Molecular and electronic structure of square-planar gold complexes containing two 1,2-Di(4-tert-butylphenyl)ethylene-1,2-dithiolato ligands: [Au(2L)2]1+/0/1-/2-. A combined experimental and computational study

Mixed-ligand, radical, gold bis(dithiolene) complexes: from single-component conductors to controllable NIR-II absorbers

Neutral radical bis(dithiolene) gold complexes [Au(dt)2]˙ are known to exhibit a strong absorption in the 1400-2000 nm NIR absorption range. Here, we demonstrate that the NIR signature of mixed-ligand bis(dithiolene) gold complexes [Au(dtA)(dtD)]˙ associating two different dithiolene, dtA and dtD, is found at higher energy, out of the range of the homoleptic analogs [Au(dtA)2]˙ and [Au(dtD)2]˙, in the looked-after NIR-II 1000-1400 nm absorption range. An efficient synthetic approach towards precursor mixed-ligand monoanionic gold bis(dithiolene) complexes [Au(dtA)(dtD)]-1 is reported. Using this strategy, no symmetrical complexes are formed and, upon electrocrystallization, no scrambling was observed in solution, allowing for the isolation of radical gold bis(dithiolene) complex such as [Au(bdt)(Et-thiazdt)]˙ (bdt: benzene-1,2-dithiolate; Et-thiazdt: N-ethyl-thiazoline-2-thione-3,4-dithiolate), which behaves as a single-component conductor. It is shown from theoretical calculations that the spin polarization induced by electron repulsions leads to a strong localization of the spin-orbitals, and provides a sound basis to understand, (i) the different ligand-based oxidation potentials, (ii) the NIR optical absorption at notably higher energies and (iii) the larger potential difference of the two redox processes than in the parent symmetric complexes. The solid-state properties of the radical complex [Au(bdt)(Et-thiazdt)]˙ are the consequence of a strongly 1D electronic structure with weakly dimerized chains and electronic localization favoring a semiconducting behavior, stable under pressures up to 18.2 GPa. Altogether, the versatility of the preparation method of [Au(dtA)(dtD)]-1 salts opens the route for a wide library of different mixed-ligand radical complexes [Au(dtA)(dtD)]˙ with simultaneously an adaptable absorption in the NIR-II range and the rich structural chemistry of single-component conductors.

Structure-activity relationship of anticancer and antiplasmodial gold bis(dithiolene) complexes

Monoanionic gold bis(dithiolene) complexes were recently shown to display activity against ovarian cancer cells, Gram-positive bacteria, Candida strains and the rodent malaria parasite, P. berghei. To date, only monoanionic gold(III) bis(dithiolene) complexes with a thiazoline backbone substituted with small alkyl chains have been evaluated for biomedical applications. We now analyzed the influence of the length and the hydrophobicity vs. hydrophilicity of these complexes' alkyl chain on their anticancer and antiplasmodial properties. Isomer analogues of these monoanionic gold(III) bis(dithiolene) complexes, this time with a thiazole backbone, were also investigated in order to assess the influence of the nature of the heterocyclic ligand on their overall chemical and biological properties. In this report we present the total synthesis of four novel monoanionic gold(III) bis(dithiolene) complexes with a long alkyl chain and a polyoxygenated (PEG) chain aiming to improve their solubility and biological properties. Our results showed that the complexes with a PEG chain showed promising anticancer and antiplasmodial activities beside improved solubility, a key parameter in drug discovery and development.

Characterization and Structural Insights of the Reaction Products by Direct Leaching of the Noble Metals Au, Pd and Cu with N,N'-Dimethyl-piperazine-2,3-dithione/I2 Mixtures

In the context of new efficient and safe leaching agents for noble metals, this paper describes the capability of the Me2pipdt/I2 mixture (where Me2pipdt = N,N'-dimethyl-piperazine-2,3-dithione) in organic solutions to quantitatively dissolve Au, Pd, and Cu metal powders in mild conditions (room temperature and pressure) and short times (within 1 h in the reported conditions). A focus on the structural insights of the obtained coordination compounds is shown, namely [AuI2(Me2pipdt)]I3 (1), [Pd(Me2pipdt)2]I2 (2a) and [Cu(Me2pipdt)2]I3 (3), where the metals are found, respectively, in 3+, 2+ and 1+ oxidation states, and of [Cu(Me2pipdt)2]BF4 (4) and [Cu(Me2dazdt)2]I3 (5) (Me2dazdt = N,N'-dimethyl-perhydrodizepine-2,3-dithione) compared with 3. Au(III) and Pd(II) (d8 configuration) form square-planar complexes, whereas Cu(I) (d10) forms tetrahedral complexes. Density functional theory calculations performed on the cationic species of 1-5 help to highlight the nature of the bonding in the different complexes. Finally, the valorization of the noble metals-rich leachates is assessed. Specifically, gold metal is quantitatively recovered from the solution besides the ligands, showing the potential of these systems to promote metal recycling processes.

Proton and Electron Transfer in the Formation of a Copper Dithiolene-Based Coordination Polymer

Metal bis(dithiolene) complexes are promising building blocks for electrically conductive coordination polymers. N-Heterocyclic dithiolene complexes allow their cross-linking via the coordination of N-donor atoms to additional transition metal ions. In this study, we present the formal copper(II) and copper(III) 6,7-quinoxalinedithiolene complexes [Cu(qdt)₂]^- and [Cu(qdt)₂]^2- (qdt^2-: 6,7-quinoxalinedithiolate), as well as the 2D coordination polymer Cu[Cu(Hqdt)(qdt)] (3). The dithiolene complexes were isolated as (Bu₄N)₂[Cu(qdt)₂] (1), Na[Cu(qdt)₂]·4H₂O (2a), [Na(acetone)₄][Cu(qdt)₂] (2b), and [Ni(MeOH)₆][Cu(qdt)₂]₂·2H₂O (2c). Their crystal structures reveal nearly planar complexes with a high tendency of π-stacking. For a better understanding of their coordination behavior, the electronic properties are investigated by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT simulations. The synthesis of the 2D coordination polymer 3 involves the reduction and protonation of the monoanionic copper(III) complex. A combination of powder X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurements, as well as IR and EPR spectroscopy confirm that formal [Cu^II(Hqdt)(qdt)]^- units link trigonal planar copper(I) atoms to a dense 2D coordination polymer. The electrical conductivity of 3 at room temperature is 2 × 10^-7 S/cm. Temperature dependent conductivity measurements confirm the semiconducting behavior of 3 with an Arrhenius derived activation energy of 0.33 eV. The strong absorption of 3 in the visible and NIR regions of the spectrum is caused by the small optical band gap of E_g,opt = 0.65 eV, determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. This study sheds light on the coordination chemistry of N-heterocyclic dithiolene complexes and may serve as a reference for the future design and synthesis of dithiolene-based coordination polymers with interesting electrical and magnetic properties.

A radical mixed-ligand gold bis(dithiolene) complex

Asymmetry in the electronic structure of a mixed-ligand gold bis(dithiolene) complex explains its peculiar optical, electrochemical and structural features.

Electrochemical deposition of a semiconducting gold dithiolene complex with NIR absorption

Here, the synthesis of a new anionic gold dithiolene complex, NBu₄·[1-i], and that of its corresponding neutral gold complex 2 is reported. Complex 2 shows strong absorption into the IR, semiconductivity (σ_RT = 3.06 × 10^-7 S cm^-1) with an activation energy of 0.25 eV, and weakly temperature dependent paramagnetic susceptibility, indicating strong intermolecular interactions in the solid state. As a consequence of their strong intermolecular interactions, neutral gold dithiolene complexes are often highly insoluble, limiting their utility and processability. Electrochemical deposition is used to deposit conductive films of complex 2, which retain the NIR properties present in the bulk material, indicting that the strong intermolecular interactions are retained in the film.

A Stable Naked Dithiolene Radical Anion and Synergic THF Ring-Opening

Reaction of the lithium dithiolene radical 2^• with the imidazolium salt [{(Me)CN(i-Pr)}₂CH]⁺[Cl]^- (in a 1:1 molar ratio) gives the first stable naked anionic dithiolene radical 3^•, which, when coupled with hexasulfide, [{(Me)CN(i-Pr)}₂CH]⁺₂[S₆]^2- (4), and N-heterocyclic silylene 5, unexpectedly results in synergic THF ring-opening via a radical mechanism.

Enabling single qubit addressability in a molecular semiconductor comprising gold-supported organic radicals

A bis(dithiolene)gold complex is presented as a model for an organic molecular electron spin qubit attached to a metallic surface that acts as a conduit to electrically address the qubit. A two-membered electron transfer series is developed of the formula [AuIII(adt)2]1-/0, where adt is a redox-active dithiolene ligand that is sequentially oxidized as the series is traversed while the central metal ion remains AuIII and steadfastly square planar. One-electron oxidation of diamagnetic [AuIII(adt)2]1- (1) produces an S = 1/2 charge-neutral complex, [AuIII(adt2 3-˙)] (2) which is spectroscopically and theoretically characterized with a near negligible Au contribution to the ground state. A phase memory time (T M) of 21 μs is recorded in 4 : 1 CS2/CCl4 at 10 K, which is the longest ever reported for a coordination complex possessing a third-row transition metal ion. With increasing temperature, T M dramatically decreases becoming unmeasurable above 80 K as a consequence of the diminishing spin-lattice (T 1) relaxation time fueled by spin-orbit coupling. These relaxation times are 1-2 orders of magnitude shorter for the solid dilution of 2 in isoelectronic [Ni(adt)2] because this material is a molecular semiconductor. Although the conducting properties of this material provide efficient pathways to dissipate the energy through the lattice, it can also be used to electrically address the paramagnetic dopant by tapping into the mild reduction potential to switch magnetism "on" and "off" in the gold complex without compromising the integrity of its structure. These results serve to highlight the need to consider all components of these spintronic assemblies.

Redox chemistry of an anionic dithiolene radical

The redox reactivity of a stable anionic dithiolene radical has been explored, giving the corresponding dithiolate and neutral dithiolene dimers.

Broadband near-IR absorbing Au-dithiolene complexes bearing redox-active oligothiophene ligands

A series of three homoleptic, monoanionic gold dithiolene complexes of oligothiophene ligands which coordinate via a central thiophene-3,4-dithiolate chelate are presented. The oligomer chains are three, five and seven thiophenes long and the complexes display hybrid optoelectronic properties featuring characteristics of both the oligothiophene chains and the delocalised metal dithiolene centre. The properties of the complexes have been characterised using a variety of spectroscopic and electrochemical methods complemented by computational studies. Solid state spectroelectrochemistry has revealed that upon oxidation these complexes display intense and broad absorption across the visible spectrum. In attempting to produce nickel analogues of these materials a single crystal of a photo-oxidised nickel dithiolene complex has also been isolated.

A Stable Anionic Dithiolene Radical

Sulfurization of anionic N-heterocyclic dicarbene, [:C{[N(2,6-Prⁱ₂C₆H₃)]₂CHCLi}]_n (2), with elemental sulfur (in a 1:2 ratio) in Et₂O at low temperature gives 3 by inserting two sulfur atoms into the Li-C (i.e., C2 and C4) bonds in polymeric 2. Further reaction of 3 with 2 equiv of elemental sulfur in THF affords 4^• via unexpected C-H bond activation, which represents the first anionic dithiolene radical to be structurally characterized in the solid state. Alternatively, 4^• may also be synthesized directly by reaction of 1 with sulfur (in a 1:4 ratio) in THF. Reaction of 4^• with GeCl₂·dioxane gives an anionic germanium(IV)-bis(dithiolene) complex (5). The nature of the bonding in 4^• and 5 was probed by experimental and theoretical methods.

Geometries of Third-Row Transition-Metal Complexes from Density-Functional Theory

A set of 41 metal-ligand bond distances in 25 third-row transition-metal complexes, for which precise structural data are known in the gas phase, is used to assess optimized and zero-point averaged geometries obtained from DFT computations with various exchange-correlation functionals and basis sets. For a given functional (except LSDA) Stuttgart-type quasi-relativistic effective core potentials and an all-electron scalar relativistic approach (ZORA) tend to produce very similar geometries. In contrast to the lighter congeners, LSDA affords reasonably accurate geometries of 5d-metal complexes, as it is among the functionals with the lowest mean and standard deviations from experiment. For this set the ranking of some other popular density functionals, ordered according to decreasing standard deviation, is BLYP > VSXC > BP86 ≈ BPW91 ≈ TPSS ≈ B3LYP ≈ PBE > TPSSh > B3PW91 ≈ B3P86 ≈ PBE hybrid. In this case hybrid functionals are superior to their nonhybrid variants. In addition, we have reinvestigated the previous test sets for 3d- (Bühl M.; Kabrede, H. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2006, 2, 1282-1290) and 4d- (Waller, M. P.; Bühl, M. J. Comput. Chem. 2007, 28, 1531-1537) transition-metal complexes using all-electron scalar relativistic DFT calculations in addition to the published nonrelativistic and ECP results. For this combined test set comprising first-, second-, and third-row metal complexes, B3P86 and PBE hybrid are indicated to perform best. A remarkably consistent standard deviation of around 2 pm in metal-ligand bond distances is achieved over the entire set of d-block elements.

Molecular Alloys of Neutral Gold/Nickel Dithiolene Complexes in Single-Component Semiconductors

Control of band filling or doping of molecular (semi)conductors can be performed by substitutional insertion of molecules with a similar shape but a different electron count, with one more or one less electron. This strategy has been explored here within the semiconducting, single-component, radical gold dithiolene complex [AuOC4] bearing para-butoxyphenyl substituents. Alloying with the corresponding neutral nickel dithiolene complex [NiOC4] lacking one electron afforded a complete isostructural series [NiOC4]1-x[AuOC4]x, spanning the whole composition range from x = 0 to x = 1 by 0.1 increments, further characterized by X-ray diffraction and EDX analyses. Magnetic susceptibility data confirm the antiferromagnetic interactions between neighboring radical gold dithiolene complexes. The electrical conductivity increases exponentially with the x gold fraction, while the activation energy remains constant in the more conducting, gold-rich samples. This behavior is tentatively assigned to the tunneling barriers of variable width (with x) but of constant height, separating more conducting gold-rich segments. Comparison of redox potentials for the 1e(-) oxidation and reduction of both [NiOC4] and [AuOC4] dithiolene complexes indicates that the [NiOC4] nickel complex does not act as a dopant for the radical [AuOC4] complex.

Radical or not radical: compared structures of metal (M = Ni, Au) bis-dithiolene complexes with a thiazole backbone

A complete series of dianionic, monoanionic, and neutral dithiolene complexes formulated as [Ni(Et-thiazdt)2](n), with n = -2, -1, 0, and Et-thiazdt: N-ethyl-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate, is prepared using an optimized procedure described earlier for the N-Me derivatives. Electrochemical and spectroscopic properties confirm the electron-rich character of the Et-thiazdt dithiolate ligand. The three complexes are structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The paramagnetic anionic complex [Ni(Et-thiazdt)2](-1), as Ph4P(+) salt, exhibits side-by-side lateral interactions leading to a Heisenberg spin chain behavior. The solid-state structure of the neutral, diamagnetic [Ni(Et-thiazdt)2](0) complex shows a face-to-face organization with a large longitudinal shift, at variance with the structure of its radical and neutral gold dithiolene analogue described earlier and formulated as [Au(Et-thiazdt)2](•). Comparison of the two structures, and those of the other few structurally characterized pairs of Ni/Au dithiolene complexes, demonstrates the important role played by overlap interactions between gold dithiolene radical species. Despite its closed-shell character, the neutral nickel complex [Ni(Et-thiazdt)2](0) exhibits a semiconducting behavior with a room-temperature conductivity σRT ≈ 0.014 S cm(-1).

Metal centered oxidation or ligand centered oxidation of metal dithiolene? Spectral, electrochemical and structural studies on a nickel-4-pyridine-1,2-dithiolate system

The complex Et(4)N[Ni(4-pedt)(2)] (1) (4-pedt = 1-(pyridine-4-yl) ethylene-1,2-dithiolate) was synthesized to investigate the behaviour of metal dithiolene compounds upon protonation and oxidation by absorption spectroscopy, electrochemistry and structural analyses and to further understand the electronic states of the dithiolene compounds. It is unexpected that the 915 nm NIR transition band is not shifted when H(+) is added, and it is only affected (blue-shifted) when the compound is oxidized. All the evidence of electronic spectra indicates that the NIR band is relevant to the central [Ni(edt)(2)] moiety (edt = ethylenedithiolate), not the behaviour of individual Ni ions or ligands. It is also not the band of intermolecular interaction of a dimer. The moderately intense band appearing at 655 nm upon protonation is assigned to the intramolecular charge-transfer band between the [Ni(edt)(2)] moiety and the pyridine. The redox potentials of the metal dithiolene are sensitive to the protonation of the pyridyl group. The structures of monocationic complex and the protonated compounds [Ni(4-Hpedt)(2)]·ClO(4)·H(2)O (2) and [Ni(4-Hpedt)(2)]·PhSO(3)·2DMF (3) were characterized by single crystal X-ray determination. The structural data demonstrate that the oxidation of the monoanionic dithiolene complex to neutral does not change the Ni-S bond distances obviously, which further indicates that the process is not only the metal centered oxidation.

A theoretical study of the 3d-M(smif)2 complexes: structure, magnetism, and oxidation states

We carry out a theoretical investigation of the recently reported M(smif)(2) series1,2 and find a number of interesting phenomena. These include complex potential energy surfaces with near-degenerate stationary points, low-lying states, non-trivial electron configurations, as well as non-innocent ligand behavior. The M(smif)(2) exhibit a delicate balance between geometry and electronic structure, which has implications not only for their reactivity but also for controlling their properties through ligand design. We address methodological issues and show how conceptual quantities such as oxidation states and electronic configurations can be extracted through a simple analysis of the electron and spin densities-without a complicated examination of the underlying orbitals.

Novel hexagonal polytypes of silver: growth, characterization and first-principles calculations

We report a study of the relative effects of dimensional and kinetic constraints on the stabilization of metastable, polytypic forms of metallic silver. We show that the hexagonal 4H polytype (hitherto observed only in size-constrained systems) can be produced in the form of bulk thin films by suitably slowing down the growth kinetics. Further, using extremely slow growth conditions, we have been successful in depositing a novel, two-dimensional, metastable polytype (2H) of silver, which is highly reactive (easily oxidized) and has a density 23% lower than normal silver. First-principles calculations based on density functional theory confirm that the 4H structure is relatively stable. However, local stability analysis via a determination of the phonon dispersion of the 2H structure reveals that it is only marginally stable with an energy surface that is rather flat or weakly varying with respect to many of the modes. This makes a large contribution to the configurational entropy and is probably the reason for the metastability of the observed 2H polytype with an unusually large lattice constant along the c-direction.

Characterization and electronic structures of five members of the electron transfer series [Re(benzene-1,2-dithiolato)3](z) (z = 1+, 0, 1-, 2-, 3-): a spectroscopic and density functional theoretical study

The reaction of ReCl(5) with 3 equiv of a benzene-1,2-dithiolate derivative in CH(3)CN produced, after the addition of [C(8)H(16)N]Br ([C(8)H(16)N](+) is 5-azonia-spiro[4,4]nonane), brownish-green crystals of [C(8)H(16)N][Re(tms)(3)] (1c) and [C(8)H(16)N][Re(Cl(2)-bdt)(3)] (2c), where (tms)(2-) represents 3,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene-1,2-dithiolate and (Cl(2)-bdt)(2-) is 3,6-dichlorobenzene-1,2-dithiolate. Chemical reduction of [Re(bdt)(3)] (3b) with n-butyllithium in the presence of PPh(4)Br yielded [PPh(4)][Re(bdt)(3)] (3c), where (bdt)(2-) is benzene-1,2-dithiolate. The three monoanionic complexes possess a diamagnetic ground state (Re(V), d(2), S = 0). The crystal structures of 1c x 2 CH(3)CN and 2c x C(3)H(6)O have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The electrochemistry establishes that the complexes are members of electron transfer series involving a monocation [Re(V)(L(*))(2)(L)](+) (S = 0(?)), a neutral [Re(V)(L(*))(L)(2)](0) (S = 1/2), a monoanion [Re(V)(L)(3)](1-) (S = 0), a dianion [Re(IV)(L)(3)](2-) (S = 1/2), and a trianion [Re(III)(L)(3)](3-) (S = 1(?)). The unique X-band EPR spectrum of the neutral species clearly describes a diamagnetic Re(V) d(2) central ion with the unpaired electron located in a purely ligand-centered molecular orbital, whereas it is metal-centered in the dianionic form: a Re(IV) d(3) ion with three dithiolate(2-) ligands. S K-edge and Re L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirms these assignments and furthermore shows that the monoanion has a Re(V) central ion with three dianionic ligands. The geometrical and electronic structures of all members of the electron transfer series have been calculated by density functional theoretical methods, and the S K-pre-edge spectra have been simulated and assigned using a time-dependent DFT protocol.

A single-component molecular metal based on a thiazole dithiolate gold complex

A single component molecular conductor has been isolated from electrocrystallization of the monoanionic gold bis(dithiolene) complex based on the N-ethyl-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate (Et-thiazdt) ligand. The crystal structure of the system exhibits layers built from parallel uniform one-dimensional stacks of the planar molecule. At room temperature and ambient pressure the system is semiconducting (0.33 S x cm(-1)) with a small activation energy. However, the single crystal conductivity is strongly pressure dependent reaching 1000 S x cm(-1) at 21 kbar. At 13 kbar there is a crossover between semiconducting and metallic regimes. Thus, the present system is the first well characterized single-component molecular metal without TTF dithiolate ligands. First-principles DFT calculations show that the ground state is antiferromagnetic with a very small band gap. A simulation of the effect of pressure on the electronic structure provides a rationale for the observed variations of the conductivity and gives insight on how to further stabilize the metallic state of the system.

Tuning the oxidation level, the spin state, and the degree of electron delocalization in homo- and heteroleptic bis(alpha-diimine)iron complexes

The four-coordinate heteroleptic complex [Fe(III)((F)pda(2-))((F)dad*-)] (1) and its homoleptic analogue [Fe(II)((F)dad*-)2] (2), where (F)pda(2-) is the closed-shell ligand N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-o-phenylenediamide(2-) and (F)dad*- is the singly reduced N,N'-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diazabutadiene pi-radical anion, have been synthesized. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal a twisted tetrahedral geometry of the FeN4 coordination polyhedron in both 1 and 2. The electronic structures of 1 and 2 were probed by magnetic susceptibility measurements, 57Fe Mössbauer and electronic spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In spite of their similar geometries and a common triplet ground state (S(t) = 1), the electronic structures of 1, 2, and the previously reported homoleptic analogue [Fe(III)((F)pda(2-))((F)pda*-)] (3), where (F)pda*- is a one-electron-oxidized form of (F)pda(2-), differ. The electronic structure of 2 consists of two (F)dad*- radicals coupled antiferromagnetically to a high-spin Fe(II) center, whereas in 3, only one (F)pda*- radical is coupled antiferromagnetically to an intermediate-spin Fe(III) ion. This ligand mixed-valent species exhibits class-III behavior. Heteroleptic 1 contains a single (F)dad*- radical coupled antiferromagnetically to an intermediate-spin Fe(III) center but behaves as a class-II ligand mixed-valent species. The observed diversity in the electronic structures of 1-3 is ascribed to the difference in the redox potentials of the ligands. Analysis of reduced orbital charges and spin densities obtained from DFT calculations also suggests that the electronic structures of 1-3 are best described as either a high-spin Fe(II) ion coordinated to two radical monoanions (2) or as an intermediate-spin Fe(III) ion coordinated to one radical monoanion and one closed-shell dianion (1, 3).