Electron affinity and redox potential of tetrafluoro-p-benzoquinone: A theoretical study

The electron affinity of tetrafluoro-p-benzoquinone (2.69 eV) and the mono- (2.10 eV), 2,3-di- (2.29 eV), 2,5-di- (2.28 eV), 2,6-di- (2.31 eV) and tri- (2.48 eV) fluoro derivatives of p-benzoquinone have been calculated via standard ab initio molecular orbital theory at the G3(MP2)-RAD level of theory. Comparison of calculated electron affinities with the available experimental values shows excellent agreement between theory and experiment. The reduction potential of tetrafluoro-p-benzoquinone in acetonitrile vs. SCE (−0.03 V) has been calculated at the same level of theory and employing a continuum model of solvation (CPCM), and is also in excellent agreement with the experimental value (−0.04 V vs. SCE).     

Multi-colored electrochromic polymer with enhanced optical contrast

A new π-conjugated monomer was synthesized which contains an electron-donating unit 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and electron withdrawing quinoxaline-based heterocycle to examine the effects of imine unit on the optoelectronic and redox properties of the resulting polymer. Electroactivity of monomer and electrochemical redox behavior of its polymer were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. An irreversible anodic wave at +0.85 V vs Ag wire reference electrode corresponding to the monomer oxidation was observed. Spectroelectrochemical analysis revealed that the neutral polymer has an absorbance at 820 nm. The band gap of the polymer was determined as 1.0 eV from the onset of the π-π∗ transition. The polymer shows multi-colored electrochromic behavior with five distinct states: brick red (−0.3 V), orange (+0.4 V), brown (+0.7 V), green (+0.85 V), gray (+1.2 V). The polymer revealed 34% optical contrast at 460 nm and an excellent optical contrast of 99% in the NIR region.     

Computational study of keto–enol equilibria of tropolone in gas and aqueous solution phase

Density functional theory calculations employing the B3LYP exchange-correlation functional, as well as Hartree–Fock computations, were performed on 2-hydroxy-2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one (tropolone) and 3,5- and 3,6-cycloheptadiene-1,2-dione in gas and aqueous solution phases in order to determine the equilibrium constant for keto to enol interconversion of the isomers of C₇H₆O₂. Two standard basis sets were used throughout, namely 6-311++G^∗∗ and aug-cc-pVDZ. Solvent effects were modelled using two different self-consistent reaction field approaches – the Onsager dipole and the polarizable continuum models (PCM). In addition, the G3 method was used for calculations on species in the gas phase. Molecular geometries were fully optimized at each model chemistry, and it was found that the two keto isomers are always higher in energy than the enol form. From the results of B3LYP/6-311++G^∗∗ calculations of the difference in Gibbs free energy in the gas phase and using PCM, the relative pK values for the 2-hydroxy-2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one ? 3,5- and 3,6-cycloheptadiene-1,2-dione system are 13.75 (g), 15.78 (g) and 13.05 (aq) and 13.45 (aq), respectively. That equilibrium is tilted almost exclusively in the direction of tropolone is due to resonance stabilization of the enol as a result of aromaticity, and is most easily understood on the basis of elementary Hückel theory.     

High resolution electron momentum spectroscopy of the valence orbitals of water

The development of a third-generation electron momentum spectrometer with significantly improved energy and momentum resolutions at Tsinghua University (ΔE = 0.45–0.68 eV, Δθ = ±0.53° and Δ? = ±0.84°) has enabled a reinvestigation of the valence orbital electron momentum distributions of H₂O with improved statistical accuracy. The measurements have been conducted at impact energies of 1200 eV and 2400 eV in order to check the validity of the plane wave impulse approximation. The obtained ionization spectra and electron momentum distributions have been compared with the results of computations carried out with Hartree Fock [HF] theory, density functional theory in conjunction with the standard B3LYP functional, one-particle Green’s function [1p-GF] theory along with the third-order algebraic diagrammatic construction scheme [ADC(3)], symmetry adapted cluster configuration interaction [SAC-CI] theory, and a variety of multi-reference [MR-SDCI, MR-RSPT2, MR-RSPT3] theories. The influence of the basis set on the computed momentum distributions has been investigated further, using a variety of basis sets ranging from 6-31G to the almost complete d-aug-cc-pV6Z basis set. A main issue in the present work pertains to a shake-up band of very weak intensity at 27.1 eV, of which the related momentum distribution was analyzed for the first time. The experimental evidences and the most thorough theoretical calculations demonstrate that this band borrows its ionization intensity from the 2a₁ orbital.     

Bond length interrelations in benzenoid hydrocarbons and their heteroatom analogues

The geometries of some benzenoid hydrocarbons and their analogues with XY (XY = BB, BC, BN, CN, and NN) bonds have been determined at the B3LYP/6-311++G^∗∗ level of theory. It is shown that the lengths of peripheral XY bonds are strictly correlated with the lengths of their CC counterparts in native hydrocarbons. No correlation of this type is observed for the XY bonds located inside the rings.     

Structural isomers of 2-(2,3 and 4-substituted-phenyl)-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one: A Theoretical Study

A series of 2-(2,3 and 4-substituted-phenyl)-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one molecules were theoretically investigated by the use of density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G^∗∗ level of the theory. The substituents studied in this work are X = H; CH₃; NH₂; OH; OCH₃; F, Cl; Br; NO₂; CN; COCH₃; CO₂H; CO₂Me; SH; BH₂. We have selected these functional groups to be placed in the 2, 3 and 4 positions with relation to the benzisoselenazol moiety in order to show the effect of these structural modifications on the electronic properties of the molecules.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of an unsymmetrical compound with carbazole and benzothiadiazole units

An unsymmetrical organic compound with carbazole (Cz) as donor and benzothiadiazole (BTD) as acceptor (D-π-A-π∗-D∗) was designed and synthesized via simple Heck reaction. The unique crystal structure of Cz-BTD-Cz∗ shows a ladder-like packing mode. A two molecule pair stacks parallelly with each other in each packing unit. In each cell, one Cz moiety is connected with BTD by vinylene bond in same plane. However, the other Cz group is connected to BTD by a one-end vinyl bond in almost perpendicular position to the coplanar part of the molecule. The shortest intermolecular plane distance is 3.48 ± 0.1 Å. The photophysical properties of Cz-BTD-Cz∗ in solution and in bulky crystalline powder state were studied. In bulk crystalline powder state, it has a red-shifted emission band peaked at 609 nm relative to that in solution, and the FWHM was reduced to only 58 nm. Electrochemical properties were also investigated.     

The 1,4-diazabutadiene/1,2-enediamido non-innocent ligand system in the formation of iridaheteroaromatic compounds: Spectroelectrochemistry and electronic structure

Oxidation of the unambiguously characterized iridium(III)-enediamido complex IrCp∗(RNCHCHNR), R = 2,6-dimethylphenyl, with six cyclically arranged π electrons was investigated using EPR and UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry. In contrast to a corresponding iminocatecholato system reported recently by Rauchfuss et al. [27] the two one-electron oxidation steps are not completely reversible, depending on the solvent. We attribute the electrochemical behavior observed in weakly coordinating dichloromethane and propylene carbonate solvents to an enhanced propensity for ligand addition: while neutral IrCp∗(RNCHCHNR) remains coordinatively unsaturated with the strongly σ and π donating enediamido(2−) ligand mitigating the electron deficit, the oxidation to the less donating radical anion ligand (RNCHCHNR)^- or even to neutral 1,4-diazabutadiene is considered to induce a strong tendency for quasi-hexacoordination in [IrCp∗(L)(RNCHCHNR)], L = solvent, halide, substrate. The presence of excess chloride thus leads to formation of the precursor complex ion [IrCp∗ClRNCHCHNR)]⁺ after oxidation. EPR spectroscopy of the one-electron oxidation intermediate [IrCp∗(RNCHCHNR)]⁺ was successful only for a frozen solution in propylene carbonate/0.1 M Bu₄NPF₆ which revealed an axial signal with sizeable g anisotropy. DFT calculation results for [IrCp∗(RNCHCHNR)]ⁿ, n = 0, +, 2+ confirm the available structural and spectroelectrochemical data (UV-vis, EPR).     

The effects of substituents,molecular symmetry,ionic radius of the rare earth metal,and macrocycle on the electronic absorption spectra characteristics of sandwich-type bis(phthalocyaninato) and mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth complexes

The electronic absorption spectroscopic data for two series of 60 unsubstituted/substituted bis(phthalocyaninato) and mixed [tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)porphyrinato](phthalocyaninato) rare earth complexes M(Pc)₂, M(Pc^∗)₂ and M(TClPP)(Pc) [M = Y, La…Lu except Pm; Pc^∗ = dianion of 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(4-methoxyphenoxy)phthalocyanine [Pc(MeOPhO)₈], dianion of 3(4),12(13),21(22),30(31)-tetra(tert-butyl)phthalocyanine (TBPc) and TClPP = tetra(4-chloro)phenylporphyrin] have been measured in CHCl₃. In this paper, the influence of the symmetry of macrocycle rare earth molecules, the effects of ionic radius of the rare earth metal and the influence of substituent species (tert-butyl and 4-methoxyphenoxy groups) onto the peripheral benzene rings on the electronic absorption characteristics of sandwich-type compounds have also been tentatively studied in detail.     

Mechanistic competition variations due to the substituents in the lithium carbenoid promoted cyclopropanation reactions

The cylcopropanation reactions of the LiCH₂X (X = F, Cl, Br and I) carbenoids with ethylene were investigated at the CCSD(T)/6-311G^∗∗//B3LYP/6-311G^∗∗ level of theory along two reaction pathways: methylene transfer and carbometalation. There exists a competition between these two reaction pathways for the different substituted lithium carbenoids. Interestingly, the substituent has different effect on the methylene transfer and carbometalation pathways. The trend of the activation energies for the methylene transfer pathway is LiCH₂F (9.8 kcal/mol) > LiCH₂Cl (7.6 kcal/mol) ≈ LiCH₂Br (7.4 kcal/mol) ≈ LiCH₂I (7.5 kcal/mol), whereas the activation energies for the carbometalation pathway increases in this order: LiCH₂F (6.1 kcal/mol) < LiCH₂Cl (7.1 kcal/mol) < LiCH₂Br (8.2 kcal/mol) < LiCH₂I (8.5 kcal/mol). The different effect mainly arises from that the substituent of the lithium carbenoid influences the hybridization character of the C¹ atom. The mechanistic competition varies due to the different substituents of the lithium carbenoids during the cyclopropanation reactions. This result is revelatory for us to control mechanistic competition to obtain target product by modifying the substituents of the lithium carbenoids.     

Preparation, characterization, and catalytic properties of ruthenium nitrosyl complexes with polypyrazolylmethane ligands

Ruthenium(II) nitrosyl complexes with polypyrazolylmethanes, [(Bpm)Ru(NO)Cl₃] [Bpm = bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane, 1], [(Bpm^∗)Ru(NO)Cl₃] [Bpm^∗ = bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane, 2], [(Tpm)Ru(NO)Cl₂][PF₆] [Tpm = tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane, 3], and [(Tpm^∗)Ru(NO)Cl₂][PF₆] [Tpm^∗ = tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane, 4], have been synthesized and characterized. The solid-state structures of [(Bpm^∗)Ru(NO)Cl₃] (2) and [(Tpm^∗)Ru(NO)Cl₂][PF₆] (4) were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses. These complexes have been tested as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of several ketones under mild conditions.     

Reactions of 2-pyridinethiolate cobalt(III) complexes with pyridinethiolate or benzenethiolate ligands

Four half-sandwich cobalt complexes, Cp^∗Co(2-PyS)₂ (2), Cp^∗Co(2-PyS)₂ · HI (3), Cp^∗Co(2-PyS) (4-PyS) (4), (Cp^∗Co)₂(μ-PhS)₂(μ-2-PyS)I (5) [Cp^∗ = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, 2-PyS = 2-pyridinethiolate, 4-PyS = 4-pyridinethiolate, PhS = benzenethiolate] were successfully synthesized by the reactions of 2-pyridinethione, lithium 4-pyridinethiolate and lithium benzenethiolate with Cp^∗Co(2-PyS)I (1), respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 have the structures with two 2-pyridinethiolates ligands coordinated to the cobalt atom. Two different pyridinethiolates ligands can be identified in complex 4. The molecular structure of 5 consists of two Cp^∗-Co fragments, which are triply bridged by three sulfur atoms from different ligands. The molecular structures of 3 and 5 were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. All the complexes have been well characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra.     

Starburst substituted hexaazatriphenylene compounds: synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical properties

Starburst-substituted hexaazatriphenylene compounds have been designed and synthesized by introducing various peripheral aryl substituents to the central heterocyclic core. The effects of various substituent groups on the photophysical and electrochemical properties of the substituted hexaazatriphenylene have been investigated. Significant red-shifts of the absorption peak (from 413 nm to 530 nm) and emission peak (from 432 nm to 700 nm) were observed when the electron-donating ability of the aryl substituents was increased, corresponding to a decrease in the band gap from 2.90 eV to 2.05 eV. Introducing bulky substituents with weak electron-donating ability enhances the fluorescence quantum yield from 23% to 87%. In contrast, incorporating aryl substituents with strong electron-donating ability decreases the fluorescence quantum yield. Also, due to the extended conjugation between the aryl substituents and the hexaazatriphenylene core, the reduction potentials of the compounds were reduced and the LUMO levels were thus increased.     

1,5-Type nonbonded O?S and S?S interactions in (acylimino) and (thioacylimino)benzothiazoline systems. Crystal structures and theoretical calculations

Intramolecular nonbonded interactions have been observed in the crystalline structures of 6-ethoxy-2-trifluoroacetyliminobenzothiazoline (4) (S?O close contact) and 6-ethoxy-2-trifluorothioacetyliminobenzothiazoline (5) (S?S close contact). Density functional B3LYP/6-311G^∗∗ calculations were performed for all conformers and tautomers of 4 and 5 in order to explain the preference for the S?O and S?S close contact structures. The calculations agree with the observed crystallographic structures only when solvent effects are included via a continuum model, thus showing the importance of the solvent effects to establish the correct relative energies.     

CpIr-catalyzed N-alkylation of amines with alcohols. A versatile and atom economical method for the synthesis of amines

A versatile and highly atom economical catalytic system consisting of [Cp^∗IrCl₂]₂/NaHCO₃ (Cp^∗=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) for the N-alkylation of amines with primary and secondary alcohols as alkylating reagents has been developed. For example, the reaction of equimolar amounts of aniline and benzyl alcohol in the presence of [Cp^∗IrCl₂]₂ (1.0 mol % Ir) and NaHCO₃ (1.0 mol %) in toluene at 110 °C gives N-benzylaniline in 94% yield. The present catalytic system is applicable to the N-alkylation of both primary and secondary amines, and only harmless water is produced as co-product. A wide variety of secondary and tertiary amines can be synthesized with high atom economy under mild and less-toxic conditions. One-pot sequential N-alkylation leading to tertiary amines bearing three different substituents is also described.     

Synthesis, structure and characterization of dimolybdaheteroboranes

Chalcogen-stabilized dimolybdaboranes 3-5 (3: [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₅Se(Ph)], 4: [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₃Se₂(SeCH₂Ph)] and 5: [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₃H₆(BSR)(μ-η¹-SR)] (R = 2,6-(^tBu)₂-C₆H₂OH)) have been isolated from the mild pyrolysis of dichalcogenide ligands, RE-E‘R (R = Ph: E = S, E‘ = Se; R = CH₂Ph, [2,6-(^tBu)₂-C₆H₂OH]: E = E‘ = Se, S) and [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₈], 2, an intermediate generated from the reaction of [Cp^∗MoCl₄] (1) (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅), with [LiBH₄.thf]. The geometry of [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₄H₅Se(Ph)] is similar to that of [(Cp^∗Mo)₂B₅H₉], in which one BH₃ unit on the open face is replaced by a triple bridged selenium atom. All the compounds have been characterized in solution by ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structural types were unequivocally established by X-ray crystallographic analysis of compounds 3-5.     

Synthesis, characterization, and crystal structures of the osmium triflate complexes CpOs(P-P)(OTf) and [CpOs(P-P)(OH2)][OTf]

Treatment of the osmium(II) hydrides Cp^∗Os(P-P)H (Cp^∗ = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (MeOTf) affords osmium(II) triflate complexes with the general formula Cp^∗Os(P-P)(OTf), where P-P = bis(dimethylphosphino)methane (dmpm), bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm), or 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (dmpe). The aqua complexes [Cp^∗Os(dmpm)(OH₂)][OTf] and [Cp^∗Os(dppm)(OH₂)][OTf] are synthesized by the addition of water to the corresponding anhydrous triflates. The complexes Cp^∗Os(dppm)(OTf) and [Cp^∗Os(dmpm)(OH₂)][OTf] have been examined crystallographically, and all compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy.     

Effects of X-ray radiation on the surface chemical composition of plasma deposited thin fluorocarbon films

Different thin fluorocarbon (FC) films were deposited on Si(111) using plasma polymerisation and then exposed to X-ray radiation. Changes in the chemical composition of the deposited fluorocarbon films as a function of irradiation time were investigated in situ using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The evaluation of the C1s and F1s core level induced emission as a function of exposure to X-ray radiation (Mg Kα, hν = 1253.6 eV) reveals changes in the surface chemical composition of the FC polymer structure. The presented results indicate a high defluorination under X-ray irradiation. Additionally, binding energy shifts of the F1s and C1s peaks during the exposure associated with surface charging effects were observed. With ongoing exposure the surface charging decreases continuously and the FC surfaces become more conductive due to changes in the polymer structure. Different models have been used to describe the decomposition kinetics and surface composition.     

Nano and dendritic structured carboranes and metallacarboranes: From materials to cancer therapy

An account of the current research carried out in our laboratories is presented. Included is the incorporation of several group 14 elements into charge-compensated carboranes. These species present a bonding pattern not found in other main group carboranes. In addition to our continuing studies of the syntheses and structures of organometallic compounds, the use of these compounds as catalysts and catalyst precursors has been investigated. The isotopic exchange reactions between ¹⁰B enriched boron hydrides with naturally abundant boranes catalyzed by Ru(0) nanoparticles has been studied. The Ru(0) nanoparticles were obtained by the reduction of [CpRuCp^∗RuCp^∗]PF₆ (Cp^∗ = C₅Me₅) with hydrogen and stabilized by the ionic liquid trihexyltetradecylphosphonium dodecylbenzenesulfonate [THTdP][DBS]. This was found to be an excellent, long lived catalyst for the exchange reaction of B-10 enriched diborane and naturally abundant decaborane(14). Other approaches to the production and use of nano-metal catalysts have also been explored. The reduction of the iridium carborane, (PPh₃)₂IrH(7,8-C₂B₉H₁₁) with hydrogen in the presence of trihexyltetradecylphosphonium methylsulfonate, [THTdP][MS], produced an Ir(0) nanoparticles that catalyzed the phenylborolation as did our Ir(sal = N-R = salicylaldiminato; COD = cyclooctadiene complex. Progress in the use of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) as boron delivery agents was also discussed.