Synthesis, and molecular sensing behavior of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl], dpksc = di-2-pyridyl ketone semicarbazone

When [Re(CO)5Cl] was allowed to react with di-2-pyridyl ketone semicarbazone hydrochloride (dpksc.HCl) in refluxing toluene, fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] was isolated. The identity of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] was elucidated from the results of its elemental analysis and confirmed using a number of spectroscopic measurements. Spectroscopic measurements done on non-aqueous solvents divulged sensitivity of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] to changes in its surroundings. 1H NMR studies revealed significant solvent dependence as manifested by the chemical shift variations; the exchange of the amine protons with solvent deuterium in CDCl3 and d6-acetone; the temperature dependence of the chemical shifts of the amine and amide protons and insignificant temperature dependence of the aromatic proton. The electronic absorption spectra of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] measured on non-aqueous solvents disclosed two high energy intra-ligand charge transfer (ILCT) transitions. Optical measurements performed on protophilic solutions of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] in the presence of bases and acids showed the appearance and disappearance of a low energy ILCT electronic transitions and established reversible inter-conversion between fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] and its conjugate base, fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc-H)Cl]−. Thermo-optical measurements done on protophilic solutions of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] disclosed the absence of thermal acid–base inter-conversion between fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] and fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc-H)Cl]− and established reversible electronic transfer between the high energy electronic transitions of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl]. Optosensing measurements done on protophilic solutions of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] showed acids and bases in concentrations as low as 1.00 × 10−10 M can be detected and determined using protophilic solutions of of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl]. Electrochemical measurements on dmf solutions of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] showed irreversible electrochemical redox process and electrochemically generated product waves pointing to the instability of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] to redox transformations.

► The reaction between dpksc.HCl and [Re(CO)5Cl] in refluxing toluene gave fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N-dpksc)Cl] (2).
► Spectroscopic measurements divulged sensitivity of (2) to its surroundings.
► An equilibrium between (2) and its conjugate base was established.
► Substrates in low concentrations can be detected and determined using protophilic solutions of (2).
► Mechanisms for the electrochemical reactions of (2) were proposed.