Molecular rotational conformation controls the rate of singlet fission and triplet decay in pentacene dimers

Three pentacene dimers have been synthesized to investigate the effect of molecular rotation and rotational conformations on singlet fission (SF). In all three dimers, the pentacene units are linked by a 1,4-diethynylphenylene spacer that provides almost unimpeded rotational freedom between the pentacene- and phenylene-subunits in the parent dimer. Substituents on the phenylene spacer add varying degrees of steric hindrance that restricts both the rotation and the equilibrium distribution of different conformers; the less restricted conformers exhibit faster SF and more rapid subsequent triplet-pair recombination. Furthermore, the rotational conformers have small shifts in their absorption spectra and this feature has been used to selectively excite different conformers and study the resulting SF. Femtosecond transient absorption studies at 100 K reveal that the same dimer can have orders of magnitude faster SF in a strongly coupled conformer compared to a more weakly coupled one. Measurements in polystyrene further show that the SF rate is nearly independent of viscosity whereas the triplet pair lifetime is considerably longer in a high viscosity medium. The results provide insight into design criteria for maintaining high initial SF rate while suppressing triplet recombination in intramolecular singlet fission.

In this study we show that one molecule can have vastly different singlet fission and triplet recombination rates depending on its rotational freedom and the relative orientation of the pentacene moieties.     

Preparation,structure, and unexpected chemistry of phosphoranyl-derived benziodoxoles

Novel phosphoranyl-derived benziodoxoles were prepared by the reaction of 1-acetoxybenziodoxole with stabilized phosphonium ylides [1-triphenylphosphoranylidene-2-propanone and (carbomethoxymethyl)triphenylphosphoranylidene acetate]. X-ray crystallographic analysis of these compounds demonstrates the significance of secondary bonding interactions, which link individual molecules into infinite chains. An unusual ligand exchange on an iodine(III) center resulting in the substitution of a carbon ligand with an oxygen ligand was observed in the reaction of these compounds with strong acids.     

Iterative synthesis and characterization of cross-conjugated iso-polydiacetylenes.

An iterative synthesis of cross-conjugated iso-polydiacetylenes (iso-PDAs) is reported based on three fundamental building blocks: vinyl triflates 8, 9, and 25. An efficient sequence of palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of vinyl triflates and terminal alkynes has been employed to extend the chain length of these oligomers. The longest member of the series, nonamer 19, spans 3.4 nm from Si to Si atom. The stability and solubility of the conjugated oligomers have been evaluated as a function of pendant substitution. Assessment of solid-state structural properties was achieved via X-ray crystallographic analyses of monomer 12 and trimer 14. The electronic characteristics of the monodisperse oligomers have been fully analyzed by UV-vis spectroscopy in solution and as thin films, and these studies suggest that pi-electron communication is present along the enyne framework, but quickly reaches saturation by the stage of nonamer 19.     

Building from Ga‐Porphyrins: Synthesis of Ga‐Acetylide Complexes Using Acetylenes and Polyynes

Multidimensional, conjugated building blocks have been formed through the axial coordination of polyynes to the central Ga atom of tetraarylporphyrins. Electron deficient pentafluorophenyl substituents in the meso‐positions provide more stable σ‐acetylide complexes to Ga than analogous structures with tert‐butylphenyl groups. Mono‐, di‐, and triynes have been used, including a pyridyl endcapped diyne that allows for formation of porphyrin triads through coordination of the pyridyl ligand to a Ru porphyrin.