Synthesis and alkylation of indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles

Double Fischer cyclisation was used to prepare indolo[3,2-b]carbazole and its 2,8-di-OMe, OH, Br and F-derivatives. N-monosubstituted derivatives of indolo[3,2-b]carbazole (methyl, hydroxymethyl, dimethylaminoethyl) were obtained starting from 5,11-di-Boc-indolo[3,2-b]carbazole.     

Synthesis and properties of naphthobisbenzo[b]thiophenes: structural curvature of higher acene frameworks for solubility enhancement and high-order orientation in crystalline states

The syntheses of naphtho[2,3-b:7,6-b′]- and naphtho[2,1-b:5,6-b′]bisbenzo[b]thiophenes (NBBTs) are achieved via inter- and intramolecular stepwise Friedel–Crafts-type reactions. The structural curvature of these NBBTs are found to improve their solubility in organic solvents, and to form well-defined herringbone structures in single crystals, especially when the C_2v symmetrical naphtho[2,3-b:7,6-b′]bisbenzo[b]thiophene takes the form of asymmetric space groups in a parallel direction with each other, and having exhibited OFET characteristics with a hole mobility of 7 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and FET characteristics of thieno[2,3-b]thiophene-based bent-thienoacenes

Two novel bent-shaped thienoacenes, naphtho[2,3-b]naphtho[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]thiophene (bent-DNTT) and anthra[2,3-b]anthra[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2-d]thiophene (bent-DATT) were synthesized from thieno[2,3-b]thiophene and their corresponding aromatic anhydrides by three steps: Friedel–Crafts acylation, acid-promoted cyclization, and reductive aromatization. The structural curvature improved the solubility of these thienoacenes in organic solvents. The bent-DNTT based FET device was fabricated by the spin-coating method. The device exhibited p-type characteristics with a mobility of 5.1 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1. Its thin-film structure was fully characterized as an edge-on orientation with large intermolecular orbital coupling.     

High molecular weight broad band-gap polymers based on indolo[3,2-b]carbazole and thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole derivatives for solar cells

Two broad band-gap high molecular weight polymers, poly[(5,11-di(9’-heptadecanyl)-indolo[3,2-b]carbazole-alt-2,5-bis(3-n-octylthiophene-2-yl)-thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (PICzOTzTz) and poly[(5,11-di(9’-heptadecanyl)-indolo[3,2-b]carbazole-alt-2,5-bis(3-n-n-dodecylthiophene-2-yl)-thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole]) (PICzDOTzTz), consisting of indolo[3,2-b]carbazole (ICz) and thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (TzTz) derivatives were synthesized by Suzuki polycondensation. Their physical, electrochemical and optical properties were characterized in details. The thermogravimetric analysis displayed high thermal stability, and 5% degradation temperatures of PICzOTzTz and PICzDOTzTz were 427 and 435°C, respectively. The optical band gaps of PICzOTzTz and PICzDOTzTz were 2.13 and 2.07 eV, respectively. The hole mobilities of PICzOTzTz and PICzDOTzTz were investigated by the space charge limited current (SCLC) method, which gave the mobility values of 7.21 × 10^–5 and 1.57 × 10^–4 cm²/(V s) for each polymer, respectively. Through the photo-voltaic characterization in polymer solar cells, they showed that the power conversion efficiencies of PICzOTzTz and PICzDOTzTz were 0.64 and 0.99%, respectively.     

Synthesis,photophysical and electrochemical properties of novel 6,12-di(thiophen-2-yl) substituted indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles

Novel 5,11-dialkyl-6,12-di(thiophen-2-yl) substituted 5,11-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazoles have been obtained and plausible ways for their further modifications via the Friedel–Crafts reaction are presented. The formylation of these indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles with dichloromethyl alkyl esters catalysed by Lewis acids leads to the formation of the corresponding 2,8-diformyl derivatives. Applicability of this formylation method for modification of indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles bearing electron-rich aromatic substituents at C-6 and C-12 has also been demonstrated. The Knoevenagel condensation of 2,8-dialdehydes with active methylene nitriles has been studied. The measurements of optical and redox properties for a number of new indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles have been performed.     

Revisiting Indolo[3,2-b]carbazole: Synthesis,Structures, Properties,and Applications

Indolo[3,2-b]carbazole presents a π-skeleton with a remarkable electronic structure and interesting potential applications. It is, however, also associated with ambiguity and controversy. Herein, new derivatives of indolo[3,2-b]carbazole are reported and they have enabled a comprehensive study on the electronic structure of indolo[3,2-b]carbazole and the development of a new n-type organic semiconductor. Experimental and computational studies show that indolo[3,2-b]carbazole has a largely localized p-benzoquinonediimine moiety and significant antiaromaticity. When substituted with (4-silylethynyl)phenyl groups, the indolo[3,2-b]carbazole exhibits one-dimensional π–π stacking and functions as an n-type organic semiconductor in solution-processed field effect transistors.     

Structure elucidation of two tryptophan-derived, high affinity Ah receptor ligands

Background: Environmental contaminants, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and other structurally related ‘environmental hormones’, exert their harmful biological effects through the Ah receptor signaling pathway. Several naturally occurring substances also bind to this receptor, but its natural role is still obscure. Tryptophan derivatives of the indolo[3,2-b]carbazole type, earlier suggested by us to be endogenous ligands for the receptor, should be a powerful tool in understanding receptor function. We therefore: set out to determine their identity.Results: The two tryptophan-derived Ah receptor ligands have been chemically analyzed and characterized by means of mass spectrometry, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. UV, infra-red and fluorescence spectra were also recorded. All data are in accordance with the two compounds being closely related indolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivatives. Evidence is presented that compound A (MW = 312) is the symmetrical 6,12-diformylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, and compound B (MW = 284) is the monosubstituted 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole.Conclusions: The elucidation of the structures of the two high affinity Ah receptor ligands 6,12-diformylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole and 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole provides the necessary basis for further mechanistic studies of this important group of compounds, and will help in determining the natural role of the Ah receptor.     

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.     

Raman spectra of carriers in ionic-liquid-gated transistors fabricated with poly(2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene)

We observed the Raman spectra of carriers, positive polarons and bipolarons, generated in a poly(2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PBTTT-C14) film by FeCl₃ vapor doping. Electrical conductivity and Raman measurements indicate that the dominant carriers in the conducting state were bipolarons. We identified positive polarons and bipolarons generated in an ionic-liquid-gated transistor (ILGT) fabricated with PBTTT-C14 as an active semiconductor and an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide [BMIM][TFSI] as a gate dielectric using Raman spectroscopy. The relationship between the source−drain current (I_D) at a constant source−drain voltage (V_D) and the gate voltage (V_G) was measured. I_D increased above −V_G = 1.1 V and showed a maximum at −V_G = 2.0 V. Positive polarons were formed at the initial stage of electrochemical doping (−V_G = 0.8 V). As I_D increased, positive bipolarons were formed. Above V_G = −2.0 V, bipolarons were dominant. The charge density (n), the doping level (x), and the mobility of the bipolarons were calculated from the electrochemical measurements. The highest mobility (μ) of bipolarons was 0.72 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ at x = 110 mol%/repeating unit (−V_G = 2.0 V), whereas the highest μ of polarons was 4.6 × 10⁻⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ at x = 10 mol%.     

Demonstration of cavity enhanced FTIR spectroscopy using a femtosecond laser absorption source

A proof of principle experiment was performed by recording the cavity enhanced absorption spectrum of the weak b–X transition of molecular oxygen in the atmosphere using a Ti:Sa femtosecond laser as an absorption source and a high resolution continuous scan Fourier transform interferometer. The cavity was mode matched and either continuously scanned or stabilized at the so-called magic point. An optimal rms noise equivalent absorption of 3 × 10^?7 cm^?1 Hz^?1/2 was reached in the latter case, corresponding to α_min = 3 × 10^?7 cm^?1.     

Synthesis and characterization of NLO chromophore with benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene unit as π-electron bridge

A novel chromophore BDT–TCF with benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (BDT) unit as electron bridge was synthesized and characterized by UV–vis, NMR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. It is the first time that BDT unit was introduced into NLO materials. The chromophore showed excellent solubility in most common solvents, and good thermal stability for practical applications. The second order nonlinear optical effect was measured by hyper Rayleigh scattering method. The diagonal hyperpolarizability β_zzz of BDT–TCF was 8.2 × 10^?28 and 9.3 × 10^?29 esu in THF solvent and in PMMA polymer matrices, respectively. The potential NLO response indicates that BDT unit is a promising π-electron bridge and an excellent candidate for nonlinear optical devices.     

Assay of caffeoylquinic acids in Baccharis trimera by reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Baccharis trimera commonly named ‘carqueja’, is wide-spread in South America and are used as raw material for herbal medicines. A reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) method coupled to diode array detector was developed for the analysis of caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), the main compounds responsible for its digestive activity. The identity of the quinic acids was established by mass spectrometry and were them: 5-O-[E]-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-O-[E]-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-[E]-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-O-[E]-dicaffeoylquinic acid and a tricaffeoylquinic acid. The RP-LC method for the quantitation of the caffeoylquinic acids was validated according to ICH guidelines, based on the following parameters: linearity, selectivity, robustness, limits of detection and quantification, precision and recovery. Hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared by the maceration of the plant material with ethanol:water 1:1 (v/v) in a 0.1:25 g mL^?1 plant:solvent ratio in a water bath at 40 °C. Validation data indicated that the HPLC method proposed is suitable for the analysis of caffeoylquinic acids in B. trimera raw material. The results of the LOD and LOQ analyses for the 5-CQA were 4.1 μg mL^?1 and 12.5 μg mL^?1, respectively, 1.3 μg mL^?1, 3.9 μg mL^?1 for 4,5-diCQA and 1.7 μg mL^?1, 5.1 μg mL^?1 for triCQA. The levels of total CQAs ranged from 2.1 to 4.0 g% (w/w). The influence of season harvest and site collection was also evaluated and variations were observed in the results and can be related to phonologic phase, different locations, seasons and soil. Long term and photostability of plant material were carried out and was observed a stable behavior during the time of the experiments.     

The thioantimonate anion [Sb4S8]4− acting as a tetradentate ligand: Solvothermal synthesis,crystal structure and properties of {[In(C6H14N2)2]2Sb4S8}Cl2 exhibiting unusual uniaxial negative and biaxial positive thermal expansion

The new compound {[In(C₆H₁₄N₂)₂]₂Sb₄S₈}Cl₂ was prepared under solvothermal conditions reacting InCl₃, Sb and S using 1,2-trans-diaminocyclohexane as solvent and structure directing molecule. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 29.0259(12), b = 6.7896(2), c = 24.2023(12) Å, β = 99.524(4)°, V = 4703.9(3) ų. The central structural motif is the thioantimonate(III) anion [Sb₄S₈]^4? acting as a tetradentate ligand thus joining two symmetry related In³⁺ centered complexes. This binding mode was never observed before for the [Sb₄S₈]^4? anion. The optical band gap was determined as 2.03 eV in agreement with the red color of the compound. The thermal decomposition was monitored with in-situ X-ray diffraction experiments. After the emission of the amine molecules an amorphous intermediate is formed followed by the crystallization of InSbS₃ which is stable up to about 590 °C. On further heating, InSbS₃ is destroyed and reflections of γ-In₂S₃ appear being contaminated with some elemental Sb. Temperature dependent in-situ X-ray powder diffractometry performed between 30 and 220 °C reveals an unusual reversible negative and positive thermal expansion. The decrease of the a-axis in the temperature range is about 0.74 Å and the increase of the c-axis ca. 0.54 Å. Interestingly, the b-axis exhibits also a thermal expansion, i.e., a biaxial positive and an uniaxial negative thermal expansion coexist which is very unusual. The relative negative expansion coefficients for the a-axis of ?194 × 10^?6K^?1 (30–120 °C) and ?82 × 10^?6K^?1 (120–220 °C) are in the region of so-called colossal thermal expansion.     

Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of organic sensitizers containing electron-deficient and electron-rich fused thiophene for dye-sensitized solar cells

Diverse fused thiophenes with electron-rich and electron-deficient blocks have been synthesized and employed as the π-conjugated spacers of organic dyes for the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The effects of these fused thiophenes were investigated by their absorption spectra, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties. For a typical device a maximum power conversion efficiency of 6.11% was obtained under simulated AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm^?2): a short-circuit current (J_SC) of 14.47 mA cm^?2, an open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 670 mV, and a fill factor (FF) of 0.63.     

Poly(4-vinylpyridinium) hydrogensulfate catalyzed synthesis of 12-aryl-12H-indeno[1,2-b]naphtho[3,2-e]pyran-5,11,13-triones

A simple and facile synthesis of 12-aryl-12H-indeno[1,2-b]naphtho[3,2-e]pyran-5,11,13-trione derivatives was accomplished via the one-pot condensation of 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione, aldehydes, and 2H-indene-1,3-dione at 100 °C under solvent-free conditions in the presence of the solid acid catalyst, poly(4-vinylpyridinium) hydrogensulfate. This method has the advantages of high yields, clean reactions, simple methodology, and short reaction times. The catalyst could be recycled and reused four times without significant loss of activity. The structures of the novel compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, and elemental analysis.     

Cobalt-free cathode material SrFe0.9Nb0.1O3−δ for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A cobalt-free cubic perovskite oxide, SrFe_0.9Nb_0.1O_3?δ (SFN) was investigated as a cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). XRD results showed that SFN cathode was chemically compatible with the electrolyte Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 (SDC) for temperatures up to 1050 °C. The electrical conductivity of SFN sample reached 34–70 S cm^?1 in the commonly operated temperatures of IT-SOFCs (600–800 °C). The area specific resistance was 0.138 Ω cm² for SFN cathode on SDC electrolyte at 750 °C. A maximum power density of 407 mW cm^?2 was obtained at 800 °C for single-cell with 300 μm thick SDC electrolyte and SFN cathode.     

High-surface-area microporous carbon as the efficient photocathode of dye-sensitized solar cells

This paper reports on the application of cornstalks-derived high-surface-area microporous carbon (MC) as the efficient photocathode of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The photocathode, which contains MC active material, Vulcan XC–72 carbon black conductive agent, and TiO₂ binder, was obtained by a doctor blade method. Electronic impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the MC film uniformly coated on fluorine doped SnO₂ (FTO) glass displayed a low charge-transfer resistance of 1.32 Ω cm². Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis of the as-prepared MC film exhibited excellent catalytic activity for I₃^?/I^? redox reactions. The DSCs assembled with the MC film photocathode presented a short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of 14.8 mA cm^?2, an open-circuit photovoltage (V_oc) of 798 mV, and a fill factor (FF) of 62.3%, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 7.36% under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm^?2), which is comparable to that of DSCs with Pt photocathode obtained by conventional thermal decomposition.     

Electrical and interface state density properties of polyaniline–poly-3-methyl thiophene blend/p-Si Schottky barrier diode

We have formed conjugated polymeric aniline–thiophene organic material on p-Si substrate by adding polyaniline–poly-3-methyl thiophene blend solution in acetonitrile on top of a p-Si substrate and then evaporating the solvent. It has been seen that the forward bias current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of polyaniline–poly-3-methyl thiophene blend/p-Si/Al with a barrier height value of 0.60 eV and an ideality factor value of 3.37 showed rectifying behaviour at room temperature. The polyaniline–poly-3-methyl thiophene blend/p-Si/Al Schottky barrier diode showed non-ideal I–V behaviour with the value of ideality factor greater than unity that could be ascribed to the interfacial layer, interface states and series resistance. Furthermore, Cheung's functions and modified Norde's function were used to extract the diode parameters including ideality factor, barrier height and series resistance. It has been seen that there is a good agreement between the barrier height values from all methods. However, the values of series resistance obtained from Cheung's functions is higher than the values obtained from Norde's functions. The energy distribution of interface states density, determined from forward bias current–voltage (I–V) characteristic technique at room temperature, increases exponentially with bias from 2.81 × 10¹⁶ cm^?2 eV^?1 in (0.73–E_v) eV to 1.14 × 10¹⁷ cm^?2 eV^?1 in (0.48–E_v) eV.     

The removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions onto natural sepiolite

The adsorption of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions onto natural sepiolite has been studied using a batch adsorber. The parameters that affect the uranium (VI) sorption, such as contact time, solution pH, initial uranium(VI) concentration, and temperature, have been investigated and optimized conditions determined. Equilibrium isotherm studies were used to evaluate the maximum sorption capacity of sepiolite and experimental results showed this to be 34.61 mg · g^?1. The experimental results were correlated reasonably well by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and the isotherm parameters (Q_o and b) were calculated. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° = ?126.64 kJ · mol^?1, ΔS° = ?353.84 J · mol^?1 · K^?1, ΔG° = ?21.14 kJ · mol^?1) showed the exothermic heat of adsorption and the feasibility of the process. The results suggested that sepiolite was suitable as sorbent material for recovery and adsorption of uranium (VI) ions from aqueous solutions.     

Copper(II)-methylmalonate complexes with unidentate N-donor ligands: Syntheses,structural characterization and magnetic properties

Two new methylmalonate-bridged copper(II) complexes with the formulas [Cu(3-Ipy)(Memal)(H₂O)] (1) and [Cu(2,4′-bpy)(Memal)(H₂O)] · 3H₂O (2) [Memal = methylmalonate dianion, 3-Ipy = 3-iodopyridine, 2,4′-bpy = 2,4′-bipyridine] have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n and Z = 4, with unit cell parameters a = 8.5874(13) Å, b = 7.1738(14) Å, c = 19.093(5) Å, β = 99.509(15)° in 1 and a = 17.375(4) Å, b = 7.3305(14) Å, c = 14.247(3) Å, β = 111.409(15)° in 2. The structures of 1 and 2 consist of zigzag chains of anti-syn carboxylate-bridged copper(II) ions running along the b direction. The pyridine-like ligands occupy one equatorial position of the copper environment avoiding the formation of the sheet-like arrangement observed in previously reported Memal complexes. The chains are grouped together in hydrophilic layers through hydrogen bonds and the layers are pillared through the 3-Ipy (1) and 2,4′-bpy (2) ligands which are stacked through π–π interactions involving alternatively aromatic ligands from two adjacent chains. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of both compounds in the temperature range 2–290 K show the occurrence of intrachain ferromagnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions [J = +2.66(2) cm^?1 (1) and J = +2.62(2) cm^?1 (2)].