This thesis focuses on the chemical concept of conjugation, i.e., electron delocalization, and the effect it has on electronic and optical properties of molecules. The emphasis is on electron delocalization across a saturated σ-bonded segment, and in our studies these segments are either inserted between π-conjugated moieties or joined together to form longer chains. The electronic and optical properties of these compounds are probed and compared to those of traditionally π-conjugated compounds. The investigations utilize a combination of qualitative chemical bonding theories, quantum chemical calculations, chemical syntheses and different spectroscopic methods.

Herein, it is revealed that a saturated σ-bonded segment inserted between two π-systems can have optical and electronic properties similar to a cross-conjugated compound when substituents with heavy Group 14 elements (Si, Ge or Sn) are attached to the central atom. We coined the terminology cross-hyperconjugation for this interaction, and have shown it by both computational and spectroscopic means. This similarity is also found in cyclic compounds, for example in the 1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-dienes, as we reveal that there is a cyclic aspect of cross-hyperconjugation. Cross-hyperconjugation can further also be found in smaller rings such as siloles and cyclopentadienes, and we show on the similarities between these and their cross-π-conjugated analogues, the fulvenes. Here, this concept is combined with that of excited state aromaticity and the electronic properties of these systems are rationalized in terms of “aromatic chameleon” effects. We show that the optical properties of these systems can be rationally tuned and predicted through the choice of substituents and knowledge about the aromaticity rules in both ground and excited states.

We computationally examine the relation between conjugation and conductance and reveal that oligomers of 1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-dienes and related analogues can display molecular cord properties. The conductance through several σ-conjugated silicon compounds were also examined and show that mixed silicon and carbon bicyclo[2.2.2]octane compounds do not provide significant benefits over the open-chain oligosilanes. However, cyclohexasilanes, a synthetic precursor to the bicyclic compounds, displayed conformer-dependent electronic structure variations that were not seen for cyclohexanes. This allowed for computational design of a mechanically activated conductance switch.

Nowadays π-conjugated molecules are widely used as materials for devices in organic and molecular electronics. This is due to the ability of such molecules to conduct electricity. However, π-conjugation leads to molecular rigidness and associated lower solubility, which limits possible applications. Meanwhile, there are other types of conjugation that do not cause molecular rigidness but still provide conductivity. One of them is so called hyperconjugation. While π-conjugation involves only p atomic orbitals, hyperconjugation is characterized by interaction of π and σ orbitals. Hyperconjugation is normally weaker than π-conjugation, thus, in order to get strongly hyperconjugated molecules they should be enhanced in some way.

In this thesis, I describe methods for design of strongly hyperconjugated molecules. It is possible to increase the strength of hyperconjugation by various methods and some of them are discussed. We performed quantum chemical calculations in order to investigate optical and geometric properties of the hyperconjugated molecules and evaluate the relative strength of hyperconjugation. In some cases, results of calculations were compared with experimental results aiming to confirm the relevance of the calculations. First, we have investigated how the change of group 14 elements in the 1,4-ditetrelocyclohexa-2,5-dienes influence the hyperconjugation strength. Next, the substituent effect was considered in fulvenes and their hyperconjugated analogs. We showed this effect from the perspective of the substituents influence on the aromatic properties of molecules in the ground and first electronically excited states. Further, the gradual shift when going from monomer to oligomers were investigated. For this hyperconjugated oligomers were constructed from 1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-diene and cyclobutadisilole fragments. Additionally we showed the influence of electron withdrawing and electron donating groups on hyperconjugation in siloles and 1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-dienes. Finally, hyperconjugation was investigated in a set of silicon-containing omni-hyperconjugated compounds.

The results obtained from this research showed that hyperconjugation strength can be increased significantly up to levels comparable to purely π-conjugated molecules. We hope that these results will be useful in development of other hyperconjugated small molecules, oligomers, and polymers, which can be further used as material for electronic devices.