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Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 29, 2018
Titanium-oxo-clusters with dicarboxylates: single-crystal structure and photochromic effect
Yin-Yin Wu1, Wen Luo, Yu-Hong Wang
1Department of Chemistry & Key Laboratory of Organic Synthesis of Jiangsu Province, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
Inorganic Chemistry
|August 9, 2012
Summary
Two novel titanium-oxo-clusters were synthesized and characterized. These clusters exhibit a photochromic effect, changing color upon light exposure and generating reactive oxygen species for methyl orange degradation.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Titanium-oxo-clusters are an important class of inorganic compounds with diverse applications.
- The synthesis and characterization of novel titanium-oxo-clusters with specific functionalities are of significant interest.
- Understanding the structural and electronic properties of these clusters is crucial for their potential applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize two new dicarboxylate-substituted titanium-oxo-clusters.
- To investigate the structural features and bonding in these novel titanium-oxo-clusters.
- To explore the photochromic properties and photocatalytic activity of the synthesized clusters.
Main Methods:
- One-step in situ solvothermal synthesis was employed for cluster preparation.
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was used for crystal structure determination.
- Spectroscopic techniques were utilized to detect Ti(III) species and superoxide radicals.
- Photocatalytic degradation experiments were conducted using methyl orange as a model pollutant.
Main Results:
- Two titanium-oxo-clusters, Ti(6)O(4)(o-BDC)(2)(o-BDC(i)Pr)(2)(O(i)Pr)(10) and Ti(6)O(3)(o-BDC)(2)(O(i)Pr)(14), were successfully synthesized.
- The crystal structures revealed unique arrangements of Ti(3)O(3) subunits linked by oxygen bridges, with one being a new type of carboxylate-substituted cluster.
- A reversible photochromic effect was observed, with crystals changing color from transparent to purple-gray upon irradiation.
- Irradiation led to the formation of Ti(III) species and superoxide radicals, indicating photoinduced electron transfer.
- Cluster 2 demonstrated photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methyl orange under UV-cut white light with H(2)O(2) assistance.
Conclusions:
- The study presents rare examples of dicarboxylate-substituted titanium-oxo-clusters with unique structural motifs.
- The observed photochromic behavior and generation of reactive oxygen species highlight the potential of these clusters in light-responsive applications.
- The photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange suggests their utility in environmental remediation.
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