Phenylene Cage Synthesized by Metal-Mediated Assembly of Phenylene Macrocycle and Its Piezofluorochromic Behavior

A phenylene macrocycle containing two meta-phenylene units positioned opposite each other was used as a building block to construct phenylene cages via platinum-mediated C─C coupling. A phenylene cage (PC[10]3), consisting of three phenylene macrocycle units, was successfully synthesized and thoroughly characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. PC[10]3 exhibited significant backbone strain and displayed bright blue emission with a quantum yield of 96%. Additionally, PC[10]3 exhibited a broader and more pronounced piezofluorochromic response compared to its macrocyclic unit, undergoing a distinct photoluminescence shift from blue to yellow-green under pressure. This work opens new avenues for designing and synthesizing hydrocarbon nanocages.

Acceptor engineering of quinone-based cycloparaphenylenes via post-synthesis for achieving white-light emission in single-molecule

Developing donor-acceptor [n]cycloparaphenylenes (D-A [n]CPPs) with multiple emissions from different emissive states remains challenging yet crucial for achieving white-light emission in single-molecule. Here, we report our explorations into acceptor engineering of quinone-based D-A [10]CPPs (Nq/Aq/Tq[10]CPPs) via a post-lateral annulation using Diels-Alder reactions of oxTh[10]CPP. X-ray analysis reveals that Nq[10]CPP displays a side by side packing via naphthoquione stacking while Aq[10]CPP adopts an intercalated conformation through anthraquinone interaction. Fluorescence investigations reveal that the quinone-based [10]CPPs display distinctive acceptor-dependent dual-emission from both the locally excited state and charge transfer state after single-wavelength excitation in organic solvents, consequently leading to multicolor emissions, in particular, white-light emission in CHCl3 for Aq[10]CPP. In THF/water mixture, quinone-based [10]CPPs and oxTh[10]CPP display a wide range of fluorescence emissions including white-light emission as increasing the fraction of water, accompanying by the formation of nanoparticles as demonstrated by Tyndall effect and SEM. Interestingly, the fluorescence of Aq[10]CPP can be switched from white to blue in CHCl3 upon redox. Our investigations demonstrate that acceptor engineering not only endows quinone-based [10]CPPs with two distint emissive states for achieving white-light emission but also highlights an effective post-synthetic strategy for functionalizing CPP nanohoops with desirable properties.

π-Conjugated Nanohoops: A New Generation of Curved Materials for Organic Electronics

Nanohoops, cyclic association of π-conjugated systems to form a hoop-shaped molecule, have been widely developed in the last 15 years. Beyond the synthetic challenge, the strong interest towards these molecules arises from their radially oriented π-orbitals, which provide singular properties to these fascinating structures. Thanks to their particular cylindrical arrangement, this new generation of curved molecules have been already used in many applications such as host-guest complexation, biosensing, bioimaging, solid-state emission and catalysis. However, their potential in organic electronics has only started to be explored. From the first incorporation as an emitter in a fluorescent organic light emitting diode (OLED), to the recent first incorporation as a host in phosphorescent OLEDs or as charge transporter in organic field-effect transistors and in organic photovoltaics, this field has shown important breakthroughs in recent years. These findings have revealed that curved materials can play a key role in the future and can even be more efficient than their linear counterparts. This can have important repercussions for the future of electronics. Time has now come to overview the different nanohoops used to date in electronic devices in order to stimulate the future molecular designs of functional materials based on these macrocycles.

Highly Luminescent Chiral Carbon Nanohoops via Symmetry Breaking with a Triptycene Unit: Bright Circularly Polarized Luminescence and Size-Dependent Properties

Chiral carbon nanohoops with both high fluorescence quantum yield and large luminescence dissymmetry factor are essential to the development of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials. Herein, the rational design and synthesis of a series of highly fluorescent chiral carbon nanohoops TP-[8-13]CPPs via symmetry breaking with a chiral triptycene motif is reported. Theoretical calculations revealed that breaking the symmetry of nanohoops causes a unique size-dependent localization in the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) and the lowest unoccupied molecular obtitals (LUMOs) as the increasing of sizes, which is sharply different from those of [n]cycloparaphenylenes. Photophysical investigations demonstrated that TP-[n]CPPs display size-dependent emissions with high fluorescence quantum yields up to 92.9% for TP-[13]CPP, which is the highest value among the reported chiral conjugated carbon nanohoops. The high fluorescence quantum yields are presumably attributed to both the unique acyclic, and radial conjugations and high radiative transition rates, which are further supported by theoretical investigations. Chiroptical studies revealed that chiral TP-[n]CPPs exhibit bright CPL with CPL brightness up to 100.5 M-1 cm-1 for TP-[11]CPP due to the high fluorescence quantum yield. Importantly, the investigations revealed the intrigued size-dependent properties of TP-[n]CPPs with regards to (chir)optical properties, which follow a nice linear relationship versus 1/n. Such a nice linear relationship is not observed in other reported conjugated nanohoops including CPPs.

Thermolysis of Biphenylene toward Cyclo-ortho-phenylenes

The solvent and catalyst free thermolysis of biphenylenes at 350 °C furnishes [n]cyclo-ortho-phenylenes ([n]COPs, n=4-10) in one step and in high yields. At 400 °C biphenylene dimerizes into tetraphenylene, but lower reaction temperatures produce cyclooligomers. If suitably substituted, the oligomers are soluble and can be isolated and characterized. The products are exclusively cyclic. In the crystalline state, [6]COP displays an alternating crown-shaped conformation.

Carbon nanobelts with zigzag and armchair edge and interlocked carbon nanobelts for chirality

This paper presents a theoretical study on the optical properties of carbon nanobelts with zigzag and armchair edges, as well as interlocked carbon nanobelts for chirality. The results demonstrate that two photon absorption (TPA) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) techniques can effectively differentiate carbon nanoribbons with different boundaries, revealing their relationship and distinguishing features. The findings from this research contribute to a better comprehension of carbon nanoribbons, mechanically interlocked molecules, and chirality.

Computation of Neighborhood M-Polynomial of Cycloparaphenylene and Its Variants

In the domains of materials and chemical and physical sciences, a significant aspiration is to design and synthesize extensively conjugated macrocycles possessing precisely defined structures. This objective bears substantial promise across a wide range of scientific and technological fields. These molecules offer a unique blend of structural complexity and electronic properties that make them particularly intriguing for both theoretical and practical reasons. Cycloparaphenylene (CPP) radial π-conjugated macrocycles is a specific example of a conjugated macrocycle that has garnered significant attention in the field of chemistry and materials science. It consists of a series of benzene rings linked together in a cyclic arrangement, forming a one-dimensional structure. CPP systems have been on the rise due to their novel and captivating characteristics, encompassing properties, such as electronic properties, heightened electrical conductivity, optoelectronic traits, and mechanical properties. Given the potential applications of CPP, it becomes essential to analyze this structure from a theoretical standpoint. Molecular descriptors play a crucial role in the theoretical analysis of such structures. Research on molecular descriptors has unequivocally demonstrated their significant correlation with the diverse properties of chemical compounds. This article illustrates the neighborhood sum M-polynomial-based descriptors' calculation using edge-partition techniques for CPP and its sidewalls consisting of pyrene and hexabenzocoronene units. The examination of these neighborhood sum M-polynomial-based descriptors for these structures has the potential to establish a foundational framework for delving deeper into CPP and its associated properties.

Efficient manipulation of Förster resonance energy transfer through host-guest interaction enables tunable white-light emission and devices in heterotopic bisnanohoops

In this study, we synthesized and reported the heterotopic bisnanohoops P5-[8,10]CPPs containing cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) and a pillar[5]arene unit, which act not only as energy donors but also as a host for binding energy acceptors. We demonstrated that a series of elegant FRET systems could be constructed successfully through self-assembly between donors P5-[8,10]CPPs and acceptors with different emissions via host-guest interaction. These FRET systems further allow us to finely adjust the donors P5-[8,10]CPPs and acceptors (BODIPY-Br and Rh-Br) for achieving multiple color-tunable emissions, particularly white-light emission. More importantly, these host-guest complexes were successfully utilized in the fabrication of white-light fluorescent films and further integrated with a 365 nm LED lamp to create white LED devices. The findings highlight a new application of carbon nanorings in white-light emission materials, beyond the common recognition of π-conjugated molecules.

Trichalcogenasupersumanenes and its concave-convex supramolecular assembly with fullerenes

Synthesis of buckybowls have stayed highly challenging due to the large structural strain caused by curved π surface. In this paper, we report the synthesis and properties of two trichalcogenasupersumanenes which three chalcogen (sulfur or selenium) atoms and three methylene groups bridge at the bay regions of hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene. These trichalcogenasupersumanenes are synthesized quickly in three steps using an Aldol cyclotrimerization, a Scholl oxidative cyclization, and a Stille type reaction. X-ray crystallography analysis reveals that they encompass bowl diameters of 11.06 Å and 11.35 Å and bowl depths of 2.29 Å and 2.16 Å for the trithiasupersumanene and triselenosupersumanene, respectively. Furthermore, trithiasupersumanene derivative with methyl chains can form host-guest complexes with C₆₀ or C₇₀, which are driven by concave-convex π ⋯ π interactions and multiple C-H ⋯ π interactions between bowl and fullerenes.

Synthesis, Sorting, and Applications of Single-Chirality Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The synthesis of high-quality chirality-pure single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is vital for their applications. It is of high importance to modernize the synthesis processes to decrease the synthesis temperature and improve the quality and yield of SWCNTs. This review is dedicated to the chirality-selective synthesis, sorting of SWCNTs, and applications of chirality-pure SWCNTs. The review begins with a description of growth mechanisms of carbon nanotubes. Then, we discuss the synthesis methods of semiconducting and metallic conductivity-type and single-chirality SWCNTs, such as the epitaxial growth method of SWCNT ("cloning") using nanocarbon seeds, the growth method using nanocarbon segments obtained by organic synthesis, and the catalyst-mediated chemical vapor deposition synthesis. Then, we discuss the separation methods of SWCNTs by conductivity type, such as electrophoresis (dielectrophoresis), density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGC), low-speed DGC, ultrahigh DGC, chromatography, two-phase separation, selective solubilization, and selective reaction methods and techniques for single-chirality separation of SWCNTs, including density gradient centrifugation, two-phase separation, and chromatography methods. Finally, the applications of separated SWCNTs, such as field-effect transistors (FETs), sensors, light emitters and photodetectors, transparent electrodes, photovoltaics (solar cells), batteries, bioimaging, and other applications, are presented.

The Scholl Reaction as a Powerful Tool for Synthesis of Curved Polycyclic Aromatics

The past decade has witnessed remarkable success in the synthesis of curved polycyclic aromatics through Scholl reactions which enable oxidative aryl-aryl coupling even in company with the introduction of significant steric strain. These curved polycyclic aromatics are not only unique objects of structural organic chemistry in relation to the nature of aromaticity but also play an important role in bottom-up approaches to precise synthesis of nanocarbons of unique topology. Moreover, they have received considerable attention in the fields of supramolecular chemistry and organic functional materials because of their interesting properties and promising applications. Despite the great success of Scholl reactions in synthesis of curved polycyclic aromatics, the outcome of a newly designed substrate in the Scholl reaction still cannot be predicted in a generic and precise manner largely due to limited understanding on the reaction mechanism and possible rearrangement processes. This review provides an overview of Scholl reactions with a focus on their applications in synthesis of curved polycyclic aromatics with interesting structures and properties and aims to shed light on the key factors that affect Scholl reactions in synthesizing sterically strained polycyclic aromatics.

Molecular Carbon Imides

The creation and development of new forms of nanocarbons have fundamentally transformed the scientific landscape in the past three decades. As new members of the nanocarbon family with accurate size, shape, and edge structure, molecular carbon imides (MCIs) have shown unexpected and unique properties. Particularly, the imide functionalization strategy has endowed these rylene-based molecular carbons with fascinating characteristics involving flexible syntheses, tailor-made structures, diverse properties, excellent processability, and good stability. This Perspective elaborates molecular design evolution to functional landscapes, and illustrative examples are given, including a promising library of multi-size and multi-dimensional MCIs with rigidly conjugated π-architectures, ranging from 1D nanoribbon imides and 2D nanographene imides to cross-dimensional MCIs. Although researchers have achieved substantial progress in using MCIs as functional components for exploration of charge transport, photoelectric conversion, and chiral luminescence performances, they are far from unleashing their full potential. Developing highly efficient and regioselective coupling/ring-closure reactions involving the formation of multiple C-C bonds and the annulation of electron-deficient aromatic units is crucial. Prediction by theory with the help of machine learning and artificial intelligence research along with reliable nanotechnology characterization will give an impetus to the blossom of related fields. Future investigations will also have to advance toward─or even focus on─the emerging potential functions, especially in the fields of chiral electronics and spin electronics, which are expected to open new avenues.

Synthesis of Contorted Polycyclic Conjugated Hydrocarbons via Regioselective Activation of Cyclobutadienoids

Contorted carbon structures have drawn much attention in the past decade for their rich three-dimensional geometries, enhanced solubility, and tunable electronic properties. We report a modular method to synthesize contorted polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons containing helical moieties in controlled topologies. This strategy leverages our previously reported streamlined synthesis of π-systems containing four-membered cyclobutadienoids (CBDs), whose catalyzed cycloaddition with alkynes affords helical structures. Interestingly, we observed exclusive nonbay region regioselectivity in the C-C bond activation of CBDs in our system, which is opposite to the scarce previous examples of [N]phenylene activation that led to the formation of linear phenacene structures. The quantitative and regioselective nonbay region alkyne cycloaddition yielded a variety of helical carbon structures with their topologies predetermined by the CBD-containing precursor hydrocarbons. The cycloaddition can be inhibited by methyl substituents exocyclic to the four-membered ring, thus allowing selective activation of only certain desired CBD units while leaving the others intact. Calculation elucidated the basis for the observed regioselectivity. The described method provides a new route to multihelical aromatic hydrocarbons with complex yet defined geometries, facilitating the further exploration of such fascinating carbon structures.

Nanosized Carbon Macrocycles Based on a Planar Chiral Pseudo Meta- [2.2]Paracyclophane

Structural designs combining cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) backbone with planar chiral [2.2]Paracyclophane ([2.2]PCP) lead to optical-active chiral macrocycles with intriguing properties. X-ray crystal analysis revealed aesthetic necklace-shaped structures and size-dependent packages with long-range channels. The macrocycles exhibit unique photophysical properties with high fluorescence quantum yield of up to 82%, and the fluorescent color varies with ring size. In addition, size-dependent chiroptical properties with moderately large CPL dissymmetry factor of 10 -3 and CPL brightness in the range of 30 - 40 M -1 cm -1 were observed.

Conjugated Nanohoops Incorporating Donor, Acceptor, Hetero- or Polycyclic Aromatics

In the last 13 years several synthetic strategies were developed that provide access to [n]cycloparaphenylenes ([n]CPPs) and related conjugated nanohoops. A number of potential applications emerged, including optoelectronic devices, and their use as templates for carbon nanomaterials and in supramolecular chemistry. To tune the structural or optoelectronic properties of carbon nanohoops beyond the size-dependent effect known for [n]CPPs, a variety of aromatic rings other than benzene were introduced. In this Review, we provide an overview of the syntheses, properties, and applications of conjugated nanohoops beyond [n]CPPs with intrinsic donor/acceptor structure or such that contain acceptor, donor, heteroaromatic or polycyclic aromatic units within the hoop as well as conjugated nanobelts.

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of [3]Cyclo-1,8-pyrenes via [4 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and photophysical properties of the crown-like structure of [3]cyclo-1,8-pyrenes (compounds 9 and 10). Planar pyrenyl arylene-ethynylene macrocycles are used as the precursors to synthesize these pyrene-based cycloarenes by [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction with good yields. These molecules are confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. The structure of 9 was unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their photophysical properties are investigated by steady-state absorption, fluorescence, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies, combined with theoretical calculations.

Construction of a double-walled carbon nanoring

The nanoring structure of cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs) can be considered as the shortest fragment of a carbon nanotube. Herein, we successfully prepared a double-walled carbon nanoring of [6]CPP⊂[12]CPP, which can be regarded as the shortest double-walled carbon nanotube. [6]CPP⊂[12]CPP was constructed through the supramolecular assembly, and its crystallographic structure was unambiguously determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The host-guest interaction and charge transfer in [6]CPP⊂[12]CPP were disclosed by UV-Vis absorption, fluorescence, and electrochemical studies. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy disclosed the stability of the [6]CPP⊂[12]CPP cation radical, whose unpaired spin was fully delocalized on the inner [6]CPP and well protected by outer [12]CPP. Moreover, [6]CPP⊂[12]CPP shows highly enhanced photoconductivity and photocurrent under light irradiation compared to those of pristine monomers. The self-assembly behavior of [6]CPP⊂[12]CPP was also studied, and it was found that [6]CPP⊂[12]CPP molecules tend to form a square rod structure in the DMF solution. Thus, these results demonstrate that this double-walled carbon nanoring material has a great potential application in photoelectronic devices and organic semiconductors.

Complexation of an Anthracene-Triptycene Nanocage Host with Fullerene Guests through CH⋅⋅⋅π Contacts

A bicyclic anthracene macrocycle containing two triptycene units at the bridgehead positions was synthesized by Ni-mediated coupling of the corresponding precursor as a cage-shaped aromatic hydrocarbon host. This cage host formed an inclusion complex with C₆₀ or C₇₀ guest in 1 : 1 ratio in solution. The association constants (K_a ) determined by the fluorescence titration method were 1.3×10⁴ and 3.3×10⁵  L mol ^-1 for the C₆₀ and C₇₀ complexes, respectively, at 298 K in toluene. DFT calculations revealed that the guest molecules were included in the middle of the cavity with several CH⋅⋅⋅π contacts. The strong affinity of the cage host for the fullerene guests and the high selectivity toward C₇₀ are discussed on the basis of spectroscopic and structural data.

Synthesis, Structure, and Photophysical Properties of m-Phenylene-Embedded Cycloparaphenylene Nanorings

Five m-phenylene-embedded cycloparaphenylenes m₃[9]CPP 1-5 were synthesized by the platinum-mediated cyclooligomerization strategy with high overall yields. The structures of m₃[9]CPP 1-3 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compared to [9]CPP, m₃[9]CPP 1 caused a significant blueshift in the UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra. This result shows that the radial π-conjugation is distorted and partially interrupted. The photophysical properties of m₃[9]CPP 1 were further tuned by the introduction of various substituents for m₃[9]CPP 2-5. Methoxy group substitution at m-phenylene did not change the photophysical properties significantly. Replacement of m-phenylene by tetrafluoro-m-phenylene achieved a significant blueshift. When the carboxyl group was embedded at m-phenylene or the methoxy group was embedded at p-phenylene, significant redshifts were observed with blue color emission. Theoretical calculations revealed that the decrease in the HOMO-LUMO gap in m₃[9]CPP 4 and 5 is favorable for the redshift of the fluorescence spectrum.

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.

Linear, Non-Conjugated Cyclic and Conjugated Cyclic Paraphenylene under Pressure

The n-paraphenylene family comprises chains of phenylene units linked together by C-C bonds that are between single- and double-bonded, and where n corresponds to the number of phenylene units. In this work, we compare the response of the optical properties of different phenylene arrangements. We study linear chains (LPP), cyclic systems (CPPs), and non-conjugated cyclic systems with two hydrogenated phenylenes (H₄[n]CPP). Particularly, the systems of interest in this work are [6]LPP, [12]- and [6]CPP and H₄[6]CPP. This work combines Raman and infrared spectroscopies with absorption and fluorescence (one- and two-photon excitations) measured as a function of pressure up to maximum of about 25 GPa. Unprecedented crystallographic pressure-dependent results are shown on H₄[n]CPP, revealing intramolecular π-π interactions upon compression. These intramolecular interactions justify the H₄[n]CPP singular optical properties with increasing fluorescence lifetime as a function of pressure.

Bowl Inversion in an Exo-type Supramolecule in the Solid State

Bowl inversion is a unique property of buckybowls. The polarity and assembly configuration of buckybowls are reversed after bowl inversion. So far, this unique phenomenon has been studied in solution and on surface, but not in solid state due to spatial constraint. Now a series of exo-type supramolecular assemblies of trithiasumanene and nanographene are investigated. Tuning the electron density of the nanogaphene component was found to directly affect the binding constant of the complex. Reversible bowl inversion in the solid state was then successfully achieved by subjecting the trithiasumanene-nanographene assembly with the weakest binding strength to repeated heating-cooling cycles, which was unambiguously observed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Precise synthesis and photophysical properties of a small chiral carbon nanotube segment: cyclo[7]paraphenylene-2,6-naphthylene

Herein we report the precise synthesis and photophysical properties of a naphthalene-containing carbon nanohoop, cyclo[7]paraphenylene-2,6-naphthylene ([7]CPPNa2,6), as a sidewall segment of a [9,8] single-walled carbon nanotube ([9,8]SWNT) using a rationally designed strategy. To the best of our knowledge, [7]CPPNa2,6 represents the smallest chiral SWNT segment ever reported. The structure was confirmed by 1H NMR, 2D 1H-1H COSY NMR, 13C NMR, and HR-MS spectrometry. The nanohoop's interesting photophysical properties were investigated by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy combined with theoretical calculations. Compared with the [8]CPP and [9]CPP nanohoops, [7]CPPNa2,6 has a moderate strain energy (89.6 kcal mol-1) and a higher HOMO-LUMO gap (3.5 eV).

Combinatorial design of molecular seeds for chirality-controlled synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The chirality-controlled synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is a major challenge facing current nanomaterials science. The surface-assisted bottom-up fabrication from unimolecular CNT seeds (precursors), which unambiguously predefine the chirality of the tube during the growth, appears to be the most promising approach. This strategy opens a venue towards controlled synthesis of CNTs of virtually any possible chirality by applying properly designed precursor molecules. However, synthetic access to the required precursor molecules remains practically unexplored because of their complex structure. Here, we report a general strategy for the synthesis of molecular seeds for the controlled growth of SWCNTs possessing virtually any desired chirality by combinatorial multi-segmental assembly. The suggested combinatorial approach allows facile assembly of complex CNT precursors (with up to 100 carbon atoms immobilized at strictly predefined positions) just in one single step from complementary segments. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated on the synthesis of the precursor molecules for 21 different SWCNT chiralities utilizing just three relatively simple building blocks.

Bottom-up synthesis from rationally designed precursor molecules is one of the most promising routes to single-walled carbon nanotubes of any desired chirality. Here, the authors present a combinatorial approach to easily assemble a variety of these complex nanotube precursors from simple complementary segments.

Synthesis and Properties of Conjugated Nanohoops Incorporating Dibenzo[a,e]pentalenes: [2]DBP[12]CPPs

Conjugated nanohoops allow studying the effect of cyclic conjugation and bending on the incorporated π-systems. To date, no such system containing antiaromatic units has been reported. We herein present [12]cycloparaphenylenes incorporating two dibenzo[a,e]pentalene units: [2]DBP[12]CPP nanohoops. Dibenzo[a,e]pentalene is a nonalternant hydrocarbon with antiaromatic character. The syntheses and optoelectronic properties of two different [2]DBP[12]CPP nanohoops with electronically modifying substituents are reported, accompanied by TDDFT calculations.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Photophysical Properties of [6]Cycloparaphenylene Tetracarboxylates

The synthesis of C₂-symmetrical [6]cycloparaphenylene (CPP) tetracarboxylates has been achieved via macrocyclization by the rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular stepwise cross-alkyne cyclotrimerization and subsequent reductive aromatization. The ¹H NMR spectra of the thus-obtained C₂-symmetrical [6]CPP-tetracarboxylates revealed that the rotation of unsubstituted benzene rings is slow at room temperature. These [6]CPPs formed columnar packing structures, and their absorption maxima were significantly blue-shifted compared to that of nonsubstituted [6]CPP due to the presence of four electron-withdrawing ester moieties.

Charge transport parameters for carbon based nanohoops and donor-acceptor derivatives

The effect of donor-acceptor (D-A) moieties on magnitudes such as reorganization energies and electronic couplings in cycloparaphenylene (CPP) carbon based nanohoops (i.e. conjugated organic molecules with cyclic topology) is highlighted via model computations and analysis of the available crystalline structure of N,N-dimethylaza[8]CPP. For the sake of comparison, intra-molecular and inter-molecular charge transport parameters are concomitantly modelled for the recently determined herringbone polymorph of [6]CPP, along with [8]CPP and [12]CPP. The peculiar contribution of low frequency vibrations to intramolecular reorganization energies is also disclosed by computing the Huang-Rhys factors for the investigated [n]CPPs and the N,N-dimethylaza derivative. In contrast with most planar organic semiconductors where the layer in which molecules are herringbone arranged identifies the high-mobility plane, nanohoops disclose inter-layer electronic couplings larger than the intra-layer counterparts. Charge transfer rate constants modelled with three different approaches (Marcus, Marcus-Levich-Jortner and spectral overlap) suggest that D-A nanohoops, owing to orbital localization, may be more efficient for charge transport than [n]CPPs for suitable solid phase arrangements.

Preparation of a large-sized highly flexible carbon nanohoop

A highly flexible carbon nanohoop composed of HBC panels was prepared by connection together with biphenylene spacers.

Multifunctionalized octamethoxy-[8]cycloparaphenylene: facile synthesis and analysis of novel photophysical and photoinduced electron transfer properties

A novel multifunctionalized carbon nanoring was facilely synthesized, which demonstrates an unusual hypsochromic shift in the emission spectrum with interesting photophysical properties.

Alternating oligo(o,p-phenylenes) via ruthenium catalyzed diol-diene benzannulation: orthogonality to cross-coupling enables de novo nanographene and PAH construction

Ruthenium(0) catalyzed diol-diene benzannulation is applied to the conversion of oligo(p-phenylene vinylenes) 2a-c, 5 and 6 to alternating oligo(o,p-phenylenes) 10a-c, 11-13. Orthogonality with respect to conventional palladium catalyzed biaryl cross-coupling permits construction of p-bromo-terminated alternating oligo(o,p-phenylenes) 10b, 11-13, which can be engaged in Suzuki cross-coupling and Scholl oxidation. In this way, structurally homogeneous nanographenes 16a-f are prepared. Nanographene 16a, which incorporates 14 fused benzene rings, was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In a similar fashion, p-bromo-terminated oligo(p-phenylene ethane diol) 9, which contains a 1,3,5-trisubstituted benzene core, is converted to the soluble, structurally homogeneous hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene 18. A benzothiophene-terminated pentamer 10c was prepared and subjected to Scholl oxidation to furnish the helical bis(benzothiophene)-fused picene derivative 14. The steady-state absorption and emission properties of nanographenes 14, 16a,b,d,e,h and 18 were characterized. These studies illustrate how orthogonality of ruthenium(0) catalyzed diol-diene benzannulation with respect to classical biaryl cross-coupling streamlines oligophenylene and nanographene construction.

Synthesis of a Helical Bilayer Nanographene

A rigid, inherently chiral bilayer nanographene has been synthesized as both the racemate and enantioenriched M isomer (with 93 % ee) in three steps from established helicenes. This folded nanographene is composed of two hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene layers fused to a [10]helicene, with an interlayer distance of 3.6 Å as determined by X-ray crystallography. The rigidity of the helicene linker forces the layers to adopt a nearly aligned AA-stacked conformation, rarely observed in few-layer graphene. By combining the advantages of nanographenes and helicenes, we have constructed a bilayer system of 30 fused benzene rings that is also chiral, rigid, and remains soluble in common organic solvents. We present this as a molecular model system of bilayer graphene, with properties of interest in a variety of potential applications.

Negative ions, molecular electron affinity and orbital structure of cata-condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

RATIONALE

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are molecules of ecological, astrochemical significance that find practical applications in organic electronics, photonics and the chemical synthesis of novel materials. The utility of these molecules often implies the occurrence of their ionized forms. Studies in the gas phase of elementary processes of energy-controlled interaction of molecules with low-energy electrons shed light on the mechanisms of transient negative ion formation and evolution.

METHODS

Experiments with the individual compounds representing homologous and/or isomeric series of cata-condensed polyaromatic hydrocarbons were carried out by means of negative ion mass spectrometry in the resonant electron capture mode. Literature data obtained by complementary techniques and theoretical quantum chemical methods (ab initio and density functional theory (DFT)) were invoked to treat the experimental observations.

RESULTS

Most polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules form long-lived molecular negative ions when exposed to free electrons of thermal or epi-thermal energy, and no fragmentation is observed up to ca 5 eV. The lifetimes of such ions with respect to the spontaneous loss of extra-electron vary from tens of microseconds for angular and branched PAH molecules to milliseconds for linear ones, and correlate with the adiabatic electron affinity (EA) of molecules. Detailed analysis of the electronic (orbital) structure of the molecules made it possible to rationalize the relatively low EAs of angular and branched PAH compared with those of linear ones.

CONCLUSIONS

The obtained results contribute to the field of electron-molecule interactions and may be of importance for the better comprehension of the functioning of organic electronics, for the synthesis of relevant novel materials, and the development of efficient analytical methods capable of discriminating structural isomers.

Regioselective Synthesis of [3]Naphthylenes and Tuning of Their Antiaromaticity

Polycyclic conjugated hydrocarbons containing four-membered cyclobutadienoids (CBDs) are of great fundamental and technical interest due to the antiaromaticity brought by CBD circuits. However, their synthesis has been challenging, hampering the exploration and understanding of such systems. We report efficient synthesis of a series of unprecedented [3]naphthylene regioisomers in high yields, where three naphthalenoids are fused through two CBDs in linear, angular, and bent regioconnectivity. Their synthesis was enabled by exclusively regioselective catalytic arene-norbornene annulation (CANAL) between dibromonaphthalenes and benzooxanorbornadienes, followed by aromatization. [3]Naphthylene regioisomers exhibited distinct optoelectronic properties. Nucleus-independent chemical shift calculations, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography revealed the strong effect of the fusion pattern on the local antiaromaticity and aromaticity in fused CBDs and naphthalenoids, respectively. Thus, our synthetic strategy allows facile access to extended CBD-fused π-systems with tunable local antiaromaticity and aromaticity.

Analysis of the Nucleus-Independent Chemical Shifts of [10]Cyclophenacene: Is It an Aromatic or Antiaromatic Molecule?

[10]Cyclophenacene is an important synthetic target that shows a pair of nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) values for the center of mass and six-membered rings typical of an aromatic species. This is found in contrast with the global paratropic current density induced by a magnetic field parallel to the main symmetry axis. This apparent contradiction has been analyzed by studying the tensor character of the magnetic response. It turns out that the molecule displays two characters, one paratropic (antiaromatic) and another one diatropic (aromatic), depending on the orientation of the inducing magnetic field. The paratropic response, which cannot be recognized from the NICS values, is associated with a well-defined destabilization of the belt closure, as witnessed by homodesmotic reactions. A scalar measure of magnetic aromaticity, the field-independent current strength, has been introduced, which allows us to reach the conclusion that [10]cyclophenacene is indeed an aromatic molecule, although it is significantly affected by the paratropic response.