Perylene π‐Bridges Equally Delocalize Anions and Cations: Proportioned Quinoidal and Aromatic Content

A complete experimental and theoretical study has been carried out for aromatic and quinoidal perylene‐based bridges substituted with bis(diarylamine) and bis(arylimine) groups respectively. The through‐bridge inter‐redox site electronic couplings (V_AB) have been calculated for their respective mixed‐valence radical cation and radical anion species. The unusual similitudes of the resulting V_AB values for the given structures reveal the intervention of molecular shapes with balanced semi‐quinoidal/semi‐aromatic structures in the charge delocalization. An identical molecular object equally responding to the injection of either positive or negative charges is rare in the field of organic π‐conjugated molecules. However, once probed herein for perylene‐based systems, it can be extrapolated to other π‐conjugated bridges. As a result, this work opens the door to the rational design of true ambipolar bulk and molecular conductors.     

Shaping Antiaromatic π‐Systems by Metalation: Synthesis of a Bowl‐Shaped Antiaromatic Palladium Norcorrole

The synthesis of a bowl‐shaped antiaromatic molecule was achieved through the deformation of a planar antiaromatic porphyrinic π‐conjugation system by insertion of palladium into the small cavity of a metal‐free norcorrole. The bowl‐to‐bowl inversion dynamics of the antiaromatic Pd‐coordinated norcorrole was determined by variable‐temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The metal‐free norcorrole was prepared from acid‐induced demetalation of a copper norcorrole, which was obtained from the intramolecular coupling of a bis(diiododipyrrin) copper complex with copper thiophenecarboxylate.     

A Zwitterionic, 10 π Aromatic Hemisphere

A new concept in anionic 10 π aromaticity is described by the embedding of a compensating charge within an aromatic cyclononatetraenide ring by the symmetric superposition of an alkyl ammonium bridge. This is accomplished by the methylation of azatriquinacene to give a quaternary ammonium salt, followed by oxidation to the tetraene and final deprotonation. The resulting zwitterion is a stable [9]annulene with strong aromaticity as shown by its degree of C−C bond equalization and a nucleus‐independent chemical shift value lower than that of benzene. The solid‐state structure shows an eclipsed stacking motif with the electron‐poor ammonium methyl groups occupying the electron‐rich cavity of the aromatic bowl.     

Benzodisilacyclobutadienes: 8π‐Electron Systems with an Antiaromatic Silicon Ring

Benzodisilacyclobutadienes 2 a – c were isolated as blue to green crystalline solids from the reaction of stable disilyne 1 and 1,2‐dibromobenzenes in the presence of potassium graphite. In the solid state, substantial bond alternation was observed within the benzene rings of 2 a – c . In hexane, 2 a – c showed remarkable bathochromic shifts of the π→π* (HOMO→LUMO) absorption bands at 625–670 nm. NMR spectra and theoretical calculations indicated that the diamagnetic ring currents of the benzene rings of 2 a – c are considerably reduced by contributions from the antiaromatic 1,2‐disilacyclobutadienes. In their entirety, the obtained results indicate that 2 a – c represent 8π‐electron systems that contain an antiaromatic 1,2‐disilacyclobutadiene.     

Dibenzoarsepins: Planarization of 8π‐Electron System in the Lowest Singlet Excited State

Dibenzo[b,f]arsepins possessing severely distorted cores compared to those of other heteropins were synthesized. These derivatives exhibited dual photoluminescence in the green‐to‐red region (500–700 nm) and the near‐ultraviolet region (<380 nm), which could be attributed to the planarization of the arsepin core in the lowest singlet excited (S₁) state. The computational approach for the assessment of the aromatic indices revealed that the dibenzoarsepins studied show aromaticity (8π system) in the S₁ states in line with Baird's rule. The lone pair electrons of the arsenic atoms play a crucial role in the aromaticity in the S₁ states.     

Polynitro‐Functionalized Dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazinanes: Energetic Polycyclization toward High Density and Excellent Molecular Stability

A new fused N‐heterocyclic framework, dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazinane, was synthesized and the physiochemical properties of its derivatives were investigated to evaluate the integrated energetic performance. In contrast to 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane (RDX) featuring a distorted chair confirmation, polynitro‐functionalized dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazinanes have nearly planar backbones, thereby enhancing the density and thermal stability. Among these new energetic tricyclic compounds, 5 a and 12 show favorable crystal densities of 1.937 g cm⁻³ and 1.990 g cm⁻³ at 150 K, respectively, which rank highest in triazinane‐based energetic compounds. Additionally, this synthetic approach was carried out to form seven‐membered and eight‐membered rings, giving rise to tetranitro dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazepane ( 5 b ) and tetranitro dipyrazolo‐1,3,5‐triazocane ( 5 c ), respectively.     

π‐Ruthenium Complexes of Hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1): A Triple‐Decker Complex Bearing Two Ruthenoarene Units

Ruthenium(II) π‐coordination onto [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) has been accomplished. Reactions of bis‐Au^III and mono‐Au^III complexes of hexakis(pentafluorophenyl) [28]hexaphyrin with [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ in the presence of NaOAc gave the corresponding π‐ruthenium complexes, in which the [(p‐cymene)Ru]^II fragment sat on the deprotonated side pyrrole. A similar reaction of the bis‐Pd^II [26]hexaphyrin complex afforded a triple‐decker complex, in which the two [(p‐cymene)Ru]^II fragments sat on both sides of the center of the [26]hexaphyrin framework.