M(II) effect on encapsulation of guests into a series of M3L2 chiral cages: enantio-recognition

Self-assembly of M(ClO4)2 (M2+ = Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) with (1S,1'S,1''S,2R,2'R,2''R)-(benzenetricarbonyltris(azanediyl))tris(2,3-dihydro-1H-indene-2,1-diyl) trinicotinate (s,r-L) and the corresponding enantiomer (r,s-L) as a pair of chiral tridentate donors gives rise to the chiral cage pairs [M3(s,r- and r,s-L)2](ClO4)6. For the two pairs of [(Me2CO)(H2O)@M3(r,-s and s,r-L)2](ClO4)6 (M2+ = Ni2+ and Zn2+), the inner cavity is occupied by both an acetone and a single water molecule, whereas for the copper(II) pair of [Me2CO@Cu3(r,s- and s,r-L)2](ClO4)6 under the same conditions, the cavity is filled by only one acetone molecule. Thus, the encapsulation of guest molecules into the cages during self-assembly shows significant metal(II) ion effects. These chiral cages are effective for the enantio-recognition of chiral (S)-2-butanol and (R)-2-butanol via the shifts of the electrochemical oxidation potentials obtained by the linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) technique, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and the chiral 2-butanol adsorption in the single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) mode.

Unraveling the Correlation between the Interface Structures and Tunable Magnetic Properties of La1-xSrxCoO3-δ/La1-xSrxMnO3-δ Bilayers Using Deep Learning Models

Perovskite oxides are gaining significant attention for use in next-generation magnetic and ferroelectric devices due to their exceptional charge transport properties and the opportunity to tune the charge, spin, lattice, and orbital degrees of freedom. Interfaces between perovskite oxides, exemplified by La1-xSrxCoO3-δ/La1-xSrxMnO3-δ (LSCO/LSMO) bilayers, exhibit unconventional magnetic exchange switching behavior, offering a pathway for innovative designs in perovskite oxide-based devices. However, the precise atomic-level stoichiometric compositions and chemophysical properties of these interfaces remain elusive, hindering the establishment of surrogate design principles. We leverage first-principles simulations, evolutionary algorithms, and neural network searches with on-the-fly uncertainty quantification to design deep learning model ensembles to investigate over 50,000 LSCO/LSMO bilayer structures as a function of oxygen deficiency (δ) and strontium concentration (x). Structural analysis of the low-energy interface structures reveals that preferential segregation of oxygen vacancies toward the interfacial La0.7Sr0.3CoO3-δ layers causes distortion of the CoOx polyhedra and the emergence of magnetically active Co2+ ions. At the same time, an increase in the Sr concentration and a decrease in oxygen vacancies in the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3-δ layers tend to retain MnO6 octahedra and promote the formation of Mn4+ ions. Electronic structure analysis reveals that the nonuniform distributions of Sr ions and oxygen vacancies on both sides of the interface can alter the local magnetization at the interface, showing a transition from ferromagnetic (FM) to local antiferromagnetic (AFM) or ferrimagnetic regions. Therefore, the exotic properties of La1-xSrxCoO3-δ/La1-xSrxMnO3-δ are strongly coupled to the presence of hard/soft magnetic layers, as well as the FM to AFM transition at the interface, and can be tuned by changing the Sr concentration and oxygen partial pressure during growth. These insights provide valuable guidance for the precise design of perovskite oxide multilayers, enabling tailoring of their functional properties to meet specific requirements for various device applications.

Enhancing the charge transport and luminescence properties of ethyl 4-[(E)-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)methyleneamino]benzoate through complexation: a DFT and TD-DFT study

Organic light emitting diode (OLED) and organic solar cell (OSC) properties of ethyl 4-[(E)-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)methyleneamino]benzoate (EMAB) and its Pt2+, Pd2+, Ni2+, Ir3+, Rh3+, and Zn2+ complexes have been theoretically studied herein. Geometry optimizations have been performed via the r2SCAN-3c composite method while single-point calculations have been carried out at the PBE0-D3(BJ)/def2-TZVP level of theory. Results have shown that complexation with selected metal ions improves hole and electron transfer rates in Pt[EMAB]2 and Rh[EMAB]2 +. Specifically, the hole transport rate of Pt[EMAB]2, (k ct(h) = 6.15 × 1014 s-1), is found to be 44 times greater than that of [EMAB], (k ct(h) = 1.42 × 1013 s-1), whereas electron transport rate of Pt[EMAB]2, (k ct(e) = 4.6 × 1013 s-1) is 4 times that of EMAB (k ct(e) = 1.1 × 1013 s-1). Charge mobility for holes and electrons are equal to 19.182 cm2 V-1 s-1 and 1.431 cm2 V-1 s-1 respectively for Pt[EMAB]2, and equal to 4.11 × 10-1 cm2 V-1 s-1 and 3.43 × 10-1 cm2 V-1 s-1 for EMAB respectively. These results show that, charge transport in EMAB can be tuned for better performance through complexation with transition metals such as Pt2+. OSC properties of the complexes were also studied by comparing their HOMO/LUMO energies with those of (6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). It turned out that the energy gap of EMAB reduced significantly upon complexation from 2.904 eV to 0.56 eV in [Rh(EMAB)2]+ and to a lesser extent in the other complexes. The energy values of the HOMOs remained higher than those of PCBM while those of the LUMOs were found to be greater than that of P3HT with the exception of [Rh(EMAB)2]+. These findings show that the aforementioned species are good electron donors to PCBM. The open circuit voltage, V OC, of the compounds ranged between 0.705 × 10-19 V and 6.617 × 10-19 V, values that are good enough for practical usage in OSC applications. The UV-visible absorption spectra revealed absorption maxima well below 900 nm in all compounds, vital in the efficient functioning of solar cells. In general, this study has shown that platinoid complexation of EMAB can successfully modify both its OLED and OSC properties, making them better precursors in the electronic industry.

L-Citrullinato-Bipyridine and L-Citrullinato-Phenanthroline Mixed Copper Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization and Potential Anticancer Activity

Citrulline (C6H13N3O3) is an amino acid found in the body as a zwitterion. This means its carboxylic and amine groups can act as Lewis donors to chelate metal cations. In addition, citrulline possesses a terminal ureido group on its aliphatic chain, which also appears to coordinate. Here, two new mixed complexes of citrulline were made with 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2'-bipyridine. These compounds, once dissolved in water, gave aquo-complexes that were subject to DFT studies and in vitro toxicity studies on cancer cell lines (HeLa, MDA-MB-231, HCT 15, and MCF7) showed promising results. Docking studies with DNA were also conducted, indicating potential anticancer properties.

Crystal structure of KMnPO4F with short- and long-range order inside the layered magnetic system

Potassium manganese fluoride phosphate, KMnPO4F, has been obtained through mild hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, microprobe analysis and X-ray diffraction. The compound possesses an orthorhombic symmetry and chiral space group P212121 with a = 4.7884(2), b = 9.0172(4), c = 9.5801(4) Å, and Z = 4. Its crystal structure is composed of Mn3+O4F square pyramids sharing vertices with PO4 tetrahedra. This anionic framework is neutralized by K+ cations. As the temperature decreases, a short-range correlation state (Tmax ∼ 35 K) of KMnPO4F is formed, followed by the establishment of antiferromagnetic (AFM) long-range order at TN = 25 K. The latter is marked by sharp λ-type anomalies in both Fisher's specific heat d(χ‖T)/dT and heat capacity Cp. Pulsed magnetic field measurements on the single crystals identify the a axis as the easy magnetic axis and reveal a spin-flop transition at μ0Hspin-flop = 19 T. Density functional theory indicates that in variance with the three-dimensional network of KMnPO4F, it is a two-dimensional Ising magnetic system represented by buckled layers of integer spins S = 2 of Mn3+ ions. The strongest AFM exchange interaction, J1 ∼ -13 K, couples Mn3+ ions into linear chains running along the a axis. The chains themselves are ferromagnetically connected (J3 ∼ -4 K) within the ab plane. The interplane AFM exchange interaction (J2 ∼ -1 K) is weak and frustrated.

Modulating anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties by designing a family of metal-complexes based on 5-nitropicolinic acid

A new family of six complexes based on 5-nitropicolinic acid (5-npic) and transition metals has been obtained: [M(5-npic)2]n (MII = Mn (1) and Cd (2)), [Cu(5-npic)2]n (3), and [M(5-npic)2(H2O)2] (MII = Co (4), Ni (5), and Zn (6)), which display 1D, 2D, and mononuclear structures, respectively, thanks to different coordination modes of 5-npic. After their physicochemical characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), elemental analyses (EA), and spectroscopic techniques, quantum chemical calculations using Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) were performed to further study the luminescence properties of compounds 2 and 6. The potential anticancer activity of all complexes was tested against three tumor cell lines, B16-F10, HT29, and HepG2, which are models widely used for studying melanoma, colon cancer, and liver cancer, respectively. The best results were found for compounds 2 and 4 against B16-F10 (IC50 = 26.94 and 45.10 μg mL-1, respectively). In addition, anti-inflammatory studies using RAW 264.7 cells exhibited promising activity for 2, 3, and 6 (IC50 NO = 5.38, 24.10, and 17.63 μg mL-1, respectively). This multidisciplinary study points to complex 2, based on CdII, as a promising anticancer and anti-inflammatory material.

Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface of a penta-amine-copper(II) complex with urea and chloride

The reaction of copper(II) oxalate and hexa-methyl-ene-tetra-mine in a deep eutectic solvent made of urea and choline chloride produced crystals of penta-amine-copper(II) dichloride-urea (1/1), [Cu(NH3)5]Cl2·CO(NH2)2, which was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex contains discrete penta-amine-copper(II) units in a square-based pyramidal geometry. The overall structure of the multi-component crystal is dictated by hydrogen bonding between urea mol-ecules and amine H atoms with chloride anions.

Cation doping and oxygen vacancies in the orthorhombic FeNbO4 material for solid oxide fuel cell applications: A density functional theory study

The orthorhombic phase of FeNbO4, a promising anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), exhibits good catalytic activity toward hydrogen oxidation. However, the low electronic conductivity of the material specifically in the pure structure without defects or dopants limits its practical applications as an SOFC anode. In this study, we have employed density functional theory (DFT + U) calculations to explore the bulk and electronic properties of two types of doped structures, Fe0.9375A0.0625NbO4 and FeNb0.9375B0.0625O4 (A, B = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) and the oxygen-deficient structures Fe0.9375A0.0625NbO3.9375 and FeNb0.9375B0.0625O3.9375, where the dopant is positioned in the first nearest neighbor site to the oxygen vacancy. Our DFT simulations have revealed that doping in the Fe sites is energetically favorable compared to doping in the Nb site, resulting in significant volume expansion. The doping process generally requires less energy when the O-vacancy is surrounded by one Fe and two Nb ions. The simulated projected density of states of the oxygen-deficient structures indicates that doping in the Fe site, particularly with Ti and V, considerably narrows the bandgap to ∼0.5 eV, whereas doping with Co at the Nb sites generates acceptor levels close to 0 eV. Both doping schemes, therefore, enhance electron conduction during SOFC operation.

The pressure response of Jahn-Teller-distorted Prussian blue analogues

Jahn-Teller (JT) distorted CuII-containing compounds often display interesting structural and functional behaviour upon compression. We use high-pressure X-ray and neutron diffraction to investigate four JT-distorted Prussian blue analogues: Cu[Co(CN)6]0.67, CuPt(CN)6, and ACuCo(CN)6 (A = Rb, Cs), where the first two were studied in both their hydrated and dehydrated forms. All compounds are less compressible than the JT-inactive MnII-based counterparts, indicating a coupling between the electronic and mechanical properties. The effect is particularly strong for Cu[Co(CN)6]0.67, where the local JT distortions are uncorrelated (so-called orbital disorder). This sample amorphises at 0.5 GPa when dehydrated. CuPt(CN)6 behaves similarly to the MnII-analogues, with phase transitions at around 1 GPa and low sensitivity to water. For ACuCo(CN)6, the JT distortions reduce the propensity for phase transitions, although RbCuCo(CN)6 transitions to a new phase (P2/m) around 3 GPa. Our results have a bearing on both the topical Prussian blue analogues and the wider field of flexible frameworks.

Synthesis of 2D layered transition metal (Ni, Co) hydroxides via edge-on condensation

Layered transition metal hydroxides (LTMHs) with transition metal centers sandwiched between layers of coordinating hydroxide anions have attracted considerable interest for their potential in developing clean energy sources and storage technologies. However, two-dimensional (2D) LTMHs remain largely understudied in terms of physical properties and applications in electronic devices. Here, for the first time we report > 20 μm α-Ni(OH)2 2D crystals, synthesized from hydrothermal reaction. And an edge-on condensation mechanism assisted with the crystal field geometry is proposed to understand the 2D intra-planar growth of the crystals, which is also testified through series of systematic comparative studies. We also report the successful synthesis of 2D Co(OH)2 crystals (> 40 μm) with more irregular shape due to the slightly distorted octahedral geometry of the crystal field. Moreover, the detailed structural characterization of synthesized α-Ni(OH)2 are performed. The optical band gap energy is extrapolated as 2.54 eV from optical absorption measurements and the electronic bandgap is measured as 2.52 eV from reflected electrons energy loss spectroscopy (REELS). We further demonstrate its potential as a wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductor for high voltage operation in 2D electronics with a high breakdown strength, 4.77 MV/cm with 4.9 nm thickness. The successful realization of the 2D LTMHs opens the door for future exploration of more fundamental physical properties and device applications.

Different Valence States of Copper Ion Delivery against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Different valence states of copper (Cu) ions are involved in complicated redox reactions in vivo, which are closely related to tumor proliferation and death pathways, such as cuproptosis and chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Cu ion mediated Fenton-like reagents induced tumor cell death which presents compelling attention for the CDT of tumors. However, the superiority of different valence states of Cu ions in the antitumor effect is unknown. In this study, we investigated different valence states of Cu ions in modulating tumor cell death by Cu-chelated cyanine dye against triple-negative breast cancer. The cuprous ion (Cu+) and copper ion (Cu2+) were chelated with four nitrogen atoms of dipicolylethylenediamine-modified cyanine for the construction of Cu+ and Cu2+ chelated cyanine dyes (denoted as CC1 and CC2, respectively). Upon 660 nm laser irradiation, the CC1 or CC2 can generate reactive oxygen species, which could disrupt the cyanine structure, achieving the rapid release of Cu ions and initiating the Fenton-like reaction for CDT. Compared with Cu2+-based Fenton-like reagent, the CC1 with Cu+ exhibited a better therapeutic outcome for the tumor due to there being no need for a reduction by glutathione and a shorter route to generate more hydroxyl radicals. Our findings suggest the precision delivery of Cu+ could achieve highly efficient antitumor therapy.

Structure prediction of physiological bis(amino acidato)copper(II) species in aqueous solution: The copper(II) compounds with l-glutamine and l-histidine

Neutral (l-histidinato)(l-glutaminato)copper(II) [Cu(His)(Gln)] has been established as the most abundant ternary copper(II) amino acid compound of the exchangeable copper(II) pool in blood plasma. The experimental studies of Cu(His)(Gln) and bis(glutaminato)copper(II) [Cu(Gln)2] in solutions did not specify their complete geometries. To determine the geometries, this paper investigates the conformers, energy landscapes, and a structure-magnetic parameters relation of Cu(Gln)2 and Cu(His)(Gln) by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We assume a glycine-like coordination of Gln (other coordination patterns are dismissed because of steric reasons), and three His in-plane copper(II) binding modes. The conformational analyses are performed in the gas phase and implicitly modeled aqueous solution. The reliability of the DFT relative electronic and Gibbs free energies of the Cu(His)(Gln) conformers is confirmed by benchmarking against the corresponding energies obtained by the domain-based local pair natural orbital coupled-cluster method with singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [DLPNO-CCSD(T)]. Several cis- and trans-Cu(His)(Gln) conformers with His in the histaminate-like and glycine-like modes have low Gibbs free energies, and the greatest estimated metal-binding affinities. The DFT-calculated magnetic parameters of the low-energy conformers reproduce best the experimental electron paramagnetic resonance parameters measured in aqueous solutions for trans- and cis-Cu(Gln)2 conformers having two oxygen atoms (either from Gln or water molecules) at the apical positions, and Cu(His)(Gln) conformers having His in the histaminate-like mode with an apically placed carboxylato oxygen atom. The predicted conformational flexibility of His‑copper(II)-amino acid compounds may be connected with their physiological abundance, and the role in copper(II) exchange reactions in blood plasma.

Assessing the Novel Mixed Tutton Salts K2Mn0.03Ni0.97(SO4)2(H2O)6 and K2Mn0.18Cu0.82(SO4)2(H2O)6 for Thermochemical Heat Storage Applications: An Experimental-Theoretical Study

In this paper, novel mixed Tutton salts with the chemical formulas K2Mn0.03Ni0.97(SO4)2(H2O)6 and K2Mn0.18Cu0.82(SO4)2(H2O)6 were synthesized and studied as compounds for thermochemical heat storage potential. The crystallographic structures of single crystals were determined by X-ray diffraction. Additionally, a comprehensive computational study, based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis, was performed to calculate structural, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of the coordination complexes [MII(H2O)6]2+ (MII = Mn, Ni, and Cu), as well as to investigate intermolecular interactions and voids in the framework. The axial compressions relative to octahedral coordination geometry observed in the crystal structures were correlated and elucidated using DFT investigations regarding Jahn-Teller effects arising from complexes with different spin multiplicities. The spatial distributions of the frontier molecular orbital and spin densities, as well as energy gaps, provided further insights into the stability of these complexes. Thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry techniques were also applied to identify the thermal stability and physicochemical properties of the mixed crystals. Values of dehydration enthalpy and storage energy density per volume were also estimated. The two mixed sulfate hydrates reported here have low dehydration temperatures and high energy densities. Both have promising thermal properties for residential heat storage systems, superior to the Tutton salts previously reported.

A copper(ii) peptide helicate selectively cleaves DNA replication foci in mammalian cells

The use of copper-based artificial nucleases as potential anticancer agents has been hampered by their poor selectivity in the oxidative DNA cleavage process. An alternative strategy to solve this problem is to design systems capable of selectively damaging noncanonical DNA structures that play crucial roles in the cell cycle. We designed an oligocationic CuII peptide helicate that selectively binds and cleaves DNA three-way junctions (3WJs) and induces oxidative DNA damage via a ROS-mediated pathway both in vitro and in cellulo, specifically at DNA replication foci of the cell nucleus, where this DNA structure is transiently generated. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a targeted chemical nuclease that can discriminate with high selectivity 3WJs from other forms of DNA both in vitro and in mammalian cells. Since the DNA replication process is deregulated in cancer cells, this approach may pave the way for the development of a new class of anticancer agents based on copper-based artificial nucleases.

Triggered lattice-oxygen oxidation with active-site generation and self-termination of surface reconstruction during water oxidation

To master the activation law and mechanism of surface lattice oxygen for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical for the development of efficient water electrolysis. Herein, we propose a strategy for triggering lattice-oxygen oxidation and enabling non-concerted proton-electron transfers during OER conditions by substituting Al in La0.3Sr0.7CoO3-δ. According to our experimental data and density functional theory calculations, the substitution of Al can have a dual effect of promoting surface reconstruction into active Co oxyhydroxides and activating deprotonation on the reconstructed oxyhydroxide, inducing negatively charged oxygen as an active site. This leads to a significant improvement in the OER activity. Additionally, Al dopants facilitate the preoxidation of active cobalt metal, which introduces great structural flexibility due to elevated O 2p levels. As OER progresses, the accumulation of oxygen vacancies and lattice-oxygen oxidation on the catalyst surface leads to the termination of Al3+ leaching, thereby preventing further reconstruction. We have demonstrated a promising approach to achieving tunable electrochemical reconstruction by optimizing the electronic structure and gained a fundamental understanding of the activation mechanism of surface oxygen sites.

The Unified Hamiltonian Formalism of Spin-Orbit Jahn-Teller and Pseudo-Jahn-Teller Problems in All Axial Symmetries

Spatial degeneracy of electronic states closely connects spin-orbit coupling and vibronic coupling, which together determine properties of materials, especially heavy element compounds. Accurate description of those materials entails accurate mathematical formulas for spin-orbit vibronic Hamiltonians. For the first time ever, we in this work derive the Hamiltonian formalism to describe all spin-orbit Jahn-Teller and pseudo-Jahn-Teller vibronic problems in all axial symmetries. The conventional one-electron approximation of spin-orbit coupling, which was the foundation of all previous studies in this field, is not involved in the present work. Actually, the present formalism is applicable to all time-reversal symmetric hermitian Hamiltonian that has a Rank-1 dependence on the spin operator, without any restriction on the type and the number of term symbols and vibrational modes.

The borderless world of chemical bonding across the van der Waals crust and the valence region

The definition of the van der Waals crust as the spherical section between the atomic radius and the van der Waals radius of an element is discussed and a survey of the application of the penetration index between two interacting atoms in a wide variety of covalent, polar, coordinative or noncovalent bonding situations is presented. It is shown that this newly defined parameter permits the comparison of bonding between pairs of atoms in structural and computational studies independently of the atom sizes.

Few-femtosecond electronic and structural rearrangements of CH4+ driven by the Jahn-Teller effect

The Jahn-Teller effect (JTE) is central to the understanding of the physical and chemical properties of a broad variety of molecules and materials. Whereas the manifestations of the JTE in stationary properties of matter are relatively well studied, the study of JTE-induced dynamics is still in its infancy, largely owing to its ultrafast and non-adiabatic nature. For example, the time scales reported for the distortion of CH 4 + from the initial T d geometry to a nominal C 2 v relaxed structure range from 1.85 fs over 10 ± 2 fs to 20 ± 7 fs. Here, by combining element-specific attosecond transient-absorption spectroscopy and quantum-dynamics simulations, we show that the initial electronic relaxation occurs within 5 fs and that the subsequent nuclear dynamics are dominated by the Q2 scissoring and Q1 symmetric stretching modes, which dephase in 41 ± 10 fs and 13 ± 3 fs, respectively. Significant structural relaxation is found to take place only along the e-symmetry Q2 mode. These results demonstrate that CH 4 + created by ionization of CH 4 is best thought of as a highly fluxional species that possesses a long-time-averaged vibrational distribution centered around a D 2 d structure. The methods demonstrated in our work provide guidelines for the understanding of Jahn-Teller driven non-adiabatic dynamics in other more complex systems.

Structural contributions of different manganese oxide minerals on the redox transformations and proliferation of iodine

The redox capabilities of birnessite minerals are contingent upon the physical characteristics of the solid, indicating that different allotropes have various reactivities. Here, the role of these structural differences on the oxidation of iodine, a risk driving environmental contaminant in several federal complexes, was investigated. The mechanism of which can be seen here, with one of the minerals of study, acid birnessite. The pH range chosen for this study was pH 5-6. Throughout the experiments it was seen that the average oxidation state (AOS) had the greatest contribution to the differences in redox capabilities of the various birnessite minerals. Several trends were observed throughout this study: as AOS decreased, oxidation of iodide (I-) increased; as specific surface area (SSA) increased, the sorption of iodate (IO3-) increased. Additional experiments were conducted at trace levels of iodine, to better model environmental conditions. In that case, a one-step conversion of I- to IO3- occurred, to a greater extent than under artificially elevated concentrations.

Infrared Ion Spectroscopic Characterization of the Gaseous [Co(15-crown-5)(H2O)]2+ Complex

We report fingerprint infrared multiple-photon dissociation spectra of the gaseous monohydrated coordination complex of cobalt(II) and the macrocycle 1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacyclopentadecane (or 15-crown-5), [Co(15-crown-5)(H2O)]2+. The metal-ligand complexes are generated using electrospray ionization, and their IR action spectra are recorded in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer using the free-electron laser FELIX. The electronic structure and chelation motif are derived from spectral comparison with computed vibrational spectra obtained at the density functional theory level. We focus here on the gas-phase structure, addressing the question of doublet versus quartet spin multiplicity and the chelation geometry. We conclude that the gas-phase complex adopts a quartet spin state, excluding contributions of doublet species, and that the chelation geometry is pseudo-octahedral with the six oxygen centers of 15-crown-5 and H2O coordinated to the metal ion. We also address the possible presence of higher-energy conformers based on the IR spectral evidence and calculated thermodynamics.

Broadband Achromatic Quarter-Waveplate Using 2D Hybrid Copper Halide Single Crystals

Achromatic quarter waveplates (A-QWPs), traditionally constructed from multiple birefringent crystals, can modulate light polarization and retardation across a broad range of wavelengths. This mechanism is inherently related to phase retardation controlled by the fast and slow axis of stacked multi-birefringent crystals. However, the conventional design of A-QWPs requires the incorporation of multiple birefringent crystals, which complicates the manufacturing process and raises costs. Here, we report the discovery of a broadband (540-1060 nm) A-QWP based on a two-dimensional (2D) layered hybrid copper halide (HCH) perovskite single crystal. The 2D copper chloride (CuCl6) layers of the HCH crystal undergo Jahn-Teller distortion and subsequently trigger the in-plane optical birefringence. Its broad range of the wavelength response as an A-QWP is a consequence of the out-of-plane mosaicity formed among the stacked inorganic layers during the single-crystal self-assembly process in the solution phase. Given the versatility of 2D hybridhalide perovskites, the 2D HCH crystal offers a promising approach for designing cost-effective A-QWPs and the ability to integrate other optical devices.

Hint from an Enzymatic Reaction: Superoxide Dismutase Models Efficiently Suppress Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are essential antioxidant enzymes that prevent massive superoxide radical production and thus protect cells from damage induced by free radicals. However, this concept has rarely been applied to directly impede the function of driver oncogenes, thus far. Here, leveraging efforts from SOD model complexes, we report the novel finding of biomimetic copper complexes that efficiently scavenge intracellularly generated free radicals and, thereby, directly access the core consequence of colorectal cancer suppression. We conceived four structurally different SOD-mimicking copper complexes that showed distinct disproportionation reaction rates of intracellular superoxide radical anions. By replenishing SOD models, we observed a dramatic reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adenine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) concentrations that led to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M stage and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Our results showcase how nature-mimicking models can be designed and fine-tuned to serve as a viable chemotherapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Crystal Chemistry of the Copper Oxalate Biomineral Moolooite: The First Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction Studies and Thermal Behavior

Moolooite, Cu(C₂O₄)·nH₂O, is a typical biomineral which forms due to Cu-bearing minerals coming into contact with oxalic acid sources such as bird guano deposits or lichens, and no single crystals of moolooite of either natural or synthetic origin have been found yet. This paper reports, for the first time, on the preparation of single crystals of a synthetic analog of the copper-oxalate biomineral moolooite, and on the refinement of its crystal structure from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) data. Along with the structural model, the SCXRD experiment showed the significant contribution of diffuse scattering to the overall diffraction data, which comes from the nanostructural disorder caused by stacking faults of Cu oxalate chains as they lengthen. This type of disorder should result in the chains breaking, at which point the H₂O molecules may be arranged. The amount of water in the studied samples did not exceed 0.15 H₂O molecules per formula unit. Apparently, the mechanism of incorporation of H₂O molecules governs the absence of good-quality single crystals in nature and a lack of them in synthetic experiments: the more H₂O content in the structure, the stronger the disorder will be. A description of the crystal structure indicates that the ideal structure of the Cu oxalate biomineral moolooite should not contain H₂O molecules and should be described by the Cu(C₂O₄) formula. However, it was shown that natural and synthetic moolooite crystals contain a significant portion of "structural" water, which cannot be ignored. Considering the substantially variable amount of water, which can be incorporated into the crystal structure, the formula Cu(C₂O₄)·nH₂O for moolooite is justified.

Synthesis of Efficient and Stable Tetrabutylammonium Copper Halides with Dual Emissions for Warm White Light-Emitting Diodes

In order to achieve a high color-rendering index (CRI) and low correlated color temperature (CCT) indoor lighting, single-component phosphors with broad-band dual emission are in high demand for white-light-emitting diodes (WLEDs). However, phosphors with such fluorescent properties are rare at present. Herein, we report a facile solid-state chemical method for the synthesis of single-component phosphor with broad-band emission and a large Stokes shift that can meet the requirements of future white-light sources. These new tetrabutylammonium copper halides phosphors have excellent warm white emission characteristics, and their luminescence peaks are located at 494 and 654 nm. The optimized photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield can reach 93.7 %. The typical CIE coordinate of the as-fabricated WLED is at (0.3620, 0.3731) with a CRI of 89 and low CCT of 4516 K.

N,N-Alkylation Clarifies the Role of N- and O-Protonated Intermediates in Cyclen-Based 64Cu Radiopharmaceuticals

Radioisotopes of Cu, such as ⁶⁴Cu and ⁶⁷Cu, are alluring targets for imaging (e.g., positron emission tomography, PET) and radiotherapeutic applications. Cyclen-based macrocyclic polyaminocarboxylates are one of the most frequently examined bifunctional chelators in vitro and in vivo, including the FDA-approved ⁶⁴Cu radiopharmaceutical, Cu(DOTATATE) (Detectnet); however, connections between the structure of plausible reactive intermediates and their stability under physiologically relevant conditions remain to be established. In this study, we share the synthesis of a cyclen-based, N,N-alkylated spirocyclic chelate, H₂DO3A^C4H8, which serves as a model for N-protonation. Our combined experimental (in vitro and in vivo) and computational studies unravel complex pH-dependent speciation and enable side-by-side comparison of N- and O-protonated species of relevant ⁶⁴Cu radiopharmaceuticals. Our studies suggest that N-protonated species are not inherently unstable species under physiological conditions and demonstrate the potential of N,N-alkylation as a tool for the rational design of future radiopharmaceuticals.

Structure, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Two Isomeric 2-Bromomethylpyridine Cu(II) Complexes [Cu(C6H9NBr)2(NO3)2] with Very Different Binding Motives

Two isomeric 2-bromomethylpyridine Cu(II) complexes [Cu(C₆H₉NBr)₂(NO₃)₂] with 2-bromo-5-methylpyridine (L¹) and 2-bromo-4-methylpyridine (L²) were synthesized as air-stable blue materials in good yields. The crystal structures were different with [Cu(L¹)₂(NO₃)₂] (CuL¹) crystallizing in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, while the 4-methyl derivative CuL² was solved and refined in triclinic P1¯. The orientation of the Br substituents in the molecular structure (anti (CuL¹) vs. syn (CuL²) conformations) and the geometry around Cu(II) in an overall 4 + 2 distorted coordination was very different with two secondary (axially elongated) Cu-O bonds on each side of the CuN₂O₂ basal plane in CuL¹ or both on one side in CuL². The two Br substituents in CuL² come quite close to the Cu(II) centers and to each other (Br⋯Br ~3.7 Å). Regardless of these differences, the thermal behavior (TG/DTA) of both materials is very similar with decomposition starting at around 160 °C and CuO as the final product. In contrast to this, FT-IR and Raman frequencies are markedly different for the two isomers and the UV-vis absorption spectra in solution show marked differences in the π-π* absorptions at 263 (CuL²) or 270 (CuL¹) nm and in the ligand-to-metal charge transfer bands at around 320 nm which are pronounced for CuL¹ with the higher symmetry at the Cu(II) center, but very weak for CuL². The T-dependent susceptibility measurements also show very similar results (µ_eff = 1.98 µ_B for CuL¹ and 2.00 µ_B for CuL² and very small Curie-Weiss constants of about -1. The EPR spectra of both complexes show axial symmetry, very similar averaged g values of 2.123 and 2.125, respectively, and no hyper-fine splitting.

Light Emission of Self-Trapped Excitons in Inorganic Metal Halides for Optoelectronic Applications

Self-trapped excitons (STEs) have recently attracted tremendous interest due to their broadband emission, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and self-absorption-free properties, which enable a large range of optoelectronic applications such as lighting, displays, radiation detection, and special sensors. Unlike free excitons, the formation of STEs requires strong coupling between excited state excitons and the soft lattice in low electronic dimensional materials. The chemical and structural diversity of metal halides provides an ideal platform for developing efficient STE emission materials. Herein, an overview of recent progress on STE emission materials for optoelectronic applications is presented. The relationships between the fundamental emission mechanisms, chemical compositions, and device performances are systematically reviewed. On this basis, currently existing challenges and possible development opportunities in this field are presented.

Pressure Effects on 3d n (n=4, 9) Insulating Compounds: Long Axis Switch in Na 3 MnF 6 not Due to the Jahn‐Teller Effect

The pressure‐induced switch of the long axis of MnF₆³⁻ units in the monoclinic Na₃MnF₆ compound and Mn³⁺‐doped Na₃FeF₆ is explored with the help of first principles calculations. Although the switch phenomenon is usually related to the Jahn‐Teller effect, we show that, due to symmetry reasons, it cannot take place in 3dⁿ (n=4, 9) systems displaying a static Jahn‐Teller effect. By contrast, we prove that in Na₃MnF₆ the switch arises from the anisotropic response of the low symmetry lattice to hydrostatic pressure. Indeed, while the long axis of a MnF₆³⁻ unit at ambient pressure corresponds to the Mn³⁺−F₃⁻ direction, close to the crystal c axis, at 2.79 GPa the c axis is reduced by 0.29 Å while b is unmodified. This fact is shown to force a change of the HOMO wavefunction favoring that the long axis becomes the Mn³⁺−F₂⁻ direction, not far from crystal b axis, after the subsequent relaxation process. The origin of the different d‐d transitions observed for Na₃MnF₆ and CrF₂ at ambient pressure is also discussed together with changes induced by pressure in Na₃MnF₆. The present work opens a window for understanding the pressure effects upon low symmetry insulating compounds containing d⁴ or d⁹ ions.

Understanding the effect of structural changes on slow magnetic relaxation in mononuclear octahedral copper(II) complexes

Current advances in molecular magnetism are aimed at the construction of molecular nanomagnets and spin qubits for their utilization as high-density data storage materials and quantum computers. Mononuclear coordination compounds with low spin values of S = ½ are excellent candidates for this endeavour, but knowledge of their construction via rational design is limited. This particularly applies to the single copper(II) spin center, having been only recently demonstrated to exhibit slow relaxation of magnetisation in the appropriate octahedral environment. We have thus prepared a unique organic scaffold that would allow one to gain in-depth insight into how purposeful structural differences affect the slow magnetic relaxation in monometallic, transition metal complexes. As a proof-of-principle, we demonstrate how one can construct two, structurally very similar complexes with isolated Cu(II) ions in an octahedral ligand environment, the magnetic properties of which differ significantly. The differences in structural symmetry effects and in magnetic relaxation are corroborated with a series of experimental techniques and theoretical approaches, showing how symmetry distortions and crystal packing affect the relaxation behaviour in these isolated Cu(II) systems. Our unique organic platform can be efficiently utilized for the construction of various transition-metal ion systems in the future, effectively providing a model system for investigation of magnetic relaxation via targeted structural distortions.

Theoretical Study of the Structural, Optoelectronic, and Reactivity Properties of N-[5′-Methyl-3′-Isoxasolyl]-N-[(E)-1-(-2-)]Methylidene] Amine and Some of Its Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ Complexes for OLED and OFET Applications

Herein, we report the structural, electronic, and charge transfer properties of N-[5′-methyl-3′-isoxasolyl]-N-[(E)-1-(-2-thiophene)] methylidene] amine (L) and its Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ complexes (dubbed A, B, C, D, and E, respectively) using the density functional theory (DFT). All molecules investigated were optimized at the BP86/def2-TZVP/RI level of theory. Single point energy calculations were carried out at the M06-D3ZERO/def2-TZVP/RIJCOSX level of theory. Reorganization energies of the hole and electron (λh and λe) and the charge transfer mobilities of the electron and hole (μe and μh) have been computed and reported. The λe and λh values vary in the order D > E > A > B > C > L and E > A > D > L > C > B, respectively, while μe and μh vary in the order B > C > L > A > E > D and C > B > A > L > E > D, respectively. μh of B (39.5401 cm2·V−1S−1) and C (366.4740 cm2·V−1s−1) is remarkably large, suggesting their application in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and organic field-effect transistor (OFET) technologies. Electron excitation analysis based on time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations revealed that charge transfer excitations may significantly affect charge transfer mobilities. Based on charge transfer mobility results, B and C are outstanding and are promising molecules for the manufacture of electron and hole-transport precursor materials for the construction of OLED and OFET devices as compared to L. The results also show that L and all its complexes interestingly have higher third-order NLO activity than those of para-nitroaniline, a prototypical NLO molecule.

Synthesis, structural and electrochemical properties of a new family of amino-acid-based coordination complexes

Metalloproteins involved in oxidation-reduction processes in metabolism are fundamental for the wellbeing of every organism. The use of amino-acid-based compounds as ligands for the construction of biomimetic coordination systems represents a promising alternative for the development of new catalysts. Herein is presented a new family of copper, zinc and nickel coordination compounds, which show four-, five- and six- coordination geometries, synthesized using Schiff base ligands obtained from the amino acids L-alanine and L-phenylalanine. Structural analysis and property studies were performed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, spectroscopic and electrochemical experiments and DFT calculations. The analysis of the molecular and supramolecular architectures showed that the non-covalent interactions developed in the systems, together with the identity of the metal and the amino acid backbone, are determinants for the formation of the complexes and the stabilization of the resultant geometries. The Cu^II complexes were tested as candidates for the electrochemical conversion reduction of nitrite to NO, finding that the five-coordinate L-phenylalanine complex is the most suitable. Finally, some insights into the rational design of ligands for the construction of biomimetic complexes are suggested.

Solely 3-Coordinated Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Copper(I) Halide: Hexagonal Channel Structure, Turn-On Response to Mechanical Force, Moisture, and Amine

Herein, we report a novel organic-inorganic hybrid Cu^I halide PyCs₃Cu₂Br₆ (Py: pyridinium), where pyridinium and cesium ions coexist. We successfully develop a novel strategy for fabricating turn-on responsive materials. PyCs₃Cu₂Br₆ has a higher single-crystal symmetry (no. 191) than its all-inorganic counterpart Cs₃Cu₂Br₅ (no. 62), and the incorporation of organic pyridinium varied the coordination environment of Cu^I. PyCs₃Cu₂Br₆ formed a triangle planar structure with solely 3-coordinated Cu^I ions, which quenched its luminescence. However, PyCs₃Cu₂Br₆ presented a hexagonal channel structure, which enabled it with turn-on response upon mechanical force, heat, moisture, and amine vapor. Such structure offered channels for active molecules to diffuse and interact with pyridiniums, leading to the stimuli-triggered phase change to highly emissive Cs₃Cu₂Br₅. To our best knowledge, for the first time, we discover a novel 3-coordinated organic-inorganic hybrid Cu^I halide with turn-on response to external stimuli. We believe that our study will contribute to expanding the landscape of smart stimulus-responsive materials and lay the foundation for their wide applications.

Isolation of monomeric copper(II) phenolate selenoether complexes using chelating ortho-bisphenylselenide-phenolate ligands and their electrocatalytic hydrogen gas evolution activity

A series of novel copper(II) phenolate selenoether complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized for the first time from copper(I) phenanthroline and various substituted ortho-bisphenylselenide-phenol chelating ligands. The synthesized complexes exhibit Jahn-Teller distortion in their geometry and varied from distorted square planar to distorted octahedral by varying the substituent in the bis-selenophenolate ligand. The synthesized complexes electrocatalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with a faradaic efficiency of up to 89%, and it was observed that the distorted square pyramidal geometry is the optimum geometry for the maximum efficiency of these copper complexes.

Polarization-induced efficient charge separation in an electromagnetic coupling MOF for enhancing CO2 photocatalytic reduction

Rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers severely impairs the performance of photocatalysts, while polarization is an effective driving force for increasing the charge separation and hence improving the photocatalytic activity. In this work, a series of magnetoelectric-coupled layered metal-organic framework (MOF) catalysts with different Co-doped contents (denoted as Ni-MOF and Co_xNi_1-x-MOF) are fabricated with different polarities and employed as novel photocatalysts for CO₂ photocatalytic reduction reaction. Our experiments show that the highest charge separation efficiency occurs in the Co_0.1Ni_0.9-MOF sample which has a maximal polarization. This Co_0.1Ni_0.9-MOF material has a best CO₂ reduction performance of 38.74 μmol g^-1h^-1 which is at a high level in the currently reported layered materials. Meanwhile, it is found that a series of Co_xNi_1-x-MOF samples all display selectivity close to 100% for CO₂ reduction to CO, which is desirable for industrial applications. Theoretical analysis shows that Co doping alters the degree of distortion of the asymmetrical Ni-centered octahedron {NiN₂O₄} in Ni-MOF by replacing Ni due to the magnetoelectric coupling effect and Jahn-Teller effect, which results in adjustable polarity of Co_xNi_1-x-MOF. This work provides new insights on how to improve photogenerated charge separation in MOF by enhancing polarization.

Unified one-electron Hamiltonian formalism of spin-orbit Jahn-Teller and pseudo-Jahn-Teller problems in tetrahedral and octahedral symmetries

Heavy element compounds with high symmetries often feature both spin-orbit coupling and vibronic coupling. This is especially true for systems with tetrahedral and octahedral symmetries, whose electronic states may be three-fold degenerate and experience complicated Jahn-Teller and pseudo-Jahn-Teller interactions. To accurately describe these interactions, high quality spin-orbit vibronic Hamiltonian operators are needed. In this study, we present a unified one-electron Hamiltonian formalism for spin-orbit vibronic interactions for systems in all tetrahedral and octahedral symmetries. The formalism covers all spin-orbit Jahn-Teller and pseudo-Jahn-Teller problems in the symmetries with arbitrary types and arbitrary numbers of vibrational modes, and generates Hamiltonian expansion formulas of arbitrarily high order.

High-Stability Light-Element Magnetic Superatoms Determined by Hund's Rule

Achieving stable high-magnetism light-element structures at nanoscale is vital to the field of magnetism, which has traditionally been ruled by transition-metal elements with localized d or f electrons. By first-principles calculations, we show that superatoms made of pure earth-abundant light elements (i.e., boron and nitrogen) exhibit desired magnetic properties that rival those of rare-earth elements, and the magnetism is dictated entirely by Hund's maximum spin rule. Importantly, the chemical and structural stabilities of the superatoms are not jeopardized by its high spins and are in fact better than those of transition-metal-element-embedded clusters. Our work thus establishes the basic principles for designing novel light-element, high-stability, and high-moment magnetic superatoms.

Maximizing Performance of a Hybrid MnO2/Ni Electrochemical Actuator through Tailoring Lattice Tunnels and Cation Vacancies

Electrochemical actuators play a key role in converting electrical energy to mechanical energy. However, a low actuation stress and an unsatisfied strain response rate strongly limit the extensive applications of the actuators. Here, we report hybrid manganese dioxide (MnO₂) fabricated by introducing ramsdellite (R-MnO₂) and Mn vacancies into birnessite (δ-MnO₂) nanosheets, which in situ grew on the surface of a nickel (Ni) film, forming a hybrid MnO₂/Ni actuator. The actuator demonstrated a rapid strain response of 0.88% s^-1 (5.3% intrinsic strain in 6 s) and a large actuation stress of 244 MPa owing to the special R-MnO₂ with a high density of sodium ion (Na⁺)-accessible lattice tunnels, Mn vacancies, and also a high Young's modulus of the hybrid MnO₂/Ni composite. Besides, the cyclic stability of the actuator was realized after 1.2 × 10⁴ cycles of electric stimulation under a frequency of 0.05 Hz. The finding of the novel hybrid MnO₂/Ni actuator may provide a new strategy to maximize the actuating performance evidently through tailoring the lattice tunnel structure and introducing cation vacancies into electrochemical electrode materials.

Computational studies of the magneto-structural correlations in a manganese dimer with Jahn-Teller distortions

Inspired by the crystal structure of a Mn^III dinuclear complex we obtained featuring both Jahn-Teller (JT) elongation and compression distortions, we have modelled a series of complex cations based on the disordered crystal formulation; [Mn₂(L1)₂(μ₂-OH)₂)⁴⁺ (1), [Mn₂(L1)(L2)(μ₂-OH)₂)⁴⁺ (2), [Mn₂(L2)(L1)(μ₂-OH)₂)⁴⁺ (3), and [Mn₂(L2)₂(μ₂-OH)₂)⁴⁺ (4) (where L1 = (1E,1'E)-5-tert-butyl-3-(((4-(((5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-3-((E)-(hydroxyimino)methyl)benzyl)(methyl)amino)methyl)benzyl)(methyl)amino)methyl)-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and L2 = 3,3'-(1,4-phenylenebis(methylene))bis(methylazanediyl)bis(methylene)bis(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde)) with different geometries to investigate the effects of the distortions on the magnetic coupling parameter. All computationally modelled dimers had a ferromagnetic interaction between the Mn^III centres, with greater magnetic coupling calculated for complexes with both JT elongation and compression present. The ferromagnetic contribution to the J coupling was ascribed to the orthogonality of the singly occupied magnetic orbitals along with the cross-interaction between the unfilled Mn1(d_x²-y²) and singly occupied Mn2(d_x²-y²) orbitals. Constrained calculations showed that reducing the extent of the compression at Mn2 results in a concomitant increase in the dihedral angle between the JT axes, thereby reducing the relative magnitude of the magnetic coupling between Mn^III centres.