Emerging applications of carbon nanohoops

[10]CPP-Based Inclusion Complexes of Charged Fulleropyrrolidines. Effect of the Charge Location on the Photoinduced Electron Transfer

A number of non-covalently bound donor-acceptor dyads, consisting of C60 as the electron acceptor and cycloparaphenylene (CPP) as the electron donor, have been reported. A hypsochromic shift of the charge transfer (CT) band in polar medium has been found in [10]CPP⊃Li+ @C60 . To explore this anomalous effect, we study inclusion complexes [10]CPP⊃Li+ @C60 -MP, [10]CPP⊃C60 -MPH+ , and [10]CPP⊃C60 -PPyMe+ formed by fulleropyrrolidine derivatives and [10]CPP using the DFT/TDDFT approach. We show that the introduction of a positively charged fragment into fullerene stabilizes CT states that become the lowest-lying excited states. These charge-separated states can be generated by the decay of locally excited states on a nanosecond to picosecond time scale. The distance of the charged fragment to the center of the fullerenic cage and its accessibility to the solvent determine the strength of the hypsochromic shift.

Conjugated Molecular Nanotubes

Molecular compounds with permanent tubular architectures displaying radial π-conjugation are exceedingly rare. Their radial and axial delocalization presents them with unique optical and electronic properties, such as remarkable tuning of their Stokes shifts, and redox switching between global and local aromaticity. Although these tubular compounds display large internal void spaces, these attributes have not been extensively explored, thus presenting future opportunities in the development of materials. By using cutting-edge synthetic methodologies to bend aromatic surfaces, large opportunities in synthesis, property discovery, and applications are expected in new members of this family of conjugated molecular nanotubes.

[4]Cyclo-N-alkyl-2,7-carbazoles: Influence of the Alkyl Chain Length on the Structural, Electronic, and Charge Transport Properties

Macrocycles possessing radially oriented π-orbitals have experienced a fantastic development. However, their incorporation in organic electronic devices remains very scarce. In this work, we aim at bridging the gap between organic electronics and nanorings by reporting the first detailed structure-properties-device performance relationship study of organic functional materials based on a nanoring system. Three [4]cyclo-N-alkyl-2,7-carbazoles bearing different alkyl chains on their nitrogen atoms have been synthesized and characterized by combined experimental and theoretical approaches. This study includes electrochemical, photophysical, thermal, and structural solid-state measurements and charge transport properties investigations. An optimized protocol of the Pt approach has been developed to synthesize the [4]cyclocarbazoles in high yield (52-64%), of great interest for further development of nanorings, especially in materials science. The charge transport properties of [4]cyclocarbazoles and model compound [8]cycloparaphenylene ([8]CPP) have been studied. Although no field effect (FE) mobility was recorded for the benchmark [8]CPP, FE mobility values of ca. 10^-5 cm²·V^-1·s^-1 were recorded for the [4]cyclocarbazoles. The characteristics (threshold voltage V_TH, subthreshold swing SS, trapping energy ΔE) recorded for the three [4]cyclocarbazoles appear to be modulated by the alkyl chain length borne by the nitrogen atoms. Remarkably, the space-charge-limited current mobilities measured for the [4]cyclocarbazoles are about 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of [8]CPP (1.37/2.78 × 10^-4 cm²·V^-1·s^-1 for the [4]cyclocarbazoles vs 1.21 × 10^-7 cm²·V^-1·s^-1 for [8]CPP), highlighting the strong effect of nitrogen bridges on the charge transport properties. The whole study opens the way to the use of nanorings in electronics, which is now the next step of their development.

Perfect and Defective 13C-Furan-Derived Nanothreads from Modest-Pressure Synthesis Analyzed by 13C NMR

The molecular structure of nanothreads produced by the slow compression of 13C4-furan was studied by advanced solid-state NMR. Spectral editing showed that >95% of carbon atoms were bonded to one hydrogen (C-H) and that there were 2-4% CH2, 0.6% C═O, and <0.3% CH3 groups. Alkenes accounted for 18% of the CH moieties, while trapped, unreacted furan made up 7%. Two-dimensional (2D) 13C-13C and 1H-13C NMR identified 12% of all carbon in asymmetric O-CH═CH-CH-CH- and 24% in symmetric O-CH-CH═CH-CH- rings. While the former represented defects or chain ends, some of the latter appeared to form repeating thread segments. Around 10% of carbon atoms were found in highly ordered, fully saturated nanothread segments. Unusually slow 13C spin-exchange with sites outside the perfect thread segments documented a length of at least 14 bonds; the small width of the perfect-thread signals also implied a fairly long, regular structure. Carbons in the perfect threads underwent relatively slow spin-lattice relaxation, indicating slow spin exchange with other threads and smaller amplitude motions. Through partial inversion recovery, the signals of the perfect threads were observed and analyzed selectively. Previously considered syn-threads with four different C-H bond orientations were ruled out by centerband-only detection of exchange NMR, which was, on the contrary, consistent with anti-threads. The observed 13C chemical shifts were matched well by quantum-chemical calculations for anti-threads but not for more complex structures like syn/anti-threads. These observations represent the first direct determination of the atomic-level structure of fully saturated nanothreads.

Cycloparaphenylene-Phenalenyl Radical and Its Dimeric Double Nanohoop*

The first example of a neutral spin-delocalized carbon-nanoring radical was achieved by integration of the open-shell phenalenyl unit into cycloparaphenylene (CPP). Spin distribution in this hydrocarbon is localized primarily on the phenalenyl segment and partially on the CPP segment as a consequence of steric and electronic effects. The resulting geometry is reminiscent of a diamond ring, with pseudo-perpendicular arrangement of the radial and the planar π-surface. The phenylene rings attached directly to the phenalenyl unit give rise to a steric effect that governs a highly selective dimerization pathway, yielding a giant double nanohoop. Its π-framework made of 158 sp2 -carbon atoms was elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealed a three-segment CPP-peropyrene-CPP structure. This nanocarbon shows a fluorescence profile characteristic of peropyrene, regardless of which segment gets excited. These results in conjunction with DFT suggest that adjusting the size of the CPP segments in this double nanohoop could deliver donor-acceptor systems.

Scalable, Divergent Synthesis of a High Aspect Ratio Carbon Nanobelt

Carbon nanobelts are molecules of high fundamental and technological interest due to their structural similarity to carbon nanotubes, of which they are molecular cutouts. Despite this attention, synthetic accessibility is a major obstacle, such that the few known strategies offer limited structural diversity, functionality, and scalability. To address this bottleneck, we have developed a new strategy that utilizes highly fused monomer units constructed via a site-selective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition and a high-yielding zirconocene-mediated macrocyclization to achieve the synthesis of a new carbon nanobelt on large scale with the introduction of functional handles in the penultimate step. This nanobelt represents a diagonal cross section of an armchair carbon nanotube and consequently has a longitudinally extended structure with an aspect ratio of 1.6, the highest of any reported nanobelt. This elongated structure promotes solid-state packing into aligned columns that mimic the parent carbon nanotube and facilitates unprecedented host-guest chemistry with oligo-arylene guests in nonpolar solvents.

Visualisation of Chemical Shielding Tensors (VIST) to Elucidate Aromaticity and Antiaromaticity

Aromaticity is a central concept in chemistry, pervading areas from biochemistry to materials science. Recently, chemists also started to exploit intricate phenomena such as the interplay of local and global (anti)aromaticity or aromaticity in non-planar systems and three dimensions. These phenomena pose new challenges in terms of our fundamental understanding and the practical visualisation of aromaticity. To overcome these challenges, a method for the visualisation of chemical shielding tensors (VIST) is developed here that allows for a 3D visualisation with quantitative information about the local variations and anisotropy of the chemical shielding. After exemplifying the method in different planar hydrocarbons, we study two non-planar macrocycles to show the unique benefits of the VIST method for molecules with competing π-conjugated systems and conclude with a norcorrole dimer showing clear evidence of through-space aromaticity. We believe that the VIST method will be a highly valuable addition to the computational toolbox.

Theoretical prediction on photoelectric and supramolecular properties of benzoquinone-tetrathiafulvalene macrocyclic molecules

Benzoquinone has the ability to serve as an electron acceptor, and tetrathiafulvalene has the ability to serve as an electron donor. Based on the facts above, this work creatively cycles the benzoquinone unit and the tetrathiafulvalene unit alternately into macrocyclic molecules, the cyclopolymers of benzoquinone-tetrafluorene (C[n]QTTF, n = 3~6). To explore their structure and properties, the M06-2X functional of density functional theory (DFT) with 6-311g(d) basis set was used to optimize the ground-state structures of C[n]QTTF. Based on the stable configurations of the ground states, the electronic structure property is analyzed systematically. The results show that these macrocyclic molecules have excellent electron transport capability and electrochemical activity. Then, the electron absorption spectra of each system are carried out by using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) at the M062X/6-311+G(d) level. It turns out that their maximum absorption wavelengths are all in the visible range. Further calculation suggests that C[n]QTTF can also be characterized with one-dimensional self-assembly, double-walled assembly, and the host-guest inclusion performance, based on which it gains a variety of supramolecular structures. In summary, the benzoquinone-tetrafluorofurene macrocyclic molecules predicted by DFT calculations may be of assistance to the potential applications in organic electronics and supramolecular chemistry.

Aromaticity of ortho and meta 8-Cycloparaphenylene and Their Dications: Induced Magnetic Field Analysis with Localized and Delocalized Orbitals in Strained Nanohoops

Dications of cycloparaphenyles ([n]CPPs) are known to exhibit in-plane global aromaticity, contained in a nanobelt structure. Recently synthesized ortho and meta isomers of [n]CPPs break the radial symmetry of π structure incorporating perpendicular oriented π orbitals. Herein we set to explore the aromaticity of neutral and dicationic ortho and meta isomers of [8]CPP by dissecting the induced magnetic field to contributions of the twofold radial/perpendicular π system using delocalized canonical molecular orbitals (CMO), and introducing the natural localized molecular orbitals (NLMO) analysis with DFT methods. The dications sustain a reduced global aromatic character of the radial π system under a perpendicular orientation of the external field which declines from ortho to meta isomer and reinforces local aromaticity of ortho ring while it destroys aromaticity of meta ring. Aromaticity variations are determined by symmetry governed rotational excitations of frontier π orbitals. The parallel orientation reveals a substantial reduction of local aromaticity verified with NICS_π analysis and electron delocalization indices.

A Molecular Transformer: A π-Conjugated Macrocycle as an Adaptable Host

Here, we report a facile method to synthesize a series of macrocycles with different conformations. The planar macrocycle dimer (1), twisted macrocycle trimer (2) and "figure-eight" tetramer (3) are clearly elucidated by X-ray single-crystal analysis, in which the electron-rich phenanthrene units offer the possibility of supramolecular assembly. As expected, in the solid state, 1 and 3 assemble into a columnar stack and an interlocking dimer, respectively, via π-π interactions between the phenanthrene units. Compared to the rigid conformation of dimer 1, the structure of tetramer 3 is more flexible due to its enlarged ring size. 3 can deform from a figure-eight into a boat-shaped geometry to host a planar electron-deficient guest using its electron-rich phenanthrene units. When assembled with spherical electron-deficient C₆₀ , interestingly, 3 further undergoes a conformational transformation from a figure-eight to a belt shape in order to host C₆₀ . These supramolecular assembly behaviors of 3 demonstrate that it is an adaptable macrocyclic host for both planar molecules and fullerenes.

Scalable Synthesis of Crystalline One-Dimensional Carbon Nanothreads through Modest-Pressure Polymerization of Furan

Carbon nanothreads, which are one-dimensional sp³-rich polymers, combine high tensile strength with flexibility owing to subnanometer widths and diamond-like cores. These extended carbon solids are constructed through pressure-induced polymerization of sp² molecules such as benzene. Whereas a few examples of carbon nanothreads have been reported, the need for high onset pressures (≥17 GPa) to synthesize them precludes scalability and limits scope. Herein, we report the scalable synthesis of carbon nanothreads based on molecular furan, which can be achieved through ambient temperature pressure-induced polymerization with an onset reaction pressure of only 10 GPa due to its lessened aromaticity relative to other molecular precursors. When slowly compressed to 15 GPa and gradually decompressed to 1.5 GPa, a sharp 6-fold diffraction pattern is observed in situ, indicating a well-ordered crystalline material formed from liquid furan. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the reaction product exhibits three distinct d-spacings from 4.75 to 4.9 Å, whose size, angular spacing, and degree of anisotropy are consistent with our atomistic simulations for crystals of furan nanothreads. Further evidence for polymerization was obtained by powder XRD, Raman/IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Comparison of the IR spectra with computed vibrational modes provides provisional identification of spectral features characteristic of specific nanothread structures, namely syn, anti, and syn/anti configurations. Mass spectrometry suggests that molecular weights of at least 6 kDa are possible. Furan therefore presents a strategic entry toward scalable carbon nanothreads.

Chiral Dibenzopentalene-Based Conjugated Nanohoops through Stereoselective Synthesis

Conjugated nanohoops allow to investigate the effect of radial conjugation and bending on the involved π-systems. They can possess unexpected optoelectronic properties and their radially oriented π-system makes them attractive for host-guest chemistry. Bending the π-subsystems can lead to chiral hoops. Herein, we report the stereoselective synthesis of two enantiomers of chiral conjugated nanohoops by incorporating dibenzo[a,e]pentalenes (DBPs), which are generated in the last synthetic step from enantiomerically pure diketone precursors. Owing to its bent shape, this diketone unit was used as the only bent precursor and novel "corner unit" in the synthesis of the hoops. The [6]DBP[4]Ph-hoops contain six antiaromatic DBP units and four bridging phenylene groups. The small HOMO-LUMO gap and ambipolar electrochemical character of the DBP units is reflected in the optoelectronic properties of the hoop. Electronic circular dichroism spectra and MD simulations showed that the chiral hoop did not racemize even when heated to 110 °C. Due to its large diameter, it was able to accommodate two C60 molecules, as binding studies indicate.

Advancing macromolecular hoop construction: recent developments in synthetic cyclic polymer chemistry

Synthetic methodology to access cyclic macromolecules continues to develop via two distinct mechanistic classes: ring-expansion of macrocyclic initiators and ring-closure of functionalized linear polymers.

Figure-eight arylene ethynylene macrocycles: facile synthesis and specific binding behavior toward Hg2+

Two figure-eight arylene ethynylene macrocycles (AEMs) were synthesized from non-helical precursors and the figure-eight shape was clearly imaged by STM.

Radially Oriented [n]Cyclo-meta-phenylenes

Molecular compounds with zigzag carbon nanotube geometries are exceedingly rare. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of carbon-based nanotubes with zigzag geometry, best described as radially oriented [n]cyclo-meta-phenylenes, extending the tubularene family of compounds. By the incorporation of edge-sharing benzene rings into the tubularene's radial π-surface, we have uncovered the first step to give rise to the emergence of radial orbital distribution in zigzag nanorings.

Spin-Crossover Properties of an Iron(II) Coordination Nanohoop

Addition of the bipyridyl-embedded cycloparaphenylene nanohoop bipy[9]CPP to [Fe{H₂ B(pyz)₂ }] (pyz=pyrazolyl) produces the distorted octahedral complex [Fe(bipy[9]CPP){H₂ B(pyz)₂ }₂ ] (1). The molecular structure of 1 shows that the nanohoop ligand contains a non-planar bipy unit. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate spin-crossover (SCO) behaviour with a T_1/2 of 130 K, lower than that of 160 K observed with the related compound [Fe(bipy){H₂ B(pyz)₂ }₂ ] (2), which contains a conventional bipy ligand. A computational study of 1 and 2 reveals that the curvature of the nanohoop leads to the different SCO properties, suggesting that the SCO behaviour of iron(II) can be tuned by varying the size and diameter of the nanohoop.

A dinuclear porphyrin-macrocycle as efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction

We report an unprecedented dinuclear catalyst for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A macrocyclic porphyrin complex comprising two nickel centres connected via redox mediating linker molecules gives rise to efficient catalysis, significantly outperforming a mononuclear reference catalyst.

A BN-Doped Cycloparaphenylene Debuts

The first example of a BN-doped cycloparaphenylene BN-[10]CPP was synthesized and characterized. Its reactivity and photophysical properties were evaluated in direct comparison to its carbonaceous analogues Mes-[10]CPP and [10]CPP. While the photophysical properties of BN-[10]CPP remains similar to its carbonaceous analogues, the electronic structure changes associated with the introduction of a 1,2-azaborine BN heterocycle into a CPP scaffold enables facile and selective late-stage functionalizations that cannot be accomplished with carbonaceous CPPs. Specifically, Ir-catalyzed hydrogenation of BN-[10]CPP selectively reduces the BN heterocyclic ring, which upon hydrolysis produces a rare example of a macrocyclic paraphenylene 6 incorporating the versatile ketone functionality within the macrocyclic ring.

Dynamic Covalent Formation of Concave Disulfide Macrocycles Mechanically Interlocked with Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The formation of discrete macrocycles wrapped around single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has recently emerged as an appealing strategy to functionalize these carbon nanomaterials and modify their properties. Here, we demonstrate that the reversible disulfide exchange reaction, which proceeds under mild conditions, can install relatively large amounts of mechanically interlocked disulfide macrocycles on the one-dimensional nanotubes. Size-selective functionalization of a mixture of SWCNTs of different diameters were observed, presumably arising from error correction and the presence of relatively rigid, curved π-systems in the key building blocks. A combination of UV/Vis/NIR, Raman, photoluminescence excitation, and transient absorption spectroscopy indicated that the small (6,4)-SWCNTs were predominantly functionalized by the small macrocycles 1₂ , whereas the larger (6,5)-SWCNTs were an ideal match for the larger macrocycles 2₂ . This size selectivity, which was rationalized computationally, could prove useful for the purification of nanotube mixtures, since the disulfide macrocycles can be removed quantitatively under mild reductive conditions.

Effect of curvature and placement of donor and acceptor units in cycloparaphenylenes: a computational study

Cycloparaphenylenes have promise as novel fluorescent materials. However, shifting their fluorescence beyond 510 nm is difficult. Herein, we computationally explore the effect of incorporating electron accepting and electron donating units on CPP photophysical properties at the CAM-B3LYP/6-311G** level. We demonstrate that incorporation of donor and acceptor units may shift the CPP fluorescence as far as 1193 nm. This computational work directs the synthesis of bright red-emitting CPPs. Furthermore, the nanohoop architecture allows for interrogation of strain effects on common conjugated polymer donor and acceptor units. Strain results in a bathochromic shift versus linear variants, demonstrating the value of using strain to push the limits of low band gap materials.

Ultrafast Exciton Self-Trapping and Delocalization in Cycloparaphenylenes: The Role of Excited-State Symmetry in Electron-Vibrational Coupling

Upon photon absorption, π-conjugated organics are apt to undergo ultrafast structural reorganization via electron-vibrational coupling during non-adiabatic transitions. Ultrafast nuclear motions modulate local planarity and quinoid/benzenoid characters within conjugated backbones, which control primary events in the excited states, such as localization, energy transfer, and so on. Femtosecond broadband fluorescence upconversion measurements were conducted to investigate exciton self-trapping and delocalization in cycloparaphenylenes as ultrafast structural reorganizations are achieved via excited-state symmetry-dependent electron-vibrational coupling. By accessing two high-lying excited states, one-photon and two-photon allowed states, a clear discrepancy in the initial time-resolved fluorescence spectra and the temporal dynamics/spectral evolution of fluorescence spectra were monitored. Combined with quantum chemical calculations, a novel insight into the effect of the excited-state symmetry on ultrafast structural reorganization and exciton self-trapping in the emerging class of π-conjugated materials is provided.

Feeding a Molecular Squid: A Pliable Nanocarbon Receptor for Electron-Poor Aromatics

A hybrid nanocarbon receptor consisting of a calix[4]arene and a bent oligophenylene loop ("molecular squid"), was obtained in an efficient, scalable synthesis. The system contains an electron-rich cavity with an adaptable shape, which can serve as a host for electron deficient guests, such as diquat, 10-methylacridinium, and anthraquinone. The new receptor forms inclusion complexes in the solid state and in solution, showing a dependence of the observed binding strength on the shape of the guest species and its charge. The interaction with the methylacridinium cation in solution was interpreted in terms of a 2:1 binding model, with K₁₁ = 5.92(7) × 10³ M^-1. The solid receptor is porous to gases and vapors, yielding an uptake of ca. 4 mmol/g for methanol at 293 K. In solution, the receptor shows cyan fluorescence (λ_max^em = 485 nm, Φ_F = 33%), which is partly quenched upon binding of guests. Methylacridinium and anthraquinone adducts show red-shifted emission in the solid state, attributable to the charge-transfer character of these inclusion complexes.

Syntheses of Tetrasubstituted [10]Cycloparaphenylenes by a Pd-catalyzed Coupling Reaction. Remarkable Effect of Strain on the Oxidative Addition and Reductive Elimination

A small library of tetrasubstituted [10]cycloparaphenylene ([10]CPP) derivatives bearing alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and aryl substituents was constructed by a Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction starting from tetratriflate [10]CPP 5 e, which was readily available in high yields on a >2 g scale. The CPP skeleton increases the reactivity of aryl triflate for oxidative addition to the Pd species, and 5 e is 10 times more reactive than its linear paraphenylene analogue, as determined by competition experiments. Theoretical calculations suggest that the accumulation of the small strain relief from each paraphenylene unit not involved in the reaction is responsible for the observed enhanced reactivity.

Chiral cyclic [n]spirobifluorenylenes: carbon nanorings consisting of helically arranged quaterphenyl rods illustrating partial units of woven patterns

Chiral cyclic [n]spirobifluorenylenes consisting of helically arranged quaterphenyl rods, illustrating partial units of woven patterns, were designed and synthesized as a new family of carbon nanorings. The synthesis was accomplished by the Ni(0)-mediated Yamamoto-coupling of chiral spirobifluorene building blocks. The structures of the cyclic 3-, 4-, and 5-mers were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These carbon nanorings exhibited a strong violet colored emission with high quantum yields in solution (95%, 93%, and 94% for 3-, 4-, and 5-mer, respectively). Other spectroscopic properties, including their chiroptical properties, were also investigated. The g-values for circularly polarized luminescence were found to be in the order of 10⁻³. Characteristic spiroconjugation induced by multiple (≧3) bifluorenyl units, for example the even-odd effect of the number of units in the matching of the signs of the orbitals, was also indicated by DFT calculations.

Chiral cyclic [n]spirobifluorenylenes consisting of helically arranged quaterphenyl rods, illustrating partial units of woven patterns, were designed and synthesized as a new family of carbon nanorings.

Synthesis of cycloiptycenes from carbon nanobelts

The synthesis of each of the cycloiptycene derivatives was achieved in one step from the (6,6)carbon nanobelt. It was revealed that the carbon nanobelt reacted as a diene in the Diels-Alder reaction with arynes and alkynes. The structures of all products were identified by X-ray crystallography to confirm that the Diels-Alder reactions took place at the six central benzene rings of the carbon nanobelt. DFT calculations indicated that the release of strain energy is the driving force to promote the Diels-Alder reaction. By using this method, we have successfully synthesized cyclotetracosiptycene, the largest iptycene ever synthesized.

Tubularenes

We report the synthesis and characterization of conjugated, conformationally rigid, and electroactive carbon-based nanotubes that we term tubularenes. These structures are constructed from a resorcin[n b]arene base. Cyclization of the conjugated aromatic nanotube is achieved in one-pot eight-fold C-C bond formation via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. DFT calculations indicate a buildup of strain energy in excess of 90 kcal mol-1. The resulting architectures contain large internal void spaces >260 Å3, are fluorescent, and able to accept up to 4 electrons. This represents the first scaffolding approach that provides conjugated nanotube architectures.

Photoexcited energy relaxation and vibronic couplings in π-conjugated carbon nanorings

Conjugated carbon nanorings exhibit unique photophysical properties that, combined with their tunable sizes and conformations, make them suitable for a variety of practical applications. These properties are intimately associated to their strained, bent and sterically hindered cyclic structures. Herein we perform a comparative analysis of the photoinduced dynamics in carbon nanorings composed of nine phenyl units([9]CPP) and nine naphthyl units ([9]CN) respectively. The sterically demanding naphthyl units lead to large dihedral angles between neighboring units. Nevertheless, the ultrafast electronic and vibrational energy relaxation and redistribution is found to be similar for both systems. We observe that vibronic couplings, introduced by nonadiabatic energy transfer between electronic excited states, ensure the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution through specific vibrational modes. The comparative impact of the internal conversion process on the exciton spatial localization and intra-ring migration indicates that naphthyl units in [9]CN achieve more efficient but less dynamical self-trapping compared to that of phenyl units in [9]CPP. That is, during the photoinduced process, the exciton in [9]CN is more static and localized than the exciton in [9]CPP. The internal conversion processes take place through a specific set of middle- to high-frequency normal modes, which directly influence the spatial exciton redistribution during the internal conversion, self-trapping and intra-ring migration.

Heteroatom-bridged molecular belts as containers

Hoop-shaped or belt-like molecules have been fascinating not only due to their challenging synthesis, but also unique physical and chemical properties. The incorporation of heteroatoms (N, O, S, etc.) into these belts could alter both molecular structures and electronic properties which will lead to versatile applications, from advanced host-guest systems to functional materials. Despite numerous computational studies, the synthesis and characterization of heteroatom-bridged double-stranded molecular belts remains scarce. Here we report the synthesis, crystal structure, and host-guest chemistry of two novel heteroatom-bridged belt-like macrocycles composed of phenoxathiin. The bowl-shaped belt demonstrates a strong binding affinity (K_a = 3.6 × 10⁹ M^‒2) towards fullerene C₆₀ and forms a 2:1 capsule-like complex with the aid of C‒H···S hydrogen bonds. The column-like belt can bind the cyclic guest [2,2]paracyclophane to form a ring-in-ring complex. The modular synthesis, structural specificity, and diverse host-guest chemistry of cyclophenoxathiins markedly expands the known chemistry of molecular belts.

Electronic Energy Relaxation in a Photoexcited Fully Fused Edge-Sharing Carbon Nanobelt

Carbon nanobelts are cylindrical molecules composed of fully fused edge-sharing arene rings. Because of their aesthetically appealing structures, they acquire unusual optoelectronic properties that are potentially suitable for a range of applications in nanoelectronics and photonics. Nevertheless, the very limited success of their synthesis has led to their photophysical properties remaining largely unknown. Compared to that of carbon nanorings (arenes linked by single bonds), the strong structural rigidity of nanobelts prevents significant deformations away from the original high-symmetry conformation and, therefore, impacts their photophysical properties. Herein, we study the photoinduced dynamics of a successfully synthesized belt segment of (6,6)CNT (carbon nanotube). Modeling this process with nonadiabatic excited state molecular dynamics simulations uncovers the critical role played by the changes in excited state wave function localization on the different types of carbon atoms. This allows a detailed description of the excited state dynamics and spatial exciton evolution throughout the nanobelt scaffold. Our results provide detailed information about the excited state electronic properties and internal conversion rates that is potentially useful for designing nanobelts for nanoelectronic and photonic applications.

Strain visualization for strained macrocycles

Strain has a unique and sometimes unpredictable impact on the properties and reactivity of molecules. To thoroughly describe strain in molecules, a computational tool that relates strain energy to reactivity by localizing and quantifying strain was developed. Strain energy is calculated local to every coordinate in the molecule and areas of higher strain are shown experimentally to be more reactive. Not only does this tool directly compare strain energy in parts of the same molecule, but it also computes total strain to give a full picture of molecular strain energy. It is freely available to the public on GitHub under the name StrainViz and much of the workflow is automated to simplify use for non-experts. Unique insight into the reactivity of curved aromatic molecules and strained alkyne bioorthogonal reagents is described within.