Perfluorinated polymercuramacrocycles as anticrowns. Applications in catalysis

The catalytic and complexing properties of two perfluorinated polymercuramacrocycles, viz., cyclic trimeric perfluoro-o-phenylenemercury (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ and cyclic pentameric perfluoroisopropylidenemercury [(CF₃)₂CHg]₅, are analyzed. These macrocycles contain several Lewis acidic centers in the ring and can be considered as peculiar antipodes of crown ethers and their thia and aza analogs. Both macrocycles can efficiently bind various anions to form unique complexes, in which the anionic species is simultaneously coordinated to all Lewis acidic atoms of the ring. For the (o-C₆F₄Hg)₃ macrocycle, unusual complexes with various neutral Lewis bases, such as nitriles, carbonyl compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, etc., were also described. Data on the activity of polymercury-containing macrocycles in phase transfer catalysis of electrophilic reactions and proton transfer from an aqueous to an organic phase are surveyed and discussed.     

Planar Chiral Organoborane Lewis Acids Derived from Naphthylferrocene

Enantiomerically pure metalated 2‐(1‐naphthyl)ferrocene (NpFc) derivatives NpFcM (M=SnMe₃, HgCl) were prepared and characterized by multinuclear NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and elemental analysis. Optical rotation measurements were performed and the absolute configuration of the new planar chiral ferrocene species was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The mercuriated species NpFcHgCl proved suitable as a reagent for the preparation of the chiral organoborane Lewis acid NpFcBCl₂, which can in turn be converted to other ferrocenylboranes by replacement of Cl with nucleophiles. The highly Lewis acidic perfluoroarylborane derivatives NpFcB(C₆F₅)Cl and NpFcB(C₆F₅)₂ were successfully prepared by treatment with CuC₆F₅. The structures were studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and variable‐temperature ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, which suggested that π stacking of a C₆F₅ group on boron with the adjacent naphthyl group is energetically favorable. UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry measurements were performed to examine the electronic properties of these novel redox‐active chiral Lewis acids.     

Planar Antiaromatic Core-Modified 24π Hexaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0) and 32π Octaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0) Bearing Alternate Hybrid Diheterole Units

The Lewis acid catalyzed self-condensation of hybrid diheterole (furan-pyrrole and thiophene-pyrrole) precursors has afforded novel Hückel antiaromatic 24π hexaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0) and 32π octaphyrin(1.0.1.0.1.0.1.0) structures without β-annulated bridges. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the hybrid porphyrinoids ( S₃N₃-ox and O₄N₄-ox ) revealed a nearly planar conformation and the ¹H NMR spectra suggest the presence of paratropic ring currents. These antiaromatic macrocycles show characteristic optical features and underwent reversible two-electron reduction to Hückel aromatic 26π- and 34π-electron species, respectively, as is evident from the results of spectroscopic and theoretical studies (nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) and anisotropy of the current-induced density (ACID) calculations). The incorporation of hybrid diheteroles alternately into expanded porphyrin skeletons provides a novel approach to the fine-tuning of the electronic structures of planar antiaromatic macrocycles.     

Recent advances of Pd-π-allyl zwitterions in cycloaddition reactions

Palladium-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions via Pd-π-allyl zwitterions have been established as significant synthetic transformations to enable numerous carbon- or heterocycles compounds that are key constituents of various biologically active natural products and pharmaceuticals. In addition to the well-known Pd-π-allyl zwitterions, including palladium-trimethylenemethane and Pd-1,3/1,4-zwitterions, chemists have recently discovered new applications of several long ago reported but less-studied Pd-π-allyl zwitterions, which can straightforwardly and efficiently construct novel cyclic architectures. Meanwhile, some impressive newly designed zwitterions have been also developed. Those zwitterions are diverse and can serve as transient and highly reactive intermediates for the subsequent cyclization with various acceptors. In this review, we highlight recent advances in applications of these two types of zwitterions in the synthesis of complex polycyclics and medium-sized cyclic compounds.     

Liquid crystalline order from ortho-phenylene ethynylene macrocycles

Triangular ortho-phenylene ethynylene (o-PE) cyclic trimers represent a novel member of shape-persistent macrocycles. Shape-persistent cyclic structures remain of great interest as molecular components in the fields of supramolecular materials, host-guest chemistry, and materials science. Novel discotic liquid crystalline properties are reported from triangular-shaped o-PE macrocycles containing branched alkoxy- and/or triethylene glycol (TEG) side chains using polarized optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The macrocycles self-assemble into thermotropic rectangular columnar (Colr) (for M1), hexagonal columnar (Colh) (for M2), and discotic nematic (for M3) mesophases at room temperature. This work shows clearly that electron-rich PE macrocycles can form LC materials. Alkyl side chains in M1 promote order, while hydrophilic side chains of M2 generate an amphiphilic structure that provides a different driving force for organization. The ability to create ordered self-assembling materials from these novel electron-rich macrocycles is important in nanotechnology.     

Self-assembled macrocycles with pentavalent silicon linkages

Organic substrates containing two catechol (ortho-dihydroxybenzene) components at opposite ends self-assemble with a silicon substrate containing three nucleofugic groups (methoxy or ethoxy) under basic conditions to produce macrocycles ranging from monomers to pentamers. Silicon in all the macrocycles is pentacoordinate, negatively charged, and possessed of one organic monodentate ligand attached via carbon and two catechol bidentate ligands attached via oxygen. The organic materials with the two catechol structures thus serve as struts between the corners provided by the pentacoordinate silicon atoms.     

Synthesis of novel H-shaped chromophores

A series of H-shaped chromophores with two parallel and non-conjugated D-π-A units have been synthesized, in which a 9,10-dihydroanthracene was employed as molecular backbone. The synthesis of these H-shaped chromophores 9a–11a was accomplished via an eight-step reaction, including double Claisen rearrangement, hydroboration–oxidation, Rieche formylation reaction, Knoevenagel condensation and Corey–Fuchs reaction, with a total yield about 12.5%. The corresponding mono-D-π-A unit compounds 9b–11b were also prepared in a similar procedure for the purpose of comparison. Crystal structures of three intermediates 5a, 7a and 8a were measured, which demonstrate that the two D-π-A units in a single H-shaped chromophore molecule are nearly arranged at the same direction. The studies of UV–vis spectra and the solvatochromic method indicate that the molecular second-order polarizabilities values (μβ) of H-shaped chromophores are remarkably increased compared with the corresponding mono-D-π-A unit reference compounds, without causing a large shift of the absorption band to longer wavelength.     

Activite optique de la methyl-3 cyclopentenanone; un calcul ab initio

Ab initio calculations for two conformers of 3-methyl cyclopentanone, with and without 3d orbitals, show that inclusion of d orbitals on the carbonyl group lower energies and is thus necessary, as follows from the variation principle; it also markedly affects rotatory strengths of the n→π^* and π→π^* transitions, but conformational equilibria of the cyclic skeleton and the methyl group are almost independent of the basis chosen. Internal rotation of the methyl group exerts a negligible influence on the rotatory strength of the n→π^* transition, so that this group can be considered as a sphere in this respect.     

Specific Noncovalent Association of Chiral Large‐Ring Hexaimines: Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry and PM7 Study

Ion mobility mass spectrometry and PM7 semiempirical calculations are effective complementary methods to study gas phase formation of noncovalent complexes from vaselike macrocycles. The specific association of large‐ring chiral hexaimines, derived from enantiomerically pure trans‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane and various isophthaldehydes, is driven mostly by CH–π and π–π stacking interactions. The isotrianglimine macrocycles are prone to form two types of aggregates: tail‐to‐tail and head‐to‐head (capsule) dimers. The stability of the tail‐to‐tail dimers is affected by the size and electronic properties of the substituents at the C‐5 position of the aromatic ring. Electron‐withdrawing groups stabilize the aggregate, whereas bulky or electron‐donating groups destabilize the complexes.     

Noncovalent conformational locks in organic semiconductors

Highly planar conformation is considered to be one of the most important properties for high performance organic semiconductors. Among all kinds strategies for designing highly performing materials, noncovalent conformational locks(NCLs)have been widely used to increase the planarity and rigidity for π-conjugated systems. This review summarizes π-conjugated small molecules and polymers by employing various NCLs for controlling molecular conformation in the past two years. The optoelectronic properties of the conjugated materials, together with their applications on organic field-effect transistors(OFETs)and organic photovoltaics(OPVs) are discussed. Besides, the outlook and challenges in this field are also presented. It is obvious that NCLs play an important role in the design and synthesis of high-performance organic semiconductors.     

Viologen derivatives with extended π-conjugation structures: From supra-/molecular building blocks to organic porous materials

Recently, increasing attention has been paid on extending the π-conjugation structures of viologens (1,1′-disubstituted-4,4′-bipyridylium salts) by incorporating planar aromatic units into the bipyridinium backbones. Various viologen derivatives with extended π-conjugation structures have been synthesized, including the N-termini aromatic substituted viologens, the extended π-conjugated viologens (denoted as ECVs) as well as the π-conjugated oligomeric viologens (denoted as COVs). These compounds typically exhibit interesting properties distinguished from those of an isolated viologen unit, which make them as new class of electron deficient supra-/molecular building blocks in supramolecular chemistry and materials science. In this review, we would like to highlight the recent advances of viologen derivatives with extended π-conjugation structures in versatile applications ranging from electrochromic and energy storage materials, the ECV/COV-based supramolecular self-assembly systems including the linear supramolecular polymers and 2D/3D supramolecular organic frameworks (SOFs), to the viologen-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs)/networks. We hope this review will serve as an in-time summary worthy of referring, more importantly, to provide inspiration in the rational design of novel molecules with unexplored properties and functions.     

Biphen[n]arenes

To design and exploit novel macrocyclic synthetic receptors is a permanent and challenging topic in supramolecular chemistry. Here we describe the one-pot synthesis, unique geometries and intriguing host–guest properties of a new class of supramolecular macrocycles – biphen[n]arenes (n = 3, 4), which are made up of 4,4′-biphenol or 4,4′-biphenol ether units linked by methylene bridges at the 3- and 3′- positions. The biphenarene macrocycles are conveniently accessible/modifiable and extremely guest-friendly. Particularly, biphen[4]arene is capable of forming inclusion complexes with not only organic cationic guests but also neutral π-electron deficient molecules. Compared with calixarenes, resorcinarenes, cyclotriveratrylenes and pillararenes with substituted mono-benzene units, the biphen[n]arenes reported here possess significantly different characteristics in both their topologic structures and their recognition properties, and thus can find broad applications in supramolecular chemistry and other areas.     

Triphenylamine (TPA) radical cations and related macrocycles

Triphenylamine (TPA) derivatives and their radical cation counterparts have successfully demonstrated a great potential for applications in a wide range of fields including organic redox catalysis, organic semiconductors, magnetic materials, etc., mainly because of their excellent redox activity. The stability of TPA radical cation has significant effect on the properties of the TPA-based functional materials, especially in relation to their electronic properties. Considering the instability of parent TPA radical cation, many efforts have been devoted to the development of stable TPA radical cations and related materials. Among them, TPA radical cation-based macrocycles have attracted particular attention because their large delocalized structures can stabilize the TPA radicals, thus endow them with outstanding redox behaviors, multiple resonance structures, and wide application in various optoelectronic devices. In this review, we give a brief introduction of organic radicals and the documented stable TPA radicals. Subsequently, a number of TPA radical cation-based macrocycles are comprehensively surveyed. It is expected that this minireview will not only summarize the recent development of TPA radical cations and their macrocycles, but also shed new light on the prospect of the design of more sophisticated radical cation-based architectures and related materials.     

Synthesis of Carbohydrate Based Macrolactones and Their Applications as Receptors for Ion Recognition and Catalysis

Glycomacrolactones exhibit many interesting biological properties, and they are also important in molecular recognitions and for supramolecular chemistry. Therefore, it is important to be able to access glycomacrocycles with different sizes and functionality. A new series of carbohydrate-based macrocycles containing triazole and lactone moieties have been designed and synthesized. The synthesis features an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction for the macrocyclization step. In this article, the effect of some common sulfonate leaving groups is evaluated for macrolactonization. Using tosylate gave good selectivity for monolactonization products with good yields. Fourteen different macrocycles have been synthesized and characterized, of which eleven macrocycles are from cyclization of the C1 to C6 positions of N-acetyl D-glucosamine derivatives and three others from C2 to C6 cyclization of functionalized D-glucosamine derivatives. These novel macrolactones have unique structures and demonstrate interesting anion binding properties, especially for chloride. The macrocycles containing two triazoles form complexes with copper sulfate, and they are effective ligands for copper sulfate mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions (CuAAC). In addition, several macrocycles show some selectivity for different alkynes.     

Stereodefined construction of trisubstituted alkenes by direct coupling reaction of allylating agents, alkynes, and organoboranes

Tandem reaction: The Pd-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction of an allylic alcohol, terminal alkyne, and organoborane to give (E)-1-substituted 2-alkyl-1,4-pentadienes, involving geminal allylation and alkylation at the acetylenic terminal carbon, is described. Bis-diene undergoes a similar multicomponent coupling reaction with acetylene and organoborane, involving cyclization of bis-π-allylpalladium, to form trans-allyl pentadienyl cyclic and heterocyclic compounds with excellent regio- and stereoselectivities (see scheme).     

Synthesis and electrochromic properties of polyimides with pendent benzimidazole and triphenylamine units

Five novel near-infrared electrochromic aromatic polyimides(PIs) with pendent benzimidazole group were synthesized from 4,4'-diamino-4'-(1-benzylbenzimidazol-2-yl)triphenylamine(named as DBBT) with five different dianhydrides via two-step polymerization process, respectively. The maximum UV-Vis absorption bands of these PIs locate at about 335 nm for solid films due to the π-π* transitions. A reversible pair of distinct redox peaks, that were associated with a noticeable color change from original yellow to blue, was observed in the cyclic voltammetry(CV) test. A new absorption peak emerged at 847 nm in near-infrared(NIR) region with increasing voltage in UV-Vis-NIR spectrum, which indicates that PI can be used as NIR electrochromic material. These novel PIs have good electrochemical stability, appropriate energy levels for the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO), in the range of-5.17 e V to-5.20 e V and-2.14 e V to-2.26 e V(versus the vacuum level) determined by cyclic voltammetry method. These values basically consisted with the results of quantum chemical calculation. These polyimides can be used as novel electrochromic and hole transportation materials.     

On the Coulson integral formula for total π-electron energy

The Coulson integral formula for total π-electron energy (E_π) is analysed, and an elementary derivation of it is presented. Three novel Coulson-type formulae are obtained and one is used for deriving the McClelland (approximate) expression for E_π. An approximation of a particular formula is proposed which results in a linear relationship between E_π and the coefficients of the characteristic polynomial of the molecular graph.     

Diradicaloid Boron-Doped Molecular Carbons Achieved by Pentagon-Fusion

Molecular carbons (MCs) are molecular cutouts of carbon materials. Doping with heteroatoms and constructing open-shell structures are two powerful approaches to achieve unexpected and unique properties of MCs. Herein, we disclose a new strategy to design open-shell boron-doped MCs (BMCs), namely by pentagon-fusion of an organoborane π-system. We synthesized two diradicaloid BMC molecules that feature C₂₄B and C₃₈B π-skeletons containing a pentagonal ring. A thorough investigation reveals that such pentagon-fusion not only leads to their local antiaromaticity, but also incorporates an internal quinoidal substructure and thereby induces open-shell singlet diradical states. Moreover, their fully fused structures enable efficient π conjugation, which is expanded over the whole frameworks. Consequently, some intriguing physical properties are achieved, such as narrow energy gaps, very broad light absorptions, and superior photothermal capability, along with excellent photostability. Notably, the solid of the C₃₈B molecule exhibits absorption that covers the range of 300–1200 nm and an efficiency of 93.5 % for solar-driven water evaporation, thus demonstrating the potential of diradicaloid BMCs as high-performance organic photothermal materials.     

Topochemical polymerization of diphenyldiacetylene-based materials and the relevant application in photocatalysis

Diphenyldiacetylene can be preorganized by self-assembly or external-templating, followed by topochemical polymerization under UV irradiation to form polydiphenyldiacetylene. Such a resulting polymer is a promising photocatalyst for organic pollutant degradation under visible light.     

Selective 1,3-cycloboronation of enantiopure 1,1,4,4-tetrasubstituted butanetetraols: versatile preparation,structural characterization,and properties of chiral cyclic boron-containing bifunctional Lewis acids

The selective cycloboronation of enantiopure 1,1,4,4-tetrasubstituted butanetetraols was investigated, and a general preparation of chiral cyclic boron-containing bifunctional Lewis acids was discovered. Compounds (2R,3R)- or (2S,3S)-1,1,4,4-tetrasubstituted butanetetraols were reacted with ArB(OH)₂ at reflux in toluene, or THF, or under solvent-free condition to furnish tricoordinated, chiral bicyclo[4.4.0]diboronic esters in high yield via selective 1,3-cycloboronation. Structural characterization and properties of the novel chiral boron compounds are also reported.