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Claude Piguet

Publications and source records attributed to Claude Piguet.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Ruthenium(II) as a novel "labile" partner in thermodynamic self-assembly of heterobimetallic d-f triple-stranded helicates.

Unsymmetrical substituted bidentate benzimidazol-2-ylpyridine ligands L2 and L3 react with [Ru(dmso)(4)Cl(2)] in ethanol to give statistical 1:3 mixtures of fac-[Ru(Li)(3)](2+) and mer-[Ru(Li)(3)](2+) (i=2, 3; DeltaGtheta(isomerisation)=-2.7 kJ mol(-1)). In more polar solvents (acetonitrile, methanol), the free energy of the facial<=>meridional isomerisation process favours mer-[Ru(Li)(3)](2+), which is the only isomer observed in solution at the equilibrium (DeltaGtheta(isomerisation)< or = -11.4 kJ mol(-1)). Since the latter process takes several days for [Ru(L2)(3)](2+), fac-[Ru(L2)(3)](2+) and mer-[Ru(L2)(3)](2+) have been separated by chromatography, but the 28-fold increase in velocity observed for [Ru(L3)(3)](2+) provides only mer-[Ru(L3)3](ClO(4))2 after chromatography (RuC(60)H(51)N(9)O(8)Cl(2), monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z=4). The facial isomer can be stabilised when an appended tridentate binding unit, connected at the 5-position of the benzimidazol-2-ylpyridine unit in ligand L1, interacts with nine-coordinate lanthanides(III). The free energy of the facial<=>meridional isomerisation is reversed (DeltaGtheta(isomerisation)> or =11.4 kJ mol(-1)), and the Ru--N bonds are labile enough to allow the quantitative thermodynamic self-assembly of HHH-[RuLu(L1)(3)]5+ within hours ([RuLu(L1)3](CF(3)SO(3))(4.5)Cl(0.5)(CH(3)OH)(2.5): RuLuC(106)H(109)Cl(0.5)N(21)O(19)S(4.5)F(13.5), triclinic, P(-)1, Z=2). Electrochemical and photophysical studies show that the benzimidazol-2-ylpyridine units in L1-L3 display similar pi-acceptor properties to, but stronger pi-donor properties than, those found in 2,2'-bipyridine. This shifts the intraligand pi-->pi* and the MLCT transitions toward lower energies in the pseudo-octahedral [Ru(Li)(3)](2+) (i=2, 3) chromophores. The concomitant short lifetime of the (3)MLCT excited state points to efficient, thermally activated quenching via low-energy Ru-centred d-d states, a limitation which is partially overcome by mechanical coupling in HHH-[RuLu(L1)(3)]5+.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

The first enantiomerically pure helical noncovalent tripod for assembling nine-coordinate lanthanide(III) podates.

Decomplexation of the trivalent lanthanide, Ln(III), from the racemic bimetallic triple-stranded helicates [LnCr(L8)(3)](6+) provides the inert chiral tripodal nonadentate receptor [Cr(L8)(3)](3+). Elution of the latter podand with Na(2)Sb(2)[(+)-C(4)O(6)H(2)](2).5H(2)O through a cation exchange column allows its separation into its inert helical enantiomers M-(+)(589)-[Cr(L8)(3)](3+) and P-(-)(589)-[Cr(L8)(3)](3+), whose absolute configurations are assigned by using CD spectroscopy and exciton theory. Recombination with Ln(III) restores the original triple-stranded helicates [LnCr(L8)(3)](6+), and the associated thermodynamic parameters unravel the contribution of electrostatic repulsion and preorganization to the complexation process. Combining M-(+)(589)-[Cr(L8)(3)](3+) with Eu(III) produces the enantiomerically pure d-f helicate MM-(-)(589)-[EuCr(L8)(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(6).4CH(3)CN, whose X-ray crystal structure (EuCrC(113)H(111)N(25)O(21)S(6)F(18), monoclinic, P2(1), Z = 2) unambiguously confirms the absolute left-handed configuration for the final helix. The associated ligand-centered and metal-centered chiro-optical properties recorded for the complexes MM-[LnCr(L8)(3)](6+) and PP-[LnCr(L8)(3)](6+) (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb) show a strong effect of helicity on specific rotary dispersions, CD and CPL spectra.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Programming heteropolymetallic lanthanide helicates: thermodynamic recognition of different metal ions along the strands.

Under stoichiometric conditions, the segmental tris-tridentate ligand L9 assembles with two different lanthanide metal ions Ln(1) and Ln(2) (Ln(1), Ln(2)=La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Y) to give mixtures of the heterotrimetallic triple-stranded helicates [(Ln(1))(x)(Ln(2))(3-x)(L9)(3)](9+) (x=0-3) in acetonitrile. The combination of qualitative (ESI-MS) and quantitative ((1)H NMR) speciations provides a set of thermodynamic data that were analysed with various statistical chemical models. A satisfying description requires the consideration of different affinities for the terminal N(6)O(3) sites (k(t)(Ln) and for the central N(9) site (k(c)(Ln) for each specific lanthanide. The nontrivial dependence of these parameters on the ionic radius provides size-discriminating effects that favour the formation of heterotrimetallic helicates in which the central site is occupied by the larger metal of the pair. Combining the latter enthalpic driving forces with entropic contributions due to specific stoichiometric conditions allows partial selection (i.e., programming) of a specific heterotrimetallic species in solution, which can be isolated by crystallisation, as demonstrated for [Eu(2.04)La(0.96)(L9)(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(9)(CH(3)NO(2))(9) (1, Eu(2.04)La(0.96)C(207)H(222)N(48)O(51)S(9)F(27), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z=4) in which the cation [EuLaEu(L9)(3)](9+) is the major component in the crystal. The scope and limitation of this approach is discussed together with the conditions for explicitly considering intermetallic interaction parameters u(Ln1Ln2) in more sophisticated chemical models.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

The solution structure of rhombic lanthanide complexes analyzed with a Model-free and crystal-field independent paramagnetic NMR method: application to nonaxial trimetallic complexes [LnxLu(3-x)(TACI-3H)2(H2O)6]3+ (x = 1-3).

The model-free approach has been extended with the derivation of a novel three-nuclei crystal-field independent method for investigating isostructurality in nonaxial (i.e., rhombic) complexes along the lanthanide series. Application of this technique to the heterotrimetallic sandwich complexes [LnLu2(TACI-3H)2(H2O)6]3+, which possess a single C2v-symmetrical paramagnetic center, unambiguously evidences isostructurality for Ln = Pr-Yb, while the variation of the second-rank crystal-field parameters and along the series prevents reliable structural analyses with the classical one-nucleus equation. Extension toward polymetallic magnetically noncoupled rhombic lanthanide complexes in [Ln2Lu(TACI-3H)2(H2O)6]3+ (two paramagnetic centers with Cs microsymmetry) and [Ln3(TACI-3H)2(H2O)6]3+ (three paramagnetic centers with C2v microsymmetry) requires only minor modifications of the original three-nuclei equation. Isostructurality characterizes [Ln2Lu(TACI-3H)2(H2O)6]3+ (Ln = Pr-Yb), while [Ln3(TACI-3H)2(H2O)6]3+ exhibit a structural change between Eu and Tb which results from the concomitant contraction of the three metallic centers. Particular attention has been focused on (i) the stepwise increase of contact (i.e., through-bond) and pseudocontact (i.e., through-space) contributions when the number of paramagnetic centers increases, (ii) the assignment of 13C resonances in the strongly paramagnetic complexes [Ln3(TACI-3H)2(H2O)6]3+ (Ln = Tb-Yb) for which reliable T1 measurements and [1H-13C] correlation spectra are not accessible, and (iii) the combination of crystal-field dependent and independent methods for analyzing the paramagnetic NMR spectra of axial and nonaxial lanthanide complexes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Tuning facial-meridional isomerisation in monometallic nine-co-ordinate lanthanide complexes with unsymmetrical tridentate ligands.

The unsymmetrical tridentate benzimidazole-pyridine-carboxamide units in ligands L1-L4 react with trivalent lanthanides, Ln(III), to give the nine-co-ordinate triple-helical complexes [Ln(Li)3]3+ (i = 1-4) existing as mixtures of C3-symmetrical facial and C1-symmetrical meridional isomers. Although the beta13 formation constants are 3-4 orders of magnitude smaller for these complexes than those found for the D3-symmetrical analogues [Ln(Li)3]3+ (i = 5-6) with symmetrical ligands, their formation at the millimolar scale is quantitative and the emission quantum yield of [Eu(L2)3]3+ is significantly larger. The fac-[Ln(Li)3]3+ <--> mer-[Ln(Li)3]3+ (i = 1-4) isomerisation process in acetonitrile is slow enough for Ln = Lu(III) to be quantified by 1H NMR below room temperature. The separation of enthalpic and entropic contributions shows that the distribution of the facial and meridional isomers can be tuned by the judicious peripheral substitution of the ligands affecting the interstrand interactions. Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations suggest that one supplementary interstrand pi-stacking interaction stabilises the meridional isomers, while the facial isomers benefit from more favourable electrostatic contributions. As a result of the mixture of facial and meridional isomers in solution, we were unable to obtain single crystals of 1:3 complexes, but the X-ray crystal structures of their nine-co-ordinate precursors [Eu(L1)2(CF3SO3)2(H2O)](CF3SO3)(C3H5N)2(H2O) (6, C45H54EuF9N10O13S3, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4) and [Eu(L4)2(CF3SO3)2(H2O)](CF3SO3)(C4H4O)(1.5) (7, C51H66EuF9N8O(15.5)S3, triclinic, P1, Z = 2) provide crucial structural information on the binding mode of the unsymmetrical tridentate ligands.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Supramolecular recognition of heteropairs of lanthanide ions: a step toward self-assembled bifunctional probes.

Three unsymmetrical ditopic hexadentate ligands coded for the recognition of trivalent lanthanide ions have been synthesized, L(AB), L(AC), and L(BC), where A represents a benzimidazole-pyridine-benzimidazole coordination unit, B a benzimidazole-pyridine-carboxamide one, and C a benzimidazole-pyridine-carboxylic acid moiety. Under stoichiometric 2:3 (Ln:L) conditions, these ligands self-assemble with lanthanide ions to yield triple-stranded bimetallic helicates having a sizable stability in acetonitrile: log beta(23) values for Eu are equal to 23.9 +/- 0.5 (L(AB)), 23.3 +/- 0.7 (deprotonated L(AC)), and 29.8 +/- 0.5 (deprotonated L(BC)). The crystal structure of the EuEu helicate with L(AB) shows 9-coordinate metal ions and an HHH (H stands for head) configuration of the helically wrapped ligand strands. In the presence of equimolar quantities of Ln and Ln' ions, L(AB) displays a remarkable predisposition to form HHH-heterobimetallic edifices, as proved both in the solid state by the crystal structures of the LaEu, LaTb, PrEr, and PrLu helicates and in solution by NMR spectroscopy. In all cases, the benzimidazole-pyridine-carboxamide units of the three ligands are bound to the smaller lanthanide ion, a fact further ascertained by high-resolution luminescence data on LaEu and by (1)H NMR. Analysis of the lanthanide-induced (1)H NMR shifts and of the spin-lattice relaxation times of the [LnLu(L(AB))(3)](6+) series (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) demonstrates the isostructural nature of the complexes in solution and that the crystal structure of LaTb is a good model for the solution structure. The selectivity of L(AB) for heteropairs of Ln(III) ions increases with increasing difference in ionic radius, resulting in 70% of the heterobimetallic species for deltar(i) = 0.1 A and up to 90% for LaLu (deltar(i) = 0.18 A), and corresponding to delta(deltaG) in the range 3-10 kJ.mol(-)(1). The origins of this stabilization are discussed in terms of the donor properties of the coordinating units and of the preferential formation of HHH isomers.

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PubMed2003

Extending lifetimes of lanthanide-based near-infrared emitters (Nd, Yb) in the millisecond range through Cr(III) sensitization in discrete bimetallic edifices.

A [Cr(alpha,alpha'-diimine)3]3+ chromophore is used as a donor for sensitizing NdIII and YbIII near-infrared (NIR) emitters in the heterobimetallic helicates [LnCrIIIL3]6+. The intramolecular CrIII --> LnIII energy transfer process controls the population of the lanthanide-centered emitting levels, thus leading to unprecedented extension of the NIR luminescence decay times in the millisecond range for Nd and Yb ions incorporated in coordination complexes.

Chromium↗
PubMed2003

Connecting terminal carboxylate groups in nine-coordinate lanthanide podates: consequences on the thermodynamic, structural, electronic, and photophysical properties.

The hydrolysis of terminal (t)butyl-ester groups provides the novel nonadentate podand tris[2-[N-methylcarbamoyl-(6-carboxypyridine-2)-ethyl]amine] (L13) which exists as a mixture of slowly interconverting conformers in solution. At pH = 8.0 in water, its deprotonated form [L13 - 3H](3-) reacts with Ln(ClO(4))(3) to give the poorly soluble and stable podates [Ln(L13 - 3H)] (log(beta(110)) = 6.7-7.0, Ln = La-Lu). The isolated complexes [Ln(L13 - 3H)](H(2)O)(7) (Ln = Eu, 8; Tb, 9; Lu, 10) are isostructural, and their crystal structures show Ln(III) to be nine-coordinate in a pseudotricapped trigonal prismatic site defined by the donor atoms of the three helically wrapped tridentate binding units of L13. The Ln-O(carboxamide) bonds are only marginally longer than the Ln-O(carboxylate) bonds in [Ln(L13 - 3H)], thus producing a regular triple helix around Ln(III) which reverses its screw direction within the covalent Me-TREN tripod. High-resolution emission spectroscopy demonstrates that (i) the replacement of terminal carboxamides with carboxylates induces only minor electronic changes for the metallic site, (ii) the solid-state structure is maintained in water, and (iii) the metal in the podate is efficiently protected from interactions with solvent molecules. The absolute quantum yields obtained for [Eu(L13 - 3H)] (Phi(Eu)(tot)= 1.8 x 10(-3)) and [Tb(L13 - 3H)] (Phi(Eu)(tot)= 8.9 x 10(-3)) in water remain modest and strongly contrast with that obtained for the lanthanide luminescence step (Phi(Eu) = 0.28). Detailed photophysical studies assign this discrepancy to the small energy gap between the ligand-centered singlet ((1)pi pi*) and triplet ((3)pi pi*) states which limits the efficiency of the intersystem crossing process. Theoretical TDDFT calculations suggest that the connection of a carboxylate group to the central pyridine ring prevents the sizable stabilization of the triplet state required for an efficient sensitization process. The thermodynamic and electronic origins of the advantages (stability, lanthanide quantum yield) and drawbacks (solubility, sensitization) brought by the "carboxylate effect" in lanthanide complexes are evaluated for programming predetermined properties in functional devices.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

The first self-assembled trimetallic lanthanide helicates driven by positive cooperativity.

The segmental tris-tridentate ligand L7 reacts with stoichiometric quantities of Ln(III) (Ln=La-Lu) in acetonitrile to give the complexes [Ln(2)(L7)(3)](6+) and [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](9+). Formation constants point to negligible size-discriminating effects along the lanthanide series, but Scatchard plots suggest that the self-assembly of the trimetallic triple-stranded helicates [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](9+) is driven to completion by positive cooperativity, despite strong intermetallic electrostatic repulsions. Crystallization provides quantitatively [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(9) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Lu) and the X-ray crystal structure of [Eu(3)(L7)(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(9).(CH(3)CN)(9).(H(2)O)(2) (Eu(3)C(216)H(226)N(48)O(35)F(27)S(9), triclinic, P1, Z=2) shows the three ligand strands wrapped around a pseudo-threefold axis defined by the three metal ions rigidly held at about 9 A. Each metal ion is coordinated by nine donor atoms in a pseudo-trigonal prismatic arrangement, but the existence of terminal carboxamide units in the ligand strands differentiates the electronic properties of the terminal and the central metallic sites. Photophysical data confirm that the three coordination sites possess comparable pseudo-trigonal symmetries in the solid state and in solution. High-resolution luminescence analyses evidence a low-lying LMCT state affecting the central EuN(9) site, so that multi-metal-centered luminescence is essentially dominated by the emission from the two terminal EuN(6)O(3) sites in [Eu(3)(L7)(3)](9+). New multicenter equations have been developed for investigating the solution structure of [Ln(3)(L7)(3)](9+) by paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy and linear correlations for Ln=Ce-Tb imply isostructurality for these larger lanthanides. NMR spectra point to the triple helical structure being maintained in solution, but an inversion of the magnitude of the second-rank crystal-field parameters, obtained by LIS analysis, for the LnN(6)O(3) and LnN(9) sites with respect to the parameters extracted for Eu(III) from luminescence data, suggests that the geometry of the central LnN(9) site is somewhat relaxed in solution.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

A novel extended covalent tripod for assembling nine-coordinate lanthanide(III) podates: a delicate balance between flexibility and rigidity.

The introduction of long semirigid spacers between the capping carbon atom of the tripod and the unsymmetrical tridentate binding units provides the novel, extended covalent podand tris-[2-[2-(6-diethylcarbamoylpyridin-2-yl)-1-ethyl-1H-benzoimidazol-5-yl-methoxy]ethyl]methane (L(15)). Reaction of L(15) with lanthanide(III) in acetonitrile produces stable podates [Ln(L(15))](3+) (Ln=La-Lu) in which three tridentate binding units are facially organized. These wrap around the nine-coordinate pseudo-tricapped trigonal-prismatic metal ions. The crystal structure of [La(L(15))](ClO(4))(3) (18, LaC(67)H(82)N(12)O(18)Cl(3), trigonal, R3c, Z=6) reveals the formation of a C(3)-symmetrical triple-helical podate. Two slightly different arrangements of the flexible ethylenoxy parts of the spacer are observed in the solid state in agreement with the formation of two conformational isomers (M:m) in a 4:1 ratio. A qualitative analysis of the aromatic diamagnetic anisotropies affecting the NMR signals of [Ln(L(15))](3+) (Ln=La, Y, Lu) in solution, combined with the quantitative determination of electron-induced relaxation in the paramagnetic complex [Nd(L(15))](3+), demonstrate that the solid state structure is maintained in solution. This leads to a mixture of two triple-helical conformers of similar stabilities and that do not interconvert on the NMR timescale between 243 and 343 K. Particular attention has been given to the structural programming of extended covalent tripods for facially organizing unsymmetrical tridentate binding units around Ln(III). Photophysical measurements show that L(15) efficiently protects the metallic coordination spheres and sensitizes Eu(III) and Tb(III) upon UV irradiation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Self-assembly mechanism of a bimetallic europium triple-stranded helicate.

We report the self-assembly process of a supramolecular edifice based on the coordination of europium(III) by a ditopic strand L bearing tridentate bis(benzimidazolyl)pyridine subunits. Varying the metal/ligand ratio and using a fruitful combination of electrospray mass spectrometry and absorption spectrophotometry, we characterized three major complexes (EuL(2), Eu(2)L(2), and Eu(2)L(3)) in acetonitrile. Kinetic investigations showed an alternative "braiding" and "keystone" mechanism leading to Eu(2)L(3). The formation mechanism of the dinuclear triple-stranded helicate, which is mainly governed by electrostatic interactions, goes via the "side-by-side" Eu(2)L(2) intermediate. Our thermodynamic and kinetic data allow the prediction of the apparent "magic" self-assembly of Eu(2)L(3) which is fast and efficient only under a strict set of conditions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Analysis of paramagnetic NMR spectra of triple-helical lanthanide complexes with 2,6-dipicolinic acid revisited: a new assignment of structural changes and crystal-field effects 25 years later.

Variable-temperature (1)H and (13)C NMR measurements of the D(3)-symmetrical triple-helical complexes [Ln(L1-2H)(3)](3)(-) (L1 = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid; Ln = La-Lu) show evidence of dynamic intermolecular ligand-exchange processes whose activation energies depend on the size of the metal ion. At 298 K, the use of diastereotopic probes in [Ln(L3-2H)(3)](3)(-) (L3 = 4-ethyl-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) shows that fast intramolecular P <==> M interconversion between the helical enantiomers occurs on the NMR time scale. Detailed analyses of the paramagnetic NMR hyperfine shifts according to crystal-field independent techniques demonstrate the existence of two different helical structures, one for large lanthanides (Ln = La-Eu) and one for small lanthanides (Ln = Tb-Lu), in complete contrast with the isostructurality proposed 25 years ago. A careful reconsideration of the original crystal-field-dependent analysis shows that an abrupt variation of the axial crystal-field parameter A(0)2 parallels the structural change leading to some accidental compensation effects that prevent the detection of structural variations according to the classical one-nucleus method. Crystal structures in the solid state and density functional theory calculations in the gas phase provide structural models that rationalize the paramagnetic NMR data. A regular triple-helical structure is found for small lanthanides (Ln = Tb-Lu) in which the terdentate chelating ligands are rigidly tricoordinated to the metals. A flexible and distorted structure is evidenced for Ln = La-Eu in which the central pyridine rings interact poorly with the metal ion. The origin of the simultaneous variation of structural parameters and crystal-field and hyperfine constants near the middle of the lanthanide series is discussed together with the use of crystal-field-independent techniques for the interpretation of paramagnetic NMR spectra in axial lanthanide complexes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Self-Assembled Dinuclear Lanthanide Helicates: Substantial Luminescence Enhancement upon Replacing Terminal Benzimidazole Groups by Carboxamide Binding Units.

The segmental ligands bis{1-alkyl-2-[6'-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl)pyridin-2'-yl]benzimidazol-5-yl}methane (alkyl = methyl (L(5)), ethyl (L(6))) react with lanthanide perchlorates (Ln = La, Eu, Gd, Tb) in acetonitrile to yield the f-f dinuclear homotopic triple-stranded helicates [Ln(2)(L(i)())(3)](6+) (i = 5, 6) under thermodynamic control. The crystal structure of [Tb(2)(L(6))(3)](ClO(4))(3)(MeCN)(2)(THF)(0.5)(EtOH)(0.5) (11a, C(124)H(145)N(26)O(31)Cl(6)Tb(2), triclinic, P&onemacr;, Z = 2) shows the wrapping of the ligands about a pseudo-C(3) axis passing through the metal ions. The Tb ions are 9-coordinate in facial pseudo-tricapped trigonal prismatic sites and are separated by 9.06 Å. (1)H-NMR and ES-MS data establish that the triple helical structure is maintained in solution. Spectrophotometric titrations (Ln = La, Eu) indicate log beta(23) = 24-25 and the formation of a 2:2 complex [Ln(2)(L(5))(2)](6+) (log beta(22) = 19-20). Quantum yield determination in acetonitrile shows that the terminal N,N-diethylcarboxamide groups in L(5) favor efficient intramolecular L(5) --> Eu(III) energy transfers leading to strong Eu-centered red luminescence, 50 times as intense as the luminescence observed when the carboxamide groups are replaced by substituted benzimidazole units in [Eu(2)(L(4))(3)](6+). Resistance toward hydrolysis also results from the use of carboxamide groups, and no quenching of luminescence is observed for [Eu(2)(L(5))(3)](6+) in moist acetonitrile up to 2.5 M water. The crucial role played by carboxamide groups for the control of structural, electronic, and photophysical properties is discussed. Replacing perchlorates by triflates allows the isolation of the dinuclear double-stranded helicate [Eu(2)(L(6))(2)(CF(3)SO(3))(4)(H(2)O(2))(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2)(MeOH)(2)(H(2)O)(5)(.5), whose crystal structure (13a, C(85)H(106)Eu(2)F(18)N(16)O(30)S(6), monoclinic, C2/m, Z = 2) reveals a side-by-side arrangement of the two strands and 9-coordinate Eu ions linked through hydrogen-bonded water molecules.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Stability and Size-Discriminating Effects in Mononuclear Lanthanide Triple-Helical Building Blocks with Tridentate Aromatic Ligands.

The planar aromatic tridentate ligand 2,6-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (L(1)) reacts with Ln(III) (Ln = La-Lu) in acetonitrile to give the successive complexes [Ln(L(1))(n)()](3+) (n = 1-3). Stability constants determined by spectrophotometry and potentiometric competitive titrations with Ag(I) show that the 1:1 and the 1:2 complexes display the usual thermodynamic behavior associated with electrostatic effects while the 1:3 complexes exhibit an unusual selectivity for the midrange Ln(III) ions (Delta log K(3)(Gd-Lu) approximately 4). A detailed investigation of the solution structure of [Ln(L(1))(3)](3+) (Ln = La-Dy) reveals that the closely packed triple-helical structure found in the crystal structure of [Eu(L(1))(3)](3+) is retained in acetonitrile for the complete series. A sharp control of the coordination cavity results from the interstrand pi-stacking interactions which appear to be optimum for Gd(III). For Yb(III), for instance, a 1:2 complex only could be isolated, which crystallizes as a hydroxo-bridged dimer [Yb(OH)(L(1))(2)](2)(ClO(4))(4)(HClO(4))(0.5)(CH(3)CN)(7.32)(L(1))(0.5) (triclinic, P&onemacr;, a = 13.250(2) Å, b = 16.329(2) Å, c = 27.653(3) Å, alpha = 99.941(9) degrees, beta = 93.394(9) degrees, gamma = 108.114(9) degrees, Z = 2). The binding of bulky substituents to the nitrogen atoms of the benzimidazole side arms in L(4) (i) severely affects the wrapping process, (ii) leads to less stable triple-helical building blocks, and (iii) removes the size-discriminating effect. The last can however be restored if a strong electron-donor group is connected to the central pyridine ring in L(8). Stability and solution structure data for [Ag(2)(L(i)())(2)](2+) (i = 1, 4, 8) are also reported and discussed.

Journal Article↗