Highly efficient aggregation-induced emission and stimuli-responsive fluorochromism triggered by carborane-induced charge transfer state

Synthesis and Structure of an o-Carboranyl-Substituted Three-Coordinate Borane Radical Anion

Bis(1-(4-tolyl)-carboran-2-yl)-(4-tolyl)-borane [(1-(4-MeC6 H4 )-closo-1,2-C2 B10 H10 -2-)2 (4-MeC6 H4 )B] (1), a new bis(o-carboranyl)-(R)-borane was synthesised by lithiation of the o-carboranyl precursor and subsequent salt metathesis reaction with (4-tolyl)BBr2 . Cyclic voltammetry experiments on 1 show multiple distinct reduction events with a one-electron first reduction. In a selective reduction experiment the corresponding paramagnetic radical anion 1.- was isolated and characterized. Single-crystal structure analyses allow an in-depth comparison of 1, 1.- , their calculated geometries, and the S1 excited state of 1. Photophysical studies of 1 show a charge transfer (CT) emission with low quantum yield in solution but a strong increase in the solid state. TD-DFT calculations were used to identify transition-relevant orbitals.

Well-Defined, Versatile and Recyclable Half-Sandwich Nickelacarborane Catalyst for Selective Carbene-Transfer Reactions

Catalytic carbene-transfer reactions constitute a class of highly useful transformations in organic synthesis. Although catalysts based on a range of transition-metals have been reported, the readily accessible nickel(II)-based complexes have been rarely used. Herein, an air-stable nickel(II)-carborane complex is reported as a well-defined, versatile and recyclable catalyst for selective carbene transfer reactions with low catalyst loading under mild conditions. This catalyst is effective for several types of reactions including diastereoselective cyclopropanation, epoxidation, selective X-H insertions (X = C, N, O, S, Si), particularly for the unprotected substrates. This represents a rare example of carborane ligands in base metal catalysis.

Recent Progress in the Development of Solid-State Luminescent o-Carboranes with Stimuli Responsivity

o-Carborane, a cluster compound containing boron and adjacent carbon atoms, displays intriguing luminescent properties. Recently, compounds containing o-carborane units were found to show suppressed aggregation-induced quenching and intense solid-state emission; they also show potential for the development of stimuli-responsive luminochromic materials. In this Minireview, we introduce three kinds of fundamental photochemical properties: aggregation-induced emission, twisted intramolecular charge transfer in crystals, and environment-sensitive excimer formation in solids. Based on these properties, several types of luminochromism, such as thermos-, vapo-, and mechanochromism, have been discovered. Based mainly on results from recent studies, we illustrate these mechanisms as well as unique luminescent behaviors of o-carborane derivatives.