Oxalate-bridging NdIII-based arsenotungstate with multifunctional NIR-luminescence and magnetic properties

Oxalate bridged Nd-based arsenotungstate, K₁₄Na₆H₄[{(As₂W₁₉O₆₇(H₂O))Nd(H₂O)₂}₂(C₂O₄)]·64H₂O (1), was obtained from the reaction of K₁₄[As₂W₁₉O₆₇(H₂O)], oxalic acid, and NdCl₃·6H₂O in mildly acidic aqueous solution. The polyanion exhibits a dimeric structure in which the fully deprotonated oxalate ligands bridge two Nd^III cations and the arsenotungstate anions act as blocking ligands. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of 1 shows the characteristic emission peak of Nd^III in the near-infrared (NIR) region. However, the O → W charge-transfer transitions of arsenotungstate cannot effectively sensitize the emission of Nd^III cations as confirmed by the emission spectrum, due to the mismatch of the energy gap between ³T_1u → ¹A_1g (21.57 × 10³ cm^-1) of arsenotungstate components and ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2 (11.43 × 10³ cm^-1) of Nd^III cations. Magnetic studies of 1 demonstrate its field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior. Direct current magnetic susceptibility studies imply the weak ferromagnetic couplings present between the two neighboring Nd^III cations. In addition, the synergy between the coordination configuration of Nd^III cations and the intramolecular magnetic interaction was discussed.

Polyoxometalates with tunable third-order nonlinear optical and superbroadband optical limiting properties

Several polyoxomolybdovanadates with tunable structures and NLO properties, and their application as superbroadband optical limiters utilizing POM-doped gel glasses.

A6Sb4F12(SO4)3 (A = Rb, Cs): Two Novel Antimony Fluoride Sulfates with Unique Crown-like Clusters

Two new antimony fluoride sulfates named A₆Sb₄F₁₂(SO₄)₃ (A = Rb, Cs) with unique crown-like clusters have been successfully synthesized by introducing Sb³⁺ with a stereochemically active lone pair in the sulfate system through a facile hydrothermal method. The structure regulation induced by the cation sizes results in the symmetry difference in these two title compounds, i.e., Rb₆Sb₄F₁₂(SO₄)₃ crystallizing in the polar noncentrosymmetric (NCS) space group of P3 and Cs₆Sb₄F₁₂(SO₄)₃ in the centrosymmetric (CS) space group of P1̅. Detailed characterizations, including XRD, thermal behaviors, optical properties, and the theoretical calculations, for these two compounds have been performed. The discovery of the unique crown-like clusters observed in A₆Sb₄F₁₂(SO₄)₃ (A = Rb, Cs) enriches the diversity of structures for antimony sulfates systems. Simultaneously, a summary and comparison for all reported antimony halide sulfates has been made to illustrate the synergistic effect of the stoichiometric ratio and cation sizes on the macroscopic centricity and the framework structure, which will guide the systematical discovery of antimony(III)-based functional materials in future.

Highly efficient oxidation of various thioethers catalyzed by organic ligand-modified polyoxomolybdates

Herein, four hybrid dimers based on the carboxylic acid ligand-modified polyoxomolybdates were prepared, which could rapidly and selectively oxidize various phenyl sulfides and the sulfur mustard simulant 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES).

The role of π-linkers and electron acceptors in tuning the nonlinear optical properties of BODIPY-based zwitterionic molecules

Intramolecular charge transfer process can play a key role in developing strong nonlinear optical (NLO) response in a molecule for technological application. Herein, two series of boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based push–pull systems have been designed with zwitterionic donor–acceptor groups, and their NLO properties have been evaluated using a density functional theory-based approach. Different π-conjugated linkers and electron acceptor groups were used to understand their roles in tuning the NLO properties. The molecules were analyzed through HOMO–LUMO gaps, frontier molecular orbitals, polarizabilities, hyperpolarizabilities, Δr indices, transition dipole moment densities, ionization potentials, electron affinities and reorganization energies for holes and electrons. These observations correlated well with the computed absorption spectra of the molecules. It is found that with the introduction of different π-linkers in the molecule, planarity is maintained and the HOMO–LUMO gap is systematically decreased, which leads to a large NLO response. It was noted that the electronic absorption wavelength maxima were found in the near-infrared region (934–1650 nm). The results show that compared to the pyridinium acceptor group, the imidazolium acceptor group in the BODIPY systems amplifies the NLO response to a larger extent. It is also observed that the BODIPY-based dye with an imidazolium acceptor and thienothiophene π-linker shows the highest first hyperpolarizability value of 3194 × 10⁻³⁰ esu. Furthermore, the charge transfer occurs in the z-direction, as the z-component of the first hyperpolarizability is the dominant factor in this system. Here, the designed molecules show a characteristic reorganisation energy value, which is a deciding factor in the rate of hole/electron transport for favourable intermolecular coupling. As a whole, this theoretical work highlights that π-conjugated linkers and electron acceptor groups can be used judiciously to design new molecular systems for optoelectronic applications.

BODIPY-based zwitterionic molecules with pyridinium and imidazolium electron acceptors and thienothiophene π-linkers reveal significant first hyperpolarizability.

Metal ions doped into merocyanine form of coumarin derivatives: nonlinear optical molecular switches

In the present study, DFT calculations are carried out on domestically designed 7-methyl-2-phenyl-5'H-spiro[chromene-4,2'-chromeno[3,4-e][1,3]oxazin]-5'-one spiropyran and merocyanine derivatives to recognize alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. Detection of these metal ions can be attained by exploiting the variation of the second-order nonlinear optical properties. Merocyanine forms of these derivatives exhibit the ability to complex with different metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, and Ca²⁺), which is associated with large contrasts in the hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) response as a function of metal size and charge. Interestingly, in this study, Mero-Li⁺ shows significant nonlinear optical response with dynamic HRS first hyperpolarizability amounting to 7607 a.u., which is about nine times higher than its corresponding spiro form (846 a.u.) at the CAM-B3LYP/6-311G* level of theory. The present investigation clarifies the effect of metal nature on the enhancement of the first hyperpolarizability between the closed and open forms of the studied coumarin derivatives. Graphical abstract The coumarin-based compound 3 demonstrate the higher second-order NLO responses as a function of metal cation size and charges. Complexation of smaller alkali metal ions leads to the formation of stronger metal-ligand bonds, larger geometrical relaxations and significant enhancement of the HRS first hyperpolarizabilities. This present investigation elucidates the effect of metal nature on the enhancement of the first hyperpolarizability between the closed and open forms of studied coumarin derivatives.

From Simplicity to Complexity in Grafting Dawson-Type Polyoxometalates on Porphyrin, Leading to the Formation of New Organic-Inorganic Hybrids for the Investigation of Third-Order Optical Nonlinearities

Four new organic-inorganic hybrids, [N(C₄H₉)₄]₅H[{HNC₂O(CH₂O)₃P₂V₃W₁₅O₅₉}C₄₄N₄H₂₉O₃] (TPPOH-1POM), [N(C₄H₉)₄]₁₀H₂[{HNC₂O(CH₂O)₃P₂V₃W₁₅O₅₉}₂C₄₄N₄H₂₈O₂] (TPPOH-2POM trans), [N(C₄H₉)₄]₁₀H₂[{HNC₂O(CH₂O)₃P₂V₃W₁₅O₅₉}₂C₄₄N₄H₂₈O₂] (TPPOH-2POM cis), and [N(C₄H₉)₄]₁₅H₃[{HNC₂O(CH₂O)₃P₂W₁₅V₃O₅₉}₃C₄₄N₄H₂₇O] (TPPOH-3POM), have been synthesized by covalently grafting the Dawson-type polyoxometalate (POM) [N(C₄H₉)₄]₅[H₄P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂] onto new porphyrins N-[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]-4-[10,15,20-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-5-yl]benzamide (TPPOH-1Tris), 4,4'-[5,15-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-10,20-diyl]bis[ N-[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]benzamide] (TPPOH-2Tris trans), 4,4'-[10,15-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-5,20-diyl]bis[ N-[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]benzamide] (TPPOH-2Tris cis). and 4,4',4″-[20-(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin-5,10,15-triyl]tris[ N-[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]benzamide] (TPPOH-3Tris), respectively, in N, N-dimethylacetamide under nitrogen. The hybrid compounds were thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, 2D NOESY, ³¹P, and ⁵¹V), ESI-MS, MALDI-TOF-MS, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. All porphyrins and their corresponding hybrids exhibited remarkable third-order nonlinear-optical responses under laser irradiation, with the intensity of light at focus E₀ being 4.2 μJ at wavelength 532 nm, pulse duration τ = 6 ns, and repetition rate 10 Hz. The molecular second hyperpolarizability (γ) values of the hybrids (TPPOH-1POM, TPPOH-2POM trans, TPPOH-2POM cis, TPPOH-3POM) were calculated to be 8.48 × 10^-28 esu, 8.94 × 10^-28 esu, 10.16 × 10^-28 esu, and 8.93 × 10^-28 esu, while the molecular second hyperpolarizability (γ) of their corresponding porphyrin precursors (TPPOH-1Tris, TPPOH-2Tris trans, TPPOH-2Tris cis, and TPPOH-3Tris) were 7.19 × 10^-28 esu, 8.09 × 10^-28 esu, 9.07 × 10^-28 esu, and 7.24 × 10^-28 esu, respectively. The γ values of the cis forms were found to be superior to those of all other compounds, indicating the significant role of the greater dipole moment and low symmetry of the cis form compared to other compounds. It was also found that the fluorescence intensity was decreased by 81.52%, 90.37%, 93.93%, and 84.62% for the hybrids TPPOH-1POM, TPPOH-2POM trans, TPPOH-2POM cis, and TPPOH-3POM with respect to their corresponding precursors, respectively, which reveals the Dawson-type POM as a strong quencher. This quenching phenomenon not only indicates again unequivocally the formation of hybrid compounds but also may imply a photoinduced electron/energy-transfer process favored from a porphyrin moiety to a Dawson-type POM moiety.

Synthesis, characterization, and photoluminescence properties of three two-dimensional lanthanide-containing Dawson-type polyoxometalates

Three isostructural lanthanide-containing polyoxometalates with 2D network architectures were successfully obtained under hydrothermal conditions.

Theoretical exploration on switchable NLO response induced by redox properties of polyoxometalates [XNbW11O40]n-/(n+1)- (X = Al, Si, P, S, Ga, Ge, As, Se)

Calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) have been performed to investigate the relationship between redox properties and second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) responses of Keggin-type anions [XNbW₁₁O₄₀]^n- (X = Al, Si, P, S, Ga, Ge, As, Se) and their corresponding heteropoly blues. The frontier molecular orbitals, NLO responses and electronic transition properties of fully oxidized anions and heteropoly blues were discussed. It is noticeable that the second-order NLO behaviors can be switched by reduced electrons for these Keggin-type anions. The calculated β₀ value of heteropoly blues [XNbW₁₁O₄₀]^(n+1)- (X = P, As, S) are 21-23 times as large as those of fully oxidized anions [XNbW₁₁O₄₀]^n- (X = P, As, S) according to CAM-B3LYP/6-31G* (LANL2DZ basis sets for metal atom) calculations in CH₃CN. The aim of this work is to combine the attractive redox properties and NLO response of polyoxometalates to obtain the switchable NLO materials.

Single-molecule magnet behaviour in polynuclear assembly of trivalent cerium ions with polyoxomolybdates

An isopolyoxomolybdate-based POM is coordinated to trivalent cerium ions to afford a hybrid complex namely, [Ce(dmso)8][Ce(η2-NO3)2(dmso)4(α-Mo8O26)0.5][Mo6O19]. The original electrostatic environment created around the Ce(III) by its coordination to the isopolyoxomolybdate core induces complex single-molecule magnet behavior.

Theoretical exploration to the cation effect on the second-order nonlinear optical properties of Strandberg-type polyoxometalates

The combination of cations with octahedral coordinated d0 transition metal ions has been proved to be an effective way for designing new polar materials. So we investigate the second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of Strandberg-type polyoxometalates (POMs) with alkali metal cations M 6 Mo 5 X 2 O 23 ( M = K +, Rb +, Cs +; X = P , As ) and M 4 M o5 X 2 O 21 ( M = K +, Rb +, Cs +; X = S , Se , Te ) by density functional theory (DFT) method. The calculated results show that this kind of Strandberg-type POMs possesses remarkably large molecular second-order NLO polarizability, especially for the Cs 6 Mo 5 P 2 O 23 (system Ic), which has a computed β0 value of 12526 a.u. and might be an excellent second-order NLO material. Moreover, the cations have important impact on the second-order NLO polarizabilities. Therefore, a careful choice of appropriate cations may allow the control of the second-order NLO response on these Strandberg-type POMs, which may provide a new route to design efficient NLO materials.

Exploration of charge transfer and absorption spectra of porphyrin–polyoxometalate hybrids to search for high performance sensitizers

Lindqvist-, Keggin-, and Anderson-type polyoxometalate organic–inorganic hybrids were designed to investigate their charge transfer character and screen them as high performance p-type sensitizers.

Theoretical studies on POM-based organic–inorganic hybrids containing double D–A1–π–A2 chains for high-performance p-type, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

The polyoxometalate (POM)-based organic–inorganic hybrid systems II1–II7 are designed as the p-type dyes containing double D–A₁–π–A₂ chains.

Theoretical studies on tricarbonyl metal derivatives of Lindqvist-type polyoxometalate complexes: electronic structures and nonlinear optical properties

The β₀ value of tricarbonyl metal derivatives of a Lindqvist-type polyoxometalate depends on the tricarbonyl metal M. [Nb₂W₄O₁₉Ru(CO)₃]²⁻ has the largest hyperpolarizability, 12.456 × 10⁻³⁰ esu, and might become an excellent NLO material.

New supramolecular compounds based on porphyrin and polyoxometalate: synthesis, characterization and nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties

Compounds composed of [SW_12−nV_nO₄₀]⁽²⁺ⁿ⁾⁻ and [H₂TPP]²⁺ show significant nonlinear absorption, self-defocusing behavior and excellent optical limiting performance.