Direct synthesis of gold(<sc>iii</sc>)-annulated perylene diimides via multiple C-H aurations

GA1We present a direct synthesis of novel gold(iii)-annulated perylene diimides (Au-PDIs and Au-2-PDIs) from ortho-pyridyl-substituted PDIs, achieving facile auration of two or four C-H bonds in one pot. Au-2-PDI 12 (lambda(max) = 635 nm) emerged as the most red-shifted compound among all reported heteroannulated PDIs. Cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory calculations indicate degenerated LUMO levels and substantial narrowing of the HOMO-LUMO energy gaps. This synthetic strategy is expected to unlock the potential of diverse transition metal-annulated PDIs.