Synthesis and properties of 7,7-bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)-8,8-dicyano-1,4-quinodimethanes

The synthesis and properties of a novel type of 7,7-bis(heteroazulen-3-yl)-8,8-dicyano-1,4-quinodimethanes (9a-c) are studied. The synthetic method is based on a TFA-catalyzed electrophilic aromatic substitution on the heteroazulenes with 4-(dicyanomethyl)benzaldehyde to afford the corresponding methane derivatives, followed by oxidative hydrogen abstraction with DDQ. The polarization of 9a-c is evaluated by the inspection of their ¹³C NMR and IR spectra. Based on the investigation of the UV-Vis spectra of 9a-c and protonated cations 10a-c, conformational changes of the heteroazulene-moiety and (dicyanomethyl)phenyl group are suggested. In the CV measurements of 9a-c, two reversible reduction waves are observed, indicating the stabilizing ability of heteroazulenes toward the corresponding radical and anion species. Furthermore, 9a-c exhibit two irreversible oxidation waves, which suggest a conformational change in the radical cation during the redox process. The conformational change is rationalized on the basis of the MO calculations.