Donor/Acceptor fulleropyrrolidine triads

New C(60)-based triads, constituted by a fulleropyrrolidine moiety and two different electroactive units [donor 1-donor 2 (10, 15a,b), or donor 1-acceptor (17, 21)], have been synthesized by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethyne ylides to C(60) and further acylation reaction on the pyrrolidine nitrogen. The electrochemical study reveals some electronic interaction between the redox-active chromophores. Triads bearing tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and ferrocene (Fc) (10) or pi-extended TTFs and Fc (15a,b) show reduction potentials for the C(60) moiety which are cathodically shifted in comparison to the parent C(60). In contrast, triads endowed with Fc and anthraquinone (AQ) (17) or Fc and tetracyanoanthraquinodimethane (TCAQ) (21) present reduction potentials for the C(60) moiety similar to C(60). Fluorescence experiments and time-resolved transient absorption spectroscopy reveal intramolecular electron transfer (ET) processes from the stronger electron donor (i.e., TTF or extended TTF) to the fullerene singlet excited state, rather than from the poorer ferrocene donor in 10, 15a,b. No evidence for a subsequent ET from ferrocene to TTF(*)(+) or pi-extended TTF(*)(+) was observed.     

Biomimetic oxygen reduction by cofacial porphyrins at a liquid-liquid interface

Oxygen reduction catalyzed by cofacial metalloporphyrins at the 1,2-dichlorobenzene-water interface was studied with two lipophilic electron donors of similar driving force, 1,1'-dimethylferrocene (DMFc) and tetrathiafulvalene (TTF). The reaction produces mainly water and some hydrogen peroxide, but the mediator has a significant effect on the selectivity, as DMFc and the porphyrins themselves catalyze the decomposition and the further reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the biscobaltporphyrin, 4,5-bis[5-(2,8,13,17-tetraethyl-3,7,12,18-tetramethylporphyrinyl)]-9,9-dimethylxanthene, Co(2)(DPX), actually catalyzes oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide when oxygen is bound on the "exo" side ("dock-on") of the catalyst, while four-electron reduction takes place with oxygen bound on the "endo" side ("dock-in") of the molecule. These results can be explained by a "dock-on/dock-in" mechanism. The next step for improving bioinspired oxygen reduction catalysts would be blocking the "dock-on" path to achieve selective four-electron reduction of molecular oxygen.     

Dioxygen Reduction in Acetonitrile with Copper Pyridylalkylamine Complexes: The Influence of Acid Strength on the Catalytic Performance

The pyridylalkylamine copper complex [Cu(tmpa)(L)]²⁺ has previously been proposed to reduce dioxygen via a dinuclear resting state, based on experiments in organic aprotic solvents using chemical reductants. Conversely, a mononuclear reaction mechanism was observed under electrochemical conditions in a neutral aqueous solution. We have investigated the electrochemical oxygen and hydrogen peroxide reduction reaction catalyzed by [Cu(tmpa)(L)]²⁺ in acetonitrile, using several different acids over a range of pK_a. We demonstrate that strong acids lead to the loss of redox reversibility and to the destabilization of the copper complex under non-catalytic conditions. Under milder conditions, the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was shown to proceed via a mononuclear catalytic intermediate, similar to what we have previously observed in water. However, in acetonitrile the catalytic rate constants of the ORR are dramatically lower by a factor 10⁵, which is caused by the unfavorable equilibrium of formation of [Cu^II(O₂⋅⁻)(tmpa)]⁺ in acetonitrile. This results in higher catalytic rates for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide than for the ORR.     

Effect of solvent,electronic, and steric factors on the reactivity of 1,1'-diethylferrocene, 1,1'-diacetylferrocene,and 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene towards hydrogen peroxide

The oxidation of Fc(C₂H₅)₂, Fc(COCH₃)₂, and Fc(PPh₂)₂, where Fc is a ferrocene, with hydrogen peroxide in aprotic (dioxane and acetonitrile) and hydroxyl-containing (ethanol, acetonitrile–water, and water) solvents is studied via electron spectroscopy. The reactivity of these metal complexes relative to an oxidant is due to the electron-donor or electron-acceptor properties of substituents, their sizes, and their capability for the specific solvation by a particular solvent. Possible mechanisms of the oxidation of metal complexes are discussed. When Fc(PPh₂)₂ is oxidized, the formation of ferrocenyl cation Fc⁺(PPh₂)₂ is due to the redox isomerism of ferrocenylphosphonium cation Fc(PPh₂)P⁺Ph₂, which can form during the reaction between protonated complex Fc(PPh₂)P(H⁺)Ph₂ and H₂O₂.     

Unveiling the Activity Origin of a Copper‐based Electrocatalyst for Selective Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia

Unveiling the active phase of catalytic materials under reaction conditions is important for the construction of efficient electrocatalysts for selective nitrate reduction to ammonia. The origin of the prominent activity enhancement for CuO (Faradaic efficiency: 95.8 %, Selectivity: 81.2 %) toward selective nitrate electroreduction to ammonia was probed. ¹⁵N isotope labeling experiments showed that ammonia originated from nitrate reduction. ¹H NMR spectroscopy and colorimetric methods were performed to quantify ammonia. In situ Raman and ex situ experiments revealed that CuO was electrochemically converted into Cu/Cu₂O, which serves as an active phase. The combined results of online differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) and DFT calculations demonstrated that the electron transfer from Cu₂O to Cu at the interface could facilitate the formation of *NOH intermediate and suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction, leading to high selectivity and Faradaic efficiency.     

Unveiling the Activity Origin of a Copper-based Electrocatalyst for Selective Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia

Unveiling the active phase of catalytic materials under reaction conditions is important for the construction of efficient electrocatalysts for selective nitrate reduction to ammonia. The origin of the prominent activity enhancement for CuO (Faradaic efficiency: 95.8 %, Selectivity: 81.2 %) toward selective nitrate electroreduction to ammonia was probed. ¹⁵N isotope labeling experiments showed that ammonia originated from nitrate reduction. ¹H NMR spectroscopy and colorimetric methods were performed to quantify ammonia. In situ Raman and ex situ experiments revealed that CuO was electrochemically converted into Cu/Cu₂O, which serves as an active phase. The combined results of online differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) and DFT calculations demonstrated that the electron transfer from Cu₂O to Cu at the interface could facilitate the formation of *NOH intermediate and suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction, leading to high selectivity and Faradaic efficiency.     

Electron-transfer reduction of dinuclear copper peroxo and bis-μ-oxo complexes leading to the catalytic four-electron reduction of dioxygen to water

The four-electron reduction of dioxygen by decamethylferrocene (Fc*) to water is efficiently catalyzed by a binuclear copper(II) complex (1) and a mononuclear copper(II) complex (2) in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid in acetone at 298 K. Fast electron transfer from Fc* to 1 and 2 affords the corresponding Cu(I) complexes, which react at low temperature (193 K) with dioxygen to afford the η(2):η(2)-peroxo dicopper(II) (3) and bis-μ-oxo dicopper(III) (4) intermediates, respectively. The rate constants for electron transfer from Fc* and octamethylferrocene (Me(8)Fc) to 1 as well as electron transfer from Fc* and Me(8)Fc to 3 were determined at various temperatures, leading to activation enthalpies and entropies. The activation entropies of electron transfer from Fc* and Me(8)Fc to 1 were determined to be close to zero, as expected for outer-sphere electron-transfer reactions without formation of any intermediates. For electron transfer from Fc* and Me(8)Fc to 3, the activation entropies were also found to be close to zero. Such agreement indicates that the η(2):η(2)-peroxo complex (3) is directly reduced by Fc* rather than via the conversion to the corresponding bis-μ-oxo complex, followed by the electron-transfer reduction by Fc* leading to the four-electron reduction of dioxygen to water. The bis-μ-oxo species (4) is reduced by Fc* with a much faster rate than the η(2):η(2)-peroxo complex (3), but this also leads to the four-electron reduction of dioxygen to water.     

Different Catalytic Effects of a Single Water Molecule: The Gas‐Phase Reaction of Formic Acid with Hydroxyl Radical in Water Vapor

The effect of a single water molecule on the reaction mechanism of the gas‐phase reaction between formic acid and the hydroxyl radical was investigated with high‐level quantum mechanical calculations using DFT–B3LYP, MP2 and CCSD(T) theoretical approaches in concert with the 6‐311+G(2df,2p) and aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets. The reaction between HCOOH and HO has a very complex mechanism involving a proton‐coupled electron transfer process (pcet), two hydrogen‐atom transfer reactions (hat) and a double proton transfer process (dpt). The hydroxyl radical predominantly abstracts the acidic hydrogen of formic acid through a pcet mechanism. A single water molecule affects each one of these reaction mechanisms in different ways, depending on the way the water interacts. Very interesting is also the fact that our calculations predict that the participation of a single water molecule results in the abstraction of the formyl hydrogen of formic acid through a hydrogen atom transfer process (hat).     

Bipyridinium Polymers That Dock Tetrathiafulvalene Guests in Water Driven by Donor–Acceptor and Ion Pair Interactions

Two water‐soluble para‐xylylene‐connected 4,4′‐bipyridinium (BIPY²⁺) polymers have been prepared. UV‐Vis absorption, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry experiments support that in water the BIPY²⁺ units in the polymers form stable 1:1 charge‐transfer complexes with tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) guests that bear two or four carboxylate groups. These charge‐transfer complexes are stabilized by the donor–acceptor interaction between electron‐rich TTF and electron‐deficient BIPY²⁺ units and electrostatic attraction between the dicationic BIPY²⁺ units and the anionic carboxylate groups attached to the TTF core. On the basis of UV‐Vis experiments, a lower limit to the apparent association constant of the TTF?BIPY²⁺ complexes of the mixtures, 1.8×10⁶ m ^?1, has been estimated in water. Control experiments reveal substantially reduced binding ability of the neutral TTF di‐ and tetracarboxylic acids to the BIPY²⁺ molecules and polymers. Moreover, the stability of the charge‐transfer complexes formed by the BIPY²⁺ units of the polymers are considerably higher than that of the complexes formed between two monomeric BIPY²⁺ controls and the dicarboxylate‐TTF donor; this has been attributed to the mutually strengthened electron‐deficient nature of the BIPY²⁺ units of the polymers due to the electron‐withdrawing effect of the BIPY²⁺ units.     

Electrocatalytic Activity of Nanohybrids Based on Carbon Nanomaterials and MFe2O4 (M=Co,Mn) towards the Reduction of Hydrogen Peroxide

We report the advantages of hybrid nanomaterials prepared with electrogenerated ferrites (MFe₂O₄; M: Co, Mn) and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) on the electro‐reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) modified with these hybrid nanomaterials dispersed in Nafion/isopropanol demonstrated a clear synergism on the catalytic reduction of reduction of hydrogen peroxide at pH 13.00. The intimate interaction between MFe₂O₄ and carbon nanomaterials allowed a better electronic transfer and a facilitated regeneration of M²⁺ at the carbon nanomaterials, reducing the charge transfer resistances for hydrogen peroxide reduction and increasing the sensitivities of the amperometric response.     

Hydrogen-bonding dynamics in photoinduced electron transfer in a ferrocene-quinone linked dyad with a rigid amide spacer

A newly designed ferrocene-quinone dyad with an amide space (Fc-Q) is employed to examine formation of the hydrogen bonding in the one-electron reduced form (Q*-) and the dynamics in the photoinduced electron-transfer reaction from the ferrocene to the quinone moiety. Photoexcitation of the Q moiety in Fc-Q in deaerated PhCN with 388 nm results in intramolecular electron transfer from Fc to the singlet excited state of Q to produce Fc+-Q*- without changing the conformation (<1 ps), followed by hydrogen bond formation with the amide proton of the spacer (tau = approximately 5 ps). The resulting radical ion pair decays via a back electron transfer to the ground state at a longer time scale with a rate constant of 2.6 x 108 s-1.     

Factors that control catalytic two- versus four-electron reduction of dioxygen by copper complexes

The selective two-electron reduction of O(2) by one-electron reductants such as decamethylferrocene (Fc*) and octamethylferrocene (Me(8)Fc) is efficiently catalyzed by a binuclear Cu(II) complex [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OH)](2+) (D1) {LO is a binucleating ligand with copper-bridging phenolate moiety} in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (HOTF) in acetone. The protonation of the hydroxide group of [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OH)](2+) with HOTF to produce [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OTF)](2+) (D1-OTF) makes it possible for this to be reduced by 2 equiv of Fc* via a two-step electron-transfer sequence. Reactions of the fully reduced complex [Cu(I)(2)(LO)](+) (D3) with O(2) in the presence of HOTF led to the low-temperature detection of the absorption spectra due to the peroxo complex [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OO)] (D) and the protonated hydroperoxo complex [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OOH)](2+) (D4). No further Fc* reduction of D4 occurs, and it is instead further protonated by HOTF to yield H(2)O(2) accompanied by regeneration of [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OTF)](2+) (D1-OTF), thus completing the catalytic cycle for the two-electron reduction of O(2) by Fc*. Kinetic studies on the formation of Fc*(+) under catalytic conditions as well as for separate examination of the electron transfer from Fc* to D1-OTF reveal there are two important reaction pathways operating. One is a rate-determining second reduction of D1-OTF, thus electron transfer from Fc* to a mixed-valent intermediate [Cu(II)Cu(I)(LO)](2+) (D2), which leads to [Cu(I)(2)(LO)](+) that is coupled with O(2) binding to produce [Cu(II)(2)(LO)(OO)](+) (D). The other involves direct reaction of O(2) with the mixed-valent compound D2 followed by rapid Fc* reduction of a putative superoxo-dicopper(II) species thus formed, producing D.     

季铵盐相转移催化氧化噻吩的研究

以噻吩的正庚烷溶液模拟轻质油品,研究了H2O2—HCOOH氧化条件下，相转移催化氧化噻吩脱硫。实验结果表明，四丁基溴化铵用量0.10g，反应1.5h，反应温度45℃，脱硫率最高可达86.36%。动力学研究表明，以四丁基溴化铵作为相转移催化剂，过氧化氢 甲酸氧化噻吩脱硫为表观一级反应，反应速率常数 K30℃=0.6152h-1、K40℃=1.2672h-1、K50℃=0.8581h-1；相转移催化在H2O2—有机酸体系氧化噻吩脱硫反应中的作用为相转移催化剂阳离子Q+对氧化剂活性组分HCOOO－的转移作用。并建立了相转移催化氧化噻吩脱硫反应的循环模型。     

Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles–functionalized Cu(II) Schiff base complex with an imidazolium moiety as an efficient and eco-friendly bifunctional magnetically recoverable catalyst for the Strecker synthesis in aqueous media at room temperature

Cu(II) Schiff base complex supported on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ nanoparticles was employed as a magnetic nanocatalyst (nanocomposite) with a phase transfer functionality for the one-pot preparation of α-aminonitriles (Strecker reaction). The desired α-aminonitriles were obtained from the reaction of aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes, aniline or benzyl amine, NaCN, and 1.6 mol% of the catalyst in water at room temperature and good to excellent yields were obtained for all substrates. The catalyst was characterized analytically and instrumentally including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric, nuclear magnetic resonance, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, vibrating-sample magnetometry analysis, dynamic light scattering, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analyses. The reaction mechanism was investigated, in which the performance of the catalyst as a phase transition factor seems to be probable. The catalyst showed high activity, high turnover frequency (TOF)s, significant selectivity, and fast performance toward the Strecker synthesis. The nanocatalyst can be readily and quickly separated from the reaction mixture with an external magnet and can be reused for at least seven successive reaction cycles without significant reduction in efficiency.     

Direct electron transfer and biocatalytic activity of iron storage protein molecules immobilized on electrodeposited cobalt oxide nanoparticles

Ferritin was immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode with electrodeposited cobalt oxide nanoparticles, and its direct electron transfer behavior was studied. It exhibits a pair of redox peaks due to direct electron transfer between ferritin and the nanoparticles. Electrochemical parameters including the formal potential (E^0??), the charge transfer coefficient (??), and the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) were determined. The sensor displays excellent biocatalytic activity in terms of reduction of hydrogen peroxide, and this was applied to electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide.

Attachment of Nanoparticles to Pyrolytic Graphite Electrode and Its Application for the Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalytic Behavior of Catalase

Abstract

A highly hydrophilic, nontoxic, and conductive effect of colloidal gold nanoparticles (GNP) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on pyrolytic graphite electrode has been demonstrated. The direct electron transfer of catalase (CAT) was achieved based on the immobilization of MWCNT/CAT-GNP on a pyrolytic graphite electrode by a Nafion film. The immobilized catalase displayed a pair of well-defined and nearly reversible redox peaks in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (pH 6.98). The dependence of E°′on solution pH indicated that the direct electron transfer reaction of catalase was a single-electron-transfer coupled with single-proton-transfer reaction process. The immobilized catalase maintained its biological activity, showing a surface controlled electrode process with an apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k _s) of 1.387±0.1 s^?1 and charge-transfer coefficient (α) of 0.49, and displayed electrocatalytic activity in the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, the resulting modified electrode can be used as a biosensor for detecting hydrogen peroxide.     

Catalytic Electron‐Transfer Oxygenation of Substrates with Water as an Oxygen Source Using Manganese Porphyrins

Manganese(V)–oxo–porphyrins are produced by the electron‐transfer oxidation of manganese–porphyrins with tris(2,2′‐bipyridine)ruthenium(III) ([Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺; 2 equiv) in acetonitrile (CH₃CN) containing water. The rate constants of the electron‐transfer oxidation of manganese–porphyrins have been determined and evaluated in light of the Marcus theory of electron transfer. Addition of [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺ to a solution of olefins (styrene and cyclohexene) in CH₃CN containing water in the presence of a catalytic amount of manganese–porphyrins afforded epoxides, diols, and aldehydes efficiently. Epoxides were converted to the corresponding diols by hydrolysis, and were further oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes. The turnover numbers vary significantly depending on the type of manganese–porphyrin used owing to the difference in their oxidation potentials and the steric bulkiness of the ligand. Ethylbenzene was also oxidized to 1‐phenylethanol using manganese–porphyrins as electron‐transfer catalysts. The oxygen source in the substrate oxygenation was confirmed to be water by using ¹⁸O‐labeled water. The rate constant of the reaction of the manganese(V)–oxo species with cyclohexene was determined directly under single‐turnover conditions by monitoring the increase in absorbance attributable to the manganese(III) species produced in the reaction with cyclohexene. It has been shown that the rate‐determining step in the catalytic electron‐transfer oxygenation of cyclohexene is electron transfer from [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺ to the manganese–porphyrins.     

Comparative Electrochemical and Photophysical Studies of Tetrathiafulvalene‐Annulated Porphyrins and Their ZnII Complexes: The Effect of Metalation and Structural Variation

A series of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)‐annulated porphyrins, and their corresponding Zn^II complexes, have been synthesized. Detailed electrochemical, photophysical, and theoretical studies reveal the effects of intramolecular charge‐transfer transitions that originate from the TTF fragments to the macrocyclic core. The incremental synthetic addition of TTF moieties to the porphyrin core makes the species more susceptible to these charge‐transfer (CT) effects as evidenced by spectroscopic studies. On the other hand, regular positive shifts in the reduction signals are seen in the square‐wave voltammograms as the number of TTF subunits increases. Structural studies that involve the tetrakis‐substituted TTF–porphyrin (both free‐base and Zn^II complex) reveal only modest deviations from planarity. The effect of TTF substitution is thus ascribed to electronic overlap between annulated TTF subunits rather than steric effects. The directly linked thiafulvalene subunits function as both π acceptors as well as σ donors. Whereas σ donation accounts for the substituent‐dependent charge‐transfer transitions, it is the π‐acceptor nature of the appended tetrathiafulvalene groups that dominates the redox chemistry. Interactions between the subunits are also reflected in the square‐wave voltammograms. In the case of the free‐base derivatives that bear multiple TTF subunits, the neighboring TTF units, as well as the TTF ^{? +} generated through one‐electron oxidation, can interact with each other; this gives rise to multiple signals in the square‐wave voltammograms. On the other hand, after metalation, the electronic communication between the separate TTF moieties becomes restricted and they act as separate redox centers under conditions of oxidation. Thus only two signals, which correspond to TTF ^{. +} and TTF²⁺, are observed. The reduction potentials are also seen to shift towards more negative values after metalation, a finding that is considered to reflect an increased HOMO–LUMO gap. To probe the excited‐state dynamics and internal CT character, transient absorption spectral studies were performed. These analyses revealed that all the TTF–porphyrins of this study display relatively short excited‐state lifetimes, which range from 1 to 20 ps. This reflects a very fast decay to the ground state and is consistent with the proposed intramolecular charge‐transfer effects inferred from the ground‐state studies. Complementary DFT calculations provide a mechanistic rationale for the electron flow within the TTF–porphyrins and support the proposed intramolecular charge‐transfer interactions and π‐acceptor effects.     

Electrocatalytic Reduction of Dioxygen at Co(II) Complexes Supported Carbon Electrode

Phthalocyanines or porphyrins of cobalt and iron are known as effective catalysts of oxygen reduction. Carbon based electrodes are modified by.the adsorption of these macromolecular compounds, which mediate the electron transfer. Oxygen is reduced to hydrogen peroxide and/or water at these modified electrodes via a two- or four- electron transfer reaction.     

Bioelectrochemical Characterization of Horseradish and Soybean Peroxidases

Heme peroxidase are ubiquitous enzymes catalyzing the oxidation of a broad range of substrates by hydrogen peroxide. In this paper the bioelectrochemical characterization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and soybean peroxidase (SBP), belonging to class III of the plant peroxidase superfamily, was studied. The homogeneous reactions between peroxidases and some common redox mediators in the presence of hydrogen peroxide have been carried out by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical characterization of the reactions involving enzyme, substrate and mediators concentrations allowed us to calculate the kinetic parameters for the substrate–enzyme reaction (K_MS) and for the redox mediator–enzyme reaction (K_MM). A full characterization of the direct electron transfer kinetic parameters between the electrode and enzyme active site was also performed by opportunely modeling data obtained from cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry experiments. The experimental data obtained with immobilized peroxidases show enhanced direct electron transfer and excellent electrocatalytical performance for H₂O₂. Despite the structural similarities and common catalytic cycle, HRP and SBP exhibit differences in their substrate affinity and catalytic efficiency. Basing on our results, it can be concluded that peroxidase from soybean represents an interesting alternative to the classical and largely employed one obtained from horseradish as biorecognition element of electrochemical mediated biosensors.