Vaulted trans‐Bis(salicylaldiminato)platinum(II) Crystals: Heat‐Resistant,Chromatically Sensitive Platforms for Solid‐State Phosphorescence at Ambient Temperature

The synthesis, structure, and solid‐state emission of vaulted trans‐bis(salicylaldiminato)platinum(II) complexes are described. A series of polymethylene ( 1 : n=8; 2 : n=9; 3 : n=10; 4 : n=11; 5 : n=12; 6 : n=13) and polyoxyethylene ( 7 : m=2; 8 : m=3; 9 : m=4) vaulted complexes (R=H ( a ), 3‐MeO ( b ), 4‐MeO ( c ), 5‐MeO ( d ), 6‐MeO ( e ), 4‐CF₃O ( f ), 5‐CF₃O ( g )) was prepared by treating [PtCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] with the corresponding N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,ω‐alkanediamines. The trans coordination, vaulted structures, and the crystal packing of 1 – 9 have been unequivocally established from X‐ray diffraction studies. Unpredictable, structure‐dependent phosphorescent emission has been observed for crystals of the complexes under UV excitation at ambient temperature, whereas these complexes are entirely nonemissive in the solution state under the same conditions. The long‐linked complex crystals 4 – 6 , 8 , and 9 exhibit intense emission (Φ_77K=0.22–0.88) at 77 K, whereas short‐linked complexes 1 – 3 and 7 are non‐ or slightly emissive at the same temperature (Φ_77K<0.01–0.18). At 298 K, some of the long‐linked crystals, 4 a , 4 b , 5 c , 5 e , 6 c , 6 e , and 9 b , completely lose their high‐emission properties with elevation of the temperature (Φ_298K<0.01–0.02), whereas the other long‐linked crystals, 5 a , 6 a , 9 a , and 9 d , exhibit high heat resistance towards emission decay with increasing temperature (Φ_298K=0.21–0.38). Chromogenic control of solid‐state emission over the range of 98 nm can be performed simply by introducing MeO groups at different positions on the aromatic rings. Orange, yellow‐green, red, and yellow emissions are observed in the glass and crystalline state upon 3‐, 4‐, 5‐, and 6‐MeO substitution, respectively, whereas those with CF₃O substituents have orange emission, irrespective of the substitution position. DFT calculations (B3LYP/6‐31G*, LanL2DZ) showed that such chromatic variation is ascribed to the position‐specific influence of the substituents on the highest‐occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest‐unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels of the trans‐bis(salicylaldiminato)platinum(II) platform. The solid‐state emission and its heat resistance have been discussed on the basis of X‐ray diffraction studies. The planarity of the trans‐coordination sites is strongly correlated to the solid‐state emission intensities of crystals 1 – 9 at lower temperatures. The specific heat‐resistance properties shown exclusively by the 5 a , 6 a , 9 a , and 9 d crystals are due to their strong three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding interactions and/or Pt???Pt contacts, whereas heat‐quenchable crystals 4 a , 4 b , 5 c , 5 e , 6 c , 6 e , and 9 b are poorly bound with limited interactions, such as non‐, one‐, or two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding networks. These results lead to the conclusion that Pt???Pt contacts are an important factor in the heat resistance of solid‐state phosphorescence at ambient temperature, although the role of Pt???Pt contacts can be substituted by only higher‐ordered hydrogen‐bonding fixation.     

Organic Crystals with Near‐Infrared Amplified Spontaneous Emissions Based on 2′‐Hydroxychalcone Derivatives: Subtle Structure Modification but Great Property Change

A series of highly efficient deep red to near‐infrared (NIR) emissive organic crystals 1 – 3 based on the structurally simple 2′‐hydroxychalcone derivatives were synthesized through a simple one‐step condensation reaction. Crystal 1 displays the highest quantum yield (Φ_f) of 0.32 among the reported organic single crystals with an emission maximum (λ_em) over 710 nm. Comparison between the bright emissive crystals 1 – 3 and the nearly nonluminous compounds 4 – 7 clearly gives evidence that a subtle structure modification can arouse great property changes, which is instructive in designing new high‐efficiency organic luminescent materials. Notably, crystals 1 – 3 exhibit amplified spontaneous emissions (ASE) with extremely low thresholds. Thus, organic deep red to NIR emissive crystals with very high Φ_f have been obtained and are found to display the first example of NIR fluorescent crystal ASE.     

X‐Ray and Electron Diffraction Study of Poly(p‐dioxanone)

Summary: Solution‐grown lamellar crystals of poly(p‐dioxanone) (PPDX) have been crystallized isothermally from butane‐1,4‐diol at 100 °C. The crystal structure of PPDX has been determined by interpretation of X‐ray fiber diagrams of PPDX fibers and electron diffraction diagrams of lozenge‐shaped chain‐folder lamellar crystals. The unit cell of PPDX is orthorhombic with space group P2₁2₁2₁ and parameters: a = 0.970 nm, b = 0.742 nm, and c (chain axis) = 0.682 nm. There are two chains per unit cell, which exist in an antiparallel arrangement.

Transmission electron micrograph of PPDX chain‐folded lamellar crystals obtained by isothermal crystallization and its electron diffraction diagram.     

A Novel μ2‐(H2O)‐Bridged Double‐Chain Coordination Polymer [Cd(pc)(phen)(H2O)]n with Rhombic Grids (H2pc = pamoic acid,phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline)

A novel coordination polymer [Cd(pc)(phen)(H₂O)]_n (H₂pc = pamoic acid, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline) has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that the compound crystallizes in triclinic space group P1. All the Cd^II atoms in the compound are hexacoordinate and are linked by pamoicate ligands to form a one‐dimensional zigzag chain. Furthermore, two adjacent zigzag chains are connected by the μ₂‐(H₂O) molecules to form a double‐chain with rhombic grids. There exist intermolecular C–H ··· π contacts, π–π stacking and hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Compound 1 displays strong fluorescent emission in the solid state at room temperature.     

Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) Complexes of the 3‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐5,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazine (PDPT) Ligand,Structural Studies of [Zn(PDPT)2Cl(ClO4)] and [Cd(PDPT)2(NO3)(ClO4)]

Two new mixed‐anion zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of 3‐(2‐pyridyl)‐5,6‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazine (PDPT) ligand, [Zn(PDPT)₂Cl(ClO₄)] and [Cd(PDPT)₂(NO₃)(ClO₄)], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR‐ and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X‐ray analyses show that the coordination number in these complexes is six with four N‐donor atoms from two “PDPT” ligand and two of the anionic ligands, ZnN₄ClO_perchlorate, CdN₄O_nitrateO_perchlorate. Self‐assembly of these compounds in the solid state via π–π‐stacking interactions is discussed.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Emission Spectra of Lanthanum(III) Coordination Polymer with 1,5‐Naphthalenedisulfonate Ligand

The first two‐dimensional lanthanum(III) coordination polymer, [La(1,5‐NDS)_1.5(H₂O)₅]_n (1) (1,5‐NDS^2? = 1,5‐naphthalenedisulfonate), was synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The disulfonate ligands act in the η¹:η¹:μ₂ and η¹:η¹:η¹:μ₃ binding modes to link the LaO₉ tricapped trigonal prisms into a lamellar structure. It exhibits strong purple emission in the solid state.     

A threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional zinc(II) supramolecular architecture based on 3‐nitrobenzoic acid and 4,4′‐bipyridine

With regard to crystal engineering, building block or modular assembly methodologies have shown great success in the design and construction of metal–organic coordination polymers. The critical factor for the construction of coordination polymers is the rational choice of the organic building blocks and the metal centre. The reaction of Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O (OAc is acetate) with 3‐nitrobenzoic acid (HNBA) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) under hydrothermal conditions produced a two‐dimensional zinc(II) supramolecular architecture, catena‐poly[[bis(3‐nitrobenzoato‐κ²O,O′)zinc(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′], [Zn(C₇H₄NO₄)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n or [Zn(NBA)₂(4,4′‐bipy)]_n, which was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The Zn^II ions are connected by the 4,4′‐bipy ligands to form a one‐dimensional zigzag chain and the chains are decorated with anionic NBA ligands which interact further through aromatic π–π stacking interactions, expanding the structure into a threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The solid‐state fluorescence analysis indicates a slight blue shift compared with pure 4,4′‐bipyridine and HNBA.     

Highly Emissive Diborylphenylene‐Containing Bis(phenylethynyl)benzenes: Structure–Photophysical Property Correlations and Fluoride Ion Sensing

A series of 2,5‐bis(dimesitylboryl)‐1,4‐bis(arylethynyl)benzenes 1 – 6 that contain various p‐substituents on the terminal benzene rings, including NPh₂ ( 1 ), OMe ( 2 ), Me ( 3 ), H ( 4 ), CF₃ ( 5 ), and CN ( 6 ) groups, were synthesized, and the effects of the p‐substituents on the absorption and fluorescence properties were investigated both in solution and in the solid state. Linear relationships were obtained not only between the Hammett σ_p⁺ constants of the p‐substituents and the absorption and fluorescence maxima, quantum yields, and excited‐state dynamics parameters in solution, but also between the σ_p⁺ constants and the fluorescence quantum yields in the solid state. An important finding extracted from these results is that the suppressed fluorescence quenching in the solid state is a common feature for the present laterally boryl‐substituted π‐conjugated skeletons. Hence, the diborylphenylene can serve as a useful core unit to develop highly emissive organic solids. In fact, most of the derivatives showed more intense emission in the solid state than in solution. In addition to these studies, the titration experiment of 1 by the addition of nBu₄NF was conducted, which showed the stepwise bindings of two fluoride ions with high association constants as well as a drastic change in the fluorescence spectra, while constantly maintaining high quantum yields (0.61–0.76), irrespective of the binding modes. This result also demonstrated the potential utility of the present molecules as an efficient fluorescent fluoride ion sensor.     

High‐Nuclear Organometallic Copper(I)–Alkynide Clusters: Thermochromic Near‐Infrared Luminescence and Solution Stability

Cu(CF₃COO)₂ reacts with tert‐butylacetylene (tBuC≡CH) in methanol in the presence of metallic copper powder to give two air‐stable clusters, [Cu^I₁₅(tBuC≡C)₁₀(CF₃COO)₅]?tBuC≡CH ( 1 ) and [Cu^I₁₆(tBuC≡C)₁₂(CF₃COO)₄(CH₃OH)₂] ( 2 ). The assembly process involves in situ comproportionation reaction between Cu²⁺ and Cu⁰ and the formation of two different clusters is controlled by reactants concentration. The clusters consist of Cu₁₅ and Cu₁₆ cores co‐stabilized by strong by σ‐ and π‐bonded tert‐butylethynide and CF₃COO^? (together with methanol molecule in 2 ). Their stabilities in solution were confirmed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in which the cluster core remains intact for 1 in chloroform and acetone, and for 2 in acetonitrile. Strong thermochromic luminescence in the near infrared (NIR) region was observed in the solid‐state. Of particular interest, the emission maximum of 1 is red‐shifted from 710 nm at 298 K to 793 nm at 93 K, along with a 17‐fold fluorescence enhancement. In contrast, 2 exhibits red shift from 298 to 123 K followed by blue shift from 123 to 93 K. The emission wavelength was correlated with the structural parameters using variable‐temperature X‐ray single‐crystal analyses. The rich cuprophilic interaction plays a significant role in the formation of ³LMCT (tBuC≡C→Cu_x) excited state mixed with cluster‐centered (³CC) characters, which can be considerably influenced by temperature, leading to thermochromic luminescence. The present work provides 1) a new synthetic protocol for the high‐nuclear Cu^I–alkynyl clusters; 2) a comprehensive insight into the mechanism of thermochromic luminescence; 3) unusual emissive materials with the characters of NIR and thermochromic luminescence simultaneously.     

Two novel organic–inorganic hybrid materials from tetrachloridometallate(II) salts and 4‐[(E)‐2‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐yl)ethenyl]pyridinium

Two organic–inorganic hybrid compounds have been prepared by the combination of the 4‐[(E)‐2‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐yl)ethenyl]pyridinium cation with perhalometallate anions to give 4‐[(E)‐2‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐yl)ethenyl]pyridinium tetrachloridocobaltate(II), (C₁₂H₁₂N₂)[CoCl₄], (I), and 4‐[(E)‐2‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐yl)ethenyl]pyridinium tetrachloridozincate(II), (C₁₂H₁₂N₂)[ZnCl₄], (II). The compounds have been structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, showing the formation of a three‐dimensional network through X—H...Cl_nM⁻ (X = C, N⁺; n = 1, 2; M = Co^II, Zn^II) hydrogen‐bonding interactions and π–π stacking interactions. The title compounds were also characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Spin Frustration in a Family of Pillared Kagomé Layers of High‐Spin Cobalt(II) Ions

Based on the analogous kagomé [Co₃(imda)₂] layers (imda=imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylate), a family of pillar‐layered frameworks with the formula of [Co₃(imda)₂(L)₃] ? (L)_n ? xH₂O ( 1 : L=pyrazine, n=0, x=8; 2 : L=4,4′‐bipyridine, n=1, x=8; 3 : L=1,4‐di(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene, n=1, x=13; 4 : L=4,4′‐di(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,1′‐biphenyl, n=1, x=14) have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal/solvothermal method. Single‐crystal structural analysis shows a significant increase in the interlayer distances synchronized with the extension of the pillar ligands, namely, 7.092(3) ( 1 ), 10.921(6) ( 2 ), 14.780(5) ( 3 ), and 19.165(4) Å ( 4 ). Despite the wrinkled kagomé layers in complexes 2 – 4 , comprehensive magnetic characterizations revealed weakening of interlayer magnetic interactions and an increase in the degree of frustration as the pillar ligand becomes longer from 1 to 4 ; this leads to characteristic magnetic ground states. For compound 4 , which has the longest interlayer distance, the interlayer interaction is so weak that the magnetic properties observed within the range of temperature measured would correspond to the frustrated layer.     

How a Small Structural Difference Can Turn Optical Properties of π‐Extended Coumarins Upside Down: The Role of Non‐Innocent Saturated Rings

The fluorescence properties of two new families of heterocycles possessing either a seven‐ or five‐membered ring attached at the core molecule are entirely different in solution and in the solid state. Crystallization has the effect of inhibiting non‐radiative excited‐state deactivation pathways, operative in solution for the seven‐membered ring compounds, thus leading to significant fluorescence efficiency in the solid state, with quantum yields ranging from 0.10 to 0.36. Conversely, the five‐membered ring derivatives, which display notable emission properties in solution, are almost non‐emissive in the crystalline state, characterized by a long‐range π‐stacked arrangement. When embedded in polymeric films, both series show fluorescence features similar to the solution case, with remarkable fluorescence quantum yields ranging from 0.09 to 0.41. According to quantum chemical calculations, 3H‐chromeno[3,4‐c]pyridine‐4,5‐diones show the specific mechanism of fluorescence quenching. The derivatives bearing the seven‐membered ring undergo, in solution, a significant structural deformation in the excited state, resulting in a large decrease of the energy gap between S₁ and S₀ and hence to a substantial contribution of the internal conversion in the relaxation process. The fluorescence quenching of the five‐membered ring derivatives is in turn related to the intermolecular interaction between adjacent molecules prevailing to a greater extent in the crystal lattice.     

Carbo‐biphenyls and Carbo‐terphenyls: Oligo(phenylene ethynylene) Ring Carbo‐mers

Ring carbo‐mers of oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s (OPEn, n=0–2), made of C₂‐catenated C₁₈ carbo‐benzene rings, have been synthesized and characterized by NMR and UV‐vis spectroscopy, crystallography and voltammetry. Analyses of crystal and DFT‐optimized structures show that the C₁₈ rings preserve their individual aromatic character according to structural and magnetic criteria (NICS indices). Carbo‐terphenyls (n=2) are reversibly reduced at ca. ?0.42 V/SCE, i.e. 0.41 V more readily than the corresponding carbo‐benzene (?0.83 V/SCE), thus revealing efficient inter‐ring π‐conjugation. An accurate linear fit of E_1/2^red1 vs. the DFT LUMO energy suggests a notably higher value (?0.30 V/SCE) for a carbo‐quaterphenyl congener (n=3). Increase with n of the effective π‐conjugation is also evidenced by a red shift of two of the three main visible light absorption bands, all being assigned to TDDFT‐calculated excited states, one of them restricting to a HOMO→LUMO main one‐electron transition.     

Crystal Structures and Phase‐Transition Dynamics of Cobaltocenium Salts with Bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)amide Anions: Remarkable Odd–Even Effect of the Fluorocarbon Chains in the Anion

Crystal structures and thermal properties of cobaltocenium salts with bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)amide (C_nF_2n+1SO₂)₂N anions [n=0 ( 1 ), 1 ( 1 a ), 2 ( 1 b ), 3 ( 1 c ), and 4 ( 1 d )] and the 1,1,2,2,3,3‐hexafluoropropane‐1,3‐disulfonylamide anion ( 2 ) were investigated. In these solids, the cations are surrounded by four anions around their C₅ axis, and stacking of these local structures forms two kinds of assembled structures. In the salts with even n ( 1 , 1 b , and 1 d ), the cation and anion are arranged alternately to form mixed‐stack columns in the crystal. In contrast, in the salts with odd n ( 1 a and 1 c ), the cations and anions independently form segregated‐stack columns. An odd–even effect was also observed in the sum of the phase‐change entropies from crystal to melt. All of the salts exhibited phase transitions in the solid state. The phase transitions to the lowest‐temperature phase in 1 , 1 a , and 2 are accompanied by order–disorder of the anions and symmetry lowering of the space group, which results in the formation of an ion pair. Solid‐state ¹³C NMR measurements on 1 a and 1 b revealed enhanced molecular motions of the cation in the higher‐temperature phases.     

Synthesis,Properties, and Remarkable 2 D Self‐Assembly at the Liquid/Solid Interface of a Series of Triskele‐Shaped 5,11,17‐Triazatrinaphthylenes (TrisK)

A series of 5,11,17‐triazatrinaphthylene (TrisK) derivatives, large disk‐like π‐conjugated molecules with C_3h symmetry, has been synthesised by following an optimised synthetic pathway. The synthesis was performed by a four‐step protocol based on the N‐arylation of 1,3,5‐tribromobenzene with appropriate anthranilate derivatives. This strategy permits the generation of either chlorinated ( TrisK‐Cl‐OCn ) or non‐chlorinated ( TrisK‐H‐OCn ) alkoxy‐substituted derivatives (OC_nH_2n+1 with n=3, 10, 12 and 16), thus providing additional versatility in the control of the structure–property relationships. The electronic properties of the various TrisK compounds have been characterised in solution by absorption and emission spectroscopies as well as cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structure of 2,8,14‐propyloxy‐5,11,17‐triazatrinaphthylene TrisK‐H‐OC3 has been determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis, which revealed the presence of stabilising weak intermolecular H bonds. Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) at the liquid/solid interface has revealed the remarkable 2D self‐assembling properties of the TrisK compounds. In particular, it has shown that TrisK‐H‐OC12 forms three concomitant self‐organised 2D phases with different row‐packing arrangements. This 2D polymorphism arises from slow ordering due to the presence of three long dodecyloxy chains on the molecular backbone. Individual molecules can be imaged with spectacular intramolecular resolution, thus providing the possibility of correlating the STM features with the calculated charge density distribution.     

A clothes‐peg‐shaped binuclear trans‐bis(2‐aminotroponato)palladium(II) complex bearing pentamethylene spacers

rac‐Bis{μ‐trans‐2,2′‐[pentane‐1,5‐diylbis(azanediyl)]ditroponato}dipalladium(II), [Pd₂(C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₂)₂], has been synthesized and fully characterized using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, ¹H NMR, FT–IR and mass spectroscopy. The trans coordination, vaulted structure and anti conformation have been unequivocally established from the X‐ray diffraction studies. This is the first example of a bis(aminotroponato)palladium complex. In the crystalline state, the molecule has twofold symmetry and each molecular unit undergoes intermolecular offset π‐stacking of the tropone rings to afford heterochiral interpenetrating dimers that are aligned in a lamellar manner with a herringbone packing motif.     

Relationship between Molecular Stacking and Optical Properties of 9,10‐Bis((4‐N,N‐dialkylamino)styryl) Anthracene Crystals: The Cooperation of Excitonic and Dipolar Coupling

Five 9,10‐bis((4‐N,N‐dialkylamino)styryl) anthracene derivatives (DSA‐C1–DSA‐C7) with different length alkyl chains were synthesized. They showed the same color in dilute solutions but different colors in crystals. The absorption, photoluminescence, and fluorescence decay indicate that there exist both excitonic and dipolar coupling in crystals of DSA‐C1–DSA‐C7. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed that all the crystals belong to the triclinic space group P$\bar 1$ with one molecule per unit cell and that the molecules in every crystal have the identical orientation. This offers ideal samples to investigate the impact of the molecular stacking on the optical properties of the crystals. For the first time, the cooperation of excitonic and dipolar coupling has been comprehensively studied, and the contribution to the spectral shift from the excitonic and dipolar couplings quantitatively obtained. The experiments of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) together with measurements of the quantum efficiency further confirmed this interpretation. The results suggest that the excitonic and dipolar couplings between the adjacent molecules are both important and jointly induce the spectral shifts of the crystals.     

A new two‐dimensional ZnII coordination polymer based on 1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene and 5‐nitrobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylic acid: synthesis,crystal structure and physical properties

A novel two‐dimensional (2D) Zn^II coordination framework, poly[[μ‐1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene](μ‐5‐nitrobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato)zinc(II)], [Zn(C₈H₃NO₆)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n or [Zn(NO₂‐BDC)(1,3‐BMIB)]_n [1,3‐BMIB is 1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene and NO₂‐H₂BDC is 5‐nitrobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylic acid], has been prepared and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, thermal analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that the compound is a new 2D polymer with a 6³ topology parallel to the (10) crystal planes based on left‐handed helices, right‐handed helical NO₂‐BDC–Zn chains and [Zn₂(1,3‐BMIB)₂]_n clusters. In the crystal, adjacent layers are further connected by C—H…O hydrogen bonds, C—H…π interactions, C—O…π interactions and N—O…π interactions to form a three‐dimensional structure in the solid state. In addition, the compound exhibits strong fluorescence emissions in the solid state at room temperature.     

Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties of Hexahydroxylated 10‐O‐R‐Substituted Anthracenes via a New Modification of the Friedel–Crafts Reaction Using O‐Protected ortho‐Acetal Diarylmethanols

A new modification of the Friedel–Crafts type intramolecular cyclization involving O‐protected ortho‐acetal diarylmethanols as a new type of reactant, was carried out for the first time in a medium containing a large amount of water at room temperature and enabled synthesis of a series of electron‐rich, hexahydroxylated 10‐O‐R‐substituted anthracenes, where R is an alkyl (Me, nBu, n‐C₁₆H₃₃) or arylalkyl group (CH₂Ph, CH₂‐2‐Napht, CH₂C₆H₄CH₂OAr) and also evaluation of their electronic and optoelectronic properties in solution, crystal, and solid thin film. In this transformation, a central 10‐O‐R‐substituted benzene ring was formed, fused to rings originating from two independent aromatic aldehydes. The reaction proceeded via two identified mechanisms involving acetal and/or free aldehyde groups. The acid sensitive acetal and dibenzyl alkoxy functions have never been used together in the intramolecular Friedel–Crafts type cyclization. The new compounds revealed deep blue fluorescence and quantum yields in solution around 0.3. The electrical properties investigated for thin films obtained by vacuum deposition on glass were 10‐O‐R‐substituent dependent and showed much faster transient current decay in the case of the 10‐O‐CH₂Ph derivative than for the material with a 10‐O‐Me substituent (the lifetime of charge carriers was 25 times shorter in this case). The AFM images of thin films, Stokes shifts, and X‐ray analysis of π‐stacking interactions in crystals of the new materials have been also obtained.     

Amphiphilic Inclusion Spaces for Various Guests and Regulation of Fluorescence Intensity of 1,8‐Bis(4‐aminophenyl)anthracene Crystals

A host framework for inclusion of various guest molecules was investigated by preparation of inclusion crystals of 1,8‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)anthracene (1,8‐BAPA) with organic solvents. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed construction of the same inclusion space incorporating 1,8‐BAPA and eight guest molecules including both non‐polar (benzene) and polar guests (N,N‐dimethylformamide, DMF). Fluorescence efficiencies varied depending on guest molecule polarity; DMF inclusion crystals exhibited the highest fluorescence intensity (Φ_F=0.40), four times as high as that of a benzene inclusion crystal (Φ_F=0.10). According to systematic investigations of inclusion phenomena, strong host–guest interactions and filling of the inclusion space led to a high fluorescence intensity. Temperature‐dependent fluorescence spectral measurements revealed these factors effectively immobilised the host framework. Although hydrogen bonding commonly decreases fluorescence intensity, the present study demonstrated that such strong interactions provide excellent conditions for fluorescence enhancement. Thus, this remarkable behaviour has potential application toward sensing of highly polar molecules, such as biogenic compounds.