Construction of Supramolecular Chirality in Polymer Systems:Chiral Induction,Transfer and Application

Chirality, commonly found in organisms, biomolecules and nature such as L-amino acids and D-sugars, has been extensively studied in chemistry and biomedical science. Hence, the demand for simple and efficient construction of chiral structures, especially chiral polymers, has been rapidly growing due to their potential applications in chemosensors, asymmetric catalysis and biological materials. However, most chiral polymers reported are prepared directly from chiral monomers/chiral catalysts, the...     

Ligand Self-Recognition in the Self-Assembly of a [{Cu(L)}2]2+ Complex: The Role of Chirality

The chirality alone of a conformationally restricted, bifunctional ligand (L) is the basis for the self-recognition process schematically represented below. A racemic mixture of these ligands reacts with Cu⁺ ions quantitatively to generate a racemic mixture of a [(CuL)₂]²⁺ homochiral complex (represented by cubes), where each complex contains ligands with identical configurations.     

Self-Assembly of a Three-Dimensional [Ga6(L2)6] Metal–Ligand “Cylinder”

A near trigonal antiprism with metal–metal distances in the nanometer regime is formed by the six metal ions in the crystalline, homochiral [Ga₆(L²)₆] (see structure). This metal–ligand “cylinder” is based on a threefold symmetric, β-diketone ligand, and represents a new geometry for metal–ligand clusters.     

Anion Control in the Self-Assembly of a Cage Coordination Complex

An anion is encapsulated in the center of the new cage compound [Ni₆(atu)₈X]X₃ (X=Cl—for the structure see picture—or Br; Hatu=amidinothiourea). A combination of Lewis acid–base and hydrogen-bonding interactions cause the square-planar [Ni(Hatu)₂]²⁺ units, after deprotonation, to assemble to form this compound. A remarkable feature is the anion dependence of the cage formation; nitrate, acetate, and perchlorate are unsuitable as templates.     

Single stranded helical supramolecular architecture with a left handed helical water chain in ternary copper(II) tryptophan/diamine complexes

The ternary copper(II) complexes [Cu(l-trp)(bpy)](ClO₄) (1) and [Cu(l-trp)(phen)] (ClO₄) · 3H₂O (2) (where l-trp = l-tryptophan, bpy = bipridyl, phen = phenanthroline) have been synthesized. The single crystal X-ray structures for these complexes revealed that the monocationic Cu^II-units are interlinked through Cu–OCO–Cu connectivity and exist as helical coordination polymers. The two different helical strands composed with Cu1 and Cu2 independently, possess a similar pitch distance of 7.713 Å in complex 1. For complex 2, existing in the hydrated form, the Cu(II) polymeric strand and the hydrated water molecules have gained a supramolecular helical architecture with a similar pitch distance of 8.133 Å. The two helical strands in complex 1 are associated with right handed (PP) supramolecular chirality, while the helical water chain and the Cu^II-strand in 2 are self assembled into left handed (MM) helicity in the solid state. The solid state CD recorded for 1 and the dehydrated form of 2 exhibit a positive optical sign at their respective d–d band [λ_max = 667 nm, 1; λ_max = 630 nm, 2], the solution state CD for both these complexes are found to be inverted into a negative optical sign, which could be attributed to inversion of their associated supramolecular helicity. The TGA curve illustrates two distinct weight losses at 60 °C and 87 °C, equivalent to one and two water molecules, respectively. The PXRD pattern for the hydrated and dehydrated forms of 2 indicated a change, on comparison with the simulated diffractograph. The fluorescence properties of both these complexes, possessing tryptophan and bipy/phen, were investigated.     

Porous Colloidal Hydrogels Formed by Coordination-Driven Self-Assembly of Charged Metal-Organic Polyhedra

Introduction of porosity into supramolecular gels endows soft materials with functionalities for molecular encapsulation, release, separation and conversion. Metal-organic polyhedra (MOPs), discrete coordination cages containing an internal cavity, have recently been employed as building blocks to construct polymeric gel networks with potential porosity. However, most of the materials can only be synthesized in organic solvents, and the examples of porous, MOP-based hydrogels are scarce. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of porous hydrogels based on [Rh₂(OH-bdc)₂]₁₂, a rhodium-based MOP containing hydroxyl groups on its periphery (OH-bdc=5-hydroxy-1,3-benzenedicarboxylate). By simply deprotonating [Rh₂(OH-bdc)₂]₁₂ with the base NaOH, the supramolecular polymerization between MOPs and organic linkers can be induced in the aqueous solution, leading to the kinetically controllable formation of hydrogels with hierarchical colloidal networks. When heating the deprotonated MOP, Na_x[Rh₂₄(O-bdc)_x(OH-bdc)_24-x], to induce gelation, the MOP was found to partially decompose, affecting the mechanical property of the resulting gels. By applying a post-synthetic deprotonation strategy, we show that the deprotonation degree of the MOP can be altered after the gel formation without serious decomposition of the MOPs. Gas sorption measurements confirmed the permanent porosity of the corresponding aerogels obtained from these MOP-based hydrogels, showing potentials for applications in gas sorption and catalysis.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Coordination Compounds: Self-Assembly of a Polymeric Double Helix with Controlled Chirality

Its information content is infinitely smaller than that of DNA, but its structure (see picture) ressembles the double-stranded helix produced by nature. This self-assembled, configurationally predetermined coordination polymer is built up from enantiopure chiral bipyridine-type ligands and silver ions.     

Supramolecular Organometallic Polymer Chemistry: Self-Assembly of a Novel Poly(ferrocene)-b-polysiloxane-b-poly(ferrocene) Triblock Copolymer in Solution

Micelles with unprecedented flowerlike arrangements of the poly(ferrocene) cores (shown in the TEM image) are among the supramolecular architectures generated in the self-assembly of a novel organometallic triblock copolymer from silicon-bridged [1]ferrocenophane monomers and [Me₂SiO]₃ in hexane, a solvent selective for the central polysiloxane block.     

Enantioselective Extraction of Dinitrophenyl Amino Acids Mediated by Lipophilic Deoxyguanosine Derivatives: Chiral Discrimination by Self-Assembly

The transfer of potassium salts of dinitrophenyl amino acids from water to chloroform by the lipophilic guanosine derivative 1 takes place enantioselectively. Depending on the K⁺: 1 ratio, G-quartets of 1 self-assemble into octamers ( O ) or polymers.     

A New Motif for the Self-Assembly of [2]Pseudorotaxanes; 1,2-Bis(pyridinium)ethane Axles and [24]Crown-8 Ether Wheels

Multiple intramolecular interactions help to stabilize the novel [2]pseudorotaxanes formed from 1,2-bis(pyridinium)ethane dications (which act as axles) and 24-membered crown ethers (which act as wheels; see structure). This is the first successful sythesis of [2]pseudorotaxanes with [24]crown-8 as the macrocycle.     

Simultaneous Chiral Fixation and Chiral Regulation Endowed by Dynamic Covalent Bonds

The construction of chiral superstructures through the self-assembly of non-chiral polymers usually relies on the interplay of multiple non-covalent bonds, which is significantly limited by the memory ability of induced chirality. Although the introduction of covalent crosslinking can undoubtedly enhance the stability of chiral superstructures, the concurrent strong constraining effect hinders the application of chirality-smart materials. To address this issue, we have made a first attempt at the reversible fixation of supramolecular chirality by introducing dynamic covalent crosslinking into the chiral self-assembly of side-chain polymers. After chiral induction, the reversible [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of the cinnamate group in the polymer chains can be further controlled by light to manipulate inter-chain crosslinking and decrosslinking. Based on this photo-programmable and dynamic chiral fixation strategy, a novel pattern-embedded storage mechanism of chiral polymeric materials was established for the first time.     

Self-Assembly of a Molecular Floral Lace with One-Dimensional Channels and Inclusion of Glucose

A three-dimensional network with one-dimensional channels (see picture) has been self-assembled from the nickel(II ) complex of cyclam and 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate in water through hydrogen-bond formation. The channels have an appropriate diameter (10.3 Å) to include D -glucose with a formation constant of K_f=(1.38±0.01)×10⁴ M ⁻¹. Under similar conditions maltose is not included.     

Synthesis and structural features of sulfur-substituted calix[4]pyrrole for a bottom-up control of the substrate-directed self-assembly of supramolecular structures

The synthesis of six new calix[4]pyrroles, containing sulfur-substituted phenylene units is reported. Halogen-anions and organic aromatic mono- and bis-anions have been selected to explore the formation of host-guest complexes and the possible self-assembly of multi-component structures with the six calixpyrroles. The type of aryl substitution modulates the strength of binding and the selectivity towards different anions and, in some cases, the combination of receptors and bis-anionic precursors, offers a way to build systems in which capsular assemblies are observed.     

Structure and Dynamics of Chiral Molecules

Could there be chiral methane? What is the characteristic structural feature (in a physicochemical sense) of a molecule? This question dates back to Louis Pasteur, the discoverer of molecular chirality, and since the work of van't Hoff and Le Bel is generally considered by chemists as solved. In the present article it is pointed out that there exist fundamentally conflicting theoretical views of the physical origin of molecular chirality. These views predict consequences that could, in principle, be distinguished experimentally, but at present there is no conclusive experimental evidence available. Possible experiments are suggested that test different hypotheses. The importance of the magnitude of the parity-violating energy difference δE_PV in molecules due to the weak nuclear force for both the structure and spectra of chiral molecules and for the kinetics of racemization is discussed. The chemical relaxation rate coefficient of chiral molecules with some appreciable energy of excitation is derived for several limiting cases of a simple statistical mechanical model, which takes ΔE_PV into account.     

Perspectives in Supramolecular Chemistry—From Molecular Recognition towards Molecular Information Processing and Self-Organization

The selective binding of a substrate by a molecular receptor to form a supramolecular species involves molecular recognition which rests on the molecular information stored in the interacting species. The functions of supermolecules cover recognition, as well as catalysis and transport. In combination with polymolecular organization, they open ways towards molecular and supramolecular devices for information processing and signal generation. The development of such devices requires the design of molecular components performing a given function (e.g., photoactive, electroactive, ionoactive, thermoactive, or chemoactive) and suitable for assembly into an organized array. Light-conversion devices and charge-separation centers have been realized with photoactive cryptates formed by receptors containing photosensitive groups. Eleclroactive and ionoactive devices are required for carrying information via electronic and ionic signals. Redox-active polyolefinic chains, like the “caroviologens”, represent molecular wires for electron transfer through membranes. Push-pull polyolefins possess marked nonlinear optical properties. Tubular mesophases, formed by organized stacking of suitable macro-cyclic components, as well as “chundle”-type structures, based on bundles of chains grafted onto a macrocyclic support, represent approaches to ion channels. Lipophilic macrocyclic units form Langmuir-Blodgett films that may display molecular recognition at the air-water interface. Supramolecular chemistry has relied on more or less preorganized molecular receptors for effecting molecular recognition, catalysis, and transport processes. A step beyond preorganization consists in the design of systems undergoing self-organization, that is, systems capable of spontaneously generating a well-defined supramolecular architecture by self-assembling from their components under a given set of conditions. Several approaches to self-assembling systems have been pursued: the formation of helical metal complexes, the double-stranded helicates, which result from the spontaneous organization of two linear polybipyridine ligands into a double helix by binding of specific metal ions; the generation of mesophases and liquid crystalline polymers of supramolecular nature from complementary components, amounting to macroscopic expression of molecular recognition; the molecular-recognition-directed formation of ordered solid-state structures. Endowing photo-, electro-, and ionoactive components with recognition elements opens perspectives towards the design of programmed molecular and supramolecular systems capable of self-assembly into organized and functional supramolecular devices. Such systems may be able to perform highly selective operations of recognition, reaction, transfer, and structure generation for signal and information processing at the molecular and supramolecular levels.     

Porphyrin Tessellation by Design: Metal-Mediated Self-Assembly of Large Arrays and Tapes

Twenty-one components self-assemble to form the large (ca. 25 nm²), planar porphyrin arrays of type 1 : four dipyridylporphyrins, four tripyridylporphyrins, one tetrapyridylporphyrin, and twelve PdCl₂ units.     

Synthesis of a C3-symmetric tris-imine via dynamic covalent bond formation between a trialdehyde and a triamine

Dynamic covalent chemistry is an effective technique for the preparation of complex organic compounds. We succeeded in synthesizing a cage-shaped compound through the aggregation of two types of functional molecules. More specifically, a tris-imine 5 was quantitatively obtained by reacting a C₃-symmetric trialdehyde 1 with a triamine 4 in acetonitrile in the presence of a trifluoroacetic acid catalyst. We also achieved the synthesis of the corresponding triamine 9 and the acetylated derivative 10 through reduction of the tris-imine CN double bonds and subsequent acetylation.     

Stereoselective Assembly of Hydrogen-Bonded Anionic Cages Dictated by Organophosphate-Based Chiral Nodes

Inspired by the signal transduction function of organophosphates in biological systems, bioactive organophosphates were utilized for the first time as chiral nodes to dictate the stereoselective assembly of hydrogen-bonded anionic cages. Phosphonomycin (antibiotics), tenofovir (antivirals), adenosine monophosphate (natural product, AMP) and clindamycin phosphate (antibiotics) were assembled with an achiral bis-monourea ligand, thereby leading to the stereoselective formation of quadruple or triple helicates. The extent of the stereoselectivity could be enhanced by either lowering the temperature or adding stronger-binding cations as templates. With the chiral anionic cages as the host, some enantioselectivity was achieved when binding chiral quaternary ammonium cations.