Controlling Swing Rates in Macrocyclic Molecular Mortise Hinges

Hinge motion is observed in macrocyclic, mortise-type molecular hinges using variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. The data is consistent with dynamic hinging from a folded-to-extended-to-folded enantiomeric state. Crystallographic and solution structures of the folded states are reported. Chemical shift predictions derived from crystallographic data corroborate fully revolute hinge motion. The rate of hinging is affected by steric congestion at the hinge axis. A macrocycle containing glycine, 1, hinges faster than one comprising aminoisobutyric acid, 2. The free energies of activation, ΔG≠ , for 1 and 2 were determined to be 13.3±0.3 kcal/mol and 16.3±0.3 kcal/mol, respectively. This barrier is largely independent of solvent across those surveyed (CD3 OD, CD3 CN, DMSO-d6 , pyridine-d5 , D2 O). Experiment and computation predict energy barriers that are consistent with disruption of an intramolecular network of hydrogen bonds. DFT calculations reveal a pathway for hinge motion.

Benzopyrano-Fused Phenanthridine-Based Columnar Mesogens: Synthesis, Self-organization and Charge-Transport Properties

Columnar mesogens constitute a fascinating class of supramolecular nano-architectures owing to the exceptional properties induced by their self-assembling behavior. Extending the π-conjugated core in such systems by incorporating heteroatoms extensively influences their mesomorphic, photophysical properties, etc., presenting them as potential candidates for optoelectronic applications. In the present work, a series of novel nitrogen and oxygen-incorporated chromenonaphthophenanthridine-based elliptical dimers have been synthesized through tandem Pictet-Spengler cyclization followed by ipso-aromatic substitution in one-pot. Mesophase characterization has been carried out by employing POM, DSC, and X-ray diffraction studies. Photophysical properties were investigated using UV-vis and emission spectroscopy. Furthermore, the charge transport properties were analyzed by time-of-flight measurements, and the observed ambipolar mobilities were found to be of the order of 10^-3  cm²  V^-1  s^-1 . The high solubility, excellent thermal stability, self-organizing properties, and ambipolar charge transport characteristics make them promising candidates for applications in organic electronics.

Aza-aromatic polycycles based on triphenylene and acridine or acridone: synthesis and properties

Our attempts to N-arylate anilines with 2-iodotriphenylene and then cyclize with the adjacent carbonyl group are reported.

Bond-Level Imaging of the 3D Conformation of Adsorbed Organic Molecules Using Atomic Force Microscopy with Simultaneous Tunneling Feedback

The chemical structure and orientation of molecules on surfaces can be visualized using low temperature atomic force microscopy with CO-functionalized tips. Conventionally, this is done in constant-height mode by measuring the frequency shift of the oscillating force sensor. However, this method is unsuitable for analyzing 3D objects. We are using the tunneling current to track the topography while simultaneously obtaining submolecular resolution from the frequency shift signal. Thereby, the conformation of 3D molecules and the adsorption sites on the atomic lattice can be reliably determined.

A heterometallic macrocycle as a redox-controlled molecular hinge

The ability to modify the structure of nanoscopic assemblies in a controlled fashion is an important prerequisite for the creation of functional supramolecular systems. Here, we describe a heterometallic Pt2Cu2-macrocycle which behaves as a molecular hinge. A square-planar Pt(ii) complex with pendent 2-formylpyridine groups was synthesized and structurally characterized. Condensation of the complex with benzylamine followed by reaction with Cu(MeCN)4BF4 resulted in the formation of a rectangular Pt2Cu2-macrocycle. Upon chemical oxidation of the Cu centers, the macrocycle folds up to adopt a butterfly-like geometry in which the Pt centers approach each other. This process can be reversed by chemical reduction.

Donor-acceptor substituted phenylethynyltriphenylenes - excited state intramolecular charge transfer, solvatochromic absorption and fluorescence emission

Several 2-(phenylethynyl)triphenylene derivatives bearing electron donor and acceptor substituents on the phenyl rings have been synthesized. The absorption and fluorescence emission properties of these molecules have been studied in solvents of different polarity. For a given derivative, solvent polarity had minimal effect on the absorption maxima. However, for a given solvent the absorption maxima red shifted with increasing conjugation of the substituent. The fluorescence emission of these derivatives was very sensitive to solvent polarity. In the presence of strongly electron withdrawing (-CN) and strongly electron donating (-NMe₂) substituents large Stokes shifts (up to 130 nm, 7828 cm⁻¹) were observed in DMSO. In the presence of carbonyl substituents (-COMe and -COPh), the largest Stokes shift (140 nm, 8163 cm⁻¹) was observed in ethanol. Linear correlation was observed for the Stokes shifts in a Lippert-Mataga plot. Linear correlation of Stokes shift was also observed with E(T)(30) scale for protic and aprotic solvents but with different slopes. These results indicate that the fluorescence emission arises from excited state intramolecular charge transfer in these molecules where the triphenylene chromophore acts either as a donor or as an acceptor depending upon the nature of the substituent on the phenyl ring. HOMO-LUMO energy gaps have been estimated from the electrochemical and spectral data for these derivatives. The HOMO and LUMO surfaces were obtained from DFT calculations.