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Direct photocatalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (d-HAT) can be considered a method of choice for the elaboration of aliphatic C–H bonds. In this manifold, a photocatalyst (PCHAT) exploits the energy of a photon to trigger the homolytic cleavage of such bonds in organic compounds. Selective C–H bond elaboration may be achieved by a judicious choice of the hydrogen abstractor (key parameters are the electronic character and the molecular structure), as well as reaction additives. Different are the classes of PCsHAT available, including aromatic ketones, xanthene dyes (Eosin Y), polyoxometalates, uranyl salts, a metal-oxo porphyrin and a tris(amino)cyclopropenium radical dication. The processes (mainly C–C bond formation) are in most cases carried out under mild conditions with the help of visible light. The aim of this review is to offer a comprehensive survey of the synthetic applications of photocatalyzed d-HAT.

Dihydrophenazines are receiving increasing attention due to applications in numerous fields of chemistry, from light emission to organo-photocatalysis. Despite this growing interest and numerous works involving the preparation of radical cations based on this scaffold, the isolation and study of the aromatic dications obtained by 2 electron oxidation of dihydrophenazines is still mostly unexplored. From this point of view, along with the substitution at the N atoms generally used to tune dihydrophenazine properties, the p-extension of the phenazine core could play a crucial role in making dicationic states accessible. This could result in an extension of the knowledge on these elusive dications and in potentially highly interesting applications ranging from material science to molecular actuators.

Liquid desiccant air conditioners contribute to sustainable living by reducing the electricity consumption. They can be driven with continuous ventilation and thus can prevent airborne transmission of infectious diseases like COVID-19. In order to develop efficient desiccant materials for liquid desiccant air conditioners, we have investigated the dehumidification capability of 21 types of ammonium salts, many of them being ionic liquids. The hygroscopicity of dicationic quaternary ammonium bis(dimethyl or diethylphosphate) is found to increase with the carbon chain length of the spacer group -(CH2)n- that bridges the two terminal cationic moieties of the dication, that is, (CH2)2 < (CH2)3 < (CH2)6. This trend remains unchanged when methyl substituents on the cation and the phosphate anion are replaced by ethyl groups. A high dehumidification capability is obtained for N1,N1,N1,N6,N6,N6-hexamethylhexane-1,6-diaminium bis(dimethylphosphate) ([HMC6][DMPO4]2) and 1,6-diethyl-1,1,6,6-tetramethylhexane-1,6-diaminium bis(diethylphosphate) ([DETMC6][DEPO4]2);their capability per gram reaches almost twice that of CaCl2, and their dehumidification rate is superior to popular solid desiccants. A favorable equilibrium water vapor pressure for the liquid desiccant air-conditioning system is attained for an 80% (w/w) aqueous solution of [HMC6][DMPO4]2. In addition, the 80% aqueous solution of [HMC6][DMPO4]2 affords no corrosive effect on steel, aluminum, and stainless steel and a very weak effect on copper. Dicationic quaternary ammonium bis(dimethyl or diethylphosphate)s are stable compounds;their aqueous solutions produce no odor after storing for over 1 year under ambient conditions. Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to gain insights into the solvation structure, energetics, and transport behavior of water in aqueous solutions of [HMC6][DMPO4]2 and related salts. ©

This work reports a series of covalently linked hybrids comprising 5,10,15,20-tetraaryl-5,15-diazaporphyrinoids (M-TADAP; M = Ni, Zn, Cu) and amines. M-TADAP-amine hybrids were prepared via the metal-templated cyclization of the corresponding metal(II)-dipyrrin complexes and redox reactions on the DAP unit. In the UV/vis/near-IR absorption spectra of the hybrids containing an 18π-electron DAP ring, broad charge-transfer bands were observed, reflecting the electron-donating property of the para-aminophenyl groups and the electron-accepting property of the 18π TADAP dication. The electrochemical behavior of the M-TADAP-amine hybrids was strongly dependent on the structure of the peripheral amine units. Further electrochemical oxidation of the hybrids bearing N-Ph groups conceivably generated amine-centered radicals, which sequentially underwent irreversible coupling to form benzidine-linked M-TADAP polymer films. The Ni-TADAP-benzidine polymer exhibited the electric conductivity of 1×10-3 S m-1 .

Two homoleptic copper(II) complexes [Cu(L1)2] and [Cu(L2)2] with anionic redox‐active ligands were synthesised, one with urea azine (L1) and the other with thio‐urea azine (L2) ligands. One‐electron oxidation of the complexes initiates an unprecedented redox‐induced electron transfer process, leading to monocationic copper(I) complexes [Cu(L1)2]+ and [Cu(L2)2]+ with two oxidised ligands. While [Cu(L1)2]+ is best described as a CuI complex with two neutral radical ligands that couple antiferromagnetically, [Cu(L2)2]+ is a CuI complex with two clearly different ligand units in the solid state and with a magnetic susceptibility close to a diamagnetic compound. Further one‐electron oxidation of the complex with L1 ligands results in a dication [Cu(L1)2]2+, best described as a CuI complex with a twofold oxidised, monocationic ligand and a neutral radical ligand. The stability in at least three redox states, the accumulation of spin density at the ligands and the facile ligand‐metal electron transfer make these complexes highly attractive for a variety of applications; here the catalytic aerobic oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes is tested., Oxidation‐induced reduction: The oxidation of mononuclear CuII complexes with novel unsymmetric redox‐active urea azine or thio‐urea azine ligands leads to metal reduction and formation of complexes with intriguing electronic structures. The stability in several redox states is the basis for their first application in catalytic aerobic alcohol oxidation.

Complexation between a viologen radical cation (V.+ ) and cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) diradical dication (CBPQT2(.+) ) has been investigated and utilized extensively in the construction of mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) and artificial molecular machines (AMMs). The selective recognition of a pair of V.+ using radical-pairing interactions, however, remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we report the efficient encapsulation of two methyl viologen radical cations (MV.+ ) in a size-matched bisradical dicationic host - namely, cyclobis(paraquat-2,6-naphthalene)2(.+) , i.e., CBPQN2(.+) . Central to this dual recognition process was the choice of 2,6-bismethylenenaphthalene linkers for incorporation into the bisradical dicationic host. They provide the space between the two bipyridinium radical cations in CBPQN2(.+) suitable for binding two MV.+ with relatively short (3.05-3.25 A) radical-pairing distances. The size-matched bisradical dicationic host was found to exhibit highly selective and cooperative association with the two MV.+ in MeCN at room temperature. The formation of the tetrakisradical tetracationic inclusion complex - namely, [(MV)2 ⊂CBPQN]4(.+) - in MeCN was confirmed by VT 1 H NMR, as well as by EPR spectroscopy. The solid-state superstructure of [(MV)2 ⊂CBPQN]4(.+) reveals an uneven distribution of the binding distances (3.05, 3.24, 3.05 A) between the three different V.+ , suggesting that localization of the radical-pairing interactions has a strong influence on the packing of the two MV.+ inside the bisradical dicationic host. Our findings constitute a rare example of binding two radical guests with high affinity and cooperativity using host-guest radical-pairing interactions. Moreover, they open up possibilities of harnessing the tetrakisradical tetracationic inclusion complex as a new, orthogonal and redox-switchable recognition motif for the construction of MIMs and AMMs.

The introduction of thianthrene as a linchpin has proven to be a versatile strategy for the C-H functionalization of aromatic compounds, featuring a broad scope and fast diversification. The synthesis of aryl thianthrenium salts has displayed an unusually high para regioselectivity, notably superior to those observed in halogenation or borylation reactions for various substrates. We report an experimental and computational study on the mechanism of aromatic C-H thianthrenation reactions, with an emphasis on the elucidation of the reactive species and the nature of the exquisite site selectivity. Mechanisms involving a direct attack of arene to the isolated O-trifluoracetylthianthrene S-oxide (TT+-TFA) or to the thianthrene dication (TT2+) via electron transfer under acidic conditions are identified. A reversible interconversion of the different Wheland-type intermediates before a subsequent, irreversible deprotonation is proposed to be responsible for the exceptional para selectivity of the reaction.

A manifestation of hydrogen bonding between the dication and anions attributed to their relative position of the anions around the cation can influence both the conformational equilibrium and the physical properties of ionic liquids. With this view, we studied the electronic structure and normal frequencies using density functional theory calculations to analyze the hydrogen-bonding interactions in dicationic ionic liquids. The conformers are distinguished based on the hydrogen-bonding sites of the cation and anion. The weak hydrogen bonding between the dication and anions in dication ionic liquids can lead to greater conformational equilibrium compared to the monocation system. Consequences of these interactions for the vibrational spectrum are analyzed to provide an insight into the conformational equilibrium in dicationic ionic liquids at the molecular level.

Introduction of functional groups on a [Formula: see text]-conjugated system is one of the most promissing methods to modulate their chemical and physical properties. Here, dinitrohexapyrrolohexaazacoronene (dinitroHPHAC) was synthesized, in which two nitro groups are introduced at the same pyrrole ring. The dinitroHPHAC possesses a large dipole moment ([Formula: see text] = 11.7 D at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)) and showed solvatochromism with decreased HOMO-LUMO energy gap. Interestingly, the colour of the solid is black to the naked eye. The global aromaticity of the dication state is decreased compared with those of pristine HPHAC and mononitroHPHAC.

We report an anti-folded bowl-shaped bisdibenzocorannulene (BDBC) featuring a new chair-cyclohexane-like hexagon as a bridge of two dibenzocorannulene moieties. The neutral compound showed multiple redox-active properties and could be converted to the corresponding redox states through chemical reduction or oxidation. Chemical reduction of BDBC by stoichiometric addition of metallic potassium in the presence of [18]crown-6 ether, provided a radical anion BDBC.- and a dianion BDBC2- , respectively; while chemical oxidation by silver hexafluoroantimonate(V), converted the neutral compound to an open-shell singlet diradical dication (BDBC.. )2+ . The structural consequences of both electron-reduction and oxidation were closely related to the release of ring-strain of the bowl-shaped π-scaffold and imposed steric hindrance of the hexagonal bridge. In addition, the unusual open-shell nature of the dication could mainly be attributed to the changing of localized antiaromaticity in the closed-shell structure to delocalized character in the biradical, and thus the emergence of weakly bonded π-electrons.

Heteronuclear calcium–iron carbonyl cation complexes in the form of [CaFe(CO)n]+ (n=5–12) are produced in the gas phase. Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in conjunction with quantum chemical calculations confirm that the n=10 complex is the coordination saturated ion where a Fe(CO)4 fragment is bonded with a Ca(CO)6 fragment through two side‐on bridging carbonyl ligands. Bonding analysis indicates that it is best described by the bonding interactions between a [Ca(CO)6]2+ dication and an [Fe(CO)4]− anion forming a Fe→Ca d−d dative bond in the [(CO)6Ca–Fe(CO)4]+ structure, which enriches the pool of experimentally observed complexes of calcium that mimic transition metal compounds. The molecule is the first example of a heteronuclear carbonyl complex featuring a d−d bond between calcium and a transition metal., The [CaFe(CO)10]+ cation is characterized to be a coordination saturated ion where a Fe(CO)4 fragment is bonded with a Ca(CO)6 moiety through two side‐on bridging carbonyl ligands. The complex is best described by the bonding interactions between a [Ca(CO)6]2+ dication and an [Fe(CO)4]− anion forming a Fe−Ca d−d dative bond that is enhanced by the attraction between Ca and the bridging CO ligands.

The NHC-stabilised diboryne (B\(_2\)(SIDep)\(_2\); SIDep=1,3-bis(2,6-diethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) undergoes a high-yielding P−P bond activation with tetraethyldiphosphine at room temperature to form a B\(_2\)P\(_2\) heterocycle via a diphosphoryldiborene by 1,2-diphosphination. The heterocycle can be oxidised to a radical cation and a dication, respectively, depending on the oxidant used and its counterion. Starting from the planar, neutral 1,3-bis(alkylidene)-1,3-diborata-2,4-diphosphoniocyclobutane, each oxidation step leads to decreased B−B distances and loss of planarity by cationisation. X-ray analyses in conjunction with DFT and CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations reveal closed-shell singlet, butterfly-shaped structures for the NHC-stabilised dicationic B\(_2\)P\(_2\) rings, with their diradicaloid, planar-ring isomers lying close in energy.

The crystal structure of the title salt, C20H42N4 2+·2ClO4 −, has been determined using synchrotron radiation at 220 (2) K. The structure determination reveals that protonation has occurred at diagonally opposite amine N atoms. The asymmetric unit comprises one half of the organic dication, which lies about a center of inversion, and one perchlorate anion. The macrocyclic dication adopts the most stable endodentate trans-III conformation. The crystal structure is stabilized by intramolecular N—H...N, and intermolecular N—H...O and C–H...O hydrogen bonds involving the macrocycle N—H and C—H groups as donors and the O atoms of perchlorate anions as acceptors, giving rise to a three-dimensional network.

In the title mol­ecular salt, (C6H16N2)[CoCl4], the complete dication is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry and the piperazine ring adopts a chair conformation with the pendant methyl groups in equatorial orientations. The complete dianion is generated by crystallographic twofold symmetry. In the crystal, the (C6H16N2)2+ and [CoCl4]2− ions are linked by N—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, thereby forming a two-dimensional supra­molecular network., In the title mol­ecular salt, (C6H16N2)[CoCl4], the complete dication is generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry and the piperazine ring adopts a chair conformation with the pendant methyl groups in equatorial orientations. The complete dianion is generated by crystallographic twofold symmetry. In the crystal, the (C6H16N2)2+ and [CoCl4]2− ions are linked by N—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, thereby forming a two-dimensional supra­molecular network. The Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots reveal that the largest contributions to the crystal stability come from H⋯Cl/Cl⋯H (68.4%) and H⋯H (27.4%) contacts.

Density functional calculations have provided evidence that a Ag(I)-mediated deconstructive fluorination of N-benzoylated cyclic amines (LH) with Selectfluor [(F–TEDA)-(BF(4))(2)] begins with an association of the reactants to form a singlet state adduct {[(LH)–Ag]–[F–TEDA](2+)}. The subsequent formation of an iminium ion intermediate, [L(+)–Ag]–HF–[TEDA](+), is, formally, a Ag(I)-mediated hydride abstraction event that occurs in two steps: (a) a formal oxidative addition (OA) of [F–TEDA](2+) to the Ag(I) center that is attended by an electron transfer (ET) from the substrate (LH) to the Ag center (i.e., OA + ET, this process can also be referred to as a F-atom coupled electron transfer), followed by (b) H-atom abstraction from LH by the Ag-coordinated F atom. The overall process involves lower-lying singlet and triplet electronic states of several intermediates. Therefore, we formally refer to this reaction as a two-state reactivity (TSR) event. The C─C bond cleavage/fluorination of the resulting hemiaminal intermediate via a ring-opening pathway has also been determined to be a TSR event. A competing deformylative fluorination initiated by hemiaminal to aldehyde equilibration involving formyl H-atom abstraction by a TEDA(2+) radical dication, decarbonylation, and fluorination of the resulting alkyl radical by another equivalent of Selectfluor may also be operative in the latter step.

The local electronic structure of the metal-active site and the deexcitation pathways of metalloporphyrins are crucial for numerous applications but difficult to access by commonly employed techniques. Here, we applied near-edge X-ray absorption mass spectrometry and quantum-mechanical restricted active space calculations to investigate the electronic structure of the metal-active site of the isolated cobalt(iii) protoporphyrin IX cation (CoPPIX+) and its deexcitation pathways upon resonant absorption at the cobalt L-edge. The experiments were carried out in the gas phase, thus allowing for control over the chemical state and molecular environment of the metalloporphyrin. The obtained mass spectra reveal that resonant excitations of CoPPIX+ at the cobalt L3-edge lead predominantly to the formation of the intact radical dication and doubly charged fragments through losses of charged and neutral side chains from the macrocycle. The comparison between experiment and theory shows that CoPPIX+ is in a 3A2g triplet ground state and that competing excitations to metal-centred non-bonding and antibonding σ* molecular orbitals lead to distinct deexcitation pathways., Near-edge X-ray absorption mass spectrometry (NEXAMS) and restricted active space (RAS) quantum mechanical calculations at the metal L-edge reveal the electronic structure and orbital-specific deexcitation pathways of gas-phase metalloporphyrins.

Dibenzo[a,e]pentalene (DBP) is a non‐alternant conjugated hydrocarbon with antiaromatic character and ambipolar electrochemical behavior. Upon both reduction and oxidation, it becomes aromatic. We herein study the chemical oxidation and reduction of a planar DBP derivative and a bent DBP‐phane. The molecular structures of its planar dication, cation radical and anion radical in the solid state demonstrate the gained aromaticity through bond length equalization, which is supported by nucleus independent chemical shift‐calculations. EPR spectra on the cation radical confirm the spin delocalization over the DBP framework. A similar delocalization was not possible in the reduced bent DBP‐phane, which stabilized itself by proton abstraction from a solvent molecule upon reduction. This is the first report on structures of a DBP cation radical and dication in the solid state and of a reduced bent DBP derivative. Our study provides valuable insight into the charged species of DBP for its application as semiconductor., Aromatic character in a dibenzo[a,e]pentalene (DBP) was observed upon chemical oxidation to the cation radical and dication and reduction to the anion radical, as found from solid‐state structures. In a bent DBP‐phane aromaticity could not be reached upon reduction, and stabilization though proton abstraction occurred.

The reaction of (LSi:)2 (1; L = PhC(NtBu)2) with 2 equiv of Me3SiC2C2SiMe3 resulted in the formation of (Me3SiC2)2(Me3Si)2C4Si2(L)2 (2). 2 exhibited a one-electron transfer when treated with 1 equiv of [Ph3C]+[B(C6F5)4]- to yield [(Me3SiC2)2(Me3Si)2C4Si2(L)2]·+[B(C6F5)4]- (3) and Ph3CCPh3, respectively. When compound 2 was treated with 2 equiv of AgOSO2CF3 a transfer of two electrons occurred to produce [(Me3SiC2)2(Me3Si)2C4Si2(L)2]2+·2[OSO2CF3]- (4) and elemental silver. The 1,4-disilabenzene 2 is disclosed of an open-shell singlet diradical character, and 3 and 4 are, respectively, the elusive stable radical cation and dication species of the 1,4-disilabenzene (2). Furthermore, 2 reacted with group 16 elements of O, S, and Se by oxidative addition to form (Me3SiC2)2(Me3Si)2C4Si2(L)2(μ-O2) (5) and (Me3SiC2)2(Me3Si)2C4Si2(L)2(μ-E) (E = S (6) and Se (7)), respectively.

A cyclopenta-fused macrocyclic tetraradicaloid, MC4-S, containing alternating phenanthrene (Phen) and dibenzo[b,d]thiophene (DBTh) units was synthesized and isolated in single-crystal form. Compared with its all-carbon isoelectronic structure, CPTP-M, the incorporation of two sulfur atoms leads to a smaller radical character and a larger singlet–triplet energy gap. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that the spin–spin coupling through the DBTh unit is stronger than that through the Phen moiety. In addition, the electron-rich sulfur atoms also raise the energies of both the HOMO and LUMO in MC4-S, but the overall optical and electronic energy gaps are close to that of the CPTP-M. MC4-S displays global anti-aromaticity according to the NMR measurements and theoretical calculations (NICS, ACID and 2D ICSS), with a 36π ring current circuit along the all-carbon periphery excluding the two sulphur atoms. Its dication becomes globally aromatic due to the existence of a dominant 34π-conjugation pathway. This study sheds some light on the effect of heteroatoms on the electronic properties of open-shell polyradicaloids.

In this work we study the structure-directing effect of 1-methylimidazolium-based dications that have four methylene units as the spacer length (4BI), as Organic Structure-Directing Agent (OSDA) in the synthesis of silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) microporous molecular sieves. Results showed the occurrence of three different phases depending on the mineralizing agent (fluoride or hydroxide). When the synthesis is carried out in hydroxide medium, the OSDA tends to favor the crystallization of AEI and AFO frameworks, with the latter appearing only under specific synthesis conditions. By contrast, under concentrated fluoride conditions, this OSDA induces the formation of the triclinic chabazite (CHA) SAPO-34(t) material. Considering that this cation (4BI) should be too bulky to be occluded in both the CHA and AEI cavities, molecular simulations were carried out to study the locations and conformations of the dications in these structures. In the case of CHA, computational results showed a most likely location for 4BI cations spanning two adjacent chabazite cavities, with two imidazolium rings of adjacent cations confined in a single cavity in a stacked sandwich-like configuration. By contrast, the location of the 4BI cations within the AEI framework involves a lower incorporation of one imidazolium ring within each cavity, again with the organic cations spanning two adjacent cavities, but avoiding π–π imidazolium stacking interactions. In both CHA and AEI frameworks, our results suggest that the alkyl chain of the 4BI cations passes through 8-ring windows connecting adjacent cavities.

It is very interesting and challenging to investigate the electronic structures of diatomic dications, due to the nature of coulombic repulsive and bound attractive dissociation limits and their avoided diabatic interactions. Using the multi-reference configuration interaction approach, comprehensive ab initio calculations of the first 36 electronic states, corresponding to 15 dissociation limits, of dication HF2+ are reported. Good agreements for the vertical excitation energies and dissociation limits are achieved with the available references. Besides the common interesting quantities as adiabatic potential energy curves, dipole moments and spectral constants for the bound states, the nonadiabatic radial coupling matrix elements for the 1,3Π states are also presented. A showcase for the diabatic potentials of 3Π states are presented and discussed. Furthermore, predissociation states from the nonadiabatic couplings or avoided crossing of potential energy curves, known as shape resonances in collisions, are also investigated by using the WKB and scattering methods.

Organic redox compounds illustrate to be a fascinating class of active materials in energy-storage applications. The structural diversity as well as molecular tailoring helps in fine-tuning of the electrochemical properties at molecular level which is highly desired for improvisation of performance. In reality it is very challenging to achieve the desired physico chemical properties. Viologens represent a unique class of redox active molecules that undergoes two one-electron reductions in steps. Its redox properties are highly explored in various fields such as electrocatalysis, electrochromism, photochromism, herbicides, as well as to some extent in energy-storage systems. The redox behavior as well as its cationic charges are highly useful in energy-storage systems in improvising the device performance. Different energy systems require different state of viologens, i.e., dicationic/monocation radical/redox couple. For ex. viologen dication shows electrostatic attractions towards polysulfides in Li S batteries, similarly dication radical prevents Li dendrite growth in Li-ion batteries. In the case of redox flow batteries, supercapacitors as well as in Li-air batteries, the redox behavior of viologens were useful in improving the performance. Despite these advantages, there are some challenges existing in viologen based systems which has to be conquered at the molecular level. In this regard, a systematic study on structure-activity relationship becomes a crucial issue to address the bottlenecks. This review analyses the role of viologens in various energy storage systems and the mode of chemical interactions responsible for enhancing the overall performance of electrochemical storage devices comprehensively.

The employment of the hexyl-substituted anion [HexCB11 Cl11 ]- allowed the synthesis of a ZnII species, Zn[HexCB11 Cl11 ]2 , 3, in which the Zn2+ cation is only weakly coordinated to two carborate counterions and that is soluble in low polarity organic solvents such as bromobenzene. DOSY NMR studies show the facile displacement of at least one of the counterions, and this near nakedness of the cation results in high catalytic activity in the hydrosilylation of 1-hexene and 1-methyl-1cyclohexene. Fluoride ion affinity (FIA) calculations reveal a solution Lewis acidity of 3 (FIA=262.1 kJ mol-1 ) that is higher than that of the landmark Lewis acid B(C6 F5 )3 (FIA=220.5 kJ mol-1 ). This high Lewis acidity leads to a high activity in catalytic CO2 and Ph2 CO reduction by Et3 SiH and hydrogenation of 1,1-diphenylethylene using 1,4-cyclohexadiene as the hydrogen source. Compound 3 was characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and DFT studies.

Helicenes and extended helical π-conjugated compounds have been widely studied, but most of the systems contain only aromatic benzene or heterocyclic rings, showing local aromatic character. Herein, new S-shaped double [6]helicene 1, which has two embedded para-quinodimethane (p-QDM) units, is reported. Due to the existence of a proaromatic quinoidal substructure, it has open-shell diradical character. Its model compound, C-shaped single [6]helicene 2 containing one p-QDM unit, was also synthesized and compared. Their ground-state structures and electronic properties were systematically studied by a combination of various experimental methods assisted by theoretical calculations. Compound 1 has a double-helical structure in the crystal, with the two terminal [6]helicene units bent in opposite directions (i.e., anti form). However, an anti/syn isomerization process with a moderate interconversion energy barrier was observed on the NMR timescale. Compound 1 shows amphoteric redox behavior. It also exhibits open-shell diradical character (y0 =12.1 %) and a small singlet-triplet gap. On the other hand, compound 2 has a typical closed-shell nature. The dication and dianion of 1 also show open-shell diradical character. The dianion of 2 and the tetraanion of 1 exhibit similar electronic structures to their respective isoelectronic structures, that is, [6]helicene and a double [6]helicene. This work provides some insights into the design and synthesis of stable helical π systems with open-shell diradical character and magnetic activity.

A new tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivative is synthesized, which is substituted with two phenoxy radicals on one 1,3-dithiole ring, and may have either open-shell diradical or closed-shell extended-quinoidal ground states. X-ray single crystal analysis and NMR measurements prove that this molecule has a closed-shell extended quinoidal structure both in the solid state and in solution. DFT calculations show the donor-acceptor electronic properties of this molecule with a well-separated HOMO-LUMO distribution and a small HOMO-LUMO energy gap. Because of this donor-acceptor character, this molecule gives both the dication and the dianion species by electrochemical oxidation and reduction. Furthermore, during the redox process between the neutral and dication states, this molecule exhibits unique changes in the cyclic voltammogram upon repeating the cycles or varying the scan rate. The observed electrochemical behavior is explained by the conformational changes in the electrochemically generated species, thus indicating that this molecule is classified as a dynamic redox system.

A curved sp2 carbon scaffold containing fused pentagon and heptagon units (1) was synthesized by Pd‐catalyzed [5+2] annulation from a 3,9‐diboraperylene precursor and shows two reversible oxidation processes at low redox potential, accompanied by a butterfly‐like motion. Stepwise oxidation produced radical cation 1 .+ and dication 1 2+. In the crystal structure, 1 exhibits a chiral cisoid conformation and partial π‐overlap between the enantiomers. For the radical cation 1 .+, a less curved cisoid conformation is observed with a π‐dimer‐type arrangement. 1 2+ adopts a more planar structure with transoid conformation and slip‐stacked π‐overlap with closest neighbors. We also observed an intermolecular mixed‐valence complex of 1⋅(1 .+)3 that has a huge trigonal unit cell [(1)72(SbF6)54⋅(hexane)101] and hexagonal columnar stacks. In addition to the conformational change, the aromaticity of 1 changes from localized to delocalized, as demonstrated by AICD and NICS(1)zz calculations., A curved non‐alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) containing fused heptagon and pentagon units is presented, as well as its conformational changes upon stepwise oxidation. Single‐crystal X‐ray analyses for neutral, cationic, dicationic, and a mixed valence species 1⋅(1 .+)3 enabled the observed functional properties to be related to the molecular and supramolecular structures.

Herein, the first hetero Diels–Alder (DA) reactions with a stable, dicationic urea azine derived azo dienophile, synthesized by two‐electron oxidation of a neutral urea azine are reported. Several charged DA products were synthesized in good yield and fully characterized. The DA adduct of anthracene is in thermal equilibrium with the reactants at room temperature, and the reaction enthalpy and entropy were determined from the temperature‐dependent equilibrium constant. Furthermore, base addition to solutions of the pentacene DA product led to deprotonation, cleavage of the N−N bond, and formation of an electron‐rich 6,13‐bisguanidinyl‐substituted pentacene. The redox and optical properties of this new pentacene derivative were studied. Furthermore, the dication resulting from its two‐electron oxidation was synthesized and fully characterized. The results disclose a new elegant route to electron‐rich pentacene derivatives., The use of oxidised urea azines derived azo dienophiles in several Diels–Alder reactions is demonstrated. The DA product with anthracene is in equilibrium with its reactants at room temperature. Base‐induced N−N bond cleavage of the DA product with pentacene provides a new route to bisguanidinyl functionalized electron‐rich acenes (see scheme).

The title compound, C16H20N22+·2Br−·H2O (1) is a member of the class of compounds called viologens. Viologens are quaternary salts of dipyridyls and are especially useful as redox indicators as a result of their large negative one-electron reduction potentials. Compound1consists of a dication composed of a pair of 4-methylpyridine rings mutually joined at the 2-position, with a dihedral angle between the pyridine rings of 62.35 (4)°. In addition, the rings are tetheredviathe pyridine nitrogen atoms by a tetramethylene bridge. Charge balance is provided by a pair of bromide anions, which are hydrogen bonded to a single water molecule [DO...Br= 3.3670 (15) and 3.3856 (15) Å]. The crystal structure of1, details of an improved synthesis, and a full analysis of its NMR spectra are presented.

International audience; Carbo -benzene is an aromatic molecule devised by inserting C 2 units within each C-C bond of the benzene molecule. By integrating the corresponding carbo -quinoid core as bridging unit in a p -extended tetrathiafulvalene (exTTF), it is shown that a carbo -benzene ring can be reversibly formed by electrochemical reduction or oxidation. The so-called carbo -exTTF molecule was thus experimentally prepared and studied by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry, as well as by X-ray crystallography and by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) on a surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The molecule and its oxidized and reduced forms were subjected to a computational study at the density functional theory (DFT) level, supporting carbo -aromaticity as a driving force for the formation of the dication, radical cation, and radical anion. By allowing co-planarity of the dithiolylidene rings and carbo -quinoidal core, carbo -exTTFs present a promising new class of redox-active systems.

Two-dimensional (2D) perovskites are emerging photovoltaic materials because of their highly tunable photophysical properties and improved environmental stability in comparison with 3D perovskites. Here, a thiophene-based bulky dication spacer, namely, 2,5-thiophenedimethylammonium (ThDMA), was developed and applicated in 2D Dion-Jacobson (DJ) perovskite. High-quality 2D DJ perovskite, (ThDMA)(MA)n-1PbnI3n+1 (nominal n = 5), with improved crystallinity, preferred vertical orientation, and enlarged spatially resolved carrier lifetime could be achieved by a one-step method using a mixed solvent of DMF/DMSO (v/v, 9:1). The optimized device exhibits a high efficiency of 15.75%, which is a record for aromatic spacer-based 2D DJ perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Moreover, the unencapsulated 2D DJ perovskite devices sustained over 95% of their original efficiency after storage in N2 for 1655 h. Importantly, both the light-soaking stability and thermal stability (T = 80 °C) of the 2D DJ perovksite devices are dramatically improved in comparison with their 3D counterparts. These results indicate that highly efficient and stable 2D DJ PSCs could be achieved by developing thiophene-based aromatic spacers as well as device engineering.

One- and two-electron oxidation of a digallene stabilized by an N-heterocyclic carbene afforded the first stable gallium-based radical cation and dication salts, respectively. Structural analysis and theoretical calculations reveal that the oxidation occurs at the Ga=Ga double bond, leading to removal of π electrons of the double bond and a decrease of the bond order. The spin density of the radical cation mainly locates at the two gallium centers as demonstrated by EPR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. Moreover, the reactivity of the radical cation salt toward nBu3 SnH and cyclo-S8 was studied; a digallium-hydride cation salt containing a Ga-Ga single bond and a gallium sulfide cluster bearing an unprecedented ladder-like Ga4 S4 core structure were obtained, respectively.

The one- and two-electron oxidation reactions of tetrathiolated di-tert-butylpyrene compound 1 with NO[Al(ORF)4] (ORF = OC(CF3)3) resulted in radical cation salt 1•+[Al(ORF)4]- and diradical dication salt 12+••·2[Al(ORF)4]-, respectively. Both salts were isolated as stable crystals and investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, EPR spectroscopy, SQUID measurements, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The electron spin density is delocalized on one single sulfur-doped ring in 1•+ and on both sulfur-doped rings in 12+••. The diradical dication 12+•• features a robust triplet ground state, representing the first example of a high-spin sulfur-hydrocarbon diradical.

Cationic monoboranes exhibit a rich chemistry. By constrast, only a few cationic diboranes are known, that all are symmetrically substituted. In this work, the first unsymmetrically substituted dicationic diboranes, featuring sp2–sp2‐hybridized boron atoms, are reported. The compounds are formed by intramolecular rearrangement from preceding isomeric symmetrically substituted dicationic diboranes, a process that is catalyzed by nucleophiles. From the temperature‐dependence of the isomerization rate, activation parameters for this unprecedented rearrangement are derived. The difference in fluoride ion affinity between the two boron atoms and the bonding situation in these unique unsymmetrical dicationic diboranes are evaluated., An uneven match: Isomerization of symmetrically substituted dicationic diboranes, catalyzed by nucleophiles, affords unsymmetrically substituted dicationic diboranes with polarized B−B bonds.

In the title hydrated complex, [Co(C15H10ClN3)2]Cl2·4H2O, the complete dication is generated by symmetry. In the crystal, O—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the components into (001) sheets. The complex exhibits blue-light emission., In the title hydrated complex, [Co(C15H10ClN3)2]Cl2·4H2O, the complete dication is generated by symmetry. The CoN6 moiety shows distortion from regular octa­hedral geometry with the trans bond angles of two N—Co—N units being 160.62 (9)°. In the crystal, O—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯O inter­actions link the components into (001) sheets. The title compound exhibits blue-light emission, as indicated by photoluminescence data, and a HOMO–LUMO energy separation of 2.23 eV was obtained from its diffuse reflectance spectrum.

Three 1 N‐phenyl nitronyl nitroxide (NN) 4‐substituted dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole (DTP) derivatives with R1=4‐phenyl‐, 4H‐, and 4‐methylthiothiophenyl‐ (R1 2 DTP‐Ph‐NN, R1=H, Ph and MeSTh) were designed, synthesized and characterized. The electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). All the molecules exhibited two main oxidation peaks, first for radical cation and next for dication formation. The cation and dication formation were also confirmed by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy for Ph2DTP‐Ph‐NN and MeSTh2DTP‐Ph‐NN titrated with tris(4‐bromophenyl)aminiumhexachloroantimonate (magic blue). In addition, the cation and dication formation were verified by EPR spectroscopy. Finally, the exchange interactions (J/k B) of NN and radical cation were calculated by DFT studies., Dithienopyrrole derivatives with phenyl and methylthiothiophenyl connected with phenylnitronylnitroxides were oxidized to their cations forming high spin S=1 molecules.

A soluble and stable core-modified [38]octaphyrin, MC-T8, containing eight thiophene rings was synthesized by Yamamoto coupling followed by oxidative dehydrogenation. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed a nearly planar backbone, and the molecule is globally aromatic with a dominant 38π conjugation pathway. The dication MC-T82+ is antiaromatic, and the backbone is distorted, with a different orientation of the thiophene rings. The tetracation MC-T84+ becomes aromatic again, with a shallow-bowl-shaped geometry. Both the neutral compound and the dication demonstrated open-shell diradical character with a small singlet-triplet energy gap (-2.70 kcal mol-1 for MC-T8 and -3.78 kcal mol-1 for MC-T82+ ), and they are stable owing to effective spin delocalization.

A phenyl-substituted diazaperylenediium dication (DAP) was synthesized that shows concentration-dependent aggregation in water. The host–guest complexation of DAP was studied with the macrocyclic host cucurbit[n]uril (n = 7, 8) in water. With CB[7], it forms a 1:2 complex by placing two aryl substituents inside the CB[7]; whereas, with CB[8], a supramolecular polymer is formed. The resulting complex and supramolecular polymer have been characterized by ITC (isothermal titration calorimetry), ESI-MS (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry), 1H NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance), 2D NOESY (two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy), and DOSY (diffusion-ordered spectroscopy) spectra.

Thermally switchable redox properties have been reported to be due to a change in the spin state of newly designed overcrowded ethylenes, which can adopt closed-shell folded and open-shell twisted forms. In this study, tetrathienylanthraquinodimethane derivatives were designed to be in thermal equilibrium between a more stable folded form and less stable but more donating twisted diradical in solution, so that the oxidation potential can be controlled by heating/cooling. This is the first example of a switching of redox properties based on a thermally equilibrated twisted diradical, which can be more readily oxidized to the twisted dication.

"Naphthocage", a naphthalene-based organic cage, reveals very strong binding (up to 1010 M-1) to aromatic (di)cationic guests, i.e., the tetrathiafulvalene mono- and dication and methyl viologen. Intercalation of the guests between two naphthalene walls is mediated by C-H···O, C-H···π, and cation···π interactions. The guests can be switched into and out of the cage by redox processes with high binding selectivity. Oxidation of the flexible cage itself in the absence of a guest leads to a stable radical cation with the oxidized naphthalene intercalated between and stabilized by the other two. Encapsulated guest cations are released from the cavity upon cage oxidation, paving the way to future applications in redox-controlled guest release or novel stimuli-responsive materials.

Aromaticity is a vital concept that governs the electronic properties of π-conjugated organic molecules and has long been restricted to 2D systems. The aromaticity in 3D π-conjugated molecules has been rarely studied. Here we report a fully conjugated diradicaloid molecular cage and its global aromaticity at different oxidation states. The neutral compound has an open-shell singlet ground state with a dominant 38π monocyclic conjugation pathway and follows the [4n + 2] Huckel aromaticity rule; the dication has a triplet ground state with a dominant 36π monocyclic conjugation pathway and satisfies [4n] Baird aromaticity; the tetracation is an open-shell singlet with 52 π-electrons that are delocalized along the 3D rigid framework, showing 3D global antiaromaticity; and the hexacation possesses D3 symmetry with 50 globally delocalized π-electrons, showing [6n + 2] 3D global aromaticity. Different types of aromaticity were therefore accessed in one molecular cage platform, depending on the symmetry, number of π-electrons and spin state. A conjugated diradicaloid cage has been synthesized and its aromaticity was investigated. The neutral compound and the dication have dominant monocyclic conjugation pathways and both are aromatic (the former following Huckel’s rule and the latter Baird’s rule). The tetracation ([6n + 4] π-electrons) exhibits global 3D antiaromaticity whereas the hexacation ([6n + 2] π-electrons) exhibits global 3D aromaticity and has high D3 symmetry.

Capture and activation of the water-soluble uranyl dication (UO22+) remains a challenging problem, as few rational approaches are available for modulating the reactivity of this species. Here, we r...

Here we report the synthesis, isolation, and characterization of a dication salt, namely 4,6-bis(4,4′-bipyridinium)-1,3,5-triazin-2-one {12+(PF6)22−·2H2O1(PF6)2·2H2O}, and its radical cation salt, namely 4,6-bis(4,4′-bipyridinium)-1,3,5-triazin-2-one (1+˙PF6−1˙PF6). The easily synthesized, robust air-stable radical cation 1+· was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), variable temperature magnetic studies as well as spin-density calculations.

Double chloride abstraction from Cp*SbCl2 (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) affords an arene-stabilized η5-Cp*-bound antimony dicationic compound [(η5-Cp*)Sb(tol)][B(C6F5)4]2 (1) (tol = toluene), which exhibits strong Lewis acidity, abstracting chloride from Ph3CCl. 1 reacts with different Lewis bases via divergent pathways, giving rise to release of either Sb+ or Sb3+ cations.

A dinuclear dysprosocenium dication has been synthesised that is bound together by weak interactions between {Dy(Cp*)2}+ fragments and neutral NEt3AlMe3 molecules. The axiality of the Dy3+ crystal fields are perturbed by these equatorial interactions but a relatively large effective barrier to magnetisation reversal of 860(60) cm–1 and magnetic hysteresis up to 12 K are observed.

Attempts have been made to prepare salts with the labile tris(trimethylsilyl)chalconium ions, [(Me3Si)3E]+ (E=O, S), by reacting [Me3Si‐H‐SiMe3][B(C6F5)4] and Me3Si[CB] (CB−=carborate=[CHB11H5Cl6]−, [CHB11Cl11]−) with Me3Si‐E‐SiMe3. In the reaction of Me3Si‐O‐SiMe3 with [Me3Si‐H‐SiMe3][B(C6F5)4], a ligand exchange was observed in the [Me3Si‐H‐SiMe3]+ cation leading to the surprising formation of the persilylated [(Me3Si)2(Me2(H)Si)O]+ oxonium ion in a formal [Me2(H)Si]+ instead of the desired [Me3Si]+ transfer reaction. In contrast, the expected homoleptic persilylated [(Me3Si)3S]+ ion was formed and isolated as [B(C6F5)4]− and [CB]− salt, when Me3Si‐S‐SiMe3 was treated with either [Me3Si‐H‐SiMe3][B(C6F5)4] or Me3Si[CB]. However, the addition of Me3Si[CB] to Me3Si‐O‐SiMe3 unexpectedly led to the release of Me4Si with simultaneous formation of a cyclic dioxonium dication of the type [Me3Si‐μO‐SiMe2]2[CB]2 in an anion‐mediated reaction. DFT studies on structure, bonding and thermodynamics of the [(Me3Si)3E]+ and [(Me3Si)2(Me2(H)Si)E]+ ion formation are presented as well as mechanistic investigations on the template‐driven transformation of the [(Me3Si)3E]+ ion into a cyclic dichalconium dication [Me3Si‐μE‐SiMe2]2 2+., Labile chalconium ions of the type [(Me3Si)3E]+ (E=O, S) were generated by reacting [Me3Si‐H‐SiMe3][B(C6F5)4] and Me3Si[CB] (CB−=carborate=[CHB11H5Cl6]−, [CHB11Cl11]−) with Me3Si‐E‐SiMe3. A ligand exchange in case of the oxonium species, leading to the surprising formation of the persilylated [(Me3Si)2(Me2(H)Si)O]+ oxonium ion, was observed. With Me3Si[CB] as silylating reagent, a cyclic dioxonium dication of the type [Me3Si‐μO‐SiMe2]2[CB]2 was isolated in an anion‐mediated reaction.

Coordination of 1-isopropyl-3,5-dipyridyl-6-oxoverdazyl to cobalt results in a dication best described in the solid state as a high spin cobalt(ii) ion coordinated to two radical ligands with an S = 3/2 ground state. On dissolution in acetonitrile, the cobalt(ii) form equilibrates with a cobalt(iii) valence tautomer with an S = 1/2 ground state.

The organisation of the p-xylylenebis(triphenylphosphonium) dication in the solid state, in crystals formed under a variety of conditions, at different pH values and in the presence of THF and other potential building moieties including p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene, 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium and aquated gadolinium(III) has been investigated using single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Striking changes in the dication conformations (cis- and trans-) that contribute to the different crystal packings of the dication (two-dimensional layerings and three-dimensional scaffoldings) have been established for five different compounds. The interplay and the self-assembled arrays of the dication with other incorporated components and the overall non-covalent interactions have been quantified using Hirshfeld surface analyses.

Oxidation of 1,5-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene with iodine leads directly to a bis(dimethyliminium) derivative of acridino[2,1,9,8-klmna]acridine, containing six fused six-membered rings, as a bis triiodide salt. The cation has a twisted structure due to the minimisation of peri interactions between each dimethyliminium group and a hydrogen atom. Use of TCNQ as oxidizing agent leads to the same dication as a tetrakis(TCNQ) salt, while use of TCNQ-F4 gave a related monocation which is dimethylated on a ring nitrogen atom.

Using calculations, we show that a proposed Cu(I)-mediated deconstructive fluorination of N-benzoylated cyclic amines with Selectfluor® is feasible and may proceed through: (a) substrate coordination to a Cu(I) salt, (b) iminium ion formation followed by conversion to a hemiaminal, and (c) fluorination involving C–C cleavage of the hemiaminal. The iminium ion formation is calculated to proceed via a F-atom coupled electron transfer (FCET) mechanism to form, formally, a product arising from oxidative addition coupled with electron transfer (OA + ET). The subsequent β-C–C cleavage/fluorination of the hemiaminal intermediate may proceed via either ring-opening or deformylative fluorination pathways. The latter pathway is initiated by opening of the hemiaminal to give an aldehyde, followed by formyl H-atom abstraction by a TEDA2+ radical dication, decarbonylation, and fluorination of the C3-radical center by another equivalent of Selectfluor®. In general, the mechanism for the proposed Cu(I)- mediated deconstructive C–H fluorination of N-benzoylated cyclic amines (LH) by Selectfluor® was calculated to proceed analogously to our previously reported Ag(I)-mediated reaction. In comparison to the Ag(I)-mediated process, in the Cu(I)-mediated reaction the iminium ion formation and hemiaminal fluorination have lower associated energy barriers, whereas the product release and catalyst re-generation steps have higher barriers.