Self-sorting under solvent-free conditions: one-pot synthesis of a hetero[3]rotaxane

The one-pot synthesis of a hetero[3]rotaxane, assembled from five different molecular components under solvent-free conditions, through "self-sorting" of the bead and stopper units during the threading and stoppering processes, is reported.     

Selective and Effective Binding of Pillar[5,6]arenes toward Secondary Ammonium Salts with a Weakly Coordinating Counteranion

The selective and effective binding of secondary ammoniums with a weakly coordinating tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (BArF) counteranion by per-ethylated pillar[5,6]arenes is reported. The construction of a first pillararene-based self-sorting system consisting of two wheels and two axles is also described.     

Controllable fabrication of a supramolecular polymer incorporating twisted cucurbit[14]uril and cucurbit[8]uril via self-sorting

A linear supramolecular polymer with controllable features based on twisted cucurbit[14]uril (tQ[14]) and cucurbit[8]uril (Q[8]) was firstly fabricated via an effective self-sorting strategy. Herein we designed a monomer, 1?butyl?1′-(naphthalen- 2-ylmethyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium bromide (BNB), that contains bipyridyl, aliphatic butyl and aromatic naphthyl groups, simultaneously. Two host molecules, tQ[14] and Q[8] were employed to develop an effective strategy for constructing a linear supramolecular polymer with controllable features. The alkyl groups on both sides of BNB could insert into the two cavities of tQ[14], the naphthyl part of BNB via π-π stacking in Q[8] cavity, serving as the driving force for supramolecular polymerization. Through self-sorting of the monomer, tQ[14] and Q[8], led to the formation of the linear supramolecular polymer. Depolymerization could be achieved by addition of adamantane hydrochloride (AH) which driven two BNB guest molecules out of the Q[8] cavity. This self-sorting strategy has great potential, not only for designing supramolecular polymer materials with different controllable structures through introduction of multiple functional groups, but also for broadening the application of twisted cucurbit[14]uril in supramolecular chemistry.     

Oxidative kinetic self-sorting of a dynamic imine library

Dynamic libraries of [n × n] imine components spontaneously simplify during a slow oxidation reaction to produce only n discrete products. The selectivity of this self-sorting process is a consequence of different oxidation rates for various imines, while the dynamic nature of the library enables self-sorting to proceed with high efficiency.     

Two complexes of Sm(II) with crown ethers-electrochemical synthesis, structure and spectroscopy

Two complexes of divalent samarium have been synthesized by electrochemical reduction in methanol-tetrahydrofuran solutions: [Sm(18-crown-6)(ClO4)2] and [Sm(15-crown-5)2](ClO4)2. In [Sm(18-crown-6)(ClO4)2] the metal cation is ten-coordinate and its coordination sphere comprises six oxygen atoms of the crown ligand and four oxygen atoms from two perchlorate anions. [Sm(15-crown-5)2](ClO4)2 shows a sandwich structure with decacoordinate samarium located between two 15-crown-5 molecules. At 77 K both compounds show f-f luminescence originating from the 5D0 level, and also the 15-crown-5 complex shows a weak luminescence in the range 20000-25000 cm(-1), which has been tentatively interpreted as originating from 3P0 and 5H3 levels. At room temperature the emission of [Sm(15-crown-5)2](ClO4)2 is dominated by broad f-d bands. In the excitation spectra some Fano resonances have been observed. The 18-crown-6 compound is unstable, but the 15-crown-5 compound is fairly stable in air.     

The synthesis of novel polysiloxanes with pendant hand-basket type calix[6]crowns and their transporting properties for metal ions in a liquid membrane

Two novel polysiloxanes with pendant hand-basket type calix[6]-1,3-crown-3 and calix[6]-1,4-crown-4 were prepared by hydrosilylation of p-tert-butylcalix[6]-(2′-allyloxymethyl)-1,3-crown-3 (CA[6]C3) and p-tert-butylcalix[6]-[2′-(ω″-undecenyloxymethyl)]-1,4-crown-4 (CA[6]C4) followed by condensation reaction with silanol-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. The monomeric calix[6]crowns and two calix[6]crown-based polysiloxanes were used as carriers in a bulk membrane. All carriers showed the transport rate of the cations decreased in the order Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺. The flux of K⁺ for the monomeric calix[6]crown was higher than that for polymeric carrier. In comparison with other carriers, the transport rate of calix[6]crown-4-functionalized polysiloxanes (CA[6]C4PS) towards cesium ions were increased greatly. Competitive transport experiments known to be more useful in industrial fields also revealed to give high cesium transfer rate.     

Preparation and study of two polysiloxanes with pendant hand-basket type calixarene stationary phases for capillary gas chromatography

In this study two novel pendant hand-basket type calixarene gas chromatography stationary phases were prepared by hydrosilylation of ω-undecenyloxymethyl dimethyl calix[4]-15C5 and ω-undecenyloxymethyl dimethyl calix[4]-18C6 with dichloromethane followed by condensation reaction with silanol-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. Important stationary phase properties of these two novel stationary phases such as column efficiency, polarity, and selectivity were examined and compared with those of ω-undecyloxymethyl-18-crown-6, 2,3-benzo-9-propyloxymethyl-15-crown-5 and 2,3-benzo-11-propyloxymethyl-18-crown-6. Excellent thermostability from 60 to 330°C with onset bleeding temperatures at 308°C have been found. The mechanism of specific selectivity for position isomers based on the calix[4]crown ether ring, the molecular size of the solute and its shape are discussed.     

Cationic rare-earth metal trimethylsilylmethyl complexes supported by THF and 12-crown-4 ligands: synthesis and structural characterization

To expand the limited range of rare-earth metal cationic alkyl complexes known, a series of mono- and dicationic trimethylsilylmethyl complexes supported by THF and 12-crown-4 ligands with [BPh4]-, [BPh3(CH2SiMe3)]-, [B(C6F5)4]-, [B(C6F5)3(CH2SiMe3)]-, and [Al(CH2SiMe3)4]- anions were prepared from corresponding neutral precursors [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3Ln] (Ln = Sc, Y, Lu; L = THF, n = 2 or 3; L = 12-crown-4, n = 1) as solvent-separated ion pairs. The syntheses of the monocationic derivatives [Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(12-crown-4)n(THF)m]+[A]- are all high yielding and proceed rapidly in THF solution at room temperature. A "one pot" procedure using the neutral species directly for the syntheses of a number of lutetium and yttrium dicationic derivatives [Ln(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)n(THF)m]2+[A]-2 with a variety of different anions, a class of compounds previously limited to just a few examples, is presented. When BPh3 is used to generate the ion triple, the presence of 12-crown-4 is required for complete conversion. Addition of a second equiv of 12-crown-4 and a third equiv of [NMe2PhH]+[B(C6F5)4]- abstracts a third alkyl group from [Ln(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)2(THF)x]2+[B(C6F5)4]-2 (Ln = Y, Lu). X-ray crystallography and variable-temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy reveal a structural diversity within the known series of neutral 12-crown-4 supported tris(trimethylsilylmethyl) complexes [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(12-crown-4)] (Ln = Sc, Y, Sm, Gd-Lu) in the solid and solution states. The X-ray structure of [Sc(CH2SiMe3)3(12-crown-4)] exhibits incomplete 12-crown-4 coordination. VT NMR spectroscopy indicates fluxional 12-crown-4 coordination on the NMR time scale. X-ray crystallography of only the second structurally characterized dicationic rare-earth metal alkyl complex [Y(CH2SiMe3)(12-crown-4)(THF)3]2+[BPh4]-2 shows exocyclic 12-crown-4 coordination at the 8-coordinate metal center with well separated counteranions. 11B and 19F NMR spectroscopy of all mono- and dicationic rare-earth metal complexes reported demonstrate that the anions are symmetrical and noncoordinating on the NMR time scale. A series of trends within the 1H and 13C{1H} NMR resonances arising from the Ln-CH2 groups and, in the case of yttrium, the 1JYC coupling constants at the Y-CH2 group and the 89Y chemical shift values are discussed.     

Dimers of heptapnictide anions: As14 4- and P14 4- in the crystal structures of [Rb(18-crown-6)]4As14.6NH3 and [Li(NH3)4]4P14.NH3

Compounds [Rb(18-crown-6)]4As14.6NH3 (1) and [Li(NH3)4]4P14.NH3 (2) were prepared by the reaction of Rb4As6 with SbPh3 and 18-crown-6 and by the reduction of white phosphorus with elemental lithium in liquid ammonia, respectively. Both were characterized by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. They were found to contain the Ci symmetrical Pn14(4-) anion (Pn = P, As), which consists of two nortricyclane-like Pn7-cages connected by a single bond. Molecular complexes of [Rb(18-crown-6)(NH3)]2[Rb(18-crown-6)]2As14 are formed in 1, which are connected to fanfold sheets via N-H...O bonds. The anion is isolated in 2, and N-H...N bonds result in the formation of {[Li(NH3)4](mu-NH3)2[Li(NH3)4]}2+ cationic complexes.     

One-pot synthesis of well-organized heteropolyrotaxane via self-sorting strategy

Two novel [3]pseudorotaxanes can be selectively synthesized from four components through self-sorting processes, which provides a new strategy for the construction of a well-organized heteropolyrotaxane.     

New 13-vertex metallacarborane sandwich compounds; synthetic and structural studies

Reduction of 1,12-closo-C2B10H12 followed by reaction with the appropriate metal halide and metathesis with either [K(18-crown-6)]Br or [BTMA]Cl ([BTMA] = [C6H5CH2N(CH3)3]+) affords isolable salts of the supraicosahedral metallacarborane sandwich anions [4,4-M-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2]n- in moderate to good yield. Compounds prepared are [BTMA][4,4-Co-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 1), [K(18-crown-6)][4,4-Co-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 2), [K(18-crown-6)]2[4,4-Ni-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 3), [K(18-crown-6)]2[4,4-Fe-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 4), [BTMA]2[4,4-Fe-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 5) and [K(18-crown-6)]2[4,4-Ti-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 6). Oxidation of the iron(II) species 4 and 5 with FeCl3 in THF generates the iron(III) analogues [K(18-crown-6)][4,4-Fe-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 7) and [BTMA][4,4-Fe-(1,10-closo-C2B10H12)2] ( 8), respectively. All diamagnetic compounds were characterised spectroscopically and the structures of 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All anions have the anticipated cluster structures with two docosahedral 13-vertex cages joined at the central metal atom (the common degree-six vertex 4). Carbon atoms occupy the degree-four vertex 1 and the degree-five vertex 10. 11B NMR spectroscopy suggests the anions have, on the NMR timescale, C2h symmetry in solution at room temperature, consistent with free rotation, or at least substantial libration, of cage units about the long molecular axis. In the solid state the relative conformations of the two cages may be rationalised by simple bonding arguments, the single exception being the conformation of 4, in which both cages are subject to directional B-H...K+ interactions to the [K(18-crown-6)]+ counterion. The salts 3, 6 and 7 also show B-H...K+ interactions but involving one cage only.     

2]Rotaxanes containing pyridinium-phosphonium axles and 24-crown-8 ether wheels

A triethylphosphonium group attached to a pyridinium ethane moiety can be used as an axle for the self-assembly of [2]pseudorotaxanes and [2]rotaxanes. Although [2]pseudorotaxane formation is limited due to the bulk of the PR4+ group, [2]rotaxanes can be formed utilising 24-crown-8 ether, benzo-24-crown-8 ether and naphtho-24-crown-8 ether. The synthesis of these [2]rotaxanes and the X-ray structure of the [2]rotaxane containing a 24-crown-8 ether wheel are described. When the crown ether contains an aromatic group two possible conformational isomers exist; these are identified at low temperature by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy.     

A tripodal [2]rotaxane on the surface of gold

Tripodal [2]rotaxane, 3, and the structurally related axle, 2, incorporating a viologen moiety, a crown ether, and three thiol anchoring groups have been synthesized. Analogous monopodal derivatives, 1, have also been prepared. Self-assembled monolayers of the above tripodal and monopodal systems on gold have been studied by cyclic voltammetry. It has been shown that a thiol anchoring group is required to attach the monopodal viologen 1 to the surface of gold and that the maximum surface coverage of 1 corresponds to 2.7 x 10(-10) mol.cm(-2). The adsorbed monopodal viologen 1 does not thread bis-p-phenylene-34-crown-10 ether, 6. However, the tripodal axle 2 adsorbed on the surface of gold threads the crown ether 6 to form a hetero [2]rotaxane. In the case of the tripodal axle 2, the surface coverage is 7 x 10(-11) mol.cm(-2), while for the tripodal [2]rotaxane 3 the surface coverage reaches 1.1 x 10(-10) mol.cm(-2).     

Syntheses and Complexing Properties of Polyethers

Diaza-18-crown-6 with two 8-hydroxyquinolines as side arms show high selective complexing ability with metal ions^[1,2] and with two aminophenols exhibit strange property^[3]. 8 diaza-18-crown-6 ethers containing sidearms^[4] and 7 podands were synthesized. Their complexing ability with metal ions were studied, the results show that they present high complexing capability for metal ions. The polyethers containing 8-hydroquinoline fragment show high selectivities for Hg²⁺,Ni²⁺ and their complexes with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ show strong luminescence.     

Self-assembly of novel [3]- and [2]rotaxanes based on donor-acceptor and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Intensified inter-ring repulsion interaction and shuttling behavior

Three novel hetero[3]rotaxanes, which comprise one neutral tetraamide cyclophane, one tetracationic cyclophane, and one linear component, have been assembled by utilizing hydrogen-bonding and donor-acceptor interactions, through three neutral [2]rotaxanes as intermediates. Three tetracationic [2]rotaxanes are also prepared for property comparison. For all three linear components, diamide subunits, the hydrogen-bonding templating moieties, are introduced at the center of the molecules, while the electron-rich hydrogquinone subunits, the donor-acceptor interaction templates, are incorporated between the diamides and the triphenylmethyl stoppers. Compared with the reported [3]rotaxanes, the novel hetero[3]rotaxanes exhibit remarkably intensified spatial interaction between the two ring components, which had been proved by (1)H NMR and UV study. For the first time, inter-ring NOEs are observed for interlocked [3]rotaxanes.     

The first structurally characterized cationic lanthanide-alkyl complexes

Reaction of rare earth metal-alkyl complexes [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2](Ln = Y, Lu) with B(C6X5)3(X = H, F) in the presence of crown ethers gives crystallographically characterized ion pairs [Ln(CH2SiMe3)2(CE)(THF)n]+[B(CH2SiMe3)(C6X5)3]-(CE = [12]-crown-4, n = 1; CE = [15]-crown-5 and [18]-crown-6, n = 0).     

Synthesis, structure and hydrosilylation activity of neutral and cationic rare-earth metal silanolate complexes

Rare-earth metal alkyl tri(tert-butoxy)silanolate complexes [Ln{mu,eta2-OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)2]2 (Ln = Y (1), Tb (2), Lu (3)) were prepared via protonolysis of the appropriate tris(alkyl) complex [Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(thf)2] with tri(tert-butoxy)silanol in pentane. Crystal structure analysis revealed a dinuclear structure for with square pyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta2-bridging coordination mode giving a 4-rung truncated ladder and non-crystallographic inversion centre. Addition of two equiv. of 12-crown-4 to a pentane solution of 1 or 3 respectively gave [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)(3)}(CH2SiMe3)2(12-crown-4)].12-crown-4 (Ln = Y (4), Lu (5)). Crystal structure analysis of 5 showed a slightly distorted octahedral geometry at the lutetium centre. The silanolate ligand adopts an eta(1)-terminal coordination mode, whilst the crown ether unit coordinates in an unusual kappa3-fashion. Reaction of 1-3 with [NEt3H]+[BPh4]- in thf yielded the cationic derivatives [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y (6), Tb (7) and Lu (8)); coordination of crown ether led to compounds of the form [Ln{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(L)(thf)n]+[BPh4]- (Ln = Y, Lu, L = 12-crown-4, n = 1 (9,10); Ln = Y, Lu, L = 15-crown-5, n = 0 (11,12)). Reaction of 1 with [NMe2PhH]+[B(C6F5)4]-, [Al(CH2SiMe3)3] or BPh3 in thf gave the ion pairs [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(CH2SiMe3)(thf)4]+[A]- ([A]- = [B(C6F5)4]- (13), [Al(CH2SiMe3)4]- (14), [BPh3(CH2SiMe3)]- (15)), whilst two equiv. [NMe2PhH]+[BPh4]- with 1 in thf produced the dicationic ion triple [Y{OSi(O(t)Bu)3}(thf)6]2+[BPh4]-2 (16). Crystal structure analysis revealed that 16 is mononuclear with pentagonal bipyramidal geometry at the yttrium centre. The silanolate ligand coordinates in an eta(1)-terminal fashion. All diamagnetic compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 13 were tested as olefin hydrosilylation pre-catalysts with a variety of substrates; 1 was found to be highly active in 1-decene hydrosilylation.     

Silylation of 5′-O-DMT-2′-Deoxyncleosides Using Dibenzo [18] Crown-6 and PTC

3′O-silylated derivatives of 5′-O-DMT-2′deoxynucleoside (2) were synthesized in high yield by reaction of 5′-O-DMT-2′-deoxynucleosides (1) with tert-butyl dimethylsilylchloride using sodium hydride, benzyltriethylammonlum chloride [TEBA] and a catalytic amount of dibenzo-[18]-crown-6 [DB-18-C-6] or 15-crown-5 [15-C-51 under mild reaction conditions.     

The first [2]pseudorotaxane and the first pseudocryptand-type poly[2]pseudorotaxane based on bis(meta-phenylene)-32-crown-10 and paraquat derivatives

By the self-assembly of a bis(meta-phenylene)-32-crown-10 bearing two electron-donating groups (carbazoles) with electron-accepting paraquat derivatives, the first [2]pseudorotaxane and the first pseudocryptand-type poly[2]pseudorotaxane based on bis(meta-phenylene)-32-crown-10 were isolated as crystalline solids as shown by X-ray analyses.     

Rücktitelbild: A Facile and Versatile Approach to Double N‐Heterohelicenes: Tandem Oxidative C?N Couplings of N‐Heteroacenes via Cruciform Dimers (Angew. Chem. 18/2015)

Novel double N‐hetero[5]helicenes that are composed of two nitrogen‐substituted heteropentacenes are synthesized by tandem oxidative C N couplings via the cruciform heteropentacene dimers. The developed method is very facile and enables the synthesis of a double helicene in only two steps from commercially available naphthalene derivatives. These double N‐hetero[5]helicenes have larger torsion angles in the fjord regions than typical [5]helicenes, and optical/electrochemical measurements revealed a significant increase in the electronic communication between the two heteropentacene moieties of the double helicenes compared with their cruciform dimers. The optical resolution of one of the double helicenes was successfully carried out, and their stability towards racemization was remarkably higher than those of typical [5]helicenes. The synthetic strategy proposed in this paper should be versatile and widely applicable to the preparation of double helicenes from other N‐containing π‐conjugated planar molecules.