Synthesis of 1,1,4,4‐Tetracyanobuta‐1,3‐Dienes using Tetracyanoethylene Oxide via [3+2]‐Cycloaddition‐Ring Opening Reaction

Carbamate-Functionalized NLOphores via a Formal [2+2] Cycloaddition-Retroelectrocyclization Strategy

This study introduces a new donor group capable of activating click-type [2+2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclizations, generally known for their limited scope. Target chromophores were synthesized using isocyanate-free urethane synthesis. The developed synthetic method allows for the tuning of the optical properties of the chromophores by modifying the donor groups, the acceptor units, and the side chains. The charge transfer (CT) bands of the chromophores exhibit λmax values ranging from 363 to 692 nm. The CT bands observed have been supported by solvatochromism and protonation experiments. The synthesized compounds exhibit positive solvatochromism. Due to their potential as NLOphore candidates, the stability of the synthesized compounds have been investigated both experimentally through TGA and theoretically by calculating parameters such as frontier orbital energy differences, electronegativity, and global hardness/softness. TD-DFT calculations were used to elucidate the nature of the electronic transitions, revealing that the bands correspond to CT arising from HOMO-to-LUMO excitations. The NLO properties of the chromophores were investigated theoretically by DFT methods and experimentally by the EFISHG technique. Both results are shown to be in agreement with HOMO-LUMO energy differences. The experimental μβ values of the selected molecules range from 470×10-48 to 5400×10-48 esu.

Synthesis and Optical Characterization of Hydrazone-Substituted Push-Pull-Type NLOphores

Two distinct families of NLOphores featuring hydrazone donors were synthesized using click-type [2 + 2] cycloaddition retroelectrocyclizations (CA-RE). Despite the limitations in the substrate scope, it was shown for the first time that hydrazone-activated alkynes could undergo reactions with TCNE/TCNQ. The electrochemical, photophysical, and second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) characteristics of the chromophores were analyzed utilizing experimental and computational approaches. Chromophores 17-21 and 23-27 exhibited two reduction waves, along with one oxidation wave that can be attributed to the hydrazone moiety. All chromophores exhibit charge-transfer bands extending from the visible to the near-infrared region. The λmax of hydrazone-based chromophores falls within the range of 473 to 725 nm. Additionally, all chromophores exhibited positive solvatochromism. Computational studies have been performed to elucidate the origin of the low-energy absorption bands. Parameters such as dipole moment, band gaps, electronegativity, global chemical hardness/softness, average polarizability, and first hyperpolarizability were calculated to obtain information about NLO properties of the target structures. The thermal stabilities of the NLOphores were assessed through TGA. Experimental NLO measurements were conducted using the electric field-induced second harmonic generation (EFISHG) technique. The studied structures demonstrated NLO responses, with μβ values between 520 × 10-48 esu and 5300 × 10-48 esu.

Perspectives on push-pull chromophores derived from click-type [2 + 2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization reactions of electron-rich alkynes and electron-deficient alkenes

Various push-pull chromophores can be synthesized in a single and atom-economical step through [2 + 2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization (CA-RE) reactions involving diverse electron-rich alkynes and electron-deficient alkenes. In this review, a comprehensive investigation of the recent and noteworthy advancements in the research on push-pull chromophores prepared via the [2 + 2] CA-RE reaction is conducted. In particular, an overview of the physicochemical properties of the family of these compounds that have been investigated is provided to clarify their potential for future applications.

3-Alkynylindoles as Building Blocks for the Synthesis of Electronically Tunable Indole-Based Push-Pull Chromophores

In this study, two different classes of push–pull chromophores were synthesized in modest to excellent yields by formal [2+2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization (CA-RE) reactions. N-Methyl indole was introduced as a new donor group to activate alkynes in the CA-RE transformations. Depending on the side groups’ size and donor/acceptor characteristics, N-methyl indole-containing compounds exhibited λ_max values ranging between 378 and 658 nm. The optoelectronic properties of the reported D–A-type structures were studied by UV/vis spectroscopy and computational studies. The complete regioselectivity observed in the products was elaborated by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR studies, and the electron donor strength order of N-alkyl indole and triazene donor groups was also established. The intramolecular charge-transfer characteristics of the target push–pull chromophores were investigated by frontier orbital depictions, electrostatic potential maps, and time-dependent density functional theory calculations. Overall, the computational and experimental results match each other. Integrating a new donor group, N-alkyl indole, into the substrates used in formal [2+2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclizations has significant potential to overcome the limited donor-substituted substrate scope problem of CA-RE reactions.