Sequential Introduction of Cations Deriving Large-Grain Csx FA1-x PbI3 Thin Film for Planar Hybrid Solar Cells: Insight into Phase-Segregation and Thermal-Healing Behavior.

Composition engineering of perovskite materials has been demonstrated to be important for high-performance solar cells. Recently, the energy favorable hybridization of formamidinium (FA) and cesium (Cs) in three dimension lead halide perovskites has been attracting increasing attention due to its potential benefit on durability. Herein, we reported a simple and effective method to produce phase-pure CsxFA1-xPbI3 thin film via sequential introduction of cations, in which the FA cation was introduced by interdiffusion annealing in the presence of N-methylimidazole (NMI). NMI was employed as an additive to slow down the crystallization and thus drive the formation of CsxFA1-xPbI3 with micrometer grain size, which probably facilitate the charge dissociation and transportation in photovoltaic devices. More importantly, composition dependent phase-segregation has been revealed and investigated for the first time during the phase-pure mixed-cation perovskites CsxFA1-xPbI3. The present findings demonstrated that suppressing phase-segregation of mixed-cation perovskites by meticulous composition engineering is significant for further development of efficient photovoltaics. It also suggested that phase-pure Cs0.15FA0.85PbI3 may be a promising candidate with superior phase-durability, which performed an efficiency over 16% in planar perovskite solar cells.

A Highly Stretchable Polymer that Can Be Thermally Healed at Mild Temperature.

Combining stretchability and self-healing properties in a man-made material is a challenging task. For an efficient self-healing material, weaker dynamic or reversible bonds should be presented as crosslinks so that they will first break upon damage and then reform after healing, which is not favorable when developing elastic materials. In this work, by incorporating dynamic Fe(III)-triazole coordination bonds into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) backbone, a highly elastic polymer is obtained that can be thermally healed at mild temperature. The as-prepared polymer can be stretched to 3400% strain at low loading speed (1 mm min(-1) ). When damaged, the polymer can be thermally healed at 60 °C for 20 h with a healing efficiency of over 90%. The good mechanical and healable properties of this polymer can be ascribed to the unique coordination bond strength and coordination conformation of Fe(III)-triazole coordination complex.

A Highly Stretchable and Autonomous Self-Healing Polymer Based on Combination of Pt···Pt and π-π Interactions.

A new self-healing polymer has been obtained by incorporating a cyclometalated platinum(II) complex Pt(C∧ N∧ N)Cl (C∧ N∧ N = 6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridyl) into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) backbone. The molecular interactions (a combination of Pt···Pt and π-π interactions) between cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes are strong enough to crosslink the linear PDMS polymer chains into an elastic film. The as prepared polymer can be stretched to over 20 times of its original length. When damaged, the polymer can be healed at room temperature without any healants or external stimuli. Moreover, the self-healing is insensitive to surface aging. This work represents the first example where the attractive metallophilic inter-actions are utilized to design self-healing materials. Moreover, our results suggest that the stretchability and self-healing properties can be obtained simultaneously without any conflict by optimizing the strength of crosslinking interactions.

Comparison of the electronic and vibrational optical activity of a europium(III) complex.

The geometry and the electronic structure of chiral lanthanide(III) complexes are traditionally probed by electronic methods, such as circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. The vibrational phenomena are much weaker. In the present study, however, significant enhancements of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and Raman optical activity (ROA) spectral intensities were observed during the formation of a chiral bipyridine-Eu(III) complex. The ten-fold enhancement of the vibrational absorption and VCD intensities was explained by a charge-transfer process and the dominant effect of the nitrate ion on the spectra. A much larger enhancement of the ROA and Raman intensities and a hundred-fold increase of the circular intensity difference (CID) ratio were explained by the resonance of the λ = 532 nm laser light with the (7)F0 → (5)D0 transitions. This phenomenon is combined with a chirality transfer, and mixing of the Raman and luminescence effects involving low-energy (7)F states of europium. The results thus indicate that the vibrational optical activity (VOA) may be a very sensitive tool for chirality detection and probing of the electronic structure of Eu(III) and other coordination compounds.

Potential switchable circularly polarized luminescence from chiral cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes.

A series of chiral cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes, [Pt((-)-L1)(Dmpi)]Cl ((-)-1), [Pt((+)-L1)(Dmpi)]Cl ((+)-1), [Pt((-)-L2)(Dmpi)]Cl ((-)-2), [Pt((+)-L2)(Dmpi)]Cl ((+)-2), [Pt3((-)-L2)2(Dmpi)4](ClO4)4 ((-)-3), and [Pt3((+)-L2)2(Dmpi)4](ClO4)4 ((+)-3) [(-)-L1 = (-)-4,5-pinene-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine, (+)-L1 = (+)-4,5-pinene-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), (-)-L2 = (-)-1,3-bis(2-(4,5-pinene)pyridyl)benzene, (+)-L2 = (+)-1,3-bis(2-(4,5-pinene)pyridyl)benzene, Dmpi = 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide], have been designed and synthesized. In aqueous solutions, (-)-1 and (+)-1 aggregate into one-dimensional helical chain structures through Pt···Pt, π-π, and hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions. (-)-3 and (+)-3 represent a novel helical structure with Pt-Pt bonds. The formation of helical structures results in enhanced and distinct chiroptical properties as evidenced by circular dichroism spectra. Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) was observed from the aggregates of (-)-1 and (+)-1 in water, as well as (-)-3 and (+)-3 in dichloromethane. The CPL activity can be switched reversibly (for (-)-1 and (+)-1) or irreversibly (for (-)-3 and (+)-3) by varying the temperature.

Asymmetric Donor-π-Acceptor-Type Benzo-Fused Aza-BODIPYs: Facile Synthesis and Colorimetric Properties.

Novel aza-diisoindolylmethene and their BF2 -chelating complexes (benzo-fused aza-BODIPYs) were synthesized on a large scale and in a facile manner from phthalonitrile in tBuOK-DMF solution. The unique asymmetric donor-π-acceptor structure facilitates B-N bond detachment in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in dichloromethane, resulting in sharp color change from red to colorless, with over 250 nm hypsochromic shift in the absorption maximum. This colorimetric process can be reversed by adding a very small amount of proton-accepting solvents or compounds. A (1) H and (11) B NMR spectroscopy study and also density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that TFA-induced B-N bond cleavage may disrupt the whole π-conjugation of the BODIPY molecule, resulting in significant colorimetric behavior.

A single-molecule magnet based on heptacyanomolybdate with the highest energy barrier for a cyanide compound.

Three trinuclear Mn2Mo molecules based on the orbitally degenerate [Mo(CN)7](4-) anion were prepared, one of which is the first single-molecule magnet (SMM) based on heptacyanomolybdate. The blocking temperature and the energy barrier (U = 40.5 cm(-1)) are records for a cyanide-based SMM. Wide hysteresis loops and sharp quantum tunneling steps were observed from single-crystal measurements.

Coplanar bithiazole-centered heterocyclic aromatic fluorescent compounds having different donor/acceptor terminal groups.

A family of stable and soluble bithiazole-centered heterocyclic aromatic fluorescent compounds is described herein. All these multiple N-donor containing compounds have effective π-conjugated systems and different imidazole, pyridine, thiophene, triphenylamino, benzoic acid, and ethyl benzoate tails showing distinguishable D-A-A-D and A-A-A-A structures. X-ray single-crystal structures of seven compounds indicate that all of the bithiazole cores have the same trans coplanar configuration but exhibit different dihedral angles with their adjacent aromatic heterocycles (4.5(6)-69.7(3)°). Optical and electrochemical results demonstrate that the TPA-terminated bithiazole compound 2TPA2TZ has yellow fluorescence and reversible redox activity as well as extraordinarily high thermal stability. Theoretical and experimental studies have been made to reveal the differences from related compounds with adjustable electronic properties. The internal reorganization energy (λ) studies have been carried out to indicate the differences between the bithiazole-based derivatives and the corresponding bithiophene-based counterparts.

Asymmetrical/symmetrical D-π-A/D-π-D thiazole-containing aromatic heterocyclic fluorescent compounds having the same triphenylamino chromophores.

A family of linear asymmetrical D-π-A and symmetrical D-π-D types of thiazole-based aromatic heterocyclic fluorescent compounds bearing various electron-donating and electron-withdrawing tails (bromo, triphenylamino, pyridyl, thienyl and benzoic acid) have been designed and prepared successfully. Synthetic, structural, thermal, spectral and computational comparisons have been carried out for related compounds because of their adjustable electronic properties. It is interesting to mention that compound 2 can be prepared from 5-bromothiazole by one-pot Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and subsequent C-H activation reactions via a 5-TPA-substituted thiazole intermediate 1. X-ray single-crystal structures of six compounds indicate that they all crystallize in the triclinic P1 space group and the thiazole core exhibits different dihedral angles with its adjacent benzene ring of the triphenylamino group (3.6(3)-40.8(3)°). The photophysical and electrochemical results demonstrate that compound 7 exhibits high electrochemical activity with a green fluorescence emission. Meanwhile, compounds 1, 2, and 6 show high luminescence quantum yields, and compound 8 exhibits excellent thermal stability (T(d(10)) = 503 °C).

Syntheses, photoluminescence, and electroluminescence of a series of iridium complexes with trifluoromethyl-substituted 2-phenylpyridine as the main ligands and tetraphenylimidodiphosphinate as the ancillary ligand.

Five bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes with tifluoromethyl-substituted 2-phenylpyridine (ppy) at different positions of its phenyl group as the main ligands and tetraphenylimidodiphosphinate (tpip) as the ancillary ligand, 2-6 (1 is a trifluoromethyl-free complex), were prepared, and their X-ray crystallography, photoluminescence, and electrochemistry were investigated. The number and positions of trifluoromethyl groups at the phenyl ring of ppy greatly affected the emission spectra of Ir(3+) complexes, and their corresponding emission peaks at 533, 502, 524, 480, and 542 nm were observed at room temperature, respectively. Constructed with complexes 2-6 as the emitters, respectively, the organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with the structure of indium-tin oxide/1,1-bis[4-(di-p-tolylamino)phenyl]cyclohexane (30 nm)/Ir (x wt %):bis[3,5-bis(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl]diphenylsilane (15 nm)/1,3,5-tris(1-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)phenyl (45 nm)/LiF (1 nm)/Al (100 nm) showed good performances. Particularly, device G4 based on 4-trifluoromethyl-substituted complex 4 with x = 8 wt % obtained a maximum luminance of over 39000 cd m(-2) and maximum luminance efficiency (η(L)) and power efficiency (η(p)) of 50.8 cd A(-1) and 29.0 lm W(-1), respectively. The results suggested that all of the complexes 2-6 would have potential applications in OLEDs.

Circular dichroism spectroscopy study of crystalline-to-amorphous transformation in chiral platinum(II) complexes.

Two couples of enantiomeric platinum(II) complexes: Pt(L1a )Cl (1a), Pt(L1b )Cl (1b) and Pt(L1a )(C ≡ C - Ph) (2a), Pt(L1b )(C ≡ C - Ph) (2b) (L1a = (+)-1,3-di-(2-(4,5-pinene)pyridyl)benzene, L1b = (-)-1,3-di-(2-(4,5-pinene)pyridyl)benzene) were synthesized and characterized. Their absolute configurations were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and further verified by circular dichroism (CD) spectra (including electronic circular dichroism [ECD] and vibrational circular dichroism [VCD]). These complexes show interesting mechanoluminescence and/or vapoluminescence due to crystalline-to-amorphous transformation. The crystalline solids, grinding-induced amorphous powders, and vapor-induced amorphous powders of complexes 2a and 2b were comparatively investigated by solid-state ECD and VCD spectra. The transformation from crystalline solids to amorphous powders was accompanied by significant variances of the spectral feature in both ECD and VCD spectra.

Solvent-induced single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation in multifunctional chiral dysprosium(III) compounds.

Two new enantiomeric ionic chiral dysprosium(III) compounds were designed and synthesized. These compounds show simultaneously the optical activity, ferroelectric effects, nonlinear-optical effects, and slow magnetic relaxation behavior. More interestingly, these compounds exhibit reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations associated with the release or absorption of solvent molecules. The structure transformations are accompanied by distinct changes in the physical properties.

Vibrational and electronic circular dichroism monitoring of copper(II) coordination with a chiral ligand.

Novel copper(II) coordination compounds with chiral macrocyclic imine ligands derived from R-/S-camphor were asymmetrically synthesized and characterized with the aid of chiroptical spectroscopies. Crystal structures of both enantiomers were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra were analyzed using a simplified exciton model as well as quantum chemical computations. The absolute configuration of the copper(II) coordination compounds determined from CD was found consistent with the crystal data. The copper(II) complexes were further investigated by vibrational CD (VCD) measurement combined with density functional theory calculation. The complex formation was evidenced by spectral shifts of the characteristic bands in the CD and VCD spectra.

meso-Aryl phenanthroporphyrins: synthesis and spectroscopic properties.

The successful synthesis of tetraphenyltetraphenanthroporphyrin (TPTPhenP; 5a) in 2006 under modified Rothemund-Lindsey conditions yielded a tetraphenyl porphyrinoid with a B band redshifted to an unprecedented 576 nm. Radially symmetric fused-ring expansion of tetraphenylporphyrin with phenanthrene moieties results in very deep saddling due to steric crowding and very marked redshifts of the Q and B (or Soret) porphyrinoid absorption bands. The extent to which the TPTPhenP structure can be further modified is explored, and the optical properties of TPTPhenPs are analyzed based on a perimeter model approach that makes use of time-dependent DFT calculations and magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy and also based on a detailed analysis of the fluorescence emission. Attempts to introduce substituents at the ortho and meta positions of the meso-phenyl groups and to insert a central metal proved unsuccessful. The synthesis of a series of TPTPhenPs with strong electron-withdrawing (-CN, -NO(2)) and -donating (-CH(3), -N(CH(3))(2)) substituents at the para positions of the meso-phenyl rings is reported. Marked redshifts of the main spectral bands were consistently observed. The most pronounced spectral changes were observed with -N(CH(3))(2) groups (5i) due to a marked destabilization of the HOMO, which has large MO coefficients on the meso-carbon atoms. Protonation of 5i at both the ligand core and at the -N(CH(3))(2) groups resulted in unprecedented Q(00) band absorption at wavelengths greater than 1200 nm.

The synthesis and properties of free-base [14]triphyrin(2.1.1) compounds and the formation of subporphyrinoid metal complexes.

The synthesis of [14]triphyrin(2.1.1) compounds is described. In contrast with conventional subporphyrins, which consistently contain a central boron atom, free-base heteroaromatic compounds can be formed. A modified Lindsey method was used to prepare a range of different [14]triphyrins(2.1.1) in yields of up to 35% based on the reaction of diethylpyrrole (1a) and fused pyrroles of bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene (BCOD) (2a-e) and dihydroethanonaphthalene (4a) with various aryl aldehydes. The concentration of BF(3)·OEt(2) catalyst plays the key role in determining the yield of the [14]triphyrin(2.1.1) macrocycle relative to the conventional tetrapyrrole porphyrin product. Retro-Diels-Alder reactions of 2a-e and 4a result in the formation of [14]tribenzotriphyrin (2.1.1) (3a-e) and [14]trinaphthotriphyrin(2.1.1) (5a). The effects of exocyclic ring annulation on the electronic structure are examined in detail based on optical spectroscopy, theoretical calculations, and electrochemical measurements. The availability of free-base compounds enables the formation of [Re(I)(CO)(3)(triphyrin)] (6a) and [Ru(II)(CO)(2)Cl(triphyrin)] (7a) complexes based on a modified retro-Diels-Alder reaction. X-ray structures are reported for 4a and 6a.

Linear heterocyclic aromatic fluorescence compounds having various donor-acceptor spacers prepared by the combination of carbon-carbon bond and carbon-nitrogen bond cross-coupling reactions.

A family of novel linear 1,10-phenanthroline-based (A-D-A-D-A) and oligothiophene-based (A-D-D-D-(D)-A) heterocyclic aromatic fluorescence compounds having N-containing imidazole and pyridine tails with effective π-conjugated systems, prepared by the combination of carbon-carbon (C-C) bond and carbon-nitrogen (C-N) bond cross-coupling reactions, is described. They have molecular lengths of more than 2.30 nm in the cases of 4, 6, 9, and 26, various D-A spacers, and certain N-coordination sites (phen, imidazole, and pyridine). X-ray single-crystal structures of 13 compounds reveal a variety of trans and cis configurations with different dihedral angles between adjacent aromatic heterocycles. Synthetic, computational, and spectral studies have been made to reveal the differences between cross-coupling approaches on the C-C bond and C-N bond formation as well as band gaps and energy levels and optical and electrochemical properties for related compounds. The influences of introducing a ß-methyl group to the thiophene ring on reaction activity, solubility, and conformation of related compounds have also been discussed.

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of three 1D chain complexes based on high-spin metal-cyanide clusters: [Mn(III)6M(III)] (M = Cr, Fe, Co).

On the basis of high-spin metal-cyanide clusters of Mn(III)(6)M(III) (M = Cr, Fe, Co), three one-dimensional (1D) chain complexes, [Mn(salen)](6)[Cr(CN)(6)](2)·6CH(3)OH·H(2)O (1), [Mn(5-CH(3))salen)](6)[Fe(CN)(6)](2)·2CH(3)CN·10H(2)O (2), and [Mn(5-CH(3))salen)](6)[Co(CN)(6)](2)·2CH(3)CN·10H(2)O (3) [salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato) dianion], have been synthesized and characterized structurally as well as magnetically. Complexes 2 and 3 are isomorphic but slightly different from complex 1. All three complexes contain a 1D chain structure which is comprised of alternating high-spin metal-cyanide clusters of [Mn(6)M](3+) and a bridging group [M(CN)(6)](3-) in the trans mode. Furthermore, the three complexes all exhibit extended 3D supramolecular networks originating from short intermolecular contacts. Magnetic investigation indicates that the coupling mechanisms are intrachain antiferromagnetic interactions for 1 and ferromagnetic interactions for 2, respectively. Complex 3 is a magnetic dilute system due to the diamagnetic nature of Co(III). Further magnetic investigations show that complexes 1 and 2 are dominated by the 3D antiferromagnetic ordering with T(N) = 7.2 K for 1 and 9.5 K for 2. It is worth noting that the weak frequency-dependent phenomenon of AC susceptibilities was observed in the low-temperature region in both 1 and 2, suggesting the presence of slow magnetic relaxations.

Dihydronaphthalene-fused boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes: insight into the electronic and conformational tuning modes of BODIPY fluorophores.

A new series of boron-dipyrromethene (BDP, BODIPY) dyes with dihydronaphthalene units fused to the beta-pyrrole positions (1a-d, 2) has been synthesised and spectroscopically investigated. All the dyes, except pH-responsive 1d in polar solvents, display intense emission between 550-700 nm. Compounds 1a and 1b with a hydrogen atom and a methyl group in the meso position of the BODIPY core show spectroscopic properties that are similar to those of rhodamine 101, thus rendering them potent alternatives to the positively charged rhodamine dyes as stains and labels for less polar environments or for the dyeing of latex beads. Compound 1d, which carries an electron-donating 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl group in the meso position, shows dual fluorescence in solvents more polar than dibutyl ether and can act as a pH-responsive "light-up" probe for acidic pH. Correlation of the pK(a) data of 1d and several other meso-(4-dimethylanilino)-substituted BODIPY derivatives allowed us to draw conclusions on the influence of steric crowding at the meso position on the acidity of the aniline nitrogen atom. Preparation and investigation of 2, which carries a nitrogen instead of a carbon as the meso-bridgehead atom, suggests that the rules of colour tuning of BODIPYs as established so far have to be reassessed; for all the reported couples of meso-C- and meso-N-substituted BODIPYs, the exchange leads to pronounced redshifts of the spectra and reduced fluorescence quantum yields. For 2, when compared with 1a, the opposite is found: negligible spectral shifts and enhanced fluorescence. Additional X-ray crystallographic analysis of 1a and quantum chemical modelling of the title and related compounds employing density functional theory granted further insight into the features of such sterically crowded chromophores.

Manganese(II)-octacyanometallate(V) bimetallic ferrimagnets with T(c) from 41 to 53 K obtained in acidic media.

A series of three-dimensional (3D) octacyanometallate-based bimetallic magnets, {[Mn(H(2)O)][Mn(0.75)(HCOO)(0.5)(H(2)O)(0.5)][W(CN)(8)] x H(2)O}(4n) (1), {[Mn(2)(HCOO)(HCOOH)][M(CN)(8)] x H(2)O}(n) (M = W (2) and Mo (3)), and {[Mn(2)(HCOO)(HCOOH)][W(CN)(8)] x CH(3)OH}(n) (M = W (4) and Mo (5)), were synthesized by the reaction of octacyanometallates A(3)[M(CN)(8)] x nH(2)O (A = Na, Cs, and (C(4)H(9))(3)NH; M = W and Mo; and n = 2 or 4) with manganese salt (Mn(CH(3)COO)(2) x 4 H(2)O, Mn(ClO(4))(2) x 6 H(2)O, and MnCl(2) x 4 H(2)O) in aqueous or methanolic solution containing formic acid. All complexes crystallize in the tetragonal or orthorhombic system. Complex 1 shows an unexpected 3D network structure by connections of manganese ions and octacyanotangstate-manganese double layers via cyanide bridges, while other complexes have typical structure constructions similar to the reported complexes {[MnL](m)[M(CN)(8)]}(n) (L = CH(3)COO(-), Cl(-), and H(2)O), which the CN group of [W(V)(CN)(8)] coordinates to eight Mn(II) ions forming a -[W(CN)(8)]-Mn(4)-[W(CN)(8)]-Mn(4)- columnar chain, and then all chains share Mn(II) ions as the nodes interlocking with each other to form the 3D networks. Magnetic studies indicate that the cyanide group mediates the antiferromagnetic coupling between octacyanometallates and manganese ions in all complexes, and the ferrimagnetic phase transition temperatures are 53, 52, 42, 49, and 41 K for 1-5, respectively.

Dinuclear cadmium(II), zinc(II), and manganese(II), trinuclear nickel(II), and pentanuclear copper(II) complexes with novel macrocyclic and acyclic Schiff-base ligands having enantiopure or racemic camphoric diamine components.

Four novel [3 + 3] Schiff-base macrocyclic ligands I-IV condensed from 2,6-diformyl-4-substituted phenols (R = CH(3) or Cl) and enantiopure or racemic camphoric diamines have been synthesized and characterized. Metal-ion complexations of these enantiopure and racemic [3 + 3] macrocyclic ligands with different cadmium(II), zinc(II), manganese(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) salts lead to the cleavage of Schiff-base C horizontal lineN double bonds and subsequent ring contraction of the macrocyclic ligands due to the size effects and the spatial restrictions of the coordination geometry of the central metals, the steric hindrance of ligands, and the counterions used. As a result, five [2 + 2] and one [1 + 2] dinuclear cadmium(II) complexes (1-6), two [2 + 2] dinuclear zinc(II) (7 and 8), and two [2 + 2] dinuclear manganese(II) (9 and 10) complexes together with one [1 + 1] trinuclear nickel(II) complex (11) and one [1 + 2] pentanuclear copper(II) complex (12), bearing enantiopure or racemic ligands, different substituent groups in the phenyl rings, and different anionic ligands (Cl(-), Br(-), OAc(-), and SCN(-)), have been obtained in which the chiral carbon atoms in the camphoric backbones are arranged in different ways (RRSS for the enantiopure ligands in 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7-10 and RSRS for the racemic ligands in 3, 6, 11, and 12). The steric hindrance effects of the methyl group bonded to one of the chiral carbon atoms of camphoric diamine units are believed to play important roles in the formation of the acyclic [1 + 1] trinuclear complex 11 and [1 + 2] dinuclear and pentanuclear complexes 6 and 12. In dinuclear cadmium(II), zinc(II), and manganese(II) complexes 1-10, the sequence of separations between the metal centers is consistent with that of the ionic radii shortened from cadmium(II) to manganese(II) to zinc(II) ions. Furthermore, UV-vis, circular dichroism, (1)H NMR, and fluorescence spectra have been used to characterize and compare the structural differences between related compounds.