Distributive Nd-to-Yb Energy Transfer within Pure [YbNdYb] Heterometallic Molecules.

Facile access to site-selective hetero-lanthanide molecules will open new avenues in the search of novel photophysical phenomena based on Ln-to-Ln' energy transfer (ET). This challenge demands strategies to segregate efficiently different Ln metal ions among different positions in a molecule. We report here the one-step synthesis and structure of a pure [YbNdYb] (1) coordination complex featuring short Yb···Nd distances, ideal to investigate a potential distributive (i.e., from one donor to two acceptors) intramolecular ET from one Nd3+ ion to two Yb3+ centers within a well-characterized molecule. The difference in ionic radius is the mechanism allowing to allocate selectively both types of metal ion within the molecular structure, exploited with the simultaneous use of two ß-diketone-type ligands. To assist the photophysical investigation of this heterometallic species, the analogues [YbLaYb] (2) and [LuNdLu] (3) have also been prepared. Sensitization of Yb3+ and Nd3+ in the last two complexes, respectively, was observed, with remarkably long decay times, facilitating the determination of the Nd-to-Yb ET within the [YbNdYb] composite. This ET was demonstrated by comparing the emission of iso-absorbant solutions of 1, 2, and 3 and through lifetime determinations in solution and solid state. The comparatively high efficiency of this process corroborates the facilitating effect of having two acceptors for the nonradiative decay of Nd3+ created within the [YbNdYb] molecule.

Al(III) and Ga(III) Bisphenolate Azadipyrromethene-Based "N2O2" Complexes as Efficient NIR-Fluorophores.

Aza-boron-dipyrromethenes (Aza-BODIPYs) are an increasingly studied class of fluorophores. They can be seen as an azadipyrromethene ("aza-DIPY") ligand rigidified by a metalloid, a boron atom. Based on this idea, a series of complexes of group 13 metals (aluminum and gallium) have been synthesized and characterized. The impact of the metal and of the nature of the substituents of aza-DIPY core were investigated. The photophysical and electrochemical properties were determined, and an X-ray structure of an azaGaDIPY was obtained. These data reveal that azaGaDIPY and azaAlDIPY exhibit significant red-shifted fluorescence compared to their analogue aza-BODIPY. Their emission can go up to 800 nm for the maximum emission length and up to NIR-II for the emission tail. This, associated with their electrochemical stability (no metal release whether oxidized or reduced) makes them a promising class of fluorophores for optical medical imaging. Moreover, X-ray structure and molecular modeling studies have shown that this redshift seems to be more due to the geometry around the boron/metal than to the nature of the metal.

Tuning Excited-State Properties of [2.2]Paracyclophane-Based Antennas to Ensure Efficient Sensitization of Lanthanide Ions or Singlet Oxygen Generation.

The multistep synthesis of original antennas incorporating substituted [2.2]paracyclophane (pCp) moieties in the π-conjugated skeleton is described. These antennas, functionalized with an electron donor alkoxy fragment (A1) or with a fused coumarin derivative (A2), are incorporated in a triazacyclonane macrocyclic ligand L1 or L2, respectively, for the design of Eu(III), Yb(III), and Gd(III) complexes. A combined photophysical/theoretical study reveals that A1 presents a charge transfer character via through-space paracyclophane conjugation, whereas A2 presents only local excited states centered on the coumarin-paracyclophane moiety, strongly favoring triplet state population via intersystem crossing. The resulting complexes EuL1 and YbL2 are fully emissive in red and near-infrared, respectively, whereas the GdL2 complex acts as a photosensitizer for the generation of singlet oxygen.

Exploring the Concept of Dimerization-Induced Intersystem Crossing: At the Origins of Spin-Orbit Coupling Selection Rules.

Singlet-triplet interconversions (intersystem crossing, ISC) in organic molecules are at the basis of many important processes in cutting-edge photonic applications (organic light-emitting devices, photodynamic therapy, etc.). Selection rules for these transitions are mainly governed by the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) phenomenon. Although the SOC relies on complex relativistic phenomena, theoreticians have, with time, developed increasingly sophisticated and efficient approaches to gain access to a satisfactory evaluation of its magnitude. However, recent works have highlighted the remarkable and somehow unexpected efficiency of dimers of small conjugated molecules in terms of ISC quantum yields, whose origin has not been completely investigated. In this work, we bring a coupled experimental and theoretical analysis of the origin of the unusually large ISC efficiency on a series of such dimers that differ by their nature (covalent or supramolecular). We show that considering the dynamical nature of the SOC, and especially its dependence on angular orientations between the dimer subunits sometimes overlooked in the literature, it is necessary to rationalize some counterintuitive experimental observations. This combined experimental and theoretical work paves the way for new molecular engineering rules for SOC control.

Chiral Benzothiazole Monofluoroborate Featuring Chiroptical and Oxygen-Sensitizing Properties: Synthesis and Photophysical Studies.

Advances in personalized medicine are prompting the development of multimodal agents, that is, molecules that combine properties promoting various diagnostic and therapeutic applications. General approaches exploit chemical conjugation of therapeutic agents with contrast agents or the design of multimodal nanoplatforms. Herein, we report the design of a single molecule that exhibits potential for different diagnostic modes as well as the ability to sensitize oxygen, thus offering potential for photodynamic therapy. Exceptionally, this work involves the synthesis and chiral resolution of an enantiomeric pair of chiral monofluoroborates that contain a stereogenic boron atom. Combining experimental and theoretical chiroptical studies allowed the unambiguous determination of their absolute configuration. Photophysical investigations established the ability of this compound to sensitize oxygen even in the absence of heavy atoms within its structure. The synthesis of a chiral benzothiazole monofluoroborate paves a way to multimodal diagnostic tools (fluorescence and nuclear imaging) while also featuring potential therapeutic applications owing to its ability to activate oxygen to its singlet state for use in photodynamic therapy.

Investigation of the K4[Fe(CN)6]-Mediated Mono- and Bis-Palladium-Catalyzed Cyanation of the Benzothioxanthene Core.

The pallado-catalyzed cyanation of benzothioxanthene imide (BTXI) derivatives is explored herein. Once optimized on the monobromo BTXI, mild reaction conditions were successfully applied to the dibromo derivative affording two regioisomers that have been isolated and structurally solved. Additional hydrogen-deuterium exchange experiments were carried out to support a proposed mechanism involving the formation of a five-membered palladacycle intermediate in the bay area. As well as impacting the structural, photo physical and electrochemical properties of the BTXI core, nitrile moieties were successfully used as orthogonal protecting groups, thus opening doors to new design principles.

Enhanced Near-Infrared Emission from Eight-Coordinate vs Nine-Coordinate YbIII Complexes Using 2-(5-Methylpyridin-2-yl)-8-hydroxyquinoline.

Enhanced near-infrared (NIR) luminescence from two structurally related heterobinuclear NaIYbIII eight-cooridnate and heterobinuclear YbIIINaI eight-coordinate (CN = 8) complexes is reported and compared to a nine-coordinate (CN = 9) homoleptic complex. For the heteroleptic complex, [Yb(MPQ2)(acac)], the YbIII cation is coordinated to two tridentate 2-(5-methylpyridin-2-yl)-8-quinolinate (MPQ) anions, with a bidentate acetylacetonate (acac) anion completing the coordination sphere. Instead, the heterobinuclear [NaYb(MPQ)4] complex comprises a total of four anionic MPQ ligands, two of which exhibit κ3-coordination to the YbIII cation. The remaining two MPQ anions are unidentate toward the lanthanide and form µ2-bridges via the deprotonated quinolinate oxygens to a bound NaI cation which is also coordinated to the remaining nitrogen donor atoms. The structural properties of these complexes were evaluated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD), continuous shape measure (CShM) analysis, and 1H NMR spectroscopy using a diamagnetic LuIII analogue. The corresponding photophysical properties were examined in CH2Cl2 solution by using absorption and emission spectroscopy. For both the complexes, characteristic YbIII emission is observed at ca. 980 nm, with recorded photoluminescence quantum yields (Φobs) and NIR luminescence lifetimes (τobs) of 2.0% and 14.0 µs vs 1.5% and 11.6 µs for the [NaYb(MPQ)4] and [Yb(MPQ)2(acac)] complexes, respectively. Interestingly, the eight-coordinate YbIII complexes both have higher photoluminescence quantum yields when compared to the homoleptic [Yb(MPQ)3] complex, which has a reported quantum yield of 1.0% and a NIR lifetime determined herein of 13.3 µs under identical conditions. These results have been rationalized by considering the overall efficiency of the ligand-centered sensitization process (ηsens = Φisc × Φeet), together with subsequent radiative (kr) and nonradiative (knr) deactivation of the YbIII cation. Moreover, the efficiency of the intersystem crossing (Φisc) and electronic energy transfer (Φeet) processes involved in the antennae effect have been quantified for the new complexes using a combination of nanosecond and femtosecond transient absorption techniques and have been compared to our previous results using [Ln(MPQ)3] complexes with Ln = Yb and Lu.

Heteronuclear Dirhodium-Gold Anionic Complexes: Polymeric Chains and Discrete Units.

In this article, we report on the synthesis and characterization of the tetracarboxylatodirhodium(II) complexes [Rh2(µ-O2CCH2OMe)4(THF)2] (1) and [Rh2(µ-O2CC6H4-p-CMe3)4(OH2)2] (2) by metathesis reaction of [Rh2(µ-O2CMe)4] with the corresponding ligand acting also as the reaction solvent. The reaction of the corresponding tetracarboxylato precursor, [Rh2(µ-O2CR)4], with PPh4[Au(CN)2] at room temperature, yielded the one-dimensional polymers (PPh4)n[Rh2(µ-O2CR)4Au(CN)2]n (R = Me (3), CH2OMe (4), CH2OEt (5)) and the non-polymeric compounds (PPh4)2{Rh2(µ-O2CR)4[Au(CN)2]2} (R = CMe3 (6), C6H4-p-CMe3 (7)). The structural characterization of 1, 3·2CH2Cl2, 4·3CH2Cl2, 5, 6, and 7·2OCMe2 is also provided with a detailed description of their crystal structures and intermolecular interactions. The polymeric compounds 3·2CH2Cl2, 4·3CH2Cl2, and 5 show wavy chains with Rh-Au-Rh and Rh-N-C angles in the ranges 177.18°-178.69° and 163.0°-170.4°, respectively. A comparative study with related rhodium-silver complexes previously reported indicates no significant influence of the gold or silver atoms in the solid-state arrangement of these kinds of complexes.

Theoretical and experimental investigation on the intersystem crossing kinetics in benzothioxanthene imide luminophores, and their dependence on substituent effects.

In spite of their remarkable luminescence properties, benzothioxanthene imide (BTXI, an imide containing rylene chromophores) derivatives have been largely overlooked compared to their perylene bisimide and naphthalene bisimide counterparts. Thus, their detailed photophysics are much less understood. In this paper, we show how relatively simple structural modifications of the backbone of BTXIs can lead to impressive variations in their inter-system crossing kinetics. Thus, through rational engineering of their structure, it is possible to obtain a triplet formation quantum yield that reaches unity, making BTXI a promising class of compounds for triplet-based applications (photodynamic therapy, electroluminescence, etc.).

Visible and Near-Infrared Emission from Lanthanoid ß-Triketonate Assemblies Incorporating Cesium Cations.

The reaction of the ß-triketonate ligands tris(4-methylbenzoyl)methanide and tribenzoylmethanide with the trivalent lanthanoids Eu3+, Er3+, and Yb3+ in the presence of Cs+ afforded polymeric structures where the repeating units are represented by bimetallic tetranuclear assemblies of formulation {[Ln(Cs)(ß-triketonate)4]2}n. The only exception is the structure formed by the reaction of tris(4-methylbenzoyl)methanide, Yb3+, and Cs+, which yielded a polymeric assembly where the repeating units are mononuclear Yb3+ complexes bridged by Cs+ cations. Photophysical measurements on the obtained materials confirmed efficient sensitization from the ligand excited states to the 4f* excited states of the three lanthanoids. According to transient absorption data, Er3+ and Yb3+ are sensitized via energy transfer from the triplet state of the ß-triketonate ligands. On the other hand, energy transfer to Eu3+ seems to occur via an alternative pathway, possibly directly via the singlet state or through ligand to metal charge transfer states. The emission measurements confirm efficient sensitization for all three lanthanoids and bright near-infrared emission for Er3+ and Yb3+, a characteristic that seems to be linked to the specific chemical structure of the ß-triketonate ligands.