Supramolecular Functions Related to the Redox Activity of Transition Metals

Abstract

The combination of the properties of different subunits in a multicomponent system may give rise to a function which is defined supramolecular. The presence of transition metals in one or more subunits may induce inter-component processes related to their redox and electron transfer (eT) properties, which trigger the supramolecular function (SF). The following examples are considered: (1) a receptor for transition metals is covalently linked to a fluorescent fragment; following recognition, a metal-to-fluorophore eT process quenches the fluorescence. SF: fluorosensing. (2) an azacyclam macrocycle, hosting the Ni^II/Ni^III redox couple, is covalently linked to a photoactive fragment: the Ni^III state quenches the neighboring fluorophore through an eT mechanism, the Ni^II state does not. SF: redox switching of a fluorescent signal. (3) a Cu^II ion is coordinated by two 2,2′-bipyridine molecules, each bearing a cyclam subunit containing a nickel centre; when nickel is in the divalent state, an inorganic anion X⁻ (N₃ ⁻,NCO⁻,NCS⁻) is bound to Cu^II; on oxidation, X⁻ moves to the Ni^III centre. SF: electrochemically triggered translocation of X⁻ from copper to nickel and vice versa.