Use of the Bell–Evans–Polanyi Principle to predict regioselectivity of nucleophilic aromatic photosubstitution reactions

Regioselectivity of nucleophilic aromatic photosubstitution has been shown experimentally to depend upon activation energies of the competing transition states. Computational means of determining relative activation energies were sought, therefore, in order to predict regioselectivity. Optimization of the three triplet transition states of 2-chloro-4-nitroanisole with hydroxide ion gave energies of insufficient accuracy to predict regioselectivity. Computed enthalpy changes from the first triplet transition state to the triplet σ-complexes correlated precisely with the experimental activation energies. This exemplifies the Bell–Evans–Polanyi Principle, and it provides an accurate means of assessing regioselectivity.     

CONTROLLING THE 3D NANOSCALE ORGANIZATION OF BULK HETEROJUNCTION POLYMER SOLAR CELLS

In this study,the three dimensional nanoscale organization in the photoactive layers of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and a methanofullerene derivative (PCBM) is revealed by transmission electron tomography.After annealing treatment,either at elevated temperature or during slow solvent evaporation,nanoscale interpenetrating networks are formed with high crystalline order and favorable concentration gradients of both components through the thickness of the photoactive layer.Such a tailored morphology acco...     

Photochemical Smiles rearrangement and Meisenheimer complex formation catalyzed by hydroxide ion via electron hole transfer catalysis

[reactions: see text] Photochemical para-to-nitro Smiles rearrangement and para-to-nitro Meisenheimer complex formation occurs for nitrophenoxyethylamines with high concentrations of hydroxide ion in aqueous solution. Both photoreactions show first-order dependence on hydroxide ion concentration, but the mechanism involving hydroxide ion does not involve acid-base catalysis. The reactions take place from the triplet excited states of the nitrophenyl ethers. Analysis of quantum yields and kinetics is consistent with an electron hole transfer catalysis mechanism.     

Photoreaction of nitrobenzenes with hydrobromic acid

Nitrobenzene and three of its derivatives (3-CO₂H, 3-OH, and 4-OH) react efficiently when irradiated (λ >340 nm) in concentrated hydrobromic acid typically to give high yields of 2,4,6-tribromoanilines. The quantum yield (Φ = 0.16 for nitrobenzene) is not changed appreciably by the electron withdrawing carboxy substituent, but is lowered by the electron donating hydroxy substituent. The reactivity suggests that electron transfer from bromide ion to the n,π* triplet is the primary process.     

The element effect in nucleophilic aromatic photosubstitution (SN2Ar*)

Photoreactions of 4-nitroanisole and the 2-halo-4-nitroanisoles (halogen = F, Cl, Br, I) with NaCN have been investigated. 4-Nitroanisole gave a novel, stable nitronate ion adduct (74%) with cyanide. For the five compounds, we report product distributions, Stern-Volmer kinetic plots, triplet lifetimes, and triplet yields, which afford rate constants for attack by the cyanide ion. Cyanide attack on the fluoride is diffusion controlled; the relative rates for attack at F, Cl, Br, and I are 27:2:2:1, respectively.     

The element effect and nucleophilicity in nucleophilic aromatic photosubstitution (SN2Ar*). Local atom effects as mechanistic probes of very fast reactions

Photoreactions of 4-nitroanisole and the 2-halo-4-nitroanisoles (halogen = F, Cl, Br, and I) with the nucleophiles hydroxide ion and pyridine have been investigated quantitatively to extend the findings recently communicated for cyanide ion. The halonitroanisoles on excitation form triplet pi,pi* states, which undergo substitution of the halogen by nucleophiles. Chemical yields of photoproducts, Stern-Volmer kinetic plots, triplet lifetimes, and triplet yields are reported for the five compounds with the three nucleophiles. Following a standard kinetic treatment, 73 rate constants are determined for elementary reactions of the triplets including quenching and various nucleophilic addition processes. The photoadditions are roughly 14 orders of magnitude faster than thermal counterparts. Rate constants for attack at the fluorine-bearing carbon of triplet 2-fluoro-4-nitroanisole are 2.9 x 10(9), 1.3 x 10(9), and 6.3 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) for cyanide ion, hydroxide ion, and pyridine, respectively. The relative rates for attack at the halogen-bearing carbons for F/Cl/Br/I are 27:1.9:1.9:1 (cyanide ion), 29:2.6:2.4:1 (hydroxide ion), and 39:3.9:3.5:1 (pyridine), respectively. The relative nucleophilicities vary somewhat with the attack site; they are about 5:2:1 for cyanide ion, hydroxide ion, and pyridine for attack at the halogen-bearing carbons. The trend of the element effect opposes that of aliphatic substitution and elimination but is similar in size and parallel to that of thermal nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Relative nucleophilicities in the photoreactions are also similar to those of comparable but vastly slower thermal reactions. The findings imply that the efficiency-determining step of the halogen photosubstitution is simple formation of a sigma-complex through electron-paired bonding within the triplet manifold.     

New nitronate sigma complexes and the mechanism of nucleophilic aromatic photosubstitution para to a nitro group

[reaction: see text] Photolysis of 4-nitroanisole with aliphatic amines gives mainly N-substituted 4-nitroanilines. Reactions of this type have been widely attributed to a geminate radical mechanism. We questioned this interpretation and have searched for and found by NMR spectroscopy a new class of stable nitronate adducts generated under the reaction conditions. The adducts imply that photosubstitution by amines para to the nitro group occurs by meta sigma complex formation followed by an unprecedented sigmatropic rearrangement.