Trapping of Stable [4n+1] π-Electron Species from Peripherally Substituted,Conformationally Rigid,Antiaromatic Hexaphyrins

Peripherally substituted antiaromatic naphthorosarins have been synthesized for the first time. The synthesis was accomplished by acid-catalyzed condensation of naphthobipyrrole building blocks with aromatic aldehydes. The naphthobipyrrole building blocks were synthesized by simple oxidative coupling of the corresponding pyrrole substituted aromatics. Solid-state structural analyses of the synthesized naphthorosarins revealed that the presence of meso-2,6-dichlorophenyl- and 5,6-difluoro-substitution substantially alter the geometry and properties of the naphthorosarins. The substituents affect the redox potentials as well and, in turn, the proton-coupled electron-transfer processes leading to the formation of one- and two-electron reduced forms of the corresponding naphthorosarins. One particular naphthorosarin that bears both peripheral fluorine and meso-2,6-dichlorophenyl substituents forms a stable 25 π-electron species upon treating with TFA that was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The current study underscores how structural modifications can be used to fine-tune the electronic features of naphthorosarins, including stabilization of odd electron species.     

Electron-Deficient Benzo[de]isoquinolino[1,8-gh]quinoline Diamide π-Electron Systems

Synthetically versatile electron-deficient π-electron systems are urgently needed for organic electronics, yet their design and synthesis are challenging due to the low reactivity from large electron affinities. In this work, we report a benzo[de]isoquinolino[1,8-gh]quinoline diamide (BQQDA) π-electron system. The electron-rich condensed amide as opposed to the generally-employed imide provides a suitable electronic feature for chemical versatility to tailor the BQQDA π-electron system for various electronic applications. We demonstrate an effective synthetic method to furnish the target BQQDA parent structure, and highly selective functionalization can be performed on bay positions of the π-skeleton. In addition, thionation of BQQDA can be accomplished under mild conditions. Fine-tuning of fundamental properties and supramolecular packing motifs are achieved via chemical modifications, and the cyanated BQQDA organic semiconductor demonstrates a high air-stable electron-carrier mobility.     

Dithieno[a,e]pentalene Based Conjugated Polymers： Synthesis and Characterization

The concept of introducing n-conjugated but anti-aromatic repeating units into conjugated polymers has been explored. The thermal stability, optical and electrochemical properties of dithieno[a,e]pentalenes （DTP） based polymers have been studied. The effect of introducing electron withdrawing repeating units into DTP based poly- mer on the physical properties of polymer has also been investigated. The new polymers showed broad absorption in visible and near-infrared region.     

Highly Stable Radical Cations of N,N’-Diarylated Tetrabenzotetraaza[8]circulene

N,N’-Diarylated tetrabenzotetraaza[8]circulenes 3 a and 3 b were synthesized in good yields by a reaction sequence involving oxidation of tetrabenzodiazadithia[8]circulene 5-Oct and S_NAr reaction with aniline derivatives. The obtained aza[8]circulenes 3 a and 3 b were easily oxidized to give their radical cations 3 a⁺ and 3 b⁺ , which are highly stable under ambient conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis of radical cation 3 a⁺ showed a face-to-face dimer arrangement with an interplanar separation of 3.320 Å. The spin density of 3 a⁺ was calculated to be delocalized over the whole circulene π-systems with spin–spin exchange integral (J=−144 cm⁻¹) in the dimeric part. These radical cations displayed far red-shifted absorption bands reaching to 2000 nm. Thus this study has proved the hetero[8]circulene scaffold to be a new entry of promising electronics and spin materials.     

An Isolable Radical Anion Featuring a 2-Center-3-Electron π-Bond without a Clearly Defined σ-Bond

Featuring an extra electron in the π* antibonding orbital, species with a 2-center-3-electron (2c3e) π bond without an underlying σ bond are scarcely known. Herein, we report the synthesis, isolation and characterization of a radical anion salt [K(18-C-6)]⁺{[(HCNDipp)₂Si]₂P₂}⋅⁻ (i.e. [K(18-C-6)]⁺ 3 ⋅⁻) (18-C-6=18-crown-6, Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl), in which 3 ⋅⁻ features a perfectly planar Si₂P₂ four-membered ring. This species represents the first example of a Si- and P-containing analog of a bicyclo[1.1.0]butane radical anion. The unusual bonding motif of 3 ⋅⁻ was thoroughly investigated via X-ray diffraction crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), and calculations by density functional theory (DFT), which collectively unveiled the existence of a 2c3e π bond between the bridgehead P atoms and no clearly defined supporting P−P σ bond.     

Alkali-Metal Aminotroponiminates: Selectivities and Equilibria in Reversible Radical Coupling of Delocalized π-Electron Systems

Aminotroponiminates (ATIs) have recently been shown to belong to the growing class of redox-active ligands. The choice of the metal center allowed to switch between reversible electron transfer (M=Rh) and reductively induced dimerization (M=Na). Here, we investigate if the reductively induced dimerization of ATIs is a more general phenomenon for their alkali-metal complexes. Lithium ATI complexes are shown to undergo reductively induced dimerizations, which are equilibrium reactions and chemically reversible. The choice of the metal center (Li vs. Na), the substitution pattern at the nitrogen atoms of the ATI ligands, and the solvent critically influence the regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity of the radical-dimerization reactions. Potassium ATIs are shown to be susceptible to side reactions, more specifically a reduction accompanied by hydrogen-atom transfer. Products and intermediates of the reductively induced dimerizations were characterized by techniques including NMR and EPR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, DFT calculations, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and mass spectrometry.     

Novel Large π-Conjugated Coronene-Based Molecules: Diaryl-Substituted 1,2,7,8,13,14-Hexamethoxytribenzo[a,g,m]coronenes

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - A series of novel coronene-based fluorescent materials have been synthesized through well-defined protocol from 1,2-dimethoxybenzene, with the key steps...     

On-Water Polymerization of Phenylacetylene Catalyzed by Rh Complexes Bearing Strong π-Acidic Dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene Ligand

A series of new mononuclear neutral and water-soluble cationic rhodium (Rh) complexes bearing strong π-acidic dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene (dbcot) diene ligand have been synthesized and structurally characterized. In the polymerization of phenylacetylene, the dbcot Rh complex exhibits higher catalytic activity than the corresponding cod-based Rh complex in both of organic solvent and aqueous media, affording the high cis-transoidal PPAs with up to 99% of cis-contents, moderate molecular weights, and moderate to broad molecular weight distributions. Moreover, on-water polymerization of substituted phenylacetylenes is achieved by these complexes under air atmosphere, in which 3- to 163-fold acceleration of the polymerization rate is observed in aqueous polymerization compared to that in organic solvents. The nature of the Rh complex, solvent, polymerization temperature, and substituted group on the phenylacetylene impact on the polymer's yield, stereoselectivity, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution. In addition, the water-soluble cationic Rh complexes can be reused for three times. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 716–725     

Helical Oligophenylene Linked with [2.2]Paracyclophane: Stereogenic π-Conjugated Dye for Highly Emissive Chiroptical Properties

A stereogenic π-system based on dimer ( 2 ) and trimer ( 3 ) of [2.2]paracyclophane (PC) and biphenyl was prepared and its structural, photophysical, and chiroptical properties were investigated. X-ray analysis revealed that the quaterphenyl moieties in 2 adopt a double helical structure anchoring [2.2]PC from both sides. Furthermore, 3 forms a isosceles triangle structure with a large chiral cavity. A homodesmotic reaction using DFT calculations revealed that 2 has a larger strain energy than 3 owing to its highly twisted phenylene linkers. Electronic and circular dichroic (CD) spectra were recorded in CH₂Cl₂ solution. The spectra of both 2 and 3 are similar, and their longest absorption band accompanying a remarkable Cotton effect is attributed to the transition from HOMO to LUMO, which is delocalized to the quaterphenyl moiety. These compounds exhibit fairly high fluorescence quantum yields (ϕ=0.70–0.83) and moderate dissymmetry factor (|g_CPL|=1.6×10⁻³) in circularly polarized luminescence (CPL).     

Synthesis and properties of [9]cyclo-1,4-naphthylene: a π-extended carbon nanoring

The first synthesis of a π-extended carbon nanoring, [9]cyclo-1,4-naphthylene ([9]CN), has been achieved. Careful structure-property analyses uncovered a number of unique features of [9]CN that are quite different from those of [9]CPP, a simple carbon nanoring.     

Synthesis of a π-conjugated oligomer-fullerene dyad through a versatile [6,6]diphenylmethanofullerene carboxylic acid

In this article we describe the synthesis of an electron donor-acceptor dyad containing a [6,6]diphenylmethanofullerene moiety as the electron acceptor and a dialkylamino-substituted oligo-p-phenylenevinylene as the electron donor. The synthesis of this material has been successfully accomplished by an esterification reaction between a [6,6]diphenylmethanofullerene functionalized with a carboxylic acid and the corresponding oligomer substituted with a benzyl alcohol. Cyclic voltammetry and absorption spectroscopy show that both electroactive units preserve their nature in the ground state, whereas preliminary photophysical investigations show a strong fluorescence quenching.     

Cyclo[m]pyridine[n]pyrroles: hybrid macrocycles that display expanded π-conjugation upon protonation

Novel hybrid cyclo[m]pyridine[n]pyrroles have been synthesized using Suzuki coupling. Their NMR and optical spectroscopic features and solid state structural parameters provide support for the proposal that these species are best described as locally aromatic compounds devoid of long-range intersubunit conjugation. However, an extension of the π-conjugation in the macrocycles can be realized through protonation, as inferred from optical spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction-based structural studies.     

Synthesis of π-extended dibenzo[d,k]ullazines by a palladium-catalyzed double annulation using arynes

An efficient Pd-catalyzed double annulation reaction of 1-(2,6-dibro mophenyl)-1 H-pyrroles with arynes is developed to synthesize π-extended dibenzo [d,k]ullazines in good to excellent yields.For the first time,the parent dibenzo[d,k]ullazine core is obtained and characterized.     

Highly regioselective synthesis of dicyano-8a,10,11-trihydropyrrolo[1,2-α][1,10]phenanthrolines via a domino-Knoevenagel-cyclization

1,10-Phenanthrolinium N-ylides,can react with malonitrile and aromatic aldehydes via a domino-Knoevenagel cyclization to afford a new class of trihydropyrrolo[1,2-a][l,10]phenanthroline derivatives as stable helical compounds in a simple,mild,and efficient protocol in excellent yields.     

Long, multicenter bonding in π-[terthiophene] 2 2+ dimers

The repulsive nature of the interaction between the cation radicals of the π-[terthiophene] ₂ ²⁺ dimers, 1 ₂ ²⁺ , found in crystals has been concluded from B3LYP/6-31+G(d) calculations. Hence, the bonding component is weaker than the Coulombic repulsion, consistent to recent findings for [TTF]^·+–[TTF]^·+ interactions (TTF = tetrathiafulvalene). The existence of 1 ₂ ²⁺ dimers originates from the cation⁺–anion^? electrostatic interactions, which exceeds the combined effect of the 1 ^.+–1 ^.+ plus (SbF₆)^?–(SbF₆)^? repulsions in 1 ₂(SbF₆)₂, similar to what is found for [TTF]^·+–[TTF]^·+ interactions in [TTF]₂(ClO₄)₂ aggregates and in crystals. The long, multicenter bond in 1 ₂ ²⁺ is characterized as a 2e^?/10c bond from an Atoms-in-molecules analysis.     

Synthesis,characterisation and photoswitchability of a new [2]rotaxane of α-cyclodextrin with a diazobenzene containing π-conjugated molecular dumbbell

In this work, a new [2]rotaxane consisted of a diazobenzene containing π-conjugated linear compartment, including the 4,4′-bipyridyl moiety and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) as the macrocyclic compartment, was synthesised with yields of nearly 57% and fully characterised. α-CD easily assembled with the linear compartment and suitable bulky ends (stoppers) in water to give a new [2]rotaxane. The characterisation of this supramolecular compound was accomplished using several spectroscopic techniques such as ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and 2D NMR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, induced circular dichroism and UV–vis spectrophotometry, as well as scanning electron microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray. Furthermore, the reversible E–Z photoisomerisation of both [2]rotaxane and its molecular dumbbell was investigated by irradiation with UV light.     

Highly Active,Thermally Stable,Ethylene‐Polymerisation Pre‐Catalysts Based on Niobium/Tantalum?Imine Systems

The reactions of MCl₅ or MOCl₃ with imidazole‐based pro‐ligand L¹H, 3,5‐tBu₂‐2‐OH‐C₆H₂‐(4,5‐Ph₂‐1H‐)imidazole, or oxazole‐based ligand L²H, 3,5‐tBu₂‐2‐OH‐C₆H₂(1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d])oxazole, following work‐up, afforded octahedral complexes [MX(L^{1, 2})], where MX=NbCl₄ (L¹, 1 a ; L², 2 a ), [NbOCl₂(NCMe)] (L¹, 1 b ; L², 2 b ), TaCl₄ (L¹, 1 c ; L², 2 c ), or [TaOCl₂(NCMe)] (L¹, 1 d ). The treatment of α‐diimine ligand L³, (2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N?CH)₂, with [MCl₄(thf)₂] (M=Nb, Ta) afforded [MCl₄(L³)] (M=Nb, 3 a ; Ta, 3 b ). The reaction of [MCl₃(dme)] (dme=1,2‐dimethoxyethane; M=Nb, Ta) with bis(imino)pyridine ligand L⁴, 2,6‐[2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N?(Me)C]₂C₅H₃N, afforded known complexes of the type [MCl₃(L⁴)] (M=Nb, 4 a ; Ta, 4 b ), whereas the reaction of 2‐acetyl‐6‐iminopyridine ligand L⁵, 2‐[2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N?(Me)C]‐6‐Ac‐C₅H₃N, with the niobium precursor afforded the coupled product [({2‐Ac‐6‐(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃N?(Me)C)C₅H₃N}NbOCl₂)₂] ( 5 ). The reaction of MCl₅ with Schiff‐base pro‐ligands L⁶H–L¹⁰H, 3,5‐(R¹)₂‐2‐OH‐C₆H₂CH?N(2‐OR²‐C₆H₄), (L⁶H: R¹=tBu, R²=Ph; L⁷H: R¹=tBu, R²=Me; L⁸H: R¹=Cl, R²=Ph; L⁹H: R¹=Cl, R²=Me; L¹⁰H: R¹=Cl, R²=CF₃) afforded [MCl₄(L^6–10)] complexes (M=Nb, 6 a – 10 a ; M=Ta, 6 b – 9 b ). In the case of compound 8 b , the corresponding zwitterion was also synthesised, namely [Ta^?Cl₅(L⁸H)⁺] ? MeCN ( 8 c ). Unexpectedly, the reaction of L⁷H with TaCl₅ at reflux in toluene led to the removal of the methyl group and the formation of trichloride 7 c [TaCl₃(L^7‐Me)]; conducting the reaction at room temperature led to the formation of the expected methoxy compound ( 7 b ). Upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these complexes displayed poor activities for the homogeneous polymerisation of ethylene. However, the use of chloroalkylaluminium reagents, such as dimethylaluminium chloride (DMAC) and methylaluminium dichloride (MADC), as co‐catalysts in the presence of the reactivator ethyl trichloroacetate (ETA) generated thermally stable catalysts with, in the case of niobium, catalytic activities that were two orders of magnitude higher than those previously observed. The effects of steric hindrance and electronic configuration on the polymerisation activity of these tantalum and niobium pre‐catalysts were investigated. Spectroscopic studies (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and ¹H? ¹H and ¹H? ¹³C correlations) on the reactions of compounds 4 a / 4 b with either MAO(50) or AlMe₃/[CPh₃]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? were consistent with the formation of a diamagnetic cation of the form [L⁴AlMe₂]⁺ (MAO(50) is the product of the vacuum distillation of commercial MAO at +50 °C and contains only 1 mol % of Al in the form of free AlMe₃). In the presence of MAO, this cationic aluminium complex was not capable of initiating the ROMP (ring opening metathesis polymerisation) of norbornene, whereas the 4 a / 4 b systems with MAO(50) were active. A parallel pressure reactor (PPR)‐based homogeneous polymerisation screening by using pre‐catalysts 1 b , 1 c , 2 a , 3 a and 6 a , in combination with MAO, revealed only moderate‐to‐good activities for the homo‐polymerisation of ethylene and the co‐polymerisation of ethylene/1‐hexene. The molecular structures are reported for complexes 1 a – 1 c , 2 b , 5 , 6 a , 6 b, 7 a, 8 a and 8 c .