Benzoimidazolium-derived dimeric and hydride n-dopants for organic electron-transport materials: impact of substitution on structures, electrochemistry, and reactivity.

1,3-Dimethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[d]imidazoles, 1H, and 1,1',3,3'-tetramethyl-2,2',3,3'-tetrahydro-2,2'-bibenzo[d]imidazoles, 12, are of interest as n-dopants for organic electron-transport materials. Salts of 2-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-4,7-dimethoxy-, 2-cyclohexyl-4,7-dimethoxy-, and 2-(5-(dimethylamino)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[d]imidazolium (1g-i+, respectively) have been synthesized and reduced with NaBH4 to 1gH, 1hH, and 1iH, and with Na:Hg to 1g2 and 1h2. Their electrochemistry and reactivity were compared to those derived from 2-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)- (1b+) and 2-cyclohexylbenzo[d]imidazolium (1e+) salts. E(1+/1•) values for 2-aryl species are less reducing than for 2-alkyl analogues, i.e., the radicals are stabilized more by aryl groups than the cations, while 4,7-dimethoxy substitution leads to more reducing E(1+/1•) values, as well as cathodic shifts in E(12•+/12) and E(1H•+/1H) values. Both the use of 3,4-dimethoxy and 2-aryl substituents accelerates the reaction of the 1H species with PC61BM. Because 2-aryl groups stabilize radicals, 1b2 and 1g2 exhibit weaker bonds than 1e2 and 1h2 and thus react with 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (VII) via a "cleavage-first" pathway, while 1e2 and 1h2 react only via "electron-transfer-first". 1h2 exhibits the most cathodic E(12•+/12) value of the dimers considered here and, therefore, reacts more rapidly than any of the other dimers with VII via "electron-transfer-first". Crystal structures show rather long central C-C bonds for 1b2 (1.5899(11) and 1.6194(8) Å) and 1h2 (1.6299(13) Å).

Squid leucophore-inspired engineering of optically dynamic human cells.

Cephalopods (e.g., squids, octopuses, and cuttlefishes) possess remarkable dynamic camouflage abilities and therefore have emerged as powerful sources of inspiration for the engineering of dynamic optical technologies. Within this context, we have focused on the development of engineered living systems that can emulate the tunable optical characteristics of some squid skin cells. Herein, we expand our ability to controllably incorporate reflectin-based structures within mammalian cells via genetic engineering methods, and demonstrate that such structures can facilitate holotomographic and standard microscopy imaging of the cells. Moreover, we show that the reflectin-based structures within our cells can be reconfigured with a straightforward chemical stimulus, and we quantify the stimulus-induced changes observed for the structures at the single cell level. The reported findings may enable a better understanding of the color- and appearance-changing capabilities of some cephalopod skin cells and could afford opportunities for reflectins as molecular probes in the fields of cell biology and biomedical optics.

Single-Crystal Investigation, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, and DFT Study of Third-Order NLO Properties of Unsymmetrical Acyl Thiourea Derivatives.

In the current research work, unsymmetrical acyl thiourea derivatives, 4-((3-benzoylthioureido)methyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (BTCC) and methyl 2-(3-benzoylthioureido)benzoate (MBTB), have been synthesized efficiently. The structures of these crystalline thioureas were unambiguously confirmed by single-crystal diffractional analysis. The crystallographic investigation showed that the molecular configuration of both compounds is stabilized by intramolecular N-H···O bonding. The crystal packing of BTCC is stabilized by strong N-H···O bonding and comparatively weak O-H···S, C-H···O, C-H···π, and C-O···π interactions, whereas strong N-H···O bonding and comparatively weak C-H···O, C-H···S, and C-H···π interactions are responsible for the crystal packing of MBTB. The noncovalent interactions that are responsible for the crystal packing are explored by the Hirshfeld surface analysis for both compounds. The void analysis is performed to find the quantitative strength of crystal packing in both compounds. Additionally, state-of-the-art applied quantum chemical techniques are used to further explore the structure-property relationship in the above-entitled molecules. The optimization of molecular geometries showed a reasonably good correlation with their respective experimental structures. Third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) polarizability calculations were performed to see the advanced functional application of entitled compounds as efficient NLO materials. The average static γ amplitudes are found to be 27.30 × 10-36 and 102.91 × 10-36 esu for the compounds BTCC and MBTB, respectively. The γ amplitude of MBTB is calculated to be 3.77 times larger, which is probably due to better charge-transfer characteristics in MBTB. The quantum chemical analysis in the form of 3-D plots was also performed for their frontier molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potentials for understanding charge-transfer characteristics. We believe that the current investigation will not only report the new BTCC and MBTB compounds but also evoke the interest of the materials science community in their potential use in NLO applications.

Mol-ecular and crystal structure, lattice energy and DFT calculations of two 2'-(nitro-benzo-yloxy)aceto-phenone isomers.

The two isomers 2'-(4-nitro-benzo-yloxy)aceto-phenone (systematic name: 2-acetyl-phenyl 4-nitro-benzoate) (I) and 2'-(2-nitro-benzo-yloxy)aceto-phenone (systematic name: 2-acetyl-phenyl 2-nitro-benzoate) (II), both C15H11NO5, with para and ortho positions of the nitro substituent have been crystallized and studied. It is evident that the variation in the position of the nitro group causes a significant difference in the mol-ecular conformations: the dihedral angle between the aromatic fragments in the mol-ecule of I is 84.80 (4)°, while that in the mol-ecule of II is 6.12 (7)°. Diffraction analysis revealed the presence of a small amount of water in the crystal of I. DFT calculations of the mol-ecular energy demonstrate that the ortho substituent causes a higher energy for isomer II, while crystal lattice energy calculations show that the values are almost equal for two isomers.

Mol-ecular and crystal structure, optical properties and DFT studies of 1,4-dimeth-oxy-2,5-bis-[2-(4-nitro-phen-yl)ethen-yl]benzene.

The title compound DBNB, C24H20N2O6, has been crystallized and studied by X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic and computational methods. In the title mol-ecule, which is based on a 1,4-distyryl-2,5-di-meth-oxy-benzene core with p-nitro-substituted terminal benzene rings, the dihedral angle between mean planes of the central fragment and the terminal phenyl ring is 16.46 (6)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by π-π inter-actions. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311 G(d,p) level of theory were used to compare the optimized structures with the experimental data. Energy parameters, including HOMO and LUMO energies, their difference, and vertical excitation and emission energies were obtained.

Crystal structures, syntheses, and spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements of two push-pull chromophores: 2-[4-(di-methyl-amino)-benzyl-idene]-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione and (E)-2-{3-[4-(di-meth-ylamino)-phen-yl]allyl-idene}-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione.

The title pull-push chromophores, 2-[4-(di-methyl-amino)-benzyl-idene]-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione, C18H15NO2 (ID[1]) and (E)-2-{3-[4-(di-methyl-amino)-phen-yl]allyl-idene}-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione, C20H17NO2 (ID[2]), have donor-π-bridge-acceptor structures. The mol-ecule with the short π-bridge, ID[1], is almost planar while for the mol-ecule with a longer bridge, ID[2], is less planar. The benzene ring is inclined to the mean plane of the 2,3-di-hydro-1H-indene unit by 3.19 (4)° in ID[1] and 13.06 (8)° in ID[2]. The structures of three polymorphs of compound ID[1] have been reported: the α-polymorph [space group P21/c; Magomedova & Zvonkova (1978 ▸). Kristallografiya, 23, 281-288], the ß-polymorph [space group P21/c; Magomedova & Zvonkova (1980 ▸). Kristallografiya, 25 1183-1187] and the γ-polymorph [space group Pna21; Magomedova, Neigauz, Zvonkova & Novakovskaya (1980 ▸). Kristallografiya, 25, 400-402]. The mol-ecular packing in ID[1] studied here is centrosymmetric (space group P21/c) and corresponds to the ß-polymorph structure. The mol-ecular packing in ID[2] is non-centrosymmetric (space group P21), which suggests potential NLO properties for this crystalline material. In both compounds, there is short intra-molecular C-H⋯O contact present, enclosing an S(7) ring motif. In the crystal of ID[1], mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯π inter-actions, forming layers parallel to the bc plane. In the crystal of ID[2], mol-ecules are liked by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form 21 helices propagating along the b-axis direction. The mol-ecules in the helix are linked by offset π-π inter-actions with, for example, a centroid-centroid distance of 3.9664 (13) Š(= b axis) separating the indene rings, and an offset of 1.869 Å. Spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements show the ability of these compounds to easily transfer electrons through the π-conjugated chain.

Synthesis and structure of push-pull merocyanines based on barbituric and thio-barbituric acid.

Two compounds, 1,3-diethyl-5-{(2E,4E)-6-[(E)-1,3,3-tri-methyl-indolin-2-yl-idene]hexa-2,4-dien-1-yl-idene}pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione or TMI, C25H29N3O3, and 1,3-diethyl-2-sulfanyl-idene-5-[2-(1,3,3-tri-methyl-indolin-2-yl-idene)ethyl-idene]di-hydro-pyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione or DTB, C21H25N3O2S, have been crystallized and studied. These compounds contain the same indole derivative donor group and differ in their acceptor groups (in TMI it contains oxygen in the para position, and in DTB sulfur) and the length of the π-bridge. In both materials, mol-ecules are packed in a herringbone manner with differences in the twist and fold angles. In both structures, the mol-ecules are connected by weak C-H⋯O and/or C-H⋯S bonds.

Synthesis, crystal structure studies and solvatochromic behaviour of two 2-{5-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]penta-2,4-dien-1-ylidene}malononitrile derivatives.

The synthesis, crystal structure studies and solvatochromic behavior of 2-{(2E,4E)-5-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]penta-2,4-dien-1-ylidene}malononitrile, C16H15N3 (DCV[3]), and 2-{(2E,4E,6E)-7-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]hepta-2,4,6-trien-1-ylidene}malononitrile, C18H17N3 (DCV[4]), are reported and discussed in comparison with their homologs having a shorter length of the π-conjugated bridge. The compounds of this series have potential use as nonlinear materials with second-order effects due to their donor-acceptor structures. However, DCV[3] and DCV[4] crystallized in the centrosymmetric space group P21/c which excludes their application as nonlinear optical materials in the crystalline state. They both crystallize with two independent molecules having the same molecular conformation in the asymmetric unit. The series DCV[1]-DCV[4] demonstrated reversed solvatochromic behavior in toluene, chloroform, and acetonitrile.

Crystal structure of tetra-methyl-ammonium 1,1,7,7-tetra-cyano-hepta-2,4,6-trienide.

The title compound, C4H12N+·C11H5N4 -, contains one tetra-methyl-ammonium cation and one 1,1,7,7-tetra-cyano-hepta-2,4,6-trienide anion in the asymmetric unit. The anion is in an all-trans conjugated C=C bonds conformation. Two terminal C(CN)2 di-nitrile moieties are slightly twisted from the polymethine main chain to which they are attached [C(CN)2/C5 dihedral angles = 6.1 (2) and 7.1 (1)°]. The C-C bond distances along the hepta-dienyl chain vary in the narrow range 1.382 (2)-1.394 (2) Å, thus indicating the significant degree of conjugation. In the crystal, the anions are linked into zigzag chains along the [10] direction by C-H⋯N(nitrile) short contacts. The anti-parallel chains stack along the [110] direction with alternating separations between the neighboring anions in stacks of 3.291 and 3.504 Å. The C-H⋯N short contacts and stacking inter-actions combine to link the anions into layers parallel to the (01) plane and separated by columns of tetra-methyl-ammonium cations.

Synthesis and structural study of organic two-photon-absorbing cycloalkanone chromophores.

The three organic two-photon-absorbing cycloalkanone chromophores 2,4-bis[4-(diethylamino)benzylidene]cyclobutanone, C26H32N2O (I), 2,5-bis[4-(diethylamino)benzylidene]cyclopentanone, C27H34N2O (II), and 2,6-bis[4-(diethylamino)benzylidene]cyclohexanone, C28H36N2O (III), were obtained by a reaction between 4-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde and the corresponding cycloalkanone and were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, as well as density functional theory (DFT) quantum-chemical calculations. Molecules of this series have three main fragments, i.e. central acceptor (A) and two terminal donors (D1 and D2) and represent examples of the D1-π-A-π-D2 molecular design. All three compounds crystallize with two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit (A and B) and are distinguished by the conformations of both the molecular Et2N-C6H4-C=C-C(=O)-C=C-C6H4-NEt2 backbone (arcuate or linear) and the terminal diethylamino substituents (syn- or antiperiplanar to the plane of the molecule). The central four- and five-membered rings in I and II are almost planar, and the six-membered ring in III adopts a sofa conformation. In the crystals of I-III, the two independent molecules A and B form hydrogen-bonded [A...B] dimers via intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, the [A...B] dimers in I are bound by intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen bonds into two-tier puckered layers, whereas in the crystals of II and III, the [A...B] dimers are stacked along the c and a axes, respectively. Taking into account the decreasing steric strain upon expanding the central ring, compound I might be more efficient as a two-photon absorption chromophore than compounds II and III, which corresponds to the results of spectroscopic studies.