Mechanofluorochromic Properties of 1,4-Diphenylanthracene Derivatives with Hypsochromic Shift.

Several types of 1,4-diphenylanthracene derivatives 1-4 were prepared, and their photophysical properties were observed in the solid and solution states. Interestingly, the CN-group-substituted 1,4-diphenylanthracene derivative 2 was found to exhibit a higher fluorescence quantum yield (ϕf = 0.71) in the solid state than in the solution state, probably due to the formation of an intermolecular Ar-CN⋯H-Ar hydrogen bond and antiparallel type locked packing structure in the solid state. Furthermore, for some derivatives, an increase in the fluorescence quantum yield was observed in the PMMA film (1 wt%) over both the solid state and the solution state. More interestingly, some of the 1,4-diphenylanthracene derivatives exhibited unusual mechanofluorochromic properties with a "hypsochromic shift" in luminous color depending on the substituents of the phenyl group, and with the derivatives having CF3, OMe, CN, and two F substituents (1d-1f, 2-4) showing a significant luminous color change with a "hypsochromic shift" after grinding. However, no change in the luminous color was observed for the derivatives having H, Me, and one F substituent (1a-1c), and especially for some of the CN-substituted derivatives, a reversible luminous color change with a "hypsochromic shift" was observed, probably due to the formation of an antiparallel type packing structure. These "hypsochromic" anthracene derivatives could probably be utilized as new mechanofluorochromic materials.

Octaalkoxyfullerenes: Widely LUMO-Tunable C2 v-Symmetric Fullerene Derivatives.

C2 v-Symmetric octaalkoxyfullerenes, C60(OR)8 (R = CH3, C2H5, CH2CF3), were synthesized by reacting octabromofullerene with the corresponding alcohols in the presence of AgBF4. The reactions occurred with no change in the addition pattern, and the compounds were unambiguously characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structure analysis. Electrochemical measurements revealed not only that these derivatives have stable redox properties but also that their LUMO levels can be tuned over a very wide range.

Stereospecific Synthesis of Tris-heteroleptic Tris-cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes via Different Heteroleptic Halogen-Bridged Iridium(III) Dimers and Their Photophysical Properties.

Herein, we report on the stereospecific synthesis of two single isomers of tris-heteroleptic tris-cyclometalated iridium(III) (Ir(III)) complexes composed of three different nonsymmetric cyclometalating ligands via heteroleptic halogen-bridged Ir dimers [Ir(tpy)(F2ppy)(µ-Br)]2 17b and [Ir(mpiq)(F2ppy)(µ-Br)]2 27b (tpyH: (2-(4'-tolyl)pyridine) and F2ppyH: (2-(4',6'-difluorophenyl)pyridine), and mpiqH: (1-(4'-methylphenyl)isoquinoline)) prepared by Zn2+-promoted degradation of Ir(tpy)2(F2ppy) 21 and Ir(mpiq)2(F2ppy) 26, as reported by us. Subsequently, 17b and 27b were converted to the tris-heteroleptic tris-cyclometalated Ir complexes Ir(tpy)(F2ppy)(mpiq) 25 consisting of tpy, F2ppy, and mpiq, as confirmed by spectroscopic data and X-ray crystal structure analysis. The first important point in this work is the selective synthesis of specific isomers among eight possible stereoisomers of Ir complexes having the same combination of three cyclometalating ligands. Namely, two meridional forms of 25 were synthesized and isolated. The second finding is that the different stereoisomers of 25 have different stability. Finally, different stereoisomers exhibit different emission spectra. Namely, one of its stereoisomers 25a exhibits a single broad emission from ca. 550 nm to ca. 650 nm (orange emission), while stereoisomer 25c emits dual emission at ca. 509 nm and ca. 600 nm (pale pink emission), as supported by time-dependent density functional theory calculation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the selective and efficient synthesis of different stereoisomers of tris-heteroleptic tris-cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes that have different stabilities and different photophysical properties.

Ascidiacyclamides containing oxazoline and thiazole motifs assume square conformations and show high cytotoxicity.

Four cyclic octapeptides were designed from ascidiacyclamide [cyclo(-Ile-Oxz-D-Val- Thz-)2 ] (ASC, 1) to investigate the effects of oxazoline (Oxz) and thiazole (Thz) rings on the structures and cytotoxicities of the peptides. cyclo(-Ile-Thz-D-Val-Oxz-)2 (2) had the same number of Oxz and Thz rings as ASC, but the ring positions were switched. cyclo(-Ile-Oxz-D-Val-Thz-Ile-Thz-D-Val-Thz-) (3) and cyclo(-Ile-Thz-D-Val-Oxz-Ile-Thz-D-Val-Thz-) (4) contained one Oxz and three Thz rings within the molecule. All Oxz rings were substituted with Thz in cyclo(-Ile-Thz-D-Val-Thz-)2 (5). These analogues had new Oxz and Thz blocks forming the 24-membered ring. Based on CD spectra and X-ray diffraction analyses, the structures of all four analogues were classified as square ASC forms. But the structures of 2 and 5 differed from the original square form of 1, and they showed no cytotoxicity. The structure of 3 was very similar to that of 1, and 3 showed 10 times greater cytotoxicity than 1. Although no definite structure of 4 was obtained, it showed three times greater cytotoxicity than 1. It appears that the position and number of Oxz residues are essential determinants in the structure-cytotoxicity relationship of ASC analogues.

Self-Assembled Molecular Gear: A 4:1 Complex of Rh(III)Cl Tetraarylporphyrin and Tetra(p-pyridyl)cavitand.

The components of a 4:1 mixture of Rh(III)Cl tetrakis(4-methylphenyl)porphyrin 1 and a bowl-shaped tetra(4-pyridyl)cavitand 4 self-assemble into a 4:1 complex 14•4 via Rh-pyridyl axial coordination bonds. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and variable-temperature (VT) (1)H NMR study of 14•4 indicated that 14•4 behaves as a quadruple interlocking gear with an inner space, wherein (i) four subunits-1 are gear wheels and four p-pyridyl groups in subunit-4 are axes of gear wheels, (ii) one subunit-1 and two adjacent subunits-1 interlock with one another cooperatively, and (iii) four subunits-1 in 14•4 rotate quickly at 298 K on the NMR time scale. Together, the extremely strong porphyrin-Rh-pyridyl axial coordination bond, the rigidity of the methylene-bridge cavitand as a scaffold of the pyridyl axes, and the cruciform arrangement of the interdigitating p-tolyl groups as the teeth moiety of the gear wheels in the assembling 14-unit make 14•4 function as a quadruple interlocking gear in solution. The gear function of 14•4 was also supported by the rotation behaviors of other 4:1 complexes: 24•4 and 34•4 obtained from Rh(III)Cl tetrakis[4-(4-methylphenyl)phenyl]porphyrin 2 or Rh(III)Cl tetrakis(3,5-dialkoxyphenyl)porphyrin 3 and 4 also served as quadruple interlocking gears, whereas 14•5 obtained from 1 and tetrakis[4-(4-pyridyl)phenyl]cavitand 5 did not behave as a gear. The results of activation parameters (ΔH(⧧), ΔS(⧧), and ΔG(⧧)) obtained from Eyring plots based on line-shape analysis of the VT (1)H NMR spectra of 14•4, 24•4, and 34•4 also support the interlocking rotation (geared coupled rotation) mechanism.

Regioselective Photocyclizations of Di(quinolinyl)arylamines and Tri(quinolinyl)amine with Emission Color Changes and Photoreaction-Induced Self-Assemblies.

Bis[2,4-di(trifluoromethyl)quinoline-7-yl]amine (1), bis[2,4-di(trifluoromethyl)quinoline-7-yl]methylamine (2), bis[2,4-di(trifluoromethyl)quinoline-7-yl]phenylamine derivatives, Q2 NPhX; X=NO2 (3 a), I (3 b), H (3 c), OMe (3 d), and NH2 (3 e), tris[2,4-di(trifluoromethyl)quinoline-7-yl]amine (4), and bis[2,4-di(pentafluoroethyl)quinoline-7-yl]-4-nitrophenylamine (5) were prepared as functional fluorophores. On irradiating the solution samples, 1 showed no noticeable alteration, whereas 2, 3 a-d, and 4 showed emission color changes from yellowish green to blue, indicating that a photoreaction took place. Analyses of the photoproduct based on absorption and emission spectra, (1) H NMR spectra, and X-ray crystallography indicated that photocyclization reactions occurred regioselectively and quantitatively to form bent-bent dipyridocarbazoles. In 3 a-d, the reaction rates depended on the solvent polarity and the substituent on the benzene ring. The photoreactions were accelerated with decreasing solvent polarity and with increasing electron-withdrawing character of the substituents. The photocyclization of triquinolineamine 4 was faster than that of 3 a in all solvents. The results of semiempirical quantum-chemical PM6 calculations suggested that the observed regioselective photocyclization could be explained by stabilization of the excited triplet transition state for the bent-bent form because of the molecular geometry with the CH-NQ hydrogen bonds. The solution of 5 in MeOH displayed photoreaction-induced self-assembly behavior to form twisted tape-like fibers of width 200 nm, as determined by TEM imaging.

Efficient synthesis, structure, and complexation studies of electron-donating thiacalix[n]dithienothiophene.

A series of thiacalix[n]dithiothiophenes (n=4-10) was prepared by a facile method and X-ray analysis was used to determine the molecular structures of square- (4-mer) and pentagonal-shaped macrocycles (5-mer). In the cyclic voltammograms, reversible multielectron redox processes, which are due to electronic delocalization, were observed at low oxidation potentials. The cyclic 4-mer acted as a "Janus-head" cavitand for two C60 molecules, whereas the 5- and 6-mer formed stable 1:1 complexes with C60 .

Adsorption structures of non-aromatic hydrocarbons on silicalite-1 using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method.

The actual adsorption structures of non-aromatic hydrocarbons on the MFI-type zeolites have not yet been determined. This is due to the presence of twinning, which makes crystallographic analysis difficult. We recently overcame this problem, and now report the various adsorption structures of n-butane, n-pentane, n-hexane, 1-butene, cis and trans-2-butene, 2-butyne and isopentane on silicalite-1 (MFI-type zeolite) as determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures were elucidated for both low and high loadings of each guest molecule in order to clarify the adsorption process. The low-loaded structures provide valuable insight into guest-framework interactions and initial adsorption behavior. The n-alkanes are initially adsorbed in the sinusoidal channel, while 2-butyne is adsorbed in the straight channel. In the case of the normal hydrocarbons, the molecular configuration (bent or linear) of the compound determines which channel is the preferred adsorption site. Bent molecules prefer the sinusoidal channel and linear molecules prefer the straight channel. In contrast, isopentane is initially adsorbed at the intersection, since the channels are too narrow to maintain the preferred distance between the framework and the bulky isopentane molecule. In the high-loaded structures, the guest molecules occupy additional sites, such that the normal hydrocarbons are located in both channels and isopentane is found at the intersection and the sinusoidal channel.

Persistent antimony- and bismuth-centered radicals in solution.

Stibinyl and bismuthinyl radicals are recognized as representative intermediates of antimony and bismuth compounds, but still elusive in the condensed phase. We successfully synthesized persistent stibinyl and bismuthinyl radicals in solution by facile dissociation of the corresponding dimers with bulky substituents. We characterized the radicals by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy and estimated the thermodynamic parameters for the dissociation equilibria. The radicals show n→p (HOMO→SOMO) transition bands at 497 nm (stibinyl) and 543 nm (bismuthinyl) in 3-methylpentane and react with a stable nitroxyl radical to give the cross-radical coupling products in good yields.

An Isolable THF-Coordinated Dialkylgermanone.

A stable dialkylgermanone was generated by mixing a solid of the corresponding dialkylgermylene and gaseous N2O. While the dialkylgermanone is marginally persistent in solution and gradually converts to its head-to-tail dimer at room temperature, the addition of THF to the dialkylgermanone provided an isolable THF-coordinated dialkylgermanone. The THF-coordinated dialkylgermanone reacts with H2O, THF, and B(C6F5)3 similar to the corresponding base-free two-coordinate dialkylsilanone. The dialkylgermanone undergoes deoxygenation in the presence of triphenylphosphine to provide the corresponding germylene and olefination upon treatment with phosphaylide Ph3PCHPh to afford the corresponding Ge=C bond compound (germa-Wittig reaction).

Pyrrole-fused azacoronene family: the influence of replacement with dialkoxybenzenes on the optical and electronic properties in neutral and oxidized states.

A novel pyrrole-fused azacoronene family was synthesized via oxidative cyclodehydrogenation of the corresponding hexaarylbenzenes as the key step, and the crystal structures of tetraazacoronene 3b and triazacoronene 4a were elucidated. The photophysical properties for neutral compounds 1-4 were investigated using steady-state UV-vis absorption/emission spectroscopy and time-resolved spectroscopy (emission spectra and lifetime measurements) at both room temperature and 77 K. The observation of both fluorescence and phosphorescence allowed us to estimate the small S1-T1 energy gap (ΔES-T) to be 0.35 eV (1a), 0.26 eV (2a), and 0.36 eV (4a). Similar to the case of previously reported hexapyrrolohexaazacoronene 1 (HPHAC), electrochemical oxidation revealed up to four reversible oxidation processes for all of the new compounds. The charge and spin delocalization properties of the series of azacoronene π-systems were examined using UV-vis-NIR absorption, ESR, and NMR spectroscopies for the chemically generated radical cations and dications. Combined with the theoretical calculations, the experimental results clearly demonstrated that the replacement of pyrrole rings with dialkoxybenzene plays a critical role in the electronic communication, where resonance structures significantly contribute to the thermodynamic stability of the cationic charges/spins and determine the spin multiplicities. For HPHAC 1 and pentaazacoronene 2, the overall aromaticity predicted for closed-shell dications 1(2+) and 2(2+) was primarily based on the theoretical calculations, and the open-shell singlet biradical or triplet character was anticipated for tetraazacoronene 3(2+) and triazacoronene 4(2+) with the aid of theoretical calculations. These polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent the first series of nitrogen-containing PAHs that can be multiply oxidized.

Wide-ranging host capability of a Pd(II)-linked M2L4 molecular capsule with an anthracene shell.

This article reports that an M2L4 molecular capsule is capable of encapsulating various neutral molecules in quantitative yields. The capsule was obtained as a single product by mixing a small number of components; two Pd(II) ions and four bent bispyridine ligands containing two anthracene panels. Detailed studies of the host capability of the Pd(II)-linked capsule revealed that spherical (e.g., paracyclophane, adamantanes, and fullerene C60), planar (e.g., pyrenes and triphenylene), and bowl-shaped molecules (e.g., corannulene) were encapsulated in the large spherical cavity, giving rise to 1:1 and 1:2 host-guest complexes, respectively. The volume of the encapsulated guest molecules ranged from 190 to 490 Å(3). Within the capsule, the planar guests adopt a stacked-dimer structure and the bowl-shaped guests formed an unprecedented concave-to-concave capsular structure, which are fully shielded by the anthracene shell. Competitive binding experiments of the capsule with a set of the planar guests established a preferential binding series for pyrenes≈phenanthrene>triphenylene. Furthermore, the capsule showed the selective formation of an unusual ternary complex in the case of triphenylene and corannulene.

Encapsulation-induced remarkable stability of a hydrogen-bonded heterocapsule.

Remarkably enhanced stability of the self-assembled hydrogen-bonded heterocapsule 1⋅2 by the encapsulation of 1,4-bis(1-propynyl)benzene 3 a was found with Ka =1.14×10(9) M(-1) in CDCl3 and Ka2 =1.59×10(8) M(-2) in CD3 OD/CDCl3 (10 % v/v) at 298 K. The formation of 3 a@(1⋅2) was enthalpically driven (ΔH°<0 and ΔS°<0) and there was a unique inflection point in the correlation between ΔH° versus ΔS° as a function of polar solvent content. The ab initio calculations revealed that favorable guest-capsule dispersion and electrostatic interactions between the acetylenic parts (triple bonds) of 3 a and the aromatic inner space of 1⋅2, as well as less structural deformation of 1⋅2 upon encapsulation of 3 a, play important roles in the remarkable stability of 3 a@(1⋅2).

Double alkylene-strapped diphenylanthracene as a photostable and intense solid-state blue-emitting material.

We report the synthesis and photochemical and photophysical properties of double alkylene-strapped 9,10-diphenylanthracene derivatives 3a-c (a: C6 strap, b: C7 strap, c: C8 strap) in which the reactive central aromatic ring of the anthracene moiety is protected by the double alkylene straps. Thus, 3a-c were much more resistant to photochemical reactions than the parent 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA). Furthermore, 3b in C6H12 as well as in a cast film and the powder state showed the highest fluorescence quantum yields among 3a, 3b, quadruple triethylsilyl-protected DPA 4, and DPA, wherein the C7 strap in 3b effectively serves to block fluorescence self-quenching.

Isostructural M2L4 molecular capsules with anthracene shells: synthesis, crystal structures, and fluorescent properties.

An isostructural series of M(2)L(4) molecular capsules quantitatively self-assembled from two M(II) ions (M=Zn, Cu, Pt, Pd, Ni, Co, and Mn) and four bent ligands with embedded anthracene fluorophores. X-ray crystallographic analysis (for M=Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pd) confirmed the formation of closed-shell structures in which the large interior cavities inside the molecular capsules (about 1 nm) were shielded by eight anthracene panels. Analysis of the Zn(II) and Cu(II) structures showed the inclusion of an unusual triad guest cluster; four MeCN molecules, one water molecule, and one CF(3)SO(3)(-) ion were located inside the cavities. Full characterization by NMR spectroscopy and MS (ESI-TOF) demonstrated that the molecular capsules were quite stable and persist in solution. The fluorescence properties of the isostructural capsules were strongly dependent on the identity of the metal species: the Zn(II) capsule emitted strong blue fluorescence with a high quantum yield (Φ=0.8), in sharp contrast to the weakly emissive Ni(II) and Mn(II) capsules and the completely non-emissive Pd(II), Pt(II), and Co(II) capsules. On the other hand, the Cu(II) capsule exhibited solvatochromism and solvent-dependent emission behavior; blue emission of the capsule was "on" in DMSO but "off" in MeCN.

Synthesis, optical properties, and electronic structures of fully core-modified porphyrin dications and isophlorins.

The synthesis, structures, optical properties, and electronic structures of the tetraphenyltetrathiaporphyrin dication (S(4)TPP(2+), 6) and tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)tetrathiaisophlorin (S(4)F(20)TPP, 7) are reported. S(4)TPP(2+) (6) and S(4)F(20)TPP (7) were synthesized by acid-catalyzed condensation of the corresponding hydroxylmethylthiophene, followed by oxidation. The electronic structures of S(4)TPP(2+) (6) and S(4)F(20)TPP (7) were analyzed by using UV/Vis-absorption spectroscopy and by magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy and the bands were assigned by using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) and ZINDO/s calculations. A red-shift of the Q bands of S(4)TPP(2+) (6) is observed relative to the spectra of tetraphenylporphyrins because a destabilization of the HOMO leads to a narrower HOMO-LUMO band-gap. Michl's perimeter model was used to assign the absorption bands and MCD spectra of S(4)F(20)TPP (7). Current-density maps and nucleus-independent chemical-shift (NICS) calculations of S(4)TPP(2+) (6) and of a model compound predict marked modification to the diamagnetic ring current, whilst nonaromatic character is predicted for S(4)F(20)TPP (7).

Molecular recognition and self-assembly special feature: Encapsulated-guest rotation in a self-assembled heterocapsule directed toward a supramolecular gyroscope.

The self-assembled heterocapsule 1.2, which is formed by the hydrogen bonds of tetra(4-pyridyl)-cavitand 1 and tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cavitand 2, encapsulates 1 molecule of guests such as 1,4-diacetoxybenzene 3a, 1,4-diacetoxy-2,5-dimethylbenzene 3b, 1,4-diacetoxy-2,5-dialkoxybenzenes (3c, OCH(3); 3d, OC(2)H(5); 3e, OC(3)H(7); 3f, OC(4)H(9); 3g, OC(5)H(11); 3h, OC(6)H(13); 3i, OC(8)H(17)), 1,4-diacetoxy-2,5-difluorobenzene 4a, and 1,4-diacetoxy-2,3-difluorobenzene 4b. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3c@(1.2) showed that the acetoxy groups at the 1,4-positions of 3c are oriented toward the 2 aromatic cavity ends of 1.2 and that 3c can rotate along the long axis of 1.2. Thus, the 1.2 (stator) with the encapsulation guest (rotator) behaves as a supramolecular gyroscope. A variable temperature (VT) (1)H NMR study in CDCl(3) showed that 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b within 1.2 rotate rapidly even at 218 K, whereas guest rotation is almost inhibited for 3h and 3i even at 323 K. In this respect, 4b with a large dipole moment is a good candidate for the rotator of 1.2. For 3c-3g, the enthalpic (DeltaH(double dagger)) and entropic (DeltaS(double dagger)) contributions to the free energy of activation (DeltaG(double dagger)) for the guest-rotational steric barriers within 1.2 were obtained from Eyring plots based on line-shape analysis of the VT (1)H NMR spectra. The value of DeltaG(double dagger) increased in the order 3c < 3d < 3e < 3f < 3g. Thus, the elongation of the alkoxy chains at the 2,5-positions of 3 puts the brakes on guest rotation within 1.2.

2,5-Bis(1,3-dithiol-2-yl-idene)-1,3-dithiol-ane-4-thione.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(9)H(4)S(7), contains two independent mol-ecules, in one of which the central five-membered ring is disordered over two orientations in a 0.924 (3):0.076 (3) ratio. The mol-ecular skeleton is almost planar: the average distance of the atoms from their mean plane is 0.128 (7) Šin the ordered mol-ecule, and 0.088 (5) and 0.123 (2) Šin the major and minor disorder components, respectively. The ordered and disordered mol-ecules form separate columns by stacking along the b axis. Adjacent columns inter-act via short S⋯S [3.33 (2), 3.434 (3), 3.444 (2), 3.503 (2), 3.519 (3) and 3.53 (4) Å] and S⋯H [2.814 (2), 2.87 (7), 2.92 (2), 2.9269 (18), 2.93 (2), 2.94 (2), 2.939 (2), 2.967 (2) and 2.974 (1) Å] contacts.

Superazaporphyrins: meso-pentaazapentaphyrins and one of their low-symmetry derivatives.

Supersized: Three pentaazapentaphyrin derivatives, that is, the superazaporphyrins (SAzPs), as well as a superphthalocyanine (SPc) and a mixed low-symmetry derivative have been prepared and characterized. Decaaryl SAzPs have a distorted (4n+2) π structure and show the Q bands at about λ=840-880 nm. These compounds are relatively air stable.

An M2L4 molecular capsule with an anthracene shell: encapsulation of large guests up to 1 nm.

A new M(2)L(4) molecular capsule with an aromatic shell was prepared using two Pd(II) ions and four bisanthracene ligands. The self-assembled capsule possesses a cavity with a diameter of ~1 nm that can encapsulate medium-sized spherical and planar molecules as well as a very large molecule (C(60)) in quantitative yields. The encapsulated guests are fully segregated and shielded from the external environment by the large anthracene panels.