Dinuclear Triple-stranded Helicates Research Articles

Optical Property Control by the Interligand Charge Transfer Excited State in Brominated Homoleptic and Heteroleptic Aluminum Dinuclear Triple-Stranded Helicates.

The utilization of aluminum, an abundant and inexpensive element, for the synthesis of novel functional complexes is extremely important, but the design and control of photofunctionality are still unexplored. In this study, we focused on our previously developed dinuclear triple-stranded helicates incorporating two aluminum ions (ALPHY) to synthesize both homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes with bromine atoms at the 3-position of the pyrrole moiety in the Schiff base ligands. The brominated Schiff base ligands were reacted with AlCl3 to synthesize homoleptic complexes, while different ligands were mixed to prepare heteroleptic complexes. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis revealed the structures of these novel complexes. We found that increasing the degree of bromination resulted in a tunable emission color, shifting progressively from 550 (yellow) to 566 nm (orange). Optical resolution of the complexes facilitated the observation of mirror-image circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence. Furthermore, employing ultrafast spectroscopy techniques, we have elucidated that the optical properties are governed by the interligand charge transfer (ILCT) among the three ligands. The formation of heteroleptic complexes induces the ILCT state even in nonpolar environments, thereby accelerating nonradiative decay and intersystem crossing. These findings mark significant advancements in photofunctional materials based on multinuclear complexes.

Unraveling the Remarkable Influence of Substituents on the Emission Variation and Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Dinuclear Aluminum Triple-Stranded Helicates.

This study explored the development of functional dyes using aluminum, focusing on aluminum-based dinuclear triple-stranded helicates, and examined the effects of substituent variations on their structural and optical properties. Key findings revealed that the modification of methyl groups to the pyrrole positions significantly extended the conjugation system, resulting in a red shift in the absorption and emission spectra. Conversely, the modification of methyl groups at the methine positions due to steric hindrances increased the torsion angle of the ligands, leading to a blue shift in the absorption and emission spectra. A common feature across all complexes was that in the excited state, one of the three ligands underwent significant structural relaxation. This led to a pronounced Stokes shift and minimal spectra overlap with high photoluminescence behaviors. Moreover, our research extended to the optical resolution of the newly synthesized complexes by analyzing the chiroptical properties of the resulting enantiomers, including their circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence. These insights offer valuable contributions to the design and application of novel aluminum-based functional dyes, potentially influencing a range of fields, from materials science to optoelectronics.

Modulated spin dynamics of [Co2] coordination helicates via differential strand composition.

Coordination supramolecular chemistry provides a versatile entry into materials with functionalities of technological relevance at the nanoscale. Here, we describe how two different bis-pyrazolylpyridine ligands (L1 and L2) assemble with Co(II) ions into dinuclear triple-stranded helicates, in turn, encapsulating different anionic guests. These constructs are described as (Cl@[Co2(L1)3])3+, (SiF6@[Co2(L1)(L2)3])2+ and (ClO4@[Co2(L2)3])3+, as established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Extensive magnetic and calorimetric measurements, numerical treatments and theoretical calculations reveal that the individual Co(II) centers of these supramolecular entities exhibit field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization, dominated by direct and Raman mechanisms. While the small variations in the spin dynamics are not easily correlated with the evident structural differences among the three species, the specific heat measurements suggest two vibronic pathways of magnetic relaxation: one that would be associated with the host lattice and another linked with the guest.

Engineered π⋯π interactions favour supramolecular dimers X@[FeL3]2 (X = Cl, Br, I): solid state and solution structure.

Ditopic bis-pyrazolylpyridine ligands usually react with divalent metal ions (M2+) to produce dinuclear triple-stranded helicates [M2L3]4+ or, via π⋯π interactions, dimers of monoatomic complexes ([ML3]2)4+. The introduction of an additional benzene ring at each end of ligand L increases the number of aromatic contacts within the supramolecular aggregate by 40%, driving the self-recognition process in an irreversible manner. Consequently, the mixing of new bis-pyrazolylquinoline L2 with FeX2 salts leads to crystallization of the tripartite high-spin assemblies (X@[Fe(L2)3]2)3+ (X = Cl, Br or I). The aggregates exhibit exceptional stability, as confirmed by a combination of paramagnetic 1H NMR techniques, demonstrating their persistence in solution. Our investigations further reveal that the guests Br- and I- are retained inside the associate in solution but Cl- is immediately released, resulting in the formation of the empty supramolecular dimer ([Fe(L2)3]2)4+.

Diastereoselective self-assembly of a triple-stranded europium helicate with light modulated chiroptical properties.

Chiroptical photoswitches are of increasing interest for their potential in advanced information technologies. Herein, an achiral bis-β-diketonate ligand (o-L) with a photoresponsive diarylethene moiety as a linker was designed, which co-assembled with Eu3+ ions and R- and S-bis(diphenylphosphoryl)-1,10-binaphthyl (R/S-BINAPO) as chiral ancillaries to form dinuclear triple-stranded helicates, [Eu2(o-L)3(R/S-BINAPO)2]. The helicates in the enantiopure form were confirmed by 1H, 19F, 31P NMR and DOSY NMR analyses. Furthermore, the mirror-image CD and CPL spectra also demonstrate the existence of stable ground- and excited-state chiralities in solution. When exposed to alternate ultraviolet and visible light, the helicates showed reversible color variations from colorless to purple, followed by the presence of light-triggered quadruple optical and chiroptical outputs, named CD, PL, CPL and glum switches. With these light-modulated optical outputs, the possibility for the fabrication of IMPLICATION and INHIBIT logic gates was discussed.

Dinuclear Triple-Stranded Helicates Composed of Tetradentate Ligands with Aluminum(III) Chromophores: Optical Resolution and Multi-color Circularly Polarized Luminescence Properties.

New chiroptical chromophores, dinuclear triple-stranded helicates, composed of tetradentate ligands with aluminum(III) ions, are described. These are synthesized in two steps using inexpensive pyrrole derivatives, hydrazine, and aluminum chloride. These molecular architectures (ALPHY) show multi-color (cyan, yellow, and orange) photoluminescence in solution and in the solid-state, which depends on the substituents of the ligands. The photoluminescence quantum yields of helicates were up to 54 %. The right-handed (P) and left-handed (M) helicates are so stable that they do not undergo racemization in some solvents and are mirror images according to circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with an absolute luminescence dissymmetry factor (glum ) of up to the 10-3 order. Mixing the different helicates produces white-light emission with CPL characters. This study offers a glimpse into the potential applications of chromophores with diverse photophysical properties.

Cation-Controlled Formation and Interconversion of the fac/fac and mer/mer Stereoisomers of a Triple-Stranded Helicate.

Two biscatecholester ligands with oligoether spacers were used to prepare dinuclear titanium(IV) triscatecholate based helicates. In the case of Li4 [(1/2)3 Ti2 ], "classical" helicates with three internally bound Li+ ions and syn-oriented ligands in the complex units (fac/fac isomer) were obtained. In the case of the sodium salt Na4 [(2)3 Ti2 ], a different homochiral dinuclear triple-stranded helicate with two internally bound Na+ ions was formed. The complex units are anti-configured, and two of the ligand spacers are connecting internal with external positions of the helicate (mer/mer isomer). Removal of the sodium ions and addition of lithium ions leads to the switching from one topology to the other with an expanded helicate [(2)3 Ti2 ]4- as an intermediate. Switching back to the "non-classical" helicate cannot be observed because severe structural rearrangements would be required.

Direct monitoring of spin transitions in a dinuclear triple-stranded helicate iron(ii) complex through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

A dinuclear helical iron(ii) complex of a new ditopic thiazolylimine ligand (L) has been synthesised via supramolecular assembly. The resulting dinuclear helical cylinder [Fe2L3]·4BF4 was investigated by variable temperature X-ray crystallography, ESI high resolution mass spectrometry, CHN analysis, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The nature of the spin transition was investigated by magnetic susceptibility measurements, and confirmed by VT-SCXRD and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. [Fe2L3]·4BF4 displays a complete spin transition with a gradual-abrupt character at T1/2 = 348 K and represents a new example of a dinuclear iron(ii) complex exhibiting a spin transition at high temperature. Both VT-SCXRD and XPS measurements show excellent correlation with the magnetic susceptibility experiments, demonstrating the power of XPS not just to confirm, but also to clearly follow the spin-state transition in Fe(ii) SCO complexes.

Enantiopure Alleno-Acetylenic Helicages Containing Multiple Binding Sites.

Enantiopure alleno-acetylenic ligands, containing two chiral allene moieties, assemble diastereoselectively with zinc(II) ions to form trinuclear triple-stranded helicates, featuring two internal cavity binding sites ("helicages"). The addition of cycloalkanes or heteroalicycles results in inclusion complex formation with two guest molecules bound in one helicate. While no positive allosteric effects were observed, the chiroptical responses increased strongly upon complexation, with guest-induced circular dichroism (ICD) signals reaching up to ΔΔϵ=205 m-1 cm-1 . The highest binding affinity was observed for six-membered 1,4-dichalcogens, with binding constants (K1 ) of up to 2400 m-1 for 1,4-oxathiane in CD3 OD. The X-ray co-crystal structure of 1,4-dioxane bound to a dinuclear triple-stranded helicate confirmed the previously predicted guest orientation inside the helicage, with the two oxygen atoms facing towards the electropositive zinc(II) metal centers.

Zn(II) and Co(III) metallosupramolecular assemblies derived from a rigid bis-Schiff base ligand

A rigid, conjugated bis-Schiff base ligand N,N-bis(3-ethoxysalicylidene)hydrazine (H2L) was synthesized and its crystal structure was reported, which exhibited a planar and centrosymmetrical structure in the solid state. The metal-mediated self-assembly of H2L with zinc(II) and cobalt(II) acetates was investigated with the aim to reveal its potential as a versatile precursor for assembling novel metallosupramolecular entities. The solution reaction of H2L with Zn(OAc)2·2H2O led to the formation of a discrete pentanuclear bis-ligand complex containing a μ2-O-bridging Zn5 cluster. However, upon changing the reaction conditions a one-dimensional (1-D) supramolecular polymeric chain consisting of Zn3 clusters was revealed. Moving from zinc(II) to cobalt(II), an interesting dinuclear triple-stranded helicate with two CoIII centres existing as a pair of P- and M-handed enantiomers was observed, resulting from the aerobic oxidation of CoII. The solid-state photoluminescence properties of the free ligand and zinc(II) assemblies were studied.

As-stereogenic C2-symmetric organoarsines: synthesis and enantioselective self-assembly into a dinuclear triple-stranded helicate with copper iodide

As-stereogenic C2-symmetric 2,5-diaryl-cis-1,4-dihydro-1,4-diarsinines (2,5-diaryl-cis-DHDAs) were synthesized without volatile precursors. A racemic mixture of the ligands enantioselectively self-assembled into a dinuclear triple-stranded helicate with copper iodide in quantitative yield. In the helicate, two metals were bridged via three enantiomerically pure ligands.

Metallosupramolecular Ni2L3 and Ni4L6 complexes of bis-bidentate pyridine-containing ligands: X-ray structures and catalytic proton reduction.

The pyridine-containing ligands and react with Ni(2+) ions to afford dinuclear triple-stranded helicate and tetrahedral cage supramolecular complexes, respectively; the two architectures exhibit contrasting reactivity towards electro- and photocatalytic proton reduction.

Synthesis and cell localization of self-assembled dinuclear lanthanide bioprobes

Lanthanide bioprobes and bioconjugates are ideal luminescent stains in view of their low propensity to photobleaching, sharp emission lines and long excited state lifetimes permitting time-resolved detection for enhanced sensitivity. In this paper, we expand our previous work which demonstrated that self-assembled dinuclear triple-stranded helicates [Ln2(L(C2X))3] behave as excellent cell and tissue labels in immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical assays. The synthetic strategy of the hexadentate ditopic ligands incorporating dipicolinic acid, benzimidazole units and polyoxyethylene pendants is revisited in order to provide a more straightforward route and to give access to further functionalization of the polyoxyethylene arms by incorporating a terminal function X. Formation of the helicates [Ln2(L(C2X))3] (X=COOH, CH2OH, COEt, NH2, phthalimide) is ascertained by several experimental techniques and their stability tested against diethylenetriaminepentaacetate. Their photophysical properties (quantum yield, lifetime, radiative lifetime and sensitization efficiency) are presented and compared with those of the parent helicates [Ln2(L(C2))3]. Finally, the cellular uptake of five Eu(III) helicates is monitored by time-resolved luminescence microscopy and their localization in HeLa cells established by co-staining experiments.

Observation of slow magnetic relaxation in triple-stranded lanthanide helicates

Two dinuclear triple-stranded helicates [Ln(2)L(3)](3+) (Ln = Dy and Tb) obtained via self-assembly from the ligand HL (2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol di(benzoylhydrazone)) and lanthanide perchlorate have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structural analysis demonstrates that three ligand strands wrap around a pseudo-threefold axis defined by the two metal ions, leading to a 'meso'-relation between the right- (Δ) and left-hand (Λ) configurations of [Ln(2)L(3)](3+) in the crystal. Each Ln(III) ion is coordinated by nine donor atoms in a distorted tricapped trigonal-prismatic arrangement. Alternating current (ac) susceptibility measurements of [Dy(2)L(3)](3+) reveal a frequency-dependent out-of-phase signal under a 700 Oe dc field, indicating the onset of the slow relaxation of magnetization with a roughly estimated activation energy of ∼5 K and τ(0) of 10(-7) s.

Electron Capture Dissociation Mass Spectrometry of Metallo-Supramolecular Complexes

The electron capture dissociation (ECD) of metallo-supramolecular dinuclear triple-stranded helicate Fe(2)L(3)(4+) ions was determined by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Initial electron capture by the di-iron(II) triple helicate ions produces dinuclear double-stranded complexes analogous to those seen in solution with the monocationic metal centers Cu(I) or Ag(I). The gas-phase fragmentation behavior [ECD, collision-induced dissociation (CID), and infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD)] of the di-iron double-stranded complexes, (i.e., MS(3) of the ECD product) was compared with the ECD, CID, and IRMPD of the Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes generated from solution. The results suggest that iron-bound dimers may be of the form Fe(I)(2)L(2)(2+) and that ECD by metallo-complexes allows access, in the gas phase, to oxidation states and coordination chemistry that cannot be accessed in solution.

Metallosupramolecular Complexes Derived from Bis(benzene‐o‐dithiol) Ligands

Contrary to its catechol analogue, the 1,5-naphthalenediamido-bridged bis(benzene-o-dithiol) ligand H(4)-3 does not yield [Ti(4)L(6)](8-) clusters when reacted with Ti(4+) starting materials, but instead gives dinuclear, triple-stranded complexes of type [Ti(2)L(3)](4-). The molecular structures of such complexes differ depending on the size of the counterions employed. The formation of both meso complexes (Lambda,Delta or Delta,Lambda isomers) and of dinuclear triple-stranded helicates (Lambda,Lambda or Delta,Delta isomers) was observed. Molecular-modeling calculations show energetically close minima for the meso complex and the corresponding helicate. In spite of the structural differences in the solid state, proton NMR spectra reveal C(3) symmetry for all three complex anions. Metal-donor interactions mainly dictate the coordination behavior, whereas the topology of the ligand has less influence. In addition, the dinuclear complex [Ti(2)(8)(3)](4-) with the unsymmetrical bis(benzene-o-dithiol) ligand H(4)-8 has been prepared. The unsymmetrical ligand can lead to four different stereoisomers when forming dinuclear triple-stranded complexes of type [Ti(2)(8)(3)](4-), two of which have been observed in solution.

Synthesis and Helicate Formation of a New Family of BINOL-Based Bis(bipyridine) Ligands

A new family of BINOL-based bis(bipyridine) ligands 1-3 (BINOL = 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl) was prepared in enantiomerically pure form. Whereas the coordination of zinc(II) ions to these ligands did not result in the selective formation of a specific metallosupramolecular aggregate, 1-3 were found to undergo highly diastereoselective self-assembly to D(2)-symmetric dinuclear double-stranded helicates upon coordination to silver(I) and copper(I) ions and to D(3)-symmetric dinuclear triple-stranded helicates upon coordination to iron(II) as demonstrated by mass spectrometry and by NMR and CD spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemical calculations.

Diastereoselective formation of luminescent dinuclear lanthanide(iii) helicates with enantiomerically pure tartaric acid derived bis(β-diketonate) ligands

The chiral tartaric acid derived bis(β-diketonate) ligands 1–3-H2 diastereoselectively form dinuclear triple-stranded helicates with a series of lanthanide(III) ions (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb), which bind water molecules as additional co-ligands. In the cases of europium(III) and terbium(III) ions, bright red or green luminescence is observed, respectively. Hereby the energy transfer from the ligand to the metal is most effective with the bromophenyl-substituted ligand 3-H2. Reaction of 3-H2 with europium(III) in a 4 : 2 ratio results in a highly luminescent quadruple-stranded dinuclear complex [34Eu2]2–.

Metallosupramolecular Chemistry with Bis(benzene-o-dithiolato) Ligands

The bis(benzene-o-dithiol) ligands H(4)-1, H(4)-2, and H(4)-3 react with [Ti(OC(2)H(5))(4)] to give dinuclear triple-stranded helicates [Ti(2)L(3)](4)(-) (L = 1(4)(-), 2(4)(-), 3(4)(-)). NMR spectroscopic investigations revealed that the complex anions possess C(3) symmetry in solution. A crystal structure analysis for (PNP)(4)[Ti(2)(2)(3)] ((PNP)(4)[14]) confirmed the C(3) symmetry for the complex anion in the solid state. The complex anion in Li(PNP)(3)[Ti(2)(1)(3)] (Li(PNP)(3)[13]) does not exhibit C(3) symmetry in the solid state due to the formation of polymeric chains of lithium bridged complex anions. Complexes [13](4)(-) and [14](4)(-) were obtained as racemic mixtures of the Delta,Delta and Lambda,Lambda isomers. In contrast to that, complex (PNP)(4)[Ti(2)(3)(3)] ((PNP)(4)[15]) with the enantiomerically pure chiral ligand 3(4)(-) shows a strong Cotton effect in the CD spectrum, indicating that the chirality of the ligands leads to the formation of chiral metal centers. The o-phenylene diamine bridged bis(benzene-o-dithiol) ligand H(4)-4 reacts with Ti(4+) to give the dinuclear double-stranded complex Li(2)[Ti(2)(4)(2)(mu-OCH(3))(2)] containing two bridging methoxy ligands between the metal centers. The crystal structure analysis and the (1)H NMR spectrum of (Ph(4)As)(2)[Ti(2)(4)(2)(mu-OCH(3))(2)] ((Ph(4)As)(2)[(16]) reveal C(2) symmetry for the anion [Ti(2)(4)(2)(mu-OCH(3))(2)](2)(-). For a comparative study the dicatechol ligand H(4)-5, containing the same o-phenylene diamine bridging group as the bis(benzene-o-dithiol) ligands H(4)-4, was prepared and reacted with [TiO(acac)(2)] to give the dinuclear complex anion [Ti(2)(5)(2)(mu-OCH(3))(2)](2)(-). The molecular structure of (PNP)(2)[Ti(2)(5)(2)(mu-OCH(3))(2)] ((PNP)(2)[17]) contains a complex anion which is similar to [16](2)(-), with the exception that strong N-H...O hydrogen bonds are formed in complex anion [17](2)(-), while N-H...S hydrogen bonds are absent in complex anion [16](2)(-).

Supramolecular Asymmetric Induction in Dinuclear Triple-Stranded Helicates1

Supramolecular chiral induction has been observed in five dinuclear triple-stranded helicates composed entirely of achiral components. Three different chiral cations were found to be very effective at inducing high levels of enantiomeric enrichment in racemic mixtures of the helicates. The mechanism of intermolecular chiral induction in one cation-helicate pair, s-nic/K6[Ga2L(1)3], has been elucidated through circular dichroism spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and one and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy (s-nic = N-methyl-s-nicotinium, H4L(1) = 1,4-bis(2',3'-dihydroxybenzamido)phenylene).