Theoretical investigation on the white-light emission from a single-polymer system with simultaneous blue and orange emission (Part II)

We report here a theoretical investigation of the white-light emission from a single-polymer system with simultaneous blue (polyfluorene as a blue host) and orange (2,1,3-benzothiadiazole(BTD)-based derivative as an orange dopant) emission. With use of quantum-chemical approaches, our studies are focused on the variation in electronic and optical properties as a function of the chemical composition of the backbone in BTD-based derivatives. Furthermore, the results show that the electronic and optical properties of designed BTD-based derivatives can be tuned by the introduction of suitable electron-donating groups on terminal N,N-disubstituted amino groups, implying good candidates as orange dopants in WPLEDs with polyfluorene as a blue-light-emitting host. In addition, low reorganization energy values of holes or narrow differences between hole and electron transportations within the framework of the charge hopping model suggest designed BTD-based derivatives to be good hole transport or ambipolar transport materials in organic light-emitting diodes. It is also found that the designed BTD-based derivatives containing fluorene-based unit exhibit higher stability.     

Thiolato-bridged RuIIAgIRuII trinuclear complex composed of bis(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) units with chelating 2-aminoethanethiolate: conversion to a disulfide-bridged RuIIRuII dinuclear complex

The reaction of [Ru(solvent)2(bpy)2]2+ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) with Haet (2-aminoethanethiol) in ethanol/water in the presence of Ag+ gave a thiolato-bridged RuIIAgIRuII trinuclear complex, [Ag{Ru(aet)(bpy)2}2]3+, in which two [RuII(aet)(bpy)2]+ units are linked by an AgI atom. When this complex was treated with HCl in acetonitrile/water, a disulfide-bridged RuIIRuII dinuclear complex, [Ru2(cysta)(bpy)4]4+ (cysta = cystamine), was produced as a result of the removal of an AgI atom and the autoxidation of thiolato groups. It was found that the dinuclear structure in [Ru2(cysta)(bpy)4]4+ is reverted back to [Ag{Ru(aet)(bpy)2}2]3+ by treatment with Ag+ assisted by Zn reduction.     

Cu(II)- and Hg(II)-induced modulation of the fluorescence behavior of a redox-active sensor molecule

Here, we report on a fluorescent 1,2,4-thiadiazole derivative (oxidized form) and its reduced form, the corresponding iminoyl thiourea. The thiadiazole displays a strong modulation of its fluorescence behavior, selectively upon addition of Cu(II), while the iminoyl thiourea functions as a chemodosimeter for Hg(II). Additionally, the Cu(II)-thiadiazole complex is characterized by HRMS, and the Hg(II)-induced desulfurization of the iminoyl thiourea is monitored by mass spectrometry.     

Zinc(II) complexes of 4,4-oxybis(benzoate) and 2-propyl-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid with bipyridine

The reactions of dicarboxylic acids, such as 4,4-oxybis(benzoic acid) [H₂oba] and 2-propyl-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylate [H₃pimdc], under hydrothermal conditions in the presence of an appropriate zinc salt yield two mononuclear complexes, which are characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectrum, electrochemical analysis, thermal analysis, and X-ray crystal diffraction. Complex 1, [Zn(Hoba)₂(4,4′-bpy)₂], forms a 2-D supramolecular layer like rhombus via hydrogen bonds (O–H?···?N). Complex 2, [Zn(H₂pimdc)₂(2,2′-bpy)]?·?H₂O, forms a zig-zag chain via multiple hydrogen bonds and C–H?···?π interactions. The moderate hydrogen-bond interactions in 1 and 2 play an important role for structural stability. The electrochemical analyses of 1 and 2 reveal electron transfer of 1 is reversible and 2 is quasi-reversible.     

Diffusion and Reactivity of Ruthenium (II) Tris(bipyridine) and Cobalt (II) Tris(bipyridine) in Organically Modified Silicates

The diffusivity and reactivity of Ru(bpy)²⁺ ₃ and Co(bpy)²⁺ ₃ trapped within organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL) monoliths have been studied using electrogenerated chemiluminescence, voltammetry, and amperometry. For gel-encapsulated Ru(bpy)²⁺ ₃-tripropylamine, the shape and intensity of the luminescence-voltage curve was highly dependent on the amount of organoalkoxysilane introduced into the matrix. Likewise, for gel-encapsulated Co(bpy)²⁺ ₃, the magnitude of the diffusion coefficient and its rate of change with drying was also dependent on the organic modifier in the gel. A comparison of the results to those obtained with the gels prepared solely from tetramethoxysilane revealed enhanced diffusivity and reactivity of the reagents encapsulated in the ORMOSIL matrix.     

New chiral pi-conjugated polymers based on a (1R,2R)-diiminocyclohexane chiral unit with weak interchain pi stacking

New chiral pi-conjugated polymers consisting of alternating conjugated segments and (1R,2R)-diiminocyclohexane units with C2 symmetry were prepared by a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction, they exhibited very high specific optical rotations ([alpha] up to -3000 degrees) and strong Cotton effects ([theta] 10(6) deg cm2 mol-1).     

Syntheses and structures of three coordination polymers based on 4-methylbenzenethiolates of Zn(II) and Cd(II) and bipyridine

Using 4-methylbenzenethiolates of Zn or Cd as precursors and 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) as bridges, we have synthesized three new Zn(II)/Cd(II) coordination polymers, {[Cd(4,4′-bpy)₂(NCS)₂] · 2(SC₆H₄CH₃-4)₂} _n (1), {[Zn(4,4′-bpy)(SC₆H₄CH₃-4)₂] · DMF} _n (2) and {[Zn(4,4′-bpy)(SC₆H₄CH₃-4)₂] · H₂O · 0.5CH₃OH} _n (3). Compound 1 is a 2-D sheet-like square polymer in which four 4,4′-bpy ligands and two isothiocyanate ligands complete the octahedral Cd(II) coordination sphere. Compounds 2 and 3 have similar coordination around Zn(II), but have different polymer structures. In 2, Zn(II) centers are linked via a bidentate 4,4′-bipyridine to form 1-D twisted arched chains, which is a new structural type for Zn(II). Compound 3 has 1-D zigzag chains. The 2-D sheets in 1 and 1-D chains in 2 and 3 are assembled via intermolecular C–H ··· π and C–H ··· S interactions into 3-D supramolecular networks. C–H ··· S interactions are a vital factor in constructing the sulfur-containing coordination polymers. Different coordination modes and packing schemes in 1–3 show that the guest molecule has a critical influence on formation of polymers.     

Zinc(II) and PPi selective fluorescence OFF-ON-OFF functionality of a chemosensor in physiological conditions

A fluorescent chemosensor based on a quinoline derivative, L(2) (OFF state), selectively senses Zn(2+) by effective chelate-enhanced fluorescence (ON state), which further shows selectivity toward PPi over competing anions like Pi, AMP, and ATP via fluorescence quenching (OFF state) in a 100% aqueous HEPES buffer (pH 7.4). A plausible mode for the selective binding of PPi to 1 has been demonstrated by quantum mechanical density functional theory calculations and high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis.     

Post-coordination of multinuclear transitional metal clusters to azulene-based polymers: a novel strategy for tuning properties in pi-conjugated polymers

Direct treatment of azulene-thiophene copolymers with Ru(3)(CO)(12) led to unique examples of coordination of a multinuclear transition metal cluster to conjugated polymers. The polymer-metal cluster formation could be confirmed by (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies, and the coordination mode could be deduced from the crystallographic structure of model compounds. The composition of ruthenium carbonyl cluster could be used as a governing factor to tune the electronic, optical, and morphological properties of the organometallic polymers. [structure: see text]     

Zinc(II) and manganese(II) coordination polymers constructed by 2-naphthyl imidazole dicarboxylate: syntheses,structures and properties

Three coordination polymers [Zn(μ₃-HNIDC)(CH₃OH)]_n (H₃NIDC = 2-(2-naphthyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid) (1), [Mn(μ₂-HNIDC)(4,4′-bipy)]_n (4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) (2) and [Mn₂(μ₂-HNIDC)₂(phen)₂]_n (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) (3) have been solvothermally synthesised and structurally characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, thermal analyses and IR spectra. Polymer 1 displays a three-dimensional open architecture with one-dimensional (1D) channels. Polymer 2 exhibits a sheet structure containing infinite rectangles. Polymer 3 presents a 1D wave chain structure. The solid-state photoluminescence of 1 has been investigated as well.     

Nature of zinc(II)-induced ionochromic effect of bipyridine-containing conjugated polymers: an electrostatic interaction mechanism

To reveal the nature of the zinc(II)-ion-induced ionochromic effect of bipyridine (bpy)-containing pi-conjugated polymers, we proposed an electrostatic interaction mechanism to illustrate our recent experimental findings [Tian, L., et al. J. Phys. Chem. B 2005 109 (15), 6944]. Our theoretical analysis was based on the semiempirical (INDO/2) calculation of spectral properties and electronic structures of difluorene-substituted bpy model compounds. Our calculations show that the zinc(II)-induced ionochromic effect can be attributed to the electrostatic interaction between the zinc(II) ion and the polymer. Zinc(II) ion acts as a positive point charge with varied charge quantities, which is responsible for the red-shifted absorption spectra compared with those of the metal-free compound. The counterion ionochromic effect of the zinc(II) ion is also discussed. The proposed mechanism is possibly applied to the ionochromic effect induced by other metal ions such as Cd(II) and Hg(II).     

Thermal degradation pathways of nickel(II) bipyridine complexes to size-controlled nickel nanoparticles

Tris(bipyridine)nickel(II) chloride (1) and bis(bipyridine)nickel(II) chloride (2) pyrolize at heating rate of 50 °C/min to a maximum of 450 °C for 24 h under an inert atmosphere of flowing argon gas, to yield size-controlled nickel nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric studies of the complexes (1) and (2) and GC–MS analysis of the trapped volatile matter evolved during thermal degradation of the complexes indicate their clean decomposition pathway to zero-valent nickel. Both heating rate and argon gas flow rate affect purity, particle size, and shape of the particles. X-ray powder diffractometry and atomic force microscopy showed the formation of face-centered cubic (fcc) structured nickel particles having particle size in the range of 3.5–5.0 nm. Magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest nickel nanoparticles to be ferromagnetic in nature characterized by particle size–dependent Curie temperature and high coercivity that is comparable to the bulk iron.     

Design and controlled emission properties of bioorganometallic compounds composed of uracils and organoplatinum(II) moieties

The bioorganometallic platinum(II) compounds PtU6 and PtU5 were designed by the conjugation of the corresponding uracil derivative and the organoplatinum(II) compound [4-octyloxy-(C^N^N)PtCl]. The single crystal X-ray structure determination of PtU6 revealed the formation of the dimeric structure through intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the uracil moieties of two independent molecules, wherein each hydrogen-bonded dimer was connected through Pt(II)-Pt(II) and π-π interactions. The tuning of the emission properties of the organoplatinum(II) compounds was achieved by changing the direction of hydrogen bonding sites and the molecular scaffold having two 2,6-dihexamidopyridine moieties as a complementary hydrogen bonding site for the uracil moiety, which depends on the regulation of the aggregated structures, to induce the Pt(II)-Pt(II) and π-π interactions.     

Designing of the white-light emission from a single-polymer system: Quantum theoretical study

Quantum-chemical calculations are applied to study the white-light emission from a single-polymer system with simultaneous blue (polyfluorene as a blue host) and orange (2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-based derivative as an orange dopant) emissions. Particular attention is paid to the variation in electronic and optical properties upon the structure tuning in pristine 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-based derivative. Importantly, by the introduction of electron-donating groups on terminal N,N-disubstituted amino groups, the electronic and optical properties of designed 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-based derivative have been tuned, making them to be potential candidates as orange dopants in white organic light-emitting devices based on polymers with polyfluorene as a blue-light-emitting host. Furthermore, designed 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-based derivatives have a possibility to be good hole or ambipolar transport materials in organic light-emitting diodes from the charge hopping model. Finally, we find that the designed 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-based derivative exhibit improved stability.     

Vapour-adsorption and chromic behaviours of luminescent coordination polymers composed of a Pt(II)-diimine metalloligand and alkaline-earth metal ions

Four new bimetallic coordination polymers (CPs), {M[Pt(CN)(2)(5,5'-dcbpy)]·4H(2)O}(n) (M = Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+); 5,5'-H(2)dcbpy = 5,5'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine) were synthesized using four alkaline-earth metal ions and a Pt(II)-diimine metalloligand [Pt(CN)(2)(5,5'-H(2)dcbpy)]. All four CPs are isomorphous with the Zn complex, {Zn[Pt(CN)(2)(5,5'-dcbpy)]·4H(2)O}(n), which exhibits effective metallophilic interactions between Pt(II) ions. These CPs exhibited colourful thermochromic behaviour and solid-state solvatochromic-like behaviours when suspended in various solvents. Thermogravimetric analysis and vapour-adsorption measurements revealed that the CPs can reversibly adsorb water and MeOH vapours. The emission energy of the triplet metal-metal-to-ligand charge-transfer ((3)MMLCT) state varied markedly upon guest adsorption/desorption. The chromic and vapour-adsorption properties of these CPs depend strongly on the cross-linking M(2+) ions.     

Synthesis,structures, and fluorescence of two cadmium(II) coordination polymers with a semirigid bis-benzimidazole

Compounds [CdLCl₂] _n (1) and {[Cd(L)₂(ClO₄)]·ClO₄} _n (2), where L?=?1,3-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, have been synthesized by hydrothermal method, and characterized by element analysis, IR spectra, Powder XRD, and X-ray crystallographic diffraction. Cd(II) in 1 and 2 are both trigonal bipyramidal. Different cadmium salts of chloride and perchlorate lead to different configurations of [Cd₂L₂]²⁺, trans-form in 1 but trans and cis-forms in 2. The 1-D beaded chains of 1 are further linked to generate a 3-D supramolecular architecture by strong π–π stacking interactions as well as intermolecular C–H?···?Cl hydrogen bonds. In 2, the 1-D beaded chains are further assembled by intermolecular C–H?···?O hydrogen bonds to form a 2-D layer. Solid-state fluorescent properties of 1 and 2 were investigated at room temperature.     

Crystal structure and fluorescence/phosphorescence of two novel Cd(II) coordination polymers

Two novel Cd(II) coordination polymers [Cd₄(C₆H₄O₂N)₈(H₂O)₄]_n (1) and [Cd₂(C₁₀H₂O₈)(H₂O)₆]_n (2) have been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and structurally characterized. Crystal data: (1), orthorhombic, Pbca, a=11.4494(19) Å, b=12.0969(6) Å, c=17.4073(8) Å, V=2410.9(4) ų, Z=8, D _calc=2.064 g·cm⁻³; (2), triclinic, P , a=5.5962(7) Å, b=7.7758(6) Å, c=9.6975(10) Å, α=111.981(5)°, β=101.649(6)°, γ=98.240(5)°, V=371.95(7) ų, Z=2, D _calc=2.603 g·cm⁻³. Complex (1) possesses three-dimensional infinite structure, while complex (2) adopts two-dimensional layers and the layers are connected by the many types of hydrogen bonds, forming three-dimensional network. Study results of the photophysical properties show that both complexes can emit strong blue fluorescence and complex (1) also emits phosphorescence (λ ^pl _max=511 nm, τ=32 ms) in the solid state at room temperature.     

Novel cathodic electrochemiluminescence of tris(bipyridine) ruthenium(II) on a gold electrode in acidic solution

The novel phenomenon of cathodic electrochemiluminescence on a gold electrode in tris(bipyridine) ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3)(2+)) solution is described for the first time. A cathodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) was found to mainly occur at 0.4-0.8 V with continuous potential scanning from 0.2-1.4 V and the ECL peak was observed around 0.68 V, which was quite different from generally reported Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) ECL. Our group speculated that Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) possibly reacts with the gold electrode in the acidic phosphate buffer solution (PBS) to generate luminescence. The possible ECL mechanism was discussed according to the presented results. Moreover, it is revealed that the Au as co-reactant in the Ru-system contributed dominantly to the whole ECL. Therefore, the reaction between Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) and the newly formed Au implied that the inert metal Au could become a promising material for ECL investigations.     

Long-lived and temperature-independent emission from a novel ruthenium(II) complex having an arylborane charge-transfer unit

We report the redox, absorption, and emission characteristics of the tris(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)(3)](2+) bearing a (dimesityl)boryldurylethynyl (DBDE) charge-transfer (CT) unit at the 4 (4BRu(2+)) or 5 (5BRu(2+)) position of one of the three phen ligands. In acetonitrile at 298 K, 4BRu(2+) showed absorption and emission maximum wavelengths at 473 and 681 nm, respectively, which were shifted to longer wavelengths by 25 and 74 nm, respectively, compared with the relevant value of 5BRu(2+), 448 and 607 nm, respectively. The effects of a fluoride ion on the absorption and emission spectra of the complexes demonstrated that the CT interaction between the π-electron system in the phen ligand (π(aryl)) and the vacant p orbital on the boron atom (p(B)) in the DBDE group (i.e., π(aryl)-p(B) CT) participated in the excited states of the complexes in addition to the Ru(II)-to-phen metal-to-ligand CT (MLCT) interaction. Reflecting such synergistic MLCT/π(aryl)-p(B) CT, both 4BRu(2+) and 5BRu(2+) exhibited intense emission at 298 K with a quantum yield of 0.11. Furthermore, the emission lifetime of 4BRu(2+) was as long as 12 μs and almost independent of the temperature (T = 280-330 K). The present study indicated that the nonemissive dd excited triplet state did not participate to nonradiative decay in the MLCT excited triplet state of 4BRu(2+). The effects of the synergistic MLCT/π(aryl)-p(B) CT interactions on the redox, absorption/emission, and photophysical characteristics of 4BRu(2+) and 5BRu(2+) are discussed in detail.