Multifunctional Tricarbazolo Triazolophane Macrocycles: One‐Pot Preparation,Anion Binding,and Hierarchical Self‐Organization of Multilayers

Programming the synthesis and self‐assembly of molecules is a compelling strategy for the bottom‐up fabrication of ordered materials. To this end, shape‐persistent macrocycles were designed with alternating carbazoles and triazoles to program a one‐pot synthesis and to bind large anions. The macrocycles bind anions that were once considered too weak to be coordinated, such as PF₆^?, with surprisingly high affinities (β₂=10¹¹ M ^?2 in 80:20 chloroform/methanol) and positive cooperativity, α=(4 K₂/K₁)=1200. We also discovered that the macrocycles assemble into ultrathin films of hierarchically ordered tubes on graphite surfaces. The remarkable surface‐templated self‐assembly properties, as was observed by using scanning tunneling microscopy, are attributed to the complementary pairing of alternating triazoles and carbazoles inscribed into both the co‐facial and edge‐sharing seams that exist between shape‐persistent macrocycles. The multilayer assembly is also consistent with the high degree of molecular self‐association observed in solution, with self‐association constants of K=300 000 M ^?1 (chloroform/methanol 80:20). Scanning tunneling microscopy data also showed that surface assemblies readily sequester iodide anions from solution, modulating their assembly. This multifunctional macrocycle provides a foundation for materials composed of hierarchically organized and nanotubular self‐assemblies.     

Columnar Mesophase Formation of Cyclohexa‐m‐phenylene‐Based Macrocycles

Two novel discotic macrocycles, substituted cyclohexa‐m‐phenylene (CHP) and cyclo‐3,6‐trisphenanthrylene (CTP), and the linear oligomer 3,3′:6′,3′′‐terphenanthrene (TP) as a model substance have been synthesized by repetitive cross‐coupling reactions. To correlate the molecular design with the supramolecular architecture and the established macroscopic order, 2D wide‐angle X‐ray scattering experiments were performed on mechanically extruded filaments. At room temperature in their crystalline phases, all three compounds revealed columnar assemblies in which the macrocycles self‐organized by π‐stacking interactions. The degree of macroscopic order was found to depend upon the planarity and stiffness of the aromatic core. The flexible CHP ring showed a poor macroscopic order of the columnar structures and a low isotropization temperature, whereas the more‐planar, less‐flexible CTP self‐assembled into well‐defined superstructures. The larger π‐stacking area and the more‐pronounced intermolecular interactions for CTP led to the formation of a mesophase over a very large temperature range. The surprising columnar organization of the “open” TP system was explained by back‐folding of the molecule into a ringlike structure.     

Room‐Temperature Columnar Mesophases in Triazine–Gold Thiolate Metal–Organic Supramolecular Aggregates

Supramolecular mono‐ and dinuclear liquid‐crystalline gold(I) aggregates have been synthesized by means of hydrogen bond interactions of 2,4,6‐triarylamino‐1,3,5‐triazine with thiolate moities of gold metalloacids [Au(PR₃)(SC₆H₄COOH)] or [μ‐(binap){Au(SC₆H₄COOH)}₂], in 1:1 and 2:1 molar ratio, respectively. All of the supramolecular aggregates display a stable columnar hexagonal mesophase (Col_h) at room‐temperature. The supramolecular arrangement within the columns consists of the one‐dimensional stacking of triazine units, with the core of the attached metallic thioacid fragments acting as the fourth branch. The phosphine‐containing moieties of the metallic thioacid protrude out in the aliphatic continuum. These complexes do not show metallophilic interactions, but this strategy appears very promising for the future design of room‐temperature LC mesophases containing interacting metallic fragments.     

Phase Behavior and Mesophase Structures of 1,3,5‐Benzene‐ and 1,3,5‐Cyclohexanetricarboxamides: Towards an Understanding of the Losing Order at the Transition into the Isotropic Phase

One of the simplest and most‐versatile motifs in supramolecular chemistry is based on 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxamides. Variation of the core structure and subtle changes in the structures of the lateral substituents govern the self‐assembly and determine the phase behavior. Herein, we provide a comprehensive comparison between the phase behavior and mesophase structure of a series of 1,3,5‐benzene‐ and 1,3,5‐cyclohexanetricarboxamides that contain linear and branched alkyl substituents. Depending on the substituent, different crystalline, plastic crystalline, and liquid crystalline phases were formed. The relatively rare columnar nematic (N_C) phase was only observed in cyclohexane‐based trisamides that contained linear alkyl substituents. Of fundamental interest in liquid crystalline supramolecular systems is the transition from the mesomorphic state into the isotropic state and, in particular, the question of how the order decreases. Temperature‐dependent IR spectroscopy and XRD measurements revealed that columnar H‐bonded aggregates were still present in the isotropic phase. At the clearing transition, mainly the lateral order was lost, whilst shorter columnar aggregates still remained. A thorough understanding of the phase behavior and the mesophase structure is relevant for selecting processing conditions that use supramolecular structures in devices or as fibrillar nanomaterials.     

Metal‐Ion‐Induced Switch of Liquid‐Crystalline Orientation of Metallomacrocycles

A new series of shape‐persistent imine‐bridged macrocycles were synthesized based on dynamic covalent chemistry. The macrocycles had an alternating sequence of dibenzothiophene and N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐ethylenediamine (salen) tethering branched alkyl chains. The macrocycles and tetranuclear metallomacrocycles bearing long and branched alkyl chains exhibited thermotropic columnar liquid‐crystalline phases over a wide temperature range and the metallomacrocycles greatly depended on the characteristics of the coordinated metal ions. The metal‐free macrocycle showed a liquid‐crystalline phase with a lamellar structure and poor birefringence. In sharp contrast, the macrocyclic Ni complex showed a columnar oblique liquid‐crystalline phase, whereas the Pd and Cu complexes showed columnar liquid‐crystalline phases with a lamellar structure. The macroscopic organization and thermal properties of the corresponding liquid‐crystalline metallomacrocycles were significantly dependent on the subtle structural differences among the planar macrocycles, which were revealed by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis of the macrocycles with shorter alkyl chains.     

Hydrogen Bonding Directed Supramolecular Polymerisation of Oligo(Phenylene‐Ethynylene)s: Cooperative Mechanism,Core Symmetry Effect and Chiral Amplification

The design of supramolecular motifs with tuneable stability and adjustable supramolecular polymerisation mechanisms is of crucial importance to precisely control the properties of supramolecular assemblies. This report focuses on constructing π‐conjugated oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE)‐based one‐dimensional helical supramolecular polymers that show a cooperative growth mechanism. Thus, a novel set of discotic molecules comprising a rigid OPE core, three amide groups, and peripheral solubilising wedge groups featuring C₃ and C₂ core symmetry was designed and synthesised. All of the discotic molecules are crystalline compounds and lack a columnar mesophase in the solid state. In dilute methylcyclohexane solution, one‐dimensional supramolecular polymers are formed stabilised by threefold intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions, as evidenced by ¹H NMR measurements. Small‐angle X‐ray and light scattering measurements reveal significant size differences between the columnar aggregates of C₃‐ and C₂‐symmetrical discotics, that is, the core symmetry strongly influences the nature of the supramolecular polymerisation process. Temperature‐dependent CD measurements show a highly cooperative polymerisation process for the C₃‐symmetrical discotics. In contrast, the self‐assembly of C₂‐symmetrical discotics shows a smaller enthalpy release upon aggregation and decreased cooperativity. In all cases, the peripheral stereogenic centres induce a preferred handedness in the columnar helical aggregates. Moreover, one stereogenic centre suffices to fully bias the helicity in the C₂‐symmetrical discotics. Finally, chiral amplification studies with the C₃‐symmetrical discotics were performed by mixing chiral and achiral discotics (sergeants‐and‐soldiers experiment) and discotics of opposite chirality (majority‐rules experiment). The results demonstrate a very strong sergeants‐and‐soldiers effect and a rather weak majority‐rules effect.     

Discrete π‐Stacks from Self‐Assembled Perylenediimide Analogues

The formation of well‐defined finite‐sized aggregates represents an attractive goal in supramolecular chemistry. In particular, construction of discrete π‐stacked dye assemblies remains a challenge. Reported here is the design and synthesis of a novel type of discrete π‐stacked aggregate from two comparable perylenediimide (PDI) dyads ( PEP and PBP ). The criss‐cross PEP ‐ PBP dimers in solution and ( PBP ‐ PEP )‐( PEP ‐ PBP ) tetramers in the solid state are well elucidated using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, and diffusion‐ordered NMR spectroscopy. Extensive π–π stacking between the PDI units of PEP and PBP as well as repulsive interactions of swallow‐tailed alkyl substituents are responsible for the selective formation of discrete dimer and tetramer stacks. Our results reveal a new approach to preparing discrete π stacks that are appealing for making assemblies with well‐defined optoelectronic properties.     

From Hexaoxy‐[6]Pericyclynes to Carbo‐Cyclohexadienes,Carbo‐Benzenes,and Dihydro‐Carbo‐Benzenes: Synthesis,Structure, and Chromophoric and Redox Properties

When targeting the quadrupolar p‐dianisyltetraphenyl‐carbo‐benzene by reductive treatment of a hexaoxy‐[6]pericyclyne precursor 3 with SnCl₂/HCl, a strict control of the conditions allowed for the isolation of three C₁₈‐macrocyclic products: the targeted aromatic carbo‐benzene 1 , a sub‐reduced non‐aromatic carbo‐cyclohexadiene 4 A , and an over‐reduced aromatic dihydro‐carbo‐benzene 5 A . Each of them was fully characterized by its absorption and NMR spectra, which were interpreted by comparison with calculated spectra from static structures optimized at the DFT level. According to the nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) value (NICS≈?13 ppm), the macrocyclic aromaticity of 5 A is indicated to be equivalent to that of 1 . This is confirmed by the strong NMR spectroscopic deshielding of the ortho‐CH protons of the aryl substituents, but also by the strong shielding of the internal proton of the endocyclic trans‐CH?CH double bond that results from the hydrogenation of one of the C?C bonds of 3 . Both the aromatics 1 and 5 A exhibit a high crystallinity, revealed by SEM and TEM images, which allowed for a structural determination by using an X‐ray microsource. A good agreement with calculated molecular structures was found, and columnar assemblies of the C₁₈ macrocycles were evidenced in the crystal packing. The non‐aromatic carbo‐cyclohexadiene 4 A is shown to be an intermediate in the formation of 1 from 3 . It exhibits a remarkable dichromism in solution, which is related to the occurrence of two intense bands in the visible region of its UV/Vis spectrum. These properties could be attributed to the dibutatrienylacetylene (DBA) unit that occurs in the three chromophores, but which is not involved in a macrocyclic π‐delocalization in 4 A only. A versatile redox behavior of the carbo‐chromophores is evidenced by cyclic voltammetry and was analyzed by calculation of the ionization potential, electron affinity, and frontier molecular orbitals.     

Synthesis,structure and property of diorganotin N‐[(3‐methoxy‐2‐oxyphenyl)methylene]tyrosinates

Five new diorganotin N‐[(3‐methoxy‐2‐oxyphenyl)methylene] tyrosinates, R₂Sn[2‐O‐3‐MeOC₆H₃CH=NCH (CH₂C₆H₄OH‐4)COO] (R = Me, 1 ; Et, 2 ; Bu, 3 ; Cy, 4 ; Ph, 5 ), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectra, and the X‐ray single crystal diffraction. In non‐coordinated solvent, complexes 1 – 5 have penta‐coordinated tin atom. In the solid state, 1 – 3 are centrosymmetric dimmers in which each tin atom is seven‐coordinated in a distorted pentagonal bipyramid, and 4 displays discrete molecular structure with distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry, and the tin atom of 5 is hexa‐coordinated and possess the distorted octahedral geometry with a coordinational methanol molecule. The intermolecular O‐H???O hydrogen bonds in 1 – 4 link molecules into the different one‐dimensional supramolecular chain with R₂² (30) or R₂² (20) macrocycles, and the molecules of 5 are joined into a two‐dimensional supramolecular network containing R₄⁴ (24) and R₄⁴ (28) two macrocycles. Bioassay results against human tumour cell HeLa indicated that 3 ‐ 5 belonged to the efficient cytostatic agents and the activity decreased in the order 4 > 3 > 5 > 2 > 1. The fluorescence determinations show the complexes may be explored for potential luminescent materials.     

Self‐Assembly in Helical Columnar Mesophases and Luminescence of Chiral 1H‐Pyrazoles

Chiral polycatenar 1H‐pyrazoles self‐assemble to form columnar mesophases that are stable at room temperature. X‐ray diffraction and CD studies in the mesophase indicate a supramolecular helical organization consisting of stacked H‐bonded dimers. The liquid‐crystalline compounds reported are 3,5‐bis(dialkoxyphenyl)‐1H‐pyrazoles that incorporate two or four dihydrocitronellyl chiral tails. It can be observed that the grafting of these branched chiral substituents onto the 3,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrazole core has a beneficial role in inducing mesomorphism, because isomeric linear‐chain compounds are not liquid crystalline; this is not the usual scheme of behavior. Furthermore, the molecular chirality is transferred to the columnar mesophase, because preferential helical arrangements are observed. Films of the compounds are luminescent at room temperature and constitute an example of the self‐organization of nondiscoid units into columnar liquid‐crystalline assemblies in which the functional molecular unit transfers its properties to a hierarchically built superstructure.     

Ruthenocene‐Type Complexes of N‐Fused Porphyrins

Ruthenocene‐type hybrid complexes with N‐fused porphyrinato ligands, [Ru(NFp)Cp] (NFp=N‐fused porphyrin, Cp=cyclopentadienyl), have been prepared and characterized by NMR and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, cyclovoltammetry, and X‐ray crystallography. [Ru(NFp)Cp] is a common low‐spin ruthenium(II) complex and shows strong aromaticity. The Ru–Cp distance (1.833 Å) in [Ru(NFp)Cp] is comparable to that in [RuCp₂] (1.840 Å). DFT calculations on [Ru(NFp)Cp] showed the unequivocal contribution of the RuCp moiety as well as the NFp moiety to both the HOMO and LUMO, constructing a three‐dimensional d–π conjugated system. The HOMO–LUMO gaps of [Ru(NFp)Cp] are insensitive to the substituents on the NFp ligand, which is illustrated spectroscopically as well as theoretically. This is in sharp contrast to the ligand precursor, the N‐fused porphyrin, in which the HOMO–LUMO gap is affected by substituents in a similar manner to standard porphyrins and related macrocycles.     

Synthesis and Morphology Control of AM‐6 Nanofibers with Tailored ‐V‐O‐V‐ Intermediates

Microporous vanadosilicates with octahedral VO₆ and tetrahedral SiO₄ units, better known as AM‐6, have been hydrothermally synthesized with different morphologies by controlling the Na/K molar ratio of the initial gel mixtures. The morphology of the AM‐6 materials changed from bulky cube to nanofiber aggregates as the Na/K molar ratio decreased from 1.9 to 0.2. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the VO₃^? intermediate species plays an important role in the formation of the nanofiber morphology. The orientation of ‐V‐O‐V‐ chains in nanofiber aggregates was examined by confocal polarized micro‐Raman spectroscopy. It was found that these aggregates are assemblies of short ‐V‐O‐V‐ chains perpendicular to the axis of nanofibers. The obtained AM‐6 nanofibers greatly increase the exposed proportion of V? O terminals, and thus improve the catalytic performance.     

Substitution‐Pattern‐ and Counteranion‐Depending Ion‐Pairing Assemblies Based on Electron‐Deficient Porphyrin–AuIII Complexes

Porphyrin–Au^III complexes, which were partially or totally modified with C₆F₅ at the meso positions, were synthesized. The highly electron‐withdrawing substituents induced electron‐deficient states and Lewis acid properties. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of the ion pairs revealed ion‐pairing assemblies with characteristics dependent on the number and substitution pattern of the C₆F₅ units and the geometries of the anions.     

Self‐Assembly of Ureido‐Pyrimidinone Dimers into One‐Dimensional Stacks by Lateral Hydrogen Bonding

Ureido‐pyrimidinone (UPy) dimers substituted with an additional urea functionality self‐assemble into one‐dimensional stacks in various solvents through lateral non‐covalent interactions. ¹H NMR and DOSY studies in CDCl₃ suggest the formation of short stacks (<10), whereas temperature‐dependent circular dichroism (CD) studies on chiral UPy dimers in heptane show the formation of much larger helical stacks. Analysis of the concentration‐dependent evolution of chemical shift in CDCl₃ and the temperature‐dependent CD effect in heptane suggest that this self‐assembly process follows an isodesmic pathway in both solvents. The length of the aggregates is influenced by substituents attached to the urea functionality. In sharp contrast, UPy dimers carrying an additional urethane group do not self‐assemble into ordered stacks, as is evident from the absence of a CD effect in heptane and the concentration‐independent chemical shift of the alkylidene proton of the pyrimidinone ring in CDCl₃.     

Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional Molecular Organization of Schiff‐Base Derivatives

We have designed and synthesized a series of Schiff base derivatives, and studied their structural features in two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) states by combining scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X‐ray diffraction experiments. The Schiff‐base derivatives with short alkyl chains crystallize easily, which allows a detailed structural analysis by X‐ray diffraction. Due to the strong adsorbate–substrate interactions, those bases with long alkyl chains easily form 2D assemblies on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The STM images indicate also that the introduction of two methoxy groups into the molecule can change the structure of these 2D assemblies as a result of the increased steric hindrances, for example: the Schiff‐base derivative, bearing both methoxy groups and C₁₆H₃₃ tails, forms 2D Moiré patterns, and an alignment of pairing Schiff‐base molecules may be easily resolved. Conversely, the Schiff base derivative, bearing solely C₁₆H₃₃ tails, forms 2D non‐Moiré patterns. It is demonstrated that the 3D structural features result from the compromise of intermolecular interactions of different molecular moieties. However, there is one more factor, which also governs the 2D structure: the adsorbate‐substrate interaction. The 3D crystal structure may thus help to understand many factors involved in the formation of 2D structures, and would be helpful for designing new molecular assemblies with tailoring functions.     

[2,6‐Bis(5‐methyl‐2‐pyridyl)phenyl‐κ3N,C1,N′]chloridoplatinum(II)

In the title compound, [Pt(C₁₈H₁₅N₂)Cl], the Pt^II centre adopts a distorted square‐planar coordination geometry due to the pincer‐type monoanionic N–C–N tridentate ligand. The planar complexes stack viaπ–π interactions to form two‐dimensional accumulated sheets. This packing pattern is in contrast to that in related pincer‐type N–C–N complexes, which exhibit a one‐dimensional columnar stacking.     

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.     

Strategy for the Construction of Diverse Poly‐NHC‐Derived Assemblies and Their Photoinduced Transformations

A series of supramolecular assemblies of types [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄, obtained from the tetraphenylethylene (TPE) bridged tetrakis(1,2,4‐triazolium) salts H₄‐L(PF₆)₄ and Ag^I ions, is described. The assembly type obtained dependends on the N‐wingtip substituents of H₄‐L(PF₆)₄. Changes in the lengths of the N4‐wingtip substituents enables controlled formation of assemblies with either [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ or [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ stoichiometry. The molecular structures of selected [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ assemblies were determined by X‐ray diffraction analyses. While H₄‐ L (PF₆)₄ does not exhibit fluorescence in solution, their tetra‐NHC (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) assemblies do upon NHC–metal coordination. Upon irradiation, all assemblies undergo a light‐induced, supramolecule‐to‐supramolecule structural transformation by an oxidative photocyclization involving phenyl groups of the TPE core, resulting in a significant change of the luminescence properties.     

A new polymorph of 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene dihydrate and its hydrogen‐bonded fivefold interpenetrated CdSO4 network

Single crystals of a new polymorph of 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene dihydrate (bix·2H₂O), C₁₄H₁₄N₄·2H₂O, have been obtained by the hydrothermal method. The asymmetric unit is composed of two independent half‐bix molecules, one on an inversion center and one on a twofold axial site, and two water molecules. The disordered water molecules link into discrete tetrameric water units via two O—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming planar R₄⁴(8) rings. These tetrameric water units and bix molecules are further linked by two O—H...N hydrogen bonds into a three‐dimensional network in which an (106) hydrogen‐bonded ring is observed. These large rings lead to the formation of a fivefold interpenetrated network. If both the tetrameric water units and the bix molecules can be regarded as connected nodes, one single three‐dimensional net can then be rationalized as a CdSO₄ network. This study indicates that topological methodology can be applied in some cases in order to understand the inherent characteristics of some hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular assemblies.     

Side‐Arm Effect of a Methyl α‐d‐Glucopyranoside Based Lariat Ether Catalysts in Asymmetric Syntheses

Methyl α‐d ‐glucopyranoside based monoaza‐15‐crown‐5 type lariat ethers with different heteroatom‐containing side arm attached to the nitrogen of the macrocyclic ring have been synthesized. These compounds were used as chiral phase transfer catalysts in a few asymmetric reactions, such as Michael additions, Darzens condensation, and epoxidation of chalcone. The side arms of the macrocycles had a significant impact on the chemical yields and the enantioselectivity. The effect of the lariat ethers with side arms having heteroatom (O, N, and S) was compared with the effect of the analogues having substituents without a heteroatom. The terminal allyl group also generated a significant enantioselectivity (79% enantiomeric excess) in one of the Michael additions. The application of crown ethers with substituents (CH₂)₃OH or (CH₂)₃OCH₃ leads to the best enantioselectivities 85% and 99%, respectively.