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Abstract π-Conjugated macrocycles behave differently from analogous linear chains because their electronic wavefunctions resemble a quantum particle on a ring, leading to aromaticity or anti-aromaticity. [18]Annulene, (CH)18, is the archetypal non-benzenoid aromatic hydrocarbon. Molecules with circuits of 4n + 2 π electrons, such as [18]annulene (n = 4), are aromatic, with enhanced stability and diatropic ring currents (magnetic shielding inside the ring), whereas those with 4nπ electrons, such as the dianion of [18]annulene, are expected to be anti-aromatic and exhibit the opposite behaviour. Here we use1H NMR spectroscopy to re-evaluate the structure of the [18]annulene dianion. We also show that it can be reduced further to an aromatic tetraanion, which has the same shape as the dianion. The crystal structure of the tetraanion lithium salt confirms its geometry and reveals a metallocene-like sandwich, with five Li+cations intercalated between two [18]annulene tetraanions. We also report a heteroleptic sandwich, with [18]annulene and corannulene tetraanion decks.
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Design, Synthesis and Aromaticity of an Alternating Cyclo[4]Thiophene[4]Furan
Abstract A new class of conjugated macrocycle, the cyclo[4]thiophene[4]furan hexyl ester (C4TE4FE), is reported. This cycle consists of alternating α‐linked thiophene‐3‐ester and furan‐3‐ester repeat units, and was prepared in a single step using Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling of a 2‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)furan monomer. The ester side groups help promote asynconformation of the heterocycles, which enables formation of the macrocycle. Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed that C4TE4FE could undergo multiple oxidations, so treatment with SbCl5resulted in formation of the [C4TE4FE]2+dication. Computational work, paired with1H NMR spectroscopy of the dication, revealed that the cycle becomes globally aromatic upon 2e−oxidation, as the annulene pathway along the outer ring becomes Hückel aromatic. The change in ring current for the cycle upon oxidation was clear from1H NMR spectroscopy, as the protons of the thiophene and furan rings shifted downfield by nearly 6 ppm. This work highlights the potential of sequence control in furan‐based macrocycles to tune electronic properties.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2109065
- PAR ID:
- 10413908
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Chemistry – A European Journal
- Volume:
- 29
- Issue:
- 38
- ISSN:
- 0947-6539
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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