The emergent intramolecular hydrogen bonding effect on the electronic structures of organic electron acceptors

A new strategy for controlling the electron-accepting ability of an anthraquinone (AQ)-based π-molecular system is proposed to take advantage of intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. The electron-accepting properties of AQ are enhanced by the introduction of bulky arylsulfonamide groups into AQ derivatives due to the formation of effective intramolecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding interaction and stabilization of the anion radical state even in solution.