Rectification in Nanoscale Devices Based on an Asymmetric Five-Coordinate Iron(III) Phenolate Complex

Electrochemical Quantification of Corrosion Mitigation on Iron Surfaces with Gallium(III) and Zinc(II) Metallosurfactants

We have recently described a new potential use for Langmuir-Blodgett films of surfactants containing redox-inert metal ions in the inhibition of corrosion and have shown good qualitative results for both iron and aluminum surfaces. In this study we proceed to quantify electrochemically the viability of gallium(III)- and zinc(II)-containing metallosurfactants [Ga^III(L^N2O3)] (1) and [Zn^II(L^N2O2)H₂O] (2) as mitigators for iron corrosion in saline and acidic media. We evaluate their charge transfer suppression and then focus on potentiodynamic polarization and impedance spectroscopy studies, including detailed SEM data to interrogate their metal dissolution/oxygen reduction rate mitigation abilities. Both complexes show some degree of mitigation, with a more pronounced activity in saline than in acidic medium.

A Molecular Approach for Mitigation of Aluminum Pitting based on Films of Zinc(II) and Gallium(III) Metallosurfactants

The use of metallosurfactants to prevent pitting corrosion of aluminum surfaces is discussed based on the behavior of the metallosurfactants [Zn^II (L^N2O2 )H₂ O] (1) and [Ga^III (L^N2O3 )] (2). These species were deposited as multilayer Langmuir-Blodgett films and characterized by IR reflection absorption spectroscopy and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy images, potentiodynamic polarization experiments, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to assess corrosion mitigation. Both metallosurfactants demonstrate superior anticorrosion activity due to the presence of redox-inactive 3d¹⁰ metal ions that enhance the structural resistance of the ordered molecular films and limit chloride mobility and electron transfer.

Influence of nitro substituents on the redox, electronic, and proton reduction catalytic behavior of phenolate-based [N2O3]-type cobalt(iii) complexes

We report on the synthesis, redox, electronic, and catalytic behavior of two new cobalt(iii) complexes, namely [CoIII(L1)MeOH] (1) and [CoIII(L2)MeOH] (2). These species contain nitro-rich, phenolate-based pentadentate ligands and present dramatically distinct properties associated with the position in which the -NO2 substituents are installed. Species 1 displays nitro-substituted phenolates, and exhibits irreversible redox response and negligible catalytic activity, whereas 2 has fuctionalized phenylene moieties, shows much improved redox reversibility and catalytic proton reduction activity at low overpotentials. A concerted experimental and theoretical approach sheds some light on these drastic differences.

An in situ spectroelectrochemical study on the orientation changes of an [FeiiiLN2O3] metallosurfactant deposited as LB Films on gold electrode surfaces

In this paper we analyze the changes in molecular orientation triggered by electrochemical reduction of an iron-containing surfactant in Langmuir-Blodgett films deposited onto gold electrodes. The metallosurfactant [Feiii(LN2O3)] (1) is an established molecular rectifier capable of unidirectional electron transfer between two electrodes. A gradual decrease in the activity is observed in sequential current vs. potential curves upon repeated cycles. Here we evaluate the redox response associated with the reduction of the Feiii/Feii couple in a single monolayer, as well as in a 5-layer LB film of 1. We use polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM IRRAS) to follow structural and orientation changes associated with such applied potential scans. We observe that the reduction of the Fe center becomes increasingly irreversible because an Fe-Ophenolate bond is cleaved. This transformation is accompanied by an almost vertical change in the orientation of metallosurfactant molecules in LB films.

Observation of current rectification by the new bimetallic iron(iii) hydrophobe [Fe(LN4O6)] on Au|LB-molecule|Au devices

Targeting the development of stimulus-responsive molecular materials with electronic functionality, we have synthesized and studied the redox and electronic properties of a new bimetallic iron hydrophobe [FeIII2(LN4O6)] (1). The new H6LN4O6 ligand displays bicompartmental topology capable of accomodating two five-coordinate HSFeIII ions bridged by tetraaminobenzene at a close distance of ca. 8 Å. We show that the metal-based reduction processes in (1) proceed sequentially, as observed for electronically coupled metal centers. This species forms a well-defined Pockels-Langmuir film at the air-water interface, with collapse pressure of 32 mN m-1. Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers were deposited on gold substrates and used to investigate current-voltage (I-V) measurements. This unprecedented bimetallic hydrophobe [FeIII2(LN4O6)] (1) shows unquestionable molecular rectification and displays a rectification ratio RR between 2 and 15.

Quo vadis, unimolecular electronics?

This paper reviews the present status of unimolecular electronics (UME). The field started in the 1970s with a hope that some day organic molecules (∼2 nm in size), when used as electronic components, would challenge Si-based inorganic electronics in ultimate-high-density integrated circuits. The technological push to ever smaller inorganic device sizes (Moore's "law") was driven by a profit motive and by vast investments. UME, the underfunded pauper, may have lost that "race to the bottom", but some excellent science is left to be done.

Observation of current rectification by a new asymmetric iron(iii) surfactant in a eutectic GaIn|LB monolayer|Au sandwich

In this paper we expand on the search for molecular rectifiers of electrical current and report on a hexacoordinate metallosurfactant [FeIII(LN3O)(OMe)2], where (LN3O)- is the deprotonated form of the new asymmetric ligand 2-((E)-((4,5-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)-2-(((E)-pyridin-2-ylmethylene)amino)phenyl)imino)methyl)-4,6-di-tert-butyl-phenol. This species rectifies current when deposited as a Langmuir-Blodget film in a "EGaIn/Ga2O3|LB|Au" sandwich with rectification ratios ranging from 25 to 300 at 1 Volt.

Efficient water oxidation with electromodified Langmuir–Blodgett films of procatalytic [CoIII(N2O3)] metallosurfactants on electrodes

Electromodified Langmuir–Blodgett films of a cobalt-based metallosurfactant support water oxidation at turnover numbers of up to 54 000 h⁻¹.

Langmuir–Blodgett films of salophen-based metallosurfactants as surface pretreatment coatings for corrosion mitigation

Langmuir–Blodgett films of metallosurfactants prevent up to 30% of acidic and saline corrosion, showing potential as surface pretreatment coatings.

Platinum(II)-Based Metallo-Supramolecular Polymer with Controlled Unidirectional Dipoles for Tunable Rectification

A platinum(II)-based, luminescent, metallo-supramolecular polymer (PolyPtL1) having an inherent dipole moment was synthesized via complexation of Pt(II) ions with an asymmetric ligand L1, containing terpyridyl and pyridyl moieties. The synthesized ligand and polymer were well characterized by various NMR techniques, optical spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry studies. The morphological study by atomic force microscopy revealed the individual and assembled polymer chains of 1-4 nm height. The polymer was specifically attached on Au-electrodes to produce two types of film (films 1 and 2) in which the polymer chains were aligned with their dipoles in opposite directions. The Au-surface bounded films were characterized by UV-vis, Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and atomic force microscopy study. The quantum mechanical calculation determined the average dipole moment for each monomer unit in PolyPtL1 to be about 5.8 D. The precise surface derivatization permitted effective tuning of the direction dipole moment, as well as the direction of rectification of the resulting polymer-attached molecular diodes. Film 1 was more conductive in positive bias region with an average rectification ratio (RR = I(+4 V)/I(-4 V)) ≈ 20, whereas film 2 was more conducting in negative bias with an average rectification ratio (RR = I(-4 V)/I(+4 V)) ≈ 18.

Modulation of electronic and redox properties in phenolate-rich cobalt(iii) complexes and their implications for catalytic proton reduction

The redox, spectroscopic and catalytic activity of a series of cobalt complexes with phenolate-rich environments was investigated. The complex [Co^III(L^Cl)MeOH] shows considerable proton reduction in MeCN:HOAc with TON = 10.8.

Ligand transformations and efficient proton/water reduction with cobalt catalysts based on pentadentate pyridine-rich environments

A series of cobalt complexes with pentadentate pyridine-rich ligands is studied. An initial Co(II) amine complex 1 is prone to aerial oxidation yielding a Co(III) imine complex 2 that is further converted into an amide complex 4 in presence of adventitious water. Introduction of an N-methyl protecting group to the ligand inhibits this oxidation and gives rise to the Co(II) species 5. Both the Co(III) 4 and Co(II) 5 show electrocatalytic H2 generation in weakly acidic media as well as in water. Mechanisms of catalysis seem to involve the protonation of a Co(II)-H species generated in situ.

Neutral, cationic, and anionic low-spin iron(III) complexes stabilized by amidophenolate and iminobenzosemiquinonate radical in N,N,O ligands

A brownish-black complex [Fe(III)(L)2] (1) (S = 0), supported by two tridentate redox-active azo-appended o-amidophenolates [H2L = 2-(2-phenylazo)-anilino-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol], has been synthesized and structurally characterized. In CH2Cl2 1 displays two oxidative and two reductive 1e(-) redox processes at E1/2 values of 0.48 and 1.06 V and -0.42 and -1.48 V vs SCE, respectively. The one-electron oxidized form [1](+) isolated as a green solid [Fe(III)(L)2][BF4] (2) (S = 1/2) has been structurally characterized. Isolation of a dark ink-blue one-electron reduced form [1](-) has also been achieved [Co(III)(η(5)-C10H15)2][Fe(III)(L)2] (3) (S = 1/2). Mössbauer spectral parameters unequivocally establish that 1 is a low-spin (LS) Fe(III) complex. Careful analysis of Mössbauer spectral data of 2 and 3 at 200 and 80 K reveal that each complex has a major LS Fe(III) and a minor LS Fe(II) component (redox isomers): [Fe(III){(L(ISQ))(-•)}2](+) and [Fe(II){(L(IBQ))(0)}{(L(ISQ))(-•)}](+) (2) and [Fe(III){(L(AP))(2-)}2](-) and [Fe(II){(L(ISQ))(-•)}{(L(AP))(2-)}](-) (3). Notably, for both at 8 K mainly the major component exists. Broken-Symmetry (BS) Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level reveals that in 1 the unpaired electron of LS Fe(III) is strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with a π-radical of o-iminobenzosemiquinonate(1-) (L(ISQ))(-•) form of the ligand, delocalized over two ligands providing 3- charge (X-ray structure). DFT calculations reveal that the unpaired electron in 2 is due to (L(ISQ))(-•) [LS Fe(III) (SFe = 1/2) is strongly antiferromagnetically coupled to one of the (L(ISQ))(-•) radicals (Srad = 1/2)] and 3 is primarily a LS Fe(III) complex, supported by two o-amidophenolate(2-) ligands. Time-Dependent-DFT calculations shed light on the origin of UV-vis-NIR spectral absorptions for 1-3. The collective consideration of Mössbauer, variable-temperature (77-298 K) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and absorption spectral behavior at 298 K, and DFT results reveals that in 2 and 3 the valence-tautomerism is operative in the temperature range 80-300 K.