Synthesis and Characterization of "Smart" Biaryl Sultines

Abstract

Biphenly-containing compounds, applicable to many nanoscience applications, such as sensors and molecular machines, can be imagined to exist in two states: non-planar or planar. Most biphenyl containing compounds have been known to exist at a dihedral angel of static equilibrium, making these two-states impossible to achieve. However, physical properties such as electron absorption, emission, and conductance are highly dependent on this angle. By synthesizing a reversible tethered sultine bridge, a switching mechanism can be implemented to achieve a two-state switch, and as a result, the fundamental properties of these compounds can be controlled. Thus, the goal of this study was twofold: a) the synthesis and characterization of a donor-acceptor biaryl compound containing a reversible tethered sultine bridge and b) the exploration of dihedral modulation via pH and UV-Vis spectroscopy.