Hydrogen-Bonded Dimeric Capsules with Appended Spiropyran Units: Towards Controlled Cargo Release

We report the synthesis of unprecedented tetra-urea derivatives of calix[4]arene and calix[4]pyrrole containing four spiropyran (SP) units at their upper rim. We investigate the photo- and acid-induced isomerization of the monomeric and homo-dimeric tetra-ureas derivatives using UV-Vis and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. At micromolar concentration, irradiation of the samples with 365 nm light induces changes in their absorption spectra that are consistent with SP→merocyanine (MC) isomerization. However, analogous experiments at millimolar concentration do not produce noticeable changes in the ¹H NMR spectra. The addition of triflic acid to micromolar and millimolar solutions of the tetra-ureas produces the quantitative isomerization of the SP units to the protonated merocyanine form (E-MCH⁺) and the simultaneous disassembly of the capsular dimers to form ill-defined aggregates. The neutralization of the acid solutions resets the SP form. Under these acid/base treatment conditions, the controlled release of the included guest and the reassembly of the all-SP tetra-urea dimers occurs at different extents depending on its calix[4]arene or calix[4]pyrrole scaffold.     

Bridging and Conformational Control of Porphyrin Units through Non-Traditional Rigid Scaffolds

Connecting two porphyrin units in a rigid linear fashion, without any undesired electron delocalization or communication between the chromophores, remains a synthetic challenge. Herein, a broad library of functionally diverse multi-porphyrin arrays that incorporate the non-traditional rigid linker groups cubane and bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) is described. A robust, reliable, and versatile synthetic procedure was employed to access porphyrin-cubane/BCP-porphyrin arrays, representing the largest non-polymeric structures available for cubane/BCP derivatives. These reactions demonstrate considerable substrate scope, from utilization of small phenyl moieties to large porphyrin rings, with varying lengths and different angles. To control conformational flexibility, amide bonds were introduced between the bridgehead carbon of BCP/cubane and the porphyrin rings. Through varying the orientation of the substituents around the amide bond of cubane/BCP, different intermolecular interactions were identified through single crystal X-ray analysis. These studies revealed non-covalent interactions that are the first-of-their-kind including a unique iodine-oxygen interaction between cubane units. These supramolecular architectures indicate the possibility to mimic a protein structure due to the sp³ rigid scaffolds (BCP or cubane) that exhibit the essential conformational space for protein function while simultaneously providing amide bonds for molecular recognition.     

聚吡咯并[3,4-c]吡咯的电子结构及导电性研究

采用密度泛函(DFT)方法在6-31g(d)水平下研究了聚吡咯和聚吡咯并[3,4-c]吡咯, 以及它们的单体和低聚物的电子结构. 对中心键的键长、电荷密度以及Weberg键级的研究表明, 随着主链聚合度的增加, 其共轭性增强. 对聚合物还进行了能带结构和态密度分析. 结果发现, 在3位聚合的并环化合物具有最优的导电性能, 其能隙仅有0.25 eV, 可以作为潜在的导电聚合物材料.     

Recent advances in the applications of [1.1.1]propellane in organic synthesis

As a highly strained small molecule, [1.1.1]propellane has been widely used in various synthetic transformations owing to the exceptional reactivity of the central bond between the two bridgehead carbons. Utilizing strain-release approaches, the rapid development of strategies for the construction of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) and cyclobutane derivatives using [1.1.1]propellane as the starting material has been witnessed in the past few years. In this review, we highlight the most recent advances in this field. Accordingly, the reactivity of [1.1.1]propellane can be divided into three pathways, including radical, anionic and transition metal-catalyzed pathways under appropriate conditions.     

Recent advances in the applications of [1.1.1]propellane in organic synthesis

As a highly strained small molecule, [1.1.1]propellane has been widely used in various synthetic transformations owing to the exceptional reactivity of the central bond between the two bridgehead carbons. Utilizing strain-release approaches, the rapid development of strategies for the construction of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) and cyclobutane derivatives using [1.1.1]propellane as the starting material has been witnessed in the past few years. In this review, we highlight the most recent advances in this field. Accordingly, the reactivity of [1.1.1]propellane can be divided into three pathways, including radical, anionic and transition metal-catalyzed pathways under appropriate conditions.     

杯[4]吡咯在不同溶液中的分子动力学模拟研究

运用分子动力学(MD)模拟方法对杯[4]吡咯与不同溶剂之间的相互作用能、杯[4]吡咯在不同溶液中的构象变化以及杯[4]吡咯与溶剂分子之间的氢键相互作用进行了计算研究.模拟发现,杯[4]吡咯与不同溶剂间的相互作用能受溶剂分子偶极矩和杯[4]吡咯-溶剂分子间氢键相互作用影响.杯[4]吡咯在不同溶液中的构象发生翻转的主导因素是杯[4]吡咯与溶剂分子间形成氢键相互作用,溶剂分子的偶极矩不是杯[4]吡咯发生构象转化的主要因素.     

1,3‐Difunctionalizations of [1.1.1]Propellane via 1,2‐Metallate Rearrangements of Boronate Complexes

1,3‐Disubstituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) are valuable bioisosteres of para‐substituted aromatic rings. The most direct route to these structures is via multicomponent ring‐opening reactions of [1.1.1]propellane. However, challenges associated with these transformations mean that difunctionalized BCPs are more commonly prepared by multistep reaction sequences with BCP‐halide intermediates. Herein, we report three‐ and four‐component 1,3‐difunctionalizations of [1.1.1]propellane with organometallic reagents, organoboronic esters, and a variety of electrophiles. This process is achieved by trapping intermediate BCP‐metal species with boronic esters to form boronate complexes, which are versatile intermediates whose electrophile‐induced 1,2‐metallate rearrangement chemistry enables a broad range of C?C bond‐forming reactions.     

On-Surface Synthesis of Polyphenylene Wires Comprising Rigid Aliphatic Bicyclo[1.1.1]Pentane Isolator Units

Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) motifs are of growing importance to the pharmaceutical industry as sp³-rich bioisosteres of benzene rings and as molecular building blocks in materials science. Herein we explore the behavior of 1,3-disubstituted BCP moieties on metal surfaces by combining low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy / non-contact atomic force microscopy studies with density functional theory modeling. We examine the configuration of individual BCP-containing precursors on Au(111), their supramolecular assembly and thermally activated dehalogenative coupling reactions, affording polymeric chains with incorporated electronically isolating units. Our studies not only provide the first sub-molecular insights of the BCP scaffold behavior on surfaces, but also extend the potential application of BCP derivatives towards integration in custom-designed surface architectures.     

Tri- and pentacalix[4]pyrroles: synthesis, characterization and their use in the extraction of halide salts

Calixpyrrole-based oligomeric compounds were synthesized by "click chemistry" from the corresponding alkyne- and azide-functionalized calix[4]pyrroles. Calix[4]pyrrole 3, possessing an alkyne functional group, was prepared through a mixed condensation of pyrrole with acetone and but-3-ynyl 4-oxopentanoate. Another alkyne-group-containing calix[4]pyrrole 5 was obtained by treatment of 4'-hydroxyphenyl-functionalized calixpyrrole 4 with propargyl bromide. Tetrakis(azidopentyl)-functionalized calix[4]pyrrole 7 was synthesized by reacting NaN(3) with tetrabromopentyltetraethylcalix[4]pyrrole 6, which was prepared through a condensation reaction of pyrrole and 7-bromohept-2-one. Oligomeric calixpyrrole compounds were found to be capable of extracting tetrabutylammonium chloride and fluoride salts from aqueous media. Extraction abilities of the oligomeric compounds were monitored by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis.     

Siloxane-functionalized calix[4]pyrrole: synthesis, characterization and modification of silica-based solid supports

A siloxane-functionalized calix[4]pyrrole derivative was synthesized starting from the corresponding alcohol-functionalized calix[4]pyrrole. Structural elucidation was carried out by using NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis. The use of this siloxane-functionalized calix[4]pyrrole for modification of various silica solid supports (silica gel 60, fume silica, and SiO₂ nanopowder) was studied. Characterization of the modified silica solid supports was achieved by FTIR, TGA, and elemental analysis. It was also shown that the production of silica nanoparticles is possible via a sol-gel reaction of siloxane-functionalized calix[4]pyrrole and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Calix[4]pyrrole modified silica solid supports were found to sense chloride anions of Azure A dye.     

Transport of solutes through calix[4]pyrrole-containing cellulose acetate films

Films of cellulose acetate containing different concentrations of meso-octamethyl-porphyrinogen (calix[4]pyrrole) were prepared and characterized using UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy, DSC and SEM. Incorporation of calix[4]pyrrole into cellulose acetate leads to a decrease in the degree of hydrophilicity of the polymeric matrix. However, a slight increase in the percentage of water uptake of the polymer is found with an increase of the initial amount of calix[4]pyrrole in the composite composition. This effect can be related to the plasticizing effect that the calix[4]pyrrole provokes in the cellulose acetate. A comparative study of transport parameters of oxygen and some non-associated electrolytes (sodium, copper(II) and nickel chlorides) was carried out. The diffusion coefficients of molecular oxygen through cellulose acetate films decrease with an increase of the concentration of calix[4]pyrrole in the composite films. The transport (diffusion and permeation) of the above mentioned electrolytes through a set of composite films shows a decrease of permeability and diffusion coefficients with an increase of calix[4]pyrrole concentration. Such behaviour is typical of systems where interactions between the polymer and diffusing species occur. However, from the analysis of the distribution coefficient, it was found that those interactions are only dependent on the calix[4]pyrrole content for 2:1 electrolytes.     

Sodium Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanesulfinate: A Bench-Stable Precursor for Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentylsulfones and Bicyclo- [1.1.1]pentanesulfonamides

Herein, we present the synthesis of the bench-stable sodium bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanesulfinate (BCP-SO₂Na) and its application in the synthesis of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl (BCP) sulfones and sulfonamides. The salt can be obtained in a four-step procedure from commercially available precursors in multigram scale without the need for column chromatography or crystallization. Sulfinates are known to be useful precursors in radical and nucleophilic reactions and are widely used in medicinal chemistry. This building block enables access to BCP sulfones and sulfonamides avoiding the volatile [1.1.1]propellane which is favorable for the extension of SAR studies. Further, BCP-SO₂Na enables the synthesis of products that were not available with previous methods. A chlorination of BCP-SO₂Na and subsequent reaction with a Grignard reagent provides a new route to BCP sulfoxides. Several products were analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

A General and Practical Route to Functionalized Bicyclo[1.1.1]Pentane-Heteroaryls Enabled by Photocatalytic Multicomponent Heteroarylation of [1.1.1]Propellane

1-Aryl-substituted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs) are an important class of BCP derivatives with widespread application in drug development. Most syntheses of these materials require multiple chemical steps via BCP electrophiles or nucleophiles derived from [1.1.1]propellane. Although one-step, multicomponent radical cross-coupling reactions could provide a more sustainable and rapid route to access diverse heteroarylated BCPs, current approaches are limited to tertiary alkyl radicals, leading to a decrease in their practical value. In this study, a conceptually different approach enabled by a radical multicomponent heteroarylation of [1.1.1]propellane to access functionalized heteroarylated BCPs is described. Importantly, this protocol is compatible with primary-, secondary-, and tertiary aliphatic radicals, as well as various fluoroalkyl radical sources, thus enabling rapid library generation of sought-after BCP derivatives for drug development.     

杯[4]吡咯-阴离子体系相互作用的理论研究——杯[4]吡咯-卤素阴离子体系的密度泛函研究

用密度泛函B3LYP/LANL2DZ方法对自由杯[4]吡咯的最低能量构象和卤素阴离子-杯[4]吡咯复合物进行了计算研究.结果表明,杯[4]吡咯与卤素离子能通过彼此间的相互作用形成复合物,并且这种相互作用在本质上应为分子间的氢键相互作用;杯[4]吡咯与卤素阴离子形成的复合物在构型变化、电荷转移、前线轨道及其作用方式、成键布居以及能量和热力学参数等方面均按元素周期律有规律地变化,杯[4]吡咯与卤素阴离子间的相互作用沿元素周期依次减少.     

Interface Host?Guest Interaction Between Calix[4]pyrrole and Neutral Derivatives of Phenol as the Base for Their Potentiometric Discrimination

Calix[4]pyrrole liquid membrane electrodes display a potentiometric response towards the neutral form of phenol derivatives. They do not respond towards the corresponding anionic forms. The mechanism of the generation of the potentiometric signal relies on: (1) The creation of supramolecular complex calix[4]pyrrole? nitrophenol at the organic/aqueous interface; (2) The increasing of the acidity of OH group from nitrophenol molecules due to formation of hydrogen bond between calix[4]pyrrole? nitrophenol at the interface; (3) The dissociation of the OH group from calix[4]pyrrole? nitrophenol complex and the ejection of H⁺ to the aqueous layer adjusted to the membrane organic phase boundary. The sensitivity and selectivity of the calix[4]pyrrole liquid membrane electrodes are governed by the lipophilicity and acidity of the phenolic guests. Also, the affinity to create a hydrogen bond between the host and the target molecule is a parameter which has a strong influence on the phenomena studied.     

Separation of Phenolic Compounds and Organic Anions Using ODS Column Coated with Meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole and Water as Eluent

Octadecylsilanized silica (ODS) was coated with meso-octarnethylcalix[4]pyrrole to obtain a novel calix[4]pyrrole containing stationary phase for HPLC. Compared to ODS, the new stationary phase showed a relatively large retention and an improved separation for phenolic compounds and organic anions, using pure water as mobile phase. The results can be ascribed to the interaction between analytes and calix[4]pyrrole.     

Synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted benzo[c]thiophene analogs containing benzo[b]thiophene/benzo[b]pyrrole

The synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted benzo[c]thiophene analogs incorporating benzo[b]thiophene/benzo[b]pyrrole units is described.     

Tetrakis(bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐ene)‐Fused Calix[4]pyrrole

Tetrakis(bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐ene)‐fused calix[4]pyrrole, 5 , was obtained starting from (E)‐1,2‐bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene. This new calixpyrrole derivative is the prospective precursor of tetrabenzocalix[4]pyrrole, a potential ion‐pair receptor and an attractive species as a possible deep‐walled ‘molecular container’.     

Synthesis and Properties of Functionalized Schiff Bases of 5α,10α-Di（4-hydroxylphenyl）calix[4]pyrrole and 5α,15β-Di（4-hydroxylphenyl）calix｜4] pyrrole

A series of calix[4]pyrrole meso-substituted Schiff bases was synthesized with 5α,10α-di（4- hydroxylphenyl）calix[4]pyrrole or 5α,15β-di（4-hydroxylphenyl）calix[4]pyrrole as starting materials. The synthetic routes included alkylation with methyl a-chlroroaceate, ammonolysis with alkylene diamine, and condensation with salieylladehyde or 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde. The crystal structures of the new calix[4]pyrroles and their Schiff bases were determined by X-ray diffraction. The coordination properties of the representative ealix[4]pyrrole Sehiff bases to transition metal ions were also investigated by UV-Vis spectra.     

Synthesis of Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP)-Based Straight-Shaped Diphosphine Ligands**

[1.1.1]Propellane, which is structurally simple and compact, exhibits promising potential for the synthesis of disubstituted straight-shaped bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) compounds by manipulation of its highly reactive internal C−C bond. BCPs are considered to be isosteres of 1,4-disubstituted benzenes, which have found broad applications in the areas of functional molecules and drug discovery. The internal C−C single bond of [1.1.1]propellane is regarded as a charge-shift bond, which can be readily cleaved by radical means to construct BCPs. We herein report a novel synthetic method for (un)symmetric diphosphines based on the BCP motif, which can be interpreted as isosteres of 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzenes. The obtained BCP-diphosphine derivatives were used to generate a straight-shaped Au complex and an Eu-based coordination polymer.