Remarkable luminescence properties of lanthanide complexes with asymmetric dodecahedron structures

The distorted coordination structures and luminescence properties of novel lanthanide complexes with oxo‐linked bidentate phosphane oxide ligands—4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphoryl)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene (xantpo), 4,5‐bis(di‐tert‐butylphosphoryl)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene (tBu‐xantpo), and bis[(2‐diphenylphosphoryl)phenyl] ether (dpepo)—and low‐vibrational frequency hexafluoroacetylacetonato (hfa) ligands are reported. The lanthanide complexes exhibit characteristic square antiprism and trigonal dodecahedron structures with eight‐coordinated oxygen atoms. The luminescence properties of these complexes are characterized by their emission quantum yields, emission lifetimes, and their radiative and nonradiative rate constants. Lanthanide complexes with dodecahedron structures offer markedly high emission quantum yields (Eu: 55–72 %, Sm: 2.4–5.0 % in [D₆]acetone) due to enhancement of the electric dipole transition and suppression of vibrational relaxation. These remarkable luminescence properties are elucidated in terms of their distorted coordination structures.     

Ultrafast Vibrational Population Transfer Dynamics in 2‐Acetylcyclopentanone Studied by 2D IR Spectroscopy

2‐Acetylcyclopentanone (2‐ACP), which is a β‐dicarbonyl compound, undergoes keto–enol isomerization, and its enol tautomers are stabilized by a cyclic intramolecular hydrogen bond. 2‐ACP (keto form) has symmetric and asymmetric vibrational modes of the two carbonyl groups at 1748 and 1715 cm^?1, respectively, which are well separated from the carbonyl modes of its enol tautomers in the FTIR spectrum. We have investigated 2‐ACP dissolved in carbon tetrachloride by 2D IR spectroscopy and IR pump–probe spectroscopy. Vibrational population transfer dynamics between the two carbonyl modes were observed by 2D IR spectroscopy. To extract the population exchange dynamics (i.e., the down‐ and uphill population transfer rate constants), we used the normalized volumes of the cross‐peaks with respect to the diagonal peaks at the same emission frequency and the survival and conditional probability functions. As expected, the downhill population transfer time constant (3.2 ps) was measured to be smaller than the uphill population transfer time constant (3.8 ps). In addition, the vibrational population relaxation dynamics of the two carbonyl modes were observed to be the same within the experimental error and were found to be much slower than vibrational population transfer between two carbonyl modes.     

Two‐Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy Reveals the Structure of an Evans Auxiliary Derivative and Its SnCl4 Lewis Acid Complex

Determining the structure of reactive intermediates is the key to understanding reaction mechanisms. To access these structures, a method combining structural sensitivity and high time resolution is required. Here ultrafast polarization‐dependent two‐dimensional infrared (P2D‐IR) spectroscopy is shown to be an excellent complement to commonly used methods such as one‐dimensional IR and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy for investigating intermediates. P2D‐IR spectroscopy allows structure determination by measuring the angles between vibrational transition dipole moments. The high time resolution makes P2D‐IR spectroscopy an attractive method for structure determination in the presence of fast exchange and for short‐lived intermediates. The ubiquity of vibrations in molecules ensures broad applicability of the method, particularly in cases in which NMR spectroscopy is challenging due to a low density of active nuclei. Here we illustrate the strengths of P2D‐IR by determining the conformation of a Diels–Alder dienophile that carries the Evans auxiliary and its conformational change induced by the complexation with the Lewis acid SnCl₄, which is a catalyst for stereoselective Diels–Alder reactions. We show that P2D‐IR in combination with DFT computations can discriminate between the various conformers of the free dienophile N‐crotonyloxazolidinone that have been debated before, proving antiperiplanar orientation of the carbonyl groups and s‐cis conformation of the crotonyl moiety. P2D‐IR unequivocally identifies the coordination and conformation in the catalyst–substrate complex with SnCl₄, even in the presence of exchange that is fast on the NMR time scale. It resolves a chelate with the carbonyl orientation flipped to synperiplanar and s‐cis crotonyl configuration as the main species. This work sets the stage for future studies of other catalyst–substrate complexes and intermediates using a combination of P2D‐IR spectroscopy and DFT computations.     

Half‐sandwich ruthenium‐based versatile catalyst for both alcohol oxidation and catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds in aqueous media

A series of half‐sandwich ruthenium‐based catalysts for both alcohol oxidation and carbonyl compounds hydrogenation have been synthesized through metal‐induced C–H bond activation based on benzothiazole ligands. The neutral ruthenium complexes 1 – 4 were fully characterized by UV–vis, NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. Molecular structures of complexes 1 and 3 were further confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. All complexes exhibited high activity for the catalytic oxidation of a variety of alcohols with ^tBuOOH as oxidants to give carbonyl compounds with high yields in water. Moreover, these half‐sandwich complexes also showed high efficiency for the catalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds in a methanol–water mixture. The catalyst could be reused for at least five cycles without any loss of activity. The catalytic system also worked well for various kinds of substrates with either electron‐donating or electron‐withdrawing groups.     

Enhanced NIR Luminescence of Nanozeolite L Loading Lanthanide β‐Diketonate Complexes

Herein, we report the preparation of zeolite NIR luminescence materials with a remarkable increase of luminescence intensity by attaching stopper molecule (an imidazolium salt) to the channel entrances of zeolite L loading with NIR lanthanide (Er³⁺ or Nd³⁺) β‐diketonate complexes. This results from the formation of Ln³⁺‐β‐diketonate complexes (Ln=Er or Nd) with high coordination numbers through the decreasing of the proton strength in the zeolite channels. The obtained materials were characterized with SEM and photoluminescence spectroscopy. We believe that this hybrid material will be an appealing candidate for the applications of optical fiber, telecommunications and bio‐imaging.     

Influence of the Side‐Chain Length on the Cellular Uptake and the Cytotoxicity of Rhenium Triscarbonyl Derivatives: A Bimodal Infrared and Luminescence Quantitative Study

Rhenium triscarbonyl complexes fac‐[Re(CO)₃(N^N)] with appropriate ancillary N^N ligands are relevant for fluorescent bio‐imaging. Recently, we have shown that [Re(CO)₃] cores can also be efficiently mapped inside cells using their IR signature and that they can thus be used in a bimodal approach. To describe them we have coined the term SCoMPIs for single‐core multimodal probes for imaging. In the context of the use of these SCoMPIs in bio‐imaging, the questions of their cellular uptake and cytotoxicity are critical. We report here a series of compounds derived from the [Re(CO)₃Cl(pyta)] core (pyta=4‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,3‐triazole). The pyta ligand is of interest because it can be easily functionalized. Aliphatic side chains (C₄, C₈, and C₁₂) were appended to this core. A correlative study involving IR and luminescence was performed to monitor and quantify their cellular internalization. We studied the relationship between lipophilicity (log P(o/w)), cytotoxicity (IC₅₀), and cellular uptake, and we showed that both uptake and cytotoxicity increase with the length of the side chain, with a higher uptake for the C₁₂ derivative. This study stresses the distinction that has to be made between apparent toxicity, determined as an incubation concentration IC₅₀, and intrinsic toxicity. Indeed, the intrinsic toxicity of a compound can remain hidden if it is not cell permeable. Therefore it must be kept in mind that IC₅₀ values are composite values, reflecting both cellular uptake and intrinsic toxicity.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of the Pr(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Nd(III), and Yb(III) complexes with propane-1,3-dione derivatives

The luminescence method, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis are used to reveal that under optimal conditions (pH 5–8) Ln³⁺ ions (Ln = Pr, Sm, Eu, Nd, and Yb) with 1-(2-hydroxy-4-methylphenyl)-3-(5-methyl-1-phenyl-¹ H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propane-1,3-dione form complexes with the mole ratio Ln: ligand = 2: 3. According to the IR spectral data, Ln³⁺ ions coordinate three oxygen atoms of two carbonyl groups and one hydroxyl group. In the IR spectra of the complexes, an intense band at 628.7 cm^?1 is assigned to the Ln-O bond vibrations. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the complexes contain no lines corresponding to the ligand. The luminescence intensity of the complexes in the visible spectral range changes in the series Eu(III) > Sm(III) > Pr(III), whereas in the IR region the order is Yb(III) > Nd(III). In all cases, luminescence of the solid complexes is considerably more intense than that of their solutions.     

Observation of Main‐Group Tricarbonyls [B(CO)3] and [C(CO)3]+ Featuring a Tilted One‐Electron Donor Carbonyl Ligand

A combined experimental and theoretical study on the main‐group tricarbonyls [B(CO)₃] in solid noble‐gas matrices and [C(CO)₃]⁺ in the gas phase is presented. The molecules are identified by comparing the experimental and theoretical IR spectra and the vibrational shifts of nuclear isotopes. Quantum chemical ab initio studies suggest that the two isoelectronic species possess a tilted η¹(μ₁‐CO)‐bonded carbonyl ligand, which serves as an unprecedented one‐electron donor ligand. Thus, the central atoms in both complexes still retain an 8‐electron configuration. A thorough analysis of the bonding situation gives quantitative information about the donor and acceptor properties of the different carbonyl ligands. The linearly bonded CO ligands are classical two‐electron donors that display classical σ‐donation and π‐back‐donation following the Dewar–Chatt–Duncanson model. The tilted CO ligand is a formal one‐electron donor that is bonded by σ‐donation and π‐back‐donation that involves the singly occupied orbital of the radical fragments [B(CO)₂] and [C(CO)₂]⁺.     

Iron–Carbonyl Aqueous Vesicles (MCsomes) by Hydration of [Fe(CO){CO(CH2)5CH3}(Cp)(PPh3)] (FpC6): Highly Integrated Colloids with Aggregation‐Induced Self‐Enhanced IR Absorption (AI‐SEIRA)

Self‐assembly of hydrophobic molecules into aqueous colloids contradicts common chemical intuition, but has been achieved through hydration of [Fe(CO){CO(CH₂)₅CH₃}(Cp)(PPh₃)] (FpC6). FpC6 has no surface activity, no NMR signals in D₂O and no critical aggregation concentration (CAC) in H₂O. The molecule, however, contains both acyl and terminal CO groups that are prone to being hydrated. By adding water to a solution in THF, self‐assembly of FpC6 can be initiated through water–carbonyl interactions (WCIs) with the highly polarized acyl CO groups. This aggregation subsequently enhances the hydration of the acyl CO groups and also induces the WCI of otherwise unhydrated terminal CO groups. The resultant metal–carbonyl aggregates have been proved to be bilayer vesicles with iron complexes exposed towards water and alkyl chains forming inner walls (MCsomes). These MCsomes show high structure integration upon dilution due to the hydrophobic nature of the building blocks. The highly polarized CO groups on the surface of the MCsomes result in a negative zeta potential (?65 mV) and create a local electric field, which significantly enhances the IR absorption of CO groups by more than 100‐fold. This is the first discovery of aggregation‐induced self‐enhanced IR absorption (AI‐SRIRA) without the assistant of external dielectric substrates. Highly integrated MCsomes are, therefore, promising as a novel group of materials, for example, for IR‐based sensing and imaging.     

Polymer complexes: supramolecular modeling for determination and identification of the bond lengths in novel polymer complexes from their infrared spectra

Synthesis and characterization of allyl propenyl‐2‐(4‐derivatives phenylazo)butan‐3‐one (HL_n) are described. The monomers obtained contain N?N and carbonyl functional groups in different positions with respect to the allyl group. This structural difference affects the stereochemical structure of the uranyl polymer complexes prepared by the direct reaction of uranyl acetate with the monomers. The polymer complexes are characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, electronic and vibrational spectroscopy and other theoretical methods. The bonding sites of the hydrazone are deduced from IR and NMR spectra and each of the ligands were found to bond to the UO₂²⁺ ion in a bidentate fashion. The monomers obtained contain N?N and carbonyl functional groups in different positions with respect to the allyl group. IR spectra show that the allyl azo homopolymer (HL_n) acts as a neutral bidentate ligand by coordinating via the two oxygen atom of the carbonyl group, thereby forming a six‐membered chelating ring. The υ₃ frequency of UO₂²⁺ has been shown to be a good molecular probe for studying the coordinating power of the ligands. The υ₃‐values of UO₂²⁺ from IR spectra have been used to calculate the force constant, F_UO (in 10^?8 N/Å) and the bond length R_UO (in Å) of the U? O bond. We adopted a strategy based upon both theoretical and experimental investigations. The theoretical aspects are described in terms of the well‐known theory of 5d–4f transitions. The necessary structural data (coordination geometries and electronic structures) are determined from a framework for the modeling of novel polymer complexes. The Wilson, G. F. matrix method, Badger's formula and the Jones and El‐Sonbati equations were used to determine the stretching and interaction force constants from which the U? O bond distances were calculated. The bond distances of these complexes were also investigated. The effect of Hamett's constant is also discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural characterization of shielded isomeric europium complexes with metal-metal contact

New luminescent isomeric europium(III) complexes with carboxylic carbonyl group coordination (I and II) have been prepared by solvothermal synthesis using the ligand 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (bpdc), with the nonradiatively shielded Eu3+ coordination sphere completed by dimethyl sulfoxide ligands. The room temperature IR spectra and Eu3+ luminescence spectra do not provide a definitive distinction between I and II, but low-temperature luminescence can give a clear identification.     

Simultaneous Long‐Persistent Blue Luminescence and High Quantum Yield within 2D Organic–Metal Halide Perovskite Micro/Nanosheets

Molecular solid‐state materials with long‐lived luminescence (such as thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) systems) are promising for display, sensoring, and bio‐imaging applications. However, the design of such materials that exhibit both long luminescent lifetime and high solid‐state emissive efficiency remains an open challenge. Two‐dimensional (2D) organic–metal halide perovskite materials have a high blue‐emitting quantum yield of up to 63.55 % and ultralong TADF lifetime of 103.12 ms at ambient temperature and atmosphere. Our design leverages the combined influences of a 2D space/electronic confinement effect and a modest heavy‐atom tuning strategy. Photophysical studies and calculations reveal that the enhanced quantum yield is due to the rigid laminate structure of perovskites, which can effectively inhibit the non‐radiative decay of excitons.     

Vibrational transition moment directions of a terminally p-nitrobenzyl substituted long-chain alkanethiol by polarized infrared spectra and DFT calculations

Transition moment directions of the vibrational states of nitro and carbonyl groups of p-nitrobenzyl-16-mercaptohexadecanoate are evaluated by infrared linear dichroism (IR LD) to be further exploited as film orientation markers in self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) that the respective compound forms on metal surfaces. DFT calculations followed by a complete normal coordinate analysis were employed to assist in the vibrational bands assignments. The analysis of the experimental IR LD spectra in conjunction with the step-wise reduction procedure of Thulstrup–Eggers indicated that the transition moment directions of the antisymmetric NO₂ stretching and the carbonyl stretching modes are collinear, and confirmed previous results that those of the symmetric and the antisymmetric NO₂ stretching vibrations are not exactly mutually perpendicular.     

Synthesis,Spectral Characterization,Antitumor, Antioxidant,and Antimicrobial Studies of New Potential ONS Schiff Base Complexes

Novel Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes derived from 2‐aminopyridine‐3‐thiol and 4‐oxo‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carbaldehyde were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (IR, ¹H NMR, UV–vis, ESR, and MS) and other analytical methods. Molar conductance data and magnetic susceptibility measurements provide evidence for the monomeric and monobasic nature of the complexes. The molar conductance measurement of the complexes in DMSO corresponds to their non‐electrolytic nature. All the complexes are of high‐spin type. On the basis of the different spectral studies, the six‐coordinated geometry may be assigned for all the complexes. IR spectral studies indicate the binding sites of the ligand with the metal ion. The Schiff base acts as tridentate ligand coordinated through deprotonated thiolic (SH) sulfur, azomethine (─CH═N─) nitrogen, and carbonyl (−C═O) oxygen atoms. The ligand field parameters were calculated for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and their values were found to be in the range reported for an octahedral structure. The data show that the complexes have an ML₂‐type composition. The activation thermodynamic parameters are calculated using the Coast–Redfern, Horowitz–Metzger (HM), Piloyan–Novikova (PN), and Broido equations. The X‐ray diffraction data suggest a triclinic system for all compounds. Different surface morphologies were identified from SEM micrographs. Human tumor cell lines A427 (lung cancer cell line), LCLC‐103H (large cell lung cancer), SISO (uterine adenocarcinoma), and 5637(human bladder carcinoma) grown in RPMI‐1640 medium were elevated. The biological screening data show that the complexes show growth inhibitory activity against various microorganisms. The octahedral geometry of the complexes is confirmed using density functional theory (DFT) from DMOL³ calculations, electronic and magnetic moment measurements, ESR, and ligand field parameters.     

Comparison of the Electronic and Vibrational Optical Activity of a Europium(III) Complex

The geometry and the electronic structure of chiral lanthanide(III) complexes are traditionally probed by electronic methods, such as circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. The vibrational phenomena are much weaker. In the present study, however, significant enhancements of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and Raman optical activity (ROA) spectral intensities were observed during the formation of a chiral bipyridine–Eu^III complex. The ten‐fold enhancement of the vibrational absorption and VCD intensities was explained by a charge‐transfer process and the dominant effect of the nitrate ion on the spectra. A much larger enhancement of the ROA and Raman intensities and a hundred‐fold increase of the circular intensity difference (CID) ratio were explained by the resonance of the λ=532 nm laser light with the ⁷F₀ → ⁵D₀ transitions. This phenomenon is combined with a chirality transfer, and mixing of the Raman and luminescence effects involving low‐energy ⁷F states of europium. The results thus indicate that the vibrational optical activity (VOA) may be a very sensitive tool for chirality detection and probing of the electronic structure of Eu^III and other coordination compounds.     

The Radiative Lifetime in Near‐IR‐Luminescent Ytterbium Cryptates: The Key to Extremely High Quantum Yields

A powerful strategy for the improvement of near‐IR lanthanoid luminescence has been successfully employed for the first time, which involves the rational and deliberate shortening of the radiative luminescence lifetimes τ_rad in molecular ytterbium complexes. In this context, the bidentate chelating unit 2,2′‐bipyridine‐N,N′‐dioxide has been identified as being responsible for decreasing τ_rad substantially in macrobicyclic Yb cryptates. This strategy, when combined with conventional approaches, yields unprecedented absolute near‐IR quantum yields of up to 12 %. This extraordinary efficiency represents the highest value measured for any molecular lanthanoid near‐IR emitter. The proof‐of‐concept for the implementation of the new strategy opens up entirely new prospects for the field of lanthanoid luminescence.     

Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxicity evaluation of new cerium(III), lanthanum(III) and neodymium(III) complexes

Complexes of cerium(III), lanthanum(III) and neodymium(III) with coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acid (HCCA) were synthesized by mixing of equimolar amounts of the respective metal nitrates and coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acid in ethanol. The complexes were characterized and identified by elemental analysis, IR and Raman spectroscopy. DTA and TGA were applied to study the compositions of the compounds. The vibrational study showed bidentate coordination of CCA^? to Ln(III) ions through the carbonyl oxygen and the carboxylic oxygen atoms. The newly synthesized compounds were assayed for cytotoxicity against SKW‐3, HL‐60 and Reh cells. The complexes of cerium(III) and lanthanum(III) showed marginal cytotoxic activity against SKW‐3 and Reh cells as compared with the inorganic salts at concentration 200 µM . The complex of neodymium(III) induced approximately 50% reduction of the survival HL‐60 and SKW‐3 cells at concentration 200 µM . Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photoisomerisation in Aminoazobenzene‐Substituted Ruthenium(II) Tris(bipyridine) Complexes: Influence of the Conjugation Pathway

Transition‐metal complexes containing stimuli‐responsive systems are attractive for applications in optical devices, photonic memory, photosensing, as well as luminescence imaging. Amongst them, photochromic metal complexes offer the possibility of combining the specific properties of the metal centre and the optical response of the photochromic group. The synthesis, the electrochemical properties and the photophysical characterisation of a series of donor–acceptor azobenzene derivatives that possess bipyridine groups connected to a 4‐dialkylaminoazobenzene moiety through various linkers are presented. DFT and TD‐DFT calculations were performed to complement the experimental findings and contribute to their interpretation. The position and nature of the linker (ethynyl, triazolyl, none) were engineered and shown to induce different electronic coupling between donor and acceptor in ligands and complexes. This in turn led to strong modulations in terms of photoisomerisation of the ligands and complexes.     

Remarkable Tuning of the Coordination and Photophysical Properties of Lanthanide Ions in a Series of Tetrazole‐Based Complexes

A series of seven new tetrazole‐based ligands (L1, L3–L8) containing terpyridine or bipyridine chromophores suited to the formation of luminescent complexes of lanthanides have been synthesized. All ligands were prepared from the respective carbonitriles by thermal cycloaddition of sodium azide. The crystal structures of the homoleptic terpyridine–tetrazolate complexes [Ln(Li)₂]NHEt₃ (Ln=Nd, Eu, Tb for i=1, 2; Ln=Eu for i=3, 4) and of the monoaquo bypyridine–tetrazolate complex [Eu(H₂O)(L7)₂]NHEt₃ were determined. The tetradentate bipyridine–tetrazolate ligand forms nonhelical complexes that can contain a water molecule coordinated to the metal. Conversely, the pentadentate terpyridine–tetrazolate ligands wrap around the metal, thereby preventing solvent coordination and forming chiral double‐helical complexes similarly to the analogue terpyridine–carboxylate. Proton NMR spectroscopy studies show that the solid‐state structures of these complexes are retained in solution and indicate the kinetic stability of the hydrophobic complexes of terpyridine–tetrazolates. UV spectroscopy results suggest that terpyridine–tetrazolate complexes have a similar stability to their carboxylate analogues, which is sufficient for their isolation in aerobic conditions. The replacement of the carboxylate group with tetrazolate extends the absorption window of the corresponding terpyridine‐ (≈20 nm) and bipyridine‐based (25 nm) complexes towards the visible region (up to 440 nm). Moreover, the substitution of the terpyridine–tetrazolate system with different groups in the ligand series L3–L6 has a very important effect on both absorption spectra and luminescence efficiency of their lanthanide complexes. The tetrazole‐based ligands L1 and L3–L8 sensitize efficiently the luminescent emission of lanthanide ions in the visible and near‐IR regions with quantum yields ranging from 5 to 53 % for Eu^III complexes, 6 to 35 % for Tb^III complexes, and 0.1 to 0.3 % for Nd^III complexes, which is among the highest reported for a neodymium complex. The luminescence efficiency could be related to the energy of the ligand triplet states, which are strongly correlated to the ligand structures.     

Multiple Bonding Between Group 3 Metals and Fe(CO)3−

Heteronuclear Group 3 metal/iron carbonyl anion complexes ScFe(CO)₃^?, YFe(CO)₃^?, and LaFe(CO)₃^? are prepared in the gas phase and studied by mass‐selective infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy as well as quantum‐chemical calculations. All three anion complexes are characterized to have a metal–metal‐bonded C_3v equilibrium geometry with all three carbonyl ligands bonded to the iron center and a closed‐shell singlet electronic ground state. Bonding analyses reveal that there are multiple bonding interactions between the bare group‐3 elements and the Fe(CO)₃^? fragment. Besides one covalent electron‐sharing metal–metal σ bond and two dative π bonds from Fe to the Group 3 metal, there is additional multicenter covalent bonding with the Group 3 atom bonded to Fe and the carbon atoms.