A Thermally Populated,Perpendicularly Twisted Alkene Triplet Diradical

Variable‐temperature NMR and ESR spectroscopic studies reveal that bis(dibenzo[a,i]fluorenylidene) 1 possesses a singlet ground state, 1 (S₀), while the 90° twisted triplet 1 (T₁) is populated to a small extent already at room temperature. Analysis of the increasing amount of paramagnetic 1 (T₁) at temperatures between 300 and 500 K yields the exchange interaction J_ex/h c=3351 cm⁻¹ and a singlet–triplet energy splitting of 9.6 kcal mol⁻¹, which is in excellent agreement with calculations (9.3 kcal mol⁻¹ at the UKS BP86/B3LYP/revPBE level of theory). In contrast, the zero‐field splitting parameter D is very small (calculated value −0.018 cm⁻¹) and unmeasurable.     

Spectroscopic Observation of the Triplet Diradical State of a Cyclobutadiene

Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)cyclobuta‐1,3‐diene ( 1 ) was subjected to a temperature‐dependent EPR study to allow the first spectroscopic observation of a triplet diradical state of a cyclobutadiene ( 2 ). From the temperature dependent EPR absorption area we derive a singlet→triplet ( 1 → 2 ) energy gap, E _ST, of 13.9 kcal mol⁻¹, in agreement with calculated values. The zero‐field splitting parameters D =0.171 cm⁻¹, E =0 cm⁻¹ are accurately reproduced by DFT calculations. The triplet diradical 2 is thermally accessible at moderate temperatures. It is not an intermediate in the thermal cycloreversion of cyclobutadiene to two acetylene molecules.     

Stable Expanded Porphycene‐Based Diradicaloid and Tetraradicaloid

The synthesis of a bithiophene‐bridged 34π conjugated aromatic expanded porphycene 1 and a cyclopentabithiophene bridged 32π conjugated anti‐aromatic expanded porphycene 2 by a McMurry coupling strategy is presented. Magnetic measurements and theoretical calculations reveal that both 1 and 2 exhibit an open‐shell singlet ground state with significant radical character (y₀=0.63 for 1 ; y₀=0.68, y₁=0.18 for 2 ; y₀: diradical character, y₁: tetraradical character) and a small singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔE_S‐T=?3.25 kcal mol^?1 for 1 and ΔE_S‐T=?0.92 kcal mol^?1 for 2 ). Despite the open‐shell radical character, both compounds display exceptional stability under ambient air and light conditions owing to effective delocalization of unpaired electrons in the extended cyclic π‐conjugation pathway.     

PHOTOPHYSICAL AND PHOTOSENSITIZING PROPERTIES OF BENZOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE MONOACID RING A (BPD-MA)*

The photophysical properties of benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA), a second-generation photosensitizer currently in phase II clinical trials, were investigated in homogeneous solution. Absorption, fluorescence, triplet-state, singlet oxygen (O₂(¹Δ_g)) sensitization studies and photobleaching experiments are reported. The ground state of this chlorin-type molecule shows a strong absorbance in the red (λ≈ 688 nm, ?≈ 33 000 M^?1 cm^?1 in organic solvents). For the singlet excited state the following data were determined in methanol: energy level, E_s= 42.1 kcal mol^?1, lifetime, Φ_f= 5.2 ns and fluorescence quantum yield, Φ_f= 0.05 in air-saturated solution. The triplet state of BPD-MA has a lifetime, τ_f >. 25 ns, an energy level, E_T= 26.9 kcal mol^?1 and the molar absorption coefficient is ?_T= 26 650 M^?1 cm^?1 at 720 nm. A dramatic effect of oxygen on the fluorescence (φ_f) and intersystem crossing (φ_T) quantum yields has been observed. The BPD-MA presents rather high triplet (φ_T= 0.68 under N₂-saturated conditions) and singlet oxygen (φ_Δ= 0.78) quantum yields. On the other hand, the presence of oxygen does not significantly modify the photobleaching of this photostable compound, the photodegradation quantum yield (φ_Pb) of which was found to be on the order of 5 × 10^?5 in organic solvents.     

Stable Oxindolyl‐Based Analogues of Chichibabin's and Müller's Hydrocarbons

Chichibabin's and Müller's hydrocarbons are classical open‐shell singlet diradicaloids but they are highly reactive. Herein we report the successful synthesis of their respective stable analogues, OxR‐2 and OxR‐3 , based on the newly developed oxindolyl radical. X‐ray crystallographic analysis on OxR‐2 reveals a planar quinoidal backbone similar to Chichibabin's hydrocarbon, in accordance with its small diradical character (y₀=11.1 %) and large singlet–triplet gap (ΔE_S‐T=−10.8 kcal mol⁻¹). Variable‐temperature NMR studies on OxR‐2 disclose a slow cis/trans isomerization process in solution through a diradical transition state, with a moderate energy barrier (ΔG^≠_298K=15–16 kcal mol⁻¹). OxR‐3 exhibits a much larger diradical character (y₀=80.6 %) and a smaller singlet–triplet gap (ΔE_S‐T=−3.5 kcal mol⁻¹), and thus can be easily populated to paramagnetic triplet diradical. Our studies provide a new type of stable carbon‐centered monoradical and diradicaloid.     

An Argon–Oxygen Covalent Bond in the ArOH+ Molecular Ion

The OH⁺ cation is a well‐known diatomic for which the triplet (³Σ^?) ground state is 50.5 kcal mol^?1 more stable than its corresponding singlet (¹Δ) excited state. However, the singlet forms a strong donor–acceptor bond to argon with a bond energy of 66.4 kcal mol^?1 at the CCSDT(Q)/CBS level, making the singlet ArOH⁺ cation 3.9 kcal mol^?1 more stable than the lowest energy triplet complex. Both singlet and triplet isomers of this molecular ion were prepared in a cold molecular beam using different ion sources. Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in combination with messenger atom tagging shows that the two spin isomers exhibit completely different spectral signatures. The ground state of ArOH⁺ is the predicted singlet with a covalent Ar?O bond.     

Observation of a Thermally Accessible Triplet State Resulting from Rotation around a Main‐Group π Bond

We report the first direct spectroscopic observation by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of a triplet diradical that is formed in a thermally induced rotation around a main‐group π bond, that is, the Si?Si double bond of tetrakis(di‐tert‐butylmethylsilyl)disilene ( 1 ). The highly twisted ground‐state geometry of singlet 1 allows access to the perpendicular triplet diradical 2 at moderate temperatures of 350–410 K. DFT‐calculated zero‐field splitting (ZFS) parameters of 2 accurately reproduce the experimentally observed half‐field transition. Experiment and theory suggest a thermal equilibrium between 1 and 2 with a very low singlet–triplet energy gap of only 7.3 kcal mol^?1.     

A Peri‐tetracene Diradicaloid: Synthesis and Properties

Peri‐acenes are good model compounds for zigzag graphene nanoribbons, but their synthesis is extremely challenging owing to their intrinsic open‐shell diradical character. Now, the successful synthesis and isolation of a stable peri‐tetracene derivative PT‐2ClPh is reported; four 2,6‐dichlorophenyl groups are attached onto the most reactive sites along the zigzag edges. The structure was confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis and its electronic properties were systematically investigated by both experiments and theoretical calculations. It exhibits an open‐shell singlet ground state with a moderate diradical character (y₀=51.5 % by calculation) and a small singlet–triplet gap (ΔE_S‐T=?2.5 kcal mol^?1 by SQUID measurement). It displays global aromatic character, which is different from the smaller‐size bisanthene analogue BA‐CF3 .     

Generating and Trapping Metalla‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

By means of a combined experimental and theoretical approach, the electronic features and chemical behavior of metalla‐N‐heterocyclic carbenes (MNHCs, N‐heterocyclic carbenes containing a metal atom within the heterocyclic skeleton) have been established and compared with those of classical NHCs. MNHCs are strongly basic (proton affinity and pK_a values around 290 kcal mol^?1 and 36, respectively) with a narrow singlet–triplet gap (around 23 kcal mol^?1). MNHCs can be generated from the corresponding metalla‐imidazolium salts and trapped by addition of transition‐metal complexes affording the corresponding heterodimetallic dicarbene derivatives, which can serve as carbene transfer agents.     

1,1‐Dilithioethylene: Toward Spectroscopic Identification of the Definitive Singlet Ground Electronic State of a Peculiar Structure

1,1‐Dilithioethylene is a prototypical carbon–lithium compound that is not known experimentally. All low‐lying singlet and triplet structures of interest were investigated by using high‐level theoretical methods with correlation‐consistent basis sets up to pentuple ζ. The coupled cluster methods adopted included up to full triple excitations and perturbative quadruples. In contrast to earlier studies that predicted the twisted C_2v triplet to be the ground state, we found a peculiar planar C_s singlet ground state in the present research. The lowest excited electronic state of 1,1‐dilithioethylene, the twisted C_s triplet, was found to lie 9.0 kcal mol^?1 above the ground state by using energy extrapolation to the complete basis set limit. For the planar C_s singlet and twisted C_s triplet states of 1,1‐dilithioethylene, anharmonic vibrational frequencies were reported on the basis of second‐order vibrational perturbation theory. The remarkably low (2050 cm^?1) C?H stretching fundamental (the C?H bond near the bridging lithium) of the singlet state was found to have very strong infrared intensity. These highly reliable theoretical findings may assist in the long‐sought experimental identification of 1,1‐dilithioethylene. Using natural bond orbital analysis, we found that lithium bridging structures were strongly influenced by electrostatic effects. All carbon–carbon linkages corresponded to conventional double bonds.     

Ab initio study of the OH + CH2O reaction: The effect of the OH··OCH2 complex on the H‐abstraction kinetics

Kinetics for the reaction of OH radical with CH₂O has been studied by single‐point calculations at the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) level based on the geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df, 2p) and CCSD/6‐311++G(d,p) levels. The rate constant for the reaction has been computed in the temperature range 200–3000 K by variational transition state theory including the significant effect of the multiple reflections above the OH··OCH₂ complex. The predicted results can be represented by the expressions k₁ = 2.45 × 10^‐21 T^2.98 exp (1750/T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 (200–400 K) and 3.22 × 10^‐18 T^2.11 exp(849/T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 (400–3000 K) for the H‐abstraction process and k₂ = 1.05 × 10^‐17 T^1.63 exp(?2156/T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 in the temperature range of 200–3000 K for the HO‐addition process producing the OCH₂OH radical. The predicted total rate constants (k₁ + k₂) can reproduce closely the recommended kinetic data for OH + CH₂O over the entire range of temperature studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 322–326, 2006     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Analogues of Thiele and Chichibabin Hydrocarbons

Stable N‐heterocyclic carbene analogues of Thiele and Chichibabin hydrocarbons, [(IPr)(C₆H₄)(IPr)] and [(IPr)(C₆H₄)₂(IPr)] ( 4 and 5 , respectively; IPr=C{N(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)}₂CHCH), are reported. In a nickel‐catalyzed double carbenylation of 1,4‐Br₂C₆H₄ and 4,4′‐Br₂(C₆H₄)₂ with IPr ( 1 ), [(IPr)(C₆H₄)(IPr)](Br)₂ ( 2 ) and [(IPr)(C₆H₄)₂(IPr)](Br)₂ ( 3 ) were generated, which respectively afforded 4 and 5 as crystalline solids upon reduction with KC₈. Experimental and computational studies support the semiquinoidal nature of 5 with a small singlet?triplet energy gap ΔE_S?T of 10.7 kcal mol^?1, whereas 4 features more quinoidal character with a rather large ΔE_S?T of 25.6 kcal mol^?1. In view of the low ΔE_S?T, 4 and 5 may be described as biradicaloids. Moreover, 5 has considerable (41 %) diradical character.     

Cyclic (Aryl)(Amido)Carbenes: NHCs with Triplet‐like Reactivity

The synthesis and study of a library of cyclic (aryl)(amido)carbenes (CArAmCs), which represent a class of electrophilic NHCs that feature low calculated singlet‐triplet gaps (ΔE_ST=19.9 kcal mol^?1; B3LYP/def2‐TZVP) and exhibit reactivity profiles expected from triplet carbenes, are described. The electrophilic properties of the CArAmCs were quantified by analyzing their respective selenium adducts, which exhibited the largest downfield ⁷⁷Se NMR chemical shifts (up to 1645 ppm) measured for any NHC derivative known to date, as well as their Ir carbonyl complexes, from which large Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) values (up to 2064 cm^?1) were ascertained. The CArAmCs were found to engage in reactions that are typically observed with triplet carbenes, including C?H insertions, [2+1] cycloadditions with alkenes as well as alkynes, and spontaneous oxidation upon exposure to oxygen.     

Synthesis of main chain polymeric benzophenone photoinitiator via thiol‐ene click chemistry and Its use in free radical polymerization

Main chain polymeric benzophenone photoinitiator (PBP) was synthesized by using “Thiol‐ene Click Chemistry” and characterized with ¹H NMR, FTIR, UV, and phosphorescence spectroscopies. PBP as a polymeric photoinitiator presented excellent absorption properties (ε₂₉₄ = 28,300 mol^?1L^?1cm^?1) compared to the molecular initiator BP (ε₂₅₂ = 16,600 mol^?1L^?1cm^?1). The triplet energy of PBP was obtained from the phosphorescence measurement in 2‐methyl tetrahydrofurane at 77 K as 298.3 kJ/mol and according to phosphorescence lifetime, the lowest triplet state of PBP has an n‐π* nature. Triplet–triplet absorption spectrum of PBP at 550 nm following laser excitation (355 nm) were recorded and triplet lifetime of PBP was found as 250 ns. The photoinitiation efficiency of PBP was determined for the polymerization of Hexanedioldiacrylate (HDDA) with PBP and BP in the presence of a coinitiator namely, N‐methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) by Photo‐DSC. The initiation efficiency of PBP for polymerization of HDDA is much higher than for the formulation consisting of BP. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Global Aromaticity in Macrocyclic Cyclopenta‐Fused Tetraphenanthrenylene Tetraradicaloid and Its Charged Species

A stable cyclopenta‐fused tetraphenanthrenylene macrocycle, CPTP‐M , was synthesized, and the structure was confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. It exhibits a large radical character (number of unpaired electron, N_U=3.52) and a small singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔE_S‐T=?2.8 kcal mol^?1 by SQUID). Its backbone contains 60 ([4n]) conjugated π electrons and is globally antiaromatic. NMR measurements and theoretical calculations revealed that its dication/dianion is globally aromatic owing to the existence of [4n?2]/[4n+2] π‐conjugated electrons. Remarkably, the ring‐current map of the tetraanion shows a unique ring‐in‐ring structure, with a diamagnetic outer ring and a paramagnetic inner ring. Accordingly, both the inner‐rim and outer‐rim protons are deshielded in its ¹H NMR spectrum. The tetraanion can be regarded as an isoelectronic structure of the known octulene, which shows similar electronic properties.     

Photoexcited Singlet and Triplet States of a UV Absorber Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene

The excited states of UV absorber, ethylhexyl methoxycrylene (EHMCR) have been studied through measurements of UV absorption, fluorescence, phosphorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra in ethanol. The energy levels of the lowest excited singlet (S₁) and triplet (T₁) states of EHMCR were determined. The energy levels of the S₁ and T₁ states of EHMCR are much lower than those of photolabile 4‐tert‐butyl‐4′‐methoxydibenzoylmethane. The energy levels of the S₁ and T₁ states of EHMCR are lower than those of octyl methoxycinnamate. The weak phosphorescence and EPR B_min signals were observed and the lifetime was estimated to be 93 ms. These facts suggest that the significant proportion of the S₁ molecules undergoes intersystem crossing to the T₁ state, and the deactivation process from the T₁ state is predominantly radiationless. The photostability of EHMCR arises from the ³ππ* character in the T₁ state. The zero‐field splitting (ZFS) parameter in the T₁ state is D** = 0.113 cm^?1.     

Using an Organic Molecule with Low Triplet Energy as a Host in a Highly Efficient Blue Electrophosphorescent Device

To achieve high efficiencies in blue phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (PhOLEDs), the triplet energies (T₁) of host materials are generally supposed to be higher than the blue phosphors. A small organic molecule with low singlet energy (S₁) of 2.80 eV and triplet energy of 2.71 eV can be used as the host material for the blue phosphor, [bis(4,6‐difluorophenylpyridinato‐N,C^2′)iridium(III)] tetrakis(1‐pyrazolyl)borate (FIr6; T₁=2.73 eV). In both the photo‐ and electro‐excited processes, the energy transfer from the host material to FIr6 was found to be efficient. In a three organic‐layer device, the maximum current efficiency of 37 cd A^?1 and power efficiency of 40 Lm W^?1 were achieved for the FIr6‐based blue PhOLEDs.     

Quantum chemical/vRRKM study on the thermal decomposition of cyclopentadiene

Thermal decomposition of cyclopentadiene to c‐C₅H₅ (cyclopentadienyl radical) + H (1) and the reverse bimolecular reaction (?1) are studied quantum‐chemically at the G2M level of theory. The dissociation pathway has been mapped out following the minimum energy path on the potential energy surface (PES) calculated by the density functional UB3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) method. Using isodesmic reaction analysis, the standard enthalpy of formation for c‐C₅H₅ is found to be 62.5 ± 1.3 kcal mol^?1, and the c‐C₅H₅? H bond dissociation energy is estimated as D°₂₉₈(c‐C₅H₅? H) = 82.5 ± 0.9 kcal mol^?1, in excellent agreement with the recent experimental values. Variational rate constants are computed on the basis of a scaled UB3LYP dissociation potential that fits the isodesmic/experimental enthalpy of Reaction (1). At the high pressure limit, k₁^∞ = 1.55 × 10¹⁸ T^?0.8 exp(?42300/T) s^?1 and k_?1^∞ = 2.67 × 10¹⁴ exp(?245/T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1. The fall‐off effects are evaluated by a weak collision master equation/RRKM analysis. Calculated T, P‐dependent rate constants are in very good agreement with the most reliable experimental measurements. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 139–151 2004     

Kinetics of the reactions of the hydroxyl radical with dimethyl ether and diethyl ether

Absolute rate coefficients for the reactions of the hydroxyl radical with dimethyl ether (k₁) and diethyl ether (k₂) were measured over the temperature range 295–442 K. The rate coefficient data, in the units cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, were fitted to the Arrhenius equations k₁ (T) = (1.04 ± 0.10) × 10^?11 exp[?(739 ± 67 cal mol^?1)/RT] and k₂(T) = (9.13 ± 0.35) × 10^?12 exp[+(228 ± 27 kcal mol^?1)/RT], respectively, in which the stated error limits are 2σ values. Our results are compared with those of previous studies of hydrogen-atom abstraction from saturated hydrocarbons by OH. Correlations between measured reaction-rate coefficients and C? H bond-dissociation energies are discussed.     

A New Conformation With an Extraordinarily Long, 3.04 Å Two‐Electron,Six‐Center Bond Observed for the π‐[TCNE]22− Dimer in [NMe4]2[TCNE]2 (TCNE=Tetracyanoethylene)

[NMe₄]₂[TCNE]₂ (TCNE=tetracyanoethenide) formed from the reaction of TCNE and (NMe₄)CN in MeCN has ν_CN IR absorptions at 2195, 2191, 2172, and 2156 cm^?1 and a ν_CC absorption at 1383 cm^?1 that are characteristic of reduced TCNE. The TCNEs have an average central C?C distance of 1.423 Å that is also characteristic of reduced TCNE. The reduced TCNE forms a previously unknown non‐eclipsed, centrosymmetric π‐[TCNE]₂^2? dimer with nominal C₂ symmetry, 12 sub van der Waals interatomic contacts <3.3 Å, a central intradimer separation of 3.039(3) Å, and comparable intradimer C???N distances of 3.050(3) and 2.984(3) Å. The two pairs of central C???C atoms form a ?C?C???C?C of 112.6° that is substantially greater than the 0° observed for the eclipsed D_2h π‐[TCNE]₂^2? dimer possessing a two‐electron, four‐center (2e^?/4c) bond with two C???C components from a molecular orbital (MO) analysis. A MO study combining CAS(2,2)/MRMP2/cc‐pVTZ and atoms‐in‐molecules (AIM) calculations indicates that the non‐eclipsed, C₂ π‐[TCNE]₂^2? dimer exhibits a new type of a long, intradimer bond involving one strong C???C and two weak C???N components, that is, a 2e^?/6c bond. The C₂ π‐[TCNE]₂^2? conformer has a singlet, diamagnetic ground state with a thermally populated triplet excited state with J/k_B=1000 K (700 cm^?1; 86.8 meV; 2.00 kcal mol^?1; H=?2 JS_a?S_b); at the CAS(2,2)/MBMP2 level the triplet is computed to be 9.0 kcal mol^?1 higher in energy than the closed‐shell singlet ground state. The results from CAS(2,2)/NEVPT2/cc‐pVTZ calculations indicate that the C₂ and D_2h conformers have two different local metastable minima with the C₂ conformer being 1.3 kcal mol^?1 less stable. The different natures of the C₂ and D_2h conformers are also noted from the results of valence bond (VB) qualitative diagram that shows a 10e^?/6c bond with one C???C and two C???N bonding components for the C₂ conformer as compared to the 6e^?/4c bond for the D_2h conformer with two C???C bonding components.