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The novel photoswitchable ligand 3,3'‐Azobenz(metPA)2 (1) is used to prepare a [Cu2(1)2](BF4)2 metallocycle (2), whose photoisomerization was characterized using static and time‐resolved spectroscopic methods. Optical studies demonstrate the highly quantitative and reproducible photoinduced cyclic E/Z switching without decay of the complex. Accordingly and best to our knowledge, [Cu2(1)2](BF4)2 constitutes the first reversibly photoswitchable (3d)‐metallocycle based on azobenzene. The photoinduced multiexponential dynamics in the sub‐picosecond to few picosecond time domain of 1 and 2 have been assessed. These ultrafast dynamics as well as the yield of the respective photostationary state (PSSZ = 65 %) resemble the behavior of archetypical azobenzene. Also, the innovative pump‐probe laser technique of gas phase transient photodissociation (τ‐PD) in a mass spectrometric ion trap was used to determine the intrinsic relaxation dynamics for the isolated complex. These results are consistent with the results from femtosecond UV/Vis transient absorption (fs‐TA) in solution, emphasizing the azobenzene‐like dynamics of 2. This unique combination of fs‐TA and τ‐PD enables valuable insights into the prevailing interplay of dynamics and solvation. Both analyses (in solution and gas phase) and quantum chemical calculations reveal a negligible effect of the metal coordination on the switching mechanism and electronic pathway, which suggests a non‐cooperative isomerization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binuclear coinage metal phosphine complexes are examined under ion trap isolation in order to elucidate their noncovalent binding, structural properties and intrinsic electronic spectra. Our survey shows an intriguing order of electronic transitions obtained by in situ synthesis and mass-spectrometrically supported UV photodissociation spectroscopy on a series of six isolated homo- and heterobinuclear complexes of type [MM′(dcpm)2]2+ (M, M′ = CuI, AgI, AuI; dcpm = bis(dicyclohexyl-phosphino)methane). This approach provides the unique opportunity to study all possible coinage metal interactions within a fixed ligand framework. A successive blue-shift (33 700–38 500 cm−1; 297–260 nm) of the lowest-energy bright electronic transition energy in gas phase was observed in the order of Cu2 < CuAu < CuAg < Au2 < AgAu < Ag2. This order was reproduced by quantum chemical calculations using a scalar-relativistic GW-Bethe–Salpeter-equation (GW-BSE) approach. Theory ascribes the electronic bands of all complexes to metal-centered 1MC(dσ*–pσ) transitions revealing a strengthening of metal–metal′ (M–M′) binding upon excitation, in agreement to mass spetrometric results. A test of the correlation of transition energies with M–M′ distance by quantum chemical calculations of single point energies as a function of intermetallic distance indicates qualitative agreement with experimental results. However, the experimentally observed high sensitivity of spectroscopic shifts towards metal composition cannot be accounted for solely by M–M′ distance variation. The differences in electronic transitions are qualitatively rationalized by the varying (n + 1)s (n = 3, 4, 5) orbital contributions (increase from Cu2via CuAu/CuAg to Au2/AgAu/Ag2) within the nd(n + 1)s/p-hybridization for the ground electronic state of the different complexes, whereas the excited state (of (n + 1)p orbital character) shows significantly less variation in energy. In particular, the observed spectroscopic and mass spectrometric sequence for the Ag/Au complexes is traced back to the interplay of Pauli repulsion and variation in metal–ligand bond strength within the orbital hybridization model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafast vibrational coherence with metal-metal stretching mode character is observed for phosphine-bridged d10-d10 complexes of different size, containing the binuclear [Ag2Cl]+ chromophore in an ion trap. Fragmentation pathways are governed by the wave packet's phase.

Chromone offers two energetically almost equivalent docking sites for alcohol molecules, in which the hydroxyl group is hydrogen bonded to one of the free electron pairs of the carbonyl O atom. Here, the delicate balance between these two competing arrangements is studied by combining IR/R2PI and UV/IR/UV spectroscopy in a molecular beam supported by quantum-chemical calculations. Most interestingly, chromone undergoes an efficient intersystem crossing into the triplet manifold upon electronic excitation, so that the studies on aromatic molecule-solvent complexes are for the first time extended to such a cluster in a triplet state. As the lowest triplet state (T1) is of ground state character, powerful energy decomposition approaches such as symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) and local energy decomposition using the domain-based local pair natural orbital coupled–cluster method (DLPNO-CCSD(T)/LED) are applied. From the theoretical analysis we infer for the T1 state a loss of planarity (puckering) of the 4-pyrone ring of the chromone unit, which considerably affects the interplay between different types of non-covalent interactions at the two possible binding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared/femtosecond multiphoton ionization spectroscopy (IR/fsMPI) and fluorescence-detected infrared (FDIR) spectrum are used for examining the structure of isolated 1H-pyrrolo[3,2-h]quinoline (PQ)/[water.sub.n] (n = 1.2) complexes. Findings reveal weaker hydrogen bonding in both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes of PQ with water.

Time-resolved pump-probe photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to study the relaxation dynamics of gaseous [Pt2(μ-P2O5H2)4 + 2H]2- after population of its first singlet excited state by 388 nm femtosecond laser irradiation. In contrast to the fluorescence and phosphorescence observed in condensed phase, a significant fraction of the photoexcited isolated dianions decays by electron loss to form the corresponding monoanions. Our transient photoelectron data reveal an ultrafast decay of the initially excited singlet ¹A2u state and concomitant rise in population of the triplet ³A2u state, via sub-picosecond intersystem crossing (ISC). We find that both of the electronically excited states are metastably bound behind a repulsive Coulomb barrier and can decay via delayed autodetachment to yield electrons with characteristic kinetic energies. While excited state tunneling detachment (ESETD) from the singlet ¹A2u state takes only a few picoseconds, ESETD from the triplet ³A2u state is much slower and proceeds on a time scale of hundreds of nanoseconds. The ISC rate in the gas phase is significantly higher than in solution, which can be rationalized in terms of changes to the energy dissipation mechanism in the absence of solvent molecules. [Pt2(μ-P2O5H2)4 + 2H]2- is the first example of a photoexcited multianion for which ESETD has been observed following ISC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical and spectroscopic characterization of the mononuclear photosensitizers [(DPEPhos)Cu(I)(MPyrT)]0/+ (CuL, CuLH) and their dinuclear analogues (Cu2L', Cu2L'H2), backed by (TD)DFT and high‐level GW‐Bethe‐Salpeter equation calculations, exemplifies the complex influence of charge, nuclearity and structural flexibility on UV‐induced photophysical pathways. Ultrafast transient absorption and step‐scan FTIR spectroscopy reveal flattening distortion in the triplet state of CuLH as controlled by charge, which also appears to have a large impact on the symmetry of the long‐lived triplet states in Cu2L' and Cu2L'H2. Time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy (solid state), supported by transient photodissociation spectroscopy (gas phase), confirm a lifetime of some tens of μs for the respective triplet states, as well as the energetics of thermally activated delayed luminescence, both being essential parameters for application of these materials based on earth‐abundant copper in photocatalysis and luminescent devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modular synthesis of Au(I)/Ru(II) decorated mono‐ and heterobimetallic complexes with π‐conjugated [2.2]paracyclophane is described. [2.2]Paracyclophane serves as a rigid spacer which holds the metal centers in precise spatial orientations and allows metal‐to‐metal distance modulation. A broad set of architectural arrangements of pseudo ‐geminal, ‐ortho, ‐meta, and ‐para substitution patterns were employed. Metal‐to‐metal distance modulation of Au(I)/Ru(II) heterobimetallic complexes and the innate transannular π‐communication of the cyclophanyl scaffold provides a promising platform for the investigations of structure‐activity relationship and cooperative effects. The Au(I)/Ru(II) heterobimetallic cyclophanyl complexes are stable, easily accessible, and exhibit promising catalytic activity in the visible‐light promoted arylative Meyer‐Schuster rearrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "Cover Feature: A Photoswitchable Metallocycle Based on Azobenzene: Synthesis, Characterization, and Ultrafast Dynamics," highlights the discovery of an azobenzene-based metallocycle that can undergo reversible photoisomerization without disassembly. The cover feature showcases the switching between the (E,E) and (Z,Z) isomers of [Cu2(3,3'‐azobenz(metPA)2](BF4)2. The researchers used femtosecond UV/Vis transient absorption in solution and femtosecond pump-probe photodissociation in the gas phase to study the primary switching dynamics. For more information, readers can refer to the Research Article by C. Riehn, R. Diller, S. Becker, and their colleagues. [Extracted from the article]

We study theoretically strong field effects in rotational femtosecond degenerate four-wave-mixing (DFWM). First, we developed a perturbative approach and calculated the leading correction to the standard (weak field) formula for femtosecond DFWM signal. Second, we constructed a nonperturbative approach for computing femtosecond DFWM signals excited by (short) pulses of arbitrary intensity. Third, we worked out the theory to describe femtosecond DFWM with an extra aligning pulse. We show that the strong-pulse-induced nonadiabatic alignment does explain many experimentally detected features that develop in femtosecond DFWM signals with increasing laser intensity beyond the standard weak field regime. However, we also show that this nonadiabatic alignment cannot solely be responsible for the onset of the heterodyne detection and pronounced constant background in DFWM signals excited by high intensity laser pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scheme for measuring the IR spectra of photoreactive molecular clusters, which is based on femtosecond multiphoton ionization probing (IR/fsMPI) is presented. The results have demonstrated that size-specific spectra for small complexes could be obtained if the supersonic expansion and excitation conditions are carefully controlled.

The use of femtosecond time-resolved, which degenerates four-wave mixing rotationally resolved spectroscopy to obtain very accurate structural information on the symmetric top cyclohexane is reported. Since, in the chair conformation belongs to the point D3d, it is not possible to employ microwave spectroscopy, which is the most precise structural method in the gas phase for small- and medium-sized molecules.

The photoexcitation of a triangular silver(I) hydride complex, [Ag3(μ3‐H)(μ2‐dcpm)3](PF6)2 ([P](PF6)2, dcpm=bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane), designed with "UV‐silent" bis‐phosphine ligands, provokes hydride‐to‐Ag3 single and double electron transfer. The nature of the electronic transitions has been authenticated by absorption and photodissociation spectroscopy in parallel with high‐level quantum‐chemical computations utilizing the GW method and Bethe–Salpeter equation (GW‐BSE). Specific photofragments of mass‐selected [P]2+ ions testify to charge transfer and competing pathways resulting from the unique [Ag3(μ3‐H)]2+ scaffold. This structural motif of [P](PF6)2 has been unequivocally verified by 1H NMR spectroscopy in concert with DFT and X‐ray diffraction structural analysis, which revealed short equilateral Ag–Ag distances (dAgAg=3.08 Å) within the range of argentophilic interactions. The reduced radical cation [P].+ exhibits strong oxophilicity, forming [P+O2].+,which is a model intermediate for silver oxidation catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation of the phenol dimer by high-resolution rotational coherence spectroscopy (RCS) by time-resolved fluorescence depletion (TRFD) determines with high precision, the rotational constants of the ground and electronically excited states. The possible structures of phenol dimer in both, the electronic ground and excited states as obtained by a fitting procedure, using the experimentally determined rotational constants and imposed by the O-H...O hydrogen bond is proposed.

Time resolved rotational spectroscopy is used to determine the precise values for the rotational constants of benzene in both the ground and the electronically excited states. Benzene is served as molecular benchmark for high-resolution rotational coherence spectroscopy (RCS) with the perspective that the influence of vibrations on the equilibrium structure could be studied for medium sized molecules by this method.

Abstract: The hybrid ligand 3‐(2,2′‐bipyridine‐6‐ylmethyl)‐1‐mesityl‐1H‐imidazolylidene (NHCBipy) featuring both carbene and N‐donor sites, was selectively complexed with various d10 metal cations in order to examine its coordination behavior with regard to homo and heterometallic structures. Respective silver complexes can be obtained by the silver oxide route and are suitable transmetallation reagents for the synthesis of gold(I) compounds. Starting from the mononuclear complexes [(NHCBipy)AuCl], [(NHCBipy)Au(C6F5)] and [(NHCBipy)2Au][ClO4], open‐chain as well as cyclic heterobimetallic complexes containing Cu+, Ag+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ were synthesized. Furthermore, the homobimetallic species [(NHCBipy)2M2][ClO4]2 (M=Cu, Ag) were obtained. All bimetallic compounds were fully characterized including single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated in the solid state at temperatures between 15 and 295 K and compared with those of the mononuclear species. There is a clear difference in PL properties between the open chain and the cyclic heterobimetallic complexes. The latter species show different PL properties, depending on the metals involved. In addition, collision‐induced dissociation (CID) experiments were performed on electrosprayed cations of the cyclic heterobimetallic compounds, to compare the metal binding at the carbene and N‐donor sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a proof of concept that ultrafast dynamics combined with photochemical stability information of molecular photocatalysts can be acquired by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry combined with time-resolved femtosecond laser spectroscopy in an ion trap. This pump-probe 'fragmentation action spectroscopy' gives straightforward access to information that usually requires high purity compounds and great experimental efforts. Results of gas-phase studies on the electronic dynamics of two supramolecular photocatalysts compare well to previous findings in solution and give further evidence for a directed electron transfer, a key process for photocatalytic hydrogen generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excited state dynamics of deprotonated and protonated fluorescein were investigated by polarization dependent femtosecond time-resolved pump-probe photofragmentation in a 3D ion trap. Transients of deprotonated fluorescein exhibit vibrational wavepacket dynamics with weak polarization dependence. Transients of protonated fluorescein show only effects of molecular alignment and rotational dephasing. The time resolved rotational anisotropy of protonated fluorescein is simulated by the calculated orientational correlation function. The observed differences between deprotonated and protonated fluorescein are ascribed to their different higher lying electronically excited states and corresponding structures. This is partially supported by time-dependent density functional theory calculations of the excited state structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal base pairs of AgI cations and 1-methylthymine (1MT) or deprotonated 1-methylthymine (1MT-H) are produced and analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Mass-selected ions of type [Ag2(1MT)(1MT-H)]+ and [Ag3(1MT-H)2]+ are interrogated by infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) in an ion trap in the range of 1200–3700 cm−1. Supporting spectroscopic data were obtained from the investigation of the analogous 2′-deoxy-thymidine complexes which exhibit advantageously high fragment yields. By comparison with calculated linear IR spectra (obtained by density functional theory, DFT) we assign the structures and the possible isomeric forms of these metal base pairs and their dependence on the number of mediating AgI ions. Based on the observed Ag+/1MT complexes and related polarizable continuum model DFT calculations we describe the probable formation pathways in aqueous solution. The present findings pave the way for subsequent UV investigations of the multi-metal mediated base pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ring-puckering vibration in cyclopentene was studied by rotational time-resolved femtosecond degenerate four-wave mixing (fs DFWM) spectroscopy. The fs DFWM spectra of cyclopentene were measured both in a supersonic expansion and in a gas cell at room temperature. The room temperature fs DFWM spectrum has been satisfactorily reproduced by a fitted simulation based on a one-dimensional model for the ring-puckering vibration. This has allowed for the determination of energetic parameters of the ring-puckering motion such as the energy barrier to ring inversion of 274(+12/−20) cm−1and the equilibrium ring-puckering angle of 24.3°. The derived dependences of the rotational constants Aand Bon the puckering angle resemble very closely those obtained by microwave spectroscopy. In addition, previous theoretical estimates of the ring inversion barrier of cyclopentene were improved by performing high level ab initiocalculations. Zero-point vibrational energy correction was found to be essential for an accurate evaluation of the puckering potential. Altogether, this study provides a proof-of-principle of the applicability of the fs DFWM technique for investigating large amplitude intramolecular motions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudorotation in the pyrrolidine molecule was studied by means of femtosecond degenerate four-wave mixing spectroscopy both in the gas cell at room temperature and under supersonic expansion. The experimental observations were reproduced by a fitted simulation based on a one-dimensional model for pseudorotation. Of the two conformers, axial and equatorial, the latter was found to be stabilized by about 29 ± 10 cm−1relative to the former one. The barrier for pseudorotation was determined to be 220 ± 20 cm−1. In addition, quantum chemical calculations of the pseudorotational path of pyrrolidine were performed using the synchronous transit-guided quasi-Newton method at the MP2 and B3LYP levels of theory. Subsequent CCSD(T) calculations yield the energy preference of the equatorial conformer and the barrier for pseudorotation to be 17 and 284 cm−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-resolution two-color spectrometer for rotational coherence spectroscopy (RCS) in the picosecond time domain has been developed and applied to several molecular systems. This time-resolved method enables the structural characterization of large molecules and clusters in the gas phase by determination of their rotational constants with high precision. Our spectrometer is based on a well stabilized solid-state chirped pulse amplified laser setup with an adjustable pulse duration in the picosecond range. Two optical parametric generators provide tunable radiation in the UV spectral range, with a pulse duration of 2 ps. An interferometric setup is employed in order to perform pump-probe experiments with up to 8 ns delay between pump and probe pulse. Two different pulse to pulse switching modes and the online monitoring of laser parameters have been integrated to enable the measurement of RCS traces with high resolution and good signal/noise ratio. These modes also permit the identification of weak features that would otherwise not have been observed. The molecular samples are prepared in a supersonic expansion and either the laser induced fluorescence or the photoion current are detected as a function of the time delay between pump and probe pulse. The performance of the spectrometer is demonstrated by recording a high-resolution RCS spectrum of para-difluorobenzene·argon and benzene. From their analysis the rotational constants of the ground state and electronically excited state of both species were obtained with an estimated uncertainty on the order of 10[sup -4] and 10[sup -5], respectively, in excellent agreement with high-resolution frequency-resolved data. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese complexes exhibit a rich redox chemistry, usually accompanied by structural reorganization during the redox processes often followed by ligand dissociation or association. The push–pull ligand 2,6-diguanidylpyridine (dgpy) stabilizes manganese in the oxidation states +II, +III, and + IV in the complexes [Mn-(dgpy)2]n+ (n = 2–4) without change in the coordination sphere in the condensed phase [Heinze et al., Inorganic Chemistry, 2022, 61, 14616]. In the condensed phase, the manganese-(IV) complex is a very strong oxidant. In the present work, we investigate the stability and redox activity of the MnIV complex and its counterion (PF6–) adducts in the gas phase, using two modified 3D Paul ion trap mass spectrometers. Six different cationic species of the type [Mnx(dgpy)2(PF6)y]n+ (x = II, III, IV, y = 0–3, n = 1–3) could be observed for the three oxidation states MnIV, MnIII, and MnII, of which one observed complex also contains a reduced dgpy ligand. MnII species showed the highest relative stability in collision induced dissociation and UV/vis photo dissociation experiments. The lowest stability is observed in the presence of one or more counterions, which correlates to a lower total charge n+. Gas phase UV/vis spectra show similar features as the condensed phase spectra only differing in relative band intensities. The strongly oxidizing MnIV complex reacts with triethylamine (NEt3) in the gas phase to give MnIII, while MnIII species show little reactivity toward NEt3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-resolution rotational coherence spectroscopy (RCS) investigation of para-cyclohexylaniline (pCHA) was performed using the methods of time-resolved stimulated Raman-induced fluorescence depletion (TRSRFD) and time-resolved stimulated emission pumping (TRSEP). TRSRFD and TRSEP are sensitive to ground state or excited state rotational constants, respectively and allow the deconvolution of the time-resolved fluorescence depletion (TRFD) spectrum to which both ground state and excited state rotational constants contribute. Moreover, from a detailed analysis of the presented experimental data it is deduced, that photoionization and internal vibrational relaxation (IVR)--not included in the picture of TRSEP, TRSRFD and TRFD--also contribute to the RCS spectra. The obtained rotational constants are in very good agreement with our previous high-resolution TRFD investigation of pCHA, allowing additionally for the unambiguous assignment of the excited state J-type transients. From a linear regression analysis of 25 transient positions (B+C)[sup ′]=719.74(53) MHz was calculated, confirming set (II) of our former investigation [C. Riehn, A. Weichert, U. Lommatzsch, M. Zimmermann, and B. Brutschy, J. Chem. Phys. 112, 3650 (2000)]. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-resolution rotational coherence spectroscopy (RCS) investigation of para-cyclohexylaniline (pCHA) was performed with a solid-state picosecond laser setup, which allowed for the determination of rotational constants with unprecedented precision for a RCS experiment. The technique of time-resolved fluorescence depletion was used for the RCS measurements. The unique structural features of pCHA enabled the determination of both ground and excited state rotational constants. Three different sets of recurrences were observed in the spectrum and assigned to K[sup ″]-, K[sup ′]-, and J[sup ″]-type transients. From a detailed analysis by a grid search procedure based on the numerical simulation of RCS spectra and a nonlinear least-squares fitting routine the following rotational constants for the ground state were obtained: A[sup ″]=2406.5±0.6 MHz, (B+C)[sup ″]=714.9±0.4 MHz. For the electronic excited state two different sets of constants were found to fit the experimental data within the reported uncertainties: set (I) A[sup ′]=2343.6±1.3 MHz, (B+C)[sup ′]=714.4±1.7 MHz and set (II) A[sup ′]=2346.3±1.3 MHz, (B+C)[sup ′]=719.3±2.1 MHz. From additional information set (II) was found preferable for the description of the excited state. Furthermore, the fluorescence lifetime and the alignment of the transition dipole moment in the molecular frame were obtained from the fit procedure. For a structural characterization of pCHA we performed ab initio calculations of the electronic ground and excited state using HF/6-31G(d) and CIS/6-31G(d) levels of theory, respectively. These results were compared with the experiments and used to investigate the dependence of the rotational constants on characteristic intramolecular coordinates. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights from the article: Keywords: charge transfer; hydride ligands; mass spectrometry; metal-metal interactions; photochemistry; silver The unique [Ag SB 3 sb ( SB 3 sb -H)] SP 2+ sp scaffold, featuring argentophilic interaction, was unequivocally verified by SP 1 sp H NMR spectroscopy in concert with X-ray structural analysis and DFT. Photochemistry, mass spectrometry, silver, charge transfer, hydride ligands, metal-metal interactions.

The novel photoswitchable ligand 3,3'-Azobenz(metPA) 2 (1) is used to prepare a [Cu 2 (1) 2 ](BF 4 ) 2 metallocycle (2), whose photoisomerization was characterized using static and time-resolved spectroscopic methods. Optical studies demonstrate the highly quantitative and reproducible photoinduced cyclic E/Z switching without decay of the complex. Accordingly and best to our knowledge, [Cu 2 (1) 2 ](BF 4 ) 2 constitutes the first reversibly photoswitchable (3d)-metallocycle based on azobenzene. The photoinduced multiexponential dynamics in the sub-picosecond to few picosecond time domain of 1 and 2 have been assessed. These ultrafast dynamics as well as the yield of the respective photostationary state (PSS Z = 65 %) resemble the behavior of archetypical azobenzene. Also, the innovative pump-probe laser technique of gas phase transient photodissociation (τ-PD) in a mass spectrometric ion trap was used to determine the intrinsic relaxation dynamics for the isolated complex. These results are consistent with the results from femtosecond UV/Vis transient absorption (fs-TA) in solution, emphasizing the azobenzene-like dynamics of 2. This unique combination of fs-TA and τ-PD enables valuable insights into the prevailing interplay of dynamics and solvation. Both analyses (in solution and gas phase) and quantum chemical calculations reveal a negligible effect of the metal coordination on the switching mechanism and electronic pathway, which suggests a non-cooperative isomerization process., (© 2024 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The modular synthesis of Au(I)/Ru(II) decorated mono- and heterobimetallic complexes with π-conjugated [2.2]paracyclophane is described. [2.2]Paracyclophane serves as a rigid spacer which holds the metal centers in precise spatial orientations and allows metal-to-metal distance modulation. A broad set of architectural arrangements of pseudo -geminal, -ortho, -meta, and -para substitution patterns were employed. Metal-to-metal distance modulation of Au(I)/Ru(II) heterobimetallic complexes and the innate transannular π-communication of the cyclophanyl scaffold provides a promising platform for the investigations of structure-activity relationship and cooperative effects. The Au(I)/Ru(II) heterobimetallic cyclophanyl complexes are stable, easily accessible, and exhibit promising catalytic activity in the visible-light promoted arylative Meyer-Schuster rearrangement., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

We report the binding geometries of the isomers that are formed when the hydrogen oxalate ((CO 2 ) 2 H=HOx) anion attaches to dinuclear coinage metal phosphine complexes of the form [M 1 M 2 dcpm 2 (HOx)] + with M=Cu, Ag and dcpm=bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane, abbreviated [MM] + . These structures are established by comparison of isomer-selective experimental vibrational band patterns displayed by the cryogenically cooled and N 2 -tagged cations with DFT calculations of the predicted spectra for various local minima. Two isomeric classes are identified that feature either attachment of the carboxylate oxygen atoms to the two metal centers (end-on docking) or attachment of oxygen atoms on different carbon atoms asymmetrically to the metal ions (side-on docking). Within each class, there are additional isomeric variations according to the orientation of the OH group. This behavior indicates that HOx undergoes strong and directional coordination to [CuCu] + but adopts a more flexible coordination to [AgAg] + . Infrared spectra of the bare ions, fragmentation thresholds and ion mobility measurements are reported to explore the behaviors of the complexes at ambient temperature., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Chemical and spectroscopic characterization of the mononuclear photosensitizers [(DPEPhos)Cu(I)(MPyrT)] 0/+ (CuL, CuLH) and their dinuclear analogues (Cu 2 L', Cu 2 L'H 2 ), backed by (TD)DFT and high-level GW-Bethe-Salpeter equation calculations, exemplifies the complex influence of charge, nuclearity and structural flexibility on UV-induced photophysical pathways. Ultrafast transient absorption and step-scan FTIR spectroscopy reveal flattening distortion in the triplet state of CuLH as controlled by charge, which also appears to have a large impact on the symmetry of the long-lived triplet states in Cu 2 L' and Cu 2 L'H 2 . Time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy (solid state), supported by transient photodissociation spectroscopy (gas phase), confirm a lifetime of some tens of μs for the respective triplet states, as well as the energetics of thermally activated delayed luminescence, both being essential parameters for application of these materials based on earth-abundant copper in photocatalysis and luminescent devices., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The photoexcitation of a triangular silver(I) hydride complex, [Ag 3 (μ 3 -H)(μ 2 -dcpm) 3 ](PF 6 ) 2 ([P](PF 6 ) 2 , dcpm=bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane), designed with "UV-silent" bis-phosphine ligands, provokes hydride-to-Ag 3 single and double electron transfer. The nature of the electronic transitions has been authenticated by absorption and photodissociation spectroscopy in parallel with high-level quantum-chemical computations utilizing the GW method and Bethe-Salpeter equation (GW-BSE). Specific photofragments of mass-selected [P] 2+ ions testify to charge transfer and competing pathways resulting from the unique [Ag 3 (μ 3 -H)] 2+ scaffold. This structural motif of [P](PF 6 ) 2 has been unequivocally verified by 1 H NMR spectroscopy in concert with DFT and X-ray diffraction structural analysis, which revealed short equilateral Ag-Ag distances (d AgAg =3.08 Å) within the range of argentophilic interactions. The reduced radical cation [P] . + exhibits strong oxophilicity, forming [P+O 2 ] .+ ,which is a model intermediate for silver oxidation catalysis., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The hybrid ligand 3-(2,2'-bipyridine-6-ylmethyl)-1-mesityl-1H-imidazolylidene (NHC Bipy ) featuring both carbene and N-donor sites, was selectively complexed with various d 10 metal cations in order to examine its coordination behavior with regard to homo and heterometallic structures. Respective silver complexes can be obtained by the silver oxide route and are suitable transmetallation reagents for the synthesis of gold(I) compounds. Starting from the mononuclear complexes [(NHC Bipy )AuCl], [(NHC Bipy )Au(C 6 F 5 )] and [(NHC Bipy ) 2 Au][ClO 4 ], open-chain as well as cyclic heterobimetallic complexes containing Cu + , Ag + , Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Hg 2+ were synthesized. Furthermore, the homobimetallic species [(NHC Bipy ) 2 M 2 ][ClO 4 ] 2 (M=Cu, Ag) were obtained. All bimetallic compounds were fully characterized including single-crystal X-ray analysis. Their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated in the solid state at temperatures between 15 and 295 K and compared with those of the mononuclear species. There is a clear difference in PL properties between the open chain and the cyclic heterobimetallic complexes. The latter species show different PL properties, depending on the metals involved. In addition, collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments were performed on electrosprayed cations of the cyclic heterobimetallic compounds, to compare the metal binding at the carbene and N-donor sites., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The recently introduced pump-probe fragmentation action spectroscopy reveals a unique observation of excited state vibrational coherence (430-460 fs) in the isolated metal complex [Ag 2 (Cl)(dcpm) 2 )] + (dcpm = bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane) containing the [Ag 2 Cl] + scaffold. After photoexcitation by an 1 XMCT transition (260 nm) in an ion trap, an unexpected correlation between specific fragment ions (loss of HCl/Cl - vs loss of dcpm) and the phase of the wave packet is probed (1150 nm). Based on ab initio calculations, we assign the primary electronically excited state and ascribe the observed coherences (72-78 cm -1 ) to contain predominantly Ag-Ag stretch character. We propose specific probe absorption and vibronic coupling at the classical turning points to switch remarkably early on between the different fragmentation pathways. The overall excited state dynamics are fitted to a multiexponential decay with time constants: 0.2-0.4/3-4/19-26/104-161 ps. These findings open new perspectives for further dynamics investigations and possible applications in photocatalysis.

Two Ag(I) ions, deprotonated 1-methyl-thymine (1MT-H)(-) and 1,3-dideaza-adenine (DDA), self-assemble in methanolic solution to a cationic [(Ag)2(1MT-H)(DDA)](+) complex as identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Assignment of vibrational bands and identification of the silver coordination pattern arise from comparison of one- and two-color Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation (IRMPD) spectra (1000-4000 cm(-1)) of isolated and trapped complexes to calculated spectra from density functional theory. This approach reveals two structurally and energetically close isomers that resemble a metalated Hoogsteen-like binding motif. The two color IR/IR double resonance scheme proved in particular useful to observe weakly absorbing or weakly fragmenting vibrational modes.

The Schiff base compound 2,2'-{[(2-aminoethyl)imino]bis[2,1-ethanediyl-nitriloethylidyne]}bis-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid (H(4)L) as a proligand was prepared in situ from 3-formylsalicylic acid with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren). The trinuclear 3d-4f metal complexes of this ligand {[Ln{Ni(H(2)L)(tren)}(2)](NO(3))(3)} (Ln = Gd, Dy, Er, Lu) could be obtained as single crystalline material by synthesizing the proligand in the presence of the metal salts [Ni(NO(3))(2)·(H(2)O)(6)] and [Ln(NO(3))(3)·(H(2)O)(m)] (Ln = Gd, Dy, Er, Lu). In the solid state, the complexes adapt a new V shaped structure. Mass spectrometric ion signals related to the trinuclear complexes were detected both in positive and negative ion mode via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry supporting the single crystal X-ray analysis. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) experiments in solution support the fragmentation scheme. The magnetic studies on all these compounds suggest the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between neighboring metal centers.

We present femtosecond multiphoton ionization detected infrared spectra of jet-cooled monohydrates of adenine and 9-methyladenine. By quantum chemical vibrational analysis and comparison with available literature data we identified two isomers of adenine hydrate with one water molecule hydrogen-bonded to either the amino or the N9-H group. These two monohydrates revealed different fragmentation patterns in the ion depletion spectra, indicating isomer specific intermolecular dynamics. This different behaviour is discussed in terms of competing electronically excited state relaxation and dissociation processes.

Pseudorotation in the pyrrolidine molecule was studied by means of femtosecond degenerate four-wave mixing spectroscopy both in the gas cell at room temperature and under supersonic expansion. The experimental observations were reproduced by a fitted simulation based on a one-dimensional model for pseudorotation. Of the two conformers, axial and equatorial, the latter was found to be stabilized by about 29 +/- 10 cm(-1) relative to the former one. The barrier for pseudorotation was determined to be 220 +/- 20 cm(-1). In addition, quantum chemical calculations of the pseudorotational path of pyrrolidine were performed using the synchronous transit-guided quasi-Newton method at the MP2 and B3LYP levels of theory. Subsequent CCSD(T) calculations yield the energy preference of the equatorial conformer and the barrier for pseudorotation to be 17 and 284 cm(-1), respectively.