Density functional study on electronic structures and reactivity in methyl‐substituted chelates used in organic light‐emitting diodes

The electronic structure and reactivity trends of a set of tris‐(n‐methyl‐8‐quinolinolato) metal (III) (n = 0, 3, 4, 5; metal = Al⁺³, Ga⁺³) used as electron‐transport layer in organic light‐emitting diodes were studied and compared. All geometries were optimized at B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level of theory. The geometries of the ground state (S₀) of unsubstituted molecules AlQ3 and GaQ3 were found to be slightly affected by the methyl group, which is in agreement with previous works. Methyl‐derivatives conserve largely the electronic structures of AlQ3 and GaQ3. The energies of the frontier orbitals highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital are raised by the electron‐releasing effect of methyl group. Molecular orbital contribution analysis reveals that the orbital population is essentially the same for both MQ3 and their derivatives. Analyses of the ionization potential and electron affinity showed that MQ3 tend to be better hole‐blockers than methylated analogues and 5Me‐MQ3 have higher hole‐injection capability than the other methyl‐substituted derivatives. The global reactivity analysis showed that the electrophilicity index can be an indicator of electron‐injection capability in these complexes. Local reactivity analysis showed that atomic sites that are prone to nucleophilic/electrophilic attack are atoms C‐4 in L3/C‐5 in L1. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Can DFT methods correctly and efficiently predict the coordination number of copper(I) complexes? A case study

The coordination number of various experimentally known Cu(I) compounds is studied using density functional theory. Various basis sets are tested, aiming to establish a reliable level for prediction of the coordination number of these and other Cu(I) complexes. It is found that most levels exhibit correct trends, namely, the bulkier ligands demonstrate larger preference for coordination of two ligands. Proper absolute values are obtained when dispersion corrections are also included in the calculations. It is concluded that the fairly small modified 6‐31+G* basis set due to Pulay represents a good compromise between accuracy and efficiency, followed by Balabanov and Peterson's all‐electron aug‐cc‐pVDZ basis set. The overall energy is decomposed into various components whose relative contribution to the overall tendency of forming a complex with a particular coordination is examined. It is shown that two opposing contributions play a major role: the interaction energy of the ligand being added and the deformation energy of the copper's coordination sphere prior to the ligand addition. The former being a stabilizing contribution, leads to higher coordination numbers while the later, a destabilizing contribution, is shown to favor lower coordination numbers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2010     

Two‐dimensional coordination polymeric structures in caesium complexes with ring‐substituted phenoxyacetic acids

The two‐dimensional polymeric structures of the caesium complexes with the phenoxyacetic acid analogues (4‐fluorophenoxy)acetic acid, (3‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy)acetic acid and the herbicidally active (2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4‐D), namely poly[[μ₅‐(4‐fluorophenoxy)acetato][μ₄‐(4‐fluorophenoxy)acetato]dicaesium], [Cs₂(C₈H₆FO₃)₂]_n, (I), poly[aqua[μ₅‐(3‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy)acetato]caesium], [Cs(C₉H₈ClO₃)(H₂O)]_n, (II), and poly[[μ₇‐(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetato][(2,4‐dichlorphenoxy)acetic acid]caesium], [Cs(C₈H₅Cl₂O₃)(C₈H₆Cl₂O₃)]_n, (III), are described. In (I), the Cs⁺ cations of the two individual irregular coordination polyhedra in the asymmetric unit (one CsO₇ and the other CsO₈) are linked by bridging carboxylate O‐atom donors from the two ligand molecules, both of which are involved in bidentate chelate O_carboxy,O_phenoxy interactions, while only one has a bidentate carboxylate O,O′‐chelate interaction. Polymeric extension is achieved through a number of carboxylate O‐atom bridges, with a minimum Cs...Cs separation of 4.3231 (9) Å, giving layers which lie parallel to (001). In hydrated complex (II), the irregular nine‐coordination about the Cs⁺ cation comprises a single monodentate water molecule, a bidentate O_carboxy,O_phenoxy chelate interaction and six bridging carboxylate O‐atom bonding interactions, giving a Cs...Cs separation of 4.2473 (3) Å. The water molecule forms intralayer hydrogen bonds within the two‐dimensional layers, which lie parallel to (100). In complex (III), the irregular centrosymmetric CsO₆Cl₂ coordination environment comprises two O‐atom donors and two ring‐substituted Cl‐atom donors from two hydrogen bis[(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetate] ligand species in a bidentate chelate mode, and four O‐atom donors from bridging carboxyl groups. The duplex ligand species lie across crystallographic inversion centres, linked through a short O—H...O hydrogen bond involving the single acid H atom. Structure extension gives layers which lie parallel to (001). The present set of structures of Cs salts of phenoxyacetic acids show previously demonstrated trends among the alkali metal salts of simple benzoic acids with no stereochemically favourable interactive substituent groups for formation of two‐dimensional coordination polymers.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and density functional theory study of a zinc(II) complex containing terpyridine and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid ligands: Analysis of the interactions with amoxicillin

An octahedral zinc(II) complex of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (Tpy) and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (Pydc), [Zn(II)(Tpy)(Pydc)·4H₂O] was synthesized and its structure was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The ligand pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate coordinated to the zinc(II) ion via two pairs of carboxylate oxygens and one nitrogen atom, whereas 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine also contributed three coordination bonds through its nitrogen atoms. [Zn(II)(Tpy)(Pydc)·4H₂O] showed luminescence properties between 412 and 435 nm in DMSO. The solid-state octahedral geometry of [Zn(II)(Tpy)(Pydc)·4H₂O] was also preserved in solution as confirmed by the observed UV λ_ex = 346. Experimental and theoretical studies indicated that [Zn(II)(Tpy)(Pydc)·4H₂O] interacted with amoxicillin. Density functional theory calculations at B3LYP/LanL2dz level of theory suggested that [Zn(II)(Tpy)(pydc)·4H₂O] dimer interacts with (2S,5R,6R)-6-{[(2R)-2-amino-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-acetyl]amino}-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-24-carboxylic acid (amoxicillin) via highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, π–π interaction, hydrogen bond interaction, and van der Waals forces, thus influencing [Zn(II)(Tpy)(Pydc)·4H₂O] properties.     

Precise determination of lithium isotopes in seawater using MC-ICP-MS

Li (lithium) isotope analysis using MC-ICP-MS is a very powerful tracer measurement method. This is widely used for identification of Li isotopes in many fields of study. This useful method, however, has an effect on the natural Li isotope background. This is impacted by the instrument matrix. In this study, we show that the MC-ICP-MS condition is characterized by both a low baseline background and a high-sensitivity distance at Ar plasma condition. In addition, the Li isotope ratio was measured by the use of experimental conditions that were superior to both the general plasma condition and those used in other studies. The samples were subjected to both acid leaching and a cation exchange resin (Bio-Rad AG 50 W-X8 200–400 mesh) modified for seawater samples. The isotope variations were corrected using the bracket method, the measured Li isotope ratio of sample, and the mean ratios of the L-SVEC standard (NIST L-SVEC Li₂CO₃) measured before and after the sample run. The isotope variation was presented as the deviation (per mil) of the measured ratio from that of the recommended value.     

Steric and electronic contributions to conformational effects on chemical shifts of acyclic alcohols

Our calculations on bi- and polycyclic alcohols reveal that the Mulliken charge distribution and chemical shift patterns due to hyperconjugation of lone pairs on oxygen with neighboring groups break down or are attenuated for certain spatial relationships of the hydroxyl group. Since in strained ring systems other effects on these parameters may be present, we applied a similar analysis to acyclic alcohols. Calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G^* level on conformers of methanol, ethanol, 1- and 2-propanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-2-butanol, 1- 2- and 3-pentanol and 2-methyl-3-pentanol, where hyperconjugation may be present, reveal steric effects as modifiers of hyperconjugative patterns affecting carbon-13 chemical shifts in such alcohols. Contrary to what is observed in bi- and policyclic systems, where electrostatic effects interfere with effects due to hyperconjugation, these steric effects may be the main cause for the attenuation of deshielding of nuclei that are subject to hyperconjugation. Electrostatic effects are also present but they do not interfere with hyperconjugation by lone pairs. Conformational effects fall off sharply after the third carbon in the chain.     

Construction of two new photoluminescent coordination polymers via 5-position substituted 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate

Two coordination polymers, [Cd(L1)(bib)] _n (1) and [Cd(L2)(bib)_0.5] _n (2) [H₂L1?=?5-hydroxyisophthalic acid, H₂L2?=?5-methylisophthalic acid and bib?=?1,4-bis(2-methyl-imidazol-1-yl)butane], have been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 shows a 2-D layer structure and 2 is a two-fold interpenetrated 3-D pcu topology. The results suggest that the 5-position group affects the structure of coordination polymers. Luminescence properties of 1 and 2 are investigated.     

Cocondensation reactions of nitrogen-containing heterocycles with lithium atoms at 77 K

Lithium atoms were cocondensed with aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycles in the presence of THF at 77 K. The reaction products in the case of the heterocyclic five-membered rings (imidazole) resulted in a C-H bond activation and led to the corresponding aryl lithium compound. Other heterocycles such as pyridine and pyrimidine led to the formation of a non-lithiated aromatic product, in which the parent compound was dimerised with hydrogen being lost. A special case was found, when substituted pyridines carrying methyl and methoxy groups were reacted under these cocondensation conditions. Here a dimeric species is found again, but the product is dilithiated at the two nitrogen atoms and two hexadienes rings were found instead of an aromatic system. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory were carried out in order to interpret the pathways of the cocondensation reactions and identify the possible intermediates involved. In all reactions σ-complexes between lithium molecules and the heterocycles were found as stable intermediates.     

Structure and tautomerism of 4-bromo substituted 1H-pyrazoles

The tautomerism in the solid state and in solution of five 4-bromo-1H-pyrazoles has been studied by multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and, for one of them, by X-ray crystallography (3,4-dibromo-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole). When there is a bromine atom at position 3(5), in all cases, the tautomer present in the solid state is the 3-bromo one. In solution, the same tautomer is the major one. DFT calculations justify the predominance of 3-bromo tautomers over 5-bromo ones and provide some useful chemical shifts obtained through GIAO calculations.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Several Ytterbium Bis(trimethylsilyl)amides Including Base‐free [Yb{N(SiMe3)2}2(μ‐Cl)]2 — A Coordinatively Unsaturated Complex with Additional Agostic Yb···(H3C—Si) Interactions

The reaction of YbCl₃ with two equivalents of NaN‐(SiMe₃)₂ has afforded a mixture of several ytterbium bis(trimethylsilyl) amides with the known complexes [Yb{N(SiMe₃)₂}2(μ‐Cl)(thf)]₂ ( 1 ) and [Yb{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃]( 4 ) as the main products and the cluster compound [Yb₃Cl₄O{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃(thf)₃]( 2 ) as a minor product. Treatment of 1 and 2 with hot n‐heptane gave the basefree complex [Yb{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂(μ‐Cl)]₂ ( 3 ) in small yield. The structures of compounds 1—4 and the related peroxo complex [Yb₂{N(SiMe₃)₂}₄(μ‐O₂)(thf)₂]( 5 ) have been investigated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. In the solid‐state, 3 shows chlorobridged dimers with terminal amido ligands (av. Yb—Cl = 262.3 pm, av. Yb—N = 214.4 pm). Additional agostic interactions are observed from the ytterbium atoms to four methyl carbon atoms of the bis(trimethylsilyl)amido groups (Yb···C = 284—320 pm). DFT calculations have been performed on suitable model systems ([Yb₂(NH₂)₄(μ‐Cl)₂(OMe₂)₂]( 1m ), [Yb₂(NH₂)₄(μ‐Cl)₂]( 3m ), [Yb‐(NH₂)₃]( 4m ), [Yb₂(NH2₄(μ‐O₂)(OMe₂)₂]( 5m ), [Yb{N‐(SiMe₃)₂}₂Cl] ( 3m/2 ) and Ln(NH₂)₂NHSiMe₃ (Ln = Yb ( 6m ), Y ( 7m )) in order to rationalize the different experimentally observed Yb—N distances, to support the assignment of the O—O stretching vibration (775 cm ^‐1) in the Raman spectrum of complex 5 and to examine the nature of the agostic‐type interactions in σ‐donorfree 3 .     

Microscopically structural studies of lithium niobate powders

On the basis of the crystallographic characteristics of lithium niobate (LN) crystals, Law of Bravais and Pauling's third rule (i.e. Polyhedral Sharing Rule) are employed with the aim to find the relationship between the crystal structure and morphological faces of LN powders. In order to validate our analytical results, we have successfully synthesized LN powders and measured the corresponding X-ray powder diffraction. Our results show that the structural analysis is consistent with the experimental data and is helpful and effective for us to control the single-crystal growth and to design superstructures at the specific plane, starting from the viewpoint of the microscopic behaviors of constituent chemical bonds and polyhedra in the crystallographic frame.     

Platinum(II) complexes containing the 3,3-dimethylglutarimidate ligand

Reaction of cis-[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂] with excess 3,3-dimethylglutarimide (dmgH) and sodium chloride in refluxing methanol gives the mono-imidate complex cis-[PtCl(dmg)(PPh₃)₂], which was structurally characterized. The plane of the imidate ligand is approximately perpendicular to the platinum coordination plane which, coupled with restricted rotation about the Pt–N bond, results in inequivalent methyl groups and CH₂ protons of the dmg ligand in the room temperature ¹H NMR spectrum. These observations were corroborated by a theoretical study using density functional theory methods. The analogous bromide complex cis-[PtBr(dmg)(PPh₃)₂] can be prepared by replacing NaCl with NaBr in the reaction mixture.     

A nickel 1-D zigzag chain coordination polymer of 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid

[Ni(pyza)₂H₂O] _n has been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction of 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid (Hpyza) and Ni(CH₃COO)₂ ·?4H₂O in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The title complex displays an infinite zigzag chain structure in which each nickel(II) center is coordinated by three nitrogen and three oxygen atoms to generate a NiN₃O₃ octahedral geometry. The existence of hydrogen bond leads to formation of the interpenetrating stacked structure.     

Structure, conformation and hydrogen bonding of two amino-cycloalkanespiro-5-hydantoins

The crystal structures of 3-amino-cycloheptanespiro-4′-imidazolidine-2′,5′-dione (I) {systematic name: 3-amino-1,3-diazaspiro[4.6] undecane-2,4-dione} and 3-amino-cyclooctanespiro-4′-imidazolidine-2′,5′-dione (II) {systematic name: 3-amino-1,3-diazaspiro[4.7] dodecane-2,4-dione}, have been determined. In both compounds the polar hydantoin groups cause molecules to aggregate via N-H...O and N-H...N interactions, forming a layer structure, in which the cycloalkane rings project outwards from the central, more polar, region. The observed molecular structure is compared with that calculated by density functional theory methods.      

Monophosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes: New syntheses,characterization and electrochemical properties

Investigating the synthesis and properties of diiron azadithiolate complexes is one of the key topics for mimicking the active site of [FeFe]‐hydrogenases, which might be very useful for the design of new efficient catalysts for hydrogen production and the development of a future hydrogen economy. A series of new phosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes as models for the active site of [FeFe]‐hydrogenases are described. A novel and efficient way was firstly established for the preparation of phosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes. The reaction of Fe₂(μ‐SH)₂(CO)₆ and phosphine ligands L affords the intermediate Fe₂(μ‐SH)₂(CO)₅L ( A ). The intermediate reacts in situ with a premixed solution of paraformaldehyde and ammonium carbonate to produce the target phosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes Fe₂[(μ‐SCH₂)₂NH](CO)₅L ( 1a – 1f ) (L = P(C₆H₄–4‐CH₃)₃, P(C₆H₄–3‐CH₃)₃, P(C₆H₄–4‐F)₃, P(C₆H₄–3‐F)₃, P(2‐C₄H₃O)₃, PPh₂(OCH₂CH₃)). Furthermore, reactions of the intermediate A with I‐4‐C₆H₄N(CH₂Cl)₂ in the presence of Et₃N give the phosphine‐substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes Fe₂[(μ‐SCH₂)₂NC₆H₄–4‐I](CO)₅L ( 2a – 2e ) (L = P(C₆H₄–4‐CH₃)₃, P(C₆H₄–3‐CH₃)₃, P(C₆H₄–4‐F)₃, P(C₆H₄–3‐F)₃, P(2‐C₄H₃O)₃). All the complexes were fully characterized using elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopies and, particularly for 1a , 1c – 1e , 2a and 2c , single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. In addition, complexes 1a – 1f and 2a – 2e were found to be catalysts for H₂ production under electrochemical conditions. Density functional theory calculations were performed for the reactions of Fe₂(μ‐SH)₂(CO)₆ + P(C₆H₄–4‐CH₃)₃.     

Influence of Steric Effect on the Pseudo-Multicomponent Synthesis of N-Aroylmethyl-4-Arylimidazoles

A pseudo-three-component synthesis of N-aroylmethylimidazoles 3 with three new C–N bonds formed regioselectively under microwave conditions was developed. Products were obtained by reacting two equivalents of aroylmethyl bromide (ArCOCH₂Br, 1) with the appropriate amidine salt (RCN₂H₃.HX, 2) and with K₂CO₃ as a base in acetonitrile. The bicomponent reaction also occurred, giving the expected 4(5)-aryl-1H-imidazoles 4. Notably, the ratio of products 3 and 4 is governed by steric factors of the amidine 2 (i.e., R = H, CH₃, Ph). Therefore, a computational study was carried out to understand the reaction course regarding product ratio (3/4), regioselectivity, and the steric effects of the amidine substituent group.     

[Ga6R8]2– (R = SiPh2Me): Eine metalloide Clusterverbindung mit einem unerwarteten Ga6‐Gerüst

[Ga₆R₈]^2– (R = SiPh₂Me): A Metalloid Cluster Compound with an Unexpected Ga₆‐Frame The reaction of a metastable solution of GaBr with a solution of LiSiPh₂Me in a toluene/THF mixture results in orange coloured crystals of [Ga₆(SiPh₂Me)₈]^2– · 2 [Li(THF)₄]⁺ ( 1 ). The unexpected structure of the planar Ga₆ frame (C_2h) could also be realized with the help of DFT calculation. DFT calculations furthermore show that 1 is energetically favoured against an octahedral Ga₆R₆^2– species and R₂. In contrast calculations for the similar Al and B species show that in these cases the octahedral entities are favoured. These results demonstrate that even for similar compounds of B, Al, and Ga Wade rules are too general and that they cannot predict the correct structure. Moreover the atomic arrangement within 1 shows that a structure is preferred which is also present in allotropic β‐Ga and that therefore clusters of this type should be called metalloid or more general elementoid.     

DFT studies of temperature effect on coordination chemistry of Cu(II)-trimethoprim complexes

The computational analysis of geometrically different copper-trimethoprim complexes, experimentally formed at two different temperatures, was performed using Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. Initial geometries of copper-trimethoprim complexes 1, 2, and 3 were obtained from crystallographic data. These three geometries of complexes 1, 2, and 3 were fully optimized using B3LYP/BLYP hybrid density functional methods along with 6-31G and LANL2DZ basis sets at two temperatures, 298 and 352 K. The results obtained were compared with the experimental data and show that complex 1 is the most stable geometry while complex 3 is unstable/intermediate geometry and can be converted to stable form after the recrystallization process. Moreover, LANL2DZ basis set gives more accurate (with respect to experimental) results as compared to 6-31G.