Chiral eighteen-component three-dimensional supramolecular entities stabilized by the hydrogen bonding and coordination interactions

A new class of chiral eighteen-component three-dimensional supramolecular entities has been assembled in toluene and chloroform from twelve zinc porphyrin-appended 2-(ethylamino)- pyrimido[4,5-b][1,8]naphthyridin-4(3H)-one monomers and six chiral bipyridyl compounds. The heterocyclic segments form two C₆-symmetric cyclic hexamers, which are stabilized by a well-established DDA-AAD hydrogen bonding motif, while the six chiral bispyridine ligands are coordinated to the corresponding zinc porphyrin units to give the two-layered architectures. The structures have been characterized by the ¹H NMR, UV-vis and circular dichroism experiments, which also reveals that, when the concentration of the monomers is high enough, the chiral supramolecular entity can be formed exclusively.     

Supramolecular Block Copolymers from Tricarboxamides. Biasing Co-assembly by the Incorporation of Pyridine Rings

The synthesis of a series of triangular-shaped tricarboxamides endowed with three picoline or nicotine units (compounds 2 and 3 , respectively) or just one nicotine unit (compound 4 ) is reported, and their self-assembling features investigated. The pyridine rings make compounds 2 – 4 electronically complementary with our previously reported oligo(phenylene ethynylene)tricarboxamides (OPE-TA) 1 to form supramolecular copolymers. C₃-symmetric tricarboxamide 2 forms highly stable intramolecular five-membered pseudocycles that impede its supramolecular polymerization into poly-2 and the co-assembly with 1 to yield copolymer poly-1-co-2 . On the other hand, C₃-symmetric tricarboxamide 3 readily forms poly-3 with great stability but unable to form helical supramolecular polymers despite the presence of the peripheral chiral side chains. The copolymer poly-1-co-3 can only be obtained by a previous complete disassembly of the constitutive homopolymers in CHCl₃. Helical poly-1-co-3 arises in a process involving the transfer of the helicity from racemic poly-1 to poly-3 , and the amplification of asymmetry from chiral poly-3 to poly-1 . Importantly, C_2v-symmetric 4 , endowed with only one nicotinamide moiety and three chiral side chains, self-assembles into a P-type helical supramolecular polymer ( poly-4 ) in a thermodynamically controlled cooperative process. The combination of poly-1 and poly-4 generates chiral supramolecular copolymer poly-1-co-4 , whose blocky microstructure has been investigated by applying the previously reported supramolecular copolymerization model.     

Stable supramolecular helical structure of C6-symmetric hydrogen-bonded hexakis(phenylethynyl)benzene derivatives with amino acid pendant groups and their unique fluorescence properties

A highly stable supramolecular helical structure was formed by the self-assembly of novel C6-symmetric hydrogen-bonded discotic molecules, hexakis(phenylethynyl)benzene derivatives with chiral alanine parts, and exhibited orange excimer emission with a large Stokes shift.     

Transfer, amplification, and inversion of helical chirality mediated by concerted interactions of C3-supramolecular dendrimers

The synthesis, structural, and retrostructural analysis of two libraries containing 16 first and second generation C(3)-symmetric self-assembling dendrimers based on dendrons connected at their apex via trisesters and trisamides of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid is reported. A combination of X-ray diffraction and CD/UV analysis methods demonstrated that their C(3)-symmetry modulates different degrees of packing on the periphery of supramolecular structures that are responsible for the formation of chiral helical supramolecular columns and spheres self-organizable in a diversity of three-dimensional (3D) columnar, tetragonal, and cubic lattices. Two of these periodic arrays, a 3D columnar hexagonal superlattice and a 3D columnar simple orthorhombic chiral lattice with P222(1) symmetry, are unprecedented for supramolecular dendrimers. A thermal-reversible inversion of chirality was discovered in helical supramolecular columns. This inversion is induced, on heating, by the change in symmetry from a 3D columnar simple orthorhombic chiral lattice to a 3D columnar hexagonal array and, on cooling, by the change in symmetry from a 2D hexagonal to a 2D centered rectangular lattice, both exhibiting intracolumnar order. A first-order transition from coupled columns with long helical pitch, to weakly or uncorrelated columns with short helical pitch that generates a molecular rotator, was also discovered. The torsion angles of the molecular rotator are proportional to the change in temperature, and this effect is amplified in the case of the C(3)-symmetric trisamide supramolecular dendrimers forming H-bonds along their column. The structural changes reported here can be used to design complex functions based on helical supramolecular dendrimers with different degree of packing on their periphery.     

Autocatalytic asymmetric reduction of 2,6-diacetylpyridine

[reaction: see text] We report here that the C(2)-symmetric diol 2,6-bis(1-hydroxyethyl)pyridine (2) can effect chiral-catalyzed reduction of 2,6-diacetylpyridine (1) and produce more of the diol (2) with the same configuration in an enantiomerically enriched form. The two carbonyl functionalities of (1) are reduced in 90% conversion to produce the enantio-enriched C(2)-symmetric diol (40% ee, 47% de) using zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate and a catalytic amount of the chiral C(2)-symmetric diol (2).     

In Situ Controlled Construction of a Hierarchical Supramolecular Chiral Liquid-Crystalline Polymer Assembly

Hierarchical supramolecular chiral liquid-crystalline (LC) polymer assemblies are challenging to construct in situ in a controlled manner. Now, polymerization-induced chiral self-assembly (PICSA) is reported. Hierarchical supramolecular chiral azobenzene-containing block copolymer (Azo-BCP) assemblies were constructed with π–π stacking interactions occurring in the layered structure of Azo smectic phases. The evolution of chirality from terminal alkyl chain to Azo mesogen building blocks and further induction of supramolecular chirality in LC BCP assemblies during PICSA is achieved. Morphologies such as spheres, worms, helical fibers, lamellae, and vesicles were observed. The morphological transition had a crucial effect on the chiral expression of Azo-BCP assemblies. The supramolecular chirality of Azo-BCP assemblies destroyed by 365 nm UV irradiation can be recovered by heating–cooling treatment; this dynamic reversible achiral–chiral switching can be repeated at least five times.     

Asymmetric Michael addition of nitroalkanes to nitroalkenes catalyzed by C2-symmetric tridentate bis(oxazoline) and bis(thiazoline) zinc complexes

The first asymmetric synthesis of 1,3-dinitro compounds through Michael addition of nitroalkanes to nitroalkenes catalyzed by C2-symmetric chiral tridentate bis(oxazoline) and bis(thiazoline) zinc complexes was achieved with high enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee).     

In Situ Controlled Construction of a Hierarchical Supramolecular Chiral Liquid‐Crystalline Polymer Assembly

Hierarchical supramolecular chiral liquid‐crystalline (LC) polymer assemblies are challenging to construct in situ in a controlled manner. Now, polymerization‐induced chiral self‐assembly (PICSA) is reported. Hierarchical supramolecular chiral azobenzene‐containing block copolymer (Azo‐BCP) assemblies were constructed with π–π stacking interactions occurring in the layered structure of Azo smectic phases. The evolution of chirality from terminal alkyl chain to Azo mesogen building blocks and further induction of supramolecular chirality in LC BCP assemblies during PICSA is achieved. Morphologies such as spheres, worms, helical fibers, lamellae, and vesicles were observed. The morphological transition had a crucial effect on the chiral expression of Azo‐BCP assemblies. The supramolecular chirality of Azo‐BCP assemblies destroyed by 365 nm UV irradiation can be recovered by heating–cooling treatment; this dynamic reversible achiral–chiral switching can be repeated at least five times.     

Strong circularly polarized luminescence from the supramolecular gels of an achiral gelator: tunable intensity and handedness

Although the importance of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials has been widely recognized, the CPL responses of supramolecular gels are still rarely studied. Moreover, developing CPL materials based on supramolecular gels is of great significance, due to their special advantages and important applications. Herein, we report the first circularly polarized supramolecular gels self-assembled exclusively from a simple achiral C ₃-symmetric molecule. Most importantly, the excellent tunability of these novel CPL materials, which benefits from achiral molecular building blocks as well as the nature of supramolecular gels, has been investigated. Thus, the CPL intensity of these supramolecular gels is easily enhanced by mechanical stirring or doping chiral amines. The handedness of CPL signals is controlled by the chirality of organic amines.     

Asymmetric Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement for anti-beta-substituted gamma,delta-unsaturated amino acids

Optically active anti-beta-substituted gamma,delta-unsaturated amino acids are important synthetic building blocks in organic synthesis and for peptidomimetics. A novel asymmetric Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement with use of a C2-symmetric chiral auxiliary was developed to generate this type of amino acid. Excellent diastereoselectivities and high enantioselectivities (87-93% ee) were obtained after the chiral auxiliary was removed via iodolactonization/zinc reduction.     

Synthesis of C1-symmetric chiral tripodal oxazolines through an oxazoline exchange reaction with amino alcohols

Various C₁-symmetric chiral tripodal tris(oxazolines) with two different oxazoline units were synthesized from chiral C₃-symmetric tris(oxazolines) through an oxazoline exchange reaction with amino alcohols in the presence of zinc chloride. Evaluation of the new oxazolines as chiral molecular receptor showed that some of the receptors have chiral discrimination ability.     

One-step stereoselective synthesis and NMR chiral shift properties of a novel hexacoordinated phosphorus cation

[reaction: see text] Tropolone, binol, and PCl(5) react in CH(2)Cl(2) at reflux to generate in one step a novel C(2)-symmetric hexacoordinated phosphorus cation of configuration controlled by the binol ligand. It behaves as an efficient NMR chiral shift agent for chiral anionic phosphate and borate anions.     

Design and synthesis of some new C_2-symmetric chiral disulfonamides from aminoacids and the application in diethyl zinc addition to benzaldehyde

Nine C2-symmetric chiral disulfonamldes were designed and synthesized from L-valine, L-phenylalanine and L-leucine respectively via one-pot ring opening of aziridines. The application of these disulfonamides as catalyst in the addition of diethyl zinc to benzaldehyde in three reagent systems: Ligand-Ti(OiPr)4-Et2Zn; Ligand-Ti(OiPr)4-H2O-Et2Zn; Ligand-Et2Zn was also described.     

Chiral and extended π-conjugated bis(2-pyridyl)phospholes as assembling N,P,N pincers for coordination-driven synthesis of supramolecular [2,2]paracyclophane analogues

Chiral, π-conjugated 3,4-butano-1-phenyl-2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)phosphole derivatives 1a(2,2') and 1a(3) with chiral trans-1,2-diol moieties and fused pinene derivatives, respectively, were prepared from the corresponding chiral diynes by using the Fagan-Nugent method. Their UV/Vis absorption and chiroptical properties (optical rotation and circular dichroism) were studied. Their behavior as N,P,N chelates towards coordination of Cu(I) and formation of chiral supramolecular assemblies with π-conjugated ditopic dicyano ligands was investigated. Chiral C(2)-symmetric rectangles that are [2,2]paracyclophane analogues were obtained, as demonstrated by X-ray crystallography. During the course of this study, the first stable water-soluble phosphole derivative (1a(2)·2 HCl) was prepared. Furthermore, achiral 3,4-butano-1-phenyl-2,5-bis(aza[4]helicene)phosphole 1a(4) was synthesized and displays extended π conjugation. A supramolecular rectangle was obtained by coordination to Cu(I) and assembly with a dicyano stilbene. This coordination-driven supramolecular assembly contains a total of four aza[4]helicene moieties and displays two types of π-π stacking interactions in the solid state, that is, between two helicene moieties and between one helicene and a bridging dicyano ligand. All the supramolecular arrangements are discussed by comparing them with previous work on the parent 3,4-butano-1-phenyl-2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)phosphole.     

N-Substituted Benzene-1-Urea-3,5-Biscarboxamide (BUBA): Easily Accessible C2-Symmetric Monomers for the Construction of Reversible and Chirally Amplified Helical Assemblies

Non-C₃-symmetric supramolecular helices are gaining interest for the design of hierarchical assemblies, for the compartmentalisation or the self-assembly of polymer chains and for application in asymmetric catalysis. Herein, N-substituted benzene-1-urea-3,5-biscarboxamide (BUBA) monomers, which consist of one urea and two carbon-connected amide functions linked to an aromatic ring, are introduced as an easily accessible class of C₂-symmetric supramolecular synthons. In apolar solvents, BUBA monomers assemble into long helical assemblies by means of hydrogen-bonding and aromatic interactions, as assessed by several analytical techniques. To probe the influence of the urea function, BUBA and related benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) helical polymers have been compared, in terms of their thermodynamics of formation, stability, reversibility and chiral amplification properties. Similar to BTA, BUBA monomers form long helices reversibly through a highly cooperative mechanism and the helicity of their assemblies is governed by chiral amplification effects. However, precise quantification of their properties reveals that BUBA monomers assemble in a more cooperative manner. Also, chiral amplification operates to a higher extent in BUBA helices, as probed by both sergeants-and-soldiers and majority-rules experiments. Compatibility between urea and amide functions also allows the formation of co-assemblies that incorporate both BUBA and BTA monomers. Importantly, a small amount of chiral BUBA monomers in these co-assemblies is sufficient to obtain single-handed helices; thus paving the way towards the development of functional supramolecular helices.     

A New Method of Resolution of Racemic 6,6''''-Dihydroxy-5,5''''- biquinoline Using (S)-( + )-Camphorsulfonyl Chloride

The chiral ligand bearing C2-symmetric binaphthyl backbonce (e. g. BINOL, BINAP) is one of the widely used chiral auxiliaries in catalytic asymmetric synthesis. [1] Numerous synthetic approaches to these two compounds have been developed. In contrast, the C2-symmetric ligands containing heterocyclic moiety has been relatively less explored.     

Synthesis and inclusion ability of a bis-β-cyclodextrin pseudo-cryptand towards Busulfan anticancer agent

The synthesis of a C₂-symmetric receptor including two β-cyclodextrins connected by urea linkers to a chiral diaza-crown ether organising platform is reported. This molecular system, long thought to be a potent selective carrier for chiral/achiral organic/inorganic guests at the supramolecular level, was found to be an efficient complexing tool towards the Busulfan anticancer agent.     

Structurally well-defined, recoverable C3-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy phosphoramide)-catalyzed enantioselective borane reduction of ketones

[reaction: see text] A series of new chiral C(3)-symmetric tris(beta-hydroxy phosphoramide) ligands have been synthesized via the reaction of trisphosphoramide ester and Grignard reagents. The catalytic asymmetric borane reduction of ketones with these new C(3)-symmetric chiral tris(beta-hydroxy phosphoramide)s was investigated. Structurally well-defined, recoverable ligand 1d is an efficient catalyst for the enantioselective borane reduction of both electron-deficient and electron-rich ketones, and high enantioselectivities were achieved (up to 98% ee).     

Stereoselective Seed-Induced Living Supramolecular Polymerization

Stereoselective and temporally controlled supramolecular polymerizations are ubiquitous in nature and are desirable attributes for the design of chiral, well-defined functional materials. Kinetically controlled, living supramolecular polymerization (LSP) has emerged recently for the synthesis of supramolecular polymers with controlled length and narrow dispersity. On the other hand, stringent design requirements for chiral-discriminating monomers precludes the stereoselective control of the supramolecular polymer structure. Herein, a synergetic stereo- and structural control of supramolecular polymerization by the realization of an unprecedented stereoselective seed-induced LSP is reported. Homochiral and seeded growth is demonstrated with bischromophoric naphthalene diimide (NDI) enantiomers with a chiral binaphthyl amine core, exhibiting strong self-recognition abilities and pathway complexity.     

Design of chiral organocatalysts for practical asymmetric synthesis of amino acid derivatives

A series of structurally rigid, chiral quaternary ammonium salts and several chiral sec-amine catalysts derived from commercially available (R)- or (S)-binaphthol have been designed as new C(2)-symmetric chiral phase-transfer catalysts and chiral bifunctional amino-catalysts. These chiral organocatalysts have been successfully applied to the highly practical asymmetric synthesis of various amino acid derivatives.