Enantiopure Ferrocene‐Based Planar‐Chiral Iridacycles: Stereospecific Control of Iridium‐Centred Chirality

Reaction of [IrCp*Cl₂]₂ with ferrocenylimines (Fc=NAr, Ar=Ph, p‐MeOC₆H₄) results in ferrocene C?H activation and the diastereoselective synthesis of half‐sandwich iridacycles of relative configuration S_p*,R_Ir*. Extension to (S)‐2‐ferrocenyl‐4‐(1‐methylethyl)oxazoline gave highly diastereoselective control over the new elements of planar chirality and metal‐based pseudo‐tetrahedral chirality, to give both neutral and cationic half‐sandwich iridacycles of absolute configuration S_c,S_p,R_Ir. Substitution reactions proceed with retention of configuration, with the planar chirality controlling the metal‐centred chirality through an iron–iridium interaction in the coordinatively unsaturated cationic intermediate.     

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Atropisomeric Aryl‐p‐Quinones: Platform Molecules for Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Biaryldiols

Presented here is a class of novel axially chiral aryl‐p‐quinones as platform molecules for the preparation of non‐C₂ symmetric biaryldiols. Two sets of aryl‐p‐quinone frameworks were synthesized with remarkable enantiocontrol by means of chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed enantioselective arylation of p‐quinones by central‐to‐axial chirality conversion. These aryl‐p‐quinones were then used to access a wide spectrum of highly functionalized non‐C₂ symmetric biaryldiols with excellent retention of the enantiopurity.     

Synthesis of Chiral 2,5—Bis（oxazolinyl） thiophenes and Their Application as Chiral Shift Reagents for 1,1′—Bi—2—naphthol

A series of C2-symmetrical chiral 2,5-bis (4′-alkyloxazolin-2-yl) thiophenes (thiobox) have been synthesized from thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylic acid by sequential amidation with a chiral ethanolamine,conversion of hydroxyl to chloro group, and base-promoted oxazoline ring formation.As demonstrated by (-)-2,5-bis[4′-(S)-isopropyloxazolin-2′-yl] thiophene,these thiobox systems exhibited remarkable chirality recognition of 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol giving rise to pronounced shifts in the ^1H NMR signals of the latter axial chiral compound at the positions of C-3,C-4,C-5,and C-8.     

One Stone for Three Birds‐Rhodium‐Catalyzed Highly Diastereoselective Intramolecular [4+2] Cycloaddition of Optically Active Allene‐1,3‐dienes

RhCl(PPh₃)₃‐catalyzed [4+2] intramolecular cycloaddition of optically active axially chiral allene‐dienes afforded cis‐fused [3.4.0]‐bicyclic products with three chiral centers in good yields with an excellent chemo‐ and diastereoselectivity. A pair of enantiomers of such products was generated highly selectively from both enantiomers of starting allene‐dienes, indicating that the axial chirality dictated the absolute configurations of the three in situ generated chiral centers with a very high efficiency of chirality transfer.     

The inorganic–organic hybrid zinc phosphite poly[(μ3‐hydrogen phosphito‐κ3O:O′:O′′)(piperidin‐1‐ium‐4‐carboxylate‐κO)zinc(II)]

A new inorganic–organic hybrid zinc phosphite, [Zn(HPO₃)(C₆H₁₁NO₂)]_n, has been synthesized hydrothermally. Protonated piperidin‐1‐ium‐4‐carboxylate (PDCA) was generated in situ by hydrolysis of the piperidine‐4‐carboxamide precursor. The P atom possesses a typical PO₃H pseudo‐pyramidal geometry. The crystal structure features an unusual (3,4)‐connected two‐dimensional inorganic zinc–phosphite layer, with organic PDCA ligands appended to the sheets and protruding into the interlayer region. Helical chains of opposite chirality are involved in the construction of a puckered sheet structure.     

Chirality Relay in 2,2′‐Substituted 1,1′‐Binaphthyl: Access to Propeller Chirality of the Tricoordinate Boron Center

It is a challenging issue to achieve propeller chirality for triarylboranes owing to the low transition barrier between the P and M forms of the boron center. Herein, we report a new strategy to achieve propeller chirality of triarylboranes. It was found that the chirality relay from axially chiral 1,1′‐binaphthyl to propeller chirality of the trivalent boron center can be realized when a Me₂N and a Mes₂B group (Mes=mesityl) are introduced at the 2,2′‐positions of the 1,1′‐binaphthyl skeleton ( BN‐BNaph ) owing to the strong π–π interaction between the Me₂N‐bonded naphthyl ring and the phenyl ring of one adjacent Mes group, which not only exerts great steric hindrance on the rotation of the two Mes groups but also gives unequal stability to the two configurations of the boron center for a given configuration of the binaphthyl moiety. The stereostructures of the boron center were fully characterized through ¹H NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystal analyses, and theoretical calculations. Detailed comparisons with the analog BN‐Ph‐BNaph , in which the Mes₂B group is separated from 1,1′‐binaphthyl by a para‐phenylene spacer, confirmed the essential role of π–π interaction for the successful chirality relay in BN‐BNaph .     

(2S,3S)‐2,6‐Dimethylheptane‐1,3‐diol,the oxygenated side chain of 22(S)‐hydroxycholestrol,and its synthetic precursor (R)‐4‐benzyl‐3‐[(2R,3S)‐3‐hydroxy‐2,6‐dimethylheptanoyl]‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one

(2S,3S)‐2,6‐Dimethylheptane‐1,3‐diol, C₉H₂₀O₂, (I), was synthesized from the ketone (R)‐4‐benzyl‐3‐[(2R,3S)‐3‐hydroxy‐2,6‐dimethylheptanoyl]‐1,3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one, C₁₉H₂₇NO₄, (II), containing C atoms of known chirality. In both structures, strong hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy groups form tape motifs. The contribution from weaker C—H...O hydrogen bonds is much more evident in the structure of (II), which furthermore contains an example of a direct short Osp³...Csp² contact that represents a usually unrecognized type of intermolecular interaction.     

Chiral Jacobsen's catalyst immobilized on zinc poly(styrene‐phenylvinylphosphonate)‐phosphate functionalized by diamine as highly efficient and reusable catalyst for alkene epoxidation

Chiral Jacobsen's catalyst anchored on zinc poly(styrene‐phenylvinylphosphonate)‐phosphate (ZnPS‐PVPA) functionalized by diamines shows superior catalytic activities (conversion up to 99%; enantiomeric excess up to 99%) in the enantioselective epoxidations of unfunctional olefins with m ‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid and NaIO₄ as oxidants. The whole chiral salen Mn(III) catalyst, including the ZnPS‐PVPA support and the linker as well as chiral salen Mn ligand together contribute to the chirality of products. The heterogeneous catalyst has the potential for use in industry owing to superior stability (recycling nine times) and activity in large‐scale reactions (such as 200 times).     

Remote Control of the Planar Chirality in Peptide‐Bound Metallomacrocycles and Dynamic‐to‐Static Planar Chirality Control Triggered by Solvent‐Induced 310‐to‐α‐Helix Transitions

The dynamic planar chirality in a peptide‐bound Ni^II‐salphen‐based macrocycle can be remotely controlled. First, a right‐handed (P)‐3₁₀‐helix is induced in the dynamic helical oligopeptides by a chiral amino acid residue far from the macrocyclic framework. The induced planar chirality remains dynamic in chloroform and acetonitrile, but is almost completely locked in fluoroalcohols as a result of the solvent‐induced transition of the peptide chains from a 3₁₀‐helix to a wider α‐helix, which freezes the rotation of the pendant peptide units around the macrocycle.     

Simultaneous Induction of Axial and Planar Chirality in Arene–Chromium Complexes by Molybdenum‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Ring‐Closing Metathesis

The molybdenum‐catalyzed asymmetric ring‐closing metathesis of the various C_s‐symmetric (π‐arene)chromium substrates provides the corresponding bridged planar‐chiral (π‐arene)chromium complexes in excellent yields with up to >99 % ee. With a bulky and unsymmetrical substituent, such as N‐indolyl or 1‐naphthyl, at the 2‐positions of the η⁶‐1,3‐diisopropenylbenzene ligands, both biaryl‐based axial chirality and π‐arene‐based planar chirality are simultaneously induced in the products. The axial chirality is retained even after the removal of the dicarbonylchromium fragment, and the chiral biaryl/heterobiaryl compounds are obtained with complete retention of the enantiopurity.     

Supramolecular structures of bis‐thionooxalamic acid esters derived from (±)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine and (±)‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine

The bis‐thionooxalamic acid esters trans‐(±)‐diethyl N,N′‐(cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl)bis(2‐thiooxamate), C₁₄H₂₂N₂O₄S₂, and (±)‐N,N′‐diethyl (1,2‐diphenylethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis(2‐thiooxamate), C₂₂H₂₄N₂O₄S₂, both consist of conformationally flexible molecules which adopt similar conformations with approximate C₂ rotational symmetry. The thioamide and ester parts of the thiooxamate group are significantly twisted along the central C—C bond, with the S=C—C=O torsion angles in the range 30.94 (19)–44.77 (19)°. The twisted s‐cis conformation of the thionooxamide groups facilitates assembly of molecules into a one‐dimensional polymeric structure via intermolecular three‐center C=S...NH...O=C hydrogen bonds and C—H...O interactions formed between molecules of the opposite chirality.     

Dichlorido[(S,RS)‐1‐diphenylphosphino‐2‐(ethylsulfanylmethyl)ferrocene]palladium(II)

The reaction of enantiomerically pure planar chiral ferrocene phosphine thioether with bis(acetonitrile)dichloridopalladium yields the title square‐planar mononuclear palladium complex as an enantiomerically pure single diastereoisomer, [PdFe(C₅H₅)(C₂₀H₂₀PS)Cl₂]. The planar chirality of the ligand is retained in the complex and fully controls the central chirality on the S atom. The absolute configuration, viz. S for the planar chirality and R for the S atom, is unequivocally determined by refinement of the Flack parameter.     

Synthesis of Enantiopure C3‐Symmetric Triangular Molecules

An asymmetric synthesis of C ₃‐symmetric triangular macrocycles is reported. 1‐Methylsulfonyl‐4‐(4‐vinylphenyl)‐1,2,3‐triazole undergoes a rhodium(II)‐catalyzed cyclotrimerization to establish an enantiopure C ₃‐symmetric triangular macrocycle motif. This method can be applied to the synthesis of an enantiopure hydrocarbon, which owes its chirality to asymmetric distribution of H/D atoms on the benzene rings.     

Novel 1D Copper(II) Helical Chain Formed by Weak Coordination‐driven Self‐assembly: Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Property

A novel 1D copper(II) helical chain is constructed through the connection of tetranuclear copper(II) units [Cu₄(L)(Py)₄] (H₈L=N,N′‐(BINOL‐3,3′‐dicarboxyl)‐disalicylhydrazide, where BINOL is 1,1′‐binaphthalenyl‐2,2′‐diol, py=pyridine) by weak coordination‐driven self‐assembly, and characterized by IR, single crystal X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and X‐ray power diffraction analysis. Interestingly, the helical chains are packed in an alternating left‐(M) and right‐handed (P) chirality, the orientation of the helices was determined by the axial chirality of the ligand. The complex shows antiferromagnetic interactions between the copper centers.     

An Inherently Chiral Au24 Framework with Double‐Helical Hexagold Strands

2,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane enantiomers (chiraphos, L) used as chiral auxiliaries results in the preferential formation of an unprecedented Au₂₄ framework with inherent chirality. The crystal structure of [Au₂₄L₆Cl₄]²⁺ ( 1 ) has a square antiprism‐like octagold core twinned by two helicene‐like hexagold motifs, where the inherent chirality is associated with the helical arrangement. The clusters carrying (R,R)‐ and (S,S)‐ diphosphines had right‐ and left‐handed strands, respectively. Circular dichroism spectra showed peaks in the visible to near‐IR region, some of which did not coincide with absorption bands, suggesting the enantiomeric Au₂₄ frameworks possess unique chiroptical properties. The Au₂₄ frameworks were thermally robust, which could be attributed to the superatomic concept (18 e^? system) and the steric constraint effects of the bridging ligand units.     

Revisiting the absolute chirality and polymorphism of (–)‐Istanbulin A

The terpenoid (?)‐Istanbulin A is a natural product isolated from Senecio filaginoides DC, one of the 270 species of Senecio (Asteraceae) which occurs in Argentina. The structure and absolute configuration of this compound [9a‐hydroxy‐3,4a,5‐trimethyl‐4a,6,7,8a,9,9a‐hexahydro‐4H,5H‐naphtho[2,3‐b]‐furan‐2,8‐dione or (4S,5R,8R,10S)‐1‐oxo‐8β‐hydroxy‐10βH‐eremophil‐7(11)‐en‐12,8β‐olide, C₁₅H₂₀O₄] were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. It proved to be a sesquiterpene lactone showing an eremophilanolide skeleton whose chirality is described as 4S,5R,8R,10S. Structural results were also in agreement with the one‐ and two‐dimensional (1D and 2D) NMR and HR–ESI–MS data, and other complementary spectroscopic information. In addition, (?)‐Istanbulin A is a polymorph of the previously reported form of (?)‐Istanbulin A, form I; thus, the title compound is denoted form II or polymorph II. Structural data and a literature search allowed the chirality of Istanbulin A to be revisited. The antimicrobial and antifungal activities of (?)‐Istanbulin A, form II, were evaluated in order to establish a reference for future comparisons and applications related to specific crystal forms of Istanbulins.     

Chiral‐Substrate‐Assisted Stereoselective Epoxidation Catalyzed by H2O2‐Dependent Cytochrome P450SPα

The stereoselective epoxidation of styrene was catalyzed by H₂O₂‐dependent cytochrome P450_SPα in the presence of carboxylic acids as decoy molecules. The stereoselectivity of styrene oxide could be altered by the nature of the decoy molecules. In particular, the chirality at the α‐positions of the decoy molecules induced a clear difference in the chirality of the product: (R)‐ibuprofen enhanced the formation of (S)‐styrene oxide, whereas (S)‐ibuprofen preferentially afforded (R)‐styrene oxide. The crystal structure of an (R)‐ibuprofen‐bound cytochrome P450_SPα (resolution 1.9 Å) revealed that the carboxylate group of (R)‐ibuprofen served as an acid–base catalyst to initiate the epoxidation. A docking simulation of the binding of styrene in the active site of the (R)‐ibuprofen‐bound form suggested that the orientation of the vinyl group of styrene in the active site agreed with the formation of (S)‐styrene oxide.     

Lipase‐Catalyzed Ring‐Opening Polymerization of 3(S)‐sec‐Butylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione

Lipase‐catalyzed ring‐opening bulk polymerizations of 3(S)‐sec‐butylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione (BMD) were investigated. Selected commercial lipases were screened as catalysts for BMD polymerization at 110°C. Polymerizations catalyzed with 10 wt.‐% of lipase PPL and PC result in BMD conversions of about 70% and in molecular weights of the products ranging from 5 500 to 10 700. Lipases MJ, CR and ES showed lower catalytic activities for the polymerization of BMD. Poly(3‐sec‐butylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione) has a carboxylic acid group at one end and a hydroxy group at the other end. During the polymerization racemization of the isoleucine residue takes place. Lipase PPL was selected for a more detailed study. The apparent rate of polymerization increases with increasing PPL concentration when the polymerization temperature is 110°C. When the PPL concentration is 5 and 10 wt.‐% with respect to the monomer, a conversion of about 70% is reached after 5 d and 3 d, respectively, while for a PPL concentration of 1 wt.‐% the conversion is less than 7% even after 6  d. High concentrations of PPL (10 wt.‐%) result in high M_n values (< 4  d). The highest molecular weight poly(BMD), M_n = 19 900, resulted from a polymerization conducted at 120°C with 5 wt.‐% PPL for 6 d. The general trend observed by varying the polymerization temperature is as follows: (i) monomer conversion and M_n increase with increasing reaction temperature from 110 to 125°C, (ii) monomer conversion and M_n decrease with an increase in reaction temperature from 125 to 130°C. Water content was found to be an important factor that controls both the conversion and the molecular weight. With increasing water content, enhanced polymerization rates are achieved while the molecular weight of poly(BMD) decreases.     

High‐Performance Organic Materials for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Triarylene‐Linked Dyads with a 4‐tert‐Butylphenylamine Donor

A series of organic dyes were prepared that displayed remarkable solar‐to‐energy conversion efficiencies in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These dyes are composed of a 4‐tert‐butylphenylamine donor group (D), a cyanoacrylic‐acid acceptor group (A), and a phenylene‐thiophene‐phenylene (PSP) spacer group, forming a D‐π‐A system. A dye containing a bulky tert‐butylphenylene‐substituted carbazole (CB) donor group showed the highest performance, with an overall conversion efficiency of 6.70 %. The performance of the device was correlated to the structural features of the donor groups; that is, the presence of a tert‐butyl group can not only enhance the electron‐donating ability of the donor, but can also suppress intermolecular aggregation. A typical device made with the CB‐PSP dye afforded a maximum photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 80 % in the region 400–480 nm, a short‐circuit photocurrent density J_sc=14.63 mA cm^?2, an open‐circuit photovoltage V_oc=0.685 V, and a fill factor FF=0.67. When chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was used as a co‐absorbent, the open‐circuit voltage of CB‐PSP was elevated significantly, yet the overall performance decreased by 16–18 %. This result indicated that the presence of 4‐tert‐butylphenyl substituents can effectively inhibit self‐aggregation, even without CDCA.     

Synthesis of β‐Peptides with β‐Helices from New C‐Linked Carbo‐β‐Amino Acids: Study on the Impact of Carbohydrate Side Chains

The design and synthesis of β‐peptides from new C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐Caa) presented here, provides an opportunity to understand the impact of carbohydrate side chains on the formation and stability of helical structures. The β‐amino acids, Boc‐(S)‐β‐Caa_(g)‐OMe 1 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa_(g)‐OMe 2 , having a D ‐galactopyranoside side chain were prepared from D ‐galactose. Similarly, the homo C‐linked carbo‐β‐amino acids (β‐hCaa); Boc‐(S)‐β‐hCaa_(x)‐OMe 3 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐hCaa_(x)‐OMe 4 , were prepared from D ‐glucose. The peptides derived from the above monomers were investigated by NMR, CD, and MD studies. The β‐peptides, especially the shorter ones obtained from the epimeric (at the amine stereocenter C_β) 1 and 2 by the concept of alternating chirality, showed a much smaller propensity to form 10/12‐helices. This substantial destabilization of the helix could be attributed to the bulkier D ‐galactopyranoside side chain. Our efforts to prepare peptides with alternating 3 and 4 were unsuccessful. However, the β‐peptides derived from alternating geometrically heterochiral (at C_β) 4 and Boc‐(R)‐β‐Caa_(x)‐OMe 5 (D ‐xylose side chain) display robust right‐handed 10/12‐helices, while the mixed peptides with alternating 4 and Boc‐β‐hGly‐OMe 6 (β‐homoglycine), resulted in left‐handed β‐helices. These observations show a distinct influence of the side chains on helix formation as well as their stability.