Adamantyl Side Chains as Anti-Aggregating Moieties in Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Designing and evaluating novel dye concepts is crucial for the development of the field of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In our recent report, the novel concept of tethering the anti-aggregation additive chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) to dyes for DSSC was introduced. Based on the performance improvements seen for this modification, the aim of this study is to see if a simplified anti-aggregation unit could achieve similar results. The following study reports the synthesis and photovoltaic characterization of two novel dyes decorated with the steric ethyladamantyl moiety on the π-spacer, and on the triarylamine donor. This modification is demonstrated to be successful in increasing the photovoltages in devices employing copper-based electrolytes compared to the non-modified reference dye. The best photovoltaic performance is achieved by a device prepared with the adamantyl decorated donor dye and CDCA, this device achieves a power conversion efficiency of 6.1 % (Short-circuit current=8.3 mA cm⁻², Open-circuit voltage=1054 mV, Fill factor=0.69). The improved photovoltaic performance seen for the adamantyl decorated donor demonstrate the potential of ethyladamantyl side chains as a tool to ensure surface protection of TiO₂.     

Controllable synthesis, structures of amidecrownophane-type macrocycles and their binding ability toward anions

Amidecrownophane-type macrocycles with different number of hydroxy groups were prepared in quantitative yields by control of the conditions of thermal reaction with the aim to examine the role of hydroxy groups in anion recognition. It was proved that the hydroxy group played a critical role in anion binding for this type of macrocycles and the anion binding affinity could be tuned by different number of hydroxy groups. Further exploration clarified the presence of intramolecular hydrogen-bonding and exhibited the major effect on their anion binding potential.     

Synthesis of a novel tripodand having 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoeic amide groups and its anion recognition ability

A novel tripodand having 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoeic amide groups was prepared by the reaction of 1,3,5-tris(aminomethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene with 3-allyloxy-2-naphthoeic acid chloride followed by thermal Claisen rearrangement. This tripodand can exhibit the anion binding ability in chloroform solution. In particular, it can bind with acetate, dihydrogen phosphate, and fluoride ions to form 1:1 complexes.     

Synthesis of macrocyclic 1,1′-biarenol derivatives by the tandem Claisen rearrangement and their binding properties

Crown ether-type macrocycles consisting of an enantiopure biarenol derivative and an oligoethylene glycol were synthesized by the Lewis acid-mediated tandem Claisen rearrangement. This is the first example of the successful application of the tandem Claisen rearrangement to the synthesis of enantiopure macrocyclic biarenol derivatives. The enantiopure macrocyclic biarenols were found to form 1:1 complexes with amino acid salts and to discriminate their chirality.     

Stereospecific isomerization of 2-(1-bromoalkyl)-1-sulfonylaziridines using magnesium bromide

Novel stereospecific isomerization of 2-(1-bromoalkyl)-1-sulfonylaziridines into 2-(bromomethyl)-3-alkyl-1-sulfonylaziridines using magnesium bromide is described. The suitable choice of solvent led to good yields and diastereoselectivites.     

Novel synthesis of a unique helical quinone derivative by coupling reaction of 2-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene

Oxidative coupling reaction of both 3-hydroxychrysene and 2-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene by using Cu(NO₃)₂-3H₂O under atmospheric air is described. The former gave the aimed coupled biaryl derivative. However, the latter gave a further oxidized helical quinone derivative. The unique helical structure was characterized by X-ray and NMR analysis.     

Self-assembly of double stranded dinuclear titanium(IV)-Schiff base complexes and formation of intramolecular mu-oxo bridges

The reaction of titanium isopropoxide with a Schiff base ligand containing an isobutenyl linker leads to double stranded dinuclear titanium(IV)-Schiff base complexes through self-assembly with concomitant formation of intramolecular mu-oxo bridges upon hydrolysis.     

Structural and electrochemical studies of novel bis(mu-methoxo)diiron complexes: observation of Fe(III)Fe(IV) and Fe(IV)Fe(IV) states resonating with phenoxyl radicals

Novel diiron complexes with an Fe2(mu-OMe)2 core were studied as models of the active site of nonheme iron-containing enzymes. X-ray crystal structures of the complexes showed the existence of two types of ligand folding-parallel and twisted-both of which have four virtually equivalent phenolato groups sticking out from the Fe2O2 rhombic plane. Cyclic voltammetry measurements revealed two or more distinct redox waves in a region of relatively high potential, in addition to known Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox waves in a region of lower potential. These new peaks were assigned to the high-valence state of iron atoms, that is, Fe(III)Fe(IV) and Fe(IV)Fe(IV), resonating with the phenoxyl radical(s). The split width of the redox waves ranged from 0.14 to 0.20 eV, which may be a measure of the electronic interaction of the phenolate groups through the Fe2(mu-OMe)2 core.     

Selective inclusion of cesium ion in a cryptand-type Ti(IV) complex derived from a tripodal tris-2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene ligand

A novel tripodand-type ligand (L1) having three 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene end groups and a C₃ symmetric 1,3,5-tryimethylbenzene based backbone was prepared by the reaction of 1,3,5-tris(bromomethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene with 3-(2-(hydroxymethyl)allyloxy)naphthalene-2-ol followed by triple Claisen rearrangement. A 1:1 titanium complex which acts as a metallo-cryptand is obtained by the reaction of ligand (L1) with Ti(IV)(=O)(acac)₂ in the presence of base. The formation of the metallo-cryptand strongly depends on templating effects by counter cations and it shows a high selectively for the encapsulation of cesium cations in its cavity.