Thanh Hai Le

Detailed Electrochemical Analysis of the Redox Chemistry of Tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane TCNQF4, the Radical Anion [TCNQF4]•–, and the Dianion [TCNQF4]2– in the Presence of Trifluoroacetic Acid

The electrochemistry of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQF(4)), [TCNQF(4)](•-), and [TCNQF(4)](2-) have been studied in acetonitrile (0.1 M [Bu(4)N][ClO(4)]). Transient and steady-state voltammetric techniques have been utilized to monitor the generation of [TCNQF(4)](•-) and [TCNQF(4)](2-) anions as well as their reactions with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). In the absence of TFA, the reduction of TCNQF(4) occurs via two, diffusion controlled, chemically and electrochemically reversible, one-electron processes where the reversible formal potentials are 0.31 and -0.22 V vs Ag/Ag(+). Unlike the TCNQ analogues, both [TCNQF(4)](•-) and [TCNQF(4)](2-) are persistent when generated via bulk electrolysis even under aerobic conditions. Voltammetric and UV-vis data revealed that although the parent TCNQF(4) does not react with TFA, the electrochemically generated radical anion and dianion undergo facile protonation to yield [HTCNQF(4)](•), [HTCNQF(4)](-) and H(2)TCNQF(4) respectively. The voltammetry can be simulated to give a complete thermodynamic and kinetic description of the complex, coupled redox and acid-base chemistry. The data indicate dramatically different equilibrium and rate constants for the protonation of [TCNQF(4)](•-) (K(eq) = 3.9 × 10(-6), k(f) = 1.0 × 10(-3) M(-1) s(-1)) and [TCNQF(4)](2-) (K(eq) = 3.0 × 10(3), k(f) = 1.0 × 10(10) M(-1) s(-1)) in the presence of TFA.

Synthetic Precursors for TCNQF42– Compounds: Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrochemical Studies of (Pr4N)2TCNQF4 and Li2TCNQF4

Careful control of the reaction stoichiometry and conditions enables the synthesis of both LiTCNQF(4) and Li(2)TCNQF(4) to be achieved. Reaction of LiI with TCNQF(4), in a 4:1 molar ratio, in boiling acetonitrile yields Li(2)TCNQF(4). However, deviation from this ratio or the reaction temperature gives either LiTCNQF(4) or a mixture of Li(2)TCNQF(4) and LiTCNQF(4). This is the first report of the large-scale chemical synthesis of Li(2)TCNQF(4). Attempts to prepare a single crystal of Li(2)TCNQF(4) have been unsuccessful, although air-stable (Pr(4)N)(2)TCNQF(4) was obtained by mixing Pr(4)NBr with Li(2)TCNQF(4) in aqueous solution. Pr(4)NTCNQF(4) was also obtained by reaction of LiTCNQF(4) with Pr(4)NBr in water. Li(2)TCNQF(4), (Pr(4)N)(2)TCNQF(4), and Pr(4)NTCNQF(4) have been characterized by UV-vis, FT-IR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopy, high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and electrochemistry. The structures of single crystals of (Pr(4)N)(2)TCNQF(4) and Pr(4)NTCNQF(4) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. These TCNQF(4)(2-) salts will provide useful precursors for the synthesis of derivatives of the dianions.

Electrochemically Directed Synthesis of Cu2I(TCNQF4II–)(MeCN)2 (TCNQF4 = 2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane): Voltammetry, Simulations, Bulk Electrolysis, Spectroscopy, Photoactivity, and X-ray Crystal Structure of the Cu2I(TCNQF4II–)(EtCN)2 Analogue

The new compound Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(MeCN)2 (TCNQF4(2-) = dianion of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) has been synthesized by electrochemically directed synthesis involving reduction of TCNQF4 to TCNQF4(2-) in acetonitrile containing [Cu(MeCN)4](+)(MeCN) and 0.1 M Bu4NPF6. In one scenario, TCNQF4(2-) is quantitatively formed by reductive electrolysis of TCNQF4 followed by addition of [Cu(MeCN)4](+) to form the Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(MeCN)2 coordination polymer. In a second scenario, TCNQF4 is reduced in situ at the electrode surface to TCNQF4(2-), followed by reaction with the [Cu(MeCN)4](+) present in the solution, to electrocrystallize Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(MeCN)2. Two distinct phases of Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(MeCN)2 are formed in this scenario; the kinetically favored form being rapidly converted to the thermodynamically favored Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(MeCN)2. The postulated mechanism is supported by simulations. The known compound Cu(I)TCNQF4(I-) also has been isolated by one electron reduction of TCNQF4 and reaction with [Cu(MeCN)4](+). The solubility of both TCNQF4(2-)- and TCNQF4(•-)-derived solids indicates that the higher solubility of Cu(I)TCNQF4(I-) prevents its precipitation, and thus Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(MeCN)2 is formed. UV-visible and vibrational spectroscopies were used to characterize the materials. Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(MeCN)2 can be photochemically transformed to Cu(I)TCNQF4(I-) and Cu(0). Scanning electron microscopy images reveal that Cu(I)TCNQF4(I-) and Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(MeCN)2 are electrocrystallized with distinctly different morphologies. Thermogravimetric and elemental analysis data confirm the presence of CH3CN, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for the Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(EtCN)2 analogue shows that this compound is structurally related to Cu2(I)(TCNQF4(II-))(MeCN)2.

Redox and Acid–Base Chemistry of 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane, 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane Radical Anion, 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane Dianion, and Dihydro-7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane in Acetonitrile

The chemistry and electrochemistry of TCNQ (7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane), TCNQ(•-), TCNQ(2-), and H(2)TCNQ in acetonitrile (0.1 M Bu(4)NPF(6)) solution containing trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) has been studied by transient and steady-state voltammetric methods with the interrelationship between the redox and the acid-base chemistry being supported by simulations of the cyclic voltammograms. In the absence of acid, TCNQ and its anions undergo two electrochemically and chemically reversible one-electron processes. However, in the presence of TFA, the voltammetry is considerably more complex. The TCNQ(2-) dianion is protonated to form HTCNQ(-), which is oxidized to HTCNQ(•), and H(2)TCNQ which is electroinactive over the potential range of -1.0 to +1.0 V versus Ag/Ag(+). The monoreduced TCNQ(•-) radical anion is weakly protonated to give HTCNQ(•), which disproportionates to TCNQ and H(2)TCNQ. In acetonitrile, H(2)TCNQ deprotonates slowly, whereas in N,N-dimethylformamide or tetrahydrofuran, rapid deprotonation occurs to yield HTCNQ(-) as the major species. H(2)TCNQ is fully deprotonated to the TCNQ(2-) dianion in the presence of an excess concentration of the weak base, CH(3)COOLi. Differences in the redox and acid-base chemistry relative to the fluorinated derivative TCNQF(4) are discussed in terms of structural and electronic factors.

Voltammetric reduction and re-oxidation of solid coordination polymers of dihydroxybenzoquinone.

Crystalline (PMePh(3))(2)[Cd(2)(dhbq)(3)], (dhbq(2-) = deprotonated 2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone, H(2)dhbq), attached to electrode surfaces, survives repeated cycles of reduction followed by re-oxidation when placed in contact with aqueous electrolyte media. The results afford encouragement that a range of coordination networks containing redox active connecting ligands and/or redox active metal centres may be reducible or oxidisable in the solid state.

Role of water in the dynamic disproportionation of Zn-based TCNQ(F-4) coordination polymers (TCNQ = tetracyanoquinodimethane)

Intriguingly, coordination polymers containing TCNQ(2–) and TCNQF4(2–) (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, TCNQF4 = 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, both designated as TCNQ(F4)(2–)) may be generated from reaction of metal ions with TCNQ(F4)•–. An explanation is now provided in terms of a solvent-dependent dynamic disproportionation reaction. A systematic study of reactions associated with TCNQ(F4) and electrochemically generated TCNQ(F4)MeCN•– and TCNQ(F4)MeCN(2–) revealed that disproportionation of TCNQ(F4)MeCN•– radical anions in acetonitrile containing a low concentration of water is facilitated by the presence of ZnMeCN(2+). Thus, while the disproportionation reaction 2TCNQ(F4)MeCN•– TCNQ(F4)MeCN + TCNQ(F4)MeCN(2–) is thermodynamically very unfavorable in this medium (Keq ≈ 9 × 10(–10); TCNQF4), the preferential precipitation of ZnTCNQ(F4)(s) drives the reaction: ZnMeCN(2+) + 2 TCNQ(F4)MeCN•– ZnTCNQ(F4)(s) + TCNQ(F4)MeCN. The concomitant formation of soluble TCNQ(F4)MeCN and insoluble ZnTCNQ(F4)(s) and the loss of TCNQ(F4)MeCN•– were verified by UV–visible and infrared spectroscopy and steady-state voltammetry. Importantly, the reverse reaction of comproportionation rather than disproportionation becomes the favored process in the presence of ≥3% (v/v) water, due to the increased solubility of solid ZnTCNQ(F4)(s). Thus, in this “wet” environment, ZnMeCN(2+) and TCNQ(F4)MeCN•– are produced from a mixture of ZnTCNQ(F4)(s) and TCNQ(F4)MeCN and with the addition of water provides a medium for synthesis of [Zn(TCNQ(F4))2(H2O)2]. An important conclusion from this work is that the redox level of TCNQ(F4)-based materials, synthesized from a mixture of metal cations and TCNQ(F4)•–, is controlled by a solvent-dependent disproportionation/comproportionation reaction that may be tuned to favor formation of solids containing the monoanion radical, the dianion, or even a mixture of both.

Novel Semiconducting Biomaterials Derived from a Proline Ester and Tetracyanoquinodimethane Identified by Handpicked Selection of Individual Crystals

Complex mixtures of cation : anion stoichometries often result from the syntheses of tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) salts, and often these cannot be easily separated. In this study, the reaction of N,N-dimethyl-d-proline-methylester (Pro(CH3)3+) with LiTCNQ resulted in a mixture of crystals. Hand selection and characterisation of each crystal type by X-ray, infrared, Raman and electrochemistry has provided two stoichometries, 1 : 1 [Pro(CH3)3TCNQ] and 2 : 3 ([(Pro(CH3)3)2(TCNQ)3]). A detailed comparison of these structures is provided. The electrochemical method provides an exceptionally sensitive method of distinguishing differences in stoichiometry. The room temperature conductivity of the mixture is 3.1 × 10–2 S cm–1, which lies in the semiconducting range.