Kinetically stabilized 1,3-diarylisobenzofurans and the possibility of preparing large, persistent isoacenofurans with unusually small HOMO-LUMO gaps.

DFT calculations demonstrate that an isoacenofuran of any size possesses a smaller HOMO-LUMO gap than the corresponding acene bearing an isoelectronic π-system (i.e., the same total number of rings). Isoacenofurans show limited stability due in part to the highly reactive 1,3-carbons of the furan ring. Both 1,3-dimesitylisobenzofuran and 1,3-di(2',4',6'-triethylphenyl)isobenzofuran, each bearing sterically congesting ortho-alkyl groups on their phenyl substituents, have been synthesized and shown to adopt non-planar conformations with the ortho-alkyl groups located above and below the most reactive 1,3-carbons of the furan ring. These bulky substituents provide a strong measure of kinetic stabilization. Thus, 1,3-dimesitylisobenzofuran and 1,3-di(2',4',6'-triethylphenyl)isobenzofuran are significantly less reactive than 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran toward the strong dienophiles DMAD and acrylonitrile. The insights gained here suggest that the synthesis of large, persistent, kinetically stabilized isoacenofurans with unusually small HOMO-LUMO gaps is achievable. As such, these molecules deserve increased attention as potential p-type organic semiconductors.

Interfacial shear stress between single-walled carbon nanotubes and gold surfaces with and without an alkanethiol monolayer.

A novel and effective technique is developed to make the first determination of shear stress between dielectrophoretically assembled single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and surfaces. The results demonstrate that we can vary the shear stress by a factor of 20 by functionalizing a gold surface with different alkanethiols. The interfacial shear stress between a small bundle of SWNTs and a gold surface with and without self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiol (2-phenylethanethiol or 2-aminoethanethiol) is determined. The measurements are based on simple NEMS cantilever beams, a nanomanipulator, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is emphasized that the measured quantity is the slack in the nanotube (not the shear stress) induced by the nanomanipulation. The shear stress is determined from the slack through a mechanics model. An average shear stress of 87 MPa between SWNTs and gold surfaces is obtained. For the tests on the self-assembled 2-aminoethanethiol surface, an average shear stress of 142 MPa is obtained. For the self-assembled 2-phenylethanethiol surface, the shear stress is determined to be around 7.2 MPa with an estimated work of adhesion of 0.5 J/m(2).

An improved synthesis of pentacene: rapid access to a benchmark organic semiconductor.

Pentacene is an organic semiconductor used in a variety of thin-film organic electronic devices. Although at least six separate syntheses of pentacene are known (two from dihydropentacenes, two from 6,13-pentacenedione and two from 6,13-dihydro-6,13-dihydroxypentacene), none is ideal and several utilize elevated temperatures that may facilitate the oxidation of pentacene as it is produced. Here, we present a fast (-2 min of reaction time), simple, high-yielding (≥ 90%), low temperature synthesis of pentacene from readily available 6,13-dihydro-6,13-dihydroxypentacene. Further, we discuss the mechanism of this highly efficient reaction. With this improved synthesis, researchers gain rapid, affordable access to high purity pentacene in excellent yield and without the need for a time consuming sublimation.

Probing intramolecular CH-π interactions in o-quinodimethane adducts of [60]fullerene using variable temperature NMR.

Several o-quinodimethane adducts of [60]fullerene were synthesized and their intramolecular aryl CH-fullerene π interactions were studied using variable temperature-NMR (VT-NMR). Evaluation of the rate constants associated with the first-order transition states for cyclohexene boat-to-boat inversions enables quantification of ΔG(‡) values for each inversion. A comparison between two constitutional isomers, only one of which is capable of intramolecular CH-π interactions, provides a lower limit of 0.95 kcal/mol for each aryl CH-fullerene π interaction.

Open-shell singlet character of stable derivatives of nonacene, hexacene and teranthene.

The electronic ground states of the recently synthesized stable nonacene derivatives (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 1261) are open-shell singlets with a polyradical nature instead of closed-shell singlets as originally assumed, according to the unrestricted broken spin-symmetry density functional theory (UBS-DFT) computations (at B3LYP/6-31G*). It is the bulky protecting groups, not the transfer from the open-shell singlet to closed-shell singlet ground state, that stabilizes these longest characterized acenes. Similar analyses also confirmed the open-shell singlet character of the hexacene and teranthene derivatives.

Highly ordered assembly of single-domain dichloropentacene over large areas on vicinal gold surfaces.

Defining pathways to assemble long-range-ordered 2D nanostructures of specifically designed organic molecules is required in order to optimize the performance of organic thin-film electronic devices. We report on the rapid fabrication of a nearly perfect self-assembled monolayer (SAM) composed of a single-domain 6,13-dichloropentacene (DCP) brick-wall pattern on Au(788). Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) results show the well-ordered DCP SAM extends over hundreds of nanometers. Combining STM results with insights from density functional theory, we propose that a combination of unique intermolecular and molecule-step interactions drives the DCP SAM formation.

Design, synthesis, and characterization of a persistent nonacene derivative.

A significant technical barrier (i.e., facile oxidative degradation) that has prevented the preparation of large acenes has now been breached. Using a combination of experimentally and theoretically derived substituent effects, the design, synthesis, isolation, and characterization of the first persistent nonacene derivative is described. The molecular design strategy includes placement of arylthio (or alkylthio) substituents on the terminal rings of the nonacene skeleton, effectively converting an open-shell singlet diradical into a closed-shell system. These powerful substituent effects appear to be suitable for the synthesis of other persistent, soluble, large acene derivatives required for advanced thin-film organic semiconductor applications.

Field-assisted nanopatterning of metals, metal oxides and metal salts.

The tip-based nanofabrication method called field-assisted nanopatterning or FAN has now been extended to the transfer of metals, metal oxides and metal salts onto various receiving substrates including highly ordered pyrolytic graphite, passivated gold and indium-tin oxide. Standard atomic force microscope tips were first dip-coated using suspensions of inorganic compounds in solvent. The films prepared in this manner were non-uniform and contained inorganic nanoparticles. Tip-based nanopatterning on chosen substrates was conducted under high electric field conditions. The same tip was used for both nanofabrication and imaging. Arbitrary patterns were formed with dimensions that ranged from tens of microns to sub-20 nm and were controlled by tuning the tip bias during fabrication. Most tip-based nanopatterning techniques are limited in terms of the type of species that can be deposited and the type of substrates onto which the deposition occurs. With the successful deposition of inorganic species reported here, FAN is demonstrated to be a truly versatile tip-based nanofabrication technique that is useful for the deposition of a wide variety of both organic and inorganic species including small molecules, large molecules and polymers.

Molecular self-assembly of functionalized fullerenes on a metal surface.

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the self-assembly of C60 molecules functionalized with long alkane chains on the (111) surface of silver. We find that the conformation of the functionalized C60 changes upon adsorption on Ag(111) and that the unit cell size in the self-assembled monolayer is determined by the interactions between the functional groups. We show that C60 molecules can be assembled in ordered 2D arrays with intermolecular distances much larger than those in compact C60 layers, and propose a novel way to control the surface pattern by appropriate chemical functionalization.

Exploiting substituent effects for the synthesis of a photooxidatively resistant heptacene derivative.

Substituent effects have been exploited to produce an unusually persistent heptacene derivative. In total, four new heptacene derivatives with varying levels of photooxidative resistance (1 < 2 < 3 < 4) have been synthesized. A combination of p-(t-butyl)thiophenyl substituents at positions 7 and 16 (i.e., arylthio substituents attached to the most reactive ring) and o-dimethylphenyl substituents at positions 5, 9, 14, and 18 (i.e., steric resistance on neighboring rings) make heptacene derivative 4 especially resistant to photooxidation. It persists for weeks as a solid, for 1-2 days in solution if shielded from light, and for several hours in solution when directly exposed to both light and air. Heptacene derivative 4 has been fully characterized. It possesses a small HOMO-LUMO gap of 1.37 eV.

2,5-Dichloro-thio-phene 1,1-dioxide.

The complete mol-ecule of the title compound, C(4)H(2)Cl(2)O(2)S, is generated by crystallographic twofold symmetry, with the S atom lying on the rotation axis. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds..

2,3-Bis(bromo-meth-yl)-1,4-diphenyl-benzene.

In the title compound, C(20)H(16)Br(2), the terminal phenyl groups are twisted away from the central ring by approximately 55 and -125° (average of four dihedral angles each), respectively. The crystal structure is stabilized by a combination of inter-molecular and intra-molecular inter-actions including inter-molecular π-π stacking inter-actions [C atoms of closest contact = 3.423 (5) Å].

1,2-Dimethyl-4,5-diphenyl-benzene determined on a Bruker SMART X2S benchtop crystallographic system.

The title compound, C(20)H(18), has two crystallographically independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The phenyl substituents of mol-ecule A are twisted away from the plane defined by the central benzene ring by 131.8 (2) and -52.7 (3)°. The phenyl substituents of mol-ecule B are twisted by -133.3 (2) and 50.9 (3)°. Each mol-ecule is stabilized by a pair of intra-molecular C(aryl, sp(2))-H⋯π inter-actions, as well as by several inter-molecular C(methyl, sp(3))-H⋯π inter-actions.

Substituent effects in pentacenes: gaining control over HOMO-LUMO gaps and photooxidative resistances.

A combined experimental and computational study of a series of substituted pentacenes including halogenated, phenylated, silylethynylated and thiolated derivatives is presented. Experimental studies include the synthesis and characterization of six new and six known pentacene derivatives and a kinetic study of each derivative under identical photooxidative conditions. Structures, HOMO-LUMO energies and associated gaps were calculated at the B3LYP/6-311+G**//PM3 level while optical and electrochemical HOMO-LUMO gaps were measured experimentally. The combined results provide for the first time a quantitative assessment of HOMO-LUMO gaps and photooxidative resistances for a large series of pentacene derivatives as a function of substituents. The persistence of each pentacene derivative is impacted by a combination of steric resistance and electronic effects as well as the positional location of each substituent. Silylethynyl-substituted pentacenes like TIPS-pentacene possess small HOMO-LUMO gaps but are not the longest lived species under photooxidative conditions, contrary to popular perception. A pentacene derivative with both chlorine substituents in the 2,3,9,10 positions and o-alkylphenyl substituents in the 6,13 positions is longer lived than TIPS-pentacene. Of all the derivatives studied, alkylthio- and arylthio-substituted pentacenes are most resistant to photooxidation, possess relatively small HOMO-LUMO gaps and are highly soluble in a variety of organic solvents. These results have broad implications for the field of organic molecular electronics where OFET, OLED, and other applications can benefit from highly persistent, solution processable pentacene derivatives.

Self-assembly of long chain alkanes and their derivatives on graphite.

We combine scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements with ab initio calculations to study the self-assembly of long chain alkanes and related alcohol and carboxylic acid molecules on graphite. For each system, we identify the optimum adsorption geometry and explain the energetic origin of the domain formation observed in the STM images. Our results for the hierarchy of adsorbate-adsorbate and adsorbate-substrate interactions provide a quantitative basis to understand the ordering of long chain alkanes in self-assembled monolayers and ways to modify it using alcohol and acid functional groups.

Hydrogenation of single-wall carbon nanotubes using polyamine reagents: combined experimental and theoretical study.

We combine experimental observations with ab initio calculations to study the reversible hydrogenation of single-wall carbon nanotubes using high boiling polyamines as hydrogenation reagents. Our calculations characterize the nature of the adsorption bond and identify preferential adsorption geometries at different coverages. We find the barrier for sigmatropic rearrangement of chemisorbed hydrogen atoms to be approximately 1 eV, thus facilitating surface diffusion and formation of energetically favored, axially aligned adsorbate chains. Chemisorbed hydrogen modifies the structure and stability of nanotubes significantly and increases the inter-tube distance, thus explaining the improved dispersability in solvents like methanol, ethanol, chloroform, and benzene.

Thermal, sonochemical, and mechanical behaviors of single crystal [60]fullerene nanotubes.

Although related to conventional carbon nanotubes in both shape and construction, fullerene nanowhiskers and fullerene nanotubes have received far less attention. A modified liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation technique is described to produce relatively uniform batches of [60]fullerene nanotubes in high yield. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveal that the tubes possess approximately 100-nm inside diameters and 300-nm outside diameters. The [60]fullerene nanotubes degrade slowly at 180 degrees C, eventually collapsing into micron scale [60]fullerene discs and rods, as revealed by optical microscopy and AFM. Ultrasonic cavitation chops [60]fullerene nanotubes into smaller segments within seconds. Longer ultrasonic bathing leads to considerable structural damage in which the sidewalls rupture. Mechanical stress tests using an AFM microscope tip effectively dent and break [60]fullerene nanowhiskers, revealing a hollow interior.

4,7-diphenylisobenzofuran: a useful intermediate for the construction of phenyl-substituted acenes.

The formation and subsequent reactivity of previously unknown 4,7-diphenylisobenzofuran, 5, is reported. The Diels-Alder reaction between 5 and p-benzoquinone in boiling glacial acetic acid yields an unprecedented exo,exo anti dual cycloaddition product, 16b, in excellent yield and with 100% diastereoselectivity. Differences between the reactivities of 5 and the more common 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran are highlighted. Reactive 5 is utilized to form new three-, four-, and five-ring acenes, and the latter compound is reacted with [60]fullerene to produce new [60]fullerene-acene adducts.

Toward uniform nanotubular compounds: synthetic approach and ab initio calculations.

We propose to synthesize a new class of single-walled nanotubular compounds (SWNCs) and investigate the interplay between their structural and electronic properties using ab initio density functional calculations. SWNCs are composed of cyclacenes of variable diameter interconnected by various linker compounds. Cyclacenes map directly onto and can be viewed as the shortest segments of (n,0) zigzag carbon nanotubes. We focus on cyclacenes with n=6-12 fused benzene rings interconnected by biphenyl, tetrazine, or acetylene linkers. Depending upon the nature and the orientation of the linkers, we find it possible to change the systems from narrow-gap to wide-gap semiconductors, and to modulate the band dispersion, suggesting the possibility of band gap engineering.

Facile, scalable, regioselective synthesis of C3v C60H18 using organic polyamines.

[chemical structure: see text]. Organic polyamines are efficient reagents for the regioselective hydrogenation of [60]fullerene. When [60]fullerene is heated in diethylenetriamine, a known C60H18 isomer with C3v symmetry is produced and isolated in good purity without the need for chromatographic separation. The reaction can be scaled upward to multigram levels without impacting yield or quality of product.