The first covalently linked dimer has been prepared for cyclazine systems by regioselective oxidative homocoupling of 1,2-dicarbomethoxy-3-phenylcycl[3.2.2]azine. The regioselectivity of this reaction at 4-position, having been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and NMR spectroscopy, has been also reliably predicted within the model of average local ionization energy on the molecular surface of the starting monomer at the BP86/def2-TZVP level of theory. Due to the planar π-π interaction of the cycl[3.2.2]azine subunits, the dimer is a green fluorophore (λem = 527 nm, toluene), characterized by a bathochromic shift of the main bands in the UV-vis and fluorescence spectra relative to the monomer by 41 and 71 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the dimer demonstrates an increased fluorescence quantum yield relative to the monomer (55% vs. 35% in toluene), and according to the data of X-ray diffraction analysis, DFT calculations and variable temperature 1D and 2D 1H NMR spectroscopy, is characterized by hindered rotation of the S1-state-involved cycl[3.2.2]azine cores along the C4-C4' bond axis. Such prerequisites determine good application potential of the 4-4' coupled cycl[3.2.2]azine derivatives as turn-on fluorescent, i.e. fluorogenic probes for advanced bioimaging in living systems. Finally, unlike the monomer, the dimer shows reversibility of both one- and two-electron reduction and oxidation processes, and therefore can become the basis of both n- and p-type semiconductors.
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