Spectroscopy of Ethylenedione and Ethynediolide: A Reinvestigation

In an effort to characterize the electronic states of ethylenedione, OCCO, photoelectron‐photofragment coincidence (PPC) spectroscopy was applied to measure anions at m/z 56 and 57 using a pulsed discharge of glyoxal vapor and N₂O. PPC measurements at a photon energy of 3.20 eV yield photoelectron spectra in coincidence with either neutral photofragments or stable neutral products. The measurements showed that primarily stable neutral products were formed, with photoelectron spectra consistent with the oxyallyl diradical, C₃H₄O, and acetone enolate radical, C₃H₅O. The spectra were also found to have features nearly identical to those reported for OCCO and HOCCO by Sanov and co‐workers. The stability of the neutral products, as well as an examination of spectra reported for the oxyallyl anion and acetone enolate show that the previous assignments of OCCO and HOCCO are in error, and are instead attributed here to the oxyallyl diradical, C₃H₄O, and the acetone enolate radical, C₃H₅O.     

A Long‐Lived Mononuclear Cyclopentadienyl Ruthenium Complex Grafted onto Anatase TiO2 for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction

This work shows a novel artificial donor–catalyst–acceptor triad photosystem based on a mononuclear C₅H₅‐RuH complex oxo‐bridged TiO₂ hybrid for efficient CO₂ photoreduction. An impressive quantum efficiency of 0.56 % for CH₄ under visible‐light irradiation was achieved over the triad photocatalyst, in which TiO₂ and C₅H₅‐RuH serve as the electron collector and CO₂‐reduction site and the photon‐harvester and water‐oxidation site, respectively. The fast electron injection from the excited Ru²⁺ cation to TiO₂ in ca. 0.5 ps and the slow backward charge recombination in half‐life of ca. 9.8 μs result in a long‐lived D⁺–C–A^? charge‐separated state responsible for the solar‐fuel production.     

Photofragmentation of 2‐Deoxy‐D‐Ribose Molecules in the Gas Phase

We have measured the synchrotron‐induced photofragmentation of isolated 2‐deoxy‐D ‐ribose molecules (C₅H₁₀O₄) at four photon energies, namely, 23.0, 15.7, 14.6, and 13.8 eV. At all photon energies above the molecule′s ionization threshold we observe the formation of a large variety of molecular cation fragments, including CH₃⁺, OH⁺, H₃O⁺, C₂H₃⁺, C₂H₄⁺, CH_xO⁺ (x=1,2,3), C₂H_xO⁺ (x=1–5), C₃H_xO⁺ (x=3–5), C₂H₄O₂⁺, C₃H_xO₂⁺ (x=1,2,4–6), C₄H₅O₂⁺, C₄H_xO₃⁺ (x=6,7), C₅H₇O₃⁺, and C₅H₈O₃⁺. The formation of these fragments shows a strong propensity of the DNA sugar to dissociate upon absorption of vacuum ultraviolet photons. The yields of particular fragments at various excitation photon energies in the range between 10 and 28 eV are also measured and their appearance thresholds determined. At all photon energies, the most intense relative yield is recorded for the m/q=57 fragment (C₃H₅O⁺), whereas a general intensity decrease is observed for all other fragments— relative to the m/q=57 fragment—with decreasing excitation energy. Thus, bond cleavage depends on the photon energy deposited in the molecule. All fragments up to m/q=75 are observed at all photon energies above their respective threshold values. Most notably, several fragmentation products, for example, CH₃⁺, H₃O⁺, C₂H₄⁺, CH₃O⁺, and C₂H₅O⁺, involve significant bond rearrangements and nuclear motion during the dissociation time. Multibond fragmentation of the sugar moiety in the sugar–phosphate backbone of DNA results in complex strand lesions and, most likely, in subsequent reactions of the neutral or charged fragments with the surrounding DNA molecules.     

Water‐Soluble Triarylborane Chromophores for One‐ and Two‐Photon Excited Fluorescence Imaging of Mitochondria in Cells

Three water‐soluble tetracationic quadrupolar chromophores comprising two three‐coordinate boron π‐acceptor groups bridged by thiophene‐containing moieties were synthesised for biological imaging applications. Compound 3 containing the bulkier 5‐(3,5‐Me₂C₆H₂)‐2,2′‐(C₄H₂S)₂‐5′‐(3,5‐Me₂C₆H₂) bridge is stable over a long period of time, exhibits a high fluorescence quantum yield and strong one‐ and two‐photon absorption (TPA), and has a TPA cross section of 268 GM at 800 nm in water. Confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy studies in live cells indicated localisation of the chromophore at the mitochondria; moreover, cytotoxicity measurements proved biocompatibility. Thus, chromophore 3 has excellent potential for one‐ and two‐photon‐excited fluorescence imaging of mitochondrial function in cells.     

Stabilization Studies on Divalent Five‐Membered Rings C4H4C,C4H4Si,C4H4Ge,C4H4Sn,and C4H4Pb

Energy differences, ΔX_S‐t (X = E, H and G) (ΔX_S‐t = X_(singlet)‐X_(triplet)) between singlet (s) and triplet (t) states are calculated at B3LYP/6‐311++G (3df,2p). The DFT calculations show that the triplet state of C₄H₄C is a ground state with planar conformer respect to its corresponding nonplanar singlet state. Both singlet and triplet states of C₄H₄M (M = Si, Ge, Sn and Pb) have a planar conformer with the singlet ground state. Four isodesmic reactions are presented for determining the stability energies, SE. NICS calculations are carried out for C₄H₄M to determine the aromatic character.     

Beryllepin,C6H6Be,and “Beryllium‐Inserted Benzenes,” C6H6Ben,n = 2–6: A Density Functional Computational Investigation

The seven‐membered beryllium‐containing heterocycle beryllepin, C₆H₆Be, has been examined computationally at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** density functional level of theory. Beryllepin is best described as a planar singlet heterocyclic conjugated triene with marginal aromatic character containing a C–Be–C moiety forced to be nonlinear (∠C‐Be‐C = 146.25°) by the cyclic constraints of the seven‐membered ring. The molecule can be considered to be derived from a benzene‐like system in which a neutral beryllium atom has been inserted between two adjacent carbon atoms. The 11 other possible “beryllium‐inserted benzenes,” C₆H₆Be_n, n = 2–6, have also been investigated. Only two of these heterocyclic systems, the eight‐membered 1,4‐diberyllocin and the nine‐membered 1,4,7‐triberyllonin, were found to be stable, singlet‐ground‐state systems, albeit with little aromatic character. Of the remaining nine beryllium‐inserted benzenes, with the exception of the 11‐membered ring containing five beryllium atoms and the 12‐membered ring containing six beryllium atoms, which were calculated to exist as a ground state pentet and septet, respectively, all were calculated to be ground state triplet systems.     

Photosynthetic Antenna‐Reaction Center Mimicry with a Covalently Linked Monostyryl Boron‐Dipyrromethene–Aza‐Boron‐Dipyrromethene–C60 Triad

An efficient functional mimic of the photosynthetic antenna‐reaction center has been designed and synthesized. The model contains a near‐infrared‐absorbing aza‐boron‐dipyrromethene (ADP) that is connected to a monostyryl boron‐dipyrromethene (BDP) by a click reaction and to a fullerene (C₆₀) using the Prato reaction. The intramolecular photoinduced energy and electron‐transfer processes of this triad as well as the corresponding dyads BDP‐ADP and ADP‐C₆₀ have been studied with steady‐state and time‐resolved absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods in benzonitrile. Upon excitation, the BDP moiety of the triad is significantly quenched due to energy transfer to the ADP core, which subsequently transfers an electron to the fullerene unit. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetric studies have revealed the redox states of the components, which allow estimation of the energies of the charge‐separated states. Such calculations show that electron transfer from the singlet excited ADP (¹ADP*) to C₆₀ yielding ADP^.+‐C₆₀^.? is energetically favorable. By using femtosecond laser flash photolysis, concrete evidence has been obtained for the occurrence of energy transfer from ¹BDP* to ADP in the dyad BDP‐ADP and electron transfer from ¹ADP* to C₆₀ in the dyad ADP‐C₆₀. Sequential energy and electron transfer have also been clearly observed in the triad BDP‐ADP‐C₆₀. By monitoring the rise of ADP emission, it has been found that the rate of energy transfer is fast (≈10¹¹ s^?1). The dynamics of electron transfer through ¹ADP* has also been studied by monitoring the formation of C₆₀ radical anion at 1000 nm. A fast charge‐separation process from ¹ADP* to C₆₀ has been detected, which gives the relatively long‐lived BDP‐ADP^.+C₆₀^.? with a lifetime of 1.47 ns. As shown by nanosecond transient absorption measurements, the charge‐separated state decays slowly to populate mainly the triplet state of ADP before returning to the ground state. These findings show that the dyads BDP‐ADP and ADP‐C₆₀, and the triad BDP‐ADP‐C₆₀ are interesting artificial analogues that can mimic the antenna and reaction center of the natural photosynthetic systems.     

Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Photophysics, and Broadband Nonlinear Absorption of a Platinum(II) Complex with the 6‐(7‐Benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9 H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridinyl Ligand

A platinum complex with the 6‐(7‐benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridinyl ligand ( 1 ) was synthesized and the crystal structure was determined. UV/Vis absorption, emission, and transient difference absorption of 1 were systematically investigated. DFT calculations were carried out on 1 to characterize the electronic ground state and aid in the understanding of the nature of low‐lying excited electronic states. Complex 1 exhibits intense structured ¹π–π* absorption at λ_abs<440 nm, and a broad, moderate ¹M LCT/¹LLCT transition at 440–520 nm in CH₂Cl₂ solution. A structured ³π–π*/³M LCT emission at about 590 nm was observed at room temperature and at 77 K. Complex 1 exhibits both singlet and triplet excited‐state absorption from 450 nm to 750 nm, which are tentatively attributed to the ¹π–π* and ³π–π* excited states of the 6‐(7‐benzothiazol‐2′‐yl‐9,9‐diethyl‐9H‐fluoren‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine ligand, respectively. Z‐scan experiments were conducted by using ns and ps pulses at 532 nm, and ps pulses at a variety of visible and near‐IR wavelengths. The experimental data were fitted by a five‐level model by using the excited‐state parameters obtained from the photophysical study to deduce the effective singlet and triplet excited‐state absorption cross sections in the visible spectral region and the effective two‐photon absorption cross sections in the near‐IR region. Our results demonstrate that 1 possesses large ratios of excited‐state absorption cross sections relative to that of the ground‐state in the visible spectral region; this results in a remarkable degree of reverse saturable absorption from 1 in CH₂Cl₂ solution illuminated by ns laser pulses at 532 nm. The two‐photon absorption cross sections in the near‐IR region for 1 are among the largest values reported for platinum complexes. Therefore, 1 is an excellent, broadband, nonlinear absorbing material that exhibits strong reverse saturable absorption in the visible spectral region and large two‐photon‐assisted excited‐state absorption in the near‐IR region.     

Directed Gas‐Phase Synthesis of Triafulvene under Single‐Collision Conditions

The triafulvene molecule (c‐C₄H₄)—the simplest representative of the fulvene family—has been synthesized for the first time in the gas phase through the reaction of the methylidyne radical (CH) with methylacetylene (CH₃CCH) and allene (H₂CCCH₂) under single‐collision conditions. The experimental and computational data suggest triafulvene is formed by the barrierless cycloaddition of the methylidyne radical to the π‐electron density of either C₃H₄ isomer followed by unimolecular decomposition through elimination of atomic hydrogen from the CH₃ or CH₂ groups of the reactants. The dipole moment of triafulvene of 1.90 D suggests that this molecule could represent a critical tracer of microwave‐inactive allene in cold molecular clouds, thus defining constraints on the largely elusive hydrocarbon chemistry in low‐temperature interstellar environments, such as that of the Taurus Molecular Cloud 1 (TMC‐1).     

4‐Phenyl‐1H‐imidazole (a low‐temperature redetermination), 1‐benzyl‐1H‐imidazole and 1‐mesityl‐1H‐imidazole

Low‐temperature studies of the simple variously substituted imidazole types 4‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazole, C₉H₈N₂, 1‐benzyl‐1H‐imidazole, C₁₀H₁₀N₂, and 1‐mesityl‐1H‐imidazole, C₁₂H₁₄N₂, extend comparisons between parent imidazole species and their derivatives, the pronounced double‐bond localization opposite the substituted N atom common to simple neutral species being redistributed aromatically on protonation.     

Energy‐Funneling‐Based Broadband Visible‐Light‐Absorbing Bodipy–C60 Triads and Tetrads as Dual Functional Heavy‐Atom‐Free Organic Triplet Photosensitizers for Photocatalytic Organic Reactions

C₆₀–bodipy triads and tetrads based on the energy‐funneling effect that show broadband absorption in the visible region have been prepared as novel triplet photosensitizers. The new photosensitizers contain two or three different light‐harvesting antennae associated with different absorption wavelengths, resulting in a broad absorption band (450–650 nm). The panchromatic excitation energy harvested by the bodipy moieties is funneled into a spin converter (C₆₀), thus ensuring intersystem crossing and population of the triplet state. Nanosecond time‐resolved transient absorption and spin density analysis indicated that the T₁ state is localized on either C₆₀ or the antennae, depending on the T₁ energy levels of the two entities. The antenna‐localized T₁ state shows a longer lifetime (τ_T=132.9 μs) than the C₆₀‐localized T₁ state (ca. 27.4 μs). We found that the C₆₀ triads and tetrads can be used as dual functional photocatalysts, that is, singlet oxygen (¹O₂) and superoxide radical anion (O₂ ^{. ?}) photosensitizers. In the photooxidation of naphthol to juglone, the ¹O₂ photosensitizing ability of the C₆₀ triad is a factor of 8.9 greater than the conventional triplet photosensitizers tetraphenylporphyrin and methylene blue. The C₆₀ dyads and triads were also used as photocatalysts for O₂ ^{. ?}‐mediated aerobic oxidation of aromatic boronic acids to produce phenols. The reaction times were greatly reduced compared with when [Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂] was used as photocatalyst. Our study of triplet photosensitizers has shown that broadband absorption in the visible spectral region and long‐lived triplet excited states can be useful for the design of new heavy‐atom‐free organic triplet photosensitizers and for the application of these triplet photosensitizers in photo‐organocatalysis.     

Nuclear Spin Singlet States in Photoactive Molecules: From Fluorescence/NMR Bimodality to a Bimolecular Switch for Spin Singlet States

Nuclear spin singlet states are silent states in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). However, they can be probed indirectly and offer great potential for the development of contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Introduced here are two novel concepts: Firstly, the bimodal NMR/fluorescence properties of ¹³C₂‐tetraphenylethylene. It possesses a long‐lived singlet state in organic solvents, and it shortens upon the addition of water. This simultaneously increases the aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) of the molecule, resulting in a substantial enhancement of fluorescence. Secondly, introduced is a bimolecular switch for singlet states based on 3‐²H‐coumarin containing an isolated proton. Upon UV‐light exposure, a dimer forms, leading to a coupling between two previously isolated protons. A nuclear spin singlet state can now be populated. Excitation with a wavelength of 254 nm results in partial ring cleavage of the molecule back to its monomer.     

Rational Design of Emissive NIR‐Absorbing Chromophores: RhIII Porphyrin‐Aza‐BODIPY Conjugates with Orthogonal Metal–Carbon Bonds

The facile synthesis of Group 9 Rh^III porphyrin‐aza‐BODIPY conjugates that are linked through an orthogonal Rh?C(aryl) bond is reported. The conjugates combine the advantages of the near‐IR (NIR) absorption and intense fluorescence of aza‐BODIPY dyes with the long‐lived triplet states of transition metal rhodium porphyrins. Only one emission peak centered at about 720 nm is observed, irrespective of the excitation wavelength, demonstrating that the conjugates act as unique molecules rather than as dyads. The generation of a locally excited (LE) state with intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) character has been demonstrated by solvatochromic effects in the photophysical properties, singlet oxygen quantum yields in polar solvents, and by the results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In nonpolar solvents, the Rh^III conjugates exhibit strong aza‐BODIPY‐centered fluorescence at around 720 nm (Φ_F=17–34 %), and negligible singlet oxygen generation. In polar solvents, enhancements of the singlet‐oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ=19–27 %, λ_ex=690 nm) have been observed. Nanosecond pulsed time‐resolved absorption spectroscopy confirms that relatively long‐lived triplet excited states are formed. The synthetic methodology outlined herein provides a useful strategy for the assembly of functional materials that are highly desirable for a wide range of applications in material science and biomedical fields.     

A Ruthenium Complex–Porphyrin–Fullerene‐Linked Molecular Pentad as an Integrative Photosynthetic Model

A ruthenium complex, porphyrin sensitizer, fullerene acceptor molecular pentad has been synthesized and a long‐lived hole–electron pair was achieved in aqueous solution by photoinduced multistep electron transfer: Upon irradiation by visible light, the excited‐state of a zinc porphyrin (¹ZnP*) was quenched by fullerene (C₆₀) to afford a radical ion pair, ^1,3(ZnP^.+‐C₆₀^.−). This was followed by the subsequent electron transfer from a water oxidation catalyst unit (Ru^II) to ZnP^.+ to give the long‐lived charge‐separated state, Ru^III‐ZnP‐C₆₀^.−, with a lifetime of 14 μs. The ZnP worked as a visible‐light‐harvesting antenna, while the C₆₀ acted as an excellent electron acceptor. As a consequence, visible‐light‐driven water oxidation by this integrated photosynthetic model compound was achieved in the presence of sacrificial oxidant and redox mediator.     

1‐[5‐(4,5‐Dimethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]ethanone and 4‐(4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)benzaldehyde

In both title compounds, C₁₀H₁₃BO₃S, (I), and C₁₃H₁₇BO₃, (II), the molecules adopt nearly planar conformations. The crystal packing of (I) consists of a supramolecular two‐dimensional network with a herringbone‐like topology formed by self assembly of centrosymmetric pairs of molecules linked via dipole–dipole interactions. The crystal structure of (II) consists of a supramolecular two‐dimensional network built up from centrosymmetric pairs of molecules viaπ–π interactions. These pairs of molecules are self‐organized in an offset fashion related by a symmetry centre, generating supramolecular ribbons running along the [101] direction. Neighbouring ribbons are stacked via complementary van der Waals and hydrophobic methyl–methyl interactions.     

Hydrogen‐bonded networks in 5‐chloropyridin‐2‐amine–fumaric acid (2/1) and 2‐aminopyridinium dl‐malate

Crystals of 5‐chloropyridin‐2‐amine–(2E)‐but‐2‐enedioate (2/1), 2C₅H₅ClN₂·C₄H₄O₄, (I), and 2‐aminopyridinium dl ‐3‐carboxy‐2‐hydroxypropanoate, C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₄H₅O₅⁻, (II), are built from the neutral 5‐chloropyridin‐2‐amine molecule and fumaric acid in the case of (I) and from ring‐N‐protonated 2‐aminopyridinium cations and malate anions in (II). The fumaric acid molecule lies on an inversion centre. In (I), the neutral 5‐chloropyridin‐2‐amine and fumaric acid molecules interact via hydrogen bonds, forming two‐dimensional layers parallel to the (100) plane, whereas in (II), oppositely charged units interact via ionic and hydrogen bonds, forming a three‐dimensional network.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Sodium and Calcium ­Complexes with the Ligand N‐(2,6‐Dimethylphenyl)diphenylphosphinic Amide

The sodium complex [{Ph₂P(O)NH(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)}Na{Ph₂P(O)N(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)}]₂ ( 2 ) with the ligand N‐(2,6‐dimethylphenyl)diphenylphosphinic amide was synthesized involving the reaction of the neutral ligand [Ph₂P(O)NH(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)] ( 1 ) and sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide in toluene at 60 °C. The calcium complex [{Ph₂P(O)NH(2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃)CaI(THF)₃}I] ( 3 ) was obtained by the reaction between the neutral ligand 1 and anhydrous calcium diiodide in THF at ambient temperature. The solid‐state structures of the complexes were established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. In the solid‐state structure of 2 , the sodium ion is coordinated through the chelation of oxygen atom attached to the phosphorus atom. Two different P–N and P–O bond lengths are observed, which indicates that one ligand moiety is anionic, whereas the second one is neutral. In the solid‐state structure of 3 , the calcium atom adopts distorted octahedral arrangement through the ligation of two phosphinic amide ligands, three THF molecules, and one iodide ion.     

Three 1‐phenylindolin‐2‐one derivatives displaying different molecular dipole moments and different crystallographic symmetries

Three 1‐phenylindolin‐2‐one derivatives, namely 1‐phenylindolin‐2‐one, C₁₄H₁₁NO, (I), 5‐bromo‐1‐phenylindolin‐2‐one, C₁₄H₁₀BrNO, (II), and 5‐iodo‐1‐phenylindolin‐2‐one, C₁₄H₁₀INO, (III), have been synthesized and their structures determined. Compounds (I) and (II) crystallized in the centrosymmetric space groups Pbca and P2₁/c, respectively, while compound (III) crystallized in the polar space group Aea2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the molecular dipole moment gradually decreases in the order (I) > (II) > (III). The relatively smaller dipole moment of (III) and the larger non‐electrostatic intermolecular interactions may be the main reasons for the noncentrosymmetric and polar structure of (III).     

catena‐Poly­[[(pyridin‐4‐ol‐κN)silver(I)]‐μ‐pyridin‐4‐olato‐κ2N:O]

The title complex, [Ag(C₅H₄NO)(C₅H₅NO)]_n, consists of a polymeric neutral chain involving both a neutral pyridin‐4‐ol ligand and a deprotonated pyridin‐4‐olate monoanion. The Ag^I atom shows a T‐shaped coordination geometry, defined by one N atom of the pyridin‐4‐ol and one O and one N atom of two independent pyridin‐4‐olate bridges; the N—Ag—N moiety is approximately linear. The polymeric chains are connected via strong O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and offset π–π interactions into a three‐dimensional network.     

Highly Efficient Singlet–Singlet Energy Transfer in Light‐Harvesting [60,70]Fullerene–4‐Amino‐1,8‐naphthalimide Dyads

New C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerene dyads formed with 4‐amino‐1,8‐naphthalimide chromophores have been prepared by the Bingel cyclopropanation reaction. The resulting monoadducts were investigated with respect to their fluorescence properties (quantum yields and lifetimes) to unravel the role of the charge‐transfer naphthalimide chromophore as a light‐absorbing antenna and excited‐singlet‐state sensitizer of fullerenes. The underlying intramolecular singlet–singlet energy transfer (EnT) process was fully characterized and found to proceed quantitatively (Φ_EnT≈1) for all dyads. Thus, these conjugates are of considerable interest for applications in which fullerene excited states have to be created and photonic energy loss should be minimized. In polar solvents (tetrahydrofuran and benzonitrile), fluorescence quenching of the fullerene by electron transfer from the ground‐state aminonaphthalimide was postulated as an additional path.