Structural and luminescence studies on pi...pi and Pt...Pt interactions in mixed chloro-isocyanide cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes

[Pt(bzq)Cl(CNR)] [bzq = benzoquinolinate; R = tert-butyl ((t)Bu 1), 2-6-dimethylphenyl (Xyl 2), 2-naphthyl (2-Np 3)] complexes have been synthesized and structurally and photophysically characterized. 1 was found to co-crystallize in two distinct pseudopolymorphs: a red form, which exhibits an infinite 1D-chain ([1](infinity)) and a yellow form, which contains discrete dimers ([1](2)), both stabilized by interplanar pi...pi (bzq) and short Pt...Pt bonding interactions. Complex 3, generated through the unexpected garnet-red double salt isomer [Pt(bzq)(CN-2-Np)(2)][Pt(bzq)Cl(2)] 4, crystallizes as yellow Pt...Pt dimers ([3](2)), while 2 only forms pi...pi (bzq) contacting dimers. Their electronic absorption and luminescence behaviors have been investigated. According to Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculations, the lowest-lying absorption (CH(2)Cl(2)) has been attributed to combined (1)ILCT and (1)MLCT/(1)ML'CT (L = bzq, L' = CNR) transitions, the latter increasing from 1 to 3. In solid state, while the yellow form [1](2) exhibits a green (3)MLCT unstructured emission only at 77 K, the 1-D form [1](infinity) displays a characteristic low-energy red emission (672 nm, 298 K; 744 nm, 77 K) attributed to a mixed (3)MMCT [d(sigma*)-->p(sigma)]/(3)MMLCT [dsigma*(M(2))-->sigma(pi*)(bzq)] excited state. However, upon exposure to standard atmospheric conditions, [1](infinity) shows an irreversible change to an orange-ochre solid, whose emissive properties are similar to those of the crude 1. Complexes 2 and 3 (77 K) exhibit a structured emission from discrete fragments ((3)LC/(3)MLCT), whereas the luminescence of the garnet-red salt 4 is dominated by a low energy emission (680 nm, 298 K; 730 nm, 77 K) arising from a (3)MMLCT excited state. Solvent (CH(2)Cl(2), toluene, 2-MeTHF and CH(3)CN) and concentration-dependent emission studies at 298 K and at 77 K are also reported for 1-3. In CH(2)Cl(2) solution, the low phosphorescent emission band is ascribed to bzq intraligand charge transfer (3)ILCT mixed with metal-to-ligand (L = bzq, L' = CNR) charge transfer (3)MLCT/(3)ML'CT character with the Pt to CNR contribution increasing from 1 to 3, according to computational studies.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Photophysical Properties of Palladium and Platinum(II) Complexes Containing 7,8-Benzoquinolinate and Various Phosphine Ligands

A series of mononuclear cyclometalated benzo[h]quinolinate platinum and palladium(II) complexes with phosphine ligands, namely, [M(bzq)ClL] (L=PPh2H, Pt 1, Pd 2; PPh2CCPh, Pt 3, Pd 4), [Pt(bzq)(PPh2H)(PPh2CCPh)]ClO4 5, [Pt(bzq)(PPh2C(Ph)=C(H)PPh2)]ClO4 6, and [Pt(bzq)(CCPh)(PPh2CCPh)] (7a, 7b), were synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of 1, 6.CH3COCH3.1/2CH3(CH2)4CH3, and 7b.CH3COCH3 have been determined. In 1, the metalated carbon atom and the P atom are mutually cis, whereas in 7b they are trans located. For complex 6, C and N are crystallographically indistinguishable. Reaction of [Pt(bzq)(mu-Cl)]2 with PPh2H and excess of NEt3 leads to the phosphide-bridge platinum dimer [Pt(bzq)(mu-PPh2)]2 8 (X-ray). Moderate pi-pi intermolecular interactions and no evident Pt-Pt interactions are found in 1, 7b, and in 8. All of the complexes exhibit absorption bands at high energy due to the intraligand transitions (1IL pi --> pi) and absorptions at lower energy which are attributed to MLCT (5d) pi --> pi (CLambdaN) transition. Platinum complexes show strong luminescence in both solid state and frozen solutions. The influence of the coligands on the photophysics of the platinum complexes has been examined by absorption and emission spectroscopy.

Homo- and Heteropolynuclear Platinum Complexes Stabilized by Dimethylpyrazolato and Alkynyl Bridging Ligands: Synthesis, Structures, and Luminescence

This work describes the synthesis of cis-[Pt(C[triple bond]CPh)2(Hdmpz)2] (1) and its use as a precursor for the preparation of homo- and heteropolynuclear complexes. Double deprotonation of compound 1 with readily available M(I) (M = Cu, Ag, Au) or M(II) (M = Pd, Pt) species affords the discrete hexanuclear clusters [{PtM2(mu-C[triple bond]CPh)2(mu-dmpz)(2)}(2)] [M = Cu (2), Ag (3), Au (4)], in which both "Pt(C[triple bond]CPh)2(dmpz)(2)" fragments are connected by four d(10) metal centers, and are stabilized by alkynyl and dimethylpyrazolate bridging ligands, or the trinuclear complexes [Pt(mu-C[triple bond]CPh)2(mu-dmpz)(2){M(C/\P)}2] (M = Pd (5), Pt (6); C/\P = CH(2)-C(6)H(4)-P(o-tolyl)2-kappaC,P), respectively. The X-ray structures of complexes 1-4 and 6 are reported. The X-ray structure of the platinum-copper derivative 2 shows that all copper centers exhibit similar local geometry being linearly coordinated to a nitrogen atom and eta(2) to one alkynyl fragment. However in the related platinum-silver (3) and platinum-gold (4) derivatives the silver and gold atoms present three different coordination environments. The complexes have been studied by absorption and emission spectroscopy. The hexanuclear complexes exhibit bright luminescence in the solid state and in fluid solution (except 4 in the solid state at 298 K). Dual long-lived emission is observed, being clearly resolved in low-temperature rigid media. The low-energy emission is ascribed to MLM'CT Pt(d)/pi(C[triple bond]CPh)-->Pt(p(z))/M'(sp)/pi*(C[triple bond]CPh) modified by metal-metal interactions whereas the high-energy emission is tentatively attributed to an emissive state derived from dimethylpyrazolate-to-metal (d(10)) LM'CT transitions pi(dmpz)-->M'(d(10)).

Influence of Solvent and Weak C−H···O Contacts in the Self-Assembled [Pt2M4{C⋮C(3-OMe)C6H4}8] (M = Cu, Ag) Clusters and Their Role in the Luminescence Behavior

New alkynyl complexes [Pt2M4{CC(3-OMe)C6H4}8] (M = Ag 1, Cu 2) have been synthesized and their structures and properties compared to those of related [Pt2M4(CCPh)8] compounds. For the Pt-Ag derivatives, the X-ray structures of the discrete yellow solvate monomer, [Pt2Ag4{CC(3-OMe)C6H4}8].2THF ([1.2THF]), and the dark garnet unsolvated polymeric form, [Pt2Ag4{CC(3-OMe)C6H4}8](infinity) ([1](infinity)), are presented. The yellow form ([1.2THF]) exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry of the metal centers with the platinum atoms mutually trans and the four silver atoms in the equatorial plane. Pairs of Ag atoms are weakly bridged by THF molecules [mu-Ag2...O(THF)]. The garnet form ([1](infinity)) has an unprecedented infinite stacked chain of octahedral clusters linked by short Pt...Pt bonds (3.1458(8) A). In both forms, different types of weak C-H...O (OMe) hydrogen bonds are observed. For comparative purposes, we have also provided the crystal structures of the yellow monomer form, [Pt2Ag4-(CCPh)8].CHCl3, and the red dimer form, [Pt2Ag4(CCPh)8]2 (Pt-Pt 3.221(2) A). These clusters display intense photoluminescence in both solution and the solid state, at room temperature and 77 K. The emission observed for the yellow form [1.2THF] in the solid state is assigned to a 3MLM'CT [Pt(d)/pi(CCR) --> Pt(p(z))/Ag(sp)/pi(CCR)] state modified by Pt...Ag, Ag...Ag, and Ag...(THF) contacts. However, in the garnet form [1](infinity) and in 2, the emissions are related to the axial Pt-Pt bonds and are assigned as phosphorescence from a metal-metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MMLCT) excited state ([1](infinity)), or an admixture of a metal-metal (Pt-Pt) centered 3(dsigmap(z)sigma) and 3MMLCT excited state (2). For 1, a remarkable quenching and a shift to higher energies in the emission is observed on changing from CH2Cl2 to THF, and for both 1 and 2, the emission spectra at 77 K varies with the concentration, showing their tendency to stack even in glass.

Cross-species amplification of Medicago truncatula microsatellites across three major pulse crops

Model plants are facilitating the genetic characterization and comparative mapping of a number of traditional crops. Medicago truncatula has been widely accepted as a model plant to this end as it provides the essential tools for multiple aspects of legume genetics and genomics. A large set of markers from highly conserved M. truncatula gene regions is being created and used to establish a worldwide framework for comparative genomic studies in legumes. We have investigated the potential for cross-species amplification of 209 expressed sequence tag (EST)-based and 33 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based microsatellites from M. truncatula in the three most important European legume pulses-pea, faba bean and chickpea-that might facilitate future comparative mapping. Our results revealed significant transferability of M. truncatula microsatellites to the three pulses (40% in faba bean, 36.3% in chickpea and 37.6% in pea). The percentage of M. truncatula EST-SSRs (simple sequence repeats) amplified in the three crops (39-43%) was twofold higher than that of the genomic SSRs (21-24%). Sequence analysis determined that the level of conservation in the microsatellite motif was very low, while the flanking regions were generally well conserved. The variations in the sequences were mainly due to changes in the number of repeat motifs in the microsatellite region combined with indel and base substitutions. None of the functional microsatellites showed direct polymorphism among the parental genotypes tested, consequently preventing their immediate use for mapping purposes.

Tri-[Pt2Tl]3- and Polynuclear Chain [Pt−Tl]∞- Complexes Based on Nonbridged PtII−TlI Bonds: Solid State and Frozen Solution Photophysical Properties

Treatment of (NBu4)2[PtR4] (R = C6F5) with 1 or 0.5 equiv of TlNO3 in EtOH/H(2)O produces colorless crystals of trinuclear complex (NBu4)3[Tl{PtR4}2], 1, in which the Tl+ center is complexed by two [PtR4]2- fragments (Pt-Tl = 2.9777(4) and 3.0434(4) A). The expected mixed complex with a Pt/Tl composition of 1:1, 2, is generated as an orange microcrystalline solid by treating [PtR4]2- with a large excess of TlNO3 (approximately 8 equiv). Crystallographic analysis of 2 reveals the formation of a novel one-dimensional (1D) heterometallic linear chain (NBu4)(infinity)[Tl{PtR4}](infinity), 2, formed by alternating a [PtR4]2- fragment and a Tl+ center with a uniform Pt-Tl bond separation along the chain of 3.0321(2) A. Surprisingly, treatment of (NBu4)2[PtR4] with 1 equiv of TlPF6 in EtOH yields pale greenish-yellow needles of an unusual adduct, 2.{(NBu4)(PF6)}(infinity) (3), which was found to form a similar extended linear chain, {TlPtR4}(infinity), constructed by two alternating Pt-Tl separations, a shorter (3.1028(6) A) one and a longer (3.2306(6) A) one. The solid state and solution photophysical properties have been examined. While complex 1 shows a high-energy MM'CT blue phosphorescence (450 nm), the extended chain in 2 exhibits a lower-energy emission (582 nm) than that in adduct 3 (505 nm). For products 2 and 3, interesting luminescence thermochromism is observed in frozen solutions. The emissions are found to be strongly dependent on the solvent, concentration, and excitation wavelength.

An Extended Chain and Trinuclear Complexes Based on Pt(II)-M (M = Tl(I), Pb(II)) Bonds: Contrasting Photophysical Behavior

The syntheses and structural characterizations of a Pt-Tl chain [{Pt(bzq)(C6F5)2}Tl(Me2CO)]n 1 and two trinuclear Pt2M clusters (NBu4)[{Pt(bzq)(C6F5)2}2Tl] 2 and [{Pt(bzq)(C6F5)2}2Pb] 3 (bzq = 7,8-benzoquinolinyl), stabilized by donor-acceptor Pt → M bonds, are reported. The one-dimensional heterometallic chain 1 is formed by alternate "Pt(bzq)(C6F5)2" and "Tl(Me2CO)" fragments, with Pt-Tl bond separations in the range of 2.961(1)-3.067(1) Å. The isoelectronic trinuclear complexes 2 (which crystallizes in three forms, namely, 2a, 2b, and 2c) and 3 present a sandwich structure in which the Tl(I) or Pb(II) is located between two "Pt(bzq)(C6F5)2" subunits. NMR studies suggest equilibria in solution implying cleavage and reformation of Pt-M bonds. The lowest-lying absorption band in the UV-vis spectra in CH2Cl2 and tetrahydrofuran (THF) of 1, associated with (1)MLCT/(1)L'LCT (1)[5dπ(Pt) → π*(bzq)]/(1)[(C6F5) → bzq], displays a blue shift in relation to the precursor, suggesting the cleavage of the chain maintaining bimetallic Pt-Tl fragments in solution, also supported by NMR spectroscopy. In 2 and 3, it shows a blue shift in THF and a red shift in CH2Cl2, supporting a more extensive cleavage of the Pt-M bonds in THF solutions than in CH2Cl2, where the trinuclear entities are predominant. The Pt-Tl chain 1 displays in solid state a bright orange-red emission ascribed to (3)MM'CT (M' = Tl). It exhibits remarkable and fast reversible vapochromic and vapoluminescent response to donor vapors (THF and Et2O), related to the coordination/decoordination of the guest molecule to the Tl(I) ion, and mechanochromic behavior, associated with the shortening of the intermetallic Pt-Tl separations in the chain induced by grinding. In frozen solutions (THF, acetone, and CH2Cl2) 1 shows interesting luminescence thermochromism with emissions strongly dependent on the solvent, concentration, and excitation wavelengths. The Pt2Tl complex 2 shows an emission close to 1, ascribed to charge transfer from the platinum fragment to the thallium [(3)(L+L')MM'CT]. 2 also shows vapoluminescent behavior in the presence of vapors of Me2CO, THF, and Et2O, although smaller and slower than those of 1. The trinuclear neutral complex Pt2Pb 3 displays a blue-shift emission band, tentatively assigned to admixture of (3)MM'CT (3)[Pt(d) → Pb(sp)] with some metal-mediated intraligand ((3)ππ/(3)ILCT) contribution. In contrast to 1 and 2, 3 does not show vapoluminescent behavior.

Selection of housekeeping genes for normalization by real-time RT-PCR: analysis of Or-MYB1 gene expression in Orobanche ramosa development

Real-time PCR has become the method of choice for accurate and in-depth expression studies of candidate genes. To avoid bias, real-time PCR is referred to one or several internal control genes that should not fluctuate among treatments. A need for reference genes in the parasitic plant Orobanche ramosa has emerged, and the studies in this area have not yet been evaluated. In this study, the genes 18S rRNA, Or-act1, Or-tub1, and Or-ubq1 were compared in terms of expression stability using the BestKeeper software program. Among the four common endogenous control genes, Or-act1 and Or-ubq1 were the most stable in O. ramosa samples. In parallel, a study was carried out studying the expression of the transcription factor Or-MYB1 that seemed to be implicated during preinfection stages. The normalization strategy presented here is a prerequisite to accurate real-time PCR expression profiling that, among other things, opens up the possibility of studying messenger RNA levels of low-copy-number-like transcription factors.

Luminescent alkynyl platinum-cadmium complexes: structural characterization of an unusual decanuclear cluster

The reaction of (NBu(4))(2)[Pt(C triple bond CPh)(4)] with Cd(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O in a 1:1 molar ratio yields a white solid [PtCd(C triple bond CPh)(4)](n) 1 (75% yield) together with yellow crystals of a very unusual decanuclear platinum-cadmium cluster [Pt(4)Cd(6)(C triple bond CPh)(4)(mu-C triple bond CPh)(12)(mu(3)-OH)(4)] 2 in low yield. Slow diffusion of acetonic solutions of the starting materials under aerobic conditions only produces crystals of 2 which have been shown by an X-ray analysis to be composed of a big hexanuclear cation [Cd(6)(mu(3)-OH)(4)](8+) and four [Pt(C triple bond CPh)(4)](2-) anions, held together by Pt.Cd and pi.Cd acetylide interactions. On the other hand, treatment of the insoluble product 1 with 1 equiv of NBu(4)X yields tetranuclear mixed-metal soluble complexes (NBu(4))(2)[[Pt(mu-C triple bond CPh)(4)](2)(CdX)(2)] (X = Cl A, Br 3, CN 4), which contain two platinate fragments connected by two CdX units through Pt.Cd and mainly Cd.C(alpha) interactions. All complexes are strongly emissive in the solid state at room temperature.