Hydrophobic Acceleration of Electron Transfer Processes

Electron transfer processes between 1-alpha-naphthyl-3-oxa-alkanes (1-n, n = 1, 8, 12, 16) and 2-alkyl-3,5,6-trichloro-1,4-benzoquinones (2-n, n = 8, 12, 16) facilitated by hydrophobic-lipophilic interactions (HLI) have been investigated by means of fluorescence spectroscopy in dioxane-H(2)O systems of different psi values, where psi is the volume fraction of the organic component of an aquiorgano mixture. Three lines of evidence, namely, EPR, UV-vis, and fluorescence quenching, indicate that electron transfer between 1-12 and 2-12 has occurred. Furthermore, both UV-vis evidence and the near constancy of the life time tau of 1-12() in the presence of different concentrations of the quencher 2-12 show that the electron transfer is preceded by preassociation, i.e., the quenching process is static. Therefore, the extent of HLI-driven coaggregation (preassociation) between the donors and the acceptors may be assessed from the Stern-Volmer slopes (Ksv). The chain-length effect, and possibly also a chain-foldability effect, has been observed. A notable observation is the importance of solvent aggregating power (SAgP) effect, which is indicated by the surge of Ksv values at psi 相似文献   

Scaffolding, ladders, chains, and rare ferrimagnetism in intermetallic borides: electronic structure calculations and magnetic ordering

The electronic structures of "Ti(9-n)Fe(2+n)Ru(18)B(8)" (n=0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3), in connection to the recently synthesized Ti(9-n)Fe(2+n)Ru(18)B(8) (n=1, 2), have been investigated and analyzed using LSDA tight-binding calculations to elucidate the distribution of Fe and Ti, to determine the maximum Fe content, and to explore possible magnetic structures to interpret experimental magnetization results. Through a combination of calculations on specific models and using the rigid band approximation, which is validated by the DOS curves for "Ti(9-n)Fe(2+n)Ru(18)B(8)" (n=0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3), mixing of Fe and Ti is anticipated at both the 2b- and 4h-chain sites. The model "Ti(8.5)Fe(2.5)Ru(18)B(8)" (n=0.5) revealed that both Brewer-type Ti-Ru interactions as well as ligand field splitting of the Fe 3d orbitals regulated the observed valence electron counts between 220 and 228 electrons/formula unit. Finally, models of magnetic structures were created using "Ti(6)Fe(5)Ru(18)B(8)" (n=3). A rigid band analysis of the LSDA DOS curves concluded preferred ferromagnetic ordering at low Fe content (n≤0.75) and ferrimagnetic ordering at higher Fe content (n>0.75). Ferrimagnetism arises from antiferromagnetic exchange coupling in the scaffold of Fe1-ladder and 4h-chain sites.     

Developing a structure-function relationship for anionic porphyrazines exhibiting selective anti-tumor activity

The porphyrazines (pzs) are a class of porphyrin derivatives being studied for their use as optical imaging agents and photodynamic therapy (PDT) anti-tumor agents. A previous study revealed that the anionic pz, 18--of the form H2[pz(An;B4-n)], where A is [S(CH2)3CO2-], B is a fused beta',beta'-diisopropyloxy benzo group, with n=2 (trans)--selectively killed tumor cells, while analogous neutral and positively charged pzs lacked this property. In this report, we compare the properties of a suite of three H2[pz(An;B4-n)] pzs containing the same A and B groups as 18, but differing in their values of n: pzs 4 (n=4) and 11 (n=3), and 18 (n=2, trans) exhibit a progressive variation in charge due to the carboxylates, balance between hydrophobic/hydrophilic character, as well as a progressive variation in the singlet oxygen quantum yield (PhiDelta): PhiDelta (18)>PhiDelta (11)>PhiDelta (4). The biological activity of the pzs was tested in human lung carcinoma (A549) and SV40 transformed embryonic (WI-38 VA13) cell lines. Pzs 4 and 11 exhibited significant toxicity in both tumor and normal cells, while 18 showed selective anti-tumor cell activity in a dose-dependent manner. As the number of net negative charges decreased, the compounds became less toxic to normal cells, and the killing effect observed with these compounds was light independent. These observations indicate that the toxicity may have little to do with singlet oxygen quantum yields, but rather is more dependent on the net number of negative charges a pz contains. The study reported herein presents an example of how the porphyrazines can be easily modified to vary their biological behavior and specifically suggest that anionic porphyrazines pzs with lower n (fewer carboxylates, larger hydrophobic core) are more specific tumor killers, while those with larger n (increased net negative charge) are more potent tumor killers.     

Photochemical reactions of electron-deficient olefins with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbenzidine via photoinduced electron-transfer

Photoinduced electron transfer reactions of several electron-deficient olefins with N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in acetonitrile solution have been studied by using laser flash photolysis technique and steady-state fluorescence quenching method. Laser pulse excitation of TMB yields ³TMB* after rapid intersystem crossing from ¹TMB*. The triplet which located at 480 nm is found to undergo fast quenching with the electron acceptors fumaronitrile (FN), dimethyl fumarate (DMF), diethyl fumarate (DEF), cinnamonitrile (CN), -acetoxyacrylonitrile (AAN), crotononitrile (CrN) and 3-methoxyacrylonitrile (MAN). Substituents binding to olefin molecule own different electron-donating/withdrawing powers, which determine the electron-deficient property (π-cloud density) of olefin molecule as well as control the electron transfer rate constant directly. The detection of ion radical intermediates in the photolysis reactions confirms the proposed electron transfer mechanism, as expected from thermodynamics. The quenching rate constants of triplet TMB by these olefins have been determined at 510 nm to avoid the disturbance of formed TMB cation radical around 475 nm. All the values approach or reach to the diffusion-controlled limit. In addition, fluorescence quenching rate constants have been also obtained by calculating with Stern–Volmer equation. A correlation between experimental electron transfer rate constants and free energy changes has been explained by Marcus theory of adiabatic outer-sphere electron transfer. Disharmonic k_q values for CN and CrN in endergonic region may be the disturbance of exciplexs formation.     

Anthracene as a sensitiser for near-infrared luminescence in complexes of Nd(III), Er(III) and Yb(III): an unexpected sensitisation mechanism based on electron transfer

The ligand L(1), which contains a chelating 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole (PB) unit with a pendant anthacenyl group An connected via a methylene spacer, (L(1) = PB-An), was used to prepare the 8-coordinate lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln(hfac)(3)(L(1))] (Ln = Nd, Gd, Er, Yb) which have been structurally characterised and all have a square antiprismatic N(2)O(6) coordination geometry. Whereas free L(1) displays typical anthracene-based fluorescence, this fluorescence is completely quenched in its complexes. The An group in L(1) acts as an antenna unit: in the complexes [Ln(hfac)(3)(L(1))] (Ln = Nd, Er, Yb) selective excitation of the anthracene results in sensitised near-infrared luminescence from the lanthanide centres with concomitant quenching of An fluorescence. Surprisingly, the anthracene fluorescence is also quenched even in the Gd(III) complex and in its Zn(II) adduct in which quenching via energy transfer to the metal centre is not possible. It is proposed that the quenching of anthracene fluorescence in coordinated L(1) arises due to intra-ligand photoinduced electron-transfer from the excited anthracene chromophore (1)An* to the coordinated PB unit generating a short-lived charge-separated state [An(.+)-PB(.-)] which collapses by back electron-transfer to give (3)An*. This electron-transfer step is only possible upon coordination of L(1) to the metal centre, which strongly increases the electron acceptor capability of the PB unit, such that (1)An* --> PB PET is endoergonic in free L(1) but exergonic in its complexes. Thus, rather than a conventional set of steps ((1)An* -->(3)An* --> Ln), the sensitization mechanism now includes (1)An* --> PB photoinduced electron transfer to generate charge-separated [An(.+)-PB(.-)], then back electron-transfer to generate (3)An* which finally sensitises the Ln(III) centre via energy transfer. The presence of (3)An* in L(1) and its complexes is confirmed by nanosecond transient absorption studies, which have also shown that the (3)An* lifetime in the Nd(III) complex matches the rise time of Nd-centred near-infrared emission, confirming that the final step of the sequence is (3)An* --> Ln(III) energy-transfer.     

The effect of carboxylate anions on the formation of clathrate hydrates of tetrabutylammcnium carboxylates

The solid-liquid phase diagrams of binary mixtures of water with tetrabutylammonium carboxylate having an unsaturated alkyl group in the carboxylate anion ((n-C₄H₉)₄NOOCR; R=C₂H₃–C₉H₁₇) were examined in order to confirm the formation of clathrate-like hydrates. The results are summarized as follows: (1) the formation of a clathrate-like hydrate is newly confirmed for all the 13 carboxylates examined; (2) these hydrates are classified into three groups I, II, and III on the basis of the hydration numbers; (3) the group I hydrates, which are formed by the carboxylates with R=C₂ and R=C₃, have hydration numbers around 30 and are the most stable hydrates among those examined in this study; (4) the group II hydrates, with hydration numbers around 39, are formed by all the carboxylates with R=C₄ and C₅ including sorbate and are less stable than the group I hydrates; (5) the group III hydrates, with hydration numbers around 30 like the group I hydrates, are formed by carboxylates with long alkyl chains such as 2-octenoate and 2-decenoate and are generally unstable.     

二丁基锡氮杂环羧酸酯的合成

合成了１０种二丁基锡氮杂环羧酸酯（ｎ－Ｃ４Ｈ９）２Ｓｎ（Ｃｌ）２－ｎ（Ｏ２ＣＲ）ｎ（ｎ＝１,２;Ｒ＝吡啶基,吲哚烷基）,利用元素分析,ＩＲ及＾Ｈ ＮＭＲ表征了它们的结构。     

A study of the sequential acid-catalyzed hydroxylation of dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-)

The closo-[B12H12-n(OH)n]2- (n = 1-4) ions have been synthesized by the reaction of cesium dodecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(2-), Cs21, with aqueous sulfuric acid. Variation of the reaction temperature, time, and acid concentration results in the stepwise introduction of from one to four hydroxyl groups. Each individual hydroxylation step proceeds regioselectively, affording only one isomer per step. Further substitution of the hydroxylated cluster preferentially takes place at a B-H vertex meta to a B-OH vertex. The closo-[B12H12-n(OH)n]2- (n = 1-4) species, designated 2-5, respectively, are characterized by one- and two-dimensional 11B NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and high-resolution fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. A rationale that qualitatively explains the influence of the hydroxyl group on the chemical shifts of the individual boron vertices is developed. Furthermore, the solid state structures of closo-[B12H11(OH)]2-, 2, and closo-1,7-[B12H10(OH)2]2-,3, are determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data are as follows: For [MePPh3](2)2, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 890.1(5) pm, b = 1814(1) pm, c = 1270.5(7) pm, beta = 101.66(2) degrees, Z = 2, R = 0.055; for [MePPh3](2)3, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 887.6(4) pm, b = 1847.2(8) pm, c = 1271.1(5) pm, beta = 101.17(1) degrees, Z = 2, R = 0.065. In addition, synthetic routes to O-derivatized species of the anions 2-5 such as closo-[B12H11(OTiCpCl2)]2-, 7, closo-1,7-[B12H10(OTiCpCl2)2]2-, 8, closo-1,7,9-[B12H9(OTiCpCl2)3]2-, 9, closo-[B12H11(OCONHPh)]2-, 10, and closo-1,7-[B12H10(OSO2Me)2]2-, 11, are described. The crystal structures of 7 and 11 are determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystallographic data are as follows: For [MePPh3](2)7, monoclinic, space group Cc, a = 2530.5(2) pm, b = 1653.3(1) pm, c = 1281.3(1) pm, beta = 118.79(2) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.085; for [HPy](2)11, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 1550.9(8) pm, b = 993.1(5) pm, c = 1726.5(9) pm, beta = 112.36(2) degrees, Z = 4, R = 0.061.     

Geometry and stability of BenCm (n=1-10; m=1, 2, ..., to 11-n) clusters

Density functional theory B3PW91/6-31+G* calculations on BenCm (n=1-10; m=1, 2, ..., to 11-n) clusters have been carried out to examine the effect of cluster size, relative composition, binding energy per atom, HOMO-LUMO gap, vertical ionization potential, and electron affinity on their relative stabilities. The most stable planar cyclic conformations of these clusters always show at least a set of two carbon atoms between two beryllium atoms, while structures where beryllium atoms cluster together, or allow the intercalation of one carbon atom between two of them, generally seem to be the least stable ones. Clusters containing 1, 2, and 3 beryllium atoms (Be2C8, Be3C6, Be2C6, BeC6, Be2C4, BeC4, Be2C2, and BeC2) are identified as clusters of "magic numbers" in terms of their high binding energy per atom, high HOMO-LUMO gap, vertical ionization potential, and second difference in energy per beryllium atom.     

包含两个平面五配位碳原子C_(2+n)B_(10-n)(n=0～10)团簇的结构的理论研究

采用B3LYP/6-311+G**方法,我们优化了初始构型中包含两个平面五配位碳原子(ppCs)的C2+nB10-n(n=0～10)团簇的结构并计算了它们的振动频率.计算结果表明,C2+nB10-n(n=0～2)团簇是稳定的,而且这三个结构中ppC—B键的Wiberg键级介于0.511～0.909之间,ppC—C键的Wiberg键级为0.2254(n=1)和0.8586(n=2),ppC的键级介于3.778到3.879之间,即这三个结构中存在两个ppCs,而且ppC遵循八隅规则;C2+nB10-n(n=3～6)团簇的最稳定结构包含一个ppC;C2+nB10-n(n6)团簇能量最低结构中不存在ppC.而且只有团簇C2+nB10-n(n=0～2)中没有悬键,它们的π电子数分别为:6,7和8,计算它们的NICS(0)值表明强芳香性一般位于局部的三元环中心,表明局部离域有利于平面结构的形成.C2+nB10-n(n=0～2)团簇的第一垂直激发能分别为:1.91,0.56和3.12eV.     

Formation of soluble hexanuclear neptunium(IV) nanoclusters in aqueous solution: growth termination of actinide(IV) hydrous oxides by carboxylates

Complexation of Np(IV) with several carboxylates (RCOO(-); R = H, CH(3), or CHR'NH(2); R' = H, CH(3), or CH(2)SH) in moderately acidic aqueous solutions was studied by using UV-vis-NIR and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. As the pH increased, all investigated carboxylates initiated formation of water-soluble hexanuclear complexes, Np(6)(μ-RCOO)(12)(μ(3)-O)(4)(μ(3)-OH)(4), in which the neighboring Np atoms are connected by RCOO(-)syn-syn bridges and the triangular faces of the Np(6) octahedron are capped with μ(3)-O(2-)/μ(3)-OH(-). The structure information of Np(6)(μ-RCOO)(12)(μ(3)-O)(4)(μ(3)-OH)(4) in aqueous solution was extracted from the extended X-ray absorption fine structure data: Np-O(2-) = 2.22-2.23 ? (coordination number N = 1.9-2.2), Np-O(RCOO(-)) and Np-OH(-) = 2.42-2.43 ? (N = 5.6-6.7 in total), Np···C(RCOO(-)) = 3.43 ? (N = 3.3-3.9), Np···Np(neighbor) = 3.80-3.82 ? (N = 3.6-4.0), and Np···Np(terminal) = 5.39-5.41 ? (N = 1.0-1.2). For the simpler carboxylates, the gross stability constants of Np(6)(μ-RCOO)(12)(μ(3)-O)(4)(μ(3)-OH)(4) and related monomers, Np(RCOO)(OH)(2)(+), were determined from the UV-vis-NIR titration data: when R = H, log β(6,12,-12) = 42.7 ± 1.2 and log β(1,1,-2) = 2.51 ± 0.05 at I = 0.62 M and 295 K; when R = CH(3), log β(6,12,-12) = 52.0 ± 0.7 and log β(1,1,-2) = 3.86 ± 0.03 at I = 0.66 M and 295 K.     

Aggregate of alkoxy-bridged Re(I)-rectangles as a probe for photoluminescence quenching

Alkoxy-bridged rhenium(I) rectangles [{(CO)(3)Re(mu-OR)(2)Re(CO)(3)}(2)(mu-bpy)(2)] (1, R = C(4)H(9); 2, R = C(8)H(17); 3, R = C(12)H(25); bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) comprising long alkyl chains form optically transparent aggregates and exhibit luminescence enhancement in the presence of water. The aggregation of Re(I)-rectangle was followed using a light-scattering technique. Presumably, the enhanced luminescence efficiency resulted from restriction of torsional molecular motion in the aggregates. In addition, the rate of bimolecular quenching of Re(I)-aggregates in the triplet excited state by various electron donors (amines) and acceptors (quinones) was efficient. These results indicate that the excited state of aggregated Re(I) surfactants with an electron acceptor and donor facilitate the electron-transfer quenching process after they became preassociated inside the Re(I)-aggregated species. These synthesized compounds may be useful fluorescent materials in optoelectronic applications.     

Intramolecular excimer formation and photoinduced electron-transfer process in bis-1,8-naphthalimide dyads depending on the linker length

The photophysical properties of bis-1,8-naphthalimide (NI-L-NI) dyads with different linkers ( L = -C 3H 6-, -C 4H 8-, -C 6H 12-, -C 8H 16-, and -C 9H 18-) as well as the reference NI derivative (NI-C 7H 15) were investigated in CH 3CN and H 2O/CH 3CN (v/v = 1:9). The normal fluorescence peak of (1)NI*-L-NI was observed at 379 nm together with a broad emission at longer wavelength both in aprotic CH 3CN and in H 2O/CH 3CN, which is assigned to an excimer, (1)(NI-L-NI)*. The excimer emission maximum was blue-shifted with increasing length of the linker. The photoinduced electron-transfer process of NI-L-NI was also investigated in both solvents by using nanosecond-laser flash photolysis. The T 1-T n absorption band for (3)NI*-L-NI was observed around 470 nm in both solvents. In H 2O/CH 3CN, NI-L-NI is solvated with H 2O in the ground state to exist as solvated NI-L-NI. In the excited triplet state, the NI radical anion (NI (*-)) was generated via the intramolecular quenching of (3)NI*-L-NI by another NI moiety. The solvated NI (*-)-L-NI may undergo the proton abstraction process to give NI(H) (*)-L-NI, which can be confirmed by the transient absorption band at 410 nm. This band was not observed in pure aprotic CH 3CN.     

Mixed-valent diruthenium (II,III) aliphatic carboxylates: columnar mesophases in dodecylsulfate and octylsulfonate derivatives

Two series of polymeric mixed-valent diruthenium (II,III) aliphatic carboxylates of formula Ru₂[O₂C(CH₂)_n-2CH₃]₄X (where X=dodecylsulfate (DOS) anion and n=8, 9, 16 and 18, or X=octylsulfonate (OS) anion and n=8, 10, 12, 14 and 18) were synthesized and characterized. Their liquid crystalline properties and crystalline (Cr) structures were analysed; the Cr phases are lamellar in all cases. For long chain DOS derivatives (n=16 and 18) hexagonal and rectangular columnar mesophases (Col_h and Col_r) with melting temperatures close to 140°C were observed. For long chain OS derivatives (n≥10) a Col_h mesophase was observed, with melting temperatures between 140 and 190°C.     

Structures and electron attachment properties of halomethanes (CX(n)Y(m), X=H, F; Y=Cl, Br, I; n=0,4; m=4-n)

Theoretical studies of structures of neutral molecules and their anions as well as dissociative electron attachment properties are presented for the halomethanes of general formula CX(n) Y(m); X=H, F; Y=Cl, Br, I; n=0,4; m=4-n. The dissociative electron attachment seems to be the primary process resulting in toxicity of these species. The halomethane anions containing hydrogens are formed as radical-anion adducts. When H is replaced by F, these species become true sigma* radicals. The electron affinities are computed using a variety of computational techniques including the four-order M?ller-Plesset (MP4) technique that included 250 basis functions. It is challenging to compare the computed results with experiment due to dearth of experimental data and uncertainties in the existing experimental data. Thus in certain cases larger differences are found between the computed and experimental values.     

Photoinduced electron transfer within porphyrin-containing poly(amide) dendrimers

The synthesis and photophysical characterization of a series of free base porphyrin-containing polyamide dendrimers terminated with anthraquinone groups (FbP-Ga-AQ(n)(), a = 1-3, n = 12, 36, 108) are described. Substantial quenching (58-75%) of the porphyrin fluorescence of FbP-Ga-AQ(n)() is observed when compared to the analogous ethyl-terminated dendrimers (FbP-Ga-Et(n)()) in steady-state fluorescence experiments and is attributed to intramolecular electron transfer. Time-resolved fluorescence experiments were fit to 2-3 exponentials, indicating multiple orientations for electron transfer, consistent with the flexible nature of these dendrimers.     

A Polymeric Iodiplumbate(Ⅱ) Templated by Conjugated Quaternary Ammonium: Synthesis, Band Structure and Optical Properties

A new lead(Ⅱ) iodide coordination polymer [(npq)(PbI3)]n 1 (npq = N-propyl- quinolinium) has been synthesized in the presence of npq as structure-directing reagent (SDA). Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca, with a = 19.158(4), b = 7.9909(16), c = 22.929(5) (A), V = 3510.2(12) (A)3, Z = 8, Dc = 2.877 g/cm3, F(000) = 2672, C12H14I3NPb, Mr = 760.14, μ(MoKα) = 14.872 mm-1, the final R = 0.0431 and wR = 0.1021 for 3678 observed reflections with I＞2σ(I). Structure determination indicates that the [PbI3]-n infinite chains in each unit cell shape the sketch of 1, which could be described as the result of face-sharing distorted PbI6 octahedra running along the b axis. Electrostatic interaction between conjugated organic counter-cations and inorganic moieties presents and contributes to the crystal packing. 1 was further characterized with IR and elemental analysis. Based on the crystal structure data, quantum chemical calculation with DFT method was used to reveal the electronic structure and optical property of 1.     

Photooxidation of dibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene sensitized by N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoborate: mechanism and intermediates investigation

Photooxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) sensitized by N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoborate (NMQ(+)BF4-) has been investigated in O2-saturated acetonitrile solutions. Nearly 100% oxidation of DBT and DMDBT was observed, and the oxidized products are predominantly composed of sulfoxides and sulfones, which are formed via photoinduced electron transfer (ET). Such ET processes were studied with fluorescence quenching of NMQ+, time-resolved transient absorption measurement, and ESR experiments. The fluorescence of NMQ+ is efficiently quenched by DBT and DMDBT via diffusion-controlled processes, with bimolecular quenching constants of 1.6 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1) for DBT and 2.3 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1) for DMDBT. The electron-transfer nature of the quenching is evidenced by the transient absorption measurement of the neutral radical NMQ*, which is formed by electron transfer from the substrates (DBT or DMDBT) to the excited singlet state of NMQ+. The ESR spectra of the superoxide radical anion (O2*-) trapped by 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) in the photooxygenation of DBT and DMDBT as well as their sulfoxides manifest that O2 traps an electron from NMQ* to form O2*-. The fact that the formation of sulfoxides and sulfones is greatly suppressed in the presence of benzoquinone (BQ), an efficient electron trap for NMQ* and O2*-, further indicates an ET process in the photooxidation of DBT and DMDBT. As inferred from the control experiments, the role of singlet oxygen (1O2) in the photooxidation is negligible. The intermediates responsible for the formation of sulfoxides and sulfones have been examined in detail.     

Charge saturation and neutral substitutions in halomethanes and their group 14 analogues

A computational analysis of the charge distribution in halomethanes and their heavy analogues (MH(4-n)X(n): M = C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; X = F, Cl, Br, I) as a function of n uncovers a previously unidentified saturation limit for fluorides when M ≠ C. We examine the electron densities obtained at the CCSD, MP2(full), B3PW91, and HF levels of theory for 80 molecules for four different basis sets. A previously observed substituent independent charge at F in fluoromethanes is shown to be a move toward saturation that is restricted by the low polarizability of C. This limitation fades into irrelevance for the more polarizable M central atoms such that a genuine F saturation is realized in those cases. A conceptual model leads to a function of the form [q(M(n')) - q(M(n))] = a[χ(A') - χ(A)] + b that links the electronegativities (χ) of incoming and leaving atoms (e.g., A' = X and A = H for the halogenation of MH(4-n)X(n)) and the associated charge shift at M. We show that the phenomenon in which the charge at the central atom, q(M), is itself independent of n (e.g., at carbon in CH(4-n)Br(n)) is best described as an "M-neutral substitution"--not saturation. Implications of the observed X saturation and M-neutral substitutions for larger organic and inorganic halogenated molecules and polymeric materials are identified.