Preparation of syn and anti cyclophanes having oligothiophene units and their spectral properties

Syn and anti cyclophanes consisting of oligothiophene units as a component have been synthesized for the first time. Correlation between the cyclophane structure and fluorescence spectral properties has been examined. Emission from intramolecular excimer-formation is confirmed for the syn cyclophanes and the mobile cyclophanes, but not for the anti cyclophanes.     

Azolium-linked cyclophanes: effects of structure, solvent, and counteranions on solution conformation behavior

This paper describes the synthesis, structural characterization, and solution behavior of some xylyl-linked imidazolium and benzimidazolium cyclophanes decorated with alkyl or alkoxy groups. The addition of alkyl/alkoxy chains to the cyclophanes allows for studies in chlorinated solvents, whereas previous solution studies of azolium cyclophanes have generally required highly polar solvents. The azolium cyclophanes may exist in a syn/syn conformation (azolium rings mutually syn, arene rings mutually syn) or a syn/anti conformation (azolium rings mutually syn, arene rings mutually anti). The preferred conformation is significantly affected by (i) binding of bromide (ion pairing) to the protons on the imidazolium or benzimidazolium rings, which occurs in solutions of bromide salts of the cyclophanes in chlorinated solvents, and (ii) the addition of alkoxy groups to the benzimidazolium cyclophanes. These structural modifications have also led to cyclophanes that adopt conformations not previously identified for similar azolium cyclophane analogues. Detailed (1)H NMR studies for one cyclophane identified binding of bromide at two independent sites within the cyclophane.     

Factors that regulate the conformation of m-benziporphodimethene complexes: agostic metal-arene interaction, hydrogen bonding, and η2,π coordination

Group 12 and silver(I) tetramethyl‐m‐benziporphodimethene (TMBPDM) complexes with phenyl, methylbenzoate, or nitrophenyl groups as meso substituents were synthesized and fully characterized. The dimeric silver(I) complex displays an unusual η²,π coordination from the β‐pyrrolic C?C bond to the silver ion. All of the complexes displayed a close contact between the metal ion and the inner C(22)? H(22) on the m‐phenylene ring. The downfield chemical shifts of H(22) and large coupling constants between Cd^II and H(22) strongly support the presence of an agostic interaction between the metal ion and inner C(22)–H(22). Crystal structures revealed that the syn form is the predominant conformation for TMBPDM complexes. This is distinctively different from the exclusive anti conformation observed in m‐benziporphyrin and tetraphenyl‐m‐benziporphodimethene (TPBPDM) complexes. Evidently, intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions between axial chloride and methyl groups stabilize syn conformations. Unlike the merely syn conformation observed in the solid‐state structures of TMBPDM complexes that contain an axial chloride, in solution these complexes display highly solvent‐ and temperature‐dependent syn/anti ratio changes. The observation of dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopic scrambling between syn and anti conformations from the titration of chloride ion into the solution of the TMBPDM complex suggests that axial ligand exchange is a likely pathway for the conversion between syn and anti forms. Theoretical calculations revealed that intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the axial chloride and CHCl₃ stabilizes the anti conformation, which explains the increased ratio for the anti form when dichloromethane or chloroform was used as the solvent.     

Synthesis of annularly functionalized cyclophanes

Friedel-Crafts reaction of m- and p-benzenedicarboxylic acid chlorides with toluene gave diketones. The dicarbonyl dibromides, obtained by NBS bromination of diketones were coupled with various dithiols and dihydroxy benzenes to give cyclophanes incorporating two carbonyl groups. The dicarbonyl dibromide, derived from isophthalic acid chloride was converted into dithiol, which on coupling with the same dibromide afforded cyclophane incorporating four carbonyl groups. The NaBH₄ reduction of the tetraketone cyclophane in methanol gave the tetraalcohol derivative.     

Tri- and tetraurea piperazine cyclophanes: synthesis and complexation studies of preorganized and folded receptor molecules

A series of symmetrical tri‐ and tetrameric N‐ethyl‐ and N‐phenylurea‐functionalized cyclophanes have been prepared in nearly quantitative yields (86–99 %) from the corresponding tri‐ and tetraamino‐functionalized piperazine cyclophanes and ethyl or phenyl isocyanates. Their conformational and complexation properties have been studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy, and ESI‐MS analysis. The rigid 27‐membered trimeric cyclophane skeleton assisted by a seam of intramolecular hydrogen bonds results in a preorganized ditopic recognition site with an all‐syn conformation of the urea moieties that, complemented by a lipophilic cavity of the cyclophane, binds molecular and ionic guests as well as ion pairs. The all‐syn conformation persists in acidic conditions and the triprotonated triurea cyclophane binds an unprecedented anion pair, H₂PO₄^????HPO₄^2?, in the solid state. The tetra‐N‐ethylurea cyclophane is less rigid and demonstrates an induced‐fit recognition of diisopropyl ether in the solid state. The guest was encapsulated within the lipophilic interior of a quasicapsule, formed by intramolecular hydrogen‐bond‐driven folding of the 36‐membered cyclophane skeleton. In the gas phase, the essential role of the urea moieties in the binding was demonstrated by the formation of monomeric 1:1 complexes with K⁺, TMA⁺, and TMP⁺ as well as the ion‐pair complexes [KI+K]⁺, [TMABr+TMA]⁺ and [TMPBr+TMP]⁺. In the positive‐mode ESI‐MS analysis, ion‐pair binding was found to be more pronounced with the larger tetraurea cyclophanes. In the negative mode, owing to the large size of the binding site, a general binding preference towards larger anions, such as the iodide, over smaller anions, such as the fluoride, was observed.     

NMR studies of conformations and dynamic processes—1 : [24]cyclophanes with ethylene bridges

The conformations and dynamic processes in a series of relatively unstrained [2₄]paracyclophanes (with one, two or four -CH₂-CH₂-bridges) and some closely related compounds have been analysed. Their ¹NMR spectra have been recorded at low temperatures and the temperature dependence rationalised as being due to essentially two types of dynamic process-the torsional motion around the sp³-sp³ C-C bonds in the bridges, and the rotation around the sp²-sp³ C-C bonds adjacent to the benzene rings. The barriers to the former process are similar for the series of cyclophanes 1–6 and are due to steric and electronic interactions in the syn-oriented transition states. In cyclophanes 7–9, in which anti-orientations of the aromatic rings are possible, the barriers are lower. The latter process, involving the rotation of the benzene rings, becomes important at temperatures below 150 K and has not been further analysed.     

Structural properties of charge-transfer complexes of four- and five-layered [3.3]metacyclophanes

In the solid state, the cyclophane (CP) moieties of the charge-transfer (CT) complexes of four- and five-layered [3.3]metacyclophanes (MCPs) 1 and 2 with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) take different conformations from those in the solid state of the free MCPs. In the four-layered [3.3]MCP 1-TCNE complex, the CP moiety takes an s-shaped syn-anti-syn geometry, whereas the inner three benzene rings take the all-syn geometry and the two outer [3.3]MCP moieties have deformed anti-conformations in the five-layered [3.3]MCP 2-TCNE complex. In the crystal-packing diagrams of each complex, intermolecular CH/π-type interactions are observed between adjacent molecules.     

Bis(fluorenono)phanes: a new class of perspective macrocyclic receptors

Two representatives of a novel class of cyclophanes containing two fragments of 2,7-dioxy-9H-fluoren-9-one bridged by triethylene glycol and p-xylyl linking units have been prepared. X-Ray analysis shows that the former has an anti-conformation and the cavity is self-filling with fluorenone moieties.     

ss‐NMR and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction in the elucidation of a new polymorph of bischalcone (1E,4E)‐1,5‐bis(4‐fluorophenyl)penta‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one

We report a new polymorph of (1E,4E)‐1,5‐bis(4‐fluorophenyl)penta‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one, C₁₇H₁₂F₂O. Contrary to the precedent literature polymorph with Z′ = 3, our polymorph has one half molecule in the asymmetric unit disordered over two 50% occupancy sites. Each site corresponds to one conformation around the single bond vicinal to the carbonyl group (so‐called anti or syn). The other half of the bischalcone is generated by twofold rotation symmetry, giving rise to two half‐occupied and overlapping molecules presenting both anti and syn conformations in their open chain. Such a disorder allows for distinct patterns of intermolecular C—H…O contacts involving the carbonyl and anti‐oriented β‐C—H groups, which is reflected in three ¹³C NMR chemical shifts for the carbonyl C atom. Here, we have also assessed the cytotoxicity of three symmetric bischalcones through their in vitro antitumour potential against three cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that this biological property increases as halogen electronegativity increases.     

A theoretical study of carbazole dimers: Does carbazole form an excimer that undermines the performance of organic light emitting diodes?

Carbazole (Cz) dimers in various cofacial conformations, including staggered (Stg), anti, and syn, were explored by means of ab initio calculations at scaled opposite-spin (SOS)-MP2, SOS-CIS(D₀), and additional coupled cluster calculation levels. Similar to other π-conjugated molecules, strong Cz excimers form in the syn conformation in both S₁ and T₁ states, leading to significantly reduced optical excitation energies. Upon excitation, the dimers in the Stg and anti-conformations remain simple excited dimers, exhibiting similar optical energy gaps to those of the monomer. Being far more stable in the ground state, however, the Stg dimer is nearly isoenergetic to the syn dimer in the S₁ state and even more stable in the T₁ state. Given that the intermolecular interactions in the ground state are expected to govern the dimer conformations of Cz-based materials in the solid-state films of organic electronics, our results strongly demonstrate that the electronic excitation of Cz dimers do not necessarily lead to the strong excimer formation unless Cz molecules are forced to be arranged in the syn conformation.     

On the transferability of conformation in FC(O)S-containing compounds: Conformation and properties of methylfluorocarbonyl disulphide FC(O)SSCH3

Methylfluorocarbonyl disulphide, FC(O)SSCH₃, was prepared for the first time by reaction of FC(O)SCl with CH₃SH at room temperature. Infrared data for the vapour and matrices (Ar, Ne and N₂) as well as Raman, UV, mass and ¹⁹F, ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectra have been obtained and interpreted.From these data, the most stable conformer was deduced to have the gauche conformation with respect to the FC(O) and CH₃ groups with the syn conformation between the CO and SS bonds having C₁ molecular symmetry. This conformer is in equilibrium with another, possibly the corresponding anti, referring to the CO and SS bonds.The main structure found for FC(O)S-containing compounds seems to be the syn conformation.     

Conformational analysis of methylsuccinic acid by 1H NMR spectroscopy and circular dichroism

The pH-dependence of the ¹H NMR and Circular Dichroism (CD) spectra of 2-methylsuccinic acid was investigated. Both spectra undergo dramatic changes between pH 4 and 6, where both carboxylic groups become ionized. From the coupling constants of the tertiary proton with the assigned¹ diastereotopic methylene protons, it is concluded that below pH 4 the syn-clinal (2) and above pH 6 the anti-periplanar (1) conformation of methylsuccinic acid prevail. The diesters of methylsuccinic acid also assume mainly the syn-clinal conformation (2). The pH-dependence of the CD spectra is discussed in terms of conformation and/or ionization effects.     

Substituent effect on the diastereoselectivity in the chelation-controlled radical reactions of γ-(p-substituted-benzyloxy)-α-methylene esters with alkyl iodides

A pronounced substituent effect on the diastereoselectivity in the chelation controlled radical reactions of ethyl γ-(p-substituted-benzyloxy)-α-methylenecarboxylates with alkyl iodides was observed. The syn-selectivity increased in the order of electron-donating ability NO₂<CN<CF₃<F<H<i-Pr, Me, OMe of the p-substituent, and the plot of the log(syn/anti) versus Hammett sigma constants gave a linear correlation. The complexation experiments of the substrates with Lewis acid using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and the competition experiments between p-isopropylbenzyloxy and p-trifluoromethylbenzyloxy esters showed that the electron-donating p-isopropyl group stabilized the seven-membered chelate ring to give high syn-selectivity.     

Conformational preferences of the aldol adducts of oxadiazinones. H NMR spectroscopy and computational studies of N4-methyl and N4-isopropyloxadiazinones

The conformational properties of the aldol adducts of some N₄-isopropyl-oxadiazinones have been investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and computational studies. An earlier study of the syn-aldol adducts of N₄-methyl-oxadiazinone 2 led to the conclusion that the solution and solid state conformation of these compounds involve syn-parallel arrangement of the C₂- and N₃-carbonyls of the oxadiazinones. However, the synthesis and asymmetric aldol reactions of an N₃-hydrocinnamoyl-N₄-isopropyl-oxadiazinone 4 has yielded aldol adducts 5a-e in which the orientation of the C₂- and N₃-carbonyls are most likely in the anti-parallel arrangement. These aldol adducts have been studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and the shielding aspect observed clearly suggests the presence of the anti-parallel arrangement. The installment of a N₄-d₆-isopropyl group further confirmed this assertion. Computational studies support the conclusion that solution state conformation of the N₄-methyl and N₄-isopropyl-oxadiazinones involves anti-parallel carbonyls in contrast to the solid state evidence of the X-ray crystallographic data of oxadiazinone 2.     

Condensation products of formylcamphor with diamines : Structures in alcoholic solutions as derived from uv absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy

The condensation products of optically active diamines with two molecules of formylcamphor have been investigated in methanolic solutions, where the formylcamphor chromophore is known to exist in the anti or (E) configuration. UV absorption and circular dichroism spectra are rationalised within an exciton formalism to give information about the absolute configuration.As with chloroform solutions, where the chromophore exists in the syn configuration, it is demonstrated that the title compounds may achieve the low energy conformation in seemingly different ways depending on substituents. Because of the different structure of the molecule when the chromophore is in the anti configuration as compared with the syn configuration, rotational conformations with respect to the substituted ethylene bridge in the same compound may be different in CH₃OH and CHCl₃.Finally “chelating solvation” in hydrogen bonding media is demonstrated through dissolution of the compounds in various alcohols.     

Conformationally Controlled sp3-Hydrocarbon-Based α-Helix Mimetics

With over 60 % of protein–protein interfaces featuring an α-helix, the use of α-helix mimetics as inhibitors of these interactions is a prevalent therapeutic strategy. However, methods to control the conformation of mimetics, thus enabling maximum efficacy, can be restrictive. Alternatively, conformation can be controlled through the introduction of destabilizing syn-pentane interactions. This tactic, which is often adopted by Nature, is not a common feature of lead optimization owing to the significant synthetic effort required. Through assembly-line synthesis with NMR and computational analysis, we have shown that alternating syn–anti configured contiguously substituted hydrocarbons, by avoiding syn-pentane interactions, adopt well-defined conformations that present functional groups in an arrangement that mimics the α-helix. The design of a p53 mimetic that binds to Mdm2 with moderate to good affinity, demonstrates the therapeutic promise of these scaffolds.     

NMR studies of conformations and dynamic processes—III : Cyclophanes with unsaturated bridges

Three cyclophanes, each displaying a different type of dynamic process, have been studied by NMR methods. The barriers to these processes are attributed mainly to the decrease in π-electron overlap between the benzene rings and adjacent double bonds which occurs in the transition state for each process. In [5₂] paracyclophanetetraene, two successive flippings of the benzene rings interconvert the two hydrogens in the methylene groups (Scheme 1). In tetramethyl [2₄] paracyclophanetetraene, the passage of one methyl group through the central cavity of the molecule interconverts two conformations of similar, but not equal, free energy (Scheme 2). In [2₆] orthoparacyclophanehexaene, the orthosubstituted rings change sides by passing through the centre of the cyclophane (Scheme 3).     

Regio-/stereoselective formation of monosulfoxides from thiacalix[4]arenes in all possible conformations

The partial S-oxidation of all four basic conformations of thiacalix[4]arene was carried out using NaBO₃·4H₂O as the oxidizing agent. It was found that despite the possible formation of many regio- and stereoisomers, the reactions leading to mono- or disulfoxides were highly regio- and stereoselective depending on the starting conformation. Our results clearly show that the sulfur atoms possessing syn-orientation of the appended phenolic units are remarkably more reactive than the sulfur atoms with anti-oriented aromatic subunits. Moreover, the most easily formed syn-oriented equatorial configuration is highly preferred over the corresponding axial arrangement which was never observed. As demonstrated by the resolution of racemic products, partial S-oxidation represents a very interesting tool to access novel inherently chiral building blocks based on thiacalix[4]arenes.     

Höhere,kondensierte Ringsysteme. 4. Mitteilung. Grosse Ringe der [2n]Metacyclophanreihe

[2⁷] Metacyclophane, [2⁹] metacyclophane, and [2¹⁰] metacyclophane with a 50-membered ring are isolated in the pure state from the crude product of a WURTZ reaction with m-xylylene dibromide, thus providing for the first time a complete series of cyclophanes with two to ten sub-units. The structure of the new ring systems is determined from their UV., IR., NMR. and mass spectra. The physical constants of these large carbocyclic systems are compared with those of the well-known smaller metacyclophanes, particularly with respect to conformation.     

Conformational behavior of dithia[n.3.3](1,3,5)cyclophanes and dithia[n.3.3](1,2,6)cyclophanes

The conformational behavior of a series of crown-fused dithia[n.3.3](1,2,6)cyclophanes (126-CPs) and dithia[n.3.3](1,3,5)cyclophanes (135-CPs) was investigated by variable-temperature ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis showed that two thia-bridges in 126-CPs adopted a pseudochair-pseudochair (cc) conformation and the cyclophane decks underwent a ring-tilting motion in the case of [10.3.3](1,2,6)cyclophane (1a). In contrast, the thia-bridges in 135-CPs took both cc and pseudoboat-pseudochair (bc) conformations, and the ring-tilting process was also found in [10.3.3](1,3,5)cyclophane (2a). Variable temperature ¹H NMR study revealed that there was no wobbling-motion for two thia-bridges in 126-CPs while thia-bridges in 135-CPs experienced a wobbling-process with a conformational barrier of 9.21 and 8.80 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively, for 2a and [13.3.3](1,3,5)cyclophane (2b). DFT calculations for the two cyclophanes series revealed that 126-CPs preferred a cc conformation which was consistent with the experimental observation; similarly, 135-CPs took a preferential cc conformation, agreeing with 2a having a predominant cc conformer (cc:bc ratio=70:30), but not 2b having a predominant bc conformer (cc:bc ratio=15:85) in the solid state.