Color changes cation substitution

Di(l-azulenyl)(6-azulenyl)methyl cation (24+) represented in Figure 17 exemplifies the cyanine-cyanine hybrid (20). Di(l-azulenyl)methylium unit in 24+ acts as a cyanine terminal group. The tropylium substructure stabilizes the cationic state (24+). Reduction of 24+ should afford the neutral radical 24, which is stabilized by capto-dative substitution effect, because 24 is substituted with azulenes in the donor and acceptor positions. The anionic state (24") is also stabilized by contribution of the cyclopentadienide substructure, which should exhibit the third color change in this system. 

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