A Stable Bis(benzocyclobutadiene)-Annelated Tetraazapentacene Derivative.

Biphenylene-2,3-dione is a powerful reagent to build up cyclobutadiene-containing azapolyheterocycles. The target structures are formed in high yields through classical condensation of suitable aromatic diamines with the biphenylenedione. To achieve the title compound, the biphenylenedione is coupled with a diaminobenzothiadiazole derivative. Reductive cleavage of the thiadiazole ring and subsequent condensation with the biphenylenedione gives the title compound in which a central tetraazapentacene is flanked by two benzocyclobutadiene units. This compound is stable despite its extended π-system and its optical features are blueshifted in comparison to those of the symmetrical tetraazapentacene.

The Radical Anion and Dianion of Tetraazapentacene.

The mono- and bis-reduction of 6,13-bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)quinoxalino[2,3-b]phenazine (1) with potassium anthracenide in THF is reported. Both the radical anion 1(.-) and the dianion 1(2-) were isolated and characterized by optical and structural (single-crystal X-ray diffraction) methods. Solutions of the radical anion 1(.-) were stable in air for several hours and characterized by EPR spectroscopy. Dianion 1(2-) is highly fluorescent and photostable.

Coronene-Containing N-Heteroarenes: 13 Rings in a Row.

We describe the modular synthesis of three novel large N-heteroarenes, containing 9, 11, and 13 annulated rings. This modular system features fused azaacene units to a coronene nucleus. We evaluate the optical and electronic properties and the solid-state packing of the targets. The electronic properties of the 13-ring N-heteroarene allow the fabrication of a proof-of-concept thin-film transistor. Electron mobilities up to 8 × 10(-4) cm/(V s) were obtained for polycrystalline films.

Halogenated Symmetrical Tetraazapentacenes: Synthesis, Structures, and Properties.

We herein describe the synthesis and property evaluation of several brominated and chlorinated tetraazapentacenes. The targets were obtained by thermal condensation of 2,5-dihydroxyquinone with 4,5-dichloro-, 2,6-dichloro-, and 4,5-dibromo-1,2-phenylenediamine, followed by oxidation with hot acidic dichromate. Double alkynylation, reductive deoxygenation, and subsequent oxidation using MnO2 furnishes the target compounds. Absorption spectra, electrochemistry, and single crystal structures of the targets are reported. The 1,4,8,11-tetrachlorotetraazapentacene (1,4,8,11-tetrachloroquinoxalino[2,3-b]phenazine) carrying its chlorine atoms in the peri-positions packs in a herringbone type arrangement, while the isomer (2,3,9,10-tetrachloroquinoxalino[2,3-b]phenazine, with the chlorine atoms in the east and west positions) packs in one-dimensional stacks. In all cases, the reduction potentials and the calculated LUMO-positions are decreased by the introduction of the halogen atoms.

Bisalkynylated 3,6-diiminocyclohexa-1,4-diene-1,4-diamine.

Reduction of bis(benzothiadiazol) by LiAlH4/CuI gives diethynylated diaminobenzoquinoneimine. This building block accesses novel targets in a one-step condensation reaction with different ortho-quinones, resulting in unexpected rearrangement products. The compounds are characterized by their photophysical and electrochemical data as well as quantum chemical calculations.

Substituted Tetraaza- and Hexaazahexacenes and their N,N'-Dihydro Derivatives: Syntheses, Properties, and Structures.

The palladium-catalyzed coupling of a substituted o-diaminoanthracene and a substituted o-diaminophenazine to substituted 2,3-dichloroquinoxalines furnishes 10 differently substituted N,N'-dihydrotetraaza- or -hexaazahexacenes with the quinoxaline group of the azaacenes carrying fluorine, chlorine, or nitro groups. The N,N'-dihydrotetraazahexacenes with hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine subtituents are oxidized to azaacenes, whereas only the parent N,N'-dihydrohexaazahexacenes, with hydrogen substituents, are oxidized by MnO2. The resultant azaacenes are characterized by their optical and spectroscopic data. In addition, single-crystal X-ray structures have been obtained for the parent tetraazahexacenes and their difluoro-substituted derivatives. The di- and tetrachloro derivatives of the N,N'-dihydrohexaazahexacene have also been structurally characterized.

Synthesis and characterization of biphenylene-containing diazaacenes.

We describe the efficient synthesis of substituted benzo[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2-b]phenazine, benzo[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2]benzo[1,2-i]phenazine, and benzo[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2-b]naphtho[2,3-i]phenazine by a condensation reaction of aromatic diamines with the stable biphenylene-2,3-dione.

Tetraazaacenes containing four-membered rings in different oxidation states. Are they aromatic? A computational study.

A symmetrical tetraazaacene incorporating a central cyclobutadiene ring was calculated in different oxidation (hydrogenation) states, displaying different tautomers and conformers. Geometries, thermodynamics, and electronic properties were computed, and the aromaticity of all these species was calculated on a per ring basis by NICS-scans and NICS-X-scans. The results unveil unexpected and fascinating insights into the complex aromaticity of those compounds, including a formally aromatic (!) cyclobutadiene ring.

Synthesis of soluble, alkyne-substituted trideca- and hexadeca-starphenes.

Two literature-known TIPS-ethynyl-dibromoacenes were prepared and employed to synthesize cyclotrimers by using Yamamoto coupling conditions. Two large, well-soluble starphenes were isolated in good yields. Crystallographic characterization verifies the triangular shape and shows significant differences in crystal packing.

Alkynylated diazadioxaacenes: syntheses and properties.

We report the successful synthesis of a series of ethynylated dioxadiazaacenes and investigate their properties. We developed a modular Cu-based catalytic procedure to build up [1,4]dioxino[2,3-b]pyrazine motifs starting from only a few building blocks. TIPS-acetylene-substituted benzene-1,2-diol and naphthalene-2,3-diol were reacted with 2,3-dichloropyrazine, 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline, and 2,3-dichlorobenzoquinoxaline to give a set of six novel and well-soluble dioxadiazaacenes. Different reaction conditions for the coupling were tested. Copper catalysis is most effective and gave the best yield of dioxadiazaacenes. The resulting azaoxaacenes were characterized in terms of optical and electronic properties and crystal packing.

Large N-heteroacenes: new tricks for very old dogs?

Azaacenes have been known for a very long time, either as N,N'-dihydro compounds or in their oxidized form as 4n+2π systems, but only recently have processable and charcterizable derivatives been sought. In the last three years synthetic routes to large N-heteroacenes have been developed. In particular, the Pd-catalyzed coupling of aromatic diamines with activated aromatic dihalogenides has enabled simple access to numerous new azaacenes. Since 2010, azapentacene and stabile oligoazahexacene have been synthesized, as well as a symmetrical tetraazapentacene, which acts as an excellent electron-transport material for thin-film transistors.

From thia- to selenadiazoles: changing interaction priority.

The synthesis, optical, and electrochemical properties as well as solid-state structures of a series of alkynylated, benzannulated selenadiazoles are reported. This set of compounds is compared to the lighter homologue series, the thiadiazoles. The selenadiazoles show head-to-head dimerization in the solid state, while packing of the thiadiazoles was dominated by the steric bulk of the side groups. The Se-N interaction is a supramolecular motif that should drive the effective self-assembly and modulate charge transport when these compounds are used as thin films in devices.

Reactions of large tetraaza-N,N'-dihydroacenes: formation of unexpected adducts and an unstable tetraazahexacene.

We report the reaction of several N,N'-dihydrotetraazaacenes with oxalylic chloride to give unusual adducts, which were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structures.