Planar and Nonplanar Free‐Base Tetraarylporphyrins: β‐Pyrrole Substituents and Geometric Effects on Electrochemistry,Spectroelectrochemistry, and Protonation/Deprotonation Reactions in Nonaqueous Media

A series of planar and nonplanar free‐base β‐pyrrole substituted meso‐tetraarylporphyrins were characterized by electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, and protonation or deprotonation reactions in neutral, acidic, and basic solutions of CH₂Cl₂. The neutral compounds are represented as H₂(P), in which P represents a porphyrin dianion with one of several different sets of electron‐withdrawing or ‐donating substituents at the messo and/or β‐pyrrole positions of the macrocycle. The conversion of H₂(P) to [H₄(P)]²⁺ in CH₂Cl₂ was accomplished by titration of the neutral porphyrin with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) while the progress of the protonation was monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy, which was also used to calculate logβ₂ for proton addition to the core nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle. Cyclic voltammetry was performed after each addition of TFA or TBAOH to CH₂Cl₂ solutions of the porphyrin and half‐wave potentials for reduction were evaluated as a function of the added acid or base concentration. Thin‐layer spectroelectrochemistry was used to obtain UV/Vis spectra of the neutral and protonated or deprotonated porphyrins under the application of an applied reducing potential. The magnitude of the protonation constants, the positions of λ_max in the UV/Vis spectra and the half‐wave or peak potentials for reduction are then related to the electronic properties of the porphyrin and the data evaluated as a function of the planarity or nonplanarity of the porphyrin macrocycle. Surprisingly, the electroreduction of the diprotonated nonplanar porphyrins in acid media leads to H₂(P), whereas the nonplanar H₂(P) derivatives are reduced to [(P)]^2? in CH₂Cl₂ containing 0.1 M tetra‐n‐butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP). Thus, in both cases an electrochemically initiated deprotonation is observed.     

Electrochemistry of Nitrated N‐Confused Free‐Base Tetraaryl‐Porphyrins in Nonaqueous Media

Four nitrated N‐confused free‐base tetraarylporphyrins were synthesized and characterized by electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry in nonaqueous media. The examined compounds are represented as NO₂(Ar)₄NcpH₂, where NO₂(Ar)₄Ncp is the dianion of a tetraaryl N‐confused porphyrin with an inner carbon bound NO₂ group and Ar is a p‐CH₃OPh, p‐CH₃Ph, Ph or p‐ClPh substituent on each meso‐position of the macrocycle. UV/Vis spectra and NMR spectroscopy data indicate that the same form of the porphyrin exists in CH₂Cl₂ and DMF which is unlike the case of non‐NO₂ N‐confused porphyrins. The Soret band of NO₂(Ar)₄NcpH₂ exhibits a 30–36 nm red‐shift in CH₂Cl₂ and DMF as compared to the spectrum of the non‐NO₂ N‐confused porphyrins. The first two reductions and first oxidation of NO₂(Ar)₄NcpH₂ are reversible in CH₂Cl₂ containing 0.1 M TBAP. The measured HOMO–LUMO gap averages 1.65 V in CH₂Cl₂ and 1.53 V in DMF, with both values being similar to those of the non‐NO₂ substituted compounds. The nitro group on the inverted pyrrole is itself not reduced within the negative potential limit of CH₂Cl₂ or DMF, but its presence significantly affects both the UV/Vis spectra and redox potentials.     

酞菁锰络合物的电化学与光谱电化学研究

采用微电极电化学与薄层光谱电化学方法,研究了４－特丁基锰酞菁（ＴｂＰｃＭｎ）在非水溶剂中的电化学行为。结果表明,在二氯乙烷和四氢呋喃溶剂中,得到的氧化和还原过程分别对应于Ｍｎ（Ⅲ）／Ｐｃ－环阳离子自由基,Ｍｎ（Ⅲ）／Ｍｎ（Ⅱ）、Ｍｎ（Ⅱ）、Ｍｎ（Ⅱ）／Ｍｎ（Ⅰ）以及Ｍｎ（Ⅰ）／Ｐｅ环阴离子自由基的生成步骤。轴向配位效应考察表明,阴离子与锰金属中心的键合能力的顺序为：Ｃｌ＾１〉Ｉ＾－１〉ＣｌＯ４＾－     

Electrochemistry and Spectroelectrochemistry of the Pu (III/IV) and (IV/VI) Couples in Nitric Acid Systems

The solution chemistry of Pu in nitric acid is explored via electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry. By utilizing and comparing these techniques, an improved understanding of Pu behavior and its dependence on nitric acid concentration can be achieved. Here the Pu (III/IV) couple is characterized using cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and a spectroelectrochemical Nernst step. Results indicate the formal reduction potential of the couple shifts negative with increasing acid concentration and reversible electrochemistry is no longer attainable above 6 M HNO₃. Spectroelectrochemistry is also used to explore the irreversible oxidation of Pu(IV) to Pu(VI) and shine light on the mechanism and acid dependence of the redox reaction.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of 5,10,15‐Triaryl Doubly N‐Confused Bilanes

A series of 5,10,15‐tris(pentafluorophenyl) doubly N‐confused bilanes were synthesized in a stepwise manner with the aid of sterically demanding N‐protecting groups, in which the difference in reactivity between regular pyrrole and N‐confused pyrrole plays a crucial role in the synthetic strategy. Some doubly N‐confused bilanes were converted into porphyrinoids or a unique 2:2 copper(II) complex with a helical structure. In addition, the conformations and electronic states of the doubly N‐confused bilanes were investigated theoretically, giving fruitful information about the effect of confusion on the bilane skeleton.     

Synthesis,Electrochemistry, and Photophysics of Aza‐BODIPY Porphyrin Dyes

The synthesis of dyad and triad aza‐BODIPY‐porphyrin systems in two steps starting from an aryl‐substituted aza‐BODIPY chromophore is described. The properties of the resulting aza‐BODIPY‐porphyrin conjugates have been extensively investigated by means of electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry, and absorption/emission spectroscopy. Fluorescence measurements have revealed a dramatic loss of luminescence intensity, mainly due to competitive energy transfer and photoinduced electron transfer involving charge separation followed by recombination.     

Dipyrrin‐Bis(N‐Confused Porphyrin) Conjugate: Synthesis,Synergetic Ligation and Chirality Sensing

A fully conjugated system 4 consisting of two 2‐aza‐21‐carbaporphyrin (NCP) subunits bridged by dipyrrin was synthesized by a highly selective condensation of 3‐pyrrole‐NCP 2 with aryl aldehydes. The free base 4 as well as its silver(III) complex 5 exhibited flexibility of the bridge allowing synergetic binding of Ag^I, thus leading to a mixed‐valence tetraporphyrinic assembly consisting of eight silver atoms which was characterized both in the solid state and in solution. Binding of chiral acid by 4 and 5 was shown by observation of an induced optical activity of the adducts.     

Enhanced redox stability and electrochromic properties of aromatic polyamides based on N,N‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐N′,N′‐bis(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,4‐phenylenediamine

A new bis(triphenylamine)‐type dicarboxylic acid monomer, N,N‐bis(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐N′,N′‐bis(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,4‐phenylenediamine, was prepared by a well‐established procedure and led to a new family of redox‐active aromatic polyamides with di‐tert‐butyl‐substituted N,N,N′,N′‐tetraphenylphenylenediamine (TPPA) segments. The resulting polyamides were amorphous with good solubility in many organic solvents, and most of them could be solution cast into flexible polymer films. The polyamides exhibited high thermal stability with glass‐transition temperatures in the range of 247–293 °C and 10% weight‐loss temperatures in excess of 500 °C. They showed well‐defined and reversible redox couples during oxidative scanning, with a strong color change from a colorless or pale yellowish neutral form to green and blue oxidized forms. They had enhanced redox stability and electrochromic performance when compared with the corresponding analogs without tert‐butyl substituents on the TPPA unit. The polyamide with TPPA units in both the diacid and diamine components shows multicolored electrochromic behavior. A polyamide containing both the cathodic coloring anthraquinone chromophore and the anodic coloring TPPA chromophore has the ability to show red, green, and blue states, toward single‐component RGB electrochromics. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Photoinduced Electron Transfer of Porphyrin Isomers: Impact of Molecular Structures on Electron‐Transfer Dynamics

Porphyrins have been investigated for a long time in various fields of chemistry owing to their excellent redox and optical properties. Structural isomers of porphyrins have been synthesized, namely, porphycene, hemiporphycene, and corrphycene. Although the number of studies on these structural isomers is limited, they exhibit interesting properties suitable for various applications such as photovoltaic devices, photocatalysts, and photodynamic therapy. In the present review, we summarized their photoinduced electron‐transfer processes, which are key steps of various photofunctions. Their electrochemical and photophysical properties are summarized as basic properties for the electron transfer. Furthermore, differences among these isomers in the electron‐transfer processes are clarified, and its origin has been discussed on the basis of their molecular structures.     

Solvent effect on the tautomers' stabilities of protonated N,N‐dimethylnitrosamine: The role of hydrogen bonds network

DFT calculations have been applied in order to study the free energies of the structures corresponding to the three different protonation sites of N,N‐dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA). The solvent effect has been taken into account through the study of clusters consisting of protonated DMNA and up to four explicit water molecules, either in the absence or in the presence of a continuum (CPCM) solvation model. Addition of water molecules has been done by a careful screening procedure through which all important hydrogen bonds are likely to be considered. Protonation of DMNA makes all their lone pairs no longer available for hydrogen bond formation with water molecules, such that hydrogen bonds have been observed, for almost all structures, only between water molecules and between one water molecule and the protonated DMNA, in this latter case intermediated by the proton. The stabilities of the solvated structures are governed not only by the number of hydrogen bonds but also by the positions of the water molecules involved in these bonds, as well as by which of them donate or accept H atoms. Our results indicate that oxygen protonation is the most favorable one, regardless of the presence of water molecules. In vacuum protonation at the N‐amino ( 2a ) is approximately as favorable as protonation at the N nitroso ( 2c ). However, in water the former protonation is by far the less favorable one. Our best estimates for the ΔG values in bulk solvent are: ΔG( 2a ) ≈ 17.9, ΔG( 1c ) ≈ 4.3, and ΔG( 2c ) ≈ 4.9 kcal/mol.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Electrochemistry of the Manganese(I) Complexes of meso‐Substituted [14]Tribenzotriphyrins(2.1.1)

Metalation of 6,13,20,21‐tetraaryl‐22H‐[14]tribenzotriphyrins(2.1.1) (TriP, 1 a – d ) with [Mn(CO)₅Br] provided Mn^I tricarbonyl complexes of [14]tribenzotriphyrins(2.1.1) 2 a – d in 85–93 % yield. The complexes were characterized by mass spectrometry and UV/Vis absorption, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. Single‐crystal X‐ray analyses revealed that 2 b and 2 c adopt bowl‐shaped conformations. The redox properties of [(TriP)Mn^I(CO)₃] ( 2 a – d ) were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Each compound undergoes two reversible one‐electron reductions to form a porphyrin π anion radical and a dianion in CH₂Cl₂. Two oxidation waves were observed, the first of which corresponds to a metal‐centered electron‐transfer process. The redox potentials of 2 a – d are consistent with the optical spectroscopic data and the relatively narrow HOMO–LUMO gaps that were predicted in DFT calculations. The optical spectra can be assigned by using Michl’s perimeter model. TDDFT calculations predict the presence of several metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer bands in the L‐band region between 500 and 700 nm.     

Spectroelectrochemistry of EuCl3 in Four Molten Salt Eutectics; 3 LiCl−NaCl, 3 LiCl−2 KCl,LiCl−RbCl,and 3 LiCl−2 CsCl; at 873 K

Key electrochemical properties affecting pyroprocessing of nuclear fuel were examined in four eutectic melts using Eu^3+/2+ as a representative probe. We report the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical behavior of EuCl₃ in four molten salt eutectics (3 LiCl?NaCl, 3 LiCl?2 KCl, LiCl?RbCl and 3 LiCl?2 CsCl) at 873 K. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the reduction potential for Eu^3+/2+ and the applied potentials for spectroelectrochemistry. Single step chronoabsorptometry and thin‐layer spectroelectrochemistry were used to obtain the number of electrons transferred, reduction potentials and diffusion coefficients for Eu³⁺ in each eutectic melt. The reduction potentials determined by thin‐layer spectroelectrochemistry were essentially the same as those obtained using cyclic voltammetry. The diffusion coefficient for Eu³⁺ was the largest in the 3 LiCl?NaCl melt, showed a negative shift in the 3 LiCl?2 KCl melt, and was the smallest in the LiCl?RbCl and 3 LiCl?2 CsCl eutectic melts. The basic one‐electron reversible electron transfer for Eu^3+/2+ was not affected by melt composition.     

Solvent and Substituent Effects on the Protonation of Anilines in Dioxane–Water Mixtures

Protonation constants of a number of mono-substituted anilines were determined potentiometrically in 0, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60% (v/v) dioxane–water mixtures at (25.00 ± 0.0.02)°C at an ionic strength of 0.1 mol-dm^–3 in sodium perchlorate. The data from the potentiometric titrations were evaluated using the BEST computer program. The trends in the values of the protonation constants of anilines were explained in terms of the nature of substituent and the solute–solvent and solvent–solvent interactions. Furthermore, the effects of the substituents on the basicity of aniline, the additivies of these effects, and the applicability of the Hammett equation to the behavior of these substituents are discussed.     

On the Electrochemistry and Spectroelectrochemistry of Small Model Star‐Shaped Compounds: 1,3,5‐Triaryl‐1‐Methoxybenzenes and 2,4,6‐Triaryl‐1,3,5‐Trimethoxybenzenes

Model structures of 1,3,5‐triarylbenzenes with a substituted benzene core linked to thienyl or 3,4‐ethylenedioxythienyl (EDOT) terminal groups are studied by electrochemical and in situ ESR/UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemical techniques. Oxidative polymerization of the monomers results in C? C coupling of the thiophene moieties in the 5‐position, forming dimeric structures with bithiophene linkers as the first step. Both the doubly charged protonated dimer and the new dimer formed after proton release are studied in detail for 2,4,6‐tris[2‐(3,4‐ethylenedioxythienyl)]‐1‐methoxybenzene. Quite high stability of the doubly charged σ dimer formed on oxidation with unusual redox behavior at the electrode is observed. Density functional calculations of the molecular structure as well as spectroscopic and electronic properties of charged states in 1,3,5‐triarylbenzene derivatives in the monomeric, dimeric, and oligomeric form are presented. The complex spectroelectrochemical response of a thin solid film formed on the electrode surface upon potentiodynamic polymerization indicates the existence of different charge states of oligomeric structures within the solid matrix.     

Precise Tuning of Surface Composition and Electron‐Transfer Properties of Graphene Oxide Films through Electroreduction

Graphene materials are generally prepared from the exfoliation of graphite oxide (GO) to graphene oxide, followed by subsequent chemical or thermal reduction. These methods, although efficient in removing most of the oxygen functionalities from the GO material, lack control over the extent of the reduction process. We demonstrate here an electrochemical reduction procedure that not only allows for precise control of the reduction process to obtain a graphene material with a well‐defined C/O ratio in the range of 3 to 10, but also one that is able to tune the electrocatalytic properties of the reduced material. A method that is able to precisely control the amount and density of the oxygen functionalities on the graphene material as well as its electrochemical behaviour is very important for several applications such as electronics, bio‐composites and electrochemical devices.     

Synthesis,photoluminescence, and electrochromism of polyamides containing (3,6‐di‐tert‐butylcarbazol‐9‐yl)triphenylamine units

A new carbazole‐derived, triphenylamine (TPA)‐containing aromatic dicarboxylic acid monomer, 4,4′‐dicarboxy‐4″‐(3,6‐di‐tert‐butylcarbazol‐9‐yl)TPA, was synthesized, and it led to a series of electroactive aromatic polyamides with main‐chain TPA and pendent 3,6‐bis(tert‐butyl)carbazole units by reacting it with various aromatic diamines via the phosphorylation polyamidation technique. The polyamides were amorphous with good solubility in many organic solvents and could be solution‐cast into flexible and strong films. They showed high glass‐transition temperatures (282–335 °C) and high thermal stability (10% weight loss temperatures >480 °C). The electroactive polymer films had well‐defined and reversible redox couples with good cycle stability in acetonitrile solutions. The polymer films also exhibited fluorescent and multielectrochromic behaviors. The anodically electrochromic polyamide films had moderate coloration efficiency (～100 cm²/C) and high optical contrast ratio of transmittance change (Δ%T) up to 47% at 813 nm and 48% at 414 nm for the green coloring. After hundreds of cyclic switches, the polymer films still retained good redox and electrochromic activity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Double‐Layer Correction for Electron‐Transfer Kinetics at Glassy Carbon and Mercury Electrodes in N,N‐Dimethylformamide

The double‐layer properties of the glassy carbon electrode in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) containing tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) at different concentrations have been studied by cyclic voltammetry and impedance. The results were compared with analogous results obtained for the mercury/DMF interface. For both electrodes, the double‐layer data were treated to obtain useful equations describing the dependence of the outer Helmholtz plane potential on the applied potential. The kinetics of the dissociative reduction of a sulfide in DMF/0.1 M TBAP was studied by convolution analysis on both glassy carbon and mercury and used as an example to test the double‐layer results and compare the behavior of the two electrodes.     

Quinobis(imidazolylidene): Synthesis and Study of an Electron‐Configurable Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) and Its Bimetallic Complexes

Reaction of bromanil with N,N′‐dimesitylformamidine followed by deprotonation with NaN(SiMe₃)₂ afforded 1,1′,3,3′‐tetramesitylquinobis(imidazolylidene) ( 1 ), a bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) (NHC) with two NHC moieties connected by a redox active p‐quinone residue, in 72 % yield of isolated compound. Bimetallic complexes of 1 were prepared by coupling to FcN₃ ( 2 ) or FcNCS ( 3 ; Fc=ferrocenyl) or coordination to [M(cod)Cl] ( 4 a or 4 b , where M=Rh or Ir, respectively; cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). Treatment of 4 a and 4 b with excess CO(g) afforded the corresponding [M(CO)₂Cl] complexes 5 a and 5 b , respectively. Analysis of 2 – 5 by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction indicated that the electron‐deficient quinone did not significantly affect the inherent spectral properties or coordination chemistry of the flanking imidazolylidene units, as compared to analogous NHCs. Infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry revealed that decreasing the electron density at ML_n afforded an increase in the stretching energy and a decrease in the reduction potential of the quinone, indicative of metal–quinone electronic interaction. Differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry of the metal‐centered oxidations in 2 – 4 revealed two single, one‐electron peaks. Thus, the metal atoms bound to 1 are oxidized at indistinguishable potentials and do not appear electronically coupled. However, the metal–quinone interaction was used to increase the electron density at coordinated metal atoms. Infrared spectroelectrochemistry revealed that the average ν_CO values for 5 a and 5 b decreased by 14 and 15 cm^?1, respectively, upon reduction of the quinone embedded within 1 . These shifts correspond to 10 and 12 cm^?1 decreases in the Tolman electronic parameter of this ditopic ligand.     

Coexistence of Different Electron‐Transfer Mechanisms in the DNA Repair Process by Photolyase

DNA photolyase has been the topic of extensive studies due to its important role of repairing photodamaged DNA, and its unique feature of using light as an energy source. A crucial step in the repair by DNA photolyase is the forward electron transfer from its cofactor (FADH^?) to the damaged DNA, and the detailed mechanism of this process has been controversial. In the present study, we examine the forward electron transfer in DNA photolyase by carrying out high‐level ab initio calculations in combination with a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) approach, and by measuring fluorescence emission spectra at low temperature. On the basis of these computational and experimental results, we demonstrate that multiple decay pathways exist in DNA photolyase depending on the wavelength at excitation and the subsequent transition. This implies that the forward electron transfer in DNA photolyase occurs not only by superexchange mechanism but also by sequential electron transfer.