Search for: All records

This paper compares variations on a structure model derived from an X-ray diffraction data set from a solid solution of chalcogenide derivatives of cis -1,2-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethylene, namely, 1,2-(ethene-1,2-diyl)bis(diphenylphoshpine sulfide/selenide), C 26 H 22 P 2 S 1.13 Se 0.87 . A sequence of processes are presented to ascertain the composition of the crystal, along with strategies for which aspects of the model to inspect to ensure a chemically and crystallographically realistic structure. Criteria include mis-matches between F obs 2 and F calc 2 , plots of | F obs | vs | F calc |, residual electron density, checkCIF alerts, pitfalls of the OMIT command used to suppress ill-fitting data, comparative size of displacement ellipsoids, and critical inspection of interatomic distances. Since the structure is quite small, solves easily, and presents a number of readily expressible refinement concepts, we feel that it would make a straightforward and concise instructional piece for students learning how to determine if their model provides the best fit for the data and show students how to critically assess their structures. 

For more than two decades, the silylethyne functionalization scheme has been used to induce strong π-stacking interactions in linear acenes and heteroacenes. As part of our efforts to better understand the crystal engineering aspects of silylethyne functionalization, along with an interest in studying the impact of ring topology on the electronic and optical properties of heteroacenes, we describe here the integration of thieno[3,2- b ]thiophene (a non-linear isomer of the well-known anthradithiophene) into our well established crystal engineering scheme. By utilizing the thienothiophene moiety coupled with an asymmetric solubilizing group (isopropenyldiisopropylsilylethyne), we were able to achieve charge carrier mobilities ( μ ) upwards of 0.22 cm 2 V −1 s −1 . Based on their increased stability and promising initial mobilities, the use of this thienothiophene moiety may offer a new approach to the formation of larger heteroacene analogues with more than 5 aromatic rings. 

Fluoroanthradithiophenes are well known organic semiconductors, where alkynyl substituents featuring silicon and germanium exhibit hole mobilities in excess of 5 cm 2 V −1 s −1 . A key feature to achieve these performance levels is the 2-dimensional brickwork packing of triethylsilyl and triethylgermyl side chains, which direct solid-state packing, increase molecular stability, and increase solution processability for cheap and large scale fabrication. We have recently reported side chains utilising carbon in place of the other group 14 atoms, resulting in less favourable 1-dimensional molecular packing. Here we present the synthesis of new derivatives which adopt 2-D brickwork packing without the use of silicon or germanium to determine substituent effects on charge carrier mobility. 

A carbon side-chain analogue to the high-performance organic semiconductor triethylsilylethynyl difluoroanthradithiophene has been synthesised and characterized. Atomic substitution of carbon for silicon results in subtle changes to opto-electronic properties, which are rationalised by density functional theory and balance of electron donating and withdrawing effects. Larger differences are observed in photostability and solid-state packing of the new material in comparison to known silicon and germanium derivatives. Comparison of the group 14 elements teaches us about the newly synthesised system, but also how the silylethynyl substituents used for the last two decades contribute to successful employment of functionalised polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as organic semiconductors. 

N -Ethyl-3,7-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenothiazine is a highly soluble redox shuttle for overcharge protection in lithium-ion batteries with an oxidation potential of ca. 3.8 V vs. Li +/0 in carbonate solvents. This compound has enabled extensive overcharge protection of LiFePO 4 /graphite cells and does so at high charging rates at high concentrations. Our initial synthesis of this compound suffered from low yields and difficult purifications. Here we report a cleaner, higher-yielding synthesis and additional characterization of the product and its stable radical cation salt. 

Dehydroannulenes are alkyne‐rich macrocycles possessing rigid, planar, π‐conjugated backbones. Octadehydro[12]annulenes in particular are formally antiaromatic, and have been shown to possess stable reduced states with exploitable LUMO energies. However, very few examples of this type of annulene have been structurally characterized, and there is little information on the stability of these antiaromatic molecules in solution or in the solid state. We have synthesized a range of substituted octadehydro[12]annulenes, and characterized their optical and redox properties. Contrary to prior reports, dehydro[12]annulenes with overlapping π‐surfaces are reasonably stable both in solution and thin films, suggesting potential use in practical applications.