Pyridyl‐Endcapped Polyynes: Stabilized Wire‐like Molecules

A 4‐ethynylpyridyl derivative with sterically shielding phenyl groups in the 3‐ and 5‐positions has been synthesized and used to terminate a series of polyynes. This approach allows for the synthesis of stable polyynes up to an octayne, twice as long as previous accessible for “unstabilized” pyridyl‐endcapped polyynes. The potential of these polyynes as wire‐like linkers to metal centers is demonstrated by axial coordination of pyridyl groups to zinc‐ and ruthenium‐metalloporphyrins.     

Polyynes as a model for carbyne: synthesis, physical properties, and nonlinear optical response

With the Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wiechell rearrangement as a primary synthetic route, a series of conjugated, triisopropylsilyl end-capped polyynes containing 2-10 acetylene units has been assembled. In a few steps, significant quantities of the polyynes are made available, which allow for a thorough analysis of their structural, physical, and optical properties. Molecules in the series have been characterized in detail using (13)C NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, mass spectrometry, and, for four derivatives including octayne 6, X-ray crystallography. UV-vis spectroscopy of the polyynes 1-7 shows a consistent lowering of the HOMO-LUMO gap (E(g)) as a function of the number of acetylene units (n), fitting a power-law relationship of E(g) approximately n(-)(0.379)(+/-)(0.002). The third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the polyyne series have been examined, and the nonresonant molecular second hyperpolarizabilities (gamma) increase as a function of length according to the power-law gamma approximately n(4.28)(+/-)(0.13). This result exhibits an exponent that is larger than theoretically predicted for polyynes and higher than is observed for polyenes and polyenynes. The combined linear and nonlinear optical results confirm recent theoretical studies that suggest polyynes as model 1-D conjugated systems. On the basis of UV-vis spectroscopic analysis, the effective conjugation length for this series of polyynes is estimated to be ca. n = 32, providing insight into characteristics of carbyne.     

The surprising nonlinear optical properties of conjugated polyyne oligomers

Polyynes represent a unique class of conjugated organic compounds. The third-order nonlinear optical response of polyynes has been extensively modeled theoretically, and it is generally believed that the increase in molecular second hyperpolarizability (gamma) as a function of length for polyynes should be lower than that for polyenes. Experimental evidence to test this prediction, however, has been absent. We have synthesized conjugated polyynes that contain up to 20 consecutive sp-hybridized carbons, and we have determined their nonresonant gamma-values as a function of the number of acetylene repeat units (n). These gamma-values demonstrate a power-law behavior versus n(gamma approximately n(4.28+/-0.13)), with an exponent that is both larger than theoretically predicted for polyynes and substantially higher than that observed for polyenes or polyenynes. Furthermore, no saturation of the linear or nonlinear optical properties is observed.     

Nonlinear optical properties of organic molecules. XII. Calculations of the hyperpolarizabilities of donor–acceptor polyynes

The hyperpolarizabilities of polyynes containing a donor and acceptor group situated at either end of the molecular have been calculated at the sum-over-states CNDOVSB level using geometries derived from crystallographic data and ab initio studies. The calculated values increase with increasing chain length, though the maximum value obtained are considerably less than those for the related polyynes. Although the hyperpolarizability of the polyynes is dominated by one excited π-electron state, there are a significant number of additional low-lying excited states in the polyynes that contribute to the overall value by opposing the usual direction of charge transfer along the chain from donor to acceptor. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Double elimination protocol for access to unsymmetrically substituted aromatic polyynes starting from sulfones and aldehydes

A double elimination protocol has been established for access to unsymmetrically substituted aromatic polyynes by use of dialdehyde and substituted benzylic or propargylic sulfones as starting compounds. For this protocol, various substituted sulfones and phthalaldehydes were usable giving rise to the formation of the desired substituted aromatic polyynes.     

Semiempirical calculations of hyperpolarizabilities for extended π systems: Polyenes,polyynes, and polyphenyls

The dipole moments (μ), polarizabilities (α), hyperpolarizabilities (β), and second-order hyperpolarizabilities (γ) of polyenes, polyynes, and polyphenyls have been calculated by a finitefield method with the PM -3 parameterization of the semiempirical MNDO Hamiltonian at the optimum geometries. These results were compared to experimental values obtained from EFISH and THG measurements. The calculations reproduce the magnitudes of β and γ, as well as the effect of the substituents and the effect of bond alternation on β and γ. The coefficients of the power law, which describes the dependence of β and γ on the number of π centers, were calculated. For β, exponents of 1.5–2.2 and 0.03–0.04 were obtained for polyenes and polyynes, respectively, and for γ, exponents of 3.9–4.9, 2.9–3.3, and 2.5–2.7 were obtained for polyenes, polyynes, and polyphenyls, respectively. These results confirm the efficiency of enhancing γ by insertion of C = C double bonds into a chain. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Electronic and optical properties of functionalized carbon chains with the localized Hartree–Fock and conventional Kohn–Sham methods

The electronic and optical properties of extended functionalized carbyne chains, polyynes and cumulenes, are investigated with the localized Hartree–Fock method, with conventional Kohn–Sham methods, and with the Hartree–Fock method. It is found that even for very long polyynes the carbon–carbon bond lengths within a polyyne alternate while for long cumulenes no carbon–carbon bond length alternation occurs. Polyynes exhibit a finite HOMO–LUMO gap even if they become very long while cumulenes are found to become metallic in the limit of long chain lengths. The geometry and the electro-optical properties of polyynes cannot be influenced significantly by simple sp-σ-bonded end groups. The optically active ¹Σ_u⁺←X¹Σ_g⁺ electronic transition in polyynes is investigated by time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT). The known systematic underestimation of excitation energies in large chain-like systems by TDDFT methods is also found for the systems considered here. Deficiencies in the commonly used exchange-correlation kernels are identified as the main source of this shortcoming of TDDFT methods. Unphysical Coulomb self-interactions present in conventional Kohn–Sham potentials seem to not contribute significantly to the problem.     

Polyyne synthesis using carbene/carbenoid rearrangements

Rearrangement of a carbene/carbenoid intermediate to form an acetylene moiety, known as the Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wiechell (FBW) rearrangement, was developed for the formation of polyynes and polyyne frameworks within highly conjugated organic materials. Necessary precursors can be prepared through formation of an alkynyl ketone, followed by dibromoolefination under Corey-Fuchs conditions. The carbenoid rearrangement is brought about by treatment of the dibromoolefin with BuLi under mild conditions. The success of these FBW reactions is quite solvent-dependent, and nonpolar hydrocarbon solvents (e.g., hexanes, toluene, benzene) work quite well, while use of ethereal solvents such as diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran (THF) does not provide the desired polyyne product. This protocol was successfully applied to the formation of silyl, alkyl, alkenyl, and aryl polyynes, including di-, tri-, and tetrayne products, as well as the construction of two-dimensional carbon-rich molecules. A one-pot variant of this procedure is being developed and is particularly applicable toward the synthesis of polyyne natural products. Formation of a series of triisopropylsilyl end-capped polyynes, from the triyne to decayne, was achieved. Third-order nonlinear optical properties of these polyynes were evaluated. This study shows that the molecular second hyperpolarizabilities for the polyynes as a function of length increase at a rate that is higher than all other nonaromatic organic oligomers.     

Polyynes and cyanopolyynes synthesis from the submerged electric arc: about the role played by the electrodes and solvents in polyynes formation

The products of the electric arc between graphite electrodes have been investigated by high performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis in various media: distilled water, liquid nitrogen, methanol, ethanol, n-hexane and benzene. In distilled water, hydrogen capped polyynes H-(CC)_n-H were the unique products demonstrating that carbon is supplied by the graphite electrodes while hydrogen is supplied by the solvent plasmalysis (in this case water plasmalysis). Arcing graphite electrodes in liquid nitrogen produces cyanopolyynes: NC-(CC)_n-CN demonstrating that in this case the end groups of the polyyne chains are supplied by molecular nitrogen plasmalysis caused by the electric arc. Graphite arcing in methanol and ethanol produces very clean solutions (by-products negligible or absent) of hydrogen-capped polyynes with C₈H₂ as the main product accounting for more than 70 mol percent of the total polyyne concentration. By replacing graphite electrodes with titanium electrodes in methanol or in ethanol, polyynes are not formed at all; only trace amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected. When arcing with graphite electrodes is conducted in n-hexane or in benzene, polyyne formation is accompanied by a significant production of PAH, especially in benzene. These results have been rationalized in terms of carbonization or coking tendency of a given solvent. The effect of using titanium electrodes in place of graphite electrodes has been investigated also in n-hexane and in benzene as well as the effects of very high electric current intensity employed to ignite and sustain the submerged electric arc.     

Size-selective formation of C78 fullerene from a three-dimensional polyyne precursor

Multicyclic cagelike cyclophanes 2 a and 2 b containing cyclobutene rings have been prepared as precursors of three-dimensional polyynes C78H18 (1a) and C78H12Cl6 (1b), respectively. Laser irradiation of 2a and 2b induced expulsion of the aromatic fragment, indane, to give the three-dimensional polyyne anions C78H18- and C78H12Cl6-, respectively. Whereas the former anion lost only four hydrogen atoms to form C78H14-, complete loss of all hydrogen and chlorine atoms was observed from the latter anion, to yield a C78- ion that has a fullerene structure which was proven by its characteristic fragmentation pattern.     

Synthesis of naturally occurring polyynes

Over the past fifty years, hundreds of polyyne compounds have been isolated from nature. These often unstable molecules are found in sources as common as garden vegetables and as obscure as bacterial cultures. Naturally occurring polyynes feature a wide range of structural diversity and display an equally broad array of biological properties. Early synthetic efforts relied primarily on Cu-catalyzed, oxidative acetylenic homo- and heterocoupling reactions to assemble the polyyne framework. The past 25 years, however, have witnessed a renaissance in the field of polyyne natural product synthesis: transition-metal-catalyzed alkynylation reactions and asymmetric transformations have combined to substantially expand access to natural polyynes. This Review recounts these synthetic achievements and also highlights both the natural source(s) and biological relevance for many of these compounds.     

Building from Ga‐Porphyrins: Synthesis of Ga‐Acetylide Complexes Using Acetylenes and Polyynes

Multidimensional, conjugated building blocks have been formed through the axial coordination of polyynes to the central Ga atom of tetraarylporphyrins. Electron deficient pentafluorophenyl substituents in the meso‐positions provide more stable σ‐acetylide complexes to Ga than analogous structures with tert‐butylphenyl groups. Mono‐, di‐, and triynes have been used, including a pyridyl endcapped diyne that allows for formation of porphyrin triads through coordination of the pyridyl ligand to a Ru porphyrin.     

From dicopper diacetylide (Cu-C≡C-C≡C-Cu) to carbyne

Hydrolysis of dicopper diacetylide Cu-C≡C-C≡C-Cu in HCl solution yields diacetylene as major product together with a mixture of polyynes and minor amounts of carbonaceous matter. After I month ageing the main hydrolysis product from dicopper diacetylide is insoluble carbonaceous matter (23.47% by weight) together with diacetylene and its superior homologues (polyynes formed from solid state oxidative coupling reaction) which have been qualitatively and quantitatively identified by electronic spectroscopy. Similar behaviour and results are observed on dicoppper acetylide Cu-C≡C-Cu. In the carbonaceous insoluble matter recovered after hydrolysis, the presence of carbyne was detected by FT-IR spectroscopy.Dicopper acetylide Cu-C≡C-C≡C-Cu and dicopper acetylide, irrespective for the degree of oxidation reached in air, undergo a controlled thermal decomposition by heating under reduced pressure yielding in few seconds carbyne and copper(I) oxide, both identified by FT-IR spectroscopy.     

Quantum-chemical investigation of autolocalization of excited states in even-membered polyynes

Within the framework of the semiempirical MNDO method, a quantum-chemical study has been made of autolocalization of excited and charged states in even-membered polyynes. The data indicate that the energy of formation of the soliton is 1 eV, and its size is approximately 12 C atoms.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 97–100, January, 1991.     

Conformational study of C24 cyclic polyyne clusters

Polyynes were first synthesized before the year 1900, and isolated and characterized after 2000. Cyclic polyynes are of particular interest since possess a high order of symmetry. Furthermore, some studies reported special mechanical properties of the condensed polyyne bulks. The optimal size of polyynes to form rings has been previously investigated and was found to be 24 with a stable cluster of crossing four C₂₄ cyclic polyynes. We investigated in this study the conformation of clusters of polyynes (nC₂₄) by the pattern previously identified to stabilize the cluster. Clusters of 4C₂₄, 10C₂₄, 22C₂₄, 46C₂₄, and 94C₂₄ were designed and subjected to energy minimization. The main finding is the preservation of the symmetry for the nC₂₄ cluster with the increase of its size. The study revealed that 4C₂₄, 10C₂₄, and 22C₂₄ preserve a high symmetry and the calculations suggest an excellent increasing of the cluster stability with the increase of the number of polyyne rings. A 22C₂₄ derived cluster namely 28C₂₄ was found as the one likely to limit the growth of the polyyne clusters.     

UV-Polarizing Linear Polyyne Molecules Aligned in PVA

Electronic absorption bands of conjugated linear carbon chain molecules, namely polyynes H(C≡C)_nH (n=5-7), are exploited to devise light-polarizing films applicable to the UV. Laser ablated polyynes are separated in size and dispersed in a film of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), which is stretched to align the trapped linear polyyne molecules inside. As a nature of the structural anisotropy, transition dipole of the UV absorption for polyyne molecules is in parallel with the molecular axis and the absorption occurs only for the electromagnetic wave having the amplitude of its electric vector along the molecular axis. Aligned and fixed orientationally in the solid PVA film, polyyne molecules act as selective absorbers of one of the polarization components of incident light at particular wavelength. Using a light source of linearly polarized UV light, whose direction of polarization is rotatable, angular dependence of the absorption intensity is investigated for the stretched PVA film containingaligned polyyne molecules and analyzed in terms of an order parameter in the theory of linear dichroism.     

Quantitative structure-property relationships for longitudinal, transverse, and molecular static polarizabilities in polyynes

The present work reports for the first time quantitative structure-property relationships, derived at the benchmark CCSD(T)/cc-PVTZ level of theory that estimate the static longitudinal, transverse, and molecular polarizability in polyynes (C2nH2), as a function of their length (L). In the case of independent electron models, regardless of the form of the nuclei potential that the electrons experience, the polarizability increases strongly with system size, scaling as L(4). In contrast, the static longitudinal polarizability in polyynes have a considerably weaker length-dependence (L(1.64)). This is shown to predominantly arise from electron-electron repulsion rather than electron correlation by a systematic study of the polarizability length dependence in several simple quantum mechanical systems (e.g., particle-in-box, simple harmonic oscillator) and other molecular systems (e.g., H2, H2(+), polyynes). Decrease of the electron-electron repulsion term is suggested to be the key factor in enhancing nonlinear polarizability characteristics of linear oligomeric and polymeric materials.     

On the lack of conjugation stabilization in polyynes (polyacetylenes)

By analogy to conjugated polyenes, conjugative stabilization of polyynes with the -CC-CC- group might be expected to be substantial. On the contrary, consistent with our recent report of a surprising lack of conjugative stabilization in butadiyne, we find by G3(MP2) calculations and by comparisons with available experimental data from these and other laboratories that the ground-state stabilization of conjugated polyynes is in fact quite small, amounting to <1 kcal mol(-)(1). By similar calculations, the 2,4-pentadiyn-1-yl radical shows no enhanced stabilization relative to 2-propyn-1-yl radical, despite the potential stabilization of the odd electron by two conjugated triple bonds and unlike the behavior of 2,4-pentadien-1-yl radical. The thermochemistry of straight-chain alkynes and polyynes is very self-consistent. Enthalpies of hydrogenation, leading to enthalpies of formation, are predictable with a high degree of accuracy (absolute mean deviation = +/-0.39 kcal mol(-)(1) vs theoretical values and +/-0.52 vs experimental) from three molecular structure enthalpies and one conjugation stabilization parameter.     

Spatial extent of the singlet and triplet excitons in luminescent angular-shaped transition-metal diynes and polyynes comprising non-pi-conjugated group 16 main group elements

A novel approach based on conjugation interruption has been developed and is presented for a series of luminescent and thermally stable chalcogen-bridged platinum(II) polyyne polymers trans-[{-Pt(PBu3)2C[triple bond]C(C6H4)E(C6H4)C[triple bond]C-}n] (E = O, S, SO, SO2). Particular attention was focused on the photophysical properties of these Group 10 polymetallaynes and comparison was made to their binuclear model complexes trans-[Pt(Ph)(PEt3)2C[triple bond]C(C6H4)E(C6H4)C[triple bond]CPt(Ph)(PEt3)2] and their closest Group 11 gold(I) and Group 12 mercury(II) neighbours, [MC[triple bond]C(C6H4)E(C6H4)C[triple bond]CM] (M = Au(PPh3), HgMe; E = O, S, SO, SO2). The regiochemical structures of these angular-shaped molecules were studied by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray structural analyses. Upon photoexcitation, each one has an intense purple-blue fluorescence emission near 400 nm in dilute fluid solutions at room temperature. Harvesting of the organic triplet emissions harnessed through the strong heavy-atom effects of Group 10-12 transition metals was studied in detail. These metal-containing aryleneethynylenes spaced by chalcogen units were found to have large optical gaps and high-energy triplet states. The influence of metal- and chalcogen-based conjugation interrupters on the intersystem crossing rate and on the spatial extent of the lowest singlet and triplet excitons was fully elucidated. We discuss and compare the phosphorescence spectra of these transition-metal diynes and polyynes in terms of the nature of the metal centre, conjugated chain length and Group 16 spacer unit. Our work here indicates that high-energy triplet states in these materials intrinsically give rise to very efficient phosphorescence with fast radiative decays and one could readily observe room-temperature phosphorescence for the platinum polyynes.     

The Molecular Basis of Conjugated Polyyne Biosynthesis in Phytopathogenic Bacteria

Polyynes (polyacetylenes), which are produced by a variety of organisms, play important roles in ecology. Whereas alkyne biosynthesis in plants, fungi, and insects has been studied, the biogenetic origin of highly unstable bacterial polyynes has remained a riddle. Transposon mutagenesis and genome sequencing unveiled the caryoynencin (cay) biosynthesis gene cluster in the plant pathogen B. caryophylli, and homologous gene clusters were found in various other bacteria by comparative genomics. Gene inactivation and phylogenetic analyses revealed that novel desaturase/acetylenase genes mediate bacterial polyyne assembly. A cytochrome P450 monooxygenase is involved in the formation of the allylic alcohol moiety, as evidenced by analysis of a fragile intermediate, which was stabilized by an in situ click reaction. This work not only grants first insight into bacterial polyyne biosynthesis but also demonstrates that the click reaction can be employed to trap fragile polyynes from crude mixtures.