Probing Intermolecular Electron Delocalization in Dimer Radical Anions by Vibrational Spectroscopy

Mani, Tomoyasu; Grills, David C.

doi:10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b02559

Probing Intermolecular Electron Delocalization in Dimer Radical Anions by Vibrational Spectroscopy

Journal Article · Wed Jul 05 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Journal of Physical Chemistry. B, Condensed Matter, Materials, Surfaces, Interfaces and Biophysical Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b02559· OSTI ID:1399684

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Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States). Dept. of Chemistry; Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). Chemistry Division
Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). Chemistry Division

Delocalization of charges is one of the factors controlling charge transport in conjugated molecules. It is considered to play an important role in the performance of a wide range of molecular technologies, including organic solar cells and organic electronics. Dimerization reactions are well-suited as a model to investigate intermolecular spatial delocalization of charges. And while dimerization reactions of radical cations are well investigated, studies on radical anions are still scarce. Upon dimerization of radical anions with neutral counterparts, an electron is considered to delocalize over the two molecules. By using time-resolved infrared (TRIR) detection coupled with pulse radiolysis, we show that radical anions of 4-n-hexyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (6CB) undergo such dimerization reactions, with an electron equally delocalized over the two molecules. We have recently demonstrated that nitrile ν(C≡N) vibrations respond to the degree of electron localization of nitrile-substituted anions: we can quantify the changes in the electronic charges from the neutral to the anion states in the nitriles by monitoring the ν(C≡N) IR shifts. In the first part of this article, we show that the sensitivity of the ν(C≡N) IR shifts does not depend on solvent polarity. In the second part, we describe how probing the shifts of the nitrile IR vibrational band unambiguously confirms the formation of dimer radical anions, with K_dim = 3 × 10⁴ M^–1. IR findings are corroborated by electronic absorption spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations. We find that the presence of a hexyl chain and the formation of π–π interactions are both crucial for dimerization of radical anions of 6CB with neutral 6CB. Our study provides clear evidence of spatial delocalization of electrons over two molecular fragments.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0012704

OSTI ID:: 1399684

Report Number(s):: BNL--114408-2017-JA; KC0304030

Journal Information:: Journal of Physical Chemistry. B, Condensed Matter, Materials, Surfaces, Interfaces and Biophysical Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry. B, Condensed Matter, Materials, Surfaces, Interfaces and Biophysical Chemistry Journal Issue: 30 Vol. 121; ISSN 1520-6106

Publisher:: American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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