In Situ Spectroelectrochemical Investigations of the Redox-Active Tris[4-(pyridin-4-yl)phenyl]amine Ligand and a Zn(2+) Coordination Framework

Molecular and Supramolecular Materials: From Light-Harvesting to Quantum Information Science and Technology

The past two decades have witnessed immense advances in quantum information technology (QIT), benefited by advances in physics, chemistry, biology, and materials science and engineering. It is intriguing to consider whether these diverse molecular and supramolecular structures and materials, partially inspired by quantum effects as observed in sophisticated biological systems such as light-harvesting complexes in photosynthesis and the magnetic compass of migratory birds, might play a role in future QIT. If so, how? Herein, we review materials and specify the relationship between structures and quantum properties, and we identify the challenges and limitations that have restricted the intersection of QIT and chemical materials. Examples are broken down into two categories: materials for quantum sensing where nonclassical function is observed on the molecular scale and systems where nonclassical phenomena are present due to intermolecular interactions. We discuss challenges for materials chemistry and make comparisons to related systems found in nature. We conclude that if chemical materials become relevant for QIT, they will enable quite new kinds of properties and functions.

Efficient Direct X-ray Detection and Imaging Based on a Lead-Free Electron Donor-Acceptor MOF

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently gained extensive attention as potential materials for direct radiation detection due to their strong radiation absorption, long-range order, and chemical tunability. However, it remains challenging to develop a practical MOF-based X-ray direct detector that possesses high X-ray detection efficiency, radiation stability, and environmental friendliness. The integration of donor-acceptor (D-A) pairs into crystalline MOFs is a powerful strategy for the precise fabrication of multifunctional materials with unique optoelectronic properties. Herein, a new lead-free MOF, Cu2I2(TPPA) (CuI-TPPA, TPPA = tris[4-(pyridine-4-yl)phenyl]amine), with a 6-fold interpenetrated structure is designed and synthesized based on the electron donor-acceptor strategy. CuI-TPPA has a large mobility-lifetime (μτ) product of 5.8 × 10-4 cm2 V-1 and a high detection sensitivity of 73.1 μC Gyair-1 cm-2, surpassing that of commercial α-Se detectors. Moreover, the detector remains fairly stable with only a 2% reduction in photocurrent under continuous bias irradiation conditions with a total dose of over 42.83 Gyair. The CuI-TPPA/poly(vinylidene fluoride) flexible composite X-ray detector films are successfully manufactured with different thicknesses. Through multifaceted assessments, the optimal thickness is found with a high detection sensitivity of up to 143.6 μC Gyair-1 cm-2. As proof-of-concept, 11 × 9 pixelated X-ray detectors are fabricated on the same composite film to realize X-ray direct imaging. This work opens up potential applications of MOFs in environmentally friendly and wearable devices for direct X-ray detection and imaging.

Dye-polyoxometalate coordination polymer as a photo-driven electron pump for photocatalytic radical coupling reactions

To alleviate diffusion-limited photoinduced electron transfer (PET) in solution, a triphenylamine-derived dye and a Keggin polyoxometalate-type electron relay were coupled into a coordination polymer to photoinduce long-lived charge-separation pairs with enough reductive/oxidative potential to pump multiple electrons unidirectionally from external electron donors to acceptors, thus furnishing photocatalytic radical couplings to afford value-added α-amino C-H arylation products.

Retention of a Four-Fold Interpenetrating Cadmium-Organic Framework through a Three-Step Single Crystal Transformation

Controlled hydration leads to four derivatives of a metal-organic framework consisting of cadmium ions, N¹,N¹,N⁴,N⁴-tetrakis(4-(pyridin-4-yl)phenyl)benzene-1,4-diamine, and coordinated and free nitrates. The balance of water coordination and the multitude of bonding of the weakly coordinated nitrate lead to a progressive change in the coordination number of the Cd²⁺ ions from eight to seven to six without great perturbation to the 4-fold interpenetration three-dimensional framework.

Triarylamine-based porous coordination polymers performing both hydrogen atom transfer and photoredox catalysis for regioselective α-amino C(sp3)-H arylation

Direct functionalization of C(sp³)–H bonds in a predictable, selective and recyclable manner has become a central challenge in modern organic chemistry. Through incorporating different triarylamine-containing ligands into one coordination polymer, we present herein a heterogeneous approach to the combination of hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and photoredox catalysis for regioselective C–H arylation of benzylamines. The different molecular sizes and coordination modes of the ligands, tricarboxytriphenylamine (H₃TCA) and tris(4-(pyridinyl)phenyl)amine (NPy3), in one coordination polymer consolidate the triarylamine (Ar₃N) moiety into a special structural intermediate, which enhances the chemical and thermal stability of the polymers and diminishes structural relaxation during the catalytic process. The inherent redox potentials of Ar₃N moieties prohibit the in situ formed Ar₃N˙⁺ to earn an electron from C(sp³)–H nucleophiles, but allow the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from C(sp³)–H nucleophiles, enabling the formation of the C(sp³)˙ radical and the cross-coupling reaction to proceed at the most electron-rich sites with excellent regioselectivity. The new heterogeneous photoredox HAT approach skips several interactions between transient species during the typical synergistic SET/HAT cycles, demonstrating a promising redox-economical and reagent-economical heterogeneous platform that has not been reported for α-amino C–H arylation to form benzylamine derivatives. Control experiments based on monoligand coordination polymers suggested that the mixed-ligand approach improved the photochemical and photophysical properties, providing important insight into rational design and optimization of recyclable photocatalysts for rapid access to complex bioactive molecules and late-stage functionalized pharmaceuticals.

The efficiency of photosensitization and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalysis is balanced in a recyclable heterogeneous manner by the modification of the N-central conformation in Cd-MIX.

Multi-Component Metal-Organic Frameworks Significantly Boost Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Production Coupled with Selective Organic Oxidation

Visible-light-driven hydrogen production coupled with selective organic oxidation has attracted increasing attention, as it not only provides clean and renewable energy, but also utilizes the other half reaction to achieve some value-added organic chemicals. Metal-organic frameworks based on metal clusters and organic ligands self-assembly give a perspective on the formation of multifunctional heterogeneous photocatalyst to significantly boost visible-light photocatalytic activities under mild conditions. By incorporating two types of photoactive units, tricarboxytriphenylamine (H₃ TCA) and tris(4-(pyridinyl)phenyl)amine (NPy₃ ), into a single metal-organic frameworks, a multi-component MOF Co-MIX was obtained. With the redox active metal centers enabling the photoexcitation reduction of protons into hydrogen and the photogenerated holes promoting considerable oxidation of substrates, the resulting Co-MIX exhibits high catalytic activity for the photocatalytic hydrogen production coupled with selective oxidation of benzylamine or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. Importantly, the photocatalytic experiments of single-component Co-TCA and Co-NPy₃ verified the positive synergistic effects on stability and photocatalytic ability of the two ligands (H₃ TCA and NPy₃ ) in one single MOF, revealing that the multi-component strategy is very important for the efficient charge separation and excellent photocatalytic activity of the catalyst.

Spectroelectrochemistry: A Powerful Tool for Studying Fundamental Properties and Emerging Applications of Solid-State Materials Including Metal–Organic Frameworks

Spectroelectrochemistry (SEC) encompasses a broad suite of electroanalytical techniques where electrochemistry is coupled with various spectroscopic methods. This powerful and versatile array of methods is characterised as in situ, where a fundamental property is measured in real time as the redox state is varied through an applied voltage. SEC has a long and rich history and has proved highly valuable for discerning mechanistic aspects of redox reactions that underpin the function of biological, chemical, and physical systems in the solid and solution states, as well as in thin films and even in single molecules. This perspective article highlights the state of the art in solid-state SEC (ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared, infrared, Raman, photoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy) relevant to interrogating solid state materials, particularly those in the burgeoning field of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Emphasis is on developments in the field over the past 10 years and prospects for application of SEC techniques to probing fundamental aspects of MOFs and MOF-derived materials, along with their emerging applications in next-generation technologies for energy storage and transformation. Along with informing the already expert practitioner of SEC, this article provides some guidance for researchers interested in entering the field.

Quantification of the mixed-valence and intervalence charge transfer properties of a cofacial metal-organic framework via single crystal electronic absorption spectroscopy

Gaining a fundamental understanding of charge transfer mechanisms in three-dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) is crucial to the development of electroactive and conductive porous materials. These materials have potential in applications in porous conductors, electrocatalysts and energy storage devices; however the structure-property relationships pertaining to charge transfer and its quantification are relatively poorly understood. Here, the cofacial Cd(ii)-based MOF [Cd(BPPTzTz)(tdc)]·2DMF (where BPPTzTz = 2,5-bis(4-(pyridin-4-yl)phenyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole, tdc^2- = 2,5-thiophene dicarboxylate) exhibits Intervalence Charge Transfer (IVCT) within its three-dimensional structure by virtue of the close, cofacial stacking of its redox-active BPPTzTz ligands. The mixed-valence and IVCT properties are characterised using a combined electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and computational approach. Single crystal electronic absorption spectroscopy was employed to obtain the solid-state extinction coefficient, enabling the application of Marcus-Hush theory. The electronic coupling constant, H _ab, of 145 cm^-1 was consistent with the localised mixed-valence properties of both this framework and analogous systems that use alternative methods to obtain the H _ab parameter. This work demonstrates the first report of the successful characterisation of IVCT in a MOF material using single crystal electronic absorption spectroscopy and serves as an attractive alternative to more complex methods due to its simplicity and applicability.

Pillar–template strategy switching the redox activity and magnetic properties of trisphenylamine-based coordination polymers

A pillar–template strategy was used to modify the redox activity and magnetic properties of trisphenylamine-based coordination polymers via a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation method.

Metal-Bonded Redox-Active Triarylamines and Their Interactions: Synthesis, Structure, and Redox Properties of Paddle-Wheel Copper Complexes

Four new triphenylamine ligands with different substituents in the para position and their corresponding copper(II) complexes are reported. This study includes their structural, spectroscopic, magnetic, and electrochemical properties. The complexes possess a dinuclear copper(II) paddle-wheel core, a building unit that is also common in metal-organic frameworks. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the triphenylamine ligands and the corresponding complexes are susceptible to oxidation, resulting in the formation of stable radical cations. The square-wave voltammograms observed for the complexes are similar to those of the ligands, except for a slight shift in potential. Square-wave voltammetry data show that, in the complexes, these oxidations can be described as individual one-electron processes centered on the coordinated ligands. Spectroelectrochemistry reveals that, during the oxidation of the complexes, no difference can be detected for the spectra of successively oxidized species. For the absorption bands of the oxidized species of the ligands and complexes, only a slight shift is observed. ESR spectra for the chemically oxidized complexes indicate ligand-centered radicals. The copper ions of the paddle-wheel core are strongly antiferromagnetic coupled. DFT calculations for the fully oxidized complexes indicate a very weak ferromagnetic coupling between the copper ions and the ligand radicals, whereas a very weak antiferromagnetic coupling is found among the ligand radicals.

Influence of structure-activity relationships on through-space intervalence charge transfer in metal-organic frameworks with cofacial redox-active units

Understanding charge transfer in redox-active metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is of fundamental importance given the potential of these materials to be used in myriad applications including porous conductors, electrocatalysts and battery materials, amongst others. An important challenge is quantifying the spectroscopic features of these materials in order to elucidate their charge transfer properties. Herein, two topologically related Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) frameworks, [Zn2(DPPTzTz)2(SDC)2] (1-Zn) and [Cd2(DPPTzTz)2(SDC)2] (2-Cd) (where DPPTzTz = 2,5-bis(4-(4-pyridinyl)phenyl)thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole and SDC = selenophene-2,5-dicarboxylate), incorporating cofacially stacked pairs of redox-active DPPTzTz ligands are presented. The differences in the through-space intervalence charge transfer properties of the mixed-valence forms of the two frameworks generated upon solid state spectroelectrochemical reduction are quantified using Marcus-Hush theory. Further, charge transfer theory is applied to calculate electron mobilities in both extended framework systems. A larger electronic coupling constant, H ab, of 118 cm-1 corresponding to an electron mobility, k, of 6.02 × 108 s-1 was observed for the Zn(ii) analogue compared to the Cd(ii) analogue (H ab = 61.2 cm-1 and k = 2.22 × 108 s-1) and was correlated primarily with the larger cofacial stacking distance and increasingly offset stacking geometry between DPPTzTz ligands in the latter. Establishing structure-activity relationships in electroactive MOFs, in addition to methods for quantifying their charge transfer properties, represents an important advance in fine tuning solid state materials for device applications.

Electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of a cobalt framework with (3,7)-c topology

A Co(ii) framework containing a 7-c Co dimer forms a (3,7)-c binodal net incorporating redox-active triarylamine and light-active azobenzene moieties.

Spectroelectrochemical studies of the redox active tris[4-(triazol-1-yl)phenyl]amine linker and redox state manipulation of Mn(ii)/Cu(ii) coordination frameworks

In situ spectroelectrochemical methods were conducted to investigate the redox active tris(4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenyl)amine (TTPA) ligand and its incorporation into the solid state of Mn(ii) and Cu(ii) frameworks.

Through-Space Intervalence Charge Transfer as a Mechanism for Charge Delocalization in Metal-Organic Frameworks

Understanding the nature of charge transfer mechanisms in 3-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is an important goal owing to the possibility of harnessing this knowledge to design electroactive and conductive frameworks. These materials have been proposed as the basis for the next generation of technological devices for applications in energy storage and conversion, including electrochromic devices, electrocatalysts, and battery materials. After nearly two decades of intense research into MOFs, the mechanisms of charge transfer remain relatively poorly understood, and new strategies to achieve charge mobility remain elusive and challenging to experimentally explore, validate, and model. We now demonstrate that aromatic stacking interactions in Zn(II) frameworks containing cofacial thiazolo[5,4- d]thiazole (TzTz) units lead to a mixed-valence state upon electrochemical or chemical reduction. This through-space intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) phenomenon represents a new mechanism for charge transfer in MOFs. Computational modeling of the optical data combined with application of Marcus-Hush theory to the IVCT bands for the mixed-valence framework has enabled quantification of the degree of charge transfer using both in situ and ex situ electro- and spectro-electrochemical methods. A distance dependence for the through-space electron transfer has also been identified on the basis of experimental studies and computational calculations. This work provides a new window into electron transfer phenomena in 3-dimensional coordination space, of relevance to electroactive MOFs where new mechanisms for charge transfer are highly sought after, and to understanding biological light-harvesting systems where through-space mixed-valence interactions are operative.

Selective gas adsorption and fluorescence sensing response of a Zn(ii) metal–organic framework constructed by a mixed-ligand strategy

By means of a mixed-ligand strategy, a novel metal–organic framework was obtained, which remarkably exhibits bi-functional properties, i.e., selective gas adsorption of CO₂ over CH₄ and fluorescence sensing response for nitrobenzene.