BINOL-Based FoldamersAccess to Oligomers with Diverse Structural Architectures

Atropisomeric Foldamers

This concept article explores the emerging role of atropisomerism in foldamer chemistry, a field focussed on oligomers that adopt well-defined conformations through non-covalent interactions. Atropisomerism introduces a novel dimension to foldamer design by restricting rotational freedom around single bonds to dictate molecular shape with precision. Despite the prevalence of atropisomeric bonds in organic synthesis, their application within foldamers remains underexplored. Here, we discuss key developments in both backbone and sidechain atropisomerism, and suggest future directions for atropisomeric foldamers in the context of a recent surge in atropselective synthetic methods. We propose that judicious use of atropisomerism may serve as a transformative tool in the construction of shape-defined macromolecules.

Decarboxylative Iodination and Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling Reactions to Access Chiral 3,3'-Diaryl-1,1'-bi-2-naphthols

An efficient synthesis of the enantiomerically pure 3,3'-bis-arylated BINOLs is accomplished through decarboxylative iodination of the dimethyl ether derivative of BINOL-3,3'-dicarboxylic acid followed by Suzuki-Miyaura coupling using a one-pot protocol. The decarboxylative iodination is effected with the dimethyl ether derivative of BINOL-3,3'-dicarboxylic acid using iodine as a terminal oxidant and the cheaply available K3PO4 as a base under neat conditions. This protocol facilitated the introduction of the aryl group at the 3,3'-position on the binaphthyl system using aryl boronic acid through a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction.

A spirocyclic backbone accesses new conformational space in an extended, dipole-stabilized foldamer

Most aromatic foldamers adopt uniform secondary structures, offering limited potential for the exploration of conformational space and the formation of tertiary structures. Here we report the incorporation of spiro bis-lactams to allow controlled rotation of the backbone of an iteratively synthesised foldamer. This enables precise control of foldamer shape along two orthogonal directions, likened to the aeronautical yaw and roll axes. XRD, NMR and computational data suggest that homo-oligomers adopt an extended right-handed helix with a pitch of over 30 Å, approximately that of B-DNA. Compatibility with extant foldamers to form hetero-oligomers is demonstrated, allowing greater structural complexity and function in future hybrid foldamer designs.

High Refractive Index, Enantiopure Silicones Based on BINOL

The high refractive index aromatic compound, binaphthol (BINOL), is readily incorporated into silicone polymer chains using the Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction; alternating and random linear copolymers, and elastomers are available. The highest refractive index (RI) materials were BINOL rich. It was not possible to directly make high refractive index linear polymers with very short HSi-capped, telechelic silicone chains, as they did not react cleanly. However, chain extending short vinyl-capped BINOL macromers with simple arylsilanes using hydrosilylation led to polymers with molar mass up to 8000 and refractive indices up to 1.58. Elastomers were prepared using similar processes. The reactions are facile to practice and suggest BINOL could be harnessed in these and other processes to augment RI. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Matched and Mismatched Phenomena in the Helix Orientation Bias Induced by Chiral Appendages at Multiple Positions of Indolocarbazole-Pyridine Hybrid Foldamers

A series of indolocarbazole-pyridine (IP) hybrid foldamers containing chiral residues at multiple different positions were prepared to reveal the matched and mismatched phenomena of local stereocenters on the induction of helical bias. These foldamers adopted stable helical conformations, thus affording well-resolved separate sets of ¹H NMR signals for right- ( P) and left-handed ( M) helices in water saturated organic solvents such as toluene and dichloromethane. The ratios of P- and M-helices were determined by integrating the ¹H NMR signals, in combination with the molar circular dichroism (Δε) and optical rotation ([α]_D) values. The degree of helical bias was larger in the IP foldamer bearing chiral residues at the termini relative to those at the pyridine side chains, but the preferred helix orientation was opposite to each other. Foldamers 5^{( SS)t( SSS)py} and 6^{( RR)t( SSS)py} with chiral residues at five different positions demonstrated the matched and mismatched phenomena of local stereocenters in 6^{( RR)t( SSS)py} and 5^{( SS)t( SSS)py}, respectively.

Dynamic scaffold of chiral binaphthol derivatives with the alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine moiety

Platinum(II)-containing complexes with inherently chiral binaphthol derivatives display a versatile scaffold between random coils and single-turn helical strands, in which the conformational transition is controlled by the Pt···Pt and π-π interactions of alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine moiety upon solvent and temperature modulation. The bisignate Cotton effect in the circular dichroism spectra is indicative of the cooperative transformation from random coil state to a compact single-turn M- or P-helix. More importantly, as revealed by the appearance of new UV-vis absorption and emission bands during conformational change, the self-assembly of the platinum(II)-containing complex into a helical structure is assisted by the metal···metal and π-π interactions of the alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine moieties. The folded structure with stabilization via metal···metal and π-π interactions has been supported by density functional theory calculations, which provide insights into the folded geometry of these kind of metallo-foldamers.

Artificial supersecondary structures based on aromatic oligoamides

With an intelligent design of the monomers, considerable effort has so far focused on the creation of aromatic oligoamide foldamers which are able to mimic the secondary structures of biopolymers. Supersecondary structure is a growing set of known and classifiable protein folding patterns that provides an important organizational context to this complex endeavor. In this article, we highlight the design, chemical synthesis, and structural studies of artificial supersecondary structures based on aromatic oligoamide foldamers in recent years.

1,8-Bis(4-methoxy-3-nitrophenyl)naphthalene

Mol­ecules of the title compound, C₂₄H₁₈N₂O₆, are located on a twofold rotation axis passing through through the central C—C bond of the naphthalene ring system. The mol­ecular conformation is characterized by a roughly coplanar arrangement of the two substituted phenyl rings [dihedral angle 18.53 (5)°]. These two aryl rings are each twisted by 65.40 (5)° from the plane of the naphthyl unit.

Peptide mimics by linear arylamides: a structural and functional diversity test

Hydrogen-bonded oligoamide foldamers represent a large family of peptide mimics. Pioneered by Gellman and Seebach (Appella , J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 13071- 13072; Seebach , Helv. Chim. Acta 1996, 79, 913- 941), aliphatic amino acid-based mimic structures have been extensively studied. Results of these studies have found many useful applications in areas including chemical biology and drug design. This Account describes our efforts in creating arylamide-based foldamers whose compact conformations are stabilized by hydrogen bonding. The aim of our study was to test whether this class of mimic structures is sufficiently rigid to lead to new interesting functions. It was envisioned that, if our approach was workable, it might be developed into a new family of useful soft frameworks for studies toward molecular recognition, self-assembly, and materials science. Three classes of mimic structures, that is, folded or helical, zigzag, and straight oligomers, have been constructed by simply changing the positions of the substituents at the benzene rings in the backbones. Both amide and hydrazide units have been employed to construct the frameworks. In most cases, O...H-N hydrogen bonding was chosen to stabilize the compact conformations. Notably, for the first time the F...H-N hydrogen-bonding pattern has been used to tune the size of the cavity. To test their usefulness, these frameworks have been extensively modified and functionalized. (1)H NMR, UV-vis, fluorescence, circular dichroism, and X-ray diffraction techniques have all been employed to establish the compact structures and their interactions with guest molecules. The properties or functions of the mimic structures have been studied in seven aspects. (1) Acyclic molecular receptors: The amide foldamers can bind amine cations, while the hydrazide foldamers can complex saccharides. (2) Acceleration of anisole hydrolysis: Several folded oligomers are able to bind alkali metal cations and consequently promote the hydrolysis of the nitro-substituted anisole by alkali hydroxides. (3) Facilitation of macrocyclization: The straight and zigzag backbones can be readily functionalized, from which two classes of macrocycles have been prepared. (4) Homoduplex assembly: Zigzag oligomers that are appended with amide units at one side can form stable homoduplexes through the cooperative self-binding of the amide units. (5) Assembly of molecular tweezers: Discrete binding moieties are introduced at the ends of the oligomers, which can bind structurally matched guests. (6) Assembly of nano networks: F...H-N hydrogen-bonded foldamers can stack with fullerenes; thus a mixture of fullerenes with a trifoldamer generates honeycomb-styled nanoarchitectures. (7) Assembly of dynamic [2]catenanes: A preorganized porphyrin tweezer has been synthesized, from which dynamic three-component [2]catenanes have been assembled in high yields. Our results demonstrate that hydrogen-bonding-driven arylamide oligomers are a class of structurally unique mimic structures. The folded oligomers themselves can be used as synthetic receptors for binding different guest molecules, while incorporation of different segments into one system can produce many desired shapes. In addition, all of the rigid frameworks can be readily functionalized at specific sites. We believe that our results have helped to open the door for some new chemistry in molecular recognition, self-assembly, and other related areas.