Dimer Radical Research Articles

Viologen radical stabilization by molecular spectators for aqueous organic redox flow batteries

Aqueous organic redox flow battery (AORFB) using viologens suffers from poor cycling life especially at high concentrations due to the dimerization of viologen radical cations. Here, we report a molecular spectator approach, exploiting α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) with suitable cavity size as the spectator, to weaken the intermolecular interaction of viologen radicals and suppress dimerization in AORFBs. UV–vis spectroscopy reveals that α-CD effectively suppresses the dimerization of viologen radicals. Applying α-CD as the spectator, a symmetric static cell (0.1 M EV-0.01 M α-CD) demonstrated a significantly lower capacity decay rate of 0.075% per day (20 days, 100% capacity utilization) compared to the sole EV electrolyte (0.31% per day). Asymmetric flow cells (1.0 M EV-0.1 M α-CD) coupling with a ferrocene derivative demonstrated stable cycling over 500 cycles during 26 days at 80% capacity utilization. This work provides a facile and effective strategy to stabilize the viologen radicals for AORFBs applications. • A molecular spectator approach was developed to stabilize viologen radical cations. • A lower capacity decay was achieved with spectators (0.075% per day) compared to without (0.31% per day) at 100% capacity utilization. • An asymmetric full flow cell using spectators demonstrated a stable volumetric capacity of 21.4 Ah L –1 negolyte over 26 days.

Light driven molecular lock comprises a Ru(bpy)2(hpip) complex and cucurbit[8]uril.

Here, complex 1 ([Ru(bpy)2(hpip)]2+–MV2+) and CB[8] can form a stable 1 : 1 inclusion complex in aqueous solution, resembling a U-shaped conformation. Upon light irradiation, two complex 1 were reversibly locked through the formation of a MV˙+ radical dimer that is stabilized in the cavity of CB[8] with Ru complexes as blockers, in which complex 1 was transformed from a U-shaped conformation to a interlocked complex. This study provided a feasible strategy for the fabrication of a photo-driven supramolecular machine resembling a “lock”.

A ground-state-dominated magnetic field effect on the luminescence of stable organic radicals.

Organic radicals are an emerging class of luminophores possessing multiplet spin states and potentially showing spin-luminescence correlated properties. We investigated the mechanism of recently reported magnetic field sensitivity in the emission of a photostable luminescent radical, (3,5-dichloro-4-pyridyl)bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl radical (PyBTM) doped into host αH-PyBTM molecular crystals. The magnetic field (0–14 T), temperature (4.2–20 K), and the doping concentration (0.1, 4, 10, and 22 wt%) dependence on the time-resolved emission were examined by measuring emission decays of the monomer and excimer. Quantum mechanical simulations on the decay curves disclosed the role of the magnetic field; it dominantly affects the spin sublevel population of radical dimers in the ground states. This situation is distinctly different from that in conventional closed-shell luminophores, where the magnetic field modulates their excited-state spin multiplicity. Namely, the spin degree of freedom of ground-state open-shell molecules is a new key for achieving magnetic-field-controlled molecular photofunctions.

Enhancement of deformation of redox-active hydrogel as an actuator by increasing pendant viologens and adding filler or counter-charged polymer

Strategies for enhancement of redox-driven deformation of a hydrogel, viologen pendant poly-L-Lysine based glutaraldehyde cross-linked hydrogel (PLLV-GA-gel), were pursued. To surpass the previously reported fastest reductive contraction, a 93 % volume decrease within 100 s on dithionite reduction, and to accelerate expansion on oxidation, we examined the pendant rate dependence and the effect of the addition of conductive fillers or an anionic polymer, poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS). In testing deformation of water-floated PLLV-GA-gels, the contraction of a 25 % pendant rate gel was greater and faster than others. The initial rate of reductive contraction of the gels with fillers was in the order of graphene nano-platelet (GNP) > gold nanoparticle > carbon nanotube (CNT) > no-filler. The initial rates of swelling of GNP and CNT gels on oxidation were faster than the no-filler gel. PSS incorporation enhanced the swelling rate and amplitude but slowed down the contraction. All the PLLV-based samples on a Au electrode showed largely diffusion-controlled redox reactions of viologen in voltammograms and radical cation dimer rich light-absorption features in electroreflectance spectra. The guide for the choice of conductive filler and coexistence of anionic polymer described herein should be applicable to enhance the deformation of many redox-driven hydrogel actuators.

4-Ferrocenylphenyl-Substituted Tritylium Dyes with Open and Interlinked C+Ar2Entities: Redox Behavior, Electrochromism, and a Quantitative Study of the Dimerization of Their Neutral Radicals

We report on seven 4-ferrocenylphenyl-substituted tritylium dyes Fc-C6H4-C+Ar2 with either unlinked or interlinked aryl residues Ar, including congeners with six-membered (thio)xanthylium and seven-membered (dihydro)dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptatrienylium motifs. All complexes are intensely colored and show more or less intense absorption bands owing to charge transfer from the 4-ferrocenylphenyl donor to the C+Ar2 acceptor unit as well as reversible electrochromism upon reduction and oxidation. The spectral profiles and redox potentials depend on whether or not the methylium center is incorporated into a 14-π-electron arene system. T-dependent EPR spectroscopy indicates that their one-electron-reduced neutral radicals dimerize. The ensuing monomer–dimer equilibria were studied by quantitative spin-counting methods, which revealed an unexpectedly large extent of 85.0–99.6% of dimerization.

Oxygenated products formed from OH-initiated reactions of trimethylbenzene: autoxidation and accretion

Abstract. Gas-phase oxidation pathways and products of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mainly aromatics, are the subject of intensive research, with attention paid to their contributions to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation and potentially new particle formation (NPF) in the urban atmosphere. In this study, a series of OH-initiated oxidation experiments of trimethylbenzene (TMB, C9H12) including 1,2,4-TMB, 1,3,5-TMB, 1,2,3-TMB, and 1,2,4-(methyl-D3)-TMBs (C9H9D3) were investigated in an oxidation flow reactor (OFR) in the absence and presence of NOx. Products were measured using a suite of state-of-the-art instruments, i.e. a nitrate-based chemical ionization–atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight mass spectrometer (nitrate CI-APi-TOF), an iodide-adduct chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (iodide CI-TOF) equipped with a Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols (FIGAERO), and a Vocus proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer (Vocus PTR). A large number of C9 products with 1–11 oxygen atoms and C18 products presumably formed from dimerization of C9 peroxy radicals were observed, hinting at the extensive existence of autoxidation and accretion reaction pathways in the OH-initiated oxidation reactions of TMBs. Oxidation products of 1,2,4-(methyl-D3)-TMBs with deuterium atoms in different methyl substituents were then used as a molecular basis to propose potential autoxidation reaction pathways. Accretion of C9 peroxy radicals is the most significant for aromatics with meta-substituents and the least for aromatics with ortho-substituents if the number and size of substituted groups are identical. The presence of NOx would suppress the formation of highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) of C18 and enhance the formation of organonitrates and even dinitrate organic compounds. Our results show that the oxidation products of TMB are much more diverse and could be more oxygenated than the current mechanisms predict.

Nucleation of soot: experimental assessment of the role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) dimers

Abstract The irreversible dimerization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – typically pyrene (C16H10) dimerization – is widely used in combustion chemistry models to describe the soot particle inception step. This paper concerns itself with the detection and identification of dimers of flame-synthesized PAH radicals and closed-shell molecules and an experimental assessment of the role of these PAH dimers for the nucleation of soot. To this end, flame-generated species were extracted from an inverse co-flow flame of ethylene at atmospheric pressure and immediately diluted with excess nitrogen before the mixture was analyzed using flame-sampling tandem mass spectrometry with collision-induced fragmentation. Signal at m/z = 404.157 (C32H20) and m/z = 452.157 (C36H20) were detected and identified as dimers of closed-shell C16H10 and C18H10 monomers, respectively. A complex between a C13H9 radical and a C24H12 closed-shell PAH was observed at m/z = 465.164 (C37H21). However, a rigorous analysis of the flame-sampled mass spectra as a function of the dilution ratio, defined as the ratio of the flow rates of the diluent nitrogen to the sampled gases, indicates that the observed dimers are not flame-born, but are produced in the sampling line. In agreement with theoretical considerations, this paper provides experimental evidence that pyrene dimers cannot be a key intermediate in particle inception at elevated flame temperatures.

Reversible dimerization of anion radicals of carbonyl compounds and the electrosynthesis of pinacols. The case of 9-fluorenone

Abstract Reversible dimerization of the anion radicals of carbonyl compounds was studied by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, electrolysis, digital simulation and quantum chemical calculations using electroreduction of 9-fluorenone in DMF/0.1 M Bu4NClO4 as an example. The experimental data confirmed that this reaction is thermodynamically unfavorable as it was predicted by DFT calculations. In contrast with some other anion radicals, neither ion pairing of 9-fluorenone anion radicals with lithium cation nor their hydrogen bonding with water shifts the dimerization equilibrium to the dimeric product. Reversibility of the dimerization decreases in the presence of phenol due to the protonation of the dimeric dianion and to the irreversibility of dimerization of the anion radical – phenol complexes. The contribution of these two pathways to general hydrodimerization process is discussed.

Stable Luminescent Radicals and Radical-Based LEDs with Doublet Emission

Radical-based light-emitting diodes are an innovative type of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which adopt luminescent radicals as emitters, aiming at improving the external quantum efficienc...

Electro-Fenton Regeneration of Activated Carbon Fibers for the Removal of Pharmaceutical Residues

Introduction The electro-Fenton process is based on in-situ production of the Fenton’s reagent in order to continuously generate hydroxyl radicals in the bulk solution [1]. It is also possible to promote the generation of additional powerful oxidant species by using anode material with high oxygen evolution overpotential. Therefore, such electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP) is able to degrade a large range of organic pollutants [1]. However, energy efficiency of EAOPs is strongly affected by mass transport limitations during the treatment of low concentrations of pollutants such as pharmaceutical residues. In fact, a large amount of hydroxyl radicals are wasted in parasitic reactions such as hydroxyl radical dimerization. The combination of adsorption and electro-Fenton processes aims at overcoming this drawback. Adsorption on activated carbon fibers (ACFs) is used for pre-concentration of organic pollutants. Then, ACFs can be directly used as cathode during the electro-Fenton process for desorption, degradation and mineralization of organic compounds as well as for regeneration of ACFs for additional adsorption steps [2]. The possibility to easily regenerate ACFs improve the cost-effectiveness of this material, which presents more suitable characterisitcs than grain or powder activated carbon (e.g. low intra-particle diffusion limitation leading to fast adsorption kinetics, narrow pore size distribution leading to selective adsorption of micropollutants). This innovative strategy was applied for the removal of pharmaceutical residues. Scale-up from batch to continuous filtration reactor was investigated. Material and methods A first set of experiments was performed in batch reactor for both adsorption and electro-Fenton processes, by using clofibric acid and ofloxacin as model pharmaceutical residues. Design parameters (e.g. anode material: boron-doped diamond (BDD) or TiOx) and operational parameters (current density, treatment time) were optimized for improving regeneration efficiency and mineralization of pharmaceutical residues. Regeneration efficiency was assessed by comparing the adsorption capacity of regenerated ACFs and pristine ACFs. Mineralization rate of desorbed organic compounds was measured by total organic carbon analysis. Biodegradability and acute toxicity (Microtox®) of the solution was also assessed. ACFs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Hg porosimetry, and Raman spectroscopy. Then, the study was focused on the design, implementation and optimization of this combined process in a single continuous filtration reactor and using a real effluent. Results and discussion Batch experiments using clofibric acid as model pollutant were performed in order to better understand the influence of critical design and operational parameters. The efficiency of the process was discussed as regards to (i) desorption of organic compounds and regeneration efficiency, (ii) degradation and mineralization of organic compounds and (iii) stability of ACFs for several successive adsorption/regeneration cycles. By using BDD as anode and a current density of 21 mA cm-2, it was observed that increasing the treatment time from 3 to 6 h strongly improved the regeneration effectiveness from 45 to 75%. Further increasing the treatment time to 9 h did not show significant positive effect because of the lower availability of a portion of adsorbed compounds within the ACF porosity. Besides, dividing the current density by a factor of 2.5 (8 mA cm-2) only reduced the regeneration efficiency from 75 to 64%, indicating that low current density might be more cost-effective. Using TiOx instead of BDD anode also only reduced the regeneration efficiency from 64 to 60%. TiOx is a new promising electrode material that is much less expensive than BDD. Therefore, using TiOx anode was considered as a more cost-effective configuration. A great advantage of this process is also that >80% of organic compounds desorbed from ACF were mineralized, thus avoiding the production of a toxic effluent. Regeneration efficiency was then assessed during 10 cycles of adsorption/regeneration without significant decrease due to the protection of the ACF surface by the cathodic polarization effect. Finally, this treatment strategy was implemented in a continuous filtration reactor where both adsorption and electro-Fenton regeneration could take place sequentially. Process efficiency for treating a real effluent was assessed by comparing breakthrough curves of pristine and regenerated filters. The development of this technology is currently focused on point-of-use filters for domestic applications (about 5 liters per day) as well as on industrial wastewater treatment (pilot-scale unit able to treat 10-20 liters per hour).

Stable meso–meso‐Linked 2NH‐Corrole Radical Dimers as a Key Intermediate to Corrole Tape

AbstractWhile oxidation of 5,5′,15,15′‐tetramesityl‐10‐10′‐linked 3NH‐corrole dimer with DDQ gave the corresponding triply linked 2NH‐corrole tape, the use of an equimolar amount of p‐chloranil as a milder oxidant resulted in the formation of a 10‐10′‐linked neutral 2NH‐corrole radical dimer as a stable product. The stability of this peculiar product is ascribed largely to strong antiferromagnetic interaction of the two spins. Further oxidation of this diradical produced corrole tape, suggesting its involvement as a reaction intermediate to the corrole tape. Oxidation of 10‐10′‐linked bis‐pyridine‐coordinated CoIII corrole dimer with DDQ produced a cobalt corrole radical dimer and a doubly linked corrole dimer both as stable compounds bearing pyridine and cyanide axial ligands. This type of oxidative transformation involving neutral diradical intermediates is a unique reaction mechanism specific for corrole dimers.

Stable meso-meso-Linked 2NH-Corrole Radical Dimers as a Key Intermediate to Corrole Tape.

While oxidation of 5,5',15,15'-tetramesityl-10-10'-linked 3NH-corrole dimer with DDQ gave the corresponding triply linked 2NH-corrole tape, the use of an equimolar amount of p-chloranil as a milder oxidant resulted in the formation of a 10-10'-linked neutral 2NH-corrole radical dimer as a stable product. The stability of this peculiar product is ascribed largely to strong antiferromagnetic interaction of the two spins. Further oxidation of this diradical produced corrole tape, suggesting its involvement as a reaction intermediate to the corrole tape. Oxidation of 10-10'-linked bis-pyridine-coordinated CoIII corrole dimer with DDQ produced a cobalt corrole radical dimer and a doubly linked corrole dimer both as stable compounds bearing pyridine and cyanide axial ligands. This type of oxidative transformation involving neutral diradical intermediates is a unique reaction mechanism specific for corrole dimers.

Pancake-bonding of semiquinone radicals under variable temperature and pressure conditions.

The effects of temperature (100-370 K) and pressure (0-6 GPa) on the non-localized two-electron multicentric covalent bonds (`pancake bonding') in closely bound radical dimers were studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction on a 4-cyano-N-methylpyridinium salt of 5,6-dichloro-2,3-dicyanosemiquinone radical anion (DDQ) as the sample compound. On cooling, the anisotropic structural compression was accompanied by continuous changes in molecular stacking; the discontinuities in the changes in volume and b and c cell parameters suggest that a phase transition occurs between 210 and 240 K. At a pressure of 2.55 GPa, distances between radical dimers shortened to 2.9 Å, which corresponds to distances observed in extended π-bonded polymers. Increasing pressure further to 6 GPa reduced the interplanar separation of the radicals to 2.75 Å. This may indicate that the covalent component of the interaction significantly increased, in accordance with the results of DFT calculations reported elsewhere [Molčanov et al. (2019), Cryst. Growth Des. 19, 391-402].

Synthesis of Vitisins A and D Enabled by a Persistent Radical Equilibrium

The first total synthesis of the resveratrol tetramers vitisin A and vitisin D is reported. Electrochemical generation and selective dimerization of persistent radicals is followed by thermal isomerization of the symmetric C8b-C8c dimer to the C3c-C8b isomer, providing rapid entry into the vitisin core. Computational results suggest that this synthetic approach mimics Nature's strategy for constructing these complex molecules. Sequential acid-mediated rearrangements consistent with the proposed biogenesis of these compounds afford vitisin A and vitisin D. The rapid synthesis of these complex molecules will enable further study of their pharmacological potential.

Catalytic C2H2 synthesis via low temperature CO hydrogenation on defect-rich 2D-MoS2 and 2D-MoS2 decorated with Mo clusters.

Rational design of novel catalytic materials used to synthesize storable fuels via the CO hydrogenation reaction has recently received considerable attention. In this work, defect poor and defect rich 2D-MoS2 as well as 2D-MoS2 decorated with Mo clusters are employed as catalysts for the generation of acetylene (C2H2) via the CO hydrogenation reaction. Temperature programmed desorption is used to study the interaction of CO and H2 molecules with the MoS2 surface as well as the formation of reaction products. The experiments indicate the presence of four CO adsorption sites below room temperature and a competitive adsorption between the CO and H2 molecules. The investigations show that CO hydrogenation is not possible on defect poor MoS2 at low temperatures. However, on defect rich 2D-MoS2, small amounts of C2H2 are produced, which desorb from the surface at temperatures between 170 K and 250 K. A similar C2H2 signal is detected from defect poor 2D-MoS2 decorated with Mo clusters, which indicates that low coordinated Mo atoms on 2D-MoS2 are responsible for the formation of C2H2. Density functional theory investigations are performed to explore possible adsorption sites of CO and understand the formation mechanism of C2H2 on MoS2 and Mo7/MoS2. The theoretical investigation indicates a strong binding of C2H2 on the Mo sites of MoS2 preventing the direct desorption of C2H2 at low temperatures as observed experimentally. Instead, the theoretical results suggest that the experimental data are consistent with a mechanism in which CHO radical dimers lead to the formation of C2H2 that presents an exothermic desorption.

Dimerization of indenocorannulene radicals: imposing stability through increasing strain and curvature

One-electron reduction of bowl-shaped indenocorannulene affords a new stable dimeric dianion, as confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy, and DFT calculations.

Radical Dimerization in a Plastic Organic Crystal Leads to Structural and Magnetic Bistability with Wide Thermal Hysteresis.

The nitroxyl radical 1-methyl-2-azaadamantane N-oxyl (Me-AZADO) exhibits magnetic bistability arising from a radical/dimer interconversion. The transition from the rotationally disordered paramagnetic plastic crystal, Me-AZADO, to the ordered diamagnetic crystalline phase, (Me-AZADO)2, has been conclusively demonstrated by crystal structure determination from high-resolution powder diffraction data and by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The phase change is characterized by a wide thermal hysteresis with high sensitivity to even small applied pressures. The molecular dynamics of the phase transition from the plastic crystal to the conventional crystalline phase has been tracked by solid-state (1H and 13C) NMR and EPR spectroscopies.

The Gas-Phase Infrared Spectra of Xylyl Radicals.

The three isomers of the xylyl radical, C8H9, are possible intermediates in the formation of soot and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Their infrared spectra have been recorded by IR/UV ion dip spectroscopy using free electron laser radiation. The radicals were generated by flash pyrolysis from the corresponding nitrites and resonantly ionized via the D3 ← D0 transition around 310 nm. Mid-infrared spectra of the three xylyl isomers were recorded between 550 and 1700 cm-1 and are in excellent agreement with computations, provided that overtones and combination bands are included in the simulation. The results show that the three xylyl isomers can be distinguished by their infrared spectra and that no isomerization occurs in the pyrolysis reactor. The IR spectra obtained at m/z = 208 indicate that dimerization of xylyl radicals leads to substituted stilbenes, which has not been observed for benzyl.

Mono‐reduced Corannulene: To Couple and Not to Couple in One Crystal

One-electron reduction of corannulene, C20 H10 , with Li metal in diglyme resulted in crystallization of [{Li+ (diglyme)2 }4 (C20 H10 .- )2 (C20 H10 -C20 H10 )2- ] (1), as revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This hybrid product contains two corannulene monoanion-radicals along with a dianionic dimer, crystallized with four Li+ ions wrapped by diglyme molecules. The dimeric (C20 H10 -C20 H10 )2- anion provides the first crystallographically confirmed example of spontaneous radical dimerization for C20 H10 .- . The C-C bond length between the two C20 H10 .- bowls of 1.588(5) Å is consistent with the single σ-bond character of the linker. The trans-disposition of two bowls in the centrosymmetric (C20 H10 -C20 H10 )2- dimer is observed with the torsion angle around the central C-C bond of 180°. Comprehensive theoretical analysis of formation/decomposition processes of the dimeric dianion has been carried out in order to evaluate the nature of bonding and energetics of the C20 H10 .- coupling. It is found that such σ-bonded dimers are thermodynamically unstable due to large preparation energy and repulsive Pauli component of the bonding, but kinetically persistent due to a high energy barrier provided by the existing spin-crossing point.

New Insight into an Old Problem: Analysis, Interpretation, and Theoretical Modeling of the Absorption and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectra of Monomeric and Dimeric Zinc Phthalocyanine Cation Radical.

The chemically or spectroelectrochemically generated formation and aggregation of zinc(II) tetra-tert-butylphthalocyanine cation radical [ZnPctBu]+•, which was highly soluble in common organic solvents, were investigated using UV-vis and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopies with an emphasis on the influence of the axial ligand on the fingerprint (∼500 nm) and NIR (720∼1000 nm) spectral envelopes. MCD spectroscopy is suggestive that the NIR band at ∼1000 nm observed for the antiferromagnetically coupled cation radical dimer, [ZnPctBu]22+, has no degeneracy, the monomer-dimeric equilibrium is temperature dependent, and higher degree aggregates can be formed at specific conditions. Sixteen different exchange-correlation functionals were tested to accurately predict the energies, intensities, and profiles of the UV-vis and MCD spectra of the phthalocyanine cation radical monomer and dimer. It was found that the M05 exchange-correlation functional (along with several other functionals that include 27-42% of Hartree-Fock exchange) provided an excellent agreement (∼0.1 eV for the degenerate excited states observed by MCD spectroscopy) between theory and experiment for the phthalocyanine cation-radical monomer and dimer. Not only did time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations with M05 exchange-correlation functional correctly predict the nondegenerate NIR charge-transfer band at ∼1000 nm, all degenerate excited states, monomer and dimer energies, and oscillator strengths, but also they correctly described the nature of the experimentally observed at ∼500 nm MCD B-term (fingerprint band) detected for both the monomeric and dimeric phthalocyanine cation radicals. The TDDFT data explain the similarities in the UV-vis and MCD spectra of the monomeric and dimeric species observed between the UV and fingerprint spectral envelopes as well as correctly predicted the antiferromagnetic coupling between the two singly oxidized phthalocyanine macrocycles in the dimer.