Shape-Persistent Macrocycles: A Synthetic Strategy that Combines Easy and Site-Specific Decorations with Improved Cyclization Efficiency

Homochiral BINOL-based macrocycles with π-electron-rich, electron-withdrawing or extended spacing units as receptors for C60

The “one-pot” synthesis of several homochiral macrocycles has been achieved by using π-electron-rich, electron-deficient or extended aromatic dicarboxylic acids in combination with an axially-chiral dibenzylic alcohol, derived from enantiomerically-pure BINOL. Two series of cyclic adducts with average molecular D₂ and D₃ molecular symmetries, respectively, have been isolated in pure forms. Their yields and selectivities deviate substantially from statistical distributions. NMR and CD spectroscopic methods are efficient and functional in order to highlight the variability of shapes of the covalent macrocyclic frameworks. The larger D₃ cyclic adducts exhibit recognition properties towards C₆₀ in toluene solutions (up to log K_a = 3.2) with variable stoichiometries and variable intensities of the charge-tranfer band upon complexation.

Synthesis and anion recognition properties of shape-persistent binaphthyl-containing chiral macrocyclic amides

We report on the synthesis and characterization of novel shape-persistent, optically active arylamide macrocycles, which can be obtained using a one-pot methodology. Resolved, axially chiral binol scaffolds, which incorporate either methoxy or acetoxy functionalities in the 2,2' positions and carboxylic functionalities in the external 3,3' positions, were used as the source of chirality. Two of these binaphthyls are joined through amidation reactions using rigid diaryl amines of differing shapes, to give homochiral tetraamidic macrocycles. The recognition properties of these supramolecular receptors have been analyzed, and the results indicate a modulation of binding affinities towards dicarboxylate anions, with a drastic change of binding mode depending on the steric and electronic features of the functional groups in the 2,2' positions.

Synthesis of J-aggregating dibenz[a,j]anthracene-based macrocycles

Several fluorescent macrocycles based on 1,3-butadiyne-bridged dibenz[a,j]anthracene subunits have been synthesized via a multistep route. The synthetic strategy involved the initial construction of a functionalized dibenz[a,j]anthracene building block, subsequent installation of free alkyne groups on one side of the polycyclic aromatic framework, and a final cyclization based on a modified Glaser coupling under high-dilution conditions. Photophysical studies on three conjugated macrocycles revealed the formation of J-aggregates in thin films, as well as in concentrated solid solutions (polyisobutylene matrix), with peak absorption and emission wavelength in the range of lambda = 460-480 nm. The characteristic red-shifting of the J-aggregate features as compared to the monomer spectra, enhancement in absorption intensities, narrowed linewidths, and minimal Stokes shift values, were all observed. We demonstrate that improvements in spectral features can be brought about by annealing the films under a solvent-saturated atmosphere, where for the best films the luminescence quantum efficiency as high as 92% was measured. This class of macrocycles represents a new category of J-aggregates that due to their high peak oscillator strength and high luminescence efficiency have the potential to be utilized in a variety of optoelectronic devices.