Observation of a Thermally Accessible Triplet State Resulting from Rotation around a Main-Group π Bond

Spin characteristics in conjugated stable diradicals

Spin properties are intrinsic characters of electrons. Radical molecules contain unpaired electron(s), and their unique chemical and physical properties make them an ideal platform for investigating spin properties in molecular systems. Among them, the burgeoning interest in stable conjugated diradicals is attributed to their distinctive characteristics, notably the dynamic resonance structures between open-shell and closed-shell forms, the malleability of their spin states, and the profound influence of intermolecular spin-spin interactions. A deep understanding of the spin characteristics of unpaired electrons in stable conjugated diradicals provides guidance for the design, synthesis, and characterization of radical-based materials. In this review, we discuss the unique spin delocalization, spin states, and spin-spin coupling characteristics of conjugated diradicals and emphasize how to precisely control these spin characteristics to understand their role in the molecules and as functional radical materials.

Heteroatom-Based Diradical(oid)s

Heteroatom-centered diradical(oid)s have been in the focus of molecular main group chemistry for nearly 30 years. During this time, the diradical concept has evolved and the focus has shifted to the rational design of diradical(oid)s for specific applications. This review article begins with some important theoretical considerations of the diradical and tetraradical concept. Based on these theoretical considerations, the design of diradical(oid)s in terms of ligand choice, steric, symmetry, electronic situation, element choice, and reactivity is highlighted with examples. In particular, heteroatom-centered diradical reactions are discussed and compared with closed-shell reactions such as pericyclic additions. The comparison between closed-shell reactivity, which proceeds in a concerted manner, and open-shell reactivity, which proceeds in a stepwise fashion, along with considerations of diradical(oid) design, provides a rational understanding of this interesting and unusual class of compounds. The application of diradical(oid)s, for example in small molecule activation or as molecular switches, is also highlighted. The final part of this review begins with application-related details of the spectroscopy of diradical(oid)s, followed by an update of the heteroatom-centered diradical(oid)s and tetraradical(oid)s published in the last 10 years since 2013.

Twisted push–pull disilenes obtained by direct 1,2-hydro/chloroborylation of a silylone

Twisted 1-amino-2-boryl disilenes which feature highly polarized SiSi bonds were synthesized by the direct hydro/chloroborylation of a silylene-stabilized monatomic silicon complex.

Conformationally Switchable Silylone: Electron Redistribution Accompanied by Ligand Reorientation around a Monatomic Silicon

Complexes that could be switched between two electronic states by external stimuli have attracted much attention for their potential application in molecular devices. However, a realization of such a phenomenon with low-valent main-group element-centered complexes remains challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis of cyclic (alkyl)(amino)silylene (CAASi)-ligated monatomic silicon(0) complexes (silylones). The bis(CAASi)-ligated silylone adopts a π-localized ylidene structure (greenish-black color) in the solid state and a π-delocalized ylidene structure (dark-purple color) in solution that could be reversibly switched upon phase transfer (ylidene [L: → :Si = L ↔ L = Si: ← :L]). The observed remarkable difference in the physical properties of the two isomers is attributed to the balanced steric demand and redox noninnocent character of the CAASi ligand which are altered by the orientation of the two terminal ligands with respect to the Si-Si-Si plane: twisted structure (π-localized ylidene) and planar structure (π-delocalized ylidene). Conversely, the CAASi/CDASi-ligated heteroleptic silylone (CDASi = cyclic dialkylsilylene) only exhibited the twisted π-localized ylidene structure regardless of the phase. The synthesized silylones also proved themselves as monatomic silicon surrogates. Thermolysis of the silylones in the presence of an ethane-1,2-diimine afforded the corresponding diaminosilylenes. Analyses of the products suggested a stepwise mechanism that proceeds via a disilavinylidene intermediate.

A Di-Copper-Peptoid in a Noninnocent Borate Buffer as a Fast Electrocatalyst for Homogeneous Water Oxidation with Low Overpotential

Water electrolysis is a promising approach toward low-cost renewable fuels; however, the high overpotential and slow kinetics limit its applicability. Studies suggest that either dinuclear copper (Cu) centers or the use of borate buffer can lead to efficient catalysis. We previously demonstrated the ability of peptoids-N-substituted glycine oligomers-to stabilize high-oxidation-state metal ions and to form self-assembled di-copper-peptoid complexes. Capitalizing on these features herein we report on a unique Cu-peptoid duplex, Cu₂(BEE)₂, that is a fast and stable homogeneous electrocatalyst for water oxidation in borate buffer at pH 9.35, with low overpotential and a high turnover frequency of 129 s^-1 (peak current measurements) or 5503 s^-1 (FOWA); both are the highest reported for Cu-based water electrocatalysts to date. BEE is a peptoid trimer having one 2,2'-bipyridine ligand and two ethanolic groups, easily synthesized on solid support. Cu₂(BEE)₂ was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and various spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques, demonstrating its ability to maintain stable in four cycles of controlled potential electrolysis, leading to a high overall turnover number of 51.4 in a total of 2 h. Interestingly, the catalytic activity of control complexes having only one ethanolic side chain is 2 orders of magnitude lower than that of Cu₂(BEE)₂. On the basis of this comparison and on mechanistic studies, we propose that the ethanolic side chains and the borate buffer have significant roles in the high stability and catalytic activity of Cu₂(BEE)₂; the -OH groups facilitate protons transfer, while the borate species enables oxygen transfer toward O-O bond formation.

Equilibrium Formation of Stable All-Silicon Versions of 1,3-Cyclobutanediyl

Main group analogues of cyclobutane-1,3-diyls are fascinating due to their unique reactivity and electronic properties. So far only heteronuclear examples have been isolated. Here we report the isolation and characterization of all-silicon 1,3-cyclobutanediyls as stable closed-shell singlet species from the reversible reactions of cyclotrisilene c-Si3 Tip4 (Tip=2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl) with the N-heterocyclic silylenes c-[(CR2 CH2 )(NtBu)2 ]Si: (R=H or methyl) with saturated backbones. At elevated temperatures, tetrasilacyclobutenes are obtained from these equilibrium mixtures. The corresponding reaction with the unsaturated N-heterocyclic silylene c-(CH)2 (NtBu)2 Si: proceeds directly to the corresponding tetrasilacyclobutene without detection of the assumed 1,3-cyclobutanediyl intermediate.

A Chichibabin's Hydrocarbon-Based Molecular Cage: The Impact of Structural Rigidity on Dynamics, Stability, and Electronic Properties

A three-dimensional π-conjugated polyradicaloid molecular cage c-Ph14, consisting of three Chichibabin's hydrocarbon motifs connected by two benzene-1,3,5-triyl bridgeheads, was synthesized. Compared with its linear model compound l-Ph4, the prism-like c-Ph14 has a more rigid structure, which shows significant impact on the molecular dynamics, stability, and electronic properties. A higher rotation energy barrier for the quinoidal biphenyl units was determined in c-Ph14 (15.64 kcal/mol) than that of l-Ph4 (11.40 kcal/mol) according to variable-temperature NMR measurements, leading to improved stability, a smaller diradical character, and an increased singlet-triplet energy gap. The pressure-dependent Raman spectroscopic studies on the rigid cage c-Ph14 revealed a quinoidal-to-aromatic transformation along the biphenyl bridges. In addition, the ellipsoidal cavity in the cage allowed selective encapsulation of fullerene C₇₀ over C₆₀, with an associate constant of about 1.43 × 10⁴ M^-1. Moreover, c-Ph14 and l-Ph4 exhibited similar redox behavior and their cationic species (c-Ph14⁶⁺ and l-Ph4²⁺) were obtained by chemical oxidation, and the structures were identified by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The biphenyl unit showed a twisted conformation in l-Ph4²⁺ and remained coplanarity in c-Ph14⁶⁺. Notably, molecules of c-Ph14⁶⁺ form a one-dimensional columnar structure via close π-π stacking between the bridgeheads.

A diradical based on odd-electron σ-bonds

The concept of odd-electron σ–bond was first proposed by Linus Pauling. Species containing such a bond have been recognized as important intermediates encountered in many fields. A number of radicals with a one-electron or three-electron σ-bond have been isolated, however, no example of a diradical based odd-electron σ-bonds has been reported. So far all stable diradicals are based on two s/p-localized or π-delocalized unpaired electrons (radicals). Here, we report a dication diradical that is based on two Se∴Se three-electron σ–bonds. In contrast, the dication of sulfur analogue does not display diradical character but exhibits a closed-shell singlet.

Stable diradicals are generally based on two s/p-localized or π-delocalized unpaired electrons (radicals). Here, the authors report a dication diradical that is based on two Se∴Se three-electron σ-bonds.

Mechanism of the Thermal Z⇌E Isomerization of a Stable Silene; Experiment and Theory

The E and Z geometric isomers of a stable silene (tBu₂ MeSi)(tBuMe₂ Si)Si=CH(1-Ad) (1) were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. The thermal Z to E isomerization of 1 was studied both experimentally and computationally using DFT methods. The measured activation parameters for the 1Z⇌1E isomerization are: E_a =24.4 kcal mol^-1 , ΔH^≠ =23.7 kcal mol^-1 , ΔS^≠ =-13.2 e.u. Based on comparison of the experimental and DFT calculated (at BP86-D3BJ/def2-TZVP(-f)//BP86-D3BJ/def2-TZVP(-f)) activation parameters, the Z⇌E isomerization of 1 proceeds through an unusual (unprecedented for alkenes) migration-rotation-migration mechanism (via a silylene intermediate), rather than through the classic rotation mechanism common for alkenes.

5,10-Dimesityldiindeno[1,2-a:2',1'-i]phenanthrene: a stable biradicaloid derived from Chichibabin's hydrocarbon

A diindenophenanthrene biradicaloid, formally derived from Chichibabin's hydrocarbon, is obtained in a short, scalable synthesis.

A diindenophenanthrene biradicaloid, formally derived from Chichibabin's hydrocarbon, is obtained in a short, scalable synthesis. The present system is electron-rich and devoid of conjugated substituents, and still exhibits very good stability under ambient conditions. The introduction of the diindeno[1,2-a:2′,1′-i] phenanthrene ring framework results in a singlet biradicaloid system with an easily accessible triplet state (ΔE_S–T = –1.30 kcal mol^–1) and a small electronic bandgap (1.39 V). The stability limits of the title hydrocarbon were explored systematically in the solid state, to reveal an unusual thermally initiated hydrogen-scrambling oligomerization process.

Isolation of diborenes and their 90°-twisted diradical congeners

Molecules containing multiple bonds between atoms-most often in the form of olefins-are ubiquitous in nature, commerce, and science, and as such have a huge impact on everyday life. Given their prominence, over the last few decades, frequent attempts have been made to perturb the structure and reactivity of multiply-bound species through bending and twisting. However, only modest success has been achieved in the quest to completely twist double bonds in order to homolytically cleave the associated π bond. Here, we present the isolation of double-bond-containing species based on boron, as well as their fully twisted diradical congeners, by the incorporation of attached groups with different electronic properties. The compounds comprise a structurally authenticated set of diamagnetic multiply-bound and diradical singly-bound congeners of the same class of compound.

From open-shell singlet diradicaloids to polyradicaloids

In this Feature Article, we highlight our recent efforts toward stable open-shell singlet diradicaloids and polyradicaloids. A brief review on the historical works in the area is introduced first, followed by discussion on the fundamental electronic and physical properties of open-shell singlet diradicaloids. Then, the structure-diradical character relationships based on our recently developed diradicaloids are presented. Next, the challenges and solutions toward stable polyradicaloids and 3D π-conjugated diradicaloids are discussed. Finally, their preliminary material applications are introduced and a perspective view of the area is given.

Computational Investigation on the Role of Disilene Substituents Toward N2O Activation

The effect of substituents in disilene mediated N₂O activation was studied at the M06-2X/QZVP//ωB97xD/TZVP level of theory. The relationship between structural diversity and the corresponding reactivity of six disilenes (I_A-F^t) in the presence of four different substituents (-NMe₂, -Cl, -Me, -SiMe₃) is addressed in this investigation. We primarily propose two plausible mechanistic routes: Pathway I featuring disilene → silylene decomposition followed by N₂O coordination and Pathway II constituting the N₂O attack without Si-Si bond cleavage. Depending on the fashion of N₂O approach the latter route was further differentiated into Pathway IIa and Pathway IIb detailing the "end-on" and "side-on" attack to the disilene scaffold. Interestingly, the lone pair containing substituents (-NMe₂, -Cl,) facilitates disilene → silylene dissociation; on the contrary it reduces the electrophilicity at Si center in silylene, a feature manifested with higher activation barrier during N₂O attack. In the absence of any lone-pair influence from substituents (-Me, -SiMe₃), the decomposition of disilenes is considerably endothermic. Therefore, Pathway I appears to be the less preferred route for both types of substituents. In Pathway IIa, the N₂O moiety uniformly approaches via O-end to both the silicon centers in disilenes. However, the calculations reveal that Pathway IIa, although not operational for all disilenes, is unlikely to be a viable route due to the predominantly higher transition barrier (ca. 36 kcal/mol). The most feasible route in this current study accompanying moderately low activation barriers (∼19-26 kcal/mol) is Pathway IIb, which involves successive addition of two N₂O units proceeding via terminal N, O toward the Si centers and is applicable for all disilenes. The reactivity of substituted disilenes can be estimated in terms of the first activation barrier of N₂O attack. Surprisingly, in Pathway IIb, the initial activation barrier and hence the reactivity shows negligible correlation with Si-Si bond strength, indicating toward the versatility of the reaction route.