Extended Quinolizinium-Fused Corannulene Derivatives: Synthesis and Properties

Reported here is the design and synthesis of a novel class of extended quinolizinium-fused corannulene derivatives with curved geometry. These intriguing molecules were synthesized through a rationally designed synthetic strategy, utilizing double Skraup–Doebner–Von Miller quinoline synthesis and a rhodium-catalyzed C–H activation/annulation (CHAA) as the key steps. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed a bowl depth of 1.28–1.50 Å and a unique “windmill-like” shape packing of 12a(2PF6–) due to the curvature and incorporation of two aminium ions. All of the newly reported curved salts exhibit green to orange fluorescence with enhanced quantum yields (Φf = 9–13%) and improved dispersibility compared to the pristine corannulene (Φf = 1%). The reduced optical energy gap and lower energy frontier orbital found by doping extended corannulene systems with nitrogen cations was investigated by UV–vis, fluorescence, and theoretical calculations. Electrochemical measurements reveal a greater electron-accepting behavior compared with that of their pyridine analogues. The successful synthesis, isolation, and evaluation of these curved salts provide a fresh perspective and opportunity for the design of cationic nitrogen-doped curved aromatic hydrocarbon-based materials.