Alternating Heterochiral Supramolecular Copolymerization

Shape-Assisted Self-Assembly of Hexa-Substituted Carpyridines into 1D Supramolecular Polymers

The extent of the influence that molecular curvature plays on the self-assembly of supramolecular polymers remains an open question in the field. We began addressing this fundamental question with the introduction of "carpyridines", which are saddle-shaped monomers that can associate with one another through π-π interactions and in which the rotational and translational movements are restricted. The topography displayed by the monomers led, previously, to the assembly of highly ordered 2D materials even in the absence of strong directional interactions such as hydrogen bonding. Here, we introduce a simple strategy to gain control over the dimensionality of the formed structures yielding classical unidimensional polymers. These have been characterized using well-established protocols allowing us to determine and confirm the self-assembly mechanism of both fibers and sheets. The calculated interaction energies are significantly higher than expected for flexible self-assembling units lacking classical "strong" non-covalent interactions. The versatility of this supramolecular unit to assemble into either supramolecular fibers or 2D sheets with strong association energies highlights remarkably well the potential and importance of molecular shape for the design of supramolecular materials and the applications thereof.

Organic Donor-Acceptor Systems for Photocatalysis

Organic semiconductor materials are considered to be promising photocatalysts due to their excellent light absorption by chromophores, easy molecular structure tuning, and solution-processable properties. In particular, donor-acceptor (D-A) type organic photocatalytic materials synthesized by introducing D and A units intra- or intermolecularly, have made great progress in photocatalytic studies. More and more studies have demonstrated that the D-A type organic photocatalytic materials combine effective carrier separation, tunable bandgap, and sensitive optoelectronic response, and are considered to be an effective strategy for enhancing light absorption, improving exciton dissociation, and optimizing carrier transport. This review provides a thorough overview of D-A strategies aimed at optimizing the photocatalytic performance of organic semiconductors. Initially, essential methods for modifying organic photocatalytic materials, such as interface engineering, crystal engineering, and interaction modulation, are briefly discussed. Subsequently, the review delves into various organic photocatalytic materials based on intramolecular and intermolecular D-A interactions, encompassing small molecules, conjugated polymers, crystalline polymers, supramolecules, and organic heterojunctions. Meanwhile, the energy band structures, exciton dynamics, and redox-active sites of D-A type organic photocatalytic materials under different bonding modes are discussed. Finally, the review highlights the advanced applications of organic photocatalystsand outlines prospective challenges and opportunities.

Nonclassical Crystal Growth of Supramolecular Polymers in Aqueous Medium

A mechanistic understanding of the principles governing the hierarchical organization of supramolecular polymers offers a paradigm for tailoring synthetic molecular architectures at the nano to micrometric scales. Herein, the unconventional crystal growth mechanism of a supramolecular polymer of superbenzene(coronene)-diphenylalanine conjugate (Cr-FFOEt ) is demonstrated. 3D electron diffraction (3D ED), a technique underexplored in supramolecular chemistry, is effectively utilized to gain a molecular-level understanding of the gradual growth of the initially formed poorly crystalline hairy, fibril-like supramolecular polymers into the ribbon-like crystallites. The further evolution of these nanosized flat ribbons into microcrystals by oriented attachment and lateral fusion is probed by time-resolved microscopy and electron diffraction. The gradual morphological and structural changes reveal the nonclassical crystal growth pathway, where the balance of strong and weak intermolecular interactions led to a structure beyond the nanoscale. The role of distinct π-stacking and H-bonding interactions that drive the nonclassical crystallization process of Cr-FFOEt supramolecular polymers is analyzed in comparison to analogous molecules, Py-FFOEt and Cr-FF forming helical and twisted fibers, respectively. Furthermore, the Cr-FFOEt crystals formed through nonclassical crystallization are found to improve the functional properties.

Controlled Noncovalent Synthesis of Secondary Supramolecular Polymers

Dynamic supramolecular polymers, with their functional similarities to classical covalent polymers and their adaptive and self-repairing nature reminiscent of biological assemblies, have emerged as highly promising systems for the design of smart soft materials. Recent advancements in mechanistic investigations and novel synthetic strategies, such as living supramolecular polymerization, have significantly enhanced our ability to control the primary structure of these supramolecular polymers. However, realizing their full functional potential requires expanding their topological diversity in a manner akin to classical polymers as well as achieving precise molecular organization at higher hierarchical levels of self-assembly. In this paper, we present a remarkable advancement in this field, introducing an unprecedented and controlled synthesis of secondary supramolecular polymers. Our innovative strategy combines chirality-controlled surface-catalyzed secondary nucleation and a bioinspired peptide design, effectively stabilizing higher-order assembly. Furthermore, by harnessing this stereoselective nucleation process, we demonstrate the successful synthesis of racemic supramolecular polymers featuring parallelly stacked conglomerate microstructures─a previously unreported topology in synthetic self-assembled systems. Additionally, we elucidate that the extent of secondary supramolecular polymers can be regulated by modulating the enantiomeric excess of the chiral monomers. Consequently, our study unveils new topologies that exhibit enhanced higher-order structural complexity in the realm of supramolecular polymers.

Pathway Complexity in Supramolecular Copolymerization and Blocky Star Copolymers by a Hetero-Seeding Effect

This study unravels the intricate kinetic and thermodynamic pathways involved in the supramolecular copolymerization of the two chiral dipolar naphthalene monoimide (NMI) building blocks (O-NMI and S-NMI), differing merely by a single heteroatom (oxygen vs sulfur). O-NMI exhibits distinct supramolecular polymerization features as compared to S-NMI in terms of its pathway complexity, hierarchical organization, and chiroptical properties. Two distinct self-assembly pathways in O-NMI occur due to the interplay between the competing dipolar interactions among the NMI chromophores and amide-amide hydrogen (H)-bonding that engenders distinct nanotapes and helical fibers, from its antiparallel and parallel stacking modes, respectively. In contrast, the propensity of S-NMI to form only a stable spherical assembly is ascribed to its much stronger amide-amide H-bonding, which outperforms other competing interactions. Under the thermodynamic route, an equimolar mixture of the two monomers generates a temporally controlled chiral statistical supramolecular copolymer that autocatalytically evolves from an initially formed metastable spherical heterostructure. In contrast, the sequence-controlled addition of the two monomers leads to the kinetically driven hetero-seeded block copolymerization. The ability to trap O-NMI in a metastable state allows its secondary nucleation from the surface of the thermodynamically stable S-NMI spherical "seed", which leads to the core-multiarmed "star" copolymer with reversibly and temporally controllable length of the growing O-NMI "arms" from the S-NMI "core". Unlike the one-dimensional self-assembly of O-NMI and its random co-assembly with S-NMI, which are both chiral, unprecedentedly, the preferred helical bias of the nucleating O-NMI fibers is completely inhibited by the absence of stereoregularity of the S-NMI "seed" in the "star" topology.

Architecture-Controllable Single-Crystal Helical Self-assembly of Small-Molecule Disulfides with Dynamic Chirality

Beyond the common supramolecular helical polymers in solutions, controlling single-crystal helical self-assembly with precisely defined chirality and architectures has been challenging. Here, we report that simply merging static homochiral amino acids with dynamic chiral disulfides can produce a class of building blocks featuring supramolecular helical single-crystal self-assembly with unusual stereodivergency. Analysis of 20 single-crystal structures of 1,2-dithiolanes gives an atom-precision understanding of the chirality transfer from the molecular to supramolecular level, featuring homochiral and heterochiral helical supramolecular self-assembly in the solid state. The underlying structure-assembly relationship reveals that the synergistic interplay of intermolecular H-bonds and the 1,2-dithiolane ring with adaptive chirality plays a key role in determining the assembly pathway, also involving the effects of residue groups, substituents, molecular stacking, and solvents. The confinement effect in the solid state can stabilize the dynamic stereochemistry of disulfide bonds and selectively result in specific conformers that can minimize the energy of global supramolecular systems. We envision that these results represent a starting point to use dynamic chiral disulfide as a functional entity in supramolecular chemistry and may inspire a new class of supramolecular helical polymers with dynamic functions.

Large Optical Asymmetry in Silver Nanoparticle Assemblies Enabled by CH-π Interaction-Mediated Chirality Transfer

Transfer of asymmetry from the molecular system to the other distinct system requires appropriate chemical interactions. Here, we show how the CH-π interaction, one of the weakest hydrogen bonds, can be applied to transfer the asymmetry from π-conjugated chiral molecules to the assemblies of plasmonic Ag nanoparticles, where the aliphatic chains of chiral molecules and the polystyrene chains grafted on Ag nanoparticles are served as the hydrogen donor and acceptor, respectively. The optical asymmetry g-factor of the chiral assemblies of plasmonic nanoparticles is strongly dependent on the molecular weight of the polystyrene ligand, the core structure of the molecule, and the aliphatic chain length of the chiral molecule. Importantly, we explore a molecular mixing strategy to enhance the asymmetry g-factor of chiral molecular assemblies, which consequently promotes the g-factor of chiral plasmonics efficiently, reaching a high value of ∼0.05 under optimal conditions. Overall, we rationalize the chirality transfer from chiral molecules to inorganic nanoparticles, providing the guidance for structural design of chiral nanocomposites with a high g-factor.

Preferential molecular recognition of heterochiral guests within a cyclophane receptor

The discrimination of enantiomers by natural receptors is a well-established phenomenon. In contrast the number of synthetic receptors with the capability for enantioselective molecular recognition of chiral substrates is scarce and for chiral cyclophanes indicative for a preferential binding of homochiral guests. Here we introduce a cyclophane composed of two homochiral core-twisted perylene bisimide (PBI) units connected by p-xylylene spacers and demonstrate its preference for the complexation of [5]helicene of opposite helicity compared to the PBI units of the host. The pronounced enantio-differentiation of this molecular receptor for heterochiral guests can be utilized for the enrichment of the P-PBI-M-helicene-P-PBI epimeric bimolecular complex. Our experimental results are supported by DFT calculations, which reveal that the sterically demanding bay substituents attached to the PBI chromophores disturb the helical shape match of the perylene core and homochiral substrates and thereby enforce the formation of syndiotactic host-guest complex structures. Hence, the most efficient substrate binding is observed for those aromatic guests, e. g. perylene, [4]helicene, phenanthrene and biphenyl, that can easily adapt in non-planar axially chiral conformations due to their inherent conformational flexibility. In all cases the induced chirality for the guest is opposed to those of the embedding PBI units, leading to heterochiral host-guest structures.

Amplification of Molecular Asymmetry during the Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Foldable Azobenzene Dyads into Nanotoroids and Nanotubes

The amplification of molecular asymmetry through self-assembly is a phenomenon that not only comprehends the origin of homochirality in nature but also produces chiroptically active functional materials from molecules with minimal enantiomeric purity. Understanding how molecular asymmetry can be transferred and amplified into higher-order structures in a hierarchical self-assembly system is important but still unexplored. Herein, we present an intriguing example of the amplification of molecular asymmetry in hierarchically self-assembled nanotubes that feature discrete and isolatable toroidal intermediates. The hierarchical self-assembly is initiated via asymmetric intramolecular folding of scissor-shaped azobenzene dyads furnished with chiral side chains. When scalemic mixtures of the enantiomers are dissolved in a non-polar solvent and cooled to 20 °C, single-handed nanotoroids are formed, as confirmed using atomic force microscopy and circular dichroism analyses. A strong majority-rules effect at the nanotoroid level is observed and can be explained by a low mismatch penalty and a high helix-reversal penalty. The single-handed nanotoroids stack upon cooling to 0 °C to exclusively afford their respective single-handed nanotubes. Thus, the same degree of amplification of molecular asymmetry is realized at the nanotube level. The internal packing efficiency of molecules within nanotubes prepared from the pure enantiomers or their scalemic mixtures is likely different, as suggested by the absence of higher-order structure (supercoil) formation in the latter. X-ray diffraction analysis of the anisotropically oriented nanotube films revealed looser molecular packing within the scalemic nanotubes, which clearly reflects the lower enantiomeric purity of their internal chiral side chains.

Theoretical Study on the Structures, Electronic Properties, and Aromaticity of Thiophene Analogues of Anti-Kekulene

We predict the geometries, electronic properties, and aromaticity of thiophene analogues of anti-kekulene with six to nine thiophene rings 1–4, together with those of cyclobutadithiophenes (CDTs) and anti-kekulene as reference compounds, using density functional theory calculations. Investigation of the simplest reference compounds, CDTs, reveals that the local aromaticity of their thiophene rings is influenced by their fused position (b- or c-bond) to the four-membered ring (4MR). A thiophene ring fused at the b-position (b-TR) retains its aromatic character to some extent, whereas the aromatic character of one fused at the c-position is attenuated. The 4MR with two fused b-TRs retains a strong anti-aromatic character. Thiophene analogues of anti-kekulene with six to eight thiophene rings 1–3 favor bowl-shaped structures, in contrast to the planar structure of anti-kekulene, because of the shorter distances of the sulfur bridges. Compound 4, with nine thiophene rings, adopts a planar structure. The local aromaticity and anti-aromaticity of the thiophene ring and 4MR are significantly attenuated in 1–4 compared with the reference compounds, the CDTs and anti-kekulene. This can be attributed to the considerable contribution of the quinoidal electronic structure in 1–4. The present study provides new insight into the aromatic and electronic nature of systems containing cyclobutadienothiophene.

Electron Diffraction of 3D Molecular Crystals

Electron crystallography has a storied history which rivals that of its more established X-ray-enabled counterpart. Recent advances in data collection and analysis have sparked a renaissance in the field, opening a new chapter for this venerable technique. Burgeoning interest in electron crystallography has spawned innovative methods described by various interchangeable labels (3D ED, MicroED, cRED, etc.). This Review covers concepts and findings relevant to the practicing crystallographer, with an emphasis on experiments aimed at using electron diffraction to elucidate the atomic structure of three-dimensional molecular crystals.

Shape-assisted self-assembly

Self-assembly and molecular recognition are critical processes both in life and material sciences. They usually depend on strong, directional non-covalent interactions to gain specificity and to make long-range organization possible. Most supramolecular constructs are also at least partially governed by topography, whose role is hard to disentangle. This makes it nearly impossible to discern the potential of shape and motion in the creation of complexity. Here, we demonstrate that long-range order in supramolecular constructs can be assisted by the topography of the individual units even in the absence of highly directional interactions. Molecular units of remarkable simplicity self-assemble in solution to give single-molecule thin two-dimensional supramolecular polymers of defined boundaries. This dramatic example spotlights the critical function that topography can have in molecular assembly and paves the path to rationally designed systems of increasing sophistication.

Self-assembly and molecular recognition usually depend on strong, directional non-covalent interactions but also topography can play a role in the formation of supramolecular constructs which makes it nearly impossible to discern the potential of shape and motion in the creation of complexity. Here, the authors demonstrate that long-range order in supramolecular constructs can be assisted by the topography of the individual units even in the absence of highly directional interactions.

Visualizing the Entire Range of Noncovalent Interactions in Nanocrystalline Hybrid Materials Using 3D Electron Diffraction

Noncovalent interactions are essential in the formation and properties of a diverse range of hybrid materials. However, reliably identifying the noncovalent interactions in nanocrystalline materials remains challenging using conventional methods such as X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy. Here, we demonstrate that accurate atomic positions including hydrogen atoms can be determined using three-dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED), from which the entire range of noncovalent interactions in a nanocrystalline aluminophosphate hybrid material SCM-34 are directly visualized. The protonation states of both the inorganic and organic components in SCM-34 are determined from the hydrogen positions. All noncovalent interactions, including hydrogen-bonding, electrostatic, π–π stacking, and van der Waals interactions, are unambiguously identified, which provides detailed insights into the formation of the material. The 3D ED data also allow us to distinguish different types of covalent bonds based on their bond lengths and to identify an elongated terminal P=O π-bond caused by noncovalent interactions. Our results show that 3D ED can be a powerful tool for resolving detailed noncovalent interactions in nanocrystalline materials. This can improve our understanding of hybrid systems and guide the development of novel functional materials.

Chirality-Controlled Supramolecular Donor-Acceptor Copolymerization with Distinct Energy Transfer Efficiency

Chirality delivers substantial value to the field of supramolecular polymers, not only serving as a probe to monitor the dynamic assembly process but providing access to chiroptical materials. The current study demonstrates that, for supramolecular donor-acceptor copolymers, their comonomer organization modes can be greatly influenced by stereocommunication at the molecular level. The enantiopure N-[(1R or 1S)-phenylethyl]benzamides are incorporated into two structurally similar comonomers, locating between the π-aromatic diethynylacene core and the alkyl chain peripheries. Parallel arrangement of the stereogenic methyl units brings steric hindrance between the homochiral comonomers, which is relieved for the heterochiral comonomers due to the adoption of staggered arrangement. It consequently steers randomly mixed organization for the homochiral supramolecular copolymers within the nanofibers. In comparison, the heterochiral counterparts form nanoparticles in an alternate donor-acceptor organization manner. The variation of comonomer arrangement modes gives rise to distinct energy transfer efficiency at the supramolecular level. Overall, the elaborate manipulation of stereogenic centers in the comonomer structures exerts significant impacts on the characteristics of supramolecular copolymers, which could be useful for chiral sensing, recognition, and optoelectronic applications.

C- and S-Shaped Perylene Diimide Heterohelicenes: Modular Synthesis and Spiral-Stair-Like π-Stacking

A number of C- and S-shaped perylene diimide (PDI) heterohelicenes with high dipole moments were synthesized from simple perylene tetrabutylester (PTE). Taking advantage of the weak coordination ability of the sterically crowded peri ester groups in PTE, efficient Rh(III)-catalyzed 2,8- and 2,11-bisiodinations of the perylene core were realized. The 2,8- and 2,11-diiodinated PTEs and PDIs represent key synthons for further ortho-π-extensions. In contrast to most helical π-skeletons that feature loose molecular packings, enantiomerically pure C-shaped PDI azahelicenes adopt unique spiral-stair-like π-stacking superstructures.

Supramolecular Polymerization of a Photo-Fluttering Chiral Monomer: A Temporarily Suspendable Chain Growth by Light

Using a photochemically fluttering thiophene-fused cyclooctatetraene derivative (COT) as a nonplanar chiral monomer, we have succeeded in remotely suspending the supramolecular polymerization in a temporal manner by a completely new strategy. The COT monomer with an 8π electron core adopts a saddle shape in the ground state and flutters 5.8 × 10³ times faster upon photoirradiation than in the dark as a result of the stabilized planar conformation by the excited-state aromaticity (Baird aromaticity). Detailed investigation revealed that without photoirradiation the rate constant of the fluttering motion is 1/560 times smaller than that of the chain elongation, indicating that the fluttering of COT does not affect the chain elongation in the dark. In contrast, under photoirradiation (365 nm), the fluttering of COT is at least 11 times more rapid than the chain elongation, thereby suppressing the elongation event. The rapid fluttering of COT to suspend the chain elongation is not accompanied by a decrease in active monomer concentration, leading to depolymerization.

MicroED: conception, practice and future opportunities

This article documents a keynote seminar presented at the IUCr Congress in Prague, 2021. The cryo-EM method microcrystal electron diffraction is described and put in the context of macromolecular electron crystallography from its origins in 2D crystals of membrane proteins to today's application to 3D crystals a millionth the size of that needed for X-ray crystallography. Milestones in method development and applications are described with an outlook to the future.

Spontaneous Resolution of Racemic Cage-Catenanes via Diastereomeric Enrichment at the Molecular Level and Subsequent Narcissistic Self-Sorting at the Supramolecular Level

The spontaneous resolution of racemates, from natural compounds to artificial structures, has long been pursued to shed light on the origin of homochirality in life. Even though diverse synthetic systems have been elegantly devised to elaborate the underlying principles of spontaneous symmetry breaking, their complexity is still unparalleled to the natural masterpieces including DNA helix and proteins, which convey remarkable coalescence at both molecular and supramolecular levels. Here, we report on the spontaneous resolution of a pair of homochiral entities from a racemic mixture of a triply interlocked cage-catenane comprising 720 possible stereoisomers. This cage-catenane comprises six methyldithiane ring-containing linkers (denoted rac-2). As each methyldithiane ring has two chiral centers, it exhibits four possible diastereomers. These otherwise equimolar diastereomers are preferentially differentiated with the equatorial conformers over their axial analogues, leading to the dominant formation of (S, R)-2 and (R, S)-2, i.e., diastereomeric enrichment at the molecular level. This diastereomeric enrichment is unbiasedly transferred from precursor rac-2 to cage-catenane rac-4, from which a pair of homochirals (S, R)⁶-4 and (R, S)⁶-4 is narcissistically self-sorted upon crystallization. This powerful symmetry breaking is attributed to a supramolecular synergy of directional π-π stacking with the multivalency of erstwhile weak S···S contacts (with an unusual distance of 3.09 Å) that are cooperatively arranged in a helical fashion. This work highlights the attainability of complex homochiral entities by resorting to coalesced covalent and noncovalent contributions and therefore provides additional clues to the symmetry breaking of sophisticated yet well-defined architectures.

Controlling the length of porphyrin supramolecular polymers via coupled equilibria and dilution-induced supramolecular polymerization

Multi-component systems often display convoluted behavior, pathway complexity and coupled equilibria. In recent years, several ways to control complex systems by manipulating the subtle balances of interaction energies between the individual components have been explored and thereby shifting the equilibrium between different aggregate states. Here we show the enantioselective chain-capping and dilution-induced supramolecular polymerization with a Zn²⁺-porphyrin-based supramolecular system when going from long, highly cooperative supramolecular polymers to short, disordered aggregates by adding a monotopic Mn³⁺-porphyrin monomer. When mixing the zinc and manganese centered monomers, the Mn³⁺-porphyrins act as chain-cappers for Zn²⁺-porphyrin supramolecular polymers, effectively hindering growth of the copolymer and reducing the length. Upon dilution, the interaction between chain-capper and monomers weakens as the equilibria shift and long supramolecular polymers form again. This dynamic modulation of aggregate morphology and length is achieved through enantioselectivity in the aggregation pathways and concentration-sensitive equilibria. All-atom and coarse-grained molecular simulations provide further insights into the mixing of the species and their exchange dynamics. Our combined experimental and theoretical approach allows for precise control of molecular self-assembly and chiral discrimination in complex systems.

Synthesis, Structure, and Dynamics of Chiral Eight-Membered Cyclic Molecules with Thienylene and Cyclopropylene Units Alternately Connected

A rhodium(II)-catalyzed asymmetric cyclooligomerization of bifunctional monomers possessing triazolyl and vinyl groups at 2,3- and 3,4-positions on the thiophene ring is studied. Structurally interesting cyclic dimers in which thienylene and cyclopropylene units are alternately connected are obtained as the major components. The eight-membered rings in the center are non-planar and adopt a tub-shaped conformation. We also observe the phenomenon of racemization caused by a tub-to-tub ring-flipping, the activation energy of which is determined as 108 kJ mol -1 by electronic circular dichroism spectra measurement.

Three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks based on a π-conjugated tetrahedral node

The construction of three-dimensional (3D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs), especially fully conjugated 3D COFs, is a long-standing challenge. Herein, we report a saddle-like, π-conjugated cyclooctatetrathiophene (COTh) as a tetrahedral node to construct fully conjugated 3D COFs. The present work enriches the structural diversities and potential applications of 3D COFs.

Tuning Supramolecular Polymer Assembly through Stereoelectronic Interactions

The supramolecular polymerization of 2,11-dithia[3.3]paracyclophanes through self-complementary intermolecular and transannular amide hydrogen bonding is presented. An n → π* interaction between the amide hydrogen bonding units and the central bridging atom results from the single-point exchange of a carbon atom for a sulfur atom. This orbital donor-acceptor interaction can be strengthened by oxidizing the sulfide to a sulfone which acts to shorten the donor···acceptor distance and increase orbital overlap. Experimental signatures of the increased n → π* interaction include larger isodesmic polymerization elongation constants in solution, changes in characteristic bond stretching frequencies, and geometric/structural changes evaluated by X-ray crystallography. The experimental data are supported by extensive computational investigations of both assembling and nonassembling 2,11-dithia[3.3]paracyclophanes as well as a rationally designed model system to confirm the role of stereoelectronic effects on supramolecular polymer assembly.