Ligand-exchange dependent properties of hybrid nanocomposites based on luminescent colloidal CdSe nanocrystals in P3HT matrix

In this work, a suitable ligand-exchange process has been proposed which elucidates the possibility to modulate charge/energy transfer rate between polymer and semiconductor quantum dots. The photoluminescence studies of CdSe emission as well as transient absorption measurements confirm mainly electron transfer for P3HT:CdSe (TOPO) and electron/energy transfer for P3HT:CdSe (OA) nanocomposites, respectively. The dominance of charge transfer for P3HT:CdSe (TOPO) as compared to P3HT:CdSe (OA) nanocomposites can be attributed to complete and partial removal of the surface ligands (TOPO, OA) upon ligand exchange with pyridine as elucidated from FTIR results. The various characterization techniques viz. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman, photoluminescence (PL), optical and transient absorption (UV-Vis and TA) spectroscopies used in this work provide an insight into the charge separation, charge accumulation and/or trapping of charge carriers for the better understanding of hybrid organic-inorganic photovoltaics. Composites of CdSe (OA) quantum dots in particular with P3HT polymer owing to its higher crystallinity and ordered morphology provide a new and promising direction toward developing effective light energy harvesting strategies in organic photovoltaics.     

One‐Pot Cannizzaro Cascade Synthesis of ortho‐Fused Cycloocta‐2,5‐dien‐1‐ones from 2‐Bromo(hetero)aryl Aldehydes

An intramolecular Cannizzaro‐type hydride transfer to an in situ prepared allene enables the synthesis of ortho‐fused 4‐substituted cycloocta‐2,5‐dien‐1‐ones with unprecedented technical ease for an eight‐ring carboannulation. Various derivatives could be obtained from commercially available (hetero)aryl aldehydes, trimethylsilylacetylene, and simple propargyl chlorides in good yields.     

A Photochemical/Thermal Switch Based on 4,4′-Bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene: Synthesis and Supramolecular Properties.

Stilbene derivatives are well-recognised substructures of molecular switches based on photochemically and/or thermally induced (E)/(Z) isomerisation. We combined a stilbene motif with two benzimidazolium arms to prepare new sorts of supramolecular building blocks and examined their binding properties towards cucurbit[n]urils (n=7, 8) and cyclodextrins (β-CD, γ-CD) in water. Based on the ¹H NMR data and molecular dynamics simulations, we found that two distinct complexes with different stoichiometry, i. e., guest@β-CD and guest@β-CD₂, coexist in equilibrium in a water solution of the (Z)-stilbene-based guests. We also demonstrated that the bis(benzimidazolio)stilbene guests can be transformed from the (E) into the (Z) form via UV irradiation and back via thermal treatment in DMSO.     

NHC-Pd complex heterogenized on graphene oxide for cross-coupling reactions and supercapacitor applications

N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-palladium(II) complex (GO@NHC-Pd) was synthesized on graphene oxide (GO) support via a simple and cost-effective multistep approach. The spectroscopic, microscopic, thermal, and surface analyses of GO@NHC-Pd confirmed the successful formation of the catalyst. The investigation of catalytic activity showed that GO@NHC-Pd was very effective in Suzuki–Miyaura as well as Hiyama cross-coupling. Being heterogeneous in nature, GO@NHC-Pd was recovered after each reaction cycle easily and reused for up to nine and six cycles in Suzuki–Miyaura and Hiyama cross-coupling, respectively, without significant loss of activity. Further exploration of the supercapacitor performance of GO@NHC-Pd catalyst assembled in a two-electrode cell configuration shown a maximum attained capacitance of 105.26 F/g at a current density of 0.1 A/g with good cycling stability of 96.89% over 2,500 cycles.     

Reaction of N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine over zeolite and chromite catalysts

N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylenediamine reaction was observed over zeolite catalysts giving rise to only dehydrocyclization and over chromite catalysts showing dehydrocyclization together with dehydrogenation. The major product changes from the cyclized compound piperazine to pyrazine when the reactant is switched from zeolite to chromite catalyst. This process stands as a model reaction for characterizing lone acid sites and adjacent acid-base sites over zeolite and chromite catalysts, respectively.IICT Communication No. 3175     

Synthesis of calix[4]arene(amido)monocrowns and their photoresponsive derivatives

A series of new calix[4]arene(amido)mono-crown compounds have been synthesized through aminolysis of calix[4]arene esters and intramolecular cyclization of the intermediates. The title compounds were converted into their nitro and azo substituted derivatives to provide novel photoresponsive molecular receptors for transition metal ions. Single crystal X-ray analysis of calix[4]arene(ethyleneamido)mono-crown (2a) revealed that the compound is present in a cone conformation with an amido loop that caps the lower rim of calix[4]arene cavity to result in stacking along axis a and axis c to provide supramolecular aggregates in the solid state. Evaluation of synthesized macrocycles in the solution phase for recognition of transition metal cations (Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg⁺, Hg²⁺, Pd²⁺, and Pt²⁺) by UV-visible spectroscopy revealed that p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene mono-(amidocrown) 1c selectively shows a blue shift at 38 nm on interaction with Hg⁺ ions.     

Excellent diastereoselective allylation of camphor derived glyoxylic oxime ethers mediated by a Lewis acid

The nucleophilic allylation of camphor derived glyoxylic oxime ethers was carried out using allyltributyltin in the presence of Sn(OTf)₂ affording the corresponding homoallylic amines in high chemical yields (up to 94%) and excellent stereoselectivities (up to >99%).     

An efficient two-step synthesis of 3-allylindoles

A two-step synthetic sequence for an efficient synthesis of 3-allylindoles is described.