Conformational properties, chiroptical spectra, and molecular self-assembly of 2,3-piperazinodiones and their dithiono analogues

A family of chiral cyclic oxamides was prepared by the condensation of optically active 1,2-diamines with diethyl oxalate. Thionation of the products with Lawesson's reagent afforded a series of chiral 2,3-piperazinedithiones. Molecular geometries of the title compounds were studied with the use of quantum mechanical DFT calculations and were compared to the X-ray crystallographic results. The heterocyclic six-membered ring adopted a half-chair conformation with the C-5 substituent preferably at the equatorial position, whereas a substitution at the nitrogen atoms resulted in domination of the axial form in the conformational equilibrium. The opposite helicity of the twisted oxamide chromophore in the axial and equatorial conformers led to the opposite signs of the Cotton effects corresponding to two pi-pi* electronic transitions. The CD signs can be predicted by a simple helicity rule. The same rule is valid for 2,3-piperazinodithiones, where a substitution of sulfur for oxygen in the carbonyl groups results in bathochromic shifts of the absorption and CD bands. The crystal packing analysis of several 2,3-piperazinodiones revealed that strong NH...O=C intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions generating the chain motif resulted in the formation of 3-D networks as well as with the use of the cyclic hydrogen-bond motif tape structures.     

Inherently chiral molecular clips: synthesis, chiroptical properties, and application to chiral discrimination

Inherently chiral molecular clips (MCs), pseudoenantiomeric anti-1 and anti-2, as well as mesoid syn-3, were synthesized by diastereodifferentiating repetitive Diels-Alder reactions of the achiral bisdienophile 6 with chiral diene 5 generated in situ from (-)-menthyl 3,4-bis(dibromomethyl)benzoate 4. These MCs were successfully separated by chiral HPLC to give optically active anti-1 and anti-2 and almost optically inactive syn-3. The structures of anti-1, anti-2, and syn-3 were assigned by high-resolution NMR and the absolute configurations of anti-1 and anti-2 were determined by the exciton-chirality method. Optically active anti-2 can serve as a chiral host. It binds the HCl adduct of D-tryptophan methyl ester (D-TrpOMeHCl) 3.5 times stronger than the L-enantiomer (KD/KL=3.5).     

Novel synthetic approach for optical resolution of cryptophanol-A: a direct access to chiral cryptophanes and their chiroptical properties

The separation by crystallization of the pair of cryptophane diastereomers 1 a and 1 b, obtained in 1:1 ratio by treating racemic anti cryptophanol-A (2) with (-)-camphanic acid chloride, provided a substantial amount of optically pure material (diastereomeric excess>98 %). Subsequent hydrolysis afforded the optically pure cryptophanol-A enantiomers (+)-2 and (-)-2, which were submitted to nucleophilic substitution reactions to provide cryptophane-A (+)-3 and cryptophane monoester (-)-4 in optically pure form. The chiroptical properties of the new cryptophanes 1-4 were investigated by using circular dichroism spectroscopy, and the absolute configuration of the molecules was clearly established. These new cryptophanes represent additional interesting examples for studying the Cotton effect of interacting multichromophoric systems. Moreover, this novel approach presents numerous advantages over the other methods developed so far to obtain optically pure cryptophanes, and compounds (-)-2, (+)-2, and (-)-4 can give access to new enantiopure functionalized cryptophanes with host-guest properties similar to those of cryptophane-A.     

Planar chiral cyclic ether: asymmetric resolution and chirality transformation

Remarkably stable planar chirality was found in a nine-membered diallylic cyclic ether. Enantiomerically enriched ether was prepared by a kinetic resolution of a racemic one, which is valuable as a novel type of chiral building block.     

Syntheses and molecular self-assembly of chiral phosphorami-dates

Two chiral phosphoramidates,(R)-(-)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-dihydroxy-N-[α-(S)-methylbenzyl] phosphoramidate and (-)-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-dihydroxy-N-[α-(S)-methylbenzyl]-phosphoramidate were synthesized.Their crystal structures were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis.The phosphoramidate molecules are self-associated by inter-molecular N-H...O = P hydrogen bonds and aromatic edge to face interactions.     

Photochemical and thermal isomerization processes of a chiral auxiliary based donor-acceptor substituted chiroptical molecular switch: convergent synthesis,improved resolution and switching properties

A new type of chiroptical molecular switch is presented where irradiation employing different wavelengths of light induces a reversible helix inversion of a sterically overcrowded alkene bearing a second chiral entity in the form of a stereogenic center present in a pyrrolidine unit. The additional stereogenic center in the chiral auxiliary group has a distinct influence on the switching selectivity of this system and greatly facilitates the resolution of the different diastereoisomers, which is a considerable improvement compared with previously reported systems. In addition, the pyrrolidine stereogenic center causes small energetic differences between the various states of the switch system resulting in a small but significant directional preference in the helix inversion steps.     

Mesoporous silicas by self-assembly of lipid molecules: ribbon, hollow sphere, and chiral materials

Using lipids (N-acyl amino acids) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as structure- and co-structure-directing agents, mesoporous silicas with four different morphologies, that is, helical ribbon (HR), hollow sphere, circular disk, and helical hexagonal rod, were synthesized just by changing the synthesis temperature from 0 degrees C to 10, 15, or 20 degrees C. The structures were studied by electron microscopy. It was found that 1) the structures have double-layer disordered mesopores in the HR, radially oriented mesopores in the hollow sphere, and highly ordered straight and chiral 2D-hexagonal mesopores in the disklike structure and helical rod, respectively; 2) these four types of mesoporous silica were transformed from the flat bilayered lipid ribbon with a chain-interdigitated layer phase through a solid-solid transformation for HR formation and a dissolving procedure transformation for the synthesis of the hollow sphere, circular disk, and twisted morphologies; 3) the mesoporous silica helical ribbon was exclusively right-handed and the 2D-hexagonal chiral mesoporous silica was excessively left-handed when the L-form N-acyl amino acid was used as the lipid template; 4) the HR was formed only by the chiral lipid molecules, whereas the 2D-hexagonal chiral mesoporous silicas were formed by chiral, achiral, and racemic lipids. Our findings give important information for the understanding of the formation of chiral materials at the molecular level and will facilitate a more efficient and systematic approach to the generation of rationalized chiral libraries.     

Facile resolution of racemic terbutaline and a study of molecular recognition through chiral supramolecules based on enantiodifferentiating self-assembly

An effective resolving agent, (2S, 3S)-di-O-(p-toluoyl) tartaric acid(4), was screened using a 'family' approach to yield direct resolution of (R)-terbutaline (1) with high optical purity and yield. Molecular recognition was studied by X-ray crystallographic analyses of the single crystals of the pair of diastereomeric salts. The more-soluble salt formed a sheet supramolecular structure, and the less-soluble salt formed a columnar supramolecular structure by enantiodifferentiating self-assembly. The water molecule plays an important role during optical resolution, and makes the supramolecular structure of the less-soluble salt more thermodynamically stable than that of the more-soluble salt. Solvent system has little influence on the resolution.     

A chiroptical molecular switch with distinct chiral and photochromic entities and its application in optical switching of a cholesteric liquid crystal

Two new structurally related photoswitches are described, in which azobenzene photochromism is combined with the chirality of a 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-binaphthyl unit. In system 1 the chiral binaphthyl moiety is bridged by a methylene tether, locking the biaryl chirality while in system 2 the biaryl core is unbridged and has considerable conformational flexibility. Both compound are capable of inducing cholesteric liquid crystalline phases and proved to be good photoswitches both in solution and in a liquid crystalline matrix. Compound 2 is capable of completely reversing the liquid crystalline chirality which is unique for a chiroptical molecular switch where the switching unit and the chiral moiety are separate entities.     

Theoretical study on the chiroptical optical properties of chiral fullerene C60 derivative

Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations have been used to investigate UV/CD spectra and nonlinear optical (NLO) property of the C(60)-fullerene bisadduct (R,R,(f,s)A)-[CD(+)280] for the first time. The electron transition natures of the four main measured bands are analyzed, and their results are used to designate the excited states involved in an electron-transfer process of the studied compound. On a comparative scale, the predicted excitation energies and oscillator strengths are in reasonable agreement with the observed values, demonstrating the efficiency of TDDFT in predicting the localized and charge transfer transitions. The good agreement between the experimental and the simulated CD spectra shows that TDDFT calculations can be used to assign the absolute configurations (ACs) of chiral fullerene C(60) derivatives with high confidence. The observed large dissymmetry ratio g (g = Δε/ε) at about 700 nm results from the orbital characters of the local fullerene excited state, which leads to large transition magnetic dipole moment and small transition electronic dipole moment. The different functionals and solvent effects on UV/CD spectra were also considered. The studied compound has a possibility to be an excellent second-order NLO material from the standpoint of transparency and large second-order polarizability value.     

Synthesis, optical resolution, and configurational assignment of novel axially chiral quateraryls

A one-pot general synthesis of highly functionalized quateraryls through carbanion-induced, base-catalyzed ring transformation of 5,6-diaryl-2H-pyran-2-ones and core-substituted phenylacetones is delineated. These conversions were found to give diversely functionalized benzenes bearing peripheral aryl rings, some of which possess inherent atropisomerism. Exemplarily for one of the quateraryls, the optical resolution of the respective atropo-enantiomers by HPLC on a chiral phase and the assignment of their absolute axial configurations succeeded by LC-CD coupling in combination with semiempirical CNDO/S and TDDFT CD calculations. This synthetic approach offers-in a transition metal-free environment-high flexibility in the construction of quateraryls with the desired conformational freedom along the molecular axis, which may help in exploring and developing new potential ligands for asymmetric synthesis.     

Enantiomeric resolution of N,N'-dimethyldithiodianthranilide through diastereomeric silver(I) complex. Circular dichroism spectra, racemization barrier, and molecular self-assembly

Planar chiral N,N'-dimethyldithiodianthranilide (2b) was resolved to enantiomers through a diasteromeric complex with easily accessible silver(I) (1S)-camphorosulfonate (3). The (-)-2b enantiomer was assigned the R absolute configuration from the X-ray crystal structure of the silver complex. The compound is configurationally stable and its racemization occurs through boat-to-boat ring inversion (DeltaG(double dagger) = 36.5 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-1) at 438 K). The analysis of the CD spectrum of the title compound showed that the n-pi* Cotton effect sign is determined by the helicity of the skewed thiobenzamide chromophore. The molecules of 2b are unable to achieve efficient crystal packing by themselves and easily form inclusion complexes with toluene or pentafluorophenol.     

Synthesis, aggregation, and chiroptical properties of chiral, amphiphilic dendrimers

The syntheses of amphiphilic dendrimers based on 3,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol containing tri- or tetrafunctional chiral central cores and allyl ester termini are described. Water solubility is imparted to the dendrimers via a palladium-catalyzed deprotection of the peripheral allyl esters. This method affords complete deprotection of the carboxylate surface because, in contrast to the basic hydrolysis of methyl ester termini, the solubility of partially hydrolyzed intermediates is maintained throughout the course of the deprotection, thereby avoiding precipitation during the reaction. Chiroptical analysis indicates that the structure of the dendrimers collapses in water, resulting in an increased steric effect upon the central core that is manifested by lower optical rotatory power. However, contributions to the chiroptical properties from the dendron branch segments were not evident in water or organic media, suggesting that chiral substructures were not developing in the branch segments of the dendrimers. Multiangle light scattering studies revealed that the dendrimers experienced significant aggregation in aqueous media that decreased at higher generations. This behavior could be rationalized by a change in conformational preference from a disklike conformation at low generations to a more globular conformation at higher generations.     

Helically chiral functionalized [6]helicene: Synthesis,optical resolution,and photophysical properties

A short and efficient synthetic pathway leading to a new chiral π-conjugated system is reported. The X-ray structure of the target compound was determined and showed a helical conformation. Its resolution was successfully accomplished, leading to two enantiomers in high optical purity, and their chiroptical properties were examined experimentally. The photophysical properties of the organic material were also evaluated, showing an emission in the visible region, and HOMO and LUMO levels have been estimated experimentally, demonstrating an electrochemical band gap of 2.37 eV.     

Two-dimensional crystallization: self-assembly, pseudopolymorphism, and symmetry-independent molecules

The self-assembly of a series of 1,3-disubstituted benzenes has been scrutinized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and computational modeling. Small changes in the functional groups (e.g., ester, thioester, ketone) resulted in dramatic changes in packing patterns. Remarkably, several of the molecules gave rise to monolayers with more than one molecule in the asymmetric unit and displayed multiple packing patterns. This constitutes the most complex behavior observed to date in this type of monolayer and illuminates several issues of importance in three-dimensional crystallization. Intermolecular interactions associated with the observation of multiple molecules in the asymmetric unit and stabilization of pseudopolymorphs were identified. The geometry and electrostatic properties of the isolated molecule and monolayer density were found to be critical in determining which packing motif was adopted.     

Crystallographic and chiroptical studies on tetraarylferrocenes for use as chiral rotary modules for molecular machines

A crystal structure of the racemic form of chiral molecular scissors 1 with a trans configuration at the azobenzene unit (rac-trans-1), in which the scissors adopt a closed geometry with two blade phenyl groups that overlap each other, was successfully determined. X-ray crystallographic determination of the structure of (1S,1'S)-10, which is a derivative of the key precursor of trans-1, was also successful. On the basis of the crystal structure of (1S,1'S)-10, the absolute configuration of 1 and related molecular machines, such as molecular pedal 2, and self-locking rotor 3, which all contain a chiral tetrasubstituted ferrocene module, were determined. A correlation between the absolute configuration and the circular dichroism properties of these molecular machines and their synthetic precursors was also determined.     

Synthesis, optical resolution and absolute configuration of inherently chiral calixarene carboxylic acids

Both enantiomers of inherently chiral calixarene carboxylic acids with ABCD substitution patterns have been prepared by the benzoylation of 25-propoxy-27-(R)-N-(α-phenylethyl)amidomethyloxycalix[4]arene followed by resolution of the diastereomers formed, monobromination of them and removal of the benzoyl and α-phenylethylamide auxiliary groups. The absolute configuration of the calixarenes obtained has been established by X-ray analysis. Preliminary study of the chiral recognition properties of calixarene carboxylic acid was performed.     

Planar tripods of platinum: formation and self-assembly

This communication describes a synthesis of planar tripods of platinum and their assembly into two-dimensional (2D) nano-structures using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique.     

Hierarchical superstructures with control of helicity from the self-assembly of chiral bent-core molecules

Herein, two asymmetric chiral bent-core molecules, 3-[(4-{[4-(heptyloxy)benzoyl]oxy}benzoyl)oxy]-phenyl-4-[(4-{[(1R)-1-methylheptyl]oxy}benzoyl)oxy] benzoate (BC7R) and 3-[(4-{[4-(heptyloxy)benzoyl]oxy}benzoyl)oxy]-phenyl-4-[(4-{[(1S)-1-methylheptyl]oxy}benzoyl)oxy] benzoate (BC7S), were synthesized to demonstrate control of the helicity of their self-assembled hierarchical superstructures. Mirror-imaged CD spectra showed a split-type Cotton effect after the formation of self-assembled aggregates of BC7R and BC7S, thereby suggesting the formation of intermolecular exciton couplets with opposite optical activities. Both twisted and helical ribbons with preferential helicity that corresponded to the twisting character of the intermolecular exciton couplet were found in the aggregates. The formation of helical ribbons was attributed to the merging of twisted ribbons through an increase in width to improve morphological stability. As a result, control of the helicity of hierarchical superstructures from the self-assembly of bent-core molecules could be achieved by taking advantage of the transfer of chiral information from the molecular level onto the hierarchical scale.