Supramolecular Coordination Cages Based on N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Gold(I) Ligands and Their Precursors: Self-Assembly,Structural Transformation and Guest-Binding Properties

The incorporation of functional groups into the cavity of discrete supramolecular coordination cages (SCCs) will bring unique functions and applications. Here, three dicarboxylate ligands (H₂ L1 Cl, H₂ L2 Cl and H₂ L3 Cl) containing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors as linkers were introduced to construct SCCs by combining with two C₃-symmertic (CpZr)₃(μ₃-O)(μ₂-OH)₃ clusters as three-connect vertices, resulted in a series of rugby-like V₂E₃ (V=vertex, E=edge) type homoleptic cages ( SCC-1 , SCC-2 and SCC-3 ). However, V₄E₆-type tetrahedral cages ( SCC-4 and SCC-5 ), incorporating six Au-NHC moieties, were obtained when the corresponding NHC-gold(I) functionalized ligands (H₂ L1 ^Au, H₂ L2 ^Au) were applied. For the first time, we present a trackable CpZr-involved cage to cage conversion to generate a heteroleptic V₂E₃ cage ( SCC-6 ) from two homoleptic cages ( SCC-2 and SCC-5 ) with different geometries of V₂E₃ and V₄E₆. The heteroleptic assembly SCC-6 can also be formed upon a subcomponent displacement strategy. The structural transformation and reassembly processes were detected and monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry. The formation of heteroleptic assembly was further supported by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Moreover, homoleptic cage SCC-2 possesses a trigonal bipyramidal cationic cavity allowing the encapsulation of a series of sulfonate anionic guests.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Organometallic Molecular Cylinders Bearing Bulky Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

The metal-controlled self-assembly of organometallic molecular cylinders from a series of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-based tris-NHC ligands is described in this report. The imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium salts H₃- L (PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) were treated with 1.5 equivalents of Ag₂O to yield the trinuclear Ag^I hexacarbene cages [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ), in which three Ag^I are sandwiched between the two tricarbene ligands. The silver(I) complexes [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ underwent a facile transmetalation reaction in the presence of 3 equivalents of [AuCl(tht)] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) to furnish the trinuclear Au^I cylinder-like cages [Au₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) without destruction of the metallosupramolecular structure. The new hexacarbene assemblies feature a large cavity that can easily accommodate a molecule of dimethyl sulfoxide as molecular guest. This is the first study of a unique “host–guest” system containing an organometallic cylinder-like cage derived exclusively from poly-NHC ligands.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Tetraphenylethylene-Based Tetrakis-NHC Ligands and Their Metal Complexes

The development of highly emissive dinuclear Ag^I or Au^I complexes [M₂L](PF₆)₂ (L= 2 a , 2 b ; M=Ag, Au) derived from tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based tetrabenzimidazolin-2-ylidene ligands is reported. The new complexes exhibit a remarkable fluorescence enhancement compared to their parent benzimidazolium salts. The quantum yield (Φ_F) value for salt H₄- 2 a (PF₆)₄ in dilute solution (c=10⁻⁵ m ) was found to be less than 1 %, whereas its metal complexes show Φ_F values up to 55 % at similar solution concentration. This observation can be attributed to the rigidification of the TPE skeleton upon metalation resulting in a restriction of the intramolecular rotation of the phenyl groups. Functionalization of the complexes [M₂ 2 b ](PF₆)₂ (M=Ag, Au) with terminal coumarin groups and subsequent photoirradiation yielded the complexes [M₂ 3 b ](PF₆)₂ (M=Ag, Au) bearing a new type of ligand with an unaffected TPE moiety.     

主族金属有机超分子化学进展

以有机主族金属化合物为基本单元进行的超分子自组装是近年来超分子化学的研究方向之一。本文主要对6种主族p区重金属(铟、铊、锡、铅、锑及铋)的典型有机金属超分子的自组装进行探讨和总结。     

A pH‐Dependent,Mechanically Interlocked Switch: Organometallic [2]Rotaxane vs. Organic [3]Rotaxane

We present the first [2]rotaxane featuring a functional organometallic host. In contrast to the known organic scaffolds, this assembly shows a high post‐synthetic modifiability. The reactivity of the Ag₈ pillarplex host is fully retained, as is exemplified by the first transmetalation in a rotaxane framework to provide the respective Au₈ analogue. Additionally, a transformation under acidic conditions to give a purely organic [3]rotaxane is demonstrated which is reversible upon addition of a suitable base, rendering the assembly a pH‐dependent switch. Hereby, it is shown that the mechanically interlocked nature of the system enhances the kinetic stability of the NHC host complex by a factor of >1000 and corresponds to the first observation of a stabilizing “rotaxand effect”.     

Strategy for the Construction of Diverse Poly‐NHC‐Derived Assemblies and Their Photoinduced Transformations

A series of supramolecular assemblies of types [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄, obtained from the tetraphenylethylene (TPE) bridged tetrakis(1,2,4‐triazolium) salts H₄‐L(PF₆)₄ and Ag^I ions, is described. The assembly type obtained dependends on the N‐wingtip substituents of H₄‐L(PF₆)₄. Changes in the lengths of the N4‐wingtip substituents enables controlled formation of assemblies with either [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ or [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ stoichiometry. The molecular structures of selected [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ assemblies were determined by X‐ray diffraction analyses. While H₄‐ L (PF₆)₄ does not exhibit fluorescence in solution, their tetra‐NHC (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) assemblies do upon NHC–metal coordination. Upon irradiation, all assemblies undergo a light‐induced, supramolecule‐to‐supramolecule structural transformation by an oxidative photocyclization involving phenyl groups of the TPE core, resulting in a significant change of the luminescence properties.     

Multicomponent Self-Assembly of PdII/PtII Interlocked Molecular Cages: Cage-to-Cage Conversion and Self-Sorting in Aqueous Medium

Coordination-driven self-assembly is an efficient approach for constructing complicated molecules with the aid of reversible bond formation. However, constructing topologically complicated interlocked systems and their formation studies remain challenging tasks. The formation of two water-soluble hexanuclear interlocked cages by multicomponent self-assembly of a flexible triimidazole donor ( L1 ) and a rigid tripyridyl donor ( L2 ) based on a triazine core in combination with 90° cis-blocked Pd^II and Pt^II acceptors is reported here. Formation of interlocked systems having a composition of M₆( L1 )₂( L2 )₂ (M=Pd or Pt) becomes feasible through cavity-induced self-recognition of two similar units having a composition of M₃( L1 )( L2 ). Self-sorting of two independently prepared cages of [M₃( L1 )₂] and [M₆( L2 )₄] in aqueous medium leads to the formation of interlocked systems, and their formation was monitored by time-dependent ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Self-recognition of L1 by [M₆( L2 )₄] or L2 by [M₃( L1 )₂] leads to the formation of interlocked systems, as confirmed from ¹H NMR spectroscopic titrations of L1 with cages {M₆( L2 )₄} and L2 with {M₃( L1 )₂}, respectively. Both the interlocked cages of Pd and Pt are highly stable, and formation of either system is equally probable as observed from the treatments of Pd₃( L1 )₂ with Pt₆( L2 )₄ or Pt₃( L1 )₂ with Pd₆( L2 )₄, which lead to the formation of two different self-assembled homometallic interlocked cages [Pt₆( L1 )₂( L2 )₂+Pd₆( L1 )₂( L2 )₂] instead of forming any other heterometallic assemblies. Formation of interlocked cages is dependent on the steric bulk of the diamine ligand bound to the metal acceptors. A N-alkyl-substituted blocking amine prefers the non-interlocked cage instead of the interlocked analogue.     

N-Heterocyclic Silylenes as Ligands in Transition Metal Carbonyl Chemistry: Nature of Their Bonding and Supposed Innocence

A study on the reactivity of the N-heterocyclic silylene Dipp₂NHSi (1,3-bis(diisopropylphenyl)-1,3-diaza-2-silacyclopent-4-en-2-yliden) with the transition metal complexes [Ni(CO)₄], [M(CO)₆] (M=Cr, Mo, W), [Mn(CO)₅(Br)] and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(I)] is reported. We demonstrate that N-heterocyclic silylenes, the higher homologues of the now ubiquitous NHC ligands, show a remarkably different behavior in coordination chemistry compared to NHC ligands. Calculations on the electronic features of these ligands revealed significant differences in the frontier orbital region which lead to some peculiarities of the coordination chemistry of silylenes, as demonstrated by the synthesis of the dinuclear, NHSi-bridged complex [{Ni(CO)₂(μ-Dipp₂NHSi)}₂] ( 2 ), complexes [M(CO)₅(Dipp₂NHSi)] (M=Cr 3 , Mo 4 , W 5 ), [Mn(CO)₃(Dipp₂NHSi)₂(Br)] ( 9 ) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(Dipp₂NHSi-I)] ( 10 ). DFT calculations on several model systems [Ni(L)], [Ni(CO)₃(L)], and [W(CO)₅(L)] (L=NHC, NHSi) reveal that carbenes are typically the much better donor ligands with a larger intrinsic strength of the metal–ligand bond. The decrease going from the carbene to the silylene ligand is mainly caused by favorable electrostatic contributions for the NHC ligand to the total bond strength, whereas the orbital interactions were often found to be higher for the silylene complexes. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the contribution of σ- and π-interaction depends significantly on the system under investigation. The σ-interaction is often much weaker for the NHSi ligand compared to NHC but, interestingly, the π-interaction prevails for many NHSi complexes. For the carbonyl complexes, the NHSi ligand is the better σ-donor ligand, and contributions of π-symmetry play only a minor role for the NHC and NHSi co-ligands.     

Thermodynamics of Self-Assembly of Dicarboxylate Ions with Binuclear Lanthanide Complexes

Self-assembly of a range of carboxylic acids (benzoic acid, dinicotinic acid, nicotinic acid, and isophthalic acid) with the europium complex of 5-nitro-α,α′-bis(DO3Ayl)-m-xylene (where DO3A is 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid) has been explored to establish the thermodynamics of binding in a range of solvent systems and in a range of aqueous buffer solutions. In this system, profound effects are observed as a consequence of competition by the hydroxide ion, which outcompetes even dinicotinate at high pH. In the case of isophthalate, which binds most strongly, and dinicotinate, both enthalpic and entropic contributions to binding have been identified. The europium complex with 5-nitro-α,α′-bis(DO3Ayl)-m-xylene is found to have a solution structure significantly different from the related europium complex of 5-amino-α,α′-bis(DO3Ayl)-m-xylene. It is found that phosphate binds strongly to the europium complex of the nitro derivate but not to the europium complex of amino derivative. Lactate, citrate, and pyruvate also bind strongly to 5-nitro-α,α′-bis(Eu⋅DO3Ayl)-m-xylene, and it is concluded that the solution structure of this binuclear lanthanide complex is significantly different from that of the amino-substituted complex.     

Self-Assembly of an Amino Acid Derivative into an Antimicrobial Hydrogel Biomaterial

N-(4-Nitrobenzoyl)-Phe self-assembled into a transparent supramolecular hydrogel, which displayed high fibroblast and keratinocyte cell viability. The compound showed a mild antimicrobial activity against E. coli both as a hydrogel and in solution. Single-crystal XRD data revealed packing details, including protonation of the C-terminus due to an apparent pK_a shift, as confirmed by pH titrations. MicroRaman analysis revealed almost identical features between the gel and crystal states, although more disorder in the former. The hydrogel is thermoreversible and disassembles within a range of temperatures that can be fine-tuned by experimental conditions, such as gelator concentration. At the minimum gelling concentration of 0.63 wt %, the hydrogel disassembles in a physiological temperature range of 39–42 °C, thus opening the way to its potential use as a biomaterial.     

Self-Assembly of a Trithioorthoformate-Capped Cyclophane and Its Endohedral Inclusion of a Methine Group

An unusual trithioorthoformate-capped cyclophane cage was assembled via antimony-activated iodine oxidation of thiols as confirmed by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The disulfide bridges can undergo desulfurization with hexamethylphosphorous triamide (HMPT) at ambient temperature to capture a trithioether cyclophane cage capped by the trithioorthoformate. In both cages a methine proton points directly into the small cavity. This unexpected structure is hypothesized to have formed as a result of haloform insertion during oxidation.     

A Matter of Fidelity: Self-Sorting Behavior of Di-Gold Metallotweezers

Cation-induced high selective self-sorting is observed for reactions involving a series of di-gold metallotweezers. The variation of the nature of the arms of the tweezers (benzo-imidazolylidene or pyrene-imidazolylidene), or the rigid bis-alkynyl linker (anthracenyl-bis-alkynyl or xanthenyl-bis-alkynyl), induces different type of self-sorting events upon addition of a metal cation (Cu⁺, Tl⁺, or Ag⁺). Combining two tweezers with the same arms and different linkers produces narcissistic self-sorting. The combination of tweezers with the same linker and different ligands at the arms produces social self-sorting.     

Metal Vector Manipulated Molecular Self-Assembly from Werner System to Cotton System

A definition of metal vector was given to coordinatively unsaturated metals or asymmetrically coordinated metal complexes in which the metal center is partly blocked by inert chelating ligand(s), thus possess specific reactivity and directionality, such as cis-coordinated square Pd(Ⅱ) or Pt(Ⅱ) complexes. Metal vectors have been extensively used in coordination catalysis and molecular assembly. In 1990, Fujita [ 1 ] first demonstrated the utility of cis-coordinated square Pd(Ⅱ)or Pt(Ⅱ) complexes as a right angular 2D metal vector in the formation of molecular square, a cyclic tetramer with nano-cavity and unique molecular recognition. So far, much attention has been paid to the use of the mononuclear coordination centers (Werner-type metal vectors) in molecular assembly.As late as 1999, Cotton et al. [2] reported the use of cis-coordinated metal-metal bonded dimetal units (Cotton-type metal vectors) to direct assembly of molecular squares.This presentation includes two parts: 1) Werner-type metal vector directed molecular assembly; [3]2) Cotton-type metal vector directed molecular assembly.[4]Firstly, the Werner-type metal vector, cis-coordinated Pd(Ⅱ) nitrate, was used to direct a 6-component self-assembly. This leads to the formation of a molecular bowl or crown with syn,syn,syn conformation. These structures are analogues of calix[3]arenes and can function as anion receptors. Interestingly, an nitrate is found to distort from a trigonal plane into a trigonal pyramid when binding to the bottom of the molecular bowl.Secondly, the Cotton-type metal vector, cis-diRh(Ⅱ, Ⅱ), was used to assemble di- or poly-carboxylate anions into neutral supermolecules. Most interestingly, a calixarene-based carceplex with four cis-diRh(Ⅱ, Ⅱ) fastners was obtained[5].All self-assembling entities were studied by both X-ray crystallographic analysis and solution NMR spectra, which are consistent with the presence of assembling structures even in solution.     

Self-Assembly of Bowl-Shaped Naphthalimide-Annulated Corannulene

The self-assembly of a bowl-shaped naphthalimide-annulated corannulene of high solubility has been studied in a variety of solvents by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Evaluation by the anti-cooperative K₂-K model revealed the formation of supramolecular dimers of outstanding thermodynamic stability. Further structural proof for the almost exclusive formation of dimers over extended aggregates is demonstrated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) measurements as well as by theoretical calculations. Thus, herein we present the first report of a supramolecular dimer of an annulated corannulene derivative in solution and discuss its extraordinarily high thermodynamic stability with association constants up to >10⁶ M⁻¹ in methylcyclohexane, which is comparable to the association constants given for planar phthalocyanine and perylene bisimide dyes.     

Supramolecular Construction of a [16]-Imidazolium Cage via a Quadruple [2+2] Photocycloaddition and Its Selective Fluorescent Recognition of Pyranine (HPTS)

Polyimidazolium-based cages are considered promising materials based on their fascinating properties and potential applications. These three-dimensional functional structures are highly desirable for the recognition of particular guest molecules, however, their synthesis remains challenging. In this work, we have designed and synthesizes a pure [n]-imidazolium (n=16) cage, the hexadecakisimidazolium salt H₁₆- 2 (PF₆)₁₆, from tetragonal octakisimidazolium salt H₈- 1 (PF₆)₈. The synthetic method involves formation of metal-carbene templates, a quadruple photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition reaction and subsequent removal of metal ions. Specifically, the synthesized cage, featuring sixteen imidazolium moieties, demonstrated high efficiency for the selective fluorescent recognition of 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrene trisulfonate (HPTS). The present work not only further develops the metal-carbene template strategy by exploiting a new type of polyimidazolium cage, but also provides encouraging prospects for the design of versatile imidazolium-based functional acceptors.     

Template Synthesis of Three‐Dimensional Hexakisimidazolium Cages

A procedure for the synthesis of three‐dimensional hexakisimidazolium cage compounds has been developed. The reaction of the trigonal trisimidazolium salts H₃L(PF₆)₃, decorated with three N‐olefinic pendants, and silver oxide yielded trinuclear trisilver(I) hexacarbene molecular cylinders of the type [Ag₃L₂]³⁺ with the olefinic pendants from the two different tricarbene ligands arranged in three pairs. Subsequent UV irradiation gave three cyclobutane links between the two tris‐NHC ligands in three [2+2] cycloaddition reactions, thereby generating a three‐dimensional hexakis‐NHC ligand. Removal of the metal ions resulted in the formation of three‐dimensional hexakisimidazolium cages with a large internal cavity.     

Balancing Ligand Flexibility versus Rigidity for the Stepwise Self-Assembly of M12L24 via M6L12 Metal–Organic Cages

Non-covalent interactions are important for directing protein folding across multiple intermediates and can even provide access to multiple stable structures with different properties and functions. Herein, we describe an approach for mimicking this behavior in the self-assembly of metal–organic cages. Two ligands, the bend angles of which are controlled by non-covalent interactions and one ligand lacking the above-mentioned interactions, were synthesized and used for self-assembly with Pd²⁺. As these weak interactions are easily broken, the bend angles have a controlled flexibility giving access to M₂( L1 )₄, M₆( L2 )₁₂, and M₁₂( L2 )₂₄ cages. By controlling the self-assembly conditions this process can be directed in a stepwise fashion. Additionally, the multiple endohedral hydrogen-bonding sites on the ligand were found to play a role in the binding and discrimination of neutral guests.