Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Cyclometalated Platinum(II) Complex Excimers: Large Difference between Isomers.

A series of platinum(II) complexes bearing a chiral ß-diketonato ligand and a cyclometalated ligand have been prepared. The platinum(II) complexes, (SP-4-3)-[Pt(ppy)(D-tac)] (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, D-tac = 3-trifluoroacetyl-(D)-camphor), (SP-4-4)-[Pt(ppy)(D-tac)], (SP-4-3)-[Pt(ppy)(D-pbc)] (D-pbc = 3-perfluorobutyryl-(D)-camphor), and (SP-4-4)-[Pt(ppy)(D-pbc)], and their enantiomers were isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, and X-ray structural analysis. Photoisomerization between SP-4-3 (trans) and SP-4-4 (cis) isomers was observed. Green emission due to the monomer was observed in diluted solutions for all complexes. Higher quantum yields and longer lifetimes of green emission were observed in nonpolar solvents compared to polar solvents. The two geometrical isomers had surprisingly different excimer formation efficiencies. For the trans isomers, orange emission due to the excimers was observed in nonpolar solvents at high concentrations, whereas negligible intensities of the excimer emission were observed for the cis isomers. The formation of the excimers was evaluated by emission decay and time-resolved emission spectra. For the trans isomers, the green emission due to the monomer showed negligible CPL signals, but the orange emission gave pronounced CPL signals. The dissymmetry factors, g-values, of the excimer CPL (glum = 0.002) were enhanced over those of the circular dichroism (gabs = 0.0002, glum/gabs = 10). The intensities of the emission and the CPL of the excimer under oxygen were very small, although those under an argon atmosphere were very strong. Therefore, the emission color of the trans-isomers was changed from green to orange by deoxygenation.

Stabilizer-free Vitamin E Nanovehicle for Biological Research.

In molecular biology research, a vitamin E (VE) vehicle (VE dissolved in organic solvent) is often added to water media without a stabilizer. However, the detailed behavior of VE colloids in water media is unclear. In this study, we reveal that VE nanoemulsion readily forms in water-based media through the existing protocol. The colloid size was changed from 39 nm to the submicron scale by adjusting the initial concentration of the VE solution and adding a buffer. The radical scavenging effect of the dispersed nanosized VEs is comparable to that of the water-soluble antioxidant Trolox, providing excellent antioxidant performance in colloid form. The cytoprotection effect of the VE colloids under a lipid oxidation condition largely depends on the size of the nanodispersion. Smaller dispersed particles are more efficient radical scavengers than larger particles for a constant VE amount owing to sophisticated uptake behavior of cell. This unveiled fundamental knowledge pave the way for a preparative protocol of stabilizer-free VE vehicles, which are expected to become widely used in molecular biology research.

Dual mechanoluminescence system comprising a solid-state di-copper(I) complex containing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands.

A simple N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand linked to a flexible propylene linker allows the formation of "Cu-Cu"- and "2 Cu"-type geometries inside a molecular framework. The incorporation of two Cu(i) ions in close proximity was observed in the Cu-Cu-type geometry but not in the 2 Cu-type geometry. In this study, the ground-state geometries of solid-state di-copper(i) complexes containing NHC ligands with ethyl substituents were modulated by external stimuli. A crystal with the 2 Cu-type geometry was obtained by the mechanical grinding and heating of a crystal with the Cu-Cu-type geometry, as confirmed by the disappearance of the absorption peak attributed to cuprophilic interaction in the diffuse reflection spectrum. The mechanical grinding of both crystals afforded composite states comprising small crystallites of the corresponding crystalline phases and an amorphous domain. This structural transition was accompanied by tribochromism and chronochromism. The results suggest that these di-copper(i) complexes show promise for the development of stimuli-responsive photoluminescent Cu(i) complexes.

Photophysical Properties of Simple Palladium(0) Complexes Bearing Triphenylphosphine Derivatives.

Pd(0) complexes with monodentate phosphine ligands, [Pd(P)n] (n = 3, 4), are well-known catalysts. However, the nature of the Pd(0) complex, especially the basic photophysical properties of the Pd(0) complexes, has not been extensively explored. In this work, we measured the general photophysical properties and crystal structures of Pd(0)-bearing PPh3 derivatives in the solid state and in solution. In the solid state, four-coordinated Pd(0) complexes exhibited blue-yellow emission. On the other hand, three-coordinated Pd(0) complexes displayed yellow-orange emission. In solution, orange emission of three-coordinated complexes was observed, and prompt fluorescence was detected using time-resolved emission spectroscopy, which suggests a thermally activated delayed fluorescence mechanism. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations show that the difference in the transition mechanism between the [Pd(PPh3)4] and [Pd(PPh3)3] complexes explains the different emission colors. The emitting states of both complexes have metal-to-ligand charge-transfer character, but the metal-centered d → p transition is considerably incorporated for emission of the tris complex.

Development of Water-Insoluble Vehicle Comprising Natural Cyclodextrin-Vitamin E Complex.

Development of a novel antioxidant-delivery vehicle exerting biosafety has been attracting a great deal of interest. In this study, a vehicle comprising a natural composite consisting of vitamin E (α-tocopherol; Toc) and cyclodextrin (CD) additives was developed, directed toward aqua-related biological applications. Not only ß-CD, but also γ-CD, tended to form a water-insoluble aggregate with Toc in aqueous media. The aggregated vehicle, in particular the γ-CD-added system, showed a remarkable sustained effect because of slow dynamics. Furthermore, a prominent cytoprotective effect by the γ-CD-Toc vehicle under the oxidative stress condition was confirmed. Thus, the novel vitamin E vehicle motif using γ-CD as a stabilizer was proposed, widening the usability of Toc for biological applications.

A Series of Mixed-Ligand Cu(I) Complexes Comprising Diphosphine-Disulfide Ligands: Effects of Diphosphine Ligands on Luminescent Properties.

Mixed-ligand Cu(I) complexes have attracted attention as alternatives to the noble- and/or rare-metal complexes, because of their remarkable photofunctions. To develop mixed-ligand Cu(I) complexes with rich photofunctions, an investigation of a suitable combination of ligands has captured more and more research interests. Herein, we report the first examples of emissive heteroleptic diphosphine-disulfide Cu(I) complexes combined with diphosphine ligands. The systematic study using a series of diphosphine ligands revealed that large π-conjugated bridging moieties between the two P atoms in the diphosphine ligands result in higher light-emission performance. When the diphosphine ligand was (R)-BINAP ((R)-BINAP = (R)-(+)-2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl), the Cu(I) complex had an emission quantum yield (Φem) of 0.13 and a long emission lifetime (τem = 118 µs).

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction using metal complexes in various ionic liquids.

Aiming to diversify photocatalytic systems for CO2 reduction using metal complexes, this study investigated the use of various ionic liquids as reaction solvents. The photophysical properties of an Ir(iii) complex, functioning as a photosensitiser, and the photocatalytic ability of mixed systems consisting of the Ir(iii) photosensitiser and a Re(i) catalyst in twelve kinds of ionic liquids were systematically investigated by comparison with those in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), which is a standard solvent for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Even though the photophysical properties of the Ir(iii) complex in ionic-liquid solutions were quite similar to those in DMA, both the photosensitising ability of the Ir complex and the photocatalytic abilities of the systems strongly depended on the structures of the ionic liquids. Several ionic liquids were successfully used as new solvents for the photocatalytic systems showing durability similar to or higher than DMA solutions. The results demonstrated that even a small modification of the molecular structures of ionic liquids can control the efficiencies of both the photosensitising cycles and the catalytic cycles for CO2 reduction.

Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Using Various Heteroleptic Diimine-Diphosphine Cu(I) Complexes as Photosensitizers.

The development of efficient redox-photosensitizers based on the earth-abundant metal ions as an alternative toward noble- and/or rare-metal based photosensitizers is very desirable. In recent years, heteroleptic diimine-diphosphine Cu(I) complexes have been well investigated as one of the most remarkable candidates because of their great potentials as efficient photosensitizers. Here, we investigated the effects of the structure of the diphosphine ligands on the photosensitizing abilities using a series of Cu(I) complexes bearing 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmpp) and various diphosphine ligands in order to explore the suitable structure for the photosensitizing reactions. The number of methylene chains between the two phosphorous atoms in the diphosphine ligands was systematically changed from two to four, and the relationship between the length of the carbon chains and the photosensitizing abilities were investigated by conducting photocatalytic CO2 reduction with the Cu(I) complexes as photosensitizers. Turnover frequencies of the CO2 reduction drastically increased with increasing the length of the carbon chains. The systematic study herein reported suggests that the large P-Cu-P angles should be one of the most important factors for enhancing the photosensitizing abilities.

Physicochemical characterization of 6-O-acyl trehalose fatty acid monoesters in desiccated system.

The understanding of the basic physicochemical properties of trehalose lipid is indispensable to extending their availability. In this study, the hydrate crystal (Cr), the liquid crystalline (LC) phase and the glassy state formations of 6-O-acyl trehalose fatty acid monoester (TREn) were examined under in a desiccated system. TREn (n = 10, 12, 14, 16) formed monohydrate Cr and showed the hydrate Cr-glassy fluid lamellar LC (Lα) phase transition via dehydration in the heating process. Here, Lα phase for TRE10 and TRE12 was kinetically formed by the dehydration below the glass transition temperature (Tg). On the dehydration temperature (Tdeh), Tgs, and heat capacity changes (ΔCps) at these Tgs, no distinct effects by the difference of the acyl chain length were recognized, possibly because the core structure of containing sugar hydrate Cr or sugar moieties should be similar regardless of the acyl chain length. Besides, TRE10 having a relatively high hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance (HLB) afforded to form the cubic LC (Q) phase and the corresponding glassy phase, while TRE14 and TRE16 having low HLB afforded the Lα phase as well as the corresponding glassy phases above Tg. TRE12 having middle HLB afforded both LCs and the corresponding glassy phase by controlling the kinetics of LC-LC phase transition between Lα and Q phases. Furthermore, the anomalous reversible phase transition during both the heating and cooling processes was also ascertained in the glassy phase for TRE16, which was considered the phase transition between glassy Lα and glassy lamellar gel (Lß) phase. It greatly empathizes the two-dimensional trehalose glass layer and fluid hydrocarbon chains in the TREn glassy phase. Thus, in this study, it was demonstrated that TREn as the simplest trehalose lipid exhibited the glassy formation performance as well as the hydrate Cr formation, which showed less chain length dependence, together with the LC formation and the phase transition between glassy Lα and glassy Lß phase, which depended on chain length greatly.

Photophysical properties of three coordinated copper(i) complexes bearing 1,10-phenanthroline and a monodentate phosphine ligand.

We report the synthesis and photophysical properties of Cu(i) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and monodentate phosphine ligands. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis revealed that these have three-coordinated trigonal planar geometries. We also found that one of them, [Cu(phen)(Johnphos)]BF4 (Johnphos = 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl), is considerably emissive both in solution and solid states. The emission maximum wavelength of the emission of the complex is 580 nm, and the lifetime of the emission is 2 µs in solution. Moreover, we have systematically investigated the photophysical and redox properties of four-coordinate complexes [Cu(NN)(P)2]+ in addition to three-coordinate complexes [Cu(NN)(P)]+. Charge transfer transitions play a key role in the photophysics of these complexes.

Crystal structure of [N,N-bis-(di-phenyl-phospho-ro-thio-yl)amidato-κ2S,S']bis-(tri-phenyl-phosphane-κP)copper(I) di-chloro-methane monosolvate.

The title compound, [Cu(C24H20NP2S2)(C18H15P)2]·CH2Cl2 or [Cu(dppaS2)(PPh3)2]·CH2Cl2, is a neutral mononuclear copper(I) complex bearing an N,N-bis-(di-phenyl-phospho-rothio-yl)amidate (dppaS2-) ligand and two tri-phenyl-phosphane ligands. The molecular structure shows that the two S atoms of the dppaS2- ligand [Cu-S = 2.3462 (9) and 2.3484 (9) Å] and the two P atoms of the two tri-phenyl-phosphane ligands [Cu-P = 2.3167 (9) and 2.2969 (9) Å] coordinate to the copper(I) atom, resulting in a tetra-hedral coordination geometry. The crystallographically observed mol-ecular structure is compared to the results of DFT calculations.

Coordination Nanosheets Based on Terpyridine-Zinc(II) Complexes: As Photoactive Host Materials.

Photoluminescent coordination nanosheets (CONASHs) comprising three-way terpyridine (tpy) ligands and zinc(II) ions are created by allowing the two constitutive components to react with each other at a liquid/liquid interface. Taking advantage of bottom-up CONASHs, or flexibility in organic ligand design and coordination modes, we demonstrate the diversity of the tpy-zinc(II) CONASH in structures and photofunctions. A combination of 1,3,5-tris[4-(4'-2,2':6',2″-terpyridyl)phenyl]benzene (1) and Zn(BF4)2 affords a cationic CONASH featuring the bis(tpy)Zn complex motif (1-Zn), while substitution of the zinc source with ZnSO4 realizes a charge-neutral CONASH with the [Zn2(µ-O2SO2)2(tpy)2] motif [1-Zn2(SO4)2]. The difference stems from the use of noncoordinating (BF4-) or coordinating and bridging (SO42-) anions. The change in the coordination mode alters the luminescence (480 nm blue in 1-Zn; 552 nm yellow in 1-Zn2(SO4)2). The photophysical property also differs in that 1-Zn2(SO4)2 shows solvatoluminochromism, whereas 1-Zn does not. Photoluminescence is also modulated by the tpy ligand structure. 2-Zn contains triarylamine-centered terpyridine ligand 2 and features the bis(tpy)Zn motif; its emission is substantially red-shifted (590 nm orange) compared with that of 1-Zn. CONASHs 1-Zn and 2-Zn possess cationic nanosheet frameworks with counteranions (BF4-), and thereby feature anion exchange capacities. Indeed, anionic xanthene dyes were taken up by these nanosheets, which undergo quasi-quantitative exciton migration from the host CONASH. This series of studies shows tpy-zinc(II) CONASHs as promising potential photofunctional nanomaterials.

Crystal structure of bis-[µ-1,4-bis-(di-phenyl-phos-phan-yl)butane-κ2P:P']bis-[(3,4,7,8-tetra-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N')copper(I)] bis-(hexa-fluorido-phosphate) di-chloro-methane disolvate.

The dication of the title compound, [Cu2(C28H28P2)2(C16H16N2)2](PF6)2·2CH2Cl2, has crystallographically imposed inversion symmetry. The copper(I) cation is coordinated in a distorted tetra-hedral geometry by two N atoms of a chelating 3,4,7,8-tetra-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline ligand and two P atoms of two bridging 1,4-bis-(di-phenyl-phosphan-yl)butane ligands, forming a 14-membered ring. An intra-molecular π-π inter-action stabilizes the conformation of the dication. In the crystal, dications are linked by π-π inter-actions involving adjacent phenanthroline rings, forming chains running parallel to [111]. Weak C-H⋯F hydrogen inter-actions are also observed.

Emission properties and Cu(i)-Cu(i) interaction in 2-coordinate dicopper(i)-bis(N-heterocyclic)carbene complexes.

The synthesis, characterization, and emission properties of 2-coordinate dicopper(i) complexes bearing two trimethylene-bridged bis-NHC ligands, [Cu2(L3Me)2](PF6)2 (1), [Cu2(L3Et)2](PF6)2 (2), [Cu2(L3Bu)2](PF6)2 (3), [Cu2(L3MeOPh)2](PF6)2 (4) and [Cu2(L3Mes)2](PF6)2 (5), where L3R denotes trimethylene-bridged bis(N-heterocyclic)carbene (NHC) ligand substituted by two R groups at the nitrogen atoms of NHC, have been investigated. The quantum yield, Φ, and the lifetime, τ, of the emission of 2, are 0.21 and 25 µs, respectively in methanol, which is a well-known solvent for quenching the luminescence of many copper(i) complexes. The 8-shaped geometry of the dicopper(i) complexes brings a considerable copper(i)-copper(i) interaction which affects the luminescent properties. Additionally, we find that methoxyphenyl and mesityl groups substituted at the nitrogen atom of the NHC moiety drastically stabilize the bis(NHC) copper(i) complexes even in air-saturated acetone-d6.

Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Chiral Pt(pppb)Cl (pppbH=1-pyridyl-3-(4,5-pinenopyridyl)benzene) Aggregate in the Excited State.

We prepared enantiomers of chiral Pt(II) complexes, Pt(pppb)Cl and Pt(pppb)CN (pppbH=1-pyridyl-3-(4,5-pinenopyridyl)benzene), and measured their CPL (circularly polarized luminescence) spectra for excimer and trimer emission. The contribution of the pinene moiety to CPL was considerably low for the π-π* emission of the monomer but large for MMLCT (metal-metal-to-ligand charge-transfer) of the excimer and trimer which had a helical structure induced in a face-to-face stacking fashion. The trimer CPL for (+)-Pt(pppb)Cl was larger in intensity than that of excimer CPL; on the other hand, that for (+)-Pt(pppb)CN was opposite in sign compared with that of excimer CPL. We conclude that differences in the excited-state structure of the aggregate between Pt(pppb)Cl and Pt(pppb)CN account for the variation in the CPL spectra. By the aid of TD-DFT calculations it was predicted that the dihedral angle θ(Cl-Pt-Pt-Cl) was 50-60° or 110-140° for Pt(pppb)Cl aggregates and 160° for Pt(pppb)CN aggregates.

Long-lived and oxygen-responsive photoluminescence in the solid state of copper(I) complexes bearing fluorinated diphosphine and bipyridine ligands.

Luminescence properties of a family of newly synthesized copper(i) complexes bearing 2,2'-bipyridine derivatives and 1,2-bis[bis(pentafluorophenyl)phosphino]ethane (dfppe), [Cu(diimine)(dfppe)]PF6, were investigated. The quantum yield and the lifetime of the emission of [Cu(6dmbpy)(dfppe)]PF6 (6dmbpy = 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) in the solid state under argon (Φ = 9%, τ = 16, 180 µs), which is one of the longest lifetimes among all copper(i) complexes bearing diimine and diphosphine, are much larger than those under air (Φ < 0.5%, τ = 1.5, 8.0 µs). Crystal packing, structural rearrangement in the excited state, and nature of the transitions are important for the photophysics of dfppe complexes. The voids in the crystals as well as the very long lifetimes of the excited states play a key role for oxygen responsive photoluminescence in the solid state.

Structures and photophysical properties of copper(I) complexes bearing diphenylphenanthroline and bis(diphenylphosphino)alkane: the effect of phenyl groups on the phenanthroline ligand.

A series of copper(I) complexes bearing 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmpp) and a diphosphine ligand have been prepared. The diphosphine ligands used have two, three or four methylene carbons between the two phosphorus atoms. The crystallographic study has revealed that two of the three complexes have the mononuclear structure bearing dmpp and a bidentate diphosphine ligand, and one is a diphosphine-bridged binuclear complex. The photoluminescence of the complexes in solution was studied and compared with the previously reported complexes bearing 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp). It was found that the two phenyl groups on the phenanthroline ligand have a marked effect on the photophysical properties of the complexes; the intensity of the emission of the complexes is greatly enhanced by the phenyl groups. The photophysics of the complexes is discussed with the results of DFT and TDDFT calculations.

Highly emissive copper(I) complexes bearing diimine and bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane.

A highly emissive copper(I) complex bearing (4R,5R)-(-)-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane (diop) and 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmpp), [Cu(dmpp)(diop)]PF6 (1·PF6), was newly synthesized. The quantum yield of the luminescence of 1·PF6 in degassed dichloromethane is 0.38, which is one of the highest values among all copper(I) complexes bearing two bidentate ligands, diimine and diphosphine, under the same conditions. The long lifetime (26 µs) and high intensity of the emission come from the small non-radiative decay rate of the excited states. The TD-DFT study indicates that the charge transfer transition from both copper and diphosphine to diimine orbitals plays an important role in the photophysical properties. Photophysics of [Cu(dmp)(diop)]PF6 (2·PF6, dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) was also studied in order to reveal the effects of the introduction of the phenyl group at 4- and 7-positions of phenanthroline.

[µ-Butane-1,4-diylbis(di-phenyl-phos-phane)-κ(2) P:P']bis-{[butane-1,4-diylbis(di-phenyl-phosphane)-κ(2) P,P']copper(I)} bis-(hexa-fluorido-phosphate) diethyl ether disolvate.

In the centrosymmetric dinuclear copper(I) complex cation of the title compound, [Cu2(C28H28P2)3](PF6)2·2C4H10O, the Cu(I) atom is bonded to three P atoms of two butane-1,4-diylbis(di-phenyl-phosphane) (dppb) ligands with a triangular coordination geometry. One of these P atoms belongs to a bridging dppb ligand [Cu-P = 2.2381 (5) Å] and two belong to a chelating dppb ligand [Cu-P = 2.2450 (6) and 2.2628 (5) Å]. The bridging dppb ligand lies on an inversion centre. In the crystal, the cation and the PF6 (-) anion are linked by C-H⋯F inter-actions, forming a tape along [110]. The cation and the diethyl ether solvent mol-ecule are also linked by a C-H⋯O inter-action.

Experimental and theoretical approaches to redox innocence of ligands in uranyl complexes: what is formal oxidation state of uranium in reductant of uranyl(VI)?

Redox behavior of [UO2(gha)DMSO](-)/UO2(gha)DMSO couple (gha = glyoxal bis(2-hydroxanil)ate, DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide) in DMSO solution was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical technique, as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations. [UO2(gha)DMSO](-) was found to be formed via one-electron reduction of UO2(gha)DMSO without any successive reactions. The observed absorption spectrum of [UO2(gha)DMSO](-), however, has clearly different characteristics from those of uranyl(V) complexes reported so far. Detailed analysis of molecular orbitals and spin density of the redox couple showed that the gha(2-) ligand in UO2(gha)DMSO is reduced to gha(•3-) to give [UO2(gha)DMSO](-) and the formal oxidation state of U remains unchanged from +6. In contrast, the additional DFT calculations confirmed that the redox reaction certainly occurs at the U center in other uranyl(V/VI) redox couples we found previously. The noninnocence of the Schiff base ligand in the [UO2(gha)DMSO](-)/UO2(gha)DMSO redox couple is due to the lower energy level of LUMO in this ligand relative to those of U 5f orbitals. This is the first example of the noninnocent ligand system in the coordination chemistry of uranyl(VI).