Aromaticity-controlled thermal stability of photochromic systems based on a six-membered ring as ethene bridges: photochemical and kinetic studies

Three photochromic compounds-2-butyl-5,6-bis[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylthiophen-3-yl]-1?H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2?H)-dione (BTE-NA), 4,5-bis[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylthiophen-3-yl]benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BTA), and BTTA, which contain naphthalimide, benzothiadiazole, and benzobisthiadiazole as six-membered ethene bridges with different aromaticities-were systematically studied in solution, sol-gel, and single-crystal states. They exhibit typical photochromic performance with considerably high cyclization quantum yields. BTE-NA, BTA, and BTTA form a typical donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) system with significant intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) between HOMO and LUMO upon excitation, thus realizing the fluorescence modulation by both photochromism and solvatochromism. The three ethene bridges with different degrees of aromaticity can provide a systematic comparison of the thermal stability evolution for their corresponding closed forms (c-BTE-NA, c-BTA, and c-BTTA). c-BTE-NA shows first-order decay in various solvents from cyclohexane to acetonitrile. c-BTA only shows first-order decay in polar solvents such as chloroform, whereas it is stable in nonpolar solvents like toluene. In contrast, the less aromatic property of BTTA gives rise to its unprecedented thermal stability in various solvents even at elevated temperatures in toluene (328?K). Moreover, the small energy barrier between the parallel and antiparallel conformers allows the full conversion from BTTA to c-BTTA. In well-ordered crystal states, all three compounds adopt a parallel conformation. Interestingly, BTTA forms a twin crystal of asymmetric nature with interactions between the electron-rich oxygen atom of the methoxy group and the carbon atom of the electron-deficient benzobisthiadiazole moiety. This work contributes to the understanding of aromaticity-controlled thermal stability of photochromic systems based on a six-membered ring as an ethene bridge, and a broadening of the novel building blocks for photochromic bisthienylethene systems.     

Novel Bisthienylethene Containing Ferrocenyl‐Substituted Naphthalimide: A Photo‐ and Redox Multi‐Addressable Molecular Switch

A new photochromic bisthienylethene system (BTE? NAFc) is reported in which the ferrocene unit (Fc) is incorporated into a naphthalimide chromophore as the central ethene bridging unit. The incorporated Fc unit in the photochromic system of BTE? NAFc has several effects on optical properties, such as fluorescence‐modulation through photoinduced electron transfer (PET), a decrease in the photochromic cyclization quantum yield, and a selective two‐step oxidation process. The ability to drive ring‐opening and ring‐closing reactions with a secondary redox‐modulation provides increased functionality to the photochromic system. Based on these meaningful photo‐ and redox‐modulation properties, five unprecedented multi‐addressable states (BTE? NAFc, BTE? NAFc⁺, c‐BTE? NAFc, c‐BTE? NAFc⁺, and BTE⁺? NAFc⁺) and gated photochromism are successfully obtained within the unimolecular BTE platform, thus providing deeper insight into photochromic systems as multifunctional outputs.     

Synthesis and electrochromic properties of triphenylamine containing copolymers: Effect of π‐bridge on electrochemical properties

In this study, a series of benzotriazole (BTz) and triphenylamine (TPA)‐based random copolymers; poly4‐(5‐(2‐dodecyl‐7‐methyl‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐4‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐N‐(4‐(5‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)phenyl)‐N‐phenylaniline ( P1 ), poly4′‐(2‐dodecyl‐7‐methyl‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐4‐yl)‐N‐(4′‐methyl‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐yl)‐N‐phenyl‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐amine ( P2 ), and poly4‐(5′‐(2‐dodecyl‐7‐(5‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)?2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐4‐yl)‐[2,2′‐bithiophen]‐5‐yl)‐N‐(4‐(5‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)phenyl)‐N‐phenylaniline ( P3 ) were synthesized to investigate the effect of TPA unit and π‐bridges on electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of corresponding polymers. The synthesis was carried out via Stille coupling for P1 , P3 , and Suzuki coupling for P2 . Electrochemical and spectral results showed that P1 has an ambipolar character, in other words it is both p‐type and n‐type dopable, whereas P2 and P3 have only p‐doping property. Effect of different π‐bridges and TPA unit on the HOMO and LUMO energy levels, switching time, and optical contrast were discussed. All polymers are promising materials for electrochromic devices. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 537–544     

Synthesis of novel isoindolone‐based medium‐sized macromolecules and triazole containing heterocyclic compounds

A series of novel isoindolone‐based macromolecules of medium‐sized heterocyclic rings, such as 7,8‐dihydro‐6H‐benzo[4,5][1,6,3]dioxazonino[2,3‐a]isoindol‐14(9aH)‐one derivatives ( 5a‐l ), were synthesized and its frame work incorporating with a triazole moiety on phenol, ie, 2‐(4‐((1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methoxy)phenyl)isoindoline‐1,3‐dione ( 9a‐f ) and also a triazole moiety on carboxylic acid, ie, (1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl 4‐(1,3‐dioxoisoindolin‐2‐yl)benzoate derivatives ( 13a‐e ) with various substitutions on aryl ring system have synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were characterized and confirmed with IR, ¹H NMR_, ¹³C NMR, and ESI mass spectral analysis.     

1,2‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile and Vinyl Ethers: Cyclic Ketene Imines on the Pathway to 1 : 2 Cycloadducts

(E)‐ and (Z)‐1,2‐bis(trifluoromethyl)ethene‐1,2‐dicarbonitrile (BTE; (=E)‐ and (Z)‐1,2‐bis(trifluoromethyl)but‐2‐enedinitrile) were reacted with an excess of methyl vinyl ether, used as solvent, and furnished 1 : 2 adducts 6 (54%) and cyclobutanes 3 as 1 : 1 adducts (41%). The four diastereoisomeric bis‐adducts 6 (different ratios from (E)‐ and (Z)‐BTE) are derivatives of 1‐azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct‐5‐ene; X‐ray analyses and ¹⁹F‐NMR spectra revealed their structures. Since the cyclobutanes 3 are resistant to vinyl ether, the pathways leading to mono‐ and bis‐adducts must compete on the level of the intermediate l,4‐zwitterions 1 and 2 . The latter either cyclize to the cyclobutanes 3 or to six‐membered cyclic ketene imines 8 which accept a second molecule of vinyl ether to yield the bis‐adducts 6 . The occurrence of the highly strained ketene imines 8 gains credibility by comparison to stable seven‐membered cyclic ketene imines recently reported.     

Synthesis and Anticancer and Antiviral Activities of New 2‐Pyrazoline‐Substituted 4‐Thiazolidinones

2‐(4,5‐Dihydropyrazol‐1‐yl)‐thiazol‐4‐ones ( 2–5 ) have been synthesized starting from 3‐phenyl‐5‐aryl‐1‐thiocarbamoyl‐2‐pyrazolines via [2+3]‐cyclization with 2‐bromopropionic acid, maleic anhydride, N‐arylmaleimides, and aroylacrylic acids. The in vitro anticancer activity of 2a , 3a , 4a , 5b , and 5c were tested by the National Cancer Institute. Compounds 4a , 5b , and 5c demonstrated selective inhibition of leukemia cell lines growth at a single concentration (10^?5 M). The screening of antiviral activity for a broad panel of viruses revealed that N‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐{2‐[5‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydropyrazol‐1‐yl]‐4‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydrothiazol‐5‐yl}‐acetamide 4a was highly active against Tacaribe TRVL 11 573 virus strain (EC₅₀ = 0.71 μg/mL, selectivity index = 130).     

Syntheses of Some 3—[1′（1′H）—Substituent—pyrazol—5′—yl] benzo [5,6] coumarins

3-[1′(1′H)-Substituent-pyrazol-5′-yl]benzo[5,6]coumarins and 3-(1′,2′-oxazol-5′-yl)benzo[5,6]coumarin were prepared via condensation of 3-(2′-formyl-1′-chlorovinyl)benzo[5,6] coumarin with hydrazine derivatives or hydroxylamine.Reaction of 3-[1′(1′H)-pyrazol-5′-yl]benzo[5,6]coumarin with alkyl halides,olefinic compunds or acid chlorides are described.     

Crystal structures of functional building blocks derived from bis(benzo[b]thiophen‐2‐yl)methane

The syntheses of three bis(benzo[b]thiophen‐2‐yl)methane derivatives, namely bis(benzo[b]thiophen‐2‐yl)methanone, C₁₇H₁₀OS₂, (I), 1,1‐bis(benzo[b]thiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)prop‐2‐yn‐1‐ol, C₂₂H₂₀OS₂Si, (II), and 1,1‐bis(benzo[b]thiophen‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐yn‐1‐ol, C₁₉H₁₂OS₂, (III), are described and their crystal structures discussed comparatively. The conformation of ketone (I) and the respective analogues are rather similar for most of the compounds compared. This is true for the interplanar angles, the C_aryl—C_bridge—C_aryl angles and the dihedral angles. The best resemblance is found for a bioisotere of (I), viz. 2,2′‐dinaphthyl ketone, (VII). By way of interest, the crystal packings also reveal similarities between (I) and (VII). In (I), the edge‐to‐face interactions seen between two napthyl residues in (VII) are substituted by S…π contacts between the benzo[b]thiophen‐2‐yl units in (I). In the structures of the bis(benzo[b]thiophen‐2‐yl)methanols, i.e. (II) and (III), the interplanar angles are also quite similar compared with analogues and related active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) containing the dithiophen‐2‐ylmethane scaffold, though the dihedral angles show a larger variability and produce unsymmetrical molecules.     

Incorporation of different conjugated linkers into low band gap polymers based on 5,6‐Bis(octyloxy)‐2,1,3 benzooxadiazole for tuning optoelectronic properties

Four new 2,1,3‐benzooxadiazole‐based donor–acceptor conjugated polymers, namely poly{9‐(9‐heptadecanyl)‐9H‐carbazole‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(selenophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PSBSC), poly{9‐(9‐heptadecanyl)‐9H‐carbazole‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(furan‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PFBFC), poly{9,9‐dioctyl‐9H‐fluorene‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(selenophen‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PSBSFL), and poly{9,9‐dioctyl‐9H‐fluorene‐alt‐5,6‐bis(octyloxy)‐4,7‐di(furan‐2‐yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole)}(PFBFFL), were synthesized via Stille polycondensation reaction. All polymers were found to be soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and chlorobenzene. Their structures were verified by ¹H‐NMR and the molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The polymer films exhibited broad absorption bands. Among all polymers, photovoltaic cells based on the device structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PSBSC:PC₇₁BM(1:3, w/w)/LiF/Al revealed an open‐circuit voltage of 0.62 V, a short circuit current of 7.63 mA cm^?2 and a power conversion efficiency of 1.89%. This work demonstrates a good example for tuning absorption range, energy level, and photovoltaic properties of the polymers with different spacers and donor units can offer a simple and effective method to improve the efficiency of PSCs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 2459–2467     

Photochemical Transformations of Some 2‐(5‐Methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐[(naphthalen‐2‐yl)methoxy]‐4H‐chromen‐4‐ones Involving Type‐II Process

Photo‐irradiation of 2‐(5‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐[(naphthalen‐2‐yl)methoxy]‐4H‐chromen‐4‐ones yielded the fascinating angular tetracyclic products via cyclization involving both 2‐thienyl ring and naphthylmethoxy group via 1,4‐biradical generated in the Norrish type‐II process. The stereochemical dispositions of the products were determined by MM2 energy minimized programme and spectroscopic analysis.     

3‐[5‐(4‐Chlorophenyl)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl]propionic acid and the corresponding methyl ester

The synthesis of 3‐[5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl]propionic acid, C₁₉H₁₇ClN₂O₃, (I), and its corresponding methyl ester, methyl 3‐[5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl]propionate, C₂₀H₁₉ClN₂O₃, (II), is regiospecific. However, correct identification of the regioisomer formed by spectroscopic techniques is not trivial and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis provided the only means of unambiguous structure determination. Compound (I) crystallizes with Z′ = 2. The propionic acid groups of the two crystallographically unique molecules form a hydrogen‐bonded dimer, as is typical of carboxylic acid groups in the solid state. Conformational differences between the methoxybenzene and pyrazole rings give rise to two unique molecules. The structure of (II) features just one molecule in the asymmetric unit and the crystal packing makes greater use than (I) of weak C—H...A interactions, despite the lack of any functional groups for classical hydrogen bonding.     

Flash vacuum pyrolysis of 1‐azolyl‐1‐phenylhydrazono‐2‐propanones

Flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) of 1‐(2‐arylhydrazono)‐1‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)acetone 8a‐c at 650 °C and 2.67 Pa yielded 5‐substituted 1‐(1H‐indazol‐3‐yl)ethanone 14a‐c and 4,6‐disubstituted cinnoline 18a‐c . Similarly FVP of 1‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl)‐1‐(2‐phenylhydrazono)acetone 9a‐c gave 8H‐benzo[4′,5′]imidazo[2′,1′:5,1]pyrrolo[2,3‐c]cinnoline derivatives 23a‐c . A plausible mechanism is suggested to account for their transformation based on the kinetics and products of reaction.     

Bisthienylethenes Containing a Benzothiadiazole Unit as a Bridge: Photochromic Performance Dependence on Substitution Position

A conveniently synthesized photochromic compound, BTB‐1, containing an unprecedented six‐membered 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole unit as the center ethene bridge, possesses good photochromic performance, with a high cyclization quantum yield and moderate fatigue resistance in solution or an organogel system. The fluorescence of BTB‐1 can be modulated by solvato‐ and photochromism. However, the analogue BTB‐2, in which the dimethylthiophene substituents are relocated to the 5,6‐positions of benzothiadiazole, does not show any detectable photochromism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of six‐membered bridge bisthienylethenes (BTEs) in which the photochromism can be controlled by the substitution position. The photochromism difference is elucidated by the analysis of resonance structure, the Woodward–Hoffmann rule, and theoretical calculations on the ground‐state potential‐energy surface. In a well‐ordered single‐crystal state, BTB‐1 adopts a relatively rare parallel conformation, and forms an interesting two‐dimensional structure due to the presence of multiple directional intermolecular interactions, including C? H???N and C? H???S hydrogen‐bonding interactions, and π–π stacking interactions. This work contributes to several aspects for developing novel photochromic BTE systems with fluorescence modulation and performances controlled by substitution position in different states (solution, organogel, and single crystal).     

On the mechanism and stereochemistry of the formation of β‐lactam derivatives of 2,4‐disubstituted‐2,3‐dihydro‐benzo[1,4]diazepines

2‐Chloro‐4‐phenyl‐2a‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)‐3,5‐dihydroazatetracyclic [1,2‐d]benzo [ 1,4]diazepin‐1 ‐one ( III _a) and 2‐chloro‐4‐methyl‐2a‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)‐3,5‐dihydroazatetracyclic[1,2‐d]‐benzo[1,4]diazepin‐1‐one ( III _b) were synthesized. 1‐Benzoyl‐2‐phenyl‐4‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)[1,4]‐benzodiazepine ( II _a) was formed through benzoylation of starting material 2‐phenyl‐4‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)‐[1,4]benzodiazepine ( I _a) with the inversion of seven‐member ring boat conformation. The thus formed β‐lactams should have four pairs of stereoisomers. However, only one pair of enantiomers (2S,2R,4R) and (2R,2aS,4S) was obtained. The mechanism and stereochemistry of the formation of these compounds were studied on the basis of nmr spectroscopy and further confirmed by X‐ray diffraction.     

A simple synthesis of 4‐chloro‐5‐hydroxy‐1H‐benzo[g]indoles

The reaction of methyl 2‐(3‐chloro‐1,4‐dioxo‐1,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)propenoate ( 2a ) with primary amines gave 4‐chloro‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxycarbonyl‐1H‐benzo[g]indoles 5a‐f as major compounds and 3‐methoxycarbonyl‐4,9‐dioxo‐2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐benzo[f]indoles 6a‐d as minor ones. Whereas the reaction of 3‐(3‐chloro‐1,4‐dioxo‐1,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)‐3‐buten‐2‐one ( 2b ) with primary amines afforded the corresponding 1H‐benzo[g]indoles 5g‐i as major products and 3‐acetyl‐4,9‐dihydro‐4,9‐dioxo‐1H‐benzo[f]indoles 7g, h as minor products.     

An Innovative Protocol for the Synthesis of 3‐(Pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐sec‐aminobiphenyl‐4‐carbonitriles and 9,10‐Dihydro‐3‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)‐1‐sec‐aminophenanthrene‐2‐carbonitriles

Herein, we present an innovative, novel, and highly convenient protocol for the synthesis of 3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐sec‐aminobiphenyl‐4‐carbonitriles ( 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , 6g ) and 9,10‐dihydro‐3‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)‐1‐sec‐aminophenanthrene‐2‐carbonitriles ( 10a , 10b , 10c , 10d , 10e ), which have been delineated from the reaction of 4‐sec‐amino‐2‐oxo‐6‐aryl‐2H‐pyran‐3‐carbonitrile ( 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g ) and 4‐sec‐amino‐2‐oxo‐5,6‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[h]chromene‐3‐carbonitriles ( 9a , 9b , 9c , 9d , 9e ) with 2‐acetylpyridine ( 5 ) through the ring transformation reaction by using KOH/DMF system at RT. The salient feature of this procedure is to provide a transition metal‐free route for the synthesis of asymmetrical 1,3‐teraryls like 3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5‐sec‐aminobiphenyl‐4‐carbonitriles ( 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , 6g ) and 9,10‐dihydro‐3‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)‐1‐sec‐aminophenanthrene‐2‐carbonitriles ( 10a , 10b , 10c , 10d , 10e ). The novelty of the reaction lies in the creation of an aromatic ring from 2H‐pyran‐2‐ones and 2H‐benzo[h]chromene‐3‐carbonitriles via two‐carbon insertion from 2‐acetylpyridine ( 5 ) used as a source of carbanion.     

An Eco‐friendly Synthesis of Some Novel 4‐methyl‐4‐hetaryl Chromene and Pyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole Derivatives

Some novel chromene and pyrano[2,3‐c ]pyrazole derivatives could be achieved successfully by reacting cyclic β‐diketones with 2‐acetylfuran/2‐acetylthiophene and malononitrile in a one‐pot synthesis. Active methylene pyrazolones reacted with 2‐(1‐furan‐2‐yl‐ethylidene)‐malononitrile and 2‐(1‐thiophen‐2‐yl‐ethylidene)‐malononitrile derivatives to afford the desired pyrano[2,3‐c ]pyrazole derivatives. Structures of all new compounds were established based on analytical and spectral data as well as X‐ray crystallography. A plausible mechanism for the reaction is suggested. The solvents and catalyst used are environmentally benign, and no hazardous solvents or heavy metals were involved.     

An organic photochromic compound: (2S)‐2′‐ethoxy‐1,3,3‐trimethyl‐6′‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)spiro[indoline‐2,3′‐3′H‐naphtho[2,1‐b][1,4]oxazine]

In the course of our synthesis of hybrid photochromic compounds, the unexpected new organic photochromic title compound, C₂₉H₃₃N₃O₂, (I), was obtained. It is a derivative of the parent spirooxazine 1,3,3‐trimethyl‐6′‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)spiro[indoline‐2,3′‐3′H‐naphtho[2,1‐b][1,4]oxazine], (II). The 2′‐ethoxy group gives (I) different photochromic properties from its parent spirooxazine (II).     

Ring Currents in Benzo‐ and Benzocyclobutadieno‐Annelated Biphenylene Derivatives

The effect of benzo and benzocyclobutadieno annelation on the current density induced in a series of biphenylene derivatives is examined at the B3LYP/cc‐pVDZ level of theory, by using the CTOCD‐DZ method. Angular benzo annelation increases, whereas linear benzo annelation decreases the intensity of paratropic (antiaromatic) current density along the four‐membered ring of biphenylene. The opposite effect is found for benzocyclobutadieno annelation. It is shown that the extent of local aromaticity of the four‐membered ring in biphenylene congeners can vary from highly antiaromatic to nonaromatic, as a result of different modes of annelation.     

A concise and efficient synthesis of amino‐substituted (1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl)pyrimidine hybrids: synthetic sequence and the molecular and supramolecular structures of six examples

A concise and efficient synthesis of a series of amino‐substituted benzimidazole–pyrimidine hybrids has been developed, starting from the readily available N⁴‐(2‐aminophenyl)‐6‐methoxy‐5‐nitrosopyrimidine‐2,4‐diamine. In each of N⁵‐benzyl‐6‐methoxy‐4‐(2‐phenyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl)pyrimidine‐2,5‐diamine, C₂₅H₂₂N₆O, (I), 6‐methoxy‐N⁵‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐4‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl]pyrimidine‐2,5‐diamine, C₂₇H₂₆N₆O₃, (III), 6‐methoxy‐N⁵‐(4‐nitrobenzyl)‐4‐[2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl]pyrimidine‐2,5‐diamine, C₂₅H₂₀N₈O₅, (IV), the molecules are linked into three‐dimensional framework structures, using different combinations of N—H…N, N—H…O, C—H…O, C—H…N and C—H…π hydrogen bonds in each case. Oxidative cleavage of 6‐methoxy‐N⁵‐(4‐methylbenzyl)‐4‐[2‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl]pyrimidine‐2,5‐diamine, (II), with diiodine gave 6‐methoxy‐4‐[2‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl]pyrimidine‐2,5‐diamine, which crystallized as a monohydrate, C₁₉H₁₈N₆O·H₂O, (V), and reaction of (V) with trifluoroacetic acid gave two isomeric products, namely N‐{5‐amino‐6‐methoxy‐6‐[2‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl]pyrimidin‐2‐yl}‐2,2,2‐trifluoroacetamide, which crystallized as an ethyl acetate monosolvate, C₂₁H₁₇F₃N₆O₂·C₄H₈O₂, (VI), and N‐{2‐amino‐6‐methoxy‐4‐[2‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐1‐yl]pyrimidin‐5‐yl}‐2,2,2‐trifluoroacetamide, which crystallized as a methanol monosolvate, C₂₁H₁₇F₃N₆O₂·CH₄O, (VIIa). For each of (V), (VI) and (VIIa), the supramolecular assembly is two‐dimensional, based on different combinations of O—H…N, N—H…O, N—H…N, C—H…O and C—H…π hydrogen bonds in each case. Comparisons are made with some related structures.