Polypyridyl Ligands Research Articles

Ruthenium-p-Cymene Complexes Incorporating Substituted Pyridine–Quinoline Ligands with –Br (Br-Qpy) and –Phenoxy (OH-Ph-Qpy) Groups for Cytotoxicity and Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation Studies: Synthesis and Characterization

Organometallic ruthenium complexes with p-cymene = 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-benzene and N^N = bidentate polypyridyl ligands constitute interesting candidates with biological and catalytic properties. Towards this aim, we have synthesized four ruthenium(II)–arene complexes of the type [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(N^N)Cl][X] (N^N = Br-Qpy = 6-bromo-4-phenyl-2-pyridin-2-yl-quinoline, X = Cl− (1a); PF6− (1b); N^N = OH-Ph-Qpy = 4-(4-phenyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinolin-6-yl)phenol, X = Cl− (2a); PF6− (2b)). This is the first report of ruthenium(II) p-cymene complexes incorporating substituted pyridine–quinoline ligands, with –Br and –C6H4OH groups in the 6-position of quinoline. We also refer to the cytotoxicity of the ligands and their possible effect of modulating the activity of the ruthenium(II) complexes. These were characterized by a combination of spectroscopic methods (ATR-IR, UV–Vis, multinuclear NMR), elemental analysis, and conductivity measurements. The solid-state structure of 2b, determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, reveals a three-legged piano-stool geometry. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the new complexes were evaluated in HEK293T (human embryonic kidney cells) and in HeLa cells (cervical cancer cells), via the MTT assay. Poor in vitro anticancer activities were observed for the HeLa cancer cell line, with 2a being the most potent (IC50 = 75 μΜ). The cytotoxicity of Br-Qpy in HEK293T is comparable to that of cisplatin. Both complexes 1a and 1b successfully catalyze the transfer hydrogenation of benzophenone to benzhydrol by 2-propanol at 82 °C. The catalytic performance of 1a in the ratio of S:Cat:B = 400:1:40 (S = substrate, Cat = catalyst, B = base = KOiPr) leads to a conversion of 94%, within 3 h of reaction. Presumably, catalytic transformation takes place via ruthenium(II) hydride species being the active catalyst.

Ruthenium p-Cymene Complexes Incorporating Substituted Pyridine-Quinoline-Based Ligands: Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytotoxic Properties.

Organometallic complexes of the formula [Ru(N^N)(p-cymene)Cl][X] (N^N = bidentate polypyridyl ligands, p-cymene = 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-benzene, X = counter anion), are currently studied as possible candidates for the potential treatment of cancer. Searching for new organometallic compounds with good to moderate cytotoxic activities, a series of mononuclear water-soluble ruthenium(II)-arene complexes incorporating substituted pyridine-quinoline ligands, with pending -CH2OH, -CO2H and -CO2Me groups in the 4-position of quinoline ring, were synthesized, for the first time, to study their possible effect to modulate the activity of the ruthenium p-cymene complexes. These include the [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(pqhyme)Cl][X] (X = Cl- (1-Cl), PF6- (1-PF6), pqhyme = 4-hydroxymethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinoline), [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(pqca)Cl][Cl] ((2-Cl), pqca = 4-carboxy-2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinoline), and [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(pqcame)Cl][X] (X = Cl- (3-Cl), PF6- (3-PF6), pqcame = 4-carboxymethyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)quinoline) complexes, respectively. Identification of the complexes was based on multinuclear NMR and ATR-IR spectroscopic methods, elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, UV-Vis spectroscopic, and ESI-HRMS techniques. The solid-state structures of 1-PF6 and 3-PF6 have been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealing a three-legged piano stool geometry. This is the first time that the in vitro cytotoxic activities of these complexes are studied. These were conducted in HEK293T (human embryonic kidney cells) and HeLa cells (cervical cancer cells) via the MTT assay. The results show poor in vitro anticancer activities for the HeLa cancer cell lines and 3-Cl proved to be the most potent (IC50 > 80 μΜ). In both cell lines, the cytotoxicity of the ligand precursor pqhyme is significantly higher than that of cisplatin.

Open-Cage Copper Complexes Modulate Coordination and Charge Transfer.

This study presents a novel copper-based redox shuttle that employs the PY5 pentadentate polypyridyl ligand in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The [Cu(PY5)]2+ complex exhibits a unique five-coordinate square pyramidal geometry, characterized by a strategically labile axial position, to facilitate efficient dye regeneration while minimizing electron recombination, thereby enhancing DSSC performance. Notably, the inclusion of 4-tert-butylpyridine (TBP) as an additive is shown to significantly modulate the electrochemical and photophysical properties of the copper complexes, attributed to its coordination to the vacant axial site. This interaction leads to an improved open-circuit voltage and overall device efficiency, with the complexes achieving promising efficiencies under standard solar irradiance. The findings underscore the potential of utilizing copper-based redox shuttles with designed ligand geometries to overcome the limitations of current DSSC materials, opening new avenues for the design and optimization of solar energy conversion devices. This work not only contributes to the fundamental understanding of the behavior of copper complexes in DSSCs but also paves the way for future research aimed at exploiting the full potential of such geometrical and electronic configurations for the development of more robust and efficient solar energy solutions.

Theoretical exploration of copper based electrolytes for third generation dye sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) present a promising avenue for addressing the escalating need for clean energy solutions. These innovative cells offer a sustainable approach to meet the rising demands for environmentally friendly power sources. An assessment was conducted on a copper complex containing a hexadentate ligand, serving as a redox shuttle, alongside triphenylamine-based organic dyes in the construction of DSSC. This study thoroughly investigates the electronic structures, FMO, MEP surfaces, and photophysical properties of copper redox shuttle and triphenylamine dyes employing DFT and TDDFT calculations. The copper system, [Cu(bpyPY4)]2+/+, analyzed in this study, is anchored by the hexadentate polypyridyl ligand bpyPY4 (6,6′-bis(1,1-di(pyridine-2-yl)ethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine), scrutinized as a redox shuttle (RS). The assessed redox potential for [Cu(bpyPY4)]2+/+ is −4.67 eV. This indicates that the dye can effectively undergo regeneration by transferring electrons from the reduced form of the redox shuttle to the oxidized form of the dye. The photovoltaic efficiency has been analyzed with regard to various factors, including the energy gap between the HOMO and LUMO, the excited-state oxidation potential (Edye*), electron injection ability (∆Ginj), electron regeneration (∆Greg), light harvesting efficiency, short-circuit current density (JSC) and the open-circuit voltage (Voc). This study sheds light on present-day developments and forthcoming prospects in utilizing 3d transition metal-based redox shuttles, presenting them as compelling candidates for integration with organic dyes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). This integration holds promise for more efficient solar spectrum absorption and enhanced performance of solar devices.

Unlocking the Fluorine-Free Buoy Effect: Surface-Enriched Ruthenium Polypyridine Complexes in Ionic Liquids.

Controlling the local concentration of metal complexes at the surface of ionic liquids (ILs) is a highly sought-after objective due to its pivotal implications in supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) catalysis. Equally important is to avoid per- and polyfluorinated substances due to environmental concerns. Herein, we investigate the surface enrichment of Ru polypyridyl complexes with fluorine-free alkylic side groups of varying lengths and shapes, using the hydrophilic IL [C2C1Im][OAc] as solvent. Additional charged carboxylate groups are included into the polypyridyl ligands to increase the solubility of the complex in the IL. When the ligand system is functionalized with long and hydrophobic alkyl side chains, the complex predominantly localizes at the IL/vacuum interface, as deduced from angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Conversely, in the presence of short or more bulky substituents, no surface enrichment is observed. This buoy-like behaviour with fluorine-free side groups is explored for 0.05 %mol to 1 %mol solutions. Intriguingly, surface saturation occurs at approximately 0.5 %mol, which is beneficial to the efficient operation of catalytic systems featuring high surface areas, such as SILP catalysts.

Modulating Excited State Properties and Ligand Ejection Kinetics in Ruthenium Polypyridyl Complexes Designed to Mimic Photochemotherapeutics.

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes have gained significant interest as photochemotherapeutics (PCTs) due to their synthetic viability, strong light absorption, well understood excited state properties, and high phototoxicity indexes. Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, electrochemical, spectrochemical, and preliminary cytotoxicity analyses of three series of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes designed to mimic PCTs. The three series have the general structure of [Ru(bpy)2(N-N)]2+ (Series 1), [Ru(bpy)(dmb)(N-N)]2+ (Series 2), and [Ru(dmb)2(N-N)]2+ (Series 3, where N-N is a bidentate polypyridyl ligand, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, and dmb = 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine). In the three series, the N-N ligand was systematically modified to incorporate increased conjugation and/or electronegative heteroatoms to increase dπ-π* backbonding, red-shifting the lowest energy metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorptions from λmax = 454 to λmax = 580 nm, nearing the therapeutic window for PCTs (600-1100 nm). In addition, steric bulk was systematically introduced through the series, distorting the Ru(II) octahedra, making the dissociative 3dd* state thermally accessible at room and body temperatures. This resulted in a 4 orders of magnitude increase in photoinduced ligand ejection kinetics, and demonstrates the ability to modulate both the MLCT* and dd* manifolds in the complexes, which is critical in PCT drug design. Preliminary cell viability assays suggest that the increased steric bulk to lower the 3dd* states may interfere with the cytotoxicity mechanism, limiting photoinitiated toxicity of the complexes. This work demonstrates the importance of understanding both the MLCT* and dd* manifolds and how they impact the ability of a complex to act as a PCT agent.

Simple and Efficient Method for Mono‐ and Di‐Amination of Polypyridine N‐Oxides

AbstractHerein we report a simple synthetic route towards both known and novel aminated polypyridyl ligands. The use of tosyl chloride in combination with potassium phthalimide followed by hydrolysis allows for chemo–selective ortho–amination of (poly)pyridyl mono‐ and di‐N‐oxides with good to excellent yield. The reactions are scalable and reproducible while using inexpensive, commercially available reagents.

Oxovanadium (IV) Complexes of α-Amino Acid Schiff Bases and Polypyridyl Ligands: Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity

Oxovanadium(IV) complexes of the type [VO(L)(bpy)] (V-1 to V-5) have been synthesized and characterized by FTIR and UV-Vis spectra, molar conductance, melting points, and magnetic susceptibilities measurements, where L= N-salicylidene-β-alanine (sal-ala), N-salicylidene-glycine (sal-gly), N-salicylidene-DL-β-phenylalanine (sal-pheala), N-salicylidene-leucine (sal-leu), and N-salicylidene-DL-methionine (sal-met), and bpy is 2,2´-bipyridine. The infrared spectral data reveals that the tridentate nature of the amino acid-based Schiff base ligand and the coordination of the ligand through azomethine nitrogen, phenolic oxygen and carboxylate oxygen with vanadyl (VO2+) ion. All of these complexes were determined to be non-electrolyte in nature, according to conductivity measurements. The magnetic moment measurements have been attributed that these complexes are paramagnetic and have d1 configuration of vanadium (IV) ion. In Virto antimicrobial activity of the synthesized complexes was evaluated against two gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and two gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris) bacterial strains.

Mononuclear copper(II) complexes with polypyridyl ligands: synthesis, characterization, DNA interactions/cleavages and in vitro cytotoxicity towards human cancer cells.

DNA being the necessary element in cell regeneration, controlled cellular apoptosis via DNA binding/cleaving is considered an approach to combat cancer cells. The widely prescribed metallodrug cisplatin has shown interactions with the guanine-N7 center, and a plethora of complexes are continually developed to enhance crosslinking properties as well as covalent and non-covalent interactions. Two pentadentate ligands, L1 (1-(6-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl)-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)methanamine) and L2 (1-(6-(1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl)-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)methanamine), were synthesized together with their respective copper(II) complexes [1](ClO4)2 and [2](ClO4)2, which crystallized in a trigonal bipyramidal fashion. Different analytical and spectroscopic methods confirmed their formation, and their redox behaviour was also examined. The interactions of salmon sperm DNA (ss-DNA) with these two complexes were explored using absorbance spectroscopy, and they both exhibited a binding affinity (Kb) of ∼104 M-1. Fluorescence quenching experiments with ethidium bromide (EB)-bound DNA (EB-DNA) were also performed, and Stern-Volmer constant (KSV) values of 6.93 × 103 and 2.34 × 104 M-1 for [1](ClO4)2 and [2](ClO4)2, respectively, were obtained. Furthermore, DNA conformational changes due to the interactions of both complexes were validated via circular dichroism. We also assessed the DNA cleavage property of these complexes, which resulted in the linearization of circular plasmid DNA. This finding was supported by studying the growth of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells upon treatment with both Cu(II) complexes; IC50 values of 5.34 ± 1.02 μM and 0.83 ± 0.18 μM were obtained for [1](ClO4)2 and [2](ClO4)2, respectively. This validates their affinity towards DNA, and these insights can be further utilized for non-platinum based economical metallodrug development based on first row transition metals.

Ruthenium(II) complexes with phosphonate-substituted phenanthroline ligands as reusable photoredox catalysts.

Ru(II) complexes with polypyridyl ligands (2,2'-bipyridine = bpy, 1,10-phenanthroline = phen) play a central role in the development of photocatalytic organic reactions. In this work, we synthesized four mixed-ligand [Ru(phen)(bpy)2]2+-type complexes (Ru-Pcat-A) bearing two phosphonate substituents P(O)(OH)(OR) (R = H, Et) attached to the phen core at positions 3,8 (Ru-3,8PH and Ru-3,8PHEt) and 4,7 (Ru-4,7PH and Ru-4,7PHEt) of the heterocycle in high yields (87-99%) and characterized them using spectral methods. Single crystal X-ray diffraction was employed to determine the coordination mode of the ditopic phen ligand in Ru-4,7PH. This complex exists as the neutral species and forms a 1D hydrogen-bonded framework in the crystals. The light absorption characteristics were found to be similar for all complexes prepared in this work. However, the emission maxima in aqueous solutions were significantly affected by the substitution of the heterocycle, ranging from 629 nm for Ru-4,7PH to 661 nm for Ru-3,8PHEt. The emission quantum yields in Ar-saturated deionized water showed a strong dependence on the substitution pattern of the phen ligand, with maximal values reaching approximately 0.11 for Ru-4,7PHEt and Ru-4,7PH, which is twice as high as that of the classical [Ru(bpy)3]2+ complex (Ru-bpy). The photocatalytic performance of Ru-Pcat-A was investigated using visible light photoredox catalytic transformations of tertiary amines. With Ru-Pcat-A, we achieved the phosphonylation of N-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) and cyanation of THIQs and N,N-dimethylaniline in methanol, while a mixture of nitromethane/methanol (1 : 1 v/v) proved to be the optimal solvent for conducting the nitromethylation of THIQs. In the majority of the studied reactions, Ru-4,7PHEt exhibited greater efficiency compared to Ru-bpy, and it could be easily separated from the products using water extraction and reused in the next catalytic cycle. We successfully performed seven consecutive nitromethylation and phosphonylation of N-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline using the recycled homogeneous photoredox catalyst.

Anchor Group Effects in Ruthenium (II) Photosensitizers Bearing N-Heterocyclic Carbene and Polypyridyl Ligands for DSSCs: A Computational Evaluation

In this work, we evaluate the bonding characteristics and interfacial electron transfer dynamics of three heteroleptic ruthenium photosensitizers featuring different terpyridine (tpy) acceptor end configurations through quantum-chemical calculations. These photosensitizers...

Synthesis, characterization, molecular docking, and cytotoxicity study of ruthenium (II/III) polypyridyl complexes

A new polypyridyl ligand 4‐(4‐nitrophenoxy)‐N,N‐bis (pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)aniline (L1) and its three ruthenium (II/III) complexes, [Ru (Cl)3L1] (C1), [Ru(L1)2]Cl (C2), and [RuCl (dpa)L1] (C3) where dpa = 2,2‐dipyridylamine, have been successfully synthesized and characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), high‐resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR‐ESI‐MS), thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis [TGA] and differential scanning calorimetry [DSC]), UV/Vis absorption, and magnetic susceptibility. The structures of the ligand and the complexes were optimized, and the structural characteristics were determined by density functional theory (DFT) using the B3LYP‐GD3/6‐311G++(d,p) method. Optimized FTIR vibrational frequencies and 1H NMR chemical shifts agreed well with the corresponding experimental FTIR and 1H NMR data. In vitro cytotoxicity of the ligand and the complexes were evaluated against the MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line. Ligand L1 was the most potent with an IC50 of 38.45 μM, followed by C2 with an IC50 of 45.23 μM. However, the ligand and the complexes showed low antiproliferative activity compared to cisplatin, which had an IC50 of 9.67 μM. To predict the reactivity trend of L1 and the complexes, frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis was performed. The FMO energy gap (Eg = ELUMO − EHOMO) for C2 was found to be 1.675 eV, which was the lowest among all the complexes or L1. In addition, molecular docking studies were carried out so as to predict the binding capacity of L1 and the complexes to estrogen receptor alpha (ER‐α). The results showed that C2 has the most negative binding energy score (−9.63 kcal/mol), which indicates more stable adducts with the key amino acid residues at the active sites of ER‐α. Furthermore, C2 displayed the lowest inhibition constant (Ki) of 0.09 μM compared to all the complexes or L1. These results are very promising and show that the novel complex C2 may help in the development of anticancer drugs.

Metal Dipicolylamines and their Biomedical Applications: A Mini Review

Research in synthetic inorganic chemistry demonstrates that metal complexes are widely utilized as therapeutic as well as diagnostic agents. Due to the coordinative saturation, substitutional inertness, and unique redox characteristics, metal polypyridyl complexes have ignited attention and have been exploited in a number of biological and biomedical fields. The polypyridyl ligand, dipicolylamine (DPA) is a symmetrical secondary amine with two pyridyl rings. Delocalization of excited electrons occurs throughout the ligand system due to its conjugated character and the metal-to-ligand charge transfer transitions, resulting in a strong fluorescence signal. The high lipophilic nature of this ligand has proven to improve metal-DPA complex absorption by cell membranes. The N–H amine group in DPA and its analogues have the additional function of allowing hydrogen bonds to form, and deprotonation of this amine has allowed the creation of mononuclear and polynuclear species, with deprotonation of the bridging amine nitrogen also playing a significant role in the coordination sequence. DPA-appended metal complexes have garnered attention in the quest for linkages between magnetic, spectroscopic, structural, and coordination geometries. A number of mononuclear metal-DPA complex crystal structures with four, five, or six coordinated metal centers have been synthesized and explored for their biological properties. This study reviews DPA-derivatized ligand-linked metal complexes as promising cancer, microbial, and fungal inflammatory therapeutics, as well as potential diagnostic agents for fluorescence imaging and radiopharmaceuticals.
 Keywords: Dipicolylamine, metal complexes, coordination geometries, fluorescent agents

Why the Perfectly Symmetric Cobalt‐Pentapyridyl Loses the H2 Production Challenge: Theoretical Insight into Reaction Mechanism and Reduction Free Energies

AbstractResearchers have extensively investigated photo‐catalytic water reduction utilizing Cobalt‐based catalysts with polypyridyl ligands. While catalysts exhibiting distorted polypyridyl ligand demonstrate higher H2 production yields, those with ideal octahedral coordination display poor performance. This outcome suggests the crucial role of ligand framework in catalytic activity, yet reasons behind the disparity in H2 production rates for catalysts with octahedral geometries remain unclear. We theoretically examined the water reduction mechanism of Co‐based poly‐pyridyl catalyst, CoPy5, having perfect octahedral coordination. We clarified the effect of octahedral coordination by utilizing each intermediate step of ECEC mechanism. We determined spin states, solvent response, electronic structures, and reduction free energies. CoPy5 with perfect octahedral coordination, alongside its distorted counterparts, exhibit similar spin states as the reaction progresses through each intermediate step. However, the first reduction free energy obtained for the CoPy5 is slightly higher than that of its distorted counterparts. Following the second protonation, resulting H2 molecule experiences limited diffusion from the Co center due to the compact structure of the CoPy5, which blocks the Co center for the next H2 production cycle. Catalysts having distorted octahedral geometries facilitate fast removal of H2 into the solvent. Thus, the reaction center becomes immediately available for subsequent H2 production.

Copper(II) Catecholate Complexes with Polypyridyl Ligands

Copper(II) catecholate complexes based on 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone with N-donor ligands of the phenanthroline series have been synthesized: (3,6-Cat)Cu(Phen) (I), (3,6-Cat)Cu(DPQ) (II), and (3,6-Cat)Cu(DPPZ) (III), where 3,6-Cat is the 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone dianion, Phen is phenanthroline, DPQ is dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline, and DPPZ is dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine. The synthesized copper(II) complexes demonstrate intramolecular ligand-to-ligand charge transfer responsible for their intense violet color. The electronic structure of the synthesized chromophores was studied by electronic spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and quantum-chemical calculations. The molecular and crystal structures of the synthesized compounds were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (CIF files CCDC 2 250 975 (I⋅THF), 2 250 976 ([(II⋅THF)(II)]⋅3THF), 2250977 (II)).

Copper(II) Catecholate Complexes with Polypyridyl Ligands

Copper(II) Catecholate Complexes with Polypyridyl Ligands

Complexation of Lanthanide(III) and Yttrium(III) cations with terpyridyl, dipyridoacridine, and 1,10-phenanthroline in aqueous solution. Importance of covalence in metal–ligand bonding in complexes of lanthanides with nitrogen donor ligands

Absorbance titrations following intense π → π* transitions of the ligands were used to determine log K1 for TERPY (terpyridyl) and DPA (dipyrido acridine) in aqueous solution for lanthanide(III) (Ln(III)) complexes plus Y(III) at 25 °C. For TERPY the titrations of 2 × 10−5 M TERPY and 0.0167 M Ln(ClO4)3, giving μ (ionic strength) 0.1, were followed as a function of pH between pH 2.0–6.0 to give log K1. For DPA, absorbance as a function of [Ln3+] for 10−5 M DPA titrated with 0.01 M Ln(ClO4)3 yielded [Ln3+] ranging from 0 M to 10−4 M. These titrations were carried out effectively at μ = 0, to prevent salting out of the poorly soluble DPA ligand. For PHEN (1,10-phenanthroline) complexes changes in the absorbance spectrum on complexation with Ln(III) ions were too small to yield satisfactory values of log K1, so that the fluorescence spectra of 2 × 10−6 M PHEN with 0.0167 M Ln(ClO4)3 (μ → 0.1) were titrated between pH 2.0 and 6.0 to yield log K1 values. Log K1 for all three ligands showed an overall increase with decreasing ionic radius (r+) from La(III) to Lu(III), with local maxima at Sm(III) and local minima at Gd(III). Log K1 for the Y(III) complexes is consistently lower for TERPY, DPA, and PHEN than for the similarly sized Ho(III), as is also found for other tridentate and tetradentate polypyridyl ligands. This is rationalized as greater covalence in the Ln–N bonds than in Y–N bonds, due to stronger participation of the 5d orbitals of Ln(III) ions in bonding than for the analogous participation of the 4d orbitals of Y(III): as found by DFT calculations (Inorg. Chem., 2022 (61) 4627) there is a small but significant contribution from the 4f orbitals of Ln(III) ions in producing covalence in Ln–N bonds. It is also found that the sharpness of the local maxima at Sm(III) and minima at Gd(III) become more marked as the number of nitrogen donor atoms increases, and the level of preorganization of polypyridyl ligands is increased by bridging benzo groups in the ligand. Preorganization may be important in ligands for separating Am(III), similar in size to Sm(III), from the Ln(III) ions, particularly Gd(III), in treating nuclear waste.

Synthesis and Characterization of Photoanode by Immobilisation of Pyridyl Complexes on ITO for Photo-Conversion System

Increasing developments on the application of copper complexes as dyes are due to their dual function in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as redox mediators and dye sensitizers. The economical (abundance, low cost) and environmentally friendly properties of copper motivate researchers on the use of copper complexes for replacement of ruthenium-based dyes in solar cells. A novel [Cu(I)(2,9-dmp)(phen-dione)]PF6 (A2) bearing polypyridyl ligands, 1,10- phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phen-dione), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp) was prepared by metal complexation reaction. The photofunctionality of A2 as a promising photosensitizer in DSSCs was studied. Interestingly, A2 exhibited two absorption peaks, one is detected in the ultraviolet region due to pi-pi* transition and the other is a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) band at 405nm in the visible region. A2 was compared to the same complex with Cu(II) ion as the metal centre which only absorbed light in the ultraviolet region thereby implying limited use of Cu(II) complex in its light harvesting application. The photofunctionality of A2 was studied by employing it as an active material for photoelectric conversion by engaging it with ITO to create a photoanode. Upon light irradiation, an anodic current was observed. In conclusion, introduction of Cu(I), instead of Cu(II), in polypridyls ligands resulted in successful enhancement of photophysical properties of A2, making the photoanode of A2 suitable for light harvesting applications.

Effect of an amine functionalization of phenanthroline ligand associated with an ester-pyridine ligand on excited-state properties of Re(I) complex. Interplay between two 3MLCT

In this work, the synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of rhenium(I) polypyridyl compound, fac-[Re(et-isonic)(NH2phen)(CO)3]PF6, where NH2phen = 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline and et-isonic = ethyl isonicotinate, are reported. The compound exhibited a broad absorption band around 300–500 nm that by Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) corresponds to a mixture of ILNH2phen and MLCTRe→NH2phen transitions and a contribution of the charge transfer transition MLCTRe→et-isonic. Contrary to what is expected, the change of Cl (λmax = 490 and 565 nm; ϕ = 0.002; τ = 0.49 ± 0.07 μs and < 0.020 μs) for et-isonic ligand (λmax = 590 nm; ϕ = 0.003; τ = 0.43 ± 0.03 μs and 0.044 ± 0.014 μs), a π-acceptor ligand, promoted a bathochromic shift of the emission maxima in acetonitrile solution. This distinct behavior can be rationalized in terms of the inversion of the lowest-lying excited state of the usual observed MLCTRe→NN to the unusual MLCTRe→et-isonic. On the other hand, the contribution of ligand-based excited state in the deactivation process cannot be ruled out. Additionally, as a triplet emitter, a high quantum yield for the singlet oxygen generation (0.50 ± 0.03) can be associated with either, 3MLCT or a 3LC state. The photophysics ally to the higher singlet oxygen generation reported herein provides new fundamental insights into the understanding of substituent groups on the polypyridyl ligands that are relevant to the practical development of the scientific field.

Synthesis and Characterisation of Fluorescent Novel Pt(II) Cyclometallated Complexes with Anticancer Activity.

Cancer poses a significant threat to global health and new treatments are required to improve the prognosis for patients. Previously, unconventional platinum complexes designed to incorporate polypyridyl ligands paired with diaminocyclohexane have demonstrated anticancer activity in KRAS mutated cells, previously thought to be undruggable and have cytotoxicity values up to 100 times better than cisplatin. In this work, these complexes were used as inspiration to design six novel cyclometallated examples, whose fluorescence could be exploited to better understand the mechanism of action of these kinds of platinum drugs. The cytotoxicity results revealed that these cyclometallated complexes (CMCs) have significantly different activity compared to the complexes that inspired them; they are as cytotoxic as cisplatin and have much higher selectivity indices in breast cancer cell lines (MCF10A/MCF-7). Complexes 1b, 2a, and 3b all had very high selectivity indexes compared to previous Pt(II) complexes. This prompted further investigation into their DNA binding properties, which revealed that they had good affinity to ctDNA, especially CMCs 1a and 3b. Their inherent fluorescence was successfully utilised in the calculation of their DNA binding affinity and could be useful in future work.