Higher Order π-Conjugated Polycyclic Hydrocarbons with Open-Shell Singlet Ground State: Nonazethrene versus Nonacene

Hexabenzoheptacene: A Longitudinally Multihelicene Nanocarbon with Local Aromaticity and Enhanced Stability

We report the synthesis of a longitudinally helical molecular nanocarbon, hexabenzoheptacene (HBH), along with its dimethylated derivative (HBH-Me), which are composed of six benzene rings periodically benzannulated to both zigzag edges of a heptacene core. This benzannulation pattern endows the resulting nanocarbons with a helical heptacene core and local aromaticity, imparting enhanced solubility and stability to the system. The chiral HBH-Me adopts a more highly twisted conformation with an end-to-end twist angle of 95°, enabling the separation of the enantiomers. Both HBH and HBH-Me can be facilely oxidized into their corresponding dications, which exhibit enhanced planarity and aromaticity upon loss of electrons. Notably, both longitudinally helical nanocarbons readily promote solid state packing into two-dimensional (2D) arrangement. Single-crystal microbelts of HBH-Me show hole mobility up to 0.62 cm2 V-1 s-1, illustrating the promising potential of these longitudinally helical molecules for organic electronic devices.

How to Stabilize Large Soluble (Hetero-)Acenes

The higher acenes and azaacenes (>(aza)heptacenes) are fascinating, yet elusive materials. Their reactivity and sensitivity increases concomitantly with their size. In recent years, confinement techniques, that is isolation of acenes in matrices and on surfaces, has surpassed solution-based chemistry with respect to accessing the larger (hetero)acenes at the price of the accessibility of no more than a couple thousands of molecules. Isolating acenes in bulk quantities and in processable form is vital for applications in organic electronics as well as from a viewpoint from basic research. In this Perspective, we will discuss after a short historical outline their degradation pathways, and then will selectively highlight recent efforts in stabilizing soluble (aza)acenes.

On Entangled Singlet Pure Diradicals

This work addresses a class of conjugated hydrocarbons that are expected to be singlet diradicals according to the topological Hückel Hamiltonian while possibly satisfying full on-bond electron pairing. These systems possess two degenerate singly occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs), but aromaticity brought by properly positioned six-membered rings does prevent Jahn-Teller distortions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed on two emblematic examples confirm the strong bond-length alternation in the closed-shell solutions and the clear spatial symmetry in the open-shell spin-unrestricted determinants, the latter solution always being found to have significantly lower energy. Since the SOMOs are here of different symmetry, the wave function is free from ionic valence-bond component, and spin decontamination of the unrestricted DFT solutions and wave function calculations at the CASSCF-plus-second-order-perturbation level confirm the expected pure diradical character of such molecules. In contrast to disjoint diradicals, the SOMOs of present systems have large amplitudes on neighbor atoms, and we propose to name them entangled pure diradicals, further providing some prescription rules for their design. Additional calculations point out the qualitative contrast between these molecules and the related diradicaloids.

Molecular Graphene Nanoribbon Junctions

One of the challenges for the realization of molecular electronics is the design of nanoscale molecular wires displaying long-range charge transport. Graphene nanoribbons are an attractive platform for the development of molecular wires with long-range conductance owing to their unique electrical properties. Despite their potential, the charge transport properties of single nanoribbons remain underexplored. Herein, we report a synthetic approach to prepare N-doped pyrene-pyrazinoquinoxaline molecular graphene nanoribbons terminated with diamino anchoring groups at each end. These terminal groups allow for the formation of stable molecular graphene nanoribbon junctions between two metal electrodes that were investigated by scanning tunneling microscope-based break-junction measurements. The experimental and computational results provide evidence of long-range tunneling charge transport in these systems characterized by a shallow conductance length dependence and electron tunneling through >6 nm molecular backbone.

Extended Tetrathiafulvalenes with Fluoreno[3,2-b]fluorene and Diindeno[1,2-b : 1',2'-i]anthracene Cores

In one-dimensional polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) containing five- and six-membered rings fused together, one key question is whether the structures possess a quinoidal or aromatic diradical character. Here, we generate such PAHs by reversible oxidation of PAH-extended tetrathiafulvalenes (TTFs). Extended TTFs were thus prepared and studied for their geometrical properties (crystallography), redox properties, and UV/Vis/NIR/EPR characteristics as a function of charge state. The EPR measurements of radical cations showed unique features for each PAH-TTF. The dications, formally composed of fluoreno[3,2-b]fluorene and diindeno[1,2-b:1',2'-i]anthracene cores, were experimentally found to exhibit singlet ground states. For the latter, calculations reveal the closed shell, quinoid singlet state to be isoenergetic with the open shell singlet diradical. Each charge state exhibited unique optical properties with radical cations absorbing strongly in the NIR region with signatures from π-dimers for the large core. The experimental results were paralleled and supported by detailed computations, including spin density distribution calculations, EPR simulations, and nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) xy scans.

Hexakis-TIPS-Alkynylated Nonacenes: Persistent and Processible

Four substituted nonacenes were prepared and characterized by UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The compounds are the most stable and soluble nonacenes to date - due to six strategically placed triisopropylsilyl(TIPS)-ethynyl groups. They are stable for several weeks in the solid state. In dilute solution their half-life is 5-9 h. Crystal structure analyses of two nonacenes prove their structures. A nonacene derivative was tested in a solution-processed transistor and exhibits ambipolar charge transport (μe =0.007 cm2 /Vs; μh =0.023 cm2 /Vs).

Radical Single-Molecule Junctions

Radicals are unique molecular systems for applications in electronic devices due to their open-shell electronic structures. Radicals can function as good electrical conductors and switches in molecular circuits while also holding great promise in the field of molecular spintronics. However, it is both challenging to create stable, persistent radicals and to understand their properties in molecular junctions. The goal of this Perspective is to address this dual challenge by providing design principles for the synthesis of stable radicals relevant to molecular junctions, as well as offering current insight into the electronic properties of radicals in single-molecule devices. By exploring both the chemical and physical properties of established radical systems, we will facilitate increased exploration and development of radical-based molecular systems.

Ambipolar Charge Transport in Organic Semiconductors: How Intramolecular Reorganization Energy Is Controlled by Diradical Character

The charged forms of π-conjugated chromophores are relevant in the field of organic electronics as charge carriers in optoelectronic devices, but also as energy storage substrates in organic batteries. In this context, intramolecular reorganization energy plays an important role in controlling material efficiency. In this work, we investigate how the diradical character influences the reorganization energies of holes and electrons by considering a library of diradicaloid chromophores. We determine the reorganization energies with the four-point adiabatic potential method using quantum-chemical calculations at density functional theory (DFT) level. To assess the role of diradical character, we compare the results obtained, assuming both closed-shell and open-shell representations of the neutral species. The study shows how the diradical character impacts the geometrical and electronic structure of neutral species, which in turn control the magnitude of reorganization energies for both charge carriers. Based on computed geometries of neutral and charged species, we propose a simple scheme to rationalize the small, computed reorganization energies for both n-type and p-type charge transport. The study is supplemented with the calculation of intermolecular electronic couplings governing charge transport for selected diradicals, further supporting the ambipolar character of the investigated diradicals.

Closed-shell and open-shell dual nature of singlet diradical compounds

Unlike triplet diradicals, singlet diradicals can vary in diradical character from 0 % to 100 % depending on linker units that allow two formally unpaired electrons to couple covalently. In principle, the electronic structure of singlet diradicals can be described as a quantum superposition of closed-shell and open-shell structures. This means that, depending on the external environment, singlet diradicals can behave as either closed-shell or open-shell species. This paper summarizes our progress in understanding the electronic structure of π-conjugated singlet diradical molecules in terms of closed-shell and open-shell dual nature. We first discuss the coexistence of intra- and intermolecular covalent bonding interactions in the π-dimer of a singlet diradical molecule. The intra- and intermolecular coupling of two formally unpaired electrons are related to closed-shell and open-shell nature of singlet diradical, respectively. Then we demonstrate the coexistence of the covalent bonding interactions in the one-dimensional stack of singlet diradical molecules having different diradical character. The relative strength of the interactions is varied with the magnitude of singlet diradical index y 0. Finally, we show the dual reactivity of a singlet diradical molecule, which undergoes rapid [4 + 2] and [4 + 4] cycloaddition reactions in the dark at room temperature. Closed-shell and open-shell nature endow the singlet diradical molecule with the reaction manner as diene and diradical species, respectively.

The Radical Anion and Dianion of Benzo[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2-b]phenazine

We present the reduction of two azaacenes (a benzo-[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2-b]phenazine and a benzo[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2-b]naphtho[2,3-i]phenazine derivative), featuring a single cyclobutadiene unit, to their radical anions and dianions. The reduced species were produced using potassium naphthalenide in the presence of 18-crown-6 in THF. Crystal structures of the reduced representatives were obtained and their optoelectronic properties evaluated. Charging these 4n Hückel systems gives dianionic 4n + 2 π-electron systems with increased antiaromaticity, according to NICS(1.7)_zz calculations, featuring unusually red-shifted absorption spectra.

Furan-Extended Helical Rylenes with Fjord Edge Topology and Tunable Optoelectronic Properties

Lateral furan-expansion of polycyclic aromatics, which enables multiple O-doping and peripheral edge evolution of rylenes, is developed for the first time. Tetrafuranylperylene TPF-4CN and octafuranylquaterrylene OFQ-8CN were prepared as model compounds bearing unique fjord edge topology and helical conformations. Compared to TPF-4CN, the higher congener OFQ-8CN displays a largely red-shifted (≈333 nm) and intensified absorption band (λ_max =829 nm) as well as a narrowed electrochemical band gap (≈1.08 eV) due to its pronounced π-delocalization and emerging of open-shell diradicaloid upon the increase of fjord edge length. Moreover, strong circular dichroism signals in a broad range until 900 nm are observed for open-shell chiral OFQ-8CN, owing to the excellent conformational stability of its central bis(tetraoxa[5]helicene) fragments. Our studies provide insights into the relationships between edge topologies and (chir)optoelectronic properties for this novel type of O-doped PAHs.

Azaarenes: 13 Rings in a Row by Cyclopentannulation

Cyclopentannulation was explored as a strategy to access large, stable azaarenes. Buchwald-Hartwig coupling of previously reported di- and tetrabrominated cyclopentannulated N,N'-dihydrotetraazapentacenes furnished stable azaarenes with up to 13 six-membered rings in a row and a length of 3.1 nm. Their optoelectronic and semi-conducting properties as well as their aromaticity were investigated.

Design and Synthesis of Kekulè and Non-Kekulè Diradicaloids via the Radical Periannulation Strategy: The Power of Seven Clar's Sextets

This work introduces an approach to uncoupling electrons via maximum utilization of localized aromatic units, i.e., the Clar's π-sextets. To illustrate the utility of this concept to the design of Kekulé diradicaloids, we have synthesized a tridecacyclic polyaromatic system where a gain of five Clar's sextets in the open-shell form overcomes electron pairing and leads to the emergence of a high degree of diradical character. According to unrestricted symmetry-broken UCAM-B3LYP calculations, the singlet diradical character in this core system is characterized by the y₀ value of 0.98 (y₀ = 0 for a closed-shell molecule, y₀ = 1 for pure diradical). The efficiency of the new design strategy was evaluated by comparing the Kekulé system with an isomeric non-Kekulé diradical of identical size, i.e., a system where the radical centers cannot couple via resonance. The calculated singlet-triplet gap, i.e., the ΔE_ST values, in both of these systems approaches zero: -0.3 kcal/mol for the Kekulé and +0.2 kcal/mol for the non-Kekulé diradicaloids. The target isomeric Kekulé and non-Kekulé systems were assembled using a sequence of radical periannulations, cross-coupling, and C-H activation. The diradicals are kinetically stabilized by six tert-butyl substituents and (triisopropylsilyl)acetylene groups. Both molecules are NMR-inactive but electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-active at room temperature. Cyclic voltammetry revealed quasi-reversible oxidation and reduction processes, consistent with the presence of two nearly degenerate partially occupied molecular orbitals. The experimentally measured ΔE_ST value of -0.14 kcal/mol confirms that K is, indeed, a nearly perfect singlet diradical.

Curious Case of Singlet Triplet Gaps in Nonlinear Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons

The singlet triplet (ST) gap of linear polyacenes decays exponentially with the system size as a result of extended conjugation and reducing highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gaps. These low ST gaps can ideally be leveraged toward energy applications but are hindered by the decreasing stability of the systems. Thus, there is the need to understand the ST gap of nonlinear polyacenes, which are markedly more stable than their linear counterparts. Here, we show that the ST gaps of the nonlinear polyacenes do not decrease with the system size and have no correlation with the HOMO-LUMO gaps or increased conjugation. The reason behind this is identified as the high multireference character of the triplet high-spin state. These unprecedented results are in stark contrast to the observations in linear polyacenes and are due to the combined effects of topology and geometrical factors.

3-Morpholino-7-[N-methyl-N-(4′-carboxyphenyl)amino]phenothiazinium Chloride

The synthesis of 3-morpholino-7-[N-methyl-N-(4′-carboxyphenyl)amino]phenothiazinium chloride is reported here. Interestingly, non-symmetric phenothiazinium salt is functionalized with a carboxylic acid group that allows the easy and stable anchoring on metal oxides. In addition, the morpholine unit reduces the dye aggregation tendency; thus, improving its potential applications in the biomedical and photo-electrocatalytic field.

Magnetic Interactions in Substitutional Core-Doped Graphene Nanoribbons

The design of a spin imbalance within the crystallographic unit cell of bottom-up engineered 1D graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) gives rise to nonzero magnetic moments within each cell. Here, we demonstrate the bottom-up assembly and spectroscopic characterization of a one-dimensional Kondo spin chain formed by a chevron-type GNR (cGNR) physisorbed on Au(111). Substitutional nitrogen core doping introduces a pair of low-lying occupied states per monomer within the semiconducting gap of cGNRs. Charging resulting from the interaction with the gold substrate quenches one electronic state for each monomer, leaving behind a 1D chain of radical cations commensurate with the unit cell of the ribbon. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) reveal the signature of a Kondo resonance emerging from the interaction of S = 1/2 spin centers in each monomer core with itinerant electrons in the Au substrate. STM tip lift-off experiments locally reduce the effective screening of the unpaired radical cation being lifted, revealing a robust exchange coupling between neighboring spin centers. First-principles DFT-LSDA calculations support the presence of magnetic moments in the core of this GNR when it is placed on Au.

Doubling the Length of the Longest Pyrene-Pyrazinoquinoxaline Molecular Nanoribbons

Molecular nanoribbons are a class of atomically-precise nanomaterials for a broad range of applications. An iterative approach that allows doubling the length of the longest pyrene-pyrazinoquinoxaline molecular nanoribbons is described. The largest nanoribbon obtained through this approach-with a 60 linearly-fused ring backbone (14.9 nm) and a 324-atoms core (C276 N48 )-shows an extremely high molar absorptivity (values up to 1 198 074 M-1  cm-1 ) that also endows it with a high molar fluorescence brightness (8700 M-1  cm-1 ).

Small-molecule ambipolar transistors

Ambipolar transistor properties have been observed in various small-molecule materials. Since a small energy gap is necessary, many types of molecular designs including extended π-skeletons as well as the incorporation of donor and acceptor units have been attempted. In addition to the energy levels, an inert passivation layer is important to observe ambipolar transistor properties. Ambipolar transport has been observed in extraordinary π-electron systems such as antiaromatic compounds, biradicals, radicals, metal complexes, and hydrogen-bonded materials. Several donor/acceptor cocrystals show ambipolar transport as well.

Unraveling the acid-base characterization and solvent effects on the structural and electronic properties of a bis-bidentate bridging ligand

Understanding the interactions and the solvent effects on the distribution of several species in equilibrium and how it can influence the ¹H-NMR properties, spectroscopy (UV-vis absorption), and the acid-base equilibria can be especially challenging. This is the case of a bis-bidentate bridging ligand bis(2-pyridyl)-benzo-bis(imidazole), where the two pyridyl and four imidazolyl nitrogen atoms can be protonated in different ways, depending on the solvent, generating many isomeric/tautomeric species. Herein, we report a combined theoretical-experimental approach based on a sequential quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics procedure that was successfully applied to describe in detail the acid-base characterization and its effects on the electronic properties of such a molecule in solution. The calculated free-energies allowed the identification of the main species present in solution as a function of the solvent polarity, and its effects on the magnetic shielding of protons (¹H-NMR chemical shifts), the UV-vis absorption spectra, and the acid-base equilibrium constants (pK_as) in aqueous solution. Three acid-base equilibrium constants were experimentally/theoretically determined (pK_a1 = 1.3/1.2, pK_a2 = 2.1/2.2 and pK_a5 = 10.1/11.3) involving mono-deprotonated and mono-protonated cis and trans species. Interestingly, other processes with pK_a3 = 3.7 and pK_a4 = 6.0 were also experimentally determined and assigned to the protonation and deprotonation of dimeric species. The dimerization of the most stable neutral species was investigated by Monte Carlo simulations and its electronic effects were considered for the elucidation of the UV-vis absorption bands, revealing transitions mainly with the charge-transfer characteristic and involving both the monomeric species and the dimeric species. The good matching of the theoretical and experimental results provides an atomistic insight into the solvent effects on the electronic properties of this bis-bidentate bridging ligand.

Generation and Characterization of the Charge-Transferred Diradical Complex CaCO2 with an Open-Shell Singlet Ground State

The CaCO₂ complex is generated via the reaction of excited-state calcium atom with carbon dioxide in a solid neon matrix. Infrared absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations reveal that the complex has a planar four-membered ring structure with a strongly bent CO₂ ligand side-on coordinated to the calcium center in an η^2-O, O manner. The complex has an open-shell singlet ground state, which can be described as the bonding interactions between a Ca⁺ (4s¹) cation in the doublet ground state and a doublet ground state CO₂^- anion. The analysis of the bonding situation suggests that the Ca-O₂C bonds have a large (75%) electrostatic character. The covalent (orbital) interactions come from the coupling of the unpaired electrons of Ca⁺ and CO₂^- giving rise to electron-sharing bonding and a stronger contribution from dative bonding (Ca⁺)←(CO₂^-). The atomic orbitals (AOs) of Ca⁺ that are engaged in the covalent bonds are the 4s AO for the electron-sharing bonds and the 3d AOs for the dative bonds. This is further evidence for the assignment of the heavier alkaline-earth atoms as transition metals rather than main-group elements.

Unveiling a Quinoidal 2,3:10,11-Dibenzoheptazethrene

Parent 2,3:10,11-dibenzoheptazethrene is a singlet diradicaloid polycyclic hydrocarbon in the ground state that did not change its diradical character upon substitution (methyl and triisopropylsilylethynyl). Described herein are the synthesis and characterization of an ethoxy/3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃-substituted 2,3:10,11-dibenzoheptazethrene 3 that prefers to retain its p-quinoidal core and shows zero diradical character, as determined by single-crystal analysis and density functional theory calculations. Negative solvatochromism, π-π interactions, C_sp²-H···O hydrogen bonding, intramolecular charge transfer, redox amphotericity, and a narrow HOMO-LUMO energy gap make 3 a potential candidate for application in optoelectronics.

Inducing Single-Handed Helicity in a Twisted Molecular Nanoribbon

Molecular conformation has an important role in chemistry and materials science. Molecular nanoribbons can adopt chiral twisted helical conformations. However, the synthesis of single-handed helically twisted molecular nanoribbons still represents a considerable challenge. Herein, we describe an asymmetric approach to induce single-handed helicity with an excellent degree of conformational discrimination. The chiral induction is the result of the chiral strain generated by fusing two oversized chiral rings and of the propagation of that strain along the nanoribbon's backbone.

Influence of the Radicaloid Character of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Couplers on Magnetic Exchange Interactions

The molecular properties of the conjugated spacers, such as the π-conjugation, aromaticity, length of the couplers, etc., that couple two localized spin-centers influence the intramolecular magnetic exchange interactions (2J) mediated...

Aromatic Stacking Mediated Spin-Spin Coupling in Cyclophane-Assembled Diradicals

To investigate the capability of π-π stacking motifs to enable spin-spin coupling, we designed and synthesized three pairs of regio-isomers featuring two radical moieties joined by a [2.2]paracyclophane (CP) unit. By fusing indeno units to CP, two partially stacked fluorene radicals are covalently linked, exhibiting evident antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling regardless of the orientation of two spins. Remarkably, while possessing high diradical indices of 0.8 and 0.9, the two molecules demonstrate good air stability by virtue of their singlet ground state. Single crystals help unravel the structural basis of their AFM coupling behaviors. When two radical centers are arranged at the pseudometa-positions around CP, the face-to-face stacked phenylene rings intrinsically confer orbital interactions that promote AFM coupling. On the other hand, if two radicals are directed in the pseudopara-orientation, significant orbital overlapping is observed between the radical centers (i.e., C9 of fluorene) and the aromatic carbons laid on the side, rendering AFM coupling between the two spins. In contrast, when two fluorene radicals are tethered to CP via C9 through a single C-C bond, ferromagnetic (FM) coupling is manifested by both diradical isomers featuring pseudometa- and pseudopara-connectivity. With minimal spin distributed on CP and thus limited contribution from π-π stacking, their spin-spin coupling properties are more similar to a pair of nitroxide diradical analogues, in which the two spins are dominantly coupled via through-space interactions. From these results, important conclusions are elucidated such as that although through-space interactions may confer FM coupling, with weakened strength shown by PAH radicals due to their lower polarity, face-to-face stacked π-frameworks tend to induce AFM coupling, because favorable orbital interactions are readily achieved by PAH systems hosting delocalized spins that are capable of adopting varied stacking motifs.

Mild Open-Shell Character of BODIPY and Its Impact on Singlet and Triplet Excitation Energies

This study describes and rationalizes the electronic structure of BODIPY combining a large variety of quantum chemistry methods and computational tools. Examination of the obtained results using state-of-the-art electronic structure analyses provides a new and complete interpretation of the nature of low-lying electronic states in BODIPY and elucidates the limitations of excited-state methods in the computation of T₁ and S₁ energies, that is, systematic under- and overestimation of time-dependent density functional theory energies, respectively, and a large overestimation of the T₁/S₁ energy gap. Our analysis identifies the important role and physical origin of the mild open-shell character in the BODIPY ground state, that is, strong highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital exchange interactions. The study provides guidelines for the accurate quantification of the T₁/S₁ gap, which is extremely relevant for the computational investigation of the photophysical properties of BODIPY and its derivatives. These conclusions should be taken into consideration in order to predict and interpret conspicuous photoactivated phenomena such as intersystem crossing, singlet fission, and triplet-triplet annihilation. Moreover, we believe that our study might provide new ideas and strategies for the analysis of other molecular chromophores.

On-Surface Synthesis and Characterization of Super-nonazethrene

Beginning with the early work of Clar et al. in 1955, zethrenes and their laterally extended homologues, super-zethrenes, have been intensively studied in the solution phase and widely investigated as optical and charge transport materials. Superzethrenes are also considered to exhibit an open-shell ground state and may thus serve as model compounds to investigate nanoscale π-magnetism. However, their synthesis is extremely challenging due to their high reactivity. We report here the on-surface synthesis of the hitherto largest zethrene homologue-super-nonazethrene-on Au(111). Using single-molecule scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, we show that super-nonazethrene exhibits an open-shell singlet ground state featuring a large spin polarization-driven electronic gap of 1 eV. Consistent with the emergence of an open-shell ground state, high-resolution tunneling spectroscopy reveals singlet-triplet spin excitations in super-nonazethrene, characterized by a strong intramolecular magnetic exchange coupling of 51 meV. Given the paucity of zethrene chemistry on surfaces, our results therefore provide unprecedented access to large, open-shell zethrene compounds amenable to scanning probe measurements, with potential application in molecular spintronics.

Acene-Linked Zethrenes and Bisphenalenyls: A DFT Search for Organic Tetraradicals

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are of special interest due to their promising nonlinear optical and magnetic properties. A series of acene-linked zethrenes and bisphenalenyls comprising from five to nine benzene rings in the linker group have been computationally studied by the DFT UB3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) quantum-chemical modeling of their electronic structure, possible spin states, and exchange interactions. The zethrenes with octacene and nonacene linkers as well as bisphenalenyls comprising heptacene, octacene, and nonacene linker groups have been revealed to possess tetraradicaloid nature, which makes them promising building blocks for organic optoelectronic and spintronic devices. The results obtained open a way of constructing tetraradicaloid organic molecules characterized by the presence of two types of paramagnetic centers.

Pentagon-Containing π-Expanded Systems: Synthesis and Photophysical Properties

We have designed and synthesized three novel twistacene-modified enlarged pentagon-containing π-systems (6 and 9) with mismatched structures. The introduction of electron-withdrawing cyclopenta rings in the parent skeleton effectively stabilizes the electron-rich arenes. Their optoelectronic properties were studied via ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. In addition, chemical oxidation of the as-prepared compounds with nitrosonium hexafluoroantimonate could form the corresponding cationic radicals.

Color-tunable arylaminoanthraquinone dyes through hydrogen-bond-assisted charge transfer interaction

We prepared a series of arylaminoanthraquinone derivatives, including those with electron-accepting sulfone units and/or with electron-donating dialkylamino units. A color-tunable anthraquinone library that reached into the NIR region could be prepared through the precise control of frontier orbitals. Fine color-tuning was achieved through proper selection and positioning of the substituents. Effective intramolecular hydrogen-bond-assisted charge transfer interaction between electron-donating aniline/p-phenylenediamine and electron-accepting anthraquinone substructures induced a significant bathochromic shift of anthraquinone. The number and position of the substituents and the molecular conformation also significantly contributed to determining photophysical properties.

A color-tunable anthraquinone library based on arylaminoanthraquinone was prepared through hydrogen-bond-assisted charge transfer interaction.

Isomeric Dibenzoheptazethrenes for Air-Stable Organic Field-Effect Transistors

Singlet diradicaloids hold great potential as semiconductors for organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). However, their relative low material and device stabilities impede the practical applications. Here, to achieve balanced stability and performance, two isomeric dibenzoheptazethrene derivatives with singlet diradical character were synthesized in a concise manner. Benefitting from the aromatic stabilization, both compounds display a small diradical character and large singlet-triplet gap, as corroborated by variable-temperature electron paramagnetic resonance spectra, single-crystal analysis, and theoretical calculations. OFET devices based on single crystals showed a high hole mobility of 0.15 cm²  V^-1  s^-1 , which is the highest for zethrene-based semiconductors. Both isomers exhibited remarkable material stability in air-saturated solutions as well as excellent bias-stress and storage stability in device under ambient air.

Large magnetic exchange coupling in rhombus-shaped nanographenes with zigzag periphery

Nanographenes with zigzag edges are predicted to manifest non-trivial π-magnetism resulting from the interplay of concurrent electronic effects, such as hybridization of localized frontier states and Coulomb repulsion between valence electrons. This provides a chemically tunable platform to explore quantum magnetism at the nanoscale and opens avenues towards organic spintronics. The magnetic stability in nanographenes is thus far greatly limited by the weak magnetic exchange coupling, which remains below the room-temperature thermal energy. Here, we report the synthesis of large rhombus-shaped nanographenes with zigzag peripheries on gold and copper surfaces. Single-molecule scanning probe measurements show an emergent magnetic spin singlet ground state with increasing nanographene size. The magnetic exchange coupling in the largest nanographene (C₇₀H₂₂, containing five benzenoid rings along each edge), determined by inelastic electron tunnelling spectroscopy, exceeds 100 meV or 1,160 K, which outclasses most inorganic nanomaterials and survives on a metal electrode.

Twisted Molecular Nanoribbons with up to 53 Linearly-Fused Rings

The synthesis of three molecular nanoribbons with a twisted aromatic framework is described. The largest one shows a 53 linearly fused rings backbone (12.9 nm) and 322 conjugated atoms in its aromatic core (C₂₉₆N₂₄S₂). This new family of nanoribbons shows extremely high molar absorptivities, reaching 986 100 M^-1 cm^-1, and red-emitting properties.

Synthesis of dibenzosuberenone-based novel polycyclic π-conjugated dihydropyridazines, pyridazines and pyrroles

The synthesis of novel polycyclic π-conjugated dihydropyridazines, pyridazines, and pyrroles was studied. Dihydropyridazine dyes were synthesized by inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder cycloaddition reactions between a dibenzosuberenone and tetrazines that bear various substituents. The pyridazines were synthesized in high yields by oxidation of dihydropyridazine-appended dibenzosuberenones with PIFA or NO. p-Quinone derivatives of pyridazines were also obtained by H-shift isomerization following the inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction of tetrazines with p-quinone dibenzosuberenone. Then these pyridazines were converted to the corresponding pyrroles by reductive treatment with zinc. It was observed that all the dihydropyridazines obtained gave absorbance and emission at long wavelengths.

Synthetic Tailoring of Graphene Nanostructures with Zigzag-Edged Topologies: Progress and Perspectives

Experimental and theoretical investigations have revealed that the chemical and physical properties of graphene are crucially determined by their topological structures. Therefore, the atomically precise synthesis of graphene nanostructures is essential. A particular example is graphene nanostructures with zigzag-edged structures, which exhibit unique (opto)electronic and magnetic properties owing to their spin-polarized edge state. Recent progress in the development of synthetic methods and strategies as well as characterization methods has given access to this class of unprecedented graphene nanostructures, which used to be purely molecular objectives in theoretical chemistry. Thus, clear insight into the structure-property relationships has become possible as well as new applications in organic carbon-based electronic and spintronic devices. In this Minireview, we discuss the recent progress in the controlled synthesis of zigzag-edged graphene nanostructures with different topologies through a bottom-up synthetic strategy.

Regiocontrolled dimerization of asymmetric diazaheptacene derivatives toward X-shaped porous semiconductors

Conformationally rigid X-shaped PAHs are attracting interest due to their self-assembly into unique networks and as models to study through-space exciton and charge delocalization in one single molecule. We report here the synthesis of X-shaped PAHs by dimerization of diazaheptacene diimides. The diimide groups are employed to effectively direct the self-assembly into antiparallel dimer aggregates, which assist the compounds to undergo a regiocontrolled [4 + 4] dimerization, leading to an X-shaped conformation bearing electron-poor and -rich subunits. The resulting PAHs are found to pack in 2D layers with large open channels and infinite π⋯π arrays. Furthermore, these highly crystalline porous materials serve as electron-transporting materials in OFETs due to the long-range π-stacked arrays in the layers. This work presents a potentially generalizable strategy, which may provide a unique class of porous semiconductors for organic devices, taking advantage of their open channels.

The synthesis of conformationally rigid X-shaped PAHs by regiocontrolled cyclodimerization of diazaheptacene diimides is presented. The resulting porous materials exhibit enhanced semiconducting behaviors with large open channels.

Modulating the ground state, stability and charge transport in OFETs of biradicaloid hexahydro-diindenopyrene derivatives and a proposed method to estimate the biradical character

Biradicaloid compounds with an open-shell ground state have been the subject of intense research in the past decade. Although diindenoacenes are one of the most developed families, only a few examples have been reported as active layers in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with a charge mobility of around 10-3 cm2 V-1 s-1 due to a steric disadvantage of the mesityl group to kinetically stabilize compounds. Herein, we disclose our efforts to improve the charge transport of the diindenoacene family based on hexahydro-diindenopyrene (HDIP) derivatives with different annelation modes for which the most reactive position has been functionalized with (triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl (TIPS) groups. All the HDIP derivatives show remarkably higher stability than that of TIPS-pentacene, enduring for 2 days to more than 30 days, which depends on the oxidation potential, the contribution of the singlet biradical form in the ground state and the annelation mode. The annelation mode affects not only the band gap and the biradical character (y 0) but also the value of the singlet-triplet energy gap (ΔE S-T) that does not follow the reverse trend of y 0. A method based on comparison between experimental and theoretical bond lengths has been disclosed to estimate y 0 and shows that y 0 computed at the projected unrestricted Hartree-Fock (PUHF) level is the most relevant among those reported by all other methods. Thanks to their high stability, thin-film OFETs were successfully fabricated. Well balanced ambipolar transport was obtained in the order of 10-3 cm2 V-1 s-1 in the bottom-gate/top-contact configuration, and unipolar transport in the top-gate/bottom-contact configuration was obtained in the order of 10-1 cm2 V-1 s-1 which is the highest value obtained for biradical compounds with a diindenoacene skeleton.

A Chichibabin's Hydrocarbon-Based Molecular Cage: The Impact of Structural Rigidity on Dynamics, Stability, and Electronic Properties

A three-dimensional π-conjugated polyradicaloid molecular cage c-Ph14, consisting of three Chichibabin's hydrocarbon motifs connected by two benzene-1,3,5-triyl bridgeheads, was synthesized. Compared with its linear model compound l-Ph4, the prism-like c-Ph14 has a more rigid structure, which shows significant impact on the molecular dynamics, stability, and electronic properties. A higher rotation energy barrier for the quinoidal biphenyl units was determined in c-Ph14 (15.64 kcal/mol) than that of l-Ph4 (11.40 kcal/mol) according to variable-temperature NMR measurements, leading to improved stability, a smaller diradical character, and an increased singlet-triplet energy gap. The pressure-dependent Raman spectroscopic studies on the rigid cage c-Ph14 revealed a quinoidal-to-aromatic transformation along the biphenyl bridges. In addition, the ellipsoidal cavity in the cage allowed selective encapsulation of fullerene C₇₀ over C₆₀, with an associate constant of about 1.43 × 10⁴ M^-1. Moreover, c-Ph14 and l-Ph4 exhibited similar redox behavior and their cationic species (c-Ph14⁶⁺ and l-Ph4²⁺) were obtained by chemical oxidation, and the structures were identified by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The biphenyl unit showed a twisted conformation in l-Ph4²⁺ and remained coplanarity in c-Ph14⁶⁺. Notably, molecules of c-Ph14⁶⁺ form a one-dimensional columnar structure via close π-π stacking between the bridgeheads.

Recent Progress in High Linearly Fused Polycyclic Conjugated Hydrocarbons (PCHs, n > 6) with Well-Defined Structures

Although polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons (PCHs) and their analogues have gained great progress in the fields of organic photoelectronic materials, the in-depth study on present PCHs is still limited to hexacene or below because longer PCHs are insoluble, unstable, and tediously synthesized. Very recently, various strategies including on-surface synthesis are developed to address these issues and many higher novel PCHs are constructed. Therefore, it is necessary to review these advances. Here, the recent synthetic approach, basic physicochemical properties, single-crystal packing behaviors, and potential applications of the linearly fused PCHs (higher than hexacene), including acenes or π-extended acenes with fused six-membered benzenoid rings and other four-membered, five-membered or even seven-membered and eight-membered fused compounds, are summarized.

The generality of the GUGA MRCI approach in COLUMBUS for treating complex quantum chemistry

The core part of the program system COLUMBUS allows highly efficient calculations using variational multireference (MR) methods in the framework of configuration interaction with single and double excitations (MR-CISD) and averaged quadratic coupled-cluster calculations (MR-AQCC), based on uncontracted sets of configurations and the graphical unitary group approach (GUGA). The availability of analytic MR-CISD and MR-AQCC energy gradients and analytic nonadiabatic couplings for MR-CISD enables exciting applications including, e.g., investigations of π-conjugated biradicaloid compounds, calculations of multitudes of excited states, development of diabatization procedures, and furnishing the electronic structure information for on-the-fly surface nonadiabatic dynamics. With fully variational uncontracted spin-orbit MRCI, COLUMBUS provides a unique possibility of performing high-level calculations on compounds containing heavy atoms up to lanthanides and actinides. Crucial for carrying out all of these calculations effectively is the availability of an efficient parallel code for the CI step. Configuration spaces of several billion in size now can be treated quite routinely on standard parallel computer clusters. Emerging developments in COLUMBUS, including the all configuration mean energy multiconfiguration self-consistent field method and the graphically contracted function method, promise to allow practically unlimited configuration space dimensions. Spin density based on the GUGA approach, analytic spin-orbit energy gradients, possibilities for local electron correlation MR calculations, development of general interfaces for nonadiabatic dynamics, and MRCI linear vibronic coupling models conclude this overview.