A Stable All‐Thiophene‐Based Core‐Modified [38]Octaphyrin Diradicaloid: Conformation and Aromaticity Switch at Different Oxidation States

A soluble and stable core‐modified [38]octaphyrin, MC‐T8 , containing eight thiophene rings was synthesized by Yamamoto coupling followed by oxidative dehydrogenation. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed a nearly planar backbone, and the molecule is globally aromatic with a dominant 38π conjugation pathway. The dication MC‐T8²⁺ is antiaromatic, and the backbone is distorted, with a different orientation of the thiophene rings. The tetracation MC‐T8⁴⁺ becomes aromatic again, with a shallow‐bowl‐shaped geometry. Both the neutral compound and the dication demonstrated open‐shell diradical character with a small singlet–triplet energy gap (?2.70 kcal mol^?1 for MC‐T8 and ?3.78 kcal mol^?1 for MC‐T8²⁺ ), and they are stable owing to effective spin delocalization.     

Generation and structure determination of 5,6‐bis(methylthio)‐4,7‐diethylbenzo[1,2,3]trithiole dication MBT(2+)

5,6‐Bis(methylthio)‐4,7‐diethylbenzo‐[1,2,3]‐trithiole [MBT] was oxidized with two equivalents of SbCl₅ to produce a dication, MBT(2+)ċ2SbCl, as a stable, dark‐brown solid. MBT(2+) was unexpectedly silent for ¹H‐NMR in CD₃CN, whereas it was active for ESR, suggesting that MBT(2+) is a triplet‐state dication MBT(2+)‐T. Meanwhile, treatment of 5‐ methylsulfinyl‐6‐methylthio‐4,7‐diethylbenzo[1,2,3]‐ trithiole [MBTMO] with D₂SO₄ produced MBT(2+), whose ¹H‐NMR gave no signals, whereas the solution is active for ESR. These results imply that MBT(2+) prepared from MBTMO is a triplet‐state dication, and a singlet‐state dication, MBT(2+)‐S, initially generated by acidification of MBTMO, isomerized to the triplet‐state dication, MBT(2+)‐T. Since MBT(2+)‐T is active for ESR at room temperature, two molecules of MBT(2+)‐T should form a spin pair in the solution with a sufficient distance between the two radical centers. The structures of MBT(2+)‐S and MBT(2+)‐T were optimized with the DFT method at the B3LYP6‐31G** level. The total energy difference between them was calculated to be 7.90 kcal/mol; MBT(2+)‐T was shown to be more stable than MBT(2+)‐S. A treatment of MBTMO with SbCl₅ gave a 1:1 complex. The structure of the complex was determined with X‐ray crystallography, which showed that the complex is the corresponding sulfonium salt, MBTMOċSbCl₅. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:111–222, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20078     

‘Oligomere' Kondensationsprodukte von (1E,3E,5E)‐1,6‐Di(2‐furyl)hexa‐1,3,5‐trien mit Acetaldehyd: Tetrahydro‐tetramethyl‐octaepoxy[60]annulen(6.1.6.1.6.1.6.1)

Oligomeric Condensation Products of (1 E ,3 E ,5 E )‐1,6‐Di(2‐furyl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene with Acetaldehyde: Tetrahydro‐tetramethyl‐octaepoxy[60]annulene(6.1.6.1.6.1.6.1) The Ca(NO₃)₂‐induced condensation of (1E,3E,5E)‐1,6‐di(2‐furyl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene ( 6 ) with acetaldehyde yields the linear ‘oligomers' 7 – 11 with 2–6 1,6‐di(2‐furyl)hexa‐1,3,5‐triene units and 1–4 acetaldehyde units, besides a cyclic condensation product 12 obtained from 4 equiv. of 6 with 4 equiv. of acetaldehyde. According to spectroscopic studies, 12 is the tetrahydro‐tetramethyl‐octaepoxy[60]annulene(6.1.6.1.6.1.6.1) as the most expanded annulene system known so far. While the dehydrogenation of 12 to give the tetramethyl‐octaepoxy[60]annulene(6.1.6.1.6.1.6.1) cannot be achieved, the oxidation of 12 with Br₂ yields a black, in all organic solvents nearly insoluble solid 14 , which possibly is the tetramethyl‐octaepoxy[58]annulene(6.1.6.1.6.1.6.1) dication. Because of the insolubility of 14 , unfortunately most of its spectroscopic data are not available. However, the λ_max values in the UV/VIS/NIR spectrum of 14 (Soret and Q bands) are in line with the values of the tetraepoxy[26]annulene(4.2.4.2) dication, the tetraepoxy[30]annulene(4.4.4.4) dication, and the tetraepoxy[34]annulene(6.4.6.4) dication.     

Cyclopenta Ring Fused Bisanthene and Its Charged Species with Open‐Shell Singlet Diradical Character and Global Aromaticity/ Anti‐Aromaticity

Cyclopenta ring fused bisanthene and its charged species were synthesized. The neutral compound has an open‐shell singlet ground state and displays global anti‐aromaticity. The dication also exhibits singlet diradical character but has a unique [10]annulene‐within‐[18]annulene global aromatic structure. The dianion is closed‐shell singlet in the ground state and shows global aromaticity with 22 π electrons delocalized on the periphery. These findings prrovide new insight into the design and properties of global aromatic/anti‐aromatic systems based on π‐conjugated polycyclic hydrocarbons.     

Mono‐ and Bis(imidazolidinium ethynyl) Cations and Reduction of the Latter To Give an Extended Bis‐1,4‐([3]Cumulene)‐p‐carboquinoid System

An extended π‐system containing two [3]cumulene fragments separated by a p‐carboquinoid and stabilized by two capping N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been prepared. Mono‐ and bis(imidazolidinium ethynyl) cations have also been synthesized from the reaction of an NHC with phenylethynyl bromide or 1,4‐bis(bromoethynyl)benzene. Cyclic voltammetry coupled with synthetic and structural studies showed that the dication is readily reduced to a neutral, singlet bis‐1,4‐([3]cumulene)‐p‐carboquinoid as a result of the π‐accepting properties of the capping NHCs.     

para‐Phenylene‐Bridged Spirobi(triarylamine) Dimer with Four Perpendicularly Linked Redox‐Active π Systems

para‐Phenylene‐bridged spirobi(triarylamine) dimer 2 , in which π conjugation through four redox‐active triarylamine subunits is partially segregated by the unique perpendicular conformation, was prepared and characterized by structural, electrochemical, and spectroscopic methods. Quantum chemical calculations (DFT and CASSCF) predicted that the frontier molecular orbitals of 2 are virtually fourfold degenerate, so that the oxidized states of 2 can give intriguing electronic and magnetic properties. In fact, the continuous‐wave ESR spectroscopy of radical cation 2 ^.+ showed that the unpaired electron was trapped in the inner two redox‐active dianisylamine subunits, and moreover was fully delocalized over them. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and pulsed ESR spectroscopy of the isolated salts of 2 , which can be prepared by treatment with SbCl₅, revealed that the generated tetracation 2 ⁴⁺ decomposed mainly into a mixture of 1) a decomposed tetra(radical cation) consisting of a tri(radical cation) moiety and a trianisylamine radical cation moiety (≈75 %) and 2) a diamagnetic quinoid dication in a tetraanisyl‐p‐phenylendiamine moiety and two trianisylamine radical cation moieties (≈25 %). Furthermore, the spin‐quartet state of the tri(radical cation) moiety in the decomposed tetra(radical cation) was found to be in the ground state lying 30 cal mol^?1 below the competing spin‐doublet state.     

Generation and detection of the radical cation and the dication derived from 4,9‐diethyl[1,4]dihydrodithiino[5,6‐f]benzotrithiole and its 5‐oxide

4,9‐Diethyl[1,4]dihydrodithiino[5,6‐f]benzotrithiole (DTBT) gave a radical cation, DTBT(•+), and a dication, DTBT(2+), on treatment with a single‐electron oxidizing reagent. Both compounds showed an ESR signal, whereas the dication, generated by this procedure, was silent for ¹H NMR. Hydrolysis of DTBT(2+) gave DTBT 1‐oxide (DTBT 1‐O) and 2‐oxide (DTBT 2‐O) together with DTBT and a mixture of several dioxides. A singlet‐state dication, DTBT(2+)‐S, which was generated upon treatment of DTBT 5‐oxide (DTBT 5‐O) with concentrated D₂SO₄, was detected by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. After 20 h, the NMR signals disappeared while the solution was active for ESR. The results suggest that (i) a species generated from DTBT by oxidation with the single‐electron oxidizing reagent is a triplet‐state dication, DTBT(2+)‐T, and (ii) DTBT(2+)‐S, initially generated, gradually isomerizes to DTBT(2+)‐T in the solution, and DTBT(2+)‐T forms a partial spin pair. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:394–401, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20445     

1,4‐Dimethyl‐1,4‐diazo­nia­bicyclo­[2.2.2]octane diiodide acetonitrile solvate

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C₈H₁₈N₂²⁺·2I⁻·CH₃CN, the dication lies on a mirror plane containing the mol­ecular dication threefold axis. The structure displays C—H⋯I inter­actions between H atoms of the 1,4‐dimethyl‐1,4‐diazo­nia­bicyclo­[2.2.2]octane dication and the iodide anions. The H⋯I distances are in the range 2.96–3.18 (4) Å. The dications pack forming channels along the b axis, which contain the iodide anions and acetonitrile solvent mol­ecules.     

A DFT study on 1,4‐dihydro‐1,4‐azaborinine annulated linear polyacenes: Absorption spectra,singlet‐triplet energy gap,aromaticity, and HOMO–LUMO energy modulation

Linear polyacene (LPA) mimics containing multiple heterocycles have been computationally designed by annulating 1,4‐dihydro‐1,4‐azaborinine moieties to benzene (aB₁–aB₅), naphthalene (aN₁–aN₅), anthracene (aA₁–aA₅), and tetracene (aT₁–aT₅) cores. DFT studies conducted on them using M06L/6‐311++G(d,p) method reveal a perfect planar structure for all and suggest the utilization of nitrogen lone pairs for aromatic π‐electron delocalization. The computed values of aromaticity indices such as HOMA, NICS, and dehydrogenation energy (E _dh) of heterocycles support strong aromatic character for each six‐membered ring in the LPA mimics. On the basis of the minimum value of the molecular electrostatic potential (V _min) observed on each LPA unit in the LPA mimics, the extended delocalization of π‐electrons is verified. The energetic parameter E _dh showed strong linear correlation with HOMA, NICS and V _min parameters, which strongly supports the multidimensional character of aromaticity in LPA mimics. The electronic property modification is shown by the theoretical absorption spectra data and singlet‐triplet energy gap (ΔE _ST). The bandgap and ΔE _ST tunings are achieved for LPA mimics by selecting appropriate number of azaborinine type units and the size of LPA core used for annulation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hückel and Möbius Expanded para‐Benziporphyrins: Synthesis and Aromaticity Switching

The four expanded p‐benziporphyrins A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[24]pentaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1), N‐fused A‐p‐benzi[24]pentaphyrin, A,D ‐di‐p‐benzi[28]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1), and A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[28]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1) were obtained in three‐component Lindsey‐type macrocyclizations. These compounds were explored as macrocyclic ligands and as potential aromaticity switches. A BODIPY‐like difluoroboron complex was obtained from the A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[24]pentaphyrin, whereas A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[28]hexaphyrin yielded a Möbius‐aromatic Pd^II complex containing fused pyrrole and phenylene subunits. Conformational behavior, tautomerism, and acid‐base chemistry of the new macrocycles were characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Free base N‐fused A‐p‐benzi[24]pentaphyrin showed temperature‐dependent Hückel–Möbius aromaticity switching, whereas the A,C‐di‐p‐benzi[28]hexaphyrin formed a Möbius‐aromatic dication.     

Deprotonation‐Induced Aromaticity Enhancement and New Conjugated Networks in meso‐Hexakis(pentafluorophenyl)[26]hexaphyrin

meso‐Hexakis(pentafluorophenyl)‐substituted neutral hexaphyrin with a 26π‐electronic circuit can be regarded as a real homolog of porphyrin with an 18π‐electronic circuit with respect to a quite flat molecular structure and strong aromaticity. We have investigated additional aromaticity enhancement of meso‐hexakis(pentafluorophenyl)[26]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1) by deprotonation of the inner N? H groups in the macrocyclic molecular cavity to try to induce further structural planarization. Deprotonated mono‐ and dianions of [26]hexaphyrin display sharp B‐like bands, remarkably strong fluorescence, and long‐lived singlet and triplet excited‐states, which indicate enhanced aromaticity. Structural, spectroscopic, and computational studies have revealed that deprotonation induces structural deformations, which lead to a change in the main conjugated π‐electronic circuit and cause enhanced aromaticity.     

Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of (Pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl)–(Nitronyl Nitroxide)/(Iminonitroxide)‐Dyads

Unlike extensively studied diradicals linked by π‐conjugated systems, only a few studies have investigated weakly coupled diradicals linked by an sp³ carbon atom. Herein, we prepared pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl–(nitronyl nitroxide)‐dyad 5 and pyrrolidin‐1‐oxyl–iminonitroxide‐dyad 6 . From the observed temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, 5 and 6 were determined to be in singlet ground states with 2J_intra/k_B=?35.2 K and ?13.6 K, respectively. From these results and theoretical calculations of related diradicals, the spin‐polarization model counting the small spin density of the sp³ carbon atom could be used as a spin‐prediction model.     

The Role of Substituent Effects in Tuning Metallophilic Interactions and Emission Energy of Bis‐4‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,3‐triazolatoplatinum(II) Complexes

The photoluminescence spectra of a series of 5‐substituted pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazolato Pt^II homoleptic complexes show weak emission tunability (ranging from λ=397–408 nm) in dilute (10^?6 M ) ethanolic solutions at the monomer level and strong tunability in concentrated solutions (10^?4 M ) and thin films (ranging from λ=487–625 nm) from dimeric excited states (excimers). The results of density functional calculations (PBE0) attribute this “turn‐on” sensitivity and intensity in the excimer to strong Pt–Pt metallophilic interactions and a change in the excited‐state character from singlet metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (¹MLCT) to singlet metal‐metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (¹MMLCT) emissions in agreement with lifetime measurements.     

Toward Benzobis(thiadiazole)‐based Diradicaloids

We theoretically predicted that acetylene‐bridged benzo[1,2‐c ;4,5‐c ′]bis[1,2,5]thiadiazole (BBT) oligomers would show a quick increase of diradical character with the extension of chain length. To validate the hypothesis, six stable BBT‐based diradicaloids were synthesized and fully characterized by X‐ray crystallographic analysis and various spectroscopic measurements. Three of them showed prominent paramagnetic activity at elevated temperatures due to thermal population from the open‐shell singlet ground state to triplet excited state. It was also found that substitution by electron‐donating triphenylamine groups at the termini promoted the diradical character and reduced the singlet–triplet energy gap, and at the same time, resulted in intense near‐infrared absorption.     

Bis(aminoaryl) Carbon‐Bridged Oligo(phenylenevinylene)s Expand the Limits of Electronic Couplings

Carbon‐bridged bis(aminoaryl) oligo(para ‐phenylenevinylene)s have been prepared and their optical, electrochemical, and structural properties analyzed. Their radical cations are class III and class II mixed‐valence systems, depending on the molecular size, and they show electronic couplings which are among the largest for the self‐exchange reaction of purely organic molecules. In their dication states, the antiferromagnetic coupling is progressively tuned with size from quinoidal closed‐shell to open‐shell biradicals. The data prove that the electronic coupling in the radical cations and the singlet–triplet gap in the dications show similar small attenuation factors, thus allowing charge/spin transfer over rather large distances.     

Piperazine‐1,4‐diium–2,4‐dinitrophenolate–water (1/2/2)

In the title 1/2/2 adduct, C₄H₁₂N₂²⁺·2C₆H₃N₂O₅^?·2H₂O, the dication lies on a crystallographic inversion centre and the asymmetric unit also has one anion and one water mol­ecule in general positions. The 2,4‐di­nitro­phenolate anions and the water mol­ecules are linked by two O—H?O and two C—H?O hydrogen bonds to form molecular ribbons, which extend along the b direction. The piperazine dication acts as a donor for bifurcated N—H?O hydrogen bonds with the phenolate O atom and with the O atom of the o‐nitro group. Six symmetry‐related molecular ribbons are linked to a piperazine dication by N—H?O and C—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

Achieving Adaptive Aromaticity in Cyclo[10]carbon by Screening Cyclo[n]carbon (n=8−24)

Discovery of species with adaptive aromaticity (being aromatic in both the lowest singlet and triplet states) is particularly challenging as cyclic species are generally aromatic either in the ground state or in the excited state only, according to Hückel's and Baird's rules. Inspired by the recent realization of cyclo[18]carbon, here we demonstrate that cyclo[10]carbon possesses adaptive aromaticity by screening cyclo[n]carbon (n=8?24), which is supported by nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS), anisotropy of the current‐induced density (ACID), π contribution of electron localization function (ELF_π) and electron density of delocalized bonds (EDDB) analyses. Further study reveals that the lowest triplet state of cyclo[10]carbon is formed by in‐plane ππ* excitation. Thus, the major contribution to the aromaticity from out‐of‐plane π molecular orbitals does not change significantly in the lowest singlet state. Our findings highlight a crucial role of out‐of‐plane π orbitals in maintaining aromaticity for both the lowest singlet and triplet states as well as the aromaticity dependence on the number of the carbon in cyclo[n]carbon.     

Exploiting the Aromatic Chameleon Character of Fulvenes for Computational Design of Baird‐Aromatic Triplet Ground State Compounds

Due to the reversal in electron counts for aromaticity and antiaromaticity in the closed‐shell singlet state (normally ground state, S₀) and lowest ππ* triplet state (T₁ or T₀), as given by Hückel's and Baird's rules, respectively, fulvenes are influenced by their substituents in the opposite manner in the T₁ and S₀ states. This effect is caused by a reversal in the dipole moment when going from S₀ to T₁ as fulvenes adapt to the difference in electron counts for aromaticity in various states; they are aromatic chameleons. Thus, a substituent pattern that enhances (reduces) fulvene aromaticity in S₀ reduces (enhances) aromaticity in T₁, allowing for rationalizations of the triplet state energies (E_T) of substituted fulvenes. Through quantum chemical calculations, we now assess which substituents and which positions on the pentafulvene core are the most powerful for designing compounds with low or inverted E_T. As a means to increase the π‐electron withdrawing capacity of cyano groups, we found that protonation at the cyano N atoms of 6,6‐dicyanopentafulvenes can be a route to on‐demand formation of a fulvenium dication with a triplet ground state (T₀). The five‐membered ring of this species is markedly Baird‐aromatic, although less than the cyclopentadienyl cation known to have a Baird‐aromatic T₀ state.     

2,8‐Di­hydroxy‐1,3,7,9‐tetra­methyl‐6,12‐di­hydro­dipyrido­[1,2‐a:1′,2′‐d]pyrazine­diyl­ium dichloride dihydrate

The 2,8‐di­hydroxy‐1,3,7,9‐tetra­methyl‐6,12‐di­hydro­di­pyrido[1,2‐a:1′,2′‐d]pyrazine­diyl­ium dication possesses 2/m symmetry and lies in the mirror plane together with a chloride anion and the water O atom. The dication also lies on an inversion centre, i.e. C₁₆H₂₀N₂O₂²⁺·2Cl^?·2H₂O. Due to these symmetry constrictions the dication adopts an unexpected planar conformation. Molecules are linked by O—H?O and O—H?Cl hydrogen bonds to form chains, which are cross‐connected by C—H?Cl attractive interactions forming a complex three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network.     

Rigid‐rod polyamides and polyimides prepared from 4,3″‐diamino‐2′,6′‐di(2‐naphthyl)‐p‐terphenyl and 2′,6′,3‴,5‴‐tetra(2‐naphthyl)‐4,4″‐diamino‐p‐quinquephenyl

A series of rigid‐rod polyamides and polyimides containing p‐terphenyl or p‐quinquephenyl moieties in backbone as well as naphthyl pendent groups were synthesized from two new aromatic diamines. The polymers were characterized by inherent viscosity, elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, X‐ray, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), isothermal gravimetric analysis, and moisture absorption. All polymers were amorphous and displayed T_g values at 304–337°C. Polyamides dissolved upon heating in polar aprotic solvents containing LiCl as well as CCl₃COOH, whereas polyimides were partially soluble in these solvents. No weight loss was observed up to 377–422°C in N₂ and 355–397°C in air. The anaerobic char yields were 57–69% at 800°C. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 15–24, 1999