Stepwise Construction of an Iron-Substituted Rigid-Rod Molecular Wire: Targeting a Tetraferra–Tetracosa–Decayne

Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Organometallic BODIPY-Ru(II) Dyads: Redox and Photophysical Properties with Singlet Oxygen Generation Capability†

A series of Ru(II)-acetylide complexes (Ru1, Ru2, and Ru1m) with alkynyl-functionalized borondipyrromethene (BODIPY) conjugates were designed by varying the position of the linker that connects the BODIPY unit to the Ru(II) metal center through acetylide linkage at either the 2-(Ru1) and 2,6-(Ru2) or the meso-phenyl (Ru1m) position of the BODIPY scaffold. The Ru(II) organometallic complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, CHN, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) analyses. The Ru(II)-BODIPY conjugates exhibit fascinating electrochemical and photophysical properties. All BODIPY-Ru(II) complexes exhibit strong absorption (εmax = 29,000-72,000 M-1 cm-1) in the visible region (λmax = 502-709 nm). Fluorescence is almost quenched for Ru1 and Ru2, whereas Ru1m shows the residual fluorescence of the corresponding BODIPY core at 517 nm. The application of the BODIPY-Ru(II) dyads as nonporphyrin-based triplet photosensitizers was explored by a method involving the singlet oxygen (1O2)-mediated photo-oxidation of diphenylisobenzofuran. Effective π-conjugation between the BODIPY chromophore and Ru(II) center in the case of Ru1 and Ru2 was found to be necessary to improve intersystem crossing (ISC) and hence the 1O2-sensitizing ability. In addition, electrochemical studies indicate electronic interplay between the metal center and the redox-active BODIPY in the BODIPY-Ru(II) dyads.

Enabling Valence Delocalization in Iron(III) Macrocyclic Complexes through Ring Unsaturation

The complexes [FeIII(HMC)(C2DMA)2]CF3SO3 ([2]OTf) and [FeIII(HMTI)(C2Y)2]CF3SO3 ([3a-c]OTf) have been prepared and thoroughly characterized (HMC = 5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane; HMTI = 5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,3,8,10-tetraene; Y = Fc (ferrocenyl, [3a]OTf), 4-(N,N-dimethyl)anilino (DMA, [3b]OTf), or 4-(N,N-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)anilino (TPA, [3c]OTf); OTf- = CF3SO3-)). Vibrational and electronic absorption spectroelectrochemical analyses following one-electron oxidation of the ethynyl substituent Y revealed evidence of strong coupling in the resultant mixed valent species for all HMTI-based complexes. However, the analogous mixed valent ion based on [2]OTf appeared to be more localized. Thus, the tetra-imino macrocycle HMTI has enabled significant valence delocalization along the -C2-FeIII-C2- bridge. Electron paramagnetic resonance and Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of [3b]OTf reveal that the π-acidity of HMTI lowers the energy of the FeIII dπ orbitals compared to the purely σ-donating HMC. This observation provides a basis for the interpretation of the macrocycle-dependent valence (de)localization.

Bis-Alkynyl Complexes of Fe(III) Tetraaza Macrocycles─A Tale of Two Rings

Reported herein are new Fe bis-alkynyl complexes [Fe^III(L)(C₂R)₂]BPh₄ based on tetraimine macrocycle (L = HMTI = meso-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,3,8,10-tetraene; 1a-1c; R = C₆H₅ (a), C₁₀H₉ (b), SiMe₃ (c)) and tetraamine macrocycle (L = HMC = meso-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane; 2a-2c). These complexes have been characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. Spectroelectrochemical studies of 1a and 2a allowed for investigation of the Fe^II oxidation state, which revealed a strong dependence on the nature of the macrocycle for both the energies of the Fe^II to C₂Ph metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) and the ν(C≡C). The ν(C≡C) was further influenced by the oxidation state, though sensitivity to the formal metal oxidation state was much higher in the case of 2a than in 1a. These findings are rationalized on the basis of the relative energies of the formally metal-centered orbitals via density functional theory calculations.

Role of Substituents at 3-position of Thienylethynyl Spacer on Electronic Properties in Diruthenium(II) Organometallic Wire-like Complexes

A series of organometallic complexes [Cl(dppe)₂ Ru-C≡C-(3-R-C₄ H₂ S)-C≡C-Ru(dppe)₂ Cl] (3-R-C₄ H₂ S=3-substituted thienyl moiety; R=-H, -C₂ H₅ , -C₃ H₇ , -C₄ H₉ , -C₆ H₁₃ , -OMe, -CN in 5 a-5 g respectively) have been synthesized by systematic variation of 3-substituents at the thienylethynyl bridging unit. The diruthenum(II) wire-like complexes (5 a-5 g) have been achieved by the reaction of thienylethynyl bridging units, HC≡C-(3-R-C₄ H₂ S)-C≡CH (4 a-4 g) with cis-[Ru(dppe)₂ Cl₂ ]. The wire-like diruthenium(II) complexes undergo two consecutive electrochemical oxidation processes in the potential range of 0.0 - 0.8 V. Interestingly, the wave separation between the two redox waves is greatly influenced by the substituents at the 3-position of the thienylethynyl. Thus, the substitution on 3-position of the thienylethynyl bridging unit plays a pivotal role for tuning the electronic properties. To understand the electronic behavior, density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the selected diruthenium wire-like complexes (5 a-5 e) with different alkyl appendages are performed. The theoretical data demonstrate that incorporation of alkyl groups to the thienylethynyl entity leaves unsymmetrical spin densities, thus affecting the electronic properties. The voltammetric features of the other two Ru(II) alkynyl complexes 5 f and 5 g (with -OMe and -CN group respectively) show an apparent dependence on the electronic properties. The electronic properties in the redox conjugate, (5 a⁺ ) with K_c of 3.9×10⁶ are further examined by UV-Vis-NIR and FTIR studies, showing optical responses in NIR region along with changes in "-Ru-C≡C-" vibrational stretching frequency. The origin of the observed electronic transition has been assigned based on time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations.

Understanding the singlet–triplet energy splittings in transition metal-capped carbon chains

Density functional theory and molecular orbital analysis suggest that the odd–even alternation of singlet–triplet energy separations is a general feature of transition metal-capped carbon chains, determined primarily by the carbon chains.

Synthesis and characterization of a semiconducting and solution-processable ruthenium-based polymetallayne

Semiconducting, redox-active and solution-processable: accessing a highly functional Ru–polymetallayne via copper-free dehydrohalogenation polymerization.

Wire like diplatinum, triplatinum, and tetraplatinum complexes featuring X[PtCCCCCCCC]mPtX segments; iterative syntheses and functionalization for measurements of single molecule properties

The title complexes are accessed from platinum chloride and Z(CC)₂SiMe₃ (Z = Me₃Sn, H) building blocks via oxidative homocouplings and cross couplings.

Diruthenium(ii)-capped oligothienylethynyl bridged highly soluble organometallic wires exhibiting long-range electronic coupling

Organometallic molecular wires with π-conjugation along their molecular backbones are of considerable interest for application in molecular-scale electronics. In this regard, thienylethynyl-based π-conjugated oligomers of three, five and seven thienylethynyl units with -C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-H termini have been successfully synthesized through stepwise Pd(0)/Cu(i)-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling. The corresponding highly soluble diruthenium(ii) diacetylide complexes (O1-Ru2, O3-Ru2, O5-Ru2 and O7-Ru2, respectively) have been prepared by the reaction of cis-Ru(dppe)2Cl2 and NaPF6 in DCM with the corresponding rigid rod-like thienylethynyl oligomers with one, three, five and seven thienylethynyl π-conjugated segments containing alkynyl termini (O1, O3, O5 and O7). These Ru(ii)-Cl capped diacetylide complexes have been further functionalized by incorporating a phenylacetynyl moiety to afford [Ru(ii)-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-Ph]-capped diacetylide organometallic wires (O1-Ru2-Ph, O3-Ru2-Ph, O5-Ru2-Ph and O7-Ru2-Ph). The photophysical properties of the highly soluble thienylethynyl-based oligomers and Ru(ii)-organometallic wires have been explored to understand their electronic properties. Electrochemical studies of the binuclear ruthenium(ii)-alkynyl complexes showed highly interesting results, revealing long-range electrochemical communication between the two remote Ru(ii) termini connected even with five and seven thienylethynyl units. DFT computational studies further support the long range electrochemical communication between the redox active metal termini through heavy participation of the thienylethynyl bridge in the corresponding mono-oxidized mixed valence species of the organometallic wire-like complexes.

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.

Most favorable cumulenic structures in iron-capped linear carbon chains are short singlet odd-carbon dications: a theoretical view

DFT computations suggest that the odd iron-capped linear-carbon dications exhibit large ΔE_S–T values and more cumulenic structures than short even-carbon chains.

Mixed valency in ligand-bridged diruthenium frameworks: divergences and perspectives

Emerging fundamental issues involving intramolecular electron transfer at the mixed valent diruthenium frameworks and its application prospects have been highlighted.

Sustainable metal alkynyl chemistry: 3d metals and polyaza macrocyclic ligands

This article describes the recent development of sustainable metal-alkynyl chemistry based on the combination of 3d metals and polyaza macrocycles.

Electronic communication in phosphine substituted bridged dirhenium complexes – clarifying ambiguities raised by the redox non-innocence of the C4H2- and C4-bridges

Dinuclear rhenium complexes with C₄H₂- or C₄- bridges can show open or closed shell structures.

Reactions of alkynes with cis-RuCl2(dppm)2: exploring the interplay of vinylidene, alkynyl and η(3)-butenynyl complexes

Reactions of cis-RuCl2(dppm)2 with various terminal alkynes, of the type HC≡CC6H4-4-R (1 equiv.), in the presence of TlBF4 have resulted in the formation of cationic vinylidene complexes trans-[RuCl(=C=CHC6H4-4-R)(dppm)2]BF4 ([1]BF4). These complexes can be isolated, or treated in situ with a suitable base (Proton Sponge, 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene) to yield the mono-alkynyl complexes trans-RuCl(C≡CC6H4-4-R)(dppm)2 (2). Through similar reactions between cis-RuCl2(dppm)2 with 2 equiv. of alkyne, TlBF4 and base, trans-bis(alkynyl) complexes, trans-Ru(C≡CC6H4-4-R)2(dppm)2 (3), can be isolated when R is an electron withdrawing substituent (R = NO2, COOMe, C≡CSiMe3), whereas reactions with alkynes bearing electron donating substituents (R = OMe and Me) form cationic η(3)-butenynyl complexes [Ru(η(3)-{HC(C6H4-4-R)=CC≡CC6H4-4-R})(dppm)2](+) ([4](+)). This work highlights the importance of the electronic character of the alkyne in influencing product outcome.

Synthesis and Electronic Structure of Ru2(Xap)4(Y-gem-DEE) Type Compounds: Effect of Cross-Conjugation

Reported in this Article are the preparation and characterization of a series of new Ru2(II,III) compounds bearing one cross-conjugated σ-geminal-diethynylethene ligand (gem-DEE), namely, Ru2(Xap)4(Y-gem-DEE) (Xap = N,N'-anilinopyridinate (ap) or 2-(3,5-dimethoxy)anilinopyridinate (DiMeOap), and Y = Si(i)Pr3 (1) or H (2)) and [Ru2(ap)4]2(μ-gem-DEE) (3). Compounds 1-3 were characterized by spectroscopic and voltammetric techniques as well as the single crystal X-ray diffraction study of 2a. The X-ray structural data of 2a and the spectroscopic/voltammetric data of compounds 1 and 2 indicate that the gem-DEE ligands are similar to simple alkynyls in their effects on the molecular and electronic structures of the Ru2(Xap)4 moiety. Similar to the previously studied [Ru2(ap)4]2(μ-C2n) type compounds, dimer 3 exhibits pairwise 1e(-) oxidations and reductions, albeit the potential splits within the pair (ΔE1/2) are significantly smaller than those of [Ru2(ap)4]2(μ-C4). The electronic absorption spectra of the reduced and oxidized derivatives of 1a and 3 were determined using spectroelectrochemistry methods. No discernible intervalence charge transfer transition (IVCT) was detected in the near-IR spectrum for either 3(-) or 3(+), suggesting that the Ru2-Ru2 coupling in these mixed-valence states is weak. DFT calculations on a model compound of 3 yielded six singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs), which have Ru2 contributions similar to those previously calculated for the [Ru2(ap)4]2(μ-C2n) type compounds. Among six SOMOs, SOMO-2 is the only one containing substantial dπ-π(gem-DEE) character across the entire Ru2-μ-gem-DEE-Ru2 linkage, which explains the weakened Ru2-Ru2 coupling.

Bridge- and solvent-mediated intramolecular electronic communications in ubiquinone-based biomolecular wires

Intramolecular electronic communications of molecular wires play a crucial role for developing molecular devices. In the present work, we describe different degrees of intramolecular electronic communications in the redox processes of three ubiquinone-based biomolecular wires (Bis-CoQ₀s) evaluated by electrochemistry and Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods in different solvents. We found that the bridges linkers have a significant effect on the electronic communications between the two peripheral ubiquinone moieties and solvents effects are limited and mostly depend on the nature of solvents. The DFT calculations for the first time indicate the intensity of the electronic communications during the redox processes rely on the molecular orbital elements V_L for electron transfer (half of the energy splitting of the LUMO and LUMO+1), which is could be affected by the bridges linkers. The DFT calculations also demonstrates the effect of solvents on the latter two-electron transfer of Bis-CoQ₀s is more significant than the former two electrons transfer as the observed electrochemical behaviors of three Bis-CoQ₀s. In addition, the electrochemistry and theoretical calculations reveal the intramolecular electronic communications vary in the four-electron redox processes of three Bis-CoQ₀s.

High-conductive organometallic molecular wires with delocalized electron systems strongly coupled to metal electrodes

Besides active, functional molecular building blocks such as diodes or switches, passive components, for example, molecular wires, are required to realize molecular-scale electronics. Incorporating metal centers in the molecular backbone enables the molecular energy levels to be tuned in respect to the Fermi energy of the electrodes. Furthermore, by using more than one metal center and sp-bridging ligands, a strongly delocalized electron system is formed between these metallic "dopants", facilitating transport along the molecular backbone. Here, we study the influence of molecule-metal coupling on charge transport of dinuclear X(PP)2FeC4Fe(PP)2X molecular wires (PP = Et2PCH2CH2PEt2); X = CN (1), NCS (2), NCSe (3), C4SnMe3 (4), and C2SnMe3 (5) under ultrahigh vacuum and variable temperature conditions. In contrast to 1, which showed unstable junctions at very low conductance (8.1 × 10(-7) G0), 4 formed a Au-C4FeC4FeC4-Au junction 4' after SnMe3 extrusion, which revealed a conductance of 8.9 × 10(-3) G0, 3 orders of magnitude higher than for 2 (7.9 × 10(-6) G0) and 2 orders of magnitude higher than for 3 (3.8 × 10(-4) G0). Density functional theory (DFT) confirmed the experimental trend in the conductance for the various anchoring motifs. The strong hybridization of molecular and metal states found in the C-Au coupling case enables the delocalized electronic system of the organometallic Fe2 backbone to be extended over the molecule-metal interfaces to the metal electrodes to establish high-conductive molecular wires.

Avoiding problem reactions at the ferrocenyl-alkyne motif: a convenient synthesis of model, redox-active complexes for molecular electronics

A much improved route to 1,1′-bis(arylethynyl)ferrocenes comprising accessible thiolates on the aryl ring is reported. Unanticipated reactions between AcCl, TBAF–BBr₃ and ferrocenyl-alkynes are also discussed, offering a rationale for previous synthetic difficulties.

Long range charge transfer in trimetallic mixed-valence iron complexes mediated by redox non-innocent cyanoacetylide ligands

A redox active 9-atom, 10-bond –CC–CN{Fe(dppx)₂}NC–CC– bridge is shown to be effective at promoting electron transfer between metal centres separated by some 15 Å.