Ferrocenylselenoether and its cuprous cluster modified TiO2 as visible-light photocatalyst for the synergistic transformation of N-cyclic organics and Cr(vi)

In this study, fcSe@TiO2 and [Cu2I2(fcSe)2]n@TiO2 nanosystems based on ferrocenylselenoether and its cuprous cluster were developed and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Under optimized conditions, 0.2 g L-1 catalyst, 20 mM H2O2, and initial pH 7, good synergistic visible light photocatalytic tetracycline degradation and Cr(vi) reduction were achieved, with 92.1% of tetracycline and 64.5% of Cr(vi) removal efficiency within 30 minutes. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reactive species ˙OH, ˙O2-, and h+ were produced in both systems through the mutual promotion of Fenton reactions and photogenerated charge separation. The [Cu2I2(fcSe)2]n@TiO2 system additionally produced 1O2 from Cu+ and ˙O2-. The advantages of the developed nanosystems include an acidic surface microenvironment provided by Se⋯H+, resourceful product formation, tolerance of complex environments, and excellent adaptability in refractory N-cyclic organics.

A Fused Poly(truncated rhombic dodecahedron)-Containing 3D Coordination Polymer: A Multifunctional Material with Exceptional Properties

The design of new and inexpensive metal-containing functional materials is of great interest. Herein is reported a unique thermochromic near-IR emitting coordination polymer, 3D-[Cu₈I₈(L1)₂]_n, CP2, which is formed when ArS(CH₂)₄SAr (L1, Ar = 4-C₆H₄OMe) reacts with 2 equiv of CuI in EtCN. In MeCN, CP1 ([Cu₄I₄(L1)(MeCN)₂]_n, consisting of an alternating [-Cu₄I₄-L1-Cu₄I₄-L1-]_n chain where the Cu₄I₄ cubane units bear two metal-bound MeCN molecules, is formed. Heat-driven elimination of these MeCN's in solid CP1 also leads to CP2 through a predisposed organization of the Cu₄I₄ units prone to fusion after MeCN eliminations (i.e., a rare case of template effect). The CP2 structure exhibits parallel 1D-(Cu₈I₈)_n chains, (z-axis; designated 1D-[CuI]_n) as secondary building units (SBU) held together by parallel thioether ligands (x,y-axes), forming a nonporous 3D network. The structure of this 1D-[CuI]_n SBU is unprecedented and consists of a series of fused and twisted open Cu₄I₄ cubanes forming a fused poly(truncated rhombic dodecahedron). Unexpectedly, the compact 3D CP2 exhibits a solid-to-solid phase transition at 100 °C and a hysteresis of ∼20 °C. CP1 emits intensively (298 K: λ_emi = 564 nm; Φ_e = 0.35), whereas CP2 presents a strongly red-shifted weaker emission (298 K: λ_emi ∼ 740 nm, Φ_e < 0.0001). Moreover, CP2, which is stable over long periods of time, exhibits thermochromism where the emission intensity of the near-IR band decreases significantly at the benefit of a ligand-centered phosphorescence at 415 nm. Altogether, these properties listed above make CP2 exceptional. The low-energy singlet and triplet excited states have been assigned to ligand/metal-to-ligand charge transfer based on DFT and TD-DFT computations.

In situ formation and solid-state oxidation of a triselenane NSeN-pincer MOF

Controlled partial decomposition of 2-selenonicotinic acid in the presence of Co²⁺ or Ni²⁺ resulted in the in situ formation of an unusual MOF based on triselenane ligands (RSeSeSeR) coordinated to M²⁺ centers as NSeN-pincers.

1,3-Dithianes as Assembling Ligands for the Construction of Copper(I) Coordination Polymers. Investigation of the Impact of the RC(H)S2C3H6 Substituent and Reaction Conditions on the Architecture of the 0D-3D Networks

The parent compound 1,3-dithiane (L1) was reacted with CuI providing the 1D coordination polymer [{Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(μ₂-L1)₂] _n (CP1), an isostructural compound [{Cu(μ₂-Br)₂Cu}(μ₂-L1)₂] _n (CP2) was isolated upon treatment of CuBr with L1. In contrast, treatment of L1 with CuCl results in the formation of 2D polymeric [{Cu(μ₂-Cl)₂Cu}(μ₂-L1)] _n (CP3), in which each sulfur atom acts as a 4-electron donor. The 1D compounds [{Cu(μ₂-X)₂Cu}(μ₂-L2)₂] _n (CP7, X = Br, and CP8, X = Cl) resulting from treatment of 2-methyl-1,3 dithiane (L2) with CuBr and CuCl are isostructural with their CuI homologue [{Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(μ₂-L2)₂] _n (CP5), reported previously. Using CuCN, a 2D CP of composition [{Cu(μ₂-CN)₂Cu}(μ₂-L2)₂] _n (CP9) has been isolated. Complexation of 2-isobutyl-1,3-dithiane (L3) on CuI generates a 2D material [{Cu₃(μ₃-I)(μ₂-I)₂(μ₂-L3)₂}] _n (CP10), incorporating the usual trinuclear μ₃-I-capped Cu clusters as SBUs, whereas 2D-polymeric compounds [{Cu(μ₂-Br)₂Cu}(μ₂-L3)₂] _n (CP11) and [{Cu(μ₂-Cl)₂Cu}(μ₂-L3)₂] _n (CP12) were obtained with CuBr and CuCl. Treatment of 2-Me₃Si-1,3-dithiane (L4) with CuX yields the series [{Cu₂(μ₄-X)(μ₂-X)}(μ₂-L4)] _n (CP13-CP15). With 2-phenyl-1,3-dithiane (L5), the outcome of the reaction with CuI depends on the reaction conditions. Reaction with CuI in MeCN provides a 1D ribbon [{Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(MeCN)₂(μ₂-L5)₂] _n (CP16), whereas treatment of CuI with L5 in hot EtCN yields 2D-polymeric[{Cu₃(μ₃-I)(μ₂-I)₂(μ₂-L5)₂}] _n (CP17). A reversible phase transition from triclinic P1̅ to monoclinic P2₁/ m is observed when recording the structure of CP16 at five different temperatures in the 100-300 K range. Ligand L6 containing a ferrocenyl function at the 2-position was also probed as organometallic dithioether ligand. Reaction of L6 with 1 equiv of CuI produces the 0D dinuclear complex [{Cu(μ₂-I)₂Cu}(η¹-L6)₂(MeCN)₂] (D1), whereas treatment with 2 equiv of CuI affords the novel 1D CP [{Cu(μ₃-I)₂Cu}(μ-L6)] _n (CP18), in which both S atoms of one L6 molecule span two copper centers of the infinite (CuI) _n ribbon. Some selected results of thermal analyses and luminescence measurements are also presented.

Smart composite films of nanometric thickness based on copper-iodine coordination polymers. Toward sensors

One-pot reactions between CuI and methyl or methyl 2-amino-isonicotinate give rise to the formation of two coordination polymers (CPs) based on double zig-zag Cu2I2 chains. The presence of a NH2 group in the isonicotinate ligand produces different supramolecular interactions affecting the Cu-Cu distances and symmetry of the Cu2I2 chains. These structural variations significantly modulate their physical properties. Thus, both CPs are semiconductors and also show reversible thermo/mechanoluminescence. X-ray diffraction studies carried out under different temperature and pressure conditions in combination with theoretical calculations have been used to rationalize the multi-stimuli-responsive properties. Importantly, a bottom-up procedure based on fast precipitation leads to nanofibers of both CPs. The dimensions of these nanofibres enable the preparation of thermo/mechanochromic film composites with polyvinylidene difluoride. These films are tens of nanometers in thickness while being centimeters in length, representing smaller thicknesses so far reported for thin-film composites. This nanomaterial integration of CPs could represent a source of alternative nanomaterials for opto-electronic device fabrication.

Supramolecular Interactions Modulating Electrical Conductivity and Nanoprocessing of Copper-Iodine Double-Chain Coordination Polymers

Two coordination polymers (CPs), based on Cu(I)-I double zig-zag chains bearing isonicotinic acid or 3-chloroisonicotinic acid as terminal ligands with molecular recognition capabilities, have been synthesized and fully characterized. Both compounds present extended networks with supramolecular interactions directed by the formation of H-bonds between the complementary carboxylic groups, giving supramolecular sheets. The chloro substituent allows establishing additional Cl···Cl supramolecular interactions that reinforce the stability of the supramolecular sheets. These CPs are semiconductor materials; however, the presence of chlorine produces slight changes in the I-Cu-I chains, generating a worse overlap in the Cu-I orbitals, thus determining a decrease in its electrical conductivity value. These experimental results have also been corroborated by theoretical calculations using the study of the morphology of the density of states and 3D orbital isodensities, which determine that conductivity is mostly produced through the Cu-I skeleton and is less efficient in the case of the chloro derivative compound. A fast and efficient bottom-up approach based on the self-assembly of the initial building blocks and the low solutibility of these CPs has proved very useful for the production of nanostructures.

A PEG/copper(i) halide cluster as an eco-friendly catalytic system for C-N bond formation

The catalytic activities of eight copper(i) halide clusters assembled from copper(i) halide and ferrocenyltelluroethers, 1-8, were investigated in C-N formation under various conditions. A catalytic procedure using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-400) as a greener alternative organic solvent has been developed. The PEG-400/5 system can achieve 99% targeted yield with a mild reaction temperature and short reaction time. After the isolation of the products by extraction with diethyl ether, this PEG-400/cluster system could be easily recycled. Spectroscopic studies elucidate a stepwise mechanism: firstly, proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) involving the transfer of an electron from Cu+ and a proton from imidazole results in the formation of a labile penta-coordinated Cu2+ and aryl radical; the following effective electron transfer from the ferrocene unit reduces Cu2+ and forms the target product; finally, the ferrocenium unit is reduced by the I- anion. The merits of this eco-friendly synthesis are the efficient utilization of reagents and easy recyclability.

Precursor-mediated synthesis of Cu2−xSe nanoparticles and their composites with TiO2 for improved photocatalysis

Simple, but effective. Successful isolation and characterization of an intermediate during the reaction of ^tBu₂Se with Cu(TFA)₂ establishes the route for the formation of copper selenide NPs and Cu_2−xSe–TiO₂ composites as active photocatalysts.

Cu(i) coordination polymers (CPs) as tandem catalysts for three-component sequential click/alkynylation cycloaddition reaction with regiocontrol

Two synthesized Cu(i)-based CPs could catalyze the three-component sequential click/alkynylation cycloaddition reaction with high regioselectivity.

Partial in Situ Reduction of Copper(II) Resulting in One-Pot Formation of 2D Neutral and 3D Cationic Copper(I) Iodide-Pyrazine Coordination Polymers: Structure and Emissive Properties

On the way to copper(I) iodide coordination polymers with specific luminescent properties, the in situ reduction of Cu(II) in the presence of KI and bidentate N-heteroatomic ligand, either pyrazine (pyz) or 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy), resulted in one two-dimensional and two three-dimensional new coordination networks. Starting from Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O in the presence of pyz, successive precipitation of known yellow [(Cu^II)₂(pyz)]_n, new orange [Cu^II(pyz)]_n, and new dark blue {[Cu^I(pyz)₂]·I₅}_n polymeric solids was observed. Starting from the same salt in the presence of bpy resulted in the successive precipitation of known yellow [(Cu^II)₂(bpy)]_n and new brown {[Cu^II(NO₃)(bpy)₂]·I₃·(dmf·H₂O)}_n coordination polymers. By using either Cu(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O or Cu(BF₄)₂ as starting materials, both known forms, yellow [(Cu^II)₂(bpy)]_n and orange [Cu^II(bpy)]_n, precipitated successively. The new solids were characterized by IR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. [Cu^II(pyz)]_n represents the missing member in the row of two-dimensional coordination networks with general formula [Cu^IX(pyz)]_n (X = Cl, Br, I). Its steady state and time-resolved characterization together with DFT and TDDFT calculations revealed that the emission at room temperature is mainly delayed fluorescence originating from mixed singlet metal-to-ligand charge transfer and halide-to-ligand charge transfer states, while that at 77 K is phosphorescence, associated with the small singlet-triplet energy differences (ΔE = 70 meV).