Push-Pull Heterocyclic Dyes Based on Pyrrole and Thiophene: Synthesis and Evaluation of Their Optical, Redox and Photovoltaic Properties

Three heterocyclic dyes were synthesized having in mind the changes in the photovoltaic, optical and redox properties by functionalization of 5-aryl-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, 5-arylthiophene and bis-methylpyrrolylthiophene π-bridges with different donor, acceptor/anchoring groups. Knoevenagel condensation of the aldehyde precursors with 2-cyanoacetic acid was used to prepare the donor-acceptor functionalized heterocyclic molecules. These organic metal-free dyes are constituted by thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, arylthiophene, bis-methylpyrrolylthiophene, spacers and one or two cyanoacetic acid acceptor groups and different electron donor groups (alkoxyl, and pyrrole electron-rich heterocycle). The evaluation of the redox, optical and photovoltaic properties of these compounds indicate that 5-aryl-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-based dye functionalized with an ethoxyl electron donor and a cyanoacetic acid electron acceptor group/anchoring moiety displays as sensitizer for DSSCs the best conversion efficiency (2.21%). It is mainly assigned to the higher molar extinction coefficient, long π-conjugation of the heterocyclic system, higher oxidation potential and strong electron donating capacity of the ethoxyl group compared to the pirrolyl moiety.

Two Schiff base ligands for distinguishing ZnII/CdII sensing—effect of substituent on fluorescent sensing

Two Schiff base ligands (HL1, HL2) were synthesized as fluorescent sensors for Zn2+ or Cd2+. With an ethoxyl group, HL1 can distinguishingly sense Zn2+ and Cd2+, while HL2 exclusively responds to Zn2+.

Flavan derivatives. XVII. Epimerization of the benzylic 4-hydroxyl group in flavan-3,4-diols and the formation of 4-alkyl ethers by solvolysis

Epimerization and solvolysis of the benzylic 4-hydroxyl group is shown to be a general property of flavan-3,4-diols, and the diols give 4- ethoxyflavan-3-ols with ethanolic hydrochloric acid (1%). The diols are first converted into epimeric mixtures of 3,4-cis- and 3,4-trans-diols and in aqueous media cis-cis-flavan-3,4-diols yield mainly 2,3-cis-3,4- trans-diols. These 2,3-cis-3,4-diols undergo solvolysis to yield 2,3- cis-3,4-trans-4-ethoxyflavan-3-ols in which the 3,4-trans- stereochemistry is controlled by participation of the neighbouring 3ax- hydroxyl group. 2,3-trans-Flavan-3,4-diols give mixtures of trans- trans-diols and 2,3-trans-3,4-cis-diols and solvolysis first yields 2.3-trans-3,4-cis-4-ethoxyflavan-3-ols and then mixtures of the 3,4- cis- and 3,4-trans-ethers; the final proportion of these two ethers is controlled by thermodynamic factors. Solvolysis under mild conditions gives minor products considered to be 3-oxoflavans (or their enols) because of their immediate conversion into antho-cyanidins by cold acids in the presence of air, and from the formation of an enol-ether on prolonged solvolysis under more vigorous conditions. The relevance of these observations to the mechanism of formation of anthocyanidins from flavan-3,4-diols is discussed. Other by-products of solvolysis reactions include a dimeric cyclic ether (dioxan derivative) of 2,3- trans-3,4-cis-7,8,4?-trimethoxyflavan-3,4-diol. The structure and stereochemistry of solvolysis products were established by N.M.R. data; the 4-ethoxyl group in the ethers generally gave rise to an ABX3 multiplet.

Antioestrogenic and antifertility compounds. I. 2-(NN-Dialkylamino)ethyl ethers of some stilbene-4,4'-diol and 4,4'-dihydroxybibenzyl derivatives

A series of α-methyl- and α,α?-dimethyl-stilbene and -bibenzyl compounds substituted in the 4,4?-positions with a hydroxyl (or methoxyl) group and a 2-(NN-dialkylamino)ethoxyl group has been synthesized to be tested for antioestrogenic and antifertility activity. The corresponding bis-2-(NN-dialkylamino)ethyl ethers are also described.

Studies on the lignin of Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell. VII. The acid hydrolysis of ethanyol lignin-A

Ethanol lignin-A from the ethanolysis of Eucalyptus regnans P. Muell. has been hydrolysed with dilute hydrochloric acid with the object of ascertaining whether the combined ethoxyl is present as an acetal or as ether. Hydrolysis with 12 per cent. hydrochloric acid was found to split off one ethoxyl group, while hydrolysis with 20 per cent. acid brought about complete de-ethylation. The de-ethylated ethanol lignin-A contained one carbonyl group less and two hydroxyl groups more than the original ethanol lignin-A. These results lend no support to the hypothesis that alcohol lignins are acetals, and favour the theory that the combined alkoxyl is probably present as ether.