The isomers of phenalene and their singlet and triplet states: A Hartree–Fock and density functional computational investigation

Each of the isomers of phenalene, 1H-, 2H-, 3aH-, and 9bH-phenalene, as well as the cation, neutral radical, and anion in the phenalenyl system, have been examined at the Hartree–Fock 6-31G(d) and the density functional B3LYP/6-31G(d) levels of theory. The structures and properties of the phenalenes were determined as both singlets and triplets. While the data indicate that both the 9bH- and the 1H-isomer will exist as ground state singlets, the 2H- and 3aH-phenalenes are predicted to exist as ground state triplets; only the synthesis of the 1H-isomer has been reported in the literature. Structurally, 1H- and 2H-phenalene are planar systems, 3aH- and 9bH-phenalene are non-planar systems puckered at the saturated carbon, and the cation, neutral radical, and anion of phenalenyl are planar D_3h systems.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Functionalization of 1‐Boraphenalenes

1‐Boraphenalenes have been synthesized by reaction of BBr₃ with 1‐(aryl‐ethynyl)naphthalenes, 1‐ethynylnaphthalene, and 1‐(pent‐1‐yn‐1‐yl)naphthalene and they can be selectively functionalized at boron or carbon to form bench‐stable products. All of these 1‐boraphenalenes have LUMOs localized on the planar C₁₂B core that are closely comparable in character to isoelectronic phenalenyl cations. In contrast to the comparable LUMOs, the aromatic stabilization of the C₅B ring in 1‐boraphenalenes is dramatically lower than the C₆ rings in phenalenyl cations. This is due to the occupied orbitals of π symmetry being less delocalised in the 1‐boraphenalenes.     

Organic radicals based on phenalenyl and verdazyl units

Stable phenalenyl (PLY) radicals without sterically bulky substituents need to be synthesized for application as neutral organic molecular conductors. Verdazyl radicals, which have high stability even without sterically bulky substituents, were combined with PLY radicals to produce two novel radicals. The stability of the dimethylthiourea substituted PLY radical is supported by the experimental results and quantum chemical calculations.     

Synthesis of neutral stable polyradicals and their application on photovoltaic devices

Three stable polyradicals with large π-conjugated planar phenalenyl (PLY) radical units as side chain were synthesized. Due to the different conjugated backbones and the interactions between main chains and side chains, these polyradicals and their corresponding precursor polymers presented diverse optical and electrical properties, which were confirmed by UV–vis, fluorescence and CV detections. Besides, they showed excellent solubility in common organic solvents and good stability in the air. Considering their special characteristics, we have fabricated photovoltaic (PV) devices using these polyradicals or polymers as donor material and PCBM as acceptor material. The significant PV performance improvement was observed using a radical-based active layer in the PV devices.