Synthesis and self-association, absorption, and fluorescence properties of differentially functionalized hexakis(p-substituted-phenylethynyl)benzenes

The dual Sonogashira coupling reactions of 1,3,5-tribromo-2,4,6-triiodobenzene with p-X-phenylacetylene followed by another p-Y-phenylacetylene (X, Y = OsiMe(2)Bu-t or CO2Et) produced a series of differentially functionalized hexakis(p-substituted-phenylethynyl)benzenes with D-3h symmetry (3h: 1,3,5-X-2,4,6-Y) and C-2nu symmetry (3g,i: 1,2,3,5-X-4,6-Y; 3f,j: 1-X-2,3,4,5,6-Y). In a similar manner, 1,3,5-tris(p-X-phenylethynyl)-2,4,6-tris(p-Y-phenylethynyl)benzenes and 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(p-X-phenylethynyl)-4,6-bis(p-Y-phenylethynyl)benzenes (31: X = OSiMe2Bu-t, Y = NO2; 3m,n: X = N(n-octyl)(2), Y = NO2; 3o,p: X = N(n-octyl)(2), Y = CH(OCH2CH2O); 3q,r: X = N(n-octyl)(2), Y = CHO; 3s,t: X = N(n-octyl)(2), Y = CH=C(CN)(2)) were prepared. Compounds 3 with electron-withdrawing groups self-aggregated by a pi-pi stacking interaction and solvophobic effect. In the absorption and fluorescence spectra of 3, lambda(max)(abs) and lambda(max)(em) showed red shifts as the donor-acceptor dipole at the end functional groups of the para position was increased. In the absorption spectra, lambda(max)(abs) showed red shifts upon increasing the number of combination of electron-donating and -withdrawing groups on the diagonal line in a molecule, whereas lambda(max)(em) in the fluorescence spectra exhibited red shifts upon decreasing the molecular symmetry.