Metal-based Oxidation Research Articles

Photophysical and electrochemical properties of polypyridine imine ruthenium(ii) complexes: a comparative experimental and theoretical study

The photophysical and electrochemical properties of two ruthenium complexes formulated as [Ru(bpy)2LL′]2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, LL′ = pyrim=phenylpyridin-2-ylmethylene-amine; and LL′ = Mes-dab = 1,4-dimesityl-1,4-diazabutadiene) have been investigated by a combined theoretical and experimental study. The UV/Vis absorption spectra of both complexes are dominated by absorption bands in the 400–600 region, which are assigned, by means of TD-DFT calculations, to metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions, and the bands observed at 300 nm have a dominant intraligand character. The pyrim complex shows luminescence at both low and ambient temperature, whereas for the diaza Mes-dab complex no emission was observed in the visible region at all temperatures. Calculations showed that the presence of the Mes-dab ligand results in a strong decrease in the emission energy from the lowest triplet 3MLCT. As a result, we predict that the Mes-dab complex could be luminescent in the infrared region, while the pyrim complex emits in the visible region. Furthermore, in both cases, triplet metal-centered (3MC) states are inaccessible from the lowest triplet states, which is a requirement for efficient emission. Electrochemical data are typical of Ru(II) bipyridine complexes. DFT calculations, in the gas and the solvated phase, on the different oxidized and reduced species are consistent with metal-based oxidations and ligand-based reductions. The first reduction is always localized on the LL′ ligand. For the first time, the second reduction process was investigated for these kinds of complexes. It occurs at the same potential for the two complexes, as it corresponds to the reduction of the bipyridine ligands. The calculations match the experimental trend in electrochemical shifts.

Observation of a ferric hydroperoxide complex during the non-heme iron catalysed oxidation of alkenes and alkanes by O2

A non-heme iron complex catalyses the oxidation of allylic, benzylic, and aliphatic C-H bonds by O(2). During this reactivity, a ferric hydroperoxide species is observed. The kinetic analysis of this complex's formation may suggest a ferric superoxo species as the initial metal-based oxidant.

Deactivation mechanisms of Pt/Pd-based diesel oxidation catalysts

Currently precious metal-based diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) containing platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) are most commonly used for the oxidation of hydrocarbon and NO in diesel exhaust hydrocarbon oxidation. The present work has been carried out to investigate the deactivation mechanisms of the DOC from its real-world vehicle operation by coupling its catalytic activity measurements with surface characterization including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A production Pt–Pd DOC was obtained after being aged on a vehicle driven for 135,000 miles in order to study its deactivation behavior. The performance of the vehicle-aged part was correlated with that of the simulated hydrothermal lab aged sample assuming that Pt–Pd sintering plays a major role in irreversible catalyst deactivation. In addition to the hydrothermal sintering, the deterioration of hydrocarbon and NO oxidation performance was caused by surface poisoning. The role of the various aging factors in determining long-term performance in mobile applications will be discussed.

Tuning the Excited State of Photoactive Building Blocks for Metal‐Templated Self‐Assembly

The reaction of 2,2':4,4'':4',4'''-quaterpyridyl (qtpy), with d(6) ruthenium(II) (Ru(II) ), and rhenium(I) (Re(I) ) metal centers has been investigated. The pendant pyridyl groups on the products have also been methylated to produce a second series of complexes containing coordinated Meqtpy(2+). The absorption spectra of the complexes are dominated by intraligand and charge-transfer bands. The ruthenium(II) complexes display broad unstructured luminescence consistent with emission from a Ru(d)→diimine(π*) manifold in acetonitrile solutions. In aqueous solutions, their emissions are weaker and the lifetimes are shorter. This effect is particularly acute for complexes incorporating coordinated dipyridylpyrazine, dppz, ligands. Although the emission of the ruthenium(II) complexes containing Meqtpy(2+) is generally shorter than their qtpy analogs, it is notable that solvent-dependent effects are much less intense. The rhenium(I) complexes also display broad unstructured luminescence but, compared with the ruthenium(II) systems, they have a relatively short lifetime in acetonitrile. Electrochemical studies reveal that all of the Ru(II) complexes display chemically reversible metal-based oxidations. Re(I) complexes only display irreversible metal-based oxidations. In most cases, the reduction processes were not fully chemically reversible. The electrochemical and optical studies reveal that the nature of the lowest excited state of these complexes--particularly, the systems incorporating dppz--is highly dependent on the nature of the coordinated ligands. Calculations indicate that, although the excited state of most of the complexes is centered on the qtpy or Meqtpy(2+) ligands, the excited state of the complexes containing dppz ligands is switched away from the dppz by qtpy methylation. A crystallographic study on one of the dicationic ruthenium(II) structures reveals that it forms an inclusion complex with benzene.

Synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of novel soluble porphyrazines bearing unsaturated functional groups

Metalloporphyrazines with a 2-methyl-2-pentenyl group fused to each pyrrole unit were synthesized starting with the corresponding unsaturated dicarbonitrile derivative. The new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis together with FTIR, 1H-NMR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy and via voltammetric and spectrochemical methods. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements demonstrate that while metal-free and magnesium porphyrazines gave common porphyrazine (Pz) ring-based electron-transfer reactions, incorporating redox active metal center, Co II, into the porphyrazine core extended the redox activity of the ring system with reversible metal-based reduction and oxidation couples of the metal center in addition to the common Pz ring-based electron transfer processes. The unsaturated functional groups of the porphyrazines did not alter the common electrochemical behavior of the complexes. An in situ electrocolorimetric method, based on the 1931 CIE (Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage) system of colorimetry, was applied to investigate the color of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes for possible electrochromatic applications.

Synthesis, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of highly soluble tetra substituted phthalocyanines with [4-(thiophen-3-yl)-phenoxy

Zinc, oxo-titanium, cobalt, and manganese phthalocyanine derivatives substituted with nonperipheral 3-( tetra[4-(thiophen-3-yl)-phenoxy] moieties have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy, and mass spectra. The compounds have good solubility in various polar and nonpolar organic solvents and not aggregated (in the same solvents) within a wide concentration range. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements exhibit that incorporation redox active metal centers, Co II, Ti IVO and Mn IIIOAc into the phthalocyanine core extend the redox richness of the Pc ring with the reversible metal-based reduction and oxidation couples of the metal centers in addition to the common Pc ring-based electron transfer processes.

Design and Development of Functionalized Cyclometalated Ruthenium Chromophores for Light-Harvesting Applications

The syntheses and the electrochemical spectroscopic properties of a suite of asymmetrical bistridentate cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes bearing terminal triphenylamine (TPA) substituents are reported. These complexes, which contain structural design elements common to both inorganic and organic dyes that exhibit superior power conversion efficiencies in the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), are broadly formulated as [Ru(II)(L-2,5'-thiophene-TPA-R(1))(L-R(2))](+) [L = tridentate chelating ligand (e.g., 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (tpy); deprotonated forms of 1,3-di(pyridin-2-yl)benzene (Hdpb) or 6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Hpbpy)); R(1) = -H, -Me, -OMe; R(2) = -H, -CO(2)Me, -CO(2)H]. The following structural attributes were systematically modified for the series: (i) electron-donating character of the terminal substituents (e.g., R(1) = -H, -Me, -OMe) placed para to the amine of the "L-2,5'-thiophene-TPA-R(1)" ligand framework; (ii) electron-withdrawing character of the tridentate chelate distal to the TPA-substituted ligand (e.g., R(2) = -H, -CO(2)Me, -CO(2)H); and (iii) position of the organometallic bond about the Ru(II) center. UV-vis spectra reveal intense and broad absorption bands arising from a collection of metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) and TPA-based intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) transitions that, in certain cases, extend beyond 800 nm. Electrochemical data indicate that the oxidative behavior of the TPA and metal chelate units can be independently modulated except in cases where the anionic phenyl ring is in direct conjugation with the TPA unit. In most cases, the anionic character of the cyclometalating ligands renders a metal-based oxidation event prior to the oxidation of the TPA unit. This situation can, however, be reversed with an appropriately positioned Ru-C bond and electron-rich R(1) group. This finding is important in that this arrangement confines the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) to the TPA unit rather than the metal, which is optimal for sensitizing TiO(2); indeed, a remarkably high power conversion efficiency (η) in the DSSC (i.e., 8.02%) is measured for the TPA-substituted pbpy(-) chelate where R(1) = -OMe. These results provide a comprehensive strategy for improving the performance of bistridentate Ru sensitizers devoid of NCS(-) groups for the DSSC.

Synthesis and Structures of 1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-Pentamethylazaferrocene Complexes with Lewis Acidic Boranes

The syntheses, X-ray crystal structures, and electrochemistry of BH3 (2) and BF3 (3) adducts of 1′,2′,3′,4′,5′-pentamethylazaferrocene (1) are reported, together with an improved synthesis, an X-ray crystal structure and the electrochemistry of the known compound, 1. 13C NMR data reveal a similiar dependence of chemical shift on nitrogen lone-pair coordination to that seen for heteroarene analogs. X-ray structural data for 1−3 reveal subtle changes in the binding of the pyrrolyl ring to iron in the Lewis Acid adducts, and intersting short intermolecular contacts in the case of 1 and 3. In cyclic voltammetry studies, 1 displays a reversible metal-based oxidation allowing estimation of the effect of N for −CH− substitution in the oxidation potential of azaferrocenes as compared to ferrocenes. 2 and 3 do not show reversible electrochemistry.

Synthesis and electrochemical and in situ spectroelectrochemical characterization of manganese, vanadyl, and cobalt phthalocyanines with 2-naphthoxy substituents

Metallo (Mn, Co, VO) phthalocyanines bearing peripheral 2-naphthoxy groups were synthesized by cyclotetramerisation of the corresponding phthalonitrile derivative. The phthalocyanine compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, mass, FT-IR and UV–vis spectral data. Three intense bands in the electronic spectra clearly indicate the absorptions resulting from naphthyl groups along with the Q and B bands of the phthalocyanines. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements exhibit that incorporation of redox active metal ions, CoII and MnIII, into the phthalocyanine core extends the redox capabilities of the Pc ring including the metal-based reduction and oxidation couples of the metal. Presence of molecular oxygen in the electrolyte system affects the voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical responses of the cobalt and manganese phthalocyanines due to the interaction between the complexes and molecular oxygen. Interaction reaction of oxygen with CoPc occurs via an “inner sphere” chemical catalysis process. While CoPc gives the intermediates [O2−–CoIIPc−2]− and [O22–CoIIPc−2]2−, MnPc forms μ-oxo MnPc species. An in situ electrocolorimetric method has been applied to investigate the color of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes for possible electrochromatic applications.

Influence of Mixed Thiolate/Thioether versus Dithiolate Coordination on the Accessibility of the Uncommon +I and +III Oxidation States for the Nickel Ion: An Experimental and Computational Study

Sulfur-rich nickel metalloenzymes are capable of stabilizing Ni(I) and Ni(III) oxidation states in catalytically relevant species. In an effort to better understand the structural and electronic features that allow the stabilization of such species, we have investigated the electrochemical properties of two mononuclear N(2)S(2) Ni(II) complexes that differ in their sulfur environment. Complex 1 features aliphatic dithiolate coordination ([NiL], 1), and complex 2I is characterized by mixed thiolate/thioether coordination ([NiL(Me)]I, 2I). The latter results from the methylation of a single sulfur of 1. The X-ray structure of 2I reveals a distorted square planar geometry around the Ni(II) ion, similar to what was previously reported by us for 1. The electrochemical investigation of 1 and 2(+) shows that the addition of a methyl group shifts the potentials of both redox Ni(II)/Ni(I) and Ni(III)/Ni(II) redox couples by about 0.7 and 0.6 V to more positive values. Through bulk electrolyses, only the mononuclear dithiolate [Ni(I)L](-) (1(-)) and the mixed thiolate/thioether [Ni(III)L(Me)](2+) (2(2+)) complexes were generated, and their electronic properties were investigated by UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy. For 1(-) (Ni(I), d(9) configuration) the EPR data are consistent with a d(x(2))(-)(y(2)) based singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs). However, DFT calculations suggest that there is also pronounced radical character. This is consistent with the small g-anisotropy observed in the EPR experiments. The spin population (Mulliken analysis) analysis of 1(-) reveals that the main contribution to the SOMO (64%) is due to the bipyridine unit. Time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations attribute the most prominent features observed in the electronic absorption spectrum of 1(-) to metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions. Concerning 2(2+), the EPR spectrum displays a rhombic signal with g(x) = 2.236, g(y) = 2.180, and g(z) = 2.039 in CH(3)CN. The g(iso) value is larger than 2.0, which is consistent with metal based oxidation. The unpaired electron (Ni(III), d(7) configuration) occupies a Ni-d(z(2)) based molecular orbital, consistent with DFT calculations. Nitrogen hyperfine structure is observed as a triplet in the g(z) component of the EPR spectrum with A(N) = 51 MHz. This result indicates the coordination of a CH(3)CN molecule in the axial position. DFT calculations confirm that the presence of a fifth ligand in the coordination sphere of the Ni ion is required for the metal-based oxidation process. Finally, we have shown that 1 exhibits catalytic reductive dehalogenation activity below potentials of -2.00 V versus Fc/Fc(+) in CH(2)Cl(2).

Electronic Structures of Group 9 Metallocorroles with Axial Ammines

The electronic structures of metallocorroles (tpfc)M(NH(3))(2) and (tfc)M(NH(3))(2) (tpfc is the trianion of 5,10,15-(tris)pentafluorophenylcorrole, tfc is the trianion of 5,10,15-trifluorocorrole, and M = Co, Rh, Ir) have been computed using first principles quantum mechanics [B3LYP flavor of Density Functional Theory (DFT) with Poisson-Boltzmann continuum solvation]. The geometry was optimized for both the neutral systems (formal M(III) oxidation state) and the one-electron oxidized systems (formally M(IV)). As expected, the M(III) systems have a closed shell d(6) configuration; for all three metals, the one-electron oxidation was calculated to occur from a ligand-based orbital (highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of B(1) symmetry). The ground state of the formal M(IV) system has M(III)-Cπ character, indicating that the metal remains d(6), with the hole in the corrole π system. As a result the calculated M(IV/III) reduction potentials are quite similar (0.64, 0.67, and 0.56 V vs SCE for M = Ir, Rh and Co, respectively), whereas the differences would have been large for purely metal-based oxidations. Vertically excited states with substantial metal character are well separated from the ground state in one-electron-oxidized cobalt (0.27 eV) and rhodium (0.24 eV) corroles, but become closer in energy in the iridium (0.15 eV) analogues. The exact splittings depend on the chosen functional and basis set combination and vary by ~0.1 eV.

Hypervalent Iodine Induced Metal-Free C-H Cross Couplings to Biaryls

Hypervalent iodine reagents, such as phenyliodine diacetate (PIDA) and phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA), are promising alternatives to metal-based oxidants for developing environmentally benign oxidation reactions, due to their low toxicities, mild reactivities, ready availability, high stabilities, and easy handling. During the study on the hypervalent iodine chemistry, we first determined in the 1990’s the single-electron-transfer (SET) oxidation ability of the hypervalent iodine(III) reagent toward electron-rich aromatic rings, such as the phenyl ether compounds, affording the corresponding aromatic cation radicals. This discovery led us to develop a series of metal-free carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond functionalizations of aromatic compounds using the hypervalent iodine oxidants. We have extended the strategy to the carbon-carbon bond formation of biaryls based on the double aromatic C-H bond couplings, which can now provide a novel technology to the synthetic area of metal-free cross couplings for producing mixed biaryls from two molecules of unfunctionalized aromatic compounds. These achievements found by us during the development of hypervalent iodine-induced metal-free C-H cross couplings are now summarized in detail.

Cyclometalated Ir(III) Complexes Containing Pyrazole/Pyrazine Carboxylate Ligands

Two cyclometalated Ir(iii) complexes using 2-phenylpyridine (ppy-H) as the cyclometalating ligand, and pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (prca-H) and pyrazine 3,5-dicarboxylic acid (pzdca-H2) as ancillary ligands; were synthesized from the chloro-bridged dimer precursor [{(ppy)2Ir}2(μ-Cl)2]. The title compounds [Ir(ppy)2(prca)] (1) and [{Ir(ppy)2}2(pzdca)] (2) are monomeric and dimeric neutral Ir(iii) complexes, respectively. Their electrochemical and photophysical properties were examined. They exhibit metal-based oxidations and ligand-based reductions. These complexes exhibit emission in the blue-green region with lifetimes in the micro-second range at room temperature. The nature of the emission spectra indicates differences in the origin of emission in these two compounds.

A simple and environmentally benign synthesis of polypyridine-polycarboxylic acids

An oxidation method using dilute nitric acid solutions under solvothermal conditions has been developed to synthesise a series of polypyridine-polycarboxylic acids. It has been successfully applied to a range of methyl substituted polypyridines including symmetrical and asymmetrical 2,2′-bipyridines; 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines and; 2,2′:6′,2″:6″,2‴-tetra-pyridines and yields crystalline polypyridine-polycarboxylic acids in a single step. Simple product recovery through filtration yields a recyclable filtrate. More forcing conditions led to demethylation of the polypyridine ligand most probably via decarboxylation. This simple approach avoids potentially harmful metal-based oxidants and negates any issues associated with the disposal of their resultant (hazardous) waste.

Synthesis, spectroscopic, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of metal free, manganese, and cobalt phthalocyanines bearing peripherally octakis-[4-(thiophen-3-yl)-phenoxy] substituents

Metal free ( 2), manganese ( 3), and cobalt ( 4) phthalocyanines, which are octa-substituted at the peripheral positions with [4-(thiophen-3-yl)-phenoxy] moieties, were synthesized and electrochemical properties were reported for the first time. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, mass spectroscopy, and electronic spectroscopies. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements exhibit that incorporation of the redox active metal ions, Co II and Mn IIIOAc, into the phthalocyanine core extends the redox richness of the Pc ring with the reversible metal-based reduction and oxidation couples in addition to the common Pc ring-based electron transfer processes. Presence of molecular oxygen in the electrolyte system causes to form π-oxo MnPc complexes, which alter the voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical responses of the complex. An in situ electrocolorimetric method has been applied to investigate the color of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes for possible electrochromatic applications.

Reversible Apical Coordination of Imidazole between the Ni(III) and Ni(II) Oxidation States of a Dithiolate Complex: A Process Related to the Ni Superoxide Dismutase

A bisamine aliphatic dithiolate [Ni(II)N(2)S(2)] complex that does yield a metal-based oxidation has been synthesized. A square pyramidal [Ni(III)N(3)S(2)](+) complex is generated by electrochemical oxidation in the presence of imidazole, mimicking the redox structural changes of NiSOD. In addition, EPR measurements coupled to DFT calculations demonstrate that the metal character in the redox active orbital increases drastically upon imidazole binding, implicating that these geometrical modifications are crucial for the stabilization of the Ni(III) state.

Sulfur K-Edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Density Functional Calculations on Mo(IV) and Mo(VI)═O Bis-dithiolenes: Insights into the Mechanism of Oxo Transfer in DMSO Reductase and Related Functional Analogues

Sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to determine the electronic structures of two Mo bis-dithiolene complexes, [Mo(OSi)(bdt)(2)](1-) and [MoO(OSi)(bdt)(2)](1-), where OSi = [OSiPh(2)(t)Bu](1-) and bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate(2-), that model the Mo(IV) and Mo(VI)=O states of the DMSO reductase family of molybdenum enzymes. These results show that the Mo(IV) complex undergoes metal-based oxidation unlike Mo tris-dithiolene complexes, indicating that the dithiolene ligands are behaving innocently. Experimentally validated calculations have been extended to model the oxo transfer reaction coordinate using dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) as a substrate. The reaction proceeds through a transition state (TS1) to an intermediate with DMSO weakly bound, followed by a subsequent transition state (TS2) which is the largest barrier of the reaction. The factors that control the energies of these transition states, the nature of the oxo transfer process, and the role of the dithiolene ligand are discussed.

New Series of Ruthenium(II) and Osmium(II) Complexes Showing Solid-State Phosphorescence in Far-Visible and Near-Infrared

A new Ru(II) complex, [Ru(fpbpymH)(2)]Cl(2) (1), in which fpbpymH = [5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-3-yl](2,2'-bipyrid-6-yl)methane, was prepared by the treatment of [Ru(DMSO)(4)Cl(2)] with 2 equiv of the terdentate chelate fpbpymH in refluxing ethanol. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of 1 revealed a distorted octahedral Ru(II) framework, showing strong N-H...Cl hydrogen bonding between the fpbpymH ligand and Cl anions. In the presence of Na(2)CO(3), the methylene linkers of chelates in 1 underwent stepwise oxygenation, forming the charge-neutral complexes [Ru(fpbpym)(fpbpyk)] (2) and [Ru(fpbpyk)(2)] (3) [fpbpykH = [5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-3-yl](2,2'-bipyrid-6-yl) ketone] in sequence. The respective charge-neutral Os(II) complex [Os(fpbpyk)(2)] (4) was also isolated by the treatment of OsCl(3).3H(2)O with 2 equiv of the terdentate chelate fpbpymH. Electrochemical analysis indicated that the introduction of the electron-withdrawing ketone group in 2-4 increased the metal-based oxidation potential in sequence. For the photophysical properties, complexes 1-4 are essentially nonluminescent in solution (e.g., CH(2)Cl(2) or MeOH) at room temperature, but all exhibit 600-1100 nm phosphorescence with moderate intensity for the powdery, solid sample at room temperature. The trend in terms of the emission peak wavelength of 1 (666 nm) < 3 (795 nm) < 2 (810 nm) < 4 (994 nm) among titled complexes is in agreement with the corresponding onset of absorption spectra as well as the time-dependent density functional theory calculation of 1 < 3 < 2 < 4.

Novel Tripeptide Model of Nickel Superoxide Dismutase

Nickel superoxide dismutase (Ni-SOD) catalyzes the disproportionation of superoxide to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, but the overall reaction mechanism has yet to be determined. Peptide-based models of the 2N:2S nickel coordination sphere of Ni-SOD have provided some insight into the mechanism of this enzyme. Here we show that the coordination sphere of Ni-SOD can be mimicked using the tripeptide asparagine-cysteine-cysteine (NCC). NCC binds nickel with extremely high affinity at physiological pH with 2N:2S geometry, as demonstrated by electronic absorption and circular dichroism (CD) data. Like Ni-SOD, Ni-NCC has mixed amine/amide ligation that favors metal-based oxidation over ligand-based oxidation. Electronic absorption, CD, and magnetic CD (MCD) data collected for Ni-NCC are consistent with a diamagnetic Ni(II) center bound in square-planar geometry. Ni-NCC is quasi-reversibly oxidized with a midpoint potential of 0.72(2) V (vs Ag/AgCl) and breaks down superoxide in an enzyme-based assay, supporting its potential use as a model for Ni-SOD chemistry.

Bimetallic N-Heterocyclic Carbene−Iridium Complexes: Investigating Metal−Metal and Metal−Ligand Communication via Electrochemistry and Phosphorescence Spectroscopy

Bimetallic [Ir(COD)Cl] and [Ir(ppy)(2)] (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene; ppy = 2-phenylpyridyl) complexes bridged by 1,7-dimethyl-3,5-diphenylbenzobis(imidazolylidene) (1), in addition to their monometallic analogues supported by 1-methyl-3-phenylbenzimidazolylidene (2), were synthesized and studied. Electrochemical analyses indicated that 1 facilitated moderate electronic coupling between [Ir(COD)Cl] units (DeltaE = approximately 60 mV), but not [Ir(ppy)(2)]. The metal-based oxidation potentials for the bimetallic complexes were within 20 mV of those for their monometallic analogues. Furthermore, spectroscopic analyses of the [Ir(ppy)(2)] bimetallic and monometallic complexes revealed nearly identical phosphorescence profiles, indicating that carbene coordination does not affect the energy of the emissive states. Collectively, these results suggest that N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) such as 1 could link together two emissive fragments without altering their fundamental phosphorescence profiles. Ultimately, employing multitopic NHCs as non-interfering molecular connectors could facilitate the rational design of new phosphorescent materials as well as second-generation phosphor dopants.