ABSTRACT
The generation of topologically complex nanocarbons can spur developments in science and technology. However, conventional synthetic routes to interlocked molecules require heteroatoms. We report the synthesis of catenanes and a molecular trefoil knot consisting solely of para-connected benzene rings. Characteristic fluorescence of a heterocatenane associated with fast energy transfer between two rings was observed, and the topological chirality of the all-benzene knot was confirmed by enantiomer separation and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The seemingly rigid all-benzene knot has rapid vortex-like motion in solution even at -95°C, resulting in averaged nuclear magnetic resonance signals for all hydrogen atoms. This interesting dynamic behavior of the knot was theoretically predicted and could stimulate deeper understanding and applications of these previously untapped classes of topological molecular nanocarbons.
ABSTRACT
Benzannulated cyclacenes (BCs) have been proposed as stable zigzag carbon nanobelts. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed a closed-shell ground state for [12]BC, whereas an open-shell ground state was suggested for [12]cyclacene. The calculated strain energy and frontier molecular orbital energies of [12]BC also implied high stability. An unstrained macrocycle 1, consisting of orthophenylene and ethynylene moieties, was designed as a potential precursor for [12]BC and synthesized by sequential Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of diphenylacetylene derivatives. While the conversion of 1 into [12]BC is still under investigation, an unexpected rearrangement of the triene moieties in 1, affording a tribenzo[f,k,m]tetraphene structure, was discovered during the screening of reaction conditions. An attempt was made to rationalize this result by proposing a plausible reaction mechanism that proceeds via intermediates containing cyclobutadiene or Dewar benzene moieties. The proposed mechanism is partially supported by DFT calculations.
