Sterically-Limited Self-Assembly of Pt4Macrocycles into Discrete Non-covalent Nanotubes: Porous Supramolecular Tetramers and Hexamers

Hydroxy Groups Enhance [2]Rotaxane Anion Binding Selectivity

We report the synthesis of two [2]rotaxanes containing an interlocked three dimensional binding cavity formed from a pyridinium bis(amide) axle component containing two phenol donors, and an isophthalamide based macrocycle. In the competitive solvent mixture 1 : 1 CDCl₃ : CD₃OD, one of the receptors exhibits a much higher selectivity preference for chloride than an analogous rotaxane without the hydroxy groups. X‐ray crystal structures reveal the chloride anion guest encapsulated within the interlocked binding cavity, though not all of the hydrogen bond donors are utilised. Computational semi‐empirical simulations indicate that secondary intermolecular interactions occur between the axle hydroxy hydrogen bond donors and the [2]rotaxane macrocycle components, contributing to a more preorganised binding pocket, which may be responsible for the observed enhanced selectivity.

Chiral nanotubes self-assembled from discrete non-covalent macrocycles

Many strategies have been used to construct supramolecular hollow tubes, including helical folding of oligomers, bundling of rod-like structures, rolling-up of sheets and stacking of covalent cycles. On the other hand, controlling chirality at the supramolecular level continues attracting much interest because of its implications in future applications of porous systems. This review article covers the main examples in the literature that use simple molecular structures as chiral units for precise assembly into discrete non-covalent cyclic structures that are able to form chiral supramolecular tubular systems.

Homo- and Hetero-Oligonuclear Complexes of Platinum Group Metals (PGM) Coordinated by Imine Schiff Base Ligands

Chemistry of Schiff base (SB) ligands began in 1864 due to the discovery made by Hugo Schiff (Schiff, H., Justus Liebigs Ann. der Chemie 1864, 131 (1), 118-119). However, there is still a vivid interest in coordination compounds based on imine ligands. The aim of this paper is to review the most recent concepts on construction of homo- and hetero-oligonuclear Schiff base coordination compounds narrowed down to the less frequently considered complexes of platinum group metals (PGM). The combination of SB and PGM in oligonuclear entities has several advantages over mononuclear or polynuclear species. Such complexes usually exhibit better electroluminescent, magnetic and/or catalytic properties than mononuclear ones due to intermetallic interactions and frequently have better solubility than polymers. Various construction strategies of oligodentate imine ligands for coordination of PGM are surveyed including simple imine ligands, non-innocent 1,2-diimines, chelating imine systems with additional N/O/S atoms, classic N2O2-compartmental Schiff bases and their modifications resulting in acyclic fused ligands, macrocycles such as calixsalens, metallohelical structures, nano-sized molecular wheels and hybrid materials incorporating mesoionic species. Co-crystallization and formation of metallophilic interactions to extend the mononuclear entities up to oligonuclear coordination species are also discussed.

Different Modes of Anion Response Cause Circulatory Phase Transfer of a Coordination Cage with Controlled Directionality

Controlled directional transport of molecules is essential to complex natural systems, from cellular transport up to organismal circulatory systems. In contrast to these natural systems, synthetic systems that enable transport of molecules between several spatial locations on the macroscopic scale, when external stimuli are applied, remain to be explored. Now, the transfer of a supramolecular cage is reported with controlled directionality between three phases, based on a cage that responds reversibly in two distinct ways to different anions. Notably, circulatory phase transfer of the cage was demonstrated based on a system where the three layers of solvent are arranged within a circular track. The direction of circulation between solvent phases depended upon the order of addition of anions.

Functional materials from self-assembled bis-urea macrocycles

CONSPECTUS: This Account highlights the work from our laboratories on bis-urea macrocycles constructed from two C-shaped spacers and two urea groups. These simple molecular units assembled with high fidelity into columnar structures guided by the three-centered urea hydrogen bonding motif and aryl stacking interactions. Individual columns are aligned and closely packed together to afford functional and homogeneous microporous crystals. This approach allows for precise and rational control over the dimensions of the columnar structure simply by changing the small molecular unit. When the macrocyclic unit lacks a cavity, columnar assembly gives strong pillars. Strong pillars with external functional groups such as basic lone pairs can expand like clays to accept guests between the pillars. Macrocycles that contain sizable interior cavities assemble into porous molecular crystals with aligned, well-defined columnar pores that are accessible to gases and guests. Herein, we examine the optimal design of the macrocyclic unit that leads to columnar assembly in high fidelity and probe the feasibility of incorporating a second functional group within the macrocycles. The porous molecular crystals prepared through the self-assembly of bis-urea macrocycles display surface areas similar to zeolites but lower than MOFs. Their simple one-dimensional channels are well-suited for studying binding, investigating transport, diffusion and exchange, and monitoring the effects of encapsulation on reaction mechanism and product distribution. Guests that complement the size, shape, and polarity of the channels can be absorbed into these porous crystals with repeatable stoichiometry to form solid host-guest complexes. Heating or extraction with an organic solvent enables desorption or removal of the guest and subsequent recovery of the solid host. Further, these porous crystals can be used as containers for the selective [2 + 2] cycloadditions of small enones such as 2-cyclohexenone or 3-methyl-cyclopentenone, while larger hosts bind and facilitate the photodimerization of coumarin. When the host framework incorporates benzophenone, a triplet sensitizer, UV-irradiation in the presence of oxygen efficiently generates singlet oxygen. Complexes of this host were employed to influence the selectivity of photooxidations of 2-methyl-2-butene and cumene with singlet oxygen. Small systematic changes in the channel and bound reactants should enable systematic evaluation of the effects of channel dimensions, guest dimensions, and channel-guest interactions on the processes of absorption, diffusion, and reaction of guests within these nanochannels. Such studies could help in the development of new materials for separations, gas storage, and catalysis.