Mononuclear Gold(I) Acetylide Complexes with Urea Group: Synthesis, Characterization, Photophysics, and Anion Sensing Properties

Fluorescence Sensing of Anions by Silanediols Bearing Substituted Naphthyl Groups

Silanediols bearing naphthyl moieties substituted at 5-position with an electron-withdrawing cyano group and an electron-donating N,N-dimethylamino group, respectively, have been prepared and characterized. The substituents on the naphthyl moieties strongly influence the reactivity, photophysical properties, and sensing abilities for anions. The silanediol bearing 1-(5-N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl) groups exhibited large Stokes shifts based on intramolecular charge transfer and large quantum yields in organic solvents. The silanediol showed favorable ratiometric fluorescence responses of upon the addition of biologically important anions, AcO^- and H₂ PO₄ ^- with the association constants of 4.08×10⁴ and 8.76×10³  mol^-1  dm³ , respectively.

Chloride Binding Properties of a Macrocyclic Receptor Equipped with an Acetylide Gold(I) Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, Reactivity, and Cytotoxicity Studies

In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of a mono-nuclear “two wall” aryl-extended calix[4]pyrrole receptor (2Au) decorated with an acetylide-gold(I)-PTA complex at its upper rim. We describe the 1H NMR titration experiments of 2Au and its “two wall” aryl-extended calix[4]pyrrole synthetic precursors: the non-symmetric mono-iodo-mono-ethynyl 2 and the symmetric bis-iodo 3 with TBACl in dichloromethane and acetone solution. In acetone solution, we use isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments to thermodynamically characterize the formed 1:1 chloride complexes and perform pair-wise competitive binding experiments. In both solvents, we measured a decrease in the binding constant of the mono-nuclear 2Au complex for chloride compared to the parent mono-iodo-mono-ethynyl 2. In turn, receptor 2 also shows a reduction in binding affinity for chloride compared to its precursor bis-iodo calix[4]pyrrole 3. The free energy differences (∆G) of the 1:1 chloride complexes cannot be exclusively attributed to their dissimilar electrostatic surface potential values either at the center of the meso-phenyl wall or its para-substituent. We conclude that solvation/desolvation processes play an important role in the stabilization of the chloride complexes. In acetone solution and in the presence of TBACl, 6Au, a reference compound for the acetylide Au(I)•PTA unit, produces a bis(alkynyl)gold(I) anionic complex [7Au]−. Thus, the observation of two separate sets of signals for the bound aromatic calix[4]pyrrole protons, when more than 1 equiv. of the salt is added, is assigned to the formation of the chloride complexes of 2Au and of the “in situ” formed calix[4]pyrrole anionic dimer [8Au]−. Finally, preliminary data obtained in cell viability assays of 2Au and 6Au with human cancer cells lines assign them with moderate activities showing that the calix[4]pyrrole unit is not relevant.

Rationally assembled nonanuclear lanthanide clusters: Dy9 displays slow relaxation of magnetization and Tb9 serves as luminescent sensor for Fe3+, CrO42− and Cr2O72−

The utilization of a Schiff base ligand 2-((2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzylideneamino)methyl)phenol (H₂L) afforded five nonanuclear lanthanide(iii) clusters. Dy₉ displays slow relaxation of magnetization and Tb₉ serves as luminescent sensor for Fe³⁺, CrO₄²⁻ and Cr₂O₇²⁻.

Rise of Conjugated Poly-ynes and Poly(Metalla-ynes): From Design Through Synthesis to Structure-Property Relationships and Applications

Conjugated poly-ynes and poly(metalla-ynes) constitute an important class of new materials with potential application in various domains of science. The key factors responsible for the diverse usage of these materials is their intriguing and tunable chemical and photophysical properties. This review highlights fascinating advances made in the field of conjugated organic poly-ynes and poly(metalla-ynes) incorporating group 4-11 metals. This includes several important aspects of conjugated poly-ynes viz. synthetic protocols, bonding, electronic structure, nature of luminescence, structure-property relationships, diverse applications, and concluding remarks. Furthermore, we delineated the future directions and challenges in this particular area of research.

(Ar-CO-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)(PEt3)Au and (Ar-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)(PEt3)Au complexes bearing pyrenyl and ferrocenyl groups: synthesis, structure, and luminescence properties

Two types of (acetylide)(triethylphosphine)gold(i) complexes ArCOC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CAuPEt3 (1a and 1b) and ArC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CAuPEt3 (2a and 2b) bearing Ar = pyren-1-yl or ferrocenyl group were synthesized and the effect of a carbonyl moiety on the structure, propensity to ligand scrambling in solution and luminescence properties were investigated. We found that the complexes bearing acetylenic ketone-derived ligands underwent ligand scrambling in solution to afford mixtures of ArCOC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CAuPEt3 and [(ArCOC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)2Au]-[Au(PEt3)2]+. The latter complexes were isolated and their structures were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The aurophilic interaction of AuAu in these complexes resulted in the formation of wire-like structures.

Reactions of α-diimine-aluminum complexes with sodium alkynides: versatile structures of aluminum σ-alkynide complexes

Reaction of AlCl(3) with the monoanionic α-diimine ligand [NaL] yielded the complex [L˙(-)Al(III)Cl(2)(-)] (1, L = [(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3))NC(Me)](2)), and subsequent reduction of by sodium metal afforded the mononuclear [L(2-)Al(III)Cl(-)(THF)] (2) and binuclear [L(2-)(THF)Al(II)-Al(II)(THF)L(2-)] (3). Compounds 2 and 3 exhibit interesting reactivities to sodium alkynides at room temperature. Treatment of dialumane 3 with 1 equiv. of 4-methylphenylacetylene in the presence of sodium metal yielded the asymmetric Al-Al-bonded compound [Na(Et(2)O)][LAl-Al(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C(C(6)H(4)-Me))L] (4) containing an alkynyl group attached to one of the Al atoms. The reaction of 2 with 4-methylphenylacetylene and Na (or sodium 4-methylphenylacetylide) resulted in the mononuclear product [L(THF)Al(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-(C(6)H(4)-Me))] (5) containing a single terminal acetylide ligand. Precursor 2 reacted with 2 equiv. of phenylacetylene (or 4-methylphenylacetylene, trimethylsilylacetylene) and Na to give the tweezer "ate" complexes, [Na(THF)(DME)][LAl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)(2)] (R = C(6)H(5), ; C(6)H(4)-Me, ; Si(Me)(3), 6c), [Na(THF)](2)[LAl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)(2)](2)(μ-C(7)H(8)) (7), [Na(C(7)H(8))][(μ-Na)][LAl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CSi(Me)(3))(2)](2) (8), as well as the polymeric [LAl(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)(2)Na](n) (9). In the products, two alkynyl groups coordinate terminally to one Al center and a sodium ion is embedded between these two alkynyls. Interestingly, both cycloaddition and terminal acetylide coordination of three equiv. of alkyne occurred in the reaction of with 1-hexyne, resulting in the unique dialuminum complex [Na(Et(2)O)](2)[{L(C(C(4)H(9))[double bond, length as m-dash]CH)}Al(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C(C(4)H(9)))(2)](2) (10). Complexes 1-10 have been characterized by NMR ((1)H, (13)C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction, and their electronic structures were studied by DFT calculations.

Chalcogen bonding in solution: interactions of benzotelluradiazoles with anionic and uncharged Lewis bases

Chalcogen bonding is the noncovalent interaction between an electron-deficient, covalently bonded chalcogen (Te, Se, S) and a Lewis base. Although substantial evidence supports the existence of chalcogen bonding in the solid state, quantitative data regarding the strengths of the interactions in the solution phase are lacking. Herein, determinations of the association constants of benzotelluradiazoles with a variety of Lewis bases (Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), NO3(-) and quinuclidine, in organic solvent) are described. The participation of the benzotelluradiazoles in chalcogen bonding interactions was probed by UV-vis, (1)H and (19)F NMR spectroscopy as well as nano-ESI mass spectrometry. Trends in the free energy of chalcogen bonds upon variation of the donor, acceptor and solvent are evident from these data, including a linear free energy relationship between chalcogen bond donor ability and calculated electrostatic potential at the tellurium center. Calculations using the dispersion-corrected B97-D3 functional were found to give good agreement with the experimental free energies of chalcogen bonding.

Synthesis, characterization, photophysics, and anion binding properties of platinum(ii) acetylide complexes with urea group

The relationship between the structure and anion-binding ability of platinum(ii) acetylide complexes with urea group has been studied.

The dual role of pnicogen as Lewis acid and base and the unexpected interplay between the pnicogen bond and coordination interaction in H3N⋯FH2X⋯MCN (X = P and As; M = Cu, Ag, and Au)

Ternary systems H₃N⋯FH₂X⋯MCN (X = P and As; M = Cu, Ag, and Au) as well as the corresponding pnicogen-bonded and coordination-bonded binary systems have been studied.

Novel CX⋯π halogen bonds in complexes of acetylene and its derivatives of Na and MPH3 (M=Cu, Ag, Au) with XCCF (X=Cl, Br, I)

Ab initio calculations have been carried out for a variety of model systems with a T-shaped CX⋯π motif. The CX⋯π interaction of acetylene with the halogen donor molecule XCCF (X=Cl, Br, I) is invariably found to be weak with the interaction energy less than 11kJ/mol in magnitude. Substitution of the two protons in acetylene with more electron-donating sodium atoms increases the π electron density in the CC bond and leads to a substantial enhancement in its interaction with the halogen donor. The calculated interaction energies increase to as much as 73kJ/mol in the case of C2Na2-ICCF. The interaction of XCCF with a model coinage metal ethynide, H3PMCCMPH3 (M=Cu, Ag, Au), is intermediate between these two extremes, and the interaction energy is related to the nature of coinage metals. The CX⋯π halogen bonds have been analyzed with natural bond orbital, atoms in molecules, and energy decomposition.

Emission "Off-On" effect from europium complexes triggered by AcO anion: synthesis, characterization and sensing performance

In this paper, a series of Eu(III) complexes based on four diamine ligands and two diketone ligands were synthesized. Their single crystal structures were studied, where intermolecular π-π stacking was found. The photophysical parameters of these Eu(III) complexes were measured, along with their ligand triplet levels. The energy transfer mechanism between ligand and metal center was discussed in detail. Energy transfer roll-back was found in Eu(III) complexes owing large-conjugated diamine ligands, compromising emissive performance. This energy transfer roll-back, however, could be stopped by the presence of AcO anion, leading to Eu(III) complex emission enhancement. The sensing performance of such Eu(III) complexes was thus investigated in detail. High sensitivity and selectivity were observed.

Photophysical properties of trans-platinum acetylide complexes featuring N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Platinum acetylide complexes featuring NHC-carbene ligands show enhanced photophysical properties relative to complexes with phosphine ligands.

Synthesis, characterization, photophysics, and anion binding properties of gold(i) acetylide complexes with amide groups

A mononuclear gold(i) acetylide complex with an amide group, 3a, shows a dramatic color change upon addition of F⁻ in DMSO.

Anion receptor chemistry: highlights from 2011 and 2012

This review covers advances in anion complexation in the years 2011 and 2012. The review covers both organic and inorganic systems and also highlights the applications to which anion receptors can be applied such as self-assembly and molecular architecture, sensing, catalysis and anion transport.

The gold-hydrogen bond, Au-H, and the hydrogen bond to gold, Au∙∙∙H-X

In the first part of this review, the characteristics of Au-H bonds in gold hydrides are reviewed including the data of recently prepared stable organometallic complexes with gold(I) and gold(III) centers. In the second part, the reports are summarized where authors have tried to provide evidence for hydrogen bonds to gold of the type Au∙∙∙H-X. Such interactions have been proposed for gold atoms in the Au(-I), Au(0), Au(I), and Au(III) oxidation states as hydrogen bonding acceptors and H-X units with X = O, N, C as donors, based on both experimental and quantum chemistry studies. To complement these findings, the literature was screened for examples with similar molecular geometries, for which such bonding has not yet been considered. In the discussion of the results, the recently issued IUPAC definitions of hydrogen bonding and the currently accepted description of agostic interactions have been used as guidelines to rank the Au∙∙∙H-X interactions in this broad range of weak chemical bonding. From the available data it appears that all the intra- and intermolecular Au∙∙∙H-X contacts are associated with very low binding energies and non-specific directionality. To date, the energetics have not been estimated, because there are no thermochemical and very limited IR/Raman and temperature-dependent NMR data that can be used as reliable references. Where conspicuous structural or spectroscopic effects have been observed, explanations other than hydrogen bonding Au∙∙∙H-X can also be advanced in most cases. Although numerous examples of short Au∙∙∙H-X contacts exist in the literature, it seems, at this stage, that these probably make only very minor contributions to the energy of a given system and have only a marginal influence on molecular conformations which so far have most often attracted researchers to this topic. Further, more dedicated investigations will be necessary before well founded conclusions can be drawn.

Highly Ag+ selective tripodal gold(I) acetylide-based "off-on" luminescence chemosensors based on 3(ππ*) emission switching

Newly prepared gold(I) acetylide-based luminescent cation sensors 1c and 1d, which bear a novel three-armed flexible conformation, together with control molecule 2c, were synthesized in four steps. 1c and 1d exhibit the π → π* absorption of the acetylide ligands in fluid solutions and produce the (3)(ππ*) emission of the acetylide ligands in the solid state and degassed THF solution. The (3)(ππ*) emission of 1c in DMSO can be turned on upon addition of Ag(+). The binding ratio between 1c and Ag(+) as well as the binding constant log K were determined as 1:1 and 4.35 ± 0.12 respectively by UV-vis titration experiments. The formation of [1c·Ag](+) adduct, which leads to the appearance of new up-field peaks, was confirmed by (1)H NMR spectroscopic titrations. The control (1)H NMR titration experiments for the acetylide-free analogue 1a and single-armed analogue 2c indicate the acetylide groups and tripodal structures are responsible for the binding of Ag(+). The control experiment for tripodal gold(I) acetylide analogue 1d suggests the change of PPh3 with P(2-Py)Ph2 induces similar binding affinity toward Ag(+) but less selectivity toward Ag(+). Free 1c also exhibits the anion binding affinity toward F(-), but the Ag(+) adduct [1c·Ag](+) shows less affinity toward F(-).

Gold catalysis: regio- and stereoselective total synthesis of xyloketals D and G and the related natural product alboatrin

A new and efficient one-pot desilylation-gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of alkynes containing a silyl-protected phenolic -OH and a free alcoholic -OH unit leads selectively to the formation of tetrahydrofuranobenzopyran ring system. This approach has been used for the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of xyloketal D, xyloketal G, and the related natural product alboatrin.