A versatile synthetic route has been demonstrated to provide a series of soluble, fused polyaromatic C,N-molecules, with tunable optical and electronic properties and ligand functionality. The N-functionalized heterosuperbenzene, 1, is the founding member of this new family of active graphitic substructures.

Lanthanum zirconate has been prepared via a new chemical synthesis method by combining sol-gel processing and complex precipitation. The synthesis was carried out in aqueous solution under ambient conditions. The synthesized powder possessed the pyrochlore superstructure upon calcination above 1200°C. A suite of characterization techniques, including FTIR, Raman, X-ray and electron diffraction, TEM, SEM, and nitrogen sorption were employed to investigate the microstructural evolution and bulk properties. Dense ceramics (>90% relative density) were obtained after sintering at 1400°C, without need for additional processing (i.e., hot or cold isostatic pressing) or any milling steps. A mechanism has been proposed that elucidates molecular assembly of this chemical synthesis method.

Tetra-peri-(tert-butyl-benzo)-di-peri-(pyrimidino)-coronene 1, the parent compound of the nitrogen heterosuperbenzene family N-HSB, is employed as a novel monotopic ligand in the formation of [Pd(η 3 -C3H5)(1)]PF6 2 and [Ru(bpy)2(1)](PF6)2 (where bpy ) 2,2′-bipyridine 3a and d8-2,2′-bipyridine 3b). These N-coordinated complexes are fully characterized by 1 H NMR and IR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. Metal coordination has a profound effect on both the absorption and the emission properties of 1. Pd(II) coordination causes a red-shift in the low-energy absorptions, a decrease in the intensity of the n-π* absorptions, and a quenching of the emission. Ru(II) coordination causes absorption throughout the visible region and creates two new complexes that join an elite group of compounds known as "black" absorbers. 3a and 3b possess two discernible 1 MLCT bands. The one of exceptionally low energy (λmax ) 615 nm) has an associated 3 MLCT emission (λmax ) 880 nm) due to the unprecedented electron delocalization and acceptor properties of the rigid aromatic N-HSB 1. Both Ru(II) complexes are near-IR emitters with unusually protracted emission lifetimes of 320 ns at 77 K. They are photochemically inert, and their electrochemical properties are consistent with the presence of a low-lying π* orbital on 1. The first two reversible reductions (E1/2 (CH3CN), -0.54 V, -1.01 V vs SCE) are due to the stepwise reduction of 1 and are anodically shifted as compared to [Ru(bpy)3] 2+ . Temperature-and concentration-dependent NMR studies on 2 and 3a suggest extensive aggregation is occurring in solution.