Open‐Shell Characters and Second Hyperpolarizabilities of One‐Dimensional Graphene Nanoflakes Composed of Trigonal Graphene Units

The impact of topology on the open‐shell characters and the second hyperpolarizabilities (γ) has been addressed for one‐dimensional graphene nanoflakes (GNFs) composed of the smallest trigonal graphene (phenalenyl) units. The main results are: 1) These GNFs show not only diradical but also multiradical characters when increasing the number of linked units. 2) GNFs composed of an equivalent number of units can exhibit a wide range of open‐shell characters—from nearly closed‐shell to pure multiradical characters—depending on the linking pattern of the trigonal units. 3) This wide variation in open‐shell characters is explained by their resonance structures and/or by their (HOMO?i)?(LUMO+i) gaps deduced from the orbital correlations. 4) The change in the linking structure of the units can effectively control their open‐shell characters as well as their γ values, of which the longitudinal components are significantly enhanced for the singlet GNFs having intermediate open‐shell characters. 5) Singlet alternately linked (AL) systems present intermediate multiradical characters even in the case of a large number of units, which creates a significant enhancement of γ with increasing the size, whereas nonalternately linked (NAL) systems, which present pure multiradical characters, possess much smaller γ values. Finally 6) by switching from the singlet to the highest spin states, the γ values of NAL systems hardly change, whereas those of AL systems exhibit large reductions. These fascinating structure–property relationships between the topology of the GNFs, their open‐shell characters, and their γ values not only deepen the understanding of open‐shell characters of GNFs but aim also at stimulating further design studies to achieve giant NLO responses based on open‐shell graphene‐like materials.     

Triangulenes: From Precursor Design to On‐Surface Synthesis and Characterization

Triangulene and its higher homologues are a class of zigzag‐edged triangular graphene molecules (ZTGMs) with high‐spin ground states. These open‐shell molecules are predicted to host ferromagnetically coupled edge states with net spin values scaling with molecular size and are therefore considered promising candidates for future molecular spintronics applications. Unfortunately, the synthesis of unsubstituted [n]triangulenes and the direct observation of their edge states have been a long‐standing challenge due to a high reactivity towards oxygen. However, recent advances in precursor design enabled the on‐surface synthesis and characterization of unsubstituted [3]‐, [4]‐, and [5]triangulene. In this Minireview, we will highlight key aspects of this rapidly developing field, ranging from the principles of precursor design to synthetic strategies and characterization of a homologous series of triangulene molecules synthesized on‐surface. We will also discuss challenges and future directions.     

Recent advances in the syntheses of radical‐containing macromolecules

Tailor‐made polymers containing specific chemical functionalities have ushered in a number of emerging fields in polymer science. In most of these next‐generation applications the focus of the community has centered upon closed‐shell macromolecules. Conversely, macromolecules containing stable radical sites have been less studied despite the promise of this evolving class of polymers. In particular, radical‐containing macromolecules have shown great potential in magnetic, energy storage, and biomedical applications. Here, the progress regarding the syntheses of open‐shell containing polymers are reviewed in two distinct subclasses. In the first, the syntheses of radical polymers (i.e., materials composed of non‐conjugated macromolecular backbones and with open‐shell units present on the polymer pendant sites) are described. In the second, polyradical (i.e., macromolecules containing stabilized radical sites either within the macromolecular backbone or those containing radical sites that are stabilized through a large degree of conjugation) synthetic schemes are presented. Thus, the state‐of‐the‐art in open‐shell macromolecular syntheses will be reported and future means by which to advance the current archetype will be discussed. By detailing the synthetic pathways possible for, and the inherent synthetic limitations of, the creation of these functional polymers, the community will be able to extend the bounds of the radical‐containing macromolecular paradigm. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1875–1894     

Multishelled Metal Oxide Hollow Spheres: Easy Synthesis and Formation Mechanism

Uniform multishelled NiO, Co₃O₄, ZnO, and Au@NiO hollow spheres were synthesized (NiO and Co₃O₄ hollow spheres for the first time) by a simple shell‐by‐shell self‐assembly allowing for tuning of the the size, thickness and shell numbers by controlling the heat treatment, glucose/metal salt molar ratio, and hydrothermal reaction time. These findings further the development of synthetic methodologies for multishelled hollow structures and could open up new opportunities for deeper understanding of the mechanisms of shell‐by‐shell self‐assembly. Moreover, the double‐shelled NiO hollow sphere exhibits a higher photocatalytic activity for degradation of methyl orange than its morphological counterparts.     

Utilizing Stretch‐Tunable Thermochromic Elastomeric Opal Films as Novel Reversible Switchable Photonic Materials

In this work, the preparation of highly thermoresponsive and fully reversible stretch‐tunable elastomeric opal films featuring switchable structural colors is reported. Novel particle architectures based on poly(diethylene glycol methylether methacrylate‐co‐ethyl acrylate) (PDEGMEMA‐co‐PEA) as shell polymer are synthesized via seeded and stepwise emulsion polymerization protocols. The use of DEGMEMA as comonomer and herein established synthetic strategies leads to monodisperse soft shell particles, which can be directly processed to opal films by using the feasible melt‐shear organization technique. Subsequent UV crosslinking strategies open access to mechanically stable and homogeneous elastomeric opal films. The structural colors of the opal films feature mechano‐ and thermoresponsiveness, which is found to be fully reversible. Optical characterization shows that the combination of both stimuli provokes a photonic bandgap shift of more than 50 nm from 560 nm in the stretched state to 611 nm in the fully swollen state. In addition, versatile colorful patterns onto the colloidal crystal structure are produced by spatial UV‐induced crosslinking by using a photomask. This facile approach enables the generation of spatially cross‐linked switchable opal films with fascinating optical properties. Herein described strategies for the preparation of PDEGMEMA‐containing colloidal architectures, application of the melt‐shear ordering technique, and patterned crosslinking of the final opal films open access to novel stimuli‐responsive colloidal crystal films, which are expected to be promising materials in the field of security and sensing applications.

     

Synthesis of Phosphaformamidines and Phosphaformamidinates

A large‐scale synthetic route to a variety of phosphaformamidines and phosphaformamidinates, a type of derivative that was not accessible by the methods previously known for preparing phosphaamidines and phosphaamidinates, is reported. Thermally stable ethyl N‐arylformimidates 1 (ArN?CH(OEt), Ar=2,4,6‐(Me)₃Ph or 2,6‐(iPr)₂Ph) readily reacted with lithium dialkyl‐ and diarylphosphanides to afford the corresponding N‐aryl phosphaformamidines in 80 and 60 % yield, respectively, whereas with lithium (aryl)(silyl)phosphanide, the N‐aryl‐N‐silylphosphaformamidine (60 % yield) was obtained. Addition of primary lithium arylphosphanides to 1 followed by addition of a stoichiometric amount of nBuLi gave rise to the respective phosphaformamidinates (70–88 % yield). Methanolysis of the products afforded the N‐aryl‐N‐hydrogenophosphaformamidines (90–95 % yield). The solid‐state structure of one of the phosphaformamidinates is also presented.     

An Amphoteric Switch to Aromatic and Antiaromatic States of a Neutral Air‐Stable 25π Radical

Ever since the discovery of the trityl radical, isolation of a stable and neutral organic radical has been a synthetic challenge. A (4n+1)π open‐shell configuration is one such possible neutral radical but an unusual state between aromatic (4n+2)π and antiaromatic (4n)π electronic circuits. The synthesis and characterization of an air‐ and water‐stable neutral 25π pentathiophene macrocyclic radical is now described. It undergoes reversible one‐electron oxidation to a 24π antiaromatic cation and reduction to a 26π aromatic anion, thus confirming its amphoteric behavior. Structural determination by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed a planar configuration for the neutral radical, antiaromatic cation, and aromatic anion. In the solution state, the cation shows the highest upfield chemical shift ever observed for a 4nπ system, while the anion adhered to aromatic nature. Computational studies revealed the delocalized nature of the unpaired electron as confirmed by EPR spectroscopy.     

A Peri‐tetracene Diradicaloid: Synthesis and Properties

Peri‐acenes are good model compounds for zigzag graphene nanoribbons, but their synthesis is extremely challenging owing to their intrinsic open‐shell diradical character. Now, the successful synthesis and isolation of a stable peri‐tetracene derivative PT‐2ClPh is reported; four 2,6‐dichlorophenyl groups are attached onto the most reactive sites along the zigzag edges. The structure was confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis and its electronic properties were systematically investigated by both experiments and theoretical calculations. It exhibits an open‐shell singlet ground state with a moderate diradical character (y₀=51.5 % by calculation) and a small singlet–triplet gap (ΔE_S‐T=?2.5 kcal mol^?1 by SQUID measurement). It displays global aromatic character, which is different from the smaller‐size bisanthene analogue BA‐CF3 .     

Enantiomerically Pure Phosphaalkene–Oxazolines (PhAk‐Ox): Synthesis,Scope and Copolymerization with Styrene

The design of a synthetic route to a class of enantiomerically pure phosphaalkene–oxazolines (PhAk‐Ox) is presented. The condensation of a lithium silylphosphide and a ketone (the phospha‐Peterson reaction) was used as the P?C bond‐forming step. Attempted condensation of PhC(?O)Ox (Ox=CNOCH(iPr)C H₂) and MesP(SiMe₃)Li gave the unusual heterocycle (MesP)₂C(Ph)?CN‐(S)‐CH(iPr)CH₂O ( 3 ). However, PhAk‐Ox (S,E)‐MesP?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 a ) was successfully prepared by treating MesP(SiMe₃)Li with PhC(?O)CMe₂Ox (52 %). To demonstrate the modularity and tunability of the phospha‐Peterson synthesis several other phosphaalkene–oxazolines were prepared in an analogous manner to 1 a : TripP?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 b ; Trip=2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl), 2‐iPrC₆H₄P?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 c ), 2‐tBuC₆H₄P?C(Ph)CMe₂Ox ( 1 d ), MesP?C(4‐MeOC₆H₄)CMe₂Ox ( 1 e ), MesP?C(Ph)C(CH₂)₄Ox ( 1 f ), and MesP?C(3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)C(CH₂)₄Ox ( 1 g ). To evaluate the PhAk‐Ox compounds as prospective precursors to chiral phosphine polymers, monomer 1 a and styrene were subjected to radical‐initiated copolymerization conditions to afford [{MesPC(Ph)(CMe₂Ox)}_x{CH₂CHPh}_y]_n ( 9 a : x=0.13n, y=0.87n; GPC: M_w=7400 g mol^?1, PDI=1.15).     

Crystallographic Evidence for Direct Metal–Metal Bonding in a Stable Open‐Shell La2@Ih‐C80 Derivative

Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) have novel structures and properties that are closely associated with the internal metallic species. Benzyl radical additions have been previously shown to form closed‐shell adducts by attaching an odd number of addends to open‐shell EMFs (such as Sc₃C₂@I_h‐C₈₀) whereas an even number of groups are added to closed‐shell EMFs (for example Sc₃N@I_h‐C₈₀). Herein we report that benzyl radical addition to the closed‐shell La₂@I_h‐C₈₀ forms a stable, open‐shell monoadduct instead of the anticipated closed‐shell bisadduct. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction results show the formation of a stable radical species. In this species, the La?La distance is comparable to the theoretical value of a La?La covalent bond and is shorter than reported values for other La₂@I_h‐C₈₀ derivatives, providing unambiguous evidence for the formation of direct La?La bond.     

First Total Synthesis of Prionoid E,A Bioactive Rearranged Secoabietane Diterpene Quinone from Salvia prionitis

The first total synthesis of prionoid E ( 1 ), a rearranged secoabietane diterpene quinone isolated from Salvia prionitis, was achieved efficiently by means of Wacker oxidation (Scheme 5) and aldol condensation (Scheme 7) as the key steps in the synthetic sequence. Thus 1 was prepared in 15 steps in 3.7% yield starting on one hand from anisole (=methoxybenzene) and methylsuccinic anhydride (=dihydro‐3‐methylfuran‐2,5‐dione) via 4 (Scheme 3 and 5), and on the other hand from 2‐hydroxy‐2‐methylpropanoic acid via 5 (Scheme 6).     

Pentacoordinate Silicon Complexes with N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)­salicylamide as a Dianionic (ONN′) Tridentate Chelator

The title compound, N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)salicylamide ( 1 ), was synthesized by ester aminolysis of methyl salicylate and 2‐picolylamine. In the presence of triethylamine as a supporting base, the salicylamide moiety reacts with the organodichlorosilanes RR′SiCl₂ to form the desired six‐membered heterocycles of the type RR′Si–O–(o‐C₆H₄)–C(=O)N(pic), with pic being the 2‐pyridylmethyl (i.e., 2‐picolyl) moiety and RR′ = Me, Me ( 2a ); Me, Ph ( 2b ); Ph, Ph ( 2c ); Bn, Bn ( 2d ); All, Ph ( 2e ) and Ph, H ( 2f ). Despite the absence of notable ring strain release Lewis acidity (i.e., only a six‐membered chelate is formed by the dianion, and smaller rings are not present in the compound), the poor electron withdrawal from silicon by its C– or H– substituents and the flexible methylene bridge between the salicylamide and the pyridine moiety, the pyridine N donor atom furnishes pentacoordinate silicon coordination spheres in all of these compounds 2a – 2f . The coordination number of the silicon atom was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis for the solid state and by ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy for the solution state.     

Association and Dissociation of Grignard Reagents RMgCl and Their Turbo Variant RMgCl⋅LiCl

Grignard reagents RMgCl and their so‐called turbo variant, the highly reactive RMgCl?LiCl, are of exceptional synthetic utility. Nevertheless, it is still not fully understood which species these compounds form in solution and, in particular, in which way LiCl exerts its reactivity‐enhancing effect. A combination of electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry, electrical conductivity measurements, NMR spectroscopy (including diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy), and quantum chemical calculations is used to analyze solutions of RMgCl (R=Me, Et, Bu, Hex, Oct, Dec, iPr, tBu, Ph) in tetrahydrofuran and other ethereal solvents in the absence and presence of stoichiometric amounts of LiCl. In tetrahydrofuran, RMgCl forms mononuclear species, which are converted into trinuclear anions as a result of the concentration increase experienced during the electrospray process. These trinuclear anions are theoretically predicted to adopt open cubic geometries, which remarkably resemble structural motifs previously found in the solid state. The molecular constituents of RMgCl and RMgCl?LiCl are interrelated via Schlenk equilibria and fast intermolecular exchange processes. A small portion of the Grignard reagent also forms anionic ate complexes in solution. The abundance of these more electron‐rich and hence supposedly more nucleophilic ate complexes strongly increases upon the addition of LiCl, thus rationalizing its beneficial effect on the reactivity of Grignard reagents.     

DPPH (= 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) Radical‐Scavenging Reaction of Protocatechuic Acid (= 3,4‐Dihydroxybenzoic Acid): Difference in Reactivity between Acids and Their Esters

Protocatechuic acid (= 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid; 1 ) exhibits a significantly slow DPPH (= 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical‐scavenging reaction compared to its esters in alcoholic solvents. The present study is aimed at the elucidation of the difference between the radical‐scavenging mechanisms of protocatechuic acid and its esters in alcohol. Both protocatechuic acid ( 1 ) and its methyl ester 2 rapidly scavenged 2 equiv. of radical and were converted to the corresponding o‐quinone structures 1a and 2a , respectively (Scheme). Then, a regeneration of catechol (= benzene‐1,2‐diol) structures occurred via a nucleophilic addition of a MeOH molecule to the o‐quinones to yield alcohol adducts 1f and 2c , respectively, which can scavenge additional 2 equiv. of radical. However, the reaction of protocatechuic acid ( 1 ) beyond the formation of the o‐quinone was much slower than that of its methyl ester 2 . The results suggest that the slower radical‐scavenging reaction of 1 compared to its esters is due to a dissociation of the electron‐withdrawing carboxylic acid function to the electron‐donating carboxylate ion, which decreases the electrophilicity of the o‐quinone, leading to a lower susceptibility towards a nucleophilic attack by an alcohol molecule.     

Theoretical study on photophysical properties of novel bis(BF2)‐2,2′‐bidipyrrins dyes: Effect of variation in monomer structure

In this work, monomeric molecules (BODIPY) 4,4‐difluoro‐1,2,3,5,7‐pentamethyl‐6‐ethyl‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene ( 1 ), 4,4‐difluoro‐1,7‐dimethyl‐2,3,6‐terethyl‐8‐(4‐tolyl)‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene ( Ph1 ), dimeric monomers (bisBODIPY) 2 , Ph2 , and their packing systems were taken as calculation models to investigate the relationship between monomeric structures and spectral properties of packing systems. Their spectra and carrier transport properties were systemically investigated by density functional theory and time‐dependent DFT methods. The results reveal that dimeric monomers bisBODIPY 2 and Ph2 show significantly bathochromic shift and exhibit a clear exciton splitting in the absorption spectrum compared with those of 1 and Ph1 . Monomeric and dimeric molecules have different monomer conformations (nearly flat and corniform, respectively) and thus diverse packing styles. The intermolecular aggregation affects the excitation energy and oscillator strength of monomers 1 and Ph1 more than those of the corniform monomers 2 and Ph2 . The unique corniform structure of molecules 2 and Ph2 can greatly reduce self‐quenching effect induced by the formation of excimers. This means that suitable modification of molecular arrangement is an effective way to reduce self‐quenching. From the calculation results for molecules Ph1 and 1 , the aryl group at the 8‐position of BODIPY core can hardly affect the optical properties. According to our calculations, BODIPY 1 is a better hole transporter than electron transporter with the internal reorganization energy for hole (λ⁺) even lower than that of 4,4′‐bis(phenyl‐mtolylamino)biphenyl (TPD), a well‐known hole‐transporting material. Molecules Ph1 , BisBODIPYs 2 , and Ph2 are promising candidate to be excellent ambipolar materials for electroluminescent devices, owing to their quite small and nearly identical reorganization energies for both carriers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Total Synthesis of (−)‐Perezoperezone through an Intermolecular [5+2] Homodimerization of Hydroxy p‐Quinone

The first copper‐catalyzed intermolecular [5+2] homodimerization of hydroxy p‐quinone is presented, furnishing bicyclo[3.2.1]octadienone core structures in typically good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities. Applying this synthetic approach enables a concise nine‐step total synthesis of (?)‐perezoperezone from commercially available 3,5‐dimethoxytoluene.     

Synthesis of Starburst Oligoanilino[60]fullerene and Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Triblock Copolymers

Abstract

A new synthetic approach for the fabrication of core‐shell like conducting elastomers was described. The approach utilized the facile intermolecular self‐assembly of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) in DMSO leading to formation of a core particle, while soluble oligoaniline (A _x ) segments dispersed in the solution phase resembling a shell overlayer for building the morphology. This morphology was demonstrated by bis[penta(tetraanilinofullereno)] bis(aminopropyl)poly(dimethylsiloxane) [PDMS‐(F5A₄)₂] triblock co‐oligomers synthesized using a functionalized C₆₀ derivative as a linker. Observation of ¹H NMR spectroscopic responses on the PDMS particle formation in DMSO‐d ₆ is consistent with the proposed core‐shell geometry with oligoaniline moieties located at the shell overlayer.     

Overview of the Synthesis and Structure of Calix[n]quinones (n=4, 6, 8)

Calix[n]quinones, a class of cyclic oligomers composed of p‐benzoquinone structures connected by methylene, have multi‐conjugated carbonyl structures and adjustable cavities, which make their synthesis extremely attractive. In this minireview, synthetic methods of calix[n]quinones and recent synthetic experience of our group are summarized. The merits and demerits of various synthetic methods are briefly reviewed as well. When synthesizing calix[n]quinone (n≥6) with a larger ring, the reduction‐oxidation method is considered to be the most recommended.     

Ring‐Closing Metathesis and Photo‐Fries Reaction for the Construction of the Ansamycin Antibiotic Kendomycin: Development of a Protecting Group Free Oxidative Endgame

Two convergent total syntheses of the ansa‐polyketide (?)‐kendomycin ( 1 ) are described. The syntheses benefit from the use of readily available and cheap starting materials. Highly complex diastereoselective Claisen–Ireland rearrangements were used to introduce the (E)‐double bond and the C16‐Me group. The ring closure of the strained ansa macrocycle was achieved by ring‐closing metathesis and a highly efficient combination of macrolactonization and photo‐Fries reaction. A protecting group free endgame via an unstable o‐quinone is presented. Additionally some unsuccessful synthetic efforts towards the total synthesis of 1 are described.     

Interplay between the Diradical Character and Third‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties in Fullerene Systems

To reveal new structure–property relationships in the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of fullerenes that are associated with their open‐shell character, we investigated the interplay between the diradical character (y_i) and second hyperpolarizability (longitudinal component, γ_zzzz) in several fullerenes, including C₂₀ , C₂₆ , C₃₀ , C₃₆ , C₄₀ , C₄₂ , C₄₈ , C₆₀ , and C₇₀ , by using the broken‐symmetry density functional theory (DFT; LC‐UBLYP (μ=0.33)/6‐31G*//UB3LYP/6‐31G*). We found that the large differences between the geometry and topology of fullerenes have a significant effect on the diradical character of each fullerene. On the basis of their different diradical character, these fullerenes were categorized into three groups, that is, closed‐shell (y_i=0), intermediate open‐shell (0<y_i<1), and almost pure open‐shell compounds (y_i?1), which originated from their diverse topological features, as explained by odd‐electron‐density and spin‐density diagrams. For example, we found that closed‐shell fullerenes include C₂₀ , C₆₀ , and C₇₀ , whereas fullerenes C₂₆ and C₃₆ and C₃₀ , C₄₀ , C₄₂ , and C₄₈ are pure and intermediate open‐shell compounds, respectively. Interestingly, the γ_zzzz enhancement ratios between C₃₀ / C₃₆ and C₄₀ / C₆₀ are 4.42 and 11.75, respectively, regardless of the smaller π‐conjugation size in C₃₀ and C₄₀ than in C₃₆ and C₆₀ . Larger γ_zzzz values were obtained for other fullerenes that had intermediate diradical character, in accordance with our previous valence configuration interaction (VCI) results for the two‐site diradical model. The γ_zzzz density analysis shows that the large positive contributions originate from the large γ_zzzz density distributions on the right‐ and left‐extended edges of the fullerenes, between which significant spin polarizations (related to their intermediate diradical character) appear within the spin‐unrestricted DFT level of theory.