido)ethyl)aminocarbonyl)pyridine; N-N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (1a), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me(4)-phen) (2a), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Ph(2)-phen) (3a)), containing a biotin unit and an isothiocyanate moiety, have been synthesized from the precursor amine complexes [Re(N-N)(CO)(3)(py-biotin-NH(2))](PF(6)) (py-biotin-NH(2) = 3-amino-5-(N-((2-biotinamido)ethyl)aminocarbonyl)pyridine; N-N = phen (1c), Me(4)-phen (2c), Ph(2)-phen (3c)). To investigate the amine-specific reactivity of the isothiocyanate complexes 1a-3a, they have been reacted with a model substrate ethylamine, resulting in the formation of the thiourea complexes [Re(N-N)(CO)(3)(py-biotin-TU-Et)](PF(6)) (py-biotin-TU-Et = 3-ethylthioureidyl-5-(N-((2-biotinamido)ethyl)aminocarbonyl)pyridine; N-N = phen (1b), Me(4)-phen (2b), Ph(2)-phen (3b)). All the rhenium(I) complexes have been characterized, and their photophysical properties have been studied. The avidin-binding properties of the thiourea complexes 1b-3b have been examined by the 4'-hydroxyazobenzene-2-carboxylic acid (HABA) assay. Titration results indicated that the complexes exhibited emission enhancement by ca. 1.4-1.5-fold upon binding to avidin, and the lifetimes were elongated to ca. 0.8-2.0 micros. Additionally, we have biotinylated bovine serum albumin (BSA) with the isothiocyanate complexes. All the resultant rhenium-BSA bioconjugates displayed intense and long-lived orange-yellow to greenish-yellow emission upon irradiation in aqueous buffer under ambient conditions. The avidin-binding properties of the bioconjugates have been investigated using the HABA assay. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the thiourea complexes 1b-3b toward the HeLa cells has been examined by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The IC50 values were determined to be ca. 17.5-28.5 microM, which are comparable to that of cisplatin (26.7 microM) under the same conditions. The cellular uptake of complex 3b has been investigated by fluorescence microscopy, and the results showed that the complex was localized in the perinuclear region after interiorization.     

Synthesis, structural, and photophysical investigation of diimine triscarbonyl Re(I) tetrazolato complexes

The synthesis, structural, and photophysical properties of a novel family of neutral fac-[Re(N(∧)N)(CO)(3)(L)] complexes, where N(∧)N is either 2,2'-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline and L is a para functionalized 5-aryltetrazolate [namely, 5-phenyltetrazolate (Tph(-)), 4-(tetrazolate-5-yl)benzaldehyde (Tbdz(-)), 5-(4-acetylphenyl)tetrazolate (Tacy(-)), and methyl 4-(tetrazolate-5-yl)benzoate (Tmeb(-))] are reported. The complexes were prepared by direct addition of the corresponding tetrazolate anion to the acetonitrile solvated fac-[Re(N(∧)N)(CO)(3)](+) precursor. NMR data demonstrate that the coordination of the metal fragment is regiospecific at the N2 atom of the tetrazolate ring. These conclusions are also supported by X-ray structural determinations. Photophysical data were obtained in diluted and deaerated dichloromethane solutions displaying broad and structureless profiles with emission maxima ranging from 566 to 578 nm. The absorption profiles indicate the presence of higher energy intraligand (IL) π-π* transitions and lower energies ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) and metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT). As the last two transitions are mixed, they are better described as a metal-ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (MLLCT), a result that is also supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The complexes show excited state lifetime values ranging from 102 to 955 ns, with associated quantum yield between 0.012 and 0.099. Compared to the parent neutral chloro or bromo [Re(N(∧)N)(CO)(3)X], the complexes show a slightly improved performance because of the π accepting nature of the tetrazolato ligand. The metal-to-ligand backbonding is in fact depleting the Re center of electron density, thus widening the HOMO-LUMO gap and reducing the non-radiative decay mechanism in accordance with the energy gap law. Finally, the electron-withdrawing or donating nature of the substituent on the phenyltetrazolato ligand allows the fine-tuning of the photophysical properties.     

Rhenium-to-benzoylpyridine and rhenium-to-bipyridine MLCT excited states of fac-[Re(Cl)(4-benzoylpyridine)(2)(CO)(3)] and fac-[Re(4-benzoylpyridine)(CO)(3)(bpy)](+): a time-resolved spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical study

The lowest allowed electronic transition of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(bopy)(2)] (bopy = 4-benzoylpyridine) has a Re --> bopy MLCT character, as revealed by UV-vis and stationary resonance Raman spectroscopy. Accordingly, the lowest-lying, long-lived, excited state is Re --> bopy (3)MLCT. Electronic depopulation of the Re(CO)(3) unit and population of a bopy pi orbital upon excitation are evident by the upward shift of nu(CO) vibrations and a downward shift of the ketone nu(C=O) vibration, respectively, seen in picosecond time-resolved IR spectra. Moreover, reduction of a single bopy ligand in the (3)MLCT excited state is indicated by time-resolved visible and resonance Raman (TR(3)) spectra that show features typical of bopy(*)(-). In contrast, the lowest allowed electronic transition and lowest-lying excited state of a new complex fac-[Re(bopy)(CO)(3)(bpy)](+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) have been identified as Re --> bpy MLCT with no involvement of the bopy ligand, despite the fact that the first reduction of this complex is bopy-localized, as was proven spectroelectrochemically. This is a rare case in which the localizations of the lowest MLCT excitation and the first reduction are different. (3)MLCT excited states of both fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(bopy)(2)] and fac-[Re(bopy)(CO)(3)(bpy)](+) are initially formed vibrationally hot. Their relaxation is manifested by picosecond dynamic shifts of nu(C(triple bond)O) IR bands. The X-ray structure of fac-[Re(bopy)(CO)(3)(bpy)]PF(6).CH(3)CN has been determined.     

Photoswitchable luminescence of rhenium(i) tricarbonyl diimines

The synthesis, characterization, and X-ray crystal structures of [Re(diimine)(CO)(3)(dpe)](PF(6)) (dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene) compounds are reported. The cis-dpe complexes exhibit yellow luminescence after UV excitation, whereas the trans-dpe counterparts are nonluminescent. The luminescence quantum yields of the cis-dpe complexes are strongly dependent on the identity of the diimine ligand. Irradiation (350 nm) of the trans-dpe complexes induces trans --> cis dpe-ligand isomerization with quantum yields on the order of 0.2, and this process leads to an on-switching of yellow luminescence. After long 350-nm irradiation times, a steady state composed of roughly 70% cis- and 30% trans-dpe complexes is reached. The reverse cis --> trans photoisomerization reaction is induced by irradiating the cis-dpe complexes at 250 nm, switching off the yellow luminescence. For 250-nm excitation, photodecomposition of the [Re(diimine)(CO)(3)(dpe)](+) complexes competes efficiently with photoisomerization.