Chiral nanostructuring of multivalent macrocycles in solution and on surfaces

Synergistic Effect of Chiral Nanofibers Amplifying the Orbit Angular Momentum To Enhance Optomagnetic Coupling

Manipulating magnetic bits by photon in spintronics, opto-magnetic coupling, is lagging far behind what we could expect. To investigate the issue, one should face the problem to find photon dependence of spin dynamics and spin manipulation. In this work, through introducing chiral orbit in organic crystals, circularly polarized photon can manipulate spin via the channel of photon-orbit-spin interactions. Under the stimulus of the magnetic field, strong spin polarization will feed back to the change in polarized state of light. Moreover, twisting several chiral nanofibers into a thick one, a more pronounced opto-magnetic coupling is clearly observed due to the chirality generated larger chiral orbit. Meanwhile, spin dynamics (or spin response times) inside the aggregated thick chiral fiber can be further tuned by circularly polarized light. Hopefully, this study can deepen the understanding of organic chiral spin-photonics and enhance the application of organic functional crystals in the future.

Synthesis, Molecular and Supramolecular Structure Aspects, and Antimicrobial Activity of the Centrosymmetric [Ag(5-Nitroquinoline)2]ClO4 Complex

The new homoleptic [Ag(5-nitroquinoline)2]ClO4 centrosymmetric complex was synthesized and its structure aspects were investigated. It crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 10.0279(2) Å, b = 13.2295(3) Å, c = 14.7552(3) Å and β = 102.1050(10)° while V = 1913.96(7) Å3 and half molecule as asymmetric formula. The Ag(I) is coordinated with two symmetrically related 5-nitroquinoline ligand units via the heterocyclic nitrogen atom with Ag-N distance of 2.146(6) Å and N1-Ag-N1 angle of 173.0(3)°. The two coordinated 5-nitroquinoline have anti configuration to one another and the perchlorate anion is set freely uncoordinated. The only Ag…O interactions are Ag1…O2 (3.110 Å) and Ag1…O1 (3.189 Å) which occur between the Ag(I) in one complex unit and the O-atoms from the NO2 groups in the neighbouring complex units. Hence, Ag(I) has coordination number 2 and its coordination geometry is slightly bent. Hirshfeld analysis indicated that the O…H (51.1%), C…H (11.8%), H…H (10.8%) and C…C (8.9%) contacts are the most common. Exclusively, the O…H, C…O, N…O, O…O and Ag…O contacts are the only shorter contacts than the vdWs radii sum of the interacting atoms. The studied Ag(I) complex showed good antimicrobial activity. It has comparable antibacterial activity against P. vulgaris (MIC = 9.7 μg/mL) and S. aureus (39.1 μg/mL) to Gentamycin (4.8 and 9.7 μg/mL, respectively) while better antifungal activity against A. fumigatus (MIC = 39.1 μg/mL) than Ketoconazole (156.2 μg/mL).

Bicyclic 5-6 Systems: Comprehensive Synthetic Strategies for the Annulations of Pyrazolo[ 1,5-a]pyrimidines

Pyrazolopyrimidines are a privileged class of 5-6 bicyclic systems with three or four nitrogen atoms, including four possible isomeric structures. The significance of this class of compounds is that they can be applied in medical and pharmaceutical fields due to their unlimited biological aptitude, hence it is the basic skeleton of several synthetic drugs. The current review aimed to highlight all the synthetic routes that have been applied to construct the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ring systems up to date. The sections in this study included the synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5- a]pyrimidines by condensation reactions of 5-aminopyrazoles with each of β-diketones, 1,5-diketones, β- ketoaldehydes, α-cyanoaldehydes, β-enaminones, enamines, enaminonitriles, ethers, with unsaturated ketones, unsaturated thiones, unsaturated esters, unsaturated dienones "1,2-allenic", unsaturated aldehydes, unsaturated imines, and unsaturated nitriles. The routes adopted to synthesize this class of heterocyclic compounds were extended for ring construction from acyclic reagents and multicomponent reactions under catalytic or catalyst-free conditions.

Helical Nanofibers Formed by Palladium-Mediated Assembly of Organic Homochiral Macrocycles Containing Binaphthyl and Pyridyl Units

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of homochiral macrocycles, in which molecular rigidity, combined with the presence of multiple functional groups, allow for the assembly of helical nanostructures. 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (Binol) units are used as robust chirality inducers, and pyridyl units embedded within the molecular frameworks allow the assembly, upon coordination with Pd(II) metal ions, of the macrocyclic building blocks. CD and NMR spectroscopies show the formation of ordered 1D assembly in solution. AFM studies indicate that the molecular systems are capable of forming nanoscale structures. The effective transfer of chiral information results in helical nanofibers, with lengths ranging from a few hundreds of nanometers to some micrometers. AFM line profiles reveal a helical longitudinal period of about 50 nm and a transverse width of 25 to 45 nm after deconvolution.

Biocompatible graft copolymers from bacterial poly(γ-glutamic acid) and poly(lactic acid)

Biocompatible graft copolymers from bacterial poly(γ-glutamic acid) and poly(lactic acid) are realized using a “grafting to” approach combined with click chemistry.

Aggregation-Induced Circularly Polarized Luminescence: Chiral Organic Materials for Emerging Optical Technologies

Chirality is becoming increasingly important in the design of organic materials with functional properties, when bulk anisotropy is needed. In the past decades, a plethora of chiral organic materials have been studied and developed. Nanostructures have brought substantial advancement to the realization of organic-molecule-based devices, and the possibilities for solid-state light emission are very promising in view of potential applications. Scientific approaches to the realization of chiral emissive materials are indeed growing exponentially. The chiral nanostructures discussed are related both to the way in which luminescence is generated and the way in which it is detected. As to the former, the focus will be on organic chromophores with aggregation-induced emission properties, so that emission is present, or at least largely amplified, when the molecules are in the aggregated state. As to the latter, the focus will be on the ability and a quantitative comparison of organic nanostructures capable of circularly polarized emission.

Chiral Triptycenes in Supramolecular and Materials Chemistry

Triptycenes are an intriguing class of organic molecules with several unusual characteristics, such as a propeller-like shape, saddle-like cavities around a symmetrical scaffold, a rigid π-framework. They have been extensively studied and proposed as key synthons for a variety of applications in supramolecular chemistry and materials science. When decorated with an appropriate substitution pattern, triptycenes can be chiral, and, similarly to other popular chiral π-extended synthons, can express chirality robustly, efficiently, and with relevance to chiroptical spectroscopies. This minireview highlights and encompasses recent advances in the synthesis of chiral triptycenes and in their introduction as molecular scaffolds for the assembly of functional supramolecular materials.

Binaphthyl-Based Macrocycles as Optical Sensors for Aromatic Diphenols

The synthesis of several rigid, homochiral organic macrocycles possessing, respectively, average molecular D₂ and D₃ symmetries, is described. They have been obtained from aromatic dicarboxylic acids, in combination with an axially-chiral, suitable dibenzylic alcohol, derived from 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diol (BINOL) using one-pot esterification reactions in good isolated yields. NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies detect the structural and shape variability in the scaffolds, reflected both in terms of the changes in chemical shifts and the shape of selected proton resonances, and in terms of the variation of the CD signature related to the dihedral angle defined by the binaphthyl units embedded in the rigid cyclic skeleton. The D₂ cyclic adducts are able to form stable complexes with aromatic diphenols, with binding strengths that are dependent on small variations in the spacing units, and therefore on the shapes of the internal cavities of the cyclic structures.

Microwave Synthesis of Gold Nanoclusters with Garlic Extract Modifications for the Simple and Sensitive Detection of Lead Ions

Novel bovine serum albumin (BSA)-gold nanoclusters with garlic extract modifications (mw_G-BSA-AuNCs) were prepared through microwave-assisted rapid synthesis. The modified nanoclusters were characterized and used for the simple and sensitive detection of Pb²⁺ ions. Both turn-on and turn-off methods were used and compared for Pb²⁺ ion detection. For Pb²⁺ ions, the preparation time for the modified nanoclusters was 10 min, and the detection time for the nanoclusters was 6 min. The modified nanoclusters were stable, and their fluorescence intensities changed by less than 10% in 60 days. The detection limit and linear range for the “off-on” method of mw_G-BSA-AuNCs for Pb²⁺ ion detection were 0.28 and 1–20 nM, respectively. The recoveries of the mw_G-BSA-AuNCs probe used for the detection of the Pb(II) ion in tap water ranged from 93.8% to 102.2%, with an average of 97.1%. The “off-on” method of mw_G-BSA-AuNCs can provide a lower detection limit, higher selectivity, and better recovery than the commonly used “turn-off” methods of mw_BSA-AuNCs for Pb²⁺ ion detection. The proposed method is superior to other methods proposed from 2018 to 2019 because it can provide a shorter preparation time and a lower detection limit with good selectivity. The microwave-assisted novel compound, mw_G-BSA-AuNCs, can be rapidly synthesized in a green manner and can provide a low detection limit, good selectivity, and a simple and fast reaction for Pb²⁺ ion detection.

Hydroxy-Substituted Azacalix[4]Pyridines: Synthesis, Structure, and Construction of Functional Architectures

A number of hydroxyl-substituted azacalix[4]pyridines were synthesized using Pd-catalyzed macrocyclic "2+2" and "3+1" coupling methods and the protection-deprotection strategy of hydroxyl group. While the conformation of the these hydroxyl-substituted azacalix[4]pyridines is fluxional in solution, in the solid state, they adopted shape-persistent 1,3-alternate conformations. Besides, X-ray analysis revealed that the existence of hydroxy groups on the para-position of pyridine facilitated the formation of solvent-bridged intermolecular hydrogen bonding for mono-hydroxyl-substituted while partial tautomerization for four-hydroxyl-substituted macrocycles, respectively. Taking the hydroxyl-substituted azacalix[4]pyridines as molecular platforms, multi-macrocycle-containing architectures and functional building blocks were constructed. The self-assembly behavior of the resulting building blocks was investigated in crystalline state.

Chiroptical and catalytic properties of doubly binaphthyl-strapped chiral porphyrins

Doubly (R)-binaphthyl-strapped porphyrins with methylene chains were synthesized.

Chiral Recognition of L- and D- Amino Acid by Porphyrin Supramolecular Aggregates

We report of the interactions between four amino acids lysine (Lys), arginine (Arg), histidine (His), and phenylalanine (Phe) with the J-aggregates of the protonated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin H₄TPPS. Several aspects of these self-assembled systems have been analyzed: (i) the chiral transfer process; (ii) the hierarchical effects leading to the aggregates formation; and, (iii) the influence of the amino acid concentrations on both transferring and storing chiral information. We have demonstrated that the efficient control on the J-aggregates chirality is obtained when all amino acids are tested and that the chirality transfer process is under hierarchical control. Finally, the chiral porphyrin aggregates obtained exhibit strong chiral inertia.

A colorimetric paper-based sensor for toltrazuril and its metabolites in feed, chicken, and egg samples

In this study, a sensitive monoclonal antibody (mAb) against toltrazuril (Tol) was developed based on a novel hapten. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of toltrazuril and its metabolites ranged from 2.19 ng/mL to 4.21 ng/mL. Based on this mAb, a colorimetric paper-based sensor was developed for the rapid screening of Tol and its metabolites in samples. The proposed assay has cutoff values of <20 μg/kg for Tol and 50 μg/kg for Tol sulfone when evaluated with the naked eye, and the results could be obtained in 15 min. Quantitative results were obtained with a strip scan reader, with limits of detection <2.60 μg/kg for Tol and its metabolites in real samples. The sensitivity of both qualitative and quantitative detection meets the European Union requirements. Therefore, this strip assay provides a useful tool for the on-site detection and rapid initial screening of Tol and its derivatives in feed, egg, and chicken samples.

Chiral Nanotubes

Organic nanotubes, as assembled nanospaces, in which to carry out host-guest chemistry, reversible binding of smaller species for transport, sensing, storage or chemical transformation purposes, are currently attracting substantial interest, both as biological ion channel mimics, or for addressing tailored material properties. Nature's materials and machinery are universally asymmetric, and, for chemical entities, controlled asymmetry comes from chirality. Together with carbon nanotubes, conformationally stable molecular building blocks and macrocycles have been used for the realization of organic nanotubes, by means of their assembly in the third dimension. In both cases, chiral properties have started to be fully exploited to date. In this paper, we review recent exciting developments in the synthesis and assembly of chiral nanotubes, and of their functional properties. This review will include examples of either molecule-based or macrocycle-based systems, and will try and rationalize the supramolecular interactions at play for the three-dimensional (3D) assembly of the nanoscale architectures.

Propeller-Like Nanorod-Upconversion Nanoparticle Assemblies with Intense Chiroptical Activity and Luminescence Enhancement in Aqueous Phase

Propeller-like nanoscale assemblies with exceptionally intense chiroptical activity and strong luminescence are prepared using gold nanorods and upconversion nanoparticles. The circular dichroism intensity of the tetramer reached 80.9 mdeg, with g-factor value of 2.1 × 10(-2) . The enhancement factor of upconversion luminescence is as high as 21.3 in aqueous phase. Attomolar bioanalysis of a cancer biomarker with two model is also achieved, showing potential for early disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring.

Hydrogen-bonded bent-core blue phase liquid crystal complexes containing various molar ratios of proton acceptors and donors

The molar ratio, alkyl chain length, lateral fluoro-substitution and the chiral center of H-bonded bent-core supramolecules would affect the BP ranges of BPLC complexes. H-bonded bent-core complex PIIIC9/AIIF* (3/7 mol mol⁻¹) displayed the widest BPI range of ΔT_BPI = 12 °C.

NMR detection of chirality and enantiopurity of amines by using benzene tricarboxamide-based hydrogelators as chiral solvating agents

The use of gelator 1D as a means for NMR-based determination of the enantiopurity and chirality of amines.

Lateral fluoro-substitution and chiral effects on supramolecular liquid crystals containing rod-like and H-bonded bent-core mesogens

We report the first series of liquid crystalline supramolecular diads containing asymmetric rod-like and H-bonded bent-core mesogens with a wide BPI range, where biaxial parameters and HTP values are the most important factors to stabilize the BPI.

Synthesis of Binaphthyl-Based Push-Pull Chromophores with Supramolecularly Polarizable Acceptor Ends

We report on the design and synthesis of new enantiopure binaphthyl derivatives in which electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents are placed in direct conjugation, to create push-pull dyes potentially active for NLO applications. The dyes, unprecedentedly, extend theirπ-bridge from the 3,3′ positions of the binaphthyl units and incorporate as acceptors 1,3-dicarbonyl and tetrafluorobenzene units, useful for further supramolecular polarization of the chiral dyes.

Synthesis, chiroptical and SHG properties of polarizable push–pull dyes built on π-extended binaphthyls

Novel binaphthyl push–pull dyes extend their π-bridge and incorporate as acceptors pyridine units, useful for further supramolecular polarization.

Highly fluorescent one-handed nanotubes assembled from a chiral asymmetric perylene diimide

Highly fluorescent bilayer nanotubes with a right- or left-handed helical sense were assembled from a chiral asymmetric perylene diimide.