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.     

Anthracene-Based Cyclophanes with Selective Fluorescent Responses for TTP and GTP: Insights into Recognition and Sensing Mechanisms

Three anthracene-based cyclophanes were synthesized and their binding properties towards nucleoside triphosphates were studied. A new polycyclic amine derived from dearomatized anthracene was identified as a major side product in the cyclization reaction between 9,10-anthracenedicarboxaldehyde and diethylenetriamine. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The cyclophanes were found to form 1:1 complexes with all nucleoside triphosphates as well as with pyrophosphate in a buffered aqueous solution at pH 6.2. A turn-on fluorescence response was observed for all nucleotides except for GTP, which demonstrated strong fluorescence quenching. The strongest turn-on fluorescence was observed for the largest receptor 3 in the presence of thymidine triphosphate (TTP). Based on the NMR and fluorescence experiments, two major binding modes for nucleotide complexes were identified.     

Benzidine/Quinoidal‐Benzidine‐Linked,Superbenzene‐Based π‐Conjugated Chiral Macrocycles and Cyclophanes

Synthesis of fully conjugated cyclophanes containing large‐size polycyclic aromatics is challenging. Now, three benzidine‐linked, hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (superbenzene)‐based ortho‐, para‐, and meta‐cyclophanes are synthesized through intermolecular Yamamoto coupling reaction of structurally pre‐organized precursors. Subsequent oxidative dehydrogenation gave the corresponding quinoidal benzidine‐linked cyclophanes. Their geometries were confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis and their electronic properties were investigated by electronic absorption, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT calculations. The quinoidal benzidine‐linked cyclophanes show thermally populated paramagnetic activity with a relatively large singlet‐triplet energy gap. Two enantiomers for the ortho‐cyclophanes ( 1‐NH and 1‐N ) were isolated and their chiral figure‐of‐eight macrocyclic structures were identified. The cage‐like cyclophanes 2‐NH and 3‐NH with concave surface can selectively encapsulate fullerene C₇₀.     

Benzidine/Quinoidal-Benzidine-Linked,Superbenzene-Based π-Conjugated Chiral Macrocycles and Cyclophanes

Synthesis of fully conjugated cyclophanes containing large-size polycyclic aromatics is challenging. Now, three benzidine-linked, hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (superbenzene)-based ortho-, para-, and meta-cyclophanes are synthesized through intermolecular Yamamoto coupling reaction of structurally pre-organized precursors. Subsequent oxidative dehydrogenation gave the corresponding quinoidal benzidine-linked cyclophanes. Their geometries were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis and their electronic properties were investigated by electronic absorption, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT calculations. The quinoidal benzidine-linked cyclophanes show thermally populated paramagnetic activity with a relatively large singlet-triplet energy gap. Two enantiomers for the ortho-cyclophanes ( 1-NH and 1-N ) were isolated and their chiral figure-of-eight macrocyclic structures were identified. The cage-like cyclophanes 2-NH and 3-NH with concave surface can selectively encapsulate fullerene C₇₀.     

Synthesis and host–guest complexation,photophysical and electrochemical studies on novel thiophenophanes

Synthesis of thiophene-based cyclophanes called thiophenophanes is described. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of thiophenophanes synthesised reveal that they show permanent fluorescence-sensing property, and the cyclic voltammogram reflects the ease with which the electron on the sulphur atom can be removed. Complexation studies of the thiophenophanes with TCNQ reveal the formation of 1:1 complex.     

Synthesis of meta- and paracyclophanes containing unsaturated amino acid residues

[7.7], [8.8], [9.9] and [13.13] Paracyclophanes and [9.9] and [13.13] metacyclophanes containing two unsaturated amino acid residues have been synthesised. An X-ray crystallographic study of three of the paracyclophanes and molecular modelling of two paracyclophanes and two metacyclophanes revealed two main structural types. The ‘staggered’ structure appears to be favoured by longer hydrocarbon chains, whilst the ‘barrel’ structure appears to be more accessible to compounds containing shorter hydrocarbon chains. The [9.9] paracyclophane has been hydrogenated and deprotected to give a saturated amino acid, and an alternative approach to key aldehydes is reported.     

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.     

Complexation of Neutral Molecules by Cyclophane Hosts

Since the discovery of the crown ethers by Pedersen twenty years ago, the chemistry of synthetic hosts for the selective complexation of organic and inorganic guests has seen an extraordinarily rapid development. This article discusses in particular the contributions provided by synthetic cyclophanes as hosts to the understanding of molecular complexation of neutral organic guest molecules in aqueous and organic solvents. In aqueous solution, cyclophanes form stoichiometric complexes with neutral aromatic guests which can approach enzyme-substrate complexes in their stability. Efficient molecular complexation is also observed in organic environments. Here, as a result of large solvation effects, the strength of complexation is strongly dependent on the nature of the organic solvent. Electron donor-acceptor interactions can contribute significantly to the stability of complexes formed between cyclophane hosts and aromatic guests. Force-field calculations together with computer graphics are powerful tools in the design of water-soluble, optically active hosts for chiral recognition of complexed racemic guests. Simple and selective functionalization of the cyclophane framework leads to stable, bioorganic catalysts. Like enzymes, these catalysts bind their substrates in a rapid equilibrium prior to the reaction steps. As a perspective, some fascinating research objectives in the field of molecular recognition and catalysis which can be targeted with designed cyclophane hosts are shown.     

Azolium-linked cyclophanes: effects of structure, solvent, and counteranions on solution conformation behavior

This paper describes the synthesis, structural characterization, and solution behavior of some xylyl-linked imidazolium and benzimidazolium cyclophanes decorated with alkyl or alkoxy groups. The addition of alkyl/alkoxy chains to the cyclophanes allows for studies in chlorinated solvents, whereas previous solution studies of azolium cyclophanes have generally required highly polar solvents. The azolium cyclophanes may exist in a syn/syn conformation (azolium rings mutually syn, arene rings mutually syn) or a syn/anti conformation (azolium rings mutually syn, arene rings mutually anti). The preferred conformation is significantly affected by (i) binding of bromide (ion pairing) to the protons on the imidazolium or benzimidazolium rings, which occurs in solutions of bromide salts of the cyclophanes in chlorinated solvents, and (ii) the addition of alkoxy groups to the benzimidazolium cyclophanes. These structural modifications have also led to cyclophanes that adopt conformations not previously identified for similar azolium cyclophane analogues. Detailed (1)H NMR studies for one cyclophane identified binding of bromide at two independent sites within the cyclophane.     

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.     

Complexation behavior of a highly preorganized 7,7-diphenylnorbornane-derived macrocycle: towards the design of molecular clocks

The syntheses of two new cyclophane hosts, 4 and 6, are described. The main difference between them is the higher degree of preorganization of 4 as a consequence of the inclusion of the 7,7-diphenylnorbornane (DPN) subunit. The inner cavity of 4 adopts a belt-shaped structure, while 6 has a twisted geometry. In the solid state, the molecules of macrocycle 6 are stacked along an axis to form nanotubular structures. Compounds 4 and 6 form two of the strongest complexes between arene cyclophanes and Ag(+) reported up to date. The silver cation is located inside the cavity of the macrocycles. The stability of 4.Ag(+) is considerably higher than that of 6.Ag(+). The additional stabilization of 4.Ag(+) is attributed to higher preorganization of macrocycle 4. DNMR experiments as well as theoretical calculations carried out with 4.Ag(+) show evidence of Ag(+)-hopping between two different binding sites inside the macrocycle. This phenomenon could be the basis for the design of molecular clocks.     

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.     

Polycationic Redox-Active Cyclophanes with Integrated Electron-Rich Diboron Units

Cationic cyclophanes are widely used in a variety of applications in supramolecular chemistry and materials science. In this work the authors systematically study the integration of electron-rich diboron units with B^II atoms into polycationic cyclophanes with viologen-like electron-acceptor units. They also report a first hexacationic cage-compound in which three diboron units connect two tris(4-pyridyl)triazine acceptor units. Moreover, di- and tetracationic open-structure compounds, in which one diboron unit connects two bispyridyl groups, were synthesized and the properties compared to those of the corresponding closed structures (cyclophanes). The combination of diboron electron-donor units and bi- or oligopyridyl electron-acceptor units leads to intriguing optical and redox properties.     

Synthesis and structural analysis of dehydrophenylalanine cyclophanes

The syntheses and structures of three cyclophanes containing two (Z)-dehydrophenylalanine residues are reported; the length of the tethers between the two amino acid residues is easily altered and changing this parameter has a significant effect on the solid state structures of the cyclophanes.     

Exploring structural and conformational behaviour of cyclophanes incorporating imidazole-2-thiones

New cyclophanes containing two imidazole-2-thione moieties linked by two xylylene groups have been synthesized by the reaction of imidazolium-linked cyclophanes with sulfur in the presence of K₂CO₃. The conformational behaviour of the new cyclophanes was explored by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. In cyclophanes containing o-xylylene or 2,4,6-trimethyl-m-xylylene linking groups, the imidazole-2-thione groups were mutually syn in both the solid state and in solution, the cyclophanes adopting a conformation reminiscent of the cone conformation of calix[4]arenes. Cyclophanes containing p-xylylene or m-xylylene linking groups exhibited two conformations in solution, one in which the imidazole-2-thione groups are mutually syn, the other in which they are mutually anti, and these conformations did not interconvert on the NMR timescale. Both conformations co-crystallised in the m-xylylene linked cyclophane, while for the p-xylylene-linked cyclophane the anti conformation crystallised separately.     

Transannular distance dependence of stabilization energy of the intramolecular dimer radical cation of cyclophanes

The intramolecular dimer radical cation and charge-transfer complex of various cyclophanes were investigated by using pulse radiolysis measurements. The charge resonance band due to the dimer radical cation of cyclophanes appeared in the near-IR region, which showed a blue-shift as the distance between the two benzene rings of cyclophane decreased. The stabilization energy of the dimer radical cation, which was estimated from the peak position of the charge resonance band, was explained by the exchange interaction, while the substituent effect was small. The absorption peak of the charge-transfer complex with chlorine atom also showed the shift in accordance with the oxidation potential of cyclophanes.     

Synthesis of [n]- and [n.n]cyclophanes by using Suzuki-Miyaura coupling

Reaction of the bis-9-BBN adduct of several dienes with 1,3-dibromobenzene via Suzuki coupling leads to a series of [n]metacyclophanes ranging in size from 10 to 17 atom members. In each case, two carbon-carbon bonds are formed in one reaction vessel. However, when the bis-9-BBN adduct of 1,5-hexadiene is coupled with a variety of aryl dihalides, larger [n.n]cyclophanes were formed in preference to the [n]cyclophanes. Four carbon-carbon bonds are formed in this instance. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of these [n.n]cyclophanes reveal interestingly shaped molecules with large cavities.     

Tri- and tetraurea piperazine cyclophanes: synthesis and complexation studies of preorganized and folded receptor molecules

A series of symmetrical tri‐ and tetrameric N‐ethyl‐ and N‐phenylurea‐functionalized cyclophanes have been prepared in nearly quantitative yields (86–99 %) from the corresponding tri‐ and tetraamino‐functionalized piperazine cyclophanes and ethyl or phenyl isocyanates. Their conformational and complexation properties have been studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy, and ESI‐MS analysis. The rigid 27‐membered trimeric cyclophane skeleton assisted by a seam of intramolecular hydrogen bonds results in a preorganized ditopic recognition site with an all‐syn conformation of the urea moieties that, complemented by a lipophilic cavity of the cyclophane, binds molecular and ionic guests as well as ion pairs. The all‐syn conformation persists in acidic conditions and the triprotonated triurea cyclophane binds an unprecedented anion pair, H₂PO₄^????HPO₄^2?, in the solid state. The tetra‐N‐ethylurea cyclophane is less rigid and demonstrates an induced‐fit recognition of diisopropyl ether in the solid state. The guest was encapsulated within the lipophilic interior of a quasicapsule, formed by intramolecular hydrogen‐bond‐driven folding of the 36‐membered cyclophane skeleton. In the gas phase, the essential role of the urea moieties in the binding was demonstrated by the formation of monomeric 1:1 complexes with K⁺, TMA⁺, and TMP⁺ as well as the ion‐pair complexes [KI+K]⁺, [TMABr+TMA]⁺ and [TMPBr+TMP]⁺. In the positive‐mode ESI‐MS analysis, ion‐pair binding was found to be more pronounced with the larger tetraurea cyclophanes. In the negative mode, owing to the large size of the binding site, a general binding preference towards larger anions, such as the iodide, over smaller anions, such as the fluoride, was observed.     

NMR Studies of Host–guest Complexes Between Monocarboxylic Acids and Amide-based Cyclophanes in Chloroform

Formation of host–guest complexes with acetic acid and benzoic acid was studied by NMR for amide-based octaazacyclophanes having pendant methyl ester arms; the cyclophanes were tetramethyl 2,9,18,25-tetraoxo-1,4,7,10,17,20,23,26-octaaza[10.10]paracyclophane-4,7,20,23-tetraacetate, its meta-isomer and analogues. Amide NH proton and CH₂ proton adjacent to amide C = O in every cyclophane host showed down-field NMR shifts in the presence of the guest acids in CHCl₃-d, suggesting the formation of 1:1 complexes in which the carboxyl group of an acid molecule formed two hydrogen bonds with the amide NH and C = O moieties of a host molecule. Since the complex formation competed with the dimerization of the guest acids, the monomer–dimer equilibrium was restudied by NMR and the equilibrium constant was determined to be 330 M^? 1 for acetic acid and 518 M^? 1 for benzoic acid. By using these values, the formation constants of the host–guest complexes were determined to be 8–51 M^? 1. The close contact between the host and guest molecules via hydrogen bonding was consistently confirmed by NMR shifts due to the ring current of aromatic group.     

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.