1,6- and 1,7-Regioisomers of Highly Soluble Amino-Substituted Perylene Tetracarboxylic Dianhydrides: Synthesis, Optical and Electrochemical Properties

Abstract

1,6- and 1,7-regioisomers of diamino-substituted perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydrides (PTCDs) with different n-alkyl chain lengths (n = 6, 12 or 18) were synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. These dyes are highly soluble in most organic solvents and even in nonpolar solvents, such as hexane. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs (2a–2c) have been obtained in pure form. The regioisomers 1a–1c (1,7-) and 2a–2c (1,6-) exhibit significant differences in their optical characteristics. In addition to the longest wavelength absorption band at around 674 nm, 2a–2c exhibit another shoulder band at ca. 600 nm, and consequently, cover a large part of the visible region relative to those of 1a–1c. Upon excitation, 2a–2c also show larger dipole moment changes than those of 1a–1c; the dipole moments of all compounds have been estimated using Lippert–Mataga equation. Moreover, all the dyes show a unique charge transfer emission in the near-infrared region, of which the peak wavelengths exhibit strong solvatochromism. They all exhibit one irreversible one-electron oxidation and two quasi-reversible one-electron reductions in dichloromethane at modest potentials. Complementary density functional theory calculations performed on these chromophores are reported in order to rationalize their electronic structure and optical properties.

1. Introduction

Perylene diimides (PDIs) and perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydrides (PTCDs) have received significant attention in both academic and industrial research due to the favorable combination of excellent thermal and photostability, reversible redox properties, ease of synthetic modification, high molar absorptivities and photoluminescence quantum yields [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. Due to these desirable attributes, PDIs and PTCDs have been used in a variety of applications in the field of organic electronics and optical devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) [17,18], organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) [19,20], photochromic materials [21,22], molecular wires [23,24], LCD color filters [25,26], light-harvesting arrays [27,28] and organic solar cells (OSCs) [29,30,31,32]. PDIs and PTCDs have also been utilized in many other applications such as artificial photosynthetic systems through controlled supramolecular architectures via intermolecular π-π stacking [33,34]. As a result, more and more PDI and PTCD derivatives with interesting properties have been reported in the literature [35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50].

PDIs and PTCDs suffer from serious problems, including aggregation and poor solubility. To overcome these drawbacks, several synthetic methods to prepare PDI and PTCD derivatives with improved solubility have been reported [43,44,47]. The synthesis of highly soluble PDIs and PTCDs is particularly important for process ability and for the preparation of their thin films to be used in organic electronics, such as OLEDs, OFETs and OSCs. Soluble PDI derivatives can be prepared by introducing long and bulky groups at the perylene core and/or at the imide nitrogen atoms, while soluble PTCD derivatives can only be obtained by introducing substituents at the perylene core. Thus, a number of 1,7-diamino-substituted PTCDs based on this method have been synthesized and studied so far [51,52,53,54]. However, to the best of our knowledge, the molecular structures, as well as the optical and electrochemical properties of 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs have not been reported yet. In an effort to expand the scope of highly soluble PTCD-based molecules available for designing systems for colorful dyes and photovoltaic cells, we herein report the detailed synthesis and characterization of 1,7- and 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs (1a–1c and 2a–2c), shown in Scheme 1. The optical, electrochemical and complementary density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the newly synthesized PTCD dyes are also investigated.

Scheme 1. The synthetic routes for 1–4.

Scheme 1. The synthetic routes for 1–4.

2. Experimental Section

2.1. General

The starting materials, including perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxyldianhydride, acetic acid, cyclohexylamine, cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN), tin (II) chloride dihydrate (SnCl₂.2H₂O), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), tetrahydrofuran (THF), sodium hydride (NaH), 1-iodohexane (C₆H₁₃I, n = 6), 1-iodododecane (C₁₂H₂₅I, n = 12), and 1-iodooctadecane (C₁₈H₃₇I, n = 18) were purchased from Merck (Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA), ACROS (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) and Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, MO, USA). Solvents were distilled freshly according to standard procedure. Column chromatography was performed using silica gel Merck Kieselgel si 60 (40–63 mesh). ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded in CDCl₃ on a Bruker 400 MHz NMR spectrometer (Bruker Corporation, Palo Alto, CA, USA). Mass spectra were recorded on a VG70-250S mass spectrometer (Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The absorption and emission spectra were measured using a Jasco V-570 UV-Vis spectrophotometer and Hitachi F-7000 fluorescence spectrophotometer (Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was performed with a CH instruments (CH INSTRUMENTS INC., Austin, TX, USA) at a potential rate of 200 mV·s⁻¹ in a 0.1 M solution of tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF₆) in dichloromethane. Platinum and Ag/AgNO₃ electrodes were used as counter and reference electrodes, respectively.

2.2. Synthesis

2.2.1. Synthesis of 1,7- and 1,6-Dinitroperylene Diimides (7 and 8)

Compound 9 (1.0 g, 1.8 mmol), CAN (4.8 g, 8.8 mmol), nitric acid (8.0 g, 131.1 mmol) and dichloromethane (250 mL) were stirred at 25 °C under N₂ for 48 h. The mixture was neutralized with 10% KOH and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. After solvent was removed, the crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography with eluent CH₂Cl₂ to afford a mixture of 1,7- and 1,6-dinitroperylene diimides, and ¹H-NMR (400 MHz) analysis revealed a 3:1 ratio. Separation of the 1,7 and 1,6 isomers was performed on a preparative HPLC system equipped with a refractive index detector and fitted with a macro-HPLC column (Si, 8 μm, 250 × 22 mm). The eluent was 8:1 hexane/ethyl acetate flowing at 12 mL·min⁻¹. Two fractions were collected from the column; the first was pure 1,6 isomer (R_f = 0.42, 242 mg, yield = 21%), and the second was pure 1,7 isomer (R_f = 0.38, 682 mg, yield = 59%). Characterization data: 7: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.78 (2H, s), 8.68 (2H, d, J = 8.4 Hz), 8.28 (2H, d, J = 8.4 Hz), 5.01 (2H, m), 2.51 (4H, m), 1.92 (4H, m), 1.74 (6H, m), 1.46 (4H, m), 1.36 (2H, m); MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 645 [M+H⁺, 100]; HRMS calcd. for C₃₆H₂₉O₈N₄ 645.1985, found 645.1977. Selected data for 8: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.78 (2H, s), 8.63 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 8.30 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 5.01 (2H, m), 2.52 (4H, m), 1.90 (4H, m), 1.74 (6H, m), 1.46 (4H, m), 1.36 (2H, m); MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 645 [M+H⁺, 100]; HRMS calculated for C₃₆H₂₉O₈N₄ 645.1985, found 645.1983.

2.2.2. Synthesis of 1,7- and 1,6-Diaminoperylene Diimides (5 and 6)

Tin (II) chloride dihydrate (1.0 g, 4.8 mmol), 1,7- or 1,6-dinitroperylene diimides (0.5 g, 0.8 mmol) were suspended in THF (50 mL), and stirred at 25 °C under N₂ for 20 min. The solvent was refluxed 80 °C with stirring for 6 h. THF is removed at the rotary evaporator, and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with 10% sodium hydroxide solution and brine. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous MgSO₄ and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography with eluent ethyl acetate/n-hexane (4/5) to afford 5 (6) in 82% (80%) yield. Characterization data: 5: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.90 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 8.25 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 8.14 (2H, s), 5.04, (2H, m), 4.94 (4H, s), 2.61 (4H, m), 1.93 (4H, m), 1.74 (6H, m), 1.36–1.54 (6H, m); MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 585 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₃₆H₃₃O₄N₄ 585.2502, found 585.2504. Selected data for 6: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.77 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 8.51 (2H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 7.85 (2H, s), 5.05 (2H, m), 4.98 (4H, s), 2.59 (4H, m), 1.92 (4H, m), 1.76 (6H, m), 1.27–1.56 (6H, m); MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 585 [M+H⁺, 100]; HRMS calcd. for C₃₆H₃₃O₄N₄ 585.2502, found 585.2508.

2.2.3. General Procedure for Alkylation (3a–3c and 4a–4c)

A mixture of solution of 1,7- or 1,6-diaminoperylene diimides (410 mg, 0.70 mmol), sodium hydride (97%, 200 mg, 8.00 mmol) and dry THF (60 mL) was stirred at 0 °C under N₂ for 30 min. Alkyl iodide (4.20 mmol) was then added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 8 h. The resulting mixture was diluted with 15 mL of water and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography with eluent ethyl acetate/n-hexane (1/2) to afford 3a (3b or 3c) or 4a (4b or 4c) in 75% yield. Characterization data: 3a: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.21 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 8.45 (s, 2H), 8.38 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 5.03, (m, 2H), 3.45 (m, 4H), 3.15 (m, 4H), 2.57 (m, 4H), 1.87 (m, 4H), 1.15–1.75 (m, 44H), 0.82 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 164.5, 164.2, 148.5, 135.4, 130.3, 128.2, 125.3, 124.3, 122.9, 122.7, 122.6, 121.1, 53.8, 52.5, 31.4, 29.1, 27.5, 26.9, 26.6, 25.5, 22.5, 13.9; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 921 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₆₀H₈₁O₄N₄ 921.6256, found 921.6250. Selected data for 3b: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.20 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.45 (s, 2H), 8.37 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 5.04, (m, 2H), 3.46 (m, 4H), 3.17 (m, 4H), 2.60 (m, 4H), 1.87 (m, 4H), 1.12–1.75 (m, 92H), 0.85 (t, J = 6.5 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 164.4, 164.1, 148.5, 135.3, 130.3, 128.1, 125.3, 124.2, 122.8, 122.7, 122.6, 121.1, 53.7, 52.4, 31.8, 29.5, 29.4, 29.2, 29.1, 29.0, 27.5, 27.2, 26.6, 25.5, 22.6, 14.0; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 1258 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₈₄H₁₂₉O₄N₄ 1258.0014, found 1258.0004. Selected data for 3c: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.19 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.45 (s, 2H), 8.38 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 5.04, (m, 2H), 3.45 (m, 4H), 3.15 (m, 4H), 2.60 (m, 4H), 1.87 (m, 4H), 1.14–1.74 (m, 140H), 0.86 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 164.5, 164.1, 148.5, 135.4, 130.3, 128.2, 125.3, 124.3, 122.9, 122.8, 122.7, 121.1, 53.8, 52.5, 31.9, 29.7, 29.5, 29.3, 29.2, 29.1, 27.5, 27.2, 26.6, 25.5, 22.7, 14.1; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 1595 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₁₀₈H₁₇₇O₄N₄ 1595.3803, found 1595.3815. Selected data for 4a: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.40 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 8.55 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 8.32 (s, 2H), 5.06, (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 4H), 3.01 (m, 4H), 2.57 (m, 4H), 1.90 (m, 4H), 1.15–1.77 (m, 44H), 0.78 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 164.5, 164.3, 151.0, 135.8, 131.9, 130.9, 128.9, 128.0, 123.7, 123.2, 123.1, 123.0, 120.3, 54.0, 53.6, 52.8, 31.5, 29.2, 29.1, 27.3, 26.9, 26.6, 25.5, 22.5, 13.9; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 921 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₆₀H₈₁O₄N₄ 921.6256, found 921.6247. Selected data for 4b: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.38 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 8.55 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 8.32 (s, 2H), 5.04, (m, 2H), 3.34 (m, 4H), 3.01 (m, 4H), 2.58 (m, 4H), 1.87 (m, 4H), 1.10–1.77 (m, 92H), 0.85 (t, J = 6.5 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 164.4, 164.2, 151.0, 135.8, 131.9, 130.9, 128.9, 128.0, 123.7, 123.1, 123.0, 120.3, 54.0, 53.6, 52.7, 31.9, 29.6, 29.5, 29.3, 29.1, 27.4, 27.3, 26.6, 25.5, 22.7, 14.1; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 1258 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₈₄H₁₂₉O₄N₄ 1258.0014, found 1258.0001. Selected data for 4c: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.38 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 8.55 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.32 (s, 2H), 5.01, (m, 2H), 3.35 (m, 4H), 3.01 (m, 4H), 2.53 (m, 4H), 1.90 (m, 4H), 1.13–1.77 (m, 140H), 0.86 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 164.4, 164.2, 151.0, 135.8, 134.2, 131.9, 130.8, 129.4, 128.8, 128.0, 123.7, 123.1, 123.0, 120.3, 54.0, 53.6, 52.7, 31.9, 29.6, 29.5, 29.4, 29.3, 29.2, 27.3 27.2, 22.6, 14.1; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 1595 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₁₀₈H₁₇₇O₄N₄ 1595.3803, found 1595.3813.

2.2.4. General Procedure for Saponification (1a–1c and 2a–2c)

1,7- or 1,6-dialkylaminoperylene diimides (0.27 mmol) was taken in 2-propanol (30 mL) and subsequently KOH (1.9 g, 33.8 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred under N₂ at reflux for 4 h. After being cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was poured into acetic acid (50 mL) and stirred overnight. The resulting green precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with water and methanol, and dried. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography with eluent CH₂Cl₂ to afford 1a (1b or 1c) or 2a (2b or 2c) in 75% yield. Characterization data: 1a: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.01 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 8.44 (s, 2H), 8.37 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.46 (m, 4H), 3.14 (m, 4H), 1.55 (m, 8H), 1.19 (m, 24H), 0.76 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 160.8 160.1, 149.0, 136.5, 130.9, 130.0, 127.1, 126.3, 123.0, 122.7, 118.5, 116.7, 52.6, 31.4, 27.6, 26.8, 22.4, 13.9; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 759 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₄₈H₅₉O₆N₂ 759.4373, found 759.4381. Selected data for 1b: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.95 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 8.42 (s, 2H), 8.34 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 3.45 (m, 4H), 3.12 (m, 4H), 1.60 (m, 10H), 1.12–1.25 (m, 70H), 0.87 (t, J = 5.4 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 160.7 160.0, 148.9, 136.3, 130.8, 129.9, 127.0, 126.2, 122.8, 122.5, 118.4, 116.6, 52.5, 31.8, 29.6, 29.5, 29.4, 29.3, 29.2, 27.6, 27.1, 22.6, 14.0; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 1095 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₇₂H₁₀₇O₆N₂ 1095.8129, found 1095.8115. Selected data for 1c: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.01 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 8.45 (s, 2H), 8.38 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 3.46 (m, 4H), 3.14 (m, 4H), 1.57 (m, 10H), 1.15–1.22 (m, 118H), 0.85 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 160.8, 160.1, 148.9, 136.5, 130.9, 130.0, 127.1, 126.3, 123.0, 122.7, 118.5, 116.8, 52.6, 31.9, 29.7, 29.5, 29.4, 29.3, 29.2, 27.6, 27.2, 22.7, 14.1; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 1433 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₉₆H₁₅₅O₆N₂ 1433.1919, found 1433.1903. Selected data for 2a: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.20 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.58 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.31 (s, 2H), 3.40 (m, 4H), 3.01 (m, 4H), 1.64 (m, 4H), 1.48 (m, 4H), 1.13–1.17 (m, 24H), 0.82 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 160.6 160.5, 151.8, 137.1, 133.0, 132.5, 131.6, 128.5, 125.1, 123.0, 122.8, 121.6, 119.2, 115.6, 52.8, 31.4, 27.5, 26.8, 22.5, 13.9; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 759 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₄₈H₅₉O₆N₂ 759.4373, found 759.4379. Selected data for 2b: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.20 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.58 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.31 (s, 2H), 3.39 (m, 4H), 3.02 (m, 4H), 1.65 (m, 4H), 1.59 (m, 4H), 1.13–1.17 (m, 72H), 0.82 (t, J = 5.4 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 160.5, 160.4, 151.9, 137.1, 133.0, 132.5, 131.6, 128.5, 125.1, 123.0, 122.8, 121.6, 119.2, 115.7, 52.8, 31.9, 29.6, 29.5, 29.4, 29.3, 27.5, 27.2, 22.6, 14.1; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 1095 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₇₂H₁₀₇O₆N₂ 1095.8129, found 1095.8113. Selected data for 2c: ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 9.20 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 8.58 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 8.31 (s, 2H), 3.39 (m, 4H), 3.00 (m, 4H), 1.47–1.60 (m, 8H), 1.14–1.21 (m, 120H), 0.84 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 12H); ¹³C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 160.5, 160.4, 151.8, 137.1, 132.9, 132.4, 131.5, 128.5, 125.0, 122.9, 122.7, 121.6, 119.1, 115.6, 52.7, 31.9, 29.6, 29.5, 29.4, 29.3, 29.2, 29.1, 27.5, 27.1, 22.6, 14.1; MS (FAB): m/z (relative intensity) 1433 (M+H⁺, 100); HRMS calcd. for C₉₆H₁₅₅O₆N₂ 1433.1919, found 1433.1905.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Synthesis

Scheme 1 shows the chemical structures and synthetic routes of 1,7- and 1,6-dialkylamino-substituted PTCDs (1a–1c and 2a–2c). The synthesis of 1a–1c and 2a–2c started from a dinitration of perylene diimide 9 [48], giving dinitroperylene diimides in 80% yield. Among the products, a 3:1 mixture of regioisomers (nitrated at the 1,7- or 1,6-positions) was observed by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy [48]. The regioisomeric 1,7- and 1,6-dinitroperylene diimides (7 and 8) can be separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subsequently, the reduction of 7 (8) by tin (II) chloride dihydrate (SnCl₂.2H₂O) in refluxing THF obtained 5 (6). Next, three highly soluble alkylamino-substituted PDI derivatives 3a–3c (4a–4c) with different N-alkyl chain lengths (n-C₆H₁₃, n-C₁₂H₂₅ or n-C₁₈H₃₇) were prepared by the alkylation of 5 (6) with the corresponding alkyl halides. Finally, alkylamino-substituted PDIs 3a–3c (4a–4c) were converted to the respective PTCDs via saponification to afford 1a–1c (2a–2c). Detailed synthetic procedures and product characterization are provided in the Experimental Section and Supplementary Materials (Figures S1–S24).

Figure 1. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) partial spectra of regioisomerically pure perylene bisimides 3a (bottom) and 4a (top).

Figure 1. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) partial spectra of regioisomerically pure perylene bisimides 3a (bottom) and 4a (top).

It is to be noted that the characteristic signals of the regioisomers 3a (1,7-) and 4a (1,6-) in the ¹H NMR spectra (Figure 1), one singlet and two doublets of perylene core protons, exhibit significant differences in the chemical shift values (0.18 and 0.19 ppm for the doublets at 8.30–9.40). The aromatic signals for 3a (1,7-) appear in different order (doublet, singlet, doublet) compared to that of 4a (1,6-) (doublet, doublet, singlet). This different pattern of appearance of singlet and doublets makes them easily recognizable by 400 MHz ¹H-NMR. More importantly, a convenient unequivocal assignment of the NMR spectrum to the individual regioisomers 3a (1,7-) and 4a (1,6-) was performed on the basis of the signal of methine protons next to the imide nitrogen at 5.04 ppm. Because of the same chemical environment, both two methine protons of major regioisomer 3a (1,7-) appear as one common multiplet at 5.04 ppm, but the signal splits into double multiplets for minor regioisomer 4a (1,6-). In this way, an unambiguous characterization has been made successfully on the basis of 400 MHz ¹H NMR.

3.2. Optical Properties

Figure 2 shows the steady state absorption spectra of the green dyes 1a and 3a, the blue dyes 2a, 4a, 5, and 6, and the red dyes 7 and 8 in dichloromethane. The spectra of 1b, 1c, 2b, and 2c can be found in the Supplementary Materials (Figures S25–S28). The absorption spectra of 1,7- and 1,6-dinitroperylene diimides (7 and 8) are nearly identical with the spectrum of the non-substituted perylene diimide (9), but they are non-fluorescent [48]. The reduction of 7 (8) to 5 (6) switches the substituents from strong electron-withdrawing nitro groups to electron-donating amino groups and causes a significant red shift [42]. The spectra of 1–6 are dominated by very broad absorption bands that cover a large part of the visible spectrum (300–800 nm). These broad bands are typical for perylene diimide (dianhydride) derivatives N-substituted at the bay-core positions, due to charge transfer absorption [43]. The longest wavelength absorption band of 1,7- and 1,6-diaminoperylene diimides (5 and 6) is red-shifted relative to that of 1,7- and 1,6-dinitroperylene diimides (7 and 8), but it is blue-shifted relative to that of 1,7- and 1,6-dialkylaminoperylene diimides (3 and 4). It appears that the inductive effect of the alkyl groups in 3 and 4 causes an additional red shift. The regioisomers 1a–1c (1,7-) and 2a–2c (1,6-) exhibit significant differences in their optical characteristics. In addition to the longest wavelength absorption band at around 674 nm, 2a–2c exhibit another shoulder band at ca. 600 nm, and consequently, cover a large part of the visible region relative to those of 1a–1c. Further careful examination of the absorption spectra of 1,6-disubstituted (2, 4 and 6) and 1,7-disubstituted PDIs and PTCDs (1, 3 and 5) also reveals that 1,6-disubstituted PDIs and PTCDs (2, 4 and 6) cover a larger portion of the visible region (450–800 nm) compared to those of the corresponding 1,7-disubstituted PDIs and PTCDs (1, 3 and 5). Interestingly, the longest wavelength absorption band of 1a (1,7-) is 41 nm red-shifted relative to that of 2a (1,6-); the decrease in the energy band gap is attributed to an increase in the HOMO energy level (vide infra). In addition, the longest wavelength absorption band of 1a–1c and 2a–2c exhibits a red shift when the solvent polarity increases (Table 1 and Table 2 and Figures S29 and S30), which is consistent with previous studies [43].

Figure 2. Normalized absorption spectra of 1a–4a and 5–8 in dichloromethane solution.

Figure 2. Normalized absorption spectra of 1a–4a and 5–8 in dichloromethane solution.

Table 1. Summary of optical absorption and emission properties of 1a–1c in various solvents.

1a/1b/1c	λabs (nm) a	log ε b	λem (nm) a	Stokes shift (nm)	Φ c × 102
cyclohexane	678/679/679	4.67/4.66/4.64	717/716/716	39/37/37	4.31/3.71/3.32
diethyl ether	683/686/686	4.67/4.66/4.64	732/733/732	49/47/46	0.52/0.51/0.62
ethyl acetate	698/698/699	4.67/4.66/4.64	753/753/755	55/55/56	0.14/0.13/0.12
dichloromethane	713/714/714	4.68/4.67/4.65	775/771/773	59/57/58	0.13/0.24/0.26
acetonitrile	714/714/713	4.66/4.66/4.64	794/792/791	80/78/78	0.11/0.15/0.16

^a Measured at 2 × 10⁻⁵ M; ^b ε stands for extinction coefficient (in M⁻¹·cm⁻¹); ^c Determined with N,N’-dioctyl-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide as reference [42].

Table 1. Summary of optical absorption and emission properties of 1a–1c in various solvents.

1a/1b/1c	λabs (nm) a	log ε b	λem (nm) a	Stokes shift (nm)	Φ c × 102
cyclohexane	678/679/679	4.67/4.66/4.64	717/716/716	39/37/37	4.31/3.71/3.32
diethyl ether	683/686/686	4.67/4.66/4.64	732/733/732	49/47/46	0.52/0.51/0.62
ethyl acetate	698/698/699	4.67/4.66/4.64	753/753/755	55/55/56	0.14/0.13/0.12
dichloromethane	713/714/714	4.68/4.67/4.65	775/771/773	59/57/58	0.13/0.24/0.26
acetonitrile	714/714/713	4.66/4.66/4.64	794/792/791	80/78/78	0.11/0.15/0.16

^a Measured at 2 × 10⁻⁵ M; ^b ε stands for extinction coefficient (in M⁻¹·cm⁻¹); ^c Determined with N,N’-dioctyl-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide as reference [42].

Table 2. Summary of optical absorption and emission properties of 2a–2c in various solvents.

2a/2b/2c	λabs (nm) a	ε b (M−1·cm−1)	λem (nm) a	Stokes shift (nm)	Φ c × 103
cyclohexane	632/632/633	4.69/4.69/4.68	721/721/719	89/89/86	2.28/2.87/2.86
diethyl ether	634/639/641	4.69/4.69/4.68	735/736/732	101/97/91	0.48/0.38/0.65
ethyl acetate	652/649/653	4.69/4.68/4.68	760/755/757	108/106/101	0.27/0.32/0.40
dichloromethane	672/671/674	4.70/4.69/4.67	791/787/792	119/116/118	0.20/0.18/0.23
acetonitrile	667/671/670	4.69/4.68/4.67	800/799/799	133/128/129	0.15/0.17/0.19

^a Measured at 2 × 10⁻⁵ M; ^b ε stands for extinction coefficient (in M⁻¹·cm⁻¹); ^c Determined with N,N’-dioctyl-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide as reference [42].

Table 2. Summary of optical absorption and emission properties of 2a–2c in various solvents.

2a/2b/2c	λabs (nm) a	ε b (M−1·cm−1)	λem (nm) a	Stokes shift (nm)	Φ c × 103
cyclohexane	632/632/633	4.69/4.69/4.68	721/721/719	89/89/86	2.28/2.87/2.86
diethyl ether	634/639/641	4.69/4.69/4.68	735/736/732	101/97/91	0.48/0.38/0.65
ethyl acetate	652/649/653	4.69/4.68/4.68	760/755/757	108/106/101	0.27/0.32/0.40
dichloromethane	672/671/674	4.70/4.69/4.67	791/787/792	119/116/118	0.20/0.18/0.23
acetonitrile	667/671/670	4.69/4.68/4.67	800/799/799	133/128/129	0.15/0.17/0.19

^a Measured at 2 × 10⁻⁵ M; ^b ε stands for extinction coefficient (in M⁻¹·cm⁻¹); ^c Determined with N,N’-dioctyl-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide as reference [42].

The fluorescence spectra of 1,7- and 1,6-dialkylamino-substituted PDIs (3a and 4a) and PTCDs (1a and 2a) in dichloromethane are shown in Figure 3; they all emit in the near-infrared region. Unlike the small shift in absorption spectra, the fluorescence spectra of 1–4 are largely red-shifted if there is any increase of the solvent polarity (Table 1 and Table 2, Table S1 and S2), which indicates strong intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) characteristics for the excited states of 1–4 (Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure S31–S34). For instance, the shift of the emission peak of 1a is 77 nm from cyclohexane (717 nm) to acetonitrile (794 nm), and that of 2a is 79 nm. We used the well-established fluorescence solvatochromic shift method [55] to measure the stabilization of the excited states of 1a–4a. The change of magnitudes for dipole moments between ground and excited states, i.e., $\text{Δ}\mu =|\overrightarrow{{\mu }_e}-\overrightarrow{{\mu }_g}|$, can be calculated by the Lippert–Mataga equation and expressed as:

$${\overline{\upsilon }}_a-{\overline{\upsilon }}_f=\frac{2}{hc}{\left({\mu }_e-{\mu }_g\right)}^2{a_0}^{-3}\text{Δ}f+const.$$

(1)

where h is the Planck constant, c is the speed of light, and $a_0$ denotes the cavity radius in which the solute resides, ${\overline{\upsilon }}_a-{\overline{\upsilon }}_f$ is the Stokes shift of the absorption and emission peak maximum, and $\text{Δ}f$ is the orientation polarizability defined as:

$$\text{Δ}f=f\left(\epsilon \right)-f\left(n^2\right)=\frac{\epsilon -1}{2\epsilon +1}-\frac{n^2-1}{2n^2+1}$$

(2)

where ε and n are the static dielectric constant and the refractive index of the solvent, respectively. The plot of the Stokes shift ${\overline{\upsilon }}_a-{\overline{\upsilon }}_f$ as a function of $\text{Δ}f$ is sufficiently linear for 1a–4a (Figure 6). Accordingly, $\text{Δ}\mu =|\overrightarrow{{\mu }_e}-\overrightarrow{{\mu }_g}|$ values can be estimated as 7.7 D, 11.7 D, 7.9 D, and 12.7 D for 1a–4a. The results show that 1,6-disubstituted PDIs and PTCDs (2 and 4) have larger dipole moment changes than those of the corresponding 1,7-disubstituted PDIs and PTCDs (1 and 3).

Figure 3. Normalized emission spectra of 1a–4a in dichloromethane solution.

Figure 3. Normalized emission spectra of 1a–4a in dichloromethane solution.

Figure 4. Normalized emission spectra of 1a in cyclohexane (black line), diethyl ether (blue line), ethyl acetate (olive line), dichloromethane (pink line), and acetonitrile (red line).

Figure 4. Normalized emission spectra of 1a in cyclohexane (black line), diethyl ether (blue line), ethyl acetate (olive line), dichloromethane (pink line), and acetonitrile (red line).

Figure 5. Normalized emission spectra of 2a in cyclohexane (black line), diethyl ether (blue line), ethyl acetate (olive line), dichloromethane (pink line), and acetonitrile (red line).

Figure 5. Normalized emission spectra of 2a in cyclohexane (black line), diethyl ether (blue line), ethyl acetate (olive line), dichloromethane (pink line), and acetonitrile (red line).

Figure 6. Lippert–Mataga plots for 1a (olive line), 2a (blue line), 3a (green line), and 4a (cyan line). The solvents from left to right are (1) cyclohexane, (2) diethyl ether, (3) ethyl acetate, (4) dichloromethane, (5) acetonitrile.

Figure 6. Lippert–Mataga plots for 1a (olive line), 2a (blue line), 3a (green line), and 4a (cyan line). The solvents from left to right are (1) cyclohexane, (2) diethyl ether, (3) ethyl acetate, (4) dichloromethane, (5) acetonitrile.

3.3. Quantum Chemistry Computation

To gain more insight into the molecular structures and electronic properties of 1,7- and 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs (1a–1c and 2a–2c), quantum chemical calculations were performed using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G^** level. Figure 7 depicts the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) of 1a and 2a. The HOMO of both 1a and 2a is delocalized mainly on the amino group and the perylene core, while the LUMO is extended from the central perylene core to the dianhydride groups. Table 3 summarizes the calculated and experimental parameters for perylene bisimide derivatives 1a–1c and 2a–2c. One can clearly see that the HOMO energy levels of 1a–1c are slightly higher than those of 2a–2c. The results demonstrate that the removal of one electron from 2a–2c (1,6-) is more difficult in comparison to 1a–1c (1,7-), which is consistent with the experimental results (vied infra). Moreover, the calculated HOMO–LUMO band gap energies of 1a–1c and 2a–2c are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Figure 7. Calculated frontier orbitals for 1a and 2a. The upper structures show the LUMOs and the lower ones show the HOMOs. Methyl groups replace the hexyl groups for clarity.

Figure 7. Calculated frontier orbitals for 1a and 2a. The upper structures show the LUMOs and the lower ones show the HOMOs. Methyl groups replace the hexyl groups for clarity.

DFT calculations also indicate that the ground-state geometries of the perylene core have different core twist angles (Figure 8 and Table 3), i.e., approximate dihedral angles between the two naphthalene subunits attached to the central benzene ring; these are ~17.21° and ~17.30° for 1a, ~17.23° and ~17.33° for 1b, ~17.26° and ~17.35° for 1c, ~19.36° and ~19.56° for 2a, ~19.38° and ~19.59° for 2b and ~19.41° and ~19.61° for 2c. As a whole, the core twist angles of the 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs (2a–2c) are slightly larger than those of the 1,7-diamino-substituted PTCDs (1a–1c).

Figure 8. DFT (B3LYP/6-31G**) geometry-optimized structures of 1a (b); and 2a (a) shown with view along the long axis. Methyl groups replace the hexyl groups for clarity.

Figure 8. DFT (B3LYP/6-31G**) geometry-optimized structures of 1a (b); and 2a (a) shown with view along the long axis. Methyl groups replace the hexyl groups for clarity.

Table 3. Calculated and experimental parameters for 1,7- and 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs.

Compound	HOMO a	LUMO a	Eg a	Eg b	Twisting angle (°) a
1a	−5.63	−3.52	2.11	1.83	17.21, 17.30
1b	−5.62	−3.52	2.10	1.83	17.23, 17.33
1c	−5.62	−3.52	2.10	1.83	17.26, 17.35
2a	−5.70	−3.51	2.19	1.96	19.36, 19.56
2b	−5.70	−3.51	2.19	1.96	19.38, 19.59
2c	−5.69	−3.51	2.18	1.96	19.41, 19.61

^a Calculated by DFT/B3LYP (in eV); ^b At absorption maxima (E_g = 1240/λ_max, in eV).

Table 3. Calculated and experimental parameters for 1,7- and 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs.

Compound	HOMO a	LUMO a	Eg a	Eg b	Twisting angle (°) a
1a	−5.63	−3.52	2.11	1.83	17.21, 17.30
1b	−5.62	−3.52	2.10	1.83	17.23, 17.33
1c	−5.62	−3.52	2.10	1.83	17.26, 17.35
2a	−5.70	−3.51	2.19	1.96	19.36, 19.56
2b	−5.70	−3.51	2.19	1.96	19.38, 19.59
2c	−5.69	−3.51	2.18	1.96	19.41, 19.61

^a Calculated by DFT/B3LYP (in eV); ^b At absorption maxima (E_g = 1240/λ_max, in eV).

3.4. Electrochemical Properties

The cyclic voltammograms of 1,7- and 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs (1a and 2a) are illustrated in Figure 9. Both show one irreversible one-electron oxidation and two quasi-reversible one-electron reductions in dichloromethane. The one-electron oxidation of 1a occurs at 0.95 V, whereas for 2a, the first oxidation is slightly shifted to more positive values by 0.08 V. The results clearly indicate that the removal of one electron from 2a (1,6-) is more difficult in comparison to 1a (1,7-); these findings are in good agreement with previous reports [37]. Table 4 summarizes the redox potentials and the HOMO and LUMO energy levels estimated from cyclic voltammetry (CV) for 1a–1c and 2a–2c. The HOMO/LUMO energy levels of 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, and 2c estimated to be −5.56/−3.73, −5.55/−3.72, −5.54/−3.71, −5.64/−3.68, −5.63/−3.67, and −5.63/−3.67 eV, respectively. The HOMO–LUMO energy gaps of 1a–1c (2a–2c) are found to be almost the same, which indicates that different N-alkyl chain lengths do not significantly affect the band gap energies.

Figure 9. The cyclic voltammograms of 1a (olive line) and 2a (blue line) measured in dichloromethane solution with ferrocenium/ferrocene as an internal standard, at 200 mV·s⁻¹.

Figure 9. The cyclic voltammograms of 1a (olive line) and 2a (blue line) measured in dichloromethane solution with ferrocenium/ferrocene as an internal standard, at 200 mV·s⁻¹.

Table 4. Summary of half-wave redox potentials, HOMO and LUMO energy levels for 1,7- and 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs.

Compound	E+1/2 a	E-1/2 a	E2-1/2 a	HOMO b	LUMO b
1a	0.95	−0.80	−1.02	−5.56	−3.73
1b	0.94	−0.81	−1.03	−5.55	−3.72
1c	0.93	−0.83	−1.03	−5.54	−3.71
2a	1.03	−0.81	−1.01	−5.64	−3.68
2b	1.02	−0.82	−1.02	−5.63	−3.67
2c	1.02	−0.83	−1.03	−5.63	−3.67

^a Measured in a solution of 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF₆) in dichloromethane versus SCE (in V); ^b Calculated from E_HOMO = −4.88 − (E_oxd − E_Fc/Fc+), E_LUMO = E_HOMO + E_g.

Table 4. Summary of half-wave redox potentials, HOMO and LUMO energy levels for 1,7- and 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs.

Compound	E+1/2 a	E-1/2 a	E2-1/2 a	HOMO b	LUMO b
1a	0.95	−0.80	−1.02	−5.56	−3.73
1b	0.94	−0.81	−1.03	−5.55	−3.72
1c	0.93	−0.83	−1.03	−5.54	−3.71
2a	1.03	−0.81	−1.01	−5.64	−3.68
2b	1.02	−0.82	−1.02	−5.63	−3.67
2c	1.02	−0.83	−1.03	−5.63	−3.67

^a Measured in a solution of 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF₆) in dichloromethane versus SCE (in V); ^b Calculated from E_HOMO = −4.88 − (E_oxd − E_Fc/Fc+), E_LUMO = E_HOMO + E_g.

3.5. Stacking Behaviors of Dyes in Solution and Solid State

Figure 10 shows the absorption spectra recorded for thin drop-cast films of 1a and 2a. The shapes of the absorption spectra of 1a and 2a in solution (Figure 2) and in solid state are found to be virtually the same in view of wavelength range (300–800 nm) and peak positions, which demonstrates that it is difficult for 1a and 2a to form π-aggregates. Therefore, we can ascertain that the long alkyl chains not only largely increases the solubility of 1,7- and 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs (1 and 2), but also efficiently reduces intermolecular contact and aggregation.

Figure 10. Normalized absorption spectra of 1a and 2a in neat film.

Figure 10. Normalized absorption spectra of 1a and 2a in neat film.

4. Conclusions

We have successfully synthesized 1,7- and 1,6-diamino-substituted perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydrides (PTCDs) with different n-alkyl chain lengths (1a–1c and 2a–2c). The dyes are soluble in most organic solvents and even in nonpolar solvents, such as hexane. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the 1,6-diamino-substituted PTCDs (2a–2c) have been obtained in pure form. Our studies have also shown that the 1,7- and 1,6-isomers can readily be characterized by 400 MHz ¹H NMR. The regioisomers 1a–1c (1,7-) and 2a–2c (1,6-) exhibit significant differences in their optical characteristics. In addition to the longest wavelength absorption band at around 674 nm, 2a–2c exhibit another shoulder band at ca. 600 nm, and consequently, cover a large part of the visible region relative to those of 1a–1c. Upon excitation, 2a–2c also show larger dipole moment changes than those of 1a–1c; the dipole moments of all compounds have been estimated using Lippert–Mataga equation. All of the compounds 1a–1c and 2a–2c show a unique charge transfer emission in the near-infrared region, of which the peak wavelengths exhibit strong solvatochromism. Additionally, they undergo one irreversible one-electron oxidation and two quasi-reversible one-electron reductions in dichloromethane at modest potentials. Research on their applications to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is currently in progress.