A modified cyclen azaxanthone ligand as a new fluorescent probe for Zn2+.

A new cyclen derivative L, bearing a methyl-chromeno-pyridinylidene hydrazone moiety, was synthesized and studied in MeOH, as potential fluorescent "OFF-on-ON" sensors for Zn(ii). Photophysical properties of this ligand being PET regulated, L was only weakly emissive in the absence of metal ions (OFF). L fluorescence was increased modestly upon addition of one equivalent of Zn(II), and further increased upon addition of a second equivalent. Therefore, Zn : L behaved as a highly sensitive ON sensor for zinc. This efficiency was correlated to Zn(II) coordination via the hydrazone moiety of the fluorophore, producing an efficient CHelation-Enhanced Fluorescence (CHEF) effect. A complementary theoretical study carried out with DFT calculations further elucidated the optical properties.

Ground and excited state properties of new porphyrin based dyads: a combined theoretical and experimental study.

The properties of the ground and excited states of several porphyrins appended with external chelates coordinated to ruthenium-bisbipyridine units are reported. The important modification of the absorption spectrum upon coordination with the ruthenium complex showed that a significant electronic communication between the two subunits was present in the ground state. Experimental results were compared with quantum chemistry calculations performed at density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory level. The influence of the exchange-correlation functional on the quality of the computed absorption spectrum is shown, and the better behavior of hybrid functionals over long-range corrected ones was rationalized. The excited states topology analysis, performed using natural transition orbitals, gave a more evident confirmation of the communication between the subunits and showed that these new compounds can be promising as dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells.

New dyads using (metallo)porphyrins as ancillary ligands in polypyridine ruthenium complexes. Synthesis and electronic properties.

Porphyrins bearing enaminoketones at their periphery have been used as ancillary ligands in ruthenium complexes. Free base, nickel and zinc porphyrins were successfully coordinated to Ru(bpy)(2)Cl(2) under microwave irradiation. The positive contribution of the ruthenium complex was demonstrated by the complexes' wide absorption domains that covered the 500-600 nm region where the parent porphyrins did not absorb. Electrochemical as well as computational data revealed an efficient electronic communication between the porphyrins and the ruthenium cation in the dyads.

Enantiomerically pure 2-aryl(alkyl)-2-trifluoromethylaziridines: synthesis and ring opening with selected O- and N-nucleophiles.

We report herein the synthesis of enantiomerically pure 2-phenyl- and 2-ethyl-2-trifluoromethylaziridines by Mitsunobu-type cyclisation of the corresponding N-protected amino alcohols, and our results regarding their ring opening with selected nucleophiles. Under basic conditions, N-tosyl aziridines have been regioselectively opened at the less hindered carbon. Under acidic conditions, the regioselectivity of the attack depends on the nature of the substituent at C-2 and on the nitrogen protecting group.

Influence of the protonic state of an imidazole-containing ligand on the electrochemical and photophysical properties of a ruthenium(II)-polypyridine-type complex.

The synthesis and characterisation of [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImHPh)]2+ where PhenImHPh represents the 2-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline ligand are described. The compounds issued from the three different protonic states of the imidazole ring [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImPh)]+ (I), [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImHPh)]2+ (II) and [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImH2Ph)]3+ (III) were isolated and spectroscopically characterised. The X-ray structures of [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImPh)](PF6)H2O.6 MeOH, [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImHPh)](NO3)2H2O.3 MeOH and [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImH2Ph)](PF6)3 5 H2O are reported. Electrochemical data obtained on these complexes indicate almost no potential shift for the Ru(III/II) redox couple. Therefore a Coulombic effect between the imidazole ring and the metal centre can be ruled out. The monooxidised forms of I and II have been characterised by EPR spectroscopy and are reminiscent of the presence of a radical species. The emission properties of the parent compound [Ru(bpy)2(PhenImHPh)]2+ were studied as a function of pH and both the lifetimes and intensities decreased upon deprotonation. Photophysical properties, investigated in the absence and presence of an electron acceptor (methylviologen), were distinctly different for the three compounds. Transient absorption features indicate that unique excited states are involved. Theoretical data obtained from DFT calculations in water on the three protonic forms are presented and discussed in the light of the experimental results.