Reactivity of Nickel(II) Porphyrins in oCVD Processes—Polymerisation,Intramolecular Cyclisation and Chlorination

Oxidative chemical vapour deposition of (5,15-diphenylporphyrinato)nickel(II) (NiDPP) with iron(III) chloride as oxidant yielded a conjugated poly(metalloporphyrin) as a highly coloured thin film, which is potentially useful for optoelectronic applications. This study clarified the reactive sites of the porphyrin monomer NiDPP by HRMS, UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and EPR spectroscopy in combination with quantum chemical calculations. Unsubstituted meso positions are essential for successful polymerisation, as demonstrated by varying the porphyrin meso substituent pattern from di- to tri- and tetraphenyl substitution. DFT calculations support the proposed radical oxidative coupling mechanism and explain the regioselectivity of the C−C coupling processes. Depositing the conjugated polymer on glass slides and on thermoplastic transparent polyethylene naphthalate demonstrated the suitability of the porphyrin material for flexible optoelectronic devices.     

A Thorough Investigation of the Active Titanium Species in TS‐1 Zeolite by In Situ UV Resonance Raman Spectroscopy

A thorough investigation of the active titanium species in TS‐1 zeolite was conducted by in situ UV resonance Raman spectroscopy combined with UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and epoxidation experiments. A new titanium species was identified with a characteristic Raman band at 695 cm^?1 when excited at the 266 nm laser line. It is shown that the newly found titanium species is active in the epoxidation reactions in addition to the tetrahedrally coordinated titanium species. However, the acidity of the new titanium species could catalyze the ring‐opening reactions of the epoxy products. It results in a lower selectivity toward the epoxy products relative to that of the tetrahedrally coordinated titanium species. The side reaction can be suppressed by the addition of a weak basic reagent.     

C,C‐ and N,C‐Coupled Dimers of 2‐Aminotetraphenylporphyrins: Regiocontrolled Synthesis,Spectroscopic Properties,and Quantum‐Chemical Calculations

β,β′‐Bisporphyrins are intrinsically chiral porphyrin dimers with fascinating properties. The configurational stability at their axes can be directed by variation of the central metal atoms. Herein, we present a regioselective functionalization of the monomeric 2‐amino‐tetraphenyl‐porphyrin as a versatile substrate for dimerization by oxidative coupling. By simple variation of the reaction conditions (solvent and oxidant), the oxidation selectively gave either the axially chiral C,C‐coupled diaminobisporphyrin in high yields or, under Ullmann conditions, the twofold N,C‐linked achiral dimer, also in good yields. A generalized mechanism for the coupling reaction is proposed based on DFT calculations. The axially chiral β,β′‐coupled porphyrin dimers were isolated as racemic mixtures, but can be resolved by HPLC on a chiral phase. TDDFT and coupled‐cluster calculations were used to explain the spectroscopic properties of the aminoporphyrins and their dimers and to elucidate the absolute configurations of the C,C‐coupled bisporphyrins.     

Highly Pure Synthesis,Spectral Assignments,and Two‐Photon Properties of Cruciform Porphyrin Pentamers Fused with Benzene Units

Tetrameric porphyrin formation of 2‐hydroxymethylpyrrole fused with porphyrins through a bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene unit gave bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene‐fused porphyrin pentamers. Thermal conversion of the pentamers gave fully π‐conjugated cruciform porphyrin pentamers fused with benzene units in quantitative yields. UV/Vis spectra of fully π‐conjugated porphyrin pentamers showed one very strong Q absorption and were quite different from those of usual porphyrins. From TD‐DFT calculations, the HOMO level is 0.49 eV higher than the HOMO?1 level. The LUMO and LUMO+1 levels are very close and are lower by more than 0.27 eV than those of other unoccupied MOs. The strong Q absorption was interpreted as two mutually orthogonal single‐electron transitions (683 nm: 86 %, HOMO→LUMO; 680 nm: 86 %, HOMO→LUMO+1). The two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross section value (σ⁽²⁾) of the benzene‐fused porphyrin pentamer was estimated to be 3900 GM at 1500 nm, which is strongly correlated with a cruciform molecular structure with multidirectional π‐conjugation pathways.     

Optical Properties of the Orchid Colored Silver(II) Fluoride Cs2AgF4

Orchid colored powder samples of Cs₂AgF₄ were prepared by a solid state reaction from CsF and AgF₂. The diffuse reflectance spectrum of a powder sample of Cs₂AgF₄ was measured in the UV/Vis region. It shows three broad bands, two in the visible‐light region at 650 nm, 500 nm and one in the UV region at 259 nm. The bands are assigned to F 2p → Ag 4d and Ag 4d → Ag 4d transitions. The optical band gap for Cs₂AgF₄ determined from the UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum is approx. 2.17 eV. In order to interpret the observed absorptions, the theoretical absorption spectrum of Cs₂AgF₄ was obtained from density functional calculations.     

Spectroelectrochemical evidence for the nitrosyl redox siblings NO+, NO*, and NO- coordinated to a strongly electron-accepting Fe(II) porphyrin: DFT calculations suggest the presence of high-spin states after reduction of the Fe(II)-NO- complex

Experimental and computational results for the electron-deficient porphyrin complex [Fe(NO)(TFPPBr(8))] (1; TFPPBr(8)=2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octabromo-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin) are reported with respect to its electron-transfer behavior. Complex 1 undergoes three one-electron processes: two reversible reductions and one irreversible oxidation. Spectroelectrochemical measurements (IR and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy) of (14)NO- and (15)NO-containing material indicate that the first reduction to 1(-) occurs largely on the NO ligand to produce nitroxyl anion (NO(-)) character, as evident from the considerable change in ν(NO) from 1715 to around 1550 cm(-1). The second reduction to 1(2)(-) does not result in a further shift of ν(NO) to lower frequencies, but to a surprising high-energy shift to 1590 cm(-1). This and the notable changes of the characteristic porphyrin vibrations as well as significant changes of the UV/Vis absorptions indicate a porphyrin-centered process; DFT calculations predict the shift of ν(NO) to higher frequencies for the intermediate- and high-spin states of 1(2-). The oxidation of 1 is irreversible on the voltammetry timescale, but chemically reversible in spectroelectrochemical experiments, suggesting that the cationic form dissociates to the corresponding ferric porphyrin and NO. DFT calculations support the interpretation of the experimental results.     

Optoelectronic and Self‐assembly Properties of Porphyrin Derivatives with Click Chemistry Modification

A series of functionalized porphyrin molecules containing electron‐rich alkynes, synthesized by means of the Sonogashira coupling reaction were further modified by reacting the ethynyl groups with click reagent through a formal [2+2] click reaction. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the porphyrin derivatives were studied by UV/Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. We show that the optoelectronic properties are affected by the click reagent groups and central metal ions. The functionalized porphyrin molecules show strong charge‐transfer (CT) bands in the visible region (near‐IR region) and potent redox activities. Through a phase‐exchange self‐assembly method, the highly organized morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The functionalized porphyrin molecules represent an interesting set of candidates for optoelectronic device components. The effect of the metal ions or click reagent groups on the self‐assembly properties were also studied by the UV/Vis spectroscopic titration experiments.     

Nitration of Norcorrolatonickel(II): First Observation of a Diatropic Current in a System Comprising a Norcorrole Ring

A one‐pot reaction of 5,14‐bis(mesityl)‐norcorrolatonickel(II) with isoamyl nitrite under mild reaction conditions resulted in the consecutive formation of 3‐nitro‐, 3,12‐dinitro‐ and 3,16‐dinitro‐, 3,7,12‐trinitro‐, and 3,7,12,16‐tetranitro‐norcorrolatonickel(II) in 50–80 % yield. The substituted macrocycles retained their antiaromatic character. The observed regioselectivity of the substitution was analyzed by comparing the relative energies of the DFT energy‐optimized models of the radical or arenium cationic intermediates that can be formed upon reaction with NO₂. The nitrated systems were characterized by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT calculations. A significant and systematic cathodic shift of the redox couples was observed to correlate with an increasing number of the NO₂ group. A decrease of the LUMO energies in the tri‐ and tetra‐nitrated products stabilizes mono‐ and bis‐reduced complexes of these ligands. The reduction takes place on the macrocycle rather than on the metal ion leading to the consecutive formation of stable paramagnetic monoanion radicals and water‐soluble diamagnetic dianions with an aromatic character, which were revealed by ESR and ¹H NMR measurements, respectively. The electronic structures of the reduced forms were analyzed by extensive TD‐DFT calculations.     

Isolated Cobalt Ions Embedded in Magnesium Oxide Nanostructures: Spectroscopic Properties and Redox Activity

Atomic dispersion of dopants and control over their defect chemistry are central goals in the development of oxide nanoparticles for functional materials with dedicated electronic, optical or magnetic properties. We produced highly dispersed oxide nanocubes with atomic distribution of cobalt ions in substitutional sites of the MgO host lattice via metal organic chemical vapor synthesis. Vacuum annealing of the nanoparticle powders up to 1173 K has no effect on the shape of the individual particles and only leads to moderate particle coarsening. Such materials processing, however, gives rise to the electronic reduction of particle surfaces, which—upon O₂ admission—stabilize anionic oxygen radicals that are accessible to UV/Vis diffuse reflectance and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Multi-reference quantum chemical calculations show that the optical bands observed mainly originate from transitions into ⁴A_2g (⁴F), ⁴T_1g (⁴P) states with a contribution of transitions into ²T_1g, ²T_2g (²G) states through spin-orbit coupling and gain intensity through vibrational motion of the MgO lattice or the asymmetric ion field. Related nanostructures are a promising material system for single atomic site catalysis. At the same time, it represents an extremely valuable model system for the study of interfacial electron transfer processes that are key to nanoparticle chemistry and photochemistry at room temperature, and in heterogeneous catalysis.     

Supramolecular ssDNA Templated Porphyrin and Metalloporphyrin Nanoassemblies with Tunable Helicity

Free‐base and nickel porphyrin–diaminopurine conjugates were formed by hydrogen‐bond directed assembly on single‐stranded oligothymidine templates of different lengths into helical multiporphyrin nanoassemblies with highly modular structural and chiroptical properties. Large red‐shifts of the Soret band in the UV/Vis spectroscopy confirmed strong electronic coupling among assembled porphyrin–diaminopurine units. Slow annealing rates yielded preferentially right‐handed nanostructures, whereas fast annealing yielded left‐handed nanostructures. Time‐dependent DFT simulations of UV/Vis and CD spectra for model porphyrin clusters templated on the canonical B‐DNA and its enantiomeric form, were employed to confirm the origin of observed chiroptical properties and to assign the helicity of porphyrin nanoassemblies. Molar CD and CD anisotropy g factors of dialyzed templated porphyrin nanoassemblies showed very high chiroptical anisotropy. The DNA‐templated porphyrin nanoassemblies displayed high thermal and pH stability. The structure and handedness of all assemblies was preserved at temperatures up to +85 °C and pH between 3 and 12. High‐resolution transition electron microscopy confirmed formation of DNA‐templated nickel(II) porphyrin nanoassemblies and their self‐assembly into helical fibrils with micrometer lengths.     

Mechanism of heterogeneous reaction of carbonyl sulfide on magnesium oxide

Heterogeneous reaction of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) on magnesium oxide (MgO) under ambient conditions was investigated by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It reveals that OCS can be catalytically hydrolyzed by surface hydroxyl on MgO to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and then H2S can be further catalytically oxidized by surface oxygen or gaseous oxygen on MgO to form sulfite (SO3(2-)) and sulfate (SO4(2-)). Hydrogen thiocarbonate (HSCO2-) was found to be the crucial intermediate. Surface hydrogen sulfide (HS), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and surface sulfite (SO3(2-)) were also found to be intermediates for the formation of sulfate. Furthermore, the surface hydroxyl contributes not only to the formation of HSCO2- but also to HSCO2- decomposition. On the basis of experimental results, the heterogeneous reaction mechanism of OCS on MgO was discussed.     

Retro‐Diels–Alder Approach to the Synthesis of π‐Expanded Azuliporphyrins and Their Porphyrinoid Aromaticity

Bicyclo[2.2.2]octadiene (BCOD) fused azuliporphyrins were synthesized by 3+1 porphyrin synthesis of azulitripyrranes with diformylpyrroles. Subsequent retro‐Diels–Alder reaction of the BCOD‐fused azuliporphyrins afforded azulibenzo‐, azulidibenzo‐, and azulitribenzoporphyrins 1 – 5 . NMR and UV/Vis spectra, as well as nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) calculations revealed that 1 – 5 and their diprotonated dications exhibit relatively low porphyrinoid aromaticity, which was dependent on the position and number of fused benzene rings present.     

Construction of 3D hierarchical SnO2 microspheres from porous nanosheets towards NO decomposition

Three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical architectures are currently attracting worldwide interest owing to their fascinating morphology-dependent properties and potential applications. Herein we constructed SnO₂ microspheres with 3D hierarchical flower-like architectures self-assembled with porous SnS₂ nanosheets by a facile hydrothermal method with subsequent calcination. The chemical and physical properties as well as photocatalytic application of SnO₂ microspheres were investigated. The size and morphology were examined with scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The phase and crystalline structure were determined with powder X-ray diffraction. The UV–Vis absorption property was determined with UV–Vis diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated with nitrogen monoxide (NO) decomposition under UV–Vis light irradiation. The effects of calcination temperature on morphology and NO decomposition were also studied.     

Reactive adsorption of hydrogen sulfide by promoted sorbents Cu‐ZnO/SiO2: active sites by experiment and simulation

In the Cu_x‐Zn_(1‐x)O/SiO₂ sorbents for ultradeep adsorptive removal of H₂S from gaseous fuel reformates for fuel cells at room temperature, Cu promoter sites significantly increase sulfur uptake capacity of the sorbents. We report characterization of the family of Cu_x‐Zn_(1‐x)O/SiO₂ sorbents for reactive adsorption of H₂S using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area analysis, electron spin resonance (ESR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and calculations by the density functional theory (DFT). Both the supported ZnO phase and Cu promoter sites in the Cu_x‐Zn_(1‐x)O/SiO₂ sorbents are nano‐dispersed, as shown by XRD. The Cu_x‐Zn_(1‐x)O/SiO₂ sorbents contain Cu promoter as the Cu²⁺ site of octahedral geometry, as found by the complementary ESR and UV–vis DRS. Mechanism of the promoter effect of the Cu²⁺ site in the Cu_x‐Zn_(1‐x)O/SiO₂ sorbents in reaction with H₂S is proposed based on DFT calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Octanuclear Metallosupramolecular Cage Designed To Exhibit Spin‐Crossover Behavior

By employing the subcomponent self‐assembly approach utilizing 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐aminophenyl)porphyrin or its zinc(II) complex, 1H ‐4‐imidazolecarbaldehyde, and either zinc(II) or iron(II) salts, we were able to prepare O‐symmetric cages having a confined volume of ca. 1300 ų. The use of iron(II) salts yielded coordination cages in the high‐spin state at room temperature, manifesting spin‐crossover in solution at low temperatures, whereas corresponding zinc(II) salts led to the corresponding diamagnetic analogues. The new cages were characterized by synchrotron X‐ray crystallography, high‐resolution mass spectrometry, and NMR, Mössbauer, IR, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The cage structures and UV/Vis spectra were independently confirmed by state‐of‐the‐art DFT calculations. A remarkably high‐spin‐stabilizing effect through encapsulation of C₇₀ was observed. The spin‐transition temperature T _1/2 is lowered by 20 K in the host–guest complex.     

介孔硅基分子筛研究新进展

M41S、HMS、MSU 和SBA 等具有规则孔道结构的介孔硅基分子筛及其杂原子衍生物在多相催化、吸附分离及材料科学领域有重要的学术研究与工程应用价值。此类物质可以通过长链季铵盐、伯胺、双子胺或聚氧乙烯类表面活性剂胶束的模板作用, 在多种不同的条件下合成, 并可通过SEM、TEM、XRD、N₂ (A r) 等温吸附-脱附技术和FT-IR、激光Ram an、固体MA S NMR、UV-V is 漫反射、XPS、EXA FS、XAN ES 等谱学手段加以表征。本文对介孔硅基分子筛近年来所取得的进展进行了综述。     

Opp‐Dibenzoporphyrins as a Light‐Harvester for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

New opp‐dibenzoporphyrins were prepared in a concise method that was based on a Pd⁰‐catalyzed cascade reaction. These porphyrins, which contained carboxylic‐acid linker groups on benzene rings that were fused to the porphyrin at their β,β′‐positions, were examined as sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells for the first time. Whereas all of the porphyrins showed solar‐energy‐to‐electricity conversion, an opp‐dibenzoporphyrin with conjugated carboxylic‐acid linkers displayed the highest conversion efficiency and an exceptionally high J_sc value. Cyclic voltammetry of these porphyrins suggested that the fusion of two aromatic benzene rings onto the periphery of the porphyrin lowered the HOMO–LUMO energy gap; the incorporation of a conjugated carboxylic‐acid linker group decreased the HOMO–LUMO gap even further. These CV data are consistent with DFT calculations for these porphyrins and agree well with the UV/Vis absorption‐ and fluorescence spectra of these porphyrins.     

A Two‐Coordinate Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)silylene: Balancing Thermal Stability and Reactivity

A crystalline two‐coordinate cyclic (alkyl)(amino)silylene ( 1 ) was successfully synthesized and isolated. Its ²⁹Si NMR and UV/Vis spectra indicate that the electronic properties of 1 fall between those of cyclic dialkylsilylenes and diaminosilylenes. At very low temperature, the color of a solution of 1 turned from colorless to yellow, which was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy. DFT calculations supported the hypothesis that head‐to‐head dimers (disilenes) with a very long Si–Si distance are formed at such low temperatures. Although 1 is thermally stable, it readily undergoes cycloadditions, Si?H insertions, and photochemical reactions with benzene similar to dialkylsilylenes. At higher temperatures, 1 is also susceptible to intermolecular benzylic C?H insertion reactions, as well as unprecedented dehydrogenation reactions with cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene and 9,10‐dihydroanthracene to afford benzene and anthracene, respectively.     

Isolation and Characterization of Radical Anions Derived from a Boryl‐Substituted Diphosphene

Radical anions of a diphosphene with two boryl substituents were isolated and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, electron spin resonance (ESR), and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy as well as DFT calculations. Structural analysis of the radical anions revealed an elongation of the P=P bond and a contraction of the B−P bonds relative to the neutral diphosphene. The UV/Vis spectra of these radical anions showed a strong absorption in the visible region, which was assigned to SOMO‐related transitions on the basis of DFT calculations. The ESR spectra revealed that the hyperfine coupling constant with the phosphorus nuclei is the smallest that has been reported thus far. The results of the DFT calculations furthermore suggest that this should be attributed to a soaking of electron spin to the vacant p orbitals of the boryl substituents.     

Calcium adsorption on MgO(100): energetics, structure, and role of defects

The adsorption of Ca on the MgO(100) surface at 300 K has been studied using microcalorimetry, in combination with LEED, AES, ISS, work function, sticking probability measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The MgO(100) thin films (approximately 4 nm thick) were grown epitaxially on a 1 microm thick Mo(100) single-crystal. The sticking probability of Ca on MgO(100) at 300 K is unity. On the basis of AES and ISS measurements, it was determined that Ca grows mainly as 3D particles on the MgO(100) surface with a density of approximately 1 x 10(12) islands/cm2. Ca adsorbs initially at defect sites with a very high heat of adsorption (approximately 410 kJ/mol). DFT calculations attribute this high initial heat to Ca binding to kink sites (376 kJ/mol), step sites (205 kJ/mol), and lower concentrations of stronger binding sites. The heat of adsorption decreases rapidly with coverage, reaching a minimum of 162 kJ/mol at approximately 0.3 ML, where Ca is mainly adding to small 3D Ca clusters. Afterward, it increases to the value of bulk Ca heat of sublimation (178 kJ/mol) at approximately 1.2 ML, attributed to the increase in stability with increasing Ca particle size. A 1.0 eV decrease of the work function with Ca coverage from 0 to 0.3 ML indicates that Ca adsorbed at defects is cationic, in agreement with calculations showing that Ca donates electron density to the MgO. Light ion sputtering of the MgO(100) surface generates point defects, but these do not change the heat of adsorption versus coverage, implying that they do not nucleate Ca particles. Oxygen vacancies are a likely candidate; DFT calculations show that F and F+ center vacancies bind Ca more weakly than terrace sites. More extensive sputtering creates extended defects (such as steps and kinks) that adsorb Ca with heats of adsorption up to approximately 400 kJ/mol, similar to that at the intrinsic defect sites.