Ronald J. Clark

Multiferroic Behavior Associated with an Order−Disorder Hydrogen Bonding Transition in Metal−Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with the Perovskite ABX3 Architecture

Multiferroic behavior in perovskite-related metal-organic frameworks of general formula [(CH(3))(2)NH(2)]M(HCOO)(3), where M = Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, is reported. All four compounds exhibit paraelectric-antiferroelectric phase transition behavior in the temperature range 160-185 K (Mn: 185 K, Fe: 160 K; Co: 165 K; Ni: 180 K); this is associated with an order-disorder transition involving the hydrogen bonded dimethylammonium cations. On further cooling, the compounds become canted weak ferromagnets below 40 K. This research opens up a new class of multiferroics in which the electrical ordering is achieved by means of hydrogen bonding.

Apparent copper(II)-accelerated azide-alkyne cycloaddition.

Cu(II) salts accelerate azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions in alcoholic solvents without reductants such as sodium ascorbate. Spectroscopic observations suggest that Cu(II) undergoes reduction to catalytic Cu(I) species via either alcohol oxidation or alkyne homocoupling, or both, during an induction period. The reactions involving 2-picolylazide are likely facilitated by its chelation to Cu(II). The highly exothermic reaction between 2-picolylazide and propargyl alcohol completes within 1-2 min in the presence of as low as 1 mol % Cu(OAc)(2).

Chelation-Assisted, Copper(II) Acetate-Accelerated Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition

We described in a previous communication a variant of the popular Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (AAC) process where 5 mol % of Cu(OAc)(2) in the absence of any added reducing agent is sufficient to enable the reaction. 2-Picolylazide (1) and 2-azidomethylquinoline (2) were found to be by far the most reactive carbon azide substrates that convert to 1,2,3-triazoles in as short as a few minutes under the discovered conditions. We hypothesized that the abilities of 1 and 2 to chelate Cu(II) contribute significantly to the observed high reaction rates. The current work examines the effect of auxiliary ligands near the azido group other than pyridyl for Cu(II) on the efficiency of the Cu(OAc)(2)-accelerated AAC reaction. The carbon azides capable of binding to the catalytic copper center at the alkylated azido nitrogen in a chelatable fashion were indeed shown to be superior substrates under the reported conditions. The chelation between carbon azide 11 and Cu(II) was demonstrated in an X-ray single-crystal structure. In a limited set of examples, the ligand tris(benzyltriazolylmethyl)amine (TBTA), developed by Fokin et al. for assisting the original Cu(I)-catalyzed AAC reactions, also dramatically enhances the Cu(OAc)(2)-accelerated AAC reactions involving nonchelating azides. This observation leads to the hypothesis of an additional effect of chelating azides on the efficiencies of Cu(OAc)(2)-accelerated AAC reactions, which is to facilitate the rapid reduction of Cu(II) to highly catalytic Cu(I) species. Mechanistic studies on the AAC reactions with particular emphasis on the role of carbon azide/copper interactions will be conducted based on the observations reported in this work. Finally, the immediate utility of the product 1,2,3-triazole molecules derived from chelating azides as multidentate metal coordination ligands is demonstrated. The resulting triazolyl-containing ligands are expected to bind with transition metal ions via the N(2) nitrogen of the 1,2,3-triazolyl group to form nonplanar coordination rings. The Cu(II) complexes of bidentate T1 and tetradentate T6 and the Zn(II) complex of T6 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structure of [Cu(T1)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) reveals the interesting synergistic effect of hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking interactions, and metal coordination in forming a one-dimensional supramolecular construct in the solid state. The tetradentate coordination mode of T6 may be incorporated into designs of new molecule sensors and organometallic catalysts.

Experimental Investigation on the Mechanism of Chelation-Assisted, Copper(II) Acetate-Accelerated Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition

A mechanistic model is formulated to account for the high reactivity of chelating azides (organic azides capable of chelation-assisted metal coordination at the alkylated azido nitrogen position) and copper(II) acetate (Cu(OAc)(2)) in copper(II)-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition (AAC) reactions. Fluorescence and (1)H NMR assays are developed for monitoring the reaction progress in two different solvents, methanol and acetonitrile. Solvent kinetic isotopic effect and premixing experiments give credence to the proposed different induction reactions for converting copper(II) to catalytic copper(I) species in methanol (methanol oxidation) and acetonitrile (alkyne oxidative homocoupling), respectively. The kinetic orders of individual components in a chelation-assisted, copper(II)-accelerated AAC reaction are determined in both methanol and acetonitrile. Key conclusions resulting from the kinetic studies include (1) the interaction between copper ion (either in +1 or +2 oxidation state) and a chelating azide occurs in a fast, pre-equilibrium step prior to the formation of the in-cycle copper(I)-acetylide, (2) alkyne deprotonation is involved in several kinetically significant steps, and (3) consistent with prior experimental and computational results by other groups, two copper centers are involved in the catalysis. The X-ray crystal structures of chelating azides with Cu(OAc)(2) suggest a mechanistic synergy between alkyne oxidative homocoupling and copper(II)-accelerated AAC reactions, in which both a bimetallic catalytic pathway and a base are involved. The different roles of the two copper centers (a Lewis acid to enhance the electrophilicity of the azido group and a two-electron reducing agent in oxidative metallacycle formation, respectively) in the proposed catalytic cycle suggest that a mixed valency (+2 and +1) dinuclear copper species be a highly efficient catalyst. This proposition is supported by the higher activity of the partially reduced Cu(OAc)(2) in mediating a 2-picolylazide-involved AAC reaction than the fully reduced Cu(OAc)(2). Finally, the discontinuous kinetic behavior that has been observed by us and others in copper(I/II)-mediated AAC reactions is explained by the likely catalyst disintegration during the course of a relatively slow reaction. Complementing the prior mechanistic conclusions drawn by other investigators, which primarily focus on the copper(I)/alkyne interactions, we emphasize the kinetic significance of copper(I/II)/azide interaction. This work not only provides a mechanism accounting for the fast Cu(OAc)(2)-mediated AAC reactions involving chelating azides, which has apparent practical implications, but suggests the significance of mixed-valency dinuclear copper species in catalytic reactions where two copper centers carry different functions.

Synthesis of 5-Iodo-1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles Mediated by in Situ Generated Copper(I) Catalyst and Electrophilic Triiodide Ion

Mixing copper(II) perchlorate and sodium iodide solutions results in copper(I) species and the electrophilic triiodide ions, which collectively mediate the cycloaddition reaction of organic azide and terminal alkyne to afford 5-iodo-1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles. One molar equivalent of an amine additive is required for achieving a full conversion. Excessive addition of the amine compromises the selectivity for 5-iodo-1,2,3-triazole by promoting the formation of 5-proto-1,2,3-triazole. Based on preliminary kinetic and structural evidence, a mechanistic model is formulated in which a 5-iodo-1,2,3-triazole is formed via iodination of a copper(I) triazolide intermediate by the electrophilic triiodide ions (and possibly triethyliodoammonium ions). The experimental evidence explains the higher reactivity of the in situ generated copper(I) species and triiodide ion in the formation of 5-iodo-1,2,3-triazoles than that of the pure forms of copper(I) iodide and iodine.

Radical cascade transformations of tris(o-aryleneethynylenes) into substituted benzo[a]indeno[2,1-c]fluorenes.

Oligomeric o-aryleneethynylenes with three triple bonds undergo cascade radical transformations in reaction with a Bu 3SnH/AIBN system. These cascades involve three consecutive cycle closures with the formation of substituted benzo[ a]indeno[2,1- c]fluorene or benzo[1,2]fluoreno[4,3- b]silole derivatives. The success of this sequence depends on regioselectivity of the initial attack of the Bu 3Sn radical at the central triple bond of the o-aryleneethynylene moiety. The cascade is propagated through the sequence of 5-exo-dig and 6-exo-dig cyclizations which is followed by either a radical attack at the terminal Ar substituent or radical transposition which involves H-abstraction from the terminal TMS group and 5-endo-trig cyclization. Overall, the transformation has potential to be developed into an approach to a new type of graphite ribbons.

A Heteroditopic Fluoroionophoric Platform for Constructing Fluorescent Probes with Large Dynamic Ranges for Zinc Ions

A heteroditopic fluoroionophoric platform has been designed for constructing fluorescent probes for zinc ions over large concentration ranges. The responses of the prototype probes 3a and 3b to zinc ions were shown to be consistent with our hypothesis, according to which the modulation of photoinduced electron transfer followed by conformation rigidification or enhanced internal charge transfer of a ditopic ligand upon successive zinc coordination affords a sensitive fluorescence enhancement in one wavelength channel followed by an emission band shift to another wavelength channel. The heteroditopic arylvinyl-bipy platform established in this study provides a lead structure for constructing fluorescent probes for real-time live cell imaging of zinc ions over broad dynamic ranges.

Structurally diverse copper(II) complexes of polyaza ligands containing 1,2,3-triazoles: site selectivity and magnetic properties.

Copper(II) acetate mediated coupling reactions between 2,6-bis(azidomethyl)pyridine or 2-picolylazide and two terminal alkynes afford 1,2,3-triazolyl-containing ligands L(1)-L(6). These ligands contain various nitrogen-based Lewis basic sites including two different pyridyls, two nitrogen atoms on a 1,2,3-triazolyl ring, and the azido group. A rich structural diversity, which includes mononuclear and dinuclear complexes as well as one-dimensional polymers, was observed in the copper(II) complexes of L(1)-L(6). The preference of copper(II) to two common bidentate 1,2,3-triazolyl-containing coordination sites was investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry and, using zinc(II) as a surrogate, in (1)H NMR titration experiments. The magnetic interactions between the copper(II) centers in three dinuclear complexes were analyzed via temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements and high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The observed magnetic superexchange is strongly dependent on the orientation of magnetic orbitals of the copper(II) ions and can be completely turned off if these orbitals are arranged orthogonal to each other. This work demonstrates the versatility of 1,2,3-triazolyl-containing polyaza ligands in forming metal coordination complexes of a rich structural diversity and interesting magnetic properties.

One-dimensional organic lead halide perovskites with efficient bluish white-light emission.

Organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskites, an emerging class of solution processable photoactive materials, welcome a new member with a one-dimensional structure. Herein we report the synthesis, crystal structure and photophysical properties of one-dimensional organic lead bromide perovskites, C4N2H14PbBr4, in which the edge sharing octahedral lead bromide chains [PbBr4 2−]∞ are surrounded by the organic cations C4N2H14 2+ to form the bulk assembly of core-shell quantum wires. This unique one-dimensional structure enables strong quantum confinement with the formation of self-trapped excited states that give efficient bluish white-light emissions with photoluminescence quantum efficiencies of approximately 20% for the bulk single crystals and 12% for the microscale crystals. This work verifies once again that one-dimensional systems are favourable for exciton self-trapping to produce highly efficient below-gap broadband luminescence, and opens up a new route towards superior light emitters based on bulk quantum materials.

2-Anthryltriazolyl-containing multidentate ligands: zinc-coordination mediated photophysical processes and potential in live-cell imaging applications.

1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl (triazolyl)-containing tetradentate ligand 1 undergoes fluorescence enhancement upon binding to zinc ion (Zn(2+)) in both organic (acetonitrile) and aqueous solutions. A 1:1 complex of 1 with a trigonal bipyramidal Zn(2+) was characterized by X-ray crystallography. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of 1 suggests that an intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process is thermodynamically feasible which would quench the fluorescence of the 2-anthryltriazolyl fluorophore. On the basis of the X-ray and CV data, it was initially postulated that the 1:1 binding between Zn(2+) and ligand 1 shuts down the PET quenching pathway of the free ligand, which leads to the fluorescence enhancement of 1. However, the nuance of the interaction between 1 and Zn(2+) was revealed by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and (1)H NMR titration experiments. A two-step binding process was observed which proceeds through an intermediate species of 2:1 (ligand/Zn(2+)) stoichiometry. Upon close examination of the fluorescence spectra of 1 during the Zn(2+) titration experiment, the fluorescence profile is in fact consistent with a two-step binding process in which a moderate fluorescence enhancement was observed during the early stage of the titration, followed by a bathochromic shift in conjunction with a more pronounced enhancement as Zn(2+) concentration increases. The studies on compounds 2-5 support the amended hypothesis that upon increasing Zn(2+) concentration, compound 1 first undergoes fluorescence enhancement because of the formation of a 2:1 (ligand to Zn(2+)) complex which slows down the PET quenching process. As Zn(2+) concentration increases, the 2:1 complex is converted into a 1:1 complex which facilitates an intramolecular exciplex formation between the excited 2-anthryltriazolyl fluorophore and the Zn(2+)-bound pyridyl moiety. Finally, the potential of compound 1 as an intracellular fluorescent indicator for Zn(2+) was evaluated. HeLa cells loaded with compound 1 grown in Zn(2+)-rich media show stronger fluorescence than those grown under Zn(2+)-deprived conditions, confirming the promise that the triazolyl-containing polyaza fluoroionophores can be developed into intracellular fluorescent indicators targeting biological Zn(2+).