Facile Synthesis of 5,10,15-Hexaaryl Truxenes: Structure and Properties

A new synthesis of 5,10,15-hexaaryltruxene derivatives has been developed. Experimental observations and theoretical calculations confirmed that the presence of aryl substituents on the sp³-hybridized bridge carbon atoms had an effect on the photophysical properties of the truxene core. Interestingly, the cage compound 11 possessing a distorted truxene core was verified by X-ray diffraction analysis; the influence of the peripheral aryl substituents on the photophysical properties of the truxene core was diminished because of its molecular rigidity.