Donor–acceptor perylenediimide–ferrocene conjugates: synthesis,photophysical, and electrochemical properties

Donor–acceptor, perylenediimide–ferrocene conjugates have been synthesized by Suzuki, and Sonogashira coupling reactions. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of these conjugates are discussed. It has been shown that fluorescence as well as the electron affinity of the perylenediimide can be tuned by attaching the appropriate ferrocenyl derivatives.     

Synthesis,structure, photophysical,and electrochemical properties of donor–acceptor ferrocenyl derivatives

A series of donor–acceptor compounds 2–6 have been synthesized, via Knoevenagel condensation reaction (using conventional method, as well as microwave method). The ferrocene unit acts as a donor, conjugated phenyl–acetylene linker act as a π-electron relay unit, and malononitrile, cyanoacetic acid, and indanone groups act as acceptor. The electronic absorption spectra displayed a broad intramolecular charge transfer (CT) band in the visible region (450–650 nm). The electrochemical studies suggest considerable donor–acceptor interaction. The single crystal X-ray structure of 2, and 3 are reported, the structure reveals that 2 is nearly planar compared to 3. The supramolecular structure of 2 exhibits intramolecular C–H–π, and C–H–N interaction, which leads to formation of 2D network, whereas compound 3 shows head to tail dimer formation through C–H–π, and π–π interaction.     

Donor–acceptor interactions between resonance-excited silver nanoparticles and halide ions in water solutions

Donor–acceptor interactions between silver nanoparticles (NPs), resonance-excited by optical quanta of light, and halide ions are studied in aqueous solutions. It is shown that deactivation of the plasmon excitation of Ag NP proceeds according to the exchange mechanism of electron transfer. Plasmon excitation quenching constants are determined and a correlation between quenching and the donor properties of halide ions is found. The efficiency of electrostatic interaction between resonantly-excited Ag NPs and halide ions is studied, and their dipole moment is determined.

     

The pyridazine–tetrathiafulvalene conjugates: synthesis,photophysical, and electrochemical properties

To study the electronic interactions in donor–acceptor (D–A) conjugates as a precursor of optoelectronic materials, a series monopyridazine-annulated tetrathiafulvalenes and a bispyridazine-annulated tetrathiafluvalene were synthesized by a condensation reaction of 2,3-dimethoxycarbonyl-6,7-dibutylthiotetrathiafulvalene or/and 2,3,6,7-tetramethoxycarbonyltetrathiafulvalene with hydrazine hydrate and structurally characterized by conventional chemical and physical methods. Their electronic properties have been studied experimentally by the combination of electrochemistry and UV–vis spectroscopy. All of monopyridazine-tetrathiafulvalene conjugates 7–13 show intramolecular charge transfer interaction in ground states, which is rationalized on the basis of density functional theory. Their HOMO energy levels and E_g^opt values were estimated to be ?4.88 to ?5.07 eV from cyclic voltammetry and 2.43–2.79 eV from the absorption spectra, respectively. The X-ray crystallographic analyses of the pyridazine–tetrathiafulvalene conjugates 7, 11–13 are also reported.     

Facile synthesis and self-assembly of diazafluorenone-based p–n (donor–acceptor) organic semiconductors

A mild and effective method to prepare 2,7-dibromo-4,5-diazafluoren-9-one (3) has been described involving tandem oxidation and rearrangement reactions. Diazafluorenone-based donor–acceptor (p–n) molecules via stille coupling reactions exhibit solvent-dependent fluorescence and excellent self-assembly behaviors at the solid–liquid interface according to the characterization of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).     

Electronic, optical, and charge transfer properties of donor–bridge–acceptor hydrazone sensitizers

The ground state geometries have been computed by using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G*, B3LYP/6-31G**, and PCM-B3LYP/6-31G* level of theories. The highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) are delocalized on whole of the molecule and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) are localized on the tricarbonitrile. The lowest HOMO and LUMO energies have been observed for Dye1 while highest for Dye4. The LUMO energies of Dye1–Dye4 are above the conduction band of TiO₂ and HOMOs are below the redox couple. The absorption spectra have been computed in solvent (methanol) and without solvent by using time-dependant DFT at TD-B3LYP/6-31G*, TD-B3LYP/6-31G**, and PCM-TD-B3LYP/6-31G* level of theories. The calculated maximum absorption wavelengths of the spectra in methanol are in good agreement with experimental evidences. The maximum absorption wavelengths of new designed sensitizers are red shifted compared to parent molecule. The electronic coupling constant and electron injection have been computed by first principle investigations. The improved electronic coupling constant and electron injection revealed that new modeled systems would be efficient sensitizers.     

Two new lanthanide–radical complexes: synthesis,structure, and magnetic properties

Two new lanthanide–radical complexes, [Tb(hfac)₃(EtVNIT)₂] (1) and [Dy(hfac)₃(EtVNIT)₂] (2) (EtVNIT?=?2-(4′-ethoxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, hfac?=?1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate), were synthesized; both display radical–Ln(III)–radical (Ln=Tb (1), Dy (2)) tri-spin structures. Magnetic studies reveal that interactions between the lanthanide ions and radicals are ferromagnetic.     

Electrochemical synthesis and properties of iron–titanium dioxide composite coatings

Deposition of Fe/TiO₂ composite coatings from a colloidal methanesulfonate electrolyte containing titanium dioxide hydrosol was studied. The TiO₂ content in the composite increases with increasing the dispersed phase content and decreasing the current density. Incorporation of TiO₂ particles into the iron matrix resilts in an increase in the microhardness of the deposit. The electroplated Fe/TiO₂ composite coating was used as a heterogeneous photocatalyst for the decomposition of an organic dye under the action of UV radiation.     

Well-defined difunctional POSS macromers and related organic–inorganic polymers: Precision synthesis,structure and properties

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) are a class of well-defined organic–inorganic stereo molecules comprising inorganic Si O Si cores and peripheral organic moieties. Since they were first reported in 1946 by Scott et al., there have been a great number of investigations on the use of POSS macromers as the building blocks to access the organic–inorganic composites with polymers. In most of cases, monofunctional POSS macromers are employed and the linear hybrid polymers are obtained. Under this circumstance, POSS cages act as the side or end groups whereas the main chains of the polymers remain unchanged. Occasionally, octafunctional POSS macromers are involved, resulting in the generation of crosslinked (or network-like) hybrids. Recently, well-defined difunctional POSS macromers have increasingly provoked a considerable attention of investigators. From the synthetic methodology of POSS macromers to the approaches to introduce them into polymers, difunctional POSS macromers have the features quite different from mono- (or octa-) functional POSS. More importantly, the related organic–inorganic hybrids possess the different morphologies and properties. In the past years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of literatures on the studies on well-defined difunctional POSS and the related organic–inorganic hybrids. Nonetheless, the related review is lacking. In this contribution, we would summarize the recent progress in this regard, from the synthesis of POSS macromers, the approaches of introducing the POSS macromers into polymers to the correlation of morphologies with properties of the organic–inorganic hybrids. In addition, perspectives and challenges for the further advancement are envisaged and discussed.     

Pyridine-cored V-shaped π-conjugated oligomers: synthesis and optical properties

A new series of V-shaped pyridine-cored π-conjugated oligomers are synthesized utilizing two-fold Heck/Suzuki coupling reactions. Optical properties of these compounds (λ_max=390–449 nm, Φ_fl=79–5%, in solutions) are discussed. They are shown to be thermally stable and soluble in common organic solvents. Stilbenoid oligomers exhibited much higher fluorescence quantum yields than tri- and tetra-phenylethylene substituted oligomers in solutions.     

Silicon-containing esters of α-cyanoacrylic acid: synthesis and properties

A number of cyanoacetates have been synthesized: cyanoacetoxymethyitrimethylsilane (1), cyanoacetoxymethylpentamethyldisiloxane (2), cyanoacetoxyetoxymethylpentamethyldisiloxane (3). They were converted by the Knoevenagel reaction to novel esters of a-cyanoacrylic acid (4–13) containing silicon atoms in the ester groups and having the general formula RCH=C(CN)COOCH₂X (where R=H, 4-MeOC₆H₄, MeCH=CH, 2-furyl; X=SiMe₃, SiMe₂OSiMe₃, CH₂OCH₂SiMe₂OSiMe₃). These compounds are capable of copolymerization with esters of cyanoacrylic acid which are the precursors to adhesives for cold curing.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 949–952, May, 1993.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of donor–acceptor system based bipyridylporphyrins for dye-sensitized solar cells

Bipyridylporphyrin derivatives possessing a porphyrin moiety as the electron donor and bipyridyl moiety as the electron–acceptor were designed and synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs). The photophysical and electrochemical properties were investigated by absorption spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Density functional theory(DFT) was employed to study electron distribution. From the photovoltaic performance measurements, a maximum conversion efficiency(η) of 0.38% was achieved based on the bipyridylporphyrin ruthenium dye A7(J_(SC)= 1.33 mA/cm~2, V_(OC)= 0.45 V, FF = 0.64) under 1.5 irradiation(100 mW/cm~2).     

Synthesis and properties of π-conjugated donor–acceptor macrocycles derived from phenanthrylene building blocks

Phenanthrylene-ethynylidene macrocycles combining electron donor and electron acceptor subunits in their shape-persistent fully conjugated core were synthesized. The donor subunits consisted of two 9,10-dialkoxyphenanthrenes linked either with 1,2-ethynylidene or 2,5-thienylene bridge. The acceptors were 9,10-phenanthroquinone and dibenzoquinoxaline and dibenzophenazines derived from it. Solvatochromic photoluminescence from intramolecular-charge-transfer (ICT) excited state was observed mainly in non-polar solvents. In more polar solvents, the excited states favor non-radiative relaxation. DFT calculated HOMO/LUMO energies of the macrocycles correlate well with spectroscopic and electrochemical data. In the series of substituted dibenzophenazine acceptors a good correlation with Hammett substituent constants σ_p^– was found.     

Imploded bilirubins: synthesis and properties of 10-nor-mesobilirubin-XIIIα and analogs

Abstract  Six 10-nor-bilirubin analogs have been synthesized and investigated. Lacking the C(10) CH₂ group, these linear tetrapyrroles have a bipyrrole core rather than a dipyrrylmethane core and thus a different shape. Whereas the propionic acid groups of bilirubin are well engaged in intramolecular hydrogen bonding to the dipyrrinones, molecular modeling studies of the 10-nor-rubins predict that propionic acid chains are too short to engage the CO₂H hydrogen fully in intramolecular hydrogen bonding with the dipyrrinones. Butyric acid chains, however, can and do lead to a stabilized conformation with a bipyrrole dihedral angle of approximately 115°. Spectroscopic studies verify the predictions and vapor pressure osmometry indicates that the 10-nor-rubins with butyric acids are monomeric in CHCl₃. Graphical abstract  

Reorganization energy of supramolecular donor–acceptor dyad of octaethylporphyrin isomers and axial-coordinated acceptor: Experimental and computational study

The internal reorganization energy (λ_V) of photoinduced electron transfer (ET) in the supramolecular donor–acceptor dyads of 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphinatozinc(II) (ZnOEP) and electron acceptor ligands was compared with those of structural isomers, 2,3,7,8,11,12,17,18-octaethylhemiporphycenatozinc(II) (ZnHPc) and 2,3,6,7,12,13,16,17-octaethylporphycenatozinc(II) (ZnPcn). First, ET process of the supramolecular donor–acceptor dyads of ZnOEP was investigated by means of the transient absorption spectroscopy mainly. The formation of supramolecular dyads was confirmed by absorption spectral change, from which the association constant was estimated. The ET process was confirmed by the observation of radical cation of ZnOEP during the laser flash photolysis. The ET rates of these dyads are in the order of ZnOEP > ZnHPc > ZnPcn, when the driving forces for ET are similar to each other. From the free energy dependence of ET rates, the λ_V values of OEP and its isomers were estimated. The estimated λ_V value was in the order of ZnOEP < ZnHPc < ZnPcn. This tendency was reproduced by calculation at B3LYP/6-31G(d) and BHandHLYP/6-31G(d) levels. The origin of this tendency was discussed on the basis of the structural change during the ET process.     

Adenine–Au and adenine–uracil–Au. Non-conventional hydrogen bonds of the anions and donator–acceptor properties of the neutrals

This is a study of adenine–Au and adenine–uracil–Au (neutral, anionic and cationic), applying the B3LYP density-functional approach. In these systems, the interaction is directly related to the charge; so that as the metal atomic charge increases, the bond strength also increases. Neutral molecules are weakly bonded, the interaction in the case of cations is mainly electrostatic and in the case of the anions, the extra electron is localized on the metal atom and consequently, non-conventional hydrogen bonds are formed. In the case of adenine–Au (anion), the H dissociation energy is similar to the electron dissociation energy, and therefore both reactions may be possible. Moreover, the Au anionic atom modifies the hydrogen bonds of the uracil–adenine base pair. This may be significant in the study of point mutations that may occur in the Watson–Crick dimmer of nucleic basis. The electron-donator properties of these compounds are analyzed with the aid of the donator–acceptor map (DAM), previously described. Adenine–Au, uracil–Au and adenine–uracil–Au are more effective electron donors, but poorer electron acceptors than adenine, uracil and adenine–uracil. If the electron acceptor properties of carotenoids such as β-carotene and astaxanthin are compared, there are indications that astaxanthin may act as an oxidant instead of an antioxidant with the uracil–adenine base pair. The oxidation of nucleic acid bases by carotenoids may have important consequences, as oxidative damage of DNA and RNA appears to be linked to cancer. This is something that demands further studies and for this reason, work concerning the reactivity of carotenoids with DNA-nitrogen bases is in progress.     

Donor–acceptor nonradiative energy transfer mediated by surface plasmons on ultrathin metallic films

Selected properties of donor–acceptor energy transfer in the presence of surface plasmon coupled emission (SPCE) on metallic nanofilms are demonstrated. These properties of surface plasmon mediated energy transfer (SPMET) are for the first time compared to those of traditional energy transfer (ET) based on the same donor–acceptor system. The presence of plasmons significantly accelerates energy transfer as revealed by the results of fluorescence intensity decay. In particular, the rise time of acceptor fluorescence intensity upon donor excitation is 10 times shorter in the presence of SPCE. It is also observed that contrary to ET the sensibilized acceptor emission in SPMET is totally linearly polarized.     

Ph₂N-susbtituted ethylene-bridged p-phenylene oligomers: synthesis and photophysical and redox properties

For a series of p-phenylene-based oligomers terminated with two triphenylamines, their absorption, photoluminescence, and band gaps show a pattern of extensive π-conjugation with increasing array size. Oligomers with large central arrays have greater quantum yields than their small analogues. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) measurements indicated two-step oxidations of the two diphenylamino groups for compounds 1-5 and one-step oxidations for the two amines of large oligomers 6 and 7.     

Design and synthesis of cholesterol-bonded fullerene and porphyrin derivatives for the preparation of a self-assembled donor–acceptor system

The cholesterol-bonded fullerene and porphyrin derivatives were synthesised and characterised. Donor–acceptor thin films were self-assembled through the interaction between cyclodextrin and the cholesterol groups on porphyrin and fullerene derivatives. These uniform films were characterised by ultraviolet–visible and fluorescence spectroscopies. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the self-assembled film had a chain-like fibre structure with the chains having a diameter of about 50 nm. The intermolecular interaction between chromophores and the formation of complex based on cholesterol and cyclodextrin were proven by the quenching of fluorescence due to the charge transfer from porphyrin moieties to the fullerene units.