Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Polyoxometalate-Based Organo Palladium(II) Metallomacrocycles via Electrostatic Interactions.

The design and synthesis of a supramolecular square composed of polyoxometalate-based hybrid donors and ethylenediamine palladium(II) nodes are reported. The structure of the metallomacrocycle scaffold was inferred by diffusion NMR, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and molecular modeling. The metallomacrocycle scaffold that contains negatively and positively charged subunits can further self-assemble owing to a competition between the solvation energy of the discrete species and intermolecular electrostatic interactions. When the dissociating character of the solvent was lowered or when in the presence of a protic solvent, different types of multiscale organizations (vesicles and pseudo-1D structures) were selectively formed and were characterized by SAXS and transmission electron microscopy.

One-Step Synthesis of Diamine-Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots from Graphene Oxide and Their Chelating and Antioxidant Activities.

2,2'-(Ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamine)-functionalized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were prepared under mild conditions from graphene oxide (GO) via oxidative fragmentation. The as-prepared GQDs have an average diameter of ca. 4 nm, possess good colloidal stability, and emit strong green-yellow light with a photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield of 22% upon excitation at 375 nm. We also demonstrated that the GQDs exhibit high photostability and the PL intensity is poorly affected while tuning the pH from 1 to 8. Finally, GQDs can be used to chelate Fe(II) and Cu(II) cations, scavenge radicals, and reduce Fe(III) into Fe(II). These chelating and reducing properties that associate to the low cytotoxicity of GQDs show that these nanoparticles are of high interest as antioxidants for health applications.

Capturing a Square Planar Gold(III) Complex Inside a Platinum Nanocage: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study.

A novel synthetic procedure was set up to gain access to platinum coordination cages Pt2L4, which are less investigated compared to their palladium counterparts. This Pt2L4 nanocage exhibits an adequate cavity for guest encapsulation. Indeed, the Au(III) metal complex [Au(bdt)2]- (bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate) was successfully captured inside the cavity, in contrast to the analogous palladium cage which failed to host the gold complex. This result represents a rare example where a metal complex with thio-ligands can be encapsulated in a coordination cage. Moreover, it highlights the role of the metal center and the robustness of the platinum cage for host-guest chemistry. This discovery will inspire researchers in this area to pay more attention to Pt-cages. The host-guest system was fully characterized by NMR techniques and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Moreover, the nature of the host-guest interaction in this unique example was investigated and rationalized by DFT computational studies.

Chiral two bladed ML2 metallamacrocycles: design, structures and solution behavior.

Chiral two bladed complexes of [Co(L)2][BF4]2 (1) and [Zn(L)2][BF4]2 (2) containing an atropoisomeric semi-rigid bidentate ligand L were synthesized and characterized. They are obtained as homochiral species but in a racemic mixture via a ligand self-sorting mechanism. These enantiomers can be differentiated in solution using optically active anions.

Encapsulation of a metal complex within a self-assembled nanocage: synergy effects, molecular structures, and density functional theory calculations.

A novel palladium-based metallacage was self-assembled. This nanocage displayed two complementary effects that operate in synergy for guest encapsulation. Indeed, a metal complex, [Pt(NO2)4](2-), was hosted inside the cavity, as demonstrated by solution NMR studies. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the guest adopts two different orientations, depending on the nature of the host-guest interactions involved. A density functional theory computational study is included to rationalize this type of host-guest interaction. These studies pave the way to a better comprehension of chemical interaction and transformation within confined nanospaces.

Self-Assembled M2L4 Nanocapsules: Synthesis, Structure and Host-Guest Recognition Toward Square Planar Metal Complexes.

Metallosupramolecular cages of the general formulas [M2(L)4][X]4 can be self-assembled in good yields, where M = Pd, X = NO3, L = L¹ (1a); M = Pd, X = OTf, L = L¹ (1b); M = Pt, X = OTf, L = L¹ (2); M = Pd, X = OTf, L = L² (3); L¹ = 1,3-bis(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)-5-methoxybenzene; and L² = 2,6-(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)- 4-methoxyaniline, respectively. These cages have been fully characterized using ¹H, 13C NMR, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and electrospray mass spectrometry. Additionally the molecular structure of [Pd2(L¹)4][OTf]4 (1b) was confirmed using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The capacity of central cavities of M2L4 cages to accommodate square planar metal complexes was investigated. In particular, the tetracationic cage [Pd2(L²)4][OTf]4 (3) was found to encapsulate the anionic metal complex [PtCl4]2- through electrostatic interactions and also via hydrogen bonding with the amino groups of the bridging ligand displayed by this nanocage.

Meso-helicates with rigid angular tetradentate ligand: design, molecular structures, and progress towards self-assembly of metal-organic nanotubes.

The self-assembly of two novel metallosupramolecular complexes of the general formulas [L2M2(CH3CN)4][BF4]4 (M = Co, 1a; M = Ni, 1b), where L stands for the tetradentate ligand 3,5-bis[4-(2,2'-dipyridylamino)phenylacetylenyl]toluene, is reported together with their molecular structures ascertained by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Complexes 1a and 1b are isostructural and show the formation of dinuclear meso-helicates with the two octahedral metal centers displaying respectively Δ and Λ configurations. These meso-helicates display large nanocavities with metal---metal separation distance of >2 nm; furthermore, π-π-stacking occurs among individual units to form one-dimensional (1D) polymers which further autoassemble in another direction through π-π contacts among neighboring chains to generate a two-dimensional (2D) network with regular nanocavities. Our approach might be of interest to prepare metal-organic nanotubes via a bottom-up strategy depending on the assembling functional ligand and the geometry of molecular building block.

Enantioselective Ir(I)-catalyzed carbocyclization of 1,6-enynes by the chiral counterion strategy.

Enantioenriched bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-2-enes were synthesized by Ir(I)-catalyzed carbocyclization of 1,6-enynes. No chiral ligands were used, CO and PPh(3) were the only ligands bound to iridium. Instead, the stereochemical information was localized on the counterion of the catalyst, generated in situ by reaction of Vaska's complex (trans-[IrCl(CO)(PPh(3))(2)]) with a chiral silver phosphate. Enantiomeric excesses up to 93% were obtained when this catalytic mixture was used. (31)P NMR and IR spectroscopy suggest that formation of the trans- [Ir(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) moiety occurs by chlorine abstraction. Moreover, density functional theory calculations support a 6-endo-dig cyclization promoted by this cationic moiety. The chiral phosphate anion (O-P*) controls the enantioselectivity through formation of a loose ion pair with the metal center and establishes a C-H···O-P* hydrogen bond with the substrate. This is a rare example of asymmetric counterion-directed transition-metal catalysis and represents the first application of such a strategy to a C-C bond-forming reaction.

A unique type of a dicobalt cage templated by a weakly coordinated hexafluorophosphate anion: design, structure and solid-state NMR investigations.

A dinuclear cobalt capsule [PF(6) subset(CH(3)CN)(2)(Co(2)L(4))][PF(6)](3) (2), (L = bis-benzimidazole-1,3-phenylene) has been prepared using a self-assembly approach. This unique class of cage is perfectly designed to encapsulate weakly coordinated anions, i.e. BF(4)(-) and PF(6)(-)via an Manion weak interaction as illustrated by X-ray and solid-state NMR investigations. Selective anion binding for BF(4)(-) over PF(6)(-) is also observed.

Luminescent cyclometalated Rh(III), Ir(III), and (DIP)2Ru(II) complexes with carboxylated bipyridyl ligands: synthesis, X-ray molecular structure, and photophysical properties.

Luminescent cyclometalated rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes of the general formula [M(ppy) 2(N (wedge)N)][PF 6], with N (wedge)N = Hcmbpy = 4-carboxy-4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine and M = Rh ( 1), Ir ( 2) and N (wedge)N = H 2dcbpy = 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine and M = Rh ( 3), Ir ( 4), were prepared in high yields and fully characterized. The X-ray molecular structure of the monocarboxylic iridium complex [Ir(ppy) 2(Hcmbpy)][PF 6] ( 2) was also determined. The photophysical properties of these compounds were studied and showed that the photoluminescence of rhodium complexes 1 and 3 and iridium complexes 2 and 4 originates from intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer/ligand-centered MLCT/LC excited states, respectively. For comparison purposes, the mono- and dicarboxylic acid ruthenium complexes [Ru(DIP) 2(Hcmbpy)][Cl] 2 ( 5) and [Ru(DIP) 2(H 2dcbpy)][Cl] 2 ( 6), where DIP = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, were also prepared, whose emission is MLCT in nature. Comparison of the photophysical behavior of these rhodium(III), iridium(III), and ruthenium(II) complexes reveals the influence of the carboxylic groups that affect in different ways the ILCT, MLCT, and LC states.

Supramolecular cobalt cages and coordination polymers templated by anion guests: self-assembly, structures, and magnetic properties.

We report the anion-templated syntheses of a variety of supramolecular assemblies of Co(II). Remarkably in the presence of a weakly coordinating ion such as BF(4) (-), a discrete three-dimensional cage [BF(4) subset(BF(4))(2)Co(2)(L(1))(4)][BF(4)] (2) is formed with three coordinated BF(4) (-) ions, a rare example in supramolecular chemistry (L(1)=di(benzimidazole)-1,4-phenylene). Switching to stronger coordinating ions, such as NO(3) (-) or Cl(-), a one-dimensional coordination polymer [[Co(L(1))(NO(3))(2)](n)] (3) and a metallomacrocycle [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Cl)(4)] (5) were formed, respectively. These results illustrate the powerful effect of the anion-templating chemistry. Finally the magnetic properties of these assemblies 1 b, 2, 3, and 5 are presented and discussed.

Facile synthesis and characterization of naphthidines as a new class of highly nonplanar electron donors giving robust radical cations.

Naphthidines 2 were prepared by nickel-catalyzed amination of 1-chloronaphthalene followed by oxidative homocoupling of 1-naphthalene amines 1 using titanium(IV) tetrachloride. The electronic and magnetic properties of materials 2 were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and other electrochemical techniques, EPR and UV-visible spectroscopies, and magnetic susceptibility. It was demonstrated that compounds 2 could be easily and reversibly oxidized via a two-electron-transfer reaction into their bis(radical cation) 2(2.2+), which displays a substantial stability at room temperature (the half-life of 2(2.2+) estimated by EPR at 25 degrees C was 10 days). B3LYP/6-31G optimized structures of N,N'-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-(1,1'-binaphthyl)-4,4'-diamine 2g shows significant differences in the torsion angle between the naphthalene moieties depending on its oxidation state. Twisted structures are preferred for neutral compounds, whereas more planar are favored for the oxidized forms 2g*+ and 2g(2.2+) to realize spin and/or charge delocalizations over the whole pi-system. Such conformation changes concerted with the electron transfers contribute to explain the unusual two-electron process observed in the electrochemical behavior of 2g instead of the two single-electron transfers that would have been expected in the case of two successive oxidations. It is finally shown that the oxidation of 2g in CH2Cl2 with thianthrenium perchlorate (ThClO4) generates the dication 2g(2.2+) with singlet spin-multiplicity.

Nickel(0)/dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene complex catalyzed coupling of aryl chlorides and amines.

A general and simple nickel-catalyzed coupling of aryl chlorides and amines is reported. The scope and limitations of the coupling process using Ni(0), 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene, and NaO-t-Bu as base were investigated. Secondary cyclic and acyclic amines and anilines provided the arylamine coupling products in good to excellent yields. Compared to palladium-catalyzed aminations, this procedure offers an alternative route to N-substituted anilines starting from readily available aryl chlorides.