Nicolas
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nicolasn.bsky.social
Nicolas
@nicolasn.bsky.social
Chemist, spectroscopist, exp/theory.
www.youtube.com/c/niconeuman
Finally our paper on copper corroles is out in Inorganic Chemistry @pubs.acs.org!

#chemsky #realtimechem #science #comp_chem
1/n

Electronic Structure and Hypercorrole Features of Deprotonated Free-Base and Reduced Copper Corroles | Inorganic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Electronic Structure and Hypercorrole Features of Deprotonated Free-Base and Reduced Copper Corroles
We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and spectroscopic and computational electronic-structural characterization of two copper corroles, [Cu(5,15-bis(4-methylcarboxyphenyl)-10-(2-methylcarboxyphenyl)corrole)] (1Cu) and [Cu(5,15-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-10-(2-methylcarboxyphenyl)corrole)] (2Cu), as well as spectroscopic and computational studies on the corrole ligands (H3L1 and H3L2) in their neutral and anionic forms. We have found that the anionic corroles containing the 4-nitrophenyl substituents in positions 5 and 15 of the corrole ring show hypercorrole behavior, where the Q-bands are considerably more intense and red-shifted compared to those in the 4-methylcarboxyphenyl-substituted corroles. Electronic structure calculations using wave function methods (CASSCF/NEVPT2) reveal that the intense Q-bands, which extend slightly into the NIR region, are charge-transfer bands from the anionic corrole core to the strongly electron-withdrawing 4-nitrophenyl substituents. We further show that 2Cu can be reduced indirectly in the presence of excess F– or OH–, and the Q-band shifts toward the red in the polar environment containing the corresponding salts. Our study provides examples of easy-to-prepare anionic corroles, metalated and unmetalated, that show hypercorrole behavior and NIR absorption, and thus could find use in hyperthermal processes.
pubs.acs.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Finally our paper on copper corroles is out in Inorganic Chemistry @pubs.acs.org!

#chemsky #realtimechem #science #comp_chem
1/n

Electronic Structure and Hypercorrole Features of Deprotonated Free-Base and Reduced Copper Corroles | Inorganic Chemistry pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Electronic Structure and Hypercorrole Features of Deprotonated Free-Base and Reduced Copper Corroles
We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and spectroscopic and computational electronic-structural characterization of two copper corroles, [Cu(5,15-bis(4-methylcarboxyphenyl)-10-(2-methylcarboxyphenyl)corrole)] (1Cu) and [Cu(5,15-bis(4-nitrophenyl)-10-(2-methylcarboxyphenyl)corrole)] (2Cu), as well as spectroscopic and computational studies on the corrole ligands (H3L1 and H3L2) in their neutral and anionic forms. We have found that the anionic corroles containing the 4-nitrophenyl substituents in positions 5 and 15 of the corrole ring show hypercorrole behavior, where the Q-bands are considerably more intense and red-shifted compared to those in the 4-methylcarboxyphenyl-substituted corroles. Electronic structure calculations using wave function methods (CASSCF/NEVPT2) reveal that the intense Q-bands, which extend slightly into the NIR region, are charge-transfer bands from the anionic corrole core to the strongly electron-withdrawing 4-nitrophenyl substituents. We further show that 2Cu can be reduced indirectly in the presence of excess F– or OH–, and the Q-band shifts toward the red in the polar environment containing the corresponding salts. Our study provides examples of easy-to-prepare anionic corroles, metalated and unmetalated, that show hypercorrole behavior and NIR absorption, and thus could find use in hyperthermal processes.
pubs.acs.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:54 AM
This has been an awesome week! Had the opportunity to talk with brilliant people who do great and ambitious things!
I leave with a lot of ideas and, mainly with the feeling that I need to and can tackle larger problems!
November 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Submitted proofs, finished my presentation for next week (although I'm probably going to keep editing 'til the night before). Have everything ready to fly on Sunday!! Really excited!
It's a crazy year but many good things coming!
October 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The paper was accepted!! So happy! This is the first corrole paper from my group in Argentina. It took almost four years, but it was worth it! I will post the link when it's ASAP at Inorg. Chem. #chemsky #chemistry
I have a paper which has been awaiting decision since Friday, and yet I had a normal not freaking out weekend. I must be growing up.
October 20, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Reposted by Nicolas
🚨The Chemistry Europe Travel Grant offers €2,000 for a 1–2-month research stay abroad. Expand your network, gain lab experience, boost your career—apply now! 🌍🔬🧪

www.chemistryviews.org/chemistry-eu...
October 20, 2025 at 10:12 AM
I have a paper which has been awaiting decision since Friday, and yet I had a normal not freaking out weekend. I must be growing up.
October 20, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Today I finally submitted the second revisions for my corrole paper. I hope this is the last round. For the first revisions I basically redid all calculations and it took me a month. For second I did new experiments. When it is accepted it will be my first corrole paper done in Argentina.
October 14, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Temp files full folder
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.

rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Our govt announced (after rescinding all the grants that were assigned and not opening new calls for 2 years) that they are going to fund projects with applications that can be translated to products. Basically no more basic science, only tech startup money. 1/n
October 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Posting again! Homemade UV filter using FeCl3, PVA and glycine. For taking pictures of fluorescent solutions. #science #diy #chemistry

youtu.be/Oyt2jbwTyuE
DIY UV filter using Iron trichloride and PVA gel
YouTube video by Prof Nicolas
youtu.be
October 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A short video demonstrating a simple UV filter based on PVA and Fe(III) salts.
#realtimechem #chemsky

youtu.be/Oyt2jbwTyuE
DIY UV filter using Iron trichloride and PVA gel
YouTube video by Prof Nicolas
youtu.be
October 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Now I suddenly want to start working in MOFs. I have prepared tetracarboxyphenylporphyrin, but couldn't purify it it was too insoluble in DCM and the like and impurities were too soluble in MeOH/H2O. I will have to revisit it.
October 8, 2025 at 12:59 PM
My choice starter word finally worked in wordle. First time I do it in one guess!
October 6, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Saturday morning working a little before the family wakes up. I have my own revisions to finish but I decided to procrastinate! #science #chemsky
October 4, 2025 at 11:07 AM
I made an UV filter for taking photos of red fluorescence in my corroles,so I can avoid the violet shine and have better sensitivity. Still needs some tweaking as it was somewhat opaque. But filters really well!
#realtimechem #chemsky
October 3, 2025 at 7:19 PM
This is not red cabbage! These are all #corrole solutions! Beautiful colours made by Gianella at our lab! #realtimechem #chemsky #science
September 18, 2025 at 8:26 PM
New video on orbital plotting with @avogadro.cc
It's a short one, I like the plots but couldn't find how to change several settings.
#chemsky #compchem #science

youtu.be/q6NuntAZdIw
Avogadro2: How to plot molecular orbitals and save images
YouTube video by Prof Nicolas
youtu.be
September 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Did some cleaning in the backyard. We had a non functioning orchard, made on top of a pile of construction debris from when our house was built. I never grew anything there and finally started to clean it up. We also rented a container for a lot of junk.
August 16, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Yesterday and today were productive days. I did some stuff in the lab, graded two finals, almost finished the revisions for a paper, which amounted to redoing almost all the calculations, and even cleaned up part of the lab, sanding the crust on the floor included. I'm tired but really content.
August 13, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I had to cut down almost half of my beautiful Lapacho tree, because the neighbor doesn't like the leaves falling on their backyard pool, and also doesn't like the shade. Quite sad about it, it's the second oldest tree I planted, long before the house was built.
August 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
There is currently a live stream of a robot exploring and taking samples at the bottom of the ocean near Mar del Plata, Argentina. Around 50k people are watching! #science

www.youtube.com/live/Fa-iwwx...
Lance 39.1 Mar Del Plata Canyon | SOI Divestream 818 PART 2
YouTube video by Schmidt Ocean
www.youtube.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Reposted by Nicolas
While I have everyone's attention, the genocide happening in Palestine -- in Gaza AND the West Bank -- is a crime against humanity.

Please raise your voice in defense of Palestinian lives. They are depending on us to remind those with power that they have a right to live.
July 28, 2025 at 8:41 PM
At last, the cover of our work in Angewandte Chemie was published! Very proud and happy of being able to collaborate with awesome chemists (Alok Mahata, R. Rudolf, R. Walter and Prof. Biprajit Sarkar) in super interesting projects!
#chemsky #academicchatter

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...
July 24, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Postdoc results for the 2024 (actually 2025) CONICET call just announced. The candidate I proposed didn't make the cut (although recommended by the committee). Only 22 PDs in chemistry for the whole country we're awarded. It's hard to keep going without new people joining the labs. A lost generation
July 11, 2025 at 10:57 PM