Two isomers of 2,4‐di­benzyl‐8‐azabicyclo­[3.2.1]­octan‐3‐ol

The crystal structures of the title compounds, 2α,4α‐di­benzyl‐3α‐tropanol (2α,4α‐di­benzyl‐8‐methyl‐8‐aza­bi­cyclo­[3.2.1]­octan‐3α‐ol), C₂₂H₂₇NO, (I), and 2α,4α‐di­benzyl‐3β‐tropanol (2α,4α‐di­benzyl‐8‐methyl‐8‐aza­bi­cyclo­[3.2.1]­octan‐3β‐ol), C₂₂H₂₇NO, (II), show that both compounds have a piperidine ring in a chair conformation and a pyrrolidine ring in an envelope conformation. Isomer (I) is asymmetric, the benzyl groups having different orientations, whereas isomer (II) is mirror symmetric, and the N and O atoms, the C atom attached to the hydroxy group, and the methyl C atom attached to the N atom lie on the mirror plane. In the crystal structures of both (I) and (II), the mol­ecules are linked together by intermolecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds to form chains that run parallel to the a direction in (I) and parallel to b in (II).     

Pericyclic Transformations at the Periphery of Chromen‐4‐one (=4H‐1‐Benzopyran‐4‐one): An Unusual Preference for a 1,5‐Shift of Allylic Moieties over the Ene Reaction

Quite unlike the reported facile ene reactions on the periphery of many related heterocyclic systems, similarly disposed moieties on the periphery of the chromen‐4‐one (=4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one) system fail to undergo an ene reaction and display a rather unusual preference for an overall [1,5] shift of the allylic C‐atom. Thus, heating xylene solutions of 2‐(N‐allylanilino)‐, 2‐(N‐crotylanilino)‐, and 2‐(N‐cinnamylamino)‐substituted (E)‐(oxochromenyl)propenoates 9a – c and 2‐[allyl(benzyl)amino]‐, 2‐[benzyl(crotyl)amino]‐, and 2‐[benzyl(cinnamyl)amino]‐substituted (E)‐(oxochromenyl)propenoates 16a – c in a sealed tube at 220–230° leads to a [1,5] shift of the allylic moieties (allyl, crotyl, cinnamyl), which is followed by intramolecular cyclization involving the N‐atom and the ester function, to give the 3‐allyl‐3‐crotyl‐, and 3‐cinnamyl‐substituted‐1‐phenyl‐ or 1‐benzyl‐2H‐[1]benzopyrano[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2,5(1H)‐diones 10a – c and 17a – c . The anticipated carbonyl–ene reaction in the 2‐(N‐allylanilino)‐, 2‐(N‐crotylanilino)‐, 2‐(N‐cinnamylanilino)‐, 2‐[allyl(benzyl)amino]‐, 2‐[benzyl(crotyl)amino]‐, and 2‐[benzyl(cinnamyl)amino]‐substituted 4‐oxochromene‐3‐carboxaldehydes 8a – c and 15a – c is also not observed, and these molecules remain untransformed under identical conditions. No [1,5] shifts of benzyl, phenyl, or methyl groups are observed, even in the absence of allylic moieties, though facile [1,5]‐H shift occurs in 2‐(benzylamino)‐ and 2‐(phenylamino)‐substituted (E)‐(oxochromenyl)propenoates 23a , b , which is followed by a similar intramolecular cyclization leading to the 2H‐[1]benzopyrano[2,3‐b]pyridine‐2,5(1H)‐diones 24a , b .     

Synthesis of some fused β‐carbolines including the first example of the pyrrolo[3,2‐c]‐β‐carboline system

Condensation of 1‐methyl‐β‐carboline‐3‐carbaldehyde with ethyl azidoacetate and subsequent thermolysis of the resulting azidopropenoate was used to [c] annulate a pyrrole ring onto the β‐carboline moiety, thus producing the first example of the pyrrolo[3,2‐c]‐β‐carboline ring system. The latter ring system results from cyclization at the C‐4 carbon, whereas cyclization at the N‐2 nitrogen atom also occurs to form a pyrazolo[3,2‐c]‐β‐carboline ring system. Condensation of β‐carboline‐1‐carbaldehyde with ethyl azidoacetate produced a non‐isolable intermediate, which immediately underwent cyclization, however in this case cyclization occurred via attack at the ester and the azide remained intact. The resulting 5‐azidocanthin‐6‐one was transformed to the first examples of 5‐aminocanthin‐6‐ones. β‐Carboline‐1,3‐dicarbaldehyde failed to give an acceptable reaction with ethyl azidoacetate, but did undergo selective condensation with dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate at the C‐1 carbaldehyde with concomitant cyclization to form a highly functionalized 2‐formyl‐canthine derivative.     

Radical 4‐exo Cyclizations onto O‐Alkyloxime Acceptors: Towards the Synthesis of Penicillin‐Containing Antibiotics

The 4‐exo cyclizations of two types of carbamoyl radicals onto O‐alkyloxime acceptor groups were studied as potential routes to 3‐amino‐substituted azetidinones and hence to penicillins. A general synthetic route to ‘benzaldehyde oxime oxalate amides’ (= 2‐[(benzylideneamino)oxy]‐2‐oxoacetamides; see, e.g., 10c ) of 2‐{[(benzyloxy)imino]methyl}‐substituted thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid methyl esters 9 was developed (Scheme 3). It was shown by EPR spectroscopy that these compounds underwent sensitized photodissociation to the corresponding carbamoyl radicals but that these did not ring close. An analogous open‐chain precursor, benzaldehyde O‐(benzylaminoacetaldehyde‐O‐benzyloxalyl)oxime, 15 , lacking the 5‐membered thiazolidine ring, was shown by EPR spectroscopy to release the corresponding carbamoyl radical (Scheme 4). The latter underwent 4‐exo cyclization onto its C?NOBn bond in non‐H‐atom donor solvents. The rate constant for this cyclization was determined by the steady‐state EPR method. Spectroscopic evidence indicated that the reverse ring‐opening process was slower than cyclization.     

Aromatization and ring cyclization: A reasonable understanding on the ring cyclization mechanism of 3‐amino‐6‐hydrazino‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5(2H)‐one reacted with one‐carbon fragment reagents or nitrous acid

The cyclization mechanism for the title compound ( 2 ) reacting with one‐carbon fragment reagents or nitrous acid to afford heterobicyclic compounds 6‐amino‐3‐substituted‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐f][1,2,4]triazin‐8(7H)‐ones ( 3a～d ) or 6‐amino‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazolo[5,1‐f][1,2,4]triazin‐8(7H)‐one ( 4 ), respectively, is explored in this paper. When 3‐amino‐2‐benzyl‐6‐hydrazino‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5(2H)‐one ( 10 ), the N‐2 benzylated derivative of 2 , is treated under the same conditions, ring cyclization does not occur; instead, 3‐amino‐2‐benzyl‐6‐substituted‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5(2H)‐ones ( 11,12,14 ) and 2‐N‐(2‐amino‐1‐benzyl‐4‐oxo‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5‐yl)semicarbazide ( 13 ) are formed. Alternatively, when 3‐amino‐6‐hydrazino‐2‐[(2‐hydroxyethoxy)methyl]‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5(2H)‐one ( 16 ), a compound bearing the 2‐[(2‐hydroxyethoxy)methyl] side‐chain at N‐2 of 2 by an N? C? O bond, reacts with glacial acetic acid or nitrous acid, the side‐chain is cleaved through acidolysis to affford the ring‐closed compound 6‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐f][1,2,4]triazin‐8(7H)‐one ( 3b ) or compound 4 , respectively. From these results, we suggest a cyclization mechanism that the ring cyclization is dependent on the aromatization of the 1,2,4‐triazine ring, which influence the reactivity and reaction behavior of the π‐deficient 1,2,4‐triazine.     

Reactivity studies of ethyl(Z)‐N‐(2‐amino‐1,2‐dicyanovinyl) formimidate with carbonyl compounds in the presence of base

The reaction of ethyl(Z)‐N‐(2‐amino‐1,2‐dicyanovinyl)formimidate 6 with carbonyl compounds in the presence of triethyl amine occurs with formation of the Schiff s base and intramolecular hydrolysis of the adjacent cyano group to give the alkylideneamino derivatives 8a‐f . When the α‐carbon of the ketone has at least one proton, the prolonged contact of 8a‐f with triethylamine causes intramolecular cyclization between this carbon and the imidate carbon atom to form a seven membered ring. This is followed by cyclization of the cyano and amido groups, leading to the pyrrolo[4,3‐b][1,4]diazepines 9 . If a strong base is used the first ring to be formed is the pyrrole ring as evidenced in the reaction of 8a with 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene leading to 14 . The subsequent addition of methyl amine to the reaction mixture, caused cleavage of the alkylideneamino unit and formation of the amidine function from the imi date ( 15 ). The addition of acid to the imidates 8a and 8f led to the diazepine compounds 10a and 10f respectively. A suspension of compound 8e in ethanol and triethylamine evolved to a pyrazinone structure 12 under kinetic conditions (4 hours, room temperature) and to the pyrrolo[4,3‐b][1,4]diazepine 9e under thermodynamic conditions (48 hours, room temperature).     

High‐Yield Diastereoselective Synthesis of Planar Chiral [2]‐ and [3]Rotaxanes Constructed from per‐Ethylated Pillar[5]arene and Pyridinium Derivatives

Planar chiral [2]‐ and [3]rotaxanes constructed from pillar[5]arenes as wheels and pyridinium derivatives as axles were obtained in high yield using click reactions. The process of rotaxane formation was diastereoselective; the obtained [2]rotaxane was a racemic mixture consisting of (pS, pS, pS, pS, pS) and (pR, pR, pR, pR, pR) forms of the per‐ethylated pillar[5]arene ( C2 ) wheel, and other possible types of the [2]rotaxane did not form. Isolation of the enantiopure [2]rotaxanes with one axle through (pS, pS, pS, pS, pS)‐ C2 or (pR, pR, pR, pR, pR)‐ C2 wheels was accomplished. Furthermore, pillar[5]arene‐based [3]rotaxane was successfully synthesized by attachment of two pseudo [2]rotaxanes onto a bifunctional linker. [3]Rotaxane formed in a 1:2:1 mixture with one axle threaded through two (pS, pS, pS, pS, pS)‐ C2 , one (pS, pS, pS, pS, pS)‐ C2 and one (pR, pR, pR, pR, pR)‐ C2 (meso form), or two (pR, pR, pR, pR, pR)‐ C2 wheels. The [3]rotaxane enantiomers and the meso form were successfully isolated using appropriate chiral HPLC column chromatography. The procedure developed in this study is the starting point for the creation of pillar[5]arene‐based interlocked molecules.     

Reactions of 3‐benzylindole‐2‐carbohydrazides: Synthesis of new 10‐Benzyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐1‐oxo‐1,2,4‐triazino[4,5‐a]indoles and 3‐Benzyl‐2‐(1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)indoles

3‐Benzylindole‐2‐carbohydrazides (4) on reaction with triethylorthoformate in a polar solvent like DMF yielded only 10‐benzyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐1‐oxo‐1,2,4‐triazino[4,5‐a]indoles (5) while (4) on reaction with triethylorthoacetate in DMF yielded both 10‐benzyl‐4‐methyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐1‐oxo‐1,2,4‐triazino[4,5‐a]indoles (5) and 3‐benzyl‐2‐(5‐methyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)indoles (6) instead of only the triazinoindoles as expected. The oxadiazolylindoles (6) were also synthesized by refluxing (4) with excess of orthoesters. The structures of the compounds formed were characterized by their analytical and spectral data.     

Synthesis of a Structure‐Definite α‐Cyclodextrin‐Based Macromolecular [3]Rotaxane Using a Size‐Complementary Method

The challenging synthesis of an α‐cyclodextrin (CD)‐based macromolecular rotaxane with definite structure was fulfilled using a size‐complementary method. A new peracetylated (PAc) α‐CD‐based size‐complementary [3]rotaxane was prepared and its thermal dissociation kinetics studied. The de‐slippage mechanism was found to be different from that of the native α‐CD‐based system. PAcα‐CD‐based size‐complementary [3]rotaxanes were employed as initiators for a ring‐opening polymerization of ?‐caprolactone to obtain the macromolecular [3]rotaxanes. Detailed investigation of component dissociation showed the highly movable character of the wheel on the polymer main chain. A general method for controlling the movement of wheels in rotaxane frameworks, even in polymer systems, was established. This will enable the development of new supramolecular architectures and molecular machines.     

(3aS,7aS)‐1‐{2‐Oxo‐1,3‐bis­[(S)‐1‐phen­ylethyl]­per­hydro‐1,3,2λ5‐benzodi­aza­phosphol‐2‐yl}‐1‐phenylmethanol: a mixture of dia­stereoiso­mers in a disordered crystal

In the title compound, C₂₉H₃₅N₂O₂P, the stereogenic C center α to the P atom, formed during the Pudovik condensation reaction between a deprotonated chiral diaza­phosphole and benz­aldehyde, has disordered substituents, giving a mixture of Cα‐R and Cα‐S diastereoisomers. Moreover, this compound crystallizes with two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. The observed configuration at the Cα atom is 0.741 (6)‐S mixed with 0.259 (6)‐R, indicating diastereoisomeric enrichment during crystallization. Data from solution and solid‐state studies consistently point to an epimerization process at the Cα atom.     

Aromatization and ring cyclization: A better understanding on the ring cyclization mechanism of 3‐amino‐6‐hydrazino‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5(2H)‐one reacted with acetic acid in N,N‐dimethylformamide

In this paper we report that the title compound (3) reacts with excess N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) containing two equivalents of acetic acid to afford 6‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazolo[3,4‐f][1,2,4]triazin‐8(7H)‐one ( 1 ). When 3‐amino‐2‐benzyl‐6‐hydrazino‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5(2H)‐one ( 6 ), the N‐2 benzylated derivative of 3 , is treated under the same conditions, ring cyclization does not occur; instead, 3‐amino‐2‐benzyl‐6‐(2‐formyl‐hydrazino)‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5(2H)‐one ( 7 ) is formed. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of a 3‐ethyl derivative of compound 1 reveals the predominant tautomeric structure to be the 7H‐tautomer (7H‐ 1 ). From these results, we propose a reasonable cyclization mechanism that incorporates two important points: (1) the tautomerism of the N‐2 hydrogen with the C‐5 oxo group aromatizes the 1,2,4‐triazine ring, and (2) the DMF is proto‐nated by acetic acid on the nitrogen atom, then deamination occurs where DMF is attacked by the 6‐hydrazino group of 3 or 6 .     

Enantioselective Construction of α‐Chiral Silanes by Nickel‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−C(sp3) Cross‐Coupling

An enantioselective C(sp³)?C(sp³) cross‐coupling of racemic α‐silylated alkyl iodides and alkylzinc reagents is reported. The reaction is catalyzed by NiCl₂/(S,S)‐Bn‐Pybox and yields α‐chiral silanes with high enantiocontrol. The catalyst system does not promote the cross‐coupling of the corresponding carbon analogue, corroborating the stabilizing effect of the silyl group on the alkyl radical intermediate (α‐silicon effect). Both coupling partners can be, but do not need to be, functionalized, and hence, even α‐chiral silanes with no functional group in direct proximity of the asymmetrically substituted carbon atom become accessible. This distinguishes the new method from established approaches for the synthesis of α‐chiral silanes.     

Synthesis of Some 7H‐s‐Triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazine Derivatives

The cyclization of 1‐amino‐2‐mercapto‐5‐[5‐methyl‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl]‐1,3,4‐triazole with various α‐haloketone in absolute ethanol yields 7H‐3‐[5‐methyl‐1‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl]‐6‐substituted‐s‐triazolo[3,4‐b]‐1,3,4‐thiadiazines and their structures are established by elemental analysis, MS, IR and ¹H NMR spectral data.     

Asymmetric Yttrium‐Catalyzed C(sp3)−H Addition of 2‐Methyl Azaarenes to Cyclopropenes

An enantioselective C−H addition to a C=C bond represents the most atom‐efficient route for the construction of chiral carbon–carbon skeletons, a central research topic in organic synthesis. We herein report the enantioselective yttrium‐catalyzed C(sp³)−H bond addition of 2‐methyl azaarenes, such as 2‐methyl pyridines, to various substituted cyclopropenes and norbornenes. This process efficiently afforded a new family of chiral pyridylmethyl‐functionalized cyclopropane and norbornane derivatives in high yields and high enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee ).     

Novel Intramolecular Cyclization of 2‐(Buta‐1,3‐dienyl)benzyl Anions to 6,7(9)‐Dihydro‐5H‐benzocycloheptenyl Anions Leading to Successive Formation of 1,2‐Dihydrocyclopropa[a]naphthalenes

When treated with LiNⁱPr₂ (LDA) at ?78°, 1‐[(methylsulfanyl)methyl]‐2‐[(1Z,3E)‐4‐phenylbuta‐1,3‐dien‐1‐yl]benzene easily cyclized to form benzocycloheptenyl anion, which successively underwent intramolecular nucleophilic substitution to give a cyclopropanaphthalene. Similar LDA‐mediated cyclization also occurred for 4‐phenyl‐ or 4‐methyl‐substituted 1‐[2‐(methoxymethyl)phenyl]buta‐1,3‐dienes to furnish the corresponding benzocycloheptenes and cyclopropanaphthalenes. A 4‐tert‐butyl analog also underwent LDA‐mediated cyclization to give a benzocycloheptene, but not a cyclopropanaphthalene.     

Preparation and Reactions of 2‐Methyl‐7‐(3‐methyl‐5‐oxo‐1‐phenyl‐2‐pyrazolin‐4‐yl)‐5‐arylthiazolo[3,2‐a]‐pyrimido[4,5‐d]oxazin‐4(5H)‐one

Ethyl 7‐amino‐3‐(3‐methyl‐5‐oxo‐1‐phenyl‐2‐pyrazolin‐4‐yl)‐5‐aryl‐5H‐thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylate was hydrolyzed with an ethanolic sodium hydroxide and the sodium salt thus formed underwent cyclization with acetic anhydride to afford 2‐methyl‐7‐(3‐methyl‐5‐oxo‐1‐phenyl‐2‐pyrazolin‐4‐yl)‐5‐arylthiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimido[4,5‐d]oxazin‐4(5H)‐one. This compound was transformed to related heterocyclic systems via its reaction with various reagents. The biological activity of the prepared compounds was tested against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well as yeast‐like and filamentous fungi. They revealed in some cases excellent biocidal properties.     

A Flexible Approach to Azasugars: Asymmetric Total Syntheses of (+)‐Castanospermine, (+)‐7‐Deoxy‐6‐epi‐castanospermine,and (+)‐1‐epi‐Castanospermine

The asymmetric total synthesis of natural azasugars (+)‐castanospermine, (+)‐7‐deoxy‐6‐epi‐castanospermine, and synthetic (+)‐1‐epi‐castanospermine has been accomplished in nine to ten steps from a common chiral building block (S)‐ 8 . The method features a powerful chiral relay strategy consisting of a highly diastereoselective vinylogous Mukaiyama‐type reaction with either chiral or achiral aldehydes (≥95 % de; de=diastereomeric excess) and a diastereodivergent reduction of tetramic acids, which allows formation of three continuous stereogenic centers with high diastereoselectivities. The method also provides a flexible access to structural arrays of 5‐(α‐hydroxyalkyl)tetramic acids, such as 17/34 , and 5‐(α‐hydroxyalkyl)‐4‐hydroxyl‐2‐pyrrolidinones, such as 18 and 25/35 a . The method constitutes the first realization of the challenging chiral synthons A and D and thus of the conceptually attractive retrosynthetic analysis shown in Scheme 1 in a highly enantioselective manner.     

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Annulation of ortho‐Alkynylanilines: Synthesis of Axially Chiral Naphthyl‐C2‐indoles

A chiral Brønsted base catalyzed asymmetric annulation of ortho‐alkynylanilines has been developed to access axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles via vinylidene ortho‐quinone methide (VQM) intermediates. This strategy provides a unique organocatalytic atroposelective route to axially chiral aryl‐C2‐indole skeletons with excellent enantioselectivity and functional‐group tolerance. This transformation was applicable to decagram‐scale preparation (50.0 g) with perfect enantioselectivity through simple recrystallization. Moreover, the utility of this reaction was demonstrated by a variety of transformations towards chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles for a series of carbon–heteroatom bond formations. Furthermore, the prepared axially chiral naphthyl‐C2‐indoles were applied as a chiral skeleton for organocatalytic aza‐Baylis–Hillman reaction and asymmetric formal [4+2] tandem cyclization to give the corresponding adducts in high yields with improved enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.     

Two pseudo‐enantiomeric forms of N‐benzyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐methyl‐2,2‐dioxo‐1H‐2λ6,1‐benzothiazine‐3‐carboxamide and their analgesic properties

The fact that molecular crystals exist as different polymorphic modifications and the identification of as many polymorphs as possible are important considerations for the pharmaceutic industry. The molecule of N‐benzyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐methyl‐2,2‐dioxo‐1H‐2λ⁶,1‐benzothiazine‐3‐carboxamide, C₁₇H₁₆N₂O₄S, does not contain a stereogenic atom, but intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions engender enantiomeric chiral conformations as a labile racemic mixture. The title compound crystallized in a solvent‐dependent single chiral conformation within one of two conformationally polymorphic P2₁2₁2₁ orthorhombic chiral crystals (denoted forms A and B). Each of these pseudo‐enantiomorphic crystals contains one of two pseudo‐enantiomeric diastereomers. Form A was obtained from methylene chloride and form B can be crystallized from N,N‐dimethylformamide, ethanol, ethyl acetate or xylene. Pharmacological studies with solid–particulate suspensions have shown that crystalline form A exhibits an almost fourfold higher antinociceptive activity compared to form B.     

Synthesis,structural analysis,and visualization of poly(2‐ethynyl‐9‐substituted carbazole)s and poly(3‐ethynyl‐9‐substituted carbazole)s containing chiral and achiral minidendritic substituents

The synthesis of 2‐ethynyl‐9‐substituted carbazole and 3‐ethynyl‐9‐substituted carbazole monomers containing first‐generation chiral and achiral dendritic (i.e., minidendritic) substituents, 2‐ethynyl‐9‐[3,4,5‐tris(dodecan‐1‐yloxy)benzyl]carbazole (2ECz), 3‐ethynyl‐9‐[3,4,5‐tris(dodecan‐1‐yloxy)benzyl]carbazole (3ECz), 2‐ethynyl‐9‐{3,4,5‐tris[(S)‐2‐methylbutan‐1‐yloxy]benzyl}carbazole (2ECz*), and 3‐ethynyl‐9‐{3,4,5‐tris[(S)‐2‐methylbutan‐1‐yloxy]benzyl}carbazole (3ECz*), is presented. All monomers were polymerized and copolymerized by stereospecific polymerization to produce cis‐transoidal soluble stereoisomers. A structural analysis of poly(2ECz), poly(2ECz*), poly(3ECz), poly(3ECz*), poly(2ECz*‐co‐2ECz), and poly(3ECz*‐co‐3ECz) by a combination of techniques, including ¹H NMR, ultraviolet–visible, and circular dichroism spectroscopy, thermal optical polarized microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction experiments, demonstrated that these polymers had a helical conformation that produced cylindrical macromolecules exhibiting chiral and achiral nematic phases. Individual chains of these cylindrical macromolecules were visualized by atomic force microscopy. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3509–3533, 2002