Donor-substituted cyanoethynylethenes: pi-conjugation and band-gap tuning in strong charge-transfer chromophores

An extensive series of silyl-protected cyanoethynylethenes (CEEs) and N,N-dimethylanilino donor-substituted CEEs have been synthesized. More extended chromophores were constructed by selective silyl deprotection and subsequent oxidative acetylenic coupling. The strong electron-accepting nature of the CEEs was revealed by a combination of 13C NMR spectroscopic and electrochemistry measurements. Donor-substituted CEEs display strong intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) character, resulting in intense, bathochromically shifted CT bands in the UV/Vis spectrum. Their structural diversity establishes them as suitable models for the study of pi-conjugation and band gap tuning in strong charge-transfer chromophores. The extent of pi-conjugation in the donor-substituted CEEs was investigated by a combination of ground-state techniques, such as X-ray crystallography, electrochemistry, B3 LYP calculations, and NMR spectroscopy. The comparison of these ground-state results with the features observed in the UV/Vis spectra reveals that-contrary to expectations-more extensive pi-conjugation can lead to larger band gaps in molecules with strong donor and acceptor moieties.     

Synthesis and Derivatization of Expanded [n]Radialenes (n=3, 4)

Versatile, iterative synthetic protocols to form expanded [n]radialenes have been developed (n=3 and 4), which allow for a variety of groups to be placed around the periphery of the macrocyclic framework. The successful use of the Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction to complete the final ring closure demonstrates the ability of this reaction to tolerate significant ring strain while producing moderate to excellent product yields. The resulting radialenes show good stability under normal laboratory conditions in spite of their strained, cyclic structures. The physical and electronic characteristics of the macrocycles have been documented by UV‐visible spectroscopy, electrochemical methods, and X‐ray crystallography (four derivatives), and these studies provide insight into the properties of these compounds as a function of pendent substitution in terms of conjugation and donor/acceptor functionalization.     

Derivatized fullerenes bearing multiple electron donors: synthesis and charge transfer properties

A series of methano-C60 adducts bearing up to six electron donating N,N-dimethylaniline units (denoted as D compounds), along with their analogues without the dimethylamino groups as references (R compounds), were synthesized. The redox properties of the D compounds in solutions were evaluated spectroscopically in reference to the R compounds. According to UV/vis absorption results, there are obviously ground-state intramolecular charge-transfer complexes in the D series, and the charge-transfer effects apparently become saturated with only two donor units in the molecule. The photoinduced intramolecular electron-transfer properties of the D compounds were investigated via fluorescence measurements. The emission from intramolecular exciplexes can be found only in the D molecule with two electron donor units. Throughout the D series, the fluorescence properties are highly sensitive to the solvent polarity, with the emission completely quenched for all of the molecules in a polar solvent like methylene chloride. Mechanistic implications of the results are discussed.     

Donor-substituted peralkynylated "radiaannulenes": novel all-carbon macrocycles with an intense intramolecular charge-transfer

A novel class of planar, highly conjugated all-carbon macrocycles, which we christened "radiaannulenes", have been prepared based on acetylenic scaffolding using tetraethynylethene (TEE) building blocks; these structures are powerful electron acceptors and, upon peripheral substitution with electron-donating N,N-dialkylanilino groups, display intense intramolecular charge-transfer.     

Spectroscopic and thermal studies on the charge transfer complexes formed between morpholine as donor with p-chloranil and 7,7′,8,8′-tetracyanoquinodimethane

Charge-transfer (CT) complexes formed between morpholine (Morp) as donor with CHL and TCNQ as acceptors have been studied spectrophotometrically. The synthesis and characterization of morpholine CT-complexes of p-chloranil, [(Morp)(CHL)] and 7,7′,8,8′-tetracyanoquinodimethane, [(Morp)(TCNQ)] were described. These complexes are readily prepared from the reaction of Morp with CHL and TCNQ within CHCl₃ and/or MeOH solvents. IR, UV–Vis techniques, elemental (C, H, and N) and thermal analyses (TG/DTG) characterize the two Morp charge-transfer complexes. Benesi–Hildebrand and its modification methods were applied to the determination of association constant (K), and molar extinction coefficient (?).     

Facile synthesis and platinum complexes of 4',5,5'-trisubstituted-2,2':6',2'-terpyridines

The synthesis of trisubstituted 4',5,5' terpyridines is described. The strategy begins with synthesis of 2-acetyl-5-bromopyridine (3) from 2,5-dibromopyridine, substitution of the bromine in 3 using a variety of metal-catalyzed reactions and then formation of the terpyridine using the Krohnke reaction. The complexes have been prepared by reaction of [Pt(PhCN)(2)Cl(2)] with the appropriate silver salt followed by addition of the terpyridyl ligand. The crystal structure of two complexes have been determined via X-ray diffraction and the MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge-transfer) emissions determined by UV/Vis spectroscopy.     

The art of acetylenic scaffolding: rings,rods, and switches

Acetylenic scaffolding with derivatives of tetraethynylethene (TEE, 3,4-diethynylhex-3-ene-1,5-diyne) and (E)-1,2-diethynylethene (DEE, (E)-hex-3-ene-1,5-diyne) provides carbon-rich compounds with interesting physicochemical properties. Thus, these modules are building blocks for monodisperse, linearly pi-conjugated oligomers [polytri(acetylene)s, PTAs] extending in length beyond 10nm, and for large, macrocyclic, all-carbon cores (dehydroannulenes and expanded radialenes) exhibiting strong chromophoric properties. The advanced materials' properties were strongly influenced by the presence of electron-donating substituents at the lateral positions, decreasing the decreasing the (HOMO-LUMO) gap in both PTAs and expanded radialenes. Arylated TEEs were found to undergo photochemically induced cis-trans isomerization, paving the way for applications as light-driven molecular switches in optoelectronic devices. Derivatives of 1,3-diethynylallene are new modules that offer the prospect of scaffolding in an orthogonal manner; that is, they represent precursors for helical oligomers.     

Molecular tethering or aggregation: is the existence of charge-transfer bands indicative of the formation of blue-box/tetrathiafulvalene inclusion complexes?

The interaction between tetrathiafulvalene and tetracation cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) fragments-the key elements of many rotaxane systems-was investigated theoretically by using ab-initio second-order perturbation methods. In addition to the inclusion complex observed in the solid state, a thermodynamically stable "exterior" complex was identified. Calculation of the UV/Vis spectra for the inclusion and the exterior complexes indicated that the charge-transfer band that is often used to predict the formation of the inclusion complexes in solution is, in reality, due to the exterior mode of complexation. These results suggest that UV/Vis spectroscopy is not a reliable method for assigning the complexation modes in TTF:BB(4+) rotaxanes and related systems.     

Fine-tuning the electronic properties of highly stable organometallic Cu(III) complexes containing monoanionic macrocyclic ligands

A family of highly stable organometallic Cu(III) complexes with monoanionic triazamacrocyclic ligands (L(i)) with general formula [CuL(i)]+ have been prepared and isolated, and their structural, spectroscopic, and redox properties thoroughly investigated. The HL(i) ligands have been designed in order to understand and quantify the electronic effects exerted by electron donor and electron-withdrawing groups on either the aromatic ring or the central secondary amine or on both. In the solid state the Cu(III) complexes were mainly characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, whereas in solution their structural characterization was mainly based on 1H NMR spectroscopy given the diamagnetic nature of the d(8) square-planar Cu(III) complexes. Cyclic voltammetry together with 1H NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy have allowed us to quantify the electronic effects exerted by the ligands on the Cu(III) metal center. A theoretical analysis of this family of Cu(III) complexes has also been undertaken by DFT calculations to gain a deeper insight into the electronic structure of these complexes, which has in turn allowed a greater understanding of the nature of the UV/Vis transitions as well as the molecular orbitals involved.     

Estimation of σ- and π-donor properties of heterocyclic thioamides by spectroscopic and magnetic resonance methods

The charge-transfer complexes (CTC) of few thioamide: 1-methylimidazoline-2-thione (MMI), 3-methyl-1-ethoxycarbonilimidazoline-2-thione (Carb), 5-methylbenzimidazoline-2-thione (BIZ), benzothiazoline-2-thione (BTZ), benzoxazoline-2-thione (BOZ) as σ-donors and diiodine as σ-acceptor were studied by spectroscopic methods (UV/Vis, (1)H NMR). CTC formation constants of thioamides with diiodine were determined using the function of the average-iodine number. The charge-transfer complexes of thioamides as π-donors with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) as π-electron acceptor, were studied by UV-spectroscopy in dichloromethane and chloroform solutions. The mechanism of interaction MMI and Carb with TCNE have been studied by EPR spectroscopy. Spectral characteristics and formation constants are discussed in the terms of electron donor affinity of thioamides and the nature of the organic solvent used. The ionization potentials of donors were estimated from the CT transition energies of their complexes. The photolytic equilibrium constants of five thioamides are determined using pH-metric titrations.     

Stable dimeric aromatic cation-radicals. Structural and spectral characterization of through-space charge delocalization

The spontaneous assembly of aromatic cation-radicals (D(+)(*)()) with the parent donor (D) to afford the paramagnetic dimer (D)(2)(+)(*)() is accompanied by a dramatic color change. For example, spectral (UV-vis and ESR) and X-ray crystal structure analyses establish the molecular association of octamethylbiphenylene cation-radical with its neutral counterpart to produce the mixed-valence or dimeric cation-radical in which the positive charge is completely delocalized over both aromatic moieties. The use of the sterically hindered cation-radicals confirms the new spectral or charge-resonance (CR) band to result in dimeric cation-radicals in which the intermolecular separation occurs at an optimum distance allowed by van der Waals contacts. The striking similarities between the classical donor/acceptor (EDA) complexes and the dimeric cation-radicals (D)(2)(+)(*)() (both in terms of the geometrical requirement as well as the appearance of new absorption bands) suggest that the latter can be considered as particular examples of Mulliken's charge-transfer complexes in which the positive charge is completely (equally) delocalized over both donor (D) and acceptor (D(+)(*)()).     

Expanding the chemical space for push-pull chromophores by non-concerted [2+2] and [4+2] cycloadditions: access to a highly functionalised 6,6-dicyanopentafulvene with an intense, low-energy charge-transfer band

Non-concerted [2+2] and [4+2] cycloadditions between N,N-dimethylanilino-substituted 1,1,2,4,4-pentacyanobuta-1,3-diene and 4-ethynyl-N,N-dimethylaniline are controlled by solvent polarity and provide access to a highly functionalised 6,6-dicyanopentafulvene featuring an intense, low-energy charge-transfer band and to an unusual spirocyclic zwitterion, characterised by X-ray analysis.     

Donor-and-acceptor substituted truxenes as multifunctional fluorescent probes

A series of dimesitylboryl acceptor (mesityl=2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) and/or diphenylamino donor (-N(Ph)2)-substituted truxene derivatives, classified as D-or-A substituted compounds and D-and-A substituted charge-transfer compounds, have been synthesized. Two D-and-A substituted truxene compounds, namely, 2-dimesitylboryl-7,12-di(N,N-diphenylamino)-5,5',10,10',15,15'-hexaethyltruxene (BN2) and 2,7-di(dimesitylboryl)-12-(N,N-diphenylamino)-5,5',10,10',15,15'-hexaethyltruxene (B2N), exhibit extraordinarily large solvatochromism ranging from 420 nm (in hexane) to 580 nm (in acetonitrile) in aprotic solvents, which can be used to probe the polarity of the solution environment. Due to proton-donor interactions, the solvatochromic red shift of BN2 and B2N in protic solvents has been significantly decreased, and this effect can be used to identify local protic and aprotic environment. Furthermore, because of the interaction between F- and acceptor, BN2 and B2N show sharp spectral response to fluoride ion concentration. The simultaneous "turn-off" at 500 nm and "turn-on" at 380 nm of the fluorescence signal have provided a good example of a fluorescent ratiometric method, which can greatly enhance the sensitivity of the fluoride ion probe. Underlying these interesting spectral phenomena and multifunctional probe properties is the charge-transfer strategy of grafting donor and acceptor moieties, as A-pi-D2 or A2-pi-D style, to the triangular truxene.     

Anion-Coordination-Assisted Assembly of Supramolecular Charge-Transfer Complexes Based on Tris(urea) Ligands

Charge-transfer (CT) complexes, formed by noncovalent bonding between electron-rich (donor, D) and electron-deficient (acceptor, A) molecules (or moieties) have attracted considerable attention due to their fascinating structures and potential applications. Herein, we demonstrate that anion coordination is a promising strategy to promote CT complex formation between anion-binding, electron-rich tris(urea) donor ligands (D) and electron-deficient viologen cation acceptors (A), which form co-crystals featuring infinite ⋅⋅⋅DADA⋅⋅⋅ or discrete (circular DADA or three-decker DAD) π-stacking interactions. These CT complexes were studied by X-ray diffraction, UV/Vis spectroscopy, electric conductivity measurements, charge displacement curve (CDC) calculations, and DFT computations.     

Synthesis and properties of isoxazolo[60]fullerene-donor dyads

A series of isoxazolo[60]fullerenes has been prepared in one pot from aldoximes under microwave irradiation. Several donors and acceptors were used as substituents. The absorption and emission spectra of these compounds in polar solvents suggest a weak charge-transfer interaction between the oxygen atom of the isoxazoline moiety and the C(60) cage, as well as a stronger interaction between the donor and the fullerene cage when the attached groups are p-N,N-dimethylaniline or ferrocene. The electrochemical properties of the compounds were investigated and they show the same or better acceptor character than C(60) in all cases. Theoretical calculations support the results obtained. Solvent effects in the (1)H NMR spectra have been determined and provide useful information concerning the polarization of dyads.     

Donor‐Substituted Perethynylated Dehydroannulenes and Radiaannulenes: Acetylenic Carbon Sheets Featuring Intense Intramolecular Charge Transfer

In this article, we report the preparation of unprecedented π‐conjugated macrocycles (Fig. 1) by acetylenic scaffolding using modular tetraethynylethene (TEE, 3,4‐diethynylhex‐3‐ene‐1,5‐diyne) building blocks. A novel photochemical access to (Z)‐bisdeprotected TEEs (Scheme 1) enabled the synthesis of the anilino‐substituted perethynylated octadehydro[12]‐ ( 5 ) and dodecadehydro[18]annulenes ( 6 ) (Scheme 2). Following the serendipitous discovery of perethynylated radiaannulenes (Scheme 3) that can be viewed as hybrids between perethynylated dehydroannulenes and expanded radialenes, two series of monocyclic ( 7 – 9 ; Scheme 6) and bicyclic ( 10 and 11 ; Scheme 7) representatives were prepared. Substantial strain in the macrocyclic perimeter of radiaannulene 7 was revealed by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis (Fig. 2). Nevertheless, mono‐ and bicyclic radiaannulenes are stable at room temperature in air for months. The opto‐electronic properties of both dehydroannulenes and radiaannulenes are substantially enhanced by the introduction of the peripheral anilino donor groups that undergo strong intramolecular charge‐transfer interactions with the electron‐accepting all‐C cores. As a result, the UV/VIS spectra feature intense, bathochromically shifted charge‐transfer bands that disappear upon protonation of the anilino moieties and are fully recovered upon neutralization (Figs. 4–9). A comparison between anilino‐substituted perethynylated dehydroannulenes, expanded radialenes, and radiaannulenes revealed that the efficiency of the intramolecular charge‐transfer interaction strongly depends on the structure of the electron‐accepting all‐C perimeter. Electrochemical investigations (Table) demonstrated that the radiaannulenes are particularly powerful electron acceptors. Thus, bicyclic radiaannulene 11 , which possesses eight peripheral 3,5‐di(tert‐butyl)phenyl substituents, is reversibly reduced at ?0.83 V in THF (vs. Fc⁺/Fc), making it a better electron acceptor than buckminsterfullerene C₆₀ under comparable conditions.     

Luminescent alkynylplatinum(II) complexes of 2,6-bis(N-alkylbenzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridine-type ligands with ready tunability of the nature of the emissive states by solvent and electronic property modulation

A new class of luminescent alkynylplatinum(II) complexes of tridentate bis(N-alkylbenzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridines (bzimpy), [Pt(R,R'-bzimpy)(C[triple chemical bond]C-R')]X (X=PF(6), OTf), and one of their chloro precursor complexes, [Pt(R,R'-bzimpy)Cl]PF(6), have been synthesized and characterized; one of the alkynyl complexes has also been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies showed that the oxidation wave is alkynyl ligand-based in nature with some mixing of the metal center-based contribution, whereas the two quasi-reversible reduction couples are mainly bzimpy-based reductions. The electronic absorption and luminescence properties of the complexes have also been investigated. In solution, the high-energy and intense absorption bands are assigned as the pi-pi* intraligand (IL) transitions of the bzimpy and alkynyl ligands, whereas the low-energy and moderately intense absorptions are assigned to an admixture of metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) (dpi(Pt)-->pi*(R,R'-bzimpy)) and ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (LLCT) (pi(C[triple chemical bond]C-R')-->pi*(R,R'-bzimpy)) transitions. Upon variation of the electronic effects of the arylalkynyl ligands, vibronic-structured or structureless emission bands, originating from triplet metal-perturbed intraligand (IL) or an admixture of triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) and ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (LLCT) excited states respectively, were observed in solution. Interestingly, two of the complexes showed a dual luminescence that was sensitive to the polarity of the solvents. Upon cooling from 298 K to 155 K, drastic color, UV/Vis, and luminescence changes were observed in a butyronitrile solution of 1, and were ascribed to the formation of aggregate species through PtPt and pi-pi stacking interactions. DFT and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations have been performed to verify and elucidate the results of the electrochemical and photophysical properties.     

邻硝基乙酰苯胺衍生物的XPS振起伴峰及其价带谱的研究

研究了一组邻硝基乙酰苯胺衍生物的X射线光电子能谱(XPS).观察到硝基的N1s光电子谱有明显分裂,可认为是N1s振起伴峰的反映,而且苯环上的取代基对该振起伴峰强度有影响,按照Pignataro等关于振起伴峰与主峰的能量分离以及分子内电荷转移有关的观点,计算了振起伴峰与主峰的面积比.结果表明,峰间距与面积比的趋势一致.因此二者都可作为分子内电荷转移的粗略估计.     

Monosubstituted arylimido hexamolybdates containing pendant amino groups: synthesis and structural characterization

Three novel rigid-rod conjugated organic-POM hybrids (1, 2 and 3) containing pendant amino terminus, with different rod lengths and different substituents on the rod, have been respectively synthesized via one-pot reaction of hexamolybdate and the corresponding aromatic diamine (for 1 and 2) and reaction of octamolybdate and the corresponding aromatic diamine dihydrochloride (for 3) with N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) as a dehydrating agent. These complexes have been characterized by UV/Vis, IR, (1)H NMR, ESI and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The influences of the rod length and substituents on the properties of these compounds have been systematically investigated, which provide necessary information for further preparations of complicated hybrid materials via reactions with pendant amino groups.     

Ruthenium(II)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>(4′-(4-ethynylphenyl)-2,2′:6′, 2″-terpyridine) — A versatile synthon in supramolecular chemistry. Synthesis and characterization

A homoleptic ethynyl-substituted ruthenium(II)-bisterpyridine complex representing a versatile synthon in supramolecular chemistry was synthesized and analyzed by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray diffractometry. Furthermore, its photophysical properties were detailed by UV/Vis absorption, emission and resonance Raman spectroscopy. In order to place the results obtained in the context of the vast family of ruthenium coordination compounds, two structurally related complexes were investigated accordingly. These reference compounds bear either no or an increased chromophore in the 4′-position. The spectroscopic investigations reveal a systematic bathochromic shift of the absorption and emission maximum upon increasing chromophore size. This bathochromic shift of the steady state spectra occurs hand in hand with increasing resonance Raman intensities upon excitation of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transition. The latter feature is accompanied by an increased excitation delocalization over the chromophore in the 4′-position of the terpyridine. Thus, the results presented allow for a detailed investigation of the electronic effects of the ethynyl substituent on the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer states in the synthon for click reactions leading to coordination polymers.