Facile Synthetic Routes to Phenylene and Triazine Core Based Dendritic Cobaltabisdicarbollides

Synthesis, Structure and Supramolecular Properties of a Novel C3 Cryptand with Pyridine Units in the Bridges

The high-yield synthesis and the structural investigation of a new cryptand with C3 symmetry, exhibiting 2,4,6-triphenyl-1,3,5-triazine central units and pyridine-based bridges, are reported. The structure of the compound was investigated by single crystal X-ray diffractometry, NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), HRMS (high resolution mass spectrometry) measurements, and theoretical calculations. The study of supramolecular behavior in solid state revealed the association of cryptand molecules by C-H---π and π---π contacts. Moreover, theoretical calculations indicated the high binding affinity of the cryptand for various organic molecules as guests.

Self-Inclusion and Dissociation of a Bridging β-Cyclodextrin Triplet

To understand the self-inclusion and the dissociation in a branched β-cyclodextrin (CD) system, we designed and synthesized a β-CD trimer in which each CD group is connected to one of bridging arms of a planar triphenylbenzene core through a CuAAC click reaction. Only one rather than two or all of the three host CDs was demonstrated to be in a self-including state in water, while no self-inclusion was observed to occur in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) via the characterization of ¹H and NOESY NMR spectra. The configuration structures of the CD groups in the self-included state were evaluated, and the dissociation to free state in water was investigated under various conditions like heating, increased acidity, and discharging versus the addition of competitive guests. While raised temperature and increased acidity did not break the self-inclusion, two adamantane guest molecules were found to show capability in driving the equilibrium to get back to free state against the self-inclusion. The inclusion process of the added guests was believed to involve in the dissociation of the self-inclusion and the occupation of the guests in CD cavity. The results of host-guest interaction study indicated that the stable combination of guests was favorable for blocking the structural overturning of glucose toward trapping the bridging group into the cavity.

Blue Emitting Star-Shaped and Octasilsesquioxane-Based Polyanions Bearing Boron Clusters. Photophysical and Thermal Properties

High boron content systems were prepared by the peripheral functionalisation of 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene (TPB) and octavinylsilsesquioxane (OVS) with two different anionic boron clusters: closo-dodecaborate (B12) and cobaltabisdicarbollide (COSAN). TPB was successfully decorated with three cluster units by an oxonium ring-opening reaction, while OVS was bonded to eight clusters by catalysed metathesis cross-coupling. The resulting compounds were spectroscopically characterised, and their solution-state photophysical properties analysed. For TPB, the presence of COSAN dramatically quenches the fluorescence emission (λem = 369 nm; ΦF = 0.8%), while B12-substituted TPB shows an appreciable emission efficiency (λem = 394 nm; ΦF = 12.8%). For octasilsesquioxanes, the presence of either COSAN or B12 seems to be responsible for ∼80 nm bathochromic shift with respect to the core emission, but both cases show low emission fluorescence (ΦF = 1.4-1.8%). In addition, a remarkable improvement of the thermal stability of OVS was observed after its functionalisation with these boron clusters.

Introducing borane clusters into polymeric frameworks: architecture, synthesis, and applications

This feature article summarizes the preparation and applications of borane cluster-containing polymers and covers research progress and future trends of borane cluster-containing linear, dendritic, macrocyclic polymers and metal–organic frameworks.

An easily accessible isospiropyran switch

In the presence of SiCl4, three molecules of 5'-bromo-2'-hydroxyacetophenone underwent an unexpected tandem aldol condensation to give a novel isospiropyran switch (69%), with X-ray crystallography confirming its structure. The strong Brønsted acid CH3SO3H turned the colorless isospiropyran into its protonated and open form possessing red color. This process was reversed using the Et3N base, with the acid/base toggling repeatable for at least six times (UV-Vis). When printed on a silica plate, however, the isospiropyran formed a blue-colored product due to, as posited, its stabilization by hydrogen bonding (HB) to silica. An exposure to HB-competing ethyl acetate temporarily "erased" the print only to be brought back by subjecting the plate to a higher temperature for evaporating the solvent. The isospiropyran described here is an easily accessible, chromic, modular and switchable compound that one can incorporate into dynamic materials or use for building chemosensors, molecular machines and organic electronic devices.

Cation-sensitive compartmentalization in metallacarborane containing polymer nanoparticles

The inner structure of hybrid nanoparticles based on metallacarborane complexation with diblock copolymer PEO–POX is sensitive to alkaline cations.

Star-epoxy mesogen with 1,3,5-triazine core: a model of A4B3fractal polymerization in a liquid crystalline thermoset media

Synthesis of a star-epoxy monomer and design of a hierarchically organized thermoset involving both fractal and discotic mesogen self-assembly.

Cyanide free contraction of disclosed 1,4-dioxane ring as a route to cobalt bis(dicarbollide) derivatives with short spacer between the boron cage and terminal functional group

The 1,4-dioxane derivative of cobalt bis(dicarbollide) reacts with dialkylsulfides and triphenylphosphine to give the corresponding sulfonium and phosphonium derivatives.

Compartmentalization in Hybrid Metallacarborane Nanoparticles Formed by Block Copolymers with Star-Like Architecture

One strategy to control the morphology of hybrid polymeric nanostructures is the proper selection of macromolecule architecture. We prepared metallacarborane-rich nanoparticles by interaction of double-hydrophilic block copolymers consisting of both poly(2-alkyl oxazolines) and poly(ethylene oxide) blocks with cobaltabisdicarbollide anion in physiological saline. The inner structure of the hybrid nanoparticles was studied by cryo-TEM, light scattering, SAXS, NMR, and ITC. Although the thermodynamics of diblock and star-like systems are almost identical, the macromolecular architecture has a great impact on the size and inner morphology of the nanoparticles. While hybrid nanoparticles formed by linear diblock copolymers are homogeneous, resembling gel-like nanospheres, the star-like shape of 4-arm block copolymers with PEO blocks in central parts of macromolecules leads to distinct compartmentalization. Because metallacarboranes are promising species in medicine, the studied nanoparticles are important for targeted drug delivery of boron cluster compounds.

Triphenylbenzene core based dendritic benzoxazines and their heat-resistant and photoluminescent polymers

A facile and efficient synthetic route to connect 1,3,5-tri( p-hydroxyl-phenyl)benzene (TP) molecules into polymers was introduced. Specifically, a series of triphenylbenzene core based dendritic benzoxazines were synthesized via Mannich reaction using TP, paraformaldehyde, and amine derivatives including n-propylamine, cyclohexylamine, and aniline. The chemical structure of benzoxazines was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Thermally ring-opening polymerization of the dendritic benzoxazines yielded the cross-linked polymers. We found that N-substituents had the significant influence on polymerization temperature, glass transition temperature ( Tg), thermal stability, and char yield. Polybenzoxazine with the N-phenyl group exhibited the highest Tg of 276°C, char yield of 70%, and excellent thermal stability (5 and 10% weight loss temperatures at 356 and 411°C, respectively). Photoluminescent analysis indicated that the cross-linked structure did not quench the triphenylbenzene’s photoluminescence, while only the relative photoluminescent intensity of polybenzoxazines reduced compared with TP.

New developments in the medicinal chemistry of carboranes

The advancements in the synthetic chemistry of carboranes and metallacarboranes have given rise to diversified uses in medicinal chemistry, resulting in many new medical applications. An overview of the medicinal chemistry of carboranes is presented emphasizing the use of nanoparticles, dendrimers, porphyrins and carbohydrates as boron carriers. A review with 80 references.