An electrochemical and computational chemistry study of substituted benzophenones

DFT study of the spectroscopic behaviour of different iron(II)-terpyridine derivatives with application in DSSCs

Through a comprehensive computational analysis utilizing Density Functional Theory (DFT), we clarify the electronic structure and spectroscopic properties of modified iron(II)-terpyridine derivatives, with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). We optimized a series of nineteen iron(II)-terpyridine derivatives and related compounds in acetonitrile (MeCN) as the solvent using TDDFT, evaluating their potential as dyes for DSSCs. From the conducted computations on the optimized geometries of the nineteen [Fe(Ln)2]2+ complexes, containing substituted terpyridine and related ligands L1-L19, we determined the wavelengths (λ in nm), transition energy (E in eV), oscillator strength (f), type of transitions, excited state lifetime (τ), light harvesting efficiency (LHE), frontier orbital character and their energies (ELUMO/EHOMO), natural transition orbitals (NTOs), injection driving force of a dye (ΔGinject), and regeneration driving force of a dye (ΔGregenerate). Results show that the theoretically calculated values for assessing dye efficiency in a DSSC correlate with available experimental values. The UV-visible spectra of [Fe(Ln)2]2+ exhibited a peak above 500 nm (λmax) in the visible region, attributed to the ligand-to-metal charge transfer band (LMCT) in literature, and a significant absorbance peak at approximately 300 nm (λA,max) in the UV region. The M06-D3/CEP-121G method replicated all reported λmax and λA,max values with a mean absolute deviation (MAD) of 21 and 18 nm, respectively. Our findings underscore the connections between electronic modifications and absorption spectra, emphasizing their impact on the light-harvesting capabilities and overall performance of DSSCs. This research contributes to the advancement of fundamental principles governing the design and optimization of novel photovoltaic materials, facilitating the development of more efficient and sustainable solar energy technologies.

Reduction Data Obtained from Cyclic Voltammetry of Benzophenones and Copper-2-Hydroxyphenone Complexes

This article provides detailed redox data on nine differently substituted benzophenones and ten square planar copper(II) complexes containing 2-hydroxyphenones obtained by cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. The information provided is related to the published full research articles “An electrochemical and computational chemistry study of substituted benzophenones” (Electrochim. Acta2021, 373, 137894) and “Electrochemical behaviour of copper(II) complexes containing 2-hydroxyphenones” (Electrochim. Acta2022, 424, 140629), where the CVs and electrochemical data at mainly one scan rate, namely at 0.100 Vs−1, are reported. CVs and the related peak current and voltage values, not reported in the related research article, are provided in this article for nine differently substituted benzophenones and ten differently substituted copper-2-hydroxyphenone complexes at various scan rates over more than two orders of magnitude. The redox data presented are the first reported complete set of electrochemical data of nine 2-hydroxyphenones and ten copper(II) complexes containing 2-hydroxyphenone ligands.

Umpolung of an Aliphatic Ketone to a Magnesium Ketone‐1,2‐diide Complex with Vicinal Dianionic Charge

The new β‐diketimine ^iPrDipnacnacH, HC(iPrCNDip)₂H, Dip=2,6‐iPr₂‐C₆H₃, was converted to the magnesium(I) complex [{(^iPrDipnacnac)Mg}₂] and reaction with 2‐adamantanone (OAd) afforded the ketone‐1,2‐diide complex [{(^iPrDipnacnac)Mg}₂(μ‐OAd)]. The complex contains the first stable dianion of an aliphatic ketone with an electropositive metal and shows an OAd²⁻ unit with long C−O bond and pyramidal carbon centre. DFT studies reveal an anionic charge on both neighbouring C and O atoms. Reductions of aliphatic ketones with magnesium(I) complexes show that these likely proceed via highly reactive dianions and afforded a 1 : 1 mixture of an alkoxide and an enolate when an enolisable ketone was used, and rapid CH activations reactions, e.g., of stabilising ligand moieties, when non‐enolisable ketones were employed.

Site-selective D2O-mediated deuteration of diaryl alcohols via quantum dots photocatalysis

Owing to the high synthetic value of deuteration in the pharmaceutical industry, we describe herein the conversion of a range of aromatic ketones to deuterium-labeled products in good to excellent yields. Efficient and site-selective deuteration of benzyl alcohols by D₂O with visible light irradiation of quantum dots (QDs), together with gram-scale synthesis and photocatalyst recycling experiments indicated the potential of the developed method in practical organic synthesis.

Photophysical and semiconducting properties of isomeric triphenylimidazole derivatives with a benzophenone moiety

New isomeric compounds with imidazole and benzophenone moieties were synthesized and their thermal, photophysical, electrochemical and carrier mobilities have been analyzed.