Abstract: Disclosed are infrared light absorbing aminium and diimmonium compositions that have at least one absorption maximum in the infrared spectral region between about 700 and 1500 nm and that are useful, for example, as infrared absorbers. In one example, an infrared light aminium absorbing composition includes an anionic borate moiety and an aminium radical cation, which has at least one absorption peak in the near infrared wavelength region between about 700 and 1500 nm. In another example, an infrared light diimmonium absorbing composition includes two anionic borate moieties and a diimmonium radical cation, which has at least one absorption peak in the near infrared wavelength region between about 700 and 1500 nm. Such compositions may be incorporated into films or bulk materials to form light filters for electromagnetic radiation, including laser radiation.

Abstract: Squarylium dyes with improved design flexibility via functionalization thereof thereby yielding desirable photophysical, solubility, thermal stability, and/or light stability properties, for example. The resulting dyes are useful in optical filters and as fluorescent indicators, for example.

Abstract: Squarylium dyes with improved design flexibility via functionalization thereof thereby yielding desirable photophysical, solubility, thermal stability, and/or light stability properties, for example. The resulting dyes are useful in optical filters and as fluorescent indicators, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel aminium, diimonium, and polymethine borate dyes that have at least one absorption maximum in the infrared spectral region between about 700 and 2000 nm and that are useful as infrared absorbers, the anionic borate moiety having the formula: [BXaYb]?, in which a and b are integers with a ranging from 0 to 3 and b ranging from 1 to 4 and a+b=4; X, which may be identical or different, are each a halogen atom, an OH functional group, or a C1 to C20 alkyl or alicyclic radical, and Y, which may be identical or different, are each a phenyl radical, at least one Y substituted by at least one element or electron-withdrawing substituent such as a perfluoroalkyl group, or by one or more halogen atoms, or an aryl radical containing at least two aromatic ring members, which may also be further substituted. Such dyes may be incorporated into films or bulk materials to form light filters for electromagnetic radiation, including laser radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for efficiently producing quadricyclane by the conversion of norbornadiene. A sensitizer, such as a substituted diaminobenzophenone having a solubility in norbornadiene greater than that of Michler's Ketone, may be added to the norbornadiene to form a solution, wherein the sensitizer decreases the induction period at the beginning of the reaction, increases the photon or quantum efficiency of conversion of norbornadiene to quadricyclane, and increases the rate of conversion at the end of the reaction. The solution may be irradiated with light from a metal halide-doped mercury arc lamp and filtered through a sharp cut-off filter to render photochemical transformation of norbornadiene to quadricyclane more efficient than when other light sources are utilized. Furthermore, the addition of a base to the solution tends to result in the formation of fewer by-products in the transformation reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for efficiently producing quadricyclane by the conversion of norbornadiene. A sensitizer, such as a substituted diaminobenzophenone having a solubility in norbornadiene greater than that of Michler's Ketone, may be added to the norbornadiene to form a solution, wherein the sensitizer decreases the induction period at the beginning of the reaction, increases the photon or quantum efficiency of conversion of norbornadiene to quadricyclane, and increases the rate of conversion at the end of the reaction. If the solution is irradiated with light from a metal halide-doped mercury arc lamp to photochemically transform the norbornadiene to quadricyclane, the conversion is more efficient than when other light sources are utilized. Furthermore, the addition of triethylamine to the solution tends to result in the formation of fewer by-products in the transformation reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for driving a non-polymerization solution-phase photochemical transformation. A sensitizer, such as a substituted diaminobenzophenone having a solubility in norbornadiene greater than that of Michler's Ketone, may be added to norbornadiene to form a solution, wherein the sensitizer decreases the induction period at the beginning of the reaction, increases the photon or quantum efficiency of conversion of norbornadiene to quadricyclane, and increases the rate of conversion at the end of the reaction. If the solution is irradiated with light from a metal halide-doped mercury arc lamp to photochemically transform the norbornadiene to quadricyclane, the conversion is more efficient than when other light sources are utilized. Furthermore, the addition of triethylamine to the solution tends to result in the formation of fewer by-products in the transformation reaction.

Abstract: Di-addended and tetra-addended Buckminster fullerenes are synthesized through the use of novel organoborane intermediates. The C.sub.60, C.sub.70, or higher fullerene is reacted with a borane such as BH.sub.3 in a solvent such as toluene to form an organoborane intermediate. Reaction of the organoborane such as hydrolysis with water or alcohol results in the product di-addended and tetra-addended fullerene in up to 30% yields. Dihydrofullerenes and tetrahydrofullerenes are produced by the process of the invention.