Pseudohalide Ions as Ligands to Tune Architecture and Luminescence of Polymetallic CU(I) Assemblies.

The reaction of preassembled Cu(I) bimetallic units {Cu2(dppm)2} and {Cu2(dppa)2} (dppm: bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and dppa: bis(diphenylphosphino)amine) with pseudohalide linkers (azido, dicyanamide, and tricyanomethanide) allows for the quantitative and selective preparation of three discrete tetrametallic metallacycles of formula [Cu4(µ2-dppm)4(N3)2](PF6)2, [Cu4(µ2-dppm)4(N(CN)2)2](PF6)2, and [Cu4(µ2-dppm)4(C(CN)3)4]. To explore further the impact of the linker on the architecture and dimensionality of the molecular edifice, the study was extended to more sophisticated tetradentate cyanocarbanion ligands (tcnsMe-: 2-(methylthio)-1,1,3,3-propanetetracarbonitrile and tcnsEt-: 2-(ethylthio)-1,1,3,3-propanetetracarbonitrile). Three ladder-like one-dimensional coordination polymers and an octametallic metallacycle have been obtained. The careful comparison of the metric and geometrical intramolecular and intermolecular parameters observed in this series of seven derivatives allows for rationalization of their molecular architectures. The subtle balance between the length and steric hindrance of the ligand and the formation of noncovalent interaction networks greatly influences the topology and dimensionality of the resulting assemblies and will be discussed hereafter. The photophysical properties of these seven polymetallic Cu(I) compounds have also been also studied.

Impact of Intermolecular Non-Covalent Interactions in a CuI 8 PdII 1 Discrete Assembly: Conformers' Geometries and Stimuli-Sensitive Luminescence Properties.

A new highly solid-state luminescent phase of a previously reported weakly luminescent CuI 8 PdII 1 dicationic assembly is reported revealing the high geometrical versatility of this moiety that importantly alters its luminescent properties. This very minor new species Bc is based on a different conformer scaffold than the one encountered in the previously reported Bo form and, essentially differs from Bo by displaying shorter CuI -CuI intermetallic distances. DFT calculations allow concluding that the predominance in the solid-state of the weakly luminescent and less stable Bo phase is due to the extra stability induced by a larger number of intermolecular non-covalent π-CH interactions in its crystalline packing and not by the intrinsic stability of the CuI 8 PdII 1 dicationic moiety. Calculations also revealed that a more stable conformation Bcalc is expected in vacuum, which bears a different distribution of CuI -CuI intermetallic distances than the dications in Bo and Bc phases. Taking into account that the geometrical alterations are associated to drastic changes of luminescence properties, this confer to the CuI 8 PdII 1 assembly high potentiality as stimuli-sensitive luminescent materials. Indeed, by applying mechanical or thermal stress to samples of Bo phase, new phases Bg and Bm , respectively, were obtained. Alterations of the solid-state photophysical properties of these new species compared to those recorded for Bo are reported together with a combined experimental and computed study of the structures/properties relationships observed in these phases.

Hypersensitive pressure-dependence of the conversion temperature of hysteretic valence tautomeric manganese-nitronyl nitroxide radical 2D-frameworks.

Valence tautomeric manganese(ii)-radical lamellar compounds {[Mn2(NITIm)3]X}n with NITIm a nitronyl nitroxide radical and X = ClO4- (1) or BF4- (2) show a pressure-induced increase of their conversion temperature by approximately 40 K at a mild external pressure of 0.1 GPa, shifting the transition from near room temperature to hot temperature regions.

Thermally-induced hysteretic valence tautomeric conversions in the solid state via two-step labile electron transfers in manganese-nitronyl nitroxide 2D-frameworks.

Near room temperature hysteretic thermo-induced valence tautomerism was discovered in a layered 2D-coordination polymer of manganese(ii) with nitronyl nitroxide radicals separated by ClO4- anions (1). This opens a novel approach towards switchable materials with hysteresis and under ambient conditions with prospects for applications and for investigating solid-state intramolecular electron transfers. Herein, two new compounds with similar layered structures where the anions (X) are BF4- (2) or PF6- (3) are presented. Their magnetic behaviors also reveal hysteretic thermo-induced valence tautomeric conversions but in two steps and evidencing a strong effect of the anion. This occurs near room temperature (278-220 K) for 2 and higher for 3 (380-330 K). Their single crystal structures at different temperatures show that this involves two successive thermally-triggered electron transfers with switching between three redox tautomers formulated as {[MnII2-yMnIIIy(NITIm)3-y(NITRed)y]X}n, where y is temperature dependent. Upon cooling from the high-temperature redox-tautomer (y = 0) to the intermediate one (y = 1), half of the manganese(ii) centers are oxidized to manganese(iii) and 1/3 of the nitronyl nitroxide radicals (NITIm-) are reduced to the aminoxyl form (NITRed2-). On further cooling, the second half of the manganese(ii) centers are oxidized and another 1/3 of the radicals are reduced to reach the low-temperature redox-tautomer (y = 2). Upon reheating, reverse electron transfers occur. This is complementarily supported by X-ray powder measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and electron paramagnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopies. These multi-stable compounds in which manganese ions exchange reversibly their electron with the nitronyl nitroxide radical are outstanding rare examples of two-step valence tautomerism in the solid state promoted by the polymeric structure.

Mononuclear manganese(iii) complexes with reduced imino nitroxide radicals by single-electron transfer and intermolecular hydrogen bonds as an intramolecular structural driving force.

Manganese(iii) complexes were synthesized by one-electron transfer from a Mn(ii) ion to the imino nitroxide radical 2-(2-imidazolyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl (IMImH) in methanol. After the manganese ions attained the +III oxidation state, the imino nitroxide radicals were found to be irreversibly reduced in the complexes. Depending on the synthesis conditions, two complexes differing by their counter-anions were isolated as single crystals. These are [Mn(IMHIm)2(MeOH)2]ClO4·H2O (1) and [Mn(IMHIm)2(MeOH)2]PF6 (2), which crystallize in the monoclinic P21/n and triclinic P1[combining macron] space groups, respectively. The two complexes show Jahn-Teller distortions typical of Mn(iii) centres and only reduced radicals are coordinated, as indicated by the N-O bond lengths and electroneutrality. In addition, the crystal structure analyses reveal two intermolecular hydrogen bonding networks. One involves counter-anions, water molecules and reduced radicals, and the other involves coordinated methanol molecules and imidazole moieties. These intermolecular interactions are driving forces that stabilize the two complexes. They also suggest that the tautomer is in the amino imine-oxide form after reduction of the radical and reveal the deprotonation of the imidazole ring, which is required for electroneutrality. This assessment is supported by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, EPR and Raman spectroscopy as well as magnetic and electrochemical studies.