Binding properties and self-assembly of C2v-symmetrical resorcin[4]arene tetrabenzoates

In the crystalline state two molecules of resorcin[4]arene tetrabenzoates and four chloride anions form molecular wraps containing two Et₃NH⁺ cations. The structure and composition of the wraps depend on the length of the alkyl chains at the narrow rim of the macrocycle. Resorcin[4]arene tetrabenzoates interact with ammonium salts in CDCl₃.     

Reversible sol-gel transition of a tris-urea gelator that responds to chemical stimuli

Tris-urea 1 functioned as a low-molecular-weight gelator for a variety of polar organic solvents. An acetone gel of 1 became a homogeneous solution in response to the addition of anions. The minimum amount of anion necessary for the gel-sol transition was specific to the anion species. A linear relationship was demonstrated between the amount of anion required and the total binding constant of 1 with the anion. Re-gelation occurred by addition of BF₃·OEt₂ and with ultrasound irradiation of the acetone solution of 1 and F⁻.     

C3-Symmetric, amino acid based organogelators and thickeners: a systematic study of structure-property relations

A class of C₃-symmetric amino acid based organogelators and thickeners featuring a rigid core have been developed. Structural variation yielded a number of compounds, the aggregation behaviour and resulting aggregates and gels of which were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, dropping ball measurements, differential scanning calorimetry and transmission electron microscopy. These studies showed that the nature of the core unit, the type of hydrogen-bonding units and the applied amino acids have a strong influence on the interactions, resulting in large differences in aggregation properties, thermal stability and morphology between the various compounds. The results provide a basis for a better understanding of the relation between aggregate/gel properties and molecular structure. The structural variation available for these compounds allows fine-tuning of the gelators with respect to aggregation behaviour and gel properties.     

Synthesis of C3- and C2-symmetric tris- and bis-sulfoxide ligands by asymmetric oxidation

A series of tris- and bis-sulfoxides were synthesized by multiple asymmetric oxidation of the corresponding sulfides. High enantioselectivities were obtained based on Horeau-type amplification of selectivity. Naphthyl-substituted sulfoxides allowed for higher selectivity and greater ease of purification. These sulfoxides were tested as ligands in rhodium-catalyzed olefin hydroacylation and 1,4-addition of phenyl boronic acid to 2-cyclohexen-1-one. While no enantioinduction was observed in hydroacylation, up to 80% ee was obtained for a tris-sulfoxide and a bis-sulfoxide ligand in the 1,4-addition. Bis-sulfoxides with flexible backbones gave lower and inversed enantioselectivity, suggesting backbone rigidity plays a key role in enantioinduction.     

New C2-symmetry diols accumulating one stereogenic axis and two stereogenic centers

Herein we report a protocol for the enantioselective synthesis of the three stereoisomers of 1,1′-(1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diyl)bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethanol) and their characterization. These compounds, that combine axial and central chirality, might present interesting properties for enantiorecognition. Different reduction processes were applied to racemic and enantiopure 1,1′-(1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diyl)bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethanone) allowing the isolation of the corresponding ketols, 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-[2′-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl)-1,1′-binaphthalen-2-yl]ethanone, and the named diols.     

The cis-2-alkyl-3-oxy-tetrahydropyran unit as a building block for new ionophores with C2-symmetry

The use of cis-2-alkyl-3-oxy-tetrahydropyran unit is reported as a novel structure for the design and synthesis of a new type of ionophore with C₂-symmetry. The synthesis of five macrolides and their complexation properties were investigated. The template effect as an effective tool to improve the selectivity and yield in the macrolactonization process is described.     

Slow-exchange C3-symmetric cryptand/trispyridinium inclusion complexes containing non-linear guests: a new type of threaded structure

Slow-exchange C₃-symmetric inclusion complexes were successfully prepared based on a new cryptand/trispyridinium recognition motif as confirmed by proton NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and molecular modeling. These inclusion complexes are the first examples of a new type of threaded structure with non-linear guests.     

Synthesis and chiroptical property of C2-symmetric cyclohexapyrrole

Condensation reaction of gem-dimethyldipyrrylmethane-5,5′-dicarbinol and 4,4′-dimethyl-3,3′-di-iso-butyl-2,2′-bipyrrole under the catalysis by trifluoroacetic acid gave a hexapyrrolic macrocycle 6 in 15% yield after DDQ oxidation. X-ray crystallography of 6 shows that three parts of highly planar dipyrrylmethene unit are assembled by two sp³ hybridized gem-dimethyl carbon bridges and one direct linking at the pyrrole α-positions, leading to C₂ molecular symmetry. The complexation of 6 with (S)-(+)- and (R)-(−)-mandelic acid induced a CD Cotton effect at 461 and 650 nm.     

Synthesis and applications of C2-symmetric guanidine bases

The preparation of the tetracyclic C₂-symmetric guanidinium salts 5 and 11-13 is reported together with their application to enantioselective transformations.     

Improved synthesis of a C3-symmetrical pyridinophane

The formation of the C₃-symmetrical 2,11,20-triaza[3.3.3](2,6)pyridinophane 1 was undertaken with the aim of improving the synthesis of this highly desirable macrocycle, with the future aim of functionalizing 1 with amide pendent arms for the recognition of lanthanide ions. The synthesis of 1 involves the stepwise transformation of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid into two key intermediates; N,N-bis[(6-hydroxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-p-tosylamide 7 and 6-bis[(amino-p-tosyl)methyl]pyridine 5. The macrocyclization of these two intermediates gave 8, from which 1 was formed upon deprotection of the three tosyl groups.     

Synthesis and electronic structures of D2h-symmetry tetrabenzoporphyrins

A novel low-symmetry tetrabenzoporphine with D_2h symmetry (1) and its zinc complex (2) were prepared via mixed condensation reaction of 5,6-dimethyl phthalimide and 4,5,6,7-tetraphenyl phthalimide with sodium acetate in the presence of zinc acetate. The zinc complex 2 exhibited a split Q band at 640 and 623 nm and a single Soret band at 435 nm. The absorption spectra of 1 and 2 were calculated and analyzed using Hartree-Fock theory based on INDO/S Hamiltonian.     

Synthesis of C3-Symmetric star-shaped molecules containing 1,3-azoles via hetero-aryl Heck coupling

We have demonstrated a useful synthetic strategy to assemble star-shaped C₃-symmetric molecules containing 1,3-azole moieties at the periphery. To generate these C₃-symmetric heterocycles, we have employed the Pd/Cu-based coupling reactions. To this end, we have used benzoxazole, benzothiazole, and benzimidazole as coupling partners to generate the corresponding hetero-aryl Heck coupling products.     

Synthesis of a C3-symmetric macrocycle with alternating sugar amino acid and tyrosine residues

A C₃-symmetric macrocycle with alternating sugar amino acid and tyrosine residues was synthesized in seven steps from tyrosine tert-butyl ester and a sugar amino acid precursor derived from D-glucosamine. An Fmoc-protected D-glucosamine derivative was oxidized at C-6 to give the sugar amino acid, which was immediately coupled to tyrosine tert-butyl ester to produce an orthogonally protected building block. This building block was subsequently elongated to the trimer via the dimer, and finally cyclized to give the C₃-symmetric macrocycle.     

Synthesis of C2-symmetric chiral crown ethers by lipase-catalyzed reactions

Kinetic resolution of a racemic mixture of C₂-symmetric 18-crown-6 diols (rac-1a) and 15-crown-5 diol (rac-1c) was achieved by lipase-catalyzed acetylation. The enantiomeric excess of the chiral crown diols (95% ee and 82% ee) was determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, using (R)-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium hydrochloride as a shift reagent. The C₂-symmetric chiral 15-crown-5 diol (>95% ee) was also obtained by kinetic resolution of the racemic diacetate (rac-2c) using lipase-catalyzed solvolysis.     

Pyridine-functionalised C4 symmetric resorcinarenes

Racemic mixtures of C₄ symmetric resorcinarenes have been functionalised by adding 2- and 3-picolyl ether functional groups. Three of the resulting macrocycles were structurally characterised. The aim of the work was to enable the resolution of the racemic mixture by forming salts with chiral acids. While the formation of diastereomers was demonstrated using NMR spectroscopy, isolation of the salts was not successful. Metal complexation was also investigated. The pyridine-functionalised ligands solubilise copper and nickel salts in dichloromethane, and form insoluble products with silver and palladium. A copper complex was structurally characterised, and shown to form a linear polymer containing two structurally distinct copper bridges.     

Synthesis of the first C2-asymmetric phosphinine and its pyrylium precursor

The synthesis of the first C₂ chiral phosphinine (phosphabenzene) and its pyrylium salt precursor is reported. The chiral phosphinine is derived from (+)-camphor, is a crystalline air-stable solid and is shown to effectively form complexes with metals. A preliminary result using the phosphinine as a ligand for asymmetric catalysis is reported and rationalized structurally.     

Synthesis and RNase A inhibition study of C2-symmetric bis-isochromenyl sulfones

A new class of C₂-symmetric bis-isochromene derivatives with 3,3′-linkage has been synthesized from bis-propargyl sulfones. The method involves treatment of the sulfones with triethylamine to form the isochromene derivatives presumably via the intramolecular Michael addition to the intermediate bis-allenic sulfones. Interestingly, the product expected from the Garratt-Braverman pathway was not obtained. The bis-isochromene 7d displayed RNase A inhibition activity, much stronger than the isochromene 8 and bis-isocoumarin 9.     

Dynamic covalent chemistry of a boronylammonium ion and a crown ether: formation of a C3-symmetric [4]rotaxane

This Letter describes an efficient method for constructing a C₃-symmetric [4]rotaxane through hydrogen bond-guided self-assembly and boroxine formation. The reactions proceed under mild conditions in solution, with entropically driven forces promoting the formation of the [4]rotaxane.     

Synthesis and structure of C2-symmetric N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of palladium

The first 9- and 11-membered cis and trans C₂-symmetric benzimidazol-2-ylidene palladium(II) complexes based on a trans-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxalane backbone were synthesised and the configuration of the complexes was elucidated via NMR and X-ray crystallography.