Centrotriindane- and triptindane-based polymers of intrinsic microporosity

The correction of Inelastic Neutron Scattering data of organic samples using the Average Functional Group Approximation

The use of the Average Functional Group Approximation for self-shielding corrections at inelastic neutron spectrometers is discussed. By taking triptindane as a case study, we use the above-mentioned approximation to simulate a synthetic dynamic structure factor as measured on an indirect-geometry spectrometer, as well as the related total scattering cross section as a function of incident neutron energy and sample temperature, and the transmission spectra depending on the sample thickness. These quantities, obtained in a consistent way from the Average Functional Group Approximation, are used to calculate the energy-dependent self-shielding correction affecting the sample under investigation. The impact on the intensities of low-energy vibrational modes is discussed, showing that at typical experimental conditions the sample-dependent attenuation factor is about 15% higher compared to the correction at higher energies.

Occurrence, synthesis and applications of natural and designed [3.3.3]propellanes

Covering: 1978 to 2019 The synthetically challenging [3.3.3]propellane core has caught a lot of attention over the last 50 years. This comprehensive review details all synthetic strategies reported in the period 1978-2019 to facilitate the synthesis of carbocyclic [3.3.3]propellanes. The described strategies span from acid-catalyzed rearrangements and photo-mediated cycloadditions of ketones, heteropropellanes and dispiroundecanes to thermal rearrangements of acetylenes and alkenes. Other approaches, such as radical reactions with halogenated alkenes, domino cyclizations, the smart use of epoxide-carbonyl rearrangements and intramolecular palladium-catalyzed ring contractions are discussed as well. A special section is dedicated to triptindanes, a subclass of [3.3.3]propellanes which are of interest to material sciences.

Three new compounds from the flower branch of Gastrodia elata Blume and anti-microbial activity

Three new compounds (1–3): gastrodinol (1), 2-(4′-hydroxybenzoyl)-3-hydroxyethyl indole (2) and 2-(4′-hydroxybenzoyl)-3-(4′′-hydroxybenzyl)indole (3) were isolated from the flower branch of G. elata, and anti-microbial activity.

Propellanes-From a Chemical Curiosity to "Explosive" Materials and Natural Products

Propellanes are a unique class of compounds currently consisting of well over 10 000 representatives, all featuring two more or less inverted tetrahedral carbon atoms that are common to three bridging rings. The central single bond between the two bridgeheads is significantly weakened in the smaller entities, which leads to unusual reactivities of these structurally interesting propeller-like molecules. This Review highlights the synthesis of such propellanes and their occurrence in material sciences, natural products, and medicinal chemistry. The conversion of [1.1.1]propellane into bridgehead derivatives of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane, including oligomers and polymers with bicyclo[1.1.1]penta-1,3-diyl repeat units, is also featured. A selection of natural products with larger propellane subunits are discussed in detail. Heteropropellanes and inorganic propellanes are also addressed. The historical background is touched in brief to show the pioneering work of David Ginsburg, Günther Snatzke, Kenneth B. Wiberg, Günter Szeimies, and others.

A cyclopenta[hi]acephenanthrylene bearing two benzoannelated [3.3.3]propellane units: extension of triptindane chemistry

The McMurry reaction of triptindan-9-one (2), a three-fold benzoannelated Cs-symmetrical [3.3.3]propellane ketone, gave trans-9,9′-bitriptindanylidene (5), a sterically crowded stilbene hydrocarbon bearing two E-oriented triptindane moieties, in good yield. Photoisomerization of 5 generated the corresponding cis-stilbene 8 in a photostationary E:Z mixture (55:45), which adopts a similarly crowded C2-symmetrical conformation that is apparently static on the NMR timescale. Photocyclodehydrogenation of 5 via 8 in benzene solution afforded the title hydrocarbon 6, a 1,2,9,10-tetrahydrocyclopenta[hi]acephenanthrylene merged with two triptindane units, in 85% yield. X-ray structure analysis of 6 revealed an essentially planar phenanthrene unit but significant steric repulsion between the pairs of opposite methylene groups of the [3.3.3]propellane cores, giving rise to a C2-symmetrical conformation. Reaction of 2 under modified McMurry conditions (DME instead of THF as a solvent) gave the saturated dimer, 9,9′-bitriptindanyl 7, as a mixture of diastereomers. Attempts to synthesize “columnene” (4), an elusive barrelene derivative fused with two triptindane caps, by three-fold McMurry reaction of triptindane-9,10,11-trione (3) failed.

Centrohexaindane: six benzene rings mutually fixed in three dimensions - solid-state structure and six-fold nitration

The solid-state molecular structure of centrohexaindane (), a unique hydrocarbon comprising six benzene rings clamped to each other in three dimensions around a neopentane core, and the molecular packing in crystals of ·CHCl3 are reported. The molecular Td-symmetry and the Cartesian orientation of the six indane wings of in the solid state have been confirmed. The course and limitation of electrophilic aromatic substitution of are demonstrated for the case of nitration. Based on nitration experiments of a lower congener of , tribenzotriquinacene , the six-fold nitrofunctionalisation of has been achieved in excellent yield, giving four constitutional isomers, two nonsymmetrical ( and ) and two C3-symmetrical ones ( and ), all of which contain one single nitro group in each of the six benzene rings. The relative yields of the four isomers (∼3 : 1 : 1 : 3) point to a random electrophilic attack of the electrophiles at the twelve formally equivalent outer positions of the aromatic periphery of , suggesting electronic independence of its six aromatic π-electron systems. In turn, the pronounced conformational rigidity of the centrohexacyclic framework of enables the unequivocal structural identification of the isomeric hexanitrocentrohexaindanes by (1)H NMR spectroscopy.

Synthesis and Effect of Physical Aging on Gas Transport Properties of a Microporous Polyimide Derived from a Novel Spirobifluorene-Based Dianhydride

A novel generic method is reported for the synthesis of a spirobifluorene-based dianhydride (SBFDA). An intrinsically microporous polyimide was obtained by polycondensation reaction with 3,3'-dimethylnaphthidine (DMN). The corresponding polymer (SBFDA-DMN) exhibited good solubility, excellent thermal stability, as well as significant microporosity with high BET surface area of 686 m²/g. The O₂ permeability of a methanol-treated and air-dried membrane was 1193 Barrer with a moderate O₂/N₂ selectivity of 3.2. The post-treatment history and aging conditions had great effects on the membrane performance. A significant drop in permeability coupled with an increase in selectivity was observed after long-term aging. After storage of 200 days, the gas separation properties of SBFDA-DMN were located slightly above the latest Robeson upper bounds for several gas pairs such as O₂/N₂ and H₂/N₂.