A Macrocyclization of 1,8-Bis(dithiafulvenyl)pyrenes

Dithiafulvenyl (DTF) end groups were linked to the 1 and 8 positions of a pyrene core directly or via phenylene bridges to afford redox-active pyrene derivatives. Upon oxidation, the 1,8-bis­(DTF)­pyrene underwent stepwise electron transfers to form radical cation and dication species, whereas the phenylene-extended bis­(DTF)­pyrene derivative was cyclized into a macrocyclic trimer through sequential DTF oxidative coupling reactions in solution and in the solid state. The structural, electronic, and supramolecular properties of the pyrene-based macrocycle were investigated using various spectroscopic techniques and molecular modeling studies.