A magnetic switch for spin-catalyzed interconversion of nuclear spin isomers

Reversible Diels–Alder Addition to Fullerenes: A Study of Dimethylanthracene with H2@C60

The study of isolated atoms or molecules inside a fullerene cavity provides a unique environment. It is likely to control the outer carbon cage and study the isolated species when molecules or atoms are trapped inside a fullerene. We report the Diels–Alder addition reaction of 9,10-dimethyl anthracene (DMA) to H2@C60 while 1H NMR spectroscopy is utilized to characterize the Diels–Alder reaction of the DMA with the fullerene. Through 1H NMR spectroscopy, a series of isomeric adducts are identified. The obtained peaks are sharp, precise, and straightforward. Moreover, in this paper, H2@C60 and its isomers are described for the first time.

A Solid-State Intramolecular Wittig Reaction Enables Efficient Synthesis of Endofullerenes Including Ne@C60 , 3 He@C60 , and HD@C60

An open-cage fullerene incorporating phosphorous ylid and carbonyl group moieties on the rim of the orifice can be filled with gases (H2 , He, Ne) in the solid state, and the cage opening then contracted in situ by raising the temperature to complete an intramolecular Wittig reaction, trapping the atom or molecule inside. Known transformations complete conversion of the product fullerene to C60 containing the endohedral species. As well as providing an improved synthesis of large quantities of 4 He@C60 , H2 @C60 , and D2 @C60 , the method allows the efficient incorporation of expensive gases such as HD and 3 He, to prepare HD@C60 and 3 He@C60 . The method also enables the first synthesis of Ne@C60 by molecular surgery, and its characterization by crystallography and 13 C NMR spectroscopy.

A polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diradical with pH-responsive magnetic properties

By integrating azulene with a quinoid moiety, a novel non-alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecule BCHF1 exhibiting manifold zwitterionic, quinoidal and diradical behaviors is designed and synthesized. Its zwitterionic feature is evidenced by the changes shown by the ¹H-NMR and absorption spectra when the molecule undergoes reversible protonation and deprotonation reactions at varied pH. The diradical facet, manifesting a small singlet-triplet energy gap (ΔE _S-T), is characterized with a paramagnetic resonance signal detected by the EPR spectroscopy at room temperature. As the diradical properties are not observed in the protonated form, BCHF1+H⁺ , a pH-controlled reversible magnetic switching behavior is illustrated by monitoring the on and off cycles of EPR signals upon successively adding bases and acids to a solution or exposing a thin film of BCHF1+H⁺ to base vapor followed by acid vapor.

Nitroxide-Based Macromolecular Contrast Agents with Unprecedented Transverse Relaxivity and Stability for Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumors

Metal-free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents could overcome the established toxicity associated with metal-based agents in some patient populations and enable new modes of functional MRI in vivo. Herein, we report nitroxide-functionalized brush-arm star polymer organic radical contrast agents (BASP-ORCAs) that overcome the low contrast and poor in vivo stability associated with nitroxide-based MRI contrast agents. As a consequence of their unique nanoarchitectures, BASP-ORCAs possess per-nitroxide transverse relaxivities up to ∼44-fold greater than common nitroxides, exceptional stability in highly reducing environments, and low toxicity. These features combine to provide for accumulation of a sufficient concentration of BASP-ORCA in murine subcutaneous tumors up to 20 h following systemic administration such that MRI contrast on par with metal-based agents is observed. BASP-ORCAs are, to our knowledge, the first nitroxide MRI contrast agents capable of tumor imaging over long time periods using clinical high-field 1H MRI techniques.

Reversible solvatomagnetic switching in a single-ion magnet from an entatic state

A vast impact on molecular nanoscience can be achieved using simple transition metal complexes as dynamic chemical systems to perform specific and selective tasks under the control of an external stimulus that switches "ON" and "OFF" their electronic properties. While the interest in single-ion magnets (SIMs) lies in their potential applications in information storage and quantum computing, the switching of their slow magnetic relaxation associated with host-guest processes is insufficiently explored. Herein, we report a unique example of a mononuclear cobalt(ii) complex in which geometrical constraints are the cause of easy and reversible water coordination and its release. As a result, a reversible and selective colour and SIM behaviour switch occurs between a "slow-relaxing" deep red anhydrous material (compound 1) and its "fast-relaxing" orange hydrated form (compound 2). The combination of this optical and magnetic switching in this new class of vapochromic and thermochromic SIMs offers fascinating possibilities for designing multifunctional molecular materials.

Symmetry-breaking in the H2@C60 endofullerene revealed by inelastic neutron scattering at low temperature

The fine structure of the rotational ground state of molecular ortho-hydrogen confined inside the fullerene cage C₆₀ is investigated by inelastic neutron scattering (INS).

Molecular magnetic switch for a metallofullerene

The endohedral fullerenes lead to well-protected internal species by the fullerene cages, and even highly reactive radicals can be stabilized. However, the manipulation of the magnetic properties of these radicals from outside remains challenging. Here we report a system of a paramagnetic metallofullerene Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ connected to a nitroxide radical, to achieve the remote control of the magnetic properties of the metallofullerene. The remote nitroxide group serves as a magnetic switch for the electronic spin resonance (ESR) signals of Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ via spin–spin interactions. Briefly, the nitroxide radical group can ‘switch off’ the ESR signals of the Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ moiety. Moreover, the strength of spin–spin interactions between Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ and the nitroxide group can be manipulated by changing the distance between these two spin centres. In addition, the ESR signals of the Sc₃C₂@C₈₀ moiety can be switched on at low temperatures through weakened spin–lattice interactions.

Endohedral fullerenes are known to stabilize reactive radicals; however, the external magnetic manipulation of these species’ remains challenging. Here, the authors link a nitroxide radical to a paramagnetic fullerene system and are able to alter the spin behaviour of the fullerene via spin–spin interactions.

Synthesis and characterisation of an open-cage fullerene encapsulating hydrogen fluoride

We report the first encapsulation of HF in an open fullerene and its solution and solid-state NMR.

An optimised scalable synthesis of H2O@C60 and a new synthesis of H2@C60

New efficient and practical routes to H₂O@C₆₀, D₂O@C₆₀ and H₂@C₆₀ are described.

Nuclear magnetic resonance of hydrogen molecules trapped inside C70 fullerene cages

We present a solid-state NMR study of H2 molecules confined inside the cavity of C70 fullerene cages over a wide range of temperatures (300 K to 4 K). The proton NMR spectra are consistent with a model in which the dipole-dipole coupling between the ortho-H2 protons is averaged over the rotational/translational states of the confined quantum rotor, with an additional chemical shift anisotropy δ(H)(CSA)=10.1 ppm induced by the carbon cage. The magnitude of the chemical shift anisotropy is consistent with DFT estimates of the chemical shielding tensor field within the cage. The experimental NMR data indicate that the ground state of endohedral ortho-H2 in C70 is doubly degenerate and polarized transverse to the principal axis of the cage. The NMR spectra indicate significant magnetic alignment of the C70 long axes along the magnetic field, at temperatures below ~10 K.

Spectroscopy of light-molecule endofullerenes

Molecular endofullerenes are supramolecular systems consisting of fullerene cages encapsulating small molecules. Although most early examples consist of encapsulated metal clusters, recently developed synthetic routes have provided endofullerenes with non-metallic guest molecules in high purity and macroscopic quantities. The encapsulated light molecule behaves as a confined quantum rotor, displaying rotational quantization as well as translational quantization, and a rich coupling between the translational and rotational degrees of freedom. Furthermore, many encapsulated molecules display spin isomerism. Spectroscopies such as inelastic neutron scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy may be used to obtain information on the quantized energy level structure and spin isomerism of the guest molecules. It is also possible to study the influence of the guest molecules on the cages, and to explore the communication between the guest molecules and the molecular environment outside the cage.

Nuclear spin isomers of guest molecules in H₂@C₆₀, H₂O@C₆₀ and other endofullerenes

Spectroscopic studies of recently synthesized endofullerenes, in which H₂, H₂O and other atoms and small molecules are trapped in cages of carbon atoms, have shown that although the trapped molecules interact relatively weakly with the internal environment they are nevertheless susceptible to appropriately applied external perturbations. These properties have been exploited to isolate and study samples of H₂ in C₆₀ and other fullerenes that are highly enriched in the para spin isomer. Several strategies for spin-isomer enrichment, potential extensions to other endofullerenes and possible applications of these materials are discussed.

Comparison of Nuclear Spin Relaxation of H2O@C60 and H2@C60 and Their Nitroxide Derivatives

The successful synthesis of H2O@C60 makes possible the study of magnetic interactions of an isolated water molecule in a geometrically well-defined hydrophobic environment. Comparisons are made between the T1 values of H2O@C60 and the previously studied H2@C60 and their nitroxide derivatives. The value of T1 is approximately six times longer for H2O@C60 than for H2@C60 at room temperature, is independent of solvent viscosity or polarity, and increases monotonically with decreasing temperature, implying that T1 is dominated by the spin-rotation interaction. Paramagnetic nitroxides, either attached covalently to the C60 cage or added to the medium, produce strikingly similar T1 enhancements for H2O@C60 and H2@C60 that are consistent with through-space interaction between the internal nuclear spins and the external electron spin. This indicates that it should be possible to apply to the endo-H2O molecule the same methodologies for manipulating the ortho and para spin isomers that have proven successful for H2@C60.

Comparison of Nuclear Spin Relaxation of H2O@C60 and H2@C60 and Their Nitroxide Derivatives

The successful synthesis of H2O@C60 makes possible the study of magnetic interactions of an isolated water molecule in a geometrically well-defined hydrophobic environment. Comparisons are made between the T1 values of H2O@C60 and the previously studied H2@C60 and their nitroxide derivatives. The value of T1 is approximately six times longer for H2O@C60 than for H2@C60 at room temperature, is independent of solvent viscosity or polarity, and increases monotonically with decreasing temperature, implying that T1 is dominated by the spin-rotation interaction. Paramagnetic nitroxides, either attached covalently to the C60 cage or added to the medium, produce strikingly similar T1 enhancements for H2O@C60 and H2@C60 that are consistent with through-space interaction between the internal nuclear spins and the external electron spin. This indicates that it should be possible to apply to the endo-H2O molecule the same methodologies for manipulating the ortho and para spin isomers that have proven successful for H2@C60.

Fun with photons, reactive intermediates, and friends. Skating on the edge of the paradigms of physical organic chemistry, organic supramolecular photochemistry, and spin chemistry

This Perspective presents a review and survey of the science and philosophy of my research career over the past five decades at Columbia as a physical organic chemist and photochemist. I explore the role of paradigms, structure, and geometric thinking in my own cognitive and intellectual development. The Perspective describes my investigations of high energy content molecules in electronically excited states and the development of electronic spin and supramolecular photochemistry chemistry. Current research dealing with the nuclear spin chemistry of H(2) incarcerated in buckyballs is illustrated. In the second part of this Perspective, I recount a personal role of the philosophy and history of science and the scientific communities' use of paradigms in their every day research and intellectual activities. Examples are given of the crucial role of geometry and structure in the rapid development of organic chemistry and physical organic chemistry over the past century.

A photochemical on-off switch for tuning the equilibrium mixture of H2 nuclear spin isomers as a function of temperature

The photochemical interconversion of the two allotropes of the hydrogen molecule [para-H(2) (pH(2)) and ortho-H(2) (oH(2))] incarcerated inside the fullerene C(70) (pH(2)@C(70) and oH(2)@C(70), respectively) is reported. Photoexcitation of H(2)@C(70) generates a fullerene triplet state that serves as a spin catalyst for pH(2)/oH(2) conversion. This method provides a means of changing the pH(2)/oH(2) ratio inside C(70) by simply irradiating H(2)@C(70) at different temperatures, since the equilibrium ratio is temperature-dependent and the electronic triplet state of the fullerene produced by absorption of the photon serves as an "on-off" spin catalyst. However, under comparable conditions, no photolytic pH(2)/oH(2) interconversion was observed for H(2)@C(60), which was rationalized by the significantly shorter triplet lifetime of H(2)@C(60) relative to H(2)@C(70).

Electrostatic control of spin exchange between mobile spin-correlated radical pairs created in micellar solutions

A series of photoinduced H-atom abstraction reactions between anthraquinone-2,6,-disulfonate, disodium salt (AQDS) and differently charged micellar substrates is presented. After a 248 nm excimer laser flash, the first excited triplet state of AQDS is rapidly formed and then quenched by abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the alkyl chain of the micelle surfactant, leading to a spin-correlated radical pair (SCRP). The SCRP is detected 500 ns after the laser flash using time-resolved (direct detection) electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectroscopy at X-band (9.5 GHz). By changing the charge on the surfactant headgroup from negative (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) to positive (dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, DTAC), TREPR spectra with different degrees of antiphase structure (APS) in their line shape were observed. The first derivative-like APS line shape is the signature of an SCRP experiencing an electron spin exchange interaction between the radical centers, which was clearly observable in DTAC micelles and absent in SDS micellar solutions. Solutions with surfactant concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration (cmc) or solutions where micellar formation had been disrupted (1:1 v/v CH(3)CN/H(2)O) also showed no APS line shapes in their TREPR spectra. These results support the conclusion that electrostatic forces between the sensitizer (AQDS) charge and the substrate (surfactant) headgroup charge are responsible for the observed effects. The results represent a new example of electrostatic control of a spin exchange interaction in mobile radical pairs.