Simone T.
Hauer
a,
Patrick
Kuhn
a,
J. Maurice
Pütz
b,
Guido J.
Reiss
b,
Lukas P.
Sorge
c,
Christian
Ganter
b,
Katja
Heinze
c and
Thomas J. J.
Müller
*a
aInstitut für Organische Chemie und Makromolekulare Chemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. E-mail: ThomasJJ.Mueller@hhu.de
bInstitut für Anorganische Chemie und Strukturchemie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
cInstitut für Chemie, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
First published on 22nd August 2024
A DFT-based approach guides the rational design of the substance class of anti–anti-bis[1]benzothieno[1,4]thiazines (BBTTs) bearing N-aryl substituents, previously generated as enhanced phenothiazine congeners, based upon the assumption that a minimization of the intrinsic butterfly folding in favor of a more planarized BBTT structure allows for better electronic tuning. Therefore, an intramolecular conformational restriction imposed by a sterically demanding ortho(,ortho′)-substitution pattern on N-aryl moieties is envisioned to provide this planarization of the BBTT's backbone, in solution and in the crystal solid state. Calculations of BBTT's minimum structures with variable N-aryl substitution as well as relaxed geometry PES scans assessing the energy barriers of the intramolecular restriction were carried out, identifying anti–anti-N-ortho,ortho′-disubstituted-phenyl-BBTTs as promising target structures. Synthetically, cyclizing Buchwald–Hartwig aminations starting from brominated sulfanes followed by subsequent functionalizations through organometallic catalysis and reagents pave the way to a substance library of the proposed BBTTs. Extensive structural analysis via X-ray diffraction reveals the molecular structures as well as the superordinate crystal packing patterns. NICS (nucleus-independent chemical shift) calculations indicate that strongly planarized BBTTs reveal a paratropic ring current and, therefore, an anti-aromatic character of their central 1,4-thiazine core. Comprehensive investigations of their optoelectronic properties by cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry, and UV/vis absorption and emission spectroscopy shed light on the electronic structure, supported by aid of (TD)-DFT calculations. A broader range of their first redox potentials E0/+10, larger semiquinone formation constants in comparison to para-N-aryl substituted BBTTs causing an increased radical cation stability, and a distinct tunability of their luminescence characteristics render ortho(,ortho′)-substituted BBTTs as highly functional strong donor moieties for future application in various fields.
Fig. 1 Concept of the rational design of anti–anti-BBTTs to enforced conformational planarization through variation of the N-aryl substituent. |
BBTTs were previously conceptualized as enhanced phenothiazine (PTZ) congeners by a formal double thieno expansion.3 Especially BBTTs’ anti–anti-regioisomers reveal fine-tunable, significantly lowered first oxidation potentials with a high radical cation stability and intense emission.4 For overcoming the inherent 4n-π-antiaromaticity of the central 1,4-thiazine, conjugated BBTTs generally, like their PTZ congeners, adopt a butterfly-like structure. Folding along the S,N-axis of the 1,4-thiazine core places N-substituents either in an N-intra (pseudo equatorial) or N-extra (pseudo axial) conformation.
Therefore, it is particularly impressive that anti–anti-BBTTs are outstandingly the first anellated 1,4-thiazines exhibiting antiaromatic character due to planarization in the crystalline solid state.4a,c Subsequently, BBTTs as strong donors can be seen as enhanced substitutes for PTZ as an interesting potential OSC. Here, we present the rational design of enforced conformationally enhanced planarization of BBTTs by the N-aryl substituent, from computation over synthesis of a compound library and structural characterization in the solid state to electronic properties in the electronic ground and excited states.
Fig. 2 Visualization of sterically restricted BBTTs due to the introduction of sterically demanding ortho,ortho′-substitution pattern (B3LYP/6-311++G**, IEFPCM CH2Cl2). |
This forces a conformational change from the N-intra conformer (minimum geometry) to the N-extra conformer (B3LYP/6-311G**, IEFPCM CH2Cl2). The resulting N-extra conformer does not appear as a second local minimum, but rather as a transition state between both N-intra conformers. The energy barrier in SCF energy as well as the difference in Gibbs free energy amount to 24.0 and 28.3 kcal mol−1, indicating a free rotation at room temperature to be unlikely. Therefore, the significantly more folded N-extra conformation should be suppressed. Determination of the equilibrium constant Kintra→extra to 1.90 × 10−21via Gibbs free energy difference quantifies this, resulting in a Boltzmann distribution of N-intra and N-extra conformer of 100:0 at 298 K. Furthermore, a change of conformation could also occur by ring inversion via a planar transition state. This can also be approximated by a relaxed geometry PES scan (B3LYP/6-311G**, IEFPCM CH2Cl2). Contrary to expectations no conformational change between N-intra and N-extra conformer arises. Instead an N-intra-intra equilibration occurs, which is particularly interesting for a heterogenic ortho,ortho′-substitution pattern. Significantly lower energy barriers in SCF energy and Gibbs free energy of <1 and 1.63 kcal mol−1 indicate a free ring inversion at 298 K to be anticipated. The ratio of the N-intra conformer to the respective transition state can be determined to 94:6 via the equilibrium constant Kintrats of 6.37 × 10−2.
Fig. 4 Molecular structures of 3d (1), 3i (2), 3p (3) and 4a (4). The thermal ellipsoids are set at a 50% probability level while all hydrogen atoms are omitted for clarity. |
The BBTTs 3o, 3p, 3r, and 4b with a heterogenic substitution pattern reveal cocrystallization of both possible N-intra conformers. This indicates that the DFT predicted N-intra-intra equilibration of conformation in solution is present. The computationally obtained difference of Gibbs free energy ΔG of the N-intra conformers can be extrapolated. By calculating the corresponding equilibrium constant K, the relative ratio of both N-intra conformers to each other can be determined. Furthermore, the planar transition state of ring inversion is computed for 3a–e and all homogenously substituted derivatives 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, and 4d, opening up for extraction of the rate constant k of this N-intra-intra equilibration. The small free activation energies ΔG‡A below 2.0 kcal mol−1 and resultingly high rate constants k in the order of 1011–1012 s−1 suggest, that a substantial free ring inversion is very likely (see ESI: Chapter S4.2‡). Measured NMR spectra prove this experimentally by displaying only a single set of signals. In order to possibly gain an understanding of the induced planarization in the crystalline state, the crystal packing patterns superimposed on the individual molecule's geometry are examined in more detail (see ESI: Chapter S3.2‡). A structurally similar crystal packing pattern is found for the derivatives with only one molecule per asymmetric unit and an ortho-substitution pattern (3a–d) excepted 3c, a homogeneous ortho,ortho′-substitution pattern (3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j), and also for the heterogeneously substituted derivatives 3p and 3t. The single molecules form staircase-like structures with an overlap of approximately a half of the BBTTs’ backbones. For structures 3a and 3g–3j, a larger overlap results solely from the offset of the individual molecules in a self-defined y-axis, whereas for 3b, 3d and 3f the overlap is reduced by additional offset in the self-defined x-ordinate. The molecules of one staircase are aligned in the same direction, which means that the N-aryl moieties all face the same side. These superordinate staircase-like structures are usually not consistently aligned parallel across the entire crystal but are rather twisted with respect to each other. The degree of twisting depends on the compound. Only for molecule 3j a parallel orientation of the staircase-like substructures relative to each other is adopted. This places the BBTTs’ backbones as well as the 90°-twisted N-aryl moieties each in alignment. The crystal packing patterns of 4a, 4b, and 4d do not significantly differ in their degree of planarization despite the varying number of molecules per asymmetric unit, unlike those of BBTTs 3. With their maximized folding angles and S–N–Caryl-angles of up to 180° 3,9-dibrominated BBTTs 4 even outshine BBTTs 3 by achieving full planarization. They also exhibit a half-sided overlap of the BBTTs’ backbones with only offset in the self-defined y-axis. This overlap is maximized by the two bromine atoms extending the BBTT's backbone causing a stronger planarization. The N-aryl moieties of the individual molecules are again oriented in the same direction. The staircase-like substructures are not twisted relative to each other but arranged alternately parallel as for 3j. To better illustrate the arrangement with regards to the twisting of the staircase-like substructures relative to one another, the structure of compounds 3d, 3i, and 4a are exemplarily compared in Fig. 5.
Fig. 5 Illustration of the twisting of the staircase-like substructures using the example of 3d (1), 3i (2) and 4a (3). |
For all above-described crystal packing patterns the intermolecular distance of the planarized BBTTs’ backbones of two individual molecules is ∼3.38 to 4.13 Å. This lies just around the van der Waals radii of two carbon atoms with 3.40 Å.8 Only for structure 3a an even stronger proximity of the BBTT scaffolds occurs with values of 3.34 to 3.49 Å, resulting in the beginning of π–π-stacking (Fig. 6). The shortest C–C contact of 3.369 Å arises between two carbon atoms of the anellated benzenes of neighboring BBTT's backbones. Corresponding Hirshfeld surface analysis also depicts this, especially the C–C contact coded for in red. The corresponding fingerprint diagrams reflect this by their light blue areas in the range from 1.8–2.0 di to 1.8–2.0 de.9 Resultingly, the planar geometry and the extent of the intermolecular proximity of the BBTTs’ single molecules can be positively assessed with regard to a possible application as an OSC. Material science knows that a sufficient electronic coupling arises from intermolecular distances of around 3.4 to 4.0 Å, as a basis for potential charge carrier mobility.10 Comparable thiophene-acene based materials with intermolecular distances of around 3.52 and 3.56 Å show decent charge carrier mobility.11 The remaining derivatives of 3 show no consistent packing patterns. The still quite planarized derivatives 3o and 3n with folding angles of 165° at least show the presence of a substructure, described herein as a pair-like arrangement. The individual molecules are rotated by 180° relative to each other, whereby their N-aryl moieties are oriented in opposite directions. At the same time, the BBTT's scaffolds overlap again halfway. A similar pair-like arrangement, but with a stronger overlap, could be identified for the para-aryl congeners with a pronounced planarization in their molecular structure.4c
E 0/+10,a mV (E0/+10,b mV) | E +1/+20,a mV (E+1/+20,b mV) | K Sem | λ abs,sol, nm (ε, 103 L mol−1 cm−1) | λ em,sol.,c nm (Δ, cm−1/Φ/τ,d ns/kr, s−1/knr, s−1) | λ abs,pow,e nm | λ em,pow,e nm (Φ) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a Redox potentials obtained by extrapolation of data with v = 100, 250, 500, and 1000 mV s−1 to v = 0.00 mV s−1. b Redox potentials at v = 100 mV s−1. c λ exc. = λabs,max,sol. d Lifetime τ measured at λexc = 448.8 nm. e Powder samples measured. | |||||||
115 (119) | 895 (906) | 1.65 × 1013 | 233 (44.3), 309 (6.2), 411 (2.9) | 519, 543 (5900/0.00/n.d./n.d./n.d.) | 417 | 620 (0.00) | |
20 (33) | 828 (840) | 4.42 × 1013 | 235 (54.2), 263 (25.1, sh), 314 (10.2), 423 (3.6) | 519, 540 (5100/0.06/3.31/1.81 × 107/2.84 × 108) | 420 | 546 (0.04) | |
49 (58) | 848 (865) | 3.44 × 1013 | 234 (49.5), 267 (20.8, sh), 282 (13.3, sh), 315 (7.4), 418 (3.1) | 515 (sh), 539 (5400/0.20/8.67/2.31 × 107/9.23 × 107) | 422 | 543 (0.36) | |
−22 (−18) | 734 (742) | 7.61 × 1012 | 236 (46.3), 268 (19.4, sh), 321 (7.6), 425 (3.5) | 526, 548 (5300/0.16/9.18/1.74 × 107/9.15 × 107) | 414 | 567 (0.09) | |
−29 (−23) | 766 (771) | 2.92 × 1013 | 234 (50.3), 269 (21.1, sh), 316 (9.0), 429 (4.0) | 525, 551 (5200/0.24/10.6/2.27 × 107/7.20 × 107) | 433 | 582 (0.06) | |
−69 (−63) | 748 (761) | 6.97 × 1013 | 232 (65.3), 270 (27.6), 318 (10.3), 425 (4.7) | 521, 547 (5200/0.22/10.3/2.13 × 107 /7.55 × 107) | 429 | 551 (0.09) | |
261 (256) | 1066 (1073) | 4.41 × 1013 | 232 (67.3), 251 (33.0, sh), 260 (25.9, sh), 300 (12.0, sh), 411 (2.5) | — | 410 | — | |
83 (93) | 926 (951) | 1.92 × 1014 | 230 (57.5), 264 (24.7, sh), 310 (8.8), 420 (3.4) | 509, 536 (sh) (5200/0.00/n.d./n.d./n.d.) | 440 | — | |
139 (143) | 946 (982) | 4.81 × 1013 | 234 (49.5), 265 (21.5, sh), 279 (14.9, sh), 309 (8.2), 413 (3.3) | 511 (sh), 529 (5300/0.00/n.d./n.d./n.d.) | 418 | 532 (0.01) | |
−46 (−35) | 819 (835) | 4.57 × 1014 | 233 (52.8), 269 (22.9), 316 (8.5), 434 (4.4) | 524, 553 (5000/0.27/11.2/2.42 × 107/6.53 × 107) | 439 | 562 (0.18) | |
−97 (−89) | 789 (787) | 1.05 × 1015 | 236 (53.4), 270 (22.6, sh), 315 (11.1), 429 (3.6) | 518, 544 (4900/0.33/10.5/3.13 × 107/6.36 × 107) | 438 | 588 (0.18) | |
156 (156) | 1014 (1019) | 3.47 × 1014 | 231 (73.6), 250 (35.9, sh), 279 (18.5, sh), 315 (9.3, sh), 413 (3.3) | — | 414 | — | |
182 (185) | 1006 (1014) | 9.12 × 1013 | 231 (60.9), 248 (36.3, sh), 277 (17.8, sh), 316 (7.6, sh), 412 (2.9) | — | 416 | — | |
100 (102) | 952 (956) | 2.72 × 1014 | 231 (58.2), 268 (21.3, sh), 308 (7.9), 419 (3.3) | — | 427 | — | |
66 (81) | 925 (948) | 3.61 × 1014 | 232 (62.0), 267 (22.6, sh), 304 (15.0), 413 (3.9) | — | 420 | — | |
108 (111) | 940 (954) | 1.24 × 1014 | 233 (40.7), 265 (17.8, sh), 282 (10.9, sh), 308 (6.9), 413 (2.90) | 511 (sh), 525 (5200/0.00/n.d./n.d./n.d.) | 420 | 534 (0.00) | |
28 (31) | 882 (894) | 2.90 × 1014 | 234 (57.0), 271 (23.5), 316 (8.1), 433 (4.1) | 516, 544 (4700/0.16/7.23/2.21 × 107/1.16 × 108) | 431 | 552 (0.09) | |
7 (6) | 871 (874) | 4.48 × 1014 | 233 (56.7), 267 (24.4), 310 (8.7), 423 (4.0) | 513, 539 (5100/0.03/8.92/3.36 × 106/1.09 × 108) | 425 | 544 (0.02) | |
51 (56) | 875 (893) | 9.16 × 1013 | 233 (45.0), 269 (18.7, sh), 282 (12.9, sh), 312 (7.1), 424 (3.2) | 515, 541 (5100/0.19/10.7/1.77 × 107/7.55 × 107) | 431 | 543 (0.05) | |
12 (15) | 860 (873) | 2.35 × 1014 | 233 (57.4), 269 (24.8), 312 (8.9), 416 (4.0) | 515 (sh), 535 (5300/0.11/7.00/1.57 × 107/1.27 × 108) | 425 | 575 (0.12) | |
−61 (−56) | 804 (818) | 4.59 × 1014 | 234 (97.1), 271 (43.6), 312 (15.2), 430 (7.7) | 519, 549 (5000/0.33/11.2/2.94 × 107/5.98 × 107) | 433 | 554 (0.28) |
All cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of BBTTs 3 reveal a three-stage redox system of Weitz type with two clearly separated redox processes,14 which are caused by consecutive one-electron transitions with Nernstian reversibility (Fig. 8).
According to their electronic nature, electron donating substituents shift the first redox potential E0/+10 to lower potentials, whereas electron accepting substituents shift the redox potential anodically in comparison to the plain BBTT 5. Compared to their para-congeners the first redox potentials E0/+10 generally appear in the same range, but ortho-substituents show a stronger influence on the shift of the redox potentials E.4b,c This can be explained by an increase of the inductive and mesomeric substituent effects when considering a shortening of the bond length between the carbon atom and the fused substituent. This results as a consequence of the constitutional change from para- to ortho-substitution as supported computationally (B3LYP/6-311++G**). And this further accounts for the unexpected larger anodic shift caused by the fluorine over the chlorine substitution, since halogens are the only substituents inheriting a dominant inductive effect.15 Upon bond contraction the inductive effect of fluorine, due to the more pronounced electronegativity,16 becomes significantly more dominant than for chlorine. This rationalizes the overall stronger shifted potentials. The second redox potentials E+1/+20 of 3 also demonstrate the same dependency of the potential shift to the electronic nature of the substituent. At the same time these are overall progressively anodically shifted along with increasing steric congestion due to a change from para-4c to ortho- and to ortho,ortho′-substitution pattern. These anodic shifts fall within the order of ∼70 mV for each constitutional change. Due to this consistency, prediction of the redox potentials E0/+10 and E+1/+20 of anti–anti-N-ortho,ortho′-disubstituted phenyl-BBTTs 3f–t by their ortho-analogues 3a–e is possible (see ESI: Chapter S4.4.2‡). To the absolute redox potential E0 of the plain anti–anti-N-phenyl BBTT 5 are added the two differences in redox potentials ΔE of the ortho-derivatives 3a–e bearing the substituents of interest to the redox potential E of 5 as increments. Linear regression analysis with the experimentally determined redox potentials yields very satisfactory regression coefficients (r2 = 0.992 and 0.973). This indicates a consistent and therefore intrinsic effect of the introduction of both ortho-substituents on the electronic structure, even though the geometric structure is mainly affected by the introduction of the second ortho-substituent. The anodic shift of the second redox potentials E+1/+20 furthermore consequently leads to enlarged semiquinone formation constants Ksem.14a Those fall in orders of magnitude of 1013 for ortho- and up to 1013–1015 for ortho,ortho′-derivatives. Their para-congeners show lower values of Ksem with 1011–1013.4a,c This unambiguously points out an increase in relative thermodynamic stability of the formed radical cations by the progressively sterically more demanding substitution patterns. The increasing radical stabilization is additionally supported computationally by the manifestation of a stronger delocalization of the unpaired electron for the radical cations (uB3LYP/6-311++G**). Whilst visualization of the spin density distribution does not clearly illustrate this directly, the Mulliken atomic spin densities support this rationale. In accordance with the constitutional changes overall decreasing values on the central 1,4-thiazine core occur, while the values for the carbon atoms of the anellated benzo rings increase (see ESI: Chapter 4.2‡). Quantum chemistry also allows for calculation of the first redox potentials E0/+10 accounting for properties of native and oxidized species at the same time. The method is based on the free energy cycle, employing the thermodynamic data provided by calculation of BBTT's minimum geometries of the native species and the oxidized radical cation in gas phase and under SMD variation for computing ΔG of solvation ((u)B3LYP/6-311++G**, see ESI: Chapter 4.4.1‡).17 The best correlations of the experimental and theoretical first redox potentials E0/+10 originate when, in case of a heterogenic substitution pattern, both possible theoretical N-intra conformation's first redox potentials E0/+10,cal. are incorporated. Therefore, their relative ratio is calculated by their difference in Gibbs free enthalpies ΔG (B3LYP/6-311++G**). Overall, this leads to a good fit of the experimental to the computational data (r2 = 0.951).
The occurrence of distinct isosbestic points in the UV/vis absorption spectra indicates, that the oxidation to the radical cation proceeds without accumulation of intermediates. The pronounced bathochromic shift of the absorption bands upon oxidation indicates a significant change in the electronic structure. This arises from the major geometry changes upon oxidation, leading the BBTT's butterfly structure of 3i to fully planarize resulting the BBTT's backbone of 3i˙+ to reveal a S,N-folding angle of 180°. This allows for an accompanied strong delocalization of the unpaired electron. The stability of 3i˙+ over the time scale of this experiment (∼30 min) underpins the high thermodynamic radical stability, also with a significant kinetic persistence. The X-band EPR spectrum in CH2Cl2 at room temperature proves the paramagnetic character. It presents a hyperfine coupling pattern of three equidistant lines, reflecting the coupling of the electron spin of the unpaired electron to the nuclear spin of the nitrogen nucleus (I(14N) = 1).18 Furthermore, the g-factor of 2.0224 indicates the predominant localization of the unpaired electron on the nitrogen atom. Furthermore, lowering the applied potential successfully leads to the corresponding reduction to 3i. The attempt to generate the corresponding dication in situ fails as a consequence of side reactions. This can be identified by the absence of newly appearing bathochromic bands and isosbestic points as well as an increase in intensity in the hypsochromic region (see ESI: Chapter 4.5‡). In contrast to the corresponding dications of their para-BBTTs, the dication 3i2+ lacks the necessary persistence under the experimental conditions.4d
TD-DFT calculations allow for a deeper understanding by assignment of the bands to their underlying transitions (PBE1PBE/6-311++G**).20 Therefore, exemplarily for BBTTs 3f–3t the derivatives with a homogenic substitution pattern have been chosen. In the case of 3a–e with two non-identical N-intra conformers, the thermodynamically favored one is considered (see ESI: Chapter 5.2‡).
Calculations nicely underline the four experimentally seen dominant absorption bands. They reproduce their relative dropping intensities and extinction coefficients along the decreasing wavenumber by declining oscillator strengths well. The longest wavelength absorption bands occur overall at around 430 nm, indicating to originate from HOMO → LUMO transitions for mostly all derivatives. Only for nitrile-bearing BBTTs the transitions arise from the HOMO into orbitals energetically higher than the LUMO. The consideration of DFT-computed Kohn–Sham frontier molecular orbitals suggests a plausible reason for the independency of the position of the absorption and emission bands from the substituent pattern. They reveal no coefficient density on the ortho-substituents of the N-aryls (Fig. 12). The transitions also show negligible charge transfer character, due to only a small shift of the coefficient density from the sole location on the central 1,4-thiazine (HOMO) to the delocalization over the whole BBTT's backbone (LUMO) (see ESI: Chapter 5.2‡).
Fig. 12 Selected Kohn–Sham frontier orbitals and their energies and the S0–S1*-transition of 3d and 3i (PBE1PBE/6-311++G**, IEFPCM CH2Cl2, isosurface value at 0.05 a.u.). |
The emission bands emerge at around 550 nm, excluding most nitrile-substituted BBTTs due to their indiscernible emission properties. They are best reproduced by TD-DFT calculations of the first singlet excited state (S1), indicating the emission to be fluorescence (Fig. 13). Fluorescence is experimentally proven by lifetime measurements via time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) experiments. They reveal a dependency of the lifetime τ on an electron donating substituent, yielding the highest lifetimes τ up to 11.2 (3i) (Fig. 11 and 2), 11.2 (3t), and 10.5 ns (3j) in solution. Additionally, the fluorescence quantum yields Φ also display the same qualitative trend amounting up to 0.27 (3i), 0.33 (3t), and 0.33 (3j) in solution and 0.18 (3i), 0.28 (3t), and 0.18 (3j) in solid state for donor substituted BBTTs. From fluorescence quantum yields Φ and lifetimes τ, radiative rate constants kr in a range from 3.36 × 106 to 3.13 × 107 s−1 and non-radiative rate constants knr in a range from 5.98 × 107 to 2.84 × 108 s−1 can be deduced. Consequently, it is found that non-radiative processes depopulate the excited state faster than radiative processes for all compounds. The examination of the spectroscopic data also allows for further discussion of the intended suppression of the butterfly structure. Therefore, the Stokes shifts Δ are taken into consideration. These range between 5100 to 5900 cm−1 for the ortho-derivatives, and are thus comparable to their para-congeners.4c The ortho,ortho′-derivatives, on the other hand, show overall diminished Stokes shifts Δ of 4700 to 5300 cm−1. Considering that solvation effects have no significant influence on the absorption and emission maxima, and that the geometries of the vibrationally relaxed S1-states of BBTTs 3 reveal uniformly planarized BBTT scaffolds with folding angles of ∼180°, the Stokes shifts Δ correlate with the extent of folding in the S0-ground state. Consequently, the comparatively small Stokes shifts Δ of 3f–3t account for smaller structural changes upon photonic excitation. This clearly advocates for stronger planarized S0-ground state geometries of the BBTTs 3f–t bearing ortho,ortho′-disubstituted N-aryl moieties. The experimental observations reproduce overall well the computationally founded assumption that DFT calculated minimum geometries provide a good approximation of the conformation in solution.
Crystallographic data: deposition numbers CCDC 2346002 (for 3a), 2345988 (for 3b), 2345990 (for 3c), 2345982 (for 3d), 2345989 (for 3e), 2345999 (for 3f (polymorph I)), 2345994 (for 3f (polymorph II)), 2345996 (for 3f (polymorph III)), 2335542 (for 3g), 2335553 (for 3h), 2345957 (for 3i), 2345956 (for 3j), 2345983 (for 3k), 2345987 (for 3l), 2345959 (for 3m), 2345998 (for 3n), 2345948 (for 3o), 2345958 (for 3p), 2345985 (for 3r), 2345992 (for 3t), 2345944 (for 4a), 2346000 (for 4b), and 2345986 (for 4d) contain the supplementary crystallographic data for this paper.‡ These data are provided free of charge by the joint Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre and Fachinformationszentrum Karlsruhe Access Structures service.
Footnotes |
† Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Frank Würthner on the occasion of his 60th birthday. |
‡ Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC 2346002, 2345988, 2345990, 2345982, 2345989, 2345999, 2345994, 2345996, 2335542, 2335553, 2345957, 2345956, 2345983, 2345987, 2345959, 2345998, 2345948, 2345958, 2345985, 2345992, 2345944, 2346000 and 2345986. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d4qo01155d |
This journal is © the Partner Organisations 2024 |