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Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq3) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq3 and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 °C.

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type.

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq3) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq3 and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 °C.

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type.

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type., Funding Agencies|Royal Swedish Academy of Science through the Goeran Gustafsson prize; Swedish Research Council [2020-05405]; Tage Erlander Guest Professorship [2018-00233]; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Heavy Elements program [DE-SC0019220]; U.S. NSF MRI [1828078]

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type.

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type.

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type., Funding Agencies|Royal Swedish Academy of Science through the Goeran Gustafsson prize; Swedish Research Council [2020-05405]; Tage Erlander Guest Professorship [2018-00233]; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Heavy Elements program [DE-SC0019220]; U.S. NSF MRI [1828078]

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type., Funding Agencies|Royal Swedish Academy of Science through the Goeran Gustafsson prize; Swedish Research Council [2020-05405]; Tage Erlander Guest Professorship [2018-00233]; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Heavy Elements program [DE-SC0019220]; U.S. NSF MRI [1828078]

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type.

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C., Funding Agencies|Royal Academy of Science; Swedish Energy Agency [46676-1, 50779-1]; Swedish Research Council [2020-04600, 2021-0477]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0013]; SSF [2020-04437]; Swedish Research Council [2018-05973]

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C.

In search of ionic liquids (ILs) with multiple types of soft donor atoms capable of preferentially complexing a range of soft metal ions over harder ions, we investigated structural clues to the role of hydrogen bonding in IL behavior through a series of salts with anions containing both N- and S-donor atoms based on azole thiolates. Reaction of equimolar amounts of triethylamine (Et3N) or diisobutylamine (DBA) with 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol (PhTzSH), 1-methyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol (MeTzSH), or 5-methyl-1,3,4-dithiazole-2-thiol (MeDiTSH) yielded [Et3NH][MeTzS] (1), a yellow liquid, and the low melting yellow solids [DBAH][MeTzS] (2), [Et3NH][PhTzS] (3), [DBAH][PhTzS] (4), [Et3NH][MeDiTS] (5), and [DBAH][MeDiTS] (6). Thermal analysis revealed that all of them qualify as ILs with melting points below 100 °C. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis of 2–6 revealed the presence of an extensive H-bonding network that includes the rare N–H⋯S hydrogen bonds in 3, 4, and 6. These weaker interactions appear to significantly influence thermal behavior, where strong bonding leads to higher melting temperatures and lower decomposition points.

Our attempts to use an ionic liquid strategy to force f-element coordination of soft donor adenine and 4,5-dicyanoimidazole using 1-pot reactions in water using hydrated lanthanide salts failed, instead resulting in the isolation of anhydrous lanthanide nitrate salts. Reactions of previously ground mixtures of 40 % aq. [P4444][OH] and adenine with Nd(NO3)3·6H2O or Sm(NO3)3·6H2O followed by hand grinding and heating to 90 °C for 10 h led to hot crystallization of anhydrous [P4444]2[Nd(NO3)5] and [P4444]2[Sm(NO3)5]. The same reaction with 4,5-dicyanoimidazole and Nd(NO3)3·6H2O but without heating (10 h, room temperature) to prevent ligand decomposition, led to crystallization of anhydrous [P4444]3[Nd(NO3)6]. [P4444]3[Nd(NO3)6] could also be isolated by conducting the first reaction without using adenine. The single crystal X-ray diffraction structures of the three new anhydrous salts were examined to provide clues to the observed behavior. The [P4444]+ cations allow charge balance while forming box-type encapsulations around the anionic counterpart which has been previously reported in similar structures. The fact that these anhydrous salts were prepared from water with hydrated starting materials and no precautions taken to keep the crystal growing process anhydrous, suggests synthetic strategies that can potentially be beneficial for more advanced separations procedures.

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C.

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C.

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C., Funding Agencies|Royal Academy of Science; Swedish Energy Agency [46676-1, 50779-1]; Swedish Research Council [2020-04600, 2021-0477]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0013]; SSF [2020-04437]; Swedish Research Council [2018-05973]

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C.

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C., Funding Agencies|Royal Academy of Science; Swedish Energy Agency [46676-1, 50779-1]; Swedish Research Council [2020-04600, 2021-0477]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0013]; SSF [2020-04437]; Swedish Research Council [2018-05973]

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq3) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq3 and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 °C.

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type., Funding Agencies|Royal Swedish Academy of Science through the Goeran Gustafsson prize; Swedish Research Council [2020-05405]; Tage Erlander Guest Professorship [2018-00233]; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Heavy Elements program [DE-SC0019220]; U.S. NSF MRI [1828078]

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq3) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq3 and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 °C.

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C., Funding Agencies|Royal Academy of Science; Swedish Energy Agency [46676-1, 50779-1]; Swedish Research Council [2020-04600, 2021-0477]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0013]; SSF [2020-04437]; Swedish Research Council [2018-05973]

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C., Funding Agencies|Royal Academy of Science; Swedish Energy Agency [46676-1, 50779-1]; Swedish Research Council [2020-04600, 2021-0477]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [EM16-0013]; SSF [2020-04437]; Swedish Research Council [2018-05973]

Albeit tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato) aluminum (Alq(3)) and its derivatives are prominent emitter materials for organic lighting devices, and the optical transitions occur among ligand-centered states, the use of metal-free 8-hydroxyquinoline is impractical as it suffers from strong nonradiative quenching, mainly through fast proton transfer. Herein, it is shown that the problem of rapid proton exchange and vibration quenching of light emission can be overcome not only by complexation, but also by organization of the 8-hydroxyquinolinium cations into a solid rigid network with appropriate counter-anions (here bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). The resulting structure is stiffened by secondary bonding interactions such as pi-stacking and hydrogen bonds, which efficiently block rapid proton transfer quenching and reduce vibrational deactivation. Additionally, the optical properties are tuned through methyl substitution from deep blue (455 nm) to blue-green (488 nm). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDFT) calculations reveal the emission to occur from which an unexpectedly long-lived S-1 level, unusual for organic fluorophores. All compounds show comparable, even superior photoluminescence compared to Alq(3) and related materials, both as solids and thin films with quantum yields (QYs) up to 40-50%. In addition, all compounds show appreciable thermal stability with decomposition temperatures above 310 degrees C.

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type., Funding Agencies|Royal Swedish Academy of Science through the Goeran Gustafsson prize; Swedish Research Council [2020-05405]; Tage Erlander Guest Professorship [2018-00233]; U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Heavy Elements program [DE-SC0019220]; U.S. NSF MRI [1828078]

Using Ce(III) as both a representative lanthanide and actinide analog, the ability of mixtures of acidic and basic azoles to allow direct access to homoleptic N-donor f-element complexes in one pot reactions from hydrated salts as starting materials was examined by reacting mixtures of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz), 5-amino-tetrazole (5-NH2-HTetaz), and 1,2,3-triazole (1,2,3-HTriaz) in 1:1 and 1:3 ratios with CeCl3 center dot 7H(2)O, [C(2)mim](3)[CeCl6] ([C(2)mim](+) = 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium), and Ce(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O. Although unsuccessful in our goal, structural analysis revealed that neutral 4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz is structure directing via eta(2)mu(2)kappa(2) bridging, with the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ce2Cl2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(H2O)(8)]Cl-4 center dot 4H(2)O, [Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(4)(4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(Cl)(6)], and [4-NH2-1,2,4-HTriaz][Ce-2(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(2)(mu(2)-NO3)(NO3)(6)(H2O)(2)]. When the synthetic conditions favored hydrolysis, the hexanuclear Ce(III) complex [Ce-6(mu(3)-O)(4)(mu(3)-OH)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)(Cl)(6)(mu(2)-4-NH2-1,2,4-Triaz)(12)]center dot 7H(2)O was isolated. This unexpected hydrolysis product represents the first example of a high nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are pairwise connected through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, a rare example of incorporation of non-oxo coordinating anions in the M6X8 core, and the first reported Ce(III) hexanuclear complex of this type.

Aqueous solutions of a series of short carbon chain tetra(n-alkyl)ammonium hydroxides, [Nnnnn][OH] with n = 2: n-ethyl, 3: n-propyl, 4: n-butyl, have been serendipitously found to be potential candidates for direct air carbon capture (DAC) when being used as reagents in more complicated reactions. Aqueous solutions of [N3333][OH], [N2222][OH], or [N3333][OH] with UO2SO4·3H2O and 1,4-diamidoximylbenzene, and [N4444][OH] with cytosine (HCyt) directly absorb CO2 from the atmosphere upon mild heating in the open atmosphere crystallizing in complexes reaching up to 2 : 1 CO2/[Nnnnn]OH ratio. [N2222][HCO3]·3H2O (1), [N2222]2[H(HCO3)3]·5H2O (2), [N3333][HCO3]·0.5H2O (3), [N3333][H(HCO3)2] (4), [N3333]2[(tpa)(H2CO3)2] (5; tpa = terephthalate), [N4444][H(Cyt)(HCO3)]·H2O (6) and [N4444][H2(Cyt)2(HCO3)]·H2O (7) have been isolated in crystalline form and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds are characterized by complex polyanionic formations from bicarbonate dimers ([(HCO3)2·(H2O)]24−) or chains ([H(HCO3)2]nn− or [H2(tpa)(HCO3)2]n2n−) to water-bicarbonate associates ([(HCO3)2·6H2O]2− and [(H2CO3·(HCO3)2)2·6H2O·2H2O]2−) and three-component anionic layers ([H(Cyt)(HCO3)·H2O]nn− and [H2(Cyt)2(HCO3)·H2O]nn−) frequently showing proton sharing. While some hydroxides themselves can maintain a high CO2/[Nnnnn][OH] ratio, particularly 2 and 4, the presence of secondary hydrogen bond donors/acceptors may increase the sorption efficiency through decreased solubility and enhanced crystallization.

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms.

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms., Funding Agencies|Novo Nordisk FoundationNovo Nordisk FoundationNovocure Limited; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Royal Academy of Sciences, Sweden; Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsradet, VR)Swedish Research Council [2018-05973, 2020-05405, 2018-00233, 2020-04600, SNIC 2020-3-29]

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms.

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms., QC 20220224

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms., Funding Agencies|Novo Nordisk FoundationNovo Nordisk FoundationNovocure Limited; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Royal Academy of Sciences, Sweden; Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsradet, VR)Swedish Research Council [2018-05973, 2020-05405, 2018-00233, 2020-04600, SNIC 2020-3-29]

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms.

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid–solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)2 which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms.

Access to lanthanide acetate coordination compounds is challenged by the tendency of lanthanides to coordinate water and the plethora of acetate coordination modes. A straightforward, reproducible synthetic procedure by treating lanthanide chloride hydrates with defined ratios of the ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C(2)mim][OAc]) has been developed. This reaction pathway leads to two isostructural crystalline anhydrous coordination complexes, the polymeric [C(2)mim](n)[{Ln(2)(OAc)(7)}(n)] and the dimeric [C(2)mim](2)[Ln(2)(OAc)(8)], based on the ion size and the ratio of IL used. A reaction with an IL : Ln-salt ratio of 5 : 1, where Ln=Nd, Sm, and Gd, led exclusively to the polymer, whilst for the heaviest lanthanides (Dy-Lu) the dimer was observed. Reaction with Eu and Tb resulted in a mixture of both polymeric and dimeric forms. When the amount of IL and/or the size of the cation was increased, the reaction led to only the dimeric compound for all the lanthanide series. Crystallographic analyses of the resulting salts revealed three different types of metal-acetate coordination modes where eta(2)mu kappa(2) is the most represented in both structure types.

Continuing our investigations of ionic liquid (IL) based routes to a library of f-element/soft donor complexes which could be studied crystallographically, we have explored the dissolution of f-element salts in protic imidazole-based ILs containing only soft donors at high temperatures to drive off volatiles, including water and carboxylic or mineral acids. Here we present our results, reacting acidic and basic azoles in 1:3 or 1:1 stoichiometric compositions at elevated temperature, followed by saturation with Nd(OAc)(3)center dot xH(2)O or Ce(OAc)(3)center dot xH(2)O, which led to 13 new metal-acetate polymeric complexes identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. We found that the diversity in coordination modes of the simple acetate ligand that interfere with substitution of the softer N donors led to several readily crystallizable complexes forming two distinct groups with respect to f-element interaction with the ionic liquid precursors. When the acidic/basic azole ratio was 1:3, acetate and a neutral basic azole were found to be coordinated to the metal centers but no water, although in one case (2) water was observed in the secondary coordination sphere: [Ce(mu(2)-OAc)(3)(C(1)im)](n) (1, C(1)im = 1-methylimidazole), [Nd(mu(2)-(OAc)(3)(C(1)im)](n)center dot nH(2)O (2), [Ce(mu(2)-OAc)(3)(C(2)im)](n) (3, C(2)im = 1-ethylimidazole), [Ln(mu(2)-OAc)(3)DMF](n) (Ln = Nd (4), Ce (5); dimethylformamide (DMF) was substituted for the azole mixture), and [Nd(mu(2)-OAc)(3)(C(4)im)](n) (6, C(4)im = 1-butylimidazole). However, when the stoichiometric ratio was 1:1, water was always observed coordinated to the metal ions with the acidic azole included in the structure as a solvate or cocrystal, despite a higher reaction temperature: [Nd(mu(2)-OAc)(3)(OH2)](n)center dot n(1,2,3-Taz) (7,1,2,3-Taz = 1,2,3-triazole), [Ln(mu(2)-OAc)(3)(OH2)](n)center dot n(4,5-DCim) (Ln = Nd (8), Ce (9), 4,5-DCim = 4,5-dicyanoimidazole), [Ln(mu(2)-OAc)(3)(OH2)](n)center dot n(3,5-diNH(2)-1,2

The metal-organic material (UO)-O-V((UO2)-O-VI)(2)(OH)(5)-(Triaz)(2) (Triaz = 1,2,4-triazolate) has been isolated from the reaction of UO2(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O with 1,2,4-triazole in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C(2)mim][OAc]). The compound's crystal structure is comprised of planar inorganic layers interconnected by organic linkers into a 3D framework. These layers represent a uranium-based coordination polymer with a Kagome topology that to the best of our knowledge has never been recognized in f-element coordination chemistry.

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms.

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms., Funding Agencies|Novo Nordisk FoundationNovo Nordisk FoundationNovocure Limited; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Royal Academy of Sciences, Sweden; Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsradet, VR)Swedish Research Council [2018-05973, 2020-05405, 2018-00233, 2020-04600, SNIC 2020-3-29]

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms., Funding Agencies|Novo Nordisk FoundationNovo Nordisk FoundationNovocure Limited; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Royal Academy of Sciences, Sweden; Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsradet, VR)Swedish Research Council [2018-05973, 2020-05405, 2018-00233, 2020-04600, SNIC 2020-3-29]

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms., Funding Agencies|Novo Nordisk FoundationNovo Nordisk FoundationNovocure Limited; Knut and Alice Wallenberg FoundationKnut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Royal Academy of Sciences, Sweden; Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsradet, VR)Swedish Research Council [2018-05973, 2020-05405, 2018-00233, 2020-04600, SNIC 2020-3-29]

Many crystalline materials form polymorphs and undergo solid-solid transitions between different forms as a function of temperature or pressure. However, there is still a poor understanding of the mechanism of transformation. Conclusions about the transformation process are typically drawn by comparing the crystal structures before and after the conversion, but gaining detailed mechanistic knowledge is strongly impeded by the generally fast rate of these transitions. When the crystal morphology does not change, it is assumed that crystallinity is maintained throughout the process. Here we report transformation between polymorphs of ZnCl2(1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione)(2) which are sufficiently slow to allow unambiguous assignment of single crystal to single crystal transformation with shape preservation proceeding through an amorphous intermediate phase. This result fundamentally challenges the commonly accepted views of polymorphic phase transition mechanisms.

Utilizing an ionic liquid strategy, we report crystal structures of salts of free anionic nucleobases and base pairs previously studied only computationally and in the gas phase. Reaction of tetrabutylammonium ([N-4444](+)) or tetrabutylphosphonium ([P-4444](+)) hydroxide with adenine (HAd) and thymine (HThy) led to hydrated salts of deprotonated adenine, [N-4444][Ad]center dot 2H(2)O, and thymine, [P4444][Thy]center dot 2H(2)O, as well as the double salt cocrystal, [P-4444](2)[Ad][Thy]center dot 3H(2)O center dot 2HThy. The cocrystal includes the anionic [Ad-(HThy)] base pair which is a stable formation in the solid state that has previously not even been suggested. It exhibits Watson-Crick connectivity as found in DNA but which is unusual for the free neutral base pairs. The stability of the observed anionic bases and their supramolecular formations and hydrates has also been examined by electronic structure calculations, contributing to more insight into how base pairs can bind when a proton is removed and highlighting mechanisms of stabilization or chemical transformation in the DNA chains.

A robust general route to lanthanide dicyanamide (DCA(-)) complexes has been developed where f-element salts are dissolved in DCA(-)-based ionic liquids (ILs) directly or formed in situ, forcing coordination of these normally weakly coordinating soft N-donor anions, even in an ambient, non-moisture-excluding environment. A series of lanthanide complexes [C(2)mim][Ln(DCA)(4)(H2O)(4)] (C(2)mim = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium; Ln = La, Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy, and Yb) and [C(2)mim](3n)[La(OH2)(4) (mu(2)-DCA)(4)](n)[La(OH2)(2)(mu(3)-DCA)(3)(mu(2)-DCA)(4)](2n)(Cl)(4n) were crystallized under a variety of conditions using this methodology and structurally characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Although not all examples were isostructural, the dominant feature across the series was the presence of [Ln(DCA)(4)(H2O)(4)](-) anionic nodes with all terminal DCA(-) ligands accepting hydrogen bonds from the coordinated water molecules forming a 3D metal organic framework. To determine if any structural clues might aid in the further development of the synthetic methodology, the metal-free IL [C(1)mim][DCA] (C(1)mim = 1,3-dimethylimidazolium), a room-temperature solid, crystalline analogue of the reaction IL, which is liquid at room temperature, was also prepared and structurally characterized. The ready isolation of these compounds allowed us to begin an investigation of the physical properties such as the luminescence at room and low temperatures for the Eu, Tb, and Dy representatives.

Aperiodic formations continue to focus interest in areas ranging from advanced scientific theories to practical everyday applications. Starting from diverse and tightly bonded intermetallic compounds, this world showed an important breakthrough toward the so-called soft systems of meso/macroscale: liquid crystals, thin films, polymers, proteins, etc. This work opens a route for making bulk quasicrystals (QC) in an unprecedented but very common area, with molecular ligands. Since these systems are, to a large extent, transparent, they extend the possible areas of QC application to previously unreachable corners, e.g., photonics. We combined efficient bridging ligands with uranyl pentagonal bonding centers and, unexpectedly, brought the unique attributes of f-element coordination chemistry to an interdisciplinary area of aperiodic formations. Taking advantage of the planar coordination of uranyl ions, we were able to direct the structure expansion solely in two directions with a characteristic snub square tiling, a predicted but previously unobtainable dodecagonal approximant.

By dehydrating actinide salts with an ionic liquid containing a common anion and subsequent reaction with N-heterocyclic ligands, we challenge the concept that actinides prefer O- over N-donors; rather the acidic hydrogen atoms of protic solvents hinder the formation of more elusive f-element N-donor coordination complexes.

We investigated whether the relatively Lewis basic imidazole-2-thiones could be used to substitute water ligands bound to f-element cations and generate f-element soft donor complexes. Reactions of 1,3-diethylimidazole-2-thione (C(2)C(2)ImT) with Nd(NO3)(3)center dot 6H(2)O and UO2Cl2 center dot 3H(2)O led to the isolation of the anhydrous thione complexes Nd(NO3)(3)(C(2)C(2)ImT)(3) and UO2Cl2(C(2)C(2)ImT)(2), characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Differences in the strength of metal-thione interactions have been examined by means of the crystal structure analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The C(2)C(2)ImT ligands were found to be affected by both coordination and noncovalent interactions, making it impossible to deconvolute the effects of one from the other. Calculated partial atomic charges indicated greater ligand-to-metal charge transfer in the [UO2](2+) complex, indicative of a stronger interaction. The reactivity of C(2)C(2)ImT demonstrates its usefulness in the preparation of f-element soft donor complexes from readily available hydrates that could be useful intermediates for promoting the coordination and studying the effects of soft donor anions.

A series of anhydrous acetate salts with uranium {[C(2)C(1)im][UO2(OAc)(3)] (1), [C(2)C(2)im][UO2(OAc)(3)] (2), and [C(4)C(1)im][UO2(OAc)(3)] (3)}, lanthanides {[C(2)C(2)im](2) [La(OAc)(5)] (4) and [C(2)C(1)im](2) [Nd(OAc)(5)] (5)}, and strontium {[C(2)C(1)im](n)[Sr-(OAc)(3)](n) (6)} (where C(2)C(1)im = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, C2C2 im = 1,3-diethylimidazolium, C4C1 im = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, and OAc = acetate) have been prepared and structurally characterized. Both lanthanides and strontium are common components of the nuclear fuel waste, and their separation from uranium is an important but still challenging task. A new synthetic approach with dialkylimidazolium acetate ionic liquids (ILs) as the solvent has been developed for the direct synthesis of homoleptic acetates from the corresponding hydrates and, unexpectedly, hardly soluble f-element oxides. Although the group of characterized compounds shows perfect structural variability, all actinide and lanthanide metal ions form monomeric complex anions where the metal cation coordinates to five ligands including two oxygen atoms in the case of uranium, as is commonly observed for uranyl compounds. Crystallographic analyses revealed that the complex [UO2(OAc)(3)](-) anions possess rather standard D-3h symmetry featuring a hexagonal-bipyramidal coordination environment, while the lanthanide anions [Ln(OAc)(5)](2-) are fully asymmetric and the Ln(3+) cations are 10-coordinated in the form of a distorted bicapped tetragonal antiprism. This is the first report of lanthanide ions coordinated in this fashion. For Sr2+, 9-fold coordination through oxygen atoms in the form of a strongly distorted tricapped trigonal prism is observed. The crystallization of anhydrous, homoleptic, anionic acetate complexes from such a large variety of different metal salts appears to be due to the properties of dialkylimidazolium acetate ILs themselves, including enhanced basicity from the high concentration of free anions and the

The reaction of 1,3-dimethylimidazolium-2-carboxylate with elemental iodine in acetonitrile rapidly affords crystalline iodide salts of the 1,3-dimethy1-2-iodoimidazolium cation ([C(1)mim-2-I](+)), [C(1)mim-2-I]I.0.5I(2), and [C(1)mim-2-1]I-0.5CH(3)CN, depending on the temperature. Analysis of the two structures shows the significant role of halogen bonding interactions between the cation and anion in the [C(1)mim-2-I]I salts, which reduces the ionicity of the compounds. This observation is backed by theoretical calculations revealing the importance of halogen bonding as a design strategy for ionic liquids (ILs), which, so far, has been underestimated. The halogen bonding is also analyzed in terms of this new design concept for ILs.