DFT/TD-DFT Framework of Mixed-Metal Complexes with Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Bridging Ligands—Step-By-Step Investigations: Mononuclear, Dinuclear Homometallic, and Heterometallic for Optoelectronic Applications

Recently, mono- and dinuclear complexes have been in the interest of scientists due to their potential application in optoelectronics. Herein, progressive theoretical investigations starting from mononuclear followed by homo- and heterometallic dinuclear osmium and/or ruthenium complexes with NCN-cyclometalating bridging ligands substituted by one or two kinds of heteroaryl groups (pyrazol-1-yl and 4-(2,2-dimethylpropyloxy)pyrid-2-yl) providing the short/long axial symmetry or asymmetry are presented. Step-by-step information about the particular part that built the mixed-metal complexes is crucial to understanding their behavior and checking the necessity of their eventual studies. Evaluation by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations allowed gaining information about the frontier orbitals, energy gaps, and physical parameters of complexes and their oxidized forms. Through time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT), calculations showed the optical properties, with a particular emphasis on the nature of low-energy bands. The presented results are a clear indication for other scientists in the field of chemistry and materials science.

Synthesis of a Hexameric Magnesium 4-pyridyl Complex with Cyclohexane-like Ring Structure via Reductive C-N Activation

The reaction of [{(Arnacnac)Mg}2] (Arnacnac = HC{MeC(NAr)}2, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, Dip, or 2,6-diethylphenyl, Dep) with 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) at elevated temperatures afforded the hexameric magnesium 4-pyridyl complex [{(Arnacnac)Mg(4-C5H4N)}6] via reductive cleavage of the DMAP C-N bond. The title compound contains a large s-block organometallic cyclohexane-like ring structure comprising tetrahedral (Arnacnac)Mg nodes and linked by linear 4-pyridyl bridging ligands, and the structure is compared with other ring systems. [(Dipnacnac)Mg(DMAP)(NMe2)] was structurally characterised as a by-product.

Photoactivable Ruthenium-Based Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles for Light-Induced Chemotherapy

Green light photoactive Ru-based coordination polymer nanoparticles (CPNs), with chemical formula [[Ru(biqbpy)]1.5(bis)](PF6)3 (biqbpy = 6,6′-bis[N-(isoquinolyl)-1-amino]-2,2′-bipyridine; bis = bis(imidazol-1-yl)-hexane), were obtained through polymerization of the trans-[Ru(biqbpy)(dmso)Cl]Cl complex (Complex 1) and bis bridging ligands. The as-synthesized CPNs (50 ± 12 nm diameter) showed high colloidal and chemical stability in physiological solutions. The axial bis(imidazole) ligands coordinated to the ruthenium center were photosubstituted by water upon light irradiation in aqueous medium to generate the aqueous substituted and active ruthenium complexes. The UV-Vis spectral variations observed for the suspension upon irradiation corroborated the photoactivation of the CPNs, while High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) of irradiated particles in physiological media allowed for the first time precisely quantifying the amount of photoreleased complex from the polymeric material. In vitro studies with A431 and A549 cancer cell lines revealed an 11-fold increased uptake for the nanoparticles compared to the monomeric complex [Ru(biqbpy)(N-methylimidazole)2](PF6)2 (Complex 2). After irradiation (520 nm, 39.3 J/cm2), the CPNs yielded up to a two-fold increase in cytotoxicity compared to the same CPNs kept in the dark, indicating a selective effect by light irradiation. Meanwhile, the absence of 1O2 production from both nanostructured and monomeric prodrugs concluded that light-induced cell death is not caused by a photodynamic effect but rather by photoactivated chemotherapy.

Pyrimidoquinxoalinophenanthroline opens next chapter in design of bridging ligands for artificial photosynthesis

Using a dehydrogenative chemistry on the complex approach, a new polypyridine bridging ligand that bridges the gap of already existing systems is synthesized. By the usage of versatile cross-coupling reactions two different coordination spheres are included in the ligand architecture. Due to the twisted geometry of the novel ditopic ligand, the resultant division of the ligand in two distinct subunits leads to steady state as well as excited state properties of the corresponding mononuclear Ru(II) polypyridine complex resembling those of prototype [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy = 2,2´-bipyridine). The localization of the initially optically excited and the nature of the long-lived excited states on the Ru-facing ligand spheres is evaluated by resonance Raman and fs-TA spectroscopy, respectively, and supported by DFT and TDDFT calculations. Coordination of a second metal (Zn or Rh) to the available bis-pyrimidyl-like coordination sphere strongly influences the frontier molecular orbitals apparent by e.g., luminescence quenching. Thus, the new bridging ligand motif offers electronic properties which can be adjusted by the nature of the second metal center. Using the heterodinuclear Ru-Rh complex, visible light-driven reduction of NAD+ to NADH was achieved, highlighting the potential of this system for photocatalytic applications.

A Family of Externally-Functionalised Coordination Cages

New synthetic routes are presented to derivatives of a (known) M8L12 cubic coordination cage in which a range of different substituents are attached at the C4 position of the pyridyl rings at either end of the bis(pyrazolyl-pyridine) bridging ligands. The substituents are (i) –CN groups (new ligand LCN), (ii) –CH2OCH2–CCH (containing a terminal alkyne) groups (new ligand LCC); and (iii) –(CH2OCH2)3CH2OMe (tri-ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether) groups (new ligand LPEG). The resulting functionalised ligands combine with M2+ ions (particularly Co2+, Ni2+, Cd2+) to give isostructural [M8L12]16+ cage cores bearing 24 external functional groups; the cages based on LCN (with M2+ = Cd2+) and LCC (with M2+ = Ni2+) have been crystallographically characterised. The value of these is twofold: (i) exterior nitrile or alkene substituents can provide a basis for further synthetic opportunities via ‘Click’ reactions allowing in principle a diverse range of functionalisation of the cage exterior surface; (ii) the exterior –(CH2OCH2)3CH2OMe groups substantially increase cage solubility in both water and in organic solvents, allowing binding constants of cavity-binding guests to be measured under an increased range of conditions.

Pyrimidoquinxoalinophenanthroline opens next chapter in design of bridging ligands for artificial photosynthesis

Using a dehydrogenative chemistry on the complex approach, a new polypyridine bridging ligand that bridges the gap of already existing systems is synthesized. By the usage of versatile cross-coupling reactions two different coordination spheres are included in the ligand architecture. Due to the twisted geometry of the novel ditopic ligand, the resultant division of the ligand in two distinct subunits leads to steady state as well as excited state properties of the corresponding mononuclear Ru(II) polypyridine complex resembling those of prototype [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy = 2,2´-bipyridine). The localization of the initially optically excited and the nature of the long-lived excited states on the Ru-facing ligand spheres is evaluated by resonance Raman and fs-TA spectroscopy, respectively, and supported by DFT and TDDFT calculations. Coordination of a second metal (Zn or Rh) to the available bis-pyrimidyl-like coordination sphere strongly influences the frontier molecular orbitals apparent by e.g., luminescence quenching. Thus, the new bridging ligand motif offers electronic properties which can be adjusted by the nature of the second metal center. Using the heterodinuclear Ru-Rh complex, visible light-driven reduction of NAD+ to NADH was achieved, highlighting the potential of this system for photocatalytic applications.