Large amplitude, proton- and cation-activated latch-type mechanical switches: O-protonated amides stabilized by intramolecular, low-barrier hydrogen bonds within macrocycles

Proton transfer network with luminescence display controls OFF/ON catalysis that generates a high-speed slider-on-deck

A three-component network for OFF/ON catalysis was built from a protonated nanoswitch and a luminophore. Its activation by addition of silver(i) triggered the proton-catalyzed formation of a biped and the assembly of a fast slider-on-deck (k ₂₉₈ = 540 kHz).

Anthraquinone-1,8-Derived (Pseudo-) Crown and Lariat Ethers: Design and Applications as Fluorescent and Chromogenic Ion (Pair) Sensors

Cyclic polyamine/ethers embedded with anthraquinone moieties and functional pendants, are structural analogues of crown ethers and (oxo-) cyclams, and could be utilized as sensitive and selective chemosensors towards metal cations. Those pseudo- (similar but geometrically distinct) crown and lariat ethers show various cation-binding patterns and stoichiometry, being modulated by donor type, cavity size and pendants' chelating ability. The luminescent and chromogenic properties also differ a lot along with the derivation of the parental macrocycle. Methodological designing including synthesis and post-functionalization through nucleophilic substitution, Mannich condensation etc., as well as the sensing performance of those pseudo- crown and lariat ethers are summarized in this review, basing on the spectroscopic, voltammetric and X-ray crystallographic determinations. Anion effect in sensing cations is evaluated according to the ion-pair recognition theory. Those results shed some light on exemplifying the anions' role in bioinorganic systems including metalloenzymes.

N-Alkyl amide synthesis via N-alkylation of amides with alcohols

The present review summarizes the recent development of N-alkylation of amides with alcohols according to the classification of catalysts.

Synthesis, photophysical properties and cation-binding studies of bipyridine-functionalized gold(i) complexes

A new family of Au(i) complexes equipped with bipyridine function demonstrate bright luminescence response to M(ii) cations in solution.

A new detection mechanism involving keto–enol tautomerization: selective fluorescence detection of Al(iii) by dehydration of secondary alcohols in mixed DMSO/aqueous media

Selective chemodosimetric detection of Al(iii) via hydrolysis of secondary alcohols involving a unique keto–enol tautomerization reaction.

Polyether complexes of groups 13 and 14

Notable aspects of the chemistry of polyether complexes of group 13 and 14 elements are reviewed.

Improved selectivity for Pb(ii) by sulfur, selenium and tellurium analogues of 1,8-anthraquinone-18-crown-5: synthesis, spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and computational studies

Selectivity for toxic Pb(ii) ion is improved by changing donor heteroatoms in the host.

Selective fluorescence sensing of copper(II) and water via competing imine hydrolysis and alcohol oxidation pathways sensitive to water content in aqueous acetonitrile mixtures

Addition of hydrazines to a 1,8-disubstituted anthraquinone macrocycle containing a polyether ring produces site-selective imination, where hydrazone formation produces the more sterically hindered adduct. Reduction of the remaining carbonyl group to a secondary alcohol followed by addition of copper(II) ion causes intense yellow fluorescence to occur, which is selective for this metal cation and allows this system to be used as a fluorescence sensor. In the presence of water, a green-fluorescent intermediate appears, which slowly decomposes to produce the original starting anthraquinone. The addition of a large amount of water radically changes the reaction pathway. In this case, oxidation of the secondary alcohol is kinetically faster than hydrolysis of the hydrazone, although the same anthraquinone product is ultimately produced. Stern-Volmer data suggest that dioxygen quenches the green emission through both dynamic and static mechanisms; the static ground-state effect is most likely due to association of oxygen with the copper-bound fluorescent intermediate.

1,3-Bis(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1H-anthra[1,2-d]imidazole-2,6,11(3H)-trione

In the title compound, C₂₁H₁₂N₂O₃, the fused-ring system is roughly planar, the largest deviation from the mean plane being 0.084 (2) Å. The two prop-2-yn-1-yl groups are almost perpendicular to the fused ring plane, making C—C—N—C torsion angles of −103.4 (2) and −105.3 (2)°, and point in opposite directions with respect to the plane. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.

Field effects induce bathochromic shifts in xanthene dyes

There is ongoing interest in near-infrared (NIR) absorbing and emitting dyes for a variety of biomedical and materials applications. Simple and efficient synthetic procedures enable the judicious tuning of through-space polar (field) effects as well as low barrier hydrogen bonding to modulate the HOMO-LUMO gap in xanthene dyes. This affords unique NIR-absorbing xanthene chromophores.