Synthesis and properties of novel oligothiophenes surrounded by bicyclo[2.2.2]octene frameworks

Novel oligothiophenes surrounded by bicyclo[2.2.2]octene (abbreviated as BCO) frameworks ranging from dimer to hexamer, 1(nT) (n = 2, 3, 4, 6), were prepared, and their structures and electronic properties were investigated. Dimer 1(2T) was synthesized by oxidative coupling of the 2-lithiated monomer generated from 4,5-BCO-annelated 2-bromothiophene 8 with CuCl2 in 76% yield. Trimer 1(3T) and tetramer 1(4T) were synthesized by Stille coupling of 2,5-dibromo-3,4-BCO-annelated thiophene 4 and of the 5,5'-dibromo derivative of bis(3,4-BCO-thiophen-2-yl) 10 with 2-stannylated 4,5-BCO-annelated thiophene 9 in 41% and 46% yield, respectively. Hexamer 1(6T) was synthesized by oxidative coupling of terthiophene 12, tris-annelated with BCO units, in 81% yield. X-ray crystallographic studies showed that the thiophene rings in 1(2T) and 1(3T) are rotated around the inter-ring C-C bond(s) with the C=C-C=C dihedral angles of -174.3(5) degrees for 1(2T) and -149.7(3) degrees and 34.4(3) degrees for 1(3T). In the crystal structures of 1(2T) and 1(3T), no pi-stacking was observed as expected from the steric effect of the BCO units. Theoretical calculations for 1(2T) and 1(3T) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level indicated that the annelation with BCO units either at the 2,3- or 3,4-positions of thiophene rings raises both the KS HOMO and LUMO levels. In the electronic absorption spectra of 1, the longest wavelength absorption band corresponding to the pi-pi transition is bathochromically shifted with the increase in absorption intensity as the number of thiophene rings increases, and the absorption of the polythiophene 1 with infinite length was predicted to be 419 nm. The cyclic voltammetry of 1 in CH2Cl2 at -78 degrees C (2T) or at room temperature (3T, 4T, 6T) showed two reversible oxidation waves, indicating that the radical cation and dication of 1 are stable under these conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of two intensely colored tris(benzoylcyanoxime)iron(II) anionic complexes

Two intensely blue-colored complexes, P(C 6H 5) 4[Fe(BCO) 3] ( 1) and Na[Fe(BCO) 3] ( 2), where BCO (-) is the benzoylcyanoxime anion, have been prepared and characterized in solution and in the solid state. The crystal structure of 1 has been determined at several temperatures (100, 155, 225, and 293 K) and consists of layers of P(C 6H 5) 4 (+) cations and [Fe(BCO) 3] (-) anions. The latter exist as a pair of fac-Delta and Lambda enantiomers in a monoclinic unit cell in the P2(1)/ n space group. Iron(II) has a trigonal-prismatic N 3O 3 coordination environment with average Fe-N and Fe-O bond distances of 1.866 and 1.956 A, respectively, bonds that are unusually short and indicate a (1)A 1g low-spin ground state for iron(II). A sample of 1 prepared with iron-57 has been studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy between 4.2 and 430 K and found to be low-spin iron(II) in studied temperature range. The stepwise formation constants for 1 in aqueous solution at 296 K and pH of 7 are log beta 1 = 0.85 +/- 0.1, log beta 2 = 3.55 +/- 0.15, and log beta 3 = 6.36 +/- 0.15. Both 1 and 2 exhibit irreversible oxidation of iron(II) at approximately 1.0 V, indicating a significant degree of the ligand-to-iron charge transfer. Thus, 1 and 2 are rare examples of highly colored iron(II) anionic complexes that do not contain aromatic heterocyclic amine ligands, such as bipyridine or phenanthroline.     

A Computer Simulation Insight into the Formation of Apocarotenoids: Study of the Carotenoid Oxygenases BCO1 and BCO2 and Their Interaction with Putative Substrates

Carotenoids are isoprenoid pigments, and sources of vitamin A in humans. The first metabolic pathway for their synthesis is mediated by the enzymes β,β-carotene-15,15′-dioxygenase (BCO1) and β,β-carotene-9′,10′-dioxygenase (BCO2), which cleave carotenoids into smaller compounds, called apocarotenoids. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the interaction of BCO1 and BCO2 with carotenoids, adding structural diversity and importance in the agro-food and/or health sectors. Homology modeling of BCO1 and BCO2, and the molecular dynamics of complexes with all carotenoids were performed. Interaction energy and structures were analyzed. For both enzymes, the general structure is conserved with a seven beta-sheet structure, and the β-carotene is positioned at an optimal distance from the catalytic center. Fe²⁺ forms in an octahedral coordination sphere with four perfectly conserved histidine residues. BCO1 finds stability in a structure in which the β-carotene is positioned ready for enzymatic catalysis at the 15–15′ bond, and BCO2 in positioning the bond to be cleaved (C9–C10) close to the active site. In BCO1 the carotenoids interact with only seven residues with aromatic rings, while the interaction of BCO2 is much more varied in terms of the type of interaction, with more residues of different chemical natures.     

Ionone Is More than a Violet’s Fragrance: A Review

The term ionone is derived from “iona” (Greek for violet) which refers to the violet scent and “ketone” due to its structure. Ionones can either be chemically synthesized or endogenously produced via asymmetric cleavage of β-carotene by β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2). We recently proposed a possible metabolic pathway for the conversion of α-and β-pinene into α-and β-ionone. The differences between BCO1 and BCO2 suggest a unique physiological role of BCO2; implying that β-ionone (one of BCO2 products) is involved in a prospective biological function. This review focuses on the effects of ionones and the postulated mechanisms or signaling cascades involved mediating these effects. β-Ionone, whether of an endogenous or exogenous origin possesses a range of pharmacological effects including anticancer, chemopreventive, cancer promoting, melanogenesis, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions. β-Ionone mediates these effects via activation of olfactory receptor (OR51E2) and regulation of the activity or expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins, HMG-CoA reductase and pro-inflammatory mediators. α-Ionone and β-ionone derivatives exhibit anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer effects, however the corresponding structure activity relationships are still inconclusive. Overall, data demonstrates that ionone is a promising scaffold for cancer, inflammation and infectious disease research and thus is more than simply a violet’s fragrance.     

A DFT study on dinuclear metallocenes RMMR [R= (BCO)5, (BNN)5; M = Be, Mg, Ca, Zn, Cd

A series of dinuclear metallocenes with formula RMMR [R= (BCO)5, (BNN)5; M = Be, Mg, Ca, Zn, Cd] are investigated via density functional theory. All these compounds contain two M[eta5-(BCO)5] fragments or two M[eta5-(BNN)5] fragments with a direct metal-metal single sigma bond. Detailed NBO analyses show that the metal-ligand interactions are predominantly ionic in nature and each metal atom is in its +1 oxidation state. NBO analyses indicate that the interaction between the B-B bonds and metal-metal antibond has played a role in the stabilities of these compounds.     

Crystal structures and spectroscopic characterization of radical cations and dications of oligothiophenes stabilized by annelation with bicyclo[2.2.2]octene units: sterically segregated cationic oligothiophenes

The remarkably stable SbF(6)(-) salts of the radical cations of bithiophene 1(2T) and terthiophene 1(3T), completely surrounded by bicyclo[2.2.2]octene (BCO) units, were obtained by one-electron oxidation of the neutral precursors with NO(+)SbF(6)(-), and their solid-state structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. In these radical cations, the presence of quinoidal character was apparent, as shown by the increased planarity and by comparison of the bond lengths with those of the neutral precursors. The shortest intermolecular pi-pi distances in the crystal structure of 1(2T)(*)(+)SbF(6)(-) (distance between two sp(2) carbon atoms, 4.89 A) and 1(3T)(*)(+)SbF(6)(-) (distance between an sp(2) carbon and a sulfur atom, 3.58 A) were found to be longer than the sums of the van der Waals radii of the corresponding atoms. In accord with this, no apparent change was observed in ESR and UV-vis-NIR spectra of solutions of 1(2T)(*)(+) and 1(3T)(*)(+) upon lowering the temperature, indicating that the pi- (or sigma-) dimer formation is inhibited in solution as well as in the solid state. The dications 1(2T)(2+) and 1(3T)(2+) were generated with the stronger oxidant SbF(5) in CH(2)Cl(2) at -40 degrees C and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. In the (1)H NMR spectra, two conformers were observed for each dication of both 1(2T)(2+) (transoid (t) and cisoid (c)) and 1(3T)(2+) (t,t and c,t) at room temperature due to the high rotational barrier around the inter-ring bond(s) between thiophene rings, which was caused by the enhanced double bond character of these bonds following two-electron oxidation. This is supported by DFT calculations (B3LYP/6-31G(d)), which predicted the rotational barriers in the dications of unsubstituted bithiophene and terthiophene to be 27.6 and 22.9 kcal mol(-)(1), respectively. In the case of quaterthiophene and sexithiophene surrounded by BCO frameworks 1(4T) and 1(6T), oxidation with even one molar equivalent of NO(+)SbF(6)(-) afforded the dication salts 1(4T)(2+)2SbF(6)(-) and 1(6T)(2+)2SbF(6)(-), which were isolated as stable single crystals and allowed the X-ray crystallography. In their crystal structures, the cationic pi-systems became planar again due to the great contribution of quinoidal resonance structures, and the pi-systems, which were arrayed in a parallel geometry, were also segregated by the steric effect of BCO units. The degree and tendency of changes in the bond lengths of thiophene rings of 1(4T)(2+) and 1(6T)(2+) as compared with neutral precursors were similar to those of 1(2T)(*)(+)SbF(6)(-) and 1(3T)(*)(+)SbF(6)(-), respectively, implying that the contribution of quinoidal character is modulated by the amount of positive charge per thiophene unit.     

Steric Control in the π‐Dimerization of Oligothiophene Radical Cations Annelated with Bicyclo[2.2.2]octene Units

A Two series of oligothiophenes 2 (nT) (n=4,5), annelated with bicyclo[2.2.2]octene (BCO) units at both ends, and quaterthiophenes 3 a – c , annelated with various numbers of BCO units at different positions, were newly synthesized to investigate the driving forces of π‐dimerization and the structure–property relationships of the π‐dimers of oligothiophene radical cations. Their radical‐cation salts were prepared through chemical one‐electron oxidation by using nitrosonium hexafluoroantimonate. From variable‐temperature electron spin resonance and electronic absorption measurements, the π‐dimerization capability was found to vary among the members of the 2 (nT)^{+ .} SbF₆^? series and 3 ^{+ .} SbF₆^? series of compounds. To examine these results, density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the M06‐2X/6‐31G(d) level were conducted for the π‐dimers. This level of theory was found to successfully reproduce the previously reported X‐ray structure of ( 2 (3T))₂²⁺ having a bent π‐dimer structure with cis–cis conformations. The absorption bands obtained by time‐dependent DFT calculations for the π‐dimers were in reasonable agreement with the experimental spectra. The attractive and repulsive forces for the π‐dimerization were divided into four factors: 1) SOMO–SOMO interactions, 2) van der Waals forces, 3) solvation, and 4) Coulomb repulsion, and the effects of each factor on the structural differences and chain‐length dependence are discussed in detail.     

Tris(trifluoromethyl)borane carbonyl, (CF3)3BCO-synthesis,physical, chemical and spectroscopic properties,gas phase,and solid state structure

Tris(trifluoromethyl)borane carbonyl, (CF(3))(3)BCO, is obtained in high yield by the solvolysis of K[B(CF(3))(4)] in concentrated sulfuric acid. The in situ hydrolysis of a single bonded CF(3) group is found to be a simple, unprecedented route to a new borane carbonyl. The related, thermally unstable borane carbonyl, (C(6)F(5))(3)BCO, is synthesized for comparison purposes by the isolation of (C(6)F(5))(3)B in a matrix of solid CO at 16 K and subsequent evaporation of excess CO at 40 K. The colorless liquid and vapor of (CF(3))(3)BCO decomposes slowly at room temperature. In the gas phase t(1/2) is found to be 45 min. In the presence of a large excess of (13)CO, the carbonyl substituent at boron undergoes exchange, which follows a first-order rate law. Its temperature dependence yields an activation energy (E(A)) of 112 kJ mol(-)(1). Low-pressure flash thermolysis of (CF(3))(3)BCO with subsequent isolation of the products in low-temperature matrixes, indicates a lower thermal stability of the (CF(3))(3)B fragment, than is found for (CF(3))(3)BCO. Toward nucleophiles (CF(3))(3)BCO reacts in two different ways: Depending on the nucleophilicity of the reagent and the stability of the adducts formed, nucleophilic substitution of CO or nucleophilic addition to the C atom of the carbonyl group are observed. A number of examples for both reaction types are presented in an overview. The molecular structure of (CF(3))(3)BCO in the gas phase is obtained by a combined microwave-electron diffraction analysis and in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecule possesses C(3) symmetry, since the three CF(3) groups are rotated off the two possible positions required for C(3)(v)() symmetry. All bond parameters, determined in the gas phase or in the solid state, are within their standard deviations in fair agreement, except for internuclear distances most noticeably the B-CO bond lengths, which is 1.69(2) A in the solid state and 1.617(12) A in the gas phase. A corresponding shift of nu(CO) from 2267 cm(-)(1) in the solid state to 2251 cm(-)(1) in the gas phase is noted in the vibrational spectra. The structural and vibrational study is supported by DFT calculations, which provide, in addition to the equilibrium structure, confirmation of experimental vibrational wavenumbers, IR-band intensities, atomic charge distribution, the dipole moment, the B-CO bond energy, and energies for the elimination of CF(2) from (CF(3))(x)()BF(3)(-)(x)(), x = 1-3. In the vibrational analysis 21 of the expected 26 fundamentals are observed experimentally. The (11)B-, (13)C-, and (19)F-NMR data, as well as the structural parameters of (CF(3))(3)BCO, are compared with those of related compounds.     

Preparation of polymers having hole and electron transport units by Friedel–Crafts reaction

Polymers having 2,5‐diphenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (BCO) or anthracene (BCA) as an electron transport unit and N,N′‐diphenyl‐N,N′‐bis(4‐butylphenyl)‐benzidine (BTPD) as a hole transport unit were prepared by condensation polymerization using Friedel–Crafts reaction. It was found that BCO was less reactive than BCA. The low reactivity of the BCO monomer can be explained by the oxygen atom in the oxadiazole unit, which acts as a Lewis base and reduces the activity of the catalyst. The redox behavior measured by cyclic voltammetry showed for both BTPD‐BCO and BTPD‐BCA almost the same oxidation potential. In addition, the BTPD‐BCO also exhibited a reduction peak. Hole and electron drifts mobility of the polymers were measured by the time‐of‐flight method. The hole drift mobility of both BTPD‐BCO and BTPD‐BCA was 7.4 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1. The electron drift mobilities of BTPD‐BCO and BTPD‐BCA were 6.5 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1 and 5.2 × 10^?6 cm² V^?1 s^?1, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3083–3089, 2007     

Kinetic and equilibrium study of gas-phase interconversions of 1,3,6-cyclooctatriene, 1,3,5-cyclooctatriene and bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene

The gas-phase equilibrium and rate constants for the isomerizations of 1,3,6-cyclooctatriene (136COT) to 1,3,5-cyclooctatriene (135COT) [reaction (1)] and bicyclo[4.2.0]octa-2,4-diene (BCO) to 135COT [reaction (-2)] have been measured between 390 and 490 K and between 330 and 475 K, respectively. The rate constant of reaction (1) obeys the Arrhenius equation The corresponding equilibrium constant is given by the van′t Hoff equation The strain energy of the 136COT ring is calculated to be 31.7 kJ/mol, based on the known value of 37.2 kJ/mol for 135COT, and ΔH(298 K) for gaseous 136COT is 196.3 kJ/mol. The rate constant of reaction (-2) obeys the Arrhenius equation The equilibrium constant for 135COT ? BCO fits the van′t Hoff equation The strain energy of the BCO skeleton is calculated to be 108.3 kJ/mol, and ΔH(298 K) for gaseous BCO is 183.3 kJ/mol.     

Neutral bishomoaromatic semibullvalenes

Isolobal substitution of CH units by boron carbonyl groups (BCO) at C2,6 and C2,8,4,6 in semibullvalene favors the delocalized neutral bishomoaromatic systems substantially. The homoaromaticity is documented by the computed diatropic nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS). In addition, BCO substitution can result in low-lying triplet and open-shell singlet states. In contrast, substitution at C1,5 more than doubles the related Cope rearrangement barrier. The C2,6 and C2,8,4,6 BCO-substituted barbaralanes, barbaralones, and bullvalenes have substantially reduced barriers.     

Zur Konformation des Bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-Systems

Crystals of bicyclo [2.2.2] octane-1, 4-dicarboxylic acid are monoclinic, a = 6.01 Å, b = 16.73 Å, c = 10.29 Å, β = 115.08°, space group P2₁/c, with 4 molecules in the unit cell. The structure was solved with the help of direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares analysis of the three-dimensional intensity data. Within experimental error the bicyclo [2.2.2]-octane (BCO) skeleton has apparent D_3h-symmetry, corresponding to the totally eclipsed conformation. Analysis of the thermal ellipsoids in terms of the translational and rotational motion of the BCO skeleton leads to an r.m.s. amplitude of 5.9 ± 0.2° for rotation about the threefold axis. On the assumption that the bond lengths remain effectively constant during a torsional vibration of BCO, the potential energy surface has been calculated for a range of semi-empirical potential functions. These calculations show that the energy minimum may be slightly displaced from D_3h symmetry, but if so the barrier between the two such equivalent minima is only about 0.1 kcal mole^?1. The energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for a typical variation of potential energy vs torsion angle have been calculated. From the form of the eigenfunction of the ground vibrational state we conclude that BCO has effective D_3h symmetry at all temperatures as far as diffraction methods are concerned.     

羰基硼化合物(BCO)n(n==1～12)的理论研究

运用HF/3-21G方法和密度泛函理论(DFT)的B3LYP/6-31G*方法, 对羰基硼化合物(BCO)n(n=1~12)的各种可能结构进行了优化, 对在B3LYP/6-31G*水平上得到的几何构型、电子态、结合能、振动频率、核独立化学位移(NICS)、能量二次差分和热力学性质进行了理论研究, 得到了(BCO)n(n=1~12)结构的稳定性信息. 十二种基态结构都是端配位(μ1-CO), (BCO)n(n=1~3, 5, 6) 的基态是线型或平面结构, (BCO)n(n=4, 7~12)的基态是笼状结构; B—C平均键能呈现奇偶交替现象, 偶数的结构比奇数稳定; 能量二次差分得到同样的结论；羰基的振动频率与实验值非常吻合; 热力学性质的研究对实验具有重要的指导意义.     

Two classes of heterocycles—6,8‐dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes and cyclopentenols from the same reagents: A quantum‐chemical comparison of mechanism

Most of the strategies for the synthesis of 6,8‐dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes (BCO) and cyclopentenols (CP), which show high biological and pharmaceutical activity, are multistage and/or require hardly accessible starting materials and catalysts. The general method for BCO and CP preparation in a single preparative stage from two simple reagents, ketones and acetylene, under the action of an available super‐basic catalytic system KOH/DMSO becomes promising for the development of general approaches to the design of these classes of biologically active compounds. The mechanism of competing reactions yielding both 7‐methylene‐6.8‐dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]‐octanes and functionalized cyclopentenoles from their common intermediate 1,5‐diketones and acetylene in the KOH/DMSO superbasic media is investigated using the B2PLYP/6‐311++G**//B3LYP/6‐31+G* calculations with particular attention to the diastereoselectivity aspects of individual stages.     

Formation of hexacarbonylmanganese(I) salts, [Mn(CO)6]+X-, in anhydrous HF

A convenient one-step synthesis for [Mn(CO)6]+ salts has been developed. The method involves the one-electron oxidation of Mn2(CO)10 by protons in solutions of Lewis acids (BF3, (CF3)3BCO) and anhydrous HF. The molecular structure of [Mn(CO)6][BF4].SO2 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: orthorhombic, space group Cmc2(1); a = 8.7001(2) A, b = 11.8497(3) A, and c = 11.7437(3) A; Z = 4; R1 = 0.0320 and wR2 = 0.1106. The structural, NMR, and vibrational spectroscopic properties of [Mn(CO)6]+ fit perfectly with those of the isoelectronic species [V(CO)6]-, Cr(CO)6, and [Fe(CO)6]2+.     

Syntheses and Characterization of (C2F5)3BCO and (C3F7)3BCO

The new tris(perfluoroalkyl)borane carbonyls, (C₂F₅)₃BCO and (C₃F₇)₃BCO, were prepared by means of a novel synthetic route using commercially available precursors by reacting K[(C₂F₅)₃BCOOH] and K[(C₃F₇)₃BCOOH] with concentrated sulfuric acid in the last step. The carboxylic acids, K[(C₂F₅)₃BCOOH] and K[(C₃F₇)₃BCOOH], were prepared by oxidative cleavage of the C?C triple bonds in Cs[(C₂F₅)₃BC?CPh] and Cs[(C₃F₇)₃BC?CPh] in a two‐step process to yield K[(C₂F₅)₃BCO? COPh] and K[(C₃F₇)₃BCO? COPh] as isolable intermediates. Crystal structures were obtained of K[(C₂F₅)₃BCO? COPh], K[(C₂F₅)₃BCOOH] ? H₂O, (C₂F₅)₃BCO, K[(C₃F₇)₃BCOOH] ? 2 H₂O, and (C₃F₇)₃BCO. In the crystal structures of (C₂F₅)₃BCO and (C₃F₇)₃BCO the C?O bond lengths are 1.109(2) and 1.103(5) Å, respectively, which are among the shortest observed to date. Tris(pentafluoroethyl)borane carbonyl and (C₃F₇)₃BCO slowly decompose at room temperature to yield CO, difluoroperfluoroalkylboranes and perfluoroalkenes. The decomposition of (C₂F₅)₃BCO was found to follow a first‐order rate law with E_a=107 kJ mol^?1.     

Structures and energies of isolobal (BCO)n and (CH)n cages

The structures and energies of isolobal (CH)n and (BCO)n polyhedral species, computed at the B3LYP density functional theory level, reveal contrasts in behavior. The strain energies of the (BCO)n cages are much smaller. Also unlike the (CH)n cages, the most stable (BCO)n polyhedra (n > or = 10) prefer structures with the largest number of three-membered rings. The planar (or nearly planar) faces of the cage systems were modeled by computations on planar, isoelectronic (CH2)n (Dnh) and (HBCO)n (Cnv) rings. While the strain energies of all the planar carbon rings, relative to the most stable D5h (CH2)5, were large, the strain energies of all the planar (HBCO)n (Cnv) rings were small. Remarkably, the three-membered (HBCO)3 (C3v) ring was the most stable. Finally, large (BCO)n systems prefer tubelike rather than cage structures.     

Allosteric deprogramming of a trinuclear heterometallic helicate

Two multidentate ditopic ligands L1 and L2 which contain both N-donor and crown ether units have been synthesised. The potentially octadentate ligand L1 forms a trinuclear heterometallic double helicate with Cu(I) and Zn(II) ([Zn2Cu(L1)2](5+)), whereas L2 forms a tetranuclear heterometallic double helicate with the same metal ions ([Zn2Cu2(L2)2](6+)). Both species have been characterised by (1)H NMR, ESI-MS and single crystal X-ray crystallography. Reaction of [Zn2Cu2(L2)2](6+) with Ba(2+) results in the coordination of the crown ether units giving the simple barium coordinated species [Zn2Cu2(L2)2Ba2](10+). However, reaction of [Zn2Cu(L1)2](5+) with Ba(2+) deprograms the ligand and results in the formation of a mixture of species.     

Design and Synthesis of Aviram–Ratner‐Type Dyads and Rectification Studies in Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) Films

The design and synthesis of Aviram–Ratner‐type molecular rectifiers, featuring an anilino‐substituted extended tetracyanoquinodimethane (exTCNQ) acceptor, covalently linked by the σ‐spacer bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BCO) to a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donor moiety, are described. The rigid BCO spacer keeps the TTF donor and exTCNQ acceptor moieties apart, as demonstrated by X‐ray analysis. The photophysical properties of the TTF‐BCO‐exTCNQ dyads were investigated by UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy, electrochemical studies, and theoretical calculations. Langmuir–Blodgett films were prepared and used in the fabrication and electrical studies of junction devices. One dyad showed the asymmetric current–voltage (I–V) curve characteristic for rectification, unlike control compounds containing the TTF unit but not the exTCNQ moiety or comprising the exTCNQ acceptor moiety but lacking the donor TTF part, which both gave symmetric I–V curves. The direction of the observed rectification indicated that the preferred electron current flows from the exTCNQ acceptor to the TTF donor.     

SANS analysis of the microstructural evolution during the aging of pyrolysis oils from biomass

In this paper, we report for the first time a microstructural characterization of pyrolysis oils obtained from biomass. Bio crude oils (BCOs) are good candidates as substitutes for mineral oils as fuels. By using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), we show that BCOs are nanostructured fluids constituted by a complex continuous phase and nanoparticles mainly formed by the association of units of pyrolytic lignins. The aggregation of these units during the time produces branched structures with fractal dimension D(f) between 1.4 and 1.5, which are responsible for BCO aging. SANS results fully support the recently formulated thermal ejection theory, accounting for the mechanism of formation of the lignin fraction in oils obtained from fast pyrolysis of biomass.