Aggregation-induced enhanced fluorescence emission of chiral Zn(II) complexes coordinated by Schiff-base type binaphthyl ligands

A pair of novel chiral Zn(II) complexes coordinated by Schiff-base type ligands derived from BINOL (1,1'-bi-2-naphthol), R-/S-Zn, were synthesized. X-ray crystallography revealed the presence of two crystallographically independent complexes; one has a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal structure coordinated by two binaphthyl ligands and one disordered methanol molecule (molecule A), while the other has a distorted tetrahedral structure coordinated by two binaphthyl ligands (molecule B). Numerous CH⋯π and CH⋯O interactions were identified, contributing to the formation of a 3-dimensional rigid network structure. Both R-/S-Zn exhibited fluorescence in both CH2Cl2 solutions and powder samples, with the photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of powder samples being twice as large as those in solutions, indicating aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE). The AIEE properties were attributed to the restraint of the molecular motion arising from the 3-dimensional intermolecular interactions. CD and CPL spectra were observed for R-/S-Zn in both solutions and powders. The dissymmetry factors, gabs and gCPL values, were within the order of 10-3 to 10-4 magnitudes, comparable to those reported for chiral Zn(II) complexes in previous studies.

Characterization of Diastereomeric Equilibria of Pseudotetrahedral Bis[(R or S)-N-1-(Ar)Ethylsalicylaldiminato-κ2 N,O]zinc(II) with Λ/Δ-Chirality-At-Metal Induction

A family of bis[(R or S)‐N‐1‐(Ar)ethylsalicylaldiminato‐κ²N,O]‐Δ/Λ‐zinc(II) {Ar=C₆H₅ (ZnRL¹ or ZnSL¹), p‐CH₃OC₆H₄ (ZnRL² or ZnSL²) and p‐ClC₆H₄ (ZnRL³ or ZnSL³)} compounds was synthesized and investigated by multiple methods. They feature Λ/Δ‐chirality‐at‐metal induction along the pseudo‐C₂ axis of the molecules. The chirality induction is quantitative in the solid state, explored by X‐ray crystallography and powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), where R or S‐ligated complexes diastereoselectively yield Λ or Δ‐configuration at the metal. On the other hand, Λ and Δ‐diastereomers co‐exist in solution. The Λ⇆Δ equilibrium is solvent‐ and temperature‐dependent. Electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra confirm the existence of a diastereomeric excess of Λ‐ZnRL¹⁻³ or Δ‐ZnSL¹⁻³ in solution. DSC analysis reveals thermally induced irreversible phase transformation from a crystalline solid to an isotropic liquid phase. ECD spectra were reproduced by DFT geometry optimizations and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations, providing ultimate proof of the dominant chirality atmetal in solution.

Investigation of the influence of chirality and halogen atoms on the anticancer activity of enantiopure palladium(ii) complexes derived from chiral amino-alcohol Schiff bases and 2-picolylamine

In order to evaluate the impact of chirality and halogen-substitution pattern on biological activity, four mixed-ligand enantiomeric pairs of Pd(ii) complexes were synthesized and characterized.

Pseudotetrahedral Zn(II)-(R or S)-dihalogen-salicylaldiminato complexes with Λ- or Δ-chirality induction at-metal

Reactions of enantiopure (S or R)-N-1-(phenyl)ethyl-2,4-X1,X2-salicylaldimine (S-H or R-H; X1, X2 = dihalogen) with Zn(II)-nitrate give bis[(S or R)-N-1-(phenyl)ethyl-2,4-X1,X2-salicylaldiminato-κ2N,O]-zinc(II), (Δ-ZnS or Λ-ZnR) with Δ/Λ-chirality induction at-metal in the C2-symmetric molecules....

Synthesis and Characterization of Bis[(R or S)-N-1-(X-C6H4)ethyl-2-oxo-1-naphthaldiminato-κ2N,O]-Λ/Δ-cobalt(II) (X = H, p-CH3O, p-Br) with Symmetry- and Distance-Dependent Vibrational Circular Dichroism Enhancement and Sign Inversion

The enantiopure Schiff bases (R or S)-N-1-(X-C₆H₄)ethyl-2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldimine {X = H [(R or S)-HL1], p-CH₃O [(R or S)-HL2], and p-Br [(R- or S)-HL3]} react with cobalt(II) acetate to give bis[(R or S)-N-1-(X-C₆H₄)ethyl-2-oxo-1-naphthaldiminato-κ²N,O]-Λ/Δ-cobalt(II) {X = H [Λ/Δ-Co-(R or S)-L1], p-CH₃O [Λ/Δ-Co-(R or S)-L2], and p-Br [Λ/Δ-Co-(R or S)-L3]} (1–3), respectively. Induced Λ and Δ chirality originates at the metal center of the C₂-symmetric molecule in pseudotetrahedral geometry. Differential scanning calorimetry analyses explored the thermal stability of the complexes, which undergo reversible phase transformation from crystalline solid to isotropic liquid phase for 1 and 3 but irreversible phase transformation for 2. Like other cobalt(II) complexes, compounds 1–3 exhibit a continuous ensemble of absorption and circular dichroism bands, which span from the UV to IR region and can be collected into a superspectrum. Infrared vibrational circular dichroism (IR-VCD) spectra witness the coupling between Co²⁺-centered low-lying electronic states and ligand-centered vibrations. The coupling produces enhanced and almost monosignate VCD spectra, with both effects being mode-dependent in terms of the A or B symmetry (in the C₂ point group) and distance from the Co²⁺ core.

Chiroptical superspectra of naphthaldiminatocobalt(II) complexes 1−3 exhibit a continuous ensemble of absorption and circular dichroism bands from the UV to IR region, including peculiar and almost monosignate vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra dominated by the coupling between Co²⁺-centered low-lying electronic states and ligand-centered vibrations, which depend on the normal-mode symmetry and distance from the Co²⁺ core

Heteroleptic enantiopure Pd(ii)-complexes derived from halogen-substituted Schiff bases and 2-picolylamine: synthesis, experimental and computational characterization and investigation of the influence of chirality and halogen atoms on the anticancer activity

To investigate the effect of chirality and different halogen substituents on the anticancer activity, seven enantiomeric pairs of palladium complexes were synthesized and characterized.

Schiff base ligands derived from 1,2-bis(2′-nitro-/amino-phenoxy)-3-R-benzene and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and their Cu/Zn(ii) complexes: synthesis, characterization, X-ray structures and computational studies

Racemic crystals of Cu/Zn(ii)-tetradentate Schiff base ligands with Λ/Δ-chirality induction at-metal center.

Pseudotetrahedral copper(II)-complexes with enantiopure (R or S)-2-(((aryl)ethylimino)ethyl)phenolate Schiff base ligands

Condensation of 2-hydroxy-benzophenone (HL') with (R or S)-(Ar)ethylamine yields the enantiopure Schiff bases (S or R)-2-((E)-1-(1-(Ar)ethylimino)ethyl)phenol {Ar = C6H5 (S- or R-HL1), p-CH3OC6H4 (S- or R-HL2)}. These Schiff bases react with copper(ii) acetate under reflux to give green microcrystals of bis[(R or S)-2-((E)-1-(1-(Ar)ethylimino)ethyl)phenolato-κ2N,O]-Λ/Δ-copper(ii), {Ar = C6H5 (Λ/Δ-Cu-R- or S-L1), p-CH3OC6H4 (Λ/Δ-Cu-R- or S-L2)} with induction of Λ/Δ-chirality at-metal. The presence of Schiff base ligands in the paramagnetic green microcrystals is confirmed by decomplexation reaction with NaCN via reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i) in DMSO-d6 solution. Crystallization attempts of the green microcrystalline Schiff-base Cu complexes provide deep-green block-shaped crystals of an about equal admixture of bis[2-oxo-benzophenonato-κ2O,O']-copper(ii), (CuL'2) and bis[2-(imino(phenyl)methyl)phenolato-κ2N,O]copper(ii), (CuL''2) via in situ hydrolysis of the coordinated Schiff base ligands back to 2-hydroxy-benzophenone (HL') and to 2-(imino(phenyl)methyl)phenol (HL''), which in-turn bind with the copper(ii) ion. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns of R-HL1 and Cu-R-L1 allowed their structure determinations using the program Expo-2014 followed by Rietveld refinement. The Cu structures refined to four-coordinated Λ/Δ-copper(ii)-complexes by the two phenolate-oxygen and two imine-nitrogen atoms from two Schiff base ligands in a pseudotetrahedral geometry. DFT optimized structures (at gas-phase) reveal the Δ-Cu-S-L1 or Λ-Cu-R-L1 diastereomer as slightly more stable than the corresponding Λ-Cu-S-L1 or Δ-Cu-R-L1 by ca. 7.60 kcal mol-1, resulting from diastereoselectively induced Λ vs. Δ-chirality at-metal. Electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra display mirror-image relationships and comparisons of experimental and simulated ECD spectra by TDDFT suggest an excess of the Δ-Cu-S-L1 or Λ-Cu-R-L1 diastereomer in solution. The cyclic voltammograms demonstrate two one electron charge transfer processes for Cu2+/Cu+ and Cu+/Cu0 couples in acetonitrile, respectively.

Solid state mononuclear divalent nickel spin crossover complexes

Spin crossover complexes containing 3d⁴-3d⁷ transition metal ions with tunable electronic configurations in appropriate ligand field environments have been extensively investigated. In contrast, the development of 3d⁸ divalent nickel complexes displaying such a spin crossover behavior is far behind. The increasing number of X-ray single crystal structures along with magnetic evidence and thermodynamic equilibrium indicate that bistable divalent nickel complexes are gradually recognized to be a formal member of the "spin crossover family". Unfortunately, the rarity of nickel spin crossover complexes is occasionally mentioned. This Perspective article highlights examples of mononuclear 3d⁸ nickel spin crossover complexes in dynamic rearrangements with characterized solid state structures from the viewpoint of types of ligands utilized.

Solid-state to solution helicity inversion of pseudotetrahedral chiral copper(ii) complexes with 2,4-dihalo-salicylaldiminate ligands

Steric constraints by the halogen substituents show an efficient control of stereochemical behaviours of the complexes.

Structural versatility of the quasi-aromatic Möbius type zinc(ii)-pseudohalide complexes – experimental and theoretical investigations

In this contribution we report for the first time fabrication, isolation, structural and theoretical characterization of the quasi-aromatic Möbius complexes [Zn(NCS)₂L^I] (1), [Zn₂(μ_1,1-N₃)₂(L^I)₂][ZnCl₃(MeOH)]₂·6MeOH (2) and [Zn(NCS)L^II]₂[Zn(NCS)₄]·MeOH (3), constructed from 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-bis((phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)hydrazono)ethane (L^I) or benzilbis(acetylpyridin-2-yl)methylidenehydrazone (L^II), respectively, and ZnCl₂ mixed with NH₄NCS or NaN₃. Structures 1–3 are dictated by both the bulkiness of the organic ligand and the nature of the inorganic counter ion. As evidenced from single crystal X-ray diffraction data species 1 has a neutral discrete heteroleptic mononuclear structure, whereas, complexes 2 and 3 exhibit a salt-like structure. Each structure contains a Zn^II atom chelated by one tetradentate twisted ligand L^I creating the unusual Möbius type topology. Theoretical investigations based on the EDDB method allowed us to determine that it constitutes the quasi-aromatic Möbius motif where a metal only induces the π-delocalization solely within the ligand part: 2.44|e| in 3, 3.14|e| in 2 and 3.44|e| in 1. It is found, that the degree of quasi-aromatic π-delocalization in the case of zinc species is significantly weaker (by ∼50%) than the corresponding estimations for cadmium systems – it is associated with the Zn–N bonds being more polar than the related Cd–N connections. The ETS-NOCV showed, that the monomers in 1 are bonded primarily through London dispersion forces, whereas long-range electrostatic stabilization is crucial in 2 and 3. A number of non-covalent interactions are additionally identified in the lattices of 1–3.

Interplay between various types of non-covalent interactions allowed for isolation of rare examples of Zn(ii) based quasi-aromatic Möbius type species.

Broad-Range Spectral Analysis for Chiral Metal Coordination Compounds: (Chiro)optical Superspectrum of Cobalt(II) Complexes

Chiroptical broad-range spectral analysis extending from UV to mid-IR was employed to study a family of Co(II) N-(1-(aryl)ethyl)salicylaldiminato Schiff base complexes with pseudotetrahedral geometry associated with chirality-at-metal of the Δ/Λ type. While common chiral organic compounds have well-separated absorption and circular dichroism spectra (CD) in the UV/vis and IR regions, chiral Co(II) complexes feature an almost unique continuum of absorption and CD bands, which cover in sequence the UV, visible, near-IR (NIR), and IR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. They can be collected in a single (chiro)optical superspectrum ranging from the UV (230 nm, 5.4 eV) to the mid-IR (1000 cm^-1, 0.12 eV), which offers a fingerprint of the structure and stereochemistry of the metal complexes. Each region of the superspectrum contributes to one piece of information: the NIR-CD region, in combination with TDDFT calculations, allows a reliable assignment of the metal-centered chirality; the UV-CD region facilitates the analysis of the Δ/Λ diastereomeric equilibrium in solution; and the IR-VCD region contains a combination of low-lying metal-centered electronic states (LLES) and ligand-centered vibrations and displays characteristically enhanced and monosignate VCD bands. Circular dichroism in the NIR and IR regions is crucial to reveal the presence of d-d transitions of the Co(II) core which, due to the electric-dipole forbidden character, would be otherwise overlooked in the corresponding absorption spectra.

Conformation-directing chiral groups in bis(naphthaldiminato)nickel(ii) complexes: a rare example with 16 crystallographically independent units (Z′)

Unit cell of bis(naphthaldiminato)nickel(ii) complexes bearing chiral groups at imino N atoms showing 16 independent units (Z′) with a sizeable bending of the chelating ligands.

Spontaneous resolution of a Δ/Λ-chiral-at-metal pseudo-tetrahedral Schiff-base zinc complex to a racemic conglomerate with C–H⋯O organized 41- and 43-helices

Weak supramolecular interactions can be decisive!