Crystal‐to‐Crystal Synthesis of Helically Ordered Polymers of Trehalose by Topochemical Polymerization

Two Structurally Different Polymers from a Single Monomer

We designed and synthesized a malonamide-derived monomer, containing azide and alkyne units, for topochemical polymerization to yield nylon (n,3). This monomer on crystallization gave two concomitant polymorphs M1 and M2. Both the polymorphs show crystal packings that are suitable for topochemical azide-alkyne cycloaddition polymerization. On heating, polymorph M1 reacts regiospecifically to give 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazolyl-linked polymer, whereas polymorph M2 yields 1,5-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazolyl-linked polymer regiospecifically. In the case of polymorph M1, polymerization proceeds perpendicular to the hydrogen bonding direction, whereas in M2, the reaction occurs along the hydrogen bonding direction. This results in the two structurally different polymers having distinct topologies. These single-crystal-to-single-crystal polymerizations allowed us to study their structure at atomic resolution by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. This is the first report on the topochemical synthesis of two structurally isomeric polymers from a single monomer.

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2019-2020

This review is the tenth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2020. Also included are papers that describe methods appropriate to analysis by MALDI, such as sample preparation techniques, even though the ionization method is not MALDI. The review is basically divided into three sections: (1) general aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, fragmentation, quantification and the use of arrays. (2) Applications to various structural types such as oligo- and polysaccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides and biopharmaceuticals, and (3) other areas such as medicine, industrial processes and glycan synthesis where MALDI is extensively used. Much of the material relating to applications is presented in tabular form. The reported work shows increasing use of incorporation of new techniques such as ion mobility and the enormous impact that MALDI imaging is having. MALDI, although invented nearly 40 years ago is still an ideal technique for carbohydrate analysis and advancements in the technique and range of applications show little sign of diminishing.

Synthesis and Application of Trehalose Materials

Trehalose is a naturally occurring, nonreducing disaccharide that is widely used in the biopharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries due to its stabilizing and cryoprotective properties. Over the years, scientists have developed methodologies to synthesize linear polymers with trehalose units either in the polymer backbone or as pendant groups. These macromolecules provide unique properties and characteristics, which often outperform trehalose itself. Additionally, numerous reports have focused on the synthesis and formulation of materials based on trehalose, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and thermoset networks. Among many applications, these polymers and materials have been used as protein stabilizers, as gene delivery systems, and to prevent amyloid aggregate formation. In this Perspective, recent developments in the synthesis and application of trehalose-based linear polymers, hydrogels, and nanomaterials are discussed, with a focus on utilization in the biomedical field.

Two-Dimensional Polymers and Polymerizations

Synthetic chemists have developed robust methods to synthesize discrete molecules, linear and branched polymers, and disordered cross-linked networks. However, two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) prepared from designed monomers have been long missing from these capabilities, both as objects of chemical synthesis and in nature. Recently, new polymerization strategies and characterization methods have enabled the unambiguous realization of covalently linked macromolecular sheets. Here we review 2DPs and 2D polymerization methods. Three predominant 2D polymerization strategies have emerged to date, which produce 2DPs either as monolayers or multilayer assemblies. We discuss the fundamental understanding and scope of each of these approaches, including: the bond-forming reactions used, the synthetic diversity of 2DPs prepared, their multilayer stacking behaviors, nanoscale and mesoscale structures, and macroscale morphologies. Additionally, we describe the analytical tools currently available to characterize 2DPs in their various isolated forms. Finally, we review emergent 2DP properties and the potential applications of planar macromolecules. Throughout, we highlight achievements in 2D polymerization and identify opportunities for continued study.

Azide···Oxygen Interaction: A Crystal Engineering Tool for Conformational Locking

We have designed, synthesized and crystallized 36 compounds, each containing an azide group and an oxygen atom separated by three bonds. Crystal structure analysis revealed that each of these molecules adopts a conformation in which the azide and oxygen groups orient syn to each other with a short O ··· N b  contact. Geometry-optimized structures [using  M06-2X/6-311G(d,p) level of theory ] also showed the syn conformation in all 36 of these cases, suggesting that this not merely a crystal packing effect. Quantum topological analysis using Bader's Atoms in Molecules (AIM) theory revealed bond paths and bond critical points (BCP) in these structures suggesting its nature and energetics to be similar to weak hydrogen bonding. The NCI-RDG plot clearly revealed the attractive interaction consisting of electrostatic or dispersive components in all the 36 systems. NBO analysis suggested a weak orbital-relaxation (charge-transfer) contribution of energy for a few  (sp2) O-donor systems. Natural population analysis (NPA) and molecular electrostatic potential mapping (MESP) of these crystal structures further revealed the existence of favorable azide-oxygen interaction.   A CSD search indicated the frequent and consistent occurrence of this interaction and its role dictating the syn conformation of azide and oxygen in molecules where these groups are separated by 2-4 bonds.

Quantification of Noncovalent Interactions in Azide-Pnictogen, -Chalcogen, and -Halogen Contacts

The noncovalent interactions between azides and oxygen‐containing moieties are investigated through a computational study based on experimental findings. The targeted synthesis of organic compounds with close intramolecular azide–oxygen contacts yielded six new representatives, for which X‐ray structures were determined. Two of those compounds were investigated with respect to their potential conformations in the gas phase and a possible significantly shorter azide–oxygen contact. Furthermore, a set of 44 high‐quality, gas‐phase computational model systems with intermolecular azide–pnictogen (N, P, As, Sb), –chalcogen (O, S, Se, Te), and –halogen (F, Cl, Br, I) contacts are compiled and investigated through semiempirical quantum mechanical methods, density functional approximations, and wave function theory. A local energy decomposition (LED) analysis is applied to study the nature of the noncovalent interaction. The special role of electrostatic and London dispersion interactions is discussed in detail. London dispersion is identified as a dominant factor of the azide–donor interaction with mean London dispersion energy‐interaction energy ratios of 1.3. Electrostatic contributions enhance the azide–donor coordination motif. The association energies range from −1.00 to −5.5 kcal mol⁻¹.

Topochemical polymerizations for the solid-state synthesis of organic polymers

Topochemical polymerizations are solid-state reactions driven by the alignment of monomers in the crystalline state. The molecular confinement in the monomer crystal lattice offers precise control over the tacticity, packing and crystallinity of the polymer formed in the topochemical reaction. As topochemical reactions occur under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions, giving products in high yield and selectivity/specificity that do not require tedious chromatographic purification, topochemical polymerizations are highly attractive over traditional solution-phase polymer synthesis. By this method, polymers having sophisticated structures and desired topologies can be availed. Often, such ordered packing confers attractive properties to the topochemically-synthesized polymers. Diverse categories of topochemical polymerizations are known, such as polymerizations via [2+2], [4+4], [4+2], and [3+2] cycloadditions, and polymerization of diynes, triynes, dienes, trienes, and quinodimethanes, each of which proceed under suitable stimuli like heat, light or pressure. Each class of these reactions requires a unique packing arrangement of the corresponding monomers for the smooth reaction and produces polymers with distinct properties. This review is penned with the intent of bringing all the types of topochemical polymerizations into a single platform and communicating the versatility of these lattice-controlled polymerizations. We present a brief history of the development of each category and comprehensively review the topochemical synthesis of fully-organic polymers reported in the last twenty years, particularly in crystals. We mainly focus on the various molecular designs and crystal engineering strategies adopted to align monomers in a suitable orientation for polymerization. Finally, we analyze the current challenges and future perspectives in this research field.

Rank and signature classification of topochemical solid-state reactions

Solid-state reactions are classified into 10 categories based on the unit cells of the reactant and product.

Reversible facile single-crystal-to-single-crystal polymorphic transition accompanied by unit cell volume expansion and twinning

Reversible and facile single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation between two polymorphs of diphenhydramine citrate leads to molecular level understanding of crystal phase change.

Solid-Phase Radical Polymerization of Halogen-Bond-Based Crystals and Applications to Pre-Shaped Polymer Materials

Liquid vinyl monomers were converted into solid crystals via halogen bonding. They underwent solid-phase radical polymerizations through heating at 40 °C or ultraviolet photo-irradiation (365 nm). The X-ray crystallography analysis showed the high degree of monomer alignment in the crystals. The polymerizations of the solid monomer crystals yielded polymers with high molecular weights and relatively low dispersities because of the high degree of the monomer alignment in the crystal. As a unique application of this system, the crystalized monomers were assembled to pre-determined structures, followed by solid-phase polymerization, to obtain a two-layer polymer sheet and a three-dimensional house-shaped polymer material. The two-layer sheet contained a unique asymmetric pore structure and exhibited a solvent-responsive shape memory property and may find applications to asymmetric membranes and polymer actuators.

β-Sheet to Helical-Sheet Evolution Induced by Topochemical Polymerization: Cross-α-Amyloid-like Packing in a Pseudoprotein with Gly-Phe-Gly Repeats

Protein-mimics are of great interest for their structure, stability, and properties. We are interested in the synthesis of protein-mimics containing triazole linkages as peptide-bond surrogate by topochemical azide-alkyne cycloaddition (TAAC) polymerization of azide- and alkyne-modified peptides. The rationally designed dipeptide N₃ -CH₂ CO-Phe-NHCH₂ CCH (1) crystallized in a parallel β-sheet arrangement and are head-to-tail aligned in a direction perpendicular to the β-sheet-direction. Upon heating, crystals of 1 underwent single-crystal-to-single-crystal polymerization forming a triazole-linked pseudoprotein with Gly-Phe-Gly repeats. During TAAC polymerization, the pseudoprotein evolved as helical chains. These helical chains are laterally assembled by backbone hydrogen bonding in a direction perpendicular to the helical axis to form helical sheets. This interesting helical-sheet orientation in the crystal resembles the cross-α-amyloids, where α-helices are arranged laterally as sheets.

Topochemical synthesis of different polymorphs of polymers as a paradigm for tuning properties of polymers

Different packing is a mechanism through which nature can produce materials of different properties from the same basic units. There is great interest in constructing different forms of the same polymer by utilising different packing. Common solution-synthesized polymers are amorphous and their post-synthesis crystallization into different topologies is almost impossible. Here we show solid-state polymerization of different reactive polymorphs of a monomer pre-organized in different topologies. Trimorphs of a dipeptide monomer pack in a head-to-tail fashion, placing the azide and alkyne of adjacent monomers in proximity. On heating, these crystals undergo a topochemical azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction yielding triazole-linked polymer in three different crystalline states; one with antiparallel arrangement of polymer chains, another with parallelly oriented chains, and a third form containing a 1:1 blend of two different conformers aligned in parallel. This approach of exploiting different polymorphs of a monomer for topochemical polymerization to yield polymorphs of polymers is promising for future research.

Silylium cation initiated sergeants-and-soldiers type chiral amplification of helical aryl isocyanide copolymers

Silylium cations act as new highly efficient metal-free single-component cationic initiators for the cationic polymerization and copolymerization of chiral or achiral aryl isocyanides, preparing optically active polymers and copolymers obeying “sergeants-and-soldiers” rule.