The study of a first set of precursors indicated the key role of steric hindrance in the viability of the targets. These preliminary results opened two research lines.
The first one covered the design of unprecedented versions of dyes, known as “Stenhouse salts”. And allowed for the observation and spectroscopic characterization for the first time of an electronically non-stabilized non-Kekulé ketocyanine at low temperature. A seminal paper on this work is of imminent submission during the first trimester of 2022.
Electrochemical investigations of other precursors also unveiled a second research line, providing promising guidelines for the isolation of targeted dyes at room temperature. Closely related models were also used for a side study, which was part of the training of the fellow in electrochemistry. This work unveiled critical misconceptions in the mechanism of important biomimetic radical transformations. (see: L. Delfau, S. Nichilo, F. Molton, J. Broggi, E. Tomás-Mendivil,* D. Martin* Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 26783-26789.).