Synthesis of Cyano‐Substituted Diaryltetracenes from Tetraaryl[3]cumulenes

A versatile, two‐step synthesis of highly substituted, cyano‐functionalized diaryltetracenes has been developed, starting from easily accessible tetraaryl[3]cumulenes. This unprecedented transformation is initiated by [2+2] cycloaddition of tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) to the proacetylenic central double bond of the cumulenes to give an intermediate zwitterion, which after an electrocyclization cascade and dehydrogenation yields 5,5,11,11‐tetracyano‐5,11‐dihydrotetracenes in a one‐pot procedure. A subsequent copper‐assisted decyanation/aromatization provided the target 5,11‐dicyano‐6,12‐diaryltetracene derivatives. All of the postulated structures were confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. The new chromophores are thermally highly stable and feature promising fluorescence properties for potential use in optoelectronic devices. They are selective chemosensors for Cu^I ions, which coordinate to one of the CN substituents and form a 1:1 complex with an association constant of K_a=1.5×10⁵ L mol^?1 at 298 K.     

Unexpected Formation of a [4]Radialene and Dendralenes by Addition of Tetracyanoethylene to a Tetraaryl[5]cumulene

The use of cumulenes in synthetic transformations offers the possibility to form structurally interesting and potentially useful conjugated molecules. The cycloaddition reaction of a tetraaryl[5]cumulene with the electron‐deficient olefin tetracyanoethylene affords unusual products, including functionalized dendralenes and alkylidene cyclobutanes, as well as a symmetric [4]radialene that shows unique solvatochromism, with λ_max values approaching the near‐IR region. These carbon‐rich products have been investigated spectroscopically and by X‐ray crystallographic analysis (five structures). The cycloaddition reaction sequence has also been explored by mechanistic and theoretical studies. The obtained results clearly demonstrate the potential of [5]cumulenes to serve as precursors for unprecedented conjugated structures.     

Chromium Oxide Tetrafluoride and Its Reactions with Xenon Hexafluoride; the [XeF5]+ and [Xe2F11]+ Salts of the [CrVIOF5]−, [CrVOF5]2−, [CrV2O2F8]2−, and [CrIVF6]2− Anions

Molten mixtures of XeF₆ and Cr^VIOF₄ react by means of F₂ elimination to form [XeF₅][Xe₂F₁₁][Cr^VOF₅] ⋅ 2 Cr^VIOF₄, [XeF₅]₂[Cr^IVF₆] ⋅ 2 Cr^VIOF₄, [Xe₂F₁₁]₂[Cr^IVF₆], and [XeF₅]₂[Cr^V₂O₂F₈], whereas their reactions in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF) and CFCl₃/aHF yield [XeF₅]₂[Cr^V₂O₂F₈] ⋅ 2 HF and [XeF₅]₂[Cr^V₂O₂F₈] ⋅ 2 XeOF₄. Other than [Xe₂F₁₁][M^VIOF₅] and [XeF₅][M^VI₂O₂F₉] (M=Mo or W), these salts are the only Group 6 oxyfluoro-anions known to stabilize noble-gas cations. Their reaction pathways involve redox transformations that give [XeF₅]⁺ and/or [Xe₂F₁₁]⁺ salts of the known [Cr^VOF₅]²⁻ and [Cr^IVF₆]²⁻ anions, and the novel [Cr^V₂O₂F₈]²⁻ anion. A low-temperature Raman spectroscopic study of an equimolar mixture of solid XeF₆ and CrOF₄ revealed that [Xe₂F₁₁][Cr^VIOF₅] is formed as a reaction intermediate. The salts were structurally characterized by LT single-crystal X-ray diffraction and LT Raman spectroscopy, and provide the first structural characterizations of the [Cr^VOF₅]²⁻ and [Cr^V₂O₂F₈]²⁻ anions, where [Cr^V₂O₂F₈]²⁻ represents a new structural motif among the known oxyfluoro-anions of Group 6. The X-ray structures show that [XeF₅]⁺ and [Xe₂F₁₁]⁺ form ion pairs with their respective anions by means of Xe- - -F–Cr bridges. Quantum-chemical calculations were carried out to obtain the energy-minimized, gas-phase geometries and the vibrational frequencies of the anions and their ion pairs and to aid in the assignments of their Raman spectra.     

Mechanosynthesis of Odd‐Numbered Tetraaryl[n]cumulenes

A mechanochemical synthesis of one‐dimensional carbon allotrope carbyne model compounds, namely tetraaryl[n]cumulenes (n=3, 5) was realized. Central for the mechanosynthesis of the cumulenic carbon nanostructures were the development of a mechanochemical Favorskii alkynylation‐type reaction and the implementation of a solvent‐free, acid‐free reductive elimination with tin(II) chloride by ball milling.     

Group 6 Oxyfluoro-Anion Salts of [XeF5]+ and [Xe2F11]+: Syntheses and Structures of [XeF5][M2O2F9] (M=Mo,W), [Xe2F11][M′OF5] (M′=Cr,Mo, W), [XeF5][HF2]⋅CrOF4, and [XeF5][WOF5]⋅XeOF4

The reactions of the fluoride-ion donor, XeF₆, with the fluoride-ion acceptors, M′OF₄ (M′=Cr, Mo, W), yield [XeF₅]⁺ and [Xe₂F₁₁]⁺ salts of [M′OF₅]⁻ and [M₂O₂F₉]⁻ (M=Mo, W). Xenon hexafluoride and MOF₄ react in anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF) to give equilibrium mixtures of [Xe₂F₁₁]⁺, [XeF₅]⁺, [(HF)_nF]⁻, [MOF₅]⁻, and [M₂O₂F₉]⁻ from which the title salts were crystallized. The [XeF₅][CrOF₅] and [Xe₂F₁₁][CrOF₅] salts could not be formed from mixtures of CrOF₄ and XeF₆ in aHF at low temperature (LT) owing to the low fluoride-ion affinity of CrOF₄, but yielded [XeF₅][HF₂]⋅CrOF₄ instead. In contrast, MoOF₄ and WOF₄ are sufficiently Lewis acidic to abstract F⁻ ion from [(HF)_nF]⁻ in aHF to give the [MOF₅]⁻ and [M₂O₂F₉]⁻ salts of [XeF₅]⁺ and [Xe₂F₁₁]⁺. To circumvent [(HF)_nF]⁻ formation, [Xe₂F₁₁][CrOF₅] was synthesized at LT in CF₂ClCF₂Cl solvent. The salts were characterized by LT Raman spectroscopy and LT single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which provided the first X-ray crystal structure of the [CrOF₅]⁻ anion and high-precision geometric parameters for [MOF₅]⁻ and [M₂O₂F₉]⁻. Hydrolysis of [Xe₂F₁₁][WOF₅] by water contaminant in HF solvent yielded [XeF₅][WOF₅]⋅XeOF₄. Quantum-chemical calculations were carried out for M′OF₄, [M′OF₅]⁻, [M′₂O₂F₉]⁻, {[Xe₂F₁₁][CrOF₅]}₂, [Xe₂F₁₁][MOF₅], and {[XeF₅][M₂O₂F₉]}₂ to obtain their gas-phase geometries and vibrational frequencies to aid in their vibrational mode assignments and to assess chemical bonding.     

Ring Strain VS. Solvent Effects in Phosphate Base Hydrolysis

To determine the factors governing the enhanced reactivity of 5-membered ring phosphates, the lowest activation free-energy profiles for the alkaline hydrolyses of methyl ethylene phosphate (5-MEP), its acyclic analog, trimethyl phosphate (a-TMP), and its 6-membered ring analog, methyl propylene phosphate (6-MPP), have been computed using ab initio and continuum dielectric methods. The calculations yield product distributions and activation free energy differences in accord with experiment. They show that solvent stabilization of the 5-membered ring transition state plays a key role in the million-fold enhanced rates of alkaline hydrolysis of 5-MEP relative to its acyclic or 6-membered ring analogs. Furthermore, strain energy calculations show that ring strain contributes partly to the observed rate enhancement of 5-MEP relative to 6-MPP but not to that of 5-MEP relative to a-TMP.     

The topological and chemical implications of introducing oriented rings to [3]catenanes

We report the synthesis of three donor–acceptor azido-functionalised catenanes, wherein the asymmetric positioning of the azide group on one or two of the ring components renders its resident macrocycle constitutionally asymmetric, and so it acts as an oriented ring. As a consequence, the analyses of (i) a monoazido[2]catenane, (ii) a monoazido[3]catenane and (iii) a bisazido[3]catenane, which exists as a mixture of two conditional topological isomers, are significantly complicated. Accordingly, characterisation of the catenanes, which was achieved by a combination of dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray diffraction, is an arduous task. We expect that the difficulties in analysing these mechanically interlocked molecules will be encountered more frequently as chemists prepare entities with increasingly complex topologies.     

Helicenophyrins: Expanded Carbaporphyrins Incorporating Aza[5]helicene and Heptacyclic S‐Shaped Aza[5]helicene Motifs

Incorporation of phenanthrene into a hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.0) frame resulted in intramolecular ring fusion, thus giving rise to chiral helicenophyrins. These molecules contain helicene and porphyrin features by incorporating either an aza[5]helicene or heptacyclic S‐shaped aza[5]helicene.     

Synthesis and Structure of Ba12F19Cl5

A new member belonging to the binary phase diagram of BaF₂ and BaCl₂ was synthesized. The single domain crystals of Ba₁₂F₁₉Cl₅ can be prepared from a nonstoichiometric flux with molar ratio of 1 : 1 between BaFCl and BaF₂. The compound crystallizes at room temperature in the non-centrosymmetric hexagonal space group P6 2m with a = b = 1408.48(14) and c = 427.33(5) pm. Three different barium environements with coordination number of nine are found. The barium fluorine distances vary between 250.59(6) – a short distance compared to other Ba? F distances – and 302.7(1) pm and barium chlorine distances between 331.55(3) and 336.19(15) pm. This compound is further characterized using Raman spectroscopy.     

The Formation of High‐Order Polybromides in a Room‐Temperature Ionic Liquid: From Monoanions ([Br5]− to [Br11]−) to the Isolation of [PC16H36]2[Br24] as Determined by van der Waals Bonding Radii

An unprecedented diversity of high‐order bromine catenates (anionic polybromides) was generated in a tetraalkylphosphonium‐based room temperature ionic liquid system. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify polybromide monoanions ranging from [Br₅]^? to [Br₁₁]^? in the bulk solution, while single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction identified extended networks of linked [Br₁₁]^? units, forming a previously unknown polymeric [Br₂₄]^2? dianion. This represents the largest polybromide species identified to date. In combination with recent work, this suggests that other, higher order molecular polybromide ions might be isolated.     

Diastereoselective ortho-lithiation of [5]ferrocenophanes

Planarly chiral ferrocene derivatives with bridged cyclopentadienyl rings are interesting ligands in asymmetric catalysis. A planar stereogenic unit is conveniently introduced by diastereoselective ortho-lithiation. The directed lithiation of several [5]ferrocenophane derivatives followed by quenching with chlorodiphenylphosphane led to planarly chiral ligands. The sense of diastereoselection was studied by computational methods. Absolute configuration of methoxy phosphane was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Anion receptors based on ureido-substituted thiacalix[4]arenes and calix[4]arenes

The regioselective nitration of 25,27-dipropoxythiacalix[4]arene was carried out as a key step in the synthesis of thiacalix[4]arene derivative bearing two arylureido functions on the upper rim. The preorganisation of ureido units using the thiacalix[4]arene/calix[4]arene moieties as a molecular scaffold gave novel anion receptors. These compounds, albeit based on hydrogen bonding interactions, show good complexation ability even in highly HB-competitive solvent, such as DMSO. Direct comparison of otherwise identical structures 6a and 7a revealed remarkable dominance of the thiacalix[4]arene derivative over its classical analogue in anion binding.     

Unique self-assembly patterns based on thiacalix[4]arene-silver interactions

Novel self-assembled supramolecular networks were prepared by the interactions of thiacalix[4]arenes bearing simple alkyl groups on the lower rim (4×MeO-, 4×n-PrO-) with silver triflate. Contrary to the classical calix[4]arenes (with CH₂ bridges between the aromatic moieties), the presence of four sulfur atoms enables the formation of S-Ag-S connections between the individual molecules leading to the coordination topology so far unknown in calixarene chemistry. These systems form infinite 1-D coordination polymeric structures in the solid state, where the thiacalixarene moieties are preorganized in a side-by-side arrangement. Interestingly, the linear coordination polymers were obtained using both the conformational immobilised (4×n-PrO, cone, 1,3-alternate conformers) and the conformational mobile (4×MeO) thiacalix[4]arenes, which indicates the generality of this behaviour in thiacalixarene series.     

Sr[ReO4]2: The First Single Crystals of an Anhydrous Alkaline-Earth Metal Meta-Perrhenate

Colorless single crystals of Sr[ReO₄]₂ were obtained from halide melts at 1123 K in open corundum crucibles. X-ray diffraction revealed that Sr[ReO₄]₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with the lattice parameters a = 627.31(4) pm, b = 1004.56(7) pm, c = 1271.25(9) pm and β = 97.118(3)° for Z = 4. The crystal structure contains a unique Sr²⁺-cation site surrounded by eight crystallographically different oxygen atoms forming distorted bicapped trigonal prisms. All corners of these [SrO₈]^14– polyhedra (d(Sr–O) = 259–268 pm) are shared with tetrahedral meta-perrhenate units [ReO₄]^– (d(Re–O) = 166–173 pm) formed from two crystallographically different Re⁷⁺ cations surrounded by four O^2– anions each, building up the three-dimensional mosaic-like structure of Sr[ReO₄]₂. Single-crystal Raman data confirm the presence of two different kinds of symmetry-free meta-perrhenate units [ReO₄]^– and match well with results known from literature.     

The conformation and dynamic behaviour of tetrathiacalix[4]arenes functionalized by hydrazide and hydrazone groups

The ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR data, conformation and dynamic behaviour of the new tetrathiacalix[4]arenes functionalized by hydrazide and hydrazone groups are reported and compared with the result of earlier investigations of 4-tert-butylphenoxyacetylhydrazones. The unusual fact of formation of N,N′-diacetylhydrazine bridge and factors leading to its formation in the cone conformer of calixarene has been discussed. The barriers of rotation of hydrazone fragments of tetrathiacalix[4]arenes were determined by NMR-measurements at various temperatures. The structure of 1,3-alternate conformer of 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis[hydrazinocarbonylmethyl]-2,8,14,20-tetrathiacalix[4]arene in solution is compared with crystal structure obtained by the X-ray analysis.     

Strain-Induced Ring Expansion Reactions of Calix[3]pyrrole-Related Macrocycles

The recent discovery of calix[3]pyrrole, a porphyrinogen-like tripyrrolic macrocycle, has provided an unprecedented strain-induced ring expansion reaction into calix[6]pyrrole. Here, we synthesized calix[n]furan[3-n]pyrrole (n=1∼3) macrocycles to investigate the reaction scope and mechanism of the ring expansion. Single crystal X-ray analysis and theoretical calculations revealed that macrocyclic ring strain increases as the number of inner NH sites increases. While calix[1]furan[2]pyrrole exhibited almost quantitative conversion into calix[2]furan[4]pyrrole within 5 minutes, less-strained calix[2]furan[1]pyrrole and calix[3]furan were inert. However, N-methylation of calix[2]furan[1]pyrrole induced a ring-expansion reaction that enabled the isolation of a linear reaction intermediate. The mechanism analysis revealed that the ring expansion consists of regioselective ring cleavage and subsequent cyclodimerization. This reaction was further utilized for synthesis of calix[6]-type macrocycles.     

Conformational behaviour of tetramethoxythiacalix[4]arenes: solution versus solid-state study

The conformational behaviour of simple thiacalix[4]arene derivatives was studied using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The 25,26,27,28-tetramethoxythiacalix[4]arene was found to adopt an unprecedented solid-state structure, where the cone and 1,3-alternate conformers co-exist in the crystal lattice in the 3:1 ratio. This phenomenon reflects the basically distinct conformational behaviour of thiacalix[4]arene skeleton as compared with classical calixarenes.