Versatile Syntheses of Hemi‐Cryptophanes and a Metallo‐Cryptophane from a Hexa‐Functionalized C3v‐Symmetrical Tribenzotriquinacene (TBTQ) Derivative

A number of three‐fold C_3v‐symmetrical tribenzotriquinacene (TBTQ) cavitands were synthesized by a “metamorphosis‐to‐half” strategy, employing six‐fold etherification reactions between the hexakis(chloromethyl)‐TBTQ intermediate 2 a and various 5‐functionalized resorcinols. X‐ray structure analyses of single crystals of the cavitands revealed limited rotational flexibility of the resorcinol bridging units, which enables an apical, nearly co‐axial orientation of the three functional groups and, as a consequence, the construction of nanoscale cage‐like molecules via covalent or coordination bonding. On this basis, two TBTQ‐based hemicryptophanes were prepared from the TBTQ cavitands via covalent bond formation in good yields. A dumbbell‐shaped TBTQ‐based metallo‐cryptophane was also synthesized in 34 % yield by a solvothermal reaction between cadmium nitrate and two equivalents of the TBTQ‐cavitand triacid, as confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and MALDI‐ToF mass spectrometry.     

Almost Enclosed Buckyball Joints: Synthesis,Complex Formation,and Computational Simulations of Pentypticene‐Extended Tribenzotriquinacene

We report the synthesis of a tribenzotriquinacene‐based (TBTQ) receptor ( 3 ) for C₆₀ fullerene, which is extended by pentiptycene moieties to provide an almost enclosed concave ball bearing. The system serves as a model for a self‐assembling molecular rotor with a flexible and adapting stator. Unexpectedly, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic investigations reveal a surprisingly low complex stability constant of K₁=213±37 M ^?1 for [C₆₀? 3 ], seemingly inconsistent with the previously reported TBTQ systems. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been conducted for three different [C₆₀?TBTQ] complexes to resolve this. Because of the dominating dispersive interactions, the binding energies increase with the contact area between guest and host, however, only for rigid host structures. By means of free‐energy calculations with an explicit solvent model it can be shown that the novel flexible TBTQ receptor 3 binds weakly because of hampering entropic contributions.     

Tris(tetraceno)triquinacenes: Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of Threefold Linearly Extended Tribenzotriquinacenes

The linear extension of the rigid, C_3v‐symmetrical carbon framework of tribenzotriquinacene (TBTQ) along its three wings is reported. The key step of the extension procedure consists of a Diels–Alder reaction of three ortho‐quinodimethane units generated in situ at the triquinacene core. The use of 1,4‐naphthoquinone provides a facile and particularly efficient access to tris(tetraceno)‐annellated triquinacenes. The steady‐state photophysical properties of these new oligotetracenes bearing three mutually orthogonal chomophores are determined and analyzed by DFT calculations.     

Enantiomerically Pure Tribenzotriquinacenes through Stereoselective Synthesis

Inherently chiral acetophenones and benzaldehydes bearing the large, bowl‐shaped framework of tribenzotriquinacene (TBTQ) were synthesized in enantiomerically pure form employing enzyme catalysis. Five‐step sequences involving lipase CAL‐B lead to the (M)‐enantiomers, (+)‐2‐acetyl‐TBTQ (M)‐ 5 and (+)‐2‐formyl‐TBTQ (M)‐ 6 , whereas use of lipase PS leads to the (P)‐enantiomers, (?)‐2‐acetyl‐TBTQ (P)‐ 5 and (?)‐2‐formyl‐TBTQ (P)‐ 6 , with at least 99 % ee in each case. The absolute configuration of these rigid 3D building blocks was determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis of the ketones 5 and by comparison of their chiroptical properties with those of the aldehydes 6 .     

From C1 to C3: Copper‐Catalyzed gem‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)olefination of α‐Diazo Esters with TMSCF3

A Cu‐catalyzed gem‐bis(trifluoromethyl)olefination of α‐diazo esters, using TMSCF₃ as the only fluorocarbon source, has been developed and provides an exquisite method to access gem‐bis(trifluoromethyl)alkenes. This unprecedented olefination process involves a carbene migratory insertion into “CuCF₃” to generate the α‐CF₃‐substituted organocopper species, which then undergoes β‐fluoride elimination and two consecutive addition‐elimination processes to give the desired products. The key to this efficient one‐pot C₁‐to‐C₃ synthetic protocol lies in the controllable double (over single and triple) trifluoromethylations of the gem‐difluoroalkene intermediates.     

A structural study of (1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐2,4‐dibenzoyl‐1,3,5‐triphenylcyclohexan‐1‐ol chloroform hemisolvate and (1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐2,4‐dibenzoyl‐1‐phenyl‐3,5‐bis(2‐methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan‐1‐ol

(1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐2,4‐Dibenzoyl‐1,3,5‐triphenylcyclohexan‐1‐ol or (4‐hydroxy‐2,4,6‐triphenylcyclohexane‐1,3‐diyl)bis(phenylmethanone), C₃₈H₃₂O₃, (1), is formed as a by‐product in the NaOH‐catalyzed synthesis of 1,3,5‐triphenylpentane‐1,5‐dione from acetophenone and benzaldehyde. Single crystals of the chloroform hemisolvate, C₃₈H₃₂O₃·0.5CHCl₃, were grown from chloroform. The structure has triclinic (P) symmetry. One diastereomer [as a pair of (1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐enantiomers] of (1) has been found in the crystal structure and confirmed by NMR studies. The dichoromethane hemisolvate has been reported previously [Zhang et al. (2007). Acta Cryst. E 63 , o4652]. (1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐2,4‐Dibenzoyl‐3,5‐bis(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylcyclohexan‐1‐ol or [4‐hydroxy‐2,6‐bis(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐4‐phenylcyclohexane‐1,3‐diyl]bis(phenylmethanone), C₄₀H₃₆O₅, (2), is also formed as a by‐product, under the same conditions, from acetophenone and 2‐methoxybenzaldehyde. Crystals of (2) have been grown from chloroform. The structure has orthorhombic (Pca2₁) symmetry. A diastereomer of (2) possesses the same configuration as (1). In both structures, the cyclohexane ring adopts a chair conformation with all bulky groups (benzoyl, phenyl and 2‐methoxyphenyl) in equatorial positions. The molecules of (1) and (2) both display one intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond.     

Enzymatic Resolution of O‐(Methoxymethyl)‐Protected Tropane‐diols

A convenient synthetic route to enantiomerically pure tropane‐diol building blocks is described. The reaction sequence started from tropenone derivatives 1 , which were dihydroxylated to give 6,7‐dihydroxytropanone derivatives 2 . After introduction of the methoxymethyl (MOM) protecting group in diol 2a , a lipase‐mediated resolution of the resulting racemic mono‐MOM ether (±)‐ 5d with vinyl acetate and vinyl trifluoroacetate gave the acetates (?)‐ 6d and (?)‐ 6f , respectively, with 96–99% ee, and MOM ether (+)‐ 5d with up to 89% ee. Deacetylation of (?)‐ 6d afforded quantitatively MOM ether (?)‐ 5d with 99% ee, the absolute configuration of which was assigned via the modified Mosher method to be (R) at C(6). Enzymatic treatment of unprotected diol 2a with vinyl trifluoroacetate or alkoxycarbonylation resulted in the formation of C_s‐symmetrical products 9 and 12 rather than the desired desymmetrized derivatives.     

Absolute configuration of a C2‐symmetric bis­(thio­phenol)

In order to determine the absolute configuration of the new chiral auxiliary trans‐1,2‐cyclo­pentane­diyl­bis(2‐benzene­thiol), one of the diastereomeric bis‐esters with (?)‐menthol, used in the resolution of the auxiliary, was subjected to X‐ray study. This (?)‐diastereomer proved to be (1S,2S)‐1,2‐bis{2‐[(?)‐3‐p‐menthyl­oxy­carbonyl­thio]­phenyl}­cyclo­pentane, C₃₉H₅₄O₄S₂.     

Kinetic Study of the Alkaline Hydrolysis of 1,n‐Bis(4‐cyanopyridinium)alkanes: Charge Density and New Conformational Effects on the Reactivity of 1,3‐Bis(4‐cyanopyridinium)propane

The alkaline hydrolysis reaction rates of 1,n‐bis(4‐cyanopyridinium)alkane derivatives C_nbis(CP)²⁺ with n = 3, 6, and 8 were studied and compared to the reaction rate of the N‐methyl‐4‐cyanopyridinium (MCP⁺). C₆bis(CP)²⁺ and C₈bis(CP)²⁺ obeyed the first‐order kinetic law. However for C₃bis(CP)²⁺ data fitted to a consecutive two‐step model reaction, the observed rate constants (k_obs) of C₈bis(CP)²⁺ and C₆bis(CP)²⁺ are approximately 50% and 100%, respectively, higher than those for MCP⁺, an effect mainly assigned to the higher charge density of these two derivatives. For C₃bis(CP)²⁺, the k_obs of the second (slow) step is almost twofold the value observed for C₆bis(CP)²⁺, whereas the first (fast) step is approximately six times higher. As for MCP, the hydrolysis of C_nbis(CP)²⁺ generates pyridone (P^o) and carbamidopyridinium (A⁺) units. For C₃bis(CP)²⁺, however at pHs above 11.5, one additional product is formed. From the existence of the new product and the kinetic evidence, a “sandwiched‐type” complex with the OH^? inserted between the rings is proposed. This structural effect in the C₃bis(CP)²⁺ due to the conformational effect justifies the (i) two kinetic steps, (ii) high rate constants, (iii) high P^o/A⁺ ratios, (iv) observed temperature and salt effects, and (v) the formation of the new product.     

Bis(2,4,7‐tri­methyl­indenyl)­cobalt(II) and rac‐2,2′,4,4′,7,7′‐hexamethyl‐1,1′‐biindene

The crystal and molecular structures of bis(η⁵‐2,4,7‐tri­methyl­indenyl)­cobalt(II), [Co(C₁₂H₁₃)₂], (I), and rac‐2,2′,4,4′,7,7′‐hexamethyl‐1,1′‐biindene, C₂₄H₂₆, (II), are reported. In the crystal structure of (I), the Co atom lies on an inversion centre and the structure represents the first example of a bis(indenyl)cobalt complex exhibiting an eclipsed indenyl conformation. The (1R,1′R) and (1S,1′S) enantiomers of the three possible stereoisomers of (II), which form as by‐products in the synthesis of (I), cocrystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. In the unit cell of (II), alternating (1R,1′R) and (1S,1′S) enantiomers pack in non‐bonded rows along the a axis, with the planes of the indenyl groups parallel to each other and separated by 3.62 and 3.69 Å.     

Supramolecular structures of bis‐thionooxalamic acid esters derived from (±)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine and (±)‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine

The bis‐thionooxalamic acid esters trans‐(±)‐diethyl N,N′‐(cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl)bis(2‐thiooxamate), C₁₄H₂₂N₂O₄S₂, and (±)‐N,N′‐diethyl (1,2‐diphenylethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis(2‐thiooxamate), C₂₂H₂₄N₂O₄S₂, both consist of conformationally flexible molecules which adopt similar conformations with approximate C₂ rotational symmetry. The thioamide and ester parts of the thiooxamate group are significantly twisted along the central C—C bond, with the S=C—C=O torsion angles in the range 30.94 (19)–44.77 (19)°. The twisted s‐cis conformation of the thionooxamide groups facilitates assembly of molecules into a one‐dimensional polymeric structure via intermolecular three‐center C=S...NH...O=C hydrogen bonds and C—H...O interactions formed between molecules of the opposite chirality.     

Dichlorido[(S,RS)‐1‐diphenylphosphino‐2‐(ethylsulfanylmethyl)ferrocene]palladium(II)

The reaction of enantiomerically pure planar chiral ferrocene phosphine thioether with bis(acetonitrile)dichloridopalladium yields the title square‐planar mononuclear palladium complex as an enantiomerically pure single diastereoisomer, [PdFe(C₅H₅)(C₂₀H₂₀PS)Cl₂]. The planar chirality of the ligand is retained in the complex and fully controls the central chirality on the S atom. The absolute configuration, viz. S for the planar chirality and R for the S atom, is unequivocally determined by refinement of the Flack parameter.     

Synthesis of Densely Phosphorylated Bis‐1,5‐Diphospho‐myo‐Inositol Tetrakisphosphate and its Enantiomer by Bidirectional P‐Anhydride Formation

The ubiquitous mammalian signaling molecule bis‐diphosphoinositol tetrakisphosphate (1,5‐(PP)₂‐myo‐InsP₄, or InsP₈) displays the most congested three‐dimensional array of phosphate groups found in nature. The high charge density, the accumulation of unstable P‐anhydrides and P‐esters, the lack of UV absorbance, and low levels of optical rotation constitute severe obstacles to its synthesis, characterization, and purification. Herein, we describe the first procedure for the synthesis of enantiopure 1,5‐(PP)₂‐myo‐InsP₄ and 3,5‐(PP)₂‐myo‐InsP₄ utilizing a C₂‐symmetric P‐amidite for desymmetrization and concomitant phosphitylation followed by a one‐pot bidirectional P‐anhydride‐forming reaction that combines sixteen chemical transformations with high efficiency. The configuration of these materials is unambiguously shown by subsequent X‐ray analyses of both enantiomers after being individually soaked into crystals of the kinase domain of human diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate kinase 2.     

The Controlled Formation and Cleavage of an Intramolecular d8–d8 Pt–Pt Interaction in a Dinuclear Cycloplatinated Molecular “Pivot‐Hinge”

The bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm)‐bridged dinuclear cycloplatinated complex {[Pt(L)]₂(μ‐dppm)}²⁺ (Pt₂ ? dppm; HL: 2‐phenyl‐6‐(1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐pyridine) demonstrates interesting reversible “pivot‐hinge”‐like intramolecular motions in response to the protonation/deprotonation of L. In its protonated “closed” configuration, the two platinum(II) centers are held in position by intramolecular d⁸–d⁸ Pt–Pt interaction. In its deprotonated “open” configuration, such Pt–Pt interaction is cleaved. To further understand the mechanism behind this hingelike motion, an analogous dinuclear cycloplatinated complex, {[Pt(L)]₂(μ‐dchpm)}²⁺ (Pt₂ ? dchpm) with bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane (dchpm) as the bridging ligand, was synthesized. From its protonation/deprotonation responses, it was revealed that aromatic π–π interactions between the phenyl moieties of the μ‐dppm and the deprotonated pyrazolyl rings of L was essential to the reversible cleavage of the intramolecular Pt–Pt interaction in Pt₂ ? dppm. In the case of Pt₂ ? dchpm, spectroscopic and spectrofluorometric titrations as well as X‐ray crystallography indicated that the distance between the two platinum(II) centers shrank upon deprotonation, thus causing a redshift in its room‐temperature triplet metal–metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer emission from 614 to 625 nm. Ab initio calculations revealed the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the deprotonated and negatively charged 1‐pyrazolyl‐N moiety and the methylene CH and phenyl C–H of the μ‐dppm. The “open” configuration of the deprotonated Pt₂ ? dppm was estimated to be 19 kcal mol^?1 more stable than its alternative “closed” configuration. On the other hand, the open configuration of the deprotonated Pt₂ ? dchpm was 6 kcal mol^?1 less stable than its alternative closed configuration.     

The Dual‐Stereocontrol Mechanism: Heteroselective Polymerization of rac‐Lactide and Syndioselective Polymerization of meso‐Lactide by Chiral Aluminum Salan Catalysts

We describe alkoxo‐aluminum catalysts of chiral bipyrrolidine‐based salan ligands that follow the dual‐stereocontrol mechanism wherein a given combination of stereogeneities at the metal site and the proximal center of the last inserted lactidyl (“match”) is active towards lactide having a proximal stereogenic center of the opposite configuration, while the diastereomeric combination of stereogeneities (“mismatch”) is inactive towards any lactide. Polymerization of rac‐LA by the enantiomerically pure catalysts was sluggish and gave stereoirregular poly(lactic acid) (PLA) because selective insertion to a match diastereomer gives a mismatch diastereomer. The racemic catalysts showed higher activity and led to highly heterotactic PLA following polymeryl exchange between two mismatched catalyst enantiomers. A succession of match diastereomers in selective meso‐LA insertions led to syndiotactic PLAs reaching a syndiotacticity degree of α=0.96. This polymer featured a T_m of 153 °C matching the highest reported value, and the highest crystallinity (ΔH_m=56 J g^?1) ever reported for syndiotactic PLA.     

Practical Enzymatic Desymmetrization of 2‐(Ethoxycarbonyl)propane‐1,3‐diyl Dihexanoate and Model Cyclization for the A–D Ring System of Lysergic Acid

Porcine pancreas lipase‐catalyzed hydrolysis of symmetrical 2‐(ethoxycarbonyl)propane‐1,3‐diyl dihexanoate, under the modified conditions of the Seebach protocol, afforded a desymmetrized monohexanoate in 40–51% yield with 91–94% ee, even in a gram‐scale reaction. The absolute configuration of a half‐hydrolyzed (?)‐product was determined to be (R) by conversion to a known 2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diol derivative. Samarium iodide‐induced radical cyclization of 2‐oxo‐3‐phenylethylamine with a C₄ unit on the N‐atom, derived from the racemic monohexanoate, afforded a 3‐phenylpiperidine derivative as a model construction of the A–D ring system of lysergic acid.     

Absolute structure of the chiral pyrrolidine derivative (2S)‐methyl (Z)‐5‐(2‐tert‐butoxy‐1‐cyano‐2‐oxoethylidene)pyrrolidine‐2‐carboxylate,a compound with low resonant scattering

The enantiopure monopyrrolidine derivative (2S)‐methyl (Z)‐5‐(2‐tert‐butoxy‐1‐cyano‐2‐oxoethylidene)pyrrolidine‐2‐carboxylate, C₁₃H₁₈N₂O₄, ( 1 ), represents a potential ligand and an attractive intermediate for the synthesis of chiral metal complexes. At the molecular level, the compound features an intramolecular N—H…O hydrogen bond; neighbouring molecules interact via N—H…N contacts to form chains along [100]. Due to its elemental composition, resonant scattering of the target compound is entirely insignificant for diffraction experiments with Mo Kα and small even for Cu Kα radiation. A preliminary study with the harder radiation type confirmed the chiral space group and the suitability of the single crystal chosen; as expected, the results concerning the absolute structure remained completely inconclusive. A second data collection with the longer wavelength gave satisfactory quality indicators for the correct handedness of the molecule, albeit with high standard uncertainties. The absolute configuration has been assessed independently: CD spectra for both enantiomers of the target molecule were calculated and the spectrum for the S‐configured stereoisomer was in agreement with the experiment. The Cotton effect of ( 1 ) may be ascribed to π–π* transitions from HOMO to LUMO and from HOMO to LUMO+1. As both independent techniques agree with respect to the handedness of the target molecule, the absolute structure may be assigned with a high degree of confidence.     

Switching the Statistical C3/C1 Ratio in the Threefold Aromatic Substitution of Tribenzotriquinacenes towards the C3 Isomer

Tribenzotriquinacene (TBTQ) is a bowl‐shaped molecule that has been widely used as a molecular building block in supramolecular and materials chemistry. Especially C₃‐symmetric threefold‐substituted TBTQs are interesting for these purposes. Until now a general and selective synthetic approach to those C₃‐symmetric products was lacking, mainly because the typically used electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions of the parent TBTQ hydrocarbons produce predominantly the C₁ isomer over the C₃ isomer (3:1 statistical ratio). Herein we introduce a threefold borylation of TBTQ with the C₃ isomer as the main product (2.6:1 C₃/C₁ ratio). The borylated TBTQ can be converted in good yields into other C₃‐symmetric TBTQs, thus allowing straightforward synthetic access to new building blocks for supramolecular and materials chemistry.     

Conformational isomers of the [(5‐methyl‐2‐pyridinio)aminomethylene]diphosphonate dianion and [(5‐methyl‐2‐pyridyl)aminomethylene]diphosphonate trianion in salts with 4‐aminopyridine and ammonia

The crystal structures of two salts, products of the reactions between [(5‐methyl‐2‐pyridyl)aminomethylene]bis(phosphonic acid) and 4‐aminopyridine or ammonia, namely bis(4‐aminopyridinium) hydrogen [(5‐methyl‐2‐pyridinio)aminomethylene]diphosphonate 2.4‐hydrate, 2C₅H₇N₂⁺·C₇H₁₀N₂O₆P₂²⁻·2.4H₂O, (I), and triammonium hydrogen [(5‐methyl‐2‐pyridyl)aminomethylene]diphosphonate monohydrate, 3NH₄⁺·C₇H₉N₂O₆P₂³⁻·H₂O, (II), have been determined. In (I), the Z configuration of the ring N—C and amino N—H bonds of the bisphosphonate dianion with respect to the C_ring—N_amino bond is consistent with that of the parent zwitterion. Removing the H atom from the pyridyl N atom results in the opposite E configuration of the bisphosphonate trianion in (II). Compound (I) exhibits a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network, in which 4‐aminopyridinium cations and water molecules are joined to ribbons composed of anionic dimers linked by O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The supramolecular motif resulting from a combination of these three interactions is a common phenomenon in crystals of all of the Z‐isomeric zwitterions of 4‐ and 5‐substituted (2‐pyridylaminomethylene)bis(phosphonic acid)s studied to date. In (II), ammonium cations and water molecules are linked to chains of trianions, resulting in the formation of double layers.     

(1S)‐1‐Phenylethanaminium 4‐{[(1S,2S)‐1‐hydroxy‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H,1′H‐[2,2′‐biinden]‐2‐yl]methyl}benzoate

The title molecular salt, C₈H₁₂N⁺·C₂₆H₂₁O₃⁻, contains a dimeric indane pharmacophore that demonstrates potent anti‐inflammatory activity. The indane group of the anion exhibits some disorder about the α‐C atom, which appears common to many structures containing this group. A model to account for the slight disorder was attempted, but this was deemed unsuccessful because applying bond‐length constraints to all the bonds about the α‐C atom led to instability in the refinement. The absolute configuration was determined crystallographically as S,S,S by anomalous dispersion methods with reference to both the Flack parameter and Bayesian statistics on Bijvoet differences. The configuration was also determined by an a priori knowledge of the absolute configuration of the (1S)‐1‐phenylethanaminium counter‐ion. The molecules pack in the crystal structure to form an infinite two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network in the (100) plane of the unit cell.