“Sulflower”: A New Form of Carbon Sulfide

Unraveling the Aromatic Rule of Cyclic Superatomic Molecules in π-Conjugated Compounds

The aromaticity of π-conjugated compounds has long been a confusing issue. Based on a recently emerged two-dimensional (2D) superatomic-molecule theory, a unified rule was built to decipher the aromaticity of cyclic superatomic molecules of π-conjugated compounds from the chemical bonding perspective. Herein, a series of planar [n]helicenes and [n]circulenes, composed of benzene, thiophene, or furfuran, are systemically studied and seen as superatomic molecules ◊On-2◊F2 or ◊On, where superatoms ◊F and ◊O denote π-conjugated units with 5 and 4 π electrons, respectively. The ascertained superatomic Lewis structures intuitively display aromaticity with each basic unit meeting the superatomic sextet rule of benzene, similar to classical valence bond theory, which is favored by the synthesized complex π-conjugated compounds comprising different numbers and kinds of subrings. The evolutionary trend of ring currents and chemical bonding suggests a local ribbon-like aromaticity in these π-conjugated compounds. Moreover, nonplanar helical π-conjugated compounds have the potential to evolve into spring-like periodic materials with excellent physical properties.

Computational Design of a Lantern Organic Framework

This study employed a computational quantum chemistry approach to design lantern organic framework (LOF) materials. Using the density functional theory method with the B3LYP-D3/6-31+G(d) level theory, novel lantern molecules ranging from two to eight bridges made of sp³ and sp carbon atoms to connect circulene bases that have phosphorous or silicon as anchor atoms were made. It was found that five-sp³-carbon and four-sp-carbon bridges are optimal candidates for constructing the lantern framework in the vertical direction. Although circulenes can be stacked vertically, their resulting HOMO-LUMO gaps remain relatively unchanged, indicating their potential applications as porous materials and for host-guest chemistry. The electrostatic potential surface maps reveal that LOF materials are relatively electrostatically neutral overall.

Aromaticity of Heterocirculenes

This review summarizes the results on the aromaticity of a series of synthesized and hypothetical neutral heterocirculene molecules and their double charged ions. The aromaticity of heterocirculenes is a direct reflection of their electronic structure responsible for the specific optoelectronic and photophysical properties. We show how the presence of a heteroatom in the outer macrocycle affects the aromaticity of hetero[8]circulenes. In addition, we also describe the change in aromaticity and strain energy for a series of the “lower” (n < 8) and “higher” (n > 8) hetero[n]circulenes. It was demonstrated that the loss of planarity with increased strain leads to an increased antiaromaticity of the lower hetero[n]circulenes, whereas higher hetero[n]circulenes demonstrate a more pronounced aromatic nature because of the small departure from planarity of each heteroarene ring in hetero[n]circulene molecule. Finally, we discuss the aromatic nature of the first examples of π-extended hetero[8]circulenes.

Steering Scholl Oxidative Heterocoupling by Tuning Topology and Electronics for Building Thiananographenes and Their Functional N-/C-Congeners

While intramolecular Scholl oxidative coupling between two arenes is common, successful C-C heterocoupling between thiophene and arene is scarce. The latter is due to the notorious reactivity of thiophene towards polymerization under oxidative conditions. This report systematically demonstrates how topological variation of electronics and reactivity in thiophene substrates can lead to efficient oxidative heterocoupling. Bis(biaryl)thiophenes having reactive α- and β-positions open are the choice of substrates. The cyclizing arene partners are so electronically tuned for thiophene's reactivity (at α- and β-) as to establish C-C bond oxidatively generating symmetrical as well as unsymmetrical diphenanthrothiophenes which are basic thiananographenes. Depending on the cyclizing-couple's electronics, either arene- or thiophene-centered oxidation initiates C-C heterocoupling. The potential utility of these simple thiananographenes is further unfurled by converting them to functional N-/C-graphene segments that are aza-corannulene precursor and tetrabenzospirobifluorene. Their bright emission and extended electrochemical stability are remarkable that may be potentially important and applicable.

Facile Synthesis of Azahelicenes and Diaza[8]circulenes through the Intramolecular Scholl Reaction

Carbazole-based aza[7]helicenes and hetero[9]helicenes were successfully obtained via the intramolecular Scholl reaction of 3,6-bis(biphenyl-2-yl)carbazole congeners, while the reaction of 3,6-bis(naphthylphenyl)-appended carbazole gave a triple helicene via an unexpected simultaneous double aryl rearrangement. DFT calculations suggested that the rearrangement proceeded via an arenium cation intermediate. In addition, the reaction of methoxy-appended substrate gave an azahepta[8]circulene via the concurrent C-C bond formation. These helical dyes showed circularly polarized luminescence. The azahepta[8]circulene was further transformed into deeply saddle-distorted dibenzodiaza[8]circulenes as the first example of its solution-based synthesis and unambiguous structural determination.

A Computational Study of the Electronic Properties of Heterocirculenes: Oxiflowers and Sulflowers

This study investigated the relationship of electronic properties with some structural parameters of two circulene classes: Sulflowers and Oxiflowers. It is found that correlations between the HOMO-LUMO gap and some electronic properties of these circulenes are opposite to those of linear conjugated structures. Moreover, a new hybrid molecule, called an Oxisulflower, is proposed to be a potential structure for synthesizing as Sulflower. Also, a brand-new descriptor, namely, the "degree of non-planarity", is evaluated with excellent correlations with the HOMO-LUMO gap of molecules in Oxiflower and Sulflower classes. The correlations have also shown that the steric characteristic of a structure can be controlled to modulate its band gap for studying the prediction science of the electronic properties in developing organic semiconductors.

Quadruply BN-Fused Tetrathia[8]circulenes with Flexible Frameworks: Synthesis, Structures and Properties

Quadruply BN-fused tetrathia[8]circulenes were synthesized through four-fold electrophilic borylation. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the BN-fused tetrathia[8]circulene with peripheral phenyl groups exhibits crystal polymorphism, in which the circulene core adopts both planar and saddle conformations in the solid state. The experimental and theoretical studies revealed that the weaker aromaticity of azaborine compared with benzene renders the flexibility of the BN-fused tetrathia[8]circulenes.

Enthalpically and Entropically Favorable Self-Assembly: Synthesis of C4h -Symmetric Tetraazatetrathia[8]circulenes by Regioselective Introduction of Pyridine Rings

Self-assembly of π-conjugated molecules in solution generally occurs owing to either an enthalpic or an entropic gain; however, designing π-conjugated systems that simultaneously exhibit enthalpically and entropically favorable self-assembly behavior is challenging. Herein, the self-assembly behavior of tetraazatetrathia[8]circulenes is disclosed, which is driven by both enthalpy and entropy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that molecules of these tetraazatetrathia[8]circulenes form face-to-face stacked dimers with a 1D columnar structure owing to the circularly arranged dipole moments. Importantly, concentration- and temperature-dependent ¹ H NMR spectra revealed that the formation of self-assemblies of tetraazatetrathia[8]circulenes in chloroform and methanol is favored by both enthalpic and entropic factors. The unique association behavior is due to the presence of sp² -hybridized nitrogen atoms, which weakly coordinate to the hydrogen atoms of these solvents and reduce the π-electron density of the circulene cores.

Aggregation-Induced Emission in Tetrathia[8]circulene Octaoxides via Restriction of the Dynamic Motion of their Negatively Curved π-Frameworks

Curved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exhibit intriguing properties, but their flexible and dynamic nature is often considered to be unfavorable for achieving excellent emission properties. In this study, we prepared tetrathia[8]circulene octaoxides that adopt a negatively curved conformation. We found that these molecules exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) that originates from the restriction of the dynamic motion of their saddle-shaped π-frameworks in the solid and aggregated states.

An experimental and computational study into the crystallisation propensity of 2nd generation sulflower

The crystallisation propensity of the newly synthesised molecule persulfurated coronene has been investigated through a number of experimental methods. Electrostatic potential calculations and multi-molecular optimisations show that face-face interactions are far more favorable than edge-face interactions, severely restricting the ability of the molecule to crystallise.

Impact of heteroatoms (S, Se, and Te) on the aromaticity of heterocirculenes

Computations reveal the structural and energetic aspects of aromaticity in heterocirculenes.

A theoretical study of new representatives of closed- and open-circle benzofuran and benzocyclopentadienone oligomers

Strain energies for oxa[n]circulene species relative to the unstrained tetraoxa[8]circulene.

Quasi-planar diazadithio and diazodiseleno[8]circulenes: synthesis, structures and properties

Diazadithio and diazadiseleno[8]circulenes were synthesized in good yields through a non-pyrolytic cyclization starting from nitrogen-bridged tetraphenylene.

Synthesis of a Tetrabenzotetraaza[8]circulene by a "Fold-In" Oxidative Fusion Reaction

Tetrabenzotetraaza[8]circulene (1) has been synthesized in good yield by a "fold-in" oxidative fusion reaction of a 1,2-phenylene-bridged cyclic tetrapyrrole. X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 has revealed a planar square structure with a central cyclooctatetraene (COT) core that shows little alternation of the bond lengths. Despite these structural features, 1 shows aromatic-like character, such as sharp absorption bands, high fluorescence quantum yields (Φ(F)=0.55 in THF), and a single exponential fluorescence decay with τ(F)=3.8 ns. These observations indicate a dominant contribution of an [8]radialene-like π conjugation and hence aromatic character of the local aromatic segments in 1.

Synthesis, structural analysis, and properties of [8]circulenes

Polygons: [8]Circulenes were easily prepared by Pd-catalyzed annulations of tetraiodotetraphenylenes with alkynes. Their saddle-shaped structure with an [8]radialene character was identified by X-ray crystallography. Similar to 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene, they have a tub-shaped eight-membered ring, but all of the bond lengths and bond angles are almost equal. Variable-temperature NMR investigations showed interesting dynamic behavior.

MP2 and DFT calculations on circulenes and an attempt to prepare the second lowest benzolog, [4]circulene

MP2 and DFT calculations have been carried out for [n]circulenes for n=3 to 20 in order to predict the strain energy and topology of these cyclically condensed aromatic systems. To synthesise [4]circulene (2), 1,5,7,8-tetrakis(bromomethyl)biphenylene (14) was prepared from the corresponding tetramethyl derivative (8) and subjected to various dehalogenation reactions; all attempts to obtain [2.2]biphenylenophane (7) as a precursor for 2 by this route failed. Treatment of 14 with sodium sulfide furnished the thiaphanes 16 and 17, thermal and photochemical desulfurization of which also failed to provide 7. In a second approach [2.2]paracyclophane was converted to the pseudo-geminal dithiol 23, which was subsequently bridged to the thiaphanes 22 and 24. On flash vacuum pyrolysis at 800 degrees C these were converted exclusively into phenanthrene (30). An approach to dehydrochlorinate the commercial product PARYLENE C to the tetrahydro[4]circulene 7 led only to polymerisation. The X-ray structures of the intermediates 8, 14, 17, 23, 24, 26, and 35 are reported.