Three Redox States of a Diradical Acceptor-Donor-Acceptor Triad: Gating the Magnetic Coupling and the Electron Delocalization

Oxidation of Weakly Interacting Diradicals: An Approach for Strong and Tunable Near-Infrared-Absorbing Dyes Based on Small Chromophores

Near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing dyes are valuable for various applications, such as bioimaging and electronic devices. This work introduces a novel approach for designing NIR dyes, oxidation of weakly coupled diradicals. Our approach features a weak exchange interaction in diradicals, which potentially leads to bonding/antibonding molecular orbitals with a small energy gap. We found that removing one of two singly occupied molecular orbital electrons of the diradicals results in an exceptionally narrow frontier orbital energy gap. We examined a series of Blatter radical dimers, and the most weakly coupled diradical prepared in this work (ΔEST ∼ 0.12 eV) with a molecular weight of 590 Da exhibited a strong NIR absorption band reaching 2200 nm upon one-electron oxidation. The optical band gaps of the radical cations strongly correlate to the exchange interaction in the precursor neutral species, offering prediction and fine-tuning of the optical band gap in the NIR region.

Near-infrared luminescent open-shell π-conjugated systems with a bright lowest-energy zwitterionic singlet excited state

Open-shell systems with extensive π-conjugation have fascinating properties due to their narrow bandgaps and spin interactions. In this work, we report neutral open-shell di- and polyradical conjugated materials exhibiting intriguing optical and magnetic properties. Our key design advance is the planarized geometry allowing for greater interaction between adjacent spins. This results in absorption and emission in the near infrared at 803 and 1050 nanometers, respectively, and we demonstrate a unique electronic structure where a bright zwitterionic excited state is the lowest-accessible electronic transition. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and superconducting quantum interference device measurements reveal that our materials are open-shell singlets with different degrees of spin interactions, dynamics, and antiferromagnetic properties, which likely contributed to the formation of their emissive zwitterionic singlet excited state and near-infrared emission. In addition, our materials show reversible and stable electrochromic switching with more than 500 cycles, indicating their potential for optoelectronic and electrochemical energy storage applications.

Spin-Correlated Luminescence of a Carbazole-Containing Diradical Emitter: Single-Molecule Magnetoluminescence and Thermally Activated Emission

Luminescent radicals have been intensively studied as a new class of materials exhibiting novel photofunctions unique to open-shell systems. When luminescent radicals are assembled, intriguing spin-correlated luminescence phenomena emerge, including excimer-like emission and magnetic-field effects on luminescence (i.e., magnetoluminescence, MagLum). However, the underlying mechanisms of these phenomena arising from spin multiplicity and spin-dependent excited-state dynamics are poorly understood due to the limited number of luminescent polyradical systems available for study. In particular, the correlation between stronger intramolecular exchange interactions (|2J/kB| > ∼10 K, where J and kB are the intramolecular exchange coupling constant and the Boltzmann constant, respectively) and luminescence properties has not been fully explained. In this study, a novel carbazole-containing diradical emitter (1) and the corresponding monoradical (2) were prepared for the in-depth study of spin-correlated luminescence properties, with luminescence measurements under magnetic fields of up to 18 T. Diradical 1 has a negative 2J/kB value of several tens of kelvin and exhibits a single-molecule MagLum and thermally activated luminescence, whereas 2 does not. Detailed quantitative analyses revealed that both the spin-correlated luminescence properties of 1 are strongly dominated by ground-state spin statistics based on the Boltzmann distribution (i.e., 2J/kB values). Furthermore, diradical 1 exhibits external heavy-atom effects in heavy-atom-containing solvents such as iodobenzene, whereas monoradical 2 does not. This is the first experimental verification of external heavy-atom effects in polyradical emitters. This work demonstrates that polyradical emitters can be designed based on spin degrees of freedom in both ground and excited states.

Azo-Cyanamide Bridged Dinuclear Iron Complexes Exhibiting no Electronic Coupling but Moderate Magnetic Coupling between the two Iron Centers

To investigate the effect of long-distance organic ligand on electronic coupling between metallic atoms, the mononuclear and dinuclear complexes [Cp(dppe)Fe(apc)] (1), [{Cp(dppe)Fe}2(μ-adpc)] (2), [{CpMe5(dppe)Fe}2(μ-adpc) (3) and their oxidized complexes [Cp(dppe)Fe(apc)][PF6] (1[PF6]), [{Cp(dppe)Fe}2(μ-adpc)][PF6] (2[PF6]2), [{CpMe5(dppe)Fe}2(μ-adpc)][PF6]2 (3[PF6]2) (Cp=1,3-cyclopentadiene, CpMe5=1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene, dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), apc-=4-azo(phenylcyanamido)benzene and adpc2-=4,4'-azodi(phenylcyanamido)) were synthesized and characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectra. Electrochemical measurements showed no electronic coupling between the two terminal Fe units, However, the investigation results of the magnetic properties of the two-electron oxidized complexes indicate the presence of moderate antiferromagnetic coupling across 18 Å distance.

Fluorescent and Magnetic Radical Dendrimers as Potential Bimodal Imaging Probes

Dual or multimodal imaging probes have emerged as powerful tools that improve detection sensitivity and accuracy in disease diagnosis by imaging techniques. Two imaging techniques that are complementary and do not use ionizing radiation are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical fluorescence imaging (OFI). Herein, we prepared metal-free organic species based on dendrimers with magnetic and fluorescent properties as proof-of-concept of bimodal probes for potential MRI and OFI applications. We used oligo(styryl)benzene (OSB) dendrimers core that are fluorescent on their own, and TEMPO organic radicals anchored on their surfaces, as the magnetic component. In this way, we synthesized six radical dendrimers and characterized them by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, UV-Vis, MALDI-TOF, SEC, EPR, fluorimetry, and in vitro MRI. Importantly, it was demonstrated that the new dendrimers present two properties: on one hand, they are paramagnetic and show the ability to generate contrast by MRI in vitro, and, on the other hand, they also show fluoresce emission. This is a remarkable result since it is one of the very few cases of macromolecules with bimodal magnetic and fluorescent properties using organic radicals as the magnetic probe.

UV to NIR multistate electrochromism and electrofluorochromism in dibenzophenazine-arylamine derivatives

An intriguing case of intramolecular and intervalence charge transfer-driven multistate electrochromism and electrofluorochromism in dibenzophenazin-(phenyl)methanone and arylamine-based redox-active donor-acceptor-donor molecules was elucidated. Tunable absorption from UV to NIR and on-off switching of fluorescence in a single-component all-organic molecular material by a subtle variation of electric potentials were demonstrated.

Magnetic Exchange Coupling through the Nonalternant Cyclopentadienyl π-System of Ferrocene

Electronic and magnetic coupling through nonalternant π-systems is an area of intense interest in photonics and molecular electronics research, yet relatively little is known regarding coupling through nonalternant π-systems. Herein we present magnetic exchange coupling in two semiquinone-based biradicals: 1,3-SQ₂Fc has two semiquinone radicals attached to the one- and three-positions of the same cyclopentadienyl ligand (a nonalternant π-system) of ferrocene, whereas 1,1'-SQ₂Fc has one semiquinone radical attached to each of the two cyclopentadienyl ligands of ferrocene.

Allocation of Ambipolar Charges on an Organic Diradical with a Vinylene-Phenylenediyne Bridge

Two redox and magnetically active perchlorotriphenylmethyl (^•PTM) radical units have been connected as end-capping groups to a bis(phenylene)diyne chain through vinylene linkers. Negative and positive charged species have been generated, and the influence of the bridge on their stabilization is discussed. Partial reduction of the electron-withdrawing ^•PTM radicals results in a class-II mixed-valence system with the negative charge located on the terminal PTM units, proving the efficiency of the conjugated chain for the electron transport between the two terminal sites. Counterintuitively, the oxidation process does not occur along the electron-rich bridge but on the vinylene units. The ^•PTM radicals play a key role in the stabilization of the cationic species, promoting the generation of quinoidal ring segments.

Tuning metal to metal charge transfer properties in cyanidometal-bridged complexes by changing the auxiliary ligand on the bridge

In order to investigate the influence of the auxiliary ligand of the cyanidometal bridge on metal to metal charge transfer (MMCT) in cyanidometal-bridged complexes, two groups of heterotrimetallic cyanidometal-bridged complexes, trans-[Cp*(dppe)Fe-NC-Ru(L)2-CN-Fe(dppe)Cp*][PF6]n (L = bpy, 1(PF6)n; L = 4,4'-dmbpy, 2(PF6)n; n = 2, 3, 4) (Cp* = 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadiene, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl) were synthesized and fully characterized. The MMCT of the one-electron oxidation mixed valence complexes is mainly attributed to RuII and FeII → FeIII MMCT transitions, and the MMCT of the two-electron oxidation complexes is mainly attributed to RuII → FeIII MMCT transitions. The energy of the MMCT of the four complexes decreases with the increase of the electron donating ability of the auxiliary ligand of the cyanidometal bridge. The IR, EPR, and Mössbauer spectra, and the solvent independence of MMCT characterizations indicate that the one-electron oxidation mixed valence complexes may belong to Class II-III systems, and the two-electron oxidation complexes may be localized at low temperature but delocalized at room temperature on the EPR timescale.

Dithienopyrrole Derivatives with Nitronyl Nitroxide Radicals and Their Oxidation to Cationic High-Spin Molecules

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‐ (R¹₂DTP‐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.

Influence of the donor unit on the rectification ratio in tunnel junctions based on donor-acceptor SAMs using PTM units as acceptors

Dyads formed by an electron donor unit (D) covalently linked to an electron acceptor (A) by an organic bridge are promising materials as molecular rectifiers. Very recently, we have reported the charge transport measurements across self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of two D-A systems consisting of the ferrocene (Fc) electron-donor linked to a polychlorotriphenylmethane (PTM) electron-acceptor in its non-radical (SAM 1) and radical (SAM 2) forms. Interestingly, we observed that the non-radical SAM 1 showed rectification behavior of 2 orders of magnitude higher than its radical analogue dyad 2. In order to study the influence of the donor unit on the transport properties, we report herein the synthesis and characterization of two new D-A SAMs in which the electron-donor Fc unit is replaced by a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) moiety linked to the PTM unit in its non-radical (SAM 3) and radical (SAM 4) forms. The observed decrease in the rectification ratio and increased current density for TTF-PTM based SAMs 3 and 4 in comparison to Fc-PTM based SAMs 1 and 2 are explained, supported by theoretical calculations, by significant changes in the electronic and supramolecular structures.

The Suzuki-Miyaura reaction as a tool for modification of phenoxyl-nitroxyl radicals of the 4H-imidazole N-oxide series

2-(3,5-Di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-4H-imidazole 3-oxide reacts with phenylboronic acid and its substituted derivatives in a cross-coupling reaction of the Suzuki-Miyaura type to form 5-biphenyl derivatives of 4H-imidazole-N-oxide. Interaction of the same compound with B2(pin)2 in the presence of PdCl2(PPh3)2 proceeds through the formation of intermediate 1,3,2-dioxoborolane and leads to the product of homocoupling: biphenyl-bis(imidazole). Oxidation of the resultant imidazoles with lead dioxide quantitatively yields stable conjugated phenoxyl-nitroxyl mono- and diradicals, which are of interest as electroactive paramagnetic materials. The crystal structure of the monoradical, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-[1-oxido-4-(biphenyl-4-yl)-5,5-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-2(5H)-ylidene]cyclohex-2,5-dienone, its magnetic susceptibility, EPR spectra of the obtained hybrid radicals in solution, and cyclic voltammetry characteristics of 4H-imidazoles were studied.

Electrochemical amphotericity and NIR absorption induced via the step-wise protonation of fused quinoxaline-tetrathiafulvalene-pyrroles

We describe an effective approach to producing electrochemical amphoteric character and tuning optical properties.

Redox-Induced Gating of the Exchange Interactions in a Single Organic Diradical

Embedding a magnetic electroactive molecule in a three-terminal junction allows for the fast and local electric field control of magnetic properties desirable in spintronic devices and quantum gates. Here, we provide an example of this control through the reversible and stable charging of a single all-organic neutral diradical molecule. By means of inelastic electron tunnel spectroscopy we show that the added electron occupies a molecular orbital distinct from those containing the two radical electrons, forming a spin system with three antiferromagnetically coupled spins. Changing the redox state of the molecule therefore switches on and off a parallel exchange path between the two radical spins through the added electron. This electrically controlled gating of the intramolecular magnetic interactions constitutes an essential ingredient of a single-molecule [Formula: see text] quantum gate.

TTF–PTM dyads: from switched molecular self assembly in solution to radical conductors in solid state

Dyads formed by tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) linked to perchlorotriphenylmethyl (PTM) radicals exhibit interesting physical properties such as bistability in solution or conductivity in solid state.

Radical Cation of an Oligoarylamine Having a Nitroxide Radical Substituent: A Coexistent Molecular System of Localized and Delocalized Spins

A trimer derivative of oligotriarylamine bearing a nitroxide radical substituent as a localized spin center {N,N-bis[4-(di-4-anisylamino)phenyl]-N-[3-tert-butyl-5-(N-tert-butyl-N-oxylamino)phenyl]amine (1)} was characterized by electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic measurements. The first and second oxidations of 1 occurred from the triamine moiety, leaving the nitroxide radical moiety intact. The delocalized polaronic state in the triamine moiety was generated by one-electron oxidation of 1, indicating the coexistence of localized and delocalized spins on 1⁺, where an intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction was detected.