Functionalized analogues of Tröger's base: scope and limitations of a general synthetic procedure and facile, predictable method for the separation of enantiomers

Synthesis of Tröger's base-based [3]arenes for efficient iodine adsorption

Enantiomers of Tröger's base-based [3]arenes R6N-E[3] and S6N-E[3] were synthesized successfully as two optically pure Tröger's base-based macrocycles in which three Tröger's base subunits were incorporated. Among these Tröger's base-based[3]arenes, M[3] showed high absorption of iodine up to 4.02 g g-1 in vapor.

Tröger's Base-Derived Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Dopant for Efficient Deep-Blue Organic Light-Emitting Diodes

The development of efficient deep-blue emitters with thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) properties is a highly significant but challenging task in the field of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) applications. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of two new 4,10-dimethyl-6H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine (TB)-derived TADF emitters, TB-BP-DMAC and TB-DMAC, which feature distinct benzophenone (BP)-derived acceptors but share the same dimethylacridin (DMAC) donors. Our comparative study reveals that the amide acceptor in TB-DMAC exhibits a significantly weaker electron-withdrawing ability in comparison to that of the typical benzophenone acceptor employed in TB-BP-DMAC. This disparity not only causes a noticeable blue shift in the emission from green to deep blue but also enhances the emission efficiency and the reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) process. As a result, TB-DMAC emits efficient deep-blue delay fluorescence with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 50.4% and a short lifetime of 2.28 μs in doped film. The doped and non-doped OLEDs based on TB-DMAC display efficient deep-blue electroluminescence with spectral peaks at 449 and 453 nm and maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 6.1% and 5.7%, respectively. These findings indicate that substituted amide acceptors are a viable option for the design of high-performance deep-blue TADF materials.

Proton Conduction in Tröger's Base-Linked Poly(crown ether)s

Exactly 50 years ago, the ground-breaking discovery of dibenzo[18]crown-6 (DB18C6) by Charles Pedersen led to the use of DB18C6 as a receptor in supramolecular chemistry and a host in host-guest chemistry. We have demonstrated proton conductivity in Tröger's base-linked polymers through hydrogen-bonded networks formed from adsorbed water molecules on the oxygen atoms of DB18C6 under humid conditions. Tröger's base-linked polymers-poly(TBL-DB18C6)- t and poly(TBL-DB18C6)- c-synthesized by the in situ alkylation and cyclization of either trans- or cis-di(aminobenzo) [18]crown-6 at room temperature have been isolated as high-molecular-weight polymers. The macromolecular structures of the isomeric poly(TBL-DB18C6)s have been established by spectroscopic techniques and size-exclusion chromatography. The excellent solubility of these polymers in chloroform allows the formation of freestanding membranes, which are thermally stable and also show stability under aqueous conditions. The hydrophilic nature of the DB18C6 building blocks in the polymer facilitates retention of water as confirmed by water vapor adsorption isotherms, which show a 23 wt % water uptake. The adsorbed water is retained even after reducing the relative humidity to 25%. The proton conductivity of poly(TBL-DB18C6)- t, which is found to be 1.4 × 10^-4 mS cm^-1 in a humid environment, arises from the hydrogen bonding and the associated proton-hopping mechanism, as supported by a modeling study. In addition to proton conductivity, the Tröger's base-linked polymers reported here promise a wide range of applications where the sub-nanometer-sized cavities of the crown ethers and the robust film-forming ability are the governing factors in dictating their properties.

Oxidative Annulations Involving DMSO and Formamide: K2S2O8 Mediated Syntheses of Quinolines and Pyrimidines

An efficient strategy toward 4-arylquinolines and 4-arylpyrimidines from readily available precursors is described. Oxidative annulation promoted by K₂S₂O₈ involving anilines, aryl ketones, and DMSO as a methine (═CH-) equivalent leads to 4-arylquinolines via a cascade that entails generation of a sulfenium ion, subsequent C-N and C-C bond formations, and cyclization. The application of this strategy to the activation of acetophenone-formamide conjugates toward the synthesis of 4-arylpyrimidines is also described.

Discovery of Tröger's base analogues as selective inhibitors against human breast cancer cell line: design, synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation

A library of structurally diverse Tröger's base analogues has been constructed via unusual amination of methylene bridge employing Vilsmeier-Haack conditions as well as by the incorporation of five and six membered heterocycles on the aromatic core of Tröger's base framework. The constructed structurally diverse frameworks were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against a panel of three human cancer lines A549 (lung adenocarcinoma), MDAMB-231 (breast) and SK-N-SH (neuroblastoma). From the activity profile obtained, a redesign of Tröger's base analogues led to the construction of more potent molecular entities. The study led to development of a series of compounds with MDAMB-231 cell line specific cytotoxicity. Of the 30 compounds synthesized and evaluated, 7 compounds were found to possess cytotoxicity that is equivalent or better than standard drug doxorubicin against MDAMB-231 cell line while only one compound was found to be active against SK-N-SH cell line.

Asymmetric synthesis of N-stereogenic molecules: diastereoselective double aza-Michael reaction

A novel approach towards the asymmetric synthesis of N-stereogenic molecules via double aza-Michael addition was developed. The diastereomeric ratio can be increased by a thermodynamically controlled isomerization mechanism. Simple separation and functionalization of the products afford N-stereogenic compounds in high enantiomeric purity.

Facile access to imidazole and imidazolium substituted dibenzo-diazocines

The C₂-symmetrical 2,8- and 4,10-diimidazo methano dibenzo diazocines were synthesized and converted into alkyl imidazolium salts.

Modular Synthesis of Optically Active Tröger's Base Analogues

For the first time, enantioselective catalysis was applied for the preparation of Tröger's base derivatives affording N-stereogenic building blocks not only in excellent enantiomeric purity but also in an easily scalable fashion. Enzymatic kinetic resolution proved efficient to yield functionalized Tröger's bases, which can be subsequently modified by various chemical methods without any erosion of stereogenic information. In concert with a preparatively convenient protocol for the synthesis of the racemic substrates from commercially available anilines, a highly practicable and flexible route towards a wide range of enantiopure Tröger's base analogues is provided.

Structures of alkyl-substituted Tröger's base derivatives illustrate the importance of Z′ for packing in the absence of strong crystal synthons

Crystal structures of Tröger's base (5,11-methano-2,8-dimethyl-5,6,11,12-tetrahydrodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine) analogues with the methyl groups replaced by ethyl, iso-propyl and tert-butyl groups were studied. The incidence of Z′ > 1 structures increases to rather conspicuous levels. The reasons behind this trend are expanded upon, and a possible explanation is given in the flexibility of the alkyl substituents and van der Waals stabilization. In combination these effects allow for an additional stabilization of the packing by small changes in the molecular conformations, thus expanding the size of the asymmetric unit.