Structure and photophysical properties of a dimeric Zn(II) complex based on 8-hydroxyquinoline group containing 2,6-dichlorobenzene unit

A novel 2-substituted-8-hydroxyquinoline ligand (E)-2-[2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)ethenyl]-8-hydroxyquinoline (HL) was synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Using solvothermal method, a dimeric complex (ZnL₂)₂ (1) was fabricated by self-assembly of Zn(II) ions with ligand HL. X-ray structural analysis shows that 1 exhibits a binuclear core, which is bridged by two 8-hydroxyquinoline rings. The supramolecular structure of 1 features a lamellar solid constructed by aromatic stacking interactions, Cl?Cl interactions and nonclassical C–H?Cl hydrogen bonds derived from 2,6-dichlorophenyl group of the ligand HL. The aggregation behavior of zinc salts and HL in solutions was investigated with a variety of techniques, including ¹H NMR, UV–vis, and photoluminescence (PL). In addition, we also studied the photophysical properties of compound 1 by UV–vis and PL. The experimental results show that the complex 1 emits yellow luminescence in the solid state.     

Selective Construction of Trefoil knots and a Molecular Borromean Ring Induced by Steric Hindrance of Thioether Ligands

Two Cp*−Rh^III based trefoil knots were obtained in high yield under ambient conditions via the coordination-driven self-assembly of semi-rigid thioether dipyridyl ligand 1,4-bis[(pyridin-4-ylthio)methyl]benzene ( L₁ ), ligand chloranilic acid (H₂− CA ) and 6,11-dihydroxytetracene-5,12-dione (H₂- TtDo ) with Cp*Rh^III metal corner units, respectively. Furthermore, using the bulkier 4,4′-{[(2,5-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene)bis(methylene)]bis(sulfanediyl)}dipyridine ( L₂ ) in the place of ligand L₁ in the construction process resulted in the formation of a teranuclear metallacycle and a template-free Borromean ring in high yields thanks to significantly altered intermolecular forces between the constituent ligands induced by the sterically-hindering methyl groups of L₂ , as demonstrated via a detailed X-ray crystallographic analysis and NMR spectroscopy.     

Isoreticular Preparation of Tetraphenylethylene-based Multicomponent Metallacages towards Light-Driven Hydrogen Production

Multicomponent metallacages can integrate the functions of their different building blocks to achieve synergetic effects for advanced applications. Herein, based on metal-coordination-driven self-assembly, we report the preparation of a series of isoreticular tetraphenylethylene-based metallacages, which are well characterized by multinuclear NMR, ESI-TOF-MS and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The suitable integration of photosensitizing tetraphenylethylene units as faces and Re catalytic complexes as the pillars into a single metallacage offers a high photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of 1707 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which is one of the highest values among reported metallacages. Femtosecond transient absorption and DFT calculations reveal that the metallacage can serve as a platform for the precise and organized arrangement of the two building blocks, enabling efficient and directional electron transfer for highly efficient photocatalytic performance. This study provides a general strategy to integrate multifunctional ligands into a certain metallacage to improve the efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen production, which will guide the future design of metallacages towards photocatalysis.     

Ultrasonic-bath-assisted preparation of mononuclear copper(I) thiosemicarbazone complex particles: Crystal structure,characterization and antimicrobial activity

Particles of the copper(I) thiosemicarbazone complex [Cu(Brcatsc)(PPh3)2Cl]·CH3CN (1), Brcatsc = 2-bromo-3-phenylpropenalthiosemicarbazone, were synthesized by an ultrasonic-bath-assisted method and characterized by elemental analyses, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P) and FT-IR spectroscopies, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal stability of 1 was studied by thermal gravimetry analysis and its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound 1 is a mononuclear complex with the copper(I) ion coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral geometry by one S atom of Brcatsc, two P atoms of two PPh₃, and one Cl atom. The complex involves the Brcatsc thiosemicarbazone ligand in an S monodentate bonding mode. The antibacterial activity of the ligand and its copper(I) complex was studied against two gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and two gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria.     

Conformational effect on fluorescence emission of tetraphenylethylene-based metallacycles

Herein, we designed and constructed two metallacycles, 1 and 2, to illustrate the conformational effect of isomeric AIE fluorophores on the platform of supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs). Speci?cally, the dangling phenyl rings in TPE units of the metallacycle 1 align completely outside the main cyclic structure, while in the metallacycle 2, these phenyl rings align half inside and half outside. The experimental results showed that two metallacycles exhibited different behaviors in terms of AIE fluorescence and chemical sensing, which could be attributed to the subtle structural difference of the TPE units. This work represents the unification of topics such as self-assembly, AIE, and chemical sensing, and further promotes the understanding for the structure-property relationship of isomeric AIE fluorophores.     

Vapor Phase Synthesis of SnS Facilitated by Ligand-Driven “Launch Vehicle” Effect in Tin Precursors

Extraordinary low-temperature vapor-phase synthesis of SnS thin films from single molecular precursors is attractive over conventional high-temperature solid-state methods. Molecular-level processing of functional materials is accompanied by several intrinsic advantages such as precise control over stoichiometry, phase selective synthesis, and uniform substrate coverage. We report here on the synthesis of a new heteroleptic molecular precursor containing (i) a thiolate ligand forming a direct Sn-S bond, and (ii) a chelating O^N^N-donor ligand introducing a “launch vehicle”-effect into the synthesized compound, thus remarkably increasing its volatility. The newly synthesized tin compound [Sn(SBu^t)(tfb-dmeda)] 1 was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis that verified the desired Sn:S ratio in the molecule, which was demonstrated in the direct conversion of the molecular complex into SnS thin films. The multi-nuclei (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F, and ¹¹⁹Sn) and variable-temperature 1D and 2D NMR studies indicate retention of the overall solid-state structure of 1 in the solution and suggest the presence of a dynamic conformational equilibrium. The fragmentation behavior of 1 was analyzed by mass spectrometry and compared with those of homoleptic tin tertiary butyl thiolates [Sn(SBu^t)₂] and [Sn(SBu^t)₄]. The precursor 1 was then used to deposit SnS thin films on different substrates (FTO, Mo-coated soda-lime glass) by CVD and film growth rates at different temperatures (300–450 °C) and times (15–60 min), film thickness, crystalline quality, and surface morphology were investigated.     

Mono and dinuclear Re(V) complexes with a hydrospirophosphorane HP∼O derived ligand: Synthesis,structural analysis and molecular dynamics

Two neutral mono and dinuclear rhenium(V) complexes, cis-ReOCl₂(P∼O)(pym) (1) and cis-[ReOCl₂(P∼O)]₂(μ–pym) (2 · (CH₃)₂CO), with the hydrospirophosphorane ligand HP∼O (HP∼O = octamethyl-2,2,3,3,7,7,8,8-tetraoxa-5λ⁵ 1,4,6,9-phosphaspiro-4,4-nonane) have been prepared. The coordination geometry of the complexes has been determined in solution by NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, as well as in the solid state by IR, FIR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complexes display distorted octahedral geometries. X-ray structures of 1 and 2 reveal that the ReCl₂NP fragments are equatorially disposed and the oxygens, terminal oxo and alcoholato, lie in axial positions. The pyrimidine coordinates as a monodentate or bridging ligand. Detailed temperature dependent ¹H NMR analysis for both 1 and 2 shows that in solution the diaza moiety exhibits hindered rotation about the Re–N bond. Furthermore two concomitant conformation changes, one in the metallacycle and the second in the phosphorus cycle, are also observed for dimer 2.     

Hydrogen bonding-mediated self-assembly of rigid and planar metallocyclophanes and their recognition for mono- and disaccharides

A hydrogen bonding approach has been developed to facilitate the self-assembly of a new series of rigid and planar metallocyclophanes. Two new anthranilamide derivatives 1 and 2, which are incorporated with two acetylene units, respectively, have been synthesized and characterized. X-ray analysis (for 1), 1D and 2D ¹H NMR and IR experiments reveal that, due to the formation of intramolecular three-centered hydrogen bonding, both compounds adopt rigid and planar conformations with the two acetylene units located at the same side of the anthranilamide skeleton. Two new metallocyclophanes 17 and 18 have been constructed in moderate yields from the reaction of 1 and 2 with trans-Pt(PEt₃)₂Cl₂, respectively, in dichloromethane in the presence of diethylamine and cupric chloride. Fluorescent and ¹H NMR investigations reveal that both 17 and 18 can efficiently complex mono- and disaccharide derivatives in chloroform, with a binding selectivity for disaccharides, which is driven by intermolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Palladium(II)-Based Self-Assembled Heteroleptic Coordination Architectures: A Growing Family

Metal-driven self-assembly is one of the most effective approaches to lucidly design a large range of discrete 2D and 3D coordination architectures/complexes. Palladium(II)-based self-assembled coordination architectures are usually prepared by using suitable metal components, in either a partially protected form (PdL′) or typical form (Pd; charges are not shown), and designed ligand components. The self-assembled molecules prepared by using a metal component and only one type of bi- or polydentate ligand (L) can be classified in the homoleptic series of complexes. On the other hand, the less explored heteroleptic series of complexes are obtained by using a metal component and at least two different types of non-chelating bi- or polydentate ligands (such as L^a and L^b). Methods that allow the controlled generation of single, discrete heteroleptic complexes are less understood. A survey of palladium(II)-based self-assembled coordination cages that are heteroleptic has been made. This review article illustrates a systematic collection of such architectures and credible justification of their formation, along with reported functional aspects of the complexes. The collected heteroleptic assemblies are classified here into three sections: 1) [(PdL′)_m(L^a)_x(L^b)_y]-type complexes, in which the denticity of L^a and L^b is equal; 2) [(PdL′)_m(L^a)_x(L^b)_y]-type complexes, in which the denticity of L^a and L^b is different; and 3) [Pd_m(L^a)_x(L^b)_y]-type complexes, in which the denticity of L^a and L^b is equal. Representative examples of some important homoleptic architectures are also provided, wherever possible, to set a background for a better understanding of the related heteroleptic versions. The purpose of this review is to pave the way for the construction of several unique heteroleptic coordination assemblies that might exhibit emergent supramolecular functions.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new pillar[5]arene-based [1]rotaxane

In this study, we reported the synthesis of three kinds of mono-functional pillar[5]arene derivatives PRI, PRII and R and their structures were studied by 1D and 2D NMR spectra and mass spectra. The 2D NMR spectra including ¹H-¹³C HSQC, ¹H-¹H COSY and NOESY spectra indicated that PRI and PRII are both stable self-included pseudo[1]rotaxanes in CDCl₃. These original structures are promising compounds for the design of pillar[5]-based [1]rotaxane. And the results showed that R could exist stable in CDCl₃ and DMSO because of the coordination of N-H?O hydrogen bonding interaction and C-H?π interaction.     

NMR spectroscopy in coordination supramolecular chemistry: A unique and powerful methodology

Metal-mediated self-assembly is emerging as a very important strategy for the synthesis of supramolecular species. Still, a major challenge in coordination supramolecular chemistry continues to be the characterization of the self-assembled complexes and the investigation of their dynamic behaviour in solution. In this context, NMR spectroscopy appears as a unique and powerful methodology. This practical-oriented review describes the rich variety of NMR techniques which are applied to the investigation of different aspects of the structure and behaviour of supramolecular complexes. “Classic” 1D NMR spectra reflect characteristic chemical shifts due to metal–ligand interactions or encapsulation phenomena, as well as symmetry and chiral properties of host–guest assemblies. Mainstream ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F and ³¹P spectra are eventually complemented by the use of NMR-active metal nuclides. Homo- and heteronuclear 2D correlation experiments are ubiquitous in the literature, providing through-bond and through-space connectivities. Increasingly, diffusion measurements are also gaining popularity in this field, being used to gain information about molecular size, intermolecular interactions and even association constants of supramolecular complexes. Knowledge about the thermodynamic properties and the dynamic behaviour of coordination supramolecular assemblies is essential for the development of their practical applications. The most frequently used NMR methodologies for the calculation of association constants (simple signal integration, NMR titration and diffusion measurements) and for the investigation of dynamic supramolecular equilibria (lineshape analysis, selective inversion recovery experiments and 2D EXSY spectra) are described, together with the use of variable-temperature investigations for the determination of the thermodynamic and activation parameters of self-assembly and encapsulation processes.     

Structural controlled pure metallo-triangular assembly through bisterpyridinyl Dibenzo[b,d]thiophene,Dibenzo[b,d]furan and Dibenzo[b,d]carbazole

A novel family of metallocycles was constructed by a one-pot self-assembly of three analogous bis(terpyridine) ligand monomers L1-L3, having different bent angles, with metal ions (Zn²⁺ or Cd²⁺). The dibenzo[b,d]thiophene-containing ligand L3 assembled with the metal ions to form a single trimer, whereas the dibenzo[b,d]furan-containing ligand L2 and dibenzo[b,d]carbazole-containing ligand L1 formed a mixture of trimers and tetramers. Heteroatoms (N, O, S) significantly contributed to the molecular size of the assemblies, owing to the bent angle of the bis-terpyridines ligands.     

Calix[4]arene bisphosphite ligands bearing two distal 2,2′-biphenyldioxy or 2,2′-binaphthyldioxy moieties: conformational flexibility and allyl-palladium complexes

Achiral and chiral calix[4]arene bisphosphite ligands (2 and 3) bearing two distal 2,2′-biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy and 2,2′-binaphthyldioxyphosphinoxy moieties, respectively, have been synthesized. Each of these ligands exists in two pairs of interconverting conformations in solution. The partial cone conformer (A) of the (bis)biphenyldioxyphosphinoxy ligand 2 has been separated by fractional crystallization and its structure established by X-ray crystallography. The mechanism of interconversion of the pairs of conformers (A/B and C/D) has been probed by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The ¹H and ³¹P NMR evidence strongly supports a similar kind of exchange mechanism for ligand 3. Freezing of the cone conformer from the interconverting C/D pair of conformers of ligand 2 has been achieved by complexation with (allyl)palladium moieties. The methyl-allyl complex (2d) is moderately effective for catalytic regioselective allylic alkylation of crotyl acetate.     

Hierarchical self-assembly of 3D amphiphilic discrete organoplatinum(Ⅱ)metallacage in water

Here we described the design and synthesis of a discrete 3D amphiphilic metallacage 4,in which the tetragonal prismatic frameworks act as the hydrophobic cores and the poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)chains as the hydrophilic tails.The structure of 4 was characterized by 1H NMR,31P NMR and electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(ESI-TOF-MS).Notably,4 with its Iong PEG tails was subsequently ordered into micelles at a low concentration(1.20×10^-6 mol/L)in water.As the concentration and cultivation time increased,the micelles can further self-assembly into nanofibers and nanoribbons.Considering the dynamic property of the coordination bond,these structures show reversible transformation under external stimuli.     

Tertiary stibines containing aromatic heterocycles and their silver complexes: synthesis and X-ray structures

The work presents the synthesis of tertiary stibines containing heterocyclic aromatic groups of general formula (2-C₄H₃X)₃Sb where X=S (1), O (2) or NMe (3). These stibines were brominated to give corresponding dibromide and were complexed with silver(I) nitrate. The stibines, dibromides and their silver complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV, mass, ¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HETCOR NMR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of (2-C₄H₃S)₃Sb (1); (2-C₄H₃S)₃SbBr₂ (4) and {Ag[(2-C₄H₃S)₃Sb]₂}NO₃ (6) were determined by X-ray spectroscopy. This is the first X-ray crystallographic report on stibines containing heterocyclic aromatic groups and their silver complexes. The stibine (1) is pyramidal while its dibromide has trigonal bipyramidal structure. The silver complex (6) has a polymeric nature with NO₃⁻ acting as a bridging ligand.     

Synthesis and resolution of benzylisopropylphenylphosphine,a monodentate P-chiral ligand

The synthesis of benzylisopropylphenylphosphine by reaction between the benzylphenylphosphide anion and isopropyl chloride and its subsequent resolution by means of an optically active palladium metallacycle is reported. The synthesis of the organometallic complex [Pd(η³-2-MeC₃H₄)Cl(PBnⁱPrPh)] is also described, as well as the assignment of the absolute configuration of the coordinated phosphine by mono- and bidimensional proton NMR spectra, using the homochiral palladacycle as a reference point. In order to estimate the height of the energy barrier corresponding to the rotation of the phosphine ligand around the PdP bond, several calculations were performed at the semiempirical PM3(tm) level.     

Hydrogen-bonding-induced oligoanthranilamide foldamers. Synthesis, characterization, and complexation for aliphatic ammonium ions

The self-assembly of a novel series of intramolecular hydrogen bonding-driven foldamers have been described. Five linear aromatic amide oligomers 1-5, which bear two to six repeating benzoyl amide subunits, respectively, have been prepared by continuous amide-coupling reactions. The existence of three-centered hydrogen bonds in the oligomers and consequently, the folding conformation of the oligomers in the solid state and solution have been proved by the X-ray analysis (for 2) and the ¹H NMR and IR experiments. Molecular modeling reveals a planar and rigid conformation for the oligomers and a cavity of 0.86 nm in diameter for 6-mer 5. Fluorescent and ¹H NMR experiments have demonstrated that the new aromatic oligo-amide foldamers can bind primary and secondary alkyl ammonium ions in chloroform and the associated binding constants have been determined. It is revealed that 5-mer 4 exhibits the largest binding ability. A face-to-face binding mode has been proposed for the complexes.     

Five-coordinate pentafluorobenzothiolate osmium(IV) complexes [Os(SC6F5)4(P(C6H4X-4)3)] (X = OCH3, CH3, F, Cl or CF3): Solid and solution structural characterization

The reactions of OsO₄ with excess of HSC₆F₅ and P(C₆H₄X-4)₃ in ethanol afford the five-coordinate compounds [Os(SC₆F₅)₄(P(C₆H₄X-4)₃)] where X = OCH₃ 1a and 1b, CH₃ 2a and 2b, F 3a and 3b, Cl 4a and 4b or CF₃ 5a and 5b. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1 to 5 exhibit a common pattern with an osmium center in a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination arrangement. The axial positions are occupied by mutually trans thiolate and phosphane ligands, while the remaining three equatorial positions are occupied by three thiolate ligands. The three pentafluorophenyl rings of the equatorial ligands are directed upwards, away from the axial phosphane ligand in the arrangement “3-up” (isomers a). On the other hand, ³¹P{¹H} and ¹⁹F NMR studies at room temperature reveal the presence of two isomers in solution: The “3-up” isomer (a) with the three C₆F₅-rings of the equatorial ligands directed towards the axial thiolate ligand, and the “2-up, 1-down” isomer (b) with two C₆F₅-rings of the equatorial ligands directed towards the axial thiolate and the C₆F₅-ring of the third equatorial ligand directed towards the axial phosphane. Bidimensional ¹⁹F–¹⁹F NMR studies encompass the two sub-spectra for the isomers a (“3-up”) and b (“2-up, 1-down”). Variable temperature ¹⁹F NMR experiments showed that these isomers are fluxional. Thus, the ¹⁹F NMR sub-spectra for the “2-up, 1-down” isomers (b) at room temperature indicate that the two S-C₆F₅ ligands in the 2-up equatorial positions have restricted rotation about their C–S bonds, but this rotation becomes free as the temperature increases. Room temperature ¹⁹F NMR spectra of 3 and 5 also indicate restricted rotation around the Os–P bonds in the “2-up, 1-down” isomers (b). In addition, as the temperature increases, the ¹⁹F NMR spectra tend to be consistent with an increased rate of the isomeric exchange. Variable temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR studies also confirm that, as the temperature is increased, the a and b isomeric exchange becomes fast on the NMR time scale.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of a new bipyridine-bipyrazoyl(pyridine)-thiocyanato-ruthenium(II) complex

The complex [Ru(II)(dcbpyH₂)(bdmpp)NCS](PF₆) (1) (where dcbpyH₂ is 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid, bdmpp is 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-N-pyrazoyl)pyridine,) is synthesized and characterized extensively by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR 1D and 2D, mass spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption spectroscopy and IR. The half-wave potential of the Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox couple was measured at E_1/2=+0.795 V versus Ag/AgCl in CH₃CN. The complex presents three intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) (d_M→π_L*) absorption bands centered at 383 (=21 300 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹), 432 (=22 400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and 475 nm (=23 400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹), respectively. The absorbance is extremely strong between 400 and 500 nm and even at 620 nm, the extinction coefficient is still high (=3768 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The strong π-acceptor property of the trans-isothiocyanate ligand compared with the Cl⁻ ligand is probably the cause of the blue-shift observed in complex 1. These properties make the complex potentially promising for the photosensitization process. The incorporation of TiO₂ photoelectrodes derivatized with this complex into a solar cell using a composite polymer/inorganic oxide solid-state electrolyte confirmed its sensitizing ability. Incident monochromatic photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) values of about 30% and overall energy conversion efficiency (η) of 1.7% were obtained.     

Ligand-Facilitated Reductive Coupling of Benzyl Chlorides with Aryl Chlorides Catalyzed by Well-Defined Heteroleptic Ni (II)-NHC Complexes

Novel heteroleptic Ni (II) complexes bearing a highly hindered yet flexible IPr^* ligand, Ni (IPr^*)(PPh₃)Br₂ ( 1 ) and Ni (IPr^*)(PCy₃)Br₂ ( 2 ) (IPr^* = 1,3-bis(2,6-bis (diphenylmethyl)-4-methylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), were easily prepared in 78% and 89% yield, respectively. Both were characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy, and 1 was subjected to X-ray crystallography. Compared with 2 and its analogue bearing a less sterically demanding IPr ligand (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), complex 1 exhibited superior catalytic activity in the magnesium-mediated reductive coupling of benzyl chlorides with aryl chlorides, featuring outstanding tolerance of both coupling partners with steric demand. This study discloses a ligand-facilitated reductive coupling of benzyl chlorides with aryl chlorides, which provides a new and practical synthetic tool for the synthesis of diarylmethanes.