CuAAC and RuAAC with Alkyne-functionalised Dihydroazulene Photoswitches and Determination of Hammett σ-Constants for Triazoles

Abstract

Dihydroazulene (DHA)–vinylheptafulvene (VHF) photoswitches have attracted attention as potentially useful components in molecular electronics. The π-conjugated dihydroazulene system is a rigid structure and can be strategically functionalised to place handles for further elaboration. Here we show that alkyne-functionalised dihydroazulenes can be subjected to copper and ruthenium catalysed azide–alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC and RuAAC) with tolylazide, furnishing 1,4- and 1,5-disubstituted triazoles. The rates of ring-closure of the corresponding vinylheptafulvenes were compared with those of reference systems, which allowed determination of Hammett substituent constants (meta and para) for N-tolyl-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles.