First oxidative coupling of cyclazine heterocycle via regioselective dimerization of 1,2-dicarbomethoxy-3-phenylcycl[3.2.2]azine: Synthesis, theoretical aspects and physicochemical studies

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 (λ_em = 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.