The synthesis of azoniadithia[6]helicenes

A new short‐step synthesis of 8a‐azonia[6]helicene (1) and the novel dithieno derivatives ( 2 and 3 ) is described. Double photocyclization of 2,8‐distyrylquinolizinium salt (8) gave 1 in 35% yield. Similarly, 2,8‐bis[2‐(2‐thienyl)vinyl]‐ and 2,8‐bis[2‐(3‐thienyl)vinyl]‐quinolizinium salts ( 9 and 10 ) afforded new azonia[6]helicenes containing two thiophene rings at the ends of helix, that is 7a‐azonia‐3,12‐dithia[6]helicene (2) and 7a‐azonia‐1,14‐dithia[6]helicene (3) , in 43 and 35% yields, respectively. The total assignment of their ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐nmr spectra was performed by utilizing two‐dimensional and NOE nmr spectroscopic methods.     

Preparation and structural properties of 7,8-dioxa[6]helicenes and 7a,14c-dihydro-7,8-dioxa[6]helicenes.

The potentially chiral 7,8-dioxa[6]helicenes 1-1c have been prepared by oxidation of their precursors the 7a,14c-dihydro-7,8-dioxa[6]helicenes 3. The crystal structure determination of 3b cis-7a,14c-dihydro-3,12-dibromo-7,8-dioxa[6]helicene unambiguously confirms the cis configuration of the 7a,-14c hydrogens in compounds 3 as previously implied from NMR measurements and also shows that 3b crystallizes in a chiral conformation in the solid state. Selective deuteration of the sterically crowded 1,14 positions of 7,8-dioxa[6]helicene 1 influenced the crystal structure. The deuterium labeled compound D2-1 exhibits a disordered structure, whereas 1 had been found to crystallize in a complex structure which can be described as an analogous partly ordered modulated superstructure. When dehydrogenation of compound 3 to obtain compound 1 was attempted, harsh synthetic conditions gave the unexpected halogenated compounds 5-chloro-7,8-dioxa[6]helicene 1c and cis-7a,14c-dibromo-7,8-dioxa[6]helicene 3c. Compounds 1d and 3b were identified by solving their crystal structure.     

Structure and vibrational spectra of some 8-oxa[5]helicenes

A systematic study has been conducted on the geometrical and electronic structure, heliomeric conformations of a series of 8-oxa[5]helicenes based on density functional theory (DFT) computations. A complete vibrational analysis has also been attempted for one of the 8-oxa[5]helicenes (molecule 5) on the basis of experimental infrared spectra in the far and mid infrared regions (60-3100 cm(-1)) and density functional theory computations using B3LYP/6-31G** method characteristic bands of the molecule identified. The approximate mean plane angle between the terminal rings A and E in the presently studied molecules are found to have values between 48.64° and 59.46°. This angle is much larger than the corresponding angle between the terminal rings in benzo[c]phenanthrene (～27°) and partially reduced benzo[c]phenanthrene (34.6-46.0°) and indicates that the presence of oxygen-containing six-membered ring provides a greater helicity to the molecules. Detailed quantum chemical study on molecule 4 shows the existence of two enantiomeric forms M- and P- of almost equal energy separated by a potential barrier of 15.55 kcal/mol. It is expected that similar 8-oxa[5]helicines (molecules 3, 5 and 6) may also exist in two enantiomeric forms.     

Functionalizations of [6]- and [7]helicenes at their most sterically hindered positions

Although the reactions of enol ethers of aryl methyl ketones with benzoquinone make it easy to prepare nonracemic helicenes that are substituted by hydroxyl groups at their 1,omega-positions, the hydroxyl groups fail to facilitate the introduction of electrophiles ortho to them. However, ethers of [6]- and [7]helicenols prepared in this way, seemingly because of the activation by the alkoxyl groups at the 6-positions, combine with electrophilic reagents to introduce bromines and acyl groups exactly into these positions. Moreover, these bromine and acyl groups can be transformed into other functional groups (including phosphine oxides and acetylenes), the ether functions adjacent to these functional groups can then be removed, and the phenols can be oxidized to quinone-acetals. An alternative way to introduce functional groups next to the phenols is to rearrange their phosphate esters. Two reactions that differentiate the ends of the helicenes are also described.     

Direct N-arylation of 5-membered heterocyclic nitrogen rings

Ring-substituted bromoaryl derivatives are used to arylate imidazole at the NH group.For Part IV see [2].     

Applications of charge-directed conjugate addition reactions to the formation of 5- and 6-membered rings

Ring constructions through intramolecular trapping of anions generated in charge-directed addition reactions are reported. Intramolecular reactions of internal nucleophiles including Grignard reagents are also described.     

Monoaza[5]helicenes. Part 2: Synthesis, characterisation and theoretical calculations

The synthesis of four different monoaza[5]helicenes is reported, to complete the whole series of these compounds, so that systematic studies on their properties can be carried out. They were fully characterised via NMR. A theoretical approach to explain why ring closure occurs to give the most crowded compound is reported, in comparison with earlier calculation methods.     

Band gap of carbon-sulfur [N]helicenes

Asymmetric synthesis of (-)-[9]helicene, as well as preparation of its lower homologues, completes the series of carbon-sulfur [5]-, [7]-, [9]-, and [11]helicenes. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of this series provide an absorption onset-based band gap, E(g) = 3.40 eV, for a cross-conjugated (C(2)S)(n) helix; this value may be compared to E(g) = 3.59 eV obtained from TD-DFT computed excitation energies for a series of dimethyl-substituted [n]helicenes (n ≤ 31).     

Structure and properties of aromatic 6-membered polyimides compared to 5-membered ones

When various properties of poly[2,5-di(n-alkyloxy)methyl-p-phenylenenaphthalene-1,8:4,5-diimide]s (Cm-NAPIs, m = 4, 6, 8) as aromatic 6-membered polyimides were compared with those of poly[2,5-di(n-alkyloxy)methyl-p-phenylenepyromellitimide]s (Cm-PYPIs, m = 4, 6, 8) as 5-membered ones, it was deduced that O atoms of C=O of Cm-NAPIs are not coplanar with their imide ring plane. This noncoplanarity led us necessarily to assuming that the 6-membered ring polyimide chains should have cis/trans-like isomeric structures. Detailed spectroscopic studies and ab initio calculations for appropriate model compounds are provided to support our assumption.     

Synthesis of carbazole derived aza[7]helicenes

Synthesis of four derivatives of symmetrical aza[7]helicenes is achieved by I₂-THF mediated photocyclization of corresponding bis-styryl derivatives. The cyclization furnished the desired angularly fused aza-helicene in moderate yields. The structures are established by NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray analysis for the difluoro derivative. The series of synthesized aza[7]helicenes showed remarkable thermal stability as indicated by DSC analysis.     

Diastereoselective Strategies towards Thia[n]helicenes

In the present study, we have investigated different strategies for diastereoselective synthesis of thia[n]helicenes. We describe the introduction of different chiral auxiliaries at various positions and investigated their effect in the photocyclization reaction. Different chiral groups were placed at the sterically hindered position of the helical core and their interactions with various solvents and metals like copper were investigated. The use of Cu^I salts has led to high diastereoselectivity in the photocyclization process and we were successful in obtaining the thia[5]helicene in enantiomerically pure form in good yield. The single diastereomer obtained was characterized by X‐ray crystallography. From the study of the barrier of racemization of these thia[5]helicenes, the stability was found to be comparable to unsubstituted tetrathia[7]helicenes and substituted diazadithia[7]helicenes. This approach provides an easy access to enantiopure helicenes.     

Barriers to nitrogen inversion in 6-membered rings : Nitrogen inversion in tetrahydro-1,2-oxazines

A study of the nitrogen inversion process in the bicyclic oxazine, N-methyl-2-oxa-3-azabicyclo[2,2,2]octane, by ¹³C NMR spectrocopy reveals a free energy of activation of 14.9 kcal mole^-1. Detailed examination of the kinetics of the process observed in the ¹H spectra of N-methyl tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine shows ΔH^≠ 15.1±0.4 kcal mole^-1 and ΔS^≠ 2.3 ±1.5 cal mol^-1K^-1. It is concluded from the similarity in the activation parameters that both processes arise from nitrogen inversion.     

A theoretical and experimental study of the racemization process of hexaaza[5]helicenes

A dynamic ¹H NMR study, together with DFT calculations, of bis-([1,2,3]triazolo)[1,5-a:5′,1′-k][1,10]phenanthroline 2 has allowed to identify the ring and open forms of a new example of ring/chain tautomerism, as well as their interconversion barriers (ring/ring and ring/open). The barrier of the exchange process between the chain forms and the ring form was found higher than the ‘racemization’ process in the closed form, so the ring opening does not contribute to the ‘racemization’. The di-1,10-methyl and di-1,10-iodo derivatives have been prepared and their properties calculated.     

Synthesis, reactivity and stereochemistry of new phosphorus heterocycles with 5- or 6-membered rings

Syntheses of novel phosphorus heterocycles containing α-amino or α-hydroxyphosphonic or phosphinic acids motifs are developed. 2,3-dihydro-1,3-oxaphospholes (1) and 1,4,2-oxazaphosphinanes (2) exhibit a reactive part, respectively the enolether moiety and the P-H bond, which allows various structural modifications: (i) for 1a, by introduction of amino substituents, (ii) for 2a, by hydroxy- or aminoalkylation, by Michael addition or by P-arylation. These reactions present generally a good or even an excellent kinetic diastereoselectivity which can often be predicted by molecular models of the transition states.     

Efficient synthesis of benzo fused tetrathia[7]helicenes

An efficient route toward the synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical benzo fused tetrathia[7]helicenes substituted with electron donor (ED) and electron acceptor (EA) groups is reported. A common, readily available precursor 1,2- bis-(2-thienyl)benzene was used to synthesize different helicenes through a Wittig reaction, Stille coupling, and modified oxidative photocyclization.     

Synthesis of chiral [5]helicenes using aromatic oxy-Cope rearrangement as a key step

Both enantiomers of (P)-(+)-2- and (M)-(−)-2-acetoxy-11,14-dimethyl[5]helicenes 8 were synthesized by asymmetric aromatic oxy-Cope rearrangement of the corresponding chiral bridged bicyclic compounds, which were obtained by enzymatic resolution. The absolute configurations of 8 were assigned by their circular dichroism spectra.     

Transformation of Thia[7]helicene to Aza[7]helicenes and [7]Helicene-like Compounds via Aromatic Metamorphosis

[n]Helicenes with helically twisted structures have attracted increasing interest owing to their unique properties. Therefore, it has been an important issue to develop facile synthetic methodologies which allow access to a variety of [n]helicenes. Here we report the synthesis of [7]helicenes and [7]helicene-like compounds from the thia[7]helicene as a common starting material. Desulfurative dilithiation of the thia[7]helicene and the subsequent reaction with silicon and phosphorus electrophiles afforded the silole- and phosphole-fused [7]helicene-like compounds, respectively. The cyclopentadiene-fused [7]helicene-like compound and the pyrrole-fused aza[7]helicenes were also successfully synthesized via twofold S_NAr reactions of the thia[7]helicene S,S-dioxide with the carbon and nitrogen nucleophiles, respectively. The thia[7]helicene S,S-dioxide showed a slightly red-shifted absorption spectrum than the parent thia[7]helicene, which was well demonstrated by the theoretical calculations. The substituents on the silicon atom of silole-fused [7]helicene-like compounds have little impact on the longest absorption maximum. Such little effect of the substituents on absorption properties was also observed for cyclopentadiene-fused [7]helicene-like compounds and aza[7]helicenes and was well demonstrated by the theoretical calculations. The thia[7]helicene S,S-dioxide and the silole-fused [7]helicene-like compound exhibited bright blue emission, and the cyclopentadiene-fused [7]helicene-like compound and the aza[7]helicenes showed strong violet emission. Each single enantiomer of the aza[7]helicenes showed circularly-polarized luminescence with the dissymmetry factors of 4.2~4.4 × 10⁻³.