Mariela M. Nolasco

Chemistry and Catalytic Activity of Molybdenum(VI)-Pyrazolylpyridine Complexes in Olefin Epoxidation. Crystal Structures of Monomeric Dioxo, Dioxo-μ-oxo, and Oxodiperoxo Derivatives

The dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes [MoO2Cl2(PzPy)] (1) and [MoO2(OSiPh3)2(PzPy)] (5) (PzPy = 2-[3(5)-pyrazolyl]pyridine) were synthesized and characterized by vibrational spectroscopy, with assignments being supported by DFT calculations. Complex 5 was additionally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Recrystallization of 1 under different conditions originated crystal structures containing either the mononuclear [MoO2Cl2(PzPy)] complex co-crystallized with 2-[3(5)-pyrazolyl]pyridinium chloride, binuclear [Mo2O4(μ2-O)Cl2(PzPy)2] complexes, or the oxodiperoxomolybdenum(VI) complex [MoO(O2)2Cl(PzPyH)], in which a 2-[3(5)-pyrazolyl]pyridinium cation weakly interacts with the Mo(VI) center via a pyrazolyl N-atom. The crystal packing in the different structures is mediated by a variety of supramolecular interactions: hydrogen bonding involving the pyridinium and/or pyrazolyl N-H groups, weak CH · · · O and CH · · · π contacts, and strong π-π stacking. Complexes 1 and 5 are moderately active catalysts for the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene at 55 °C using tert-butylhydroperoxide as oxidant, giving 1,2-epoxycyclooctane as the only reaction product. Insoluble materials were recovered at the end of the first catalytic runs and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and powder X-ray diffraction. For complex 5 the loss of the triphenylsiloxy ligands during the catalytic run resulted in the formation of a tetranuclear complex, [Mo4O8(μ2-O)4(PzPy)4]. The recovered solids could be used as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the epoxidation of cyclooctene, showing no loss of catalytic performance between successive catalytic runs.

Engineering highly efficient Eu(III)-based tri-ureasil hybrids toward luminescent solar concentrators

Following a computational-experimental approach, a highly luminescent β-diketonate-europium(III) complex containing 2-thenoyltrifluoracetonate (tta−) and 5,6-epoxy-5,6-dihydro-[1,10] phenanthroline (ephen) ligands, Eu(tta)3ephen (II), was theoretically studied by DFT/TD-DFT calculations, synthesized from Eu(tta)3(H2O)2(I) and fully characterized by high resolution mass spectrometry, TGA analysis, vibrational, UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. For intramolecular energy transfer analysis purpose, Ln(NO3)3(ephen)2 [Ln = Eu (III), Gd (IV)] complexes were also synthesized and complexes I and III were theoretically studied. The organic–inorganic tri-ureasil matrix was used as a support for the immobilization of complex II and two hybrid samples were synthesized as a monolith (MtU5Eu-II) and as a thin film (FtU5Eu-II), characterized and its photoluminescence properties were compared with those of complex II. The photophysical properties of complex II benefit from the synergy between the excited-states of both ligands that create efficient energy transfer pathways to optimize the Eu3+ sensitization contributing to the large emission quantum yield (82 ± 8%), which is one of the highest so far reported for solid lanthanide β-diketonate complexes. Moreover, although the incorporation of complex II into the hybrid matrix is disadvantageous from the quantum yield point of view, MtU5Eu-II and FtU5Eu-II exhibit the highest emission quantum yields reported so far for Eu3+-containing hybrids (63 ± 6% and 48 ± 5%, respectively). Additionally, a significant improvement in the photostability under UV irradiation of the incorporated complex II is observed. The possibility of FtU5Eu-II to be used as a luminescent solar concentrator was evaluated and an optical conversion efficiency of ∼9% as well as an ability to boost up the Si-photovoltaic cell output to 0.5% were verified.

Dependence of the Lifetime upon the Excitation Energy and Intramolecular Energy Transfer Rates: The 5D0 EuIII Emission Case

In many Eu(III)-based materials, the presence of an intermediate energy level, such as ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) states or defects, that mediates the energy transfer mechanisms can strongly affect the lifetime of the (5)D(0) state, mainly at near-resonance (large transfer rates). We present results for the dependence of the (5)D(0) lifetime on the excitation wavelength for a wide class of Eu(III)-based compounds: ionic salts, polyoxometalates (POMs), core/shell inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and nanotubes, coordination polymers, β-diketonate complexes, organic-inorganic hybrids, macro-mesocellular foams, functionalized mesoporous silica, and layered double hydroxides (LDHs). This yet unexplained behavior is successfully modelled by a coupled set of rate equations with seven states, in which the wavelength dependence is simulated by varying the intramolecular energy transfer rates. In addition, the simulations of the rate equations for four- and three-level systems show a strong dependence of the emission lifetime upon the excitation wavelength if near-resonant non-radiative energy transfer processes are present, indicating that the proposed scheme can be generalized to other trivalent lanthanide ions, as observed for Tb(III)/Ce(III). Finally, the proper use of lifetime definition in the presence of energy transfer is emphasized.

Hydrogen‐Bond Dynamics of CH⋅⋅⋅O Interactions: The Chloroform⋅⋅⋅Acetone Case

Spectroscopic evidence for C-H...O hydrogen bonding in chloroform...acetone [Cl(3)CH...O=C(CH(3))(2)] mixtures was obtained from vibrational inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectra. Comparison between the INS spectra of pure samples and their binary mixtures reveals the presence of new bands at about 82, 130 and 170 cm(-1). Assignment of the 82 cm(-1) band to the nuO...H anti-translational mode is considered and discussed. In addition, the betaC-H mode of CHCl(3) at 1242 cm(-1) is split in the spectra of the mixtures, and the high-wavenumber component is assigned to the hydrogen-bonded complex. The plot of the integrated intensity of this component shows a maximum for x=0.5, in agreement with the 1:1 stoichiometry of the chloroformacetone complex, with a calculated complexation constant of 0.15 dm(3) mol(-1). Results also show that the complex behaves as an independent entity, that is, despite being weak, such interactions play a key role in supramolecular chemistry.

Synthesis, structural elucidation, and catalytic properties in olefin epoxidation of the polymeric hybrid material [Mo3O9(2-[3(5)-pyrazolyl]pyridine)]n.

The reaction of [MoO2Cl2(pzpy)] (1) (pzpy = 2-[3(5)-pyrazolyl]pyridine) with water in an open reflux system (16 h), in a microwave synthesis system (120 °C, 2 h), or in a Teflon-lined stainless steel digestion bomb (100 °C, 19 h) gave the molybdenum oxide/pyrazolylpyridine polymeric hybrid material [Mo3O9(pzpy)]n (2) as a microcrystalline powder in yields of 72–79%. Compound 2 can also be obtained by the hydrothermal reaction of MoO3, pzpy, and H2O at 160 °C for 3 d. Secondary products isolated from the reaction solutions included the salt (pzpyH)2(MoCl4) (3) (pzpyH = 2-[3(5)-pyrazolyl]pyridinium), containing a very rare example of the tetrahedral MoCl4(2–) anion, and the tetranuclear compound [Mo4O12(pzpy)4] (4). Reaction of 2 with excess tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) led to the isolation of the oxodiperoxo complex [MoO(O2)2(pzpy)] (5). Single-crystal X-ray structures of 3 and 5 are described. Fourier transform (FT)-IR and FT Raman spectra for 1, 4, and 5 were assigned based on density functional theory calculations. The structure of 2 was determined from synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data in combination with other physicochemical information. In 2, a hybrid organic–inorganic one-dimensional (1D) polymer, ∞(1)[Mo3O9(pzpy)], is formed by the connection of two very distinct components: a double ladder-type inorganic core reminiscent of the crystal structure of MoO3 and 1D chains of corner-sharing distorted {MoO4N2} octahedra. Compound 2 exhibits moderate activity and high selectivity when used as a (pre)catalyst for the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene with TBHP. Under the reaction conditions used, 2 is poorly soluble and is gradually converted into 5, which is at least partly responsible for the catalytic reaction.

The role of 4,7-disubstituted phenanthroline ligands in energy transfer of europium(III) complexes: a DFT study

Density functional theory/time-dependent density functional theory (DFT/TD-DFT) calculations were performed on a series of europium(III) complexes of 4,7-disubstituted-1,10-phenanthroline ligands (phen-X) of general formula Eu(TTA)3(phen-X) (where TTA stands for thenoyltrifluoroacetonato and X = H, CH3, OCH3, Cl, Br, CO2Et, C6H5, C4HOCH3 and C4H3OCH3). The effect of such substitution on the structural, electronic and photophysical properties is established. Absorption spectra calculations show that different phen substituents have different effects on absorption peak positions and on transition characters while only substituents influence via extended π-conjugation of the phen ligand can effectively tune the triplet state. Considering the ΔEISC and ΔEET values, the luminescent 5D0 state of the Eu3+ ion can be efficiently populated in most complexes. The exceptions are the complexes with CO2Et and C4H3OCH3 groups.

Modelling the luminescence of extended solids: an example of a highly luminescent MCM-41 impregnated with a Eu3+ β-diketonate complex

A regular MCM-41 type mesostructured silica was used as a support for the incorporation of the highly luminescent tris(β-diketonate) complex Eu(tta)3ephen yielding the hybrid MCM–Eu material. Suitable characterization by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), 13C and 21Si solid state NMR spectroscopy and photoluminescence was accomplished. The combination of ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence techniques shows that the complex incorporation seems to modify essentially the second Eu3+ coordination shell. For a material that has a simply impregnated lanthanide complex, the herein reported maximum 5D0 quantum yield value of 0.31 is a significantly high value, being almost in the same scale of the values obtained for the materials with covalently bonded complexes. A detailed theoretical photoluminescence study of the MCM–Eu with the recently developed Luminescence Package – LUMPAC is presented. The high accuracy of the theoretical calculations is achieved through the comparison with the experimental values. Aiming at a deeper understanding of the photoluminescence process, the ligand-to-Eu3+ intramolecular energy transfer and back-transfer rates were also predicted. The dominant pathway involves the energy transfer between the lowest energy ligand triplet and the 5D0 level (9.70 × 107 s−1).

Coordination polymers based on a glycine-derivative ligand

The combination of the glycine-derivative supramolecular salt 4,6-bis(carboxymethylamino)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1,3,5-triazin-1-ium chloride (H2bodt·HCl) and lanthanide(III) chloride hydrates under hydrothermal conditions (120 °C, 48 h) led to the formation of a family of isotypical materials formulated as [Ln(bodt)(Hbodt)] [where Ln3+ = La3+ (1), (La0.95Eu0.05)3+ (2) and (La0.95Tb0.05)3+ (3)]. The synthesis of the novel precursor H2bodt·HCl is detailed. The structures of H2bodt·HCl and its intermediate compound were unveiled by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and characterized by standard liquid-state techniques. The crystallographic details of compound 1 were unveiled in the monoclinic P2/c space group by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, with the crystal structure of 1 comprising a one-dimensional ∞1[La(bodt)(Hbodt)] coordination polymer. All polymeric materials were fully characterized by FT-IR, electron microscopy (SEM and EDS), powder X-ray diffraction, and elemental and thermogravimetric analyses. The photoluminescent properties of 1 and of the mixed-lanthanide materials 2 and 3 were investigated at ambient and low temperatures. An excited-state intermolecular proton transfer (ESPT) process, induced by intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions, is proposed to account for the observed anomalous emission and excitation spectra of 1. Aiming at providing an in-depth understanding of the emission (fluorescence and phosphorescence) properties of the ligand, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were also performed.

Identification of microplastics using Raman spectroscopy: Latest developments and future prospects.

Widespread microplastic pollution is raising growing concerns as to its detrimental effects upon living organisms. A realistic risk assessment must stand on representative data on the abundance, size distribution and chemical composition of microplastics. Raman microscopy is an indispensable tool for the analysis of very small microplastics (<20 μm). Still, its use is far from widespread, in part due to drawbacks such as long measurement time and proneness to spectral distortion induced by fluorescence. This review discusses each drawback followed by a showcase of interesting and easily available solutions that contribute to faster and better identification of microplastics using Raman spectroscopy. Among discussed topics are: enhanced signal quality with better detectors and spectrum processing; automated particle selection for faster Raman mapping; comprehensive reference libraries for successful spectral matching. A last section introduces non-conventional Raman techniques (non-linear Raman, hyperspectral imaging, standoff Raman) which permit more advanced applications such as real-time Raman detection and imaging of microplastics.

A green-emitting α-substituted β-diketonate Tb3+ phosphor for ultraviolet LED-based solid-state lighting

The α-substituted β-diketonate [Ln(3Cl-acac)3(H2O)2] [Ln = Tb, Gd] complexes (with 3Cl-acac– being 3-chloro-2,4-pentanedionate) were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared, ultraviolet (UV)-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies. For comparison purposes regarding photoluminescence, the well-known [Tb(acac)3(H2O)2] complex was also synthesized. By considering the phosphorescence spectra of [Gd(3Cl-acac)3(H2O)2], the effect of chloride replacement of hydrogen on the triplet state energy of the 3Cl-acac ligand was revealed. To support the interpretation and rationalization of the experimental results, Time-dependent DFT calculations were performed on Tb(3Cl-acac)3(H2O)2. Additionally, the possibility of Tb(3Cl-acac)3(H2O)2 to be used as potential green-emitting phosphor material for solid-sate light emitting diodes was evaluated. A prototype was successfully fabricated coating a near-UV LED (370 nm) with the Tb(3Cl-acac)3(H2O)2 complex. Graphical Abstract