A novel 4.6 5-connected metal-organic framework with strong fluorescent emission constructed by m-thioacetatebenzoic acid

A novel uninodal 5-connected metal-organic framework (MOF), [Cd₂L₂(4,4′-bipy)_3/2(H₂O)₂]_n (H₂L=m-thioacetatebenzoic acid and 4,4′-bipy=4,4′-bipyridine), was prepared under hydrothermal condition. It features an unusual brick-wall shape layer by 4,4′-bipy, which consists of right- and left-handed helical chains arrayed alternatively and finally expands by L^2- to a rare 5-connected nov (4⁴.6⁶) topology network. Photoluminescence study reveals that it displays intense structure-related fluorescent emission bands (λ_ex=355 nm) at 450 nm in the solid state at room temperature.     

Silver nitrate molecular species and coordination polymers with divergent supramolecular morphology constructed from hydrogen-bonding capable dipyridyl ligands

Solution phase reaction of silver nitrate with various hydrogen-bonding capable dipyridyl ligands has resulted in three 1-D coordination polymers and one discrete cationic species with diverse silver coordination spheres. [Ag(NO₃)(4,4′-dpk)]_n (1, 4,4′-dpk = 4,4′-dipyridylketone), {[Ag(4-bpmp)](NO₃) · 6H₂O} (2, 4-bpmp = bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine) and {[Ag₂(NO₃)(3-bpmp)(H₂O)₂]NO₃}_n (3, 3-bpmp = bis(3-pyridylmethyl)piperazine) all display 1-D coordination polymer chain or ribbon motifs. Long-range Ag?O interactions and/or hydrogen-bonding promote the formation of different supramolecular aggregations such as a 2-D double layer slab in 1, a threefold interpenetrated 3-D diamondoid network in 2, and a 2-D single layer in 3. Compound 2 manifests “infinite” 1-D T(5)2 water molecule tapes within its incipient voids. {[Ag(2,4′-pmpp)₂](NO₃) · H₂O} (4, 2,4′-pmpp = 2-pyridyl(4′-methylpyridyl)piperazine) contains discrete cationic species connected by nitrate-mediated Ag?O interactions into a supramolecular 1-D zig-zag chain. Complexes 1 and 4 undergo weak blue–violet luminescence upon irradiation with ultraviolet light.     

A two-fold interpenetrating 3D metal-organic framework material constructed from helical chains linked via 4,4′-H2bpz fragments

A 3-connected dia-f-type metal-organic framework compound {[Ag(L)_3/2H₂PO₄]}_n (1) has been synthesized by self-assembly of 4,4′-H₂bpz (L=4,4′-H₂bpz=3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-bipyrazole) and Ag₄P₂O₇ under hydrothermal conditions. It crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4₁/acd with a=21.406(4) Å, b=21.406(4) Å, c=36.298(8) Å, Z=32. X-ray single-crystal diffraction reveals that 1 has a three-dimensional framework with an unprecedented alternate left- and right-handed helices structure, featuring a non-uniform two-fold interpenetrated (4.14²) net. Photoluminescent investigation reveals that the title compound displays interesting emissions in a wide region, which shows that the title compound may be a good potential candidate as a photoelectric material.     

A series of metal-organic frameworks constructed with arenesulfonates and 4,4′-bipy ligands

Five transition metal compounds containing arenesulfonates and 4,4′-bipy ligands, namely [Zn₂(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)(N-4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₈](bpds)₂ · 5H₂O (1), [Ag₂(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)₂(bpds)] (2), [Cd(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)₄]₂(4-abs)₄ · 5H₂O (3), [Cu(N,N′-4,4′-bipy) (O-bs)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O (4), and [Zn(N,N′-4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₂](4,4′-bipy)(bs)₂ · 4H₂O (5) (4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, bpds = 4,4′-biphenyldisulfonate, 4-abs = 4-aminobenzenesulfonate, bs = benzenesulfonate), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, elemental analyses and TG analyses, in order to investigate the coordination chemistry of arenesulfonates and 4,4-bipy, as well as to construct novel coordination frameworks via mixed-ligand strategy. Compounds 2, 4 and 5 could be obtained via hydrothermal or aqueous reactions. Compound 1 forms a binuclear octahedral metal complex. Compounds 2–4 form polymeric chains. Compound 5 consists of 2D square grids with one intercalated 4,4′-bipy molecule. Weak Ag–Ag interactions are observed in compound 2. These complexes show great structural varieties and there are three different coordination modes observed for both the 4,4′-bipy and the sulfonate ligands.     

Headspace liquid-phase microextraction using ionic liquid as extractant for the preconcentration of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites at trace levels in water samples

A novel technique, high temperature headspace liquid-phase microextraction (HS-LPME) with room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄MIM][PF₆]) as extractant, was developed for the analysis of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDT) and its metabolites including 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p′-DDD) in water samples by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The parameters such as salt content, sample pH and temperature, stirring rate, extraction time, microdrop volume, and sample volume, were found to have significant influence on the HS-LPME. The conditions optimized for extraction of target compounds were as follows: 35% NaCl (w/v), neutral pH condition, 70 °C, 800 rpm, 30 min, 10 μL [C₄MIM][PF₆], and 25 mL sample solutions. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range, detection limit (S/N = 3), and precision (R.S.D., n = 6) were 0.3-30 μg L⁻¹, 0.07 μg L⁻¹, and 8.0% for p,p′-DDD, 0.3-30 μg L⁻¹, 0.08 μg L⁻¹, and 7.1% for p,p′-DDT, 0.3-30 μg L⁻¹, 0.08 μg L⁻¹, and 7.2% for o,p′-DDT, and 0.2-30 μg L⁻¹, 0.05 μg L⁻¹, and 6.8% for p,p′-DDE, respectively. Water samples including tap water, well water, snow water, reservoir water, and wastewater were analyzed by the proposed procedure and the recoveries at 5 μg L⁻¹ spiked level were in the range of 86.8-102.6%.     

Synthesis and properties of 6,6′-dithienyl-4,4′-bipyrimidine and its hetero- and homo-leptic Ru(II) complexes

Hetero- and homo-leptic Ru(II) complexes of a new 4,4′-bipyrimidine ligand, th₂bpm (6,6′-di(2″-thienyl)-4,4′-bipyrimidine), have been synthesized and characterized. The parent ligand th₂bpm has electron rich thiophene units on the periphery of a bidentate ligand which is capable of binding to metal ions. The heteroleptic complex of th₂bpm [Ru(bpy)₂th₂bpm]²⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) exhibits a Ru-to-bpm metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption centered at 547 nm and a Ru-to-bpy MLCT absorption centered at 438 nm. The assignment of the low energy absorption is supported by the relative ease of electrochemical reduction of the new complex as compared to [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺. The homoleptic complex, [Ru(th₂bpm)₃]²⁺, exhibits a Ru-to-bpm MLCT absorption at slightly higher energy (544 nm). Both complexes are emissive at room temperature in fluid solution and 5 is one of the lowest energy emitters based on tris-bidentate Ru(II) complexes known (λ_max = 770 nm). The luminescence spectra is red-shifted compared to [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and this effect is ascribed to the delocalization in the acceptor ligand.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of copper(I) complexes with functionalized pyrazino[2,3-f]-1,10-phenanthroline

The present work reports the synthesis and spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of homoleptic copper(I) complexes with substituted pirazino [2,3-f]-1,10-phenanthroline, RpplR′, (R = H, Me, COOH or COOMe, and R′ = H, Me) as ligand. The ligand ppl works as an acceptor of electronic density, which is delocalized mainly in the quinoxaline part of its structure. The UV–Vis spectra show that all the complexes display bands in the range 400–650 nm, which are MLCT in character. The λ_max and extinction coefficients of the MLCT band at 450 nm and the LC band do not change significatively when varying the R substituent. Nevertheless, the intensity of the shoulder around 500 nm does change; this absorption has been related to either a static or dynamic flattening distortion of the complex D_2d → D₂ symmetry. The cyclic voltammetry of the complexes shows irreversible redox processes with E_p values that do not follow the tendency expected from the donor/acceptor character of the substituents on the ligand. All the complexes studied showed no emission both in acetonitrile and dichloromethane as solvent at room temperature and under argon atmosphere.     

Synthesis and characterization of rhenium(I) complexes with the polypyridinic quinone functionalized electron acceptor ligand [3,2-a:2′,3′-c]-benzo[3,4]-phenazine-11,16-quinone, Nqphen

In this work, the synthesis and characterization of fac-[Re(CO)₃(Nqphen)(L)]PF₆ complexes is reported. Nqphen is the quinone substituted acceptor ligand [3,2-a:2′,3′-c]-benzo[3,4]-phenazine-11,16-quinone, and L represents the donor monodentate pyridine substituted ligands 4-tert-butylpyridine (t-Bupy), 4-methoxypyridine (MeO-py) or 10-(4-picolyl)phenothiazine (py-PTZ). The complexes were synthesized by refluxing in methanol the metal precursor fac-Re(CO)₃(Nqphen)TfO (TfO = trifluoromethanesulphonate anion) with the corresponding L ligand. The UV-Vis spectra of the complexes are dominated by intense intraligand (IL) bands, and less intense metal ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands with maxima in the 380-400 nm region. The IR shows the typical pattern for tricarbonyl Re complexes with facial (fac) geometry. An additional v(CO) stretching band, attributed to the quinone fragment of Nqphen, is observed.Electrochemical data indicate that the acceptor capacity of Nqphen is increased in the complexes with regard to the free ligand. This effect is sensitive to the nature of the L ligand, following the order: MeO-py < t-Bupy < py-PTZ, indicating therefore that the donor capacity of L affects the rest of the molecule. The results obtained for the fac-[Re (CO)₃(Nqphen)(pyPTZ)]PF₆ complex here reported were compared with those observed for the homologous complex fac-[Re(CO)₃(Aqphen)(L)]^0/+, with Aqphen = 12,17-dihydronaphtho[2,3-h]dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]-phenazine-12,17-dione, and L = Cl⁻, TfO⁻, py-PTZ.     

Two-photon absorption chromophores with a tunable [2,2′]bithiophene core

Sonogashira coupling between 3,5,3′,5′-tetrabromo-[2,2′]bithiophene and various terminal alkynes provides two-photon absorption (TPA) chromophores 1-6, which possess electron donor (D) and/or acceptor (A) alkynyl substituents at 3(3′) and 5(5′) sites of the bithiophene core. The up-converted fluorescence emission excited at 800 nm (Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser, ∼100 fs pulses) was used to determine the two-photon absorption cross-sections (σ) of these compounds. The corresponding TPA cross-section (σ) values ranging from 132 to 1120 GM (10⁻⁵⁰ cm⁴ s photon⁻¹) can be fine-tuned by the substitutents. The quadrupolar-type (A-π-D-π-A) chromophore 5 exhibits the largest σ value (1120 GM) in CH₂Cl₂ upon 800 nm excitation.     

New Cu(II)4 and Zn(II)4 complexes: Synthesis, characterization and magnetic and biological studies

Two new isomorphous tetranuclear complexes [Cu₄L₂(4,4′-bipy)₂]·(ClO₄)₄·2CH₃CN·2H₂O (1) and [Zn₄L₂(4,4′-bipy)₂]·(ClO₄)₃·CH₃O·4H₂O (2) have been obtained and fully characterized (where bipy = bipyridine, H₂L = macrocycle is the [2+2] condensation product of 2,6-diformyl-4-fluoro-phenol and 1,4-diaminobutane). They exhibit wheel-like configuration in which two 4,4′-bipy molecules connect two dinuclear [M₂L]²⁺ units. The interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA were studied by UV-Vis and CD spectroscopic techniques. The binding constants of 1 and 2 are 2.27 × 10⁶ and 3.89 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, respectively. The magnetic measurement of 1 reveals that there are strong antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -272.6 cm⁻¹) between two Cu(II) ions in the macrocyclic unit and ferromagnetic interaction (j′ = 41.7) between the Cu(II) ions in two adjacent macrocyclic units. Furthermore, the cyclic voltammogram of 1 shows that it undergoes two quasi-reversible processes with the half wave potentials -0.232 and -0.606 V, respectively.     

Rhenium(I)-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe for conformational changes of bovine serum albumin

Protein binding properties of fac-rhenium(I) complexes with general structure [Re(CO)₃(N-N)L]PF₆, where N-N = 4,4′-dinanoyl-2,2-bipyridine and L = py-3-COOH (1a) and py-3-CONH₂ (1b) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated at physiological pH (7.4) using UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectral study, excited state lifetime measurement and circular dichroism (CD). The results observed from fluorescence spectra reveal the energy transfer from BSA to Re(I) complex, and the distance r between donor (BSA) and acceptor (Re(I) complex) is 3.05 nm and 2.16 nm for 1a and 1b respectively according to Forster's non-radiative energy transfer theory. CD results show that the binding of Re(I) complex could induce the conformational change with the loss of α-helicity.     

Synthesis and characterization of some novel aromatic polyimides

Three new diamines 1,2-di(p-aminophenyloxy)ethylene, 2-(4-aminophenoxy)methyl-5-aminobenzimidazole and 4,4-(aminopheyloxy) phenyl-4-aminobenzamide were synthesized and polymerized with 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BP), 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropyledene)diphthalic anhydride (HF) and 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (PD) either by one step solution polymerization reaction or by two step procedure. The later includes ring opening poly-addition to give poly(amic acid), followed by cyclodehydration to polyimides with the inherent viscosities 0.62-0.97 dl/g. Majority of polymers are found to be soluble in most of the organic solvents such as DMSO, DMF, DMAc, m-cresol even at room temperature and few becomes soluble on heating. The degradation temperature of the resultant polymers falls in the ranges from 240 °C to 550 °C in nitrogen (with only 10% weight loss). Specific heat capacity at 300 °C ranges from 1.1899 to 5.2541 J g⁻¹ k⁻¹. The maximum degradation temperature ranges from 250 to 620 °C. T_g values of the polyimides ranged from 168 to 254 °C.     

Crystal structures and properties of four coordination polymers constructed from flexible pamoic acid

Four novel coordination polymers constructed from flexible pamoic acid, namely [Co(pam)(4,4′-bipy)]_n·nH₂O (1), [Ni(pam)(4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)₂]_n·2nCH₃CN (2), [Cd(pam)(py)₂]_n·npy (3) and [Mn₂(pam)₂(py)₆(H₂O)₂]_n·2npy (4), (H₂pam = pamoic acid, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, py = pyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra and X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is a 2-D coordination polymer constructed from chelating bis-bidentate pam and 4,4′-bipyridine bridging ligands. Complex 2 is a 2-D coordination polymer assembled by bis-monodentate pam and 4,4′-bipyridine, where acetonitrile is filled in the rectangle channels. Both 2-D coordination polymers display undulated (4,4) grid layers as sql topology. Complex 3 displays a 1-D polymeric chain using chelating bis-bidentate pam as bridging ligand. Complex 4 exhibits an interesting bis-monodentate pam-Mn(II) 1-D polymeric chain, in which exist two-type six-coordinated manganese centers. Mn(1) is bound to four pyridine ligands, whereas Mn(2) is combined to two pyridine and two H₂O molecules. Their thermal stabilities have been investigated. Cadmium complex 3 displays strong green luminescence with emission maximum at 543 nm.     

An antiferromagnetically coupled dimeric Ni(II) complex anion and its counter cationic monomeric Ni(II) complex, and some other mononuclear transition metal compounds using some neutral ligands

Synthesis and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of four transition metal complexes [Mn(L₁)](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Cu(L₁)](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Ni₂(L₂)(NCS)₆][Ni(L₁)] (3) and [Mn(bzpy)(NCS)₂] (4) with neutral ligands [L₁ = N-(1-pyridin-2-yl-phenylidene)-N′-[2-({2-[(1-pyridin-2-yl phenylidene)amino]ethyl}amino)ethyl]ethane-1,2diamine, L₂ = N-(1-pyridin-2-yl-phenylidene)-N′-[2-({2-[(1-pyridin-2-ylphenylidene)amino]ethyl}piperazine-1yl)ethyl]amine, bzpy = 2-benzoylpyridine] are reported. The trinuclear nickel(II) complex 3 is made of a dinuclear anion and a mononuclear cation. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and variable-field magnetisation studies performed on 3 suggest weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J = −0.7 cm⁻¹) between the two metals of the dinuclear entity, but no magnetic interaction between the anionic and cationic counterparts.     

Cationic η-allyl sulfide complexes of nickel(II) for the polymerization of butadiene in aqueous emulsion

Reaction of the dimeric allyl-nickel(II) chloro complex [Ni(η³-C₃H₅)(μ-Cl)]₂ (5) with sulfur donor ligands (L = L₁₀-L₁₃) in the presence of ( = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) gives the corresponding cationic mononuclear complexes of the type [Ni(η³-C₃H₅)(L)₂]⁺ (1-4) [L = L₁₀ = diphenyl sulfide (1); L = L₁₁ = 4,4′-thiodiphenol (2); L = L₁₂ = 4,4′-thio-bis(6-tert-butyl-o-cresol) (3); L = L₁₃ = 4,4′-thio-bis (6-tert-butyl-m-cresol) (4)]. All of these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy, as well as the representative complex 3 additionally by single-crystal X-ray analysis. In comparison to the known complex [Ni(η³-C₃H₅)(η⁶-BHT)][B] (BHT = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene), the herein described cationic complexes show an increased stability towards water. The activity of the complexes for butadiene polymerization in aqueous emulsions was studied.     

Synthesis of soluble polyimides for vertical alignment of liquid crystal via one-step method

A series of polyimides (PIs) were copolymerized from 4-dodecyloxy-biphenyl-3′,5′-diaminobenzoate (DBPDA), 3,3′-dimethyl-4,4′-methylene-dianiline (DMMDA) and 4,4′-oxydi(phthalic anhydride) (ODPA) via one-step method. The PIs possessed excellent solubility in polar aprotic solvents and easily formed thin flexible films by solution casting. The glass-transition temperatures (T_gs) of the PIs were in the range of 219-242 °C and thermal decomposition temperatures in nitrogen occurred above 350 °C. The resultant PI films exhibited high transparency at wavelengths greater than 400 nm and induced excellent uniform vertical alignment of liquid crystal (LC). Even after the rubbing process, the pretilt angles of LC were still above 89°. The PI seems to be a prospective material for alignment layers in flexible displays.     

Metal-organic chains constructed from pre-organized N2S2 donor ligands

Three new N₂S₂ donor ligands 1,1′-((2-(2-(phenylthio)phenylthio)phenyl)methylene)bis(3,5-R-1H-pyrazole), R = H (L^H), R = Me (L^Me), R = i-Pr (L^i-Pr) have been prepared and characterized. These bifunctional ligands incorporate two distinct chelate donor systems, by virtue of the presence of bispyrazole and bisthioether functions. The preferred conformation of these ligands is such that the N₂ and S₂ donor moieties may be oriented in opposite directions, thus favoring the formation of molecular chains when treated with AgBF₄. The X-ray structures of Ag(I) complexes show that, depending on the steric hindrance present on the pyrazole rings, these ligands behave as κ⁴-SSNN-μ bridging tetradentate (when R = H), or κ³-SNN-μ bridging tridentate (when R = Me, i-Pr). Interestingly, [Ag(L^H)]BF₄ crystallizes in the chiral space group P4₁, with the molecular chain that is folded around the 4₁ screw axis.     

Synthetic, spectral and catalytic activity studies of ruthenium bipyridine and terpyridine complexes: Implications in the mechanism of the ruthenium(pyridine-2,6-bisoxazoline)(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate)-catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation of olefins utilizing H2O2

Various Ru(L₁)(L₂) (1) complexes (L₁ = 2,2′-bipyridines, 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines, 6-(4S)-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazol-2-yl-2,2′-bipyridinyl or 2,2′-bipyridinyl-6-carboxylate; L₂ = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate, pyridine-2-carboxylate or 2,2′-bipyridinyl-6-carboxylate) have been synthesized (or in situ generated) and tested on epoxidation of olefins utilizing 30% aqueous H₂O₂. The complexes containing pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate show extraordinarily high catalytic activity. Based on the stereoselective performance of chiral ruthenium complexes containing non-racemic 2,2′-bipyridines including 6-[(4S)-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-oxazol-2-yl]-[2,2′]bipyridinyl new insights on the reaction intermediates and reaction pathway of the ruthenium-catalyzed enantioselective epoxidation are proposed. In addition, a simplified protocol for epoxidation of olefins using urea hydrogen peroxide complex as oxidizing agent has been developed.     

The first indium-organic two-dimensional layer network with rhombus grids

The indium(III)-organic compound [In(HBtc)₂(4,4′-bpy)](4,4′-Hbpy)(H₂O)_0.5 (Btc=1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate, 4,4′-bpy=4,4′-bipyridine) has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition and characterized by IR, fluorescent spectroscopy, TGA and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a=17.0884(2) Å, b=12.28390(10) Å, c=17.9456(4) Å, β=104.1920(10)°, V=3652.03(10) Å³, Z=4, R₁=0.0572 and wR₂=0.1116 [I>2σ(I)]. All the indium atoms in the compound are hepta-coordinated and link 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate forming a 2-D layer structure with rhombus grids.