Applications of highly luminescent transition metal complexes in polymer systems

Advances in understanding the photophysics and photochemistry of transition metal complexes offer opportunities to utilize these materials as luminescence sensors and probes. However, heterogeneity has an enormous effect on luminescence, quenching, and photochemistry. An intimate understanding of the detailed interactions between the complexes and their environment will be necessary before the rational design of new high performance sensors and probes can be achieved. Such understanding is fairly well established for homogeneous media, but it is still in its infancy in solid supports (surfaces and polymers). We present case studies involving luminescent metal complexes bound to a variety of polymer systems. Both their potential and the difficulties inherent in these composite systems are presented. We discuss tools that have proved useful or are likely to be valuable in unraveling these complex systems.     

Synthesis, structures and photophysics of novel luminescent platinum–copper complexes

The novel hexanuclear platinum–copper complex [Pt₂Cu₄(C₆F₅)₄(CC^tBu)₄(acetone)₂] (1) and the polynuclear derivative [PtCu₂(C₆F₅)₂(CCPh)₂]_x (2), which crystallises in acetone as [Pt₂Cu₄(C₆F₅)₄(CCPh)₄(acetone)₄] (2)·(acetone)₄, have been prepared using [cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(THF)₂] and the corresponding copper–acetylide [Cu(CCR)]_x (molar ratio 1:2) as starting materials. Treatment of 1 and 2 with 2,2′-bipyridine (molar ratio Cu–bipy 1:1), afforded the new trinuclear derivatives [{cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(μ-CCR)₂}{Cu(bipy)}₂] (R=^tBu 3, Ph 4), in which the dianionic 3-platina-1,4-diyne acts as a didentate bridging ligand to two different cationic Cu(bipy) units through η²-side-on coordination of the alkynyl fragments. While similar treatment of 1 with dppe (Cu–dppe 1:1) yielded [{cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(μ-CC^tBu)₂}{Cu(dppe)}₂] (5), the analogous reaction of 2 with dppe afforded a mixture of complexes containing [Pt(C₆F₅)(CCPh)(dppe)] as the main platinum compound. The crystal structures of 1, 2·(acetone)₄, 3 and 4 and the luminescent behaviour of all complexes have been determined. A comparison of the photoluminescent spectra of 1 and 2 with those of the related platinum–silver species [PtAg₂(C₆F₅)₂(CCR)₂]_x and the monomeric [cis-Pt(C₆F₅)₂(CCR)₂]²⁻ suggests the presence of emitting states bearing a large cluster [PtM₂]_x-to-ligand (alkynide) charge transfer (CLCT).     

Facile preparation and photophysics of near-infrared luminescent lanthanide(III) monoporphyrinate complexes

The synthesis, characterization, and single crystal X-ray diffraction structures of a series of monoporphyrinate, trivalent lanthanide complexes with the monoanionic ligands hydridotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) and (cyclopentadienyl)tris(diethylphosphinito)cobaltate (L(OEt)) having the general formulas M(TPP)(L) (M = Yb, Tm, Er, Ho, Nd, Pr; TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrinate; L = Tp, L(OEt)) are described. The photophysical properties of these complexes are also presented including their absorption, emission, and transient absorption properties.     

Recent progress of luminescent metal complexes with photochromic units

Photo-responsive molecules have been studied extensively because of their light irradiation abilities that enable modulation of certain physical and chemical properties in emerging molecular electronic and photonic devices. For advanced photonic applications, photochromic metal complexes that have photochromic units as the photo-responsive ligand are highly desirable, as they allow improvement of the photochromic properties and their photo-switching functionality. This article focuses on recent progress in luminescent metal complexes with photochromic units. Luminescence-switching properties of photochromic metal complexes depend on characteristic electronic transitions. The electronic transitions of photochromic metal complexes can be divided into three categories: (1) π–π* transition of the ligand, (2) metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) in transition-metal complex, and (3) f–f transition in lanthanide complex. Luminescence modulation using various metal complexes with photochromic units has been studied extensively in recent years, and various applications for future molecular switching devices are expected in the field of advanced photonics. Based on the literature and our studies on luminescent metal complexes with photochromic units, we report on the recent progress of luminescent metal complexes with photochromic units.     

Self-assembly luminescent heteroheptanuclear complexes with metal diphosphine and metal thiolate as components

Self-assembly between the building blocks [M2(mu-dppm)2(MeCN)2]2+ (M = Cu or Ag; dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) and M'(aet)2 (aet = 2-aminoethanethiolate) afforded luminescent heterohepta-nuclear complexes [Cu4M'3(mu-dppm)3(mu 3-aet)4(mu-aet)2]4+ (M' = Ni 1; Pd 2) or heterotrinuclear complexes [Ag2M'(mu-dppm)2(mu-aet)2]2+ (M' = Ni 3, Pd 4).     

Tuning luminescent properties of a metal organic framework by insertion of metal complexes

Abstract

We report the preparation and characterisation of new emissive materials based on the insertion of platinum(II) and iridium(III) complexes inside the Al(OH)(bipyridine dicarboxylate) metal organic framework (MOF-253). Guest incorporation is performed by coordination of a metal complex precursor, and provides increased robustness to the system compared to guest inclusion by its physical diffusion. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis highlights the high degree of crystallinity of the materials, with a complete change in the lattice parameters upon metal complex insertion. The photophysical properties of the resulting materials were thoroughly investigated. This synthetic approach is particularly attractive since, as we show, it is possible to tune the emission maxima of our materials over the entire visible range.     

Role of metal ions in development of specific properties of polymer metal complexes

The character of changing the hydrodynamic and conformational characteristics of vinylpyrrolidone copolymers with acrylic acid depending on solvent nature was studied. Peculiarities in changing the hydrodynamic, molecular characteristics and complex forming properties of equimolar vinylpyrrolidone copolymer with metal ions are revealed. Metal ions introduction in copolymer macromolecules gives rise to polymer-specific, physiologically active properties.     

Photochromic metal complexes: photoregulation of both the nonlinear optical and luminescent properties

A series of dithienylethene (DTE)-containing 2,2'-bipyridine ligands and their zinc(II) diacetate, zinc(II) dichloro, rhenium(I) tricarbonyl bromo, and ruthenium(II) bis(bipyridine) complexes have been designed and synthesized, and their photochromic, photophysical, and quadratic nonlinear optical properties have been studied. Upon UV irradiation at 350 nm, the ligands and complexes undergo ring closure of the DTE units, with a good to excellent photocyclization yield. In the case of the Re(I) and Ru(II) complexes, the photocyclization of the DTE units can also be triggered using visible light, upon excitation into the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands at 400 and 490 nm, respectively. Molecular quadratic nonlinear optical (NLO) responses of the complexes have been determined by using either the electrical field induced second harmonic generation (EFISH) or harmonic light scattering (HLS) technique at 1910 nm. These studies reveal a large increase of the second-order NLO activity after UV irradiation and subsequent formation of the ring-closed isomers. This efficient enhancement clearly reflects the delocalization of the π-electron system and the formation of strong push-pull chromophores in the closed forms. The combination of the photochromic DTE-based bipyridine ligand with luminescent Re(I) and Ru(II) fragments also allows the photoregulation of the emission, leading to an efficient quenching of the ligand-based 77 K luminescence and demonstrating that the photocontrol of two optical properties, linear and nonlinear, could be achieved by using the same photochromic ligand.     

Optically controlled distribution of o-quinonemethacrylate metal complexes in polymer materials

The complexation ability of photoreduction products of 2-(2,5-di-tert-butyl-3,4-dioxycyclohexa-1,5-dienyl)ethyl methacrylate in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution and in its copolymer films with dimethacrylate and ethylene glycol monomethacrylate was studied. The product of photochemical reduction – catechol – reacts with (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O, NH₄VO₃ and (NH₄)₂Fe(SO₄)₂ with the formation of corresponding metal complexes in solution and in the polymer bulk. The concentration of the molybdenum complexes in the polymer matrix was proportional to the exposure and holding time in solution of molybdate salt. Polymer film with optically controlled distribution of o-quinonemethacrylate molybdenum complexes was prepared. A film containing antimony and molybdenum complexes together in the polymer structure in predetermined ratio was obtained by sequential treatment of irradiated copolymer film (50% conversion) by THF solution of SbPh₃, and water solution of (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O.     

Template-free method to prepare polymer nanocapsules embedded with noble metal nanoparticles

In this paper, polymer nanocapsules embedded with noble metal nanoparticles and showing a good catalytic activity were prepared by a novel and convenient method.     

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.     

Metal effect on the supramolecular structure, photophysics, and acid-base character of trinuclear pyrazolato coinage metal complexes

Varying the coinage metal in cyclic trinuclear pyrazolate complexes is found to significantly affect the solid-state packing, photophysics, and acid-base properties. The three isoleptic compounds used in this study are [[3,5-(CF3)2Pz]M]3 with M = Cu, Ag, and Au (i.e., Cu3, Ag3, and Au3, respectively). They form isomorphous crystals and exist as trimers featuring nine-membered M3N6 rings with linear two-coordinate metal sites. On the basis of the M-N distances, the covalent radii of two-coordinate Cu(I), Ag(I), and Au(I) were estimated as 1.11, 1.34, and 1.25 angstroms, respectively. The cyclic [[3,5-(CF3)2Pz]M]3 complexes pack as infinite chains of trimers with a greater number of pairwise intertrimer M...M interactions upon proceeding to heavier coinage metals. However, the intertrimer distances are conspicuously short in Ag3 (3.204 angstroms) versus Au3 (3.885 angstroms) or Cu3 (3.813 angstroms) despite the significantly larger covalent radius of Ag(I). Remarkable luminescence properties are found for the three M3 complexes, as manifested by the appearance of multiple unstructured phosphorescence bands whose colors and lifetimes change qualitatively upon varying the coinage metal and temperature. The multiple emissions are assigned to different phosphorescent excimeric states that exhibit enhanced M...M bonding relative to the ground state. The startling luminescence thermochromic changes in crystals of each compound are related to relaxation between the different phosphorescent excimers. The trend in the lowest energy phosphorescence band follows the relative triplet energy of the three M(I) atomic ions. DFT calculations indicate that [[3,5-(R)2Pz]M]3 trimers with R = H or Me are bases with the relative basicity order Ag < Cu < Au while fluorination (R = CF3) renders even the Au trimer acidic. These predictions were substantiated experimentally by the isolation of the first acid-base adduct, [[Au3]2:toluene]infinity, in which a trinuclear Au(I) complex acts as an acid.     

Photochromic bipyridyl metal complexes: Photoregulation of the nonlinear optical and/or luminescent properties

The combination of transition metals and ligands featuring photochromic units is receiving much attention and opens up new perspectives for the design of metal-based photoswitchable molecules. This account summarizes some of our recent works made in the area of photochromic organometallic and coordination compounds, which have been used for the photomodulation of the quadratic non-linear optical (NLO) properties, as well as of the photoregulation of the emission properties of the resulting systems. For this purpose, we have designed new chromophores combining dithienylethene (DTE)-based bipyridine ligands with different metallic fragments (Re^I, Fe^II, Ru^II, Ir^III, Cu^I, Zn^II), giving rise to multi-photochromic metal complexes containing from two to six DTE units, and studied the photocontrol of both NLO and luminescence properties.     

New biocidal metal complexes of bisphenol-A formaldehyde polymer containing piperazine

The polymeric ligand (BFP) was synthesized by condensation of bisphenol-A, formaldehyde, and piperazine in alkaline medium at 70–80°C. The polymer–metal complexes were synthesized by the reaction of BFP with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) acetates in 1?:?0.5 (ligand?:?metal) molar ratio. All the synthesized polymers were characterized by elemental, spectral (infrared, ¹H-NMR, and UV-Vis), magnetic moment measurements, and thermal (TGA) analysis. The ligand-field and nephelauxetic parameters have been determined from UV-Vis spectra using ligand-field theory. Elemental analyses indicate the association of water with metal for Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II), which is also supported by TGA. The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized polymers were studied by agar well diffusion methods against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella boydii. The antimicrobial activity and thermal stability of Cu(II)–polymer were higher than the other polymer–metal complexes due to the higher stability constant of Cu(II).     

On the mixed complexes of tetracycline metal chelates

The mixed complexes of chlorotetracycline-metal chelates with isomazid, penicillin G, and dihydrostreptomycin were examined with Th⁺⁴, Cu⁺², Fe⁺³, Co⁺³, and Ni⁺² ions.A mechanism is proposed that accounts for the formation of the mixed complexes, cationic chelates of tetracycline have a molar ratio of 1 : 1 of metal to chlorotetracycline and mixed complexes are formed by combining with other ligands through the remaining covalencies. The properties and preparation of the mixed complexes are given     

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.     

Applications of luminescent inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes as biomolecular and cellular probes

The rich photophysical properties of luminescent inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes, such as their intense, long-lived, and environment-sensitive emission, render them excellent candidates for biological and cellular studies. In this Perspective, we review examples of biological probes derived from luminescent transition metal complexes with a d(6), d(8), or d(10) metal center. The design of luminescent covalent labels and noncovalent probes for protein molecules is discussed. Additionally, the recent applications of these complexes as cellular probes and bioimaging reagents are described. Emphasis is put on the structural features, photophysical behavior, biomolecular interactions, cellular uptake, and intracellular localization properties of luminescent transition metal complexes.     

Lanthanide metal polymer complexes. Synthesis,characterization and application

Our recent results on the investigation of lanthanide metal polymer complexes were presented. Luminescence properties of Tb³⁺ or Eu³⁺ -polycarboxylate complexes in aqueous solution were investigated. The excitation band near 300 nm for Tb or Eu(polyacrylate) solutions were drastically enhanced by the addition of hydroxy radical generating reagents as well as ultrasonic irradiation. These spectral changes were attributed to the energy transfer from chromophore molecules formed by generated hydroxy radicals in both systems. Since the increase in the luminescence intensity was proportional to the hydroxy radical concentration, the Eu³⁺ or Tb³⁺ (PAA) system can provide a convenient method for the determination of hydroxy radical concentration in aqueous solution. We have also utilized lanthanide metal ion complexes as a luminescent emitter in electroluminescence (EL) devices. The configuration of the EL cell and experimental results were discussed.     

On the theory of ligand substitution in transition metal complexes

Expressions are given for the calculation of activation energies for ligand substitution in transition metal complexes. A comparison between calculated and experimental activation energies for the substitution of water molecules shows reasonably good agreement.