Hemocyanins are large multi-subunit copper proteins that transport oxygen in many arthropods and molluscs. Comparison of the amino acid sequence data for seven different subunits of arthropod hemocyanins from crustaceans and chelicerates shows many highly conserved residues and extensive regions of near identity. This correspondence can be matched closely with the three domain structure established by x-ray crystallography for spiny lobster hemocyanin. The degree of identity is particularly striking in the second domain of the subunit that contains the six histidines which ligate the two oxygen-binding copper atoms. The polypeptide architecture of spiny lobster hemocyanin appears to be the same in all arthropods. This structure must therefore be at least as old as the estimated time of divergence of crustaceans and chelicerates, about 540 to 600 million years ago.

PCM-22, a metal-organic framework material comprising triphenylphosphine and Ln 3+ ions (Ln = Pr-Yb), exhibits solid-state luminescence at room temperature. Mixed-metal versions of PCM-22 that contain controlled amounts of Eu 3+ , Gd 3+ , and Tb 3+ function as highly sensitive, broad-scope solid-state sensors that can rapidly identify unknown solvents by providing a unique ''eight-factor'' fingerprint. The sensors allow for immediate solvent identification via color changes that are obvious to the naked eye and also permit quantitative chemical analysis by uncomplicated spectrophotometry. These same materials achieve quantitative detection of H 2 O in D 2 O from 10 to 120,000 ppm. The detection of trace H 2 O is also demonstrated in a range of common solvents, including those incompatible with conventional laboratory titration methods.

Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEECs) from small molecules, such as iridium complexes, have great potential as low-cost emissive devices. In these devices, ions rearrange during operation to facilitate carrier injection, bringing about efficient operation from simple, single-layer devices. Prior work has shown that the luminance, efficiency, and responsiveness of iridium LEECs is greatly enhanced by the inclusion of small fractions of lithium salts, but much remains to be understood about the origin of this enhancement. Recent work with planar devices demonstrates that lithium additives in iridium LEECs enhance double-layer formation. However, the quantitative influence of lithium salts on the underlying physics of conventional thin-film, sandwich structure LEECs, which beneficially operate at low voltages and generate higher luminance, has yet to be clarified. Here, we use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to discern the impact of the lithium salt concentration on double-layer formation within the device and draw correlations with performance metrics, such as current, luminance, and external quantum efficiency.

The reaction between non-aqueous uranyl silylamide (UO[N(SiMe)]·2THF) under anaerobic conditions or uranyl acetate (UO(OAc)·2HO) under standard laboratory conditions and dipyriamethryin affords a bench-stable uranyl complex. Competition studies as well as DFT calculations provide support for the observed selectivity for the uranyl cation over trivalent lanthanide and multiple transition metal precursors.

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is an important chemical and biological phenomenon. It is attractive as an on-off switching mechanism for redox-active synthetic systems but has not been extensively exploited for this purpose. Here we report a core-modified planar weakly antiaromatic/nonaromatic octaphyrin, namely, a [32]octaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0) (1) derived from rigid naphthobipyrrole and dithienothiophene (DTT) precursors, that undergoes proton-coupled two-electron reduction to produce its aromatic congener in the presence of HCl and other hydrogen halides. Evidence for the production of a [4 n + 1] π-electron intermediate radical state is seen in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. Electrochemical analyses provide support for the notion that protonation causes a dramatic anodic shift in the reduction potentials of octaphyrin 1, thereby facilitating electron transfer from halide anions (viz. I, Br, and, Cl). Electron-rich molecules, such as tetrathiafulvene (TTF), phenothiazine (PTZ), and catechol, were also found to induce PCET in the case of 1. Both the oxidized and two-electron reduced forms of 1 were characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses in the solid state and in solution via spectroscopic means.

Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LEECs) utilizing small molecule emitters such as iridium complexes have great potential as low-cost emissive devices. In these devices, ions rearrange during operation to facilitate carrier injection, bringing about efficient operation from simple, single layer devices. Recent work has shown that the luminance, efficiency, and responsiveness of iridium-based LEECs are greatly enhanced by the inclusion of small amounts of lithium salts (≤0.5%/wt) into the active layer. However, the origin of this enhancement has yet to be demonstrated experimentally. Furthermore, although iridium-based devices have been the longstanding leader among small molecule LEECs, fundamental understanding of the ionic distribution in these devices under operation is lacking. Herein, we use scanning Kelvin probe microscopy to measure the in situ potential profiles and electric field distributions of planar iridium-based LEECs and clarify the role of ionic lithium additives. In pristine devices, it is found that ions do not pack densely at the cathode, and ionic redistribution is slow. Inclusion of small amounts of Li[PF6] greatly increases ionic space charge near the cathode that doubles the peak electric fields and enhances electronic injection relative to pristine devices. This study confirms and clarifies a number of longstanding hypotheses regarding iridium LEECs and recent postulates concerning optimization of their operation.

Light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LEECs) are a promising low‐cost option for display and solid‐state lighting. In these devices, the interplay of mobile ions, electrons, and holes makes for rich physics that can be leveraged for high performance. One example of this interplay is in the formation and radiative decay of excitons–bound electron and hole pairs. Considerations from exciton binding and Langevin recombination suggest that a low dielectric constant (ϵ) would enhance emission. However, emission is also enhanced by the product of the bulk hole and electron concentrations, which in LEECs are enhanced by the motion of small mobile ions yielding high dielectric constants. These competing effects make it difficult to predict whether active layers with low or high dielectric constants will optimize device performance. Here, the effect of varying the dielectric constant on the performance of LEEC devices from ionic transition‐metal complexes was studied by systematically exchanging the negative counterions paired with an iridium complex emitter. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, constant voltage and constant current device studies, and drift‐diffusion simulations were performed. The results clarify the competing effects of Langevin bimolecular recombination and ion‐assisted injection processes occurring in LEECs.

A new expanded porphyrin, hexadecaphyrin-(1.0.0.0.1.1.0.1.1.0.0.0.1.1.0.1), is reported. It was obtained via the condensation of a hexapyrrolic derivative prepared in turn from a bipyrrole dialdehyde and a stable quaterpyrrole precursor. This hexadecaphyrin contains eight direct α-pyrrole-to-α-pyrrole linkages in its structure. It supports the formation of bimetallic complexes of both zinc and cobalt that are characterized by different conformational structures. Furthermore, a mixed zinc/cobalt macrocycle has been prepared. The cobalt bimetallic complex shows two stable conformations with the same oxidation state that are in equilibrium. All compounds have been characterized by common spectroscopic means, and single crystal X-ray diffraction structures were obtained for all macrocyclic compounds. DFT calculations and transient absorption spectra were used to study the electronic features of the complexes and the effect of conformational changes. This system shows promise as an accumulated heat sensor.