Chiral Supramolecular Organogel Constructed Using Riboflavin and Melamine: Its Application in Photo-Catalyzed Colorimetric Chiral Sensing and Enantioselective Adsorption

The synthesis of a chiral supramolecular organogel via the hierarchical helical self-assembly of optically active riboflavin and melamine derivatives is described herein. Owing to the photocatalysis of riboflavin and the supramolecular chirality induced in the helically stacked riboflavin/melamine complex, the gel is observed to act as a light-stimulated chiral sensor of optically active alcohols by detecting the change in color from yellow to green. The gel also served as an efficient chiral adsorbent, enabling optical resolution of a racemic compound with high chiral recognition ability.

Stimuli-responsive synthetic helical polymers

Synthetic dynamic helical polymers (supramolecular and covalent) and foldamers share the helix as a structural motif. Although the materials are different, these systems also share many structural properties, such as helix induction or conformational communication mechanisms. The introduction of stimuli responsive building blocks or monomer repeating units in these materials triggers conformational or structural changes, due to the presence/absence of the external stimulus, which are transmitted to the helix resulting in different effects, such as assymetry amplification, helix inversion or even changes in the helical scaffold (elongation, J/H helical aggregates). In this review, we show through selected examples how different stimuli (e.g., temperature, solvents, cations, anions, redox, chiral additives, pH or light) can alter the helical structures of dynamic helical polymers (covalent and supramolecular) and foldamers acting on the conformational composition or molecular structure of their components, which is also transmitted to the macromolecular helical structure.

Multi-Light-Responsive Upconversion-and-Downshifting-Based Circularly Polarized Luminescent Switches in Chiral Metal-Organic Frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted tremendous attention for several novel applications. However, functional MOFs with light-responsive circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) are not examined in detail. Therefore, a dual CPL switch exhibiting both upconversion (UC) and downshifting (DS) CPL in the solid state is constructed by loading a luminescent diarylethene derivative (DAEC) and UC nanoparticles (UCNPs) into chiral MOFs. The chiral MOF⊃DAEC composites exhibit both photoswitchable luminescence and DS-CPL properties under alternating UV and visible light irradiation. Additionally, a reversible UC-CPL switch is realized using near-infrared (NIR) and visible light irradiation by introducing energy-level-matched UCNPs and DAEC into the chiral MOFs. The dissymmetry factor (g_lum ) of UC-CPL is noted to be significantly amplified through energy transfer compared to that of DS-CPL, which indicates that the information on circular polarization can be manipulated by altering the incident light. A chiroptical logic circuit with a 2D information output is designed with UV, visible, and NIR light as inputs by setting a rational threshold.

Facile access to foldable redox-active flavin-peptide conjugates

A convenient approach for the synthesis of foldable redox-active flavin peptide conjugates was established. A model β-hairpin oligopeptide motif was utilized to demonstrate that azidolysine side-chains are readily functionalised with an alkyne-bearing flavine derivative. The folding equilibrium of the peptide backbone as well as the redox behaviour of the flavin moieties remains intact after the conjugation.

Light-mediated chiroptical switching of an achiral foldamer host in presence of a carbohydrate guest

A photoresponsive diarylethene was incorporated in an achiral helical foldamer container. A carbohydrate guest was found to induce opposite handedness upon binding to the open and closed forms of the diarylethene-containing foldamer, thus enabling chiroptical switching of an achiral host mediated by a chiral guest.

Synthesis of new riboflavin modified ODNs: Effect of riboflavin moiety on the G-quadruplex arrangement and stability

In the panorama of modified G-quadruplexes (G4s) with interesting proprieties, here, it has been reported the synthesis of new modified d(TGGGAG) sequences forming G-quadruplexes, with the insertion of a riboflavin unit (Rf, vitamin B₂). Exploiting the flavin similarity with the hydrogen bond pattern of guanine and aiming at mimic a typical nucleoside scaffold, the synthesis of the riboflavin building block 3 it has been efficiently carried out. The effect of insertion of riboflavin mimic nucleoside on the G-quadruplex properties has been here, for the first time investigated. A biophysical characterization of Rf-modified sequences (A-D) has been carried out by circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and native gel electrophoresis. CD and electrophoresis data have suggested that Rf-modified sequences are able to form parallel tetramolecular G4 structures similar to that of the unmodified sequence. Analysis of the DSC thermograms has revealed that all modified G-quadruplexes have a higher thermal stability compared with the natural sequence, particularly the stabilisation is higher when the Rf residue is introduced at the 3'-end. Further, DSC analysis has revealed that the Rf residues introduced at the 3'-end are able to form additional stabilising interactions, energetically almost comparable to the enthalpic contribution of a G-tetrad. Fluorescence measurement are consistent with this result showing that the Rf residues introduced at 3'-end are able to form stacking interactions with the adjacent bases within the G-quadruplex structure. The whole of data suggested that the introduction of Rf unit can stabilize G-quadruplex structures and can be a promising candidate for future theranostic applications.

Supramolecular chiroptical switches

Recent progress in chiroptical switches including on/off, amplification, and inversion of the chiral signals such as ECD and CPL in supramolecular assemblies is shown.

Synthesis and characterization of a polyisocyanide with thioether pendant caused an oxidation-triggered helix-to-helix transition

Stimuli responsive helical polymers have attracted wide attention and many polymers responsive to the external stimuli have been synthesized. But, only a few examples have been reported regarding the redox-induced helicity inversion helical polymers. The polyisocyanide including thioether pendant (poly-MBTIP) was synthesized by polymerization of methyl (R)-3-(benzylthio)-2-isocyanopropanoate (MBTIP) monomer using NiCl2·6H2O as catalytic agent in dry DCM. The chiroptical and oxidation properties of the poly-MBTIP are investigated. The poly-MBTIPs exhibit intense specific optical rotations and Cotton effects compared to the monomer, strongly suggesting a helical conformation of the polymer backbone. Additionally, the thioether pendant of poly-MBTIP backbone was oxidized to sulfoxide group by H2O2. Interestingly, the specific optical rotations and Cotton effects of poly-MBTIP oxidized are reversed, probably suggesting a helical conformation inversion.

Organopolymer with dual chromophores and fast charge-transfer properties for sustainable photocatalysis

Photocatalytic polymers offer an alternative to prevailing organometallics and nanomaterials, and they may benefit from polymer-mediated catalytic and material enhancements. MPC-1, a polymer photoredox catalyst reported herein, exhibits enhanced catalytic activity arising from charge transfer states (CTSs) between its two chromophores. Oligomeric and polymeric MPC-1 preparations both promote efficient hydrodehalogenation of α-halocarbonyl compounds while exhibiting different solubility properties. The polymer is readily recovered by filtration. MPC-1-coated vessels enable batch and flow photocatalysis, even with opaque reaction mixtures, via "backside irradiation." Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy indicates a fast charge-transfer process within 20 ps of photoexcitation. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements reveal an approximate 10 ns lifetime for bright valence states. Ultrafast measurements suggest a long CTS lifetime. Empirical catalytic activities of small-molecule models of MPC-1 subunits support the CTS hypothesis. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations are in good agreement with experimental spectra, spectral peak assignment, and proposed underlying energetics.

Comparison of riboflavin-derived flavinium salts applied to catalytic H2O2 oxidations

A series of flavinium salts, 5-ethylisoalloxazinium, 5-ethylalloxazinium, and 1,10-ethylene-bridged alloxazinium triflates, were prepared from commercially available riboflavin. This study presents a comparison between their optical and redox properties, and their catalytic activity in H2O2 oxidations of sulfide, tertiary amine, and cyclobutanone. Reflecting the difference between the π-conjugated ring structures, the flavinium salts displayed very different redox properties, with reduction potentials in the order of: 5-ethylisoalloxazinium > 5-ethylalloxazinium > 1,10-ethylene-bridged alloxazinium. A comparison of their catalytic activity revealed that 5-ethylisoalloxazinium triflate specifically oxidises sulfide and cyclobutanone, and 5-ethylalloxazinium triflate smoothly oxidises tertiary amine. 1,10-Bridged alloxazinium triflate, which can be readily obtained from riboflavin in large quantities, showed moderate catalytic activity for the H2O2 oxidation of sulfide and cyclobutanone.

Chiroptical switches: applications in sensing and catalysis

Chiroptical switches have found application in the detection of a multitude of different analytes with a high level of sensitivity and in asymmetric catalysis to offer switchable stereoselectivity. A wide range of scaffolds have been employed that respond to metals, small molecules, anions and other analytes. Not only have chiroptical systems been used to detect the presence of analytes, but also other properties such as oxidation state and other physical phenomena that influence helicity and conformation of molecules and materials. Moreover, the tunable responses of many such chiroptical switches enable them to be used in the controlled production of either enantiomer or diastereomer at will in many important organic reactions from a single chiral catalyst through selective use of a low-cost inducer: Co-catalysts (guests), metal ions, counter ions or anions, redox agents or electrochemical potential, solvents, mechanical forces, temperature or electromagnetic radiation.