Azulenoisoindigo: A Building Block for π-Functional Materials with Reversible Redox Behavior and Proton Responsiveness
<p>Azulene, one of representative nonbenzenoid aromatic hydrocarbons, exhibits unique molecular structure and distinctive physical and chemical properties. Herein, an azulene-based isoindigo analogue, azulenoisoindigo (<b>AzII</b>) is designed and synthesized, which has a twisted molecular backbone and R/S-isomers in single crystals. Interestingly, <b>AzII</b> shows the characteristics of both isoindigo and azulene, such as completely reversible redox behavior and reversible proton responsiveness. UV-vis-NIR, <sup>1</sup>H NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements were carried out to get insights into the possible mechanism of the proton-responsive property of <b>AzII</b>. The results demonstrated that only one azulenyl moiety of molecule of <b>AzII</b> was protonated and deprotonated, and the protonated <b>AzII</b> can be further oxidized to form azulenium cation radicals.</p>