Photophysical properties of cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes: counterintuitive blue shift in emission with an expanded ligand π system

Cyclometalated N-Difluoromethylbenzimidazolylidene Platinum(II) Complexes with Built-in Secondary Coordination Spheres: Photophysical Properties and Bioimaging

Bidentate Pt(II) complexes with cyclometalated N-heteroarene or N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been extensively studied as phosphorescent emitters over the past two decades. Herein, we introduce a difluoromethyl group (CF2H) into the wingtip of NHCs, where CF2H acts as a lipophilic hydrogen bond (HB) donor. Their cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes show excellent PLQYs (up to 93%) and phosphorescence lifetimes mainly due to the rigid structure with hydrogen bonding between the CF2H group and the adjacent O atom at the β-diketonate ligand. Bioimaging studies demonstrate high cellular uptake efficiency and deep tumor penetration capability of complex 7 in HeLa cells and multicellular tumor spheroids, highlighting their potential as bioimaging probes.

Mechanochromic and Solvent-Induced Luminescence of a Supramolecular Pt(II)-Bipyridine Complex with Di(4-pyridylmethyl)aminedithiocarbamate

[Pt(bpy)(DPMACS2)]2Cl2•3H2O (1•3H2O) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, DPMACS2 = di(4-pyridylmethyl)aminedithiocarbamate) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction studies, and its crystal structure displayed intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contacts of 3.471 and 5.065 Å. Upon excitation, 1•3H2O showed broad luminescence at 538 nm, which was red-shifted and enhanced to 560 nm while cooling to 77 K. To this end, the B3LYP/LanL2DZ calculation results were performed to clearly explain their excited-state origin. Moreover, complex 1•3H2O displayed a dramatic mechanochromic shift from 538 to 608 nm while grinding, and the above red-shift was also observed while exposed to air within 1 day, suggestive of the simultaneous mechanochromic and solvent-induced luminescence. It is noted that the luminescence almost reverted to the original luminescence at 535-542 nm upon immersion in various solvents for the ground samples of complex 1•3H2O. In addition, the luminescence for the acetone-immersed ground samples returned to 608 nm in 1 min. The possible interactions between halogenated solvents and the free pyridyl groups in DPMACS2, which were not expected for acetone, have been proposed to be responsible for such a dramatic difference in this study.

Controlled crystallisation of porous crystals of luminescent platinum(II) complexes by electronic tuning of ancillary ligands

Porous molecular crystals (PMCs) have gained significant importance as next-generation functional porous materials. However, the selective crystallisation of the PMC phase remains a challenge. Herein, we have systematically controlled the stability of the luminescent PMC phase prepared using the luminescent Pt(II) complex [Pt(pbim)(N^O)] (pbim = 2-phenylbenzimidazolate, N^O = N-heteroaryl carboxylate) with Pt⋯Pt electronic interactions. The PMC phase formation varied significantly among the complexes depending on the heteroaryl group of the ancillary N^O ligand; the oxazolyl-bearing complex did not form a PMC phase, whereas the pyrazyl- and 5-fluoropyridyl-bearing complexes spontaneously formed a porous structure. This difference was rationalised by the π-stacking capability of the heteroaryl group of the ancillary ligand. Furthermore, owing to the presence of the one-dimensional Pt⋯Pt chains in this PMC phase, the photophysical properties of PMCs resulting from the Pt⋯Pt interactions were also significantly changed by the ancillary ligands.

Syntheses, structural, photophysical and theoretical studies of heteroleptic cycloplatinated guanidinate(1-) complexes bearing acetylacetonate and picolinate ancillary ligands

Cycloplatination of symmetrical N,N',N''-triarylguanidines, (ArNH)2C[double bond, length as m-dash]NAr with cis-[Pt(TFA)2(S(O)Me2)2] in toluene afforded cis-[Pt(TAG)(TFA)(S(O)Me2)] (TAG = triarylguanidinate(1-)-κC,κN; TFA = OC(O)CF3; 6-9) in 75-82% yields. The reactions of 6-9 and the previously known cis-[Pt(TAG)X(S(O)Me2)] (X = Cl (1) and TFA (2-5)) with acetylacetone (acacH) or 2-picolinic acid (picH) in the presence of a base afforded [Pt(TAG)(acac)] (acac = acetylacetonate-κ2O,O'; 10-18) and [Pt(TAG)(pic)] (pic = 2-picolinate-κN,κO; 19) in high yields. The new complexes were characterised by analytical, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopies. Further, molecular structures of 11, 12, 13·0.5 toluene and 14-19 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Absorption spectra of 10-19 in solution and their emission spectra in crystalline form were measured. Platinacycles 10-19 are bluish green light emitter in the crystalline form, and emit in the λPL = 488-529 nm range (11 and 13-19) while 12 emits at λPL = 570 nm. Unlike other platinacycles, the emission band of 12 is broad, red shifted, and this pattern is ascribed to the presence of an intermolecular N-H⋯Pt interaction involving the endocyclic amino unit of the six-membered [Pt(TAG)] ring and the Pt(ii) atom in the adjacent molecule in an asymmetric unit of the crystal lattice. Lifetime measurements were carried out for all platinacycles in crystalline form, which revealed lifetime in the order of nanoseconds. The origin of absorption and emission properties of 11, 15, 18 and 19 were studied by TD-DFT calculations.

Luminescent Platinum(II) Complexes with Terdentate N∧C∧C Ligands

The synthesis, structure, and luminescence of Pt(II) complexes of the type [Pt(N∧C∧C)(L)] are reported, where N∧C∧C is a terdentate ligand resulting from the cycloplatination of 2-(3,5-diphenoxyphenyl)pyridine or 2-(4,4″-dimethyl-[1,1':3',1″-terphenyl]-5'-yl)pyridine, and L represents a monodentate ancillary ligand, which can be γ-picoline, 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, PPh3, n-butyl or 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide, CO, or the N-heterocyclic carbenes 1-butyl-3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene or 4-butyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene. Derivatives bearing CO, isocyanides, or carbenes showed the highest stabilities in solution, whereas the pyridine and PPh3 derivatives establish ligand-exchange equilibria in acetonitrile. Different supramolecular structures are observed in the solid state, which largely depend on the nature of the ancillary ligand. Isocyanides and CO favor π interactions between the aromatic rings, metallophilic Pt···Pt contacts, or a combination of both. In contrast, pyridine ligands may lead to bimolecular assemblies driven by C-H···O, C-H···Pt, or C-H/π hydrogen bonds. Luminescence was examined in fluid solution, poly(methyl methacrylate) matrices, and the solid state at 298 K, and in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran glasses at 77 K. The majority of derivatives show highly efficient emissions from 3ILCT/MLCT or 3ILCT/MLCT/LLCT excited states of monomeric species. The formation of excimers and different types of emissive aggregates are demonstrated, which lead to red-shifted emissions of different origins and characteristics depending on the involved noncovalent interactions.

Luminescent Platinum Complexes with π-Extended Aryl Acetylide Ligands Supported by Isocyanides or Acyclic Diaminocarbenes

In this work, we present a series of luminescent platinum acetylide complexes with acetylides that are electronically modified and/or π-extended. Six isocyanide-supported complexes with the general formula cis-[Pt(CNAr)2(C≡CR)2] and six acyclic diaminocarbene (ADC) complexes of the form trans-[Pt(ADC)2(C≡CR)2], all using the same five acetylide ligands, are described. The compounds are characterized by multinuclear NMR, FT-IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In most cases, the phosphorescence arises from an acetylide-centered 3(π → π*) excited state, although in one of the isocyanide compounds there is evidence for a charge-transfer excited state. The photoluminescence wavelength depends strongly on the substitution pattern and extent of the π conjugation on the acetylide, with maxima spanning the range of ca. 460-540 nm. Most photoluminescence lifetimes are long, beyond 50 μs, and quantum yields are low to moderate, 0.043-0.27. The photoluminescence quantum yields and lifetimes in these compounds do not systematically improve in the ADC complexes compared to the isocyanide versions, suggesting the neutral ligand σ-donor character does not play a large role in the excited-state dynamics when the triplet excited state is delocalized over a large π system.

Elastic and bright assembly-induced luminescent crystals of platinum(II) complexes with near-unity emission quantum yield

Molecular crystals of Pt(II) complexes with metallophilic interactions can provide bright assembly-induced luminescence with colour tunability. However, the brittleness of many of these crystals makes their application in flexible optical materials difficult. Herein, we have achieved the elastic deformation of crystals of polyhalogenated Pt(II) complexes exhibiting bright assembly-induced luminescence. A crystal of [Pt(bpic)(dFppy)] (Hbpic = 5-bromopicolinic acid, HdFppy = 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine) and a co-crystal of [Pt(bpic)(dFppy)] and [Pt(bpic)(ppy)] (Hppy = 2-phenylpyridine) were found to exhibit significant elastic deformation due to their highly anisotropic interaction topologies. While the crystal of [Pt(bpic)(dFppy)] exhibited monomer-based ligand-centred ³ππ* emission with an emission quantum yield of 0.40, the co-crystal exhibited bright, triplet metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer (³MMLCT) emission owing to Pt⋯Pt interactions, thereby achieving a significantly higher emission quantum yield of 0.94.

Organometallic Platinum(II) Photosensitisers that Demonstrate Ligand-Modulated Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Energy Upconversion Efficiencies

A series of 2-phenylquinoxaline ligands have been synthesised that introduce either CF3 or OCF3 electron-withdrawing groups at different positions of the phenyl ring. These ligands were investigated as cyclometalating reagents for platinum(II) to give neutral complexes of the form [Pt(C^N)(acac)] (in which C^N=cyclometalating ligand; acac=acetyl acetonate). X-ray crystallographic studies on three examples showed that the complexes adopt an approximate square planar geometry. All examples revealed strong Pt-Pt linear contacts of 3.2041(6), 3.2199(3) and 3.2586(2) Å. The highly coloured complexes display efficient visible absorption at 400-500 nm (ϵ ≈5000 M-1  cm-1 ) and orange red photoluminescent characteristics (λem =603-620 nm; Φem ≤37 %), which were subtly tuned by the ligand. Triplet emitting character was confirmed by microsecond luminescence lifetimes and the photogeneration of singlet oxygen with quantum efficiencies up to 57 %. Each complex was investigated as a photosensitiser for triplet-triplet annihilation energy upconversion using 9,10-diphenylanthracene as the annihilator species: a range of good upconversion efficiencies (ΦUC 5.9-14.1 %) were observed and shown to be strongly influenced by the ligand structure in each case.

Trinuclear and Cyclometallated Organometallic Dinuclear Pt-Pyrazolato Complexes: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

Two differently substituted pyrazole ligands have been investigated with regard to the topology of their Pt complexes: upon deprotonation, two mononuclear 1:2 PtII-pyrazole complexes—one of the sterically unhindered 4-Me-pzH and one of the bulky 3,5-tBu-pzH (pzH = pyrazole)—yield the corresponding 1:2 PtII-pyrazolato species; the former a triangular, trinuclear metallacycle (1), and the latter a dinuclear, half-lantern species (2) formed via the unprecedented cyclometallation of a butyl group. Stoichiometric oxidation of the colorless PtII2 complex produces the deep-blue, metal–metal bonded PtIII2 analog (3) with a rarely encountered unsymmetrical coordination across the Pt-Pt bond. All three complexes have been characterized by single crystal X-ray structure determination, 1H-NMR, IR, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopic methods. The XPS spectra of the PtII2 and PtIII2 species are also reported. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to investigate the electronic structure, spectroscopic properties, and chemical bonding of the new complexes. The calculated natural population analysis charges and Wiberg bonding indices indicate a weak σ-interaction in the case of 2 and a formal Pt-Pt single bond in 3.

Luminescent Anionic Cyclometalated Organoplatinum (II) Complexes with Terminal and Bridging Cyanide Ligand: Structural and Photophysical Properties

We present the synthesis and characterization of two series of mononuclear heteroleptic anionic cycloplatinated(II) complexes featuring terminal cyanide ligand Q⁺[Pt(C^N)(p-MeC₆H₄)(CN)]^- [C^N = benzoquinolate (bzq), Q⁺ = K⁺ 1 and NBu₄⁺ 4; 2-phenylpyridinate (ppy), Q⁺ = K⁺ 2 and NBu₄⁺ 5 and 2-(2,4- difluorophenyl)pyridinate (dfppy), Q⁺ = K⁺ 3 and NBu₄⁺ 6] and a series of symmetrical binuclear complexes (NBu₄)[Pt₂(C^N)₂(p-MeC₆H₄)₂(μ-CN)] (C^N = bzq 7, ppy 8, dfppy 9). Compounds 5, 6, and 7-9 were further determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. There are no apparent intermolecular Pt···Pt interactions owing to the presence of bulky NBu₄⁺ counterion. Slow crystallization of K[Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)(CN)] 2 in acetone/hexane evolves with formation of yellow crystals, which were identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods as the salt complex {[Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)(CN)]₂K₃(OCMe₂)₄(μ-OCMe₂)₂}[Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)(μ-CN)Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)]·2acetone (10), featuring the binuclear anionic unit 8^- neutralized by an hybrid inorganic-organometallic coordination polymer {[Pt(ppy)(p-MeC₆H₄)(CN)]₂K₃(OCMe₂)₄(μ-OCMe₂)₂}⁺. The photophysical properties of all compounds were recorded in powder, polystyrene film, and solution states with a quantum yield up to 21% for 9 in the solid state. All complexes displayed bright emission in rigid media, and for the interpretation of their absorption and emission properties, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations were applied.

Luminescent Pt(II) Complexes Containing (1-Aza-15-crown-5)dithiocarbamate and (1-Aza-18-crown-6)dithiocarbamate: Mechanochromic and Solvent-Induced Luminescence

The strong tendency to stack in the solid state and rich luminescence for the Pt(II) complexes makes them potential candidates as new mechanochromic materials and sensing applications. Six mononuclear complexes [Pt(ppy)(O₄NCS₂)] (1), [Pt(bpy)(O₄NCS₂)]ClO₄ (2), [Pt(ppy)(O₅NCS₂)] (3), [Pt(phen)(O₄NCS₂)]ClO₄·CH₃OH (5a), [Pt(phen)(O₄NCS₂)]ClO₄ (5b), and [Pt(phen)(O₅NCS₂)]ClO₄ (6a), one dinuclear complex [Pt₂(phen)₂(NaO₅NCS₂)₂(ClO₄)₃]ClO₄ (6b), and one one-dimensional (1-D) coordination polymer {[Pt₂(bpy)₂(NaO₅NCS₂)₂(ClO₄)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n (4) were synthesized by reacting [Pt(ppy)Cl]₂, Pt(bpy)Cl₂, and Pt(phen)Cl₂ (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) with (1-aza-15-crown-5)dithiocarbamate (O₄NCS₂) or (1-aza-18-crown-6)dithiocarbamate (O₅NCS₂), respectively, which have been isolated and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. Neutral complexes 1 and 3 contain no intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contact, whereas cationic complexes 2, 5a, 5b, and 6a with ClO₄^- as counteranions show alternative intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contacts of 3.535/4.091, 3.480/5.001, 3.527/4.571, and 3.446/4.987 Å in the solid state, respectively. Interestingly, complex 4 forms a 1-D coordination polymer through coordination between the encapsulated Na⁺ ions inside the azacrown ether rings of O₅NCS₂ and ClO₄^- anions with respective intra- and intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contacts of 3.402 and 3.847 Å in crystal lattices, whereas a dinuclear complex 6b was surprisingly formed and also connected by the encapsulated Na⁺ ions and ClO₄^- anions with alternative intra- and intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contacts of 3.650 and 3.677/4.4.372 Å, respectively. Upon excitation, complexes 1 and 3 showed similar vibronic luminescence at 507, 534, and 502, 532 nm, respectively, and the other complexes 2 and 4-6 showed broad luminescence with maxima at 537-567 nm. The B3LYP/LanL2DZ calculation was carried out and used to clarify their excited-state properties. In addition, the powder samples for complexes 1-4 almost showed no energy shift for the luminescence and significantly those of complexes 5-6 exhibited the mechanochromic luminescence upon grinding. It is noted that complexes 5a and 6a only showed minor red shifts (i.e., from 544 to 556 nm for complex 5a and from 551 to 565 nm for complex 6a), whereas complex 6b exhibited a remarkable red shift from 558 to 603 nm upon grinding. Besides, their luminescence reversibility was also examined toward various solvents.

Mechanical and Thermal ON-OFF Switching of the Vapochromic Behavior of a Luminescent Polymorphic Pt(II) Complex

Vapochromic materials that exhibit color/luminescence changes induced by vapor exposure have attracted considerable attention. Herein, we report the grinding- and heating-induced ON-OFF switching of the vapochromic behavior of [Pt(ppyCl₂)(Clacac)] (1; ppyCl₂ = 2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-chloropyridinato, Clacac = 3-chloroacetylacetonato). 1 formed yellow and orange polymorphs (1-Y and 1-O), and 1-Y could be converted to 1-Og, which showed a very similar crystal structure but with a broadened X-ray diffraction pattern compared with that of 1-O. Moreover, 1-Og can be reversibly transformed into 1-O via heating and grinding. Notably, 1-Og underwent a N,N-dimethylacetamide vapor-induced transformation to 1-Y, whereas 1-O did not undergo such a transformation. These results indicate the ON-OFF switching of vapochromic behavior induced via grinding and heating. This finding will be beneficial for developing intelligent molecular devices.

Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Deprotonated Diaminocarbene Complexes Based on N-(2-Pyridyl)ureas with Oxadiazole Periphery

Metal mediated coupling of isocyanides with substituted N-(pyridine-2-yl) ureas was first used to incorporate privileged biological motifs into platinum metal complexes. We synthesized two palladium(II) and two platinum(II) cyclometallated species with oxadiazole cores. The compounds were isolated in good yields (61–73%) and characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry and 1H, 13C, and 195Pt NMR spectroscopies. The structures of three complexes were additionally elucidated by X-ray diffraction analysis. These complexes indeed showed cytotoxic activity. The species bearing the 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety exhibit more potency than the ones with the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring. Particularly, the cytotoxic effect of both 1,3,4-oxadiazole-based complexes towards T98G cells significantly exceeds the common antitumor metal-drug cisplatin.

π-Extension of heterocycles via a Pd-catalyzed heterocyclic aryne annulation: π-extended donors for TADF emitters

We report the annulation of heterocyclic building blocks to access π-extended polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The method involves the trapping of short-lived hetarynes with catalytically-generated biaryl palladium intermediates and allows for the concise appendage of three or more fused aromatic rings about a central heterocyclic building block. Our studies focus on annulating the indole and carbazole heterocycles through the use of indolyne and carbazolyne chemistry, respectively, the latter of which required the synthesis of a new carbazolyne precursor. Notably, these represent rare examples of transition metal-catalyzed reactions of N-containing hetarynes. We demonstrate the utility of our methodology in the synthesis of heterocyclic π-extended PAHs, which were then applied as ligands in two-coordinate metal complexes. As a result of these studies, we identified a new thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter that displays up to 81% photoluminescence efficiency, along with insight into structure-property relationships. These studies underscore the utility of heterocyclic strained intermediates in the synthesis and study of organic materials.

Synthesis of the C70 Fragment Buckybowl, Homosumanene, and Heterahomosumanenes via Ring-Expansion Reactions from Sumanenone

Bowl-shaped aromatic molecules, buckybowls, are attractive molecules because of the unique properties derived from their curved-π scaffolds. Doping heteroatoms into buckybowl frameworks is a powerful method to change their structural and electronical properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of C₇₀ fragment buckybowl, homosumanene, and heterahomosumanenes having a lactone moiety and a lactam moiety via three ring-expansion reactions using sumanenone as a common intermediate. X-ray diffraction analysis of the single crystals reveals their columnar packing structure with a shallow bowl-depth. The lactam moiety is readily derivatized to give azahomosumanene derivatives, nitrogen-doped analogues of homosumanene possessing a pyridine ring at the peripheral carbon. The synthetic application of the α-phenyl azahomosumanene as a cyclometalating ligand with platinum also revealed its utility for preparing a metal complex bearing a buckybowl ligand.

Brightly Luminescent Platinum Complexes of N∧C-∧N Ligands Forming Six-Membered Chelate Rings: Offsetting Deleterious Ring Size Effects Using Site-Selective Benzannulation

Brightly emissive platinum(II) complexes (λ_emission,max = 607-612 nm) of the type ^RLPtCl are reported, where ^RL is a cyclometalated N^∧C^-∧N-coordinating ligand derived from 1,3-di(2-trifluoromethyl-4-phenanthridinyl)benzene (^CF3LH) or 1,3-di(2-tert-butyl-4-phenanthridinyl)benzene (^tBuLH). Metathesis of the chlorido ligand can be achieved under mild conditions, enabling isolation of ionic compounds with the formula [^CF3LPtL']PF₆ where L' = pyridine or (4-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), as well as the charge-neutral species ^tBuLPt(C≡C─C₆H₄─tBu) (C≡C─C₆H₄─tBu = 4-tert-butylphenylacetylido). Compared with N^∧N^∧N-ligated Pt(II) complexes that form 5-membered chelates, these compounds all contain 6-membered rings. Expanding the chelate ring size from 5 to 6 has been previously demonstrated to enhance emission in some N^∧N^∧N-coordinated Pt(II) species─for example, in complexes of 2,6-di(8-quinolinyl)pyridine vs those of 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine─but in related N^∧C^-∧N-coordinated species, luminescence quantum yields are significantly lower for the 6-membered chelate ring complexes. Here, we demonstrate that site-selective benzannulation of the quinolinyl side-arms can offset the deleterious effect of changing the chelate ring-size and boost photophysical properties such as the quantum yield. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations suggest that benzannulation counterintuitively destabilizes the emissive triplet states compared to the smaller π-system, with the "imine-bridged biphenyl" form of the phenanthridinyl arm helping to buffer against larger molecular distortions, enhancing photoluminescence quantum yields up to 0.09 ± 0.02. The spontaneous formation under aerated conditions of a Pt(IV) derivative (^CF3LPtCl₃) is also reported, together with its molecular structure in the solid state.

Deprotonated diaminocarbene platinum complexes for thermoresponsive luminescent silicone materials: both catalysts and luminophores

C,N-Chelate deprotonated diaminocarbene platinum(II) complexes were synthesized by coupling coordinated isocyanides and azinyl-substituted ureas. The complexes act as catalysts of α,ω-divinylpolydimethylsiloxane and poly(dimethylsiloxane-co-methylhydrosiloxane) hydrosilylation cross-linking. Silicone rubbers obtained with (aminoisoquinoline)-containing complex 3d exhibit temperature-responsive luminescence. Their emission changes irreversibly when heated from 80-100 °C (green radiation) to 120 °C or more (blue radiation).

Axially Chiral Bis-Cycloplatinated Binaphthalenes and Octahydro-Binaphthalenes for Efficient Circularly Polarized Phosphorescence in Solution-Processed Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

A new series of axially chiral binuclear Pt(II) complexes with bridging ligands of binaphthalenes and octahydro-binaphthalenes and auxiliary ligands of β-diketones were designed and prepared. These complexes, identified by spectral and electrochemical methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, emit an orange-red phosphorescence with a quantum yield up to 21% and 70% in solution and solid, respectively, due to the effect of steric hindrance from bridging ligands and the 2,3-position extension of chiral axis planes. They can be used as emitters in solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes to achieve luminance efficiency, asymmetry factor, and external quantum efficiency up to 5.4 cd A^-1, 3.0 × 10^-3, and 3.1%, respectively. Moreover, the essential relationships between their chemical structures and luminescence quantum efficiency and asymmetry factor are discussed, which affords explicit insights for designing circularly polarized luminescent materials and devices.

Dipyrrolyldiketone PtII Complexes: Ion-Pairing π-Electronic Systems with Various Anion-Binding Modes

A variety of π-electronic ion-pairing assemblies can be constructed by combining anion complexes of π-electronic systems and countercations. In this study, a series of anion-responsive π-electronic molecules, dipyrrolyldiketone Pt^II complexes containing a phenylpyridine ligand, were synthesized. The resulting Pt^II complexes exhibited phosphorescence emission, with higher emission quantum yields (0.30-0.42) and microsecond-order lifetimes, and solution-state anion binding, as revealed by our spectroscopic analyses. These Pt^II complexes displayed solid-state ion-pairing assemblies, exhibiting various anion-binding modes, which derived from pyrrole-inverted and pyrrole-non-inverted conformations, and packing structures, with the contribution of charge-by-charge assemblies, which were dependent on the substituents in the Pt^II complexes and the geometries and electronic states of their countercations.

Photophysical Properties and Kinetic Studies of 2-Vinylpyridine-Based Cycloplatinated(II) Complexes Containing Various Phosphine Ligands

A series of cycloplatinated(II) complexes with general formula of [PtMe(Vpy)(PR₃)], Vpy = 2-vinylpyridine and PR₃ = PPh₃ (1a); PPh₂Me (1b); PPhMe₂ (1c), were synthesized and characterized by means of spectroscopic methods. These cycloplatinated(II) complexes were luminescent at room temperature in the yellow–orange region’s structured bands. The PPhMe₂ derivative was the strongest emissive among the complexes, and the complex with PPh₃ was the weakest one. Similar to many luminescent cycloplatinated(II) complexes, the emission was mainly localized on the Vpy cyclometalated ligand as the main chromophoric moiety. The present cycloplatinated(II) complexes were oxidatively reacted with MeI to yield the corresponding cycloplatinated(IV) complexes. The kinetic studies of the reaction point out to an S_N2 mechanism. The complex with PPhMe₂ ligand exhibited the fastest oxidative addition reaction due to the most electron-rich Pt(II) center in its structure, whereas the PPh₃ derivative showed the slowest one. Interestingly, for the PPhMe₂ analog, the trans isomer was stable and could be isolated as both kinetic and thermodynamic product, while the other two underwent trans to cis isomerization.

B- and N-Embedded π-Conjugation Units Tuning Intermolecular Interactions and Optical Properties of Platinum(II) Complexes

A new series of neutral and cationic platinum(II) complexes containing a B- or N-embedded π-conjugation unit has been prepared. Notably, significantly different intermolecular interactions (Pt-Pt, π-π, head to tail, and head to head) and interesting optical properties exist in these complexes, which can be attributed to the difference in spatial structures and π-electron properties between B- and N-embedded π-conjugation units. Unexpectedly, under a hypoxic atmosphere, N-embedded neutral complex PtNacac can display a distinct dual-emission with both fluorescence and phosphorescence, whereas only a single fluorescence emission was observed in the air, which is different from the B-embedded neutral complex PtBacac with only a single phosphorescence emission at any atmosphere, as well confirmed by lifetime measurement and oxygen sensing experiments. DFT calculations reveal that unusual ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) excited state character and low spin orbit coupling (SOC) elements can be found in N-embedded complexes due to the strong electron-donating ability of the N-embedded unit. Based on this, as a novel ratiometric oxygen probe with a simple structure, PtNacac can be successfully used to examine intracellular oxygen levels by monitoring both fluorescence and phosphorescence signals via ratiometric photoluminescence imaging and time-resolved luminescence imaging (TRLI) technology. This work provides a completely new idea for designing fluorescence/phosphorescence dual-emissive complexes.

Ultrafast processes: coordination chemistry and quantum theory

Coordination compounds, characterized by fascinating and tunable electronic properties, are capable of binding easily to proteins, polymers, wires and DNA. Upon irradiation, these molecular systems develop functions finding applications in solar cells, photocatalysis, luminescent and conformational probes, electron transfer triggers and diagnostic or therapeutic tools. The control of these functions is activated by the light wavelength, the metal/ligand cooperation and the environment within the first picoseconds (ps). After a brief summary of the theoretical background, this perspective reviews case studies, from 1st row to 3rd row transition metal complexes, that illustrate how spin-orbit, vibronic coupling and quantum effects drive the photophysics of this class of molecules at the early stage of the photoinduced elementary processes within the fs-ps time scale range.

Group VIII coordination complexes of bidentate P^N ligands bearing π-extended quinoline or phenanthridine N-heterocycles

Group 8 complexes of π-extended N-heterocyclic ligands present some unexpected results. Benzannulation shifts the lowest energy excitation to the blue by impacting the character of the transition rather than affecting frontier orbital energies.

Bright Luminescent Platinum(II)-Biaryl Emitters Synthesized Without Air-Sensitive Reagents

Transition-metal complexes bearing biaryl-2,2'-diyl ligands tend to show intense luminescence. However, difficulties in synthesis have prevented their further functionalization and practical applications. Herein, a series of platinum(II) complexes bearing biaryl-2,2'-diyl ligands, which have never been prepared in air, were synthesized through transmetalation and successive cyclometalation of biarylboronic acids. This approach does not require any air- or moisture-sensitive reagents and features a simple synthesis even in air. The resulting (Et₄ N)₂ [Pt(m,n-F₂ bph)(CN)₂ ] (m,n-F₂ bph=m,n-difluorobiphenyl-2,2'-diyl) complexes exhibit intense green emissions with high quantum efficiencies of up to 0.80 at 298 K. The emission spectral fitting and variable-temperature emission lifetime measurements indicate that the high quantum efficiency was achieved because of the tight packing structure and strong σ-donating ability of bph.

On the photophysical properties of IrIII, PtII, and PdII (phenylpyrazole) (phenyldipyrrin) complexes

The absorption and emission characteristics of (ppz)2(dipy)IrIII, (ppz)(dipy)PtII and (ppz)(dipy)PdII, where ppz stands for phenylpyrazole and dipy for a phenyl meso-substituted dipyrrin ligand, have been investigated by means of combined density functional theory and multireference configuration interaction including scalar relativistic and spin-orbit coupling effects. These results were compared with experimental spectra. The complexes exhibit a high density of low-lying electronically excited states originating from ligand-centered (LC) and metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) states involving the dipyrrin ligand. In addition, metal-centered (MC) states are found to be low-lying in the Pd complex. In all three cases, the first strong absorption band and the phosphorescence emission band stem from LC excitations on the dipyrrin ligand with small MLCT contributions. The MLCT states show more pronounced relaxation effects than the LC states, with the consequence that the first excited state with predominant singlet multiplicity is of SMLCT/LC type in the heavier Ir and Pt complexes. Substantial spin-orbit coupling between SMLCT/LC and TLC enables fast and efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) and a high triplet quantum yield. Phosphorescence rate constants are rather small in accord with the dominant LC character of the transitions. Out-of-plane distortion promotes nonradiative decay of the excited state population via the MC states thus explaining the lower phosphorescence quantum yield of the Pt complex. The spectral properties of the Pd complex are different in many aspects. Optimization of the S1 state yields a dipyrrin intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) state with highly distorted nuclear arrangement in the butterfly conformers leading to nonradiative deactivation. In contrast, the primarily excited SLC state and the SMLCT/LC state of the twist conformer have nearly equal adiabatic excitation energies. The lack of a driving force toward the SMLCT/LC minimum, the high fluorescence rate constant of the bright SLC state and its moderately efficient ISC to the triplet manifold explain the experimentally observed dual emission of the Pd complex at room temperature.

Structure-Emission Property Relationships in Cyclometalated Pt(II) β-Diketonate Complexes

Extending the ligand π-system of phosphorescent (C^∧C*) or (C^∧N) cyclometalated platinum(II) β-diketonate complexes can lead to large and seemingly abrupt variations of the photophysical properties such as triplet quantum yields and phosphorescence lifetimes. Quantum chemical studies using methods including elements from density functional theory (DFT) and multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) as well as spin-orbit coupling (SOC) provide a rationale for these observations. In the Franck-Condon region, the first excited singlet states (S₁) of these complexes are characterized by mixed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) and ligand-centered (LC) excitations. With increasing extension of the effective π-system, the lowest-lying triplet state yields more and more LC character, thus leading to a decrease of the phosphorescence rate constant. The ability to undergo efficient intersystem crossing from S₁ to T₁ is not diminished as the S₁ state largely retains its character. In the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes investigated here, at least two triplet states are found energetically below the S₁ state. Out-of-plane distortion enhances the probability for nonradiative decay of the triplet population. In the smaller compounds emitting in the violet or blue spectral region, the phosphorescent state is separated from the lowest-lying dark metal-centered (MC) triplet state by a small barrier only, explaining their experimentally observed low photoluminescence quantum yields in liquid solution. The semiempirical DFT/MRCI-R2018 Hamiltonian employed in our studies proves well-suited for investigating the absorption and emission properties of these platinum(II) complexes. Generally, good agreement is observed between our calculated data and the experimental findings.