Donor-Donor'-Acceptor Triads Based on [3.3]Paracyclophane with a 1,4-Dithiafulvene Donor and a Cyanomethylene Acceptor: Synthesis, Structure, and Electrochemical and Photophysical Properties.

Donor-donor'-acceptor triads (1, 2), based on [3.3]paracyclophane ([3.3]PCP) as a bridge, with electron-donating properties (D') using 1,4-dithiafulvene (DTF; TTF half unit) as a donor and dicyanomethylene (DCM; TCNE half unit) or an ethoxycarbonyl-cyanomethylene (ECM) as an acceptor were designed and synthesized. The pulse radiolysis study of 1 a in 1,2-dichloroethane allowed the clear assignment of the absorption bands of the DTF radical cation (1 a.+ ), whereas the absorption bands due to the DCM radical anion could not be observed by γ-ray radiolysis in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran rigid glass at 77 K. Electrochemical oxidation of 1 a first generates the DTF radical cation (1 a.+ ), the absorption bands of which are in agreement with those observed by a pulse radiolysis study, followed by dication (1 a2+ ). The ESR spectrum of 1 a.+ showed a symmetrical signal with fine structure and an ESR simulation predicted that the spin of 1 a.+ is delocalized over S and C atoms of the DTF moiety and the central C atom of the trimethylene bridge bearing the DTF moiety. Pulse radiolysis, ESR, and electrochemical studies indicate that the DTF radical cation of 1 a.+ is more stable than that of 6.+ , and the latter shows a strong tendency to dimerize. This result indicates that the [3.3]PCP moiety as a bridge can stabilize the DTF radical cation more than the 1,3-diphenylpropane moiety because of kinetic stability due to its rigid structure and the weak electronic interaction of DTF and DCM moieties through [3.3]PCP.

Macrocyclic Oligothiophene with Stereogenic [2.2]Paracyclophane Scaffolds: Chiroptical Properties from π-Transannular Interactions.

The enantiomers of a new cyclic oligothiophene, bridged by two pseudo-ortho[2.2]paracyclophanes, were synthesized as a new class of the chiral π-conjugated system. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a twisted structure for these oligothiophenes induced by a torsion of the cyclophane moieties. The embedding oligothiophenes into the inherent planar chirality provided a significant enhancement in circular dichroism (CD) spectra thanks to the large magnetic/electric transition dipole moments. In the dicationic state, an intramolecular π dimer was formed due to the strong interactions of the oligothiophenes. We further recorded unprecedented wide ranges of CD spectra in 250-1800 nm region. The transitions are reasonably described by the exciton coupling of the oligothiophenes.

Dimeric tetrathiafulvalene linked to pseudo-ortho-[2.2]paracyclophane: chiral electrochromic properties and use as a chiral dopant.

A dimeric tetrathiafulvalene installed into a chiral pseudo-ortho-[2.2]paracyclophane framework was synthesized as a novel chiral electrochromic material. This compound exhibited pronounced chiroptical properties in the UV-Vis-NIR range depending on its redox states without racemization. Each enantiomer was examined as a chiral dopant for nematic liquid crystals (LCs), and the induced helicity of the LC solvent was in accord with that of the tetrathiafulvalene compound.

Photoinduced color change and photomechanical effect of naphthalene diimides bearing alkylamine moieties in the solid state.

Photoinduced color change of naphthalene diimides (NDIs) bearing alkylamine moieties has been observed in the solid state. The color change is attributed to the generation of a NDI radical-anion species, which may be formed through a photoinduced electron-transfer process from the alkylamine moiety to the NDI. The photosensitivity of NDIs is highly dependent on the structures of the alkylamine moieties. Crystallographic analysis, kinetic analysis, UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopic measurements, and analysis of the photoproduct suggested that a radical anion was formed through an irreversible process initiated by proton abstraction between an amine radical cation and the neutral amine moiety. The radical anions formed stacks including mixed-valence stacks and radical-anion stacks, as shown by the broad absorption bands in near-IR spectra. These photosensitive NDIs also showed crystal bending upon photoirradiation, which may be associated with a change in the intermolecular distance of the NDI stacks by the formation of monomeric radical anions, mixed-valence stacks, and radical-anion stacks.

A linear chain of water molecules accommodated in a macrocyclic nanotube channel.

A macrocyclic tetramer of 2-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole was synthesized, and its self-assembly was investigated. The macrocycle was stacked to form a one-dimensional (1D) columnar structure containing water molecules. The nanotube self-assembled into a bundle, which grew into a molecular wire. The association of the water molecules in the tubular cavity resulted in shielding of the 1D chain of water molecules by the nanotube; these macrocyclic nanotube channels are promising candidates for nanotechnological applications.

Synthesis, structure, and properties of benzoquinone dimer and trimers bearing t-Bu substituents.

Highly soluble and stable quinone dimer and trimers were successfully yielded by introduction of t-Bu substituents. In X-ray structure analysis, the dimer quinone moiety was distorted into the boat shape, which was clarified by MO calculations. X-ray and UV/vis studies indicated that the covalently linked quinone moieties bear a large torsional angle. Nevertheless, the reduction potentials rose significantly with the order of monomer < dimer < trimer, indicating that the negative charge was efficiently delocalized within the radical anions.

An alternative synthetic route of [3(5)](1,2,3,4,5)cyclophane, and structural properties of multibridged [3(n)]cyclophanes and their charge-transfer complexes in the solid state.

To develop an improved synthetic route to [3(6)](1,2,3,4,5,6)cyclophane (CP) 2, a more practical synthetic route to [3(5)](1,2,3,4,5)CP 3 than the original one was developed, which started from [3(2)](1,3)CP 7 via [3(4)](1,2,4,5)CP 5. The fundamental structural parameters of [3(n)]CPs (n = 3-6) in the solid state were elucidated, and the observed structures were in good agreement with the most stable conformers in solution and those predicted by the theoretical calculations. In the case of [3(6)]CP 2, the most stable C(6)(h) structure was observed in the crystal structure of the 2-TCNQ-F(4) (1:1) complex, whereas the highly strained structure with a D(6)(h) symmetry was observed in the crystal structure of 2 and the 2:TCNQ:benzene (1:1:1) complex because of a severe disorder problem. [3(n)]CPs (n > 3) showed reversible redox processes, and 2 (+0.39 V vs F(c)/F(c)(+), Cl(2)CHCHCl(2)) showed the lowest first half-wave oxidation potential [E(1/2) (I)] in [3(n)]CPs. The E(1/2) (I) data support the strong donating ability of 2 and its lower homologues. This is attributed to their molecular structures where effective hyperconjugation between the benzyl hydrogens and benzene ring is possible. By taking advantage of the strong electron-donating ability of [3(n)]CPs, their CT complexes with TCNE, TCNQ, and TCNQ-F(4) were prepared, and their crystal structural properties were examined. The single-crystal conductivity data of the CT complexes indicated that the TCNQ-F(4) complexes showed higher conductivities than the corresponding TCNQ complexes mainly due to a larger charge separation. Among the [3(n)]CP-TCNQ complexes, the [3(3)](1,3,5)CP 6-TCNQ-F(4) (1:1) complex showed the highest conductivity (10(-)(4) S cm(-)(1)), and this was ascribed to the formation of an infinite column of partially overlapped acceptors with a short acceptor-acceptor distance, while the formation of such a column was not observed in the 2-TCNQ-F(4) complex. Although the conductivities of the cyclophane-CT complexes are much lower than those of the TTF related complexes, this study successfully provides the basic knowledge for understanding the CT interactions in the solid state.