Development of solvent-free synthesis of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular polyurethanes

A solvent free ball-milling method for the synthesis of small molecule and oligomeric carbamates is described that is applicable to supramolecular polymer synthesis.

In this work we describe the solvent free synthesis of supramolecular polyurethanes held together by heterocomplementary triple hydrogen bonding. We perform a systematic evaluation on the base catalyzed synthesis of small molecule ureas and carbamates from a range of isocyanates, amines and alcohols in solution and in the solid state using ball milling. These optimized procedures are then shown to be applicable to the synthesis of supramolecular polyurethanes using solvent-free methods.

Direct observation of intermediates in a thermodynamically controlled solid-state dynamic covalent reaction

We present the first polymorph interconversion study that uses solid-state dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC). This system exhibits unexpected and rich behavior, including the observation that under appropriate conditions the polymorph interconversion of a heterodimer proceeds through reversible covalent chemistry intermediates, and this route is facilitated by one of the two disulfide homodimers involved in the reaction. Furthermore, we demonstrate experimentally that in all cases a dynamic equilibrium is reached, meaning that changing the milling conditions affects the free energy difference between the two polymorphs and thus their relative stability. We suggest that this effect is due to the surface solvation energy combined with the high surface to volume ratio of the nanocrystalline powder.

Dynamic combinatorial/covalent chemistry: a tool to read, generate and modulate the bioactivity of compounds and compound mixtures

Reversible covalent bond formation under thermodynamic control adds reactivity to self-assembled supramolecular systems, and is therefore an ideal tool to assess complexity of chemical and biological systems. Dynamic combinatorial/covalent chemistry (DCC) has been used to read structural information by selectively assembling receptors with the optimum molecular fit around a given template from a mixture of reversibly reacting building blocks. This technique allows access to efficient sensing devices and the generation of new biomolecules, such as small molecule receptor binders for drug discovery, but also larger biomimetic polymers and macromolecules with particular three-dimensional structural architectures. Adding a kinetic factor to a thermodynamically controlled equilibrium results in dynamic resolution and in self-sorting and self-replicating systems, all of which are of major importance in biological systems. Furthermore, the temporary modification of bioactive compounds by reversible combinatorial/covalent derivatisation allows control of their release and facilitates their transport across amphiphilic self-assembled systems such as artificial membranes or cell walls. The goal of this review is to give a conceptual overview of how the impact of DCC on supramolecular assemblies at different levels can allow us to understand, predict and modulate the complexity of biological systems.

Thiazolidinones derived from dynamic systemic resolution of complex reversible-reaction networks

A complex dynamic system based on a network of multiple reversible reactions has been established. The network was applied to a dynamic systemic resolution protocol based on kinetically controlled lipase-catalyzed transformations. This resulted in the formation of cyclized products, where two thiazolidinone compounds were efficiently produced from a range of potential transformations.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Substituted Thiolanes through Domino Thia-Michael-Henry Dynamic Covalent Systemic Resolution using Lipase Catalysis

Dynamic systems based on consecutive thia-Michael and Henry reactions were generated and transformed using lipase-catalyzed asymmetric transformation. Substituted thiolane structures with three contiguous stereocenters were resolved in the process in high yields and high enantiomeric excesses.

Introductory Lecture: Mechanochemistry, a versatile synthesis strategy for new materials

Mechanochemistry deals with reactions induced by the input of mechanical energy – for example by impacts within a vibratory ball mill. The technique has a long history with significant contributions from Ostwald, Carey Lea and, notably, Faraday. Mechanochemistry has subsequently seen application in a variety of areas of materials science including mechanical alloying in metallurgy, the synthesis of complex organic molecules and, more recently, the discovery and development of new solid forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients. This paper overviews the broad areas of application of mechanochemistry, some key features which make it a particularly attractive approach to materials synthesis and some mechanistic aspects highlighted within the literature. A significant part, however, will focus on recent applications in the area of pharmaceuticals and its important role in exploring the rich variety of solid forms available for small, drug-like, molecules.

Silver-catalyzed dynamic systemic resolution of α-iminonitriles in a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition process

A silver-catalyzed dynamic azomethine ylide system was kinetically resolved in a tandem cycloaddition process, yielding an exclusive pyrrolidine product.

In situ and real-time monitoring of mechanochemical milling reactions using synchrotron X-ray diffraction

We describe the only currently available protocol for in situ, real-time monitoring of mechanochemical reactions and intermediates by X-ray powder diffraction. Although mechanochemical reactions (inducing transformations by mechanical forces such as grinding and milling) are normally performed in commercially available milling assemblies, such equipment does not permit direct reaction monitoring. We now describe the design and in-house modification of milling equipment that allows the reaction jars of the operating mill to be placed in the path of a high-energy (∼90 keV) synchrotron X-ray beam while the reaction is taking place. Resulting data are analyzed using conventional software, such as TOPAS. Reaction intermediates and products are identified using the Cambridge Structural Database or Inorganic Crystal Structure Database. Reactions are analyzed by fitting the time-resolved diffractograms using structureless Pawley refinement for crystalline phases that are not fully structurally characterized (such as porous frameworks with disordered guests), or the Rietveld method for solids with fully determined crystal structures (metal oxides, coordination polymers).

Evolution of dynamic combinatorial chemistry

Since its inception in the mid-1990s, dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC), the chemistry of complex systems under thermodynamic control, has proved valuable in identifying unexpected molecules with remarkable binding properties and in providing effective synthetic routes to complex species. Essentially, in this approach, one designs the experiment rather than the molecule. DCC has also provided us with insights into how some chemical systems respond to external stimuli. Using examples from the work of our laboratory and others, this Account shows how the concept of DCC, inspired by the evolution of living systems, has found an increasing range of applications in diverse areas and has evolved conceptually and experimentally. A dynamic combinatorial library (DCL) is a thermodynamically controlled mixture of interconverting species that can respond to various stimuli. The Cambridge version of dynamic combinatorial chemistry was initially inspired by the mammalian immune system and was conceived as a way to create and identify new unpredictable receptors. For example, an added template can select and stabilize a strongly binding member of the library which is then amplified at the expense of the unsuccessful library members, minimizing the free energy of the system. But researchers have exploited DCC in a variety of other ways: over the past two decades, this technique has contributed to the evolution of chemistry and to applications in the diverse fields of catalysis, fragrance release, and responsive materials. Among these applications, researchers have built intricate and well-defined architectures such as catenanes or hydrogen-bonded nanotubes, using the ability of complex chemical systems to reach a high level of organization. In addition, DCC has proved a powerful tool for the study of complex molecular networks and systems. The use of DCC is improving our understanding of chemical and biological systems. The study of folding or self-replicating macrocycles in DCLs has served as a model for appreciating how complex organisations such as life can emerge from a pool of simple chemicals. Today, DCC is no longer restricted to thermodynamic control, and new systems have recently appeared in which kinetic and thermodynamic control coexist. Expanding the realm of DCC to unexplored and promising new territories, these hybrid systems show that the concept of dynamic combinatorial chemistry continues to evolve.

Adaptation of dynamic covalent systems of imine constituents to medium change by component redistribution under reversible phase separation

A dynamic covalent library of interconverting imine constituents, dissolved in an acetonitrile/water mixture, undergoes constitutional reorganization upon phase separation induced by a physical stimulus (heat) or a chemical effector (inorganic salt, carbohydrate, organic solvent). The process has been made reversible, regenerating the initial library upon phase reunification. It represents the behavior of a dynamic covalent library upon reversible phase separation and its adaptation to a phase change, with up-regulation in each phase of the fittest constituents by component selection. Finally, the system exemplifies the splitting of a 2D (square) constitutional dynamic network into a 3D (cube) one.

Supramolecular concepts and new techniques in mechanochemistry: cocrystals, cages, rotaxanes, open metal-organic frameworks

Mechanochemical reactions effected by milling or grinding are an attractive means to conduct chemical reactions dependent on molecular recognition and to systematically explore different modes of molecular self-assembly. The natural relationship between milling mechanochemistry and supramolecular chemistry arises primarily from the ability to avoid bulk solvent, which simultaneously avoids limitations of solution-based chemistry, such as solubility, solvent complexation, or solvolysis, and makes the resulting process highly environmentally friendly. This tutorial review highlights the use of mechanochemistry for the synthesis of supramolecular targets in the solid state, such as molecular hydrogen- or halogen-bonded complexes, molecular and supramolecular cages, open frameworks and interlocked architectures. It is also demonstrated that the molecular self-assembly phenomena that are well-established in solution chemistry, such as reversible binding through covalent or non-covalent bonds, thermodynamic equilibration and structure templating, are also accessible in milling mechanochemistry through recently developed highly efficient methodologies such as liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) or ion- and liquid-assisted grinding (ILAG). Also highlighted are the new opportunities arising from the marriage of concepts of supramolecular and mechanochemical synthesis, including organocatalysis, deracemisation and discovery of new molecular recognition motifs.