A new fluoride selective fluorescent as well as chromogenic chemosensor containing a naphthalene urea derivative

A new naphthalene derivative containing a urea group at the 1,8-position of naphthalene was synthesized and showed a unique absorption and fluorescence peak with a fluoride ion. Calculations suggested that a new peak was attributed to the increased anion character of urea nitrogen due to the strong interaction of the fluoride and N-H protons.     

New fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer chemosensor for the recognition of H2PO4-

[structure: see text] The fluorescent chemosensor 1 bearing two imidazolium groups at the 1,8-position of anthracene has been designed for the recognition of anions through the (C-H)(+)- - -X(-) hydrogen bond formation. As unique tweezer-like binding of 1 with anions is predicted by the ab initio calculations, strong anion-binding properties of chemosensor 1 are demonstrated by using fluorescence as well as (1)H NMR.     

Immobilization ofAzacrown Ligand onto a Fluorophore

Geometric immobilization of azacrown ligand onto a fluorophore is expected to change their binding properties toward ion discrimination. An immobilized azacrown ligand 1 onto anthracene fluorophore senses Al(III), Cu(II) and Ga(III) in ethanol among the metal ions examined. In 100% aqueous solution, ligand 1 shows large CHEF effects with Al(III) and Ga(III) and large CHEQ effect with Hg(II). By comparison, non-immobilized azacrown ligand 2 showed large CHEF effects with Al(III), Ce(III), Ga(III), La(III) and Zn(II) in ethanol.     

Recognition of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate using a fluorescent imidazolium receptor

The first example of an imidazolium-based fluorescent receptor for D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) is reported in this study. The fluorescent receptor 1 bearing four imidazolium and pyrene groups displayed a large fluorescent quenching effect with myo-IP(3) compared to fluorescent changes with various IP series, pyrophosphate, and ATP.     

Anthracene derivatives bearing two urea groups as fluorescent receptors for anions

For the recognition and sensing of anionic analytes, comparative studies were carried out on the anion bindings of pyrophosphate, H₂PO₄⁻, and dicarboxylates to the anthracene derivatives bearing two urea groups on the 1,8 and 9,10-positions as fluorescent chemosensors for anions. Their binding properties were compared using fluorescence and ¹H NMR, and the results were rationalized with an ab initio study.     

ESIPT-Inspired Dual-Mode Photoswitches with Fast Molecular Isomerization in the Solid State

Photoswitchable materials have attracted considerable attention in various fields. Developing excellent solid-state dual-mode photoswitches is an important but challenging task. Herein, we propose a new strategy to construct an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) inspired photoswitch ( DiAH-pht ) that possesses aggregation-induced emission (AIE) features and displays a fast molecular isomerization process characterized by dual-mode behavior in the solid state. Mechanistic studies indicate that introduction of a bulky group can create a folded molecular conformation that provides adequate volume to facilitate photoisomerization and the enhanced ESIPT effect can boost the isomerization process. The feasibility of our strategy was further demonstrated by the activated photoisomerization performance of the Schiff base derivatives. Furthermore, DiAH-pht shows good performance in the fields of dual-mode information encryption and high-density data storage.     

Ternary MIn2S4 (M = Mn,Fe, Co,Ni) Thiospinels – Crystal Structure and Thermoelectric Properties

A combined structural, magnetic and thermoelectric study of polycrystalline ternary MIn₂S₄ (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) thiospinels is presented. All compounds crystallize with MgAl₂O₄-type structure. Rietveld refinement analysis confirmed that the preferred crystallographic position of transition metal element changes from mainly tetrahedral 8a for Mn to exclusively octahedral 16d for Ni (i.e. increase of the inversion parameter). Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed M-elements to possess 2+ oxidation state in MIn₂S₄. All these compounds order antiferromagnetically with Néel temperatures T_N ranging from 5–13 K. The studied thiospinels are n-type semiconductors with large values of electrical resistivity ρ > 0.6 Ω · m at room temperature. An increase of the inversion parameter leads to a reduction of the determined activation energies, as well as to a more disorder-like behavior of thermal conductivity. The highest thermoelectric Figure of merit ZT was observed for MIn₂S₄ with M = Fe, Ni, which adopt inverse spinel structure.     

A PCT-based, pyrene-armed calix[4]crown fluoroionophore

A photoinduced charge transfer (PCT)-based 1,3-alternate calix[4]crown fluoroionophore containing two cation recognition sites, a crown ether ring and two facing pyreneamide groups, is synthesized. Upon addition of K+, Pb2+, or Cu2+, wavelength changes are observed in both the fluorescence and absorption spectra, but with different binding modes. With K+, fluorescence emissions of the ligand scarcely change, while addition of Pb2+ or Cu2+ produces a remarkable change in both the excimer and monomer emissions. The observed data indicate that the metal cation is encapsulated in the crown-5 ring for K+ and by the two facing amide groups in the latter case, which is verified by a metal ion exchange experiment. The wavelength shifts in both fluorescence and absorption spectra upon addition of Cu2+ show that, in contrast to Pb2+, Cu2+ interacts with the nitrogen atoms of the amide groups, resulting in a PCT mechanism.     

Molecularly Tailored Lithium–Arene Complex Enables Chemical Prelithiation of High‐Capacity Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes

Prelithiation is of great interest to Li‐ion battery manufacturers as a strategy for compensating for the loss of active Li during initial cycling of a battery, which would otherwise degrade its available energy density. Solution‐based chemical prelithiation using a reductive chemical promises unparalleled reaction homogeneity and simplicity. However, the chemicals applied so far cannot dope active Li in Si‐based high‐capacity anodes but merely form solid–electrolyte interphases, leading to only partial mitigation of the cycle irreversibility. Herein, we show that a molecularly engineered Li–arene complex with a sufficiently low redox potential drives active Li accommodation in Si‐based anodes to provide an ideal Li content in a full cell. Fine control over the prelithiation degree and spatial uniformity of active Li throughout the electrodes are achieved by managing time and temperature during immersion, promising both fidelity and low cost of the process for large‐scale integration.