Analysis of the substituent effect on the reactivity modulation during self-protonation processes in 2-nitrophenols

A voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical ESR study of the reduction processes of five substituted 4-R-2-nitrophenols (R = -H, -OCH(3), -CH(3), -CN, -CF(3)) in acetonitrile was performed. In the potential range considered here (-0.2 to -2.5 V vs Fc+/Fc), two reduction signals (Ic and IIc) were detected; the first one was associated with the formation of the corresponding hydroxylamine via a self-protonation pathway. The voltammetric analysis at the first reduction signal showed that there are differences in the reduction pathway for each substituted 4-R-2-nitrophenol, being the E1/2 values determined by the inductive effect of the substituent in the meta position with respect to the nitro group, while the electron-transfer kinetics was determined by the protonation rate (k(1)+ ) of the anion radical electrogenerated. However, at potential values near the first reduction peak, no ESR signal was recorded from stable radical species, indicating the instability of the radical species in solution. Nevertheless, an intense ESR spectrum generated at the second reduction peak was detected for all compounds, indicating the monoelectronic reduction of the corresponding deprotonated 4-R-2-nitrophenols. The spin-coupling hyperfine structures revealed differences in the chemical nature of the electrogenerated radical; meanwhile, the -CF(3) and -CN substituents induced the formation of a dianion radical structure, and the -H, -CH(3), and -OCH(3) substituents provoked the formation of an anion radical structure due to protonation by acetonitrile molecules of the initially electrogenerated dianion radical. This behavior was confirmed by analyzing the ESR spectra in deuterated acetonitrile and by performing quantum chemical calculations of the spin densities at each site of the electrogenerated anionic radicals.     

Electrochemical and chemical generation of a mixed-valent organorhenium oxide and its subsequent aggregation

Electrochemical one-electron reduction of the dinuclear d¹-d¹ organorhenium oxides Me₄Re₂O₄ (1) and (c-Pr)₄Re₂O₄ (2) reversibly yields the mono-anions 1⁻ and 2 ⁻. Further electrochemical reduction is irreversible. The observed mechanisms upon electrochemical reduction and the involved electrode kinetics are discussed in the light of the electrochemical data. Chemical reduction by cobaltocene leads quantitatively to the same dinuclear radical complexes 1⁻ and 2⁻, the EPR spectra of which support the formulation as Re^VRe^VI, mixed-valence dimers. Reoxidation can be achieved with ferricinium hexafluorophosphate. Upon controlled exposure to oxygen the extraordinarily air-sensitive anion 1⁻ forms the unprecedented linear trinuclear rhenium cluster [Cp₂Co][Me₆Re₃O₆] (4). The mechanism of this aggregation reaction involving disproportionation is discussed. The crystal and molecular structure of the anion 4 has been determined, the trimeric anion has almost C_2v symmetry, and the Re-Re-Re angle is nearly linear (177.83(2)°).     

Thermodynamically tuning LiBH4 by fluorine anion doping for hydrogen storage: A density functional study

The decomposition reaction of LiBH₄ with and without F anion doping was investigated by first-principles calculations. According to the calculation results, doping LiBH₄ with F anion may generate F lattice substitution in both the hydrogenated (LiBH₄) and dehydrogenated (LiH) states of the hydride, and accordingly result in a favorable thermodynamics modification, even to a level suitable for onboard H-storage application. Experimentally evidencing these theoretical predictions may pave a new way to pursue improved hydrogen storage properties of LiBH₄ and other related complex hydrides.     

A new approach to the spectral study of unstable radicals and ions in solution by the use of an inert gas glovebox system: observation and analysis of the infrared spectra of the radical anion and dianion of p-terphenyl

By using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer contained in an inert gas glovebox system (oxygen and water concentrations: <0.1 ppm), high-quality infrared absorption spectra have been observed for the radical anion and dianion of p-terphenyl in tetrahydrofuran solutions. Density functional theory with the B3LYP nonlocal exchange-correlation functional and the 6-311+G** basis set has been used for the calculations of the structures and infrared spectra of the neutral species, radical anion, and dianion of p-terphenyl. The observed infrared spectra of the radical anion and dianion are in good agreement with those calculated by density functional theory. The origin of the strong infrared absorption intensities characteristic of the radical anion and dianion are discussed in terms of changes in electronic structures induced by specific normal vibrations (electron-molecular vibration interaction).     

Mono- and Dianion of a Bis(benzobuta)tetraazapentacene Derivative

A bis(benzobuta)tetraazapentacene derivative was reduced to its radical anion and its dianion, using potassium [18]crown-6 anthracenide in THF. Both reduced species were characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy of the isolated species and by spectroelectrochemistry. Two distinct single-crystal structures of the dianion and an EPR spectrum of the radical anion were obtained. Contrary to other azaacenes, the lowest energy absorption in the UV/Vis spectrum of the dianion is redshifted in comparison to that of the neutral compound.     

支化侧链偶氮无规共聚物中空和类囊泡聚集体研究

研究了支化侧链型偶氮无规共聚物(PMAPB6P-AA)在THF/H2O混合溶液中的自组装行为.研究发现,通过缓慢增加体系的水含量,可以制备出具有中空结构的非球形聚集体.调节聚合物的初始浓度,可以得到不同粒径的聚集体.聚集体中偶氮生色团的光致异构化速率与异构化程度随聚合物初始浓度的增大而减小.在此基础上,采用更加缓慢的增加水含量的方法,使聚合物分子进行充分的疏水聚集与H-聚集,制备出类囊泡状聚集体.在紫外光照射条件下,观察到类囊泡聚集体发生了光致解聚集.     

Synthesis and characterization of the 4,4'-bipyridyl dianion and radical monoanion. A structural study

The reaction of ethylenediamine solutions of 4,4'-bipyridine with varying stoichiometric amounts of sodium resulted in the isolation of the 4,4'-bipyridyl radical anion (44bipy(*-)) and the unprecedented 4,4'-bipyridyl dianion (44bipy(2-)). The radical was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in Na(44bipy)(en) (1) and Na2(44bipy)2(en)2 (2) and the dianion in Na 2(44bipy)(en)2 (3), allowing for interesting correlations to be drawn between electronic structure and metric structural data. Further characterization of the solids by means of powder X-ray diffraction, electron paramagnetic resonance, and/or elemental analysis is also reported.     

Behavior of electrogenerated bases in room-temperature ionic liquids

The reductive electrochemistry of substituted benzophenones in the aprotic room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bistriflimide occurs via two consecutive one-electron processes leading to the radical anion and dianion, respectively. The radical anion exhibited electrochemical reversibility at all time-scales whereas the dianion exhibited reversibility at potential sweep rates of >or=10 V s(-1), collectively indicating the absence of strong ion-paring with the RTIL cation. In contrast, reduction in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bistriflimide is complicated by proton-transfer from the [Bmim] cation. At low potential sweep rates, reduction involves a single two-electron process characteristic of either an electrochemical, chemical, electrochemical (ECE) or disproportion-type (DISP1) mechanism. The rate of radical anion protonation in [Bmim] is governed by basicity and conforms to the Hammett free-energy relation. At higher potential sweep rates in [Bmim][NTf2], reduction occurs via two consecutive one-electron processes, giving rise to the partially reversible generation of the radical anion and the irreversible generation of the dianion, respectively. Also, the redox potentials for the reversible parent/radical anion couples were found to be a linear function of Hammett substituent constants in both RTIL media and exhibited effectively equivalent solvent-dependent reaction constants, which are similar to those for reduction in polar molecular solvents such as acetonitrile or alcohols.     

Structurally Diverse Boron–Nitrogen Heterocycles from an N2O23− Formazanate Ligand

Five new compounds comprised of unprecedented boron–nitrogen heterocycles have been isolated from a single reaction of a potentially tetradentate N₂O₂³⁻ formazanate ligand with BF₃⋅OEt₂ and NEt₃. Optimized yields for each product were obtained through variation of experimental conditions and rationalized in terms of relative Gibbs free energies of the products as determined by electronic structure calculations. Chemical reduction of two of these compounds resulted in the formation of a stable anion, radical anion, and diradical dianion. Structural and electronic properties of this new family of redox‐active heterocycles were characterized using UV/vis absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X‐ray crystallography.     

Structurally Diverse Boron–Nitrogen Heterocycles from an N2O23− Formazanate Ligand

Five new compounds comprised of unprecedented boron–nitrogen heterocycles have been isolated from a single reaction of a potentially tetradentate N₂O₂³⁻ formazanate ligand with BF₃⋅OEt₂ and NEt₃. Optimized yields for each product were obtained through variation of experimental conditions and rationalized in terms of relative Gibbs free energies of the products as determined by electronic structure calculations. Chemical reduction of two of these compounds resulted in the formation of a stable anion, radical anion, and diradical dianion. Structural and electronic properties of this new family of redox-active heterocycles were characterized using UV/vis absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray crystallography.     

阴离子对TiO2晶形的影响及光催化性能研究

以SO₄^2-、F^-、Cl^-和PO₄^3-作为阴离子来研究其对水热合成TiO₂(分别记为TiO₂-S、TiO₂-F、TiO₂-Cl和TiO₂-P)晶体的影响,并考察了其光催化性能.SEM显示TiO₂-S、TiO₂-F、TiO₂-Cl和TiO₂-P分别呈粒子、十面体、刺球和不规则块状.XRD图谱表明TiO₂-S和TiO₂-F为锐钛矿晶型,TiO₂-Cl为金红石晶型,而TiO₂-P为锐钛矿、金红石和板钛矿混合晶型,这一结论也被紫外-可见漫反射实验所证实.XPS能谱表明这4种TiO₂纳米材料都受到了各自阴离子掺杂的影响,光催化试验显示:它们的光催化活性顺序为: TiO₂-F>TiO₂-S>TiO₂-Cl>TiO₂-P,这表明锐钛矿的光催化活性要大于金红石和板钛矿,且具有{001}面,掺杂了F的锐钛矿光催化活性更强.     

Novel species in the electrochemical reduction of a metalmetal bond bridged by a bidentate fluorophosphine

The purple bridged bimetallic complex [CH₃N(PF₂)₂]₃Co₂(CO)₂ undergoes successive chemically and electrochemically reversible one-electron reductions to the corresponding green radical anion and pale-yellow dianion. The radical anion is relatively unreactive towards oxygen and methyl iodide. The dianion is not only reactive towards oxygen and methyl iodide but also captures small positively charged species (e.g. Li⁺ and H⁺) with significant alteration of its chemical properties.     

Further studies in the acyl-type radical additions promoted by SmI2: mechanistic implications and stereoselective reduction of the keto-functionality

Attempts were made to promote the carbonyl coupling of cyclohexanone to 4-pyridylthioesters of N-carbamate-protected amino acids with the one electron reducing agent, samarium diiodide. Such reactions proved unsuccessful due to the inability of the ketyl-type radical anion intermediate to be reduced to the corresponding dianion at −78°C. Nevertheless, these results explain our recently published work on the high efficiency of the SmI₂-mediated acyl-type radical additions of the same thioesters with electron deficient alkenes [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 4030]. A study was also undertaken to examine methods for the stereoselective reduction of N-carbamate-protected amino ketones to either the syn- or anti-vicinal amino alcohols. In most cases, LiAl(O-t-Bu)₃H and (S)-Alpine-Hydride were found to effectively provide the anti- and syn-amino alcohols, respectively. The SmI₂-promoted reduction of the same ketones afforded a majority of the syn-isomer with selectivities of approximately 5:1. However, in one case, the SmI₂-promoted reduction was found to be more effective than that of (S)-Alpine-Hydride.     

Stepwise Reduction of 9,10‐Bis(dimesitylboryl)anthracene

Stepwise reduction of 9,10‐bis(dimesitylboryl)anthracene afforded an radical anion and a dianion, accompanied by stepwise changes of the aromaticity of the anthracene moiety. The radical has a planar semiquinoidal structure, while the dianion has a puckered quinoidal structure. The alteration of the geometries of the 9,10‐bis(dimesitylboryl)anthracene upon reduction is rationalized by the nature of the bonding. These results have been confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, X‐ray crystallography, NMR, EPR, and UV‐vis‐NIR spectroscopy, as well as DFT calculations.     

基于苝二酰亚胺类非富勒烯受体共混体系凝聚态结构调控

非富勒烯太阳能电池具有给受体能级可调、吸收范围宽及可溶液加工等优势,已经成为太阳能电池领域发展趋势。在高性能材料开发及器件结构优化的推动下,能量转换效率已经突破11%。其中,苝二酰亚胺(PDI)类分子价格低廉且具有良好的稳定性及较高的电子迁移率,已经发展成为重要的非富勒烯受体材料。然而,PDI类材料刚性稠环结构使得分子间具有强烈的π-π相互作用(受体-受体分子间及给体-受体分子间),导致共混体系相分离尺寸可控性差,给受体分子间共混程度难于调控,从而发生严重的成对以及非成对电荷复合。本文从分子间作用力入手(溶剂-溶质、给体-受体分子间作用力)详述了非富勒烯共混体系相分离结构、相区尺寸及共混相含量调节的相关原理及方法。研究表明基于PDI共混体系,固-液相分离及分子扩散能力是决定相分离结构的本质因素,通过调控给受体比例及热退火温度实现了孤岛及互穿网络结构的构筑。同时,通过平衡受体分子间π-π作用及给受体间电荷转移,实现了低相容性及高相容性共混体系相区尺寸的可控调节。在此基础上,利用添加剂手段通过调节溶剂与溶质分子间的溶度参数差值,实现了薄膜内共混相的可控调节,并针对具有不同相容性共混体系给出了添加剂的选择原则。     

HYPERICIN DERIVED TRIPLET STATES and TRANSIENTS IN ALCOHOLS and WATER

Abstract— Direct pulse photoexcitation of an antivirally active compound, hypericin sodium salt in ethanol, results in a short-lived transient, attributed to a triplet state. In the presence of reducing agents, a long-lived transient is observed, which indicates a radical anion species. In isopropanol solution, an identical triplet state is formed, accompanied by a long-lived intermediate that consists of a semiquinone-type radical. Laser excitation of hypericin sodium salt aggregates dispersed in water produces a very short-lived transient, also assigned to a triplet state, which decays, leaving an absorption spectrum, indicating a radical anion species. The latter reacts with oxygen with a rate constant of k ∼ 6 × 10⁷ M^-1 s^-1, suggesting the formation of superoxide.     

Zwitterionic clusters with dianion core produced by electrospray ionisation of Brønsted acidic ionic liquids

New Br?nsted acidic ionic liquids (BAILs) are prepared by treating zwitterions, which are composed of an imidazolium cation and a sulfonate anion, with an alkanedisulfonic acid. Acidification of the zwitterions produces the cation and deprotonation of the alkanedisulfonic acid forms the anion of the new BAILs. Direct laser desorption/ionisation (LDI), matrix-assisted LDI (MALDI) and electrospray ionisation (ESI) are employed to transfer ions into the gas-phase for detection by mass spectrometry and for dissociation studies by tandem mass spectrometry. The components of the BAILs are confirmed by LDI and MALDI by the detection of the respective cation and anion and by ESI by the observation of the cation and the dianion. A prominent feature of ESI is the formation of aggregates (cluster ions). Positively charged cluster ions are formally composed of multiple zwitterions plus one additional proton. In the negative-ion mode the clusters also incorporate the zwitterions which are, however, linked with the alkanedisulfonate dianion. In collision-induced dissociations (CID), the cationic aggregates show the evaporation of zwitterions until the protonated zwitterion is reached. Similarly, the cluster dianions release zwitterions until the free alkane disulfonate dianion is reached. However, the 1:1 adduct of dianion and zwitterion also displays proton transfer and Coulomb explosion into the mono-protonated disulfonic mono-anion and an imidazole-based carbene with sulfonate mono-anion.     

缺陷工程调控石墨相氮化碳及其光催化空气净化应用进展

Since the pioneering work on polychlorinated biphenyl photodegradation by Carey in 1976, photocatalytic technology has emerged as a promising and sustainable strategy to overcome the significant challenges posed by energy crisis and environmental pollution. In photocatalysis, sunlight, which is an inexhaustible source of energy, is utilized to generate strongly active species on the surface of the photocatalyst for triggering photo-redox reactions toward the successful removal of environmental pollutants, or for water splitting. The photocatalytic performance is related to the photoabsorption, photoinduced carrier separation, and redox ability of the semiconductor employed as the photocatalyst. Apart from traditional and noble metal oxide semiconductors such as P25, bismuth-based compounds, and Pt-based compounds, 2D g-C₃N₄ is now identified to have enormous potential in photocatalysis owing to the special π-π conjugated bond in its structure. However, some inherent drawbacks of the conventional g-C₃N₄, including the insufficient visible-light absorption ability, fast recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, and low quantum efficiency, decrease its photocatalytic activity and limit its application. To date, various strategies such as heterojunction fabrication, special morphology design, and element doping have been adopted to tune the physicochemical properties of g-C₃N₄. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of defect engineering for boosting the light harvesting, charge separation, and adsorption efficiency of g-C₃N₄ by tailoring the local surface microstructure, electronic structure, and carrier concentration. In this review, we summarize cutting-edge achievements related to g-C₃N₄ modified with classified non-external-caused defects (carbon vacancies, nitrogen vacancies, etc.) and external-caused defects (doping and functionalization) for optimizing the photocatalytic performance in water splitting, removal of contaminants in the gas phase and wastewater, nitrogen fixation, etc. The distinctive roles of various defects in the g-C₃N₄ skeleton in the photocatalytic process are also summarized. Moreover, the practical application of 2D g-C₃N₄ in air pollution control is highlighted. Finally, the ongoing challenges and perspectives of defective g-C₃N₄ are presented. The overarching aim of this article is to provide a useful scaffold for future research and application studies on defect-modulated g-C₃N₄.      

12]Annulene radical anions revisited: evaluation of structure assignments based on computed energetic and electron spin resonance data

We report density functional and coupled cluster calculations on numerous monocyclic and bicyclic (CH)12(*-) isomers. At the RCCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//UB3LYP/6-31+G* level, a nearly planar, bond-equalized radical anion of 1,7-di-trans-[12]annulene (4a(*-)) is lowest in energy; several other isomers and conformations lie within 3 kcal/mol of 4a(*-). RCCSD(T)/AUG-cc-pVDZ//UB3LYP/6-31+G* results place the all-cis isomer 3(*-) slightly below 4a(*-) in energy. Validation studies on the heptalene radical anion, [16]annulene radical anion, and tri-trans-[12]annulene radical anion indicate that electron spin resonance (ESR) hyperfine coupling constants (aH values) computed at the BLYP/EPR-III level on DFT geometries give much better agreement with experimental values than those computed using B3LYP/6-31G*. We were unable to locate any C12H12(*-) isomer that could account for the ESR spectrum previously attributed to a highly twisted structure for the 1,7-di-trans-[12]annulene radical anion. Our computed energetic and ESR data for [12]annulene radical anions and their valence isomers suggest that 4a(*-) may have been made, yet its ESR spectrum was incorrectly assigned to the bicyclic isomer 6b(*-). Finally, the computed (1)H NMR shift values of the dianion of 4 reveal a distinct diatropic ring current that should aid in its characterization.     

石墨炔-有机共轭分子复合材料的制备及其储锂性能

发展了基于超分子化学的新方法实现了对石墨炔的原位氮掺杂,通过利用石墨炔与有机共轭分子间强的π–π作用,原位制备了石墨炔/卟吩复合材料薄膜,并用作锂离子电池的负极材料,其比容量增加到了1000 mAh∙g⁻¹,该复合材料表现出优良的倍率性能和循环稳定性,为可控制备掺氮石墨炔复合材料提供了新的思路。