How aromatic are large (4n + 2)pi annulenes?

[structure: see text] While the total aromatic stabilization energies (ASE) of the [n]annulenes, from C(6)H(6) to C(66)H(66), converge to ca. 22 kcal/mol, the ASEs per pi-electron decrease markedly. Bond length alternation (which depends on the theoretical level) only reduces stabilization somewhat but influences the magnetic properties (NICS, proton chemical shifts, and magnetic susceptibilities) considerably. Nevertheless, these magnetic criteria, when based on the most realistic structures, agree that the aromaticities of the larger annulenes decrease and then nearly vanish.     

An ab initio valence bond study on cyclopenta-fused naphthalenes and fluoranthenes

To probe the effect of external cyclopenta-fusion on a naphthalene core, ab initio valence bond (VB) calculations have been performed, using strictly atomic benzene p-orbitals and p-orbitals that are allowed to delocalize, on naphthalene (1), acenaphthylene (2), pyracylene (3), cyclopenta[b,c]acenaphthylene (4), fluoranthene (5), and cyclopenta[c,d]fluoranthene (6). For the related compounds 1-4 and 5,6 the total resonance energies (according to Pauling's definition) are similar. Partitioning of the total resonance energy in contributions from the possible 4n + 2 and 4n pi-electron conjugated circuits shows that only the 6pi-electron conjugated circuits (benzene-like) contribute to the resonance energy. The results show that cyclopenta-fusion does not extend the pi system in the ground state; the five-membered rings act as peri-substituents. As a consequence, the differences in (total) resonance energy do not coincide with the differences in thermodynamic stability. Notwithstanding, the relative energies of the Kekule structures can be estimated using Randic's conjugated circuits model.     

Lemniscular hexaphyrins as examples of aromatic and antiaromatic double-twist Möbius molecules

Two reported [26] and [28]hexaphyrins are analyzed via measured and computed geometries and NMR-shieldings as examples of respectively 4n + 2 pi-electron aromatic and 4n pi-electron antiaromatic double-twist M?bius ring systems, adopting a lemniscular/figure-eight topology with linking number LK = 2pi. Values of local twist (TW) and nonlocal writhe (WR) derived from the relation Lk = Tw + WR appear relatively insensitive to the aromatic/antiaromatic character. The [26]hexaphyrin may adopt differing solution and solid-state conformations.     

Synthesis of a phosphorus-containing hybrid porphyrin

A phosphorus-containing hybrid porphyrin was successfully prepared via the BF3-promoted dehydrative condensation between sigma4-phosphatripyrrane and 2,5-bis[hydroxy(phenyl)methyl]thiophene. The NMR and UV-vis absorption spectra, electrochemical measurements, and DFT calculations revealed that the sigma3-P,N2,S-hybrid porphyrin exhibits high aromaticity as an 18pi-electron system in terms of both geometric and magnetic criteria. [structure: see text]     

G3(MP2) ring strain in bicyclic phosphorus heterocycles and their hydrocarbon analogues

[Figure: see text] The ring strain present in 2-aza-1-phosphabicyclo[n.1.0]alka(e)nes (n = 1-5) is calculated at the G3(MP2) level using homodesmotic reactions. The influence of cyclopropa(e)nation and heteroatom substitution is analyzed by a comparison with the corresponding bicyclic hydrocarbons and separate ring systems. It is shown that the strain caused by fusion with a cyclopropane is the sum of the separate rings, whereas the strain resulting from fusion with cyclopropene leads to strain energies much larger than the sum of rings, as a result of the inverted nature of the bridgehead carbon. In all ring structures but one, cyclohexane, substitution by nitrogen and phosphorus is favorable and the effect is most pronounced for the most condensed structures. The calculated strain energies correlate very well with the experimental stability and reactivity of the bicyclic iron-amino phosphirane and phosphirene complexes.     

Planarized star-shaped oligothiophenes with enhanced pi-electron delocalization

[structure: see text] Planarized star-shaped oligothiophenes 1 have been synthesized by connecting short-chain oligothiophenes on a benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b':5,6-b' ']trithiophene central core. Their electrochemical and optical properties have been characterized by cyclic voltammetry and UV-visible spectroscopy, respectively. These results associated with theoretical calculations show the advantage of benzotrithiophene as a central core in terms of pi-electron delocalization.     

The doubly oxidized, antiaromatic tetraphenylporphyrin complex [Li(TPP)][BF4

[reaction: see text] Oxidation of dilithium tetraphenylporphyrin, Li(2)(TPP), yields the doubly oxidized porphyrin complex [Li(TPP)][BF(4)]. Free TPP appears to be unstable. The crystal structure of [Li(TPP)][BF(4)] reveals that the 16-atom C-N inner ring of the porphyrin consists of alternating single and double bonds. NMR spectroscopy and nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) calculations, in addition to the distortion from planarity observed in the crystal structure, indicate that the 16 pi-electron inner C-N ring of the porphyrin is antiaromatic.     

General silaindene synthesis based on intramolecular reductive cyclization toward new fluorescent silicon-containing pi-electron materials

[reaction: see text] The reaction of (o-silylphenyl)acetylene derivatives with lithium naphthalenide undergoes intramolecular reductive cyclization to produce various silaindene derivatives. On the basis of this methodology, a series of silaindene-containing pi-electron systems are synthesized that show intense blue to greenish-blue fluorescence.     

Synthesis, photonic characteristics, and mesomorphism of an oligo biphenylene vinylene pi-electron system

[reaction: see text] The synthesis and photonic and liquid-crystalline properties of a novel oligo biphenylene vinylene (OBV) chromophore with an extended pi-electron system are reported; the compound exhibits high fluorescence, a large two-photon absorption cross-section, and two- and three-dimensional liquid-crystalline mesophases.     

Doubly meso-beta-Linked Diporphyrins from Oxidation of 5,10,15-Triaryl-Substituted Ni(II)- and Pd(II) - Porphyrins

Lower oxidation potentials than for the monomeric starting materials are displayed by the diporphyrins obtained by one-electron oxidation with tris(4-bromophenyl)ammonium hexachloroantimonate [see, for example, Eq. (1)]. This and the strong red shift observed for the Soret bands of the product are indicative of extensively delocalized pi-electron systems in the fused diporphyrin. Ar=3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl.     

Structural chemistry of polycyclic heteroaromatic compounds. Part 13. Photoelectron spectra and electronic structures of tricyclic hetarenes of the anthracene type.

The ultraviolet photoelectron spectra of two tricyclic heteroaromatic compounds (2,3) that are pi-isoelectronic with anthracene (1) have been recorded and analysed making use of semi-empirical AM1 and PM3, as well as density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP calculations. In compounds 2 and 3, one peripheral benzene ring of compound 1 is substituted by a thiophene ring that is either [b]- or [c]-annellated. In compounds 2 and 3, only small shifts are found for most of the ionization potentials of pi electrons. Since the ionization energies of all occupied pi molecular orbitals of compounds 1-3 could be assigned, a direct comparison of their pi electron energy is possible. Compared with compound 1, the pi-electron system of naphtho[2,3-b]thiophene (2) is stabilized by 0.6 eV, while that of naphtho[2,3-c]thiophene (3) is destabilized by 0.2 eV. [b]-Annellation of the thiophene ring is thus favourable while [c]-annellation is unfavourable.     

2.2]Paracyclophanes in polymer chemistry and materials science

After a long period as model compounds in basic research [2.2]paracyclophanes are quickly gaining in practical importance. They can be incorporated into numerous polymeric systems in which they either lose (the so-called Parylenes) or retain their layered structure, and they can be used for the construction of unsaturated molecular scaffolds characterized not only by conventional (lateral) pi-electron overlap but also by cofacial pi-electron interactions. Surfaces generated from and with [2.2]paracyclophanes possess interesting biological, photophysical, and optoelectronic properties.     

Helicity induction in a bichromophore: a sensitive and practical chiroptical method for absolute configuration determination of aliphatic alcohols

[reaction: see text] A practical method for the determination of the absolute configuration of aliphatic secondary alcohols, based on the circular dichroism of the readily available N-(1,8-naphthaloyl)-2-aminobenzoyl (NAB) derivative, is presented. The origin of the induced Cotton effects is traced by ab initio calculations to the dominant helicity of the NAB pi-electron system.     

Recommendations for the evaluation of aromatic stabilization energies

[reaction: see text] Perturbing influences, such as strain and the presence of heteroatoms, complicate the evaluation of aromatic stabilization energies (ASE). These complications are overcome easily by employing the "isomerization method". This is based on the differences (ISE) between total energies computed for only two species: a methyl derivative of the aromatic system and its nonaromatic exocyclic methylene isomer. The ISEs of benzene, pyridine, and naphthalene as well as the strained [5]paracyclophane, methano[10]annulene, and octadehydro[14]annulene are evaluated.     

Selective and random syntheses of [n]cycloparaphenylenes (n=8-13) and size dependence of their electronic properties

[n]Cycloparaphenylenes (n = 8-13, CPPs) were synthesized, and their physical properties were systematically investigated. [8] and [12]CPPs were selectively prepared from the reaction of 4,4'-bis(trimethylstannyl)biphenyl and 4,4'-bis(trimethylstannyl)terphenyl, respectively, with Pt(cod)Cl(2) (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) through square-shaped tetranuclear platinum intermediates. A mixture of [8]-[13]CPPs was prepared in good combined yields by mixing biphenyl and terphenyl precursors with platinum sources. Products were easily separated and purified by using gel permeation chromatography. In (1)H NMR spectra, the proton of the CPPs shifts to a lower field as n increased due to an anisotropic effect from the nearby PP moieties. Although the UV-vis spectra were rather insensitive to the size of the CPPs, the fluorescence spectra changed significantly in relation to their size. A larger Stokes shift was observed for the smaller CPPs. Redox properties of the CPPs were measured for the first time by using cyclic voltammetry, and the smaller CPPs had lower oxidation potentials. The results are consistent with the HOMO energies of CPPs, of which the smaller CPPs had higher energies.     

Preparation and reaction of 2-aryl-3-silyl-1,3-butadiene

[reaction: see text] A conjugated pi-electron compound, 2-aryl-3-silyl-1,3-butadiene, was easily prepared from 1-benzyloxy-3-silyl-2-propyne, bis(iodozincio)methane, and an aryl halide in the presence of nickel catalyst. A subsequent cross-coupling reaction of the product with another aryl halide gave an unsymmetrical 2,3-diaryl-1,3-butadiene efficiently.     

Efficient synthesis and structural characteristics of zwitterionic twisted pi-electron system biaryls

A series of unconventional twisted pi-electron system molecules has been synthesized via Suzuki cross-coupling of two sterically hindered arenes. Crystallographic analysis of these molecules reveals a large ring-ring dihedral twist angle (87 degrees ) and a highly charge-separated zwitterionic ground state. An efficient conversion of phenols into aryl halides is also reported. [reaction: see text]     

Aromaticity of butalene and its homologues

[structure: see text] The aromaticity of a series of fused cyclobutadiene systems is discussed in terms of their resonance energies. While there is considerable variation in their resonance energies per pi electron, all members of the series are calculated to be antiaromatic, though to a lesser degree than the parent cyclobutadiene.     

Highly stereoselective formal

[formula: see text] Highly stereoselective formal [3 + 3] cycloaddition reactions of chiral vinylogous amides with alpha, beta-unsaturated iminiums are described. A mechanistic model is proposed to rationalize the observed stereoselectivity. The 6 pi-electron electrocyclic ring closure appears to be reversible, and a preferred rotation of the alkenyl group, one of the three 2 pi-components, during the ring closure step provides the thermodynamically favored diastereomer as the major product.