Oligomers and Polymers Based on Pentacene Building Blocks

An aromatic micelle with bent pentacene-based panels: encapsulation of perylene bisimide dyes and graphene nanosheets

We herein report the quantitative formation of a new aromatic micelle from bent pentacene-based amphiphiles in water. Upon encapsulation, perylene bisimide dyes form a parallel stacked dimer and graphene nanosheets comprise few layer sheets with small lateral size.

For exploitation of a new class of aromatic micelles, we synthesized a bent pentacene-based amphiphilic molecule through Diels–Alder reaction. The amphiphiles bearing two trimethylammonium tethers assemble into a spherical aromatic micelle, with an average core diameter of 1.5 nm, in water at room temperature. The new aromatic micelle efficiently encapsulates perylene bisimide (PBI) dyes and graphene nanosheets (GNS) in water. The encapsulated PBI dyes form a parallel stacked dimer, exhibiting characteristic absorption and emission bands. In addition, the encapsulated GNS are composed of few-layer graphene sheets with an average lateral size of ∼7 nm, as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The resultant, aqueous host–guest complexes are stable even after three weeks in water under ambient conditions.

A Pentacene-based Nanotube Displaying Enriched Electrochemical and Photochemical Activities

Unlike previously well-studied, acyclic pentacene oligomers, the first synthesis of a cyclic pentacene trimer with a fixed tubular conformation is reported. A short-step synthesis starting from common pentacenequinone yielded the target molecule with a 1.5 nanometer length and a subnanometer pore. Steady-state spectroscopic analyses revealed that the close proximity of the non-conjugated, three pentacene chromophores allows the nanotube to display stepwise electrochemical/chemical oxidation characteristics. Furthermore, time-resolved transient absorption measurements elucidated the generation of an excited triplet state of the nanotube, with high quantum yield reaching about 180 % through intramolecular singlet fission and a very long triplet lifetime.

Synthesis, physical properties, and chemistry of donor–acceptor-substituted pentacenes

Pentacenes bearing electron-donating and (or) -withdrawing groups, namely methoxy-, dialkylamino-, and nitroaryl moieties, are synthesized to afford polarized pentacenes. The optical, electrochemical, and chemical properties of these derivatives are explored. The cycloaddition reaction of selected derivatives with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) is explored, and the experimental results are rationalized on the basis calculations using density functional theory (DFT). X-ray crystallographic data provides insight into the molecular structure and intermolecular interactions present in the solid state.

Versatile bottom-up construction of diverse macromolecules on a surface observed by scanning tunneling microscopy

The heterocoupling of organic building blocks to give complex multicomponent macromolecules directly at a surface holds the key to creating advanced molecular devices. While "on-surface" synthesis with prefunctionalized molecules has recently led to specific one- and two- component products, a central challenge is to discover universal connection strategies that are applicable to a wide range of molecules. Here, we show that direct activation of C-H bonds intrinsic to π-functional molecules is a highly generic route for connecting different building blocks on a copper surface. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) reveals that covalent π-functional macromolecular heterostructures, displaying diverse compositions, structures and topologies, are created with ease from seven distinct building blocks (including porphyrins, pentacene and perylene). By exploiting differences in C-H bond reactivity in the deposition and heating protocols we also demonstrate controlled synthesis of specific products, such as block copolymers. Further, the symmetry and geometry of the molecules and the surface also play a critical role in determining the outcome of the covalent bond forming reactions. Our "pick-mix-and-link" strategy opens up the capability to generate libraries of multivariate macromolecules directly at a surface, which in conjunction with nanoscale probing techniques could accelerate the discovery of functional interfaces.

Aryl substitution of pentacenes

A series of 11 new pentacene derivatives has been synthesized, with unsymmetrical substitution based on a trialkylsilylethynyl group at the 6-position and various aryl groups appended to the 13-position. The electronic and physical properties of the new pentacene chromophores have been analyzed by UV–vis spectroscopy (solution and thin films), thermoanalytical methods (DSC and TGA), cyclic voltammetry, as well as X-ray crystallography (for 8 derivatives). X-ray crystallography has been specifically used to study the influence of unsymmetrical substitution on the solid-state packing of the pentacene derivatives. The obtained results add to our ability to better predict substitution patterns that might be helpful for designing new semiconductors for use in solid-state devices.

Phosphorus as a carbon copy and as a photocopy: New conjugated materials featuring multiply bonded phosphorus

Phosphaalkenes (RP=CR2) and diphosphenes (RP=PR) are main group analogues of alkenes (R2C=CR2). Molecules featuring such multiply bonded phosphorus functionalities often display structural features and chemical reactivities that mimic their purely organic counterparts, lending credence to the claim that these compounds are “carbon copies”. We have been expanding this analogy to include oligomers and polymers with extended conjugation that directly involve P=C and P=P units. Many of these materials, however, display little or no photoluminescence (PL). This article summarizes our efforts to understand P=C and P=P photobehavior and to produce materials having significant PL that mimic or “photocopy” the PL properties of the phosphorus-free systems. Recent materials based on benzoxaphospholes (BOPs), benzobisoxaphospholes (BBOPs), and higher analogues having significant fluorescence quantum yields are covered.

The influence of terminal push-pull substitution on the electronic structure and optical properties of pentacenes

The synthesis of 2,3-R(2)-9,10-(OMe)(2)-substituted pentacenes (R=OMe, F, Br, CN; 1-4) from 2,3-R(2)-9,10-dimethoxy-6,13-dihydro-6,13-ethanopentacene-15,16-diones (α-diketone-bridged precursors) by photochemically induced bis-decarbonylation (Strating-Zwanenburg reaction) is described. Under matrix-isolation conditions (solid Ar, 10 K) the S(1) transitions of 1 and 2 undergo hypsochromic and those of 3 and 4 bathochromic shifts compared to parent pentacene. The S(1) transition wavelengths correlate well with the difference of substituent parameters σ(p). A computational analysis of the excited states at the CAM-B3LYP/6-311+G** level of theory provides an assignment of the electronic transitions. Photolysis in solution at room temperature yields red [R=OMe (1)], blue [R=Br (3), F (2)], and green [R=CN (4)] pentacenes. The compounds are oxygen-sensitive and have low solubility, but their formation can be monitored by UV/Vis and, in the case of R=CN, also by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The S(1) transition in 4 does not show the typical pentacene fine structure in the electronic absorption spectrum. Photogeneration in the presence of oxygen leads to a number of photoproducts that could be identified by monitoring the reaction by (1)H NMR spectroscopy for R=OMe.

Conjugated Oligomers and Polymers Based on Anthracene, Tetracene, Pentacene, Naphthodithiophene, and Anthradithiophene Building Blocks

Acene derivatives provide unique materials for organic semiconductor applications. Recent synthetic achievements have provided several oligomers and polymers based on acene building blocks of varied structural motifs, including anthracene, tetracene, pentacene, as well as naphtho- and anthradithiophene. This report highlights recent work in this area, particularly for the higher acenes tetracene, pentacene, and anthradithiophene. When possible, the properties of defined-length oligomers are compared and contrasted to those of mono- and polymeric systems.