Metal-to-ligand Charge Transfer Absorption Bands Research Articles

Tailoring the Photophysical Properties of a Homoleptic Iron(II) Tetra N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complex by Attaching an Imidazolium Group to the (C∧N∧C) Pincer Ligand─A Comparative Study.

We here report the synthesis of the homoleptic iron(II) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex [Fe(miHpbmi)2](PF6)4 (miHpbmi = 4-((3-methyl-1H-imidazolium-1-yl)pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene)) and its electrochemical and photophysical properties. The introduction of the π-electron-withdrawing 3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium-1-yl group into the NHC ligand framework resulted in stabilization of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) state and destabilization of the metal-centered (MC) states. This resulted in an improved excited-state lifetime of 16 ps compared to the 9 ps for the unsubstituted parent compound [Fe(pbmi)2](PF6)2 (pbmi = (pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene)) as well as a stronger MLCT absorption band extending more toward the red spectral region. However, compared to the carboxylic acid derivative [Fe(cpbmi)2](PF6)2 (cpbmi = 1,1'-(4-carboxypyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(3-methylimidazol-2-ylidene)), the excited-state lifetime of [Fe(miHpbmi)2](PF6)4 is the same, but both the extinction and the red shift are more pronounced for the former. Hence, this makes [Fe(miHpbmi)2](PF6)4 a promising pH-insensitive analogue of [Fe(cpbmi)2](PF6)2. Finally, the excited-state dynamics of the title compound [Fe(miHpbmi)2](PF6)4 was investigated in solvents with different viscosities, however, showing very little dependency of the depopulation of the excited states on the properties of the solvent used.

Influence of electron-donating ability of ligand and pH value on MLCT properties of cyanido-bridged complexes

In this work, one mononuclear complex CH3CNFeII(eq-Py4PzMe2) (1) and two binuclear complexes Cp(dppe)MIICNFeII(eq-Py4PzMe2) (M = Ru 2, Fe 3; Cp = cyclopentadiene, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, eq-Py4PzMe2 = 2-(1-(6-(1,1-di(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyridin-2-yl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrazine) were synthesized. Combined with the TDDFT calculations, the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) properties of all the compounds were investigated. The results show that for the mononuclear complex, the MLCT originates from FeII to the pyrazine (Pz) component of the eq-Py4PzMe2 ligand. After the substitution of CH3CN in complex 1 by the half-sandwich fragment Cp(dppe)MIICN, the binuclear complexes 2 and 3 exhibit the MLCT transition from the neighboring FeII atom to the Pz component of the eq-Py4PzMe2 together with some contributions from the remote MII. With the increase of the electron-donating ability from CH3CN, Cp(dppe)RuIICN to Cp(dppe)FeIICN, the MLCT transition energy decreases. Furthermore, with the decrease of pH value, all the MLCT absorption bands are significantly redshifted by 160 nm or more, and the extent of these red shifts increases from complex 1 to 2, to 3.

Electronic States of Tris(bipyridine) Ruthenium(II) Complexes in Neat Solid Films Investigated by Electroabsorption Spectroscopy.

We present the electric field-induced absorption (electroabsorption, EA) spectra of the solid neat films of tris(bipyridine) Ru(II) complexes, which were recently functionalized in our group as photosensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells, and we compare them with the results obtained for an archetypal [Ru(bpy)3]2+ ion (RBY). We argue that it is difficult to establish a unique set of molecular parameter values by discrete parametrization of the EA spectra under the Liptay formalism for non-degenerate excited states. Therefore, the experimental EA spectra are compared with the spectra computed by the TDDFT (time-dependent density-functional theory) method, which for the first time explains the mechanism of electroabsorption in tris(bipyridine) Ru complexes without any additional assumptions about the spectral lineshape of the EA signal. We have shown that the main EA feature, in a form close to the absorption second derivative observed in the spectral range of the first MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) absorption band in Ru(bpy)3(PF6)2, can be attributed to a delocalized and orbitally degenerate excited state. This result may have key implications for the EA mechanism in RBY-based systems that exhibit similar EA spectra due to the robust nature of MLCT electronic states in such systems.

Third-Generation W(CNAr)6 Photoreductants (CNAr = Fused-Ring and Alkynyl-Bridged Arylisocyanides).

Homoleptic tungsten(0) arylisocyanides possess photophysical and photochemical properties that rival those of archetypal ruthenium(II) and iridium(III) polypyridine complexes. Previous studies established that extending the π-system of 2,6-diisopropylphenylisocyanide (CNDipp) by coupling aryl substituents para to the isocyanide functionality results in W(CNDippAr)6 oligoarylisocyanide complexes with greatly enhanced metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited-state properties relative to those of W(CNDipp)6. Extending electronic modifications to delineate additional design principles for this class of photosensitizers, herein we report a series of W(CNAr)6 compounds with naphthalene-based fused-ring (CN-1-(2-iPr)-Naph) and CNDipp-based alkynyl-bridged (CNDippCCAr) arylisocyanide ligands. Systematic variation of the secondary aromatic system in the CNDippCCAr platform provides a straightforward method to modulate the photophysical properties of W(CNDippCCAr)6 complexes, allowing access to an extended range of absorption/luminescence profiles and highly reducing excited states, while maintaining the high molar absorptivity MLCT absorption bands, high photoluminescence quantum yields, and long excited-state lifetimes of previous W(CNAr)6 complexes. Notably, W(CN-1-(2-iPr)-Naph)6 exhibits the longest excited-state lifetime of all W(CNAr)6 complexes explored thus far, highlighting the potential benefits of utilizing fused-ring arylisocyanide ligands in the construction of tungsten(0) photoreductants.

Development of Visible-Light Driven Cu(I) Complex Photosensitizers for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction.

The visible-light responsive Cu(I)-complex photosensitizers were developed by introducing various aromatic substituents at the 4,7-positions of a 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp) ligand in a heteroleptic CuI(dmp)(DPEphos)+-type complexes (DPEphos = [2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether) for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Introducing biphenyl groups (Bp-) on the dmp ligand enhanced the molar extinction coefficient (ε) of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) band in the visible region (ε = 7,500 M−1cm−1) compared to that of the phenyl (Ph-)-containing analog (ε = 5,700 M−1cm−1 at λmax = 388 nm). However, introducing 4-R-Ph- groups (R = the electron-withdrawing groups NC-, or NO2-) led to a red shift in the band to λmax = 390, 400, and 401 nm, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray analysis showed the Ph- groups were twisted because of the steric repulsion between the 2,6-protons of the Ph- groups and 5,6-protons of the dmp ligand. The result strongly indicated that the π-conjugation effect of the 4-R-Ph- groups is so weak that the lowering of the energy of the dmp π* orbitals is small. However, when 4-R-ph- was substituted by a 5-membered heterorings, there was a larger red shift, leading to an increase in the ε value of the MLCT absorption band. Thus, the substitution to 2-benzofuranyl- groups resulted in visible-light absorption up to 500 nm and a shoulder peak at around 420 nm (ε = 12,300 M−1cm−1) due to the expansion of π-conjugation over the substituted dmp ligand. The photocatalytic reaction for CO2 reduction was tested using the obtained CuI complexes as photosensitizers in the presence of a Fe(dmp)2(NCS)2 catalyst and 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole as a sacrificial reductant, which showed improved CO generation.

Enhancing the Visible-Light Absorption and Excited-State Properties of Cu(I) MLCT Excited States.

A computationally inspired Cu(I) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) chromophore, [Cu(sbmpep)2]+ (sbmpep = 2,9-di(sec-butyl)-3,8-dimethyl-4,7-di(phenylethynyl)-1,10-phenanthroline), was synthesized in seven total steps, prepared from either dichloro- or dibromophenanthroline precursors. Complete synthesis, structural characterization, and electrochemistry, in addition to static and dynamic photophysical properties of [Cu(sbmpep)2]+, are reported on all relevant time scales. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy revealed significant increases in oscillator strength along with a concomitant bathochromic shift in the MLCT absorption bands with respect to structurally related model complexes (ε = 16 500 M-1 cm-1 at 491 nm). Strong red photoluminescence (Φ = 2.7%, λmax = 687 nm) was observed from [Cu(sbmpep)2]+, which featured an average excited-state lifetime of 1.4 μs in deaerated dichloromethane. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry revealed ∼300 mV positive shifts in the measured one-electron reversible reduction and oxidation waves in relation to a Cu(I) model complex possessing identical structural elements without the π-conjugated 4,7-substituents. The excited-state redox potential of [Cu(sbmpep)2]+ was estimated to be -1.36 V, a notably powerful reductant for driving photoredox chemistry. The combination of conventional and ultrafast transient absorption and luminescence spectroscopy successfully map the excited-state dynamics of [Cu(sbmpep)2]+ from initial photoexcitation to the formation of the lowest-energy MLCT excited state and ultimately its relaxation to the ground state. This newly conceived molecule appears poised for photosensitization reactions involving energy and electron-transfer processes relevant to photochemical upconversion, photoredox catalysis, and solar fuels photochemistry.

Four-coordinated copper(I) complexes containing variably substituted N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs): Synthesis, photophysical properties and theoretical investigation

Three four-coordinated N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) copper(I) complexes, [Cu(NaphIm-Py)(POP)]PF6 (1), [Cu(AnthrIm-Py)(POP)]PF6 (2), and [Cu(PhBenIm-c-Py)(POP)]PF6 (3) (NaphIm-Py = 3-(naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazolylidene, AnthrIm-Py = 3-(anthracen-9-ylmethyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazolylidene, PhBenIm-c-Py = 3-benzyl-1-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazolylidene, POP = bis[2-diphenylphosphino]-phenyl)ether) have been synthesized and characterized. The effect of varying carbene ligands with different substituents on the structural aspects and photophysical properties of the complexes is systematically investigated. The lowest absorption bands of 1 at about 350 nm are assigned as metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) character with some contribution from ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) character, while the π-π* transition of the anthryl group are responsible for the lowest absorption band of 2. For 3, no MLCT absorption band are observed in lower energy region. The emission wavelengths of all NHC-Cu(I) complexes are in the range of 520–550 nm with the phosphorescent origin in the solid state. 1 and 2 with naphthyl and anthryl groups show the lower photoluminescence efficiency due to the strong π-π stacking interactions, whereas 3 exhibit good photoluminescence properties companying with the higher quantum yields and long excited-state lifetimes. Density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations were employed to rationalize the photophysical properties of the NHC-Cu(I) complexes.

Metal-to-ligand charge-transfer: Applications to visual detection of β-galactosidase activity and sandwich immunoassay

In this work, we report a novel use of the distinctive metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption properties of the chromogenic Fe(BPDS)34- (BPDS=bathophenanthroline disulfonic acid) reporter for the visual detection of β-galactosidase (β-Gal) activity and sandwich immunoassay. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrate p-aminophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside can switch on the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ and the subsequent complexation of Fe2+ with the BPDS ligand to generate the Fe(BPDS)34- reporter, leading to the appearance of the intense MLCT absorption band at 535nm and the colorless-to-red color change of the solution. Simply through a single step, the activity of β-Gal can be sensitively and selectively detected within the dynamic range of 0−220mUmL−1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.69mUmL−1. This approach is applicable for the visual detection of β-Gal activities in the presence of complex human serum samples. Besides, when integrated with the sandwich immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen, a LOD of 1.16ngmL−1 can be achieved. In light of its prominent simplicity and practicality, our MLCT-based approach holds great potential in diagnostic and analytical applications.

Facile colorimetric assay of alkaline phosphatase activity using Fe(II)-phenanthroline reporter

We report a versatile approach for the colorimetric assay of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity based on the distinctive metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption properties of Fe(II)-phenanthroline reporter. In the presence of ALP, the applied substrate ascorbic acid 2-phosphate is enzymatically hydrolyzed to produce ascorbic acid, which then reduces Fe3+ to Fe2+. The complexation of Fe2+ with the bathophenanthroline disulfonate (BPS) ligand generates a blood-red Fe(BPS)34− reporter, which is characterized by an intense MLCT absorption band at 535 nm in the visible range. Under optimal conditions, the spectral output exhibits a good quantitative relationship with ALP activity over the range of 0–220 mU mL−1 with a detection limit of 0.94 mU mL−1. Moreover, the activity of ALP can also be conveniently judged through naked-eye observations. Results indicate that it is highly selective and can be applied to the screening of ALP inhibitors. In addition, it has been successfully employed to detect the endogenous ALP level of undiluted human serum samples, with a detection limit of 1.05 mU mL−1 being achieved. This approach avoids any elaborately designed substrates and holds considerable simplicity and flexibility for reporter design. This study broadens the horizon of the applications of phenanthroline-based transition metal complexes. Furthermore, an efficient and practical method like this has the potential to be widely used in clinical applications and in the point-of-care testing.

Prolonging the Emissive Lifetimes of Copper(I) Complexes with 3MLCT and 3(π–π*) State Equilibria – A Fluorene Moiety as an “Energy Reservoir”

Two CuI complexes, [Cu(imPhen)(POP)]PF6 (1, imPhen = 1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline, POP = bis[2‐diphenylphosphino]phenyl ether) and [Cu(Flu‐imPhen)(POP)]PF6 {2, Flu‐imPhen = 2‐(9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline} were synthesized and characterized. a weak metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) absorption band at λ = 401 nm with a relatively low molar extinction coefficient (ε = 3170 m–1 cm–1) was observed for 1. In contrast, 2 displayed a higher MLCT absorption band at λ = 405 nm (ε = 5400 m–1 cm–1) owing to the incorporation of a fluorene group to imPhen ring. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibited similar emission wavelengths and quantum yields (λem = 564 nm, ϕ = 11.2 % for 1 and λem = 568 nm, ϕ = 9.0 % for 2); however, the excited‐state lifetime of 2 (τ = 51.2 µs) was almost four times longer than that of 1 (τ = 13.8 µs). The prolonged luminescence lifetime of 2 was rationalized by the reversible energy transfer between the 3MLCT state of the Cu atom and the 3π→π* state of fluorene moiety. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of a fluorene group as a triplet energy reservoir to extend the excited‐state lifetime of an emissive 3MLCT state of a CuI complex.

Evidence for Cation-Controlled Excited-State Localization in a Ruthenium Polypyridyl Compound.

The visible absorption and photoluminescence (PL) properties of the four neutral ruthenium diimine compounds [Ru(bpy)2(dcb)] (B2B), [Ru(dtb)2(dcb)] (D2B), [Ru(bpy)2(dcbq)] (B2Q), and [Ru(dtb)2(dcbq)] (D2Q), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, dcb is 4,4'-(CO2(-))2-bpy, dtb is 4,4'-(tert-butyl)2-bpy, and dcbq is 4,4'-(CO2(-))2-2,2'-biquinoline, are reported in the presence of Lewis acidic cations present in fluid solutions at room temperature. In methanol solutions, the measured spectra were insensitive to the presence of these cations, while in acetonitrile a significant red shift in the PL spectra (≤1400 cm(-1)) was observed consistent with stabilization of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited state through Lewis acid-base adduct formation. No significant spectral changes were observed in control experiments with the tetrabutylammonium cation. Titration data with Li(+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Zn(2+), Al(3+), Y(3+), and La(3+) showed that the extent of stabilization saturated at high cation concentration with magnitudes that scaled roughly with the cation charge-to-size ratio. The visible absorption spectra of D2Q was particularly informative due to the presence of two well-resolved MLCT absorption bands: (1) Ru → bpy, λmax ≈ 450 nm; and (2) Ru → dcbq, λmax ≈ 540 nm. The higher-energy band blue-shifted and the lower-energy band red-shifted upon cation addition. The PL intensity and lifetime of the excited state of B2B first increased with cation addition without significant shifts in the measured spectra, behavior attributed to a cation-induced change in the localization of the emissive excited state from bpy to dcb. The importance of excited-state localization and stabilization for solar energy conversion is discussed.

Photoinduced Electron and Energy Transfer and pH-Induced Modulation of the Photophysical Properties in Homo- and Heterobimetallic Complexes of Ruthenium(II) and Rhodium(III) Based on a Heteroditopic Phenanthroline–Terpyridine Bridge

Homo- and heterobimetallic complexes of compositions [(bpy)2Ru(II)(phen-Hbzim-tpy)Ru(II)(tpy/tpy-PhCH3/H2pbbzim)](4+) and [(bpy)2Ru(II)(phen-Hbzim-tpy)Rh(III)(tpy-PhCH3/H2pbbzim)](5+), where phen-Hbzim-tpy = 2-[4-(2,6-dipyridin-2-ylpyridin-4-yl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine, tpy-PhCH3 = 4'-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine, and H2pbbzim = 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The absorption spectra, redox behavior, and luminescence properties of these bimetallic complexes have been thoroughly investigated and compared with those of monometallic [(bpy)2Ru(II)(phen-Hbzim-tpy)](2+) and [(tpy-PhCH3)Rh(III)(tpy-Hbzim-phen)](3+) model compounds. The electrochemistry of the complexes shows a reversible Ru(II/III) oxidation in the anodic region and an irreversible Rh(III/I) reduction and several ligand-based reductions in the cathodic region. Steady-state and time-resolved luminescence data at room temperature show that an efficient intramolecular electronic energy transfer from the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited state of the [(bpy)2Ru(II)(phen-Hbzim-tpy)] chromophore to the MLCT state of the tpy-containing chromophore [(phen-Hbzim-tpy)Ru(II)(tpy/tpy-PhCH3/H2pbbzim)] occurs in all three unsymmetrical homobimetallic complexes. On the other hand, for both heterometallic dyads, an efficient intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer from the excited ruthenium moiety to the rhodium-based unit takes place. The rate constants for the energy- and electron-transfer processes have been determined by time-resolved emission spectroscopy. The influence of the pH on the absorption, steady-state, and time-resolved emission properties of complexes has been thoroughly investigated. The absorption titration data were used to determine the ground-state pK values, whereas the luminescence data were utilized for determination of the excited-state acid dissociation constants. In effect, deprotonation of the azole NH moieties of the complexes leads to a substantial lowering of the MLCT absorption and emission band energies.

Effects of Electronic Mixing in Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Two Equivalent Acceptor Ligands. Spectroscopic, Electrochemical, and Computational Studies

The lowest energy metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption bands found in ambient solutions of [Ru(NH(3))(4)(Y-py)(2)](2+) and [Ru(L)(2)(bpy)(2)](+) complexes (Y-py a pyridine ligand and (L)(n) a substituted acetonylacetonate, halide, am(m)ine, etc.) consist of two partly resolved absorption envelopes, MLCT(lo) and MLCT(hi). The lower energy absorption envelope, MLCT(lo), in these spectra has the larger amplitude for the bis-(Y-py) complexes, but the smaller amplitude for the bis-bpy the complexes. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approaches have been used to model 14 bis-bpy, three bis-(Y-py), and three mono-bpy complexes. The modeling indicates that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of each bis-(Y-py) complex corresponds to the antisymmetric combination of individual Y-py acceptor orbitals and that the transition involving the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and LUMO (HOMO-->LUMO) is the dominant contribution to MLCT(lo) in this class of complexes. The LUMO of each bis-bpy complex that contains a C(2) symmetry axis also corresponds largely to the antisymmetric combination of individual ligand acceptor orbitals, while the LUMOs are more complex when there is no C(2) axis; furthermore, the energy difference between the HOMO-->LUMO and HOMO-->LUMO+1 transitions is too small (<1000 cm(-1)) to resolve in the spectra of the bis-bpy complexes in ambient solutions. Relatively weak MLCT(lo) absorption contributions are found for all of the [Ru(L)(2)(bpy)(2)](m+) complexes examined, but they are experimentally best defined in the spectra of the (L)(2) = X-acac complexes. TD-DFT modeling of the HOMO-->LUMO transition of [Ru(L)(4)bpy](m+) complexes indicates that it is too weak to be detected and occurs at significantly lower energy (about 3000-5000 cm(-1)) than the observed MLCT absorptions. Since the chemical properties of MLCT excited states are generally correlated with the HOMO and/or LUMO properties of the complexes, such very weak HOMO-->LUMO transitions can complicate the use of spectroscopic information in their assessment. As an example, it is observed that the correlation lines between the absorption energy maxima and the differences in ground state oxidation and reduction potentials (DeltaE(1/2)) have much smaller slopes for the bis-bpy than the mono-bpy complexes. However, the observed MLCT(lo) and the calculated HOMO-->LUMO transitions of bis-bpy complexes correlate very similarly with DeltaE(1/2) and this indicates that it is the low energy and small amplitude component of the lowest energy MLCT absorption band that is most appropriately correlated with excited state chemistry, not the absorption maximum as is often assumed.

Photodriven Spin Change of Fe(II) Benzimidazole Compounds Anchored to Nanocrystalline TiO2 Thin Films

Ferrous tris-chelate compounds based on 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazole (pybzim) have been prepared and characterized for studies of spin equilibria in fluid solution and when anchored to the surface of mesoporous nanocrystalline (anatase) TiO(2) and colloidal ZrO(2) thin films. The solid state structure of Fe(pybzim)(3)(ClO(4))(2).CH(3)CN.H(2)O was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 110 K to be triclinic, P-1, a = 11.6873(18), b = 12.2318(12), c = 14.723(4) A, alpha = 89.864(13) degrees , beta = 71.430(17) degrees , gamma = 73.788(11) degrees , V = 1907.1(6) A(3), Z = 2, and R = 0.0491. The iron compound has a meridional FeN(6) distorted octahedral geometry with bond lengths expected for a low-spin iron center at 110 K. The visible absorption spectra of Fe(pybzim)(3)(2+) and Fe(pymbA)(3)(2+), where pymbA is 4-(2-pyridin-2-yl-benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzoic acid, in methanol solution were dominated by metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands. Variable-temperature UV-visible absorption spectroscopy revealed dramatic changes in the extinction coefficient consistent with a high-spin ((1)A) left harpoon over right harpoon low-spin ((5)T) equilibrium. Thermodynamic parameters for the temperature-dependent spin equilibrium of Fe(pymbA)(3)(2+) in methanol were determined to be DeltaH(HL) = 3270 +/- 210 cm(-1) and DeltaS(HL) = 13.3 +/- 0.8 cm(-1) K(-1). The corresponding values for Fe(pybzimEE)(3)(2+), where pybzimEE is (2-pyridin-2-yl-benzimidazol-1-yl)-acetic acid ethyl ester, in acetonitrile solution were determined to be 3072 +/- 34 cm(-1)and 10.5 +/- 0.1 cm(-1) K(-1). The temperature-dependent effective magnetic moments of Fe(pybzimEE)(3)(2+) in acetonitrile solution were also quantified by the Evans method. Pulsed 532 nm light excitation of Fe(pybzim)(3)(2+) or Fe(pymbA)(3)(2+) in solution resulted in an immediate bleach of the MLCT absorption bands. Relaxation back to the equilibrium state followed a first-order reaction mechanism. Arrhenius analysis of the (5)T --> (1)A rate constant yielded an activation energy, E(a), of 1090 +/- 20 cm(-1) and 710 +/- 10 cm(-1) for Fe(pybzim)(3)(2+) and Fe(pymbA)(3)(2+) in methanol, respectively. The compound Fe(pymbA)(3)(2+) was found to bind to colloidal TiO(2) and ZrO(2) thin films. The absorption spectra of the surface-attached compounds were quantified from 295 to 193 K. Pulsed light excitation of Fe(pymbA)(3)/TiO(2) and Fe(pymbA)(3)/ZrO(2) resulted in the immediate bleach of the MLCT absorption bands. Relaxation was nonexponential but was well described by kinetic models based on a Gaussian distribution of activation energies or a Levy distribution of lifetimes. An Arrhenius analysis of the Gaussian data yielded average activation energies of 660 +/- 80 cm(-1) and 730 +/- 40 cm(-1) for Fe(pymbA)(3)(ClO(4))(2) on TiO(2) and ZrO(2) surfaces, respectively. The Levy distribution analysis did not adequately fit the Arrhenius model.

Synthesis and properties of electrochemiluminescent dinuclear Ru(II) complexes assembled with ester-bridged bis(bipyridine) ligands

New bridging ligands, such as bpy-(COOCH 2)-bpy (BL1), mbpy-(CH 2) 3COOCH 2-bpy (BL2), bpy-COO(CH 2) 6OOC-bpy (BL3), and bpy-COOCH 2PhPhCH 2OOC-bpy (BL4), have been synthesized and coordinated to [RuL 2(acetone) 2](PF 6) 2 for various [Ru(L) 2(BL)Ru(L) 2](PF 6) 4-type dinuclear ruthenium complexes (where BL = BL1, BL2, BL3, BL4, and L = bpy, o-phen, DTDP). Their electrochemical redox potentials, spectroscopic properties and relative electrochemiluminescence were investigated in detail. All dinuclear Ru complexes exhibit MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) absorption and luminescence bands in the visible region. ECL intensities of dinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes were affected not only by the kind of the ligand, but also by the nature of the bridging ligand. Among the synthesized dinuclear Ru complexes, [(DTDP) 2Ru(mbpy)-(CH 2) 3COOCH 2-(bpy)Ru(DTDP) 2](PF 6) 4 exhibited enhanced ECL intensities as high as 2.9 times greater than that of the reference, [Ru( o-phen) 3](PF 6) 2.

Excited-state metal-to-ligand charge transfer dynamics of a ruthenium(II) dye in solution and adsorbed on TiO2 nanoparticles from resonance Raman spectroscopy.

The dynamics of metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) in a cis-bis(4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine)-bis(isothiocyanato)ruthenium(II) dye (N3) are compared for the free dye in solution and the dye adsorbed on the surface of the TiO(2) nanoparticles from resonance Raman spectroscopy. The 544-nm MLCT absorption band of N3 adsorbed on TiO(2) is slightly blue-shifted from that of the free N3, indicating a weak electronic coupling between N3 and TiO(2). The resonance Raman spectra of N3 and the N3|TiO(2) complex obtained upon excitation within the lowest-lying MLCT singlet state of the dye are similar except for slight shifts in band positions. Resonance Raman cross sections have been obtained for the vibrational modes of both N3 and N3|TiO(2) with excitation frequencies spanning the 544-nm MLCT band. Self-consistent analysis of the resulting resonance Raman excitation profiles and absorption spectrum using a time-dependent wave packet formalism over two electronic states yields mode-specific vibrational and solvent reorganization energies. Despite the weak electronic coupling between N3 and TiO(2) in N3|TiO(2), adsorption strongly affects the reorganization energies of N3 in the intramolecular MLCT state. Adsorption of N3 onto TiO(2) increases the absolute Raman cross section of each mode by a factor of ca. 1.6 and decreases the vibrational and solvent reorganization energies by factors of 2 and 6, respectively. The excited-state dynamics of N3 adsorbed on the surface of TiO(2) nanoparticles were observed to be independent of the number of N3 molecules adsorbed per TiO(2) nanoparticle. The effect of TiO(2) on the dynamics of the adsorbed N3 is primarily due to both mode-specific vibrational and electronic pure dephasing, with the dominant contribution from the latter process.

Divalent osmium complexes: synthesis, characterization, strong red phosphorescence, and electrophosphorescence.

We report new divalent osmium complexes that feature strong red metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT) phosphorescence and electrophosphorescence. The general formula of the complexes is Os(II)(N-N)(2)L-L, where N-N is either a bipyridine or a phenanthroline and L-L is either a phosphine or an arsine. New polypyridyl ligands synthesized are 4,4'-di(biphenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (15) and 4,4'-di(diphenyl ether)-2,2'-bipyridine (16), and the 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives synthesized are 4,7-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (17), 4,7-bis(p-bromophenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (18), 4,7-bis(4'-phenoxybiphen-4-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (19), and 4,7-bis(4-naphth-2-ylphenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (20). 4,4'-Diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine (21) and 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (22) were also used in these studies. Strong pi-acid ligands used were 1,2-bis(diphenylarseno)ethane (23), cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (24), and cis-1,2-vinylenebis(diphenylarsine) (25). Ligand 25 is used for the first time in these types of luminescent osmium complexes. These compounds feature strong MLCT absorption bands in the visible region and strong red phosphorescent emission ranging from 611 to 651 nm, with quantum efficiency up to 45% in ethanol solution at room temperature. Red organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) were successfully fabricated by doping the Os(II) complexes into blend of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) and 2-tert-butylphenyl-5-biphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD). Brightness over 1400 cd/m(2) for a double-layer device has been reached, with a turn-on voltage of 8 V. The maximum external quantum efficiency was 0.64%. Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates (x, y) of the red electrophosphorescence from the complexes are (0.65, 0.34), which indicates pure red emission.

Qualitatively and quantitatively different solvatochromism of the MLCT and MMCT absorption bands of centrosymmetric acceptor-bridged diiron(II,II) and diiron(III,II) cyanide complexes

The energies of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) and metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) absorption bands of a number of heterocycle-bridged diiron(II,II) homovalent and diiron(III,II) mixed-valent complexes correlate linearly with Gutmann's acceptor number (AN). The compounds are (NEt 4) 6[(NC) 5Fe(μ-tz)Fe(CN) 5] and (NEt 4) 5[(NC) 5Fe(μ-tz)Fe(CN) 5], tz=1,2,4,5-tetrazine; (NEt 4) 4[(NC) 4Fe(μ-bptz)Fe(CN) 4] and (NEt 4) 3[(NC) 4Fe(μ-bptz)Fe(CN) 4], bptz=3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine; (NEt 4) 4[(NC) 4Fe(μ-bmtz)Fe(CN) 4], bmtz=3,6-bis(2-pyrimidyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine; (NEt 4) 4[(NC) 4Fe(μ-bpym)Fe(CN) 4], bpym=2,2′-bipyrimidine. Mononuclear analogues of the tz and bpym ligands were also studied. Various degrees of negative and positive solvatochromism are observed for centrosymmetric dinuclear systems. Unusual observations include the large negative solvatochromism of MLCT bands in Fe(II)Fe(II) species lacking a permanent dipole moment, the positive solvatochromism of MLCT/LMCT bands and the small negative solvatochromism of MMCT bands in the valence-averaged Fe 2.5Fe 2.5 systems.

New Ru(II) chromophores with extended excited-state lifetimes.

We describe the synthesis, electrochemical, and photophysical properties of two new luminescent Ru(II) diimine complexes covalently attached to one and three 4-piperidinyl-1,8-naphthalimide (PNI) chromophores, [Ru(bpy)(2)(PNI-phen)](PF(6))(2) and [Ru(PNI-phen)(3)](PF(6))(2), respectively. These compounds represent a new class of visible light-harvesting Ru(II) chromophores that exhibit greatly enhanced room-temperature metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) emission lifetimes as a result of intervening intraligand triplet states ((3)IL) present on the pendant naphthalimide chromophore(s). In both Ru(II) complexes, the intense singlet fluorescence of the pendant PNI chromophore(s) is nearly quantitatively quenched and was found to sensitize the MLCT-based photoluminescence. Excitation into either the (1)IL or (1)MLCT absorption bands results in the formation of both (3)MLCT and (3)IL excited states, conveniently monitored by transient absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The relative energy ordering of these triplet states was determined using time-resolved emission spectra at 77 K in an EtOH/MeOH glass where dual emission from both Ru(II) complexes was observed. Here, the shorter-lived higher energy emission has a spectral profile consistent with that typically observed from (3)MLCT excited states, whereas the millisecond lifetime lower energy band was attributed to (3)IL phosphorescence of the PNI chromophore. At room temperature the data are consistent with an excited-state equilibrium between the higher energy (3)MLCT states and the lower energy (3)PNI states. Both complexes display MLCT-based emission with room-temperature lifetimes that range from 16 to 115 micros depending upon solvent and the number of PNI chromophores present. At 77 K it is apparent that the two triplet states are no longer in thermal equilibrium and independently decay to the ground state.

Novel dinuclear luminescent compounds based on iridium(III) cyclometalated chromophores and containing bridging ligands with ester-linked chelating sites.

The syntheses and study of the spectroscopic, redox, and photophysical properties of a new set of species based on Ir(III) cyclometalated building blocks are reported. This set includes three dinuclear complexes, that is, the symmetric (with respect to the bridging ligand) diiridium species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L)Ir(ppy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (5; ppy = 2-phenylpyridine anion; L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L = bis[4-(6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-yl)phenyl]-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate), the asymmetric diiridium species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-L)Ir(ppy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (3; L-OC(O)-L = 4-([(6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-yl)benzoyloxy]phenyl)-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), and the mixed-metal Ir-Re species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-L)Re(CO)(3)Br][PF(6)] (4). Syntheses, characterization, and spectroscopic, photophysical, and redox properties of the model mononuclear compounds [Ir(ppy)(2)(L-OC(O)-L)][PF(6)] (2) and [Re(CO)(3)(L-COOH)Br] (6; L-COOH = 4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine) are also reported, together with the syntheses of the new bridging ligands L-OC(O)-L and L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L. The absorption spectra of all the complexes are dominated by intense spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) bands and by moderately intense spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands. Spin-forbidden MLCT absorption bands are also visible as low-energy tails at around 470 nm for all the complexes. All the new species exhibit metal-based irreversible oxidation and bipyridine-based reversible reduction processes in the potential window investigated (between +1.80 and -1.70 V vs SCE). The redox behavior indicates that the metal-based orbitals are only weakly interacting in dinuclear systems, whereas the two chelating halves of the bridging ligands exhibit noticeable electronic interactions. All the complexes are luminescent both at 77 K and at room temperature, with emission originating from triplet MLCT states. The luminescence properties are temperature- and solvent-dependent, in accord with general theories: emission lifetimes and quantum yields increase on passing from acetonitrile to dichloromethane fluid solution and from room-temperature fluid solution to 77 K rigid matrix. In the dinuclear mixed-chromophore species 3 and 4, photoinduced energy transfer across the ester-linked bridging ligands seems to occur with low efficiency.