Synthesis and Photoinduced Intramolecular Processes of Light‐Harvesting Silicon Phthalocyanine–Naphthalenediimide–Fullerene Connected Systems

Fast moving : A new pentad (see figure) composed of silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc), as electron donor, that is connected with two units of naphthalenediimide (NDI) and fullerene C₆₀, as electron acceptors, undergoes fast and efficient charge‐separation processes via the NDI and SiPc singlet excited states.

     

Chiral Poly(4‐ethynylbenzoyl‐L‐valine)‐Induced Helical Self‐Assembly of Alkynylplatinum(II) Terpyridyl Complexes with Tunable Electronic Absorption,Emission, and Circular Dichroism Changes

The aggregation and self‐assembly of square‐planar alkynylplatinum(II) complexes is induced by the use of a chiral polyacetylene with a helical conformation (see scheme). The chain helicity of the chiral polyacetylene under basic conditions has also been demonstrated to be enhanced by the presence of the positively charged platinum(II) complexes.

     

Stereodivergent Synthesis of 17‐α and 17‐β‐Aryl Steroids: Application and Biological Evaluation of D‐Ring Cortistatin Analogues

One stereocenter makes all the difference : The synthesis and biological evaluation of 17‐epi‐cortistatin A is reported from a common intermediate used to procure natural cortistatin A. The synthesis features a unique stereocontrolled Raney‐Ni reduction process that can be employed to reliably produce both α‐ and β‐configured D‐ring aryl steroids. Biological evaluations of these “cortalogs” are reported for the first time.

     

Cruciform‐Silica Hybrid Materials

Silica scaffolding : By employing functionalized mesoporous SBA‐15 silica, novel fluorescent cruciform‐silica hybrid materials are generated which preserve the desirable solution properties of cruciforms in the solid state for potential use in sensory schemes.

     

Metal‐Ion‐Coated Graphitic Nanotubes: Controlled Self‐Assembly of a Pyridyl‐Appended Gemini‐Shaped Hexabenzocoronene Amphiphile

The assembly line : Hexabenzocoronene amphiphiles appended with pyridyl‐terminated triethylene glycol side chains, in combination with trans‐[Pt(PhCN)₂Cl₂], lead to the formation of graphitic nanotubes. The structural features and dimensions of the nanotubes depend on the assembly conditions. A platinum(II)‐bridged cyclic dimer having two HBC units self‐assembles into a nanotubular structure.

     

Structure–Function Relationships in Unsymmetrical Zinc Phthalocyanines for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Let it shine! The impact of the anchoring group on photovoltaic performance by a series of phthalocyanine sensitisers (see figure) has been demonstrated.

     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Candelalides A,B and C: Potential Kv1.3 Blocking Immunosuppressive Agents

Potential immunosuppressive agents : Candelalides A, B and C (see figure), novel blockers of the voltage‐gated potassium channel Kv1.3, have been efficiently synthesized for the first time in a convergent and unified manner starting from (+)‐5‐methyl‐Wieland–Miescher ketone. The method explored has potential for preparing various types of candelalide analogues for the structure–activity relationship studies.

     

Efficient Replication Bypass of Size‐Expanded DNA Base Pairs in Bacterial Cells

Supersize me! Size‐expanded DNA bases (xDNA) are able to encode natural DNA sequences in replication. In vitro experiments with a DNA polymerase show nucleotide incorporation opposite the xDNA bases with correct pairing. In vivo experiments using E. coli show that two xDNA bases (xA and xC, see picture) encode the correct replication partners.

     

Bifunctional Dendrimers: From Robust Synthesis and Accelerated One‐Pot Postfunctionalization Strategy to Potential Applications

A fourth wheel : Two sets of bifunctional AB₂C dendrimers having internal acetylene/azides and external hydroxy groups were constructed utilizing benign synthetic protocols. An in situ postfunctionalization strategy was successfully carried out to illustrate the chemoselective nature of these dendrimers. The dendrimers were also transformed into dendritic nanoparticles or utilized as dendritic crosslinkers for the fabrication hydrogels.

     

Molecular Materials with Contrasting Optical Responses from a Single‐Pot Reaction and Fluorescence Switching in a Carbon Acid

Three for the price of one : The reaction of tetracyanoquinodimethane with an aromatic amine is shown to follow an unusual course leading to three products in a single pot. The product molecules form a family of materials with contrasting optical responses, in that they exhibit light emission of different colors and emission switching that is sensitively triggered by acidic/basic environments (see scheme).

     

Synthesis of 2‐Ene‐1,4‐diols by a New Cascade‐Opening of 1,3‐Diepoxides: Towards an Efficient Synthesis of Dihydroxytaxoid Derivatives

Taxing taxanes : A new method for the preparation of alk‐2‐ene‐1,4‐diols from 1,3‐dienes, especially for geometrical constrained derivatives, via dioxirane derivative formation followed by Ti^III‐induced oxirane ring opening, is described. The strategy has been very efficiently implemented to the construction of the 11‐ene‐10,13‐diol moiety present in taxol derivatives.

     

New Polyalkynyl Dendrons and Dendrimers: “Click” Chemistry with Azidomethylferrocene and Specific Anion and Cation Electrochemical Sensing Properties of the 1,2,3‐Triazole‐Containing Dendrimers

Dendrimers for ion sensing : The synthesis and use of new tris‐alkynyl dendrons are reported. So‐called “click” reactions of the dendrimers described with azidomethylferrocene give 27‐ferrocenyl, 81‐ferrocenyl, and 243‐ferrocenyl dendrimers. Electrochemical recognition of oxo‐anions and Pd²⁺ cations has been compared using the three polyferrocenyl dendrimers.

     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylation Reactions of Aryl Halides and Related Compounds

A CO group richer : (Hetero)arenes are vital intermediates in the manufacture of agrochemicals, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial products. In the past decades transition‐metal‐catalyzed coupling reactions of aryl halides with all types of nucleophiles have been developed. This Review summarizes recent work in the area of palladium‐catalyzed carbonylation reactions of aryl halides and related compounds (see scheme).

     

Unusual Interlocking and Interpenetration Lead to Highly Porous and Robust Metal–Organic Frameworks

Stop the breathing : As the organic bridging ligands become more elaborate and large, the resulting MOFs tend to experience significant framework distortion (i.e., breathing) upon solvent removal. Rigidification of MOFs that are built from elongated tetracarboxylate bridging ligands by unusual interlocking and interpenetration leads to highly porous and robust hybrid materials.