Chromophore Induced Effects in Iron(III) Complexes

In the search for noble metal free photocatalytic systems, iron is the dream candidate. To increase excited state lifetimes of iron complexes, the multichromophoric approach is promising, combining organic chromophores with photoactive iron complexes, potentially enabling a reservoir effect. We present a series of chromophore-functionalized complexes based on the parental Fe^III complex [Fe(ImP)₂][PF₆] (HImP = 1,1'-(1,3-phenylene)bis(3-methyl-1-imidazole-2-ylidene)). The four organic chromophores benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene are attached to the ImP-ligand in para-position to the coordination site to systematically investigate the influence of the steric demand and electronic properties of the chromophore on charge transfer lifetimes as well as photodynamics. A thorough ground state characterization was conducted in addition to investigations of the excited state dynamics by transient absorption spectroscopy and streak camera emission measurements. The conclusions drawn are supported by extensive DFT calculations. The emission coefficients could be significantly improved by the addition of chromophores. After excitation of the complexes with larger chromophores, coplanarization of the backbone and complex motif occurs to stabilize the formal charge. This results in population of a superligand state that exhibits a much faster radiationless relaxation to the ground state compared to the parent complex, hindering a reservoir effect.