Direct observation of the excited state structure of a Ag(I)-Cu(I) complex

Heterodentate coordination complexes have been extensively studied because of their rich electronic and luminescent properties, which are of importance in the design of molecular devices. The short metal-metal contacts found in such complexes determine the nature of the lowest lying emissive states, and must be explored in order to understand their physical properties. Recent advances in time-resolved (TR) synchrotron techniques supported by specific data collection strategies and data processing procedures [1] allow for elucidation of molecular excited state geometries in the solid state. The approach has been so far successfully applied to several high-quality Laue-data sets collected at the 14-ID BioCars beamline at the Advanced Photon Source.[2] In this contribution we present synchrotron TR experiment results obtained for a new solvent-free crystal form of a model complex containing Ag(I) and Cu(I) (Ag2Cu2L4, L = 2-diphenylphosphino-3-methylindole).[3] This system exhibits red solid-state luminescence with a lifetime of about 1 µs. This is one of the shortest-lived excited states we have studied so far with the Laue technique. The relatively short lifetime goes along with significant structural changes observed upon irradiation, such as, the Ag...Ag distance shortening of about 0.2 Å in the excited state. The results clearly show strengthening of the Ag...Ag interactions suggesting a bond formation upon excitation. The photocrystallographic findings are supported by spectroscopic measurements and quantum computations. The results confirm the triplet nature of the emissive state originating mainly from a ligand-to-metal charge transfer. Research funded by the NSF (CHE1213223). BioCARS Sector 14 is supported by NIH, National Center for Research Resources (RR007707). APS is funded by the U.S. DOE, Office of Basic Energy Sciences (W-31-109-ENG-38). KNJ is supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education through the "Mobility Plus" program.

First steps towards time-resolved 'in-house' X-ray diffraction experiments

High-intensity X-ray sources, such as synchrotrons or X-ray free electron lasers, providing up to 100 ps time-resolution allow for studying very short-lived excited electronic states in molecular crystals. Some recent examples constitute investigations of Rh...Rh bond shortening,[1] or metal-to-ligand charge transfer processes in CuI complexes.[2] Nevertheless, in cases in which the lifetime of excited state species exceeds 10 μs it is now possible, due to the dramatic increase in the brightness of X-ray sources and the sensitivity of detectors, to use laboratory equipment to explore structural changes upon excitation. Consequently, in this contribution we present detailed technical description of the 'in-house' X-ray diffraction setup allowing for the laser-pump X-ray-probe experiments within the time-resolution at the order of 10 μs or larger. The experimental setup consists of a modified Bruker Mo-rotating-anode diffractometer, coupled with the high-frequency Nd:YAG laser (λ = 355 nm). The required synchronization of the laser pulses and the X-ray beam is realized via the optical chopper mounted across the beam-path. Chopper and laser capabilities enable high-repetition-rate experiments reaching up to 100 kHz. In addition, the laser shutter is being directly controlled though the original diffractometer software, allowing for collection of the data in a similar manner as done at the synchrotron (alternating light-ON & light-OFF frames). The laser beam itself is split into two allowing for improved uniform light delivery onto the crystal specimen. The designed setup was tested on the chosen set of crystals exhibiting rather long-lived excited state, such as, the Cu2Br2L2 (L = C5H4N-NMe2) complex, for which the determined lifetime is about 100 μs at 90 K. The results shall be presented. Research is funded by the National Science Foundation (CHE1213223). KNJ is supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education through the "Mobility Plus" program.

Selective time-dependent changes of Cu(DPPE)(DMP)·PF₆ on photoexcitation

Thanks to their potential applications as light-emitting devices, chemical sensors and dye-sensitized solar cells, heteroleptic copper (I) complexes have been extensively studied. Cu(DPPE)(DMP)·PF₆ (dppe= 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane; dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, P2₁/c, with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Previous studies on this system [1,2] show strong temperature-dependent emission. The complex was studied at 90K under 355nm laser excitation. At this temperature, the luminescence decay for Cu(DPPE)(DMP)·PF₆ is biexponential with lifetimes of ~3μs and ~28μs. Two time-resolved X-ray diffraction techniques were applied for studies: (1) a Laue technique at BioCARS ID-14 beamline at the Advanced Photon Source, and (2) monochromatic diffraction at a newly constructed in-house pump-probe monochromatic facility at the University at Buffalo. Structural changes determined with the two methods are in qualitative agreement; discrepancies in position of the Cu and P atoms were observed. The molecular distortions were smaller than those determined at 16K in the earlier synchrotron study by Vorontsov et al. [2]. Photodeformation maps (see Figure below), in which the increase in temperature on photoexcitation has been eliminated, clearly illustrate the photoinduced atomic shifts for both data sets. Results will be compared with those obtained for other studied heteroleptic copper (I) complexes, for instance Cu[(1,10-phenanthroline-N,N′) bis(triphenylphosphine)]·BF₄ [3]. The in-house pump-probe facility is discussed by Radoslaw Kaminski at this meeting. Research funded by the National Science Foundation (CHE1213223). BioCARS Sector 14 at APS is supported by NIH (RR007707). The Advanced Photon Source is funded by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy, (W-31-109-ENG-38). KNJ is supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education through the "Mobility Plus" program.

Charge density studies of nucleobase analogues - the case of DAP and isocytosine

Nucleobases belong to purine and pyrimidine family and constitute a biologically crucial group of compounds thank to their relation to nucleic acids. Specific interactions between these moieties are responsible for maintaining a proper structure of DNA, namely: hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions (between aromatic ring fragments). Furthermore, many modifications of natural nucleobases serve as drugs, but some could be extremely harmful. In view of the above, investigating the properties of analogues of nucleobases may contribute to our knowledge about nucleic acid properties in general and give an opportunity to find novel ligands binding to DNA, what is essential for drug design. Within this project two modified nucleobases were examined: 2,6-diaminopurine (DAP) and isocytosine (iC). DAP is a derivative of the adenine and iC is an isomer of cytosine. These compounds do not appear naturally in nucleic acids, however, can be used to compare Watson-Crick pairing in DNA and pairing of alternative bases. High resolution X-ray diffraction experiments were carried out to obtain appropriate data for charge density analysis. A comprehensive study of crystal packing and energetic features of the analysed systems was conducted. The nature of intermolecular interactions, structural motifs and crystal packing was analysed via Hirshfeld surface analysis [1], charge density distribution examination, QTAIM (Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules) [2] and theoretical calculations (gas phase dimers and periodic). Implications of the observed interactions for biological systems are discussed. This study was supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education within the Diamond Grant No DI 2011012441.

Charge density studies of interactions in macromolecules – the case of sunitinib

Electron density is a key factor in determining properties of molecules. Knowledge of the electron density distribution allows to determine not only the 3D structure of molecules, but also various one-electron properties (electric moments, electrostatic potential, electrostatic interaction energy, etc.). X-ray diffraction is a great tool for obtaining this kind of information. For macromolecules, however, quantitative determination of charge density from experiment is possible on rare occasions only. We will present that with the University at Buffalo pseudoatom database (UBDB) approach [1,2] it is now possible to reconstruct electron density of any macromolecular system for which atomic coordinates are available. The approach is fast and opens an excellent opportunity to investigate macromolecular complexes by means of topological analysis of electron density (and derivatives thereof), electrostatic interaction energy analysis, and many others. The results of our studies on sunitinib (SU) will illustrate the possibilities of the approach. SU is an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases and was approved as a drug in 2006. Comprehensive analysis of the SU malate crystal and SU complexes with a series of protein kinases was carried out. The high resolution single crystal X-ray measurement and UBDB approach served as the basis for the reconstruction of the charge density of SU and the protein complexes. Hirshfeld surface and topological analyses revealed a similar interaction pattern in the SU malate crystal to that in the protein binding pockets. SU forms nine preserved bond paths corresponding to hydrogen bonds and also to the C-H...O and C-H...π contacts common for all analyzed kinases. It interacts typically with similar electrostatic interaction energy with the studied proteins and can adjust its conformation to fit the binding pocket in a way to enhance the electrostatic interactions. Such behavior can be responsible for a broad spectrum of action of SU as kinase inhibitor.