Nonalternant Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

Perylene with Split‐Azulene Embedding

AbstractSplitting the five and seven‐membered rings of azulene and embedding them separately into a conjugated backbone provides azulene‐like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are of great interest in quantum and material chemistry. However, the synthetic accessibility poses a significant challenge. In this study, we present the synthesis of a novel azulene‐like PAH, Pery‐57, which can be viewed as the integration of a perylene framework into the split azulene. The compact structure of Pery‐57 displays several intriguing characteristics, including NIR II absorption at 1200 nm, a substantial dipole moment of 3.5 D, and head‐to‐tail alternating columnar packing. Furthermore, Pery‐57 exhibits remarkable redox properties. The cationic radical Pery‐57⋅+ readily captures a hydrogen atom. Variable‐temperature NMR (VT NMR ) and variable‐temperature EPR (VT‐EPR) studies reveal that the dianion Pery‐572− possesses an open‐shell singlet ground state and demonstrates significant global anti‐aromaticity. The dication Pery‐572+ is also predicted to exhibit diradical character. Despite bearing three bulky substituents, Pery‐57 displays p‐type transport characteristics with a mobility of 0.03 cm2 V−1 s−1, attributed to its unique azulene‐like structure. Overall, this work directs interest in azulene‐like PAHs, a unique member of nonalternant PAHs showcasing exceptional properties and applications.

Perylene with Split-Azulene Embedding.

Splitting the five and seven-membered rings of azulene and embedding them separately into a conjugated backbone provides azulene-like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are of great interest in quantum and material chemistry. However, the synthetic accessibility poses a significant challenge. In this study, we present the synthesis of a novel azulene-like PAH, Pery-57, which can be viewed as the integration of a perylene framework into the split azulene. The compact structure of Pery-57 displays several intriguing characteristics, including NIR II absorption at 1200 nm, a substantial dipole moment of 3.5 D, and head-to-tail alternating columnar packing. Furthermore, Pery-57 exhibits remarkable redox properties. The cationic radical Pery-57⋅+ readily captures a hydrogen atom. Variable-temperature NMR (VT NMR ) and variable-temperature EPR (VT-EPR) studies reveal that the dianion Pery-572- possesses an open-shell singlet ground state and demonstrates significant global anti-aromaticity. The dication Pery-572+ is also predicted to exhibit diradical character. Despite bearing three bulky substituents, Pery-57 displays p-type transport characteristics with a mobility of 0.03 cm2 V-1 s-1, attributed to its unique azulene-like structure. Overall, this work directs interest in azulene-like PAHs, a unique member of nonalternant PAHs showcasing exceptional properties and applications.

Probing the role of surface termination in the adsorption of azupyrene on copper.

The role of the inorganic substrate termination, within the organic-inorganic interface, has been well studied for systems that contain strong localised bonding. However, how varying the substrate termination affects coordination to delocalised electronic states, like that found in aromatic molecules, is an open question. Azupyrene, a non-alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is known to bind strongly to metal surfaces through its delocalised π orbitals, thus yielding an ideal probe into delocalised surface-adsorbate interactions. Normal incidence X-ray standing wave (NIXSW) measurements and density functional theory calculations are reported for the adsorption of azupyrene on the (111), (110) and (100) surface facets of copper to investigate the dependence of the adsorption structure on the substrate termination. Structural models based on hybrid density functional theory calculations with non-local many-body dispersion yield excellent agreement with the experimental NIXSW results. No statistically significant difference in the azupyrene adsorption height was observed between the (111) and (100) surfaces. On the Cu(110) surface, the molecule was found to adsorb 0.06 ± 0.04 Å closer to the substrate than on the other surface facets. The most energetically favoured adsorption site on each surface, as determined by DFT, is subtly different, but in each case involved a configuration where the aromatic rings were centred above a hollow site, consistent with previous reports for the adsorption of small aromatic molecules on metal surfaces.

Modular Synthesis of Structurally Diverse Azulene-Embedded Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Knoevenagel-Type Condensation.

The research interest in azulene-embedded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has significantly increased recently, but the lack of efficient synthetic strategies impedes the investigation of their structure-property relationships and further opto-electronic applications. Here we report a modular synthetic strategy towards diverse azulene-embedded PAHs by a tandem Suzuki coupling and base-promoted Knoevenagel-type condensation with good yields and great structural versatility, including non-alternant thiophene-rich PAHs, butterfly- or Z-shaped PAHs bearing two azulene units, and the first example of a two-azulene-embedded double [5]helicene. The structural topology, aromaticity and photophysical properties were investigated by NMR, X-ray crystallography analysis and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy assisted by DFT calculations. This strategy provides a new platform for rapidly synthesizing unexplored non-alternant PAHs or even graphene nanoribbons with multiple azulene units.

Applications of Noncontact Atomic Force Microscopy in Petroleum Characterization: Opportunities and Challenges

Despite a tremendous amount of research, molecular characterization of petroleum remains a significant scientific challenge because petroleum is an exceptionally complex molecular mixture. This paper reviews recent advances in the application of noncontact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) to the petroleum field. The complexity of petroleum presents a number of experimental and computational challenges to achieve the full potential of this new technique. Initial results on categorizing structures as either alternant or nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), recognizing empirical structural patterns, quantifying the local aromaticity and bond orders, and computing the electronic structures will be presented. The effect of sample preparation in AFM and the influence of petroleum structural parameters on imaging results, such as molecular weight, thermal cracking of weak linkages, nonplanar geometries or conformations, the presence of heteroatoms, and trace amounts of free radicals will be discussed. This review also highlights the application of the AFM imaging technique, including recent results from characterizing molecules in petroleum pitch M-50. The observed predominant methyl substituents on M-50 pitch led to the design of dimethylpyrene, confirming the role of methyls in promoting molecular weight growth of aromatic hydrocarbons and revealing new insights into the polymerization mechanism. The knowledge of definitive petroleum structures may enable new reaction pathways and sustainable uses for petroleum molecules in applications such as carbon materials and infrastructures.

On-Surface Strain-Driven Synthesis of Nonalternant Non-Benzenoid Aromatic Compounds Containing Four- to Eight-Membered Rings.

The synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons containing various non-benzenoid rings remains a big challenge facing contemporary organic chemistry despite a considerable effort made over the last decades. Herein, we present a novel route, employing on-surface chemistry, to synthesize nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons containing up to four distinct kinds of non-benzenoid rings. We show that the surface-induced mechanical constraints imposed on strained helical reactants play a decisive role leading to the formation of products, energetically unfavorable in solution, with a peculiar ring current stabilizing the aromatic character of the π-conjugated system. Determination of the chemical and electronic structures of the most frequent product reveals its closed-shell character and low band gap. The present study renders a new route for the synthesis of novel nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or other hydrocarbons driven by internal stress imposed by the surface not available by traditional approaches of organic chemistry in solution.

Towards Nonalternant Nanographenes through Self‐Promoted Intramolecular Indenoannulation Cascade by C−F Bond Activation

Large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing pentagons represent an important class of compounds that are considered to be superior materials in future nano-electronic applications. From this perspective, the development of synthetic approaches to large PAHs and nanographenes (NGs) is a matter of great importance. In this context indenoannulation appears to be the most practical way to introduce pentagons into NGs. Here we report that alumina-mediated C-F bond activation is an attractive tool for the synthesis of non-alternant NGs bearing several pentagons. The unique nature of the reaction leads to a rather counter-intuitive outcome and allows considering each previous aryl-aryl coupling as a promoter of the following one, despite the continuous increase in the strain energy. Thus, the presented strategy combines both facile synthesis and significant yields for large nonalternant PAHs and NGs.

Reflectance spectroscopy (350–2500 nm) of solid-state polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds based on fused aromatic rings, and are formed in a variety of astrophysical, solar nebula and planetary processes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are known or suspected to occur in a wide variety of planetary settings including icy satellites, Titan’s hazes, carbonaceous meteorites, comet nuclei, ring particles; and terrestrial organic-rich lithologies such as coals, asphaltites, and bituminous sands. Relatively few measurements of the visible and near-infrared spectra of PAHs exist, yet this wavelength region (350–2500nm) is widely used for remote sensing. This study presents detailed analyses of the 350–2500nm reflectance spectra of 47 fine-grained powders of different high-purity solid-state PAHs. Spectral properties of PAHs change with variations in the number and connectivity of linked aromatic rings and the presence and type of side-groups and heterocycles. PAH spectra are characterized by three strong features near ∼880nm, ∼1145nm, and ∼1687nm due to overtones of νCH fundamental stretching vibrations. Some PAHs are amenable to remote detection due to the presence of diagnostic spectral features, including: NH stretching overtones at 1490–1515nm in NH- and NH2-bearing PAHs, aliphatic or saturated bond CH overtone vibrations at ∼1180–1280nm and ∼1700–1860nm; a broad asymmetric feature between ∼1450nm and ∼1900nm due to OH stretching overtones in aromatic alcohols, CH and CO combinations near ∼2000–2010nm and ∼2060–2270nm in acetyl and carboxyl-bearing PAHs. Other substituents such as sulphonyl, thioether ether and carboxyl heterocycles, or cyano, nitrate, and aromatic side groups, do not produce well-resolved diagnostic spectral features but do cause shifts in the positions of the aromatic CH vibrational overtone features. Fluorescence is commonly suppressed by the presence of heterocycles, side-groups and in many non-alternant PAHs. The spectral characteristics of PAHs offer the potential, under suitable circumstances, for remote characterization of the classes of PAH present and in some cases, identification of particular heterocyclic or side-group substituents.

Biotransformation of the high‐molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) benzo[k]fluoranthene by Sphingobium sp. strain KK22 and identification of new products of non‐alternant PAH biodegradation by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A pathway for the biotransformation of the environmental pollutant and high-molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) benzo[k]fluoranthene by a soil bacterium was constructed through analyses of results from liquid chromatography negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI(–)-MS/MS). Exposure of Sphingobium sp. strain KK22 to benzo[k]fluoranthene resulted in transformation to four-, three-and two-aromatic ring products. The structurally similar four-and three-ring non-alternant PAHs fluoranthene and acenaphthylene were also biotransformed by strain KK22, and LC/ESI(–)-MS/MS analyses of these products confirmed the lower biotransformation pathway proposed for benzo[k]fluoranthene. In all, seven products from benzo[k]fluoranthene and seven products from fluoranthene were revealed and included previously unreported products from both PAHs. Benzo[k]fluoranthene biotransformation proceeded through ortho-cleavage of 8,9-dihydroxy-benzo[k]fluoranthene to 8-carboxyfluoranthenyl-9-propenic acid and 9-hydroxy-fluoranthene-8-carboxylic acid, and was followed by meta-cleavage to produce 3-(2-formylacenaphthylen-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-prop-2-enoic acid. The fluoranthene pathway converged with the benzo[k]fluoranthene pathway through detection of the three-ring product, 2-formylacenaphthylene-1-carboxylic acid. Production of key downstream metabolites, 1,8-naphthalic anhydride and 1-naphthoic acid from benzo[k]fluoranthene, fluoranthene and acenaphthylene biotransformations provided evidence for a common pathway by strain KK22 for all three PAHs through acenaphthoquinone. Quantitative analysis of benzo[k]fluoranthene biotransformation by strain KK22 confirmed biodegradation. This is the first pathway proposed for the biotransformation of benzo[k]fluoranthene by a bacterium.

Fluorescence Quenching of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Nitromethane within Ionic Liquid Added Aqueous Anionic Micellar Solution

Applicability of nitromethane as selective fluorescence quenching agent for discriminating between alternant versus nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is examined for eight PAHs d...

Valence-Bond Determination of Bond Lengths of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Comparisons with Recent Experimental and Ab Initio Results

Pauling's valence-bond (VB) method for determining bond lengths is compared to ten recent literature experimental and theoretical results and is shown to give comparable results. His method only requires computation of the number of Kekulé (K) and Dewar structures (DS) of conjugated hydrocarbons. Both K and DS are obtained from the last two coefficients of the matching polynomial which is also used to obtain topological resonance energy (TRE). A molecular fragmentation method is given for determining DS of essentially disconnected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Both Kekuléan alternant and nonalternant PAHs, including essentially disconnected and non-Kekuléan systems, have bond lengths that are easily determined by this method.

π-dimerization of pleiadiene radical cations at low temperatures revealed by UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry and quantum theory

One-electron oxidation of the non-alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pleiadiene and related cyclohepta[c,d]pyrene and cyclohepta[c,d]fluoranthene in THF produces corresponding radical cations detectable in the temperature range of 293–263 K only on the subsecond time scale of cyclic voltammetry. Although the EPR-active red-coloured pleiadiene radical cation is stable according to the literature in concentrated sulfuric acid, spectroelectrochemical measurements reported in this study provide convincing evidence for its facile conversion into the green-coloured, formally closed shell and, hence, EPR-silent π-bound dimer dication stable in THF at 253 K. The unexpected formation of the thermally unstable dimeric product featuring a characteristic intense low-energy absorption band at 673 nm (1.84 eV; logemax = 4.0) is substantiated by ab initio calculations on the parent pleiadiene molecule and the PF6− salts of the corresponding radical cation and dimer dication. The latter is stabilized with respect to the radical cation by 14.40 kcal mol−1 (DFT B3LYP) [37.64 kcal mol−1 (CASPT2/DFT B3LYP)]. An excellent match has been obtained between the experimental and TD-DFT-calculated UV–vis spectra of the PF6− salt of the pleiadiene dimer dication, considering solvent (THF) effects.

Experimental and Computed Absolute Redox Potentials of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are Highly Linearly Correlated Over a Wide Range of Structures and Potentials

A more rigorous theoretical treatment of methods previously used to correlate computed energy values with experimental redox potentials, combined with the availability of well-developed computational solvation methods, results in a shift away from computing ionization potentials/electron affinities in favor of computing absolute reduction potentials. Seventy-nine literature redox potentials measured under comparable conditions from 51 alternant and nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are linearly correlated with their absolute reduction potentials computed by density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31+G(d)) with SMD/IEF-PCM solvation. The resulting correlation is very strong (R(2) = 0.9981, MAD = 0.056 eV). When extrapolated to the x-intercept, the correlation results in an estimate of 5.17 ± 0.01 eV for the absolute potential of the ferrocene-ferrocenium redox couple in acetonitrile at 25 °C, indicating that this simple method can be used reliably for both calculating absolute redox potentials and for predicting relative redox potentials. When oxidation and reduction data are evaluated separately, the overall MAD value is improved by 50% to 0.028 eV, which improves relative potential predictions, but the computed values do not extrapolate to a reasonable estimate of the absolute potential of the ferrocene-ferrocenium ion reference.

Distribution of alternant and non-alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments and clams of the Pialassa Baiona Lagoon (Ravenna, Italy)

The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments and clams (Tapes philippinarum) in a Ramsar site (Pialassa Baiona Lagoon, Italy) was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Surface sediments exhibited a variable degree of PAH contamination, with high concentration values (>100 mg/kg) in the southern area, in the proximity of the industrial district, and much lower values (<1 mg/kg) in the northern area. The molecular distribution of PAHs was very similar throughout the Lagoon, confirming previous studies indicating a common source of contamination attributed to partial combustion of methane. With the exception of the northernmost site, the molecular distribution was characterized by high levels of non-alternant PAHs, among which the probable mutagenic cyclopenta[cd]pyrene was the predominant species. PAH levels in tissues of clams collected in the polluted area, where fishing is forbidden, and in the less-polluted permitted area were similar (∼0.1 mg/kg dry weight). In both sites, the PAH distribution in clams was different from that observed in sediments. In particular, the levels of non-alternant PAHs with an external cyclopenta ring (CP-PAHs), acenaphtylene and cyclopenta[cd]pyrene, were remarkably lowered in clams with respect to sediments, probably as a result of their chemical/biological reactivity.

Spectrochemical Evaluation of Diisopropylamine as a Selective Fluorescence Quenching Agent of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Acetonitrile

The ability of diisopropylamine to selectively quench the fluorescence intensity of nonalternant as opposed to alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) dissolved in acetonitrile was investigated. Sixteen alternant PAHs and 14 nonalternant PAHs were examined. Five PAHs, which contain a fixed double bond in the cyclopenta ring, were also included in this study. The experimental results indicated, with few exceptions, that diisopropylamine selectively quenched the fluorescence emission intensity of nonalternant PAHs, leaving the fluorescence intensity of most alternant PAHs unaffected. These results also confirmed the classification of the PAHs that contain a fixed double bond in the five membered rings as alternant not nonalternant PAHs. Limitations in the use of diisopropylamine as a selective quenching agent were also studied. Diisopropylamine does not retain its selective fluorescence quenching ability for nonalternant PAHs in acidic media.

Selective Fluorescence Quenching of Alternant vs. Non-Alternant Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Carbon Tetrachloride

Selective Fluorescence Quenching of Alternant vs. Non-Alternant Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Carbon Tetrachloride

Selective fluorescence quenching of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by nitromethane within room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate

Recently discovered room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) show tremendous promise to replace volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Investigation of these RTILs as solvents is in the very early stages. Before the full potential of these RTILs is realized, much more information about them as solvent systems must be obtained. The applicability of one such RTIL, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM PF6), as a solvent toward analysis for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is explored. The steady-state emission behavior of six PAHs along with the fluorescence quenching by nitromethane within BMIM PF6 is investigated. The steady-state emission of six PAHs showed a bathochromic shift in BMIM PF6 compared to acetonitrile, indicating possibly a more dipolar environment. Further, the nitromethane quenching of PAH emission strongly suggests a selective nature as the emission from alternant PAHs are quenched while that from nonalternant PAHs is not. The PAH–nitromethane quenching behavior within BMIM PF6 is compared with that observed in the polar aprotic solvent acetonitrile, and a polar and similar viscosity (to BMIM PF6) solvent system, 90wt.% glycerol in water. It is observed that the PAH–nitromethane quenching within BMIM PF6 and 90wt.% glycerol in water is less efficient than in acetonitrile. This observation is suggested to arise from solvent viscosity.

Forensic Analysis of Commercial Petroleum Products Using Selective Fluorescence Quenching

A novel method for the forensic analysis of commercial petroleum products is presented. In this approach, the petroleum sample is extracted with nitromethane and then separated by capillary liquid chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The addition of selective fluorescence quenching agents allows the sample to be profiled by the distribution of alternant and nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In preliminary studies, the quenching behavior of nitromethane and diisopropylamine was established by using a standard mixture of sixteen PAHs ranging in size from two to six aromatic rings. Subsequent examination of new and used motor oil demonstrated that characteristic differences arise in the PAH content, which may allow for the unique identification of oil from a particular engine or vehicle. In addition, three brands of petrolatum jelly were successfully distinguished. Although a number of alternant alkylated and heterocyclic PAHs were found in all petrolatum samples, there were significant differences in the relative concentrations of alternant as well as nonalternant PAHs. This allowed for clear differentiation of the samples through qualitative inspection of their chromatograms as well as quantitative statistical correlation techniques.

Spectrochemical investigations in molecularly organized solvent media: evaluation of pyridinium chloride as a selective fluorescence quenching agent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous carboxylate-terminated poly(amido) amine dendrimers and anionic micelles.

The ability of pyridinium chloride (PC) to selectively quench alternant as opposed to nonaltemant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in organized media is examined. PC was previously shown to be a selective quenching agent of alternant PAHs in neat polar solvents. Carboxylate-terminated poly(amido) amine (PAMAM-CT) dendrimers and anionic surfactants--sodium dodecanoate (SD), sodium octanoate (SO), and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)--were chosen as the solubilizing media for this study. Selective quenching of alternant PAHs is observed in the presence of the SDS and SO micelles. However, the extent of PAH quenching in SO is significantly reduced compared to PAHs dissolved in either water or SDS micelles. In the case of the smaller generation 4.5 (G4.5) PAMAM-CT dendrimers, PC was prevented from quenching both alternant and nonalternant PAHs to any appreciable extent. The dendrimer is able to "protect" the PAHs from the PC quencher that resides at the dendrimer surface. Both, SD and G5.5 PAMAM-CT precipitated out of solution with the addition of PC. Differences between traditional micelles and "unimolecular micelle" dendrimers were also examined. These studies further confirm that the PAHs did not reside in the "analogous" palisade region of the dendrimers as they do in micelles. The PAHs must reside in the outermost branches of the dendrimer, but sufficiently far enough away from the charged surface groups, where PC associated, to prevent fluorescence quenching. This work further illustrates the differences between "unimolecular micelle" dendrimers and traditional micelles.

Spectrochemical evaluation of pyridinium chloride as a possible selective fluorescence quenching agent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and neat acetonitrile

Pyridinium chloride (PC) is examined as a selective, fluorescence quenching agent for alternant as opposed to nonalternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in two polar solvents — water and acetonitrile. Nine alternant and 13 nonalternant PAHs were dissolved in water and acetonitrile and a total of 0.2 M of pyridinium chloride was added. The resulting change in fluorescence intensity was observed and reported as the Stern–Volmer quenching constant. Results show that PC is a selective quencher in both polar solvents. It selectively quenches the fluorescence emission intensity of alternant PAHs while leaving the nonalternant PAH fluorescence emission virtually unchanged. These results agree with the selective quenching behavior seen for PC surfactant analogs, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and dodecylpyridinium chloride (DDPC). Furthermore, these results illustrate that the presence of a surfactant or micelle is not a requirement for selective quenching. The selective quencher PC is applicable to situations where a surfactant is not desirable or soluble.