SYNTHESIS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL FULLERENE-BASED STRUCTURES FOR PHOTOVOLTAICS, ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS AND MRI CONTRAST AGENTS

Metallic nitride endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) are one of the most interesting types of metallofullerenes due to their high yields and interesting electronic properties. The synthesis of these compounds allows the encapsulation of different metals inside fullerenes making it possible to combine the properties of the metal with those of the fullerene. Their interesting electrochemical and optical features make them potential candidates for several applications such as molecular electronics, biomedical imaging, non-linear optical devices, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents. This thesis reports the synthesis of novel metallic nitride EMFs based on Gd, Nd, Pr, Ce and La. These families of metallofullerenes were characterized by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, HPLC, electrochemistry and UV/Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The reactivity study of the Gd nitride EMF family and the synthesis of a third generation dendrimer that is attached to EMFs in order to obtain water soluble structures that can be used in MRI applications is also covered. Finally, a comprehensive electrochemical study of carbon rich macrocycles is reported

Synthesis And Electronic Properties Of Tris(4-Formylbiphenyl-4-Yl) Amine As A Building Block For Covalent Organic Frameworks And For Optoelectronic Devices.

Herein is reported the preparation of a new triphenylamine derivative, the tris(´4-formylbiphenyl- 4-yl) amine (TFBA). This compound exhibits optoelectronic properties suitable for its use in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) and light emitting diodes. The electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). At the same time, the symmetrical chemical structure of TFBA allows its utilization as a building block in Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) bringing additional properties and a wide range of applications to such materials

Electronic and electrochemical properties of grid-type metal ion complexes (Fe+2 and Co2+) with a pyridine-pyrimidine-pyridine based bis(hydrazone)

The synthesis of new grid-type complexes of Co2+ and Fe2+ based on a highly soluble double hydrazone framework is reported. The data obtained from 1H NMR, FT-IR, and elemental analysis indicate that the complexes adopted a grid-like structure. Electronic properties of the metallogrids were analyzed by UV-Vis spectroscopy in chloroform, methanol, and dichloromethane. Additionally, cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry were carried out in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). These compounds exhibited two oxidation processes corresponding to the organic ligand and several reductions events, comprising the ligand and metal centers. Furthermore, the interplay between the metal nature and the ligand framework was also studied in detail. These results represent an advancement in the chemistry of metallogrids not only because of the few reports concerning to the electrochemical properties found in the literature, but also for the design of novel hydrazone ligands of high solubility and easy preparation.Se reporta la síntesis de nuevos complejos metálicos de Co2+ y Fe2+ tipo rejilla que contienen como ligando orgánico una doble hidrazona altamente soluble en solventes orgánicos. Los datos obtenidos de resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN 1H), espectroscopía infrarroja con transformada de Fourier (FT-IR) y análisis elemental indican que los complejos adoptaron una estructura de tipo rejilla. Las propiedades electrónicas de las metalo-rejillas fueron analizadas a través de espectroscopía UV-Vis en cloroformo, metanol y diclorometano. Adicionalmente, se realizaron medidas de voltamperometría cíclica y voltametría de onda cuadrada en DMF. Los complejos exhibieron dos procesos de oxidación atribuidos al ligando orgánico y a varios eventos reductivos que comprometían al ligando y a los centros metálicos, por tanto, la interacción entre la naturaleza del ion metálico y la estructura del ligando fue analizada en detalle. Estos resultados representan un avance en la química de metalo-rejillas no solo por los escasos reportes de propiedades electroquímicas encontrados en la literatura, sino también por el diseño de nuevos ligandos hidrazónicos de alta solubilidad y fácil preparación.Neste trabalho relata-se a síntese de novos complexos de Co2+ e Fe2+ tipo grelha baseados na estrutura de uma hidrazona dupla altamente solúvel em solventes orgânicos. Os dados obtidos de ressonância magnética nuclear (1H RMN), espectroscopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FT-IR), e análise elementar indicam que os complexos adotaram a estrutura tipo grelha. As propriedades eletrônicas das grelhas metálicas foram analisadas por espectroscopia UV-Vis em clorofórmio, metanol e diclorometano. Adicionalmente, foram realizadas medidas de voltametria cíclica e voltametria de onda quadrada em DMF. Os compostos estudados exibiram dois processos de oxidação correspondentes ao ligando orgânico, e a vários eventos redutivos que envolvem o ligando orgânico e os centros metálicos. Além disso, a interação entre a natureza do metal e a estrutura do ligando foi estudada em detalhe. Estes resultados representam um avanço na química de metalo-grelhas não somente pelos escassos relatos de propriedades eletroquímicas encontrados na literatura, mas também pelo design de novos ligandos hidrazônicos de alta solubilidade e fácil preparação

Structural, spectroscopic, and theoretical analysis of a molecular system based on 2-((2-(4-chlorophenylhydrazone)methyl)quinolone

A novel molecular system based on 2-((2-(4-chlorophenylhydrazone)methyl)quinoline (1-E) was synthesized. Interconversion of 1-E to its configurational isomer 1-Z was achieved using UV radiation (250 W Hg lamp). Such isomerization was monitored by 1H-NMR. The results suggest that the hydrazone derivative can act as a chemical brake in solution. This molecular system was structurally (Single Crystal X-Ray diffraction and DFT calculations) and spectroscopically (NMR, UV, and IR) characterized. Electrochemical measurements showed that configurational changes induce differential redox behavior. In this regard, the reported quinoline system exhibits different dynamic absorption and electrochemical properties that are modulated by the UV-light induced configurational change. Therefore, 1-E can be regarded as potential photo-electrochemical switch.Se sintetizó un nuevo sistema molecular basado en 2-((2-(4-chlorofenilhidrazona)metil)quinolina. Del mismo modo, se evaluó la respuesta dinámica de este compuesto a radiación ultravioleta y formación de un enlace de hidrógeno intramolecular. Los resultados muestran que este derivado de hidrazona puede actuar como freno en solución. El sistema en mención es descrito estructural (Cristalografía de Rayos X y cálculos DFT) y espectroscópicamente (RMN, UV e IR). La interconversión de este sistema entre las configuraciones 1-E y 1-Z fue mediada por radiación UV y monitoreada a través de RMN-1H. El estudio electroquímico mostró un comportamiento diferencial en función de su configuración, aspecto fundamental en el desarrollo de sistemas foto- y electroquímicamente modulados.Neste trabalho é apresentado um novo sistema molecular baseado na 2-((2-(4-clorofenilhidrazona)metil)quinolina, capaz de responder dinamicamente à radiação ultravioleta formando uma ligação de hidrogénio intramolecular que atua como um freio na solução. Este sistema é descrito estruturalmente (cristalografia de raios-X e DFT) e por diferentes técnicas espectroscópicas (RMN, de UV e de IV). Radiação UV foi usada para fazer a interconversão da hidrazona 1-E no seu isômero configuracional 1-Z. Este processo foi monitorado pelo RMN. As medidas eletroquímicas mostraram que as mudanças configuracionais entre os isômeros induzem a comportamentos redox diferentes, o que é uma caraterística chave no desenvolvimento de interruptores fotoelectroquímicos

New chitosan-imine derivatives: from green chemistry to removal of heavy metals from water

Three novel imine-chitosan derivatives were synthesized by condensation of the amino terminals of chitosan and 4-bromomethyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde A1, 4-formyl-2-hydroxybenzoic acid A2, and (E)-6-((2-(pyridin-2-yl)hydrazono)methyl)picolinaldehyde A3. Noteworthy, is the aqueous synthesis of imine-chitosan compounds using relatively mild conditions (70 °C) in a green chemistry fashion. The new compounds were characterized by 1H-NMR, FT-IR, elemental analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A solubility study at different pH values was performed for the three compounds, obtaining very different behaviors when compared to that of the pristine chitosan. Finally, by means of atomic absorption the ability to remove heavy metal ions, such as Pb(II) and Hg(II), was investigated for the imine-chitosan derivatives, which showed a high removal percentage at basic pH (between 8-10) but low removal percentage at pH lower than 5. Additionally, the nature of the substituent determines the solubility of the resulting adducts thus widening the potential applications of chitosan derivatives

Breaking the photoswitch speed limit

The forthcoming generation of materials, including artificial muscles, recyclable and healable systems, photochromic heterogeneous catalysts, or tailorable supercapacitors, relies on the fundamental concept of rapid switching between two or more discrete forms in the solid state. Herein, we report a breakthrough in the “speed limit” of photochromic molecules on the example of sterically-demanding spiropyran derivatives through their integration within solvent-free confined space, allowing for engineering of the photoresponsive moiety environment and tailoring their photoisomerization rates. The presented conceptual approach realized through construction of the spiropyran environment results in ~1000 times switching enhancement even in the solid state compared to its behavior in solution, setting a record in the field of photochromic compounds. Moreover, integration of two distinct photochromic moieties in the same framework provided access to a dynamic range of rates as well as complementary switching in the material’s optical profile, uncovering a previously inaccessible pathway for interstate rapid photoisomerization.</p

Aroylhydrazones as potential systems for information storage: photoisomerization and metal complexation

Aroylhydrazones are compounds formedfrom the condensation of an acylhydrazineand an aldehyde. These compoundsexhibit dynamic reversible propertiessuch as isomerization photochemicallyand thermally activated, hydrazinesubstitution and coordination to metalliccenters. All these together represent systemswith multiple dynamics suitable forinformation storage devices and for thedesign of molecular photoswitches

Aroylhydrazones as potential systems for information storage: photoisomerization and metal complexation

<p>Aroylhydrazones are compounds formed<br />from the condensation of an acylhydrazine<br />and an aldehyde. These compounds<br />exhibit dynamic reversible properties<br />such as isomerization photochemically<br />and thermally activated, hydrazine<br />substitution and coordination to metallic<br />centers. All these together represent systems<br />with multiple dynamics suitable for<br />information storage devices and for the<br />design of molecular photoswitches.</p

Praseodymium Nitride Endohedral Metallofullerene as Donor in Photovoltaic Cells

Trimetallic nitride template endohedral metallofullerenes (TNT EMFs) have been found to have structures and electronic properties that make them suitable for fields like molecular electronics. The particular compounds synthesized were the family of TNT EMFs Pr3N@C2n due to the relatively high yield of Pr3N@C­88 and even more due to its low first oxidation potential (0.06 V) and therefore this compound has the ability to act as a capable electron donor in a multilayer organic photovoltaic cell. The compound was synthesized through the use of a Kratschmer-Huffman arc reactor. A mixture of Praseodymium Oxide and graphite with a ratio of 3:7 respectively was made and then the powder was packed into graphite rods that were then arced inside the reactor. After it was arced, the soot that is created as a product of the arcing was dissolved in carbon disulfide and characterized by mass spectroscopy. The obtained metallofullerenes were isolated by HPLC with a one-stage separation, and then again the purified solution was passed under a two-stage HPLC separation