New synthetic methods of π-conjugated inclusion complexes with high conductivity

A new method for the synthesis of an insulated π-conjugated molecule was developed via the sequential self-inclusion of π-conjugated guest branched permethylated α-cyclodextrin followed by the elongation of the π-conjugated unit. Covering a single π-conjugated wire by an α-cyclodextrin derivatives can suppress conductance fluctuation. The insulated π-conjugated molecules were utilized in the synthesis of highly conductive zigzag- and functionalized-insulated molecular wires.     

Concept of π-surplus character in the chemistry of heteroaromatic compounds (review)

Problems in the classification of π-surplus heteroaromatic compounds and the criteria of their π-donor character are examined in the review. The results of quantum-mechanical calculations, the ionization potentials, the tendency to form chargetransfer complexes with various electron-acceptors, the oxidation potentials, etc., are singled out as criteria of π-donor character. It is shown that although high π-donor character is a consequence of π-surplus character, there is no quantitative relationship between these concepts, and they must be clearly distinguished.     

吡咯与HX(X=F,Cl,Br)分子间多种氢键的电子密度拓扑研究

采用密度泛函B3LYP/6-311＋＋G(d,p)方法, 对吡咯与HX (X＝F, Cl, Br)形成的经典氢键和π型氢键, 从其几何参数、电子密度的拓扑性质和电子积分等方面进行了研究. 在对π型氢键的讨论中我们将π电子与σ电子分离, 得到了π型氢键体系的π电子的密度等值线和拉普拉斯量等值线图以及各原子的π电子积分, 形象地说明了π型氢键的作用本质.     

Combining form with function--the dawn of phosphole-based functional materials

Phosphole-based π-conjugated compounds have recently attracted significant attention due their unique electronic properties. It is now well established that the versatile phosphorus chemistry offers great opportunities for efficient fine-tuning of the properties of π-conjugated systems from a fundamental point of view; a feature that pure carbon-based π-conjugated materials cannot provide. This perspective highlights the recent progress using phosphole-based π-conjugated building blocks towards applied materials with multiple and diverse functionalities.     

Spin delocalization on curved surface π-system: Corannulene with iminonitroxide

In order to stabilize neutral radicals with curved surface π-system and to evaluate their π-spin structures, we recently reported design and synthesis of an oxoverdazyl derivative with corannulene as the first stable bowl-shaped neutral radical. Spectroscopic and theoretical studies revealed that appreciable amount of π-spin density is delocalized onto the corannulene moiety with most of the π-spin density localized on the oxoverdazyl moiety. In this study, we have designed and synthesized an iminonitroxide derivative with corannulene as a novel bowl-shaped neutral radical with a higher stability than the oxoverdazyl derivative with corannulene. ESR/ENDOR/TRIPLE spectroscopies and density functional theory calculations have shown that the π-spin delocalization onto the corannulene moiety is lower than that of the oxoverdazyl derivative with corannulene in the ground state. A degree of π-conjugation between the corannulene moiety and the iminonitroxide moiety has also been evaluated by UV–Vis measurements.     

The π-Orbital Sequence in Norbornadiene and Related Hydrocarbons

A method outlined previously [1] is used to show that in norbornadiene ( 3 ) the b ₂(π) orbital lies above a ₁(π), as predicted by theory. This indicates that in 3 through-space interaction between the two basis π-orbitals π_a and π_b is more important than through-bond interaction. Analysis of the PE.-spectra of 8-isopropylidene-tricyclo[3.2.1.0^2,4]-octane ( 13 ) and the corresponding octene ( 15 ) confirms that the π-orbital π_c of the exocyclic double bond conjugates more strongly with the symmetric Walsh-orbital e _s of the cyclopropano moiety than with the π-orbital π_a of a double bond in the same position.     

Electronically excited states of membrane fluorescent probe 4-dimethylaminochalcone. Results of quantum chemical calculations

Quantum-chemical calculations of ground and excited states for membrane fluorescent probe 4-dimethylaminochalcone (DMAC) in vacuum were performed. Optimized geometries and dipole moments for lowest-lying singlet and triplet states were obtained. The nature of these electronic transitions and the relaxation path in the excited states were determined; changes in geometry and charge distribution were assessed. It was shown that in vacuum the lowest existed level is of (n, π*) nature, and the closest to it is the level of (π, π*) nature; the energy gap between them is narrow. This led to an effective (1)(π, π*) →(1)(n, π*) relaxation. After photoexcitation the molecule undergoes significant transformations, including changes in bond orders, pyramidalization angle of the dimethylamino group, and planarity of the molecule. Its dipole moment rises from 5.5 Debye in the ground state to 17.1 Debye in the (1)(π, π*) state, and then falls to 2 Debye in the (1)(n, π*) state. The excited (1)(n, π*) state is a short living state; it has a high probability of intersystem crossing into the (3)(π, π*) triplet state. This relaxation path explains the low quantum yield of DMAC fluorescence in non-polar media. It is possible that (3)(π, π*) is responsible for observed DMAC phosphorescence.     

Macrocyclic π-systems with C2-symmetry as the sum of π-systems with hückel and möbius topology

The π-system of a macrocycle with twofold rotation symmetry and 2N conjugated π-electron can conveniently be regarded as the sum of two cyclic N π-electron systems having Hückel and Möbius topology, respectively.     

Structural,photoelectrical and thermol properties of ultra-stable Benzo[ghi]perylene trimide dimer anion

Perylene diimide and its various derivatives tend to form stable anion radicals, which can usually form a variety of aggregates with special properties. Herein, we reported synthesis and properties of the benzo[ghi]perylene trimide and its anion radical π-bonded dimer. The dimer exhibited high stable in solid status and in most organic solvents, but conversion of L-type π-bonded dimer to face to face type π-bonded dimer or π-stacked oligomer occurs in dimethyl formamide solution. The temperature and crystallization influenced the π-bonded length in the dimer and the partial memory can be reserved and probed in solution at room temperature.     

Ab initio SCF CL study of the electronic spectrum of nitroso-methane

Configuration interaction studies of ground, n_ → π^*, n₊ → π^*, and π → π^* electronically excited states are reported for nitroso-methane in its eclipsed equilibrium geometry. The first (n_ → π^*) and the second (n⁺ → π^*) singlet states are calculated at 2.17 and 7.14 eV. it is shown that a significant delocalization of the nonbonding orbitals on the nitrogen and oxygen is responsible for the large energy gap between these two states. The two lowest triplet states occur at 1.29 and 5.39 eV and are of n_ → π^* and π → π^* origin.     

Electronic structure of pyrazine: a study of the geometries in the lowest excited singlet π *← n and π*←π states

Electronic, excitation energies, charge distributions and geometries of pyrazine in the lowest excited singlet π^*←π and π^*←n states have been studied by the VE—PPP, CNDO/2 and CNDO/s-CI molecular orbital methods. Study of the change of geometry in the π^*←n excitation requires localization of the density matrices in the ground and excited states, and with the help of these σ-bond orders are defined. Charge distributions and bond orders in the lowest excited singlet π^*←π and π^*←n states are compared. Whereas in the lowest singlet π*←π excitation the pyrazine ring expands uniformly, in the case of the π^*←n excitation C-C bonds contract whereas C-N bonds elongate. The predictions of theory are in agreement with experimental results, showing that the method used can be employed to obtain reliably the trends of geometry changes following a π^*←π excitation of a molecule before a more complete theoretical or experimental study is performed.     

Discrete π Stack of a Tweezer-Shaped Naphthalenediimide–Anthracene Conjugate

The design and synthesis of a tweezer-shaped naphthalenediimide (NDI)–anthracene conjugate ( 2NDI ) are reported. In the structure of the closed form (π_NDI ⋅⋅⋅ π_NDI stack) of 2NDI , which was elucidated by single-crystal XRD, the existence of C−H ⋅⋅⋅ O hydrogen bonding involving the nearest carbonyl oxygen atom of an NDI unit was suggested. The tunability of π_NDI ⋅⋅⋅ π_NDI interactions was studied by means of UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. This revealed that the π_NDI ⋅⋅⋅ π_NDI interactions in 2NDI affect the absorption and emission properties depending on the temperature. Furthermore, in polar solvents, 2NDI prefers the stronger π_NDI ⋅⋅⋅ π_NDI stack, whereas the π_NDI ⋅⋅⋅ π_NDI interaction is diminished in nonpolar solvents. Importantly, the conformational variations of 2NDI can be reversibly switched by variation in temperature, and this suggests potential application for fluorogenic molecular switches upon temperature changes.     

π-Face Promoted Catalysis in Water: From Electron-deficient Molecular Cages to Single Aromatic Slides

Exploiting noncovalent π-interactions particularly emerging anion-π interactions to drive efficient catalysis is fascinating. Even with exciting progresses, can anion-π activation operate in water remains elusive. Here we report the design, synthesis and catalytic studies of a class of water-soluble electron-deficient molecular cages and relevant aromatic slide compounds. The prism-like cages contain three divided, long, cationic aromatic walls which constitute three highly electron-deficient V-shape cavities. They were efficiently synthesized in two steps from a parent triformyl cage in gram-scale. Crystal structure showed the π-walls bind to the counter bromide through strong anion-π interactions. Just 5 mol% of cages were effective in catalyzing decarboxylative Aldol reactions of aldehydes and malonic acid half thioesters in water but not in organic solvents, showing a pronounced hydrophobic amplification effect. Meantime, a series of single π-slides resembling the π-wall of the cage performed equally well, while those lacking an extended π-surface were ineffective, highlighting the essential role of electron-deficient π-face on promoting the conversion.     

Planarity of ethylene/linear polyene analogues focused on π-electron holding ability of the components

Ethylene/polyene analogues composed of heavier group 14 elements, such as silicon and germanium, do not prefer a planar structure. In the repulsion dominant (RD) model of our previous study mainly focusing on the planarity of hexasilabenzene, it was demonstrated that electron repulsion promotes nonplanarization of heavy benzene analogues. In this study, we have investigated a correlation between intramolecular π-electron transfers (polarization effect) and planarity in various linear unsaturated compounds in order to deepen the RD model. Herein, it was revealed that the ability to hold π-electrons in the planar molecular structure is characteristic of each element. For example, carbon can hold more than one π-electron, whereas silicon and germanium cannot tolerate even one π-electron to keep the planar structure. Thus, π-accepting substituents on the heavy atom were found to make the heavy ethylenes and linear polyenes planar by controlling the number of π-electrons on each skeletal atom.     

Design and characterization of ferrocene-peptide-oligoaniline conjugates

Ferrocene-peptide-oligoaniline conjugates were designed by the introduction of two ferrocene-peptide conjugates into a π-conjugated phenylenediamine spacer to demonstrate the luminescent switching by changing the redox states of the π-conjugated phenylenediamine moiety, wherein the self-aggregation of the π-conjugated moiety was achieved in a higher concentration to induce the chirality organization with a red shift of the maximum emission wavelength.     

Coumarin synthesis on π-acidic surfaces

Catalysis with anion–π interactions is emerging as an important topic in supramolecular chemistry. Among the reactions explored so far on π-acidic surfaces, coumarin synthesis stands out as a cascade process with several coupled anionic transition states. Increasing π-acidity has been shown in a different context to increase transition-state stabilisation and thus catalytic activity. In this report, we explore the possible use of macrocycles to accelerate coumarin synthesis between two π-acidic surfaces. To our disappointment, we found that compared to monomeric π-acids, coumarin synthesis within divalent macrocycles is clearly slower. Hindered access to an overly confined active site within the macrocycles could possibly account for this loss in activity, but several other explanations are certainly possible. However, operational coumarin synthesis on monomeric π-acidic surfaces is shown to tolerate structural modifications. Best results are obtained with structures that aim for proximity without obstructing transition-state stabilisation on the π-acidic surface.     

Curved Polycyclic Aromatic Molecules That Are π-Isoelectronic to Hexabenzocoronene

Reported here are two types of curved π-molecules that are π-isoelectronic to planar hexabenzocoronene (HBC) but are forced out of planarity either by an embedded seven-membered ring or by atom crowding at the fjord region. Embedding a heptagon in HBC leads to a novel saddle-shaped molecule 1, whose π-backbone is slightly less curved than the previously reported [7]circulene in terms of the average Gauss curvature, but surprisingly much more rigid than [7]circulene. Overcrowded fjord regions in novel derivatives of hexabenzoperylene (HBP) 2a,b lead to both chiral twisted and antifolded conformers. The successful synthesis of 1 and 2a,b is related to introducing alkoxyl groups to unprecedented positions of hexaphenylbenzenes. It is found that the red twisted isomer of 2b isomerizes at elevated temperature to the yellow anti-folded conformer. This finding along with the study on the thermodynamics and kinetics of the thermal isomerization has improved the early understandings on the conformation of HBP. In the crystals, 1 lacks π-π interactions between neighboring molecules, while twisted-2a exhibits both face-to-face and edge-to-face π-π interactions. Twisted-2b is found to function as a p-type semiconductor in thin film transistors, but the thin films of 1 appear insulating presumably due to lacking π-π interactions. By exploring three different types of curvatures in 1 and the two isomers of 2b, this study has revealed that the curvature of π-face plays a role in determining the frontier molecular orbital energy levels and π-π interactions and thus needs to be considered when one designs new organic semiconductors.     

Charge shift bonding concept in radical π-dimers

We show that pancake bonding in radical π-dimers display features of charge shift (CS) bonding. While the CS bonding concept has been developed to interpret the unusual aspects of σ-bonds around centers with a large number of lone pairs, such as F(2) and HOOH, we find a similar role played by the nonbonding or slightly bonding π-electron pairs in π-stacking radical dimers. Arguments and computational evidence indicate that the CS bonding concept developed by Shaik and Hiberty et al. captures essential features of the intermolecular bonding in radical π-dimers in which the overlap of the two radical centered singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) play a crucial role. By using the tetracyanoethylene anion dimer, [TCNE](2)(2-), as a model, we show that compared to CAS(2,2) calculations, significant binding contributions are recovered in the calculations simply by including selected intrapair excitations of the SOMO-SOMO bonding orbitals and the nonbonding π-orbitals. This observation is the basis for the analogy of chemical bonding between pancake bonded radical π-dimers and other charge shift bonded molecules, such as F(2). By extending the CS bonding concept to a new class of molecules, we find a novel application of the lone pair bond weakening effect (LPBWE) in which the doubly occupied π-orbitals play the role of lone pairs.     

π-conjugated phosphasilenes stabilized by fused-ring bulky “Rind” groups

Recent progress in the chemistry of π-conjugated phosphasilenes stabilized by bulky protecting groups based on a fused-ring octa-R-substituted s-hydrindacene skeleton (Rind groups) is reviewed. The phosphasilenes with a variety of aryl substituents at the silicon atom are covered in detail. The X-ray crystallography analysis showed the highly coplanar π-framework reinforced by the perpendicularly-fixed Rind groups. Strong π–π* absorptions have been observed, demonstrating the extension of π-conjugation over the skeleton. The DFT calculations indicated that the LUMO involves significant contribution by the 3pπ*(Si–P)–2pπ*(carbon π-electron system) conjugation. The preparation of the gold(I) complexes of the π-conjugated phosphasilenes is also included.     

Rational design of high-spin biradicaloids in the isobenzofulvene and isobenzoheptafulvene series

The relative energies of singlet biradicaloid and of triplet and singlet biradical electronic states for a series of benzannelated isobenzofulvenes and isobenzoheptafulvenes were calculated at the (u-)B3LYP/6-31G(d), full π-space CASSCF-CASPT2 (≤14 π-e(-)s), and full π-space RASSCF-RASPT2 (≤24 π-e(-)s) levels of theory. Both absolute and relative CASPT2 energies were reproduced quite well by the RASPT2 approach, which can be extended to much larger active spaces. RASPT2 (and DFT) calculations find that increasing benzannelation leads to triplet ground states in both hydrocarbon series, in violation of the classical principle of maximum bonding. This confirmed the expectations that the combined effects of resonance energy and aromaticity could compensate for the extra formal π-bond of the biradicaloid singlet, and that the strong exchange coupling inherent to the embedded trimethylenemethane (TMM) would manifest itself in the biradicaloids. The relative energy of the biradicaloid singlet rises rapidly upon benzannelation, as π-bonding between the high-energy delocalized GVB orbitals decreases. The underlying π-orbital topology is revealed when this weak π-bonding is artificially eliminated by a 1:1 mixing of the nondegenerate HOMO and LUMO to produce an overcorrelated valence bond (OCVB) orbital pair. For members of both biradicaloid series, the OCVB pairs are nondisjoint, revealing a limiting triplet preference with increasing benzannelation. Within the two-electron, two-orbital approximation, the effects of π-bonding in the singlet biradicaloids and orbital localization away from the acene π-system in the triplet biradicals can be analyzed as perturbations of the singlet OCVB biradicals. The application of a VB-based spin coupling scheme is discussed, in which the unpaired electrons of these species can be considered both ferromagnetically and antiferromagnetically coupled, with the strength of the latter strongly dependent on the acene subunit.