Synthesis,crystal structure and silver complexation of a novel saddle-shaped stilbenophane: NMR and theoretical study on the complex

A new Z,Z-stilbenophane was synthesised and characterised. According to an X-ray structure analysis, the structure has a saddle shape, with the π-electrons of the double bonds and the oxygen atoms pointing towards the centre of a cavity. The ligand forms a 1:1 complex with Ag⁺. Both NMR spectra and theoretical analysis (Gauge-independent atomic orbitals (GIAO) and Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM)) suggest that the silver cation is bound within the molecular cavity. The metal is coordinated by the two olefinic double bonds and the four oxygen atoms in an approximately octahedral environment. The coordination motif is unusual because the soft silver cation prefers the interaction with the four hard oxygen atoms over the bonding to the arene units, which is frequently observed in Ag⁺ arene complexes.     

Facile,high-yielding synthesis of deepened cavitands: a synthetic and theoretical study

A wide variety of 2-methyl-resorcinol-based deepened cavitands were synthesised from readily available reagents in a four-step procedure with overall yields of up to 62%. A systematic variation of the rim was carried out by building up a flexible upper aromatic wall on the rigid cavitand platform through CH₂, CH₂O and CH₂OCH₂ spacers. These aromatic walls were further extended by a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. Full characterisation of the synthesised cavitands was carried out. The solid-state structure of tetrakis(phenoxymethyl)cavitand was determined by X-ray crystallography. Gas-phase theoretical calculations for this molecule predict the presence of weak T-shaped interactions between the upper phenyl rings. The host–guest complex formation ability of two deepened cavitand hosts towards 4-chloro-benzotrifluoride was proved by photoluminescence method.     

Synthesis and supramolecular properties of glycoluril tetramer

Synthesis of glycoluril tetramer bearing hydrogen atoms on its convex face and framed by two xylylene units is reported. This tetramer forms dimeric aggregates in the solid state. Host–guest properties of the tetramer with various ammonium and pyridinium guests were determined using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The results were compared with structurally related host molecules.     

Chiral pyrimidine metallacalixarenes: synthesis, structure and host-guest chemistry

A set of enantiomerically pure cyclic multinuclear complexes with the formula cis-[a(2)PdL](n) (n+) [a(2)=(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (R,R-dach), (S,S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (S,S-dach); n=4, 6; LH=2-hydroxypyrimidine (2-Hpymo), 4,6-dimethyl-2-hydroxypyrimidine (2-Hdmpymo) and 4-hydroxypyrimidine (4-Hpymo)] were obtained by reaction of cis-[a(2)Pd(H(2)O)(2)](2+) and LH in aqueous media. The polynuclear complexes were studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. These studies revealed that the N1,N3-bridging mode exhibited by the pyrimidine moieties is ideally suited for formation of inorganic analogues of calixarenes (metallacalixarenes) in a self-assembly process. The most stable species are the tetranuclear metallacalix[4]arenes, which are obtained in all cases. Hexanuclear species, namely, [a(2)Pd(2-dmpymo)](6) (6+), were also isolated and fully characterised. (1)H NMR experiments show conversion of [a(2)Pd(2-dmpymo)](6) (6+) to [a(2)Pd(2-dmpymo)](4) (4+) on heating. Analogously to organic calixarenes, these systems are also capable of incorporating hard metal ions at the oxo surface. Additionally, investigations on the receptor properties of these metallacalixarenes towards mononucleotides showed that enantioselective recognition processes occur in aqueous media.     

Pillar[5]-bis-thiacrown: An Adaptive Tricyclic Host Selectively Recognizing an Organic Guest by Dimetalation

Some biological receptors change their shapes and rigidity by metalation to recognize substrates precisely via adaptive guest binding process. Herein we present a semi-flexible tricyclic host molecule whose conformation is rigidified by dimetalation to uptake organic guests selectively. Considering two metal binding sites and an empty space between them, pillar[5]-bis-thiacrown (L) was synthesized. The tricyclic host L forms a disilver(I) complex [Ag₂L(NO₃)₂], with an Ag⋅⋅⋅Ag separation of 9.976 Å. Binding studies based on ¹H NMR including 2D NOESY and DOSY experiments towards α,ω-dicyanoalkanes [CN(CH₂)_nCN, n=2–6, shortly C2–C6] demonstrated that the dimetalated L, Ag₂L preferentially recognizes C2 over other guests than that of free L. Furthermore, the dimetalated the host only uptakes C2 in the presence of other guests. Crystal structures support the idea that the space between two silver(I) centers plays a decisive role on the selective guest binding forming an Ag-C2-Ag@L arrangement via the length-selective recognition. This work demonstrates the chemical example of the adaptive guest binding and presents a new perspective on the metallosupramolecules of pillararenes.     

Urea Derivatives as Functional Molecules: Supramolecular Capsules,Supramolecular Polymers,Supramolecular Gels,Artificial Hosts,and Catalysts

Urea, which has both hydrogen bond acceptor and donor moieties, is an ideal structure for a supramolecular synthon. Various supramolecules having ureido group(s) have been widely developed. This article summarizes recent developments of urea derivatives that exhibit various functions: i) supramolecular capsules that form discrete urea–urea intermolecular hydrogen bonds, ii) supramolecular polymers that form continuous urea–urea intermolecular hydrogen bonds, iii) supramolecular gels that form continuous urea–urea intermolecular hydrogen bonds, iv) artificial host molecules based on the molecular recognition ability of the ureido group, and v) catalytic reactions developed by utilizing the molecular recognition ability of the ureido group.     

A family of metallocyclodextrins: synthesis,absorption and luminescence characteristic studies based on host–guest recognition

A family of metallocyclodextrins bearing one, two, three or six β-cyclodextrin binding sites on their ligands have been synthesised, and their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, UV–vis spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Comparative investigation of the luminescent properties of these metallocyclodextrins found that 6CD-Ru showed the strongest fluorescence intensity. The fluorescence quantum yield results show that 6CD-Ru exhibits the highest emission efficiency, as we expected. To gain insight into the binding properties of the most promising metallocyclodextrin 6CD-Ru, two guest compounds 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-4′-carboxylic acid (Dab) and methylene blue (MB) were used as analytes. 6CD-Ru exhibited remarkable emission quenching compared with the reference compound CD-Ru. Furthermore, calculated binding constants demonstrated that 6CD-Ru has enhanced binding capacity due to the presence of multiple β-cyclodextrin binding sites. These prominent characteristics of 6CD-Ru suggest that it may be used to detect the two guests Dab and MB, and their analogues, with greater sensitivity, and the relevant research with these metallocyclodextrins is in progress in our group.     

A Reduced-Symmetry Heterobimetallic [PdPtL4]4+ Cage: Assembly,Guest Binding,and Stimulus-Induced Switching

A strategy is presented that enables the quantitative assembly of a heterobimetallic [PdPtL₄]⁴⁺ cage. The presence of two different metal ions (Pd^II and Pt^II) with differing labilities enables the cage to be opened and closed selectively at one end upon treatment with suitable stimuli. Combining an inert Pt^II tetrapyridylaldehyde complex with a suitably substituted pyridylamine and Pd^II ions led to the assembly of the cage. ¹H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry data were consistent with the quantitative formation of the cage, and the heterobimetallic structure was confirmed using single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The structure of the host–guest adduct with a 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone guest molecule was determined. Addition of N,N′-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) resulted in the formation of the open-cage [PtL₄]²⁺ compound and [Pd(DMAP)₄]²⁺ complex. This process could then be reversed, with the reformation of the cage, upon addition of p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH).     

Biomolecular and Supramolecular Kinetics in the Submicrosecond Time Range: the Fluorazophore Approach

Fluorophores based on the azo chromophore 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene, referred to as fluorazophores, display an exceedingly long fluorescence lifetime and undergo quenching upon contact with efficient hydrogen or electron donors. These photophysical and photochemical properties allow several uncommon applications to biomolecular and supramolecular kinetic studies in the submicrosecond time range. Examples for kinetics of host–guest complexation, end-to-end contact formation in polypeptides, and lateral diffusion in membrane models are described. Principal requirements for these types of kinetic measurements and the dependence of the kinetics of diffusion-controlled reactions on the dimensionality of the system are discussed.     

NMR spectroscopy in coordination supramolecular chemistry: A unique and powerful methodology

Metal-mediated self-assembly is emerging as a very important strategy for the synthesis of supramolecular species. Still, a major challenge in coordination supramolecular chemistry continues to be the characterization of the self-assembled complexes and the investigation of their dynamic behaviour in solution. In this context, NMR spectroscopy appears as a unique and powerful methodology. This practical-oriented review describes the rich variety of NMR techniques which are applied to the investigation of different aspects of the structure and behaviour of supramolecular complexes. “Classic” 1D NMR spectra reflect characteristic chemical shifts due to metal–ligand interactions or encapsulation phenomena, as well as symmetry and chiral properties of host–guest assemblies. Mainstream ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F and ³¹P spectra are eventually complemented by the use of NMR-active metal nuclides. Homo- and heteronuclear 2D correlation experiments are ubiquitous in the literature, providing through-bond and through-space connectivities. Increasingly, diffusion measurements are also gaining popularity in this field, being used to gain information about molecular size, intermolecular interactions and even association constants of supramolecular complexes. Knowledge about the thermodynamic properties and the dynamic behaviour of coordination supramolecular assemblies is essential for the development of their practical applications. The most frequently used NMR methodologies for the calculation of association constants (simple signal integration, NMR titration and diffusion measurements) and for the investigation of dynamic supramolecular equilibria (lineshape analysis, selective inversion recovery experiments and 2D EXSY spectra) are described, together with the use of variable-temperature investigations for the determination of the thermodynamic and activation parameters of self-assembly and encapsulation processes.     

Shaping a Porphyrinoid Frame by Heteroatoms Extrusion: Formation of an Expanded [22]Triphyrin(6.6.0)

An aromatic expanded triphyrin, [22]triphyrin(6.6.0) 2 , containing a pyrrole unit, a bipyrrole moiety, and annulene links, was obtained from a tellurium-containing precursor meso-tetraaryl-26,28-ditellurasapphyrin 1 . The reaction path proceeds through an acid-promoted tellurium extrusion from 1 yielding directly 2 , characterized in a dicationic form by X-ray crystallography. In solution the neutral macrocycle 2 reveals flexibility typical for annulenes and it exists as a mixture of conformers that differ by the configuration of the annulene fragments, as proven by ¹H NMR studies and analyzed by DFT methods. The conformation is controlled by protonation state, the nature of an interacting anion, solvent identity, and by interaction with water.     

A Promising Approach for Controlling the Second Coordination Sphere of Biomimetic Metal Complexes: Encapsulation in a Dynamic Hydrogen-Bonded Capsule

The design of biomimetic models of metalloenzymes needs to take into account many factors and is therefore a challenging task. We propose in this work an original strategy to control the second coordination sphere of a metal centre and its distal environment. A biomimetic complex, reproducing the first coordination sphere, is encapsulated in a self-assembled hydrogen-bonded capsule. The cationic complex is co-encapsulated with its counter-anion or with solvent molecules. The capsule is dynamic, allowing a fast in/out exchange of the co-encapsulated species. It also provides both a hydrogen-bonding site in the second coordination sphere and a source of proton as it can be deprotonated in the presence of the complex, providing a globally neutral host-guest assembly. This simple and broad scope strategy is unprecedented in biomimetic studies. The approach appears to be a very promising method for the stabilisation of reactive species and for the study of their reactivity.     

Self‐assembled organic nanotubes: Toward attoliter chemistry

Diverse chemical functionalization of the inner and outer surfaces of the nanotubes enables us to sense and visualize the encapsulation and transport behavior of biomacromolecular guests. The event occurs specifically in attoliter volume nanospace inside the hollow cylinder of the nanotubes. Comparison of the organic nanotube history with that of well‐known carbon nanotubes and a variety of molecular building blocks as tube‐forming compounds were first introduced. Asymmetric organic nanotubes with different inner and outer surfaces were discussed in terms of molecular design, immobilization of functional moieties, and molecular packing. Finally, the practical examples of the organic nanotubes as a nanocontainer, nanochannel, and nanopipette were also described to feature the concept of “attoliter chemistry.” © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2601–2611, 2008     

Electrochemiluminescent cells based on zeolite-encapsulated host-guest systems: encapsulated ruthenium tris-bipyridyl

An electrochemiluminescent cell has been developed that has an active layer consisting of ruthenium tris-bipyridyl encapsulated inside zeolite Y supercages. Operation of the cell requires the addition of polyethylene glycol as the solid electrolyte. The cell, which exhibits electrical conductivity behavior typical of a semiconductor, has an optimum operating voltage of 3 V. Ion exchange of sodium by cesium and vapor deposition of calcium metal inside the zeolite pores enhance the electrochemiluminescent efficiency of the cell by a factor of 4.     

Open versus Closed Polyaromatic Nanocavity: Enhanced Host Abilities toward Large Dyes and Pigments

Host functions of polyaromatic nanocavities were revealed by using an M₂L₄ molecular cage and capsule. On the basis of the previously reported M₂L₄ capsule with a closed polyaromatic cavity, a new M₂L₄ cage (as a mixture of the isomers) was prepared by the quantitative assembly of two metal ions and four desymmetrized bispyridine ligands with a single polyaromatic panel. The obtained, open nanocavity of the cage exhibited enhanced binding abilities toward large dyes and pigments in water. For example, two molecules of coumarin dyes were bound in the nanocavity and showed strong whitish emission (up to Φ_F=34 %). Furthermore, metallopigments, the sizes of which are larger than the inner cavities of the cage and capsule, were bound only in the open polyaromatic nanocavity of the cage to give water-soluble 1:1 host–guest complexes.     

Inherently chiral molecular clips: synthesis, chiroptical properties, and application to chiral discrimination

Inherently chiral molecular clips (MCs), pseudoenantiomeric anti-1 and anti-2, as well as mesoid syn-3, were synthesized by diastereodifferentiating repetitive Diels-Alder reactions of the achiral bisdienophile 6 with chiral diene 5 generated in situ from (-)-menthyl 3,4-bis(dibromomethyl)benzoate 4. These MCs were successfully separated by chiral HPLC to give optically active anti-1 and anti-2 and almost optically inactive syn-3. The structures of anti-1, anti-2, and syn-3 were assigned by high-resolution NMR and the absolute configurations of anti-1 and anti-2 were determined by the exciton-chirality method. Optically active anti-2 can serve as a chiral host. It binds the HCl adduct of D-tryptophan methyl ester (D-TrpOMeHCl) 3.5 times stronger than the L-enantiomer (KD/KL=3.5).