Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2025
10:21
Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
8.3K
Emerging solid-state cycloaddition chemistry for molecular solar thermal energy storage
Cijil Raju1, Han P Q Nguyen1, Grace G D Han1
1Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University 415 South Street Waltham MA 02453 USA gracehan@brandeis.edu.
Chemical Science
|October 14, 2024
Summary
Solid-state molecular systems store solar energy using reversible photocycloadditions. These designs offer high energy storage densities, paving the way for advanced solar thermal batteries.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Molecular solar thermal energy storage utilizes reversible photochemical reactions.
- Solid-state systems offer advantages over traditional liquid-based storage.
- Developing efficient solid-state molecular designs is crucial for practical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To illustrate recently discovered designs for solid-state molecular solar thermal energy storage.
- To compare the energy storage densities of various molecular designs.
- To outline strategies for engineering crystal packing structures for solid-state reactions.
Main Methods:
- Review and illustration of molecular designs including alkenes, imines, and anthracenes.
- Analysis of reversible [2+2] and [4+4] photocycloaddition reactions.
- Comparison of energy storage densities (6–146 kJ mol⁻¹ or up to 318 J g⁻¹).
Main Results:
- Identified molecular scaffolds capable of reversible photocycloadditions for energy storage.
- Quantified energy storage densities across different molecular designs.
- Demonstrated the importance of crystal packing for facilitating solid-state reactions.
Conclusions:
- Promising molecular scaffolds show potential for effective solid-state solar energy storage.
- Engineering crystal packing is key to successful solid-state photochemical reactions.
- These findings guide the development of new molecular systems for solid-state solar thermal batteries.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:16Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Thermal Activation
3.5K
Thermal cycloadditions are reactions where the source of activation energy needed to initiate the reaction is provided in the form of heat. A typical example of a thermally-allowed cycloaddition is the Diels–Alder reaction, which is a [4 + 2] cycloaddition. In contrast, a [2 + 2] cycloaddition is thermally forbidden.
3.5K
01:16Cycloaddition Reactions: Overview
2.5K
Cycloadditions are one of the most valuable and effective synthesis routes to form cyclic compounds. These are concerted pericyclic reactions between two unsaturated compounds resulting in a cyclic product with two new σ bonds formed at the expense of π bonds. The [4 + 2] cycloaddition, known as the Diels–Alder reaction, is the most common. The other example is a [2 + 2] cycloaddition.
2.5K
01:12Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation
2.0K
Some cycloaddition reactions are activated by heat, while others are initiated by light. For example, a [2 + 2] cycloaddition between two ethylene molecules occurs only in the presence of light. It is photochemically allowed but thermally forbidden.
2.0K
![[4+2] Cycloaddition of Conjugated Dienes: Diels–Alder Reaction](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2Fscience-education%2Fscience-education-thumbs%2F12417.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
01:16[4+2] Cycloaddition of Conjugated Dienes: Diels–Alder Reaction
10.1K
The Diels–Alder reaction is an example of a thermal pericyclic reaction between a conjugated diene and an alkene or alkyne, commonly referred to as a dienophile. The reaction involves a concerted movement of six π electrons, four from the diene and two from the dienophile, forming an unsaturated six-membered ring. As a result, these reactions are classified as [4+2] cycloadditions.
10.1K
01:17Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
2.0K
The stereochemistry of electrocyclic reactions is strongly influenced by the orbital symmetry of the polyene HOMO. Under thermal conditions, the reaction proceeds via the ground-state HOMO.
Selection Rules: Thermal Activation
Conjugated systems containing an even number of π-electron pairs undergo a conrotatory ring closure. For example, thermal electrocyclization of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadiene, a conjugated diene containing two π-electron pairs, gives trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene.
Selection Rules: Thermal Activation
Conjugated systems containing an even number of π-electron pairs undergo a conrotatory ring closure. For example, thermal electrocyclization of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadiene, a conjugated diene containing two π-electron pairs, gives trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene.
2.0K
01:26Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview
2.3K
Electrocyclic reactions are reversible reactions. They involve an intramolecular cyclization or ring-opening of a conjugated polyene. Shown below are two examples of electrocyclic reactions. In the first reaction, the formation of the cyclic product is favored. In contrast, in the second reaction, ring-opening is favored due to the high ring strain associated with cyclobutene formation.
2.3K