Reversible Coupling of Germylone with Isocyanates

The germylone dimNHCGe (5, dimNHC=diimino N-heterocyclic carbene) undergoes a [2+2] cycloaddition with isocyanates RNCO (R=4-tolyl or 3,5-xylyl) to furnish novel alkyl carboxamido germylenes 7 (R=4-tolyl) and 8 (R=3,5-xylyl), featuring a C-C bond between the former carbene carbon and the isocyanate moiety. Heating a mixture of 8 with 4-tolyl isocyanate to 100 °C results in isocyanate metathesis, demonstrating reversible C-C bond formation on the reduced germanium compound. DFT calculations suggest that this process occurs via the reductive dissociation of isocyanate from 8 that regenerates the parent Ge(0) compound 5.

1,3-C-H bond activation on a transient gallium(I)/isocyanate adduct

Reaction of NacNacGa with phenylisocyante generates a transient species amenable to unusual 1,3-C-H bond addition of unactivated sp3 C-H and sp2 C-H bonds of substrates featuring a hard donor atom. This reaction proceeds for pyridine oxide, dimethylsulfoxide, and dimethylacetamide, but not for pyridine, cyclohexanone, and ethyl acetate. C-H activation was also not observed for reactions with triethylphosphine oxide but, interestingly, in the presence of this compound isocyanate undergoes self-coupling on Ga(I) with a regioselectivity that is different when carried out in the absence of Et3PO.

A Guanidine-Supported π-Complex of Germanium Amenable to Intramolecular C-C Cleavage in Arene and Ge Atom Transfer

The germylone dimNHCGe (dimNHC=diimino N-heterocyclic carbene) reacts with azides N3 R (R=SiMe3 or p-tolyl) to furnish the first examples of germanium π-complexes, i. e. guanidine-ligated compounds (dimNHI-SiMe3 )Ge (NHI=N-heterocyclic imine, R=SiMe3 ) and (dimNHI-Tol)Ge (R=p-tolyl). DFT calculations suggest that these species are formed by a Staudinger type replacement of dinitrogen in the azide by a nucleophilic germylone, leading to a transient carbene adduct of iminogermylidene. Heating a solution of compound (dimNHI-SiMe3 )Ge to 70 °C results in extrusion of the iminogermylidene that further aggregates to produce the known [Me3 SiNGe]4 tetramer, whereas the imidazolylidene fragment transforms into an unusual heptatriene species that can be considered as a product of carbene insertion into the C-C bond of a pendant Ar substituent at the imidazolylidene nitrogen of the dimNHC. Reaction of (dimNHI-SiMe3 )Ge with tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone results in the net transfer of a germanium atom and formation of the free diimino-guanidine ligand. This ligand also forms when (dimNHI-SiMe3 )Ge is treated with azide N3 (p-Tol), with the germanium product being [(p-Tol)NGe]n.

Germanium Analogue of the Parent Phosphine-Borane FLP Compound

Diimino-carbene-supported germylone dimNHCGe does not react with BPh3 and does not activate dihydrogen in the FLP mode in the combination with this borane. However, it reacts with B(C6 F5 )3 to give the zwitterionic borate dimNHCGe-(C6 F4 )BF(C6 F5 )2 . This compound can be converted into the hydroborate dimNHCGe-(C6 F4 )BH(C6 F5 )2 (8) and further into [dimNHCGe-(C6 F4 )B(C6 F5 )2 ]+ (4). Compound 4 is a Ge/B analogue of Stephan's FLP parent P/B compound (C6 H2 Me3 )2 P-C6 F4 -B(C6 F5 )2 but unlike the latter cannot split dihydrogen. Moreover, attempts to prepare a Ge/B analogue of the zwitterion (C6 H2 Me3 )2 HP-C6 F4 -BH(C6 F5 )2 by protonation of borate 8 resulted in immediate elimination of H2.

Base-Stabilized Phosphinidene Oxide, Imide and Sulfide

Oxidation of a base-stabilized phosphinidene (κ2 -NNP)P (12, NNP=phosphinoamidinate) with N2 O afforded a labile phosphinidene oxide (κ2 -NNP)P=O (16) which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Further oxidation of 16 by N2 O or reaction of 12 with two equivalents of pyridine oxide afforded the isolable dioxide (κ2 -NNP)PO2 which was characterized by NMR and SC XRD. Trapping of 16 with tolyl isocyanate resulted in P=O/N=C metathesis, eventually affording a urea-ligated phosphine (κ1 -NNP)P(NTol)2 C=O (17) The mechanism of this reaction was elucidated by DFT calculations. Reactions of phosphinidene 12 with azides generated transient imines (NNP)P=NR, which in the case of R=Tol underwent cycloaddition with tolyl Isocyanate to afford the urea product 17, and in the case of R=SiMe3 reacts with N3 SiMe3 via the addition of N-Si across the P=N bond affording, after the extrusion of dinitrogen, a P,N-heterocyclic compound. Both products of the reactions with azides have been fully characterized, both in solution and the solid-state. Finally, reaction of phosphinidene 12 with one equivalent of sulfur resulted in the isolation of the base-stabilized phosphinidene sulfide (κ2 -NNP)P=S that has also been fully characterized.

Synthesis and catalytic performance of nickel phosphinite pincer complexes in deoxygenative hydroboration of amides

A series of imino-POCN^R, amino-POCN^R2, and bis(phosphinite) POCOP pincer complexes of Ni(II) were prepared and tested in catalytic deoxygenative hydroboration of amides with HBPin to the corresponding amines. In contrast to the deoxygenative hydrosilylation approach, primarily developed for tertiary amides, superior reactivity in Ni-catalyzed deoxygenative hydroboration was demonstrated for secondary carboxamides. The bis(phosphinite) hydride complex (POCOP)NiH proved the most active in these reactions, tolerating potentially reducible functionalities such as internal alkenes, esters, nitriles, heteroaromatic compounds, and tertiary amides. Preferable hydroboration of secondary amides was also demonstrated in the presence of primary amide functionalities. The reactions were conducted at 60-80 °C, representing a rare example of a base-metal catalytic system for selective deoxygenation of secondary amides to the corresponding amines under mild conditions. In contrast to secondary amides, deoxygenative hydroboration of primary amides was demonstrated using an iminophosphinite pre-catalyst (POCN^Dmp)Ni(CH₂TMS) (Dmp = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃). Deoxygenation reactions were suggested to proceed via a direct C-O bond cleavage mechanism, which is triggered by dehydrogenative N-borylation to access more electrophilic N-borylamides amenable to the addition of HBPin to the carbonyl group.

Small Molecule Activation on a Base-stabilized Phosphinidene

Reduction of (NP)PCl2 (NP = phosphinoamidinate [PhC(NAr)(=NPPri2)]-) with KC8 affords the phosphinoamidinato-supported phosphinidene (NP)P (9). Reaction of 9 with a N-heterocyclic carbene (MeC(NMe))2C: results in the NHC-adduct NHC→P-P(Pri2)=NC(Ph)=NAr featuring an iminophosphinyl group. Reactions of 9 with HBpin and H3SiPh led to the metathesis products (NP)Bpin and (NP)SiH2Ph, respectively, whereas with HPPh2 a base-stabilized phosphido-phosphinidene, the product of N-P and H-P bond metathesis, was obtained. Reaction of 9 with tetrachlorobenzaquinone results in oxidation of P(I) to P(III), accompanied by oxidation of the amidophosphine ligand into P(V). Addition of benzaldehyde to 9 results in a phospha-Wittig reaction affording a product of P=P and C=O bond metathesis. Related reaction with phenylisocyanate results in a product of N-P(=O)Pri2 addition to the C=N bond of an intermediate iminophosphaalkene to produce a phosphinidene intramolecularly stabilized by a diaminocarbene.

The evolution of triphenylamine hole transport materials for efficient perovskite solar cells

In recent years, the dramatic increase in power conversion efficiency (PCE) coupled with a decrease in the total cost of third-generation solar cells has led to a significant increase in the collaborative research efforts of academic and industrial researchers. Such interdisciplinary studies have afforded novel materials, which in many cases are now ready to be brought to the marketplace. Within this framework, the field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is currently an important area of research due to their extraordinary light-harvesting properties. In particular, PSCs prepared via facile synthetic procedures, containing hole transport materials (HTMs) with versatile triphenylamine (TPA) structural cores, amenable to functionalization, have become a focus of intense global research activity. To optimize the efficiency of the solar cells to achieve efficiencies closer to rival silicon-based technology, TPA building blocks must exhibit favourable electrochemical, photophysical, and photochemical properties that can be chemically tuned in a rational manner. Although PSCs based on TPA building blocks exhibit attractive properties such as high-power efficiencies, a reduction in their synthetic costs coupled with higher stabilities and environmental considerations still need to be addressed. Considering the above, a detailed summary of the most promising compounds and current methodologies employed to overcome the remaining challenges in this field is provided. The objective of this review is to provide guidance to readers on exploring new avenues for the discovery of efficient TPA derivatives, to aid in the future development and advancement of TPA-based PSCs for commercial applications.

Facile C-H bond activation on a transient gallium imide

Reaction of NacNacGa with azide N₃SiMe₃ results in the generation of a transient imide NacNacGa(NSiMe₃) that can cleave unactivated sp³ C-H and sp² C-H bonds of different substrates, affording gallium amides. Pyridine, cyclohexanone, ethyl acetate, DMSO, and triethylphosphine oxide were activated in this process producing corresponding gallium amides. All new compounds were characterised by multinuclear NMR and X-ray diffraction.

An Isolable Gallium-Substituted Nitrilimine and its Reactivity with B-H, Si-H and B-B Bonds

Reaction of the Ga(I) compound NacNacGa (9) with the diazo compound N₂ CHSiMe₃ affords the nitrilimine compound NacNacGa(N-NCSiMe₃ )(CH₂ SiMe₃ ) (10). Carrying out this reaction in the presence of pyridine does not lead to C-H activation on the transient alkylidene NacNacGa=CHSiMe₃ but generates a metallated diazo species NacNacGa(NHN=CHSiMe₃ )(CN₂ SiMe₃ ) (13) that further rearranges into the isonitrile compound NacNacGa(NHN=CHSiMe₃ )(N(NC)SiMe₃ ) (15). Reactions of 10 with the silane H₃ SiPh and the borane HBcat furnished products of 1,3 addition to the nitrilimine moiety NacNacGa{N(ER_n )NCSiMe₃ }(CH₂ SiMe₃ ), whereas reaction with the diborane B₂ cat₂ gave the product of formal nitrene insertion into the B-B bond. DFT calculations suggest that the interaction of 9 with N₂ CHSiMe₃ proceeds through intermediate formation of an alkylidene compound that undergoes CH activation with a second molecule of N₂ CHSiMe₃ . Insertion into the B-B bond likely proceeds through an initial 1,3-addition of the diborane, followed by boryl migration to the former nitrene center.

Two in One: A Dinuclear Ru(II) Complex for Deep-Red Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells and as an Electrochemiluminescence Probe for Organophosphorus Pesticides

The emissive properties of two Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(dmbipy)₂L₁][PF₆]₂ (1) and [Ru₂(dmbipy)₄L₂][PF₆]₄ (2), (where L₁ and L₂ are π-extended phenanthroline-based ligands and dmbipy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) have been explored for dual applications, namely, deep-red light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) that include chlorpyrifos (CPS). A simple single-layer deep-red LEC device comprising 2 is reported that outperforms both its mononuclear derivative 1 and all previously reported dinuclear LECs, with a maximum brightness of 524 cd/m², an external quantum efficiency of 0.62%, and a turn-on voltage of 3.2 V. Optoelectronic studies reveal that the ECL response of 2 is improved when compared to its mononuclear counterpart 1 and benchmark [Ru(bipy)₃]²⁺ (3). Modified glassy carbon electrodes coated with 2 are highly sensitive deep-red ECL sensors that facilitate the detection of CPS directly from river water and fruit samples without any complex pretreatment steps, operating over a broad logarithmic concentration range, with a low detection limit.

Reactivity of a Phosphinoamidinate-Stabilized Disilylene toward H-X Bonds

An efficient method for the preparation of a phosphinoamidinate-supported disilylene was developed, and its reactivity toward H-E bonds (E = elements from Groups 13-15) was studied. With HBpin, transfer of the ligand from silicon to boron was observed to afford (NP)Bpin. Reaction with a silane (H₃SiPh) took place only at elevated temperatures, at which point oxidative addition of the N-P bond of the NP-ligand to one of the silicon atoms of the disilylene occurred prior to Si-H addition involving the remaining silylene center. In contrast, reaction of the disilylene with phosphine, HPPh₂ furnished the phosphidosilylene (NP)SiPPh₂ (16) together with a highly transient species that, on the basis of a trapping experiment with H₃SiPh, is proposed to be the hydridosilylene (NP)SiH, 17. Interestingly, 16 reacts with HPPh₂ to give the diphosphine (PPh₂)₂, most likely via a direct σ-bond metathesis process. The aforementioned products have been characterized by multinuclear NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.

Selective Cross-Coupling of Unsaturated Substrates on AlI

The Al^I compound NacNacAl (1, NacNac = [ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr]^- , Ar = 2,6-iPr₂ C₆ H₃ ) serves as a template for the chemoselective coupling between carbonyls (benzophenone, fenchone, isophorone, p-tolyl benzoate, N,N-dimethylbenzamide, (1-phenylethylidene)aniline) and pyridine. With the CH-acidic ketone (1R)-(+) camphor, the reaction affords a hydrido alkoxide compound of Al, formed as the result of enolization, whereas an enolizable imine, (1-phenylethylidene)aniline, and the bulky ketone isophorone, still chemoselectively couple with pyridine. In contrast, reaction with the ester p-tolyl benzoate results in cleavage of the ester bond together with replacement of the alkoxy group by a hydrogen atom of the pyridine moiety. This study demonstrates that for carbonyl substrates featuring phenyl substituents, the reaction proceeds via intermediate formation of η² (C,X)-coordinated (X = O, N) carbonyl adducts, whereas the reaction of 1 with (R)-(-)-fenchone in the absence of pyridine leads to CH activation in the pendant isopropyl group of the Ar substituent of the NacNac ligand.

Synthesis, Study, and Application of Pd(II) Hydrazone Complexes as the Emissive Components of Single-Layer Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells

For the first time, square planar Pd(II) complexes of hydrazone ligands have been investigated as the emissive components of light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs). The neutral transition metal complex, [Pd(L¹)₂]·2CH₃OH (1), (HL¹ = (E)-N'-(phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)isonicotinhydrazide), was prepared and structurally characterized. Complex 1 displays quasireversible redox properties and is emissive at room temperature in solution with a λ_max of 590 nm. As a result, it was subsequently employed as the emissive material of a single-layer LEC with configuration FTO/1/Ga/In, where studies reveal that it has a yellow color with CIE(x, y) = (0.33, 0.55), a luminance of 134 cd cm^-2, and a turn-on voltage of 3.5 V. Protonation of the pendant pyridine nitrogen atoms of L¹ afforded a second ionic complex [Pd(L¹H)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2) which is also emissive at room temperature with a λ_max of 611 nm, resulting in an orange LEC with CIE(x, y) = (0.43, 0.53). The presence of mobile anions and cations in the second inorganic transition metal complex resulted in more efficient charge injection and transport which significantly improved the luminance and turn-on voltage of the device to 188.6 cd cm^-2 and 3 V, respectively. This study establishes Pd(II) hydrazone complexes as a new class of materials whose emissive properties can be chemically tuned and provides proof-of-concept for their use in LECs, opening up exciting new avenues for potential applications in the field of solid state lighting.

Control of Porphyrin Planarity and Aggregation by Covalent Capping: Bissilyloxy Porphyrin Silanes

Porphyrins are cornerstone functional materials that are useful in a wide variety of settings, ranging from molecular electronics to biology and medicine. Their applications are often hindered, however, by poor solubilities that result from their extended, solvophobic aromatic surfaces. Attempts to counteract this problem by functionalizing their peripheries have been met with only limited success. Here, we demonstrate a versatile strategy to tune the physical and electronic properties of porphyrins using an axial functionalization approach. Porphyrin silanes (PorSils) and bissilyloxy PorSils (SOPS) are prepared from porphyrins by operationally simple κ⁴N-silylation protocols, introducing bulky silyloxy "caps" that are central and perpendicular to the planar porphyrin. While porphyrins typically form either J- or H-aggregates, SOPS do not self-associate in the same manner: the silyloxy axial substituents dramatically improve the solubility by inhibiting aggregation. Moreover, axial porphyrin functionalization offers convenient handles through which optical, electronic, and structural properties of the porphyrin core can be modulated. We observe that the identity of the silyloxy substituent impacts the degree of planarity of the porphyrin in the solid state as well as the redox potentials.

Oxidative addition of tetrathiocins to palladium(0) and platinum(0): a route to dithiolate coordination complexes

The preparation of a series of 4,4',5,5'-substituted benzo-fused 1,2,5,6-tetrathiocins X2C6H2S4C6H2X2 (1a-1g) were prepared from the reaction of S2Cl2 with 1,2-C6H4X2 (X = OMe, OEt; X2 = OCH2O, OCH2CH2O, OCH2CH2CH2O, MeNC([double bond, length as m-dash]O)NMe, O(CH2CH2O)4). The oxidative addition of 1a-1g to zero-valent Pd2dba3 or Pt2dba3 (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) in the presence of bis (diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) resulted in formation of the substituted mononuclear benzenedithiolate complexes M(L)(dppe) [L = dithiolate ligand; 2a-2g (M = Pd) and 3a-3g (M = Pt)] in 37-89% yield based on recrystallized material. Representative examples of M(L)(dppf) [dppf = bis-diphenylphosphinoferrocene; 4a, 4g (M = Pd) and 5g (M = Pt)] were prepared in a similar fashion. The structures of all derivatives were determined by X-ray diffraction, multinuclear NMR and elemental analysis. The reactivity of the two crown ether dithiolate complexes, 2g and 4g, with 1 equivalent of NaBPh4 led to isolation of the 1 : 1 complexes in which the Na+ cation is bound in the macrocyclic crown, [Na(2g)(MeOH)2][BPh4] and [Na(4g)][BPh4] whose structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies supported through DFT calculations on the crown ether derivatives revealed a series of ligand-based oxidation waves corresponding to the dithiolate ligand (and dppf for 4g and 5g) whose redox potentials were shifted by ca. +0.1 V on binding to Na+.

Shedding Light on the Diverse Reactivity of NacNacAl with N-Heterocycles

The aluminum(I) compound NacNacAl (NacNac=[ArNC(Me)CHC(Me)NAr]^- , Ar=2,6-iPr₂ C₆ H₃ , 1) shows diverse and substrate-controlled reactivity in reactions with N-heterocycles. 4-Dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), a basic substrate in which the 4-position is blocked, induces rearrangement of NacNacAl by shifting a hydrogen atom from the methyl group of the NacNac backbone to the aluminum center. In contrast, C-H activation of the methyl group of 4-picoline takes place to produce a species with a reactive terminal methylene. Reaction of 1 with 3,5-lutidine results in the first example of an uncatalyzed, room-temperature cleavage of an sp² C-H bond (in the 4-position) by an Al^I species. Another reactivity mode was observed for quinoline, which undergoes 2,2'-coupling. Finally, the reaction of 1 with phthalazine produces the product of N-N bond cleavage.

Development of an Unsymmetrical Cyclopropenimine-Guanidine Platform for Accessing Strongly Basic Proton Sponges and Boron-Difluoride Diaminonaphthalene Fluorophores

An unsymmetrical guanidine-cyclopropenimine proton sponge DAGUN and the related BF₂ -chelate DAGBO are reported. Insight into the structural, electronic, bonding and photophysical properties of these two molecules are presented. Joint experimental and theoretical studies reveal the protonated form of DAGUN possesses an intramolecular N⋅⋅⋅H-N hydrogen bond which affords a high experimental pK_BH+ of 26.6 (computed=26.3). Photophysical studies show that in solution DAGUN displays a green emission at 534 nm, with a large Stokes shift of 235 nm (14,718 cm^-1 ). In contrast, the conjugate acid DAGUN-H⁺ is only weakly emissive due to attenuated intramolecular charge transfer. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that DAGBO contains a stable tetracoordinate boronium cation, reminiscent of the well-established BODIPY family of dyes. In solution, DAGBO exhibits a strong blue emission at 450 nm coupled with a large Stokes shift (Δλ=158 nm, Δν=11,957 cm^-1 ) and quantum yield of 62 %, upon excitation at 293 nm. DAGBO sets the stage as the first entry into a new class of boron-difluoride diaminonaphthalenes (BOFDANs) that represent highly fluorescent and tunable next-generation dyes with future promise for biosensing and bioimaging applications.

Ge(0) Compound Stabilized by a Diimino-Carbene Ligand: Synthesis and Ambiphilic Reactivity

The germylone dimNHCGe (5, dimNHC = diimino N-heterocyclic carbene) was successfully prepared via the reduction of the germanium cation [dimNHCGeCl]⁺ with KC₈. The molecular structure of 5 was unambiguously established by both NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The reactivity of 5 was investigated, revealing that it undergoes oxidative addition of HCl, CH₃I, and PhI, accompanied by an unusual migration of the H, Me, and Ph groups from germanium to the carbene ligand. Related chemistry was also observed with C₅F₅N, which results in the migration of the fluorinated pyridine moiety to the carbene ligand. Compound 5 also undergoes cycloaddition with tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone to afford a Ge(IV) adduct.

Sequential Oxidation and C-H Bond Activation at a Gallium(I) Center

In situ oxidation of the Ga^I compound NacNacGa by either N₂ O or pyridine oxide results in the generation of a labile monomeric oxide, NacNacGa(O), which can easily cleave the C-H bonds of aliphatic and aromatic substrates featuring good donor sites. The products of this reaction are gallium organyl hydroxides. DFT calculations show that these reactions start with the formation of NacNac-Ga(O)(L) adducts, the oxo ligand of which can easily abstract protons from nearby C-H bonds, even for sp² -hybridized carbon centers. Aliphatic amines do not enter this reaction for kinetic reasons, presumably because of the unfavorable sterics.

Click chemistry as a route to the synthesis of structurally new and magnetically interesting coordination clusters: a {Ni} complex with a trapezoidal prismatic topology

The synthesis of a new {Ni₈} cluster bearing tetrazolate- and azido-bridging ligands, and supported by chelating α-methyl-2-pyridine-methanol (mpmH) groups, is described herein. The reported compound has a unique trapezoidal prismatic topology, resulting from an unexpected in situ click reaction between the MeCN reaction solvent and the N₃^- ions under mild, room-temperature conditions. Such a click chemistry approach to the preparation of 0-D compounds is relatively unexplored and represents a fruitful strategy for the synthesis of new coordination clusters and molecule-based magnetic materials.

{Ni4} Cubanes from enantiomerically pure 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)pyridine ligands: supramolecular chirality

Homometallic {NiII4} cubane-like clusters with a rare chiral core have been prepared via the employment of enantiomerically pure 2-(1-hydroxyethyl)pyridine (Hmpm). Comparison with the achiral cubanes derived from the related 2-pyridinemethanol (Hpym) ligand reveals drastic structural changes as a consequence of the transfer of chirality from the ligands to the whole structure. Their magnetic properties have been related to the structural features of their cubane-type cores.

Selective Aerobic Oxidation of Benzylic Alcohols Catalyzed by a Dicyclopropenylidene-Ag(I) Complex

The unprecedented synthesis, single-crystal X-ray structure, and first catalytic application of a dicarbene-Ag(I) complex [Ag(BAC)₂][CO₂CF₃] (BAC = bis(diisopropyl)aminocyclopropenylidene) is reported. This novel complex provides a versatile catalytic platform for selective aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols to aldehyde or ketone products in high yields. Ease of experimental execution coupled with the use of abundant atmospheric molecular oxygen as an oxidant and low catalyst loading are inherit strengths of these oxidations.

Structural, Magnetic, and Optical Studies of the Polymorphic 9'-Anthracenyl Dithiadiazolyl Radical

The fluorescent 9'-anthracenyl-functionalized dithiadiazolyl radical (3) exhibits four structurally determined crystalline phases, all of which are monomeric in the solid state. Polymorph 3α (monoclinic P2₁/ c, Z' = 2) is isolated when the radical is condensed onto a cold substrate (enthalpically favored polymorph), whereas 3β (orthorhombic P2₁ 2₁ 2₁, Z' = 3) is collected on a warm substrate (entropically favored polymorph). The α and β polymorphs exhibit chemically distinct structures with 3α exhibiting face-to-face π-π interactions between anthracenyl groups, while 3β exhibits edge-to-face π-π interactions. 3α undergoes an irreversible conversion to 3β on warming to 120 °C (393 K). The β-phase undergoes a series of reversible solid-state transformations on cooling; below 300 K a phase transition occurs to form 3γ (monoclinic P2₁/ c, Z' = 1), and on further cooling below 165 K, a further transition is observed to 3δ (monoclinic P2₁/ n, Z' = 2). Both 3β → 3γ and 3γ → 3δ transitions are reversible (single-crystal X-ray diffraction), and the 3γ → 3δ process exhibits thermal hysteresis with a clear feature observed by heat capacity measurements. Heating 3β above 160 °C generates a fifth polymorph (3ε) which is distinct from 3α-3δ based on powder X-ray diffraction data. The magnetic behavior of both 3α and the 3β/3γ/3δ system reflect an S = 1/2 paramagnet with weak antiferromagnetic coupling. The reversible 3δ ↔ 3γ phase transition exhibits thermal hysteresis of 20 K. Below 50 K, the value of χ_m T for 3δ approaches 0 emu·K·mol^-1 consistent with formation of a gapped state with an S = 0 ground-state configuration. In solution, both paramagnetic 3 and diamagnetic [3][GaCl₄] exhibit similar absorption and emission profiles reflecting similar absorption and emission mechanisms for paramagnetic and diamagnetic forms. Both emit in the deep-blue region of the visible spectrum (λ_em ∼ 440 nm) upon excitation at 255 nm with quantum yields of 4% (3) and 30% ([3][GaCl₄]) affording a switching ratio [Φ_F(3⁺)/Φ_F(3)] of 7.5 in quantum efficiency with oxidation state. Solid-state films of both 3 and [3][GaCl₄] exhibit emission bands at a longer wavelength (490 nm) attributed to excimer emission.

Polypyridyl ligands as a versatile platform for solid-state light-emitting devices

A comprehensive review of tuneable polypyridine complexes as the emissive components of OLED and LEC devices is presented, with a view to bridging the gap between molecular design and commercialization.

Slow magnetic relaxation in Dy2 and Dy4 complexes of a versatile, trifunctional polydentate N,O-ligand

A binuclear Dy^III complex exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization under an applied dc field, while its tetranuclear counterpart exhibits “true” zero-field SMM behaviour.

Cyclopropenium Enhanced Thiourea Catalysis

An integral part of modern organocatalysis is the development and application of thiourea catalysts. Here, as part of our program aimed at developing cyclopropenium catalysts, the synthesis of a thiourea-cyclopropenium organocatalyst with both cationic hydrogen-bond donor and electrostatic character is reported. The utility of the this thiourea organocatalyst is showcased in pyranylation reactions employing phenols, primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols under operationally simple and mild reaction conditions for a broad substrate scope. The addition of benzoic acid as a co-catalyst facilitating cooperative Brønsted acid catalysis was found to be valuable for reactions involving phenols and higher substituted alcohols. Mechanistic investigations, including kinetic and ¹H NMR binding studies in conjunction with density function theory calculations, are described that collectively support a Brønsted acid mode of catalysis.

A new nitrogen rich open chain diazine ligand system: synthesis coordination chemistry and magneto-structural studies

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of a new series of open chain diazine based ligands (L3aH₂, L3bH₂, and L3cH₂) is reported. The ligands comprise a central disubstituted bipyridine moiety with two bridging alkoxide oxygen donors, together with diazine and pyridine terminal groups strategically located to coordinate three metal centres. Reactions of L3aH₂ and L3bH₂ with CuX₂ (X^- = ClO₄, Cl, NO₃) yield a trinuclear complex (1) and 1-D copper chains (2, 3). In these complexes the ligands bind copper ions via N_bipyridne, trans N_diazine, O_hydrazone, and N_pyridne donors while vacant sites are occupied by counter ions or solvent molecules (methanol, water, acetonitrile). Reaction of L3cH₂ with MnCl₂ affords a linear trinuclear Mn complex (4), where the Mn(ii) ions are connected via μ₂-O_hydrazone linkers with no N-N bridging. Reaction of L3aH₂ with Fe(SO₃CF₃)₂ yields a tetranuclear mixed valence Fe complex (5), in which both trans N-N and O_hydrazone bridging is observed. Magnetic studies reveal the presence of moderate to strong antiferromagnetic interactions in complexes 1-4 while a mix of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions is observed in complex 5.

Versatile synthesis of chiral 6-oxoverdazyl radical ligands – new building blocks for multifunctional molecule-based magnets

A versatile synthetic methodology to access two series of chiral verdazyl N,N′-chelate ligands 1 and 2 is presented and their ability to coordinate 3d metal ions is demonstrated.

A novel bis-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine pincer ligand: synthesis, characterization and first row transition metal complexes

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of ligand LH₂ to first row transition metals is described in which it acts as a tridentate N,N′,N′′-donor.

Transition Metal Single-Molecule Magnets: A {Mn31} Nanosized Cluster with a Large Energy Barrier of ∼60 K and Magnetic Hysteresis at ∼5 K

The first {Mn₃₁} cluster (1) has been prepared from carboxylate ions and the chelating/bridging ligand α-methyl-2-pyridine-methanol. Compound 1 possesses a unique nanosized structural topology with one of the largest energy barriers reported to-date for high-nuclearity 3d-metal clusters. Single-crystal magnetic hysteresis studies reveal the presence of hysteresis loops below 5 K, one of the highest temperatures below which molecular hysteresis has been observed for 3d-based SMMs.

Synthesis, characterization and magnetic studies on mono-, di-, and tri-nuclear Cu(ii) complexes of a new versatile diazine ligand

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of a new open-chain diazine ligand (L4H₂) containing bipyridine, oxime and hydrazone functionalities is reported. Reaction of L4H₂ with CuCl₂·2H₂O affords the mononuclear complex [Cu(L4H₂)Cl₂] (1) in which the ligand acts as a neutral tridentate N,N',N'' donor, whereas treatment with a large excess of CuCl₂·2H₂O affords the dinuclear complex [Cu₂(L4H)Cl₃(CH₃OH)(H₂O)] (2) in which the ligand is singly-deprotonated at the diazine, offering N,N',N'' and N,N' donor sets to two Cu(ii) ions. Reaction with Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O yields the trinuclear complex, [Cu₃(L4H)₂(CH₃OH)₄(NO₃)₄] (3) in which the ligand is again singly deprotonated, but now presents a tetradentate N,N',N'',N'''-donor set to the first Cu(ii) and behaves as an N,O-chelate to a second Cu(ii), with a conformational change from cis to trans at the diazine moiety. When the latter reaction is repeated in the presence of a mild base, a second trinuclear complex is isolated, [Cu₃(L4)₂(CH₃CH₂OH)](NO₃)₂ (4) in which both the diazine and oxime functionalities of the ligand are deprotonated which subsequently bridges all three Cu(ii) ions, acting as an N,N',N'' donor to the first Cu(ii), a N,N' donor to a second Cu(ii) (similar to 2) and as a terminal O-donor to a third Cu(ii) ion. The Cu(ii) ions are linked mutually cis via the two-atom diazine bridge in the case of 2 and 4 and trans in the case of 3. Magnetic studies reveal the presence of weak ferromagnetic interactions in 2 (g = 2.2, J/k = +12.8 K) and strong antiferromagnetic interactions in both 3 and 4 (g = 2.093 J/k = -140 K and g = 2.24 J/k = -300 K respectively).