Polyynes as a model for carbyne: synthesis, physical properties, and nonlinear optical response

With the Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wiechell rearrangement as a primary synthetic route, a series of conjugated, triisopropylsilyl end-capped polyynes containing 2-10 acetylene units has been assembled. In a few steps, significant quantities of the polyynes are made available, which allow for a thorough analysis of their structural, physical, and optical properties. Molecules in the series have been characterized in detail using (13)C NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, mass spectrometry, and, for four derivatives including octayne 6, X-ray crystallography. UV-vis spectroscopy of the polyynes 1-7 shows a consistent lowering of the HOMO-LUMO gap (E(g)) as a function of the number of acetylene units (n), fitting a power-law relationship of E(g) approximately n(-)(0.379)(+/-)(0.002). The third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the polyyne series have been examined, and the nonresonant molecular second hyperpolarizabilities (gamma) increase as a function of length according to the power-law gamma approximately n(4.28)(+/-)(0.13). This result exhibits an exponent that is larger than theoretically predicted for polyynes and higher than is observed for polyenes and polyenynes. The combined linear and nonlinear optical results confirm recent theoretical studies that suggest polyynes as model 1-D conjugated systems. On the basis of UV-vis spectroscopic analysis, the effective conjugation length for this series of polyynes is estimated to be ca. n = 32, providing insight into characteristics of carbyne.     

Nonlinear optical property calculations of polyynes with long-range corrected hybrid exchange-correlation functionals

Polarizabilities (alpha), second-hyperpolarizabilities (gamma), and the gamma scaling factors (c) of polyynes [H-(C[triple bond]C)(n)-H, n = 1-8] were evaluated using the long-range corrected (LC) density functional theory (DFT) and LC-DFT with a short-range Gaussian attenuation (LCgau), as well as high quality wavefunction methods. We show that the c values obtained from LC- and LCgau-DFT are consistent with those from CCSD(T) calculations. Furthermore, the polyyne c values we obtained are seen to be smaller than the c values derived from previously calculated polyene gamma values [Sekino et al., J. Chem. Phys. 126, 014107 (2007)] in all the methods we consider. We compare our results with those obtained experimentally [Shepkov et al., J. Chem. Phys. 120, 6807 (2004).] from end-capped polyynes [i-Pr(3)Si-(C[triple bond]C)(n)-Sii-Pr(3)], which show larger c values for polyynes than polyenes. Our alpha and gamma calculations with i-Pr(3)Si-(C[triple bond]C)(n)-Sii-Pr(3) (n = 4, 5, 6, and 8) show that i-Pr(3)Si- may participate in pi molecular orbital delocalization, which can unexpectedly affect the c value. We also confirm the importance of molecular geometry in these nonlinear optical calculations. We find that while LC- and LCgau-DFT excellently reproduce experimental geometries and bond length alternation (BLA), MP2 optimized geometries have a BLA that is too short to be used for accurate alpha and gamma calculations.     

Stabilization energies of extensively conjugated propargylic radicals

G3(MP2) and other model chemistry calculations indicate that stabilization energies of extensively conjugated allylic radicals H2(C=C)nCH2*, n = 1-4, increase monotonically as the number of repeating C=C units increase. In contrast, stabilization energies of the analogous propargylic radicals, H(C[triple bond]C)nCH2*, decrease beyond n = 2. Breaking up the number of contiguous conjugated C[triple bond]C units in conjugation with the odd electron enhances rather than diminishes stability. These results complement previous findings of significant differences in the stabilization of conjugated ground-state polyenes vs polyynes.     

Polyyne synthesis using carbene/carbenoid rearrangements

Rearrangement of a carbene/carbenoid intermediate to form an acetylene moiety, known as the Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wiechell (FBW) rearrangement, was developed for the formation of polyynes and polyyne frameworks within highly conjugated organic materials. Necessary precursors can be prepared through formation of an alkynyl ketone, followed by dibromoolefination under Corey-Fuchs conditions. The carbenoid rearrangement is brought about by treatment of the dibromoolefin with BuLi under mild conditions. The success of these FBW reactions is quite solvent-dependent, and nonpolar hydrocarbon solvents (e.g., hexanes, toluene, benzene) work quite well, while use of ethereal solvents such as diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran (THF) does not provide the desired polyyne product. This protocol was successfully applied to the formation of silyl, alkyl, alkenyl, and aryl polyynes, including di-, tri-, and tetrayne products, as well as the construction of two-dimensional carbon-rich molecules. A one-pot variant of this procedure is being developed and is particularly applicable toward the synthesis of polyyne natural products. Formation of a series of triisopropylsilyl end-capped polyynes, from the triyne to decayne, was achieved. Third-order nonlinear optical properties of these polyynes were evaluated. This study shows that the molecular second hyperpolarizabilities for the polyynes as a function of length increase at a rate that is higher than all other nonaromatic organic oligomers.     

On the lack of conjugation stabilization in polyynes (polyacetylenes)

By analogy to conjugated polyenes, conjugative stabilization of polyynes with the -CC-CC- group might be expected to be substantial. On the contrary, consistent with our recent report of a surprising lack of conjugative stabilization in butadiyne, we find by G3(MP2) calculations and by comparisons with available experimental data from these and other laboratories that the ground-state stabilization of conjugated polyynes is in fact quite small, amounting to <1 kcal mol(-)(1). By similar calculations, the 2,4-pentadiyn-1-yl radical shows no enhanced stabilization relative to 2-propyn-1-yl radical, despite the potential stabilization of the odd electron by two conjugated triple bonds and unlike the behavior of 2,4-pentadien-1-yl radical. The thermochemistry of straight-chain alkynes and polyynes is very self-consistent. Enthalpies of hydrogenation, leading to enthalpies of formation, are predictable with a high degree of accuracy (absolute mean deviation = +/-0.39 kcal mol(-)(1) vs theoretical values and +/-0.52 vs experimental) from three molecular structure enthalpies and one conjugation stabilization parameter.     

Semiempirical calculations of hyperpolarizabilities for extended π systems: Polyenes,polyynes, and polyphenyls

The dipole moments (μ), polarizabilities (α), hyperpolarizabilities (β), and second-order hyperpolarizabilities (γ) of polyenes, polyynes, and polyphenyls have been calculated by a finitefield method with the PM -3 parameterization of the semiempirical MNDO Hamiltonian at the optimum geometries. These results were compared to experimental values obtained from EFISH and THG measurements. The calculations reproduce the magnitudes of β and γ, as well as the effect of the substituents and the effect of bond alternation on β and γ. The coefficients of the power law, which describes the dependence of β and γ on the number of π centers, were calculated. For β, exponents of 1.5–2.2 and 0.03–0.04 were obtained for polyenes and polyynes, respectively, and for γ, exponents of 3.9–4.9, 2.9–3.3, and 2.5–2.7 were obtained for polyenes, polyynes, and polyphenyls, respectively. These results confirm the efficiency of enhancing γ by insertion of C = C double bonds into a chain. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

取代基及共轭链长对共轭多烯二阶线性光学系数影响的量子化学研究

本文采用引入外场微扰的CNDO/S-CI方法, 计算了一系列取代共轭多烯分子的二阶非线性光学系数β~vec, 探讨了 取代基及共轭链长与分子微观非线性光学效应的关系和规律。结构表明:吸电子或供电子基团的引入, 有利于增强分子的微观非线性光学效应, 但该效应随取代基数目增多有减缓的趋势, "饱和"取代时由于"饱和效应"而使β~vec值降低; 取代基间的距离增大, 分子的β~vec值提高, 端基代时β~vec值最大; 取代共轭多烯的lnβ~vec与分子中所含双键数n之间具有线性关系。本文还对上述结论给出了理论解释。     

Second hyperpolarizability of ethynyl-linked azobenzene molecular wires

A series of oligomers consisting of ethynyl-linked azobenzene units was prepared using Pd-catalyzed cross coupling. The linear and nonlinear optical properties of the oligomers were investigated. The molecular second hyperpolarizability, gamma, followed the power law gamma proportional, variant n(2.12+/-0.05) (n is the number of repeat units) for unusually large molecular lengths exceeding 360 conjugated bonds (>49 nm). The exceptional exciton delocalization length is attributed to the rigidity of the conjugated backbone.     

Post-irradiation stability of polyvinyl chloride at sterilizing doses

Post-irradiation stability of plasticized PVC irradiated by ⁶⁰Co gamma ray at sterilizing doses has been studied. Effects of irradiation upon chemical structure, mechanical properties and rheological behaviour of samples contained different amounts of Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate as plasticizer have been investigated. Formation of conjugated double bonds, carbonyl and hydroxyl groups have been followed by UV and FTIR spectrometers up to 6 months after irradiation. FTIR spectra of irradiated samples showed no significant changes in carbonyl and hydroxyl groups even 6 months after irradiation. However, changes in UV-visible spectra was observed for the irradiated samples up to 6 months post-irradiation. This has been attributed to the formation of polyenes which leads to the discoloration of this polymer. Despite a certain degree of discoloration, it appears that the mechanical properties of PVC are not affected by irradiation at sterilizing doses. No change in the melt viscosity of the irradiated PVC samples with post-irradiation was observed, which is in consistent with the IR results.     

螺旋共轭化合物的结构光谱和二阶非线性光学性质的理论研究

用ＡＭ１和ＩＮＤＯ／ＣＩ方法研究了螺旋共轭化合物（ｎ＝１～５）的结构和电子光谱,并在此基础上,用完全态求和公式（ＳＯＳ）自编程序计算了二阶非线性光学系数,从理论上研究了１,４－环己二烯环数增加时对二阶非线性光学性质的影响     

The photodegradation of poly(vinyl chloride) films—IV

The concentration of residual tetrahydrofuran in cast poly(vinyl chloride) films has been varied. It is shown that the amount of tetrahydrofuran present does not affect the extent of degradation but that it does affect the relative concentration of the conjugated polyenes produced. A shift towards shorter polyenes is observed with increasing concentration of residual solvent; this effect is attributed to its ability to act as a plasticizer.     

螺旋共轭化合物及其相对应的多烯及联苯连接化合物的结构、光谱和二阶非线性光学性质的比较研究

用ＡＭ１和ＩＮＤＯ／ＣＩ方法研究了螺旋共轭化合物Ⅰ的结构和电子光谱,并在此基础上,用完全态求和公式（ＳＯＳ,自编程序）计算了二阶非线性光学系数βμ．把结果与其对应的多烯及联苯连接的化合物Ⅱ和Ⅲ用同一方法计算得到的结果加以比较,发现螺旋共轭化合物Ⅰ的二阶非线性光学系数βμ虽然小于Ⅱ和Ⅲ,但其透明性均比化合物Ⅱ和Ⅲ好     

The Diversity of Linear Conjugated Polyenes and Colours in Nature: Raman Spectroscopy as a Diagnostic Tool

This review is centered on the linear conjugated polyenes, which encompasses chromatic biomolecules, such as carotenoids, polyunsaturated aldehydes and polyolefinic fatty acids. The linear extension of the conjugated double bonds in these molecules is the main feature that determines the spectroscopic properties as light-absorbing. These classes of compounds are responsible for the yellow, orange, red and purple colors which are observed in their parent flora and fauna in nature. Raman spectroscopy has been used as analytical tool for the characterization of these molecules, mainly due to the strong light scattering produced by the delocalized pi electrons in the carbon chain. In addition, conjugated polyenes are one of the main target molecular species for astrobiology, and we also present a brief discussion of the use of Raman spectroscopy as one of the main analytical tools for the detection of polyenes extra-terrestrially.     

Carotenoid based bio-compatible labels for third harmonic generation microscopy

The use of carotenoids as biologically friendly labels for third harmonic generation (THG) microscopy is demonstrated. Carotenoid containing liposomes are used to label cell structures via liposome cell fusion. The THG microscopy labels, called harmonophores, were characterized by measuring the third-order nonlinear susceptibility (χ((3))) of carotenoids: violaxanthin, neoxanthin, lutein, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin. The THG ratio method was used, which is based on measuring the THG intensity from two interfaces using a nonlinear optical microscope. The second hyperpolarizability values of carotenoids were extracted from χ((3)) measurements taking into account the refractive index at fundamental and third harmonic wavelengths. The length dependence of the second hyperpolarizability of conjugated polyenes from 9 to 13 double bonds with varying oxygen functional groups was investigated. It appears that the presence of epoxides can have a higher influence than an additional conjugated double bond. Furthermore, labelling of both Drosophila Schneider 2 cells and Drosophila melanogaster larvae myocytes with β-carotene was achieved. This study demonstrates that THG enhancement by carotenoids can be used for nontoxic in vivo labelling of subcellular structures for third harmonic generation microscopy.     

New chemical evidence for the ability to generate radical molecular ions of polyenes from ESI and HR-MALDI mass spectrometry

We report here new chemical evidence for the generation of radical molecular ions of compounds with a conjugated pi-system (polyene) in ESI and HR-MALDI mass spectrometry. The oxidation potential of the neutral polyenes was calculated by cyclic-voltammetry and the results compared with those previously published for other complex conjugated compounds that have also been shown to form M*+ in ESI-MS. This study clearly demonstrates the correlation between the oxidation potential and the formation of the M*+ for the polyenes studied.     

N-取代吩噻嗪衍生物分子的结构和二阶非线性光学性质的理论研究

在ZINDO方法基础上, 按完全态求和(SOS)公式, 编制了计算分子二阶非线性光学系数βijk的程序。研究了各种取代基在吩噻嗪的氮上取代后衍生物的结构和二阶非线性光学系数。结论是N上取代推电子基对增大二阶光学非线性有利, N上取代吸电子基对增大二阶光学非线性不利。扩大共轭范围对增大二阶光学非线性有利。对上述结果在微观上给予了解释。     

噻吩基卟啉衍生物的单光子和双光子吸收性质的理论研究

本文理论上研究了两个系列的噻吩基卟啉衍生物,这种衍生物在可见光区具有大的双光子吸收截面。用密度泛函理论和ZINDO-SOS方法,计算了分子的几何构型、电子结构,单光子和双光子吸收性质。结果显示噻吩单元的数目影响分子的单光子和双光子吸收性质。具有两个或三个噻吩基团的噻吩基卟啉衍生物在较大范围内具有可用于实际应用中的双光子吸收响应,这一性质有利于这类分子在光限幅中的应用。插入乙炔基有利于扩大共轭范围,增加分子的双光子吸收截面。同时,乙炔基团的加入导致了单光子和双光子波长的红移。从高透明性和相对大的非线性光学响应考虑,噻吩基卟啉衍生物是一类有应用前景的双光子吸收材料。     

Kinetics of the radical scavenging activity of beta-carotene-related compounds

To clarify the non-enzymatic radical-scavenging activity of beta-carotene-related compounds and other polyenes, we used differential scanning calorimetry to study the kinetics of radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) by 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) or benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in the absence or presence of polyenes under nearly anaerobic conditions at 70 degrees C, and analyzed the results with an SAR approach. The polyenes studied were all-trans retinol, retinol palmitate, calciferol, beta-carotene and lycopene. Polyenes produced a small induction period. The stoichiometric factor (n) (i.e. the number of radicals trapped by each inhibitor molecule) of polyenes was close to 0. Tetraterpenes (beta-carotene, lycopene) suppressed significantly more of the initial rate of polymerization (R(inh)) than did diterpenes (retinol, retinol palmitate). The inhibition rate constants (k(inh)) for the reaction of beta-carotene with AIBN- or BPO-derived radicals were determined to be 1.2-1.6x10(5) l/mol s, similar to published values. A linear relationship between (k(inh)) and the kinetic chain length (KCL) for polyenes was observed; as (k(inh)) increased, KCL decreased. KCL also decreased significantly as the number of conjugated double bonds in the polyenes increased. Polyenes, particularly beta-carotene and lycopene, acted as interceptors of growing poly-MMA radicals.     

Comments on the optical properties of fully conjugated polymers: Analogy between polyenes and polydiacetylenes

The similarity of the π-electron backbones of the polyenes and the polydiacetylenes suggests an analogy between these two fully conjugated, linear polymers. The extent of the analogy is discussed through the examination of a series of model compounds: the polyenes and the polyenynes. The optical band gaps and the polarizabilities of polyenynes are compared to those of the polyenes and to the predictions of a modified free-electron model. It is concluded that the chain-dependent electronic properties of the polyenes may be extrapolated with some confidence to the polydiacetylenes.     

EDITORIAL

Abstract— Even linear conjugated polyenes absorb at a wavelength much shorter than their odd polyene analogues. One way even polyenes can be converted into odd polyenes is by simple protonation. The odd polyene, the retinyliccation, absorbs at a wavelength long enough, 600 nm, to accommodate known visual pigments. Protonated unsymmetrical π-systems terminating in nitrogen have the ability to absorb at intermediate and long wavelengths. The actual excitation energy is a function of the anionic radius. Consequently, the wavelength in a visual pigment can be regulated by the distance between the centers of positive and negative charges for the N-retinylidenealkylammonium cation.