Redox‐Neutral α‐Allylation of Amines by Combining Palladium Catalysis and Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis

An unprecedented α‐allylation of amines was achieved by combining palladium catalysis and visible‐light photoredox catalysis. In this dual catalysis process, the catalytic generation of allyl radical from the corresponding π‐allylpalladium intermediate was achieved without additional metal reducing reagents (redox‐neutral). Various allylation products of amines were obtained in high yields through radical cross‐coupling under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the transformation was applied to the formal synthesis of 8‐oxoprotoberberine derivatives which show potential anticancer properties.     

Stable Heterocyclopentane‐1,3‐diyls

Diphosphadiazanediyl, [(μ‐NR)P]₂ (R=Ter=2,6‐dimesitylphenyl), is known to readily activate small molecules with multiple bonds. CO is an especially intriguing species for activation, because either 1,1‐ or 1,2‐bridging mode would lead to a [1.1.1]bicycle or a carbene, respectively. The activation of CO with diphosphadiazanediyl already occurs at ambient temperatures (1 bar, 25 °C). However, CO is involved in an unprecedented ring expansion reaction under preservation of the biradical character, which leads to the formation of the first stable cyclopentane‐1,3‐diyl analogue displaying photochromic molecular switch characteristics.     

On the Role of the Electronic Structure of the Heteronuclear Oxide Cluster [Ga2Mg2O5].+ in the Thermal Activation of Methane and Ethane: An Unusual Doping Effect

The reactivity of the heteronuclear oxide cluster [Ga₂Mg₂O₅]^.+, bearing an unpaired electron at a bridging oxygen atom (O_b^.?), towards methane and ethane has been studied using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR‐MS). Hydrogen‐atom transfer (HAT) from both methane and ethane to the cluster ion is identified experimentally. The reaction mechanisms of these reactions are elucidated by state‐of‐the‐art quantum chemical calculations. The roles of spin density and charge distributions in HAT processes, as revealed by theory, not only deepen our mechanistic understanding of C? H bond activation but also provide important guidance for the rational design of catalysts by pointing to the particular role of doping effects.     

Radical Compatibility with Nonaqueous Electrolytes and Its Impact on an All‐Organic Redox Flow Battery

Nonaqueous redox flow batteries hold the promise of achieving higher energy density because of the broader voltage window than aqueous systems, but their current performance is limited by low redox material concentration, cell efficiency, cycling stability, and current density. We report a new nonaqueous all‐organic flow battery based on high concentrations of redox materials, which shows significant, comprehensive improvement in flow battery performance. A mechanistic electron spin resonance study reveals that the choice of supporting electrolytes greatly affects the chemical stability of the charged radical species especially the negative side radical anion, which dominates the cycling stability of these flow cells. This finding not only increases our fundamental understanding of performance degradation in flow batteries using radical‐based redox species, but also offers insights toward rational electrolyte optimization for improving the cycling stability of these flow batteries.     

Controlled Light‐Mediated Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles by a Norrish Type I Reaction of Photoactive Polymers

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are subjects of broad interest in scientific community due to their promising physicochemical properties. Herein we report the facile and controlled light‐mediated preparation of gold nanoparticles through a Norrish type I reaction of photoactive polymers. These carefully designed polymers act as reagents for the photochemical reduction of gold ions, as well as stabilizers for the in situ generated AuNPs. Manipulating the length and composition of the photoactive polymers allows for control of AuNP size. Nanoparticle diameter can be controlled from 1.5 nm to 9.6 nm.     

Dialkyl Ether Formation by Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Acetals and Aryl Iodides

A new substrate class for nickel‐catalyzed C(sp³) cross‐coupling reactions is reported. α‐Oxy radicals generated from benzylic acetals, TMSCl, and a mild reductant can participate in chemoselective cross‐coupling with aryl iodides using a 2,6‐bis(N‐pyrazolyl)pyridine (bpp)/Ni catalyst. The mild, base‐free conditions are tolerant of a variety of functional groups on both partners, thus representing an attractive C? C bond‐forming approach to dialkyl ether synthesis. Characterization of a [(bpp)NiCl] complex relevant to the proposed catalytic cycle is also described.     

A Triphenylamine with Two Phenoxy Radicals Having Unusual Bonding Patterns and a Closed‐Shell Electronic State

Reported herein is the structure and the electronic properties of a novel triphenylamine derivative having two phenoxy radicals appended to the amino nitrogen atom. X‐ray single crystal analysis and the magnetic resonance measurements demonstrates the unexpected closed‐shell electronic structure, even at room temperature, of the molecule and two unusual C? N bonds with multiple‐bond character. The theoretical calculations support the experimentally determined molecular geometry with the closed‐shell electronic structure, and predicted a small HOMO–LUMO gap originating from the nonbonding character of the HOMO. The optical and electrochemical measurements show that the molecule has a remarkably small HOMO–LUMO gap compared with its triphenylamine precursor.     

Synthesis and EPR/UV/Vis‐NIR Spectroelectrochemical Investigation of a Persistent Phosphanyl Radical Dication

The reaction of the bis(imidazoliumyl)‐substituted P^I cation [(2‐Im^Dipp)P(4‐Im^Dipp)]⁺ ( 10 ⁺) (2‐Im=imidazolium‐2‐yl; 4‐Im=imidazolium‐4‐yl; Dipp=2,6‐di‐isopropylphenyl) with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HOTf) or methyl trifluoromethylsulfonate (MeOTf) yields the corresponding protonated [(2‐Im^Dipp)PH(4‐Im^Dipp)]²⁺ ( 11 ²⁺) and methylated [(2‐Im^Dipp)PMe(4‐Im^Dipp)]²⁺ ( 12 ²⁺) dications, respectively. EPR/UV/Vis‐NIR spectroelectrochemical investigation of the low‐coordinated P^I cation 10 ⁺ predicted a stable and “bottleable” P‐centered radical dication [(2‐Im^Dipp)P(4‐Im^Dipp)]^2+. ( 13 ^2+.). The reaction of 10 ⁺ with the nitrosyl salt NO[OTf] yields the persistent phosphanyl radical dication 13 ^2+. as triflate salt in crystalline form. Quantum chemical investigation revealed an exceptional high spin density at the P atom.     

Optical Absorption and Magnetic Field Effect Based Imaging of Transient Radicals

Short‐lived radicals generated in the photoexcitation of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in aqueous solution at low pH are detected with high sensitivity and spatial resolution using a newly developed transient optical absorption detection (TOAD) imaging microscope. Radicals can be studied under both flash photolysis and continuous irradiation conditions, providing a means of directly probing potential biological magnetoreception within sub‐cellular structures. Direct spatial imaging of magnetic field effects (MFEs) by magnetic intensity modulation (MIM) imaging is demonstrated along with transfer and inversion of the magnetic field sensitivity of the flavin semiquinone radical concentration to that of the ground state of the flavin under strongly pumped reaction cycling conditions. A low field effect (LFE) on the flavin semiquinone–adenine radical pair is resolved for the first time, with important implications for biological magnetoreception through the radical pair mechanism.