The Reduction of Metallabenzenes: Different Scenarios Highly Dependent on the Central Group 14 Elements, Si vs. Ge

In order to synthesize a silabenzenyl anion, in which the anionic carbon atom of a phenyl anion was replaced with a silicon atom, the reductive dearylation reaction of 1-Tbt-2-tert-butyl-silabenzene (Tbt=2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl) with KC8 was attempted. Unexpectedly, this reaction resulted in the formation of a dianion species without the elimination of the Tbt group. This is totally different from the reactions of Tbt-substituted germa- or stannabenzene with KC8 , which resulted in the formation of the corresponding heavy analogues of phenyl anion, together with the elimination of Tbt group. Experimental and theoretical investigation revealed that one of the protons of the o-benzyl positions of the Tbt group was abstracted by the negatively charged silicon atom of an in-situ generated intermediate. Compared with the previously reported germanium system, the contrasting results indicate that the central heavy group 14 element has a great influence on the elimination step of the Tbt group.

Unusual nuclear exchange within a germanium-containing aromatic ring that results in germanium atom transfer

The delivery of single atoms is highly desirable for the straightforward synthesis of complex molecules, however this approach is limited by a lack of suitable atomic transfer reagents. Here, we report a germanium atom transfer reaction employing a germanium analogue of the phenyl anion. The reaction yields a germanium-substituted benzene, along with a germanium atom which can be transferred to other chemical species. The transfer of atomic germanium is demonstrated by the formation of well-defined germanium doped molecules. Furthermore, computational studies reveal that the reaction mechanism proceeds via the first example of an aromatic-to-aromatic nuclear germanium replacement reaction on the germabenzene ring. This unusual reaction pathway was further probed by the reaction of our aromatic germanium anion with a molecular silicon species, which selectively yielded the corresponding silicon-substituted benzene derivative.

Isomer-Selective Conversion of Au Clusters by Au(I) Thiolate Insertion

Isomer-selective conversion is a challenging goal in the rational design of Au clusters. Herein, we demonstrate the isomer-selective conversion of Au₁₈(ScC₆)₁₄ (ScC₆ = cyclohexanethiolate) into Au₂₄(SR)_x(ScC₆)_20-x in high yields by reactions with gold(I) thiolate (AuSR) complexes. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry indicated that even numbers of AuSR units are inserted into Au₁₈(SR)_x(ScC₆)_14-x to generate Au₂₄(SR)_x(ScC₆)_20-x through intermediates Au₂₀(SR)_x(ScC₆)_16-x or Au₂₂(SR)_x(ScC₆)_18-x. These results suggest that the number of constituent atoms in surface Au(I)SR oligomers only increases, while the number of electrons in an Au core is maintained. UV-vis analysis revealed the generation of one of two Au₂₄(SR)_x(ScC₆)_20-x isomers in the reactions of Au₁₈(ScC₆)₁₄ with AuSR complexes, in contrast to the formation of both isomers by reactions with thiols. When the structures of Au₁₈(SR)₁₄ are compared with those of the Au₂₄(SR)₂₀ isomers, the partial structure in the Au cores is preserved in the isomer-selective conversion with AuSR complexes, regardless of the structures of the thiolate moiety.

Synthesis of Twisted [n]Cycloparaphenylene by Alkene Insertion

Mono-alkene-inserted [n]cycloparaphenylenes 1 [(ene)-[n]CPP] with n=6, 8, and 10, mono-ortho-phenylene-inserted [6]CPP 2, and di-alkene-insertved [n]CPP 3 [(ene)₂ -[n]CPP] with n=4, 6, and 8 were synthesized by fusing CPP precursors and alkene or ortho- phenylene groups through coupling reactions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the strips formed by the π-surfaces of 1 and 2 exhibited a Möbius topology in the solid state. While the Möbius topology in the parent 1 and 2 in solution was lost due to the free rotation of the paraphenylene unit even at low temperatures, ene-[6]CPP 4 with eight 1-pyrrolyl groups preserved the Möbius topology even in solution. Despite a twist, 1 has in-plane conjugation and possesses a unique size dependence of the electronic properties: namely, the opposite size dependency of the HOMO-LUMO energy relative to conventional π-conjugated molecules.

Boron complexes of π-extended nitroxide ligands exhibiting three-state redox processes and near-infrared-II (NIR-II) absorption properties

Persistent radicals have attracted increasing attention owing to their fascinating properties, including multi-step redox and long-wavelength absorption characteristics. In this study, boron complexes with π-extended nitroxide ligands were synthesised via Buchwald-Hartwig amination reactions of the corresponding boron-nitroxide complex and diarylamines. These nitroxide complexes exhibited two-step and reversible one-electron oxidation processes, suggesting stable redox triads involving anionic aminoxide, neutral nitroxide-radical, and cationic oxoammonium ligands. Cationic boron complexes of the nitroxide radical ligands were obtained via chemical oxidation of the aminoxide complexes and structurally characterised. The cationic nitroxide-radical complexes exhibited strong absorptions at approximately 1100 nm, demonstrating their potential as near-infrared (NIR)-II-active functional dyes.

Characterization of resonance structures in aromatic rings of benzene and its heavier-element analogues

We present the experimental visualization of the valence-electron-density distribution in benzene and its kinetically stabilized heavier-element analogues, i.e., 1,2-disilabenzene and 1,2-digermabenzene. The valence-electron-density-distribution (EDD) analysis on the 1,2-disila- and 1,2-digermabenzenes revealed that these contain incompletely delocalized π electrons on their cyclic conjugation systems, making them less aromatic compared to benzene. Based on the results of this EDD analysis in combination with anisotropy of the current-induced density (ACID) calculations, considerable contributions from the characteristic resonance structures of 1,2-disila- and 1,2-digermabenzenes with cleaved EE bonds can be expected.

Control over Ligand-Exchange Positions of Thiolate-Protected Gold Nanoclusters Using Steric Repulsion of Protecting Ligands

Organic ligands on gold nanoclusters play important roles in regulating the structures of gold cores. However, the impact of the number and positions of the protecting ligands on gold-core structures remains unclear. We isolated thiolate-protected Au₂₅ cluster anions, [Au₂₅(SC₂Ph)₁₇(Por)₁]^- and [Au₂₅(SC₂Ph)₁₆(Por)₂]^- (SC₂Ph = 2-phenylethanethiolate), obtained by ligand exchange of [Au₂₅(SC₂Ph)₁₈]^- with one or two porphyrinthiolate (Por) ligands as mixtures of regioisomers. The ratio of two regioisomers in [Au₂₅(SC₂Ph)₁₇(Por)₁]^- as measured by ¹H NMR spectroscopy revealed that the selectivity could be controlled by the steric hindrance of the incoming thiols. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure studies of a series of porphyrin-coordinated gold nanoclusters clarified that the Au₁₃ icosahedral core in the Au₂₅ cluster was distorted through steric repulsion between porphyrin thiolates and phenylethanethiolates. This paper reveals interesting insights into the importance of the steric structures of protecting ligands for control over core structures in gold nanoclusters.

Glucose as a Protein-Condensing Cellular Solute

The present study reports a surprising protein-condensing effect of glucose, prompted by our accidental observation during chemical library screening under a high-glucose condition. We noticed "glucosing-out" of certain compounds, in which physiological concentrations of glucose induced compound aggregation. Adapting the "glucosing-out" concept to proteins, our proteomic analysis identified three cellular proteins (calmodulin, rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 40, and polyubiquitin-C) that displayed robust glucose-dependent precipitation. One of these proteins, calmodulin, formed glucose-dependent condensates that control cellular glycogenolysis in hepatic cells. Our findings suggest that glucose is a heretofore underappreciated driver of protein phase separation that may have profound effects on cellular homeostasis.

Fused-Nonacyclic Multi-Resonance Delayed Fluorescence Emitter Based on Ladder-Thiaborin Exhibiting Narrowband Sky-Blue Emission with Accelerated Reverse Intersystem Crossing

Developing organic luminophores with unique capability of strong narrowband emission is both crucial and challenging for the further advancement of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Herein, a nanographitic fused-nonacyclic π-system (BSBS-N1), which was strategically embedded with multiple boron, nitrogen, and sulfur atoms, was developed as a new multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitter. Narrowband sky-blue emission with a peak at 478 nm, full width at half maximum of 24 nm, and photoluminescence quantum yield of 89 % was obtained with BSBS-N1. Additionally, the spin-orbit coupling was enhanced by incorporating two sulfur atoms, thereby facilitating the spin-flipping process between the excited triplet and singlet states. OLEDs based on BSBS-N1 as a sky-blue MR-TADF emitter achieved a high maximum external electroluminescence quantum efficiency of 21.0 %, with improved efficiency roll-off.

A Novel Reactivity of Phosphanylalumane (>P-Al<): Reversible Addition of a Saturated Interelement Bond to Olefins

The reversible addition of olefins to a phosphanylalumane, P-Al single-bond species, was investigated. The P-Al bond added to ethylene and relatively small terminal alkenes (propylene and hex-1-ene) at room temperature to give the corresponding alkene adducts. Heating the terminal alkene adducts released the corresponding alkenes and regenerated the P-Al bond, but no release of ethylene was observed even under vacuum conditions. The reactivity of ethylene adduct as a new saturated C₂ vicinal P/Al-based FLP was also investigated. The ethylene adduct was found to undergo complexation with nitriles to give the corresponding nitrile adducts to the Al center, which retained the ethylene tether as in the case of the corresponding P/B-based FLP. However, the reactivity of ethylene toward CO₂ and benzaldehyde differed from that of the P/B system giving the corresponding adducts.

Discovery of Self-Assembling Small Molecules as Vaccine Adjuvants

Immune potentiators, termed adjuvants, trigger early innate immune responses to ensure the generation of robust and long-lasting adaptive immune responses of vaccines. Presented here is a study that takes advantage of a self-assembling small-molecule library for the development of a novel vaccine adjuvant. Cell-based screening of the library and subsequent structural optimization led to the discovery of a simple, chemically tractable deoxycholate derivative (molecule 6, also named cholicamide) whose well-defined nanoassembly potently elicits innate immune responses in macrophages and dendritic cells. Functional and mechanistic analyses indicate that the virus-like assembly enters the cells and stimulates the innate immune response through Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), an endosomal TLR that detects single-stranded viral RNA. As an influenza vaccine adjuvant in mice, molecule 6 was as potent as Alum, a clinically used adjuvant. The studies described here pave the way for a new approach to discovering and designing self-assembling small-molecule adjuvants against pathogens, including emerging viruses.

2,2-Bis[3,5-bis(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyltrisilane

The mol­ecules of the title compound, C₂₆H₄₈N₄Si₃, are linked via an SiC–H⋯π(ar­yl) inter­action in the crystal.

The title compound, C₂₆H₄₈N₄Si₃, was synthesized by the reaction of 2,2-di­chloro­tris­ilane with 3,5-bis­(di­methyl­amino)­phenyl­lithium. In the mol­ecule, the dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 57.57 (7)° and the Si—Si—Si bond angle is 110.08 (2)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked via an SiC–H⋯π(ar­yl) inter­action, forming a chain along the c-axis direction.

1,2-Insertion reactions of alkynes into Ge-C bonds of arylbromogermylene

1,2-Insertion reactions of alkynes into the Ge-C bonds in dibromodigermenes afford stable crystalline bromovinylgermylenes. In contrast to previously reported Lewis-base-supported vinylgermylenes, the bromovinylgermylene obtained from reaction of the bromogermylene with 3-hexyne via such an 1,2-insertion is a donor-free monomer. A feasible reaction mechanism, proposed on the basis of the observed experimental results in combination with theoretical calculations, suggests that the [1+2]-cycloadduct and the insertion product are the kinetic and thermodynamic product, respectively.

Additive-Free Conversion of Internal Alkynes by Phosphanylalumanes: Production of Phosphorus/Aluminum Frustrated Lewis Pairs

Internal and terminal alkynes react with phosphanylalumanes, i. e., P-Al single-bond species, through heating but without any additional additives. The reactions with internal alkynes afforded the corresponding adducts with cis-1,2-form in moderate yields (54-80 %). In addition, alkyne adducts thus obtained function as P/Al-based C₂ -vicinal FLPs, and the FLP addition reactions with benzaldehyde and CO₂ were demonstrated. Furthermore, in the reaction of 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-substituted alkyne adducts with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, an unexpected C_Ar -C_Me bond cleavage characteristic of this system was demonstrated.

A synthetic equivalent for unknown 1,3-zwitterions? – A K/OR phosphinidenoid complex with an additional Si–Cl function

Although the chemistry of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) has seen tremendous developments, investigations on anionic, mono-molecular FLPs are still scarce and 1,3-zwitterions are unknown, but a functional K/OR phosphinindenoid complex can be used instead.