Importance of covalence,conformational effects and tunneling-barrier heights for long-range electron transfer: Insights from dyads with oligo-p-phenylene,oligo-p-xylene and oligo-p-dimethoxybenzene bridges

This review reports on our recent studies of phototriggered charge transfer in rigid rod-like donor-bridge-acceptor molecules in liquid solution as well as between randomly dispersed electron donors and acceptors in frozen organic glasses. Investigation of the distance dependence of the rates of these reactions provides detailed insight into the various factors that govern long-range charge transfer efficiencies. The importance of covalence can be probed by a comparison of charge tunneling through a frozen toluene matrix to tunneling across an oligo-p-xylene bridge. The distance decay constants for these two processes are β = 1.26 Å^?1 and β = 0.52 Å^?1, respectively, indicating that charge tunneling across a covalent xylene–xylene contact is ～2 orders of magnitude more efficient than that across a noncovalent toluene–toluene contact. Conformational effects were investigated by comparing hole tunneling across oligo-p-xylene and oligo-p-phenylene bridges. The latter are significantly more π-conjugated and mediate long-range hole tunneling with β = 0.21 Å^?1 between a ruthenium–phenothiazine donor–acceptor couple. Quantitative analysis indicates that in this particular instance, tunneling across a phenylene–phenylene contact is roughly 50 times more efficient than tunneling across a xylene–xylene contact. The use of oligo-p-dimethoxybenzene wires instead of the structurally very similar oligo-p-xylene bridges was found to lead to a strong acceleration of long-range hole transfer rates: The 23.5-Å charge transfer step across four xylene units occurs within 20 μs, but the charge transfer over the same distance across four dimethoxybenzene units takes only 17 ns. This is attributed to a tunneling-barrier effect that is caused by a large difference in oxidation potentials between the two types of bridges.     

Upper critical solution temperatures for immiscible solvent systems with halide salts,carboxylic acids,surfactants and polynuclear aromatic compounds and benzene derivatives

Upper critical solution temperatures (UCSTs) of (water + phenol) systems are reported with 0.1 mol · kg⁻¹ halide salts, carboxylic acids, 1.0% PEG 200 in water, and 0.01 mol · kg⁻¹ surfactants and polynuclear aromatic compounds namely benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, chrysene; and benzene derivatives namely toluene and xylene solutions in phenol. Valence electrons and shell numbers, basicity, –CH₃ and –CH₂–, hydrophilic, hydrophobic and π conjugated electrons of respective additives have been noted to affect their UCSTs and mutual solubilities. The surfactants decrease the USCTs with higher mutual solubilities due to effective hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic interactions with aqueous and organic phases, respectively. A stronger structure breaking action of 3(-OH) of glycerol outweighs those of the 3(-COO⁻) and 1(-OH) of citric acid and urea does produce almost equal UCSTs as compared to glycerol. A decrease in UCSTs is noted with increasing number of conjugated π electrons of benzene, naphthalene, anthracene and chrysene. In general, dTc/dx₂ values of salts for 0.20 to 0.16 mole fractions of phenol are found positive while for 0.055 to 0.052 mole fractions, the negative.     

Carbazole-modified blue light-emitting copolymers with the backbones integrated by diphenyloxadiazole,fluorene, and triphenylamine

Two new blue light-emitting polymers, poly{[2,5-bis(4-phenylene)-1,3,4-oxadiazole]-[9,9-dihexylfluorene-2,7-diyl]-[N-(4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phenyl)-N,N-bis(p-phenylene)aniline]} (POFPA) and poly{[2,5-bis(4-phenylene)-1,3,4-oxadiazole]-[9,9-dihexylfluorene-2,7-diyl]-[4-(3,6-(di-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-9H-carbazol-9-yl)-N,N-bis(p-phenylene)-aniline]} (POFCPA), were synthesized by Suzuki coupling reactions. By GPC analysis against a linear polystyrene standard POFPA and POFCPA were found to have M_n of 1.68 × 10⁴ and 3.70 × 10³, respectively. In contrast to POFPA, the main absorption peak of POFCPA in dilute toluene solution was blue-shifted by Δλ = 26 nm owing to its backbone of relatively shorter π-conjugation length and more carbazole units in side chain. The absolute fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_f) of POFCPA in dilute toluene solution was determined as 73%, much higher than that of POFPA (Φ_f ≈ 58.9%) measured under the same conditions. An electroluminescence device based on POFCPA displays a stable blue emission having color coordinates of (0.15, 0.20), a maximum brightness of 4762 cd/m², and a maximum current efficiency of 1.79 cd/A. By using this polymer as the host material doped with 1 wt.% 4,4′-bis[2-(4-(N,N-diphenylamino)phenyl)vinyl]biphenyl, the achieved highest brightness, maximum current efficiency and maximum power efficiency are 13,613 cd/m², 3.38 cd/A, and1.84 lm/W, respectively.     

Solubility of hyperbranched polymer,Boltorn W-3000, in alcohols,ethers and hydrocarbons

(Solid/liquid + liquid) phase diagrams at ambient pressure have been determined for the hyperbranched polymer, Boltorn W3000 with alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-hexanol, 1-decanol), or with ethers (tert-butyl methyl ether, tert-butyl ethyl ether), or with hydrocarbons (n-hexane, n-heptane, benzene, toluene) by a dynamic method from T = 240 K to the boiling temperature of the solvent. (Solid + liquid) phase equilibria with immiscibility in the liquid phase were detected for B-W3000 with the alcohols and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The upper critical solution temperatures, UCSTs, were measured for (B-W3000 + 1-hexanol and 1-decanol) systems. The experimental results of (solid + liquid) phase equilibria have been correlated using NRTL equation.     

Thermodynamics of organic mixtures containing amines. X. Phase equilibria for binary systems formed by imidazoles and hydrocarbons: Experimental data and modelling using DISQUAC

(Solid + liquid) equilibrium (SLE) temperatures have been determined using a dynamic method for the systems (1H-imidazole, + benzene, + toluene, + hexane, or + cyclohexane; 1-methylimidazole + benzene, or + toluene, 2-methyl-1H-imidazole + benzene, + toluene, or + cyclohexane, and benzimidazole + benzene). In addition (liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) temperatures have been obtained using a cloud point method for (1H-imidazole, + hexane, or + cyclohexane; 1-methylimidazole + toluene, and 2-methyl-1H-imidazole + cyclohexane). The measured systems show positive deviations from the Raoult’s law, due to strong dipolar interactions between amine molecules related to the high dipole moment of imidazoles. On the other hand, DISQUAC interaction parameters for the contacts present in these solutions and for the amine/hydroxyl contacts in (1H-imidazole + 1-alkanol) mixtures have been determined. The model correctly represents the available data for the examined systems. Deviations between experimental and calculated SLE temperatures are similar to those obtained using the Wilson or NRTL equations, or the UNIQUAC association solution model. The quasichemical interaction parameters are the same for mixtures containing 1H-imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, or 2-methyl-1H-imidazole and hydrocarbons. This may be interpreted assuming that they are members of a homologous series. Benzimidazole behaves differently.     

Excess molar enthalpies and excess molar heat capacities of (2-butanone + cyclohexane,or methylcyclohexane,or benzene,or toluene,or chlorobenzene,or cyclohexanone) atT = 298.15 K

Excess molar enthalpies of (2- butanone  +  cyclohexane, or methylcyclohexane, or toluene, or chlorobenzene, or cyclohexanone) and excess molar heat capacities of (2- butanone  +  benzene, or toluene, or chlorobenzene, or cyclohexanone) were measured atT =  298.15 K. Aliphatic systems were endothermic and the chlorobenzene system was exothermic. On the other hand, the toluene system changed sign to be S-shaped similar to the benzene system reported by Kiyohara et al. The values of excess molar enthalpies of the present mixtures were slightly larger than the corresponding mixtures of cyclohexanone already reported. Excess molar heat capacities of aromatic systems were characteristically S-shaped for the mixture containing aromatics. The values of the present mixtures were less than the corresponding mixtures of cyclohexanone. The mixture (2-butanone  +  cyclohexanone) was endothermic forH_m^E and negative for C_p,m^E.     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria in the binary systems (aliphatic,or aromatic hydrocarbons + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate,or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate ionic liquids)

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria of 14 binary systems composed of n-hexane, n-heptane, benzene, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, or p-xylene and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, [emim]EtSO₄, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, [bmim]MeSO₄, ionic liquids have been done in the temperature range from (293.2 to 333.2) K. The solubility of aliphatic is less than those of the aromatic hydrocarbons. In particular, the solubility of hydrocarbons in both ionic liquids increases with the temperature in the order n-heptane < n-hexane < m-xylene < p-xylene < o-xylene < toluene < benzene. Considering the high solubility of aromatics and the low solubility of aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as totally immiscibility of the ionic liquids in all hydrocarbons, these new green solvents may be used as potentials extracting solvents for the separation of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons.     

Measurement and correlation of solubility of 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxynitrobenzene and 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyaniline in methanol,ethanol, xylene and toluene

The solubility of 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxynitrobenzene (CDMB) and 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyaniline (CDMA) in methanol, ethanol, xylene and toluene was measured over the temperatures range from (278 to 338) K by the dynamic method using a laser monitoring observation technique. The solubility in all solvents increased with temperature and the greatest solubility of both systems was obtained in toluene. The Wilson and the NRTL models were applied to correlate the experimental results. The root-mean-square deviations for the system of (CDMB + solvent) ranged from T = (0.11 to 0.34) K and (0.08 to 0.33) K calculated by the Wilson and the NRTL models, respectively, while for the system of (CDMA + solvent) the root-mean-square deviations ranged from T = (0.11 to 0.32) K and (0.14 to 0.33) K. The melting points and enthalpies of fusion of CDMA and CDMB were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Toluene was found to be the preferred solvent for the reduction of CDMB to CDMA from the point of view of reaction and product separation     

Photo-induced degradation of some flavins in aqueous solution

The blue-light induced photo-degradation of FMN, FAD, riboflavin, lumiflavin, and lumichrome in aqueous solution at pH 8 is studied by measurement of absorption coefficient spectral changes due to continuous excitation at 428 nm. The quantum yields of photo-degradation determined are ϕ_D(riboflavin, pH 8) ≈ 7.8 × 10⁻³, ϕ_D(FMN, pH 5.6) ≈ 7.3 × 10⁻³, ϕ_D(FMN, pH 8) ≈ 4.6 × 10⁻³, ϕ_D(FAD, pH 8) ≈ 3.7 × 10⁻⁴, ϕ_D(lumichrome, pH 8) ≈ 1.8 × 10⁻⁴, and ϕ_D(lumiflavin, pH 8) ⩽ 1.1 × 10⁻⁵. In a mass-spectroscopic analysis, the photo-products of FMN dissolved in water (solution pH is 5.6) were identified to be lumichrome and the lumiflavin derivatives dihydroxymethyllumiflavin, formyllumiflavin, and lumiflavin-hydroxy-acetaldehyde. An absorption and emission spectroscopic characterisation of the primary photoproducts of FMN at pH 8 is carried out.     

Potentiometric YSZ-based sensor using NiO sensing electrode aiming at detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air environment

The potentiometric yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based sensors using each of various oxide sensing-electrodes (SEs) were fabricated and examined for detection of toluene (C₇H₈) in several tens ppb level. As a result, the sensor using NiO-SE was found to exhibit relatively high sensitivity and selectivity to toluene at 450 °C under the wet condition (1.35 vol.% H₂O). The present sensor could respond well to toluene in the concentration range of 10–150 ppb. The response transients to 50 ppb toluene were stable and repeatable, accompanying with the response/recovery time acceptable for an actual environmental monitoring. In addition, the toluene sensitivity was hardly affected by the interference of the other co-existing gases examined.     

Thermodynamic properties of (tetradecane + benzene, + toluene, + chlorobenzene, + bromobenzene, + anisole) binary mixtures at T = (298.15, 303.15, and 308.15) K

Density ρ, viscosity η, and refractive index n_D, values for (tetradecane + benzene, + toluene, + chlorobenzene, + bromobenzene, + anisole) binary mixtures over the entire range of mole fraction have been measured at temperatures (298.15, 303.15, and 308.15) K at atmospheric pressure. The speed of sound u has been measured at T = 298.15 K only. Using these data, excess molar volume V^E, deviations in viscosity Δη, Lorentz–Lorenz molar refraction ΔR, speed of sound Δu, and isentropic compressibility Δk_s have been calculated. These results have been fitted to the Redlich and Kister polynomial equation to estimate the binary interaction parameters and standard deviations. Excess molar volumes have exhibited both positive and negative trends in many mixtures, depending upon the nature of the second component of the mixture. For the (tetradecane + chlorobenzene) binary mixture, an incipient inversion has been observed. Calculated thermodynamic quantities have been discussed in terms of intermolecular interactions between mixing components.     

Spectroscopic characterization of Cu(II) complex of l-phenylalanine and d,l-tryptophan

In this work, the reactions involving l-phenylalanine and d,l-tryptophan in the presence of Cu(II) ion were studied. Optimum conditions for the reactions were established as pH 7 and λ = 641 nm. When the reaction was kinetic, it was observed that the following rate formula was found as dA/Aⁿ = k dt and k = 3.2 × 10^?4 s^?1, according to absorbance measurements. Using a perpetual change curve, the ratio of [Cu]/[Cu] + l-phenylalanine + [d,l-tryptophan] was found 1:1:1. According to this result, one molecule of l-phenylalanine and one molecule of d,l-tryptophan react with one molecule Cu(II) ion.     

Synthesis and physical characterization of electrically conducting polymers of polynuclear aromatic sulfonyl compounds

Potentially useful conducting polymers of sulfonyl substituted phenanthrene derivatives and non-conducting linear polymers, such as, polystyrene and poly(N-vinylcarbazole) have been synthesized and characterized using IR, thermogravimetric and dielectric measurements. The phenanthrene-based benzene, naphthalene and biphenyl copolysulfones have also been prepared and characterized through these techniques. These pendant and backbone polymer sulfones have exceptionally high thermal stability and electrical conductivity, such that dc conductivity in the range 2.80 × 10^?16 to 2.82 × 10^?7 Ω^?1 cm^?1 and ac conductivity in the range 1.69 × 10^?7 to 2.10 × 10^?6 Ω^?1 cm^?1.     

Excess enthalpies and excess volumes of (2-methoxyethanol + 1,4-dioxane) and (1,2-dimethoxyethane + benzene) at temperatures between 283.15 K and 313.15 K

The measurement of excess enthalpies, H^E, at T=298.15 K and densities at temperatures between 283.15 K and 313.15 K are reported for the (2-methoxyethanol + 1,4-dioxane) and (1,2-dimethoxyethane + benzene) systems. The values of H^E and the excess volumes, V^E, are positive, and the temperature dependence of V^E is quite small for (2-methoxyethanol + 1,4-dioxane). The (1,2-dimethoxyethane + benzene) system shows a negative H^E and sigmoid curves in V^E, which change sign from positive to negative with an increase in 1,2-dimethoxyethane. The temperature dependence of V^E for this system is negative.     

Excess enthalpies of ternary mixtures of (oxygenated additives + aromatic hydrocarbon) mixtures in fuels and bio-fuels: (Dibutyl-ether + 1-propanol + benzene), or toluene,at T = (298.15 and 313.15) K

New experimental excess molar enthalpy data of the ternary systems (dibutyl ether + 1-propanol + benzene, or toluene), and the corresponding binary systems at T = (298.15 and 313.15) K at atmospheric pressure are reported. A quasi-isothermal flow calorimeter has been used to make the measurements. All the binary and ternary systems show endothermic character at both temperatures. The experimental data for the systems have been fitted using the Redlich–Kister rational equation. Considerations with respect the intermolecular interactions amongst ether, alcohol and hydrocarbon compounds are presented.     

A time-resolved study of the multiphase chemistry of excited carbonyls: Imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde and halides

Imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde (IC) reactivity in the presence of halide anions (Cl^–, Br^–, I^–) has been studied by laser flash photolysis in aqueous solution at room temperature. The absorption spectrum of the triplet state of IC has been measured with a maximum absorption at 330 nm and a weaker absorption band around 650 nm. Iodide anions proved to be efficient quenchers of the triplet state IC, with a rate coefficient k_q of (5.33 ± 0.25) × 10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. Quenching by bromide and chloride anions was less efficient, with k_q values of (6.27 ± 0.53) × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and (1.31 ± 0.16) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The halide (X^–) quenches the triplet state; the resulting transient absorption feature matches that of the corresponding radical anion (X₂^–). We suggest that this type of quenching reactions is a driving force of oxidation reactions in the oceanic surface microlayer (SML) and a source of halogen atoms in the atmosphere.     

Excess enthalpies for mixtures of acrylonitrile and an aromatic hydrocarbon at T = 298.15 K and p = 101325 Pa

Excess molar enthalpies for (acrylonitrile  +  benzene, or methylbenzene, or 1,2-dimethylbenzene, or 1,3-dimethylbenzene, or 1,4-dimethylbenzene, or 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, or ethylbenzene) atT =  298.15 K and p =  101325 Pa are presented. The excess molar enthalpy range from 531J · mol ^− 1at x =  0.5 for 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene to 210J · mol ^− 1at x =  0.5 for toluene. The Redlich–Kister equation, the NRTL and UNIQUAC models were used to correlate the data.     

Measurements of densities,viscosities, speeds of sound and relative permittivities and excess molar volumes,excess isentropic compressibilities and deviations in relative permittivities and molar polarizations for dibutyl ether + benzene, + toluene and + p-xylene at different temperatures

The densities ρ, dynamic viscosities η, speeds of sound u, and relative permittivities ε_r, for (dibutyl ether + benzene, or toluene, or p-xylene) have been measured at different temperatures over the whole composition range and at atmospheric pressure. The mixture viscosities have been correlated with semi empirical equations. Calculations of the speed of sound based on Nomoto’s equation have been found to be close to experimental values for the three mixtures and at two temperatures. Excess functions such as excess molar volumes V_m^E, excess isentropic compressibilities κ_s^E, deviations in relative permittivities δε_r, and molar polarizations δP_m were calculated and fitted to Redlich–Kister type equations.     

Spectrophotometric microdetermination of anti-Parkinsonian and antiviral drug amantadine HCl in pure and in dosage forms

Two simple, rapid, sensitive, low-cost, and accurate methods (A and B) for the microdetermination of amantadine HCl (AMD) in pure form and in pharmaceutical formulations are developed. Method A is based on the formation of tris (o-phenanthroline)-iron(II) complex (ferroin) upon reaction of amantadine HCl with an iron (III)-o-phenanthroline mixture in sodium acetate-acetic acid buffer media. The ferroin complex is spectrophotometrically measured at λ_max 509 nm against reagent blank. Method B is based on the reduction of Fe (III) by the drug which forms colored complex (λ_max 521 nm) with 2,2′-bipyridyl. Optimizations of the experimental conditions are described. Beer’s law is obeyed in the concentration ranges 0.4–10 and 0.6–22 μg mL^?1 using 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridyl, respectively. The developed methods have been successfully applied for the determination of AMD in bulk drugs and in pharmaceutical formulations. The common excipients and additives did not interfere in their determinations.