Peroxy radicals formed by addition of OH and O 2 to the olefinic carbon atoms in methacrolein react with NO to form methacrolein hydroxy nitrate and hydroxyacetone. We observe that the ratio of these two compounds, however, unexpectedly decreases as the lifetime of the peroxy radical increases. We propose that this results from an isomerization involving the 1,4-H-shift of the aldehydic hydrogen atom to the peroxy group. The inferred rate (0.5 ± 0.3 s −1 at T = 296 K) is consistent with estimates obtained from the potential energy surface determined by high level quantum calculations. The product, a hydroxy hydroperoxy carbonyl radical, decomposes rapidly, producing hydroxyacetone and re-forming OH. Simulations using a global chemical transport model suggest that most of the methacrolein hydroxy peroxy radicals formed in the atmosphere undergo isomerization and decomposition.

Controlling charge transport through a single molecule connected to metallic electrodes remains one of the most fundamental challenges of nanoelectronics. Here we use electrochemical gating to reversibly tune the conductance of two different organic molecules, both containing anthraquinone (AQ) centers, over >1 order of magnitude. For electrode potentials outside the redox-active region, the effect of the gate is simply to shift the molecular energy levels relative to the metal Fermi level. At the redox potential, the conductance changes abruptly as the AQ unit is oxidized/reduced with an accompanying change in the conjugation pattern between linear and cross conjugation. The most significant change in conductance is observed when the electron pathway connecting the two electrodes is via the AQ unit. This is consistent with the expected occurrence of destructive quantum interference in that case. The experimental results are supported by an excellent agreement with ab initio transport calculations.

We investigate the oxidation of methacryloylperoxy nitrate (MPAN) and methacrylicperoxy acid (MPAA) by the hydroxyl radical (OH) theoretically, using both density functional theory [B3LYP] and explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory [CCSD(T)-F12]. These two compounds are produced following the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from methacrolein (MACR) by the OH radical. We use a RRKM master equation analysis to estimate that the oxidation of MPAN leads to formation of hydroxymethyl−methyl-α-lactone (HMML) in high yield. HMML production follows a low potential energy path from both MPAN and MPAA following addition of OH (via elimination of the NO 3 and OH from MPAN and MPAA, respectively). We suggest that the subsequent heterogeneous phase chemistry of HMML may be the route to formation of 2-methylglyceric acid, a common component of organic aerosol produced in the oxidation of methacrolein. Oxidation of acrolein, a photo-oxidation product from 1,3-butadiene, is found to follow a similar route generating hydroxymethyl-α-lactone (HML).

An efficient dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) is one possible solution to meet the world's rapidly increasing energy demands and associated climate challenges. This requires inexpensive and stable dyes with well-positioned frontier energy levels for maximal solar absorption, efficient charge separation, and high output voltage. Here we demonstrate an extensive computational screening of zinc porphyrins functionalized with electron donating side groups and electron accepting anchoring groups. The trends in frontier energy levels versus side groups are analyzed and a no-loss DSSC level alignment quality is estimated. Out of the initial 1029 molecules, we find around 50 candidates with level alignment qualities within 5% of the optimal limit. We show that the level alignment of five zinc porphyrin dyes which were recently used in DSSCs with high efficiencies can be further improved by simple side group substitutions. All frontier energy levels, gaps and level alignment quality values are stored in a database publicly available.

Tuning charge transport at the single-molecule level plays a crucial role in the construction of molecular electronic devices. Introduced herein is a promising and operationally simple approach to tune two distinct charge-transport pathways through a cruciform molecule. Upon in situ cleavage of triisopropylsilyl groups, complete conversion from one junction type to another is achieved with a conductance increase by more than one order of magnitude, and it is consistent with predictions from ab initio transport calculations. Although molecules are well known to conduct through different orbitals (either HOMO or LUMO), the present study represents the first experimental realization of switching between HOMO- and LUMO-dominated transport within the same molecule.