Energy-Efficient Hydrogen Evolution by Fe-S Electrocatalysts: Mechanistic Investigations.

The intrinsic catalytic property of a Fe-S complex toward H2 evolution was investigated in a wide range of acids. The title complex exhibited catalytic events at -1.16 and -1.57 V (vs Fc+/Fc) in the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HOTf) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), respectively. The processes corresponded to the single reduction of the Fe-hydride-S-proton and Fe-hydride species, respectively. When anilinium acid was used, the catalysis occurred at -1.16 V, identical with the working potential of the HOTf catalysis, although the employment of anilinium acid was only capable of achieving the Fe-hydride state on the basis of the spectral and calculated results. The thermodynamics and kinetics of individual steps of the catalysis were analyzed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and electroanalytical simulations. The stepwise CCE or CE (C, chemical; E, electrochemical) mechanism was operative from the HOTf or TFA source, respectively. In contrast, the involvement of anilinium acid most likely initiated a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) pathway that avoided the disfavored intermediate after the initial protonation. Via the PCET pathway, the heterogeneous electron transfer rate was increased and the overpotential was decreased by 0.4 V in comparison with the stepwise pathways. The results showed that the PCET-involved catalysis exhibited substantial kinetic and thermodynamic advantages in comparison to the stepwise pathway; thus, an efficient catalytic system for proton reduction was established.

Synchrotron-Based Infrared Microanalysis of Biological Redox Processes under Electrochemical Control.

We describe a method for addressing redox enzymes adsorbed on a carbon electrode using synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy combined with protein film electrochemistry. Redox enzymes have high turnover frequencies, typically 10-1000 s(-1), and therefore, fast experimental triggers are needed in order to study subturnover kinetics and identify the involvement of transient species important to their catalytic mechanism. In an electrochemical experiment, this equates to the use of microelectrodes to lower the electrochemical cell constant and enable changes in potential to be applied very rapidly. We use a biological cofactor, flavin mononucleotide, to demonstrate the power of synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy relative to conventional infrared methods and show that vibrational spectra with good signal-to-noise ratios can be collected for adsorbed species with low surface coverages on microelectrodes with a geometric area of 25 × 25 µm(2). We then demonstrate the applicability of synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy to adsorbed proteins by reporting potential-induced changes in the flavin mononucleotide active site of a flavoenzyme. The method we describe will allow time-resolved spectroscopic studies of chemical and structural changes at redox sites within a variety of proteins under precise electrochemical control.

Unusual reaction of [NiFe]-hydrogenases with cyanide.

Cyanide reacts rapidly with [NiFe]-hydrogenases (hydrogenase-1 and hydrogenase-2 from Escherichia coli) under mild oxidizing conditions, inhibiting the electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrogen as recorded by protein film electrochemistry. Electrochemical, EPR, and FTIR measurements show that the final enzyme product, formed within a second (even under 100% H2), is the resting state known as Ni-B, which contains a hydroxido-bridged species, Ni(III)-µ(OH)-Fe(II), at the active site. "Cyanide inhibition" is easily reversed because it is simply the reductive activation of Ni-B. This paper brings back into focus an observation originally made in the 1940s that cyanide inhibits microbial H2 oxidation and addresses the interesting mechanism by which cyanide promotes the formation of Ni-B. As a much stronger nucleophile than hydroxide, cyanide binds more rapidly and promotes oxidation of Ni(II) to Ni(III); however, it is quickly replaced by hydroxide which is a far superior bridging ligand.

Stepwise formation of iridium(III) complexes with monocyclometalating and dicyclometalating phosphorus chelates.

With the motivation of assembling cyclometalated complexes without nitrogen-containing heterocycle, we report here the design and systematic synthesis of a class of Ir(III) metal complexes functionalized with facially coordinated phosphite (or phosphonite) dicyclometalate tripod, together with a variety of phosphine, chelating diphosphine, or even monocyclometalate phosphite ancillaries. Thus, treatment of [IrCl(3)(tht)(3)] with stoichiometric amount of triphenylphosphite (or diphenyl phenylphosphonite), two equiv of PPh(3), and in presence of NaOAc as cyclometalation promoter, gives formation of respective tripodal dicyclometalating complexes [Ir(tpit)(PPh(3))(2)Cl] (2a), [Ir(dppit)(PPh(3))(2)Cl] (2b), and [Ir(dppit)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)Cl] (2c) in high yields, where tpitH(2) = triphenylphosphite and dppitH(2) = diphenyl phenylphosphonite. The reaction sequence that afforded these complexes is established. Of particular interest is isolation of an intermediate [Ir(tpitH)(PPh(3))(2)Cl(2)] (1a) with monocyclometalated phosphite, together with the formation of [Ir(tpit)(tpitH)(PPh(3))] (3a) with all tripodal, bidentate, and monodentate phosphorus donors coexisting on the coordination sphere, upon treatment of 2a with a second equiv of triphenylphosphite. Spectroscopic studies were performed to explore the photophysical properties. For all titled Ir(III) complexes, virtually no emission can be observed in either solution at room temperature or 77 K CH(2)Cl(2) matrix. Time-dependent DFT calculation indicates that the lowest energy triplet manifold involves substantial amount of metal centered (3)MC dd contribution. Due to its repulsive potential energy surface (PES) that touches the PES of ground state, the (3)MC dd state executes predominant nonradiative deactivation process.

Structural tuning intra- versus inter-molecular proton transfer reaction in the excited state.

A series of 2-pyridyl-pyrazole derivatives 1-4 possessing five-membered ring hydrogen bonding configuration are synthesized, the structural flexibility of which is strategically tuned to be in the order of 1 > 2 > 3 > 4. This system then serves as an ideal chemical model to investigate the correlation between excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction and molecular skeleton motion associated with hydrogen bonds. The resulting luminescence data reveal that the rate of ESIPT decreases upon increasing the structural constraint. At sufficiently low concentration where negligible dimerization is observed, ESIPT takes place in 1 and 2 but is prohibited in 3 and 4, for which high geometry constraint is imposed. The results imply that certain structural bending motions associated with hydrogen bonding angle/distance play a key role in ESIPT. This trend is also well supported by the DFT computational approach, in which the barrier associated with ESIPT is in the order of 1 < 2 < 3 < 4. Upon increasing the concentration in cyclohexane, except for 2, the rest of the title compounds undergo ground-state dimerization, from which the double proton transfer takes place in the excited state, resulting in a relatively blue shifted dimeric tautomer emission (cf. the monomer tautomer emission). The lack of dimerization in 2 is rationalized by substantial energy required to adjust the angle of hydrogen bond via twisting the propylene bridge prior to dimerization.

High-Throughput Optical Controlling and Recording Calcium Signal in iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Toxicity Testing and Phenotypic Drug Screening.

Understanding how excitable cells work in health and disease and how that behavior can be altered by small molecules or genetic manipulation is important. Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) with multiple emission windows can be combined (e.g., for simultaneous observation of distinct subcellular events) or used in extended applications with other light-dependent actuators in excitable cells (e.g., combining genetically encoded optogenetic control with spectrally compatible calcium indicators). Such approaches have been used in primary or stem cell-derived neurons, cardiomyocytes, and pancreatic beta-cells. However, it has been challenging to increase the throughput, or duration of observation, of such approaches due to limitations of the instruments, analysis software, indicator performance, and gene delivery efficiency. Here, a high-performance green GECI, mNeonGreen-GECO (mNG-GECO), and red-shifted GECI, K-GECO, is combined with optogenetic control to achieve all-optical control and visualization of cellular activity in a high-throughput imaging format using a High-Content Imaging System. Applications demonstrating cardiotoxicity testing and phenotypic drug screening with healthy and patient-derived iPSC-CMs are shown. In addition, multi-parametric assessments using combinations of spectral and calcium affinity indicator variants (NIR-GECO, LAR-GECO, and mtGCEPIA or Orai1-G-GECO) are restricted to different cellular compartments are also demonstrated in the iPSC-CM model.

Comprehensive studies on an overall proton transfer cycle of the ortho-green fluorescent protein chromophore.

Initiated by excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction, an overall reaction cycle of 4-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one (o-HBDI), an analogue of the core chromophore of the green fluorescent protein (GFP), has been investigated. In contrast to the native GFP core, 4-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)-1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one (p-HBDI), which requires hydrogen-bonding relay to accomplish proton transfer in vivo, o-HBDI possesses a seven-membered-ring intramolecular hydrogen bond and thus provides an ideal system for mimicking an intrinsic proton-transfer reaction. Upon excitation, ESIPT takes place in o-HBDI, resulting in a ∼600 nm proton-transfer tautomer emission. The o-HBDI tautomer emission, resolved by fluorescence upconversion, is comprised of an instantaneous rise to a few hundred femtosecond oscillation in the early relaxation stage. Frequency analysis derived from ultrashort pulse gives two low-frequency vibrations at 115 and 236 cm(-1), corresponding to skeletal deformation motions associated with the hydrogen bond. The results further conclude that ESIPT in o-HBDI is essentially triggered by low-frequency motions and may be barrierless along the reaction coordinate. Femtosecond UV/vis transient absorption spectra also provide supplementary evidence for the structural evolution during the reaction. In CH(3)CN, an instant rise of a 530 nm transient is resolved, which then undergoes 7.8 ps decay, accompanied by the growth of a rather long-lived 580 nm transient species. It is thus concluded that following ESIPT the cis-proton transfer isomer undergoes cis-trans-isomerization. The results of viscosity-dependent dynamics are in favor of the one-bond-flip mechanism, which is in contrast to the volume-conserving isomerization behavior for cis-stilbene and p-HBDI. Further confirmation is given by the picosecond-femtosecond transient IR absorption spectra, where several new and long-lived IR bands in the range of 1400-1500 cm(-1) are assigned to the phenyl in-plane breathing motions of the trans-proton transfer tautomer. Monitored by the nanosecond transient absorption, the 580 nm transient undergoes a ∼7.7 µs decay constant, accompanied by the growth of a new ∼500 nm band. The latter is assigned to a deprotonated tautomer species, which then undergoes the ground-state reverse proton recombination to the original o-HBDI in ∼50 µs, achieving an overall, reversible proton transfer cycle. This assignment is unambiguously supported by pump-probe laser induced fluorescence studies. On these standpoints, a comparison of photophysical properties among o-HBDI, p-HBDI, and wild-type GFP is discussed in detail.

Systematic investigation of the metal-structure-photophysics relationship of emissive d10-complexes of group 11 elements: the prospect of application in organic light emitting devices.

A series of new emissive group 11 transition metal d(10)-complexes 1-8 bearing functionalized 2-pyridyl pyrrolide together with phosphine ancillary such as bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl] ether (POP) or PPh(3) are reported. The titled complexes are categorized into three classes, i.e. Cu(I) complexes (1-3), Ag(I) complexes (4 and 5), and Au(I) metal complexes (6-8). Via combination of experimental and theoretical approaches, the group 11 d(10)-metal ions versus their structural variation, stability, and corresponding photophysical properties have been investigated in a systematic and comprehensive manner. The results conclude that, along the same family, how much a metal d-orbital is involved in the electronic transition plays a more important role than how heavy the metal atom is, i.e. the atomic number, in enhancing the spin-orbit coupling. The metal ions with and without involvement of a d orbital in the lowest lying electronic transition are thus classified into internal and external heavy atoms, respectively. Cu(I) complexes 1-3 show an appreciable metal d contribution (i.e., MLCT) in the lowest lying transition, so that Cu(I) acts as an internal heavy atom. Despite its smallest atomic number among group 11 elements, Cu(I) complexes 1-3 exhibit a substantially larger rate of intersystem crossing (ISC) and phosphorescence radiative decay rate constant (k(r)(p)) than those of Ag(I) (4 and 5) and Au(I) (6-8) complexes possessing pure π → π* character in the lowest transition. Since Ag(I) and Au(I) act only as external heavy atoms in the titled complexes, the spin-orbit coupling is mainly governed by the atomic number, such that complexes associated with the heavier Au(I) (6-8) show faster ISC and larger k(r)(p) than the Ag(I) complexes (4 and 5). This trend of correlation should be universal and has been firmly supported by experimental data in combination with empirical derivation. Along this line, Cu(I) complex 1 exhibits intensive phosphorescence (Φ(p) = 0.35 in solid state) and has been successfully utilized for fabrication of OLEDs, attaining peak EL efficiencies of 6.6%, 20.0 cd/A, and 14.9 lm/W for the forward directions.

A new coordination polymer exhibiting unique 2D hydrogen-bonded (H2O)16 ring formation and water-dependent luminescence properties.

A new coordination polymer, [Zn(dpe)(bdc)]·4H(2)O (ZndB; dpe=1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, bdc(2-)=dianion of benzenedicarboxylic acid), which possesses a 3D metal-organic framework (MOF) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. This 3D MOF is constructed by the assembly of helical channels filled with guest water molecules in both inner and outer regions of the channel. The resulting network also creates a 2D water layer containing hydrogen-bonded (H(2)O)(16) rings as the basic building units. Thermogravimetric and powder X-ray diffraction measurements of ZndB revealed a two-step weight loss of water molecules with a reversible water adsorption/desorption process in the inner channel for the first stage, and irreversible water desorption in the outer channel for the second stage. This spongelike property is manifested by the excimer emission originating from interaction between dpe (π*) and the other dpe (π) of the proximal helical channel, which is highly sensitive to the environmental perturbation. Powder X-ray analyses reveal that the dehydration process induces the readjustment of dpe π-π stacking distance/orientation, which results in dramatic luminescence changes from dim pale blue (λ(em)≈470 nm) upon hydration to bright white-light generation (broad, λ(em)≈500-550 nm) upon water depletion, accompanied by a ≈100-fold increase in the emission intensity.

Emissive iridium(III) diimine complexes formed by double cyclometalation of coordinated triphenylphosphite.

We report on the synthesis of a new series of iridium(III) complexes functionalized with various diimine chromophores, together with a facially coordinated dicyclometalated phosphite chelate and a monodentate anionic ancillary. This conceptual design presents a novel strategy in obtaining a new class of iridium(III) diimine complexes without employment of traditional nitrogen-containing polyaromatic cyclometalates. Additionally, we discuss the basic charactersistics of the ground and lower-lying excited states involved, as documented by crystal structural, photophysical studies, and density functional theory calculations. Fabrication of the green-emitting organic light-emitting diodes with one such dopant, [Ir(dbbpy)(tpit)NCS] (2b), where dbbpy and tpit represent di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine and dicyclometalated triphenylphosphite, respectively, was successfully made, attaining a peak external quantum efficiency (η(ext)), a luminance efficiency (η(l)), and a power efficiency (η(p)) of 14.1%, 46.6 cd A(-1), and 39.9 lm W(-1), respectively.

Homoleptic tris(pyridyl pyrazolate) Ir(III) complexes: en route to highly efficient phosphorescent OLEDs.

Treatment of the metal reagent IrCl(3)nH(2)O with two equivalents of 2-pyridyl pyrazole (N;N)H (3-tert-butyl-5-(2-pyridyl) pyrazole, (bppz)H and 3-trifluoromethyl-5-(2-pyridyl) pyrazole, (fppz)H), afforded the isomeric Ir(III) metal complexes with a general formula cis-[Ir(bppz)(2)Cl(2)]H (2 a), trans-[Ir(bppz)(2)Cl(2)]H (3 a), cis-[Ir(fppz)(2)Cl(2)]H (2 b), and trans-[Ir(fppz)(2)Cl(2)]H (3 b). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on 2 b and 3 a revealed the coexistence of two pyrazolate chelates and two terminal chloride ligands on the coordination sphere. Subsequent reactivity studies confirmed their intermediacy to the preparation of homoleptic mer-[Ir(bppz)(3)] (1 a) and mer-[Ir(fppz)(3)] (1 b) that showed dual intraligand and ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer phosphorescence at room temperature. To attain bright, room-temperature phosphorescence further, we then synthesized two isoquinolinyl pyrazolate complexes, mer-[Ir(bipz)(3)] (4 a) and mer-[Ir(fipz)(3)] (4 b) ((bipz)H=3-tert-butyl-5-(1-isoquinolyl) pyrazole and (fipz)H=3-trifluoromethyl-5-(1-isoquinolyl) pyrazole). Their orange luminescence is mainly attributed to the mixed MLCT/pipi* transition, and the quantum yields were as high as 86 (4 a) and 50 % (4 b) in degassed CH(2)Cl(2) solution at RT. The organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) were then fabricated by using 4 a as a dopant, giving orange luminescence with CIE(x,y)=0.55, 0.45 (CIE(x,y)=the 1931 Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (x,y) coordinates) and peak efficiencies of 14.6 % photon/electron, 34.8 cd A(-1), 26.1 lm W(-1). The device data were then compared with the previously reported heteroleptic complex [Ir(dfpz)(2)(bipz)] (5) ((dfpz)H=1-(2,4-difluorophenyl) pyrazole), revealing the possible effect of the bipz chelate and phosphor design on the overall electrophosphorescent performance, which can be understood by the differences in the carrier-transport properties.

Diphenyl(1-naphthyl)phosphine ancillary for assembling of red and orange-emitting Ir(III) based phosphors; strategic synthesis, photophysics, and organic light-emitting diode fabrication.

Treatment of a series of dinuclear Ir(III) complexes [(fnazo)(2)Ir(µ-Cl](2), [(fpiq)(2)Ir(µ-Cl](2), and [(fppy)(2)Ir(µ-Cl](2) with diphenyl(1-naphthyl)phosphine (dpnH) in decalin at 100 °C afforded the simple adducts, trans-N,N'-[(fnazo)(2)Ir(dpnH)Cl] (1a), trans-N,N'-[(fpiq)(2)Ir(dpnH)Cl] (1b), and trans-N,N'-[(fppy)(2)Ir(dpnH)Cl] (1c), for which the C(∧)N cyclometalating reagents, that is, fnazoH, fpiqH and fppyH, stands for 4-(4-fluorophenyl)quinazoline, 1-(4-fluorophenyl)isoquinoline and 4-fluorophenylpyridine, respectively. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study on 1a revealed existence of two trans-N,N' cyclometalates, with both chloride and dpnH donors located at the positions opposite to the phenyl substituents. Subsequent heating of 1a-1c at higher temperature afforded the second isomer (2a-2c), showing formation of cis-N,N' orientation for the aforementioned cyclometalates. Further thermolysis of either trans or cis-Ir(III) complexes 1 or 2 in presence of sodium acetate, which serves as both activator and chloride scavenger, gave successful isolation of a mixture of two fully cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes trans-N,N'-[(C(∧)N)(2)Ir(dpn)] (3a-3c) and cis-N,N'-[(C(∧)N)(2)Ir(dpn)] (4a-4c). Structural and photophysical properties of complexes 3a-3c and 4a-4c were measured and compared. Time-dependent density functional theory (DFT) studies suggested that, upon changing the C(∧)N cyclometalates from quinazolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and, finally, to pyridyl fragment, the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) are gradually shifted from the cyclometalating nitrogen heterocycles to the 1-naphthyl group of the phosphine chelate and, concomitantly altered the photophysical properties. An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) using orange-red phosphors 4a and 4b has been successfully fabricated. At the practical brightness of 500 cd·m(-2), decent external quantum efficiency of 10.6% and 12.5% could be reached for 4a and 4b, respectively, revealing the usefulness of relevant molecular architecture in designing triplet OLED emitters.

Highly emissive cyclometalated rhenium metallacycles: structure-luminescence relationship.

We report on a series of new self-assembled cyclometalated dirhenium(I) metallacyclic complexes via an unprecedented rhenium-mediated C-H bond activation and the relationship between their structures and luminescence properties.

Mono- versus dinuclear Pt(II) 6-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyrazol-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine complexes: synthesis, characterization, and remarkable difference in luminescent properties.

A series of charge-neutral mononuclear Pt(II) complexes Pt(fpbpy)(pz) (3a), Pt(fpbpy)(dmpz) (4a), Pt(fpbpy)(dbpz) (5a), and Pt(fpbpy)(dtfpz) (6a), fpbpyH = 6-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyrazol-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine, pzH = pyrazole, dmpzH = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, dbpzH = 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole, and dtfpzH = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole, and the cationic Pt(II) dimer [{Pt(fpbpy)}(2)(mu-pz)](+) (3b), [{Pt(fpbpy)}(2)(mu-dmpz)](+) (4b), and [{Pt(fpbpy)}(2)(mu-dbpz)](+) (5b) were synthesized. Series a mononuclear complexes reveal two distinctive ligand arrangements. As unveiled by X-ray crystallography, 3a exhibits a nearly perfect planar geometry, while structural determination on 6a shows a perpendicular arrangement of dbpz ligand due to steric congestion. In sharp contrast, the dinuclear complexes, exemplified by 4b and 5b, display an intramolecular Pt...Pt separation of 3.601 and 3.403 A, respectively. As for photophysical properties, the structural variation leads to a salient difference in emission features between 3a (580 nm) and 6a (510 nm). The results are rationalized by the contribution of ligand-to-ligand charge transfer and intraligand pi-pi* transition for 3a and 6a in the lowest-lying excited state, respectively. On the other hand, dinuclear complexes 3b and 4b reveal dual phosphorescence (denoted as P(1) and P(2) bands), for which the short wavelength emission (the P(1) band) is akin to that observed for the intraligand pi-pi* transition of 6a, while the much red-shifted, broad emission (the P(2) band) is attributed to the formation of intramolecular ligand-metal-to-metal charge transfer excimer transition. Further studies of relaxation dynamics on both 3b and 4b showed fast excited-state equilibrium between the P(1) and P(2) bands. In contrast, only the P(2) emission band was resolved for 5b, indicating its exergonic excimer formation. Supplementary support of the excited-state thermodynamics is also provided by time-dependent density functional theory calculations, incorporating both geometry optimized S(0) and T(1) states.

New series of ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes showing solid-state phosphorescence in far-visible and near-infrared.

A new Ru(II) complex, [Ru(fpbpymH)(2)]Cl(2) (1), in which fpbpymH = [5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-3-yl](2,2'-bipyrid-6-yl)methane, was prepared by the treatment of [Ru(DMSO)(4)Cl(2)] with 2 equiv of the terdentate chelate fpbpymH in refluxing ethanol. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of 1 revealed a distorted octahedral Ru(II) framework, showing strong N-H...Cl hydrogen bonding between the fpbpymH ligand and Cl anions. In the presence of Na(2)CO(3), the methylene linkers of chelates in 1 underwent stepwise oxygenation, forming the charge-neutral complexes [Ru(fpbpym)(fpbpyk)] (2) and [Ru(fpbpyk)(2)] (3) [fpbpykH = [5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-3-yl](2,2'-bipyrid-6-yl) ketone] in sequence. The respective charge-neutral Os(II) complex [Os(fpbpyk)(2)] (4) was also isolated by the treatment of OsCl(3).3H(2)O with 2 equiv of the terdentate chelate fpbpymH. Electrochemical analysis indicated that the introduction of the electron-withdrawing ketone group in 2-4 increased the metal-based oxidation potential in sequence. For the photophysical properties, complexes 1-4 are essentially nonluminescent in solution (e.g., CH(2)Cl(2) or MeOH) at room temperature, but all exhibit 600-1100 nm phosphorescence with moderate intensity for the powdery, solid sample at room temperature. The trend in terms of the emission peak wavelength of 1 (666 nm) < 3 (795 nm) < 2 (810 nm) < 4 (994 nm) among titled complexes is in agreement with the corresponding onset of absorption spectra as well as the time-dependent density functional theory calculation of 1 < 3 < 2 < 4.

Effects of multibranching on 3-hydroxyflavone-based chromophores and the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer dynamics.

A series of one-, two-, and three-branched chromophores based on 3-hydroxyflavones (1-3) have been synthesized as the first example of multibranched chromophores demonstrating excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). Coupling between the 3-hydroxyflavone branches connected by an electron-donating triphenylamine core is manifested in the red-shifted and asymmetric absorption band of 2, whereas the absorption of 3 is governed by the divided donor strength. Their excited-state charge-transfer (ESCT)-coupled ESIPT dynamics is investigated via femtosecond fluorescence upconversion and is proved to be well correlated with the ratio of normal/tautomer emission in the fluorescence spectra. For 1 and 2, with increased donor strength compared with the 4'-N,N-dialkylamino-3-hydroxyflavone analogue, ESIPT appears to cease in the more polar solvent of acetonitrile. Nevertheless, similar dependence of 1-3 on solvent polarity signifies resembling charge-transfer character at the normal excited states (N*), despite their varying structures. As evidenced by the theoretical approach, the frontier orbitals of vibrationally relaxed (geometry-optimized) N*, from which fluorescence and ESIPT should take place, are localized on one specific branch, leading to similar emission patterns and dynamics, whereas the orbitals contributing to Franck-Condon excitation (absorption) spread over the entire molecule. The localization is found to be facilitated by rotation of a specific branch pivoting on the central nitrogen atom, while planarity is maintained within each 3-hydroxyflavone chromophore.

Excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) fine tuned by quinoline-pyrazole isomerism: pi-conjugation effect on ESIPT.

A series of quinoline/isoquinoline-pyrazole isomers (I-III), in which the pyrazole moiety is in a different substitution position, was strategically designed and synthesized, showing a system with five-membered intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Despite the similarity in molecular structure, however, only I undergoes excited-state intramolecular proton transfer, as evidenced by the distinct 560 nm proton-transfer emission and its associated relaxation dynamics. The experimental results support a recent theoretical approach regarding the conjugation effect on a proton (or hydrogen atom) transfer reaction (J. Phys. Chem. A 2009, 113, 4862-4867). The concept simply predicts that more extended pi conjugation, i.e., resonance, for proton-transfer tautomer species could allow for efficient delocalization of excess charge in the reaction center, resulting in a larger thermodynamic driving force for proton transfer.

High-performance FRET biosensors for single-cell and in vivo lead detection.

Forms of lead (Pb) have been insidiously invading human life for thousands of years without obvious signs of their considerable danger to human health. Blood lead level (BLL) is the routine measure used for diagnosing the degree of lead intoxication, although it is unclear whether there is any safe range of BLL. To develop a practical detection tool for living organisms, we engineered a genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based Pb2+ biosensor, 'Met-lead 1.44 M1', with excellent performance. Met-lead 1.44 M1 has an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 25.97 nM, a detection limit (LOD) of 10 nM (2.0 ppb/0.2 µg/dL), and an enhancement dynamic ratio of nearly ~ 5-fold upon Pb2+ binding. The 10 nM sensitivity of Met-lead 1.44 M1 is five times below the World Health Organization-permitted level of lead in tap water (10 ppb; WHO, 2017), and fifteen times lower than the maximum BLL for children (3 µg/dL). We deployed Met-lead 1.44 M1 to measure Pb2+ concentrations in different living models, including two general human cell lines and one specific line, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes, as well as in widely used model species in plant (Arabidopsis thaliana) and animal (Drosophila melanogaster) research. Our results suggest that this new biosensor is suitable for lead toxicological research in vitro and in vivo, and will pave the way toward potential applications for both low BLL measures and rapid detection of environmental lead in its divalent form.

Authentic-blue phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes bearing both hydride and benzyl diphenylphosphine; control of the emission efficiency by ligand coordination geometry.

Sequential treatment of IrCl(3) x nH(2)O with 2 equiv of benzyl diphenylphosphine (bdpH) and then 1 equiv of 3-trifluoromethyl-5-(2-pyridyl) pyrazole (fppzH) in 2-methoxyethanol gave formation to three isomeric complexes with formula [Ir(bdp)(fppz)(bdpH)H] (1-3). Their molecular structures were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, showing existence of one monodentate phosphine bdpH, one terminal hydride, a cyclometalated bdp chelate, and a fppz chelate. Variation of the metal-ligand bond distances showed good agreement with those predicted by the trans effect. Raman spectroscopic analyses and the corresponding photophysical data are also recorded and compared. Among all isomers complex 1 showed the worst emission efficiency, while complexes 2 and 3 exhibited the greatest luminescent efficiency in solid state and in degassed CH(2)Cl(2) solution at room temperature, respectively. This structural relationship could be due to the simultaneously weakened hydride and the monodentate bdpH bonding that are destabilized by the trans-pyrazolate anion and cyclometalated benzyl group, respectively.