Ask Not How Many, But Where They Are: Substituents
Control Energetic Ordering of Frontier Orbitals/Electronic Structures
in Isomeric Methoxy-Substituted Dibenzochrysenes
Redox
properties of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can
be modulated by substitution with electron-rich groups. Here we show,
using the example of dibenzo[g,p]chrysene (DBC), that substitution <i>position</i> (i.e., <i>meta</i> vs <i>para</i>) alters the energetic ordering of frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs),
leading to cation radicals with altered electronic structures and
thereby redox/optical properties. In particular, incorporation of
four methoxy groups in parent DBC at <i>meta</i> positions
similarly impacts the energies of phenanthrene-like HOMO and biphenyl-like
HOMO-1, while their incorporation at <i>para</i> position
swaps energetic ordering of HOMO and HOMO-1. We demonstrate that
a straightforward analysis of FMOs provides valuable insight toward
the rational design of novel PAHs with tailored redox properties