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<p> Under 248 nm laser flash photolysis, the photodecomposition of 1,3,4-trimethyl-1-phenyl-1-germacyclopent-3-ene (28) in dry, deoxygenated hexane solution at 23 °C leads to the prompt formation of two transient species: phenylmethylgermylene (29) and its Ge=Ge doubly bonded dimer, 1,2-dimethyl-1 ,2-diphenyldigemene (30). The formation of 29 proceeds in high chemical yield as shown by the results of steady state trapping experiments with methanol and isoprene. The transient assigned to 29 exhibits λmax = 490 nm and decays with second-order kinetics (τ ~ 2 μs). The second transient, which is formed from the latter, is assigned to digermene 30 and exhibits λmax = 420 nm and a lifetime, τ ~ 8 μs. The assignments are based on comparisons to the spectra of other simple germylenes, such as dimethyl-, diphenyl and dimesitylgermylene as well as on the pattern of reactivity with trapping reagents in solution at room temperature.</p> <p> Reactions studied include N-H, O-H and Sn-H insertion reactions, the [1+2] addition to isoprene and t-butylacetylene, and halogen atom abstraction from carbon tetrachloride.</p> <p> Absolute rate constants for quenching of 29 with the above mentioned scavengers were obtained by direct measurement of the germylene decay kinetics, over the concentration range where the formation of the digermene was more than 70% quenched. This ensures that the decay of 29 was dominated by the reaction with the trapping reagent.</p> <p> Absolute rate constants for reaction of the same reagents with 30 have also been determined for most of the scavengers studied. However, the digermene was found to be considerably less reactive than phenylmethylgermylene in all cases.</p> <p> The trends in spectroscopic properties and reactivity of simple germylenes in solution are discussed.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

En las últimas décadas, los procesos redox fotoinducidos mediados por luz visible han recibido gran atención debido a las suaves condiciones de operación en que se llevan a cabo. Como resultado, se han logrado posicionar como una alternativa más dentro de los Procesos de Oxidación Avanzada. Además, se han convertido en una metodología excepcional en síntesis orgánica, que ha abierto la puerta a nuevas rutas químicas con aplicaciones sintéticas. Sin embargo, a pesar del crecimiento del campo, se ha prestado poca atención a los mecanismos por los que operan estos procesos. El principal objetivo de esta tesis fue avanzar en la comprensión de distintos procesos fotoredox llevados a cabo empleando fotocatalizadores orgánicos. Más específicamente, se estudió la viabilidad de distintos fotocatalizadores orgánicos, y además, se realizó un estudio mecanístico detallado basado en técnicas resueltas en el tiempo. A partir de estos resultados, se estableció una metodología para determinar los puntos clave a considerar en un sistema fotoredox. En primer lugar, en la Parte I, se eligieron dos fotocatalizadores basados en sales de pirilio y tiapirilio, que operan mediante transferencia electrónica oxidativa, con distintos objetivos. En el Capítulo 3, se evaluó su aplicabilidad en la fotodegradación de dos contaminantes de la industria del corcho y se estudió el mecanismo por el que se produce dicha fotodegradación. En el Capítulo 4, se demostró la utilidad de la detección directa de todos los intermedios de vida corta derivados del TPP+ implicados en la oxidación fotocatalizada como herramienta para evaluar el nivel de fotodegradación. En el Capítulo 5, se empleó TPTP+ para establecer las mejores características de un fotocatalizador y la influencia de la concentración de las sustancias a oxidar en la eficiencia de los estados excitados, o en general, de los intermedios clave de vida corta. En segundo lugar, en la Parte II, en el Capítulo 6, se evaluó el potencial del Rosa Bengala en la eliminación de dos fármacos. Éste es un fotocatalizador típico en la remediación de aguas residuales conocido por actuar via mecanismo Tipo II. Se incluyó además un segundo fotocatalizador, Perinaftenona, cuyo rendimiento cuántico de oxígeno singlete es incluso mayor a Rosa Bengala. En el Capítulo 7, se llevó a cabo la fotooxidación de tres contaminantes, usando NMQ+, un fotocatalizador inusual, capaz de generar oxígeno singlete desde su estado excitado singlete. En todos los casos se pudo demostrar la mayor contribución del mecanismo Tipo I sobre el mecanismo Tipo II en la fotodegradación de los diferentes contaminantes. Finalmente, en la Parte II, el Capítulo 8 se dedicó a la reducción fotocatalítica de bromuros orgánicos, empleando Riboflavina, un colorante orgánico no metálico, como fotocatalizador. De nuevo, se prestó especial atención a la detección y comportamiento de las especies intermedias, lo que resultó de acuerdo a los datos termodinámicos. / En les últimes dècades, els processos redox fotoinduïts mitjan per llum visible han rebut gran atenció degut a les suaus condicions d'operació en que es donen. Com a resultat, s'han aconseguit col·locar com una alternativa mes dins dels Processos d'Oxidació Avançada. A més, han estat convertint-se en una metodologia excepcional en síntesi orgànica, que ha obert la porta a noves rutes químiques amb aplicacions sintètiques. No obstant això, a pesar del creixement del camp, s'ha prestat poca atenció als mecanismes pels que operen aquests processos. El principal objectiu d'esta tesi va ser avançar en la comprensió de diferents processos fotoredox duts a terme emprant fotocatalitzadors orgànics. Més específicament, es va estudiar la viabilitat de distints fotocatalitzadors orgànics, i a més, es va realitzar un estudi mecanístic al detall basat en tècniques resoltes en el temps. Amb aquests resultats, es va establir una metodologia per a determinar els punts clau a considerar en un sistema fotoredox. En primer lloc, en la Part I, es van elegir dos fotocatalitzadors basats en sals de pirili i tiapirili, els quals operen per mitjà de transferència electrònica oxidativa, amb distints objectius. En el Capítol 3, es va avaluar la seua aplicabilitat en la fotodegradació de dos contaminants de la indústria del suro i es va estudiar el mecanisme pel qual es produeix dita fotodegradació. En el Capítol 4, es va demostrar la utilitat de la detecció directa de tots els intermedis de curt temps de vida derivats del TPP+ implicats en l'oxidació fotocatalitzada com a ferramenta per avaluar el nivell de fotodegradació. En el Capítol 5, es va emprar TPTP+ per a establir les millors característiques d'un fotocatalitzador i l'influencia de la concentració de les substàncies a oxidar en la eficiència dels estats oxidats, o en general, del intermedis claus de vida curta. En segon lloc, en la Part II, en el Capítol 6, es va avaluar el potencial del Rosa Bengala en l'eliminació de dos fàrmacs. Aquest es un fotocatalitzador típic en la remediació d'aigües residuals conegut per actuar via mecanisme Tipus II. Es va incloure a més un segon fotocatalitzador, Perinaftenona, el del qual rendiment quàntic d'oxigen singlet és inclús major a Rosa Bengala. En el Capítol 7, es va dur a terme la fotooxidació de tres contaminants, usant NMQ+, un fotocatalitzador inusual, capaç de generar oxigen singlet des del seu estat excitat singlet. En tots els casos es va poder demostrar la major contribució del mecanisme Tipus I sobre el mecanisme Tipo II en la fotodegradació dels diferents contaminants. Finalment, en la Part II, el Capítol 8 es va dedicar a la reducció fotocatalítica de bromurs orgànics, emprant Riboflavina, un colorant orgànic no metàl·lic, com fotocatalitzador. De nou, es va prestar especial atenció a la detecció i comportament de les espècies intermèdies, el que va resultar d'acord amb les dades termodinàmiques. / In the last decades, photoinduced-redox processes mediated through visible light have obtained great attention due to the generally mild operating conditions that they offer. As a result, they constitute a further alternative within the so-called Advanced Oxidation processes. Besides, they are becoming an outstanding methodology in organic synthesis, which has opened the door to new synthetic and chemical routes. However, despite the growth of the field, little attention has been paid to the mechanisms pathways behind these processes. The main objective of this thesis was to gain deeper understanding of different photoredox processes carried out using organic photocatalysts. More specifically, the viability of several organic photocatalysts was studied, and besides, a careful mechanistic study based on time resolved techniques supported the postulated mechanisms. With this information, a methodology determining the key points to consider in a photoredox system were stablished. Firstly, in Part I, two photocatalysts based on pyrilium and thiapyrilium salts, which operate through an oxidative electron transfer, have been used with different objectives. In Chapter 3, the viability of the photodegradation of two common pollutants from cork industry and the mechanism behind it has been evaluated. In Chapter 4, the direct detection of all the TPP+ derived short-lived intermediates in the photocatalyzed oxidation of a mixture of pollutants using TPP+ was proposed as a methodology to assess the photodegradation extent. In the last chapter of Part I, Chapter 5, TPTP+ is used to stablish the best characteristics of a photocatalyst. Besides, the study claimed the influence of the concentration of the target substances in the efficiency of the excited states or, in general, of the key short-lived intermediates. Secondly, in Part II, in Chapter 6, Rose Bengal, a typical photocatalyst used in wastewater remediation, known for working via Type II mechanism, was evaluated for the removal of two common drugs. In addition, a second one, Perinaphtenone, which exhibits even a higher singlet oxygen quantum yield than Rose Bengal was tested. In Chapter 7, NMQ+, a non-typical photocatalyst able of generate singlet oxygen from its singlet excited state, was used in the photooxidation of three different pollutants. In every case, the major contribution of Type I vs Type II mechanism was demonstrated. Finally, in Part III, Chapter 8 was devoted to the photocatalytic reduction of organic bromides. In this case, Riboflavine, a non-metallic organic dye, was used as a photocatalyst. Analogously, careful attention was paid to the behavoiur of the intermediates, which were in agreement, as well as to the thermodynamics of the steps involved in the photocatalytic cycle. / Martínez Haya, R. (2018). Photoredox catalysis for environmental and chemical applications. A mechanistically-based approach [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/114828

Les comètes présentent un grand intérêt à la fois pour la planétologie et pour l'exobiologie. En effet, ces corps primitifs du fait de leur petite taille et de leurs réservoirs éloignés du soleil, n'ont pas ou que très peu évolué depuis leur formation. L'étude des comètes peut donc permettre de mieux comprendre les processus physico-chimiques ayant eu lieu lors de la formation du Système Solaire. D'autre part, les analyses menées en 1986 dans l'environnement de la comète 1P/Halley ont montré l'existence, dans les grains cométaires d'une phase solide riche en composés organiques. Ainsi, les comètes ont vraisemblablement pu apporter sur la Terre primitive des composés organiques, et favoriser ainsi l'apparition de la Vie. Néanmoins la nature de cette matière organique reste encore très largement méconnue. Ces composés organiques ont vraisemblablement été formés à partir des glaces observées dans le milieu interstellaire et qui sont soumises à différentes sources d'énergie. Les objectifs du travail expérimental mené au cours de cette thèse ont donc été de caractériser les différentes étapes conduisant à la synthèse des composés organiques complexes contenus dans les comètes à partir des glaces interstellaires. En particulier, j'ai étudié i.) la quantification des glaces présentes autour des étoiles naissantes, ii.) les processus de photolyse auxquels elles sont soumises et iii.) la nature des composés organiques qui peuvent être produits durant ces processus. Les observations infrarouges ont permis de détecter de nombreuses molécules en phase condensée autour des étoiles naissantes. Afin de préciser l'abondance de ces molécules, j'ai mesuré les sections efficaces intégrées, aussi appelées forces de bandes, pour huit d'entre elles (H2O, CO, CO2, CH3OH, NH3, CH4, HCOOH and H2CO). En effet, ce paramètre spectroscopique est nécessaire à la quantification des molécules et certaines des valeurs présentes dans la littérature affichaient une grande dispersion. Les nouvelles mesures que j'ai effectuées, basées sur une revue bibliographique exhaustive des masses volumiques et des indices optiques dans le visible, confirment pour certaines molécules (CO2, CO, CH4, NH3) les valeurs utilisées pour déterminer leur abondance. Néanmoins, j'ai pu montrer que les abondances d'autres molécules dans les milieux astrophysiques restent encore très incertaines, en particulier pour CH3OH, H2CO et HCOOH. En phase condensée, la dépendance en longueur d'onde des processus de photolyse est encore très largement négligée. Grâce à l'utilisation de deux lampes VUV, dont l'irradiance spectrale a été préalablement caractérisée, j'ai pu mesurer, dans deux gammes de longueurs d'onde différentes, les rendements quantiques de production de C2H6 et de CO lors de la photolyse de CH4 et CO2. J'ai ainsi pu confirmer que les rendements quantiques dépendent bien de la longueur d'onde de photolyse. L'extrapolation des résultats expérimentaux acquis en laboratoire aux différents milieux astrophysiques nécessite donc une bonne connaissance des spectres VUV mis en jeu. L'objectif final des simulations expérimentales est de prédire la nature de la matière organique cométaire en reproduisant au mieux la chimie pouvant se dérouler dans les glaces interstellaires. Or, le méthane a été détecté en phase condensée dans le milieu interstellaire, mais son influence sur la chimie se déroulant dans des mélanges de glaces contenant les principales molécules interstellaires a été très peu étudiée. J'ai donc soumis un mélange H2O : CH3OH : NH3 : CH4 (10 : 1 : 1 : 2) à une photolyse de 26 heures puis à un chauffage. L'influence du méthane se manifeste par la présence de C2H6 après la photolyse à basse température. Lors du chauffage, le méthane et ses photoproduits semblent se sublimer. Avec ou sans CH4, la chimie à des températures supérieures à 200 K apparaît très similaire. J'en conclu donc que la présence de méthane ne modifie pas notablement la chimie des glaces lors des simulations / Comets are very interesting for planetology as well as for exobiology. On one hand, held in the furthest and coldest regions of our solar system and due to their small size, they might not have been altered since their formation. The study of comets should allow a better understanding of the physic-chemical processes occurring during the Solar system formation. On the other hand, the analysis performed in 1986 on the environment of 1P/Halley showed the presence, in the cometary dust, of organic matter. Thus, comets might have brought organics on primitive Earth which might have contributed to the apparition of life. Nevertheless, the nature of these organics is still not well-known. Cometary organics might have been synthesized from the ices detected in interstellar medium which are submitted to different energetic processes. The aims of the experimental work performed during this thesis are to characterize the different steps of the synthesis of complex organic matter contained in comets from the interstellar ices. I studied : i) The quantification of interstellar ices detected around young stellar objects ii) The characterization of the photolysis process to which ices are submitted and iii.) The nature of the organic compounds produced during these processes. Once mixtures and energetic processes are under control, we can make cometary organic analogs. Infrared observations have revealed the presence of several molecules in the solid phase around young stellar objects. To precise their molecular abundances, I have measured the integrated cross sections, also called band strengths, of 8 molecules (H2O, CO, CO2, CH3OH, NH3, CH4, HCOOH and H2CO). Indeed, this spectroscopic parameter is required for the quantification of these molecules and some values presented in literature are scattered. The new measurements performed during this thesis, which are based on a bibliographic review of densities and optical indices in the visible range, confirm the values already used for the quantification of CO2, CO, CH4, NH3. But this work also underlines that abundances of CH3OH, H2CO and HCOOH in interstellar medium are still uncertain. In the solid phase, wavelength dependence of photolysis is often neglected. Thanks to two VUV lamps, for which the spectral irradiances have been characterized, I measured the production quantum yield, in two wavelength ranges, of C2H6 and CO, during photolysis of CH4 and CO2 respectively. Thanks to this study, I point out that quantum yield depends on the photolysis wavelength. Thus, the extrapolation of the experimental results to different astrophysical medium implies a good knowledge of VUV spectra. The final objective of experimental simulations is to foresee the nature of cometary organic matter by reproducing, as realistic as possible, the chemistry occurring in interstellar ices. Methane has been detected in the solid phase in the interstellar medium, but few studies implying methane have been undertaken. Thus, I have photolyzed a mixture composed of H2O: CH3OH: NH3: CH4 (10:1:1:2) during 26 hours at low temperature and then I applied a heating process. The influence of initial methane in the ice chemistry is demonstrated by the presence of its main photoproducts, C2H6, after photolysis. But while increasing temperature, methane and its photoproducts seem to sublimate. Therefore, with or without methane, chemistry occurring at temperature higher than 200K seems to be very similar. I conclude than methane does not have significant influence on ice chemistry

The design of dyes for NiO-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has drawn attention owing to their potential applications in photocatalysis and because they are indispensable for the development of tandem dye-sensitized solar cells. The understanding of the electron transfer mechanisms and dynamics is beneficial to guide further dye design and further improve the performance of photocathode in solar cells and solar fuel devices. Time-resolved spectroscopy techniques, especially femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, supply sufficient resolution to get insights into the charge transfer processes in p-type dye sensitized solar cell and solar fuel devices. In paper I-V, several kinds of novel organic “push-pull” and inorganic charge transfer dyes for sensitization of p-type NiO, were systematically investigated by time-resolved spectroscopy, and photo-induced charge transfer dynamics of the organic/inorganic dyes were summarized. The excited state and reduced state intermediates were investigated in solution phase as references to confirm the charge injection and recombination on the NiO surface. The charge recombination kinetics is remarkably heterogeneous in some cases occurring on time scales spanning at least six orders of magnitude even for the same dye. In this thesis, we also proposed a novel concept of solid state p-type dye sensitized solar cells (p-ssDSSCs) for the first time (paper VI), using an organic dye P1 as sensitizer on mesoporous NiO and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as electron conductor. Femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy gave evidence for sub-ps hole injection from excited P1 to NiO, followed by electron transfer from P1●- to PCBM. The p-ssDSSCs device showed an impressive 620 mV open circuit photovoltage. Chapter 6 (paper VII) covers the study of electron transfer mechanisms in a covalently linked dye-catalyst (PB-2) sensitized NiO photocathode, towards hydrogen producing solar fuel devices. Hole injection from excited dye (PB-2*) into NiO VB takes place on dual time scales, and the reduced PB-2 (PB-2●-) formed then donates an electron to the catalyst unit.  The subsequent regeneration efficiency of PB-2 by the catalyst unit (the efficiency of catalyst reduction) is determined to ca. 70%.