Strategic molecular design of closo-ortho-carboranyl luminophores to manifest thermally activated delayed fluorescence

In this paper, we propose a strategic molecular design of closo-o-carborane-based donor–acceptor dyad system that exhibits thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in the solution state at ambient temperature. Planar 9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluorene-based compounds with closo- and nido-o-carborane cages appended at the C2-, C3-, and C4-positions of each fluorene moiety (closo-type: 2FC, 3FC, 4FC, and 4FCH, and nido-type: nido-4FC = [nido-form of 4FC]·[NBu₄]) were prepared and characterized. The solid-state molecular structure of 4FC exhibited a significantly distorted fluorene plane, which suggests the existence of severe intramolecular steric hindrance. In photoluminescence measurements, 4FC exhibits a noticeable intramolecular charge transition (ICT)-based emission in all states (solution at 298 K and 77 K, and solid states); however, emissions by other closo-compounds were observed in only the rigid state (solution at 77 K and film). Furthermore, nido-4FC did not exhibit emissive traces in any state. These observations verify that all radiative decay processes correspond to ICT transitions triggered by closo-o-carborane, which acts as an electron acceptor. Relative energy barriers calculated by TD-DFT as dihedral angles around o-carborane cages change in closo-compounds, which indicates that the structural formation of 4FC is nearly fixed around its S₀-optimized structure. This differs from that for other closo-compounds, wherein the free rotation of their o-carborane cages occurs easily at ambient temperature. Such rigidity in the structural geometry of 4FC results in ICT-based emission in solution at 298 K and enhancement of quantum efficiency and radiative decay constants compared to those for other closo-compounds. Furthermore, 4FC displays short-lived (∼0.5 ns) and long-lived (∼30 ns) PL decay components in solution at 298 K and in the film state, respectively, which can be attributed to prompt fluorescence and TADF, respectively. The calculated energy difference (ΔE_ST) between the first excited singlet and triplet states of the closo-compounds demonstrate that the TADF characteristic of 4FC originates from a significantly small ΔE_ST maintained by the rigid structural fixation around its S₀-optimized structure. Furthermore, the strategic molecular design of the o-carborane-appended π-conjugated (D–A) system, which forms a rigid geometry due to severe intramolecular steric hindrance, can enhance the radiative efficiency for ICT-based emission and trigger the TADF nature.

The first example of a closo-o-carboranyl compound demonstrating thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) nature in solution is shown, and a strategic molecular design of a closo-o-carboranyl luminophore to exhibit TADF is proposed.     

Synthesis of carborane analogues of γ-aminobutanoic acid

General method for preparation of high yields of novel N-protected carborane amino acid derivatives, 3-acylamino-1-carboxymethyl-2-R-o-carboranes (R = H, Me, Ph), is reported. The synthesis starts from readily available 3-amino-o-carboranes and includes the protection of amino group, introduction of carboxymethyl function to the carbon atom of polyhedron via the metallation of carborane CH bond with sodium amide in liquid ammonia, and treatment of corresponding sodium carboranes with sodium bromoacetate. Deprotection of N-acylated carborane amino acids is studied in acidic media. Depending on the procedure employed, closo- or nido-carborane amino acids were obtained.     

Synthesis of 3-isocyano-nido-7,8-dicarbaundecaborate salts and their use as new isonitrile ligands in transition-metal complexes

The treatment of 3-isocyano-o-carboranes with an alkali solution in alcohol results in the regioselective splitting out of a boron atom from position 6 of theo-carborane nucleus to give 3-isocyano-nido-7,8-dicarbaundecaborate salts, in which the isonitrile group is attached to the boron atom of thenido-polyhedron anion. 3-Isocyano-nido-7,8-dicarbaundecaborate salts are new isonitrile ligands in transition-metal complexes. Complexes with chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and iron compounds have been obtained.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1458–1460, August, 1993.     

Intramolecular cyclization of 2-(o-carboran-1-yl) methylthio-3-cyanopyridines in basic conditions

Substituted 2-(o-carboran-1-yl)methylthio-3-cyanopyridines and-pyrimidines undergo Thorpe-Ziegler cyclization under the influence of KOH in DMF to give the corresponding thienopyridines and thienopyrimidines. The reaction is complicated by a side reaction in which thecloso-carborane nucleus is converted to anido-system. The yield of thienopyridines containing acloso-carborane unit is increased by introduction of an acceptor substituent in the pyridine ring. Destruction of thecloso-carborane nucleus is not observed with the pyrimidine derivatives. The structures of the series of new carborane-containing thienopyridines and pyrimidines was confirmed by spectroscopic methods.A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Elementoorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117813. N. D. Zelinskii Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117913. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 790–793, June, 1998.     

NMR study of 1-aryl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes: intramolecular C-H?O hydrogen bonding in solution

Dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) (carborane) has recently received much attention as a building block for supramolecular assemblies and bioactive compounds. Among carborane isomers, 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) (o-carborane) has unique chemical properties, including the ability of the o-carborane C-H hydrogens to form hydrogen bonds. To evaluate intramolecular hydrogen bond formation between the o-carborane C-H hydrogen and various hydrogen bond acceptors in solution, we have designed and synthesized 1-aryl-o-carboranes 2. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding ability was evaluated by means of ¹H NMR measurement of the o-carborane C-H hydrogen signal of 2. The 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-o-carborane derivative 2m appeared to form an intramolecular hydrogen bond between o-carborane C-H hydrogen and the oxygen atom acting as a hydrogen bonding acceptor. In this study, we present evidence for hydrogen bond formation in solution between the o-carborane C-H and hydrogen bond acceptors positioned with appropriate geometry.     

Synthesis of Closo-1,7-Carboranyl Alkyl Amines

Of the three closo-carborane isomers (C₂B₁₀H₁₂), closo-1,2-carborane has been used most widely in the synthesis of carboranyl amines. However, closo-1,2-carboranes are prone to deboronation to nido-7,8-carborane under various conditions including attack by basic amino groups. In order to overcome this problem, closo-1,7-carboranyl ethyl-, propyl-, and butylamine were synthesized, which should be more stable towards basic deboronation than their closo-1,2-carboranyl counterparts. These closo-1,7-carboranyl amines (5, 18 and 19) were synthesized using two different methods, both starting from the corresponding closo-1,7-carboranyl alkyl iodides (3, 14 and 15). One of the carboranyl alkyl amine (5) was conjugated with folic acid to form a closo-1,7-carborane-folic acid bioconjugate (20).     

Boron-Cluster Embedded Necklace-Shaped Nanohoops

The combination of carbon-based nanohoops with other functional organic molecular structures should lead to the design of new molecular configurations with interesting properties. Here, necklace-like nanohoops embedded with carborane were synthesized for the first time. The unique deboronization of o-carborane has led to the facile preparation of ionic nanohoop compounds. Nanohoops functionalized by nido-o-carborane show excellent fluorescence emission, with a solution quantum yield of up to 90.0 % in THF and a solid-state quantum efficiency of 87.3 %, which opens an avenue for the applications of the nanohoops in OLEDs and bioimaging.     

Synthesis of novel carborane-containing terminal alkynes

Lithiation of 1-bromomethyl-o-carborane with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) in THF results in the in situ formation of 1-lithio-2-bromomethyl-o-carborane, the reaction of which with 3-trimethylsilylprop-2-ynal gives 2-(2-trimethylsilylethynyl)-3,4-(о-carborano)-2,5-dihydrofuran. Subsequent base-catalyzed desilylation furnishes new terminal alkynes of closoand nido-carborane series.     

Highly Deformed o-Carborane Functionalised Non-linear Polycyclic Aromatics with Exceptionally Long C−C Bonds

The effect of substituting o-carborane into the most sterically hindered positions of phenanthrene and benzo(k)tetraphene is reported. Synthesised via a Bull–Hutchings–Quayle benzannulation, the crystal structures of these non-linear acenes exhibited the highest aromatic deformation parameters observed for any reported carborane compound to date, and among the largest carboranyl C−C bond length of all organo-substituted o-carboranes. Photoluminescence studies of these compounds demonstrated efficient intramolecular charge-transfer, leading to aggregation induced emission properties. Additionally, an unusual low-energy excimer was observed for the phenanthryl compound. These are two new members of the family of carborane-functionalised non-linear acenes, notable for their peculiar structures and multi-luminescent properties.     

利用邻-碳硼烷可变的C-C键实现发光分子从ACQ到AIE转变

利用邻-碳硼烷骨架中可变的C-C键,将在聚集态会发生猝灭（ACQ）的传统发光分子和具有振动自由度的碳硼烷基团连接起来,合成了带有聚集诱导发光（AIE）效应的邻-碳硼烷基发光分子。通过紫外可见吸收光谱、DFT计算、发射光谱及晶体结构测定等手段,研究了邻-碳硼烷可变的C-C键对化合物性质的影响。结果表明,在邻-碳硼烷骨架的碳原子上引入不同的取代基可以改变C-C键的振动特性,从而能够调控化合物的发光性质,并有效实现从ACQ到AIE的转变。     

Deboronation-induced ratiometric emission sensing of fluoride by 1,3,5-tris-(o-carboranyl-methyl)benzene

1,3,5-Tris-(o-carboranyl-methyl)benzene (closo-1) and its nido-form (nido-1) were synthesized and fully characterized. The solid-state molecular structure of closo-1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound closo-1 exhibited an intense single emission in various organic solvents that was red-shifted with increasing solvent polarity. The positive solvatochromic effect and theoretical calculation results at the first excited (S₁) optimized structure of closo-1 strongly suggest that this emissive band can be assigned to an intramolecular charge transfer. Meanwhile, nido-1 showed a pronounced red-shift of the emissive band compared to that of closo-1 and aroused low-energy emission. The specific emissive features of nido-1 were attributed to the elevation of its HOMO level, estimated by cyclic voltammetry. The photophysical changes by conversion from closo-1 to nido-1 allowed the emissive color-tunable sensing of fluoride. Thus, the tris-o-carboranyl compound showed great potential as a chemodosimeter for fluoride anion sensing, detectable by the naked-eye.     

The synthesis of functional derivatives of the [1-CB9H10] anion by Brellochs reaction

Reactions of decaborane with various aldehydes in alkaline media were studied. The reactions with HCOH and 2-MeOC₆H₄CHO give the corresponding arachno-carboranes [6-R-arachno-CB₉H₁₃]⁻ (R = H, C₆H₄-2-OMe), whereas the reactions with C₆H₅CHO, 4-BrC₆H₄CHO, 4-MeCONHC₆H₄CHO, and 2-SC₄H₃CHO result in the nido-carboranes [6-R-nido-CB₉H₁₁]⁻ (R = C₆H₅, C₆H₄-4-Br, C₆H₄-4-NHCOMe, 2-SC₄H₃). Both the arachno- and nido-carboranes can be easily oxidized with elemental iodine in an alkaline aqueous solution giving the corresponding closo-derivatives [2-R-closo-2-CB₉H₉]⁻. These closo-2-isomers, under heating in solution, undergo rearrangement to more thermodynamically favorable closo-1-isomers [1-R-closo-1-CB₉H₉]⁻. The structure of (Bu₄N)[1-(4-BrC₆H₄)-1-CB₉H₉] was determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Investigation of zwitterionic 7-ammonium-7,9-nido-m-carborane

Zwitterionic ammonium-substituted nido m-carborane (7-NH₃-7,9-nido-carborane), a novel boron moiety for boron neutron capture therapy, was synthesized and its chemical properties were investigated. This boron cluster system showed unique properties by reacting with carbonyl groups of ketones and aldehydes to generate the corresponding iminium-substituted nido m-carboranes.     

Cu(OTf)2/NBS Promoted Cyclization of 1-Cinnamyl Alcohol-o-Carboranes: An Efficient Approach for Synthesis of o-Carboranes Substituted Oxetanes

The Cu(OTf)₂/NBS promoted cyclization of 1-cinnamyl alcohol-o-carboranes for synthesis of o-carborane substituted oxetanes has been developed. A series of substituted oxetanes has been synthesized with moderate to good yields, which would be an important synthon for design novel reactions in oxetane chemistry as well as carborane chemistry.     

Influence of Electronic Environment on the Radiative Efficiency of 9-Phenyl-9H-carbazole-Based ortho-Carboranyl Luminophores

The photophysical properties of closo-ortho-carboranyl-based donor–acceptor dyads are known to be affected by the electronic environment of the carborane cage but the influence of the electronic environment of the donor moiety remains unclear. Herein, four 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole-based closo-ortho-carboranyl compounds (1F, 2P, 3M, and 4T), in which an o-carborane cage was appended at the C3-position of a 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole moiety bearing various functional groups, were synthesized and fully characterized using multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Furthermore, the solid-state molecular structures of 1F and 4T were determined by X-ray diffraction crystallography. For all the compounds, the lowest-energy absorption band exhibited a tail extending to 350 nm, attributable to the spin-allowed π–π* transition of the 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole moiety and weak intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) between the o-carborane and the carbazole group. These compounds showed intense yellowish emission (λ_em = ~540 nm) in rigid states (in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 77 K and in films), whereas considerably weak emission was observed in THF at 298 K. Theoretical calculations on the first excited states (S₁) of the compounds suggested that the strong emission bands can be assigned to the ICT transition involving the o-carborane. Furthermore, photoluminescence experiments in THF‒water mixtures demonstrated that aggregation-induced emission was responsible for the emission in rigid states. Intriguingly, the quantum yields and radiative decay constants in the film state were gradually enhanced with the increasing electron-donating ability of the substituent on the 9-phenyl group (‒F for 1F < ‒H for 2P < ‒CH₃ for 3M < ‒C(CH₃)₃ for 4T). These features indicate that the ICT-based radiative decay process in rigid states is affected by the electronic environment of the 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole group. Consequently, the efficient ICT-based radiative decay of o-carboranyl compounds can be achieved by appending the o-carborane cage with electron-rich aromatic systems.     

Direct Introduction of an Alkylsulfonamido Group on C-sites of Isomeric Dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes: The Influence of Stereochemistry on Inhibitory Activity against the Cancer-Associated Carbonic Anhydrase IX Isoenzyme

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), a tumor-associated metalloenzyme, represents a validated target for cancer therapy and diagnostics. Herein, we report the inhibition properties of isomeric families of sulfonamidopropyl-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes group(s) prepared using a new direct five-step synthesis from the corresponding parent cages. The protocol offers a reliable solution for synthesis of singly and doubly substituted dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes with a different geometric position of carbon atoms. The closo-compounds from the ortho- and meta-series were then degraded to corresponding 11-vertex dicarba-nido-undecaborate(1−) anions. All compounds show in vitro enzymatic activity against CA IX in the low nanomolar or subnanomolar range. This is accompanied by clear isomer dependence of the inhibition constant (K_i) and selectivity towards CA IX. Decreasing trends in K_i and selectivity index (S_I) values are observed with increasing separation of the cage carbon atoms. Interactions of compounds with the active sites of CA IX were explored with X-ray crystallography, and eight high-resolution crystal structures uncovered the structural basis of inhibition potency and selectivity.     

Iridium-Catalyzed Regioselective B(3)-Alkenylation/B(3,6)-Dialkenylation of o-Carboranes by Direct B−H Activation

Iridium-catalyzed formal alkyne hydroboration with cage B−H of o-carborane has been achieved, leading to the controlled synthesis of a series of 3,6-[trans-(AlkCH=CH)]₂-o-carboranes (Alk=alkyl), 3-cis-(ArCH=CH)-o-carboranes (Ar=aryl), and 3-cis-(ArCH=CH)-6-trans-(AlkCH=CH)-o-carboranes in high yields with excellent regio- and very good cis–trans selectivity. The most electron-deficient B(3,6)−H vertices favor oxidative addition on electron-rich metal centers, which is responsible for the regioselectivity. On the other hand, the configuration of the resultant olefinic units is dominated by alkyne substituents. Alkyl groups lead to a trans-configuration whereas bulky aryl substitutions result in cis-configuration.     

Triazine-cored dendritic molecules containing multiple o-carborane clusters

A series of C₃-symmetricaltriazine-cored small dendritic molecules containing three to nine peripheral o-carborane clusters were synthesized through Cu(I)-catalyzedazide–alkyne cycloaddition reactions. The newly synthesized molecules containing multiple o-carborane moieties were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectral analysis. The biological evaluation of these three to nine cage dendrimers was performed using breast cancer cells (Michigan Cancer Foundation 7). All these dendritic compounds showed cytotoxicity toward breast cancer cells, and the toxicity increased as the number of peripheral o-carboranes increased. The 9-cage molecule showed the highest cytotoxicity, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value was found to be 80.67 ng/ml. Its cytotoxicity was significantly higher than the common chemotherapy agent cisplatin. As expected, the boron-richo-carborane-appended molecules showed high thermal stability. The thermal stability increased as the number of peripheral o-carborane moieties increased.     

New synthetic method of 1,2-diaryl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes employing aromatic nucleophilic substitution (SNAr) reaction

Aromatic nucleophilic substitution (S_NAr) reaction of 1-phenyl-o-carborane with 4-nitrofluorobenzene in the presence of NaH or KO^tBu proceeded smoothly to give 1-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-o-carborane; similar reaction affords various 1,2-diaryl-o-carboranes, which are useful precursors for macromolecular construction and drug design.     

Solid-state supramolecular array through cooperative π-π interactions of 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-o-carborane

Dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (carborane) has received much attention as a building block for supramolecular assemblies and bioactive compounds. Among the carborane isomers, 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (o-carborane) has unique chemical properties, including the ability of the o-carborane C-H hydrogens to form H-bonds. We have designed and synthesized 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-o-carborane 1a to study its ability to form an intramolecular H-bond between the o-carborane C-H hydrogen and various H-bond acceptors both in solution and in the solid state. Intramolecular H-bonding ability in solution was evaluated by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopic measurements of the C-H hydrogen signal. The signal of the C-H hydrogen of 1a showed a remarkable downfield shift in CDCl₃ and various other solvents, i.e., the shift was almost solvent-independent. We suggest that 1a forms an intramolecular H-bond in these solvents. Crystal structure analysis of 1a showed a C-H?O distance of 2.05 Å and a nearly planar torsion angle C(2)-C(1)-C(7)-C(8) of 6.5°, indicating intramolecular C-H?O H-bond formation in the solid state. The crystal packing of 1a indicates that a supramolecular array is stabilized by cooperative π-π stacking interactions among the methoxyphenyl groups and by hydrophobic interactions of the o-carborane cages. DFT calculations indicate that the strength of the intramolecular H-bond of 1a is about 3.53 kcal/mol. These observations indicate the potential value of o-carborane in supramolecular chemistry and materials chemistry; it should be possible to design novel materials by utilizing both the H-bonding ability of the o-carborane C-H hydrogen and the high hydrophobicity of the o-carborane cage.