Syntheses of Acetylenic Oligophenylene Macrocycles Based on a Novel Dewar Benzene Building Block Approach

Synthesis of Anthracene-Based Cyclic π-Clusters and Elucidation of their Properties Originating from Congested Aromatic Planes

Synthesis and properties of anthracene-based cyclic π-clusters which possess two and four anthracene units are discussed. The optimal cyclization conditions were determined based on a nickel(0)-mediated reaction that afforded a cyclic anthracene dimer as the major product. Bringing two anthracene planes in close proximity in a face-to-face manner resulted in red-shifted absorption owing to the narrowing of the HOMO-LUMO gap. The cyclic anthracene dimer exhibits multi-stimuli responsiveness due to high π-congestion. For example, photoirradiation on the anthracene dimer affords its photoisomer having C-C bonds that are longer than 1.65 Å, which can undergo thermal reversion under gentle heating. This enabled mechanochromism of the photoisomer (colorless) to the original anthracene dimer (red). Photoisomerization was also observed in the crystalline state, accompanied by crystal jumping or collapsing, that is, the photosalient effect.

Redox-dependent self-sorting toggles a rotary nanoswitch

The pyridine–pyrimidine (py–pym) arm as the moving part of the two-state nanomechanical rotary switch [Cu(1)]⁺ is toggled reversibly between two stations using one-electron oxidation/reduction.

Synthesis and structure of a triptycene-based nanosized molecular cage

A triptycene-based nanosized molecular cage was designed and efficiently synthesized by Eglington-Glaser coupling reaction, and its structure was determined by NMR, MS spectrometry and X-ray analysis. Moreover, it was found that the cage molecules could pack into a microporous structure in the solid state and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene molecules were located in the channels.

Synthesis and Self-Assembly of a Rigid Exotopic Bisphenanthroline Macrocycle: Surface Patterning and a Supramolecular Nanobasket

The synthesis and characterisation of a rigid nanoscale macrocycle with two exotopic phenanthroline binding sites is reported. Scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) at the solid-liquid interface reveals the formation of highly ordered monolayers of macrocycles with dimensions that are in good agreement with the calculated structure. Using the HETPHEN concept several bisheteroleptic coordination complexes with other phenanthrolines and a nanoscale basket assembly were prepared in presence of copper(I) ions. NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometric data and elemental analysis point to three distinct isomers of the basket assembly in solution. A silver basket was prepared and readily converted to its copper analogue. Electrospray ionisation (ESI)-MS and spectrophotometric investigations provided additional mechanistic insight into the assembly process. Hence, the exotopic bisphenanthroline macrocycle in combination with HETPHEN concept proves to be very effective in controlling the compositional aspects of multicomponent self-assembly.

Indolophanetetrayne cobalt complexes via Nicholas reactions

[reaction: see text] Indole N-substituted diyne tetracobalt complexes (4) undergo a Lewis acid mediated dimerization-cyclization reaction through the indole 3-position to afford indolophanetetrayne cobalt complexes (7). Substitution of the indole fragment of (4) with a 3-methyl function allows analogous formation of indolophanetetrayne complex (9), linked through the indole 2-position.

Synthesis of unsymmetrically substituted 1,3-butadiynes and 1,3,5-hexatriynes via alkylidene carbenoid rearrangements

Unsymmetrically substituted 1,3-butadiynes and 1,3,5-hexatriynes are synthesized in four steps from commercially available aldehydes or carboxylic acids. The key step in this process involves a Fritsch-Buttenberg-Wiechell rearrangement, in which an alkylidene carbenoid intermediate subsequently rearranges to the desired polyyne. This rearrangement proceeds under mild conditions, and it is tolerant of a range of functionalities. In general, the procedurally facile formation of the dibromoolefinic precursors, in combination with the effectiveness of the rearrangement step, makes this procedure an attractive alternative to traditional methods for di- and triyne synthesis that utilize palladium or copper catalysis.

Classic annulenes, nonclassical applications

This Account details the application of [n]annulenes as functional building blocks for electromechanical actuators, double-helical ladder polymers, and protecting groups for supramolecular interactions. Specifically, redox-induced conformational changes occurring in [8]annulenes are utilized as the transducing element in polymeric electromechanical actuators. Conversely, rigid [8]annulenes are utilized as double-helical fragments for the synthesis of double-helical octaaryl macromolecules. Last, Dewar benzenes are prepared from [4 + 2] cycloadditions (where the 4pi component is a [4]annulene). The potential of using Dewar benzenes as protecting groups for [6]annulne-[6]annulene supramolecular interactions is exemplified by demonstration of photolithographic crystallization (amorphous [4]annulene --> crystalline [6]annulene) on a surface, followed by subsequent X-ray analysis of the resulting [6]annulene crystals.

Functionalized macrocyclic ligands for use in supramolecular chemistry

The synthesis of three cross-conjugated macrocycles bearing pyridine functionality is described. The ability of two of these molecules, 5a and 5c, to behave as 4,4'-bipyridine mimics in self-assembly reactions is demonstrated by axial coordination to a metalloporphyrin. The directed coordinative ability of the pyridine rings ensures predictable self-assembly into well-ordered nanoscale systems, both in solution and the solid state. 1H, 13C, and HMQC NMR spectroscopic experiments and ESI MS have been used to characterize the supramolecular complexes in solution. X-ray crystallographic analysis of solid-state assemblies 7a and 7c provides insight into the scope and flexibility of these macrocyclic ligands as supramolecular building blocks. UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies provide a description of their electronic characteristics.

A novel strained undecadiyne cyclophane with interesting dienophilic character

[reaction: see text] Copper-mediated oxidative coupling of 3 afforded the strained product 4 from intramolecular cyclization rather than the triply bridged cyclophane 5 from dimerization. X-ray analysis of the bromo derivative 15 confirmed the distorted nature of the butadiyne bridge (bond angles 164.1 degrees and 153.4 degrees). The distortion in the strained triple bond is reflected in its cycloaddition reactivity. Cyclopentadiene and 1,3-cyclohexandiene afforded the new adduct macrocycles 16 and 17, respectively.

Efficient, high-yield route to long, functionalized p-phenylene oligomers containing perfluorinated segments, and their cyclodimerizations by zirconocene coupling

Linear oligophenylene diynes containing 6, 9, and 12 phenylene rings were synthesized in high yields using the nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S(N)Ar) of perfluoroarenes by aryllithium reagents as the key carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction. This reaction was demonstrated to proceed readily at low temperatures with sterically hindered substrates and in the presence of base-sensitive silylalkynyl groups. Diynes synthesized by this methodology were readily zirconocene-coupled into large dimeric macrocycles using the zirconocene reagent Cp(2)Zr(py)(Me(3)SiC triple bond CSiMe(3)).

Synthesis of novel acetylenic cyclophanes with helical chirality: potential new structures for liquid crystals

The synthesis of a series of novel acetylenic cyclophanes is described. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the core structure revealed a twisted conformation with helical chirality. Preliminary results suggest that these cyclophanes, with appropriate functionality, have the potential to act as unique liquid crystalline materials.