Photocycloaddition Research Articles

Density functional theory study of the styrylbenzoquinoline dyad and the related dibenzoquinolylcyclobutane formed in the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction

AbstractThe structure and electronic properties of the biphotochromic dyad with two styrylbenzo[f]quinoline photochromes, as well as the corresponding cyclobutane with two benzo[f]quinoline (BQ) substituents, are studied by DFT at the M06‐2X/6‐31G* level, the cyclobutane being a product of the [2 + 2] photocycloaddition (PCA) reaction of the dyad. According to calculations, the dyad forms π‐stacked folded conformers, which, when excited, can form excimers that are precursors of cyclobutane. TD DFT calculations and natural transition orbital (NTO) analysis indicated that the lowest singlet excited S1 state in the dyad is localized on the SBQ photochrome, including the ethylene group that undergoes PCA. Thus, the conditions for concerted electrocyclic reactions are satisfied, and the direct PCA follows the Woodward–Hoffmann rules. In contrast, in cyclobutane, the S1 state is localized on the BQ substituent rather than on the cyclobutane core. Therefore, the reverse ring‐opening (retro‐PCA) reaction cannot follow the Woodward‐Hoffmann rules and inevitably involves a step of excitation energy transfer from BQ to cyclobutane, which means the predissociation mechanism.

Effect of Protonation on the Spectral–Luminescent and Photochemical Properties of a Bis(styrylbenzoquinoline) Dyad with the Naphthylene Framework and of Corresponding Dibenzoquinolylcyclobutane

The photophysical and photochemical properties of the protonated forms of both covalently bound biphotochromic dyad D44N containing two styrylbenzo[f]quinoline (SBQ) photochromes and corresponding cyclobutane CB44N containing two benzo[f]quinoline (BQ) substituents have been studied. CB44N is formed from D44N as a result of a reversible [2+2] photocycloaddition (PCA) reaction. The dyad and cyclobutane contain the 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (NA) moiety as a bridging group. It has been shown that the protonation of nitrogen atoms in the SBQ and BQ groups leads to bathochromic shifts in the absorption spectra and bathofloral shifts in the fluorescence spectra of the dyad and cyclobutane. In the protonated dyad, the quantum yield of the PCA reaction decreases, presumably due to the Coulomb repulsion, which prevents the cations of the protonated SBQ photochromes from approaching each other. In protonated cyclobutane, the quantum yield of the reverse four-membered ring opening reaction (retro-PCA), on the contrary, increases due to the absence of a competitive process of energy transfer from BQ to NA, which was previously observed in neutral cyclobutane

Unravelling supramolecular photocycloaddition: Cavitand-mediated reactivity of 3-(Aryl)Acrylic acids

The supramolecular photocycloaddition (PCA) of 3-(phenyl)acrylic acid has been extensively pursued by chemists to study weak interactions and synthesize substituted cyclobutanes. The stereo- and regioselectivity of the products in a supramolecularly affected reaction are often used as a probe for assessing the nature of weak interactions and/or molecular ambience of the reactants. However, some crucial aspects of this chemistry have often remained underexplored in the past, especially within the context of interpreting strength and directionality of interactions based on reaction outcomes. We present a detailed study of the cavitand-mediated PCA of a new and suitable reactant (3-(naphthyl)acrylic acids) that exhibits labile photo-reversible chemistry, which is suitable for exploring previously unexplored aspects of the supramolecular PCA chemistry. Our studies afford important insights about this chemistry that should be considered while using product selectivity as a proxy for deducing intermolecular interactions.

Crystallographic Approach to the [2 + 2] Photocycloaddition Topochemical Reactions of Unsaturated Compounds with Single Crystal Retention

Based on the results of authors' studies, an approach to the analysis of [2 + 2] photocycloaddition (PCA) topochemical reactions of unsaturated compounds, occurring in a single crystal with either its retention or decomposition under exposure to visible light, has been developed. The main crystal packings, favorable for photoreaction in crystal, are revealed. Conditions for PCA reaction with single crystal retention are established. The factors increasing the probability of implementing crystal packing motifs that are favorable for this reaction (by chemical modification of structural units) are analyzed. The fact of extraordinary implementation of both direct and back (under UV irradiation) photoreactions in the same single crystal is explained.

Titanium‐promoted Intramolecular Photoenolization/Diels–Alder Reaction to Construct Polycyclic Terpenoids: Formal Synthesis of Mycoleptodiscin A

Summary of main observation and conclusionA titanium‐promoted intramolecular photoenolization/Diels–Alder (PEDA) reaction was developed to construct the core skeleton of aromatic polycyclic terpenoids bearing an all‐carbon quaternary center on the benzylic position. Titanium(IV) isopropoxide [Ti(Oi‐Pr)4] plays a key role during the photo cycloaddition, which may help to accelerate the interaction between dienophile and the stereo‐hindered diene species as well as control the diastereoselectivity. This photolysis provides a new solution for the stereospecific formation core structures of aromatic abietane diterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, which have multiple functional groups for the further transformations. As a synthetic application, it was successfully used in the synthesis of indolosesquiterpenoid mycoleptodiscin A.

Irreversible One‐Way [2+2] Photocycloaddition in Bis‐Styrylbenzo[f]quinoline Dyad: Photoactive and Photoinert Excimers in the Same System

AbstractCompetitive photoprocesses were found in a novel biphotochromic dyad with 3‐styrylbenzo[f]quinoline (SBQ) photochromes ‐ fluorescence and unexpectedly irreversible [2+2] photocycloaddition (PCA) resulting in formation of a cyclobutane derivative with two benzo[f]quinoline (BQ) substituents. No SBQ trans‐cis photoisomerization was observed. Quantum‐chemical DFT calculations predict π‐stacking of the SBQ units in the dyad that hinders trans‐cis photoisomerization but favors a photoactive excimer formation with following PCA. Calculations predict also π‐stacking of the BQ units in the cyclobutane that explains experimentally observed exciton absorption and excimer emission of the latter. The unique property of the cyclobutane excimer is its photoinertness: cyclobutane does not undergo photocycloreversion with ring opening. The photoinert excimer is observed for the first time. Possible reasons of difference between chemical properties of photoactive and photoinert excimers are discussed.

Photoisomerization and [2 + 2] photocycloaddition in bichromophoric styrylbenzoquinoline dyads with o-xylylene bridge group

Photochemical properties of bis(styrylbenzoquinoline) dyads in which two styrylbenzoquinoline (SBQ) moieties are bridged by an o-xylylene group linked to their styryl groups via oxy- and carboxy-functional groups have been studied. Two competitive reactions, photoisomerization of the SBQ moieties and stereoselective [2 + 2] photocycloaddition (PCA) to give tetrasubstituted cyclobutane, occur under irradiation. It is assumed that PCA occurs with participation of an intramolecular excimer, in which the photochemical process of dimerization to cyclobutane dominates over the photophysical process of fluorescence, because the emission band of the excimer is not observed in an explicit form in the fluorescence spectra of dyads.

Peculiarities of styryl dyes of the benzoselenazole series crystal packings and their influence on solid phase [2 + 2] photocycloaddition reaction with single crystal retention

New styryl dyes of the 2-benzoselenazole series which contain iodide, triiodide, and tosylate anions were synthesized. Crystals of these compounds were grown in different crystal forms – solvent free and hydroquinone, benzene or ethyl acetate solvated ones. X-ray structural studies of the crystals shows that those containing tosylate and triiodide anions form the centrosymmetrically related stacking motif, typical for styryl dye cations and favorable for [2 + 2] photocycloaddition (PCA) reactions. This reaction takes place in crystals with tosylate anions as a single crystal-to-single crystal process. On the contrary, in the triiodide dye crystals, the PCA reaction is lacking, probably due to a weak directional interaction of the selenium atoms with the anions. The iodide dye crystals demonstrate non-typical packing for styryl dyes and manifest as a two-dimensional close packing motif of the cations which is unfavorable for cycloaddition.

Features of cation packing in crystal forms of a 18-crown-6-containing styryl dye iodide and feasibility of the solid phase [2+2]-autophotocycloaddition reaction in it

X-ray structure determinations of three crystal forms of a 18-crown-6-containing styryl dye of the pyridine series in iodide form (1), containing various solvate molecules, namely water (1a), 2,6-dihydroxyoaphthalene (1b), 1,4-hydroquinone (1c), and analysis of crystal packings of these crystals, together with the previously investigated non-solvated form (crystal 1) and the solvates with benzene and water (crystal 1d) has been carried out. Crystal packing in 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d involves a stacking leading to dimers of the dye cations, structurally preorganized for the [2+2]-photocycloaddition (PCA) reaction. On irradiation of with visible light, the PCA reaction with the centrosymmetric rctt isomer leads to the cyclobutane derivative formation. In the case of 1a and 1b the PCA proceeds with the retention of crystallinity, while with other solvates crystals are transformed into a glass. The glasses keep the form and the shine of the initial crystals, nevertheless. In the cases of the non-solvated crystal form (1), translation-related stacks form, with the geometry inconsistent with that of the preorganized dimer. These crystals are stable in visible light.

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Supramolecular Photoswitches Based on Ammonioalkyl Derivatives of Crown Ether Styryl Dyes

The synthesis of new styryl dyes derived from 4-pyridine and 4-quinoline and having an ammonioalkyl N-substituent and benzocrown ether moieties of different sizes and with different sets of heteroatoms was developed. Spontaneous "head-to-tail" dimerization of these dyes via the formation of numerous hydrogen bonds between the terminal NH3(+) groups and crown ether moieties was detected in MeCN solutions. The stability constants of the dimeric complexes having pseudocyclic structure were studied by (1)H NMR titration. The most stable complexes (log Kd up to 8.2) were found in the case of dyes with the 18-crown-6 ether moiety, which is most complementary for binding a primary ammonium group. Stacking interaction of the conjugated systems in the dimeric complexes contributes to their stability to a much lesser extent. In dimeric complexes, the ethylene bonds of the dyes are preorganized for stereospecific [2 + 2] photocycloaddition (PCA) induced by visible light. PCA yields only rctt isomers of bis-crown-containing cyclobutane derivatives. The dyes were studied by X-ray diffraction; it was found that the dimeric arrangement is also retained in the crystalline state. The possibility of topochemical PCA of the dyes in single crystals without their destruction was demonstrated. The possibility of retro-PCA of the obtained cyclobutane derivatives to give the starting dyes was shown. The elucidated regularities of PCA can be used to fabricate optical data recording systems based on ammonioalkyl derivatives of crown ether styryl dyes.

Design of crystal packings of styryl heterocycles and regularities of [2+2] photocycloaddition in their single crystals 8. Topochemical [2+2] autophotocycloaddition and back reaction in styryl dye of the benzothiazole series

New styryl dye of the 2-benzothiazole series was synthesized. The new dye contains two methoxy groups in the benzene ring and tosylate counterion. The [2+2] photocycloaddition (PCA) of the dye was studied in the polycrystalline film and in single crystal. Two modifications of the dye cocrystallizate with hydroquinone differed in the ratio of components were obtained, and their ability to enter PCA was studied. According to the X-ray diffraction data, molecular cations of the dye form stack packings either of syn-“head-to-tail” type or relatively isolated stacking dimers. In all cases, the ethylene bonds of the adjacent cations are brought together and antiparallel, favoring PCA to form the centrosymmetric rctt-isomer of 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted cyclobutane. In two cases, the PCA reaction proceeded as the “single crystal-to-single crystal” transformation. Hydrogen bonds in crystals including hydroquinone molecules strengthen the crystal packing retarding the PCA. The back photoreaction (retro-PCA) was detected: it occurs without single crystal decomposition and results in the accumulation of the initial styryl dye in crystal consisting of the cyclobutane derivative. This is the first example of such a transformation in single crystals.

Molecular structures and crystal packings of 2-styrylquinoxaline derivatives

The crystal and molecular structures of 2-styrylquinoxaline derivatives with different substituents in the styryl fragment are determined. The degree of planarity of the molecules studied varies in a very wide range, from 1.7° to 33.5°. In the ethylene fragment, the double bond is essentially localized. The bicycle-pedal disordering of the ethylene fragment is found in the crystals of the methoxy and oxyacetyl derivatives of 2-styrylquinoxaline. None of the packings contains packing motifs favorable for the photocycloaddition (PCA) reaction with single crystal retention. The crystal packings of these compounds and that of 2-(4-methylstyryl)quinoxaline are characterized by a stacking motif of the head-to-head type, which eliminates the possibility of PCA taking place with single crystal retention but is suitable for this reaction in polycrystalline films. The crystal packing of 2-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)quinoxaline does not contain elements with stacking interactions.

Molecular structures and crystal packings of 2-styrylquinoline and its derivatives

The crystal and molecular structures of five styrylheterocycles of the quinoline series are studied. All molecules are planar. The double bond in the ethylene fragment is essentially localized. In the molecule of 2-(4-methylstyryl)quinoline, the ethylene fragment is disordered by the bicycle-pedal pattern. In four of the five compounds, the crystal packings do not contain stacking dimers prearranged for the [2+2] photocycloaddition (PCA) reaction. In the crystal of 2-(3-nitrostyryl)quinoline, pairs of crystallographically independent molecules form stacking dimers. In a dimer, the ethylene fragments have a twist orientation, which is incompatible with the PCA reaction. An attempt to initiate a temperature-dependent process of bicyclepedal isomerization in the crystal and, as a consequence, the PCA reaction by means of simultaneous irradiation and heating of a single crystal is unsuccessful.

Photochemical transformations of chalcone-podands into cyclobutane-containing benzocrown ethers

A method for the synthesis of cyclobutane-containing benzocrown ethers by the template photocycloaddition of the corresponding chalcone-podands in solutions was developed. It was shown by X-ray diffraction analysis, 1H and 13C NMR, and UV spectroscopy that the intramolecular [2π+2π] photocycloaddition (PCA) is stereoselective with the predominant formation of structures of the β- and γ-truxinic type. The PCA rate was shown to depend on the size of the oxyethylene spacer and stereoorientation of the chalcone fragments in the podands. The selectivity of the PCA process can be controlled by a change in the concentration of the template (alkaline metal ions) and variation of the wavelength range of irradiation.

Design of styryl dye single crystals in the presence of low-molecular aromatic compounds and peculiarities of [2+2]-photocycloaddition in these single crystals

A variety of crystal packing motifs for styryl dye Et-Py+-CH=CH-C6H4OMe ClO4− crystallized from solvent mixtures containing different low-molecular aromatic compounds was investigated by X-ray diffraction method. The presence of some of these aromatic compounds was found to affect the mode of the aggregation of the dye structural units in the course of crystal nucleation, regardless of whether these compounds are involved in the growing crystal. The aromatic molecules containing two proton-donating groups can be involved in the crystal packing of the dye as a solvate that forms weak hydrogen bonds with perchlorate anions or other solvate molecules. The aromatic molecules without functional groups (except for benzene) are not involved in the growing crystal as additional building blocks. The syn-head-to-tail stacking with contiguous and antiparallel arrangement of the ethylene bonds is the main packing motif of dye cations in crystals of unsolvated and solvated forms. This is favorable for accomplishing the [2+2]-photocycloaddition (PCA) reaction resulting in the centrosymmetric rctt-isomer of a cyclobutane derivative. In the solvated forms of the crystals, the solvate molecules and perchlorate anions form loose layers between the cation stacks. These layers are capable of leveling internal stresses caused by the PCA reaction, thus promoting this reaction as a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation. Other conditions for the PCA reaction to proceed without single crystal degradation are (1) retention of the initial crystal symmetry in the course of the PCA and (2) stack separation into dimeric pairs with d1 < 4.2 A < d2, where d1 and d2 are the distances between the ethylene bonds within the dimeric pairs and between them, respectively. The regularities found for the crystal packing and the PCA reaction in styryl dye single crystals may be used to design information recording and storage cells.

Specific features of the crystal packing that enable styryl dyes of the pyridine series to undergo the solid-phase [2 + 2] photocycloaddition including the process with single crystal retention

The crystal packing of a number of styryl dyes of the pyridine series is analyzed. The structures of three dyes and three [2 + 2] photocycloaddition (PCA) products, 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted cyclobutanes, obtained in single crystals are determined by X-ray diffraction. Stacks of planar organic cations are characteristic of styryl dye packings. The proceeding of the PCA reaction as a single crystal-to-single crystal transformation in the syn head-to-head stacks is in principle impossible. The syn head-to-tail stacking packings are favorable for the PCA reactions resulting in the centrosymmetric rctt isomers of cyclobutane. The stacking packings, in which molecules are related by the twofold axes (the anti arrangement of molecules), are also favorable for PCA in single crystals. In this case, the products are the rtct isomers of cyclobutane. The presence of the I− counterions in a packing is a factor impeding the PCA reaction, because the secondary I…H-C bonds increase the rigidity of the crystal lattice. The conditions necessary for proceeding the PCA reactions in styryl dyes as single crystal-to-single crystal processes are as follows: (1) the stacks split into pairs of organic cations (dimers) with the d distances within 4.2 A in a dimer and d exceeding 4.2 A between the dimers; and (2) the dimers are surrounded by flexible shells consisting of anions, solvate molecules, or flexible moieties of the organic cations themselves.

Effect of molecular architecture and size of mesogen on phase behavior and photoactive properties of photoactive liquid crystalline hyperbranched polyester epoxies containing benzylidene moiety

AbstractA series of photoactive liquid crystalline linear and hyperbranched polyester epoxies were synthesized by polyaddition of photoactive bis benzylidene alkanone diol monomers and terephthalic acid and trimesic acid respectively with good yield. The effect of molecular architecture (linear and hyperbranched), size of mesogenic unit (cyclic and acyclic units) on the physicochemical, thermal, mesogenic, and photoactive properties of hyperbranched polymers were studied and compared. Degree of branching of hyperbranched polymers was found to be in the range of 0.46–0.49. Monomers containing cyclic moieties only exhibited nematic mesophase, while all polymers exhibited typical nematic mesophase. Intermolecular photo cycloaddition reaction was studied by ultraviolet–visible spectra (UV–vis) and NMR spectroscopy and photo viscosity measurement of UV irradiated polymer solutions. Faster photo induced behavior of hyperbranched polymers containing acyclic alkanone moiety, as compared to polymers containing cycloalkanone moieties, was observed. The change in the refractive index was found to be in the range of 0.02–0.024. Substantial variation of refractive index indicates that this polymer could be used for optical recording. All the polymers were also found to be fluorescent in nature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 552–563, 2008

4-Styrylquinolines: synthesis and study of [2 + 2]-photocycloaddition reactions in thin films and single crystals

Four new (E)-4-styrylquinoline compounds containing two methoxy substituents or an 18-crown-6-ether fragment were synthesized in order to investigate the [2 + 2]-photocycloaddition (PCA) reaction in the solid state. These compounds reveal different abilities to undergo the photoreaction depending on the packing of the quinoline molecules in thin polycrystalline films and single crystals. The only products from the irradiation of (E)-4-styrylquinolines were an rctt isomer of 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted cyclobutane and, rarely, a Z isomer of the styrylquinoline. The rctt cyclobutane derivative was formed as a result of the PCA of centrosymmetric syn-‘head-to-tail’ dimeric pairs of the reactant species that are preorganized in such a way as to promote this reaction. Peculiarities in the crystal packing motifs that are typical for single crystals of 4-styrylquinoline compounds are discussed. The solvate molecules can affect significantly the packing of styrylquinolines. Benzene solvate molecules create a soft, flexible, shell about the dimeric pairs that facilitates the PCA in the single crystal without causing degradation of the crystal. In crystal packing that contains CH2Cl2 and H2O solvate molecules, they are prone to form complicated systems of hydrogen bonds with crown-ether oxygen atoms and each other. This results in distorting the organic molecule geometry toward non-planarity and accomplishing a new type of crystal packing uncommon for styrylheterocycles, in which the PCA is impossible. The topochemical single-crystal-to-single-crystal PCA reaction was monitored for one of the species. Two cyclobutane derivatives obtained in single crystals were subjected to recrystallization from a solution. The new single crystals formed belong to different crystal systems, with different unit cell parameters as compared with initial single crystals; significant differences in the geometry of the cyclobutane molecules were also found. This implies that the cyclobutane derivatives obtained in the solid phase have a molecular geometry that is somewhat stressed.