Theoretical characterization and design of small molecule donor material containing naphthodithiophene central unit for efficient organic solar cells

To seek for high‐performance small molecule donor materials used in heterojunction solar cell, six acceptor–donor–acceptor small molecules based on naphtho[2,3‐b:6,7‐b′]dithiophene ( NDT ) units with different acceptor units were designed and characterized using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory. Their geometries, electronic structures, photophysical, and charge transport properties have been scrutinized comparing with the reported donor material NDT(TDPP)₂ ( TDPP = thiophene‐capped diketopyrrolopyrrole). The open circuit voltage (V_oc), energetic driving force(ΔE_L‐L), and exciton binding energy (E_b) were also provided to give an elementary understanding on their cell performance. The results reveal that the frontier molecular orbitals of 3–7 match well with the acceptor material PC₆₁BM , and compounds 3–5 were found to exhibit the comparable performances to 1 and show promising potential in organic solar cells. In particular, comparing with 1 , system 7 with naphthobisthiadiazole acceptor unit displays broader absorption spectrum, higher V_oc, lower E_b, and similar carrier mobility. An in‐depth insight into the nature of the involved excited states based on transition density matrix and charge density difference indicates that all S₁ states are mainly intramolecular charge transfer states with the charge transfer from central NDT unit to bilateral acceptor units, and also imply that the exciton of 7 can be dissociated easily due to its large extent of the charge transfer. In a word, 7 maybe superior to 1 and may act as a promising donor candidate for organic solar cell. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Tetrathienoanthracene-based copolymers for efficient solar cells

A series of semiconducting copolymers (PTAT-x) containing extended π-conjugated tetrathienoanthracene units have been synthesized. It was shown that the extended conjugation system enhanced the π-π stacking in the polymer/PC(61)BM blend films and facilitated the charge transport in heterojunction solar cell devices. After structural fine-tuning, the polymer with bulky 2-butyloctyl side chains (PTAT-3) exhibited a PCE of 5.6% when it was blended with PC(61)BM.     

Metal-organic frameworks based on unprecedented trinuclear and pentanuclear metal-tetrazole clusters as secondary building units

Solvothermal reactions of manganese(II) chloride tetrahydrate with a bis-tetrazole ligand, 2,6-di(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)naphthalene (H(2)NDT), in N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF)/MeOH mixed solvent at two slightly different temperatures, 75 and 100 °C, led to two different metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), [Mn(II)(3)O(HNDT)(2)(NDT)(DMF)(3)] (1) and [Mn(II)(5)O(2)(HNDT)(2)(NDT)(2)(DMF)(8)] (2), with different net topologies. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that 1 is constructed from an unprecedented trinuclear building block, [Mn(II)(3)O(CN(4))(6)], as a 6-connected trigonal prismatic secondary building unit (SBU) of topological D(3h) site symmetry, and that the ligand in the HNDT(-1)/NDT(2-) deprotonation states is a linker, where two tetrazole (CN(4)) groups of the ligand are connected via a rigid naphthyl group. The tetrazole groups in 1 adopt a 1,2-μ-bridging mode with the manganese(II) ions to form a μ(3)-oxo trinuclear SBU. The trigonalprismatic SBU in 1 is connected to six neighboring SBUs to form a three-dimensional MOF of acs net topology. 2 is constructed from an unprecedented pentanuclear building block, [Mn(II)(5)O(2)(CN(4))(8)], as an 8-connected tetragonal prismatic SBU of topological D(4h) site symmetry. The tetrazole groups in 2 adopt monodentate, 1,2-μ- and 2,3-μ-bridging bidentate and 1,2,3-μ-bridging tridentate binding modes with the manganese(II) centers to form a bis-μ(3)-oxo pentanuclear SBU of local C(2) site symmetry. The tetragonal prismatic SBU in 2 is connected to eight neighboring SBUs to form a 3-D MOF of bcu net topology.     

Effect of side chain conjugation lengths on photovoltaic performance of two‐dimensional conjugated copolymers that contain diketopyrrolopyrrole and thiophene with side chains

Two new two‐dimensional conjugated copolymers that contain diketopyrrolopyrrole and thiophene with different π conjugation lengths as side chains, called PDPPMTD and PDPPBTD , were designed and synthesized for use in polymer solar cells (PSCs). The resulting copolymers in the thin film state displayed broad absorption in the visible range with an absorption edge at over 1000 nm, and both had relatively low‐lying HOMO levels, at ?5.20 and ?5.18 eV for PDPPMTD and PDPPBTD , respectively. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PSC that was based on PDPPBTD /PC61BM (w/w = 1:2) reached 4.10 % with a Jsc of 14.5 mA/cm2, a Voc of 0.59 V and an FF of 48%, while PDPPMTD /PC61BM (w/w = 1:2) had a PCE of 2.96% with a Jsc of 12.6 mA/cm2, a Voc of 0.60 V, and an FF of 39%. These results indicate that subtle tuning of the chemical structure can significantly influence Jsc and FF. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2878–2889     

聚合物:富勒烯薄膜光伏电池的反常高温热稳定性研究

聚合物太阳能电池光电转换效率已接近商业化要求,但稳定性差却成为其实用化瓶颈因素.高温暴晒是聚合物太阳能电池实用化必须面临的环境,因此提高聚合物太阳能电池的热稳定性至关重要.本文以典型的Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl(P3HT):[6,6]-Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester(PC61BM)基聚合物太阳能电池为研究模型,考察其在不同加热温度下(50~110℃)持续工作时的器件效率变化行为,结果发现电池在高温下表现出一种非常规的性能衰减再回升的行为,具体表现为高温下电池首先表现指数式急速衰减(20%~25%),随后发生反常的性能快速恢复至接近初始效率,之后电池保持超长的高温稳定性.光学显微镜和激光光束诱导电流成像结果证明,顶电极覆盖可以有效抑制活性层中PC61BM的聚集结晶,因而电池的反常热诱导稳定性提升与PC61BM的大量聚集结晶无关.活性层薄膜的紫外可见吸收光谱和器件外量子效率的表征结果证明,持续高温加热没有促进PC61BM二聚体的形成,反而有利于PC61BM二聚体的解离.综合实验分析结果,推测PC61BM在光照下的快速二聚反应及其高温解离是导致电池表现出反常热稳定性提升行为的主要原因.实验结果揭示了初期制备的聚合物太阳能电池实际处于一种亚稳态,对器件进行短暂的前期热退火有利于稳定活性层结构,消除亚稳态,有效提升器件稳定性.本研究工作不仅对富勒烯基聚合物太阳能电池的热诱导反常稳定性提升机理机制给出了解释,而且提供了一种提高聚合物太阳能电池稳定性的新策略.     

Structural tuning of low band gap intermolecular push/pull side-chain polymers for organic photovoltaic applications

A series of novel low band gap donor-acceptor (D-A) type organic co-polymers (BT-F-TPA,BT-CZ-TPA and BT-SI-TPA) consisting of electron-deficient acceptor blocks both in main chains (M1) and at the pendant (M2) were polymerized with different electron rich donor (M3-M5) blocks,i.e.,9,9-dihexyl-9H-fluorene,N-alkyl-2,7-carbazole,and 2,6-dithinosilole,respectively,via Suzuki method.These polymers exhibited relatively low band gaps (1.65-1.88 eV) and broad absorption ranges (680-740 nm).Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells incorporating these polymers as electron donors,blended with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) or [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) as electron-acceptors in different weight ratios were fabricated and tested under 100 mW/cm2 of AM 1.5 with white-light illumination.The photovoltaic device containing donor BT-SI-TPA and acceptor PC71BM in 1:2 weight ratio showed the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 1.88％,with open circuit voltage (Voc) =0.75 V,short circuit current density (Jsc) =7.60 mA/cm2,and fill factor (FF) =33.0％.     

Molecular Stacking and Aggregation Optimization of Photoactive Layer through Solid Additive Enables High-Performance Organic Solar Cells

Regulating molecular packing and aggregation of photoactive layer is a critical but challenging issue in developing high-performance organic solar cells. Herein, two structurally similar analogues of anthra[2,3-b : 6,7-b′]dithiophene (ADT) and naphtho[1,2-b : 5,6-b′]dithiophene (NDT) are developed as solid additive to exploit their effect in regulating the molecular aggregation and π-stacking of photoactive layer. We clarify that the perpendicular arrangements of NDT can enlarge the molecular packing space and improve the face-on stacking of Y6 during the film formation, favoring a more compact and ordered long-range π-π stacking in the out-of-plane direction after the removal of NDT under thermal annealing. The edge-to-face stacked herringbone-arrangement of ADT along with its non-volatilization under thermal annealing can induce the coexistence of face-on and edge-on stacking of blend film. As a result, the NDT treatment shows encouraging effect in improving the photovoltaic performance of devices based on various systems. Particularly, a remarkable PCE of 18.85 % is achieved in the PM6 : L8-BO-based device treated by NDT additive, which is a significant improvement with regard to the PCE of 16.41 % for the control device. This work offers a promising strategy to regulate the molecular packing and aggregation of photoactive layer towards significantly improved performance and stability of organic solar cells.     

含Ullazine结构基元的共轭聚合物的合成及其光电性能研究

将Ullazine结构基元引入到聚合物主链或侧链中,分别与吡咯并吡咯二酮(DPP)、2,5-双(三甲基锡)噻吩共聚得到了二元共聚物PB和三元共聚物PT,分别利用凝胶渗透色谱和热重分析表征了聚合物的分子量和热稳定性,并研究了聚合物的光物理、电化学和光伏性能.基于共聚物PB和PT作为电子给体材料的聚合物太阳能电池器件测试结果表明,二元共聚物PB由于具有较低的能级水平从而获得较高开路电压,而侧链含Ullazine结构基元的三元共聚物PT具有更宽的吸收光谱和更高的空穴迁移率,获得了更高的短路电流和能量转换效率.     

6,7-dialkoxy-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline based conjugated polymers for solar cells with high open-circuit voltage

6,7-Dialkoxy-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline based narrow band gap conjugated polymers, poly[2,7-(9-octyl-9H-carbazole)-alt-5,5-(5,8-di-2-thinenyl-(6,7-dialkoxy-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline))] (PCDTQ) and poly[2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)-alt-5,5-(5,8-di-2-thinenyl-(6,7-dialkoxy-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline))] (PFDTQ), have been synthesized by Suzuki polycondensation. Their optical, electrochemical, transport and photovoltaic properties have been investigated in detail. Hole mobilities of PCDTQ and PFDTQ films spin coated from 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) solutions are 1.0 × 10-4 and 4.1 × 10-4 cm2V-1s-1, respectively. Polymer solar cells were fabricated with the as-synthesized polymers as the donor and PC61BM and PC71BM as the acceptor. Devices based on PCDTQ:PC71BM (1:3) and PFDTQ:PC71BM (1:3) fabricated from DCB solutions demonstrated a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 2.5% with a Voc of 0.95 V and a PCE of 2.5% with a Voc of 0.98 V, respectively, indicating they are promising donor materials.     

New dinuclear catalysts Rh(2)(N-O)(2)[(C6H4)P(C6H5)2]2 with imidate ligands: synthesis and isomerization from head-to-tail to head-to-head configuration of the imidate ligands

Two new dirhodium(II) catalysts of general formula Rh(2)(N-O)(2)[(C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2)](2) (N-O = C(4)H(4)NO(2)) are prepared, starting from Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2)L(2) [PC = (C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2) (head-to-tail arrangement); L = HO(2)CCH(3)]. The thermal reaction of Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2).L(2) with the neutral succinimide stereoselectively gives one compound that according to the X-ray structure determination has the formula Rh(2)(C(4)H(4)NO(2))(2)[(C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2)](2) (1). It corresponds to the polar isomer with two bridging imidate ligands in a head-to-head configuration. However, stepwise reaction of Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2).L(2) with (CH(3))(3)SiCl and potassium succinimidate yields a mixture of 1 and one of the two possible isomers (structure B) with a head-to-tail configuration of the imidate ligands, Rh(2)(C(4)H(4)NO(2))(2)[(C(6)H(4))P(C(6)H(5))(2)](2) (2), also characterized by X-ray methods. In solution, compound 2 undergoes slow isomerization to 1; the rate of this process is enhanced by the presence of acetonitrile. Compounds 1 and 2 are obtained as pure enantiomers starting from (M)- and (P)-Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)(PC)(2).L(2) rather than from the racemic mixture. Their enantioselectivities in cyclopropanation of 1-diazo-5-penten-2-one are similar to those reported for the dirhodium amidate catalysts.     

Enhanced efficiency of ternary organic solar cells by doping a polymer material in P3HT:PC61BM

Doping a low‐bandgap polymer material (PDTBDT‐DTNT) as a complementary electron donor in poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyricacid methyl ester (PC₆₁BM) blend is experimented to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs). The PCE of OSCs was increased from 3.19% to 3.75% by doping 10 wt% PDTBDT‐DTNT, which was 17.55% higher than that of the OSCs based on binary blend of P3HT:PC₆₁BM (host cells). The short‐circuit current density (J_sc) was increased to 10.11 mA·cm⁻² compared with the host cells. Although the PCE improvement could partly be attributed to more photon harvest for complementary absorption of 2 donors by doping appropriate PDTBDT‐DTNT, the promotion of charge separation and transport as well as the suppression of charge recombination due to a matrix of cascade energy levels is also important. And the better morphology of the active layer films is beneficial to the optimized performance of ternary devices.     

Triplet exciton generation in bulk-heterojunction solar cells based on endohedral fullerenes

Organic bulk-heterojunctions (BHJ) and solar cells containing the trimetallic nitride endohedral fullerene 1-[3-(2-ethyl)hexoxy carbonyl]propyl-1-phenyl-Lu(3)N@C(80) (Lu(3)N@C(80)-PCBEH) show an open circuit voltage (V(OC)) 0.3 V higher than similar devices with [6,6]-phenyl-C[61]-butyric acid methyl ester (PC(61)BM). To fully exploit the potential of this acceptor molecule with respect to the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of solar cells, the short circuit current (J(SC)) should be improved to become competitive with the state of the art solar cells. Here, we address factors influencing the J(SC) in blends containing the high voltage absorber Lu(3)N@C(80)-PCBEH in view of both photogeneration but also transport and extraction of charge carriers. We apply optical, charge carrier extraction, morphology, and spin-sensitive techniques. In blends containing Lu(3)N@C(80)-PCBEH, we found 2 times weaker photoluminescence quenching, remainders of interchain excitons, and, most remarkably, triplet excitons formed on the polymer chain, which were absent in the reference P3HT:PC(61)BM blends. We show that electron back transfer to the triplet state along with the lower exciton dissociation yield due to intramolecular charge transfer in Lu(3)N@C(80)-PCBEH are responsible for the reduced photocurrent.     

Bis(acetylacetonato)ruthenium(II) complexes containing alkynyldiphenylphosphines. Formation and redox behaviour of [Ru(acac)2(Ph2PC triple bond CR)2] (R=H, Me, Ph) complexes and the binuclear complex cis-[{Ru(acac)2}2(micro-Ph2PC triple bond CPPh2)}2

Two equivalents of Ph(2)PC triple bond CR (R=H, Me, Ph) react with thf solutions of cis-[Ru(acac)(2)(eta(2)-alkene)(2)] (acac=acetylacetonato; alkene=C(2)H(4), 1; C(8)H(14), 2) at room temperature to yield the orange, air-stable compounds trans-[Ru(acac)(2)(Ph(2)PC triple bond CR)(2)] (R=H, trans-3; Me=trans-4; Ph, trans-5) in isolated yields of 60-98%. In refluxing chlorobenzene, trans-4 and trans-5 are converted into the yellow, air-stable compounds cis-[Ru(acac)(2)(Ph(2)PC triple bond CR)(2)] (R=Me, cis-4; Ph, cis-5), isolated in yields of ca. 65%. From the reaction of two equivalents of Ph(2)PC triple bond CPPh(2) with a thf solution of 2 an almost insoluble orange solid is formed, which is believed to be trans-[Ru(acac)(2)(micro-Ph(2)PC triple bond CPPh(2))](n) (trans-6). In refluxing chlorobenzene, the latter forms the air-stable, yellow, binuclear compound cis-[{Ru(acac)(2)(micro-Ph(2)PC triple bond CPPh(2))}(2)] (cis-6). Electrochemical studies indicate that cis-4 and cis-5 are harder to oxidise by ca. 300 mV than the corresponding trans-isomers and harder to oxidise by 80-120 mV than cis-[Ru(acac)(2)L(2)] (L=PPh(3), PPh(2)Me). Electrochemical studies of cis-6 show two reversible Ru(II/III) oxidation processes separated by 300 mV, the estimated comproportionation constant (K(c)) for the equilibrium cis-6(2+) + cis6 <=> 2(cis-6(+)) being ca. 10(5). However, UV-Vis spectra of cis-6(+) and cis-6(2+), generated electrochemically at -50 degrees C, indicate that cis-6(+) is a Robin-Day Class II mixed-valence system. Addition of one equivalent of AgPF(6) to trans-3 and trans-4 forms the green air-stable complexes trans-3 x PF(6) and trans-4 x PF(6), respectively, almost quantitatively. The structures of trans-4, cis-4, trans-4 x PF(6) and cis-6 have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Iron acyl thiolato carbonyls: structural models for the active site of the [Fe]-hydrogenase (Hmd)

Phosphine-modified thioester derivatives are shown to serve as efficient precursors to phosphine-stabilized ferrous acyl thiolato carbonyls, which replicate key structural features of the active site of the hydrogenase Hmd. The reaction of Ph(2)PC(6)H(4)C(O)SPh and sources of Fe(0) generates both Fe(SPh)(Ph(2)PC(6)H(4)CO)(CO)(3) (1) and the diferrous diacyl Fe(2)(SPh)(2)(CO)(3)(Ph(2)PC(6)H(4)CO)(2), which carbonylates to give 1. For the extremely bulky arylthioester Ph(2)PC(6)H(4)C(O)SC(6)H(3)-2,6-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)(2), oxidative addition is arrested and the Fe(0) adduct of the phosphine is obtained. Complex 1 reacts with cyanide to give Et(4)N[Fe(SPh)(Ph(2)PC(6)H(4)CO)(CN)(CO)(2)] (Et(4)N[2]). (13)C and (31)P NMR spectra indicate that substitution is stereospecific and cis to P. The IR spectrum of [2](-) in ν(CN) and ν(CO) regions very closely matches that for Hmd(CN). XANES and EXAFS measurements also indicate close structural and electronic similarity of Et(4)N[2] to the active site of wild-type Hmd. Complex 1 also stereospecifically forms a derivative with TsCH(2)NC, but the adduct is more labile than Et(4)N[2]. Tricarbonyl 1 was found to reversibly protonate to give a thermally labile derivative, IR measurements of which indicate that the acyl and thiolate ligands are probably not protonated in Hmd.     

Efficient conventional- and inverted-type photovoltaic cells using a planar alternating polythiophene copolymer

A low-band-gap alternating copolymer, poly{5,6-bis(octyloxy)-4-(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c]-1,2,5-thiadiazole} (PTBT), was synthesized and investigated for photovoltaic applications. PTBT showed a minimized torsion angle in its main backbone owing to the introduction of solubilizing octyloxy groups on the electron-poor benzothiadiazole unit, thereby resulting in pronounced intermolecular ordering and a deep level of the HOMO (-5.41 eV). By blending PTBT with [6,6]phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC(61)BM), highly promising performance was achieved with power-conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 5.9 and 5.3% for the conventional and inverted devices, respectively, under air mass 1.5 global (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm(-2)) illumination. The open-circuit voltage (V(OC) ≈ 0.85-0.87 V) is one of the highest values reported thus far for thiophene-based polymers (e.g., poly(3-hexylthiophene) V(OC) ≈ 0.6 V). The inverted device also achieved a remarkable PCE compared to other devices based on low-band-gap polymers. Ideal film morphology with bicontinuous percolation pathways was expected from the atomic force microscopy (AFM) images, space-charge-limited current (SCLC) mobility, and selected-area electron-diffraction (SAED) measurements. This molecular design strategy is useful for achieving simple, processable, and planar donor-acceptor (D-A)-type low-band-gap polymers with a deep HOMO for applications in photovoltaic cells.     

Dimerization and anion binding of a fluorescent phospholipid analogue

A diarylacetylene fluorophore featuring spatially separated urea and phosphocholine (PC) groups forms a macrocyclic "head-to-tail" dimer stabilized by NH(urea)···OP(PC) hydrogen bonds. At concentrations above ～2 × 10(-5) M in CH(2)Cl(2), the emission intensity of the dimer is quenched by HCO(3)(-) and H(2)PO(4)(-) but not by Cl(-) and NO(3)(-). Under more dilute conditions, all four anions are bound unselectively with association constants on the order of 10(5) M(-1).     

Systematic synthesis, isolation, and photophysical properties of linear-shaped Re(I) oligomers and polymers with 2-20 units

Systematic synthesis routes have been developed for the linear-shaped rhenium(I) oligomers and polymers bridged with bidentate phosphorus ligands, [Re(N--N)(CO)3-PP-{Re(N--N)(CO)2-PP-}(n)Re(N--N)(CO)3](PF6)(n+2) (N--N = diimine, PP = bidentate phosphine, n = 0-18). These were isolated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and identified by (1)H NMR, IR, electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry, analytical SEC, and elemental analysis. Crystal structures of [Re(bpy)(CO)3-Ph2PC[triple bond]CPPh2-Re(bpy)(CO)3](PF6)2, [Re(bpy)(CO)3-Ph2PC[triple bond]CPPh2-Re(bpy)(CO)2-Ph2PC[triple bond]CPPh2-Re(bpy)(CO)3](PF6)3 and [Re(bpy)(CO)3-Ph2PC2H4PPh2-{Re(bpy)(CO)2Ph2PC2H4PPh2-}(n)Re(bpy)(CO)3](PF6)(n+2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, n = 1, 2) were obtained, showing that they have interligand pi-pi interaction between the bpy ligand and the phenyl groups on the phosphorus ligand. All of the oligomers and polymers synthesized were emissive at room temperature in solution. For the dimers, broad emission was observed with a maximum at 523-545 nm, from the (3)MLCT excited-state of the tricarbonyl complex unit, [Re(N--N)(CO)3-PP-]. Emission from the longer oligomers and polymers with > or = 3 Re(I) units was observed at wavelengths 50-60 nm longer than those of the corresponding dimers. This fact and the emission decay results clearly show that energy transfer from the edge unit to the interior unit occurs with a rate constant of (0.9 x 10(8))-(2.5 x 10(8)) s(-1). The efficient energy transfer and the smaller exclusive volume of the longer Re(I) polymers indicated intermolecular aggregation for these polymers in an MeCN solution.     

Polyoxomolybdodiphosphonates: examples incorporating ethylidenepyridines

We have synthesized and structurally characterized three pyridylethylidene-functionalized diphosphonate-containing polyoxomolybdates, [{Mo(VI)O(3)}(2){Mo(V)(2)O(4)}{HO(3)PC(O)(CH(2)-3-C(5)NH(4))PO(3)}(2)](6-) (1), [{Mo(VI)(2)O(6)}(2){Mo(V)(2)O(4)}{O(3)PC(O)(CH(2)-3-C(5)NH(4))PO(3)}(2)](8-) (2), and [{Mo(V)(2)O(4)(H(2)O)}(4){O(3)PC(O)(CH(2)-3-C(5)NH(4))PO(3)}(4)](12-) (3). Polyanions 1-3 were prepared in a one-pot reaction of the dinuclear, dicationic {Mo(V)(2)O(4)(H(2)O)(6)}(2+) with 1-hydroxo-2-(3-pyridyl)ethylidenediphosphonate (Risedronic acid) in aqueous solution. Polyanions 1 and 2 are mixed-valent Mo(VI/V) species with open tetranuclear and hexanuclear structures, respectively, containing two diphosphonate groups. Polyanion 3 is a cyclic octanuclear structure based on four {Mo(V)(2)O(4)(H(2)O)} units and four diphosphonates. Polyanions 1 and 2 crystallized as guanidinium salts [C(NH(2))(3)](5)H[{Mo(VI)O(3)}(2){Mo(V)(2)O(4)}{HO(3)PC(O)(CH(2)-3-C(5)NH(4))PO(3)}(2)]·13H(2)O (1a) and [C(NH(2))(3)](6)H(2)[{Mo(VI)(2)O(6)}(2){Mo(V)(2)O(4)}{O(3)PC(O)(CH(2)-3-C(5)NH(4))PO(3)}(2)]·10H(2)O (2a), whereas polyanion 3 crystallized as a mixed sodium-guanidinium salt, Na(8)[C(NH(2))(3)](4)[{Mo(V)(2)O(4)(H(2)O)}(4){O(3)PC(O)(CH(2)-3-C(5)NH(4))PO(3)}(4)]·8H(2)O (3a). The compounds were characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric and elemental analyses. The formation of polyanions 1 and 3 is very sensitive to the pH value of the reaction solution, with exclusive formation of 1 above pH 7.4 and 3 below pH 6.6. Detailed solution studies by multinuclear NMR spectrometry were performed to study the equilibrium between these two compounds. Polyanion 2 was insoluble in all common solvents. Detailed computational studies on the solution phases of 1 and 3 indicated the stability of these polyanions in solution, in complete agreement with the experimental findings.     

Development of naphtho[1,2-b:5,6-b']dithiophene based novel small molecules for efficient bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells

Two new small molecules with a rigid planar naphtho[1,2-b:5,6-b']dithiophene (NDT) unit were designed and synthesized. Solution processed bulk-hetereojunction organic solar cells based on blends of the small molecules and [6,6]-phenyl-C(71)-butyric acid methyl ester (PC(71)BM) exhibited promising photovoltaic device performance with a maximum power conversion efficiency up to 2.20% under the illumination of AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm(-2).     

Dodecanuclear manganese(III) phosphonates with cage structures

Treatments of Mn(O(2)CR)(2) (R = Me, Ph) with NBu(4)MnO(4) in CH(3)CN or CH(3)CN/CH(2)Cl(2) in the presence of acetic acid, delta(1)-cyclohexenephosphonic acid (C(6)H(9)PO(3)H(2)), and 2,2'-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline result in three novel dodecamanganese(III) clusters [Mn(12)O(8)(O(2)CMe)(6)(O(3)PC(6)H(9))(7)(bipy)(3)] (1), [Mn(12)O(8)(O(2)CPh)(6)(O(3)PC(6)H(9))(7)(bipy)(3)] (2), and [Mn(12)O(8)(O(2)CPh)(6)(O(3)PC(6)H(9))(7)(phen)(3)] (3). They have a similar Mn(12) core of [Mn(III)(12)(mu(4)-O)(3)(mu(3)-O)(5)(mu-O(3)P)(3)] with a new type of topologic structure. Solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility measurements of complexes 1-3 reveal that dominant antiferromagnetic interactions are propagated between the magnetic centers. The ac magnetic measurements suggest an S = 2 ground state for compounds 1 and 3 and an S = 3 ground state for compound 2.