Polynuclear carbon-rich organometallic complexes: clarification of the role of the bridging ligand in the redox properties.

International audienceIn this Perspective, we highlight the non-innocent behaviour of the bridging ligand in organometallic polynuclear metallic complexes displaying metal-carbon σ bonds between the metallic units and a strongly coupled conjugated carbon-rich bridging ligand. With the help of representative experimental and theoretical studies on polymetallic systems, but also on monometallic complexes, we point out that the level of implication of the carbon rich ligand in the redox processes is very sensitive to the nature of (i) the metal(s), (ii) the ancillary ligands and (iii) the carbon-rich ligand itself, and that this participation is frequently found to be major. Consequently, the general denomination M((n + 1)) that is usually used for oxidized species gives the picture that only the metal density is affected, which is misleading. Moreover, for polymetallic species, these elements make the mixed valence denomination and the use of standard methodologies to rationalize intramolecular electron transfer, such as the Hush model inaccurate. Indeed, these theoretical treatments of mixed-valent complexes have at their core the assumption of metal-based redox state changes. Quantum mechanical calculations, coupled with spectroscopic methods, such as EPR spectroscopy, turn out to be a valuable suite of tools to both identify and better describe those systems with appreciable ligand redox non-innocent character. Finally, some examples and perspectives of applications for this carbon-rich type of complexes that take advantage of their peculiar electronic structure are presented

Photo-modulable Molecular Transport Junctions based on Organometallic Molecular Wires

International audiencePhoto-modulable molecular transport junctions are developed via on-wire lithography-fabricated nanogaps functionalized with a dithienylethene unit bearing two ruthenium fragments. A reversible and repeatable bi-state conductive switching upon alternate irradiation of UV and visible light can be distinctly observed. Theoretical calculations further suggest that bi-directional isomerization is due to the ruthenium moieties that modulate judiciously the electronic coupling between the photochromic part and the metal electrodes, and that the differences in electronic structure between the two isomers (open and closed states) are responsible for conductivity switching

Probing the Local Magnetic Structure of the [FeIII(Tp)(CN)3]- Building Block Via Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy, Polarized Neutron Diffraction, and First-Principle Calculations

International audienceThe local magnetic structure in the [Fe (Tp)(CN) ] building block was investigated by combining paramagnetic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (pNMR) spectroscopy and polarized neutron diffraction (PND) with first-principle calculations. The use of the pNMR and PND experimental techniques revealed the extension of spin-density from the metal to the ligands, as well as the different spin mechanisms that take place in the cyanido ligands Spin-polarization on the carbon atoms and spin-delocalization on the nitrogen atoms. The results of our combined density functional theory (DFT) and multireference calculations were found in good agreement with the PND results and the experimental NMR chemical shifts. Moreover, the ab-initio calculations allowed us to connect the experimental spin-density map characterized by PND and the suggested distribution of the spin-density on the ligands observed by NMR spectroscopy. Interestingly, significant differences were observed between the pseudo-contact contributions of the chemical shifts obtained by theoretical calculations and the values derived from NMR spectroscopy using a simple point-dipole model. These discrepancies underline the limitation of the point-dipole model and the need for more elaborate approaches to break down the experimental pNMR chemical shifts into contact and pseudo-contact contributions

Synthesis, photophysics and molecular structures of luminescent 2,5-bis(phenylethynyl)thiophenes (BPETs)

International audienceThe Sonogashira cross-coupling of two equivalents of para-substituted ethynylbenzenes with 2,5-diiodothiophene provides a simple synthetic route for the preparation of 2,5-bis(para-R-phenylethynyl)thiophenes (R = H, Me, OMe, CF3, NMe2, NO2, CN and CO2Me) (1a-h). Likewise, 2,5-bis(pentafluorophenylethynyl)thiophene (2) was prepared by the coupling of 2,5-diiodothiophene with pentafluorophenylacetylene. All compounds were characterised by NMR, IR, Raman and mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and their absorption and emission spectra, quantum yields and lifetimes were also measured. The spectroscopic studies of 1a-h and 2 show that both electron donating and electron withdrawing para-subsituents on the phenyl rings shift the absorption and emission maxima to lower energies, but that acceptors are more efficient in this regard. The short singlet lifetimes and modest fluorescence quantum yields (ca. 0.2-0.3) observed are characteristic of rapid intersystem crossing. The single-crystal structures of 2,5-bis(phenylethynyl)thiophene, 2,5-bis(para-carbomethoxyphenylethynyl)thiophene, 2,5-bis(para-methylphenylethynyl)thiophene and 2,5-bis(pentafluorophenylethynyl)thiophene were determined by X-ray diffraction at 120 K. DFT calculations show that the all-planar form of the compounds is the lowest in energy, although rotation of the phenyl groups about the C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bond is facile and TD-DFT calculations suggest that, similar to 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene analogues, the absorption spectra in solution arise from a variety of rotational conformations. Frequency calculations confirm the assignments of the compounds' IR and Raman spectra

Molecular switches in carbon-rich organometallic compounds: Theoretical aspects.

International audienceOrganometallic complexes assocd. with an appropriate choice of ancillary ligands reveal to have a wide range of phys. properties leading to promising applications when incorporated in nano-size devices. The challenge is to design innovative multifunctional compds. based on redox active carbon-rich organometallics assocd. with spin carriers and/or photochromic units. A multidisciplinary approach in this area has proved to be efficient in a series a systems combining carbon-rich bridging ligands and redox metallic moieties. In this domain, the role of theor. investigations based on quantum mechanics tools have a crucial role in rationalizing and in helping designing systems possessing target properties. (c) 2015 American Institute of Physics