Photochemistry of single wall carbon nanotubes embedded in a mesoporous silica matrix

By embedding single wall carbon nanotubes in a mesoporous silica matrix (SWNT@SiO2) the photochemical properties have been measured upon laser excitation at 266 nm; the SWNT@SiO2 exhibits long-lived emission (lambda em = 400 nm, tau = 0.95 microsecond), transient absorption (lambda max = 390 nm, tau = 11 microseconds) and is able to generate singlet oxygen in D2O.     

Truncated Cinchona alkaloids as catalysts in enantioselective monobenzoylation of meso-1,2-diols

Readily synthesised quincorine and quincoridine derived chiral diamines efficiently catalyse the asymmetric monobenzoylation of cyclic and acyclic meso-1,2-diols.     

Complexes of platinum(II) containing ferrocenylethynyl ligands: synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic and electrochemical properties

A series of homoleptic and heteroleptic platinum(ii) complexes [Pt(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CFc)(2)(L-L)] (L-L = COD , 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) ), Q(2)[cis/trans-Pt(C(6)F(5))(2)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CFc)(2)] (cis, Q = PMePh(3), ; trans, Q = NBu(4), ), (NBu(4))[Pt(bzq)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CFc)(2)] (Hbzq = 7,8-benzoquinoline) and (NBu(4))(2)[Pt(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CFc)(4)] has been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and the structures of .2CHCl(3), and .2H(2)O.2CH(2)Cl(2) confirmed by single-crystal X-ray studies. The anion of complex , shows strong O-Hpi(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C) interactions and weaker C-Clpi(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C) contacts between the protons of two water and two CH(2)Cl(2) molecules and the C(alpha)[triple bond, length as m-dash]C(beta) of mutually cis alkynyl groups. In this complex the presence of additional O-HH-C(Cp) and C-ClH-C(Cp) contacts gives rise to an extended bidimensional network. The optical and electrochemical properties of all derivatives have been examined. It is remarkable that for complexes and a facile oxidatively induced coupling, giving rise to 1,4-diferrocenylbutadiyne, is observed, this also having been proven by chemical oxidation.     

Intracrystalline diffusion in metal organic framework during heterogeneous catalysis: influence of particle size on the activity of MIL-100 (Fe) for oxidation reactions

Three MIL-100 (Fe) samples differing in average crystal size (from 60-70 to >400 nm) have been synthesized by microwave heating using three HF/Fe(3+) ratios. Oxidation of diphenylmethane with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) and thiophenol with oxygen are catalyzed by three MIL-100 (Fe) samples with similar reaction rates regardless of its average particle size. In contrast, the activity of the three MIL-100 (Fe) samples for the oxidation of bulky triphenylmethane by TBHP largely depends on the average crystal size of the sample: the smaller the average particle size, the larger the initial reaction rate of triphenylmethane oxidation. These results show that diffusion limitation takes place on MOF catalysis depending on the substrate size and provides indirect evidence that these reactions take place inside the intracrystalline space of the porous catalysts.     

Influence of Ag+ on the Magnetic Response of [2.2.2]Paracyclophane: NMR Properties of a Prototypical Organic Host for Cation Binding Based on DFT Calculations

The complexation of metal cations into a host–guest situation is particularly well exemplified by [2.2.2]paracyclophane and Ag^I, which leads to a strong cation–π interaction with a specific face of the host molecule. Through this study we sought a deeper understanding of the effects the metal center has on the NMR spectroscopic properties of the prototypical organic host, generating theoretical reasons for the observed experimental results with an aim to determine the role of the cation–π interaction in a host–guest scenario. From an analysis of certain components of the induced magnetic field and the ¹³C NMR shielding tensor under its own principal axis system (PAS), the local and overall magnetic behavior can be clearly described. Interestingly, the magnetic response of such a complex exhibits a large axis-dependent behavior, which leads to an overall shielding effect for the coordinating carbon atoms and a deshielding effect for the respective uncoordinated counterparts, evidence that complements previous experimental results. This proposed approach can be useful to gain further insight into the local and overall variation of NMR shifts for host–guest pairs involving both inorganic and organic hosts.     

Theoretical studies of a singlet oxygen-releasing dioxapaddlane (1,4-diicosa naphthalene-1,4-endoperoxide)

Theoretical calculations have been used to examine singlet oxygen release from a naphthalene endoperoxide which bears a flexible (CH₂)₂₂ polymethylene “lid”. Monte Carlo and ONIOM calculations that incorporated semi-empirical and density functional theory predicted the conformational influence of the polymethylene chain in the cycloreversion of dioxapaddlane, 1,4-diicosa naphthalene-1,4-endoperoxide, to ¹O₂ and 1,4-diicosa naphthalene. This study attempts to build a connection between ¹O₂ generation and “jump rope” dynamics of the dioxapaddlane. The polymethylene chain appears to function as a gatekeeper for the oxygen. Instead of coming full circle, a semi-circle rotation of the polymethylene bridge protected the peroxide group, limiting the dissociation of ¹O₂ from the naphthalene site. Dedicated to István Hargittai for his first twenty years at Structural Chemistry.     

Synthesis and photochemical properties of poly(2,5-dimethoxy-p-phenylenevinylene) hosted in the intergallery spaces of montmorillonite

Poly(2,5-dimethoxy-p-phenylenevinylene) (dMeOPPV) has been formed in the intergallery spacing of a montmorillonite by introducing the (2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene)bis(methylene-S-tetrahydrothiophenium) monomer by ion exchange, increasing the basicity of the solid aluminosilicate with Cs(+) and subsequent heating at 200 degrees C. dMeOPPV@montmorillonite was characterized by optical spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, solid-state (13)C NMR, photoluminescence, and chemical analysis. All the data are compatible with that reported in the literature for pure dMeOPPV. The dMeOPPV polymer incorporated inside montmorillonite exhibits a green light emission which makes the organic polymer very attractive for its application in polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). The new polymeric material can be submitted to laser irradiation (laser power, 10 mJ pulse(-1)) under oxygen without decomposition.     

Influence of ligand structure and molecular geometry on the properties of d polypyridinic transition metal complexes

Different strategies to improve the excited state properties of polypyridinic complexes by varying ligand structure and molecular geometry are described. Bidentate and tetradentate ligands based on fragments as dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine, dppz, and pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]-phenanthroline, ppl, have been used. Quinonic residues were fused to these basic units to improve acceptor properties. Photophysical studies were performed in order to test theoretical predictions.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of zeolite-encapsulated TiO2 clusters by complexation with organic additives and N-doping.

In the literature it was found that titanium oxide clusters of a few metal atoms encapsulated inside the micropores of zeolite Y exhibit large blue shifts in the Ti-O ligand-to-metal charge-transfer band as compared to non-encapsulated bulk titanium dioxide particles. This blue shift of the Ti-O absorption band is believed to have a negative effect on the photocatalytic activity of zeolite-encapsulated TiO2. We report here on circumventing this problem and increasing visible-light absorption by means of a red shift of the absorption band caused by addition of some organic molecular modifiers containing acidic OH groups that can strongly bind with titanol groups TiOH. In the studied series of zeolite-encapsulated TiO2 samples, the red shift of the optical spectrum follows the order: catechol > 4-aminobenzoic acid > benzoic acid. Also N-doping of zeolite-encapsulated TiO2 clusters by thermal treatment with urea leads to a red shift of the TiO2 absorption band that depends on the annealing and hydration conditions. By comparison to the degradation of phenol in aqueous solution, we have demonstrated that these changes in the absorption spectrum on addition of the organic modifier are also reflected in the photocatalytic activity of the samples; a greater increase in photocatalytic activity (about 30%) was observed for the additive catechol.