Synthesis of Silicon and Germanium-Containing Heterosumanenes via Rhodium-Catalyzed Cyclodehydrogenation of Silicon/Germanium–Hydrogen and Carbon–Hydrogen Bonds

Triindenotriphenylenes: Spin-Frustrated Triskelion Triradicals with Excellent Ambient Stability

A triskelion-shaped triradical triindeno[1,2-a:1',2'-g : 1'',2''-m]triphenylen-7-yl (1) and its internally fused derivative (2) obtained by oxidative cyclization were prepared in a straightforward synthetic sequence. Both compounds were confirmed to be triradicals and to possess intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between spins, displaying a spin-frustrated doublet ground state with doublet-quartet energy gaps of -0.14 kcal/mol for 1 and -0.06 kcal/mol for 2. Despite their open-shell character, they were sufficiently stable to be handled under ambient conditions on a timescale of days. Both compounds could be reversibly reduced to mono-, di-, and trianions and oxidized to 1+ and 22+, with strong NIR absorptions (1800 to over 3200 nm) observed for all open-shell ions.

Synthesis, Structures, and Properties for PIII-Doped Hetero-Buckybowls and Their Phosphonium Salts

Doping polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with heteroatoms enables manipulation of their electronic structures. Herein, the structures and properties of phosphorus (P) doped heterosumanenes (HSEs) are regulated by varying the valence states of P-dopant. The phosphine sulfide (PV) and chalcogens (S, Se, Te) co-doped HSEs (1-3) are reduced to trivalent phosphorus (PIII) doped analogues 4-6. Then, the PIII-dopants on 4-6 are converted to phosphonium salts (R4P+), giving 7-9. The valence states of P-dopant show great influence on molecular geometries and electronic structures. Taking P and S co-doped HSEs as example, bowl-depths increase in the order of 1 (PV)<7 (R4P+)<4 (PIII), and the HOMO energy levels and HOMO-LUMO gaps increase to be 7<1<4. Consistent with the theoretical calculation, the first oxidation potentials decrease and the absorption/emission bands show blue shift from 7 to 1 to 4. The transformation of PV to PIII leads to large variations on the coordination with Ag+, owing to the alteration of coordination site from P=S to PIII. The phosphonium salts show ring-opening of phosphole rings under electrochemical reduction. It is found that chalcogen atoms play pivotal roles on coordination patterns of coordination complexes and the conversion rates of ring-opening reactions.

Computational Design of 3D Lantern Organic Framework

This study employed a computational approach, particularly Density Functional Theory at B3LYP-D3/6-31+G(d) level to design two new classes of three-dimensional (3D) Lantern Organic Frameworks (LOFs) materials based on trisilasumanene and porphyrin core building units. Particularly, we detail strategies for transitioning from 1D-LOF nanowires to extended 3D structures: first by connecting planar-molecule base units of trisilasumanene or porphyrin using benzene-based linkers, and then connecting silicon anchoring atoms on the bases with other bases that are vertically stacked by sp3-hydrocarbon chains. The 3D-LOF structures are designed to have different pore sizes through the use of various bases, bridges, and linkers. Comparisons of electronic properties of these 3D structures lead to one designing rule. That is, the gap between highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the 3D materials depends only on its base and is nearly independent of the stack size or the length of the sp3-hydrocarbon bridges. Additionally, connecting base units with linkers also extends π-electron conjugation system leading to a reduction in HOMO-LUMO gap. For instance, linking two trisilasumanene molecules significantly narrows HOMO-LUMO gap by 1.75 eV while stacking these bases vertically and connecting them by linear pentane-based bridges yield insignificant change to the gap.

Radical Cation Salts of Hetera-Buckybowls: Polar Crystals, Negative Thermal Expansion and Phase Transition

Radical cation salts of π-conjugated polycycles are rich in physical properties. Herein, two kinds of hetera-buckybowls, ethoxy-substituted trithiasumanene (3SEt) and triselenasumanene (3SeEt), are synthesized as electron donors. Galvanostatic oxidation of them affords radical cation salts (3SEt)5 (TTFMPB)3 , (3SeEt)5 (TTFMPB)3 , (3SEt)4 PMA, and (3SeEt)4 PMA, where PMA is Keggin-type phosphomolybdate and TTFMPB is tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]borate. In these salts, 3SEt/3SeEt are partially charged and show distinct conformation change with the site charge and counter anions. In TTFMPB salts, (TTFMPB)- forms hexagonal channels that accommodate the packing columns of 3SEt/3SeEt. In particular, (3SEt)5 (TTFMPB)3 adopts the R3c space group and is a polar crystal with the columns of 3SEt all in the up-bowl direction. The PMA salts of 3SEt/3SeEt are polar crystals (C2 space group) with 3SEt/3SeEt being planar and forming columnar stacks. (3SeEt)4 PMA shows a structural modulation below 200 K, namely, negative thermal expansion (NTE) of the unit cell volume and enlargement of the intermolecular distances between neighboring 3SeEt molecules. The four salts are semiconductors with an activation energy of 0.18-0.38 eV. The conductivity of (3SeEt)4 PMA shows a reversible transition upon cooling and heating, in accordance to the NTE structural modulation. This work paves the way toward conducting materials based on hetera-buckybowls.

Palladium-Catalyzed Annulative π-Extension of Bay-Iodinated Triphenylenes to Access Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

A palladium-catalyzed annulative π-extension reaction of bay-iodinated triphenylenes with aryl iodides/o-chloroaromatic carboxylic acids was developed. This approach enabled the synthesis of diverse polycyclic aromatic compounds, including dibenzo[fg,op]tetracenes, azadibenzo[fg,op]tetracenes, and tribenzo[a,g,m]coronenes. Initial studies indicate that the resulting product, 2,3,8,9,14,15-hexakis(decyloxy)tribenzo[a,g,m]coronene, exhibits good liquid-crystalline properties.

Recent Advances in Heterocyclic Nanographenes and Other Polycyclic Heteroaromatic Compounds

This review surveys recent progress in the chemistry of polycyclic heteroaromatic molecules with a focus on structural diversity and synthetic methodology. The article covers literature published during the period of 2016-2020, providing an update to our first review of this topic (Chem. Rev. 2017, 117 (4), 3479-3716).

Electron-Deficient Heteroacenes that Contain Two Boron Atoms: Near-Infrared Fluorescence Based on a Push-Pull Effect*

Electron-deficient heteroacenes that contain two tricoordinate boron atoms in their acene skeletons and planarized phenyl ether moieties at their periphery were synthesized via the borylation of silicon-bridged precursors. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed quinoidal structures, which give rise to two-step reversible redox processes for both the reduction and oxidation. These compounds exhibit intense absorption and sharp fluorescence bands with vibronic structures in the near-infrared (NIR) region. These properties originate from the push-pull effect along the long axis of the molecule derived from the electron-donating ether moieties and the electron-accepting boron moieties. Of particular note is the NIR emission of the thienothiophene-centered heteroacene, which has a maximum at 952 nm with a narrow band width of 309 cm^-1 in cyclohexane. A Franck-Condon analysis revealed the crucial role of the sterically less-hindered thienothiophene spacer in achieving this sharp emission band.

Synthesis and derivatization of hetera-buckybowls

Buckybowls have concave and convex surfaces with distinct π-electron cloud distribution, and consequently they show unique structural and electronic features as compared to planar aromatic polycycles. Doping the π-framework of buckybowls with heteroatoms is an efficient scheme to tailor inherent properties, because the nature of heteroatoms plays a pivotal role in the structural and electronic characteristics of the resulting hetera-buckybowls. The design, synthesis, and derivatization of hetera-buckybowls open an avenue for obtaining fascinating organic entities not only of fundamental importance but also of promising applications in optoelectronics. In this review, we summarize the advances in hetera-buckybowl chemistry, particularly the synthetic strategies toward these scaffolds.

Improved Synthesis of ortho-Phenylene-bridged Cyclic Tetrapyrroles and Oxidative Fusion Reactions Toward Substituted Tetraaza[8]circulenes

Hetero[8]circulenes have emerged as novel functionalized heteronanographenes that show various promising functions such as bright fluorescence, charge transporting, and redox reactivities. One of the effective synthetic strategy is the fold-in type oxidative fusion reaction of ortho-phenylene-bridged cyclic tetrapyrroles, whose construction, however, is not well-sophisticated in terms of reproducibility and possibility for versatile derivatization. In this paper, a "reverse" coupling strategy has been developed, which enabled synthesis of opp-type low symmetric analogues of cyclic tetrapyrroles. Oxidative fusion reaction conditions to afford tetraaza[8]circulenes have also been reinvestigated and improved. Substituent effects of cyclic tetrapyrroles and tetrabenzotetraaza[8]circulenes are studied for solid-state structures and packing structures, redox potentials, and optical properties.

Effect of Fusion Manner of Concave Molecules on the Properties of Resulting Nanoboats

A boat-shaped compound, which can be viewed as the fusion of two concave molecules with crossed quinacridone and indolocarbazole throughout, was synthesized and characterized. The investigation determined that the fusion manner of two concave molecules has little influence on the molecular curvature and aromaticity when compared with its congener containing crossed indolocarbazole throughout. The situation of carbonyl groups is critical in adjusting the electronic structure and physicochemical properties due to the fixed position of nitrogen atoms.

Modulating the properties of buckybowls containing multiple heteroatoms

Nitrogen-centered buckybowls with sulfur decoration at the rim were synthesized and characterized. The buckybowls demonstrate tunable properties depending on the state of the sulfur atom.

Transforming electron-rich hetero-buckybowls into electron-deficient polycycles

Oxidation of trichalcogenasumanenes (TCSs) with NO species results in the simultaneous formation of ortho-quinone and diester groups. This reaction enables the transformation of electron-rich TCSs into electron-deficient polycycles.

Rhodium-catalyzed reductive carbonylation of aryl iodides to arylaldehydes with syngas

The reductive carbonylation of aryl iodides to aryl aldehydes possesses broad application prospects. We present an efficient and facile Rh-based catalytic system composed of the commercially available Rh salt RhCl3·3H2O, PPh3 as phosphine ligand, and Et3N as the base, for the synthesis of arylaldehydes via the reductive carbonylation of aryl iodides with CO and H2 under relatively mild conditions with a broad substrate range affording the products in good to excellent yields. Systematic investigations were carried out to study the experimental parameters. We explored the optimal ratio of Rh salt and PPh3 ligand, substrate scope, carbonyl source and hydrogen source, and the reaction mechanism. Particularly, a scaled-up experiment indicated that the catalytic method could find valuable applications in industrial productions. The low gas pressure, cheap ligand and low metal dosage could significantly improve the practicability in both chemical researches and industrial applications.

Synthesis of Tellurium-Containing π-Extended Aromatics with Room-Temperature Phosphorescence

A synthesis of tellurium-embedded π-extended aromatics from tellurium powder and readily available cyclic diaryliodonium salts has been developed. The versatility of this method has been demonstrated by the synthesis of various functionalized dibenzotellurophenes (DBTe's), a ladder-type π-system, and a heterosumanene. These compounds demonstrated good air/moisture stability and high thermal stability. Remarkably, many DBTe's exhibited interesting tunable room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in the solid state.

Doping Sumanene with Both Chalcogens and Phosphorus(V): One-Step Synthesis, Coordination, and Selective Response Toward AgI

Heterasumanenes 4-6 containing chalcogen (S, Se, and Te) and phosphorus atoms have been synthesized in a one-pot reaction from trichalcogenasumanenes 1-3 by replacing one chalcogen atom with a P=S unit. The P=S unit makes 4-6 almost planar and shrinks the HOMO-LUMO gap as compared to 1-3. The bonding between Ag⁺ and S atom on P=S brings about a distinct change to the optical properties of 4-6; 4 in particular shows a selective fluorescence response toward Ag⁺ with LOD of 0.21 μm. Compounds 4-6 form complexes with AgNO₃ to be (4)₂ ⋅AgNO₃ , (5)₂ ⋅AgNO₃ , and (6)₂ ⋅(AgNO₃ )₃ . In complexes, the coordination between Ag⁺ and P=S is observed, which leads to shrinkage of C-P and C-X (X=S, Se, Te) bond lengths. As a result, 4, 5, and 6 are all bowl-shaped in complexes with bowl-depths reaching to 0.66 Å, 0.42 Å, and 0.40 Å, respectively. There are Ag-Te dative bonds between Ag⁺ and Te atom on telluorophene in (6)₂ ⋅(AgNO₃ )₃ .

Pd-Catalyzed intramolecular C–H activation and C–S formation to synthesize pyrazolo[5,1-b]benzothiazoles without an additional oxidant

An efficient synthesis of pyrazolo[5,1-b]benzothiazole scaffold via Pd-catalyzed intramolecular C–H activation and C–S formation was developed.

Trichalcogenasumanenes containing various chalcogen atoms: synthesis, structure, properties, and chemical reactivity

Trichalcogenasumanenes containing two kinds of chalcogen are synthesized. The majority chalcogen governs the optical properties and the heavier chalcogen governs the chemical reactivity.

Opening two benzene rings on trichalcogenasumanenes toward high performance organic optical-limiting materials

Two flanking benzene rings on trichalcogenasumanenes (1a/1b) were opened upon oxidation, and the successive ring reconstruction afforded donor-acceptor type polycycles containing diimide units (3a/3b). 3a and 3b show excellent optical-limiting properties superior to C60.