Solid-State 2H NMR Study for Deuterated Phenylene Dynamics in a Crystalline Gyroscope-Like Molecule

Molecular rotors have earned substantial popularity in recent times, owing to the unique dependence of its crystalline properties on the rotational dynamics of the rotor. We have recently reported the synthesis and crystal structure of a phenylene-bridged macrocage as a gyroscope-like molecule in the crystalline state. The dynamics of the phenylene moiety was probed by solid-state 13C CP/MAS proton dipolar dephasing NMR spectroscopy. Herein, solid-state 2H NMR studies were performed to study the dynamics of the gyroscope-like molecule with a deuterated rotor in the crystalline state. A spectrum with a narrow line shape was obtained at 300 K. The facile exchange among three stationary states, which was observed by X-ray crystallography, was clearly confirmed. Additionally, a crystal-to-crystal phase transition that switches the motion of the rotor was observed in the DSC analysis of the powdered sample.

Polarized fluorescence of a crystal having uniaxially oriented molecules by a carbazole-diyl-bridged macrocage

An axially oriented π-electron system is achieved in a single crystal of a macrocage molecule, and polarized fluorescence of the single crystal was observed.

A crystalline molecular gyrotop with a biphenylene dirotor and its temperature-dependent birefringence

A crystalline molecular gyrotop with a biphenylene dirotor showed a reduction in the birefringence with increasing temperature.

A pyrene-bridged macrocage showing no excimer fluorescence

A pyrene bridged macrocage shows fluorescence from a monomeric excited state without excimer due to cage effects.

Syntheses of Iron(0) Complexes of Symmetrical Trialkylphosphines with Three Terminal Vinyl Groups, P((CH2)mCH=CH2)3

Reactions of (BDA)Fe(CO)3 (BDA = benzylideneacetone) and P((CH2)mCH=CH2)3 (1; m = 4, a; 5, b; 6, c; 7, d; 8, e) give the trigonal bipyramidal bis(phosphine) complexes trans-Fe(CO)3(P((CH2)mCH=CH2)3)2 (2a–e) as moderately air-sensitive yellow-orange oils in 60–75 % yields after workup. These and NO+BF4– react to give the cationic iron dicarbonyl nitrosyl complexes trans-[Fe(CO)2(NO)(P((CH2)mCH=CH2)3)2]+BF4– (3a–e; orange oils, 88–98 %). Further substitution is effected with n-Bu4N+X– (X = Cl, Br, I, or CN) to give trans-Fe(CO)(NO)(X)(P((CH2)mCH=CH2)3)2 (4a–e-X; red oils, 73–93 %). The NMR (1H, 13C, 31P) and IR properties of these adducts, which provide precursors to gyroscope-like complexes by intramolecular C=C metatheses, are analysed in detail.

Ring-closing metathesis for the synthesis of a molecular gyrotop

A molecular gyrotop was synthesized by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) under reflux, indicating that the cage is a thermodynamically controlled product.

A crystalline molecular gyrotop with germanium junctions between a phenylene rotor and alkyl spokes

A molecular gyrotop with germanium junctions was synthesized, and the dynamics of the phenylene and the optical properties were discussed.

Thermal modulation of birefringence observed in a crystalline molecular gyrotop

Recently, functional organic materials have been put into practical use. The application of molecular motions has the potential to create new molecule-based materials. For this reason, considerable attention has been focused on the chemistry and properties of molecular machines in which mechanical motions of parts of the molecules are observed. In particular, phenylene rotation in the crystalline state has been investigated using framed molecular gyrotops having a phenylene rotor encased in three long alkyl spokes. In this study, we show thermal modulation of birefringence in a crystal due to the states of dynamic equilibrium of a novel molecular gyrotop. A macrocage molecule having a bridged phenylene rotor was synthesized as a novel molecular gyrotop. Rapid rotation of the phenylene rotor of the molecular gyrotop was confirmed by solid-state (2)H NMR spectroscopy that showed changes in the optical properties of a single crystal, i.e., the thermal modulation of birefringence. These results are the first application of the dynamic states in a crystal causing an optical change. These phenomena were also confirmed by control experiments using a molecular gyrotop with a nonrotating xylene rotor. We anticipate our finding to be a starting point for the creation of a new field of material chemistry that will make use of the dynamic states of molecules.

Molecular recognition and self-assembly special feature: Encapsulated-guest rotation in a self-assembled heterocapsule directed toward a supramolecular gyroscope

The self-assembled heterocapsule 1.2, which is formed by the hydrogen bonds of tetra(4-pyridyl)-cavitand 1 and tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cavitand 2, encapsulates 1 molecule of guests such as 1,4-diacetoxybenzene 3a, 1,4-diacetoxy-2,5-dimethylbenzene 3b, 1,4-diacetoxy-2,5-dialkoxybenzenes (3c, OCH(3); 3d, OC(2)H(5); 3e, OC(3)H(7); 3f, OC(4)H(9); 3g, OC(5)H(11); 3h, OC(6)H(13); 3i, OC(8)H(17)), 1,4-diacetoxy-2,5-difluorobenzene 4a, and 1,4-diacetoxy-2,3-difluorobenzene 4b. The X-ray crystallographic analysis of 3c@(1.2) showed that the acetoxy groups at the 1,4-positions of 3c are oriented toward the 2 aromatic cavity ends of 1.2 and that 3c can rotate along the long axis of 1.2. Thus, the 1.2 (stator) with the encapsulation guest (rotator) behaves as a supramolecular gyroscope. A variable temperature (VT) (1)H NMR study in CDCl(3) showed that 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b within 1.2 rotate rapidly even at 218 K, whereas guest rotation is almost inhibited for 3h and 3i even at 323 K. In this respect, 4b with a large dipole moment is a good candidate for the rotator of 1.2. For 3c-3g, the enthalpic (DeltaH(double dagger)) and entropic (DeltaS(double dagger)) contributions to the free energy of activation (DeltaG(double dagger)) for the guest-rotational steric barriers within 1.2 were obtained from Eyring plots based on line-shape analysis of the VT (1)H NMR spectra. The value of DeltaG(double dagger) increased in the order 3c < 3d < 3e < 3f < 3g. Thus, the elongation of the alkoxy chains at the 2,5-positions of 3 puts the brakes on guest rotation within 1.2.