Bis[bis-(4-alkoxyphenyl)amino] Derivatives of Dithienylethene, Bithiophene, Dithienothiophene and Dithienopyrrole: Palladium-Catalysed Synthesis and Highly Delocalised Radical Cations

Molecular engineering of thiophene- and pyrrole-fused core arylamine systems: Tuning redox properties, NIR spectral responsiveness and bacterial imaging applications

The thiophene- and pyrrole-fused heterocyclic compounds have garnered significant interest for their distinctive electron-rich characteristics and notable optoelectronic properties. However, the construction of high-performance systems within this class is of great challenge. Herein, we develop a series of novel dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d] pyrrole (DTP) and tetrathieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d] pyrrole (TTP) bridged arylamine compounds (DTP-C4, DTP-C12, DTP-C4-Fc, TTP-C4-OMe, TTP-C4, and TTP-C12) with varying carbon chain lengths. The pertinent experimental results reveal that this series of compounds undergo completely reversible multistep redox processes. Notably, TTP-bridged compounds TTP-C4 and TTP-C12 exhibit impressive multistep near-infrared (NIR) absorption alterations with notable color changes and electroluminescent behaviors, which are mainly attributed to the charge transfer transitions from terminal arylamine units to central bridges, as supported by theoretical calculations. Additionally, compound DTP-C4 demonstrates the ability to visually identify gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, this work suggests the promising electroresponsive nature of compounds TTP-C4 and TTP-C12, positioning them as excellent materials for various applications. It also provides a facile approach to constructing high-performance multifunctional luminescent materials, particularly those with strong and long-wavelength NIR absorption capabilities.

Molecular Tuning in Diaryl-Capped Pyrrolo[2,3-d:5,4-d']bisthiazoles: Effects of Terminal Aryl Unit and Comparison to Dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrrole Analogues

A series of six conjugated oligomers consisting of a central pyrrolo[2,3-d:5,4-d']bisthiazole (PBTz) end-capped with either thienyl, furyl, or phenyl groups have been prepared from N-alkyl-and N-aryl-pyrrolo[2,3-d:5,4-d']bisthiazoles via Stille and Negishi cross-coupling. The full oligomeric series was thoroughly investigated via photophysical and electrochemical studies, in parallel with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, in order to correlate the cumulative effects of both aryl end-groups and N-functionalization on the resulting optical and electronic properties. Through comparison with the analogous dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrrole (DTP) materials, the effect of replacing DTP with PBTz on the material HOMO energy and visible light absorption is quantified.

Pyrrole-Containing Semiconducting Materials: Synthesis and Applications in Organic Photovoltaics and Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Organic semiconducting materials derived from π-electron-rich pyrroles have garnered attention in recent years for the development of organic semiconductors. Although pyrrole is the most electron-rich five-membered heteroaromatic ring, it has found few applications in organic photovoltaics and organic field-effect transistors due to synthetic challenges and instability. However, computational modeling assisted screening processes have indicated that relatively stable materials containing pyrrolic units can be synthesized without compromising their inherent electron-donating properties. In this work, we provide a complete, up-to-date review of pyrrole-containing semiconducting materials used for organic photovoltaics and organic field-effect transistors and highlight recent advances in the synthesis of these materials.

Investigation of the dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole polymerization using cross-coupling and cationic mechanisms

In this manuscript, several methodologies to obtain a living polymerization of dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole are investigated.

The Diradical-Dication Strategy for BODIPY- and Porphyrin-Based Dyes with Near-Infrared Absorption Maxima from 1070 to 2040 nm

Four stable boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)- and porphyrin-based bis-arylamine diradical dications were synthesized by two-electron oxidation of their neutral molecules. The two BODIPY-based dications have open-shell singlet ground states. UV/Vis absorption spectra of all four dications showed large redshifts in the NIR region compared to their neutral precursors with absorption maxima at 1274 and 1068 nm for the two BODIPY-based dications and 1746 and 2037 nm for the two porphyrin-based dications. Thus, two new types of NIR dyes with longer wavelengths are provided by the diradical-dication strategy, which can be applied for the generation of other NIR dyes with a range of different chromophores and auxochromes.

The design, synthesis, and evaluation of organic dithienopyrrole-based D-π-A dyes for use as sensitizers in photodynamic therapy

Dithienopyrrole-based organic dyes that combine an electron-donating moiety (D), a π-conjugated bridge moiety (π), and an electron-accepting moiety (A) were designed and synthesized in short steps by previously developed one-pot Suzuki-Miyaura coupling approach. Absorption wavelengths of the dyes were readily tuned by altering the D and A moieties. The use of a strongly electron-withdrawing cyanopyridone acceptor enabled NIR absorption. A synthesized sensitizer, 2j, exerted potent phototoxicity mainly via a Type I mechanism in cells. A nitrogen atom in the dithienopyrrole ring serves as a connecting point for the introduction of functional building blocks that can improve the properties of sensitizers, which makes this D-π-A sensitizer a valuable template for the further development of sensitizers.

Elaborately Tuning Intramolecular Electron Transfer Through Varying Oligoacene Linkers in the Bis(diarylamino) Systems

The research efforts on oligoacene systems are still relatively limited mainly due to the synthetic challenge and the extreme instability of longer acenes. Herein, these two issues have been overcome through elaborative modification and the stable pentacene species has been successfully synthesized. Additionally, a series of bis(diarylamino) compounds linked by variable-length oligoacene bridges ranging from one to five fused rings (benzene (1a), naphthalene (1b), anthracene (1c), tetracene (1d) and pentacene (1e)) have been prepared to probe the effect of the extent of π-conjugation on the electron transfer properties. Compound 1c exhibits a high planarity between the anthracyl bridge and the two nitrogen cores and the molecular packing shows a two-dimensional herringbone characteristic. Combined studies based on electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry demonstrate that (i) the electronic coupling across the oligoacene linkers between two diarylamine termini exponentially decrease with a moderate attenuation constant (β) of 0.14 Å⁻¹ in these length-modulated systems and (ii) the associated radical cations [1a]⁺–[1e]⁺ are classified as the class II Robin–Day mixed-valence systems. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been conducted to gain insight into the nature of electron transfer processes in these oligoacene systems.

Application of Ynamides in the Synthesis of 2-(Tosylamido)- and 2,5-Bis(tosylamido)thiophenes

A step-economic and metal-catalyst-free synthesis of 2-(tosylamido)- and 2,5-bis(tosylamido)-thiophenes from nonsymmetrical 1,3-butadiynamides and symmetrical 1,3-butadiyne-1,4-diamides is reported. The reaction proceeds in the presence of Na2S·9H2O (2-3 equiv) under mild reaction conditions (50 °C) and is facilitated by polarized carbon-carbon triple bonds in ynamides. This new approach to thiophenes based on the chemistry of ynamides was applied to the synthesis of a bis(tosylamido)-capped terthiophene having a string of N,S-heteroatoms embedded in a highly π-conjugated molecular frame.

Electronic coupling mediated by furan, thiophene, selenophene and tellurophene in a homologous series of organic mixed valence compounds

Charge delocalization in the mixed-valent monocationic forms of phenothiazine-decorated chalcogenophenes is explored by cyclic voltammetry, optical absorption and EPR spectroscopy. Single units of furan, thiophene, selenophene and tellurophene are found to mediate electronic coupling between the phenothiazines attached to their 2- and 5-positions roughly equally well. Electronic communication seems to occur mostly through the butadiene-like backbone of the chalcogenophenes.

Efficient synthesis of α- and δ-carbolines by sequential Pd-catalyzed site-selective C–C and twofold C–N coupling reactions

Two concise and efficient approaches were developed for the synthesis of α- and δ-carboline derivatives.

Heteroleptic copper(i) sensitizers with one versus two hole-transporting units in functionalized 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline ancillary ligands

Tuning of phen-based ancillary ligands in [Cu(L_anchor)(L_ancillary)]⁺ dyes leads to DSCs with efficiencies of 33.9% relative to N719 (set at 100%).

Charge delocalization through benzene, naphthalene, and anthracene bridges in π-conjugated oligomers: an experimental and quantum chemical study

To understand the influence of orthogonal conjugation pathways fused directly to π-conjugated polymer backbones, we synthesized and studied three series of thiophene-based model compounds containing benzene, naphthalene, and anthracene peri-substituted central cores as representative acenes. These models were functionalized with methyl groups at the reactive thiophene positions in order to generate and observe oxidized species without complications from follow-up polymerization. The neutral monomers and their oxidized charged counterparts were subjected to cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry, and EPR spectroscopy as appropriate, and these results were further corroborated with thorough density functional theory studies. This joint experimental and theoretical analysis allowed us to determine that benzene-based conjugated linkers led to more delocalized charge carriers on account of the quinoidal character maintained within the benzene core. In contrast, anthracene-based linkers displayed very localized carriers due to torsional strain between the adjacent aryl groups and to the local evolution of formal aromatic sextets on the benzo-fused rings orthogonal to the backbone in the quinoidal state. In some cases, the electronics of the thiophene-based substituent dominated the electronic properties of the oxidized species regardless of the nature of the central acene linker. These results highlight the dramatic influence that orthogonal conjugation pathways can exert on the electronic properties of π-conjugated materials.

Electronic communication across diamagnetic metal bridges: a homoleptic gallium(III) complex of a redox-active diarylamido-based ligand and its oxidized derivatives

Complexes with cations of the type [Ga(L)(2)](n+) where L = bis(4-methyl-2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl)amido and n = 1, 2, 3 have been prepared and structurally characterized. The electronic properties of each were probed by electrochemical and spectroscopic means and were interpreted with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The dication, best described as [Ga(L(-))(L(0))](2+), is a Robin-Day class II mixed-valence species. As such, a broad, weak, solvent-dependent intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band was found in the NIR spectrum in the range 6390-6925 cm(-1), depending on the solvent. Band shape analyses and the use of Hush and Marcus relations revealed a modest electronic coupling, H(ab) of about 200 cm(-1), and a large rate constant for electron transfer, k(et), on the order of 10(10) s(-1) between redox active ligands. The dioxidized complex [Ga(L(0))(2)](3+) shows a half-field ΔM(s) = 2 transition in its solid-state X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum at 5 K, which indicates that the triplet state is thermally populated. DFT calculations (M06/Def2-SV(P)) suggest that the singlet state is 21.7 cm(-1) lower in energy than the triplet state.

Experimental and theoretical evidence of a persistent radical-cation dimer generated during the electrooxidation of an N-glucosamine-pyrrole derivative

The results of the electrochemical characterization by cyclic voltammetry of 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-amino-2-deoxy-2-(pyrro-1-yl)-β-d-glucopyranose (Py-GSATA) are presented. This compound was analyzed in acetonitrile containing 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate, using a platinum disk electrode as the working electrode. Py-GSATA showed two irreversible oxidation signals, the first at 1.24 and the second at 1.54 V vs Fc(+)/Fc. After successive cyclic voltammetry, under different experimental conditions, it was shown that it is not possible to electropolymerize this pyrrole derivative. Surprisingly, the bulk anodic electrolysis of Py-GSATA generated a single electroactive soluble product with an electrochemical cathodic signal located at -0.35 V vs Fc(+)/Fc. Mass spectrometry of the solution showed the presence of a dimeric species of the parent compound. ESR spectroscopy of the electrolysis solution showed a persistent radical species stable at least for 6 months (4 °C). UV-vis spectroscopy was consistent with low chain cation-radical oligomers. In order to propose an explanation to the dimer cation stability in solution, molecular modeling using a B3LYP/6-31+G** level of theory was used to analyze the stability and feasibility of the electrogenerated species.