Recent Publications

• Clark, A. P.-Z.; Shi, C.; Ng, B. C.; Wilking, J. N.; Ayzner, A. L.; Stieg, A. Z.; Schwartz, B. J.; Mason, T. G.; Rubin, Y.; Tolbert, S. H.  “Self-Assembling Semiconducting Polymers—Rods and Gels from Electronic Materials”, ACS Nano 2013, 7, 962–977.

Abstract:  In an effort to favor the formation of straight polymer chains without crystalline grain boundaries, we have synthesized an amphiphilic conjugated polyelectrolyte, poly(fluorene-alt-thiophene) (PFT), which self-assembles in aqueous solutions to form cylindrical micelles. In contrast to many diblock copolymer assemblies, the semiconducting backbone runs parallel, not perpendicular, to the long axis of the cylindrical micelle. Solution-phase micelle formation is observed by X-ray and visible light scattering. The micelles can be cast as thin films, and the cylindrical morphology is preserved in the solid state. The effects of self-assembly are also observed through spectral shifts in optical absorption and photoluminescence. Solutions of higher-molecular-weight PFT micelles form gel networks at sufficiently high aqueous concentrations. Rheological characterization of the PFT gels reveals solid-like behavior and strain hardening below the yield point, properties similar to those found in entangled gels formed from surfactant-based micelles. Finally, electrical measurements on diode test structures indicate that, despite a complete lack of crystallinity in these self-assembled polymers, they effectively conduct electricity.

• Neubauer, R.; Hampel, F.; Rubin, Y.; Hirsch, A.  “Pentaarylated Azafullerenes”, Chem. Eur. J. 2012, 51, 11722 –11726.
  
  
  Abstract:  A family of pentaaryl[C59N]azafullerenes and their mono- and dihydro precursors was isolated by acid catalyzed reaction of a C59N precursor with electron-rich aromatic compounds. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction on two compounds reveals characteristic packing motifs; the triaryl dihydro derivative has a pseudo-stacked, feather-in-cavity arrangement shown at left.

• Kennedy, R. D.; Halim, M.; Khan, S.I.; Schwartz, B.; Tolbert, S.; Rubin, Y. “Crystal-Packing Motifs for a Series of 6,9,12,15,18-Pentaaryl-1-hydro[60]fullerenes”, Chem. Eur. J. 2012, 18, 7418–7433.
  

Abstract: The relationship between the size of the substituents of aryl groups in a series of fifteen 6,9,12,15,18-pentaaryl-1-hydro[60]fullerenes and the solid state structures and packing motifs of these compounds has been analyzed. Pentaarylfullerenes have a characteristic ‘badminton shuttlecock’ shape which causes several derivatives to crystallize into columnar stacks. However, many pentaarylfullerenes form non-stacked structures with, for example, dimeric, layered, diamondoid, or feather-in-cavity relationships between molecules. Computational modeling gave a qualitative estimate of the best shape match between the ball and socket surfaces of each pentaarylfullerene. The best match was for pentaarylfullerenes having large, spherically shaped para-substituents on the aryl groups. The series of pentaarylfullerenes was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A total of 34 crystal structures were obtained as various solvates and were categorized by their packing motifs.

• Kurihara, H.; Iiduka, Y.; Rubin, Y.; Waelchli, M.; Mizorogi, N.; Slanina, Z.; Tsuchiya, T.; Nagase, S.; Akasaka, T. “Unexpected Formation of a Sc3C2@C80 Bisfulleroid Derivative”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 4092–4095.
  

Abstract:  The reaction of tetrazine 1 with Sc3C2@C80 exclusively affords the open-cage derivative 2 instead of the expected C2-inserted derivative 3 bearing a four-membered ring, as previously obtained for C60. The structure of 2 has been firmly established by NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. EPR spectroscopy shows that a single Sc atom of the Sc3C2 cluster gets located within the bulge created by the bridging addend, which is a first step toward release of the internal metal atoms.

• Tassone, C.; Ayzner, A.; Kennedy, R. D.; Halim, M.; So, M.; Rubin, Y.; Tolbert, S.; Schwartz, B. “Using Pentaarylfullerenes to Understand Network Formation in Conjugated Polymer-Based Bulk-Heterojunction Solar Cells”, J. Phys. Chem. C, 2011, 115, 22563–22571.

Abstract:  We have synthesized a series of pentaarylfullerene derivatives and incorporated them into bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells using poly(3-hexylthiophene) as the electron donating material. Through a combination of grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy we see two distinct nanoscale morphologies emerge across the series. Investigating the device physics using J–V characterization, light intensity dependence, and fluorescence quenching studies, we are able to correlate the morphology to the device physics. This has afforded the opportunity to clearly see how altering the nanoscale phase segregation can change the distinct physical processes occurring within a BHJ solar cell. We observe an order of magnitude increase in the efficiency of devices that utilize self-assembling fullerene derivatives over their nonassembled counterparts. More importantly, however, these results allow us to shed light on the mechanism behind this differential phase segregation using a fullerene self-assembly model. On the basis of the data, we propose new design rules for the structure of future generations of fullerene electron accepting materials for use in BHJ solar cells.

• Halim, M.; Kennedy, R. D.; Suzuki, M.; Khan, S. I.; Diaconescu, P. L.; Rubin, Y.  “Complexes of Gold(I), Silver(I), and Copper(I) with Pentaaryl[60]fullerides”,J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 6841–6851.

Abstract: Gold(I), silver(I), and copper(I) phosphine complexes of 6,9,12,15,18-pentaaryl[60]fullerides 1a and 1b, namely, [(4-MeC₆H₄)₅C₆₀]Au(PPh₃) (2a), [(4-t-BuC₆H₄)₅C₆₀]Au(PPh₃) (2b), [(4-MeC₆H₄)₅C₆₀]Ag(PCy₃) (3a), [(4-t-BuC₆H₄)₅C₆₀]Ag(PPh₃) (3b), [(4-t-BuC₆H₄)₅C₆₀]Ag(PCy₃) (3c), [(4-MeC₆H₄)₅C₆₀]Cu(PPh₃) (4a), and [(4-t-BuC₆H₄)₅C₆₀]Cu(PPh₃) (4b), have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. All complexes except for 3c were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Several coordination modes between the cyclopentadienyl ring embedded in the fullerene and the metal centers are observed, ranging from η¹ with a slight distortion toward η³ in the case of gold(I), to η²/η³for silver(I), and η⁵ for copper(I). Silver complexes 3a and 3b are rare examples of crystallographically characterized Ag(I) cyclopentadienyls whose preparation was possible thanks to the steric shielding provided by fullerides 1a and 1b, which stabilizes these complexes. Silver complexes3a and 3b both display unexpected coordination of the cyclopentadienyl portion of the fulleride anion with Ag(I). DFT calculations on the model systems (H₅C₆₀)M(PH₃) and CpMPH₃ (M = Au, Ag, or Cu) were carried out to probe the geometries and electronic structures of these metal complexes.

• Suzuki, M.; Comito, A.; Khan, S. I.; Rubin, Y.  “Planarization of a Dehydro-[24]annulene by Noncovalent Interactions in the Crystal”, Org. Lett. 2010, 12, 2346–2349.

Abstract: Dehydro[24]annulene 1c adopts an unusual planarized conformation in the crystal. A multilayered stack of hydrogen-bonded grids delineates tightly packed nanotubular channels. The related macrocycles 1a and 1b, on the other hand, have the expected puckered conformations in the crystal.

• Halim, M.; Kennedy, R. D.; Khan, S.I.; Rubin, Y.  “Gold(I) Triphenylphosphine Complexes Incorporating Pentaarylfulleride Ligands”,  Inorg. Chem. 2010, 49, 3974–3976.

Abstract: Two gold(I) complexes, (Ph3P)Au[C60(4-MeC6H4)5] (1) and (Ph3P)Au[C60(4-t-BuC6H4)5] (2), were prepared in excellent yield and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1, grown from two solvent systems, has different coordination modes of the fullerene-embedded Cp ring to the (PPh3)Au fragment. For 1 3 (ODCB)2, the cyclopentadienyl ring coordinates to the (Ph3P)Au fragment in an η1 fashion distorted toward η3 geometry, while in 1 3 (CHCl3)2(CS2), crystal packing forces produce enough distor- tion to give near η2 coordination.

• Clavaguera, S.; Khan, S. I.; Rubin, Y.  “Unexpected De-Arylation of a Pentaaryl Fullerene”,  Org. Lett.2009, 11, 1389-1391.

Abstract: A triphenylamine-derived pentaaryl fullerene undergoes an unusual oxidative dearylation under basic conditions to give tetraarylated epoxy fullerene in high yield. The structure of the product was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. A mechanism is proposed to account for the loss of the addend and the subsequent formation of the epoxide group.

• Kennedy, R. D.; Ayzner, A. L.; Wanger, D. D.; Day, C. T; Halim, M.; Khan, S.I.; Tolbert, S.; Schwarz, B.; Rubin, Y.  “Self-Assembling Fullerenes for Improved Bulk-Heterojunction Photovoltaic Devices”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 17290–17292.

Abstract: The fullerene adducts 1a and 1b, whose molecular shapes either promote or hinder the formation of 1-D stacks, have been examined for their potential to form 1-D wire-like domains in bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells. The photovoltaic efficiency of solar cells based on blends of the stacking fullerene 1a with regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) is greatly enhanced compared to nonstacking model fullerene 1b.

• Sander, M. Jarrosson, T.; Chuang, S.-C.; Khan, S. I.; Rubin, Y.  “Approaches to Open Fullerenes: Synthesis and Thermal Stability of cis-1 Bis(isobenzofuran) Diels-Alder Adducts of C60”, J. Org. Chem. 2007, 72, 2724 -2731.

• Chuang, S.-C.; Sander, M. Jarrosson, T.; James, S.; Rozumov, E. Khan, S. I.; Rubin, Y.  “Approaches to Open Fullerenes: Synthesis and Kinetic Stability of Diels-Alder Adducts of Substituted Isobenzofurans and C60”,  J. Org. Chem. 2007, 72, 2716 -2723.

• Chuang, S.-C.; Clemente, F. R.; Khan, S. I.; Houk, K. N.; Rubin, Y.  “Switch of Electronic Reactivity in Fullerene C60: Activation of Three trans-4 Positions via Temporary Saturation of the cis-1 Positions”,  Org. Lett.2006, 8, 6075-6078.

• Chuang, S.-C.; Clemente, F. R.; Khan, S. I.; Houk, K. N.; Rubin, Y.  “Approaches to Open Fullerenes: A 1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexaadduct of C60”,  Org. Lett. 2006, 8, 4525-4528.

• Clark, A. P.-Z.; Cadby, A. J.; Shen, C. K.-F.; Rubin, Y.; Tolbert, S. H.  “Synthesis and Self-Assembly of an Amphiphilic Poly(Phenylene Ethynylene) Ionomer”,  J. Phys. Chem. B 2006, 110, 22088-22096.

• Clark, A. P.-Z.; Shen, K.-F.; Rubin, Y. F.; Tolbert, S. H.  “An Amphiphilic Poly(phenylene ethynylene) as the Structure-Directing Agent for Periodic Nanoscale Silica Composite Materials”,  Nano Lett., 2005,5, 1647-1652.

• Sonmez, G.; Shen, C. K.-F.; Rubin Y.; Wudl, F.  “The Unusual Effect of Bandgap Lowering by C60 on a Conjugated Polymer”, Adv. Mater. 2005, 17, 897-900.

• Sonmez, G.; Sonmez, H. B.; Shen, C. K. F.; Jost, R. W.; Rubin, Y.; Wudl, F. “A Processable Green Polymeric Electrochromic”, Macromolecules 2005, 38, 669-675.

• Zheng, S.; Thompson, J. D.; Tontcheva, A.; Khan, S. I.; Rubin, Y. “Perchloro-2,5,8-triazaphenalenyl”,Org. Lett.2005, 7, 1861-1863.

• Sonmez, G; Shen, C. K.-F.; Rubin, Y; Wudl, F. “Zero Band Gap and Intrinsic Conductivity in Conjugated Polymers” Polym. Mat. Sci. Engin. 2004, 90, 232-233.

• Carravetta, M.; Murata, Y.; Murata, M.; Heinmaa, I.; Stern, R.; Tontcheva, A.; Samoson, A.; Rubin, Y.; Komatsu, K.; Levitt, M. H. “Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy of Molecular Hydrogen Trapped Inside an Open-Cage Fullerene” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 4092-4093.

Abstract: Solid-state ¹H experiments were performed an open-cage fullerene hosting molecular hydrogen. The anisotropy of the molecular hydrogen rotation was studied by double-quantum magic-angle-spinning NMR. The time scale of the molecular hydrogen rotation was estimated by spin-lattice relaxation measurements as a function of temperature.

• Sonmez, G., Shen, C. K.-F., Rubin, Y., Wudl, F. “A Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) Polymeric Electrochromic Device (PECD): The Dawning of the PECD Era”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 2004, 43, 1498-1502.
• Shen, C. K.-F.; Sonmez, G.; Smith, A. D.; Schwartz, B. J.; Rubin, Y.; Wudl, F. “Photocurrent Generated with a Homoconjugated Bisfulleroid Polymer” Polymer Preprints 2003, 44,  348-349.
• Murata, Y.; Suzuki, M.; Rubin, Y.; Komatsu, K. “Structure of the Hydration Product of the C60-Di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine Adduct”, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 2003, 76, 1669–1672.
• Zheng, S.; Lan, J.; Khan, S. I.; Rubin, Y. “Synthesis, Characterization, and Coordination Chemistry of the 2-Azaphenalenyl Radical”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 5786-5791.
• Qian, W.; Chuang, S.-C.; Amador, R. B.; Jarrosson, T.; Sander, M.; Pieniazek, S.; Khan, S. I.; Rubin, Y.“Synthesis of Stable Derivatives of C62: The First Nonclassical Fullerene Incorporating a Four-Membered Ring”, J. Am. Chem. Soc.2003, 125, 2066-2067.
• Qian, W.; Rubin, Y. “Convergent, Regioselective Synthesis of Tetrakisfulleroids from C60”, J. Am. Chem. Soc.2002, 124, 7683 – 7687.
• Asselberghs, I.; Zhao, Y.; Clays, K.; Persoons, A.; Comito, A.; Rubin, Y. “Reversible Switching of Molecular Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Polarizability Through Proton Transfer”, Chem. Phys. Lett.2002, 364, 279-283.
• Metzger, R. M.; Baldwin, J. W.; Shumate, W. J.; Peterson, I. R.; Mani, P.; Mankey, G. J.; Morris, T.; Szulczewski, G.; Bosi, S.; Prato, M.; Comito, A.; Rubin, Y. “Electrical Rectification in a Langmuir-Blodgett Monolayer of Dimethylanilinoazafullerene Sandwiched Between Gold Electrodes”, J. Phys. Chem. B2003, 107, 1021-1027.
• Irle, S.; Rubin, Y.; Morokuma, K. “ONIOM Study of Ring Opening and Metal Insertion Reactions with Derivatives of C60:  Role of Aromaticity in the Opening Process”, J. Phys. Chem. A 2002; 106, 680-688.
• Rubin, Y.; Diederich, F. “From Fullerenes to Novel Carbon Allotropes:  Exciting Prospects for Organic Synthesis”; in Stimulating Concepts in Chemistry, Vögtle, F.; Stoddart, J. F.; Shibasaki, M.; Eds.; Wiley – VCH, 2001, pp 153-186.  (Book chapter)
• Rubin, Y.; Jarrosson, T.; Wang, G.-W.; Bartberger, M. D.; Schick, G.; Saunders, M.; Cross, R. J.; Houk, K. N. “Insertion of Helium and Molecular Hydrogen Through the Orifice of an Open Fullerene”, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 2001, 40, 1543-1546.

Abstract: A “molecular surgery” approach has been used to create an opening within a fullerene cage that is large enough to allow atoms and small molecules to pass through. The thermodynamics for the insertion of He and H₂ into the open fullerene (left and right pictures, respectively) as well as their escape have been studied by NMR spectroscopy and theoretical methods.

For a list of all publications, follow this link.