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We investigated the Diels-Alder reaction of 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (1) with small dienophiles such as (bridged) dihydronaphthalenes/cyclohexenes that yielded adducts at the central ring, the other dienophiles predominantly or exclusively attacked the unsubstituted off-center ring. The difference in regioselectivity was investigated by DFT calculations. Apart from dispersion interactions, it is due to the steric demand of the dienophiles, which need to fit in between the silylethynyl substituents to react at the central ring. Epoxynaphthalene adducts of 1 as well as its anthracene and tetracene congeners were deoxygenated, easily furnishing triarenobarrelenes with TIPS-ethynyl substituents at the bridgeheads, attractive building blocks for porous solids and higher acene-based trimers., (© 2024 The Author(s). Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The photooxidative stability of a series of doubly bridged anthracenes was evaluated after their preparation via twofold macrocyclization of a bis(resorcinyl)anthracene. Lightfastness correlates with the energy levels of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), resulting in superior stability of the tetraesters compared to the tetraethers. The lengths and steric demand of the linker only plays a minor role for the ester-based compounds, which can be prepared in reasonable yields and thus tested in proof-of-concept organic light-emitting diodes. Double ester-bridging allows deep blue electro-luminescence, highlighting the importance of the choice of the functional groups used for macrocyclization., (© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Four substituted nonacenes were prepared and characterized by UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The compounds are the most stable and soluble nonacenes to date - due to six strategically placed triisopropylsilyl(TIPS)-ethynyl groups. They are stable for several weeks in the solid state. In dilute solution their half-life is 5-9 h. Crystal structure analyses of two nonacenes prove their structures. A nonacene derivative was tested in a solution-processed transistor and exhibits ambipolar charge transport (μ e =0.007 cm 2 /Vs; μ h =0.023 cm 2 /Vs)., (© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

We present the synthesis of two sets of spiro-connected azaacene dimers. Their geometry and electronic coupling are critically determined by a secondary linker, i. e., an etheno- and an ethano-bridge. The core fragment of the etheno-bridged dimer corresponds to a conformationally locked cis-stilbene. Optoelectronic properties, single crystal X-ray structures and stability with respect to oxidation of the conjugated and non-conjugated dimers are reported and compared. The conjugated dimers exhibit smaller optical gaps and bathochromically shifted absorption maxima, but are prone to unexpected oxygen addition, dearomatizing one of the azaacene substituents., (© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

We report the synthesis and optoelectronic properties of 16 thiophene-based heterophenoquinones. These compounds were accessed in a convergent and modular approach, allowing for their efficient synthesis. Tuning of the optical band gap was achieved through π-extension by annulation of a benzene or tropone moiety to the thiophene, oxidation, change of the heteroatom or by attachment of a donor substituent to the thiophene core. The resulting compounds display intense colors covering the entire visible spectrum. We identified structure-property relationships and their impact on the HOMO and LUMO levels. Additionally, these materials change color upon reduction and according to in situ ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-vis-NIR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectro-electrochemistry, they are promising electrochromes with cathodic color changes. Seven different electrochromic devices were constructed which all displayed a change in color upon reduction, demonstrating the potential of these new dyes in for example tintable glass., (© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

A strongly twisted benzo-fused tris-cycloheptenylene, containing three dibenzosuberenone units fused to a common benzene ring, was subjected to Ramirez olefination and subsequent palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling with 4-substituted phenylboronic acids. The high steric demand within the overcrowded, benzene-rich benzo-fused tris-cycloheptenylenes enforced an unprecedented 1,2-rearrangement upon π-extension during the Suzuki coupling reaction. According to crystal structure analysis, the resulting negatively curved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons consist of two heptagons and one octagon surrounding a central benzene ring as a result of strain release. In the solid state, the materials exhibit a blue to blue-green fluorescence with increased quantum yields and a hypsochromic shift of the emission maxima compared to their respective solutions., (© 2023 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Invited for the cover of this issue are Klaus Müllen and co-workers at the Max-Planck-Institute of Polymer Research and the University of Heidelberg. The image depicts the ring-expanding rearrangement of hexabrominated benzo-fused tris-cycloheptenylenes towards nonplanar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202203735., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

An oxidation reaction of hydroxyhomosumanene on silica gel providing homosumanene ortho-quinone and its synthetic application for azaacene-fused homosumanenes is described. Hydroxyhomosumanene is photochemically oxidized by air, when it is coated on silica gel; this aerobic oxidation proceeds faster than that of planar analogues. The difference of such reactivity was attributed to the unusual keto-enol tautomerization due to structural difference between planar and curved π-system. The homosumanene ortho-quinone was used in the synthesis of several azaacene-fused homosumanenes, azaacenohomosumanenes. X-ray diffraction analysis of the single crystals revealed their columnar stacking structures due to the interactions between each bowl. Azaacenohomosumanenes exhibited high electron affinity due to the combination of buckybowl and electron-deficient azaacene moieties., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Four N-acenoacenes were synthesized and analyzed for their optoelectronic properties and solid-state packings. Two of the regioisomeric acridinoacridines are TIPS-ethynylated, whereas the other pair are Boc- and triflate substituted derivatives. The two TIPS-ethynyldiazaacenoacenes were processed into organic thin-film transistors with saturation hole mobilities reaching 2.9×10 -2  cm 2 (Vs) -1 ., (© 2022 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Tetraiodotetraazapentacene I 4 TAP, the last missing derivative in the series of halogenated silylated tetraazapentacenes, was synthesized via condensation chemistry from a TIPS-ethynylated diaminobenzothiadiazol in three steps. Single and double reduction furnished its air-stable monoanion and relatively air-stable dianion, both of which were characterized by crystallography. All three species are structurally and spectroscopically compared to non-halogenated TAP and Br 4 TAP. I 4 TAP is an n-channel material in thin-film transistors with average electron mobilities exceeding 1 cm 2 (Vs) -1 ., (© 2022 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Brominated pentannulated dihydrotetraazapentacenes were prepared by gold- or palladium-catalyzed 5-endo-dig cyclization of TIPS-ethynylated dihydrotetraazaacenes (TIPS = triisopropylsilyl). Post-functionalization was demonstrated by Sonogashira alkynylation and Rosenmund-von Braun cyanation. Calculations predict these species to act as n-type semiconductors, which was verified for two derivates through characterization in organic field-effect transistors., (© 2022 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The transition-metal-catalyzed cyclization of bissilylethynylated N,N'-dihydrotetraazapentacene (TIPS-TAP-H 2 ) into bissilylated cyclopenta[fg,qr]pentacenes is reported. Depending on the catalyst either none, one or two silyl groups migrate and change their positions in the formed five-membered rings. The optoelectronic properties are quite similar, whereas the packing motifs differ dramatically. Control experiments and quantum chemical calculations were performed to investigate the mechanism of the reaction and the selectivity of the silyl shift., (© 2022 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

In attempts at kinetically stabilizing blue-emissive anthracenes, a series of 9,10-diaryl substituted derivatives were tested for their photochemical and photooxidative persistence. A major breakthrough in light fastness comes from a new bis-meta-terphenylyl substituted anthracene which is much superior to industrially relevant 9,10-biarylated anthracenes. The key issue is the steric shielding of the anthracene core. Further, intramolecular ring closure via Yamamoto coupling furnished a doubly bridged anthracene as a "self-encapsulated" sky-blue emitter which is most resistant to photodegradation. The improved stabilization was corroborated by time-resolved irradiation experiments and rationalized by X-ray crystallography., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The synthesis of novel (N-)acene-based cyclooligomers is reported. Glaser-Hay coupling of the bisethynylated monomers results in cyclodimers and cyclotrimers that are separable by column and gel-permeation chromatographies. For the diazatetracene, the use of sec-butyl-silylethynyl groups is necessary to achieve solubility. Diazatetracene-based cyclodimers and cyclotrimers were used as semiconductors in thin-film transistors. Although their optoelectronic properties are quite similar, their electron mobilities in proof-of-concept thin-film transistors differ by an order of magnitude., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Ultra-electron-deficient azaacenes were synthesized via Buchwald-Hartwig coupling of ortho-diaminoarenes with chlorinated mellophanic diimide followed by oxidation of the intermediate N,N'-dihydro compounds with MnO 2 or PbO 2 . The resulting cata-annulated bisimide azaacenes have ultrahigh electron affinities with first reduction potentials as low as -0.35 V recorded for a tetraazapentacene. Attempts to prepare a tetrakis(dicarboximide)tetraazaheptacene resulted in the formation of a symmetric butterfly dimer., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The synthesis of two diazabisacenes is reported. A bisboronated naphthalene was Suzuki-coupled to substituted ethyl nicotinates, then cyclized by intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation. The resulting diketones were alkynylated and reduced to give the title compounds, bis(TIPS-ethynyl)-substituted naphtha[1,8-gh:5,4-g'h']diquinoline and naphtho[1,8-bc:5,4-b'c']diacridine. Nitrogen incorporation stabilizes the bisacenes with respect to oxidation compared to their consanguine nonaza analogs., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The syntheses, properties and application of the air-stable electron acceptors, diindenopyrazines 4 a-g are reported demonstrating the introduction of functional aryl groups in the 6- and 12-positions. The targets are accessible on the hundred milligram to gram scale. The structure of the aryl groups in 4 a-g modulates their solubility, redox potentials and optical properties. The introduction of electron-poor aryl groups to the electron-poor diindenopyrazine backbone reduces the electron affinity to -4 eV, making the compounds attractive as n-semiconductors. A simple organic field-effect transistor of 4 e -without optimization- shows electron transport with a mobility of up to 0.037 cm 2  V -1  s -1 ., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Bis(silylethynylated) 5,7- and 5,12-diazapentacenes were synthesized from cis- and trans-quinacridone using protection, alkynylation and deoxygenation. The solid-state packing of the targets is determined by choice and position of the silylethynyl substituents. The position of the substituents and nitrogen atoms influence the optical properties of the targets., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Three stable N,N'-diarylated dihydroazaacene radical cations were prepared by oxidation of neutral N,N'-diarylated dihydroazaacenes synthesized via palladium-catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig aminations of aryl iodides with N,N'-dihydroazaacenes. Both neutral as well as oxidized species were investigated via UV-vis spectroscopy, single crystal analysis, and DFT calculations. All the radical cations are surprisingly stable-their absorption spectra in dichloromethane remain unchanged in ambient conditions for at least 24 hours., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

N-Heteropolycycles are among the most promising candidates for applications in organic devices. For this purpose, a profound understanding of the low-energy electronic absorbance and emission characteristics is of crucial importance. Herein, we report high-resolution absorbance and fluorescence spectra of pentacene (PEN) and 6,13-diazapentacene (DAP) in solid neon obtained using the matrix-isolation technique. Accompanying DFT calculations allow the assignment of specific vibrationally resolved signals to corresponding modes. Furthermore, we present for the first time evidence for the formation of van der Waals dimers of both substances. These dimers exhibit significantly different optical characteristics resulting from the change of electronic properties evoked by the incorporation of sp 2 nitrogen into the molecular backbone., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The synthesis of unsubstituted oligo-para-phenylenes (OPP) exceeding para-hexaphenylene-in the literature often referred to as p-sexiphenyl-has long remained elusive due to their insolubility. We report the first preparation of unsubstituted para-nonaphenylenes (9PPs) by extending our precursor route to poly-para-phenylenes (PPP) to a discrete oligomer. Two geometric isomers of methoxylated syn- and anti-cyclohexadienylenes were synthesized, from which 9PP was obtained via thermal aromatization in thin films. 9PP was characterized via optical, infrared and solid-state 13 C NMR spectroscopy as well as atomic force microscopy and mass spectrometry, and compared to polymeric analogues. Due to the lack of substitution, para-nonaphenylene, irrespective of the precursor isomer employed, displays pronounced aggregation in the solid state. Intermolecular excitonic coupling leads to formation of H-type aggregates, red-shifting emission of the films to greenish. 9PP allows to study the structure-property relationship of para-phenylene oligomers and polymers, especially since the optical properties of PPP depend on the molecular shape of the precursor., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The synthesis of a doubly bridged 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene is reported. The target displays photophysical properties, distinctly different from that of its congeners, the singly bridged tolans. Quantum-chemical calculations suggest a lack of planarization of the bridged bis(phenylethynyl)benzene in the first excited state., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Chrysene and its bisbenzannulated homologue, naphtho[2,3-c]tetraphene, were synthesized through a PtCl 2 -catalyzed cyclization of alkynes, which also furnished corresponding biaryls subsequent to a Glaser coupling reaction of the starting alkynes. The optoelectronic properties of 5,5'-bichrysenyl and 6,6'-binaphtho[2,3-c]tetraphene were compared to their chrysene-based "monomers". Oxidative cyclodehydrogenations of bichrysenyl and its higher homologue towards large nanographenes were also investigated., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Two linear 1,4-distyrylbenzenes and five star-shaped 1,3,5-tristyrylbenzene derivatives (L 2a and L 2b , Y 0 -Y 3 and Y NBu ) were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The photophysical properties, optical response to acid and metal ions were investigated. Upon backbone extension of linear distyrylbenzenes or the introduction of dibutylanilines, the electronic spectra are redshifted. Incorporation of electron-deficient pyridyl units does not significantly affect the optical properties. Variation of the number of pyridine rings and substitution pattern tune the fluorescence response to acids and metal ions. The novel arenes discriminate Al 3+ , Mn 2+ , Fe 3+ , Fe 2+ , Cd 2+ , Ag + and Hg 2+ ., (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.)

The synthesis of a decaethynylated tetraazapentacene is described. It was obtained by a combination of condensation reactions giving the two pyrazine rings and subsequent consecutive Stille-type couplings. This is the first example of any higher (hetero)acene that is peralkynylated. The presence of the four nitrogen atoms removes the peri interaction of the substituted alkyne groups, giving this rock-stable and highly twisted heteroacene., (© 2019 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.)

The synthesis, property evaluation, and single crystal X-ray structures of four 5,7,12,14-tetrafunctionalized diazapentacenes are presented. The synthesis of these compounds either starts from tetrabromo-N,N-dihydrodiazapentacene or from a diazapentacene tetraketone. Pd-catalyzed coupling or addition of a lithium acetylide gave the precursors that furnish, after further redox reactions, the diazapentacenes as stable crystalline materials. The performance of the tetraphenyl-substituted compound as n-channel semiconductor was evaluated in organic field effect transistors., (© 2019 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.)

The synthesis of five spiro-linked azaacene dimers is reported and their properties are compared to that of their monomers. Dimerization quenches emission of the longer (≥(hetero)tetracenes) derivatives and furnishes amorphous thin-films, the absorption is not affected. The larger derivatives were tested as acceptors in bulk-heterojunction photovoltaic devices with a maximum power conversion efficiency of up to 1.6 %., (© 2019 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.)

A series of quinoidal N,N'-diaryldiaza-N,N'-dihydropentacenes (Quino) was prepared in a two-step reaction, starting from quinacridone. Oxidation of Quino furnishes stable radical cations, isoelectronic to the radical anions of the azaacenes, whereas the dicationic species are isoelectronic to neutral azapentacenes. The spectroscopic properties of the diaryldiazapentacenes and their oxidized mono- and dications are equivalent to that of the dianion of tetraazapentacene (TAP), its radical anion and the neutral TAP., (© 2019 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.)

The syntheses of new, fourfold alkynylated tetraazaacenoacenes (tetraazaanthracenoanthracene, tetraazatetracenotetracene and tetraazapentacenopentacene) are reported. This novel heteroacenoacene motif exhibits surprisingly strong electronic coupling between its constituting diazaacene units., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The synthesis, properties and X-ray single-crystal structures of two regioisomeric triphenyl tristyrylbenzenes are reported. Both C 3v and C s derivatives display aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior. Regioisomerism impacts the solid-state intermolecular interactions, the photophysical characteristics and photostability in solution., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A bis(benzobuta)tetraazapentacene derivative was reduced to its radical anion and its dianion, using potassium [18]crown-6 anthracenide in THF. Both reduced species were characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy of the isolated species and by spectroelectrochemistry. Two distinct single-crystal structures of the dianion and an EPR spectrum of the radical anion were obtained. Contrary to other azaacenes, the lowest energy absorption in the UV/Vis spectrum of the dianion is redshifted in comparison to that of the neutral compound., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

This work reports the synthesis and characterization of bis- and tetrakis(thiadiazolo)-appended di- and tetraazaacenes, displaying up to seven catenated benzene/pyrazine rings. The targets are obtained by condensation of benzo-bis(thiadiazole)-4,5-dione with aromatic di- and tetraamines. The condensation products-up to a heptacene-like species-are stable but can be insoluble. Soluble derivatives are readily processible, but do not show enhanced electron affinities, as the two or four attached benzothiadiazole units are effectively resonance-separated from the acene body, maximizing the number of Clar-sextets., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A thiaazulenic quinone TAQ was synthesized and its optical and redox properties were investigated. The deep blue-colored compound is readily and reversibly reduced to the colorless anionic state. Electrochromic films were prepared and showed reversible switching behavior for the anodically coloring and NIR electrochromic material., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

1,4-Diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrroles (DPPs) constitute a class of hydrogen-bonded pigments covering a color range from yellow-orange to dark violet. We report facile dimerization of a Boc-substituted 3,6-dithienyl-DPP. The formed dimer shows brilliantly blue color as a result of the expansion of the chromophore. The soluble dimer acts as latent pigment and is converted to the corresponding pigment either via thermocleavage or acidic deprotection of the Boc groups. The synthesized pigment is characterized by high migrational stability in a polymer matrix and a clear blue color., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

We report the synthesis of processible (dihydro)pyracyclene- and acenaphthylene-substituted azaacenes using condensation reactions in solution. The targets are characterized via cyclic voltammetry, X-ray crystallography, UV/Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy and DFT/NICS calculations. Formal hydrogenation of the annulated five-membered ring surprisingly alters emission in the solid-state as a consequence of modulation of aromaticity and HOMO-LUMO overlap. Five highly fluorescent, crystalline azaacenes were investigated as emitters in organic light-emitting diodes, and their performance with respect to luminance and efficiency was compared to that of structurally related azaacenes., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Soluble butterfly-shaped tetraazapentacenes and tetraazaheptacenes were prepared by condensation or Stille coupling with a stannafluorene. The stability of the benzo-winged tetraazaheptacene is dramatically increased through the fourfold benzannulation, yet its acene character is retained to a significant extent., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Two TIPS-ethynylated dibromoacenes were used in a shotgun Yamamoto-reaction with 1,2-dibromobenzene or 4,5-dibromoveratrol. Four soluble benzononaphenes/benzoundecaphenes were isolated in satisfactory yields. Examples of tetracene- and pentacene-fused tetrabenzocyclooctatetraenes also isolated from this reaction are reported. All compounds were characterized by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray crystallography as well as DFT and NICS calculations., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The synthesis of bisalkynylated derivatives of tetrabenzo[a,c,p,r]heptacene and tetrabenzo[a,c,l,n]pentacene via two-/fourfold Stille reactions involving a 9-stannafluorene and suitable tetrabromoacenes is reported. These triphenylene-"winged" heptacenes are surprisingly stable and maintain a significant portion of the electronic properties of heptacenes., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

We synthesized conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) based on tetrakis(4-ethynylphenyl)stannane and diiodobenzene as tectons, using Sonogashira couplings under different conditions. Through variation of the reaction conditions (catalysts, bases and solvents), appearance, surface area and emission properties of the formed CMPs were significantly altered. Wet-chemical, acid-mediated digestion and analysis of the resulting struts of these otherwise insoluble networks give insight into the molecular setup., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Triphenylene units stabilize hexacenes as dibenzohexacenes. The hexacenes formed by a statistical Yamamoto coupling of dibromobenzene with dibromo-TIPS-pentacene or, alternatively, Stille coupling with dimethyldibenzostannole. UV/Vis spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations show that despite the double benzannulation, the species have hexacene-type character, as evidenced by their redshifted absorption characteristics. The charge carrier mobility of dibenzohexacene 1 a was determined up to 0.2 cm 2 /(Vs)., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The synthesis of soluble dibenzobarrelene-substituted azaacenes either by condensation reactions in solution or, more effectively, in the solid state by using a ball mill is reported herein. We relate their optical properties in thin films to their packing in the solid state. The targets are characterized by cyclic voltammetry, X-ray crystallography and UV/Vis and fluorescence analysis. Three highly fluorescent, amorphous azaacenes were processed into organic light-emitting diodes, and their improved performance (luminance, efficiency and efficacy) was compared with that of structurally related iptycene-based azaacenes., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The synthesis of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2,6-difluorophenyl)di(styryl)benzene by using a conventional synthetic sequence, including Diels-Alder and Horner reactions is reported. The target is an effective aggregation-induced emitter. It is photostable with respect to electrocyclization, due to the presence of the fluorine substituents. This compound undergoes photochemical trans/cis isomerization of its styryl double bonds., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The synthesis of five novel distyrylbenzene (DSB) derivatives, featuring a central tetraphenylbenzene core, is reported. The targets show aggregation-induced emission (AIE), which, however, is substituent-dependent. For the pure hydrocarbon and derivatives that do not carry (+M) or (-M) substituents, classic AIE behavior is observed, that is, the DSBs are non-fluorescent in solution, but are highly fluorescent in cold matrices, upon aggregate formation in poor solvents and in the solid, crystalline state. If aldehyde or dibutylamino groups are attached in the para-position of the DSB unit, non-classic AIE-phores result. These are fluorescent both in dilute solution as well as in the solid state. Prolonged irradiation of the targets leads to benzotetraphene derivatives by a double cyclization., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)