Triptycene-like naphthopleiadene as a readily accessible scaffold for supramolecular and materials chemistry

Triptycene derivatives are used extensively in supramolecular and materials chemistry, however, most are prepared using a multi-step synthesis involving the generation of a benzyne intermediate, which hinders production on a large scale. Inspired by the ease of the synthesis of resorcinarenes, we report the rapid and efficient preparation of triptycene-like 1,6,2',7'-tetrahydroxynaphthopleiadene directly from 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene and phthalaldehyde. Structural characterisation confirms the novel bridged bicyclic framework, within which the planes of the single benzene ring and two naphthalene units are fixed at an angle of ∼120° relative to each other. Other combinations of aromatic 1,2-dialdehydes and 2,7-disubstituted naphthalenes also provided similar triptycene-like products. The low cost of the precursors and undemanding reaction conditions allow for rapid multigram synthesis of 1,6,2',7'-tetrahydroxynaphthopleiadene, which is shown to be a useful precursor for making the parent naphthopleiadene hydrocarbon. The great potential for the use of the naphthopleiadene scaffold in supramolecular and polymer chemistry is demonstrated by the preparation of a rigid novel cavitand, a microporous network polymer, and a solution-processable polymer of intrinsic microporosity.