We report a series of tunable and persistent [4]-helicene neutral radicals by chemical reduction of the [4]-helicenium cation analogue. EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations indicate that the unpaired electron is localized at the central carbon atom.
The synthesis, isolation and full characterization of ion pairs between alkaline metal ions (Li+, Na+, K+) and mono-anions and dianions obtained from 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptenyl (C15H11 = trop) is reported. According to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray analysis and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, the trop‒ and trop2−• anions show anti-aromatic properties which are dependent on the counter cation M+ and solvent molecules serving as co-ligands. For comparison, the disodium and dipotassium salt of the dianion of dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene (C16H12 = dbcot) were prepared, which show classical aromatic character. A d8-Rh(I) complex of trop− was prepared and the structure shows a distortion of the C15H11 ligand into a conjugated 10π -benzo pentadienide unit—to which the Rh(I) center is coordinated—and an aromatic 6π electron benzo group which is non-coordinated. Electron transfer reactions between neutral and anionic trop and dbcot species show that the anti-aromatic compounds obtained from trop are significantly stronger reductants.
<p>Stable organic radicals have gained considerable attention in the fields of catalysis and material sciences. In particular, helical molecules are of great interest in the development and application of novel organic radicals in optoelectronic and spintronic materials. Here we report the syntheses of highly stable neutral quinolinoacridine radicals by chemical reduction of their quinolinoacridinium cation analogs. The crystal structures of these [4]helicene radicals were determined by X-ray diffraction. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, indicate that the unpaired electron is mostly localized, showing more than 40% of spin density located at the central carbon of the [4]helicene radicals. Quantitative conversion from neutral radical to cation is observed upon exposure to air, monitored via UV-vis spectroscopy. The successful photoreductive dehalogenation of aryl halides occurs in the presence of 10 mol% of [4]helicene radical under blue light.<b></b></p>
<p>Stable organic radicals have gained considerable attention in the fields of catalysis and material sciences. In particular, helical molecules are of great interest in the development and application of novel organic radicals in optoelectronic and spintronic materials. Here we report the syntheses of highly stable neutral quinolinoacridine radicals by chemical reduction of their quinolinoacridinium cation analogs. The crystal structures of these [4]helicene radicals were determined by X-ray diffraction. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, indicate that the unpaired electron is mostly localized, showing more than 40% of spin density located at the central carbon of the [4]helicene radicals. Quantitative conversion from neutral radical to cation is observed upon exposure to air, monitored via UV-vis spectroscopy. The successful photoreductive dehalogenation of aryl halides occurs in the presence of 10 mol% of [4]helicene radical under blue light.<b></b></p>
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.