Carbon nanotube sidewall functionalization with carbonyl compounds--modified Birch conditions vs the organometallic reduction approach

Covalent addition reactions turned out to be one of the most important functionalization techniques for a structural alteration of single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) scaffolds. During the last years, several reaction sequences based on an electrophilic interception of intermediately generated SWCNT(n-) carbanions, obtained via Birch reduction or by a nucleophilic addition of organometallic species, have been developed. Nevertheless, the scope and the variety of potential electrophiles is limited due to the harsh reaction conditions requested for a covalent attachment of the functional entities onto the SWCNT framework. Herein, we present a significant modification of the reductive alkylation/arylation sequence, the so-called Billups reaction, which extends the portfolio of electrophiles for covalent sidewall functionalization to carbonyl compounds--ketones, esters, and even carboxylic acid chlorides. Moreover, these carbonyl-based electrophiles can also be used as secondary functionalization reagents for anionic SWCNT intermediates, derived from a primary nucleophilic addition step. This directly leads to the generation of mixed functional SWCNT architectures, equipped with hydroxyl or carbonyl anchor groups, suitable for ongoing derivatization reactions. A correlated absorption and emission spectroscopic study elucidates the influence of the covalent sidewall functionalization degree onto the excitonic transition features of carbon nanotubes. The characterization of the different SWCNT adducts has been carried out by means of Raman, UV-vis/nIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as by thermogravimetric analysis combined with mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis.     

Ultrafast formation of nonemissive species via intermolecular interaction in single crystals of conjugated molecules

We investigate the influence of interchain interactions on the photoluminescence processes in a sexithiophene single crystal by applying hydrostatic pressure. We perform transient photoluminescence spectroscopy in the time domain of 100 fs for pressures up to 60 kbar. The combined use of steady-state and time-resolved optical spectroscopies allows us to show that the pressure-induced quenching of the photoluminescence is caused by an ultrafast (approximately 100 fs) formation of intermolecular species.     

Einfache Synthese von Alkylaluminium‐ und Alkylgalliumhydriden – Kristallstrukturen von [(Me3C)2GaH]3 und den neuartigen Sesquihydriden [(Me3C)2EH]2[EH2CMe3]2 (E = Al,Ga)

Facile Syntheses of Alkylaluminium and Alkylgallium Hydrides – Crystal Structures of [(Me₃C)₂GaH]₃ and the Novel Sesquihydrides [(Me₃C)₂EH]₂[EH₂CMe₃]₂ (E = Al, Ga) The facile syntheses of some important, sterically highly shielded dialkylaluminium hydrides R₂AlH [R = CMe₃, CH(SiMe₃)₂] succeeded by the reaction of the corresponding trialkylaluminium compounds with the alane adduct AlH₃ × NMe₂Et in a 2 to 1 molar ratio. This route is not suitable for the synthesis of monoalkylaluminium dihydrides. An excess of AlH₃ yielded the novel sesquihydride [(Me₃C)₂AlH]₂[AlH₂CMe₃]₂ ( 3 ) as the hydride richest compound which possesses an unprecedented heterocycle comprising four aluminium and four hydrogen atoms in the solid state. The dialkylgallium hydride (Me₃C)₂GaH ( 4 ) was formed on a similar route by the treatment of tri(tert‐butyl)gallane with the adduct GaH₃ · NMe₂Et. As shown by a crystal structure determination, compound 4 is a trimer in the solid state possessing a Ga₃H₃ heterocycle. A gallium sesquihydride analogous to compound 3 , [(Me₃C)₂GaH]₂[GaH₂CMe₃]₂ ( 5 ), was formed on employing an excess of GaH₃.     

Nucleophilic-alkylation-reoxidation: a functionalization sequence for single-wall carbon nanotubes

A new reaction sequence for the chemical functionalization of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) consisting of the nucleophilic addition of t-BuLi to the sidewalls of the tubes and the subsequent reoxidation of the intermediates t-Bu(n)SWNT(n-) leading to t-Bu(n)SWNT was developed. During the formation of the t-Bu(n)SWNT(n-), a homogeneous dispersion in benzene was formed due to the electrostatic repulsion of the negatively charged intermediates causing debundling. The entire reaction sequence can be repeated, and the degree of functionalization of the products (t-Bu(n))(m)SWNT (m = 1-3) increases with increasing m. Degrees of functionalization expressed as the carbon-to-addend ratio of up to 31 were reached. The reaction was studied in detail by photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The C 1s core level spectra reveal that the nucleophilic attack of the t-BuLi leads to negatively charged SWNTs. Upon oxidation, this negative charge is removed. The valence band spectra of the functionalized samples exhibit a significant reduction in the pi-derived density of states. In STM, the covalently bonded t-butyl groups attached to the sidewalls have been visualized. Raman spectroscopy reveals that addition of the nucleophile to metallic tubes is preferred over the addition to semiconducting tubes.     

Detection of characteristic clusters in IMS-Spectrograms of exhaled air polluted with environmental contaminants

Detection of special disease markers in exhaled breath is a method becoming more and more relevant in medical diagnostic. The test environment plays a big role in the analysis of exhaled air when using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Environmental contaminants appear also in exhaled air of test persons, potentially even in other forms then in the ambient air. Different ways to deal with these environmental factors will be discussed and our method of choice will be presented. It was possible to identify specific fingerprints for dedicated features of probands as well as for specific environmental pollution. By using statistical evaluation it was also possible to identify characteristic features of probands notwithstanding the environmental burden for correct assignment into specific groups, reaching correct classification rates above 0.85.     

Convergence of the Wick Star Product

We construct a Fréchet space as a subspace of where the Wick star product converges and is continuous. The resulting Fréchet algebra _ħ is studied in detail including a ^*-representation of _ħ in the Bargmann-Fock space and a discussion of star exponentials and coherent states.     

Total synthesis of hectochlorin

Hectochlorin (1) is a marine natural product with significant fungicidal activity. A synthesis effort was initiated to develop a flexible route to hectochlorin which would allow access to analogues with potentially improved activity and/or attributes relative to the natural product. A successful total synthesis of hectochlorin is described. [structure: see text]