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At least 145 records · Page 8

A bis-calix[4]arene-supported [Cu II 16 ] cage

Reaction of 2,2'-bis-p- t Bu-calix[4]arene (H 8 L) with Cu(NO 3 ) 2 ·3H 2 O and N-methyldiethanolamine (Me-deaH 2 ) in a basic dmf/MeOH mixture affords [Cu II 16 (L) 2 (Me-dea) 4 (μ 4 -NO 3 ) 2 (μ-OH) 4 (dmf) 3.5 (MeOH) 0.5 (H 2 O) 2 ](H 6 L)·16dmf·4H 2 O (4), following slow evaporation of the mother liquor. The central core of the metallic skeleton describes a tetracapped square prism, [Cu 12 ], in which the four capping metal ions are the CuII ions housed in the calix[4]arene polyphenolic pockets. The [Cu II 8 ] square prism is held together “internally” by a combination of hydroxide and nitrate anions, with the N-methyldiethanolamine co-ligands forming dimeric [Cu II 2 ] units which edge-cap above and below the upper and lower square faces of the prism. Charge balance is maintained through the presence of one doubly deprotonated H 6 L 2- ligand per [Cu 16 ] cluster. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the predominance of strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions and an S = 1 ground state, while EPR is consistent with a large zero-field splitting.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Density Functional Theory Study of the Adsorption and Dissociation of Copper(I) Acetamidinates on Ni(110): The Effect of the Substrate

In order to assess the role of a metal substrates on the thermal chemistry of adsorbed acetamidinate metalorganic compounds, we have studied the surface chemistry of copper(I)–N,N'-dimethylacetamidinate on Ni(110) using density functional theory and contrasted it with similar calculations we previously carried out on Cu(110). At low coverages, it was found that, in its most stable configuration, the molecular adsorption of copper(I)–N,N'-dimethylacetamidinate dimers occurs with the Cu atoms occupying surface hollow sites. In this work, the ligands reorient away from those metal centers, and the N atoms develop new direct bonds with surface Ni atoms. However, this configuration is not stable and decomposes by losing both ligands to the surface. In the final state, the two ligands bind via their N atoms to Ni sites one lattice space away from the sites where the Cu atoms remain, with their molecular planes perpendicular to that of the surface. This is in contrast with what happens in the case of adsorption on Cu(110), where the Cu atoms from the metalorganic complex still occupy hollow sites but where only one of the ligands breaks away and binds directly to the surface; the other remains on top of the two Cu ions. In terms of the energetics of adsorption and decomposition, the reactions on Ni(110) are much more exothermic than on Cu(110). Further analysis of the distribution of charge within the adsorbates shows a minor reduction of the Cu atoms of the dimer upon interaction with the surface; full reduction to metallic copper is complete only when both ligands have fully migrated to their new Ni surface sites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis and Reactivity of Fe(II) Complexes Containing Cis Ammonia Ligands

The development of earth-abundant transition-metal complexes for electrocatalytic ammonia oxidation is needed to facilitate a renewable energy economy. Important to this goal is a fundamental understanding of how ammonia binds to complexes as a function of ligand geometry and electronic effects. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of Fe(II)–NH 3 complexes supported by tetradentate, facially-binding ligands with a combination of pyridine and N-heterocyclic carbene donors. Electronic modification of the supporting ligand led to significant shifts in the Fe III/II potential and variations in NH bond acidities. Finally, investigations of ammonia oxidation by cyclic voltammetry, controlled potential bulk electrolysis, and through addition of stoichiometric organic radicals, TEMPO and tBu3 ArO • are reported. No catalysis of oxidation of NH 3 to N 2 was observed, and 15 N 2 was detected only in reactions with tBu3 ArO • .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Coordination-Induced N–H Bond Weakening in a Molybdenum Pyrrolidine Complex: Isotopic Labeling Provides Insight into the Pathway for H 2 Evolution

The synthesis and characterization of a cationic molybdenum pyrrolidine complex is described that exhibits significant coordination-induced N–H bond weakening. Here, the N–H bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of the coordinated pyrrolidine in [( Ph Tpy)(PPh 2 Me) 2 Mo(NH(pyrr))][BArF 24 ] ([1-NH(pyrr)] + ; PhTpy = 4'-Ph-2,2',6',2''-terpyridine, NH(pyrr) = pyrrolidine, ArF 24 = [C 6 H 3 -3,5-(CF 3 ) 2 ] 4 ) was determined to be between 41–51 kcal mol -1 by thermochemical analysis and supported by a density functional theory (DFT) computed value of 48 kcal mol -1 . The complex [1-NH(pyrr)] + underwent proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) to 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxyl radical, as well as spontaneous H 2 evolution upon gentle heating to furnish the corresponding molybdenum pyrrolidide complex, [( Ph Tpy)(PPh 2 Me) 2 Mo(N(pyrr))][BArF 24 ] ([1-N(pyrr)] + ). Thermolysis of the deuterated isotopolog, [1-ND(pyrr)] + still produced H 2 with concomitant incorporation of the isotopic label into the pyrrolidide ligand in the product [(1-N(pyrr-d n )] + (n = 0–2), consistent with an H 2 evolution pathway involving intramolecular H–H bond formation followed by an intermolecular product-forming PCET step. These observations provide context for understanding H 2 evolution in the nonclassical ammine complex [( Ph Tpy)(PPh 2 Me) 2 Mo(NH 3 )][BArF 24 ] ([1-NH 3 ] + ) and are supported by DFT-computed reaction thermochemistry. Overall, these studies offer rare insight into the H 2 formation pathway in nonclassical amine complexes with N–H BDFEs below the thermodynamic threshold for H 2 evolution and inform the development of well-defined, thermody-namically potent PCET reagents.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Catalytic N–H Bond Formation Promoted by a Ruthenium Hydride Complex Bearing a Redox-Active Pyrimidine-Imine Ligand

The synthesis of a piano-stool ruthenium hydride, [(η 5 -C 5 Me 5 )Ru(PmIm)H] (PmIm = (N-(1,3,5-trimethylphenyl)-1-(pyrimidin-2-yl)ethan-1-imine) for the dual purpose of catalytic dihydrogen activation and subsequent hydrogen atom transfer for the formation of weak chemical bonds is described. Introduction of a neutral, potentially redox-active PmIm supporting ligand was designed to eliminate the possibility of deleterious C(sp 2 )–H reductive coupling and elimination that has been identified as a deactivation pathway with related rhodium and iridium catalysts. Treatment of [(η 5 -C 5 Me 5 )RuCl 2 ] n with one equivalent PmIm ligand in the presence of zinc and sodium methoxide resulted in isolation of the diruthenium complex, [(η 5 -C 5 Me 5 )Ru(PmIm)] 2 , arising from C–C bond formation between two PmIm chelates. Addition of H 2 to the ruthenium dimer under both thermal and blue light irradiation conditions furnished the targeted hydride, [(η 5 -C 5 Me 5 )Ru(PmIm)H] which has a relatively weak DFT-calculated Ru–H bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of 47.9 kcal/mol. Addition of TEMPO to [(η 5 -C 5 Me 5 )Ru(PmIm)H] generated the 17-electron metalloradical, [(η 5 -C 5 Me 5 )Ru(PmIm)], which was characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The C–C bond forming process was reversible as irradiation of [(η 5 -C 5 Me 5 )Ru(PmIm)] 2 generated [(η 5 -C 5 Me 5 )Ru(PmIm)H] and a piano-stool ruthenium complex containing an enamide ligand derived from H-atom ab-straction from the PmIm chelate. Equilibration studies were used to establish an experimental estimate of the effective Ru–H BDFE and a value of 50.8 kcal/mol was obtained, in agreement with the observed loss of H 2 and the DFT-computed value. Here, the ruthenium hydride was an effective catalyst for the thermal catalytic hydrogenation of TEMPO, acridine and a cobalt-imido complex and for the selective reduction of azobenzene to diphenylhydrazine using H 2 as the terminal reductant, highlighting the role of this complex is catalytic weak bond formation using H 2 as the stoichiometric reductant.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Revealing Parallel Inter‐ and Intra‐Ligand Charge Transfer Dynamics in [Ru(L) 2 (dppz)] 2+ Molecular Lightswitch with N K‐Edge X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy

In photoactive metal complexes the localization of photoexcited charges dictates the site of chemical reactivity, but few studies measure the charge redistribution in these systems with spatial precision. Herein, we track the inter- and intra-ligand charge transfer processes that underpin light-driven charge separation in the well-studied “molecular lightswitch” [Ru(bpy) 2 dppz] 2+ (aqueous [Ruthenium II (2,2′-bipyridine)2(dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine)] 2+ [Cl − ] 2 ) by probing the electronic structure of ligand nitrogen atoms in real-time using ultrafast X-ray absorption spectroscopy and first principles calculations. We confirm the localization of excited electron density on the phenazine N atoms of dppz and we newly identify two parallel electron transfer pathways to populate this state. Sub-70 fs electron transfer to the phenazine portion of dppz is observed and attributed to intra-ligand electron transfer following Ru-to-dppz metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excitation. This fast charge transfer was not reported in prior ultrafast studies. The slower (ca. 2 ps) charge transfer reported extensively in time-resolved optical absorption and emission studies is reassigned here to inter-ligand electron “hopping” between nearly isoenergetic ligand moieties following Ru-to-bpy MLCT excitation. In conclusion, the results demonstrate much faster charge separation than previously identified in this well-studied system, highlighting how extended azaacene ligand motifs promote the competitive charge transfer processes needed to drive light-driven electron transfer chemistry.

Donor-acceptor systems↗

Nitrogen Atom Transfer Catalysis by Metallonitrene C−H Insertion: Photocatalytic Amidation of Aldehydes

Abstract C−H amination and amidation by catalytic nitrene transfer are well‐established and typically proceed via electrophilic attack of nitrenoid intermediates. In contrast, the insertion of (formal) terminal nitride ligands into C−H bonds is much less developed and catalytic nitrogen atom transfer remains unknown. We here report the synthesis of a formal terminal nitride complex of palladium. Photocrystallographic, magnetic, and computational characterization support the assignment as an authentic metallonitrene (Pd−N) with a diradical nitrogen ligand that is singly bonded to Pd II . Despite the subvalent nitrene character, selective C−H insertion with aldehydes follows nucleophilic selectivity. Transamidation of the benzamide product is enabled by reaction with N 3 SiMe 3 . Based on these results, a photocatalytic protocol for aldehyde C−H trimethylsilylamidation was developed that exhibits inverted, nucleophilic selectivity as compared to typical nitrene transfer catalysis. This first example of catalytic C−H nitrogen atom transfer offers facile access to primary amides after deprotection.

Schmidt‐Räntsch, Till↗

Nitrogen Atom Transfer Catalysis by Metallonitrene C−H Insertion: Photocatalytic Amidation of Aldehydes

Abstract C−H amination and amidation by catalytic nitrene transfer are well‐established and typically proceed via electrophilic attack of nitrenoid intermediates. In contrast, the insertion of (formal) terminal nitride ligands into C−H bonds is much less developed and catalytic nitrogen atom transfer remains unknown. We here report the synthesis of a formal terminal nitride complex of palladium. Photocrystallographic, magnetic, and computational characterization support the assignment as an authentic metallonitrene (Pd−N) with a diradical nitrogen ligand that is singly bonded to Pd II . Despite the subvalent nitrene character, selective C−H insertion with aldehydes follows nucleophilic selectivity. Transamidation of the benzamide product is enabled by reaction with N 3 SiMe 3 . Based on these results, a photocatalytic protocol for aldehyde C−H trimethylsilylamidation was developed that exhibits inverted, nucleophilic selectivity as compared to typical nitrene transfer catalysis. This first example of catalytic C−H nitrogen atom transfer offers facile access to primary amides after deprotection.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural Basis of Ligand Selectivity by a Bacterial Adhesin Lectin Involved in Multispecies Biofilm Formation

Carbohydrate recognition by lectins governs critical host-microbe interactions. MpPA14 (Marinomonas primoryensis PA14 domain) lectin is a domain of a 1.5-MDa adhesin responsible for a symbiotic bacterium-diatom interaction in Antarctica. Here, we show that MpPA14 binds various monosaccharides, with l-fucose and N-acetylglucosamine being the strongest ligands (dissociation constant [K d ], ~150 μM). High-resolution structures of MpPA14 with 15 different sugars bound elucidated the molecular basis for the lectin’s apparent binding promiscuity but underlying selectivity. MpPA14 mediates strong Ca 2+ -dependent interactions with the 3,4-diols of l-fucopyranose and glucopyranoses, and it binds other sugars via their specific minor isomers. Thus, MpPA14 only binds polysaccharides like branched glucans and fucoidans with these free end groups. Consistent with our findings, adhesion of MpPA14 to diatom cells was selectively blocked by l-fucose, but not by N-acetyl galactosamine. The MpPA14 lectin homolog present in a Vibrio cholerae adhesin was produced and was shown to have the same sugar binding preferences as MpPA14. The pathogen’s lectin was unable to effectively bind the diatom in the presence of fucose, thus demonstrating the antiadhesion strategy of blocking infection via ligand-based antagonists.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

A [CoSiH 2 ] Silylene Synthon Provides Modular Access to Homo- and Heterobimetallic [Co=Si=M] (M = Co, Fe) Silicide Complexes

Base-stabilized [BP 3 iPr ](H) 2 CoSiH 2 (DMAP) (1, [BP 3 iPr ] = PhB(CH 2 P i Pr 2 ) 3 – ; DMAP = 4-dimethylaminopyridine) is a rare instance of a synthon for the simplest “parent” silylene complex (LM=SiH 2 ). Complex 1 was accessed in high yields via double Si–H bond activation in SiH 4 by [BP 3 iPr ]Co(DMAP), and in solution, it undergoes rapid exchange between bound and free DMAP by an associative mechanism (as determined by variable-temperature 1 H NMR dynamic studies). The DMAP ligand of 1 is readily displaced by metal-based fragments that bind silicon and cleave the Si–H bonds of the SiH 2 moiety to produce bimetallic [Co=Si=M] (M = Co, Fe) molecular silicides. Thus, treatment of 1 with 0.5 equiv of (LCo I ) 2 (μ-N 2 ) (L = a tripodal ligand) resulted in the spontaneous formation of [BP 3 iPr ](H) 2 Co=Si=Co(H) 2 L (L = [BP 2 tBu Pz], PhB(CH 2 P t Bu 2 ) 2 (pyrazolyl) - (3); Tp", HB(3,5-diisopropylpyrazolyl) 3 – (4)) with the concomitant release of DMAP. The symmetrical silicide [BP 3 iPr ](H) 2 Co=Si=Co(H) 2 [BP 3 iPr ] (5) was prepared by treatment of a mixture of 1 and [BP 3 iPr ]Co(DMAP) with 2 equiv of Ph 3 B, which in this case is required to sequester DMAP as the elimination product Ph 3 B-DMAP. A heterobimetallic silicide, [BP 3 iPr ](H) 2 Co=Si=Fe(H) 2 [SiP 3 iPr ] (7; [SiP 3 iPr ] = PhSi(CH 2 P i Pr 2 ) 3 ), was obtained via in situ KC 8 reduction of [SiP 3 iPr ]FeCl and subsequent addition of 1 and Ph 3 B. These transformations involving a metal–SiH 2 derivative demonstrate a fundamentally new type of reactivity for silylene complexes and provide a unique synthetic method for construction of molecular silicide complexes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Solvation of NiO x for hole transport layer deposition in perovskite solar cells

In this work, a series of nickel oxide (NiO x ) inks, in the perovskite antisolvent chlorobenzene (CB) containing 15% ethanol, were prepared for the fabrication of p-i-n perovskite solar cells by blade coating. The inks included triethylamine (Et 3 N) and alkyl xanthate salts as ligands to disperse NiO x particle aggregates and stabilize suspension. A total of four inks were evaluated: 0X (Et 3 N with no alkyl xanthate), 4X (Et 3 N + potassium n-butyl xanthate), 12X (Et 3 N + potassium n-dodecyl xanthate), and 18X (Et 3 N + potassium n-octadecyl xanthate). The inks were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy and the resulting films analyzed by thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy. Devices prepared using the 0X ink resulted in a peak power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.47% (0.25 cm 2 ) and 9.96 % (1 cm 2 ). The 0X devices showed no significant loss of PCE after 100 days in a nitrogen flow box. Devices prepared with inks containing alkyl xanthate ligand had lower PCE that decreased with decreasing chain length, 18X > 12X > 4X.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Generalizing Reversible Triplet–Triplet Energy Transfer as a Strategy to Increase Excited-State Lifetime in Copper(I) Charge-Transfer Chromophores

In this work, we generalize reversible triplet–triplet energy transfer (TTET) as a strategy to achieve long (μs range) excited-state lifetimes in copper(I) photosensitizers of the general formula Cu(RNacNac)(CN-Ar) (RNacNac is a substituted β-diketiminate and CN-Ar is an aryl isocyanide). Six new complexes are presented where the isocyanide is substituted with a triplet–acceptor moiety─anthracene, naphthalene, or phenanthrene. In-depth photophysical analysis reveals that energetic matching of the charge-transfer ( 3 CT) and acceptor-localized 3 (π→π*) states is key to achieving long triplet excited-state lifetimes via reversible TTET. With 2-isocyanoanthracene as the acceptor ligand, 3 CT and 3(π→π*) are not energetically proximate, and irreversible quenching of 3 CT occurs. With a small 0.1–0.2 eV gap between the two triplet states, luminescence originates from the 3 CT state with a moderate excited-state lifetime of 250 or 283 ns observed. As key to the success of this approach, we demonstrate that altering the N-substituent on the RNacNac ligand modulates the energy of the 3 CT state, giving three complexes where the 3 CT and 3 (π→π*) energies are perfectly matched and the excited-state lifetimes are much longer, spanning 1.9–2.7 μs. As such, the key lesson of this work is that long triplet-state lifetimes in these compounds can be achieved by proper “mixing and matching” of the RNacNac ligand, which influences the 3 CT energy, and the triplet acceptor group which dictates the energy of the 3 (π→π*) state.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Stability of Nd Hydroxyl Complexes at Near Neutral to Alkaline pH from 25 to 75 °C: Implications for Monazite Solubility in Hydrothermal Aqueous Fluids

Speciation of rare earth elements (REE) in aqueous fluids controls their mobilization during fluid-rock interaction. Thermodynamic modeling provides important insights into the factors controlling REE mobility and fractionation in aqueous fluids, in which aqueous REE hydroxyl complexes are particularly important across a broad pH range. However, the stability of these REE hydroxyl complexes remains poorly determined due to limited experimental data above ambient temperature. In this work, UV–vis spectrophotometry experiments were conducted to determine the cumulative hydrolysis constants for neodymium (Nd) from 25 to 75 °C in near-neutral to alkaline solutions. The color indicator m -cresol purple was used to determine in situ pH. Alkaline NaOH-bearing aqueous solutions were doped with varying initial Nd concentrations (0 to ∼0.155 mmol/kg), which resulted in the release of protons (H + ) and pH decrease during hydrolysis of Nd 3+ according to Nd 3+ + n H 2 O = Nd(OH) n 3– n + H + . The average OH – ligand number coordinated to Nd 3+ was found to increase from 1.0 to 1.6 at 25 °C and from 1.2 to 2.8 at 75 °C over a pH range from 6.3 to 9.0. The measured speciation shows an increased predominance of Nd(OH) 3 0 over the Nd(OH) 2 + and Nd(OH) 2+ species with increased temperature and pH. The increasing cumulative formation constants (log*β° n , n = 1 to 3) retrieved from 25 to 75 °C differ by 0.1 to 1.9 logarithmic units in comparison to existing thermodynamic databases. These updated thermodynamic data have important implications for geochemical modeling of the speciation of Nd hydroxyl complexes and the solubility of monazite as a function of pH.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Trithiol ligand provides tumor-targeting 191 Pt-complexes with high molar activity and promising in vivo properties

The Auger electron-emitting radionuclide 191 Pt is a promising candidate for radiopharmaceutical therapy. Herein, we explored novel labeling methods for 191 Pt using thiol-containing ligands to improve the in vivo stability and targeting ability of 191 Pt-labeled complexes. We synthesized dithiol-containing N 2 S 2 and NS 2 ligands, and a trithiol ligand, and then compared their radiochemical reactivity with 191 Pt. [ 191 Pt]Pt-trithiol was synthesized and its biodistribution was evaluated in mice and compared with free 191 Pt. Finally, a 191 Pt-trithiol complex targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA): [ 191 Pt]Pt-trithiol-PSMA was developed and evaluated in mice bearing tumor xenografts and compared with a 191 Pt-complex labeled via monothiol-containing Cys ([ 191 Pt]Pt-Cys-PSMA). A comparison of N 2 S 2 , NS 2 , and trithiol showed that the trithiol ligand is the best for producing 191 Pt-labeled compounds in high yield and as a single peak in preparative HPLC. Notably, the trithiol ligand made 191 Pt-labeled compounds and precursors separatable, achieving 191 Pt-labeled products with a high molar activity: 200–400 mCi/μmol (7.4–14.8 GBq/μmol) at EOS. Additionally, [ 191 Pt]Pt-trithiol and [ 191 Pt]Pt-trithiol-PSMA were stable in vivo with rapid clearance compared with free 191 Pt and [ 191 Pt]Pt-Cys-PSMA. [ 191 Pt]Pt-trithiol-PSMA resulted in a low uptake in most normal organs and a high uptake in the kidneys and prostate cancer with PSMA expression. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that a labeling method with trithiol for Pt radionuclides achieves 191 Pt-labeled products with high molar activity. 191 Pt-trithiol-PSMA showed promising in vivo stability and tumor-targeting specificity, which should facilitate the pharmaceutical development of Pt radionuclides for radiopharmaceutical therapy, especially Auger electron cancer therapy.

Auger emitters↗

Artificial Iron Proteins: Modeling the Active Sites in Non-Heme Dioxygenases

An important class of non-heme dioxygenases contains a conserved Fe binding site that consists of a 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad. Results from structural biology show that, in the resting state, these proteins are six-coordinate with aqua ligands occupying the remaining three coordination sites. Here, we have utilized biotin–streptavidin (Sav) technology to design new artificial Fe proteins (ArMs) that have many of the same structural features found within active sites of these non-heme dioxygenases. An Sav variant was isolated that contains the S 112 E mutation, which installed a carboxylate side chain in the appropriate position to bind to a synthetic Fe II complex confined within Sav. Structural studies using X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods revealed a facial triad binding site that is composed of two N donors from the biotinylated ligand and the monodentate coordination of the carboxylate from S 112 E. Two aqua ligands complete the primary coordination sphere of the Fe II center with both involved in hydrogen bond networks within Sav. The corresponding Fe III protein was also prepared and structurally characterized to show a six-coordinate complex with two exogenous acetato ligands. The Fe III protein was further shown to bind an exogenous azido ligand through replacement of one acetato ligand. Spectroscopic studies of the ArMs in solution support the results found by XRD.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Site-specific electronic structure of covalently linked bimetallic dyads from nitrogen K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy

A nitrogen K-edge x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) survey is presented for tetrapyrido[3,2-a:',3'-c:3'',2''-h:2''',3'''-j]phenazine (tpphz)-bridged bimetallic assemblies that couple chromophore and catalyst transition metal complexes for light driven catalysis, as well as their individual molecular constituents. We demonstrate the high N site sensitivity of the N pre-edge XANES features, which are energetically well-separated for the phenazine bridge N atoms and for the individual metal-bound N atoms of the inner coordination sphere ligands. By comparison with the time-dependent density functional theory calculated spectra, we determine the origins of these distinguishable spectral features. We find that metal coordination generates large shifts toward higher energy for the metal-bound N atoms, with increasing shift for 3d < 4d < 5d metal bonding. This is attributed to increasing ligand-to-metal σ donation that increases the effective charge of the bound N atoms and stabilizes the N 1s core electrons. In contrast, the phenazine bridge N pre-edge peak is found at a lower energy due to stabilization of the low energy electron accepting orbital localized on the phenazine motif. While no sensitivity to ground state electronic coupling between the individual molecular subunits was observed, the spectra are sensitive to structural distortions of the tpphz bridge. Here these results demonstrate N K-edge XANES as a local probe of electronic structure in large bridging ligand motifs, able to distinctly investigate the ligand-centered orbitals involved in metal-to-ligand and ligand-to-ligand electron transfer following light absorption.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗