Kinetically controlled Ag+-coordinated chiral supramolecular polymerization accompanying a helical inversion

We report kinetically controlled chiral supramolecular polymerization based on ligand–metal complex with a 3 : 2 (L : Ag⁺) stoichiometry accompanying a helical inversion in water. A new family of bipyridine-based ligands (d-L1, l-L1, d-L2, and d-L3) possessing hydrazine and d- or l-alanine moieties at the alkyl chain groups has been designed and synthesized. Interestingly, upon addition of AgNO₃ (0.5–1.3 equiv.) to the d-L1 solution, it generated the aggregate I composed of the d-L1AgNO₃ complex (d-L1 : Ag⁺ = 1 : 1) as the kinetic product with a spherical structure. Then, aggregate I (nanoparticle) was transformed into the aggregate II (supramolecular polymer) based on the (d-L1)₃Ag₂(NO₃)₂ complex as the thermodynamic product with a fiber structure, which led to the helical inversion from the left-handed (M-type) to the right-handed (P-type) helicity accompanying CD amplification. In contrast, the spherical aggregate I (nanoparticle) composed of the d-L1AgNO₃ complex with the left-handed (M-type) helicity formed in the presence of 2.0 equiv. of AgNO₃ and was not additionally changed, which indicated that it was the thermodynamic product. The chiral supramolecular polymer based on (d-L1)₃Ag₂(NO₃)₂ was produced via a nucleation–elongation mechanism with a cooperative pathway. In thermodynamic study, the standard ΔG° and ΔH_e values for the aggregates I and II were calculated using the van''t Hoff plot. The enhanced ΔG° value of the aggregate II compared to that of the formation of aggregate I confirms that aggregate II was thermodynamically more stable. In the kinetic study, the influence of concentration of AgNO₃ confirmed the initial formation of the aggregate I (nanoparticle), which then evolved to the aggregate II (supramolecular polymer). Thus, the concentration of the (d-L1)₃Ag₂(NO₃)₂ complex in the initial state plays a critical role in generating aggregate II (supramolecular polymer). In particular, NO₃⁻ acts as a critical linker and accelerator in the transformation from the aggregate I to the aggregate II. This is the first example of a system for a kinetically controlled chiral supramolecular polymer that is formed via multiple steps with coordination structural change.

The nanoparticles were transformed into the supramolecular polymer as the thermodynamic product, involving a helical inversion from left-handed to right-handed helicity.     

Mirror symmetry breaking and chiral amplification in foldamer-based supramolecular helical aggregates

Spontaneous asymmetric generation of supramolecular chiral fibers was observed in the folding induced self-assembly of a lock-washer shaped foldamer. A secondary nucleation growth mechanism is proposed to explain the observed chiral amplification or deracemization of these supramolecular fibers.     

Two-dimensional pentacene:3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride supramolecular chiral networks on Ag(111)

Self-assembly of the binary molecular system of pentacene and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) on Ag(111) has been investigated by low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, molecular dynamics (MD), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Well-ordered two-dimensional (2D) pentacene:PTCDA supramolecular chiral networks are observed to form on Ag(111). The 2D chiral network formation is controlled by the strong interfacial interaction between adsorbed molecules and the underlying Ag(111), as revealed by MD and DFT calculations. The registry effect locks the adsorbed pentacene and PTCDA molecules into specific adsorption sites due to the corrugation of the potential energy surface. The 2D supramolecular networks are further constrained through the directional CO...H-C multiple intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the anhydride groups of PTCDA and the peripheral aromatic hydrogen atoms of the neighboring pentacene molecules.     

Two supramolecular isomers of molecular squares and 1D helical chains with alternating right- and left-handed chirality

The reaction of [Ni(alpha-rac-L)](ClO4)2 with K2[Ni(CN)4] gives a cyanide bridged [2+2] type of molecular square, {cis-[Ni(f-rac-L)][Ni(CN)4]}2 (1). By slightly changing the reaction conditions, the reaction of [Ni(alpha-rac-L)](ClO4)2 with KCN leads to a metastable compound, cis-[Ni(f-rac-L)(CN)2] (2), and an unexpected 1D helical chain, {cis-[Ni(f-rac-L)][Ni(CN)4]}n (3). In 3, the 1D helical chains are packed in an alternating right- and left-handed chirality due to the oppositely twisted arrangements of two adjacent [Ni(CN)4]2- anions. The metastable compound 2 can be converted to 3 in a CH3CN/CH3OH solution. Compounds 1 and 3 are classified as supramolecular isomers, and isomer 3 can be considered to be formed by the ring-opening polymerization of the square precursor 1. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 3 show that the adjacent six-coordinated Ni(II) atoms are antiferromagnetically coupled through the bent -NC-Ni-CN- bridges of the diamagnetic [Ni(CN)4]2- anions, with g = 2.08 and J = -0.426 cm(-1) for 1 and g = 2.08 and J = -0.278 cm(-1) for 3. The correlation between the structures and the J values is discussed.     

Stereocontrolled polymerization of racemic lactide with chiral initiator: combining stereoelection and chiral ligand-exchange mechanism

New opportunities, provided by the 2,2'-[1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diylbis(nitrylomethilidyne)]diphenol (SB(OH)2)/Al(OiPr)3/racemic lactide (rac-LA) polymerization system, employing a combination of stereoelection with (S) and (R) ligand-exchange mechanism at Al-alkoxide active centers were explored. The stereoelectivity was comparable to that determined for the process with an additional synthetic step of isolation and purification of the SBO2Al-OiPr alkoxide. The resultant poly(rac-LA) had a gradient stereocopolymer structure and exhibited enhanced thermal stability due to a stereocomplex formation (Tm = 210 degrees C). This is the highest melting temperature reported until now for poly(lactide) (PLA) prepared directly from rac-LA.     

Stereospecific polymerization and chiral initiation,chiral crystallization and chiral nucleation

Helical macromolecules which are configurationally and conformationally specific can now be synthesized. Monomer structures must be selected that demand spacial restriction for monomer addition. High specificity of monomer addition during polymerization has parallels in crystallization of some inorganic salts from aqueous solution. Initiation of highly specific polymerizations with chiral initiators give helical polymers with substantial one-handedness. Nucleation of certain inorganic salts with chiral nucleating agents, the enantiomers of the salts produce enantiomerically pure chiral salts.     

Nucleation-elongation: a mechanism for cooperative supramolecular polymerization

The kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of polymerizations following a cooperative, nucleation-elongation mechanism are discussed in comparison to those of non-cooperative, isodesmic polymerizations. Nucleation-elongation polymerization is a relatively unexplored avenue of synthetic polymer chemistry and offers some unique and interesting thermodynamic and kinetic attributes not found in the more classical mechanisms of polymer chemistry.     

Solid-state hosts by the template polymerization of columnar liquid crystals: locked supramolecular architectures around chiral 2-amino alcohols

The cross-linking of multicomponent liquid crystals could be applied to the synthesis of nanometer-sized porous materials with a well-defined structure. In this work we demonstrate the template polymerization of columnar liquid crystals composed of the salts of a carboxylic acid and enantiopure 2-amino alcohols, and the application of one of them as a solid-state host. The salts of 3,4,5-tris(11-acryloyloxyundecyloxy)benzoic acid with (S)-2-amino-1-propanol and with (1R,2S)-norephedrine showed hexagonal and rectangular columnar liquid-crystalline structures, respectively. The successful application of gamma-ray-induced polymerization to the cross-linking of the liquid-crystalline salts, which was more advantageous than photoinduced polymerization from the standpoint of the retention of the original structural order in the gram-scale preparation of the polymers with a homogeneous columnar structure. The cross-linked polymer thus obtained from the gallic acid derivative and (1R,2S)-norephedrine was applicable as a heterogeneous host to capture amines from a guest solution through acid-amine interactions. When (1R,2S)-norephedrine was replaced with other amines through the guest-exchange reaction, a "template effect" was observed; the size and shape of the guests were determining factors for the efficiency of the guest exchange. The guest adsorption was found to proceed in an enantioselective manner when racemic 2-amino alcohols were used as guests, especially in the cases of substrates possessing a bulky substituent at the C1-position. The guest preference was again elucidated by the template effect, although the enantioselection mode was switched depending on the presence of a C2 substituent.     

Simultaneously bound guests and chiral recognition: a chiral self-assembled supramolecular host encapsulates hydrophobic guests

Driven by the hydrophobic effect, a water-soluble, chiral, self-assembled supramolecular host is able to encapsulate hydrophobic organic guests in aqueous solution. Small aromatics can be encapsulated in the supramolecular assembly, and the simultaneous encapsulation of multiple species is observed in many cases. The molecular host assembly is able to recognize different substitutional isomers of disubstituted benzenes with ortho substitution leading to the encapsulation of two guests, but meta or para substitution leading to the encapsulation of only one guest. The scope of hydrophobic guest encapsulation is further explored with chiral natural products. Upon encapsulation of chiral molecules into the racemic host, diastereomeric host-guest complexes are formed with observed diastereoselectivities of up to 78:22 in the case of fenchone.     

Homochiral supramolecular polymerization of an "S"-shaped chiral monomer: translation of optical purity into molecular weight distribution

An "S"-shaped chiral motif of a p-xylylene-bridged bis(cyclic dipeptide) (1), having four hydrogen-bonding amide functionalities, formed a homochiral supramolecular polymer in solution. X-ray crystallography of a slightly modified version of 1 for an enhanced crystallinity showed one-dimensional columnar assemblies via four double hydrogen-bonding interactions. Model studies with half-protected analogues of 1 indicated a nearly perfect enantioselectivity in hydrogen-bonding dimerization. When 1 was not racemic but enriched in either of the enantiomers, a supramolecular polymer with a bimodal molecular weight distribution resulted, due to the formation of two homochiral polymers with different molecular weights. By taking advantage of this, separation of optically pure 1 from an enantiomerically unbalanced mixture was possible by means of size-exclusion chromatography.     

Photocontrol of supramolecular architecture in azopolymers: Achiral and chiral aggregation

The absorption spectra and circular dichroism responses upon irradiation with 488 nm circularly polarized light (CPL) have been studied on polymeric films processed from two nematic copolymers containing azobenzene chromophores. Influence of the aggregation and orientation of azobenzenes on the photoinduced chiroptical properties has been analyzed. Moreover, polymeric films and 4 μm planar cells filled with the copolymers were studied by polarized optical microscopy (POM) with the aim of investigating the change of macroscopic optical properties and textures of azopolymers upon irradiation with CPL.     

Thiourea-based bifunctional organocatalysis: supramolecular recognition for living polymerization

A versatile, metal-free, organocatalytic approach to the living ring-opening polymerization of lactide using a bifunctional thiourea-tertiary amine catalyst is described. Mild and highly selective polymerization conditions produced poly(lactides) with predictable molecular weights and extremely narrow polydispersities ( approximately 1.05), characteristic of a living polymerization. The extraordinary selectivity of this catalyst system for polymerization relative to transesterification is remarkably unusual. The low polydispersities and exceptional control observed are a consequence of selective transesterification of lactide relative to the open chain esters. Presumably, the ring strain of lactide provides both a driving force for the polymerization and a kinetic preference for polymerization relative to transesterification with catalyst. We postulate that the initiating/propagating alcohol is activated by acid-base interaction with the tertiary amine moiety and the carbonyl of the lactide monomer is simultaneously activated by hydrogen bonding to the thiourea moiety of the catalyst.     

Polymers with advanced structural and supramolecular features synthesized through topochemical polymerization

Polymers are an integral part of our daily life. Hence, there are constant efforts towards synthesizing novel polymers with unique properties. As the composition and packing of polymer chains influence polymer''s properties, sophisticated control over the molecular and supramolecular structure of the polymer helps tailor its properties as desired. However, such precise control via conventional solution-state synthesis is challenging. Topochemical polymerization (TP), a solvent- and catalyst-free reaction that occurs under the confinement of a crystal lattice, offers profound control over the molecular structure and supramolecular architecture of a polymer and usually results in ordered polymers. In particular, single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) TP is advantageous as we can correlate the structure and packing of polymer chains with their properties. By designing molecules appended with suitable reactive moieties and utilizing the principles of supramolecular chemistry to align them in a reactive orientation, the synthesis of higher-dimensional polymers and divergent topologies has been achieved via TP. Though there are a few reviews on TP in the literature, an exclusive review showcasing the topochemical synthesis of polymers with advanced structural features is not available. In this perspective, we present selected examples of the topochemical synthesis of organic polymers with sophisticated structures like ladders, tubular polymers, alternating copolymers, polymer blends, and other interesting topologies. We also detail some strategies adopted for obtaining distinct polymers from the same monomer. Finally, we highlight the main challenges and prospects for developing advanced polymers via TP and inspire future directions in this area.

This perspective showcases the potential of topochemical polymerization as an effective tool for synthesizing polymers with advanced molecular and supramolecular structures.     

Effect of stereogenic centers on the self-sorting, depolymerization, and atropisomerization kinetics of porphyrin-based aggregates

We present our results on the mixing of different porphyrin molecules in supramolecular assemblies. Herein, chiral amplification experiments reveal the subtle role of the structural (mis)match between these monomers. We show that according to the "sergeant-and-soldiers" principle, a chiral porphyrin "sergeant" efficiently mixes with achiral "soldiers" in the same helical aggregate and strongly biases its handedness. However, when we mix two porphyrin enantiomers in a majority-rules experiment, no chiral amplification is observed at all, which is due to their narcissistic self-sorting into conglomerate-like aggregates. The mixing between two enantiomers in the same stack only occurs in a diluted-majority-rules experiment, in which enantiomeric mixtures of sergeants are diluted with achiral soldiers. The different outcomes of these chiral amplification phenomena are verified by modeling studies that reveal high mismatch penalties, which are ascribed to the high stereocenter loading of 12 methyl groups onto the monomers. Mixed-metal chiral amplification experiments between copper- and zinc-porphyrins show the same distinction in their mixing behavior, which is further supported by fluorescence measurements. The selective removal of chiral Zn-porphyrins from these mixed-metal systems is performed with the Lewis base quinuclidine that depolymerizes the Zn-porphyrins upon axial ligation. This extraction process proceeds at different time scales, depending on the mixed state: slow extraction kinetics for the mixed sergeant-and-soldiers and diluted-majority-rules systems and an instant extraction for the phase-separated majority-rules system. By simultaneously monitoring the supramolecular chirality during extraction, a chiral memory effect is observed for both mixed systems that show slow extraction kinetics. For the sergeant-and-soldiers system, the remaining supramolecular backbone contains achiral monomers only, which give rise to a long lasting chiral memory with slow, entropy-driven atropisomerization. Yet in case of the diluted-majority-rules system, the remaining backbone contains a mixture of achiral and chiral monomers in its unpreferred helicity; giving rise to a short chiral memory, in which the fast atropisomerization is enthalpy-driven due to the high mismatch penalty.     

New supramolecular organization for a glycoluril: chiral hydrogen-bonded ribbons

A series of substituted glycoluril molecules exhibits a substantial twist of the fused five-membered rings and assembles exclusively chiral hydrogen-bonded ribbons in the solid-state.     

Ag+ labeling: a convenient new tool for the characterization of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assemblies by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Herein we describe our results on the characterization of a wide variety of different hydrogen-bonded assemblies by means of a novel matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technique with Ag+ labeling. The labeling technique with Ag+ ions is extremely mild and provides a nondestructive way to generate charged assemblies that can be detected by mass spectrometry. Up to now more than 25 different single (1(3).2(3)), double (3(3).2(6)), and tetrarosettes (4(3).2(12)) have been successfully characterized by the use of this method. The success of the method entirely depends on the presence of a suitable binding site for the Ag+ ion. A variety of functionalities has been identified that provide strong binding sites for Ag+, either acting in a cooperative way (pi-arene and pi-alkene donor functionalities) or individually (cyano and crown ether functionalities). The method works well for assemblies with molecular weights between 2,000 and 8,000 Da, and most likely far beyond this limit.     

Wormlike aggregates from a supramolecular coordination polymer and a diblock copolymer

The formation of wormlike micelles in mixed systems of a supramolecular coordination polymer Zn-L2EO4 and a diblock copolymer P2MVP41-b-PEO205 is investigated by light scattering and Cryo-TEM. By direct mixing at a stoichiometric charge ratio, the above mixtures proved to be capable of formation of spherical micelles with a radius of about 25 nm (Yan et al. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.; 2007, 46, 1807-1809). Lately, we find wormlike micelles with a hydrodynamic radius >150 nm in a mixture with excess positive charge, that is, a negative charge fraction f- < 0.5. The transformation between wormlike and spherical micelles can be realized by variation of the mixing ratio through different protocols. Upon addition of negatively charged Zn-L2EO4 to a mixture with excess positively charged P2MVP41-b-PEO205, most of the wormlike micelles are transformed into spherical ones; upon addition of positively charged P2MVP41-b-PEO205 to a mixture of pure spherical micelles, wormlike micelles can be produced again. The effect of sample preparation protocol, sample history, and concentration on this transformation process is systematically reported in this article. A possible mechanism for the formation of wormlike micelles is proposed.     

Interaction of a chirally functionalised porphyrin derivative with chiral micellar aggregates

The functionalisation of a porphyrin derivative with a chiral functionality results in a selective interaction with chiral micellar aggregates.