Overcrowded 14,14′-Bidibenzo[a,j]anthracenes: Challenges in Syntheses and Atypical Property of Lacking Symmetry-Breaking Charge Transfer (SBCT)

14,14′-Bidibenzo[a,j]anthracenes (BDBAs) were prepared by iridium-catalyzed annulation of 5,5′-biterphenylene with alkynes. The molecular geometries of overcrowded BDBAs were verified by X-ray crystallography. The two dibenzo[a,j]anthryl moieties are connected through the sterically hindered 14 positions, resulting in highly distorted molecular halves. The conformation with a small twist angle between two molecular halves can minimize steric conflicts between the substituents at 1 and 13 positions and the carbon atoms of the central axis, as well as steric clashes between those substituents. One such example is octafluoro-substituted BDBA, where the interplanar angle between two anthryl moieties is approximately 31° (currently the lowest reported value, cf. 81° in 9,9′-bianthracene). The intramolecular interactions and electronic couplings between two molecular halves resulted in upfield ¹H NMR signals, redshifted absorption and emission bands, and a reduced HOMO–LUMO gap. Photodynamic investigations on BDBAs indicated that the formation of the conventional symmetry-breaking charge transfer (SBCT) state was suspended by restricted rocking around the central C−C bond. Such a mechanism associated with this highly constrained conformation was examined for the first time.