Branched charge-transfer chromophores featuring a 4,5-dicyanoimidazole unit

Six branched and stable push-pull chromophores featuring 4,5-dicyanoimidazole as an acceptor moiety, an N,N-dimethylamino group as a donor and various π-conjugated linkers are reported. Systematic extension of the π-linker revealed that the optical and electrochemical properties of A-π-D chromophores are mainly affected by the nature of the π-conjugated backbone (length and planarity) as well as by the number of appended donors.     

Photofunctional supramolecular solution systems of chiral Schiff base nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) complexes and photochromic azobenzenes

Preparations, crystal structures, electronic and CD spectra are reported for new chiral Schiff base complexes, bis(N-R-1-naphthylethyl-3,5-dichlorosalicydenaminato)nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II). Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes adopt a square planar trans-[MN₂O₂] coordination geometry with Δ(R,R) configuration. While zinc(II) complex adopts a compressed tetrahedral trans-[MN₂O₂] one with Δ(R,R) configuration and exhibits an emission band around 21 000 cm⁻¹ (λ_ex = 27 000 cm⁻¹). Absorption and CD spectra were recorded in N,N′-dimethylformamide, acetone, methanol, chloroform, and toluene solutions to discuss relationships between spectral shifts of d–d and π–π^∗ bands by structural changes of the complexes and physical properties of the solvents. Moreover, we have attempted to investigate conformational changes of the complexes induced by photoisomerization of azobenzene, 4-hydroxyazobenzene, or 4-aminoazobenzene, in various solutions under different conditions. Weak intermolecular interactions between complexes and azobenzenes are important for the phenomenon by conformational changes of bulky π-conjugated moieties of the ligands.     

Synthesis of 1,5-naphthylethynyl nanostructure networks with extended π-conjugation. Effective heterocoupling catalyzed by palladium under a compatible CO2 atmosphere

The synthesis of a new extended π-conjugated 5-N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl family was undertaken by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between a protected 5-iodonaphthylethynyl and 1-ethynyl-5-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthalene. Under an argon atmosphere, only the homocoupling product 1,4-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthyl-1,3-butadiyne was isolated, in excellent yield. However, under a compatible and pure carbon dioxide atmosphere, the cross-coupling product was obtained in excellent yield.     

Clockwise helical stacking of triphenylbenzene-based organogelator induced by peripheral chirality

We report on the synthesis and self-assembly of a new discotic organogelator based on π-conjugated triphenylbenzene with three peripheral chiral substituents. It is found that the introduction of chiral groups to the C₃-symmetric molecule led to a hexagonal columnar chiral stacking of the molecules in a clockwise direction in the organogel fibers. And the fluorescent emission of the gel decreased significantly compared to the monomer state at the same concentration, as a result of the aggregation of the nonplanar triphenylbenzene core in the gel phase.     

N,N′ and N,O chelated phosphenium cations containing aminotroponiminate or aminotroponate units

New phosphenium cations stabilized by bidentate monoanionic N-isopropyl-2-(isopropylamino)troponiminate or 2-(isopropylamino)troponate units have been synthesized. These complexes were characterized by ³¹P, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, and the molecular structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. These data indicate the formation of N,N′- and N,O-chelate derivatives having three-coordinate phosphorous atoms included in planar heterobicycles. Moreover, computational studies support the presence of high delocalization of the positive charge into the π-conjugated carbon backbone and of the high-lying phosphorus lone-pair orbital.     

2D and 3D supramolecular assemblies of double cyclopalladated azobenzenes realized by C-H?Cl-Pd, π?π and C-H?π interactions

The double cyclopalladated complex with azobenzene, μ-[(E)-1,2-diphenyldiazene-C^2,8, N^1,2]-di-[chloro(dimethylsulfoxide)palladium(II)]; (DMSO)PdCl(μ-C₆H₄NNC₆H₄)(DMSO)PdCl (1) and its analogous complex with DMF as ancillary ligand, (DMF)PdCl(μ-C₆H₄NNC₆H₄)(DMF)PdCl; μ-[(E)-1,2-diphenyldiazene-C^2,8,N^1,2]-di-[chloro(dimethylformamide)palladium(II)] (2a) were synthesized and the function of cyclopalladated moiety in molecular assembling in the solid state is illustrated by their crystal packings. The polymorphism of 2a and 2b is discussed. The crystal structures reveal assemblies with molecular components self-organized by C-H?Cl-Pd hydrogen bonds, π?π, and C-H?π interactions. The double cyclopalladated complexes of azobenzene, with two Pd-Cl moieties participating in the hydrogen bond formation and π-conjugated system involved in the π?π or C-H?π interactions, represent a new class of building blocks for construction of solid state supramolecular assemblies.     

A Chiral Recognition Mechanism Proposed for Resolving π-Acidic Racemates on π-Acidic Chiral Stationary Phases Derived from (S)-Leucine

A chiral recognition mechanism which can rationalize the resolution of N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-amino amides on chiral stationary phases (CSPs) obtained from N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucine amide derivatives has been proposed on the basis of the chromatographic resolution behavior of various N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-amino acid derivatives and N-(various benzoyl)leucine N-propyl amides. The proposed chiral recognition mechanism utilizes two hydrogen bonding interactions between the CSP and the analyte and a π-π donor-acceptor interaction between the N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl) groups of the CSP and the analyte. From the chiral recognition mechanism proposed, it has been concluded that the resolution of π-acidic N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-amino acid derivatives on π-acidic CSPs derived from N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucine amide delivatives is not unusual, but is merely the extension of the resolution of the π-basic racemates on π-acidic CSPs. However, the chromatographic behavior of the resolution of N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine derivatives on CSPs derived from N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucine amide derivatives is different from that of the resolution of other N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-amino acid derivatives. To rationalize this exceptional behavior, a second chiral recognition mechanism which utilizes two hydrogen bonding interactions (which are different from those of the first chiral recognition mechanism) between the CSP and the analytes and a π-π donor-acceptor interaction between the N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl) group of the CSP and the phenyl group of the analytes has been proposed to compete with the first chiral recognition mechanism. In this instance, it has been proposed that the separation factors and the elution orders of the resolution of N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine derivatives are dependent on the balance of the two competing chiral recognition mechanisms.     

Highly stereoselective synthesis of N-substituted π-conjugated phthalimides

A new regio- and stereoselective synthesis of (E)-N-(2-arylvinyl)phthalimides as well as phthalimide-containing (E,E)-buta-1,3-dienes and (E)-but-1-en-3-ynes has been developed. The one-pot ruthenium-catalyzed silylative coupling/iododesilylation sequence provides (E)-N-(2-iodovinyl)phthalimide 1, which undergoes palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura or Sonogashira cross-coupling to afford stereodefined highly π-conjugated phthalimides and functionalized dienimides containing phthalimide groups.     

Cyclobishelicenes: Shape-Persistent Figure-Eight Aromatic Molecules with Promising Chiroptical Properties

Cyclobis[n]helicenes (n=3 or 5) are chiral D₂-symmetric π-conjugated macrocycles with stable lemniscular, or figure-eight, shapes. The conformational analysis of five different cyclobis[n]helicenes revealed that these molecules can only exist as their lemniscular conformers with high barriers to enantiomerization (>200 kJ mol⁻¹). The enantiomers of a cyclobis[5]helicene were resolved by HPLC and their unusual chiroptical properties were attributed to the inherent chirality of their macrocyclic figure-eight.     

Aggregation Modes of Chiral Diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole Dyes in Solution and Thin Films

The chiroptical features of chiral diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole (DPP) derivatives have been only marginally investigated to date. In this regard, we have synthesized ad hoc four chiral DPP dyes, functionalized with enantiopure alkyl groups from natural sources either on the lactam moieties or on the terminal positions of the π-conjugated backbone, to promote an efficient self-assembly into chiral supramolecular structures. For each of them, the aggregation modes has been investigated by absorbance and ECD spectroscopies in conditions of solution aggregation and on thin films, considering the effects of deposition technique (drop casting vs. spin coating) and post-deposition operations (solvent and thermal annealing). The effect of the structure of lateral π-conjugated units attached to the central DPP scaffold, as well as that of the position of the alkyl chiral group, has been assessed. ECD revealed superior capability, compared to absorbance spectroscopy, to provide information on the aggregation modes and to detect the possible co-existence of multiple aggregation pathways.     

Topology and spin alignment utilizing the excited molecular field in π-conjugated organic spin systems

The design and experimental investigations of photo-induced high-spin organic systems (the photo-excited quartet (S = 3/2) and quintet (S = 2) states) is reviewed with focusing π-conjugated organic spin systems. In order to study the photo-induced spin alignments on the excited states, the photo-excited high-spin states of π-conjugated stable radical systems and their π-topological isomers were studied by the time-resolved ESR experiments. The relationship between the π-topology and spin alignment on the photo-excited states is clarified. The mechanism of the photo-induced intramolecular spin alignment and the role of the spin polarization and spin delocalization are revealed with the help of the molecular orbital calculations. One of the key processes for the photo-control of the organic molecular magnetism is established. The guiding principle designing the photo-excited high-spin system and the role of π-topology are clarified. Potential developments toward the functional materials are also proposed utilizing the π-conjugated organic spin systems with the photo-excited high-spin states.     

Enhanced Optical Properties of Azaborole Helicenes by Lateral and Helical Extension

The synthesis and characterization of laterally extended azabora[5]-, -[6]- and -[7]helicenes, assembled from N-heteroaromatic and dibenzo[g,p]chrysene building blocks is described. Formally, the π-conjugated systems of the pristine azaborole helicenes were enlarged with a phenanthrene unit leading to compounds with large Stokes shifts, significantly enhanced luminescence quantum yields (Φ) and dissymmetry factors (g_lum). The beneficial effect on optical properties was also observed for helical elongation. The combined contributions of lateral and helical extensions resulted in a compound showing green emission with Φ of 0.31 and |g_lum| of 2.2×10⁻³, highest within the series of π-extended azaborahelicenes and superior to emission intensity and chiroptical response of its non-extended congener. This study shows that helical and lateral extensions of π-conjugated systems are viable strategies to improve features of azaborole helicenes. In addition, single crystal X-ray analysis of configurationally stable [6]- and -[7]helicenes was used to provide insight into their packing arrangements.     

V形咔唑衍生物的合成及荧光性质

以N-烷基咔唑作为电子给体和共轭桥中心, 二米基硼作为端基电子受体, 合成了两个V形A-π-D-π-A型新化合物: 3,6-二{[(E)-2-(5-二米基硼)噻吩]乙烯基}-N-丁基-咔唑 {N-butyl-3,6-bis{(E)-2-[5-(dimesitylboryl)thiophen-2-yl]-vinyl}-carbazole, BBTC}和3,6-二[(E)-(4-二米基硼)苯乙烯基]-N-己基-咔唑, {N-hexyl-3,6-bis[(E)-4-(dimesitylboryl)-styryl]-carbazole, BBSC}. 这两个化合物在蓝绿光波段都有较强的荧光发射. 光谱数据表明, 扩大共轭体系并在端基引入含硼基团导致吸收谱和发射谱显著红移, 并增大分子内电荷转移.     

MÖSsbauer Spectroscopic Study of Fecl3 Complexes of Poly(N-Methyl-2,5-Pyrrolylene), Poly(2,5-Thienylene), and Poly(3-Methyl-2,5-Thienylene) Prepared by Ni-Catalyzed Polycondensation

Reaction of FeCl₃ with poly(N-methyl-2,5-pyrrolylene) (PNMPy), poly(2,5-thienylene) (PTh), and poly(3-methyl-2,5-thienylene) (P3MeTh) caused reduction of FeCl₃ to afford Fe²⁺ species. Variable temperature Mössbauer spectra of the reaction systems indicated formation of FeCl₂ and FeCl^? ₄. The latter is regarded as a counter-anion for the cation delocalized along the π-conjugated polymer chain.     

Electrochemical synthesis of a novel sulfonated polyaniline and its electrochemical properties

A novel N-substituted aniline, N-(4-sulfonicbutyryl)aniline was synthesized and subsequently to be electropolymerized to yield a new conductive polymer, poly(N-(4-sulfonicbutyryl)aniline). X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) of the polymer film was examined to propose the polymer molecular structure. The sulfonated polyaniline was also characterized by ¹H NMR, TGA, DTA, FTIR, and UV–vis spectra. The sulfonated polyaniline showed high conductivity in neutral aqueous solutions, which is two orders of magnitude higher than that of poly(N-acetylaniline) (PNAANI).     

Axially Chiral TADF-Active Enantiomers Designed for Efficient Blue Circularly Polarized Electroluminescence

The use of a chiral, emitting skeleton for axially chiral enantiomers showing activity in thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) with circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) is proposed. A pair of chiral stable enantiomers, (−)-(S)-Cz-Ax-CN and (+)-(R)-Cz-Ax-CN, was designed and synthesized. The enantiomers, both exhibiting intramolecular π-conjugated charge transfer (CT) and spatial CT, show TADF activities with a small singlet–triplet energy difference (ΔE_ST) of 0.029 eV and mirror-image circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activities with large g_lum values. Notably, CP-OLEDs based on the enantiomers feature blue electroluminescence centered at 468 nm with external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 12.5 and 12.7 %, and also show intense CPEL with g_EL values of −1.2×10⁻² and +1.4×10⁻², respectively. These are the first CP-OLEDs based on TADF-active enantiomers with efficient blue CPEL.     

Electrochemical properties of new n-type π-conjugated polybipyridines and polybiphenylenes with various bridging units

New electrochemically active π-conjugated polymers were prepared. They had polybipyridine or polybiphenylene type structure with an –NN–, –O–, or –NHCONH– bridging group between the two aromatic units, and underwent more facile electrochemical reduction (or n-type doping) than the mother π-conjugated polymers without the bridging group.     

Chirality induction of π-conjugated chains through chiral complexation

Chirality induction of π-conjugated polyanilines through chiral complexation with the chiral palladium(II) complexes was demonstrated to afford the chiral conjugated polymer complexes. Complexation of the emeraldine base of poly(o-toluidine) (POT) with the chiral palladium(II) complex bearing one labile coordination site led to the formation of the chiral conjugated polymer complex, which exhibited an induced circular dichroism (ICD) based on the chirality induction into a π-conjugated backbone. The mirror image of the CD signal was observed with the chiral conjugated polymer complex, which was obtained from the chiral palladium(II) complex possessing the opposite configuration. The chirality of the podand ligand moieties of the palladium complex is considered to induce a propeller twist of the π-conjugated molecular backbone. The crystal structure of the chiral conjugated complex of N-bis(4′-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinonediimine (L³) as a model compound of the polyaniline revealed a chiral propeller twist conformation of the π-conjugated backbone. Furthermore, chiral complexation with the cationic palladium(II) complexes provided the ionic chiral conjugated complexes.     

Highlighting the possible secondary interactions in the role of balhimycin and its analogues for enantiorecognition in capillary electrophoresis

It is believed that the enantiorecognition mechanism based on macrocyclic antibiotics involves multimodal interactions via hydrogen bonding, π–π interaction, steric hindrance, hydrophobic interaction and so on. A variety of enantiomeric N-benzoylated amino acids were separated using balhimycin (A) or its analogues bromobalhimycin (B) and dechlorobalhimycin (C) as chiral mobile phase additive using a CE method, which combined the partial filling technique with the dynamic coating technique and the co-EOF electrophoresis technique. The enantioresolution and the migration time were highly relevant to the structure of analytes, especially to the substitutions on the N-tagged benzoyl moiety of the amino acids. A steric effect and π–π interaction based mechanism is proposed in order to explain some observed enantioresolution differences between positional isomers. Notably dechlorobalhimycin exhibited the best enantioresolution for several N-benzoylated derivatives of leucine, which was rarely observed for N-dansylated amino acid derivatives. The hydrophobicity difference of the aglycone pocket among three chiral selectors was assumed to account for this behaviour.     

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.