Thiacalix[4]arene-porphyrin conjugates with high selectivity towards fullerene C70

Molecular tweezers based on calix[4]arene- or thiacalix[4]arene-porphyrin conjugates have been prepared starting from tetraformyl calixarenes and aminoporphyrin moieties. As proven by NMR and UV/vis titration experiments, these compounds form 1:1 complexes with C₆₀ and C₇₀ fullerenes in solution while possessing a high selectivity towards fullerene C₇₀.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of heptafluoropropylated fullerenes: C70(n-C3F7)8, C70(n-C3F7)6O, and C70(C3F7)4

Ampoule reactions of C₇₀ with n- and i-C₃F₇I were carried out at 250-310 °C. Two step HPLC separations allowed the isolation of several C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)_4-8 and C₇₀(i-C₃F₇)₄ compounds. Crystal and molecular structures of C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)₈-V, C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)₆O, C₇₀(n-C₃F₇)₄, and three isomers of C₇₀(i-C₃F₇)₄ have been determined by X-ray crystallography using synchrotron radiation. Molecular structures of the new compounds were compared with the known examples and discussed in terms of addition patterns and relative energies of their formation.     

Structure and photoelectrochemical properties of nanostructured SnO2 electrodes deposited electrophoretically with the composite clusters of porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticle with a long spacer and fullerene

Structure and photoelectrochemical properties of nanostructured SnO₂ electrodes deposited electrophoretically with the composite clusters of porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticle with a long, flexible spacer and C₆₀ molecules have been examined to obtain basic information on the development of organic solar cells with a high performance. The photoelectrochemical system with the long, flexible spacer between the porphyrin and the gold nanoparticle in the porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticle exhibited comparable external quantum yield in the UV-vis regions relative to porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticle with a relatively short spacer—C₆₀ composite reference system. These results demonstrate that a suitable spacer to incorporate C₆₀ molecules efficiently between the porphyrins in porphyrin-modified gold nanoparticles is a prerequisite for improving the performance of porphyrin and fullerene-based organic solar cells.     

C60 and C70 Compounds in the Pincerlike Jaws of Calix[6]arene

Isostructural species are found in the solid state for the supramolecular 1:2 complexes of a calix[6]arene molecule and either C₆₀ or C₇₀ (see the structure of the [(calix[6]arene)(C₆₀)₂] complex on the right). The calixarene assumes a double-cone conformation, and the overall structure is a result of the complementarity of the building blocks with respect to size and form—in other words, the shallow calixarene cavity and the fullerene surface have similar curvatures.     

Sulfur-containing dihydro-pyrrolo [60]fullerene derivatives via 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of glycine imine esters to C60

C₆₀ reacts thermally with 1,3-dipoles, formed in situ, from sulfide-bearing imines of glycine esters, and affords dihydro-pyrrolo [60]fullerene derivatives containing a vinylic sulfide group, which were isolated in good yields, and characterized with ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FTIR, UV-vis spectroscopies, and with FAB, ESI mass spectrometries. The new derivatives contain a sulfide, an imine, and an ester functionality for further chemical transformations. Mechanistic considerations with regard to the loss of a mercaptan molecule in the course of the cycloaddition are deployed.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of heptafluoroisopropylated fullerenes: C60(i-C3F7)8, C60(i-C3F7)6, and C60(CF3)2(i-C3F7)2

One isomer of C₆₀(i-C₃F₇)₈, three isomers of C₆₀(i-C₃F₇)₆, and the first mixed perfluoroalkylated fullerene, C₆₀(CF₃)₂(i-C₃F₇)₂, have been isolated by HPLC from a mixture prepared by reaction of C₆₀ with heptafluoroisopropyl iodide in a glass ampoule at 260-290 °C. The molecular structures of the four new compounds have been determined by means of X-ray single crystal diffraction partially also by use of synchrotron radiation. Theoretical calculations at the DFT level of theory have been employed to rationalize the energetics of isomers and of C₆₀-R_f binding.     

Semiempirical molecular dynamics studies of C60/C70 fullerene oxides: C60O, C60O2 and C70O

The spectral analysis indicates that all isomers of C₆₀O, C₇₀O and C₆₀O₂ have an epoxide-like structure (an oxygen atom bridging across a C–C bond). According to the geometrical structure analysis, there are two isomers of fullerene monoxide C₆₀O (the 5,6 bond and the 6,6 bond), eight isomers of fullerene monoxide C₇₀O and eight isomers of fullerene dioxide C₆₀O₂. In order to simulate the real reaction conditions at 300 K, the calculation of the different isomers of C₆₀O, C₆₀O₂ and C₇₀O fullerene oxides was carried out using the semiempirical molecular dynamics method with two different approaches: (a) consideration of the geometries and thermodynamic stabilities, and (b) consideration of the ozonolysis mechanism. According to the semiempirical molecular dynamic calculation analysis, the probable product of this ozonolysis reaction is C₆₀O with oxygen bridging over the 6–6 bond (C_2v). The most probable product in this reaction contains oxygen bridging across in the upper part of C₇₀ (6–6 bond in C₇₀O-2 or C₇₀O-4) an epoxide-like structure. C₆₀O₂-1, C₆₀O₂-3 and C₆₀O₂-5 are the most probable products for the fullerene dioxides. All of these reaction products are consistent with the experimental results. It is confirmed that the calculation results with the semiempirical molecular dynamics method are close to the experimental work. The semiempirical molecular dynamics method can offer both the reaction temperature effect by molecular dynamics and electronic structure, dipole moment by quantum chemistry calculation.     

(C70)2- -tert-butylcalix[6]arene complex films on electrodes catalyze the reduction of nitrite ions

(C₇₀)₂- -tert-butylcalix[6]arene complex films on GC electrode surface showed two couples of redox reactions in mixed solvent of (1:1, v:v) acetonitrile and water containing tetra-butylammonium perchlorate. The electrocatalytic reduction for nitrite by these films was observed, indicating that (C₇₀)₂- -tert-butylcalix[6]arene is capable of mediating the electron transfer to nitrite.     

H2O@open-cage fullerene C60: control of the encapsulation property and the first mass spectroscopic identification

A novel open-cage C₆₀ derivative (a 19-membered ring orifice), prepared by the sequential cage scission reactions of the ketolactam derivative of C₆₀ with o-phenylenediamine, allows the encapsulation of one water molecule. The resulting endohedral water complexes were confirmed for the first time by mass spectroscopy. The efficiency of the encapsulation was affected by the substituent on the nitrogen atom.     

(Thio)ureido anion receptors based on a 1,3-alternate oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine scaffold

In pursuit of highly preorganized macrocyclic host molecules for the complexation of anions, a series of oxacalix[2]arene[2]pyrimidine-based bis(thio)ureido receptors were synthesized and fully characterized. The pincer-like 1,3-alternate conformation of the oxacalix[4]arene scaffold, essential for an efficient host-guest interaction, was visualized by single-crystal X-ray analysis and supported by variable-temperature NMR studies. The anion binding properties of the receptors were evaluated via (1)H NMR titration experiments, showing intermolecular interactions with H(2)PO(4)(-), AcO(-), BzO(-), and Cl(-) ions. The host molecule bearing 4-nitrophenyl substituents on the bisurea binding pocket showed association constants in the range of 200-400 M(-1) in the strongly competitive solvent mixture of DMSO/0.5% H(2)O.     

A practical synthesis of [C4] N-benzylpiperazine from [C2] glycine

A high yielding gram-scale synthesis of [¹³C₄] N-benzylpiperazine for use as a convenient and versatile building block in isotope labeling studies of clinical drug candidates is reported.     

Effect of ligands on the thermolysis of the double complexes [Co(NH3)6]2C2O4[Cu(C2O4)2]2 and [Co(NH3)6]Cl[Cu(C7H4O3)2]

The thermolysis of the complexes [Co(NH₃)₆]₂C₂O₄[Cu(C₂O₄)₂]₂ (I) and [Co(NH₃)₆]Cl[Cu(C₇H₄O₃)₂] (II) in air and hydrogen at 200, 350, and 500°C and the composition and properties of the thermolysis products are considered. The oxidative thermolysis of the complexes yields mixtures of cobalt and copper oxides, including mixed ones. The reductive thermolysis of the complexes yields a Co + Cu bimetallic powder in the case of compound I and a Co + Cu + C powder in the case of compound II. The thermal behavior of the complexes is governed by the nature of the ligand coordinated to the copper atom. The observed data are explicable in terms of the properties of this ligand. The chemistry of the oxidative and reductive thermolysis is discussed. Original Russian Text ? D.P. Domonov, S.I. Pechenyuk, N.L. Mikhailova, A.T. Belyaevskii, 2007, published in Zhurnal Neorganicheskoi Khimii, 2007, Vol. 52, No. 7, pp. 1104–1110.     

An easy electrochemical procedure for tailoring thin films containing the [Fe(bpy)2(CH3CN)2] and/or [Fe(bpy)3]-like cores (bpy=2,2-bipyridine). Application to the design of a modified electrode with a supramolecular structure

A simple electrochemical procedure to tailor thin polymeric films containing the [Fe^II(bpy)₂(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ and/or [Fe^II(bpy)₃]²⁺-like cores have been described (bpy=2,2^′-bipyridine). The procedure is based on the electroreductive precipitation of soluble polymers prepared in situ in CH₃CN by mixing Fe³⁺ ions and a bis bipyridyl ligand, (chiragen: chir). In the resulting [Fe^II(chir)(CH₃CN)₂]_n²⁺ films, the two labile S ligands can be easily replaced by a bidentate ligand. This method has been applied with success to design a modified electrode with a supramolecular structure.     

A theoretical study on a fullerene derivative C54N4 and some of its protonated forms

Semiempirical quantum chemical calculations at the level of AM1 (restricted Hartree–Fock) have been performed on a fullerene derivative, C₅₄N₄, theoretically obtained from C₆₀ and its mono and diprotonated forms. All these structures are stable, but endothermic in nature. Some calculated geometrical and physicochemical properties of these have also been reported.     

Second-sphere coordination in the complex [Mn(H2O)6]2[thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate]

The title calixarene, dimanganese thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate, was prepared and its crystal structure was determined. [Mn(H₂O)₆]₂[thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate]·0.5H₂O crystallizes in the monoclinic system, P2(1)/m space group, with a=13.014 (6), b=14.146 (9), c=13.184 (7) Å, β=113.307 (10)°, V=2229 (2) Å³ and Dc=1.710 gcm⁻³, Z=2. The title calixarene exists in the solid state as bilayer structure. The hydrophobic organic layer consists of thiacalix[4]arene tetrasulfonate in an up-down fashion, whereas, the hydrophilic inorganic layer consists of hexaaquamanganese (II) which is linked to the former through a second-sphere coordination.     

Donor–acceptor interaction of fullerene C60 with triptycene in molecular complex TPC·C60

A molecular complex of fullerene C₆₀ with triptycene, TPC·C₆₀ is obtained. The complex has a three-dimensional packing of C₆₀ molecules. According to the IR spectra, the freezing of free rotation of C₆₀ molecules in the complex is maintained up to 360 K. The XP-spectra of TPC·C₆₀ show the suppression of π–π^* transitions of TPC phenylene rings. The separation of C₆₀ molecules by TPC ones in TPC·C₆₀ results in low intensity of the C₆₀ transitions in the 420–500 nm range in an optical spectrum. This absorption is assumed as that attributed to intermolecular transitions between adjacent C₆₀ molecules.     

Selective formation of C60F18(g) and C60F36(g) by reaction of [60]fullerene with molecular fluorine

Fluorination of C₆₀(s), C₆₀(s)-MnF₂(s), C₆₀(s)-NiF₂(s) and C₆₀(s)-MnF₃(s) mixtures has been studied by Knudsen cell mass spectrometry with admission of molecular fluorine. The fluorination is selective when fullerene reacts with the fluorine chemisorbed on the MnF₂ surface. When the MnF₂ content in the initial mixture is at least 90 mol% both C₆₀F₁₈ and C₆₀F₃₆ are selectively formed. Under certain conditions, mixtures predominantly containing one of three compounds C₆₀F₃₈, C₆₀F₄₀, and C₆₀F₄₂ can be obtained. A consecutive change of the main fluorination products (C₆₀F₁₈ and C₆₀F₃₆) takes place at constant temperature (720 K) and on fluorine admission. A quantitative explanation of this fact is given. Selective fluorination of C₆₀(s) by molecular fluorine is compared with solid-phase fluorination using MnF₃(s) as a fluorinating agent.     

Reinvestigation and superstructure of La3.67[Fe(C2)3]

The lanthanum iron carbide La_3.67[Fe(C₂)₃] was prepared from the elements by argon arc-melting followed by annealing. The crystal structure of the ternary phase was reported previously (space group P6₃/m with a=878.7(2) pm, and c=535.1(1) pm) [A.M. Witte, W. Jeitschko, Z. Naturforsch. 51b (1996) 249-255]. In the present work the compound was reinvestigated by X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction, and was further characterized by metallographic methods and chemical analyses. Our diffraction data clearly reveal a superstructure with weak superstructure reflections in the space group P6₃/m with a=879.26(8) pm and c=1604.59(15) pm, thus tripling the previously reported subcell. The crystal structure (refinement to R1=0.044 and wR2=0.075 for 1387 unique reflections and 60 variables) contains Fe(C₂)₃ trigonal planar groups with the C₂ ligands bonded end-on to the Fe atoms. The C-C distance is typical for a double bond. La atoms as the least electronegative component surround the complex anions and form a framework of face-sharing tricapped trigonal prisms. The resulting hexagonal channels at 0, 0, z of the partial structure with chemical composition La₃FeC₆ are occupied by four additional La atoms per unit cell. These La atoms are fully ordered within a linear chain and display a Peierls-like distortion pattern. However, no long-range order in the a−b plane has been observed due to the random orientation of the chains. Because of the two different orientations which are possible for each chain the situation is similar to an Ising model on a triangular lattice.     

An excellent copper selective chemosensor based on calix[4]arene framework

The article depicts a detailed study regarding copper selective chemosensing and complexation nature of 5,11,17,23-tetrakis[(N,N-diphenylamino)methyl]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (PAC4). Its photophysical characteristics in various solvents of different polarities along with the influence of acid and base on its spectral properties in these solvents are also discussed. The complexation affinity of PAC4 with regard to its latent applications as Cu(II) selective colorimetric and fluorescent sensor among the selected series of various cations such as Li(I), Na(I), K(I), Rb(I), Ba(II), Sr(II), Al(III), Fe(III), Cd(II), Co(II), Hg(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) was examined by UV–visible and fluorescence emission spectroscopy in dichloromethane:acetonitrile (DCM:MeCN) solvent system. In addition, the process of complexation has been investigated through Job's plot and it has been observed that the complex between PAC4 and Cu(II) is formed in 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The complex formation between PAC4 and Cu(II) has also been confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).