Resolution of a Configurationally Stable Hetero[4]helicene

We have developed an efficient chemical resolution of racemic hydroxy substituted dithia-aza[4]helicenes (DTA[4]H) 1(OH) using enantiopure acids as resolving agents. The better diastereomeric separation was achieved on esters prepared with (1S)-(−)-camphanic acid. Subsequent simple manipulations produced highly optically pure (≥ 99% enantiomeric excess) (P) and (M)-1(OH) in good yields. The role of the position where the chiral auxiliary is inserted (cape- vs. bay-zone) and the structure of the enantiopure acid used on successful resolution are discussed.     

Synthesis of a Blue-Emissive Azaborathia[9]helicene by Silicon-Boron Exchange from Unusual Atropisomeric Teraryls

We report the concise synthesis and chir(optical) properties of an azaborathia[9]helicene consisting of two thienoazaborole motifs. The key intermediate, a highly congested teraryl with nearly parallel isoquinoline moieties, was generated as a mixture of atropisomers upon fusion of the central thiophene ring of the dithienothiophene moiety. These diastereomers were characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis revealing intriguing interactions in the solid state. Subsequent insertion of boron into the aromatic scaffold via silicon-boron exchange involving triisopropylsilyl groups fixed the helical geometry, thereby establishing a novel method for the preparation of azaboroles. The ligand exchange at boron in the final step afforded the blue emitter displaying a fluorescence quantum yield of 0.17 in CH₂Cl₂ and excellent configurational stability. Detailed structural and theoretical investigation of unusual atropisomers and the helicene provide insights into their isomerization processes.     

A New Sodium Borate: Na[B6O8(OH)3]·6H2O·H3BO3

The structure of [B₆H₉NaO₁₄, H₃BO₃, 6H₂O] was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and further analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy and differential thermal/thermogravimetric analysis. The asymmetric unit contains Na–O polyhedra (distorted octahedron), [B₆O₈(OH)₃]^– fundamental building blocks, one free water molecule and one free H₃BO₃ molecule. In the hexaborate anion, three B₃O₃ rings are linked by a common oxygen atom with five trigonal and one tetrahedral boron atoms. The hexaborate group is also linked to the oxygenated environment of the sodium atom by three other six‐membered rings, each of which involve two boron atoms, three oxygen atoms, and sodium as the joint atom.     

Configurationally Stable Chiral Dithia‐Bridged Hetero[4]helicene Radical Cation: Electronic Structure and Absolute Configuration

A stable chiral hetero[4]helicene radical cation was synthesized and characterized by UV/Vis absorption and EPR spectroscopy, as well as X‐ray crystallography. For the first time, a combination of chiroptical methods involving ECD, ORD, and VCD, supported by quantum mechanical predictions, enabled the elucidation of the absolute configuration of such open‐shell helical species.     

Helically chiral functionalized [6]helicene: Synthesis,optical resolution,and photophysical properties

A short and efficient synthetic pathway leading to a new chiral π-conjugated system is reported. The X-ray structure of the target compound was determined and showed a helical conformation. Its resolution was successfully accomplished, leading to two enantiomers in high optical purity, and their chiroptical properties were examined experimentally. The photophysical properties of the organic material were also evaluated, showing an emission in the visible region, and HOMO and LUMO levels have been estimated experimentally, demonstrating an electrochemical band gap of 2.37 eV.     

Electrophoretic investigation of the boron cluster anion [7-(2'-pyridyl)-nido-7,8-dicarbaundecaborate]- and its protonated zwitterionic product

ACN is a better solvent than methanol for both [NMe(4)] [7-(2'-pyridyl)-nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11)] and its protonated anion. The investigated laboratory preparations of the salt and of its protonated anion are electrophoretically pure solids stable for 2 months at 4 degrees C. At a longer storage, the solid salt is more stable than the solid protonated anion. In the 40:60 v/v water-methanol solvent, decomposition products of the salt anion are detectable after one-week storage of the salt solution at 4 degrees C. The protonated anion does not decompose for almost 1 year in water-organic solutions at 4 degrees C. The exchange of the proton between the protonated anion and the solution is reversible and fast at room temperature. The pH dependence of the mobility of the [7-(2(-pyridyl)-nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11)](-) anion reveals that the basicity of the nitrogen atom in the pyridine ring is not significantly affected by the bonding of the pyridyl group to the nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11) cluster in position 7 and that the proton from the solution is accepted by the nitrogen atom in the 2-pyridyl ring. The UV-spectra of the salt and of its protonated anion indicate that the accepted proton is probably slightly shifted to the open face of the nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11) cluster. The [1](-) is chiral.     

Helical primary structures of 1,3-spiroannelated five-membered rings: (±)-trispiro[4.1.1.4.2.2]heptadecane and (±)-tetraspiro[4.1.1.1.4.2.2.2]heneicosane

A combination of three spiroannelation methods forms the basis for a synthesis of the first two helical hydrocarbons of 1,3-spiroannelated five-membered rings.     

Isomerism and Blue Electroluminescence of a Novel Organoboron Compound: BIII2(O)(7-azain)2Ph2

Bright blue light with a maximum at 450 nm is emitted by both structural isomers of the novel, stable B^III₂(O)(7-azain)₂Ph₂ (7-azain=7-azaindole anion) on irradiation with UV light. The isomer shown in the picture has approximate C₂ symmetry (the other isomer approximate C_s symmetry) and electroluminesces when used as the emitting layer in an electroluminescent device.     

Phosphaniminato-Komplexe von Bor. Synthese und Kristallstrukturen von [BBr2(NPMe3)]2, [B2Br3(NPiPr3)2]Br, [B2(NPEt3)4]Br2, [B2Br2(NPPh3)3]BBr4 und [{B2(NMe2)2}2(NPEt3)2]Cl2

Phosphoraneiminato Complexes of Boron. Syntheses and Crystal Structures of [BBr₂(NPMe₃)]₂, [B₂Br₃(NPⁱPr₃)₂]Br, [B₂(NPEt₃)₄]Br₂, [B₂Br₂(NPPh₃)₃]BBr₄ and [{B₂(NMe₂)₂}₂(NPEt₃)₂]Cl The bromoderivatives of the title compounds are prepared from the corresponding silylated phosphoraneimines Me₃SiNPR₃ and boron tribromide. The boron subcompound [{B₂(NMe₂)₂}₂(NPEt₃)₂]Cl₂ derives from Me₃SiNPEt₃ and B₂Cl₂(NMe₂)₂. All complexes are characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by crystal structure determinations. [BBr₂(NPMe₃)]₂ (1): Space group P2₁/n, Z = 2, R = 0.031. Lattice dimensions at ?50°C: a = 723.8, b = 894.2, c = 1305.4 pm, β = 92.35°. 1 forms centrosymmetric molecules in which the boron atoms are linked via μ₂-N bridges of the NPMe₃^? groups of from B₂N₂ four-membered rings with B? N distances of 149.9 and 150.9 pm. B₂Br₃(NPⁱPr₃)₂]Br (2): Space group P2₁, Z = 2, R = 0.059. Lattice dimensions at ?80°C: a = 817.6, b = 2198.7, c = 851.5 pm, β = 115.09°. In the cations of 2 the boron atoms are lined via the μ₂-N atoms of the NPⁱPr₃^? groups to form planar, asymmetric B₂N₂ four-membered rings with B? N distances of 143 and 156 pm. [B₂(NPEt₃)₄[Br₂·4CH₂Cl₂ (3): Space group C2/c, Z = 4, R = 0.042. Lattice dimensions at ?50°C: a = 1946.1, b = 1180.3, c = 2311.3 pm, β = 101.02°. The structure contains centrosymmetric dications in which both the boron atoms are lined by the N atoms of two of the NPEt₃^? groups to form a B₂N₂ four-membered ring with B? N distances of 149.6 pm. The remaining two NPEt₃^? groups are terminally bonded with very short B? N distances of 133.5 pm. B₂Br₂(NPPh₃)₃]BBr₄ (4): Space group P1 , Z = 2, R = 0.065. Lattice dimension at ?50°C: a = 1025.7, b = 1496.1, c = 1807.0 pm, α = 85.09°, β = 82.90°, γ = 82.72°. In the cation the boron atoms are lined via the μ₂-N atoms of two of the NPPh₃^? groups to form a nearly planer B₂N₂ four-membered ring with B? N distances of 149.3-153.1 pm. The third NPPh₃³ group is terminally connected with teh sp² hybridized boron atom and with a B? N distance of 134.1 pm along with an almost linear BNP bond angle of 173.6°. [{B₂(NMe₂)₂}₂(NPEt₂)₂]Cl₂ · 3CH₂Cl₂ (5): Space group C2/c, Z = 4, R = 0.098. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 1557.9, b = 1294.7, c = 2122.9 pm, β = 96.08°. The structure of 4 contains centrosymmetric dications in which two by two B-B dumb-bells are linked via the μ₂-N atoms of the two NEPt₃^? groups to form B₄N₂ six-membered rings with B? N distances of 150 and 156 pm and B-B distances of 173 pm. The B? N distances of the terminally bonded NMe₂^? groups correspond to 138 pm double bonds.     

A new approach to helical primary structures of four-membered rings: (P)- and (M)-tetraspiro[3.0.0.0.3.2.2.2]hexadecane

A new approach to helical primary structures of four-membered rings uses a cycloaddition of a trimethylenketeniminium salt to suitable tailored methylenecyclobutanes to assemble the desired carbon framework. The results are short and effective syntheses of (M)-trispiro[3.0.0.3.2.2]tridecane [(M)-5], and (P)- and (M)-tetraspiro[3.0.0.0.3.2.2.2]hexadecane [(P)- and (M)-24]. Unlike helices of three-membered rings, the specific rotation decreases, as the length of the helix increases.     

Synthese und Strukturen von [ReNBr2(Me2PhP)3] und (Me2PhPH)[fac‐Re(NBBr3)Br3(Me2PhP)2]

Syntheses and Structures of [ReNBr₂(Me₂PhP)₃] and (Me₂PhPH)[ fac ‐Re(NBBr₃)Br₃(Me₂PhP)₂] [ReNBr₂(Me₂PhP)₃] ( 1 ) has been prepared by the reaction of [ReNCl₂(Me₂PhP)₃] with Me₃SiBr in dichloromethane. The bromo complex reacts with BBr₃ under formation of [Re(NBBr₃)Br₂(Me₂PhP)₃] ( 2 ) or (Me₂PhPH)[fac‐Re(NBBr₃)Br₃(Me₂PhP)₂] ( 3 ) depending on the experimental conditions. The formation of the nitrido bridge leads to a significant decrease of the structural trans influence of the nitrido ligand which is evident by the shortening of the Re‐(trans)Br bond from 2.795(1) Å in [ReNBr₂(Me₂PhP)₃] to 2.620(1) Å in [fac‐Re(NBBr₃)Br₃(Me₂PhP)₂]^– and 2.598(1) Å in [Re(NBBr₃)Br₂(Me₂PhP)₃], respectively.     

[Tc(NBCl2Ph)Cl2(Me2PhP)3] und [Tc(NBH3)Cl2(Me2PhP)3] – die ersten Technetium‐Komplexe mit Nitridobrücken zwischen Technetium und Bor

[Tc(NBCl₂Ph)Cl₂(Me₂PhP)₃] and [Tc(NBH₃)Cl₂(Me₂PhP)₃] – the First Technetium Complexes with Nitrido Bridges between Technetium and Boron [TcNCl₂(Me₂PhP)₃] reacts with BCl₂Ph or BH₃ · THF at low temperatures under formation of complexes containing a nitrido bridge between technetium and boron. The compounds are instable and decompose at room temperature under cleavage of the N–B bonds. The pale‐purple [Tc(NBCl₂Ph)Cl₂(Me₂PhP)₃] crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fdd2. The Tc≡N bond is only slightly lengthened by the formation of the N–B bond of 1.564(4) Å. However, a considerable lengthening of the Tc–Cl bond in trans position to the nitrido ligand is observed which can be attributed to an decreasing of the structural trans influence of the nitrido moiety. A similar structural feature can be found in [Tc(NBH₃)Cl₂(Me₂PhP)₃] which is the first structurally characterized transition metal complex containing a nitrido bridge to unsubstituted borane.     

Syntheses and structures of new luminescent B(III) complexes: BPh2(2-(2-pyridyl)naphtho[b]imidazole) and BF2(2-(2-pyridyl)naphtho[b]imidazole)

A novel chelating ligand, 2-(2-pyridyl)naphtho[b]imidazole (PNI) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The PNI molecule reacts readily with BPh₃ and BF₃ to form BPh₂(2-(2-pyridyl)naphtho[b]imidazole) (1) and BF₂(2-(2-pyridyl)naphtho[b]imidazole) (2), respectively. The structures of PNI and 1 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, while that 2 by spectroscopic methods. The structure of 1 reveals that the boron center is four-coordinated. The electroluminescent device using 1 as the emitting layer shows bright yellow luminescence with a maximum emission peak at 540 nm. Complexes 1 and 2 form a new family of organometallic emitting materials which could be of interest for practical applications.     

Study of electrochemical stability of conducting polymers by bidimensional spectroelectrochemistry: p- and n-doping of poly(4,4′-bis(butylthio)-2,2′-bithiophene) films

UV-vis bidimensional spectroelectrochemistry has been applied to the study of the electrochemical stability of conducting polymer films during p- and n-doping processes. Specifically, poly(4,4′-bis(butylthio)-2,2′-bithiophene) has been chosen as example to prove the usefulness and suitability of this multi-response technique to characterize polymer stability during p- and n-doping. It was found that oxidative doping and corresponding de-doping alone did not result in noticeable polymer film degradation. However, in experiments involving both p- and n-doping of this conducting polymer, soluble species arising from the polymer film were detected in solution for the first time, indicating a lower electrochemical stability of the film under these experimental conditions. Moreover, bidimensional spectroelectrochemistry has enabled us not only to detect the soluble degradation products, but also the potential range in which the degradation takes place.     

Synthesis and Properties of Spiro-double Sila[7]helicene: The LUMO Spiro-conjugation

A double helicene with a spiro-Si linker ( 4 ) was synthesized by four successive nucleophilic substitutions on SiCl₄. Its (P,P), (M,M) and (P,M) isomers were isolated and characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. Due to the central spirosilabi[fluorene] moiety, the two helicene units in 4 are symmetrically and nearly perpendicularly arranged. (P,P)- 4 and (M,M)- 4 exhibit unique optical properties attributable to the LUMO spiro-conjugation between the two sila[7]helicene units.     

Preparation and Structure of [Me3N(CF3)2BCCB(CF3)2NMe3]

Bis‐trimethylamine‐ethynyl‐di‐bis(trifluoromethyl)borane [Me₃N(CF₃)₂BCCB(CF₃)₂NMe₃] ( 1 ) has been prepared from trimethylamine‐ethynyl‐bis(trifluoromethyl)borane, [HCCB(CF₃)₂NMe₃], and dimethylamino‐bis(trifluoromethyl)borane, (CF₃)₂BNMe₂. The structure of 1 has been determined by x‐ray crystallography. In the solid state the molecule possesses crystallographic C_i symmetry. The acetylenic attachment to the boron atom is characterized by a short B–C bond length of 1.565(4) Å and an essentially linear B–C–C′ bond angle of 178.1(4)°.     

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.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Crystal Structures of [N(CH3)4]2[B12H12] and [N(CH3)4]2[B12H12] · CH3CN

Bis(tetramethylammonium) dodecahydrododecaborate, [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂], and bis(tetramethylammonium) dodecahydrododecaborate acetonitrile, [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] · CH₃CN, were synthesized and characterized via Infrared, ¹H and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy. [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] crystallizes isopunctual to the alkali metal dodecaborates. The crystal structure of [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] · CH₃CN was determined from single crystal data and refined in the orthorhombic crystal system (Pcmn, no. 62, a = 898.68(8), b = 1312.85(9) c = 1994.5(1) pm, R(|F| , 4σ) = 5.9%, wR(F²) = 18.3%). Here, the geometry of the dodecaborate anion is that of an almost ideal icosahedron, less distorted than most other dodecaborates known. By low‐temperature Guinier‐Simon diffractometry phase transitions were detected for [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] and [(CH₃)₄N]₂[B₁₂H₁₂] · CH₃CN at –70 and –15 °C, respectively.     

Helical primary structures of 1,2-spiroannelated five-membered rings: attempted synthesis of (±)-tetraspiro[4.0.0.0.4.3.3.3]heneicosane

A β-hydroxy ketone with a helical carbon skeleton of five 1,2-spiroannelated cyclopentane rings is the main product of a Lewis acid catalyzed rearrangement of suitable sized α-hydroxy epoxides followed by an in situ equilibration via retro aldol reactions. Various attempts of a conversion to the title hydrocarbon failed.     

Chiral molecular glass: synthesis and characterization of enantiomerically pure thiophene-based [7]helicene

Synthesis of thiophene-based [7]helicenes, which are functionalized for both design of organic chiral glasses with strong chiroptical properties and for further homologation to higher [n]helicenes, is reported. The key synthetic transformations are kinetic resolution of the intermediate diketone and the annelation step forming the center benzene ring by means of an intramolecular McMurry reaction. Based upon X-ray crystallographic determinations of the absolute configurations for (+)-enantiomers of the diketone and the [7]helicene, stereochemical correlation between the (R) axial chirality of the diketone and the (M) helical chirality of the [7]helicene is established. One such enantiopure trimethylsilyl-substituted [7]helicene possesses enchanced chiroptical properties and forms a chiral molecular glass.