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Yang P, Pan H, Wang Y, Li J, Dong Y, Wang Y, Hou S. Exploring Aromaticity Effects on Electronic Transport in Cyclo[n]carbon Single-Molecule Junctions. Molecules 2024; 29:3827. [PMID: 39202906 PMCID: PMC11356915 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29163827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Cyclo[n]carbon (Cn) is one member of the all-carbon allotrope family with potential applications in next-generation electronic devices. By employing first-principles quantum transport calculations, we have investigated the electronic transport properties of single-molecule junctions of Cn, with n = 14, 16, 18, and 20, connected to two bulk gold electrodes, uncovering notable distinctions arising from the varying aromaticities. For the doubly aromatic C14 and C18 molecules, slightly deformed complexes at the singlet state arise after bonding with one Au atom at each side; in contrast, the reduced energy gaps between the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals due to the orbital reordering observed in the doubly anti-aromatic C16 and C20 molecules lead to heavily deformed asymmetric complexes at the triplet state. Consequently, spin-unpolarized transmission functions are obtained for the Au-C14/18-Au junctions, while spin-polarized transmission appears in the Au-C16/20-Au junctions. Furthermore, the asymmetric in-plane π-type hybrid molecular orbitals of the Au-C16/20-Au junctions contribute to two broad but low transmission peaks far away from the Fermi level (Ef), while the out-of-plane π-type hybrid molecular orbitals dominate two sharp transmission peaks that are adjacent to Ef, thus resulting in much lower transmission coefficients at Ef compared to those of the Au-C14/18-Au junctions. Our findings are helpful for the design and application of future cyclo[n]carbon-based molecular electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiqi Yang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (P.Y.); (H.P.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.)
| | - Haoyang Pan
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (P.Y.); (H.P.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.)
- Institute of Spin Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Yudi Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (P.Y.); (H.P.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.)
| | - Jie Li
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (P.Y.); (H.P.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yangyu Dong
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (P.Y.); (H.P.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.)
- Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yongfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (P.Y.); (H.P.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.)
| | - Shimin Hou
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices, School of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; (P.Y.); (H.P.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (Y.D.); (Y.W.)
- Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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2
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Gao Y, Xie W, Wang B, Schreckenbach G, Govorov AO, Li X, Wang ZM. Observing the Role of Electron Delocalization in Electronic Transport by Incorporating Actinides into Ligated Metal-Chalcogenide Superatoms. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:15023-15030. [PMID: 39007426 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c01345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Since delocalization of electronic states is a prerequisite for exerting unique electron transport properties, early actinides (An) with highly delocalized 5f/6d orbitals are natural candidates. However, given the experimental difficulties of such radioactive compounds and the complex relativistic effects in theoretical studies, understanding the electronic structure and bonding of actinides is underdeveloped on the periodic table. A further challenge is the very complicated electronic structures encountered in the confinement of actinides, as vividly illustrated by the weakly radioactive Th(Thorium)-encapsulated metal chalcogenide clusters, Th@Co6Te8L6 (L = PH3, PMe3, PEt3). Here we report the electronic structure and the electron transport properties of the Th@Co6Te8L6 clusters and compare them with those of the hollow Co6Te8L6 clusters using the nonequilibrium Green's function combined with relativistic density functional theory (NEGF-DFT). We found that the equilibrium conductance in Th@Co6Te8(PH3)6 (0.76 G0) has been greatly improved over that in Co6Te8(PH3)6 (0.03 G0), which has also been verified under an applied different bias voltage. The covalent bonding character between 6d (Th) and 3d (Co) atomic orbitals resulting from steric confinement is the source of the performance enhancement and a most important factor governing the accessibility of such 5f/6d orbitals. The results are of significance to the rapidly developing field of molecular nanoelectronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Gao
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, China
| | - Weiyu Xie
- School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Bo Wang
- College of Science, Northeast Electric Power University, No. 169 Changchun Road Jilin City 132012, P. R. China
| | - Georg Schreckenbach
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Alexander O Govorov
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, United States
| | - Xiaoan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Technology Medical Transformation, Mianyang Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan 621099, China
| | - Zhiming M Wang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, China
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3
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Roy R, Brouillac C, Jacques E, Quinton C, Poriel C. π-Conjugated Nanohoops: A New Generation of Curved Materials for Organic Electronics. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202402608. [PMID: 38744668 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Nanohoops, cyclic association of π-conjugated systems to form a hoop-shaped molecule, have been widely developed in the last 15 years. Beyond the synthetic challenge, the strong interest towards these molecules arises from their radially oriented π-orbitals, which provide singular properties to these fascinating structures. Thanks to their particular cylindrical arrangement, this new generation of curved molecules have been already used in many applications such as host-guest complexation, biosensing, bioimaging, solid-state emission and catalysis. However, their potential in organic electronics has only started to be explored. From the first incorporation as an emitter in a fluorescent organic light emitting diode (OLED), to the recent first incorporation as a host in phosphorescent OLEDs or as charge transporter in organic field-effect transistors and in organic photovoltaics, this field has shown important breakthroughs in recent years. These findings have revealed that curved materials can play a key role in the future and can even be more efficient than their linear counterparts. This can have important repercussions for the future of electronics. Time has now come to overview the different nanohoops used to date in electronic devices in order to stimulate the future molecular designs of functional materials based on these macrocycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupam Roy
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR CNRS 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States, 32603
| | | | | | | | - Cyril Poriel
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR CNRS 6226, F-35000, Rennes, France
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4
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Tanaka Y. Organometallics in molecular junctions: conductance, functions, and reactions. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:8512-8523. [PMID: 38712999 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt00668b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Molecular junctions, which involve sandwiching molecular structures between electrodes, play a crucial role in molecular electronics. Recent advances in this field have revealed the vital role of organometallic chemistry in the investigation of molecular junctions, which has added to their well-known contributions to catalysis and materials chemistry. This review summarizes the recent examples of organometallic chemistry applications in molecular junctions, which can be categorized into three types, i.e., class I encompassing molecular junctions with bridging organometallic complexes, class II involving molecular junctions with covalent and noncovalent metal electrode-carbon bonds, and class III comprising organometallic reactions within molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Tanaka
- Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
- School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan
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5
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Almughathawi R, Hou S, Wu Q, Lambert CJ. Signatures of Topological States in Conjugated Macrocycles. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24. [PMID: 38591962 PMCID: PMC11057032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Single-molecule electrical junctions possess a molecular core connected to source and drain electrodes via anchor groups, which feed and extract electricity from specific atoms within the core. As the distance between electrodes increases, the electrical conductance typically decreases, which is a feature shared by classical Ohmic conductors. Here we analyze the electrical conductance of cycloparaphenylene (CPP) macrocycles and demonstrate that they can exhibit a highly nonclassical increase in their electrical conductance as the distance between electrodes increases. We demonstrate that this is due to the topological nature of the de Broglie wave created by electrons injected into the macrocycle from the source. Although such topological states do not exist in isolated macrocycles, they are created when the molecule is in contact with the source. They are predicted to be a generic feature of conjugated macrocycles and open a new avenue to implementing highly nonclassical transport behavior in molecular junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renad Almughathawi
- Physics
Department, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, United Kingdom
- Physics
Department, Faculty of science, Taibah University, Medina 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Songjun Hou
- Physics
Department, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Qingqing Wu
- Physics
Department, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Colin J. Lambert
- Physics
Department, Lancaster University, LA1 4YB Lancaster, United Kingdom
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6
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Chen L, Yang Z, Lin Q, Li X, Bai J, Hong W. Evolution of Single-Molecule Electronic Interfaces. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:1988-2004. [PMID: 38227964 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Single-molecule electronics can fabricate single-molecule devices via the construction of molecule-electrode interfaces and also provide a unique tool to investigate single-molecule scale physicochemical processes at these interfaces. To investigate single-molecule electronic devices with desired functionalities, an understanding of the interface evolution processes in single-molecule devices is essential. In this review, we focus on the evolution of molecule-electrode interface properties, including the background of interface evolution in single-molecule electronics, the construction of different types of single-molecule interfaces, and the regulation methods. Finally, we discuss the perspective of future characterization techniques and applications for single-molecule electronic interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Zixian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Qichao Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Xiaohui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Jie Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & College of Materials & IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361000, China
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7
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Li W, Qu F, Liu L, Zhang Z, Zheng C, Wang L, Wang C, Wang T. Structure and single-molecule conductance of two endohedral metallofullerenes with large C 88 cage. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:13645-13652. [PMID: 37551614 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02389c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Endohedral metallofullerenes are capable of holding peculiar metal clusters inside the carbon cage. Additionally, these display many chemical and physical properties originating from the complexation between the metal clusters and carbon cages, which could be acquired for wide applications. In this study, two metallofullerenes (Ce2O@C88 and Ce3N@C88) with an identical large C88-D2(35) cage, and their molecular structures and single-molecule conductance properties were investigated comparatively. Characterizations of UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT calculations were employed to determine the geometries and electronic structures of Ce2O@C88 and Ce3N@C88. These molecules revealed varied energy gaps, structural parameters, vibrational modes, and molecular frontier orbitals. Although the two metallofullerenes have an identical cage isomer of C88-D2(35), their different endohedral clusters can influence their structures and physicochemical properties. Furthermore, the single-molecule conductance properties were measured using the scanning tunneling microscopy break junction technique (STM-BJ). The experimental results revealed that Ce2O@C88 has a higher conductance than Ce3N@C88 and C60. This revealed the cluster-dependent electron transportation as well as the significant research value of metallofullerenes with large carbon cages. These results provide guidance for fabricating single-molecule electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Fayu Qu
- School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Linshan Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
- College of Chemistry, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Zhuxia Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Chaofeng Zheng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Lin Wang
- School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Chunru Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Taishan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Nanostructure and Nanotechnology, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
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8
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Zhang C, Cheng J, Wu Q, Hou S, Feng S, Jiang B, Lambert CJ, Gao X, Li Y, Li J. Enhanced π-π Stacking between Dipole-Bearing Single Molecules Revealed by Conductance Measurement. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:1617-1630. [PMID: 36625785 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Dipoles are widely involved in π-π interactions and are central to many chemical and biological functions, but their influence on the strength of π-π interactions remains unclear. Here, we report a study of π-π interaction between azulene-based, polar single molecules and between naphthalene-based, nonpolar single molecules. By performing scanning tunneling microscopy break junction measurements of single-molecule conductance, we show that the π-stacked dimers formed by the azulene-based, polar aromatic structures feature higher electrical conductivity and mechanical stability than those formed by the naphthalene-based, nonpolar molecules. Mechanical control of π-π interactions in both rotational and translational motion reveals a sensitive dependence of the stacking strength on relative alignment between the dipoles. The antiparallel alignment of the dipoles was found to be the optimal stacking configuration that underpins the observed enhancement of π-π stacking between azulene-based single molecules. Density functional theory calculations further explained the observed enhancement of stacking strength and the corresponding charge transport efficiency. Our experimental and theoretical results show that the antiparallel alignment of the dipole moments significantly enhances the electronic coupling and mechanical stability of π-π stacking. In addition, in the formation of single-molecule junctions, the azulene group was experimentally and theoretically proved to form a Au-π contact with electrodes with high charge transport efficiency. This paper provides evidence and interpretation of the role of dipoles in π-π interactions at the single-molecule level and offers new insights into potential applications in supramolecular devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyang Zhang
- Center for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Self-Assembly Chemistry for Organic Functional Molecules, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Qingqing Wu
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, LancasterLA1 4YB, U.K
| | - Songjun Hou
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, LancasterLA1 4YB, U.K
| | - Sai Feng
- Center for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, China
| | - Colin J Lambert
- Department of Physics, Lancaster University, LancasterLA1 4YB, U.K
| | - Xike Gao
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Self-Assembly Chemistry for Organic Functional Molecules, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai200032, China
| | - Yueqi Li
- Center for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China
| | - Jinghong Li
- Center for Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei230026, China.,Department of Chemistry, Key Lab of Bioorganic Phosphorus Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China
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9
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Lin J, Lv Y, Song K, Song X, Zang H, Du P, Zang Y, Zhu D. Cleavage of non-polar C(sp 2)‒C(sp 2) bonds in cycloparaphenylenes via electric field-catalyzed electrophilic aromatic substitution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:293. [PMID: 36653339 PMCID: PMC9849230 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35686-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) is one of the most fundamental reactions in organic chemistry. Using an oriented external electric field (OEEF) instead of traditional reagents to tune the EAS reactivity can offer an environmentally friendly method to synthesize aromatic compounds and hold the promise of broadening its scope. Despite these advantages, OEEF catalysis of EAS is difficult to realize, due to the challenge of microscopically orienting OEEF along the direction of electron reorganizations. In this work, we demonstrate OEEF-catalyzed EAS reactions in a series of cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) using the scanning tunneling microscope break junction (STM-BJ) technique. Crucially, the unique radial π-conjugation of CPPs enables a desired alignment for the OEEF to catalyze the EAS with Au STM tip (or substrate) acting as an electrophile. Under mild conditions, the OEEF-catalyzed EAS reactions can cleave the inherently inert C(sp2)-C(sp2) bond, leading to high-yield (~97%) formation of linear oligophenylenes terminated with covalent Au-C bonds. These results not only demonstrate the feasibility of OEEF catalysis of EAS, but also offer a way of exploring new mechanistic principles of classic organic reactions aided by OEEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Lin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yaxin Lv
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Chemistry, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Kai Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Xuwei Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hongjun Zang
- School of Chemistry, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Pingwu Du
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, iChEM, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Yaping Zang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Daoben Zhu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
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10
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Lin J, Wang S, Zhang F, Yang B, Du P, Chen C, Zang Y, Zhu D. Highly efficient charge transport across carbon nanobelts. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eade4692. [PMID: 36563157 PMCID: PMC9788781 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade4692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Carbon nanobelts (CNBs) are a new form of nanocarbon that has promising applications in optoelectronics due to their unique belt-shaped π-conjugated systems. Recent synthetic breakthrough has led to the access to various CNBs, but their optoelectronic properties have not been explored yet. In this work, we study the electronic transport performance of a series of CNBs by incorporating them into molecular devices using the scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique. We show that, by tuning the bridging groups between the adjacent benzenes in the CNBs, we can achieve remarkably high conductance close to 0.1 G0, nearly one order of magnitude higher than their nanoring counterpart cycloparaphenylene. Density functional theory-based calculations further elucidate the crucial role of the structural distortion played in facilitating the unique radial π-electron delocalization and charge transport across the belt-shaped carbon skeletons. These results develop a basic understanding of electronic transport properties of CNBs and lay the foundation for further exploration of CNB-based optoelectronic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Lin
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shengda Wang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, iChEM, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bowen Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Pingwu Du
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, iChEM, CAS Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Chuanfeng Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Function, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yaping Zang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Daoben Zhu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Organic Solids, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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11
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Xu X, Wang J, Blankevoort N, Daaoub A, Sangtarash S, Shi J, Fang C, Yuan S, Chen L, Liu J, Yang Y, Sadeghi H, Hong W. Scaling of quantum interference from single molecules to molecular cages and their monolayers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2211786119. [PMID: 36343232 PMCID: PMC9674264 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211786119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of quantum interference (QI) is widely considered as an important advance in molecular electronics since it provides unique opportunities for achieving single-molecule devices with unprecedented performance. Although some pioneering studies suggested the presence of spin qubit coherence and QI in collective systems such as thin films, it remains unclear whether the QI can be transferred step-by-step from single molecules to different length scales, which hinders the application of QI in fabricating active molecular devices. Here, we found that QI can be transferred from a single molecule to their assemblies. We synthesized and investigated the charge transport through the molecular cages using 1,3-dipyridylbenzene (DPB) as a ligand block with a destructive quantum interference (DQI) effect and 2,5-dipyridylfuran (DPF) as a control building block with a constructive quantum interference (CQI) effect using both single-molecule break junction and large area junction techniques. Combined experiments and calculations revealed that both DQI and CQI had been transferred from the ligand blocks to the molecular cages and the monolayer thin film of the cages. Our work introduced QI effects from a ligand to the molecular cage comprising 732 atoms and even their monolayers, suggesting that the quantum interference could be scaled up within the phase-coherent distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Juejun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Nickel Blankevoort
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Abdalghani Daaoub
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Sangtarash
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Jie Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Chao Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Saisai Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Lichuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Junyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Hatef Sadeghi
- Device Modelling Group, School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Wenjing Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, IKKEM, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
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12
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Chen S, Miao X, Zhou H, Peng C, Zhang R, Han X. Steric Hindrance Governs the Photoinduced Structural Planarization of Cycloparaphenylene Materials. J Phys Chem A 2022; 126:7452-7459. [PMID: 36205704 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c05030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cycloparaphenylenes ([n]CPPs) and their derivatives are known for the unique size-dependent photophysical properties, which are largely attributed to the structural planarization-associated exciton localization, attracting substantial research attention. In this work, we show that the steric hindrance between neighboring structural units plays a key role in governing the photoinduced global/local structural planarization and electron-hole distribution features of [n]CPP materials, due to the tunable strength of H···H repulsion between neighboring units via structural modification or C-H distance variation as revealed by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations. According to our results, steric hindrance controls the manner and also the extent of excited-state structural planarization, where a weak (strong) steric hindrance favors (hinders) structural planarization upon relaxation in the first excited singlet (S1) state as compared to the ground (S0)-state structure. Depending on the molecular structures, steric hindrance leads to fully delocalized, partially separated, or more localized electron-hole distributions. For example, via H···H repulsion release by manually shortening the C-H distance or by chemical substitution of C-H with N atoms, the modified [10]CPP structures show fully planarized configurations (each dihedral angle can be less than 2°) and entirely delocalized electron-hole distribution upon photorelaxation. This work provides insights into the structural origin of the unusual photophysical properties of [n]CPPs and shows the promise of steric hindrance tuning in accessing diverse excited-state features in [n]CPP materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunwei Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
| | - Xiaoyu Miao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
| | - Huanyi Zhou
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
| | - Cunjin Peng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
| | - Ruiqin Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 999077 Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiujun Han
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan 250353, China
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13
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Haseena S, Ravva MK. Theoretical studies on donor-acceptor based macrocycles for organic solar cell applications. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15043. [PMID: 36057668 PMCID: PMC9440932 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19348-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We have designed a series of new conjugated donor-acceptor-based macrocyclic molecules using state-of-the-art computational methods. An alternating array of donors and acceptor moieties in these macrocycle molecules are considered to tune the electronic and optical properties. The geometrical, electronic, and optical properties of newly designed macrocyclic molecules are fully explored using various DFT methods. Five conjugated macrocycles of different sizes are designed considering various donor and acceptor units. The selected donor and acceptors, viz., thiophene (PT), benzodithiophene (BDT), dithienobenzodithiophene (DTBDT), diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP), and benzothiazole (BT), are frequently found in high performing conjugated polymer for different organic electronic applications. To fully assess the potential of these designed macrocyclic derivatives, analyses of frontier molecular orbital energies, excited state energies, energy difference between singlet-triplet states, exciton binding energies, rate constants related to charge transfer at the donor-acceptor interfaces, and electron mobilities have been carried out. We found significant structural and electronic properties changes between cyclic compounds and their linear counterparts. Overall, the cyclic conjugated D-A macrocycles' promising electronic and optical properties suggest that these molecules can be used to replace linear polymer molecules with cyclic conjugated oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheik Haseena
- Department of Chemistry, SRM University-AP, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India
| | - Mahesh Kumar Ravva
- Department of Chemistry, SRM University-AP, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, 522240, India.
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Peterson E, Maust RL, Jasti R, Kertesz M, Tovar JD. Splitting the Ring: Impact of Ortho and Meta Pi Conjugation Pathways through Disjointed [8]Cycloparaphenylene Electronic Materials. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:4611-4622. [PMID: 35245032 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In this report, we describe the synthesis and electronic properties of small-molecule and polymeric [8]cycloparaphenylenes ([8]CPPs) with disjointed pi-conjugated substituents. Arylene-ethynylene linkers were installed on opposite sides of the [8]CPP nanohoop as separated by three phenyl units on either side such that the monomer systems have syn (C2 symmetry) and anti (C1 symmetry) conformers with a small energy gap (0.1-0.6 kcal/mol). This disjoined substitution pattern necessarily forces delocalization through and around the CPP radial structure. We demonstrate new electronic states from this radial/linear mixing in both the small molecules and the pi extended polymers. Quantum chemical calculations reveal that these electronic processes arise from multiple operative radial/linear conjugation pathways, as the disjoint pattern results in both ortho and meta connections to the CPP ring. These results affirm the unique nature of hybrid radial and linear pi electron delocalization operative in these new conjugation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Peterson
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Ruth L Maust
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Materials Science Institute, and Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, United States
| | - Ramesh Jasti
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Materials Science Institute, and Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, United States
| | - Miklos Kertesz
- Chemistry Department and Institute of Soft Matter, Georgetown University, 37th and O Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. 20057, United States
| | - John D Tovar
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
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