Pyridine-cored V-shaped π-conjugated oligomers: synthesis and optical properties

A new series of V-shaped pyridine-cored π-conjugated oligomers are synthesized utilizing two-fold Heck/Suzuki coupling reactions. Optical properties of these compounds (λ_max=390–449 nm, Φ_fl=79–5%, in solutions) are discussed. They are shown to be thermally stable and soluble in common organic solvents. Stilbenoid oligomers exhibited much higher fluorescence quantum yields than tri- and tetra-phenylethylene substituted oligomers in solutions.     

Synthesis and physical properties of π-conjugated metallacycle polymers of cobalt and ruthenium

Recent studies on two types of π-conjugated metallacylce polymers are reviewed. Reaction of CpCo(PPh₃)₂ with conjugated diacetylenes afford poly(arylene cobaltacyclopentadienylene) and that of CpRuBr(cod) does poly(arylene ruthenacyclopentrienylene)s in ambient conditions. Regioselectivity of the former metallacycling reacion is not perfect (at most 80% of the 2,5-diaryl selectivity) but that of the latter is satisfactory (∼100% of the 2,5-diaryl selectivity) for the formation of π-conjugated structure. Electrochemical oxidation of the cobaltacyclopentadiene polymer and reduction of the ruthenacycle polymer occur facilely and quasi-reversibly by the contribution of metal d-orbitals. Physical properties in undoped (neutral) and doped (charged) sates show the behavior of electronic band structure derived from the organic π-conjugated main chain strongly coupled with the metal d-orbitals. This affords, for example, photoconductivity in the neutral form of the cobaltacylopentadiene polymer and ferromagnetic interaction in the reduced form of the ruthenacyclopentatriene polymer.     

Triptycene: no homoconjugation effect for extending optical properties of π-conjugated oligomers

1,5- and 1,8-bis(bifluorenyl)anthracene were synthesized and converted to their corresponding bis(bifluorenyl)triptycenes and bis(bifluorenyl)-9,10-dihydroanthracenes. Analysis of their optical properties shows no feature of extended conjugation in the triptycene pair. The electronic spectra of the triptycene and dihydroanthracene pairs are in fact superimposable. There is definite evidence that triptycene displays zero homoconjugation effect.     

Photophysics of π-conjugated oligomers and polymers that contain transition metal complexes

There has been a surge of interest concerning the synthesis, optical and electronic properties of π-conjugated polymers that contain transition metal complexes. The integration of transition metal chromophores that feature metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states into a π-conjugated polymer permits easy variation of the material’s optical and electronic properties. In this review, we survey a number of recent photophysical studies that examine π-conjugated oligomer or polymer/transition metal complex hybrids. The effects of the types of π-conjugated backbone, oligomer and polymer structure, the conjugation length and coordination to a variety of metal chromophores on the photophysics of the organic-metal hybrids are discussed. The degree of interaction between the polymer (or oligomer) and metal complex based excited states dramatically modulates the observed photophysics.     

Synthesis, structure, and properties of extended π-conjugated systems bearing sterically crowded triarylphosphines

The sterically crowded triarylphosphines bearing formyl and benzoyl groups were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The benzoyl derivative was converted to the p-quinomethane conjugated with the triarylphosphine. The McMurry coupling of the formyl derivative afforded the diarylethene bearing the two sterically-crowded-triarylphosphine moieties. The cyclic voltammograms of these compounds show reversible redox waves corresponding to the oxidation to the radical cations of the triarylphosphines and irreversible or quasi-reversible waves corresponding to the reduction of the acceptor moieties. The electronic and the fluorescence spectra of these π-conjugated systems, especially push-pull substituted derivatives, exhibit bathochromic shift typical of the extended π-conjugated systems especially in the polar solvent, and the large Stokes shift typical of the crowded triarylphosphines is enhanced by conjugation with the acceptor moiety.     

Synthesis,chemical properties,and CO2 electroreduction of π-conjugated polymers bearing imidazolium and imidazolinium rings in the polymer backbone

π-Conjugated polymers (CPs) bearing imidazolium and imidazolinium rings in the polymer backbone were prepared from a previously reported monomer, 1,3-bis(2,3-dimethyl-4-bromophenyl)imidazolium chloride, and a newly synthesized monomer, 1,3-bis(2,3-dimethyl-4-bromophenyl)imidazolinium chloride, via Sonogashira and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions. The corresponding model compounds were also synthesized via the same reactions and monomers. The absorption maxima and onset position of the UV–vis spectra of the polymers were observed at longer wavelengths than those of the model compounds, thus revealing the presence of extended π-conjugation along the polymer backbone chain. Both polymers and model compounds were photoluminescent in solution and exhibited solvatochromism. The cast films of the polymers on the Pt and Ag electrodes were demonstrated to be effective catalysts for CO₂ electroreduction.     

Electrochemical properties of new n-type π-conjugated polybipyridines and polybiphenylenes with various bridging units

New electrochemically active π-conjugated polymers were prepared. They had polybipyridine or polybiphenylene type structure with an –NN–, –O–, or –NHCONH– bridging group between the two aromatic units, and underwent more facile electrochemical reduction (or n-type doping) than the mother π-conjugated polymers without the bridging group.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of aryl-substituted 2-borylbenzaldimines and their extended π-conjugated congeners

Novel N-aryl-substituted 2-borylbenzaldimines 6 and related systems with extended π-framework 7 based on two borylbenzaldimine units linked by a spacer moiety were synthesized by condensation reactions of 2-(dimesitylboryl)benzaldehyde 3 with various amines 4 and diamines 5. All compounds were completely characterized including X-ray diffraction, especially in view of Lewis acid-base B-O and B-N interactions. The electronic as well as the photophysical properties of bisimines 7 were determined using cyclic voltammetry, UV/vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. These compounds feature large Stokes shifts and reversible reduction waves. Interestingly, UV irradiation experiments unfold enhanced photostability for compounds 7 with an extended π-skeleton. By use of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene we observed the formation of a hitherto unknown BN-heterocyclic compound 9 fused with a perimidine skeleton. Structural and energetic aspects were evaluated by high level quantum chemical methods (DFT and SCS-MP2-calculations).     

Synthesis,molecular structure and reactivity of new π-conjugated diyne with ferrocenyl and phenyl units

New π-conjugated butadiynyl ligand FcC(CH₃)₂Fc′–CC–CC–Ph (L₁) has been synthesized and its reaction with Co₂(CO)₈ has been studied. New clusters [FcC(CH₃)₂Fc′–CC–CC–Ph][Co₂(CO)₆]_n [(1): n = 1; (2): n = 2] and [Fc–CC–CC–Ph][Co₂(CO)₆]_n [(3): n =  1; (4): n = 2] were obtained by the reaction of ligands FcC(CH₃)₂Fc′–CC–CC–Ph (L₁) and Fc–CC–CC–Ph (L₂) with Co₂(CO)₈ respectively and the composition and structure of the clusters and ligands have been characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and MS. The crystal structures of compounds L₁, L₂, 2 and 4 have been determined by X-ray single crystal analysis.     

Triphenylpyridine-based star-shaped π-conjugated oligomers with triphenylamine core: synthesis and photophysical properties

Two novel star-shaped π-conjugated oligomers bearing a triphenylpyridine moiety as peripheral units and triphenylamine as a core have been synthesized via the threefold Heck/Sonogoshira coupling reaction protocol and their absorption and fluorescence properties have been examined. These oligomers showed excellent solubility in common organic solvents, emit light in blue and violet regions, and have high thermal stability.     

Features of charge carrier concentration and mobility in π-conjugated polymers

We show the possibilities of experimental investigation of charge carrier mobility and concentration features by extraction methods of equilibrium, photoexcited and injected charge carriers in π-conjugated polymers, where, due to relatively high conductivity, the classic time-of-flight method is inappropriate.     

Enhanced nonlinear optical properties of porphyrin with an extended π-conjugated bridge

In this work, a series of molecules with an extended π-conjugated bridge have been theoretically designed based on porphyrin, where -(CH=CH)_n- (n = 1–4, 8, 12) chain is served as an extended π-conjugated bridge. It is found that all molecules exhibit large energy gaps in the range of 3.484–4.151 eV for porphyrin-(CH=CH)_n-NH₂, and 3.624–4.250 for porphyrin-(CH=CH)_n-NO₂. The maximum absorption wavelengths of all molecules show a red shift trend with increasing -(CH=CH)_n- length, which leads to small transition energy. It is observed that long chain brings these molecules the large first hyperpolarizability, which are 1.04 × 10⁵ au for porphyrin-(CH=CH)₁₂-NH₂, 1.26×10⁵ au for porphyrin-(CH=CH)₁₂-NO₂. Moreover, compared with -(CH=CH)_n-NH₂ with the same chain length, -(CH=CH)_n-NO₂ chain can achieve larger nonlinear optical response. It is hoped that the research in this paper can provide a new strategy for the experimental design of nonlinear optical materials.

     

Synthesis of 1,2,5,6- and 1,4,5,8-anthracenetetrone: Building blocks for π-conjugated small molecules and polymers

Reliable reactions for the synthesis of two interesting anthracenetetrones have been identified and optimized. Both syntheses start from dihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinones and were selected for maximized efficiency and minimized workload. Work-up of all reactions can be achieved without column chromatography, which facilitates further scale-up. So far, both target compounds are considerably underexplored despite their promising molecular structure for use in devices and in organic synthesis, especially as building blocks for π-conjugated compounds. The crystal structure of 1,4,5,8-anthracentetrone is reported.     

Interchromophoric interactions in chiral X-type π-conjugated oligomers: a linear and nonlinear optical study

A concept of chiral, X-type organized π-conjugated oligomers, linked by means of a binaphthalene pincer, is presented. NMR spectroscopy and cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry indicate that these oligomers are in close proximity and influence each other in a through-space manner in their neutral as well as in their oxidized states. The interaction between the oligomers was also confirmed by UV-vis, CD, and emission spectroscopy. The synthetic versatility of this design also enables the development of heterocoupled binaphthalene derivatives BN1-2 and BN1-3, consisting of an electron-neutral oligothiophene or electron-rich oligomer and an electron-poor oligothiazole. Hyper-Rayleigh scattering data show a significant enhancement of the second-order nonlinear hyperpolarizability β for BN1-3 and BN1-2, in contrast with the homocoupled binaphthalene derivatives (BN1-1, BN2-2, and BN3-3). This enhancement provides direct proof for the through-space charge-transfer interaction between the p-type and the n-type oligomers within BN1-3 and BN1-2.     

A 1-hydroxy-2,3,1-benzodiazaborine-containing π-conjugated system: Synthesis,optical properties and solvent-dependent response toward anions

Our interest in the functionalization of OH-substituted azaborines prompted us to synthesize a 1-hydroxy-2,3,1-benzodiazaborine conjugated with 1,8-naphthalimide 1. Its fluorescence was dramatically affected by the nature of the solvent. In particular, the use of DMSO, which has a relatively high donor number (DN = 29.8), led to a remarkable decrease in the fluorescence intensity (Φ_F = 0.0014), possibly due to intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions (Me₂SO?HOB). The presence of the hydroxyl group on boron led to a solvent-driven colorimetric response towards anions; high selectivity for F^? over other anions in DMSO, and responded to AcO^? and F^? in THF, as shown by UV/vis titrations, NMR, and mass spectroscopic analysis. The nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) indices suggested that hydrogen bonding interactions between Me₂SO and HOB reduced the aromaticity of the benzodiazaborine macrocycle, causing an increase in the negative character of the boron. The increase in the polarity of the BN bond may prevent acetate-binding of 1 in DMSO.     

Synthesis and properties of π-conjugated donor–acceptor macrocycles derived from phenanthrylene building blocks

Phenanthrylene-ethynylidene macrocycles combining electron donor and electron acceptor subunits in their shape-persistent fully conjugated core were synthesized. The donor subunits consisted of two 9,10-dialkoxyphenanthrenes linked either with 1,2-ethynylidene or 2,5-thienylene bridge. The acceptors were 9,10-phenanthroquinone and dibenzoquinoxaline and dibenzophenazines derived from it. Solvatochromic photoluminescence from intramolecular-charge-transfer (ICT) excited state was observed mainly in non-polar solvents. In more polar solvents, the excited states favor non-radiative relaxation. DFT calculated HOMO/LUMO energies of the macrocycles correlate well with spectroscopic and electrochemical data. In the series of substituted dibenzophenazine acceptors a good correlation with Hammett substituent constants σ_p^– was found.     

Synthesis and properties of thiophene-functionalized π-extended tetrathiafulvalenes

Two molecular ensembles composed of an array of thiophene-extended tetrathiafulvalene-thiophene were synthesized using Stille coupling and Horner-Wittig reaction as the key steps. Electrochemical redox and electronic absorption properties were investigated by voltammetric and UV-vis spectroscopic analyses.     

Second-order dispersion interactions in π-conjugated polymers

We calculate the ground state and excited state second-order dispersion interactions between parallel π-conjugated polymers. The unperturbed eigenstates and energies are calculated from the Pariser-Parr-Pople model using CI-singles theory. Based on large-scale calculations using the molecular structure of trans-polyacetylene as a model system and by exploiting dimensional analysis, we find that: (1) For inter-chain separations, R, greater than a few lattice spacings, the ground-state dispersion interaction, ΔE(GS), satisfies, ΔE(GS)～L(2)/R(6) for L ? R and ΔE(GS)～L/R(5) for R ? L, where L is the chain length. The former is the London fluctuating dipole-dipole interaction while the latter is a fluctuating line dipole-line dipole interaction. (2) The excited state screening interaction exhibits a crossover from fluctuating monopole-line dipole interactions to either fluctuating dipole-dipole or fluctuating line dipole-line dipole interactions when R exceeds a threshold R(c), where R(c) is related to the root-mean-square separation of the electron-hole excitation. Specifically, the excited state screening interaction, ΔE(n), satisfies, ΔE(n) ～ L∕R(6) for R(c) < L ? R and ΔE(n) ～ L(0)∕R(5) for R(c) < R ? L. For R < R(c) < L, ΔE(n) ～ R(-ν), where ν ? 3. We also investigate the relative screening of the primary excited states in conjugated polymers, namely the n = 1, 2, and 3 excitons. We find that a larger value of n corresponds to a larger value of ΔE(n). For example, for poly(para-phenylene), ΔE(n = 1) ? 0.1 eV, ΔE(n = 2) ? 0.6 eV, and ΔE(n = 3) ? 1.2 eV (where n = 1 is the 1(1)B(1) state, n = 2 is the m(1)A state, and n = 3 is the n(1)B(1) state). Finally, we find that the strong dependence of ΔE(n) on inter-chain separation implies a strong dependency of ΔE(n) on density fluctuations. In particular, a 10% density fluctuation implies a fluctuation of 13 meV, 66 meV, and 120 meV for the 1(1)B(1), m(1)A state, and n(1)B(1) states of poly(para-phenylene), respectively. Our results for the ground-state dispersion are applicable to all types of conjugated polymers. However, our excited state results are only applicable to conjugated polymers, such as the phenyl-based class of light emitting polymers, in which the primary excitations are particle-hole (or ionic) states.     

Synthesis and properties of polyfluorene copolymers bearing thiophene and porphyrin

To search for more wider absorption and higher charge carriers mobilities materials of polymer solar cell, a series of soluble alternating polyfluorene copolymers were synthesized by palladium-catalyzed Suzuki coupling reaction. Their structures were determined by 1H NMR, IR and UV-vis. And their UV-vis absorption spectra indicated that they had strong absorption over 600 nm spectral range and nearly cover 400-700 nm visible region. The band gaps of copolymers calculated according to cyclic voltammetry （CV） were between 1.96 and 2.03 eV. Polymer：TiO2 bulk-heterojunction films were made from mixtures of polymer and titanium isopropoxide, a precursor for TiO2, via hydrolysis in air overnight. The photoluminescence at 380-800 nm of the blend film of PT-TPP20 （5 mg/mL）：Ti（OC3H7）4 （80 μL/mL） （20% volume fraction） was significantly quenched in the 50% Ti（OC3H7）4 blend film, indicating that rapid and efficient separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs.     

Synthesis and optical properties of C3-ethynylated chlorin and π-extended chlorophyll dyads

A C3-ethynylated chlorophyll derivative was prepared from methyl pyropheophorbide-d possessing a 3-formyl group by treatment of Bestmann-Ohira reagent. The mono-substituted acetylene was subjected to coupling reactions at the terminal acetylenic carbon atom to form a series of π-extended chlorophyll derivatives. Replacement of the terminal hydrogen to phenyl, phenylethynyl and C3-chlorin-ethynyl caused red-shifts of their Q_y (0,0) maxima from 675 to 679, 686, and 696 nm, respectively. Optical properties of C3²-substituted 3-ethynyl-chlorophyll derivatives including chlorophyll dyads were investigated in comparison with those of their related compounds. Partial quenching of the fluorescence emission (Φ_flu=0.14) was observed for ortho-substituted dyad, compared to meta- (Φ=0.27) and para-dyads (Φ=0.29), suggesting a through-space interaction between the two chlorin macrocycles in a molecule.