Supramolecular Structures of Titanium(IV)‐Substituted Wells–Dawson Polyoxotungstates

The novel, dimeric titanium(IV )‐substituted phosphotungstate [(TiP₂W₁₅O₅₅OH)₂]^14? ( 1 ) has been synthesized and characterized by IR and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal Xray diffraction. The polyanion consists of two [P₂W₁₅O₅₆]^12? Wells–Dawson moieties linked through two titanium(IV ) centers. Polyanion 1 is a dilacunary species and represents the first Ti‐containing sandwich‐type structure. The titanium centers are octahedrally coordinated by three oxygen atoms of each P₂W₁₅O₅₆ subunit. The edge‐shared TiO₆ units are symmetrically equivalent and have no terminal ligands. Polyanion 1 shows a chiral distortion within each P₂W₁₅Ti fragment. We also report on the structural characterization of the tetrameric, supramolecular species [{Ti₃P₂W₁₅O_57.5(OH)₃}₄]^24? ( 2 ). Polyanion 2 is composed of four equivalent P₂W₁₅Ti₃ fragments, fused together through terminal Ti? O bonds, leading to a structure with T_d symmetry.     

Homo‐ and Heterodinuclear Helicates of Lanthanide(III), Zinc(II) and Aluminium(III) Based on 8‐Hydroxyquinoline Ligands

Homonuclear helicates with rare‐earth‐metal(III) ions or heteronuclear derivatives with rare‐earth‐metal and aluminium or zinc centres are obtained in alkali‐metal‐templated self‐assembly processes from isobutenylidene‐bridged homoditopic bis(2‐carbamido‐8‐hydroxyquinoline)‐derived ligands 1 ? H₂ and 2 ? H₂ or heteroditopic (8‐hydroxyquinoline)(2‐carbamido‐8‐hydroxyquinoline)‐derived ligands 3 ? H₂ and 4 ? H₂. Diamagnetic coordination compounds possess a high stability in organic solvents such as CDCl₃, [D₄]MeOH or [D₆]DMSO and can be well characterised by ¹H NMR spectroscopy by using methylene protons and the protons of the vinylic units of the ligand as stereochemical or symmetry probes, respectively. Some of the homonuclear complexes could be crystallised and were characterised by using X‐ray diffraction studies. The complexes adopt a triple‐stranded helical structure with a central templating cation encapsulated in their interior. An unusual orientation of the double bond of one spacer towards this cation is observed. The homo‐ and heterodinuclear helicates with ytterbium(III), neodymium(III) or erbium(III) of ligands 2 and 4 were of special interest owing to their near‐infrared (NIR) emitting properties, which were investigated depending on the lanthanide and on the encapsulated alkali‐metal cation.     

Self‐Assembly of 3,6‐Bis(4‐triazolyl)pyridazine Ligands with Copper(I) and Silver(I) Ions: Time‐Dependant 2D‐NOESY and Ultracentrifuge Measurements

Two 3,6‐bis(R‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridazines (R=mesityl, monodisperse (CH₂ CH₂O)₁₂CH₃) were synthesized by the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition and self‐assembled with tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I) hexafluorophosphate and silver(I) hexafluoroantimonate in dichloromethane. The obtained copper(I) complexes were characterized in detail by time‐dependent 1D [¹H, ¹³C] and 2D [¹H‐NOESY] NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, high‐resolution ESI‐TOF mass spectrometry, and analytical ultracentrifugation. The latter characterization methods, as well as the comparison to analog 3,6‐di(2‐pyridyl)pyridazine (dppn) systems and their corresponding copper(I) and silver(I) complexes indicated that the herein described 3,6‐bis(1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridazine ligands form [2×2] supramolecular grids. However, in the case of the 3,6‐bis(1‐mesityl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridazine ligand, the resultant red‐colored copper(I) complex turned out to be metastable in an acetone solution. This behavior in solution was studied by NMR spectroscopy, and it led to the conclusion that the copper(I) complex transforms irreversibly into at least one different metal complex species.     

NMR Spectroscopic Study of the Self‐Aggregation of 3‐Hexen‐1,5‐diyne Derivatives

The self‐assembly of polycatenar molecules derived from 1,6‐diphenyl‐3,4‐dipropyl‐3‐hexen‐1,5‐diyne has been studied in detail by solution NMR spectroscopy. The analysis of the concentration‐ and temperature‐dependent evolution of the chemical shifts and the diffusion coefficients in [D₁₂]cyclohexane agrees well with an isodesmic model of association in this solvent. The association constants for the stacking and entropy and enthalpy of the process have been obtained. The driving force for the aggregation process is provided by a negative enthalpy (ΔH), which is partially compensated by a negative entropy (ΔS). A structural study of the self‐assembly in solution has been carried out with the help of NOESY NMR spectroscopic experiments.     

Breaking the Odd–Even Effect in the Self‐Assembly of Linear Bis(benzamides)

The twisting of supramolecular aggregates formed from simple linear bis(benzamides) has been investigated. The antiparallel arrangement of the amide functional groups controls the generation of twisted supramolecular structures. The results presented herein could contribute to elaborate predictive tools applicable in the generation of chiral supramolecular structures.     

Stereocontrol in Dinuclear Triple Lithium‐Bridged Titanium(IV) Complexes: Solving Some Stereochemical Mysteries

Compounds 1 a – f ‐H₂ form “monomeric” triscatecholate titanium(IV) complexes [Ti( 1 a – f )₃]^2?, which in the presence of Li cations are in equilibrium with the triple lithium‐bridged “dimers” [Li₃(Ti( 1 a – f )₃)₂]^?. The equilibrium strongly depends on the donor ability of the solvent. Usually, in solvents with high donor ability, the stereochemically labile monomer is preferred, whereas in nondonor solvents, the dimer is the major species. In the latter, the stereochemistry at the complex units is “locked”. The configuration at the titanium(IV) triscatecholates is influenced by addition of chiral ammonium countercations. In this case, the induced stereochemical information at the monomer is transferred to the dimer. Alternatively, the configuration at the metal complexes can be controlled by enantiomerically pure ester side chains. Due to the different orientation of the ester groups in the monomer or dimer, opposite configurations of the triscatecholates were observed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy for [Ti( 1 c – e )₃]^2? or [Li₃(Ti( 1 c – e )₃)₂]^?. A surprising exception was found for the dimer [Li₃(Ti( 1 f )₃)₂]^?. Herein, the dimer is the dominating species in weak donor (methanol), as well as strong donor (DMSO), solvents. This is due to the bulkiness of the ester substituent destabilizing the monomer. Due to the size of the substituent in [Li₃(Ti( 1 f )₃)₂]^? the esters have to adopt an unusual conformation in the dimer resulting in a stereocontrol of the small methyl group. Following this, opposite stereocontrol mechanisms were observed for the central metal‐complex units of [Li₃(Ti( 1 c – e )₃)₂]^? or [Li₃(Ti( 1 f )₃)₂]^?.     

Herringbone and Helical Self‐Assembly of π‐Conjugated Molecules in the Solid State through CH/π Hydrogen Bonds

Self‐organization of organic molecules through weak noncovalent forces such as CH/π interactions and creation of large hierarchical supramolecular structures in the solid state are at the very early stage of research. The present study reports direct evidence for CH/π interaction driven hierarchical self‐assembly in π‐conjugated molecules based on custom‐designed oligophenylenevinylenes (OPVs) whose structures differ only in the number of carbon atoms in the tails. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures were resolved for these OPV synthons and the existence of long‐range multiple‐arm CH/π interactions was revealed in the crystal lattices. Alignment of these π‐conjugated OPVs in the solid state was found to be crucial in producing either right‐handed herringbone packing in the crystal or left‐handed helices in the liquid‐crystalline mesophase. Pitch‐ and roll‐angle displacements of OPV chromophores were determined to trace the effect of the molecular inclination on the ordering of hierarchical structures. Furthermore, circular dichroism studies on the OPVs were carried out in the aligned helical structures to prove the existence of molecular self‐assembly. Thus, the present strategy opens up new approaches in supramolecular chemistry based on weak CH/π hydrogen bonding, more specifically in π‐conjugated materials.     

A Bowl‐Shaped Circular Trinuclear Helicate Generated from a TiO4N2 Motif by a Multicomponent Self‐Assembly Approach

The synthesis of a bowl‐shaped trinuclear circular titanium‐based helicate is reported. The strategy allowing access to this neutral architecture is based on a multicomponent self‐assembly approach in which the ligands involved in the process are a bis‐biphenol strand and 2,2′‐ bipyrimidine. By reacting the bis‐biphenol ligand and 2,2′‐bipyrimidine with an equimolar amount [Ti(OiPr)₄], a bowl‐shaped architecture is obtained through the formation of 18 new coordination bonds. This aggregate built from three octahedral TiO₄N₂ nodes displays an unusually high stability in solution compared to related species. In addition, by modifying the stoichiometry of the initial components, two assemblies incorporating two titanium centers bridged by a 2,2′‐bipyrimidine ligand are obtained. The crystal structures of these species are reported.     

Sonication‐Induced Coiled Fibrous Architectures of Boc‐L‐Phe‐L‐Lys(Z)‐OMe

An ultra‐short peptide Boc‐L ‐Phe‐L ‐Lys(Z)‐OMe (Z=carbobenzyloxy) was shown to act as a highly efficient and versatile low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) for a variety of aliphatic and aromatic solvents under sonication. Remarkably, this simple dipeptide is not only able to form coiled fibres but also demonstrates self‐healing and thermal chiroptical switching behaviour. The formation of coiled assemblies was found to be influenced by the nature of the solvent and the presence of an additive. By exploiting these properties it was possible to modulate the macroscopic and microscopic properties of the organogels of this ultra‐short peptide, allowing the formation of highly ordered single‐domain networks of helical fibres with dimeric or alternatively fibre‐bundle morphology. The organogels were characterized by using FTIR, SEM, NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Interestingly, CD experiments showed that the organogels of Boc‐L ‐Phe‐L ‐Lys(Z)‐OMe in aromatic solvents exhibit thermal chiroptical switching. This behaviour was hypothesized to stem from changes in the morphology of the gel accompanied by conformational transformation of the gelling agent. The fact that such a small peptide can demonstrate hierarchical assemblies and the possibility of controlling the self‐association is rather intriguing. The self‐healing ability, chiroptical switching and more importantly the formation of helical assemblies by Boc‐L ‐Phe‐L ‐Lys(Z)‐OMe under sonication, make this dipeptide an interesting example of the self‐assembly ability of ultra‐short peptides.     

Hydrogen Bonding Directed Supramolecular Polymerisation of Oligo(Phenylene‐Ethynylene)s: Cooperative Mechanism,Core Symmetry Effect and Chiral Amplification

The design of supramolecular motifs with tuneable stability and adjustable supramolecular polymerisation mechanisms is of crucial importance to precisely control the properties of supramolecular assemblies. This report focuses on constructing π‐conjugated oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE)‐based one‐dimensional helical supramolecular polymers that show a cooperative growth mechanism. Thus, a novel set of discotic molecules comprising a rigid OPE core, three amide groups, and peripheral solubilising wedge groups featuring C₃ and C₂ core symmetry was designed and synthesised. All of the discotic molecules are crystalline compounds and lack a columnar mesophase in the solid state. In dilute methylcyclohexane solution, one‐dimensional supramolecular polymers are formed stabilised by threefold intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions, as evidenced by ¹H NMR measurements. Small‐angle X‐ray and light scattering measurements reveal significant size differences between the columnar aggregates of C₃‐ and C₂‐symmetrical discotics, that is, the core symmetry strongly influences the nature of the supramolecular polymerisation process. Temperature‐dependent CD measurements show a highly cooperative polymerisation process for the C₃‐symmetrical discotics. In contrast, the self‐assembly of C₂‐symmetrical discotics shows a smaller enthalpy release upon aggregation and decreased cooperativity. In all cases, the peripheral stereogenic centres induce a preferred handedness in the columnar helical aggregates. Moreover, one stereogenic centre suffices to fully bias the helicity in the C₂‐symmetrical discotics. Finally, chiral amplification studies with the C₃‐symmetrical discotics were performed by mixing chiral and achiral discotics (sergeants‐and‐soldiers experiment) and discotics of opposite chirality (majority‐rules experiment). The results demonstrate a very strong sergeants‐and‐soldiers effect and a rather weak majority‐rules effect.     

Unusual Stepwise Protonation and J‐Aggregation of meso‐Tetrakis(N‐methylpyridinium‐4‐yl)porphine on Binding Poly(sodium vinylsulfonate)

The binding of a tetracationic porphyrin to a highly charged polymer like poly(sodium vinylsulfonate) has been investigated over a wide pH range and under various experimental conditions. We present evidence that, depending on the pH, the high electrostatic field exerted by the polymer stabilizes the diprotonated form of the free base porphyrin at unusual pH values or otherwise causes the formation of H‐type aggregates. In particular, at a low polymer concentration, lowering the pH at first allows the formation of the diacid species then it determines its reorganization in close‐packed J‐type aggregates. The employment of various metallo‐derivatives of the title porphyrin enables a better insight into the nature of all the detected species.     

Two‐Component Fibers/Gels and Vesicles Formed from Hetero‐Double‐Helices of Pseudoenantiomeric Ethynylhelicene Oligomers with Branched Side Chains

A methodology for the formation of fibers/gels and vesicles by molecular assembly and for controlling their properties is presented. Two‐component systems of pentamer (P)‐ 5 and tetramer (M)‐ 4 pseudoenantiomeric ethynylhelicenes with decyloxycarbonyl (D) and 4‐methyl‐2‐(2‐methylpropyl)‐1‐pentyloxycarbonyl (bD) side‐chains have been examined. Distinct aggregates were formed by changing the solvent for the three combinations of (P)‐bD‐ 5 /(M)‐bD‐ 4 , (P)‐D‐ 5 /(M)‐bD‐ 4 , and (P)‐D‐ 5 /(M)‐D‐ 4 . In toluene, (P)‐bD‐ 5 /(M)‐bD‐ 4 , (P)‐D‐ 5 /(M)‐bD‐ 4 , and (P)‐D‐ 5 /(M)‐D‐ 4 all formed gels and fibrous assemblies were observed by AFM. The minimum gel‐forming concentration (MGC) decreased in the order (P)‐bD‐ 5 /(M)‐bD‐ 4 >(P)‐D‐ 5 /(M)‐bD‐ 4 >(P)‐D‐ 5 /(M)‐D‐ 4 . In diethyl ether, vesicular formation was observed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), AFM, and TEM, and the size of the vesicles decreased in the order (P)‐bD‐ 5 /(M)‐bD‐ 4 >(P)‐D ‐ 5 /(M)‐bD‐ 4 >(P)‐D ‐ 5 /(M)‐D ‐ 4 . Both fiber/gel and vesicle formation were accompanied by enhanced CDs and redshifted UV/Vis absorption bands with a change in color to deep yellow. These are novel two‐component oligomeric systems that form assemblies of fibers/gels or vesicles depending on the solvent, and the structures and properties of the assemblies can be fine‐tuned by changing the combination of oligomers. In m‐difluorobenzene, a homogeneous solution was obtained with (P)‐D‐ 5 /(M)‐bD‐ 4 , which again exhibits enhanced CDs and redshifted UV/Vis absorptions. Vapor pressure osmometry analysis showed the formation of a bimolecular heteroaggregate. The study has indicated that pseudoenantiomeric oligomers form hetero‐double‐helices that hierarchically assemble to form fibers/gels and vesicles.     

Redox‐Controlled Helical Self‐Assembly of a Polyoxometalate Complex

Polyoxometalate (POM) complex (DODA)₂[Mo₆O₁₉] with a symmetrical linear structure was prepared conveniently by replacing the tetrabutylammonium (TBA) counterions of Lindquist‐type cluster (TBA)₂[Mo₆O₁₉] with cationic surfactant dioctadecyldimethylammonium (DODA). A helical self‐assembled structure of the complex was formed in dichloromethane/propanol. The dynamically reversible transformation between helical and spherical assemblies on alternate UV irradiation and H₂O₂ oxidation was characterized by SEM, TEM, and UV/Vis studies. The redox‐controlled morphology change is modulated by variation of the electrostatic interactions between the inorganic polyanion and the organic cation DODA through controlling the redox properties of the POM component, as shown by the XRD, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic, and ¹H NMR measurements. The strategy applied herein is a unique example of targeted smart and helical assembly of POM complexes.     

Induction of Supramolecular Chirality in the Self‐Assemblies of Lipophilic Pyrimidine Derivatives by Choice of the Amino Acid‐Based Chiral Spacer

A new family of supramolecular organogelators, based on chiral amino acid derivatives of 2,4,6‐trichloro‐pyrimidine‐5‐carbaldehyde, has been synthesized. L ‐alanine was incorporated as a spacer between the pyrimidine core and long hydrocarbon tails to compare the effect of chirality and hydrogen bonding to that of the achiral analogue. The role of aromatic moiety on the chiral spacer was also investigated by introducing L ‐phenyl alanine moieties. The presence of intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding leading to the chiral self‐assembly was probed by concentration‐dependent FTIR and UV/Vis spectroscopies, in addition to circular dichroism (CD) studies. Temperature and concentration‐dependent CD spectroscopy ascribed to the formation of β‐sheet‐type H‐bonded networks. The morphology and the arrangements of the molecules in the freeze‐dried gels were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Calculation of the length of each molecular system by energy minimization in its extended conformation and comparison with the small‐angle XRD pattern reveals that this class of gelator molecules adopts a lamellar organization. Polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicate that the solid state phase behavior of these molecules is totally dependent on the choice of their amino acid spacers. Structure‐induced aggregation properties based on the H‐bonding motifs and the packing of the molecule in three dimensions leading to gelation was elucidated by rheological studies. However, viscoelasticity was shown to depend only marginally on the H‐bonding interactions; rather it depends on the packing of the gelators to a greater extent.     

Coordination-driven self-assembly, structures, and dynamic properties of diplatinum hexatriynediyl and butadiynediyl complexes in which the sp carbon chains are shielded by sp3 carbon chains: towards endgroup-endgroup interactions

Sequential reactions of trans-(C6F5)(p-tol3P)2Pt(C[triple chemical bond]C)3SiEt3 (PtC6SiEt3) with nBu4N+ F(-) (THF/methanol), PtCl, KPF6/tBuOK, and CuCl give trans,trans-[(C6F5){(p-tol3P)2}Pt(C[triple chemical bond]C)3Pt{(Pp-tol3)2}(C6F5)] (PtC6Pt) in 95 % yield on multigram scales. Reactions of PtC6Pt and Ar2P(CH2)mPAr2 afford substitution products trans,trans-[(C6F5){(Ar2P(CH2)mPAr2)}Pt(C[triple chemical bond]C)3Pt{(Ar2P(CH2)mPAr2)}(C6F5)] (PtC6Pt-m/Ar; m/Ar=8/p-tol, 78 %; 10/Ph, 82 %; 11/Ph, 69 %; 12/Ph, 57 %; 14/p-tol, 57 %; 14/p-C6H4-tBu, 71 %), in which the diphosphines span the square planar platinum endgroups. An analogous reaction with PEt3 gives a tetrakis PEt3 complex Pt'C6Pt' (72 %). The crystal structures of PtC6Pt, Pt'C6Pt', PtC6Pt-10/Ph, PtC6Pt-11/Ph, and PtC6Pt-14/p-tol or solvates thereof are compared. In PtC6Pt, the endgroups can avoid van der Waals contact, and define angles of 0 degrees . In PtC6Pt-14/p-tol, the sp3 chains twist around the sp chain in a chiral double-helical motif, with an endgroup/endgroup angle of 189 degrees . The sp3 chains are too short to adopt analogous conformations in the other complexes, but laterally shield the sp chain. NMR spectroscopy shows that the helical enantiomers of PtC6Pt-14/p-tol rapidly interconvert in solution at low temperature. A crystal structure of PtC4Pt shows endgroups that are in van der Waals contact and define an angle of 41 degrees . Reactions with Ar2P(CH2)8PAr2 give PtC4Pt-8/Ar (Ar=Ph, 53 %; p-tol, 87 %). Low-temperature NMR spectroscopy establish non-helical chiral conformations. Electrochemical oxidations of the diplatinum complexes are analyzed, the reversibilities of which decrease with increasing sp chain length.     

Hierarchical Superstructures with Control of Helicity from the Self‐Assembly of Chiral Bent‐Core Molecules

Herein, two asymmetric chiral bent‐core molecules, 3‐[(4‐{[4‐(heptyloxy)benzoyl]oxy}benzoyl)oxy]‐phenyl‐4‐[(4‐{[(1R)‐1‐methylheptyl]oxy}benzoyl)oxy] benzoate (BC7R) and 3‐[(4‐{[4‐(heptyloxy)benzoyl]oxy}benzoyl)oxy]‐phenyl‐4‐[(4‐{[(1S)‐1‐methylheptyl]oxy}benzoyl)oxy] benzoate (BC7S), were synthesized to demonstrate control of the helicity of their self‐assembled hierarchical superstructures. Mirror‐imaged CD spectra showed a split‐type Cotton effect after the formation of self‐assembled aggregates of BC7R and BC7S, thereby suggesting the formation of intermolecular exciton couplets with opposite optical activities. Both twisted and helical ribbons with preferential helicity that corresponded to the twisting character of the intermolecular exciton couplet were found in the aggregates. The formation of helical ribbons was attributed to the merging of twisted ribbons through an increase in width to improve morphological stability. As a result, control of the helicity of hierarchical superstructures from the self‐assembly of bent‐core molecules could be achieved by taking advantage of the transfer of chiral information from the molecular level onto the hierarchical scale.