Evidence for effective p(Z)-pi(Ar) conjugations (Z = S, Se, and Te, as well as Z = O) in 9-(arylchalcogenyl)triptycenes: experimental and theoretical investigations

Correlated motion and mechanical gearing in amphidynamic crystalline molecular machines

In this review we highlight the recent efforts towards the development of molecular gears with an emphasis on building molecular gears in the solid state and the role that molecular gearing and correlated motions may play in the function of crystalline molecular machines. We discuss current molecular and crystal engineering strategies, challenges associated with engineering correlated motion in crystals, and outline experimental and theoretical tools to explore gearing dynamics while highlighting key advances made to date.

Synthesis and Catalytic Applications of a Triptycene-Based Monophosphine Ligand for Palladium-Mediated Organic Transformations

1-Methoxy-8-(diphenylphosphino)triptycene (1), featuring high structural rigidity and steric bulkiness around the phosphine functionality, was synthesized as a new chiral monophosphine ligand for transition metal-catalyzed reactions. In the presence of 5-10 mol ppm (i.e., 0.0005-0.001 mol %) Pd(OAc)₂ and 1 (2 equiv for Pd), Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions of aryl bromides and arylboronic acids proceeded effectively under mild atmospheric conditions to give the corresponding biaryl compounds in a high yield. The single-crystal X-ray analysis of a Pd(II) complex of 1 revealed its coordination structure, in which two homochiral molecules form a dimer, suggesting that triptycene could provide a chiral environment for asymmetric organic transformations. In fact, optically active 1 obtained by optical resolution showed good enantioselectivity in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrosilylation of styrene, which represents, for the first time, the asymmetric catalytic activity of triptycene-based monophosphine ligands.

Discovery of Sulfonamidebenzamides as Selective Apoptotic CHOP Pathway Activators of the Unfolded Protein Response

Cellular proteins that fail to fold properly result in inactive or disfunctional proteins that can have toxic functions. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a two-tiered cellular mechanism initiated by eukaryotic cells that have accumulated misfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). An adaptive pathway facilitates the clearance of the undesired proteins; however, if overwhelmed, cells trigger apoptosis by upregulating transcription factors such as C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP). A high throughput screen was performed directed at identifying compounds that selectively upregulate the apoptotic CHOP pathway while avoiding adaptive signaling cascades, resulting in a sulfonamidebenzamide chemotype that was optimized. These efforts produced a potent and selective CHOP inducer (AC₅₀ = 0.8 μM; XBP1 > 80 μM), which was efficacious in both mouse embryonic fibroblast cells and a human oral squamous cell cancer cell line, and demonstrated antiproliferative effects for multiple cancer cell lines in the NCI-60 panel.

Role of p(Z)-π(Ar/Nap) conjugation in structures of 1-(arylchalcogena)naphthalenes for Z = Te versus Se, S and O: experimental and theoretical investigations

Magnitudes of the p(Z)-π(Ar/Nap) conjugation were evaluated for 1-(arylchalcogena)naphthalenes (1-(ArZ)Nap, 1-(p-YC(6)H(4)Z)C(10)H(7); 1 (Z = Te), 2 (Se), 3 (S) and 4 (O)). Structures of 1 were determined by X-ray analysis for Y = NMe(2) (b), OMe (c) and CN (i). For 1b and 1c that have electron donating Y, the Z-C(Ar) bond is located on the naphthyl plane with Z-C(Nap) being perpendicular to the aryl plane, which we define as (B: pd). On the other hand, the structure of 1i with electron donating Y is (A: pl), of which Z-C(Ar) is placed almost perpendicular to the naphthyl plane with Z-C(Nap) being located on the aryl plane. Each structure of 1a (Y = H), 1b, 1c, 1d (Me), 1e (F), 1f (Cl), 1g (Br), 1h (COOEt), 1i and 1j (NO(2)) was determined by NMR in chloroform-d. Structures of 1 in the solutions are (B: pd) for b, c and e that have electron donating Y, (A: pl) for f-j with electron accepting Y, and in equilibrium between (B: pd) and (A: pl) for a and d of which Y are rather neutral. The results for 2-4 are very similar to those of 1 in solutions. Quantum chemical calculations were performed on 1-4 with Y of a, b' (NH(2)), d, f and j. Magnitudes of the p(Z)-π(Ar/Nap) conjugation were well-evaluated by NBO (natural bond orbital) analysis. The values were 12.6 and 13.0 kcal mol(-1) for the typical forms of (A: pl) and (B: pd) of 1a, respectively, resulting in a much smaller energy difference between the two (0.4 kcal mol(-1)), which should correspond to the observed result. It is well-demonstrated that the p(Te)-π(Ar/Nap) conjugation operates effectively in 1, although the magnitudes increase in the order of Z = Te < Se < S < O. Thermal effect of the Gibbs free energies is shown to play an important role in the energy profiles of 1a-4a.