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.

     

Systematic Enumeration and Symmetries of Cubane Derivatives

The feasibilities of Fujita's unit‐subduced‐cycle‐index (USCI) approach, Fujita's proligand method, and Fujita's stereoisogram approach have been demonstrated by applying them to cubane derivatives as probes. They provide us with a new set of theoretical foundations for comprehensive investigation of geometric and stereoisomeric features of stereochemistry. The new set of theoretical foundations is based on mathematical formulations so as to explore mathematical stereochemistry as a new interdisciplinary field of stereochemistry.

     

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.

     

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.

     

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.

     

Fluorescent Probes Based on Rhodamine Hydrazides and Hydroxamates

Rhodamine hydrazides and hydroxamates derived from hydrazines and hydroxylamines have been applied as fluorescent chemosensors. Reaction‐based irreversible probes based on the specific chemical reactions of reactive target species have been developed and applied in bio‐imaging studies. The strong chelation frames provided by the rhodamine hydrazides and hydroxamates have been utilized for the monitoring of metal ions, amino acids, and reactive acid derivatives. This Personal Account focuses on our perspective of developing fluorescent probes based on rhodamine hydrazides and hydroxamates.

     

Bio‐/Chemosensors and Imaging with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Luminogens

Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) luminogens show abnormal fluorescent behavior; they are non‐emissive in solution, but they become strongly emissive after aggregation. Sensing and imaging are the major applications of AIE luminogens. By properly manipulating the aggregation and deaggregation of AIE molecules, various bio‐/chemosensors have been developed. Moreover, AIE molecules with targeting groups have been devised for imaging of organelles and cancer cells. In this account, we report our recent work on the application of AIE luminogens for the construction of bio‐/chemosensors and imaging.

     

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.

     

Organocatalyzed Group Transfer Polymerization

In contrast to the conventional group transfer polymerization (GTP) using a catalyst of either an anionic nucleophile or a transition‐metal compound, the organocatalyzed GTP has to a great extent improved the living characteristics of the polymerization from the viewpoints of synthesizing structurally well‐defined acrylic polymers and constructing defect‐free polymer architectures. In this article, we describe the organocatalyzed GTP from a relatively personal perspective to provide our colleagues with a perspicuous and systematic overview on its recent progress as well as a reply to the curiosity of how excellently the organocatalysts have performed in this field. The stated perspectives of this review mainly cover five aspects, in terms of the assessment of the livingness of the polymerization, limit and scope of applicable monomers, mechanistic studies, control of the polymer structure, and a new GTP methodology involving the use of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane and hydrosilane.

     

Domino Reactions Based on Combinatorial Bond Transformations in Electron‐Deficient Tertiary Enamines

Electron‐deficient enamines such as enaminones and enaminoesters are moieties showing widespread application in organic synthesis. Among the various available electron‐deficient enamines, the N,N‐disubstituted amino‐functionalized ones (tertiary enamines) represent a class of special enamines with distinct properties and important applications. Based on our longstanding interest in exploring novel synthetic methods using electron‐deficient tertiary enamines, we present herein the research advances in organic synthesis via domino reactions making use of the combinatorial C–N, C=C, C–H, and other bond transformations of electron‐deficient tertiary enamines.

     

Applications of Chiral Squaramides: From Asymmetric Organocatalysis to Biologically Active Compounds

This review seeks to provide coverage on the recent advances in chiral squaramide‐catalyzed asymmetric transformations and their applications in the synthesis of a variety of chiral biologically active compounds. It aims to give an overview highlighting the new reaction types and enantioenriched medicinal scaffolds developed in the last few years.

     

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.

     

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.

     

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.

     

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 of N‐pivot lariat ethers

This review covers the main strategies for the synthesis of N‐pivot lariat ethers as well as their specific syntheses.     

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     

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 .     

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.