Electron Transfer Across Multiple Hydrogen Bonds: The Case of Ureapyrimidinedione-Substituted Vinyl Ruthenium and Osmium Complexes

Electronic coupling and electron transfer in hydrogen-bonded mixed-valence compounds

Electron transfer provided by hydrogen bonds represents a unique and highly significant area of research, as it has a crucial role to play in a wide variety of chemical and biological systems. The hydrogen-bonded mixed-valence system, in the form of donor-hydrogen bond-acceptor, provides an ideal platform for exploring thermally-induced electron transfer across this non-covalent unit. Over the past decades, ongoing progress has been made in this field. Here we critically assess some studies on the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of electronic coupling and thermal electron transfer across hydrogen bond interface. Additionally, selected experimental examples are discussed in terms of intervalence charge transfer, with particular attention paid to the proton-coupled and often overlooked proton-uncoupled electron transfer pathway in hydrogen-bonded mixed-valence systems. We further highlight the major limitations of this research area and suggest potential directions for future exploration.

Redox-Induced Hydrogen Bond Reorientation Mimicking Electronic Coupling in Mixed-Valent Diruthenium and Macrocyclic Tetraruthenium Complexes

We present the coordination-driven self-assembly of three tetranuclear metallacycles containing intracyclic NH₂, OH, or OMe functionalities through the combination of various isophthalic acid building blocks with a divinylphenylene diruthenium complex. All new complexes of this study were characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, ultrahigh-resolution ESI mass spectrometry, cyclic and square wave voltammetry and, in two cases, X-ray diffraction. The hydroxy functionalized macrocycle 4-BOH and the corresponding half-cycle 2-OH stand out, as their intracyclic OH···O hydrogen bonds stabilize their mixed-valent one- (2-OH, 4-BOH) and three-electron-oxidized states (4-BOH). Despite sizable redox splittings between all one-electron waves, the mixed-valent monocations and trications do not exhibit any intervalence charge-transfer band, assignable to through-bond electronic coupling, but nevertheless display distinct IR band shifts of their charge-sensitive Ru(CO) tags. We ascribe these seemingly contradicting observations to a redox-induced shuffling of the OH···O hydrogen bond(s) to the remaining, more electron-rich, reduced redox site.

Zwitterionic Mixed Valence: Internalizing Counteranions into a Biferrocenium Framework toward Molecular Expression of Half-Cells in Quantum Cellular Automata

Realization of molecular quantum cellular automata (QCA), a promising architecture for molecular computing through current-free processes, requires improved understanding and application of mixed-valence (MV) molecules. In this report, we present an electrostatic approach to creating MV subspecies through internalizing opposite charges in close proximity to MV ionic moieties. This approach is demonstrated by unsymmetrically attaching a charge-responsive boron substituent to a well-known organometallic MV complex, biferrocenium. Guest anions (CN^- and F^- ) bind to the Lewis acidic boron center, leading to unusual blue-shifts of the intervalence charge-transfer (IVCT) bands. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported example of a zwitterionic MV series in which the degree of positive charge delocalization can be varied by changing the bound anions, and serves to clarify the interplay between IVCT parameters. The key underlying factor is the variable zero-level energy difference in the MV states. This work provides new insight into imbuing MV molecules with external charge-responsiveness, a prerequisite of molecular QCA techniques.

Charge-Separated Mixed Valency in an Unsymmetrical Acceptor-Donor-Donor Triad Based on Diarylboryl and Triarylamine Units

In this study, we report the generation of new mixed-valence (MV) subspecies with charge-separated (CS) characters from an unsymmetrical acceptor-donor-donor (A-D-D) triad. The triad was synthesized by attaching a dimesitylboryl group (A) to a D-D conjugate that consisted of triarylamine (NAr₃) units. The MV radical cation, obtained by chemical oxidation of the triad, exhibited a strong intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) absorption derived from the bis(NAr₃)^•+ moiety in the near-IR region. The charge-separated MV (CSMV) state, obtained by photoexcitation of the triad, caused a blue shift in IVCT energy in the femtosecond transient absorption spectra, reflecting a bias of positive charge distributions to the D end site. This resulted from increased electron density at the A site and restructuring of the central D site from NAr₃ to NAr₂ sites. Interestingly, any shift in the IVCT energy that was caused by the polarity of the solvent was minimal, reflecting the unique characteristics of the CSMV state. These findings represent the first detailed analysis of the CSMV state, including a comparison with conventional MV states. Therefore, this work provides new insights into counterion-free MV systems and their applications in molecular devices.

Evidence of proton-coupled mixed-valency by electrochemical behavior on transition metal complex dimers bridged by two Ag+ ions

H-Bonded metal complex dimers with reversible redox behaviour, which are connected by a low-barrier hydrogen bond (LBHB) with a very low energy barrier for proton transfer, can provide a unique mixed-valency state stabilized by the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) phenomenon. Using cyclic voltammetry measurements, newly prepared [ReIIICl2(PnPr3)2(Hbim)]2 (2) and [OsIIICl2(PnPr3)2(Hbim)]2 (3) existing as H-bonded dimers in a CH2Cl2 solution showed a four-step and four-electron transfer containing two mixed-valency states of ReIIReIII and ReIIIReIV, and OsIIOsIII and OsIIIOsVI, respectively. Furthermore, [ReIIICl2(PnPr3)2(Agbim)]2 (4) and [OsIIICl2(PnPr3)2(Agbim)]2 (5), bridged by two Ag+ ions instead of two H-bonding protons, were prepared, and their electrochemical behaviours changed to a two-step and four-electron transfer. It is clear that the H-bonded complex dimers 2 and 3, connected by an LBHB, can be electrochemically stabilized into unique pairs of mixed-valency states by PCET, and the H-bonding proton transfer also controls the electrochemical redox behaviour.

Bridged cyclometalated diruthenium complexes for fundamental electron transfer studies and multi-stage redox switching

Four bridged cyclometalated diruthenium systems are highlighted in this Frontier article, including strongly-coupled diruthenium complexes with a short phen-1,4-diyl or a planar pyren-2,7-diyl bridge, redox asymmetric diruthenium complexes characterized by different terminal ligands on the two ends, diruthenium complexes with a urea bridge that allows modulating the degree of electronic coupling, and those with a redox-active amine bridge with varying electronic structures. These complexes posess redox couples with low potentials and intense intervalence charge transfer absorptions in the near-infrared region in the one-electron-oxidized mixed-valent state. They are appealing not only for providing a platform for fundamental electron transfer studies but also as molecular materials with multi-stage redox switching properties.

A modular approach towards functionalized highly stable self-complementary quadruple hydrogen bonded systems

Self-complementary quadruple hydrogen bonded systems have shown potential as key building blocks for developing various supramolecular polymers. Opportunities for the introduction of multiple functionalities would further augment, in principle, their application potential. Herein, we report a novel modular approach to simultaneously introduce two closely aligned side chains into AADD-type self-complementary quadruple hydrogen-bonding systems. Dithiane-tethered ureidopyrimidinone has been used as a reactive intermediate to efficiently attach closely aligned side chains by simply reacting with amines to form highly stable molecular duplexes. These duplexes featuring AADD-type arrays of hydrogen bonding codes are highly stable in non-polar solvents (K_dim > 1.9 × 10⁷ M^-1 in CDCl₃) as well as in polar solvents (K_dim > 10⁵ in 10% DMSO-d₆/CDCl₃). Another notable feature of these self-assembling systems is their insensitivity to prototropy-related issues owing to their prototropic degeneracy, which will enhance their application potential in supramolecular chemistry.

Effects of electron transfer on the stability of hydrogen bonds

The measurement of the dimerization constants of hydrogen-bonded ruthenium complexes (1₂, 2₂, 3₂) linked by a self-complementary pair of 4-pyridylcarboxylic acid ligands in different redox states is reported.

The measurement of the dimerization constants of hydrogen-bonded ruthenium complexes (1₂, 2₂, 3₂) linked by a self-complementary pair of 4-pyridylcarboxylic acid ligands in different redox states is reported. Using a combination of FTIR and UV/vis/NIR spectroscopies, the dimerization constants (K_D) of the isovalent, neutral states, 1₂, 2₂, 3₂, were found to range from 75 to 130 M^–1 (ΔG⁰ = –2.56 to –2.88 kcal mol^–1), while the dimerization constants (K_2–) of the isovalent, doubly-reduced states, (1₂)^2–, (2₂)^2–, (3₂)^2–, were found to range from 2000 to 2500 M^–1 (ΔG⁰ = –4.5 to –4.63 kcal mol^–1). From the aforementioned values and the comproportionation constant for the mixed-valent dimers, the dimerization constants (K_MV) of the mixed-valent, hydrogen-bonded dimers, (1₂)^–, (2₂)^–, (3₂)^–, were found to range from 0.5 × 10⁶ to 1.2 × 10⁶ M^–1 (ΔG⁰ = –7.78 to –8.31 kcal mol^–1). On average, the hydrogen-bonded, mixed-valent states are stabilized by –5.27 (0.04) kcal mol^–1 relative to the isovalent, neutral, hydrogen-bonded dimers and –3.47 (0.06) kcal mol^–1 relative to the isovalent, dianionic hydrogen bonded dimers. Electron exchange in the mixed valence states imparts significant stability to hydrogen bonding. This is the first quantitative measurement of the strength of hydrogen bonds in the presence and absence of electronic exchange.

Anion-regulated electronic communication in a cyclometalated diruthenium complex with a urea bridge

A combined study of electrochemical measurements, intervalence charge transfer analysis, and DFT calculations suggests that the degree of urea-mediated electronic coupling between two cyclometalated ruthenium sites is enhanced by the coordination of urea with Br^- or Cl^-via hydrogen bonding. In contrast, the redox waves of the diruthenium complex become highly irreversible in the presence of relatively strong basic anions such as H₂PO₄^-, F^-, or OAc^-. This work demonstrates that the anion-urea interaction can be employed to regulate the electronic coupling and electron transfer between redox-active sites, suggesting the potential applications of the urea-functionalized diruthenium complex in anion sensing and stimuli-responsive molecular electronics.

Three in one: prototropy-free highly stable AADD-type self-complementary quadruple hydrogen-bonded molecular duplexes with a built-in fluorophore

This communication reports an effective approach for addressing the prototropy-related problems in heterocycle-based AADD-type self-assembling systems by freezing their hydrogen-bonding codes, by utilizing intramolecular bifurcated hydrogen bonding interactions. Using this strategy, we have also developed a hydroquinone-conjugated AADD-type self-assembling system adorned with three valuable features such as prototropy-free dimerization yielding single duplexes, high duplex stability and a built-in fluorophore, which would augment its application potential. The rational approach used herein to arrest prototropic shift may also find application elsewhere, wherein proton shift-mediated structural changes become a detrimental factor.

Use of an electrochemically-induced proton-coupled electron transfer reaction to control dimerization in a ureidopyrimidone 4 H-bond array

Cyclic voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical evidence is presented showing that the H-bonded dimer formed from a ureidopyrimidone derivative containing a phenylenediamine redox couple can be reversibly broken apart at mM concentrations in CH2Cl2 by an electrochemically induced proton-coupled electron transfer reaction.

Electronically Strongly Coupled Divinylheterocyclic-Bridged Diruthenium Complexes

Complexes [{Ru(CO)Cl(PiPr3 )2 }2 (μ-2,5-(CH-CH)2 -(c) C4 H2 E] (E=NR; R=C6 H4 -4-NMe2 (10 a), C6 H4 -4-OMe (10 b), C6 H4 -4-Me (10 c), C6 H5 (10 d), C6 H4 -4-CO2 Et (10 e), C6 H4 -4-NO2 (10 f), C6 H3 -3,5-(CF3 )2 (10 g), CH3 (11); E=O (12), S (13)) are discussed. The solid state structures of four alkynes and two complexes are reported. (Spectro)electrochemical studies show a moderate influence of the nature of the heteroatom and the electron-donating or -withdrawing substituents R in 10 a-g on the electrochemical and spectroscopic properties. The CVs display two consecutive one-electron redox events with ΔE°'=350-495 mV. A linear relationship between ΔE°' and the σp Hammett constant for 10 a-f was found. IR, UV/Vis/NIR and EPR studies for 10(+) -13(+) confirm full charge delocalization over the {Ru}CH-CH-heterocycle-CH-CH{Ru} backbone, classifying them as Class III systems according to the Robin and Day classification. DFT-optimized structures of the neutral complexes agree well with the experimental ones and provide insight into the structural consequences of stepwise oxidations.

Mechanistic insight into proton-coupled mixed valency

Stabilisation of the mixed-valence state in [Mo₂(TiPB)₃(HDOP)]₂⁺ (HTiPB = 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoic acid, H₂DOP = 3,6-dihydroxypyridazine) by electron transfer (ET) is related to the proton coordinate of the bridging ligands.

Synthesis and (spectro)electrochemistry of mixed-valent diferrocenyl–dihydrothiopyran derivatives

Cationic cyclic diferrocenyl–methane complexes display characteristic IVCT absorptions. These spectral features result from effective “through space” electronic communication between the metal centre in these mixed-valent dimetallic species.

Organic mixed valency in quadruple hydrogen-bonded triarylamine dimers bearing ureido pyrimidinedione moieties

Quadruple hydrogen-bonding interactions stabilized the mixed-valence states of dimers of triarylamine derivatives bearing an ureido pyrimidinedione moiety without any electronic coupling. This study represents the first example of proton-coupled "organic" mixed valency in solution with different substituents being used to control the stability.

On the observation of intervalence charge transfer bands in hydrogen-bonded mixed-valence complexes

Ruthenium clusters of the type [Ru3(μ3-O)(OAc)6(CO)(L)(nic)], where L = 4-dimethylaminopyridine (dmap) and nic = isonicotinic acid, form hydrogen-bonded mixed-valence dimers upon a single electron reduction. Electrochemical responses show two overlapping reduction waves, indicating the presence of a thermodynamically stable mixed-valence dimer with considerable electronic coupling across the hydrogen bond. Electronic spectra of the singly reduced hydrogen-bonded mixed-valence dimer reveal two intervalence charge transfer bands in the near-infrared region consistent with a Robin-Day class II system. These bands are assigned as metal-to-metal and metal-to-bridge charge transfer, and their behavior is best described by a semiclassical three state model. Infrared spectroscopy suggests localized behavior indicating electron transfer between the two clusters is slower than 10(10) s(-1).

Theoretical aspects of binary and ternary complexes of aziridine···ammonia ruled by hydrogen bond strength

B3LYP calculations, ChelpG atomic charges, and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) integrations were used to investigate the binary (1:1) and ternary (1:2) hydrogen-bonded complexes formed by aziridine (1) and ammonia (2). In a series of analysis, geometry data, electronic parameters, vibrational oscillators, and topological descriptors were used to evaluate hydrogen bond strength, and additionally to determine the more prominent molecular deformations upon the formation of C(2)H(5)N···NH(3) (1:1) and C(2)H(5)N···2NH(3) (1:2) systems. Taking a spectroscopic viewpoint, results obtained from analysis of the harmonic infrared spectrum were examined. From these, new vibrational modes and red- and blue-shifts related to the stretch frequencies of either donors or acceptors of protons were identified. Furthermore, the molecular topology of the electronic density modeled in accord with QTAIM was absolutely critical in defining bond critical points (BCP) and ring critical points (RCP) on the heterocyclic structures. Taking all the results together allowed us to identify and characterize all the N···H hydrogen bonds, as well as the strain ring of the aziridine and its stability.

How to elucidate and control the redox sequence in vinylbenzoate and vinylpyridine bridged diruthenium complexes

Vinylbenzoate-bridged diruthenium complexes (RHC=CH)(CO)(P(i)Pr(3))(2)Ru(mu-4-OOCC(6)H(4)-CH=CH)RuCl(CO)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (R = Ph, 3a or CF(3), 3b) and vinylpyridine-bridged (eta(6)-p-cymene)Cl(2)Ru(mu-NC(5)H(4)-4-CH=CH)RuCl(CO)(P(i)Pr(3))(2) (3c) have been prepared from their monoruthenium precursors and investigated with respect to the sequence of the individual redox steps and electron delocalization in their partially and fully oxidized states. Identification of the primary redox sites rests on the trends in redox potentials and the EPR, IR and Vis/NIR signatures of the oxidized radical cations and is correctly reproduced by quantum chemical investigations. Our results indicate that the trifluoropropenyl complex 3b has an inverse FMO level ordering (Ru1-bridge-Ru2 > terminal vinyl-Ru1 site) when compared to its styryl substituted counterpart 3a such that the primary oxidation site in these systems can be tuned by the choice of the terminal alkenyl ligand. It is further shown that the vinylbenzoate bridge is inferior to the vinylpyridine one with regard to charge and spin delocalization at the radical cation level. According to quantum chemical calculations, the doubly oxidized forms of these complexes have triplet diradical ground states and feature two interconnected oxidized vinyl ruthenium subunits.