No abstract

Redox‐active ligands impart versatility in transition metal complexes, which are attractive for photosensitizers, dye sensitized solar cells, photothermal therapy, etc. Dithiolene (Dt) ligands can transition between fully reduced and fully oxidized states. Herein, we report the syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and electronic properties of four [Cu(R2Dt0)2]+/2+ (R = Me, iPr) complexes, [Cu(iPr2Dt0)2][PF6] (1a), [Cu(iPr2Dt0)2][PF6]2 (1b), and [Cu(Me2Dt0)2][PF6] (2a), [Cu(Me2Dt0)2][PF6]2 (2b), where iPr2Dt0 = N,N′‐diisopropyl‐1,2‐piperazine dithione and Me2Dt0 = N,N′‐dimethyl‐1,2‐piperazine dithione. In addition, the molecular structure of [Cu(iPr2Dt0)2][BF4]2(1c) is also reported. Complexes 1a and 2a crystallized in the triclinic, P1 space group, and 1c crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system, space group C2/c. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements show that the Cu(I) complexes have a distorted tetrahedral geometry, whereas the Cu(II) complex exhibits a true square‐planar geometry. Cu(I) complexes exhibit a low energy charge‐transfer band (450–650 nm), which are not observed in Cu(II) complexes. Electrochemical studies of these complexes show both ligand‐ and metal‐based redox couples.

We report a series of mononuclear monooxo Mo(IV) complexes possessing either one or two fully oxidized dithiolene ligands; [MoOCl(R2Dt0)2][X], (1 and 2), and MoO(p‐SC6H4Y)2(R2Dt0), (3 and 4), (R=Me, iPr; X=PF6, SbF6, BF4; Y=H, Cl, F, CF3, Me, tBu, OMe). Either four or two quasi‐reversible ligand‐based redox couples are detected depending upon the number of fully oxidized dithiolene ligands present. The molecular structure of 3 and 4 exhibit a large (47° to 70°) fold angle along the S⋅⋅⋅S vector of the dithione ligand. The UV‐Vis spectra of 3 and 4 exhibit a low energy charge transfer band at ∼540 nm that are red‐shifted ∼200 nm compared to the spectra of 1 and 2. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations show that the low energy charge transfer band of 3 and 4 is heavily influenced by ligand fold angle. Reducing the fold angle decreases the charge transfer energy, and the transition becomes more ligand‐based.

Pterins are bicyclic heterocycles that are found widely across Nature and are involved in a variety of biological functions. Notably, pterins are found at the core of molybdenum cofactor (Moco) containing enzymes in the molybdopterin (MPT) ligand that coordinates molybdenum and facilitates cofactor activity. Pterins are diverse and can be widely functionalized to tune their properties. Herein, the general methods of synthesis, redox and spectroscopic properties of pterin are discussed to provide more insight into pterin chemistry and their importance to biological systems.