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An extensive polycyclic π-system with 23 fused rings is synthesized via a highly efficient borylation reaction, in which four B-N covalent bonds and four B←N coordinate bonds are formed in one pot. B←N coordinate bonds not only lock the backbone into a near-coplanar conformation but also decrease the LUMO energy level to around -3.82 eV, demonstrating the dual utility of this strategy for the synthesis of extensive rigid polycyclic molecules and the development of n-type conjugated materials for organic electronics and organic photovoltaics.

We report a series of redox-active bis(pincer) Pd(II) complexes in which the redox active units are based on either a diarylamido or a carbazolide framework. Compounds 1 and 2 contain two full diarylamido/bis(pincer) PNP units connected either via an Ar–O–Ar linker (1) or an Ar–Ar bond (2). Compound 3 is a fused bis(pincer) where the two PNP units share an aromatic ring. Compound 4 is built around an indolo[3,2-b]carbazole core in which two NNN pincers share an aromatic ring similarly to 3. These metal complexes all display two reversible oxidation waves with the ΔE values increasing in the order of 1 < 2 < 4 < 3. The same trend in increasing electronic coupling emerges from the analysis of the IV-CT bands in the NIR portion of the optical spectra. The analysis of these compounds was further advanced by data from EPR spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and DFT calculations. It is concluded that the monooxidized cations 2+–4+ belong to Class III on the Robin-Day classification of mixed-valence compounds. Compound 4 possesses enforced near-planarity that enables delocalization of the unpaired electron in 4+ across a broader conjugated system compared to 3+.

Molecular conformation and rigidity are essential factors in determining the properties of individual molecules, the associated supramolecular assemblies, and bulk materials. This correlation is particularly important for π-conjugated molecular and macromolecular systems. Within such an individual molecule, a coplanar conformation facilitates the delocalization of not only molecular orbitals but also charges, excitons, and spins, leading to synergistically ensembled properties of the entire conjugated system. A rigid backbone, meanwhile, imposes a high energy cost to disrupt such a favorable conformation, ensuring the robustness and persistence of coplanarity. From a supramolecular and material point of view, coplanarity and rigidity often promote strong intermolecular electronic coupling and reduce the energy barrier for the intermolecular transport of charges, excitons, and phonons, affording advanced materials properties in bulk. In this context, pursuing a rigid and coplanar molecular conformation often represents one of the primary objectives when designing and synthesizing conjugated molecules for electronic and optical applications. Two general bottom-up strategies-covalent annulation and noncovalent conformational control-are often employed to construct rigid coplanar π systems. These strategies have afforded various classes of such molecules and macromolecules, including so-called conjugated ladder polymers, graphene nanoribbons, polyacenes, and conformationally locked organic semiconductors. While pursuing these targets, however, one often confronts challenges associated with precise synthesis and limited solubility of the rigid coplanar systems, which could further impede their large-scale preparation, characterization, processing, and application. To address these issues, we developed and utilized a number of synthetic methods and molecular engineering approaches to construct and to process rigid coplanar conjugated molecules and macromolecules. Structure-property correlations of this unique class of organic materials were established, providing important chemical principles for molecular design and materials applications. In this Account, we first describe our efforts to synthesize rigid coplanar π systems fused by various types of bonds, including kinetically formed covalent bonds, thermodynamically formed covalent bonds, N→B coordinate bonds, and hydrogen bonds, in order of increasing dynamic character. The subsequent section discusses the characteristic properties of selected examples of these rigid coplanar π systems in comparison with control compounds that are not rigid and coplanar, particularly focusing on the optical, electronic, and electrochemical properties. For systems bridged with noncovalent interactions, active manipulation of the dynamic bonds can tune variable properties at the molecular or collective level. Intermolecular interactions, solid-state packing, and processing of several cases are then discussed to lay the foundation for future materials applications of rigid coplanar π conjugated compounds.

The introduction of B ← N coordinate bond-isoelectronic to C-C single bond-into π-systems represents a promising strategy to impart exotic redox and electrochromic properties into conjugated organic molecules and macromolecules. To achieve both reductive and oxidative activities using this strategy, a cruciform ladder-type molecular constitution was designed to accommodate oxidation-active, reduction-active, and B ← N coordination units into a compact structure. Two such compounds (BN-F and BN-Ph) were synthesized via highly efficient N-directed borylation. These molecules demonstrated well-separated, tworeductive and twooxidative electron-transfer processes, corresponding to five distinct yet stable oxidation states, including a rarely observed boron-containing radical cation. Spectroelectrochemical measurements revealed unique optical characteristics for each of these reduced/oxidized species, demonstrating multicolor electrochromism with excellent recyclability. Distinct color changes were observed between each redox state with clear isosbestic points on the absorption spectra. The underlying redox mechanism was elucidated by a combination of computational and experimental investigations. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis on the neutral state, the oxidized radical cation, and the reduced dianion of BN-Ph revealed structural transformations into two distinct quinonoid constitutions during the oxidation and reduction processes, respectively. B ← N coordination played an important role in rendering the robust and reversible multistage redox properties, by extending the charge and spin delocalization, by modulating the π-electron density, and by a newly established hyperconjugation mechanism.

Side-chain manipulation of isoindigo-thiophene derived conjugated polymers was achieved by statistical copolymerization of two different isoindigo monomers decorated with t-Boc groups and polyisobutylene chains, respectively. The long polyisobutylene side-chains ensured solution-processability of the polymers while the t-Boc groups served as a cleavable H-bond inhibitor. By post-film-casting thermal treatment, the t-Boc groups could be removed efficiently to generate a H-bond cross-linked polymer network, which demonstrated excellent solvent resistance. Organic field-effect transistor devices made from these thin films demonstrated retained electronic properties after being immersed in organic solvents. By taking advantage of the post-annealing solvent resistant feature, multilayered films of the polymers could be fabricated using multiple “casting–annealing–casting–annealing” cycles.

Torsional conformation of the backbone of a π-conjugated molecule or macromolecule shapes its solubility, optoelectronic characteristics, rheological behaviors, and ultimately solid-state functions. In order to tailor these molecular, supramolecular, and materials properties, the desired coplanar conformation in π-conjugated systems can be locked by using dynamic noncovalent bonds. In this article, the syntheses, characterizations, and unique properties of conjugated molecules/polymers involving a variety of bridging noncovalent bonds are disussed in the context of coplanar backbone conformation. In addition, challenges in this specific field are identified and discussed for future breakthroughs in exploiting the promising potential of noncovalent-bond-bridged, π-conjugated organic materials.

Active conformational control is realized in a conjugated system using intramolecular hydrogen bonds to achieve tailored molecular, supramolecular, and solid-state properties. The hydrogen bonding functionalities are fused to the backbone and precisely preorganized to enforce a fully coplanar conformation of the π-system, leading to short π–π stacking distances, controllable molecular self-assembly, and solid-state growth of one-dimensional nano-/microfibers. This investigation demonstrates the efficiency and significance of an intramolecular noncovalent approach in promoting conformational control and self-assembly of organic molecules.

© 2016 American Chemical Society. Ladder-type conjugated molecules with a low band gap and low LUMO level were synthesized through an N-directed borylation reaction of pyrazine-derived donor-acceptor-donor precursors. The intramolecular boron-nitrogen coordination bonds played a key role in rendering the rigid and coplanar conformation of these molecules and their corresponding electronic structures. Experimental investigation and theoretical simulation revealed the dynamic nature of such coordination, which allowed for active manipulation of the optical properties of these molecules by using competing Lewis basic solvents.