Functional carbo‐Butadienes: Nonaromatic Conjugation Effects through a 14‐Carbon, 24‐π‐Electron Backbone

A systematic study of carbo‐butadiene motifs not embedded in an aromatic carbo‐benzene ring is described. Dibutatrienylacetylene (DBA) targets R¹?C(R)?C?C?C(Ph)?C≡C?C(Ph)?C?C?C(R)?R² are devised, in which R is C≡CSiiPr₃ and R¹ and R² are R, H, or 4‐X‐C₆H₄, with the latter including three known representatives (X: H, NMe₂, or NH₂). The synthesis method is based on the SnCl₂‐mediated reduction of pentaynediols prepared by early or late divergent strategies; the latter allows access to a OMe–NO₂ push–pull diaryl‐DBA. If R¹ and R² are H, an over‐reduced dialkynylbutatriene (DAB) with two allenyl caps was isolated instead of the unsubstituted DBA. If R¹=R²=R, the tetraalkynyl‐DBA target was obtained, along with an over‐reduced DBA product with a 12‐membered 1,2‐alkylidene‐1H₂,2H₂‐carbo‐cyclobutadiene ring. X‐ray crystallography shows that all of the acyclic DBAs adopt a planar trans–transoid–trans configuration. The maximum UV/Vis absorption wavelength is found to vary consistently with the overall π‐conjugation extent and, more intriguingly, with the π‐donor character of the aryl X substituents, which varies consistently with the first (reversible) reduction potential and first (irreversible) oxidation peak, as determined by voltammetry.     

Novel C60‐Anchored Two‐Armed Poly(tert‐butyl acrylate): Synthesis and Characterization

Summary: A multistep synthetic procedure for preparing novel C₆₀‐anchored two‐armed poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) was developed. First, two‐armed poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) bearing a malonate ester core with well‐controlled molecular weight was synthesized through atom transfer radical polymerization. The effective Bingel reaction between C₆₀ and the well‐defined polymer was then carried out to yield C₆₀‐anchored polymer. GPC, ¹H NMR, and UV‐vis spectroscopy indicated that the C₆₀‐anchored polymer was a monosubstituted and ‘closed’ 6,6‐ring‐bridged methanofullerene derivative.

Schematic of a novel C₆₀‐anchored two‐armed polymer.     

Synthesis and characterization of alt‐bipyridinylene‐phenylene copolymers containing ruthenium(II) complexes

Poly{bis(4,4′‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3a ), poly{bis(4,4′‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3b ), and poly{bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3c ) were synthesized by the Suzuki coupling reaction. The alternating structure of the copolymers was confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. The polymers showed, by ultraviolet–visible, the π–π* absorption of the polymer backbone (320–380 nm) and at a lower energy attributed to the d–π* metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer absorption (450 nm for linear 3a and 480 nm for angular 3b ). The polymers were characterized by a monomodal molecular weight distribution. The degree of polymerization was approximately 8 for polymer 3b and 28 for polymer 3d . © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2911–2919, 2004     

Boron‐Doped Tri(9,10‐anthrylene)s: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and Optoelectronic Properties

The reaction of 9,10‐dibromo‐9,10‐dihydro‐9,10‐diboraanthracene (9,10‐dibromo‐DBA, 3 ) with two equivalents of 9‐lithio‐2,6‐ or 9‐lithio‐2,7‐di‐tert‐butylanthracene gave the corresponding 9,10‐dianthryl‐DBAs featuring two ( 4 ) or four ( 5 ) inward‐pointing tert‐butyl groups. Compound 4 exists as two atropisomers, 4 and 4′ , due to hindered rotation about the exocyclic B? C bonds. X‐ray crystallography of 5 suggests that the overall interactions between facing tert‐butyl groups are attractive rather than repulsive. Even in solution, 4 / 4′ and 5 are stable toward air and moisture for several hours. Treatment of 3 with 10‐lithio‐9‐R‐2,7‐di‐tert‐butylanthracenes carrying phenyl (R=Ph), dimesitylboryl (R=Mes₂B), or N,N‐di(p‐tolyl)amino (R=Tol₂N) groups gave the corresponding 9,10‐dianthryl‐DBA derivatives 9 – 11 in moderate to good yields. In these molecules, all four solubilizing tert‐butyl groups are outward pointing. The solid‐state structures of 4 , 5 , 9 , and 10 reveal twisted conformations about the exocyclic B? C bonds with dihedral angles of 70–90°. A significant electron‐withdrawing character was proven for the Mes₂B moiety, but no appreciable +M effect was evident for Tol₂N. Compounds 5 , 9 , and 11 show two reversible DBA‐centered reduction waves in the cyclic voltammogram. In the case of 10 , a third reversible redox transition can be assigned to the Mes₂B–anthryl substituents. The UV/Vis absorption spectrum of 5 is characterized by a very broad band at λ_max=510 nm, attributable to a twisted intramolecular charge‐transfer interaction from the anthryl donors to the DBA acceptor. The corresponding emission band shows pronounced positive solvatochromism (λ_em=567 nm, C₆H₁₂; 680 nm, CH₂Cl₂) in line with a highly polar excited state. The charge‐transfer bands of 10 and 11 , as well as the emission bands of 9 and 10 , are redshifted relative to those of 5 . The Tol₂N derivative 11 is essentially nonfluorescent in solution, but emits bright wine‐red light in the solid state.     

Control of Exchange Interactions in π Dimers of 6‐Oxophenalenoxyl Neutral π Radicals: Spin‐Density Distributions and Multicentered–Two‐Electron Bonding Governed by Topological Symmetry and Substitution at the 8‐Position

The tri‐tert‐butylphenalenyl (TBPLY) radical exists as a π dimer in the crystal form with perfect overlapping of the singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) causing strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. 2,5‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐oxophenalenoxyl (6OPO) is a phenalenyl‐based air‐stable neutral π radical with extensive spin delocalization and is a counter analogue of phenalenyl in terms of the topological symmetry of the spin density distribution. X‐ray crystal structure analyses showed that 8‐tert‐butyl‐ and 8‐(p‐XC₆H₄)‐6OPOs (X=I, Br) also form π dimers in the crystalline state. The π‐dimeric structure of 8‐tert‐butyl‐6OPO is seemingly similar to that of TBPLY even though its SOMO–SOMO overlap is small compared with that of TBPLY. The 8‐(p‐XC₆H₄) derivatives form slipped stacking π dimers in which the SOMO–SOMO overlaps are greater than in 8‐tert‐butyl‐6OPO, but still smaller than in TBPLY. The solid‐state electronic spectra of the 6OPO derivatives show much weaker intradimer charge‐transfer bands, and SQUID measurements for 8‐(p‐BrC₆H₄)‐6OPO show a weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction in the π dimer. These results demonstrate that the control of the spin distribution patterns of the phenalenyl skeleton switches the mode of exchange interaction within the phenalenyl‐based π dimer. The formation of the relevant multicenter–two‐electron bonds is discussed.     

Olefin Cross‐Metathesis: Studies towards the Total Synthesis of (+)‐Bitungolide F

A stereoselective synthesis of (5S,6S)‐6‐[(2S,5S,7R,8E,10E)‐5‐(benzyloxy)‐7‐{[(tert‐butyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy}‐11‐phenylundeca‐8,10‐dien‐2‐yl]‐5‐ethyl‐5,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one (=(+)‐9‐O‐benzyl‐11‐O‐[(tert‐butyl)dimethylsilyl]bitungolide F) is reported. The strategy involves Gilman reaction, olefin cross‐metathesis, and Horner? Wadsworth? Emmons olefination as key steps.     

Strain‐Promoted Double Azide Addition to Octadehydrodibenzo[12]annulene Derivatives

Octadehydrodibenzo[12]annulenes (DBAs), readily available by the oxidative acetylenic coupling of 1,2‐diethynylbenzene derivatives, were reacted with organic azides. As compared to the well‐known strain‐promoted azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (SpAAC) of 5,6,11,12‐tetradehydrodibenzo[a,e][8]annulene, the reactivity of the DBA alkynes was lower due to the lower strain energy. However, the regioselective double azide addition occurred without any side reactions under mild conditions, yielding bis‐triazole products. The structures of the products were confirmed by an X‐ray crystal structure analysis, and the reaction mechanism was studied by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy and computational studies. It was also found that the DBAs were hardly fluorescent, while the bis‐triazole products showed a green fluorescence with quantum yields up to 5.1 %. Finally, the new strain‐promoted double azide addition to the DBAs was used for step‐growth polymerization, successfully producing a high molecular weight triazole polymer.     

Synthesis and complexing properties of double armed diaza‐15‐crown‐5 and diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ethers having 4′‐hydroxy‐3′,5′‐disubstituted benzyl groups

A series of double armed diaza‐15‐crown‐5 ethers (9a ‐ 16a) and diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ethers (9b ‐ 16b) have been prepared by the Mannich reaction of 2,6‐disubstituted phenols with the corresponding N,N'‐dimethoxymethyldiaza‐crown ethers in benzene. The crystal structures of the diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ethers having iso‐propyl (10b) , tert‐butyl (11b) , and mixed methyl and tert‐butyl groups (12b) at positions 3′ and 5′ of the phenolic side arms were determined using X‐ray diffraction methods. Competitive transport by these ligands for sodium, potassium and cesium cations were measured under basic‐source phase and acidic‐receiving phase conditions.     

Crystalline Supramolecular Nanofibers Based on Dehydrobenzoannulene Derivatives

Supramolecular nanofibers (SNFs) composed of low‐molecular‐weight π‐conjugated molecules exhibit attractive optical and electrical properties and are expected to be the next optoelectronic materials. In this work, five crystalline SNFs have been constructed from three dehydrobenzoannulene (DBA) derivatives. The DBAs were designed to assemble in one dimension in a strategy based on anisotropic crystal growth. The crystallinity of the SNFs allowed the molecular arrangements in the SNFs to be determined. Therefore the mechanism of construction and correlations between the molecular arrangements and optical and electrical properties could be considered. The results clearly indicate that the properties of the SNFs are affected by the chemical structures and molecular arrangements. Moreover, one of the SNFs exhibits a high charge‐carrier mobility (Σμ=0.61 cm² V^?1 s^?1) because of its crystallinity and appropriate molecular arrangement. This systematic experimental study based on a proposed strategy has provided information for improving the electrical properties of SNFs. This strategy will lead to highly functional SNFs.     

Über die Oxo‐cyclotetraphosphane (PBut)4O1–4

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 243 On the Oxocyclotetraphosphanes (PBu^t)₄O_1–4 Under suitable conditions, the reaction of tetra‐tert‐butylcyclotetraphosphane, (PBu^t)₄, with dry atmospheric oxygen gives rise to the corresponding monoxide (PBu^t)₄O ( 1 ) which has been isolated by column chromatography. The reaction with hydrogen peroxide furnishes a mixture of oxocyclotetraphosphanes (PBu^t)₄O_1–4 consisting of two constitutionally isomeric dioxides (PBu^t)₄O₂ ( 2 a , 2 b ), the trioxide (PBu^t)₄O₃ ( 3 ), and the tetraoxide (PBu^t)₄O₄ ( 4 ), in addition to 1 . According to the ³¹P NMR parameters the oxygen atoms are exclusively exocyclically bonded to the phosphorus four‐membered ring. Which of the P atoms are present as λ⁵‐phosphorus follows from the different low‐field shifts of the individual P nuclei compared with the starting compound. Accordingly, 1 is 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1‐oxocyclotetraphosphane, 2 a and 2 b are 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐dioxo‐ and ‐1,3‐dioxocyclotetraphosphane, respectively, 3 is 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2,3‐trioxocyclotetraphosphane, and 4 is 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetraoxocyclotetraphosphane. When the oxidation reaction proceeds a fission of the P₄ ring takes place.     

Divergent Dendrimer Synthesis via the Passerini Three‐Component Reaction and Olefin Cross‐Metathesis

The combination of the Passerini reaction and olefin cross‐metathesis is shown to be a very useful approach for the divergent synthesis of dendrimers. Castor oil‐derived platform chemicals, such as 10‐undecenoic acid and 10‐undecenal, are reacted in a Passerini reaction with an unsaturated isocyanide to obtain a core unit having three terminal double bonds. Subsequent olefin cross‐metathesis with tert‐butyl acrylate, followed by hydrogenation of the double bonds and hydrolysis of the tert‐butyl ester, leads to an active core unit bearing three carboxylic acid groups as reactive sites. Iterative steps of the Passerini reaction with 10‐undecenal and 10‐isocyanodec‐1‐ene for branching, and olefin cross‐metathesis with tert‐butyl acrylate, followed by hydrogenation and hydrolysis allow the synthesis of a third‐generation dendrimer. All steps of the synthesis are carefully characterized by NMR, GPC, MS, and IR.

     

Reactions of sterically congested 1,6‐ and 1,7‐bis(diazo)alkanes with elemental sulfur and selenium: Formation of cyclohexene, 1,2‐dithiocane, 1,2‐diselenocane,and 1,2,3‐triselenecane derivatives

The reaction of 3,8‐bis(diazo)‐2,2,4,4,7,7,9,9‐octamethyldecane ( 5 ) with elemental selenium in 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) at 130°C yielded 1,2‐di‐tert‐butyl‐3,3,6,6‐tetramethylcyclohexene ( 1 ) (64%) and trans‐3,8‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4,4,7,7‐tetramethyl‐1,2‐diselenocane ( 8 ) (13%), while that of 5 with elemental sulfur in DBU gave trans‐3, 8‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4,4,7,7‐tetramethyl‐1,2‐dithiocane ( 9 ) (77%). The reaction of 3,9‐bis(diazo)‐2,2,4,4,8,8,10,10‐octamethylundecane ( 6 ) with elemental selenium in DBU at 80°C gave a cyclic triselenide, cis‐4,10‐di‐tert‐butyl‐5,5,9,9‐tetramethyl‐1,2,3‐triselenecane ( 11 ), in 15% yield as the only identifiable product. The structures of 9 and 11 were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:351–356, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10046     

π‐Excess Aromatic σ2P Ligands: Formation of a Heterocyclic 1,2‐Diphosphine by the Addition of tBuLi and Subsequent Inverse Addition of the Product at the P=C Bonds of Two Molecules of 1‐Neopentyl‐1,3‐benzazaphosphole

The reactivity of tBuLi (pentane) toward the N‐neopentyl‐substituted π‐excess P=CH–N heterocycle 1 depends on the solvent (tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, hexane, and toluene) and reaction conditions. Trapping of the resulting organolithium compounds with CO₂/ClSiMe₃, ClSiMe₃, or EtI led to various products indicating CH lithiation ( 1a , b ), normal addition of tBuLi at the P=C bond (E/Z ‐2a , b ), inverse addition of the primary addition product 2_Li at the P=C bond of a second molecule 1 , affording 3‐tert‐butyl‐2,2’‐bis(1,3‐benzazaphospholines) 3 , or inverse addition of tBuLi ( 4b,c ). The formation of 3 demonstrates a novel route to asymmetric heterocyclic 1,2‐diphosphine ligands. The structure elucidation of the new compounds is based on their ³¹P and ¹³C NMR data with conclusive chemical shifts and P–C coupling constants, that of the isolated PH‐functionalized diphosphine 3 on crystal structure analysis.     

Encapsulation with the Protrusion of Cruciform 9,10‐Bis(arylethynyl)anthracene Derivatives in a Self‐Assembled Boronic Ester Cavitand Capsule: Photochemical and Photophysical Properties

The self‐assembled boronic ester cavitand capsule 3 quantitatively and tightly encapsulates 2,6‐diacetoxy‐9,10‐bis(arylethynyl)anthracene derivatives 4 a – 4 c as highly fluorescent cruciform guests to form complexes 4 a @ 3 , 4 b @ 3 , and 4 c @( 3 )₂. The structural features of capsule 3 , which possesses two polar bowl‐shaped aromatic cavity ends and four large equatorial windows connected by dynamic boronic ester bonds, made it possible to encapsulate cruciform 4 with protection of the reactive anthracene core inside the capsule and with two protruding arylethynyl groups, the π‐conjugated arms of compound 4 , through two of the equatorial windows of the capsule. Thus, complexes 4 a @ 3 , 4 b @ 3 , and 4 c @( 3 )₂ show greater resistance to photochemical reactions in solution and fluorescence quenching in the powder state compared to free guests 4 . In addition to the improved photostability, restriction of the free rotation of the arylethynyl groups of guests 4 upon encapsulation results in sharpening of the UV/Vis absorption peaks with a red‐shift and a significant increase in some of the two‐photon‐absorption peaks of complexes 4 a @ 3 , 4 b @ 3 , and 4 c @( 3 )₂ compared with free guests 4 .     

Das erste Oxatetraphospholan, (PBut)4O

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 244. The First Oxatetraphospholane, (PBu^t)₄O Under suitable conditions, the reaction ot tri‐tertbutylcyclotriphosphane, (PBu^t)₃, with di‐tert‐butylperoxide gives rise to a mixture of 2,3,4,5‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,2,3,4,5‐oxatetraphospholane, (PBu^t)₄O ( 1 ), and 1,2‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐di‐tert‐butoxidiphosphane, [Bu^t(Bu^tO)P]₂ ( 2 ). Both compounds have been isolated in the pure state. The oxatetraphospholane 1 is a constitutional isomer of 1,2,3,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1‐oxocyclotetraphosphane, which has been reported recently [1]. The corresponding reaction of tetra‐tert‐butylcyclotetraphosphane furnishes only small amounts of 1 because of the kinetic stability of (PBu^t)₄. The diphosphane 2 is presumably a secondary product of primarily formed oxocyclotetraphosphanes (PBu^t)₄O_1–4. The NMR parameters of 1 and 2 are reported and discussed.     

Cycloadditions of Diarylgermylenes to a Diazabutadiene [1]

The reaction of tetrakis(2‐tert‐butyl‐4,5,6‐trimethylphenyl)digermene, which dissociates into the germylene molecules 2 in solution, with 1,4‐diisopropyl‐1,4‐diazabuta‐1,3‐diene ( 3 ) furnishes the [4+1] cycloaddition product of 2 to the nitrogen atoms of 3 . Under drastic conditions tetrakis(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)digermene also forms the germylene molecules 6 which react with 3 in a similar fashion to afford the corresponding [4+1] cycloadduct.     

2,4,6‐Tri‐tert‐butylphenyl and 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐methylphenyl groups: Look similar,react differently

The crystal structures of molecules with two phosphaalkene groups have been determined. Differences in the stabilization of the PC π‐bond by the 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl and 2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐methylphenyl groups were observed. It has been found that lithium supermesityl(trimethylsilyl)phosphide could be a very efficient base to remove a proton from acetonitrile.© 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:662–666, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10083     

Photophysical Properties and Efficient,Stable, Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Donor–Acceptor Molecules Exhibiting Thermal Spin Upconversion

The photophysical properties and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of three donor–acceptor molecules composed of dicyanobenzene and methyl‐, tert‐butyl‐, and phenyl‐substituted carbazolyl groups, 1,2,3,5‐tetrakis(3,6‐disubstituted‐carbazol‐9‐yl)‐4,6‐dicyanobenzene (4CzIPN‐Me, 4CzIPN‐tBu, and 4CzIPN‐Ph, respectively) are described. These molecules show delayed fluorescence as a result of thermal spin upconversion from the lowest triplet state to the lowest singlet state at room temperature. The three molecules showed yellow to yellowish–red ECL. Remarkably, the ECL efficiencies of 4CzIPN‐tBu in dichloromethane reached almost 40 %. Moreover, stable ECL was emitted from 4CzIPN‐tBu and 4CzIPN‐Ph. In case of 4CzIPN‐Me, the ECL intensity decreased during voltage cycles because of polymerization. Quantum chemical calculations revealed that polymerization was inhibited by the steric hindrance of the bulky tert‐butyl and phenyl groups on the carbazolyl moieties and lowered the spin density on the carbazolyl groups through electron conjugation for 4CzIPN‐Ph.     

A New Acyclic α‐Hydrogen Bearing Nitroxide and its Corresponding Alkoxyamine for Stable Free Radical Polymerization

Summary: The synthesis of the new α‐hydrogen bearing nitroxide, 2,2,5‐trimethyl‐4‐(isopropyl)‐3‐azahexane‐3‐oxyl (BIPNO) ( 4 ), and its corresponding alkoxyamine, N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐(1‐isopropyl‐2‐methyl‐propyl)‐O‐(1‐phenyl‐ethyl)‐hydroxylamine (PhEt‐BIPNO) ( 7 ), are described in this paper. Reaction of styrene with the new nitroxide in the presence of a Jacobsen‐like manganese catalyst, Mn(salen)Cl, at ambient atmosphere afforded the alkoxyamine in 96% yield. Styrene and n‐butyl acrylate were polymerized in bulk in the presence of the new alkoxyamine. The alkoxyamine turned out to be a suitable “initiator” for controlled radical polymerization.

Structure of α‐hydrogen bearing nitroxide and its corresponding alkoxyamine.     

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.