Synthesis, characterization, DFT and biological activity of oligothiophene β-diketone and Cu-complexes

DFT study of UV-vis-properties of thiophene-containing Cu(β-diketonato)2 - Application for DSSC

Experimental and theoretically calculated UV-vis properties of three Cu(β-diketonato)₂ complexes are presented. The Cu(β-diketonato)₂ contains β-diketones without (β-diketone = acetylacetone, (CH₃)COCH₂CO(CH₃), complex (1)), with one (β-diketone = thenoyltrifluoroacetone, (CF₃)COCH₂CO(C₄H₃S), complex (2)) and with two thiophene (β-diketone = (CF₃)COCH₂CO(C₄H₂S) (C₄H₃S), complex (3)) groups. More thiophenes on the β-diketonato ligand of Cu(β-diketonato)₂, lead to a red shift of the experimental absorbance maxima of the UV-vis of the complex, from 295 nm for complex (1), to 340 nm for complex (2) to 390 nm for complex (3). Theoretical time dependant density functional theory calculations indicate that both the two strongest absorbance peaks of the ultraviolet-visible spectrum of Cu(acetylacetonato)₂ are mainly ligand-to-metal charge-transfer excitations. However, the absorbance maxima of the UV-vis of thiophene-containing Cu(β-diketonato)₂ are mainly ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer excitations. Calculated properties such as light harvesting energy (LHE = 0.47, 0.94 and 0.99 for (1)-(3) respectively), driving force for electron injection (ΔG_inject = 1.43, 0.76 and 0.63 for (1)-(3) respectively), and driving force of dye regeneration (ΔG_regenerate = 1.85, 2.16 and 1.49 for (1)-(3) respectively), are favourable for (1)-(3) to be considered as dyes in DSSCs. However, some structural modifications are needed to prevent intramolecular charge recombination after excitation.

Recent Developments in the Synthesis of β-Diketones

Apart from being one of the most important intermediates in chemical synthesis, broadly used in the formation of C-C bonds among other processes, the β-dicarbonyl structure is present in a huge number of biologically and pharmaceutically active compounds. In fact, mainly derived from the well-known antioxidant capability associated with the corresponding enol tautomer, β-diketones are valuable compounds in the treatment of many pathological disorders, such as cardiovascular and liver diseases, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, neurological disorders, inflammation, skin diseases, fibrosis, or arthritis; therefore, the synthesis of these structures is an area of overwhelming interest for organic chemists. This paper is devoted to the advances achieved in the last ten years for the preparation of 1,3-diketones, using different chemical (Claisen, hydration of alkynones, decarboxylative coupling) or catalytic (biocatalysis, organocatalytic, metal-based catalysis) methodologies: Additionally, the preparation of branched β-dicarbonyl compounds by means of α-functionalization of non-substituted 1,3-diketones are also discussed.

DFT data to relate calculated LUMO energy with experimental reduction potentials of Cu(II)-β-diketonato complexes

We present data on the computed lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (E_LUMO) of two series of Cu(II)-β-diketonato complexes, calculated via density functional theory (DFT). These are correlated to experimental reduction potential data (E_pc), obtained by cyclic voltammetry under different experimental conditions (solvent, working and reference electrodes). All calculations were done with the B3LYP functional in the gas phase. Knowledge of the influence of different ligands on the redox potential of copper complexes, as measured by DFT calculated energy data, are very useful. These theoretical correlations are vital in the further design of similar compounds, to be customized for specific applications. The correlations can be used to predict and fine-tune redox potentials prior to synthesis, saving experimental chemists time and laboratory expenses. Redox potentials influence the catalytic property of bis(β-diketonato)copper(II) compounds. New catalysts can therefore be customized with a specific reduction potential and catalytic activity. Further, the Cu(II/I) redox couple is a potential alternative as electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells [1], [2], [3]. The redox potential of the electrolyte can drastically affect the photovoltage output and should therefore be optimized for efficiency and durability. By adjusting the reduction potential via different ligands on the complex, the properties of copper dyes can be fine-tuned at molecular level. For more insight into the reported data, see the related research article “Synthesis, Characterization, DFT and Biological Activity of Oligothiophene β-diketone and Cu-complexes” published in Polyhedron [4].