Strong Circularly Polarized Luminescence at 1550 nm from Enantiopure Molecular Erbium Complexes

Dynamic Near-Infrared Circularly Polarized Luminescence Encoded by Transient Supramolecular Chiral Assemblies

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is promising for applications in many fields. However, most systems involving CPL are within the visible range; near-infrared (NIR) CPL-active materials, especially those that exhibit high glum values and can be controlled spatially and temporally, are rare. Herein, dynamic NIR-CPL with a glum value of 2.5×10-2 was achieved through supramolecular coassembly and energy-transfer strategies. The chiral assemblies formed by the coassembly between adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and a pyrene derivative exhibited a red CPL signal (glum of 10-3). The further introduction of sulfo-cyanine5 resulted in a energy-transfer process, which not only led to the NIR CPL but also increased the glum value to 10-2. Temporal control of these chiral assemblies was realized by introducing alkaline phosphatase to fabricate a biomimetic enzyme-catalyzed network, allowing the dynamic NIR CPL signal to be turned on. Based on these enzyme-regulated temporally controllable dynamic CPL-active chiral assemblies, a multilevel information encryption system was further developed. This study provides a pioneering example for the construction of dynamic NIR CPL materials with the ability to perform temporal control via the supramolecular assembly strategy, which is expected to aid in the design of supramolecular complex systems that more closely resemble natural biological systems.

Dinuclear enantiopure Ln3+ complexes with (S-) and (R-) 2-phenylbutyrate ligands. Luminescence, CPL and magnetic properties

The reaction of Ln(NO3)2·6H2O (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Tm and Yb) with the respective enantiopure (R)-(-)-2-phenylbutyric or (S)-(+)-2-phenylbutyric acid (R/S-2-HPhBut) and 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Bphen) allows the isolation of chiral dinuclear compounds of the formula [Ln2(μ-R/S-2-PhBut)4(R/S-2PhBut)2(Bphen)2] where Ln = Nd3+ (R/S-Nd-a), Sm3+ (R/S-Sm-a), Eu3+ (R/S-Eu-a), Tb3+ (R/S-Tb-a and R/S-Tb-b), Dy3+ (R/S-Dy-a and R/S-Dy-b), Tm3+ (R/S-Tm-b) and Yb3+ (R/S-Yb-b). Single crystal X-ray diffraction was performed for compounds S-Eu-a and S-Tm-b. Powder crystal X-ray diffraction was performed for all complexes. From the crystallographic data two different structural motifs were found which are referred to as structure type a and structure type b. In structure type a, the Ln3+ atoms are bridged through four R or S-2-PhBut ligands with two different kinds of coordination modes whereas in structure type b the two Ln3+ atoms are bridged through four R or S-2-PhBut ligands showing only one kind of coordination mode. For those lanthanide ions exhibiting both structure types, Tb3+ and Dy3+, a difference in the luminescence and magnetism behavior is observed. All compounds (except R/S-Tm-b) exhibit sensitized luminescence, notably the Eu3+ and Tb3+ analogues. Circular Dichroism (CD) and Circular Polarized Luminescence (CPL) in the solid state and in 1 mM dichloromethane (DCM) solutions are reported, leading to improved chiroptical properties for the DCM solutions. The asymmetry factor (glum) in 1 mM DCM is ±0.02 (+ for R-Eu-a) for the magnetically allowed transition 5D0 → 7F1 and ±0.03 (+ for R-Tb-a and R-Tb-b) for the 5D4 → 7F5 transition. Magnetic properties of all compounds were studied and the Dy3+ compound with the structural motif b (R-Dy-b) shows Single Molecular Magnet (SMM) behavior under a 0 T magnetic field. However, R-Dy-a is a field-induced SMM.

BINOL-Based Chiral Macrocycles and Cages

Chirality, a fundamental principle in chemistry, biology, and medicine, is prevalent in nature and in organisms. Chiral molecules, such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, are crucial in biomolecular synthesis, as well as in the development of functional materials. Among these, 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diol (BINOL) stands out for its stable chiral configuration, versatile functionality, and commercial availability. BINOL is widely employed in asymmetric catalysis and chiral materials. This review mainly focuses on recent research over the past five years concerning the use of BINOL derivatives for constructing chiral macrocycles and cages. Their contributions to chiral luminescence, enantiomeric separation, transmembrane transport, and asymmetric catalysis were examined.

Flexible Full-Inorganic Ultrathin Films with Stable Circularly Polarized Luminescence Covering the Visible to Near-Infrared Region

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials hold significant value in various fields, including information storage, secure communication, three-dimensional displays, biological detection, and optoelectronic devices. Using the Langmuir-Schaeffer (LS) assembly technique, we successfully construct a series of large-area flexible optical ultrathin films. Impressively, the inorganic assembled ultrathin films exhibit excellent CPL optical activity covering the visible to near-infrared (NIR) region, with the luminescence asymmetry factor glum ranging from 0.59 to 0.72. Moreover, such ultrathin films also display outstanding mechanical flexibility, the optical activity of which even after 240 bending cycles shows almost no difference compared to the unbent samples. Owing to the ultra-broadband optical activity and ultra-stable optical activity of such full-inorganic assembled materials on flexible substrates, coupled with their excellent processability and outstanding mechanical flexibility, we anticipate they will find use in many fields such as communication technology and flexible optoelectronics.

Efficient Ultraviolet Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Zero-Dimensional Hybrid Cerium Bromides

Ultraviolet circularly polarized luminescence (UV-CPL) with high photon energy shows great potential in polarized light sources and stereoselective photopolymerization. However, developing luminescent materials with high UV-CPL performance remains challenging. Here, we report a pair of rare earth Ce3+-based zero-dimensional (0D) chiral hybrid metal halides (HMHs), R/S-(C14H24N2)2CeBr7, which exhibits characteristic UV emissions derived from the Ce 5d-4f transition. The compounds show simultaneously high photoluminescent quantum yields of (32-39)% and large luminescent dissymmetry factor (|glum|) values of (1.3-1.5)×10-2. Thus, the figures of merits of R/S-(C14H24N2)2CeBr7 are calculated to be (4.5-5.8)×10-3, which are superior to the reported UV-CPL emissive materials. Additionally, nearly 91 % of their PL intensities at 300 K can be well preserved at 380 K (LED operating temperature) without phase transition or decomposition, demonstrating the excellent structural and optical thermal stabilities of R/S-(C14H24N2)2CeBr7. Based on these enantiomers, the fabricated UV-emitting CP-LEDs exhibit high polarization degrees of ±1.0 %. Notably, the UV-CPL generated from the devices can significantly trigger the enantioselective photopolymerization of diacetylene with remarkable stereoselectivity, and consequently yield polymerized products with the anisotropy factors of circular dichroism (gCD) up to ±3.9×10-2, outperforming other UV-CPL materials and demonstrating their great potential as UV-polarized light sources.

Nano-achiral complex composites for extreme polarization optics

Composites from 2D nanomaterials show uniquely high electrical, thermal and mechanical properties1,2. Pairing their robustness with polarization rotation is needed for hyperspectral optics in extreme conditions3,4. However, the rigid nanoplatelets have randomized achiral shapes, which scramble the circular polarization of photons with comparable wavelengths. Here we show that multilayer nanocomposites from 2D nanomaterials with complex textured surfaces strongly and controllably rotate light polarization, despite being nano-achiral and partially disordered. The intense circular dichroism (CD) in nanocomposite films originates from the diagonal patterns of wrinkles, grooves or ridges, leading to an angular offset between axes of linear birefringence (LB) and linear dichroism (LD). Stratification of the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembled nanocomposites affords precise engineering of the polarization-active materials from imprecise nanoplatelets with an optical asymmetry g-factor of 1.0, exceeding those of typical nanomaterials by about 500 times. High thermal resilience of the composite optics enables operating temperature as high as 250 °C and imaging of hot emitters in the near-infrared (NIR) part of the spectrum. Combining LBL engineered nanocomposites with achiral dyes results in anisotropic factors for circularly polarized emission approaching the theoretical limit. The generality of the observed phenomena is demonstrated by nanocomposite polarizers from molybdenum sulfide (MoS2), MXene and graphene oxide (GO) and by two manufacturing methods. A large family of LBL optical nanocomponents can be computationally designed and additively engineered for ruggedized optics.

Magneto-structural correlation in lanthanide luminescent [2.2]paracyclophane-based single-molecule magnets

The association of lanthanide ions and paracyclophane derivatives has been very scarcely reported in the literature. In this study, elaboration of five coordination lanthanide complexes involving the 1,4(1,4)-dibenzenacyclohexaphane-12,43-diylbis(diphenylphosphine oxide) ligand (L) was achieved with the determination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures of four mononuclear complexes of formula [Ln(hfac)3(L)] (hfac- = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate) (Ln = Dy(III) (1-Dy) and Yb(III) (2-Yb)) and [Ln(tta)3(L)] (tta- = 2-tenoyl-trifluoroacetylacetonate) (Ln = Dy(III) (3-Dy) and Yb(III) (4-Yb)) and one dinuclear complex [Na(Dy2(hfac)6(L)2)](BArF) (BArF- = tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate) (5-Dy). The compounds were characterized using elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, DC and AC magnetic measurements and photophysical investigations. L is an efficient organic chromophore for the sensitization of both visible Dy(III) (1-Dy) and near-infrared Yb(III) (2-Yb and 4-Yb) luminescence. The combination of excitation and emission spectra allowed the determination of the crystal field spitting of both the 2F7/2 ground state and 2F5/2 excited state for 2-Yb and 4-Yb. Moreover, 3-Dy and the two Yb(III) derivatives displayed field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour with slow magnetic relaxation occurring through the Raman process only for 2-Yb and 4-Yb, whereas a combination of Orbach and Raman processes was identified for 3-Dy.

Augmentation of NIR Circularly Polarized Luminescence Activity in Shibasaki-Type Lanthanide Complexes Supported by the Spirane Sphenol

We report two new circularly polarized luminescence (CPL)-active lanthanide complexes emissive in the near-infrared (NIR) region; using sphenol as a supporting ligand, we provide the first reported example of an NIR-emissive lanthanide complex supported by a chiral spirane. Inclusion of a quaternary carbon to impart axial chirality results in dramatic augmentation of the CPL strength of the resultant sphenolate complexes (glum ≤ 0.77 for [(sphenol)3ErNa3(thf)6]) compared to that of their contemporary biaryl-based axially chiral analogues (glum ≤ 0.47 for [(binol)3ErNa3(thf)6]). Despite similar structural parameters, the rigid spiro carbon of sphenol enables the strongest dissymmetry factors observed to date from Shibasaki-type complexes for both Yb and Er. We also demonstrate the sensitivity of the reported chiroptical measurements to small variations in instrumental parameters, such as bandpass, and suggest a standardized method or at least that additional detail should be included in future reports to allow for direct comparisons between newly published CPL emitters.

Aggregation induced emission dynamic chiral europium(III) complexes with excellent circularly polarized luminescence and smart sensors

The synthesis of dynamic chiral lanthanide complex emitters has always been difficult. Herein, we report three pairs of dynamic chiral EuIII complex emitters (R/S-Eu-R-1, R = Et/Me; R/S-Eu-Et-2) with aggregation-induced emission. In the molecular state, these EuIII complexes have almost no obvious emission, while in the aggregate state, they greatly enhance the EuIII emission through restriction of intramolecular rotation and restriction of intramolecular vibration. The asymmetry factor and the circularly polarized luminescence brightness are as high as 0.64 (5D0 → 7F1) and 2429 M-1cm-1 of R-Eu-Et-1, achieving a rare double improvement. R-Eu-Et-1/2 exhibit excellent sensing properties for low concentrations of CuII ions, and their detection limits are as low as 2.55 and 4.44 nM, respectively. Dynamic EuIII complexes are constructed by using chiral ligands with rotor structures or vibration units, an approach that opens a door for the construction of dynamic chiral luminescent materials.

High Quantum Yields from Perfluorinated Binolate Erbium Complexes and Their Circularly Polarized Luminescence

High quantum yield and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) brightness values are reported from Shibasaki-type erbium complexes supported by a perfluorinated Binol ligand (F12Binol). The total fluorination of the ligand circumvents nonradiative quenching from Csp2-H vibrations and leads to quantum yields of up to 11% and CPL brightness values of up to 317 M-1 cm-1 (a 19- and 6-fold increase, respectively, compared to (Binol)3ErNa3). These values are the highest values for any molecular erbium complex to date, making them comparable to Yb emitters. A series of fluorinated Shibasaki-type complexes are synthesized by varying the alkali metal (K, Na, Li) in the secondary coordination sphere, leading to unexpected structural differences. NMR (19F, 7Li) and chiroptical spectroscopy analyses provide insights into their structural geometry. With much improved quantum yields and CPL brightness values, we provide synthetic design principles toward other practical candidates for use in quantum communication technologies.

Magnetic Assembly of Eu-Doped NaYF4 Nanorods for Field-Responsive Linearly and Circularly Polarized Luminescence

Colloidal assembly has emerged as an effective avenue for achieving polarized light emission. Here, we showcase the efficacy and versatility of the magnetic colloidal assembly in enabling both linearly and circularly polarized luminescence. Colloidal europium-doped NaYF4 nanorods with surface-bound Fe3O4 nanoparticles are magnetically assembled into linear or chiral superstructures using corresponding fields created in permanent magnets. In a uniform magnetic field generated by opposing poles, the assemblies exhibit photoluminescence with intensity tunable in response to the magnetic field direction, which is higher when the nanorods are perpendicular to light propagation than when they are parallel. The obtained superstructures display strong linearly polarized luminescence when the nanorods are aligned vertically, exhibiting a high degree of polarization up to 0.61. In a quadrupole chiral field generated by permanent magnets, the assemblies emit left-handed or right-handed polarized light depending on the position of the sample placement, attaining a g-factor of 0.04. Furthermore, the superstructures immobilized in a hydrogel film are found to retain their chirality, exhibiting opposite chiroptical responses depending on the sample orientation. The magnetic colloidal assembly approach facilitates the convenient and efficient generation of polarized light emissions from nonmagnetic luminescent materials, thus creating opportunities for tailoring light behavior in developing innovative optoelectronic devices.

Two pairs of chiral YbIII enantiomers presenting distinct NIR luminescence and circularly polarized luminescence performances with giant differences in second-harmonic generation responses

By introducing enantiomerically pure mono-bidentate N-donor ligands (LR/LS) into Yb(btfa)3(H2O)2 and Yb(dbm)3(H2O), respectively, two pairs of chiral YbIII enantiomers, namely Yb(btfa)3LR/Yb(btfa)3LS (D-1/L-1) and [Yb(dbm)3LR]·[Yb(dbm)3(C2H5OH)]/[Yb(dbm)3LS]·[Yb(dbm)3(C2H5OH)] (D-2/L-2) were isolated, where btfa- = 3-benzoyl-1,1,1-trifluoroacetonate, dbm- = dibenzoylmethanate, and LR/LS = (-)/(+)-4,5-pinenepyridyl-2-pyrazine. D-1/L-1 possess mononuclear structures in which the YbIII ions are eight-coordinated, while D-2/L-2 show cocrystal structures containing Yb(dbm)3(LR/LS) and Yb(dbm)3(C2H5OH) moieties in which the two YbIII ions are eight and seven-coordinated, respectively. They not only feature different molecular structures but also present distinct linear and nonlinear optical performances. Chiral mononuclear D-1 has better near infrared photo-luminescence (NIR-PL) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) performances than chiral cocrystal D-2. More remarkably, D-1/L-1 show large second-harmonic generation (SHG) responses (up to 1.25/1.28 × KDP) 18/16 times those of D-2/L-2 (0.07/0.08 × KDP). In addition, D-2/L-2 represent the first examples of lanthanide cocrystal complexes with NIR-PL, NIR-CPL and SHG properties.

Advances in circularly polarized luminescence materials based on chiral macrocycles

Development of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials utilizing supramolecular strategies has recently attracted increasing interest in supramolecular chemistry and materials science. Chiral macrocycles, especially chiral macrocyclic hosts, have stable structures, adjustable internal cavities to encapsulate different guests, and host-guest complexation to induce special photophysical properties. Consequently, various CPL materials based on chiral macrocycles have been developed during the last decade. To gain a better understanding of this rapidly developing research area, it is necessary and also important to summarize the advances in CPL materials based on chiral macrocycles. In this review, CPL materials from different chiral macrocycles, especially classical and newly reported chiral macrocyclic hosts and their derivatives, will be comprehensively summarized. It is believed that this review will be of guiding significance and also very helpful for the development of macrocyclic chemistry and CPL materials.

Fundamentals, Advances, and Artifacts in Circularly Polarized Luminescence (CPL) Spectroscopy

Objects are chiral when they cannot be superimposed with their mirror image. Materials can emit chiral light with an excess of right- or left-handed circular polarization. This circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is key to promising future applications, such as highly efficient displays, holography, sensing, enantiospecific discrimination, synthesis of drugs, quantum computing, and cryptography. Here, a practical guide to CPL spectroscopy is provided. First, the fundamentals of the technique are laid out and a detailed account of recent experimental advances to achieve highly sensitive and accurate measurements is given, including all corrections required to obtain reliable results. Then the most common artifacts and pitfalls are discussed, especially for the study of thin films, for example, based on molecules, polymers, or halide perovskites, as opposed to dilute solutions of emitters. To facilitate the adoption by others, custom operating software is made publicly available, equipping the reader with the tools needed for successful and accurate CPL determination.

Chiral Luminescent Aza[7]helicenes Functionalized with a Triarylborane Acceptor and Near-Infrared-Emissive Doublet-State Radicals

This paper presents new chiral luminescent molecules (N7-BMes2 and N7-TTM) using configurationally stable aza[7]helicene (1) as a universal heteroatom-doped chiral scaffold. The respective reactions of electron-donating 1 with a triarylborane acceptor via palladium-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig C-N coupling and with the open-shell doublet-state TTM radical via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SN2Ar) resulted not only in tunable emissions from blue to the NIR domain but also in significantly enhanced emission quantum efficiency up to Φ = 50%.

Cascade energy transfer boosted near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence of nanofibers from an exclusively achiral system

We constructed chiral supramolecular nanofibers for light harvesting based on symmetry-breaking, and these can generate near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with high dissymmetry factor (g_lum) through a synergistic energy transfer and chirality transfer process. Firstly, the achiral molecule BTABA was assembled into a symmetry-breaking assembly using a seeded vortex strategy. Subsequently, the chiral assembly can endow the two achiral acceptors, Nile Red (NR) and Cyanine 7 (CY7), with supramolecular chirality, as well as chiroptical properties. CY7 can reach an excited state and emit near-infrared light through a cascade energy transfer process from BTABA to NR and then to CY7, but cannot directly acquire energy from the excited BTABA. Significantly, the near-infrared CPL of CY7 can be obtained with a boosted g_lum value of 0.03. This work will provide a deep insight into the preparation of materials with near-infrared CPL activity from an exclusively achiral system.

Circularly polarized luminescence in the one-dimensional assembly of binaphtyl-based Yb(iii) single-molecule magnets

Lanthanide ions have attracted great interest owing to their optical and magnetic properties. Single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior has been a fascinating science for thirty years. Moreover, chiral lanthanide complexes allow the observation of remarkable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). However, the combination of both SMM and CPL behaviors in a single molecular system is very rare and deserves attention in the design of multifunctional materials. Four chiral one-dimensional coordination compounds involving 1,1'-Bi-2-naphtol (BINOL)-derived bisphosphate ligands and the Yb(iii) centre were synthesized and characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All the Yb(iii)-based polymers displayed field-induced SMM behavior with magnetic relaxation occurring by applying Raman processes and near infrared CPL in the solid state.

Metal Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals for Near-Infrared Circularly Polarized Luminescence with High Photoluminescence Quantum Yield via Chiral Ligand Exchange

Using ligand exchange on FAPbI₃ perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) surface with chiral tridentate l-cysteine (l-cys) ligand, we successfully prepared chiral FAPbI₃ PNCs that show circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) (dissymmetry factor; g_lum = 2.1 × 10^-3) in the near-infrared (NIR) region from 700 to 850 nm and a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 81%. The chiral characteristics of FAPbI₃ PNCs are ascribed to induction by chiral l/d-cys, and the high PLQY is attributed to the passivation of the PNCs defects with l-cys. Also, effective passivation of defects on the surface of FAPbI₃ PNCs by l-cys results in excellent stability toward atmospheric water and oxygen. The conductivity of the l-cys treated FAPbI₃ NC films is improved, which is attributed to the partial substitution of l-cys for the insulating long oleyl ligand. The CPL of the l-cys ligand treated FAPbI₃ PNCs film retains a g_lum of -2.7 × 10^-4. This study demonstrates a facile yet effective approach to generating chiral PNCs with CPL for NIR photonics applications.

Circularly Polarized Luminescence from New Heteroleptic Eu(III) and Tb(III) Complexes

The complexes [Eu(bpcd)(tta)], [Eu(bpcd)(Coum)], and [Tb(bpcd)(Coum)] [tta = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetyl-acetonate, Coum = 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-coumarin, and bpcd = N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N'-diacetate] have been synthesized and characterized from photophysical and thermodynamic points of view. The optical and chiroptical properties of these complexes, such as the total luminescence, decay curves of the Ln(III) luminescence, electronic circular dichroism, and circularly polarized luminescence, have been investigated. Interestingly, the number of coordinated solvent (methanol) molecules is sensitive to the nature of the metal ion. This number, estimated by spectroscopy, is >1 for Eu(III)-based complexes and <1 for Tb(III)-based complexes. A possible explanation for this behavior is provided via the study of the minimum energy structure obtained by density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the model complexes of the diamagnetic Y(III) and La(III) counterparts [Y(bpcd)(tta)], [Y(bpcd)(Coum)], and [La(bpcd)(Coum)]. By time-dependent DFT calculations, estimation of donor-acceptor (D-A) distances and of the energy position of the S₁ and T₁ ligand excited states involved in the antenna effect was possible. These data are useful for rationalizing the different sensitization efficiencies (η_sens) of the antennae toward Eu(III) and Tb(III). The tta ligand is an optimal antenna for sensitizing Eu(III) luminescence, while the Coum ligand sensitizes better Tb(III) luminescence {ϕ_ovl = 55%; η_sens ≥ 55% for the [Tb(bpcd)(Coum)] complex}. Finally, for the [Eu(bpcd)(tta)] complex, a sizable value of g_lum (0.26) and a good quantum yield (26%) were measured.

Synthesis of π-Conjugated Chiral Organoborane Macrocycles with Blue to Near-Infrared Emissions and the Diradical Character of Cations

Highly emissive π-conjugated macrocycles with tunable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) have sparked theoretical and synthetic interests in recent years. Herein, we report a synthetic approach to obtain new chiral organoborane macrocycles (CMC1, CMC2, and CMC3) that are built on the structurally chiral [5]helicenes and highly luminescent triarylborane/amine moieties embedded into the cyclic systems. These rarely accessible B/N-doped main-group chiral macrocycles show a unique topology dependence of the optoelectronic and chiroptical properties. CMC1 and CMC2 show a higher luminescence dissymmetry factor (g_lum) together with an enhanced CPL brightness (B_CPL) as compared with CMC3. Electronic effects were also tuned and resulted in bathochromic shifts of their emission and CPL responses from blue for CMC1 to the near-infrared (NIR) region for CMC3. Furthermore, chemical oxidations of the N donor sites in CMC1 gave rise to a highly stable radical cation (CMC1^·+SbF₆^-) and diradical dication species (CMC1^2·2+2SbF₆^-) that serve as a rare example of a positively charged open-shell chiral macrocycle.

Efficient Near-Infrared Luminescence Based on Double Perovskite Cs2SnCl6

Cs₂SnCl₆ double perovskite has attracted wide attention as a promising optoelectronic material because of its better stability and lower toxicity than its lead counterparts. However, pure Cs₂SnCl₆ demonstrates quite poor optical properties, which usually calls for active element doping to realize efficient luminescence. Herein, a facile co-precipitation method was used to synthesize Te⁴⁺ and Er³⁺-co-doped Cs₂SnCl₆ microcrystals. The prepared microcrystals were polyhedral, with a size distribution around 1-3 μm. Highly efficient NIR emissions at 1540 nm and 1562 nm due to Er³⁺ were achieved in doped Cs₂SnCl₆ compounds for the first time. Moreover, the visible luminescence lifetimes of Te⁴⁺/Er³⁺-co-doped Cs₂SnCl₆ decreased with the increase in the Er³⁺ concentration due to the increasing energy transfer efficiency. The strong and multi-wavelength NIR luminescence of Te⁴⁺/Er³⁺-co-doped Cs₂SnCl₆ originates from the 4f→4f transition of Er³⁺, which was sensitized by the spin-orbital allowed ¹S₀→³P₁ transition of Te⁴⁺ through a self-trapped exciton (STE) state. The findings suggest that ns²-metal and lanthanide ion co-doping is a promising method to extend the emission range of Cs₂SnCl₆ materials to the NIR region.

Two Chiral YbIII Enantiomeric Pairs with Distinct Enantiomerically Pure N-Donor Ligands Presenting Significant Differences in Photoluminescence, Circularly Polarized Luminescence, and Second-Harmonic Generation

Using enantiomerically pure bidentate and tridentate N-donor ligands (¹L_R/¹L_S and ²L_R/²L_S) to replace two coordinated H₂O molecules of Yb(tta)₃(H₂O)₂, respectively, two eight- and nine-coordinated Yb^III enantiomeric pairs, namely, Yb(tta)₃¹L_R/Yb(tta)₃¹L_S (Yb-R-1/Yb-S-1) and [Yb(tta)₃²L_R]·CH₃CN/[Yb(tta)₃²L_S]·CH₃CN (Yb-R-2/Yb-S-2), were isolated, in which Htta = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone, ¹L_R/¹L_S = (-)/(+)-4,5-pinene-2,2'-bipyridine, and ²L_R/²L_S = (-)/(+)-2,6-bis(4',5'-pinene-2'-pyridyl)pyridine. Interestingly, they not only present distinct degrees of chirality but also show large differences in near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL), circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), and second-harmonic generation (SHG). Eight-coordinated Yb-R-1 with an asymmetric bidentate ¹L_R ligand has a high NIR-PL quantum yield (1.26%) and a long decay lifetime (20 μs) at room temperature, being more than two times those (0.48%, 8 μs) of nine-coordinated Yb-R-2 with a C₂-symmetric tridentate ²L_R ligand. In addition, Yb-R-1 displays an efficient CPL with a luminescence dissymmetry factor g_lum = 0.077, being 4 × Yb-R-2 (0.018). In particular, Yb-R-1 presents a strong SHG response (0.8 × KDP), which is 8 × Yb-R-2 (0.1 × KDP). More remarkably, the precursor Yb(tta)₃(H₂O)₂ exhibits a strong third-harmonic generation (THG) response (41 × α-SiO₂), while the introduction of chiral N-donors results in the switching of THG to SHG. Our interesting findings provide new insights into both the functional regulation and switching in multifunctional lanthanide molecular materials.

Theoretical and experimental analysis of circularly polarized luminescence spectrophotometers for artifact-free measurements using a single CCD camera

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is a fast growing research field as a complementary chiroptical spectroscopy alternative to the conventional circular dichroism or in the quest of devices producing circularly polarized light for different applications. Because chiroptical signals are generally lower than 0.1%, conventional chiral spectroscopies rely on polarization time modulation requiring step-by-step wavelength scanning and a long acquisition time. High throughput controls motivated the development of CPL spectrophotometers using cameras as detectors and space polarization splitting. However, CPL measurements imposes careful precautions to minimize the numerous artifacts arising from experimental imperfections. Some previous work used complex calibration procedure to this end. Here we present a rigorous Mueller analysis of an instrument based on polarizations space splitting. We show that by using one camera and combining spatial and temporal separation through two switchable circular polarization encoding arms we can record accurate CPL spectra without the need of any calibration. The measurements robustness and their fast acquisition times are exemplified on different chiral emitters.

Quantum Mimicry With Inorganic Chemistry

Quantum objects, such as atoms, spins, and subatomic particles, have important properties due to their unique physical properties that could be useful for many different applications, ranging from quantum information processing to magnetic resonance imaging. Molecular species also exhibit quantum properties, and these properties are fundamentally tunable by synthetic design, unlike ions isolated in a quadrupolar trap, for example. In this comment, we collect multiple, distinct, scientific efforts into an emergent field that is devoted to designing molecules that mimic the quantum properties of objects like trapped atoms or defects in solids. Mimicry is endemic in inorganic chemistry and featured heavily in the research interests of groups across the world. We describe a new field of using inorganic chemistry to design molecules that mimic the quantum properties (e.g. the lifetime of spin superpositions, or the resonant frequencies thereof) of other quantum objects, "quantum mimicry." In this comment, we describe the philosophical design strategies and recent exciting results from application of these strategies.

Multifunctional Helicene-Based Ytterbium Coordination Polymer Displaying Circularly Polarized Luminescence, Slow Magnetic Relaxation and Room Temperature Magneto-Chiral Dichroism

The combination of physical properties sensitive to molecular chirality in a single system allows the observation of fascinating phenomena such as magneto-chiral dichroism (MChD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) having potential applications for optical data readout and display technology. Homochiral monodimensional coordination polymers of Yb^III were designed from a 2,15-bis-ethynyl-hexahelicenic scaffold decorated with two terminal 4-pyridyl units. Thanks to the coordination of the chiral organic chromophore to Yb(hfac)₃ units (hfac^- =1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylaconate), efficient NIR-CPL activity is observed. Moreover, the specific crystal field around the Yb^III induces a strong magnetic anisotropy which leads to a single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour and a remarkable room temperature MChD. The MChD-structural correlation is supported by computational investigations.

Luminescence, CPL and magnetic properties of 1D enantiopure Ln3+ complexes with (S-) and (R-) α-methoxyphenylacetate ligand

The reaction of Ln(NO₃)₂·6H₂O (Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy and Sm) with (R)-(-)-α-methoxyphenylacetic acid (R-HMPA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in EtOH/H₂O allows the isolation of 1D chiral compounds of formula [Ln(μ-R-MPA)(R-MPA)₂(phen)]_n in which Ln = Eu (R-Eu), Tb (R-Tb), Dy (R-Dy) and Sm (R-Sm). The same synthesis by using (S)-(+)-α-methoxyphenylacetic acid (S-HMPA) instead of (R)-(-)-α-methoxyphenylacetic acid allows the isolation of the enantiomeric compounds with formula [Ln(μ-S-MPA)(S-MPA)₂(phen)]_n where Ln = Eu (S-Eu), Tb (S-Tb), Dy (S-Dy) and Sm (S-Sm). Single crystal X-Ray diffraction measurements were performed for compounds R/S-Eu, R/S-Tb, S-Dy and S-Sm. The luminescence and the circular dichroism measured in the solid state are reported. All compounds show sensitized luminescence, notably the Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ones, whose emission color can be perceived by the naked eye. For the Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ derivatives the quantum yield and the circular polarized luminescence have been measured. For the magnetic allowed transition ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁ of the Eu³⁺ compound, the anisotropy factor g_lum is ±0.013 (+for S-Eu). Also, magnetic properties of all compounds were studied with the Dy³⁺ analogue showing slow relaxation of the magnetization under a direct current magnetic field of 1000 Oe.

Cellulose Nanocrystal Films with NIR-II Circularly Polarized Light for Cancer Detection Applications

Near-infrared circularly polarized light is attractive for wide-ranging applications. However, high-performance near-infrared circularly polarized light is challenging to realize. Here, we show that left-handed chiral photonic cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) films produced from ultrasonicated suspensions enable right-handed circularly polarized luminescence with a dissymmetry factor of -0.330 in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II). We present a theoretical analysis of the adverse effect of structural defects and luminescence intensity heterogeneity on the right-handed circularly polarized luminescence g_lum inside the bandgap and the occurrence of left-handed circularly polarized luminescence at the band edges. We demonstrate the potential of the chiral photonic CNC films with NIR-II circularly polarized light for cancer cell discrimination. The present work identifies key scientific questions in CNC-based circularly polarized luminescence materials research.

Spinolate Lanthanide Complexes for High Circularly Polarized Luminescence Metrics in the Visible and Near-Infrared

Analogues of Shibasaki's complexes supported by enantiopure Spinol are synthesized and characterized. The tris(Spinol) Ln^III complexes are generated either by ligand deprotonation followed by complexation with lanthanide triflate salts or by in situ deprotonation by Ln(N(SiMe₃)₂)₃ salts in the presence of additional base. The resulting complexes are found to be luminescent and chiroptically active for both circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), notably producing strong CPL with dissymmetry factors (g_lum) of up to 0.50, 0.53, and 0.53 for Sm, Tb, and Dy, respectively. The Sm complex is found to be CPL-active in the near-infrared (NIR) region at 980 nm, representing the first report of NIR CPL from Sm. Additionally, the Tb complex, due to efficient sensitization (Φ = 0.846 in tetrahydrofuran) coupled with strong dissymmetry factors, achieves a CPL brightness (B_CPL) of 3760 M^-1 cm^-1, the highest reported for any CPL-active compound to date. These are rare examples of compounds that show simultaneous improvement of both CPL metrics (g_lum and B_CPL). Solid-state structural analysis of the Spinolate complexes and comparisons to other CPL-active analogues of Shibasaki's complexes also suggest that nondistorted geometries should generate even stronger metrics.

Circularly polarized luminescence from Tb(III) interacting with chiral polyether macrocycles

A straightforward two-step synthesis protocol affords a series of chiral amide-based bis-pyridine substituted polyether macrocycles. One ligand is particularly able to complex terbium(III) ions spontaneously. Upon complexation, interesting chiroptical properties are observed both in absorbance (ECD) and in fluorescence (CPL). In ligand-centered electronic circular dichroism, a sign inversion coupled with a signal enhancement is measured; while an easily detectable metal-centered circularly polarized luminescence with a glum of 0.05 is obtained for the main 5D4 → 7F5 terbium transition. The coordination mode and structure of the complex was studied using different analysis methods (NMR analysis, spectrophotometric titration and solid-state elucidation).

Efficient 1400–1600 nm Circularly Polarized Luminescence from a Tuned Chiral Erbium Complex

Novel chiral Er complexes based on both enantiomers of extended ⁱPrPyBox (2,6‐Bis[4‐isopropyl‐4,5‐dihydrooxazol‐2‐yl)]pyridine) show strong near‐infrared circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) within the 1400 to 1600 nm spectral region under 450 nm irradiation. CPL activity in this region, despite being particularly rare, would open the way to potential applications in the domain, e.g., of fiber‐optic telecommunications and free‐space long‐distance optical communications employing circularly polarized light. Moreover, the long wavelength excitation is advantageous for applications in the field of (circularly polarized) microscopy and bioimaging.

Complex-as-Ligand Strategy as a Tool for the Design of a Binuclear Nonsymmetrical Chromium(III) Assembly: Near-Infrared Double Emission and Intramolecular Energy Transfer

The chromium(III) polypyridyl complexes are appealing for their long-lived near-infrared (NIR) emission reaching the millisecond range and for the strong circularly polarized luminescence of their isolated enantiomers. However, harnessing those properties in functional polynuclear Cr^III devices remains mainly inaccessible because of the lack of synthetic methods for their design and functionalization. Even the preparation and investigation of most basic nonsymmetrical Cr^III dyads exhibiting directional intramolecular intermetallic energy transfer remain unexplored. Taking advantage of the inertness of heteroleptic chromium(III) polypyridyl building blocks, we herein adapt the "complex-as-ligand" strategy, largely used with precious 4d and 5d metals, for the preparation of a binuclear nonsymmetrical Cr^III complex (3d metal). The resulting [(phen)₂Cr(L)Cr(tpy)]⁶⁺ dyad shows dual long-lived NIR emission and a directional intermetallic energy transfer that is controlled by the specific arrangements of the different coordination spheres. This strategy opens a route for building predetermined polynuclear assemblies with this earth-abundant metal.

Highly contorted superhelicene hits near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence

Herein we describe a novel superhelicene structure consisting of three hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) units arranged in a helical geometry and creating two carbo[5]helicenes and a carbo[7]helicene. The central HBC bears a...