基于Ru-bda双核钌催化剂的可见光驱动水氧化（英文）

开发高效水氧化催化剂对于太阳能分解水制氢和CO_2还原都具有重要意义.我们之前的研究表明,基于Ru-bda(bda=2,2'-联吡啶-6,6'-二羧酸)单体的双核钌催化剂在以(NH4)2Ce(NO3)6为氧化剂的化学法水氧化反应中表现出良好的催化性能,比相同条件下单核钌催化剂的活性高出一个数量级.然而,该类双核钌催化剂的光催化水氧化性能尚未被系统研究.因此我们考察了以丙烷桥双核钌配合物为催化剂、[Ru(bpy)3]Cl2为光敏剂、Na2S2O8为电子牺牲体组成的三组分体系的光催化性能,并和相应的单核钌催化剂进行了对比,同时考察了溶液中乙腈的含量对单、双核钌分子催化剂光催化产氧性能和产氧机理的影响.实验结果表明,无论是单核还是双核钌催化剂,其催化活性与乙腈在磷酸缓冲溶液中的比例密切相关.乙腈的含量不仅影响了水氧化的驱动力,而且影响O-O的形成机理,改变反应的动力学和反应速率.单、双核钌催化剂的活性都随着乙腈比例的增加而增加,然而双核钌催化剂在低乙腈含量的缓冲溶液中展现优于单核钌催化剂的光催化性能;而在高乙腈含量的缓冲溶液中,双核钌催化剂和单核钌催化剂的光催化性能趋于相当.在最优化条件(60%乙腈)下,双核钌的光催化产氧TON值达到638,在450 nm的光量子效率达到77%.我们还发现,当乙腈浓度较低时,单核钌催化剂Ru-bda催化的水氧化反应为二级动力学;当乙腈浓度较高时,该催化剂在反应中表现为一级动力学.从而推测O-O键的形成机制由双分子自由基耦合转变成单分子亲核进攻,也解释了为什么高乙腈含量下单核和双核钌催化剂的活性差别不大.本研究所展示的Ru-bda的溶剂效应可能同样适用于电化学和光电化学水氧化,对深入理解和设计高效太阳能分解水器件具有重要意义.     

氧化还原活性配体的电子效应对钌催化水氧化反应的影响（英文）

水氧化(2H₂O→4e^-+4H⁺+O₂↑)是自然以及人工光合作用系统中的关键半反应,为还原过程提供反应所必需的质子和电子.但水氧化反应在热力学和动力学上的固有挑战以及对O-O键生成步骤的有限机理认识,使其成为构筑高效人工光合系统的瓶颈.为此,人们开发了大量的金属催化剂,利用金属中心活化水分子,并生成活性金属氧物种以促进O-O键的生成.其间,金属中心往往需要达到极高的氧化态,进而导致生成的高价金属氧化物具有极高的催化活性,极易诱导催化剂降解等副反应的发生,难以兼顾活性和稳定性.因此,深入认识和理解水氧化反应的催化过程及O-O键的生成机制是突破该领域瓶颈的重点.氧化还原活性配体与金属的协同作用被认为是调节电荷累积过程、平衡催化剂活性与稳定性的有效策略,受到了广泛的关注.然而,氧化还原活性配体调节金属催化中心活性的机理仍有待进一步阐明.近期,本研究组发展了一类具有氧化活性配体的单核钌水氧化催化剂[(L_H^N5-)Ru^Ⅲ-OH]⁺     

二氰胺钴、镍调控钒酸铋界面载流子传输及光催化产氧研究（英文）

光催化水分解反应是解决当前世界范围严峻的能源与环境问题的一种有效途径.光催化分解水过程可以分为产氢和产氧两个半反应.产氧反应过程复杂,动力学缓慢,是光催化分解水的限速步骤,因此需要探索性能优异的水氧化催化剂(WOCs)来提高产氧半反应的效率.钒酸铋近年来被广泛研究并应用于光催化产氧领域.钒酸铋拥有合适的带宽(2.4 eV)以及较好的稳定性,但是其应用受到其严重的电子空穴复合率、较低的电荷传输能力以及较差的反应动力学的限制.以往研究表明,通过构建复合光催化体系可以有效促进光生电荷的分离与传输,提高材料的光催化性能.因此,我们提出构建新型的BiVO_4/M(dca)_2(M=Co,Ni)复合体系,其中,BiVO_4作为光敏化剂,M(dca)_2作为水氧化催化剂.红外测试和紫外可见测试的结果表明,M(dca)_2通过物理吸附的方式附着在BiVO_4表面,形成BiVO_4/M(dca)_2复合光催化剂体系.复合体系的产氧活性相较于纯BiVO_4有明显的提升.光催化产氧测试结果表明,BiVO_4/Co(dca)2和BiVO_4/Ni(dca)_2复合体系的产氧活性分别可达508.1和297.7μmol/(h·g),而纯BiVO_4的产氧活性只有252.2μmol/(h·g).进一步的稳定性测试结果表明,BiVO_4/Co(dca)2复合体系在30 h的测试过程中能够保持稳定的活性.ICP-MS和XPS的表征结果证明了催化过程中分子催化剂良好的稳定性,排除了反应过程中生成氧化物进而促进产氧活性的可能.对该复合体系的一系列电化学表征证明,M(dca)_2有效改善了BiVO_4/电解液界面的电荷传输性能,从而促进了光催化产氧性能.其中,莫特-肖特基测试表明,M(dca)_2的加入增大了能带弯曲,提高了空穴传递的驱动力,阻抗谱的测试证明了复合体系具有较低的界面电阻,有利于载流子的迁移.通过对复合体系光生载流子分离和注入效率的表征,可以证明,在BiVO_4/M(dca)_2复合体系中,光生空穴能够有效地从BiVO_4迁移到M(dca)_2,进而参与光催化产氧反应并且光催化活性有明显的提升.其中,由于Co(dca)2能够更加有效地改善BiVO_4/电解质的水氧化反应动力学过程,其活性显著优于BiVO_4/Ni(dca)_2体系和纯BiVO_4.此外,基于实验结果和各项表征,我们进一步提出了BiVO_4/Co(dca)2光催化产氧反应的反应机理:光照条件下,BiVO_4中电子跃迁至导带,进而被牺牲剂消耗,而价带上的空穴则传递至分子催化剂进行化学反应,其中,分子催化的反应机理遵循水亲核攻击的模型.     

分子催化剂催化水氧化过程及其O–O成键机理

随着化石燃料的不断消耗和生存环境的日益恶化,可再生、清洁且环境友好的新能源逐渐受到广泛关注与利用.太阳能作为一种洁净的可再生能源,在自然界中,植物可以通过光合作用将太阳能转换成化学能.在该过程中,水分子在光系统II中被氧化而释放出氧气,伴随生成的质子和电子进一步将二氧化碳转化为蕴含生物质能的碳水化合物.在光系统II中,叶绿素P680被光照激发生成阳离子自由基P680^·+,其具有很强的氧化能力,可以从附近的析氧中心中夺取电子.析氧中心通过这一过程失去4个电子,可以将两分子水氧化生成一分子氧气和4个质子.作为水裂解的半反应之一,水氧化在热力学方面需要很多能量来断裂4个O-H键(ΔE=1.23 V vs.NHE),在动力学方面涉及4个氢原子与2个氧原子的重组以及氧气的释放,因而水氧化析氧是一个非常缓慢的过程,如何高效稳定地催化水氧化一直是人们研究的热点和难点.研究发现,自然界中存在的析氧中心为Mn₄CaO(x)的钙锰簇合物,在水氧化过程中生成的Mn=O物种可以被游离的水分子亲核进攻形成O-O键,也可以与桥连μ-O(H)反应生成O-O键.通过对析氧中心持续的研究,在过去几十年中设计合成了一系列具有水氧化催化活性的基于金属配合物的分子催化剂.分子催化剂催化水氧化一般主要分为金属-氧物种的演化过程以及O-O成键过程.通常,金属-氧物种可以通过失电子或质子耦合的失电子过程逐步生成高价态的金属-氧物种,其引发的O-O成键过程通常是水氧化催化循环的决速步骤.基于之前的研究成果,目前主要报道了五种不同的O-O成键机理:(1)水亲核进攻金属-氧物种的WNA机理,(2)金属-氧自由基耦合的I2M机理,(3)金属-羟基自由基耦合的HC机理,(4)分子内进攻桥连氧的IOC机理以及(5)氧化还原异构的RI机理.本文综述了过去几十年水氧化分子催化剂的发展,总结了贵金属钌和铱配合物到第一过渡金属锰、铁、钴、镍和铜配合物催化水氧化过程中金属-氧物种的生成与演化,重点阐述了引发O-O成键过程的高价态金属-氧物种的种类及其不同的O-O成键机理.重点总结了O-O成键中WNA机理与I2M机理的异同,并阐述了催化剂设计对WNA与I2M机理选择性的影响.通过对金属-氧物种种类和O-O成键机理的总结,将有助于进一步设计合成高效稳定的水氧化分子催化剂.     

Buffer anion effects on water oxidation catalysis: The case of Cu(III)complex

水氧化是光解水制氢气的瓶颈反应,认识和理解水氧化机制并研发廉价稳定的催化剂对解决这一问题尤为重要.自1982年Meyer课题组报道了第一例分子型双核钌水氧化催化剂(bluedimer)以来,过渡金属配合物被广泛应用于探索这一氧化过程的规律和机理,特别是近几年廉价金属配合物在水氧化领域的应用也备受关注.由于水氧化一般在苛刻的氧化条件下才可以实现,如何提高过渡金属配合物在催化条件下的稳定性一直是分子催化剂结构设计的一个难点.利用部分分子催化剂的不稳定性,将其作为前体制备非均相金属氧化物催化剂,广泛用于水氧化研究.然而,对于催化水氧化过程中造成分子催化剂不稳定的因素却鲜有探讨.因此,了解分子催化剂和异相活性物种之间原位转化的机理对于分子催化剂设计至关重要.本文考察了大环配体(TAML)的三价铜配合物(TAML-CuIII)的氧化还原性质及其电催化水氧化的反应性能.实验结果表明, TAML-CuIII的催化水氧化活性与缓冲溶液种类有关,在磷酸盐溶液与碳酸氢钠溶液中均无催化活性,而在硼酸溶液中表现出较高的催化活性.此外, TAML-CuIII具有与本课题组之前报道的TAML-CoIII截然不同的电化学行为.TAML-CuIII只能发生配体的单电子氧化生成TAML·+-CuIII,且该物种无法实现对水分子的活化.进一步实验结果表明,生成的TAML·+-CuIII在硼酸根的协助下可以发生进一步氧化和配体的水解,从而生成具有高活性的非均相物种.研究表明该活性物种为含硼的氧化铜物种(B/Cu Ox).通过本文研究可得出两个结论:(1)具有平面四方构型的三价铜配合物不是一种有效催化水氧化的分子型催化剂;(2)缓冲阴离子在分子催化剂的分解中起到了关键作用.因此,缓冲溶液的选择对催化剂的电化学行为以及稳定性有着重要的影响.     

溴的吸电子效应对Ru-bda（H2bda =2,2′-联吡啶-6,6′-二羧基）型催化剂催化水氧化的性能影响

太阳能高效转化和利用是实现能源结构调整、节能减排、保障社会健康发展的重要途径.光解水制氢是实现太阳能转化成化学能,解决能源需求和环境污染一个理想方法,其中水氧化反应是制约太阳能转化的关键.近几十年来,科学家们一直致力于开发高效、稳定的水氧化催化剂,以实现高效水分解获得太阳能转化为化学能所需的质子和电子.在众多水氧化催化剂中,基于Ru的分子催化剂因其结构简单、效果突出,受到人们广泛关注.本文报道了一系列Ru-bda类型的单核Ru催化剂,通过在核心配体上进行Br取代,获得三个新催化剂2,3,5,[Ru(Ln)(picoline)2](H2L1=4-溴-2,2′-联吡啶-6,6′-二羧酸(4-Br-bda), picoline =4-甲基吡啶,2;H2L2=4,4′-二溴-bda,3)和[Ru(L1)(isoquinoline)2]5(isoquinoline =异喹啉),并对其结构进行全面的表征.电化学结果表明,在核心配体中引入Br原子导致催化剂氧化中心的氧化电位有所增加,其原因是取代基Br的吸电子能力降低了中心金属Ru的电子云密度,从而使其氧化电位升高.在催化水氧化反应中,以硝酸铈铵为氧化剂,在pH =1.0的水溶液中对催化剂1-5的催化水氧化活性进行研究.研究发现反应随着取代基Br的引入,催化剂催化水氧化活性逐渐降低,说明在核心配体上的引入吸电子基团不利于Ru-bda型催化剂催化活性的提高.为了深入了解Br取代基效应对催化剂活性的影响,本文重点研究了催化剂1-5的动力学过程和催化水氧化机理.在酸性条件下,通过利用紫外-可见吸收光谱仪研究氧化剂Ce(IV)在360 nm处的紫外吸收变化,进而阐明催化剂催化水氧化的反应机理.保持氧化剂Ce(IV)的初始浓度为1.5 mmol/L,改变催化剂的浓度为0.1μmol/L至6.0μmol/L,对反应最初10 s的数据进行线性拟合和对数计算,分别得到的催化剂1-5的反应级数为2.08,1.79,1.61,2.19和1.90,这表明催化剂2和3与催化剂1的反应机理有所不同.由于催化剂1发生二级反应即在催化水氧化过程中发生双分子间的自由基耦合反应,而催化剂2和3的反应级数均小于2,说明核心配体上的Br取代基的吸电子效应导致催化剂2和3的反应机理发生改变,在水氧化反应过程中部分催化剂2和3分子发生了单分子反应,即水分子亲核进攻机理.当轴向配体由4-甲基吡啶替换为异喹啉时,对比催化剂4和5的催化水氧化活性和动力学研究,也可以得到类似的结果.但与催化剂2和3相比,催化剂5的反应级数降低不明显,说明催化体系中只有一部分分子发生一级反应,大部分分子发生二级反应.这说明在以化合物5为催化剂的水氧化体系中,除了核心配体上Br的吸电子效应对催化剂机理产生影响之外,轴向配体的异喹啉的π-π堆积效应也有重要影响(异喹啉的π-π堆积效应能够促进单核催化剂发生二级反应),并且后者产生的影响占
　　主导位置,从而导致催化剂5的反应级数降低的不明显.     

溴的吸电子效应对Ru-bda(H2bda=2,2′-联吡啶-6,6′-二羧基)型催化剂催化水氧化的性能影响（英文）

太阳能高效转化和利用是实现能源结构调整、节能减排、保障社会健康发展的重要途径.光解水制氢是实现太阳能转化成化学能,解决能源需求和环境污染一个理想方法,其中水氧化反应是制约太阳能转化的关键.近几十年来,科学家们一直致力于开发高效、稳定的水氧化催化剂,以实现高效水分解获得太阳能转化为化学能所需的质子和电子.在众多水氧化催化剂中,基于Ru的分子催化剂因其结构简单、效果突出,受到人们广泛关注.本文报道了一系列Ru-bda类型的单核Ru催化剂,通过在核心配体上进行Br取代,获得三个新催化剂2,3,5,[Ru(Ln)(picoline)2](H2L1=4-溴-2,2′-联吡啶-6,6′-二羧酸(4-Br-bda),picoline=4-甲基吡啶,2;H2L2=4,4′-二溴-bda,3)和[Ru(L1)(isoquinoline)2]5(isoquinoline=异喹啉),并对其结构进行全面的表征.电化学结果表明,在核心配体中引入Br原子导致催化剂氧化中心的氧化电位有所增加,其原因是取代基Br的吸电子能力降低了中心金属Ru的电子云密度,从而使其氧化电位升高.在催化水氧化反应中,以硝酸铈铵为氧化剂,在p H=1.0的水溶液中对催化剂1-5的催化水氧化活性进行研究.研究发现反应随着取代基Br的引入,催化剂催化水氧化活性逐渐降低,说明在核心配体上的引入吸电子基团不利于Ru-bda型催化剂催化活性的提高.为了深入了解Br取代基效应对催化剂活性的影响,本文重点研究了催化剂1-5的动力学过程和催化水氧化机理.在酸性条件下,通过利用紫外-可见吸收光谱仪研究氧化剂Ce(IV)在360 nm处的紫外吸收变化,进而阐明催化剂催化水氧化的反应机理.保持氧化剂Ce(IV)的初始浓度为1.5 mmol/L,改变催化剂的浓度为0.1μmol/L至6.0μmol/L,对反应最初10 s的数据进行线性拟合和对数计算,分别得到的催化剂1-5的反应级数为2.08,1.79,1.61,2.19和1.90,这表明催化剂2和3与催化剂1的反应机理有所不同.由于催化剂1发生二级反应即在催化水氧化过程中发生双分子间的自由基耦合反应,而催化剂2和3的反应级数均小于2,说明核心配体上的Br取代基的吸电子效应导致催化剂2和3的反应机理发生改变,在水氧化反应过程中部分催化剂2和3分子发生了单分子反应,即水分子亲核进攻机理.当轴向配体由4-甲基吡啶替换为异喹啉时,对比催化剂4和5的催化水氧化活性和动力学研究,也可以得到类似的结果.但与催化剂2和3相比,催化剂5的反应级数降低不明显,说明催化体系中只有一部分分子发生一级反应,大部分分子发生二级反应.这说明在以化合物5为催化剂的水氧化体系中,除了核心配体上Br的吸电子效应对催化剂机理产生影响之外,轴向配体的异喹啉的π-π堆积效应也有重要影响(异喹啉的π-π堆积效应能够促进单核催化剂发生二级反应),并且后者产生的影响占主导位置,从而导致催化剂5的反应级数降低的不明显.     

第一过渡系列金属元素单核水氧化催化剂的最新进展

水的氧化是光合作用的重要步骤,其提供用于二氧化碳固定的电子和质子,以及生物圈所必需的氧气.在将太阳能转换为化学能的人工光合作用中,设计合成高效稳定的水氧化催化剂是研究的关键.目前的催化体系主要是基于钌和铱等贵金属的金属氧化物纳米颗粒和多核金属配合物.基于钌和铱的单核催化体系近年来也得到了广泛的发展.最近几年,第一过渡系列金属元素单核水氧化催化剂快速得到重视.作为配合物中心原子,它们不仅具有丰富的氧化态,而且因相对充足的蕴藏和较低的开采冶炼成本,其具有钌和铱等贵金属不可比拟的重大优势和广阔的应用前景.本文总结了近几年第一过渡系列金属元素单核水氧化催化剂的进展,并在此基础上,简单讨论了氧—氧键的生成,为进一步设计新颖、具有高催化效率和高稳定性的单核水氧化催化剂提供了理论依据.     

缓冲溶液阴离子对三价铜催化剂催化水氧化过程的影响

水氧化是光解水制氢气的瓶颈反应,认识和理解水氧化机制并研发廉价稳定的催化剂对解决这一问题尤为重要.自1982年Meyer课题组报道了第一例分子型双核钌水氧化催化剂(blue dimer)以来,过渡金属配合物被广泛应用于探索这一氧化过程的规律和机理,特别是近几年廉价金属配合物在水氧化领域的应用也备受关注.由于水氧化一般在...     

磁性纳米粒子Fe3O4@PEI@Ru(OH)x催化的分子氧氧化醇-克脑文格尔串联反应

以聚乙烯亚胺改性的四氧化三铁纳米粒子为载体负载Ru(OH)_x得到负载钌催化剂Fe_3O_4@PEI@Ru(OH)_x.该催化剂在分子氧氧化醇-克脑文格尔缩合"一锅"串联反应中显示优良的催化性能,多种结构的醇被选择性地氧化为相应的醛进而与活性亚甲基化合物缩合生成相应的缩合产物.采用外磁铁可以很容易地将催化剂与反应混合物分离,实现催化剂的回收.然而,该催化剂的循环使用性能较差.电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱(ICP-OES)分析证明催化剂在反应过程中没有发生钌的流失.X射线光电子能谱(XPS)分析发现催化剂失活是由于反应过程中活性的Ru~(3+)被部分地氧化为非活性的Ru~(4+)所致.     

A Calix[4]arene-Based Cyclic Dinuclear Ruthenium Complex for Light-Driven Catalytic Water Oxidation

A cyclic dinuclear ruthenium(bda) (bda: 2,2’-bipyridine-6,6’-dicarboxylate) complex equipped with oligo(ethylene glycol)-functionalized axial calix[4]arene ligands has been synthesized for homogenous catalytic water oxidation. This novel Ru(bda) macrocycle showed significantly increased catalytic activity in chemical and photocatalytic water oxidation compared to the archetype mononuclear reference [Ru(bda)(pic)₂]. Kinetic investigations, including kinetic isotope effect studies, disclosed a unimolecular water nucleophilic attack mechanism of this novel dinuclear water oxidation catalyst (WOC) under the involvement of the second coordination sphere. Photocatalytic water oxidation with this cyclic dinuclear Ru complex using [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ as a standard photosensitizer revealed a turnover frequency of 15.5 s⁻¹ and a turnover number of 460. This so far highest photocatalytic performance reported for a Ru(bda) complex underlines the potential of this water-soluble WOC for artificial photosynthesis.     

New polydentate ligand and catalytic properties of the corresponding ruthenium complex during sulfoxidation and alkene epoxidation

Bis(diimine)-ruthenium complexes constitute a class of catalysts with good activity for oxidation reactions, such as sulfoxidation and epoxidation. The synthesis and the full characterization of a new ruthenium complex bearing an original pentadentate ligand (L5pyr for 2,6-bis-(6-ethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)-pyridine) is reported. Comparison of its activity with regard to[Ru(bpy)2(CH3CN)2](2+) and [Ru(bpy)2(py)(CH3CN)](2+) during alkene and sulfide oxidation allowed us to conclude that the addition of a fifth pyridine ligand in the coordination sphere improves the efficiency of the catalyst. Moreover, under these oxidation conditions a hydroxylation of the ligand L5pyr led to a better activity than its analogue [Ru(bpy)2(py)(CH3CN)](2+), especially during epoxidation of alkenes by PhI(OAc)2.     

Control over the oxidative reactivity of metalloporphyrins. Efficient electrosynthesis of meso,meso-linked zinc porphyrin dimer

The electrochemical oxidation of zinc(II) 5,15-p-ditolyl-10-phenylporphyrin at its first oxidation potential leads to the formation of the corresponding meso-meso porphyrin dimer as the main product. The number of electrons abstracted, the addition of the hindered base 2,6-lutidine as well as operating in DMF, instead of a CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)CN mixture are the key parameters to obtain high yields of the desired coupling product. Indeed, when the electrolyses are carried out in the CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)CN mixture, the unexpected zinc(II) 5-chloro-10,20-p-ditolyl-15-phenyl porphyrin is produced as a by-product, the chlorine atom originating from the CH(2)Cl(2) solvent. The monomer and the dimer are characterised by electrochemical analysis. The signature of the dimer is clearly distinguished on the cyclic voltammogram of the monomer on condition of the prior addition of 2,6-lutidine as a hindered base, indicating that the dimerisation process is thus strongly accelerated. Besides, unprecedented X-ray crystallographic structures of the monomer and the meso-meso dimer are presented and their respective structural parameters are compared.     

Effects of structural factors on the pi-dimerization and/or disproportionation of the cation radical of extended TTF containing thiophene-based pi-conjugated spacers

The electrochemical and chemical oxidation of extended TTF 4 and 5 are analysed by cyclic voltammetry, Visible/NIR and ESR spectroscopies, and the X-ray structures of the new salts 5 x BF(4)(CH(2)Cl(2)) and 4 x ClO(4)(THF)(1/2) are presented. The effects of structural factors on the pi-dimerization or the disproportionation reaction of the cation radical are shown. The oxidation of compound 4 presents the successive formation of stable cation radical and dication species both in dichloromethane (DCM) and in a CH(3)CN/THF mixture. In contrast, for compound 5, the stability of the oxidation states strongly depends on the nature of the solvent. In DCM, the oxidation of 5 proceeds by two close one-electron transfers while in CH(3)CN/THF the dication is directly formed via a two-electron process. The X-ray structures of the two salts reveal the formation of pi-dimers of cation radical. While the dimer (5(2))(2+) is due mainly to pi-pi interactions between the conjugating spacer, the multiplication of the sulfur atoms in compound 4 contributes to stabilize the dimer by the combined effects of S-S and pi-pi interactions. Visible/NIR and ESR experiments confirm the higher tendency of 4(+)(.) to dimerize with the occurrence of dimer and monomer in solution, while for 5(+)(.) only the monomer is detected in DCM. On the other hand, by dissolution of 5 x BF(4)(CH(2)Cl(2)) in CH(3)CN, only the neutral and the dicationic states of compounds 5 are observed owing to the disproportionation reaction.     

Solvent dependent fluorescent properties of a 1,2,3-triazole linked 8-hydroxyquinoline chemosensor: tunable detection from zinc(II) to iron(III) in the CH3CN/H2O system

A triazole-containing 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) ether 2 was efficiently synthesized in two steps from the "click" strategy. Compound 2 gave a strong fluorescence (Φ = 0.21) in nonprotic solvent like CH(3)CN, and a weak fluorescence (Φ = 0.06) in protic solvent like water. In water, a more than 100 nm red shift of the fluorescence maximum was observed for compound 2 in comparison with that in CH(3)CN. This fluorescence difference may be attributed to the intermolecular photoinduced proton transfer (PPT) process involving the protic solvent water molecules. Similarly, this intermolecular PPT process was also observed in the high-water-content CH(3)CN aqueous solution (e.g., CH(3)CN/H(2)O = 5/95, v/v). The water content in the CH(3)CN/H(2)O binary solvent mixture greatly affected the fluorescence intensity (e.g., Φ = 0.06 and 0.25 when CH(3)CN/H(2)O = 5/95 and 95/5, v/v, respectively) and emission wavelength. Using this interesting property, by simple variation of the water content in the CH(3)CN aqueous solution, compound 2 was tuned from a selective "turn-on" fluorescent sensor for Zn(2+) (CH(3)CN/H(2)O = 5/95, v/v) to a ratiometric one for Zn(2+) and a selective "turn-off" one for Fe(3+) (CH(3)CN/H(2)O = 95/5, v/v) over a wide range of pH value. In high-water-content (CH(3)CN/H(2)O = 5/95, v/v) aqueous solution compound 2 shows a selective "turn-on" response toward Zn(2+), with a 10-fold enhancement in the fluorescence intensity at 428 nm and a 62 nm blue shift of the emission maximum (490 to 428 nm) due to the inhibition of intermolecular PPT process upon chelating with Zn(2+). However, in a less polar solvent (CH(3)CN/H(2)O = 95/5, v/v) in which compound 2 has high fluorescence (quantum yield =0.25), it shows a ratiometric response toward Zn(2+), with a continuous decrease of the fluorescence intensity at 399 nm and an increase at 423 nm. More interestingly, in this case, it also exhibits a very sensitive, selective, and ratiometric fluorescence quenching in the presence of Fe(3+), with an 81 nm red shift of the emission maximum (399 to 480 nm) in a wide range of pH through a metal ligand charge transfer (MLCT) effect.     

Protonation effect on catalytic water oxidation activity of a mononuclear Ru catalyst containing a free pyridine unit

Two efficient single-site Ru water oxidation catalysts [Ru(bda)(pic)(Ln)](bda = 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid, pic = picoline, L1 = 4,5-bipyridine-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene, L2 = 4-pyridine-5-phenyl-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene) were only synthesized containing different xanthene ligands at the axial site. These complexes have been thoroughly characterized by spectroscopic(UV-vis, NMR) and electrochemical(CV and DPV) techniques. Kinetic analysis proved that the mechanism of water oxidation comprises the water nucleophilic attack process on high-valence ruthenium species.It is found that the catalyst 1 displayed higher activity than catalyst 2 on water oxidation, caused by the protonation of the axial ligand L1 with a free pyridine.     

Electro‐assembly of a Chromophore–Catalyst Bilayer for Water Oxidation and Photocatalytic Water Splitting

The use of electropolymerization to prepare electrocatalytically and photocatalytically active electrodes for water oxidation is described. Electropolymerization of the catalyst Ru^II(bda)(4‐vinylpyridine)₂ (bda=2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylate) on planar electrodes results in films containing semirigid polymer networks. In these films there is a change in the water oxidation mechanism compared to the solution analogue from bimolecular to single‐site. Electro‐assembly construction of a chromophore–catalyst structure on mesoporous, nanoparticle TiO₂ films provides the basis for a dye‐sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cell (DSPEC) for sustained water splitting in a pH 7 phosphate buffer solution. Photogenerated oxygen was measured in real‐time by use of a two‐electrode cell design.     

Photoactivation of amino-substituted 1,4-benzoquinones for release of carboxylate and phenolate leaving groups using visible light

Upon exposure to visible light, 2-pyrrolidino-substituted 3,6-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinones photocyclize to give benzoxazolines with quantum yields of 0.07-0.10 in CH2Cl2, 0.02-0.04 in CH3CN, and <0.01 in 30% aq CH3CN. With carboxylate or phenolate leaving groups incorporated via coupling to a 5-hydroxymethyl group of the quinones, the photocyclizations give benzoxazolines that eliminate the leaving groups in a dark reaction. Lifetimes for elimination of 4-YC6H4OH in 30% phosphate buffer in CD3CN (pD 7) at 17 degrees C are 13.1, 0.54, and 0.13 h for Y = H, CF3, and CN, respectively, and the linear equation log k (h(-1)) = 0.998(-pKa) + 8.80 gives a best fit to the data. Carboxylate leaving groups are rapidly eliminated upon photolysis of the quinones in aq CH3CN to produce an o-quinone methide intermediate that is trapped by 4 + 2 cycloaddition with unreacted starting material or with added 3-(dimethylamino)-5,5-dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one. The ortho-quinone methide is observed at 339 and 455 nm by conventional absorption spectroscopy and gives a pseudo-first-order fit of the decay kinetics with tau1/2 = 34.9 min in 30% phosphate buffer in CH3CN at 20 degrees C.     

Oxidative reactivity of S-nitrosoglutathione with Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine

[formula: see text] S-Nitrosoglutathione oxidized 4-substituted Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridines in CH3CN/H2O or CH3CN/phosphate aqueous buffer solution to give aromatic products in various yields.     

Alkane hydroperoxidation with peroxides catalysed by copper complexes

Various copper(I) and copper(II) derivatives, both "simple" ones (copper acetate, perchlorate and a complex with CH3CN) and compounds containing N,O-chelating ligands, catalyse very efficient (turnover numbers attain 2200) oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons with peroxyacetic acid (PAA) or tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) in acetonitrile solution at 60 degrees C. Alkyl hydroperoxide, alcohol and ketone are formed, the main product being an alkyl hydroperoxide in the oxidation with PAA and an alcohol for the case of TBHP. It has been proposed that the oxidation with PAA is induced via the attack of species r* [HO* or CH3C(=O)O*] on the alkane, RH. A competitive attack of r* on the solvent, CH3CN, also occurs. It has been assumed that in the case of the reaction catalysed by complex Cu(CH3CN)4BF4, copper is present mainly in the form of Cu+ cation, and the rate-limiting step of the oxidation process is the formation of r* via reaction (1): CH3C(=O)OOH + Cu+ --> CH3C(=O)O* + HO- + Cu2+ or/and CH3C(=O)OOH + Cu+ --> CH3C(=O)O- + HO* + Cu2+ with initial rate W1 = k1[PAA][Cu(CH3CN)4BF4] and k1 = 1.7 mol(-1) dm3 s(-1) at 60 degrees C. The activity of the Cu-catalyst is dramatically changed on a small modification of N,O-chelating ligands in the catalyst.