Valence-band electronic structure of iron phthalocyanine: an experimental and theoretical photoelectron spectroscopy study

The electronic structure of iron phthalocyanine (FePc) in the valence region was examined within a joint theoretical-experimental collaboration. Particular emphasis was placed on the determination of the energy position of the Fe 3d levels in proximity of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) measurements were performed on FePc in gas phase at several photon energies in the interval between 21 and 150 eV. Significant variations of the relative intensities were observed, indicating a different elemental and atomic orbital composition of the highest lying spectral features. The electronic structure of a single FePc molecule was first computed by quantum chemical calculations by means of density functional theory (DFT). The hybrid Becke 3-parameter, Lee, Yang and Parr (B3LYP) functional and the semilocal 1996 functional of Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PBE) of the generalized gradient approximation (GGA-)type, exchange-correlation functionals were used. The DFT/B3LYP calculations find that the HOMO is a doubly occupied π-type orbital formed by the carbon 2p electrons, and the HOMO-1 is a mixing of carbon 2p and iron 3d electrons. In contrast, the DFT/PBE calculations find an iron 3d contribution in the HOMO. The experimental photoelectron spectra of the valence band taken at different energies were simulated by means of the Gelius model, taking into account the atomic subshell photoionization cross sections. Moreover, calculations of the electronic structure of FePc using the GGA+U method were performed, where the strong correlations of the Fe 3d electronic states were incorporated through the Hubbard model. Through a comparison with our quantum chemical calculations we find that the best agreement with the experimental results is obtained for a U(eff) value of 5 eV.     

Electronic structure of crystalline copper phthalocyanine

The electronic structure of copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) has been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Experiments have been performed on alpha and beta crystalline phases, using photoemission spectroscopy to probe core levels and valence band spectra. Different photon energies have been used, in order to probe different sample depths. Only minor differences have been observed in the experimental data on the two different phases, except for a small charge effect on the beta phase crystal. First-principles calculations have been performed using the density functional for molecular and three-dimensional periodic solids (Dmol(3)) code on both the single CuPc molecule and the beta phase, allowing the identification of the different atomic and angular contributions to the experimental density of states. In particular, the highest occupied molecular level is mainly due to Cu and N states. The comparison between theoretical data obtained for the CuPc in the beta phase and in the single molecule shows that the interchain interaction between the molecules is negligible, whereas slightly stronger intrachain interactions occur.     

Electronic structure of copper phthalocyanine: a comparative density functional theory study

We present a systematic density functional theory study of the electronic structure of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) using several different (semi)local and hybrid functionals and compare the results to experimental photoemission data. We show that semilocal functionals fail qualitatively for CuPc primarily because of underbinding of localized orbitals due to self-interaction errors. We discuss an appropriate choice of functional for studies of CuPc/metal interfaces and suggest the Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof screened hybrid functional as a suitable compromise functional.     

Electronic structure control of the nucleophilicity of transition metal-thiolate complexes: an experimental and theoretical study

New metal(II)-thiolate complexes supported by the tetradentate ligand 1,5-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (L(8)py(2)) have been synthesized and subjected to physical, spectroscopic, structural, and computational characterization. The X-ray crystal structures of these complexes, [L(8)py(2)M(S-C(6)H(4)-p-CH(3))]BPh(4) (M = Co, Ni, Zn), reveal distorted square-pyramidal divalent metal ions with four equatorial nitrogen donors from L(8)py(2) and axial p-toluenethiolate ligands. The reactions of the complexes with benzyl bromide produce isolable metal(II)-bromide complexes (in the cases of Co and Ni) and the thioether benzyl-p-tolylsulfide. This reaction is characterized by a second-order rate law (nu = k(2)[L(8)py(2)M(SAr)(+)][PhCH(2)Br]) for all complexes (where M = Fe, Co, Ni, or Zn). Of particular significance is the disparity between k(2) for M = Fe and Co versus k(2) for M = Ni and Zn, in that k(2) for M = Ni and Zn is ca. 10 times larger (faster) than k(2) for M = Fe and Co. An Eyring analysis of k(2) for [L(8)py(2)Co(SAr)](+) and [L(8)py(2)Ni(SAr)](+) reveals that the reaction rate differences are not rooted in a change in mechanism, as the reactions of these complexes with benzyl bromide exhibit comparable activation parameters (M = Co: DeltaH() = 45(2) kJ mol(-)(1), DeltaS() = -144(6) J mol(-)(1) K(-)(1); M = Ni: DeltaH() = 43(3) kJ mol(-)(1), DeltaS() = -134(8) J mol(-)(1) K(-)(1)). Electronic structure calculations using density functional theory (DFT) reveal that the enhanced reaction rate for [L(8)py(2)Ni(SAr)](+) is rooted in a four-electron repulsion (or a "filled/filled interaction") between a completely filled nickel(II) d(pi) orbital and one of the two thiolate frontier orbitals, a condition that is absent in the Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes. The comparable reactivity of [L(8)py(2)Zn(SAr)](+) relative to that of [L(8)py(2)Ni(SAr)](+) arises from a highly ionic zinc(II)-thiolate bond that enhances the negative charge density on the thiolate sulfur. DFT calculations on putative thioether-coordinated intermediates reveal that the Co(II)- and Zn(II)-thioethers exhibit weaker M-S bonding than Ni(II). These combined results suggest that while Ni(II) may serve as a competent replacement for Zn(II) in alkyl group transfer enzymes, turnover may be limited by slow product release from the Ni(II) center.     

Electronic structure of the organic semiconductor copper phthalocyanine: experiment and theory

The electronic structure of the organic semiconductor copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) has been determined by a combination of conventional and resonant photoemission, near-edge x-ray absorption, as well as by the first-principles calculations. The experimentally obtained electronic valence band structure of CuPc is in very good agreement with the calculated density of states results, allowing the derivation of detailed site specific information.     

Electronic structure of H2CS3 and H2CS4: an experimental and theoretical study

The HeI photoelectron spectra of H2CS3 and H2CS4 in the gas phase have been obtained for the first time. A complete theoretical study involving the calculation of the ionization energies using orbital valence Green's functional (OVGF) and population analysis was performed. Calculations of cation-radical forms were carried out in order to interpret the main characters of the six highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs). The first vertical ionization potentials are 8.74 and 8.56eV for H2CS3 and H2CS4, and attributed to {9b2(nS(C=S))}-1 and {8a"(3ppi*(S-S), nS)}-1, respectively. Meanwhile, the energy sequence of three types of sulfur 3p lone-pair have been discussed: 3ppi(S-S)*相似文献   

Electrochemical behavior of copper complexes with substituted polypyridinic ligands: an experimental and theoretical study

Experimental redox potentials of the couples [Cu(R-L ( n ))(CH 3CN)] (2+,+), where L (1) is bis-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)-benzylamine, L (2) is (pyridine-2-ylethyl)(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)-benzylamine, and R is H, Me, or CF 3, were determined in dichloromethane solution. The compounds exhibited one simple quasi-reversible wave over the measured potential range of -500 to +1200 mV, and the E 1/2 values varied from +200 to +850 mV versus SCE. These experimental values were correlated with redox potentials calculated using density functional theory. The optimized geometries and the predicted redox potentials were obtained using the BP86 functional and a combination of the basis sets LACV3P** (for Cu) and cc-pVTZ(-f) (for light atoms). A distortion analysis of all of the optimized geometries for both oxidation states was performed using the generalized interconversion coordinate phi. A linear relation was obtained between this parameter and the redox potentials. However, the [Cu(CF 3-L (1))(CH 3CN)] (+) complex showed the largest deviation, which was explained by the more-rigid structure of the ligand.     

Electronic states of o-nitrobenzaldehyde: a combined experimental and theoretical study

The experimental UV/vis absorption spectrum of ortho-nitrobenzaldehyde (o-NBA) has been assigned by means of MS-CASPT2/CASSCF, TD-DFT, and RI-CC2 theoretical computations. Additional information on the nature of the absorbing bands was obtained by comparing the o-NBA spectrum with that of related compounds, as, e.g., nitrobenzene and benzaldehyde. For wavelengths larger than approximately 280 nm, the absorption spectrum of o-NBA is dominated by a series of weak n pi* absorptions from the NO2 and CHO groups. These weak transitions are followed in energy by a more intense band, peaking at 250 nm and arising from charge transfer pi pi* excitations involving mainly benzene and nitro orbitals. Finally, the most intense band centered at 220 nm has its origin in the overlap of two different absorptions: the first one localized in the NO2 substituent and the second one arising from a charge transfer excitation involving the NO2 and the CHO fragments, respectively.     

Electronic structure and optical properties of an alternated fluorene-benzothiadiazole copolymer: interplay between experimental and theoretical data

The donor-acceptor copolymer containing benzothiadiazole (electron acceptor), linked to functionalized fluorene (electron donor), [poly[9,9-bis(3'-(tert-butyl propanoate))fluorene-co-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (LaPPS40), was synthesized through the Suzuki route. The polymer was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, gel permeation chromatography, NMR, thermal analysis, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis spectrometry, and photophysical measurements. Theoretical calculations (density functional theory and semiempirical methodologies) used to simulate the geometry of some oligomers and the dipole moments of molecular orbitals involved were in excellent agreement with experimental results. Using such data, the higher energy absorption band was attributed to the π-π* (S(0) → S(4)) transition of the fluorene units and the lower lying band was attributed to the intramolecular (ICT) (S(0) → S(1)) charge transfer between acceptor (benzothiadiazole) and donor groups (fluorene) (D-A structure). The ICT character of this band was confirmed by its solvatochromic properties using solvents with different dielectric properties, and this behavior could be well described by the Lippert-Mataga equation. To explain the solvatochromic behavior, both the magnitude and orientation of the dipole moments in the electronic ground state and in the excited state were analyzed using the theoretical data. According to these data, the change in magnitude of the dipole moments was very small for both transitions but the spatial orientation changed remarkably for the lower energy band ascribed to the ICT band.     

Silylium-arene adducts: an experimental and theoretical study

The solvent-coordinated [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] salts (arene = benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) are prepared and fully characterized. As an interesting decomposition product the formation of bissilylated fluoronium ion [Me(3)Si-F-SiMe(3)](+) was observed and even cocrystallized with [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (arene = benzene and toluene). Investigation of the degradation of [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] reveals the formation of fluoronium salt [Me(3)Si-F-SiMe(3)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], B(C(6)F(5))(3), and a reactive "C(6)F(4)" species which could be trapped with CS(2). Upon addition of CS(2), the formation of a formal S-heterocyclic carbene adduct, C(6)F(4)CS(2)-B(C(6)F(5))(3), was observed. The structure and bonding of substituted [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] with arene = R(n)C(6)H(6-n) (R = H, Me, Et, Pr, and Bu; n = 0-6) is discussed on the basis of experimental and theoretical data. X-ray data of [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] salts reveal nonplanar arene species with significant cation···anion interactions. As shown by different theoretical approaches (charge transfer, partial charges, trimethylsilyl affinity values) stabilizing inductive effects occur; however, the magnitude of such effects differs depending on the degree of substitution and the substitution pattern.     

The molecular structure, bonding, and energetics of oxovanadium phthalocyanine: an experimental and computational study

A mass spectrometric study of saturated vapor over oxovanadium phthalocyanine showed the thermal stability and monomeric vapor composition of this compound. The molecular structure of oxovanadium phthalocyanine (VOPc) was determined using a combination of gas-phase electron diffraction (GED), mass spectrometry, and quantum chemical calculations. According to GED, the VOPc molecule has C_4v symmetry. Experimental structural parameters are in good agreement with the parameters obtained by UB3LYP/cc-pVTZ calculations. The vanadium atom has a five-coordinated square-pyramidal geometry, being shifted above the plane of the four isoindole nitrogen atoms by 0.576(14) Å. The parameters of the square pyramid VN₄ are r _h1(V–N) = 2.048(7) Å, r _h1(N···N) = 2.780(12) Å. The vanadium–oxygen bond length is r _h1(V–O) = 1.584(11) Å. NBO analysis shows polar character of coordination bonds with significant covalent contribution and pronounced direct donation. X-ray crystallography and GED give different coordination bond lengths according to the different physical meaning of the parameters obtained by these methods. The enthalpy of sublimation [?H _s ^o (593–678 K)] is 53.3 ± 0.8 kcal/mol.     

Electronic state of push-pull alkenes: an experimental dynamic NMR and theoretical ab initio MO study

The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of a number of push-pull alkenes were recorded and the (13)C chemical shifts calculated employing the GIAO perturbation method. Of the various levels of theory tried, MP2 calculations with a triple-zeta-valence basis set were found to be the most effective for providing reliable results. The effect of the solvent was also considered but only by single-point calculations. Generally, the agreement between the experimental and theoretically calculated (13)C chemical shifts was good with only the carbons of the carbonyl, thiocarbonyl, and cyano groups deviating significantly. The substituents on the different sides of the central C=C partial double bond were classified qualitatively with respect to their donor (S,S < S,N < N,N) and acceptor properties (C identical with N < C=O < C=S) and according to the ring size on the donor side (6 < 7 < 5). The geometries of both the ground (GS) and transition states (TS) of the restricted rotation about the central C=C partial double bond were also calculated at the HF and MP2 levels of theory and the free energy differences compared with the barriers to rotation determined experimentally by dynamic NMR spectroscopy. Structural differences between the various push-pull alkenes were reproduced well, but the barriers to rotation were generally overestimated theoretically. Nevertheless, by correlating the barriers to rotation and the length of the central C=C partial double bonds, the push-pull alkenes could be classified with respect to the amount of hydrogen bonding present, the extent of donor-acceptor interactions (the push-pull effect), and the level of steric hindrance within the molecules. Finally, by means of NBO analysis of a set of model push-pull alkenes (acceptors: -C identical with N, -CH=O, and -CH=S; donors: S, O, and NH), the occupation numbers of the bonding pi orbitals of the central C=C partial double bond were shown to quantitatively describe the acceptor powers of the substituents and the corresponding occupation numbers of the antibonding pi orbital the donor powers of the substituents. Thus, for the first time an estimation of both the acceptor and the donor properties of the substituents attached to the push-pull double bond have been separately quantified. Furthermore, both the balance between strong donor/weak acceptor substituents (and vice versa) and the additional influences on the barriers to rotation (hydrogen bonding and steric hindrance in the GSs and TSs) could be differentiated.     

Electronic structure and FeNO conformation of nonheme iron-thiolate-NO complexes: an experimental and DFT study

Reactions of NO and CO with Fe(II) complexes of the tripodal trithiolate ligands NS3 and PS3* yield trigonal-bipyramidal (TBP) complexes with varying redox states and reactivity patterns with respect to dissociation of the diatomic ligand. The previously reported four-coordinate [Fe(II)(NS3)](-) complex reacts irreversibly with NO gas to yield the S = 3/2 {FeNO}(7) [Fe(NS3)(NO)](-) anion, isolated as the Me(4)N(+) salt. In contrast, the reaction of NO with the species generated by the reaction of FeCl(2) with Li(3)PS3* gives a high yield of the neutral, TBP, S = 1 complex, [Fe(PS3*)(NO)], the first example of a paramagnetic {FeNO}(6) complex. X-ray crystallographic analyses show that both [Fe(NS3)(NO)](-) and [Fe(PS3*)(NO)] feature short Fe-N(NO) distances, 1.756(6) and 1.676(3) A, respectively. However, whereas [Fe(NS3)(NO)]- exhibits a distinctly bent FeNO angle and a chiral pinwheel conformation of the NS3 ligand, [Fe(PS3*)(NO)] has nearly C(3v) local symmetry and a linear FeNO unit. The S = 1 [Fe(II)(PS3)L] complexes, where L = 1-MeIm, CN(-), CO, and NO(+), exhibit a pronounced lengthening of the Fe-P distances along the series, the values being 2.101(2), 2.142(1), 2.165(7), and 2.240(1) A, respectively. This order correlates with the pi-backbonding ability of the fifth ligand L. The cyclic voltammogram of the [Fe(NS3)(NO)](-) anion shows an irreversible oxidation at +0.394 V (vs SCE), apparently with loss of NO, when scanned anodically in DMF. In contrast, [Fe(PS3*)(NO)] exhibits a reversible {FeNO}(6)/{FeNO}(7) couple at a low potential of -0.127 V. Qualitatively consistent with these electrochemical findings, DFT (PW91/STO-TZP) calculations predict a substantially lower gas-phase adiabatic ionization potential for the [Fe(PS3)(NO)](-) anion (2.06 eV) than for [Fe(NS3)(NO)](-) (2.55 eV). The greater instability of the {FeNO}(7) state with the PS3* ligand results from a stronger antibonding interaction involving the metal d(z(2)) orbital and the phosphine lone pair than the analogous orbital interaction in the NS3 case. The antibonding interaction involving the NS3 amine lone pair affords a relatively "stereochemically active" dz2 electron, the z direction being roughly along the Fe-N(NO) vector. As a result, the {FeNO}(7) unit is substantially bent. By contrast, the lack of a trans ligand in [Fe(S(t)Bu)3(NO)](-), a rare example of a tetrahedral {FeNO}(7) complex, results in a "stereochemically inactive" d(z(2)) orbital and an essentially linear FeNO unit.     

Electronic delocalization in discotic liquid crystals: a joint experimental and theoretical study

Discotic liquid crystals emerge as very attractive materials for organic-based (opto)electronics as they allow efficient charge and energy transport along self-organized molecular columns. Here, angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARUPS) is used to investigate the electronic structure and supramolecular organization of the discotic molecule, hexakis(hexylthio)diquinoxalino[2,3-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, deposited on graphite. The ARUPS data reveal significant changes in the electronic properties when going from disordered to columnar phases, the main feature being a decrease in ionization potential by 1.8 eV following the appearance of new electronic states at low binding energy. This evolution is rationalized by quantum-chemical calculations performed on model stacks containing from two to six molecules, which illustrate the formation of a quasi-band structure with Bloch-like orbitals delocalized over several molecules in the column. The ARUPS data also point to an energy dispersion of the upper pi-bands in the columns by some 1.1 eV, therefore highlighting the strongly delocalized nature of the pi-electrons along the discotic stacks.     

Amine exchange in formamidines: an experimental and theoretical study

N-H-containing formamidines combine a reasonably strong association to carboxylic acids to form complexes of well-defined geometries with a simultaneous proton-induced electrophilicity enhancement that allows for the exchange of their amine portion. The N=C(H)-NH fragment, therefore, undergoes "imine-like" exchange with N-containing nucleophiles. Because of the prototropic equilibrium, the N=C(H)-NH fragment may behave as a "bisimine" centred on the same carbon, in which both N-containing fragments can be exchanged. Considering the proton-induced sensitisation of both C-N units and the well-defined formamidine-carboxylic acid complex geometry, it should be possible to use carboxylic acids as templates for the synthesis of defined architectures by dynamic amine exchange within formamidines. This study highlights three exchange regimes based on the nature of the incoming amine (aliphatic amines, aromatic amines and alkoxyamines), as well as exchange rules based on the amine leaving groups. Following this analysis, a proof of concept for carboxylic acid templated macrocycle formation through dynamic exchange is provided.     

Symmetry breaking effect in the ferrocene electronic structure by hydrocarbon-monosubstitution: an experimental and theoretical study

We present here the results of a synchrotron radiation-excited UV-photoemission investigation and density functional theory calculations on a structurally related series of organometallic free molecules: ethylferrocene (EtFC), vinylferrocene (VFC), and ethynylferrocene (EFC). This series exemplifies the electronic interactions operating when the C-C substituent group of an aromatic ring is bound to the substrate surface atoms, from a single C-C bond to the double and triple C-C bond pi systems which are still able to preserve substrate-molecule conjugation. A detailed assignment of the gas phase valence photoelectron spectra is discussed, providing new data on the electronic structure of EtFC and EFC and offering a partial reinterpretation of previous assignments on VFC. The broken symmetry of ferrocene caused by the monosubstitution has notable effects on the removal of the molecular orbital (MO) degeneracy which is found to be especially remarkable for the ferrocenelike e(1)' MOs. This effect is ascribed to the interaction between the aromatic cyclopentadyenyl ring and the substituent through sigma/pi hyperconjugation and pi-conjugation mechanisms depending on the nature of the hydrocarbon moiety and its conformational geometry. The vertical ionization energy values of the highest occupied MO for the alkylferrocene and ferrocene free molecules linearly correlate with the redox potential in acetonitrile for ferrocene and the corresponding hybrids obtained by covalently anchoring the free molecule on silicon.     

A theoretical study of five nitrates: Electronic structure and bond dissociation energies

Three density-functional methods (B3P86, B3PW91, and B3LYP) are employed to investigate the O–NO₂ bond lengths, frontier orbital energies, and O–NO₂ bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of n-propyl nitrate (NPN), isopropyl nitrate (IPN), 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (EHN), triethylene glycol dinitrate (Tri-EGDN), and tetraethylene glycol dinitrate (Tetra-EGDN). It is found that the O–NO₂ bond lengthens (destabilizes) in the order of IPN, NPN, EHN, Tetra-EGDN, and Tri-EGDN. From the data of frontier orbital energies (E_HOMO, E_LUMO), and energy gaps (ΔE), we estimate the relative thermal stability ordering of five nitrates and their corresponding radicals. The predicted BDEs of O–NO₂ bond in NPN, IPN, EHN, Tri-EGDN, and Tetra-EGDN, are 176.6, 174.5, 168.1, 156.1, and 159.3 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Based on the finding that the present results of BDEs are well coincident with the experimental results of apparent activation energies from the literature, we can draw a conclusion that the experimental thermolysis of five nitrates is only unimolecular homolytical cleavage of the O–NO₂ bonds.     

Cationic prevesicle and vesicle nanoaggregates: an experimental and theoretical study

The formation of spontaneous mixed prevesicles and vesicles consisting of a cationic double-chain surfactant, didecyldimethylammonium bromide (di-C(10)DMAB), and a cationic single-chain alkyltrimethylammonium bromide with 10 and/or 14 carbon atoms (decyltrimethylammonium bromide, C(10)TAB, and/or tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, C(14)TAB) has been investigated by means of a series of (i) highly precise experimental techniques, such as conductometry, transmission electronic microscopies (TEM and cryo-TEM), laser Doppler electrophoresis (LDE), and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy and (ii) theoretical models, such as the DLVO theory and two of its main further modifications, Inoues's and Sogami's models. Two new potentials, based on the combination of DLVO or Inoue potentials with that of Sogami, have been proposed and checked. This theoretical analysis has been carried out not only for the aggregates studied in this work but also for other di-C(m)DMAB + C(n)TAB (m = 10, 12 and n = 10, 12, 14) systems previously reported by us. In respect to the experimental study, special emphasis has been devoted to the prevesicle domain. We have confirmed the existence of two critical aggregation concentrations in the very diluted concentration domain, where the conductivity plot shows a zigzag pattern: the so-called mixed critical aggregate concentration, CAC* and the mixed critical vesicle concentration, CVC*. Contrarily, only CVC* is detected. The pre-CAC* nanoaggregates, with a variety of sizes and shapes, do not show a clear aggregation pattern, but even at such low concentrations a small number of nanoaggregates with a clear and ordered aggregation pattern has been visualized. In the postvesicle domain, the aggregates (vesicles) are unilamellar and spherical with a medium polidispersity and a net averaged surface density charge of around 14 x 10(-3) (pure vesicles) and 24 x 10(-3) C m(-2) (mixed vesicles). The hydrophobicities of the lipidic bilayer and the surface of the vesicles resemble those of media with dielectric constants of around 30 and 75, respectively. Finally, theoretical predictions confirm the stability of the pure and mixed vesicles studied in this work and in other works previously reported.     

Synthesis, reactivity, and electronic structure of [n]vanadoarenophanes: an experimental and theoretical study

An optimized procedure for the selective dimetalation of [V(eta (6)-C 6H 6) 2] by BuLi/tmeda allowed for the isolation and characterization of [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5Li) 2].tmeda. X-ray diffraction of its thf solvate [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5Li) 2].(thf) 7 revealed an unsymmetrical, dimeric composition in the solid state, in which both subunits are connected by three bridging lithium atoms. Treatment with several element dihalides facilitated the isolation of [ n]vanadoarenophanes ( n = 1, 2) with boron and silicon in the bridging positions. In agreement with the number and covalent radii of the bridging elements, these derivatives exhibit molecular ring strain to a greater or lesser extent. The B-B bond of the [2]bora species [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5) 2B 2(NMe 2) 2] was readily cleaved by [Pt(PEt 3) 3] to afford the corresponding oxidative addition product. Subsequently, [V(eta (6)-C 6H 5) 2B 2(NMe 2) 2] was employed as a diborane(4) precursor in the diboration of 2-butyne under stoichiometric, homogeneous, and heterogeneous catalysis conditions. This transformation is facilitated by the reduction of molecular ring strain, which was confirmed by a decrease of the tilt angle alpha observed in the corresponding solid-state structures. EPR spectroscopy was used to probe the electronic structure of strained [ n]vanadoarenophanes and revealed an obvious correlation between the degree of molecular distortion and the observed hyperfine coupling constant a iso. State-of-the-art DFT calculations were able to reproduce the measured isotropic vanadium hyperfine couplings and the coupling anisotropies. The calculations confirmed the decrease of the absolute isotropic hyperfine couplings with increasing tilt angle. Closer analysis showed that this is mainly due to increased positive contributions to the spin density at the vanadium nucleus from the spin polarization of doubly occupied valence orbitals of vanadium-ligand sigma-antibonding character. The latter are destabilized and thus made more polarizable in the bent structures.