Donor–Acceptor (D–A)‐Substituted Polyyne Chromophores: Modulation of Their Optoelectronic Properties by Varying the Length of the Acetylene Spacer

A series of donor–acceptor‐substituted alkynes, 2 a – f , was synthesized in which the length of the π‐conjugated polyyne spacer between the N,N‐diisopropylanilino donor and the 1,1,4,4‐tetracyanobuta‐1,3‐diene (TCBD) acceptor was systematically changed. The effect of this structural change on the optoelectronic properties of the molecules and, ultimately, their third‐order optical nonlinearity was comprehensively investigated. The branched N,N‐diisopropyl groups on the anilino donor moieties combined with the nonplanar geometry of 2 a – f imparted exceptionally high solubility to these chromophores. This important property allowed for performing INADEQUATE NMR measurements without ¹³C labeling, which, in turn, resulted in a complete assignment of the carbon skeleton in chromophores 2 a – f and the determination of the ¹³C–¹³C coupling constants. This body of data provided unprecedented insight into characteristic ¹³C chemical shift patterns in push–pull‐substituted polyynes. Electrochemical and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies showed that the HOMO–LUMO energy gap decreases with increasing length of the polyyne spacer, while this effect levels off for spacers with more than four acetylene units. The third‐order optical nonlinearity of this series of molecules was determined by measuring the rotational averages of the third‐order polarizabilities (γ_rot) by degenerate four‐wave mixing (DFWM). These latter studies revealed high third‐order optical nonlinearities for the new chromophores; most importantly, they provided fundamental insight into the effect of the conjugated spacer length in D–A polyynes, that can be exploited in the future design of suitable charge‐transfer chromophores for applications in optoelectronic devices.     

Two‐Dimensional Acetylenic Scaffolding: Extended Donor‐Substituted Perethynylated Dehydroannulenes

Starting from (Z)‐bis(N,N‐diisopropylanilino)‐substituted tetraethynylethene (TEE), perethynylated octadehydro[12]‐ and dodecadehydro[18]annulenes were prepared by oxidative Hay coupling. The dodecadehydro[18]annulene with six peripheral N,N‐diisopropylanilino substituents was characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Elongation of the Z‐bisdeprotected TEE by Cadiot–Chodkiewicz coupling with 1‐bromo‐2‐(triisopropylsilyl)ethyne provided a Z‐configured bis(butadiyne), which after alkyne deprotection afforded under Hay coupling conditions N,N‐diisopropylanilino‐substituted perethynylated hexadecadehydro[20]‐ and tetracosadehydro[30]an‐nulenes. The diisopropylanilino substituents enhance the properties of these unprecedented all‐carbon perimeters in several distinct ways. They ensure their solubility, increase their stability, and importantly, engage in strong intramolecular charge‐transfer interactions with the electron‐accepting all‐carbon cores, resulting in intense, bathochromically shifted charge‐transfer bands in the UV/Vis spectra. The charge‐transfer character of these bands was confirmed by protonation‐neutralization experiments. The redox properties of the new carbon‐rich chromophores were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and rotating disk voltammetry, which indicated different redox behavior for aromatic (4n+2 π electrons) and antiaromatic (4n π electrons) dehydroannulenes.     

Geometry and bond‐length alternation in nonlinear optical materials. II. Effects of donor strength in two push–pull molecules

The compounds N‐[2‐(4‐cyano‐5‐dicyanomethylene‐2,2‐dimethyl‐2,5‐dihydrofuran‐3‐yl)vinyl]‐N‐phenylacetamide, C₂₀H₁₆N₄O₂,(I), and 2‐{3‐cyano‐5,5‐dimethyl‐4‐[2‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)vinyl]‐2,5‐dihydrofuran‐2‐ylidene}malononitrile 0.376‐hydrate, C₁₇H₁₈N₄O·0.376H₂O, (II), are novel push–pull molecules. The significant bonding changes in the polyene chain compared with the parent molecule 2‐dicyanomethylene‐4,5,5‐trimethyl‐2,5‐dihyrofuran‐3‐carbonitrile are consistent with the relative electron‐donating properties of the acetanilido and piperidine groups. The packing of (I) utilizes one phenyl–cyano C—H...N and two phenyl–carbonyl C—H...O hydrogen bonds. Compound (II) crystallizes with a partial water molecule (0.376H₂O), consistent with cell packing that is dominated by attractive C—H...N(cyano) interactions. These compounds are precursors to novel nonlinear optical chromophores, studied to assess the impact of donor strength and the extent of conjugation on bond‐length alternation, crystal packing and aggregation.     

Tandem Insertion–[1,3]‐Rearrangement: Highly Enantioselective Construction of α‐Aminoketones

An enantioselective synthesis of α‐aminoketone derivatives were readily available through a tandem insertion–[1,3] O‐to‐C rearrangement reaction. The rhodium salt and chiral N,N′‐dioxide‐indium(III) complex make up relay catalysis, which enables the O?H insertion of benzylic alcohols to N‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles, and asymmetric [1,3]‐rearrangement of amino enol ether intermediates, subsequently. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested that the [1,3] O‐to‐C rearrangement step proceeded through an ion pair pathway.     

Aromatic/proaromatic donors in 2-dicyanomethylenethiazole merocyanines: from neutral to strongly zwitterionic nonlinear optical chromophores

Push–pull compounds, in which a proaromatic electron donor is conjugated to a 2‐dicyanomethylenethiazole acceptor, have been prepared, and their properties compared to those of model compounds featuring an aromatic donor. A combined experimental (X‐ray diffraction, ¹H NMR, IR, Raman, UV/Vis, nonlinear optical (NLO) measurements) and theoretical study reveals that structural and solvent effects determine the ground‐state polarisation of these merocyanines: whereas 4H‐pyran‐4‐ylidene‐ and 4‐pyridylidene‐containing compounds are zwitterionic and 1,3‐dithiol‐2‐ylidene derivatives are close to the cyanine limit, anilino‐derived merocyanines are essentially neutral. This very large range of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) gives rise to efficient second‐order NLO chromophores with μβ values ranging from strongly negative to strongly positive. In particular, pyranylidene derivatives are unusual in that they show an increase in the degree of ICT on lengthening the π‐spacer, a feature that lies behind the very large negative μβ values they display. The linking of the formally quinoidal 2‐dicyanomethylenethiazole moiety to proaromatic donors seems a promising approach towards the optimisation of zwitterionic NLO chromophores.     

Strain‐Promoted Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition with Ruthenium(II)–Azido Complexes

The reactivity of an exemplary ruthenium(II)–azido complex towards non‐activated, electron‐deficient, and towards strain‐activated alkynes at room temperature and low millimolar azide and alkyne concentrations has been investigated. Non‐activated terminal and internal alkynes failed to react under such conditions, even under copper(I) catalysis conditions. In contrast, as expected, rapid cycloaddition was observed with electron‐deficient dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) as the dipolarophile. Since DMAD and related propargylic esters are excellent Michael acceptors and thus unsuitable for biological applications, we investigated the reactivity of the azido complex towards cycloaddition with derivatives of cyclooctyne (OCT), bicyclo[6.1.0]non‐4‐yne (BCN), and azadibenzocyclooctyne (ADIBO). While no reaction could be observed in the case of the less strained cyclooctyne OCT, the highly strained cyclooctynes BCN and ADIBO readily reacted with the azido complex, providing the corresponding stable triazolato complexes, which were amenable to purification by conventional silica gel column chromatography. An X‐ray crystal structure of an ADIBO cycloadduct was obtained and verified that the formed 1,2,3‐triazolato ligand coordinates the metal center through the central N2 atom. Importantly, the determined second‐order rate constant for the ADIBO cycloaddition with the azido complex (k₂=6.9 × 10^?2 M ^?1 s^?1) is comparable to the rate determined for the ADIBO cycloaddition with organic benzyl azide (k₂=4.0 × 10^?1 M ^?1 s^?1). Our results demonstrate that it is possible to transfer the concept of strain‐promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) from purely organic azides to metal‐coordinated azido ligands. The favorable reaction kinetics for the ADIBO‐azido‐ligand cycloaddition and the well‐proven bioorthogonality of strain‐activated alkynes should pave the way for applications in living biological systems.     

Unprecedented Dearomatized Spirocyclopropane in a Sequential Rhodium(III)‐Catalyzed C−H Activation and Rearrangement Reaction

An unprecedented dearomatized spirocyclopropane intermediate was discovered in a sequential Cp*Rh^III‐catalyzed C?H activation and Wagner–Meerwein‐type rearrangement reaction. How the oxidative O?N bond is cleaved and the role of HOAc were uncovered in this study. Furthermore, a Cp*Rh^III‐catalyzed dearomatization reaction of N‐(naphthalen‐1‐yloxy)acetamide with strained olefins was developed, affording a variety of spirocyclopropanes.     

An Efficient Synthesis of Novel 2‐(5‐indolyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole Derivatives and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Activities

In this paper, we report the synthesis of novel 2‐(5‐indolyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole derivatives. The methodology involves the Sonogashira reaction of 4‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐bromo‐N,N‐dimethylaniline ( 3 ) with variety of terminal alkynes to get corresponding novel 4‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐alkynyl‐N,N‐dimethylaniline derivatives ( 4 ). These compounds on iodocyclization afforded novel iodoindolylbenzimidazole derivatives ( 5 ). The resulting compounds were functionalized further via palladium‐mediated carbon–carbon bond formation for generating novel structurally diversified heterocyclic compounds. All these newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activity.     

Intramolecular Metal‐Free Oxidative Aryl–Aryl Coupling: An Unusual Hypervalent‐Iodine‐Mediated Rearrangement of 2‐Substituted N‐Phenylbenzamides

Hypervalent‐iodine‐mediated oxidative coupling of the two aryl groups in either 2‐acylamino‐N‐phenyl‐benzamides or 2‐hydroxy‐N‐phenylbenzamides, with concomitant insertion of the ortho‐substituted N or O atom into the tether, has been described for the first time. This unusual metal‐free rearrangement reaction involves an oxidative C(sp²)? C(sp²) aryl–aryl bond formation, cleavage of a C(sp²)? C(O) bond, and a lactamization/lactonization. Furthermore, unsymmetrical diaryl compounds can be easily obtained by removing the tether within the cyclized product.     

A novel synthetic route for the synthesis of 4,6‐diaryl‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐benzoxazoles

A new synthetic route was developed for the synthesis of 4,6‐diaryl‐2‐methyl‐l,3‐benzoxazoles and their hydrogenated derivatives. The target compounds were obtained via the Neber rearrangement from 3,5‐diaryl‐2‐cyclohexen‐l‐ones. The formation of the isomers in the dihydro derivatives was explained by the [1,5] sigmatropic shift of hydrogen under thermal condition. DDQ was employed for the dehydrogenation of the dihydro benzoxazoles.     

From Linear to T‐Shaped Indan‐1,3‐dione Push–Pull Molecules: A Comparative Study

A series of indan‐1,3‐dione‐based linear, quadrupolar and T‐shaped push–pull chromophores have been designed and synthesized by the Knoevenagel condensation and Pd‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura or Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions. The number and position of the peripheral donor branches attached to the central withdrawing indan‐1,3‐dione moiety have been varied jointly with the type of π‐linker used in order to modulate fundamental optoelectronic properties. The molecular structure of two chromophores has been confirmed by X‐ray analysis. The thermal and optoelectronic properties have further been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, electrochemistry, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. Based on these experimental and theoretical data, thorough structure–property relationships have been further evaluated and influence of the particular structural modification on chromophore properties has been discussed.     

Strain‐Accelerated Formation of Chiral,Optically Active Buta‐1,3‐dienes

The formal [2+2] cycloaddition–retroelectrocyclization (CA–RE) reactions between tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and strained, electron‐rich dibenzo‐fused cyclooctynes were studied. The effect of ring strain on the reaction kinetics was quantified, revealing that the rates of cycloaddition using strained, cyclic alkynes are up to 5500 times greater at 298 K than those of reactions using unstrained alkynes. Cyclobutene reaction intermediates, as well as buta‐1,3‐diene products, were isolated and their structures were studied crystallographically. Isolation of a rare example of a chiral buta‐1,3‐diene that is optically active and configurationally stable at room temperature is reported. Computational studies on the enantiomerization pathway of the buta‐1,3‐diene products showed that the eight‐membered ring inverts via a boat conformer in a ring‐flip mechanism. In agreement with computed values, experimentally measured activation barriers of racemization in these compounds were found to be up to 26 kcal mol^?1.     

N‐Arylated 3,5‐Dihydro‐4H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]azepines: Axially Chiral Donors with High Helical Twisting Powers for Nonplanar Push–Pull Chromophores

Axially chiral, N‐arylated 3,5‐dihydro‐4H‐dinaphtho[2,1‐c:1′,2′‐e]azepines have been prepared by short synthetic protocols from enantiopure 1,1′‐bi(2,2′‐naphthol) (BINOL) and anilines. Alkynes substituted with two N‐phenyldinaphthazepine donors readily undergo a formal [2+2] cycloaddition, followed by retro‐electrocyclization, with tetracyanoethene (TCNE) to yield donor‐substituted 1,1,4,4‐tetracyanobuta‐1,3‐dienes (TCBDs) featuring intense intramolecular charge‐transfer (CT) interactions. A dicyanovinyl derivative substituted with one N‐phenyldinaphthazepine donor was obtained by a “one‐pot” oxidation/Knoevenagel condensation from the corresponding propargylic alcohol. Comparative electrochemical, X‐ray crystallographic, and UV/Vis studies show that the electron‐donor qualities of N‐phenyldinaphthazepine are similar to those of N,N‐dimethylanilino residues. The circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of a push–pull chromophore incorporating the chiral donor moiety features Cotton effects of exceptional intensity. With their elongated shape and the rigidity of the chiral N‐aryldinaphthazepine donors, these chromophores are effective inducers of twist distortion in nematic liquid crystals (LCs). Thus, a series of the dinaphthazepine derivatives was used as dopants in the nematic LC E7 (Merck) and high helical twisting powers (β) of the order of hundreds of μm^?1 were measured. Theoretical calculations were employed to elucidate the relation between the structure of the dopants and their helical twisting power. For the derivatives with two dinaphthazepine moieties, a strong dependence of the β‐values on the structure and conformation of the linker between them was found.     

Imidazole as a Donor/Acceptor Unit in Charge‐Transfer Chromophores with Extended π‐Linkers

Eleven new, stable, push–pull systems that feature 4,5‐bis[4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)phenyl]imidazole and 4,5‐dicyanoimidazole as the donor and acceptor moieties and the systematically extended and varied π‐linker were prepared and investigated. Evaluation of the measured UV/Vis spectra, electrochemical data (cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating‐disc voltammetry (RDV), and polarography) and calculated β and γ polarizabilities showed efficient charge transfer (CT) in biimidazole‐type chromophores. Push–pull system 27 , which features a planar thiophene‐derived π‐linker, was revealed to be the most efficient chromophore within the studied series. This chromophore possessed the most bathochromically shifted CT band, the lowest electrochemical gap, and highest β and γ polarizabilities. The CT transition was most significantly affected by structural features such as π‐linker length, planarity, conjugating arrangement, and the presence of olefinic/acetylenic or 1,4‐phenylene/thiophene subunits in the π‐linker.     

Photoluminescent and Liquid‐Crystalline Properties of Donor–Acceptor‐Type 2,5‐Diarylthiazoles

The synthesis of donor–acceptor‐type 2,5‐diarylthiazoles that bear electron‐donating N,N‐dialkylamine and electron‐withdrawing cyano groups at the 2‐ and 5‐position, respectively, were carried out with transition‐metal‐catalyzed C? H arylation reactions developed by us. The compounds were synthesized by the C? H arylation of unsubstituted thiazole at the 2‐position with a palladium/copper catalyst in the presence of tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) as an activator. Further C? H arylation of the 2‐arylated thiazole at the 5‐position was carried out by the palladium‐catalyzed reaction in the presence of silver(I) fluoride to afford the donor–acceptor‐type 2,5‐diarylthiazoles with N,N‐dialkylamine groups of different chain lengths. The UV/Vis absorption, photoluminescence, and electrochemical behavior were similar regardless of chain length, whereas liquid‐crystalline behavior and thermal characteristics were found to be dependent on the alkyl‐chain length. The compounds with N,N‐diethylamine or N‐butyl‐N‐methyl groups showed a stable liquid‐crystalline phase over a wide temperature range as well as higher stability to thermal decomposition.     

Uncatalyzed Hydroamination of Electrophilic Organometallic Alkynes: Fundamental,Theoretical, and Applied Aspects

Simple reactions of the most used functional groups allowing two molecular fragments to link under mild, sustainable conditions are among the crucial tools of molecular chemistry with multiple applications in materials science, nanomedicine, and organic synthesis as already exemplified by peptide synthesis and “click” chemistry. We are concerned with redox organometallic compounds that can potentially be used as biosensors and redox catalysts and report an uncatalyzed reaction between primary and secondary amines with organometallic electrophilic alkynes that is free of side products and fully “green”. A strategy is first proposed to synthesize alkynyl organometallic precursors upon addition of electrophilic aromatic ligands of cationic complexes followed by endo hydride abstraction. Electrophilic alkynylated cyclopentadienyl or arene ligands of Fe, Ru, and Co complexes subsequently react with amines to yield trans‐enamines that are conjugated with the organometallic group. The difference in reactivities of the various complexes is rationalized from the two‐step reaction mechanism that was elucidated through DFT calculations. Applications are illustrated by the facile reaction of ethynylcobalticenium hexafluorophosphate with aminated silica nanoparticles. Spectroscopic, nonlinear‐optical and electrochemical data, as well as DFT and TDDFT calculations, indicate a strong push–pull conjugation in these cobalticenium– and Fe– and Ru–arene–enamine complexes due to planarity or near‐planarity between the organometallic and trans‐enamine groups involving fulvalene iminium and cyclohexadienylidene iminium mesomeric forms.     

Wolff Rearrangement of Oxidatively Generated α‐Oxo Gold Carbenes: An Effective Approach to Silylketenes

Gold‐catalyzed oxidations of alkynes by N‐oxides offer direct access to reactive α‐oxo gold carbene intermediates from benign and readily available alkynes instead of hazardous diazo carbonyl compounds. Despite various versatile synthetic methods developed based on this strategy, one of the hallmarks of α‐oxo carbene/carbenoid chemistry, that is, the Wolff rearrangement, has not been realized in this context. This study discloses the first examples that show the Wolff rearrangement can be readily realized by α‐oxo gold carbenes oxidatively generated from TBS‐terminated alkynes (TBS=tert‐butyldimethylsilyl). The thus‐generated silylketenes can be either isolated pure or subsequently trapped by various internal or external nucleophiles in one pot to afford α‐silylated carboxylic acids, their derivatives, or TBS‐substituted allenes.     

N‐(4‐Nitrobenzoyl)‐N′‐phenylhydrazine: a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded framework

In the title compound (systematic name: N‐anilino‐4‐nitrobenzamide), C₁₃H₁₁N₃O₃, the molecules are linked into a complex three‐dimensional framework structure by a combination of two‐centre N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds and a three‐centre N—H...(O,N) hydrogen bond.     

A tridentate CNO‐donor palladium(II) complex as efficient catalyst for direct C―H arylation: Application in preparation of imidazole‐based push–pull chromophores

A series of imidazolium chlorides for the formation of tridentate CNO‐donor palladium(II) complexes featuring N‐heterocyclic carbene moieties have been developed from cheap and readily available starting materials with high yields. Their palladium complexes were prepared by reactions between the ligand precursors and PdCl₂ using K₂CO₃ as base in pyridine with reasonable yields. These air‐stable metal complexes were characterized using ¹H NMR and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Heteronuclear multiple bond correlation experiments were performed to identify key NMR signals of these compounds. The structures of two of the complexes were also established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. One of these complexes was successfully applied in the direct C―H functionalization reactions between heterocyclic compounds and aryl bromides, producing excellent yields of coupled products. The coupling reactions were scalable, allowing grams of coupled products to be obtained with a mere 2 mol% of Pd loading. The catalyst system developed allowed the large‐scale preparation of several push–pull chromophores straightforwardly. Photophysical properties based on UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy for these chromophores were investigated. Deep blue photoluminescence with moderate quantum efficiency and twisted intramolecular charge transfer excited state were observed for these chromophores. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT calculations were performed to support the experimental results.     

Cocrystals of 6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracil: presence of the acceptor–donor–acceptor/donor–acceptor–donor synthon

The results of seven cocrystallization experiments of the antithyroid drug 6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracil (MTU), C₅H₆N₂OS, with 2,4‐diaminopyrimidine, 2,4,6‐triaminopyrimidine and 6‐amino‐3H‐isocytosine (viz. 2,6‐diamino‐3H‐pyrimidin‐4‐one) are reported. MTU features an ADA (A = acceptor and D = donor) hydrogen‐bonding site, while the three coformers show complementary DAD hydrogen‐bonding sites and therefore should be capable of forming an ADA/DAD N—H...O/N—H...N/N—H...S synthon with MTU. The experiments yielded one cocrystal and six cocrystal solvates, namely 6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracil–2,4‐diaminopyrimidine–1‐methylpyrrolidin‐2‐one (1/1/2), C₅H₆N₂OS·C₄H₆N₄·2C₅H₉NO, (I), 6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracil–2,4‐diaminopyrimidine (1/1), C₅H₆N₂OS·C₄H₆N₄, (II), 6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracil–2,4‐diaminopyrimidine–N,N‐dimethylacetamide (2/1/2), 2C₅H₆N₂OS·C₄H₆N₄·2C₄H₉NO, (III), 6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracil–2,4‐diaminopyrimidine–N,N‐dimethylformamide (2/1/2), C₅H₆N₂OS·0.5C₄H₆N₄·C₃H₇NO, (IV), 2,4,6‐triaminopyrimidinium 6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracilate–6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracil–N,N‐dimethylformamide (1/1/2), C₄H₈N₅⁺·C₅H₅N₂OS⁻·C₅H₆N₂OS·2C₃H₇NO, (V), 6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracil–6‐amino‐3H‐isocytosine–N,N‐dimethylformamide (1/1/1), C₅H₆N₂OS·C₄H₆N₄O·C₃H₇NO, (VI), and 6‐methyl‐2‐thiouracil–6‐amino‐3H‐isocytosine–dimethyl sulfoxide (1/1/1), C₅H₆N₂OS·C₄H₆N₄O·C₂H₆OS, (VII). Whereas in cocrystal (I) an R₂²(8) interaction similar to the Watson–Crick adenine/uracil base pair is formed and a two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network is observed, the cocrystals (II)–(VII) contain the triply hydrogen‐bonded ADA/DAD N—H...O/N—H...N/N—H...S synthon and show a one‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network. Although 2,4‐diaminopyrimidine possesses only one DAD hydrogen‐bonding site, it is, due to orientational disorder, triply connected to two MTU molecules in (III) and (IV).