偶氮苯高分子的光致可逆固液转变

偶氮苯化合物是一种极具吸引力以及较为常用的光响应材料,本文主要介绍偶氮苯的光响应性质以及一些偶氮苯高分子的合成方法,解析光化学反应导致偶氮苯高分子固液转变的机理,并介绍其在粘结性材料、光致动器、光致热导开关器件及非热纳米压印中的应用。     

第一过渡系金属-镝单分子磁体研究进展与展望

第一过渡系中的顺磁性离子Cr^Ⅲ、Mn^Ⅱ/Mn^Ⅲ、Fe^Ⅱ/Fe^Ⅲ、Co^Ⅱ、Ni^Ⅱ和Cu^Ⅱ及抗磁性离子Co^Ⅲ和Zn^Ⅱ均可与Dy^Ⅲ在多齿螯合配体配位下形成单分子磁体配合物。在本文中,我们阐述或汇总了几乎所有的第一过渡系金属-镝单分子磁体。对于由顺磁性第一过渡金属离子和Dy^Ⅲ离子形成的配合物,有2个有趣的现象需要引起人们的注意：一是一些Cr-Dy配合物具有较高的阻塞温度和较大的矫顽场,这可归功于配合物内Cr^Ⅲ离子和Dy^Ⅲ离子之间较强的磁耦合作用（|J|>10 cm^-1）。二是报道的Fe^Ⅱ₂-Dy配合物的能垒可达到319 cm^-1（459 K）,这在第一过渡系金属-镝单分子磁体中也是比较高的。这可能与Fe^Ⅱ₂-Dy中Dy^Ⅲ具有较高的轴向对称性（D_5h）有关,且从头计算表明该配合物中Dy的第一激发态也具有较高的轴向对称性。除了部分Cr-Dy和Fe^Ⅱ-Dy配合物外,其他顺磁性第一过渡金属-Dy的能垒较低,这可能由配合物内顺磁离子间弱的磁耦合造成的。为了消除磁耦合对磁弛豫行为影响,近年来人们关注于使用抗磁性第一过渡金属离子与Dy^Ⅲ构建单分子磁体配合物。相比其他核数的Zn-Dy配合物,三核Zn₂Dy配合物被报道的数目最多且研究得最为深入,这可能与较易调控Zn₂Dy中Dy配位几何对称性有关。最后,我们提出了几点关于进一步提升第一过渡系金属-镝单分子磁体的磁性能的建议,其中最为重要的是控制Dy配位几何的轴向对称性及Dy的基态m_J的电荷分布。对于第一过渡系金属-镝单分子磁体中的Dy^Ⅲ离子,Dy^Ⅲ基态m_J的电荷与配体的电荷之间的静电排斥应该降到最低。     

Dynamic and static nature of activated interactions in transition states as elucidated by quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules dual functional analysis: A case of ligand exchange at the N of sulfonylimino-λ3-bromanes

A method to elucidate the dynamic and static natures of the activated interactions in transition states (TSs) is proposed using quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules (QTAIM) dual functional analysis (QTAIM-DFA). The natures are determined for the ligand exchange at the N of sulfonylimino-λ³-bromanes, RBr-*-N(SO₂CF₃)-*-X′R′ (R, R′ = Me or Ph, X′ = Br′ or I′). Asterisks (*) emphasize the presence of bond critical points within the interactions in question. While data from the optimized structures of TSs correspond to the static nature, those from the perturbed and optimized structures represent the dynamic nature. The nature of the interactions in Br-*-N-*-X′ calculated with QTAIM-DFA, using the perturbed structures generated using the normal coordinates for the imaginary frequencies (NIV), was very similar to that in trigonal bipyramidal adduct formation through charge transfer. The results with NIV were precisely the same as those obtained based on intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC). The high applicability of QTAIM-DFA is demonstrated when analyzing the activated interactions in TSs.     

Two-dimensional Molecular Phase Transition of Alkylated-TDPB on Au(111) and Cu(111) Surfaces

The derivatives of aromatic cores bearing alkyl chains with different lengths are of potential interest in on-surface chemistry, and thus have been widely investigated both at liquid-solid interfaces and in vacuum. Here, we report on the structural evaluation of self-assembled 1,3,5-tri(4-dodecylphenyl)benzene(TDPB) molecules with increased molecular coverages on both Au(111) and Cu(111) surfaces. As observed on Au(111), rhombic and herringbone structures emerge successively depending on surface coverage. In the case of Cu(111), the same process of phase conversion is also observed, but with two distinct structures. In comparison, the self-assembled structures on Au(111) surface are packed more densely than that on Cu(111) surface under the same preparation conditions. This may fundamentally result from the higher adsorption energy of TDPB molecules on Cu(111), restricting their adjustment to optimize a thermodynamically favorable molecular packing.     

Spinel–rocksalt transition as a key cathode reaction toward high-energy-density magnesium rechargeable batteries

Mg-metal-anode rechargeable battery (MRB) has been a promising candidate for next-generation batteries with high energy densities and high safety. The lack of high-performance cathode materials, however, retards the development of MRBs. In recent years, it has been revealed that various spinel oxides can accommodate a large amount of Mg, exhibiting relatively high potentials (2–3 V vs. Mg²⁺/Mg) and high capacities (～150 mAh g^?1) accompanied by the coherent structural transformation into the rocksalt structure. This review summarizes the recent progress in the development of such spinel–rocksalt transition materials from the viewpoints of the reaction mechanisms, design guidelines of spinel oxides (for tailoring the redox potential, volume change, and cyclability), and challenges to construct full-cell MRBs.     

Catalysis and Electron Transfer in De Novo Designed Helical Scaffolds

The relationship between protein structure and function is one of the greatest puzzles within biochemistry. De novo metalloprotein design is a way to wipe the board clean and determine what is required to build in function from the ground up in an unrelated structure. This Review focuses on protein design efforts to create de novo metalloproteins within alpha‐helical scaffolds. Examples of successful designs include those with carbonic anhydrase or nitrite reductase activity by incorporating a ZnHis₃ or CuHis₃ site, or that recapitulate the spectroscopic properties of unique electron‐transfer sites in cupredoxins (CuHis₂Cys) or rubredoxins (FeCys₄). This work showcases the versatility of alpha helices as scaffolds for metalloprotein design and the progress that is possible through careful rational design. Our studies cover the invariance of carbonic anhydrase activity with different site positions and scaffolds, refinement of our cupredoxin models, and enhancement of nitrite reductase activity up to 1000‐fold.     

Acyl Fluorides in Late‐Transition‐Metal Catalysis

In this Review, we summarize the current state of the art in late‐transition‐metal‐catalyzed reactions of acyl fluorides, covering both their synthesis and further transformations. In organic reactions, the relationship between stability and reactivity of the starting substrates is usually characterized by a trade‐off. Yet, acyl fluorides display a very good balance between these properties, which is mostly due to their moderate electrophilicity. Thus, acyl fluorides (RCOF) can be used as versatile building blocks in transition‐metal‐catalyzed reactions, for example, as an “RCO” source in acyl coupling reactions, as an “R” source in decarbonylative coupling reactions, and as an “F” source in fluorination reactions. Starting from the cleavage of the acyl C?F bond in acyl fluorides, various transformations are accessible, including C?C, C?H, C?B, and C?F bond‐forming reactions that are catalyzed by transition‐metal catalysts that contain the Group 9–11 metals Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, or Cu.     

The Persistent Radical Effect in Organic Synthesis

Radical–radical couplings are mostly nearly diffusion‐controlled processes. Therefore, the selective cross‐coupling of two different radicals is challenging and not a synthetically valuable transformation. However, if the radicals have different lifetimes and if they are generated at equal rates, cross‐coupling will become the dominant process. This high cross‐selectivity is based on a kinetic phenomenon called the persistent radical effect (PRE). In this Review, an explanation of the PRE supported by simulations of simple model systems is provided. Radical stabilities are discussed within the context of their lifetimes, and various examples of PRE‐mediated radical–radical couplings in synthesis are summarized. It is shown that the PRE is not restricted to the coupling of a persistent with a transient radical. If one coupling partner is longer‐lived than the other transient radical, the PRE operates and high cross‐selectivity is achieved. This important point expands the scope of PRE‐mediated radical chemistry. The Review is divided into two parts, namely 1) the coupling of persistent or longer‐lived organic radicals and 2) “radical–metal crossover reactions”; here, metal‐centered radical species and more generally longer‐lived transition‐metal complexes that are able to react with radicals are discussed—a field that has flourished recently.     

Chiral N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Enable Asymmetric C−H Bond Functionalization

The asymmetric functionalization of C?H bond is a particularly valuable approach for the production of enantioenriched chiral organic compounds. Chiral N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have become ubiquitous in enantioselective transition‐metal catalysis. Conversely, the use of chiral NHC ligands in metal‐catalyzed asymmetric C?H bond functionalization is still at an early stage. This minireview highlights all the developments and the new advances in this rapidly evolving research area.     

Charge‐Tagged DNA Radicals in the Gas Phase Characterized by UV/Vis Photodissociation Action Spectroscopy

Adenosine radicals tagged with a fixed‐charge group were generated in the gas phase and structurally characterized by tandem mass spectrometry, deuterium labeling, and UV/Vis action spectroscopy. Experimental results in combination with Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics, ab initio, and excited‐state calculations led to unambiguous assignment of adenosine radicals as N‐7 hydrogen atom adducts. The charge‐tagged radicals were found to be electronically equivalent to natural DNA nucleoside radicals.