Excited state evolution towards ligand loss and ligand chelation at group 6 metal carbonyl centres.

The photochemistry and photophysics of three model "half-sandwich" complexes (η(6)-benzophenone)Cr(CO)3, (η(6)-styrene)Cr(CO)3, and (η(6)-allylbenzene)Cr(CO)3 were investigated using pico-second time-resolved infrared spectroscopy and time-dependent density functional theory methods. The (η(6)-benzophenone)Cr(CO)3 complex was studied using two excitation wavelengths (470 and 320 nm) while the remaining complexes were irradiated using 400 nm light. Two independent excited states were detected spectroscopically for each complex, one an unreactive excited state of metal-to-arene charge-transfer character and the other with metal-to-carbonyl charge transfer character.

Light-induced disassembly of self-assembled vesicle-capped nanotubes observed in real time.

Molecular self-assembly is the basis for the formation of numerous artificial nanostructures. The self-organization of peptides, amphiphilic molecules composed of fused benzene rings and other functional molecules into nanotubes is of particular interest. However, the design of dynamic, complex self-organized systems that are responsive to external stimuli remains a significant challenge.

One-pot functionalization of graphene with porphyrin through cycloaddition reactions.

Two types of graphene-based hybrid materials, graphene-TPP (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin) and graphene-PdTPP (PdTPP=palladium tetraphenylporphyrin), were prepared directly from pristine graphene through one-pot cycloaddition reactions. The hybrid materials were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), by TEM, by UV/Vis, FTIR, Raman, and luminescence spectroscopy, and by fluorescence/phosphorescence lifetime measurements. The presence of the covalent linkages between graphene and porphyrin was confirmed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy and further supported by control experiments.

Evidence for cobalt-cobalt bond homolysis and wavelength-dependent CO loss in (μ2-alkyne)Co2(CO)6 complexes.

Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy was used to probe the photochemistry of three (μ(2)-alkyne)Co(2)(CO)(6) complexes. The data indicate the formation of a triplet diradical species, with lifetimes in the range 38-71 ps. Theoretical calculations support these experimental findings.

Dispersion of graphene in ethanol using a simple solvent exchange method.

A dispersion of graphene in ethanol was achieved using solvent exchange from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) that enables broader application of dispersed graphene.

Optically induced cis-trans isomerisation of (eta6-cis-stilbene)Cr(CO)3.

The femto- and picosecond time resolved spectroscopy of (eta(6)-cis-stilbene)Cr(CO)(3) provides evidence for three optically accessible excited states one leading to cis-trans isomerisation of the coordinated stilbene ligand and another which results in a slow release of CO.

Visible light driven room temperature Pauson-Khand reaction.

Visible light driven decarbonylation of [(mu(2)-alkyne)Co(2)(CO)(6)] complexes enables the formation of cyclopentenones in good yields at ambient temperatures.