Brightly phosphorescent trinuclear copper(I) complexes of pyrazolates: substituent effects on the supramolecular structure and photophysics

Synthetic details, solid-state structures, and photophysical properties of a group of trimeric copper(I) complexes containing pyrazolate ligands are described. The reaction of copper(I) oxide and the fluorinated pyrazoles [3-(CF(3))Pz]H, [3-(CF(3)),5-(Me)Pz]H, and [3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]H leads to the corresponding trinuclear copper(I) pyrazolates, {[3-(CF(3))Pz]Cu}(3), {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Me)Pz]Cu}(3), and {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]Cu}(3), respectively, in high yield. The {[3,5-(i-Pr)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) compound was obtained by a reaction between [Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)][BF(4)], [3,5-(i-Pr)(2)Pz]H, and NEt(3). These compounds as well as {[3,5-(Me)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) and {[3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz]Cu}(3) adopt trimeric structures with nine-membered Cu(3)N(6) metallacycles. There are varying degrees and types of intertrimer Cu...Cu interactions. These contacts give rise to zigzag chains in the fluorinated complexes, {[3-(CF(3))Pz]Cu}(3), {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Me)Pz]Cu}(3), {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]Cu}(3), and {[3,5-(CF(3))(2)Pz]Cu}(3), whereas the nonfluorinated complexes, {[3,5-(Me)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) and {[3,5-(i-Pr)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) form dimers of trimers. Out of all the compounds examined in this study, {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]Cu}(3) has the longest (3.848 Angstroms) and {[3,5-(Me)(2)Pz]Cu}(3) has the shortest (2.946 Angstroms) next-neighbor intertrimer Cu...Cu distance. The Cu...Cu separations within the trimer units do not vary significantly (typically 3.20-3.26 Angstroms). All of these trinuclear copper(I) pyrazolates show bright luminescence upon exposure to UV radiation. The luminescence bands are hugely red-shifted from the corresponding lowest-energy excitations, rather broad, and unstructured even at low temperatures, suggesting metal-centered emissions owing to intertrimer Cu...Cu interactions that are strengthened in the phosphorescent state. The {[3-(CF(3)),5-(Ph)Pz]Cu}(3) compound exhibits an additional highly structured phosphorescence with a vibronic structure corresponding to the pyrazolyl (Pz) ring. The luminescence properties of solids and solutions of the trimeric compounds in this study show fascinating trends with dramatic sensitivities to temperature, solvent, concentration, and excitation wavelengths.     

Synthesis, structure and photophysical properties of two transitional metal supramolecular complexes

Two supramolecular complexes: [Co(2,6-PDC)(Hdmpz)3]·H2O (1) and [Zn(2,6-PDC)(Hdmpz)2] (2) {2,6-PDC=pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, Hdmpz=3,5-dimethylpyrazol}, self-assembles via O-H?O and N-H?O hydrogen bondings into supramolecular networks, which are characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Both of them consist of two-dimensional networks that are stacked together by typical hydrogen bonding interactions (i.e. O-H?O and N-H?O), which often play important roles in the formation of low-dimensional into high-dimensional supramolecular networks. In addition, quantum chemistry calculations and surface photovoltage spectroscopy are performed firstly with the complexes.     

Molecular, supramolecular structure and catalytic activity of transition metal complexes of phenoxy acetic acid derivatives

Six mononuclear complexes [M(L₁)₂(H₂O)₄] (M = Co(II), 1a and M = Mn(II), 1b), [Cu(L₁)₂(H₂O)₂] (1c), [Cu(L₁)₂(H₂O)(Py)₂] (1d), [Cu(L₃)(H₂O)Cl] · H₂O (3a) and [Co(Sal)(H₂O)(Py)₃] · 2ClO₄ · H₂O (3b) of phenoxyacetic acid derivatives and Schiff base were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Co(II) (1a) and Mn(II) (1b) complexes are isomorphous. X-ray crystal structural analyses reveal that these coordination complexes form polymeric structure via formation of different types of hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions in solid. Thermal analysis along with the powder X-ray diffraction data of these complexes shows the importance of the coordinated and/or crystal water molecules in stabilizing the MOF structure. Complexes 1a, 1c, 3a show marginal catalytic activity in the oxidation of olefins to epoxides in the presence of i-butyraldehyde and molecular oxygen.     

A direct and practical approach for the synthesis of N-heterocyclic carbene coinage metal complexes

A novel direct and practical synthetic route leading to N-heterocyclic carbene coinage metal complexes has been developed by using air stable, commercial available Au(III) salt [MAuCl₄·2H₂O], CuCl_n (n=1,2) or AgCl, and imidazolium salts as starting materials. The reaction proceeded without sacrificing carbene transfer agent (Ag₂O) or using highly sensitive free NHC.     

Construction and photophysics study of supramolecular complexes composed of three-point binding fullerene-trispyridylporphyrin dyads and zinc porphyrin

A series of novel supramolecular complexes composed of a three-point binding C(60)-trispyridylporphyrin dyad (1) or C(70)-trispyridylporphyrin dyad (2) and zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnP) were constructed by adopting a "covalent-coordinate" bonding approach, composed of three-point binding. The dyads and self-assembled supramolecular triads or pentads formed by coordinating the pyridine groups located on the dyads to ZnP, have been characterized by means of spectral and electrochemical techniques. The formation constants of ZnP-1 and ZnP-2 complexes were calculated as 1.4 × 10(4) M(-1) and 2.0 × 10(4) M(-1), respectively, and the Stern-Volmer quenching constants K(SV) were founded to be 2.9 × 10(4) M(-1) and 5.5 × 10(4) M(-1), respectively, which are much higher than those of other supramolecular complexes such as previously reported ZnP-3 (N-ethyl-2-(4-pyridyl)-3,4-fulleropyrrolidine). The electrochemical investigations of these complexes suggest weak interactions between the constituents in the ground state. The excited states of the complexes were further monitored by time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The results revealed that the presence of the multiple binding point dyads (1 or 2) slightly accelerated the fluorescence decay of ZnP in o-DCB relative to that of the "single-point" bound supramolecular complex ZnP-3. In comparison with 1 and 2, C(70) is suggested as a better electron acceptor relative to C(60). DFT calculations on a model of supramolecular complex ZnP-1 (with one ZnP entity) were performed. The results revealed that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is mainly located on the fullerene cage, while the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is mainly located on the ZnP macrocycle ring, predicting the formation of radical ion pair ZnP(+)˙-H(2)P-C(60)(-)˙ during photo-induced reaction.     

Transition metal based supramolecular systems: synthesis, photophysics, photochemistry and their potential applications as luminescent anion chemosensors

This review describes our recent research results on several transition-metal based supramolecular systems. A number of self-assembly metallocyclophanes and cages have been prepared. We have found that the photophysical properties of these systems are highly dependent on the nature of the bridging ligands and that many of these metallocyclophanes and cages are capable of binding different guest molecules such as inorganic anions and a variety of aromatic compounds. Moreover, trinuclear (diimine) rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes linked by a stilbene-like ligand exhibit most interesting photoswitching features, where the luminescence from the complexes can be switched on and off by photoinduced ligand isomerization. In addition, a structurally simple and easily synthesized luminescent anion receptor has been recently developed and it displays outstanding sensitivity and selectivity toward anionic species. We also review the synthesis of two shape-persistent hexagonal phenylacetylenes and their use as ligands to synthesize dinuclear transition-metal complexes. The photophysical properties of both phenylacetylenic ligands and their corresponding metal complexes are summarized.     

Simulating periodic trends in the structure and catalytic activity of coinage metal nanoribbons

We present a systematic density functional theory (DFT) study of the structure and catalytic activity of group 10 (Ni, Pd, Pt) and group 11 (Cu, Ag, Au) coinage metal nanoribbons. These infinite, periodic, quasi‐one‐dimensional structures are conceptually important as intermediates between small metal clusters and close‐packed metal surfaces, and have been shown experimentally to be practical catalysts. We find that nanoribbons have significantly higher predicted H₂ dissociation activity than close‐packed metal surfaces consistent with their lower coordination numbers. Computed periodic trends are reasonable, with late transition states and low barriers for H₂ dissociation over late group 10 nanoribbons, suggesting their promise as practical catalysts. These trends are consistent with the isolated nanoribbons' computed molecular electrostatic potentials. Calculations also predict nearly linear Brønsted–Evans–Polanyi relationships between the nanoribbons' H₂ dissociation energies and dissociation barriers. We also test new meta‐generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and hybrid DFT approximations for H₂ dissociation over these nanoribbons. These new functionals increase the (generally underestimated) dissociation barriers predicted by standard GGAs, motivating their continued application in surface chemistry. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis, spectroscopy, structures and photophysics of metal alkynyl complexes and polymers containing functionalized carbazole spacers

A new class of soluble and thermally stable group 10 platinum(II) poly-yne polymers functionalized with 9-arylcarbazole moiety trans-[-Pt(PBu₃)₂CCRCC-]_n (R = 9-arylcarbazole-3,6-diyl; aryl = p-methoxyphenyl, p-chlorophenyl) were prepared in good yields by the polycondensation polymerization of trans-[PtCl₂(PBu₃)₂] with HCCRCCH under ambient conditions. The optical absorption and emission properties of these polymetallaynes were investigated and compared with their bimetallic molecular model complexes trans-[Pt(Ph)(PEt₃)₂CCRCCPt(Ph)(PEt₃)₂] as well as their group 11 gold(I) and group 12 mercury(II) neighbors [(PPh₃)AuCCRCCAu(PPh₃)] and [MeHgCCRCCHgMe]. The structures of all the compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic methods and by X-ray crystallography for selected model complexes. The influence of the heavy metal atom and the 9-aryl substituent of carbazole on the evolution of lowest electronic singlet and triplet excited states is critically characterized. It was shown that the organic-localized phosphorescence emission can be triggered readily by the heavy-atom effect of group 10-12 transition metals (viz., Pt, Au, and Hg) with the emission efficiency generally in the order Pt > Au > Hg. These carbazole-based organometallic materials possess high-energy triplet states of 2.68 eV or higher which do not vary much with the substituent of 9-aryl group.     

Influence of the central metal on the crystal structures and electronic structures of biferrocene trinuclear complexes

Five metal-bridged biferrocene complexes of the Schiff-base ligand (HL = S-benzyl-N-(ferrocenyl-1-methyl-methylidene)dithiocarbazate) have been studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the complexes show that the central metal ions are tetra-coordinated by two ligands in two modes: the central d⁸ transition metal ions (Ni²⁺, Pd²⁺, and Pt²⁺) are nearly square-planar coordinated and the d¹⁰ transition metal ions (Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺) are tetrahedrally coordinated. Interestingly, the isomer shifts in ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy are also of two kinds: d⁸ transition metal ions (0.097-0.247 mm/s) and d¹⁰ transition metal ions (0.416-0.435 mm/s).     

The electronic structure of carbonyl metal clusters : I. An INDO investigation of mono-, di- and trinuclear nickel complexes

A series of mono-, di- and trinuclear nickel carbonyl complexes has been investigated by means of the MO-LCAO method. The total molecular energies, one-electron energies and electron distributions have been computed and their variations along the series are discussed. The wavefunction of the complex has been considered in terms of contributions of the individual MO's of the free CO molecule in order to compute the variations of the σ-donor and π-accepting ability of the carbonyl ligand.     

Characterization and purification of supramolecular metal complexes using gel-permeation chromatography

Gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) has been used to analyze transition-metal-based squares, triangles, and related supramolecular complexes. Using rhenium-containing molecular squares of different sizes, a linear calibration curve has been established, which was used for confirming the relative sizes of other assemblies. GPC can also discriminate cyclic trimers and tetramers of a dirhodium building block. Preparative GPC has been used to resolve macroscopic samples of a rhenium-based supramolecular mixture into pure syn and anti isomers. A mixture of "triangle" and "square" has also been successfully separated.     

Intertrimer and intratrimer metallophilic and excimeric bonding in the ground and phosphorescent States of trinuclear coinage metal pyrazolates: a computational study

The interactions present in cyclic trinuclear coinage metal pyrazolates were studied computationally. Cuprophilic interaction was found to bind the singlet ground state of the dimer of trimers [[Cu(Pz)](3)](2), overcoming electrostatic repulsion. The large variation in intertrimer separations found in the literature for coinage metal pyrazolates is consistent with the relatively weak metallophilic interaction. The emissive triplet excited-state geometry of [[M(Pz)](3)](2) is predicted by density functional calculations to show major geometric distortion caused by Jahn-Teller instability and excimeric M-M bonding. Large calculated Stokes' shifts, which are also observed for experimental models, are consistent with significant excited-state distortions for these materials. The major finding derived from the present study is that the intertrimer M...M contraction in the emissive T(1) state is much more than the intratrimer contraction in all [[M(Pz)](3)](2) models, giving rise to a lower T(1) --> S(0) phosphorescence energy in these models than in analogous monomer-of-trimer models. The observations made here point to a great potential for rationally tuning the emission properties of trinuclear coinage metal complexes through choice of the metal and ligands.     

Three supramolecular trinuclear nickel(II) complexes based on Salamo-type chelating ligand: syntheses,crystal structures,solvent effect,Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculation

Transition Metal Chemistry - Three Ni(II) complexes {[NiL(μ-OAc)(CH3CH2OH)]2Ni} (1), {[NiL(μ-OAc)(CH3OH)]2Ni]·2CH2Cl2·2CH3OH (2) and {[NiL(μ-OAc)(CH3OH)]2Ni}·1.5CH3OH...     

On the causes of altered photophysics of luminescent metal complexes embedded in polymer hosts

A suite of luminescent Re(I) complexes has been prepared whose emissive properties are responsive to the probe's local environment. These complexes were embedded in a series of chemically similar polymers whose room temperature rigidity varied over a significant range. It is shown that the degree of local rigidity experienced by the embedded complexes significantly alters the observed emission in terms of both spectra and lifetime. Time resolved emission measurements show that the spectral shifts and lifetime complexity are correlated and track well the polymers' T(g) within the series. Fluorescence confocal microscopy did not show the presence of discrete domains, and thus, the environmental features responsible for the altered photophysics must be submicrometer in size.     

Synthesis,structure, and catalytic bromination of supramolecular oxovanadium complexes containing oxalate

Three supramolecular complexes, [VO(phen)(C₂O₄)(H₂O)]·CH₃OH (1) [(VO)₂(u₂-C₂O₄)(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·L·H₂O (2), and [(4,4′-bipyH₂)_0.5]⁺[VO₂(2,6-dipic)]^?·2H₂O (3) (phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline 4,4′-bipy?=?4,4′-bipyridine, 2,6-dipic?=?2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic, L?=?1,4-bis((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene), have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and UV–vis spectroscopy and single-crystal diffraction analysis. Structural analysis shows that the three complexes all contain carboxylate and V=O moiety; vanadium of 1 and 2 are six coordinate with distorted octahedral geometry with N₂O₄ and O₆ donor sets, respectively, while 3 is five coordinate with distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry with a NO₄ donor set. The complexes exhibit catalytic bromination activity in the single-pot reaction for the conversion of phenol red to bromophenol blue in H₂O–DMF at 30?±?0.5?C with pH 5.8, indicating that they can be considered as functional model vanadium-dependent haloperoxidases. In addition, electrochemical behaviors are also studied.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and luminescent properties of metal complexes bearing 2,6-pyridine-diacylhydrazide ligands: supramolecular assemblies via intermolecular interactions

Four metal complexes of N,N′-bis(salicyl)-2,6-pyridine-dicarbohydrazide ligand (H₆L), [Co^II(H₄L)(H₂O)₂]·2DMF (1), [Zn^II(H₄L)(H₂O)₂]·2DMF (2), [Cd^II(H₄L)(Py)₂]·DMF·Py (3), and [Co^IICo₂^III(H₄L)₄(H₂O)₄]·DMF·H₂O (4), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Structural studies revealed that complexes 1–3 present discrete mononuclear structures and complex 4 displays a centrosymmetric mixed-valence trinuclear structure. All four complexes are further extended into interesting two- or three-dimensional supramolecular frameworks. The luminescent properties of 2 and 3 were studied, which show emissions with maxima at 485 nm upon excitation at 396 nm for 2 and 476 nm upon excitation at 397 nm for 3, respectively.     

Syntheses, electrochemistry and crystal structure studies of novel cis-configuration biferrocene trinuclear complexes

The syntheses and characterization of novel biferrocene trinuclear complexes for Schiff base ligand, S-methyl-N-(ferrocenyl-1-methyl-methylidene)dithiocarbazate (hereafter abbreviate as HL), are described. X-ray diffraction studies established the structures of the palladium complex, PdL₂2 and the copper complex, CuL₂3. The geometry of Pd(II) in 2 is close to square planar and in novel cis-configuration with two ferrocene moieties in the same side, while that of Cu(II) in 3 is close to tetrahedral configuration. Electrochemical measurements suggest that the distorted square planar configuration of the Ni(II) and Pd(II) moieties, can effectively transmit the redox effects of the ferrocene moieties, while the distorted tetrahedral configuration of Cu(II) complex can not transmit the redox effects.     

Synthesis, characterization, electrochemical and photophysical properties of elbow-shaped trinuclear Ru(II) complexes, building blocks for novel supramolecular constructions

Three trinuclear elbow-shaped Ru(II) complexes based on the non symmetrical bridging PHEHAT ligand (PHEHAT = 1,10-phenanthrolino[5,6-b]-1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene) have been prepared and characterized by NMR, electrochemistry, absorption and emission spectroscopy. It is shown that the dichloro trinuclear complex 1 should behave as an excellent precursor for the synthesis of larger species. Indeed, it reacts easily with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene (TAP) and leads to the trinuclear compounds 2 and 3, respectively. The electrochemical and emission studies indicate that for 2 and 3, there is an intramolecular energy transfer from the center to the periphery of the elbow-shaped trinuclear complex, whereas for complex 1 the energy transfer takes place in the other direction.