Supramolecular complex induced by the binding of sodium dodecyl sulfate to PAMAM dendrimers

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were employed to study the spontaneous supramolecular complexation of amine terminated PAMAM dendrimer (G3[EDA] PAMAM-NH2) induced by the binding of an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). At pHor=10, the electrostatic binding ceased because the deprotonated PAMAM dendrimer was uncharged, and hence the surfactant-induced supramolecular assembly could not be formed.     

Molecular basis for water-promoted supramolecular chirality inversion in helical rosette nanotubes

Helical rosette nanotubes (RNTs) are obtained through the self-assembly of the GwedgeC motif, a self-complementary DNA base analogue featuring the complementary hydrogen bonding arrays of both guanine and cytosine. The first step of this process is the formation of a 6-membered supermacrocycle (rosette) maintained by 18 hydrogen bonds, which then self-organizes into a helical stack defining a supramolecular sextuple helix whose chirality and three-dimensional organization arise from the chirality, chemical structure, and conformational organization of the GwedgeC motif. Because a chiral GwedgeC motif is predisposed to express itself asymmetrically upon self-assembly, there is a natural tendency for it to form one chiral RNT over its mirror image. Here we describe the synthesis and characterization of a chiral GwedgeC motif that self-assembles into helical RNTs in methanol, but undergoes mirror image supramolecular chirality inversion upon the addition of very small amounts of water (<1% v/v). Extensive physical and computational studies established that the mirror-image RNTs obtained, referred to as chiromers, result from thermodynamic (in water) and kinetic (in methanol) self-assembly processes involving two conformational isomers of the parent GwedgeC motif. Although derived from conformational states, the chiromers are thermodynamically stable supramolecular species, they display dominant/recessive behavior, they memorize and amplify their chirality in an achiral environment, they change their chirality in response to solvent and temperature, and they catalytically transfer their chirality. On the basis of these studies, a detailed mechanism for supramolecular chirality inversion triggered by specific molecular interactions between water molecules and the GwedgeC motif is proposed.     

席夫碱Cu(Ⅱ)络合物的超分子螺旋手性及其手性光谱

本文通过不同的手性二胺(pn=1,2-丙二胺、chxn=1,2-环己二胺、dpen=1,2-二苯基乙二胺)与脱氢乙酸(dha)缩合,获得了N_2O_2型手性席夫碱配体(dha-en),进而合成了相应的三对手性席夫碱Cu(Ⅱ)络合物([Cu(dha-R/S-pn)](1a和1b)、[Cu(dha-R,R/S,S-chxn)](2a和2b)、[Cu(dha-R,R/S,S-dpen)](3a和3b),对其进行的固体和溶液电子圆二色(ECD)及溶液振动圆二色(VCD)光谱测试表明,这些化合物在固体和溶液状态下的金属中心的主要配位模式和绝对构型基本一致。此外,通过单晶结构分析发现:对于络合物2a/2b以及3a/3b,中心金属Cu(Ⅱ)除了与手性dha-en四齿配位外,还与相邻分子内酯环上的羰基发生弱的轴向配位形成一维超分子螺旋链,即实现了配位键构筑的席夫碱络合物的手性超分子自组装。本文对两对手性络合物2a/2b以及3a/3b的手性结构基元及其与超分子螺旋之间的关系进行了讨论。将本文所获实验VCD光谱数据与文献报道的相关数据进行比对分析,可以相互印证,并呈现一定的绝对构型关联规律且具有手性配位立体化学结构的指纹特征。     

Synthesis and self-assembly of novel oxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine amphiphiles

Heteracalixaromatics are an emerging generation of macrocyclic host molecules in supramolecular chemistry. As a typical example of heteracalixaromatics, oxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine adopts a shape-persistent 1,3-alternate conformation and can be easily functionalized. Taking it as a platform, a series of oxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine-based amphiphiles bearing long alkyl chains were synthesized through post-macrocyclization functionalization or 3+1 fragment coupling protocols. The self-assembly behavior of these amphiphiles in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water was investigated. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements revealed that the size of the self-assembled aggregates is dependent on the structure of the amphiphiles. The long alkyl chain substituents and/or intermolecular hydrogen bonds were found to promote the self-assembly.     

Electron-induced switching of the supramolecular chirality of optically active polythiophene aggregates

A chiral regioregular polythiophene (PT), poly[3-[4-((R)-4-ethyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl)phenyl]thiophene] (poly-1), forms chiral aggregates which exhibit a unique induced circular dichroism (ICD) in the pi-pi transition region derived from the supramolecular chirality in the presence of various poor solvents or metal salts in chloroform. We report here that the chirality of such supramolecular aggregates can be switched ("on" and "off") through electron transfer. We have found that upon the addition of copper(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate [Cu(OTf)(2)] to the chiral aggregates of poly-1 in a chloroform-acetonitrile mixture, the ICD disappears because of the oxidative doping of the poly-1 main chain, while a further addition of amines such as triethylenetetramine (TETA) induces undoping of the poly-1 which results in the reappearance of the ICDs. Therefore, the supramolecular chirality of the poly-1 assemblies was reversibly controlled by the addition or removal of an electron from the poly-1 main chain. This may be the first example of a reversible supramolecular chirality switch on chiral PT aggregates. We investigated the mechanism of the chirality switch through the doping and undoping process on the polymer main chain by means of absorption and CD spectroscopies, ESR, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction, and AFM measurements.     

A supramolecular bottlebrush polymer assembled on the basis of cucurbit[8]uril-encapsulation-enhanced donor-acceptor interaction

A supramolecular bottlebrush polymer has been constructed in water through the self-assembly of a rigid electron-deficient building block and an electron-rich monomer which bears two tetraethylene glycol chains, driven by CB[8]-encapsulation-enhanced donor-acceptor interaction. The as-formed supramolecular bottlebrush polymer has been characterized by ¹H NMR titration experiment, UV-vis spectroscopy, DLS and 2D ¹H NMR DOSY.     

A supramolecular poly[3]pseudorotaxane by self-assembly of a homoditopic cylindrical bis(crown ether) host and a bisparaquat derivative

A supramolecular poly[3]pseudorotaxane was prepared by self-assembly of a homoditopic cylindrical bis(crown ether) host and a bisparaquat derivative in solution by host-guest complexation.     

Synthesis of a β-glycoside functionalized GΛC motif for self-assembly into rosette nanotubes with predefined length

Progress toward the synthesis of guanine-cytosine (GΛC) oligonucleotides for the spontaneous self-assembly of rosette nanotubes (RNTs) with predefined length is described. Highlighted is the synthesis of the β-glycoside functionalized GΛC base along with a new nitrogen protecting group strategy that is compatible with Boc and Bn groups.     

Synthesis and characterization of maltose-based amphiphiles as supramolecular hydrogelators

Low molecular mass amphiphilic glycolipids have been prepared by linking a maltose polar head and a hydrophobic linear chain either by amidation or copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne [3 + 2] cycloaddition. The liquid crystalline properties of these amphiphilic materials have been characterized. The influence of the chemical structure of these glycolipids on the gelation properties in water has also been studied. Glycolipids obtained by the click coupling of the two components give rise to stable hydrogels at room temperature. The fibrillar structure of supramolecular hydrogels obtained by the self-assembly of these gelators have been characterized by electron microscopy. Fibers showed some torsion, which could be related with a chiral supramolecular arrangement of amphiphiles, as confirmed by circular dichroism (CD). The sol-gel transition temperature was also determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and NMR.     

A helical, aromatic, peptide nanotube

[Structure: see text] The self-assembly in the crystal state of the terminally protected, linear dipeptide Boc-(S,S)c3diPhe-(R,R)c3diPhe-NHiPr (1) through intermolecular hydrogen bonds leads to the formation of a supramolecular helix of large diameter (18 A), internally decorated with phenyl rings. As a result, a hollow helical channel large enough to accommodate guest molecules is observed. This supramolecular structure differs from previous examples of peptide nanotubes. Compound 1 incorporates a highly restricted cyclopropane phenylalanine analogue (c3diPhe) with remarkable conformational properties.     

Pre-regulation of the planar chirality of pillar[5]arenes for preparing discrete chiral nanotubes

Regulating the chirality of macrocyclic host molecules and supramolecular assemblies is crucial because chirality often plays a role in governing the properties of these systems. Herein, we describe pillar[5]arene-based chiral nanotube formation via pre-regulation of the building blocks'' chirality, which is different from frequently used post-regulation strategies. The planar chirality of rim-differentiated pillar[5]arenes is initially regulated by chiral awakening and further induction/inversion through stepwise achiral external stimuli. The pre-regulated chiral information is well stored in discrete nanotubes by interacting with a per-alkylamino-substituted pillar[5]arene. Such pre-regulation is more efficient than post-regulating the chirality of nanotubes.

Pillar[5]arene-based chiral nanotube formation via pre-regulation of the building blocks'' chirality is more efficient than post-regulating the chirality of nanotubes.     

New insights into the geometry of resorc[4]arenes: solvent-mediated supramolecular conformational and chiroptical control

The conformations of inherently chiral resorc[4]arenes were studied by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Whereas in aprotic solvents the crown conformation (C4) is preferred, protic solvents favor the boat conformation (C2). As a result of electronic coupling of the lowest L(b) state of the resorcinol unit in the resorc[4]arene, the CD spectra show a strong dependence on the conformation of the macrocycle. For the first time the solvent dependence of the CD spectra was qualitatively analyzed and simulated by using theoretical methods. We have thus demonstrated not only that the conformation of the calixarene is dramatically manipulated by the solvent but also that the joint use of chiroptical measurements and theoretical calculations is a powerful and versatile tool for elucidating structural variations in supramolecular chemistry.     

Chiral proline-substituted porous organic cages in asymmetric organocatalysis

The efficient preparation of chiral porous organic cages (POCs) with specific functions is challenging, and their application in asymmetric catalysis has not previously been explored. In this work, we have achieved the construction of chiral POCs based on a supramolecular tetraformyl-resorcin[4]arene scaffold with different chiral proline-modified diamine ligands and utilizing dynamic imine chemistry. The incorporation of V-shaped or linear chiral diamines affords the [4 + 8] square prism and [6 + 12] octahedral POCs respectively. The appended chiral proline moieties in such POCs make them highly active supramolecular nanoreactors for asymmetric aldol reactions, delivering up to 92% ee. The spatial distribution of chiral catalytic sites in these two types of POCs greatly affects their catalytic activities and enantioselectivities. This work not only lays a foundation for the asymmetric catalytic application of chiral POCs, but also contributes to our understanding of the catalytic function of biomimetic supramolecular systems.

Two calix[4]resorcinarene-based chiral POCs with different self-assembly forms were constructed. The difference in the spatial distribution of chiral organocatalytic sites leads to the two chiral POCs exhibiting distinct stereoselectivities.     

A chiral [2]catenane self-assembled from meso-macrocycles of palladium(II)

Reaction of trans-[PdX2(SMe2)2](X = Cl or Br) with the chiral ligand LL = 1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-(NHC(= O)-3-C5H4N)2 gave the [2]catenane complexes trans-[{(PdX2)2(micro-LL)2}2], which are formed by self-assembly from 4 units each of trans-PdX2 and LL. The catenation is favored by the formation of multiple hydrogen bonds between the constituent macrocycles (4 x NHClPd, 2 x NHO double bond C). If the ligand LL is racemic, each macrocycle trans-[(PdX2)2(micro-LL)2] is formed in the meso form trans-[(PdX2)2(micro-R-LL)(micro-S-LL)] but the resulting [2]catenane is chiral as a direct result of the catenation step. This is the first time that this form of chiral [2]catenane has been observed. The enantiomers of the [2]catenane further self-assemble in the crystalline form, through secondary intermolecular PdX bonding, to form a racemic infinite supramolecular polymer of [2]catenanes.     

Chiral and extended π-conjugated bis(2-pyridyl)phospholes as assembling N,P,N pincers for coordination-driven synthesis of supramolecular [2,2]paracyclophane analogues

Chiral, π-conjugated 3,4-butano-1-phenyl-2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)phosphole derivatives 1a(2,2') and 1a(3) with chiral trans-1,2-diol moieties and fused pinene derivatives, respectively, were prepared from the corresponding chiral diynes by using the Fagan-Nugent method. Their UV/Vis absorption and chiroptical properties (optical rotation and circular dichroism) were studied. Their behavior as N,P,N chelates towards coordination of Cu(I) and formation of chiral supramolecular assemblies with π-conjugated ditopic dicyano ligands was investigated. Chiral C(2)-symmetric rectangles that are [2,2]paracyclophane analogues were obtained, as demonstrated by X-ray crystallography. During the course of this study, the first stable water-soluble phosphole derivative (1a(2)·2 HCl) was prepared. Furthermore, achiral 3,4-butano-1-phenyl-2,5-bis(aza[4]helicene)phosphole 1a(4) was synthesized and displays extended π conjugation. A supramolecular rectangle was obtained by coordination to Cu(I) and assembly with a dicyano stilbene. This coordination-driven supramolecular assembly contains a total of four aza[4]helicene moieties and displays two types of π-π stacking interactions in the solid state, that is, between two helicene moieties and between one helicene and a bridging dicyano ligand. All the supramolecular arrangements are discussed by comparing them with previous work on the parent 3,4-butano-1-phenyl-2,5-bis(2-pyridyl)phosphole.     

Phosphorescent platinum acetylide organogelators

The series of platinum acetylide oligomers (PAOs) with the general structure trans,trans-[(RO)3Ph-C[triple bond]C-Pt(PMe3)2-C[triple bond]C-(Ar)-C[triple bond]C-Pt(PMe3)2-C[triple bond]C-Ph(OR)3], where Ar = 1,4-phenylene, 2,5-thienylene, or bis-2,5-(S-2-methylbutoxy)-1,4-phenylene and R = n-C12H25 gel hydrocarbon solvents at concentrations above 1 mM. Gelation is thermally reversible (T(gel-sol) approximately 40-50 degrees C), and it occurs due to aggregation of the PAOs resulting in the formation of a fibrous network that is observed for dried gels imaged by TEM. The influence of aggregation/gelation on the photophysical properties of the PAOs is explored in detail. Aggregation induces a significant blue shift in the oligomers' absorption spectra, and the shift is attributed to exciton interactions arising from H-aggregation of the chromophores. Strong circular dichroism (CD) is observed for gelled solutions of a PAO substituted with homochiral S-2-methylbutoxy side chains on the central phenylene unit. The CD is attributed to formation of a chiral supramolecular aggregate structure. The PAOs are phosphorescent at ambient temperature in solution and in the aggregate/gel state. The phosphorescence band is blue-shifted ca. 20 nm in the aggregate/gel, and the shift is assigned to emission from an unrelaxed conformation of the triplet excited state. Phosphorescence spectroscopy of mixed aggregate/gels consisting of a triplet donor/host oligomer (Ar = 1,4-phenylene) doped with low concentrations of an acceptor/trap oligomer (Ar = 2,5-thienylene) indicates that energy transfer occurs efficiently in the aggregates. Triplet energy transfer involves exciton diffusion among the host chromophores followed by Dexter exchange energy transfer to the trap chromophore.     

Two 3D supramolecular polymers constructed from an amino acid and a high-nuclear Ln6Cu24 cluster node

The first successful attempt to construct 3D supramolecular frameworks with high-nuclear 3d-4f heterometallic clusters as a node is reported. The self-assembly of Ln3+, Cu2+ and amino acid in solution leads to the formation of two polymers, 35-nuclear complex [Sm6Cu29] 1 with a primitive cubic net-like structure and 36-nuclear complex [Nd6Cu30] 2 with a face-centred cubic network type structure. Glycine and L-proline, respectively, were used as ligands. It should be noted that 2 has a chiral framework. X-ray structure analyses show that 1 crystallizes in the triclinic P1 space group (a=19.6451(8), b=20.4682(8), c=20.7046(8) A, alpha=89.453(1), beta=66.290(1), gamma=68.572(1) degrees, V=7003.0(5) A3 and Z=1) and 2 belongs to the cubic P2(1)3 space group (a=b=c=32.4341(3) A, V=34 119.7(5) A3 and Z=4). Both complexes utilize Ln6Cu24 octahedral clusters as nodes and trans-Cu(amino acid)2 groups as bridges. Electrical conductivity measurements reveal that both polymers behave as semiconductors.     

Spectroscopy, NMR and DFT studies on molecular recognition of crown ether bridged chiral heterotrinuclear salen Zn(II) complex

A barium-containing crown ether bridged chiral heterotrinuclear salen Zn(II) complex BaZn2L(ClO4)2, where L is a folded dinuclear chiral (R,R)-salen ligand, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, UV-vis, IR, circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and mass spectra. As a folded dinuclear chiral host, its recognition with achiral guests (imidazole derivatives), rigid bidentate guest (1,4-diazobicyclo[2,2,2]octane, DABCO) and chiral guests (amino acid methyl esters) was investigated by means of UV-vis spectrophotometric titration, CD spectra. The association constants of D-amino acid methyl esters are found to be higher than those of their L-enantiomer. The sandwich-type binding of BaZn2L(ClO4)2-DABCO supramolecular assembly was specially studied via 1H NMR titration and 1H ROESY. To understand the recognition on molecular level, density functional theory (DFT) calculations on B3LYP/LanL2DZ were performed on the minimal energy conformations of host, guests, and host-guest complexes. The minimal energy conformations were obtained by molecular mechanics (MM) optimization and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The results of single point energy, HOMO energy, and charges transfer were analyzed. The results of theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Chiral recognition and resolution of the enantiomers of supramolecular triangular hosts: synthesis, circular dichroism, NMR, and X-ray molecular structure of [Li subset(R,R,R)-[CpRh(5-chloro-2,3-dioxopyridine)]3][Delta-Trisphat

The racemic triangular supramolecular host [CpRh(5-chloro-2,3-dioxopyridine)](3) (1) was prepared in high yield. Treatment with LiCl followed by addition of silver salt AgOTf gave the triflate salt species [Li subset[CpRh(5-chloro-2,3-dioxopyridine)](3)][OTf] (2). Subsequent anion metathesis using the optically pure chiral shift reagent [Cinchonidinium][Delta-Trisphat] produced a pair of diastereomers [Li subset(R,R,R)-[CpRh(5-chloro-2,3-dioxopyridine)](3)][Delta-Trisphat] (3a) and [Li subset(S,S,S)-[CpRh(5-chloro-2,3-dioxopyridine)](3)][Delta-Trisphat] (3b). The resolution of these diastereomers was achieved by fractional crystallization, and their stereochemistry relationship was established by circular dichroism studies. The X-ray molecular structure of 3a is reported and shows as an outstanding feature a chiral recognition between the Delta-Trisphat anion and a single enantiomer cation [Li subset(R,R,R)-[CpRh(5-chloro-2,3-dioxopyridine)](3)](+) manifested through a pi-pi interaction. (1)H NMR and circular dichroism studies in solution support the solid-state behavior.     

Multirotations of (Anilinium)([18]Crown‐6) Supramolecular Cation Structure in Magnetic Salt of [Ni(dmit)2]−

A solid‐state dynamic supramolecular structure consisting of (anilinium)([18]crown‐6) was arranged as the cation in a salt of [Ni(dmit)₂]^? (dmit=2‐thioxo‐1,3‐dithiole‐4,5‐dithiolate). With the ammonium moiety of anilinium located within the cavity of [18]crown‐6, a hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular structure is formed, with an orthogonal arrangement between the π plane of anilinium and the mean O6 plane of [18]crown‐6. In this supramolecular cation, both anilinium and [18]crown‐6 act as dynamic units with different rotational modes in the solid state. The uniform stacks of cations form an antiparallel arrangement, thus producing a layer structure. Sufficient space for the 180° flip‐flop motion of the phenyl ring and the rotation of [18]crown‐6 was observed in the cation layer. Thermally activated 180° flip‐flop motions, with a frequency of 6 MHz at room temperature and an activation energy of 31 kJ mol^?1, were confirmed by temperature‐dependent ²H NMR spectra of ([D₅]anilinium)‐([18]crown‐6)[Ni(dmit)₂]. A double‐minimum potential for the molecular rotation of anilinium, with a barrier of approximately 40 kJ mol^?1, was indicated by ab initio calculations. The wide‐line ¹H NMR spectra indicated a thermally activated rotation of [18]crown‐6 at temperatures above 250 K. Therefore, multiple molecular motions of the 180° flip‐flop motion of the phenyl ring and the rotation of [18]crown‐6 occur simultaneously in the solid state. The temperature‐dependent dielectric constants revealed that the molecular motion of [18]crown‐6, other than the flip‐flop motion, dominates the dielectric response in the measured temperature and frequency range.