Lanthanide Complexes that Respond to Changes in Cyanide Concentration in Water.

Cyanide ions are shown to interact with lanthanide complexes of phenacylDO3A derivatives in aqueous solution, giving rise to changes in the luminescence and NMR spectra. These changes are the consequence of cyanohydrin formation, which is favored by the coordination of the phenacyl carbonyl group to the lanthanide center. These complexes display minimal affinity for fluoride and can detect cyanide at concentrations less than 1 μm.

Spectroscopic and Crystal Field Consequences of Fluoride Binding by [Yb⋅DTMA] in Aqueous Solution.

Yb⋅DTMA forms a ternary complex with fluoride in aqueous solution by displacement of a bound solvent molecule from the lanthanide ion. [Yb⋅DTMA⋅F] and [Yb⋅DTMA⋅OH] are in slow exchange on the relevant NMR timescale (<2000 s), and profound differences are observed in their respective NMR and EPR spectra of these species. The observed differences can be explained by drastic modification of the ligand field states due to the fluoride binding.

Fluoride Binding and Crystal-Field Analysis of Lanthanide Complexes of Tetrapicolyl-Appended Cyclen.

Lanthanide complexes of tetrapicolyl cyclen displayed remarkably high affinities for fluoride (log K≈5) in water, and were shown to form 1:1 complexes. The behaviour of these systems can be rationalised by changes to the magnitude of the crystal-field parameter, B20 . However, such changes are not invariably accompanied by a change in sign of this parameter: for early lanthanides, the N8 donor set with a coordinated axial water molecule ensures that the magnetic anisotropy has the opposite sense to that observed in the analogous dehydrated lanthanide complexes.

Luminescence of a binuclear europium complex bearing a 4-nitrophenolate chromophore: a different way of seeing pH dependence.

A europium complex derived from NP-(DO3A)2 exhibits pH-dependent europium-centred luminescence following excitation of the nitrophenolate chromophore. Such behaviour is not observed with an analogous mononuclear complex, suggesting coordination of both lanthanide ions to the phenolate oxygen in the emissive species.

Electromagnetic susceptibility anisotropy and its importance for paramagnetic NMR and optical spectroscopy in lanthanide coordination chemistry.

The importance of the directional dependence of magnetic susceptibility in magnetic resonance and of electric susceptibility in the optical spectroscopy of lanthanide coordination complexes is assessed. A body of more reliable shift, relaxation and optical emission data is emerging for well-defined isostructural series of complexes, allowing detailed comparative analyses to be undertaken. Such work is highlighting the limitations of the current NMR shift and relaxation theories, as well as emphasising the absence of a compelling theoretical framework to explain optical emission phenomena.

Substituent effects on fluoride binding by lanthanide complexes of DOTA-tetraamides.

Fluoride binding by a series of europium and ytterbium complexes of DOTA-tetraamide ligands derived from primary, secondary and tertiary amides has been studied by NMR and luminescence spectroscopies. In all the systems studied, fluoride binding results in a change in the nature of the magnetic anisotropy at the metal centre from an easy axis, to an easy plane anisotropy. This results in reversal of the peaks in the NMR spectra, and in changes to the fine structure of the luminescence spectra.

Spectroscopic and Crystal Field Consequences of Fluoride Binding by [Yb⋅DTMA](3+) in Aqueous Solution.

Yb⋅DTMA forms a ternary complex with fluoride in aqueous solution by displacement of a bound solvent molecule from the lanthanide ion. [Yb⋅DTMA⋅F](2+) and [Yb⋅DTMA⋅OH2 ](3+) are in slow exchange on the relevant NMR timescale (<2000 s(-1) ), and profound differences are observed in their respective NMR and EPR spectra of these species. The observed differences can be explained by drastic modification of the ligand field states due to the fluoride binding.

Axial fluoride binding by lanthanide DTMA complexes alters the local crystal field, resulting in dramatic spectroscopic changes.

Addition of fluoride to aqueous solutions of lanthanide complexes of DTMA results in the formation of ternary complexes of the form [F·Ln·DTMA](2+) in which an axial solvent molecule is displaced by fluoride. [F·Ln·DTMA](2+) and [H2O·Ln·DTMA](3+) are in exchange on a timescale of around 1 s. Dramatic changes are observed in both the NMR and luminescence spectra of the complexes: these are consistent with a change in the nature of the magnetic anisotropy at the paramagnetic lanthanide centre, itself arising from a change in the local crystal field.

Ligation driven (19)F relaxation enhancement in self-assembled Ln(III) complexes.

Strong bidentate ligation between a fluorinated isophthalate and binuclear lanthanide-DO3A species yields a new class of (19)F NMR agent with very high nuclear relaxation rates at physiologically-relevant pH.

Nitrite-templated synthesis of lanthanide-containing [2]rotaxanes for anion sensing.

The first anion-templated synthesis of a lanthanide-containing interlocked molecule is demonstrated by utilizing a nitrite anion to template initial pseudorotaxane formation. Subsequent stoppering of the interpenetrated assembly allows for the preparation of a lanthanide-functionalized [2]rotaxane in high yield. Following removal of the nitrite anion template, the europium [2]rotaxane host is demonstrated to recognize and sense fluoride selectively.

Using remote substituents to control solution structure and anion binding in lanthanide complexes.

A study of the anion-binding properties of three structurally related lanthanide complexes, which all contain chemically identical anion-binding motifs, has revealed dramatic differences in their anion affinity. These arise as a consequence of changes in the substitution pattern on the periphery of the molecule, at a substantial distance from the binding pocket. Herein, we explore these remote substituent effects and explain the observed behaviour through discussion of the way in which remote substituents can influence and control the global structure of a molecule through their demands upon conformational space.

Anion sensing by solution- and surface-assembled osmium(II) bipyridyl rotaxanes.

We report the preparation of [2]rotaxanes containing an electrochemically and optically active osmium(II) bipyridyl macrocyclic component mechanically bonded with cationic pyridinium axles. Such interlocked host systems are demonstrated to recognise and sense anionic guest species as shown by (1)H NMR, luminescence and electrochemical studies. The rotaxanes can be surface assembled on to gold electrodes through anion templation under click copper(I)-catalysed Huisgen cycloaddition conditions to form rotaxane molecular films, which, after template removal, respond electrochemically and selectively to chloride.

Ternary self-assemblies in water: forming a pentanuclear ReLn4 assembly by association of binuclear lanthanide binding pockets with fac-Re(CO)3(dinicotinate)2Cl.

The self-assembly of higher order structures in water is realised by using the association of 1,3-biscarboxylates to binuclear meta-xylyl bridged DO3A complexes. Two dinicotinate binding sites are placed at a right-angle in a rhenium complex, which is shown to form a 1 : 2 complex with α,α'-bis(Eu·DO3A)-5-amino-m-xylene.

Lanthanide cation-templated synthesis of rotaxanes.

The first lanthanide cation-templated synthesis of an interlocked structure is demonstrated through an interpenetrated assembly between a pyridine N-oxide threading component coordinating to a lanthanide cation complexed within a macrocycle. Stoppering of the pseudo-rotaxane assembly allows for preparation of the [2]rotaxane.

Preparation and study of an f,f,f',f'' covalently linked tetranuclear hetero-trimetallic complex - a europium, terbium, dysprosium triad.

A heterotrimetallic tetranuclear lanthanide complex containing two dysprosium ions, a terbium ion and a europium ion has been prepared by coupling three kinetically stable complexes together using the Ugi reaction. The covalently linked trimetallic system exhibits luminescence from all the different lanthanide centres.

Self-assembly between dicarboxylate ions and binuclear europium complexes: moving to water-pH dependence and effects of buffers.

Binuclear lanthanide complexes consisting of two lanthanide binding domains in kinetically stable DO3A binding pockets linked by a 3-functionalized meta-xylyl bridge form stable 1:1 adducts with isophthalate and dinicotinate in water. The influence of buffer, pH and ligand structure on the binding of dinicotinate has been investigated.

Luminescence and upconversion from thulium(III) species in solution.

Thulium salts and complexes are shown to be emissive from three states in the excited state manifold of Tm(3+). Formation of the (1)D(2) state can result in luminescence, or in energy transfer to the lower energy (1)G(4) and (3)H(4) emissive states. Where chromophores are present in the ligand structure, emission is restricted to thulium centred emissive states that are lower in energy than the chromophore centred donor state.

Nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes of azobenzene-containing ligands as dichroic dyes.

A large series of complexes has been synthesized with two chelating, Schiff base azobenzene derivatives connected linearly by coordination to a central nickel(II) or palladium(II) ion. These compounds have the general formulas M(II)(OC(6)H(3)-2-CHNR-4-N═NC(6)H(4)-4-CO(2)Et)(2) [M = Ni; R = n-Bu (3c), n-C(6)H(13) (3d), n-C(8)H(17) (3e), n-C(12)H(25) (3f), Ph (3g), OH (3h), C(6)H(4)-4-CO(2)Et (3i). M = Pd; R = i-Pr (4a), t-Bu (4b), n-Bu (4c), n-C(6)H(13) (4d), n-C(8)H(17) (4e), n-C(12)H(25) (4f), Ph (4g)], M(II)[OC(6)H(3)-2-CHN(n-C(8)H(17))-4-N═NC(6)H(4)-4-CO(2)(n-C(8)H(17))](2) [M = Ni (9), Pd (10)], M(II)[OC(6)H(3)-2-CHN(n-C(8)H(17))-4-N═NC(6)H(4)-4-C(6)H(4)-4-O(n-C(7)H(15))](2) [M = Ni (14), Pd (15)], and M(II)[OC(6)H(3)-2-CHN(CMe(2))-4-N═NC(6)H(4)-4-CO(2)Et](2) [M = Ni (17), Pd (18); the CMe(2) groups are connected].

1,4-Di-n-hept-yloxy-2,5-dinitro-benzene.

The complete molecule of the title compound, C(20)H(32)N(2)O(6), is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry. The two mutually trans nitro substituents are hence in fully eclipsed conformation and also twisted by 43.2 (2)° with respect to the phenyl ring plane.

Cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes of pyrazole-based, N=C=N-coordinating, terdentate ligands: the contrasting influence of pyrazolyl and pyridyl rings on luminescence.

1,3-Bis(1-pyrazolyl)-5-methyl-benzene, HL(2), undergoes cyclometalation at the C(2) position upon reaction with K(2)PtCl(4), to generate an N=C=N-coordinated complex, PtL(2)Cl. This compound is luminescent in degassed solution at 298 K, emitting in the blue region of the spectrum on the microsecond time scale (lambda(max) = 453 nm, tau = 4.0 micros, Phi(lum) = 0.