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A comparison of the composition and structure of carbon films deposited by ns and fs laser ablation of graphite is the subject of this thesis. In addition, the effect of irradiation on the surface of graphite has been investigated in detail. Laser-induced phase transitions from graphite to sp-bonded carbon and trans-polyacetylene chains as well as the formation of nano-diamond have been observed after irradiation with fs pulses. An optical orientation mechanism involving both electric and magnetic interactions is proposed to understand the formation of nano-stripes and other structures on irradiated graphite surfaces. These phenomena are not observed after nanosecond laser irradiation. Tetrahedral carbon (ta-C) films deposited at cryogenic temperatures using ns laser radiation consist of sub-micron graphitized grains embedded in a matrix of sp3-hybridized bonded carbon. Nano-buckling is evident in ta-C films deposited by fs ablation where the composition is found to consist of mixed sp, sp2, and sp3 – hybridized carbons species. It is found that the concentration of sp-bonded chains is negligible in ns-C films. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy has been used to characterize molecular species in ns and fs carbon films. Time of flight mass spectroscopy has been used to study plume species produced by laser ablation. It is also found that polyyne molecules can be formed by fs laser dissociation of small molecules in organic solvents. This process is accompanied by the deposition of hexagonal nano-diamond films on substrates placed near the laser focus during irradiation. This opens a new path in the synthesis of 1D conducting molecules and nano-diamond materials for nano-science applications. Quantum chemical calculations involving density functional theory (Gaussian '03) have been carried out in support of this work and have been used to study Raman and IR vibrational modes of several novel carbon molecules synthesized in ta-C films and in the liquid phase. These studies have been extended to assist in the identification of astronomical spectra.

A comparison of the composition and structure of carbon films deposited by ns and fs laser ablation of graphite is the subject of this thesis. In addition, the effect of irradiation on the surface of graphite has been investigated in detail. Laser-induced phase transitions from graphite to sp-bonded carbon and trans-polyacetylene chains as well as the formation of nano-diamond have been observed after irradiation with fs pulses. An optical orientation mechanism involving both electric and magnetic interactions is proposed to understand the formation of nano-stripes and other structures on irradiated graphite surfaces. These phenomena are not observed after nanosecond laser irradiation. Tetrahedral carbon (ta-C) films deposited at cryogenic temperatures using ns laser radiation consist of sub-micron graphitized grains embedded in a matrix of sp3-hybridized bonded carbon. Nano-buckling is evident in ta-C films deposited by fs ablation where the composition is found to consist of mixed sp, sp2, and sp3 – hybridized carbons species. It is found that the concentration of sp-bonded chains is negligible in ns-C films. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy has been used to characterize molecular species in ns and fs carbon films. Time of flight mass spectroscopy has been used to study plume species produced by laser ablation. It is also found that polyyne molecules can be formed by fs laser dissociation of small molecules in organic solvents. This process is accompanied by the deposition of hexagonal nano-diamond films on substrates placed near the laser focus during irradiation. This opens a new path in the synthesis of 1D conducting molecules and nano-diamond materials for nano-science applications. Quantum chemical calculations involving density functional theory (Gaussian '03) have been carried out in support of this work and have been used to study Raman and IR vibrational modes of several novel carbon molecules synthesized in ta-C films and in the liquid phase. These studies have been extended to assist in the identification of astronomical spectra.

The major directions of this dissertation involve (1) the syntheses and characterization of molecular polygons incorporating sp1hybridized carbon linkers and L2Pt corners (L2 = cis-1,3-diphosphine), (2) the development of protected carbon chain complexes featuring fluorous phosphine ligands and (3) click reactions of metal terminal polyynyl complexes and further metallations of the resulting triazole rings. A brief overview is provided in Chapter I. Chapter II details the syntheses of molecular squares containing bidendate diphosphine ligands of the formula R2C(CH2PPh2)2 where R = Me, Et, n-Bu, n-Dec, Bn, and p-tolCH2 (general designation dppp*), in which the R2 groups are intended to circumvent the solubility issues encountered by others. Their syntheses involve double substitutions of the dimesylate compounds R2C(CH2OMs)2 using KPPh2. Building blocks of the formulae (dppp*)PtCl2 and (dppp*)Pt((C≡C)2H)2 are synthesized and characterized, including one crystal structure of the latter. The target complexes are accessed by reactions of (dppp*)PtCl2 with (dppp*)Pt((C≡C)2H)2 under Sonogashira type conditions. Six new squares of the formula [(R2C(CH2PPh2)2)Pt(C≡C)2]4 are characterized including two crystal structures. Further topics include approaches to higher homologues and cyclocarbon synthesis. Chapter III focuses on carbon chain complexes bearing fluorous phosphine ligands of the formula P((CH2)mRfn)3 (Rfn = (CF2)n-1CF3; m/n = 2/8, 3/8, and 3/10). Precursors of the formula trans-(C6F5)((Rfn(CH2)m)3P)2PtCl are synthesized and characterized, including one crystal structure, which reveals phase separation of the fluorous and non-fluorous domains. Reactions with butadiyne give trans-(C6F5)((Rfn(CH2)m)3P)2Pt(C≡C)2H. Oxidative homocouplings afford the target complexes trans,trans-(C6F5)((Rfn(CH2)m)3P)2Pt(C≡C)4(C6F5)(P((CH2)mRfn)3)2Pt. Cyclic voltammetry indicates irreversible oxidations of the title compounds, in contrast to partially reversible oxidations of non-fluorous analogues. Chapter IV focuses on multimetallic complexes achieved by click reactions in metal coordination spheres. The copper catalyzed click reaction between trans-(C6F5)(p-tol3P)2Pt(C≡C)2H (1) and (η5-C5H4N3)Re(CO)3 affords the bimetallic 1,2,3-triazole trans-C6F5)(p1tol3P)2PtC≡CC=CHN((η51C5H4)Re(CO)3)N=N. Further reactions with Re(CO)5OTf and Re(CO)5Br give trimetallated adducts, which represent the first species of this type. An alternative route to a trimetallic complex involves the twofold cycloaddition of the diazide (η5-C5H4N3)2Fe and 1, giving (η5-C5H4NN=N-C(trans-(C≡C)Pt(Pp-tol3)2(C6F5)=CH)2Fe. The crystal structures of the di and trimetallic complexes are compared, but attempts to achieve a fourth metallation involving the =CH groups are unsuccessful. However, when the triazolium salt [trans-(C6F5)(p-tol3P)2PtC≡CC=CHN(CH2C6H5)N=N(Me)]+ I– is treated with Ag2O and [Rh(COD)Cl]2, a =CRh adduct is obtained. The success of =CH metallation is correlated to the 1H NMR chemical shift, indicative of an electronic effect.