TTF-Annulated Silicon Phthalocyanine Oligomers and Their External-Stimuli-Responsive Orientational Ordering

Orientational control of functional molecules is essential to create complex functionalities as seen in nature; however, such artificial systems have remained challenge. Herein, we have succeeded in controlling rotational isomerism of μ-oxo silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc) oligomers to achieve an external-stimuli-responsive orientational ordering using intermolecular interactions of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF). In this system, three modes of orientations, free rotation, eclipsed conformation, and staggered conformation, were interconverted in response to the oxidation states of TTF, which varied interactions from association due to formation of mixed-valence TTF dimer to dissociation due to electrostatic repulsion between TTF dications. Furthermore, a stable performance of oligomers as a cathode material in a Li-ion battery proved that the one-dimensionally stacked, rotatable structure of SiPc oligomers is useful to control the orientation of functional molecules toward molecular electronics.