Dimer Radical Cation Research Articles

Linear Four-Chalcogen Interactions in Radical Cationic and Dicationic Dimers of 1,5-(Dichalcogena)canes: Nature of the Interactions Elucidated by QTAIM Dual Functional Analysis with QC Calculations.

The dynamic and static nature of extended hypervalent interactions of the BE···AE···AE···BE type are elucidated for four center-seven electron interactions (4c-7e) in the radical cationic dimers (1·+) and 4c-6e in the dicationic dimers (12+) of 1,5-(dichalcogena)canes (2: AE(CH2CH2CH2)2BE: AE, BE = S, Se, Te, and O). The quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules dual functional analysis (QTAIM-DFA) is applied for the analysis. Total electron energy densities Hb(rc) are plotted versus Hb(rc) - Vb(rc)/2 [= (ℏ2/8m)∇2ρb(rc)] at bond critical points (BCPs) of the interactions, where Vb(rc) values show potential energy densities at BCPs. Data from the fully optimized structures correspond to the static nature of the interactions. Those from the perturbed structures around the fully optimized ones are also plotted, in addition to those of the fully optimized ones, which represent the dynamic nature of interactions. The BE···AE-AE···BE interactions in 12+ are stronger than the corresponding ones in 1·+, respectively. On the one hand, for 12+ with AE, BE = S, Se, and Te, AE···AE are all classified by the shared shell interactions and predicted to have the weak covalent nature, except for those in 1a2+ (AE = BE = S) and 1d2+ (AE = BE = Se), which have the nature of regular closed shell (r-CS)/trigonal bipyramidal adduct formation through charge transfer (CT-TBP). On the other hand, AE···BE are predicted to have the nature of r-CS/molecular complex formation through charge transfer for 1a2+, 1b2+ (AE = Se; BE = S), and 1d2+ or r-CS/CT-TBP for 1c2+ (AE = Te; BE = S), 1e2+ (AE = Te; BE = Se), and 1f2+ (AE = BE = Te). The BE···AE-AE···BE interactions in 1·+ and 12+ are well-analyzed by applying QTAIM-DFA.

Well‐defined polymers containing high density of pendant viologen groups

ABSTRACTAtom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a viologen‐containing methacrylate, 1‐propyl‐1′‐[2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]‐4,4′‐bipyridinium dihexafluorophosphate, is reported. To achieve good polymerization control, it was essential to use the viologen‐based monomer with a hexafluorophosphate instead of halide counterion, and 2,2′‐bipyridine as the ligand for the Cu‐based ATRP catalyst. The solubility of produced cationic polymers could be tuned by anion metathesis: the polymers with hexafluorophosphate counterions were soluble in organic solvents (e.g., acetone, DMF), and those with chloride counterions were water‐soluble. In aqueous solutions, the polymers (chloride salts) formed large aggregates, the sizes of which ranged from about 200 to about 400 nm (based on dynamic light scattering measurements) depending on the molecular weight. Upon addition of electrolytes (e.g., NaCl), the aggregates underwent dissociation. The apparent diffusion coefficients of the aggregates existing in aqueous solutions and the products of their electrolyte‐induced dissociation were measured by diffusion‐ordered NMR spectroscopy. The association–dissociation processes were also studied by fluorescence spectroscopy: the aqueous polymer solutions, which were originally fluorescent (λem = 402 nm at λex = 350 nm), lost their fluorescence in the presence of NaCl. The addition of small amounts of the viologen‐containing polyelectrolytes to solutions of inorganic salts (NaCl) altered the crystal morphology of the salts due to interaction of the multiple charged pendant groups with small ions. In the presence of reducing agents, the pendant viologen groups were converted to viologen radical‐cations, which are prone to dimerize reversibly in aqueous solutions. Indeed, marked dimerization of viologen radical cations (with absorbance maxima at 520 and 870 nm) was observed in relatively dilute aqueous solutions (4 mg mL−1) upon addition of reducing agents (hydrazine). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 55, 1173–1182

Density-fitted open-shell symmetry-adapted perturbation theory and application to π-stacking in benzene dimer cation and ionized DNA base pair steps.

Symmetry-Adapted Perturbation Theory (SAPT) is one of the most popular approaches to energy component analysis of non-covalent interactions between closed-shell systems, yielding both accurate interaction energies and meaningful interaction energy components. In recent years, the full open-shell equations for SAPT up to second-order in the intermolecular interaction and zeroth-order in the intramolecular correlation (SAPT0) were published [P. S. Zuchowski et al., J. Chem. Phys. 129, 084101 (2008); M. Hapka et al., ibid. 137, 164104 (2012)]. Here, we utilize density-fitted electron repulsion integrals to produce an efficient computational implementation. This approach is used to examine the effect of ionization on π-π interactions. For the benzene dimer radical cation, comparison against reference values indicates a good performance for open-shell SAPT0, except in cases with substantial charge transfer. For π stacking between hydrogen-bonded pairs of nucleobases, dispersion interactions still dominate binding, in spite of the creation of a positive charge.

Synthesis of NBN-Type Zigzag-Edged Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: 1,9-Diaza-9a-boraphenalene as a Structural Motif.

A novel class of dibenzo-fused 1,9-diaza-9a-boraphenalenes featuring zigzag edges with a nitrogen-boron-nitrogen bonding pattern named NBN-dibenzophenalenes (NBN-DBPs) has been synthesized. Alternating nitrogen and boron atoms impart high chemical stability to these zigzag-edged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and this motif even allows for postsynthetic modifications, as demonstrated here through electrophilic bromination and subsequent palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Upon oxidation, as a typical example, NBN-DBP 5a was nearly quantitatively converted to σ-dimer 5a-2 through an open-shell intermediate, as indicated by UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy corroborated by spectroscopic calculations, as well as 2D NMR spectra analyses. In situ spectroelectrochemistry was used to confirm the formation process of the dimer radical cation 5a-2(•+). Finally, the developed new synthetic strategy could also be applied to obtain π-extended NBN-dibenzoheptazethrene (NBN-DBHZ), representing an efficient pathway toward NBN-doped zigzag-edged graphene nanoribbons.

First Experimental Evidence for the Diverse Requirements of Excimer vs Hole Stabilization in π-Stacked Assemblies

Exciton formation and charge separation and transport are key dynamical events in a variety of functional polymeric materials and biological systems, including DNA. Beyond the necessary cofacial approach of a pair of aromatic molecules at van der Waals contact, the extent of overlap and necessary geometrical reorganization for optimal stabilization of an excimer vs dimer cation radical remain unresolved. Here, we compare experimentally the dynamics of excimer formation (via emission) and charge stabilization (via threshold ionization) of a novel covalently linked, cofacially stacked fluorene dimer (F2) with the unlinked van der Waals dimer of fluorene, that is, (F)2. Although the measured ionization potentials are identical, the excimeric state is stabilized by up to ∼30 kJ/mol in covalently linked F2. Supported by theory, this work demonstrates for the first time experimentally that optimal stabilization of an excimer requires a perfect sandwich-like geometry with maximal overlap, whereas hole stabilization in π-stacked aggregates is less geometrically restrictive.

Effect of Molecular Interactions on Electron-Transfer and Antioxidant Activity of Bis(alkanol)selenides: A Radiation Chemical Study.

Understanding electron-transfer processes is crucial for developing organoselenium compounds as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. To find new redox-active selenium antioxidants, we have investigated one-electron-transfer reactions between hydroxyl ((.) OH) radical and three bis(alkanol)selenides (SeROH) of varying alkyl chain length, using nanosecond pulse radiolysis. (.) OH radical reacts with SeROH to form radical adduct, which is converted primarily into a dimer radical cation (>Se∴Se<)(+) and α-{bis(hydroxyl alkyl)}-selenomethine radical along with a minor quantity of an intramolecularly stabilized radical cation. Some of these radicals have been subsequently converted to their corresponding selenoxide, and formaldehyde. Estimated yield of these products showed alkyl chain length dependency and correlated well with their antioxidant ability. Quantum chemical calculations suggested that compounds that formed more stable (>Se∴Se<)(+) , produced higher selenoxide and lower formaldehyde. Comparing these results with those for sulfur analogues confirmed for the first time the distinctive role of selenium in making such compounds better antioxidants.

Pleated polymeric foldamers driven by donor–acceptor interaction and conjugated radical cation dimerization

Abstract Two naphthalene (NP) and bipyridinium (BIPY 2+ ) alternately incorporated polymers P1 and P2 have been prepared through the formation of dynamic hydrazone bonds. The polymers formed NP–BIPY 2+ donor–acceptor interaction-induced pleated secondary structure. Upon reducing the BIPY 2+ units to radical cation BIPY + , intramolecular dimerization of the BIPY + units induced the backbones to afford another pleated secondary structure. Adding electron-rich macrocyclic polyether bis-1,5-dinaphtho[38]crown-10 or electron-deficient cyclobis(paraquat- p -phenylene) cyclophane did not break the first foldamer by complexing the BIPY 2+ or NP units of the polymers, whereas the di(radical cationic) ring of the second cyclophane could break the second foldamer by forming threading complexes with the BIPY + units of the polymers.

Aromatic Molecular Dimer on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

In this study, we focus on the sidewall of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) as a unique platform to probe ‘the smallest molecular assembly’ (dimers), which can be fully characterized microscopically, spectroscopically, and theoretically [1]. Theoretical calculations predicted that reactions of SWNT with aryl radicals lead to the single bond formation between the attached aryl radicals and the SWNT sidewall [2], although no experimental evidence is available regarding the binding mode. Then, carbon atoms near the binding site are activated, resulting in the preferential addition of of the next aryl radical at the nearby carbon atoms. On the basis of this hypothesis, we successfully synthesized the dimeric structure of a model π-aromatic compound, pyrene, on SWNT and the monomeric structure for comparison. Scheme 1 presents the synthetic strategy for the selective preparation of paired and unpaired pyrenes on the sidewall of SWNT. The paired pyrenes were attached to purified SWNTs (p-SWNT) using a one-step method, that is, the direct addition of 4-(1-pyrenyl)phenyl (PP) radicals onto the SWNT sidewall (Py-1-SWNT). In addition, unpaired pyrenes on SWNT sidewalls were also synthesized selectively using a two-step method, that is, a Suzuki coupling reaction between a pre-prepared iodophenyl-functionalized SWNT (PhI-SWNT) and a pyrene boronic ester (Py-2-SWNT). The dimeric and monomeric natures of the structures located on the SWNT sidewalls in Py-1-SWNT and Py-2-SWNT, respectively, were substantiated using UV–vis absorption measurements. The Py-2-SWNT spectrum exhibited only a pyrene π-π* band at 350 nm and a broad structureless absorption band extending to the near-infrared region corresponding to the SWNT. On the other hand, the Py-1-SWNT spectrum revealed an additional distinct band at 450 nm with an intensity comparable to that of a pyrene π-π* band, which is due to the existence of a dimeric interaction between the pyrene rings in Py-1-SWNT. More importantly, we have successfully visualized for the first time the linking of small polycyclic planar molecules onto the outside of nanocarbon scaffolds at a single-molecule level using the HR-TEM technique (Figure 1a,b). The stability of the pyrene stacking and unpaired pyrene was corroborated by analyzing sequential HR-TEM images; the dimeric pyrenes did not separate or vanish even though the SWNT scaffold vibrated due to the electron-beam energy used (60 kV). In addition, on the basis of the structures observed in the HR-TEM, we performed density functional thoeory (DFT) (Figure 1c-f) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations to obtain the dimer structure, relative energy attached to the SWNT sidewall, and excitation energy, which are well consistent with experimental results. Furthermore, pump-probe transient absorption (TA) measurements allowed us to elucidate the interaction of the pyrene dimer in the excited state. Py-2-SWNT exhibited nearly identical TA spectrum compared to that of PhI-SWNT, that is, the sole occurrence of energy transfer from the pyrene excited state to the SWNT, followed by the decay of the SWNT excited state to the ground state. In contrast, the TA spectrum of Py-1-SWNT showed the occurrence of electron transfer from the excited state of the pyrene dimer to the SWNT, which was complimented with spectroelectrochemical measurements. Notably, this difference in the TA spectra of Py-1-SWNT and Py-2-SWNT results from the π-π interaction between the pyrenes, which also affects the oxidation potential of the pyrene dimer to become lower than that of the pyrene monomer, making it possible to form the charge-separated state consisting of pyrene dimer radical cation and SWNT radical anion.

Synthesis of the iron phthalocyaninate radical cation μ-nitrido dimer and its interaction with hydrogen peroxide

The iron phthalocyaninate μ-nitrido dimer radical cation, as well as the μ-nitrido dimer complexes of iron phthalocyaninate, was found to have high catalytic activity in the oxidation of organic compounds. It was concluded that this compound is of interest as a model of active intermediates—catalase and oxidase enzymes.

Charge transfer reactions from tryptophan and tyrosine to sulfur-centered dimer radical cation in aqueous -sulfuric acid medium: a pulse radiolysis study

Charge transfer reactions from tryptophan and tyrosine to sulfur-centered dimer radical cation in aqueous -sulfuric acid medium: a pulse radiolysis study

Dual-Mode Controlled Self-Assembly of TiO2 Nanoparticles Through a Cucurbit[8]uril-Enhanced Radical Cation Dimerization Interaction.

The realization of controllable multicomponent self-assembly through reversible supramolecular interactions is a challenging goal, and is an important strategy for the fabrication of switchable nanomaterials. Herein we show that the self-assembly of TiO2 nanoparticles (NP) functionalized with methyl viologen can be controlled both by light irradiation and chemical reduction through cucurbit[8]uril-enhanced radical cation dimerization interactions. Moreover, the controlled assembly and disassembly of this system are accompanied by switchable photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 NPs, which shows potential application as a novel smart and recyclable photocatalyst.

Dual‐Mode Controlled Self‐Assembly of TiO2 Nanoparticles Through a Cucurbit[8]uril‐Enhanced Radical Cation Dimerization Interaction

AbstractThe realization of controllable multicomponent self‐assembly through reversible supramolecular interactions is a challenging goal, and is an important strategy for the fabrication of switchable nanomaterials. Herein we show that the self‐assembly of TiO2 nanoparticles (NP) functionalized with methyl viologen can be controlled both by light irradiation and chemical reduction through cucurbit[8]uril‐enhanced radical cation dimerization interactions. Moreover, the controlled assembly and disassembly of this system are accompanied by switchable photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 NPs, which shows potential application as a novel smart and recyclable photocatalyst.

ChemInform Abstract: Conjugated Radical Cation Dimerization‐Driven Generation of Supramolecular Architectures

AbstractReview: [32 refs.

Photoinduced One-Electron Oxidation of Benzyl Methyl Sulfides in Acetonitrile: Time-Resolved Spectroscopic Evidence for a Thionium Ion Intermediate.

The photo-oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl methyl sulfide (1a), benzyl methyl sulfide (1b), and 4-cyanobenzyl methyl sulfide (1c) has been investigated in the presence of N-methoxy phenanthridinium hexafluorophosphate (MeOP(+)PF6(-)) under nitrogen in CH3CN. The steady-state photolysis experiments showed for the investigated sulfides exclusively the formation of the corresponding benzaldehyde as the oxidation product, reasonably due to a deprotonation of the sulfide radical cations. Photo-oxidation of 1a-1c occurs through an electron transfer process. Indeed, laser flash photolysis measurements showed an efficient formation of sulfide radical cations, detected in their dimeric form [(4-X-C6H4CH2SCH3)2(+•)] at ≈520 nm. At longer delay times, the absorption of the dimer radical cation was replaced by an absorption band assigned to the (α-thio)benzyl cation (thionium ion, λmax = 420-400 nm), formed by oxidation of the benzyl radical and not by that of the (α-thiomethyl)benzyl radical, as expected if a Cα-H bond cleavage is operative. This finding highlights a particular stability of this kind of cation never reported before, even though its involvement in one-electron oxidation mechanisms of various sulfides has already been invoked. Density functional theory calculations allowed identification of a significant charge and spin delocalization involving both the phenyl ring and the sulfur atom of the radical cations.

Communication: Ion mobility of the radical cation dimers: (Naphthalene)2(+•) and naphthalene(+•)-benzene: Evidence for stacked sandwich and T-shape structures.

Dimer radical cations of aromatic and polycyclic aromatic molecules are good model systems for a fundamental understanding of photoconductivity and ferromagnetism in organic materials which depend on the degree of charge delocalization. The structures of the dimer radical cations are difficult to determine theoretically since the potential energy surface is often very flat with multiple shallow minima representing two major classes of isomers adopting the stacked parallel or the T-shape structure. We present experimental results, based on mass-selected ion mobility measurements, on the gas phase structures of the naphthalene(+⋅) ⋅ naphthalene homodimer and the naphthalene(+⋅) ⋅ benzene heterodimer radical cations at different temperatures. Ion mobility studies reveal a persistence of the stacked parallel structure of the naphthalene(+⋅) ⋅ naphthalene homodimer in the temperature range 230-300 K. On the other hand, the results reveal that the naphthalene(+⋅) ⋅ benzene heterodimer is able to exhibit both the stacked parallel and T-shape structural isomers depending on the experimental conditions. Exploitation of the unique structural motifs among charged homo- and heteroaromatic-aromatic interactions may lead to new opportunities for molecular design and recognition involving charged aromatic systems.

What Is the Structure of the Naphthalene-Benzene Heterodimer Radical Cation? Binding Energy, Charge Delocalization, and Unexpected Charge-Transfer Interaction in Stacked Dimer and Trimer Radical Cations.

The binding energy of the naphthalene(+•)(benzene) heterodimer cation has been determined to be 7.9 ± 1 kcal/mol for C10H8(+•)(C6H6) and 8.1 ± 1 kcal/mol for C10H8(+•)(C6D6) by equilibrium thermochemical measurements using the mass-selected drift cell technique. A second benzene molecule binds to the C10H8(+•)(C6D6) dimer with essentially the same energy (8.4 ± 1 kcal/mol), suggesting that the two benzene molecules are stacked on opposite sides of the naphthalene cation in the (C6D6)C10H8(+•)(C6D6) heterotrimer. The lowest-energy isomers of the C10H8(+•)(C6D6) and (C6D6)C10H8(+•)(C6D6) dimer and trimer calculated using the M11/cc-pVTZ method have parallel stacked structures with enthalpies of binding (-ΔH°) of 8.4 and 9.0 kcal/mol, respectively, in excellent agreement with the experimental values. The stacked face-to-face class of isomers is calculated to have substantial charge-transfer stabilization of about 45% of the total interaction energy despite the large difference between the ionization energies of benzene and naphthalene. Similarly, significant delocalization of the positive charge is found among all three fragments of the (C6D6)C10H8(+•)(C6D6) heterotrimer, thus leaving only 46% of the total charge on the central naphthalene moiety. This unexpectedly high charge-transfer component results in activating two benzene molecules in the naphthalene(+•)(benzene)2 heterotrimer cation to associate with a third benzene molecule at 219 K to form a benzene trimer cation and a neutral naphthalene molecule. The global minimum of the C10H8(+•)(C6H6)2 heterotrimer is found to be the one where the naphthalene cation is sandwiched between two benzene molecules. It is remarkable, and rather unusual, that the binding energy of the second benzene molecule is essentially the same as that of the first. This is attributed to the enhanced charge-transfer interaction in the stacked trimer radical cation.

Conjugated radical cation dimerization-driven generation of supramolecular architectures

Abstract This paper summarizes the recent advance in utilizing conjugated radical cation dimerization (CRCD) for constructing new unimolecular, such as foldamers, and supramolecular ordered structures, such as three-dimensional supramolecular polymers and two-dimensional supramolecular organic framework. Particularly, the stacking or dimerization of tetrathiafulvalene and 4,4′-dipyridium subunits has been highlighted, and the approaches for enhancing the stability of their radical cation dimers have been discussed.

Electromers of the benzene dimer radical cation.

The well-studied benzene dimer radical cation, which is prototypical for this class of species, has been reinvestigated computationally. Thereby it turned out that both the σ-hemibonded and the half-shifted sandwich structures of the benzene dimer cation, which had been independently proposed, represent stationary points on the B2PLYP-D potential energy surfaces. However, these structures belong to distinct electronic states, both of which are associated with potential surfaces that are very flat with regard to rotation of the two benzene rings in an opposite sense relative to each other. The surfaces of these two "electromers" of the benzene dimer cation are separated by only 3-4 kcal mol(-1) and do not intersect along the rotation coordinate, which represents a rather unique electronic structure situation. When moving on either of the two surfaces the title complex is an extremely fluxional species, in spite of its being bound by over 20 kcal mol(-1).

Bipyridinium radical cation dimerization-driven polymeric pleated foldamers and a homoduplex that undergo ion-tuned interconversion

Radical cation dimerization induces bipyridinium-derived polymers to form pleated secondary structures and a homoduplex which can be tuned by ammonium to interconvert.

Solvent-free one-step photochemical hydroxylation of benzene derivatives by the singlet excited state of 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone acting as a super oxidant.

Photoinduced hydroxylation of neat deaerated benzene to phenol occurred under visible-light irradiation of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ), which acts as a super photooxidant in the presence of water. Photocatalytic solvent-free hydroxylation of benzene derivatives with electron-withdrawing substituents such as benzonitrile, nitrobenzene, and trifluoromethylbenzene used as neat solvents has been achieved for the first time by using DDQ as a super photooxidant to yield the corresponding phenol derivatives and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanohydroquinone (DDQH2 ) in the presence of water under deaerated conditions. In the presence of dioxygen and tert-butyl nitrite, the photocatalytic hydroxylation of neat benzene occurred with DDQ as a photocatalyst to produce phenol. The photocatalytic reactions are initiated by oxidation of benzene derivatives with the singlet and triplet excited states of DDQ to form the corresponding radical cations, which associate with benzene derivatives to produce the dimer radical cations, which were detected by the femto- and nanosecond laser flash photolysis measurements to clarify the photocatalytic reaction mechanisms. Radical cations of benzene derivatives react with water to yield the OH-adduct radicals. On the other hand, DDQ(.) (-) produced by the photoinduced electron transfer from benzene derivatives reacts with the OH-adduct radicals to yield the corresponding phenol derivatives and DDQH2 . DDQ is recovered by the reaction of DDQH2 with tert-butyl nitrite when DDQ acts as a photocatalyst for the hydroxylation of benzene derivatives by dioxygen.