Carbyne: The Molecular Approach

Ru(0)-catalysed synthesis of borylated polyene building blocks by cross-dimerisation toward cross-coupling

Conjugated and non-conjugated polyenes are important substructures and are often found in biologically active compounds and natural products. Their preparation often needs multiple steps or iterative reactions and as a result, they have poor step economies. In this feature article, we show a new methodology to prepare these substructures by combinations of cross-dimerisation giving borylated polyenes and subsequent cross-coupling reactions. This divergent reaction strategy allows for the opportunity to access many bioactive compounds and natural products as well as some electronic materials.

Polyyne [3]Rotaxanes: Synthesis via Dicobalt Carbonyl Complexes and Enhanced Stability

New strategies for synthesizing polyyne polyrotaxanes are being developed as an approach to stable carbyne “insulated molecular wires”. Here we report an active metal template route to polyyne [3]rotaxanes, using dicobalt carbonyl masked alkyne equivalents. We synthesized two [3]rotaxanes, both with the same C₂₈ polyyne dumbbell component, one with a phenanthroline‐based macrocycle and one using a 2,6‐pyridyl cycloparaphenylene nanohoop. The thermal stabilities of the two rotaxanes were compared with that of the naked polyyne dumbbell in decalin at 80 °C, and the nanohoop rotaxane was found to be 4.5 times more stable.

Trapping of Terminal Platinapolyynes by Copper(I) Catalyzed Click Cycloadditions; Probes of Labile Intermediates in Syntheses of Complexes with Extended sp Carbon Chains, and Crystallographic Studies

The silylated hexatriynyl complex trans-(C₆ F₅ )(p-tol₃ P)₂ Pt(C≡C)₃ SiEt₃ (PtC₆ TES) is converted in situ to PtC₆ H (wet n-Bu₄ N⁺ F^- , THF) and cross coupled with the diyne H(C≡C)₂ SiEt₃ (HC₄ TES; CuCl/TMEDA, O₂ ) to give PtC₁₀ TES (71 %). This sequence is repeated twice to afford PtC₁₄ TES (65 %) and then PtC₁₈ TES (27 %). An analogous series of reactions starting with PtC₈ TES gives PtC₁₂ TES (60 %), then PtC₁₆ TES (43 %), and then PtC₂₀ TES (17 %). Similar cross couplings with H(C≡C)₂ Si(i-Pr)₃ (HC₄ TIPS) give PtC₁₂ TIPS (68 %), PtC₁₄ TIPS (68 %), and PtC₁₆ TIPS (34 %). The trialkylsilyl species (up to PtC₁₈ TES) are converted to 3+2 "click" cycloadducts or 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles trans-(C₆ F₅ )(p-tol₃ P)₂ Pt(C≡C)_n-1 C=CHN(CH₂ C₆ H₅ )N=N (29-92 % after workups). The most general procedure involves generating the terminal polyynes PtC_x H (wet n-Bu₄ N⁺ F^- , THF) in the presence of benzyl azide in DMF and aqueous CuSO₄ /ascorbic acid. All of the preceding complexes are crystallographically characterized and the structural and spectroscopic properties analyzed as a function of chain length. Two pseudopolymorphs of PtC₂₀ TES are obtained, both of which feature molecules with parallel sp carbon chains in a pairwise head/tail packing motif with extensive sp/sp van der Waals contacts.

Masked Alkyne Equivalents for the Synthesis of Mechanically Interlocked Polyynes*

Polyyne polyrotaxanes, encapsulated cyclocarbon catenanes and other fascinating mechanically interlocked carbon-rich architectures should become accessible if masked alkyne equivalents (MAEs) can be developed that are large enough to prevent unthreading of a macrocycle, and that can be cleanly unmasked under mild conditions. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new bulky MAE based on t-butylbicyclo[4.3.1]decatriene. This MAE was used to synthesize a polyyne [2]rotaxane and a masked-polyyne [3]rotaxane by Cadiot-Chodkiewicz coupling. Glaser cyclo-oligomerization of the [2]rotaxane gave masked cyclocarbon catenanes. The unmasking behavior of the catenanes and rotaxanes was tested by photolysis at a range of UV wavelengths. Photochemical unmasking did not proceed cleanly enough to prepare extended encapsulated polyyne polyrotaxanes. We highlight the scope and challenges involved with this approach to interlocked carbon-rich architectures.

Arylene-hexaynylene and -octaynylene macrocycles: extending the polyyne chains drives self-association by enhanced dispersion force

Tetraalkoxyphenanthrylene-hexaynylene and -octaynylene macrocycles, which represent the first examples of isolable arylene-alkynylene macrocycles (AAMs) that contain polyyne chains longer than tetrayne, were synthesized and their self-association behavior was examined. Extending the polyyne chain from diyne to tetrayne, hexayne, and octayne exponentially increased the self-association constant of the macrocycles.

New strategy for synthesising conjugated hexatrienylferrocenes via cross-dimerisation

A new strategy giving hexatrienylferrocenes.

How to Bend a Cumulene

Allenes (carbodicarbenes) and [3]cumulenes are linear carbon chains that can be bent when the terminal group has a strong carbene nature. This bending can be quite pronounced in allenes but not in [3]cumulenes. In this study, how N-heterocyclic or cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene (NHC and CAAC, respectively) terminal groups can modify the linear structure of [n]cumulenes has been analyzed. A low π acidity of the terminal carbene affects the linearity of [2n]cumulenes. Indeed, it has been found that the NHC [4]cumulene is extremely bent, contrary to classical [4]cumulenes. The predicted NHC [4]cumulene or tricarbodicarbene has two lone pairs and the π electrons are delocalized over the whole molecule. More significantly, DFT calculations have shown that this bent [4]cumulene is very stable, considerably more so than the corresponding [3]cumulene, which has been elusive to synthesize. Remarkably, calculations have shown that all the NHC [2n]cumulenes are more than 25 kcal mol^-1 more stable than the [2n-1]cumulenes.

Unusual Length Dependence of the Conductance in Cumulene Molecular Wires

Cumulenes are sometimes described as "metallic" because an infinitely long cumulene would have the band structure of a metal. Herein, we report the single-molecule conductance of a series of cumulenes and cumulene analogues, where the number of consecutive C=C bonds in the core is n=1, 2, 3, and 5. The [n]cumulenes with n=3 and 5 have almost the same conductance, and they are both more conductive than the alkene (n=1). This is remarkable because molecular conductance normally falls exponentially with length. The conductance of the allene (n=2) is much lower, because of its twisted geometry. Computational simulations predict a similar trend to the experimental results and indicate that the low conductance of the allene is a general feature of [n]cumulenes where n is even. The lack of length dependence in the conductance of [3] and [5]cumulenes is attributed to the strong decrease in the HOMO-LUMO gap with increasing length.

Selective synthesis of iridium(iii) end-capped polyynes by oxidative addition of 1-iodopolyynes to Vaska's complex

The reaction of bis(triphenylphosphine)iridium(i) carbonyl chloride (Vaska's complex) with a series of 1-iodopolyynes (1-C_nI and 2-C_nI) gave σ-polyynyl iridium(iii) complexes with general formula R(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)_nIr(PPh₃)₂(Cl)(I)(CO). The use of acetonitrile as a solvent appeared crucial and allowed selectively obtaining only one from a few possible isomers. The X-ray single crystal diffraction experiment for 2-C₄[Ir]I allowed the determination of the exact structure of this complex. Further spectroscopic measurements, especially ³¹P NMR, confirmed the formation of the same type of isomers with trans coordinated phosphines in each case. All complexes were fully characterized with the use of NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P), IR, UV/Vis, cyclic voltammetry and (ESI)HRMS techniques. Moreover, DFT calculations were performed for all the resulting species. The complexes with a linear carbon chain from butadiyne to decapentayne are the longest iridium end-capped polyynes known to date since only compounds with a (C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C)₂ structural motif have been reported so far. Moreover, we confirmed that the synthetic approach, first used for palladium(ii) end-capped polyynes, may be also applied for the synthesis of other structurally new organometallic polyynes.

Polyyne formation via skeletal rearrangement induced by atomic manipulation

Rearrangements that change the connectivity of a carbon skeleton are often useful in synthesis, but it can be difficult to follow their mechanisms. Scanning probe microscopy can be used to manipulate a skeletal rearrangement at the single-molecule level, while monitoring the geometry of reactants, intermediates and final products with atomic resolution. We studied the reductive rearrangement of 1,1-dibromo alkenes to polyynes on a NaCl surface at 5 K, a reaction that resembles the Fritsch–Buttenberg–Wiechell (FBW) rearrangement. Voltage pulses were used to cleave one C–Br bond, forming a radical, then to cleave the remaining C^•–Br bond triggering the rearrangement. These experiments provide structural insight into the bromo-vinyl radical intermediates, showing that the C=C^•–Br unit is nonlinear. Long polyynes, up to the octayne Ph–(C≡C)₈–Ph, have been prepared in this way. The control of skeletal rearrangements opens a new window on carbon-rich materials and extends the toolbox for molecular synthesis by atom manipulation.

Coarctate and Möbius: The Helical Orbitals of Allene and Other Cumulenes

As brought to the attention of the community by Hendon et al. and noted by previous workers, the π orbitals of the equilibrium geometry odd-carbon (even number of double bonds = n) [n]cumulenes may be written in either rectilinear or helical form. We trace the origins and detailed composition of the helical orbitals of cumulenes, which emerge in the simplest Hückel model and are not much modified in advanced computations. For the α,ω-disubstituted even [n]cumulenes, the helical representation is obligatory as the symmetry is reduced from D_2d to C₂. A relationship is apparent between these helical orbitals of the even [n]cumulenes, seen as a Herges coarctate system, and the corresponding Möbius cyclic polyene orbitals. The twist of the orbitals varies in interesting ways along the helix, and so does the contribution of the component atomic orbitals. Though the electronic structures of even [n]cumulenes and Möbius cyclopolyenes are closely related, they differ for higher n in intriguing ways; these are linked to the constrained rotation of the basis orbitals along the helical twist itinerary. Relations are constructed between the level patterns of the π-systems of even [n]cumulenes and ideas of Hückel and Möbius aromaticity.

Laser desorption vs. electrospray of polyyne-threaded rotaxanes: Preventing covalent cross-linking and promoting noncovalent aggregation

Laser-induced cross-linking of polyynes is successfully hindered when the polyyne is encapsulated as part of a rotaxane and therefore protected by a surrounding macrocycle. When the rotaxane is electrosprayed, however, noncovalent aggregate ions are efficiently formed. Aggregates of considerable size (including more than 50 rotaxane molecules with masses beyond 100k Da) and charge states (up to 13 charges and beyond) have been observed. Either protons or sodium cations act as the charge carriers. These aggregates are not formed when the individual components of the rotaxane, i.e., the macrocycle or the polyyne, are separately electrosprayed. This underlines the structural importance of the rotaxane for the aggregate formation. Straightforward force field calculations indicate that the polyyne thread hinders the folding of the macrocycles, which facilitates the bonding interaction between the two components.

A Safe and Simple Synthesis of 1,4-Bis(trimethylsilyl)buta-1,3-diyne

The buta-1,3-diyne synthon 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)buta-1,3-diyne (1) is an important building block for the introduction of butadiyne motifs into organic and organometallic structures. Although 1 is commonly prepared from the Hay homo-coupling of trimethylsilylacetylene (catalytic CuI/tetramethylethynylenediamine, O2, acetone), the report of a significant explosion during this preparation, likely arising from a static discharge during addition of the catalyst solution to the alkyne/acetone/O2 rich atmosphere, prompts consideration of alternative procedures. Here we report the use of the robust Navale catalyst system (CuI/N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, O2, NCMe) in the multigram-scale preparation of 1 with minimal manipulation of all-glass apparatus, greatly simplifying the process and minimising risks associated with the preparation of this useful compound.

Synthesis and Use of Reactive Molecular Precursors for the Preparation of Carbon Nanomaterials

The use of reactive molecular carbon precursors is required if the preparation of carbon nanostructures and nanomaterials is to be achieved under conditions that are sufficiently benign to control their nanoscopic morphology and tailor their chemical functionalization. Recently, oligoyne precursors have been explored for this purpose, as they are sufficiently stable to be available in tangible quantities but readily rearrange in reactions that yield other forms of carbon. In this chapter, we briefly discuss available synthetic routes toward higher oligoynes that mostly rely on transition metal-mediated coupling reactions. Thereafter, a comprehensive overview of the use of oligoyne derivatives as precursors for carbon nanostructures and nanomaterials is given. While the non-templated conversion of simple oligoynes into carbonaceous matter exemplifies their potential as metastable carbon precursors, the more recent attempts to use functionalized oligoynes in host–guest complexes, self-assembled aggregates, thin films, colloids or other types of supramolecular structures have paved the way toward a new generation of carbon nanomaterials with predictable nanoscopic morphology and chemical functionalization.

Nonadiabatic photodynamics and UV absorption spectrum of all-trans-octatetraene

The short-time molecular quantum dynamics of all-trans-octatetraene after electronic excitation to the first bright valence state is theoretically investigated.

Polymerization of acetylene: polyynes, but not carbyne

Polymerization of acetylene in the presence of sterically-hindered endgroups leads to polyynes, but with lengths shorter than by stepwise syntheses.

Carbon-atom wires: 1-D systems with tunable properties

This review provides a discussion of the current state of research on linear carbon structures and related materials based on sp-hybridization of carbon atoms (polyynes and cumulenes). We show that such systems have widely tunable properties and thus represent an intriguing and mostly unexplored field for both fundamental and applied sciences. We discuss the rich interplay between the structural, vibrational, and electronic properties focusing on recent advances and the future perspectives of carbon-atom wires and novel hybrid sp-sp(2)-carbon architectures.

Polyyne Rotaxanes: Stabilization by Encapsulation

Active metal template Glaser coupling has been used to synthesize a series of rotaxanes consisting of a polyyne, with up to 24 contiguous sp-hybridized carbon atoms, threaded through a variety of macrocycles. Cadiot–Chodkiewicz cross-coupling affords higher yields of rotaxanes than homocoupling. This methodology has been used to prepare [3]rotaxanes with two polyyne chains locked through the same macrocycle. The crystal structure of one of these [3]rotaxanes shows that there is extremely close contact between the central carbon atoms of the threaded hexayne chains (C···C distance 3.29 Å vs 3.4 Å for the sum of van der Waals radii) and that the bond-length-alternation is perturbed in the vicinity of this contact. However, despite the close interaction between the hexayne chains, the [3]rotaxane is remarkably stable under ambient conditions, probably because the two polyynes adopt a crossed geometry. In the solid state, the angle between the two polyyne chains is 74°, and this crossed geometry appears to be dictated by the bulk of the “supertrityl” end groups. Several rotaxanes have been synthesized to explore gem-dibromoethene moieties as “masked” polyynes. However, the reductive Fritsch–Buttenberg–Wiechell rearrangement to form the desired polyyne rotaxanes has not yet been achieved. X-ray crystallographic analysis on six [2]rotaxanes and two [3]rotaxanes provides insight into the noncovalent interactions in these systems. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) reveals that the longer polyyne rotaxanes (C16, C18, and C24) decompose at higher temperatures than the corresponding unthreaded polyyne axles. The stability enhancement increases as the polyyne becomes longer, reaching 60 °C in the C24 rotaxane.