Synthesis of Building Blocks for the Development of the SUPRAPhos Ligand Library and Examples of Their Application in Catalysis

Chirality Sensing of Chiral Carboxylic Acids by a Ureido-Linked Zinc Bisporphyrinate

We designed and synthesized a ureido-linked zinc bisporphyrinate [Zn2(UBis)]. CD spectra show that this zinc bisporphyrinate has the ability to sense the chirality of chiral carboxylic acids without derivatization. Our studies suggest that the phenyl ring in the linker forms π-π interactions with porphyrin planes and that the carboxylic acid is coordinated to the zinc in the host-guest complex. DFT calculations show that the bisporphyrin adopts a "Z"-shaped configuration, and that the ureido group forms hydrogen bonds with carboxylic acids. The combination of π-π interactions, coordination interactions and hydrogen bonding interactions leads to the chirality sensing ability of [Zn2(UBis)].

Influence of meso-linker attachment on the formation of core···π interactions in urea-functionalized porphyrins

The ability to cover the face of a porphyrin macrocycle selectively is an attractive feature for concepts such as catalysis and anion binding that is reliant on porphyrin core interactions. Herein, we have synthesized a family of mono-urea functionalized porphyrin complexes with intent to investigate their potential to form core···π interactions selectively to one face of the porphyrin macrocycle. By altering the distance between the urea moiety and the porphyrin through direct linkage or introducing a linker group we can control the formation of the core interactions. This is clearly seen in the crystal structure of 1-phenyl-3-(2-([10,15,20-triphenylporphyrinato]zinc(II)-5-yl)phenyl)urea where a unique face capping effect is demonstrated. In the crystal of this complex, there is a hydrogen-bonding network between the urea group and the axial methanol ligand forming head-to-tail aggregates with the Zn–O axis all molecules pointing in one direction.

In situ self-assembled biosupramolecular porphyrin nanofibers for enhancing photodynamic therapy in tumors

Due to the complicated environment and high tissue hydraulic pressure in tumors that easily pumps the nanomedicines back to the systemic circulation, the concentration of released photosensitizers (PSs) retained in a tumor by a traditional nano-delivery system is very low, causing an unsatisfactory photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect. Therefore, we prepared a pH/H₂O₂-responsive nano-system (ZnP-OC-M) through modified porphyrin PS units with a long-unsaturated oleoyl chloride chain, and by the further introduction of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups and MnO₂ through a cis-addition reaction between the unsaturated double bonds of oleoyl chloride and dilute KMnO₄ solution. Making use of the sensitivity of MnO₂ to the H₂O₂ in the acid environment of tumor cells, ZnP-OC-M selectively realized responsive disintegration and O₂ generation. More importantly, the rich amphiphilic PS units were shedded simultaneously and spontaneously completed the self-assembly into nanofibers in situ by helical stacking, which displayed a 1.85-fold higher retention effect of PSs in vivo compared with free PS groups and showed a great tumor inhibition effect in enhancing PDT. This nanosystem effectively solves the problem of the low retention abilities leading to a poor PS concentration in a tumor, prolonging the treatment time window efficiently after only a single administration and achieving the purpose of PDT enhancement.

Supramolecular Approaches To Control Activity and Selectivity in Hydroformylation Catalysis

The hydroformylation reaction is one of the most intensively explored reactions in the field of homogeneous transition metal catalysis, and many industrial applications are known. However, this atom economical reaction has not been used to its full potential, as many selectivity issues have not been solved. Traditionally, the selectivity is controlled by the ligand that is coordinated to the active metal center. Recently, supramolecular strategies have been demonstrated to provide powerful complementary tools to control activity and selectivity in hydroformylation reactions. In this review, we will highlight these supramolecular strategies. We have organized this paper in sections in which we describe the use of supramolecular bidentate ligands, substrate preorganization by interactions between the substrate and functional groups of the ligands, and hydroformylation catalysis in molecular cages.

Ligand libraries for high throughput screening of homogeneous catalysts

This review describes different approaches to construct ligand libraries towards high throughput screening of homogeneous metal catalysts.

Crystallographic and Spectroscopic Studies of a Host-Guest Complex Consisting of a Novel Zinc Trisporphyrinate and a Chiral Monoamine

We have designed and synthesized a novel zinc trisporphyrinate with a benzene tricarboxamide as the linker. In the presence of a large excess of 1-phenylethylamine, single crystals of the corresponding 1:3 host-guest complex were obtained, which provide the crystallographic structure of a host-guest complex consisting of an achiral porphyrin and a chiral monoamine. The structure reveals the 1-phenylethylamines adopt the "inside" binding mode that is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The NH2 of the 1-phenylethylamine is involved in both coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions. Circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet-visible spectra revealed that the 1:3 host-guest complex is dominant in the presence of a large excess of 1-phenylethylamine. The crystal structure shows there are two diastereomers of the 1:3 host-guest complexes. Density functional theory and TDDFT calculations suggest that one of the diastereomers is more energetically favorable, which dominates the CD signals.

Modular solid-phase synthesis, catalytic application and efficient recycling of supported phosphine–phosphite ligand libraries

A highly modular solid-phase synthetic approach is presented which provides facile access to libraries of recyclable phosphine–phosphite ligands in quantitative yield requiring only minimal work-up.

Rationalization of chirality induction and inversion in a zinc trisporphyrinate by a chiral monoalcohol

The host–guest system formed between a zinc trisporphyrinate and a chiral monoalcohol (1-phenylethylalcohol) shows the chirality induction and inversion processes. These processes are controlled by the corresponding 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes.

Ligand scaffold optimization of a supramolecular hydrogenation catalyst: Analyzing the influence of key structural subunits on reactivity and selectivity

Results are reported for the catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of two prototypical substrates with a series of more than 150 closely related supramolecular catalysts differing in only their ligand/catalyst scaffold. These modular catalysts are constructed from four subunits and vary widely in their reactivity (no reaction to quantitative yield) and enantioselectivity (racemic to 96% ee). Analysis of the ligand/catalyst scaffold optimization data reveals how each subunit contributes to the effectiveness of the modular supramolecular catalyst. The results suggest that a balance between key elements of rigidity and flexibility is required for the successful catalysts and, moreover, that this balance is required to enable effective fine-tuning via catalyst scaffold optimization.