Solution, structural and photophysical aspects of substituent effects in the N

The syntheses and properties of a series of eleven new [Ir(ppy)2(N^N)][PF6] complexes (Hppy = 2-phenylpyridine) are reported. The N^N ligands are based on 2,2-bipyridine (bpy), substituted in the 6- or 5-positions with groups that are structurally and electronically diverse. All but two of the N^N ligands incorporate an aromatic ring, designed to facilitate intra-cation face-to-face π-interactions between the N^N and one [ppy](-) ligand. Within the set of ligands, 6-(3-tolyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (5), 4,6-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (9), and 4,6-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (10) are new and their characterization includes single crystal structures of 9, and two polymorphs of 10. A representative [Ir(ppy)2(N^O)](+) complex is also described. We report solution NMR spectroscopic, photophysical and electrochemical properties of the complexes, as well as representative solid-state structural data. The solution (1)H NMR spectroscopic data illustrate different dynamic processes involving the substituents attached to the bpy domain in the ligands. In degassed MeCN and at room temperature, the [Ir(ppy)2(N^N)][PF6] complexes are orange emitters with λ(em)max in the range 575 to 608 nm; however, quantum yields are very low. The most promising complexes were evaluated in light-emitting electrochemical cells leading to bright and stable devices with rather good external quantum efficiencies.

2,2':6',2''-terpyridine substituted in the 4'-position by the solubilizing and sterically demanding tert-butyl group: a surprisingly new ligand.

We describe the synthesis and characterization of 4'-tert-butyl-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (4'-(t)Butpy, 1), a convergent tpy ligand that exhibits both a sterically demanding and solubilizing 4'-substituent. In the solid state, molecules of 1 pack with alternating tpy and tert-butyl domains, and the bulky alkyl substituents prevent the molecules from engaging in the face-to-face π-interactions which are typical of simple tpy ligands. Instead, the predominant packing forces involve CH···N hydrogen bonds and weak CH···π contacts. The syntheses of the homoleptic complexes [M(1)(2)][PF(6)](2) (M = Fe, Co, Zn and Ru) and the heteroleptic [Ru(tpy)(1)][PF(6)](2) are described. The complexes have been fully characterized in solution, including the (1)H NMR spectroscopic characterization of the paramagnetic [Co(1)(2)][PF(6)](2). Cyclic voltammetric data are consistent with the tert-butyl substituent being slightly electron releasing. The single crystal structures of [Zn(1)(2)][PF(6)](2) and [Ru(1)(2)][PF(6)](2) have been determined; the compounds are essentially isomorphous. The packing of the cations is such that the tert-butyl substituents are accommodated in pockets between the tpy domains of adjacent cations, and as a consequence, the {M(tpy)(2)}-embrace that is a ubiquitous feature of many related structures is not observed.

The intramolecular aryl embrace: from light emission to light absorption.

6-(1-Methylpyrrol-2-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine, 3, and 6-(selenophene-2-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine, 4, have been prepared and characterized in solution and by structural determinations. Copper(I) complexes [CuL(2)][PF(6)] in which L is 2,2'-bipyridine substituted in the 6-position by furyl, thienyl, N-methylpyrrolyl, selenopheneyl, methyl or phenyl, (L = 1-6) have been synthesized. The complexes have been characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry, and solution NMR and UV-VIS spectroscopies. The single crystal structures of [Cu(1)(2)][PF(6)], [Cu(2)(2)][PF(6)], [Cu(3)(2)][PF(6)], [Cu(5)(2)][PF(6)] and [Cu(6)(2)][PF(6)] have been determined. In those compounds containing an aromatic substituent attached to the bpy unit, the substituent is twisted with respect to the latter. In [Cu(3)(2)][PF(6)] and [Cu(5)(2)][PF(6)], this results in intra-cation π-stacking between ligands which is very efficient in [Cu(3)(2)](+) despite the steric requirements of the N-methyl substituents. Face-to-face stacking between the ligands in the [Cu(2)(2)](+) ion is achieved by complementary substituent twisting and elongation of one Cu-N bond, but there is no analogous intra-cation π-stacking in [Cu(1)(2)](+). Ligand exchange reactions between [CuL(2)][PF(6)] (L = 1-6) and TiO(2)-anchored ligands 7-10 (L' = 2,2'-bipyridine-based ligands with CO(2)H or PO(OH)(2) anchoring groups) have been applied to produce 24 surface-anchored heteroleptic copper(i) complexes, the formation of which has been evidenced by using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and thin layer solid state diffuse reflectance electronic absorption spectroscopy. The efficiencies of the complexes as dyes in DSCs have been measured, and the best efficiencies are observed for [CuLL'] with L' = 10 which contains phosphonate anchoring groups.