trans‐4‐Bromo‐ONN‐azoxy­benzene at 100 K

The crystal structure of the α isomer of trans‐4‐bromo­azoxy­benzene [systematic name: trans‐1‐(bromophenyl)‐2‐phenyl­diazene 2‐oxide], C₁₂H₉BrN₂O, has been determined by X‐ray dif­frac­tion. The geometries of the two mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit are slightly different and are within ∼0.02 Å for bond lengths, ∼2° for angles and ∼3° for torsion angles. The azoxy bridges in both mol­ecules have the typical geometry observed for trans‐azoxy­benzenes. The crystal network contains two types of planar mol­ecules arranged in columns. The torsion angles along the Ar—N bonds are only 7 (2)°, on either side of the azoxy group.     

The Influence of Electrolyte Type on Kinetics of Redox Processes in the Polymer Films of Ni(II) Salen-Type Complexes

Electrodes modified with polymers derived from the complexes [Ni(salcn)], [Ni(salcn(Me))] and [Ni(salcn(Bu))] were obtained in order to study the kinetics of electrode processes occurring in polymer films, depending on the thickness of the films, the type of electrolyte and the solvent. FTIR and EQCM methods were used to determine the type of mass transported into polymer films during anode processes and the number of moles of ions and solvent. The rate of charge transport through films was determined by the cyclic voltammetry method, by the quantity cD^1/2. It was shown that the charge transport was determined by the transport of anions. The kinetics were most efficient for poly[Ni(salcn(Bu))] modified electrodes, obtained from TBAPF₆ and working in TBAClO₄ and TBABF₄. It was also shown that a solvent with a higher DN value and lower viscosity (MeCN) facilitated the transport of the charge through polymer films.     

Simultaneous Hydrogen Generation and Exciplex Stimulated Emission in Photobasic Carbon Dots

Photocatalytic water splitting is a promising approach to generating sustainable hydrogen. However, the transport of photoelectrons to the catalyst sites, usually within ps-to-ns timescales, is much faster than proton delivery (∼μs), which limits the activity. Therefore, the acceleration of abstraction of protons from water molecules towards the catalytic sites to keep up with the electron transfer rate can significantly promote hydrogen production. The photobasic effect that is the increase in proton affinity upon excitation offers means to achieve this objective. Herein, we design photobasic carbon dots and identify that internal pyridinic N sites are intrinsically photobasic. This is supported by steady-state and ultrafast spectroscopic measurements that demonstrate proton abstraction within a few picoseconds of excitation. Furthermore, we show that in water, they form a unique four-level lasing scheme with optical gain and stimulated emission. The latter competes with photocatalysis, revealing a rather unique mechanism for efficiency loss, such that the stimulated emission can act as a toggle for photocatalytic activity. This provides additional means of controlling the photocatalytic process and helps the rational design of photocatalytic materials.     

Molecular Engineering To Enhance Reactivity and Selectivity in an Ultrafast Photoclick Reaction

Light-induced 9,10-phenanthrenequinone-electron-rich alkene ( PQ-ERA ) photocycloadditions are an attractive new type of photoclick reaction, featuring fast conversions and high biocompatibility. However, the tunability of the reaction was hardly investigated up to now. To this end, we explored the influence of substituents on both reaction partners and the reaction rate between the PQs and ERAs . We identified new handles for functionalization and discovered that using enamines as ERAs leads to drastically enhanced rates (>5400 times faster), high photoreaction quantum yields ( Φ_P , up to 65 %), and multicolor emission output as well as a high fluorescence quantum yield of the adducts ( Φ_F , up to 97 %). Further investigation of the photophysical and photochemical properties provided insights to design orthogonal reaction systems both in solution and on nanoparticle surfaces for ultrafast chemoselective functionalization by photoclick reactions.