Photochromic Dithienylethene‐Containing Boron(III) Ketoiminates: Modulation of Photo‐Responsive Behavior through Variation of Intramolecular Motion

A series of dithienylethene‐containing boron(III) ketoiminates, as well as their corresponding β‐ketoimine ligands, have been synthesized and characterized. The photophysical, electrochemical, and photochromic properties of the compounds have been studied. Photocyclization has been found to be suppressed upon introduction of a phenyl substituent on the nitrogen atom of the β‐ketoiminate core, whereas photochromism could be observed by replacement of the phenyl substituent with a bulky mesityl group. It is believed that the steric effect of the mesityl unit restricts molecular rotation, resulting in such a prominent difference in the photochromic properties.     

Photochromic Dithienylethene‐Containing Triarylborane Derivatives: Facile Approach to Modulate Photochromic Properties with Multi‐addressable Functions

A series of dithienylethene‐containing triarylboranes has been designed, synthesized, and characterized. The electrochemistry, photophysics, and photochromic behavior have also been studied. The photophysical and photochromic properties could be facilely tuned in this system by varying the thiophene spacers (thiophene, thienothiophene, and bithiophene) between the dithienylethene and the dimesitylboron (BMes₂) or the position of the BMes₂ substitution in the thiophene spacers. The absorption of closed form has been found to be more sensitive towards the structural modification upon incorporation of the BMes₂ unit. Moreover, multi‐addressable photochromic reactivity is obtained upon addition of Lewis base (F^?), which is due to the formation of boron–Lewis base adduct. The dependence of the photophysical and photochromic properties on the thiophene spacers and the position of the BMes₂ substitution has been further supported by computational studies.     

A Versatile Dithienylethene‐Functionalized Ph‐Diazabutadiene (DAB) Ligand: From Photoswitchable Main‐Group Molecules to Photochromic Polymers

Within the past decade photochromic materials, specifically dithienylethenes (DTEs), have received increased interest because of their ability to function as potential photoswitchable molecular devices and optical memory storage systems. Current research in this area has focused on incorporating organic architectures to functionalize the DTE framework and alter the resulting photophysical properties; however, their syntheses are often not trivial. In this context, we have designed a simple and versatile diimine ( 2 ) containing adjacent 2,5‐dimethyl(thienyl) rings in the backbone. This redox active diimine ( 2 ) acts as a precursor to a novel photochromic ligand and has been used to coordinate to both boron and phosphorus elements, along with the synthesis of a phosphorane‐side‐chain functionalized polymer without further functionalization to the parent DTE framework. A study of the resulting photochromic properties of these compounds revealed that 1) the UV‐visible absorption spectra of the closed‐ring isomer were dependent of the element present in the N,N′‐chelating pocket and 2) incorporating the dithienylethene into a side‐functionalized phosphorane polymer greatly increased the closed‐/open‐ring reversibility and decreased the formation of by‐products.     

3,3,4,4,5,5‐Hexafluoro‐1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐[5‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐methyl‐3‐thienyl]cyclopent‐1‐ene: a photochromic compound

The photochromic title compound, C₂₄H₁₈F₆O₂S, has thienyl and aryl substituents on the C=C double bond of the shallow half‐chair‐shaped cyclopentene ring. The planes of the two substituent rings are inclined to that of the cyclopentene ring, with dihedral angles between the mean plane of the cyclopentene ring and those of the phenylene and thienyl rings of 51.2 (1) and 51.3 (1)°, respectively. The molecule adopts an antiparallel conformation, with a distance between the two photoreactive C atoms of 3.717 (2) Å.     

Tunable Photochromism in the Robust Dithienylethene‐Containing Phospholes: Design,Synthesis, Characterization,Electrochemistry, Photophysics,and Photochromic Studies

A series of dithienylethene‐containing phosphole derivatives has been designed, synthesized and characterized. One of the compounds has been characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Upon photoexcitation, the compounds exhibit drastic color changes, ascribed to the reversible photochromic behavior. Their photochromic, photophysical and electrochemical properties have been studied. They show photochromic reactivities with high photocyclization quantum yields. Their photophysical and photochromic properties are found to be facilely tuned in this system by substitution at the phosphole backbone, as well as variation on the extent of π‐conjugation of the phosphole backbone. Some selected compounds have been demonstrated to exhibit photochromic properties in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) films.     

Syntheses and Photophysical Properties of N‐Pyridylimidazol‐2‐ylidene Tetracyanoruthenates(II) and Photochromic Studies of Their Dithienylethene‐Containing Derivatives

A series of tetracyanoruthenate(II) with chelating pyridyl N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands (NHC‐py) was synthesized and characterized. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties as well as the photochromic behavior of their dithienylethene‐containing complexes were studied. Photocyclization was found to take place upon irradiation into the metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption bands of these complexes, and evidence is provided to support the triplet‐sensitizing reaction pathway.     

1‐(2‐Methyl‐5‐phenyl‐3‐thien­yl)‐2‐(3‐methyl‐5‐phenyl‐2‐thien­yl)‐3,3,4,4,5,5‐hexa­fluoro­cyclo­pent‐1‐ene: a novel photochromic hybrid diaryl­ethene

The title compound, C₂₇H₁₈F₆S₂, a novel photochromic hybrid diaryl­ethene derivative containing 2‐ and 3‐thienyl substituents, is one of the most promising photochromic candidates with shorter wavelength for optical storage and other optoelectronic devices. In the crystal structure, the mol­ecule adopts a photoactive antiparallel conformation. The distance between the two reactive C atoms, i.e. the ring C atoms to which the methyl groups are attached, is 3.430 (4) Å. The dihedral angles between the thienyl and adjacent phenyl rings are 26.8 (2) and 33.98 (9)°.     

Thermodynamic Phase Transition Through Crystal‐to‐Crystal Process of Photochromic 1,2‐Bis(5‐phenyl‐2‐propyl‐3‐thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene

A photochromic diarylethene, 1,2‐bis(5‐phenyl‐2‐propyl‐3‐thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene ( 1a ), was found to have two polymorphic crystal forms, α‐ and β‐crystals. From X‐ray crystallographic analysis, the space groups of α‐ and β‐crystals were determined to be P2₁/c and C2/c, respectively. The difference between two crystal forms is ascribed to the orientation of two of four molecules in the unit cell. The thermodynamic phase transition from α‐ to β‐forms occurred via a crystal‐to‐crystal process, as confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry measurements, optical microscopic observations in the reflection mode and under crossed Nicols, and powder X‐ray diffraction measurements. The movement of the molecules in the crystal was evaluated by analyzing the change of face indices before and after the phase transition.     

β,β‐Diborylated Subporphyrinato Boron(III) Complexes as Useful Synthetic Precursors

Iridium‐catalyzed borylation of B‐aryl meso‐free subporphyrinato boron(III) complexes (hereinafter referred to simply as subporphyrins) with bis(pinacolato)diboron gave 2,13‐diborylated subporphyrins regioselectively, which served as promising synthetic precursors for 2,13‐diarylated subporphyrins and doubly β‐to‐β 1,3‐butadiyne‐bridged subporphyrin dimers. 2,13‐Diarylated subporphyrins display perturbed absorption spectra, depending upon the β‐aryl substituents. Doubly 1,3‐butadiyne‐bridged syn and anti subporphyrin dimers thus prepared exhibit differently altered absorption spectra with split Soret‐like bands, which have been accounted for in terms of exciton coupling.     

New succinyl‐spaced pyrazoles: Regioselective synthesis of 1,4‐bis[5‐(trichloromethyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]butane‐1,4‐diones

The facile and convenient access by a conventional procedure in ethanol as solvent to a new series of succinyl‐spaced pyrazoles including 1,4‐bis[5‐(trichloromethyl)‐5‐hydroxy‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]butane‐1,4‐diones (64–82%) and the respective dehydrated derivatives as 1,4‐bis[5‐(trichloromethyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]butane‐1,4‐diones in 57–82% yields, from the regioselective cyclocondensation reactions of 4‐substituted 4‐methoxy‐1,1,1‐trichloroalk‐3‐en‐2‐ones with succinic acid dihydrazide, where the 4‐substituents are Me, Ph, 4‐FC₆H₄, 4‐ClC₆H₄, 4‐NO₂C₆H₄, 2‐furyl, and 2‐thienyl, is reported. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2011.     

Synthesis of A2B6‐Type [36]Octaphyrins: Copper(II)‐Metalation‐Induced Fragmentation Reactions to Porphyrins and N‐Fusion Reactions of meso‐(3‐Thienyl) Substituents

5,10,15‐Tris(pentafluorophenyl)tetrapyrromethane was efficiently prepared through a route involving stepwise diaroylation of 5‐pentafluorophenyldipyrromethane. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrins were prepared by the cross condensation of the tetrapyrromethane with aryl aldehydes in moderate yields. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrins bearing 2,4,6‐trifluorophenyl, 2,6‐dichlorophenyl, and phenyl substituents underwent Cu^II‐metalation‐induced fragmentation to give two molecules of AB₃‐type Cu^II porphyrins. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrin bearing 3‐thienyl substituents underwent thermal N‐thienyl fusion reactions to provide a modestly aromatic [38]octaphyrin, which, upon treatment with MnO₂, underwent further N‐thienyl fusion and subsequent oxidation to give a nonaromatic doubly N‐thienyl fused [36]octaphyrin.     

New Pyrazolyl‐Nicotinic Acids,Methyl Esters,and 1,3,4‐Oxadiazolyl‐pyrazolyl‐pyridine Tricyclic Scaffold Derivatives from 6‐Hydrazinylnicotinic Acid Hydrazide Hydrate

This paper describes an efficient approach for the synthesis of a new series of 6‐[3‐alkyl(aryl/heteroaryl)‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]nicotinic acids (where alkyl = CH₃; aryl = Ph, 4‐OCH₃Ph, 4,4′‐BiPh; and heteroaryl = 2‐Furyl) from the hydrolysis reaction of alkyl(aryl/heteroaryl)substituted 2‐(5‐trifluoromethyl‐5‐hydroxy‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐5‐(5‐trifluoromethyl‐5‐hydroxy‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1‐carbonylpyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridines, under basic conditions and at 70–95% yields. In a subsequent step, the esterification reaction of pyrazolyl‐nicotinic acids done in thionyl chloride and methanol led to the isolation of a series of methyl 6‐[alkyl(aryl/heteroaryl)‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl] nicotinates as stable hydrochloride salts at 64–84% yields, which could be easily converted to hydrazides to give new oxadiazolyl‐pyrazolyl‐pyridine tricyclic scaffolds at good yields from a [4 + 1] cyclocondensation reaction with 1,1,1‐triethoxyethane and 1‐(triethoxymethyl)benzene as the reagent/solvent.     

Photophysical Properties of Heteroleptic Iridium Complexes Containing Carbazole‐Functionalized β‐Diketonates

Twelve iridium complexes with general formula of Ir(C^N)₂(LX) [C^N represents the cyclometalated ligand, i.e. 2‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl) pyridine (dfppy), 2‐phenylpyridine (ppy), dibenzo{f, h}quinoxaline (DBQ); LX stands for β‐diketonate, i.e. acetyl acetonate (acac), 1‐(carbazol‐9‐yl)‐5,5‐dimethylhexane‐2,4‐diketonate (CBDK), 1‐(carbazol‐9‐yl)‐5,5,6,6,7,7,7‐heptafluoroheptane‐2,4‐diketonate (CHFDK), 1‐(N‐ethyl‐carbazol‐3‐yl)‐4,4,5,5,6,6,6‐heptafluorohexane‐1,3‐diketonate (ECHFDK)] are synthesized, characterized and their photophysical properties are systemically studied. In addition, crystals of Ir(DBQ)₂(CHFDK) and Ir(DBQ)₂(acac) are obtained and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The choice of these iridium complexes provides an opportunity for tracing the effect of the triplet energy level of ancillary ligands on the photophysical and electrochemical behaviors. Data show that if the triplet energy level of the β‐diketonate is higher than that of the Ir(C^N)₂ fragment and there is no superposition on the state density map, strong ³LC or ³MLCT‐based phosphorescence can be obtained. Alternatively, if the state density map of the two parts are in superposition, the ³LC or ³MLCT‐based transition will be quenched at room temperature. Density functional theory calculations show that these complexes can be divided into two categories. The lowest excited state is mainly determined by C^N but not β‐diketonate when the difference between the triplet energy levels of the two parts is large. However, when this difference is very small, the lowest excited state will be determined by both sides. This provides a satisfactory explanation for the experimental observations.     

An efficient and regiospecific preparation of trifluoromethyl substituted 4‐( 1H‐pyrazol‐1 ‐yl)‐7‐chloroquinolines

A new series of 4‐[3‐alkyl(aryl)(heteroaryl)‐5‐hydroxy‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl]‐7‐chloroquinolines, where [alkyl = CH₃; aryl = C₆H₅, 4‐CH₃C₆H₄, 4‐FC₆H₄, 4‐ClC₆H₄, 4‐BrC₆H₄, 4‐CH₃OCgH₄, 4‐NO₂CgH₄, 4‐biphenyl, 1‐naphthyl; heteroaryl = 2‐furyl and 2‐thienyl] has been regiospecifi‐caly obtained from the reaction of 7‐chloro‐4‐hydrazinoquinoline with 4‐substituted‐l,1,1‐trifluoro‐4‐methoxybut‐3‐en‐2‐ones in 61 ‐ 96 % yield. Subsequently, dehydration reaction of 4,5‐dihydropyra‐zolylquinolines under acid conditions furnished a new series of 4‐(3‐substituted‐5‐trifluoromethyl‐1H‐pyra‐zol‐1‐yl)‐7‐chloroquinolines in 73 ‐ 96 % yield.     

Phosphorescent Platinum(II) Complexes with Mesoionic 1H‐1,2,3‐Triazolylidene Ligands

The synthesis and characterization of eight unprecedented phosphorescent C^C* cyclometalated mesoionic aryl‐1,2,3‐triazolylidene platinum(II) complexes with different β‐diketonate ligands are reported. All compounds proved to be strongly emissive at room temperature in poly(methyl methacrylate) films with an emitter concentration of 2 wt %. The observed photoluminescence properties were strongly dependent on the substitution on the aryl system and the β‐diketonate ligand. Compared to acetylacetonate, the β‐diketonates with aromatic substituents (mesityl and duryl) were found to significantly enhance the quantum yield while simultaneously reducing the emission lifetimes. Characterization was carried out by standard techniques, as well as solid‐state structure determination, which confirmed the binding mode of the carbene ligand. DFT calculations, carried out to predict the emission wavelength with maximum intensity, were in excellent agreement with the (later) obtained experimental data.     

(Z)‐3‐(1H‐Indol‐3‐yl)‐2‐(3‐thienyl)­acrylo­nitrile and (Z)‐3‐[1‐(4‐tert‐butyl­benzyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐2‐(3‐thienyl)­acrylo­nitrile

(Z)‐3‐(1H‐Indol‐3‐yl)‐2‐(3‐thienyl)­acrylo­nitrile, C₁₅H₁₀N₂S, (I), and (Z)‐3‐[1‐(4‐tert‐butyl­benzyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐2‐(3‐thienyl)­acrylo­nitrile, C₂₆H₂₄N₂S, (II), were prepared by base‐catalyzed reactions of the corresponding indole‐3‐carbox­aldehyde with thio­phene‐3‐aceto­nitrile. ¹H/¹³C NMR spectral data and X‐ray crystal structures of compounds (I) and (II) are presented. The olefinic bond connecting the indole and thio­phene moieties has Z geometry in both cases, and the mol­ecules crystallize in space groups P2₁/c and C2/c for (I) and (II), respectively. Slight thienyl ring‐flip disorder (ca 5.6%) was observed and modeled for (I).     

1‐Aryl‐4‐Silylmethyl[60]fullerenes: Synthesis,Properties, and Photovoltaic Performance

The efficient nucleophilic addition of aryl Grignard reagents (aryl=4‐MeOC₆H₄, 4‐Me₂NC₆H₄, Ph, 4‐CF₃C₆H₄, and thienyl) to C₆₀ in the presence of DMSO produced 1,2‐arylhydro[60]fullerenes after acid treatment. The reactions of the anions of these arylhydro[60]fullerenes with either dimethylphenylsilylmethyl iodide or dimethyl(2‐isopropoxyphenyl)silylmethyl iodide yielded the target compounds, 1‐aryl‐4‐silylmethyl[60]fullerenes. The properties and structures of these 1‐aryl‐4‐silylmethyl[60]fullerenes (aryl=4‐MeOC₆H₄, thienyl) were examined by electrochemical studies, X‐ray crystallography, flash‐photolysis time‐resolved microwave‐conductivity (FP‐TRMC) measurements, and electron‐mobility measurements by using a space‐charge‐limited current (SCLC) model. Organic photovoltaic devices with a polymer‐based bulk heterojunction structure and small‐molecule‐based p–n and p–i–n heterojunction configurations were fabricated by using 1‐aryl‐4‐silylmethyl[60]fullerenes as an electron acceptor. The most efficient device exhibited a power‐conversion efficiency of 3.4 % (short‐circuit current density: 8.1 mA/ cm², open‐circuit voltage: 0.69 V, fill factor: 0.59).     

Three closely related 1‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones: pseudosymmetry,disorder and supramoleular assembly mediated by C—H…π and C—Br…π interactions

It has been observed that when electron‐rich naphthyl rings are present in chalcones they can participate in π–π stacking interactions, and this can play an important role in orientating inhibitors within the active sites of enzymes, while chalcones containing heterocyclic substituents additionally exhibit fungistatic and fungicidal properties. With these considerations in mind, three new chalcones containing 2‐naphthyl substituents were prepared. 3‐(4‐Fluorophenyl)‐1‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one, C₁₉H₁₃FO, (I), crystallizes with Z ′ = 2 in the space group P and the four molecules in the unit cell adopt an arrangement which resembles that in the space group P 2₁/a . Although 3‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one, C₁₉H₁₃BrO, (II), with Z ′ = 1, is not isostructural with (I), the molecules of (I) and (II) adopt very similar conformations. In 1‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)‐3‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one, C₁₇H₁₂OS, (III), the thiophene unit is disordered over two sets of atomic sites, with occupancies of 0.780 (3) and 0.220 (3), which are related by a near 180° rotation of the thiophene unit about its exocyclic C—C bond. The molecules of compound (I) are linked by three independent C—H…π(arene) hydrogen bonds to form centrosymmetric octamolecular aggregates, whereas the molecules of compound (II) are linked into molecular ladders by a combination of C—H…π(arene) and C—Br…π(arene) interactions, and those of compound (III) are linked into centrosymmetric dimers by C—H…π(thiophene) interactions.     

Synthesis of 3‐(5‐Methylthiophen‐2‐yl)coumarins and Their Photochromic Dihetarylethene Derivatives

Novel unsymmetrical di(thienyl)maleic acid anhydride, including coumarin moiety, has been designed and synthesized. Its photochromism study and fatigue resistance estimation are reported. Microwave‐assisted procedure has been successfully used for synthesis of 3‐(5‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)coumarins.     

Three closely related thienyl‐substituted 1,4‐epoxynaphtho[1,2‐b]azepines: hydrogen‐bonded assembly in one,two and three dimensions

(2R,4S)‐2‐(3‐Methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxynaphtho[1,2‐b]azepine, C₁₉H₁₇NOS, (I), crystallizes with a single enantiomer in each crystal, whereas its geometrical isomer (2RS,4SR)‐2‐(5‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxy‐naphtho[1,2‐b]azepine, (II), and (2RS,4SR)‐2‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1,4‐epoxynaphtho[1,2‐b]azepine, C₁₈H₁₄BrNOS, (III), both crystallize as racemic mixtures. A combination of one C—H...O hydrogen bond and two C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds links the molecules of (I) into a three‐dimensional framework; the molecules of (II) are linked into a C(4)C(4)[R₂²(7)] chain of rings by a combination of C—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds; and in (III), where Z′ = 2, a combination of four C—H...π(arene) hydrogen bonds and two C—H...π(thienyl) hydrogen bonds links the molecules into complex sheets. Comparisons are made with the assembly patterns in some aryl‐substituted 1,4‐epoxynaphtho[1,2‐b]azepines.