Dibenzodiaza-30-crown-10-appended bis(zinc porphyrin) tweezers: synthesis and crown-assisted chiroptical behaviour

In our program for developing chirality manipulation systems, we synthesized bis(zinc porphyrin) 1, with a dibenzodiaza-30-crown-10 as a linker unit. Two structural features were examined. The aza-crown segment exhibited an intermolecular interaction with the zinc(ii) of the porphyrin, capable of causing aggregation to form spherical nanostructures, as inferred by concentration-dependency of (1)H NMR as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. We also consider the crown-based conformation flexibility, in which accommodated K(+) tunes the porphyrin orientation into the tweezers conformation, assisting chirality induction upon complexation with chiral diamine 2. The circular dichroism (CD) intensity change essentially reached a plateau at a [(1R,2R)-2] : [1] ratio of 2 : 1 for which a 45% enhancement in the amplitude of CD spectra was observed compared to the K(+)-free conditions. Use of the crown linker of is not limited to promoting chirality induction with diamines in the presence of K(+); chiroptical probing of unprotected amino acids (Lys, His, Trp, and Phe) using 1 was attained through liquid (1 in CH(2)Cl(2))-liquid (the amino acids in 1 N KOH) two-phase extraction. The amphiphilic properties of the crown segment, as well as the K(+)-assisted tweezers conformation, make it possible to explore a potent way to develop chirality sensors for amino acids in water.     

(R)-6,6′-Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl: a new ligand for asymmetric synthesis

The new (R)-6,6′-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (1) has been synthesized and proved to generate highly active zirconium-based catalysts for asymmetric Mannich-type reactions.     

Axial [6,6′-(2,4-pentadioxy)]-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diamine (PD-BIPHAM): practical synthesis and applications in asymmetric hydrogenation

A rapid, reliable, and atom-economical procedure for the novel axially biphenyl diamine, (R,R,S_ax)-PD-BIPHAM 1, has been developed successfully by using highly efficient central-to-axial transformation strategy. The attractive feature of this methodology is that no tedious resolution was needed. The effectiveness of this new chiral skeleton was initially demonstrated by highly enantioselective hydrogenation of α-dehydroamino acid esters.     

Syntheses and properties of complexes with bis(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) moieties coordinated to 4,4′:2′,2′′:4′′,4′′′-quaterpyridinium ligands

Eleven new complexes of the form cis-[Ru^II(bpy)₂(L^A)]⁴⁺ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl; L^A = a pyridinium-substituted bpy derivative) have been prepared and isolated as their PF₆⁻ salts. Characterisation involved various techniques including ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI mass spectrometry. The UV-Vis spectra show intense intraligand π → π^∗ absorptions and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands with two distinct maxima in the visible region. Small shifts in the MLCT bands correlate with the electron-withdrawing strength of the ligand L^A. Cyclic voltammograms show quasi-reversible or reversible Ru^III/II oxidation waves, and two or more ligand-based reductions with varying degrees of reversibility. The variations in the redox potentials correlate with changes in the structure of L^A, and also with the MLCT energies. Differential pulse voltammetry allows the first reduction process for two of the complex salts to be resolved into two peaks. Single-crystal X-ray structures have been solved for three of the new complex salts and also for a pro-ligand salt. Two carboxylate-functionalised compounds have been tested as photosensitizers on TiO₂-coated electrodes, but show only negligible efficiencies, in accord with expectations.     

A facile synthesis of cyclic bis(3′→5′)diguanylic acid

This paper describes a new method for synthesizing biologically important cyclic bis(3′→5′)diguanylic acid (cGpGp) in a higher yield than that of the existing synthetic method. In the new synthesis, the following two means, in place of those used in the existing synthesis are employed as main strategies to cause the increase in product yield. One of these distinctive strategies in the new synthesis is that the phosphoramidite method is used for the preparation of a key synthetic intermediate of a linear guanylyl(3′→5′)guanylic acid derivative. This method allowed higher-yield formation of the intermediate than that by the triester method used in the existing synthesis. The second distinctive strategy used in the new synthesis is that allyloxycarbonyl and allyl groups are used for the protection of two guanine bases and two internucleotide bonds, respectively. These four allylic protectors can be removed all at once by the organopalladium-catalyzed reaction under neutral conditions. Thus, deprotection of the protected cGpGp precursor was achieved in the present synthesis in a shorter step and under milder conditions than the deprotection achieved in the existing synthesis, which uses diphenylacetyl and o-chlorophenyl groups as protectors for two guanine bases and two internucleotide bonds, respectively, whose full removal requires two different procedures including rather harsh basic treatment. As a result, technical loss and decomposition of the target product in the new synthesis is remarkably reduced.     

Metallodendrimers: homo- and heterogeneous tier construction by bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridinyl)Ru(II) complex connectivity

A convenient combinatorial-style route for the incorporation of multiple, differing functional groups, in a controllable ratio, onto a dendritic poly(propylene imine) scaffolding is described. Attachment of the functionality is accomplished by the connective formation of bis(2,2′:6′,2-terpyridine)Ru(II) complexes via reaction of a terpyridine-modified dendritic surface with 1→3 branched monomers each possessing a focal terpyridine moiety. This synthetic approach produces a heterogeneous surface coating that is compared and contrasted to that of analogous homogeneous surfaced constructs. UV-vis absorption and TGA data for the metallodendrimers are also reported.     

Synthesis and characterizations of 3,3′-bis(diphenylphosphinoamine)-2,2′-bipyridine and 3,3′-bis(diphenylphosphinite)-2,2′-bipyridine and their chalcogenides

New bis(phosphinoamine) and bis(phosphinite) derivatives of 2,2′-bipyridine were prepared through a single step reaction of 3,3′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine or 3,3′-dihydroxy-2,2′-bipyridine with diphenylchlorophosphine, respectively. Their P = E chalcogenides (E = O, S, Se) were also prepared. All the new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopies. The molecular structure of 3,3′-bis(diphenylthiophosphinite)-2,2′-bipyridine was elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

An efficient synthesis of 5,5′-diaryl-2,2′-bichalcophenes

A convenient and high yielding synthesis of 5,5′-diaryl-2,2′-bichalcophenes (furans, thiophenes, and selenophenes) by the hexabutylditin-mediated homocoupling of 5-bromochalcophenes is described. This approach has been applied to the synthesis of the blue-light-emitting compound 5,5′-bis(4-aminophenyl)-2,2′-bifuryl (PFDA).     

Synthesis of bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)-terminated telechelic polymers by RAFT polymerization and ruthenium-polymer complexation thereof

Well-defined polystyrenes and poly(n-butyl acrylate)s of the two ends being functionalized with terpyridine groups were synthesized via addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using a symmetric bisterpyridine-functionalized trithiocarbonate as a chain transfer agent (CTA). Kinetic studies on RAFT mediated thermal polymerization of styrene indicated the controlled polymerization. Corresponding triblock copolymers of styrene and n-butyl acrylate were obtained by utilizing the bisterpyridine-functionalized homopolymers as the macro-CTAs. Supramolecular metallo-polystyrenes with different repeat blocks were prepared by the chelating interaction between the terpyridine ends and Ru(II) ions. The formation of the metallo-polymers was proven by UV-vis spectra and dynamic light scattering (DLS).     

Improved synthesis of 2,2′-dimethoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-3,3′-diacetic acid derivatives

During the past decade, the chemistry of BINAP, BINAM, and BINOL derivatives experienced an important development due to multiple applications in catalysis, metallo-supramolecular chemistry and material science. Consequently, the need to develop functionalized binaphthyl derivatives became crucial. In this context, we were interested in preparing 2,2′-dimethoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-3,3′-diacetic acid species. The latter were efficiently prepared using a modified Arndt-Eistert reaction that afforded the expected chiral diacid in good yield. Compared to the method we described earlier, this new strategy allows the preparation of the target homologated diacid chloride in a very efficient manner, limiting wastes and tedious column chromatographies.     

New bichromophoric-2,2′-bipyridines: synthesis and optical properties

The synthesis and characterization of new unsymmetrically substituted bipyridyl-based chromophores featuring π-conjugated donor, acceptor or photoisomerizable backbones are reported. Their absorption and emission properties are discussed in comparison to those of the parent ligands.     

1,1′-Methylene-bis(1,1′,2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-octahydroisoquinoline): synthesis, reaction, resolution, and application in catalytic enantioselective transformations

The preparation of new chiral 1,3-diamine ligand systems based on the 1,1′-methylene-bis(1,1′,2,2′,3,3′,4,4′-octahydroisoquinoline) framework is described. Synthesis of various mono-, di-, and bridged N-alkyl derivatives are presented. Resolution of one compound, its Cu(I)Br X-ray crystallographic structure and the preliminary results on its application in the enantioselective Henry and Aldol reactions are disclosed.     

A convenient synthesis of substituted 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines

The 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines 8a and 8b were prepared in good yield by reacting α-acetoxy-α-chloro-β-keto-esters 1 (R¹ = ⁿPr and Ph) with the bis-amidrazone 7 and 2,5-norbornadiene 5 in ethanol at reflux.     

A convenient synthesis of substituted 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines

The 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines 7a-c were prepared in good yield by reacting α-acetoxy-α-chloro-β-keto-esters 3a-c with bis-amidrazone 4 and 2,5-norbornadiene 6 in ethanol at reflux. Compounds 3a and 3b gave the 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines 9a and 9b, respectively, in moderate yield when treated with compound 4 and enamine 8.     

Surprising fenchone induced cyclization: synthesis of the new chiral diol biphenyl-2,2′-sulfone-3,3′-bisfenchol (BISFOL)

The new chiral diol BISFOL (biphenyl-2,2′-sulfone-3,3′-bisfenchol) is surprisingly formed by cyclization of diphenylsulfone after treatment with n-buthyllithium at −78 °C and subsequent addition of (−)-fenchone. Formation of fenchyl alcohol as byproduct points to a Meisenheimer intermediate as primary cyclization product, which transfers lithium hydride yielding the cyclic sulfone. As a chiral and chelating ligand, BISFOL catalyzes enantioselective diorganozinc additions to aldehydes and forms with dimethylzinc an unprecedented, macrocyclic, dimeric methylzinc complex.     

Improved synthesis of 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine from 4,4′-dinitro-2,2′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide

A superior synthetic route to 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine has been developed. This procedure compares favorably with existing methods, producing 4 times the yield previously reported. In addition, mild reaction conditions are utilized, allowing a considerably more efficient production, and subsequent purification, of the diamino complex.     

Heptakis-6-(5-methylene-thioureido-5′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)-β-cyclodextrin: synthesis and metal complexation study

A new heptapode heptakis-6-(5-methylene-thioureido-5′-methyl-2,2′-bipyridyl)-β-cyclodextrin was prepared and its complexation properties towards metal cations were investigated. Substituting the urea functions by the corresponding thioureas promoted the inversion of the metal coordination selectivity. Preliminary results showed the heptapode unable to complex lanthanides but authorise selective complexation of ‘soft’ and ‘borderline’ metal cations.     

A convenient synthesis of 2,2′-bipyridine derivatives

Picolinates 7 were prepared from the corresponding α-chloro-β-keto-esters 6. Esters 7 were converted into 2,2′-bipyridine derivatives 10 via triazines 9 using an aza Diels-Alder reaction.     

Studies on bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzenes and bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)biphenyls

Reactions between the C,C′-dicopper(I) derivative of ortho-carborane and ortho-, meta- and para-diiodobenzene are reported. The reaction with 1,2-C₆H₄I₂ unexpectedly afforded 2,2′-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)biphenyl, [HCB₁₀H₁₀CC₆H₄]₂2, whereas reactions with 1,3- or 1,4-C₆H₄I₂ provided alternative routes to 1,3-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 3 and 1,4-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 4, respectively. The crystal structure of the biphenyl derivative 2 revealed significant distortions in the biphenylene framework attributable to the proximity of the two bulky carborane cages. UV absorption spectra and electrochemical data on 2 and 3 showed little electronic communication between the two carborane cages in either, and negligible π-conjugation between the two ortho-phenylene rings in 2. However, substantial evidence was found of electronic communication between the carborane cages via the para-phenylene bridge in 4. B3LYP/6-31G^∗ computations have been carried out on compounds 2 and 4, on 4,4′-bis(ortho-carboranyl)biphenyl 6 and on 1,2-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 7. Those on 2, 4 and 6 show the computed geometries to be in very good agreement with the experimental geometries: those on 7 allowed the reported molecular geometry of this compound to be revised and revealed a long cage C–C bond of 1.725(3) Å.