Shape selectivity in the synthesis of chiral macrocyclic amides

Supramolecular Weaving by Halogen-Bonding in Functionality-Rich Hexasubstituted Aromatic Synthons

Hexasubstituted benzenes are interesting platforms for the generation of functional materials, whose applications span from supramolecular recognition to organic electronics. Their synthesis is difficult to achieve by controlling multiple substitution steps of all hydrogen atoms on the aromatic benzene skeleton, so, often, cycloaddition reactions from disubsituted alkynes are used. In this work, we report a novel, straightforward route to C₃-symmetrical hexasubstituted aromatic synthons with a diverse and rich pattern of functionalities, and we report about their packing mode in the crystals, in which, unprecedentedly, directional, strong halogen bonding interactions are capable of forming bidimensional supramolecular weaving.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and evaluation of new peptidomimetic Schiff bases as potential antithrombotic agents

New Schiff bases functionalized with amide and phenolic groups synthesized by the condensation of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2-hydroxyacetophenone with amino acid amides which in turn were prepared in two steps from N-Boc-amino acids and homoveraltrylamine through intermediate compounds N-Boc-amino acids amides. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis, and NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of three Schiff bases were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. There exists O–H\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\cdots $$\end{document}⋯N, N–H\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\cdots $$\end{document}⋯O, and C–H\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\cdots $$\end{document}⋯O types of hydrogen bonds and C–H\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\cdots\uppi $$\end{document}⋯π secondary bonding interactions in these crystalline solids. The Schiff bases have been screened for anticoagulant and antiplatelet aggregation activities. All the compounds showed procoagulant activity which shortens the clotting time of citrated human plasma in both platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasma except the derivatives of L-methionine which showed anticoagulant activity by prolonging the clotting time. In addition, the compounds derived from benzyl cysteine and phenylalanine showed adenosine diphosphate induced antiplatelet aggregation activity, whereas others did not show any role. Moreover, all these compounds revealed non-hemolytic activity with red blood cells.

Development of a Novel Sensor Based on Polypyrrole Doped with Potassium Hexacyanoferrate (II) for Detection of L-Tryptophan in Pharmaceutics

This study describes the development of a new sensor with applicability in the determination and quantification of yjr essential amino acid (AA) L-tryptophan (L-TRP) from pharmaceutical products. The proposed sensor is based on a carbon screen-printed electrode (SPCE) modified with the conductor polymer polypyrrole (PPy) doped with potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) (FeCN). For the modification of the SPCE with the PPy doped with FeCN, the chronoamperometry (CA) method was used. For the study of the electrochemical behavior and the sensitive properties of the sensor when detecting L-TRP, the cyclic voltammetry (CV) method was used. This developed electrode has shown a high sensibility, a low detection limit (LOD) of up to 1.05 × 10−7 M, a quantification limit (LOQ) equal to 3.51 × 10−7 M and a wide linearity range between 3.3 × 10−7 M and 1.06 × 10−5 M. The analytical performances of the device were studied for the detection of AA L-TRP from pharmaceutical products, obtaining excellent results. The validation of the electroanalytical method was performed by using the standard method with good results.

Helical Nanofibers Formed by Palladium-Mediated Assembly of Organic Homochiral Macrocycles Containing Binaphthyl and Pyridyl Units

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of homochiral macrocycles, in which molecular rigidity, combined with the presence of multiple functional groups, allow for the assembly of helical nanostructures. 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (Binol) units are used as robust chirality inducers, and pyridyl units embedded within the molecular frameworks allow the assembly, upon coordination with Pd(II) metal ions, of the macrocyclic building blocks. CD and NMR spectroscopies show the formation of ordered 1D assembly in solution. AFM studies indicate that the molecular systems are capable of forming nanoscale structures. The effective transfer of chiral information results in helical nanofibers, with lengths ranging from a few hundreds of nanometers to some micrometers. AFM line profiles reveal a helical longitudinal period of about 50 nm and a transverse width of 25 to 45 nm after deconvolution.

Binaphthyl-Based Macrocycles as Optical Sensors for Aromatic Diphenols

The synthesis of several rigid, homochiral organic macrocycles possessing, respectively, average molecular D₂ and D₃ symmetries, is described. They have been obtained from aromatic dicarboxylic acids, in combination with an axially-chiral, suitable dibenzylic alcohol, derived from 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diol (BINOL) using one-pot esterification reactions in good isolated yields. NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies detect the structural and shape variability in the scaffolds, reflected both in terms of the changes in chemical shifts and the shape of selected proton resonances, and in terms of the variation of the CD signature related to the dihedral angle defined by the binaphthyl units embedded in the rigid cyclic skeleton. The D₂ cyclic adducts are able to form stable complexes with aromatic diphenols, with binding strengths that are dependent on small variations in the spacing units, and therefore on the shapes of the internal cavities of the cyclic structures.

Speciation Studies of Bifunctional 3-Hydroxy-4-Pyridinone Ligands in the Presence of Zn2+ at Different Ionic Strengths and Temperatures

The acid–base properties of two bifunctional 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone ligands and their chelating capacity towards Zn²⁺, an essential bio-metal cation, were investigated in NaCl aqueous solutions by potentiometric, UV-Vis spectrophotometric, and ¹H NMR spectroscopic titrations, carried out at 0.15 ≤ I/mol ⁻¹ ≤ 1.00 and 288.15 ≤ T/K ≤ 310.15. A study at I = 0.15 mol L⁻¹ and T = 298.15 K was also performed for other three Zn²⁺/L^z− systems, with ligands belonging to the same family of compounds. The processing of experimental data allowed the determination of protonation and stability constants, which showed accordance with the data obtained from the different analytical techniques used, and with those reported in the literature for the same class of compounds. ESI-MS spectrometric measurements provided support for the formation of the different Zn²⁺/ligand species, while computational molecular simulations allowed information to be gained on the metal–ligand coordination. The dependence on ionic strength and the temperature of equilibrium constants were investigated by means of the extended Debye–Hückel model, the classical specific ion interaction theory, and the van’t Hoff equations, respectively.

Chiral Nanotubes

Organic nanotubes, as assembled nanospaces, in which to carry out host-guest chemistry, reversible binding of smaller species for transport, sensing, storage or chemical transformation purposes, are currently attracting substantial interest, both as biological ion channel mimics, or for addressing tailored material properties. Nature's materials and machinery are universally asymmetric, and, for chemical entities, controlled asymmetry comes from chirality. Together with carbon nanotubes, conformationally stable molecular building blocks and macrocycles have been used for the realization of organic nanotubes, by means of their assembly in the third dimension. In both cases, chiral properties have started to be fully exploited to date. In this paper, we review recent exciting developments in the synthesis and assembly of chiral nanotubes, and of their functional properties. This review will include examples of either molecule-based or macrocycle-based systems, and will try and rationalize the supramolecular interactions at play for the three-dimensional (3D) assembly of the nanoscale architectures.

Catching anions with coloured assemblies: binding of pH indicators by a giant-size polyammonium macrocycle for anion naked-eye recognition

Among inorganic anions, only triphosphate displaces bromocresol purple from its assembly with a tetra-cyclam macrocycle, allowing for its selective colorimetric detection.

Chiral nanostructuring of multivalent macrocycles in solution and on surfaces

We describe the design and synthesis of a novel functionality-rich, homochiral macrocycle, possessing the overall molecular D2 symmetry, in which multivalency is introduced into the covalent framework by means of four suitably positioned pyridine moieties. The macrocycle synthesis is carried out with functionalized, enantiopure 1,1'-binaphthyl synthons as the source of chirality by means of a room temperature esterification reaction as the cyclization procedure. Upon addition of Pd(2+), coordination of the pyridine moieties occurs both intra and intermolecularly, to afford chiral ordered mono and dimeric macrocycles or multimeric aggregates depending on the solvents and conditions used. The metal binding event takes place in combination with a significant macrocyclic conformational rearrangement detected by circular dichroism spectroscopy. When in combination with a third component (C60), the macrocycle-Pd(2+) hybrid undergoes surface-confined nanostructuring into chiral nanofibres.

Synthesis of Binaphthyl-Based Push-Pull Chromophores with Supramolecularly Polarizable Acceptor Ends

We report on the design and synthesis of new enantiopure binaphthyl derivatives in which electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents are placed in direct conjugation, to create push-pull dyes potentially active for NLO applications. The dyes, unprecedentedly, extend theirπ-bridge from the 3,3′ positions of the binaphthyl units and incorporate as acceptors 1,3-dicarbonyl and tetrafluorobenzene units, useful for further supramolecular polarization of the chiral dyes.

Synthesis, chiroptical and SHG properties of polarizable push–pull dyes built on π-extended binaphthyls

Novel binaphthyl push–pull dyes extend their π-bridge and incorporate as acceptors pyridine units, useful for further supramolecular polarization.

Nanostructuring with chirality: binaphthyl-based synthons for the production of functional oriented nanomaterials

Chirality is a powerful tool for the generation of order, directionality, and, as such, of function, in assembled nanoscale chemical devices. Axially chiral binaphthyls have been widely used in organic synthesis; the stability of the enantiomers enables their use as robust chirality inducers and catalysts in asymmetric reactions, and they are nowadays industrially applied in a variety of organic transformations. Applications of these compounds in the field of nanosciences are more recent, and not yet fully explored. The integration of such a robust class of chiral compounds, capable of efficient transfer of stereochemical information, into functional aggregates and nanoarchitectures is of great current interest. We will discuss preeminent examples of applications of these synthons in several fields of nanoscience, such as reticular chemistry, non-linear optical materials and imaging, and liquid crystals.

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.

Stereospecific generation of homochiral helices in coordination polymers built from enantiopure binaphthyl-based ligands

The novel enantiopure spacer 2,2′-dimethoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-3,3′-bis(4-pyridyl-amido) has been designed to prepare helical coordination polymers here investigated by means of experimental and theoretical data.

The click reaction as an efficient tool for the construction of macrocyclic structures

The Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC, known as the click reaction) is an established tool used for the construction of complex molecular architectures. Given its efficiency it has been widely applied for bioconjugation, polymer and dendrimer synthesis. More recently, this reaction has been utilized for the efficient formation of rigid or shape-persistent, preorganized macrocyclic species. This strategy also allows the installment of useful functionalities, in the form of polar and function-rich 1,2,3-triazole moieties, directly embedded in the macrocyclic structures. This review analyzes the state of the art in this context, and provides some elements of perspective for future applications.

Anthranilamides as bioinspired molecular electrets: experimental evidence for a permanent ground-state electric dipole moment

As electrostatic equivalents of magnets, organic electrets offer unparalleled properties for impacting energy conversion and electronic applications. While biological systems have evolved to efficiently utilize protein α-helices as molecular electrets, the synthetic counterparts of these conjugates still remain largely unexplored. This paper describes a study of the electronic properties of anthranilamide oligomers, which proved to be electrets based on their intrinsic dipole moments as evident from their spectral and dielectric properties. NMR studies provided the means for estimating the direction of the intrinsic electric dipoles of these conjugates. This study sets the foundation for the development of a class of organic materials that are de novo designed from biomolecular motifs and possess unexplored electronic properties.

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.