0000000001053194
AUTHOR
Yann Trolez
Synthesis of [5]Rotaxanes Containing Bi- and Tridentate Coordination Sites in the Axis
A new example of a linear [5]rotaxane has been synthesized by using the traditional "gathering-and-threading" approach but based on an unusual axle incorporating a symmetrical bis(bidentate) chelating fragment built on a 4,7-phenanthroline core. The stoppering reaction is particularly noteworthy since, instead of using a trivial bulky stopper as precursor to the blocking group, two semistoppered copper-complexed [2]pseudorotaxanes (namely [2]semirotaxanes) are used, which leads to the desired [5]rotaxane in good yield. The efficiency of the method relies on the use of "click" chemistry, with its very mild conditions, and on the protection by a transition-metal (copper(I)) of the various coo…
[3]Rotaxanes and [3]pseudorotaxanes with a rigid two-bidentate chelate axle threaded through two coordinating rings
New [3]rotaxanes and [3]pseudorotaxanes have been synthesised using the “gathering and threading” effect of copper(I). By using click chemistry as the “stoppering” reaction, a good yield of the [3]rotaxane was obtained, either as a dicopper complex or as a metal-free compound after demetallation. The axle contains a central rigid aromatic block incorporating two bidentate chelates, and the threaded macrocycles are 30-membered rings. A model dicopper(I) [3]pseudorotaxane whose axle was end-functionalised by triisopropylsilyl groups could be crystallised and studied by X-ray diffraction. A particularly attractive structure was obtained showing a “slanted” geometry for the two rings and the ax…
NHC-Based Iron Sensitizers for DSSCs
International audience; Nanostructured dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are promising photovoltaic devices because of their low cost and transparency. Ruthenium polypyridine complexes have long been considered as lead sensitizers for DSSCs, allowing them to reach up to 11% conversion efficiency. However, ruthenium suffers from serious drawbacks potentially limiting its widespread applicability, mainly related to its potential toxicity and scarcity. This has motivated continuous research efforts to develop valuable alternatives from cheap earth-abundant metals, and among them, iron is particularly attractive. Making iron complexes applicable in DSSCs is highly challenging due to an ultrafa…