Development of C3‐Symmetric Tris‐Urea Low‐Molecular‐Weight Gelators

This article describes recent developments in C₃‐symmetric tris‐urea low‐molecular‐weight gelators and their applications. The C₃‐symmetric tris‐ureas are excellent frameworks to form supramolecular polymers through noncovalent interactions. In organic solvents, hydrophobic tris‐ureas form supramolecular gels. Amphiphilic tris‐ureas form supramolecular gels in aqueous media. Functional supramolecular gels were prepared by introducing appropriate functional groups into the outer sphere of tris‐ureas. Supramolecular hydrogels obtained from amphiphilic tris‐ureas were used in the electrophoresis of proteins. These electrophoreses results showed several unique characteristics compared to typical electrophoreses results obtained using polyacrylamide matrices.

     

BODIPY Dye,the Most Versatile Fluorophore Ever?

BODIPY laser dyes constitute a fascinating topic of research in modern photochemistry due to the large variety of options its chromophore offers, which is ready available for a multitude of synthetic routes. Indeed, in the literature one can find a huge battery of compounds based on the indacene core. The possibility of modulating the spectroscopic properties or inducing new photophysical processes by the substitution pattern of the BODIPY dyes has boosted the number of scientific and technological applications for these fluorophores. Along the following lines, I will overview the main results achieved in our laboratory with BODIPYs oriented to optoelectronic as well to biophotonic applications, stressing the more relevant photophysical issues to be considered in the design of a tailor‐made BODIPY for a certain application and pointing out some of the remaining challenges.

     

Extending the Substrate Scope for the Asymmetric Iridium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Minimally Functionalized Olefins by Using Biaryl Phosphite‐Based Modular Ligand Libraries

Asymmetric hydrogenation is one of the most efficient and atom‐economical tools to prepare chiral molecules. However, the enantiodiscrimination of simple, minimally functionalized olefins is still challenging and requires more sophisticated ligand design. Herein, we discuss our progress in the successful development of ligand design for the iridium‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of minimally functionalized olefins.

     

Organo‐ and Organometallic‐Catalytic Intramolecular [1,5]‐Hydride Transfer/Cyclization Process through C(sp3)–H Bond Activation

The direct functionalization of C(sp³)–H bonds is one of the most synthetically powerful research areas in current organic synthesis. Organocatalytic C(sp³)–H bond activation reactions have recently been developed in addition to the traditional metal‐catalyzed C(sp³)–H activation reactions. In this review, we aim to give a brief overview of organo‐ and organometallic internal redox cascade reactions with respect to the mechanism, the reactivity of hydrogen donors and acceptors, and the migration modes of hydrogen.

     

Synthesis of Multisubstituted Olefins through Regio‐ and Stereoselective Addition of Interelement Compounds Having B–Si,B–B,and Cl–S Bonds to Alkynes,and Subsequent Cross‐Couplings

Multisubstituted olefins are fundamental motifs in organic compounds. In this account, we describe the synthesis of organic molecules bearing an olefinic moiety by the transition‐metal‐catalyzed regio‐ and stereoselective addition of a variety of interelement compounds to alkynes. Regio‐ and stereoselective silaboration, diborylation, and chlorothiolation have been achieved by using the transition‐metal catalysts. The subsequent cross‐coupling reactions of the boron‐containing alkenes to install various aryl groups afforded the corresponding tri‐ and tetraarylated olefins. This account describes our research on the highly regio‐ and stereoselective synthesis of multifunctionalized olefins such as tetraarylethenes with four different aryl groups.

     

Claisen Condensation of N‐Methylpyrrolidinone and α‐Chloronicotinic esters

Reaction between α‐halo‐nicotinic esters and a nucleophilic source such as the N‐methylpyrrolidin‐2‐one (NMP) gave unexpected results. The presence of the halide on the pyridine gave a very interesting migration reaction. Extension to 6‐methylnicotinic ester derivatives lead to an unexpected carbanion condensation.     

Inducing Planar Orientation in Side‐Chain Liquid‐Crystalline Polymer Systems via Interfacial Control

For efficient photoresponses of liquid‐crystal (LC) azobenzene (Az) polymer systems, planar LC orientation of the Az mesogenic group is required because the light irradiation process usually occurs with normal incidence to the film surface. However, LC molecules with a rodlike shape tend to orient perpendicularly to the film surface according to the excluded volume effect theory. This review introduces new approaches for inducing planar orientation in side‐chain LC Az polymer films via interface and surface molecular designs. The planar orientation offers efficient in‐plane photoalignment and photoswitching to hierarchical LC architectures from molecular LC mesogens and LC phases to mesoscopic microphase‐separated structures. These approaches are expected to provide new concepts and possibilities in new LC polymer devices.

     

Oxygen‐Promoted Suzuki–Miyaura Reaction for Efficient Construction of Biaryls

As one of the most powerful and versatile methods for the construction of carbon–carbon bonds, the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction has attracted great attention over the past three decades. In recent years, a huge amount of interest has been focused on the development of ligand‐free Suzuki–Miyaura reaction systems, which have the advantages of low cost, mild reaction conditions, and easy operation. So far, a number of ligand‐free Suzuki–Miyaura reaction systems have been developed by using simple palladium salts, nanopalladium, or supported palladium catalysts. In this account, we will review our recent research on the oxygen‐promoted ligand‐free Suzuki–Miyaura reaction. Interestingly, the oxygen‐promoting effect has been observed in different reaction media, including polyethylene glycol, organic/water mixed solvents and pure water. The oxygen‐promoted reaction systems demonstrate high efficiency for the construction of biaryls.

     

Preparation,Functionality, and Application of Metal Oxide‐coated Noble Metal Nanoparticles

With their remarkable properties and wide‐ranging applications, nanostructures of noble metals and metal oxides have been receiving significantly increased attention in recent years. The desire to combine the properties of these two functional materials for specific applications has naturally prompted research in the design and synthesis of novel nanocomposites, consisting of both noble metal and metal‐oxide components. In this review, particular attention is given to core–shell type metal oxide‐coated noble metal nanostructures (i.e., metal@oxide), which display potential utility in applications, including photothermal therapy, catalytic conversions, photocatalysis, molecular sensing, and photovoltaics. Emerging research directions and areas are envisioned at the end to solicit more attention and work in this regard.

     

Preparation of 5‐bromo‐6‐phenylimidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]thiadiazol‐2‐ylamines

The reaction of primary or secondary amines with 2,5‐dibromo‐6‐phenylimidazo[2,1‐b][1,3,4]‐thiadiazole ( 5 ) leads to a chemoselective replacement of the 2‐Br substituent. The process represents a convenient route to the corresponding 2‐ylamines 7a‐d . Hydrazine reacts in an analogous fashion ( 5 → 7e ). The structure determinations are based on an X‐ray crystal structure analysis and on one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR measurements.     

Recent Progress in Synthesis and Application of Thiophene Oligomers Based on Bithiophene Dicarbanions

This focus review summarizes our recent efforts on the synthetic applications of bithiophene dicarbanions generated from three bithiophene isomers: 2,2′‐, 3,3′‐, and 2,3′‐bithiophene. Based on these bithiophene dicarbanions, a series of dithienothiophenes ( DTT s) and cyclooctatetrathiophenes ( COTh s) were synthesized by intra‐ and intermolecular cyclizations, respectively. Moreover, recent applications of DTT and COTh in characteristic compounds such as dendrimers, thio[8]circulenes, double helicenes, and thienoacenes are summarized in this account. Besides the synthetic work, some photoelectric properties of the thiophene‐based oligomers including organic field‐effect transistors and organic photovoltaics are briefly reviewed.

     

Synthesis and structural study of a new series of 2‐methylsulfanyl‐tetrahydropyrimidines from β‐alkoxyvinyl trihalomethyl ketones

This work describes the synthesis of a novel series of 2‐methylsulfanyl‐tetrahydropyrimidines, from the cyclocondensation reaction of β‐alkoxyvinyl trihalomethyl ketones with 2‐methyl‐2‐thiopseudourea sulfate, in good yields. A detailed ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR study was performed on the 2‐methylsulfanyl‐tetrahydropyrimidines obtained and 3D structures were proposed based on AM1 calculations supported by ¹H NMR coupling constants and NOESY experiments.     

Advances in Transition‐Metal‐Catalysed Alkyne Hydroarylations

We present herein a personal account of our achievements in the development of novel catalytic systems based on late‐transition‐metal complexes for the hydroarylation of alkynes. In particular, our targets were intermolecular hydroarylation reactions with arene or heteroarene substrates devoid of directing groups. We have shown that complexes of palladium, platinum or gold with N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands can be particularly useful catalysts for this reaction; the NHC ligand imparts greater stability to the complex and renders the catalytic system more productive. Furthermore, we have identified promoters and reaction media that allow to significantly improve the catalytic activity under mild conditions, to control the reaction chemoselectivity and to steer it towards more complex products; thus making this reaction considerably more attractive for the synthetic chemist.

     

Coordination‐Cluster‐Based Molecular Magnetic Refrigerants

Coordination polymers serving as molecular magnetic refrigerants have been attracting great interest. In particular, coordination cluster compounds that demonstrate their apparent advantages on cryogenic magnetic refrigerants have attracted more attention in the last five years. Herein, we mainly focus on depicting aspects of syntheses, structures, and magnetothermal properties of coordination clusters that serve as magnetic refrigerants on account of the magnetocaloric effect. The documented molecular magnetic refrigerants are classified into two primary categories according to the types of metal centers, namely, homo‐ and heterometallic clusters. Every section is further divided into several subgroups based on the metal nuclearity and their dimensionalities, including discrete molecular clusters and those with extended structures constructed from molecular clusters. The objective is to present a rough overview of recent progress in coordination‐cluster‐based molecular magnetic refrigerants and provide a tutorial for researchers who are interested in the field.

     

Supramolecular Drug Delivery Systems Based on Water‐Soluble Pillar[n]arenes

Supramolecular drug delivery systems (SDDSs), including various kinds of nanostructures that are assembled by reversible noncovalent interactions, have attracted considerable attention as ideal drug carriers owing to their fascinating ability to undergo dynamic switching of structure, morphology, and function in response to various external stimuli, which provides a flexible and robust platform for designing and developing functional and smart supramolecular nano‐drug carriers. Pillar[n]arenes represent a new generation of macrocyclic hosts, which have unique structures and excellent properties in host–guest chemistry. This account describes recent progress in our group to develop pillararene‐based stimuli‐responsive supramolecular nanostructures constructed by reversible host–guest interactions for controllable anticancer drug delivery. The potential applications of these supramolecular drug carriers in cancer treatment and the fundamental questions facing SDDSs are also discussed.

     

Synthesis and photochemical properties of trans‐2‐(2‐aryl‐ or heteroarylvinyl)‐4,5‐dichloropyridazin‐3(2H)‐ones

trans‐2‐(2‐Aryl‐ or heteroarylvinyl)‐4,5‐dichloropyridazin‐3(2H)‐ones 3 were synthesized from 4,5‐dichloropyridazin‐3(2H)‐one via 2 step. The photochemical behavior of 3 in THF, methylene chloride, acetonitrile and methanol is dependent on the kind of aryl or heterocyclic ring and the solvent polarity     

Accessing the Long‐Lived Triplet Excited States in Transition‐Metal Complexes: Molecular Design Rationales and Applications

Transition‐metal complex triplet photosensitizers are versatile compounds that have been widely used in photocatalysis, photovoltaics, photodynamic therapy (PDT) and triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion. The principal photophysical processes in these applications are the intermolecular energy transfer or electron transfer. One of the major challenges facing these triplet photosensitizers is the short triplet‐state lifetime, which is detrimental to the above‐mentioned photophysical processes. In order to address this challenge, transition‐metal complexes showing long‐lived triplet excited states are highly desired. This review article summarizes the development of this fascinating area, including the molecular design rationales, the principal photophysical properties, and the applications of these complexes in PDT and TTA upconversion.

     

Sulfonyl Azoles in the Synthesis of 3‐Functionalized Azole Derivatives

Sulfonyl indoles, as well as related azolyl derivatives, have been recently introduced in synthesis as stable precursors of reactive indolenine intermediates. This personal account reports on the discovery of sulfonyl azoles and their practical utilization in many synthetic processes for the preparation of functionalized 3‐substituted indoles, indazoles, and pyrroles. The indolenine intermediates obtained by treatment of sulfonyl azoles with Brønsted bases or Lewis acids can be considered as vinylogous imino derivatives that can be made to react with different nucleophilic reagents. These include organometallic reagents, reducing agents, stabilized carbanions, and heteronucleophiles. The controlled and mild conditions for the generation of indolenines from sulfonyl azoles make these substrates particularly useful in asymmetric synthesis, exploiting organo‐ or metal‐catalyzed processes. Although less exploited, sulfonyl indoles can also be involved in photochemical processes for the preparation of polycyclic derivatives.

     

Regioselective three‐component synthesis of novel indeno[1,2‐b]‐pyrazolo[4,3‐e]pyridines‐fused derivatives of 4‐azafluorenone alkaloid

New fused indeno[1,2‐b]pyridine derivatives have been prepared in a multicomponent reaction from benzaldehydes, indanedione and the appropriate aminoheteroaryl compound. The simple methodology permitted the syntheses of a series of indeno[1,2‐b]pyrazolo[4,3‐e]pyridines 4 from 5‐aminopyrazol 1 and modulated by the corresponding benzaldehyde 2 .