Large Non-planar Conjugated Molecule with Strong Intermolecular Interactions Achieved with Homoleptic Zn(II) Complex of Di(5-quinolylethynyl)-tetraphenylazadipyrromethene

Zinc­(II) complexes of tetraphenylazadipyrromethenes are potential non-planar n-type conjugated materials. To tune the properties, we installed 5-quinolylethynyl groups at the pyrrolic positions. Compared to the complex with 1-napthylethynyl, we found evidence for stronger intermolecular interactions in the new complex, including much higher overlap integrals in crystals. X-ray analysis revealed unconventional C–H···N hydrogen bonding between two quinolyls of neighboring molecules, pointing to a new strategy for the development of non-planar molecular semiconductors with stronger intermolecular interactions.