Synthesis and self-assembly of oligomers containing cruciform 9,10-bis(arylethynyl)anthracene unit: formation of supramolecular nanostructures based on rod-length-dependent organization

Conjugated rod-coil molecules, incorporating flexible and rigid blocks, have a strong affinity to self-organize into various supramolecular nanostructures in the bulk state.In this study, we report synthesized oligomers containing cruciform 9,10-bis(arylethynyl)anthracene units and characterized their self-assembly behavior. The molecular structures were characterized with ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy. An investigation of the supramolecular nanostructures of these molecules using differential scanning calorimetry, thermal polarized optical microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering revealed that the rod length of coil-rod-coil molecules with identical rod to coil volume ratios dramatically influences self-assembly behavior in the bulk state. Molecules 2 and 3 with relatively longer rod lengths self-assemble into lamellar structures in the solid state, whereas, molecules 1 and 4 self-assemble into two-dimensional (2-D) oblique columnar structures in the liquid crystalline phase, in addition, on heating, molecule 1 transforms from the oblique columnar phase to the nematic phase.     

Adamantane-retropeptides, new building blocks for molecular channels

Novel adamantane-oxalamide derivatives, N,N′-bis(1-adamantylglycine methyl ester)oxalamide (meso-1 and rac-1), N,N′-bis(3-aminoadamantane-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester)oxalamide (2) and N,N′-bis(3-aminoadamantane-1-carboxylic acid)oxalamide (3) were prepared and structurally characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray analysis. Crystal packing of the structures meso-1 and rac-1 is defined by one-dimensional α-networks of hydrogen-bonded chains. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 are characterized by two-dimensional β-networks of hydrogen bonds. The oxalamide 3 crystallizes as the solvates only. In the crystal structure of 3 the protic solvent participates in hydrogen bonding with the oxalamide moieties. However, in non-protic solvents 3 crystallizes as a solvate but the solvent does not participate in hydrogen bonding. The two-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds connecting molecules of 3 generates channels, which are filled by discrete solvent molecules.     

Regioselective synthesis of 1- and 4-substituted 7-oxopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxamides

The synthesis of 7-substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxamides was studied. First, methyl 7-hydroxypyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate (5) was prepared in three steps from methyl 5-amino-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (3). Treatment of 5 with POCl₃ gave the highly reactive 7-chloro derivative 10, which was reacted with amines, benzyl alcohol, and phenylboronic acid in the presence of Pd-catalyst to give the corresponding 7-substituted derivatives 11. Hydrolysis of the esters 5 and 11 followed by amidation gave the corresponding carboxamides 16a–h and 15. Regioselectivity of N-alkylation of 7-hydroxypyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid derivatives 5 and 16 was tunable by the carboxy function. Alkylation of the secondary amides 16a–f furnished the 1-alkyl derivatives 17a–f, whereas the ester 5 and the tertiary amides 16g,h gave the 4-alkyl derivatives 14a–d and 16m,n, selectively.     

Synthesis of stereopure acyclic 1,5-dimethylalkane chirons: building blocks of highly methyl-branched natural products

An efficient synthetic method towards stereopure acyclic 1,5-dimethylalkane building blocks from methyl (2R)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate (R)-1 (>99% ee) and methyl (2S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate (S)-1 (>99% ee) through a series of chemical transformations, including Julia–Kocienski olefination and diimide reduction, is described. Through this strategy, two fragments of β-d-mannosyl phosphomycoketide (C₃₂-MPM) and four stereopure 1,5-dimethylalkane C₁₀ chirons are prepared. These C₃₂-MPM fragments and C₁₀ chirons have shown great potential application as building blocks for the synthesis of highly methyl-branched natural products containing chiral oligoisoprenoid-like chains.     

An unexpected formation of pyrazolopyrimidines during the attempted to obtain 5-substituted tetrazoles from carbonitriles

In this Letter, we described the synthesis of new 5-(5-amino-1-aryl-1H-pyrazole-4-yl)-1H-tetrazoles 2a–c from 5-amino-1-aryl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitriles 1a–c as well as the unexpected 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives 6a–c from 5-amino-1-aryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitriles 4a–c, instead of 5-(5-amino-1-aryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-yl)-1H-tetrazoles 5a–c as desired. In an attempt to obtain these tetrazole derivatives containing the methyl group at C3-position in the pyrazole ring, the amino group in 5-amino-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile 4c was protected by the reaction with sodium hydride and di-tert-butyl-dicarbonate (Boc). The tetrazole derivative 5c was synthesized from the protected compound 7c using analogue methodology to obtain 2a–c and 6a–c.     

A practical and efficient synthesis of 6-carboalkoxy-13-cycloalkyl-5H-indolo[2,1-a][2]benzazepine-10-carboxylic acid derivatives

A convenient and practical synthesis of 6-carboalkoxy-13-cycloalkyl-5H-indolo[2,1-a][2]benzazepine-10-carboxylic acid derivatives (6) has been developed. The key step in the synthesis utilizes an intramolecular tandem reaction sequence of a Michael addition followed by a Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) olefination reaction between hemi-aminal 11 and methyl 2-(dimethoxyphosphoryl)acrylate 12. The ring construction occurred efficiently and purification of the products 6 was straightforward. The C-10 methyl ester of 6a was hydrolyzed selectively to the carboxylic acid 13 while the olefin of 6d was converted to the cyclopropane 14 using trimethylsulfoxonium iodide in DMSO in the presence of NaH.     

Synthesis of acyclic nucleoside analogues based on 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ones by one-step Vorbrüggen glycosylation

New acyclovir analogues were obtained by reaction of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ones 4a–i with (2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl acetate 5 in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) as catalyst (Vorbrüggen procedure). Coupling between compounds 4a–f and 5 led to a mixture of N3- and N4-isomers 6 and 7, respectively. On the contrary, the reaction of compounds 4g–i with 5 proceeded selectively with formation of N3-isomers only. It was found that the ratio of 6a–f and 7a–f depends on the presence or the absence of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA). Glycosylated products 6a–f and 7a–f underwent reversible isomerization under TMSOTf treatment. The ratio of glycosylated products of the coupling reaction between 4 and 5 was thermodynamically controlled. A similar reaction occurred if ZnCl₂ was chosen as a catalyst, although lower yields of the acyclic analogues of nucleosides were observed. The glycosylation of other purines (adenine and guanine) can be achieved via the non-BSA modification of the Vorbrüggen procedure.     

Neomacrophorin I,II, and III,novel drimenyl cyclohexanes with hydroxylated butanoates from Trichoderma sp. 1212-03

Neomacrophorins I (1), II (2), and III (3) were isolated from the culture broth of Trichoderma sp. 1212-03, which was collected at Shirakami Mountainous area in Japan. Structural analyses disclosed that these resemble known macrophorins but possess axial-hydroxy group at C3 as well as different side chains at C7′. These are diastereomeric forms of macrophorins for 5′,6′-epoxide functionality. The NMR analyses suggested their relative configurational relationship between the C1–C15 drimene and C1′–C7′ epoxyquinone moieties. ECD spectral discussions verified them particularly for C5′,C6′-epoxyquinone (1), C5′,C6′-epoxysemiquinone (2 and 3), and 2″,3″-dihydroxybutanoate moiety in 1 and 2. The configuration of C3″-stereocenter of 3 was determined by chiral GC–MS after converting into methyl (S)-3″-hydroxybutanoate by basic of 3 methanolysis. Biological assays disclosed that 1 induces hyphal branching of Cochliobolus miyabeanus as well as cytotoxicity against human colorectal cancer COLO 201.     

One-pot photochemical synthesis of novel thienobis[1]benzothiophene with an angularly-fused structure that promotes unique intermolecular S⋯S contacts in the crystalline state

4,8-Di(thien-3-yl)thieno[2,3-g:5,4-g′]bis[1]benzothiophene (8a), a member of a new class of angularly-fused thienobis[1]benzothiophenes (TBBTs), was synthesized by using a one-pot photocyclization–dehydrogenation reaction of 2,5-bis[2,2-di(thien-3-yl)ethenyl]thiophene (7a). The results of absorption and emission spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry studies suggest that the effective conjugation length of 8a is shorter than that of 7a. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed that the core TBBT framework of 8a is slightly twisted. In the crystalline state, molecules of 8a are arranged in stacked columns that interact with the adjacent stacked columns via S?S contacts. Moreover, a 1:1 charge-transfer complex between 8a and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) forms crystals that have an alternating stacked columnar structure with both 8a and TCNQ being aligned in individual ribbon-like motifs. The crystal properties of these substances suggest that the angularly-fused TBBT framework might be a useful platform for the construction of electrically interesting materials.     

A facile approach for the synthesis of novel substituted 4H-chromenes and condensation reactions of 4H-chromenes leading to chromenopyrrolones and triazolylchromenopyrrolones

A facile method has been developed for the synthesis of 4H-chromene-3-carboxylates 3a–d by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2-hydroxy-2H-chromene-3-carboxylates 2a–d with triethylsilane in the presence of BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂. Cyclocondensation of 4H-chromene-3-carboxylates 3a–d with benzylamines 4a–d afforded a series of 2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 5a–p and with propargylamine afforded 2-propynyl-2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 6a–d. Click reaction of 6a–d with benzyl azides 7a–d provided a series of 1H-1,2,3-triazolylmethyl-2,3-dihydrochromenopyrrolones 8a–p. Thus synthesized compounds 3a–d, 5a–p, 6a–d, and 8a–p are novel heterocyclic compounds and being reported for the first time.     

Indium trichloride catalyzed sp C–H bond functionalization of 2-alkyl azaarenes under microwave irradiation

Microwave promoted indium trichloride (10 mol %) catalyzed sp³ C–H bond functionalization of 2-alkyl azaarenes 1 or 4 has been observed to construct C–C bond either with but-2-ene-1,4-diones 2 or (E)-3-(2-oxo-2-phenylethylidene)indolin-2-one (6) giving access to 2-((quinolin-2-yl)methyl)butane-1,4-diones 3, 2-((pyridin-2-yl)methyl)butane-1,4-diones 5, or 3-(quinolin-2-yl)propan-2-yl)indolin-2-ones 7 in good yields using 1,4-dioxane as solvent.     

Influence of the anion on the coordination mode of an unsymmetrical N-heterocyclic ligand in Cd(II) complexes: From discrete molecule to one- and two-dimensional structures

Five new 0D–2D Cd(II) complexes, [Cd₂(Hbimt)₂I₄] (1), [Cd(bimt)(Hbimt)Br]_n (2), [Cd(Hbimt)Cl₂(H₂O)]_n (3), {[Cd(Hbimt)(SO₄)(H₂O)₂]·1.5H₂O}_n (4) and [Cd(Hbimt)(SCN)₂]_n (5) (Hbimt = 2-((benzoimidazol-yl)methyl)-1H-tetrazole) have been synthesized by the reactions of Hbimt with suitable cadmium salts. Employment of different anions can influence the coordination modes of the Hbimt ligand, and accordingly result in different structures ranging from 0D to infinite 1D and 2D networks. Complex 1 displays a dimeric structure in which two Cd(II) ions are bridged through two iodine atoms. Complex 2 was caused by deprotonation of the Hbimt ligand, resulting in a 1D helical chain. While in complexes 3 and 4, Hbimt acts as a bidentate bridging ligand which joins two Cd(II) ions, leading to 1D stair-like chains. Complex 5 exhibits a 2D network structure with infinite 1D [Cd₂(SCN)₂]_n chains. The distinct structures of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 reveal that the anions and the versatile coordination modes of the ligand play an important role in the structures of the complexes. In addition, the luminescent properties of complexes 1–5 have been investigated in the solid state at room temperature.     

Liquid crystals in the series of 2,4,6-tristyryl-1,3,5-triazines

Alkaline condensation reactions of 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine (1) and substituted benzaldehydes (2a-n) yield 2,4,6-tristyryl-1,3,5-triazines (3a-n). A sufficient number and length of the alkoxy chains at the benzene rings provide liquid crystalline phases Col_hd. A special structure was found for compound 3i with 9 hexyloxy chains; it exists in the solid state in a helical columnar arrangement, which is transformed by heating to a hexagonal columnar mesophase. Irradiation of the mesophases of 3i-3m leads to partial cyclodimerization reactions, which cause different textures and lower the clearing points. The border line between the irradiated and the unirradiated zones is preserved in the solid and the liquid crystalline temperature range but also over a surprisingly long period in the molten state. A detailed study of this imaging technique was performed for the LC phase of 3i.     

New 3d–4f supramolecular systems constructed by [Fe(bipy)(CN)4] and partially blocked lanthanide cations

The reaction of acetonitrile (1–5) and mixed acetonitrile/water 1:1 (6–9) solutions containing the cyanide-bearing [Fe(bipy)(CN)₄]⁻ building block (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and the partially blocked [Ln(bpym)]³⁺ cation (Ln = lanthanide trivalent cation and bpym = 2,2′-bipyrimidine) has afforded two new families of 3d–4f supramolecular assemblies of formula [Ln(bpym)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₃][Fe(bipy)(CN)₄] · H₂O · CH₃CN [Ln = Sm (1), Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (4) and Ho (5)] and [Ln(bpym)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₄][Fe(bipy)(CN)₄] [Ln = Pr (6), Nd (7), Sm (8), Gd (9)]. They crystallize in the P2₁/c (1–5) and P2/c (6–9) space groups and their structures are made up of [Fe(bipy)(CN)₄]⁻ anions (1–9) and [Ln(bpym)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)_n]⁺ cations [n = 3 (1–5) and 4 (6–9)] with uncoordinated water and acetonitrile molecules (1–5) which are interlinked through an extensive network of hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking into three-dimensional motifs. Both families have in common the occurrence of the low-spin iron(III) unit [Fe(bipy)(CN)₄]⁻ where two bipy–nitrogen and four cyanide–carbon atoms build a somewhat distorted octahedral surrounding around the iron atom [Fe–N = 1.980(3)–1.988(3) Å (1–5) and 1.988(2)–1.992(2) Å (6–9); Fe–C = 1.904(5)–1.952(4) Å (1–5) and 1.911(2)–1.948(3) Å (6–9)]. The main structural difference between both families concerns the environment of the lanthanide atom which is nine- (1–5)/10-coordinated (6–9) with a chelating bpym, two bidentate nitrate and three (1–5)/four (6–9) water molecules building distorted monocapped (1–5)/bicapped (6–9) square antiprisms. This different lanthanide environment is at the origin of the different hydrogen bonding pattern of the two families of compounds.     

Catenar bimetallomesogens derived from quinoxaline–salicylaldimine conjugates

The preparation, characterization, and mesomorphic properties of two series of tridentate N-salicylidene-2-hydroxyanilines and their metal complexes were described. The crystal and molecular structure of bis[2-hydroxy-4-propyloxy-N-(2-hydroxy-3,4-dipropyloxybenzylidene) aniline]copper(II) were determined by means of X-ray analysis. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n and a Z=4. The geometry at Cu²⁺ ions is square pyramidal with a THF solvent molecule coordinated. The core structure was nearly flat, and the intramolecular Cu–Cu atoms were separated by ca. 3.0163(6) Å. All compounds 2a formed smectic C phases, and copper complexes 1a–Cu were not mesogenic. In contrast, compound 2e and complexes 1b–Cu, 1d–Cu, 1e–Cu, and 1e–Pd exhibited columnar phases. The lack of mesomorphism in 1e–Zn was attributed to a preferred tetrahedral over square planar geometry. A N_cell equal to 2.44–2.92, calculated from powder XRD data within a 9.0 Å thick indicated that an induced structure correlated by two catenar-shaped molecules was formed in Col_h phases.     

Half-sandwich η-arene–ruthenium(II) complexes bearing 1-alkyl(benzyl)-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline (IP) derivatives: the effect of alkyl chain length of ligands to catalytic activity

The reaction of bromoalkanes (R–Br; (3), R=C_nH_2n+1, n=4 (a), 8 (b), 12 (c),18 (d)) and bromobenzyl derivatives (R′–Br; (4), R′=CH₂C₆H₂(CH₃)₃-2,4,6 (a); CH₂C₆H(CH₃)₄-2,3,5,6 (b); CH₂C₆(CH₃)₅ (c)) with 1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline (IP)(L₂) gave the corresponding 1-R-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline (IPR)(L_3a–d) and 1-R′-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthroline(IPR')(L_4a–c) ligands, respectively. Treatment of L_3a–d and L_4a–d with [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ led to the formation of [Ru(p-cymene)(IPR)Cl]Cl (RuL_3a–d) and [Ru(p-cymene)(IPR′)Cl]Cl (RuL_4a–c). New ruthenium(II) complexes RuL_3a–d and RuL_4a–c were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, UV–visible and NMR spectroscopy. In order to understand effects of these changes on the N-substituent of imidazol on IP and how they translate to catalytic activity, these new RuL₂, RuL_3a–d and RuL_4a–c were applied in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones by 2-propanol in presence of potassium hydroxide. The activities of the catalysts were monitored by NMR and GC analysis.     

Rational design of donor–π–acceptor n-butyl-1,8-naphthalimide-cored branched molecules as charge transport and luminescent materials for organic light-emitting diodes

Four D–π–A bipolar molecules with n-butyl-1,8-naphthalimide (BNI) fragments as acceptors, acetylenes as π-spacers, and different aromatic groups as donors have been designed to explore their optical, electronic, and charge transport properties as charge transport and luminescent materials for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and local density of states analysis have turned out that the vertical electronic transitions of absorption and emission are characterized as intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The calculated results show that their optical and electronic properties are affected by the different donors of the bipolar molecules. Our results suggest that D–π–A 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives with donors triphenylamine (1), 1-nitrobenzene (2), anisole (3), and 4-phenylbenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (4) fragments are expected to be promising luminescent materials. Furthermore, 2–4 are expected to be promising candidates for both electron and hole transport materials as well as potential ambipolar charge transport material, whereas BNI and 1 can serve as hole transfer materials only. We have also predicted the mobility of 4 with better performance in three different space groups. On the basis of investigated results, we proposed a rational way for the design of charge transport and/or luminescent materials simultaneously.     

New star-shaped triarylamines: synthesis, mesomorphic behavior, and photophysical properties

A total of 18 compounds 1-6 derived from triphenylamine as core group were prepared and characterized, and their mesomorphic properties were also investigated. Compounds 1-4 and 5,6 were prepared from p,p′,p″-triformyltriphenylamine and p,p′-diformyltriphenylamine with appropriate alkoxyphenylamines. The phase behavior of these mesogenic compounds was characterized and studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and powder XRD diffraction. Compounds 1-3 exhibited columnar mesophase, however, compounds 4-6 were nonmesogenic. The mesophases observed in compounds 1-3 were found to be side dependent. Compounds 1a, 2a, and 3a appended with one, two, or three side chains exhibited lamellar columnar (Col_L) phases, and compounds 2b and 3b with four or six side chains formed hexagonal columnar (Col_h) phases. The formation of the mesophases, lamellar or columnar mesophases, was probably induced by H-bonding formed between -CH₂NH groups. The oxidation process determined by cyclic voltammetry showed two redox waves, one appeared at 220-255 mV and the other one at 503-677 mV, which gave energy to HOMOs range of 5.02-5.36 eV. The fluorescent properties of the compounds were examined. All λ_max peaks of the absorption and photoluminescence spectra of compounds occurred at ca. 307-392 nm and 368-456 nm, respectively. Compound 4a has a larger red shift due to a better conjugation linked by CC double bonds instead of -CH₂NH in other compounds.     

Investigations of bis(methyltetrazolyl)triazenes as nitrogen-rich ingredients in solid rocket propellants – Synthesis,characterization and properties

The energetic nitrogen-rich compounds 1,3-bis(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)triaz-1-ene (4) and 1,3-bis(2-methyltetrazol-5-yl)triaz-1-ene (5) were synthesized by diazotation of 1-methyl-5-aminotetrazole (2) and 2-methyl-5-aminotetrazole (3), respectively, by using half an equivalent of sodium nitrite. The reaction of 4 and 5 with diluted ammonia solution yields ammonium bis(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)triazenate (6) and ammonium bis(2-methyl-tetrazol-5-yl)triazenate (7). Treating of 4 and 5 with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution yields sodium bis(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)triazenate (8) and sodium bis(2-methyltetrazol-5-yl)triazenate (9) almost quantitative. Compounds 8 and 9 were methylated using methyl iodide and dimethyl sulfate, respectively, originating bis(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)-3-methyltriaz-1-ene (10) and bis(2-methyltetrazol-5-yl)-3-methyltriaz-1-ene (11). The products 4–11 were characterized by Raman, IR, multinuclear NMR and UV–Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The structures of the crystalline state of 4 · H₂O, 5, 8 · MeOH, 10 and magnesium bis(2-methyltetrazol-5-yl)triazenate (12) were determined by low temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction. The heats of formation Δ_fH^° of 4–7, 10 and 11 were calculated using energies of combustion Δ_cU^° determined by bomb calorimetry, resulting in strongly endothermic values. With these data and by using calculated (4, 5, 10) as well as measured (6, 7, 11) crystal densities, several detonation parameter (heats of explosion, detonation pressure, detonation velocity, explosion temperature) were calculated by the explo5 software. In addition, the specific impulse of different propellant mixtures of the most promising compound 6 with ammonium dinitramide (ADN) were computed. Furthermore the n-octanol/water partition coefficients of 4, 5, 6 and 7 were determined and the long-term stability of 6 was tested by thermal safety calorimetry. Lastly the sensitivities toward impact and friction as well as electrical discharge were determined by the BAM drophammer, friction tester and a small scale electrical discharge tester.