Regioselective Bromination and Functionalization of Dibenzo[hi,st]ovalene as Highly Luminescent Nanographene with Zigzag Edges

Dibenzo[hi,st]ovalene (DBOV) is a nanographene with a combination of zigzag and armchair edges, consisting of 38 sp² carbons. Excellent optical properties with strong red emission have been demonstrated. Here we report the regioselective bromination of DBOV bearing two mesityl groups ( DBOV‐Mes ) by treatment with N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) under mild conditions. The dibrominated DBOV was further subjected to transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions, that is, Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling, demonstrating the edge‐decoration of DBOV with different functional groups. Notably, DBOVs arylated at the bay regions showed intense red emission and enhanced fluorescence quantum yields of up to 0.97. Amphoteric reduction and oxidation behavior were observed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. Chemical oxidation to stable radical cation species was also demonstrated, followed by reduction back to their neutral species.     

Palladium nanoparticles supported on modified hollow Fe3O4@TiO2: Preparation,characterization, and catalytic activity in Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions

Hollow Fe₃O₄@TiO₂‐NH₂/Pd as a light‐weight, magnetically heterogeneous catalyst was successfully prepared, and characterized by using different techniques including X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Then this heterogeneous catalyst was tested in the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction, and the results confirmed the success of this method. The catalyst could be separated easily using an external magnet and reused at least in five runs successfully without any appreciable loss in its catalytic activity.     

Synthesis and double doping behavior of a poly(p‐phenylenevinylene)s bearing conjugated side chains

A poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) derivative bearing conjugated side chains (polyCPV) was synthesized by Migita‐Kosugi‐Stille type coupling polycondensation reaction. This polymer contains phenylenevinylene units in both the main chain and the side chains. UV–vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopies revealed a well‐developed π‐conjugation of the polyCPV. The absorption band of the polymer was extended to long wavelengths. A fluorescent emission maximum of polyCPV is located at considerably longer wavelengths than that of the conjugated side chain monomer. Electron spin resonance measurements of polyCPV confirmed generation of charge species in both the main chain and the side chains via iodine doping. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

A New Polynuclear Copper‐Complex‐Substituted Tungstoarsenate(V)

A new polynuclear copper‐complex‐substituted dimeric tungstoarsenate(V), H₂[{Cu(2,2′‐bpy)}₈(H₂O)₂(AsW₉O₃₄)₂] · 12H₂O ( 1 ) (2,2′‐bpy = 2,2′‐bipydine), was synthesized hydrothermally and its structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The title compound has Ci symmetry and consists of two trilacunary Keggin anions [α‐AsW₉O₃₄]^9– supported by eight copper complex cations. The compound was also characterized by IR and fluorescence spectroscopy, TG analysis, and magnetic measurements. The emission spectrum of the compound in solid‐state exhibits a redshift relative to those of Na₈[A‐HAsW₉O₃₄] · 11H₂O and the free ligand 2,2′‐bpy. Magnetic measurements of the compound indicate competing ferro‐ and antiferromagnetic intramolecular coupling among the Cu^II atoms in the cluster anion.     

Ni(II)‐Adenine complex coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles as high reusable nanocatalyst for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives and oxidation reactions

In the present study, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared via simple and versatile procedure. Then, a novel and green catalyst was synthesized by the immobilization of Ni on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles coated with adenine. The activity of this nanostructure compound was examined for the oxidation of sulfides, oxidative coupling of thiols and synthesis of polyhydroquinolines. The prepared catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES), X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements. This organometallic catalyst was recovered by the assistance of an external magnetic field from the reaction mixture and reused for seven continuous cycles without noticeable change in its catalytic activity.     

A novel route for synthesis of NiCoP/SiO2 hydrodesulfurization catalysts with active S species

We report a new route for synthesis of NiCoP/SiO₂ with active S species using NiS and CoS as precursors. The as‐prepared catalysts were characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction, N₂‐adsorption specific surface area measurements, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalyst was highly active during the dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of NiCoP/SiO₂. The XPS spectra of the as‐obtained samples show that the surface of NiCoP contains a small amount of S species, which may be responsible for the higher HDS activity.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Optical Properties of New Cadmium Chalcogenide Clusters of the Type [Cd10E4(E'Ph)12(PR3)4], (E,E' = Te,Se, S)

New cadmium chalcogenide cluster molecules [Cd₁₀E₄(E'Ph)₁₂(PⁿPr₃)₄], E = Te, E' = Te ( 1 ) and [Cd₁₀E₄(E'Ph)₁₂ (PⁿPr₂Ph)₄] E = Te, E' = Se ( 2 ); E = Te E' = S ( 3 ); E = Se, E' = S ( 4 ) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The influence of the variation of the chalcogen atom is investigated by structural means and by optical spectroscopy. All cluster‐molecules have a broad emission in the blue‐visible range at low temperature as indicated by photo luminescence (PL) measurements. A clear classification of the emission peak position can be made based on the E' species suggesting that the emission is assigned to transitions associated with the cluster surface ligands. Photoluminescence excitation and absorption measurements display a systematic shift of the band gap to the higher energies with the variation of E and E' from Te to Se to S, as also occurs in the respective series of the bulk semiconductors.     

Efficient Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Oligoyne‐Linked Donor–π–Acceptor Molecules

Studies are reported on a series of triphenylamine–(C?C)_n–2,5‐diphenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole dyad molecules (n=1–4, 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 , respectively) and the related triphenylamine‐C₆H₄–(C?C)₃–oxadiazole dyad 5 . The oligoyne‐linked D–π–A (D=electron donor, A=electron acceptor) dyad systems have been synthesised by palladium‐catalysed cross‐coupling of terminal alkynyl and butadiynyl synthons with the corresponding bromoalkynyl moieties. Cyclic voltammetric studies reveal a reduction in the HOMO–LUMO gap in the series of compounds 1 – 4 as the oligoyne chain length increases, which is consistent with extended conjugation through the elongated bridges. Photophysical studies provide new insights into conjugative effects in oligoyne molecular wires. In non‐polar solvents the emission from these dyad systems has two different origins: a locally excited (LE) state, which is responsible for a π*→π fluorescence, and an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state, which produces charge‐transfer emission. In polar solvents the LE state emission vanishes and only ICT emission is observed. This emission displays strong solvatochromism and analysis according to the Lippert–Mataga–Oshika formalism shows significant ICT for all the luminescent compounds with high efficiency even for the longer more conjugated systems. The excited‐state properties of the dyads in non‐polar solvents vary with the extent of conjugation. For more conjugated systems a fast non‐radiative route dominates the excited‐state decay and follows the Engelman–Jortner energy gap law. The data suggest that the non‐radiative decay is driven by the weak coupling limit.     

Shape‐Persistent Oligothienylene–Ethynylene‐Based Dendrimers: Synthesis,Spectroscopy and Electrochemical Characterization

A series of novel structurally well‐defined oligothienylene–ethynylene‐based dendritic macromolecules up to the 3rd generation (G3) were successfully synthesized by a combination of Pd‐catalyzed Sonogashira‐type cross‐coupling and oxidative homocoupling steps. Oxidative homocoupling of dendrons successfully afforded dendrimers up to the 2nd generation (G2). In contrast, the G3 dendrimer was effectively prepared by a four‐fold Sonogashira‐type cross‐coupling reaction. All compounds showed broad and structureless absorption and emission spectra arising from the presence of different π‐conjugated chromophores. With increasing generation, a bathochromic shift of the π–π* absorption band and an increase of the absorption coefficient were observed. The insertion of ethynylene groups into the conjugated dendrimer backbone resulted in a hypsochromic shift compared to all‐thiophene dendrimers reported earlier by our group. All dendritic compounds are fluorescent and showed moderate quantum efficiencies due to an effective intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) process. Cyclic voltammetry measurements also revealed the presence of multiple π‐conjugative pathways that show very broad oxidation waves for higher generations. HOMO–LUMO energy levels of these dendrons and dendrimers were estimated from optical and redox measurements and the calculated band gaps were within the range of 3.3 to 2.4 eV, typical for oligo‐ and polythiophenes. Electrochemical polymerizations of several desilylated compounds were performed and characterization of the films is reported. Preliminary bulk heterojunction solar cells that utilise these ethynylated dendrimers as the donor and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM[60]) as the acceptor showed moderate efficiencies ranging from 0.18–0.64 %.     

Facile preparation of highly stable and active hybrid palladium nanoparticles: effectual,reusable and heterogeneous catalyst for coupling reactions

Palladium nanoparticles were supported on a bed of Fe₃O₄@‐NH₂@Murexide using a simple and efficient method, and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The catalytic system showed great efficiency in cross‐coupling reaction of aryl iodides and arylboronic acid and in Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction in the green solvent EtOH–H₂O (1:1). The isolation and recovery of the catalyst were simple and facile and it could be used for several successive Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and light‐emitting properties of carbazole‐based copolymers bearing cyano‐substituted arylenevinylene chromophore

Two arylenevinylene compounds bearing the cyano group at α‐position ( 6 ) and β‐position ( 9 ) from the dialkoxylphenylene unit were synthesized, in which the molecular termini were functionalized with 3‐bromocarbazole. The Suzuki coupling copolymerization of these compounds with 1,4‐bis[(3′‐bromocarbazole‐9′‐yl)methylene]‐2,5‐didecyloxybenzene and 9,9‐dihexylfluorene‐2,7‐bis(boronic acid) was carried out to obtain copolymers ( cp67 and cp97 ) containing the cyano‐substituted arylenevinylene fluorophore of 7 mol %. Model compounds ( 6 ′ and 9 ′) corresponding to the arylenevinylene fluorophore were also prepared. The UV spectra of copolymers resembled that of homopolymer hp with no arylenevinylene segment in both CHCl₃ solution and thin film. The emission maxima of copolymers in CHCl₃ (394 nm) agreed with that of homopolymer indicating that the emission bands originated from the carbazole‐fluorene‐carbazole segment. The emission maximum wavelength of copolymer cp67 in thin film (477 nm) indicated fluorescence from the cyano‐substituted arylenevinylene fluorophore because of the occurrence of fluorescence resonance electron transfer. In contrast, copolymer cp97 showed fluorescence at 528 nm to suggest the formation of a new emissive species such as a charge‐transfer complex (exciplex). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 91–98, 2010     

High‐Energy Long‐Lived Mixed Frenkel–Charge‐Transfer Excitons: From Double Stranded (AT)n to Natural DNA

The electronic excited states populated upon absorption of UV photons by DNA are extensively studied in relation to the UV‐induced damage to the genetic code. Here, we report a new unexpected relaxation pathway in adenine–thymine double‐stranded structures (AT)_n. Fluorescence measurements on (AT)_n hairpins (six and ten base pairs) and duplexes (20 and 2000 base pairs) reveal the existence of an emission band peaking at approximately 320 nm and decaying on the nanosecond time scale. Time‐dependent (TD)‐DFT calculations, performed for two base pairs and exploring various relaxation pathways, allow the assignment of this emission band to excited states resulting from mixing between Frenkel excitons and adenine‐to‐thymine charge‐transfer states. Emission from such high‐energy long‐lived mixed (HELM) states is in agreement with their fluorescence anisotropy (0.03), which is lower than that expected for π–π* states (≥0.1). An increase in the size of the system quenches π–π* fluorescence while enhancing HELM fluorescence. The latter process varies linearly with the hypochromism of the absorption spectra, both depending on the coupling between π–π* and charge‐transfer states. Subsequently, we identify the common features between the HELM states of (AT)_n structures with those reported previously for alternating (GC)_n: high emission energy, low fluorescence anisotropy, nanosecond lifetimes, and sensitivity to conformational disorder. These features are also detected for calf thymus DNA in which HELM states could evolve toward reactive π–π* states, giving rise to delayed fluorescence.     

One‐pot synthesis of carbon dots@ZrO2 nanoparticles with tunable solid‐state fluorescence

In recent years, fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) have been developed and showed potential applications in biomedical imaging and light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) for their excellent fluorescent properties. However, it still remains a challenge to incorporate fluorescent CDs into the host matrix in situ to overcome their serious self‐quenching. Herein, a one‐pot hydrothermal method is used to prepare nano‐zirconia with CDs (CDs@ZrO₂) nanoparticles. During the reaction, CDs and nano‐zirconia are generated simultaneously and connected with silane coupling agent. The CDs@ZrO₂ nanoparticles exhibit tunable emission wavelength from 450 to 535 nm emission by regulating the content of citric acid in the feed. The quantum yield of the CDs@ZrO₂ is up to 23.8%. Furthermore, the CDs@ZrO₂ nanoparticles with regulable fluorescence emission can be used for the fluorescent material to prepare white LEDs. The prepared LED has significant white light emission with color coordinates of (0.30, 0.37) and its color rendering index (CRI) is 67.1. In summary, we have developed the solid‐state CDs@ZrO₂ nanoparticles with tunable emission by a valuable strategy, that is, one‐pot method, for white LEDs.     

Over‐Oxidation as the Key Step in the Mechanism of the MoCl5‐Mediated Dehydrogenative Coupling of Arenes

Molybdenum pentachloride is an unusually powerful reagent for the dehydrogenative coupling of arenes. Owing to the high reaction rate using MoCl₅, several labile moieties are tolerated in this transformation. The mechanistic course of the reaction was controversially discussed although indications for a single electron transfer as the initial step were found recently. Herein, based on a combined study including synthetic investigations, electrochemical measurements, EPR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and mass spectrometry, we deduct a highly consistent mechanistic scenario: MoCl₅ acts as a one‐electron oxidant in the absence of TiCl₄ and as two‐electron oxidant in the presence of TiCl₄, but leads to an over‐oxidized intermediate in both cases, which protects it from side reactions. In the course of aqueous work‐up the reagent waste (Mo^III/IV species) acts as reducing agent generating the desired organic C?C coupling product.     

Tripod Immobilization of Triphenylphosphane on a Silica‐Gel Surface to Enable Selective Mono‐Ligation to Palladium: Application to Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling Reactions with Chloroarenes

A silica‐supported triphenylphosphane (Silica‐3p‐TPP) with a Ph₃P‐type core, immobilized on a silica surface, was synthesized and characterized by nitrogen‐absorption measurements and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The tripodal immobilization constrains the mobility of the phosphane molecule and causes the lone pair on the phosphorus atom to face in the direction perpendicular to the support, resulting in the selective formation of a 1:1 metal–phosphane species that is free from unfavorable steric repulsions caused by the silica surface. Heterogeneous Pd catalysts created in this manner enabled room‐temperature Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions with unactivated chloroarenes, despite the moderate electronic and steric nature of the Ph₃P‐based ligands. These catalysts also showed potential in reactions with more challenging substrates under mild conditions. Tripodally immobilized and well‐dispersed phosphanes on the silica surface were crucial for high catalytic activity.     

Palladium on magnetic Irish moss: A new nano‐biocatalyst for suzuki type cross‐coupling reactions

A novel heterogeneous magnetic palladium nano‐biocatalyst was designed by utilizing Irish moss, a family of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from algae, as a natural biopolymer. This magnetic Irish moss decorated with palladium (Pd–Fe₃O₄@IM) to form a biomagnetic catalytic system was synthesized and well characterized by FT–IR analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The catalyst was stable to air and moisture and displayed high catalytic activity in ligand‐free Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions conducted under green chemistry reaction conditions. The aromatic ketones are produced by the cross‐coupling reaction between acid chlorides and aryl boronic acid derivatives in high yields.     

Poly(thienyl‐phenylene)s with macromolecular side chains by oxidative polymerization of well‐defined macromonomers

Well‐defined polystyrene (PSt), poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) or poly(2‐methyloxazoline) (POx) based polymers containing mid‐ or end‐chain 2,5‐ or 3,5‐dibromobenzene moieties were prepared by controlled polymerization methods, such as atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), ring opening polymerization (ROP), or cationic ring opening polymerization (CROP). These polymers were subsequently modified by Suzuki type coupling reactions with 2‐thiophene boronic acid. The resulting polymers, containing a conjugated sequence with 2‐thienyl groups at the extremities, could be further used as macromonomers in chemical oxidative polymerization in the presence of anhydrous FeCl₃. Poly(thienyl‐phenylene)s having the respective PSt or PCL chains as lateral subtituents were obtained in this way. All the starting, intermediate, or final polymers were structurally analyzed by spectroscopic methods (¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. Thermal behavior of the macromonomers and final polymers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. Optical properties of the polymers were monitored by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy. The emission spectra of the polymers show a clear bathochromic shift of the λ_max emission in all the cases with respect to the monomers because of the extending of the conjugation length. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 848–865, 2007.     

Rapid relaxation pathway of the excited state of linear merocyanines in solutions

Excited‐state relaxation of linear merocyanine dyes in solution is investigated using time‐resolved spectroscopy techniques and quantum chemical calculations. The merocyanine L‐Mero4 and phenyl‐substituted P‐L‐Mero4 have a S‐trans and S‐cis structure, respectively, consisting of indole moiety as the donor, indandione as the acceptor, and the tetramethine as the bridge. The time‐correlated single‐photon counting (TCSPC) picosecond measurements after excitation at wavelength 515 nm to the ππ* state yield emission curves with a short component τ₁ in the range of 27–160 ps and a second component τ₂ of 200–780 ps for L‐Mero4. In P‐L‐Mero4, τ₁ lies in the range of 18–150 ps and τ₂ 220–520 ps. The subfemtosecond transient absorption measurements yield a short component around 0.4–1.4 ps, and the second/third components are similar to those in the TCPSC measurements. The analysis of the experimental data demonstrates that the ground state recovery exhibits a biexponential rise and rapidly indicates that the conversion back to the electronic ground state provides a fast, nonradiative pathway. Quantum chemical calculations on the electronic structures and their dependence on the molecular confirmation are performed. We identify the excited states and the relaxation path along the twist of the center double bonds in tetramethine that might be the nonradiative pathway. The C=C double bond is weakened in the ππ* state. The phenyl substitution in the conjugated double bond weakens this C=C bond, lowers the isomerization barrier, increases the nonradiative rate, and reduces the emission quantum yield. In polar solvents, the energy of the perpendicular conformer along the trans–cis isomerization path is increased to achieve less coupling to the ground state surface. Because of the small barrier to the trans form, these two conformers establish an equilibrium condition. The trans form, which lies at a lower energy, gains more population and thus has a higher emission yield.     

Preparation and Photophysical and Photoelectrochemical Properties of a Covalently Fixed Porphyrin–Chemically Converted Graphene Composite

Chemically converted graphene (CCG) covalently linked with porphyrins has been prepared by a Suzuki coupling reaction between iodophenyl‐functionalized CCG and porphyrin boronic ester. The covalently linked CCG–porphyrin composite was designed to possess a short, rigid phenylene spacer between the porphyrin and the CCG. The composite material formed stable dispersions in DMF and the structure was characterized by spectroscopic, thermal, and microscopic measurements. In steady‐state photoluminescence spectra, the emission from the porphyrin linked to the CCG was quenched strongly relative to that of the porphyrin reference. Fluorescence lifetime and femtosecond transient absorption measurements of the porphyrin‐linked CCG revealed a short‐lived porphyrin singlet excited state (38 ps) without yielding the porphyrin radical cation, thereby substantiating the occurrence of energy transfer from the porphyrin excited state to the CCG and subsequent rapid decay of the CCG excited state to the ground state. Consistently, the photocurrent action spectrum of a photoelectrochemical device with a SnO₂ electrode coated with the porphyrin‐linked CCG exhibited no photocurrent response from the porphyrin absorption. The results obtained here provide deep insight into the interaction between graphenes and π‐conjugated systems in the excited and ground states.     

Oxidation reactions catalysed by molybdenum(VI) complexes grafted on UiO‐66 metal–organic framework as an elegant nanoreactor

A heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized by immobilizing Mo(CO)₃ in a UiO‐66 metal–organic framework. The benzene ring of the organic linker in UiO‐66 was modified via liquid‐phase deposition of molybdenum hexacarbonyl, Mo(CO)₆, as starting precursor to form the (arene)Mo(CO)₃ species inside the framework. The structure of this catalyst was characterized using X‐ray diffraction, and chemical integrity was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared and diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectroscopic methods. The metal content was analysed with inductively coupled plasma. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to measure particle size and N₂ adsorption measurements to characterize the specific surface area. This catalytic system was efficiently applied for epoxidation of alkenes and oxidation of sulfides. The Mo‐containing metal–organic framework was reused several times without any appreciable loss of its efficiency.