Band gap control in conjugated oligomers via Lewis acids

Gregory C Welch1, Robert Coffin, Jeff Peet

  • 1Center for Polymers and Organic Solids, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA.

Related Concept Videos

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...
Acid-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides02:24

Acid-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides

Epoxides that are three-membered ring systems are more reactive than other cyclic and acyclic ethers. The high reactivity of epoxides originates from the strain present in the ring. This ring strain acts as a driving force for epoxides to undergo ring-opening reactions either with halogen acids or weak nucleophiles in the presence of mild acid. The acid catalyst converts the epoxide oxygen, a poor leaving group, into an oxonium ion, a better leaving group, making the reaction feasible. The...
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration02:36

Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration

A significant aspect of hydroboration–oxidation is the regio- and stereochemical outcome of the reaction.
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.
Electrophilic Addition of HX to 1,3-Butadiene: Thermodynamic vs Kinetic Control01:23

Electrophilic Addition of HX to 1,3-Butadiene: Thermodynamic vs Kinetic Control

The addition of a hydrogen halide to 1,3-butadiene gives a mixture of 1,2- and 1,4-adducts. Since more substituted alkenes are more stable, the 1,4-adduct is expected to be the major product. However, the product distribution is strongly influenced by temperature; low temperature favors the 1,2-adduct, whereas the 1,4-adduct is predominant at high temperature.
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration02:34

Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration

The rate of acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes depends on the alkene's structure, as the presence of alkyl substituents at the double bond can significantly influence the rate.
α-Bromination of Carboxylic Acids: Hell–Volhard–Zelinski Reaction01:15

α-Bromination of Carboxylic Acids: Hell–Volhard–Zelinski Reaction

The method to achieve α-brominated carboxylic acids using a mixture of phosphorus tribromide and bromine is known as the Hell–Volhard–Zelinski reaction. The reaction is catalyzed by phosphorus tribromide, which can be used directly or produced in situ from red phosphorus and bromine. The mechanism comprises PBr3 catalyzed conversion of acid to acid bromide and hydrogen bromide. The acid bromide enolizes to its enol form in the presence of HBr. The nucleophilic enol attacks the bromine molecule...