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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

1,3,5-Triphenylbenzene and Corannulene as Electron Receptors for Lithium Solvated Electron Solutions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Comparative study of charge division in substituted benzene cations
Kang Taek Lee1, Jiha Sung, Kwang Jun Lee
1School of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea.
Charge division in molecular cations was studied. Density functional theory and mass spectrometry revealed charge localization on the phenyl group in most benzene derivatives, except for PEA+, where charge was divided.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Computational Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- A phenomenon of charge division in molecular cations was recently proposed.
- Understanding charge distribution is crucial for predicting molecular behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial distribution of electrostatic charge in benzene derivative cations.
- To examine the phenomenon of charge division in n-propylbenzene (PB), 3-phenylpropionic acid (PPA), 2-phenylethyl alcohol (PEAL), and 2-phenylethylamine (PEA).
Main Methods:
- Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to model charge distribution.
- Experimental verification using mass spectrometry to analyze fragmentation patterns and electronic transitions.
Main Results:
- DFT calculations showed charge localized on the phenyl group in PB+, PPA+, and PEAL+.
- In contrast, PEA+ exhibited charge division into two cationic cores.
- Experimental mass spectra fragmentation patterns confirmed these charge distribution findings.
Conclusions:
- The charge distribution in phenyl-containing cations depends on the presence of functional groups that can compete with the phenyl ring for charge localization.
- PEA+ showed a slightly lower degree of charge division compared to L-phenylalanine conformers.
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