Self-Assembled Nanohelixes Driven by Host-Guest Interactions and Metal Coordination

Helical nanostructures fabricated via the self-assembly of artificial motifs have been a captivating subject because of their structural aesthetics and multiple functionalities. Herein, we report the facile construction of a self-assembled nanohelix (NH) by leveraging an achiral aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogen (G) and pillar[5]arene (H), driven by host-guest interactions and metal coordination. Inspired by the "sergeants and soldiers" effect and "majority rule" principle, the host-guest complexation between G and H is employed to fixate the twisted conformation of G for the generation of "contortion sites", which further induced the emergence of helicity as the 1D assemblies are formed via Ag(I) coordination and hexagonally packed into nano-sized fibers. The strategy has proved feasible in both homogeneous and heterogeneous syntheses. Along with the formation of NH, boosted luminescence and enhanced productivity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are afforded because of the efficient restriction on G, indicating the concurrent regulation of NH's morphology and photophysical properties by supramolecular assembly. In addition, NH also exhibits the capacity for bacteria imaging and photodynamic antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Polycationic Open-Shell Cyclophanes: Synthesis of Electron-Rich Chiral Macrocycles, and Redox-Dependent Electronic States

π-Conjugated chiral nanorings with intriguing electronic structures and chiroptical properties have attracted considerable interests in synthetic chemistry and materials science. We present the design principles to access new chiral macrocycles (1 and 2) that are essentially built on the key components of main-group electron-donating carbazolyl moieties or the π-expanded aza[7]helicenes. Both macrocycles show the unique molecular conformations with a (quasi) figure-of-eight topology as a result of the conjugation patterns of 2,2',7,7'-spirobifluorenyl in 1 and triarylamine-coupled aza[7]helicene-based building blocks in 2. This electronic nature of redox-active, carbazole-rich backbones enabled these macrocycles to be readily oxidized chemically and electrochemically, leading to the sequential production of a series of positively charged polycationic open-shell cyclophanes. Their redox-dependent electronic states of the resulting multispin polyradicals have been characterized by VT-ESR, UV/Vis-NIR absorption and spectroelectrochemical measurements. The singlet (ΔES-T=-1.29 kcal mol-1) and a nearly degenerate singlet-triplet ground state (ΔES-T(calcd)=-0.15 kcal mol-1 and ΔES-T(exp)=0.01 kcal mol-1) were proved for diradical dications 12+2⋅ and 22+2⋅, respectively. Our work provides an experimental proof for the construction of electron-donating new chiral nanorings, and more importantly for highly charged polyradicals with potential applications in chirospintronics and organic conductors.

Macrocycle-Based Crystalline Supramolecular Assemblies Built with Intermolecular Charge-Transfer Interactions

Synthetic macrocycles have served as principal tools for supramolecular chemistry, have greatly extended the scope of organic charge transfer (CT) complexes, and have proved to be of great practical value in the solid state during the past few years. In this Minireview, we summarize the research progress on the macrocycle-based crystalline supramolecular assemblies primarily driven by intermolecular CT interactions (a.k.a. macrocycle-based crystalline CT assemblies, MCCAs for short), which are classified by their donor-acceptor (D-A) constituent elements, including simplex macrocyclic hosts, heterogeneous macrocyclic hosts, and host-guest D-A pairs. Particular attention will be focused on their diverse functions and applications, as well as the underlying CT mechanisms from the perspective of crystal engineering. Finally, the remaining challenges and prospects are outlined.

Dimerized Nitrogen-Annulated Perylene Synthesized from 1,6-Diazecine as Chiral Emitter

In this work, nitrogen-annulated perylene (NP) was dimerized into one framework connected by two nitrogen atoms, generating the target molecule of DNP-DA. Owing to the substructure of 1,6-diazecine ten-membered ring, DNP-DA illustrates helical chirality with moderate dissymmetry factor, elevated molecular levels, expanded conjugation and supramolecular interactions with acceptors etc. Notably, DNP-DA represents a limited example of nitrogen-perylene based CPL emitter with g_lum around 6×10^-3 . Intrigued by the facile fabrication via a simple amination-cross coupling sequence and other above advancing features, this work demonstrates the potential generality of utilizing 1,6-diazecine as a chiral unit to build CPL-active materials.

Synthesis and Stereodynamic and Emission Properties of Dissymmetric Bis-Aryl Carbazole Boranes and Identification of a CPL-Active B-C Atropisomeric Compound

We synthesized bis-aryl carbazole borane derivatives having emissive properties and axial chirality. The resolution of a thermally stable atropisomeric pair (compound 1b), due to a B-C chiral axis, was achieved by chiral stationary-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (CSP-HPLC). Complete photophysical properties of all compounds were measured and simulated by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of the complete fluorescence cycle, and circularly polarized luminescence spectra were obtained for the atropisomers of compound 1b, whose absolute configuration was derived using a TD-DFT simulation of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra.

Dynamic B/N Lewis Pairs: Insights into the Structural Variations and Photochromism via Light-Induced Fluorescence to Phosphorescence Switching

Ultralong afterglow emissions due to room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) are of paramount importance in the advancement of smart sensors, bioimaging and light-emitting devices. We herein present an efficient approach to achieve rarely accessible phosphorescence of heavy atom-free organoboranes via photochemical switching of sterically tunable fluorescent Lewis pairs (LPs). LPs are widely applied in and well-known for their outstanding performance in catalysis and supramolecular soft materials but have not thus far been exploited to develop photo-responsive RTP materials. The intramolecular LP M1BNM not only shows a dynamic response to thermal treatment due to reversible N→B coordination but crystals of M1BNM also undergo rapid photochromic switching. As a result, unusual emission switching from short-lived fluorescence to long-lived phosphorescence (rad-M1BNM, τ_RTP =232 ms) is observed. The reported discoveries in the field of Lewis pairs chemistry offer important insights into their structural dynamics, while also pointing to new opportunities for photoactive materials with implications for fast responsive detectors.

Applying the B/N Lewis Pair Approach to Access Fusion-Expanded Binaphthyl-Based Chiral Analogues

We herein describe the synthesis of two axially chiral systems (HBN and BBN) by the incorporation of B centers into binaphthyl derivatives (HPy and BPy). Heteroatom-doped chiral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were thus formed by fusion of the azaboroles to binaphthyls with the formation of B-N dative bonds. The resulting B-N Lewis pairs that serve as attractive fluorophores enabled modulation of the chiroptical properties both in solution and in the solid state.

Copillar[5]arene Chemistry: Synthesis and Applications

Research on pillar[n]arenes has witnessed a very quick expansion. This emerging class of functionalized macrocyclic oligoarenes not only offers host–guest properties due to the presence of the central cavity, but also presents a wide variety of covalent functionalization possibilities. This short review focuses on copillararenes, a subfamily of pillar[n]arenes. In copillararenes, at least one of the hydroquinone units bears different functional groups compared to the others. After having defined the particular features of copillararenes, this short review compares the different synthetic strategies allowing their construction. Some key applications and future perspectives are also described.

1 Introduction

2 General Features of Pillar[5]arenes

3 Synthesis of Functionalized Copillar[4+1]arenes

4 Concluding Remarks

Pillararene-Induced Intramolecular Through-Space Charge Transfer and Single-Molecule White-Light Emission

The fabrication of single-molecule white-light emission (SMWLE) materials has become a highly studied topic in recent years and through-space charge transfer (TSCT) is emerging as an important concept in this field. However, the preparation of ideal TSCT-based SMWLE materials is still a big challenge. Herein, we report a bifunctional pillar[5]arene (TPCN-P5-TPA) with a linear donor-spacer-acceptor structure and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property. The bulky pillar[5]arene between the donor and acceptor induces a twisted conformation and a non-conjugated structure, resulting in intramolecular TSCT. In addition, the AIE feature and pillar[5]arene cavity endow TPCN-P5-TPA with responsiveness to viscosity and polar guests, by which the TSCT emission is triggered. The combination of blue locally-excited state emission and yellow TSCT emission of TPCN-P5-TPA generates SMWLE. Therefore, we provide a new and versatile strategy for the construction of TSCT-based SMWLE materials.

Symmetrically Tetra-functionalized Pillar[6]arenes Prepared by Fragment Coupling

Due to the highly symmetrical structures generated from one-pot syntheses, the partial functionalization of macrocycles is usually beset with low yields and onerous purifications of the target multifunctional macrocycles. To improve this circumstance, taking pillar[6]arenes as an example, a two-step fragment coupling method is developed for synthesizing symmetrically tetra-functionalized pillar[6]arenes, namely X-pillar[6]arenes. This method is simple and versatile, which makes hetero-fragment coupling and pre-functionalization available. Nine new macrocycles and a pillar[6]arene-based cage are prepared. In addition, one of the newly synthesized macrocycles, COOEtEtXP[6] , exhibits a strong cyan luminescence in the solid state under irradiation by 365 nm UV light. This emission originates from intramolecular through-space conjugation. Meanwhile, formation of a supramolecular polymer by multiple non-covalent intra/intermolecular interactions help rigidify the structure and make COOEtEtXP[6] an efficient solid-state emitter. It is believed that this fragment coupling can also be used to realize the multi-functionalization of other macrocycles.

Electrochromic Polycationic Organoboronium Macrocycles with Multiple Redox States

Polycationic macrocycles are attractive as they display unique molecular switching capabilities arising from their redox properties. Although diverse polycationic macrocycles have been developed, those based on cationic boron systems remain very limited. We present herein the development of novel polycationic macrocycles by introducing organoboronium moieties into a conjugated organoboron macrocyclic framework. These macrocycles consist of four bipyridylboronium units that are connected by fluorene and either electron-deficient arylborane or electron-rich arylamine moieties. Electrochemical studies reveal that the macrocycles undergo reversible multi-step redox processes with transfer of up to 10 electrons. Switchable electrochromic behavior is demonstrated via spectroelectrochemical studies and the observed color changes are rationalized by correlation with computed electronic transitions using DFT methods.

A pillar[5]arene-based 3D polymer network for efficient iodine capture in aqueous solution

A pillar[5]arene-based 3D polymer network is constructed. It possesses good stability, recyclability and high efficiency in iodine capture in aqueous solution.

Stereochemical Inversion of Rim-Differentiated Pillar[5]arene Molecular Swings

To investigate the dynamic stereochemical inversion behavior of pillar[5]arenes (P[5]s) in more detail, we synthesized a series of novel rim-differentiated P[5]s with various substituents and examined their rapid rotations by variable-temperature NMR (203–298 K). These studies revealed for the first time the barrier of “methyl-through-the-annulus” rotation (ΔG^‡ = 47.4 kJ·mol^–1 in acetone) and indicated that for rim-differentiated P[5]s with two types of alkyl substituents, the smaller rim typically determines the rate of rotation. However, substituents with terminal C=C or C≡C bonds give rise to lower inversion barriers, presumably as a result of attractive π–π interactions in the transition state. Finally, data on a rim-differentiated penta-methyl-penta-propargyl P[5] exhibited the complexity of the overall inversion dynamics.

Solvent-Processed Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Light-Harvesting Coassemblies

As a kinetic factor, solvent polarity functioning in regulating/enhancing chiroptical properties of supramolecular chiral self-assemblies including handedness, dissymmetry factor, and luminescent color has not been realized. Here, we introduce a delicate solvent control over self-assembly pathways of a dynamer into four soft matters comprising gel, liposome, helix, and particles respectively, where a fluorescent dye as an acceptor was loaded to allow efficient circularly polarized light harvesting. Though no apparent chirality transfer from chiral assemblies to acceptors occurred at ground state based on the circular dichroism spectra, efficient energy transfer at photoexcited state was observed, demonstrating considerable dependence on solvent polarity and constitution. As the acceptor orientated without chiral sense in coassemblies, circularly polarized light migration from donor to acceptor is reasonably expected. In apolar decane, thixotropic gels with left-handed circularly polarized luminescence were given, and luminescent colors could be controlled from green to red (510-600 nm) via adjusting molar fraction of acceptor, affording a high dissymmetry factor at 1 × 10^-2 order of magnitude. The crucial role of ordered structures in the emergence of circularly polarized luminescence was also validated. The present work provides a solvent-processed manner to rationally regulate the dissymmetry factor, colors, and handedness by feat of circularly polarized light harvesting and migration, avoiding the tedious construction of a building block and enantiomer library.