Electron Uptake Research Articles

Electronic structure and catalytic aspects of [Ru(tpm)(bqdi)(Cl/H2O)]n, tpm = tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane and bqdi = o-benzoquinonediimine

The diamagnetic complexes [Ru(tpm)(bqdi)(Cl)]ClO(4) ([1]ClO(4)) (tpm = tris(1-pyrazolyl)methane, bqdi = o-benzoquinonediimine) and [Ru(tpm)(bqdi)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) ([2](ClO(4))(2)) have been synthesized. The valence state-sensitive bond distances of coordinated bqdi [C-N: 1.311(5)/1.322(5) Å in [1]ClO(4); 1.316(7)/1.314(7) Å in molecule A and 1.315(6)/1.299(7) Å in molecule B of [2](ClO(4))(2)] imply its fully oxidised quinonediimine (bqdi(0)) character. DFT calculations of 1(+) confirm the {Ru(II)-bqdi(0)} versus the antiferromagnetically coupled {Ru(III)-bqdi˙(-)} alternative. The (1)H NMR spectra of [1]ClO(4) in different solvents show variations in chemical shift positions of the NH (bqdi) and CH (tpm) proton resonances due to their different degrees of acidity in different solvents. In CH(3)CN/0.1 mol dm(-3) Et(4)NClO(4), [1]ClO(4) undergoes one reversible Ru(II)⇌ Ru(III) oxidation and two reductions, the reversible first electron uptake being bqdi based (bqdi(0)/bqdi˙(-)). The electrogenerated paramagnetic species {Ru(III)-bqdi(0)}(1(2+)) and {Ru(II)-Q˙(-)}(1) exhibit Ru(III)-type (1(2+): <g> = 2.211/Δg = 0.580) and radical-type (1: g = 1.988) EPR signals, respectively, as is confirmed by calculated spin densities (Ru: 0.767 in 1(2+), bqdi: 0.857 in 1). The aqua complex [2](ClO(4))(2) exhibits two one-electron oxidations at pH = 7, suggesting the formation of {Ru(IV)[double bond, length as m-dash]O} species. The electronic spectral features of 1(n) (n = charge associated with the different redox states of the chloro complex: 2+, 1+, 0) in CH(3)CN and of 2(2+) in H(2)O have been interpreted based on the TD-DFT calculations. The application potential of the aqua complex 2(2+) as a pre-catalyst towards the epoxidation of olefins has been explored in the presence of the sacrificial oxidant PhI(OAc)(2) in CH(2)Cl(2) at 298 K, showing the desired selectivity with a wide variety of alkenes. DFT calculations based on styrene as the model substrate predict that the epoxidation reaction proceeds through a concerted transition state pathway.

Electron transfer mechanisms between microorganisms and electrodes in bioelectrochemical systems

Microbes have been shown to naturally form veritable electric grids in which different species acting as electron donors and others acting as electron acceptors cooperate. The uptake of electrons from cells adjacent to them is a mechanism used by microorganisms to gain energy for cell growth and maintenance. The external discharge of electrons in lieu of a terminal electron acceptor, and the reduction of external substrates to uphold certain metabolic processes, also plays a significant role in a variety of microbial environments. These vital microbial respiration events, viz. extracellular electron transfer to and from microorganisms, have attracted widespread attention in recent decades and have led to the development of fascinating research concerning microbial electrochemical sensors and bioelectrochemical systems for environmental and bioproduction applications involving different fuels and chemicals. In such systems, microorganisms use mainly either (1) indirect routes involving use of small redox-active organic molecules referred to as redox mediators, secreted by cells or added exogenously, (2) primary metabolites or other intermediates, or (3) direct modes involving physical contact in which naturally occurring outer-membrane c-type cytochromes shuttle electrons for the reduction or oxidation of electrodes. Electron transfer mechanisms play a role in maximizing the performance of microbe–electrode interaction-based systems and help very much in providing an understanding of how such systems operate. This review summarizes the mechanisms of electron transfer between bacteria and electrodes, at both the anode and the cathode, in bioelectrochemical systems. The use over the years of various electrochemical approaches and techniques, cyclic voltammetry in particular, for obtaining a better understanding of the microbial electrocatalysis and the electron transfer mechanisms involved is also described and exemplified.

Accelerated cathodic reaction in microbial corrosion of iron due to direct electron uptake by sulfate-reducing bacteria

Microbially influenced iron corrosion by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is conventionally attributed to the chemical corrosiveness of H2S, facilitated abiotic H+-reduction at deposited FeS, and biological consumption of chemically formed (‘cathodic’) H2. However, recent studies with corrosive SRB indicated direct consumption of iron-derived electrons rather than of H2 as a crucial mechanism. Here, we conducted potentiodynamic measurements with iron electrodes colonized by corrosive SRB. They significantly stimulated the cathodic reaction, while non-corrosive yet H2-consuming control SRB had no effect. Inactivation of the colonizing bacteria significantly reduced current stimulation, thus confirming biological catalysis rather than an abiotic cathodic effect of FeS.

Donor-Substituted Octacyano[4]dendralenes: Investigation of π-Electron Delocalization in Their Radical Ions

Symmetrically and unsymmetrically electron-donor-substituted octacyano[4]dendralenes were synthesized and their opto-electronic properties investigated by UV/vis spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements (cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk voltammetry (RDV)), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. These nonplanar push-pull chromophores are potent electron acceptors, featuring potentials for first reversible electron uptake around at -0.1 V (vs Fc(+)/Fc, in CH2Cl2 + 0.1 M n-Bu4NPF6) and, in one case, a remarkably small HOMO-LUMO gap (ΔE = 0.68 V). EPR measurements gave well-resolved spectra after one-electron reduction of the octacyano[4]dendralenes, whereas the one-electron oxidized species could not be detected in all cases. Investigations of the radical anions of related donor-substituted 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobuta-1,3-diene derivatives revealed electron localization at one 1,1-dicyanovinyl (DCV) moiety, in contrast to predictions by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The particular factors leading to the charge distribution in the electron-accepting domains of the tetracyano and octacyano chromophores are discussed.

Electron uptake by classical electron donators: astaxanthin and carotenoid aldehydes

Carotenoids are prime examples for antioxidants: they donate electrons to noxious radicals. Density functional calculations anticipate the possibility of electron uptake by carotenoids. This prediction has been confirmed experimentally: carbonyl carotenoids, including the super-antioxidant astaxanthin, easily take up electrons and react as antireductants.

Marine sulfate‐reducing bacteria cause serious corrosion of iron under electroconductive biogenic mineral crust

Iron (Fe0) corrosion in anoxic environments (e.g. inside pipelines), a process entailing considerable economic costs, is largely influenced by microorganisms, in particular sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). The process is characterized by formation of black crusts and metal pitting. The mechanism is usually explained by the corrosiveness of formed H2S, and scavenge of ‘cathodic’ H2 from chemical reaction of Fe0 with H2O. Here we studied peculiar marine SRB that grew lithotrophically with metallic iron as the only electron donor. They degraded up to 72% of iron coupons (10 mm × 10 mm × 1 mm) within five months, which is a technologically highly relevant corrosion rate (0.7 mm Fe0 year−1), while conventional H2-scavenging control strains were not corrosive. The black, hard mineral crust (FeS, FeCO3, Mg/CaCO3) deposited on the corroding metal exhibited electrical conductivity (50 S m−1). This was sufficient to explain the corrosion rate by electron flow from the metal (4Fe0 → 4Fe2+ + 8e−) through semiconductive sulfides to the crust-colonizing cells reducing sulfate (8e− + SO42− + 9H+ → HS− + 4H2O). Hence, anaerobic microbial iron corrosion obviously bypasses H2 rather than depends on it. SRB with such corrosive potential were revealed at naturally high numbers at a coastal marine sediment site. Iron coupons buried there were corroded and covered by the characteristic mineral crust. It is speculated that anaerobic biocorrosion is due to the promiscuous use of an ecophysiologically relevant catabolic trait for uptake of external electrons from abiotic or biotic sources in sediments.

Impact of fullerene particle interaction on biochemical activities in fermenting Zymomonas mobilis

It has become a concern that increasing applications of fullerene (C(60)) particles for industrial and, in particular, medical practices can pose potential risks to the ecosystem because of their excellent ability for electron uptake and reactivity in living organisms. In the present study, the authors explored the molecular interactions between bacterial cells and C(60) nanoparticles (nano-C(60) aggregates and fullerenol) and their impact on biochemical activities of Zymomonas mobilis in a fermentation system. Experimental results showed that fullerenol demonstrated a considerable impact on cell damage and biochemical performance. The ethanol-producing Z. mobilis reacted with the C(60) species and performed less ethanol production, while producing more organic acids. Microscopic observations indicated that the interactions between the bacterial cells and the fullerenols could damage cell membranes and remove cell compartments by vesicle exocytosis. The present study indicated that the exposure of C(60) species can lead to microbial-nanoparticle interaction and a variation of metabolism.

Electrochromic cell with UV-curable electrolyte polymer for cohesion and strength

Electrically colourable (“electrochromic”) windows, hitherto confined to small areas, have recently been much expanded in area in new aircraft windows. Reviews indicate that to extend such high-tech applications to more everyday uses requires enhanced robustness, as in a new Prussian-Blue/polymer(Li+)/WO3 electrochromic device reported here.The new polymer electrolyte is UV-curable within the cell, obviating the need and risk of thermal polymerization while conferring mechanical robustness. Prussian Blue, (in reduced form the clear Prussian white “PW”, that is turned blue on electro-oxidation) and WO3 (showing a complementary clear-to-blue on electron uptake) are known to reliably undergo these established colourations as electrochromic anode and cathode, respectively.

Au/graphene hydrogel: synthesis, characterization and its use for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol

A cylindrical piece of Au/graphene hydrogel, 1.08 cm in diameter and 1.28 cm in height, has been synthesized through the self-assembly of Au/graphene sheets under hydrothermal conditions for the first time. The hydrogel, containing 2.26 wt% Au, 6.94 wt% graphene, and 90.8 wt% water, exhibited excellent catalytic performance towards the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP), which is about 90 times larger than previously reported values for spongy Au nanoparticles and 14 times more than the highest value among the polymer supported Au nanoparticle catalysts. The high catalytic activity arises from the synergistic effect of graphene: (1) the high adsorption ability of graphene towards 4-NP, providing a high concentration of 4-NP near to the Au nanoparticles on graphene; and (2) electron transfer from graphene to Au nanoparticles, facilitating the uptake of electrons by 4-NP molecules.

UV-vis-NIR and EPR characterisation of the redox series [MQ3]2+,+,0,−,2−, M = Ru or Os, and Q = o-quinone derivative

The neutral title compounds with Q = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-quinone or 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-phenyl-o-iminobenzoquinone (Q(x)) were studied by UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry and by EPR spectroscopy in the case of the odd-electron monocation and monoanion intermediates. Supported by DFT and TD-DFT calculations, the results indicate stepwise electron removal from predominantly ligand-based delocalised MOs on oxidation whereas the stepwise electron uptake on reduction involves unoccupied MOs with considerably metal-ligand mixed character. In both cases, the strong near-infrared absorption of the neutral precursors diminishes. In comparison to the ruthenium series, the osmium analogues exhibit larger transition energies from enhanced MO splitting and a different EPR response due to the higher spin-orbit coupling. The main difference between the quinone (1(n), 2(n)) and corresponding monoiminoquinone systems (3(n), 4(n)) is the shift of about 0.6 V to lower potentials for the monoimino analogues. While the absorption features do not differ markedly, the EPR data reflect a higher degree of covalent bonding for the complexes with monoimino ligands.

Structures and Redox Characteristics of Electron-Deficient Vanadyl Phthalocyanines

The first single-crystal X-ray structures of substituted vanadyl phthalocyanine materials reveal the high-valence vanadium ions (denoted as V(IV)), whose coordination by a highly electron-deficient ligand is facilitated by an axial oxo group. The metal center of the hydrophilic V═O core, encapsulated in F-rich hydrophobic pockets, reaches a coordination number of 6 by binding an additional H(2)O that, in turn, hydrogen-bonds with ketones, resulting in solvent-induced variable solid-state architectures. Fluoroalkyl (R(f)) ligand substituents hinder π-π stacking interactions and favor ordered long-range packing, as well as the facile formation of film materials that exhibit high thermal stability and oxidation resistance. Reversible redox chemistry and spectroscopic studies in both solution and the solid-state indicate single-site isolation in both phases and an R(f)-induced propensity for electron uptake and inhibition of electron loss. Repeated redox cycles reorganize the thin films to accommodate Li(+) ions and facilitate their migration. The facile reduction, combined with high stability and ease of sublimation imparted by the R(f) scaffold that suppresses oxidations, recommends the new materials for sensors, color displays, electronic materials, and redox catalysts, as well as other applications.

Towards Electrosynthesis in Shewanella: Energetics of Reversing the Mtr Pathway for Reductive Metabolism

Bioelectrochemical systems rely on microorganisms to link complex oxidation/reduction reactions to electrodes. For example, in Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1, an electron transfer conduit consisting of cytochromes and structural proteins, known as the Mtr respiratory pathway, catalyzes electron flow from cytoplasmic oxidative reactions to electrodes. Reversing this electron flow to drive microbial reductive metabolism offers a possible route for electrosynthesis of high value fuels and chemicals. We examined electron flow from electrodes into Shewanella to determine the feasibility of this process, the molecular components of reductive electron flow, and what driving forces were required. Addition of fumarate to a film of S. oneidensis adhering to a graphite electrode poised at −0.36 V versus standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) immediately led to electron uptake, while a mutant lacking the periplasmic fumarate reductase FccA was unable to utilize electrodes for fumarate reduction. Deletion of the gene encoding the outer membrane cytochrome-anchoring protein MtrB eliminated 88% of fumarate reduction. A mutant lacking the periplasmic cytochrome MtrA demonstrated more severe defects. Surprisingly, disruption of menC, which prevents menaquinone biosynthesis, eliminated 85% of electron flux. Deletion of the gene encoding the quinone-linked cytochrome CymA had a similar negative effect, which showed that electrons primarily flowed from outer membrane cytochromes into the quinone pool, and back to periplasmic FccA. Soluble redox mediators only partially restored electron transfer in mutants, suggesting that soluble shuttles could not replace periplasmic protein-protein interactions. This work demonstrates that the Mtr pathway can power reductive reactions, shows this conduit is functionally reversible, and provides new evidence for distinct CymA:MtrA and CymA:FccA respiratory units.

Proton coupled electron transfer of ubiquinone Q2 incorporated in a self-assembled monolayer

We present a complete study of the reduction of ubiquinone Q(2) (UQ(2)) in simpler aqueous medium, over a pH range of 2.5 to 12.5. The short isoprenic chain ubiquinones (UQ(2)) were incorporated in a self-assembled monolayer. Under these conditions, the global 2e(-) electrochemical reaction can be described on the basis of a nine-member square scheme. The thermodynamic constants of the system were determined. The global 2e(-) process is controlled by the uptake of the second electron. The elementary electrochemical rate constants obtained by fitting of the experimental rate constant were k(s4) = 1.5 s(-1) for QH˙(+)(2)↔ QH(2), k(s5) = 1.5 s(-1) for QH˙↔ QH(-) and k(s6) = 1 s(-1) for Q˙(-)↔ Q(2-). The three electrochemical reactions QH˙(+)(2)↔ QH(2), QH˙↔ QH(-) and Q˙(-)↔ Q(2-) are successively involved when increasing the pH. Protonations can occur or not, before or after the electron uptake and the reaction paths are, from low to high pH: e(-), H(+)e(-), e(-)H(+), H(+)e(-)H(+), H(+)e(-) and e(-)H(+).

Magnetic interactions as a stabilizing factor of semiquinone species of lawsone by metal complexation

Changes in electrochemical reactivity for lawsone anions (lawsone, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, HLw) being coordinated to a series of metallic ions in dimethylsulfoxide solution were evaluated. Upon performing cyclic voltammetry experiments for metal complexes of this quinone with pyridine (Py) – structural formula M(II)(Lw −) 2(Py) 2; M: Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) – it was found that the reduction of coordinated Lw − units occurs during the first and second electron uptake in the analyzed compounds. The stability of the electrogenerated intermediates for each complex depends on the d electron configuration in each metal center and is determined by magnetic interactions with the available spins considering an octahedral conformation for all the compounds. This was evidenced by in situ spectroelectrochemical-ESR measurements in the Zn(II) complex in which due to the lack of magnetic interaction owing to its electron configuration, the structure of the coordinated anion radical species was determined. Successive reduction of the associated Lw − units leads to partial dissociation of the complex, determined by the identification of free radical dianion structures in solution. These results show some insights on how metal-lawsone complexation can modify the solution reactivity and stability of the electrogenerated radical species.

Facile Electron Uptake by Carotenoids Under Mild, Non‐Radiative Conditions: Formation of Carotenoid Anions

AbstractCarotenoids – prominent antioxidants (= electron donors) – are commonly not recognized as electron acceptors. Nonetheless, carotenoids can take up electrons under mild chemical conditions: dioxocarotenoids in alkaline DMSO and DMF form stable deeply colored carotenoid dianions, which react with different additives to new carotenoid derivatives.

Molecular Basis for Directional Electron Transfer

Biological macromolecules involved in electron transfer reactions display chains of closely packed redox cofactors when long distances must be bridged. This is a consequence of the need to maintain a rate of transfer compatible with metabolic activity in the framework of the exponential decay of electron tunneling with distance. In this work intermolecular electron transfer was studied in kinetic experiments performed with the small tetraheme cytochrome from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 and from Shewanella frigidimarina NCIMB400 using non-physiological redox partners. This choice allowed the effect of specific recognition and docking to be eliminated from the measured rates. The results were analyzed with a kinetic model that uses the extensive thermodynamic characterization of these proteins reported in the literature to discriminate the kinetic contribution of each heme to the overall rate of electron transfer. This analysis shows that, in this redox chain that spans 23 A, the kinetic properties of the individual hemes establish a functional specificity for each redox center. This functional specificity combined with the thermodynamic properties of these soluble proteins ensures directional electron flow within the cytochrome even outside of the context of a functioning respiratory chain.

Non-planar push–pull chromophores

The development of a unique class of non-planar push-pull chromophores by means of [2 + 2] cycloaddition, followed by cycloreversion, of electron-deficient olefins, such as tetracyanoethene (TCNE), 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F(4)-TCNQ), as well as dicyanovinyl (DCV) and tricyanovinyl (TCV) derivatives, to donor-substituted alkynes is explored in this feature article. This high-yielding, "click-chemistry"-type transformation with acetylenic dendrimers affords dendritic electron sinks capable of multiple electron uptake within a narrow potential range. An [AB]-type oligomer with a dendralene backbone was synthesised by a one-pot, multi-component cascade reaction of polyyne oligomers with TCNE and tetrathiafulvalene (TTF). In most cases, the resulting chromophores feature intense intramolecular charge-transfer bands extending far into the near infrared region and some of them display high third-order optical nonlinearities. Despite substitution with strong donors, the electron-withdrawing moieties in the new chromophores remain potent acceptors and a number of them display positive first reduction potentials (vs. the ferrocenium/ferrocene (Fc(+)/Fc) couple in CH(2)Cl(2)), which rival those of parent TCNE, TCNQ and F(4)-TCNQ. The non-planarity of the chromophores strongly enhances their physical properties when compared to planar push-pull analogues. They feature high solubility, thermal stability and sublimability, which enables formation of amorphous, high-optical-quality thin films by vapour phase deposition and makes them interesting as advanced functional materials for novel opto-electronic devices.

Ligand‐based Reduction in a Molecular Rectangle with Four Organplatinum(IV) Vertices

AbstractA first organoplatinum(IV)‐based molecular rectangle [{Pt(CH3)3}4(μ‐η1:η1‐bp)2(μ‐η2:η2‐bpym)2]4+ with bp = 4,4′‐bipyridine and bpym = 2,2′‐bipyrimidine has been obtained as tetrakis(triflate) in analogy to [{Re(CO)3}4(μ‐η1:η1‐bp)2(μ‐η2:η2‐bpym)2]4+, following the correspondence between the 5d6 configured species [fac‐ReI(CO)3]+ and [fac‐PtIV(CH3)3]+. Analytical data, 1H and 195Pt NMR spectroscopic as well as mass spectrometric results confirm the identity of the species. Cyclic voltammetry, EPR, and UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemistry were used to investigate the sequence of reduction steps and the location of the electron uptake. Reduction involves first the bpym ligand in two 2‐electron waves and then the bp bridge in discernible one‐electron steps.

Electronic effects and ring strain influences on the electron uptake by selenium‐containing bonds

AbstractThe gas‐phase electron attachment of thiaselena and diselena derivatives is investigated on model organic systems by ab initio calculations (level of theory MP2/DZP++). Electronic contributions favor the one‐electron addition on selenium‐containing compounds, with adiabatic electron affinities of 0.03, 0.24, and 0.43 eV, respectively, for dimethyldisulfide, dimethylselenenylsulfide, and dimethyldiselenide. This ensures the possibility of an excess electron binding on SeS and SeSe linkages. The so‐formed radical anionic intermediates present a three‐electrons two‐centers 2c3e bond, whose nature is confirmed by Mulliken spin densities and NBO analysis. They are stable towards dissociation, with a low barrier evaluated between about 25–60 kJ/mol. Cyclization strongly enhances dichalcogen propensity to fix an excess electron. Adiabatic electron affinities of a series of 1,2‐thiaselena‐cycloalkanes and 1,2‐diselena‐cycloalkanes are positive and range from 0.24 to 1.30 eV. This can be traced back to the release of ring strain energy upon one‐electron addition: this geometrical effect is nevertheless less marked than for disulfide analogs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010

Organic Super‐Acceptors with Efficient Intramolecular Charge‐Transfer Interactions by [2+2] Cycloadditions of TCNE, TCNQ, and F4‐TCNQ to Donor‐Substituted Cyanoalkynes

Rivaling the best one: Thermal [2+2] cycloadditions of TCNE, TCNQ, and F(4)-TCNQ to N,N-dimethylanilino-substituted cyanoalkynes afforded a new class of organic super-acceptors featuring efficient intramolecular charge-transfer interactions. These acceptors rival the acceptor F(4)-TCNQ in the propensity for reversible electron uptake as well as in electron affinity (see figure), which makes them interesting as p-type dopants for potential application in optoelectronic devices.Thermal [2+2] cycloadditions of tetracyanoethene (TCNE), 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F(4)-TCNQ) to N,N-dimethylanilino-substituted (DMA-substituted) alkynes bearing either nitrile, dicyanovinyl (DCV; -CH==C(CN)(2)), or tricyanovinyl (TCV; -C(CN)==C(CN)(2)) functionalities, followed by retro-electrocyclization, afforded a new class of stable organic super-acceptors. Despite the nonplanarity of these acceptors, as revealed by X-ray crystallographic analysis and theoretical calculations, efficient intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) interactions between the DMA donors and the CN-containing acceptor moieties are established. The corresponding CT bands appear strongly bathochromically shifted with maxima up to 1120 nm (1.11 eV) accompanied by an end-absorption in the near infrared around 1600 nm (0.78 eV) for F(4)-TCNQ adducts. Electronic absorption spectra of selected acceptors were nicely reproduced by applying the spectroscopy oriented configuration interaction (SORCI) procedure. The electrochemical investigations of these acceptors by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disc voltammetry (RDV) in CH(2)Cl(2) identified their remarkable propensity for reversible electron uptake rivaling the benchmark compounds TCNQ (E(red,1)=-0.25 V in CH(2)Cl(2) vs. Fc(+)/Fc) and F(4)-TCNQ (E(red,1)=+0.16 V in CH(2)Cl(2) vs. Fc(+)/Fc). Furthermore, the electron-accepting power of these new compounds expressed as adiabatic electron affinity (EA) has been estimated by theoretical calculations and compared to the reference acceptor F(4)-TCNQ, which is used as a p-type dopant in the fabrication of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and solar cells. A good linear correlation exists between the calculated EAs and the first reduction potentials E(red,1). Despite the substitution with strong DMA donors, the predicted EAs reach the value calculated for F(4)-TCNQ (4.96 eV) in many cases, which makes the new acceptors interesting for potential applications as dopants in organic optoelectronic devices. The first example of a charge-transfer salt between the DMA-substituted TCNQ adduct (E(red,1)=-0.27 V vs. Fc(+)/Fc) and the strong electron donor decamethylferrocene ([FeCp*(2)]; Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienide; E(ox,1)=-0.59 V vs. Fc(+)/Fc) is described. Interestingly, the X-ray crystal structure showed that in the solid state the TCNQ moiety in the acceptor underwent reductive sigma-dimerization upon reaction with the donor.