Spectroscopic, Structural, and Kinetic Investigation of the Ultrafast Spin Crossover in an Unusual Cobalt(II) Semiquinonate Radical Complex

Unexpected Reduction of a Coordinated Diazapyridinophane Ligand Bound to Chromium(III) Ion Leading to Delocalization of the Unpaired Electron across Two Isolated Pyridine Units

In the tetraazamacrocyclic ligand N,N'-dimethyl-2,11-diaza-[3.3](2,6)pyridinophane (L-N4 Me2 ), the two pyridine units are separated from each other by sp3 -hybridized triatomic bridges. Such electronically isolated pyridine moieties are considerably less prone to reductions than di- or triimines. A detailed structural, magnetic, and spectroscopic investigation of the complexes [Cr(L-N4 Me2 )(OAc)2 ] and [Cr(L-N4 Me2 )(OAc)2 ](PF6 ), in combination with theoretical calculations, reveals that the reduced complex must be described as a chromium(III) ion coordinated to the anionic radical ligand (L-N4 Me2 )⋅- rather than a low-spin chromium(II) ion bound to closed-shell ligands. Thus, it is, to the best of our knowledge, only the second example of a stable and structurally characterized metal complex containing a reduced isolated pyridine unit. The stability is attributed to the delocalization of the unpaired electron across the two pyridine units, mediated by their interaction to the metal ion.

Tuning valence tautomerism in a family of dinuclear cobalt complexes incorporating a conjugated bridging bis(dioxolene) ligand with weak communication

Valence tautomerism (VT) involves the stimulated reversible intramolecular electron transfer between a redox-active metal and ligand. Dinuclear cobalt complexes bridged by bis(dioxolene) ligands can undergo thermally-induced VT with access to {CoIII-cat-cat-CoIII}, {CoIII-cat-SQ-CoII} and {CoII-SQ-SQ-CoII} states (cat2- = catecholate, SQ˙- = semiquinonate, CoIII refers to low spin CoIII, CoII refers to high spin CoII). The resulting potential for two-step VT interconversions offers increased functionality over mononuclear examples. In this study, the bis(dioxolene) ligand 3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxy-5,5'-dimethoxy-benzaldazine (thMH4) was paired with Mentpa (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, n = 0-3 corresponds to methylation at 6-position of the pyridine rings) to afford [{Co(Mentpa)}2(thM)](PF6)2 (1a, n = 0; 2a, n = 2; 3a, n = 3). Structural, magnetic susceptibility and spectroscopic data show that 1a and 3a remain in the temperature invariant {CoIII-cat-cat-CoIII} and {CoII-SQ-SQ-CoII} forms in the solid state, respectively. In contrast, 2a exhibits incomplete thermally-induced VT between these two tautomeric forms via the mixed {CoIII-cat-SQ-CoII} tautomer. In solution, room temperature electronic absorption spectra are consistent with the assignments from the solid-state, with VT observed only for 2a. From electrochemistry, the proximity of the two 1e--processes for the thMn- ligand indicates weak electronic communication between the two dioxolene units, supporting the potential for a two-step VT interconversion in thMn- containing complexes. Comparison of the redox potentials of the Co and thMn- processes suggests that only 2a has these processes in sufficient proximity to afford the thermally-induced VT observed experimentally. Density functional theory calculations are consistent with the prerequisite energy ordering for a two-step transition for 2a, and temperature invariant {CoIII-cat-cat-CoIII} and {CoII-SQ-SQ-CoII} states for 1a and 3a, respectively. This work presents the third example, and the first formally conjugated example, of a bridging bis(dioxolene) ligand that can afford two-step VT in a Co complex, suggesting new possibilities towards applications based on multistep switching.

Controlling Spin Crossover in a Family of Dinuclear Fe(III) Complexes via the Bis(catecholate) Bridging Ligand

Spin crossover (SCO) complexes can reversibly switch between low spin (LS) and high spin (HS) states, affording possible applications in sensing, displays, and molecular electronics. Dinuclear SCO complexes with access to [LS-LS], [LS-HS], and [HS-HS] states may offer increased levels of functionality. The nature of the SCO interconversion in dinuclear complexes is influenced by the local electronic environment. We report the synthesis and characterization of [{FeIII(tpa)}2spiro](PF6)2 (1), [{FeIII(tpa)}2Br4spiro](PF6)2 (2), and [{FeIII(tpa)}2thea](PF6)2 (3) (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, spiroH4 = 3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-1,1'-spirobi(indan)-5,5',6,6'-tetraol, Br4spiroH4 = 3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-1,1'-spirobi(indan)-4,4',7,7'-tetrabromo-5,5',6,6'-tetraol, theaH4 = 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dimethyl-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene), utilizing non-conjugated bis(catecholate) bridging ligands. In the solid state, magnetic and structural analysis shows that 1 remains in the [HS-HS] state, while 2 and 3 undergo a partial SCO interconversion upon cooling from room temperature involving the mixed [LS-HS] state. In solution, all complexes undergo SCO from [HS-HS] at room temperature, via [LS-HS] to mixtures including [LS-LS] at 77 K, with the extent of SCO increasing in the order 1 < 2 < 3. Gas phase density functional theory calculations suggest a [LS-LS] ground state for all complexes, with the [LS-HS] and [HS-HS] states successively destabilized. The relative energy separations indicate that ligand field strength increases following spiro4- < Br4spiro4- < thea4-, consistent with solid-state magnetic and EPR behavior. All three complexes show stabilization of the [LS-HS] state in relation to the midpoint energy between [LS-LS] and [HS-HS]. The relative stability of the [LS-HS] state increases with increasing ligand field strength of the bis(catecholate) bridging ligand in the order 1 < 2 < 3. The bromo substituents of Br4spiro4- increase the ligand field strength relative to spiro4-, while the stronger ligand field provided by thea4- arises from extension of the overlapping π-orbital system across the two catecholate units. This study highlights how SCO behavior in dinuclear complexes can be modulated by the bridging ligand, providing useful insights for the design of molecules that can be interconverted between more than two states.

Inelastic Neutron Scattering Measurement of the Ground State Tunneling Gap in Tb and Ho Analogues of a Dy Field-Induced Single-Molecule Magnet

Recent advances in single-molecule magnet (SMM) research have placed great value on interpretation of inelastic neutron scattering (INS) data for rare earth (RE)-containing SMMs. Here, we present the synthesis of several rare earth complexes where combined magnetic and INS studies have been performed, supported by ab initio calculations. The reaction of rare earth nitrate salts with 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bpy) and tetrahalocatecholate (X₄Cat^2-, X = Br, Cl) ligands in methanol (MeOH) afforded two new families of compounds [RE(2,2'-bpy)₂(X₄Cat)(X₄CatH)(MeOH)] (X = Br and RE = Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb for 1-RE; X = Cl and RE = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Yb for 2-RE). Addition of triethylamine (Et₃N) to the reaction mixture delivered Et₃NH[RE(2,2'-bpy)₂(Br₄Cat)₂] (3-RE, RE = Er and Yb). Interestingly, cerium behaves differently to the rest of the series, generating (2,2'-bpyH)₂[Ce(Br₄Cat)₃(2,2'-bpy)] (4-Ce) with tetravalent Ce(IV) in contrast to the trivalent metal ions in 1-3. The static magnetic properties of 1-RE (RE = Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho) were investigated in conjunction with INS measurements on 1-Y, 1-Tb, and 1-Ho to probe their ground state properties and any crystal field excitations. To facilitate interpretation of the INS spectra and provide insight into the magnetic behavior, ab initio calculations were performed using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction structural data of 1-RE (RE = Tb, Dy and Ho). The ab initio calculations indicate ground doublets dominated by the maximal angular momentum projection states of Kramers type for 1-Dy and Ising type for 1-Tb and 1-Ho. Dynamic magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that 1-Dy exhibits slow magnetic relaxation in the presence of a small applied magnetic field mainly through Raman pathways. Inelastic neutron scattering spectra exhibit distinct transitions corresponding to crystal field-induced tunneling gaps between the pseudo-doublet ground state components for 1-Tb and 1-Ho, which is one of the first direct experimental measurements with INS of such tunneling transitions in a molecular nanomagnet. The power of high-resolution INS is demonstrated with evidence of two distinct tunneling gaps measurable for the two crystallographically unique Tb coordination environments observed in the single crystal X-ray structure.

Influence of the electronic effect of an ancillary ligand on MMCT and LMCT in localized cyanide-bridged complexes containing non-innocent ligands

For bimetallic MV complexes with non-innocent ligands, the MMCT energy in the localized system decreases significantly while the LMCT energy in the delocalized moiety increases slightly as the electronic effect of ancillary ligands is enhanced.

Recent progresses in the chemistry of 12-membered pyridine-containing tetraazamacrocycles: From synthesis to catalysis

This article provides an overview (non-comprehensive) on recent developments regarding pyridine-containing 12-membered tetraazamacrocycles with pyclen or Py2N2 backbones and their metal complexes from 2017 to the present. Firstly, the synthesis...

1,2,5-Thiadiazole 1,1-dioxides and Their Radical Anions: Structure, Properties, Reactivity, and Potential Use in the Construction of Functional Molecular Materials

This work provides a summary of the preparation, structure, reactivity, physicochemical properties, and main uses of 1,2,5-thiadiazole 1,1-dioxides in chemistry and material sciences. An overview of all currently known structures containing the 1,2,5-thiadiazole 1,1-dioxide motif (including the anions radical species) is provided according to the Cambridge Structural Database search. The analysis of the bond lengths typical for neutral and anion radical species is performed, providing a useful tool for unambiguous assessment of the valence state of the dioxothiadiazole-based compounds based solely on the structural data. Theoretical methodologies used in the literature to describe the dioxothiadiazoles are also shortly discussed, together with the typical 'fingerprint' of the dioxothiadiazole ring reported by means of various spectroscopic techniques (NMR, IR, UV-Vis). The second part describes the synthetic strategies leading to 1,2,5-thiadiazole 1,1-dioxides followed by the discussion of their electrochemistry and reactivity including mainly the chemical methods for the successful reduction of dioxothiadiazoles to their anion radical forms and the ability to form coordination compounds. Finally, the magnetic properties of dioxothiadiazole radical anions and the metal complexes involving dioxothiadiazoles as ligands are discussed, including simple alkali metal salts and d-block coordination compounds. The last section is a prospect of other uses of dioxothiadiazole-containing molecules reported in the literature followed by the perspectives and possible future research directions involving these compounds.

Influence of the Increasing Number of Organic Radicals on the Structural, Magnetic, and Electrochemical Properties of the Copper(II)-Dioxothiadiazole Family of Complexes

The preparation, structures, and electrochemical and magnetic properties supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations of three new copper(II) compounds with [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4-f][1,10]phenanthroline 1,1-dioxide (td) and its radical anion (td·-) are reported: {[CuIICl(td)](μ-Cl)2[CuIICl(td)]} (1), which incorporates only neutral td ligands; [CuIICl(td·-)(td)]·2MeCN (2), which comprises one neutral td and one radical td·-; and PPN[CuIICl(td·-)2]·2DMA (3), where CuII ions are coordinated by two radical anions td·- (DMA, dimethylacetamide; PPN+, the bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium cation). All three compounds show interesting paramagnetic behavior with low-temperature features indicating significant antiferromagnetic coupling. The magnetic properties of 1 are dominated by CuII···CuII interactions (JCuCu) mediated through the Cl- bridges, while the magnetic properties of 2 and 3 are governed mainly by the td·-···td·- (Jtdtd) and CuII-td·- (JCutd) exchange interactions. The structure of 2 features only two major magnetic coupling pathways enabling the fitting of experimental data with Jtdtd = -36.0(5) cm-1 and JCutd = -12.6(2) cm-1 only. Compound 3 exhibits a complex network of magnetic contacts. Attempt to approximate its magnetic behavior using only a local magnetic contacts model resulted in Jtdtd = -5.6(1) cm-1 and two JCutd constants, -12.4(2) and -22.6(4) cm-1. The experimental fitting is critically compared with the results of broken symmetry density functional theory (BS DFT) calculations for inter- and intramolecular contacts. More consistent results were obtained with the M06 functional as opposed to popular B3LYP, which encountered problems reproducing some of the experimental intermolecular exchange interactions. Electrochemical measurements of 2 and 3 in MeCN showed three reversible nearly overlapping redox peaks appearing in a narrow potential range of -600 to -100 mV vs Fc/Fc+. Small differences between the redox events suggest that such compounds may be good candidates for new switchable materials, where the electron transfer between the metal and the ligand center is triggered by temperature, pressure, or light (valence tautomerism).

Strong antiferromagnetic coupling of the cobalt(ii)–semiquinone radical in a dinuclear complex with 2,2′-bipyrimidine ligands

A new dinuclear cobalt(ii)–semiquinone radical complex was synthesised and displayed strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling, having −90.25 cm⁻¹ of a J value, between the cobalt(ii) centres and semiquinone radicals.

Metal–ligand cooperativity of a Co–P moiety

Metal–ligand cooperative redox reactions and intramolecular group transfer of a P–P containing dicobalt(i) species are shown.

A valence tautomeric cobalt-dioxolene complex with an anchoring group for prospective chemical grafting to metal oxides

Here, we synthesized a valence tautomeric cobalt-dioxolene complex featuring a protected anchoring group. At room temperature, the complex reveals a nearly pure low-spin-Co(iii)-catecholate state in the solid state, but a nearly pure high-spin-Co(ii)-semiquinonate state in toluene solution. Thermal switchability of the complex in solution and in the solid state is investigated.

Toward time-resolved laser T-jump/X-ray probe spectroscopy in aqueous solutions

Most chemical and biochemical reactions in nature and in industrial processes are driven by thermal effects that bring the reactants above the energy barrier for reaction. In aqueous solutions, this process can also be triggered by the laser driven temperature jump (T-jump) method, in which the water vibrational (stretch, bend, or combination) modes are excited by a short laser pulse, leading to a temperature increase in the irradiated volume within a few picoseconds. The combination of the laser T-jump with X-ray spectroscopic probes would add element-specificity as well as sensitivity to the structure, the oxidation state, and the spin state of the intermediates of reactions. Here, we present preliminary results of a near infrared pump/X-ray absorption spectroscopy probe to study the ligand exchange of an octahedral aqueous Cobalt complex, which is known to pass through intermediate steps yielding tetrahedral chlorinated as final species. The structural changes of the chemical reaction are monitored with great sensitivity, even in the presence of a mild local increase in temperature. This work opens perspectives for the study of non-light-driven reactions using time-resolved X-ray spectroscopic methods.

Rational Design of Electronically Labile Dinuclear Fe and Co complexes with 1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-Diimine: A DFT study

A series of coordination compounds of redox-active 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-diimine with Co^II bis-diketonates and Fe^II dihydrobis(pyrazolyl)borates has been computationally designed by means of density functional theory (DFT UB3LYP*/6-311++G(d,p)) calculations of their electronic structure, energy characteristics, and magnetic properties. Four types of complexes differing by the nature and position of the terminal metal-centered fragments have been considered. The performed systematic calculations have revealed the systems capable of undergoing thermally initiated spin-state switching rearrangements, including those governed by the synchronized mechanisms of spin crossover and valence tautomerism. The predicted magnetic characteristics allow one to consider the dinuclear cobalt complexes and heterometallic Co/Fe compounds with 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-diimine as building blocks for molecular and quantum electronics devices. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Unconventional Method for Fabricating Valence Tautomeric Materials: Integrating Redox Center within a Metal-Organic Framework

Due to the structural advantages displayed by Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), integrating Valence Tautomerism (VT) systems within MOFs could be an effective strategy in order to break through the constraints of the traditional ones. Herein, we report the first successful integration of a VT system into a MOF termed VT-MOF-1. The structural characteristics of VT-MOF-1, such as dinuclear cobalt-catechol clusters and solvent-accessible pores, are both innovative and novel, potentially yielding new vitality within VT field. In addition, VT-MOF-1 exhibits specific behaviors responsive to temperature and different solvent molecules as n-butanol, tert-butanol, and isopropyl alcohol. The entropy values and configurations of the solvent molecules might be responsible for the tunable sensing behaviors.

Valence tautomerism and spin crossover in pyridinophane–cobalt–dioxolene complexes: an experimental and computational study

Variation of alkyl substituents on pyridinophane ancillary ligands governs temperature-dependent valence tautomeric or spin crossover equilibria in a family of cobalt–dioxolene complexes.

Structural investigation of one- and two-dimensional coordination polymers based on cobalt-bis(dioxolene) units and 1-hydroxy-1,2,4,5-tetrakis(pyridin-4-yl)cyclohexane

The combination of cobalt, 3,5-di-tert-butyldioxolene (3,5-dbdiox) and 1-hydroxy-1,2,4,5-tetrakis(pyridin-4-yl)cyclohexane (tpch) yields two coordination polymers with different connectivities, i.e. a one-dimensional zigzag chain and a two-dimensional sheet. Poly[[bis(3,5-di-tert-butylbenzene-1,2-diolato)bis(1,5-di-tert-butyl-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl-3-olato)[μ₄-1-hydroxy-1,2,4,5-tetrakis(pyridin-4-yl)cyclohexane]cobalt(III)]-ethanol-water 1/7/5], {[Co₂(C₁₄H₂₀O₂)₄(C₂₆H₂₄N₄O)]·7C₂H₅OH·5H₂O}_n or {[Co₂(3,5-dbdiox)₄(tpch)}·7EtOH·5H₂O}_n, is the second structurally characterized example of a two-dimensional coordination polymer based on linked {Co(3,5-dbdiox)₂} units. Variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies suggest that catena-poly[[[(3,5-di-tert-butylbenzene-1,2-diolato)(1,5-di-tert-butyl-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-yl-3-olato)cobalt(III)]-μ-1-hydroxy-1,2,4,5-tetrakis(pyridin-4-yl)cyclohexane]-ethanol-water (1/1/5)], {[Co(C₁₄H₂₀O₂)₂(C₂₆H₂₄N₄O)]·C₂H₅OH·5H₂O}_n or {[Co(3,5-dbdiox)₂(tpch)]·EtOH·5H₂O}_n, undergoes a temperature-induced valence tautomeric interconversion.

Photophysical dynamics of a binuclear Cu(i)-emitter on the fs to μs timescale, in solid phase and in solution

Understanding subtle aspects of photophysical behavior is the key to design and synthesize new and improved luminescent materials. We contribute to this with an in-depth photophysical characterization of the binuclear copper complex Cu(i)-NHetPHOS-tris-m-tolylphosphine (1), a member of a recently established emitter class for ultra-efficient, printed organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). To this end we studied 1 in solution and in solid form, i.e. neat film and KBr-pellet, by means of femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption/reflectivity, time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC), and nanosecond time-resolved step-scan FTIR spectroscopy. Using these methods, we explore the photoinduced dynamics from ultrafast Franck-Condon state deactivation until the decay of the luminescent states. Upon photoexcitation, we observed multiexponential dynamics in both solution (e.g. acetonitrile 0.8 ps, 59 ps, 3 ns, 11-13 ns) and in solid state (e.g. neat film 0.3 ps, 35 ps, 670 ps, 0.5-1 μs, 3.5-4.5 μs) with four to five time-constants that significantly depend on the type of sample. Quantum chemical calculations at the DFT level in combination with step-scan vibrational spectroscopy provided structural information about the electronic ground state S₀ and the lowest lying excited state T₁, and show that the latter is populated within 1 μs after photoexcitation. We found thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) for this complex, which has been suggested to be the cause for its high efficiency in printed OLED devices. The results suggest that non-radiative processes, lowering the luminescence quantum yield in solution, are active on the ns to μs timescale.

Electronic, Magnetic, and Redox Properties and O2 Reactivity of Iron(II) and Nickel(II) o-Semiquinonate Complexes of a Tris(thioether) Ligand: Uncovering the Intradiol Cleaving Reactivity of an Iron(II) o-Semiquinonate Complex

The iron(II) semiquinonate character within the iron(III) catecholate species has been proposed by numerous studies to account for the O2 reactivity of intradiol catechol dioxygenases, but a well-characterized iron(II) semiquinonate species that exhibits intradiol cleaving reactivity has not yet been reported. In this study, a detailed electronic structure description of the first iron(II) o-semiquinonate complex, [PhTttBu]Fe(phenSQ) [PhTttBu = phenyltris(tert-butylthiomethyl)borate; phenSQ = 9,10-phenanthrenesemiquinonate; Wang et al. Chem. Commun. 2014, 50, 5871-5873], was generated through a combination of electronic and Mössbauer spectroscopies, SQUID magnetometry, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. [PhTttBu]Fe(phenSQ) reacts with O2 to generate an intradiol cleavage product, diphenic anhydride, in 16% yield. To assess the dependence of the intradiol reactivity on the identity of the metal ion, the nickel analogue, [PhTttBu]Ni(phenSQ), and its derivative, [PhTttBu]Ni(3,5-DBSQ) (3,5-DBSQ = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-semiquinonate), were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, 1H NMR and electronic spectroscopies, and SQUID magnetometry. DFT calculations, evaluated on the basis of the experimental data, support the electronic structure descriptions of [PhTttBu]Ni(phenSQ) and [PhTttBu]Ni(3,5-DBSQ) as high-spin nickel(II) complexes with antiferromagnetically coupled semiquinonate ligands. Unlike its iron counterpart, [PhTttBu]Ni(phenSQ) decomposes slowly in an O2 atmosphere to generate 14% phenanthrenequinone with a negligible amount of diphenic anhydride. [PhTttBu]Ni(3,5-DBSQ) does not react with O2. This dramatic effect of the metal-ion identity supports the hypothesis that a metal(III) alkylperoxo species serves as an intermediate in the intradiol cleaving reactions. The redox properties of all three complexes were probed using cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, which indicate an inner-sphere electron-transfer mechanism for the formation of phenanthrenequinone. The lack of O2 reactivity of [PhTttBu]Ni(3,5-DBSQ) can be rationalized by the high redox potential of the metal-ligated 3,5-DBSQ/3,5-DBQ couple.

A luminescent Pt2Fe spin crossover complex

A heterotrinuclear luminescent [Pt₂Fe] spin crossover (SCO) complex was developed, synthesized, and investigated.