New types of helical canal inclusion networks

Helix-Sense-Selective Encapsulation of Helical Poly(lactic acid)s within a Helical Cavity of Syndiotactic Poly(methyl methacrylate) with Helicity Memory

We report a highly enantio- and helix-sense-selective encapsulation of helical poly(lactic acid)s (PLAs) through a unique "helix-in-helix" superstructure formation within the helical cavity of syndiotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (st-PMMA) with a one-handed helicity memory, which enables the separation of the enantiomeric helices of the left (M)- and right (P)-handed-PLAs. The M- and P-helical PLAs with different molar masses and a narrow molar mass distribution were prepared by the ring-opening living polymerization of the optically pure l- and d-lactides, respectively, followed by end-capping of the terminal residues of the PLAs with a 4-halobenzoate and then a C₆₀ unit, giving the C₆₀-free and C₆₀-bound M- and P-PLAs. The C₆₀-free and C₆₀-bound M- and P-PLAs formed crystalline inclusion complexes with achiral st-PMMA accompanied by a preferred-handed helix induction in the st-PMMA backbone, thereby producing helix-in-helix superstructures with the same-handedness to each other. The induced helical st-PMMAs were retained after replacement with the achiral C₆₀, indicating the memory of the induced helicity of the st-PMMAs. Both the C₆₀-free and C₆₀-bound helical PLAs were enantio- and helix-sense selectively encapsulated into the helical hollow space of the optically active M- and P-st-PMMAs with the helicity memory prepared using chiral amines. The M- and P-PLAs are preferentially encapsulated within the M- and P-st-PMMA helical cavity with the same-handedness to each other, respectively, independent of the terminal units. The C₆₀-bound PLAs were more efficiently and enantioselectively trapped in the st-PMMA compared to the C₆₀-free PLAs. The enantioselectivities were highly dependent on the molar mass of the C₆₀-bound and C₆₀-free PLAs and significantly increased as the molar mass of the PLAs increased.

Synthesis and characterization of 2,3-di-O-alkylated amyloses: hydrophobic substitution destabilizes helical conformation

Amylose was selectively alkylated in the 2,3-O position of each anhydroglucose unit after trityl protection of the 6-OH groups. Alkyl iodides of varying chain length (C(2), C(5), C(8)) were coupled to amylose, and degrees of substitution (DSs) were varied between 0.3 and 1.8, as assessed by NMR analysis. Increasing amounts of methyl groups per anhydroglucose unit increased solubility in nonaqueous media, while at the same time reducing the ability of modified amylose to form a complex with iodine. The tendency to form inclusion complexes with the surfactant N-dodecyl pyridinium bromide decreased in the order beta-cyclodextrin >> amylose approximately solubilized starch, indicating that the frozen macrocycle of beta-cyclodextrin was the most efficient inclusion host. Introduction of the bulky trityl group abolished the helical amylose conformation, which is not readily reassumed in the presence of hydrophobic substitution of the C2 and C3 positions. These results indicated that a polar outer surface is necessary but not sufficient for the formation of a stable amylose helix.

Crystal engineering of hydroxy group hydrogen bonding: design and synthesis of new diol lattice inclusion hosts

The diols 7-11 have been synthesized, and their X-ray crystal structures determined, to learn how to influence and control lattice hydroxy group hydrogen bonding using crystal engineering ideas. To obtain new lattice inclusion hosts precise structural rules can be defined which enable the necessary supramolecular interactions to be duplicated. In this manner the helical tubuland 10 and ellipsoidal clathrate 11 hosts were obtained for the first time and their chloroform inclusion compounds characterized. New synthetic routes were utilized to obtain the bicyclo[3.3.2]decane and 9-thiatricyclo[4.3.1.1(3,8)]undecane frameworks present in these compounds. The solid-state conformations of bicyclo[3.3.2]decane derivatives 9 and 10 are compared with prior predictions and studies made on this uncommon ring system.

Cross-polarization dynamics in 2,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-exo-2-exo-6-diol inclusion compounds as studied by 13C magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of a number of inclusion compounds of 2,6-dimethyl-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-exo-2-exo-6-diol (host) with small organic small molecules (guests) have been studied. With 3,4-dichloro-1,2,5-thiadiazole and tetrachloroethylene as guests, line splittings of the host resonances were observed due to the location of the guest in the host lattice. The cross-polarization (CP) dynamics of these inclusion compounds have been studied and shown to be indicative of weakly coupled systems. As expected, the proton spin lattice relaxation times in the rotating frame (T1pH) of the host are increased by the presence of rapidly moving guest because the efficiency of homonuclear dipolar relaxation in the rotating frame is reduced. However, strong transient oscillations were also observed for the guest molecules during the Hartmann-Hahn transfer of magnetisation from the more abundant 1H spins to the 13C spins during spin lattice rotating frame relaxation. These oscillations were found to be greatest for carbons with largest chemical shift anisotropies.