Theoretical studies on structures and spectroscopic properties of bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes [Ir(ppy)2X2]

The electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of a series of mixed bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes [Ir(ppy)₂X₂]⁻ (X = CN, 1; X = NCS, 2; X = NCO, 3; ppy = 2-phenylpyridl) were investigated at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ and CIS/LANL2DZ levels. The calculated geometry parameters in the ground state are well consistent with the corresponding experimental values. The HOMO of 1 is dominantly localized on Ir atom and ppy ligand, but the HOMO of 2 and 3 have significant X ligand composition. Under the TD-DFT level with PCM model, the absorption and phosphorescence in CH₂Cl₂ media were calculated based on the optimized geometries in the ground and excited states, respectively. The lowest-lying absorption of 1 at 403 nm is attributed to {[d_x²-y²(Ir)+d_xy(Ir)+π(ppy)]→[π^∗(ppy)]} transition with metal-to-ligand and intraligand charge transfer (MLCT/ILCT) transition characters, whereas those of 2 (449 nm) and 3 (475 nm) are related to {[d_x²-y²(Ir)+d_xy(Ir)+π(ppy)+π(NCS/NCO)]→[π^∗(ppy)]} transition with MLCT/ILCT and ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) transition characters. The phosphorescence of 1 at 466 nm can be described as originating from ³{[d_x²-y²(Ir)+d_xy(Ir)+π(ppy)][π^∗(ppy)]} excited state, while those of 2 (487 nm) and 3 (516 nm) originate from ³{[d_x²-y²(Ir)+d_xy(Ir)+π(ppy)+π(NCS/NCO)][π^∗(ppy)]} excited states. The calculated results showed that the transition character of the absorption and emission can be changed by adjusting the π electron-accepting abilities of the X ligands and the phosphorescent color can be tuned by altering the X ligands.     

Syntheses and molecular structures of 18/16-electron half-sandwich iridium(III) complexes with chelating anilido-imine ligands

A 18-electron complex Cp^∗IrCl[o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p) (CHNC₆H₃-Me-p)] (Cp^∗ = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) (1a) was obtained by the reaction of the lithium salt of o-C₆H₄N (C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNHC₆H₃-Me-p) (L₁) with [Cp^∗IrCl(μ-Cl)]₂ in toluene. However, when bulkier ligands (L₂ = o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNHC₆H₃-i-Me₂-2,6), L₃ = o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p) (CHNHC₆H₃-i-Pr₂-2,6)) were employed in the same reaction, two 16-electron complexes {Cp^∗Ir[o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNC₆H₃-i-Me₂-2,6)]}⁺Cl⁻ (2b) and {Cp^∗Ir[o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p)(CHNC₆H₃-i-Pr₂-2,6)]}⁺Cl⁻ (3b) were formed. A 16-electron complex {Cp^∗Ir [o-C₆H₄N(C₆H₃-Me-p) (CHNC₆H₃-Me-p)]}⁺SO₃ CF⁻₃ (1b) bearing L₁ could be achieved by the reaction of 1a with AgSO₃CF₃ in CH₃CN solution. The molecular structures of 1a and 2b were determined by X-ray crystallography. Theoretical calculations of all the 18/16-electron species were performed to study their bonding characters and electronic properties. Electron donating effect of Cp^∗ and steric effect of anilido-imine ligand were considered as major factors in the formation of coordinative unsaturated complexes 1b, 2b, 3b.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Photophysical Properties of Iridium(III) Bis‐cyclometallated Complexes Containing 1,1‐Dithiolates

A series of neutral Ir(III)‐based heteroleptic complexes with a formula of [Ir(η²‐(C^∧N))₂(η²‐(S^∧S))] ((C^∧N)^‐ = ppy^‐, (S^∧S)^‐ = Et₂NCS₂^‐ ( 2a ), MeOCS₂^‐ ( 2b ), EtOCS₂^‐ ( 2c ), ⁱPrOCS₂^‐ ( 2d ); (C^∧N)^‐ = tpy^‐, (S^∧S) = Et₂NCS₂^‐ ( 3a ), MeOCS₂^‐ ( 3b ), EtOCS₂^‐ ( 3c ), ⁱPrOCS₂^‐ ( 3d ); (C^∧N)^‐ = epb^‐ , (S^∧S)^‐ = Et₂NCS₂^‐ ( 4a ), MeOCS₂^‐ ( 4a ), EtOCS₂^‐ ( 4a ); ppyH = 2‐phenylpyridine; tpyH = 2‐(4′‐tolyl)pyridine; epbH = ethyl 4‐(2′‐pyridyl)benzate) was synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of complex 2d was also determined. The electron‐releasing substituents on (C^∧N)^‐ or (S^∧S)^‐ blueshift λ_max values.     

Spectroscopic and structural characterization of cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes of the d-metals Rh(III) and Ir(III)

The syntheses of the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5) (M = Rh(III), Ir(III); aeaz = C₂H₄NC₂H₄NH₂, az = C₂H₄NH (3)) containing cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes are described. The bis-aziridine complexes [MCl(Cp^∗)(az)₂]Cl (M = Rh (1), M = Ir (2)) react with an excess of the aziridine (az) in the presence of AgO₃SCF₃ (=AgOTf) via AgCl precipitation and az addition followed by a metal-mediated coupling reaction, to give the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5). The new aeaz ligand is formally the dimerisation product of az. Using the same reaction conditions with the analogous, but weaker Lewis acidic ruthenium(II) complex [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]Cl (6) an anion exchange reaction yielding [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]OTf (8) is observed. After purification, all compounds are fully characterized using IR, FAB-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals a distorted octahedral geometry for all complexes.     

Theoretical study on the spectroscopic properties and electronic structures of heteroleptic phosphorescent Ir(III) complexes

The geometries, spectroscopic and electronic structures properties of a series of heteroleptic phosphorescent Ir(III) complexes including N981, N982, N983, N984 have been characterized by density functional theory calculations. The excited‐state properties of the Ir(III) complexes have been characterized by CIS method. The ground‐ and excited‐state geometries were optimized at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ and CIS/LANL2DZ levels, respectively. By using the time‐dependent density functional theory method, the absorption and phosphorescence spectra were calculated based on the optimized ground‐ and excited‐state geometries, respectively. The results show that the absorption and emission data agree well with the corresponding experimental results. The calculated results also revealed that the nature of the substituent at the 4‐position of the pyridyl moiety can influence the distributions of HOMO and LUMO and their energies. In addition, the charge transport quality has been estimated approximately by the calculated reorganization energy (λ). Our result also indicates that the positions of the substitute groups not only change the transition characters but also affect the charge transfer rate and balance, and complex N982 is a very good charge transfer material for green OLEDs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Syntheses, structures and catalytic activity of copper(II) complexes with hydroxyindanimine ligands

A series of new hydroxyindanimine ligands [ArNCC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)OH] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, R = H (HL¹), R = Cl (HL²), and R = Me (HL³)) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of hydroxyindanimine with Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O results in the formation of the mononuclear bis(hydroxyindaniminato)copper(II) complexes Cu[ArNCC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₂ (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, R = H (1), R = Cl (2), and R = Me (3)). The complex 2′ was obtained from the chlorobenzene solution of the complex 2, which has the same molecule formula with the complex 2 but it is a polymorph. All copper(II) complexes were characterized by their IR and elemental analyses. In addition, X-ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 1, 2, and 2′. After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), complexes 1-3 can be used as catalysts for the vinyl polymerization of norbornene with moderate catalytic activities. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene have been investigated for various reaction conditions.     

Cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes containing N-aryl picolinamide ancillary ligands

The reaction of the cyclometalated chloro-bridged iridium(III) dimer, [(ppy)₂ Ir(μ-Cl)]₂ (ppy - 2-phenyl pyridine) with N-aryl picolinamides (LH, LH-NO₂, LH-CH₃, LH-l, LH-F) resulted in the formation of neutral heteroleptic complexes [Ir(ppy)₂L] (1), [Ir(ppy)₂L-NO₂](2), [Ir(ppy)₂L-CH₃](3), [Ir(ppy)₂L-Cl](4) and [Ir(ppy)₂L-F] (5). These complexes contain a six-coordinate iridium with a 2C, 4N coordination environment. The N-aryl picolinamide ligands are deprotonated during complexation and the resulting amidates bind to iridium in a chelating manner (N, N). Optical spectroscopic studies revealed that the complexes 1-5 exhibited intense π→π^∗ absorptions in the ultraviolet region. In addition low energy transitions due to ¹MLCT, ¹LLCT and ³MLCT are also seen. The emission spectra of 1-5, upon excitation at 450 nm, show a single emission with a λ_max around 513 nm. The lifetimes of this emission are in between 7.4 and 9.6 μs while the quantum yields are quite high and range from 0.2 to 0.5. Based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations on 1 and 3, the three highest occupied orbitals are composed of ligand π orbitals mixed with Ir-d orbitals while the three lowest unoccupied orbitals are mostly π orbitals of the ligands. From the time dependent DFT calculations it is revealed that the lowest energy electronic singlet and triplet excitations are a mixture of MLCT and LLCT.     

DFT/TD‐DFT investigation on Ir(III) complexes with N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands: Geometries,electronic structures,absorption, and phosphorescence properties

Iridium(III) complexes with N‐heterocyclic (NHC) ligands including fac‐Ir(pmb)₃ (1), mer‐Ir(pmb)₃ (2), (pmb)₂Ir(acac) (3), mer‐Ir(pypi)₃ (4), and fac‐Ir(pypi)₃ (5) [pmb = 1‐phenyl‐3H‐benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidene, acac = acetoylacetonate, pypi = 1‐phenyl‐5H‐benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidene; fac = facial, mer = meridional] were investigated theoretically. The geometry structures of 1–5 in the ground and excited state were optimized with restricted and unrestricted DFT (density functional theory) methods, respectively (LANL2DZ for Ir atom and 6‐31G for other atoms). The HOMOs (highest occupied molecular orbitals) of 1–3 are composed of d(Ir) and π(phenyl), while those of 4 and 5 are contributed by d(Ir) and π(carbene). The LUMOs (lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals) of 1, 2, 4, and 5 are localized on carbene, but that of 3 is localized on acac. The calculated lowest‐lying absorptions with TD‐DFT method based on Perdew‐Burke‐Erzenrhof (PBE) functional of 1 (310 nm), 2 (332 nm), and 3 (347 nm) have ML_carbeneCT/IL_{phenyl→carbene}CT (MLCT = metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer; ILCT = intraligand charge transfer) transition characters, whereas those of 4 (385 nm) and 5 (389 nm) are assigned to ML_carbeneCT/IL_{carbene→carbene}CT transitions. The phosphorescences calculated by TD‐DFT method with PBE0 functional of 1 (386 nm) and 2 (388 nm) originate from ³ML_carbeneCT/³IL_{phenyl→carbene}CT excited states, but those of 4 (575 nm) and 5 (578 nm) come from ³ML_carbeneCT/³IL_{carbene→carbene}CT excited states. The calculated results showed that the carbene and phenyl groups act as two independent chromophores in transition processes. Compared with 1 and 2, the absorptions of 4 and 5 are red‐shifted by increasing the effective π‐conjugation groups near the C_carbene atom. We predicated that (pmb)₂Ir(acac) is nonemissive, because the LUMO of 3 is contributed by the nonemissive acac ligand. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Synthesis, characterisation and biological activity of gold(III) catecholate and related complexes

The reactions of the cyclometallated gold(III) complexes [LAuCl₂] [L=2-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl, 2-benzylpyridyl or 2-anilinopyridyl] with catechol, tetrachlorocatechol, or the cyclic α,β-diketone SCH(CO2Et)C(O)C(O)CH(CO2Et) give stable complexes containing five-membered Au-O-C-C-O rings. These represent the first examples of well-characterised gold(III) catecholate complexes. Similarly, reactions with 2-acetamidophenol [HOC₆H₄NHC(O)CH₃] give complexes with the related AuNCCO ring. The complexes were characterised by NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, elemental microanalysis, and in the case of the complex [(2-benzylpyridyl)Au{OC₆H₄NC(O)CH₃}] by an X-ray crystal structure determination. Several complexes show high activity towards P388 murine leukemia cells.     

Uranyl(VI) complexes of [O,N,O,N′]-type diaminobis(phenolate) ligands: Syntheses,structures and extraction studies

The syntheses and crystal structures of four new uranyl complexes with [O,N,O,N′]-type ligands are described. The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and the phenolic ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-N′,N′-dimethylethylenediamine)], H₂L1 in a 1:2 molar ratio (M to L), yields a uranyl complex with the formula [UO₂(HL1)(NO₃)] · CH₃CN (1). In the presence of a base (triethylamine, one mole per ligand mole) with the same molar ratio, the uranyl complex [UO₂(HL1)₂] (2) is formed. The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and the ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylbenzyl)-N′,N′-dimethylethylenediamine)], H₂L2, yields a uranyl complex with the formula [UO₂(HL2)(NO₃)] · 2CH₃CN (3) and the ligand [N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)amine], H₂L3, in the presence of a base yields a uranyl complex with the formula [UO₂(HL3)₂] · 2CH₃CN (4). The molecular structures of 1–4 were verified by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 1–4 are zwitter ions with a neutral net charge. Compounds 1 and 3 are rare neutral mononuclear [UO₂(HLn)(NO₃)] complexes with the nitrate bonded in η²-fashion to the uranyl ion. Furthermore, the ability of the ligands H₂L1–H₂L4 to extract the uranyl ion from water to dichloromethane, and the selectivity of extraction with ligands H₂L1, H₃L5 (N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-3-amino-1-propanol), H₂L6 · HCl (N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-1-aminobutane · HCl) and H₃L7 · HCl (N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-6-amino-1-hexanol · HCl) under varied chemical conditions were studied. As a result, the most efficient and selective ligand for uranyl ion extraction proved to be H₃L7 · HCl.     

Cationic half-sandwich complexes (Rh, Ir, Ru) containing 2-substituted-1,8-naphthyridine chelating ligands: Syntheses, X-ray structure analyses and spectroscopic studies

Reactions of the dinuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (arene = C₆H₆, p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Rh, Ir) with 2-substituted-1,8-naphthyridine ligands, 2-(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (pyNp), 2-(2-thiazolyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (tzNp) and 2-(2-furyl)-1,8-naphthyridine (fuNp), lead to the formation of the mononuclear cationic complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (1); tzNp (2); fuNp (3)}, [(η⁶-p-ⁱPrC₆H₄Me)Ru(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (4); tzNp (5); fuNp (6)}, [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (7); tzNp (8); fuNp (9)} and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(L)Cl]⁺ {L = pyNp (10); tzNp (11); fuNp (12)}. All these complexes are isolated as chloro or hexafluorophosphate salts and characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectrometry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The molecular structures of [1]Cl, [2]PF₆, [4]PF₆, [5]PF₆ and [10]PF₆ have been established by single crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes Containing Semicarbazone Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization, Photophysical and Biological Studies

The synthesis, crystal structure, photophysical properties, and biological activity of the novel bis‐cyclometalated complexes [Ir(ptpy)₂(vnsc)] ( 2 ) and [Ir(ptpy)₂(acsc)] ( 3 ) [ptpy = 2‐(p‐tolyl)pyridinato, vnsc = vanillin semicarbazone, acsc = acetone semicarbazone] are described. The new compounds were prepared by the reaction of [{Ir(μ‐Cl)(ptpy)₂}₂] ( 1 ) with the corresponding semicarbazone ligands under basic conditions. The molecular structure of compound 3 was confirmed by a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study. The complex crystallized from chloroform as a mono‐ solvate in the orthorhombic space group Pcab with eight molecules in the unit cell.     

The Re(I) coordination chemistry of a series of pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine-derived ligands: Syntheses,characterisation and crystal structures

Reaction of 2,3-diaminopyridine with one equivalent of a functionalised vicinal diketone, in ethanol, yields a series of ligands based upon the pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine core. The ligands were characterised by ¹H, ¹³C–{¹H} NMR, MS and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Reaction of the ligands with one equivalent of {ReBr(CO)₅} gave a series of Re-Lⁿ complexes based upon the general formula fac-{ReBr(CO)₃(L)} (where L = pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine-derived ligands, L¹–L⁶). Solution IR studies confirmed the retention of the facially capped, tri-carbonyl coordination geometry at rhenium, and ¹H NMR studies confirmed coordination of the ligand to Re(I). EI HR MS data were obtained for each complex confirming the proposed formulation and stoichiometry. Single crystal X-ray structures were obtained for three of the complexes (Re-L¹, Re-L², Re-L⁶), with each demonstrating that the ligands coordinate to Re(I) in a bidentate manner, via a four-membered chelate ring, which was unsymmetrical in the former two cases. The electronic absorption spectra of the complexes showed absorption into the visible region ca. 375–500 nm, (the complexes are orange-red in appearance). Following irradiation at 350–450 nm, the complexes display a solid-state broad emission peaking between 600–700 nm. The complexes were not sufficiently luminescent in solution to allow further investigation into the origin of this emission band, although with reference to related 1,8-naphthyridine complexes of Re(I) it is likely to incorporate significant ³MLCT character.     

DNMR, DFT and preparative study on the conformation of (Z)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-e]benzo[g][1,5]diazonin-8-ones and (Z)-4,5-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-d]benzo[f][1,4]diazocin-7(6H)-ones

By means of base-catalyzed ring enlargement of triazaindenoindenes and pentalenoindenes obtained from anhydride-induced ring transformation of 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrimido- and 2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]phthalazinium-olates, respectively, a series of pyrazolo[1,5-e]benzo[g][1,5]diazonin-8-ones and pyrazolo[1,5-d]benzo[f][1,4]diazocin-7(6H)-ones were obtained. Alternative pathways and energetics for the ring inversion of symmetrically substituted medium-size ring systems were determined by combined use of DNMR measurements and B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) calculations using the IEFPCM solvent model. One pyrazolobenzodiazonine carrying hydrogen at the C1 position was found to undergo facile ring inversion by a two-step mechanism, while 1-Me and 1-Ph substituents rendered complete rigidity to this ring system. A three-step mechanism was revealed for the ring inversion of the two studied pyrazolobenzodiazocines with energetics practically invariant to the investigated C1-substituents (H and Me). The attempted RCM of the N,O-diallyl derivative of a selected rigid model effected by Grubbs II catalyst led to deallylation and olefin isomerization avoiding the formation of bridged products with enhanced skeletal strain. A tolerable degree of ring strain associated with negligible skeletal distortion could be introduced into the same benzodiazonine by N,O-dialkylation with 1,3-bis(bromomethyl)benzene.     

Synthetic, structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical studies of mixed sandwich Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes involving Cp* and tridentate macrocycles

The syntheses, structures, spectroscopy, and electrochemistry for six Ir(III) and Rh(III) mixed sandwich mononuclear complexes involving tridentate macrocycles and pentamethylcyclopentadienide (Cp*) are reported. The complexes are readily prepared by direct ligand substitution reactions from the dichloro bridged binuclear complexes, [{M(Cp*)(Cl)₂}₂]. All complexes have the general formula [M(L)(Cp*)]X₂ (M = Ir(III) or Rh(III), L = macrocycle, or Cl⁻) and exhibit a distorted octahedral structure involving three donor atoms from the macrocycle and the facially coordinating carbocyclic Cp* ligand. The complex cations include: [Rh(η⁵ -Cp*)(9S3)]²⁺ (1), [Rh(η⁵-Cp*)(9N3)]²⁺ (2), [Rh(η⁵-Cp*)(10S3)]²⁺ (3), [Ir(η⁵-Cp*)(9S3)]²⁺ (4), [Ir(η⁵-Cp*)(9N3)]²⁺ (5), and [Ir(η⁵-Cp*)(10S3)]²⁺ (6), where 9S3 = 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, 9N3 = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane, and 10S3 = 1,4,7-trithiacyclodecane. The structures for all six complexes are supported by ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, and five complexes are also characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography (complexes 1-5). The ¹H NMR splittings between the two sets of methylene protons for both the Rh(III) and Ir(III) 9S3 complexes are much larger (0.4 vs. 0.2 ppm) compared to those in the two 9N3 complexes. Similarly, the ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra in all four thioether complexes show that the ring carbons in the Cp* ligand are shifted by over 10 ppm downfield compared to the azacrown complexes. The electrochemistry of the complexes is surprisingly invariable and is dominated by a single irreversible metal-centered reduction near −1.2 V vs. Fc/Fc⁺.     

Novel structures of cyclometallated complexes of palladium(II) derived from terdentate ligands. Crystal and molecular structure of [Pd{C6H4C(H)=NCH2CH2CH2NMe2}(X)] (X=Cl, Br, I)

Treatment of N-(2-chlorobenzylidene)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (1) and N-(2-bromo-3,4-(MeO)₂-benzylidene)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (20) with tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) in toluene gave the mononuclear cyclometallated complexes [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(Cl)] (2) and [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(Br)] (21), respectively, via oxidative addition reaction with the ligand as a C,N,N terdentate ligand. Reaction of 2 with sodium bromide or iodide in an acetone–water mixture gave the cyclometallated analogues of 2, [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(Br)] (3) and [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(I)] (4), by halogen exchange. The X-ray crystal structures of 2, 3 and 4 were determined and discussed. Treatment of 2, 3, 4 and 21 with tertiary monophosphines in acetone gave the mononuclear cyclometallated complexes [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(L)(X)] (6: L=PPh₃, X=Cl; 7: L=PPh₃, X=Br; 8: L=PPh₃, X=I; 9: L=PMePh₂, X=Cl; 10: L=PMe₂Ph, X=Cl) and [Pd{3,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₂C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(L)(Br)] (22: L=PPh₃; 23: L=PMePh₂; 24: L=PMe₂Ph). A fluxional behaviour due to an uncoordinated CH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂ could be determined by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. Treatment of 2, 3 and 4 with silver trifluoromethanesulfonate followed by reaction with triphenylphosphine gave the mononuclear complex [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(PPh₃)][F₃CSO₃] (11) where the Pd–NMe₂ bond was retained. Reaction of 2, 3 and 4 with ditertiary diphosphines in a cyclometallated complex–diphosphine 2:1 molar ratio gave the binuclear complexes [{Pd[C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂](X)}₂(μ-L–L)][L–L=PPh₂(CH₂)₄PPh₂(dppb) (13, X=Cl; 14, X=Br; 15, X=I; L–L=PPh₂(CH₂)₅PPh₂(dpppe): 16, X=Cl; 17, X=Br; 18, X=I) with palladium–NMe₂ bond cleavage. Treatment of 2, 3 and 4 with ditertiary diphosphines, in a cyclometallated complex–diphosphine 2:1, molar ratio and AgSO₃CF₃ gave the binuclear cyclometallated complexes [{Pd[C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂]}₂(μ-L–L)][F₃CSO₃]₂ (11: L–L=PPh₂(CH₂)₄PPh₂(dppb), X=Cl; 12: L–L=PPh₂(CH₂)₅PPh₂ (dpppe), X=Cl). Reaction of 2 with the ditertiary diphosphine cis-dppe in a cyclometallated complex–diphosphine 1:1 molar ratio followed by treatment with sodium perchlorate gave the mononuclear cyclometallated complex [Pd{C₆H₄C(H)=NCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂}(cis-PPh₂CH=CHPPh₂–P,P)][ClO₄] (19).     

Syntheses,Structures, and Properties of Phosphorescent Iridium(III) Complexes Containing N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

The organic salts 1‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐3‐alkylbenzimidazolium halide (pm‐RbH ⁺X⁻) and 1‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐3‐alkylimidazolium halide (pm‐R′iH ⁺X′⁻) were prepared (where R = 4‐, 3‐, 2‐fluorobenzyl ( 4f , 3f , and 2f , respectively), 4‐, 3‐, 2‐chlorobenzyl ( 4c , 3c , and 2c , respectively); 4‐methoxybenzyl (4mo); 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzyl (f₅); benzyl (b); and methyl (m)); X = Cl and Br; R′ = benzyl (b) and methyl (m); and X′ = Cl and I. From these salts, heteroleptic Ir(III ) complexes containing one N ‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC ) ligand [Ir(κ²‐ppy)₂(κ²‐(pm‐Rb))]PF₆ (R = 4f, 1 (PF₆ ); 3f, 2 (PF₆ ); 2f, 3 (PF₆ ); f₅b, 4 (PF₆ ); 4c, 5 (PF₆ ); 3c, 6 (PF₆ ); 2c, 7 (PF₆ ); 4mo, 8 (PF₆ ); b, 9 (PF₆ ); m, 10 (PF₆ )) and [Ir(κ²‐ppy)₂(κ²‐(pm‐R′i))]PF₆ (R = b, 11 (PF₆ ); m, 12 (PF₆ )), were synthesized, and the crystal structures of 1 (PF₆ ), 2 (PF₆ ), 3 (PF₆ ), 5 (PF₆ ), 6 (PF₆ ), 7 (PF₆ ), 9 (PF₆ ), 10 (PF₆ ), and 12 (PF₆ ) were determined by X‐ray diffraction. The neutral NHC ligands 1‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐3‐alkylbenzimidazolin‐2‐ylidene (pm‐Rb) and 1‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐3‐alkylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene (pm‐R′i) of all cations were found to be involved in the intermolecular π−π stacking interactions with the surrounding cations in the solid state, thereby probably influencing the photophysical behavior in the solid state and in solution. The absorption and emission properties of all the complexes show only small variations.     

Synthesis,characterisation and crystal structures of three trinuclear cadmium(II) complexes with multidentate Schiff base ligands

Three novel Schiff base Cd(II) trimeric complexes, [Cd₃(L¹)₂(SCN)₂(CF₃COO)₂] (1), [Cd₃(L¹)₂(SCN)₂(HCONMe₂)] (2) and [Cd₃(L²)₂{N(CN)₂}₂] (3) have been prepared from two different symmetrical Schiff bases H₂L¹ and H₂L² (where H₂L¹ = N¹,N³-bis(salicylideneimino)diethylenetriamine, a potentially pentadentate Schiff base with a N₃O₂ donor set, and H₂L² = N¹,N³-bis(3-methoxysalicylideneimino)diethylenetriamine, a potentially heptadentate Schiff base with a N₃O₄ donor set). All the complexes have been synthesised under similar synthetic procedures and their crystal structures have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The ligands and their metal complexes have been characterised by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Among the three complexes, 1 and 3 are linear whereas 2 is a cyclic trimer. In 1 and 3, all the doubly phenoxo bridged Cd(II) metal centres are in a distorted octahedral environment. In complex 2, two of the three Cd(II) centres reside in a distorted octahedral environment and the remaining one enjoys a monocapped octahedral geometry. Altogether the variety in the bridging mode of two new salen-type ligands has been established through these complexes.     

Theoretical studies on structures and spectroscopic properties of a series of novel mixed-ligand Ir(III) complexes [Ir(Mebib)(ppy)X

The series of novel mixed-ligand iridium(III) complexes Ir(Mebib)(ppy)X (Mebib = bis(N-methylbenzimidazolyl)benzene and ppy = phenylpyridine; X = Cl, 1; X = -C[triple band]CH, 2; X = CN, 3) have been investigated theoretically to explore their electronic structures and spectroscopic properties. The ground and excited state geometries have been fully optimized at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ and CIS/LANL2DZ levels, respectively. The optimized geometry structural parameters agree well with the corresponding experimental results. The HOMO of 1 and 3 are mainly localized on the Ir atom, Mebib, and ppy ligand, but that of 2 has significant X ligand composition. Absorptions and phosphorescences in CH2 Cl2 media have been calculated using the TD-DFT level of theory with the PCM model based on the optimized ground and excited state geometries, respectively. The lowest lying absorptions of 1 and 3 at 444 and 416 nm are attributed to a {[d(yz)(Ir) + pi(Mebib) + pi(ppy)] --> [pi*(Mebib)]} transition with metal-to-ligand, ligand-to-ligand, and intra-ligand charge transfer (MLCT/LLCT/ILCT) character, whereas that of 2 at 458 nm is related to a {[d(yz)(Ir) + pi(Mebib) + pi(ppy) + pi(C[triple band]CH)] --> [pi*(Mebib)]} transition with MLCT/LLCT/ILCT and X ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (XLCT) transition character. The phosphorescence of 1 and 3 at 565 and 543 nm originates from the 3{[dy(yz)(Ir) + pi(Mebib) + pi(ppy)] [pi*(Mebib)]} excited state, while that of 2 at 576 nm originates from the 3{[d(yz)(Ir) + pi(Mebib) + pi(ppy) + pi(C[triple band]CH)] [pi*(Mebib)]} excited state. The calculation results show that the absorption and emission transition character can be changed by altering the pi electron-withdrawing ability of the X ligand and the phosphorescent color can be tuned by adjusting the X ligand.