Electronic interactions in a new fullerene dimer: C(122)H(4), with two methylene bridges

Tightly Bound Double-Caged [60]Fullerene Derivatives with Enhanced Solubility: Structural Features and Application in Solar Cells

A series of novel highly soluble double-caged [60]fullerene derivatives were prepared by means of lithium-salt-assisted [2+3] cycloaddition. The bispheric molecules feature rigid linking of the fullerene spheres through a four-membered cycle and a pyrrolizidine bridge with an ester function CO₂ R (R=n-decyl, n-octadecyl, benzyl, and n-butyl; compounds 1 a-d, respectively), as demonstrated by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed three closely overlapping pairs of reversible peaks owing to consecutive one-electron reductions of fullerene cages, as well as an irreversible oxidation peak attributed to abstraction of an electron from the nitrogen lone-electron pair. Owing to charge delocalization over both carbon cages, compounds 1 a-d are characterized by upshifted energies of frontier molecular orbitals, a narrowed bandgap, and reduced electron-transfer reorganization energy relative to pristine C₆₀ . Neat thin films of the n-decyl compound 1 a demonstrated electron mobility of (1.3±0.4)×10^-3  cm²  V^-1  s^-1 , which was comparable to phenyl-C₆₁ -butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and thus potentially advantageous for organic solar cells (OSC). Application of 1 in OSC allowed a twofold increase in the power conversion efficiencies of as-cast poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT)/1 devices relative to the as-cast P3HT/PCBM ones. This is attributed to the good solubility of 1 and their enhanced charge-transport properties - both intramolecular, owing to tightly linked fullerene cages, and intermolecular, owing to the large number of close contacts between the neighboring double-caged molecules. Test P3HT/1 OSCs demonstrated power-conversion efficiencies up to 2.6 % (1 a). Surprisingly low optimal content of double-caged fullerene acceptor 1 in the photoactive layer (≈30 wt %) favored better light harvesting and carrier transport owing to the greater content of P3HT and its higher degree of crystallinity.

Reductive Hydrogenation of Cs -C70 (CF3 )8 and C1 -C70 (CF3 )10

CF3 -derivatized fullerenes prove once again to be promising scaffolds for regioselective fullerene functionalization: now with the smallest possible addends-hydrogen atoms. Hydrogenation of Cs -C70 (CF3 )8 and C1 -C70 (CF3 )10 by means of reduction with Zn/Cu couple in the presence of water proceeds regioselectively, yielding only one major isomer of C70 (CF3 )8 H2 and only two for C70 (CF3 )10 H2 , whose addition patterns are combined in the only abundant isomer of C70 (CF3 )10 H4 . The observed selectivity is governed by the electronic structure of trifluoromethylated substrates. Interestingly, we discovered that Clar's theory can be utilized to predict the regiochemistry of functionalization, and we look forward to testing it on forthcoming cases of derivatization of pre-functionalized fullerene building blocks.

Photochemical and Photophysical Properties of Three Carbon-Bridged Fullerene Dimers: C121 (I, II, III)

The photochemical and photophysical properties of the three C121 isomers (I, II, III) were investigated with MADLI-TOF-MS, UV-vis spectra, fluorescence spectra, absorption spectra of their DMA complexes, and theoretical calculations. The three isomers of C121 (I, II, III) have different stabilities under laser irradiation, but isomer I and isomer II show good stability against the heat-induced conversion between different isomers: No conversion between the isomers was found after heating the mixture of isomer I and isomer II at 353 K for 12 h in Ar atmosphere. The results of UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra indicate that interactions between two C60 moieties of C60=C=C60 in the ground and singlet states are not significant, C121 (I, II, III) behaves as an electron-acceptor similar to C60. These indicate that the formation of the fullerene chain structure (e.g., C60=C=C60) does not disturb the photochemical and photophysical properties of the C60 monomer itself, even that the properties were enhanced by the formation of the polymer. This is significant for the C60 polymer in photochemical or photoelectronic applications in which C60=C=C60 can be an excellent basic unit of polymers.

Synthetic, Electrochemical, and Theoretical Studies of Tetrairidium Clusters Bearing Mono- and Bis[60]fullerene Ligands

Heating a mixture of Ir(4)(CO)(9)(PPh(3))(3) (1) and 2 equiv of C(60) in refluxing chlorobenzene (CB) affords a "butterfly" tetrairidium-C(60) complex Ir(4)(CO)(6){mu(3)-kappa(3)-PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4))P(o-C(6)H(4))PPh(eta(1)-o-C(6)H(4))}(mu(3)-eta(2):eta(2):eta(2)-C(60)) (3, 36%). Brief thermolysis of 1 in refluxing chlorobenzene (CB) gives a "butterfly" complex Ir(4)(CO)(8){mu-k(2)-PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4))PPh}{mu(3)-PPh(2)(eta(1):eta(2)-o-C(6)H(4))} (2, 64%) that is both ortho-phosphorylated and ortho-metalated. Interestingly, reaction of 2 with 2 equiv of C(60) in refluxing CB produces 3 (41%) by C(60)-assisted ortho-phosphorylation, indicating that 2 is the reaction intermediate for the final product 3. On the other hand, reaction of Ir(4)(CO)(8)(PMe(3))(4) (4) with excess (4 equiv) C(60) in refluxing 1,2-dichlorobenzene, followed by treatment with CNCH(2)Ph at 70 degrees C, affords a square-planar complex with two C(60) ligands and a face-capping methylidyne ligand, Ir(4)(CO)(3)(mu(4)-CH)(PMe(3))(2)(mu-PMe(2))(CNCH(2)Ph)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-C(60))(mu(4)-eta(1):eta(1):eta(2):eta(2)-C(60)) (5, 13%) as the major product. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 have been characterized by spectroscopic and microanalytical methods, as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to examine the electrochemical properties of 2, 3, 5, and a related known "butterfly" complex Ir(4)(CO)(6)(mu-CO){mu(3)-k(2)-PPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4))P(eta(1)-o-C(6)H(4))}(mu(3)-eta(2):eta(2):eta(2)-C(60)) (6). These cyclic voltammetry data suggest that a C(60)-mediated electron transfer to the iridium cluster center takes place for the species 3(3)(-) and 6(2)(-) in compounds 3 and 6. The cyclic voltammogram of 5 exhibits six well-separated reversible, one-electron redox waves due to the strong electronic communication between two C(60) cages through a tetrairidium metal cluster spacer. The electrochemical properties of 3, 5, and 6 have been rationalized by molecular orbital calculations using density functional theory and by charge distribution studies employing the Mulliken and Hirshfeld population analyses.

Theoretical Study of Unsymmetrical Bisfullerene and Its Derivatives: C131, C129BN, and C130Si

Unsymmetrical bisfullerene C(131) and its derivatives such as C(129)BN and C(130)Si are systematically investigated by semiempirical and density functional theory approaches. In comparison with the experimental data, calculated IR and NMR results reveal that both C(131)(H) and C(131)(P) isomers are possible compounds to coexist in the synthesized product. The C/Si and CC/BN substitution can change the electronic properties and reactivities compared with the pristine C(131)(H) and C(131)(P), respectively.

TENSILE PROPERTIES AND ELECTRONIC STRUCTURES OF C240 NANOTUBE AND 4C60 FULLERENE POLYMERS

The classical MD (Molecular Dynamics) method was used to simulate the tension of three kinds of C 240 isomers, i.e., C 240 nanotube, chain-like 4C 60 fullerene polymer and peanut-like 4C 60 fullerene polymer. Then, the semi-empirical PM3 method was used to calculate their electronic structures under tension. Lastly, according to the calculated results, their differences in tensile mechanical properties, as well as the change of their FMO (Frontier Molecular Orbital) energy during tension, were discussed. It is shown that: (1) the load-support capability of the C 240 molecules has the order of C 240 nanotube > peanut-like 4C 60 polymer > linear 4C 60 polymer, but their deformation-support capability has the contrary order, (2) of the C 240 isomers, the C 240 nanotube has the best chemical stability, and the chain-like 4C 240 molecule has the worst one, and (3) the deformed C 240 isomers have narrower energy-gap between their LUMO and HOMO, and higher chemical activity.

Strong Interfullerene Electronic Communication in a Bisfullerene−Hexarhodium Sandwich Complex

Reaction of Rh(6)(CO)(12)(dppm)(2) (dppm = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) with 1.4 equiv. of C(60) in chlorobenzene at 120 degrees C affords a face-capping C(60) derivative Rh(6)(CO)(9)(dppm)(2)(micro(3)-eta(2),eta(2),eta(2)-C(60)) (1) in 73% yield. Treatment of 1 with excess CNR (10 equiv., R = CH(2)C(6)H(5)) at 80 degrees C provides a bisbenzylisocyanide-substituted compound Rh(6)(CO)(7)(dppm)(2)(CNR)(2)(micro(3)-eta(2),eta(2),eta(2)-C(60)) (2) in 59% yield. Reaction of 1 with excess C(60) (4 equiv.) in refluxing chlorobenzene followed by treatment with 1 equiv. of CNR at room temperature gives a bisfullerene sandwich complex Rh(6)(CO)(5)(dppm)(2)(CNR)(micro(3)-eta(2),eta(2),eta(2)-C(60))(2) (3) in 31% yield. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 have been characterized by spectroscopic and microanalytical methods as well as by X-ray crystallographic studies. Electrochemical properties of 1, 2, and 3 have been examined by cyclic voltammetry. The cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of 1 and 2 show two reversible one-electron redox waves, a reversible one-step two-electron redox wave, and a reversible one-electron redox wave, respectively, within the solvent cutoff window. This observation suggests that compounds 1 and 2 undergo similar C(60)-localized electrochemical pathways up to 1(5)(-) and 2(5)(-). Each redox wave of 2 appears at more negative potentials compared to that of 1 because of the donor effect of the benzylisocyanide ligand. The CV of compound 3 reveals six reversible well-separated redox waves due to strong interfullerene electronic communication via the Rh(6) metal cluster bridge. The electrochemical properties of 1, 2, and 3 have been rationalized by molecular orbital calculations using the density functional theory (DFT) method. In particular, the molecular orbital (MO) calculation reveals significant contribution of the metal cluster center to the unoccupied molecular orbitals in 3, which is consistent with the experimental result of strong interfullerene electronic communication via the Rh(6) metal cluster spacer.

Reversible Dimerization of [5,6]-C60O

The recently discovered [5,6]-open isomer of C(60)O has been found to undergo facile dimerization to form a new C(2) symmetry isomer of C(120)O(2), which can be photodissociated with relatively high efficiency to regenerate monomeric [5,6]-C(60)O. High yield dimerization of [5,6]-C(60)O proceeds spontaneously in toluene solution near room temperature. On the basis of (13)C NMR spectroscopy, ab initio quantum computations, and HPLC retention patterns, the resulting C(120)O(2) product has been deduced to be a nonpolar dimer of C(2) symmetry in which the C(60)O moieties are linked by two single bonds between sp(3)-hybridized carbon atoms adjacent to oxygen atoms. Photophysical properties of this dimer have also been measured and compared to those of C(120), the [2 + 2]-dimer of C(60). The ground-state absorption spectrum of C(120)O(2) in toluene is slightly red-shifted relative to that of C(120), with a distinctive peak at 329 nm and an S(1)-S(0) origin band at 704 nm. Its fluorescence spectrum shows two major peaks at 718 and 793 nm. In room-temperature toluene, the measured triplet state intrinsic lifetime of this C(120)O(2) isomer is 34 +/- 2 micros, a value somewhat shorter than that of C(120) (44 micros). C(120)O(2) undergoes photodissociation from its triplet state to regenerate monomeric [5,6]-C(60)O with quantum yields of 2.5% at 24 degrees C and 43% at 70 degrees C. It can therefore serve as a stable reactant for photolytic production of [5,6]-C(60)O. As a simple fullerene adduct that reacts under mild conditions, [5,6]-C(60)O may prove useful in special synthetic applications. Solutions of [5,6]-C(60)O are also unique because they can provide mixtures of a fullerene monomer and its dimer in a dynamic balance controllable by adjustment of concentration, temperature, and optical irradiation.

[60]fullerene--metal cluster complexes: novel bonding modes and electronic communication

[60]Fullerene can bind a variety of metal clusters via eta(2)-C(60), mu-eta(2):eta(2)-C(60), and mu(3)-eta(2):eta(2):eta(2)-C(60) pi-type bonding modes. Multiple C(60) additions to a single cluster core have also been demonstrated. Modification of the coordination sphere of cluster moieties has resulted in novel transformation of the coordination mode of the C(60) ligand between pi and sigma (mu(3)-eta(1):eta(1):eta(2)-C(60) and mu(3)-eta(1):eta(2):eta(1)-C(60)) types as well as reversible interconversion between mu(3)-eta(2):eta(2):eta(2)-C(60) and mu-eta(2):eta(2)-C(60). The mu(3)-eta(2):eta(2):eta(2)-C(60) metal cluster complexes show remarkable electrochemical stability and an unusually strong electronic communication between C(60) and metal cluster centers.

Synthesis and characterization of mono- and bis-methano[60]fullerenyl amino acid derivatives and their reductive ring-opening retro-bingel reactions

The addition of N-(diphenylmethylene)glycinate esters (Ph2C=NCH2CO2R) 3-6 to [60]fullerene under Bingel conditions gives, respectively, the methano[60]fullerenyl iminoesters 7-10. Upon treatment of 7-9 with sodium cyanoborohydride, in the presence of a protic or a Lewis acid, a novel reductive ring-opening reaction occurred to give the corresponding 1,2-dihydro[60]fullerenyl glycine derivatives 11-13. Using tethered bis-N-(diphenylmethylene)glycinate esters 33 and 34derived from m- and p-benzenedimethanol scaffolds, the corresponding bis-methano[60]fullerenyl iminoesters 35-38 were synthesized under double Bingel reaction conditions. The m-benzenedimethanol derivative 33 gave the trans-4 (35) and cis-3 (36) regioisomeric bisadducts in a ratio of 80:20. The analogous para-tethered derivative 34 afforded the trans-3 (37) and trans-4 (38) regioisomers in a 80:20 ratio. The regiochemistry of the major bisadducts 35 and 37 (via the trans-esterified 39) were unequivocally determined using 2D INADEQUATE and C-C TOCSY NMR experiments. The regiochemistry of these bis-additions were unexpected on the basis of literature precedents. These results unequivocally show that the regiochemistry of tethered bis-additions is not solely dependent on the nature of the tether. A mixture of the trans-4 and cis-3 nonsymmetrical bisadducts 45 and 46 was obtained from the double-Bingel cyclopropanation of a bis-N-(diphenylmethylene)glycinate tether based on a 1,3-naphthyldimethanol scaffold. The regiochemistry of these compounds (45 and 46) was identified by correlation with the diethyl esters 40 and 47, prepared by trans-esterification of 35/45 and 36/46, respectively. The INADEQUATE and molecular modeling experiments allowed topological mapping of the fullerene surfaces of the bis-methano[60]fullerenes 38 and 42. Reductive ring-opening reactions on the tethered bis-methano[60]fullerenes 35-37, 45, and 46 gave none of the expected bis-fullerenylglycinates rather the reductive ring-opening-retro-Bingel products, the 1,2-dihydro[60]fullerenylglycinates 48, 49, 52, and 53. These compounds resulted from the reductive ring-opening of one methanoimino ester moiety and a retro-Bingel reaction of the other. Under analogous reductive ring-opening-retro-Bingel conditions, the nontethered bis-methano[60]fullerene 40 afforded the 1,2-dihydro[60]fullerenylglycinate 12. Thus, it was concluded that the tether was not the driving force for the reductive elimination of one of the methano groups.

The first fullerene-metal sandwich complex: an unusually strong electronic communication between two C(60) cages

Reaction of Rh(6)(CO)(9)(dppm)(2)(mu(3)-eta(2),eta(2),eta(2)-C(60)) (1) with C(60) in refluxing chlorobenzene followed by treatment with CNR (R = CH(2)C(6)H(5)) at room temperature affords the first fullerene-metal sandwich complex Rh(6)(CO)(5)(dppm)(2)(CNR)(mu(3)-eta(2),eta(2),eta(2)-C(60))(2) (2). Compound 2 has been characterized by an X-ray diffraction study. Electrochemical study of 2 reveals six well-separated reversible redox couples localized at C(60) cages due to a strong electronic communication between the two C(60) centers via the Rh(6) cluster spacer.

The reaction of fullerene C(60) with phthalazine: the mechanochemical solid-state reaction yielding a new C(60) dimer versus the liquid-phase reaction affording an open-cage fullerene

The reaction of fullerene C(60) with phthalazine was studied both in solution and in the solid state using the high-speed vibration-milling technique. The reaction in solution gave open-cage fullerene derivative 1 in 44% yield by a one-pot reaction. In contrast, the solid-state reaction afforded dimeric derivative 2 as the sole product. Dimeric derivative 2 was found to undergo intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddtion between the two C(60) cages located in close proximity to give a new C(60) dimer 6 in quantitative yield. The structures of these new derivatives of C(60) were determined by spectroscopic methods, and the electrochemical behavior of 2 and 6 was also studied.