Double [2+2] cycloaddition/retro-electrocyclisation reactions between tetracyanoethene (TCNE) and various anilino-capped buta-1,3-diynes furnished a series of octacyano[4]dendralene derivatives featuring intense, low-energy intramolecular charge-transfer absorptions. These novel chromophores are strong electron acceptors and undergo facile one-electron reductions at potentials (-0.09 to -0.17 eV vs. Fc + /Fc, in CH 2 Cl 2 -0.1 M n Bu 4 NPF 6 ) lower than those reported for the benchmark organic acceptors, such as TCNE (-0.32 eV) and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) (-0.25 eV). The electron-accepting power of one octacyano[4]dendralene, as expressed by the computed adiabatic electron affinity (EA), compares to that of the reference acceptor 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8tetracyanoquinodimethane (F 4 -TCNQ) used as a p-type dopant in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and solar cells. Gas-phase density functional theory (DFT) calculations predict a stretchedout conformation as the global energy minimum for octacyano[4]dendralenes. In the solid state however, folded conformations were observed for two structures by X-ray analysis. Taking the solid state environment approximately into account calculations predict a energetical degeneracy between the stretched-out and folded conformation. Therefore conformational preference probably is a result of supramolecular dimer formation, mediated by two pairs of intermolecular, antiparallel dipolar CN/CN interactions.

The photophysics of two molecular wire building blocks of different lengths based on p-phenyleneethylene, namely, 1,4-bis[p-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl]-1,2-ethyne and 1,4-bis[p-(N,N-dihexylamino)phenylethynyl]benzene, are studied experimentally in a wide range of organic solvents. The band shape and position of the electronic absorption and fluorescence emission of both compounds are discussed in terms of the empirical Catalán linear solvent energy relationship and the analytical solvation model of Liptay. It is found that solute polarizability plays an important part in the description of the pronounced solvatochromism for these highly symmetric molecules. In addition, the dependence of the emission quantum yield and the excited-state lifetime on the solvent are measured. The experimental findings can only be partially rationalized by the common theoretical models. They indicate that not only torsion about the triple bonds but also solvent-solute reorganization must be taken into account.

Despite the predominant electron donor character of p-phenylenediamine, our studies on extended p-phenylenediamine derivatives show that they can not only be chemically oxidized, giving well-known Wurster-type radical cations, but also be chemically reduced, giving radical anions. Making use of EPR/ENDOR spectroscopy and supported by DFT calculations, we were able to reveal the extent of π-electron delocalization in the paramagnetic species and to shed light onto the geometry and bond lengths. While for the radical anions spin was found to be mostly delocalized into the π-system, the radical cations can be described as essentially N-centered. Furthermore, we performed electrochemical characterizations using cyclic voltammetry to gain insight into the thermodynamics of the redox processes. The photophysical properties of the parent extended p-phenylenediamine were investigated by absorption, emission, and excitation spectroscopy. The fluorescence quantum yield and the excited-state lifetime of the neutral precursors in hexane and acetonitrile were determined to establish elementary differences originating from solvent effects.