Solid State Structural Characterization and Solution Spectroscopy of a Dodecyloxy Copper Nanoball

• Published in: Crystal growth & design 2011-07, Vol.11 (7), p.3183-3189
• Main Authors: Perry, John J, Kravtsov, Victor Ch, Zaworotko, Michael J, Larsen, Randy W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Methods of nanofabrication; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Photoluminescence; Physics; Self-assembly
• ISSN: 1528-7483; 1528-7505
• DOI: 10.1021/cg200421y

The synthesis and properties of discrete nanometer scale materials is of critical importance for the development of advanced nanoscale materials. Here we report the solid structural characterization and solution photophysical properties of self-assembled [Cu2(OC12-bdc)2 L2]12 [(OC12-bdc)2– = 5-(dodecyloxy)-1,3-benzenedicarboxylate; L = solvent] nanoballs (hereafter OC12-nanoball or OC12–NB). The crystal packing reveals that selected OC12 moieties thread through the windows of adjacent OC12–NB molecules and thereby sustain a 1-fold diamondoid network. Unlike other NBs the OC12–NBs are readily soluble in a variety of hydrocarbon solvents including benzene, toluene, and hexane. The solution properties of the OC12–NB were examined in toluene using optical absorption, and both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence methods. These results indicate that the electronic properties of the OC12–NB are similar to those of the OH-nanoball previously examined ( Larsen et al. Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46(5), 5904−5910 ). In addition, fluorescence polarization results further indicate that the OC12–NBs remain intact in both toluene and hexane solutions. Overall, these data suggest a general stability for Cu(II) NB’s containing a variety of substituted isophthalic acid ligands in solution.