Hückel- and Baird-type 3D Global Aromaticity in a Fully Conjugated Molecular Cage

Global aromaticity in 3D π-conjugated molecular cages remains largely unexplored. Herein, we report the facile synthesis of a fully conjugated molecular cage ( 1 ) containing two bridged triphenylamine units and three quinoidal bithiophene arms. X-ray crystallographic analysis, NMR/ESR measurements and theoretical calculations reveal that: ( 1 ) its dication ( 1 2+ ) has an open-shell singlet ground state and is 3D globally aromatic, with individual macrocycles being 2D Hückel aromatic; (2) its tetracation ( 1 4+ ) has a triplet ground state and is also 3D globally aromatic, with individual macrocycles being 2D Baird aromatic; and (3) its hexacation ( 1 6+ ) has a closed-shell nature and shows local aromaticity. The study revealed a close relationship between 2D Hückel/Baird aromaticity and 3D global π-aromaticity.

12b,24b-Dibora-hexabenzo-[a,c,fg,l,n,qr]-pentacene: A Low-LUMO Boron-Doped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon

Herein we devise and execute a new synthesis of a pristine boron-doped nanographene. Our target boron-doped nanographene was designed based on DFT calculations to possess a low LUMO energy level and deep red visible range absorption derived from its precise geometry and B-doping arrangement. Our synthesis of this target, a doubly B-doped hexabenzopentacene ( B 2 -HBP ), employs six net C-H borylations of an alkene, comprising consecutive hydroboration/electrophilic borylation/dehydrogenation and BBr 3 /AlCl 3 /2,6-dichloropyridine-mediated C-H borylation steps. As predicted by our calculations, B 2 -HBP absorbs strongly in the visible region and emits in the NIR up to 1150 nm in o-dichlorobenzene solutions. Furthermore, B 2 -HBP possess a very low LUMO level, showing two reversible reductions at -1.00 V and -1.17 V vs Fc + /Fc. Our methodology is surprisingly selective despite its implementation of unfunctionalized precursors and offers a new approach to the synthesis of pristine B-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Azepine- or Oxepine-embedded Double Saddle-Helix Nanographenes

The azepine- and oxepine-embedded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) 1-3, as the hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC)-based nanographenes (NG) were designed and synthesized by Diels-Alder reaction of cyclic alkene with tetrachlorothiophene-S,S-dioxide, followed by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and Scholl-type cyclodehydrogenation. Due to the strained seven-membered ring and the inherent structural pattern, heteroatom-doped NGs 1-3 show C_s symmetrical, double saddle-helix hybrid conformation, which represents a new shape for HBC based nanographenes. The calculation studies reveal the low aromaticity of the 8π heterocycles themselves and the heterocycles also decrease the electron delocalization of benzenes surrounding them. Dynamics-based calculation suggests the C_s symmetry would maintain druing the saddle-inversion process. Meanwhile, we show property perturbation by doping with different heteroatoms.

Tetrabromo[36]octaphyrin: A Promising Precursor of Directly Fused Porphyrin(2.1.1.1) Dimer and meso-α Fused N-Confused Porphyrin Dimer

3,7,23,27-Tetrabromo[36]octaphyrin 2 was synthesized as a novel octaphyrin bearing two meso-free positions. Surprisingly, its Zn^II and Ni^II complexation reactions produced a directly fused porphyrin(2.1.1.1) dimer 6, and a meso-α fused N-confused porphyrin (NCP) dimer 7, as the first example of NCP tape, respectively, via transannular C-C bond formation. While 6 exhibits a diatropic ring-current effect owing to the global 36π Möbius aromaticity, 7 shows a paratropic ring-current effect due to the global Hückel 36π antiaromaticity. In addition, the oxidation of 7 with PbO₂ allowed for formation of its two-electron oxidized species 9 that exhibited a diatropic ring-current effect due to the global Hückel 34π aromaticity. This work has demonstrated that meso-free large expanded porphyrins can be a promising platform to produce novel fused porphyrinoids.

Occurrence of Double Bond in π-Aromatic Rings: An Easy Way to Design Doubly Aromatic Carbon-Metal Structures

A chemical bonding of several metallabenzenes and metallabenzynes was studied via an adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) algorithm and the induced magnetic field analysis. A unique chemical bonding pattern was discovered where the M=C (M: Os, Re) double bond coexists with the delocalized 6c-2e π-bonding elements responsible for aromatic properties of the investigated complexes. In opposition to the previous description where 8 delocalized π-electrons were reported in metallabenzenes and metallabenzynes, we showed that only six delocalized π-electrons are present in those molecules. Thus, there is no deviation from Hückel's aromaticity rule for metallabenzynes/metallabenzenes complexes. Based on the discovered bonding pattern, we propose two thermodynamically stable novel molecules that possess not only π-delocalization but also retain six σ-delocalized electrons, rendering them as doubly aromatic species. As a result, our investigation gives a new direction for the search for carbon-metal doubly aromatic molecules.

Cage-···Cage- Interaction: Boron Cluster-Based Noncovalent Bond and Its Applications in Solid-State Materials

Carboranes are boron-carbon clusters with important applications in the fields of materials, catalysis, pharmaceuticals, etc. However, the noncovalent interactions that could determine the solid-state structures and properties of such boron clusters have rarely been investigated. Herein, inspired by the coordinate bond in metallacarborane or ferrocene, the boron cluster-based noncovalent interaction (denoted as cage^-···cage^- interaction) between two nido-carborane clusters was successfully realized by using a pyridinium-based molecular barrier. The X-ray diffraction studies uncover that the cage^-···cage^- interaction has a contacting distance of 5.4-7.0 Å from centroid to centroid in the systems reported here. Theoretical calculations validate the formation of the noncovalent interaction and disclose its repulsive bonding nature that is overcome thanks to the positively charged pyridinium-based framework. Interestingly, such bulk crystalline materials containing the cage^-···cage^- interaction show relevant properties such as full-color absorption in the visible light range and important photothermal effect, which are absent for the control compound without carboranes. This study may offer fundamental insights into the boron cluster-based noncovalent interactions and open a new research avenue to rationally design boron cluster-based materials.

Ring Size Determines the Conformation, Global Aromaticity and Photophysical Properties of Macrocyclic Oligofurans

In π-conjugated macrocycles, there is a trade-off between the global and local expression of effects such as aromaticity, with the outcome of the trade-off determined by the geometry and aromaticity of the constituent units. Compared with other aromatic rings, the aromatic character of furan is relatively small, and therefore global effects in macrocyclic furans are expected to be more pronounced. Following our introduction of macrocyclic oligofuran, we present the first synthesis of a series of π-conjugated bifuran macrocycles of various ring sizes, from trimer to hexamer, and characterize them using both computational and experimental methods. The properties of macrocyclic oligofurans change considerably with size: The smaller trimer is rigid, weakly emissive and planar as revealed by its single crystal structure, and displays global antiaromaticity. In contrast, the larger pentamer and hexamer are flexible, emissive, have non-planar structures, and exhibit local aromaticity. The results are supported by NICS and ACID calculations that indicate the global antiaromaticity of planar furan macrocycles, and by transient absorption measurements showing sharp absorption band for the trimer and only the internal conversion decay pathway.

How Aromatic Are Molecular Nanorings? The Case of a Six-Porphyrin Nanoring*

Large conjugated rings with persistent currents are novel promising structures in molecular-scale electronics. A six-porphyrin nanoring structure that allegedly sustained an aromatic ring current involving 78π electrons was recently synthesized. We provide here compelling evidence that this molecule is not aromatic, contrary to what was inferred from the analysis of 1 H-NMR data and computational calculations that suffer from large delocalization errors. The main reason behind the absence of an aromatic ring current in these nanorings is the low delocalization in the transition from the porphyrins to the bridging butadiyne linkers, which disrupts the overall conjugated circuit. These results highlight the importance of choosing a suitable computational method to study large conjugated molecules and the appropriate aromaticity descriptors to identify the part of the molecule responsible for the loss of aromaticity.

Towards the Idea of Molecular Brains

How can single cells without nervous systems perform complex behaviours such as habituation, associative learning and decision making, which are considered the hallmark of animals with a brain? Are there molecular systems that underlie cognitive properties equivalent to those of the brain? This review follows the development of the idea of molecular brains from Darwin’s “root brain hypothesis”, through bacterial chemotaxis, to the recent discovery of neuron-like r-protein networks in the ribosome. By combining a structural biology view with a Bayesian brain approach, this review explores the evolutionary labyrinth of information processing systems across scales. Ribosomal protein networks open a window into what were probably the earliest signalling systems to emerge before the radiation of the three kingdoms. While ribosomal networks are characterised by long-lasting interactions between their protein nodes, cell signalling networks are essentially based on transient interactions. As a corollary, while signals propagated in persistent networks may be ephemeral, networks whose interactions are transient constrain signals diffusing into the cytoplasm to be durable in time, such as post-translational modifications of proteins or second messenger synthesis. The duration and nature of the signals, in turn, implies different mechanisms for the integration of multiple signals and decision making. Evolution then reinvented networks with persistent interactions with the development of nervous systems in metazoans. Ribosomal protein networks and simple nervous systems display architectural and functional analogies whose comparison could suggest scale invariance in information processing. At the molecular level, the significant complexification of eukaryotic ribosomal protein networks is associated with a burst in the acquisition of new conserved aromatic amino acids. Knowing that aromatic residues play a critical role in allosteric receptors and channels, this observation suggests a general role of π systems and their interactions with charged amino acids in multiple signal integration and information processing. We think that these findings may provide the molecular basis for designing future computers with organic processors.

Novel Synthetic Approach to Heteroatom Doped Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Optimizing the Bottom-Up Approach to Atomically Precise Doped Nanographenes

The success of the rational bottom-up approach to nanostructured carbon materials and the discovery of the importance of their doping with heteroatoms puts under the spotlight all synthetic organic approaches to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The construction of atomically precise heteroatom doped nanographenes has evidenced the importance of controlling its geometry and the position of the doping heteroatoms, since these parameters influence their chemical-physical properties and their applications. The growing interest towards this research topic is testified by the large number of works published in this area, which have transformed a once "fundamental research" into applied research at the cutting edge of technology. This review analyzes the most recent synthetic approaches to this class of compounds.

Bonding, Aromaticity and Isomerization of Furfuraldehyde through Off-Nucleus Isotropic Magnetic Shielding

Off-nucleus isotropic magnetic shielding (σiso (r)) and multi-points nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS(0-2 Å)) index were utilized to find the impacts of the isomerization of gas-phase furfuraldehyde (FD) on bonding and aromaticity of FD. Multidimensional (1D to 3D) grids of ghost atoms (bqs) were used as local magnetic probes to evaluate σiso (r) through gauge-including atomic orbitals (GIAO) at density functional theory (DFT) and B3LYP functional/6-311+G(d,p) basis set level of theory. 1D σiso (r) responses along each bond of FD were examined. Also, a σiso (r) 2D-scan was performed to obtain σiso (r) behavior at vertical heights of 0-1 Å above the FD plane in its cis, transition state (TS) and trans forms. New techniques for evaluating 2D σiso (r) cross-sections are also included. Our findings showed that bonds in cyclic and acyclic parts of FD are dissimilar. Unlike the C-O bond of furanyl, the C=O bond of the formyl group is magnetically different. C-C and C-H bonds in furanyl are found similar to those in aromatic rings. A unique σiso (r) trend was observed for the C2 -C6 bond during FD isomerization. Based on NICS(0-2 Å) values, the degree of aromaticity follows the order of cis FD Collapse

Key Words

• aromaticity
• chemical bonding
• furfuraldehyde
• nucleus-independent chemical shift NICS
• off-nucleus isotropic shielding

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MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

An Element-Substituted Cyclobutadiene Exhibiting High-Energy Blue Phosphorescence

1,3,2,4-Diazadiboretidine, an isoelectronic heteroanalogue of cyclobutadiene, is an interesting chemical species in terms of comparison with the carbon system, whereas its properties have never been investigated experimentally. According to Baird's rule, Hückel antiaromatic cyclobutadiene acquires aromaticity in the lowest triplet state. Here we report experimental and theoretical studies on the ground- and excited-state antiaromaticity/aromaticity as well as the photophysical properties of an isolable 1,3,2,4-diazadiboretidine derivative. The crystal structure of the diazadiboretidine derivative revealed that the B₂ N₂ ring adopts a planar rhombic geometry in the ground state. Yet, theoretical calculations showed that the B₂ N₂ ring turns to a square geometry with a nonaromatic character in the lowest triplet state. Notably, the diazadiboretidine derivative has the lowest singlet and triplet states lying at close energy levels and displays blue phosphorescence.

Making Aromatic Phosphorus Heterocycles More Basic and Nucleophilic: Synthesis, Characterization and Reactivity of the First Phosphinine Selenide

The synthesis and isolation of a phosphinine selenide was achieved for the first time by reacting red selenium with 2,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphinine. The rather large coupling constant of ¹ J_P,Se =883 Hz is in line with a P-Se bond of high s-character. The σ-electron donating Me₃ Si-substituents significantly increase the energy of the phosphorus lone pair and hence its basicity, making the heterocycle considerably more basic and nucleophilic than the unsubstituted phosphinine C₅ H₅ P, as confirmed by the calculated gas phase basicities. NBO calculations further reveal that the lone pairs of the selenium atom are stabilized through donor-acceptor interactions with antibonding orbitals of the aromatic ring. The novel phosphinine selenide shows a distinct reactivity towards hexafluoro-2-butyne, Au(I)Cl as well as ⁱ PrOH. Our results pave the way for new perspectives in the chemistry of phosphorus in low coordination.

Surface functionalization with nonalternant aromatic compounds: a computational study of azulene and naphthalene on Si(001)

Nonalternant aromatic π-electron systems show promises for surface functionalization due to their unusual electronic structure. Based on our previous experiences for metal surfaces, we investigate the adsorption structures, adsorption dynamics and bonding characteristics of azulene and its alternant aromatic isomer naphthalene on the Si(001) surface. Using a combination of density functional theory,ab initiomolecular dynamics, reaction path sampling and bonding analysis with the energy decomposition analysis for extended systems, we show that azulene shows direct adsorption paths into several, strongly bonded chemisorbed final structures with up to four covalent carbon-silicon bonds which can be described in a donor-acceptor and a shared-electron bonding picture nearly equivalently. Naphthalene also shows these tetra-σ-type bonding structures in accordance with an earlier study. But the adsorption path is pseudo-direct here with a precursor intermediate bonded via one aromatic ring and strong indications for a narrow adsorption funnel. The four surface-adsorbate bonds formed lead for both adsorbates to a strong corrugation and a loss of aromaticity.

Nucleus-Independent Chemical Shift (NICS) as a Criterion for the Design of New Antifungal Benzofuranones

The assertion made by Wu et al. that aromaticity may have considerable implications for molecular design motivated us to use nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) as an aromaticity criterion to evaluate the antifungal activity of two series of indol-4-ones. A linear regression analysis of NICS and antifungal activity showed that both tested variables were significantly related (p < 0.05); when aromaticity increased, the antifungal activity decreased for series I and increased for series II. To verify the validity of the obtained equations, a new set of 44 benzofuran-4-ones was designed by replacing the nitrogen atom of the five-membered ring with oxygen in indol-4-ones. The NICS(0) and NICS(1) of benzofuran-4-ones were calculated and used to predict their biological activities using the previous equations. A set of 10 benzofuran-4-ones was synthesized and tested in eight human pathogenic fungi, showing the validity of the equations. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in yeasts was 31.25 µg·mL^–1 for Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida guilliermondii with compounds 15-32, 15-15 and 15-1. The MIC for filamentous fungi was 1.95 µg·mL^–1 for Aspergillus niger for compounds 15-1, 15-33 and 15-34. The results obtained support the use of NICS in the molecular design of compounds with antifungal activity.

Atomic Clusters: Structure, Reactivity, Bonding, and Dynamics

Atomic clusters lie somewhere in between isolated atoms and extended solids with distinctly different reactivity patterns. They are known to be useful as catalysts facilitating several reactions of industrial importance. Various machine learning based techniques have been adopted in generating their global minimum energy structures. Bond-stretch isomerism, aromatic stabilization, Rener-Teller effect, improved superhalogen/superalkali properties, and electride characteristics are some of the hallmarks of these clusters. Different all-metal and nonmetal clusters exhibit a variety of aromatic characteristics. Some of these clusters are dynamically stable as exemplified through their fluxional behavior. Several of these cluster cavitands are found to be agents for effective confinement. The confined media cause drastic changes in bonding, reactivity, and other properties, for example, bonding between two noble gas atoms, and remarkable acceleration in the rate of a chemical reaction under confinement. They have potential to be good hydrogen storage materials and also to activate small molecules for various purposes. Many atomic clusters show exceptional opto-electronic, magnetic, and nonlinear optical properties. In this Review article, we intend to highlight all these aspects.

An Open-Shell Coronoid with Hybrid Chichibabin-Schlenk Conjugation

A hexaradicaloid molecule with alternating Kekulé and non-Kekulé connectivities between adjacent spin centers was obtained by fusing two classic conjugation motifs, found respectively in the Chichibabin and Schlenk hydrocarbons, into a coronoid structure. 1 H NMR, ESR and SQUID experiments, combined with computational analyses reveal that the system has a singlet ground state, characterized by a significant hexaradicaloid character ( γ 0 = 0.826, γ 1 = γ 2 = 0.773). It possesses multiple thermally accessible high-spin states (up to the septet), with uniform energy gaps of ca 1.0 kcal/mol between consecutive multiplicities. In line with its open-shell character, the coronoid has a small electronic bandgap of ca. 0.8 eV and undergoes two consecutive one-electron oxidations at low potentials, yielding cationic forms with extended near-infrared absorption. The hexaradicaloid, which combines open-shell and macrocyclic contributions to its π conjugation, provides an example of a design strategy for multistate spin switches and redox-amphoteric NIR dyes.

Development of Peripheral Functionalization Chemistry of meso-Free Corroles

In contrast to the extensive development of meso functionalization of porphyrins, that of corroles has been only rarely explored until the development of practical synthetic methods of meso -free corroles in 2015. Ready availability of meso -free corroles opened up meso -functionalization chemistry of corroles, giving rise to successful synthesis of various meso-substituted corroles such as meso -halogen, meso -nitro, meso -amino, meso -oxo, and meso iminocorroles as well as meso-meso linked corrole dimers and corrole tapes. In some cases, 2NH corroles existed as stable or transient radical species. The impacts of meso -functionalization on the structures, electronic properties, optical characteristics, and aromaticity are highlighted in this Minireview.

The Synthesis of Conjugated Bis-Aryl Vinyl Substrates and Their Photoelectrocyclization Reactions towards Phenanthrene Derivatives

The photoelectrocyclization of conjugated vinyl biaryls has proven to be a valuable and efficient strategy for generating phenanthrene derivatives. Contained in this review is an overview of the mechanism for the transformation and a discussion of the reaction scope with a focus on the electrocyclization itself, rearomatization, and the application of the reaction in natural product synthesis.

TIPS-Ethynylated Naphthodiquinoline and Naphthodiacridine: Novel Diazabisacenes

The synthesis of two diazabisacenes is reported. A bisboronated naphthalene was Suzuki‐coupled to substituted ethyl nicotinates, then cyclized by intramolecular Friedel‐Crafts acylation. The resulting diketones were alkynylated and reduced to give the title compounds, bis(TIPS‐ethynyl)‐substituted naphtha[1,8‐gh:5,4‐g′h′]diquinoline and naphtho[1,8‐bc:5,4‐b′c′]diacridine. Nitrogen incorporation stabilizes the bisacenes with respect to oxidation compared to their consanguine nonaza analogs.

Isolation of 1,4-Diarsinine-1,4-diide and 1,4-Diarsinine Derivatives

1,4‐Diarsinine‐1,4‐diide compound [(ADC^Ph)As]₂ (5) (ADC^Ph={C(DippN)}₂CPh, Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with a planar C₄As₂ ring fused between two 1,3‐imidazole scaffolds has been isolated as a red crystalline solid. Compound 5, formally comprising an 8π‐electron C₄As₂ ring, is antiaromatic and undergoes 2e‐oxidation with AgOTf to form the 6π‐electron aromatic system [(ADC^Ph)As]₂(OTf)₂ (6).

Removal of COD, aromaticity and color of a pretreated chemical producing industrial wastewater: a comparison between adsorption, ozonation, and advanced oxidation processes

A wide range of products are produced in the chemical producing industry such as textile dyes, chemicals, printing dyes and chemicals, paper chemicals, electrostatic powder dyes, and optical brighteners. The aim of this study is to investigate the treatability of chemical oxygen demand (COD), aromaticity, and color in the wastewater of this sector, where highly complex chemicals are used. Most of the studies in the literature are related to the treatment of synthetically prepared dyed wastewater. This study is important as it is carried out with real wastewater and gives results of many treatment methods. In the study, COD, UV-vis absorbance, and color values were attempted to be removed from the wastewater of a chemical producing industry that was pretreated by coagulation-flocculation. The COD value of the pretreated wastewater discharged to the central treatment system was restricted as 1000 mg/L. Pretreated wastewater characterization is as follows: COD: 2117 mg/L, UV-vis absorbance values at; 254 nm: 9.91, 280 nm: 8.65, 341 nm: 12.77, 436 nm: 5.01, 525 nm: 2.24, and 620 nm: 1.59. In the study, adsorption, ozonation, and advanced oxidation processes (Fenton and persulfate oxidation) were used to remove COD and UV-vis absorbance values (aromaticity, organics, and color). The method by which the best removal efficiency was obtained for all parameters was the adsorption process using powdered activated carbon (PAC). The equilibrium PAC dose was found as 6 g/L. At this adsorbent dose, the removal efficiencies of UV-vis absorbance values were all around 99% and the efficiency of COD removal was 77%. The Langmuir isotherm constants were found to be q_max= 30.4 mg/g and K_L = 487.9 (L/mg). The COD concentration at this adsorbent dose was 486 mg/L and wastewater was suitable for discharge to the central wastewater treatment plant in that region.

Substituent Effect in the Cation Radicals of Monosubstituted Benzenes

In 30 monosubstituted benzene cation radicals, studied at the ωB97XD/aug-cc-pVTZ level, the phenyl rings usually adopt a compressed form, but a differently compressed form-equivalent to an elongated one-may coexist. The computational and literature ionization potentials are well correlated. The geometrical and magnetic aromaticity, estimated using HOMA and NICS indices, show the systems to be structurally aromatic but magnetically antiaromatic or only weakly aromatic. The partial charge is split between the substituent and ring and varies the most at C(ipso). In the ring, the spin is 70%, concentrated equally at the C(ipso) and C(p) atoms. The sEDA(D) and pEDA(D) descriptors of the substituent effect in cation radicals, respectively, were determined. In cation radicals, the substituent effect on the σ-electron system is like that in the ground state. The effect on the π-electron systems is long-range, and its propagation in the radical quinone-like ring is unlike that in the neutral molecules. The pEDA(D) descriptor correlates well with the partial spin at C(ipso) and C(p) and weakly with the HOMA(D) index. The correlation of the spin at the ring π-electron system and the pEDA(D) descriptor shows that the electron charge supplied to the ring π-electron system and the spin flow oppositely.

Cleavage of the N≡N Triple Bond and Unpredicted Formation of the Cyclic 1,3-Diaza-2,4-Diborete (FB)2 N2 from N2 and Fluoroborylene BF

A complete cleavage of the triple bond of N₂ by fluoroborylene (:BF) was achieved in a low-temperature N₂ matrix by the formation of the four-membered heterocycle FB(μ-N)₂ BF, which lacks a trans-annular N-N bond. Additionally, the linear complex FB=N-N=BF and cyclic FB(η² -N₂ ) were formed. These novel species were characterized by their matrix infrared spectra and quantum-chemical calculations. The puckered four-membered-ring B₂ N₂ complex shows a delocalized aromatic two-electron π-system in conjugation with the exo-cyclic fluorine π lone pairs. This work may contribute to a rational design of catalysts based on borylene for artificial dinitrogen activation.

Isomeric Dibenzoheptazethrenes for Air-Stable Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Singlet diradicaloids hold great potential as semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). However, their relative low material and device stabilities impede the practical applications. Here, to achieve balanced stability and performance, two isomeric dibenzoheptazethrene derivatives with singlet diradical character were synthesized in a concise manner. Benefitting from the aromatic stabilization, both compounds display a small diradical character and large singlet-triplet gap, as corroborated by variable-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance spectra, single-crystal analysis, and theoretical calculations. OFET devices based on single crystals showed a high hole mobility of 0.15 cm²  V^-1  s^-1 , which is the highest for zethrene-based semiconductors. Both isomers exhibited remarkable material stability in air-saturated solutions as well as excellent bias-stress and storage stability in device under ambient air.