Electron-Transfer Properties of Phenyleneethynylene Linkers Bound to Gold via a Self-Assembled Monolayer of Molecular Tripod.

The three-point adsorption of tripod-shaped molecules enables the formation of robust self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on solid surfaces, where the component molecules are fixed in a strictly upright orientation. In the present study, SAMs of a rigid molecular tripod consisting of an adamantane core and three CH2SH groups were employed to arrange ferrocene on a gold surface through oligo(p-phenyleneethynylene) linkers. Cyclic voltammetry of the monolayers demonstrated high surface coverage of ferrocene, yet the molecular interaction among adjacent ferrocene units was negligible. This was because of the extended intermolecular distance caused by the bulky tripod framework. The rates of electron transfer from the ferrocene to the gold surface through different linker lengths were determined by electrochemical measurements, from which the decay factor for oligo(p-phenyleneethynylene) wire was evaluated.

Electrochemistry of the self-assembled monolayers of dyads consisting of tripod-shaped trithiol and bithiophene on gold.

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of tripod-shaped trithiols, consisting of an adamantane core with three CH2SH legs and a bithiophene group, were prepared on a Au(111) surface. Adsorption in a tripod-like fashion was supported by polarization modulation-infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) of the SAMs, which indicated the absence of free SH groups. Cyclic voltammetry showed an irreversible cathodic wave due to reductive desorption. The SAM also showed an anodic wave due to the single-electron oxidation of the bithiophene moiety without concomitant desorption of the molecules. Although oxidation was irreversible in the absence of a protecting group, it became reversible with the introduction of a terminal phenyl group. The charge of the oxidation was one-third that of the reductive desorption, confirming a three-point adsorption. The surface coverage was ca. 50% of that expected for the anti bithiophene conformation, which suggested that an increase in the surface area per molecule had been caused by the presence of an energetically high-lying syn conformer. In accordance with this, the line shape of the oxidation wave suggested an electrostatic repulsive interaction between neighboring molecules.

Ideal redox behavior of the high-density self-assembled monolayer of a molecular tripod on a Au(111) surface with a terminal ferrocene group.

A dyad consisting of a tripod-shaped trithiol with an adamantane core and a terminal ferrocenyl group linked through ap-phenyleneethynylene bridge was synthesized. The trithiol formed a stable self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on Au(111), wherein each molecule is bound to the surface by three-point adsorption using all sulfur atoms, with confirmation by PM-IRRAS and XPS analyses. Cyclic voltammetry of the SAM showed a line shape typical of an ideal adsorbed system, that is, a monolayer with negligible electrostatic interaction among the terminal ferrocenyl groups. Thus, a rare SAM was achieved, in which the component molecules were isolated from adjacent molecules without the coadsorption of nonelectroactive molecules.

Stable ion and electrophilic chemistry of the sterically crowded stilbene 1,1'-Bi(benzocyclobutenylidene) and its derivatives.

Generation and NMR studies of novel carbocations and carboxonium ions are reported from sterically hindered stilbene 1,1'-bi(benzocyclobutenylidene) 1, its dimethoxy derivative 5, and from their skeletally rearranged derivatives, namely, the spirocyclic ketone 6, diastereomeric alcohols 7 and isomeric diols 8. Quenching experiments on the carbocations under various conditions resulted in the formation/isolation of several novel covalent adducts. Acid-catalyzed isomerization of the diols 8 produced a remarkable dimeric molecule, whose structure was confirmed by X-ray analysis. Reactions of hindered stilbenes 1 and 5 with Br 2/CDCl 3 were examined via NMR experiments. The experimentally observed carbocations were also studied computationally by GIAO-DFT and by NICS.

Stable ion NMR and GIAO-DFT study of novel cations from 8,16-dicyano[2.2]metacyclophanedienes and from strategically substituted/benzannelated dihydropyrenes: charge-induced tropicity modulation and pi-switching.

The dicyanometacyclophanediene 1 is diprotonated at the cyano groups (1H2 2+) in various superacid media. Upon quenching, intact 1 and the ring-closed CPD 2 were obtained in a 3:2 or 3:1 ratio, depending on the superacid system. Compound 2 undergoes ring opening in the superacid to give the ipso-monoprotonated 2H+, which on quenching furnishes 1-cyanopyrene as a major product together with 2 and 1. The dication 3 2+, with strongly deshielded internal methyls, was generated from the epoxyannulene 3. Ketones 4-6 and ester 7 are O/C diprotonated to give paratropic carboxonium-annulenium dications (4H2 2+, 5H2 2+, 6H2 2+, and 7H2 2+, respectively). Ester 8 gives a trication by two-electron oxidation and O-protonation. Conjugated carboxylic acid 9 gives a mixture of two dications by CO and ring protonation. The dibromo derivatives 10 and 11 form carboxonium ions, whereas the monobromo derivative 12 is O/C diprotonated to give an oxonium-annulenium dication. Charge delocalization modes and tropicity in the resulting species are evaluated by NMR and GIAO-DFT. Facile formation of 2 from 1 in quenching experiments indicates that thermal closing can be achieved with the diprotonated dinitrile, without imposing skeletal rearrangement.

Halo- and azidodediazoniation of arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates with trimethylsilyl halides and trimethylsilyl azide and sandmeyer-type bromodediazoniation with Cu(I)Br in [BMIM][PF6] ionic liquid.

Reaction of [ArN(2)][BF(4)] salts immobilized in [BMIM][PF(6)] ionic liquid (IL) with TMSX (X = I, Br) and TMSN(3) represents an efficient method for the preparation of iodo-, bromo-, and azido-derivatives via dediazoniation. The reactions can also be effected starting with ArNH(2) by in situ diazotization with [NO][BF(4)] followed by reaction with TMSX or TMSN(3). Depending on the substituents on the benzenediazonium cation, competing fluorodediazoniation (ArF formation) and hydrodediazoniation (ArH formation) were observed. Dediazoniation with TMSN(3) and with TMSI generally gave the highest chemoselectivity toward ArN(3) and ArI formation. The IL was recycled and reused up to 5 times with no appreciable decrease in the conversions. Multinuclear NMR monitoring of the interaction of [ArN(2)][BF(4)]/TMSX, [BMIM][PF6]/TMSX, and [BMIM][PF(6)]/TMSX/[ArN(2)][BF(4)] indicated that TMSF is formed primarily via [ArN(2)][BF(4)]/TMSX, generating [ArN(2)][X] in situ, which gives ArX on dediazoniation. Competing formation of ArF in Sandmeyer-type bromodediazoniation of [ArN(2)][BF(4)] with Cu(I)Br immobilized in the IL points to significant involvement of heterolytic dediazoniation.

Electrophilic chemistry of thia-PAHs: stable carbocations (NMR and DFT), S-alkylated onium salts, model electrophilic substitutions (nitration and bromination), and mutagenicity assay.

First examples of stable carbocations are reported from several classes of thia-PAHs with four fused rings, namely, benzo[b]naphtho[2,1-d]thiophene (1) and its 3-methoxy derivative (2), phenanthro[4,3-b]thiophene (3) and its 7-methoxy (4), 10-methoxy (5), and 9-methoxy (6) derivatives, phenanthro[3,4-b]thiophene (7) and its 7-methoxy (8) and 9-methoxy (9) derivatives, and 3-methoxybenzo[b]naphtha[1,2-d]thiophene (11). In several cases, the resulting carbocations were also studied by GIAO-DFT. Charge delocalization modes in the resulting carbocations were probed. A series of S-alkylated onium tetrafluoroborates, namely, 1Me+, 1Et+, 2Et+, and 7Me+ (from 1, 2, and 7), 10Me+ and 10Et+ (from benzo[b]naphtha[1,2-d]thiophene 10), 12Me+ and 12Et+ (from phenanthro[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene 12), 13Me+ (from 3-methoxyphenanthro[3,2-b]benzothiophene 13), 14Me+ (from phenanthro[4,3-b][1]benzothiophene 14), and 15Me+ (from 3-methoxyphenanthro[4,3-b][1]benzothiophene 15), were synthesized. PAH-sulfonium salts 1Me+, 1Et+, 10Me+, 10Et+, 12Me+, and 14Me+ proved to be efficient akylating agents toward model nitrogen nucleophile receptors (imidazole and azaindole). Facile transalkylation to model nucleophiles (including guanine) is also supported by favorable reaction energies computed by DFT. Ring opening energies in thia-PAH-epoxides from 1, 3, and 7 and charge delocalization modes in the resulting carbocations were also evaluated. The four-ring-fused thia-PAHs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11 are effectively nitrated under extremely mild conditions. Nitration regioselectivity corresponds closely to protonation under stable ion conditions. Bromination of 4 and 6 is also reported. Comparative mutagenicity assays (Ames test) were performed on 1 versus 1NO2, 5 versus 5NO2, and 11 versus 11NO2. Compound 5NO2 was found to be a potent direct acting mutagen.

Synthetic, crystallographic, computational, and biological studies of 1,4-difluorobenzo[c]phenanthrene and its metabolites.

1,4-Difluorobenzo[c]phenanthrene (1,4-DFBcPh) and its putative metabolites, the dihydrodiol and diol epoxides, have been synthesized and structurally characterized, and the extent of DNA binding by the metabolites has been assessed. 1,4-DFBcPh and 1,4-difluoro-10-methoxybenzo[c]phenanthrene were prepared by photochemical cyclization of appropriate naphthylphenylethylenes. The dihydrodiol was synthesized from 1,4-difluoro-10-methoxybenzo[c]phenanthrene, and the diol epoxides were diastereoselectively synthesized from the dihydrodiol. Interesting differences were noted in 1H NMR spectra of the series 1 (syn) diol epoxides of benzo[c]phenanthrene (BcPh) and 1,4-DFBcPh; the BcPh diol epoxide displays a quasi-diequatorial orientation of the hydroxyl groups, but in the 1,4-DFBcPh case these are diaxially disposed. This difference probably stems from the presence of the fjord-region fluorine atom in 1,4-DFBcPh. A through-space, fjord-region H-F coupling has also been observed for 1,4-DFBcPh and its derivatives. Comparative X-ray crystallographic analyses of BcPh and 1,4-DFBcPh and their dihydrodiols show that introduction of fluorine increases the molecular distortion by about 6-7 degrees . As a guide to estimating the molecular distortion and its effects, and for comparison with the X-ray structures in known cases, optimized structures of BcPh, 1,4-DFBcPh, and 1,4-DMBcPh (the dimethyl analogue) as well as their dihydrodiols and diol epoxides were computed. Relative aromaticities of these compounds were assessed by nucleus-independent chemical shift calculations, and 13C NMR chemical shifts were computed by gauge-inducing atomic orbital calculations. 1,4-DFBcPh and its dihydrodiol were subjected to metabolism, and the amount of DNA binding in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells was assessed. The extent of DNA binding was then compared with that for BcPh and its dihydrodiol and the potent carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene. The 1,4-DFBcPh series 2 (anti) diol epoxide-derived DNA adducts were also compared with those arising from intracellular oxidation of the dihydrodiol with subsequent DNA binding. These experiments showed that increased molecular distortion decreased metabolic activation to the terminal metabolites but that diol epoxide metabolites that are formed are the DNA-damaging species.

N-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)aryloxytrifluoromethylsulfoximines [ArO-SO(CF3)=NTf] and N-aryltriflimides Ar-N(Tf)2 by thermal and photolytic dediazoniation of [ArN2][BF4] in [BMIM][Tf2N] ionic liquid: exploiting the ambident nucleophilic character of a "nonnucleophilic" anion.

Arenediazonium tetrafluoroborate salts undergo metathesis on immobilization in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonato)amide [BMIM][Tf(2)N]. The "noncoordinating", "nonnucleophilic" [Tf(2)N] anion acts as an ambident nucleophile toward the aryl cations, formed via thermal dediazoniation, to give predominantly the oxy anion quenching products [ArO-SO(CF(3))=NTf], with minimal formation of ArN(Tf)(2), irrespective of the nature of the substituent(s) on the ArN(2)+. Strong preference for the formation of oxygen trapping products did not change under photolytic conditions, where dediazoniation occurs at room temperature. A minimal amount of the Schiemann product ArF is also formed in both thermal and photolytic dediazoniation, depending on the substituent(s). Progress of dediazoniation in the IL (both thermal and photolytic) and the evolution of the products were directly monitored by (1)H and (19)F NMR. According to DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations, PhN(Tf)(2) is more stable than PhO-SO(CF(3))=NTf by 15-17 kcal/mol, depending on the basis set. Inclusion of solvation effects (PCM, with acetone and with CH(2)ClCH(2)Cl as solvent) did not change this preference. The [ArN(2)][BF(4)] dediazoniation in [BMIM][Tf(2)N] resulted in synthesis and characterization of a series of hitherto unknown [ArO-SO(CF(3))=NTf] compounds. The X-ray structure of MesO-SO(CF(3))=NTf (Mes = mesityl) is reported. On the basis of extraction studies, suitable solvent systems have been identified that remove the products without dissolving [BMIM][NTf(2)], thus overcoming product recovery difficulties typically associated with the use of this IL.

Substituent effects in benz[a]anthracene carbocations: a stable ion, electrophilic substitution (nitration, bromination), and DFT study.

A series of novel carbocations were generated from isomeric monoalkylated and dialkylated benz[a]anthracenes (BAs) by low-temperature protonation in FSO(3)H/SO(2)ClF. With the monoalkyl derivatives (5-methyl, 6-methyl, 7-methyl, and 7-ethyl) as well as the D-ring methylated analogues (9-methyl, 10-methyl, and 11-methyl), the C-7 or the C-12 protonated carbocations were observed (as the sole or major carbocation) in all cases. Protonation of the 12-methyl derivative (9) gave the C-7 protonated carbocation (9H+) as the kinetic species and the ipso-protonated carbocation (9aH+) as the thermodynamic cation. With the 12-ethyl derivative (10), relief of steric strain in the bay-region greatly favors ipso-protonation (10aH+). With 3,9-dimethyl (14), C-7 protonation (14H+) is strongly favored (with <10% protonation at C-12), and with 1,12-dimethyl (15) the sole species observed is the C-7 protonated carbocation (15H+). For 7-methyl-12-ethyl, 7-ethyl-12-methyl, and 7,12-diethyl derivatives (16, 17, and 18), two ipso-protonated carbocations were initially formed (C-7/C-12), rearranging in time to give the C-12 protonated carbocations exclusively (16aH+, 17aH+, and 18aH+). Protonation outcomes are compared with the computed relative energies by DFT. Charge delocalization paths in the resulting carbocations were deduced based on the magnitude of Deltadelta13C values. For the thermodynamically more stable C-12 protonated carbocations, the charge delocalization path is analogous to those derived based on computed NPA charges for the benzylic carbocations formed by 1,2-epoxide (bay-region) and 5,6-epoxide (K-region) ring opening. Nitration (and bromination) of the 4-methyl, 7-methyl, 7-ethyl, 3,9-dimethyl, and 1,12-dimethyl derivatives resulted in isolation and characterization of several novel derivatives. Excellent agreement is found between low-temperature protonation selectivities and the regioselectivities observed in model substitution reactions.

Structure/reactivity relationships in the benzo[c]phenanthrene skeleton: stable ion and electrophilic substitution (nitration, bromination) study of substituted analogues, novel carbocations and substituted derivatives.

A series of novel carbocations were generated by low-temperature protonation of substituted benzo[c]phenanthrenes, B[c]Phs, and their charge delocalization pathways were elucidated by NMR on the basis of the magnitude of Deltadelta13C values. It has been shown that the protonation regioselectivity is strongly controlled by methoxy and hydroxyl substituents, whose directive effects override methyl substitution effects. Regiocontrol by -OMe and -OH substituents, and its stronger influence relative to methyl groups, was also observed in the nitration and bromination reactions. Charge distribution modes in the regioisomeric protonated carbocations formed via parent B[c]Ph as well as in the benzylic carbocation formed via fjord-region epoxide ring opening were deduced by gauge-invariant atomic orbital density functional theory (GIAO-DFT) and from the natural population analysis (NPA)-derived changes in charges over CHs. These patterns were compared with those derived from NMR experiments in the substituted derivatives. NMR-based charge delocalization mapping provided insight into structure/activity relationships in the methylated and fluorinated B[c]Phs. Regioselectivities observed in the nitration and bromination reactions in representative cases are the same as those via protonations. Among a group of novel nitro and bromo derivatives synthesized in this study are examples, where the nitro group is introduced into the fjord region, for which the X-ray structure could be obtained in one case.

Intermediates of halogen addition to phenylethynes and protonation of phenylethynyl halides. Open halovinyl cations, bridged halonium, or phenyl-bridged ions: a substituent effect study by DFT and GIAO-DFT.

Formation of alpha-phenyl-beta-halovinyl cation, beta-phenyl-alpha-halovinyl cation, as well as the halogen-bridged and the spirocyclic phenyl-bridged cations as intermediates of protonation of phenylethynyl halides or by halogen addition to phenylethynes was evaluated by DFT at B3LYP/6-31+G(d) and, for comparison in representative cases, by B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p). Relative stabilities of the resulting minima were gauged as a function of substituents on the phenyl group with p-OH, p-OMe, p-H, p-CF3, p-CN, and p-NO2 and with p-OMeH+, p-NO2H+, and p-N2+. In the majority of cases, the alpha-aryl-beta-halovinyl cations were identified as the most likely intermediates, irrespective of X and for most R groups. For R = p-N2+ (with X = Br and Cl), R = CNH+ (with X = Cl), and R = MeOH+ (with X = Br), the corresponding beta-aryl-alpha-halovinyl cations become more stable than alpha-aryl-beta-halovinyl cations (but in most cases with a relatively small stability difference). Whereas competitive formation of the spirocyclic aryl bridged cations via this route appears remote, with R = N2+ and R = NO2H+ as substituents (with X = Br), cyclic halonium ions could intervene, since their relative stabilities are within approximately 4 kcal/mol of the lowest energy vinyl cations. Geometrical features, GIAO NMR chemical shifts, and NPA-derived charges were used to gain insight into the structural/electronic features in the resulting mono and dications. The study provides a basis for stable ion and solvolytic/kinetic studies on a series of substituted phenylethynyl halides that are being synthesized.

Transannular pi-pi interactions in janusenes and in related rigid systems with cofacial aromatic rings; gauging aromaticity in the hydrocarbons and in model carbocations; a DFT study.

The utility of NICS (nuclear independent chemical shift) as a probe for detecting/sensing variation in aromaticity due to transannular pi-pi interactions in janusene , a [3.3]orthocyclophane having two cofacial benzene rings within van der Waals distance, its tetrafluoro- and octafluoro-derivatives and , and in tropiliojanusene was studied by DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The related hydrocarbons and with a buried double-bond and their carbocations were also included in this study. Whereas NICS(0) and NICS(1) are rather insensitive to transannular interactions, computed NICS(1)(zz), values are larger and more negative for both pi-decks in the interannular space and this is consistent with increased transannular pi-pi interactions in the cofacial rings, previously shown in these systems via spectroscopic studies (UV and NMR), and by electrophilic chemistry. Transannular effects in , , and were also probed by examining the forms of HOMO-LUMOs. Attempts to measure donor-accepter interactions between electron rich/electron poor cofacial decks via NICS (1)(zz) through substituent effects proved unsuccessful, resulting in only very small changes. Protonation of the double-bond buried in between the two pi-decks in and results in internally pi-stabilized carbocations that exhibit more negative NICS(1) and NICS(1)(zz) values in the interannular space. GIAO NMR data were computed for the neutral hydrocarbons and their derived carbocations, as a guiding tool for planned experimental studies.

Rigid molecular tripod with an adamantane framework and thiol legs. Synthesis and observation of an ordered monolayer on Au111.

Tripod-shaped trithiols 1-3, containing CH2SH groups at the three bridgehead positions of the adamantane framework and a halogen-containing group [Br (1), p-BrC6H4 (2), or p-IC6H4 (3)] at the fourth bridgehead, were synthesized, and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were prepared on atomically flat Au111 surfaces. The three-point chemisorption of these tripods was confirmed by polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, which showed the absence of a S-H stretching band. Scanning tunneling microscopy of the SAM of 1 exhibited a hexagonal arrangement of the adsorbed molecule with a lattice constant of 8.7 angstroms. A unidirectionally oriented, head-to-tail array of 1, which allows the close approach of neighboring molecules, is proposed as a reasonable model of the two-dimensional crystal, where the adsorbed sulfur atoms form a quasi-(radical3 x radical3)R30 degrees lattice. The charge of the electrochemical reductive desorption of the SAM of 1 was in good agreement with the expected surface coverage, while the SAMs of 2 and 3 showed somewhat less (ca. 70%) charge. The large negative reduction peak potentials, observed for the SAM of 1, are taken to indicate a tight anchoring of this tripod by three sulfur atoms.

Probing the intermediates of halogen addition to alkynes: bridged halonium versus open halovinyl cation; a theoretical study.

[Reaction: see text]. Intermediates formed in halogen addition (X = Br, Cl, F) to alkynes (ethyne, propyne, 2-butyne, trifluoromethylethyne, trimethylsilylethyne, and 1-trimethylsilylpropyne) were studied computationally by MP2 at the MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd) level and/or by DFT at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level. Structure optimization and frequency calculations were performed to identify the minima and to obtain their relative energies. PCM calculations (with H2O, CH2Cl2, and CCl4 as model solvents) were employed to examine solvation effects on the relative stabilities in the resulting bridged halonium, -halovinyl, or -halovinyl cations. GIAO-MP2 and GIAO-DFT calculations were employed to compute NMR chemical shifts (13C, 19F, and 29Si as appropriate). In selected cases, PCM-GIAO calculations were also performed to investigate the extent of solvent effects on the computed NMR shifts. The NPA-derived charges and the GIAO shifts were examined in comparative cases to shed light on structural features. In several cases, structure optimization starting with the -halovinyl cations resulted in -halovinyl cations (via formal hydride shift or trimethylsilyl shift). With the CF3 derivative (when X = F), a formal F shift results in polyfluoroallyl cation generation from fluorovinyl cation as starting geometry.

Triflic acid-catalyzed adamantylation of aromatics in [BMIM][OTf] ionic liquid; synthetic scope and mechanistic insight.

A mild and efficient process has been developed for the one-pot adamantylation of aromatic substrates employing 1-AdaOH, 1-AdaCl, 1-AdaBr, and 1-Br-3,5,7-trimethyladamantane as adamantylating agents, with triflic acid (TfOH) as promoter and n-butylmethylimidazolium triflate [BMIM][OTf] room temperature ionic liquid (IL) as solvent. The influence of reaction temperature, reaction time and the amount of TfOH was gauged in model reactions employing 1-AdaOH, 1-AdaCl and 1-AdaBr with toluene as the substrate. Under optimal conditions, the reactions exhibit high para selectivity with little or no adamantane side-product being formed. The synthetic scope of this transformation was tested for representative alkylbenzenes and haloalkylbenzenes. Comparative reactions carried out in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) produce increased amounts of the meta isomer and substantial amounts of adamantane. Substrate selectivities (K(T)/K(B)) were measured in competitive experiments in [BMIM][OTf] and in DCE as solvents. Isomerization tests were performed to shed light on the origin of the meta isomer. A DFT study was also conducted to compare relative stabilities of the isomeric products, to gauge the relative stabilities of the intermediate isomeric benzenium ions of adamantylation and their charge distribution modes, and to explore the intramolecular process for isomerization in the benzenium ion.

GaCl3-catalyzed skeletal rearrangement of alpha,alpha,alpha-trisubstituted aldehydes.

[Reaction: see text] GaCl3 is found to be a superior catalyst for the skeletal rearrangement of alpha,alpha,alpha-trisubstituted aldehydes to ketones. The rearrangement can proceed smoothly in the presence of a catalytic amount of GaCl3, and even substrates having no heteroatoms alpha to the carbonyl group or without steric strains can be used. Double activation of a carbonyl group by two molecules of GaCl3 was supported on the basis of experimental data and a DFT study.

Theoretical (DFT, GIAO-NMR, NICS) study of carbocations (M+H)+, dications (M2+) and dianions (M2-) from dihydro-dicyclopenta[ef,kl]heptalene (dihydro-azupyrene), dihydro-dicyclohepta[ed,gh]pentalene, and related bridged [14]annulenes.

The annulenium ions of protonation, the two-electron oxidation dications, and the two-electron reduction dianions derived from dihydro- and dimethyldihydro derivatives (cis and trans) of dicyclopenta[ef,kl]heptalene (azupyrene) (1) and dicyclohepta[ed,gh]pentalene (2), which are the nonalternant isomers of pyrene, were studied by density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d), 6-31+G(d,p), or 6-31++G(d,p) levels. Charge delocalization modes in the energetically most favored annulenium ions, as well as in the singlet and triplet dications and dianions, were assessed based on gauge-including atomic orbital (GIAO) Deltadelta](13)C values and via changes in natural population analysis (NPA) charges. Relative aromaticity/antiaromaticity in the annulenes were gauged via nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) and DeltaNICS. Annulenium ions of monoprotonation, the dications, and dianions derived from bismethano- and propanediylidene [14]annulenes were also studied by DFT for comparison with the cis-dihydro isomers derived from . Computed GIAO NMR data and the optimized geometries were compared with the experimental data when available, and the optimized geometries were compared with the X-ray data if known. A basis-set dependency study of the computed GIAO chemical shifts was also undertaken. The present DFT work represents the first detailed comparative theoretical study of charged annulenes derived from the dihydro derivatives of and .

Electrophilic and oxidative chemistry of pyrene and its non-alternant isomers: theoretical (DFT, GIAO-NMR, NICS) study of protonation carbocations and oxidation dications from pyrene, azupyrene (dicyclopenta[ef,kl]heptalene) and dicyclohepta[ed,gh]pentalene.

Mono- and diprotonated carbocations and the two-electron oxidation dications derived from parent pyrene and its nonalternant isomers "azupyrene"(dicyclopenta[ef,kl]heptalene)(DCPH) and dicyclohepta[ed,gh]pentalene (DCHP) were studied by DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The most likely site(s) for mono- and diprotonation were determined based on relative arenium ion energies and the structures of the energetically most favored carbocations were determined by geometry optimization. The NMR chemical shifts for the protonated mono- and dications and the oxidation dications were computed by GIAO-NMR at the B3LYP/6-31G(d)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level and their charge delocalization paths were deduced based on magnitude of the computed [capital Delta][small delta](13)C values and the NPA-derived changes in charges. Relative aromaticity/antiaromaticity in various rings in the energetically favored mono- and dications was estimated via NICS and [capital Delta]NICS. Calculated NMR chemical shift data for and were compared with the available experimental NMR values. The available data on chemical and physical properties of DCPH and DCHP are extremely limited and biological activity data are non-existent. The present study provides the first glance into their carbocations and oxidation dications, while augmenting and reinforcing the previous stable ion data on the pyrenium cations.

Carbocations (M + H)(+) and oxidation dications (M(2+)) from benzo[a]pyrene and its nonalternant isomers azulenophenalenes: a theoretical (DFT, GIAO, NICS) study.

The arenium ions of protonation and the two-electron oxidation dications derived from benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) 1 and three of its nonalternant isomers namely azuleno[5,6,7-cd]phenalene 2 (a strong carcinogen reported to be as potent as BaP) azuleno[1,2,3-cd]phenalene 3 (a strong mutagen/weak carcinogen), and azuleno[4,5,6-cd]phenalene 4 (a weak mutagen) were studied by DFT at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The most favored sites for electrophilic attack were identified on the basis of relative protonation energies in the arenium ions. Computed NMR chemical shifts (GIAO NMR), the NPA-derived charges (and changes in charges), as well as NICS (and DeltaNICS) were employed to derive charge delocalization maps and to gauge relative aromaticity/antiaromaticity in the resulting carbocations and oxidation dications. Quantitative correlations between the experimental (superacid) (13)C data and GIAO chemical shifts, and between computed changes in charges and GIAO Deltadelta (13)C values were explored for benzo[a]pyrenium ion (1cH(+)) and its singlet oxidation dication (1(2+)) as representative cases. For the studied PAHs (1-4), formation of singlet dications were computed to be strongly favored except in 4 for which the triplet lies 5 kcal/mol lower than singlet. Relative carbocation stability data and the derived charge delocalization patterns are assessed in light of the available chemical and toxicological data on these compounds. The present study is the first of its kind to examine the carbocations and oxidation dications derived from biologically active nonalternant analogues of BaP for which no stable ion data are available. It also validates and extends the experimental data for BaP carbocation and oxidation dication and provides a means to gauge the success of GIAO NMR in predicting NMR data for PAH-arenium ions.