Synthesis of a π-extended TTF-perylenediimide donor-acceptor dyad

A donor-acceptor dyad containing perylenediimide as the electron acceptor and π-extended tetrathiafulvalene as electron donor has been successfully synthesized by means of a Wittig reaction. Cyclic voltammetry and absorption spectroscopy show that both electroactive units preserve their nature, whereas preliminar photophysical investigations show a strong fluorescence quenching.     

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.     

Synthesis and application of an IL-supported diol as protecting group for aldehydes

A new IL-supported diol,1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate has been synthesized and char- acterized by FT-IR,~1H NMR,~(13)C NMR and MS (ESI).Its physical properties such as freezing point,solubility and specific gravity and thermal stability were determined.Synthetic utilities of the resultant diol as a protecting group for aldehydes were also investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of π-extended thienoacenes with up to 13 fused aromatic rings

π-Extended thienoacenes that comprise alternatively arranged anthracene and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene moieties and have 8 or 13 aromatic rings were synthesized. The delocalization of their HOMO and LUMO orbitals is over the entire molecules, and low-lying HOMO levels endow them good stability.     

Synthesis of π-extended porphyrins via intramolecular oxidative coupling

Porphyrins fused with other aromatic units at the meso- and β-positions have recently emerged as a hot topic of research. Their synthesis typically starts with preparation of precursors via either Suzuki coupling of a meso-bromoporphyrin or mixed-aldehyde condensation, and is followed by oxidative aromatic coupling, often using high-valent metal reagents (DDQ/Sc(OTf)(3) and Fe(iii) salts are among the most popular). In recent years, porphyrins were oxidatively coupled not only with well-known aromatic hydrocarbons such as naphthalene and pyrene, but also with more complex heterocyclic fragments, including indole, phenanthro[1,10,9,8-cdefg]carbazole and BODIPY. A subtle relationship exists between the output of intramolecular oxidative coupling and the nature of the second aromatic moiety, cation in the porphyrin cavity, oxidant, and type of remaining meso-substituent. The extension of the porphyrin chromophore leads to significant change in linear and non-linear optical properties. Very strong bathochromic shifts of absorption (λ(max) reaching 1.5-2 microns in some cases) and increases in two-photon absorption cross-sections are typical for these functional dyes.     

Catalytic Mannich-type reactions of α-aminoacetonitrile using fluorenylidene as a protecting and activating group

Catalytic Mannich-type reactions of 9-fluorenylidene-protected α-aminoacetonitrile with imines were investigated. The desired reactions proceeded smoothly to afford the Mannich-type adducts in high yields with high diastereoselectivities in the presence of a catalytic amount of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMG). A chiral guanidine catalyzed the reaction with good enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of NLO chromophore with benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene unit as π-electron bridge

A novel chromophore BDT–TCF with benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene (BDT) unit as electron bridge was synthesized and characterized by UV–vis, NMR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. It is the first time that BDT unit was introduced into NLO materials. The chromophore showed excellent solubility in most common solvents, and good thermal stability for practical applications. The second order nonlinear optical effect was measured by hyper Rayleigh scattering method. The diagonal hyperpolarizability β_zzz of BDT–TCF was 8.2 × 10^?28 and 9.3 × 10^?29 esu in THF solvent and in PMMA polymer matrices, respectively. The potential NLO response indicates that BDT unit is a promising π-electron bridge and an excellent candidate for nonlinear optical devices.     

Spectroscopic and electrochemical sensing of lanthanides with π-extended chromophores incorporating ferrocenes and a coordinative end

In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of three novel "push-pull" chromophores, in which multiple phenylenevinylene units are endcapped by ferrocene as donor units and malonate moieties as acceptor units. These chromophores have spectroscopic and electrochemical characteristics which consistently change according to the extension of the conjugated bridge, thus to the variation of the HOMO-LUMO band gap. The 1,3-dicarbonyl units, directly incorporated into the conjugated molecular structures, are able to coordinate Lewis acid-like cations, such as lanthanides, as confirmed by UV/Vis, (1)H NMR and cyclic voltammetry studies. The UV/Vis spectroscopic response upon complexation with Sc(3+) or Eu(3+) as the triflate salts is rather unselective and nonlinear in going from the least to the most π-extended chromophore. Binding studies in MeCN, analyzed via equilibrium-restricted factor analysis, give values between log K(a) = 1.21 and 3.07 and affirm a 1?:?1 stoichiometry of the host:guest complexes in all cases. On the other hand, cyclic voltammetry reveals a selectivity in the response to Sc(3+) coordination over Ln(3+) (Eu(3+), but also Lu(3+) and Er(3+) were tested) for the two shorter chromophores, whereas the ligand with the longest π-bridge is able to sense Er(3+) (ΔE(1/2) complexed/uncomplexed chromophore = 20 mV) selectively over the other lanthanides.     

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.     

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 and properties of conjugated oligoyne-centered π-extended tetrathiafulvalene analogues and related macromolecular systems

Alkynyl-substituted phenyldithiafulvenes have been found to act as versatile building blocks for the construction of π-conjugated molecular rods, shape-persistent macrocycles (SPMs), and conducting polymers. Through Cu(I)-catalyzed alkynyl homocoupling, a series of linear-shaped π-extended tetrathiafulvalene analogues (exTTFs) carrying conjugated oligoynes (ranging from diyne to hexayne) as the central π-bridge were readily prepared. The solid-state properties and reactivities of diyne- and tetrayne-centered exTTFs were characterized by X-ray crystallography and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while the electronic properties of the oligoyne-exTTFs were elucidated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Cyclic voltammetric analysis showed that the terminal phenyldithiafulvene groups of the oligyne-exTTFs could undergo oxidative coupling to form tetrathiafulvalene vinylogue (TTFV)-linked polymer wires. Through a different synthetic route involving oxidative dimerization and Pd/Cu-catalyzed alkynyl homocoupling, the acetylenic phenyldithiafulvene precursors led to shape-persistent macrocycles where the formation of trimeric macrocycles was particularly favored due to the small ring strain incurred. Finally, spectroelectrochemical studies on these oligoyne and TTF hybrid materials disclosed electrochromic and molecular redox-controlled switching properties applicable to molecular electronic and optoelectronic devices.     

Electronic structure and absorption spectra of supramolecular complexes of a fullerene crown ether with a π-extended TTF derivative

The present work is a theoretical investigation on supramolecular complexes of a fullerene crown ether (A and B isomers) with a derivative of π-extended tetrathiafulvalene (T). The geometry and the electronic structure of seven different conformers of the complex of dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether of fullero-N-methylpyrrolidine with a N-benzyl-N-(4-{[9,10-bis(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-9,10-dihydroanthracen-2-yl]ethynyl}benzyl)ammonium cation were determined. We calculated the complexation energies and the absorption spectra, i.e., the lowest 50 excited electronic states of the complexes have been determined at the ground state optimum geometry. All calculations were carried out employing the density functional theory (DFT) and the time-dependent DFT, using the B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP, ωB97X-D, and M06-2X functionals in conjunction with the 6-31G(d,p) basis set. Various types of van der Waals interactions are observed in the complexes. Conformer complexation energies (CE) range from 2.54 to 2.14 eV in the gas phase and from 1.75 to 1.34 eV in CHCl(3) solvent at the ωB97X-D/6-31G(d,p)//M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. There are three major features at about 390, 330, and 290 nm in the calculated absorption spectra of all the conformers. The major peaks correspond to T→T, T→T/F (electron density in both T and the fullerene F of B) and to T→F transitions, depending on the particular conformer. Other charge transfer T→F transitions are observed close to the T→T transition, indicating the possibility of photoinduced electron transfer in all these complexes.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of π-extended fluorene derivatives: the first example of a fluorescent solvatochromic nitro-group-containing dye with a high fluorescence quantum yield

Functional π-extended fluorene derivatives, 2,7-di(p-substituted-phenyl)fluorenes containing different functional groups such as hydrogen, trimethylsilyl (TMS), methoxycarbonyl, cyano, and nitro groups, were synthesized. Except for the nitro group, the resulting compounds exhibited extremely high fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_F >0.85 in chloroform). The diphenylfluorene containing nitro groups have higher fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_F = 0.31 in N,N’-dimethyl-formamide) than other nitro-group-containing fluorophores which were previously reported (Φ_F <0.1). Furthermore, this compound exhibited large Stokes’ shift with green to orange emission and unique on-off behavior of the emission by solvents.     

Influence of a δ-lactam-type cyclic protecting group on the reactivity of a 4-hydroxy glycosyl acceptor derivative of d-glucosamine

Russian Chemical Bulletin - A new 4-hydroxy glycosyl acceptor derivative of d-glucosamine containing a lactam-type N-protecting group was synthesized. The new glycosyl acceptor containing a hydroxy...     

Opportunities and challenges in photochemical activation of π-bond system using common transition-metal-catalyzes as a seminal photosensitizer

The volatility of noble metals prices, globally increasing demands, and its limited resources drive chemists to find alternatives in the place of expensive transition metal catalysts. So, this is a time for the scientific community to find alternative sources to replace Nobel metals, and it is making genuine changes in developing sustainable synthetic methods. Photoexcited transition-metal catalysis is revitalizing the research area for functionalizing diverse π-bond systems. The massive progression of the two conventional photochemical reactivity modes, photoredox catalysis, and synergetic photocatalyst/transition-metal catalysis, has fueled the search for a next-level mechanistic paradigm visible-light initiated excited-state transition-metal catalysis (Cu, Pd, Fe, Au, Co, Ni, W, and Mn), which can be deployed to harvest light energy and convert it into chemical energy in a single catalytic cycle. This review summarizes early examples of the visible-light-induced photocatalytic activities of conventional transition metals employed in C-H activation, π-bond functionalization, and annulation reactions of unsaturated compounds, and excluding the commonly used expensive photocatalysts (i.e., Ir-, and Ru-based pyridyl complexes). Unlike the other two classical photochemical approaches, the discrete inner-sphere mechanism associated with photoexcited transition metals facilitates reactive substrate-metal-complex interactions. It enables the direct involvement of excited-state catalysts in bond-forming or-breaking processes.     

Synthesis and reactivity of enediyne–nucleobase hybrids: effect of intramolecular π-stacking

Three distinct classes of nucleobase-containing enediynes 1–9 with varying nature of the linker have been synthesized to explore the effect of π-stacking interaction in accelerating the rate of Bergman cyclization (BC). Chemical reactivity study, both experimental and computations demonstrated the important role that aromatic π-stacking interactions between the appended nucleobases within an enediyne frame play in lowering the activation barrier of Bergman cyclization.     

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.     

Photophysical and electrochemical properties of π-extended molecular 2,1,3-benzothiadiazoles

The reaction of 4,7-dibromo-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole with arylboronic acids (phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-chlorophenyl and 4-trifluoromethylphenyl) in the presence of catalytic amounts of a NCP-pincer palladacycle affords photoluminescent π-extended 4,7-diaryl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazoles 4a-e in high yields. These 4,7-diaryl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazoles exhibit high fluorescent quantum yields, high electron affinities and adequate band gap values for testing as OLEDs. The 4,7-bis-naphthyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole 4b presents two different lifetimes (bi-exponential decay) due to the presence of two atropisomers. The Sonogashira coupling reaction of 4,7-diethynyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole 6 with the corresponding halo-aryl compounds (iodobenzene, 1-bromonaphthalene, 4-iodoanisole, 4-bromo-N,N-dimethylaniline and 2-bromopyridine) afforded the photoluminescent π-extended 4,7-bis-alkynylaryl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazoles 7a-e, also in high yields. These 4,7-diethynyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazoles also present high fluorescent quantum yields, high electron affinities and adequate band gap values for testing as OLEDs. The 4,7-disubstituted-2,1,3-benzothiadiazoles 4a-e and 7a-e exhibit different electrochemical behavior. The presence of two ethynyl spacers in 2,1,3-benzothiadiazoles 7a-e shifts the reduction potentials to less cathodic values and also results in two well-defined and distinct reduction processes.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of a group of diosgenyl glycosides

Using orthogonal protection-deprotection glycosylation strategy, a series of diosgenyl glycosides with same of monosaccharides component but different in sequence were synthesized. The antitumor activity in vitro of synthesized diosgenyl glycosides was evaluated by standard MTT assay. It was observed that diosgenyl glycosides with a rhamnopyranosyl at C2′ of glucopyranosyl residue show potent antitumor activity in vitro.