Regio- and Stereoselective α-Allylation with Enolates Prepared from N-C Axially Chiral Thiolactam and Lactam.

The reaction of allyl bromide derivatives with the enolate prepared from enantioenriched N-C axially chiral N-(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2-one (lactam) and -thione (thiolactam) proceeded in a completely regio- and stereoselective manner to afford SN2 and SN2'-like products, respectively. Furthermore, through the conversion of thiolactam to lactam, the regiodivergent and stereoselective synthesis of N-C axially chiral lactams bearing a chiral tertiary α-carbon was achieved.

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of N-C Axially Chiral N-(2,6-Disubstituted-phenyl)sulfonamides through Chiral Pd-Catalyzed N-Allylation.

Recently, catalytic enantioselective syntheses of N-C axially chiral compounds have been reported by many groups. Most N-C axially chiral compounds prepared through a catalytic asymmetric reaction possess carboxamide or nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocycle skeletons. On the other hand, although N-C axially chiral sulfonamide derivatives are known, their catalytic enantioselective synthesis is relatively underexplored. We found that the reaction (Tsuji-Trost allylation) of allyl acetate with secondary sulfonamides bearing a 2-arylethynyl-6-methylphenyl group on the nitrogen atom proceeds with good enantioselectivity (up to 92% ee) in the presence of (S,S)-Trost ligand-(allyl-PdCl)2 catalyst, affording rotationally stable N-C axially chiral N-allylated sulfonamides. Furthermore, the absolute stereochemistry of the major enantiomer was determined by X-ray single crystal structural analysis and the origin of the enantioselectivity was considered.

The Pyrazinacenes.

Pyrazinacenes are a class of nitrogen-containing heteroacene molecules composed of linearly fused pyrazine units, which might also include dihydropyrazine groups leading to different reduced states of the compounds. While they are structurally similar to hydrocarbon acenes (e.g., pentacene) the presence of increasing numbers of N-heteroatoms introduces several different additional features of the compounds so that they can be considered for investigations beyond those suggested for acenes (i.e., organic field-effect transistors, solar cell components). Pyrazinacenes are in several ways complementary to C-H-only acenes based on the increasing stability of reduced states of the compounds with increasing numbers of fused pyrazine rings, although an acene-like electronic structure persists in the compounds so far studied. However, the introduction of multiple N atoms leads to properties that depart from C-H-only acenes. In particular, the compounds exhibit a delocalization of NH protons in extended reduced compounds and oxidation state switchability in solution and at interfaces. The presence of NH groups also allows an easy introduction of solubilizing groups at the pyrazinacene chromophore. In this Account, we will describe the preparation of extended pyrazinacenes from dipyrazino[2,3-b:2',3'-e]pyrazine (1,4,5,8,9,10-hexaazaanthracene; N6) derivatives up to 1,4,5,6,7,8,9,12,13,14,15,16,17,18-tetradecaazaheptacene (N14) and also assess structures of the relevant compounds based on X-ray crystallographic studies. Emergent properties of the molecules include highly unusual linear tautomeric processes based on a delocalization of protons (and the corresponding formation of orbitals based on multiple adjacent N lone electron pair interactions), which suggest special transport properties based on molecular protonics. Molecules such as decazapentacene (N10) exhibit multistability of oxidation state, and this is predicted to promote the redox catalytic properties of the compounds. The oxidation-state switching of on-surface processes is also described and has been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy. The longest known pyrazinacene chromophore (N14) exhibits amphiprotism with its state of protonation being strongly coupled to its fluorescence emission properties in the near-infrared region indicating possible uses in pH-coupled bioimaging applications. The synthesis of the pyrazinacenes is flexible and allows the preparation of symmetrically or unsymmetrically substituted derivatives for the development of more complex molecules and for control of the electronic structure of the acene unit. Overall, the pyrazinacenes represent an emerging class of highly nitrogenous heteroacenes with unique properties and excellent potential for development in different applications based on their special supramolecular properties including guest binding or interactions in biological systems.

Pyrazinacenes exhibit on-surface oxidation-state-dependent conformational and self-assembly behaviours.

Acenes and azaacenes lie at the core of molecular materials' applications due to their important optical and electronic features. A critical aspect is provided by their heteroatom multiplicity, which can strongly affect their properties. Here we report pyrazinacenes containing the dihydro-decaazapentacene and dihydro-octaazatetracene chromophores and compare their properties/functions as a model case at an oxidizing metal substrate. We find a distinguished, oxidation-state-dependent conformational adaptation and self-assembly behaviour and discuss the analogies and differences of planar benzo-substituted decaazapentacene and octaazatetracene forms. Our broad experimental and theoretical study reveals that decaazapentacene is stable against oxidation but unstable against reduction, which is in contrast to pentacene, its C-H only analogue. Decaazapentacenes studied here combine a planar molecular backbone with conformationally flexible substituents. They provide a rich model case to understand the properties of a redox-switchable π-electronic system in solution and at interfaces. Pyrazinacenes represent an unusual class of redox-active chromophores.

Amphiprotism-Coupled Near-Infrared Emission in Extended Pyrazinacenes Containing Seven Linearly Fused Pyrazine Units.

Peripherally substituted tetradecaazaheptacene (N14Hp) compounds, exhibiting amphiprotism-coupled emission, have been synthesized. X-ray crystallography reveals a planar acene-like chromophore, and electronic absorption and emission occur in the near-infrared biological transparency window (650-900 nm). The compounds exhibit long-wavelength emission with photoluminescence quantum yields ΦPL up to ∼0.61 at 686 nm, with the monodeprotonated state ΦPL ≈ 0.58 at 712 nm. This unprecedented highly nitrogenous chromophore illustrates the stability and utility of the pyrazinacenes for different applications based on their photophysical properties and chemical structures.

Design of Low Pt Concentration Electrocatalyst Surfaces with High Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity Promoted by Formation of a Heterogeneous Interface between Pt and CeO(x) Nanowire.

Pt-CeO(x) nanowire (NW)/C electrocatalysts for the improvement of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity on Pt were prepared by a combined process involving precipitation and coimpregnation. A low, 5 wt % Pt-loaded CeO(x) NW/C electrocatalyst, pretreated by an optimized electrochemical conditioning process, exhibited high ORR activity over a commercially available 20 wt % Pt/C electrocatalyst although the ORR activity observed for a 5 wt % Pt-loaded CeO(x) nanoparticle (NP)/C was similar to that of 20 wt % Pt/C. To investigate the role of a CeO(x) NW promotor on the enhancement of ORR activity on Pt, the Pt-CeO(x) NW interface was characterized by using hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HXPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Microanalytical data obtained by these methods were discussed in relation to atomistic simulation performed on the interface structures. The combined techniques of HXPS, TEM-EELS, and atomistic simulation indicate that the Pt-CeO(x) NW interface in the electrocatalyst contains two different defect clusters: Frenkel defect clusters (i.e., 2Pt(i)(••) - 4O(i)″ - 4V(o)(••) - V(Ce)″″) formed in the surface around the Pt-CeO(x) NW interface and Schottky defect clusters (i.e., (Pt(Ce)″ - 2V(O)(••) - 2Ce(Ce)') and (Pt(Ce)″ - V(O)(••))) which appear in the bulk of the Pt-CeO(x) NW interface similarly to Pt-CeO(x) NP/C. It is concluded that the formation of both Frenkel defect clusters and Schottky defect clusters at the Pt-CeO(x) NW heterointerface contributes to the promotion of ORR activity and permits the use of lower Pt-loadings in these electrocatalysts.

Alkyl imidazolium ionic-liquid-mediated formation of gold particle superstructures.

The development of new methodologies for controlling the organization of quantum materials in multiple dimensions is crucial to the advancement of device fabrication. By using a self-assembly route using selected imidazolium ionic liquids bearing long alkyl chains (C(n)Imida, n = 8, 10, 12) as ligands, we have achieved a tunable assembly of quantum-sized gold nanoparticles. The initial stabilizer of the gold nanoparticles was partially or wholly substituted depending on the concentration and alkyl chain length. π-π interactions between imidazolium rings also promote the generation of spatially controlled aggregates from the nanometer to micrometer size regimes. In particular, in the case of an imidazolium ionic liquid with decyl chains, gold particles assemble into a core-shell spherical superstructure induced by the aggregation of imidazolium ionic liquid molecules during ligand exchange. Conceptually, the assemblies of nanoparticles mimic biological systems and provide strategies for the organization of single-component nanomaterials into functional assemblies for potential applications. Our approach is general and can be applied to other types of nanomaterials for facile manipulation of the assembly processes, permitting an exploration of physicochemical properties as well as technological applications.

Antioxidant-substituted tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine as a fluorescent sensor for basic anions.

Tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine substituted at its periphery with eight antioxidant 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl groups behaves as a turn-on fluorescent sensor for fluoride anions. Conversely, the precursor antioxidant-substituted 1,2-phthalonitrile was found to act in turn-off mode suggesting that the origin of the phenomenon lies at the phenolate-substituted 1,4-pyrazinyl moiety.

Crystallographic phase induced electro-optic properties of nanorod blend nematic liquid crystal.

Ultrasmall ZnS or PbS nanorods encapsulated in fluid-like soft organic surfactants show excellent miscibility in the nematic liquid crystal (LC ZLI-4792) host resulting in a novel soft matter type blend with enhanced electro-optic properties. The ultranarrow ZnS rods are of wurtzite phase and possess a chemical bipolarity and a net dipole moment. The centrosymmetric ultranarrow PbS rods possess a finite size and shape dependent inherent dipole moment despite their cubic rock-salt structure. When an electric field is applied, the blend aligns along the direction of the field producing a local unidirectional orientation of the rods and LC directors, and defining a unique axis for the system. The local ordering significantly affects the global ordering of the blend allowing a more rapid response of the electro-optic properties. The degree and switching speed of the blends depend upon the magnitude of dipole moments present in the dopant nanorods. We show how a non-mesogenic element designed with preferential crystallographic phase can be introduced within a LC for improvement of the switching properties of the LC blend. These types of unique blends are a model for fundamental conceptual advances in general understanding of interaction behaviour leading consequently to a significant technological advancement for superior device fabrication.

Reversible photoredox switching of porphyrin-bridged bis-2,6-di-tert-butylphenols.

Porphyrin derivatives bearing 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol substituents at their 5,15-positions undergo reversible photoredox switching between porphyrin and porphodimethene states as revealed by UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal analyses. Photoredox interconversion is accompanied by substantial variations in electronic absorption and fluorescence emission spectra and a change of conformation of the tetrapyrrole macrocycle from planar to roof-shaped. Oxidation proceeds only under photoillumination of a dianionic state prepared through deprotonation using fluoride anions. Conversely, photoreduction occurs in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor. Transient absorption spectroscopy and electron spin resonance spectroscopy were applied to investigate the processes in photochemical reaction, and radical intermediates were characterized. That is, photooxidation initially results in a phenol-substituent-centered radical, while the reduction process occurs via a delocalized radical state involving both the macrocycle and 5,15-substituents. Forward and reverse photochemical processes are governed by different chemical mechanisms, giving the important benefit that conversion reactions are completely isolated, leading to better separation of the end states. Furthermore, energy diagrams based on electrochemical analyses (cyclic voltammetry) were used to account for the processes occurring during the photochemical reactions. Our molecular design indicates a simple and versatile method for producing photoredox macrocyclic compounds, which should lead to a new class of advanced functional materials suitable for application in molecular devices and machines.

Putting the 'N' in ACENE: pyrazinacenes and their structural relatives.

Acenes have emerged as an important class of organic electronic material. Related heteroatom-substituted compounds, or heteroacenes, introduce an important means for modulating properties and improving materials' stability. In this perspective, we will review the historical origins of the heteroacenes and discuss recent progress in the field of acene and related compounds containing fused 1,4-diazabenzene units, i.e. pyrazine, also known as the 'pyrazinacenes'. We focus not only on the types of materials that have been prepared but also on their chemical and physical properties, including synthetic procedures, electronic properties, self-assembly characteristics, and we also introduce some of the computational studies aimed at understanding the more unusual behaviours of this group of compounds, such as protic tautomerism and aromaticity/antiaromaticity.

Nanoarchitectonics: a conceptual paradigm for design and synthesis of dimension-controlled functional nanomaterials.

Nanomaterials have been prepared over a wide range of length scales from nanoscopic objects to bulk structural materials. Recent investigations have been focused on the regulation and control of nanoscopic structures for the modulation of the properties of even macroscopic objects. As an emerging concept, nanoarchitectonics has been proposed as a technology system to be used for arranging nanoscale structural units--i.e., the nanostructure unit as a group of atoms or molecules--in a predesignated configuration. In this review, we summarize recent research on nanomaterials including design, synthesis, fabrication and functionalization based on the nanoarchitectonics concept. Examples are roughly classified according to their dimensionalities: (i) OD nanomaterials (quantum dots, nanocrystals, nanoparticles and nanospheres); (ii) 1D nanomaterials (nanorods, nanowires, nanobelts, nanowhiskers and nanotubes), (iii) 2D nanomaterials (nanosheets, graphene, self-assemble monolayers, Langmuir-Blodgett films, layer-by-layer assemblies and interfacial structures), and (iv) 3D nanomaterials (bulk materials with nanoscale structural control, nanohybrids, nanocomposites and mesoporous materials).

Self-assembled pyrazinacene nanotubes.

Nanotubes of a pentacene derivative, 6,13-bis(1-n-dodecyl)-[a,c,l,n]-tetrabenzo-5,6,7,12,13,14-hexaazapentacene, have been prepared by a hierarchical self-assembly mechanism. The oligoazaacenes 1-3, referred to as pyrazinacenes due to their structures of linearly fused pyrazine heterocycles, can also be considered as two azatriphenylenes fused through a reduced pyrazine ring. Dissolution of 6,13-bis(1-n-dodecyl)-[a,c,l,n]-tetrabenzo-5,6,7,12,13,14-hexaaza pentacene in nearly boiling toluene followed by standing of the solution at room temperature yields self-assembled (sa) pyrazinacene (Pa) nanotubes (NT's), or sa-PaNTs. Self-assembled-PaNTs are formed after initial aggregation of the pyrazinacene giving a 130-nm-wide 2-dimensional tape followed by helical twisting of this tape into a hollow cylindrical form of 150-200 nm diameter which can exceed 10 µm in length. The morphologies of the tape and nanotube structures were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron absorption spectroscopy (UV/Vis). The latter indicates that the tubes may be formed by chromophore J-aggregation. Also, high resolution TEM of the tubes reveals that they can be composed of several tapes while powder X-ray diffraction revealed the lamellar structure of the tapes composing the tubes.

Tautomers of extended reduced pyrazinacenes: a density-functional-theory based study.

We present a structural and electronic inspection of reduced pyrazinacenes within the DFT framework. Our analysis provides a clear indication that compounds in which reduced pyrazine rings are well separated from each other are rather stable. Conversely, if the reduced pyrazine rings approach each other or cluster together, the compounds become increasingly unstable. The tautomers analyzed are likely to possess properties suitable for application as proton transport materials due to protic isomerism processes. On the basis of our findings, we propose that protic transport should occur through a concerted proton transfer without involving intramolecular aggregation of the dihydropyrazine groups. Furthermore, the electronic structure analysis shows that this class of compounds can be classified as small bandgap semiconducting materials, possessing even metallic character depending on the tautomeric structure, and with potential nanotechnological applications in molecular electronics and fuel cells.

Intelligent chiral sensing based on supramolecular and interfacial concepts.

Of the known intelligently-operating systems, the majority can undoubtedly be classed as being of biological origin. One of the notable differences between biological and artificial systems is the important fact that biological materials consist mostly of chiral molecules. While most biochemical processes routinely discriminate chiral molecules, differentiation between chiral molecules in artificial systems is currently one of the challenging subjects in the field of molecular recognition. Therefore, one of the important challenges for intelligent man-made sensors is to prepare a sensing system that can discriminate chiral molecules. Because intermolecular interactions and detection at surfaces are respectively parts of supramolecular chemistry and interfacial science, chiral sensing based on supramolecular and interfacial concepts is a significant topic. In this review, we briefly summarize recent advances in these fields, including supramolecular hosts for color detection on chiral sensing, indicator-displacement assays, kinetic resolution in supramolecular reactions with analyses by mass spectrometry, use of chiral shape-defined polymers, such as dynamic helical polymers, molecular imprinting, thin films on surfaces of devices such as QCM, functional electrodes, FET, and SPR, the combined technique of magnetic resonance imaging and immunoassay, and chiral detection using scanning tunneling microscopy and cantilever technology. In addition, we will discuss novel concepts in recent research including the use of achiral reagents for chiral sensing with NMR, and mechanical control of chiral sensing. The importance of integration of chiral sensing systems with rapidly developing nanotechnology and nanomaterials is also emphasized.

Tautomerism in Reduced Pyrazinacenes.

Monoprotic and diprotic NH tautomerism in reduced oligoazaacenes, the pyrazinacenes, was studied by using first principles simulations. Stepwise reductions in the metadynamics-sampled free energy profile were observed during consecutive monoprotic tautomerizations, with energy barriers gradually reducing with increasing proton separation during monoprotic processes. This is accompanied by an increasing contribution from the quinoidal electronic structure, as evidenced by the computed highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) structure. An unusual odd-even effect in the free energy profiles is also observed upon changing the length of the pyrazinacene. Calculated HOMO structures reveal an increasing tendency for delocalization of pyrazine lone pairs with an increasing number of ring annelations. The influence of tautomerism on the pyrazine lone pair delocalization was also observed. Tautomers with protons situated centrally on the pyrazinacene backbone are predicted to be more stable due to a combination of (enamine) delocalization and a loss of Clar sextet resonance stabilization in tautomers with protons at terminal pyrazine rings. Experimental evidence suggesting the structure of pyrazinacene tautomers is included and discussed as a support to the calculation.

Pyrazinacenes: aza analogues of acenes.

A series of edge-sharing condensed oligopyrazine analogues of acenes, the pyrazinacenes, were synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystallographic determinations revealed intermolecular interactions that affect the propensity of the molecules to undergo pi-pi stacking. Increasing heteroatom substitution of the acene framework induces shorter intermolecular pi-pi stacking distances (shorter than for graphite) probably due to lower van der Waals radius of nitrogen atoms. Hydrogen bonding is also a determining factor in the case of compounds containing reduced pyrazine rings. Combined electrochemical, electronic absorption, and computational investigations indicate the substantial electron deficiency of the compounds composed of fused pyrazine rings. The pyrazinacenes are expected to be good candidates as materials for organic thin film transistors.

Self-assembly of optical molecules with supramolecular concepts.

Fabrication of nano-sized objects is one of the most important issues in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Soft nanomaterials with flexible properties have been given much attention and can be obtained through bottom-up processing from functional molecules, where self-assembly based on supramolecular chemistry and designed assembly have become crucial processes and techniques. Among the various functional molecules, dyes have become important materials in certain areas of nanotechnology and their self-assembling behaviors have been actively researched. In this short review, we briefly introduce recent progress in self-assembly of optical molecules and dyes, based mainly on supramolecular concepts. The introduced examples are classified into four categories: self-assembly of (i) low-molecular-weight dyes and (ii) polymeric dyes and dye self-assembly (iii) in nanoscale architectures and (iv) at surfaces.

Diverse self-assembly in soluble oligoazaacenes: a microscopy study.

The synthesis and morphologies of self-assembled aggregates of novel oligoazapentacene 2 and oligoazaheptacene 3 derivatives are reported. Double nucleophilic substitution on 2,3-dicyano-[h,j]-dibenzo-1,4,5,10-tetrazaanthracene 4 gives the corresponding dihydro-oligoacene derivatives, which were then N-alkylated using n-dodecyl bromide to yield self-assembling acene molecules. 2 and 3 self-assemble in solution, leading to a variety of aggregated structures including rolled-up sheets, foams, and fibrous structures reminiscent of organogels. These structures are of substantial interest because of their potential electronic properties and because individual fibers can be "exfoliated". Structures of the aggregates are discussed. Additionally, the crystal structure of precursor 4 is reported because it gives information regarding the intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding and intermolecular stacking) in similar compounds. Crystal data for 4: space group P2(1)/n, a = 9.3164(17) angstroms, b = 7.0649(13) angstroms, c = 23.684(4) angstroms, alpha = 90.00 degrees, beta = 99.945(3) degrees, gamma = 90.00 degrees, and V = 1535.4(5) angstroms3.

Stokes parameter studies of spontaneous emission from chiral nematic liquid crystals as a one-dimensional photonic stopband crystal: experiment and theory.

The helical structure of uniformly aligned chiral nematic liquid crystals results in a photonic stopband for only one sense of circular polarization. The spectroscopic Stokes polarimeter is used to analyze spontaneous emission in the stopband. Highly polarized photoluminescence is found and the polarization properties vary with the excitation wavelength. Spontaneous emission is enhanced at the stopband edge and this Purcell effect is greater on excitation at wavelengths where the absorption coefficient is low. This is interpreted as greater overlap between the excited molecules and the electrical modal field of the resonant modes at the stopband edge. Photoluminescence detected from the excitation face of the liquid crystal cell is less polarized because of photon tunneling. Fermi's golden rule in conjunction with Stokes vectors is used to model the polarization of emission taking multiple reflections at the interfaces of the cell into account. The discrepancy between the experiment and the theoretical model is interpreted as direct experimental evidence that virtual photons, which originate from zero point fluctuations of quantum space, are randomly polarized.