Electroswitchable photoluminescence activity: synthesis, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, photophysics, and X-ray crystal and electronic structures of [Re(bpy)(CO)3(C[triple bond]C[bond]C6H4[bond]C[triple bond]C)Fe(C5Me5)(dppe)][PF6](n) (n = 0, 1)

A novel heterobimetallic alkynyl-bridged complex, [Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond]C[triple bond]C)Fe(C(5)Me(5))(dppe)], 1, and its oxidized species, [Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond]C[triple bond]C)Fe(C(5)Me(5))(dppe)][PF(6)], 2, have been synthesized and their X-ray crystal structures determined. A related vinylidene complex, [Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond](H)C[double bond]C)Fe(C(5)Me(5))(dppe)][PF(6)], 3, has also been synthesized and characterized. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 shows a quasireversible reduction couple at -1.49 V (vs SCE), a fully reversible oxidation at -0.19 V, and a quasireversible oxidation at +0.88 V. In accord with the electrochemical results, density-functional theory calculations on the hydrogen-substituted model complex Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond]C[triple bond]C)Fe(C(5)H(5))(dHpe) (Cp = C(5)H(5), dHpe = H(2)P[bond](CH(2))(2)[bond]PH(2)) (1-H) show that the LUMO is mainly bipyridine ligand pi* in character while the HOMO is largely iron(II) d orbital in character. The electronic absorption spectrum of 1 shows low-energy absorption at 390 nm with a 420 nm shoulder in CH(2)Cl(2), while that of 2 exhibits less intense low-energy bands at 432 and 474 nm and additional low-energy bands in the NIR at ca. 830, 1389, and 1773 nm. Unlike the related luminescent rhenium(I)-alkynyl complex [Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond]C[triple bond]C[bond]H)], 4, complex 1 is found to be nonemissive, and such a phenomenon is attributed to an intramolecular quenching of the emissive d pi(Re) --> pi*(bpy) (3)MLCT state by the low-lying MLCT and LF excited states of the iron moiety. Interestingly, switching on of the luminescence property derived from the d pi(Re) --> pi*(bpy) (3)MLCT state can be demonstrated in the oxidized species 2 and the related vinylidene analogue 3 due to the absence of the quenching pathway.     

Rhenium-to-benzoylpyridine and rhenium-to-bipyridine MLCT excited states of fac-[Re(Cl)(4-benzoylpyridine)(2)(CO)(3)] and fac-[Re(4-benzoylpyridine)(CO)(3)(bpy)](+): a time-resolved spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical study

The lowest allowed electronic transition of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(bopy)(2)] (bopy = 4-benzoylpyridine) has a Re --> bopy MLCT character, as revealed by UV-vis and stationary resonance Raman spectroscopy. Accordingly, the lowest-lying, long-lived, excited state is Re --> bopy (3)MLCT. Electronic depopulation of the Re(CO)(3) unit and population of a bopy pi orbital upon excitation are evident by the upward shift of nu(CO) vibrations and a downward shift of the ketone nu(C=O) vibration, respectively, seen in picosecond time-resolved IR spectra. Moreover, reduction of a single bopy ligand in the (3)MLCT excited state is indicated by time-resolved visible and resonance Raman (TR(3)) spectra that show features typical of bopy(*)(-). In contrast, the lowest allowed electronic transition and lowest-lying excited state of a new complex fac-[Re(bopy)(CO)(3)(bpy)](+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) have been identified as Re --> bpy MLCT with no involvement of the bopy ligand, despite the fact that the first reduction of this complex is bopy-localized, as was proven spectroelectrochemically. This is a rare case in which the localizations of the lowest MLCT excitation and the first reduction are different. (3)MLCT excited states of both fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(bopy)(2)] and fac-[Re(bopy)(CO)(3)(bpy)](+) are initially formed vibrationally hot. Their relaxation is manifested by picosecond dynamic shifts of nu(C(triple bond)O) IR bands. The X-ray structure of fac-[Re(bopy)(CO)(3)(bpy)]PF(6).CH(3)CN has been determined.     

Theoretical characterization of the lowest triplet excited states of the tris-(1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene) ruthenium dication complex

We present a theoretical study of the ground and the lowest triplet excited states of the tris-(1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene) ruthenium complex [Ru(tap)3]2+. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to obtain the relaxed geometries and emission energies (Delta-SCF), whereas time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) was used to compute the absorption spectrum. Our calculations have revealed the presence of three low-lying excited-state minima, which may be relevant in the photophysical/photochemical properties of this complex. Two minima with similar energies correspond to the MLCT 3A2 and MLCT 3B metal-to-ligand charge-transfer states, the first one corresponding to a D3 structure, whereas the second is a slightly localized C2 species. The third and lowest one corresponds to the metal-centered MC 3A state and displays a pronounced C2 distortion. We have examined for the first time the localized character of the excitation in the computed MLCT states. In particular, we have evaluated the pseudorotation barrier between the Jahn-Teller C2 MLCT 3B minima in the moat around the D3 conical intersection. We have shown that the complex should be viewed as a delocalized [Ru3+(tap(-1/3))3]2+ complex in the lowest MLCT states, in agreement with subpicosecond interligand electron transfer observed by femtosecond transient absorption anisotropy study. Upper-bound estimates of the MLCT-->MC (3 kcal/mol) and MC-->MLCT (10 kcal/mol) activation energy barriers obtained from potential energy profiles in vacuum corroborate the high photoinstability of the MLCT states of the [Ru(tap)3]2+complex.     

Hot Branching Dynamics in a Light‐Harvesting Iron Carbene Complex Revealed by Ultrafast X‐ray Emission Spectroscopy

Iron N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes have received a great deal of attention recently because of their growing potential as light sensitizers or photocatalysts. We present a sub‐ps X‐ray spectroscopy study of an Fe^IINHC complex that identifies and quantifies the states involved in the deactivation cascade after light absorption. Excited molecules relax back to the ground state along two pathways: After population of a hot ³MLCT state, from the initially excited ¹MLCT state, 30 % of the molecules undergo ultrafast (150 fs) relaxation to the ³MC state, in competition with vibrational relaxation and cooling to the relaxed ³MLCT state. The relaxed ³MLCT state then decays much more slowly (7.6 ps) to the ³MC state. The ³MC state is rapidly (2.2 ps) deactivated to the ground state. The ⁵MC state is not involved in the deactivation pathway. The ultrafast partial deactivation of the ³MLCT state constitutes a loss channel from the point of view of photochemical efficiency and highlights the necessity to screen transition‐metal complexes for similar ultrafast decays to optimize photochemical performance.     

A microwave spectroscopic and quantum chemical study of propa-1,2-dienyl selenocyanate (H(2)==C==CHSeC[triple bond]N) and cyclopropyl selenocyanate (C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N)

The microwave spectra of propa-1,2-dienyl selenocyanate, H(2)C==C==CHSeC[triple bond]N, and cyclopropyl selenocyanate, C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N, are reported. The spectra of the ground and two vibrationally excited states of the (80)Se isotopologue and the spectrum of the ground state of the (78)Se isotopologue were assigned for one rotameric form of H(2)C==C[double bond, length as m-dash]CHSeC[triple bond]N. This conformer is characterized by a C-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 129(5) degrees from synperiplanar (0 degrees ) and is shown to be the global minimum of H(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]CHSeC[triple bond]N. The spectra of the ground and of three vibrationally excited states of the (80)Se isotopologue, as well as of the ground state of the (78)Se isotopologue of one rotamer of C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N were assigned. This conformer has a H-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 80(4) degrees from synperiplanar and is at least 3 kJ mol(-1) more stable than any other form of the molecule. The microwave study has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+ +G(3df,3pd) and MP2/6-311+ +G(3df,3pd) levels of theory.     

Mechanism of ligand photodissociation in photoactivable [Ru(bpy)2L2]2+ complexes: a density functional theory study

A series of four photodissociable Ru polypyridyl complexes of general formula [Ru(bpy)2L2](2+), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and L = 4-aminopyridine (1), pyridine (2), butylamine (3), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (4), was studied by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). DFT calculations (B3LYP/LanL2DZ) were able to predict and elucidate singlet and triplet excited-state properties of 1-4 and describe the photodissociation mechanism of one monodentate ligand. All derivatives display a Ru --> bpy metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption band in the visible spectrum and a corresponding emitting triplet (3)MLCT state (Ru --> bpy). 1-4 have three singlet metal-centered (MC) states 0.4 eV above the major (1)MLCT states. The energy gap between the MC states and lower-energy MLCT states is significantly diminished by intersystem crossing and consequent triplet formation. Relaxed potential energy surface scans along the Ru-L stretching coordinate were performed on singlet and triplet excited states for all derivatives employing DFT and TDDFT. Excited-state evolution along the reaction coordinate allowed identification and characterization of the triplet state responsible for the photodissociation process in 1-4; moreover, calculation showed that no singlet state is able to cause dissociation of monodentate ligands. Two antibonding MC orbitals contribute to the (3)MC state responsible for the release of one of the two monodentate ligands in each complex. Comparison of theoretical triplet excited-state energy diagrams from TDDFT and unrestricted Kohn-Sham data reveals the experimental photodissociation yields as well as other structural and spectroscopic features.     

Hot Branching Dynamics in a Light-Harvesting Iron Carbene Complex Revealed by Ultrafast X-ray Emission Spectroscopy

Iron N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes have received a great deal of attention recently because of their growing potential as light sensitizers or photocatalysts. We present a sub-ps X-ray spectroscopy study of an Fe^IINHC complex that identifies and quantifies the states involved in the deactivation cascade after light absorption. Excited molecules relax back to the ground state along two pathways: After population of a hot ³MLCT state, from the initially excited ¹MLCT state, 30 % of the molecules undergo ultrafast (150 fs) relaxation to the ³MC state, in competition with vibrational relaxation and cooling to the relaxed ³MLCT state. The relaxed ³MLCT state then decays much more slowly (7.6 ps) to the ³MC state. The ³MC state is rapidly (2.2 ps) deactivated to the ground state. The ⁵MC state is not involved in the deactivation pathway. The ultrafast partial deactivation of the ³MLCT state constitutes a loss channel from the point of view of photochemical efficiency and highlights the necessity to screen transition-metal complexes for similar ultrafast decays to optimize photochemical performance.     

Excited states of nitro-polypyridine metal complexes and their ultrafast decay. Time-resolved IR Absorption, spectroelectrochemistry, and TD-DFT calculations of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline)

The lowest absorption band of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(5-NO2-phen)] encompasses two close-lying MLCT transitions. The lower one is directed to LUMO, which is heavily localized on the NO2 group. The UV-vis absorption spectrum is well accounted for by TD-DFT (G03/PBEPBE1/CPCM), provided that the solvent, MeCN, is included in the calculations. Near-UV excitation of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(5-NO2-phen)] populates a triplet metal to ligand charge-transfer excited state, 3MLCT, that was characterized by picosecond time-resolved IR spectroscopy. Large positive shifts of the nu(CO) bands upon excitation (+70 cm(-1) for the A'1 band) signify a very large charge separation between the Re(Cl)(CO)3 unit and the 5-NO2-phen ligand. Details of the excited-state character are revealed by TD-DFT calculated changes of electron density distribution. Experimental excited-state nu(CO) wavenumbers agree well with those calculated by DFT. The 3MLCT state decays with a ca. 10 ps lifetime (in MeCN) into another transient species, that was identified by TRIR and TD-DFT calculations as an intraligand 3npi excited state, whereby the electron density is excited from the NO2 oxygen lone pairs to the pi system of 5-NO2-phen. This state is short-lived, decaying to the ground state with a approximately 30 ps lifetime. The presence of an npi state seems to be the main factor responsible for the lack of emission and the very short lifetimes of 3MLCT states seen in all d6-metal complexes of nitro-polypyridyl ligands. Localization of the excited electron density in the lowest 3MLCT states parallels localization of the extra electron in the reduced state that is characterized by a very small negative shift of the nu(CO) IR bands (-6 cm(-1) for A'1) but a large downward shift of the nu(s)(NO2) IR band. The Re-Cl bond is unusually stable toward reduction, whereas the Cl ligand is readily substituted upon oxidation.     

Ultrafast energy migration in platinum(II) diimine complexes bearing pyrenylacetylide chromophores

The ultrafast excited-state dynamics of three structurally related platinum(II) complexes has been investigated using femtosecond transient absorption spectrometry in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF). Previous work has shown that Pt(dbbpy)(C[triple bond]C-Ph)2 (dbbpy is 4,4'-di(tert-butyl)-2,2'-bipyridine and C[triple bond]C-Ph is ethynylbenzene) has a lowest metal-to-ligand charge transfer (3MLCT) excited state, while the multichromophoric Pt(dbbpy)(C[triple bond]C-pyrene)2 (CC-pyrene is 1-ethynylpyrene) contains the MLCT state, but possesses a lowest intraligand (3IL) excited state localized on one of the CC-pyrenyl units (Pomestchenko, I. E.; Luman, C. R.; Hissler, M.; Ziessel, R.; Castellano, F. N. Inorg. Chem. 2003, 42, 1394-96). trans-Pt(PBu3)2(C[triple bond]C-pyrene)2 serves as a model system that provides a good representation of the CC-pyrene-localized 3IL state in a Pt(II) complex lacking the MLCT excited state. Following 400 nm excitation, the formation of the 3MLCT excited state in Pt(dbbpy)(C[triple bond]C-Ph)2 is complete within 200 +/- 40 fs, and intersystem crossing to the 3IL excited state in trans-Pt(PBu3)2(C[triple bond]C-pyrene)2 occurs with a time constant of 5.4 +/- 0.2 ps. Selective excitation into the low-energy MLCT bands in Pt(dbbpy)(C[triple bond]C-pyrene)2 (lambda(ex) = 480 nm) leads to the formation of the 3IL excited state in 240 +/- 40 fs, suggesting ultrafast wire-like energy migration in this molecule. The kinetic data suggest that the presence of the MLCT states in Pt(dbbpy)(C[triple bond]C-pyrene)2 markedly accelerates the formation of the triplet state of the pendant pyrenylacetylide ligand. In essence, the triplet sensitization process is kinetically faster than pure intersystem crossing in trans-Pt(PBu3)2(CC-pyrene)2 as well as vibrational relaxation in the MLCT excited state of Pt(dbbpy)(C[triple bond]C-Ph)2. These results are potentially important for the design of chromophores intended to reach their lowest excited state on subpicosecond time scales and advocate the likelihood of wire-like behavior in triplet-triplet energy transfer.     

Photoinduced intramolecular tryptophan oxidation and excited-state behavior of [Re(L-AA)(CO)3(α-diimine)](+) (L = pyridine or imidazole, AA = tryptophan, tyrosine, phenylalanine)

Re(I) carbonyl-diimine complexes [Re(L-AA)(CO)(3)(N,N)](+) (N,N = bpy, phen) containing an aromatic amino acid (AA), phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), or tryptophan (Trp), linked to Re by a pyridine-amido or imidazole-amido ligand L have been synthesized and their excited-state properties investigated by nanosecond time-resolved IR (TRIR) and emission spectroscopy. Near-UV optical excitation populates a Re(I)(CO)(3)→N,N (3)MLCT excited state *[Re(II)(L-AA)(CO)(3)(N,N(?-))](+). Decay to the ground state (50-300 ns lifetime) is the only excited-state deactivation process observed in the case of Phe and Tyr complexes, whereas the Trp-containing species undergo a Trp(indole)→*Re(II) electron transfer (ET) producing a charge-separated (CS) state, [Re(I)(L-Trp(?+))(CO)(3)(N,N(?-))](+). The ET occurs with a 8-40 ns lifetime depending on L, N,N, and the solvent. The CS state is characterized by ν(CO) IR bands shifted to lower wavenumbers from their respective ground-state positions and two bands at 1278 and 1497 cm(-1) tentatively attributed to Trp(?+). The amido bridge is affected by both the MLCT excitation and the subsequent ET, manifested by the shifts and intensity changes of the amide-I IR band at about 1680 cm(-1). The CS state decays to the ground state by a N,N(?-)→Trp(?+) back-ET the rates of which are comparable to those of the forward ET, 30-60 ns. This study independently demonstrates that Trp can act as an electron-hopping intermediate in photodriven ET systems based on Re-labeled proteins and supramolecules. Photoinduced ET in Trp-containing Re complexes also can be used to generate Trp(?+) and investigate its spectral properties and reactivity.     

DFT and TD-DFT calculations on the electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes

The electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of the three tridentate cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes Pt(N/\N/\C)C(triple bond)CPh (N/\N/\CH = 6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine) (1), Pt(N/\N/\S)C(triple bond)CPh (N/\N/\SH = 6-thienyl-2,2'-bipyridine) (2), and Pt(N/\N/\O)C(triple bond)CPh (N/\N/\OH = 6-furyl-2,2'-bipyridine) (3) were investigated theoretically using the density functional theory (DFT) method. The geometric structures of the complexes in the ground and excited states were explored at the B3LYP and UB3LYP levels, respectively. The absorption and emission spectra of the complexes in CH2Cl2 and CH3CN solutions were calculated by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) with the PCM solvent model. The calculated energies of the lowest singlet state and lowest triplet state in the three complexes are in good agreement with the results of experimental absorption and luminescence studies. All of the lowest-lying transitions were categorized as LLCT combined with MLCT transitions. The 623-nm emission of 1 from the 3A' --> 1A' transition was assigned as 3LLCT and 3MLCT transitions, whereas the 657- and 681-nm emissions of 2 and 3, respectively, were attributed to 3ILCT perturbed by 3MLCT transitions. NLO response calculations revealed that the nonzero values of the static first hyperpolarizability (beta0) for 1-3 are greatly enhanced through the introduction of the metal Pt(II) into the cyclometalated ligands, an effect that is determined by MLCT and LLCT transitions.     

Excited-state characters and dynamics of [W(CO)(5)(4-cyanopyridine)] and [W(CO)(5)(piperidine)] studied by picosecond time-resolved IR and resonance Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations: roles of W --> L and W --> CO MLCT and LF excited states revised

The characters, dynamics, and relaxation pathways of low-lying excited states of the complexes [W(CO)(5)L] [L = 4-cyanopyridine (pyCN) and piperidine (pip)] were investigated using theoretical and spectroscopic methods. DFT calculations revealed the delocalized character of chemically and spectroscopicaly relevant molecular orbitals and the presence of a low-lying manifold of CO pi-based unoccupied molecular orbitals. Traditional ligand-field arguments are not applicable. The lowest excited states of [W(CO)(5)(pyCN)] are W --> pyCN MLCT in character. They are closely followed in energy by W --> CO MLCT states. Excitation at 400 or 500 nm populates the (3)MLCT(pyCN) excited state, which was characterized by picosecond time-resolved IR and resonance Raman spectroscopy. Excited-state vibrations were assigned using DFT calculations. The (3)MLCT(pyCN) excited state is initially formed highly excited in low-frequency vibrations which cool with time constants between 1 and 20 ps, depending on the excitation wavelength, solvent, and particular high-frequency nu(CO) or nu(CN) mode. The lowest excited states of [W(CO)(5)(pip)] are W --> CO MLCT, as revealed by TD-DFT interpretation of a nanosecond time-resolved IR spectrum that was measured earlier in a low-temperature glass (Johnson, F. P. A.; George, M. W.; Morrison, S. L.; Turner, J. J. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun. 1995, 391-393). MLCT(CO) excitation involves transfer of electron density from the W atom and, to a lesser extent, the trans CO to the pi orbitals of the four cis CO ligands. Optical excitation into MLCT(CO) transition of either complex in fluid solution triggers femtosecond dissociation of a W-N bond, producing [W(CO)(5)(solvent)]. It is initially vibrationally excited both in nu(CO) and anharmonicaly coupled low-frequency modes. Vibrational cooling occurs with time constants of 16-22 ps while the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution from the v = 1 nu(CO) modes is much slower, 160-220 ps. No LF excited states have been found for the complexes studied in a spectroscopically relevant range up to 6-7 eV. It follows that spectroscopy, photophysics, and photochemistry of [W(CO)(5)L] and related complexes are well described by an interplay of close-lying MLCT(L) and MLCT(CO) excited states. The high-lying LF states play only an indirect photochemical role by modifying potential energy curves of MLCT(CO) states, making them dissociative.     

Excited-state dynamics of fac-[ReI(L)(CO)3(phen)]+ and fac-[ReI(L)(CO)3(5-NO2-phen)]+ (L = imidazole, 4-ethylpyridine; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) complexes

The nature and dynamics of the lowest excited states of fac-[Re(I)(L)(CO)(3)(phen)](+) and fac-[Re(I)(L)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+) [L = Cl(-), 4-ethyl-pyridine (4-Etpy), imidazole (imH); phen = 1,10-phenanthroline] have been investigated by picosecond visible and IR transient absorption spectroscopy in aqueous (L = imH), acetonitrile (L = 4-Etpy, imH), and MeOH (L = imH) solutions. The phen complexes have long-lived Re(I) --> phen (3)MLCT excited states, characterized by CO stretching frequencies that are upshifted relative to their ground-state values and by widely split IR bands due to the out-of-phase A'(2) and A"nu(CO) vibrations. The lowest excited states of the 5-NO(2)-phen complexes also have (3)MLCT character; the larger upward nu(CO) shifts accord with much more extensive charge transfer from the Re(I)(CO)(3) unit to 5-NO(2)-phen in these states. Transient visible absorption spectra indicate that the excited electron is delocalized over the 5-NO(2)-phen ligand, which acquires radical anionic character. Similarly, involvement of the -NO(2) group in the Franck-Condon MLCT transition is manifested by the presence of an enhanced nu(NO(2)) band in the preresonance Raman spectrum of [Re(I)(4-Etpy)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+). The Re(I) --> 5-NO(2)-phen (3)MLCT excited states are very short-lived: 7.6, 170, and 43 ps for L = Cl(-), 4-Etpy, and imH, respectively, in CH(3)CN solutions. The (3)MLCT excited state of [Re(I)(imH)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+) is even shorter-lived in MeOH (15 ps) and H(2)O (1.3 ps). In addition to (3)MLCT, excitation of [Re(I)(imH)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen)](+) populates a (3)LLCT (imH --> 5-NO(2)-phen) excited state. Most of the (3)LLCT population decays to the ground state (time constants of 19 (H(2)O), 50 (MeOH), and 72 ps (CH(3)CN)); in a small fraction, however, deprotonation of the imH.+ ligand occurs, producing a long-lived species, [Re(I)(im.)(CO)(3)(5-NO(2)-phen).-]+.     

trans-cis Photoisomerization of the styrylpyridine Ligand in [Re(CO)3(2,2'-bipyridine)(t-4-styrylpyridine)]+: role of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited states

The trans-cis isomerization of the styrylpyridine carbon-carbon double bond induced by visible light irradiation in fac-[Re(CO)(3)(bpy)(stpy)](+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; stpy = t-4-styrylpyridine) has been investigated by means of quantum-chemical methods. The structures of the various cis and trans conformers of [Re(CO)(3)(bpy)(stpy)](+) have been optimized at the density functional theory (DFT) level. Three rotational conformers for the most stable trans isomer lie within 2.3 kJ mol(-1) each other. The energy difference between the cis and trans isomers is 27.0 kJ mol(-1). The electronic spectroscopy of the most stable conformers has been investigated by time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) and complete active space self-consistent field/CAS second order perturbation theory (CASSCF/CASPT2) calculations. The lowest absorption bands are dominated by metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT, d(Re)-->pi*(bpy)) transitions calculated at about 25,000 cm(-1) and by a strong intraligand (1)IL (pi(stpy)-->pi*(stpy)) transition in the near UV region. On the basis of CASSCF potential energy curves (PECs) calculated as a function of the torsion angle of the C=C bond of the styrylpyridine ligand, it is shown that the role of the low-lying MLCT states is important in the photoisomerization mechanism. In contrast to the free organic ligand, in which the singlet mechanism is operational via the (1)IL (S(1)) and electronic ground (S(0)) states, coordination to the rhenium steers the isomerization to the triplet PEC corresponding to the (3)IL state. From the (3)IL(t) (t = trans) the system evolves to the perpendicular intermediate (3)IL(p) (p = perpendicular) following a 90 degrees rotation around the styrylpyridine C=C bond. The metal center acts as a photosensitizer because of the presence of photoactive MLCT states under visible irradiation. The position of the crossing between the (3)IL and electronic ground state PEC determines the quantum yield of the isomerization process.     

Probing the excited states of d6 metal complexes containing the 2,2'-bipyrimidine ligand using time-resolved infrared spectroscopy. 1. Mononuclear and homodinuclear systems

This paper reports time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopic studies on a series of weakly luminescent or nonluminescent 2,2'-bipyrimidine-based complexes to probe their electronic structure and the dynamic behavior of their excited states on the picosecond and nanosecond time scales. The complexes are mononuclear [Re(CO)3Cl(bpm)] (1), [Ru(CN)4(bpm)]2- (2), and [Ru(bpyam)2(bpm)]2+ (3) [bpm=2,2'-bipyrimidine; bpyam=2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-(CONEt2)2] and their homodinuclear analogues [{Re(CO)3Cl}2(mu-bpm)] (4), [{Ru(CN)4}2(mu-bpm)]2- (5), and [{Ru(bpyam)2}2(mu-bpm)]4+ (6). Complex 1 shows the characteristic shift of the three nu(CO) bands to higher energy in the Re-->bpm triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MLCT) state, which has a lifetime of 1.2 ns. In contrast, the dinuclear complex 4 shows nu(CO) transient bands to both higher and lower energy than the ground state indicative of, on the IR time scale, an asymmetric excited state [(OC)3ClReI(bpm*-)ReII(CO)3Cl] whose lifetime is 46 ps. The cyanoruthenate complexes 2 and 5 show comparable behavior, with a shift of the nu(CN) bands to higher energy in the excited state for mononuclear 2 but two sets of transient bands-one to higher energy and one to lower energy-in dinuclear 5, consistent with an asymmetric charge distribution [(NC)4RuII(bpm*-)RuIII(CN)4]4- in the 3MLCT state. These cyanoruthenate complexes have much longer lifetimes in D2O compared with CH3CN, viz., 250 ps and 3.4 ns for 2 and 65 ps and 1.2 ns for 5 in CH3CN and D2O, respectively. In complex 3, both higher-energy Ru-->bpyam and lower-energy Ru-->bpm 3MLCT states are formed following 400 nm excitation; the former decays rapidly (tau=6-7 ps) to the latter, and the subsequent decay of the Ru-->bpm 3MLCT state occurs with a lifetime of 60 or 97 ns in D2O or CH3CN, respectively. Similar behavior is shown by dinuclear 6 in both D2O and CH3CN, with initial interconversion from the Ru-->bpyam to the Ru-->bpm 3MLCT state occurring with tau approximately 7 ps and the resultant Ru-->bpm 3MLCT state decaying on the nanosecond time scale.     

Luminescence properties of Pt(II) complexes containing polypyridine ligands with extended aromatic moieties

The luminescence properties of eleven Pt(ii) complexes containing polypyridine ligands with extended aromatic moieties have been studied, both in acetonitrile fluid solution at 298 K and in butyronitrile rigid matrix at 77 K. For comparison purposes, also the phosphorescence properties of three free ligands at 77 K in butyronitrile have been investigated. The absorption spectra of all the compounds exhibit intense bands (epsilon in the range 10(4)-10(5) M(-1) cm(-1)) in the UV region, which are attributed to spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) transitions, and moderately intense bands (epsilon in the range 10(3)-10(4) M(-1) cm(-1)) in the visible region, which receive contribution from both spin-allowed LC transitions and spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) transitions. At low energy, less intense spin-forbidden MLCT bands are also present. At 77 K in rigid matrix, all the studied compounds exhibit structured and long-lived (lifetimes from 840 mus on the millisecond timescale) luminescence, which is attributed to triplet LC states in all cases. At room temperature in fluid solution the luminescence lifetime of all the compounds is largely shortened (nanosecond timescale), and most of the emission spectra are unstructured and red-shifted. For species exhibiting structured emission spectra even at room temperature, low luminescence quantum yields are always obtained (Phi < 10(4)), and their emission is assigned to triplet LC states, which mainly deactivate to the ground state by thermal-activated surface crossing to a closely-lying metal-centered (MC) triplet state. Compounds exhibiting unstructured emission show relatively high emission quantum yields (about 0.1) and their emission is assigned to a mixed LC/MLCT state.     

Photodissociation and electronic spectroscopy of [Re(H)(CO)(3)(H-dab)] (H-dab=1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene): quantum wavepacket dynamics based on ab initio potentials

The photodissociation dynamics of [Re(H)(CO)(3)(H-dab)] (H-dab=1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene) were studied by means of wavepacket propagations on CASSCF/MR-CCI potentials calculated for the electronic ground state and low-lying excited states as a function of two coordinates, q(a) and q(b), that correspond to the Re-H bond homolysis and to the axial CO loss, respectively. The theoretical absorption spectrum is characterized by two bands, one intense peak centered at lambda=500 nm (21,000 cm(-1)) and one broad band centered at 310 nm (32,500 cm(-1)). The visible band was assigned to the low-lying metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) states with a main contribution of the a(1)A'-->c(1)A' transition corresponding to the 3d(xz)-->pi*(dab) excitation. The second band calculated in the UV energy domain was assigned to the d(1)A' (sigma(Mn-H)-->pi*(dab)) state corresponding to a sigma-bond-to-ligand charge-transfer (SBLCT) state. The photodissociation dynamics of the low-lying (1)MLCT and (3)SBLCT states following irradiation in the visible energy domain was simulated by wavepacket propagation on the two-dimensional diabatic potentials V(q(a), q(b)) coupled by the spin-orbit. In contrast to what was found for the manganese analogue, the (1)MLCT state is nonreactive and a rather slow (beyond the ps time scale), nontotal and indirect homolysis of the Re-H bond occurs through (1)MLCT-->(3)SBLCT intersystem crossing.     

Ultrafast excited-state dynamics preceding a ligand trans-cis isomerization of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(t-4-styrylpyridine)2] and fac-[Re(t-4-styrylpyridine)(CO)3(2,2'-bipyridine)]+

UV-vis absorption and resonance Raman spectra of the complexes fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(stpy)2] and fac-[Re(stpy)(CO)3(bpy)]+ (stpy = t-4-styrylpyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) show that their lowest absorption bands are dominated by stpy-localized intraligand (IL) pi pi* transitions. For the latter complex a Re --> bpy transition contributes to the low-energy part of the absorption band. Optical population of the 1IL excited state of fac-[Re(Cl)(CO)3(stpy)2] is followed by an intersystem crossing (< or =0.9 ps) to an 3IL state with the original planar trans geometry of the stpy ligand. This state undergoes a approximately 90 degrees rotation around the stpy C=C bond with a 11 ps time constant. An electronically excited species with an approximately perpendicular orientation of the phenyl and pyridine rings of the stpy ligand is formed. Conversion to the ground state and isomerization occurs in the nanosecond range. Intraligand excited states of fac-[Re(stpy)(CO)3(bpy)]+ show the same behavior. Moreover, it was found that the planar reactive 3IL excited state is rapidly and efficiently populated after optical excitation into the Re --> bpy 1MLCT excited state. A 1MLCT --> 3MLCT intersystem crossing takes place first with a time constant of 0.23 ps followed by an intramolecular energy transfer from the ReI(CO)3(bpy) chromophore to a stpy-localized 3IL state with a 3.5 ps time constant. The fast rate ensures complete conversion. Coordination of the stpy ligand to the ReI center thus switches the ligand trans-cis isomerization mechanism from singlet to triplet (intramolecular sensitization) and, in the case of fac-[Re(stpy)(CO)3(bpy)]+, opens an indirect pathway for population of the reactive 3IL excited state via MLCT states.     

Facile synthesis and characterization of phosphorescent Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes

In order to investigate the ground state and excited state properties of Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X, we have prepared a series of Pt complexes, where N(∧)C(∧)N aromatic chelates are derivatives of m-di(2-pyridinyl)benzene (dpb) and X are monoanionic and monodentate ancillary ligands including halide and phenoxide. Facile synthesis of platinum m-di(2-pyridinyl)benzene chloride and its derivatives, using controlled microwave heating, was reported. This method not only shortened the reaction time but also improved the reaction yield for most of the Pt complexes. Two Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The change of functional group does not affect the structure of the core Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)Cl fragment. Both molecules pack as head-to-tail dimers, each molecule of the dimer related to the other by a center of inversion. The electrochemical studies of all Pt complexes demonstrate that the oxidation process occurs on the metal-phenyl fragment and the reduction process is associated with the electron accepting groups like pyridinyl groups and their derivatives. The maximum emission wavelength of the Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes ranges between 471 and 610 nm, crossing the spectrum of visible light. Most of the Pt complexes are strongly luminescent (Φ = 0.32-0.63) and have short luminescence lifetimes (τ = 4-7 μs) at room temperature. The lowest excited state of the Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes is identified as a dominant ligand-centered (3)π-π* state with some (1)MLCT/(3)MLCT character, which appears to have a larger (1)MLCT component than their bidentate and tridentate analogs. This results in a high radiative decay rate and high quantum yield for Pt(dpb)Cl and its analogs. However, the excited state properties of the Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes are strongly dependent on the nature of the electron-accepting groups and substituents to the metal-phenyl fragment. A rational design will be needed to tune the emission energies of the Pt(N(∧)C(∧)N)X complexes over a wide range while maintaining their high luminescent efficiency.     

Solvation-driven excited-state dynamics of [Re(4-Et-Pyridine)(CO)3(2,2'-bipyridine)]+ in imidazolium ionic liquids. A time-resolved infrared and phosphorescence study

Excited-state dynamics of [Re(Etpy)(CO)3(bpy)]+ was studied in three imidazolium ionic liquids by time-resolved IR and emission spectroscopy on the picosecond to nanosecond time scale. Low-lying excited states were characterized by TD-DFT calculations, which also provided molecular dipole moment vectors in the relevant electronic states. TRIR spectra in ionic liquids show initial populations of two excited states: predominantly bpy-localized 3IL and 3MLCT, characterized by nu(CO) bands shifted to lower and higher frequencies, respectively, relative to the ground state. Internal conversion of 3IL to the lowest triplet 3MLCT occurred on a time scale commensurate with solvent relaxation. The nu(CO) IR bands of the 3MLCT state undergo a dynamic shift to higher wavenumbers during relaxation. Its three-exponential kinetics were determined and attributed to vibrational cooling (units of picoseconds), energy dissipation to the bulk solvent (tens of picoseconds), and solvent relaxation, the lifetime of which increases with increasing viscosity: [EMIM]BF4 (330 ps) < [BMIM]BF4 (470 ps) < [BMIM]PF6 (1570 ps). Time-resolved phosphorescence spectra in [BMIM]PF6 show a approximately 2 ns drop in intensity due to the 3IL --> 3MLCT conversion and a dynamic Stokes shift to lower energies with a lifetime decreasing from 1.8 ns at 21 degrees C to 1.1 ns at 37 degrees C, due to decreasing viscosity of the ionic liquid. It is proposed that solvent relaxation predominantly involves collective translational motions of ions. It drives the 3IL --> 3MLCT conversion, increases charge reorganization in the lowest excited-state 3MLCT, and affects vibrational anharmonic coupling, which together cause the dynamic shift of excited-state IR bands. TRIR spectroscopy of carbonyl-diimine complexes emerges as a new way to investigate various aspects of solvation dynamics, while the use of slowly relaxing ionic liquids offers new insight into the photophysics of Re(I) carbonyl polypyridyls.