Magnetic Coupling in Enantiomerically Pure Trinuclear Helicate‐Type Complexes Formed by Hierarchical Self‐Assembly

Based on chiral, enantiomerically pure 7‐[(S)‐phenylethylurea]‐8‐hydroxyquinoline ( 1 ‐H), trinuclear helicate‐type complexes 2 – 5 are formed with divalent transition‐metal cations. X‐ray structural analyses reveal the connection of two monomeric complex units [M( 1 )₃]^? (M=Zn, Mn, Co, Ni) by a central metal ion to form a “dimer”. Due to the enantiopurity of the ligand, the complexes are obtained as pure enantiomers, resulting in pronounced circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Single‐ion effects and intra‐ and intermolecular coupling are observed with dominating ferromagnetic coupling in the case of the cobalt(II) and nickel(II) and dominating antiferromagnetic coupling in the case of the manganese(II) complex.     

A Highly Fluorescent Metallosalalen‐Based Chiral Cage for Enantioselective Recognition and Sensing

A highly fluorescent coordination cage [Zn₈L₄I₈] has been constructed by treating enantiopure pyridyl‐functionalized metallosalalen units (L) with zinc(II) iodide and characterized by a variety of techniques including microanalysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. Strong intermolecular π–π, CH???π, and CH???I interactions direct packing of the cage molecules to generate a 3D polycage network interconnected by pentahedral cages formed by adjacent pentamers. The cage has an amphiphilic helical cavity decorated with chiral NH functionalities capable of interactions with guest species such as saccharides. The fluorescence of the cage was greatly enhanced by five enantiomeric saccharides in solution, with enantioselectivity factors of 2.480–4.943, and by five enantiomeric amines in the solid state, with enantioselective fluorescence enhancement ratios of 1.30–3.60. This remarkable chiral sensing of both saccharides and amines with impressive enantioselectivity may result from the steric confinement of the cavity as well as its conformational rigidity. It holds great promise for the development of novel chiral cage materials for sensing applications.     

Solvent‐Dependent Self‐Assembly Behaviour and Speciation Control of Pd6L8 Metallo‐supramolecular Cages

The C₃‐symmetric chiral propylated host‐type ligands (±)‐tris(isonicotinoyl)‐tris(propyl)‐cyclotricatechylene ( L1 ) and (±)‐tris(4‐pyridyl‐4‐benzoxy)‐tris(propyl)‐cyclotricatechylene ( L2 ) self‐assemble with Pd^II into [Pd₆L₈]¹²⁺ metallo‐cages that resemble a stella octangula. The self‐assembly of the [Pd₆( L1 )₈]¹²⁺ cage is solvent‐dependent; broad NMR resonances and a disordered crystal structure indicate no chiral self‐sorting of the ligand enantiomers in DMSO solution, but sharp NMR resonances occur in MeCN or MeNO₂. The [Pd₆( L1 )₈]¹²⁺ cage is observed to be less favourable in the presence of additional ligand, than is its counterpart, where L=(±)‐tris(isonicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene ( L1 a ). The stoichiometry of reactant mixtures and chemical triggers can be used to control formation of mixtures of homoleptic or heteroleptic [Pd₆L₈]¹²⁺ metallo‐cages where L= L1 and L1 a .     

Strongly Coupled Cyclometalated Ruthenium–Triarylamine Hybrids: Tuning Electrochemical Properties,Intervalence Charge Transfer,and Spin Distribution by Substituent Effects

Nine cyclometalated ruthenium complexes with a redox‐active diphenylamine unit in the para position to the Ru?C bond were prepared. MeO, Me, and Cl substituents on the diphenylamine unit and three types of auxiliary ligands—bis(N‐methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine (Mebip), 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (tpy), and trimethyl‐4,4′,4′′‐tricarboxylate‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (Me₃tctpy)—were used to vary the electronic properties of these complexes. The derivative with an MeO‐substituted amine unit and Me₃tctpy ligand was studied by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. All complexes display two well‐separated redox waves in the potential region of +0.1 to +1.0 V versus Ag/AgCl, and the potential splitting ranges from 360 to 510 mV. Spectroelectrochemical measurements show that these complexes display electrochromism at low potentials and intense near‐infrared (NIR) absorptions. In the one‐electron oxidized form, the complex with the Cl‐substituted amine unit and Mebip ligand shows a moderate ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer at 800 nm. The other eight complexes show asymmetric, narrow, and intense intervalence charge‐transfer transitions in the NIR region, which are independent of the polarity of the solvent. The Mebip‐containing complexes display rhombic or broad isotropic EPR signals, whereas the other seven complexes show relatively narrow isotropic EPR signals. In addition, DFT and time‐dependent DFT studies were performed to gain insights into the spin distributions and NIR absorptions.     

Chiral Self‐Discrimination and Guest Recognition in Helicene‐Based Coordination Cages

Chiral nanosized confinements play a major role for enantioselective recognition and reaction control in biological systems. Supramolecular self‐assembly gives access to artificial mimics with tunable sizes and properties. Herein, a new family of [Pd₂L₄] coordination cages based on a chiral [6]helicene backbone is introduced. A racemic mixture of the bis‐monodentate pyridyl ligand L¹ selectively assembles with Pd^II cations under chiral self‐discrimination to an achiral meso cage, cis‐[Pd₂ L^1P ₂ L^1M ₂]. Enantiopure L¹ forms homochiral cages [Pd₂ L^1P/M ₄]. A longer derivative L² forms chiral cages [Pd₂ L^2P/M ₄] with larger cavities, which bind optical isomers of chiral guests with different affinities. Owing to its distinct chiroptical properties, this cage can distinguish non‐chiral guests of different lengths, as they were found to squeeze or elongate the cavity under modulation of the helical pitch of the helicenes. The CD spectroscopic results were supported by ion mobility mass spectrometry.     

Conformationally Flexible Biphenyl‐phosphane Ligands for Ru‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation

Stereomutation of a BIPHEP/RuCl ₂ /diamine complex (shown schematically) is possible because of the conformational flexibilty of BIPHEP ligands. The result is an asymmetric activation in the Ru‐catalyzed hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds to optically active alcohols. Whereas a racemic BINAP/RuCl₂ complex with a chiral diamine activator gives a 1:1 mixture of two diastereomers, unequal amounts of the diastereomers can be produced from a BIPHEP/RuCl₂ complex and a chiral diamine. Ar=3,5‐dimethylphenyl, BINAP=2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl, BIPHEP=2,2′‐bis(diarylphosphanyl)biphenyl.     

Asymmetric Substitutions of 2‐Lithiated N‐Boc‐piperidine and N‐Boc‐azepine by Dynamic Resolution

Proton abstraction of N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl‐piperidine (N‐Boc‐piperidine) with sBuLi and TMEDA provides a racemic organolithium that can be resolved using a chiral ligand. The enantiomeric organolithiums can interconvert so that a dynamic resolution occurs. Two mechanisms for promoting enantioselectivity in the products are possible. Slow addition of an electrophile such as trimethylsilyl chloride allows dynamic resolution under kinetic control (DKR). This process occurs with high enantioselectivity and is successful by catalysis with substoichiometric chiral ligand (catalytic dynamic kinetic resolution). Alternatively, the two enantiomers of this organolithium can be resolved under thermodynamic control with good enantioselectivity (dynamic thermodynamic resolution, DTR). The best ligands found are based on chiral diamino‐alkoxides. Using DTR, a variety of electrophiles can be used to provide an asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically enriched 2‐substituted piperidines, including (after Boc deprotection) the alkaloid (+)‐β‐conhydrine. The chemistry was extended, albeit with lower yields, to the corresponding 2‐substituted seven‐membered azepine ring derivatives.     

Solvent‐ and Temperature‐Controlled In Situ Ligand Reactions Mediated by CuII and 3′‐[(E)‐{[(1S,2S)‐2‐Aminocyclohexyl]imino}methyl]‐4′‐hydroxy‐4‐biphenylcarboxlic Acid

Three new compounds, CuL, CuL′, and Cu₂O₂L′′₂ (H₂L=3′‐[(E)‐{[(1S,2S)‐2‐aminocyclohexyl]imino}methyl]‐4′‐hydroxy‐4‐biphenylcarboxlic acid, H₂L′=3′‐[(E)‐{[(1S,2S)‐2‐aminocyclohexyl]imino}methyl]‐4′‐hydroxy‐5′‐nitro‐4‐biphenylcarboxlic acid, H₂L′′=3′‐(N,N‐dimethylamino methyl)‐4′‐hydroxy‐4‐biphenylcarboxlic acid), were selectively synthesized through a controlled in situ ligand reaction system mediated by copper(II) nitrate and H₂L. Selective nitration was achieved by using different solvent mixtures under relatively mild conditions, and an interesting and economical reductive amination system in DMF/EtOH/H₂O was also found. All crystal structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Both CuL and CuL′ display chiral 1D chain structures, whereas Cu₂O₂L′′₂ possesses a structure with 13×16 Å channels and a free volume of 41.4 %. The possible mechanisms involved in this in situ ligand‐controlled reaction system are discussed in detail.     

Bis(N‐Confused Porphyrin) as a Semirigid Receptor with a Chirality Memory: A Two‐Way Host Enantiomerization through Point‐to‐Axial Chirality Transfer

The adduct formation of protonated bis(N‐confused porphyrin) (BNCP, 3,3′‐bis(meso‐tetratolyl‐2‐aza‐21‐carbaporphyrin) with chiral anions, carboxylic acids, and alcohols was studied in solution by means of ¹H NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic analysis and DFT methods. The addition of enantiopure guests to the acidified BNCP resulted in optical activity that vanished after neutralization. Pairs of the ¹H NMR‐distinguishable diastereomers were formed when enantiopure guests were applied, although a single form was observed upon the addition of the racemic mixtures in each case. Unidirectional configuration change that led to diastereomeric excess was observed in several instances. Such an excess was memorized by metalation of the adducts with AgBF₄, thus resulting in optically active silver(III) complexes of BNCP with some enantiomeric excess. Absolute configurations of BNCP cations and bis(zinc) and bis(silver(III)) complexes were determined on the basis of time‐dependent (TD)‐DFT calculations of their CD spectra. It was shown that some of the chiral carboxylates induced opposite directions of enantiomerization of di‐ and tetracations or di‐/tetracation and bis(zinc) complexes. The source of the optical activity of the equimolar diastereomeric mixture of adducts is discussed.     

Crystallographic report: [N,N′‐Bis‐(6‐methylpyrid‐2‐ylium)‐(1R,2R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane] bis‐[(p‐cymene)‐ trichlororuthenate(II)]

The chiral compound (H₂cydiampy)[RuCl₃(p‐cymene)]₂ has been obtained in high yield by treating [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ with an excess of hydrochloric acid in the presence of one equivalent of N,N′‐bis‐(6‐methylpyrid‐2‐yl)‐(1R,2R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane (cydiampy). It crystallizes in the chiral tetragonal space group P4₃2₁2, with half of the atoms of the dication related to the other half by a crystallographic C₂ axis that also makes equivalent the two anionic metal moieties. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lipase‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of C1‐ and C2‐Symmetric Racemic Axially Chiral 2,2′‐Dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls

We have discovered that the racemization of configurationally stable, axially chiral 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls proceeds with a catalytic amount of a cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complex at 35–50 °C. Combining this racemization procedure with lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution led to the first lipase/metal‐integrated dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic axially chiral biaryl compounds. The method was applied to the synthesis of various enantio‐enriched C₁‐ and C₂‐symmetric biaryl diols in yields of up to 98 % and enantiomeric excesses of up to 98 %, which paves the way for new developments in the field of asymmetric synthesis.     

Homochiral Supramolecular M2L4 Cages by High‐Fidelity Self‐Sorting of Chiral Ligands

A 1,1′‐binaphthyl‐based bis(pyridine) ligand ( 1 ) was prepared in racemic and enantiomerically pure form to study the formation of [Pd₂( 1 )₄] complexes upon coordination to palladium(II) ions with regard to the degree of chiral self‐sorting. The self‐assembly process proceeds in a highly selective narcissistic self‐recognition manner to give only homochiral supramolecular M₂L₄ cages, which were characterized by ESI‐MS, NMR, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy, as well as by single‐crystal XRD analysis.     

Size‐Selective Encapsulation of Hydrophobic Guests by Self‐Assembled M4L6 Cobalt and Nickel Cages

Subtle differences in metal–ligand bond lengths between a series of [M₄L₆]^4? tetrahedral cages, where M=Fe^II, Co^II, or Ni^II, were observed to result in substantial differences in affinity for hydrophobic guests in water. Changing the metal ion from iron(II) to cobalt(II) or nickel(II) increases the size of the interior cavity of the cage and allows encapsulation of larger guest molecules. NMR spectroscopy was used to study the recognition properties of the iron(II) and cobalt(II) cages towards small hydrophobic guests in water, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction was used to study the solid‐state complexes of the iron(II) and nickel(II) cages.     

Component Selection in the Self‐Assembly of Palladium(II) Nanocages and Cage‐to‐Cage Transformations

Dynamic supramolecular systems involving a tetratopic palladium(II) acceptor and three different pyridine‐ and imidazole‐based donors have been used for self‐selection by a synergistic effect of morphological information and coordination ability of ligands through specific coordination interactions. Three different cages were first synthesized by two‐component self‐assembly of individual donor and acceptor. When all four components were allowed to interact in a reaction mixture, only one out of three cages was isolated. The preferential binding affinity towards a particular partner was also established by transforming a non‐preferred cage into a preferred cage by interaction with the appropriate ligand. Computational studies further supported the fact that coordination interaction of imidazole moiety to Pd^II is enthalpically more preferred compared to pyridine, which drives the selection process. Analysis of crystal packing of both complexes indicated the presence of strong hydrogen bonds between nitrate and water molecules and also H‐bonded 3D networks of water. Both complexes exhibit promising proton conductivity (10^?5 to ca. 10^?3 S cm^?1) at ambient temperature under a relative humidity of circa 98 % with low activation energy.     

Substituent and Solvent Effects on the Electrochemical Properties and Intervalence Transfer in Asymmetric Mixed‐Valent Complexes Consisting of Cyclometalated Ruthenium and Ferrocene

Four heterodimetallic complexes [Ru(Fcdpb)(L)](PF₆) (Fcdpb=2‐deprotonated form of 1,3‐di(2‐pyridyl)‐5‐ferrocenylbenzene; L=2,6‐bis‐(N‐methylbenzimidazolyl)‐pyridine (Mebip), 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (tpy), 4‐nitro‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (NO₂tpy), and trimethyl‐4,4′,4′′‐tricarboxylate‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (Me₃tctpy)) have been prepared. The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of these complexes have been examined in CH₂Cl₂, CH₃NO₂, CH₃CN, and acetone. These complexes display two consecutive redox couples owing to the stepwise oxidation of the ferrocene (Fc) and ruthenium units, respectively. The potential difference, ΔE_1/2 (E_1/2(Ru^II/III)?E_1/2(Fc^0/+)), decreased slightly with increasing solvent donocity. The mixed‐valent states of these complexes have been generated by electrolysis and the resulting intervalence charge‐transfer (IVCT) bands have been analyzed by Hush theory. Good linear relationships exist between the energy of the IVCT band, E_op, and ΔE_1/2 of four mixed‐valent complexes in a given solvent.     

An Inherently Chiral Au24 Framework with Double‐Helical Hexagold Strands

2,3‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane enantiomers (chiraphos, L) used as chiral auxiliaries results in the preferential formation of an unprecedented Au₂₄ framework with inherent chirality. The crystal structure of [Au₂₄L₆Cl₄]²⁺ ( 1 ) has a square antiprism‐like octagold core twinned by two helicene‐like hexagold motifs, where the inherent chirality is associated with the helical arrangement. The clusters carrying (R,R)‐ and (S,S)‐ diphosphines had right‐ and left‐handed strands, respectively. Circular dichroism spectra showed peaks in the visible to near‐IR region, some of which did not coincide with absorption bands, suggesting the enantiomeric Au₂₄ frameworks possess unique chiroptical properties. The Au₂₄ frameworks were thermally robust, which could be attributed to the superatomic concept (18 e^? system) and the steric constraint effects of the bridging ligand units.     

Optical Activity in the Near‐IR Region: The λ=980 nm Multiplet of Chiral Yb3+ Complexes

We used a very simplified electrostatic model based on charge and polarizability of atoms and groups on an organic ligand around a lanthanide ion to predict the near‐infrared electronic circular dichroism (NIR ECD) spectra of Yb³⁺ (a monoelectronic ion). We tuned our method by using two widely different complexes. The first was the heterobimetallic species CsYb(hfbc)₄ [hfbc=(?)‐3‐heptafluorobutyrylcamphorate], in which the ligand is a diketonate and, as such, is endowed with a chromophore with strong UV absorption (π–π^*). Its oxygen atoms define a square antiprism, which provides a symmetric coordination polyhedron. The second system was Yb DOTMA [DOTMA=(1R,4R,7R,10R)‐α,α′,α′′,α′′′‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid], a chiral Yb analogue of Gd DOTA (DOTA=1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid), in which the ligand lacks relevant electronic transitions and provides a dissymmetric cage. The relative weights of dynamic (ligand polarization) and static contributions to Yb NIR ECD were evaluated, and the spectra appear to have been well predicted by theory through the introduction of a heuristic weight factor. To validate the approach and to confirm the value of the weight factor, we applied it to two other compounds, namely, Na₃Yb(BINOLate)₃ and Yb(BINOLAM)₃ [BINOLate=2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl; BINOLAM=3,3′‐bis(diethylaminomethyl)‐1‐1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol].     

Stereoselective P5‐Deltacyclene Alkylation,an Efficient Route to New Asymmetric P‐C‐Cage Compounds

Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐P₅‐deltacyclene 5 represents one of only two asymmetric P‐C cage compounds, which are available in highly enantiomerically enriched versions. This paper reports about stereoselective substitution reactions of 5 to develop the chemistry of optically active P‐C cages further. Electrophilic substitution of the only secondary phosphorus atom P1 of the cage with methyl and benzyl groups was achieved with 92 % and >99 % de, but the yields of the reactions are limited due to competing processes. The uncatalyzed hydrophosphination reaction of a monosubstituted allene and two α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds with 5 proved to be the method of choice. cis‐Butanone‐P₅‐deltacyclene 12 is formed in 92 % yield and with >99 % de and cis‐pentanone‐P₅‐deltacyclene 13a is accessible with >99 % de for P1 and 92 % de for the attached carbon atom at the same time. Besides stereoselectivity, the hydrophosphination reaction of 5 performs with a good regioselectivity. The chiral cage 5 controls the stereoselectivity of its reactions for the cage elements as well as for the α position of a substituent.     

[2]Catenanes Built Around Octahedral Transition‐Metal Complexes that Contain Two Intertwined Endocyclic but Non‐sterically Hindering Tridentate Ligands

Sterically hindering bidentate chelates, such as 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline, form entwined complexes with copper(I) and other tetrahedrally coordinated transition‐metal centres. To prepare octahedral complexes containing two entwined tridentate ligands and thus apply a strategy similar to that used for making catenanes with tetrahedral metal centres, the use of the classical terpy ligand (terpy=2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine) appears to be attractive. In fact, 6,6′′‐diphenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (dp‐terpy) is not appropriate due to strong “pinching” of the organic backbone by coordination to the metal and thus stable entwined complexes with this ligand cannot be obtained. Herein, we report the synthesis and coordination properties of a new family of tridentate ligands, the main features of which are their endocyclic nature and non‐sterically hindering character. The coordinating fragment consists of two 8′‐phenylisoquinolin‐3′‐yl groups attached at the 2 and 6 positions of a pyridine nucleus. Octahedral complexes containing two such entangled ligands around an octahedral metal centre, such as Fe^II, Ru^II or Co^III, are highly stable, with no steric congestion around the metal. By using functionalised ligands bearing terminal olefins, double ring‐closing metathesis leads to [2]catenanes in good yield with Fe^II or Co^III as the templating metal centre. The X‐ray crystallography structures of the Fe^II precursor and the Fe^II catenane are also reported. These show that although significant pinching of the ligand is observed in both Fe^II complexes, the system is very open and no steric constraints can be detected.     

Three structures of dispirooxindole derivatives generated in situ through a three‐component one‐pot strategy with complete regio‐ and stereoselectivity

The challenging molecular architecture of spirooxindoles is appealing to chemists because it evokes novel synthetic strategies that address configurational demands and provides platforms for further reaction development. The [3+2] cycloaddition of the carbonyl ylide with arylideneoxindole via a five‐membered cyclic transition state gave a novel class of dispirooxindole derivatives, namely tert‐butyl 4′‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1′′‐methyl‐2,2′′‐dioxo‐5′‐phenyl‐4′,5′‐dihydrodispiro[indoline‐3,2′‐furan‐3′,3′′‐indoline]‐1‐carboxylate, C₃₆H₃₁BrN₂O, (Ia), 5′‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1,1′′‐dimethyl‐4′‐phenyl‐4′,5′‐dihydrodispiro[indoline‐3,2′‐furan‐3′,3′′‐indoline]‐2,2′′‐dione, C₃₂H₂₅BrN₂O₃, (Ib), and tert‐butyl 1′′‐methyl‐2,2′′‐dioxo‐4′‐phenyl‐5′‐(p‐tolyl)‐4′,5′‐dihydrodispiro[indoline‐3,2′‐furan‐3′,3′′‐indoline]‐1‐carboxylate, C₃₇H₃₄N₂O₅, (Ic). Crystal structure analyses of these dispirooxindoles revealed the formation of two diastereoisomers selectively and confirmed their relative stereochemistry (SSSR and RRRS). In all three structures, intramolecular C—H...O and π–π interactions between oxindole and dihydrofuran rings are the key factors governing the regio‐ and stereoselectivity, and in the absence of conventional hydrogen bonds, their crystal packings are strengthened by intermolecular C—H...π interactions.