Synthesis of 2-Methyl-1-azulenyl Tetracyanobutadienes and Dicyanoquinodimethanes: Substituent Effect of 2-Methyl Moiety on the Azulene Ring toward the Optical and Electrochemical Properties.

We describe the comparative study of optical and electrochemical properties of tetracyanobutadienes (TCBDs) and dicyanoquinodimethanes (DCNQs) with a 2-methyl-1-azulenyl group and their derivatives with a 1-azulenyl substituent examined under the same conditions. TCBDs and DCNQs with a 2-methyl-1-azulenyl substituent have been prepared by the Sonogashira-Hagihara alkynylation of the 2-methyl-1-iodoazulene with arylalkyne derivatives, followed by the formal [2+2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization (CA-RE) reaction with tetracyanoethylene and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane. The optical properties of the TCBDs and DCNQs with a 2-methyl-1-azulenyl group were investigated through the comparison with those of TCBDs and DCNQs with a 1-azulenyl substituent by employing the UV/vis spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The electrochemical properties of the TCBD and DCNQ derivatives were also examined by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry experiments, which elucidated their multistep redox properties. Furthermore, noticeable spectral changes of these chromophores were identified by the spectroelectrochemical measurements.

Synthesis, properties, and redox behavior of 1,1,4,4-tetracyano-2-ferrocenyl-1,3-butadienes connected by aryl, biaryl, and teraryl spacers.

Aryl-substituted 1,1,4,4-tetracyano-1,3-butadienes (FcTCBDs) and bis(1,1,4,4-tetracyanobutadiene)s (bis-FcTCBDs), possessing a ferrocenyl group on each terminal, were prepared by the reaction of a variety of alkynes with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) in a [2+2] cycloaddition reaction, followed by retro-electrocyclization of the initially formed [2+2] cycloadducts (i.e., cyclobutene derivatives). The characteristic intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) between the donor (ferrocene) and acceptor (TCBD) moieties were investigated by using UV/Vis spectroscopy. The redox behaviors of FcTCBDs and bis-FcTCBDs were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which revealed their properties of multi-electron transfer depending on the number of ferrocene and TCBD moieties. Moreover, significant color changes were observed by visible spectroscopy under the electrochemical reduction conditions.

Synthesis of 2- and 6-thienylazulenes by palladium-catalyzed direct arylation of 2- and 6-haloazulenes with thiophene derivatives.

Preparation of 2- and 6-thienylazulene derivatives was established by the palladium-catalyzed direct cross-coupling reaction of 2- and 6-haloazulenes with the corresponding thiophene derivatives in good yield. Several thienylazulene derivatives were also used in the reaction with 2-chloroazulene derivatives in the presence of the palladium-catalyst to afford the thiophene derivatives with two azulene functions in good yield.

Synthesis of 1,3-bis(tetracyano-2-azulenyl-3-butadienyl)azulenes by the [2+2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization of 1,3-bis(azulenylethynyl)azulenes with tetracyanoethylene.

1,3-Bis(azulenylethynyl)azulene derivatives 9-14 have been prepared by palladium-catalyzed alkynylation of 1-ethynylazulene 8 with 1,3-diiodoazulene 1 or 1,3-diethynylazulene 2 with the corresponding haloazulenes 3-7 under Sonogashira-Hagihara conditions. Bis(alkynes) 9-14 reacted with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) in a formal [2+2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization reaction to afford the corresponding new bis(tetracyanobutadiene)s (bis(TCBDs)) 15-20 in excellent yields. The redox behavior of bis(TCBD)s 15-20 was examined by using CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which revealed their reversible multistage reduction properties under the electrochemical conditions. Moreover, a significant color change of alkynes 9-14 and TCBDs 15-20 was observed by visible spectroscopy under the electrochemical reduction conditions.

Synthesis, properties, and redox behavior of tetracyanobutadiene and dicyanoquinodimethane chromophores bearing two azulenyl substituents.

Acetylene derivatives with an azulenyl group at both terminals have been prepared by palladium-catalyzed alkynylation under Sonogashira-Hagihara conditions. These alkynes reacted with tetracyanoethylene and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane in a formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition-retroelectrocyclization reaction to afford the corresponding new tetracyanobutadienes (TCBDs) and dicyanoquinodimethanes (DCNQs), respectively, in excellent yields. Intramolecular CT absorption bands were found in the UV-vis spectra of the novel chromophores, and CV and DPV showed that they exhibited a reversible two-stage reduction wave, due to the electrochemical reduction of TCBD and DCNQ moieties. Color changes were also observed during the electrochemical reduction.