ChemInform Abstract: X2Y2 Isomers: Tuning Structure and Relative Stability Through Electronegativity Differences (X: H,Li, Na,F, Cl,Br, I; Y: O,S, Se,Te).

Density functional calculations on XYYX and X₂YY isomers of the X₂Y₂ species (X: H, Li, Na, F, Cl, Br, I; Y: O, S, Se, Te) show that the XYYX isomers are more stable than the X₂YY forms except for X = F and Y = S and Te, for which the F₂SS and F₂TeTe isomers are slightly more stable.     

M−O Bonding Beyond the Oxo Wall: Spectroscopy and Reactivity of Cobalt(III)‐Oxyl and Cobalt(III)‐Oxo Complexes

Terminal oxo complexes of late transition metals are frequently proposed reactive intermediates. However, they are scarcely known beyond Group 8. Using mass spectrometry, we prepared and characterized two such complexes: [(N4Py)Co^III(O)]⁺ ( 1 ) and [(N4Py)Co^IV(O)]²⁺ ( 2 ). Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy revealed that the Co?O bond in 1 is rather strong, in accordance with its lack of chemical reactivity. On the contrary, 2 has a very weak Co?O bond characterized by a stretching frequency of ≤659 cm^?1. Accordingly, 2 can abstract hydrogen atoms from non‐activated secondary alkanes. Previously, this reactivity has only been observed in the gas phase for small, coordinatively unsaturated metal complexes. Multireference ab‐initio calculations suggest that 2 , formally a cobalt(IV)‐oxo complex, is best described as cobalt(III)‐oxyl. Our results provide important data on changes to metal‐oxo bonding behind the oxo wall and show that cobalt‐oxo complexes are promising targets for developing highly active C?H oxidation catalysts.     

High‐Energy Long‐Lived Mixed Frenkel–Charge‐Transfer Excitons: From Double Stranded (AT)n to Natural DNA

The electronic excited states populated upon absorption of UV photons by DNA are extensively studied in relation to the UV‐induced damage to the genetic code. Here, we report a new unexpected relaxation pathway in adenine–thymine double‐stranded structures (AT)_n. Fluorescence measurements on (AT)_n hairpins (six and ten base pairs) and duplexes (20 and 2000 base pairs) reveal the existence of an emission band peaking at approximately 320 nm and decaying on the nanosecond time scale. Time‐dependent (TD)‐DFT calculations, performed for two base pairs and exploring various relaxation pathways, allow the assignment of this emission band to excited states resulting from mixing between Frenkel excitons and adenine‐to‐thymine charge‐transfer states. Emission from such high‐energy long‐lived mixed (HELM) states is in agreement with their fluorescence anisotropy (0.03), which is lower than that expected for π–π* states (≥0.1). An increase in the size of the system quenches π–π* fluorescence while enhancing HELM fluorescence. The latter process varies linearly with the hypochromism of the absorption spectra, both depending on the coupling between π–π* and charge‐transfer states. Subsequently, we identify the common features between the HELM states of (AT)_n structures with those reported previously for alternating (GC)_n: high emission energy, low fluorescence anisotropy, nanosecond lifetimes, and sensitivity to conformational disorder. These features are also detected for calf thymus DNA in which HELM states could evolve toward reactive π–π* states, giving rise to delayed fluorescence.     

Intramolecular azide-alkyne cycloaddition for the fast assembly of structurally diverse, tricyclic 1,2,3-triazoles

The synthesis of novel tricyclic 1,2,3-triazoles starting from cyclic epoxides via the sequential azidolysis, propargylation and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is described. Derivatization by N-arylation reaction and the synthesis of enantiomerically pure compounds is also reported. Some of these compounds exhibit significant affinity for the sigma-1 receptor.     

Molecules and crystals with both icosahedral and cubic symmetry

Notwithstanding the apparent incompatibility between octahedral and icosahedral symmetries, fragments with the two types of symmetry coexist in many molecules and crystals, as evidenced by continuous shape and symmetry measures. A geometric analysis of Platonic and Archimedean polyhedra and of a variety of molecular and crystal structures strongly suggests that octahedral symmetry is latent in icosahedral polyhedra and vice versa. In this Feature Article, new concepts and structural data from the literature combine to offer a perspective view of complex molecular and extended structures. Its influence on the common cubic packing of icosahedral molecules is discussed for a variety of examples, including water clathrates, dodecahedrane, Buckminsterfullerene, the Pd145 and Mo132 clusters and several intermetallic phases.     

Study of the Photochemical Properties and Conical Intersections of [2,2′‐Bipyridyl]‐3‐amine‐3′‐ol

The two isoelectronic bipyridyl derivatives [2,2′‐bipyridyl]‐3,3′‐diamine and [2,2′‐bipyridyl]‐3,3′‐diol are experimentally known to undergo very different excited‐state double‐proton‐transfer processes, which result in fluorescence quantum yields that differ by four orders of magnitude. In a previous study, these differences were explained from a theoretical point of view, because of topographical features in the potential energy surface and the presence of conical intersections (CIs). Here, we analyze the photochemical properties of a new molecule, [2,2′‐bipyridyl]‐3‐amine‐3′‐ol [BP(OH)(NH₂)], which is, in fact, a hybrid of the former two. Our density functional theory (DFT), time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT), and complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) calculations indicate that the double‐proton‐transfer process in the ground and first singlet π→π* excited state in BP(OH)(NH₂) presents features that are between those of their “parents”. The presence of two CIs and the role they may play in the actual photochemistry of BP(OH)(NH₂) and other bipyridyl derivatives are also discussed.     

Analysis of Hückel's [4n + 2] rule through electronic delocalization measures

In the present work, we analyze the pi-electronic delocalization in a series of annulenes and their dications and dianions by using electron delocalization indices calculated in the framework of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules. The aim of our study is to discuss the Hückel's 4n + 2 rule from the viewpoint of pi-electronic delocalization. Our results show that there is an important increase of electronic delocalization (of about 1 e) when going from antiaromatic 4n pi systems to aromatic (4n + 2)pi systems. Less clear is the change in pi-electronic delocalization when we move from a (4n + 2)pi-aromatic to a 4n pi-antiaromatic species by adding or removing a pair of electrons.