Stimuli-induced reversible transformation between isomers of copper(I) clusters sharing an identical core
Yao Wang1, Fang-Xue Xiao1, Ziyong Chen2
1State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian College, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou 350002, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
The construction of reversible structural isomerization in atomically precise metal clusters remains a daunting challenge. Herein, we report the application of a bifunctionalized phosphine-alkyne ligand, (2-ethynylphenyl)diphenylphosphine (HL), to synthesize an octanuclear copper(I) cluster Cu8-1 [(Cu8(L)6(PF6)2], which can undergo a clean and reversible transformation to a Cu8-2 isomer responsive to solvent or temperature stimuli. The structural isomerization process has been readily monitored by NMR in solution. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies further suggested the possible occurrence of a dynamic ligand rearrangement with reversible Cu-P coordination bond dissociation/reformation with the Cu8 kernel remained intact. This reversible structural switching is accompanied by a luminescence color change between green (520 nm, Cu8-1) and red (625 nm, Cu8-2). This work not only provides a simple approach to achieve stimuli-induced isomerization between Cu8-1 and Cu8-2 but also offers an ideal platform for investigating their structure-property relationships.
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