Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Atropisomeric Tetraarylethenes: Design, Properties, and Applications

Abstract

Tetraarylethenes are important π-conjugated molecules with versatile applications in OLEDs, fluorescent probes, and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens. Access to chiral TAEs is largely limited to strategies relying on preinstalled chiral elements or post-synthetic resolution, restricting structural diversity and functional exploration. Herein, we report a CPA-catalysed atroposelective transfer hydrogenation enabling the direct construction of axially chiral TAEs via desymmetrization of TAE dialdehydes with anilines. This method features broad substrate scope, excellent enantioselectivity, and remarkable AIE properties. Our work provides a practical catalytic approach to access structurally diverse chiral TAEs, offering new opportunities for the development of functional chiral luminogens and optoelectronic materials.