Extra hydrogen bonding interactions by peripheral indole groups stabilize benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide helical assemblies.

Benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide monomers derived from alkyl esters of tryptophan (BTA Trp) self-assemble into helices with an inner threefold hydrogen bond network surrounded by a second network involving the indole N-H groups. As a consequence of this extra stabilization of its helical assemblies, BTA Trp forms more viscous solutions than a range of ester and alkyl BTAs.

Luminescent Cyclometalated Platinum Complexes with π-Bonded Catecholate Organometallic Ligands.

A series of cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes of the type [(ppy)Pt(LM)]n+ (n = 0, 1) with π-bonded catecholates acting as organometallic ligands (LM) have been prepared and characterized by analytical techniques. In addition, the structures of two complexes of the series were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The packing shows the formation of a 1D supramolecular assembly generated by dPt-πCp* interactions among individual units. All complexes are luminescent in the solid state and in solution media. The results of photophysics have been rationalized by means of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT investigations.

New N

We describe Pd(ii) and Pt(ii) complexes of an N^C^N-coordinating pincer-like ligand featuring two lateral pyridine rings and a 6-membered carbene core. Their crystal structures display 1-dimensional chains with short π-π and M(ii)M(ii) interactions. Such interactions also impact on the photophysical properties, with the Pt(ii) complex being luminescent in the solid state at room temperature.

Induced Circular Dichroism in Phosphine Gold(I) Aryl Acetylide Urea Complexes through Hydrogen-Bonded Chiral Co-Assemblies.

Phosphine gold(I) aryl acetylide complexes equipped with a central bis(urea) moiety form 1D hydrogen-bonded polymeric assemblies in solution that do not display any optical activity. Chiral co-assemblies are formed by simple addition of an enantiopure (metal-free) complementary monomer. Although exhibiting an intrinsically achiral linear geometry, the gold(I) aryl acetylide fragment is located in the chiral environment displayed by the hydrogen-bonded co-assemblies, as demonstrated by induced circular dichroism (ICD).

Induced phosphorescence from Pt → Ag and Ag(i)...Ag(i) metallophilic interactions in benzenedithiolatodiimine-Pt2/Ag2 clusters: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation.

We report the synthesis and luminescence properties of a novel platinum(ii)-silver(i) cluster exhibiting supramolecular donor-acceptor dative Pt → Ag bonds as well as d(10)...d(10) argentophilic interactions. This compound was obtained by a self-assembly process upon mixing silver triflate with the [Pt(bdt)(bpy)] (1) building block. The new compound was characterized by infrared, NMR ((1)H, (13)C) and UV-vis spectroscopy. In addition, the molecular structure was unequivocally ascertained by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study and shows that the assembly is identified as [(Pt2Ag2(o-bdt)2(bpy)2](CF3SO3)2 (2). Remarkably, the structure shows that complex 2 exists as two isomers I and II displaying different types of argentophilic interactions Ag...Ag as well as Pt → Ag dative bonds. These interactions are highly important and turn on phosphorescent emissions at low temperature depending on the nature of the isomer. The photophysical properties of both isomers were investigated and rationalized through TD-DFT calculations. This work paves the way to the synthesis of novel supramolecular assemblies displaying peculiar properties imparted from metallophilic as well as donor-acceptor metal-metal interactions.

A unique class of neutral cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes with π-bonded benzenedithiolate: synthesis, molecular structures and tuning of luminescence properties.

A unique class of neutral cyclometalated platinum(ii) complexes with π-bonded benzenedithiolate are reported including two X-ray molecular structures. To the best of our knowledge these are the first structures to be reported for cyclometalated platinum complexes with a benzenedithiolate ligand. All of the complexes are luminescent in fluid solution at room temperature and in frozen solvent glasses at 77 K and their emission properties can be tuned through ligand variation.

Tuning excited states of bipyridyl platinum(II) chromophores with π-bonded catecholate organometallic ligands: synthesis, structures, TD-DFT calculations, and photophysical properties.

A series of bipyridyl (bpy) Pt(II) complexes with π-bonded catecholate (cat) [(bpy)Pt(LM)][BF4]n (2-5) (LM = Cp*Rh(cat), n = 2; Cp*Ir(cat), n = 2; Cp*Ru(cat), n = 1; and (C6H6)Ru(cat), n = 2) were prepared and fully characterized. The molecular structures of the four compounds were determined and showed that the solid-state packing is different and dependent on the π-bonded catecholate unit. For instance, while the (bpy)Pt(II) complexes 2 and 3 with rhodium and iridium catecholates did not show any Pt···Pt interactions those with the ruthenium catecholates 4 and 5 showed the presence of Pt···Pt and π-π interactions among individual units and generated one- and two-dimensional supramolecular chains. The photophysical properties of these compounds 2-5 were investigated and showed that all compounds are luminescent at low temperature, in contrast to the well-known parent compound [(C6H4O2)Pt(bpy)] (1), which is weakly luminescent at 77 K. Time-dependent density functional theory studies are advanced to explain this difference in behavior and to highlight the role of the π-bonded catecholate system.

An unprecedented cyclometallated platinum(II) complex incorporating a phosphinine co-ligand: synthesis and photoluminescence behaviour.

The first luminescent cyclometallated platinum(II) complex bearing phosphinine co-ligands is reported. The long-lived luminescence, which it displays at 77 K, is assigned to a phosphinine-localised triplet excited state on the basis of electrochemical data and TD-DFT calculations.

Atroposelective [2+2+2] cycloadditions catalyzed by a rhodium(I)-chiral phosphate system.

Enantioselective cationic Rh(I)-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions between diynes and isocyanates relying on the chiral anion strategy have been devised. In the presence of [Rh(cod)Cl]2, 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane, and the silver phosphate salt Ag(S)-TRIP as the unique source of chirality, axially chiral pyridones were isolated with ees up to 82%. This approach is novel in the field of chiral anion-mediated asymmetric catalysis since atroposelective transformations have so far remained unprecedented. It also proves to be complementary to the classical strategy based on chiral L-type ligands.

Planar chiral iridium complexes with the Δ-TRISPHAT anion: toward the first enantiopure o-quinone methide π-complex.

We describe the resolution of a planar chiral cationic iridium complex [Cp*Ir(η5-2-methyl-oxodienyl)][OT f] (2) following the counterion strategy, where anion metathesis by Δ-TRISPHAT generates the two diastereomers (pR, pS)-[Cp*Ir(η5-2-methyl-oxodienyl)][Δ-TRISPHAT] (3a, 3a'). Upon fractional crystallization both compounds were separated as confirmed by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and circular dichroism studies recorded in solution. The latter represents the key-complex precursors for the enantioselective synthesis of metallated o-quinone methide complexes (4a, 4a').

Charge Photo-Accumulation and Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Under Visible Light at an Iridium(III)-Photosensitized Polyoxotungstate.

Steady-state irradiation under visible light of a covalent Ir(III)-photosensitized polyoxotungstate is reported. In the presence of a sacrificial electron donor, the photolysis leads to the very efficient photoreduction of the polyoxometalate. Successive formation of the one-electron and two-electron reduced species, which are unambiguously identified by comparison with spectroelectrochemical measurements, is observed with a significantly faster rate reaction for the formation of the one-electron reduced species. The kinetics of the photoreduction, which are correlated to the reduction potentials of the polyoxometalate (POM), can be finely tuned by the presence of an acid. Indeed light-driven formation of the two-electron reduced POM is considerably facilitated in the presence of acetic acid. The system is also able to perform photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light without significant loss of performance over more than 1 week of continuous photolysis and displays higher photocatalytic efficiency than the related multi-component system, outlining the decisive effect of the covalent bonding between the POM and the photosensitizer. This functional and modular system constitutes a promising step for the development of charge photoaccumulation devices and subsequent photoelectrocatalysts for artificial photosynthesis.

Turning on red and near-infrared phosphorescence in octahedral complexes with metalated quinones.

We report the synthesis of π-bonded ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium o-benzoquinones [Cp*M(o-C(6)H(4)O(2))](n) [M = Ru (2), n = 1-; Rh (3), n = 0; Ir (4), n = 0] following a novel synthetic procedure. Compounds 2-4 were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and used as chelating organometallic linkers, "OM-linkers", toward luminophore bricks such as Ru(bpy)(2)(2+), Rh(ppy)(2)(+), and Ir(ppy)(2)(+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; ppy = 2-phenylpyridine) for the design of a novel family of octahedral bimetallic complexes of the general formula [(L-L)(2)M(OM-linkers)][X](m) (X = counteranion; m = 0, 1, 2) whose luminescent properties depend on the choice of the OM-linker and the luminophore brick. Thus, dinuclear assemblies such as [(bpy)(2)Ru(2)][OTf] (5-OTf), [(bpy)(2)Ru(2)][Δ-TRISPHAT] (5-ΔT) {TRISPHAT = tris[tetrachlorobenzene-1,2-bis(olato)]phosphate}, [(bpy)(2)Ru(3)][OTf](2) (6-OTf), [(bpy)(2)Ru(4)][OTf](2) (7-OTf), [(bpy)(2)Ru(4)][Δ-TRISPHAT](2) (7-ΔT), [(ppy)(2)Rh(2)] (8), [(ppy)(2)Rh(3)][OTf] (9-OTf), [(ppy)(2)Rh(4)][OTf] (10-OTf), [(ppy)(2)Rh(4)][Δ-TRISPHAT] (10-ΔT), [(ppy)(2)Ir(2)] (11), [(ppy)(2)Ir(3)][OTf] (12-OTf), [(ppy)(2)Ir(4)][OTf] (13-OTf), and [(ppy)(2)Ir(4)][Δ-TRISPHAT] (13-ΔT) were prepared and fully characterized. The X-ray molecular structures of three of them, i.e., 5-OTf, 8, and 11, were determined. The structures displayed a main feature: for instance, the two oxygen centers of the OM-linker [Cp*Ru(o-C(6)H(4)O(2))](-) (2) chelate the octahedral chromophore metal center, whether it be ruthenium, rhodium, or iridium. Further, the carbocycle of the OM-linker 2 adopts a η(4)-quinone form but with some catecholate contribution due to metal coordination. All of these binuclear assemblies showed a wide absorption window that tailed into the near-IR (NIR) region, in particular in the case of the binuclear ruthenium complex 5-OTf with the anionic OM-linker 2. The latter feature is no doubt related to the effect of the OM-linker, which lights up the luminescence in these homo- and heterobinuclear compounds, while no effect has been observed on the UV-visible and emission properties because of the counteranion, whether it be triflate (OTf) or Δ-TRISPHAT. At low temperature, all of these compounds become luminescent; remarkably, the o-quinonoid linkers [Cp*M(o-C(6)H(4)O(2))](n) (2-4) turn on red and NIR phosphorescence in the binuclear octahedral species 5-7. This trend was even more observable when the ruthenium OM-linker 2 was employed. These assemblies hold promise as NIR luminescent materials, in contrast to those made from organic 1,2-dioxolene ligands that conversely are not emissive.

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.

Chiral octahedral bimetallic assemblies with Δ-TRISPHAT as counter anion: design, anion metathesis, and Cp*Ir as a probe for chiral recognition.

The chiral octahedral bimetallic assemblies [(bpy)(2)Ru(o-L(Ir))][CF(3)SO(3)](2) (2), [(ppy)(2)Rh(o-L(Ir))][NO(3)] (7) and [(ppy)(2)Ir(o-L(Ir))][NO(3)] (8) featuring chelating organometallic linker [Cp*Ir(η(4)-o-benzoquinone)] (o-L(Ir)) have been prepared and fully characterized. Anion metathesis following a convenient procedure allowed the preparation of the related diastereomers [Δ-(bpy)(2)Ru(o-L(Ir))][Δ-TRISPHAT](2) (2a) and [Λ-(bpy)(2)Ru(o-L(Ir))][Δ-TRISPHAT](2) (2b) as well as the octahedral rhodium [(Δ, Λ)-(ppy)(2)Rh(o-L(Ir))][Δ-TRISPHAT] (7a, 7b) and iridium [(Δ, Λ)-(ppy)(2)Ir(o-L(Ir))][Δ-TRISPHAT] (8a, 8b) bimetallic assemblies. (1)H NMR studies in solution carried out on these compounds showed different behavior. For instance, the rhodium and iridium compounds exhibited weak chiral recognition in contrast the ruthenium compounds allowed facile differentiation between the two diastereomers suggesting that chiral recognition occurs between the enantiopure anion and the cationic part of the molecule.

Supramolecular assemblies based on organometallic quinonoid linkers: a new class of coordination networks.

Self-assembly of coordination frameworks exhibiting original architectures is an active area of research. Generally, such assemblies are constructed from organic spacers and transition metals of different geometrical structures. Herein, we report a novel class of supramolecular coordination assemblies with organometallic linkers based on metalated quinonoid and thioquinonoid complexes that serve as spacers. The organometallic ligands are stable and have the general formula [Cp*M(eta(4)-benzoquinone)] (o- and p-benzoquinone, Cp*=C(5)Me(5), M=Rh, Ir) and [Cp*Ir(eta(4)-thiobenzoquinone)] (o- and p-thiobenzoquinone). These units bind through both oxygen or sulfur atoms to metal ions of different coordination geometry, such as Cu(I), Ag(I), and Pt(II), to generate supramolecular coordination networks, with the metalated quinonoid or thioquinonoid linkers acting as backbones and the metal centers as nodes. This novel family of supramolecular assemblies exhibits short pi-pi and MM interactions. These results illustrate successfully the role of the organometallic linkers to produce an impressive range of novel supramolecular architectures that hold promise for the development of functional materials.

Luminescent 1D chain of platinum(II) terpyridyl units with p-dithiobenzoquinone organometallic linker: self-aggregation imparted from Pt...Pt/pi-pi interactions.

Unlike p-dithiobenzoquinone (), which is extremely reactive and has never been isolated, the metal-stabilised p-dithiobenzoquinone [Cp*Ir(eta4-C6H4S2)] () was prepared and used as an efficient organometallic linker to construct novel supramolecular assemblies. Treatment of with the electrophilic Pt(II)(terpy) building blocks produced the supramolecular assembly {[Pt(terpy){Cp*Ir-p-(eta4-C6H4S2)}Pt(terpy)][OTf]4}n (), which was fully characterised and its molecular structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. The structure of revealed the presence of pi-pi and Pt[dot dot dot]Pt interactions among individual molecules describing a 1D chain. Complex showed unusual UV/Vis absorption and luminescence behaviour at low temperature, imparted from self-aggregation mediated by pi-pi and Pt...Pt interactions.