Vanadium oxytrichloride, a novel reagent for the oxidative trimerization of o-dialkoxybenzenes to hexaalkoxytriphenylenes

Triphenylene derivatives with six peripheral chains can make excellent discotic liquid crystals showing great promise in electronic devices. Vanadium oxytrichloride was found to be a novel reagent for the preparation of various triphenylene derivatives. Symmetrically substituted hexaalkoxytriphenylenes were obtained from o-dialkoxybenzenes by oxidative trimerization with VOCl₃ in high yields. Oxidative coupling of a 3,3',4,4'-tetraalkoxybiphenyl with 1,2-dialkoxybenzenes yielded unsymmetrically substituted derivatives of triphenylene; a direct coupling of a 3,3',4,4'-tetraalkoxybiphenyl with alkoxyphenol produced monofunctionalized triphenylenes.     

Iodo‐substituted triphenylene‐based discogens: by metal‐mediated oxidative cross‐coupling

New monoiodopentakis(alkoxy)triphenylene derivatives were synthesized and characterized. The metal‐mediated oxidative coupling of 2‐iodoalkoxybenzene with 3,3′,4,4′‐tetraalkoxybiphenyl by MoCl₅ as oxidizing reagent yields 2‐iodopentakis(alkoxy)triphenylene. These products were purified by repeated column chromatography; their liquid crystalline properties were studied by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All the derivatives exhibit a columnar mesophase over a wide temperature range.     

Iodo-substituted triphenylene-based discogens: by metal-mediated oxidative cross-coupling

New monoiodopentakis(alkoxy)triphenylene derivatives were synthesized and characterized. The metal-mediated oxidative coupling of 2-iodoalkoxybenzene with 3,3',4,4'-tetraalkoxybiphenyl by MoCl₅ as oxidizing reagent yields 2-iodopentakis(alkoxy)triphenylene. These products were purified by repeated column chromatography; their liquid crystalline properties were studied by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. All the derivatives exhibit a columnar mesophase over a wide temperature range.     

Novel hexasubstituted triphenylene discotic liquid crystals having three different types of peripheral substituent

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of a variety of novel hexasubstituted triphenylene derivatives having three different types of peripheral substitutions are described. Monobromination of 2,3,6,7-tetrakis(pentyloxy)triphenylene 4, prepared by Suzuki coupling of 2-iodo-3′,4,4′,5-tetrakis(pentyloxy)biphenyl 2 and phenylboronic acid followed by cyclization, yields 10-bromo-2,3,6,7-tetrakis(pentyloxy)triphenylene 5. Nucleophilic aromatic displacement of the bromine with the potassium salt of pentanethiol, followed by bromination, yields 2-bromo-6,7,10,11-tetrakis(pentyloxy)-3-(pentylsulphanyl)triphenylene 7 having a bromo, thioalkyl and alkoxy-substituted periphery of the triphenylene nucleus. The reaction of 7 with copper(I) cyanide gives the cyanotriphenylene derivative 8, while palladium-copper catalysed alkynylation of 7 results in the synthesis of the substituted alkyne derivative 9. The deprotected alkyne 10 was converted to dimer 11 where two molecules of a monothioalkyl-tetra-alkoxytriphenylene are connected via a rigid π-conjugated diacetylene bridge. Compounds 7,8,9,10 form hexagonal columnar phases while the dimer 11 shows a discotic nematic phase.     

Novel hexasubstituted triphenylene discotic liquid crystals having three different types of peripheral substituent

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of a variety of novel hexasubstituted triphenylene derivatives having three different types of peripheral substitutions are described. Monobromination of 2,3,6,7-tetrakis(pentyloxy)triphenylene 4 , prepared by Suzuki coupling of 2-iodo-3',4,4',5-tetrakis(pentyloxy)biphenyl 2 and phenylboronic acid followed by cyclization, yields 10-bromo-2,3,6,7-tetrakis(pentyloxy)triphenylene 5 . Nucleophilic aromatic displacement of the bromine with the potassium salt of pentanethiol, followed by bromination, yields 2-bromo-6,7,10,11-tetrakis(pentyloxy)-3-(pentylsulphanyl)triphenylene 7 having a bromo, thioalkyl and alkoxy-substituted periphery of the triphenylene nucleus. The reaction of 7 with copper(I) cyanide gives the cyanotriphenylene derivative 8 , while palladium-copper catalysed alkynylation of 7 results in the synthesis of the substituted alkyne derivative 9 . The deprotected alkyne 10 was converted to dimer 11 where two molecules of a monothioalkyl-tetra-alkoxytriphenylene are connected via a rigid pi-conjugated diacetylene bridge. Compounds 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 form hexagonal columnar phases while the dimer 11 shows a discotic nematic phase.     

Thermotropic liquid–crystalline properties of 4,4′-dialkoxy-3,3′-diaminobiphenyl compounds and their precursors

A series of 4,4?-dialkoxy-3,3?-diaminobiphenyl compounds were synthesised by three-step procedure that involves alkylation, nitration and reduction reactions. Their chemical structures were characterised by FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Their thermotropic liquid–crystalline (LC) properties were examined by a number of experimental techniques including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), polarising optical microscopy (POM) and variable temperature X-ray diffraction (VT-XRD). The 4,4?-dialkoxy-3,3?-dinitrobipheyl compounds, precursors to the diamine compounds, were also examined for their thermotropic LC properties. POM studies of focal conic textures and VT-XRD of the 3,3?-diaminobiphenyl derivatives having flexible alkyl chains (C₆–C₁₂) exhibited the smectic A (SmA) phase independent of the length of alkyl chains. Similarly, the 3,3?-dinitrobiphenyl derivatives containing alkyl chains C₇, and C₉–C₁₁ exhibit the SmA phase, those containing C₈ formed the smectic C (SmC) phase and C₁₂ formed both the SmA and smectic B (SmB) phases, respectively. The 3,3?-diaminobiphenyl derivatives had excellent thermal stability in the temperature range of 237–329°C, while those of 3,3?-dinitrobiphenyl derivatives were in the temperature range of 270–321°C. The 3,3?-diaminobiphenyl derivatives emitted UV light both in chloroform and acetonitrile.     

The fluorination of polyfluorobiphenyls containing bromine

2-Bromononafluorobiphenyl, 2,2′-, 3,3′- and 4,4′-dibromo-octafluorobiphenyl have been fluorinated using CoF₃ at 100–140°. The first two of these compounds lost bromine and gave eicosafluoro-1-cyclohexylcyclohexene and perfluororobicyclohexyl in addition to 2-bromoheptadecafluorobicyclohex-1,1′-enyl. From the latter two biphenyls the corresponding dibromo-eicosafluorobicyclohexyl derivatives were obtained in good yield. 3,3′-Dibromo-octafluorobiphenyl was obtained by the bromination of 2,3,4,6,2′,3′,4′,6′-octafluorobiphenyl which was itself prepared by a coupling reation of 1-bromo-2,3,4,6-tetrafluorobenzene using copper bronze.     

Fully imidized soluble polyimides based on a novel dianhydride: 2,2′-dichloro-4,4′,5,5′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride

We have synthesized a novel dianhydride, 2,2′-dichloro-4,4′,5,5′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (DCBTDA). Polyimides were synthesized with DCBTDA or 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and several relatively rigid meta- and para- substituted mononuclear diamines. The BTDA based systems were insoluble in dipolar, aprotic solvents whereas the DCBTDA based polymers displayed enhanced solubility in these solvents. The thermal stability of these polyimides was excellent as measured by 5% weight loss decomposition. The T_g's of the polymers were all above 290°C.     

Chromatographic Resolution of α‐Amino Acids by (R)‐(3,3'‐Halogen Substituted‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 Stationary Phase in HPLC

Three new chiral stationary phases (CSPs ) for high‐performance liquid chromatography were prepared from R ‐(3,3'‐halogen substituted‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 (halogen = Cl, Br and I). The experimental results showed that R ‐(3,3'‐dibromo‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 ( CSP ‐1 ) possesses more prominent enantioselectivity than the two other halogen‐substituted crown ether derivatives. All twenty‐one α ‐amino acids have different degrees of separation on R ‐(3,3'‐dibromo‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6‐based CSP ‐1 at room temperature. The enantioselectivity of CSP ‐1 is also better than those of some commercial R ‐(1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 derivatives. Both the separation factors (α ) and the resolution (R _s) are better than those of commercial crown ether‐based CSPs [CROWNPAK CR (+) from Daicel] under the same conditions for asparagine, threonine, proline, arginine, serine, histidine and valine, which cannot be separated by commercial CR (+). This study proves the commercial usefulness of the R ‐(3,3'‐dibromo‐1,1'‐binaphthyl)‐20‐crown‐6 chiral stationary phase.     

Substituted 2,2′‐Bis(2‐oxidobenzylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl Complexes of Zinc

The condensation reaction of 2,2′‐diamino‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐6,6'‐dibromo‐1,1′‐biphenyl with 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde as well as 5‐methoxy‐, 4‐methoxy‐, and 3‐methoxy‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde yields 2,2′‐bis(salicylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐6,6′‐dibromo‐1,1′‐biphenyl ( 1a ) as well as the 5‐, 4‐, and 3‐methoxy‐substituted derivatives 1b , 1c , and 1d , respectively. Deprotonation of substituted 2,2′‐bis(salicylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐1,1′‐biphenyls with diethylzinc yields the corresponding substituted zinc 2,2′‐bis(2‐oxidobenzylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐1,1′‐biphenyls ( 2 ) or zinc 2,2′‐bis(2‐oxidobenzylideneamino)‐4,4′‐dimethyl‐6,6′‐dibromo‐1,1′‐biphenyls ( 3 ). Recrystallization from a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and methanol can lead to the formation of methanol adducts. The methanol ligands can either bind as Lewis base to the central zinc atom or as Lewis acid via a weak O–H ··· O hydrogen bridge to a phenoxide moiety. Methanol‐free complexes precipitate as dimers with central Zn₂O₂ rings.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorinated Polyimide Derived from 3,3′‐Diisopropyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl‐3′′,4′′‐difluorophenylmethane

A novel aromatic diamine monomer, 3,3′‐diisopropyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl‐3′′,4′′‐difluorophenylmethane (PAFM), was successfully synthesized by coupling of 2‐isopropylaniline and 3,4‐difluorobenzaldehyde. The aromatic diamine was adopted to synthesize a series of fluorinated polyimides by polycondensation with various dianhydrides: pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) via the conventional one‐step method. These polyimides presented excellent solubility in common organic solvents, such as N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), chloroform (CHCl₃), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and so on. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of fluorinated polyimides were in the range of 260–306°C and the temperature at 10% weight loss in the range of 474–502°C. Their films showed the cut‐off wavelengths of 330–361 nm and higher than 80% transparency in a wavelength range of 385–463 nm. Moreover, polymer films exhibited low dielectric properties in the range of 2.76–2.96 at 1 MHz, as well as prominent mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 66.7–97.4 MPa, a tensile modulus of 1.7–2.1 GPa and elongation at break of 7.2%–12.9%. The polymer films also showed outstanding hydrophobicity with the contact angle in the range of 91.2°–97.9°.     

Two New Coordination Polymers with UO22+ Units and Fluorinated Aromatic Carboxylate Linkers

A new coordination polymer, namely ²_∞[(U^VIO₂)₂(L)(DMA)₃] ( 1 ) (C2/c, Z = 8) with L = 4-monofluorobiphenyl-3,3',5,5'-tetracarboxylate (4-mF-BPTC^4–) was synthesized by solvothermal reaction in DMA (N,N'-dimethylacetamide). Its crystal structure was solved and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. It contains two different types of UO₂²⁺ units, which are connected by fluorinated tetracarboxylate ligands to form a layered structural motif. Three DMA molecules are coordinated to one UO₂²⁺ unit (CN = 7), whereas the other is solely coordinated by oxygen atoms of the tetracarboxylate linkers (CN = 8). The layers are held together by van der Waals interactions, which do not include any hydrogen bonds. An isostructural coordination polymer is formed with L' = 4,4'-difluorobiphenyl-3,3',5,5'-tetracarboxylate (4,4'-dF-BPTC^4–), as confirmed by XRPD (X-ray powder diffraction), IR/Raman spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The DSC/TG analyses of both compounds show that they are stable up to approx. 300 °C in an inert argon atmosphere.     

A stereoselective synthesis of symmetrical and unsymmetrical bibenzo[e][1,3]oxazine-2,2′-dione derivatives induced by low-valent titanium reagent

A series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical bibenzo[e][1,3]oxazine-2,2′-dione derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of various o-hydroxy Schiff bases and triphosgene induced by low-valent titanium reagent (TiCl₄/Sm). A variety of substrates can participate in the process with good yields. The present method provides a useful preparation of 3,3′,4,4′-tetrahydro-4,4′-bibenzo[e][1,3]oxazine-2,2′-dione derivatives, which cannot be prepared otherwise. The mechanistic course of the reaction suggests the involvement of reduction, coupling, and cyclization by one-pot.     

Coupling and Cyclization of Sydnone Compounds

Cyclization were occurred via the coupling reactions of some mercuric chloride derivatives of sydnone with LiPdCl₃-CuCl₂. A unique six-membered ring, 3,3′-ethylene-4,4′-bissydnone, was obtained by the cyclization reation of 1,2-di[3-(4-chloromercuric)sydnonyl]ethane. However, the seven-membered 3,3′-trimethylene-4,4′-bissydnone and 1,3-di[3-(4-chloro)sydnonyl]-propane were obtained from the corresponding mercuric chlroide of sydnone. Onyl substitution reaction took place when 4,4′-di[3-(4-chloromercuric)sydnonyl]biphenyl, 4,4′-di[3-(4-chloromercuric)sydnonyl]benzene, di(p-[3-(4-chloromercuric)sydnonyl]-phenyl}methane and, di(p-[3-(4-chloromercuric)sydnonyl]phenyl]ether were treated using the same process.     

Synthesis and Characterization of New Xanthene Derivatives,and Their Electrochemical Study

This work investigated the synthesis of biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride and benzophenone‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride derivatives ( 3a – e and 6a – e ) with different substituted phenols via Friedel‐Crafts acylation reaction in the presence of dilute sulfuric acid. Dianhydride derivatives with 3‐N,N′‐dimethylamino phenol ( 3d and 6d ) and resorcinol ( 3e and 6e ) have been found to be highly fluorescent. The structures of all newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by the chromatographic, spectral and elemental data. Electrochemical study was done to determine to band gap energy, LUMO and HOMO levels energy. Band gap and LUMO energy levels were found to be lowest in xanthene derivatives substituted with 3‐N,N′‐dimethylamino group having value 2.24 and 4.85 eV respectively.     

Aromatic polybenzoxazoles containing ether–sulfone linkages

A series of poly(o‐hydroxy amide)s having both ether and sulfone linkages in the main chain were synthesized via the low‐temperature solution polycondensation of 4,4′‐[sulfonylbis(1,4‐phenylene)dioxy]dibenzoyl chloride and 4,4′‐[sulfonylbis(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene)dioxy]dibenzoyl chloride with three bis(o‐aminophenol)s including 4,4′‐diamino‐3,3′‐dihydroxybiphenyl, 3,3′‐diamino‐4,4′‐dihydroxybiphenyl, and 2,2‐bis(3‐diamino‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane. Subsequent thermal cyclodehydration of the poly(o‐hydroxy amide)s afforded polyethersulfone benzoxazoles. Most of the poly(o‐hydroxy amide)s were soluble in polar organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone; however, the polybenzoxazoles without the hexafluoroisopropylidene group were organic‐insoluble. The polybenzoxazoles exhibited glass‐transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 219–282 °C by DSC and softening temperatures (T_s) of 242–320 °C by thermomechanical analysis. Thermogravimetric analyses indicated that most polybenzoxazoles were stable up to 450 °C in air or nitrogen. The 10% weight loss temperatures were recorded in the ranges of 474–593 °C in air and 478–643 °C in nitrogen. The methyl‐substituted polybenzoxazoles had higher T_g's but lower T_s's and initial decomposition temperatures compared with the corresponding unsubstituted polybenzoxazoles. For a comparative purpose, the synthesis and characterization of a series of sulfonyl polybenzoxazoles without the ether group that derived from 4,4′‐sulfonyldibenzoyl chloride and bis(o‐aminophenol)s were also reported. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2262–2270, 2001     

Novel Non‐Coplanar and Tertbutyl‐Substituted Polyimides: Solubility,Optical, Thermal and Dielectric Properties

A novel aromatic diamine monomer bearing tertbutyl and 4‐tertbutylphenyl groups, 3,3′‐ditertbutyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl‐4′′‐tertbutylphenylmethane (TADBP), was prepared and characterized. A series of non‐coplanar polyimides (PIs) were synthesized via a conventional one‐step polycondensation from TADBP and various aromatic dianhydrides including pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (OPDA), 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)dipthalic anhydride (6FDA). All PIs exhibit excellent solubility in common organic solvents such as N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), chloroform (CHCl₃), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and so on. Furthermore, the obtained transparent, strong and flexible polyimide films present good thermal stability and outstanding optical properties. Their glass transition temperatures (T_gs) are in the range of 298 to 347°C, and 10% weight loss temperatures are in excess of 490°C with more than 53% char yield at 800°C in nitrogen. All the polyimides can be cast into transparent and flexible films with tensile strength of 80.5–101 MPa, elongation at break of 8.4%–10.5%, and Young's modulus of 2.3–2.8 GPa. Meanwhile, the PIs show the cutoff wavelengths of 302–356 nm, as well as low moisture absorption (0.30% –0.55%) and low dielectric constant (2.78–3.12 at 1 MHz).     

Methylene-bridged aromatic polyesters. Synthesis,characterization, and radiation-induced crosslinking

Aromatic polyesters connected by methylene groups were synthesized. Two pairs of aromatic diacid chlorides, 3,3′-methylenedibenzoyl chloride and 4,4′-methylenedibenzoyl chloride were each polymerized via interfacial polycondensation with 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (bisphenol A), 3,3′-methylenediphenol, and 4,4′-methylenediphenol. For comparison, 3,3′-carbonyldibenzoyl chloride and 4,4′-carbonyldibenzoyl chloride were similarly polymerized with bisphenol A. Substitution of meta,meta' oriented phenylene groups for para,para' oriented phenylene groups had a significant and cumulative effect in reducing the glass transition temperatures of the polymers, thereby enhancing their processability. In air the methylene groups of the polyesters undergo oxidation and crosslinking at elevated temperatures. Electron beam irradiation of thin films of the methylene-linked polyesters at room temperature resulted in some chain extension and crosslinking, as evidenced by increased solution viscosity and gel formation. Irradiation at a temperature near or above the glass transition temperatures of the polymers greatly enhanced the tendency for the polymers to crosslink.     

Disk-shaped Symmetric Hexa-substituted Triphenylene Derivatives: Synthesis,Physical Properties and Self-assembly

A series of triphenylene derivatives with six symmetric substituents was synthesized from hexabromotriphenylene. The synthesis was conducted by six-fold palladium-catalyzed Hagihara-Sonogashira cross- coupling reactions to yield the hexa-alkynyl substituted triphenylene derivatives of HTP1, HTP2, HTP3 and HTP4. The six symmetric substituents can not only endow the triphenylene the longer π-conjugated range, but also increase the solubility of the compounds. Their photophysical, electrochemical, thermal properties were investigated respectively. With the comparison of their properties, the structure-property relationships were established which demonstrated the influences of different substituents on the electronic nature and the mesomorphic phase of these disk-shaped molecules. In addition, with the scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and polarized optical microscopy(POM) characterization, the self-assembly behaviors of the compounds were also investigated.     

Two New Dinuclear MnII Cluster-based Metal-organic Frameworks: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties

Two new dinuclear Mn^II cluster-based metal-organic frameworks, namely [Mn₂(L)(DMPU)₃]_n ( 1 ) and [Mn(L)_0.5(4,4'-bipy)_0.5(H₂O)]_n ( 2 ) (H₄L = biphenyl-3,3',5,5'-tetracarboxylic acid, DMPU = 1,3-dimethyltetrahydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one, 4,4'-bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine), were solvothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, and magnetic studies. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/n space group and displays a 3D framework with 4-connected crb/BCT -type topology, and compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group and displays a 3D framework with (4,6)-connected sqc422 -type topology. The magnetic studies of compounds 1 and 2 show the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions within the dinuclear Mn^II units.