Photoreduction of p-benzoquinones: effects of alcohols and amines on the intermediates and reactivities in solutions

The photochemistry of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) and alkyl-, Cl- and related derivatives, e.g. methyl-, 2,6-dimethyl-, chloro-, 2,5-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone, duroquinone and chloranil, was studied in nonaqueous solvents by UV-vis spectroscopy using nanosecond laser pulses at 308 nm. The reactivity of the triplet state (3Q*) of the quinones with 2-propanol in the absence of water is largest for BQ and depends mainly on the quinone structure, whereas the rate constant of electron transfer from amines, such as triethylamine (TEA) or 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, is close to the diffusion-controlled limit for BQ and most derivatives. Photoinduced charge separation after electron transfer from amines to 3Q* and the subsequent charge recombination or neutralization are supported by time-resolved conductivity measurements. The half-life of the decay kinetics of the semiquinone radical (*QH/Q*-) depends significantly on the donor and the medium. The photoconversion into the hydroquinones was measured under various conditions, the quantum yield, lambda(irr) = 254 nm, increases with increasing 2-propanol and TEA concentrations. The effects of quenching of 3Q*, the *QH/Q*- radicals and the photoconversion are outlined. The mechanisms of photoreduction of quinones in acetonitrile by 2-propanol are compared with those by TEA in benzene and acetonitrile, and the specific properties of substitution are discussed.     

Thermochromism of the disproportionation equilibrium of pi-dimer radical anion complexes bridged by scandium ions

Semiquinone radical anion (Q(*-)) forms a stable pi-dimer with neutral p-benzoquinone (Q), bridged by two or three scandium ions (Sc(3+)) to afford Q(*-)-nSc(3+)-Q (n= 2,3), which is in disproportionation equilibrium with Q and hydroquinone (QH(2)). The number of binding scandium ions changes depending on temperature, causing a remarkable color change associated with the change in the ESR spectra.     

Photochemical oxidation of halide ions by a nitratochromium(III) complex. Kinetics, mechanism, and intermediates

The 266 nm laser flash photolysis of the title complex in the presence of halide ions X(-) (X = I, Br, and Cl) generates halogen atoms on nanosecond time scales, followed by the known X(*)/X(-) reactions to yield dihalide radical anions, X2(*-). Plots of k(obs) against the concentration of X(-) were linear with zero intercepts, but the yields of X2(*-) increased with increasing concentrations of [X(-)]. This result suggests that a short-lived, strongly oxidizing intermediate reacts with X(-) to generate X(*) in parallel with the decomposition to Cr(aq)O(2+) and (*)NO2, both of which were identified in steady-state photolysis experiments in the presence of selective trapping agents. Bromide was oxidized quantitatively to bromine, and a combination of molecular oxygen and methanol channeled the reaction toward superoxochromium(III) ion, Cr(aq)OO(2+). In the absence of scavengers, nitrite and chromate were produced. The proposed reaction scheme draws additional support from the good agreement between the experimental product yields and those predicted by kinetic simulations.     

Competitive decay pathways of the radical ions formed by photoinduced electron transfer between quinones and 4,4'-dimethoxydiphenylmethane in acetonitrile

The reactivity of the cation radical of (4-MeOC6H4)2CH2 photosensitized by 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), 2,5-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (Cl2BQ), and tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranil, CA) was investigated in acetonitrile. The main photoreaction products obtained by steady-state irradiation were identified to be: (4-MeOC6H4)2-CHOC6H4OH, sensitized by BQ; (4-MeOC6H4)2CHCl, sensitized by Cl2BQ; (4-MeOC6H4)2CHOH, sensitized by CA. The mechanism of their formation was investigated by nanosecond laser flash photolysis that allowed transient species (radical ions, neutral radicals, and ions) to be detected and characterized in terms of absorption spectra, formation quantum yields, and decay rate constants. For all systems, the interaction between the triplet quinone (Q) and (4-MeOC6H4)2CH2 produced the corresponding radical ions (quantum yield phi > or = 0.72) which mainly decay by back electron transfer processes. Less efficient reaction routes for the radical ions Q*- and (4-MeOC6H4)2CH2*+ were also: i) the proton-transfer process with the formation of the radical (4-MeOC6H4)2CH* by use of Cl2BQ; ii) the hydrogen-transfer process with the formation of the cation (4-MeOC6H4)2CH+ in the case of CA. Instead. BQ sensitized a much higher yield of BOH* and (4-MeOC6H4)2CH*, mainly by the direct interaction of triplet BQ with (4-MeOC6H4)2CH2. It was also shown that the presence of salts decreases significantly the rate of the back electron transfer process and enhances the quantum yields of formation of the neutral radicals and ions when Cl2BQ and CA are used, respectively. The behavior of BQ*-, Cl2BQ*-, and CA*- appears to be mainly determined by the Mulliken charges on the oxygen atom obtained from quantum mechanical calculations with the model B3LYP/6-311G(d,p). Spin densities seem to be much less important.     

Photoreduction of 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives: transient spectroscopy and effects of alcohols and amines on reactivity in solution

The photoreduction of 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ), the 2-methyl, 2-ethyl, 2,3-dimethyl, 1,4-difluoro, 1-chloro and 1,8-dichloro derivatives as well as 1,4,4a,9a-tetrahydroanthraquinone, 1,2-benzanthraquinone and 6,13-pentacenequinone in nonaqueous solution at room temperature was studied by time-resolved UV-visible spectroscopy. Upon 308 nm excitation of AQ the triplet state reacts with alcohols and triethylamine (TEA). The rate constant of triplet quenching by amines is close to the diffusion-controlled limit. The semiquinone radical *QH/ Q*- is the main intermediate, and the half-life of the second-order decay kinetics depends significantly on the donor and the medium. Photoinduced charge separation after electron transfer from amines to the triplet state of AQ in acetonitrile and the subsequent charge recombination or neutralization also were measured by transient conductivity. The maximum quantum yield, lambdairr = 254 nm, of photoconversion into the strongly fluorescing 9,10-dihydroxyanthracenes is close to unity. The fluorescence with maximum at 460-480 nm and a lifetime of 20-30 ns disappears as a result of a complete recovery into AQ, when the dihydroxyanthracenes are exposed to oxygen. The mechanisms of photoreduction of parent AQ in acetonitrile by 2-propanol and in benzene and acetonitrile by TEA are discussed. The effects of AQ follow essentially the same pattern. The various functions of oxygen, e.g. (1) quenching of the triplet state; (2) quenching of the semiquinone radical, thereby forming HO2*/O2*- radicals; and (3) trapping of the dihydroxyanthracenes are outlined.     

Photohydroxylation of 1,4-benzoquinone in aqueous solution revisited

In water, photolysis of 1,4-benzoquinone, Q gives rise to equal amounts of 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone HOQ and hydroquinone QH(2) which are formed with a quantum yield of Phi=0.42, independent of pH and Q concentration. By contrast, the rate of decay of the triplet (lambda(max)=282 and approximately 410 nm) which is the precursor of these products increases nonlinearly (k=(2-->3.8) x 10(6) s(-1)) with increasing Q concentration ((0.2-->10) mM). The free-radical yield detected by laser flash photolysis after the decay of the triplet also increases with increasing Q concentration but follows a different functional form. These observations are explained by a rapid equilibrium of a monomeric triplet Q* and an exciplex Q(2)* (K=5500+/-1000 M(-1)). While Q* adds water and subsequent enolizes into 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene Ph(OH)(3), Q(2)* decays by electron transfer and water addition yielding benzosemiquinone (.)QH and (.)OH adduct radicals (.)QOH. The latter enolizes to the 2-hydroxy-1,4-semiquinone radical (.)Q(OH)H within the time scale of the triplet decay and is subsequently rapidly (microsecond time scale) oxidized by Q to HOQ with the concomitant formation of (.)QH. On the post-millisecond time scale, that is, when (.)QH has decayed, Ph(OH)(3) is oxidized by Q yielding HOQ and QH(2) as followed by laser flash photolysis with diode array detection. The rate of this pH- and Q concentration-dependent reaction was independently determined by stopped-flow. This shows that there are two pathways to photohydroxylation; a free-radical pathway at high and a non-radical one at low Q concentration. In agreement with this, the yield of Ph(OH)(3) is most pronounced at low Q concentration. In the presence of phosphate buffer, Q* reacts with H(2)PO(4) (-) giving rise to an adduct which is subsequently oxidized by Q to 2-phosphato-1,4-benzoquinone QP. The current view that (.)OH is an intermediate in the photohydroxylation of Q has been overturned. This view had been based on the observation of the (.)OH adduct of DMPO when Q is photolyzed in the presence of this spin trap. It is now shown that Q*/Q(2)* oxidizes DMPO (k approximately 1 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) to its radical cation which subsequently reacts with water. Q*/Q(2)* react with alcohols by H abstraction (rates in units of M(-1) s(-1)): methanol (4.2 x 10(7)), ethanol (6.7 x 10(7)), 2-propanol (13 x 10(7)) and tertiary butyl alcohol ( approximately 0.2 x 10(7)). DMSO (2.7 x 10(9)) and O(2) ( approximately 2 x 10(9)) act as physical quenchers.     

Dimethylselenide as a probe for reactions of halogenated alkoxyl radicals in aqueous solution. Degradation of dichloro- and dibromomethane

Using pulse radiolysis and steady-state gamma-radiolysis techniques, it has been established that, in air-saturated aqueous solutions, peroxyl radicals CH 2HalOO (*) (Hal = halogen) derived from CH 2Cl 2 and CH 2Br 2 react with dimethyl selenide (Me 2Se), with k on the order of 7 x 10 (7) M (-1) s (-1), to form HCO 2H, CH 2O, CO 2, and CO as final products. An overall two-electron oxidation process leads directly to dimethyl selenoxide (Me 2SeO), along with oxyl radical CH 2HalO (*). The latter subsequently oxidizes another Me 2Se molecule by a much faster one-electron transfer mechanism, leading to the formation of equal yields of CH 2O and the dimer radical cation (Me 2Se) 2 (*+). In absolute terms, these yields amount to 18% and 28% of the CH 2ClO (*) and CH 2BrO (*) yields, respectively, at 1 mM Me 2Se. In competition, CH 2HalO (*) rearranges into (*)CH(OH)Hal. These C-centered radicals react further via two pathways: (a) Addition of an oxygen molecule leads to the corresponding peroxyl radicals, that is, species prone to decomposition into H (+)/O 2 (*-) and formylhalide, HC(O)Hal, which further degrades mostly to H (+)/Hal (-) and CO. (b) Elimination of HHal yields the formyl radical H-C(*)=O with a rate constant of about 6 x 10 (5) s (-1) for Hal = Cl. In an air-saturated solution, the predominant reaction pathway of the H-C(*)=O radical is addition of oxygen. The formylperoxyl radical HC(O)OO (*) thus formed reacts with Me 2Se via an overall two-electron transfer mechanism, giving additional Me 2SeO and formyloxyl radicals HC(O)O(*). The latter rearrange via a 1,2 H-atom shift into (*)C(O)OH, which reacts with O2 to give CO2 and O2(*)(-). The minor fraction of H-C(*)=O undergoes hydration, with an estimated rate constant of k approximately 2 x 10(5) s(-1). The resulting HC(*)(OH)2 radical, upon reaction with O2, yields HCO 2H and H (+)/O2(*-). Some of the conclusions about the reactions of halogenated alkoxyl radicals are supported by quantum chemical calculations [B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)] taking into account the influence of water as a dielectric continuum [by the self-consistent reaction field polarized continuum model (SCRF=PCM) technique]. Based on detailed product studies, mechanisms are proposed for the free-radical degradation of CH 2Cl 2 and CH 2Br 2 in the presence of oxygen and an electron donor (namely, Me 2Se in this study), and properties of the reactive intermediates are discussed.     

Effects of noncovalently bound quinones on the ground and triplet states of zinc chlorins in solution and bound to de novo synthesized peptides

The Qy absorption band of two chlorophyll derivatives, zinc chlorin e6 (ZnCe6) and zinc pheophorbide a (ZnPheida), in aqueous solution is bathochromically shifted on addition of quinones, e.g., 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), with a corresponding shift of the fluorescence band. This is due to a complex formation of zinc chlorins induced by BQs and subsequent rearrangement. The time-resolved absorption spectra after laser pulse excitation show triplet quenching of the pigments by BQ and other quinones via electron transfer. The effects of electron transfer to noncovalently bound BQs were also studied with de novo synthesized peptides, into which ZnCe6 and ZnPheida were incorporated as model systems for the primary steps of photosynthetic reaction centers. Whereas the photophysical properties are similar to those of the unbound zinc chlorins, no BQ-mediated complex formation was observed.     

Organometallic Pt(II) compounds. A complementary study of a triplet emitter based on optical high-resolution and optically detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The emitting triplet state of cyclometalated Pt(thpy)(CO)(Cl) monomers ((thpy)(-) = 2-(2'-thienylpyridinate), frequently also abbreviated as (2-thpy)(-)) is investigated at T = 1.2 K (typically) by use of the complementary methods of high-resolution optical spectroscopy and of optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectroscopy. Such a complimentary investigation is carried out for the first time for a Pt(II) compound. In solution, oligomer or short linear chain formation is also observed. However, the monomers can be investigated selectively, when they are dissolved in a relatively inert n-octane matrix (Shpol'skii matrix). This allows us to determine the energies of the T(1) triplet substates I, II, and III relative to the electronic ground state S(0)(0), the zero-field splittings (ZFSs) of T(1), and emission decay time constants (I/II <--> 0, 18012.5 cm(-1); III <--> 0, 18016.3 cm(-1); DeltaE(I,II) = 0.05437 cm(-1) (1.631 GHz), DeltaE(I,III) = 3.8 cm(-1) (114 GHz); tau(I) = 120 micros, tau(II) = 45 micros, tau(III) = 35 micros; spin-lattice relaxation time for the processes III --->I/II, tau(SLR) = 3.0 micros). The vibrational satellite structure observed in the emission of the T(1) state to the singlet ground state S(0) is also discussed. Moreover, it is possible to estimate the intersystem crossing time from the excited singlet state S(1) at 22952 cm(-1) to the triplet state T(1) to approximately 5 ps. The T(1) state is assigned as a thpy-ligand-centered (3)pipi* state with small metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) admixtures. A comparison of Pt(thpy)(CO)(Cl) to a series of other organometallic Pt(II) compounds, such as heteroleptic Pt(ppy)(CO)(Cl) ((ppy)(-) = phenylpyridinate), Pt(dppy)(CO) ((dppy)(2-) = diphenylpyridinate), and Pt(i-biq)(CN)(2) (i-biq = 2,2'-bisisoquinoline) and homoleptic Pt(thpy)(2) and Pt(ppy)(2), is carried out. (The structures are shown in Figure 7.) Trends of photophysical properties are discussed. In particular, by chelation of two equal ligands the pattern of ZFS is strongly altered, resulting in a significant increase of the MLCT participation in the lowest triplet state of these organometallic compounds. This new observation represents an interesting further step concerning chemical tunability of photophysical properties.     

Exploring excited-state hydrogen atom transfer along an ammonia wire cluster: competitive reaction paths and vibrational mode selectivity

The excited-state hydrogen-atom transfer (ESHAT) reaction of the 7-hydroxyquinoline(NH(3))(3) cluster involves a crossing from the initially excited (1)pipi(*) to a (1)pisigma(*) state. The nonadiabatic coupling between these states induces homolytic dissociation of the O-H bond and H-atom transfer to the closest NH(3) molecule, forming a biradical structure denoted HT1, followed by two more Grotthus-type translocation steps along the ammonia wire. We investigate this reaction at the configuration interaction singles level, using a basis set with diffuse orbitals. Intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations of the enol-->HT1 step predict that the H-atom transfer is preceded and followed by extensive twisting and bending of the ammonia wire, as well as large O-H...NH(3) hydrogen bond contraction and expansion. The calculations also predict an excited-state proton transfer path involving synchronous proton motions; however, it lies 20-25 kcal/mol above the ESHAT path. Higher singlet and triplet potential curves are calculated along the ESHAT reaction coordinate: Two singlet-triplet curve crossings occur within the HT1 product well and intersystem crossing to these T(n) states branches the reaction back to the enol reactant side, decreasing the ESHAT yield. In fact, a product yield of approximately 40% 7-ketoquinoline.(NH(3))(3) is experimentally observed. The vibrational mode selectivity of the enol-->HT1 reaction step [C. Manca, C. Tanner, S. Coussan, A. Bach, and S. Leutwyler, J. Chem. Phys. 121, 2578 (2004)] is shown to be due to the large sensitivity of the diffuse pisigma(*) state to vibrational displacements along the intermolecular coordinates.     

Intramolecular excimer formation and photoinduced electron-transfer process in bis-1,8-naphthalimide dyads depending on the linker length

The photophysical properties of bis-1,8-naphthalimide (NI-L-NI) dyads with different linkers ( L = -C 3H 6-, -C 4H 8-, -C 6H 12-, -C 8H 16-, and -C 9H 18-) as well as the reference NI derivative (NI-C 7H 15) were investigated in CH 3CN and H 2O/CH 3CN (v/v = 1:9). The normal fluorescence peak of (1)NI*-L-NI was observed at 379 nm together with a broad emission at longer wavelength both in aprotic CH 3CN and in H 2O/CH 3CN, which is assigned to an excimer, (1)(NI-L-NI)*. The excimer emission maximum was blue-shifted with increasing length of the linker. The photoinduced electron-transfer process of NI-L-NI was also investigated in both solvents by using nanosecond-laser flash photolysis. The T 1-T n absorption band for (3)NI*-L-NI was observed around 470 nm in both solvents. In H 2O/CH 3CN, NI-L-NI is solvated with H 2O in the ground state to exist as solvated NI-L-NI. In the excited triplet state, the NI radical anion (NI (*-)) was generated via the intramolecular quenching of (3)NI*-L-NI by another NI moiety. The solvated NI (*-)-L-NI may undergo the proton abstraction process to give NI(H) (*)-L-NI, which can be confirmed by the transient absorption band at 410 nm. This band was not observed in pure aprotic CH 3CN.     

Photoreactions of p-quinones with dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl sulfoxide in aqueous acetonitrile. goerner@mpi-muelheim.mpg.de

The effects of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the photoreactions of 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQ), 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) and several derivatives in acetonitrile/water were studied. The observed triplet state of the quinones is quenched and the rate constant is close to the diffusion-controlled limit for reactions of most quinones with DMS and lower with DMSO. Semiquinone radical anions (Q*-) produced by electron transfer from sulfur to the triplet quinone were detected. For both DMS and DMSO the yield of Q*- is similar, being generally low for BQ and NQ, substantial for AQ and largest for chloranil. The specific quencher concentrations and the effects of quinone structure and redox potentials on the time-resolved photochemical properties are discussed.     

氢键酸度的量子化学参数表示

研究了137个化合物的总氢键酸度(∑A₂^H)与量子化学参数的相关性.对于含羟基或羧基化合物,∑A₂^H=-0.027⁷⁺3.826Q_H-0.0273E_LUMO-0.0654E_HOMO+3.085Q_O(n=70,r=0.982),其中Q_H表示羟基或羧基氢原子净电荷,E_LUMO表示最低未占据分子轨道能级,E_HOMO表示最高占据分子轨道能级,Q_O表示羟基或羧基中与氢原子连接的氧原子净电荷;对于含氨基化合物,∑A₂^H=-1.569+3.637Q_H-0.1235E_HOMO(n=49,r=0.985),其中Q_H表示氨基中较正氢原子的净电荷;对于含亚氨基化合物,∑A₂^H=-0.472+3.676Q_H(n=18,r=0.993),其中Q_H表示亚氨基氢原子的净电荷.     

Control of photoinduced electron transfer in zinc phthalocyanine-perylenediimide dyad and triad by the magnesium ion

Photoexcitation of a zinc phthalocyanine-perylenediimide (ZnPc-PDI) dyad and a bis(zinc phthalocyanine)-perylenediimide [(ZnPc) 2-PDI] triad results in formation of the triplet excited state of the PDI moiety without the fluorescence emission, whereas addition of Mg (2+) ions to the dyad and triad results in formation of long-lived charge-separated (CS) states (ZnPc (*+)-PDI (*-)/Mg (2+) and (ZnPc) 2 (*+)-PDI (*-)/Mg (2+)) in which PDI (*-) forms a complex with Mg (2+). Formation of the CS states in the presence of Mg (2+) was confirmed by appearance of the absorption bands due to ZnPc (*+) and PDI (*-)/Mg (2+) complex in the time-resolved transient absorption spectra of the dyad and triad. The one-electron reduction potential ( E red) of the PDI moiety in the presence of a metal ion is shifted to a positive direction due to the binding of Mg (2+) to PDI (*-), whereas the one-electron oxidation potential of the ZnPc moiety remains the same. The binding of Mg (2+) to PDI (*-) was confirmed by the ESR spectrum, which is different from that of PDI (*-) without Mg (2+). The energy of the CS state (ZnPc (*+)-PDI (*-)/Mg (2+)) is determined to be 0.79 eV, which becomes lower that of the triplet excited state (ZnPc- (3)PDI*: 1.07 eV). This is the reason why the long-lived CS states were attained in the presence of Mg (2+) instead of the triplet excited state of the PDI moiety.     

New mixed metal selenites and tellurites containing Pd2+ ions in a square planar geometry

Four novel mixed metal selenites or tellurites containing PdO(4) squares, namely, BaPd(SeO(3))(2), Bi(2)Pd(SeO(3))(4), and Pb(2)Pd(QO(3))(2)Cl(2) (Q = Se, Te), have been prepared and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. These compounds exhibit three different types of anionic structures. BaPd(SeO(3))(2) contains one-dimensional (1D) [Pd(SeO(3))(2)](2-) anionic chains composed of PdO(4) units linked by SeO(3)(2-) groups in a bidentate bridging fashion. Bi(2)Pd(SeO(3))(4) exhibits a complicated 3D architecture constructed by [Bi(SeO(3))](+) and [Pd(SeO(3))(2)](2-) layers that are alternating along the a-axis. The [Pd(SeO(3))(2)](2-) layers are composed of Pd(2+) ions bridged by SeO(3)(2-) anions in a bidentate fashion. Pb(2)Pd(QO(3))(2)Cl(2) (Q = Se, Te) features zero-dimensional (0D) [Pd(QO(3))Cl(2)](4-) (Q = Se, Te) anionic clusters, which are further bridged by Pb(2+) cations into a 3D network. The results of optical diffuse-reflectance spectrum measurements and band structure calculations based on DFT methods indicate that all the compounds are wide-band-gap semiconductors.     

New members in the Ni(n+1)(QO3)nX2 family: unusual 3D network based on Ni4ClO3 cubane-like clusters in Ni7(TeO3)6Cl2

Three new members in the family of nickel(II) tellurium(IV)/selenium(IV) oxyhalides generally formulated as Ni(n+1)(QO3)nX2 (Q = Te, X = Cl, n = 6, 10; Q = Se, X = Br, n = 4) have been synthesized by solid-state reactions of NiX2, QO2, and NiO (or Ni2O3) at high temperature. The structure of Ni7(TeO3)6Cl2 features a novel 3D network based on Ni4ClO3 cubane-like clusters with Te atoms located at the cavities of the network. Ni4ClO3 clusters are interconnected into a hexagonal layer through additional O...O edges. The neighboring two layers are further interconnected, via sharing of common Ni(II) atoms, into a novel 3D network. The 3D open framework of Ni5(SeO3)4Br2 is built from 2D nickel(II) oxybromide layers bridged by Se and additional Ni atoms. The structure of Ni11(TeO3)10Cl2 features a condensed 3D network based on NiO5Cl, NiO6, and NiO5 polyhedra interconnected via corner and edge sharing, as well as O-Te-O bridges. The results of magnetic property measurements indicate that all three compounds display antiferromagnetic interactions between nickel(II) centers.     

Heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes of 8-quinolinolates bearing electron withdrawing groups in 5-position

A series of novel luminescent platinum(II) complexes bearing orthometalated 2-phenylpyridine ligands (C N), namely 2-phenylpyridine (4) and 3-hexyloxy-2-phenylpyridine (5), and several 5-substituted quinolinolate ligands (5-X-Q), where X = NO2 (a), X = CHO (b), X = Cl (bearing another Cl in 7-position of the Q-ligand) (c) and X = H (d) have been synthesized, characterized and their photophysical properties were studied. All complexes were obtained as a single isomer with N atoms of the C N and Q ligands trans-coordinated to the platinum center as evidenced using single-crystal X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Absorbance, luminescence as well as lifetime measurements in solution and in the solid state have been performed to establish a qualitative relationship between structure and luminescence properties. The compounds under investigation absorb intensively via an intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) in the visible range (460-480 nm) and emit from fluid solution and in the solid state at room temperature at 600-630 nm. The complexes show quantum yields up to 25% and lifetimes in the range of 20-30 micros in deoxygenated organic solvents at room temperature. The emitting state can be best described as a triplet intraligand charge-transfer state localized mainly on the quinolinolate ligand. In these complexes the phenylpyridine ligand can be essentially regarded as an ancillary ligand. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out on both the ground (singlet) and excited (triplet) states of these complexes and revealed the influence of the substitution of the quinolinolate ligand on the HOMO/LUMO energies and the oscillator strengths. Substitution on 3-position of the phenylpyridine ligand does not impact on the transition energies, and is thus suited to introduce other functional moieties, such as a solubilizing hexyloxy group.     

Reactions of superoxo and oxo metal complexes with aldehydes. Radical-specific pathways for cross-disproportionation of superoxometal ions and acylperoxyl radicals

The aquachromyl(IV) ion, Cr(aq)O(2+), reacts with acetaldehyde and pivaldehyde by hydrogen atom abstraction and, in the presence of O(2), produces acylperoxyl radicals, RC(O)OO(*). In the next step, the radicals react with Cr(aq)OO(2+), a species accompanying Cr(aq)O(2+) in our preparations. The rate constant for the Cr(aq)OO(2+)/CH(3)C(O)OO(*) cross reaction, k(Cr) = 1.5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), was determined by laser flash photolysis. The evidence points to radical coupling at the remote oxygen of Cr(aq)OO(2+), followed by elimination of O(2) and formation of CH(3)COOH and Cr(V)(aq)O(3+). The latter disproportionates and ultimately yields Cr(aq)(3+) and HCrO(4)(-). No CO(2) was detected. The Cr(aq)OO(2+)/C(CH(3))(3)C(O)OO(*) reaction yielded isobutene, CO(2), and Cr(aq)(3+), in addition to chromate. In the suggested mechanism, the transient Cr(aq)OOOO(O)CC(CH(3))(3)(2+) branches into two sets of products. The path leading to chromate resembles the CH(3)C(O)OO(*) reaction. The other products arise from an unprecedented intramolecular hydrogen transfer from the tert-butyl group to the CrO entity and elimination of CO(2) and O(2). A portion of C(CH(3))(3)C(O)OO(*) was captured by (CH(3))(3)COO(*), which was in turn generated by decarbonylation of acyl radicals and oxygenation of tert-butyl radicals so formed.     

Relationships Between Fluorescence Properties of Benzoquinolines and Physicochemical Changes in the Sol–Gel–Xerogel Transitions of Silicon Alkoxide Systems

Fluorescence and excitation spectra of 3,4-, 5,6- and 7,8-benzoquinolines (BQs) dispersed in the individual sol–gel–xerogel transitions systems of silicon alkoxide have been observed as a function of the reaction time. The fluorescence spectra of excited-state species (neutral, ion-pair and protonated species) of each BQ have been obtained clearly. In the starting sol–gel systems, the fluorescence mainly originated from the neutral species of each BQ. As hydrolysis of the silicon alkoxide proceeded, an interaction between the resulting silanol group and the neutral species led to a formation of the ion-pair species in their ground state. Upon excitation, a part of the ion pair relaxed to the protonated species during the fluorescence lifetime, and the resulting excited species emitted a corresponding fluorescence. As the sol–gel reaction proceeded further, the geometrical relaxation was gradually prevented with an increase in rigidity around the BQ molecules, so that a fluorescence tended to be observed from an unrelaxed conformer of the ion pair. During the gel to xerogel transition, a part of the BQ molecules exists in relatively large spaces of pores, where water plays an important role, and slowly came to exhibit the fluorescence from the protonated species because of concentrated water in the spaces. Contributions of the three excited-state species to the total fluorescence spectra have been estimated by spectral curve fitting. Consequently, the sol–gel reaction has been resolved into four physicochemical reaction stages, which govern the fluorescence behaviors of BQs. Differences in the fluorescence behaviors among the BQ isomers reflect the acid-dissociation constants in the excited states.     

Triplet state properties of the OLED emitter Ir(btp)2(acac): characterization by site-selective spectroscopy and application of high magnetic fields

The well-known red emitting complex Ir(btp)2(acac) (bis(2-(2'-benzothienyl)-pyridinato-N,C3')iridium(acetylacetonate)), frequently used as emitter material in OLEDs, has been investigated in a polycrystalline CH2Cl2 matrix. The studies were carried out under variation of temperature down to 1.2 K and at magnetic fields up to B=10 T. Highly resolved emission and excitation spectra of several specific sites are obtained by site-selective spectroscopy. For the preferentially investigated site (I-->0 at 16268 cm-1), the three substates I, II, and III of the T1 triplet state are separated by DeltaEII-I=2.9 cm-1 and DeltaEIII-I=25.0 cm-1, respectively. DeltaEIII-I represents the total zero-field splitting (ZFS). The individual decay times of these substates are tauI=150 micros, tauII=58 micros, and tauIII=2 micros, respectively. The long decay time of the lowest substate I indicates its almost pure triplet character. The time for relaxation from state II to state I (spin-lattice relaxation, SLR) is as long as 22 micros at T=1.5 K, while the thermalization between the two lower lying substates and substate III is fast. Application of a magnetic field induces Zeeman mixing of the substates of T1, resulting in an increased splitting between the two lower lying substates from 2.9 cm-1 at zero field to, for example, 6.8 cm-1 at B=10 T. Further, the decay time of the B-field perturbed lowest substate IB decreases by a factor of about 7 up to 10 T. The magnetic field properties clearly show that the three investigated states belong to the same triplet parent term of one single site. Other sites show a similar behavior, though the values of ZFS vary between 15 and 27 cm-1. Since the amount of ZFS reflects the extent of MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) parentage, it can be concluded that the emitting state T1 is a 3LC (ligand centered) state with significant admixtures of 1,3MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) character. Interestingly, the results show that the MLCT perturbation is different for the various sites. An empirical correlation between the amount of ZFS and the compound's potential for its use as emitter material in an OLED is presented. As a rule of thumb, a triplet emitter is considered promising for application in OLEDs, if it has a ZFS larger than about 10 cm-1.