Unraveling the Structure-Property-Performance Relationships of Fused-Ring Nonfullerene Acceptors: Toward a C-Shaped ortho-Benzodipyrrole-Based Acceptor for Highly Efficient Organic Photovoltaics.

The high-performance Y6-based nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) feature a C-shaped A-DA'D-A-type molecular architecture with a central electron-deficient thiadiazole (Tz) A' unit. In this work, we designed and synthesized a new A-D-A-type NFA, termed CB16, having a C-shaped ortho-benzodipyrrole-based skeleton of Y6 but with the Tz unit eliminated. When processed with nonhalogenated xylene without using any additives, the binary PM6:CB16 devices display a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.32% with a high open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.92 V, surpassing the performance of the corresponding Y6-based devices. In contrast, similarly synthesized SB16, featuring an S-shaped para-benzodipyrrole-based skeleton, yields a low PCE of 0.15% due to the strong side-chain aggregation of SB16. The C-shaped A-DNBND-A skeleton in CB16 and the Y6-series NFAs constitutes the essential structural foundation for achieving exceptional device performance. The central Tz moiety or other A' units can be employed to finely adjust intermolecular interactions. The single-crystal X-ray structure reveals that ortho-benzodipyrrole-embedded A-DNBND-A plays an important role in the formation of a 3D elliptical network packing for efficient charge transport. Solution structures of the PM6:NFAs detected by small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SWAXS) indicate that removing the Tz unit in the C-shaped skeleton could reduce the self-packing of CB16, thereby enhancing the complexing and networking with PM6 in the spin-coating solution and the subsequent device film. Elucidating the structure-property-performance relationships of A-DA'D-A-type NFAs in this work paves the way for the future development of structurally simplified A-D-A-type NFAs.

Chloride- and Hydrosulfide-Bound 2Fe Complexes as Models of the Oxygen-Stable State of [FeFe] Hydrogenase.

[FeFe] hydrogenases demonstrate remarkable catalytic efficiency in hydrogen evolution and oxidation processes. However, susceptibility of these enzymes to oxygen-induced degradation impedes their practical deployment in hydrogen-production devices and fuel cells. Recent investigations into the oxygen-stable (Hinact) state of the H-cluster revealed its inherent capacity to resist oxygen degradation. Herein, we present findings on Cl- and SH-bound [2Fe-2S] complexes, bearing relevance to the oxygen-stable state within a biological context. A characteristic attribute of these complexes is the terminal Cl-/SH- ligation to the iron center bearing the CO bridge. Structural analysis of the t-Cl demonstrates a striking resemblance to the Hinact state of DdHydAB and CbA5H. The t-Cl/t-SH exhibit reversible oxidation, with both redox species, electronically, being the first biomimetic analogs to the Htrans and Hinact states. These complexes exhibit notable resistance against oxygen-induced decomposition, supporting the potential oxygen-resistant nature of the Htrans and Hinact states. The swift reductive release of the Cl-/SH-group demonstrates its labile and kinetically controlled binding. The findings garnered from these investigations offer valuable insights into properties of the enzymatic O2-stable state, and key factors governing deactivation and reactivation conversion. This work contributes to the advancement of bio-inspired molecular catalysts and the integration of enzymes and artificial catalysts into H2-evolution devices and fuel-cell applications.

Luminescent Pt(II) Complexes Containing (1-Aza-15-crown-5)dithiocarbamate and (1-Aza-18-crown-6)dithiocarbamate: Mechanochromic and Solvent-Induced Luminescence.

The strong tendency to stack in the solid state and rich luminescence for the Pt(II) complexes makes them potential candidates as new mechanochromic materials and sensing applications. Six mononuclear complexes [Pt(ppy)(O4NCS2)] (1), [Pt(bpy)(O4NCS2)]ClO4 (2), [Pt(ppy)(O5NCS2)] (3), [Pt(phen)(O4NCS2)]ClO4·CH3OH (5a), [Pt(phen)(O4NCS2)]ClO4 (5b), and [Pt(phen)(O5NCS2)]ClO4 (6a), one dinuclear complex [Pt2(phen)2(NaO5NCS2)2(ClO4)3]ClO4 (6b), and one one-dimensional (1-D) coordination polymer {[Pt2(bpy)2(NaO5NCS2)2(ClO4)2](ClO4)2}n (4) were synthesized by reacting [Pt(ppy)Cl]2, Pt(bpy)Cl2, and Pt(phen)Cl2 (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) with (1-aza-15-crown-5)dithiocarbamate (O4NCS2) or (1-aza-18-crown-6)dithiocarbamate (O5NCS2), respectively, which have been isolated and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. Neutral complexes 1 and 3 contain no intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contact, whereas cationic complexes 2, 5a, 5b, and 6a with ClO4- as counteranions show alternative intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contacts of 3.535/4.091, 3.480/5.001, 3.527/4.571, and 3.446/4.987 Å in the solid state, respectively. Interestingly, complex 4 forms a 1-D coordination polymer through coordination between the encapsulated Na+ ions inside the azacrown ether rings of O5NCS2 and ClO4- anions with respective intra- and intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contacts of 3.402 and 3.847 Å in crystal lattices, whereas a dinuclear complex 6b was surprisingly formed and also connected by the encapsulated Na+ ions and ClO4- anions with alternative intra- and intermolecular Pt(II)···Pt(II) contacts of 3.650 and 3.677/4.4.372 Å, respectively. Upon excitation, complexes 1 and 3 showed similar vibronic luminescence at 507, 534, and 502, 532 nm, respectively, and the other complexes 2 and 4-6 showed broad luminescence with maxima at 537-567 nm. The B3LYP/LanL2DZ calculation was carried out and used to clarify their excited-state properties. In addition, the powder samples for complexes 1-4 almost showed no energy shift for the luminescence and significantly those of complexes 5-6 exhibited the mechanochromic luminescence upon grinding. It is noted that complexes 5a and 6a only showed minor red shifts (i.e., from 544 to 556 nm for complex 5a and from 551 to 565 nm for complex 6a), whereas complex 6b exhibited a remarkable red shift from 558 to 603 nm upon grinding. Besides, their luminescence reversibility was also examined toward various solvents.

Stable Bimetallic FeII/{Fe(NO)2}9 Moiety Derived from Reductive Transformations of a Diferrous-dinitrosyl Species.

A dimeric dithiolate-bridged species, [Fe(NO)(PS2)]2 (1) containing two {FeNO}7 units, can be isolated by treating [Fe(CO)2(NO)2] with PS2H2 (PS2H2 = bis(2-dimercaptophenyl)phenylphosphine). Crystallographic studies reveal the syn-configuration of NO units and the bridging thiolates in the butterfly shape of the 2Fe2S core. Addition of PPh3 to the solution of dinuclear 1 leads to the formation of mononuclear {FeNO}7 [Fe(NO)(PS2)(PPh3)] (2) that shows electrochemical responses similar to those of 1. One-electron reduction of 1 with Cp*2Co or KC8 results in the isolation of thiolate-bridged bimetallic DNIC, [(PS2)Fe(µ-PS2)Fe(NO)2]- ([3]-), confirmed by several spectroscopies including single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The bimetallic DNIC [3]- is a rare example obtained from the one-electron reduction of a dinuclear Fe-NO {FeNO}7 model complex. With the assistance of redox behaviors of 2, electrochemical studies imply that the reduction of 1 leads to the formation of a mononuclear {FeNO}8 [Fe(NO)(PS2)(THF)]- intermediate, which involves disproportionation or NO- transfer to yield [3]-. Based on IR data and magnetic properties, the electronic structure of [3]- can be described as a FeII/{Fe(NO)2}9 state. Isolation of the {Fe(NO)2}9 moiety coordinated by the Fe ancillary complex lends strong support to the NO scrambling behavior in the effectiveness of the activity of flavodiiron nitric oxide reductases (FNORs).

Anion-Recognition Studies of a Rhenium(I) 4-Mercaptopyridine Compound and Its Ligand-Coupling Products.

The reaction of Re(CO)5Cl with 4-mercaptopyridine (4-PySH) led to the formation of [Re(CO)3(4-HPyS)3]Cl (1), showing three hydrogen-bonding donors of 4-PySH ligands as well as a characteristic ligand-to-metal charge-transfer absorption at ca. 380 nm. In this regard, a variety of anions, i.e., CN-, OAc-, F-, Cl-, Br-, I-, PF6-, NO3-, ClO4-, and H2PO4-, were examined to study anion-recognition studies through hydrogen-bonding functionalities. Upon the addition of CN- to a methanolic solution of complex 1, a remarkable spectral change with an isosbestic point at ca. 314 nm in the absorption spectra was observed, with a binding constant (Kb) calculated to be 24770 M-1. Moreover, the OAc- anion also shows a similar trend, but a mild spectral change, with Kb calculated to be 2170 M-1. Unlike those of CN- and OAc-, the addition of F-, Cl-, Br-, and I- anions causes a less pronounced spectral change with an isosbestic point at ca. 350 nm and Kb calculated to be 2863-750 M-1. However, almost no spectral change can be observed for other anions (i.e., PF6-, NO3-, H2PO4-, and ClO4-). Interestingly, the molecular loops of [Re(CO)3Cl(Py2S2)]2 (2; Py2S2 = 4,4'-dipyridyl disulfide) and [Re(CO)3Cl(Py2S)0.35(Py2S2)0.65]2 (3; Py2S = 4,4'-dipyridyl sulfide) can be isolated and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction, where those crystals were grown from diethyl ether diffusion into a methanolic solution of complex 1 with [Bu4N]CN and [Bu4N]NO3, respectively. It is noted that such unusual ligand-coupling reactions toward the homoligand and hybrid-ligand loops of complexes 2 and 3 can be achieved at room temperature in this study.

Solvent-Induced Luminescence and Structural Transformation of a Dinuclear Gold(I) (Aza-18-crown-6)dithiocarbamate Compound.

The reaction of AuCl(SMe2) with equimolar NaO5NCS2 [O5NCS2 = (aza-18-crown-6)dithiocarbamate] in CH3CN gave [Au2(O5NCS2)2]·2CH3CN (2·2CH3CN), where six other 2·solvates (solvates = 2DMF, 2DMSO, 2THF, 2acetone, 1.5toluene, and 1.5anisole) can be successfully isolated from different crystal-growing processes (i.e., ether diffusion, layer method, or evaporation in air) by dissolving the dry powder samples of 2·2CH3CN in the respective solvents, and their crystal structures are all determined by X-ray diffraction as well. It is noted that there are different intermolecular Au(I)···Au(I) contacts in combination with various luminescences for 2·solvates and indeed there is a close relationship between intermolecular Au(I)···Au(I) contacts [i.e., 2.8254(7)-2.9420(5) Å] and luminescence energies (i.e., 554-604 nm), including three examples of 2·2CH3CN, 2·0.5m-xylene, and 2·tert-butylbenzene·H2O reported in our previous work. In 2·solvates, the toluene and tert-butylbenzene solvates have the shortest [2.8254(7)-2.8289(7) Å] and longest [2.9420(5) Å] intermolecular Au(I)···Au(I) contacts, respectively, and consequently they show the respective lowest (604 nm) and highest (554 nm) luminescence energies. Indeed, 2·solvates exhibit different types of time-dependent luminescence upon solvate loss in air. Furthermore, B3LYP/LanL2DZ calculation results can help to clarify the relationship between intermolecular Au(I)···Au(I) contacts and luminescence energies for 2·solvates.

Cembranoids from Octocoral Lobophytum crassum (von Marenzeller, 1886).

Two cembranoids, including a new compound, lobocrassin I (1), as well as a known analogue, lobohedleolide (2), were obtained by solvent extraction from octocoral Lobophytum crassum. This study employed a spectroscopic approach to establish the structures of these two cembranoids, and utilized single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis to determine their absolute configurations. The results of biological activity assays demonstrated that cembranoid 2 exhibited bioactivity against the protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells.

Scalarane-Type Sesterterpenoids from the Marine Sponge Lendenfeldia sp. Alleviate Inflammation in Human Neutrophils.

Sponge-derived scalaranes are remarkable sesterterpenoids previously found to exhibit profound inhibitory effects against neutrophilic inflammation. In our current work, we constructed the metabolomic profile of marine sponge Lendenfeldia sp. for the first time using a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) molecular networking approach. The results highlighted the rich chemical diversity of these scalaranes, motivating us to conduct further research to discover novel scalaranes targeting neutrophilic inflammation. MS- and NMR-assisted isolation and elucidation led to the discovery of seven new homoscalaranes, lendenfeldaranes K-Q (1-7), characterized by methylation at C-24, together with five known derivatives, lendenfeldarane B (8), 25-nor-24-methyl-12,24-dioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (9), 24-methyl-12,24,25-trioxoscalar-16-en-22-oic acid (10), felixin B (11), and 23-hydroxy-20-methyldeoxoscalarin (12). Scalaranes 1-4 and 6-12 were assayed against superoxide anion generation and elastase release, which represented the neutrophilic inflammatory responses of respiratory burst and degranulation, respectively. The results indicated that 1-3 and 6-12 exhibited potential anti-inflammatory activities (IC50 for superoxide anion scavenging: 0.87~6.57 µM; IC50 for elastase release: 1.12~6.97 µM).

Briarenols W-Z: Chlorine-Containing Polyoxygenated Briaranes from Octocoral Briareum stechei (Kükenthal, 1908).

Briareum stechei is proven to be a rich source of 3,8-cyclized cembranoids (briarane) with a bicyclo[8.4.0] carbon core. In the present study, four previously unreported briaranes, briarenols W-Z (1-4), along with solenolide A (5), briarenolide M (6), briaexcavatolide F (7), and brianolide (8), were isolated and characterized through spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration of 8 was corroborated by a single-crystal x-ray diffraction analysis. Briaranes 2 and 5 were found to induce significant inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells by enhancing the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins.

Photoinduced NO and HNO Production from Mononuclear {FeNO}6 Complex Bearing a Pendant Thiol.

Light triggers the formation of HNO from a metal-nitrosyl species, facilitated by an intramolecular pendant thiol proton. Two {FeNO}6 complexes (the Enemark-Felthan notation), [Fe(NO)(TMSPS2)(TMSPS2H)] (1, TMSPS2H2 = 2,2'-dimercapto-3,3'-bis(trimethylsilyl)diphenyl)phenylphosphine; H is a dissociable proton) with a pendant thiol and [Fe(NO)(TMSPS2)(TMSPS2CH3)] (2) bearing a pendant thioether, are spectroscopically and structurally characterized. Both complexes are highly sensitive to visible light. Upon photolysis, complex 2 undergoes NO dissociation to yield a mononuclear Fe(III) complex, [Fe(TMSPS2)(TMSPS2CH3)] (3). In contrast, the pendant SH of 1 can act as a trap for the departing NO radical upon irradiation, resulting in the formation of an intermediate A with an intramolecular [SH···ON-Fe] interaction. As suggested by computational results (density functional theory), the NO stretching frequency (νNO) is sensitive to the intramolecular interaction between the pendant ligand and the iron-bound NO, and a shift of νNO from 1833 (1) to 1823 cm-1 (A) is observed experimentally. Subsequent photolysis of the intermediate A results in HNO production and a thiyl group that then coordinates to the Fe center for the formation of [Fe(TMSPS2)2] (4). In contrast with the common acid-base coupling pathway, the HNO is not voluntarily yielded from 1 but rather is generated by the photopromoted pathway. The photogenerated HNO can further react with [MnIII(TMSPS3)(DABCO)] (TMSPS3H3 = (2,2'2''-trimercapto-3,3',3''-tris(trimethylsilyl)triphenylphosphine; DABCO = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane) in organic media to yield anionic [Mn(NO)(TMSPS3)]- (5-) with a {MnNO}6 electronic configuration, whereas [MnIII(TMSPS3)(DABCO)] reacts with NO gas for the formation of a {MnNO}5 species, [Mn(NO)(TMSPS3)] (6). Effective differentiation of the formation of HNO from complex 1 with the pendant SH versus NO from 2 with the pendant SMe is achieved by the employment of [MnIII(TMSPS3)(DABCO)].

Zinc(II)-Organic Framework Films with Thermochromic and Solvatochromic Applications.

Multiple-stimuli-responsive photoluminescence films based on a ZnII -organic framework, {[Zn2 (Htpim)(3,4-pydc)2 ]⋅4 DMF⋅4 H2 O}n (1, Htpim=2,4,5-tri(4-pyridyl)imidazole, 3,4-H2 pydc=3,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid), were fabricated. This compound consisted of a 2D corrugated layer, {Zn(3,4-pydc)}n , which was further pillared using a Y-shaped pillar N-donor ligand (Htpim) to form a 3D-pillared-layer framework with 1D open channels. The rectangular channels in the as-synthesized compound are fully occupied by guest DMF and H2 O molecules. The framework exhibits instant and reversible thermochromic properties corresponding to the removal of different H2 O and DMF guest molecules as temperature increases. The pale-yellow crystal undergoes significant redshifting to a greenish emission centered at 530 nm. Compound 1 also showed remarkable solvatochromic effects in the presence of various organic solvents without affecting its structural integrity. In addition, polycrystalline MOF films were grown on an α-Al2 O3 support for switchable and fast-response thermochromic and solvatochromic sensors.

Iridium(III) Complexes Bearing a Formal Tetradentate Coordination Chelate: Structural Properties and Phosphorescence Fine-Tuned by Ancillaries.

Synthesis of the multidentate coordinated chelate N3C-H2, composed of a linked functional pyridyl pyrazole fragment plus a peripheral phenyl and pyridyl unit, was obtained using a multistep protocol. Preparation of Ir(III) metal complexes bearing a N3C chelate in the tridentate (κ3), tetradentate (κ4), and pentadentate (κ5) modes was executed en route from two nonemissive dimer intermediates [Ir(κ3-N3CH)Cl2]2 (1) and [Ir(κ4-N3C)Cl]2 (2). Next, a series of mononuclear Ir(III) complexes with the formulas [Ir(κ4-N3C)Cl(py)] (3), [Ir(κ4-N3C)Cl(dmap)] (4), [Ir(κ4-N3C)Cl(mpzH)] (5), and [Ir(κ4-N3C)Cl(dmpzH)] (6), as well as diiridium complexes [Ir2(κ5-N3C)(mpz)2(CO)(H)2] (7) and [Ir2(κ5-N3C)(dmpz)2(CO)(H)2] (8), were obtained upon treatment of dimer 2 with pyridine (py), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (dmap), 4-methylpyrazole (mpzH), and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (dmpzH), respectively. These Ir(III) metal complexes were identified using spectroscopic methods and by X-ray crystallographic analysis of representative derivatives 3, 5, and 7. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties were investigated and confirmed by the theoretical simulations. Notably, green-emitting organic light-emitting diode (OLED) on the basis of Ir(III) complex 7 gives a maximum external quantum efficiency up to 25.1%. This result sheds light on the enormous potential of this tetradentate coordinated chelate in the development of highly efficient iridium complexes for OLED applications.

Ligand-Based Reactivity of Oxygenation and Alkylation in Cobalt Complexes Binding with (Thiolato)phosphine Derivatives.

In our efforts to understand the nature of metal thiolates, we have explored the chemistry of cobalt ion supported by (thiolato)phosphine ligand derivatives. Herein, we synthesized and characterized a square-planar CoII complex binding with a bidentate (thiolato)phosphine ligand, Co(PS1″)2 (1) ([PS1″]- = [P(Ph)2(C6H3-3-SiMe3-2-S)]-). The complex activates O2 to form a ligand-based oxygenation product, Co(OPS1″)2 (2) ([OPS1″]- = [PO(Ph)2(C6H3-3-SiMe3-2-S)]-). In addition, an octahedral CoIII complex with a tridentate bis(thiolato)phosphine ligand, [NEt4][Co(PS2*)2] (3) ([PS2*]2- = [P(Ph)(C6H3-3-Ph-2-S)2]2-), was obtained. Compound 3 cleaves the C-Cl bond in dichloromethane via an S-based nucleophilic attack to generate a chloromethyl thioether group. Two isomeric products, [Co(PS2*)(PSSCH2Cl*)] (4 and 4') ([PSSCH2Cl*]- = [P(Ph)(C6H3-3-Ph-2-S)(C6H3-3-Ph-2-SCH2Cl)]-), were isolated and fully characterized. Both transformations, oxygenation of a CoII-bound phosphine donor in 1 and alkylation of a CoIII-bound thiolate in 3, were monitored by spectroscopic methods. These reaction products were isolated and fully characterized. Density functional theory (DFT, the B3LYP functional) calculations were performed to understand the electronic structure of 1 as well as the pathway of its transformation to 2.

Oxidative trimerization of indoles via water-assisted visible-light photoredox catalysis and the study of their anti-cancer activities.

Incorporation of water has been revealed to successfully facilitate visible-light photoredox catalysis of indole leading to increased production of C2-quaternary indolinone. The water-promoted photoreaction of indole under catalyst-free conditions by a household compact fluorescence light was also demonstrated. The antiproliferative activity of the synthesized indolinones was evaluated against three human cancer cell lines.

11ß,20ß-Epoxybriaranes from the Gorgonian Coral Junceella fragilis (Ellisellidae).

Two 11,20-epoxybriaranes, including a known compound, juncenolide K (1), as well as a new metabolite, fragilide X (2), have been isolated from gorgonian Junceella fragilis collected off the waters of Taiwan. The absolute configuration of juncenolide K (1) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for the first time in this study and the structure, including the absolute configuration of briarane 2 was established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and compared with that of model compound 1. One aspect of the stereochemistry of the known compound 1 was revised. Briarane 2 was found to enhance the generation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) release from RAW 264.7 cells.

Syntheses, Reactivities, Characterization, and Crystal Structures of Dipalladium Complexes Containing the 1,3-pyrimidinyl Ligand: Structures of [Pd(PPh3)(Br)]2(µ,η2-C4H3N2)2, [Pd(Br)]2(µ,η2-Hdppa)2, and [{Pd(PPh3)(CH3CN)}2(µ,η2-C4H3N2)2][BF4]2.

In a refluxing chloroform solution, the η1-pyrimidinyl {pyrimidinyl = C4H3N2} palladium complex [Pd(PPh3)2(η1-C4H3N2)(Br)], 1 exhibited intermolecular displacement of two triphenylphosphine ligands to form the doubly bridged η2-pyrimidinyl Dipalladium complex [Pd(PPh3)(Br)]2(µ,η2-C4H3N2)2, 3. The treatment of 1 with Hdppa {Hdppa = N,N-bisdiphenyl phosphinoamine} in refluxing dichloromethane yielded the doubly bridged Hdppa dipalladium complex [Pd(Br)]2(µ,η2-Hdppa)2, 4. Complex 1 reacted with the bidentate ligand, NH4S2CNC4H8 and, NaS2COEt, and the tridentate ligand, KTp {Tp = tris(pyrazoyl-1-yl)borate}, to form the η2-dithio η1-pyrimidinyl complex [Pd(PPh3)(η1-C4H3N2)(η2-SS)], (5: SS = S2CNC4H8; 6: SS = S2COEt) and η2-Tp η1-pyrimidinyl complex [Pd(PPh3)(η1-C4H3N2)(η2-Tp)], 7, respectively. Treatment of 1 with AgBF4 in acetonitrile at room temperature resulted in the formation of the doubly bridged η2-pyrimidinyl dipalladium complex [{Pd(PPh3)(CH3CN)}2(µ,η2-C4H3N2)2][BF4]2, 8. All of the complexes were identified using spectroscopic methods, and complexes 3, 4, and 8 were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Yohimbine Analogues by an Organocatalytic and Pot-Economic Strategy.

An efficient and one-pot method has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of pentacyclic indole derivatives with the yohimbane skeleton via a sequence of asymmetric Michael-Michael-Mannich-reduction-amidation-Bischler-Napieralski-reduction reactions with a high diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). The seven-step reaction sequence, which generates five bonds and five stereocenters, can be conducted with a pot-economic synthetic strategy and one-pot operation in good yields. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of two products were confirmed by X-ray crystallography analysis.

Near-Infrared Emission Induced by Shortened Pt-Pt Contact: Diplatinum(II) Complexes with Pyridyl Pyrimidinato Cyclometalates.

Four diplatinum(II) complexes with the formula [Pt(pypm)(µ-Fn)]2 (2, 3a-c) bearing both a pyridine-pyrimidinate chelate and formamidinate bridge, where (pypm)H and FnH stand for 5-(pyridin-2-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine and functional formamidines with various substituents of iPr (n = 1), Ph (n = 2), C6H4tBu (n = 3), and C6H4CF3 (n = 4), were synthesized en route from a mononuclear intermediate represented by [Pt(pypm)Cl(F1H)] (1). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the structure of 1 and 3a comprised of an individual "Pt(pypm)" unit and two "Pt(pypm)" units with a Pt···Pt distance of 2.8845(2) Å, respectively. Therefore, in contrast to the structured emission of mononuclear 1 with the first vibronic peak wavelength at 475 nm, all other diplatinum complexes with shortened Pt···Pt separation exhibited greatly red shifted and structureless metal-metal to ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) emission that extended into the near-infrared region in solid states. Their photophysical characteristics were measured under three distinctive morphological states (i.e., crystals, sublimed powders, and vacuum-deposited thin films) by steady-state UV-vis spectroscopy, while retention of Pt···Pt interactions in deposited thin films of 2 and 3a-c was confirmed using Raman spectroscopy, demonstrating lowered Pt···Pt stretching at 80-200 cm-1. Most importantly, complexes 3a-c exhibited a gradual red shift with the trends crystals < sublimed powders < vacuum-deposited thin films, a result of increased intermolecular π-π stacking interactions and Pt···Pt interactions, while crystalline samples exhibited the highest luminescence among all three morphological states due to the fewest defects in comparison to other morphologies. Finally, 3b was selected as a nondoped emitter for the fabrication of NIR-emitting OLEDs, giving an electroluminescence peak at 767 nm and a maximum external quantum efficiency of 0.14% with negligible roll-off.

A Superior Synthesis of Longitudinally Twisted Acenes.

Seven longitudinally twisted acenes (an anthracene, two tetracenes, three pentacenes, and a hexacene) have been synthesized by the addition of aryllithium reagents to the appropriate quinone precursors, followed by SnCl2 -mediated reduction of their diol intermediates, and several of these acenes have been crystallographically characterized. The new syntheses of the three previously reported twisted acenes, decaphenylanthracene (1), 9,10,11,20,21,22-hexaphenyltetrabenzo[a,c,l,n]pentacene (2), and 9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16-octaphenyldibenzo[a,c]tetracene (14), resulted in a reduction of the number of synthetic steps. As a consequence their overall yields were increased by factors of 50-, 24-, and 66-fold, respectively. All of the twisted acene syntheses reported here are suitable for the synthesis of at least gram quantities of these remarkable hydrocarbon materials.

Role of the Diphosphine Chelate in Emissive, Charge-Neutral Iridium(III) Complexes.

A class of neutral tris-bidentate IrIII metal complexes incorporating a diphosphine as a chelate is prepared and characterized here for the first time. Treatment of [Ir(dppBz)(tht)Cl3 ] (1, dppBz=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene, tht=tetrahydrothiophene) with fppzH (3-trifluoromethyl-5-(2'-pyridyl)-1H-pyrazole) afforded the dichloride complexes, trans-(Cl,Cl)[Ir(dppBz)(fppz)Cl2 ] (2) and cis-(Cl,Cl)[Ir(dppBz)(fppz)Cl2 ] (3). The reaction of 3 with the dianionic chelate precursor, 5,5'-di(trifluoromethyl)-3,3'-bipyrazole (bipzH2 ) or 5,5'-(1-methylethylidene)-bis(3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole) (mepzH2 ), in DMF gave the tris-bidentate complex [Ir(dppBz)(fppz)(bipz)] (4) or [Ir(dppBz)(fppz)(mepz)] (5), respectively. In contrast, a hydride complex [Ir(dppBz)(fppz)(bipzH)H] (6) was isolated instead of 4 in protic solvent, namely: diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (DGME). All complexes 2-6 are luminescent in powder form and thin films where the dichlorides (2, 3) emit with maxima at 590-627 nm (orange) and quantum yields (QYs) up to 90 % whereas the tris-bidentate (4, 5) and hydride (6) complexes emit at 455-458 nm (blue) with QYs up to 70 %. Hybrid (time-dependent) DFT calculations showed considerable metal-to-ligand charge transfer contribution to the orange-emitting 2 and 3 but substantial ligand-centered 3 π-π* transition character in the blue-emitting 4-6. The dppBz does not participate in the radiative transitions in 4-6, but it provides the rigidity and steric bulk needed to promote the luminescence by suppressing the self-quenching in the solid state. Fabrication of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) with dopant 5 gave a deep-blue CIE chromaticity of (0.16, 0.15). Superior blue emitters, which are vital in OLED applications, may be found in other neutral IrIII complexes containing phosphine chelates.