Solvent-Induced Bond-Bending Isomerism in Hexaphenyl Carbodiphosphorane: Decisive Dispersion Interactions in the Solid State.

Previous reports in the literature describe that the crystallization of hexaphenyl carbodiphosphorane (CDPPh) from a variety of solvents gives a "bent" geometry for the P-C-P moiety as the solid-state molecular structure. However, a linear structure is observed when CDPPh is crystallized from benzene. Here, we report detailed spectroscopic and theoretical studies on the linear and bent structures. X-ray powder diffraction examinations show a phase transition of linear CDPPh upon the loss of co-crystallized benzene molecules, which is accompanied by the bending of the P-C-P unit. Studies on the linear and bent structures (i.e., X-ray powder diffraction, solid-state NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy) show significant differences in their properties. Investigations of the solid-state structures with density functional theory-based methods (PBE-D3) point toward subtle dispersion effects being responsible for this solvent-induced bond-bending isomerism in CDPPh.

Tuning Intramolecular Förster Resonance Energy Transfer and Activating Intramolecular Singlet Fission.

The synergy of panchromatic absorption throughout most of the visible range of the solar spectrum and intramolecular singlet fission (SF) has been realized in a series of conjugates featuring different light-harvesting subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) and an energy accepting pentacene dimer (Pnc2 ). At the focal point was a modular SubPc approach, which was based on decorating the SubPc core with different peripheral substituents to tailor and fine-tune their optical properties. Transient absorption measurements assisted in corroborating that the SubPcs act as energy-transfer antennas by means of unidirectional and quantitative intramolecular Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to the Pnc2 , where an intramolecular SF affords triplet quantum yields reaching unity.

Singlet Fission for Photovoltaics with 130 % Injection Efficiency.

A novel pentacene dimer (P2) and a structurally analogous monomer (P1) were synthesized for use in n-type dye-sensitized solar cells. In P2, the triplet excited states formed by the rapid, spin-allowed process singlet fission were expected to enable carrier multiplication in comparison to the slow, spin-forbidden intersystem crossing seen in P1. A meta-positioning of the two pentacenes and the carboxylate anchor were chosen in P2 to balance the intramolecular dynamics of singlet fission and electron injection. Electron injection from energetically low-lying triplet excited states of pentacene units necessitated the intrinsic and extrinsic lowering of the Fermi level of the semiconductor. Indium-zinc oxide in the presence of Li+ was found to be the optimum choice for the photoelectrodes. Efficient electron injection from the triplet excited states of P1 and P2 was found, with a carrier multiplication of nearly 130 %.

Tuning pentacene based dye-sensitized solar cells.

We report on the synthesis, as well as photophysical and electrochemical characterization of a new family of pentacene derivatives, which are applied in n-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). As far as the molecular structure of the pentacene is concerned, the synthetic design focuses on cyano acrylic tethered at the 13-position of the pentacene chromophore. The electrolyte composition features increasing amounts of Li+ ions as an additive. In general, the increase of Li+ concentrations extrinsically reduces the quasi Fermi level of the photoanode and as such facilitates the electron injection process. We demonstrate that pentacene derivatives give rise to a unique charge injection process, which is controlled by the positioning of the quasi Fermi level energies as a function of the Li+ concentration. As a result of the enhanced charge injection, device efficiencies as high as 1.5% are achieved, representing a 3-fold increase from previously reported efficiencies in pentacene-based DSSCs. These findings are supported by device analysis in combination with transient absorption and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy assays.

Acenequinocumulenes: Lateral and Vertical π-Extended Analogues of Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ).

We have designed a series of molecules and developed synthetic methodology that allows for the inclusion of structural diversity along both the lateral and vertical axes of the basic TCNQ skeleton. In the lateral direction, benzoannulation extends the π-system through (hetero)acene formation, whereas incorporation of a [3]cumulene increases delocalization vertically. The potential of these new molecules as semiconductors is explored through UV/Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray crystallography, thin-film formation, and mobility measurements (using space charge limited current measurements).

Unexpected Michael Additions on the Way to 2.3,8.9-Dibenzanthanthrenes with Interesting Structural Properties.

The synthesis and properties of a new polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing eight annulated rings and based on the anthanthrene core is described. An unexpected, nucleophile-dependent Michael addition to a dibenzanthanthrene-1,7-dione is found, giving a product with three triisopropylsilylacetylene units and a remarkable solid-state structure (as determined by X-ray crystallography).

In vitro cell motility as a potential mesenchymal stem cell marker for multipotency.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are expected to have a fundamental role in future cell-based therapies because of their high proliferative ability, multilineage potential, and immunomodulatory properties. Autologous transplantations have the "elephant in the room" problem of wide donor variability, reflected by variability in MSC quality and characteristics, leading to uncertain outcomes in the use of these cells. We propose life imaging as a tool to characterize populations of human MSCs. Bone marrow MSCs from various donors and in vitro passages were evaluated for their in vitro motility, and the distances were correlated to the adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic differentiation potentials and the levels of senescence and cell size. Using life-image measuring of track lengths of 70 cells per population for a period of 24 hours, we observed that slow-moving cells had the higher proportion of senescent cells compared with fast ones. Larger cells moved less than smaller ones, and spindle-shaped cells had an average speed. Both fast cells and slow cells were characterized by a low differentiation potential, and average-moving cells were more effective in undergoing all three lineage differentiations. Furthermore, heterogeneity in single cell motility within a population correlated with the average-moving cells, and fast- and slow-moving cells tended toward homogeneity (i.e., a monotonous moving pattern). In conclusion, in vitro cell motility might be a useful tool to quickly characterize and distinguish the MSC population's differentiation potential before additional use.

Pentacene appended to a TEMPO stable free radical: the effect of magnetic exchange coupling on photoexcited pentacene.

Understanding the fundamental spin dynamics of photoexcited pentacene derivatives is important in order to maximize their potential for optoelectronic applications. Herein, we report on the synthesis of two pentacene derivatives that are functionalized with the [(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxy] (TEMPO) stable free radical. The presence of TEMPO does not quench the pentacene singlet excited state, but does quench the photoexcited triplet excited state as a function of TEMPO-to-pentacene distance. Time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance experiments confirm that triplet quenching is accompanied by electron spin polarization transfer from the pentacene excited state to the TEMPO doublet state in the weak coupling regime.