A dual-functional 2D coordination polymer exhibiting photomechanical and electrically conductive behaviours

A photoactive two-dimensional coordination polymer (2D CP) [Zn2(4-spy)2(bdc)2]n (1) [4-spy = 4-styrylpyridine and H2bdc = 1,4-benzendicarboxylic acid] undergoes a photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction upon UV irradiation. Interestingly, the crystals of 1 show different photomechanical effects, such as jumping, swelling, and splitting, during UV irradiation. In addition, the CP was employed for conductivity measurements before and after UV irradiation via current density-voltage characteristics and impedance spectroscopy, which suggest that they are semiconducting in nature and can be used as Schottky diodes. Thus, this work demonstrates the potential dual applications of a 2D CP based on photosalient and conductivity properties.

Coordination polymers: a promising candidate for photo-responsive electronic device application

The design and synthesis of electrically conductive coordination polymers (CPs) are of special interest due to their applications in the fabrication of many environmentally benign emerging technologies, such as molecular wires, photovoltaic cells, light emitting diodes (LEDs), field effect transistors (FETs) and Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs). Owing to their structural flexibility, easy functionality and adjustable energy levels, CPs are promising candidates for providing a better pathway for superior charge transport. Again, the utilization of visible light as an external stimulus to control and manoeuvre the electrical properties of the CPs is exceptionally motivating for the development of many optoelectronic devices, such as photodetectors, photo-switches, photodiodes and chemiresistive sensors. The applications of such materials in devices will solve questions regarding the energy crisis and environmental concerns. This study provides an overview of the recent advances in the development of photo-responsive CPs and the possibility of their application in developing optoelectronic devices. In this regard, a thorough literature survey was performed and the studies related to the fabrication of photosensitive conducting CPs for applications in optoelectronic devices are listed.

Janus-Type Mixed-Valent Copper-Cyanido Honeycomb Layers

The synthesis of Janus-type layers, which possess front and back sides that consist of different structures, remains a major challenge in the field of two-dimensional materials. In this study, two Janus-type layered coordination polymers, namely, CuII(NEtH2)(NMe2H·H2O)CuI(CN)3 (1) and CuII(NMe2H)(NMe2H·H2O)CuI(CN)3 (2), were synthesized via a simple one-pot procedure using copper(II) nitrate and sodium cyanido in mixed solutions of dimethylamine and ethylamine. Uniquely, 1 and 2 were composed of cyanido-bridged neutral layers and exhibited a CuICuII mixed-valent state. Meanwhile, using a solution of pure dimethylamine for the synthesis yielded the monovalent three-dimensional framework (NMe2H2)[CuI2(CN)3] (3). Results indicated that the simultaneous use of two mixed amines gave rise to the controlled reduction of CuII ions during the reaction. In addition, each face of the layers was coordinated by different amines on the axial positions of the CuII sites, resulting in anisotropic Janus layers. Furthermore, the thermal expansion behavior of 2 was investigated, demonstrating that the neutral [CuICuII(CN)3] layer was relatively rigid compared with the analogous anionic [CuI2(CN)3]- layer.

Cu(II)-Based Molecular Hexagons Forming Honeycomb-like Networks Exhibit High Electrical Conductivity

Four new Cu(II)-based hexagonal complexes with the metallomacrocycle formulae [Cu₆(5-nip)₆(3-py)₆(H₂O)₁₂] (1), [Cu₆(5-nip)₆(3-Clpy)₆(H₂O)₁₂] (2), [Cu₆(5-nip)₆(3-Brpy)₆(H₂O)₁₂] (3), and [Cu₆(5-nip)₆(3-Ipy)₆(H₂O)₁₂] (4) have been synthesized using 5-nitroisophthalic acid (H₂5-nip) and pyridine (py)/3-halopyridine (3-Xpy; X = Cl, Br, and I) ligands. The structural features and supramolecular interactions of compounds 1-4 have been investigated using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) technique. Interestingly, the hexagonal complexes undergo hydrogen bonding and π···π stacking interactions to form fascinating two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb-like structures. The synthesized complexes exhibit high electrical conductivity, arising from charge transport through space via π···π contacts. However, complexes containing 3-Brpy (3) and 3-Ipy (4) exhibit photosensitivity due to the presence of halogens with a larger size and lower ionization energy. The conductivity results are also in accordance with the theoretical prediction calculated by density functional theory (DFT) study.

One-pot crystallization of two 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate-based tetranuclear Cu(ii) compounds and their DNA binding affinities

Two new tetranuclear Cu(ii) compounds have been synthesized using flexible linker 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid in an one-pot crystallization which exhibit dissimilar affinities to DNA binding.

Exploration of semiconducting properties of Zn(ii)- and Cd(ii)-based coordination polymers with dicarboxylate of a chair-type backbone

This study highlights the comparison of electrical properties and device applications of d10 metal ion based coordination polymers.

Electrically conductive Cu(II)-based 1D coordination polymer with theoretical insight

A nitro-functionalized Cu(ii)-based one-dimensional coordination polymer (1D CP) [Cu(nip)(4-phpy)2]n (1) (H2nip = 5-nitroisophthalic acid and 4-phpy = 4-phenylpyridine) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). In the solid-state self-assembly of 1, two sets of weak intermolecular forces, CHπ interaction among the axially bound 4-phpy ligands and ππ interaction among bridging nip ligands from adjacent 1D coordination polymeric chains led to 3D supramolecular packing. Interestingly compound 1 exhibited electrical conductivity in the semiconducting regime and behaved as a Schottky barrier diode.

Planarity does not always mean higher aromaticity - Intriguing metalloaromaticity of three Al13+ isomers

A pair of Al₁₃⁺ clusters, one perfectly planar (CI) and another quasi-planar structure (CII) have been reported recently by our group [Guin et al. Journal of Molecular Modeling, 2018, 24, 344]. Both these clusters are rare examples of metal-aromatic systems having unique aromatic character. In these clusters, localized strong anti-aromatic deltas are embedded within a strong aromatic sea. The quasi-planar CII structure is a true minimum structure with zero imaginary frequency, but the planar CI structure has been found to have three imaginary frequencies. Further search for a possible transition structure (CT) with single imaginary frequency was successful, which shows that CT structure is also quasi-planar but the tail region of this cluster is puckered downward as compared to that of the CII cluster for which tail region is puckered upward. A comparative electronic structural analysis of these three clusters have been carried out which has provided insight into the way the transformation among the three states take place. Harmonic frequency analysis of these clusters reveals that transition from CT to CII occurs through the planar cluster CI that appears to have an intermediate geometry between the downwardly puckered CT and the upwardly puckered CII. A comparative NICS, ELF, AIM and LOL analysis of all three clusters reveal that the global aromatic nature increases in the sequence CT, CI, CII. A TDDFT study reveals that the oscillator strength of both CT and CII cluster is quite close to each other, which are one order of magnitude higher than the planar CI cluster.

Synthesis of an electrically conductive square planar copper(ii) complex and its utilization in the fabrication of a photosensitive Schottky diode device and DFT study

A naphthalene based square planar copper(ii) complex shows significant C–H⋯π interactions to form a supramolecular chain structure. The complex shows efficient charge transport and reveals Schottky barrier diode behavior.

Designing of Pb(II)-Based Novel Coordination Polymers (CPs): Structural Elucidation and Optoelectronic Application

[Pb₂(bdc)_1.5(aiz)] _n (1) and [Pb₂(bdc)_1.5(aiz)(MeOH)₂] _n (2) (H₂bdc = 1,4-benzene dicarboxylic acid, aiz = (E)-N'-(thiophen-2-ylmethylene)isonicotinohydrazide) have been synthesized, and structural characterization has been established by X-ray analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Here, bdc^2- links two Pb(II) centers and the aiz ligand binds the metal centers in two different manners: chelating and monodonating. Thus, polymerizations have taken place from the combination of mixed ligand system. Optical band gaps have been studied via UV measurements. Again, the experimental and calculated (from density functional theory (DFT)) band gaps agree well and the semiconducting properties of synthesized polymeric materials have been approved. Thus, optoelectronic and photonic devices can be made by this type of coordination polymers (CPs). The I-V representative curves of 1 (device-A) and 2 (device-B) in both dark and illuminated conditions show that device-A has a higher magnitude of current than device-B. Dark- and photo-conductivity values of device-A are calculated as 2.94 × 10^-6 and 6.12 × 10^-6 S m^-1, respectively, whereas for device-B, the values of dark- and photo-conductivity are 2.92 × 10^-7 and 3.66 × 10^-7 S m^-1, respectively, at room temperature.

Synthesis of a Zn(ii)-based 1D zigzag coordination polymer for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices with remarkably high photosensitivity

This study presents the fabrication of a novel Zn(ii)-based 1D zigzag coordination polymer, which shows remarkably high photosensitivity and has the potential to be used in photoswitching devices and solar cells.

Two zinc(ii)-based coordination polymers with flexible dicarboxylate and pyridine mixed ligands: effect of π⋯π interactions on electrical activity

We synthesized two Zn(ii)-based 1D coordination polymers with paddle-wheel units using flexible 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate linkers; these compounds exhibited electrical conductivity and Schottky barrier diode behavior.

An acetylenedicarboxylato-bridged Mn(ii)-based 1D coordination polymer: electrochemical CO2 reduction and magnetic properties

A Mn(ii)-based 1D coordination polymer, [Mn(adc)(4-phpy)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, (H₂adc = acetylenedicarboxylic acid and 4-phpy = 4-phenylpyridine) showed dual properties: electrochemical CO₂ reduction and anti-ferromagnetism.