A metal complex that binds alpha-amino acids with high and predictable stereospecificity

One Dense and Two Open Chiral Metal−Organic Frameworks: Crystal Structures and Physical Properties

Three 3D robust homochiral helical coordination polymers, [Cu(2,2',3,3'-H2odpa)(bpy)] (1), {[Ni4(2,2',3,3'-odpa)2(bpy)4(H2O)4].(H2O)16} (2), and {[Co4(2,2',3,3'-odpa)2(bpy)4(H2O)4].(H2O)14} (3), have been hydrothermally synthesized from a flexible ligand of 2,2',3,3'-odpda (2,2',3,3'-oxydiphthalic dianhydride). Compound 1 crystallized in space group P3(1)21 and has a rare chiral dense qzd 7.(5)9 topology that incorporates single helical substructures with the same accessibility, whereas compounds 2 and 3 crystallized in the space group C2 and possessed isostructural 3D chiral open frameworks based on the homochiral 2D sheets and 4,4'-bpy pillars. TGA and PXRD analyses show that the porous framework of 2 is stable after the removal of solvent water molecules. In contrast, 3 changed its structure to an amorphous one because of the simultaneous loss of solvent and coordination water molecules. 1 is nearly paramagnetic, whereas weak ferromagnetic interactions between M(II) (M = Ni, Co) ions have been found in 2 and 3.

A Cobalt(III)−Salen Complex with an Axial Substituent in the Diamine Backbone: Stereoselective Recognition of Amino Alcohols

A cobalt(III)-salen complex (3) with an axial substituent on the diamine backbone has been synthesized. Crystal structure reveals that the axial substituent (p-nitrophenyl group) is positioned in close proximity to the metal binding site. The stereoselectivity of the cobalt complex for binding amino alcohols increases with increasing steric bulk of the amino alcohol from alaninol (2.9) to valinol (6.2) and t-leucinol (36.0).

One-Dimensional Azido-Bridged Chiral Metal Complexes with Ferromagnetic or Antiferromagnetic Interactions: Syntheses, Structures, and Magnetic Studies

One-dimensional chiral copper(II) and manganese(II) coordination polymers with single asymmetric end-to-end (EE) azide bridges, [Cu(R-L)2(N3)]n(ClO4)n (1), [Cu(S-L)2 (N3)]n(ClO4)n (2), [Mn(R-L)2(N3)]n(ClO4)n (3), and [Mn(S-L)2(N3)]n(ClO4)n (4) (R-L or S-L = R- or S-pyridine-2-carbaldehyde-imine), have been synthesized, using azide ions as bridging groups and chiral Schiff bases as auxiliary ligands, and characterized. The crystal structure determination of complexes 1 and 2 reveals the formation of one-dimensional chiral chains, in which the central Cu(II) ion is six-coordinate in the form of an elongated octahedron. Complex 3 consists of chiral helical polymeric chains, in which the central Mn(II) has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. They all crystallize in the chiral space group P2(1). Complexes 1 and 2 are rare examples that exhibit ferromagnetic interaction between copper(II) ions through the single end-to-end azido bridge. Fitting the susceptibility data for 1 using a 1D uniform chain model led to the parameters J = 0.70(3) cm(-1), g = 2.06(2), and zj' = 0.07(2) cm(-1). The magnetic studies on 3 and 4 show that there is weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the manganese(II) ions.

“Naked-Eye” Detection of Histidine by Regulation of CuII Coordination Modes

The association of various alpha-amino acids with four new, coordinatively unsaturated metal complexes ([Cu(5)]2+, [Cu(6)]2+, [Cu(7)]2+, and [Zn(8)]2+) was examined. The receptors [Cu(5)]2+ and [Cu(7)]2+ were found to discriminate histidine (His) from other zwitterionic alpha-amino acids by means of indicator-displacement assays (IDAs) using 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein as an indicator in buffered methanol/water (3:1) solvent. The colorimetric detection of His was achieved by using this IDA method, which appears to owe its selectivity to a unique process involving disruption of the host complex to form a 2:1 His/Cu(II) complex rather than simple indicator displacement. The occurrence of distinct intermolecular coordination processes in response to the introduction of a different amino acid is observed. X-ray crystal structures of the host metal complexes were obtained and exhibit the adoption of a variety of coordination geometries about the metal center.

Dynamic Helicity Inversion by Achiral Anion Stimulus in Synthetic Labile Cobalt(II) Complex

The helical chirality of a Co(II) complex with a chiral tetradentate ligand is completely inverted from Lambda to Delta by the addition of achiral NO3- anion as an external stimulus.

From Achiral Ligands to Chiral Coordination Polymers: Spontaneous Resolution, Weak Ferromagnetism, and Topological Ferrimagnetism

Using the achiral diazine ligands bearing two bidentate pyridylimino groups as sources of conformational chirality, five azido-bridged coordination polymers are prepared and characterized crystallographically and magnetically. The chirality of the molecular units is induced by the coordination of the diazine ligands in a twisted chiral conformation. The use of L(1) (1,4-bis(2-pyridyl)-1-amino-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene) and L(2) (1,4-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,4-diamino-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene) induces spontaneous resolution, yielding conglomerates of chiral compounds [Mn(3)(L(1))(2)(N(3))(6)](n) (1) and [Mn(2)(L(2))(2)(N(3))(3)](n)(ClO(4))(n).nH(2)O (2), respectively, where triangular (1) or double helical (2) chiral units are connected into homochiral one-dimensional (1D) chains via single end-to-end (EE) azido bridges. The chains are stacked via hydrogen bonds in a homochiral fashion to yield chiral crystals. When L(3) (2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene) is employed, a partial spontaneous resolution occurs, where binuclear chiral units are interlinked into fish-scale-like homochiral two-dimensional (2D) layers via single EE azido bridges. The layers are stacked in a heterochiral or homochiral fashion to yield simultaneously a racemic compound, [Mn(2)(L(3))(N(3))(4)](n) (3a), and a conglomerate, [Mn(2)(L(3))(N(3))(4)](n).nMeOH (3b). On the other hand, the ligand without amino and methyl substituents (L(4), 1,4-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene) does not induce spontaneous resolution. The resulting compound, [Mn(2)(L(4))(N(3))(4)](n) (4), consists of centrosymmetric 2D layers with alternating single diazine, single EE azido, and double end-on (EO) azido bridges, where the chirality is destroyed by the centrosymmetric double EO bridges. These compounds exhibit very different magnetic behaviors. In particular, 1 behaves as a metamagnet built of homometallic ferrimagnetic chains with a unique "fused-triangles" topology, 2 behaves as a 1D antiferromagnet with alternating antiferromagnetic interactions, 3a and 3b behave as spin-canted weak ferromagnets with different critical temperatures, and 4 also behaves as a spin-canted weak ferromagnet but exhibits two-step magnetic transitions.

2,6-Di(pyrimidin-4-yl)pyridine Ligands with Nitrogen-Containing Auxiliaries: The Formation of Functionalized Molecular Clefts upon Metal Coordination

A series of ligands (1-4) based on a 2,6-di(pyrimidin-4-yl)pyridine scaffold have been synthesized, and their abilities to form complexes with Zn(II) and Cu(II) have been determined using UV/vis spectroscopy in buffered aqueous solution (0.01 M N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N'-[3-ethanesulfonic acid] (HEPES) at pH = 6.8). The Zn(II) complex of 1 was determined to have a formation constant of 8.4 x 10(3) M(-)(1) while the formation constant of the Cu(II) complex was found to be 1 x 10(6) M(-)(1). The presence of auxiliary amines in 2 increased the stability of the Zn(II) complex relative to that of 1 by a factor of over 40, suggesting possible coordination of the auxiliaries to the Zn(II) center. The guanidinium and 2-amino-4,5-dihydro-imidazolinium groups of 3 and 4 considerably diminished the stability of the Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes relative to those of 1. X-ray crystal structures of 1-Zn, 3-Zn, 4, and 4-Zn were obtained and are discussed. A significant increase in the stability of 3-Zn, but not in the stability 1-Zn, was observed upon the addition of 1 equiv of sodium phosphate, implicating a stabilizing interaction of the guanidinium groups of 3-Zn and the phosphate anion.

Homochiral Zn and Cd Coordination Polymers Containing Amino Acid−Tetrazole Ligands

The reactions of (S)-3-cyanophenylalanine with NaN(3) in the presence of H(2)O and Lewis acids (ZnCl(2) and CdCl(2)) afford two unprecedented 3D homochiral networks, mono[(S)-5-(3-tetrazoyl)-phenylalaninato]zinc(II) (1) and mono[(S)-5-(3-tetrazoyl)-phenylalaninato]cadmium(II) monoaqua(II) (2), respectively. The two compounds are isostructural with noninterpenetrated SrAl(2) topology. The structure of these coordination polymers gives new insight into Sharpless' reaction of chiral 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole and homochiral supramolecular array constructions.

Kinetic Resolution of rac-Phenylalanine by Stereoselective Complexation to a Chiral Cobalt Complex through π−π Stacking Interaction

A cobalt(III) complex with chiral ligand, H2cpel (N-carboxymethyl-N-pyridylethyl-l-leucine), was prepared for chiral recognition of amino acids. Through the competitive coordination of racemic phenylalanine to the chiral cobalt complex, [Co(cpel)(CO(3))](-) (1), enantioselective recognition was achieved on the ternary complex, which was determined on the basis of HPLC analysis with a chiral column. The formation rate for the [Co(cpel)(l-phe)] complex (2) was 6-times superior to that of [Co(cpel)(d-phe)] (3). The preferential formation of 2 might be illustrated by the interligand pi-pi stacking interaction. Crystal structural analysis for 2 and 3 revealed that aromatic rings, pyridine ring of CPEL and phenylalanine sidechain, in 2 were very close each other but those in 3 were far apart. Such interligand aromatic interaction in 2 was also examined by the use of (1)H NMR spectra.

Highly stereospecific epimerization of alpha-amino acids: conducted tour mechanism

The highly stereospecific and regiospecific recognition of alpha-amino acids exhibited by a novel Co(III) metal complex embodied in the experimental work (Nature 1999, 401, 254) is rationalized from the energetics and structural characteristics with the use of density functional calculations. The steric repulsion between the chiral center of the receptor [Co(III) complex] and alanine has been a cause for the discrimination of complex stabilities. The energies evaluated for all possible alanine binding modes clearly reveal regiospecificity. Our main emphasis is laid on the base-catalyzed epimerization reaction that drives the stereospecific recognition to near completion. The conducted tour mechanism is found to be the most likely candidate. A similar role by the equivalent Zn(II) complex is found.

Guanidinium receptors as enantioselective amino acid membrane carriers

A number of artificial carriers for the transport of zwitterionic aromatic amino acids across bulk model membranes (U-tube type) have been prepared and evaluated. 1,2-Dichloroethane and dichloromethane were employed in the organic phase. All compounds are based on a bicyclic chiral guanidinium scaffold that ideally complements the carboxylate function. The guanidinium central moiety was attached to crown ethers or lasalocid A as specific subunits for ammonium recognition as well as to aromatic or hydrophobic residues to evaluate their potential interaction with the side chains of the guest amino acids. The subunits were linked to the guanidinium through ester or amide connectors. Amides were found to be better carriers than esters, though less enantioselective. On the other hand, crown ethers were superior to lasalocid derivatives. As expected, transport rates were dependent on the carrier concentration in the liquid membrane. Reciprocally, enantioselectivities were much higher at lower carrier concentrations. The results show that our previously proposed three-point binding model (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 1511-1512), involving the participation of the aromatic or hydrophobic residue to interact with the side chains of the amino acid guest, is unnecessary to explain the high enantioselectivities observed. Molecular dynamics fully support a two-point model involving only the guanidinium and crown ether moieties. These molecules constitute the first examples of chiral selectors for underivatized amino acids acting as carriers under neutral conditions.

New vanadium phosphate ([(phen)VIVO]2(VV2O5)(HPO4))n with chiral layer architecture

A new layered vanadium phosphate ([(phen)V(IV)O](2)(V(V)(2)O(5))(HPO(4))n has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This compound crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2/c with a = 9.979(2) A, b = 9.886(2) A, c = 15.298(3) A, beta = 102.86(3) degrees, V = 1471.3(5) A(3), and Z = 4. In the structure of this compound, two nitrogen atoms of 1,10-phen are directly coordinated to the vanadium skeleton. Interestingly, the crystal structure consists of two types of chiral layers, one left-handed and the other right-handed, which lead to a racemic solid-state compound. In each layer, there coexist three distinct rings, described as a 8-membered ring [V(2)(oct)P(2)O(4)], 12-membered ring [V(2)(omicron)(ct)V(2)(tet)P(2)O(6)], and 16-membered ring [V(2)(omicron)(ct)V(4)(tet)P(2)O(8)].

Synergistic effect between metal coordination and hydrogen bonding in phosphate and halide recognition

The equilibrium constant for binding of dimethyl phosphate to a Co(III) complex in water increases from 6.2 to 210 M-1 upon addition of a single hydrogen bond between the bound phosphate and the metal complex. Crystal structure reveals that the hydrogen bond distance is 1.96 A. The synergistic effect between metal coordination and hydrogen bonding can also be observed for fluoride binding but not for bromide binding.

Aptamer-based colorimetric probe for cocaine

Complex of an anti-cocaine aptamer and the dye diethylthiotricarbocyanine behaves as a colorimetric sensor with attenuation in absorbance at 760 nm for cocaine in the concentration range of 2-600 muM. Mechanistic studies indicate an intermolecular displacement of the dye as the mechanism of action of the sensor. As the dye is insoluble in buffer, cocaine binding can be followed with the unaided eye as displaced dye precipitates and supernatant decolorizes.

Stereoselective recognition of an aziridine with a Co(III) complex: a potential transition-state analogue for catalytic epoxidation

Reversible and stereoselective coordination of 1-(R)-phenyl-2-(S)-methylaziridine to (S,S)L-Co(III) and (R,R)L-Co(III) (where L represents a salen ligand obtained from diamino cyclohexane and 2,4-di-tert-butyl salicylaldehyde) has been investigated. 1H NMR data indicate that the aziridine binds about three times more tightly to (S,S)L-Co(III) than to (R,R)L-Co(III). Crystal structures of two molecules of the aziridine coordinated to the Co(III) complexes have been determined. These structures together with molecular mechanics computation provide insight into the origin of stereoselective recognition of the aziridine to the Co(III) complexes.

A concise, modular synthesis of chiral peraza-macrocycles using chiral aziridines

[reaction: see text] Novel chiral peraza-macrocycles were synthesized from chiral aziridines as a common building block. Efficient syntheses of chiral [26]-N(6), [12]-N(4), [9]-N(3), and [14]-N(4) systems were accomplished.

Enantiomeric recognition of chiral 3,3-bridged-1,1'-binaphthol dimer toward alpha-phenylethylamine and alpha-amino acid ester

The 1,1'-binaphthol-based dimers with p-phenylenebis(2-ethynyl) spacer, (+)-6 and (+)-2, were synthesized as chiral host compounds. (1)H NMR, UV-vis, and fluorescent titration were used to evaluate the enantiomeric recognition abilities of the chiral host dimers toward the guest amine 7 and alpha-amino acid ester 8. The chiral BINOL-based dimers were found to have good enantiomeric recognition ability. The computer simulation of the host-guest complex molecules was carried out to describe the conformational changes of both naphthyl ring in the molecule of chiral host dimer after complexation with the guest molecule.