The compound α-Keggin heteropolymolybdate used in this study was synthesized according to the known literature method by our group. Structural characterization of this compound was performed by X-ray diffraction method by obtaining single crystals from ethyl alcohol solvent medium and other spectroscopic methods [16]. The obtained POM has the formula H4[SiMo12O40]·3EtOH. On the other hand, the organic azo-imine ligands [HL1: 2,2'-((4-((4-aminophenyl)azo)phenyl)imino)bis(ethanol)-3-methoxy salicylidene; HL2: 2,2'-((4-((4-aminophenyl)azo)phenyl)imino)bis(ethanol)-5-methoxy salicylidene; HL3: 2,2'-((4-((4-aminophenyl)azo)phenyl)imino)bis(ethanol)-4-methoxy salicylidene] (Fig. S1) used to obtain hybrid compounds (KL1-KL3) were also synthesized by our group and characterized spectroscopically, analytically and structurally [17]. The ligands are easily soluble in known polar organic solvents such as EtOH, MeOH, C3H6O, DMF because they hydrophilic ends with polar character. Many solvents were tried to synthesize POM-based hybrid compounds (KL1-KL3) and it was determined that acetone was the most suitable solvent. Therefore, the reaction to obtain POM based compounds was carried out in acetone solvent media. The proposed structures of the obtained POM-based hybrid materials are given in Fig. 1.
FTIR spectra of the organic and POM based compounds were recorded using KBr as a standard and obtained data were given in supplementary file. The spectra of the H4[SiMo12O40]·3EtOH and POM based compounds KL1Pt, KL2Pt and KL3Pt are given in Fig. 2. Keggin-based POMs have characteristic FTIR spectral values. In the spectrum of the H4[SiMo12O40]·3EtOH, the characteristic n(Mo=O), asymmetric n(Mo-O-Mo), symmetric n(Mo-O-Mo) and bridging n(Mo-O-Mo) vibrations are shown at 990, 952, 895, 759 and 530 cm-1, respectively. It has been determined that there is a hydrogen bond interaction between the α-Keggin type POM and the ethanol molecule [16]. In the spectra of the POM based KL1-KL3, the bands in the range of 3360-3354 cm-1 may be assigned to the n(O-H) stretching of the azo-imine ligands.
Vibration bands belonging to the azomethine group n(CH=N) of azo-imine compounds are observed at 1582 cm-1. The band at 1540 cm-1 in the KL1-KL3 POMs may be assigned to the n(N=N) vibration of the azo group. The characteristics n(Mo=O), asymmetric n(Mo-O-Mo), symmetric n(Mo-O-Mo) and bridging n(Mo-O-Mo) vibrations for these compounds were shown as double strong bands in the 990-531 cm-1 range. In the spectra of the Cu2+ and Pt2+ complexes, the bands belonging to the n(O-H) stretching were shown in the 3400-3300 cm-1 range. In the complexes, the azomethine vibrations are in the 1610-1599 cm-1 range. The shift was an indication of chelation of Cu2+ or Pt2+ through the imine nitrogen. The vibration band of this group shifted upwards compared to the ligands. The shifts in the vibration bands are generally due to electron transfer from the d-orbitals of the metal to the vacant p* orbital of the azomethine group by back-bonding (metal to ligand) [18]. The characteristic Mo-O vibration bands originating from POM were observed in the range of 1000-531 cm-1. Shifts in characteristic Mo-O vibrational bands were greater in Pt2+ complexes. This may be due to the chemical properties of the metal ions.
UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectral studies for the KL1-KL3 POMs and their metal complexes were measured in 1x10-5 M DMF concentration and in the range of 200-850 nm. In addition, the visible reflectance spectra of the POMs and their metal complexes were investigated using CaSO4 matrices in the 200-900 nm range. Solution and reflectance UV-vis spectra of the POMs complexes KL1Pt-KL3Pt were shown in Fig. 3. The UV-vis spectra of the other compounds were given in supplementary file (Fig. S2a-d). Moreover, the obtained UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectral data for all compounds were given in Table 1 in supplementary file. The di-ethanol end, which binds to the Keggin POM of the imine ligands, has a flexible structure. Another important point is that only s-electrons are active between imine ligands and POM. The p-electrons of the organic parts in POMs act only on the conjugated system of the imine ligands. This situation affects the electronic transition in the POM structure. In the DMF solution of the KL1, KL2 and KL3 POMs, the absorption bands at 590, 595 and 583 nm can be attributed to the d-d transition with the intervalence bands owing to the electronic transition Mo5+⋯O⋯Mo6+ ® Mo6+⋯O⋯Mo5+[16], respectively. The maxima absorption bands in the range 493-322 nm range can be assigned to the can be assigned to the (n- π*) of the intra-ligand electronic transitions. In the spectra of the Cu2+ complexes, there are two absorption bands in the range of 447-440 and 326-320 nm. While the first of them is due to the n- π* transitions in the ligands, the other could be assigned to ligand-to-metal O(π) ® Mo(dπ) charge transfer transition. The KLnPt (n:1-3) complexes have three absorption band in the range of 584-324 nm. The bands in the 584-568 nm range can be attributed to the d-d transition of the Mo-ion. On the other hand, the bands in the 460-455 nm range are due to ligand-centered n- π* transitions. Electronic
transitions in this wavelength range are shifted to longer wavelengths compared (bathochromic shift) to the KLnCu complexes. Such electronic shifts confirm the electron transfer between the conjugated organic imine ligands and the a-Keggin POM [19]. The absorption bands at 328 and 324 nm are due to the ligand-to-metal O(π) ® Mo(dπ) charge transfer transition.
The bands in the solid-state spectra of the compounds are generally quite wide and asymmetrical. This situation causes difficulties in understanding of the electronic transitions of the compounds. The wavelengths of the bands of the solid-state electronic transitions of the compounds shifted to longer wavelengths compared to the compounds in the solution medium. In the spectra of the KL1-KL3, the bands in the range of 680-551 nm may be assigned to the d-d transitions of the Mo ion in a-Keggin POM. While KLnPt complexes have absorption bands in the range of 714-694 nm, the bands in this wavelength range are not observed in the spectrum of KLnCu complexes. In the spectra of the KLnCu and KLnPt complexes, the bands in the range of 591-528 nm can be attributed to the d-d transition of the Mo-ion. The absorption band around 460 nm observed in the UV-vis spectrum of KLnPt complexes taken in DMF solution was not observed due to the width of the spectrum taken in the solid state. On the other hand, the absorption bands in the range of the 397-313 nm can be assigned to the the ligand-to-metal O(π) ® Mo(dπ) charge transfer transition. The bands in the range of 240-236 nm may be assigned to the s-s* transitions of the imine compounds.
Table 1
UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectral data of a-Keggin POM based hybrids (KL1-KL3) and their metal complexes.
Compounds
|
Photoluminescence/(λmax) UV-Vis/(λmax)
|
Solvent (DMF)
|
|
Excitation
|
Emission
|
λ (ɛ)
|
Reflectance (solid state)
|
KL1
|
533
|
549
|
316(0.45x105), 456(0.61x105)
|
234, 312, 573, 692
|
KL1Cu
|
551
|
570
|
320(0.31x105), 440(0.40x105)
|
240, 312, 551
|
KL1Pt
|
680
|
697
|
324(0.14x105), 453(0.17x105), 581(0.05x105)
|
235, 314, 562, 710
|
KL2
|
536
|
552
|
333(0.34x105), 458(0.58x105)
|
232, 311, 556, 705
|
KL2Cu
|
575
|
592
|
319(0.32x105), 445(0.45x105)
|
238, 308, 525
|
KL2Pt
|
682
|
697
|
319(0.37x105), 453(0.63x105), 586(0.08x105)
|
238, 322, 578, 712
|
KL3
|
527
|
543
|
318(0.41x105), 453(0.53x105)
|
235, 315, 552, 697
|
KL3Cu
|
581
|
598
|
316(0.42x105), 445(0.54x105)
|
235, 309, 552
|
KL3Pt
|
682
|
697
|
320(0.37x105), 457(0.57x105), 589(0.10x105)
|
241, 326, 581, 723
|
The photoluminescence (excitation and emission) spectra (PL) of the KLn and their Cu2+ and Pt2+ complexes were given in Fig. 4. In the excitation spectra of the KL1-KL3, the peaks were observed in the 527-536 nm range. On the other hand, the intensity of the excitation band of the KL1 is the highest. The maximum intensity at 533 nm may be assigned to a charge transfer from the electronic states with low-energy [20,21]. The KL2 has minimum intensity at 536 nm. These bands can be attributed to the ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT) bands [22]. Since the -OCH3 groups attached to the salicylidene ring in the KL1 and KL2 compounds are in the meta-position, the excitation bands are slightly red-shifted more than the KL3. Because the -OCH3 groups in the meta-position withdraw s-electrons from the ring with the inductive effect. In the spectra of the Cu2+ and Pt2+ complexes of the compounds KL1-KL3, the excitation bands were observed in the range of 683-554 nm. The bands of the Pt2+ complexes were shifted to the longer wavelength. In the emission spectra of the KL1-KL3, the oxygen-to-metal CT (O → Mo) state of the α-Keggin POM lattice were observed in the range of 543-552 nm [23]. It was determined that emission spectral properties of POM-based compounds showed similar behaviours with their excitation spectral properties. In other words, the intensity of the emission peaks of the compounds and the shift of the emission band to the long wavelength were observed in the same way. This can be called the substituent effect. In the spectra of the complexes, while the emission bands of the Pt2+ complexes were observed at 697 nm, the bands of the Cu2+ complexes were observed in the range of 570-598 nm. The wavelengths of the emission and excitation bands of the Pt complexes did not change depending on the differentiation of the ligands.
The electrochemical properties of the compounds KL1-KL3 and their metal complexes were investigated in 1.0 × 10−3 M DMF-0.1 M Bu4NBF4 as supporting electrolyte solution and scan rates at 100, 250 and 500 mVs-1. The cv curves of the KL1Pt-KL3Pt complexes were shown in Fig. 5a-c. The electrochemical data of all compounds were given in Table 2. The cv curves of the KL1-KL3 and their Cu2+ metal complexes were given in supplementary file as Fig. S3a-f. The glassy carbon electrode was used as working electrode.
Table 2
Electrochemical data at different scanning rates of a-Keggin POM-based compounds and their Cu2+ and Pt2+ metal complexes. All the potentials are referenced to Ag+/AgCl; where Epa and Epc are anodic and cathodic potentials, respectively. ΔEp = Epa−Epc E1/2 = 0.5 × (Epa + Epc).
Compounds
|
Scan Rates (mV/sn)
|
Epa
|
Epc
|
Epa/Epc
|
E1/2(V)
|
ΔEp(V)
|
KL1
|
100
|
0.03, 0.88
|
0.51
|
1.72
|
─
|
0.37
|
|
250
|
0.06, 0.95
|
0.47
|
2.02
|
─
|
-041
|
|
500
|
0.10, 1.07
|
0.43
|
2.48
|
─
|
-0.33
|
KL1Cu
|
100
|
0.86
|
-0.06
|
10.75
|
─
|
0.92
|
|
250
|
0.87
|
-0.05
|
17.40
|
─
|
0.92
|
|
500
|
0.88
|
-0.03
|
29.33
|
─
|
0.91
|
KL1Pt
|
100
|
0.14, 0.66, 0.94
|
0.56, -0.30
|
1.17
|
─
|
0.10
|
|
250
|
0.15, 0.67, 0.93
|
0.53, -0.33
|
1.26
|
─
|
0.14
|
|
500
|
0.16, 0.68, 0.92
|
0.46, -0.37
|
1.47
|
─
|
0.22
|
KL2
|
100
|
-0.13, 0.75
|
0.54
|
1.38
|
─
|
0.21
|
|
250
|
-0.08, 0.89
|
0.49
|
1.81
|
─
|
0.40
|
|
500
|
0.09, 1.01
|
0.44
|
2.29
|
─
|
0.57
|
KL2Cu
|
100
|
0.71
|
0.28
|
2.53
|
─
|
0.43
|
|
250
|
0.78
|
0.20
|
3.90
|
─
|
0.58
|
|
500
|
0.88
|
0.09
|
9.77
|
─
|
0.79
|
KL2Pt
|
100
|
0.27, 0.67
|
0.37, -0.33
|
1.81
|
─
|
0.30
|
|
250
|
0.28, 0.66
|
0.35, -0.37
|
1.88
|
─
|
0.31
|
|
500
|
0.29, 0.65
|
0.32, -0.41
|
2.03
|
─
|
0.33
|
KL3
|
100
|
-0.08, 0.82
|
0.49
|
1.67
|
─
|
0.33
|
|
250
|
-0.04, 0.90
|
0.44
|
2.04
|
─
|
0.46
|
|
500
|
0.69
|
0.27
|
2.55
|
─
|
0.42
|
KL3Cu
|
100
|
0.77
|
0.19
|
4.05
|
─
|
0.58
|
|
250
|
0.81
|
0.14
|
5.78
|
─
|
0.67
|
|
500
|
0.64
|
0.38
|
1.68
|
─
|
0.26
|
KL3Pt
|
100
|
0.22, 0.65
|
0.37, -0.32
|
1.75
|
─
|
0.28
|
|
250
|
0.21, 0.66
|
0.36, -0.31
|
1.83
|
─
|
0.30
|
|
500
|
0.30, 0.71
|
0.39, -0.43
|
1.82
|
─
|
0.32
|
The electrochemical properties of the α-Keggin heteropolymolybdate compound were investigated in the range of -2.0-(+2.0) V and it was determined that it had alternating redox pairs at some potentials. The redox process of the POM compound is metal-centered [16]. Three anodic and three cathodic peak potentials were observed in this compound. The redox properties of the POM based compounds KL1-KL3 and their metal complexes were studied in the -1.5-(+1.5) V range. The POM based compounds have two anodic and one cathodic peak potential in the range of -0.13-1.07 and 0.27-0.54 V, respectively. With the increase of scanning speed in positive direction scanning, it causes the anodic peak potential values to increase more positively. On the other hand, the cathodic peak potential values decrease with the increase of scanning speed. In these compounds, the redox processes are irreversible and metal-centered. The Cu2+ complexes of the compounds KL1-KL3 have one anodic peak potential in the 0.71-0.88 V range. Similarly, the cathodic peak potentials of the Cu2+ complexes are also one in the -0.06-0.38 V. When the Epa and Epc values of the Cu2+ complexes are compared with the values of KLn compounds, it can be said that the redox processes in the Cu2+ complexes are irreversible and in the form of reduction of the Cu2+ ion. This redox process can be represented as follows:
The KL2Pt and KL3Pt complexes show the similar electrochemical behaviours in the range of 100-500 mV/s scan rates. That is, the complexes have two Epa and two Epc potentials in the range of 0.21-0.71 V and -0.43-0.39 V, respectively. On the other hand, the KL1Pt complex has three anodic and two cathodic peak potentials in the range of 0.14-0.94 V and -0.37-0.56 V, respectively. When the electrochemical values of Keggin-based POM compounds (KL2 and KL3) and KL2Pt and KL3Pt complexes are compared, it is seen that the electrochemical behavior is Pt-centered and as irreversible redox process. Because the electrochemical values in these complexes have shifted towards more negative regions. On the other hand, while the redox process in the KL1Pt complex is Pt-centered in the range of -0.37-0.68 V, the redox process in the 0.94-0.46 V range is POM-centered. All redox processes for this complex are irreversible. The reduction of the KL1Pt complex is as follows:
MALDI-TOF method was used for the characterization of a-Keggin POM-based compounds KL1-KL3 and their Cu2+ and Pt2+ transition metal complexes. The mass spectral data obtained for the compounds are given in the supplementary file. The MALDI-TOF spectra of the KL1 and its metal complexes were shown in Fig. 6a-c. No molecular ion peaks could not be obtained for any compound that mass spectra were examined. In the mass spectrum of the compound KL1, the observed peak at m/z 2.663,38 can be attributed to the fragmentation pattern [M+DHB+Na-3H]+. In the spectra of the compounds KL1 and KL2, the peaks at 2.648,803 and 2.644,442 come from the fragmentation patterns [M+DHBA+5H]+ and [M+DHBA]+, respectively. In the spectra of the POM based Cu2+ and Pt2+ metal complexes, the molecular ion peaks [M]+ belonging to the complexes were not observed. In the Fig. 6b-c, the peaks at the m/z 2.907,790 and 2.933,905 can be attributed to the fragmentation patterns of the KL1Pt and KL1Cu complexes, respectively. When the mass spectra of POM-based Cu2+ and Pt2+ transition metal complexes were examined, better information about the structure has obtained from the spectra of Cu2+ complexes.
Thermogravimetric (TG) studies for the KL1-KL3 and their Cu2+ and Pt2+ transition metal complexes were done in the nitrogen atmosphere with a heating rate of 10 °C min−1 from 27 °C to 850 °C. The TG curves of the Cu2+ complexes have given in Fig. 7. The TG curves of other compounds have given in supplementary file as Fig. S4. The thermal properties of the ethanol solvated α-Keggin heteropolymolybdate compound, which was synthesized and structurally characterized before, were investigated and it was determined that the compound decomposed in four steps [16]. When the thermal curves of the Cu2+ complexes in Fig. 7 are examined, it is seen that the complexes decompose in four steps. In the first step, the adsorbed H2O molecules in the compounds are removed in the temperature range of 50-80 °C. The thermal decomposition in the second step starts at 120 °C and ends at around 210 °C. In this step, the removal of H2O and Cl- ions bound to Cu2+ ions coordinated to imine compounds takes place. The third step takes place in the temperature range of 386-482 °C, and in this temperature range, the organic ligands HL1-HL3 are removed from POM-based compounds KL1-KL3. The last step starts at 535 °C and continues up to 700 °C. Metal oxides such as MoO2, MoO3 and CuO have formed in this step. When the thermal curves of Pt2+ and Cu2+ complexes were compared, it was determined that Pt2+ complexes had higher thermal stability than Cu2+ complexes.
The antimicrobial properties of POM-based compounds and the transition metal complexes of these compounds were investigated and the results are given in Table S in the supplementary file. All compounds (in 1000 and 2000 ppm concentration) were tested in vitro against to two fungi and five bacterial species by the disc diffusion method. The all compounds (except KL2Cu) showed no inhibition the bacteria tested. Only the compound KL2Cu (in 2000 ppm) showed antibacterial activity (10 mm 100 µL-1 inhibition zone) to Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 (except for other bacteria tested). Surprisingly the all compounds showed inhibition zones the fungi tested. The results indicated that the all compounds have shown antifungal activity in the range of 10-29 mm 100 µL-1 inhibition zone to the Penicillium spp. But the all compounds have no shown antifungal activity to Aspergillus niger. Some of the compounds (KL1Cu, KL1Pt, KL2Cu, KL3Cu (including 2000 ppm)) have shown antifungal activity in the range of 8-20 mm 100 µL-1 inhibition zone to the Aspergillus niger. Notable situation here, KL1Pt (including 2000 ppm) showed the highest antifungal activity against to Penicillium spp. (inhibition zone 29 mm 100 µL-1). There are differences in the antibacterial and antifungal effects of microorganisms to the compounds, due to the cell wall structure, species and subspecies.