Laura J. McCormick

Chiral transcription in self-assembled tetrahedral Eu4L6 chiral cages displaying sizable circularly polarized luminescence.

Predictable stereoselective formation of supramolecular assembly is generally believed to be an important but complicated process. Here, we show that point chirality of a ligand decisively influences its supramolecular assembly behavior. We designed three closely related chiral ligands with different point chiralities, and observe their self-assembly into europium (Eu) tetrametallic tetrahedral cages. One ligand exhibits a highly diastereoselective assembly into homochiral (either ΔΔΔΔ or ΛΛΛΛ) Eu tetrahedral cages whereas the two other ligands, with two different approaches of loosened point chirality, lead to a significant breakdown of the diastereoselectivity to generate a mixture of (ΔΔΔΔ and ΛΛΛΛ) isomers. The cages are highly emissive (luminescence quantum yields of 16(1) to 18(1)%) and exhibit impressive circularly polarized luminescence properties (|glum|: up to 0.16). With in-depth studies, we present an example that correlates the nonlinear enhancement of the chiroptical response to the nonlinearity dependence on point chirality.Controlling the chirality of self-assembled polyhedra is a synthetic challenge. Here, the authors stereoselectively form emissive lanthanide tetrahedral cages from a series of chiral ligands, and use their circularly polarized luminescence to explore the effect of ligand point chirality on supramolecular architecture.

Cobalt- and Rhodium-Corrole-Triphenylphosphine Complexes Revisited: The Question of a Noninnocent Corrole

A reinvestigation of cobalt-corrole-triphenylphosphine complexes has yielded an unexpectedly subtle picture of their electronic structures. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, skeletal bond length alternations observed in X-ray structures, and broken-symmetry DFT (B3LYP) calculations suggest partial CoII-corrole•2- character for these complexes. The same probes applied to the analogous rhodium corroles evince no evidence of a noninnocent corrole. X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies showed that the Co K rising edge of Co[TPC](PPh3) (TPC = triphenylcorrole) is red-shifted by ∼1.8 eV relative to the bona fide Co(III) complexes Co[TPC](py)2 and Co[TPP](py)Cl (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin, py = pyridine), consistent with a partial CoII-corrole•2- description for Co[TPC](PPh3). Electrochemical measurements have shown that both the Co and Rh complexes undergo two reversible oxidations and one to two irreversible reductions. In particular, the first reduction of the Rh corroles occurs at significantly more negative potentials than that of the Co corroles, reflecting significantly higher stability of the Rh(III) state relative to Co(III). Together, the results presented herein suggest that cobalt-corrole-triphenylphosphine complexes are significantly noninnocent with moderate CoII-corrole•2- character, underscoring-yet again-the ubiquity of ligand noninnocence among first-row transition metal corroles.

Stabilization and Structure of the Cis Tautomer of a Free-Base Porphyrin

Single-crystal X-ray analysis of the β-heptakis(trifluoromethyl)-meso-tetrakis(p-fluorophenyl)porphyrin, H2 [(CF3 )7 TpFPP], has revealed the first example of a stable cis tautomer of a free-base porphyrin, the long-postulated intermediate of porphyrin tautomerism. The stability of the unique molecule appears to reflect a dual origin: a strongly saddled porphyrin skeleton, which alleviates electrostatic repulsion between the two NH protons, and two polarization-enhanced, transannular N-H⋅⋅⋅O-H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bond chains, each involving a molecule of water. DFT calculations suggest that the observed tautomer has a lower energy than the alternative, doubly hydrated trans tautomer by some 8.3 kcal mol-1 . A fascinating prospect thus exists that H2 [(CF3 )7 TpFPP]⋅2 H2 O and cognate structures may act as supramolecular synthons, which, given their chirality, may even be amenable to resolution into optically pure enantiomers.

Exploratory studies into 3d/4f cluster formation with fully bridge-substituted calix[4]arenes*

Abstract Calix[4]arenes are extremely versatile ligands that are capable of supporting the formation of a wide variety of polymetallic clusters of paramagnetic metal ions. One can exert influence over cluster formation through alteration of the calix[4]arene framework and subsequent ‘expansion’ of the lower-rim polyphenolic binding site. The present contribution investigates cluster formation with calix[4]arenes substituted at all four methylene bridge positions with furan moieties. Two known cluster types have been isolated with this ligand, the structures of which lend insight into factors that may ultimately preclude the formation of mixed-metal species.

Enhancement of CO2 Uptake and Selectivity in a Metal–Organic Framework by the Incorporation of Thiophene Functionality

The complex [Zn2(tdc)2dabco] (H2tdc = thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid; dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclooctane) shows a remarkable increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake and CO2/dinitrogen (N2) selectivity compared to the nonthiophene analogue [Zn2(bdc)2dabco] (H2bdc = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid; terephthalic acid). CO2 adsorption at 1 bar for [Zn2(tdc)2dabco] is 67.4 cm3·g–1 (13.2 wt %) at 298 K and 153 cm3·g–1 (30.0 wt %) at 273 K. For [Zn2(bdc)2dabco], the equivalent values are 46 cm3·g–1 (9.0 wt %) and 122 cm3·g–1 (23.9 wt %), respectively. The isosteric heat of adsorption for CO2 in [Zn2(tdc)2dabco] at zero coverage is low (23.65 kJ·mol–1), ensuring facile regeneration of the porous material. Enhancement by the thiophene group on the separation of CO2/N2 gas mixtures has been confirmed by both ideal adsorbate solution theory calculations and dynamic breakthrough experiments. The preferred binding sites of adsorbed CO2 in [Zn2(tdc)2dabco] have been unambiguously determined by in situ single-crystal diffraction studies on CO2-loaded [Zn2(tdc)2dabco], coupled with quantum-chemical calculations. These studies unveil the role of the thiophene moieties in the specific CO2 binding via an induced dipole interaction between CO2 and the sulfur center, confirming that an enhanced CO2 capacity in [Zn2(tdc)2dabco] is achieved without the presence of open metal sites. The experimental data and theoretical insight suggest a viable strategy for improvement of the adsorption properties of already known materials through the incorporation of sulfur-based heterocycles within their porous structures.

Electronic Structure of Manganese Corroles Revisited: X-ray Structures, Optical and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopies, and Electrochemistry as Probes of Ligand Noninnocence

Presented herein is a detailed multitechnique investigation of ligand noninnocence in S = 3/2 manganese corrole derivatives at the formal MnIV oxidation state. The Soret maxima of Mn[T pXPC]Cl (T pXPC = meso-tris( p-X-phenyl)corrole, where X = CF3, H, Me, and OMe) were found to red-shift over a range of 37 nm with increasing electron-donating character of X. For Mn[T pXPC]Ph, in contrast, the complex Soret envelopes were found to be largely independent of X. These observations suggested a noninnocent corrole•2--like ligand for the MnCl complexes and an innocent corrole3- ligand for the MnPh complexes. Single-crystal X-ray structures of three Mn[T pXPC]Cl complexes revealed skeletal bond-length alternations indicative of a noninnocent corrole, while no such alternation was observed for Mn[T pOMePC]Ph. B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) calculations on Mn[TPC]Cl yielded strong spatial separation of the α and β spin densities, consistent with an antiferromagnetically coupled MnIII-corrole•2- description. By comparison, relatively little spatial separation of the α and β spin densities was found for Mn[TPC]Ph, consistent with an essentially MnIV-corrole3- description. X-ray absorption of near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) revealed a moderate blue shift of 0.6 eV for the Mn K-pre-edge of Mn[T pCF3PC]Ph and a striking enhancement of the pre-edge intensity, relative to Mn[T pCF3PC]Cl, consistent with a more oxidized, i.e., MnIV, center in Mn[T pCF3PC]Ph. Time-dependent DFT calculations indicated that the enhanced intensity of the Mn K-pre-edge of Mn[T pCF3PC]Ph results from the extra 3d z2 hole, which mixes strongly with the Mn 4p z orbital. Combined with similar results on Fe[TPC]Cl and Fe[TPC]Ph, the present study underscores the considerable potential of metal K-edge XANES in probing ligand noninnocence in first-row transition-metal corroles. Cyclic voltammetry measurements revealed highly negative first reduction potentials for the Mn[T pXPC]Ph series (∼-0.95 V) as well as large electrochemical HOMO-LUMO gaps of ∼1.7 V. The first reductions, however, are irreversible, suggesting cleavage of the Mn-Ph bond.

Synthesis and Molecular Structure of a Copper Octaiodocorrole

Although rather delicate on account of their propensity to undergo deiodination, β-octaiodoporphyrinoids are of considerable interest as potential precursors to novel β-octasubstituted macrocycles. Presented herein are early results of our efforts to synthesize β-octaiodocorrole derivatives. Oxidative condensation of 3,4-diiodopyrrole and aromatic aldehydes failed to yield free-base octaiodocorroles. Treatment of copper meso-tris(p-cyanophenyl)corrole with N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoroacetic acid over several hours, however, yielded the desired β-octaiodinated product in ∼22% yield. Single-crystal X-ray structure determination of the product revealed a strongly saddled corrole macrocycle with metrical parameters very close to those of analogous Cu octabromocorrole complexes. The compound was also found to exhibit an exceptionally red-shifted Soret maximum (464 nm in dichloromethane), underscoring the remarkable electronic effect of β-octaiodo substitution.

CCDC 1535564: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Sumit Ganguly, Diemo Renz, Logan J. Giles, Kevin J. Gagnon, Laura J. McCormick, Jeanet Conradie, Ritimukta Sarangi, Abhik Ghosh|2017|Inorg.Chem.|||doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b01828

CCDC 1535566: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

Related Article: Sumit Ganguly, Diemo Renz, Logan J. Giles, Kevin J. Gagnon, Laura J. McCormick, Jeanet Conradie, Ritimukta Sarangi, Abhik Ghosh|2017|Inorg.Chem.|||doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.7b01828