Synthesis and redox properties of π-conjugated 4,5-diazafluorene derivatives incorporating 9-cyanomethylene moiety as an electron acceptor

We have synthesized π-conjugated acceptor-type molecules 3a–d containing a cyanomethylene unit as the electron acceptor site and a 4,5-diazafluorene ligand for metal complexation. In the crystal, the planar 3a molecules stack along the b axis in the head-to-tail fashion. Compound 3a shows distinctive electrochromism and its three differently colored redox states (dianion (32−), anion radical (3−), neutral (3)) exhibit remarkable stability.