A single probe for solvent dependent optical recognition of iron(II/III) and arsenite: discrimination between iron redox states with single crystal X-ray structure evidence

The detection and discrimination of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions have been investigated using a simple probe (L), produced by the condensation of ethylenediamine and 3-ethoxysalicyaldehyde. Single crystal X-ray structures demonstrate that L interacts with Fe2+ and Fe3+. In aqueous-DMSO media, the L recognises AsO2- by fluorescence and colorimetry techniques. The AsO2- aided PET inhibition and H-bond assisted chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) boost fluorescence by 91-fold. The L can detect 0.354 ppb Fe2+, 0.22 ppb Fe3+ and 0.235 ppt AsO2-.

Integrated Molecular Logic Using a Multistate Electrochromic Platform

Herein, we present an approach that integrates molecular logic functions using surface-confined metallo-organic assemblies. These assemblies are electrochromic and mimic the behaviour of logic elements. The logic elements are addressed individually by electrochemical methods, and their outputs are simultaneously read-out optically by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy. The versatility of our setup is demonstrated by the integration of two multi-component assemblies; each acting as ternary logic elements. We used also a laminated cell configuration to demonstrate color-to-color and color-to-transparent transitions. This concept offers a route for the future development of devices with multiple logic states.

An ensemble of Zn2+ with a rhodamine B-3-allylsalicylaldehyde hydrazone as novel photosensitive material: Photochromism, photopatterning, photoprinting and molecular logic gates

An ensemble of Zn²⁺ with Rhodamine B-3-allylsalicylaldehyde hydrazone (1-Zn²⁺), has been synthesized and fully characterized using spectroscopic techniques. A solution of 1-Zn²⁺ in THF, displays color changes from light yellow to pink color in the presence UV light (λ, 405 nm). The process is reversible and owes to keto-enol tautomerism which allows the opening of spirolactam ring of rhodamine in the presence of UV light. It is corroborated by the appearance of a new peak at λ_max = 554 nm. The ensemble, 1-Zn²⁺ embedded in the matrix of silica gel, displays photo patterning phenomena initiated by the conventional light sources including sunlight. It also displays photoprinting property with a laser pen (λ 405 nm) and has been displayed by a videography. The module 1-Zn²⁺ meets real challenges through a simple synthetic route, fast response, and as a binary data storage system with non-destructive optical identity.

Recognition and optical sensing of amines by a quartz-bound 7-chloro-4-quinolylazopillar[5]arene monolayer

Pillar[5]arene-decorated quartz slides for the direct detection of linear amines and diamines are now available.

Nanometric Assembly of Functional Terpyridyl Complexes on Transparent and Conductive Oxide Substrates: Structure, Properties, and Applications

Over the last few decades, molecular assemblies on solid substrates have become increasingly popular, challenging the traditional systems and materials in terms of better control over molecular structure and function at the nanoscale. A variety of such assemblies with high complexity and adjustable properties was generated on the basis of organic, inorganic, organometallic, polymeric, and biomolecular building blocks. Particular versatile elements in this context are terpyridyls due to their wide design flexibility, ease of functionalization, and ability to coordinate to a broad variety of transition-metal ions without forming diastereoisomers, which facilitates tuning of their optical and electronic properties. Specifically, metal-terpyridyl complexes are worthy building blocks for generating optoelectronically active assemblies on technologically relevant transparent and conductive oxide substrates. In this context, the present Account summarizes our recent results on the preparation, characterization, and applications of nanometric (2-10 nm) surface-confined molecular assemblies of Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ru²⁺, and Os²⁺-terpyridyl complexes on SiO_x-based substrates (glass, quartz, silicon, and ITO-coated glass). These assemblies rely on covalent bond formation between the iodo-/chloro-terminated functionalized SiO_x substrates and the pendant group (mostly pyridyl) hosted on the terpyridyl complexes. Such an anchoring provides excellent thermal, temporal, radiative, and electrochemical stability to the assemblies as needed for technological applications. The functional, covalently assembled monolayers were extended to fabricate molecular dyads (bilayers), triads (trilayers), and oligomers by an established layer-by-layer procedure using suitable metallolinkers such as Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pd²⁺. The chemical, optical, and electrochemical properties of these assemblies could be precisely adjusted by selection of proper metal-terpyridyl complexes and/or metallolinkers, so that the resulting systems served, relying on the specific design, as sensors, catalysts, molecular logic gates, and photochromic devices. For instance, a Cu-terpyridyl-based assembly on a glass substrate showed "turn on" detection of ascorbic acid. In another example, heterometallic molecular triads were exposed to redox-active NO⁺ for selective oxidation of the metal ions, and the optical readout was utilized for configuring multiple-input-based molecular logic gates. Furthermore, bias-driven (+0.6 to +1.6 V vs Ag/AgCl) optical properties of the heteroleptic Ru²⁺/Os²⁺-terpyridyl monolayers were modulated and "read out" by spectro-electrochemical techniques demonstrating high charge/information density (3-4 × 10¹⁴ electrons/cm²). Moreover, the manipulation of the M^2+/3+ (M = Fe, Ru, and Os) redox wave in the assembly provided the possibility to create mixed-valence redox-states paving the way toward the fabrication of "multi-bit" memory systems. We truly believe that due to these intriguing characteristics and excellent stability, terpyridyl-based molecular assemblies have the potential to become a versatile platform for the next generation of smart optoelectronic devices.

A four-state capacitance molecular switch based on a redox active tetrathiafulvalene self-assembled monolayer

A tetrathiafulvalene self-assembled monolayer has been successfully exploited as a 4-state electrochemical switch using the capacitance as output signal.

A surface confined yttrium(iii) bis-phthalocyaninato complex: a colourful switch controlled by electrons

SAMs of a Y(iii) double-decker complex on ITO have been prepared and their electrical and optical properties explored, exhibiting three accessible stable redox states with characteristic absorption bands in the visible spectra, corresponding to three complementary colors (i.e., green, blue and red). These absorption bands are exploited as output signals of this robust ternary electrochemical switch, behaving hence as an electrochromic molecular-based device.

Synthesis of heteroleptic terpyridyl complexes of Fe(ii) and Ru(ii): optical and electrochemical studies

Heteroleptic terpyridyl complexes of Fe(ii) and Ru(ii) are synthesized. They are characterized using complimentary techniques and their optical and electrochemical properties are studied. A detailed computational study was also performed.

A smart switchable module for the detection of multiple ions via turn-on dual-optical readout and their cell imaging studies

A rhodamine based switchable module, RHTH, displays multi-stimuli responses and logic gate based detection of Fe³⁺, Hg²⁺, CN⁻ and S²⁻ ions at ppm levels together with the imaging of these cations in HeLa cell lines.

Ruthenium-tris(bipyridine) complexes with multiple redox-active amine substituents: tuning of spin density distribution and deep-red to NIR electrochromism and electrofluorochromism

Deep-red to NIR electrochromism and electrofluorochromism are demonstrated with ruthenium-tris(bipyridine) complexes with multiple amine substituents.

Surface confined heteroleptic copper(II)-polypyridyl complexes for photonuclease activity

Heteroleptic copper(II)-polypyridyl complexes with extended π-conjugated, aromatic terminal units were immobilized on glass/Si substrates to intercalate DNA and cleave it upon photoexposure. Photonuclease activity is shown to be high, well reproducible and non-destructible towards the assembled complexes.

Surface-confined heterometallic triads on the basis of terpyridyl complexes and design of molecular logic gates

Surface-confined heterometallic molecular triads (SURHMTs) were fabricated on SiOx-based solid substrates using optically rich and redox-active Fe-, Os-, and Ru-based terpyridyl complexes as metalloligands and Cu(2+) ions as linkers. Optical and electrochemical studies reveal efficient electronic intramolecular communication in these assemblies. The UV-vis spectra of the triads exhibit a superposition of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer bands of individual complexes, providing a significant enlargement of the optical window, useful for application. Similarly, cyclic voltammograms of SURHMT layers show a variety of redox peaks corresponding to individual complexes as well as multi-redox states at a low potential. Interaction of a representative SURHMT assembly with redox-active NOBF4 was investigated and used as a basis for configuring molecular logic gates.

Chemically-driven “molecular logic circuit” based on osmium chromophore with a resettable multiple readout

Resettable molecular processing of inputs (Cu²⁺/H₂O and F⁻/H⁺) to yield discriminating outputs and subsequent integration of logic circuits.

A sequential logic gate-based “smart probe” for selective monitoring of Cu2+, Fe3+ and CN−/F−via differential analyses

A sequential logic gate-based probe for the detection of Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, CN⁻ and F⁻ at ppm levels in water.

Optical and electrochemical properties of covalent assembled bis(4′-carboxylic phenyl terpyridyl) Ru(ii)-monolayer

Monomolecular layers of Ru(ii)-4′carboxylicphenyl-terpyridyl complex are prepared on glass and ITO-coated glass substrates. The optical, electrochemical and stability studies indicate that the present system is highly robust.

A fast and selective probe for detection of CN− and F− in water along with a sequential molecular logic circuit via resettable optical readout

A fast and selective probe for detection of CN⁻ and F⁻ at ppm levels in water via multiple readout for precise analysis.

Fe-terpyridyl complex based multiple switches for application in molecular logic gates and circuits

The Fe(ii)-terpyridyl binary complex is used as a molecular switch upon external chemical stimuli. The stability of different switching states, their reversibility upon further chemical stimulus, prompted construction of solution based molecular logic gates and circuits.