Dicyanoaromatic radical anions as mixed valence species

Picosecond reactions of excited radical ion super-reductants

Classical photochemistry requires nanosecond excited-state lifetimes for diffusion-controlled reactions. Excited radicals with picosecond lifetimes have been implied by numerous photoredox studies, and controversy has arisen as to whether they can actually be catalytically active. We provide direct evidence for the elusive pre-association between radical ions and substrate molecules, enabling photoinduced electron transfer beyond the diffusion limit. A strategy based on two distinct light absorbers, mimicking the natural photosystems I and II, is used to generate excited radicals, unleashing extreme reduction power and activating C(sp2)-Cl and C(sp2)-F bonds. Our findings provide a long-sought mechanistic understanding for many previous synthetically-oriented works and permit more rational future photoredox reaction development. The newly developed excitation strategy pushes the current limits of reactions based on multi-photon excitation and very short-lived but highly redox active species.

Two-level spatial modulation of vibronic conductance in conjugated oligophenylenes on boron nitride

Intramolecular current-induced vibronic excitations are reported in highly ordered monolayers of quaterphenylene dicarbonitriles at an electronically patterned boron nitride on copper platform (BN/Cu(111)). A first level of spatially modulated conductance at the nanometer-scale is induced by the substrate. Moreover, a second level of conductance variations at the molecular level is found. Low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy studies in conjunction with molecular dynamics calculations reveal collective amplification of the molecule's interphenylene torsion angles in the monolayer. Librational modes influencing these torsion angles are identified as initial excitations during vibronic conductance. Density functional theory is used to map phenylene breathing modes and other vibrational excitations that are suggested to be at the origin of the submolecular features during vibronic conductance.

Resonance Raman spectroscopic study of solvent-dependent coexistence of localized and delocalized dinitroaromatic radical anions

Optical absorption spectra of three dinitroaromatic radical anions, 2,7-dinitro-9,9-dimethylfluorene (1•−), 4,4′-dinitrobiphenyl (2•−), and 4,4′-dinitrotolane (3•−) in solvents THF, HMPA, and MeCN show both an unresolved broad band characteristic of charge-localized mixed valence species (Robin-Day classification Class II), and a vibronically structured band of the delocalized species (Class III). With decreasing solvent reorganization energy, a greater portion of the compounds become charge-delocalized. In particular, 1•− with the greatest coupling, is almost entirely composed of the delocalized species in all solvents. An intense Raman mode is used to identify the charge-bearing unit as the nitrobenzene moiety. Resonance Raman profiles are utilized to gain detailed information of vibrational modes. The out-of-phase ring lengthening stretch mode is observed to be enhanced at higher excitation energies, corresponding to the absorption band of the Class II species, while the in-phase ring lengthening stretch mode, a totally symmetric vibration, is most strongly enhanced in the absorption region of the Class III species. Resonance Raman profiles support the solvent-dependent coexistence of Class II and Class III molecules of the same chemical composition.