Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Properties of Catenanes Containing the 2,7-Diazapyrenium Unit

Abstract

The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of two cyclophanes containing one and, respectively, two 2,7-diazapyrenium electron-acceptor units, and of their [2]catenanes with macrocycles containing two dioxybenzene or dioxynaphthalene electrondonor units have been investigated. The absorption spectra of the catenanes show weak and broad bands in the visible region, assigned to charge-transfer (CT) interactions. The very strong and structured fluorescence (298 K) and the structured fluorescence and phosphorescence (77 K) of the diazapyrenium unit are maintained in the two cyclophanes, but they are no longer present in the [2]catenanes, presumably because of a quenching process caused by the lower energy CT excited states. Each diazapyrenium unit undergoes two distinct reduction processes - only the first one of which is fully reversible - that are hardly affected at all when the diazapyrenium units are incorporated in a cyclophane. In the [2]catenanes, the CT interaction displaces the reduction processes of the diazapyrenium units toward more negative potentials. The results obtained for the diazapyrenium and previously investigated 4,4′-bipyridinium salts, selected cyclophane derivatives, and some [2]catenanes obtained by interlocking the cyclophanes with macrocycles containing two dioxyaromatic electron-donor units are compared and discussed.     

Exciton‐Vibrational Couplings in Homo‐ and Heterodimer Stacks of Perylene Bisimide Dyes within Cyclophanes: Studies on Absorption Properties and Theoretical Analysis

The optical properties of a series of three cyclophanes comprising either identical or different perylene bisimide (PBI) chromophores were studied by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy and their distinctive spectral features were analyzed. All the investigated cyclophanes show significantly different absorption features with respect to the corresponding constituent PBI monomers indicating strong coupling interactions between the PBI units within the cyclophanes. DFT calculations suggest a π‐stacked arrangement of the PBI units at close van der Waals distance in the cyclophanes with rotational displacement. Simulations of the absorption spectra based on time‐dependent quantum mechanics properly reproduced the experimental spectra, revealing exciton‐vibrational coupling between the chromophores both in homo‐ and heterodimer stacks. The PBI cyclophane comprising two different PBI chromophores represents the first example of a PBI heterodimer stack for which the exciton coupling has been investigated. The quantum dynamics analysis reveals that exciton coupling in heteroaggregates is indeed of similar strength as for homoaggregates.     

Preparation of syn and anti cyclophanes having oligothiophene units and their spectral properties

Syn and anti cyclophanes consisting of oligothiophene units as a component have been synthesized for the first time. Correlation between the cyclophane structure and fluorescence spectral properties has been examined. Emission from intramolecular excimer-formation is confirmed for the syn cyclophanes and the mobile cyclophanes, but not for the anti cyclophanes.     

Electron-Rich,Lewis Acidic Diborane Meets N-Heterocyclic Aromatics: Formation and Electron Transfer in Cyclophane Boranes

Herein reported are the reactions of an electron-rich, Lewis acidic diborane with N-heterocyclic aromatics to give first members of an unprecedented family of highly charged cationic cyclophanes with diboranyl units. Tetracationic cyclophanes with 4,4‘-bipyridine/ 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene and diboranyl units were synthesized and their redox chemistry was studied. Cyclisation of two diboranyl and two pyrazine units is accompanied by electron transfer from the diboranyl unit to the pyrazine. Our results pave the way for the integration of redox-active diboranyl units into cyclophanes and supramolecular structures.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Reactivity of Anionic sp2–sp3 Diboron Compounds: Readily Accessible Boryl Nucleophiles

Lewis base adducts of tetra‐alkoxy diboron compounds, in particular bis(pinacolato)diboron (B₂pin₂), have been proposed as the active source of nucleophilic boryl species in metal‐free borylation reactions. We report the isolation and detailed structural characterization (by solid‐state and solution NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography) of a series of anionic adducts of B₂pin₂ with hard Lewis bases, such as alkoxides and fluoride. The study was extended to alternative Lewis bases, such as acetate, and other diboron reagents. The B(sp²)–B(sp³) adducts exhibit two distinct boron environments in the solid‐state and solution NMR spectra, except for [(4‐tBuC₆H₄O)B₂pin₂]^?, which shows rapid site exchange in solution. DFT calculations were performed to analyze the stability of the adducts with respect to dissociation. Stoichiometric reaction of the isolated adducts with two representative series of organic electrophiles—namely, aryl halides and diazonium salts—demonstrate the relative reactivities of the anionic diboron compounds as nucleophilic boryl anion sources.     

One-Step Synthesis of Cyclophanes as Crystalline Sponge and Their [2]Catenanes through SNAr Reactions

This work reports that cyclophanes and their [2]catenanes were synthesized by the S_NAr reactions of disubstituted adamantanes bearing halophenol units and 3,6-dichlorotetrazine in moderate yields. In the crystalline state, the cyclophanes had hexagonal structures with a cavity. The [2]catenanes were composed of two macrocycles that were singly interlocked and orthogonally arranged, indicating the construction from eight component molecules through eight C−O bonds in a one-step reaction in up to 33 % yield. The cyclophanes were assembled to afford a supramolecular organic framework in the solid state, which exhibited permanent intrinsic porosity and adsorption of leaf alcohol or aldehyde in a single-crystal to single-crystal fashion. The molecular structures of the liquid guests were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The formation of catenanes and the use of cyclophane-based porous crystals in the crystalline sponge method may be largely ascribed to the solvophobic effects and the van der Waals interactions that originate in the aliphatic and bulky nature of the adamantane units.     

Azolium-linked cyclophanes: a comprehensive examination of conformations by 1H NMR spectroscopy and structural studies

The synthesis and characterization of a series of azolium-linked cyclophanes are reported. The cyclophanes consist of two azolium groups (17 examples) or three imidazolium groups (1 example) linked to two benzenoid units (benzene, naphthalene, p-xylene, mesitylene, 1,2,3,4- and 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene, 2,6-pyridine, and p-tert-butylphenol) via methylene groups. Cyclophanes containing ortho-, meta-, and para-substitution patterns in the benzenoid units were examined. The conformations of the cyclophanes were examined in solution by variable-temperature NMR studies and in the solid state by crystallographic studies. The p-cyclophanes and mesitylene-based m- and o/m-cyclophanes are rigid on the NMR time scale, as indicated by sharp (1)H NMR spectra at all accessible temperatures. The non-mesitylene-based m-cyclophanes and the o-cyclophanes are fluxional on the NMR time scale at high temperatures, but in most cases, specific conformations can be "frozen out" at low temperatures. Many structures deduced from solution studies were consistent with those in the solid state.     

Self-complementary Tetracationic Cyclophanes Containing 4,4′-Bipyridinium and 2,5-Dimethoxy-1,4-xylyl Subunits

4,4′-Bipyridinium-based tetracationic cyclophanes containing a 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-xylyl unit were synthesized by using either m-terphenyl building blocks or incorporating a 4-hydroxy benzyl spacer between the complementary subunits. The cyclophanes show weak intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) bands in the visible region and one of the cyclophanes formed a green-coloured CT complex with ferrocene with an association constant (K _a) of 6.3?M^?1. The electrochemical parameters obtained for the cyclophanes indicate that all the redox processes are reversible.     

Cyclophanes of perylene tetracarboxylic diimide with different substituents at bay positions

Cyclophanes of perylene tetracarboxylic diimides (PDIs) with different substituents at the bay positions, namely four phenoxy groups at the 1,7-positions (1), four piperidinyl groups at the 1,7-positions (2), and eight phenoxy groups at the 1,6,7,12-positions (3) of the two PDI rings, have been synthesized by the condensation of perylene dianhydride with amine in a dilute solution. These novel cyclophanes were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The conformational isomers of cyclophanes substituted with four piperidinyl groups at the 1,7-positions (2 a and 2 b) were successfully separated by preparative TLC. The main absorption band of the cyclophanes shifts significantly to the higher energy side in comparison with their monomeric counterparts, which indicates significant pi-pi interaction between the PDI units in the cyclophanes. Nevertheless, both the electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of the cyclophanes were found to change along with the number and nature of the side groups at the bay positions of the PDI ring. Time-dependent DFT calculations on the conformational isomers 2 a and 2 b reproduce well their experimental electronic absorption spectra. Electrochemical studies reveal that the first oxidation and reduction potentials of the PDI ring in the cyclophanes increase significantly compared with those of the corresponding monomeric counterparts, in line with the change in the energy of the HOMO and LUMO according to the theoretical calculations.     

Novel pseudorotaxanes based on fluorine-containing cyclophanes and phenyl ether derivatives

Self-assembly of π-electron-deficient cyclophanes, in particular π-electron-deficient fluorine-containing bipyridine cyclophanes, is still the important branch of supramolecular chemistry today. Two kinds of novel pseudorotaxanes were constructed by the self-assembly of fluorine-containing cyclophanes with phenyl ether derivatives. Interactions between two fluorine-containing cyclophanes 2 and 3 with phenyl ether BHEEB (1,4-Bis[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]benzene) 1 were well investigated by variable-temperature nuclear magnetic resonance (VT NMR), ¹H NMR titrations, solid-state findings (single-crystal X-ray diffraction) and a theoretical study. The introduction of the fluorine atom to the host cyclobis (paraquat-p-phenylene) (CBPQT) decreased π–π stacking interactions between CBPQT and BHEEB. The average binding energies of 5FCBPQT–BHEEB 1·3 were lower than the average binding energies of 1FCBPQT–BHEEB 1·2 since 5FCBPQT 3 was introduced having more electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms to CBPQT which is not good for the π–π stacking interaction.     

Through-space conjugated polymers based on cyclophanes

Conjugated polymers display unique electronic and optical properties, which favor their use in applications as optoelectronic materials and molecular devices. Despite the recent remarkable progress in the chemistry of conjugated polymers, the synthesis of conjugated polymers containing cyclophane units in the main chain is limited to only a few examples. This Minireview presents recent developments in the synthesis, properties, and applications of through-space conjugated polymers based on cyclophanes.     

Modular synthesis of pi-acceptor cyclophanes derived from 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide and 1,5-dinitronaphthalene

Three neutral cyclophanes were synthesized, and their association with indole, an aromatic pi-donor, was studied. The cyclophanes were designed to contain a rigid, hydrophobic binding cavity with 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide or 1,5-dinitronaphthalene as the pi-acceptor. Two of the cyclophanes also contain a (S)-(valine-leucine-alanine) tripeptide unit to provide chiral hydrogen bonding interactions with guest molecules. Despite the fact that these cyclophanes contain a hydrophobic binding cavity of appropriate dimensions, their association with indole is very weak. In the case of cyclophanes derived from 1,5-dinitronaphthalene, steric interactions force the nitro groups out of the plane of the naphthalene ring, diminishing their effectiveness as pi-acceptors. A simple UV--visible titrimetric method, using N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (TMPD) as a pi-donor, was used to rank the pi-acceptor strength of these and other aromatic units. These titrations show that 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide and 1,5-dinitronaphthalene derivatives are weaker pi-acceptors than viologens, which make good pi-acceptor cyclophanes. Methyl viologen is in turn a weaker pi-acceptor than anthaquinone disulfonate, suggesting that the latter may serve as a useful building block for pi-accepting cyclophane hosts.     

Bond‐Strengthening Backdonation in Aminoborylene‐Stabilized Aminoborylenes: At the Intersection of Borylenes and Diborenes

Singly NHC‐coordinated (aminoboryl)aminoborenium salts react with Na₂[Fe(CO)₄] to yield stable coordination complexes of aminoborylene‐stabilized aminoborylenes, which exhibit exceptional σ‐donor properties. Upon photolytic CO extrusion from the metal center, the diboron ligand adopts a novel η³‐BBN coordination mode, where bond‐strengthening backdonation from the metal center into the vacant B?B π‐orbital is observed. This bonding situation can be alternatively described as a Fe‐diaminodiborene complex. In a related reduction of CAAC‐stabilized (aminoboryl)aminoborenium with KC₈, the reduced species can be captured with nucleophiles to form three‐coordinate (diaminoboryl)borylenes, where both amino groups have migrated to the distal boron atom. Collectively, these reactions illustrate the isomeric flexibility imparted by amino groups on this reduced diboron system, thus opening multiple avenues of novel reactivity.     

Cyclophanes as hosts for aromatic and aliphatic guests

A series of water-soluble cyclophanes, made by connecting two diarylmethane units and two bridging chains via four nitrogens, were found to provide hydrophobic cavities of definite shape and size for forming inclusion complexes with various organic compounds in aqueous solution. Some chemical modifications of these cyclophanes are described.This paper is dedicated to Professor D. J. Cram to celebrate his honor in receiving the 1987 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.     

Large Water-Soluble Cyclophanes with Convergent Intracavity Functionality

New tricyclic spacers, readily available through fourfold Mannich reaction of substituted dibenzyl ketones, were introduced into a series of ten H₂O-soluble cyclophanes with spacious preorganized cavity binding sites. These spacers provide H₂O-solubility with amine or crown-ether functionality remote from the cyclophane cavity while directing functional groups such as keto or OH groups in a precise geometrical array inside the cavity. The cyclophanes were designed to include organic substrates via a combination of apolar and specific polar functional group interactions. The X-ray crystal-structure analysis of the tritopic receptor 18 with one potential neutral-molecule and two cation-binding sites showed a large rectangular open cavity with dimensions of roughly 9 × 14 Å and a spacing of 9.7 Å between the O-atoms of two convergent C?O groups. Despite the binding-site preorganization, cyclophanes incorporating two of the new spacers did not show any substrate binding in aqueous solutions. The failure of these systems to function as receptors is mainly due to steric hindrance to important cyclophane aromatic ring-guest interactions. Also, the favorable solvation of the intracavity functionality may prevent the formation of complexes. Hybrid receptors constructed from the novel spacers and diphenylmethane units were found to bind flat aromatic substrates as well as bulky [4.2]paracyclophanes. The observed large differences in stability (ΔΔG°> 2 kcal mol^?1) of the complexes formed by three structurally closely related hybrid receptors with convergent C?O, OH or CH₂ groups and 6-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carbonitrile as guest can be explained by a strong solvation effect of the convergent functional groups on apolar inclusion complexation.     

Synthesis of [m.n]Cyclophanes: Regiochemistry Transfer from Vinyl Halides to Cyclophanes via Fischer Carbene Complexes

The double benzannulation of bis‐carbene complexes of chromium with α,ω‐diynes generates [m.n]cyclophanes in which all three rings are generated in a single reaction. This triple annulation process is very flexible allowing for the construction of symmetrical [n.n]cyclophanes and unsymmetrical [m.n]cyclophanes as well as isomers in which the two benzene rings are both meta bridged or both para bridged, and isomers that contain both meta and para bridges. The connectivity patterns of the bridges in the cyclophanes can be controlled by regioselectivity transfer from the bis‐vinyl carbene complexes in which the substitution pattern of the vinyl groups in the carbene complexes dictate the connectivity pattern in the [m.n]cyclophanes. This synthesis of [n.n]cyclophanes is quite flexible with regard to ring size and can be used with tether lengths ranging from n=2 to n=16 and thus to ring sizes with up to 40 member rings. The only limitation to regioselectivity transfer from the carbene complexes to the [m.n]cyclophanes was found in the synthesis of para,para‐cyclophanes with four carbon tethers for which the loss of fidelity occurred with the unexpected formation of meta,para‐cyclophanes.     

Synthesis of ferrocene paracyclophanes

Paracyclophanes containing one or two ferrocene units can be efficiently synthesized directly from 1,1′-di(hydroxymethyl)ferrocene and aromatic dithiols. In the reaction with di(4,4′-dimercaptomethylphenyl)methane the mononuclear paracyclophane was formed, while with the dithiophenols di(4,4′-dimercaptophenyl)methane and di(4,4′-dimercaptophenyl)ether, cyclophanes bearing two ferrocene units were obtained. For comparison three open-chain analogues were also prepared.     

Synthesis and guest-binding study of polytopic multi(cyclophane) hosts

Novel bis(cyclophanes) bearing glucosides and pentakis(cyclophanes) bearing glucosides were prepared as water-soluble hosts by connecting two or five macrocyclic skeletons, respectively. The guest-binding affinities of the present bis(cyclophanes) and pentakis(cyclophanes) toward a hydrophobic dye, 6-p-toluidinonaphthalene-2-sulfonate, were enhanced 13- and 1200-fold, respectively, relative to that by a corresponding monocyclic cyclophane, reflecting multivalency effects in macrocycles.     

NMR studies of conformations and dynamic processes—1 : [24]cyclophanes with ethylene bridges

The conformations and dynamic processes in a series of relatively unstrained [2₄]paracyclophanes (with one, two or four -CH₂-CH₂-bridges) and some closely related compounds have been analysed. Their ¹NMR spectra have been recorded at low temperatures and the temperature dependence rationalised as being due to essentially two types of dynamic process-the torsional motion around the sp³-sp³ C-C bonds in the bridges, and the rotation around the sp²-sp³ C-C bonds adjacent to the benzene rings. The barriers to the former process are similar for the series of cyclophanes 1–6 and are due to steric and electronic interactions in the syn-oriented transition states. In cyclophanes 7–9, in which anti-orientations of the aromatic rings are possible, the barriers are lower. The latter process, involving the rotation of the benzene rings, becomes important at temperatures below 150 K and has not been further analysed.     

Studies on the Syntheses of Multilayered [2. 2] Paracyclophanes

It is well-known that a number of double-layered compounds such as [2. 2]paracyclophane show anomalous physical and chemical properties due to the transannular π-electronic interaction between the stacked aromatic rings.²) Moreover, the interaction significantly increases with an increase of the layers as observed in a series of multilayered [2. 2]paracyclophanes³) and thereby it is of great interest to search a possibility of an organic semiconductor or its suitable model in them or their derivatives. However, such a study has been severely limited by great difficulty on the syntheses of the layered cyclophanes. While a number of synthetic methods have been developed for cyclophanes,²) only 1,6-Hofmann elimination method has so far been adopted to the preparation of multilayered [2.2]paracyclophanes.³) In practice, however, the yield is very low and becomes markedly poor with the increasing layers. Now we have studied some practical improvements on the preparation of multilayered [2.2]paracyclophanes.