Greenish metal-lustrous organic crystals formed from 1-aryl-2-(2-thienyl)-5-(5-tricyanoethenyl-2-furyl)pyrroles

On the treatment of 1-aryl-2-(2-furyl)-5-(2-thienyl)pyrroles with tetracyanoethylene, 1-aryl-2-(2-thienyl)-5-(5-tricyanoethenyl-2-furyl)pyrroles were produced. These compounds formed crystals with greenish metallic luster. In their solid-state UV–vis–NIR diffuse reflection–absorption spectra, absorption band corresponding to metallic reflection spreads in the range of 550–900 nm. Furthermore, strong absorption appeared below 520–540 nm. This absorption results in the appearance of green color. Single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed the crystal structure of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)-5-(5-tricyanoethenyl-2-furyl)pyrrole (2c). The distinct features of the crystal structure are as follows: (1) the thiophene–pyrrole–furan–tricyanoethenyl π-system is approximately flat; (2) the conformational relation between the pyrrole ring and the furan ring is anti, that is, these rings are pointing in opposite directions and the dihedral angle of N–C–C–O=180°; (3) as a result, the tricyanoethenyl group is far from the 4-methoxyphenyl group; (4) the molecules of 2c are arranged in a ribbon structure; (5) the ribbons are assembled side-by-side to form a terraced layer; (6) the layers stack so that the π-orbitals of 2c become close to each other.

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