A dimeric tetrathiafulvalene installed into a chiral pseudo-ortho-[2.2]paracyclophane framework was synthesized as a novel chiral electrochromic material. This compound exhibited pronounced chiroptical properties in the UV-Vis-NIR range depending on its redox states without racemization. Each enantiomer was examined as a chiral dopant for nematic liquid crystals (LCs), and the induced helicity of the LC solvent was in accord with that of the tetrathiafulvalene compound.

SummaryA novel tetrathiafulvalene dimer, bridged by a chiral 1,3-diphenylallene framework, has been prepared as an optically active compound having strong chiroptical properties. Although a chiral allene bearing strong electron-donating group(s) often undergoes slow photoracemization even in daylight, the present allene is totally configurationally stable under ordinary conditions. Each isomer possesses pronounced chiroptical properties in its ECD spectra reflecting the chiral allene framework. Moreover, the elongation of the chiral main chain was also carried out by direct C–H activation of the TTF unit, and the chiroptical properties of the resulting polymer were also investigated.

Dissymmetric 1,3-diphenylallene derivative 3 connected with 4,5-bis(methylthio)tetrathiafulvalenyl and 1-pyrenyl substituents was prepared and characterized. The molecular structure was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Optical resolution was accomplished using a recycling chiral HPLC, and its chiroptical properties were examined with optical rotation and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The title compound underwent photoracemization under daylight. This behavior was investigated in various solvents and compared with that of 1,3-bis(tetrathiafulvalenyl)allene (bis-TTFallene) derivative 2. The first-order rate plot of the intensity of the ECD spectra at a given time interval gave the rate of racemization. Mild racemization was observed in polar solvents, whereas a relatively fast rate was obtained in less polar solvents. In addition, the TTF groups of the allene also accelerate the racemization rate. These results suggest that the racemization mechanism occurs via a non-polar diradical structure.

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