Quantitative parameters for the sequestering capacity of polyacrylates towards alkaline earth metal ions

The complex formation constants of polyacrylic (PAA) ligands (1.4≤log N≤2.4, N=number of monomer units) with calcium and magnesium ions were determined in different ionic media at different ionic strengths, 0≤I≤1 mol l⁻¹, at t=25 °C. Experimental pH-metric data in the presence of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ were firstly analysed in terms of apparent protonation constants, log K^H*, using the “three parameter model” proposed by Högfeldt; differences in log K^H*, determined in different ionic media, were interpreted in terms of complex species formation. The only species present in the system M-PAA (M=Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺) is ML₂: attempts to find species of different stoichiometry were unsuccessful. The stability dependence of this species on ionic strength, on the degree of neutralisation (α) and on PAA molecular weight is discussed using empirical equations. The formation constant, log β₂, is significantly higher for Ca²⁺ than for Mg²⁺: at I=0.1 mol l⁻¹ (NaCl), log N=1.8 and α=0.5, log β₂^Ca=4.43 and log β₂^Mg=4.24. The formation of polyacrylate-alkaline earth metal complexes is discussed in the light of sequestering effects in natural waters.     

Revision of iron(III)–citrate speciation in aqueous solution. Voltammetric and spectrophotometric studies

A detailed study of iron (III)–citrate speciation in aqueous solution (θ = 25 °C, I_c = 0.7 mol L⁻¹) was carried out by voltammetric and UV–vis spectrophotometric measurements and the obtained data were used for reconciled characterization of iron (III)–citrate complexes. Four different redox processes were registered in the voltammograms: at 0.1 V (pH = 5.5) which corresponded to the reduction of iron(III)–monocitrate species (Fe:cit = 1:1), at about −0.1 V (pH = 5.5) that was related to the reduction of FeL₂⁵⁻, FeL₂H⁴⁻ and FeL₂H₂³⁻ complexes, at −0.28 V (pH = 5.5) which corresponded to the reduction of polynuclear iron(III)–citrate complex(es), and at −0.4 V (pH = 7.5) which was probably a consequence of Fe(cit)₂(OH)_x species reduction. Reversible redox process at −0.1 V allowed for the determination of iron(III)–citrate species and their stability constants by analyzing E_p vs. pH and E_p vs. [L⁴⁻] dependence. The UV–vis spectra recorded at varied pH revealed four different spectrally active species: FeLH (log β = 25.69), FeL₂H₂³⁻ (log β = 48.06), FeL₂H⁴⁻ (log β = 44.60), and FeL₂⁵⁻ (log β = 38.85). The stability constants obtained by spectrophotometry were in agreement with those determined electrochemically. The UV–vis spectra recorded at various citrate concentrations (pH = 2.0) supported the results of spectrophotometric–potentiometric titration.     

A study of complexation thermodynamic of humic acid with cadmium (II) and zinc (II) by Schubert's ion-exchange method

The complexation of humic acid from Azraq Oasis with two heavy metal ions Cd(II) and Zn(II) was investigated at pH 4 and 5 under constant ionic strength of 0.1 and at different temperatures (25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 °C). This investigation was done by using Schubert's ion-exchange equilibrium method, and its modified version.The derived conditional stability constants (log β_n) for these two metal-humate complexes were determined; they formed 1:1 and 1:2 complexes. It was found that the conditional stability constants (log β_n) increased by increasing pH and temperatures for all metal-humate complexes. It was found that the conditional stability constant log β₁ for Cd-humate is bigger than Zn-humate at all the desired temperatures and at pH 4 and 5.The derived constants and their temperature dependences have been used to calculate the corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS, the results indicate that the stability of these complexes derives from very favorable entropy.     

Versatility of an intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzoate group as a signaling subunit for anion recognition

The versatility of the 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzoate (DMAB) group embedded in host 1 as a signaling subunit for anion recognition was elucidated in terms of ¹H NMR, CD, and fluorescence studies. Host 1 showed 1:1 complexation with monovalent anions and stepwise 1:1 and 2:1 (host 1: anion) complexation with divalent phosphate anions. The binding constants between host 1 and anions were determined by means of ¹H NMR titrations in CD₃CN (HPO₄²⁻: log K_1:1=6.2, log K_2:1=4.9; H₂P₂O₇²⁻: log K_1:1=4.4, log K_2:1=1.8; AMP²⁻: log K_1:1>7, log K_2:1>5) and the affinity of host 1 toward divalent anions, HPO₄²⁻, H₂P₂O₇²⁻, and AMP²⁻, is stronger than that toward monovalent anions, NO₃⁻, BF₄⁻, ClO₄⁻, HSO₄⁻, and PF₆⁻. The CD exciton chirality studies of host 1 with divalent anions, HPO₄²⁻ and AMP²⁻, revealed that the two DMAB groups in the 2:1 complexes were arranged with negative chirality (counterclockwise). The dual fluorescence behavior of the DMAB group demonstrated not only the complexation stoichiometry but also the role(s) of the lipophilic countercation such as tetrabutylammonium and/or the hydrophilic residue in AMP during anion recognition.     

Ruthenium(III) complexes of amine-bis(phenolate) ligands as catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Twelve ruthenium(III) complexes bearing amine-bis(phenolate) tripodal ligands of general formula [Ru(L¹–L³)(X)(EPh₃)₂] (where L¹–L³ are dianionic tridentate chelator) have been synthesized by the reaction of ruthenium(III) precursors [RuX₃(EPh₃)₃] (where E = P, X = Cl; E = As, X = Cl or Br) and [RuBr₃(PPh₃)₂(CH₃OH)] with the tripodal tridentate ligands H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³ in benzene in 1:1 molar ratio. The newly synthesized complexes have been characterized by analytical (elemental and magnetic susceptibility) and spectral methods. The complexes are one electron paramagnetic (low-spin, d⁵) in nature. The EPR spectra of the powdered samples at RT and the liquid samples at LNT shows the presence of three different ‘g’ values (g_x ≠ g_y ≠ g_z) indicate a rhombic distortion around the ruthenium ion. The redox potentials indicate that all the complexes undergo one electron transfer process. The catalytic activity of one of the complexes [Ru(pcr-chx)Br(AsPh₃)₂] was examined in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones and was found to be efficient with conversion up to 99% in the presence of isopropanol/KOH.     

Challenges in modelling and optimisation of stability constants in the study of Cu-(TAPS)x-(OH)y system by polarography

This work describes the application of polarography, a technique scarcely used for modelling and optimisation of stability constants, in the study of copper complexes with [(2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl)amino]-1-propanesulfonic acid (TAPS). Direct current polarography (DCP), using low total copper ion and large total ligand to total copper concentration, enabled the full characterization of Cu-(TAPS)_x-(OH)_y system, whose complexation occurs in the pH range of copper hydrolysis and Cu(OH)₂ precipitation. Cu-(TAPS)_x-(OH)_y system was studied by DCP and glass electrode potentiometry (GEP) in aqueous solution at fixed total ligand to total metal concentrations ratios and varied pH values (25.0 °C; I = 0.1 M, KNO₃). The predicted model, as well as the overall stability constants values, are (as log β): CuL⁺ = 4.2, CuL₂ = 7.8, CuL₂(OH)⁻ = 13.9 and CuL₂(OH)₂²⁻ = 18.94. GEP only allowed confirming the stability constants for CuL⁺ and CuL₂ and was used to determine the pKa of TAPS, 8.342.Finally, a briefly comparative analysis between TAPS and other structural related buffers was done. Evaluation based on log β_CuL versus pKa revealed that TES, TRIS, TAPS and AMPSO coordinated via amino and hydroxymethylgroups forming a five-membered chelate ring. For BIS-TRIS and TAPSO, and possibly DIPSO, one or more five-membered chelate rings involving additional hydroxyl groups are also likely formed.     

Allosteric anion recognition by metal complexation of tris(bipyridine-imidazolium) ligand

A new tripodal imidazolium ligand 2 comprising three 2,2′-bipyridine-imidazolium subunits connected through a mesityl spacer has been synthesized and 1:1 complexes of 2 with Fe(II) and Ru(II) ions have been prepared. ¹H NMR spectroscopy including NOE analysis and molecular modeling study established that the complexes exist as a pseudocryptand type twisted structure in solution. The Fe(II) and Ru(II) complexes show strong 1:1 binding of Cl⁻, Br⁻, and I⁻ anions in MeCN-d₃ with a large enhancement of the guest selectivity (Cl⁻ > Br⁻ > I⁻) upon metal complexation.     

Iron(III) complexes of the tris-(3-aminopropyl) derivative of a 14-membered tetraazamacrocycle: Potentiometric,spectroscopic and electrochemical studies

The properties of the iron(III) complexes of the ditopic macrocyclic ligand with three aminopropyl pendant arms, L¹ = 3,7,11-tris-(3-aminopropyl)-3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene were investigated in aqueous solution. Potentiometric studies indicated the presence of mononuclear [FeH_hL¹]^h+3 (h = 0–3), and dinuclear [Fe₂L¹]⁶⁺, [Fe₂L¹(OH)]⁵⁺ and [Fe₂L¹(OH)₂]⁴⁺ complexes, and their stability constants were determined at 298.2 K and ionic strength 0.10 mol dm⁻³ in KNO₃. The log K values of mononuclear protonated species indicated the consecutive deprotonation of the aminopropyl arms, suggesting the nitrogen donor atoms from the macrocycle as the preferred coordination environment for the first metal centre, and the amines from the pendant arms for the second one. The dinuclear complex is formed at about 85% of the total amount of the metal ion for 2:1 Fe:L¹ ratio solutions at pH 4.0–4.5. The log K values of the deprotonation of dinuclear hydrolysed species are consistent with the presence of two water molecules directly bound to the metal centres. Spectroscopic UV–Vis and IR data for 2:1 Fe³⁺:L¹ ratio samples confirmed the existence of dinuclear and hydroxo dinuclear species. EPR spectra of these solutions were interpreted by an equilibrium of two high-spin d⁵ state of iron(III) species with different rhombic E/D distortions. Electrochemical studies also established the formation of mono- and dinuclear complexes, showing irreversible redox behaviour. The two metal centres on the dinuclear complexes have only weak interactions.     

Number of species in complexation equilibria of o-, m- and p-CAPAZOXS with Cd, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn ions by PCA of UV-vis spectra

A critical comparison of the selected derivative principal component analysis (PCA) methods on the absorbance matrix data concerning the complexation equilibria between o-CAPAZOXS and Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ or m-CAPAZOXS and Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ or p-CAPAZOXS and Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ at 25 °C is provided. As the number of complex species in a complex-forming equilibria mixture is an important step in spectral data treatment, the nine selected index functions for the prediction of the number of light-absorbing species that contribute to a set of spectra is critically tested by the PCA. An improved identification with the second SD(AE) or third derivative TD(AE) and derivative ratio function ROD(AE) for the average error criterion AE is preferred. After the number of various complexes formed the stability constants of species ML, ML₂ (and ML₃, respectively) type log β₁₁, log β₁₂ (and log β₁₃, respectively) for the system of o-CAPAZOXS (ligand L) with the metals (the standard deviation s(log β_pq) of the last valid digits is given in brackets) Cd²⁺ (6.39(5) and 11.51(9)), Pb²⁺ (4.24(2) and 9.01(2)) and Zn²⁺ (5.18(7) and 9.06(10)) and for the system of m-CAPAZOXS with Cd²⁺ (6.59(20) and 11.51(32)), Co²⁺ (7.19(6) and 12.19(8)), Ni²⁺ (7.64(7) and 13.39(12)) and Zn²⁺ (4.83(3) and 9.57(3)) and for the system of p-CAPAZOXS with Cd²⁺ (6.44(5), 10.99(10) and 14.57(25)) and Zn²⁺ (6.84(16), 13.05(29) and 18.74(43)) at 25 °C are estimated using SQUAD(84) nonlinear regression of the mole-ratio spectrophotometric data. The computational strategy is presented with goodness-of-fit tests and various regression diagnostics capable of proving the reliability of the chemical model proposed.     

Amino acid binding in water by a new guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole dication: the effect of the experimental conditions on complex stability and stoichiometry

The synthesis and binding properties of a new guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole dication 2 are reported, which efficiently binds alanine carboxylate with log K_ass = 3.9 in buffered water. Due to the increased charge density in this dication, the binding constant is five times larger than for the parent guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole monocation 1 (log K = 3.2). However, the experimental conditions for determining the binding constant significantly influence both complex stability and stoichiometry. With increasing amount of substrate added during the titration, the overall complex stability decreases due to the increasing ionic strength of the solution. Furthermore, the formation of 1:2 complexes between 2 and 7 becomes increasingly important. Therefore, for the comparison of binding data it has to be assured that exactly the same experimental conditions are used for their determination.     

Co(III) complexes of the type [(L)Co(O2CO)] (L = tripodal tetraamine ligand): Synthesis,structure, DFT calculations and Co NMR

The syntheses and characterisation of the Co(III) complexes [(L)Co(O₂CO)]ClO₄ (L = a tripodal tetraamine ligand = baep, abap, uns-penp, dppa, trpn) are reported. Geometric isomers are possible for all but the trpn complex, owing to the non-equivalence of the three arms on the tripodal ligand, and both NMR and X-ray crystallography are used to identify the single isomer formed. X-ray crystal structures of the complexes [(L)Co(O₂CO)]ClO₄ · xH₂O (L = baep, x = 0.5; L = abap, x = 0; L = uns-penp, x = 1; L = dppa, x = 0; L = trpn, x = 1) are reported; little variation is observed in the geometry of the carbonate chelate ring while significant lengthening of bonds and expansion of angles involving the cobalt ion occurs as the number of six-membered chelate rings in the complex cations increases. ⁵⁹Co NMR chemical shift data for the complexes show the expected linear relationship between λ_max, the wavelength of the lowest energy d–d transition, and γ, the magnetogyric ratio of the ⁵⁹Co nucleus. An excellent correlation between Δ, the d orbital splitting parameter, and δ(⁵⁹Co) also exists for these complexes. Rate data for the acid hydrolysis of [(L)Co(O₂CO)]⁺ (L = uns-penp, dppa) in 1.0 M HClO₄ differ by two orders of magnitude, and this is attributed to the differing steric accessibility of the endo O atoms in each complex. DFT calculations on the complexes reproduce the isomeric preferences, UV–Vis and ⁵⁹Co NMR spectroscopic data well, provided that solvent effects are included.     

An electrochemical and optical anion chemosensor based on tripodal tris(ferrocenylurea)

A neutral tripodal tris(ferrocenylurea) anion receptor has been designed that can electrochemically and optically recognize sulfate and phosphate anions. The binding of the tetrahedral anion induced distinct cathodic shifts of the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple in chloroform, whereas the UV/Vis spectrum of the receptor showed an increase in the d–d transition band upon addition of sulfate ions. Furthermore, the anion complexes (TBA)₂ ? [SO₄?L] ? H₂O ( 1 ) and TBA[F?L] ( 2 ; TBA=tetrabutylammonium ion) were isolated. Crystal structural analyses showed that the receptor in the two 1:1 (host/guest) complexes encapsulated sulfate or fluoride ions in the tripodal cavity through multiple hydrogen bonds. ¹H NMR spectroscopic and ESI mass‐spectrometric analysis revealed strong sulfate and fluoride binding in solution.     

Determining the stoichiometry and binding constants of inclusion complexes formed between aromatic compounds and β-cyclodextrin by solid-phase microextraction coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography

The complexation of native β-cyclodextrin (CD) and seven aromatic compounds, namely, phenetole, toluene, m-xylene, naphthalene, biphenyl, fluorene and phenanthrene, has been studied for first time utilizing a solid-phase microextraction (SPME)–high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The stoichiometries of the analyte:β-CD complexes were found to be either 1:1 or 1:2. The formation of 1:2 complexes was confirmed for naphthalene, biphenyl, fluorene, and phenanthrene only when utilizing relatively high concentrations of β-CD (up to 6.6 mM). The 1:2 stoichiometries were confirmed using the classical modified Benesi–Hildebrand (BH) method. The calculated binding constants for 1:1 stoichiometries (K₁) using the SPME method varied from 115.3 M⁻¹ for toluene to 3510 M⁻¹ for phenanthrene, whereas the corresponding values to the 1:2 stoichiometries (K₃) varied from 7.30 × 10⁵ M⁻² for biphenyl to 9.03 × 10⁶ M⁻² for naphthalene.     

Green synthesis of natural benzaldehyde from cinnamon oil catalyzed by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

The efficient synthesis of natural benzaldehyde from natural cinnamon oil catalyzed by 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HPβ-CD) in water under rather mild conditions has been developed. Various analysis methods, e.g., DSC, UV-vis, ¹H NMR, ROESY, and fluorescence measurements had been utilized to demonstrate formation of the 1:1 (molar ratio) complexes between 2-HPβ-CD and cinnamaldehyde. The inclusion equilibrium constant K_a was 928 M⁻¹ at 298 K. The inclusion complex activated the substrate and promoted the reaction selectivity. The yield for benzaldehyde could reach 70% under the optimized conditions (323 K, 5 h, 2% NaOH (w/v), cinnamaldehyde: 2-HPβ-CD=1:1 (molar ratio)). Further investigation on kinetics and solubilization revealed that the binding ability between 2-HPβ-CD and cinnamaldehyde is primarily responsible for the catalytic effects.     

Number of species in complexation equilibria of SNAZOXS or Naphtylazoxine 6S and Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) ions by PCA of UV-vis spectra

A critical comparison of the various PCA methods on the absorbance matrix data concerning the complexation equilibria between SNAZOXS and Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Zn²⁺ or Naphtylazoxine 6S and Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ at 25 °C is performed. The number of complex species in a complex-forming equilibria mixture is the first important step for further qualitative and quantitative analysis in all forms of spectral data treatment. Therefore, the accuracy of the nine selected index functions for the prediction of the number of light-absorbing components that contribute to a set of spectra is critically tested using the principal component PCA algorithm INDICES in S-Plus software. Four precise methods based upon a knowledge of the experimental error of the absorbance data and five approximate methods requiring no such knowledge are discussed. Precise methods always predict the correct number of components even a presence of the minor species in mixture. Due to the large variations in the index values and even at logarithmic scale they do not reach an obvious point where the slope changes. An improved identification with the second or third derivative and derivative ratio function for some indices is preferred. Behind the number of various complexes formed the stability constants of species ML, ML₂, (and ML₃, respectively) type log β₁₁, log β₁₂, (and log β₁₃, respectively) for the system of SNAZOXS (ligand L) with six metals (the standard deviation s(log β_pq) of the last valid digits are in brackets) Cd²⁺ (4.50(3), 8.36(7)), Co²⁺ (5.75(6), 9.79(9), 13.05(2)), Cu²⁺ (6.69(6), 11.40(7)), Ni²⁺ (6.44(8), 10.91(11), 15.07(10)), Pb²⁺ (5.63(5), 9.97(9)) and Zn²⁺ (5.11(3), 8.84(5)) and for system of Naphtylazoxine 6S with Cd²⁺ (6.08(4), 11.44(7), 16.06(11)), Cu²⁺ (7.80(8), 13.41(14)), Ni²⁺ (6.35(12), 11.43(19), 16.68(24)) and Zn²⁺ (7.01(8), 12.65(15)) at 25 °C are estimated with SQUAD(84) nonlinear regression of the mole-ratio spectrophotometric data. The proposed strategy of an efficient experimentation in a stability constants determination, followed by a computational strategy, is presented with goodness-of-fit tests and various regression diagnostics able to prove the reliability of the chemical model proposed.     

Comparison of synchronous and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy applied to the Eu(III)-fulvate complexation

The complexation of europium ion (Eu(III)) with a soil fulvic acid (FA) has been studied at pH 5 in 0.01 M NaClO₄ by different experimental methods, i.e. synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SyFS) and time resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). A series of SyFS quenching spectra was obtained by increasing the Eu(III) concentration and keeping the FA concentration constant. The emission spectra and fluorescence lifetimes of the Eu(III) bound to the FA were also measured by a TRLFS system using the same solution used in the SyFS spectral measurement. From the analysis of the fluorescence data obtained by the SyFS and the TRLFS using a non-linear least-squares method, the concentration of the binding sites (C_L) of the FA accessible for the Eu(III) and the corresponding conditional stability constants (log K) were estimated. The two different methods gave rise to constants being comparable with one another. The log K and C_L values (mean ± standard deviation of three determinations) determined by the SyFS were 6.4 ± 0.2 (6.7 ± 0.1 μmol L⁻¹: by the TRLFS) and 10 ± 1 μmol L⁻¹ (7 ± 1 μmol L⁻¹: by the TRLFS), respectively. The applicability of the FA fluorescence quenching techniques for estimating the europium binding parameters was proved by the direct monitoring of the Eu(III) bound to the FA using the TRLFS system.     

Peripheral and non-peripheral-designed multifunctional phthalocyanines; synthesis, electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry and metal ion binding studies

A novel type of ionophore ligands, 3′-(2,3-dihydroxypropylthio)-phthalonitrile and 4′(2,3-dihydroxypropylthio)-phthalonitrile, and their α- and β-tetrasubstituted metallo phthalocyanines, (MPc), (M = Zn^II, Co^II, Mn^IIICl, Fe^IIIAc, Cu^II) have been prepared and fully characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and MS (ESI and Maldi-TOF). The complexes are soluble in both polar and non-polar solvents, such as MeOH and EtOH, THF, CHCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂. The spectroscopic properties of the complexes are affected strongly by the electron-donating sulfanyl units on the periphery of the phthalocyanines. The cation binding properties of the complexes, for example using Ag^I and Pd^II, were evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the results show the formation of polynuclear phthalocyanine complexes. Functional donors on the periphery of the zinc and copper complexes coordinate to Ag^I and Pd^II to give ca. a 2:1 metal-phthalocyanine complex binding ratio for the concentration of 2.5 × 10⁻⁵ M (Pc) and 1.0 × 10⁻³ M (Metal ions). Voltammetric and in-situ spectroelectrochemical studies were performed to characterize the redox behavior of the complexes. An in-situ electrocolorimetric method was applied to investigate the colors of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes.     

Optical chloride sensor based on [9]mercuracarborand-3 with massively expanded measuring range

Bulk optodes for monovalent ions typically exhibit a relatively narrow measuring range of about two-orders of magnitude. Here, the measuring range was expanded to about six-orders of magnitude concentration change by optimizing a fluorescent chloride optical sensing film based on a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) film incorporating the halide-selective ionophore [9]mercuracarborand-3 and the H⁺-chromoionophore 9-dimethylamino-5-[4-(15-butyl-1,13-dioxo-2,14-dioxanonadecyl) phenyl-imino]benzo[a]phenox-azine (ETH 5418). This was achieved with the recently established two-step ionophore binding mechanism: the expanded sensing range sequentially makes use of the 1:2 and 1:1 binding stoichiometries between ionophore to chloride. The relevant complex formation constants were found here as log K₁=9.1 and log K₂=2.7, which are consistent with previously reported values. The selectivity of this optode is very good, with an excellent discrimination of thiocyanate and lipophilic anions such as salicylate, nitrate and perchlorate. As with earlier work, the main interferences are the other halides bromide and iodide.     

Compromise between conjugation length and charge-transfer in nonlinear optical η-monocyclopentadienyliron(II) complexes with substituted oligo-thiophene nitrile ligands: Synthesis, electrochemical studies and first hyperpolarizabilities

A systematic series of η⁵-monocyclopentadienyliron(II) complexes with substituted oligo-thiophene nitrile ligands of general formula [FeCp(P_P)(NC{SC₄H₂}_nNO₂)][PF₆] (P_P = dppe, (+)-diop; n = 1-3) has been synthesized and characterized. The electrochemical behaviour of the new compounds was explored by cyclic voltammetry. Quadratic hyperpolarizabilities (β) of the complexes with dppe coligands have been determined by hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) measurements at two fundamental wavelengths of 1.064 and 1.550 μm, to uncover the two-photon resonance effect and to estimate static β values. The obtained overall results are found to be better than for the related η⁵-monocyclopentadienyliron(II) complexes with p-benzonitrile derivatives. Although an increase of the resonant β at 1.064 μm with increasing number of thiophene units in the conjugated ligand was found (up to 910 × 10⁻³⁰ esu), the static values β₀ remain practically unchanged, as shown by the 1.550 μm measurements. Combined with the electrochemical and spectroscopic data (IR, NMR, UV-vis), this remarkable evolution of β shows that the increase of conjugation length is balanced by a decrease in charge-transfer efficiency.