Communications
immediately. nBuLi was titrated with 2,2’ dipyridyl in anhydrous THF
to determine the correct concentration prior to use. 1H and 13C NMR
spectra were recorded on a Bruker AVANCE500 spectrometer in
CDCl3 with tetramethylsilane as the internal standard, unless other-
wise specified. Mass spectrometry data were obtained from a VG70
Magnetic Sector instrument in FAB mode. Electrochemical experi-
ments were performed with a Princeton Applied Research Potentio-
stat/Gavanostat model 263Awith Bu4NPF6 (0.1m) in dichloromethane
containing ferrocene as the internal standard. X-ray crystallographic
analysis was carried out on a Bruker 3-axis platform diffractometer.
General procedure for the synthesis of 5a, 5b, and 8: nBuLi
(1.30 mmol) was added dropwise to a separate solution of 2,2,6,6-
tetramethypiperdine (1.30 mmol) in dry THF (10 mL) at 08C. The
mixture was allowed to stir at 08C for 20 min. The resulting lithium
tetramethylpiperidide was slowly added by cannula (ca. 20 min) to a
solution of 2,6-dibromoanthracene (0.216 mmol)and diphenylisoben-
zofuran (0.648 mmol) in dry THF (10 mL) at 08C. This solution had
been degassed by bubbling argon, which had been passed through
activated oxygen-scavenger RIDOX and CaSO4, for 30 min with
protection from light. The reaction was allowed to proceed in the dark
and to reach room temperature overnight, it was then quenched by
pouring into 20 mL of saturated NH4Cl, the aqueous layer was then
extracted with ethyl acetate (3 ꢀ 10 mL). The combined organic layers
were washed with water (2 ꢀ 15 mL), brine (1 ꢀ 15 mL) and then dried
over MgSO4. Upon evaporation of all solvents under reduced
pressure on a rotary evaporator, the crude product was chromato-
graphed on a SiO2 column with an eluent gradient starting with
hexanes, followed by 1–5% ethyl acetate in hexanes. Yield: 32–34%.
5a (syn and anti isomers): 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): d =
7.805–7.770 (m, 8H), 7.562–7.399 (m, 22H), 7.304–7.226 (m, 8H),
7.049 (dd, J1 = 3 Hz, J2 = 6 Hz, 2H), 7.018 ppm (dd, J1 = 3 Hz, J2 =
6 Hz, 2H) MS(FAB+): m/z 867.24 [M+H].
Figure 7. Bathochromic shift in the NIR absorption that results from
the presence of TIPS groups in heptacene 1c (solid line) compared to
heptacene 1b (dotted line).
5b (syn and anti isomers): 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): d =
7.839–7.801 (m, 8H), 7.573, 7.537 (2 ꢀ s, 4H), 7.491–7.406 (m, 12H),
7.301 (dd, J1 = 3 Hz, J2 = 5.5 Hz, 3H), 7.179–7.125 (m, 4H), 7.087–
7.010 (m, 7H), 6.957 (dd, J1 = 2 Hz, J2 = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 3.993 (dd, J1 =
3 Hz, J2 = 6 Hz, 4H), 1.576 (m, 2H), 1.445 (m, 16H), 1.056 (t, J =
7.5 Hz, 6H), 1.004 ppm (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 6H). MS(MALDI CH2Cl2/a-
cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) m/z 1123.7 [M+H].
Figure 8. Cyclic voltammogram (vs. Ag/Ag+) of 1c with Bu4NPF6 in
DCM solution (0.1m), cycled 10 times.
1
8 (syn and anti isomers): H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) d = 8.399,
Of the three heptacene derivatives synthesized, only the
bis(alkylsilylethynyl)tetraphenyl derivative 1c was suffi-
ciently stable to allow characterization beyond UV/Vis–NIR
spectroscopy. While phenyl groups are effective in preventing
dimerization and polymerization of the longer acene, the
central ring must be functionalized with alkylsilylethynyl
groups in order to provide sufficient stability for isolation and
characterization. Like pentacene, 1c packs edge-to-face in
single crystals. The band gap determined from CV and NIR
onset supports the theoretical prediction of narrow but
nonzero band gap;[4,5] however, judging from the sharp
NMR splittings and narrow line widths, if there is a singlet
diradical character in the ground state,[4,5] it is detectable only
by the high reactivity of the molecules and not spectroscopi-
cally. As long as heptacene 1c is protected from oxygen, it can
be exposed to light, and will remain stable for extended
periods. We are currently exploring the potential electronic
applications of this exciting oligoacene.
8.388 (2 ꢀ s, 4H), 8.030–8.006 (m, 8H), 7.603–7.565 (m, 8H), 7.515–
7.493 (m, 4H), 7.456 (dd, J = 3 Hz, 2H), 7.432 (dd, J = 3 Hz, 2H),
7.085 (m, 4H), 1.162–1.118 ppm (m, 42H). 13C NMR (500 MHz,
CDCl3): d = 149.31, 149.28, 147.33, 135.09, 135.07, 131.93, 129.05,
128.45, 126.90, 126.73, 126.71, 120.87, 120.80, 119.63, 118.05, 104.52,
104.50, 103.51, 90.22, 19.09, 19.07, 11.61 ppm. MS (FAB+): m/z 1075
[M + ] 1076 [M+H].
1c: Glacial acetic acid (0.5 mL) and zinc dust (< 10 micron, ca.
50 mg, 0.76 mmol) was added to a suspension of bis-endo-oxide 8
(28 mg, 0.026 mmol) in toluene (10 mL) in a 25 mL Schlenk tube
equipped with a stirrer bar. The mixture was degassed by three freeze-
pump-thaw cycles and then heated to 1008C under argon for 4 days
with protection from light. The reaction was monitored by the
changes in the color of the solution over time; it was considered
complete when the color was dark brown and exhibited no visible
fluorescence. The hot reaction mixture was allowed to cool slowly in
the oil bath in the dark. High quality opaque prismatic crystals
(20 mg, 73% yield) were obtained after 3 weeks. 1H NMR (500 MHz,
CD2Cl2): d = 9.136 (s, 4H), 7.645 (t, J = 1.4 Hz, 8H), 7.575 (tt, J1 =
1.3 Hz, J2 = 7.4 Hz, 4H), 7.532 (dd, J1 = 1.5 Hz, J2 = 6.7 Hz, 8H),
7.3771 (dd, J1 = 3.3 Hz, J2 = 7 Hz, 4H), 7.107 (dd, J1 = 3.3 Hz, J2 =
7 Hz, 4H), 1.025 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 36H), 0.874 ppm (m, 6H). 13C-apt-
NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3): d = 131.81, 129.24, 128.21, 127.63, 126.80,
125.68 (all aromatic CH), 19.14 (iPr CH3), 12.12 ppm (iPr CH). MS
(FAB): m/z 1042 [M + ], 1043 [M+H], 1044 [M+2H]. UV/Vis/NIR
(toluene): labs = 355, 383, 437, 463, 696, 772, 863 nm.
Experimental Section
All general reagents were purchased from Aldrich and were used
without further purification unless otherwise specified. Tetrahydro-
furan was distilled from sodium and benzophenone and was used
8384
ꢀ 2008 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 8380 –8385