Topologically diverse shape-persistent bis-(Zn-salphen) catalysts: efficient cyclic carbonate formation under mild conditions.

By adopting a shape-persistent bimetallic design approach, high initial molecular turnover frequencies (up to 14,800 h(-1)) for coupling of CO2 with epoxides in conjunction with (n)Bu4NI, plus excellent yields under mild conditions (1 bar of CO2, 45 °C) have been achieved for catalysts containing cofacial Zn-salphen units.

Luminescent oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes: cellular characterization and mitochondria-specific localization.

A readily tunable series of non-planar oligo(ethylene glycol)-substituted phosphorescent Pt(II) complexes has been investigated as live cell imaging agents; suitable structural modifications can give good cellular uptake, traceable mitochondria-specific localization and potent cytotoxic characteristics towards HeLa cells.

Crowded bis-(M-salphen) [M = Pt(II), Zn(II)] coordination architectures: luminescent properties and ion-selective responses.

For binuclear luminescent host systems, cooperativity between metal-organic moieties becomes feasible with regards to photophysical properties and sensing behavior. A new class of conformationally rigid binuclear platinum(II) and zinc(II) complexes bearing tetradentate aromatic Schiff base (salphen) ligands with limited rotational freedom has been prepared and characterized, and the molecular structure of a (Pt-salphen)2 derivative has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Their UV-vis absorption and emission properties have been investigated and are tentatively ascribed to different excited states depending on the metal and the extent of intramolecular π-stacking interactions. Colorimetric and phosphorescent responses by the bis-Pt(II) complexes in the presence of selected metal ions have been observed. The nature of the host-guest interactions has been examined by quantitative binding studies, mass spectrometry and DFT calculations, and through comparisons with control complexes.

Alternating Poly(Pt-salphen)-(p-phenyleneethynylene) as Phosphorescent Conjugated Linear-Rod and Coilable Sensory Materials.

Phosphorescent conjugated polymers consisting of alternating p-phenylene-ethynylene and 'para-' or 'meta-type' Pt(II)-salphen luminophore units have been synthesized. Side-arms bearing different substituents (n-alkoxy and acetylated-sugar) have afforded contrasting emission properties that are attributed to the polymer conformation, extent of π-stacking interactions and differences in chemical structure. Intriguing selectivity in luminescent sensing of metal ions has been observed.

Axially rotating (Pt-salphen)2 phosphorescent coordination frameworks.

A new class of shape-persistent coordination motifs bearing integrated design features that allow reporting of molecular-level perturbations, and their colorimetric and luminescent responses to metal ions, are described.

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of modular platinum(II) terpyridine phosphorescent pockets.

A modular design approach has been utilized to develop molecular 'pockets' featuring three integrated components, namely a phosphorescent Pt(II)-pi(organic) moiety, a suitable receptor group, and a rigid, conjugated connecting backbone, and the cavities therein are examined by NMR spectroscopy and an X-ray crystal structure. Their photophysical properties have been investigated; unusually for Pt-terpyridine derivatives, the complexes are luminescent (near-red (3)MLCT emission) in solution at room temperature. It has been shown that their emissive characteristics are affected by the nature of the backbone component but not the receptor group.

Platinum(II) Schiff base as versatile phosphorescent core component in conjugated oligo(phenylene-ethynylene)s.

Novel phosphorescent conjugated oligo(phenylene-ethynylene)s featuring a central tunable platinum(II) Schiff base signalling unit with promising photophysical properties have been investigated to pave their development towards polymeric congeners for sensing applications.