Nine constituents including six xanthone-related compounds isolated from two ascomycetes, Gelasinospora santi-florii and Emericella quadrilineata, found in a screening study focused on immunomodulatory activity

Five metabolites tentatively called GS-1 (1)-5 (5) from Gelasinospora santi-florii, and four tentatively called EQ-4 (6), EQ-6 (7)-8 (9) together with 1-4 from Emericella quadrilineata have been isolated in a screening study on immunomodulatory fungal constituents. Among these nine metabolites, EQ-7 and 8 have been unknown. This time, the structures of GS-4 which has previously been isolated, EQ-7, and -8 have been determined to be (4R,4aS,9aR)-1,9a-dihydronidulalin A (4), (4S,4aR,9aR)-4a-carbomethoxy-1,4,4a,9a-tetrahydro-4,8-dihydroxy-6-methylxanthone (8), and 9-hydroxymicroperfuranone (9), respectively, and the six other metabolites have been identified. On bioassay, a dihydroxanthone, nidulalin A (1), a hexaketide, sordarial (5), and a xanthone, pinselin (7) have displayed significant immunosuppressive activities. The structure-activity relationships of these constituents have also been discussed.     

溶致变色法测定类杂芪染料分子-阶超极化率

Using solvatochromic method the determination of the molecular first-order hyperpolarizabilities of three novel stilbazolium-like dyes and twoknown stilbazolium-like dyes: trans-(pyrrol-2yl) -4-(N-methyl-pyridinio) -stilbazolium iodide(PPSI), trans-(furan-2-yl) -4-(N-methyl - pyridinio)-stilbazolium iodide (FPSI), trans-(thiophene-2-yl) -4- (N-methyl-pyridinio)-stilbazolium iodide (TPSI) and trans-(N-methylpyrrol-2-yl) 4-(N-methyl-pyridinio)-stilbazolium iodide (MPPSI), trans(4-N, N-dimethylamino) -(4- N-methylpwidinio) -stilbazolium iodide(DAPSI) in 8 solvents is presented, and their molecular hyperpolarizabilities are as high as 10-26 -10-27 esu. We have proved that the molecular hyperpolarizabilities is in linear correlation with the electron excessivities of donors for PPSI,FPSI and TPSI in each solvent, this relation give us a way to design molecules that have larger hyperpolallzabilities. Furthermore, our experiments show that the molecules of the five stilbazolium-like dyes have...更多 a larger dipolemoment, when they are in ground state than in excited state.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(ether amide)s Containing Phthalazinone Moieties

Soluble aromatic polyamides containing phthalazinone moieties were prepared. Those polymers were obtained from the solution polymerization of a new diacid containing phthalazinone moieties with various diamines. The new monomer, 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4-(4-carboxyphenoxy)phenyl-1(2H)phthalazinone(Ⅳ) was synthesized in a two-step reaction sequence. 2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-4-(4-cyanophenoxy)phenyl-1(2H)phthalazinone (Ⅲ) was prepared via the condensation reaction of 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1(2H)phthalazinone (Ⅰ) with p-chlorobenzonitrile (Ⅱ). After (Ⅲ) was hydrolyzed, (Ⅳ) was acquired. The synthesized polyamides were characterized by means of viscosimetry, DSC, FT-IR, 1H NMR and EA. The polyamides have a high glass transition temperature which can be as high as 316 ℃. The polyamides also have good solubilities in some organic solvents.     

Crystal structures of ferro- and antiferroelectric mesogens with a 1-methylalkoxycarbonyl group

Crystal structures have been determined for 4-[(S)-1-methylpentyloxycarbonyl]phenyl, 4-([S)-1-methylhexyloxycarbonyl]phenyl 4'-octyloxybiphenyl-4-carboxylates (1 and 2, respectively) and (R)-1-methylheptyl 4-(4'-octyloxybiphenyl-4-yloxymethylene)benzoate (3), which have S_CA*, S_C* and S_CA* phases, respectively. All the crystals have a common packing mode with the previously determined structure of 4-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl)phenyl 4'-octyloxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate (MHPOBC). Each crystal forms a smectic-like layer structure composed of largely bent molecules with the long alkyl chain of the chiral group almost perpendicular to the core moiety. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the crystals of 1, 2, and MHPOBC, which have a carbonyloxy group as the central linkage between the biphenyl and phenylene moieties, transform to higher temperature solid phases in a similar temperature range (around 60°C). For 3, which has an oxymethylene linkage between the biphenyl and phenylene moieties, three kinds of solids were distinguished.     

An efficient scalable synthesis of 2,3-epoxypropyl phenylhydrazones

A series of mono and di-N-2,3-epoxypropyl N-phenylhydrazones have been prepared on a large scale by reaction of the corresponding N-phenylhydrazones of 9-ethyl-3-carbazolecarbaldehyde, 9-ethyl-3,6-carbazoledicarbaldehyde, 4-dimethyl-amino-, 4-diethylamino-, 4-benzylethylamino-, 4-(diphenylamino)-, 4-(4,4-4'-dimethyl-diphenylamino)-, 4-(4-formyldiphenylamino)- and 4-(4-formyl-4'-methyldiphenyl-amino)benzaldehyde with epichlorohydrin in the presence of KOH and anhydrous Na(2)SO(4).     

Preparation of site-differentiated mixed ligand and mixed ligand/mixed metal metallacrowns

Assembly reactions that can prepare reliably regioselective metallamacrocyclic complexes have been a target in the development of metallacrowns. To this end, a series of mixed ligand and mixed ligand/mixed metal metallacrowns have been synthesized in high yield and structurally characterized. Two distinct connectivities have been observed in these types of metallacrowns. The monomeric, vacant metallacrown with mixed ligand composition [12-MC(Ni(II)N(Hshi)2(pko)2-4)] (1a) shows the connectivity pattern [-O-Ni-O-N-Ni-N-]2 while the other Ni metallacrowns, [12-MC(Ni(II)N(shi)2(pko)2-4)] (2a) and the coupled [12-MC(Ni(II)N(shi))2(pko)2-4)][12-MC(Ni(II)N(shi))3(pko)-4)] (3a) fused metallacrowns as well as the mixed metal Mn-Ni metallacrown [12-MC(Ni(II)Mn(III)N(shi)2(pko)2-4)] (4a), follow the pattern [-Ni-O-N-]4. Also, three distinct arrangements of the chelate rings around the metal ions have been observed. The syntheses are completely general, allowing for the substitution of different ligands into the metallacrown core. Compounds 1 and 4 show the 6-5-6-5-6-5-6-5 arrangement, compounds 2 and 3(1) the 6-6-5-5-6-6-5-5, and the 3(2) component the 6-6-5-5-6-5-6-5. The obtained structures can be rationalized by balancing the charge at each metal site in the metallacrown. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show that exchange interactions for all the compounds are weak and dominantly antiferromagnetic (e.g., 2a gives an exchange coupling of J = -1.2 cm(-1) with g = 2.2). In solution, the metallacrowns are shown to be stable both to decomposition and ligand exchange.     

Less symmetrical dicopper(II) complexes as catechol oxidase models--an adjacent thioether group increases catecholase activity

Three new unsymmetrical compartmental dinucleating ligands, 4-bromo-2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-6-[{2-(1-piperidyl)ethyl}aminomethyl]phenol (HL1), 4-bromo-2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-6-[{2-(morpholin-4-yl)ethyl}aminomethyl]phenol (HL2), and 4-bromo-2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-6-[{2-(thiomorpholin-4-yl)ethyl}aminomethyl]phenol (HL3), have been synthesized in order to model the active site of type 3 copper proteins. The dicopper(II) complexes of these ligands give first hints about the influence of a thioether group close to the metal site. The bromophenol-based ligands have one piperazine arm and one other bidentate arm in positions 2 and 6 of the phenolic ring, respectively. With each ligand a dinuclear copper(II) complex was prepared and structurally characterized. The copper ions were found to have square pyramidal environments and a mixture of endogenous phenoxo and exogenous acetate bridging. The influence of a heteroatom in one arm of the ligand on catecholase activity and speciation in solution was studied by UV/Vis spectroscopy, ESI-MS experiments and, DFT calculations.     

Preparation and characterization of asymmetric alpha-alkoxy dipyrrin ligands and their metal complexes

Asymmetric alpha-substituted dipyrrins have been synthesized and characterized. The compounds were formed by a metal mediated reaction involving a single alkoxy group substituted into the alpha-position of an alpha,beta-unsubstituted dipyrrin. An alpha-methoxy dipyrrin, 5-(4-cyanophenyl)-1-methoxydipyrrin (alpha-OMe-4-cydpm), was prepared from 5-(4-cyanophenyl)-4,6-dipyrromethane. Methoxy, ethoxy, and propoxy derivatives (alpha-OMe-4-mecdpm, alpha-OEt-4-mecdpm, alpha-OPr-4-mecdpm) of 5-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-4,6-dipyrromethane have also been prepared. A homoleptic, bis(1-methoxy)dipyrrinato zinc(II) complex, [Zn(alpha-OMe-4-mecdpm)(2)], has been synthesized, as has a heteroleptic cobalt(III) complex with one alpha-OMe-4-cydpm ligand and two unsubstituted 5-(4-cyanophenyl)dipyrrin (4-cydpm) ligands ([Co(alpha-OMe-4-cydpm)(4-cydpm)(2)]). The rotational barrier of the meso-aryl substituent of [Zn(alpha-OMe-4-mecdpm)(2)] was found to be 17.3 kcal mol(-1) by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. The compounds alpha-OMe-4-cydpm and [Zn(alpha-OMe-4-mecdpm)(2)] have also been characterized by X-ray diffraction. The formation of the new dipyrrin derivatives is shown to be general and can be performed on dipyrrins with various meso-aryl substitutents, with a variety of alcohols, and can be promoted by several metal salts.     

First examples of thallium chalcogenide cages. Syntheses, 77Se, 203Tl, and 205Tl NMR study of the Tl4Se5(4-) and Tl4Se6(4-) anions, the X-ray crystal structure of (2,2,2-crypt-K+)3Tl5Se5(3-), and theoretical studies

The Tl5Se5(3-) anion has been obtained by extracting KTlSe in ethylenediamine in the presence of 2,2,2-crypt. The salt, (2,2,2-crypt-K+)3Tl5Se5(3-), crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with Z = 2 and a = 11.676(2) A, b = 16.017(3) A, c = 25.421(5) A, alpha = 82.42(3) degrees, beta = 88.47(3) degrees, gamma = 69.03(3) degrees at -123 degrees C. Two other mixed oxidation state TlI/TlIII anions; Tl4Se5(4-) and Tl4Se6(4-), have been obtained by extracting KTlSe into liquid NH3 in the presence of 2,2,2-crypt and have been characterized in solution by low-temperature 77Se, 203Tl, and 205Tl NMR spectroscopy and were shown to exist as a 1:1 equilibrium mixture at -40 degrees C. The couplings, 1J(203,205Tl-77Se) and 2J(203,205Tl-203,205Tl), have been observed for Tl4Se5(4-) and Tl4Se6(4-) and have been used to arrive at the solution structures of both anions. Structural assignments were achieved by detailed analyses and simulations of all spin multiplets that comprise the 205,203Tl NMR spectra and that arise from natural abundance 205,203Tl and 77Se or enriched 77Se isotopomer distributions. The structures of all three anions are based on a Tl4Se4 cube in which Tl and Se atoms occupy alternate corners. There are one and two exo-selenium atoms bonded to thallium in Tl4Se5(4-) and Tl4Se6(4-), respectively, so that these thalliums are four-coordinate and possess a formal oxidation state of +3 and the remaining three-coordinate thallium atoms are in the +1 oxidation state. The structure of Tl5Se5(3-) may be formally regarded as an adduct in which Tl+ is coordinated to the unique exo-selenium and to two seleniums in a cube face containing the TlIII atom. The Tl4Se5(4-), Tl4Se6(4-), and Tl5Se5(3-) anions and the presently unknown, but structurally related, Tl4Se4(4-) anion can be described as electron-precise cages. Ab initio methods at the MP2 level of theory show that Tl4Se5(4-), Tl4Se6(4-), and Tl5Se5(3-) exhibit true minima and display geometrical parameters that are in excellent agreement with their experimental cubanoid structures, and that Tl4Se4(4-) is cube-shaped (Td point symmetry). The gas-phase energetics associated with plausible routes to the formation and interconversions of these anions have been determined by ab initio methods and assessed. It is proposed that all three cubanoid anions are derived from the known Tl2Se2(2-), TlSe3(3-), Se2(2-), and polyselenide anions that have been shown to be present in the solutions they are derived from.     

An investigation of the structure of the nitration products of 1-phenyl-5-styryltetrazole using the mass-spectrometric method

Depending on the reaction conditions, the nitration of 1-phenyl-5-styryltetrazole (I) with nitric acid and nitrating mixture give 1-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-styryltetrazole, 1-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-nitrostyryltetrazole), and 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-5-(4-nitrostyryl) tetrazole. The structures of the compounds obtained have been established by an analysis of their mass spectra and of the mass spectra of model compounds. The positions and sequences of entry of the nitro groups have been determined.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 558–563, April, 1980.     

Synthetic studies of psilocin analogs having either a formyl group or bromine atom at the 5- or 7-position

Psilocin analogs having either a formyl group (9-12) or a bromine atom (13-18) at the 5- or 7-position have been prepared for the first time. Syntheses of 5- and 7-bromo derivatives of 4-hydroxy- (23, 24, 28) and 4-benzyloxyindole-3-carbaldehyde (19, 25, 29, 30), 4-benzyloxyindole-3-acetonitriles (20, 31), and 4-benzyloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (32, 34, 35) have also been established.     

(R)-N-(β-三氯锗取代丙酰基)TTCA酯的合成及其倍半氧化物

β-三氯锗取代丙酰氯1a～1c与(R)TTCA酯反应, 得到光学活性的(R)-N-(β-三氯锗取代丙酰基)TTCA酯3a～3d([α]D^2^0-86.00～-94.35ⅲ)及光学活性的β-三氯锗取代丙酰氯2a～2d。化合物3a～3d经水解得到(R)-N-(β-取代丙酰基)TTCA酯基锗倍半氧化物4a～4d, [α]D^2^0-44.48～-77.00ⅲ。用半经验量子化学MNDO方法研究了反应物和产物最优构型的电子结构及反应的焓变。     

Preparations and electrochemical properties of pyrazine-bridged ruthenium-binuclear complexes exhibiting molecular hysteresis

Three binuclear Ru complexes cis-,cis-[(NH3)4(L)Ru-pz-Ru(NH3)4(dmso)](PF6)4 (L = NH3 (4), pyridine (5), benzonitrile (6); dmso = dimethyl sulfoxide) have been prepared, and their electrochemical behavior, exhibiting molecular hysteresis, is reported. Simulations of cyclic voltammograms and thin-layer cyclic voltammograms have provided redox potentials, isomerization rates, and interconversion rates of the complexes. The rates of the conversions between two isomeric intermediate states have been determined to be5 x 10(-6) and 4 x 10(-4) s(-1) for the complex 4, 4 x 10(-5) and 4 x 10(-4) s(-1) for the complex 5, and 2 x 10(-4) and 5 x 10(-5) s(-1) for the complex 6. The equilibrium parameters between these states are discussed in relation to the redox potentials of the complexes.     

Coordination complexes exhibiting anion...pi interactions: synthesis, structure, and theoretical studies

The polydentate ligand 2,4,6-tris(dipyridin-2-ylamino)-1,3,5-triazine (dpyatriz) in combination with the Cu(ClO 4) 2/CuX 2 salt mixtures (X (-) = Cl (-), Br (-), or N 3 (-)) leads to the formation of molecular coordination aggregates with formulas [Cu 3Cl 3(dpyatriz) 2](ClO 4) 3 ( 2), [Cu 3Br 3(dpyatriz) 2](ClO 4) 3 ( 3), and [Cu 4(N 3) 4(dpyatriz) 2(DMF) 4(ClO 4) 2](ClO 4) 2 ( 4). These complexes consist of two dpyatriz ligands bridged via coordination to Cu (II) and disposed either face-to-face in an eclipsed manner ( 2 and 3) or parallel and mutually shifted in one direction. The copper ions complete their coordination positions with Cl (-) ( 2), Br (-) ( 3), or N 3 (-), ClO 4 (-), and N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) ( 4) ligands. All complexes crystallize together with noncoordinate ClO 4 (-) groups that display anion...pi interactions with the triazine rings. These interactions have been studied by means of high level ab initio calculations and the MIPp partition scheme. These calculations have proven the ClO 4 (-)...[C 3N 3] interactions to be favorable and have revealed a synergistic effect from the combined occurrence of pi-pi stacking of triazine rings and the interaction of these moieties with perchlorate ions, as observed in the experimental systems.     

Strategies for electrooptic film fabrication. Influence of pyrrole-pyridine-based dibranched chromophore architecture on covalent self-assembly, thin-film microstructure, and nonlinear optical response

The new dibranched, heterocyclic "push-pull" chromophores bis{1-(pyridin-4-yl)-2-[2-(N-methylpyrrol-5-yl)]ethane}methane (1), 1-(pyrid-4-yl)-2-(N-methyl-5-formylpyrrol-2-yl)ethylene (2), {1-(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)-2-[2-(N-methylpyrrol-5-yl)]ethane}{(1-(pyridin-4-yl)-2-[2-(N-methylpyrrol-5-yl)]ethane}methane (3), N-methyl-2-[1-(N-methylpyrid-4-yl)ethen-2-yl]-5-[pyrid-4-yl]ethen-2-yl]pyrrole iodide (4), bis{1-(N-methyl-4-pyridinio)-2-[2-(N-methylpyrrol-5-yl)]ethane}methane iodide (5), and N-methyl-2,5-[1-(N-methylpyrid-4-yl)ethen-2-yl]pyrrole iodide (6) have been synthesized and characterized. The neutral (1 and 2) and monomethyl salts (3 and 4) undergo chemisorptive reaction with iodobenzyl-functionalized surfaces to afford chromophore monolayers SA-1/SA-2 and SA-3/SA-4, respectively. Molecular structures and other physicochemical properties have been defined by (1)H NMR, optical spectroscopy, and XRD. Thin-film characterization by a variety of techniques (optical spectroscopy, specular X-ray reflectivity, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and angle-dependent polarized second harmonic generation) underscore the importance of the chromophore molecular architecture as well as film growth method on film microstructure and optical/electrooptic response.     

Chromenone 12-crown-4 substituted zinc phthalocyanine complexes: investigation of spectral, photophysical and photochemical properties

The synthesis of novel 6,7-[(12-crown-4)-3-[p-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]coumarin (1), 6,7-[(12-crown-4)-3-[p-(2,3-dicyanophenoxy)phenyl]coumarin (2), and their corresponding tetra-(chromenone 12-crown-4)-substituted zinc (II) phthalocyanine complexes (3 and 4) have been prepared. These new compounds have been characterized by elementel analysis, (1)H NMR (1 and 2), MALDI-TOF, IR and UV-Vis spectral data. The fluorescence intensity changes for 1 and 2 by addition of Na(+) or K(+) ions have been determined at 25°C in THF. Intensity of the binding Na(+)- and K(+)-complexes (1 and 2) have decreased. The effects of the chromenone crown ether on the phthalocyanine molecule concerning photophysical and photochemical properties are also investigated. Photodegredation, singlet oxygen, fluorescence quantum yields, and fluorescence lifetimes of zinc phthalocyanine complexes (3 and 4) are also examined in DMSO.     

Synthesis and Mesomorphic Properties of Novel γ-Substituted β-Diketonates

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of two series of novel γ-substituted β-diketonates have been reported. All of the compounds 2,4-dioxo-3-pentyl 4-[[4-(n-alkoxyl) cinnamoyl]oxy]cinnamatetes Ia-If (n=7-12) exhibit two monotropic phases(N and Sc) and have a wider mesophase range than the compounds 2,4-dioxo-3-pentyl 4-[[4-(n-alkoxyl) benzoyl]oxy] cinnamatetes Ⅱa-Ⅱf (n=7-12), which display one monotropic nematic phase (n=7-10) or an enantiotropic nematic phase for n=11 or two enantiotropic phases (N and Sc)for n=12.     

Synthesis, structural, magnetic, DFT calculations and CShM studies of three new pentanuclear Mn(II) clusters

The ditopic ligand PyPzOAPz (N-[(Z)-amino(pyrazin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) was synthesized by in situ condensation of methyl imino pyrazine-2-carboxylate with 5-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl) pyrazole-3-carbohydrazide. In this work we have also used two of our earlier ligands PzCAP (5-methyl-N-[(1E)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) (Dalton Trans., 2009, 8215) and PzOAP (N-[(Z)-amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) (Dalton Trans., 2007, 1229). These ligands PzCAP, PzOAP and PyPzOAPz were made to react with Mn(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O to produce three pentanuclear Mn(II) clusters [Mn(5)(PzCAP)(6)](ClO(4))(4) (1), [Mn(5)(PzOAP)(6)](ClO(4))(4) (2) and [Mn(5)(PyPzOAPz)(6)](ClO(4))(4) (3). These complexes have been characterized by X-ray structural analyses and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. All complexes have a pentanuclear core with trigonal bipyramidal arrangement of Mn(II) atoms, where, the axial metal centers have a N(3)O(3) chromophore and the equatorial centers have N(4)O(2) with an octahedral arrangement. These Mn(5)(II) clusters 1, 2 and 3 show the presence of antiferromagnetic coupling within the pentanuclear manganese(II) core (J = -2.95, -3.19 and -3.00 cm(-1) respectively). Density functional theory calculations and continuous shape measurement (CShM) studies have been performed on these complexes to provide a qualitative theoretical interpretation of the antiferromagnetic behaviour shown by them. The pentanuclear Mn(II) cluster (1) on reaction with Cu(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O in 1:1 mole proportion in CH(3)OH:H(2)O (60?:?40) forms a homoleptic [2 × 2] tetranuclear Cu(4)(II) grid [Cu(4)(PzCAP)(4)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2)·8H(2)O (4). The same Cu(4)(II) grid is also obtained from a direct reaction between the ditopic ligand PzCAP with Cu(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O in 1:1 mole proportion. This conversion of a cluster to a grid is a novel observation.     

偶氮苯取代吡唑啉衍生物PMMA薄膜的光诱导双折射性质研究

芳香族偶氮化合物的顺反异构化反应长期以来一直受到人们的关注 [1,2 ] .当把偶氮生色团引入到聚合物中时 ,在线性偏振光的激发下 ,偶氮生色团能发生“反 -顺 -反”光异构化循环 ,并且偶氮发色团会沿着偏振光偏振方向的法线重新取向 ,从而导致光致双折射现象的发生 [3 ] .因此 ,这类聚合物在光学存储 [4 ] 、光学开关和全息光栅 [5] 等方面具有重要的应用价值 .为研究偶氮苯的结构对光诱导双折射性质的影响 ,本文制备了偶氮苯取代的三苯基吡唑啉衍生物 ,并把其掺杂入 PMMA中 ,研究了薄膜的偏振光诱导光致双折射性质 ,讨论了温度对其光致双…     

New phosphorescent polynuclear Cu(I) compounds based on linear and star-shaped 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl derivatives: syntheses, structures, luminescence, and electroluminescence

Four dinuclear and trinuclear Cu(I) complexes that contain 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl derivative ligands including 1,4-bis[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (1,4-bmb), 1,3-bis[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (1,3-bmb), 1,3,5-tris[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (tmb), and 4,4'-bis[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]biphenyl (bmbp) have been synthesized. The formulas of these complexes are [Cu(2)(1,4-bmb)(PPh(3))(4)][BF(4)](2) (1), [Cu(2)(1,3-bmb)(PPh(3))(4)][BF(4)](2) (2), [Cu(3)(tmb)(PPh(3))(6)][BF(4)](3) (3), and [Cu(2)(bmbp)(PPh(3))(4)][BF(4)](2) (4), respectively. The crystal structures of 2-4 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The Cu(I) ions in the complexes have a distorted tetrahedral geometry. For 3, two structural isomers (syn and anti) resulted from two different orientations of the three 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl chelating units were observed in the crystal lattice. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR experiments established the presence of syn and anti isomers for 1-3 in solution which interconvert at ambient temperature. Complexes 1-4 have a weak MLCT absorption band in the 350-450 nm region and display a yellow-orange emission when irradiated by UV light. One unexpected finding is that the yellow-orange emission of complexes 1-4 has a very long decay lifetime (approximately 200 micros) at 77 K. An electroluminescent (EL) device using 4 as the emitter and PVK as the host was fabricated. However, the long decay lifetime of the copper complexes may limit their applications as phosphorescent emitters in EL devices.