Amplification of Acetylcholine-Binding Catenanes from Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries

Directed chemical synthesis can produce a vast range of molecular structures, but the intended product must be known at the outset. In contrast, evolution in nature can lead to efficient receptors and catalysts whose structures defy prediction. To access such unpredictable structures, we prepared dynamic combinatorial libraries in which reversibly binding building blocks assemble around a receptor target. We selected for an acetylcholine receptor by adding the neurotransmitter to solutions of dipeptide hydrazones [proline-phenylalanine or proline-(cyclohexyl)alanine], which reversibly combine through hydrazone linkages. At thermodynamic equilibrium, the dominant receptor structure was an elaborate [2]-catenane consisting of two interlocked macrocyclic trimers. This complex receptor with a 100 nM affinity for acetylcholine could be isolated on a preparative scale in 67% yield.

Inclusion of C60 into an adjustable porphyrin dimer generated by dynamic disulfide chemistry

A new, highly flexible porphyrin dimer was isolated in preparative scale from a dynamic disulfide library; this receptor adjusts to fit guests with a wide range of steric requirements and, whilst C60 proved to be an unsuitable template for this library, a new C60-porphyrin complex was isolated and characterised.

Expanding diversity in dynamic combinatorial libraries: simultaneous exchange of disulfide and thioester linkages

Dynamic combinatorial libraries have been prepared which feature two simultaneous covalent exchange reactions in aqueous solution at neutral pH. This allows for diversity, not only of the subunits that are linked, but also of the linkage itself.

Dynamic synthesis of a macrocycle containing a porphyrin and an electron donor

New macrocycles incorporating a porphyrin and a [small pi] electron-rich aromatic were prepared from a dynamic disulfide library. The outcome could be influenced by use of templates.

Controllable Donor-Acceptor Neutral [2]Rotaxanes

In pursuit of a neutral bistable [2]rotaxane made up of two tetraarylmethane stoppers--both carrying one isopropyl and two tert-butyl groups located at the para positions on each of three of the four aryl rings--known to permit the slippage of the pi-electron-donating 1,5-dinaphtho[38]crown-10 (1/5DNP38C10) at the thermodynamic instigation of pi-electron-accepting recognition sites, in this case, pyromellitic diimide (PmI) and 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylate diimide (NpI) units separated from each other along the rod section of the rotaxane's dumbbell component, and from the para positions of the fourth aryl group of the two stoppers by pentamethylene chains, a modular approach was employed in the synthesis of the dumbbell-shaped compound NpPmD, as well as of its two degenerate counterparts, one (PmPmD) which contains two PmI units and the other (NpNpD) which contains two NpI units. The bistable [2]rotaxane NpPmR, as well as its two degenerate analogues PmPmR and NpNpR, were obtained from the corresponding dumbbell-shaped compounds NpPmD, PmPmD, and NpNpD and 1/5DNP38C10 by slippage. Dynamic 1H NMR spectroscopy in CD2Cl2 revealed that shuttling of the 1/5DNP38C10 ring occurs in NpNpR and PmPmR, with activation barriers of 277 K of 14.0 and 10.9 kcal mol(-1), respectively, reflecting a much more pronounced donor-acceptor stabilizing interaction involving the NpI units over the PmI ones. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the three neutral [2]rotaxanes and their dumbbell-shaped precursors have also been investigated in CH2Cl2. Interactions between 1/5DNP38C10 and PmI and NpI units located within the rod section of the dumbbell components of the [2]rotaxane give rise to the appearance of charge-transfer bands, the energies of which correlate with the electron-accepting properties of the two diimide moieties. Comparison between the positions of the visible absorption bands in the three [2]rotaxanes shows that, in NpPmR, the major translational isomer is the one in which 1/5DNP38C10 encircles the NpI unit. Correlations of the reduction potentials for all the compounds studied confirm that, in this non-degenerate [2]rotaxane, one of the translational isomers predominates. Furthermore, after deactivation of the NpI unit by one-electron reduction, the 1/5DNP38C10 macrocycle moves to the PmI unit. Li+ ions have been found to strengthen the interaction between the electron-donating crown ether and the electron-accepting diimide units, particularly the PmI one. Titration experiments show that two Li+ ions are involved in the strengthening of the donor-acceptor interaction. Addition of Li+ ions to NpPmR induces the 1/5DNP38C10 macrocycle to move from the NpI to the PmI unit. The Li+-ion-promoted switching of NpPmR in a 4:1 mixture of CD2Cl2 and CD3COCD3 has also been shown by 1H NMR spectroscopy to involve the mechanical movement of the 1/5DNP38C10 macrocycle from the NpI to the PmI unit, a process that can be reversed by adding an excess of [12]crown-4 to sequester the Li+ ions.

Switchable Neutral Bistable Rotaxanes

Two switchable neutral bistable [2]rotaxanes have been synthesized, and their chemically induced mechanical switching has been studied in solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy. One of the rotaxanes was prepared by a thermodynamically controlled slippage mechanism, while the other rotaxane was obtained by a dynamic covalent chemistry protocol involving the assembly of its dumbbell component by olefin metathesis. The recognition sites present in the rod section of the dumbbell component, namely, naphthodiimide (NpI) and pyromellitic diimide (PmI) residues, were chosen in the knowledge that the ring component, 1,5-dinaphtho[38]crown-10 (1/5DNP38C10), will bind preferentially to the NpI site. However, upon introduction of Li+ ions into the solution, a 1:2 complex is formed between the PmI site, encircled by the 1/5DNP38C10 ring and two Li+ ions. Since this complex is more stable overall than the binding between the 1/5DNP38C10 ring and the NpI site, the ring component moves from the NpI site to the PmI one. This mechanical movement can be reversed by adding an excess of [12]crown-4 to the solution to act as a sequestering agent for the Li+ ions.

Correlation between Host–Guest Binding and Host Amplification in Simulated Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries

We present a versatile computer model of diverse dynamic combinatorial libraries, and examine how molecular recognition between library members and a template can be used to amplify the best binders. The correlation between host-guest binding and amplification was examined for a set of 50 libraries with >300 components each over a wide range of template and building block concentrations. Depending on these concentrations correlations vary from poor (when using a large excess of template) to good (for very dilute libraries and/or substoichiometric template concentrations), highlighting the need to choose the experimental conditions for dynamic combinatorial libraries thoughtfully.

Self-assembly using dynamic combinatorial chemistry

The principles of an evolution-selection approach to the synthesis of systems capable of molecular recognition are described. Using this dynamic combinatorial self-assembly concept in bulk solution, a variety of successful synthetic receptors have been prepared. The reversible chemistries employed include metalloporphyrin-ligand coordination, hydrazone exchange and disulfide exchange. The prospects for extension of the approach to surfaces are briefly considered.

What Are the Limits to the Size of Effective Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries?

Using simple computer simulations of model dynamic combinatorial libraries, we show that the best binders can be amplified to useful concentrations in libraries containing 10-10(6) compounds. [structure: see text]

Construction of multiporphyrin arrays using ruthenium and rhodium coordination to phosphines

The synthesis of linear multiporphyrin arrays with mono- and bisphosphine-substituted porphyrins as ligand donors and ruthenium(II) or rhodium(III) porphyrins as ligand acceptors is described. With appropriate amounts of the building blocks mixed, linear dimeric and trimeric arrays have been synthesized and analyzed by (1)H NMR and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The Ru/Rh acceptor porphyrins can be located either at the periphery or in the center of the array. Likewise, the monophosphine porphyrins can be positioned at the periphery, thus allowing a high degree of freedom in the overall composition of the arrays. This way, both donor and acceptor porphyrins can act as chain extenders or terminators. One of the trimeric complexes with two nickel and one ruthenium porphyrin has also been analyzed by X-ray crystallography. Attempts have also been made to synthesize higher order arrays by mixing appropriate amounts of the porphyrins; however, from the NMR data it cannot be concluded if monodisperse five, seven, or nine porphyrin arrays are present or if the solutions are composed of a statistical mixture of smaller and larger arrays.

Selection and Amplification of Mixed-Metal Porphyrin Cages from Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries

Mixed metallo-porphyrin cages were selected and amplified from dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCLs) by using appropriate templates. The cages are composed of two bisphosphine substituted zinc(II) porphyrins as ligand donors and two rhodium(III) or ruthenium(II) porphyrins as ligand acceptors, and are connected through metal-phosphorus coordination. Ru and Rh porphyrins that display a large structural diversity were employed. The templating was achieved by using 4,4'-bpy, 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridine and benzo[lmn]-3,8-phenanthroline, and acts through zinc-nitrogen coordination. The absolute amount of amplification from the DCLs is strongly dependent on the combination of the Ru/Rh porphyrin and the template; cages with sterically demanding porphyrins can only form with smaller templates. In the case of tert-butyl-substituted TPP (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin), cages are not formed at all. The formation of the cages is usually complete within 24 h at an ambient temperature; in the case of the cage containing Rh(III)OEP (OEP=octaethylporphyrin) and bpy, the pseudo-first-order rate constant of cage formation was determined to be 2.1+/-0.1x10(-4) s(-1) (CDCl(3), 25 degrees C). Alternatively, heating the mixtures to 65 degrees C and cooling to room temperature yields the cages within minutes. The (1)H NMR chemical shifts of several characteristic protons show large differences upon changing the identity of the Ru/Rh porphyrin and the central metal; this is most likely to arise from variations in the geometry of the cages. The X-ray crystal structure of a cage, which contains Rh(III)OEP as a porphyrin acceptor and bpy as template, demonstrates that the cages can adopt severely distorted conformations to accommodate the relatively short templates. An extension to mixed DCLs showed that only limited selectivity is displayed by the various templates. Formation of mixed cages that contain two different rhodium porphyrins prevents effective selection, although the kinetic lability of the systems allows for some amplification. This lability, however, also prevents isolation of the individual cages. Removal of the template leads to re-equilibration, thus the templates act as scaffolds to keep the structures intact.

Synthesis and Characterization of Carboxylate Complexes of SnIV Porphyrin Monomers and Oligomers

Most of the porphyrin-recognition chemistry we have investigated previously has centred on kinetically labile metal-ligand interactions, such as Z-N and Ru-N. Our interest in the broader scope of molecular recognition required a metal with the ability to specifically recognise non-nitrogen-based ligands, with a significantly different binding interaction to distinguish it from nitrogen-based analogues. In this report we describe interactions of Sn(IV) porphyrins that bind oxygen-based ligands and for which the Sn(IV)bond;O bond is in slow exchange on the NMR timescale. A series of carboxylate complexes is employed to highlight the structural/geometric features of porphyrin monomers and cyclic oligomers. Where more than one porphyrin unit is present in a molecular scaffold, we report the effect of carboxylate binding on the complex when the two porphyrins contain different metals (typically Sn(IV) and Zn(II)). The unexpected spectroscopic and structural properties of the Sn(2)(9-anthroic acid)porphyrin dimer are also reported.

A self-assembling polymer-bound rotaxane under thermodynamic control

The thermodynamically controlled self-assembly of a neutral donor-acceptor rotaxane, stoppered via porphyrin coordination and bound to polystyrene beads is described, and the dynamic equilibrium between solid and solution phases has been examined by HR MAS nmr spectroscopy.

Metal-ion induced amplification of three receptors from dynamic combinatorial libraries of peptide-hydrazones

Three building blocks of general structure (MeO)2 CH-aromatic linker-Pro-amino acid-NHNH2 have been prepared and tested in acid-catalysed dynamic combinatorial libraries. Exposure of these libraries to LiI and NaI led to the amplification of three macrocyclic pseudopeptide receptors. The receptors were isolated and their interactions with LiI and NaI were analysed using NMR, IR and ITC. Binding of the metal ions to the receptors is invariably entropy-driven. Nevertheless, all receptors were found to be flexible with substantial conformational rearrangements accompanying guest binding. This type of receptor is extremely difficult to access through rational design and the fact that dynamic combinatorial chemistry allows facile access to these challenging molecules underlines the power of the dynamic approach.

Complexation of diphenyl(phenylacetenyl)phosphine to rhodium(III) tetraphenyl porphyrins: synthesis and structural, spectroscopic, and thermodynamic studies

The coordination of diphenyl(phenylacetenyl)phosphine (DPAP, 1) to (X)Rh(III)TPP (X = I (2) or Me (3); TPP = tetraphenyl porphyrin) was studied in solution and in the solid state. The iodide is readily displaced by the phosphine, leading to the bis-phosphine complex [(DPAP)(2)Rh(TPP)](I) (4). The methylide on rhodium in 3 is not displaced, leading selectively to the mono-phosphine complex (DPAP)(Me)Rh(TPP) (5). The first and second association constants, as determined by isothermal titration calorimetry and UV-vis titrations, are in the range 10(4)-10(7) M(-1) (in CH(2)Cl(2)). Using LDI-TOF mass spectrometry, the mono-phosphine complexes can be detected but not the bis-phosphine complexes. The electronic spectrum of 4 is similar to those previously reported with other tertiary phosphine ligands, whereas (DPAP)(I)Rh(TPP) (6) displays a low energy B-band absorption and a high energy Q-band absorption. In contrast to earlier reports, displacement of the methylide on rhodium in 5 could not be observed at any concentration, and the electronic spectra of 4 and 5 are almost identical. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed that all binding events are exothermic, and all are enthalpy driven. The largest values of DeltaG degrees are found for 6. The thermodynamic and UV-vis data reveal that the methylide and the phosphine ligand have an almost identical electronic trans-influence on the sixth ligand.

Dynamic combinatorial libraries of metalloporphyrins: templated amplification of disulfide-linked oligomers

Disulfide-linked cyclic porphyrin oligomers from dimer to tetramer can be selected and amplified virtually quantitatively from a dynamic combinatorial library using bis-thiol substituted zinc(II) porphyrin units with appropriate amine donor templates.

Phosphine and phosphonite complexes of a Ru(II) porphyrin. 2. Photophysical and electrochemical studies

The photophysical and electrochemical properties of a series of mono- and bis-phosphine complexes of a 5,15-diphenyl-substituted ruthenium porphyrin, (MeOH)Ru(II)(CO)(DPP) 1, were investigated. The ligands used were diphenyl(phenylacetenyl)phosphine (DPAP), diethyl (phenylacetenyl)phosphonite [PAP(OEt)(2)], tris(phenylacetenyl)phosphine [(PA)(3)P], and bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene (DPPA). All complexes display two reversible one-electron oxidations at: 0.61 and 1.0 V vs SCE (1), 0.42-0.51 and 0.97-1.05 V [(PR(3))Ru(II)(CO)(DPP)], and 0.06-0.25 and 0.82-0.95 V [(PR(3))(2)Ru(II)(DPP)]. As predicted by EHMO calculations, the first oxidation is porphyrin or phosphorus centered, whereas the second one is ruthenium centered. Bulk electrolysis at the first oxidation potential yields stable monocations. Simulation of the cyclic voltammogram of (DPAP)Ru(II)(CO)(DPP) in CH(2)Cl(2) demonstrates the kinetic lability of the complex, and the association constant found (K = 1.27 x 10(6) M(-1)) is in accordance with the value determined by UV-vis titration (K = 1.2 +/- 0.3 x 10(6) M(-1)). Coordination of one phosphine ligand to Ru(II)(CO)(DPP) leads to a red shift in both the absorption and luminescence spectra. Shifts are typically 10 nm for the B- and Q-band absorptions and are not affected by the nature of the phosphorus ligand. The intense luminescence of (PR(3))Ru(II)(CO)(DPP), red-shifted by 21-28 nm compared to 1, can be attributed to originate from a (3)(pi,pi) excited state, and it exhibits lifetimes from 150 to 240 micros. In the bis-phosphine complexes (PR(3))(2)Ru(II)(DPP), the Q-band absorption is broadened and does not show any distinct peak. Judged from EHMO calculation, this could arise from a low-energy charge-transfer state involving the phosphorus ligand. The luminescence is efficiently quenched due to radiationless decay from a charge-transfer excited state, involving either the metal center or the phosphorus ligand; an unambiguous assignment could not be made.

Phosphine and phosphonite complexes of a ruthenium(II) porphyrin. 1. Synthesis, structure, and solution state studies

We have investigated the effect of complexation of different phosphorus ligands on the stability, solid state structure, and spectroscopic properties (NMR, IR, UV-vis) of a 5,15-diphenyl-substituted ruthenium porphyrin, (MeOH)Ru(II)(CO)(DPP) 2 [DPP = 5,15-bis(3',5'-di-tert-butyl)phenyl-2,8,12,18-tetraethyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethylporphyrin]. The ligands used are PPh(3), diphenyl(phenylacetenyl)phosphine (DPAP), bis(diphenylphosphino)acetylene (DPPA), tris(phenylacetenyl)phosphine [(PA)(3)P], and diethyl (phenylacetenyl)phosphonite [PAP(OEt)(2)]. The mono-phosphine complexes (PR(3))Ru(II)(CO)(DPP) are readily formed in solution in quantitative yields. The complexes display association constants ranging from 1.2 x 10(4) M(-1) for PPh(3) to 4.8 x 10(6) M(-1) for PAP(OEt)(2). The weak association of PPh(3) does not correlate with its pK(a), delta((31)P), or cone angle value and is attributed to steric effects. Due to their kinetic lability, which is shown by 2D NMR spectroscopy, and the weakening of the carbonyl ligand via a trans effect, the mono-phosphine complexes could not be isolated. IR spectroscopy gives the relative order of pi-acceptor strength as PPh(3) < DPAP, DPPA < (PA)(3)P < PAP(OEt)(2), whereas the relative order of the sigma-donor strength is PPh(3) < (PA)(3)P < DPAP, DPPA < PAP(OEt)(2), based on the calculated pK(a) values and on the (31)P((1)H) NMR chemical shifts of the ligands. The chemical shift differences in the (31)P9(1)H)) NMR spectra upon ligand binding display a linear correlation with the calculated pK(a) values of the protonated ligands HPR(3)(+); we propose that the pK(a), and probably other electronic properties, of a specific phosphorus ligand can be estimated on the basis of the chemical shift difference Deltadelta((31)P) upon complexation to a metalloporphyrin. The bis-phosphine complexes can be isolated in pure form by crystallization from CHCl(3)-MeOH solutions using excess ligand. Association of the second ligand is in the same order of magnitude as the first binding for the phosphines, but the second phosphonite binding is decreased by a factor of about 100. The solid state structures show only marginal differences in the geometrical parameters. The calculated and the crystallographic cone angles of the ligands generally do not match, apart from the values obtained for PAP(OEt)(2).