Structural and charge‐transfer properties of indolylfulgides

The structural and electronic properties of a photochromic molecule dictate their potential photochemical activity. To gain insight into these influences, the ground‐state structure and excited state properties of six indolylgulgides were calculated using several time dependent‐density functional theory (DFT) (TD‐DFT)//DFT methods, second‐order M?ller–Plesset (MP2), and CIS(D). These methods simulated the charge‐transfer properties and the conformation of the ground‐state structure for each molecule. Generally, TD‐DFT accurately simulated the expected charge‐transfer state. The degree of spatial overlap of the occupied and virtual molecular orbitals involved in the S₁ transition of indolylfulgides quantitatively assessed their charge‐transfer character and was qualitatively useful in assessing their photochromic activity. The M06, M06‐2X, and M11 structures were quite similar to those calculated by MP2. Structural differences, similarities, and functional trends are compared and discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

螺噁嗪化合物的合成及其光致变色性能的研究

合成了3种新型的螺噁嗪化合物,并通过IR,MS,1H NMR对其结构进行了表征。研究了1位和9’位上取代基对螺噁嗪光致变色性能的影响;不同溶剂对螺噁嗪最大吸收波长的影响;对螺噁嗪的热褪色速率进行了动力学的研究。结果表明,当螺噁嗪1位的取代基为柔性结构,9’位连接能形成更稳定共轭体系的取代基时有利于开环体热稳定性的提高。     

Structural influence on the photochromic response of a series of ruthenium mononitrosyl complexes

In mononitrosyl complexes of transition metals two long-lived metastable states corresponding to linkage isomers of the nitrosyl ligand can be induced by irradiation with appropriate wavelengths. Upon irradiation, the N-bound nitrosyl ligand (ground state, GS) turns into two different conformations: isonitrosyl O bound for the metastable state 1 (MS1) and a side-on nitrosyl conformation for the metastable state 2 (MS2). Structural and spectroscopic investigations on [RuCl(NO)py(4)](PF(6))(2)·1/2H(2)O (py = pyridine) reveal a nearly 100% conversion from GS to MS1. In order to identify the factors which lead to this outstanding photochromic response we study in this work the influence of counteranions, trans ligands to the NO and equatorial ligands on the conversion efficiency: [RuX(NO)py(4)]Y(2)·nH(2)O (X = Cl and Y = PF(6)(-) (1), BF(4)(-) (2), Br(-)(3), Cl(-) (4); X = Br and Y = PF(6)(-) (5), BF(4)(-) (6), Br(-)(7)) and [RuCl(NO)bpy(2)](PF(6))(2) (8), [RuCl(2)(NO)tpy](PF(6)) (9), and [Ru(H(2)O)(NO)bpy(2)](PF(6))(3) (10) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine). Structural and infrared spectroscopic investigations show that the shorter the distance between the counterion and the NO ligand the higher the population of the photoinduced metastable linkage isomers. DFT calculations have been performed to confirm the influence of the counterions. Additionally, we found that the lower the donating character of the ligand trans to NO the higher the photoconversion yield.     

Syntheses and properties of photochromic polymers of the mercury thiocarbazonate series

Photochromic vinyl polymers of the mercuric thiocarbazonate series were synthesized via the three sequences: (1) synthesis of p-(meth)acrylamidophenyl mercuric acetate(II) by the reaction of (meth)acrylyl chloride with p-aminophenyl mercuric acetate, followed by polymerization to afford corresponding polymers(III) and subsequent reaction with diphenyl- or di-β-naphthyl-thiocarbazone, (2) alternative preparation of III by the reaction of (meth)acrylyl chloride polymers with p-aminophenyl mercuric acetate, and (3) reaction of N-hydroxymethyl (meth)acrylamide polymers with p-amidophenyl mercuric thiocarbazonates. The photochromic behavior of these polymers was investigated to provide data which might indicate the effect of steric conditions on the isomerization of the photochromic components in polymers both under illumination and in dark recovery.     

Structural and dynamical properties of ribbonlike self-assemblies of a fluorinated cationic surfactant

The structural and dynamic properties of low ionic strength micellar solutions of the cationic surfactant perfluorooctylbutane trimethylammonium bromide have been investigated by cryo-TEM, small-angle neutron scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, T-jump and rheological experiments. The surfactant molecules self-assemble into narrow ribbons with average dimensions on the order of 4 nm x 3 nm, either under salt-free conditions or in the presence of up to 30 mM KBr or NaF. Cryo-TEM also reveals in the salt-free systems the presence of networks of multiconnected micelles. Rheological experiments showed that these surfactant systems exhibit a strong shear-thickening effect even in the presence of up to 30 mM KBr. The T-jump response of the micellar solutions was found to be multiexponential. This observation rules out the presence of only linear micelles with an exponential length distribution and suggests more complex topologies of the micellar aggregates. The relaxation time associated with the predominant process in the T-jump relaxation is strongly correlated to the critical shear rate beyond which shear thickening occurs, thus indicating that this critical shear rate is controlled by the micellar kinetics.     

Electro-optical properties of a new series of fluorinated antiferroelectric orthoconic liquid crystalline esters

The electro-optical properties of orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid crystals of some analogues of (S)?MHPOBC ((S)?4?(1?methylheptyloxy)carbonylphenyl 4'-octyloxy-4-biphenylcarboxylate) have been investigated and discussed in terms of the structure property correlations of liquid crystalline molecules. Polarisation field reversal technique has been used for their characterisation. In this study the occurrence of such a high value of spontaneous polarisation (P_s) for the investigated compound is especially noteworthy as they comprise a bulky chiral unit, zigzag ester linkage and polar fluorinated terminal. Lengthening of oligomethylene spacer in the terminal chain and placement of fluorine atom in the molecular core structure leads to reduction in the value of P_s. The P_s data suggest that the nature of the chiral smectic C (SmC*) to smectic A (SmA) phase transition is of second order and the critical exponent β is in the range 0.19–0.34. The ‘V-shaped’ mode or thresholdless switching in such high-polarisation ferroelectric liquid crystals has also been discussed.     

Structural and electronic properties of fluorinated boron nitride nanotubes

The effects of F doping on the structural and electronic properties of the (5, 5) single-walled boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) are investigated by using the density functional theory method. The chemiadsorption of F maintains the hexagonal BN network, increases the lattice constant, and introduces acceptor impurity states. On the other hand, substitutional doping of F destroys the hexagonal BN network, decreases the lattice constant, but does not alter the insulating feature of the BNNT. The observed insulator-to-semiconducting transition, a lattice contraction, and a highly disordered atom arrangement in the sidewall of BNNTs upon F doping appear to be most reasonably attributed to a codoping of dominating substitutional F over chemiabsorbed F, which can induce deep donor impurity states, a lattice contraction, and a destruction of the hexagonal BN network simultaneously.     

Thermolysis of fluorinated cycloalkylidene fulgides yields a new class of photochromic compounds

A series of fluorinated cycloalkylidene indolylfulgides has been designed, synthesized and characterized; most of the thermolysis products of these fulgides maintain photochromicity and display outstanding thermal and photochemical stability.     

Syntheses, structures and properties of a series of photochromic hybrids based on Keggin tungstophosphates

Three inorganic-organic hybrids based on Keggin tungstophosphates and lanthanides, [Pr(NMP)₆(PW₁₂O₄₀)]_n (1), [Eu(NMP)₆(PW₁₂O₄₀)]_n (2), and [Er₂(NMP)₁₂(PW₁₂O₄₀)][PW₁₂O₄₀] (3) (NMP=N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit 1D infinite zigzag chain structures, while compound 3 exhibits an ionic asymmetric structure due to lanthanide contraction. The three compounds are all photochromic. The magnetic susceptibility for 1 measured over the range 2-300 K shows that there is the dominant antiferromagnetic interaction in the compound. The results of luminescent properties show that compound 2 displays an interesting selectivity for Zn²⁺ ions.     

Syntheses and properties of photochromic polymers of the azobenzene and thiazine series

Photochromic polymers of the azobenzene and thiazine series were synthesized via two routes: (1) synthesis of vinyl photochromic monomers and subsequent polymerization and (2) chemical reactions of the substrate polymers with photochromic components. Polyvinylaminoazobenzenes, polyvinylhydroxyazobenzenes, polyacrylamidomethylaminoazobenzenes, and polyacrylamidomethylthionine were thus prepared and their photochromic behavior investigated. In the case of azobenzene polymers, irradiations from a 100-W projection lamp are enough to induced reversible changes in absorption spectra both in benzene solutions and film states, their absorption maxima being located around 400 mμ in the dark. Better results are obtained for some polymers as compared with the corresponding low molecular weight compounds; in the case of the thionine polymer (absorption maximum, ca. 600 mμ), the presence of ferrous ion remarkably enhances the photosensitivity in aqueous solutions, but incorporation of some polymers containing hydroxyl groups, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), are preferable for film states.     

Comparative electrochemical properties of fluorinated endoperoxides related to the G-factor series

Fluorinated analogues of natural product G3-factor were synthesized and evaluated for their antiplasmodium activity. Electrochemical studies allowed us to measure the reduction potential E_p of the new compounds and to compare the effect of fluorine atoms on peroxo bridge stability.     

Synthesis and photochromic properties of a dithia-dithienylethenophane

The thermally irreversible photochromic compound dithia-dithienylethenophane was synthesized, which is the first example of a dithienylethene bridged with benzene ring and due to the fixation to the photoactive anti-conformation the quantum yield for the photocyclization reaction became higher than that of the corresponding nonbridged type dithienylethene.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of several series of fluorinated ester liquid crystals

Eight series of fluorosubstituted three-ring ester liquid crystals have been synthesized. Polarizing microscopic textural observations and DSC measurements of their phase transitions show that most are thermotropic liquid crystals with nematic and smectic A phases; furthermore, several show monotropic high order smectic phases. The results showed that the SmA phase is enhanced with the increasing number of fluoro-substituents at the para - and meta -positions of the terminal phenyl groups. The mesomorphic properties of these compounds are also affected by the direction of the ester bonds. The effect of the triple bond is also discussed.     

Synthesis and properties of a novel photochromic luminophore

A photochemically bifunctional compound was obtained. Its molecule includes the spironaphthoxazine and dansylamino fragments. This compound exhibits both photochromic and luminescent properties. Its spectroscopic characteristics were studied in different solvents. The electronic systems of two constituent fragments do not interact with each other. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2802–2805, December, 2005.     

Synthesis and photochromic properties of 6′,7′-tetramethylene-substituted spirochromenes of the indoline series

6-Nitro-6,7-tetramethylene-substituted photochromic spirochromenes were synthesized from 5-aminotetralin. In the series of compounds thus obtained the electronic effect of the substituents in the 8 position on the dark decolorization reaction is substantially more noticeable than in the corresponding series of standard spirochromenes. The spectral characteristics of the merocyanine form of the tetramethylene-substituted spirochromenes practically coincide with the. characteristics of the analogous unsubstituted compounds.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 8, pp. 1069–1071, August, 1977.     

Synthesis and photochromic properties of novel yellow developing photochromic compounds

Two 1-thiazolyl-2-thienylcyclopentene derivatives, 1a and 2a, and a 1-thiazolyl-2-vinylcyclopentene derivative 3a have been synthesized in an attempt to obtain photochromic compounds which change the color from colorless to yellow, and have low photocycloreversion quantum yields and high absorption coefficients of the colored isomers. All of these compounds underwent reversible photochromic reactions. Compounds 1a and 2a in toluene solutions changed the color upon 313 nm light irradiation from colorless to orange and pink, in which absorption maxima were observed at 494 nm (ε=10,000 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and 525 nm (ε=8500 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹), respectively. On the other hand, the colorless toluene solution of 3a turned yellow upon irradiation with 313 nm light, in which the absorption maximum was observed at 416 nm (ε=17,100 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The photocyclization/cycloreversion quantum yields of 3 were 0.19 and 0.0014, respectively. The conversion from the open- to the closed-ring isomer of 3 in the photostationary state under irradiation with 313 nm light was close to 100%.     

Structural, magnetic, and gas adsorption study of a series of partially fluorinated metal-organic frameworks (HF-MOFs)

Four new partially fluorinated metal organic frameworks (HF-MOFs) have been synthesized under different solvothermal conditions (H(2)O or dimethylformamide (DMF)) from transition metal cations [Co(2+) and Mn(2+)], 3-methyl pyridine (3-mepy) and 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) bis(benzoic acid) (C(17)H(10)F(6)O(4), H(2)hfbba), to determine the influence of reaction conditions on the formation of MOFs. This family of materials displays a striking degree of structural similarity depending on the solvent of synthesis. HF-MOFs synthesized from H(2)O [Co-HFMOF-W, Co(hfbba)(3-mepy)(H(2)O) and Mn-HFMOF-W, Mn(hfbba)(3-mepy)(H(2)O)] contain three-dimensional connectivity whereas HF-MOFs synthesized from DMF Co-HFMOF-D, [Co(2)(hfbba)(2)(3-mepy)(2)]·(DMF)(3) and Mn-HFMOF-D, [Mn(2)(hfbba)(2)(3-mepy)]·(H(2)O) are two-dimensional in nature. Co-HFMOF-W and Mn-HFMOF-W are iso-structural polymeric materials. Thermal gravimetric analysis performed on as-synthesized HF-MOFs revealed that these compounds have high thermal stability (～350 °C). The continuous decrease of the χT product with decreasing T for Co-HFMOF-D and Co-HFMOF-W respectively indicates the presence of antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between two Co(2+) (S = 3/2) metal centers within a cluster.     

Electrical properties of a novel fluorinated polycarbonate

The relative permittivity, loss and dielectric strength have been measured for a polycarbonate-based material, tetraaryl bisphenol A polycarbonate, that has been fluorine substituted (DiF p-TABPA-PC). The new material has a glass transition temperature, T_g = 489 K, that is higher than that for either conventional bisphenol A polycarbonate (BPA-PC) for which T_g = 421 K or for a copolymer of tetraaryl bisphenol A (TABPA) and bisphenol A (BPA) (TABPA-BPA-PC) for which T_g = 464 K. In addition, the dielectric strength of DiF p-TABPA-PC is almost identical to that for purified BPA-PC and slightly larger than the value for TABPA-BPA-PC. The relative permittivity and loss measurements were carried out from 10 to 10⁵ Hz over a wide temperature range and at pressures up to 0.25 GPa. Variable temperature results for the α relaxation and both temperature and pressure results for the γ relaxation regions are reported. The α relaxation exhibits standard behavior. The γ relaxation exhibits unusual characteristics such as a strong increase in peak height as temperature increases and a strong decrease in peak height with increasing pressure. The data for the γ relaxation have been analyzed using several formulations. Expressions for the peak height and peak position based on a two state (inequivalent well) model and the resulting parameters are discussed in terms of the insight they provide into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the sub-T_g relaxation. Ab initio SCF results for a related model compound are presented. Finally, the real part of the relative permittivity for the new polymer is about 10% higher than for BPA-PC.     

Synthesis, photochromic properties, and complex formation with metal ions of hydrazones based on a spiropyran of oxaindane series

A series of hydrazones based on a new spiropyran oxaindane series was synthesized. The compounds were found to possess photochromism and are characterized by a high rate of spontaneous decoloration of their photoinduced merocyanine form. Dark and photoinduced formation of complex compounds in the reaction of metal ions with molecules of the hydrazones in solution was observed.     

Structural architecture and physical properties of some inorganic fluoride series: a review

Many structural networks of transition metal fluorides and oxide fluorides may be derived from simple units of octahedral MF₆ units, connected by common corners, generally in a 3D way: e.g., perovskite, ReO₃, elpasolite, HTB, TTB, pyrochlore, etc. The accurate knowledge of these structures, together with the stabilities of these phases vs. temperature, allows deeper interpretation and fitting of many of their physical properties. Among the numerous fluoro-compounds which derive from these structural arrangements, several fluorinated and oxyfluorinated series have been chosen to illustrate the great range of outstanding physical properties, including ferromagnetism, piezoconductivity, ferroelasticity, high T_C superconductivity, surface functionalization, that can be better understood with the help of structural considerations. The concept of nanometric particles in materials science has also drastically changed the investigations in solid state fluorine chemistry, not only for finding original synthetic routes, but also new characterization tools. As an example, in nanostructured M(OH,F)₃ metal hydroxyfluorides that can be used as acidic heterogeneous catalysts, the morphological nature and specific area of the materials can be tuned by changing the experimental parameters of synthesis. In particular, the number and strength of Brønsted/Lewis acidic sites and the thermal stability can be correlated to the structural arrangements.