Cd13−xInySb10 (x≈2.7, y≈1.5): An Interstitial‐Free Variant of Thermoelectric β‐Zn4Sb3

Although free from structural disorder , the new intermetallic compound Cd_13?xIn_ySb₁₀ (see figure) displays similarly low thermal conductivity values as disordered thermoelectric β‐Zn₄Sb₃ with an isostructural framework.

     

EPR Spectroscopy of 4, 4′‐Bis(tert‐butyl)‐2, 2′‐bipyridine‐1, 2‐dithiolatocuprates(II) in Host Lattices with Different Coordination Geometries

A series of new heteroleptic MN₂S₂ transition metal complexes with M = Cu²⁺ for EPR measurements and as diamagnetic hosts Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pd²⁺ were synthesized and characterized. The ligands are N₂ = 4, 4′‐bis(tert‐butyl)‐2, 2′‐bipyridine (tBu₂bpy) and S₂ =1, 2‐dithiooxalate, (dto), 1, 2‐dithiosquarate, (dtsq), maleonitrile‐1, 2‐dithiolate, or 1, 2‐dicyanoethene‐1, 2‐dithiolate, (mnt). The Cu^II complexes were studied by EPR in solution and as powders, diamagnetically diluted in the isostructural planar [Ni^II(tBu₂bpy)(S₂)] or[Pd^II(tBu₂bpy)(S₂)] as well as in tetrahedrally coordinated[Zn^II(tBu₂bpy)(S₂)] host structures to put steric stress on the coordination geometry of the central CuN₂S₂ unit. The spin density contributions for different geometries calculated from experimental parameters are compared with the electronic situation in the frontier orbital, namely in the semi‐occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) of the copper complex, derived from quantum chemical calculations on different levels (EHT and DFT). One of the hosts, [Ni^II(tBu₂bpy)(mnt)], is characterized by X‐ray structure analysis to prove the coordination geometry. The complex crystallizes in a square‐planar coordination mode in the monoclinic space group P2₁/a with Z = 4 and the unit cell parameters a = 10.4508(10) Å, b = 18.266(2) Å, c = 12.6566(12) Å, β = 112.095(7)°. Oxidation and reductions potentials of one of the host complexes, [Ni(tBu₂bpy)(mnt)], were obtained by cyclovoltammetric measurements.     

Synthesis of (4Z)‐4‐(Arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones by the Reaction of Ethyl (2Z)‐3‐Aryl‐2‐isothiocyanatoprop‐2‐enoates with Organolithium Compounds

A convenient one‐pot method for the preparation of (4Z)‐4‐(arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones 2 and 3 from ethyl (2Z)‐3‐aryl‐2‐isothiocyanatoprop‐2‐enoates 1 , which can be easily prepared from ethyl 2‐azidoacetate and aromatic aldehydes, has been developed. Thus, these α‐isothiocyanato α,β‐unsaturated esters were treated with organolithium compounds, including lithium enolates of acetates, to provide 5‐substituted (4Z)‐4‐(arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐1,3‐oxazolidine‐2‐thiones, 2 , and 2‐[(4Z)‐(4‐arylmethylidene)‐5‐ethoxy‐2‐thioxo‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐5‐yl]acetates, 3 .     

Synthesis,Characterization and Crystal Structure of Dimeric {[(AMTTO)2Ag]NO3}2 (AMTTO = 4‐Amino‐6‐methyl‐1, 2, 4‐triazine‐3(2H)‐thione‐5‐one)

The reaction of 4‐Amino‐6‐methyl‐1, 2, 4‐triazine‐3(2H)‐thione‐5‐one (AMTTO, 1 ) with silver nitrate in methanol led to the dimeric complex {[(AMTTO)₂Ag]NO₃}₂ ( 2 ). 2 was characterized by elemental analyses and IR spectroscopy as well as by X‐ray structure analysis. Crystal data for 2 at ?80 °C: crystal system orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a = 1043.6(1), b = 1329.6(1), c = 2358.4(1) pm, Z = 8 and R₁ = 0.037. The cation possesses a highly distorted linear coordination sphere in the solid state.     

Ring Opening of 2‐(Benzylamino)‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones and 2‐Bromo‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones

Substituted 2‐(benzylamino)‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones are unstable under alkaline and acidic conditions, undergoing opening of the benzoxazinone ring. 2‐Bromo‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones show similar degradation under alkaline conditions, while replacement of Br at C(2) to give 2‐hydroxy‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3(4H)‐ones was observed only under mild alkaline conditions. Mechanisms of ring opening and degradation to 2‐aminophenol derivatives are proposed.     

Synthesis of 4‐Arylisocoumarins (=4‐Aryl‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐ones) through Acidic Hydrolysis of (Z)‐2‐(1‐Aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)benzaldehydes,Followed by Oxidation

4‐Arylisocoumarins (=4‐aryl‐1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐ones) 6 were prepared from 2‐(1‐aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)‐1‐bromobenzenes 1 . Successive treatment of these bromo styrenes with BuLi and 1‐formylpiperidine gave a mixture of (E)‐ and (Z)‐2‐(1‐aryl‐2‐methoxyethenyl)benzaldehydes 2 . Hydrolysis of (Z)‐isomers with conc. HBr, followed by pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) oxidation of the resulting 1H‐2‐benzopyran‐1‐ol derivatives 4 (and 5 ), afforded the desired products.     

First Total Synthesis of N‐(3‐Guanidinopropyl)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐oxoacetamide

The first total synthesis of the α‐oxo amide‐based natural product, N‐(3‐guanidinopropyl)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐oxoacetamide ( 3 ), isolated from aqueous extracts of hydroid Campanularia sp., has been achieved. The α‐oxo amide 12 , prepared via the oxidative amidation of 1‐[4‐(benzyloxy)phenyl]‐2,2‐dibromoethanone ( 9a ) with 4‐{[(tert‐butyl)(dimethyl)silyl]oxy}butan‐1‐amine ( 10a ), has been used as the key intermediate in the total synthesis of 3 as HBr salt. On the way, an expeditious total synthesis of polyandrocarpamide C ( 2c ), isolated from marine ascidian Polyandrocarpa sp., was carried out in four steps.     

Eight New 2‐(2‐Phenylethyl)chromone (=2‐(2‐Phenylethyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one) Derivatives from Aquilaria malaccensis Agarwood

Eight new and eight known 2‐(2‐phenylethyl)chromone (=2‐(2‐phenylethyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one) derivatives, i.e., 1 – 8 and 9 – 16 , respectively, together with the two known sesquiterpenoids 17 and 18 were isolated from a 70% MeOH extract of Aquilaria malaccensis (AM) agarwood chips. Their structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of N,N‐Disubstituted (Z)‐4‐(Halomethylidene)‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐2‐amines from 2‐(2,2‐Dihaloethenyl)phenyl Isothiocyanates and Secondary Amines

We have developed a one‐pot procedure for the preparation of N,N‐disubstituted (Z)‐4‐(halomethylidene)‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐2‐amines 3 from 2‐(2,2‐dihaloethenyl)phenyl isothiocyanates 1 , easily accessible from known 2‐(2,2‐dihaloethenyl)benzenamines by a three‐step sequence, and secondary amines. Thus, the isothiocyanates 1 react with secondary amines to afford the corresponding thiourea derivatives, of which the treatment with NaH provides the desired products.     

1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole and its Complexes with Copper(II) Chloride and Copper(II) Perchlorate

1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole (hnt), prepared by alkylation of 3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole with 2‐chloroethanol, was found to react with copper(II) chloride and copper(II) perchlorate in acetonitrile/ethanol solutions giving complexes [Cu₂(hnt)₂Cl₄(H₂O)₂] and[Cu(hnt)₂(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₂, respectively. They are the first examples of coordination compounds with a neutral N‐substituted 3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole ligand. 1‐(2‐Hydroxyethyl)‐3‐nitro‐1, 2, 4‐triazole and the obtained complexes were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy, X‐ray, and thermal analyses. [Cu₂(hnt)₂Cl₄(H₂O)₂] presents a dinuclear chlorido‐bridged complex in which hnt acts as a chelating bidentate ligand, coordinated to the metal by a nitrogen atom of the triazole ring and an oxygen atom of the nitro group, and the copper atoms are inconsiderably distorted octahedral coordination. [Cu(hnt)₂(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₂comprises a mononuclear complex cation, in which two nitrogen atoms of two hnt ligands in trans configuration and three water oxygen atoms form a square pyramidal environment around the copper atom, which is completed to an distorted octahedron with a bifurcated vertex due to two additional elongated Cu–O bonds with two nitro groups. In both complexes, Cu–O bonds with the nitro groups may be considered as semi‐coordinated.     

Azidokomplexe von Vanadium(IV) und Vanadium(V): (Ph4P)2[VOCl2(μ‐N3)]2 und (Ph4P)2[VOCl(μ‐N3)(N3)2]2

Azido Complexes of Vanadium(IV) and Vanadium(V): (Ph₄P)₂[VOCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂ and (Ph₄P)₂[VOCl(μ‐N₃)(N₃)₂]₂ (Ph₄P)₂[VOCl₂(μ‐N₃)]₂ ( 1 ) was prepared by reaction of (Ph₄P)[VO₂Cl₂] with trimethylsilylazide in the molar ratio 1:2 in dichloromethane solution to give dark green, moisture sensitive, non‐explosive single crystals. The reaction is accompanied by the formation of the dark blue side‐product (Ph₄P)₂[VOCl(μ‐N₃)(N₃)₂]₂ ( 2a ), which can be obtained as the main product by application of a large excess of Me₃SiN₃. Dark blue needles of 2a crystallize spontaneously from the CH₂Cl₂ solution within one hour at 4 °C. After standing at 4 °C under its mother liquid within 24 hours a first‐order phase transition of 2a occurs forming dark blue prismatic single crystals of 2b . According to single crystal X‐ray structure determinations, 2a and 2b crystallize in the same type of space group , however, with different lattice dimensions. The vanadium(IV) complex 1 is characterized by X‐ray structure determination and by vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman) as well as by EPR spectroscopy, whereas 2b is characterized by IR spectroscopy. 1 : Space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, a = 1009.5(1), b = 1226.6(2), c = 1943.0(2) pm, β = 98.42(1)°, R₁ = 0.0672. The complex anion forms centrosymmetric units with V₂N₂‐four‐membered rings with a V···V distance of 335.6(1) pm and coordination number five on the vanadium(IV) atoms. 2a : Space group , Z = 1, a = 1089.0(2), b = 1097.1(2), c = 1310.1(2) pm, α = 92.99(1)°, β = 106.12(2)°, γ = 117.05(2)°, V = 1309.8(4) ų, d_calc. = 1.440 g·cm^?3, R₁ = 0.0384. The complex anion forms centrosymmetric units of symmetry C_i with V₂N₂ four‐membered rings and VN bond lengths of 200.4(3) and 234.4(2) pm, respectively. The non‐bonding V···V distance amounts to 356.2(1) pm. 2b : Space group , Z = 1, a = 1037.3(2), b = 1157.6(2), c = 1177.2(2) pm, α = 98.48(2)°, ° = 103.82(2)°, γ = 106.33(2)°, V = 1281.8(4) ų, d_calc. = 1.471 g·cm^?3, R₁ = 0.0724. The structure of the complex anion is similar to the anion of 2a with VN bond lengths of the four‐membered V₂N₂ ring of 203.3(4) and 235.2(4) pm, respectively, and a non‐bonding V···V distance of 357.5(1) pm.     

Rational Design of High‐Performance Wide‐Bandgap (≈2 eV) Polymer Semiconductors as Electron Donors in Organic Photovoltaics Exhibiting High Open Circuit Voltages (≈1 V)

Systematic optimization of the chemical structure of wide‐bandgap (≈2.0 eV) “donor–acceptor” copolymers consisting of indacenodithiophene or indacenodithieno[3,2‐b ]thiophene as the electron‐rich unit and thieno[3,4‐c ]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione as the electron‐deficient moiety in terms of alkyl side chain engineering and distance of the electron‐rich and electron‐deficient monomers within the repeat unit of the polymer chain results in high‐performance electron donor materials for organic photovoltaics. Specifically, preliminary results demonstrate extremely high open circuit voltages (V _ocs) of ≈1.0 V, reasonable short circuit current density (J _sc) of around 11 mA cm⁻², and moderate fill factors resulting in efficiencies close to 6%. All the devices are fabricated in an inverted architecture with the photoactive layer processed by doctor blade equipment, showing the compatibility with roll‐to‐roll large‐scale manufacturing processes. From the correlation of the chemical structure—optoelectronic properties—photovoltaic performance, a rational guide toward further optimization of the chemical structure in this family of copolymers, has been achieved.