Pyrrolopyrrole Cyanine Dyes: A New Class of Near‐Infrared Dyes and Fluorophores

NIRer there : Pyrrolopyrrole cyanine (PPCys) dyes, a new class of near‐infrared (NIR) fluorophores, are obtained by condensation of heteroarylacetonitrile and diketopyrrolopyrrole compounds (see picture). Complexation with BF₂ or BPh₂ yields strongly fluorescent, photostable NIR dyes that show high absorption cross‐sections and fluorescence quantum yields. Furthermore, alteration of the heterocycle can tune the main absorption between λ = 684 and 864 nm.

     

Ultrasonic Extraction Coupled with Capillary Electrophoresis for the Determination of Azo Dyes in Lipsticks Using Ionic Liquid as Dynamic Coating and Background Electrolyte

A simple and rapid method based on ultrasonic extraction and capillary electrophoresis using 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as dynamic coating and background electrolyte was developed. The method was applied to the separation and determination of three azo dyes in two lipsticks. To increase extraction rate and yield, lipstick samples were coated on a glass slide before ultrasonic extraction. The dyes were extracted by ultrasonic extraction for 30 min, and then determined by capillary electrophoresis. Several experimental factors, such as ionic liquid concentration, pH value of background electrolyte and applied voltage, were examined and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, three azo dyes were completely separated within 12 min, and the detection limits for the three azo dyes ranged from 0.33 to 0.88 μg/mL. The recoveries were in the range of 96.8% to 108.8%.     

Tuning the Photophysical Properties of Push‐Pull Azaheterocyclic Chromophores by Protonation: A Brief Overview of a French‐Spanish‐Czech Project

Conjugated push‐pull molecules that incorporate nitrogen heterocycles as electron‐withdrawing units are interesting materials because of their luminescence properties. These chromophores can be easily and reversibly protonated at the nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic ring and this can cause dramatic color changes. White and multi‐color photoluminescence both in solution and in the solid state can be obtained by an accurate control of the amount of acid. Thus, with a suitable design these compounds have potential applications in the development of colorimetric pH sensors and the fabrication of OLEDs based on only one material. We provide here a brief overview of our collaborative efforts made in this area.     

Azolate Anions in Ionic Liquids: Promising and Under-Utilized Components of the Ionic Liquid Toolbox

Owing to their ease of synthesis, diffuse positive charge, and chemical stability, 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations (i.e., [C_nmim]⁺) are one of the most routinely utilized and historically important components in ionic liquid (IL) chemistry. However, while this is a routinely encountered member of the IL family as cations, relatively few workers have explored the versatile chemistry of azoles to allow their use as an anionic component in ILs, as azolates. Azolate anions possess many of the desired properties for IL formation, including a diffuse ionic charge, tailorable asymmetry, and synthetic flexibility, with the added advantages of not relying on halogen atoms for electron-withdrawing effects, as is commonly encountered with IL anions such as hexafluorophosphate. This review explores the 122 azolate-containing ILs known in the literature (prepared from only 39 disparate azolate anions), with a view to highlighting not only their demonstrated utility as an IL component, but the ways in which the larger scientific community may utilize their advantageous properties for new tailored materials.     

Cation‐anion radical interactions between halopyridinium cations and metal dithiolene complexes [M(C2S2)2CN]−•: A theoretical study of halogen bonds in conducting or magnetic molecular materials

Metal dithiolene complexes have been extensively used for the elaboration of conducting or magnetic materials, whose molecular arrangements can be sensitively influenced by strong and directional noncovalent interactions. In this work, halogen bonds between N‐methyl‐3‐halopyridinium cations and cyano‐substituted anion radicals, [M(C₂S₂)₂CN]^?? (M = Ni, Pd, and Pt), were systematically investigated at the M06 level of theory. The CN···X interactions in these systems are predicted to be considerably strong and play a vital role in the controlling of the crystal structures of molecular conductors and magnets. The electrostatics contributes mainly to the attraction of these halogen bonds, while the orbital interaction is also important. Particularly, the formation of these interactions has little effect on the distribution of SOMOs, which is strongly delocalized on the two dithiolene moieties. These results will assist in the design of functional materials that exhibit exotic conducting or magnetic properties.     

Optimization of anionic conductivity through the coexistence of ionomer cluster and backbone-backbone morphologies in anion exchange membranes

Random copolymers of poly(4-vinylpyridine) and polyisoprene were synthesized, and subsequently quaternized with 1-alkylbromides. The number of carbons on the pendant side-chain of the resultant comb-shaped polymer, n, ranged from 2–8. The comb-shaped polymers were crosslinked employing thiol-ene chemistry to give mechanically robust ion conducting membranes. Analysis by wide and medium-angle X-ray scattering show three morphology regimes that are dependent on the number of carbons on the pendant side-chains. When n = 2, ionomer cluster morphology was dominant, when n = 8 backbone-backbone morphology was dominant, and when n = 3–6, the membrane showed a coexistence of both ionomer cluster and backbone-backbone morphologies. Evaluation of the water uptake of the membranes showed a maximum water uptake per cation of 9.5 when n = 5 at 95% relative humidity (RH) and 60°C. Conductivity of the samples characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed bromide conductivity as high as 110 mS/cm when n = 3 at 95% RH and 90°C.     

Effects of Cationic Structure on Cellulose Dissolution in Ionic Liquids: A Molecular Dynamics Study

In recent years, great progress has been made in the dissolution of cellulose with ionic liquids (ILs). However, the mechanism of cellulose dissolution, especially the role the IL cation played in the dissolution process, has not been clearly understood. Herein, the mixtures of cellulose with a series of imidazolium‐based chloride ionic liquids and 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl pyridinium chloride ([C₄mpy]Cl) were simulated to study the effect that varying the heterocyclic structure and alkyl chain length of the IL cation has on the dissolution of cellulose. It was shown that the dissolution of cellulose in [C₄mpy]Cl is better than that in [C₄mim]Cl. For imidazolium‐based ILs, the shorter the alkyl chain is, the higher the solubility will be. In addition, an all‐atom force field for 1‐allyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium cation ([Amim]⁺) was developed, for the first time, to investigate the effect the electron‐withdrawing group within the alkyl chain of the IL cation has on the dissolution of cellulose. It was found that the interaction energy between [Amim]⁺ and cellulose was greater than that between [C₃mim]⁺ and cellulose, indicating that the presence of electron‐withdrawing group in alkyl chain of the cation enhanced the interaction between the cation and cellulose due to the increase of electronegativity of the cations. These findings are used to assess the cationic effect on the dissolution of cellulose in ILs. They are also expected to be important for rational design of novel ILs for efficient dissolution of cellulose.     

From Salts to Ionic Liquids by Systematic Structural Modifications: A Rational Approach Towards the Efficient Modular Synthesis of Enantiopure Imidazolium Salts

This paper reports a simple and robust modular synthetic strategy that leads to a large variety of configurationally and structurally diverse imidazole‐based chiral ionic liquids (CILs) by lipase‐catalyzed resolution. The intimate microscopic interactions of the supramolecular ionic network of these imidazolium chiral salts at the molecular level are investigated both spectroscopically (NMR, FT‐IR‐ATR) and theoretically, and a topological analysis of the experimental electron densities obtained by X‐ray dif fr action of single crystals is performed. Our results support the key role played by the relative configuration of the ‐OR group on the hydrogen‐bonding pattern and its strong influence on the final physical properties of the imidazolium salt. We also obtained a reasonable correlation between the observed melting point and the non‐covalent interactions. The spectroscopic data and the topological analysis reflect the key role played by hydrogen bonds between the OH and imidazolium C2H groups in both cation–anion and cation–cation interactions, with the presence of an OH group leading to an additional inter‐cation interaction. This interaction significantly affects the properties of stereoisomeric salts. Even more interestingly, we also studied the effect of the chirality by comparing enantiopure CILs with their racemic mixtures and found that, with the exception of trans‐Cy6‐OH‐Im‐Bn‐Br, the melting points of the racemic mixtures are higher than those of the corresponding enantiomerically pure forms. For stereoisomeric examples, we have successfully explained the differences in melting temperatures in light of the corresponding structural data. Chirality should therefore be taken into account as a highly attractive design vector in the preparation of ILs with specifically desired properties.     

Ionic Liquids Beyond Simple Solvents: Glimpses at the State of the Art in Organic Chemistry

Within the last 25 years ionic liquids have written a tremendous success story, which is documented in a nearly uncountable amount of original research papers, reviews, and numerous applications in research and industry. These days, ionic liquids can be considered as a mature class of compounds for many different applications. Frequently, they are used as neoteric solvents for chemical tansformations, and the number of reviews on this field of research is huge. In this focused review, though, we are trying to evaluate the state of the art of ionic liquid chemistry beyond using them simply as solvents for chemical transformations. It is not meant to be a comprehensive overview on the topic; the choice of emphasis and examples rather refects the authors’ personal view on the field. We are especially highlighting fields in which we believe the most fundamental developments within the next five years will take place: biomass processing, (chiral) ionic liquids from natural sources, biotransformations, and organic synthesis.     

Ionic interactions in solution: VI. The activity expansion and the association concept

The activity expansion equation which expresses the solute concentration as a series expansion of the activities of the solute species is used to reach a reformulation of the mean activity coefficient of a binary symmetrical electrolyte in solution. The result is displayed as the product of a shortrange term and a long-range term f_±=f _± ^S ·f^L _±, from which a straightforward derivation of the Bjerrum treatment is obtained. The analogy with an equivalent formulation for the molar conductance coefficient which results from the application of the echo-effect is emphasized. A simple formulation of the ion pair distribution function is proposed which is particularly powerful for ionic systems involving strong interactions. It is shown that the variable which controls the excess transport and thermodynamic quantities is not so much the stoichiometric concentration but rather the product of the concentration with the short-range factor f _± ^S of the activity coefficient product derived in the present work. In dilute solutions this factor becomes the so-called fraction of free ions originally introduced somewhat empirically by Bjerrum by means of a chemical model.Dedicated to Johannes Coetzee on the occasion of his 65th Birthday.     

When Like Charged Ions Attract in Ionic Liquids: Controlling the Formation of Cationic Clusters by the Interaction Strength of the Counterions

The properties of ionic liquids are described by a subtle balance between Coulomb interaction, hydrogen bonding, and dispersion forces. We show that lowering the attractive Coulomb interaction by choosing weakly coordinating anions leads to the formation of cationic clusters. These clusters of like‐charged ions are stabilized by cooperative hydrogen bonding and controlled by the interaction potential of the anion. IR and NMR spectroscopy combined with computational methods are used to detect and characterize these unusual, counter‐intuitively formed clusters. They can be only observed for weakly coordinating anions. When cationic clusters are formed, cyclic tetramers are particularly stable. Therein, cooperative hydrogen‐bond attraction can compete with like‐charge repulsion. We present a simple but effective spectroscopic scale for the possibility of like‐charge attraction in ionic liquids, based on IR and NMR signatures.     

Torsional Dynamics of Thioflavin T in Room‐Temperature Ionic Liquids: An Effect of Heterogeneity of the Medium

The ultrafast excited‐state dynamics of a fibril binding dye, thioflavin T (ThT), has been studied in two room‐temperature ionic liquids (RTILs): 1‐Butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and methyltrioctylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. Previously, in most studies, it was observed that the excited‐state dynamics of the ThT dye were dependent on the viscosity of the medium. In our study, by using RTILs, we have demonstrated that the excited‐state dynamics of ThT are not only viscosity dependent, but also dependent on the heterogeneous nature of the medium. The effect of structural heterogeneity present in neat RTILs on the excited‐state dynamics of ThT was observed. For both RTILs, excitation wavelength dependency on the emission properties of ThT was observed.     

Effect of the π Bridge and Acceptor on Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Push–Pull Cationic Chromophores: An Ultrafast Spectroscopic and TD‐DFT Computational Study

Three (donor–π–acceptor)⁺ systems with a methyl pyridinium or quinolinium as the electron‐deficient group, a dimethyl amino as the electron‐donor group, and an ethylene or butadiene group as the spacer have been investigated in a joint spectroscopic and TD‐DFT computational study. A negative solvatochromism has been revealed in the absorption spectra, which implies a solution color change, and interpreted by considering the variation in the permanent dipole moment modulus and orientation upon photoexcitation. The fluorescence efficiency decreases upon increasing solvent polarity, in agreement with the excited‐state optimized geometries (planar in low‐polarity media and twisted in high‐polarity media). Femtosecond transient absorption has revealed the occurrence of a fast photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and the molecular factors that determine an efficient ICT. Considering the crucial role of the ICT in tuning the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, these compounds can be considered promising NLO materials.     

The Underlying Chemistry to the Formation of PO2 Radicals from Organophosphorus Compounds: A Missing Puzzle Piece in Flame Chemistry

Reactive species, such as ^.PO₂ and HOPO, are considered of upmost importance in flame inhibition and catalytic combustion processes of fuels. However, the underlying chemistry of their formation remains speculative due to the unavailability of suitable analytical techniques that can be used to identify the transient species which lead to their formation. This study elucidates the reaction mechanisms of the formation of phosphoryl species from dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP) and dimethyl methyl phosphoramidate (DMPR) under well-defined oxidative conditions. Photoelectron photoion coincidence techniques that utilized vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation were applied to isomer-selectively detect the elusive key intermediates and stable products. With the help of in situ recorded spectral fingerprints, different transient species, such as PO₂ and triplet O radicals, have been exclusively identified from their isomeric components, which has helped to piece together the formation mechanisms of phosphoryl species under various conditions. It was found that ^.PO₂ formation required oxidative conditions above 1070 K. The combined presence of O₂ and H₂ led to significant changes in the decomposition chemistry of both model phosphorus compounds, leading to the formation of ^.PO₂. The reaction ^.PO+O₂→^.PO₂+O: was identified as the key step in the formation of ^.PO₂. Interestingly, the presence of O₂ in DMPR thermolysis suppresses the formation of PN-containing species. In a previous study, PN species were identified as the major species formed during the pyrolysis of DMPR. Thus, the findings of this study has shed light onto the decomposition pathways of organophosphorus compounds, which are beneficial for their fuel additive and fire suppressant applications.     

A comparison of phosphaferrocene and phospharuthenocene ligands in Rh+-catalysed enamide hydrogenation reactions: superior performance of the phospharuthenocene

Enantiopure Cp*-substituted 3,4-dimethyl-5-phenylphosphametallocene-2-methanols (M=Fe, Ru) have been prepared from the corresponding 2-carboxy-(-)-menthylphospholide anion and elaborated into 2-CH(2)PPh(2) phosphametallocenes (13: M=Fe; 14: M=Ru) and 2-CH(2)PtBuR substituted phospharuthenocenes (R=tBu, Me). The crystal structures of complexes [Rh(1,5-cod)(eta(2)-L)](+)BF(4)(-) (L=13, 14) reveal significantly different aryl group configurations. Comparative studies of the hydrogenation of para-substituted N-acetylcinnamate esters with these pre-catalysts show a superior performance for the phospharuthenocene derivative in terms of both rate and enantioselectivity.     

Modulating the Solubilities of Ionic Liquid Components in Aqueous–Ionic Liquid Biphasic Systems: A Q‐NMR Investigation

Aqueous–ionic liquid (A–IL) biphasic systems have been examined in terms of deuterated water, acid, and IL cation and anion mutual solubilities in the upper (water‐rich, in mole fraction) and lower phase of aqueous/IL biphasic systems at ambient temperature. The biphasic mixtures were composed of deuterated acids of various concentrations (mainly DCl, DNO₃, and DClO₄ from 10^?2 to 10^?4 M ) and five ionic liquids of the imidazolium family with a hydrophobic anion (CF₃SO₂)₂N^?, that is, [C₁C_nim][Tf₂N], (n=2, 4, 6, 8 and 10). The analytical techniques applied were ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, Karl–Fischer titration, pH potentiometry for IL cations and anions, and water and acid determination. The effects of the ionic strength (μ=0.1 M NaCl and NaNO₃ as well as μ=0.1 M , 0.2 M and 0.4 M NaClO₄, according to the investigated acid), the nature of the IL cation, and the nature of the mineral acid on the solubilities of the (D₂O, D⁺, Tf₂N^?, C₁C_nim⁺) entities in the lower or upper phases were determined. The addition of sodium perchlorate was found to enhance the Tf₂N^? solubility while inhibiting the solubility of the ionic liquid cation. Differences in IL cation and anion solubilities of up to 42 mM were evidenced. The consequences for the characterization of the aqueous biphasic system, the solvent extraction process of the metal ions, and the ecological impact of the ILs are discussed.     

Studies on the Solvation Dynamics of Coumarin 153 in 1‐Ethyl‐3‐Methylimidazolium Alkylsulfate Ionic Liquids: Dependence on Alkyl Chain Length

Steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence behavior of coumarin 153 (C153) is investigated in a series of 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium alkylsulfate ([C₂mim][C_nOSO₃]) ionic liquids differing only in the length of the linear alkyl chain (n=4, 6, and 8) in the anion. The aim of the present study is to understand the role of alkyl chain length in solute rotation and solvation dynamics of C153 in these ionic liquids. The blueshift observed in the steady‐state absorption and emission maxima of C153 on going from the C₄OSO₃ to the C₈OSO₃ system indicates increasing nonpolar character of the microenvironment of the solute with increasing length of the alkyl side chain of the anion of the ionic liquids. The average solvation time is also found to increase on changing the substituent from butyl to octyl, and this is attributed to the increase in the bulk viscosity of the ILs. A steady blueshift of the time‐zero maximum of the fluorescence spectrum with increasing alkyl chain length also indicates that the probe molecule experiences a less polar environment in the early part of the dynamics. Rotational dynamics of C153 are also analyzed by using the Stokes–Einstein–Debye (SED), Gierer–Wirtz (GW), and Dote–Kivelson–Schwartz (DKS) theories. Analyses of the results seem to suggest decoupling of the rotational motion of the probe from solvent viscosity.