title: Synthesis, characterization, self-assembly, gelation, morphology and computational studies of alkynylgold(III) complexes of 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridine derivatives.
abstract: A novel class of alkynylgold(III) complexes of the dianionic ligands derived from 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridine (H2bzimpy) derivatives has been synthesized and characterized. The structure of one of the complexes has also been determined by X-ray crystallography. Electronic absorption studies showed low-energy absorption bands at 378-466 nm, which are tentatively assigned as metal-perturbed π-π* intraligand transitions of the bzimpy(2-) ligands. A computational study has been performed to provide further insights into the nature of the electronic transitions for this class of complexes. One of the complexes has been found to show gelation properties, driven by π-π and hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions. This complex exhibited concentration- and temperature-dependent (1)H NMR spectra. The morphology of the gel has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Functional Materials, Areas of Excellence Scheme, University Grants Committee (Hong Kong) and Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong (P. R. China).
authors.forename: King-Chin
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Yim
authors.forename: Elizabeth Suk-Hang
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Keith Man-Chung
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Vonika Ka-Man
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: Chi-Chiu
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Wai Han
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Vivian Wing-Wah
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Yam
keywords: alkynyl ligands; gels; gold; self-assembly; tridentate ligands