Rearrangement of the cyclohexadiene derivatives of C60 to bis(fulleroid) and bis(methano)fullerene: structure,stability, and mechanism

The cyclohexadiene derivative of C(60) rearranges photochemically to bis(fulleroid) (two [6,5] open structure) and bis(methano)fullerene (two [6,6] closed structure). During this process, a [6,5] open/[6,6] closed intermediate is observed. The isolated intermediate undergoes photochemical rearrangement to bis(fulleroid) and bis(methano)fullerene. On the other side, it undergoes retrorearrangement to the starting material in the dark. The structure and energetics of these C(60) derivatives have been studied at the AM1, PM3, RHF, and B3LYP levels of theory. It is found that bis(fulleroid) bearing four tert-butoxycarbonyl substituents is 5.8 kcal/mol (B3LYP) more stable than the corresponding bis(methano)fullerene. The isolated intermediate having the [6,5] open/[6,6] closed structure is 6.7 kcal/mol more favorable than the previously proposed two [6,5] closed intermediate, and the formation of this compound is well explained by the di-pi-methane rearrangement. (13)C NMR calculation at the B3LYP level reproduced the experimental chemical shifts with very good accuracy for each molecular system. Theoretical studies mainly at the unrestricted B3LYP level on singlet and triplet state potential energy surfaces on fullerene derivatives support the di-pi-methane rearrangement mechanism. The previously proposed symmetrical [4+4]/[2+2+2] and the novel proposed unsymmetrical di-pi-methane pathways may coexist during the reaction.     

Manganese(III)-catalyzed free radical reactions on trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerenes

The first reactions of trimetallic nitride templated endohedral metallofullerenes (TNT EMFs) with carbon radicals generated from diethyl malonate catalyzed by manganese(III) acetate are reported. Two methano monoadducts, Sc3N@C80-A and Sc3N@C80-B, were isolated and characterized. Sc3N@C80-A contains two ester moieties, whereas Sc3N@C80-B contains only one ester group and a hydrogen atom on the central carbon of the addend. NMR spectroscopy of the two monoadducts suggests that the addition occurs regioselectively at a 6,6-ring juncture on the surface of the icosahedrally (Ih) symmetric Sc3N@C80, forming the first 6,6-ring-bridged methano Ih Sc3N@C80 derivatives. The measured 1J(C,H) = 147 Hz for the methano carbon with its hydrogen in monoadduct Sc3N@C80-B nearly perfectly matches the data for pi-homoaromatic systems, indicating an open [6,6]-methano structure. Geometry optimization also found that the "closed" [6,6]-methano structures were energetically unstable and always led to the open forms. Thus, an "open" [6,6]-methanofulleride structure is proposed, which was induced by the norcaradiene rearrangement, resulting in the cleavage of the cyclopropane ring and the formation of energetically stable open cage fullerene derivatives. These are the first examples of thermodynamically stable adducts of the "open" type at the 6,6-ring juncture of Ih Sc3N@C80, differing greatly from the "closed" 5,6-ring juncture adducts reported previously. In addition, bis-, tri-, and up to octaadducts of Sc3N@C80 were detected by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry; this synthetic method was also applied to Lu3N@C80, producing adducts with up to 10 substituents on the carbon cage. These are the highest levels of substitution of TNT metallofullerenes reported so far.     

Photophysical properties of N-acetyl-menthyl anthranilate.

The results of a comprehensive investigation of the photophysical properties of the sunscreen analogue, N-acetyl menthyl anthranilate (NAMA), in various solvent systems are reported. Luminescence studies reveal that this compound is fluorescent (Phi(f)=0.16+/-0.01) in toluene and has a solvent dependent emission maximum in the range 363-370 nm. Phosphorescence has also been detected in low temperature glasses with an emission maximum at 420 nm in EPA, and a lifetime of 1.3 s; the triplet energy was found to be 311+/-3 kJ mol(-1). Kinetic UV-visible absorption measurements revealed a transient species with absorption maxima at 450 nm and solvent dependent lifetimes of 120-240 micros which are attributed to the triplet state. The triplet state is efficiently quenched by oxygen, leading to the formation of singlet oxygen in all of the solvent systems studied. The singlet oxygen quantum yields (Phi(Delta)), determined by time-resolved near-infrared luminescence measurements, were in the range 0.19-0.21.     

Photophysical properties of a 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexasubstituted fullerene derivative

The photophysical properties of a novel 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexasubstituted fullerene derivative (1) are examined in this study. In addition to the ground state absorption spectrum of 1, we report its triplet-triplet absorption spectrum and molar extinction coefficient (Deltae(T-T)), as well as the triplet quantum yield (PhiT), lifetime (tauT), and energy (ET). The saturation of a single six-member ring on the fullerene cage results in significant changes in the triplet state properties as compared to that of pristine C60. The triplet-triplet absorption spectrum shows a hypsochromic shift in long wavelength absorption, and both the triplet state lifetime and the triplet quantum yield are decreased. The triplet energy was found to be similar to that of C60. In addition, the quantum yield (PHI(delta)) of singlet oxygen generated by 1 was calculated and is found to be significantly less than in the case of C60.     

Synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of poly(oxyethylene)-substituted zinc phthalocyanines

The synthesis, photophysical and photochemical properties of the tetra- and octa-poly(oxyethylene)substituted zinc (II) phthalocyanines are reported for the first time. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy and mass spectra. General trends are described for photodegradation, singlet oxygen, triplet state and fluorescence quantum yields, and triplet and fluorescence lifetimes of these compounds in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Photophysical and photochemical properties of phthalocyanine complexes are very useful for PDT applications. The effects of the substituents on the photophysical and photochemical parameters of the zinc(II) phthalocyanines (3a, 5a and 6a) are also reported. The singlet oxygen quantum yields (Phi(Delta)), which give an indication of the potential of the complexes as photosensitizers in applications where singlet oxygen is required (Type II mechanism) ranged from 0.60 to 0.72. Thus, these complexes show potential as Type II photosensitizers. The fluorescence of the complexes was quenched by benzoquinone (BQ).     

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 6. Chemical and redox properties and highly effective photosensitizing activity for singlet oxygen production of penta- and monopalladated complexes in dimethylformamide solution

Tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di-(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinatopalladium(II) [Py 8TPyzPzPd] ( 1) and the corresponding pentapalladated species [(PdCl 2) 4Py 8TPyzPzPd] ( 2), dissolved (c approximately 10 (-5)-10 (-6) M) in preacidified dimethylformamide ([HCl] approximately 10 (-4) M), behave as potent photosensitizing agents for the production of singlet oxygen, (1)O 2, with Phi Delta values of 0.89 +/- 0.04 and 0.78 +/- 0.05, respectively. The related octacation [(2-Mepy) 8TPyzPzPd] (8+) ( 3), examined under similar experimental conditions, exhibits lower Phi Delta values, that is, 0.29 +/- 0.02 (as an iodide salt) and 0.32 +/- 0.02 (as a chloride salt). In view of the very high values of Phi Delta, the photophysics of complexes 1 and 2 has been studied by means of pump and probe experiments using ns laser pulses at 532 nm as excitation source. Both complexes behave like reverse saturable absorbers at 440 nm because of triplet excited-state absorption. The lifetimes of the triplet excited states are 65 and 96 ns for the penta- and mononuclear species, respectively. Fluorescence quantum yields (Phi f) are approximately 0.1% for both 1 and 2. Such low Phi f values for the two complexes are consistent with the high efficiency of triplet excited-state formation and the measured high yields of (1)O 2. Time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) calculations of the lowest singlet and triplet excited states of the mono- and pentapalladated species help to rationalize the photophysical behavior and the relevant activity of the complexes as photosensitizers for the (1)O 2 ( (1)Delta g) generation.     

Relationship between symmetry of porphyrinic pi-conjugated systems and singlet oxygen (1Delta g) yields: low-symmetry tetraazaporphyrin derivatives

We have investigated the excited-state properties and singlet oxygen ((1)Delta(g)) generation mechanism in phthalocyanines (4M; M = H(2), Mg, or Zn) and in low-symmetry metal-free, magnesium, and zinc tetraazaporphyrins (TAPs), that is, monobenzo-substituted (1M), adjacently dibenzo-substituted (2AdM), oppositely dibenzo-substituted (2OpM), and tribenzo-substituted (3M) TAP derivatives, whose pi conjugated systems were altered by fusing benzo rings. The S(1)(x) and S(1)(y) states (these lowest excited singlet states are degenerate in D(4)(h) symmetry) split in the low-symmetry TAP derivatives. The excited-state energies were quantitatively determined from the electronic absorption spectra. The lowest excited triplet (T(1)(x)) energies were also determined from phosphorescence spectra, while the second lowest excited triplet (T(1)(y)) states were evaluated by using the energy splitting between the T(1)(x) and T(1)(y) states previously reported (Miwa, H.; Ishii, K.; Kobayashi, N. Chem. Eur. J. 2004, 10, 4422-4435). The singlet oxygen quantum yields (Phi(Delta)) are strongly dependent on the pi conjugated system. In particular, while the Phi(Delta) value of 2AdH(2) is smallest in our system, that of 2OpH(2), an isomer of 2AdH(2), is larger than that of 4Zn, in contrast to the heavy atom effect. The relationship between the molecular structure and Phi(Delta) values can be transformed into a relationship between the S(1)(x) --> T(1)(y) intersystem crossing rate constant (k(ISC)) and the energy difference between the S(1)(x) and T(1)(y) states (DeltaE(S)(x)(T)(y)). In each of the Zn, Mg, and metal-free compounds, the Phi(Delta)/tau(F) values (tau(F): fluorescence lifetime), which are related to the k(ISC) values, are proportional to exp(-DeltaE(S)(x)(T)(y)), indicating that singlet oxygen ((1)Delta(g)) is produced via the T(1)(y) state and that the S(1)(x) --> T(1)(y) ISC process follows the energy-gap law. From the viewpoint of photodynamic therapy, our methodology, where the Phi(Delta) value can be controlled by changing the symmetry of pi conjugated systems without heavy elements, appears useful for preparing novel photosensitizers.     

Photophysical properties of novel water soluble fullerene derivatives

The spectroscopic and photophysical properties for a series of bis-adduct derivatives of C₆₀ have been studied using a combination of time-resolved and steady state techniques, including picosecond single photon counting and laser flash photolysis. The electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra are red shifted with respect to those of C₆₀. As with the parent fullerene, the main deactivation channel of the excited singlet state is intersystem crossing with the yields of singlet oxygen ranging from 0.63 to 0.97. Our results demonstrate that the photophysical properties depend on the addition pattern of the addends.     

Synthesis of [60]fullerene derivatives bearing five-membered heterocyclic wings and an investigation of their photophysical kinetic properties

The preparation, characterization and photophysical properties of six new stable [6,6]-closed fullerene cycloadducts bearing five-membered heterocycles are described. The modified [60]fullerenes are obtained by a simple and rapid synthesis via a Bingel-type reaction with tetrazole and oxadiazole malonate derivatives. The photophysical kinetics of these new fullerene derivatives in toluene solution under ultraviolet illumination (375 nm, UVA) are studied by electron paramagnetic resonance and free-radical spin-trapping using α-phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone as a spin-trap. The results are compared with pure [60]fullerene and [6,6]-phenyl C₆₁ butyric acid methyl ester (C₆₀-PCBM). It is concluded that for all six new compounds as well as pure [60]fullerene and PCBM both superoxide and singlet oxygen are produced in the first stages of UVA illumination following the type I and II mechanisms, respectively. In all cases singlet oxygen is produced as the primary dominant species; however, the type I mechanism always occurs in parallel with type II. In the end, the superoxide is self-dismuted into hydroxyl radicals, thus yielding PBN-OH spin adducts (g = 2.007 and a_hf (¹⁴N) = 1.54 mT). The kinetic reaction constants and their efficiencies in the production of reactive oxygen species at 375 nm and per mW of absorbed power are determined. The experimental results are consistent with an autocatalytic reaction model in which the system evolutes under UVA illumination, with superoxide catalyzing the conversion of singlet oxygen into more superoxide.     

Synthesis and photophysics of benzotexaphyrin: a near-infrared emitter and photosensitizer

Texaphyrins are pentaazadentate macrocycles with interesting photophysical properties and potential applications as nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, photosensitizers, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrasting reagents, and radiation sensitizers, etc. To further red-shift the Q-like band of the texaphyrins, a benzotexaphyrin with an extensively delocalized pi-electron system was synthesized for the first time. Its photophysical characteristics were systematically investigated. Due to the extended pi-conjugation, the Q(0,0) band of benzotexaphyrin bathochromically shifts to 810 nm, and it emits at 825 nm with a singlet excited-state lifetime of 895 ps. Its triplet excited-state energy is estimated to be 119 kJ/mol. The triplet excited-state lifetime is approximately 2.2 micros, and the quantum yield of the triplet excited-state formation is 0.78. It also exhibits a triplet-triplet transient absorption in the region 505-590 nm. In addition, benzotexaphyrin exhibits high efficiency in generating singlet oxygen in methanol (Phi(Delta) = 0.65). Therefore, benzotexaphyrin could potentially be a NIR photosensitizer and emitter for photodynamic therapy and bioimaging applications.     

Synthesis, spectra and photophysics of some free base tetrafluoroalkyl and tetrafluoroaryl porphyrins with potential applications in imaging

The synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of two perfluoroalkyl (5,10,15,20-tetrakis-[trifluoromethyl]- and [heptafluoropropyl]-porphyrin) and two perfluoroaryl (5,10,15,20-tetrakis-[2,6-difluorophenyl]- and [pentafluorophenyl]-porphyrin) are described, with reference to their potential in both photodynamic therapy (PDT) and in vivo imaging by fluorescence and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Absorption and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence lifetimes and triplet-singlet difference spectra are reported. Triplet yields have been obtained by flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis, whereas yields of sensitized singlet oxygen formation have been determined by time-resolved phosphorimetry. All four compounds show high yields of triplet formation and singlet oxygen sensitization. The spectral properties, stability and attractive solubility characteristics of the perfluoroalkyl derivatives make them particularly suitable candidates for future study for applications in PDT.     

Ligand effects on the electrochemical and spectroscopic behaviors of methano[60]fullerene derivatives

Effects of the ligand chemical structures on the electronic energy properties of two methano[60]fullerene derivatives were investigated voltammetrically and spectroscopically.     

Photophysical and electronic properties of five PCBM-like C60 derivatives: spectral and quantum chemical view

By means of transient UV-visible absorption spectra/fluorescence spectra, combined with electronic structure calculations, the present work focuses on characterizing the photophysical and electronic properties of five PCBM-like C(60) derivatives (F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5) and understanding how these properties are expected to affect the photovoltaic performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs) with those molecules as acceptors. Spectral data reveal that the fluorescence quantum yields (Φ(F)) are enhanced and the triplet quantum yields (Φ(T)) are lowered for the five PCBM-like C(60) derivatives as compared to those of the pristine C(60), suggesting that functionalization of a C═C double bond perturbs the fullerene's π-system and breaks the I(h) symmetry of pristine C(60), which results in modifications of photophysical properties of the fullerene derivatives. PBEPBE/6-311G(d,p)//PBEPBE/6-31G(d) level of electronic structure calculations yields the HOMO-LUMO gaps and LUMO energies, showing that the electron-withdrawing effect induced by the side chain functional groups perturbs LUMO energies, from which different open circuit voltages V(oc) are resulted. The predicted V(oc) from our calculation agrees with previous experiment results. Basically, we found that functionalization of a C═C double bond sustains the fullerene structure and its electron affinitive properties. Adducted side chains contribute to adjust the HOMO-LUMO gap and LUMO levels of the acceptors to improve open circuit voltage. The results could provide fundamental insights for understanding how structural modifications influence the photovoltaic performance, which paves a way for guiding the synthesis of new fullerene derivatives with improved performance in polymer solar cells.     

Thermal Decomposition of Fullerene Derivatives A Synthesis Method of New Fullerene Based Molecules

The thermal decomposition of methano-fullerene derivatives such as ethoxycarbonyl methano[60] fullerene and various isomers of bis-(ethoxycarbonyl methano)[60] fullerene leads to new fullerene derivatives, which have been preliminary characterized. The analysis of separated species was performed by UV-VIS, IR, H- and C-NMR, STM, FAB, LDI and MALDI-TOF MS spectroscopy. One of the isolated phases is a C₁₂₂ molecule with a dumbbell-like structure. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Addition of S‐Heterocyclic Carbenes to Fullerenes: Formation and Characterization of Dithiomethano‐Bridged Derivatives

The reactions of novel S‐heterocyclic carbenes (SHCs), which were prepared by the cycloaddition of disilenes and digermenes to CS₂, with C₆₀ and Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀ afforded the corresponding methano‐bridged fullerenes. The [6,6]‐closed and [6,6]‐open structures were characterized for the SHC adducts of C₆₀ and Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀, respectively. These derivatives exhibited relatively low oxidation potentials, indicative of the electron‐donating effects of the SHC addends. The electronic properties of the SHC derivatives were clarified by the density functional theory calculations.     

Synthesis and photoinduced energy- and electron-transfer processes of C60-oligothienylenevinylene-C70 dumbbell compounds

Unsymmetric dumbbell molecules based on N-methylpyrrolidine[60]fullerene, oligothienylenevinylenes (nTV; n=2, 4), and N-methylpyrrolidine[70]fullerene, namely, C(60) -nTV-C(70) were synthesized and their photophysical properties were studied. In nonpolar solvents, photoinduced energy-transfer process predominantly takes place from the singlet excited state of nTV to C(60) and C(70) , as was confirmed by time-resolved emission and transient absorption spectroscopy. In polar solvent, charge-separation processes take place instead of energy transfer. The generated charge-separated radical-ion pairs decay to the neutral molecules by a fast charge-recombination process; for n=4, a rate constant of 2×10(7) s(-1) and lifetime of 50 ns were evaluated.     

Synthesis and solvent dependence of the photophysical properties of [60]fullerene-sugar conjugates

A method for the synthesis of optically pure C₆₀ derivatives containing one or two d-galactose or d-glucose units is described. It involves the synthesis of sugar-malonate derivatives followed by a cyclopropanation reaction with C₆₀. The solvent dependence of the photophysical properties of the methano[60]fullerene-sugar derivatives was studied using nanosecond laser flash photolysis coupled with kinetic UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and time-resolved singlet oxygen luminescence measurements. The triplet properties of these fullerenes, including transient absorption spectra, molar absorption coefficients and quantum yield for the photosensitised production of ¹O₂ were determined in toluene, benzonitrile and acetonitrile solutions. The transient absorption spectral profiles are solvent independent although small differences are observed in the transient absorption maximum: 720±5 nm for toluene, 710±5 nm for benzonitrile and 700±5 nm for acetonitrile. Triplet state molar absorption coefficients (ε_T) of C₆₀ derivatives vary from 9456±2090 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, for compound 10 in toluene, and 15,272±4462 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, for compound 6 in acetonitrile. Triplet state lifetimes (τ_T) for methano[60]fullerene-sugar derivatives, under our experimental conditions, are similar in toluene or benzonitrile solutions (47.5±1.1 μs≤τ_T≤51.4±2.0 μs) but are lower in acetonitrile solutions (31.8±0.6 μs≤τ_T≤43.0±1.1 μs). Toluene and benzonitrile solutions of C₆₀ derivatives have Φ_Δ close to unity.     

Retro-Bingel reaction in the electrochemical reduction of bis(dialkoxyphosphoryl)methanofullerenes

Four steps of reduction were detected for bis(diethoxyphosphoryl)- and bis(diisopropoxyphosphoryl)methano[60]fullerenes (1, 2) and bis(diethoxyphosphoryl)methano[70]fullerene (3) by cyclic voltammetry in the o-dichlorobenzene—DMF (3 : 1, v/v)/Bu₄NBF₄ (0.1 mol L^–1) system on a glass-carbon electrode. At the first step the reversible transfer of one electron affords stable radical anions 1 and 2 (g = 1.9999, H = 1.9 G). When two electrons per molecule are transferred, the methano fragment is rapidly eliminated (retro-Bingel reaction). This process involves the step-by-step cleavage of two C—C bonds of exo-carbon with the fullerene shell in combination with the stepwise transfer of other two electrons and a proton to form finally the carbanion of the methano fragment and fullerene dianion. For all studied compounds, the elimination rate is much higher than that for bis(alkoxycarbonyl)- and dialkoxyphosphoryl(alkoxycarbonyl)methano[60]fullerenes, which makes it possible to propose bisphosphorylmethane groups as protective in synthesis of new fullerene derivatives.     

Photophysical properties of glucoconjugated chlorins and porphyrins and their associations with cyclodextrins

Glucoconjugated analogues of the meta-hydroxyphenyl porphyrin (m-THPP) and meta-hydroxyphenyl chlorin (m-THPC) has been recently synthesized. The characteristics of their triplet states have been determined with regard to their involvement in the photodynamic (PDT) efficiency. In the case of porphyrin derivatives, triplet quantum yields (Phi(T)) were ranging from 0.42 to 0.55 and triplet life times (tau(T)) from 1 to 5 micros. High reaction rate constants (k(q)) with molecular oxygen (k(q): 1.2-1.6 x 10(9)s(-1)) have been found. The triplet lifetimes of chlorin derivatives were about four times higher than those of porphyrins whereas the Phi(T) and k(q) values remained quite similar. Singlet oxygen yields of glucosylated and non-glucosylated porphyrins and chlorins were not significantly different within experimental errors (Phi(Delta)((1)O(2)): 0.41-0.58). Furthermore, it has been shown that glucoconjugated photosensitizers could undergo associations with the methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (Me-beta-CD) which exhibit high triplet lifetimes and singlet oxygen yields ranging from 0.27 to 0.48.     

Synthesis and aggregation properties of amphiphilic mono and bisadducts of fullerene in aqueous solution

New amphiphilic[60]fullerene monoadduct TPF and bisadducts BTPF were synthesized and well-characterized. Their aggregation properties in aqueous solution was investigated by UV-vis and TEM methods. In aqueous solution, monoadduct TPF forms irregularly shaped and some rod-like aggregates, whereas bisadducts BTPF gives sphadcal aggregates with diameters of 50-150 rim. It indicated that the aggregation properties of amphiphilic fullerene derivatives depend on the number of hydrophilic