A Molecular Leverage for Helicity Control and Helix Inversion

Modulating Helix-Preference of an Axially-Twisted Molecular Scaffold Through Diastereomeric Salt Formation with Tartaric Acid Stereoisomers

Herein, we designed a chiral, axially-twisted molecular scaffold (ATMS) using pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (PDC) unit as pivot, chiral trans-cyclohexanediamine (CHDA) residues as linkers, and pyrene residues as fluorescent reporters. R,R-ATMS exclusively adopted M-helicity and produced differential response in UV-vis, fluorescence, and NMR upon addition of tartaric acid (TA) stereoisomers allowing naked-eye detection and enantiomeric content determination. Circular dichroism (CD) profile of R,R-ATMS underwent unique changes during titration with TA stereoisomers - while loss of CD signal at 345 nm was observed with equimolar D-TA and meso-TA, inversion was seen with equimolar L-TA. Temperature increase weakened these interactions to partially recover the original CD signature of R,R-ATMS. 2D NMR studies also indicated the significant structural changes in R,R-ATMS in the solution state upon addition of L-TA. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) studies on the crystals of the R,R-ATMS⊃D-TA salt revealed the interacting partners stacked in arrays and ATMS molecules stabilized by π-π stacking between its PDC and pyrene residues. Contrastingly, tightly-packed supramolecular cages comprised of four molecules each of R,R-ATMS and L-TA were seen in R,R-ATMS⊃L-TA salt, and the ATMS molecules contorted to achieve CH-π interactions between its pyrene residues. These results may have implications in modulating the helicity of topologically-similar larger biomolecules.

Stimuli-responsive synthetic helical polymers

Synthetic dynamic helical polymers (supramolecular and covalent) and foldamers share the helix as a structural motif. Although the materials are different, these systems also share many structural properties, such as helix induction or conformational communication mechanisms. The introduction of stimuli responsive building blocks or monomer repeating units in these materials triggers conformational or structural changes, due to the presence/absence of the external stimulus, which are transmitted to the helix resulting in different effects, such as assymetry amplification, helix inversion or even changes in the helical scaffold (elongation, J/H helical aggregates). In this review, we show through selected examples how different stimuli (e.g., temperature, solvents, cations, anions, redox, chiral additives, pH or light) can alter the helical structures of dynamic helical polymers (covalent and supramolecular) and foldamers acting on the conformational composition or molecular structure of their components, which is also transmitted to the macromolecular helical structure.

Selective synthesis of tightly- and loosely-twisted metallomacrocycle isomers towards precise control of helicity inversion motion

Molecular twist is a characteristic component of molecular machines. Selectively synthesising isomers with different modes of twisting and controlling their motion such as helicity inversion is an essential challenge for achieving more advanced molecular systems. Here we report a strategy to control the inversion kinetics: the kinetically selective synthesis of tightly- and loosely-twisted isomers of a trinuclear PdII-macrocycle and their markedly different molecular behaviours. The loosely-twisted isomers smoothly invert between (P)- and (M)-helicity at a rate of 3.31 s-1, while the helicity inversion of the tightly-twisted isomers is undetectable but rather relaxes to the loosely-twisted isomers. This critical difference between these two isomers is explained by the presence or absence of an absolute configuration inversion of the nitrogen atoms of the macrocyclic amine ligand. Strategies to control the helicity inversion and structural loosening motions by the mode of twisting offer future possibilities for the design of molecular machines.

Acceleration and deceleration of chirality inversion speeds in a dynamic helical metallocryptand by alkali metal ion binding

We report that the chirality inversion kinetics of a trinickel(II) cryptand can be controlled by guest recognition in the cryptand cavity. When the guest was absent, the nickel(II) cryptand underwent a dynamic interconversion between the P and M forms in solution, preferring the M form, with a half-life of t1/2 = 4.99 min. The P/M equilibrium is reversed to P-favored by binding with an alkali metal ion in the cryptand cavity. The timescale of this M→P inversion kinetics was both notably accelerated and decelerated by the guest binding (t1/2 = 0.182 min for K+ complex; 186 min for Cs+ complex); thus, the equilibration rate constants differed by up to 1000-fold depending on the guest metal ions. This acceleration/deceleration can be explained in terms of the virtual binding constants at the transition state of the P/M chirality inversion; K+ binding more stabilizes the transition state rather than the P and M forms to result in the acceleration.

Coordination-Driven Salamo-Salen-Salamo-Type Multinuclear Transition Metal(II) Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, Luminescence, Transformation of Configuration, and Nuclearity Induced by the Acetylacetone Anion

A flexible polydentate Salamo-Salen-Salamo hybrid ligand H₄L was designed and synthesized, which has rich pockets (salamo and salen pockets) so that it may have fascinating coordination patterns with transition metal(II) ions. Four multinuclear transition metal(II) complexes, novel butterfly-shaped homotetranuclear [Ni₄(L)(μ₁-OAc)₂(μ_1,3-OAc)₂(H₂O)_0.5(CH₃CH₂OH)_3.5]·4CH₃CH₂OH (1), helical homotrinuclear [Zn₃(L)(μ₁-OAc)₂]·2CH₃CH₂OH (2), double-helical homotrinuclear [Cu₂(H₂L)₂]·2CH₃CN (3), and mononuclear [Ni(H₂L)]·1.5CH₃COCH₃ (4), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The effects of different anions [OAc^- and (O₂C₅H₇)^2-] on the complexation behavior of H₄L with transition metal(II) ions were studied by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The fluorescent properties of the four complexes were studied with zebrafish, which are expected to be a potential light-emitting material. Ultimately, interaction region indicator (IRI) valuations, Hirshfeld surface analyses, density functional theory (DFT & TD-DFT), electrostatic potential analyses (ESP), and simulations were carried out to further demonstrate the weak interactions and electronic properties of the free ligand and its four complexes.

Adaptive Planar Chirality of Pillar[5]arenes Invertible by n-Alkane Lengths

Chirality of host molecules can be induced and/or inverted by the guest molecules. However, the adapting chirality of hosts to the length of n-alkanes remains a great challenge because n-alkanes are neutral, achiral, and linear molecules, resulting in a weak interaction with most compounds. Herein, we report a system with chirality adapted to n-alkane lengths, using a pillar[5]arene-based macrocyclic host, S-Br, which contains five stereogenic carbons and five terminal bromine atoms on each rim. The electron-rich cavity of S-Br could include n-alkanes and the planar-chiral isomers sensitively inverted in response to the lengths of the complexed n-alkanes. The inclusion of a short n-alkane such as n-pentane made S-Br more inclined to be in the pS-form, whereas the inclusion of long n-alkanes such as n-heptane made the pR-form more favorable. The difference in the stability of the isomers was supported by the crystal structures and the theoretical calculations. Furthermore, temperature drives the adaptive chirality of S-Br with n-alkanes. An n-alkane with middle length, n-hexane, showed the dominance of the pR-form of S-Br at a higher temperature, whereas the pS-form was shown at a lower temperature.

Synthesis of amphiphilic chiral salen complexes and their conformational manipulation at the air-water interface

A series of amphiphilic salen complexes, [L1a,bM] and [L2a,bM], were designed and synthesized. These complexes consist of two or four hydrophilic triethylene glycol (TEG) chains and a hydrophobic π-extended metallosalen core based on naphthalene or phenanthrene. The obtained amphiphilic complexes, [L1bM] (M = Ni, Cu, Zn), formed a monolayer at the air-water interface, while the monocationic [L1bCo(MeNH₂)₂](OTf) did not form a well-defined monolayer. The number of hydrophilic TEG chains also had an influence on the monolayerformation behavior; the tetra-TEG derivatives, [L1bNi] and [L2bNi], showed a pressure rise at a less compressed region than the bis-TEG derivatives, [L1aNi] and [L2aNi]. In addition, the investigation of their compressibility and compression modulus suggested that the tetra-TEG derivatives, [L1bNi] and [L2bNi], are more flexible than the corresponding bis-TEG analogues, [L1aNi] and [L2aNi], and that the phenanthrene derivatives [L1a,bNi] were more rigid than the corresponding naphthalene analogues, [L2a,bNi]. The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of one of the complexes, [L1bNi], showed CD spectra slightly different from that in solution, which may originate from the unique anisotropic environment of the air-water interface. Thus, we demonstrated the possibility of controlling the chiroptical properties of metal complexes by mechanical compression.

Roles of Metal Ions in Foldamers and Other Conformationally Flexible Supramolecular Systems

Conformational control is a key prerequisite for much molecular function. As chemists seek to create complex molecules that have applications beyond the academic laboratory, correct spatial positioning is critical. This is particularly true of flexible systems. Conformationally flexible molecules show potential because they resemble in many cases naturally occurring analogues such as the secondary structures found in proteins and peptides such as α-helices and β-sheets. One of the ways in which conformation can be controlled in these molecules is through interaction with or coordination to metal ions. This review explores how secondary structure (i.e., controlled local conformation) in foldamers and other conformationally flexible systems can be enforced or modified through coordination to metal ions. We hope to provide examples that illustrate the power of metal ions to influence this structure toward multiple different outcomes.

Allosteric Binding-Induced Intramolecular Mechanical-Strain Engineering

Recently, polymer mechanochemistry has attracted much scientific interest due to its potential to develop degradable polymers. When the two ends of a polymer chain experience a linear pulling stress, molecular strain builds up, at sufficiently strong force, a bond scission of the weakest covalent bond results. In contrast, bond-breaking events triggered by conformational stress are much less explored. Here, we discovered that a Zn salen complex would undergo conformational switching upon allosteric complexation with alkanediammonium guests. By controlling the guest chain length, the torsional strain experienced by Zn complex can be modulated to induce bond cleavage with chemical stimulus, and reactivity trend is predicted by conformational analysis derived by DFT calculation. Such strain-release reactivity by a Zn(salen) complex initiated by guest binding is reminiscent of conformation-induced reactivity of enzymes to enable chemical events that are otherwise inhibited.

Manipulating Reaction Energy Coordinate Landscape of Mechanochemical Diaza-Cope Rearrangement

Chiral vicinal diamines, a unique class of optically-active building blocks, play a crucial role in material design, pharmaceutical, and catalysis. Traditionally, their syntheses are all solvent-based approaches, which make organic solvent an indispensable part of their production. As part of our program aiming to develop chemical processes with reduced carbon footprints, we recently reported a highly practical and environmentally-friendly synthetic route to chiral vicinal diamines by solvent-free mechanochemical diaza-Cope rearrangement. We herein showed that a new protocol by co-milling with common laboratory solid additives, such as silica gel, can significantly enhance the efficiency of the reaction, compared to reactions in the absence of additives. One possible explanation is the Lewis acidic nature of additives that accelerates a key Schiff base formation step. Reaction monitoring experiments tracing all the reaction species, including reactants, intermediates, and product, suggested that the reaction profile is distinctly different from ball-milling reactions without additives. Collectively, this work demonstrated that additive effect is a powerful tool to manipulate a reaction pathway in mechanochemical diazo-Cope rearrangement pathway, and this is expected to find broad interest in organic synthesis using mechanical force as an energy input.

Mesogenic discrete metallofoldamer for columnar liquid crystal

A mesogenic metallofoldamer [(1_R,R-Ni)₂Pd] exhibits thermotropic columnar liquid crystalline properties. The metallofoldamer was prepared from two homochiral crescent-shaped precursors having β-diketonate ligands (1_R,R-Ni) through bridging by metal complexation; it exhibited a single helicity owing to the overlapping of both ends. The precursor and metallofoldamer formed similar hexagonal columnar phases. The helical metallofoldamer exhibited the hexagonal columnar phase at the higher temperature range owing to its rigid helical mesogenic structure.

Saccharide-Functionalized Poly(Zn-salphen)-alt-(m- and p-phenyleneethynylene)s as Dynamic Helical Metallopolymers

The study of metallopolymers with controllable helical sense remains in its infancy. We report arabinose-functionalized (Zn-salphen)-based conjugated polymers that display mirror-image circular dichroism spectra for L- and D-sugar sidechains respectively, signifying ordered (helical) coiling of the polymer backbone with opposite screw-sense preferences. The observation of different spectroscopic behavior and Cotton effects for a variety of solvents (in a reversible manner) and temperatures, ascribed to changes in the extent of intrachain (Zn⋅⋅⋅O(salphen) and π-stacking) interactions between Zn-salphen moieties, thus indicate the flexible, responsive and dynamic nature of the folded helical conformation in these systems. An application study signifying that activity can be governed by the structure and helical sense of the polymer is described.

Exploitation of a Half-Conjugate Polydentate Salamo-Salen Hybrid Ligand and Its Two Phenoxide-Bridged Heterohexanuclear 3d-s Double-Helical Cluster Complexes

A half-conjugate polydentate Salamo-Salen hybrid ligand, H₅L, containing two unique N₂O₂ pockets was first designed so that these metal ions in the complexes appear in different coordination modes. Two heterohexanuclear 3d-s double-helical cluster complexes, [Zn₄Ca₂L₂(μ₁-OAc)₂(EtOH)₂]·2EtOH (1; EtOH = ethanol) and [Zn₄Sr₂L₂(μ₂-OAc)₂(MeOH)₂]·2CH₂Cl₂ (2; MeOH = methanol), are reported that are formed through the reaction of H₅L with zinc(II) and calcium(II) acetate or strontium(II) acetate, respectively. IR spectral analysis of the two complexes showed the existence of monodentate- and bidentate-coordinated acetate ions. The fluorescence properties of the ligand and its two heterohexanuclear complexes were explored in MeOH and water solutions, separately. In addition, theoretical calculations (density functional theory, interaction region indicator, and bond order) were performed to further understand the formation of a single-molecular double helix and the electron distribution characteristics of the two complexes.

Enhancement of Alkali Metal Ion Recognition by Metalation of a Tris(saloph) Cryptand Having Benzene Rings at the Bridgeheads

A cryptand derivative, H₆L, which has three H₂saloph arms connected by two benzene ring bridgeheads, was synthesized and converted into the trinuclear metallocryptand, LNi₃. The nonmetalated host, H₆L, was found to bind to alkali metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺; logK_a = 3.37-6.67) in its well-defined cavity in DMSO/chloroform (1:9). The binding affinity was enhanced by 1-2 orders of magnitude upon the conversion into the metallocryptand, LNi₃, which can be explained by the more polarized phenoxo groups in the [Ni(saloph)] arms. The guest binding affinity of Na⁺ < K⁺ < Rb⁺ ≈ Cs⁺ was clearly demonstrated by the ¹H NMR competition experiments. The DFT calculations suggested that the Rb⁺ ion most suitably fit into the benzene-benzene spacing with a cation-π interaction and that only the largest Cs⁺ ion can almost equally interact with all six phenoxo oxygen donor atoms. The metallocryptand, LNi₃, also showed a strong binding affinity to Ag⁺ by taking advantage of cation-π interactions, which was confirmed by spectroscopic titrations and crystallographic analysis as well as DFT calculations. Thus, the well-defined three-dimensional cavity of LNi₃ was found to be suitable for strong binding with alkali metal ions as well as Ag⁺.

A novel turn-on fluorogenic aldehyde-appended salamo-like copper(ii) complex probe for the simultaneous detection of S2O32− and GSH

A novel salamo-like copper(ii) complex probe (ASC) behaves as a two-pronged sensor of S₂O₃²⁻ ions and GSH by a ‘turn-on’ fluorescence mechanism.

Unprecedented Dinuclear CuII N,O-Donor Complex: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Fluorescence Property, and Hirshfeld Analysis

An unprecedented dinuclear CuII complex, [Cu2(L2)2], derived from a salamo-like chelating ligand H2L2, was produced by the cleavage of a newly synthesized, half-salamo-like ligand HL1 (2-[O-(1-ethyloxyamide)]oxime-3,5-dichloro-phenol). This was synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis and fluorescent spectra, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and Hirshfeld surface analysis. X-ray crystallographic analysis indicated that the two CuII (Cu1 and Cu2) ions bore different (N2O3 and N2O2) coordination environments, the penta-coordinated Cu1 ion possessed a slightly twisted tetragonal pyramid geometry with the τ value τ = 0.004, and the tetra-coordinated Cu2 ion showed a slightly twisted square planar geometry. Interestingly, one oxime oxygen atom participated in the coordination reported previously. Moreover, an infinite two-dimensional layered supramolecular network was formed. Compared with HL1, the CuII complex possessed the characteristic of fluorescence quenching.

Fluorescence Properties and Density Functional Theory Calculation of a Structurally Characterized Heterotetranuclear [ZnII2–SmIII2] 4,4′-Bipy-Salamo-Constructed Complex

A new heterotetranuclear complex, [{Zn(L)Sm(NO3)3}2(4,4′-bipy)]·2CH3OH, was synthesized via an unsymmetrical single salamo-like ligand H2L: 6-methoxy-6′-ethoxy-2,2′-[ethylenedioxybis(azinomethyl)]diphenol, with Zn(OAc)2·2H2O, Sm(NO3)3·6H2O, and 4,4′-bipyridine by the one-pot method. The [ZnII2–SmIII2] complex was validated via elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy. The X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis of the [ZnII2–SmIII2] complex was carried out via X-ray single-crystal crystallography. The crystal structure and supramolecular features were discussed. In addition, while studying the fluorescence properties of the [ZnII2–SmIII2] complex, the density functional theory (DFT) calculation of its structure was also performed.

An Unexpected Trinuclear Cobalt(II) Complex Based on a Half-Salamo-Like Ligand: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, Antimicrobial and Fluorescent Properties

An unexpected trinuclear Co(II) complex, [Co3(L2)2(μ-OAc)2(CH3OH)2]·2CH3OH (H2L2 = 4,4′-dibromo-2,2′-[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol) constructed from a half-Salamo-based ligand (HL1 = 2-[O-(1-ethyloxyamide)]oxime-4-bromophenol) and Co(OAc)2·4H2O, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectra (IR), UV-Vis spectra, X-ray crystallography and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The Co(II) complex contains three Co(II) atoms, two completely deprotonated (L2)2− units, two bridged acetate molecules, two coordinated methanol molecules and two crystalline methanol molecules, and finally, a three-dimensional supramolecular structure with infinite extension was formed. Interestingly, during the formation of the Co(II) complex, the ligand changed from half-Salamo-like to a symmetrical single Salamo-like ligand due to the bonding interactions of the molecules. In addition, the antimicrobial activities of HL1 and its Co(II) complex were also investigated.

Chirality transfer between hexaazamacrocycles in heterodinuclear rare earth complexes

Both the chiral hexaazamacrocyle L1 based on trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and the achiral hexaazamacrocyle L2 based on ethylenediamine form lanthanide(iii) dinuclear μ-hydroxo bridged complexes which have been characterized by NMR and CD spectroscopy. The homodinuclear complexes of the type [Ln₂(L1)₂(μ-OH)₂](NO₃)₄ (Ln = Nd^III, Eu^III, Tb^III and Yb^III) have been synthesized in the enantiopure form and the X-ray crystal structures of Nd^III, Eu^III and Yb^III derivatives have been determined. The heterodinuclear cationic complexes [Ln(L1)Ln'(L2)(μ-OH)₂X₂]ⁿ⁺ have been generated and characterized in solution by using the mononuclear complexes of L1 and L2 as substrates. While the formation of [LnLn'(L1)₂(μ-OH)₂X₂]ⁿ⁺ dinuclear complexes is accompanied by chiral narcissistic self-sorting, the formation of [Ln(L1)Ln'(L2)(μ-OH)₂X₂]ⁿ⁺ dinuclear complexes is accompanied by the sizable sociable self-sorting of macrocyclic units. The homodinuclear complexes [Y₂(L1)₂(μ-OH)₂X₂]ⁿ⁺ and [Ln₂(L2)₂(μ-OH)₂X₂]ⁿ⁺ (Ln = Dy^III, Pr^III and Nd^III) are CD silent in the visible region due to the lack of f-f transitions and the presence of an achiral ligand, respectively. In contrast, the heterodinuclear [Y(L1^S)Ln(L2)(μ-OH)₂X₂]ⁿ⁺ complexes give rise to CD signals arising from the f-f transitions because of the chirality transfer from the L1 macrocyclic unit to the L2 macrocyclic unit.

Supramolecular chirality transformation driven by monodentate ligand binding to a coordinatively unsaturated self-assembly based on C 3-symmetric ligands

Monodentate ligand binding is facilitated by supramolecular chirality transformations from propeller-shaped chirality into single-twist chirality by altering the self-assembly of C 3-symmetric chiral ligands. The C 3-symmetric chiral ligands (Im R 3Bz and Im S 3Bz) contain three chiral imidazole side arms (Im R  and Im S ) at the 1,3,5-positions of a central benzene ring. Upon coordination to zinc ions (Zn2+), which have a tetrahedral coordination preference, the C 3-symmetric chiral ligands assemble, in a stepwise manner, into a propeller-shaped assembly with a general formula (Im( R or S ) 3Bz)4(Zn2+)3. In this structure each Zn2+ ion coordinates to the three individual imidazole side arms. The resulting assembly is formally coordinatively unsaturated (coordination number, n = 3) and capable of accepting monodentate co-ligands (imidazole: ImH2) to afford a coordinatively saturated assembly [(ImH2)3(Im R 3Bz)4(Zn2+)3]. The preformed propeller-shaped chirality is preserved during this transformation. However, an excess of the monodentate co-ligand (ImH2/Zn2+ molar ratio of ∼1.7) alters the propeller-shaped assembly into a stacked dimer assembly [(ImH2) m (Im R 3Bz)2(Zn2+)3] (m = 4-6) with single-twist chirality. This switch alters the degree of enhancement and the circular dichroism (CD) pattern, suggesting a structural transition into a chiral object with a different shape. This architectural chirality transformation presents a new approach to forming dynamic coordination-assemblies, which have transformable geometric chiral structures.

Organic core-shell-shaped micro/nanoparticles from twisted macrocycles in Schiff base reaction

A series of organic core–shell-shaped micro/nanoparticles from twisted enantiomeric macrocycles could be obtained in Schiff base reaction with high yield at room temperature.

Functional self-assemblies derived from noncovalent interactions such as lipid vesicles and DNA chiral double helices are a typical feature of natural life activity. Because of this phenomenon, a self-assembly approach for various functional organic particles is a desirable objective in supramolecular chemistry. Here, we report the discovery of enantiomeric conformers from a twisted macrocyclic host (MH), which was obtained from an achiral precursor by Schiff base reaction. Further studies suggest that a series of unexpected and stable core–shell-based organic micro/nanospheres can be directly precipitated from a simple reaction solution with high yield. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of MH revealed that the unusual C–H···π interaction triggered self-assembly of the enantiomeric forms in the solid state plays an important role in the formation of the core–shell-shaped organic particles.

Dynamic Helicity Control of Oligo(salamo)-Based Metal Helicates

Much attention has recently focused on helical structures that can change their helicity in response to external stimuli. The requirements for the invertible helical structures are a dynamic feature and well-defined structures. In this context, helical metal complexes with a labile coordination sphere have a great advantage. There are several types of dynamic helicity controls, including the responsive helicity inversion. In this review article, dynamic helical structures based on oligo(salamo) metal complexes are described as one of the possible designs. The introduction of chiral carboxylate ions into Zn3La tetranuclear structures as an additive is effective to control the P/M ratio of the helix. The dynamic helicity inversion can be achieved by chemical modification, such as protonation/deprotonation or desilylation with fluoride ion. When (S)-2-hydroxypropyl groups are introduced into the oligo(salamo) ligand, the helicity of the resultant complexes is sensitively influenced by the metal ions. The replacement of the metal ions based on the affinity trend resulted in a sequential multistep helicity inversion. Chiral salen derivatives are also effective to bias the helicity; by incorporating the gauche/anti transformation of a 1,2-disubstituted ethylene unit, a fully predictable helicity inversion system was achieved, in which the helicity can be controlled by the molecular lengths of the diammonium guests.

Response speed control of helicity inversion based on a "regulatory enzyme"-like strategy

In biological systems, there are many signal transduction cascades in which a chemical signal is transferred as a series of chemical events. Such successive reaction systems are advantageous because the efficiency of the functions can be finely controlled by regulatory enzymes at an earlier stage. However, most of artificial responsive molecules developed so far rely on single-step conversion, whose response speeds have been difficult to be controlled by external stimuli. In this context, developing artificial conversion systems that have a regulation step similar to the regulatory enzymes has been anticipated. Here we report a novel artificial two-step structural conversion system in which the response speed can be controlled based on a regulatory enzyme-like strategy. In this system, addition of fluoride ion caused desilylation of the siloxycarboxylate ion attached to a helical complex, resulting in the subsequent helicity inversion. The response speeds of the helicity inversion depended on the reactivity of the siloxycarboxylate ions; when a less-reactive siloxycarboxylate ion was used, the helicity inversion rate was governed by the desilylation rate. This is the first artificial responsive molecule in which the overall response speed can be controlled at the regulation step separated from the function step.

Conformational switching via an intramolecular H-bond modulates the fluorescence lifetime in a novel coumarin–imidazole conjugate

Achieving synthetic control over light-driven molecular dynamics is essential for designing complex molecule-based devices.

A silver(i)-induced higher-ordered structure based on planar chiral tetrasubstituted [2.2]paracyclophane

Ag(i) coordination enhanced the signal intensity of circular dichroism and decreased that of circularly polarized luminescence of a planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane structure.

Stimuli-Directed Helical Chirality Inversion and Bio-Applications

Helical structure is a sophisticated ubiquitous motif found in nature, in artificial polymers, and in supramolecular assemblies from microscopic to macroscopic points of view. Significant progress has been made in the synthesis and structural elucidation of helical polymers, nevertheless, a new direction for helical polymeric materials, is how to design smart systems with controllable helical chirality, and further use them to develop chiral functional materials and promote their applications in biology, biochemistry, medicine, and nanotechnology fields. This review summarizes the recent progress in the development of high-performance systems with tunable helical chirality on receiving external stimuli and discusses advances in their applications as drug delivery vesicles, sensors, molecular switches, and liquid crystals. Challenges and opportunities in this emerging area are also presented in the conclusion.

The molecular recognition controlled stereomutation cycle in a dynamic helical assembly

Perylene bisimide functionalized with a phosphate recognition unit assembles into a left-handed, right-handed or racemic helical assembly on binding with AMP, ATP and inorganic phosphates, respectively. Thus, competitive binding among these multivalent guests was utilized for completing an unprecedented helix mutation cycle in a dynamic supramolecular assembly.

Zwitterionic [4]helicene: a water-soluble and reversible pH-triggered ECD/CPL chiroptical switch in the UV and red spectral regions

The chiroptical switching properties of a readily accessible and water-soluble diaza [4]helicene are disclosed.

Helix–helix inversion of an optically-inactive π-conjugated foldamer triggered by concentration changes of a single enantiomeric guest leading to a change in the helical stability

An optically-inactive foldamer undergoes helicity induction and subsequent helix-inversion with the increasing amount of a single enantiomeric guest.

Lanthanide contraction for helicity fine-tuning and helix-winding control of single-helical metal complexes

Lanthanide contraction was used for helicity fine-tuning and helix winding control of single-helical tetranuclear complexes LZn₃Ln (Ln = La–Lu).

Synthesis of a new family of ionophores based on aluminum–dipyrrin complexes (ALDIPYs) and their strong recognition of alkaline earth ions

Mononuclear and dinuclear aluminum–dipyrrin complexes (ALDIPYs) recognize alkaline earth ions via multipoint interactions with the oxygen atoms.