λ5-Phospha[7]helicenes: Synthesis, Properties, and Columnar Aggregation with One-Way Chirality

Mn(iii)-mediated C-P bond activation of diphosphines: toward a highly emissive phosphahelicene cation scaffold and modulated circularly polarized luminescence

Transition metal mediated C-X (X = H, halogen) bond activation provides an impressive protocol for building polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in C-C bond coupling and annulation; however, mimicking both the reaction model and Lewis acid mediator simultaneously in a hetero-PAH system for selective C-P bond cleavage faces unsolved challenges. At present, developing the C-P bond activation protocol of the phosphonic backbone using noble-metal complexes is a predominant passway for the construction of phosphine catalysts and P-center redox-dependent photoelectric semiconductors, but non-noble metal triggered methods are still elusive. Herein, we report Mn(iii)-mediated C-P bond activation and intramolecular cyclization of diphosphines by a redox-directed radical phosphonium process, generating phosphahelicene cations or phosphoniums with nice regioselectivity and substrate universality under mild conditions. Experiments and theoretical calculations revealed the existence of the unusual radical mechanism and electron-deficient character of novel phosphahelicenes. These rigid quaternary bonding skeletons facilitated versatile fluorescence with good tunability and excellent efficiency. Moreover, the enantiomerically enriched crystals of phosphahelicenes emitted intense circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Notably, the modulated CPL of racemic phosphahelicenes was induced by chiral transmission in the cholesteric mesophase, showing ultrahigh asymmetry factors of CPL (+0.51, -0.48). Our findings provide a new approach for the design of emissive phosphahelicenes towards chiral emitters and synthesized precursors.

Helical Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands in Enantioselective Gold Catalysis

The first chiral helicene-NHC gold(I) complexes efficient in enantioselective catalysis were prepared. The L-shaped chiral ligand is composed of an imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-ylidene (IPy) scaffold laterally substituted by a configurationally stable [5]-helicenoid unit. The chiral information was introduced in a key post-functionalization step of a NHC-gold(I) complex bearing a symmetrical anionic fluoreno[5]helicene substituent, leading to a racemic mixture of complexes featuring three correlated elements of chirality, namely central, axial and helical chirality. After HPLC enantiomeric resolution, X-ray crystallography and theoretical calculations enabled structural and stereochemical characterization of these configurationally stable NHC-gold(I) complexes. The high potential in asymmetric catalysis is demonstrated in the benchmark cycloisomerization of N-tethered 1,6-enynes with up to 95 : 5 er.

Synthesis and Properties of Spiro-double Sila[7]helicene: The LUMO Spiro-conjugation

A double helicene with a spiro-Si linker (4) was synthesized by four successive nucleophilic substitutions on SiCl₄ . Its (P,P), (M,M) and (P,M) isomers were isolated and characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. Due to the central spirosilabi[fluorene] moiety, the two helicene units in 4 are symmetrically and nearly perpendicularly arranged. (P,P)-4 and (M,M)-4 exhibit unique optical properties attributable to the LUMO spiro-conjugation between the two sila[7]helicene units.

Periphery Modification of Tetrathiafulvalenes: Recent Development and Applications

Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and its analogs are fascinating molecules in materials science based on their excellent electron-donating abilities. This personal account describes recent advances in the synthesis of TTF analogs for functional materials via the palladium-catalyzed modification of peripheries of TTF analogs. We first consider three types of molecules: fluorophore-TTF hybrid molecules, multi-redox systems, and an organic ligand for metal-organic frameworks. These molecules were successfully synthesized via Stille coupling or palladium-catalyzed direct C-H arylation and their structural, electrochemical, and optical properties were clarified. Subsequently, phosphorus-substituted TTF analogs were successfully synthesized for future applications of redox-active phosphine ligands for metal catalysts. The development of these molecules can significantly affect the advancement of chemical science.

Synthesis and Properties of Partially Saturated Fluorenyl-Derived [n]Helicenes Featuring an Overcrowded Alkene

The straightforward, multigram-scale synthesis of the partially saturated H₆ -fluoreno[n]helicenes (n=5 or 7) featuring a central, overcrowded alkene is described. The key cyclization step was based on an intramolecular McMurry reaction from the corresponding 1,5-diketones. Chiral stationary phase HPLC analysis and isomer separation indicate that each helicenic compound is constituted of three diastereoisomers at room temperature, i. e. the configurationally stable (R,R,P)/(S,S,M) pair of enantiomers and an apparently achiral compound resulting from the rapid interconversion between the (R,S,P) and (S,R,M) enantiomers. The partially saturated H₆ -fluoreno[n]helicenes are oxidatively aromatized to give an efficient access to the corresponding fluoreno[n]helicenes. The chiroptical properties (vibrational and electronic circular dichroism) of the chiral, enantiopure compounds have been measured and analyzed by quantum-chemical calculations, confirming their helicoidal nature.

Modular Synthesis of Organoboron Helically Chiral Compounds: Cutouts from Extended Helices

Two types of helically chiral compounds bearing one and two boron atoms were synthesized by a modular approach. Formation of the helical scaffolds was executed by the introduction of boron to flexible biaryl and triaryl derived from small achiral building blocks. All-ortho-fused azabora[7]helicenes feature exceptional configurational stability, blue or green fluorescence with quantum yields (Φfl ) of 18-24 % in solution, green or yellow solid-state emission (Φfl up to 23 %), and strong chiroptical response with large dissymmetry factors of up to 1.12×10-2 . Azabora[9]helicenes consisting of angularly and linearly fused rings are blue emitters exhibiting Φfl of up to 47 % in CH2 Cl2 and 25 % in the solid state. As revealed by the DFT calculations, their P-M interconversion pathway is more complex than that of H1. Single-crystal X-ray analysis shows clear differences in the packing arrangement of methyl and phenyl derivatives. These molecules are proposed as primary structures of extended helices.

Of Twists and Curves: Electronics, Photophysics, and Upcoming Applications of Non-Planar Conjugated Organic Molecules

Non-planar conjugated organic molecules (NPCOMs) contain π-conjugation across their length and also exhibit asymmetry in their conformation. In other words, certain molecular fragments in NPCOMs are either twisted or curved out of planarity. This conformational asymmetry in NPCOMs leads to non-uniform charge-distribution across the molecule, with important photophysical and electronic consequences such as altered thermodynamic stability, chemical reactivity, as well as materials properties. Majorly, NPCOMs can be classified as having either Fused or Rotatable architectures. NPCOMs have been the focus of significant scientific attention in the recent past due to their exciting photophysical behavior that includes intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT), thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and long-lived charge-separated states. In addition, they also have many useful materials characteristics such as biradical character, semi-conductivity, dynamic conformations, and mechanochromism. As a result, rational design of NPCOMs and mapping their structure-property correlations has become imperative. Researchers have executed conformational changes in NPCOMs through a variety of external stimuli such as pH, temperature, anions-cations, solvent, electric potential, and mechanical force in order to tailor their photophysical, optoelectronic and magnetic properties. Converging to these points, this review highlights the lucrative electronic features, photophysical traits and upcoming applications of NPCOMs by a selective survey of the recent scientific literature.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Highly Diastereo- and Enantioselective Synthesis of a Configurationally Stable S-Shaped Double Helicene-Like Molecule

An S-shaped double helicene-like molecule (>99 % ee), possessing stable helical chirality, has been synthesized by the rhodium(I)/difluorphos complex-catalyzed highly diastereo- and enantioselective intramolecular double [2+2+2] cycloaddition of a 2-naphthol- and benzene-linked hexayne. The collision between two terminal naphthalene rings destabilizes the helical chirality of the S-shaped double helicene-like molecule, but the introduction of two additional fused benzene rings significantly increases the configurational stability. Thus, no epimerization and racemization were observed even at 100 °C. The enantiopure S-shaped double helicene-like molecule forms a trimer through the multiple C-H⋅⋅⋅π and C-H⋅⋅⋅O interactions in the solid-state. The trimers stack to form columnar packing structures, in which neighboring stacks have opposite dipole directions. The accumulation of helical structures in the same direction in the S-shaped double helicene-like molecule enhanced the chiroptical properties.

Phosphahelicenes with (Thio)Phosphinic Acid and Ester Functions by the Oxidative Photocyclisation Approach

Phosphahelicenes with thiophosphinic acid and ester functions have been obtained by the oxidative photocyclisation of olefins bearing both a benzophenanthrene and a benzophosphole unit. When the method has been extended to olefins bearing a partially saturated benzophospholene unit, a divergent regioselectivity of the photocyclisation step has been observed, leading to new helicenes in which the phosphorus function is located on the external rim of the helical backbone. The observed regioselectivity correlates well with the free-valence numbers of the atoms involved in the photocyclisation reaction (DFT calculations).

Phosphahelicenes: From Chiroptical and Photophysical Properties to OLED Applications

Herein, the experimental physicochemical and chiroptical properties of a series of phosphahelicenes are reported, focusing on their UV/Vis absorption, luminescence, electronic circular dichroism, optical rotations, and circularly polarized luminescence. Furthermore, detailed analysis of absorption and ECD spectra performed with the help of quantum-chemical calculations allowed us to highlight general features of these helicenic phosphines. Finally, due to well-suited electrochemical properties and thermal stability, the systems were successfully used as emitters in organic light-emitting diodes.

Heli(aza)cene: A Helical Molecular Tweezer with Tunable Intra- and Intermolecular Charge Transfer

Non-planar fluorophores offer unique avenues of intra- and intermolecular energy transfer not available in their planar counterparts. We have rationally designed a molecular tweezer based on the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide framework having two structurally similar arms with extended π-surface. We termed this molecular tweezer as Heli(aza)cene (HAC) due to its spontaneous adoption of helical conformation stabilized by the amide and imine moieties present in it. In the helical conformation, the two arms of HAC are twisted unequally. This asymmetry confers dissimilar electronic character to the two arms and results in intramolecular charge transfer interactions in HAC. Homochiral stacking of the P- and the M- helices in crystal, and profound redshifting of the emission at higher concentrations of HAC was attributed to intermolecular charge-transfer interactions in aggregated/crystal state. Exposure of HAC, in solution as well as in the solid state, to Lewis/Brønsted acids results in rapid and vibrant color changes. This is the first example of a π-layered helical molecule exhibiting tunable intra-/intermolecular charge-transfer characteristics.

Helicity-Dependent Regiodifferentiation in the Excited-State Quenching and Chiroptical Properties of Inward/Outward Helical Coumarins

Influence of helicity on the excited-state as well as chiroptical properties of two sets of regiohelical coumarins that are differentiated by "inward" and "outward" disposition of the pyran-2-one ring has been investigated. A subtle difference in the helicities manifests in divergent excited-state properties and significant differences in the dipole moments. The latter permit heretofore unprecedented regiodifferentiation in the O-H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen-bond assisted electron-transfer quenching by phenols. Furthermore, the enantiopure hexahelical coumarins exhibit strong Cotton effects and lend themselves to a very high differentiation in the specific rotations and anisotropic dissymmetry factors. The specific rotation observed for 6-in turns out being the highest of the values reported for all hexahelicenes reported so far.

Triggering Emission with the Helical Turn in Thiadiazole-Helicenes

Introduction of heterocycles into the helical skeleton of helicenes allows modulation of their redox, chiroptical, and photophysical properties. This paper describes the straightforward preparation and structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction of thiadiazole-[7]helicene, which was resolved into M and P enantiomers by chiral HPLC, together with its S-shaped double [4]helicene isomer, as well as the smaller congeners thiadiazole-[5]helicene and benzothiadiazole-anthracene. A copper(II) complex with two thiadiazole-[5]helicene ligands was structurally characterized, and it shows the presence of both M and P isomers coordinated to the metal center. The emission properties of the heterohelicenes are highly dependent on the helical turn, as the [7]- and [5]helicene are poorly emissive, whereas their isomers, that is, the S-shaped double [4]helicene and thiadiazole-benzanthracene, are luminescent, with quantum efficiencies of 5.4 and 6.5 %, respectively. DFT calculations suggest quenching of the luminescence of enantiopure [7]helicenes through an intersystem-crossing mechanism arising from the relaxed excited S1 state.

Synthesis, Structures, Resolution, and Chiroptical Properties of 1,16-Diaryl-Substituted Benzo[5]helicene Derivatives

An efficient route to the synthesis of benzo[5]helicene derivatives functionalized on the interior side of the helix was developed, and resulted in a series of 1,16-diaryl-substituted benzo[5]helicene derivatives starting from easily available 7-methoxytetralone. X-ray crystal structures showed that the benzo[5]helicene derivatives had highly helical, twisted structures, and could all create hierarchical packing architectures with alternating P and M layers in the solid state. Moreover, seven pairs of enantiomers based on 1,16-diaryl-substituted benzo[5]helicene derivatives were also obtained by efficient resolution through HPLC with semipreparative chiral columns. The enantiomers all showed clear mirror-image circular dichroism (CD) spectra and high specific optical rotations, and their absolute configurations were determined by X-ray crystallography. Interestingly, a helical nanotubular structure was formed by the self-assembly of one enantiomer through halogen bonding. Furthermore, the enantiomers were found to have high racemization barriers and thermostability, which might be caused by the introduction of aryl substituents at the C1(C16) position.

Theoretical study of electron tunneling through the spiral molecule junctions along spiral paths

A theoretical study of electron transport in spiral-shaped molecules along spiral paths is executed by the first principles calculations.

Ag-mediated cascade decarboxylative coupling and annulation: a convenient route to 2-phosphinobenzo[b]phosphole oxides

Structurally sophisticated 2-phosphinobenzo[b]phosphole oxide frameworks have been conveniently constructed by cascade decarboxylative coupling and annulation reactions.

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.

Metal-catalyzed annulation reactions for π-conjugated polycycles

The progress of the metal-catalyzed annulation reactions toward construction of various π-conjugated polycyclic cores with high conjugation extension is described. This article gives a brief overview of various annulation reactions promoted by metal catalysts including C-H bond functionalization, [2+2+2] cycloaddition, cascade processes, ring closing metathesis, electrophilic aromatization, and various cross-coupling reactions. A variety of conjugated polycycles with planar, bowl-shaped, and helical structures have been constructed in high efficiency and selectivity.