Hexaazaphenalene Derivatives: One-Pot Synthesis, Hydrogen-Bonded Chiral Helix, and Fluorescence Properties

Symmetric hexaazaphenalenes (R = phenyl and tert-butyl) have been synthesized by one-pot condensations of corresponding amidine hydrochlorides with tricyanomethanide. The hexaazaphenalenes are linked with each other by a N−H···N hydrogen-bonding interaction in the crystalline states. Interestingly, a planar and achiral tert-butylated derivative was crystallized in a chiral space group with assembly of one-handed helical hydrogen-bonded chains. Hexaazaphenalenyl anions were isolated as air- and water-stable tetraethyl ammonium salts.