Distortion Engineering: A Strategy to Modulate Molecular Upconversion with Molecular Cluster-Aggregates.

The rational engineering of molecules is a powerful chemistry tool of pivotal importance in the fields of molecular magnetism and luminescence. Hence, systems that can be modulated via molecular engineering and composition control are expected to present extra versatility regarding the tunability of their properties. This is the case with molecular cluster aggregates (MCAs), high nuclearity molecular compounds. Herein, we demonstrate how the union of both strategies, namely, composition control and molecular engineering, can be employed to enhance molecular upconversion in MCAs. This was achieved by doping a {Gd8Er2Yb10} MCA with CeIII ions. By replacement of the optically silent GdIII ions with CeIII, the upconversion mechanism is modified due to CeIII-mediated cross-relaxation. In addition to this effect, we could also engineer the degree of metal site distortion due to the larger size of CeIII ions, relaxing the selection rules and impacting the upconversion quantum yield and luminescent thermometry. Opto-structural correlations demonstrate that the presented molecular engineering strategy can be used to enhance the performance of molecular upconverters.

Electrostatic Surface Potentials and Chalcogen-Bonding Motifs of Substituted 2,1,3-Benzoselenadiazoles Probed via 77Se Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy.

Chalcogen bonds (ChB) are moderately strong, directional, and specific non-covalent interactions that have garnered substantial interest over the last decades. Specifically, the presence of two σ-holes offers great potential for crystal engineering, catalysis, biochemistry, and molecular sensing. However, ChB applications are currently hampered by a lack of methods to characterize and control chalcogen bonds. Here, we report on the influence of various substituents (halogens, cyano, and methyl groups) on the observed self-complementary ChB networks of 2,1,3-benzoselenadiazoles. From molecular electrostatic potential calculations, we show that the electrostatic surface potentials (ESP) of the σ-holes on selenium are largely influenced by the electron-withdrawing character of these substituents. Structural analyses via X-ray diffraction reveal a variety of ChB geometries and binding modes that are rationalized via the computed ESP maps, although the structure of 5,6-dimethyl-2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole also demonstrates the influence of steric interactions. 77Se solid-state magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, in particular the analysis of the selenium chemical shift tensors, is found to be an effective probe able to characterize both structural and electrostatic features of these self-complementary ChB systems. We find a positive correlation between the value of the ESP maxima at the σ-holes and the experimentally measured 77Se isotropic chemical shift, while the skew of the chemical shift tensor is established as a metric which is reflective of the ChB binding motif.

Electron-Triggered Imine Coupling: Synthesis and Characterization of Three Redox States (0,-1,-2) of a Ni(N2 S2 ) Complex.

Metal imine-thiolate complexes, M(NS)2 are known to undergo imine C-C bond formation to give M(N2 S2 ) complexes (M=Co, Ni) containing a redox-active ligand. Although these transfor-mations are not typically quantitative, we demonstrate here that the one-electron reduction of a related Ni bis(imine-thiolate) complex affords the corresponding paramagnetic [Ni(N2 S2 )]- anion (2⋅- ) exclusively; subsequent oxidation with [Cp2 Fe]BF4 then affords a high yield of neutral 2 (Cp=η5 -cyclopentadienyl). Moreover, electrochemical studies indicate that a second one-electron reduction affords the diamagnetic dianion. Both anionic products were isolated and characterized by SC-XRD and their electronic structures were investigated by UV-vis spectro-electrochemistry, EPR and NMR spectroscopy, and DFT studies. These studies show that reduction proceeds primarily on the ligand, with (N2 S2 )4- containing both thiolate and ring-delocalized anions.

PI and PIII Ions Supported by BZIMPY Ligands.

We report a class of compounds in which both PIII -X and PI forms featuring the same ligand are stable and readily cycled with each other. A series of PIII -X (X=Cl, Br, I) dicationic triflate salts supported by benzyl- and allyl-substituted 2,6-bis(benzimidazole-2-yl)pyridine (BZIMPY) ligands is synthesized. Surprisingly, treatment of these with R3 PO (R=Et, Oct) results in reduction to BZIMPY-ligated PI monocationic triflate salts while treatment with Ph3 P reduces but also substitutes the compound to produce Ph3 P-BZIMPY-ligated PI dicationic triflate salts. The mechanisms of these surprising reductions are probed experimentally and rationalized computationally. The PIII -X dications are shown to be strong Lewis acids both experimentally and computationally and to readily behave as X+ , PX, and P+ transfer agents in reactions with phosphines, NHCs, and diazabutadienes. The PI mono- and dications are shown to be very effective P+ transfer agents when treated similarly. Oxidation from a monocationic PI salt back to the dicationic PIII -X (X=Cl, Br) salt was achieved by treatment with N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) or N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). Full characterization is reported using multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffractometry where suitable crystals were isolated.

Nickel-Catalyzed Homologation of Vinylidene Difluoride (CH2═CF2): Selective ß-F vs ß-H Elimination.

Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) constitute the newest generation of fluorocarbon refrigerants and foam-blowing agents due to their reduced global warming potential vs their saturated analogues. To identify new synthetic routes to HFOs, we show that reactions of bulky Ni(0) phosphine and -NHC complexes with vinylidene difluoride (VF2) afford µ-fluoro-1,1,3-trifluorobut-3-enyl Ni complexes. Moreover, addition of triisopropylsilane allows for reductive elimination of the reduced product─2,4,4-trifluoro-1-butene─demonstrating the Ni-catalyzed hydrodefluorodimerization of VF2. Accompanying DFT calculations identify the T-shaped nickelacyclopentane intermediate that spontaneously undergoes selective intramolecular ß-F (vs ß-H) elimination.

Nickel(II)-SNS Thiolate Complexes: Reactivity and Solution Dynamics.

Nickel coordination chemistry with a biomimetic thiolate-imine-thioether SNSMe ligand is accompanied by diverse reactivity and multidentate ligand dynamics. Reaction of Ni(acac)2 with 2 equiv of 2-(methylthio)-phenyl-benzothiazolidine (MPB) affords the bis(arylimino-phenylene-thiolate) complex Ni(κ2-SNSMe)2 (1; acac = acetylacetonate). Thermolysis of 1 in refluxing toluene is accompanied by imine C-C bond formation, yielding [Ni(N2S2)] (2) with a redox-active ligand. Protonation of 1 with NHTf2 at a low temperature released 1 equiv of MPB, yielding crystals of the dimeric dication {[Ni(µ-κ3-SNSMe)]2}(NTf2)2 (3; Tf = SO2CF3) in high yield. In contrast, the same reaction at room temperature gave also paramagnetic complexes {Ni[µ-Ni(κ3-SNSMe)2]2}(NTf2)2 (4) and {Ni[µ-Ni(κ3-SNSMe)2]3}(NTf2)2 (5) that feature coordination of two or three pseudo-octahedral, paramagnetic Ni(κ3-SNSMe)2 units to a central Ni(II) dication via thiolate bridges. Remarkably, dissolution of 3 in a variety of solvents, including weakly coordinating CH2Cl2, rapidly generates a mixture of 4 and Ni(NTf)2. Treatment of this mixture with Lewis bases L gave high yields of dimers {[Ni(µ-κ3-SNSMe)L]2}(NTf2)2 for L = CNXylyl (6a) and {[Ni(µ-κ3-SNSMe)]2(µ-dmpm)}(NTf2)2 (6b; dmpm = bis(dimethylphosphino)methane) or monomers [Ni(κ3-SNSMe)L](NTf2) for L = PMe3 (7a) and P(OMe)3 (7b). Addition of 2 equiv of the strong donor N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, IPr, to 3, however, led to thioether demethylation, affording neutral dithiolate complex Ni(κ3-SNS)(IPr) (8). Reaction products were characterized by NMR and mass spectrometry and complexes 1-5, 6a, 6b, 7a, and 8 by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Lanthanide-Based Molecular Cluster-Aggregates: Optical Barcoding and White-Light Emission with Nanosized {Ln20 } Compounds.

Counterfeit goods represent a major problem to companies, governments, and customers, affecting the global economy. In order to protect the authenticity of products and documents, optical anti-counterfeit technologies have widely been employed via the use of discrete molecular species, extended metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and nanoparticles. Herein, for the first time we demonstrate the potential use of molecular cluster-aggregates (MCA) as optical barcodes via composition and energy transfer control. The tuneable optical properties for the [Ln20 (chp)30 (CO3 )12 (NO3 )6 (H2 O)6 ], where chp- =deprotonated 6-chloro-2-pyridinol, allow the fine control of the emission colour output, resulting in high-security level optical labelling with a precise read-out. Moreover, a unique tri-doped composition of GdIII , TbIII , and EuIII led to MCAs with white-light emission. The presented methodology is a unique approach to probe the effect of composition control on the luminescent properties of nanosized molecular material.

A Barrel-Shaped Metal-Organic Blue-Box Analogue with Photo-/Redox-Switchable Behavior.

Donor-acceptor interactions are ubiquitous in the design and understanding of host-guest complexes. Despite their non-covalent nature, they can readily dictate the self-assembly of complex architectures. Here, a photo-/redox-switchable metal-organic nanocapsule is presented, which was assembled by using lanthanide ions and viologen building blocks, by relying on such donor-acceptor interactions. The potential of this unique barrel-shaped structure is highlighted for the encapsulation of suitable electron donors, akin to the well-investigated "blue-box" macrocycles. The light-triggered reduction of the viologen units has been investigated by single-crystal-to-single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments, complemented by magnetic, optical, and solid-state electrochemical characterizations. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to suggest the most likely electron donor in the light-triggered reduction of the viologen-based ligand.

Stark Sublevel-Based Thermometry with Tb(III) and Dy(III) Complexes Cosensitized via the 2-Amidinopyridine Ligand.

Amidine-based ligand frameworks were employed to isolate a series of mononuclear lanthanide complexes. The employed N-2-pyridylimidoyl-2-pyridylamidine (Py2ImAm) undergoes metal-assisted hydrolysis yielding the ligand 2-amidinopyridine (PyAm), which coordinates to the lanthanide ions affording [Ln(acac)3(PyAm)], where Ln = Eu(III) (1), Gd(III) (2), Tb(III) (3), Dy(III) (4) along with the Y(III) analogue (5). The Eu(III), Tb(III), and Dy(III) congeners exhibit characteristic emissions of red, green, and yellow light, respectively, with emission quantum yields of 3, 65, and 8%, respectively. Due to changes in the thermal population of the Stark sublevels, the Tb(III) and Dy(III) complexes can be used as efficient optical thermometers with maximum relative sensitivities of 1.57 and 2.03% K-1 for 3 and 4, respectively. These results demonstrate the viability of PyAm as an antenna for the sensitization of lanthanide ions.

Thermal Expansion Behavior of MI[AuX2(CN)2]-Based Coordination Polymers (M = Ag, Cu; X = CN, Cl, Br).

Two sets of trans-[AuX2(CN)2]--based coordination polymer materials-M[AuX2(CN)2] (M = Ag; X = Cl, Br or M = Cu; X = Br) and M[Au(CN)4] (M = Ag, Cu)-were synthesized and structurally characterized and their dielectric constants and thermal expansion behavior explored. The M[AuX2(CN)2] series crystallized in a tightly packed, mineral-like structure featuring 1-D trans-[AuX2(CN)2]--bridged chains interconnected via a series of intermolecular Au···X and M···X (M = Ag, Cu) interactions. The M[Au(CN)4] series adopted a 2-fold interpenetrated 3-D cyano-bound framework lacking any weak intermolecular interactions. Despite the tight packing and the presence of intermolecular interactions, these materials exhibited decreased thermal stability over unbound trans-[AuX2(CN)2]- in [nBu4N][AuX2(CN)2]. A significant dielectric constant of up to εr = 36 for Ag[AuCl2(CN)2] (1 kHz) and a lower εr = 9.6 (1 kHz) for Ag[Au(CN)4] were measured and interpreted in terms of their structures and composition. A systematic analysis of the thermal expansion properties of the M[AuX2(CN)2] series revealed a negative thermal expansion (NTE) component along the cyano-bridged chains with a thermal expansion coefficient (αCN) of -13.7(11), -14.3(5), and -11.36(18) ppm·K-1 for Ag[AuCl2(CN)2], Ag[AuBr2(CN)2], and Cu[AuBr2(CN)2], respectively. The Au···X and Ag···X interactions affect the thermal expansion similarly to metallophilic Au···Au interactions in M[Au(CN)2] and AuCN; replacing X = Cl with the larger Br atoms has a less significant effect. A similar analysis for the M[Au(CN)4] series (where the volume thermal expansion coefficient, αV, is 41(3) and 68.7(19) ppm·K-1 for M = Ag, Cu, respectively) underscored the significance of the effect of the atomic radius on the flexibility of the framework and, thus, the thermal expansion properties.

Copper(II) Dihalotetracyanoplatinate(IV) Coordination Polymers and Their Vapochromic Behavior.

The coordination polymers [Cu(H2O)2(µ2-NC)4PtX2] (X = Cl, Br) form networks of square grid sheets that align in a staggered manner with one another via weak X···X interactions. Upon stepwise dehydration, the layers fuse, forming a 3-D network of distorted cubes. The materials were tested for visible vapochromic, Raman, and IR response to dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and pyridine. Analyte-bound coordination polymers of the form Cu(analyte)2[PtX2(CN)4] were structurally characterized by PXRD and found to form layers of square grids that align through X···X interactions. The reaction of [Cu(H2O)2(µ2-NC)4PtX2] with concentrated aqueous NH3 generated [PtBr(CN)4(NH3)]- and [PtCl(CN)4(OH)]2- anions that were incorporated into 1-D chain structures. UV-visible reflectance data show that a combination of shifting d-d transitions and the visible Br-Pt LMCT absorption band in [Cu(H2O)2(µ2-NC)4PtBr2] results in a greater vapochromic effect in comparison to that in chlorine-containing analogues.

Designing Tunable White-Light Emission from an Aurophilic Cu(I) /Au(I) Coordination Polymer with Thioether Ligands.

White-light emitters have attracted considerable attention due to their importance in current and future technologies. By incorporating molecular fragments that independently emit in the blue, green/yellow, and red visible regions, specifically Cu-NC, Au⋅⋅⋅Au interactions, and Cu-SR2 , respectively, into a single material, new white-light-emitting systems have been targeted. With this goal, three new Cu(I) /thioether-based coordination polymers containing bridging [Au(CN)2 ](-) units have been synthesized and structurally characterized, and their photoluminescence properties (at room and low temperatures) have been delineated. Using this approach, white-light emission (tunable from slightly yellow to slightly blue, depending on λex ) is generated from Cu(Me2 S)[Au(CN)2 ], a feature uncommon in such simple coordination compounds.

Supramolecular assembly of bis(benzimidazole)pyridine: an extended anisotropic ligand for highly birefringent materials.

Four new bis(benzimidazole)pyridine (BBP)-containing compounds Zn(BBP)Cl[Au(CN)2], Mn(BBP)[Au(CN)2]2·H2O, Mn(BBP)Br2(MeOH) and Mn(BBP)Cl2(MeOH)·MeOH have been synthesized and structurally characterized and their birefringence values (Δn) determined. The structure of Zn(BBP)Cl[Au(CN)2] contains a hydrogen-bonded dimer of Zn(BBP)Cl[Au(CN)2] units which propagate into a 1D chain through Au-Au interactions, although the crystals are of poor optical quality. The supramolecular structure of Mn(BBP)[Au(CN)2]2·H2 O forms a 1D coordination polymer through chains of Mn(BBP)[Au(CN)2]2 units, each containing one bridging Au(CN)2 and one forming a 2D sheet through Au-Au interactions. The supramolecular structures of Mn(BBP)Br2(MeOH) and Mn(BBP)Cl2(MeOH)·MeOH are very similar, consisting of a complex hydrogen-bonded network between NH imidazole, methanol and halide groups to align BBP building blocks. In the plane of the primary crystal growth direction, the birefringence values of the three Mn-containing materials were Δn=0.08(1), 0.538(3) and 0.69(3), respectively. The latter two birefringence values are larger than in the related 2,2';6'2''-terpyridine systems, placing them among the most birefringent solids reported. These compounds illustrate the utility of extending the π-system of the building block and incorporating hydrogen-bonding sites as design elements for highly birefringent materials and also illustrates the effect on the measurable birefringence of the crystal quality, growth direction and structural alignment of the anisotropic BBP building blocks.

Tetrel bond in the triphenyltin(IV) chloride-cyclo-hexyl-diphenyl-phosphane oxide (1/1) cocrystal.

The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structure of the title compound, [SnCl(C6H5)3]·C18H21OP, is reported. The 1:1 cocrystal features a short and directional tetrel bond between tin and oxygen. The tin-oxygen distance is 2.346 (4) Å, representing 62% of the sum of the van der Waals radii of Sn and O. The Cl-Sn⋯O angle is 174.0 (1)° and this nearly linear arrangement is consistent with a tetrel bond formed via a σ-hole opposite the tin-chlorine covalent bond. Some weak C-H⋯Cl inter-actions are noted between adjacent mol-ecules.

Anticooperativity and Competition in Some Cocrystals Featuring Iodine-Nitrogen Halogen Bonds.

Phenomena such as anticooperativity and competition among non-covalent bond donors and acceptors are key considerations when exploring the polymorphic and stoichiomorphic landscapes of binary and higher-order cocrystalline architectures. We describe the preparation of four cocrystals of 1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene with N-heterocyclic compounds, namely acridine, 3-aminopyridine, 4-methylaminopyridine, and 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethane. The cocrystals, which are characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction experiments, all show moderately strong and directional iodine⋅⋅⋅nitrogen halogen bonds with reduced distance parameters ranging from 0.79 to 0.92 and carbon-iodine⋅⋅⋅nitrogen bond angles ranging from 165.4(3) to 175.31(7)°. The cocrystal comprising 1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene and acridine provides a relatively rare example where all three halogen bond donor sites form halogen bonds with three acceptor molecules, overcoming an anticooperative effect. This effect manifests itself through the lengthening of non-halogen-bonded C-I bonds, weakening their potential to form halogen bonds. The effect is only observed once two halogen bonds have been formed to 1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene; one such bond does not appear to be adequate. Among the four cocrystals studied, competition between the pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the amine nitrogen atoms suggests that the former are the preferred halogen bond acceptors. Analysis by Hirshfeld fingerprint plots and 13 C and 19 F magic-angle spinning solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides additional insights into the prevalence of various short contacts in the crystal structures and into the spectral response to halogen-bond-induced cocrystallization.

Tuneable tetrel bonds between tin and heavy pnictogens.

The first example of a binary cocrystal, comprised of SnPh3Cl and PPh3, whose components are organized via short and directional tetrel bonds (TtB) between tin and phosphorus, is described. DFT elucidates, for the first time, the factors influencing the strength of TtBs involving heavy pnictogens. A CSD survey reveals that such TtBs are also present and determinative in single component molecular systems, highlighting their significant potential as tuneable structure-directing elements.

From low to very high birefringence in bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindolines: synthesis and structure-property analysis.

A series of new substituted 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindolines--1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)-5,6-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenoxy)isoindoline (2b), 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)-5,6-bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)isoindoline (2c), and 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)-5-tert-butylisoindoline (2d)--were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The birefringence (Δn) of the crystals of unsubstituted 1,3-bis(2-pyridylimino)isoindoline (2a), 2b, 2c, and 2d were measured and found to vary greatly, with Δn values of 0.0654(3), 0.0629(17), 0.588(10), 0.701(12), respectively. A structure-property relationship for the birefringence values of 2a-2d was outlined and indicated that the anisotropy of the polarizability of the molecules plays a crucial role in the birefringence of the crystals. The greatest birefringence values are achieved when the molecules are oriented in a face-to-face configuration intermolecularly, and along the crystallographic face being measured.

Solvent-free Zn (NSNO) complex-catalysed dihydroboration of nitriles.

N-donors are the most commonly employed Lewis bases in ligand-assisted catalysis. A dimeric zinc complex (Zn-1) employing a tetradentate pyridine-thioether-anilido-aryloxide NSNO ligand (L) effects the quantitative conversion of nitriles to the corresponding double hydroborated products at 1 mol% catalyst loading. Variable Time Normalization Analysis kinetic studies showed a first-order dependence with respect to the nitrile, pinacolborane and zinc and clear evidence for catalyst deactivation. A plausible ligand-assisted reaction pathway involves B-H bond activation by the aryloxide (vs. anilido) donor.

77Se and 125Te solid-state NMR and X-ray diffraction structural study of chalcogen-bonded 3,4-dicyano-1,2,5-chalcogenodiazole cocrystals.

Three novel chalcogen-bonded cocrystals featuring 3,4-dicyano-1,2,5-selenodiazole (C4N4Se) or 3,4-dicyano-1,2,5-tellurodiazole (C4N4Te) as chalcogen-bond donors and hydroquinone (C6H6O2), tetraphenylphosphonium chloride (C24H20P+·Cl-) or tetraethylphosphonium chloride (C8H20P+·Cl-) as chalcogen-bond acceptors have been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), powder X-ray diffraction and 77Se/125Te magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The single-crystal XRD results show that the chalcogenodiazole molecules interact with the electron donors through two σ-holes on each of the chalcogen atoms, which results in highly directional and moderately strong chalcogen bonds. Powder XRD confirms that the crystalline phases are preserved upon moderate grinding of the samples for solid-state NMR experiments. Measurement of 77Se and 125Te chemical shift tensors via magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy confirms the number of magnetically unique chalcogen sites in each asymmetric unit and reveals the impact of chalcogen-bond formation on the local electronic structure. These NMR data are further assessed in the context of analogous data for a wider range of crystalline chalcogen-bonded systems.

SNS ligand-assisted catalyst activation in Zn-catalysed carbonyl hydroboration.

Ligands that include Lewis acid/base functionality have extensive applications in bifunctional catalysis using first row metals. In this work, zinc bis(amido), bis(thiolate) and amido-thiolate SNS complexes were prepared and compared as precatalysts for carbonyl hydroboration using pinacolborane. Mechanistic studies revealed two different ligand-assisted precatalyst activation pathways, both leading to an active and robust zinc alkoxide catalyst. This work furthers our understanding of metal-ligand cooperation in first-row metal catalysis.