Photoinduced electron transfer in a triarylamine-organoboron-Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)32+ compound

Long-range electron transfer reactions play a key role in biological photosynthesis, and they are likely to play an important role for future artificial photosynthetic endeavors as well. The possibility to control the rates for long-range electron transfer with external stimuli is of particular interest in this context. In the work presented herein, we explored a donor–bridge–acceptor compound in which intramolecular electron transfer from a triarylamine donor to a photoexcited Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) acceptor occurs across an organoboron bridge over a distance of approximately 22 Å. Fluoride has a high binding affinity to the organoboron bridge in apolar solutions, and the resulting organofluoroborate has a significantly different electronic structure. We explored to what extent the change from an electron-deficient organoboron wire to an electron-rich organofluoroborate bridge affects long-range electron transfer between the distant triarylamine donor and the Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ acceptor.     

The Nephelauxetic Effect Becomes an Important Design Factor for Photoactive First-Row Transition Metal Complexes

The expansion of d-orbitals as a result of metal-ligand bond covalence, the so-called nephelauxetic effect, is a well-established concept of coordination chemistry, yet its importance for the design of new photoactive complexes based on first-row transition metals is only beginning to be recognized. Until recently, much focus has been on optimizing the ligand field strength, coordination geometries, and molecular rigidity, but now it becomes evident that the nephelauxetic effect can be a game changer regarding the photophysical properties of 3d metal complexes in solution at room temperature. In Cr^III and Mn^IV complexes with the d³ valence electron configuration, the nephelauxetic effect was exploited to shift the well-known ruby-like red luminescence to the near-infrared spectral region. In Fe^II and Co^III complexes with the low-spin d⁶ electron configuration, charge-transfer excited states were stabilized with respect to detrimental metal-centered excited states, to improve their properties and to enhance their application potential. In isoelectronic (3d⁶) isocyanide complexes of Cr⁰ and Mn^I, the nephelauxetic effect is likely at play as well, enabling luminescence and other favorable photoreactivity. This minireview illustrates the broad applicability of the nephelauxetic effect in tailoring the photophysical and photochemical properties of new coordination compounds made from abundant first-row transition metals.     

Mechanistic Evidence of a Ni(0/II/III) Cycle for Nickel Photoredox Amide Arylation

This work demonstrates the dominance of a Ni(0/II/III) cycle for Ni-photoredox amide arylation, which contrasts with other Ni-photoredox C-heteroatom couplings that operate via Ni(I/III) self-sustained cycles. The kinetic data gathered when using different Ni precatalysts supports an initial Ni(0)-mediated oxidative addition into the aryl bromide. Using NiCl₂ as the precatalyst resulted in an observable induction period, which was found to arise from a photochemical activation event to generate Ni(0) and to be prolonged by unproductive comproportionation between the Ni(II) precatalyst and the in situ generated Ni(0) active species. Ligand exchange after oxidative addition yields a Ni(II) aryl amido complex, which was identified as the catalyst resting state for the reaction. Stoichiometric experiments showed that oxidation of this Ni(II) aryl amido intermediate was required to yield functionalized amide products. The kinetic data presented supports a rate-limiting photochemically-mediated Ni(II/III) oxidation to enable C−N reductive elimination. An alternative Ni(I/III) self-sustained manifold was discarded based on EPR and kinetic measurements. The mechanistic insights uncovered herein will inform the community on how subtle changes in Ni-photoredox reaction conditions may impact the reaction pathway, and have enabled us to include aryl chlorides as coupling partners and to reduce the Ni loading by 20-fold without any reactivity loss.     

Charge-Transfer and Spin-Flip States: Thriving as Complements

Transition metal complexes with photoactive charge-transfer excited states are pervasive throughout the literature. In particular, [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine), with its metal-to-ligand charge-transfer emission, has been established as a key complex. Meanwhile, interest in so-called spin-flip metal-centered states has risen dramatically after the molecular ruby [Cr(ddpd)₂]³⁺ (ddpd=N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dipyridin-2-yl-pyridine-2,6-diamine) led to design principles to access strong, long-lived emission from photostable chromium(III) complexes. This Review contrasts the properties of emissive charge-transfer and spin-flip states by using [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and [Cr(ddpd)₂]³⁺ as prototypical examples. We discuss the relevant excited states, the tunability of their energy and lifetimes, and their response to external stimuli. Finally, we identify strengths and weaknesses of charge-transfer and spin-flip states in applications such as photocatalysis and circularly polarized luminescence.     

Visible-Light-Induced Control over Reversible Single-Chain Nanoparticle Folding

We introduce a class of single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) that respond to visible light (λ_max=415 nm) with complete unfolding from their compact structure into linear chain analogues. The initial folding is achieved by a simple esterification reaction of the polymer backbone constituted of acrylic acid and polyethylene glycol carrying monomer units, introducing bimane moieties, which allow for the photochemical unfolding, reversing the ester-bond formation. The compaction and the light driven unfolding proceed cleanly and are readily followed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), monitoring the change in the hydrodynamic radius (R_H). Importantly, the folding reaction and the light-induced unfolding are reversible, supported by the high conversion of the photo cleavage. As the unfolding reaction occurs in aqueous systems, the system holds promise for controlling the unfolding of SCNPs in biological environments.     

On-Surface Synthesis and Real-Space Visualization of Aromatic P3N3

On-surface synthesis is at the verge of emerging as the method of choice for the generation and visualization of unstable or unconventional molecules, which could not be obtained via traditional synthetic methods. A case in point is the on-surface synthesis of the structurally elusive cyclotriphosphazene (P₃N₃), an inorganic aromatic analogue of benzene. Here, we report the preparation of this fleetingly existing species on Cu(111) and Au(111) surfaces at 5.2 K through molecular manipulation with unprecedented precision, i.e., voltage pulse-induced sextuple dechlorination of an ultra-small (about 6 Å) hexachlorophosphazene P₃N₃Cl₆ precursor by the tip of a scanning probe microscope. Real-space atomic-level imaging of cyclotriphosphazene reveals its planar D_3h-symmetric ring structure. Furthermore, this demasking strategy has been expanded to generate cyclotriphosphazene from a hexaazide precursor P₃N₂₁ via a different stimulation method (photolysis) for complementary measurements by matrix isolation infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy.     

Photochemical Mechanisms of Fluorophores Employed in Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy

Decoding cellular processes requires visualization of the spatial distribution and dynamic interactions of biomolecules. It is therefore not surprising that innovations in imaging technologies have facilitated advances in biomedical research. The advent of super-resolution imaging technologies has empowered biomedical researchers with the ability to answer long-standing questions about cellular processes at an entirely new level. Fluorescent probes greatly enhance the specificity and resolution of super-resolution imaging experiments. Here, we introduce key super-resolution imaging technologies, with a brief discussion on single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM). We evaluate the chemistry and photochemical mechanisms of fluorescent probes employed in SMLM. This Review provides guidance on the identification and adoption of fluorescent probes in single molecule localization microscopy to inspire the design of next-generation fluorescent probes amenable to single-molecule imaging.     

光化学的初级过程和次级过程

针对物理化学教材中有关光化学初级过程和次级过程、初级过程的量子产率、初级过程的反应速率表示以及是否是零级反应等问题发表了看法。     

Hydrochlorofluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes with chlorofluoroacetic acid

An operationally simple method enabling hydrochlorofluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes under visible light activation is reported. The procedure has various benefits. It uses commercially available and inexpensive chlorofluoroacetic acid and phenyliodine(III) diacetate for the generation of the required chlorofluoromethyl radical, it converts feedstock olefins into attractive 1-chloro-1-fluoroalkanes, and it tolerates a broad variety of functional groups. The chlorofluoromethyl radical has a reactivity profile towards alkenes similar to the nucleophilic difluoromethyl radical.     

Porphyrins and Polyoxometalate Scaffolds

Polyoxometalates (POMs) can act as unique reservoirs for multiple electron transfers. As POMs display only weak absorption in the visible spectrum, they can be associated with chromophores such as porphyrins and porphyrin antennae. In this Minireview, the research dedicated to the combination of porphyrins and polyoxometalates is put in context and the state of the art identifying the challenges addressed in the optimization of hybrid materials for applications is detailed.