A helical peptide receptor for [60]fullerene

Two terminally blocked nonapeptides, each made up of six Aib residues, a Gly spacer and two L-Tyr residues in positions 2 and 8 (these are substituted in the side chain with either ferrocenoyl or methyl moieties), have been synthesized by solution methods and fully characterized. FT-IR absorption and two-dimensional NMR analyses indicate that a 3(10)-helical conformation is adopted by these rigid peptides in structure-supporting solvents. An X-ray diffraction investigation shows that the bis-L-Tyr(Me) nonapeptide in the crystal state is folded in a regular right-handed 3(10)-helical structure. As five amino acid units separate the two substituted L-Tyr residues in the peptide sequence, the two side chain moieties will-in solution-face each other after two complete turns of the ternary helix. By carrying out a detailed photophysical analysis, we have demonstrated that the electron-rich, hydrophobic and wide cavity generated by the nonapeptide template with two ferrocenoyloxybenzyl walls is able to host [60]fullerene. Further evidence for this superstructure has been provided in the gas phase by a mass spectrometric investigation.     

Three novel bismetallacyclopropa[60]fullerene complexes formed via intermediate monometallacyclopropa[60]fullerene diphosphine ligands

The homodinuclear bismetallacyclopropa[60]fullerene complexes (η²-C₆₀)M(μ-η¹,η¹-trans-Ph₂PCHCH PPh₂)₂M(η²-C₆₀) (1, M = Pt; 2, M = Pd) were prepared by reaction of C₆₀ with M(dba)₂ (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) and trans-1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene in 82% and 92% yield, whereas reaction of C₆₀ with Pd(dba)₂ and trans-dppet followed by treatment with C₆₀ and Pt₂(dba)₃ gave rise to the heterodinuclear complex (η²-C₆₀) Pd(μ-η¹,η¹-trans-Ph₂PCHCH PPh₂)₂Pt(η²-C₆₀) (3) in 65% yield. Mechanistic study showed that these reactions involve the intermediates of monometallacyclopropa[60]fullerene diphosphine ligands (η²-C₆₀)M(η¹-trans-Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂)₂ (4, M = Pt; 5, M = Pd). All the mono- and bismetallacyclopropa[60]fullerene complexes 1-5 have been fully characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy, as well as for 2 by X-ray crystallography.     

Manganese(III) acetate-mediated radical reaction of [60]fullerene with phosphonate esters affording unprecedented separable singly-bonded [60]fullerene dimers

Radical reaction of [60]fullerene with phosphonate esters mediated by manganese(III) acetate in chlorobenzene afforded singly-bonded fullerene dimers, of which the individual meso and racemic isomers could be unexpectedly separated out for the first time.     

A biphasic displacement of [60]fullerene from fac-(dihapto-[60]fullerene)(dihapto-1,10-phenanthroline) tricarbonyl molybdenum (0)

The Lewis bases (=L) triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) and tricyclohexyl phosphine (P(Cy)₃) displace [60]fullerene (C₆₀) from the complex fac-(η²-C₆₀)(η²-phen)Mo(CO)₃ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). The progress of the reactions was followed observing the decrease of the absorbance values at 440 nm and by monitoring the stretching carbonyl region from 1700 to 2100 cm⁻¹. The plots of absorbance vs. time were biexponential, indicative of a biphasic behavior, for reactions under flooding conditions where [L] ? [fac-(η²-C₆₀)(η²-phen)Mo(CO)₃]. The plot of absorbance vs. time consisted of two consecutive segments: the first segment of the plot was a decrease of absorbance with time followed by a second segment where the absorbance increased with time. The first segment of the biphasic plot was ascribed to the solvent-assisted displacement of C₆₀ from fac-(η²-C₆₀)(η²-phen)Mo(CO)₃ and the second segment to decomposition of the complex fac-(η¹-L)(η²-phen)Mo(CO)₃ produced in the first of the two consecutive reactions. The rate constant values corresponding to the first segment of the biphasic plot are independent of the chemical nature of L, the molar concentration of L, and the molar concentration of C₆₀ but dependent on the chemical nature of the solvent.     

Annulation of benzamides with [60]fullerene through palladium(II)-catalyzed C-H bond activation

Palladium-catalyzed heteroannulation of N-substituted benzamides with [60]fullerene, which proceeds through direct sp(2) C-H bond activation to form 7-membered ring pallada-intermediate with C(60), led to formation of [60]fulleroisoquinolinones in moderate to good yields (8-64% based on recovered C(60)). A plausible reaction pathway is proposed.     

Synthesis of a novel [60]fullerene pearl-necklace polymer,poly(4,4′-carbonylbisphenylene trans-2-[60]fullerenobisacetamide)

A novel [60]fullerene pearl-necklace polymer, poly(4,4′-carbonylbisphenylene trans-2-[60]fullerenobisacetamide), was synthesized by a direct polycondensation of trans-2-[60]fullerenobisacetic acid with 4,4′-diaminobenzophenone in the presence of large excesses of triphenyl phosphite and pyridine. In the present polymer, [60]fullerene pearls and diamine linkers were attached to each other by methano-carbonyl connectors. The molecular weight M_w of the polymer was determined to be 4.5 × 10⁴ on the basis of the TOF-MS, and a GPC analysis of the polymer using polystyrene standards showed a weight-average molecular weight of 5.3 × 10⁴. The UV-vis spectrum of the resultant polymer in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) exhibited a broad absorption (λ_max 310 nm, ε 2.1 × 10⁴ L · mol⁻¹ · cm⁻¹), tailing to longer wavelengths, and a fluorenscence peak centered at 550 nm was observed in DMAc. There was observed a large downfield-shift of the cyclopropane methyne proton in the ¹H-NMR spectra from 4.57 ppm of the ethyl ester to 5.78 ppm of the polyamide. These observations indicate that the present polyamide is a high-molecular-weight [60]fullerene pearl-necklace polymer and that the cyclopropane rings are efficient to make the [60]fullerene cages and the diamine components conjugatable. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3632–3637, 1999     

Cu(II) acetate- and Mn(III) acetate-mediated radical reactions of [60]fullerene with ketonic compounds

The copper(II) acetate monohydrate- or manganese(III) acetate dihydrate-mediated reaction of [60]fullerene with beta-keto esters 1a-1c or with beta-diketones 1d,1e in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine afforded only dihydrofuran-fused C60 derivatives 2a-2e. However, aromatic methyl ketones 3a-3c gave two kinds of products: methanofullerenes 4a-4c and dihydrofuran-fused C60 derivatives 5a,5b. Possible reaction mechanisms are proposed.     

Electrochemistry and [60]fullerene displacement reactions of (dihapto-[60]fullerene) pentacarbonyl metal(0) (M = Cr, Mo, W)

Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements on (eta(2)-C(60))M(CO)(5) complexes (M = Cr, Mo, W) in dichloromethane show three [60]fullerene-centered and reversible reduction/oxidation waves. The E(1/2) values of these waves are shifted to positive values relative to the corresponding values of the uncoordinated [60]fullerene in the same solvent. A Jahn-Teller type distortion of the spherical surface of [60]fullerene promoted by [60]fullerene-metal pi-backbonding may explain the observed positive shifts. Lewis bases (L = piperidine and triphenyl phosphine) displace [60]fullerene from (eta(2)-C(60))M(CO)(5) complexes. Analysis of the activation parameters for the metal-[60]fullerene dissociation, the metal-[60]fullerene bond enthalpies (from DFT computations), and metal-solvent (benzene) bond enthalpies (from DFT computations) suggests appreciable solvent contribution to the transition state leading to formation of the intermediate species solvent-M(CO)(5). Appreciable transition state stabilization due to solvation of the intermediate species is inferred for M = Mo and W. For M = Cr, stabilization of the intermediate species due to solvation is not accompanied by the corresponding transition state stabilization.     

A novel [60]fullerene amino acid for use in solid-phase peptide synthesis

[see structure]. A fullerene derivative containing a free amino group has been condensed with N-Fmoc-L-glutamic acid alpha-tert-butyl ester to give a C60-functionalized amino acid. The carboxylic end of this amino acid has been deprotected in acidic conditions, and the resulting acid has been used for solid-phase peptide synthesis. The final peptide, cleaved from the resin, was very soluble in water solutions and showed antimicrobial activity against two representative bacteria.     

Catalytic cyclopropanation of fullerene[60] with diazomethane

The selective cyclopropanation of C₆₀-fullerene with diazomethane was performed under the catalysis with Pd(acac)₂, and individual 5,6-open and 6,6-closed cycloadducts were obtained.     

Reactions of [60]fullerene with 2-azidopyrimidines

The reaction of [60]fullerene with 2-azidopyrimidines affords fullerenoimidazopyrimidines, whose electron affinity is higher than that of nonmodified C₆₀.     

Polymerization of [60]fullerene activated with butyllithium

Fullerene polymerization caused by addition of an alkylating agent was discovered. Alkylation of fullerene with primary or secondary butyllithium gave both mono- and polynuclear products (polyfullerenes). The polymerization rate of the intermediates Bu _n C₆₀Li _n (n < 6) is nearly the same as the rate of the addition of BuLi to fullerene. Molecules C₆₀ can polymerize as well; however, the rate of this reaction is much lower than the polymerization rate of the reactive intermediate species.     

Gas-phase methylation of [60]fullerene

Direct methylation of [60]fullerene via a gas-phase reaction in a CH4/H2 atmosphere was performed using a modified hot filament chemical vapor deposition method. Pressures were varied from 10 to 60 mbar and the substrate was maintained at 690 degrees C. High-resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry analysis showed signals corresponding to C60H18-2n(H,CH3)n. Collision-induced dissociation experiments confirmed a maximum of 18 ligands possible to the [60]fullerene cage.     

Reaction of [60]fullerene with CF3COOHal affords an unusual 1,3-dioxolano-[60]fullerene

Reaction of C₆₀ with acyl hypohalogenites CF₃COOBr or CF₃COOI in the presence of water affords an orthoester-type 1,3-dioxolanofullerene in 40-50% yield. This method cannot be applied for the synthesis of 1,3-dioxolanofullerenes bearing aryl- or alkyl-groups since they undergo non-selective halogenation under the reaction conditions.     

Hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of [60]fullerene with nitrosoalkene

A new type of stable C₆₀-fused dihydrooxazine derivatives was successfully prepared by the hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of C₆₀ with nitrosoalkene generated in situ by extrusion of HBr from the corresponding α-bromooxime.     

Liquid-crystalline bisadducts of [60]fullerene

A second-generation cyanobiphenyl-based dendrimer was used as a liquid-crystalline promoter to synthesize mesomorphic bisadducts of [60]fullerene. Liquid-crystalline trans-2, trans-3, and equatorial bisadducts were obtained by condensation of the liquid-crystalline promoter, which carries a carboxylic acid function, with the corresponding bisaminofullerene derivatives. A monoadduct of fullerene was also prepared for comparative purposes. All the compounds gave rise to smectic A phases. An additional mesophase, which could not be identified, was observed for the trans-2 derivative. The supramolecular organization of the monoadduct derivative is governed by steric constraints. Indeed, for efficient space filling, adequacy between the cross-sectional areas of fullerene (approximately 100 A(2)) and of the mesogenic groups (approximately 22-25 A(2) per mesogenic group) is required. As a consequence, the monoadduct forms a bilayered smectic A phase. The supramolecular organization of the bisadducts is essentially governed by the nature and structure of the mesogenic groups and dendritic core. Therefore, the bisadducts form monolayered smectic A phases. The title compounds are promising supramolecular materials as they combine the self-organizing behavior of liquid crystals with the properties of fullerene.     

Synthesis of [60]fullerene acetals and ketals: reaction of [60]fullerene with aldehydes/ketones and alkoxides

The reaction of C(60) with propionaldehyde (butyraldehyde or phenylacetaldehyde) and MeONa-MeOH or EtONa-EtOH in anhydrous chlorobenzene in the presence of air at room temperature unexpectedly gave rare fullerene acetals 2aa-cb, while the reaction of C(60) with acetone (acetophenone, cyclohexanone, or cyclopentanone) and MeONa-MeOH or EtONa-EtOH under the same conditions afforded the uncommon fullerene ketals 4aa-db. A possible reaction mechanism for the formation of the fullerene acetals and ketals is proposed based on further experimental results.     

Dimeric capsules with a nanoscale cavity for [60]fullerene encapsulation

The acid-assisted and guest-induced formation of superstructures was achieved by the addition of haloacetic acids to a toluene solution of the resorcin[4]arene derivatives 1 and [60]fullerenes. The formation of dimeric superstructures that encapsulated a nanosized guest molecule was observed when appropriate acids, such as haloacetic acids, and suitable guest molecules, such as [60]fullerenes, were co-added to a toluene solution of cavitand 1 that has four pyridine units, whereas a complicated equilibrium between several species was detected without [60]fullerenes, and the formation of discrete superstructures was not monitored in the absence of haloacetic acids. The spectroscopic data indicate that the formed [60]fullerene-encapsulated complexes have the structure of 2. These complexes are self-assembled through pyridinium-anion-pyridinium interactions and by pi-pi and van der Waals interactions. The rate of decomplexation of 2 is estimated to be 3.1 s(-1) from a 2D exchange NMR spectrum. The [60]fullerene encapsulation process can be controlled by modifying the amounts of acids used, changing the temperature of the system, altering the ratio of acid/base, and even through varying the solvent polarity. Moreover, the fluorescence spectra show band-narrowing spectral changes and a retardation of the relaxation characteristics of isolated and isotropic [60]fullerenes, which indicates that the environmental change around [60]fullerene is induced upon its encapsulation.     

Synthesis and characterization of difluoromethylene-homo[60]fullerene, C60(CF2)

Refluxing of the o-DCB solution of C60 with CF2ClCOONa and 18-crown-6 leads to formation of C60(CF2)n (n = 1-3); the monoadduct C60(CF2) has been found to consist of the main [6,6]- and minor [5,6]-isomers, both having an open structure.