Spectroscopic and calorimetric studies on the mechanism of methylenecyclopropane rearrangements triggered by photoinduced electron transfer

2-(dideuteriomethylene)-1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopropane (d(2)-1) undergoes degenerate rearrangement in both singlet- and triplet-sensitized electron-transfer photoreactions. Nanosecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy on laser flash photolysis of the unlabeled 1 with 9,10-dicyanoanthracene, 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene, or N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate as an electron-accepting photosensitizer gives rise to two transients with lambda(max) at 500 and 350 nm assigned to the dianisyl-substituted largely twisted trimethylenemethane cation radical (6.+) and the corresponding diradical (6..), respectively. These intermediates are also detected, respectively, by steady state and nanosecond time-resolved EPR with chloranil or anthraquinone as a sensitizer. The degenerate rearrangement of d(2)-1 thus proceeds via these two different types of intermediates in a cation radical cleavage-diradical cyclization mechanism. Energetics based on nanosecond time-resolved photoacoustic calorimetry support this mechanism. A comparison of the reactivities and the spectroscopic results of 1, 1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylenespiro[2.2]pentane (2), and 1-cyclopropylidene-2,2-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopropane (3) suggest that the reversible methylenecyclopropane rearrangement between 2 and 3 proceeds via a similar mechanism.     

Structural properties of oligonucleotide monolayers on gold surfaces probed by fluorescence investigations

We present optical investigations on the conformation of oligonucleotide layers on Au surfaces. Our studies concentrate on the effect of varying surface coverage densities on the structural properties of layers of 12- and 24mer single-stranded DNA, tethered to the Au surface at one end while being labeled with a fluorescent marker at the opposing end. The distance-dependent energy transfer from the marker dye to the metal surface, which causes quenching of the observed fluorescence, is used to provide information on the orientation of the DNA strands relative to the surface. Variations in the oligonucleotide coverage density, as determined from electrochemical quantification, over 2 orders of magnitude are achieved by employing different preparation conditions. The observed enhancement in fluorescence intensity with increasing DNA coverage can be related to a model involving mutual steric interactions of oligonucleotides on the surface, as well as fluorescence quenching theory. Finally, the applicability of the presented concepts for investigations of heterogeneous monolayers is demonstrated by means of studying the coadsorption of mercaptohexanol onto DNA-modified Au surfaces.     

Role of electrolytes on charge recombination in dye-sensitized TiO(2) solar cell (1): the case of solar cells using the I(-)/I(3)(-) redox couple

Performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) was investigated depending on the compositions of the electrolyte, i.e., the electrolyte with a different cation such as Li(+), tetra-n-butylammonium (TBA(+)), or 1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium (DMPIm(+)) in various concentrations, with and without 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP), and with various concentrations of the I(-)/I(3)(-) redox couple. Current-voltage characteristics, electron lifetime, and electron diffusion coefficient were measured to clarify the effects of the constituents in the electrolyte on the charge recombination kinetics in the DSCs. Shorter lifetimes were found for the DSCs employing adsorptive cations of Li(+) and DMPIm(+) than for a less-adsorptive cation of TBA(+). On the other hand, the lifetimes were not influenced by the concentrations of the cations in the solutions. Under light irradiation, open-circuit voltages of DSCs decreased in the order of TBA(+)> DMPIm(+) > Li(+), and also decreased with the increase of [Li(+)]. The decreases of open-circuit voltage (V(oc)) were attributed to the positive shift of the TiO(2) conduction band potential (CBP) by the surface adsorption of DMPIm(+) and Li(+). These results suggest that the difference of the free energies between that of the electrons in the TiO(2) and of I(3)(-) has little influence on the electron lifetimes in the DSCs. The shorter lifetime with the adsorptive cations was interpreted with the thickness of the electrical double layer formed by the cations, and the concentration of I(3)(-) in the layer, i.e., TBA(+) formed thicker double layer resulting in lower concentration of I(3)(-) on the surface of the TiO(2). The addition of 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBP) in the presence of Li(+) or TBA(+) showed no significant influence on the lifetime. The increase of V(oc) by the addition of tBP into the electrolyte containing Li(+) and the I(-)/I(3)(-) redox couple was mainly attributed to the shift of the CBP back to the negative potential by reducing the amount of adsorbed Li cations.     

EPR AND TREPR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF ANTIOXIDANT SESAMOLYL AND RELATED PHENOXYL RADICALS

Abstract Sesamolyl and related phenoxyl radicals were studied by conventional and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic techniques. Continuous UV irradiation of sesamol in benzene produces two types of radicals. Based on the hyperfine coupling values obtained we determined that one is the neutral sesamolyl radical and the others are the dimer radicals. Comparison was made with related compounds, especially 3,4-dime-thoxyphenol. We found that the 3,4-dimethoxyphenoxyl radical had a shorter lifetime than the neutral sesamolyl radical. The EPR results obtained suggest that a near perpendicular orientation of the oxygen p -orbitals with respect to the benzene ring of sesamol makes the radical more stable. This stability may be important for the antioxidant properties.     

Stepped light-induced transient measurements of photocurrent and voltage in dye-sensitized solar cells: application for highly viscous electrolyte systems

To measure electron diffusion coefficients (D) and electron lifetimes (tau) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), we introduced stepped light-induced transient measurements of photocurrent and voltage (SLIM-PCV), which can simplify the optical setup and reduce measurement time in comparison to conventional time-of-flight and frequency-modulated measurements. The method was applied to investigate the influence of the viscosity of a thermally stable high-boiling-point solvent on the energy conversion efficiency of DSCs. By systematic study of the influence of the viscosity, the species of cations as the counter charge of I(-)/I(3)(-), and the concentrations of electrolytes, we concluded that a lower dye cation reduction rate due to slower iodine diffusion is a limiting factor for a highly viscous electrolyte system. On the other hand, comparable values of D and increased values of tau were observed in a highly viscous electrolyte. By employing 0.5 M TBAI and 0.05 M I(2) in propylene carbonate, the efficiency of the DSC became comparable to that of a DSC using conventional electrolytes consisting of LiI, imidazolium iodide, and 4-tert-butylpyridine in methoxyacetonitrile. The simultaneous evaluation of D and tau through the appropriately simple measurement realizes fast optimization of the efficient and reliable DSC composed of thermally stable but often viscous electrolytes.     

Dual-wavelength spectrophotometry: Part III. Determination of arsenazo I in arsenazo III

A simple rapid spectrophotometric method for the determination of arsenazo I in the presence of large amounts or arsenazo III by means or a dual-wavelength method is discussed. By proper selection of the combination of two wavelengths, γ1 = 502.0 nm and γ2 = 575.3 nm, arsenazo III can be masked instrumentally even when its concentration varies. By this method about 0.5– 40%of arsenazo I in arscnazo III can be determined very easily and accurately.     

Rearrangement of a 2-methylenecyclobutanone derivative triggered by photoinduced electron transfer: an unprecedented oxa analogue of the tetramethyleneethane radical cation

On irradiation of p-chloranil (CA), 2,2-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-3,3-dimethyl-4-methylenecyclobutanone (1) gives 2,2-bis(p-methoxyphenyl)-4-isopropylidenecyclobutanone (2), whereas 2 affords a CA adduct (4), suggesting that a novel rearrangement of 1 to give 2 occurs irreversibly via intermediate 3*+, a radical cation variant of an unprecedented oxa analogue of tetramethyleneethane.     

Use of shift reagent with diastereomeric MTPA esters for determination of configuration and enantiomeric purity of secondary carbinols in 1H NMR spectroscopy

The relative magnitude of the lanthanide induced shift(LIS)_by Eu(fod)₃ for ¹H NMR spectra of the OMe group of diastereomeric (R)-(+)-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetate esters [(R)-(+)-α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetate esters [(R)-(+)-MTPA esters (3)] of thirty-two secondary carbinols have been measured. There is a regularity in the relative magnitudes of the LIS values of the OMe signals of the alternate diastereomers which can be correlated with their absolute configurations. This constitutes a versatile method for assigning absolute configurations to secondary carbinols. Furthermore, the relative intensity of the OMe signals can be used for determination of the composition of these diastereomeric MTPA esters and thus the enantiomeric carbinols from which they are quantitatively prepared. These studies extend the usefulness of MTPA derivatives in stereochemical studies.     

Spectrophotometric determination of uranium with 1-[(5-Methyl-2-pyridyl)azo]-2-naphthol

Summary Uranium(VI) reacts with 1-[(5-methyl-2-pyridyl)azo]-2-naphthol (5-Me--PAN) in aqueous solution. The complex can be extracted with chloroform at pH 7.0–11.5 to give a red solution with an absorbance peak at 560 nm. The color is stable and the system conforms to Beer's law at the range of 1.5–8 ppm uranium in chloroform layer. Common anions and cations do not interfere. Large amounts of interfering cations can be masked by potassium cyanide, EDTA or triethanolamine. The proposed method is a selective procedure for the determination of uranium. The molar absorptivity in the chloroform extract is 2.1×10⁴ l mole^–1 cm^–1 at 560 nm.

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Zusammenfassung Uran(VI) reagiert mit 1-[(5-Methyl-2-pyridyl)azo]-2-naphthol(5-Me--PAN) in wäßriger Lösung unter Bildung einer mit Chloroform bei pH 7,0–11,5 extrahierbaren, roten Komplexverbindung mit einem Absorptionsmaximum bei 560 nm. Die Färbung ist beständig und folgt dem Beerschen Gesetz zwischen 1,5 und 8 ppm Uran. Die üblichen Ionen stören nicht. Große Mengen störender Kationen können mit Kaliumcyanid, ÄDTA oder Triäthanolamin maskiert werden. Die vorgeschlagene Methode ist für die Uranbestimmung selektiv. Die molare Extinktion des Chloroformextraktes beträgt 2,1×10⁴ l·Mol·^–1 cm^–1 bei 560 nm.

     

Radical copolymerization behavior of a highly fluorinated cyclic olefin with vinyl ether

The copolymerization of a highly fluorinated cyclic monomer, octafluorocyclopentene (OFCPE, M₁), with ethyl vinyl ether (EVE, M₂) was investigated with a radical initiator in bulk. Despite the poor homopolymerizability of each monomer, the copolymerization proceeded successfully, and the molecular weights of the copolymers reached up to more than 10,000. Incorporation of the OFCPE units into the copolymer led to an increase in the glass‐transition point. The copolymer composition was determined from ¹H NMR spectra and elemental analysis data. The molar fraction of the OFCPE unit in the copolymer increased and approached but did not exceed 0.5. The monomer reactivity ratios were estimated by the Yamada–Itahashi–Otsu nonlinear least‐squares procedure as r_1,OFCPE = ?0.008 ± 0.010 and r_2,EVE = 0.192 ± 0.015. The reactivity ratios clearly suggest that the copolymerization proceeds alternatively in the case of an excessive feed of OFCPE. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1151–1156, 2002