Shape-persistency and molecular function in heteromacrocycles: creation of heteroarenecyclynes and arene-azaarenecyclynes.

On the basis of our concept that the introduction of heteroatoms and shape-persistency into the pi-macrocycles should bring forth striking functions or properties, heteroarenecyclynes (such as oxaarenecyclynes and thiaarenecyclynes) with semi-shape-persistent structure, and arene-azaarenecyclynes with shape-persistent structure have been prepared. Their novel functions and characteristic properties are disclosed. Noteworthy is that heteroarenecyclynes include C(60) to provide a Saturn-type complex with a N(2) binding function. A simple member of the oxaarenecyclyne compounds undergoes the Ag(I)-induced cyclization leading to the quantitative formation of strongly luminescent perylene derivative. Arene-azaarenecyclynes are versatile compounds. For example, they exhibit intense luminescence in spite of the meta-bonding structure, providing the circular luminophore. Also they serve as receptors for special metal, organic, and inorganic substrates. The observed molecular functions are valuable for scientific and practical application.