Exploring Differences in Lanthanide Excited State Reactivity Using a Simple Example: The Photophysics of La and Ce Thenoyltrifluoroacetone Complexes

A series of four lanthanide thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) complexes consisting of two f0 (La3+ and Ce4+) and two f1 (Ce3+) complexes was examined using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. The wide range of spectroscopic techniques presented herein have enabled us to discern the nature of the excited states (charge transfer, CT vs ligand localized, LL) as well as construct a Jablonski diagram for detailing the excited state reactivity within the series of molecules. The wavelength and excitation power dependence for these series of complexes are the first direct verification for the presence of simultaneous competing, noninteracting CT and LL excited states. Additionally, a computational framework is described that can be used to support spectroscopic assignments as a guide for future studies. Finally, the relationship between the obtained photophysics and possible photochemical separation mechanisms is described.

An Orthogonal Synthetic Approach to Nonsymmetrical Bisazolyl 2,4,6-Trisubstituted Pyridines

A three-step synthetic route giving access to nonsymmetrical bisazolyl 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines with different substituents on the pyrazole, indazole, and pyridine heterocycles is described. From the readily available 4-bromo-2,6-difluoropyridine, both fluorine atoms allow for easy selective stepwise substitution, and the bromine atom provides easy access to additional functionalities through both Suzuki and Sonogashira Pd(0) cross-coupling reactions. These synthons represent optimal structures as building blocks in complexation and metalloorganic structures for the tuning of their chelating and photophysical properties.

Multifunctional DyIII Enantiomeric Pairs Showing Enhanced Photoluminescences and Third-Harmonic Generation Responses through the Coordination Role of Homochiral Tridentate N,N,N-Pincer Ligands

By utilizing Dy(hfac)₃(H₂O)₂ to react with enantiomerically pure tridentate N,N,N-pincer ligands, namely (-)/(+)-2,6-bis(4',5'-pinene-2'-pyridyl)pyridine (L_R and L_S), respectively, homochiral Dy^III enantiomeric pairs formulated as Dy(hfac)₃L_R/Dy(hfac)₃L_S (R-1/S-1) (hfac^- = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) were achieved and structurally characterized. Meanwhile, their magnetic, photoluminescent (PL), and chiroptical properties were probed. The PL test results indicate that the precursor Dy(hfac)₃(H₂O)₂ only shows very weak emission, while R-1 exhibits characteristic Dy^III f-f transition emission bands at room temperature. Furthermore, the nonlinear optical responses of Dy(hfac)₃(H₂O)₂, L_R/L_S, and R-1/S-1 were investigated in detail based on crystalline samples. The results reveal that L_R and L_S present the coexistence of second- and third-harmonic generation (SHG and THG) responses with more intense signals for SHG responses; and Dy(hfac)₃(H₂O)₂ merely displays weak THG responses, while R-1 and S-1 also only exhibit THG responses. However, the THG intensities of R-1 and S-1 are more than six times larger than that of Dy(hfac)₃(H₂O)₂ under the identical measurement conditions. These results demonstrate that introducing homochiral N,N,N-pincer ligands to replace two H₂O molecules of Dy(hfac)₃(H₂O)₂ results in significant improvements of both PL performances and THG responses of resultant R-1/S-1 enantiomers. R-1 and S-1 integrate PL, THG, and chiral optical activity in one molecule, suggesting their multifunctional merits. In particular, a convenient method is introduced to simultaneously test THG and SHG responses of molecular materials based on crystalline samples in this work.