Charge-transfer complex formation between o-chloranil and a series of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

The equilibrium constants, enthalpies and entropies of formation of molecular electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes of o-chloranil with a series of aromatic hydrocarbons have been determined spectrophotometrically. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic aspects of these complexes have been analysed.     

Absorption spectrometric study of molecular complex formation between [60]fullerene and a series of methylated pyridines

[60]fullerene has been shown to form 1:1 molecular complexes with pyridine and some methylated pyridines such as 2-picoline, 3-picoline, 4-picoline, 2,6-lutidine and 2,4,6-collidine in CCl4 medium by absorption spectrometric method. Well defined charge transfer (CT) bands have been observed for complexes of C60 with all the pyridines studied except 4-picoline. From an analysis of the trends in the CT absorption bands the ionisation potentials of the methylpyridines have been determined. The electron affinity of C60 has also been determined from the spectral data. The formation constants of the complexes exhibit a very good linear free energy relationship from which the Hammett p parameter for the complexation process is found to be -2.96.     

Distribution of n-alkanes, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrated polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons between the fine and coarse fractions of inhalable atmospheric particulates.

The distribution ratios of n-alkanes, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrated PAH components between fine and coarse fractions of soot has been investigated in downtown Rome through three field campaigns carried out at different times of the year. The preferential accumulation of almost all species investigated onto fine particles has been observed in all field experiments performed. Moreover, nitrated PAHs had varied distributions, according to the origin of their occurrence in the atmosphere; in fact, congeners of photochemical origin accumulated more in fine particles than those released by primary sources.     

Photoreactions between [60]fullerene and various aromatic tertiary amines

The photoreactions of [60]fullerene with aromatic tertiary amines such as N,N-dimethylaniline and N,N-dimethyl-1-naphthylamine gave two or three types of [60]fullerene adducts. The reaction efficiency in the series of p-substituted N,N-dimethylanilines remarkably increased with increasing electron-donating properties of aromatic tertiary amines employed.     

Evidence for non-inclusional association between α-cyclodextrin and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

The temperature dependence of formation constants for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) complexes with cyclodextrin (CDx) has been used to determine the heat of formation (ΔH_f) for the complexes. The ΔH_f values are larger for α-CDx complexes than for β- and γ-CDx complexes for most PAHs, whereas the formation constant values show the opposite trend. This contradiction suggests that formation constants calculated for α-CDx—PAH complexes using the solubility method contain contributions from processes other than complexation. Together with the thermodynamic data, microenvironmental studies of pyrene within the α-CDx cavity are used to show that non-inclusional associations may contribute to the formation constants determined by solubility measurements.     

Novel addition in trifluoromethylation of [70]fullerene

Pyrolytic trifluoromethylation of [70]fullerene with CF₃CO₂Ag at 300 °C results in the addition of up to 12 CF₃ groups to the fullerene cage. Forty-six C₇₀(CF₃)_n derivatives (numbers in parentheses) were separated by two-stage high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) as follows: n = 2(2), 4(16), 6(9), 8(14) 10(5), some being characterised by NMR. The range of derivatives is much greater than for other [70]fullerene reactions, and as with [60]fullerene trifluoromethylation, no single derivative is dominant, indicating that kinetic stability mainly controls product formation. NMR spectra show most derivatives to be unsymmetrical, with combinations of quartets and septets (overlapping quartets) due to contiguous (‘linear’) addend arrays, having significantly different coupling constants of the ‘terminal’ quartets of between 9.1 and 17.7 Hz. These differences, together with those observed previously in trifluoromethylation of [60]fullerene are consistent with addition across both 6:6- and 5:6-ring junctions. Of the two C₇₀(CF₃)₂ isomers, one has either C_s or C₂ symmetry, the other has C₁ symmetry, whilst the C₇₀(CF₃)₄ derivatives fall into four categories: (i) symmetrical compounds (one gives only two singlets in the NMR); (ii) unsymmetrical compounds that show a ‘linear’ coupling sequence; (iii) unsymmetrical compounds having a remote pairs of adjacent groups; (iv) compounds having a coupled array of three CF₃ groups, together with a remote group suggesting sterically-driven migration. The first evaluation of differential NMR couplings across 6:6- and 5:6-bonds in a fullerene has been made using C₆₀F₆ as a model.     

Novel formation of a fluorinated aziridino[60]fullerene

Reaction of MEMN₃ (methoxyethoxymethylazide) with C₆₀F₁₈ results in replacement of two fluorines by the >NCH₂OCH₂CH₂OMe function giving a C_s symmetrical aziridinofluorofullerene, C₆₀F₁₆NCH₂OCH₂CH₂OMe.     

Molecular photoelectric switch using a mixed SAM of organic [60]fullerene and [70]fullerene doped with a single iron atom

We describe a photoswitch fabricated on indium tin oxide (ITO) as a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of two fullerene molecules, a purely organic [60]fullerene that generates an anodic current and a [70]fullerene doped with a single iron atom. This device generates a bidirectional photocurrent upon irradiation at 340 and 490 nm. The new [70]fullerene iron complex bearing three rigid carboxylic acid legs, Fe[C(70)(C(6)H(4)C(6)H(4)COOH)(3)]Cp, generates only a cathodic current upon photoexcitation between 350 and 700 nm, whereas the organic [60]fullerene absorbs at wavelengths shorter than 500 nm. The quantum efficiency of the photocurrent generation by the mixed SAM is comparable to that of a single-component SAM, indicating that the individual diode molecules on ITO generate photocurrents independently with little cross talk.     

Hexakis-adducts of [60]fullerene as molecular scaffolds of polynuclear spin-crossover molecules

A family of hexakis-substituted [60]fullerene adducts endowed with the well-known tridentate 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (bpp) ligand for spin-crossover (SCO) systems has been designed and synthesized. It has been experimentally and theoretically demonstrated that these molecular scaffolds are able to form polynuclear SCO complexes in solution. UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy studies have allowed monitoring of the formation of up to six Fe(ii)–bpp SCO complexes. In addition, DFT calculations have been performed to model the different complexation environments and simulate their electronic properties. The complexes retain SCO properties in the solid state exhibiting both thermal- and photoinduced spin transitions, as confirmed by temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and Raman spectroscopy measurements. The synthesis of these complexes demonstrates that [60]fullerene hexakis-adducts are excellent and versatile platforms to develop polynuclear SCO systems in which a fullerene core is surrounded by a SCO molecular shell.

Polynuclear spin-crossover molecules showing both thermal and photoinduced spin transitions have been prepared using a [60]fullerene hexakis-adduct endowed with Fe(ii) complexes of tridentate 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (bpp) ligand.     

Thermal reactivities of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and alkyl derivatives

The HMO free valence, the PMO Dewar reactivity number, and the structure count ratio are correlated with thermal reactivities of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and derivatives. The compounds are classified as thermally reactive if carbonaceous residues are observed upon heating to 750° (Experimental, Ref. 13). Radical intermediates are assumed to mediate the pyrolytic reactivities. The structure count ratio which is the ratio SC (radical intermediate) ÷ SC (reactant) is recommended as a simple working method for correlating and predicting thermal reactivity.     

New intramolecular exciplexes between polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and head-to-head vs head-to-tail photodimerization of mesosubstituted anthracenes.

New dissymetrical non conjugated bichromophores linked by an oxygenated chain: (9-anthrylmethyloxymethyl)arenes[arenes:benzene(I_a),2-naphthalene(I_b),9-phenanthrene (I_c) and 1-pyrene (I_d) and (9-phenanthrylmethyloxymethyl)-1-pyrene (II)] have been prepared. I_c–d and II exhibit intramolecular exciplex fluorescence in methylcyclohexane at room temperature. Intramolecular photoadducts were not found but I_a–d yield a mixture of head-to-head and head-to-tail anthracenic photodimers.     

Electrochemical formation and investigation of a self-assembled [60]fullerene monolayer

The formation and characterisation of a C(60) monolayer at the electrode|electrolyte interface has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, potential step chronoamperometry and ac voltammetry. The presence of the monolayer is evidenced by the presence of a very sharp peak P in the voltammogram, attributed to the faradaic phase formation of an ordered monolayer, and of a reduction post peak Q associated with the reduction of adsorbed species. The chronoamperograms exhibit a well-defined maximum, characteristic of a nucleation and growth mechanism. By comparison with existing models of phase transitions, a progressive polynucleation and growth mechanism is demonstrated. The monolayer is proposed to consist of a 2D fulleride salt. It is suggested that the formation of the monolayer can take place for a broad range of solution compositions, but requires an atomically smooth substrate such as mercury.     

Phosphorescence spectra and detection limits of nitrated polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons

Phosphoresence excitation and emission spectra and detection limits for 22 nitrated polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons at 77 K are reported. Detection limits are lower than 10 ng ml^?1 in several cases. The spectral properties of 1-nitropyrene (a frequently used reference substance) permit is selective determination in the presence of other nitroaromatics.     

Hydrophobic interactions in the formation of a complex between a polycationic water-soluble oxacalix[4]arene and a neutral aromatic guest

Abstract

Polycationic oxacalix[4]arene 1·4HCl was found to be able to recognise, in water, the neutral π-rich aromatic guest 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, despite earlier studies indicating that the binding cleft of the oxacalixarene is π rich in nature. ¹H NMR titrations at different pH values demonstrate that the tricationic receptor 1·3H⁺ displays the highest affinity towards DHN. According to a combination of NMR data and semiempirical (PM6) calculations, hydrophobic interactions play a prominent role in the formation of the complex.     

Study of charge transfer complexes of [70]fullerene with phenol and substituted phenols

To improve the understanding of the charge transfer (CT) interaction of [70]fullerene with electron donors, interaction of [70]fullerene with a series of phenols, e.g., phenol, resorcinol and p-quinol were studied in 1,4-dioxan medium using absorption spectroscopy. An absorption band due to CT transition was observed in the visible region. The experimental CT transition energies (h nuCT) are well correlated (through Mulliken's equation) with the vertical ionisation potentials (I(D)v) of the series of phenols studied. From an analysis of this correlation degrees of charge transfer for the [70]fullerene-phenol complexes were estimated. The degrees of charge transfer in the ground state of the complexes have been found to be very low (<2%). The h nuCT values change systematically as the number and position of the -OH groups change on the aromatic ring of the phenol moiety. From the trends in the h nuCT values, the Hückel parameters (h(O) and k(C-O)) for the -OH group were obtained in a straightforward way and the values so obtained, viz., 1.91 and 1.0, respectively, are close to the ones (1.8 and 0.8) recommended by Streitwieser on the basis of other evidence. Oscillator strengths, transition dipole strengths and resonance energies of the [70]fullerene-phenol complexes were determined. Formation constants of the CT complexes were determined at four different temperatures from which enthalpies and entropies of formation of the complexes were estimated.     

Iodo-controlled selective formation of pyrrolidino[60]fullerene and aziridino[60]fullerene from the reaction between C6) and amino acid esters

The reaction between glycine methyl ester and C60 can be effectively controlled by different iodo-reagents. Addition of DIB ((diacetoxyiodo)benzene) yields the 2,5-bismethoxycarbonyl pyrrolidino[60]fullerene under ultrasonic irradiation; whereas addition of DIB-iodine results in the N-methoxycarbonylmethyl aziridino[60]fullerene under ultrasonic irradiation. The reaction of sarcosine methyl ester with C60 is similar to that of glycine methyl ester under these two conditions. Addition of just iodine to a mixture of sarcosine methyl ester and C60 affords the tetra(amino)[60]fullerene epoxide C60(O)((Me)NCH2COOMe)4. Possible mechanisms are discussed.     

Study of the formation equilibria of electron donor-acceptor complexes between [60]fullerene and methylbenzenes by absorption spectrometric method.

The electron donor-acceptor (EDA) interaction between [60]fullerene and three methylbenzenes, viz., durene, pentamethylbenzene and hexamethylbenzene has been studied in carbon tetrachloride medium at a number of temperatures. It has been found that these methylbenzenes form stable 1:1 EDA complexes with [60]fullerene. Charge transfer (CT) absorption bands of the complexes in the 410-460 nm region are more intense than the usual 420-700 nm absorption band of C60. The CT transition energies (hvCT) of the complexes change systematically with change in the number and position of the methyl groups in the donor molecules (methylbenzenes) and also with the donor ionisation potentials. From an analysis of this variation the electron affinity of C60 has been found to be 2.30 eV and also an inductive effect Hückel parameter of the methyl group has been determined. Formation constants (K) have been determined at three different temperatures from which the enthalpies and entropies of formation of the complexes have been determined.