Structures of aza-macrocyclic ligands with polyphosphonated dangling groups

Two phosphonated hexaaza-macrocycles with 24- and 26-membered rings have been synthesized via a Mannich reaction and characterized. The novel crystal structures of the macrocyclic ligands show the extended 3-D hydrogen bonded structure in their solid states. These ligands have unusual ring conformations with two or four pendent arms wrapping around the macrocycle with alternating up and down orders. Strong hydrogen bonding between the protonated phosphonate groups and the deprotonated phosphonated groups was observed in those structures together with the complicated solvent hydrogen bonding networks.     

CO2 in supramolecular chemistry: preparation of switchable supramolecular polymers

CO2 gas was used to construct novel types of supramolecular polymers. Self-assembling nanostructures 11 and 13 were prepared, which employ both hydrogen bonding and dynamic, thermally reversible carbamate bonds. As precursors, calixarene ureas 1 and 2 were synthesized, which strongly aggregate/dimerize (K(D)>/=10(6) M(-1) per capsule) in apolar solution with the formation of self-assembling capsules 7 and linear polymeric chains 8, respectively, and also possess "CO2-philic" primary amino groups on the periphery. CO2 effectively reacts with molecules 7 and 8 in apolar solvents and cross-links them with the formation of multiple carbamate salt bridges. Oligomeric aggregate 11 and three-dimensional polymeric network 13 were prepared and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The morphology of supramolecular gel 13 was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Addition of a competitive solvent destroyed the hydrogen bonding in assembling structures 11 and 13, but did not influence the carbamate linkers; carbamate salts 12 and 14, respectively, were obtained. On the other hand, thermal release of CO2 from 11 and 13 was easily accomplished (1 h, 100 degrees C) while retaining the hydrogen-bonding capsules. Thus, three-dimensional polymeric network 13 was transformed back to linear polymeric chain 8 without breaking up. Encapsulation and storage of solvent molecules by 11 and 13 was demonstrated. This opens the way for switchable materials, which reversibly trap, store, and then release guest molecules. A two-parameter switch and control over hydrogen bonding and CO2-amine adducts was established.     

Thiourea Based Tweezer Anion Receptors for Selective Sensing of Fluoride Ions

Three 3,3＇-di（4-substituted-phenyl）-1,1＇-isophthaloylbis（thiourea） compounds were designed as novel neutral anion receptors, and synthesized by simple steps in good yields. The single crystal structure of receptor 1 shows that a solvent molecule was captured by the host molecule through intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Moreover, it was self-assembled as a supramolecular system for the presence of abundant inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions between phenyl groups. Their application as anion receptors has been examined by UV-Vis and ^1H NMR spectroscopy, showing that they had a higher selectivity for fluoride than other halides. The host and guest formed a 1 ： 1 stoichiometry complex through hydrogen bonding interactions in the first step, then following a process of deprotonation in presence of an excess of F^- in the solvent of DMF.     

Synthesis,structure and catalytic properties of bis[2‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]silanediol

A novel trifluoromethylaryl‐substituted disilanol, bis[(2‐trifluoromethyl)phenyl] silanediol, was prepared by hydrolysis of the precursor dichloride and fully characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates doubly linked hydrogen bonded dimers and also hydrogen bonding to tetrahydrofuran solvent. The acidity of the silanol functions is enhanced by the presence of the trifluoromethyl groups and the compound is found to be active in promoting a standard Diels–Alder reaction, increasing yields by a factor of three.     

氢键识别超分子聚合物的新进展

近年来,由于氢键作用对聚合物的热力学性质、微观自组装、结晶及液晶行为的重要影响,氢键识别在超分子聚合物的分子设计与结构控制方面的应用受到广泛关注。本文系统介绍了氢键识别体系的类型与性质,以及分子结构、分子内氢键对氢键识别强度的影响,讨论了羧酸与吡啶间氢键识别体系、与核苷相关的氢键识别体系以及四重氢键识别体系在超分子聚合物中的最新应用,主要介绍了氢键识别超分子聚合物的合成、结构、性质及功能。     

Molecular dynamics study of the methanol effect on the membrane morphology of perfluorosulfonic ionomers

The membranes of a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer swollen in 10-80 wt % methanol solution were investigated to elucidate the methanol effect on their morphologies, such as size of the solvent cluster, solvent location, and polymer structure, by using isothermal-isobaric molecular dynamics simulations. In higher methanol concentrations, we found less-spherical solvent aggregation and a more spread polymer structure because of the ampholytic nature of methanol. The partial radial distribution functions between solvent oxygen and fluorocarbons, which are composed of the main chain, clearly show that methanol is located closer to the polymer matrix than water. On the other hand, water is preferentially located in the vicinity of an acidic headgroup, SO(3)(-), compared with methanol, although both have similar attractive interaction energies to the acidic group. Furthermore, we discussed solvent dynamics and hydrogen bonding between sulfonic oxygen and solvent O-H groups.     

Amide I vibrational dynamics of N-methylacetamide in polar solvents: the role of electrostatic interactions

The vibrational frequency of the amide I transition of peptides is known to be sensitive to the strength of its hydrogen bonding interactions. In an effort to account for interactions with hydrogen bonding solvents in terms of electrostatics, we study the vibrational dynamics of the amide I coordinate of N-methylacetamide in prototypical polar solvents: D2O, CDCl3, and DMSO-d6. These three solvents have varying hydrogen bonding strengths, and provide three distinct solvent environments for the amide group. The frequency-frequency correlation function, the orientational correlation function, and the vibrational relaxation rate of the amide I vibration in each solvent are retrieved by using three-pulse vibrational photon echoes, two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy, and pump-probe spectroscopy. Direct comparisons are made to molecular dynamics simulations. We find good quantitative agreement between the experimentally retrieved and simulated correlation functions over all time scales when the solute-solvent interactions are determined from the electrostatic potential between the solvent and the atomic sites of the amide group.     

Solvation properties of N-acetyl-β-glucosamine: molecular dynamics study incorporating electrostatic polarization

N-Acetyl-β-glucosamine (NAG) is an important moiety of glycoproteins and is involved in many biological functions. However, conformational and dynamical properties of NAG molecules in aqueous solution, the most common biological environment, remain ambiguous due to limitations of experimental methods. Increasing efforts are made to probe structural properties of NAG and NAG-containing macromolecules, like peptidoglycans and polymeric chitin, at the atomic level using molecular dynamics simulations. In this work, we develop a polarizable carbohydrate force field for NAG and contrast simulation results of various properties using this novel force field and an analogous nonpolarizable (fixed charge) model. Aqueous solutions of NAG and its oligomers are investigated; we explore conformational properties (rotatable bond geometry), electrostatic properties (dipole moment distribution), dynamical properties (self-diffusion coefficient), hydrogen bonding (water bridge structure and dynamics), and free energy of hydration. The fixed-charge carbohydrate force field exhibits deviations from the gas phase relative rotation energy of exocyclic hydroxymethyl side chain and of chair/boat ring distortion. The polarizable force field predicts conformational properties in agreement with corresponding first-principles results. NAG-water hydrogen bonding pattern is studied through radial distribution functions (RDFs) and correlation functions. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding between solute and solvent is found to stabilize NAG solution structures while intramolecular hydrogen bonds define glycosidic linkage geometry of NAG oligomers. The electrostatic component of hydration free energy is highly dependent on force field atomic partial charges, influencing a more favorable free energy of hydration in the fixed-charge model compared to the polarizable model.     

Cobalt Coordination Polymers Offering Hydrogen Bonding Cavities as Efficient Catalysts for Coupling Reactions

This work presents synthesis and characterization of two cobalt-based coordination polymers (CPs) prepared by using two positionally related pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide fragment-based ligands containing appended arylcarboxylic acid groups. While arylcarboxylate groups of ligands coordinate to the Co(II) ions to produce 2D CPs; the amidic N−H groups remain free and generate large cavities lined with hydrogen bonds. Such hydrogen bonding cavities based CPs were found to reversibly adsorb molecular iodine. The Lewis acidic Co(II) ions and metal-coordinated labile solvent molecules in CPs promoted noteworthy heterogeneous catalysis for Friedel crafts reactions as well as multicomponent condensation reactions.     

Solvent effects in the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers for melatonin using N-propionyl-5-methoxytryptamine as the pseudo template

To clarify the role of diluents in the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers utilizing only hydrogen bonding, we investigated the effects of diluents by using different solvents. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), an amide bond and indole ring-containing hormone was chosen as the target molecule. N-Propionyl-5-methoxytryptamine was used as the pseudo template, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer, and solvents were used as diluents. Interactions between the template, the functional monomer, melatonin, and the solvents, were observed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The polymers were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results suggest the hydrogen bonding-acceptor capacity of the solvent is the most important factor in the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers for hydrogen bonding-donating molecules. Hydrogen bonding between the template, the functional monomer, and solvent can be estimated from the chemical shifts in ¹H NMR spectra of those molecules in the solvent.     

Water makes it hydrophobic: contraphilic wetting for polyurethanes with soft blocks having semifluorinated and 5,5-dimethylhydantoin side chains

A series of polyurethanes with novel copolymer soft blocks display a new surface phenomenon, contraphilic wetting, in which the dry surface is hydrophilic and the wetted surface is hydrophobic. A precursor polymer was prepared with copolymer soft blocks containing semifluorinated (trifluoroethoxy, 3FOx, or pentafluoropropoxy, 5FOx) and bromomethyl functional pendant groups with 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2 semifluorinated/bromomethyl ratios. The hard block consists of isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 1,4-butanediol (BD). 5,5-Dimethylhydantoin was introduced by the substitution of Br via reaction-on-polymer. The composition, structure, and percent of 5,5-dimethylhydantoin substitution for both the precursor and the 5,5-dimethylhydantoin-substituted polyurethanes were analyzed by 1H NMR. The difference between the advancing contact angle on the wetted surface and that on the dry surface (deltaC) is highest (38 degrees ) for the polyurethane with the highest ratio of semifluorinated/hydantoin soft block side chains. A model is proposed according to which contraphilic wetting is driven enthalpically by hydrogen bonding. For the dry surface, hydrogen bonding of 5,5-dimethylhydantoin amide carbonyl groups to methylene hydrogens of semifluorinated groups disrupts the normal surface concentration of semifluorinated groups, whereas the geometric arrangement of hydantoin N-H results in availability for hydrogen bonding with water. Upon exposure to water, amide groups switch from hydrogen bonding to -CH2CF2CF3 to stronger hydrogen bonding with water. As a result, semifluorinated groups are "released", and the surface becomes hydrophobic. Drying the coating (50 degrees C) reversibly restores hydrophilic character. Coatings stored at ambient temperature and humidity have deltaC values intermediate between dry and wet states.     

Triazine‐Based Sequence‐Defined Polymers with Side‐Chain Diversity and Backbone–Backbone Interaction Motifs

Sequence control in polymers, well‐known in nature, encodes structure and functionality. Here we introduce a new architecture, based on the nucleophilic aromatic substitution chemistry of cyanuric chloride, that creates a new class of sequence‐defined polymers dubbed TZPs. Proof of concept is demonstrated with two synthesized hexamers, having neutral and ionizable side chains. Molecular dynamics simulations show backbone–backbone interactions, including H‐bonding motifs and pi–pi interactions. This architecture is arguably biomimetic while differing from sequence‐defined polymers having peptide bonds. The synthetic methodology supports the structural diversity of side chains known in peptides, as well as backbone–backbone hydrogen‐bonding motifs, and will thus enable new macromolecules and materials with useful functions.     

Theoretical research on self-assembly system of molecularly imprinted polymers formed by melamine and trifluoromethacrylic acid

The long-range correction method (WB97XD) was applied to simulate the self-assembly system of the molecularly imprinted polymers via Gaussian 09 software. Melamine (MAM) was taken as the template molecule and trifluoromethacrylic acid (TFMAA) was taken as the functional monomer. The ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, divinylbenzene, pentaerythritol triacrylate, and trimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate were chosen as the cross-linking agents, respectively. The acetonitrile, methanol, dichloromethane, chloroform, toluene, ethanol, and dimethylsulfoxide were taken as solvents, respectively. The bonding situation, the geometry optimization of the different imprinting ratios, the binding energy, the molecular imprinting mechanism between MAM and TFMAA, and the influence of cross-linking agent as well as solvent have been studied. The detailed topological property was also applied to discuss the nature of the imprinting effect. The results indicate that MAM and TFMAA can form ordered compounds via hydrogen bond interaction. The melamine-molecularly imprinted polymers with a molar ratio of 1:6 have the lowest binding energy, the largest amount of hydrogen bonds, and the stable structure in toluene solvent. Divinylbenzene is the best cross-linking agent for the melamine-molecularly imprinted polymers in comparison with others. The study can provide a theoretical reference for the synthesis of the high selectivity melamine-molecularly imprinted polymers.     

Side-chain and backbone ordering in homopolymers

In order to study the relation between backbone and side-chain ordering in proteins, we have performed multicanonical simulations of deka-peptide chains with various side groups. Glu(10), Gln(10), Asp(10), Asn(10), and Lys(10) were selected to cover a wide variety of possible interactions between the side chains of the monomers. All homopolymers undergo helix-coil transitions. We found that peptides with long side chains that are capable of hydrogen bonding, i.e., Glu(10), and Gln(10), exhibit a second transition at lower temperatures connected with side-chain ordering. This occurs in the gas phase as well as in solvent, although the character of the side-chain structure is different in each case. However, in polymers with short side chains capable of hydrogen bonding, i.e., Asp(10) and Asn(10), side-chain ordering takes place over a wide temperature range and exhibits no phase transition-like character. Moreover, non-backbone hydrogen bonds show enhanced formation and fluctuations already at the helix-coil transition temperature, indicating competition between side-chain and backbone hydrogen bond formation. Again, these results are qualitatively independent of the environment. Side-chain ordering in Lys(10), whose side groups are long and polar, also takes place over a wide temperature range and exhibits no phase transition-like character in both environments. Reasons for the observed chain length threshold and consequences from these results for protein folding are discussed.     

Structure and dynamics of pyrimidine-based macrocycles in solution

The conformational structure of macrocycles obtained from two thiopyrimidine and uracil nucleic acids linked by polymethylene spacers is determined by the length of the spacers, intramolecular NH bonding, pH and solvent. In CDCl₃, NH-OC hydrogen bonding can impact the overall stabilization of the folded conformation, however spatial preorganization to such hydrogen bonding is a prerequisite. Protonation leads to disruption of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, destabilization of the folded conformation and to strong counterion assisted self-aggregation of macrocyles which can be destroyed in polar solvents.     

Modular domain structure: a biomimetic strategy for advanced polymeric materials

A long lasting challenge in polymer science is to design polymers that combine desired mechanical properties such as tensile strength, fracture toughness, and elasticity into one structure. A novel biomimetic modular polymer design is reported here to address this challenge. Following the molecular mechanism used in nature, modular polymers containing multiple loops were constructed by using precise and strong hydrogen bonding units. Single-molecule force-extension experiments revealed the sequential unfolding of loops as a chain is stretched. The excellent correlation between the single-molecule and the bulk properties successfully demonstrates our biomimetic concept of using modular domain structure to achieve advanced polymer properties.     

Supramolecular polymers fabricated by orthogonal self-assembly based on multiple hydrogen bonding and macrocyclic host–guest interactions

Supramolecular polymers constructed by orthogonal self-assembly based on multiple hydrogen bonding and macrocyclic host-guest interactions have received increasing attention due to their elegant structures,outstanding properties,and potential applications.Hydrogen bonding endows these supramolecular polymers with good adaptability and reversibility,while macrocyclic host-guest interactions give them good selectivity and versatile stimuli-responsiveness.Therefore,functional supramolecular polymers fabricated by these two highly specific,noninterfering interactions in an orthogonal way have shown wide applications in the fields of molecular machines,electronics,soft materials,etc.In this review,we discuss the recent advances of functional supramolecular polymers fabricated by orthogonal self-assembly based on multiple hydroge n bonding and host-guest interactions.In particular,we focus on crown ether-and pillar[n]arene-based supramolecular polymers due to their compatibility with multiple hydrogen bonds in organic solution.The fabrication strategies,interesting properties,and potential applications of these advanced supramolecular materials are mainly concerned.     

Proton Controlled Supramolecular Assembly: A Comparative Structural Study of Bis(2-guanidinobenzimidazolo)nickel(II) with Bis(2-guanidinobenzimidazole)nickel(II) Nitrate and 2-guanidinobenzimidazole

Abstract

Previously studies have shown that when 2-guanidinobenzimidazole complexes with a number of transition metal ions it tautomerises so that, in contrast to the free ligand structure, no intermolecular hydrogen bonding between bound ligands occurs. In the present study it is demonstrated that ligand deprotonation to yield bis(2-guanidinobenzimidazolo)nickel(II) restores much of the original hydrogen bonding capability of the uncomplexed ligand. The structure of this neutral complex is compared to the previously reported structure of its diprotonated derivative, bis(2-guanidinobenzimidazole)nickel(II) nitrate, as well as to the structure of the uncomplexed ligand. In contrast to the dicationic species, the neutral complex exists in two enantiomeric forms that assemble to form an extended supramolecular lattice, containing channels through its structure. The walls of the channels are made up of ‘strings’ of complex molecules and are held in position by hydrogen bonding between the bound ligands and dimethyl sulfoxide (solvent) molecules as well as water molecules. Some of the solvent molecules lie within the channels and some outside. The hydrogen bonding motif responsible for chain formation differs from that found in the free ligand structure.     

Hydrogen‐Bonding Effect on Spin‐Center Transfer of Tetrathiafulvalene‐Linked 6‐Oxophenalenoxyl Evaluated Using Temperature‐Dependent Cyclic Voltammetry and Theoretical Calculations

The stable tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)‐linked 6‐oxophenalenoxyl neutral radical exhibits a spin‐center transfer with a continuous color change in solution caused by an intramolecular electron transfer, which is dependent on solvent and temperature. Cyclic voltammetry measurements showed that addition of 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE) to a benzonitrile solution of the neutral radical induces a redox potential shift that is favorable for the spin‐center transfer. Temperature‐dependent cyclic voltammetry of the neutral radical using a novel low‐temperature electrochemical cell demonstrated that the redox potentials change with decreasing temperature in a 199:1 CH₂Cl₂/TFE mixed solvent. Furthermore, theoretical calculation revealed that the energy levels of the frontier molecular orbitals involved in the spin‐center transfer are lowered by the hydrogen‐bonding interaction of TFE with the neutral radical. These results indicate that the hydrogen‐bonding effect is a key factor for the occurrence of the spin‐center transfer of TTF‐linked 6‐oxophenalenoxyl.