Synthesis and helicity of optically active poly(N‐propargylphosphonamidates) having chiral phosphorus center

Novel chiral N‐propargylphosphonamidate monomers (HC?CCH₂NHP(?O)R? O? menthyl, 1 : R = CH₃, 2 : R = C₂H₅, 3 : R = n‐C₃H₇, 4 : R = Ph) were synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding phosphonic dichlorides with menthol and propargylamine. Pairs of diastereomeric monomers 1 – 4 with different ratios were obtained due to the chiral P‐center and menthyl group. One diastereomer could be separated from another one in the cases of monomers 1 and 2 . Polymerization of 1 – 4 with (nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶‐C₆H₅B^?(C₆H₅)₃] as a catalyst in CHCl₃ gave the polymers with number‐average molecular weights ranging from 5000 to 12,000 in 65–85%. Poly( 1 )–poly( 4 ) exhibited quantitative cis contents, and much larger specific rotations than 1 – 4 did in CHCl₃. The polymers showed an intense Cotton effect around 325 nm based on the conjugated polyacetylene backbone. It was indicated that the polymers took a helical structure with predominantly one‐handed screw sense, and intramolecular hydrogen bonding between P?O and N? H of the polymers contributed to the stability of the helical structure. Poly( 1a ) and poly( 2a ) decreased the CD intensity upon raising CH₃OH content in CHCl₃/CH₃OH. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1515–1524, 2007     

Helical polyacetylenes carrying 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy and 2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1‐pyrrolidinyloxy moieties: Their synthesis,properties, and function

2,2,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO)‐ and 2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1‐pyrrolidinyloxy (PROXYL)‐containing (R)‐1‐methylpropargyl TEMPO‐4‐carboxylate ( 1 ), (R)‐1‐methylpropargyl PROXYL‐3‐carboxylate ( 2 ), (rac)‐1‐methylpropargyl PROXYL‐3‐carboxylate ( 3 ), (S)‐1‐propargylcarbamoylethyl TEMPO‐4‐carboxylate ( 4 ), and (S)‐1‐propargyloxycarbonylethyl TEMPO‐4‐carboxylate ( 5 ) (TEMPO, PROXYL) were polymerized to afford novel polymers containing the TEMPO and PROXYL radicals at high densities. Monomers 1–3 and 5 provided polymers with moderate number‐average molecular weights of 8200–140,900 in 49–97% yields in the presence of (nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶‐C₆H₅B^?(C₆H₅)₃], whereas 4 gave no polymer with this catalyst but gave polymers possessing low M_n (3800–7500) in 56–61% yield with [(nbd)RhCl]₂‐Et₃N. Poly( 1 ), poly( 2 ), and poly( 4 ) took a helical structure with predominantly one‐handed screw sense in THF and CHCl₃ as well as in film state. The helical structure of poly( 1 ) and poly( 2 ) was stable upon heating and addition of MeOH, whereas poly( 4 ) was responsive to heat and solvents. All of the free radical‐containing polymers displayed the reversible charge/discharge processes, whose capacities were in a range of 43.2–112 A h/kg. In particular, the capacities of poly( 2 )–poly( 5 )‐based cells reached about 90–100% of the theoretical values regardless of the secondary structure of the polymer, helix and random. Poly( 1 ), poly( 2 ), and poly( 4 ) taking a helical structure exhibited better capacity tolerance towards the increase of current density than nonhelical poly( 3 ) and poly( 5 ) did. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5431–5445, 2007     

One‐Handed Single Helicates of Dinickel(II) Benzenehexapyrrole‐α,ω‐diimine with an Amine Chiral Source

Benzenehexapyrrole‐α,ω‐dialdehyde, composed of a pair of formyltripyrrole units with a 1,3‐phenylene linker, was metallated to give dinuclear single‐stranded helicates. X‐ray studies of the bis‐nickel(II) complex showed a helical C₂ form with a pair of helical–metal coordination planes of a 3N+O donor set. The terminal aldehyde was readily converted into the imine by optically active amines, whereby helix‐sense bias was induced. Bis‐nickel(II) and bis‐palladium(II) complexes of the benzenehexapyrrole‐α,ω‐diimines were studied to show that an enantiomer pair of the helical C₂ form are interchanged by slow flipping of each coordination plane and fast rotation around the C(benzene)?C(pyrrole) bond. The helical screw in the bis‐nickel(II) complexes was biased to one side in more than 95 % diastereoselectivity, which was achieved by using a variety of optically active amines, such as (R)‐1‐cyclohexylethylamine, (S)‐1‐ phenylethylamine, L ‐Phe(OEt) (Phe=phenylalanine), and (R)‐valinol. The nickel complexes showed much better diastereoselectivity than the corresponding palladium complexes.     

Synthesis and photoisomerization of poly(1‐methylpropargyl ester)s carrying azobenzene moieties

Optically active 1‐methylpropargyl esters bearing azobenzene groups, namely, (S)‐(?)‐3‐methyl‐3‐{4‐[4‐(n‐butyloxy)phenylazophenyl]carbonyl}oxy‐1‐propyne ( 1 ), (S)‐(?)‐3‐methyl‐3‐{4‐[4‐(n‐hexyloxy)phenylazophenyl]carbonyl}oxy‐1‐propyne ( 2 ), and (S)‐(?)‐3‐methyl‐3‐{4‐[4‐(n‐octyloxy)phenylazophenyl]carbonyl}oxy‐1‐propyne ( 3 ) were synthesized and polymerized with Rh⁺(nbd)[η⁶‐C₆H₅B^?(C₆H₅)₃] (nbd, norbornadiene) as a catalyst to afford the corresponding poly(1‐methyloropargyl ester)s with moderate molecular weights (M_n = 24,000–31,300) in good yields (79–84%). Polymers were soluble in common organic solvents including toluene, CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, THF, and DMSO, whereas insoluble in diethyl ether, n‐hexane, and methanol. Large optical rotations and strong CD signals demonstrated that all the polymers take a helical structure with a predominantly one‐handed screw sense. The helical structure of the polymers changed with the addition of MeOH and heat. The trans‐azobenzene of the polymer side chains isomerized into cis on UV irradiation, which was accompanied with drastic helical conformational changes of the polymer backbone. The cis‐azobenzene moiety reisomerized into trans on visible‐light irradiation, which induced the recovery of chiral geometry of azobenzene moieties in the side chain. Conformational analysis revealed that the polymers form a tightly twisted right‐handed helical structure with a dihedral angle of 70° at the single bond of the main chain. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4749–4761, 2009     

Synthesis and helical conformation of poly(N‐propargylamides) carrying L‐aspartic acid in the side chain

Aspartic acid‐based novel poly(N‐propargylamides), i.e., poly[N‐(α‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐L ‐aspartic acid β‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] [poly( 1 )] and poly[N‐(α‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐L ‐aspartic acid α‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] [poly( 2 )] with moderate molecular weights were synthesized by the polymerization of the corresponding monomers 1 and 2 catalyzed with (nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶‐C₆H₅B^?(C₆H₅)₃] in CHCl₃ at 30 °C for 2 h in high yields. The chiroptical studies revealed that poly( 1 ) took a helical structure in DMF, while poly( 2 ) did not in DMF but did in CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, and toluene. The helicity of poly( 1 ) and poly( 2 ) could be tuned by temperature and solvents. Poly( 2 ) underwent solvent‐driven switch of helical sense, accompanying the change of the tightness. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 5168–5176, 2005     

Synthesis and Polymerization of Optically Active N‐Propargylphosphonamidates: A Novel Helical Polymer Carrying a P‐Chiral Center

Summary: A diastereomeric pair of novel N‐propargylphosphonamidates, HCCCH₂NHP(O)(CH₃)O‐L ‐menthyl was synthesized by the successive condensations of methylphosphonic dichloride with L ‐menthol and propargylamine. The (R)‐P‐isomer ( 1a ) was isolated, and the absolute configuration was determined by XRD. Polymerization of 1a , and a mixture of 1a and (S)‐P‐isomer ( 1b ) was carried out with a zwitterionic Rh complex as a catalyst. cis‐Stereoregular polymers with number‐average molecular weights of 5 600–9 800 were obtained in good yields. Poly( 1a ) and poly( 1a ₂₉‐co‐ 1b ₇₁) exhibited large specific rotations (+408 and −146°), and intense Cotton effects ([θ] = +2.25 and −0.9 × 10⁴ deg · cm² · dmol⁻¹) based on the conjugated polyacetylene backbone around 325 nm in CHCl₃, indicating that these polymers have helical structures, whose predominant helical senses are opposite.

Polymerization of N‐propargylphosphonamidate.     

Controlled helical orientation of carbazole in amino acid derived poly(N‐propargylamide)s

Novel L ‐alanine and L ‐glutamic acid derivatized, carbazole‐containing N‐propargylamides [N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐alanine N′‐propargylamide and N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐γ‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] were synthesized and polymerized with (nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶‐C₆H₅B^?(C₆H₅)₃] (nbd = norbornadiene) as a catalyst to obtain the corresponding polymers with moderate molecular weights in high yields. Polarimetry, circular dichroism, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy studies revealed that both poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐alanine N′‐propargylamide] and poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐γ‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] took a helical structure with a predominantly one‐handed screw sense in tetrahydrofuran, CHCl₃, and CH₂Cl₂. The helix content of poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐alanine N′‐propargylamide] could be tuned by heat or the addition of a protic solvent, and the helical sense of poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl) ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐γ‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] was inverted by heat in CHCl₃ or in mixtures of tetrahydrofuran and CH₂Cl₂. Poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl) ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐alanine N′‐propargylamide] and poly[N‐(9‐carbazolyl)ethyloxycarbonyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐γ‐benzyl ester N′‐propargylamide] also took a helical structure in film states. They showed small fluorescence in comparison with the monomers and redox activity based on carbazole. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 253–261, 2007     

α‐Propargyl amino acid‐derived optically active novel substituted polyacetylenes: Synthesis,secondary structures,and responsiveness to ions

Novel optically active substituted acetylenes HC? CCH₂CR¹(CO₂CH₃)NHR² [(S)‐/(R)‐ 1 : R¹ = H, R² = Boc, (S)‐ 2 : R¹ = CH₃, R² = Boc, (S)‐ 3 : R¹ = H, R² = Fmoc, (S)‐ 4 : R¹ = CH₃, R² = Fmoc (Boc = tert‐butoxycarbonyl, Fmoc = 9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)] were synthesized from α‐propargylglycine and α‐propargylalanine, and polymerized with a rhodium catalyst to provide the polymers with number‐average molecular weights of 2400–38,900 in good yields. Polarimetric, circular dichroism (CD), and UV–vis spectroscopic analyses indicated that poly[(S)‐ 1 ], poly[(R)‐ 1 ], and poly[(S)‐ 4 ] formed predominantly one‐handed helical structures both in polar and nonpolar solvents. Poly[(S)‐ 1a ] carrying unprotected carboxy groups was obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of poly[(S)‐ 1 ], and poly[(S)‐ 4b ] carrying unprotected amino groups was obtained by removal of Fmoc groups of poly[(S)‐ 4 ] using piperidine. Poly[(S)‐ 1a ] and poly[(S)‐ 4b ] also exhibited clear CD signals, which were different from those of the precursors, poly[(S)‐ 1 ] and poly[(S)‐ 4 ]. The solution‐state IR measurement revealed the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the carbamate groups of poly[(S)‐ 1 ] and poly[(S)‐ 1a ]. The plus CD signal of poly[(S)‐ 1a ] turned into minus one on addition of alkali hydroxides and tetrabutylammonium fluoride, accompanying the red‐shift of λ_max. The degree of λ_max shift became large as the size of cation of the additive. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Simple synthesis,photophysics, and electroluminescent properties of poly[2,7‐bis(4‐tert‐butylstyryl)fluorene‐9, 9‐diyl‐alt‐alkane‐α,ω‐diyl]

A simple synthetic route was used for the synthesis of a novel series of alternating copolymers based on substituted 2,7‐distyrylfluorene bridged through alkylene chains. First, 2,7‐dibromofluorene was reacted with 2 equiv of butyllithium, and this was followed by a treatment with 1 equiv of α,ω‐dibromoalkane to yield the intermediate, poly(2,7‐dibromofluorene‐9,9‐diyl‐alt‐alkane‐α,ω‐diyl). ( 1 ) Heck coupling of the latter with 1‐tert‐butyl‐4‐vinylbenzene afforded the target, poly[2,7‐bis(4‐tert‐butylstyryl)fluorene‐9,9‐diyl‐alt‐alkane‐α,ω‐diyl] ( 2 ). The two versions of 2 ( 2a and 2b which have hexane and decane, respectively, as alkane groups) were readily soluble in common organic solvents. Their glass‐transition temperature was relatively low (52 and 87 °C). An intense blue photoluminescence emission with maxima at about 408 and 409 nm was observed in tetrahydrofuran solutions, whereas thin films exhibited an orange emission with maxima at 569 and 588 nm. Very large redshifts of the photoluminescence maxima and Stokes shifts in thin films indicated strong aggregation in the solid state. Both polymers oxidized and reduced irreversibly. Single‐layer light‐emitting diodes with hole‐injecting indium tin oxide and electron‐injecting aluminum electrodes were fabricated. They emitted orange light with external electroluminescence efficiencies of 0.52 and 0.36% photon/electron, as determined in light‐emitting diodes made of 2a and 2b , with alkylenes of (CH₂)₆ and (CH₂)₁₀, respectively. An increase in the external electroluminescence efficiency up to 1.5% was reached in light‐emitting diodes made of polymer blends consisting of 2a and poly(9,9‐dihexadecylfluorene‐2,7‐diyl), which emitted blue‐white light. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 809–821, 2007.     

Au@poly(N‐propargylamide) Nanoparticles: Preparation and Chiral Recognition

This communication reports the first gold nanoparticles (NPs) chirally functionalized with optically active helical substituted polyacetylene (the resulting hybrid particles are defined as Au@PPA NPs). The novel nanoparticles consist of gold as core and optically active helical poly(N‐propargylamide) as shell and show considerable optical activity derived from helical poly(N‐propargylamide) chains with predominantly one‐handed screw sense. The Au@PPA NPs are prepared by a three‐step approach: i) a thiol‐containing N‐propargylamide monomer [M_th, HC≡CCH₂NHCO(CH₂)₁₀SH] is synthesized and characterized with FTIR and¹HNMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis; ii) a copolymer (poly(M_th‐co‐M_ch)) was prepared by starting from monomer M_th and another chiral N‐propargylamide monomer (M_ch); poly(M_th‐co‐M_ch) formed helical conformations and showed optical activities; and, iii) Au@PPA NPs are prepared from hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) and poly(M_th‐co‐M_ch) through a one‐spot procedure by using LiBH₄ as reducing agent. The as‐obtained hybrid nanoparticles are characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, TEM, UV‐vis absorption and circular dichroism (CD) techniques. UV‐vis and CD measurements demonstrated the remarkable optical activity of the Au@PPA NPs. More interestingly, the Au@PPA NPs show much stronger UV‐vis and CD sigals when compared to the corresponding orginal helical copolymer, poly(M_th‐co‐M_ch). The chiral hybrid nanoparticles demonstrate different absorption toward (R)‐(+)‐ and (S)‐(−)‐1‐phenylethylamines, preferentially adsorbing the (S)‐isomer.

     

The hydroxyl radical reaction rate constant and products of 3,5‐dimethyl‐1‐hexyn‐3‐ol

A bimolecular rate constant,k_DHO, of (29 ± 9) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 was measured using the relative rate technique for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical (OH) with 3,5‐dimethyl‐1‐hexyn‐3‐ol (DHO, HC?CC(OH)(CH₃)CH₂CH(CH₃)₂) at (297 ± 3) K and 1 atm total pressure. To more clearly define DHO's indoor environment degradation mechanism, the products of the DHO + OH reaction were also investigated. The positively identified DHO/OH reaction products were acetone ((CH₃)₂C?O), 3‐butyne‐2‐one (3B2O, HC?CC(?O)(CH₃)), 2‐methyl‐propanal (2MP, H(O?)CCH(CH₃)₂), 4‐methyl‐2‐pentanone (MIBK, CH₃C(?O)CH₂CH(CH₃)₂), ethanedial (GLY, HC(?O)C(?O)H), 2‐oxopropanal (MGLY, CH₃C(?O)C(?O)H), and 2,3‐butanedione (23BD, CH₃C(?O)C(?O)CH₃). The yields of 3B2O and MIBK from the DHO/OH reaction were (8.4 ± 0.3) and (26 ± 2)%, respectively. The use of derivatizing agents O‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentalfluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine (PFBHA) and N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) clearly indicated that several other reaction products were formed. The elucidation of these other reaction products was facilitated by mass spectrometry of the derivatized reaction products coupled with plausible DHO/OH reaction mechanisms based on previously published volatile organic compound/OH gas‐phase reaction mechanisms. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 534–544, 2004     

Channel‐forming solvates of 6‐chloro‐2,5‐dihydroxypyridine and its solvent‐free tautomer 6‐chloro‐5‐hydroxy‐2‐pyridone

On crystallization from CHCl₃, CCl₄, CH₂ClCH₂Cl and CHCl₂CHCl₂, 6‐chloro‐5‐hydroxy‐2‐pyridone, C₅H₄ClNO₂, (I), undergoes a tautomeric rearrangement to 6‐chloro‐2,5‐dihydroxypyridine, (II). The resulting crystals, viz. 6‐chloro‐2,5‐dihydroxypyridine chloroform 0.125‐solvate, C₅H₄ClNO₂·0.125CHCl₃, (IIa), 6‐chloro‐2,5‐dihydroxypyridine carbon tetrachloride 0.125‐solvate, C₅H₄ClNO₂.·0.125CCl₄, (IIb), 6‐chloro‐2,5‐dihydroxypyridine 1,2‐dichloroethane solvate, C₅H₄ClNO₂·C₂H₄Cl₂, (IIc), and 6‐chloro‐2,5‐dihydroxypyridine 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane solvate, C₅H₄ClNO₂·C₂H₂Cl₄, (IId), have I4₁/a symmetry, and incorporate extensively disordered solvent in channels that run the length of the c axis. Upon gentle heating to 378 K in vacuo, these crystals sublime to form solvent‐free crystals with P2₁/n symmetry that are exclusively the pyridone tautomer, (I). In these sublimed pyridone crystals, inversion‐related molecules form R²₂(8) dimers via pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The dimers are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds into R⁴₆(28) motifs, which join to form pleated sheets that stack along the a axis. In the channel‐containing pyridine solvate crystals, viz. (IIa)–(IId), two independent host molecules form an R²₂(8) dimer via a pair of O—H...N hydrogen bonds. One molecule is further linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds to two 4₁ screw‐related equivalents to form a helical motif parallel to the c axis. The other independent molecule is O—H...O hydrogen bonded to two related equivalents to form tetrameric R⁴₄(28) rings. The dimers are π–π stacked with inversion‐related dimers, which in turn stack the R⁴₄(28) rings along c to form continuous solvent‐accessible channels. CHCl₃, CCl₄, CH₂ClCH₂Cl and CHCl₂CHCl₂ solvent molecules are able to occupy these channels but are disordered by virtue of the site symmetry within the channels.     

Preparation of poly(alkylenebenzimidazole) by ruthenium complex catalyzed polycondensation of 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine with α,ω‐diols

The reactions of 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine with 1,12‐dodecanediol in 1 : 1–1:3 molar ratios in the presence of RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ catalyst give poly(alkylenebenzimidazole), [ (CH₂)₁₁ O (CH₂)₁₁ Im / (CH₂)₁₀ Im ]_n (Im: 5,5′‐dibenzimidazole‐2,2′‐diyl) (I_a‐I_d) in 71–92% yields. The relative ratio between the [(CH₂)₁₁ O (CH₂)₁₁ Im ] unit (A) and the [‐ (CH₂)₁₀ Im ] unit (B) in the polymer chain varies depending on the ratio of the substrates used. The polymer I_a obtained from the 1 : 3 reaction contains these structural units in a 98 : 2 ratio. The polymers are soluble in polar solvents such as DMF (N,N‐dimethylformamide), DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), and NMP (N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) and have molecular weights M_n (M_w) of 4,200–4,800 (4,800–6,500) by GPC (polystyrene standard). The polymerization of the diol and 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine in higher molar ratios leads to partial cross‐linking of the resulting polymers I_e and I_f via condensation of imidazole NH group with CH₂OH group. Similar reactions of 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine with α,ω‐diols, HO(CH₂)_mOH (m = 4–10), in a 1 : 3 molar ratio give the polymers containing [ (CH₂)_m−1 O (CH₂) _m−1 Im ] and [ (CH₂) _m−2 Im ] units with partial cross‐linked structures. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1383–1392, 1999     

Synthesis of β‐Hexa‐ and β‐Heptapeptides Containing Novel β2,3‐Amino Acids with Two Serine or Two Cysteine Side Chains – CD‐ and NMR‐Spectroscopic Evidence for 314‐Helical Secondary Structures in Water

Two representatives of a new type of β‐amino acids, carrying two functionalized side chains, one in the 2‐ and one in the 3‐position, have been prepared stereoselectively: a β‐Ser derivative with an additional CH₂OH group in the 2‐position (for β‐peptides with better water solubility; Scheme 2) and a β‐HCys derivative with an additional CH₂SBn group in the 2‐position (for disulfide formation and metal complexation with the derived β‐peptides; Scheme 3). Also, a simple method for the preparation of α‐methylidene‐β‐amino acids is presented (see Boc‐2‐methylidene‐β‐HLeu‐OH, 8 in Scheme 3). The two amino acids with two serine or two cysteine side chains are incorporated into a β‐hexa‐ and two β‐heptapeptides ( 18 and 23/24 , resp.), which carry up to four CH₂OH groups. Disulfide formation with the β‐peptides carrying two CH₂SH groups generates very stable 1,2‐dithiane rings in the centre of the β‐heptapeptides, and a cyclohexane analog was also prepared (cf. 27 in Scheme 6). The CD spectra in H₂O clearly indicate the presence of 3₁₄‐helical structures of those β‐peptides ( 18 , 23 , 24 , 27b ) having the `right' configurations at all stereogenic centers (Fig. 2). NMR Measurements (Tables 1 and 2, and Fig. 4) in aqueous solution of one of the new β‐peptides ( 24 ) are interpreted on the assumption that the predominant secondary structure is the 3₁₄‐helix, a conformation that has been found to be typical for β‐peptides in MeOH or pyridine solution, according to our previous NMR investigations.     

Linear {NiII–LnIII–NiII} Complexes Containing Twisted Planar Ni(μ‐phenolate)2Ln Fragments: Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetothermal Properties

Sequential reaction of a multisite LH₄ ligand {2‐[2‐hydroxy‐3‐(hydroxymethyl)‐5‐methylbenzylideneamino]‐2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diol} with appropriate lanthanide salts followed by the addition of Ni(NO₃)₂ ? 6 H₂O in a 4:1:2 stoichiometric ratio in the presence of triethylamine afforded four heterobimetallic trinuclear complexes [Ni₂Gd(LH₃)₄] ? 3 NO₃ ? 3 MeOH ? H₂O ? CH₃CN ( 1 ), [Ni₂Tb(LH₃)₄] ? 3 NO₃ ? 3 MeOH ? CH₃CN ( 2 ), [Ni₂Dy(LH₃)₄] ? 3 NO₃ ? 3 MeOH ? H₂O ? CH₃CN ( 3 ), and [Ni₂Ho(LH₃)₄] ? 3 NO₃ ? 3 MeOH ? H₂O ? CH₃CN ( 4 ). Complexes 1 – 4 possess linear trimetallic cores with a central lanthanide ion. Magnetic studies revealed a predominant ferromagnetic interaction between the Ni and Ln centers. Alternating current susceptibility measurements of complex 3 showed a small frequency dependence of the out‐of‐phase signal, χ′′_M , under zero direct current field, but without achieving a net maximum above 2 K. Magnetic studies on 1 revealed that it has a significant magnetocaloric effect.     

Stimuli‐responsive chiral polyacetylene based on copolymerization of N‐propargylamide and propargylether

Copolymerization of propargylether having antipyrine group (PT) and N‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐l ‐valine‐N‐propargylamide (LA) was conducted with (nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶‐C₆H₅B^?(C₆H₅)₃] as a catalyst to obtain novel antipyrine‐functionalized chiral copolymer. The controllable secondary structure of the copolymers by different unit ratio or solvent environment led to a controlled fluorescence of the side‐chain antipyrine. Poly(LA₈₈‐co‐PT₁₂) exhibited a large specific rotation and a circular dichroism (CD) signal, while it emitted very stronger fluorescence. From CD and ultraviolet–visible spectra, the regular structure of poly(LA₈₈‐co‐PT₁₂) was destroyed, and the random coil was formed with temperature increase. The helical conformation of poly(LA₇₅‐co‐PT₂₅) disappeared by the addition of MeOH to CHCl₃ solution, while the fluorescence signal also became weaker than in CHCl₃ solution. It is suggested that the copolymer conformation much influenced the performance of chromophores. In the present study, the helix conformation could induce fluorescence enhancement. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

π‐Complexes of Copper(I) with Terminal Alkynes. Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [(HC≡CCH2NH3)(Cu2Br3)] π‐Complex

Crystals of the zwitterionic copper(I) π‐complex [(HC≡CCH₂NH₃)Cu₂Br₃] have been synthesized by interaction of CuBr with [HC≡CCH₂NH₃]Br in aqueous solution (pH < 1) and X‐ray studied. The crystals are monoclinic: space group P2₁/n, a = 6.722(4), b = 12.818(8), c = 9.907(3) Å, β = 100.25(4)°, V = 840.0(8) ų, Z = 4, R = 0.0592 for 3015 reflections. The crystal structure of the π‐complex contains isolated [(HC≡CCH₂NH₃)⁺(Cu₂Br₃)^?]₂ units which are incorporated into a framework by strong hydrogen N–H···Br and C≡C–H···Br bonds. The length of π‐coordinated propargylammonium C≡C bond is equal 1.216(8) Å and Cu(I)–(C≡C) distance equals 1.958(5) Å.     

Catalytic effect of dimethyl sulfoxide in the Cu(0)/tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)amine‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate at 0–90 °C initiated with CH3CHClI as a model compound for α,ω‐di(iodo)poly(vinyl chloride) chain ends

A variety of conditions, including catalysts [CuCl, CuI, Cu₂O, and Cu(0)], ligands [2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), tris(2‐dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me₆‐TREN), polyethyleneimine, and hexamethyl triethylenetetramine], initiators [CH₃CHClI, CH₂I₂, CHI₃, and F(CF₂)₈I], solvents [diphenyl ether, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide, ethylene carbonate, dimethylacetamide, and cyclohexanone], and temperatures [90, 25, and 0 °C] were studied to assess previous methods for poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(vinyl chloride)‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA‐b‐PVC‐b‐PMMA) synthesis by the living radical block copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated with α,ω‐di(iodo)poly(vinyl chloride). CH₃CHClI was used as a model for α,ω‐di(iodo)poly(vinyl chloride) employed as a macroinitiator in the living radical block copolymerization of MMA. Two groups of methods evolved. The first involved CuCl/bpy or Me₆‐TREN at 90 °C, whereas the second involved Cu(0)/Me₆‐TREN in DMSO at 25 or 0 °C. Related ligands were used in both methods. The highest initiator efficiency and rate of polymerization were obtained with Cu(0)/Me₆‐TREN in DMSO at 25 °C. This demonstrated that the ultrafast block copolymerization reported previously is the most efficient with respect to the rate of polymerization and precision of the PMMA‐b‐PVC‐b‐PMMA architecture. Moreover, Cu(0)/Me₆‐TREN‐catalyzed polymerization exhibits an external first order of reaction in DMSO, and so this solvent has a catalytic effect in this living radical polymerization (LRP). This polymerization can be performed between 90 and 0 °C and provides access to controlled poly(methyl methacrylate) tacticity by LRP and block copolymerization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1935–1947, 2005     

Synthesis,structural, and retrostructural analysis of helical dendronized poly(1‐naphthylacetylene)s

Structural and retrostructural analysis of chiral, nonracemic ( poly [(3,4,5)dm8G1‐1EN] ), and achiral ( poly[(3,4,5)12G1‐1EN] ) poly(1‐naphthylacetylene)s demonstrates new design principles for helical dendronized polyarylacetylenes. The oblate cylindrical dendronized polymers self‐organize in a c2mm centered rectangular columnar (Φ_r‐c) lattice. An all cis‐polyene backbone microstructure with very high cisoid character is introduced to rationalize features from small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction experiments. More compact helical conformations are ideal for efficient communication or amplification of chirality over long distances. Peripheral chiral tails select a preferred helical screw sense of the polyene backbone. In solution, the preferred helical conformation persists over a wide temperature range. In bulk, the naphthyl moiety facilitates a longer correlation length for helical order compared to an analogous minidendritic poly(phenylacetylene). These attributes suggest that the naphthyl moiety may be better suited for expressing helical chirality in monolayer domains. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4974–4987, 2007     

A Molecular‐Dynamics Simulation Study of the Conformational Preferences of Oligo(3‐hydroxyalkanoic acids) in Chloroform Solution

The GROMOS96 molecular‐dynamics (MD) program and force field was used to calculate the conformations at 298 K in CHCl₃ solution of two hexakis(3‐hydroxyalkanoic acids). One consists of (R)‐3‐hydroxybutanoate (HB) residues only: H−(OCH(Me)−CH₂−CO)₆−OH ( 1 ). The other one carries the side chains of valine, alanine, and leucine: H−(OCH(CHMe₂)CH₂−CO−O−CH(Me)−CH₂−CO−O−CH(CH₂ CHMe₂)−CH₂−CO)₂−OH ( 2 ), with homochiral 3‐hydroxyalkanoate (HA) moieties. In both cases, the conformational equilibria were sampled 2500 times for 25 ns. Other than clusters of arrangements with inter‐residual hydrogen bonding (between the O‐ and C‐terminal OH and COOH groups, and with chain‐bound ester carbonyl O‐atoms; Fig. 6), there are no preferred backbone conformations in which the molecules 1 and 2 spend more than 5% of the time. Specifically, neither the 2₁‐ nor the 3₁‐helical conformation of the oligoester backbone (found in stretched fibers, in lamellar crystallites, and in single crystals of polymers PHB and of oligomers OHB) is sampled to any significant extent (Fig. 8 and 9), in spite of the high population, in both oligomers, of the (−)‐synclinal conformation around the C(2)−C(3) bond (angle ϕ₂ in Fig. 2). In contrast to β‐oligopeptides, for which strongly preferred secondary structures are found after a few ns, and for which the number of conformations levels off with time, the number of conformational clusters of the corresponding oligoesters found by our force‐field MD calculations increases steadily over the observation time of 25 ns (Fig. 5). Thus, the conclusion from biological and physical‐chemical studies, according to which the PHB chain is extremely flexible, is confirmed by our computational investigation: in CHCl₃ solution, the hexakis(3‐hydroxyalkanoate) chain samples its conformational space randomly!