BN‐Embedded Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Oligomers: Synthesis,Aromaticity, and Reactivity

BN‐embedded oligomers with different pairs of BN units were synthesized by electrophilic borylation. Up to four pairs of BN units were incorporated in the large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Their geometric, photophysical, electrochemical, and Lewis acidic properties were investigated by X‐ray crystallography, optical spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The B?N bonds show delocalized double‐bond characteristics and the conjugation can be extended through the trans‐orientated aromatic azaborine units. Calculations reveal the relatively lower aromaticity for the inner azaborine rings in the BN‐embedded PAH oligomers. The frontier orbitals of the longer oligomers are delocalized over the inner aromatic rings. Consequently, the inner moieties of the BN‐embedded PAH oligomers are more active than the outer parts. This is confirmed by a simple oxidation reaction, which has significant effects on the aromaticity and the intramolecular charge‐transfer interactions.     

Phosphorus-Containing Dibenzonaphthanthrenes: Electronic Fine Tuning of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons through Organophosphorus Chemistry

A concise synthetic route towards a new family of phosphorus-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons starting from the versatile acridophosphine has been established. The structural and optoelectronic properties of these compounds were efficiently modulated through derivatization of the phosphorus center. X-ray crystallographic analysis, UV/Vis spectroscopic, and electrochemical studies supported by DFT calculations identified the considerable potential of these scaffolds for the development of organophosphorus functional materials with tailored properties upon further functionalization.     

Azatrioxa[8]circulenes: Planar Anti‐Aromatic Cyclooctatetraenes

We describe herein the first synthesis of a new class of anti‐aromatic planar cyclooctatetraenes: the azatrioxa[8]circulenes. This was achieved by treating a suitably functionalised 3,6‐dihydroxycarbazole with 1,4‐benzoquinones or a 1,4‐naphthoquinone. We fully characterised the azatrioxa[8]circulenes by using optical, electrochemical and computational techniques as well as by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The results of a computational study (NICS) suggest that the central planar cyclooctatetraene is anti‐aromatic when the molecules are in neutral or oxidised states (2+), and that the corresponding dianions are aromatic. We discuss the aromatic/anti‐aromatic nature of the planar cyclooctatetraenes and compare them with the isoelectronic tetraoxa[8]circulenes.     

Synthesis of Anionic Phosphorus‐Containing Heterocycles by Intramolecular Cyclizations Involving N‐Functionalized Phosphinecarboxamides

We report that the 2‐phosphaethynolate anion (PCO^?) reacts with propargylamines in the presence of a proton source to afford novel N‐derivatized phosphinecarboxamides bearing alkyne functionalities. Deprotonation of these species gives rise to novel five‐ and six‐membered anionic heterocycles resulting from intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the resulting phosphide at the alkyne functionality (via 5‐exo‐dig or 6‐endo‐dig cyclizations, respectively). The nature of the substituents on the phosphinecarboxamide can be used to influence the outcome of these reactions. This strategy represents a unique approach to phosphorus‐containing heterocylic systems that are closely related to known organic molecules with interesting bio‐active properties.     

Synthesis,Optical Properties,and Electronic Structures of Fully Core‐Modified Porphyrin Dications and Isophlorins

The synthesis, structures, optical properties, and electronic structures of the tetraphenyltetrathiaporphyrin dication (S₄TPP²⁺, 6 ) and tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)tetrathiaisophlorin (S₄F₂₀TPP, 7 ) are reported. S₄TPP²⁺ ( 6 ) and S₄F₂₀TPP ( 7 ) were synthesized by acid‐catalyzed condensation of the corresponding hydroxylmethylthiophene, followed by oxidation. The electronic structures of S₄TPP²⁺ ( 6 ) and S₄F₂₀TPP ( 7 ) were analyzed by using UV/Vis‐absorption spectroscopy and by magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy and the bands were assigned by using time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) and ZINDO/s calculations. A red‐shift of the Q bands of S₄TPP²⁺ ( 6 ) is observed relative to the spectra of tetraphenylporphyrins because a destabilization of the HOMO leads to a narrower HOMO–LUMO band‐gap. Michl′s perimeter model was used to assign the absorption bands and MCD spectra of S₄F₂₀TPP ( 7 ). Current‐density maps and nucleus‐independent chemical‐shift (NICS) calculations of S₄TPP²⁺ ( 6 ) and of a model compound predict marked modification to the diamagnetic ring current, whilst nonaromatic character is predicted for S₄F₂₀TPP ( 7 ).     

二维多环全苯芳烃的合成、性能及应用

二维多环全苯芳香烃(PBAH)具有类似于石墨的结构形态,拥有良好的稳定性,被视作一种理想的导电材料,自问世以来受到了广泛关注。本文详细总结了由树枝形聚苯前驱体平面化而制得PBAH的合成方法, 指出了PBAH的表征难点,阐述了PBAH的多功能性如热致液晶性、导电性以及光学性能,展示了PBAH在电子传输材料、场效应晶体管、光伏电池、发光二极管、二次电池等方面的应用前景。特别指出了带有柔性侧链的PBAH分子可以形成碟状的液晶态,从而呈现有序的超分子结构,在各种PBAH光电材料的应用中占据领先地位。     

Synthesis,Properties, and π‐Dimer Formation of Oligothiophenes Partially Bearing Orthogonally Fused Fluorene Units

A series of oligothiophenes that incorporate cyclopenta[c]thiophene‐based units bearing spiro‐substituted dialkylfluorene was synthesized. Photophysical measurements indicated that there was no interruption in the conjugation along the oligothiophene backbones, irrespective of the number or position of this unit. Electrochemical measurements showed that the thiophene 7‐mers and 11‐mer exhibit reversible multi‐oxidation waves. The formation of cationic species was clearly observed from UV/Vis/NIR measurements. Furthermore, the UV/Vis/NIR spectra at 223 K under one‐electron oxidation conditions revealed that the unsubstituted thiophene or bithiophene units remained in the absence of intermolecular π–π interactions, whereas the formation of π‐dimeric species was observed for the thiophene 7‐mer containing an unsubstituted terthiophene ( U₃ ) unit. Theoretical calculations indicated that the combination of the U₃ unit and the all‐trans conformation decreased the intermolecular steric repulsion between the fused cyclopentene ring and its facing thiophene, which may contribute to the formation of the dimeric structure.     

Boron‐Containing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Facile Synthesis of Stable,Redox‐Active Luminophores

Herein we show that replacing the two meso carbon atoms of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) bisanthene by boron atoms transforms a near‐infrared dye into an efficient blue luminophore. This observation impressively illustrates the impact of boron doping on the frontier orbitals of PAHs. To take full advantage of this tool for the targeted design of organic electronic materials, the underlying structure–property relationships need to be further elucidated. We therefore developed a modular synthesis sequence based on a Peterson olefination, a stilbene‐type photocyclization, and an Si–B exchange reaction to substantially broaden the palette of accessible polycyclic aromatic organoboranes and to permit a direct comparison with their PAH congeners.     

Boron‐Containing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Facile Synthesis of Stable,Redox‐Active Luminophores

Herein we show that replacing the two meso carbon atoms of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) bisanthene by boron atoms transforms a near‐infrared dye into an efficient blue luminophore. This observation impressively illustrates the impact of boron doping on the frontier orbitals of PAHs. To take full advantage of this tool for the targeted design of organic electronic materials, the underlying structure–property relationships need to be further elucidated. We therefore developed a modular synthesis sequence based on a Peterson olefination, a stilbene‐type photocyclization, and an Si–B exchange reaction to substantially broaden the palette of accessible polycyclic aromatic organoboranes and to permit a direct comparison with their PAH congeners.     

硼氮杂稠环化合物的合成与电子学应用

有机半导体材料的开发为有机电子学的发展提供了材料基础。杂原子的引入进一步丰富了材料的种类和数量。作为CC单元的等电子体,BN单元对有机半导体材料的性能调节受到了科学家们的关注。本文主要介绍了有机共轭体系中BN单键的构筑方法,以及这类硼氮杂稠环分子在有机电子学领域的应用。     

Tuning the Structure and Properties of N-doped Positively Charged Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

A detailed study of the geometry, aromatic character, electronic and magnetic properties for a series of positively charged N-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was performed. Magnetic properties of the examined molecules were analyzed by means of the magnetically induced current density calculated using the diamagnetic-zero version of the continuous transformation of origin of current density (CTOCD-DZ) method. The comparative study of the local aromaticity of the studied molecules was performed using several different indices: energy effect (ef), harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) index, six centre delocalization index (SCI) and nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS). The presence of N-atoms in the inner rings was found to cause a planarity distortion in the studied N-doped systems. The geometric changes and charged nature of the studied N-doped systems do not significantly influence the current density and the local aromaticity distribution in comparison with the corresponding parent benzenoid hydrocarbons. The present study demonstrates how quantum chemical calculations can be used for rational design of novel PAHs and for fine tuning of their properties.     

Electronic Structure of the Ground and Excited States of β‐Carboline

Coupled‐cluster calculations are used to compute the energy of conversion between the neutral and the zwitterionic forms of β‐carboline. The stability of the different species is discussed in terms of charge separation and aromatic character, which is related to magnetic criteria. By means of a linear response formalism the vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths of the lowest singlet states of both structures as well as of the cationic species are determined. General agreement of the relative position and intensity of the different peaks with experimental data is achieved, but the overall spectra are slightly displaced because of solvent effects.     

A Metal‐Bridged Tricyclic Aromatic System: Synthesis of Osmium Polycyclic Aromatic Complexes

Aromaticity is one of the most important concepts in organic chemistry. A variety of metalla‐aromatic compounds have been recently prepared and in most of those examples, the metal participates only in a monocyclic ring. In contrast, metal‐bridged bicyclic aromatic molecules, in which a metal is shared between two aromatic rings, have been less developed. Herein, we report the first metal‐bridged tricyclic aromatic system, in which the metal center is shared by three aromatic five‐membered rings. These metalla‐aromatics are formed by reaction between osmapentalyne and arene nucleophiles. Experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that the three five‐membered rings around the osmium center are aromatic. In addition, the broad absorption bands in the UV/Vis absorption spectra of these novel aromatic systems cover almost the entire visible region. This straightforward synthetic strategy may be extended to the synthesis of other metal‐bridged polycyclic aromatics.     

Synthesis,Electronic Properties,and Reactivity of Phospholes and 1,1′‐Biphospholes Bearing 2‐ or 3‐Thienyl C‐Substituents

PS, I love you! Novel mixed phosphole/thiophene π‐conjugated systems were synthesized and their electronic properties have been studied both experimentally by UV/Vis spectroscopy and electrochemistry and by theoretical calculations. Exploiting the chemistry of both P‐ and S‐heteroles allows the generation of a diverse range of novel ring‐fused benzophosphole–thiophene derivatives.

     

Phenylene‐Bridged Core‐Modified Planar Aromatic Octaphyrin: Aromaticity,Photophysical and Anion Receptor Properties

The synthesis of a planar expanded meso porphyrin with an intramolecular para‐phenylene‐bridged core is reported. The planarity of the octaphyrin macrocycle was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, in which the bridged para‐phenylene unit deviated by 27° from the mean macrocyclic plane. Spectroscopic analyses and theoretical calculations suggested that the macrocycle was Hückel aromatic and followed a major [34 π] single‐conjugation pathway, which indicated that the bridging para‐phenylene unit was not involved in the macrocyclic conjugation. Analysis of the photophysical properties of this system by steady‐state absorption/fluorescence spectroscopy and transient absorption spectroscopy revealed moderate enhancement in the parameters of the octaphyrin as compared to its non‐bridged octaphyrin congeners, which was attributed to the planarity and rigidity of the macrocycle as imposed by the bridging para‐phenylene unit. Preliminary anion‐binding studies revealed that the protonated macrocycle bound selectively with chloride ions through N?H???Cl hydrogen‐bonding interactions.     

Indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐Based [2,2]Cyclophanes with 4n/4n and 4n/[4n+2] π Electrons: Syntheses,Structural Analyses,and Excitonic Coupling Properties

Indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐based [2,2]cyclophanes with 4n/4n and 4n/[4n+2] π‐electron systems were prepared, and their structures were identified by X‐ray crystallography. With short π–π distances around 3.0 Å, [2.2](5,11)indeno[1,2‐b]fluorenophane and its precursor [2.2](5,11)indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐6,12‐dionophane exhibit remarkable transannular interactions, leading to their unusual electrochemical and photophysical properties. With the aid of femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, the transition from the monomeric excited state to the redshifted H‐type dimeric state was first observed, correlating to the calculated excitonic energy splitting and the steady‐state absorption spectra induced by charge‐transfer‐mediated superexchange interaction.     

Orbital Effect‐Induced Anomalous Anion–π Interactions between Electron‐Rich Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Fluoride

Anion–π interactions generally exist between an anion and an electron‐deficient π‐ring because of the electron‐accepting character of the ring. In this paper, we report orbital effect‐induced anomalous binding between electron‐rich π systems and F^? through anion–π interactions calculated at the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) and ωB97X‐D/6‐31+G(d,p) levels of theory. We find that anion–π interactions between F^? and electron‐rich π rings increase markedly with increasing number of π electrons and size of the π rings. This is contrary to intuition because anion–π interactions would be expected to gradually decrease because of gradually increasing Coulombic repulsion between the negative charge of the anions and gradually increasing number of π electrons of the aromatic surfaces. Energy decomposition analysis showed that the key to this anomalous effect is the more effective delocalization of negative charge to the unoccupied π* orbitals of larger π rings, which is termed an “orbital effect”.     

Synthesis and Properties of 4,5,6-Triphospha[3]radialene

[3]Radialenes: 4,5,6-Tris(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)phospha[3]radialene has been synthesized. The compound can be easily handled in air under ambient conditions, despite the [3]radialene moiety containing P?C bonds, and exhibits red-shifted absorption as well as high electron-accepting ability. The unique electronic properties are brought about by the synergistic effect of the [3]radialene framework and the phosphorus substitution.