Azaboradibenzo[6]helicene: Carrier Inversion Induced by Helical Homochirality

Microwave spectra, molecular structure, and aromatic character of 4a,8a-azaboranaphthalene

The microwave spectra for seven unique isotopologues of 4a,8a-azaboranaphthalene [hereafter referred to as BN-naphthalene] were measured using a pulsed-beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Spectra were obtained for the normal isotopologues with (10)B, (11)B, and all unique single (13)C and the (15)N isotopologue (with (11)B), in natural abundance. The rotational, centrifugal distortion and quadrupole coupling constants determined for the (11)B(14)N isotopologue are A = 3042.712 75(43) MHz, B = 1202.706 57(35) MHz, C = 862.220 13(35) MHz, DJ = 0.06(1) kHz, 1.5χaa ((14)N) = 2.5781(61) MHz, 0.25(χbb - χcc) ((14)N) = - 0.1185(17) MHz, 1.5χaa (11B) = - 3.9221(75) MHz, and 0.25(χbb - χcc) ((11)B) = - 0.9069(24) MHz. The experimental inertial defect is Δ = - 0.159 amu Å(2), which is consistent with a planar structure for the molecule. The B-N bond length from the experimentally determined structure is 1.47 Å, which indicates π-bonding character between the B and N. The measured quadrupole coupling strengths provide important and useful information about the bonding, orbital occupancy, and aromatic character for this aromatic molecule. Extended Townes-Dailey analyses were used to determine the B and N electron sp(2)-hybridized and p-orbital occupations. These results are compared with electron orbital occupations from the natural bond orbital option in theoretical calculations. From the analyses, it was determined that BN-naphthalene has aromatic character similar to that of other N-containing aromatics. The results are compared with similar results for B-N bonding in 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborine and BN-cyclohexene. Accurate and precise structural parameters were obtained from the microwave measurements on seven isotopologues and from high-level G09 calculations.

Ultrapure Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Molecules: Efficient HOMO-LUMO Separation by the Multiple Resonance Effect

Ultrapure blue-fluorescent molecules based on thermally activated delayed fluorescence are developed. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices employing the new emitters exhibit a deep blue emission at 467 nm with a full-width at half-maximum of 28 nm, CIE coordinates of (0.12, 0.13), and an internal quantum efficiency of ≈100%, which represent record-setting performance for blue OLED devices.

Efficient synthetic methods for the installation of boron–nitrogen bonds in conjugated organic molecules

New synthetic methods for preparing gram quantities BN analogs of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are highlighted. Such methods are key to proper evaluation of these materials in device applications.

Competing amination and C–H arylation pathways in Pd/xantphos-catalyzed transformations of binaphthyl triflates: switchable routes to chiral amines and helicene derivatives

A Pd(OAc)₂/xantphos catalyst system can be tuned to promote either amination or C–H arylation of hindered binaphthyl 2-triflates, with xantphos's hemilability playing a key role.

One-Step Borylation of 1,3-Diaryloxybenzenes Towards Efficient Materials for Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

The development of a one-step borylation of 1,3-diaryloxybenzenes, yielding novel boron-containing polycyclic aromatic compounds, is reported. The resulting boron-containing compounds possess high singlet-triplet excitation energies as a result of localized frontier molecular orbitals induced by boron and oxygen. Using these compounds as a host material, we successfully prepared phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes exhibiting high efficiency and adequate lifetimes. Moreover, using the present one-step borylation, we succeeded in the synthesis of an efficient, thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitter and boron-fused benzo[6]helicene.

1,2-Azaborine: The Boron-Nitrogen Derivative of ortho-Benzyne

The BN analogue of ortho-benzyne, 1,2-azaborine, is generated by flash vacuum pyrolysis, trapped under cryogenic conditions, and studied by direct spectroscopic techniques. The parent BN aryne spontaneously binds N2 and CO2, thus demonstrating its highly reactive nature. The interaction with N2 is photochemically reversible. The CO2 adduct of 1,2-azaborine is a cyclic carbamate which undergoes photocleavage, thus resulting in overall CO2 splitting.

Synthesis of 1,2-borazaronaphthalenes from imines by base-promoted borylation of C-H bond

A new route from benzylic imines permits the synthesis of 1,2-borazaronaphthalenes in good yields. The reaction involves formation of the enamidyl dibromoborane, which undergoes base-promoted borylation of the nearby aromatic C-H bond. Electrophilic attack of the boron species onto the benzylic arene is supported by the slow borylation of arenes substituted with electron-withdrawing groups. The resultant boron bromides can be easily substituted with lithium reagents to provide a range of products. The electronic properties of these 1,2-borazaronaphthalene derivatives have been investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Photophysical properties of quinoxaline-fused [7]carbohelicene derivatives

The electronic circular dichroism, UV-Vis absorption, nonlinear optics, and charge transport properties of novel quinoxaline-fused 7-carbohelicene derivatives have been investigated for the first time.

Multiple C–H borylation of phenylhydrazones to boron–nitrogen analogues of benzopentalene

Synthesis of the first boron–nitrogen analogues of benzopentalene by one-pot multiple C–H borylation of phenylhydrazones and their unique electronic structures.

BN heterosuperbenzenes: synthesis and properties

Replacement of C=C unit with its isoelectronic B-N unit in aromatics provides a new class of molecules with appealing properties, which have attracted great attention recently. In this Concept, we focus on BN-substituted polycyclic aromatics with fused structures, and review their synthesis, photophysical, and redox properties, as well as their applications in organic electronics. We also present challenging synthetic targets, large BN- substituted polycyclic aromatics, such as regioregular BN heterosuperbenzenes, which can be viewed as BN-doped nanographenes. Finally, we propose an atomically precise bottom-up synthesis of structurally well-defined BN-doped graphenes.

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 4a,8a-azaboranaphthalene

A concise and effective three-step synthesis of 4a,8a-azaboranaphthalene (ABN) has been developed in gram scale. Electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions of ABN provide excellent functional-group-tolerant cross-coupling partners in various Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions (e.g., Sonogashira, Suzuki-Miyaura, or Heck reaction). Photophysical, electrochemical, and DFT calculations all suggest a narrowed HOMO-LUMO gap with extended π-conjugation characters in the cross-coupled molecules. The ABN moiety as a new fluorophore has a distinct and selective fluorescence response toward Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions, demonstrating great potential for the ABN structural motif in fluorescent chemosensors.

Formation of one-dimensional helical columns and excimerlike excited states by racemic quinoxaline-fused [7]carbohelicenes in the crystal

A series of quinoxaline-fused [7]carbohelicenes (HeQu derivatives) was designed and synthesized to evaluate their structural and photophysical properties in the crystal state. The quinoxaline units were expected to enhance the light-emitting properties and to control the packing structures in the crystal. The electrochemical and spectroscopic properties and excited-state dynamics of these compounds were investigated in detail. The first oxidation potentials of HeQu derivatives are approximately the same as that of unsubstituted reference [7]carbohelicene (Heli), whereas their first reduction potentials are shifted to the positive by about 0.7 V. The steady-state absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectra also became redshifted compared to those of Heli. The molecular orbitals and energy levels of the HOMO and LUMO states, calculated by DFT methods, support these trends. Moreover, the absolute fluorescence quantum yields of HeQu derivatives are about four times larger than that of Heli. The structural properties of the aggregated states were analyzed by single-crystal analysis. Introduction of appropriate substituents (i.e., 4-methoxyphenyl) in the HeQu unit enabled the construction of one-dimensional helical columns of racemic HeQu derivatives in the crystal state. Helix formation is based on intracolumn π-stacking between two neighboring [7]carbohelicenes and intercolumn CH⋅⋅⋅N interaction between a nitrogen atom of a quinoxaline unit and a hydrogen atom of a helicene unit. The time-resolved fluorescence spectra of single crystals clearly showed an excimerlike delocalized excited state owing to the short distance between neighboring [7]carbohelicene units.

A straightforward strategy toward large BN-embedded π-systems: synthesis, structure, and optoelectronic properties of extended BN heterosuperbenzenes

A straightforward strategy has been used to construct large BN-embedded π-systems simply from azaacenes. BN heterosuperbenzene derivatives, the largest BN heteroaromatics to date, have been synthesized in three steps. The molecules exhibit curved π-surfaces, showing two different conformations which are self-organized into a sandwich structure and further packed into a π-stacking column. The assembled microribbons exhibit good charge transport properties and photoconductivity, representing an important step toward the optoelectronic applications of BN-embedded aromatics.

Straightforward access to mono- and bis-cycloplatinated helicenes that display circularly polarized phosphorescence using crystallization resolution methods

Enantiopure mono-cycloplatinated-[8]helicene and bis-cycloplatinated-[6]helicene derivatives were prepared through column chromatography combined with crystallization of diastereomeric complexes using a chiral ancillary sulfoxide ligand. The UV-visible spectra, circular dichroism, molar rotations, and (circularly polarized) luminescence activity of these new helical complexes have been examined in detail and analysed with the help of first-principles quantum-chemical calculations.

Boron–nitrogen substituted perylene obtained through photocyclisation

A BN substituted hexabenzotriphenylene (B₃N₃) closes one C–C-bond upon irradiation in the presence of iodine to yield a phenanthrene annelated B₃N₃ tribenzoperylene. Upon hydrolysis a B₂N₂ dibenzoperylene is obtained.

Protecting group-free synthesis of 1,2-azaborines: a simple approach to the construction of BN-benzenoids

The protecting group-free synthesis of a versatile 1,2-azaborine synthon 5 is described. Previously inaccessible 1,2-azaborine derivatives, including the BN isostere of phenyl phenylacetate and BN1 triphenylmethane were prepared from 5 and characterized. The structural investigation of BN phenyl phenylacetate revealed the presence of a unique NH-carbonyl hydrogen bond that is not present in the corresponding carbonaceous analogue. The methyne CH in BN triphenylmethane was found to be less acidic than the corresponding proton in triphenylmethane. The gram-quantity synthesis of the parent 1,2-azaborine 4 was demonstrated, which enabled the characterization of its boiling point, density, refractive index, and its polarity on the ET(30) scale.

Thermodynamically Controlled, Dynamic Binding of Diols to a 1,2-BN Cyclohexane Derivative

The reversible covalent binding of diols to an N-Bn 1,2-BN cyclohexane has been studied by ¹¹B and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The activation barrier for the reversible B-N Lewis acid-base interaction has been measured by variable-temperature NMR with bound (2R,3R)-(-)-2,3-butanediol (T_c = -40 °C, ΔG^‡ = 11.2 ± 0.2 kcal mol^-1). Deuterium labeling experiments demonstrate that ligand exchange is reversible and rapid at room temperature, and competitive binding studies establish diol association as a thermodynamically controlled process.

Boron-substituted 1,3-dihydro-1,3-azaborines: synthesis, structure, and evaluation of aromaticity

Getting the family together: A general synthetic strategy based on nucleophilic substitution provided B-substituted 1,3-dihydro-1,3-azaborines (see scheme), BN isosteres of arenes with potential for application in biomedicine and materials science. Experimental structural analysis and calculations suggest that the aromaticity of the 1,3-dihydro-1,3-azaborine heterocycle is intermediate between that of benzene and that of 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborine.

Facile, efficient, and diastereoselective synthesis of heterohelicene-like molecules

A concise and efficient route to new and interesting heterohelicene-like molecules has been developed through the one-pot, cascade reductive coupling reaction of o-hydroxydiimines or o-nitrodiimines and triphosgene in the presence of TiCl4/Sm. Purification of the final products only required a single recrystallization leading to high purity. High diastereoselectivity was also achieved, and two structures of the final products were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.