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Solution-processable molecular dopants are popular wet-lab mediators to engineer the electronic properties of organic semiconductors and to optimize the level performance of their corresponding devices. Nonetheless, the exact doping mechanism that is operative during the interaction of organic semiconductors with Lewis acid species is not fully elaborated. The products of the doping reactions between Lewis acids and organic semiconductors have not been studied in detail. Here we focus on the macromolecular poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4-dimethylphenyl)]amine (PTAA) and molecular fluorinated anthradithiophene (diF-TES-ADT) organic semiconductors for addressing their chemical integrity after p-doping by the tris(pentafluorophenyl) borane [B(C6F5)3] Lewis acid agent. The PTAA and diF-TES-ADT organic substrates are studied in mixtures with B(C6F5)3 at three discrete concentration regimes. In the dilute solution regime, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy verifies the effectiveness of p-doping by the changes observed in the absorption spectra of the solutions at increased B(C6F5)3 content. In the concentrated solution regime, the reactivity of B(C6F5)3 with PTAA and diF-TES-ADT is monitored by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ES-MS), as well as thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Finally, in the solid-state the photophysical properties of spin-coated PTAA:B(C6F5)3 and diF-TES-ADT:B(C6F5)3 films are examined as a function of their B(C6F5)3 content. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations corroborate the experimental findings. Both theoretical and experimental results exclude the formation of Lewis adduct species in the PTAA:B(C6F5)3 and diF-TES-ADT:B(C6F5)3 systems. In agreement with recent literature, the B(C6F5)3 reactivity is attributed to the Brønsted-type acidity of the hydrated B(C6F5)3-OH2 complex that induces p-doping via the protonation of the organic substrates. The formation of the B(C6F5)3-OH2 acidic agent is identified experimentally by its characteristic 1H-NMR signal at 4.7 ppm. All results for the three concentration regimes provide evidence for the occurrence of PTAA and diF-TES-ADT decomposition in the presence of B(C6F5)3. At high B(C6F5)3 loadings, ES-MS spectroscopy and TLC analysis suggest that B(C6F5)3 remains unreacted, revealing the catalytic role in the decomposition process of PTAA and diF-TES-ADT. The results suggest that after interacting with Lewis acids, organic semiconductors may undergo detrimental decomposition reactions. This potentially undesired chemical reactivity should be considered for evaluating the operation stability of the p-doped electronic devices.

Graphene-based hybrid (ZnP-azaBDP)-graphene was synthesized, comprehensively characterized and found to manage energy transfer processes, yielding upon illumination (ZnP-azaBDP˙−)-graphene˙+ charge-separated state.

Luminol is a prominent chemiluminescent (CL) agent, finding applications across numerous fields, including forensics, immunoassays, and imaging. Different substitution patterns on the aromatic ring can enhance or decrease its CL efficiency. We herein report a systematic study on the synthesis and photophysics of all possible 6,8-disubstituted luminol derivatives bearing H, Ph, and/or Me substituents. Their CL responses are monitored at three pH values (8, 10, and 12), thus revealing the architecture with the optimum CL efficiency. The most efficient pattern is used for the synthesis of a strongly CL luminol derivative, bearing a functional group for further, straightforward derivatization. This adduct exhibits an unprecedented increase in chemiluminescence efficiency at pH = 12, pH = 10, and especially at pH = 8 (closer to the biologically relevant conditions) compared to luminol. Complementary work on the fluorescence of the emissive species as well as quantum chemistry computations are employed for the rationalization of the observed results., The authors would like to thank Ekaterini Bouga and Christina-Ioanna Vrettou for assisting with certain synthesis steps. This project was financially supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 framework program for research and innovation under Grant Agreement No. 712921. T.M. and A.P. would like to thank the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) for financial support via Ph.D. fellowships through the “Strengthening of Human Resources through Doctoral Research” program of the Operational Program “Human Resource Development, Education and Lifelong Learning” 2014–2020, co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund ESF) and Greek national funds. The authors would also like to thank Prof. N. Thomaidis and Dr. Maria-Christina for the HRMS analyses. M.A.M. and G.M.R.-M. thank the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo Program/2017/075) for financial support. A.G. and D.R.-S. acknowledge Spanish “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN)” (Project Ref CTQ2017-87054-C2-2-P). A.G. is also thankful to the MICINN for a “Juan de la Cierva” grant (Ref IJC2018-035123-I). D.R.-S. is also thankful to the MICINN for a “Ramón y Cajal” grant (Ref RYC-2015-19234) and to the BBVA Foundation for a 2019 Leonardo Grant for Researchers and Cultural Creators.

The preparation of an entirely supramolecular, multichromophoric azaborondipyrromethene (ABDP)/zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP)/exfoliated graphene (GR) nanoensemble was accomplished. The ABDP derivative bears glycol chains for enhancing solubility and a pyridine functionality for allowing coordination with ZnTPP. The ABDP/ZnTPP/GR nanoensemble was characterized in terms of morphology and composition by using complementary microscopy imaging, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman as well as steady-state and time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopy. The photophysical and electrochemical assessment of ABDP/ZnTPP/GR as well as the binding properties of the ABDP/ZnTPP complex, employed as a reference, are presented. Energy and electron transfer events were observed in ABDP/ZnTPP upon photoexcitation. However, in the case of ABDP/ZnTPP/GR, the graphene-induced aggregation of the chromophores alters their electronic interactions, enhancing the energy/electron transfer process between them.

Mitochondria-targeting drugs and diagnostics are used in the monitoring and treatment of mitochondrial pathologies. In this respect, a great number of functional compounds have been made mitotropic by covalently attaching the active moiety onto a triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation. Among these compounds, a number of molecular detectors for reactive oxygen species (ROS) are based on fluorescent and chemiluminescent probes. In this regard, luminol (probably the most widely known chemiluminescent molecule) has been employed for a number of biological applications, including ROS detection. Its oxidation under specific conditions triggers a cascade of reactions, ultimately leading to the excited 3-aminophthalate (3AP *), which emits light upon deactivation. Hence, the photophysical interaction between the light-emitting species 3AP * and TPP cations needs to be evaluated, as it can add valuable information on the design of novel emission-based mitotropic systems. We herein investigate the quenching effect of ethyltriphenylphosphonium cation onto substituted 3-aminophthalates. These were prepared in situ upon hydrolysis of the corresponding anhydrides, which were synthesized from 3-aminophthalimides. Steady-state fluorescence and time-resolved experiments were employed for the evaluation of a possible electron transfer quenching by phosphonium ions. Our experimental results confirmed such quenching, suggesting it is mainly dynamic in nature. A minor contribution of static quenching that was also detected is attributed to complex formation in the ground state. Accordingly, the chemiluminescence of luminol was indeed strongly reduced in the presence of phosphonium ions. Our results have to be taken into account during the design of new chemiluminescent mitotropic drugs or diagnostic agents of the luminol family., This project was financially supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 framework program for research and innovation under grant agreement no. 712921. T.M. and A.P. would like to thank the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) for financial support through Ph.D. fellowships through the “Strengthening of Human Resources through Doctoral Research” program of the Operational Program “Human Resource Development, Education and Lifelong Learning” 2014–2020, co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund ESF) and Greek national funds. M.A.M. and G.M.R.-M. thank the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo Program/2017/075) for financial support

The complex of [10]cycloparaphenylene ([10]CPP) with bis(azafullerene) (C59 N)2 is investigated experimentally and computationally. Two [10]CPP rings are bound to the dimeric azafullerene giving [10]CPP⊃(C59 N)2 ⊂[10]CPP. Photophysical and redox properties support an electronic interaction between the components especially when the second [10]CPP is bound. Unlike [10]CPP⊃C60 , in which there is negligible electronic communication between the two species, upon photoexcitation a partial charge transfer phenomenon is revealed between [10]CPP and (C59 N)2 reminiscent of CPP-encapsulated metallofullerenes. Such an alternative electron-rich fullerene species demonstrates C60 -like ground-state properties and metallofullerene-like excited-state properties opening new avenues for construction of functional supramolecular architectures with organic materials.

In this study, a new modified C60 derivative with an oPE/oPPV conjugated bridge bearing two pyridyl groups has been used in combination with a flexible porphyrin dimer (ZnP2) to construct an electron donor/acceptor hybrid (C60-dipyr·ZnP2). This hybrid is based on metal to ligand coordination between the zinc centers of the porphyrin dimer and the two pyridyl groups that oPE/oPPV linker bears. In order to investigate the interactions between the electron donor and acceptor entities, both in the ground state and in the excited states, comprehensive photophysical assays have been carried out. In particular, both absorption and fluorescence titrations provided evidence for strong interactions between the electron donor and the electron acceptor within the hybrid. A binding constant (Kass) in the order of 5.0 × 105 M–1 has been derived. Furthermore, transient absorption measurements revealed intramolecular electron-transfer from the photoexcited porphyrin dimer (ZnP2) to the fullerene derivative (C60-dipyr), l...

The use of co-adsorbents in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) increases both the power-conversion efficiency and long-term stability of these devices. Co-adsorbents usually consist of a hydrophobic moiety attached on a carboxylic or phosphoric acid terminal anchoring group, which chemisorbs on the semiconductor surface. In this work, the synthesis of a new family of 8-quinolinol derivatives bearing alkyl chains of variable length at the 5-position is described and their comparative efficiency as effective bidentate co-adsorbents in DSCs is evaluated. The key step towards their straightforward modular synthesis is a Suzuki coupling between 5-chloro-8-methoxyquinoline and alkyltrifluoroborates. The new compounds showed better performance as co-adsorbents in terms of cell efficiency as compared to their alkylcarboxylic acid analogues, with the best results obtained from the derivative bearing the longer dodecyl alkyl chain.

[EN] The monitoring of reactive oxygen species in living cells provides valuable information on cell function and performance. Lately, the development of chemiluminescence-based reactive oxygen species monitoring has gained increased attention due to the advantages posed by chemiluminescence, including its rapid measurement and high sensitivity. In this respect, specific organelle-targeting trackers with strong chemiluminescence performance are of high importance. We herein report the synthesis and chemiluminescence properties of eight novel phosphonium-functionalized amino-acylated luminol and isoluminol derivatives, designed as mitochondriotropic chemiluminescence reactive oxygen species trackers. Three different phosphonium cationic moieties were employed (phenyl, p-tolyl, and cyclohexyl), as well as two alkanoyl chains (hexanoyl and undecanoyl) as bridges/linkers. Synthesis is accomplished via the acylation of the corresponding phthalimides, as phthalhydrazide precursors, followed by hydrazinolysis. This method was chosen because the direct acylation of (iso)luminol was discouraging. The new derivatives' chemiluminescence was evaluated and compared with that of the parent molecules. A relatively poor chemiluminescence performance was observed for all derivatives, with the isoluminol-based ones being the poorest. This result is mainly attributed to the low yield of the fluorescence species formation during the chemiluminescence oxidation reaction., This project was financially supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 framework program for research and innovation under grant agreement no. 712921, as well as a Greek State Scholarships Foundation (I.K.Y.) fellowship to A.P.

The synthesis of novel pyrrolo[1,2-c][1,3]benzodiazepine and pyrrolo[3,2-c]- [1]benzazepine ring systems from (2-aminophenyl)(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methanone and 2-[(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methyl]aniline is presented, utilizing triphosgene as carbonylation-cyclization reagent for the formation of the 7-membered heterocycle. A study of the reaction shows that small changes in the reaction conditions affect dramatically the course of the reaction. Acidity as well as aqueous workup play significant roles in the reaction outcome, directing product formation and revealing important aspects of triphosgene mediated cyclizations.

We report on the synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of a donor-bridge-acceptor supramolecular hybrid system, consisting of a tetrapyridyl fullerene derivative (C60-tpyr) as electron acceptor, with the four pyridyl groups as part of oligophenyleneethynylene/phenylenevinylene bridges, and zinc porphyrin dimers (ZnP)2 as electron donor species. Based on the metal-to-ligand coordination between the zinc metal centers of (ZnP)2 and the four pyridyl entities of C60-tpyr, a strong binding constant (5 × 105 M-1) for the formation of C60-tpyr·[(ZnP)2]2 was evidenced. Insights into the electronic interactions between the photoactive (ZnP)2 units and C60-tpyr emanated from complementary physicochemical assays, which were further supported by theoretical calculations. Notably, the absorption and emission titration assays revealed strong interactions between the electron donor and acceptor species within C60-tpyr·[(ZnP)2]2, both in the ground and excited state. Moreover, femtosecond and nanosecond laser photolysis transient absorption measurements were performed and provided solid evidence for intramolecular electron transfer processes derived from the singlet excited state of (ZnP)2 to C60-tpyr. Comparison with systems in which either four monomeric zinc porphyrins (ZnP) were complexed with C60-tpyr or a (ZnP)2 was coordinated with a dipyridylfullerene revealed the beneficial role of C60-tpyr in increasing the lifetime of charge-separation.

The complex of [10]cycloparaphenylene ([10]CPP) with bis(azafullerene) (C

Energy conversion schemes have attracted considerable attention in recent years. A large amount of research effort has focused on fullerenes, particularly C60 and its derivatives, as suitable electron acceptors, owing to their outstanding properties. In this context, C59 N-based donor-acceptor systems have lately attracted attention, owing to their exceptional energy-and electron-transfer properties. As a result, chemical derivatization of C59 N plays an important role in the realization of the aforementioned systems. The current Minireview aims to familiarize researchers with the main aspects of azafullerene synthesis, chemistry, and photophysical properties, while it mainly focuses on the synthetic methodologies employed for as well as on energy conversion schemes of azafullerene-based donor-acceptor systems.

A large amount of research effort focuses on the sy nthesis and properties of donor‐acceptor systems for energy conversion schemes. In this cont ext, fullerenes are novel energy/electron acceptors. Azafullerene C 59 N, which formally arises from the replacement of on e carbon of C60 by a nitrogen atom, is derivatized mainly by electr ophilic aromatic substitution and Mannich type reactions, thus offering immediate access to d iverse dyads. Herein, the aforementioned functionalization methods will be highlighted, espe cially with regards to the preparation of C 59 Nbased donor-acceptor dyads. Particular attention wi ll be given to the energy and charge transfer properties of the C 59 N-based dyads incorporating ferrocene, polycyclic a romatic hydrocarbons, porphyrins, phthalocyanine, corrole and gold nanopa rticles.

Azafullerene (C59 N) was functionalized using a Mannich-type reaction and then subsequently condensed with lipoic acid to yield dithiolane-modified C59 N. In the following step, the extended dithiolane moiety from the C59 N core was utilized to decorate the azafullerene sphere with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The latter were initially stabilized with dodecanothiol (DT⋅Au) and then integrated on azafullerene through a ligand exchange reaction with the dithiolane-functionalized C59 N to produce the C59 N/DT⋅Au nanohybrid. The nanohybrid was fully characterized by spectroscopy and microscopy, revealing the formation of spherical nanoparticles with a diameter in the range of 2-5 nm, as imaged by HR-TEM. In the electronic absorption spectrum of C59 N/DT⋅Au nanohybrid, the characteristic surface plasmon band (SPB) of Au NPs was observed, however, it was redshifted compared with that of DT⋅Au. The redshift of the SPB is indicative of closer interparticle proximity of Au NPs, in accordance with the formation of aggregated NPs as observed by TEM, in C59 N/DT⋅Au nanohybrid. Excited-state interactions in C59 N/DT⋅Au were probed by photoluminescence assays. It was found that the weak emission of C59 N at 819 nm was blueshifted by 14 nm in C59 N/DT⋅Au, but was stronger in intensity, thus suggesting energy transfer to C59 N, within the organic-inorganic C59 N/DT⋅Au nanohybrid. Finally, with the aid of pump-probe measurements and transient absorption spectroscopy, the formation of the singlet excited state of C59 N was identified.

The supramolecular association via six complementary hydrogen bonds of an oligophenylenevinylene-based Hamilton receptor with a C60 derivative bearing a cyanurate unit was achieved. The association constant k ass for the superstructure assembled by the multiple hydrogen bonding of the Hamilton receptor and the cyanurate derivative was determined by 1H NMR and photoluminescence titration studies. The strength of k ass was calculated around 105 M−1 in toluene, while the stoichiometry of the corresponding complex was examined by Job's plot analysis of the absorption spectra changes and found 1:1.

We performed the ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy study of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) encapsulating C 59 N. The work function of the C 59 N@SWCNT is estimated to be larger than that of the SWCNT. The π states of the SWCNT shift toward the Fermi level upon encapsulation of C 59 N. The C 59 N pea spectrum is roughly similar to that of the (C 59 N) 2 , but some peaks shift. The results suggest a small charge transfer from the SWCNT to the C 59 N pea, which is in contrast to the previously reported n-type FET characteristics. This discrepancy is probably due to the difference in the molecular form of C 59 N.

C60 fullerene crystals may serve as important catalysts for interstellar organic chemistry. To explore this possibility, the electronic structures of free-standing powders of C60 and (C59N)2 azafullerenes are characterized using X-ray microscopy with near-edge X-ray adsorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, closely coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This is supported with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements and associated core-level shift DFT calculations. We compare the oxygen 1s spectra from oxygen impurities in C60 and C59N, and calculate a range of possible oxidized and hydroxylated structures and associated formation barriers. These results allow us to propose a model for the oxygen present in these samples, notably the importance of water surface adsorption and possible ice formation. Water adsorption on C60 crystal surfaces may prove important for astrobiological studies of interstellar amino acid formation.

The synthesis of a donor–acceptor silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc)-azafullerene (C59N) dyad 1 and of the first acceptor–donor–acceptor C59N-SiPc-C59N dumbbell triad 2 was accomplished. The two C59N-based materials were comprehensively characterized with the aid of NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-MS as well as DFT calculations and their redox and photophysical properties were evaluated with CV and steady-state and time-resolved absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements. Notably, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy assays revealed that both dyad 1 and triad 2 undergo, after selective photoexcitation of the SiPc moiety, photoinduced electron transfer from the singlet excited state of the SiPc moiety to the azafullerene counterpart to produce the charge-separated state, with lifetimes of 660 ps, in the case of dyad 1, and 810 ps, in the case of triad 2. The current results are expected to have significant implications en route to the design of advanced C59N-based donor–acceptor systems targeting energy conversion applications.

Energy conversion schemes have attracted considerable attention in recent years. A large amount of research effort has focused on fullerenes, particularly C60 and its derivatives, as suitable electron acceptors, owing to their outstanding properties. In this context, C59 N-based donor-acceptor systems have lately attracted attention, owing to their exceptional energy-and electron-transfer properties. As a result, chemical derivatization of C59 N plays an important role in the realization of the aforementioned systems. The current Minireview aims to familiarize researchers with the main aspects of azafullerene synthesis, chemistry, and photophysical properties, while it mainly focuses on the synthetic methodologies employed for as well as on energy conversion schemes of azafullerene-based donor-acceptor systems.

The supramolecular association of an oligophenylene-vinylene (OPV)-based Hamilton-type receptor 1 with C60-barbiturate 2, via six hydrogen bonds per OPV terminal, forming C60/OPV/C60 complex 3 is presented. The particular host-guest motif expressed in 3 ensures strong interactions between the discrete components of the complex based on the multiple hydrogen bonding interactions as conveyed by an association constant greater than 10(5) M(-1). Furthermore, femto- and nano-second transient absorption studies disclose photoinduced charge separation from (1)OPV* to C60 within 9.4 ps. The observed ultrafast charge separation phenomena in the C60/OPV/C60 complex open up wide avenues toward the efficient construction of new materials for optoelectronic and solar cell applications.

The tether-directed regioselective synthesis of equatorial bis-adducts of [60]fullerene via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides is reported. A mono-[60]fulleropyrrolidine adduct, derived via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated in situ upon thermal condensation of triphenylamine bis-aldehyde and an α-amino acid, was isolated and further reacted to yield, exclusively and selectively, the equatorial bis-adduct, which is structurally characterized by appropriate spectroscopic means.

New metallo-nanostructured materials of carbon nanohorns (CNHs), within the family of elongated carbon nanotubes, have been prepared by the coordination of copper(II)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (Cu(II)tpy) with oxidized carbon nanohorns (CNHs-COOH). The resulted CNHs-COO-Cu(II)tpy metallo-nanocomplexes have been characterized by diverse analytical spectroscopic tools and cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements have been employed to probe the morphological characteristics and particle-size distribution of CNHs-COO-Cu(II)tpy as well as to investigate the elemental composition of the metallo-nanocomplex. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence emission studies have shown efficient fluorescence quenching, suggesting that electron transfer occurs from the singlet excited state of Cu(II)tpy to CNHs. Photoexcitation of Cu(II)tpy resulted in the one-electron reduction of nanohorns with a simultaneous one-electron oxidation of the Cu(II)tpy unit (CNHs(*-)-COO-(Cu(II)tpy)*+) as revealed by transient absorption measurements. The charge-separated state of CNHs(*-)-COO-(Cu(II)tpy)*+ has been confirmed with the aid of an electron mediator, such as hexyl-viologen dication (HV2+) and an electron-hole shifter in polar solvents.

We report on the preparation and subsequent Raman analysis of carbon nanotube peapods, using the fullerene C 60 and its heterofullerene derivative (C 59 N) 2 as filling materials. The filling with (C 59 N) 2 was done from liquid solution at room temperature and from the gas phase at elevated temperatures. The success of the encapsulation procedure is confirmed through the identification of fingerprint Raman modes and the conversion to double wall nanotubes through heating to 1250 °C. The 2D mode of double wall nanotubes made from (C 59 N) 2 peapods is observed to be downshifted compared to the same mode in double wall nanotubes made from C 60 peapods. We interpret this downshift as an evidence for the integration of the nitrogen into the lattice of the inner tube.

Raman scattering is used to study the filling of single wall carbon nanotubes with C60, C59N and anthracene. It is demonstrated how reversible opening and closing of the tubes can be used to check on the success of the filling process. In the case of C59N, filling was performed from the gas phase from 1:1 mixture between C60 and C59N. Comparing the Raman spectra from the encapsulated mixture with the spectra from C60 inside the tubes reveals that most of the molecules have reacted to form either the dimer (C59N)2 or the hetero-dimer C60C59N. Anthracene is demonstrated to enter the tubes but the molecule is subjected to a considerable geometrical change including some loss of hydrogens. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A large amount of research effort focuses on the sy nthesis and properties of donor‐acceptor systems for energy conversion schemes. In this cont ext, fullerenes are novel energy/electron acceptors. Azafullerene C 59 N, which formally arises from the replacement of on e carbon of C60 by a nitrogen atom, is derivatized mainly by electr ophilic aromatic substitution and Mannich type reactions, thus offering immediate access to d iverse dyads. Herein, the aforementioned functionalization methods will be highlighted, espe cially with regards to the preparation of C 59 Nbased donor-acceptor dyads. Particular attention wi ll be given to the energy and charge transfer properties of the C 59 N-based dyads incorporating ferrocene, polycyclic a romatic hydrocarbons, porphyrins, phthalocyanine, corrole and gold nanopa rticles.

C60 fullerene crystals may serve as important catalysts for interstellar organic chemistry. To explore this possibility, the electronic structures of free-standing powders of C60 and (C59N)2 azafullerenes are characterized using X-ray microscopy with near-edge X-ray adsorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, closely coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This is supported with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements and associated core-level shift DFT calculations. We compare the oxygen 1s spectra from oxygen impurities in C60 and C59N, and calculate a range of possible oxidized and hydroxylated structures and associated formation barriers. These results allow us to propose a model for the oxygen present in these samples, notably the importance of water surface adsorption and possible ice formation. Water adsorption on C60 crystal surfaces may prove important for astrobiological studies of interstellar amino acid formation.

The first perylenediimide (PDI) covalently linked to an azafullerene (C59N) is described. PDI-C59N and PDI-C60 dyads where PDI acts as an electron-donor moiety have been synthesized by connection of the balls to the PDI 1-bay position. Photoexcitation of the PDI unit in both systems results in formation of the charge-separated state by photoinduced electron transfer from the singlet excited state of the PDI moiety to the C59N or to the C60 moiety. The charge-separated state has a lifetime of 400 ps in the case of PDI-C59N and 120 ps for the PDI-C60 dyad in benzonitrile at 298 K. This result has significant implications for the design of organic solar cells based on covalent donor–acceptor systems using C59N as an electron acceptor, indicating that longer-lived charge-separated states can be attained using C59N systems instead of C60 systems.

The preparation and characterization of the first corrole–azafullerene dyad are described. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the new corrole–C59N dyad were examined and it was found that photoexcitation of the corrole unit leads to the formation of a charge separated state.

The synthesis of a new azafullerene C(59)N-phthalocyanine (Pc) dyad is described. The key step for the synthesis of the C(59)N-Pc dyad was the formation of the C(59)N-based carboxylic acid, which was smoothly condensed with hydroxy-modified Pc. The structure of the C(59)N-Pc dyad was verified by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy and MS measurements. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the C(59)N-Pc dyad were investigated in both polar and non-polar solvents by steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence and absorption spectroscopy, as well as by cyclic voltammetry. Different relaxation pathways for the photoexcited C(59)N-Pc dyad, as a result of changing the solvent polarity, were found, thus giving rise to energy-transfer phenomena in non-polar toluene and charge-transfer processes in polar benzonitrile. Finally, the detailed quenching mechanisms were evaluated and compared with that of a C(60)-Pc dyad, which revealed that the different excited-state energies and reduction potentials of the two fullerene spheres (i.e. C(59)N vs. C(60)) strongly diverged in the deactivation pathways of the excited states of the corresponding phthalocyanine dyads.

In the present study we report on the linear and nonlinear optical properties of C(60)-triphenylamine (TPhA) hybrids. The synthesized materials were prepared following the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides onto the skeleton of C(60) forming the TPhA-based monoadduct, equatorial bis-adduct and dumbell C(60). Complementary spectroscopic techniques, such as NMR, MALDI-TOF-MS, and ATR-IR are applied for the structural characterization of the hybrid materials, while intermolecular electronic interactions are investigated by UV-Vis measurements. In all considered cases, C(60) serves as an acceptor while the triphenylamine unit is chosen as a donor. In order to investigate the dependence of the second-order hyperpolarizability on the architecture of the systems (D-A, A-D-A) we use a Z-scan technique employing 532 nm, 35 ps laser pulses. We have found that the total second-order hyperpolarizability of the C(60)-TphA-C(60) system is several times larger than that of TPhA-C(60). The results of experimental measurements are supported by quantum-chemical calculations.

The tether-directed regioselective synthesis of equatorial bis-adducts of [60]fullerene via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azomethine ylides is reported. A mono-[60]fulleropyrrolidine adduct, derived via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated in situ upon thermal condensation of triphenylamine bis-aldehyde and an α-amino acid, was isolated and further reacted to yield, exclusively and selectively, the equatorial bis-adduct, which is structurally characterized by appropriate spectroscopic means.

Carbon nanahorns (CNH) were functionalized following the methodology of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides and found to form stable solutions in either organic solvents or water. The number of added functional units, in the form of pyrrolidine moieties, was calculated when a pyrene chromophore was utilized in the modification scheme. Moreover, complementary theoretical calculations revealed that reactivity enhancement is expected at locations near the conical-shaped tip of CNH, where the highest curvature and strain exist. Finally, additional organic transformation of already modified CNH was exploited by covalently linked ferrocene units.

Carbon nanahorns (CNH) were functionalized following the methodology of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides and found to form stable solutions in either organic solvents or water. The number of added functional units, in the form of pyrrolidine moieties, was calculated when a pyrene chromophore was utilized in the modification scheme. Moreover, complementary theoretical calculations revealed that reactivity enhancement is expected at locations near the conical-shaped tip of CNH, where the highest curvature and strain exist. Finally, additional organic transformation of already modified CNH was exploited by covalently linked ferrocene units.

We have designed and synthesized several structural isomers of anthramycin (heterocycles 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8) and found that, in particular, pyrrolobenzodiazepine 8 induces DNA cleavage and formation of small fragments of DNA. The cytotoxic effects of 8 were manifested with both non-transformed primary neuronal/glial cells and transformed Jurkat cells. The other compounds did not change the viability either of transformed or of non-transformed cells, and induced DNA cleavage to a lesser extent. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Methods of insertion of azafullerenes in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) at different temperatures were investigated, while the effects of the conditions applied on the structure of azafullerene-based peapods, namely, C59N@SWNTs, were explored. Morphological characteristics of C59N@SWNTs were assessed and evaluated by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Pathways and chemical reactions that occur upon encapsulation of C59N within SWNTs were evaluated. Monomeric azafullerenyl radical C59N• as inserted into SWNTs at high temperature, from purified (C59N)2 in the gas phase, can undergo a variety of different transformations forming dimers, oligomers or existing in its monomeric form inside SWNTs due to the stabilization effect by nanotube side walls. However, under milder conditions, that is, at lower temperature, bisazafullerene (C59N)2 can be inserted into SWNTs in its pristine dimeric form. Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society.

The transport properties of C59N encapsulated semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) (C59N-peapod) are investigated. Transport measurements of the peapods in field effect transistors (FETs) reveal that ∼14% of the C59N-peapod sample shows n-type behavior even though the electronic properties of the host SWCNTs are similar to those of C60-peapods that exhibit only p-type property. First-principles electronic-structure calculations reveal that the unique transport behavior originates from the monomer form of C59N encapsulated in SWCNTs. The singly occupied (SO) state of C59N lies in the energy gap of the SWCNT and the energy of this state increases substantially when electrons are injected. Because of this shift to higher energy, the SO state acts as a shallow donor state for the conduction band of the nanotube, which leads to n-type behavior in FET measurements.

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The effect of azafullerene encapsulation on the electronic states of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is investigated; UV-vis-NIR absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy shows that the interaction between SWCNTs and the encapsulated azafullerenes is originated from the weak intermolecular forces, which suggests a lack of strong doping effect such as electron transfer between them.

Microwaves have proven to be a powerful ally in any synthetic effort, shortening reaction times considerably and in some cases facilitating the reaction by offering higher yields or fewer byproducts. Since the mid '90s microwave-assisted synthesis has found its way into carbon nanostructures, offering significant advantages towards their functionalization. In this review, an overview of the lat- est trends in microwave-assisted functionalization of carbon nanostructured materials is presented covering major breakthroughs achieved in the last years for this novel, intriguing and non-conventional synthetic approach.

Functionalisation of carbon nanohorns (CNHs), by covalent bonding or non-covalent supramolecular interacting organic moieties, overcomes insolubility problems and enhances manipulation and processibility. The present review paper summarises our recent accomplishments in the field of chemical modification of CNHs together with various critical and important aspects related to their synthesis, morphology, properties and applications. Moreover, the design and preparation of some novel hybrid materials consisting of CNHs and electron donors will be presented.