A twin-axial[5]pseudorotaxane based on cucurbit[8]uril and a-cyclodextrin

A twin-axial hetero[5]pseudorotaxane was constructed based on 1-hexyl-4,40-bipyridinium guest 1 and cucurbit[8]uril（CB[8]）and a-cyclodextrin（a-CD）.In its structure,CB[8]included two bipyridinium units to realize the twin-axial mode,and the hexyl chain was threaded into the cavity of a-CD.The[5]pseudorotaxane contains two types of macrocyclic hosts while the single axial and twin axial modes co-exist in its structure.The transformation of[5]pseudorotaxane could be realized by the addition of acid and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene（HN）.     

Positive cooperativity in the template-directed synthesis of monodisperse macromolecules

Two series of oligorotaxanes R and R' that contain -CH(2)NH(2)(+)CH(2)- recognition sites in their dumbbell components have been synthesized employing template-directed protocols. [24]Crown-8 rings self-assemble by a clipping strategy around each and every recognition site using equimolar amounts of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxaldehyde and tetraethyleneglycol bis(2-aminophenyl) ether to efficiently provide up to a [20]rotaxane. In the R series, the -NH(2)(+)- recognition sites are separated by trismethylene bridges, whereas in the R' series the spacers are p-phenylene linkers. The underpinning idea here is that in the former series, the recognition sites are strategically positioned 3.5 ? apart from one another so as to facilitate efficient [π···π] stacking between the aromatic residues in contiguous rings in the rotaxanes and consequently, a discrete rigid and rod-like conformation is realized; these noncovalent interactions are absent in the latter series rendering them conformationally flexible/nondiscrete. Although in the R' series, the [3]-, [4]-, [8]-, and [12]rotaxanes were isolated after reaction times of <5-30 min in yields of 72-85%, in the R series, the [3]-, [4]-, [5]-, [8]-, [12]-, [16]-, and [20]rotaxanes were isolated in <5 min to 14 h in 88-98% yields. It follows that while in the R' series the higher order oligorotaxanes are formed in lower yields more rapidly, in the R series, the higher order oligorotaxanes are formed in higher yields more slowly. In the R series, the high percentage yields are sustained throughout, despite the fact that up to 39 components are participating in the template-directed self-assembly process. Simple arithmetic reveals that the conversion efficiency for each imine bond formation peaks at 99.9% in the R series and 99.3% in the R' series. This maintenance of reaction efficiency in the R series can be ascribed to positive cooperativity, that is, when one ring is formed it aids and abets the formation of subsequent rings presumably because of stabilizing extended [π···π] stacking interactions between the arene units. Experiments have been performed wherein the dumbbell is starved of the macrocyclic components, and up to five times more of the fully saturated rotaxane is formed than is predicted based on a purely statistical outcome, providing a clear indication that positive cooperativity is operative. Moreover, it would appear that as the R series is traversed from the [3]- to the [4]- to the [5]rotaxane, the cooperativity becomes increasingly positive. This kind of cooperative behavior is not observed for the analogous oligorotaxanes in the R' series. The conventional bevy of analytical techniques (e.g., HR-MS (ESI) and both (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy) help establish the fact that all the oligorotaxanes are pure and monodisperse. Evidence of efficient [π···π] stacking between contiguous arene units in the rings in the R series is revealed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Ion-mobility mass spectrometry performed on the R and R' series yielded the collisional cross sections (CCSs), confirming the rigidity of the R oligorotaxanes and the flexibility of the R' ones. The extended [π···π] stacking interactions are found to be present in the solid-state structures of the [3]- and [4]rotaxanes in the R series and also on the basis of molecular mechanics calculations performed on the entire series of oligomers. The collective data presented herein supports our original design in that the extended [π···π] stacking between contiguous arene units in the rings of the R series of oligorotaxanes facilitate an essentially rigid rod-like conformation with evidence that positive cooperativity improves the efficiency of their formation. This situation stands in sharp contrast to the conformationally flexible R' series where the oligorotaxanes form with no cooperativity.     

[5]Rotaxane,linear polymer and supramolecular organic framework constructed by nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril-based ternary complexation

Here we use nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril (ns-CB[10]) based ternary complexation to construct [5]rotaxane, linear supramolecular dynamic rotaxane polymers and cubic 3D supramolecular organic framework. A [5]rotaxane is constructed by ns-CB[10], TMeCB[6] and short linear derivatives of 4,4′-bipyridinium (M2). ns-CB[10], CB[7] and long linear derivatives of 4,4′-bipyridinium (M3) self-assemble into a linear supramolecular dynamic rotaxane polymer. ns-CB[10] and tetracationic tetrahedral monomer self-assemble and form a three-dimensional supramolecular organic framework. The above results demonstrate that ns-CB[10]-based ternary complexation is a versatile platform to build various supramolecular systems.     

Design and synthesis of self-included pillar[5]arene-based bis-[1]rotaxanes

Two strategies for the design of new pillar[5]arene-based mechanically self-interlocked molecules (MSMs) are reported here. The first strategy is based on the construction of an intermediate pseudo[1]rotaxane followed by the desired bis-[1]rotaxane. The other one is based on the construction of the desired bis-[1]-rotaxane directly via a condensation reaction through host-guest interactions between a mono-functionalized pillar[5]arene and the axle. This compound has interesting self-assembly properties in methanol and some extended applications of this compound will be reported in the near future.     

Pentafluorophenyl Esters as Exchangeable Stoppers for the Construction of Photoactive [2]Rotaxanes

Stable pillar[5]arene-containing [2]rotaxane building blocks with pentafluorophenyl ester stoppers have been efficiently prepared on a multi-gram scale. Reaction of these building blocks with various nucleophiles gave access to a wide range of [2]rotaxanes with amide, ester or thioester stoppers in good to excellent yields. The rotaxane structure is fully preserved during these chemical transformations. Actually, the addition-elimination mechanism at work during these transformations totally prevents the unthreading of the axle moiety of the mechanically interlocked system. The stopper exchange reactions were optimized both in solution and under mechanochemical solvent-free conditions. While amide formation is more efficient in solution, the solvent-free conditions are more powerful for the transesterification reactions. Starting from a fullerene-functionalized pillar[5]arene derivative, this new strategy gave easy access to a photoactive [2]rotaxane incorporating a C₆₀ moiety and two Bodipy stoppers. Despite the absence of covalent connectivity between the Bodipy and the fullerene moieties in this photoactive molecular device, efficient through-space excited state interactions have been evidenced in this rotaxane.     

Dynamic covalent chemistry of a boronylammonium ion and a crown ether: formation of a C3-symmetric [4]rotaxane

This Letter describes an efficient method for constructing a C₃-symmetric [4]rotaxane through hydrogen bond-guided self-assembly and boroxine formation. The reactions proceed under mild conditions in solution, with entropically driven forces promoting the formation of the [4]rotaxane.     

Calix[4]arene‐Based Rotaxane Host Systems for Anion Recognition

The synthesis, structure and anion binding properties of the first calix[4]arene‐based [2]rotaxane anion host systems are described. Rotaxanes 9? Cl and 12? Cl, consisting of a calix[4]arene functionalised macrocycle wheel and different pyridinium axle components, are prepared via adaption of an anion templated synthetic strategy to investigate the effect of preorganisation of the interlocked host’s binding cavity on anion binding. Rotaxane 12? Cl contains a conformationally flexible pyridinium axle, whereas rotaxane 9? Cl incorporates a more preorganised pyridinium axle component. The X‐ray crystal structure of 9? Cl and solution phase ¹H NMR spectroscopy demonstrate the successful interlocking of the calix[4]arene macrocycle and pyridinium axle components in the rotaxane structures. Following removal of the chloride anion template, anion binding studies on the resulting rotaxanes 9? PF₆ and 12? PF₆ reveal the importance of preorganisation of the host binding cavity on anion binding. The more preorganised rotaxane 9? PF₆ is the superior anion host system. The interlocked host cavity is selective for chloride in 1:1 CDCl₃/CD₃OD and remains selective for chloride and bromide in 10 % aqueous media over the more basic oxoanions. Rotaxane 12? PF₆ with a relatively conformationally flexible binding cavity is a less effective and discriminating anion host system although the rotaxane still binds halide anions in preference to oxoanions.     

A pillar[5]arene-based side-chain pseudorotaxanes and polypseudorotaxanes as novel fluorescent sensors for the selective detection of halogen ions

A pseudorotaxane and its polypseudorotaxanes formed between pillar[5]arene moieties and noctylpyrazinium cations as novel fluorescent sensors for the selective detection of halogen ions were reported.A collapse of these pillar[5]arene-based pseudorotaxanes and polypseudorotaxanes occurred upon the addition of Cl,Br,and I（tetrabutylammonium salts）,respectively,leading to their fluorescence recovery.The fluorescence enhancement of the pseudorotaxane and the polypseudorotaxanes increases in the order of I     

Micellization behavior of the ionic liquid lauryl isoquinolinium bromide in aqueous solution

The micellization behavior of the ionic liquid lauryl isoquinolinium bromide ([C₁₂iQuin]Br) in aqueous solution has been assessed using surface tension, electrical conductivity, and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The results reveal that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and constant surfactant tension (γ _cac) are lower than that of butyl isoquinolinium bromide ([C₄iQuin]Br), octyl isoquinolinium bromide ([C₈iQuin]Br, and lauryl pyridinium bromide ([C₁₂Pyr]Br). ¹H NMR spectra show the evidence of paralleled π-stacking of adjacent isoquinoline rings. To elucidate the effect of the π–π interactions on the aggregation process, thermodynamic parameters such as the standard free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of aggregation have been discussed. These parameters are evaluated from the CMC with temperature by fitting these values to expressions derived from a micellization thermodynamic model. The enthalpy–entropy compensation phenomenon has been observed in the micellization process of [C₁₂iQuin]Br in water, and the presence of isoquinoline cations is responsible for the decrease in the ΔH _mic ^? , compared with [C₁₂Pyr]Br which has the same alkyl chain and counter-ion.     

Efficient Intramolecular Energy Transfer between Two Fluorophores in a Bis‐Branched [3]Rotaxane

A bis‐branched [3]rotaxane, with two [2]rotaxane arms separated by an oligo(para‐phenylenevinylene) (OPV) fluorophore, was designed and investigated. Each [2]rotaxane arm employed a difluoroboradiaza‐s‐indacene (BODIPY) dye‐functionalized dibenzo[24]crown‐8 macrocycle interlocked onto a dibenzylammonium in the rod part. The chemical structure of the [3]rotaxane was confirmed and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and high‐resolution ESI mass spectrometry. The photophysical properties of [3]rotaxane and its reference systems were investigated through UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence, and time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. An efficient energy‐transfer process in [3]rotaxane occurred from the OPV donor to the BODIPY acceptor because of the large overlap between the absorption spectrum of the BODIPY moiety and the emission spectrum of the OPV fluorophore; this shows the important potential of this system for designing functional molecular systems.     

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.     

Synthesis of Cucurbit[5]uril-Spermine-[2]Rotaxanes

Cucurbit[5]uril and decamethylcucurbit[5]uril are cyclic pentamers built from glycoluril or dimethylglycoluril respectively. Two different experimental methods have been used for the synthesis of the different [2]rotaxanes. The formed rotaxanes are characterized using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. In contrast to cucurbit[5]uril no [2]rotaxane could be obtained with decamethylcucurbit[5]uril.     

pH-Switched fluorescent pseudorotaxane assembly of cucurbit[7]uril with bispyridinium ethylene derivatives

¹H NMR spectra and fluorescence analysis revealed that the molecular shuttle and pseudorotaxane assembly of Q[7] with guest G²⁺ can be significantly switched via protonation and deprotonation of the terminal carboxylates of the guest.     

Cyclodextrin-Based [c2]Daisy Chain Rotaxane Insulating Two Diarylacetylene Cores

A [c2]daisy chain rotaxane with two diarylacetylene cores was efficiently synthesized in 53 % yield by capping a C₂-symmetric pseudo[2]rotaxane composed of two diarylacetylene-substituted permethylated α-cyclodextrins (PM α-CDs) with aniline stoppers. The maximum absorption wavelength of the [c2]daisy chain rotaxane remained almost unchanged in various solvents, unlike that of the stoppered monomer, indicating that the two independent diarylacetylene cores were insulated from the external environment by the PM α-CDs. Furthermore, the [c2]daisy chain rotaxane exhibited fluorescence emission derived from both diarylacetylene monomers and the excimer, which implies that the [c2]daisy chain structure can undergo contraction and extension. This is the first demonstration of a system in which excimer formation between two π-conjugated molecules within an isolated space can be controlled by the unique motion of a [c2]daisy chain rotaxane.     

Effects of annealing treatment on the properties of MEH-PPV/titania hybrids prepared via in situ sol-gel reaction

A uniform poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV)/titania hybrid film was successfully prepared by an in situ sol-gel reaction of titanium isopropoxide (TIP) in the presence of MEH-PPV/2-chlorophenol solution. The annealing treatment increased the conversion of TIP to titania as determined from evidence of the formation of Ti-O-Ti bonds in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) photographs showed that the morphology and distribution of titania in the hybrid film were strongly related to the amount of water in the in situ sol-gel reaction. The thermal stability of MEH-PPV/titania hybrids was enhanced by the annealing treatment. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses indicated that annealing treatment promoted the ordered aggregation of the MEH-PPV chains and crystallization of titania to a certain extent. The blue shift in Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption of pure MEH-PPV after annealing was ascribed to the small extent of decomposition and coil conformation which occurred at high temperature. A more-obvious blue shift for the hybrids was observed, which resulted from irregular aggregation and coil conformation of the MEH-PPV chains induced by heterogeneous point, TIP (titania). The red shift in the photoluminescent (PL) emission for pure MEH-PPV resulted from a certain extent of ordered aggregation after annealing. However, only a slight red shift in the PL emission peak for the hybrids was found due to the hindrance of ordered aggregation of MEH-PPV chains in the presence of TIP (titania).     

A Simple and Highly Effective Ligand System for the Copper(I)‐Mediated Assembly of Rotaxanes

A [2]rotaxane was produced through the assembly of a picolinaldehyde, an amine, and a bipyridine macrocycle around a Cu^I template by imine bond formation in close‐to‐quantitative yield. An analogous [3]rotaxane is obtained in excellent yield by replacing the amine with a diamine, thus showing the suitability of the system for the construction of higher order interlocked structures. The rotaxanes are formed within a few minutes simply through mixing the components in solution at room temperature and they can be isolated through removal of the solvent or precipitation.     

New chemistry of diazafulvenium methides: one way to pyrazoles

Diazafulvenium methides generated from the solution pyrolysis of pyrazolo[1,5-c][1,3]thiazole-2,2-dioxides participate in [8π+2π] cycloadditions giving pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives. 1-Methyl-diazafulvenium, generated under flash vacuum pyrolysis reaction conditions, undergoes an intramolecular sigmatropic [1,8]H shift giving 1-vinyl-1H-pyrazoles.     

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.     

[5]Rotaxane and [5]Pseudorotaxane Based on Cucurbit[6]uril and Anchored to a Meso-tetraphenyl Porphyrin

Water soluble [5]rotaxane and [5]pseudorotaxane based on cucurbit[6]uril and anchored to a meso-tetraphenyl porphyrin have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods (¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and UV), and by elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. The preliminary results of the pH-driven switching properties of [5]rotaxane investigated through ¹H-NMR spectroscopy are reported. These results were compared with those obtained from a model porphyrin, which was prepared by the de-threading cucurbit[6]uril from [5]pseudorotaxane under basic conditions.Electronic supplementary material Electronic supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users.     

Tetrahydrobenzo[5]helicenediol derivatives as additives for efficient proline-catalyzed asymmetric List-Lerner-Barbas aldol reactions of bulky aldehyde substrates

Proline-catalyzed asymmetric List-Lerner-Barbas aldol reactions of bulky aldehyde substrates could be efficiently carried out with dibromo-substituted helical diols P-4a/M-4a as additives. In the case of 9-anthraldehyde, the aldol product was obtained in 83% yield and 99% ee. An edge-to-face π-π stacking between the anthracenyl group in TS(R) and the phenyl group of the additive might contribute to the increase of enantioselectivity.