Carbon networks based on dehydrobenzoannulenes. 4. Synthesis of "star" and "trefoil" graphdiyne substructures via sixfold cross-coupling of hexaiodobenzene

The synthesis and characterization of star- and trefoil-shaped polyethynyl aromatic structures, which represent model substructures of the all-carbon network graphdiyne, are described. Assembly of these macrocycles is accomplished via 6-fold Sonogashira cross-coupling of hexaiodobenzene using Pd[P(o-Tol)(3)](2) and CuI as the catalytic system. The development of these modified Sonogashira conditions is detailed. This work has led to the synthesis of a new family of hexakis(phenylbutadiynyl)benzene derivatives (4a-c), the largest of which is the D(3)(h)()-symmetric "trefoil" 2 and is composed of three [18]annulenes fused at a common benzene ring. Attempts at the synthesis of "wheel" 3 are also described. Compound 2 represents the largest fragment of the graphdiyne network to date. UV-vis spectroscopic studies indicate enhanced electron delocalization throughout the extended pi-system.     

Self-assembly of nanoscale,porous T-symmetric molecular adamantanoids

Treatments of lanthanide nitrate or perchlorate and C2-symmetric 2,2'-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthalene-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid (6,6'-H2BDA) led to diastereoselective self-assembly of nanoscale, porous molecular adamantanoids [Ln4(BDA)6(H2O)12]*12DMF (Ln = Gd, La, 1a,b). These adamantanoid clusters possess perfect T symmetry as a result of the C2-symmetric nature of BDA bridging ligands and C3-symmetric nature of lanthanide ions. Face-to-face intercluster hydrogen bonds formed between 2,2'-dihydroxyl groups of BDA ligands and carboxylate oxygen atoms direct the assembly of 3D polycages based on chiral molecular adamantanoid building blocks which possess two different types of open channels.     

On the electronic origins of structural isomerism in the iron-sulfur cubane, [(C(5)H(5))(4)Fe(4)S(4)](2+)

Density functional theory provides new insights into the structural isomerism observed in the cyclopentadienyl-capped iron-sulfur cluster, [(C(5)H(5))(4)Fe(4)S(4)](2+). Two distinct, closely spaced minima have been located, a triplet with D(2) symmetry and a C(2)-symmetric singlet, both of which correspond closely to the structure of one of the known crystal forms of the cation. Thus, the structural diversity in these species reflects genuine molecular bistability rather than simple solid-state packing effects. In contrast, no stable D(2)(d)()-symmetric minimum has been located, suggesting that the reported D(2)(d)() symmetry of the cation in [(C(5)H(5))(4)Fe(4)S(4)][PF(6)](2) may be a crystallographic artifact. In the ruthenium analogue, the more diffuse 4d orbitals stabilize the C(2)-symmetric singlet, which is unambiguously the ground state, but the D(2)-symmetric potential energy surface provides a viable low-energy pathway for the dynamic exchange of the Ru-Ru bonds.     

Effect of intermolecular dipole-dipole interactions on interfacial supramolecular structures of C3-symmetric hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene derivatives

Two-dimensional (2D) supramolecular assemblies of a series of novel C(3)-symmetric hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBC) derivatives bearing different substituents adsorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite were studied by using scanning tunneling microscopy at a solid-liquid interface. It was found that the intermolecular dipole-dipole interactions play a critical role in controlling the interfacial supramolecular assembly of these C(3)-symmetric HBC derivatives at the solid-liquid interface. The HBC molecule bearing three -CF(3) groups could form 2D honeycomb structures because of antiparallel dipole-dipole interactions, whereas HBC molecules bearing three -CN or -NO(2) groups could form hexagonal superstructures because of a special trimeric arrangement induced by dipole-dipole interactions and weak hydrogen bonding interactions ([C-H···NC-] or [C-H···O(2)N-]). Molecular mechanics and dynamics simulations were performed to reveal the physics behind the 2D structures as well as detailed functional group interactions. This work provides an example of how intermolecular dipole-dipole interactions could enable fine control over the self-assembly of disklike π-conjugated molecules.     

Transfer, amplification, and inversion of helical chirality mediated by concerted interactions of C3-supramolecular dendrimers

The synthesis, structural, and retrostructural analysis of two libraries containing 16 first and second generation C(3)-symmetric self-assembling dendrimers based on dendrons connected at their apex via trisesters and trisamides of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid is reported. A combination of X-ray diffraction and CD/UV analysis methods demonstrated that their C(3)-symmetry modulates different degrees of packing on the periphery of supramolecular structures that are responsible for the formation of chiral helical supramolecular columns and spheres self-organizable in a diversity of three-dimensional (3D) columnar, tetragonal, and cubic lattices. Two of these periodic arrays, a 3D columnar hexagonal superlattice and a 3D columnar simple orthorhombic chiral lattice with P222(1) symmetry, are unprecedented for supramolecular dendrimers. A thermal-reversible inversion of chirality was discovered in helical supramolecular columns. This inversion is induced, on heating, by the change in symmetry from a 3D columnar simple orthorhombic chiral lattice to a 3D columnar hexagonal array and, on cooling, by the change in symmetry from a 2D hexagonal to a 2D centered rectangular lattice, both exhibiting intracolumnar order. A first-order transition from coupled columns with long helical pitch, to weakly or uncorrelated columns with short helical pitch that generates a molecular rotator, was also discovered. The torsion angles of the molecular rotator are proportional to the change in temperature, and this effect is amplified in the case of the C(3)-symmetric trisamide supramolecular dendrimers forming H-bonds along their column. The structural changes reported here can be used to design complex functions based on helical supramolecular dendrimers with different degree of packing on their periphery.     

Competitive formation of helical cycloocta- and cyclododecapyrroles

In connection with a study aimed at the evaluation of electronic effects in spiro-dicorrole (1a) and its binuclear Ni(II) complex (1b) we became interested in gem-dimethyl-substituted cyclotetrapyrrole (2a) and the corresponding Ni(II) complex (2b). Attempts to prepare 2a as the 12,13,16,17-tetraethyl-2,3,7, 8-tetramethyl derivative (5) by an acid-catalyzed (1 + 1) condensation of dimethyldipyrrylmethane 3 and diformylbipyrrole 4 resulted in the formation of the (2 + 2) and (3 + 3) condensation products, i.e., the cyclooctapyrrole 6 and the cyclododecapyrrole 7, respectively, rather than in that of the desired gem-dimethyl cyclotetrapyrrole. The cyclododecapyrrole 7, isolated as the major product, is among the largest cyclopolypyrroles known to date. These two new macrocycles have been structurally characterized by variable temperature 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In solution both the cyclooctapyrrole 6 and cyclododecapyrrole 7 exhibit dynamic behavior. At 337 K 6 adopts a D(2)-symmetric conformation, whereas at 196 K two equivalent C(2) conformers that interconvert through the D(2)-symmetric intermediate are observed. The energy barrier for the interconversion process between these two degenerate conformers is found to be 10.6 kcal mol(-)(1). The solution dynamics of 7 could be described in an analogous manner, with the time-averaged conformation at 378 K displaying D(3)(h)() symmetry. X-ray analyses showed that for both macrocycles, 6 and 7, the solid state structures were nearly identical to the low-temperature solution conformers.     

Delocalizations in sigma-radical cations: the intriguing structures of ionized [n]rotanes

Highly symmetric aliphatic hydrocarbons such as D(4h)-[4]rotane do not necessarily have degenerate HOMOs. According to our predictions based on high-level computations, its radical cation should display a highly delocalized D(4h)-symmetric structure, in contrast to its Jahn-Teller distorted cousin, the radical cation of [3]rotane, which exists in two distonic localized forms with C(2v) and C(s) symmetry.     

Di-lanthanide encapsulated into large fullerene C100: a DFT survey

Quantum chemical calculations combined with statistical thermodynamic computations expose the electronic structure and high thermodynamic stability of Dy(2)@C(100), a D(5)-symmetric endohedral metallofullerene.     

G-quartet formation from an N2-modified guanosine derivative

[structure: see text] We report G-quartet formation from an N2-modified lipophilic guanosine nucleoside, N2-(4-n-butylphenyl)-2',3',5'-O-triacetylguanosine. We show that, in the presence of either K+ or Na+, this guanosine derivative self-assembles into a D4-symmetric octamer consisting of two stacking all-syn G-quartets in a tail-to-tail (or head-to-head) fashion and a central ion.     

En route to archimedene: total synthesis of C3h-symmetric [7]phenylene

[reaction: see text] The total synthesis of C(3)(h)-symmetric [7]phenylene has been accomplished by triple cobalt-catalyzed cycloisomerization of an appropriate nonayne. Its spectral data are in accord with the expectations for a triply angularly fused system, but its calculated heat of formation suggests the presence of a destabilizing sigma effect relative to its D(3)(h) isomer. The molecule constitutes the largest substructure of archimedene hitherto synthesized.     

Entropy-driven hydrogen bonding: stereodynamics of a protonated, N,N-chiral "proton sponge"

The C2-symmetric ("[DL]") and achiral ("[meso]") diastereoisomers of the hydrogen iodide salt of 1,8-bis-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)naphthalene ([2H]-[I] ) interconvert in solution. Direct interconversion of the diastereoisomers of [2H]+ must involve hydrogen bond fission (to give "[nonHB-2H+]") and rotation-inversion of the non-protonated nitrogen centre. The global activation parameters (deltaH++ and deltaS++) for diastereoisomer interconversion in [D7]DMF have been determined from rate data obtained by temperature-drop and magnetisation-transfer 13C NMR spectroscopy over a temperature range of 170 degrees C. The process is found to have a high entropy of activation in both directions (deltaS++=163(+/-4) and 169(+/-4) JK(-1)mol(-1)) and this is suggested to arise through hydrogen bonding of the ammonium centre in [nonHB-2H+] with the solvent ([D7]DMF). Comparison of the enthalpy of activation (deltaH++) with that earlier found for diastereoisomer interconversion of the free-base form 2 suggests that the intramolecular hydrogen bond in [2H]+ is roughly equal in enthalpic strength (deltaH) with that made with the solvent ([D7]DMF) in the non-hydrogen-bonded intermediate [nonHB-2H+]. As such, the hydrogen bonding in [2H]+ may be considered as predominantly an entropically driven process, without any unusual enthalpic strength.     

The synthesis of sterically demanding amino acid-derived cyclic phosphonamides

The preparation and utilization of C(2)-symmetric 1,4-diamines in the synthesis of amino acid-derived cyclic phosphonamides 1-3 are described. The 1,4-diamines are synthesized via three methods: (i) amino acid/fumaryl chloride coupling followed by amide reduction, (ii) amino acid/1,4-diamine coupling followed by amide reduction, and (iii) a template-supported ring-closing metathesis/hydrolysis sequence. The pseudo C(2)-symmetric cyclic phosphonamides 1-3 are prepared by condensation of the C(2)-symmetric 1,4-diamines to P(III) centers, followed by oxidation.     

P9]+ [Al(OR(F))4)]-, the salt of a homopolyatomic phosphorus cation

Positive at last: The first condensed-phase homopolyatomic phosphorus cation [P(9)](+) was prepared using a combination of the oxidant [NO](+) and weakly coordinating anion, [Al{OC(CF(3))(3)}(4)](-). [P(9)](+) consists of two P(5) cages linked by a phosphonium atom to give a D(2d)-symmetric Zintl cluster. NMR (see picture), Raman, and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and quantum-chemical calculations confirmed the structure.     

Insight into anion effects on catechol oxidation catalysis: cyclodimeric Cu(II) complexes containing 1,3,5-tris(nicotinoyloxy-methyl)benzene

Transition Metal Chemistry - Self-assembly of CuX2 with C3-symmetric tridentate ligand, 1,3,5-tris(nicotinoyloxy-methyl)benzene (L), affords thermodynamically stable C2-symmetric...     

Synthesis and properties of novel C3-symmetric coplanar chromophores

New synthetic pathways for novel C(3)-symmetric molecules featured with a thiophene-fused six-five-five carbon-bridged coplanar core structure have been established. The incorporation of thiophene as the constituent of a C(3)-symmetric core provides effective modulation of the physical properties and imparts extra flexibility for π-conjugated functionalization stemming from either the embedded thiophene or pendant aryl substitutions.     

Absolute configuration of D(2)-symmetric fullerene C(84)

The D(2)-symmetric isomer of fullerene C(84) predominantly found in soots is inherently chiral. We determine its absolute configuration by comparison of the experimental electronic circular dichroism (CD) spectrum with time-dependent density functional calculations.     

A perfectly square-planar tetracoordinated oxygen in a tetracopper cluster-based coordination polymer

A perfectly square-planar, D(4h)-symmetric, tetracoordinated oxygen has been observed in a tetracopper cluster-based coordination polymer that shows an unusual magnetic moment and ESR signal. The stabilization factor of the square-planar tetracoordinated oxygen has been revealed using DFT calculations.     

A mixed-valence, hexadecamolybdenum cluster with an MoVI cubane "jewel" in a "setting" of five molybdateVI-linked dinuclear MoV nits

The hexadecanuclear, mixed-valence cluster [Mo(16)O(42)(OH)(2)(3-iPrC(3)H(3)N(2))(12)].H(2)O (1), has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The C(2)-symmetric complex consists of a cubane Mo(VI) (4)O(4) "jewel" held in a 10-point "setting" comprised of five dinuclear Mo(V) units tethered together by two tetrahedral Mo(VI) centers. The dinuclear units are ligated by twelve 3-isopropylpyrazole units that interact with the Mo--O framework through a network of hydrogen bonds. Structural parameters, charge requirements, and bond valence sum analyses support the assignment of +5 and +6 oxidation states to the dinuclear and cubane/tetrahedral Mo centers, respectively. Space filling models reveal that the pyrazole groups coat much of the surface of the molecule, apart from a number of oxo-rich seams that trace a chiral pattern across the surface. Complex 1 exhibits a unique structure that combines moieties generally atypical of polyoxometalates, viz., a Mo cubane containing only two terminal oxo ligands, and three distinct Mo(V) (2) units (including a 5-coordinate Mo center) tethered into a 10-point "setting" by tetrahedral Mo(VI) centers.     

Short synthesis of enantiopure C2-symmetric 1,2:4,5-diepoxypentane and "pseudo"-C2-symmetric 3-azido-1,2:4,5-diepoxypentane from arabitol

On the basis of our previously described selective protection of arabitol as its 1,2:4,5-bis-pentylidene acetal 5, we report a straightforward synthesis of the novel "pseudo"-C(2)-symmetric 3-azido-1,2:4,5-diepoxypentane building block 4 in 6 steps from arabitol. Using a similar synthetic route, an improved synthesis of the C(2)-symmetrical 1,2:4,5-bis-epoxypentane building block 1 is described, also in 6 steps from arabitol. Both enantiomers of 1 and 4 are accessible, and all reactions involved are easily amenable for large-scale synthesis.     

Steric control of a bridging ligand for high-nuclearity metallamacrocycle formation: a highly puckered 60-membered icosanuclear metalladiazamacrocycle

A novel S4-symmetric icosanuclear manganese metalladiazamacrocycle was synthesized using a pentadentate ligand, N-3-phenyl-trans-2-propenoylsalicylhydrazide (H3L), that has a rigid and bulky terminal N-acyl group. A 20 cyclic repeat of an--(Mn-N-N)--linkage resulted in a highly puckered diaza-bridged 60-membered icosanuclear metallamacrocycle. The steric interaction between the ligands in the cyclic system leads to five consecutive Mn(III) centers in a chemically different--(Mn(A)Mn(B)Mn(C)Mn(D)Mn(E))--environment, with the chiralities of the metal centers being in a rather complicated--(LambdaLambdaDeltaLambdaLambda)(DeltaDeltaLambdaDeltaDelta)--sequence.