Pushing the Limits of Neutral Organic Electron Donors: A Tetra(iminophosphorano)‐Substituted Bispyridinylidene

A new ground‐state organic electron donor has been prepared that features four strongly π‐donating iminophosphorano substituents on a bispyridinylidene skeleton. Cyclic voltammetry reveals a record redox potential of ?1.70 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE) for the couple involving the neutral organic donor and its dication. This highly reducing organic compound can be isolated (44 %) or more conveniently generated in situ by a deprotonation reaction involving its readily prepared pyridinium ion precursor. This donor is able to reduce a variety of aryl halides, and, owing to its redox potential, was found to be the first organic donor to be effective in the thermally induced reductive S? N bond cleavage of N,N‐dialkylsulfonamides, and reductive hydrodecyanation of malonitriles.     

Powerful Bispyridinylidene Organic Reducing Agents with Iminophosphorano π‐Donor Substituents

Four members of a new family of powerful bispyridinylidene organic reducing agents have been prepared, which exploit iminophosphorano (?N=PR₃; R=Ph, Cy) π‐donor substituents. Electrochemical studies show exceptionally high oxidation potentials, ranging from 1.30 to 1.51 V versus SCE. These new reductants were shown to effectively convert 1‐bromonaphthalene to naphthalene under mild reaction conditions. From the redox potentials, substituent constants (σ_p⁺) for the iminophosphorano groups Ph₃P=N? (?1.82) and Cy₃P=N? (?2.21) were determined, demonstrating their superior π‐donating properties compared to traditional amino substituents.     

Novel Metal Complexes Unit of Phenanthroline Derivative for Being Used as Auxiliary Electron Acceptor in Dye Sensitizer Molecules

Donor-acceptor-π bridge-acceptor (D−A−π−A) motif dyes are promising dye sensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In this study, to strengthen with-drawing electron force of the auxiliary electron acceptors(A) in D−A−π−A motif dye sensitizers, the metal complexes unit is be used as auxiliary electron acceptor(A) instead of organic electron-withdrawing monomer. The four polymeric metal complexes were designed, synthesized, and characterized, which used metal complexes of phenanthroline derivatives as auxiliary acceptors (A), benzodithiophene-dithiophene derivatives (BDTT) as donors (D), and 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives as π-bridges and acceptors of the dye sensitizers, and have been used for dye sensitizers. Under AM 1.5 G (100 mW cm⁻²), the photovoltaic test results indicated that the short-circuit photocurrent density (J_sc) of the DSSCs based four polymeric metal complexes are 11.26, 13.68, 14.42 and 15.57 mA cm⁻² and power conversion efficiency (PCE) are 5.96 %, 7.83 %, 8.07 %, 9.28 % respectively. Both J_sc and PCE value of the four polymeric metal complexes increased in order. This may be due to the fact that larger radius of metal ion under the same change number can enhance the coordination bond and cause stronger electron-withdrawing ability of auxiliary acceptor and stronger charge-transfer ability between the donor and the acceptor, which results in higher J_sc and higher PCE of the polymeric complex dye sensitizer.     

DFT and IsoStar Analyses to Assess the Utility of σ- and π-Hole Interactions for Crystal Engineering

The interpretation of 36 charge neutral ‘contact pairs’ from the IsoStar database was supported by DFT calculations of model molecules 1 – 12 , and bimolecular adducts thereof. The ‘central groups’ are σ-hole donors (H₂O and aromatic C−I), π-hole donors (R−C(O)Me, R−NO₂ and R−C₆F₅) and for comparison R−C₆H₅ (R=any group or atom). The ‘contact groups’ are hydrogen bond donors X−H (X=N, O, S, or R₂C, or R₃C) and lone-pair containing fragments (R₃C−F, R−C≡N and R₂C=O). Nearly all the IsoStar distributions follow expectations based on the electrostatic potential of the ‘central-’ and ‘contact group’. Interaction energies (ΔE^BSSE) are dominated by electrostatics (particularly between two polarized molecules) or dispersion (especially in case of large contact area). Orbital interactions never dominate, but could be significant (∼30 %) and of the n/π→σ*/π* kind. The largest degree of directionality in the IsoStar plots was typically observed for adducts more stable than ΔE^BSSE≈−4 kcal⋅mol⁻¹, which can be seen as a benchmark-value for the utility of an interaction in crystal engineering. This benchmark could be met with all the σ- and π-hole donors studied.     

Ambient Water-Stable Dianionic Electron Donors: Intramolecular Noncovalent Conduits Assist Charge Delocalization

Electron-rich π-conjugated dianions are known to be ambient unstable and their stabilization in ambient water is yet to be realized. We report the first example of an exceptionally stable naphthalenediimide-based dianion in ambient and hot water, forming one of the most stable redox-active dianion. The half-life (t_1/2) of dianion ( 1 a²⁻ ) is more than four months in ambient water. The dianionic state was confirmed by X-ray crystallography and by various spectroscopic methods. The noncovalent electronic conduits introduced for the first time in dianions, embrace n_O→π*_C≡N interactions and aid in delocalizing the dianionic charge as validated from theoretical studies. The dianions harness strong NIR absorption and electron donor ability to organic acceptors and metal ions, which make them suitable for potential green energy applications.     

Polarographic studies on bipyridine complexes: III. Polarography of tris(2,2′-bipyridine) complexes of chromium(I), chromium(0), vanadium(0), titanium(0) and molybdenum(0)

Polarograms and cyclic voltammograms for tris(2,2′-bipyridine) complexes of V(0), Cr(0), Cr(I), Ti(0) and Mo(0) in N,N-dimethylformamide are reported. The reversible half-wave potentials for the following redox systems in lower oxidation states are determined: Cr(?I)/Cr(?II), Cr(?II)/Cr(?III), V(I)/V(0), V(0)/V(?I), V(?I)/V(?II), V(?II)/V(?III), Ti(0)/Ti(?I), Ti(?I)/Ti(?II), Mo(?I)/Mo(?II) and Mo(?II)/Mo-(?III). On the basis of the half-wave-potential shift caused by the methyl substitution of ligands, it is concluded that each excess electron of the reductant species of the redox systems, V(bipy)₃^?/V(bipy)₃^2?, Cr(bipy)₃/Cr(bipy)₃^?, Cr(bipy)₃^?/Cr(bipy)₃^2? and Cr(bipy)₃^2?/Cr(bipy)₃^3? (bipy=2,2′-bipyridine), occupies a ligand π^*-orbital and that of the V(bipy)₃²⁺/V(bipy)₃⁺ and V(bipy)₃⁺/V(bipy)₃ systems a metal t_2g-orbital. The apparent π-character of the excess electron of the redox systems Cr(bipy)₃⁺/Cr(bipy)₃ and V(bipy)₃/V(bipy)₃^? is discussed. It is pointed out that the relative electron affinities of trisbipyridine complexes can be determined from the half-wave potential data. The lowest π^*-orbitals of V(bipy)₃^?, Cr(bipy)₃ and Fe(bidy)₃²⁺ become higher in this order. This suggests that the electrostatic interaction between a π^*-electron and the residual charge on the central metal ion predominantly accounts for the observed π^*-level shift.     

A stable pillared metal–organic framework constructed by H4TCPP ligand as luminescent sensor for selective detection of TNP and Fe3+ ions

A novel luminescent metal–organic framework ( Zn‐TCPP/BPY ) with pillared structure based on 2,3,5,6‐tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl)pyrazine (H₄TCPP) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (BPY) has been designed and synthesized through a solvothermal reaction. The [Zn₂(COO)₄] paddlewheel units are linked by TCPP^4? ligands to form two‐dimensional layers and further connected by BPY ligands as pillars to construct the twofold interpenetrating three‐dimensional framework. Interestingly, Zn‐TCPP/BPY possesses outstanding stability in organic solvents and water as well as maintains its structural rigidity in aqueous solutions of different pH values (3–12). After activation, Zn‐TCPP/BPY possesses permanent porosity with Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 630 m² g^–1. Remarkably, Zn‐TCPP/BPY displays excellent fluorescent property in virtue of the aggregation‐induced emission effect of the H₄TCPP ligand, which can be highly active and quenched by small amounts of 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol (TNP) and Fe³⁺ ions. Furthermore, the detection effect of Zn‐TCPP/BPY remains basically the same even after five cycles. The excellent stability, high sensitivity, and recyclability of Zn‐TCPP/BPY make it an outstanding chemical sensor for detecting TNP and Fe³⁺ ions.     

1,2,4,5-Tetrakis(tetramethylguanidino)-3,6-diethynyl-benzenes: Fluorescent Probes,Redox-Active Ligands and Strong Organic Electron Donors

In this work, the change of reactivity induced by the introduction of two para-ethynyl substituents (CCSi(iPr)₃ or CCH) to the organic electron-donor 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(tetramethylguanidino)-benzene is evaluated. The redox-properties and redox-state dependent fluorescence are evaluated, and dinuclear Cu^I and Cu^II complexes synthesized. The Lewis-acidic B(C₆F₅)₃ substitutes the proton of the ethynyl −CCH groups to give new anionic −CCB(C₆F₅)₃⁻ substituents, leading eventually to a novel dianionic strong electron donor in its diprotonated form. Its two-electron oxidation with dioxygen in the presence of a copper catalyst yields the first redox-active guanidine that is neutral (instead of cationic) in its oxidized form.     

Metals in biology: Low-lying states of iron-oxygen and iron-sulfur complexes modeling electron transfer in redox reactions

Energy surfaces of low-lying states of planar complexes [Fe(C₂H₂X₂)₂]ⁿ with X=O and S and total charges n varying between + 3 and − 2 have been investigated by quantum chemical ab initio MO-SCF calculations of double zeta quality. Through studies of such properties as geometry, electron density distribution and molecular orbital energies it has been concluded that some of the states can be referred to as Fe (III) and others as Fe (II) states. The lowest states are found to be those with n = − 1 and 0 for X = O and n = − 1 and − 2 for X = S. For both the oxygen and the sulfur complexes Fe (III) and Fe (II) states are very close in energy. Supposing other electron acceptors and donors to be available, possible schemes for redox reactions between metal and ligand are suggested.     

Stabilization of Pancake Bonding in (TCNQ)2.− Dimers in the Radical-Anionic Salt (N−CH3−2-NH2−5Cl−Py)(TCNQ)(CH3CN) Solvate and Antiferromagnetism Induction

We report a new antiferromagnetic radical-anion salt (RAS) formed from 7,7,8,8-tetracyanquinonedimethane (TCNQ) anion and 2-amino-5-chloro-pyridine cation with the composition of (N−CH₃−2-NH₂−5Cl−Py)(TCNQ)(CH₃CN). The crystallographic data indicates the formation of (TCNQ)₂^.− radical-anion π-dimers in the synthesized RAS. Unrestricted density functional theory calculations show that the formed π-dimers characterize with strong π-stacking “pancake” interactions, resulting in high electronic coupling, enabling efficient charge transfer properties, but π-dimers cannot be stable in the isolated conditions as a result of strong Coulomb repulsions. In a crystal, where (TCNQ)₂^.− π-dimers bound in the endless chainlets via supramolecular bonds with (N−CH₃−2-NH₂−5-Cl−Py)⁺ cations, the repulsion forces are screened, allowing for specific parallel π-stacking interactions and stable radical-anion dimers formation. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility and magnetization confirm antiferromagnetic properties of RAS, what is in line with the higher stability of ground singlet state of the radical-anion pair, calculated by means of the DFT. Therefore, the reported radical-anion (N−CH₃−2-NH₂−5Cl−Py)(TCNQ)(CH₃CN) solvate has promising applications in novel magnetics with supramolecular structures.     

Exploring The Sequence of Electron Density Along The Chemical Reactions Between Carbonyl Oxides And Ammonia/Water Using Bond Evolution Theory

The molecular mechanism of the reactions between four carbonyl oxides and ammonia/water are investigated using the M06-2X functional together with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The analysis of activation and reaction enthalpy shows that the exothermicity of each process increased with the substitution of electron donating substituents (methyl and ethenyl). Along each reaction pathway, two new chemical bonds C−N/C−O and O−H are expected to form. A detailed analysis of the flow of the electron density during their formation have been characterized from the perspective of bonding evolution theory (BET). For all reaction pathways, BET revealed that the process of C−N and O−H bond formation takes place within four structural stability domains (SSD), which can be summarized as follows: the depopulation of V(N) basin with the formation of first C−N bond (appearance of V(C,N) basin), cleavage of N−H bond with the creation of V(N) and V(H) monosynaptic basin, and finally the V(H,O) disynaptic basin related to O−H bond. On the other hand, in the case of water, the cleavage of O−H bond with the formation of V(O) and V(H) basins is the first stage, followed by the formation of the O−H bond as a second stage, and finally the creation of C−O bond.     

The molecular and electronic structure features of silatranes, germatranes, and their carbon analogs

Molecular geometries of fifty-six metallatranes N(CH₂CH₂Y)₃M-X and fifty-six carbon analogs HC(CH₂CH₂Y)₃M-X (M = Si, Ge; X = H, Me, OH, F; Y = CH₂, O, NH, NMe, NSiMe₃, PH, S) were optimized by the DFT method. Correlations between changes in the bond orbital populations, electron density ρ(r), electron density laplacian ∇²ρ(r), |λ₁|/λ₃ ratio, electronic energy density E(r), bond lengths, and displacement of the central atom from the plane of three equatorial substituents and the nature of substituents X and Y were studied. As the number of electronegative substituents at the central atom increases, the M←N, M-X, and M-Y bond lengths decrease, while the M←N bond strength and the electron density at critical points of the M←N, M-X, and M-Y bonds increase. An increase in electronegativity of a substituent (X or Y) is accompanied by a decrease in the ionicities of the other bonds (M-X, M-Y, and M←N) formed by the central atom (Si, Ge). A new molecular orbital diagram for bond formation is proposed, which takes into account the interaction of all five substituents at the central atom (M = Si, Ge) in atrane molecules. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 448–460, March, 2006.     

The nature of interactions between N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate and thiophenic compounds: A theoretical investigation

In an effort to understand the nature of the interactions between pyridinium-based ionic liquids and thiophenic compounds, the electronic and topological properties of the interactions between N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([BPY]⁺[BF₄]⁻) and thiophene (TS), benzothiophene (BT), dibenzothiophene (DBT) have been investigated by density functional theory. The most stable structure of the [BPY]⁺[BF₄]⁻ ion-pair indicated that hydrogen bonding interactions between fluorine atoms on [BF₄]⁻ anions and C2–H2 on the pyridinium ring play an important role in the formation of the ion-pair. The NBO and AIM analyses indicate the occurrence of π–π stacking interactions. The electron density at bond critical points and Wiberg bond indices are correlated with the interacting distances of H···F interactions, so electron density and Wiberg bond index can demonstrate the interacting strength of H···F hydrogen bonds. The interaction energies suggest that DBT adsorbs prior to the other compounds on N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid.     

A whole zoo of hydrogen bonds in one crystal structure: tris(isonicotinium) hydrogensulfate sulfate monohydrate

Depending on the reaction partner, the organic ditopic molecule isonicotinic acid (Hina) can act either as a Brønsted acid or base. With sulfuric acid, the pyridine ring is protonated to become a pyridinium cation. Crystallization from ethanol affords the title compound tris(4‐carboxypyridinium) hydrogensulfate sulfate monohydrate, 3C₆H₆NO₂⁺·HSO₄⁻·SO₄²⁻·H₂O or [(H₂ina)₃(HSO₄)(SO₄)(H₂O)]. This solid contains 11 classical hydrogen bonds of very different flavour and nonclassical C—H…O contacts. All N—H and O—H donors find at least one acceptor within a suitable distance range, with one of the three pyridinium H atoms engaged in bifurcated N—H…O hydrogen bonds. The shortest hydrogen‐bonding O…O distance is subtended by hydrogensulfate and sulfate anions, viz. 2.4752 (19) Å, and represents one of the shortest hydrogen bonds ever reported between these residues.     

A Novel Thermocell System Using Proton Solvation Entropy

The entropy change associated with proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions significantly enhance the Seebeck coefficient (S_e) of thermocells. A redox pair of [Ru(H_xim)₆]^2+/3+ (Him=imidazole, x=0≈1) releases three protons in their one-electron redox reactions in thermocells, which gave a remarkably high S_e of −3.7 mV K⁻¹ as confirmed by temperature-dependent square wave voltammetry. The value of S_e is proportional to the redox reaction entropy (ΔS_rc), which increased with the number of dissociating protons. This result demonstrates the utility of PCET reaction toward efficient thermoelectric conversion.     

Synthesis and characterization of a photochromic magnesium(II) coordination polymer based on a naphthalene diimide ligand

Naphthalene diimides, which are planar, chemically robust and redox‐active, are an attractive class of electron‐deficient dyes, which can undergo a single reversible one‐electron reduction to form stable radical anions in the presence of electron donors upon irradiation. This makes them excellent candidates for organic linkers in the construction of photochromic coordination polymers. Such a photochromic one‐dimensional linear coordination polymer has been prepared using N ,N ′‐bis(3‐carboxyphenyl)naphthalene‐1,8:4,5‐tetracarboximide (H₂BBNDI). Crystallization of H₂BBNDI with magnesium nitrate in an N ,N ′‐dimethylformamide (DMF)/ethanol/H₂O mixed‐solvent system under solvothermal conditions afforded the one‐dimensional coordination polymer catena‐poly[[bis(dimethylformamide‐κO )magnesium(II)]‐bis[μ‐N‐(3‐carboxylatophenyl)‐N ′‐(3‐carboxylphenyl)naphthalene‐1,8:4,5‐tetracarboximide‐κ²O :O ′]], [Mg(C₂₈H₁₃N₂O₈)₂(C₃H₇NO)₂]_n . The asymmetric unit contains half of a magnesium cation, one HBBNDI⁻ ligand and one DMF molecule. Two partially deprotonated HBBNDI⁻ ligands bridge two magnesium cations to form a one‐dimensional chain. Strong inter‐chain π–π interactions between the naphthalene rings of the HBBNDI⁻ ligand and the imide rings of adjacent chains provide a two‐dimensional structure. The supramolecular three‐dimensional framework is stabilized by π–π interactions between naphthalene rings of neighbouring two‐dimensional supramolecular networks. The complex exhibits a reversible photochromic behaviour, which may originate from the photoinduced electron‐transfer generation of radicals in the HBBNDI⁻ ligand.     

Poly[[diaquabis[μ2‐2‐(4‐pyridinio)propane‐1,3‐dionato‐κ2O:O′]cobalt(II)] dinitrate]

The title compound, {[Co(C₈H₇NO₂)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂}_n, is the first d‐metal ion complex involving bidentate bridging of a β‐dialdehyde group. The Co²⁺ ion is situated on an inversion centre and adopts an octahedral coordination with four equatorial aldehyde O atoms [Co—O = 2.0910 (14) and 2.1083 (14) Å] and two axial aqua ligands [Co—O = 2.0631 (13) Å]. The title compound has a two‐dimensional square‐grid framework structure supported by propane‐1,3‐dionate O:O′‐bridges between the metal ions. The organic ligand itself possesses a zwitterionic structure, involving conjugated anionic propane‐1,3‐dionate and cationic pyridinium fragments. Hydrogen bonding between coordinated water molecules, the pyridinium NH group and the nitrate anions [O...O = 2.749 (2) and 2.766 (3) Å, and N...O = 2.864 (3) Å] is essential for the crystal packing.     

Direct Electron Transfer and Electrocatalysis of Myoglobin Based on its Direct Immobilization on Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode

Direct electron transfer of myoglobin (Mb) was achieved by its direct immobilization on carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) with a conductive hydrophobic ionic liquid, 1‐butyl pyridinium hexaflourophosphate ([BuPy][PF₆]) as binder for the first time. A pair of well‐defined, quasi‐reversible redox peaks was observed for Mb/CILE resulting from Mb redox of heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) with oxidation potential of ?0.277 V, reduction potential of ?0.388 V, the formal potential E°′ (E°′=(E_pa+E_pc)/2) at ?0.332 V and the peak‐to‐peak potential separation of 0.111 V at 0.5 V/s. The average surface coverage of the electroactive Mb immobilized on the electrode surface was calculated as 1.06±0.03×10^?9 mol cm^?2. Mb retained its bioactivity on modified electrode and showed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H₂O₂. The cathodic peak current of Mb was linear to H₂O₂ concentration in the range from 6.0 μM to 160 μM with a detection limit of 2.0 μM (S/N=3). The apparent Michaelis–Menten constant (K and the electron transfer rate constant (k_s) were estimated to be 140±1 μM and 2.8±0.1 s^?1, respectively. The biosensor achieved the direct electrochemistry of Mb on CILE without the help of any supporting film or any electron mediator.     

Ylide-Functionalization via Metalated Ylides: Synthesis and Structural Properties

The α-metallated ylides [Ph₃P−C−Z]⁻M⁺ (with Z=SO₂Tol or CN and M=Na or K) were used as versatile nucleophiles for the facile access to ylide-substituted compounds. Halogenations, alkylations, carbonylations and functionalization reactions with main group element halides were easily accomplished by simple trapping reactions with the appropriate electrophiles. X-ray crystallographic studies of all compounds – including the first structures of α-fluorinated P-ylides – showed remarkable differences in the ylide backbone depending on the substituents. In the fluorinated compounds, a change from a fully planar to a pyramidalized ylidic carbon centre was observed despite the strongly anion-stabilizing ability of the yldiide substituent. π-Donation from the ylide substituent also resulted in geometric restrictions depending on the steric and electronic properties of the introduced substituents.