One-Step Synthesis of Unsymmetrical N-Alkyl-N′-aryl Perylene Diimides

Symmetry-Breaking Charge Separation in a Chiral Bis(perylenediimide) Probed at Ensemble and Single-Molecule Levels

Chiral molecular assemblies exhibiting symmetry-breaking charge separation (SB-CS) are potential candidates for the development of chiral organic semiconductors. Herein, we explore the excited-state dynamics of a helically chiral perylenediimide bichromophore (Cy-PDI2) exhibiting SB-CS at the ensemble and single-molecule levels. Solvent polarity-tunable interchromophoric excitonic coupling in chiral Cy-PDI2 facilitates the interplay of SB-CS and excimer formation in the ensemble domain. Analogous to the excited-state dynamics of Cy-PDI2 at the ensemble level, single-molecule fluorescence lifetime traces of Cy-PDI2 depicted long-lived off-states characteristic of the radical ion pair-mediated dark states. The discrete electron transfer and charge separation dynamics in Cy-PDI2 at the single-molecule level are governed by the distinct influence of the local environment. The present study aims at understanding the fundamental excited-state dynamics in chiral organic bichromophores for designing efficient chiral organic semiconductors and applications toward charge transport materials.

Building Blocks for Molecular Polygons Based on Platinum Vertices and Polyynediyl Edges

Reactions of Cl2P(CH2)3PCl2 and p-MgBrC6H4X (X = a/OMe, b/OtBu, c/tBu, d/SiMe3) give the diphosphines (p-XC6H4)2P(CH2)3P(p-C6H4X)2 (1a-d; 47-66%). Additions of 1a,d to (COD)PtCl2 yield (CH2(CH2P(p-C6H4X)2)2)PtCl2 (2a,d; 62-88%), which upon reaction with butadiyne (2 equiv; HNEt2/cat. CuI) give (CH2(CH2P(p-C6H4X)2)2)Pt((C≡C)2H)2 (3a,d; 34-76%). Alternatively, 3a-d can be accessed from trans-(p-tol3P)2Pt((C≡C)2H)2 and 1a-d (30-87%). Reactions of (p-tol3P)2PtCl2 and H(C≡C)2SiR3 (2 equiv, HNEt2/cat. CuI; R = Me/Et/iPr) give trans-(p-tol3P)2Pt((C≡C)2SiR3)2 (77-95%), and subsequent additions of 1a,b,d yield the corresponding adducts (CH2(CH2P(p-C6H4X)2)2)Pt((C≡C)2SiR3)2 (R/X = Me/OMe, 5a; iPr/OMe, 6a; iPr/OtBu, 6b; iPr/SiMe3, 6d; 52-95%) and (for 5a) a luminescent diplatinum byproduct with trans Pt((C≡C)2SiMe3)2 units. 5a and 6b hydrolyze in the presence of F- to 3a,b (92-93%). Reaction of 2a and 3a (HNEt2/cat. CuI) affords the Pt4C16 polygon ([(CH2(CH2P(p-C6H4OMe)2)2)Pt(C≡C)2]4 as an H2NEt2+ Cl- adduct (66%). The 13C{1H} NMR spectra of 3a-d, 5a, and 6a,b,d feature complex AMXX' (CPtPP') spin systems, and simulations allow J values to be extracted. The crystal structures of 2a, 3a,b,d, 5a, and 6a are determined and analyzed.

Flexible Backbone Effects on the Redox Properties of Perylenediimide-Based Polymers

Organic electrode materials are appealing candidates for a wide range of applications, including heterogeneous electrocatalysis and electrochemical energy storage. However, a narrow understanding of the structure-property relationships in these materials hinders the full realization of their potential. Herein, we investigate a family of insoluble perylenediimide (PDI) polymers to interrogate how backbone flexibility affects their thermodynamic and kinetic redox properties. We verify that the polymers generally access the highest percentage of redox-active groups with K+ ions (vs Na+ and Li+) due to its small solvation shell/energy and favorable soft-soft interactions with reduced PDI species. Through cyclic voltammetry, we show that increasing the polymer flexibility does not minimize barriers to ion-insertion processes but rather increases the level of diffusion-limited processes. Further, we propose that the condensation of imides to iminoimides can truncate the imide polymer chain growth for certain diamine monomers, leading to greater polymer solubilization and reduced cycling stability. Together, our results provide insight into how polymer flexibility, ion-electrode interactions, and polymerization side reactions dictate the redox properties of PDI polymers, paving the way for the development of next-generation organic electrode materials.

Investigation of ion-electrode interactions of linear polyimides and alkali metal ions for next generation alternative-ion batteries

Organic electrode materials offer unique opportunities to utilize ion-electrode interactions to develop diverse, versatile, and high-performing secondary batteries, particularly for applications requiring high power densities. However, a lack of well-defined structure-property relationships for redox-active organic materials restricts the advancement of the field. Herein, we investigate a family of diimide-based polymer materials with several charge-compensating ions (Li+, Na+, K+) in order to systematically probe how redox-active moiety, ion, and polymer flexibility dictate their thermodynamic and kinetic properties. When favorable ion-electrode interactions are employed (e.g., soft K+ anions with soft perylenediimide dianions), the resulting batteries demonstrate increased working potentials and improved cycling stabilities. Further, for all polymers examined herein, we demonstrate that K+ accesses the highest percentage of redox-active groups due to its small solvation shell/energy. Through crown ether experiments, cyclic voltammetry, and activation energy measurements, we provide insights into the charge compensation mechanisms of three different polymer structures and rationalize these findings in terms of the differing degrees of improvements observed when cycling with K+. Critically, we find that the most flexible polymer enables access to the highest fraction of active sites due to the small activation energy barrier during charge/discharge. These results suggest that improved capacities may be accessible by employing more flexible structures. Overall, our in-depth structure-activity investigation demonstrates how variables such as polymer structure and cation can be used to optimize battery performance and enable the realization of novel battery chemistries.

Perylene diimide growth on both sides of carbon nanotubes for remarkably boosted photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac

Perylene diimide and its derivatives are promising photocatalysts for clean and efficient production, but their practical application in the field of photocatalysis is still limited by the rapid photogenerated charge recombination. In this work, the confined photocatalysts were synthesized by using a gas-phase self-assembly method and comparing the morphology and photocatalytic properties of different photocatalysts after the confinement of carbon nanotubes. The confinement effect of carbon nanotubes acts to stabilize perylene diimide. Electrostatic interaction formed by a wide range of dispersion forces is dominant in the process of stabilization. Benefitting from the three-dimensional electron transfer pathway formed by the conjugation of perylene diimide with a large number of π electrons to the carbon nanotubes plane, the confined photocatalyst shows the pseudo-first-order kinetic constant k of 1.106 h^-1 for the photocatalytic degradation of diclofenac under light, which is 6.11 times higher than that of perylene diimide. The electron transfer created an internal electric field at the interface from carbon nanotubes to perylene diimide, which greatly accelerated the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and improved the photocatalytic activity. This study further expands the applicability of perylene diimide in the field of photocatalysis and provides a new approach for water environment treatment.

Scalable Route to Electroactive and Light Active Perylene Diimide Dye Polymer Binder for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Developing multifunctional polymeric binders is key to the design of energy storage technologies with value-added features. We report that a multigram-scale synthesis of perylene diimide polymer (PPDI), from a single batch via polymer analogous reaction route, yields high molecular weight polymers with suitable thermal stability and minimized solubility in electrolytes, potentially leading to improved binding affinity toward electrode particles. Further, it develops strategies for designing copolymers with virtually any desired composition via a subsequent grafting, leading to purpose-built binders. PPDI dye as both binder and electroactive additive in lithium half-cells using lithium iron phosphate exhibits good electrochemical performance.

Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Characterization of Tandem Triblock BPOSS-PDI-X Shape Amphiphiles

In this article, we report the facile synthesis, self-assembly, and characterization of shape amphiphiles (BPOSS-PDI-X) based on isobutyl-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (BPOSS), perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI), and (60)fullerene (C60) moieties. Firstly, an asymmetrically functionalized diblock shape amphiphile precursor (BPOSS-PDI-OH) was obtained through the one-pot reaction between perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and two different amines, namely BPOSS-NH2 and 3-amino-1-propanol. It was further conjugated with C60-COOH to give a tri-block shape amphiphile (BPOSS-PDI-C60). Their chemical structures were thoroughly characterized by NMR, IR and MALDI-TOF MS spectrometry. In order to gain insights on the structure-property relationship, their self-assembly in gas phase, in solution, and in solid state were characterized using traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS), UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence emission spectrophotometer, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. It was found that BPOSS-PDI-OH formed more complicated dimers than BPOSS-PDI-C60. Both samples showed unique aggregation behaviors in solution with increasing concentration, which could be attributed neither to H- nor to J-type and might be related to the discrete dimers. While BPOSS-PDI-C60 could hardly crystalize into ordered structures, BPOSS-PDI-OH could form nanobelt-shaped single crystals, which may hold potential applications in microelectronics.

Fluorescent perylene derivative functionalized titanium oxide gel for sensitive and portable ascorbic acid detection

A fluorescent inorganic titanium oxide gel sensor was prepared from perylene diimide functionalized composite materials, and applied for sensitive and portable ascorbic acid detection.

Highly efficient one-step microwave-assisted synthesis of structurally diverse bis-substituted α-amino acid derived diimides

We report herein a facile and widely applicable microwave-assisted protocol for the synthesis of symmetrical diimides based on three structurally distinct aromatic dianhydrides: pyromellitic (PMA), biphenyl-tetracarboxylic acid (BPDA) and benzophenone-tetracarboxylic (BTDA) and five natural amino acids (Phe, Tyr, Ile, Lys, Cys). Fifteen symmetrical diimides with different structural characteristics containing a variety of functional groups can be produced with high yields and on a large scale.

Design, Synthesis, and Isomerization Studies of Light-Driven Molecular Motors for Single Molecular Imaging

The design of a multicomponent system that aims at the direct visualization of a synthetic rotary motor at the single molecule level on surfaces is presented. The synthesis of two functional motors enabling photochemical rotation and fluorescent detection is described. The light-driven molecular motor is found to operate in the presence of a fluorescent tag if a rigid long rod (32 Å) is installed between both photoactive moieties. The photochemical isomerization and subsequent thermal helix inversion steps are confirmed by ¹H NMR and UV–vis absorption spectroscopies. In addition, the tetra-acid functioned motor can be successfully grafted onto amine-coated quartz and it is shown that the light responsive rotary motion on surfaces is preserved.

Bay- and Ortho-Octasubstituted Perylenes

A key intermediate compound, 2,5,8,11-tetrabromo-1,6,7,12-tetrabutoxyperylene (Per-4Br), was synthesized from 3,6-dibromo-2,7-dioxylnaphthalene via simple regioselective oxidative radical-radical coupling, followed by reduction and nucleophilic substitution. Various bay- and ortho-octasubstituted perylenes containing cyano, methoxy and aryl groups were then obtained by nucleophilic substitution or Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions. X-ray crystallographic analyses reveal that these new perylene molecules process a twisted structure due to steric congestion at the bay-regions and there is no obvious intermolecular π-π interaction. As a result, they exhibit moderate fluorescence quantum yields even in solid state. Therefore, Per-4Br can serve as a versatile building block for various functional perylene dyes with tunable optoelectronic property.

Tethered tertiary amines as solid-state n-type dopants for solution-processable organic semiconductors

A scarcity of stable n-type doping strategies compatible with facile processing has been a major impediment to the advancement of organic electronic devices. Localizing dopants near the cores of conductive molecules can lead to improved efficacy of doping. We and others recently showed the effectiveness of tethering dopants covalently to an electron-deficient aromatic molecule using trimethylammonium functionalization with hydroxide counterions linked to a perylene diimide core by alkyl spacers. In this work, we demonstrate that, contrary to previous hypotheses, the main driver responsible for the highly effective doping observed in thin films is the formation of tethered tertiary amine moieties during thin film processing. Furthermore, we demonstrate that tethered tertiary amine groups are powerful and general n-doping motifs for the successful generation of free electron carriers in the solid-state, not only when coupled to the perylene diimide molecular core, but also when linked with other small molecule systems including naphthalene diimide, diketopyrrolopyrrole, and fullerene derivatives. Our findings help expand a promising molecular design strategy for future enhancements of n-type organic electronic materials.