Tuning ESIPT-coupled luminescence by expanding π-conjugation of a proton acceptor moiety in ESIPT-capable zinc(II) complexes with 1-hydroxy-1H-imidazole-based ligands.

The emission of ESIPT-fluorophores is known to be sensitive to various external and internal stimuli and can be fine-tuned through substitution in the proton-donating and proton-accepting groups. The incorporation of metal ions in the molecules of ESIPT fluorophores without their deprotonation is an emerging area of research in coordination chemistry which provides chemists with a new factor affecting the ESIPT reaction and ESIPT-coupled luminescence. In this paper we present 1-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-(pyridin-2-yl)-2-(quinolin-2-yl)-1H-imidazole (HLq) as a new ESIPT-capable ligand. Due to the spatial separation of metal binding and ESIPT sites this ligand can coordinate metal ions without being deprotonated. The reactions of ZnHal2 with HLq afford ESIPT-capable [Zn(HLq)Hal2] (Hal = Cl, Br, I) complexes. In the solid state HLq and [Zn(HLq)Hal2] luminesce in the orange region (λmax = 600-650 nm). The coordination of HLq by Zn2+ ions leads to the increase in the photoluminescence quantum yield due to the chelation-enhanced fluorescence effect. The ESIPT process is barrierless in the S1 state, leading to the only possible fluorescence channel in the tautomeric form (T), S1T → S0T. The emission of [Zn(HLq)Hal2] in the solid state is blue-shifted as compared with HLq due to the stabilization of the ground state and destabilization of the excited state. In CH2Cl2 solutions, the compounds demonstrate dual emission in the UV (λmax = 358 nm) and green (λmax = 530 nm) regions. This dual emission is associated with two radiative deactivation channels in the normal (N) and tautomeric (T) forms, S1N → S0N and S1T → S0T, originating from two minima on the excited state potential energy surfaces. High energy barriers for the GSIPT process allow the trapping of molecules in the minimum of the tautomeric form, S0T, resulting in the possibility of the S0T → S1T photoexcitation and extraordinarily small Stokes shifts in the solid state. Finally, the π-system of quinolin-2-yl group facilitates the delocalization of the positive charge in the proton-accepting part of the molecule and promotes the ESIPT reaction.

The Cluster Polyazide Complexes: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and 14N NMR Studies of [{Re3(µ-X)3}(N3)9]3- (X = Br or I).

Azide cluster complexes [{Re3(µ-Br)3}(N3)9]3- and [{Re3(µ-I)3}(N3)9]3- were obtained by reaction of Re3X9 (X = Br or I, respectively) with sodium azide in methanol. The complexes were crystallized as cesium salts of the compositions Cs3[{Re3(µ-Br)3}(N3)9]·H2O (1) and Cs3[{Re3(µ-I)3}(N3)9]·H2O (2) and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, 14N NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. In the anions, each rhenium atom is coordinated by three azide ligands. To the best of our knowledge, these compounds represent the first case of metal cluster polyazide complexes (i.e., where each metal atom bears more than one azide ligand). Both complexes are stable in air but are very shock sensitive, and spontaneous explosive decomposition is also possible.

N-Hydroxy-N-oxide photoinduced tautomerization and excitation wavelength dependent luminescence of ESIPT-capable zinc(II) complexes with a rationally designed 1-hydroxy-2,4-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazole ESIPT-ligand.

The ability of 1-hydroxy-1H-imidazoles to undergo proton transfer processes and to exist in N-hydroxy and N-oxide tautomeric forms can be used in coordination chemistry for the design of ESIPT-capable complexes. A series of ESIPT-capable zinc(II) complexes [Zn(HL)Hal2] (Hal = Cl, Br, I) with a rationally designed ESIPT-ligand 1-hydroxy-5-methyl-2,4-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazole (HL) featuring spatially separated metal binding and ESIPT sites have been synthesized and characterized. Crystals of these compounds consist of a mixture of two isomers of [Zn(HL)Hal2]. Only a major isomer has a short intramolecular hydrogen bond O-H⋯N as a pre-requisite for ESIPT. In the solid state, the complexes [Zn(HL)Hal2] demonstrate temperature- and excitation wavelength dependent fluorescence in the cyan region due to the interplay of two intraligand fluorescence channels with excited state lifetimes spanning from 0.2 to 4.3 ns. The coordination of HL by Zn2+ ions results in an increase in the photoluminescence efficiency, and the photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of the complexes reach 12% at λex = 300 nm and 27% at λex = 400 nm in comparison with the PLQY of free HL of ca. 2%. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that N-hydroxy-N-oxide phototautomerization is both thermodynamically and kinetically favourable in the S1 state for [Zn(HL)Hal2]. The proton transfer induces considerable geometrical reorganizations and therefore results in large Stokes shifts of ca. 230 nm. In contrast, auxiliary ESIPT-incapable complexes [ZnL2][Zn(OAc)2]2·2H2O and [ZnL2][ZnCl2]2·4H2O with the deprotonated ligand exhibit excitation wavelength independent emission in the violet region with the Stokes shift reduced to ca. 130 nm.

A 1-Hydroxy-1H-imidazole ESIPT Emitter Demonstrating anti-Kasha Fluorescence and Direct Excitation of a Tautomeric Form.

The ability of 1-hydroxy-1H-imidazoles to exist in the form of two prototropic tautomers, the N-hydroxy and the N-oxide forms, can be utilized in the design of new types of ESIPT-fluorophores (ESIPT=excited state intramolecular proton transfer). Here we report the first example of 1-hydroxy-1H-imidazole-based ESIPT-fluorophores, 1-hydroxy-5-methyl-2,4-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazole (HL), featuring a short intramolecular hydrogen bond O-H⋅⋅⋅N (O⋅⋅⋅N 2.56 Å) as a pre-requisite for ESIPT. The emission of HL originates from the anti-Kasha S2 →S0 fluorescence in the N-oxide form as a result of a large S2 -S1 energy gap slowing down the S2 →S1 internal conversion. Due to an energy barrier between the N-hydroxy and N-oxide forms in the ground state, the HL molecules can be trapped and photoexcited in the N-oxide form leading to the Stokes shift of ca. 60 nm which is the smallest among known ESIPT-fluorophores.

Exploration of the Structural and Vibrational Properties of the Ternary Molybdate Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 with Isolated MoO4 Units and Tl+ Conductivity.

The phase relations in the subsolidus region of the Tl2MoO4-Bi2(MoO4)3-Hf(MoO4)2 system were studied with the "intersecting cuts" method. The formation of the novel ternary molybdate Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 is found in this ternary system. The compound has a phase transition at Tpt = 731 K (ΔH = -3.15 J/g) and melts at Tm = 871 K (ΔH = -41.71 J/g), as determined by a thermal analysis. Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 single crystals were obtained by the spontaneous nucleation method. The crystal structure of Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 was revealed by structure analysis methods. This molybdate crystallizes in the trigonal space group R3̅c with the unit cell parameters a = 10.6801(4) Å, c = 38.5518(14) Å, V = 3808.3(2) Å3, and Z = 6. The vibrational characteristics of Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 were determined by Raman spectroscopy. The Tl5BiHf(MoO4)6 conductivity was measured at frequencies of 0.1, 1.0, and 10 kHz in the temperature range of 293-773 K; in this temperature range, the conductivity level was 10-12-10-7 S/cm.

Excitation-Wavelength-Dependent Emission and Delayed Fluorescence in a Proton-Transfer System.

Manipulating the relaxation pathways of excited states and understanding mechanisms of photochemical reactions present important challenges in chemistry. Here we report a unique zinc(II) complex exhibiting unprecedented interplay between the excitation-wavelength-dependent emission, thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). The ESIPT process in the complex is favoured by a short intramolecular OH⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bond. Synergy between the excitation-wavelength-dependent emission and ESIPT arises due to heavy zinc atom favouring intersystem crossing (isc). Reverse intersystem crossing (risc) and TADF are favoured by a narrow singlet-triplet gap, ΔEST ≈10 kJ mol-1 . These results provide the first insight into how a proton-transfer system can be modified to show a synergy between the excitation-wavelength-dependent emission, ESIPT and TADF. This strategy offers new perspectives for designing ESIPT and TADF emitters exhibiting tunable excitation-wavelength-dependent luminescence.

Mixed-valence copper(I,II) complexes with 4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-R-pyrimidines: from ionic structures to coordination polymers.

Two pyrimidine-based ligands, 4-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-(morpholino)pyrimidine () and 4-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-phenoxypyrimidine (), and a series of mixed-valence copper(i,ii) halide complexes, [Cu(L(2))2Br]2[Cu2Br4] (), [Cu(L(2))2Cl][CuCl2] (), and [Cu2L(3)Br3]n (), have been synthesized. The complex [Cu(L(2))2Br]2[Cu2Br4] was prepared by the reaction of with CuBr2 in a 1 : 1 molar ratio in MeCN. Its chlorido-analogue, the complex [Cu(L(2))2Cl][CuCl2], was synthesized by the reaction between , CuCl2 and CuCl in a 2 : 1 : 1 molar ratio in MeCN. The ligand acts as a chelating one. In the structures of the complexes [Cu(L(2))2Br]2[Cu2Br4] and [Cu(L(2))2Cl][CuCl2] the Cu(2+) ion is in the cationic part of the complex whereas the Cu(+) ion is located in the anionic part. The best way to synthesize the mixed-valence 1D coordination polymer [Cu2L(3)Br3]n is to react CuBr2 with in a 2 : 1 molar ratio in the MeCN/CHCl3 mixture on heating. In the structure of [Cu2L(3)Br3]n the ligand shows chelating/bridging tridentate coordination. This is the first example of the tridentate coordination of 4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-R-pyrimidines. The striking difference between the coordination behavior of and (chelating bidentate vs. chelating/bridging coordination) is related with the possibility of rotation of the 6-phenoxy group around the C-O bond which makes the N(1) pyrimidine atom less sterically hindered, enabling it to participate in metal ion binding. Importantly, all copper ions in [Cu2L(3)Br3]n show similar tetrahedral environments, CuNBr3 and CuN2Br2, which is extremely rare for mixed-valence copper(i,ii) compounds. The ligands and show blue emission which is quenched upon their coordination to copper ions. The 1D coordination polymer [Cu2L(3)Br3]n shows high thermal stability and unusual solvent-occlusion properties. The role of the substituents favoring the formation of the mixed-valence copper(i,ii) complexes with 4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-R-pyrimidines is discussed.

Halide impact on emission of mononuclear copper(I) complexes with pyrazolylpyrimidine and triphenylphosphine.

A series of mononuclear heteroleptic copper(I) halide complexes, [CuL(PPh3)X] (X = Cl, Br, I), based on 4-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidine (L) and triphenylphosphine, have been synthesized by reaction between CuX (X = Cl, Br, I), L and PPh3 in a molar ratio of 1/1/1 in MeCN solutions. The copper atom, showing the distorted tetrahedral environment, is bound by the N,N-chelating ligand L, triphenylphosphine and a halide ion. The complexes [CuL(PPh3)Cl] and [CuL(PPh3)Br] are isostructural. In CH2Cl2 solutions, L and the complexes [CuL(PPh3)X] (X = Cl, Br, I) display a luminescence band with λ(max) = 377 nm and a lifetime of 1.9 ns (ligand-based luminescence (LL*)). However, the complex [CuL(PPh3)I] has an additional weak luminescence band with λ(max) = 681 nm and a lifetime of 96 ns of (3)MLCT origin. In the solid state, L shows the splitting of the luminescence band to λ(max) = 365 and 384 nm and a slight increase of the lifetime to 2.66 ns. Solid samples of the complexes [CuL(PPh3)X] demonstrate (3)MLCT luminescence bands at 620 nm (X = Cl), 605 nm (X = Br) and 559 nm (X = I) with lifetimes in the range 3.6-11.2 µs, whereas the LL* band (377 nm) is absent. Quantum yields and rate constants of radiative and nonradiative processes were determined in CH2Cl2 solutions and in the solid state for all complexes. The luminescence quantum yield and lifetimes for the solid samples increase in the order [CuL(PPh3)Cl] < [CuL(PPh3)Br] < [CuL(PPh3)I]. This is due to the increase of radiative decay and simultaneous suppression of nonradiative decay. The complex [CuL(PPh3)I] shows a high quantum yield of 29.4% and an excited state lifetime of 11.2 µs.