Strong steric hindrance effect on excited state structural dynamics of Cu(I) diimine complexes

The metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT) excited state of Cu(I) diimine complexes is known to undergo structural reorganization, transforming from a pseudotetrahedral D(2d) symmetry in the ground state to a flattened D(2) symmetry in the MLCT state, which allows ligation with a solvent molecule, forming an exciplex intermediate. Therefore, the structural factors that influence the coordination geometry change and the solvent accessibility to the copper center in the MLCT state could be used to control the excited state properties. In this study, we investigated an extreme case of the steric hindrance caused by attaching bulky tert-butyl groups in bis(2,9-di-tert-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I), [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+). The two bulky tert-butyl groups on the dtbp ligand lock the MLCT state into the pseudotetrahedral coordination geometry and completely block the solvent access to the copper center in the MLCT state of [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+). Using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and time-resolved emission spectroscopy, we investigated the MLCT state property changes due to the steric hindrance and demonstrated that [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+) exhibited a long-lived emission but no subpicosecond component that was previously assigned as the flattening of the pseudotetrahedral coordination geometry. This suggests the retention of its pseudotetrahedral D(2d) symmetry and the blockage of the solvent accessibility. We made a comparison between the excited state dynamics of [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+) with its mono-tert-butyl counterpart, bis(2-tert-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I) [Cu(I)(tbp)(2)](+). The subpicosecond component assigned to the flattening of the D(2d) coordination geometry in the MLCT excited state was again present in the latter because the absence of a tert-butyl on the phenanthroline allows flattening to the pseudotetrahedral coordination geometry. Unlike the [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+), [Cu(I)(tbp)(2)](+) exhibited no detectable emission at room temperature in solution. These results provide new insights into the manipulation of various excited state properties in Cu diimine complexes by certain key structural factors, enabling optimization of these systems for solar energy conversion applications.     

MLCT state structure and dynamics of a copper(I) diimine complex characterized by pump-probe X-ray and laser spectroscopies and DFT calculations

The molecular structure and dynamics of the photoexcited metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT) state of [Cu(I)(dmp)(2)](+), where dmp is 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, in acetonitrile have been investigated by time-domain pump-probe X-ray absorption spectroscopy, femtosecond optical transient spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT). The time resolution for the excited state structural determination was 100 ps, provided by single X-ray pulses from a third generation synchrotron source. The copper ion in the thermally equilibrated MLCT state has the same oxidation state as the corresponding copper(II) complex in the ground state and was found to be penta-coordinate with an average nearest neighbor Cu-N distance 0.04 A shorter than that of the ground state [Cu(I)(dmp)(2)](+). The results confirm the previously proposed "exciplex" structure of the MLCT state in Lewis basic solvents. The evolution from the photoexcited Franck-Condon MLCT state to the thermally equilibrated MLCT state was followed by femtosecond optical transient spectroscopy, revealing three time constants of 500-700 fs, 10-20 ps, and 1.6-1.7 ns, likely related to the kinetics for the formation of the triplet MLCT state, structural relaxation, and the MLCT excited-state decay to the ground state, respectively. DFT calculations are used to interpret the spectral shift on structural relaxation and to predict the geometries of the ground state, the tetracoordinate excited state, and the exciplex. The DFT calculations also indicate that the amount of charge transferred from copper to the dmp ligand upon photoexcitation is similar to the charge difference at the copper center between the ground-state copper(I) and copper(II) complexes.     

Cu(I)(2,9-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,10-phenanthroline)2+ complexes: correlation between solid-state structure and photoluminescent properties

The 90K solid-state structures, room temperature absorption, and room temperature and 17 K emission spectra of seven different salts of [Cu(I)(bfp)(2)](+) (bfp = 2,9-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1,10-phenanthroline) have been determined. To quantify the distortion of the Cu coordination environment, a distortion parameter zeta is defined that is a combined measure of the flattening, rocking, and wagging distortions of the complex cations. In general, the distortion in the (bfp) cations is less than found previously for Cu(I)(dmp)(2) (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) salts, in particular the flattening is reduced because of the bulkier 2,9-substituents. The 17 K lifetimes range up to 1.8 mus in the series of solids examined and, with the marked exception of the BF(4)(-) salt, correlate linearly with the distortion parameter zeta. The emission wavelength red-shifts with decreasing lifetime, which implies that an increased ground-state distortion is associated with a smaller energy gap.     

Simple Cu(I) complexes with unprecedented excited-state lifetimes.

This report describes new, readily accessible copper(I) complexes that can exhibit unusually long-lived, high quantum yield emissions in fluid solution. The complexes are of the form [Cu(NN)(POP)]+ where NN denotes 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp) or 2,9-di-n-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dbp) and POP denotes bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether. Modes of characterization include X-ray crystallography and cyclic voltammetry. The complexes each have a pseudotetrahedral coordination geometry and a Cu(II)/Cu(I) potential upward of +1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl. In room-temperature dichloromethane solution, charge-transfer excited states of the dmp and dbp derivatives exhibit respective emission quantum yields of 0.15 and 0.16 and corresponding excited-state lifetimes of 14.3 and 16.1 mus, respectively. Despite the fact that coordinating solvents usually quench charge-transfer emission from copper systems, the photoexcited dmp (dbp) complex retains a lifetime of 2.4 mus (5.4 mus) in methanol.     

Rapid excited-state structural reorganization captured by pulsed X-rays

Visible light excitation of [Cu(I)(dmp)(2)](BArF), where dmp is 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and BArF is tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethylphenyl))borate, in toluene produces a photoluminescent, metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited state with a lifetime of 98 +/- 5 ns. Probing this state within 14 ns after photoexcitation with pulsed X-rays establishes that a Cu(II) center, borne in a Cu(I) geometry, binds an additional ligand to form a five-coordinate complex with increased bond lengths and a coordination geometry of distorted trigonal bipyramid. The average Cu-N bond length increases in the excited state by 0.07 A. The transiently formed five-coordinate MLCT state is photoluminescent under the condition studied, indicating that the absorptive and emissive states have distinct geometries. The data represent the first X-ray characterization of a molecular excited state in fluid solution on a nanosecond time scale.     

Structure-dependent photophysical properties of singlet and triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer states in copper(I) bis(diimine) compounds

The photophysical properties of singlet and triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) states of [Cu(I)(diimine)(2)](+), where diimine is 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen), 2,9-dibutyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dbphen), or 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dmbpy), were studied. On 400 nm laser excitation of [Cu(dmphen)(2)](+) in CH(2)Cl(2) solution, prompt (1)MLCT fluorescence with a quantum yield of (2.8 +/- 0.8) x 10(-5) was observed using a picosecond time-correlated single photon counting technique. The quantum yield was dependent on the excitation wavelength, suggesting that relaxation of the Franck-Condon state to the lowest (1)MLCT competes with rapid intersystem crossing (ISC). The fluorescence lifetime of the copper(I) compound was 13-16 ps, unexpectedly long despite a large spin-orbit coupling constant of 3d electrons in copper (829 cm(-1) ). Quantum chemical calculations using a density functional theory revealed that the structure of the lowest (1)MLCT in [Cu(dmphen)(2)](+) (1(1)B(1)) was flattened due to the Jahn-Teller effect in 3d(9) electronic configuration, and the dihedral angle between the two phenanthroline planes (dha) was about 75 degrees with the dha around 90 degrees in the ground state. Intramolecular reorganization energy for the radiative transition of 1(1)B(1) was calculated as 2.1 x 10(3) cm(-1), which is responsible for the large Stokes shift of the fluorescence observed (5.4 x 10(3) cm(-1)). To understand the sluggishness of the intersystem crossing (ISC) of (1)MLCT of the copper(I) compounds, the strength of the spin-orbit interaction between the lowest (1)MLCT (1(1)B(1)) and all (3)MLCT states was calculated. The ISC channels induced by strong spin-orbit interactions (ca. 300 cm(-1)) between the metal-centered HOMO and HOMO - 1 were shown to be energetically unfavorable in the copper(I) compounds because the flattening distortion caused large splitting (6.9 x 10(3) cm(-1)) between these orbitals. The possible ISC is therefore induced by weak spin-orbit interactions (ca. 30 cm(-1)) between ligand-centered molecular orbitals. Further quantum mechanical study on the spin-orbit interaction between the lowest (3)MLCT (1(3)A) and all (1)MLCT states indicated that the phosphorescence borrows intensity from 2(1)B(1). The radiative rate of the phosphorescence was also structure-sensitive. The flattening distortion reduced the transition dipole moment of 2(1)B(1) --> the ground state, and decreased the extent of mixing between 1(3)A and 2(1)B(1), thereby considerably reducing the phosphorescence radiative rate at the MLCT geometry compared to that at the ground state geometry. The theoretical calculation satisfactorily reproduced the radiative rate of ca. 10(3) s(-1) and accounted for the structure-sensitive phosphorescence intensities of copper(I) bis(diimine) compounds recently demonstrated by Felder et al. (Felder, D.; Nierengarten, J. F.; Barigelletti, F.; Ventura, B.; Armaroli, N. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 6291).     

Solid-state structure dependence of the molecular distortion and spectroscopic properties of the Cu(I) bis(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) ion

The relation between the geometry and spectroscopic properties of a series of salts of the Cu(I) bis(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) ion, (Cu((I))(dmp)(2))(+), is explored. The distortions from the idealized D(2)(d)() geometry, which include flattening, rocking of the dmp ligands, and displacement of the Cu atoms out of the dmp planes, show considerable variation, indicating the importance of packing forces in the crystalline environment. The change in the absorption spectra upon flattening of the complex, expressed as the variation of the angle between the dmp planes, which varies from 88 degrees in the BF(4) and tosylate salts to 73 degrees in the picrate, agrees qualitatively with parallel DFT calculations. No correlation is found between ground state geometry and luminescence lifetimes, recorded both at room temperature and at 16 K. The low temperature lifetimes vary by a factor of 8 among the (Cu((I))(dmp)(2))(+) salts examined, the longest lifetime (2.4 micros at 16 K) being observed for the tosylate salt.     

Highly luminescent Cu(I)-phenanthroline complexes in rigid matrix and temperature dependence of the photophysical properties.

We synthesized new [Cu(NN)(2)](+)-type complexes where NN = 2-5 and denotes a 2,9-disubstituted-1,10-phenanthroline ligand (related complexes of 1 and 6 ligands are used for reference purposes). For 2, 3, and 4 the ligand substituents are long alkyl-type fragments, whereas in 5 a phenyl ring is directly attached to the chelating unit. At 298 K the four complexes display relatively intense metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT) emission bands with maxima around 720 nm, Phi(em) approximately 1 x 10(-)(3) and tau > 100 ns in deaerated CH(2)Cl(2). The emission behavior at 77 K in a CH(2)Cl(2)/MeOH matrix is quite different for complexes of alkyl- (2-4) versus phenyl-substituted (5) ligands. The former exhibit very intense emission bands centered around 642 nm and hypsochromically shifted with respect to 298 K, whereas the luminescence band of [Cu(5)(2)](+) is faint and shifted toward the infrared side. These results prompted us to study in detail the temperature dependence of luminescence properties of [Cu(2)(2)](+) and [Cu(5)(2)](+) in the 300-96 K range. For both complexes the excited state lifetimes increase monotonically by decreasing temperatures, and the trend is well described by an Arrhenius-type treatment involving two equilibrated MLCT excited levels. The emission bands show a similar behavior for the two compounds (intensity decrease and red-shift) only in the 300-120 K range, when the solvent is fluid. In the frozen regime (T 相似文献   

Synthesis and structural characterization of Cu(I) and Ni(II) complexes that contain the bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether ligand. Novel emission properties for the Cu(I) species

The pseudotetrahedral complexes [Cu(NN)(DPEphos)]BF(4), where DPEphos = bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether and NN = 1,10-phenanthroline (1), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2), 2,9-di-n-butylphenanthroline (3), or two dimethylcyanamides (4), and NiCl(2)(DPEphos) (5) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography and their solution properties examined by use of a combination of cyclic voltammetry, NMR spectroscopy, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. Complexes 1-4 possess a reversible Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple at potentials upward of +1.2 V versus Ag/AgCl. Compounds 1-3 exhibit extraordinary photophysical properties. In room-temperature dichloromethane solution, the charge-transfer excited state of the dmp (dbp) derivative exhibits an emission quantum yield of 0.15 (0.16) and an excited-state lifetime of 14.3 mus (16.1 mus). Coordinating solvents quench the charge-transfer emission to a degree, but the photoexcited dmp complex 2 retains a lifetime of over a microsecond in acetone, methanol, and acetonitrile.     

Three-dimensional local structure of photoexcited Cu diimine complex refined by quantitative XANES analysis

The structural details of [Cu(dmp) 2] (+) (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) at its metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited-state in acetonitrile were extracted using quantitative analysis of Cu K-edge X-ray adsorption near edge structure (XANES). The study combines two techniques: fitting experimental XANES spectra with a multidimensional interpolation approximation, and calculating theoretical XANES spectra with molecular potentials beyond the muffin-tin approximation. The results of the study show that the best fit of the experimental XANES data must include a solvent molecule binding to the Cu with a short Cu-N distance of 2.00 A. This confirms that the formation of an exciplex is responsible for the excited-state quenching in coordinating solvents, such as acetonitrile. Moreover, the calculations suggest that the formation of this exciplex state is accompanied by significant rocking distortions of the dmp ligands resulting in a 108 degrees angle between the N(solvent)-Cu bond and the C 2 symmetry axis of the dmp ligand. This combined approach allows us to extract molecular configurations that would otherwise be missed in a conventional qualitative XANES analysis.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and physical properties of dinuclear copper(I) and tetranuclear mixed-valence copper(I,II) complexes with hydroxylated bipyridyl-like ligands

Four copper complexes with hydroxylated bipyridyl-like ligands, namely [Cu(2)(ophen)(2)] (1), [Cu(4)(ophen)(4)(tp)] (2), [Cu(4)(obpy)(4)(tp)] (3), and [Cu(4)(obpy)(4)(dpdc)].2H(2)O (4), (Hophen=2-hydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline, Hobpy=6-hydroxy-2,2'-bipyridine, tp=terephthalate, dpdc=diphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate) have been synthesized hydrothermally. X-ray single-crystal structural analyses of these complexes reveal that 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) ligands are hydroxylated into ophen or obpy during the reaction, which provides structural evidence for the long-time argued Gillard mechanism. The dinuclear copper(I) complex 1 has three supramolecular isomers in the solid state, in which short copper-copper distances (2.66-2.68 A) indicate weak metal-metal bonding interactions. Each of the mixed-valence copper(i,ii) complexes 2-4 consists of a pair of [Cu(2)(ophen)(2)](+) or [Cu(2)(obpy)(2)](+) fragments bridged by a dicarboxylate ligand into a neutral tetranuclear dumbbell structure. Dinuclear 1 is an intermediate in the formation of 2 and can be converted into 2 in the presence of additional copper(II) salt and tp ligands under hydrothermal conditions. In addition to the ophen-centered pi-->pi* excited-state emission, 1 shows strong emissions at ambient temperature, which may be tentatively assigned as an admixture of copper-centered d-->s,p and MLCT excited states.     

Phototriggering electron flow through Re(I)-modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurins

The [Re(I)(CO)(3)(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(histidine-124)(tryptophan-122)] complex, denoted [Re(I)(dmp)(W122)], of Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin behaves as a single photoactive unit that triggers very fast electron transfer (ET) from a distant (2 nm) Cu(I) center in the protein. Analysis of time-resolved (ps-μs) IR spectroscopic and kinetics data collected on [Re(I)(dmp)(W122)AzM] (in which M=Zn(II), Cu(II), Cu(I); Az=azurin) and position-122 tyrosine (Y), phenylalanine (F), and lysine (K) mutants, together with excited-state DFT/time-dependent (TD)DFT calculations and X-ray structural characterization, reveal the character, energetics, and dynamics of the relevant electronic states of the [Re(I)(dmp)(W122)] unit and a cascade of photoinduced ET and relaxation steps in the corresponding Re-azurins. Optical population of [Re(I)(imidazole-H124)(CO)(3)]→dmp (1)CT states (CT=charge transfer) is followed by around 110 fs intersystem crossing and about 600 ps structural relaxation to a (3)CT state. The IR spectrum indicates a mixed Re(I)(CO)(3),A→dmp/π→π(*)(dmp) character for aromatic amino acids A122 (A=W, Y, F) and Re(I)(CO)(3)→dmp metal-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) for [Re(I)(dmp)(K122)AzCu(II)]. In a few ns, the (3)CT state of [Re(I)(dmp)(W122)AzM] establishes an equilibrium with the [Re(I)(dmp(.-))(W122(.+))AzM] charge-separated state, (3)CS, whereas the (3)CT state of the other Y, F, and K122 proteins decays to the ground state. In addition to this main pathway, (3)CS is populated by fs- and ps-W(indole)→Re(II) ET from (1)CT and the initially "hot" (3)CT states, respectively. The (3)CS state undergoes a tens-of-ns dmp(.-)→W122(.+) ET recombination leading to the ground state or, in the case of the Cu(I) azurin, a competitively fast (≈30 ns over 1.12?nm) Cu(I)→W(.+) ET, to give [Re(I)(dmp(.-))(W122)AzCu(II)]. The overall photoinduced Cu(I)→Re(dmp) ET through [Re(I)(dmp)(W122)AzCu(I)] occurs over a 2 nm distance in <50 ns after excitation, with the intervening fast (3)CT-(3)CS equilibrium being the principal accelerating factor. No reaction was observed for the three Y, F, and K122 analogues. Although the presence of [Re(dmp)(W122)AzCu(II)] oligomers in solution was documented by mass spectrometry and phosphorescence anisotropy, the kinetics data do not indicate any significant interference from the intermolecular ET steps. The ground-state dmp-indole π-π interaction together with well-matched W/W(.+) and excited-state [Re(II)(CO)(3)(dmp(.-))]/[Re(I)(CO)(3)(dmp(.-))] potentials that result in very rapid electron interchange and (3)CT-(3)CS energetic proximity, are the main factors responsible for the unique ET behavior of [Re(I)(dmp)(W122)]-containing azurins.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and luminescent properties of a series of Cu(I) complexes based on polyphosphine ligands

A series of Cu(I) complexes with a [Cu(NN)(PP)](+) moiety, [Cu(phen)(pba)](BF(4)) (1a), [Cu(2)(phen)(2)(pbaa)](BF(4))(2) (2a), [Cu(2)(phen)(2)(pnaa)](BF(4))(2) (3a), [Cu(2)(phen)(2)(pbbaa)](BF(4))(2) (4a), [Cu(dmp)(pba)](BF(4)) (1b), [Cu(2)(dmp)(2)(pbaa)](BF(4))(2) (2b), [Cu(2)(dmp)(2)(pnaa)](BF(4))(2) (3b) and [Cu(2)(dmp)(2)(pbbaa)](BF(4))(2) (4b) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, pba = N,N-bis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)benzenamine, pbaa = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, pnaa = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)naphthalene-1,5-diamine and pbbaa = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)biphenyl-4,4'-diamine), were rationally designed and synthesized. These complexes were characterized by (1)H and (31)P NMR, electrospray mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and X-ray crystal structure analysis. Introduction of different central arene spacers (phenyl, naphthyl, biphenyl) into ligands, resulting in the size variation of these complexes, aims to tune the photophysical properties of the complexes. Each Cu(I) ion in these complexes adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry constructed by the chelating diimine and phosphine groups. Intermolecular C-H···π and/or π···π interactions are involved in the solid states. The dmp-containing complex exhibits better emission relative to the corresponding phen complex due to the steric encumbrance of bulky alkyl groups. Furthermore, for complexes with identical diimine but different phosphine ligands, the tendency of increased emission lifetime as well as blue-shifted emission in the solid state follows with the decrease in size of complexes. Intermolecular C-H···π interactions have an influence on the final solid state photophysical properties through vibrationally relaxed non-radiative energy transfer in the excited state. Smaller-sized complexes show better photophysical properties due to less vibrationally relaxed behavior related to flexible C-H···π bonds. Nevertheless, the tendency for increased quantum yield and emission lifetime, as well as blue-shifted emission in dilute solution goes with the increase in size of complexes. The central arene ring (phenyl, naphthyl or biphenyl) has an influence on the final photophysical properties. The larger the π-conjugated extension of central arene ring is, the better the photophysical properties of complex are. The rigid and large-sized complex 3b, with a high quantum yield and long lifetime, is the best luminophore among these complexes.     

Blue copper model complexes with distorted tetragonal geometry acting as effective electron-transfer mediators in dye-sensitized solar cells

The electron self-exchange rate constants of blue copper model complexes, [(-)-sparteine-N,N'](maleonitriledithiolato-S,S')copper ([Cu(SP)(mmt)])(0/)(-), bis(2,9-dimethy-1,10-phenanthroline)copper ([Cu(dmp)(2)](2+/+)), and bis(1,10-phenanthroline)copper ([Cu(phen)(2)](2+/+)) have been determined from the rate constants of electron transfer from a homologous series of ferrocene derivatives to the copper(II) complexes in light of the Marcus theory of electron transfer. The resulting electron self-exchange rate constant increases in the order: [Cu(phen)(2)](2+/+) < [Cu(SP)(mmt)](0/)(-) < [Cu(dmp)(2)](2+/+), in agreement with the order of the smaller structural change between the copper(II) and copper(I) complexes due to the distorted tetragonal geometry. The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) were constructed using the copper complexes as redox couples to compare the photoelectrochemical responses with those using the conventional I(3)(-)/I(-) couple. The light energy conversion efficiency (eta) values under illumination of simulated solar light irradiation (100 mW/cm(2)) of DSSCs using [Cu(phen)(2)](2+/+), [Cu(dmp)(2)](2+/+), and [Cu(SP)(mmt)](0/)(-) were recorded as 0.1%, 1.4%, and 1.3%, respectively. The maximum eta value (2.2%) was obtained for a DSSC using the [Cu(dmp)(2)](2+/+) redox couple under the light irradiation of 20 mW/cm(2) intensity, where a higher open-circuit voltage of the cell was attained as compared to that of the conventional I(3)(-)/I(-) couple.     

Exceptionally long-lived luminescence from [Cu(I)(isocyanide)2(phen)]+ complexes in nanoporous crystals enables remarkable oxygen gas sensing

We report crystalline mixed-ligand copper complexes with phenanthroline and isocyanides with almost millesecond emission lifetimes that are efficient dioxygen sensors. The oxygen sensitivity of the prototype ([Cu(CN-xylyl)(2)(dmp)]tfpb, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline; CN-xylyl = 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide; tfpb = tetrakis(bis-3,5-trifluoromethylphenylborate) is 38 times better than that of [Ru(phen)(3)]tfpb(2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline).     

Structures, electronic properties and solid state luminescence of Cu(I) iodide complexes with 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and aliphatic aminomethylphosphines or triphenylphosphine

The luminescent complexes of triphenylphosphine and two interesting aminomethylphosphines: P(CH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(3))(3) and P(CH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)O)(3) with copper(I) iodide and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp): [CuI(dmp)PPh(3)], [CuI(dmp)P(CH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(3))(3)] and [CuI(phen)P(CH(2)N(CH(2)CH(2))(2)O)(3)] are presented in this work. These complexes were characterized in solution by means of NMR spectroscopy and their structures were crystallographically determined in the solid state. All complexes crystallize as the discrete dimers bound by π-stacking interactions between dmp rings. The coordination geometry about the Cu(I) centre is pseudo-tetrahedral showing small flattening and large rocking distortions. The investigated compounds exhibit intense orange photoluminescence in the solid state (emission peaks at r.t.: λ(max) = 588-592 nm; τ = 1.7-2.2 and 6.4-10.0 μs; at 77 K: λ(max) = 605-612 nm; τ = 4.8-6.5 and 32-47 μs), which is several orders higher than the luminescence of the analogous complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). Electronic and structural properties of the [CuI(dmp/phen)PR(3)] complexes were characterized using DFT methods to interpret their photophysics. On the basis of TDDFT calculations the broad CT bands observed in UV-Vis spectra are interpreted as the two mixed transitions from σ(CuI) bond with a small admixture of σ(CuP) bond to π* phen or dmp ligand: (MX,MPR(3))LCT, while the emissions most probably occur from two triplet states which are in thermal equilibrium.     

A series of luminescent Cu(I) mixed-ligand complexes containing 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and simple diphosphine ligands

A series of Cu(I) mixed-ligand complexes containing dmp (2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and one of simple diphosphine ligands (Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2) were prepared. Among the complexes, [Cu(dppp)(dmp)]PF6 (n=3) and [Cu2(dppb)2(dmp)2](PF6)2 (n=4) were characterized by X-ray structure analyses. The dppp complex has been characterized as a mononuclear complex, while [Cu2(dppb)2(dmp)2]2+ exists as a dinuclear complex in which two dppb ligands bridge between the two Cu(I) atoms. Although the distorted tetrahedral structures around the central metals of the two complexes are similar, the P-Cu-P angles are different between the two complexes. All of the series of complexes show photoluminescence in solution, and the intensity of the luminescence increases with n (n=2-4). The non-radiative rate constants of the complexes decrease markedly with n although radiative rate constants of the complexes are similar.     

Photobehavior of (alpha-diimine)dimesitylplatinum(II) complexes

The photobehavior of complexes of the type Pt(diimine)(mes)2 is investigated (where diimine = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (tmp), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2,9-dmp), 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (5,6-dmp), and 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dpp) and mes = the mesityl (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) anion). For all compounds studied, solution RT emission is observed to be weak and excited-state lifetimes are found to be short (< or = 20 ns) regardless of solvent choice. Evidence is presented for energy-transfer quenching of Pt(dpp)(mes)2 luminescence in toluene by dissolved O2 (primarily producing singlet oxygen) with an observed quenching rate constant of kq > or = 1.3 x 10(9) M-1 s-1. Electron-transfer quenching is also observed in the presence of 3,5-dinitrobenzonitrile, yielding a quenching rate constant of kq > or = 1.6 x 10(9) M-1 s-1. The latter observation suggests that phase Pt(II) systems may have future value as excited-state reductants. All of the complexes display a much more intense and longer-lived luminescence in the solid state at room temperature. Several possible explanations for this dependence on phase are proposed, with the most probable mechanism involving radiationless deactivation in solution via rotation of the o-methyl groups of the mesityl ligands.     

Excited-state dynamics of structurally characterized [ReI(CO)3(phen)(HisX)]+ (X = 83, 109) Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurins in aqueous solution

The triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer ((3)MLCT) dynamics of two structurally characterized Re(I)(CO)(3)(phen)(HisX)-modified (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; X = 83, 109) Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurins have been investigated by picosecond time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopy in aqueous (D(2)O) solution. The (3)MLCT relaxation dynamics exhibited by the two Re(I)-azurins are very different from those of the sensitizer [Re(I)(CO)(3)(phen)(im)](+) (im = imidazole). Whereas the Re(I)(CO)(3) intramolecular vibrational relaxation in Re(I)(CO)(3)(phen)(HisX)Az (4 ps) is similar to that of [Re(I)(CO)(3)(phen)(im)](+) (2 ps), the medium relaxation is much slower ( approximately 250 vs 9.5 ps); the 250-ps relaxation is attributable to reorientation of D(2)O molecules as well as structural reorganization of the rhenium chromophore and nearby polar amino acids in each of the modified proteins.     

Real-time observation of the photoinduced structural change of bis(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I) by femtosecond fluorescence spectroscopy: a realistic potential curve of the Jahn-Teller distortion

In copper(I) complex [Cu(dmphen)(2)]+ (dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), a "flattening" structural change is induced with 1MLCT excitation, which is a prototype of the structural change accompanied with Cu(I)/Cu(II) conversion in copper complexes. Femtosecond and picosecond emission dynamics of this complex were investigated in solution at room temperature with optically allowed S(2) <-- S(0) photoexcitation. Time-resolved emission was measured in the whole visible region, and the lifetimes, intrinsic emission spectra, and radiative lifetimes of the transients were obtained by quantitative analysis. It was concluded that the initially populated S(2) state is relaxed with a time constant of 45 fs to generate the S1 state retaining the perpendicular structure, and the D(2d) --> D(2) structural change (the change of the dihedral angle between the two ligand planes) occurs in the S(1) state with a time constant of 660 fs. The intersystem crossing from the S(1) state to the T(1) state takes place after this structural distortion with a time constant of 7.4 ps. Importantly, the temporal spectral evolution relevant to the structural change clearly exhibited an isoemissive point around 675 nm. This manifests that there exists a shallow potential minimum at the perpendicular geometry on the S1 surface, and the S1 state stays undistorted for a finite period as long as 660 fs before the structural distortion. This situation is not expected for the structural change induced by the ordinary (pseudo-)Jahn-Teller effect, because the distortion should be induced by the spontaneous structural instability at the perpendicular structure. This result sheds new light on the present understanding on the structural change occurring in the metal complexes.