Photoinduced Charge‐Transfer Interactions on a Graphene/Block Copolymer Electrostatically Bound to Tetracationic Porphyrin in Aqueous Media

Stable dispersions of exfoliated graphene in aqueous media with the aid of the amphiphilic block copolymer poly(isoprene‐b‐acrylic acid) (PI‐b‐PAA), in the form of its anion, were used to electrostatically bind cationic 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(1‐methyl‐4‐pyridinio)porphine tetra(p‐toluenesulfonate) (H₂P⁴⁺). A new graphene/PI‐b‐PAA^?–H₂P⁴⁺ ensemble was formed and examined by dynamic light scattering, UV/Vis and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The efficient fluorescence quenching of H₂P⁴⁺ in the graphene/PI‐b‐PAA^?–H₂P⁴⁺ ensemble was probed by using steady‐state and time‐resolved photoluminescence, suggesting that electron/energy‐transfer phenomena occur within the nanoensemble. Blank experiments validated the concept of electrostatic interactions that govern the formation of graphene/PI‐b‐PAA^?–H₂P⁴⁺ ensemble, which signified the importance of graphene as an electron acceptor toward the preparation of some new donor–acceptor systems. Finally, kinetic analysis of the lifetime profiles of the fluorescence emission gave information regarding the quenching rate constant and quantum yield of the singlet excited state of H₂P⁴⁺ in the graphene/PI‐b‐PAA^?–H₂P⁴⁺ ensemble.     

Dodecahydro‐closo‐undecaborate [B11H12]–

DFT‐calculations of the geometries of the closo‐anion [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– in its ground state and in the transition state of its skeletal rearrangement and of the protonated species [B₁₁H₁₂]^– in its ground state were performed at the B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) level. The corresponding NMR shifts were computed on the basis of the optimized geometry by the GIAO method at the same level. Calculated and observed NMR data are in good agreement and thus prove the structure of [B₁₁H₁₂]^–, previously deduced from 2 D‐NMR spectra. The addition of water, ethanol, and pyridine to [B₁₁H₁₂]^– at low temperature gave the nido‐species [B₁₁H₁₃(OH)]^–, [B₁₁H₁₃(OEt)]^–, and [B₁₁H₁₂(py)]^–, respectively. The structures of these anions were investigated by NMR methods and the last two of them by crystal structure analyses of appropriate salts. The course of the addition reactions can be rationalized on the basis of the structurally characterized reaction components.     

BASHD‐J‐resolved‐HMBC,an efficient method for measuring proton–proton and heteronuclear long‐range coupling constants

Natural products often possess various spin systems consisting of a methine group directly bonded to a methyl group (e.g. –CH_a–CH_b(CH₃)–CH_c–). The methine proton H_b splits into a broadened multiplet by coupling with several vicinal protons, rendering analysis difficult of ⁿJ_C–H with respect to H_b in the J‐resolved HMBC‐1. In purpose of the reliable and easy measurements of ⁿJ_C–H and ⁿJ_H–H in the aforesaid spin system, we have developed a new technique, named BASHD‐J‐resolved‐HMBC. This method incorporates band selective homo decoupled pulse and J‐scaling pulse into HMBC. In this method, high resolution cross peaks can be observed along the F₁ axis by J‐scaling pulse, and band selective homo decoupled pulse simplified multiplet signals. Determinations of ⁿJ_C–H and ⁿJ_H–H of multiplet signals can easily be performed using the proposed pulse sequence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simple extended STO basis sets. Helium

The two-parameter function, φ = (C₁ + C₂r^n?1) exp (?ζr), (n = 2–5), has been used as a basis function to determine the independent particle model energy of two-electron atomic systems in their ground state. The best energy is found for n = 3 (He—B³⁺) and for n = 4 (H^?). Our energy values are significantly close to Hartree-Fock results.     

Theoretical studies on structures and electronic spectra of linear carbon chains C2nH+ (n = 1−5)

The density functional theory (DFT) and the complete active space self‐consistent‐field (CASSCF) method have been used for full geometry optimization of carbon chains C_2nH⁺ (n = 1–5) in their ground states and selected excited states, respectively. Calculations show that C_2nH⁺ (n = 1–5) have stable linear structures with the ground state of X³Π for C₂H⁺ or X³Σ^? for other species. The excited‐state properties of C_2nH⁺ have been investigated by the multiconfigurational second‐order perturbation theory (CASPT2), and predicted vertical excitation energies show good agreement with the available experimental values. On the basis of our calculations, the unsolved observed bands in previous experiments have been interpreted. CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations also have been used to explore the vertical emission energy of selected low‐lying states in C_2nH⁺ (n = 1–5). Present results indicate that the predicted vertical excitation and emission energies of C_2nH⁺ have similar size dependences, and they gradually decrease as the chain size increases. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Fluoride‐Bridged {GdIII3MIII2} (M=Cr,Fe, Ga) Molecular Magnetic Refrigerants

The reaction of fac‐[M^IIIF₃(Me₃tacn)]⋅x H₂O with Gd(NO₃)₃⋅5H₂O affords a series of fluoride‐bridged, trigonal bipyramidal {Gd^III₃M^III₂} (M=Cr ( 1 ), Fe ( 2 ), Ga ( 3 )) complexes without signs of concomitant GdF₃ formation, thereby demonstrating the applicability even of labile fluoride‐complexes as precursors for 3d–4f systems. Molecular geometry enforces weak exchange interactions, which is rationalized computationally. This, in conjunction with a lightweight ligand sphere, gives rise to large magnetic entropy changes of 38.3 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ ( 1 ) and 33.1 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ ( 2 ) for the field change 7 T→0 T. Interestingly, the entropy change, and the magnetocaloric effect, are smaller in 2 than in 1 despite the larger spin ground state of the former secured by intramolecular Fe–Gd ferromagnetic interactions. This observation underlines the necessity of controlling not only the ground state but also close‐lying excited states for successful design of molecular refrigerants.     

Fluoride‐Bridged {GdIII3MIII2} (M=Cr,Fe, Ga) Molecular Magnetic Refrigerants

The reaction of fac‐[M^IIIF₃(Me₃tacn)]?x H₂O with Gd(NO₃)₃?5H₂O affords a series of fluoride‐bridged, trigonal bipyramidal {Gd^III₃M^III₂} (M=Cr ( 1 ), Fe ( 2 ), Ga ( 3 )) complexes without signs of concomitant GdF₃ formation, thereby demonstrating the applicability even of labile fluoride‐complexes as precursors for 3d–4f systems. Molecular geometry enforces weak exchange interactions, which is rationalized computationally. This, in conjunction with a lightweight ligand sphere, gives rise to large magnetic entropy changes of 38.3 J kg^?1 K^?1 ( 1 ) and 33.1 J kg^?1 K^?1 ( 2 ) for the field change 7 T→0 T. Interestingly, the entropy change, and the magnetocaloric effect, are smaller in 2 than in 1 despite the larger spin ground state of the former secured by intramolecular Fe–Gd ferromagnetic interactions. This observation underlines the necessity of controlling not only the ground state but also close‐lying excited states for successful design of molecular refrigerants.     

Some properties of the bivariational Hartree–Fock scheme for complex symmetric many-particle operators

The bivariational Hartree–Fock scheme for a general many-body operator T is discussed with particular reference to the complex symmetric case: T^? = T*. It shown that, even in the case when the complex symmetric operator T is real and hence also self-adjoint, the complex symmetric Hartree–Fock scheme does not reduce to the conventional real form, unless one introduces the constraint that the N-dimensional space spanned by the Hartree–Fock functions ? should be stable under complex conjugation, so that ?* = ?α. If one omits this constraint, one gets a complex symmetric formulation of the Hartree–Fock scheme for a real N-electron Hamiltonian having the properties H = H* = H^?, in which the effective Hamiltonian H_eff (1) may have complex eigenvalues ε_k. By using the method of complex scaling, it is indicated that these complex eigenvalues—at least for certain systems—may be related to the existence of so-called physical resonance states, and a simple example is given. Full details will be given elsewhere.     

Coordination polymers of CdII and PbII with croconate show remarkable differences in coordination patterns: a structural and spectroscopic study

The croconate dianion is a highly versatile ligand with two tautomeric forms making it useful for building large superstructures in the solid state. The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of Pb^II– and Cd^II–croconate coordination polymers, namely catena‐poly[[[diaqualead(II)]‐μ‐croconato‐κ⁴O¹,O²:O³,O⁴] monohydrate], {[Pb(C₅O₅)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n, 1 , and catena‐poly[[triaquacadmium(II)]‐μ‐croconato‐κ⁴O¹,O²:O³,O⁴], [Cd(C₅O₅)(H₂O)₃]_n, 2 , have been determined. Both polymers form one‐dimensional (1D) structures; 1 is a nonplanar 1D zigzag coordination polymer extended along the crystallographic b axis, whereas 2 is a planar 1D ribbon parallel to the [101] direction. In 2 , three H₂O molecules are coordinated directly to the metal atom, while in 1 , only two H₂O molecules are directly coordinated to the metal atom. A third interstitial H₂O molecule is involved in hydrogen bonding with O atoms of the croconate ligands of an adjacent layer and other H₂O molecules, resulting in stacked double layers parallel to the [105] plane. Solid‐state FT–IR and solution UV–Vis spectra also substantiate the croconate coordination.     

Oligo(p‐phenyleneethynylene) (OPE) Molecular Wires: Synthesis and Length Dependence of Photoinduced Charge Transfer in OPEs with Triarylamine and Diaryloxadiazole End Groups

The systematic synthesis and photophysical, electrochemical and computational studies on an extended series of triphenylamine‐[C?C‐1,4‐C₆H₂(OR)₂]_n‐C?C‐diphenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole dyad molecules (the OR groups are at 2,5‐positions of the para‐phenylene ring and R=C₆H₁₃; n=0–5, compounds 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 , respectively) are reported. Related molecules with identical end groups, triphenylamine‐C?C‐1,4‐C₆H₂(OR)₂‐C?C‐triphenylamine (R=C₆H₁₃; 6 ) and diphenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐[C?C‐C₆H₂(OR)₂]₂‐C?C‐diphenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (R=C₆H₁₃; 7 ) were also studied. These D–B–A 1 – 5 , D–B–D 6 and A–B–A 7 (D=electron donor, B=bridge, A=electron acceptor) systems were synthesized using palladium‐catalysed cross‐coupling reactions of new p‐phenyleneethynylene building blocks. Steady‐state emission studies on the dyads 1 – 5 reveal a complicated behavior of the emission that is strongly medium dependent. In low polarity solvents the emission is characterized by a sharp high‐energy peak attributed to fluorescence from a locally excited (LE) state. In more polar environments the LE state is effectively quenched by transfer into an intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) state. The medium dependence is also observed in the quantum yields (QYs) which are high in cyclohexane and low in acetonitrile, thus also indicating charge‐transfer character. Low‐temperature emission spectra for 2 – 5 in dichloromethane and diethyl ether also reveal two distinct excited states, namely the LE state and the conventional ICT state, depending on solvent and temperature. Hybrid DFT calculations for 1 – 7 establish that the OPE bridge is involved in both frontier orbitals where the bridge character increases as the bridge length increases. Computed TD‐DFT data on 1 – 5 assign the emission maxima in cyclohexane as LE transitions. Each time‐resolved emission measurement on 2 – 7 in cyclohexane and diethyl ether reveals a wavelength dependent bi‐exponential decay of the emission with a fast component in the 5–61 ps range on blue detection and a slower approximately 1 ns phase, independent of detection wavelength. The fast component is attributed to LE fluorescence and this emission component is rate limited and quenched by transfer into an ICT state. The fast LE fluorescence component varies systematically with conjugation length for the series of D–B–A dyads 2 – 5 . An attenuation factor β of 0.15 Å^?1 was determined in accordance with an ICT superexchange mechanism.     

BASHD‐J‐resolved‐COSY: a new method for measuring proton‐proton spin coupling constants of multiplet signals

An effective pulse sequence for measuring H–H coupling constants, named BASHD‐J‐resolved‐COSY, has been developed. In the spin systems such as –CH_A–CH_B(CH₃)–CH_C–, a methine proton H_B splits into a multiplet owing to several vicinal couplings, resulting in attenuation of its cross‐peak intensity. Therefore, the measurements of ³J_H–H with respect to H_B are generally difficult in the E‐COSY‐type experiments. With the aim of accurate measurements of ³J_H‐H in such a spin system, we have developed a new pulse sequence, which selectively decouples the secondary methyl group. The proposed pulse sequence provides the simplified cross‐peak patterns, which are suitable for reliable measurements of ³J_H‐H in a complicated natural product. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A model study on the mechanism and kinetics for the dissociation of water anion

Quantum chemical computations using both density functional theory (B3LYP functional) and wavefunction (MP2 and CCSD(T)) methods, with the 6-311++G(3df,2p) and aug-cc-pVnZ (n = D,T,Q) basis sets, in conjunction with a polarizable continuum model (PCM) method for treating structures in solution, were carried out to look again at a series of small negatively charged water species [(H₂O)_n]^•–. For each size n of [(H₂O)_n]^•– in aqueous solution with n = 2, 3, and 4, two distinct structural motifs can be identified: a classical water radical anion formed by hydrogen bonds and a molecular pincer in which the excess electron is directly interacting with H atoms. In aqueous solution, both motifs have comparable energy content and likely coexist and compete for the ground state. Some water anion isomers can dissociate when interaction with a water molecule, [(H₂O)_n]^•– + H₂O → H^•(H₂O)_m + OH^–(H₂O)_n–m, through successive hydrogen transfers with moderate energy barriers. This reaction can also be regarded as a water-splitting process in which the H transfers involved take place mainly within a water trimer, whereas other water molecules tend to stabilize transition structures through microsolvation rather than direct participation. Calculated absolute rate constants for the reversed reaction H^•(H₂O)₂ + OH^–(H₂O)₂ → [(H₂O)₄]^•־ + H₂O with both H and D isotopes agree well with the experimentally evaluated counterpart and lend a kinetic support for the involvement of a tetramer unit.     

Bis{1‐n‐hex­yl‐3‐meth­yl‐4‐[1‐(phenyl­imino)prop­yl]‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐olato}­copper(II): a new copper(II) complex with a chelating alkyl­pyrazolone‐based enamine

The title compound, [Cu(C₁₉H₂₆N₃O)₂], is the first reported complex of the alkyl­pyrazolone‐derived ligand 1‐n‐hexyl‐3‐methyl‐4‐[1‐(phenylimino)propyl]‐1H‐pyrazol‐5(4H)‐one. The most notable feature is the imine–enol character presented by the ligand due to coordination, in spite of its enamine–ketone structure in the free state. The ligand chelates through N and O atoms, resulting in a square‐planar coordination around the Cu^II atom, which lies on an inversion centre.     

Thermodynamic activation parameters for viscous flow of aqueous solutions of butylamines

The thermodynamic activation parameters, enthalpies, ΔH?^≠, free energies, ΔG ^≠, and entropies, ΔS?^≠, for viscous flow of the systems, water (W)?+?n-butylamine (NBA), W?+?sec-butylamine (SBA) and W?+?tert-butylamine (TBA), have been determined by using the density and the viscosity data. These properties and their excess values have been represented graphically against their composition. With respect to the composition, ΔG ^≠ show a typical behaviour for all the systems – a fast rise in the water-rich region with a maximum followed by the values that decline up to the pure state of amines. The ΔH?^≠ and ΔS?^≠ versus composition curves follow the similar trend. For all systems the excess properties, ΔG ^≠E, ΔH ^?≠E and ΔS?^≠E are characterized by sharp maxima in the water-rich region, which are thought to be mainly due to the hydrophobic hydration and the hydrophilic effect.     

Synthesis,structure and characterization of two new metal–organic coordination polymers based on the ligand 5‐iodobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylate

Two new coordination polymers (CPs) formed from 5‐iodobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂iip) in the presence of the flexible 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)butane (bimb) auxiliary ligand, namely poly[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)butane‐κ²N³:N^3′](μ₃‐5‐iodobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O¹,O^1′:O³:O^3′)cobalt(II)], [Co(C₈H₃IO₄)(C₁₀H₁₄N₄)]_n or [Co(iip)(bimb)]_n, (1), and poly[[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)butane‐κ²N³:N^3′](μ₂‐5‐iodobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O¹:O³)zinc(II)] trihydrate], {[Zn(C₈H₃IO₄)(C₁₀H₁₄N₄)]·3H₂O}_n or {[Zn(iip)(bimb)]·3H₂O}_n, (2), were synthesized and characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), solid‐state UV–Vis spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis (PXRD). The iip²⁻ ligand in (1) adopts the (κ¹,κ¹‐μ₂)(κ¹, κ¹‐μ₁)‐μ₃ coordination mode, linking adjacent secondary building units into a ladder‐like chain. These chains are further connected by the flexible bimb ligand in a trans–trans–trans conformation. As a result, a twofold three‐dimensional interpenetrating α‐Po network is formed. Complex (2) exhibits a two‐dimensional (4,4) topological network architecture in which the iip²⁻ ligand shows the (κ¹)(κ¹)‐μ₂ coordination mode. The solid‐state UV–Vis spectra of (1) and (2) were investigated, together with the fluorescence properties of (2) in the solid state.     

Synthesis,Structure and Photophysical Properties of Ferrocenyl or Mixed Sandwich Cobaltocenyl Ester Linked meso‐Tetratolylporphyrin Dyads

We report here the design and synthesis of porphyrin–metallocene dyads consisting of a metallocene [either ferrocene or mixed sandwich η⁵‐[C₅H₄(COOH)]Co(η⁴‐C₄Ph₄) connected via an ester linkage at meso phenyl position of either free‐base or zinc porphyrin. All these dyad systems were characterized by various spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. A dimeric form of this molecule was observed in the X‐ray crystal structure of Zn‐TTPCo. The absorption spectra of all four dyads indicated the absence of electronic interactions between porphyrin macrocycle and metallocene in the ground state. However, interestingly, in all four dyads, fluorescence emission of the porphyrin was quenched (19–55%) as compared to their monomeric units. The quenching was more pronounced in ferrocene derivatives rather than cobaltocenyl derivatives. The emission quenching can be attributed to the excited‐state intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer from metallocene to singlet excited state of porphyrin and the electron‐transfer rates (k_ET) were established in the range 1.51 × 10⁸ to 1.11 × 10⁹ s^?1. They were found to be solvent dependent.     

Four silver-containing coordination polymers based on bis(imidazole) ligands

Four coordination polymers, [Ag(L¹)](m-Hbdc) (1), [Ag(L¹)]₂(p-bdc)?·?8H₂O (2), [Ag(Hbtc)(L¹)][Ag(L¹)]?·?2H₂O (3) and [Ag₂(L²)₂](OH-bdc)₂?·?4H₂O (4), where L¹?=?1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole), L²?=?1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, m-H₂bdc?=?1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, p-H₂bdc?=?1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₃btc?=?1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, and OH–H₂bdc?=?5-hydroxisophthalic acid, were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Compound 1 contains a–Ag-L¹–Ag-L¹–chain and a hydrogen-bonding interaction induced–(m-Hbdc)-(m-Hbdc)–chain. Compound 2 consists of two independent–Ag-L¹–Ag-L¹–chains. P-bdc anions are not coordinated. Hydrogen bonds form a 3D supramolecular structure. A novel (H₂O)₁₆ cluster is formed by lattice water molecules in 2. Compound 3 contains a–Ag-L¹–Ag-L¹–and a–Ag(Hbtc)-L¹–Ag(Hbtc)-L¹–chain. The packing diagram shows a 2D criss-cross supramolecular structure, with?π?···?π?and C–H ···?π?interactions stabilizing the framework. Compound 4 contains a [Ag₂(L²)₂]²⁺ dimer with hydrogen-bonding,?π?··· π, and Ag ··· O interactions forming a 3D supramolecular framework. The luminescent properties for these compounds in the solid state are discussed.     

Recognition Properties and Self‐assembly of Planar [M(2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole)2]2+ Metallo‐ligands

Molecular recognition continues to be an area of keen interest for supramolecular chemists. The investigated [M( L )₂]²⁺ metallo‐ligands (M=Pd^II, Pt^II, L =2‐(1‐(pyridine‐4‐methyl)‐1 H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine) form a planar cationic panel with vacant pyridyl binding sites. They interact with planar neutral aromatic guests through π–π and/or metallophilic interactions. In some cases, the metallo‐ligands also interacted in the solid state with Ag^I either through coordination to the pendant pyridyl arms, or through metal–metal interactions, forming coordination polymers. We have therefore developed a system that reliably recognises a planar electron‐rich guest in solution and in the solid state, and shows the potential to link the resultant host–guest adducts into extended solid‐state structures. The facile synthesis and ready functionalisation of 2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole ligands through copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) “click” chemistry should allow for ready tuning of the electronic properties of adducts formed from these systems.     

Copper(II) complexes with hydroxyl-containing dipeptides glycyl- L -serine and L -seryl- L -tyrosine

Dipeptides glycyl- _L -serine and _L -seryl– _L -tyrosine are tridentate ligands in coordination with Cu(II) through their NH₂?, N–(from deprotonated amide group) and O–atom (by COO- group), forming [Cu^II(LH_?1)H₂O]. The forth position of square-planar geometry of Cu²⁺ is occupied by H₂O as terminal ligand. Solid-state linear dichroic IR-spectroscopy, UV-Vis, mass spectrometry with ESI and FAB, tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), TGV and DSC methods, EPR and magnetochemistry data prove the formation of five-membered chelate rings with participation of Cu²⁺ both in solution and in solid state.