Synthetic Routes towards 2-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene and 1-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene for Molecular Electronics Applications

Electric current is known to flow through the π-bonds in oligothiophenes. In order to use them as molecular wires it is important to use a technique where the potential gradients can be generated and maintained in supramolecular networks. A solution to this problem can be the use of metal complexes as junction points within such a network. In this project pathways to synthesize 2-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene (1) and 1-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene (2) for use in molecular electronic devices have been investigated. 4-(5-Bromo-thiophen-2-yl)2,2’-bipyridine (3) was prepared via Kröhnke reaction from 3-(5-bromothiophene-2-yl)acrolein and 1-(2-Oxo-2-pyridine-2-yl-ethyl)-pyridinium iodide in an overall yield of 14 %. Several routes towards 2-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene (1) and 1-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene (2) were tested. Since the original planned pathway did not work, lack of time made it impossible to complete the series of experiments that were needed. The synthesis of 2-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene (1) is almost finished. Due to the solvation problems, after the decarboxylation step, the product could not be analyzed by 1H-NMR in a satisfactory manner. The product was sent for analysis. A number of experiments towards 1-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene (2) were tested but few of them worked as planned. There is a lot of work left to be done in the synthesis of this compound but the lack of time made it impossible. The chemistry that has been achieved is the synthesis of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione in the synthesis of 2-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene (1). The following Hinsberg thiophene synthesis probably worked but due to solvation problems the product could not be isolated. The final product after hydrolysis and decarboxylation of the remaining ester groups after the Hinsberg thiophene synthesis was tested but the results were difficult to confirm. In the synthesis of 1-thia-7,8-diaza-cyclopenta[l]phenanthrene (2) several attempts to make 3,4-diamino-N,N-diethyl-benzamide were made. The attack from the primary amines on the carbonyl carbon made it necessary to protect them. The attempt to synthesize 3,4-bis-acetylamino-N,N-diethyl-benzamide also failed, both the attempt directly from the carboxylic acid and through the acylchloride, even though the amines were protected.