An Isosteric Triaza Analogue of a Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Monkey Saddle

Since a few years, the interest in negatively-curved fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has significantly increased. Recently, the first chiral negatively-curved PAH with the topology of a monkey saddle was introduced. Herein the synthesis of its triaza congener is reported. The influence of this CH↔N exchange on photophysical and electrochemical properties is studied as well as the isomerization process of the enantiomers. The aza analogue has a significantly higher inversion barrier, which makes it easier to handle at room temperature. All experimental results are underpinned by theoretical DFT calculations.