Influence of Amide Connectivity on the Hydrogen-Bond-Directed Self-Assembly of [n.n]Paracyclophanes

Reported here is the synthesis and self-assembly characterization of [n.n]paracyclophanes ( [n.n]pCps , n=2, 3) equipped with anilide hydrogen bonding units. These molecules differ from previous self-assembling [n.n]paracyclophanes ( [n.n]pCps ) in the connectivity of their amide hydrogen bonding units (C-centered/carboxamide vs. N-centered/anilide). This subtle change results in a ≈30-fold increase in the elongation constant for the [2.2]pCp -4,7,12,15-tetraanilide ( [2.2]pCpNTA ) compared to previously reported [2.2]pCp -4,7,12,15-tetracarboxamide ( [2.2]pCpTA ), and a ≈300-fold increase in the elongation constant for the [3.3]pCp -5,8,14,17-tetraanilide ( [3.3]pCpNTA ) compared to previously reported [3.3]pCp -5,8,14,17-tetracarboxamide ( [3.3]pCpTA ). The [n.n]pCpNTA monomers also represent the reversal of a previously reported trend in solution-phase assembly strength when comparing [2.2]pCpTA and [3.3]pCpTA monomers. The origins of the assembly differences are geometric changes in the association between [n.n]pCpNTA monomers—revealed by computations and X-ray crystallography—resulting in a more favorable slipped stacking of the intermolecular π-surfaces ( [n.n]pCpNTA vs. [n.n]pCpTA ), and a more complementary H-bonding geometry ( [3.3]pCpNTA vs. [2.2]pCpNTA ).     

Helic[6]arene-Based Chiral Pseudo[1]rotaxanes and [1]Rotaxanes

Chiral pseudo[1]rotaxanes and [1]rotaxanes constructed from macrocyclic arenes still remain a big challenge mainly owing to the lack of such chiral macrocycles. In this work, a new system of chiral pseudo[1]rotaxanes formed by self-inclusion of helic[6]arene containing amide linked with the terminal tertiary amines was first discovered. Based on an atom-economic stopping strategy, a pair of chiral [1]rotaxanes were conveniently obtained in almost quantitative yields by blocking the pseudo[1]rotaxanes with monobenzyl bromide of tetraphenylethene. The structures of pseudo[1]rotaxanes and [1]rotaxanes were characterized by 2D NMR spectra in solution, combined with DFT calculations. The photophysical properties further revealed the efficient chirality transfer of helic[6]arene to the tetraphenylethene moiety, compared to their unthreaded chiral isomers. The discovery of the chiral pseudo[1]rotaxanes allows for a wide and available synthesis of chiral [1]rotaxanes, and also opening a new avenue to the design of chiral supramolecular materials.     

P=C bonds as building blocks for three- and four-membered heterocyclic cations: synthesis, structures and mechanistic studies

The activation of the P=C bond of phosphaalkenes with electrophiles is investigated as a means to prepare and characterize unusual organophosphorus compounds. Treatment of RP=CHtBu (1a: R=tBu; 1b: R=1-adamantyl) with HOTf (0.5 equiv) affords diphosphiranium salts [RP-CHtBu-PR (CH(2)tBu)]OTf ([2a]OTf and [2b]OTf), each containing a three-membered P(2)C ring. In contrast, the addition of MeOTf (0.5 equiv) to either 1a or 1b affords diphosphetanium salts [RP-CHtBu-P(Me)R-CHtBu]OTf ([3a]OTf and [3b]OTf) containing four-membered P(2)C(2) heterocycles. The phosphenium triflate [tBuP(CH(2)tBu)]OTf ([5a]OTf) and methylenephosphonium triflate [tBu(Me)P=CHtBu]OTf ([7a]OTf) are identified spectroscopically as intermediates in the formation of [2a](+) and [3a](+), respectively. The phosphenium triflate intermediate can be trapped with 2-butyne to afford phosphirenium salt [MeC=CMe-tBuPCH(2)tBu]OTf ([6a]OTf). Treatment of diphosphetanium [3a]OTf with an excess MeOTf affords [Me(2)P-CHtBu-PMetBu-CHtBu](OTf)(2) ([4a](OTf)(2)), a compound containing a diphosphetanium dication. The molecular structures are reported for [2a]OTf, [2b][H(OTf)(2)], [3a]I, [3b]I, [4a](OTf)(2), and [6a]OTf.     

Nucleophilic addition to benzo[b]thieno[2,3-b]benzo[b]thiophene S,S,S′,S′-tetroxide

The reaction of benzo[b]thieno[2,3-b]benzo[b]thiophene S,S,S′,S′-tetroxide with primary and secondary amines and with alcohols gave 10 b-amino- and 10 b-alkoxy-5a, 10b-dihydro-benzo[b]thieno[2,3-b]benzo[b]thiophene S,S,S′,S′-tetroxides. These nucleophilic reagents do not add to benzo[b]thieno[2,3-b]benzo[b]thiophene S,S-dioxide.     

Mechanism of the conversion of inverted CB[6] to CB[6

Inverted cucurbit[n]urils (iCB[n]) form as intermediates during the synthesis of cucurbit[n]urils from glycoluril and formaldehyde in HCl (85 degrees C). Product resubmission experiments establish that the diastereomeric iCB[6] and iCB[7] are kinetic products that are less stable thermodynamically than CB[6] or CB[7] (>2.8 kcal mol(-1)). When iCB[6] or iCB[7] is heated under aqueous acidic conditions, a preference for ring contraction is noted in the formation of CB[5] and CB[6], respectively. Interestingly, under anhydrous acidic conditions ring size is preserved with iCB[6] delivering CB[6] cleanly. To establish the intramolecular nature of the iCB[6] to CB[6] conversion under anhydrous, but not aqueous, acidic conditions we performed crossover experiments involving mixtures of iCB[6] and its (13)C=O labeled isotopomer (13)C(12)-iCB[6]. An unusual diastereomeric CB[6] with a M?bius geometry (13) is proposed as a mechanistic intermediate in the conversion of iCB[6] to CB[6] under anhydrous acidic conditions. The improved mechanistic understanding provided by this study suggests improved routes to CB[n]-type compounds.     

Structural effects on the electronic properties of extended fused-ring thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine analogues

The synthesis and characterization of the extended thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine analogues acenaphtho[1,2-b]thieno[3,4-e]pyrazine (3a), 3,4-dibromoacenaphtho[1,2-b]thieno[3,4-e]pyrazine (3b), 3-octylacenaphtho[1,2-b]thieno[3,4-e]pyrazine (3c), dibenzo[f,h]thieno[3,4-b]quinoxaline (4), and thieno[3',4':5,6]pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline (5) are reported. Comparison of structural, electrochemical, and photophysical properties to those of simple thieno[3,4-b]pyrazines are provided in order to provide structure-function relationships within this series of compounds.     

Single-electron entrapment of [8]annulyne, biannulenylenes, and an annulenoannulene

The low-temperature (-100 degrees C) dehydrohalogenation of bromocyclooctatetraene followed by immediate electron-transfer yields a stable solution of the [8]annulyne anion radical. If the unstable [8]annulyne is reacted with itself, cyclobutadiene, or benzyne, the respective bi-[8]annulenylene, [6]annuleno[8]annulene, or [6]-[8]annulenylene can be trapped as their anion radicals via one-electron transfer. These condensation products were all obtained from simple [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions. B3LYP/6-31G geometry optimizations were carried out, and the calculated spin densities were compared to the EPR spectral results obtained for the anion radicals of [6]annuleno[8]annulene, [8]annulyne, bi[8]annulenylene, and [6]-[8]annulenylene, and excellent agreement has been realized. This simple "one-pot" approach should be applicable to a wide range of such systems.     

Synthesis and some properties of binuclear ruthenocenes bridged by oligoynes: formation of bis(cyclopentadienylidene)cumulene diruthenium complexes in the two-electron oxidation

The monoynes [Rc*C[triple bond]CRc*] and [Rc'C[triple bond]CRc'] were obtained in improved yields using [Mo(CO)6]/2-FC6H5OH as a catalyst in the alkyne metathesis of [Rc*C[triple bond]CMe] and [Rc'C[triple bond]CMe], respectively (Rc = ruthenocenyl, Rc* = 1',2',3',4',5'-pentamethylruthenocenyl, and Rc' = 2',3',4',5'-tetramethylruthenocenyl groups). The diynes [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)2Rc*] and [Rc'(C[triple bond]C)2Rc'] were synthesized by the oxidative coupling of the corresponding terminal ethynes in good yields. The triyne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)3Rc*] and the tetrayne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)4Rc*] were prepared by the hetero- and homocoupling of [Rc*C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]CH], which was obtained from the reaction of [Rc*C[triple bond]CCHO] with Li[N2CSiMe3], respectively. Although the oxidation waves did not always exhibit a clear two-electron oxidation process, the oxidation potentials shifted to a lower potential with an increase in the number of methyl substituents on the ruthenocenyl ring, and shifted to a higher potential with the increase in the number of C[triple bond]C units; this result is in contrast to that found in the [Rc(CH=CH)(n)Rc] series. The chemical oxidation of [Rc'C[triple bond]CRc'] yielded a stable two-electron-oxidized species, the structure of which was confirmed by X-ray crystallography to be [Ru2(mu2-eta(6):eta(6)-C5Me4C=CC5Me4)(eta-C5H5)2](BF4)2. Changing the substituents (Rc, Rc*, and Rc') had no effect on the chemical oxidation, but in the case of the Rc' series the Me substituent increased the stability of the two-electron-oxidized species in solution. The diyne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)2Rc*] and the triyne [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)3Rc*] also gave a similar but unstable two-electron-oxidized species. In acetone or acetonitrile, the two-electron-oxidized species of [Rc*C[triple bond]CRc*] and [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)2Rc*] gradually formed the corresponding bis(fulvene)-type complexes. This implies that the two-electron-oxidized species of [Rc*(C[triple bond]C)(n)Rc*] are destabilized with the increasing n.     

The Ritter reaction in the synthesis of ortho-fused nitrogen-containing heterocycles

The acid-catalysed condensation of a 1,4- and a 1,5-ditertiary diol with various arylated nitriles is shown to provide a simple and novel route to reduced benz[f]indoles, naphth[1,8a,8-fg]indoles, benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyrroles, and benzo[g]quinolines.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of 9-(2-deoxy-2-alkyldithio-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)purine nucleosides which are stable precursors to potential mechanistic probes of ribonucleotide reductases

A series of 2[prime or minute]-thionucleosides, as potential inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductases, has been synthesized. Treatment of the 3[prime or minute],5[prime or minute]-O-TPDS-2[prime or minute]-O-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)adenosine with potassium thioacetate gave the arabino epimer of 2[prime or minute]-S-acetyl-2[prime or minute]-thioadenosine which was deacetylated to give 9-(3,5-O-TPDS-2-thio-[small beta]-d-arabinofuranosyl)adenine in high yield. Treatment of the latter with diethyl azodicarboxylate-C(3)H(7)SH-THF gave 2[prime or minute]-propyl disulfide which was desilylated to give 9-(2-deoxy-2-propyldithio-[small beta]-d-arabinofuranosyl)adenine. Subsequent tosylation (O5[prime or minute]) and displacement of the tosylate with pyrophosphate afforded the 5[prime or minute]-O-diphosphate in a stable form as propyl mixed-disulfide, which upon treatment with dithiothreitol releases 9-(2-thio-[small beta]-d-arabinofuranosyl)adenine 5[prime or minute]-diphosphate. The arabino 2[prime or minute]-mercapto group might interact with the crucial thiyl radical at cysteine 439 leading to the inhibition of ribonucleotide reductases via formation of a Cys439-2[prime or minute]-mercapto disulfide bridge. The 2,6-diamino-, 2-amino-6-chloro- and 2-amino-6-methoxypurine ribosides were also converted to the corresponding 2[prime or minute]-deoxy-2[prime or minute]-propyldithio-[small beta]-d-arabinofuranosyl nucleosides, which might serve as convenient precursors to the arabino epimer of 2[prime or minute]-thioguanosine. Analogously, 2[prime or minute]-deoxy-2[prime or minute]-propyldithioadenosine was prepared from 9-([small beta]-d-arabinofuranosyl)adenine. The nucleoside disulfides show modest cytotoxicity in a panel of human tumor cell lines.     

Synthesis of 11C-labelled N,N'-diphenylurea and ethyl phenylcarbamate by a rhodium-promoted carbonylation via [11C]isocyanatobenzene using phenyl azide and [11C]carbon monoxide

The reaction with phenyl azide and [11C]carbon monoxide to give N,N'-diphenyl[11C]urea and ethyl phenyl[11C]carbamate has been studied with the aim of development of a new methodology for carbonylation using [11C]carbon monoxide with high specific radioactivity. The synthesis of 11C-labelled N,N'-diphenylurea from phenyl azide and [11C]carbon monoxide, with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane-bound Rh(I) complex at 120 degrees C at a pressure of 35 MPa in the presence of aniline was accomplished in 82% trapping efficiency and 82% conversion yield. This approach was also useful for the synthesis of ethyl phenyl[11C]carbamate with lithium ethoxide as a nucleophilic reagent giving 90% trapping efficiency and 76% conversion yield. These reactions can be considered to proceed via a [11C]isocyanate or a [11C]isocyanate-coordinated Rh complex to give the corresponding 11C-products. This protocol provides the chemical basis for the synthesis of [11C]urea and [11C]carbamate derived from [11C]isocyanates.     

离子液体对稠油的改质降黏作用影响因素研究

合成了烷基咪唑型离子液体\[BMIM\]\[AlCl₄\],研究了稠油含硫量、含水量、过渡金属盐、温度等对离子液体进行稠油改质降黏作用的影响。实验结果表明,稠油含一定硫量是进行稠油改质降黏的必要条件。用\[BMIM\]\[AlCl₄\]离子液体对稠油进行有效的改质降黏时,稠油含水量应小于10%。环烷酸镍(NiNaph）与离子液体复配使用对稠油改质降黏具有增效作用。用质量分数为5%的\[BMIM\]\[AlCl₄\]离子液体在一定条件下处理新疆稠油,可使稠油降黏率达到60%,沥青质降低78%。用\[BMIM\]\[AlCl₄\] 离子液体对新疆稠油进行改质降黏的最佳温度为65℃~85℃。     

Compressing a Non-Planar Aromatic Heterocyclic [7]Helicene to a Planar Hetero[8]Circulene

This work describes a synthetic approach where a non-planar aromatic heterocyclic [7]helicene is compressed to yield a hetero[8]circulene containing an inner antiaromatic cyclooctatetraene (COT) core. This [8]circulene consists of four benzene rings and four heterocyclic rings, and it is the first heterocyclic [8]circulene containing three different heteroatoms. The synthetic pathway proceeds via a the flattened dehydro-hetero[7]helicene, which is partially a helicene and partially a circulene: it is non-planar and helically chiral as helicenes, and contains a COT motif like [8]circulenes. The antiaromaticity of the COT core is confirmed by nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) calculations. The planarization from a helically π-conjugated [7]helicene to a fully planar heterocyclic [8]circulene significantly alters the spectroscopic properties of the molecules. Post-functionalization of the [7]helicenes and the [8]circulenes by oxygenation of the thiophene rings to the corresponding thiophene-sulfones allows an almost complete fluorescence emission coverage of the visible region of the optical spectrum (400–700 nm).     

Synthesis of tetraazacalix[2]arene[2]triazines: tuning the cavity by the substituents on the bridging nitrogen atoms

[Structure: see text] A number of tetraazacalix[2]arene[2]triazines bearing different substituents on the bridging nitrogen atoms were synthesized efficiently using a fragment coupling strategy. The N-arylation of the parent azacalix[2]arene]2]triazine afforded tetra(arylaza)calix[2]arene[2]triazine in 91% yield. The introduction of different substituents on the bridging positions led to the regulation of the cavity of the resulting macrocyclic molecules.     

Magnetism of cyano-bridged Ln3+-M3+ complexes. Part II: one-dimensional complexes (Ln3+ = Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm; M3+ = Fe or Co) with bpy as blocking ligand

The reaction of Ln(NO3)3(aq) with K3[Fe(CN)6] or K3[Co(CN)6] and 2,2'-bipyridine in water/ethanol led to 13 one-dimensional complexes: trans-[M(CN)4(mu-CN)2Ln(H2O)4(bpy)]n.4nH2O.1.5nbpy (Ln = Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+, Lu3+; M = Fe3+, Co3+). The structures for [EuFe]n (1), [TbFe]n (2), [DyFe]n (3), [HoFe]n (4), [ErFe]n (5), [TmFe]n (6), [LuFe]n (7), [EuCo]n (8), [TbCo]n (9), [DyCo]n (10), [HoCo]n (11), [ErCo]n (12), and [TmCo]n (13) have been solved: they crystallize in the triclinic space group P and are isomorphous. They exhibit a supramolecular architecture created by the interplay of coordinative, hydrogen bonding, and pi-pi interactions. A stereochemical study of the eight-vertex polyhedra of the lanthanide ions, based on continuous shape measures, is presented. The Ln3+-Fe3+ interaction is antiferromagnetic in [DyFe]n and [TbFe]n. For [EuFe]n, [HoFe]n, [ErFe]n, and [TmFe]n, there is no sign of any significant interaction. The magnetic behavior of [DyFe]n suggests the onset of weak long-range ferromagnetic ordering at 2.5 K.     

Self-assembly and characterization of cyano-bridged bimetallic [Ln-Fe] and [Ln-Co] complexes (Ln = La, Pr, Nd and Sm). Nature of the magnetic interactions between the Ln(3+) and Fe(3+) ions

Two structural series, including seven isomorphous heterodinuclear complexes, [Ln(DMSO)4(H2O)3(mu-CN)M(CN)5].H2O ([La-Fe] (1), [Pr-Fe] (2), [Pr-Co] (3), [Nd-Fe] (4), [Nd-Co] (5), [Sm-Fe] (6) and [Sm-Co] (7)), and seven isostructural 2-D stair-like cyano-bridged bimetallic assemblies, [Ln(DMSO)2(H2O)(mu-CN)4M(CN)2]n ([La-Fe]n (8), [Pr-Fe]n (9), [Pr-Co]n (10), [Nd-Fe]n (11), [Nd-Co]n (12), [Sm-Fe]n (13) and [Sm-Co]n (14)) (DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide), have been rationally prepared by a facile approach, a ball-milling method, and characterized by X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. The isomorphous structures, in conjunction with the diamagnetism of the Co(3+) and La(3+) ions, allow an approximation to the nature of coupling between the iron(III) and lanthanide(III) ions in the Ln(3+)-Fe(3+) complexes. The Ln(3+)-Fe(3+) interaction is ferromagnetic for the dinuclear [Pr-Fe] (2), [Nd-Fe] (4), and [Sm-Fe] (6) systems and for the 2-D [Pr-Fe]n (9), [Nd-Fe]n (11), and [Sm-Fe]n (13) assemblies.     

Gold-catalyzed assembly of heterobicyclic systems

We have described an efficient gold-catalyzed double cyclization of 1,5-enynes to afford a range of heterobicyclic compounds, including oxabicylclo[3.2.1]octenes, azabicyclo[3.2.1]octenes, oxaspiro[5.4]decene, azaspiro[5.4]decene, oxaspiro[5.5]undecene, oxabicyclo[4.3.0]nonene, azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonene, and oxabicyclo[4.4.0]decene. The mechanism of this reaction is proposed to involve a chemoselective gold-based alkyne activation, carbocyclization, intramolecular nucleophilic addition, followed by protodemetalation. The most notable aspect of this process is the efficient and diastereospecific interception of the reactive intermediate of the initial 6-endo-dig (or 5-endo-dig) cyclization with either oxygen- or nitrogen-based nucleophiles.     

The cucurbit[n]uril family: prime components for self-sorting systems

We determined the values of Ka for a wide range of host-guest complexes of cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]), where n = 6-8, using 1H NMR competition experiments referenced to absolute binding constants measured by UV/vis titration. We find that the larger homologues--CB[7] and CB[8]--individually maintain the size, shape, and functional group selectivity that typifies the recognition behavior of CB[6]. The cavity of CB[7] is found to effectively host trimethylsilyl groups. Remarkably, the values of Ka for the interaction of CB[7] with adamantane derivatives 22-24 exceeds 10(12) M(-1)! The high levels of selectivity observed for each CB[n] individually is also observed for the CB[n] family collectively. That is, the selectivities of CB[6], CB[7], and CB[8] toward a common guest can be remarkably large. For example, guests 1, 3, and 11 prefer CB[8] relative to CB[7] by factors greater than 10(7), 10(6), and 3000, respectively. Conversely, guests 23 and 24 prefer CB[7] relative to CB[8] by factors greater than 5100 and 990, respectively. The high levels of selectivity observed individually and collectively for the CB[n] family renders them prime components for the preparation of functional biomimetic self-sorting systems.     

A new class of ammonium ylid for [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement reactions: ene-endo-spiro ylids

The first examples of sigmatropic rearrangements of ene-endo-spirocyclic, tetrahydropyridine-derived ammonium ylids are reported. Thus, spiro[6.7]-ylids rearrange primarily by a [2,3]-pathway, whereas the analogous [6.6]-ylids rearrange by [1,2]- and [2,3]-mechanisms in roughly equal proportions. This method serves as a rapid entry to the core of a range of alkaloids bearing a pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepine or octahydroindolizidine nucleus.     

Electron-acceptor-induced isomerization of aryl [6,5] open fulleroids to [6,6] closed methanofullerenes and the electrochemical evaluation of their free energy difference

The thermal and photochemical rearrangements of a series of aryl substituted [6,5] open fulleroids to [6,6] closed methanofullerenes are accelerated in the presence in of electron acceptors. These [6,5] open fulleroids, facilitated by electron acceptors, rearrange thermally by a zwitteronic-type intermediate, while the photochemical reactions proceed via an excited-state electron-transfer process. The oxidation potentials of these [6,5] open fulleroids and their corresponding [6,6] closed methanofullerenes isomers have been evaluated. The free energy difference between the [6,5] open fulleroids and their corresponding [6,6] closed isomers have been estimated from the difference in their oxidation potentials.