NMR, DFT and luminescence studies of the complexation of Al(III) with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate

Ligand-Tuned Multi-Color Luminescence of Single Aluminum (III) Ion Atomic Centers and Their Selective Sensitivity to Different Metal Ions

Achieving multi-color luminescence with a single atomic center in transition metal complexes is a challenge. In this work, luminescent materials with tunable emission properties were realized by complexation between aluminum (III) ions with the ligands 3-hydroxyflavone (3-HF) and 5,7-dichloro-8-hydroxyquinoline (DCHQ). Aluminum (III) complexes with a single ligand emitted blue from 3-HF and green from DCHQ. High quantum yields (QYs) of 29.42% and 37.00% were also obtained, respectively. DFT calculations revealed details of the photophysical properties of the complexes. Correspondingly, cyan light emission was obtained if these two complexes were mixed together, from which the emission wavelength was located at 470 nm and the QY was 20.52%, under 290 nm excitation. More importantly, the cyan light emitted by the mixtures had selective sensitivity to different metal ions, resulting in either quenching the fluorescence (in the case of Fe3+) or enhancing the fluorescence (in the case of In3+). The fluorescence enhancement effect of In3+ on metal complexes has not been previously reported, neither for transition metal nor lanthanide ions. The linear quenching behavior of Fe3+ functions in the 50–700 μM concentration range, and the linear enhancement behavior of In3+ is demonstrated in the 300–800 mM concentration range.

Complexes of In(III) with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate in solution: structural studies and the effect of cationic surfactants on the photophysical behaviour

Following previous studies on the complexation in aqueous solutions of 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate (8-HQS) with the trivalent metal ions, Al(III) and Ga(III) and various other metal ions, using multinuclear NMR, DFT calculations, UV-vis absorption and luminescence techniques, we have extended our studies on 8-HQS complexation to the trivalent metal ion In(III). The study combines the high sensitivity of luminescence techniques and the selectivity of multinuclear NMR spectroscopy with the structural details accessible through DFT calculations, and aims to obtain a complete understanding of the complexation between the In³⁺ metal ion and 8-HQS, and how this influences the luminescence behaviour. A full speciation study has been performed and, as has been reported for the complexes of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ), the dominant complexes of 8-HQS with In(III) show marked differences in the complexation behaviour when compared with the equivalent complexes with the other group 13 cations Al(III) and Ga(III). While all three complexes have a 1 : 3 (metal : ligand) stoichiometry, those with Al(III) and Ga(III) show a mer-geometry of the ligands around the metal centre, whereas the fac-geometry is observed for the complexes with In(III). On binding to metal ions, 8-HQS shows a marked increase in the intensity of the fluorescence emission band compared to that of the virtually non-luminescent free ligand. However, the increase for In(III) is less pronounced than with Al(III) or Ga(III). These observations have important implications for the application of the complexes in sensing, light emitting devices (e.g. OLEDs), or as electron transport layers in photovoltaics for solar energy conversion. Furthermore, surfactant complexation is known to improve the fluorescence intensity in metal complexes with 8-HQS, by inhibiting the ligand exchange, as we have reported for complexes of HQS with Al(III) and Ga(III). Accordingly, in view of the development of applications in either sensing or optoelectronics, our interest also includes the study of HQS complexes of In(III) in the presence of cationic surfactants, in comparison with previous results with Al(III) and Ga(III).

Topological Analysis of Hydroxyquinoline Derivatives Interacting with Aluminum Cations or with an Al(111) Surface

The reactivity of hydroxyquinoline derivatives (native molecules (Hq) and modified species (HqX, X = Br, SO₃H, or SO₃^-)) is investigated either (i) with aluminum cations for the formation of chelates or (ii) with aluminum surfaces for their adsorption properties, in the framework of the dispersion-corrected Density Functional Theory (DFT-D). It is shown that the substituent X has no influence on the complexation to the aluminum cation of the deprotonated active form, i.e., the one exhibiting a phenolate moiety and referred to as q^- for the native Hq and qX^n- (n = 1 or 2) for its derivatives. The formation energies of the Alq₃ and Al(qX)₃ complexes, taking values of -60.87 ± 3.10 eV in vacuum and -24.30 ± 0.29 eV in water, are indicative of a strong chelating affinity of the q^- and qX^n- (n = 1 or 2) anions for the aluminum cations. ELF and QTAIM topological analyses on these complexes evidence that the bonding of the deprotonated species with the Al³⁺ ion is ionic with a very weak covalence degree. The para or ortho substituent X of the phenolate moiety of the qX^n- (n = 1 or 2) derivatives modifies the electronic structure only locally and thus does not influence their O- or N-coordinating properties. The adsorption properties of the latter on an Al(111) surface have also been studied within periodic DFT-D calculations. The adsorbed species are strongly interacting with the Al(111) surface, as shown by the value of the adsorption energy of -3.69 ± 0.21 eV for the most stable geometries. Various adsorption modes of the q^- and qX^n- (n = 1 or 2) derivatives are characterized on the Al surface, depending on stabilizing or destabilizing interactions with the substituents X. On the basis of QTAIM descriptors, the bonding of the hydroxyquinoline species on the aluminum surface is characterized as ionic with a weak covalent character.

Absorption and emission properties of 5-phenyl tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) M(III) complexes (M = Al, Ga, In) and correlations with molecular electrostatic potential

Substituent effect for a series of 5-phenyl tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) M(III) complexes (Mq3) of aluminum, gallium, and indium are investigated using density functional theory (DFT) for the ground state properties and the time-dependent version of DFT (TDDFT) for their absorption and emission properties. A comparison between the ground state energy of mer and fac isomers of all the complexes revealed that the mer configuration is always more stable than fac. The substituent effect is significantly reflected at the fluorescence maximum (λ_F ) values whereas the effect is moderate at the absorption maximum (λ_abs ) values. The molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) at the metal center (V_M ) and the most electron rich region indicated by MESP minimum (V_min ), located at the oxygen of phenoxide ring exhibit excellent correlations with the λ_F and Stokes shift (λ_F -λ_abs ) values. The study suggests the use of Stokes shift as an experimental quantity to measure the excited state substituent effect while the V_min or V_M emerge as theoretical quantities to measure the same.

A Highly Selective and Sensitive Fluorescent Chemosensor for Detecting Al3+ Ion in Aqueous Solution and Plant Systems

The solubilized form of aluminum, Al³⁺, is present under acid soil conditions and toxic to both animals and plants. Detecting and quantifying Al³⁺ is vital for both chemistry and biology. A new Schiff-based fluorescent turn-on sensor (probe L) for the selective detection of the Al³⁺ ion was synthesized by coupling 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and 2-aminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, and the structure was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The probe L exhibited an excellent selective and sensitive response to the Al³⁺ ion over other metal ions in DMSO-H₂O (1:9 v/v). Fluorescence quantification revealed that probe L was promising for the detection and accumulation of Al³⁺. Treating rice seedlings with Al³⁺ at 25–200 μM inhibited their growth. Al³⁺ treatment produced reactive oxygen species in rice roots. Practical applications of the fluorescent probe for the quantification of Al³⁺ in water samples and rice seedlings are demonstrated. Detecting the Al³⁺ ion with the probe L is easy and a potential alternative to existing analytical methods. The method can be used for detecting the Al³⁺ content of aqueous solution and plant systems. The novel fluorescent probe L has good potential for monitoring Al³⁺ content in the environment and biological systems.

Identification of the Al-binding proteins that account for aluminum neurotoxicity and transport in vivo

Studies have shown that aluminum (Al) is the most abundant neurotoxic element on Earth, and is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanisms underlying Al-induced neurotoxicity are still largely elusive. Based on affinity analyses with Al and LC-LTQ-MS, we have found that serum albumin, brain CK-B and 14-3-3ζ protein have a high affinity for Al³⁺, and albumin has a much stronger affinity for Al than transferrin. The normal activity of CK-B, and physiological combination of 14-3-3ζ with tau can be severely perturbed by Al. We anticipate that our assay will provide a new focus concerning the mechanism underlying Al-induced neurotoxicity, and aid the design of strategies to prevent AD and other human diseases related to Al overload.

Oxocomplexes of U(vi) with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate in solution: structural studies and photophysical behaviour

Multinuclear (¹H and ¹³C) NMR, and Raman spectroscopy, combined with DFT calculations, provide detailed information on the complexation between U(vi) oxoions and 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate (8-HQS) in aqueous solution. Over the concentration region studied, U(vi) oxoions (uranyl ions) form one dominant complex with 8-HQS in water in the pH range 3-6, a mononuclear 1 : 2 (metal : ligand) complex, with the metal centre (UO₂²⁺) coordinated to two 8-HQS ligands, together with one or more water molecules. An additional minor 1 : 1 complex has also been detected for solutions with a 1 : 1 metal : ligand molar ratio. The geometry of the dominant complex is proposed based on the combination of the NMR and Raman results with DFT calculations. Further information on the electronic structure of the complex has been obtained from UV/visible absorption and luminescence spectra. The complex of U(vi) and 8-HQS is non-luminescent, in contrast to what has been observed with this ligand and many other metal ions. We suggest that this is due to the presence of low-lying ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) states below the emitting ligand-based and uranyl-based levels which quench their emission. These studies have fundamental importance and are also relevant in the context of environmental studies, and the water soluble ligand 8-HQS has been chosen for application in uranium remediation of aqueous environments.

A Fluorescent Sensor for Al(III) and Colorimetric Sensor for Fe(III) and Fe(II) Based on a Novel 8-Hydroxyquinoline Derivative

A novel 8-hydroxyquinoline-based fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor was designed, synthesized and fully characterized. The sensor showed high selectivity and sensitivity toward Al(3+) over other tested cations in EtOH/H2O (1:99, v/v) medium. The increase in fluorescence intensity was linearly proportional to the concentration of Al(3+) with a detection limit of 7.38 × 10(-6) M. Moreover, the sensor exhibited an obvious color change from yellow to black in the presence of Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) in EtOH/THF (99:1, v/v) solution. The absorbance changes showed a linear response to iron ions with the detection limits of 4.24 × 10(-7) M and 5.60 × 10(-7) M for Fe(2+) and Fe(3+), respectively. Thus, this chemosensor provides a novel approach for selectively recognition of Al(3+), Fe(3+) and Fe(2+) among environmentally relevant metal ions.

Understanding M-ligand bonding and mer-/fac-isomerism in tris(8-hydroxyquinolinate) metallic complexes

Tris(8-hydroxyquinolinate) metallic complexes, Mq3, are one of the most important classes of organic semiconductor materials. Herein, the nature of the chemical bond in Mq3 complexes and its implications on their molecular properties were investigated by a combined experimental and computational approach. Various Mq3 complexes, resulting from the alteration of the metal and substitution of the 8-hydroxyquinoline ligand in different positions, were prepared. The mer-/fac-isomerism in Mq3 was explored by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, evidencing that, irrespective of the substituent, mer- and fac-are the most stable molecular configurations of Al(iii) and In(iii) complexes, respectively. The relative M-ligand bond dissociation energies were evaluated experimentally by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS-MS), showing a non-monotonous variation along the group (Al > In > Ga). The results reveal a strong covalent character in M-ligand bonding, which allows for through-ligand electron delocalization, and explain the preferred molecular structures of Mq3 complexes as resulting from the interplay between bonding and steric factors. The mer-isomer reduces intraligand repulsions, being preferred for smaller metals, while the fac-isomer is favoured for larger metals where stronger covalent M-ligand bonds can be formed due to more extensive through-ligand conjugation mediated by metal "d" orbitals.

Self-assembled systems of water soluble metal 8-hydroxyquinolates with surfactants and conjugated polyelectrolytes

We have studied the interaction of 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate (8-HQS) with the metal ions Al(iii) and Zn(ii) in aqueous solution in the presence of tetraalkylammonium surfactants using UV/vis absorption, fluorescence, NMR spectroscopy and electrical conductivity measurements, complemented by DFT calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Under appropriate conditions, complexes between 8-HQS and metal ions form rapidly, and have similar electronic, spectroscopic and photophysical properties to the corresponding metal quinolates, such as Alq3. These interact with the cationic surfactants, leading to marked increases in fluorescence intensity. However, significant differences are seen in the behavior of the two metal ions. With aluminium, a stable [Al(8-QS)3](3-) anion is formed, and interacts, predominantly through electrostatic interactions, with the surfactant, without disrupting the metal ion coordination sphere. In contrast, with Zn(ii), there is a competition between the metal ion and surfactants in the interaction with 8-HQS, although the [Zn(8-QS)2(H2O)2](2-) species is stable at appropriate pH and surfactant concentration. The studies are extended to systems with the conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) poly-(9,9-bis(6-N,N,N-trimethylammonium)hexyl)-fluorene-phenylene bromide (HTMA-PFP), which has a similar alkylammonium chain to the surfactants. Mixing metal salt, 8-HQS and HTMA-PFP in the presence of a nonionic surfactant leads to the formation of a metal complex/CPE supramolecular assembly between the conjugated polyelectrolyte and the metal/8-HQS complex, as demonstrated by electronic energy transfer. The potential of these systems in sensing, light harvesting, and electron injection/transport layers in organic semiconductor devices is discussed.

Oxocomplexes of Mo(VI) and W(VI) with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate in solution: structural studies and the effect of the metal ion on the photophysical behaviour

Multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, (95)Mo and (183)W) NMR spectroscopy, combined with DFT calculations, provides detailed information on the complexation between the Mo(VI) and W(VI) oxoions and 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate (8-HQS) in aqueous solution. Over the concentration region studied, Mo(VI) and W(VI) oxoions form three homologous complexes with 8-HQS in water in the pH range 2-8. Two of these, detected at pH < 6, are mononuclear 1 : 2 (metal : ligand) isomers, with the metal centre (MO2(2+)) coordinated to two 8-HQS ligands. An additional complex, dominant at slightly higher pH values (5-8) for solutions with a 1 : 1 metal : ligand molar ratio, has a binuclear M2O5(2+) centre coordinated to two 8-HQS ligands. The two metal atoms are bridged by three oxygen atoms, two coming from 8-HQS, together with the M-O-M bridge of the bimetallic centre. We show that the long-range exchange corrected BOP functional with local response dispersion (LCBOPLRD), together with explicit solvent molecules, leads to geometries that readily converge to equilibrium structures having realistic bridging O8-HQS-M bonds. Previous attempts to calculate the structures of such binuclear complexes using DFT with the B3LYP functional have failed due to difficulties in treating the weak interaction in these bridged structures. We believe that the LCBOPLRD method may be of more general application in theoretical studies in related binuclear metal complexes. UV/visible absorption and luminescence spectra of all the complexes have also been recorded. The complex between Mo(vi) and 8-HQS is only weakly luminescent, in contrast to what has been observed with this ligand and many other metal ions. We suggest that this is due to the presence of low-lying ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) states close to the emitting ligand-based level which quench the emission. However, with W(VI), DFT calculations show that the LMCT states are now much higher in energy than the ligand based levels, leading to a marked increase in fluorescence.

A Highly Selective Fluorescent Sensor for Al3+ based on an Aza-18-Crown-6 Derivative

A new fluorescent sensor derived from 2,5-diphenyl-furan and aza-18-crown-6 has been synthesised. It can selectively bind Al3+ in aqeuous ethanol solution with fluorescence enhancement.

A highly selective fluorescent probe for Al(3+) based on quinoline derivative

A novel Schiff base fluorescent probe, 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-hydroxypyrazole-4-carbaldehyde (2'-methylquinoline-4'-formyl) hydrazone (PMHCH), for selective detection of Al(3+) has been designed and synthesized. Upon addition of various metal ions, the receptor only shows 286-fold enhancement of fluorescence intensity which might be attributed to a 1:1 stoichiometry between PMHCH and Al(3+) and the photo-induced electron transfer progress in the present of Al(3+) at 505n m. More importantly, the detection limit of PMHCH for Al(3+) could reach at 10(-7) M level.

A new pyrazoline-based fluorescent sensor for Al3+ in aqueous solution

A new pyrazoline-based fluorescent sensor was synthesized and the structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The sensor responds to Al(3+) with high selectivity among a series of cations in aqueous methanol. This sensor forms a 1:1 complex with Al(3+) and displays fluorescent quenching.

NMR, DFT and luminescence studies of the complexation of V(v) oxoions in solution with 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate

The complexation of vanadium(v) with 8-HQS is accompanied by marked changes in the multinuclear NMR and UV/visible absorption spectra of 8-HQS, but does not lead to a significant increase in fluorescence.

Synthesis, structure, and spectral and electrochemical properties of chromium(iii) tris-(8-hydroxyquinolinate)

Having the HOMO of chromium(iii) tris-(8-hydroxyquinolinate) mainly on metal 3d orbitals and the LUMO on the ligand leads to increased electrochemical stability.

Synthesis, characterization and DFT calculation of 4-fluorophenyl substituted tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum(III) complexes

New 4-fluorophenyl substituted 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives, 5-(4-fluorophenyl)quinolin-8-ol and 5,7-bis(4-fluorophenyl)quinolin-8-ol, were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The aluminum complexes of 5-(4-fluorophenyl)quinolin-8-ol (AlQF) and of 5,7-bis(4-fluorophenyl)quinolin-8-ol (AlQF2) exhibit strong fluorescence emission centered at 525 nm and 530 nm respectively. The quantum yield of both complexes were enhanced compared to the parent tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum(III) complex. Electronic structures and photophysical properties of the new complexes were investigated theoretically by ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent DFT (TD-DFT). Geometries of the ground state (S0) and the first excited state (S1) of the new complexes were optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) functional and configuration interaction singles (CIS) method respectively. The aryl substituents were found to contribute significantly to the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs). We have observed that in both cases the lowest occupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy decreases while the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital is slightly increased. The most significant increase was observed for AlQF2.