An N‐Heterocyclic Carbene with a Saturated Backbone and Spatially‐Defined Steric Impact

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of a saturated analogue of a “bulky‐yet‐flexible” N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand are described. “SIPaul” is a 4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene ligand with unsymmetrical aryl N‐substituents, and is one of the growing class of “bulky‐yet‐flexible” NHCs that are sufficiently bulky to stabilize catalytic intermediates, but sufficiently flexible that they do not inhibit productive chemistry at the central metal atom. Here, the synthesis of SIPaul.HCl and its complexes with copper, silver, iridium, palladium, and nickel, and its selenourea, are reported. The steric impact of the ligand is quantified using percent buried volume (% V_bur), whereas the electronic properties are probed and quantified using the Tolman Electronic Parameter (TEP) and δ_Se of the corresponding selenourea. This work shows that despite the often very different performance of saturated versus unsaturated carbenes in catalysis, the effect of backbone saturation on measurable properties is very small.     

MH4P6N12 (M=Mg,Ca): New Imidonitridophosphates with an Unprecedented Layered Network Structure Type

Isotypic imidonitridophosphates MH₄P₆N₁₂ (M=Mg, Ca) have been synthesized by high‐pressure/high‐temperature reactions at 8 GPa and 1000 °C starting from stoichiometric amounts of the respective alkaline‐earth metal nitrides, P₃N₅, and amorphous HPN₂. Both compounds form colorless transparent platelet crystals. The crystal structures have been solved and refined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Rietveld refinement confirmed the accuracy of the structure determination. In order to quantify the amounts of H atoms in the respective compounds, quantitative solid‐state ¹H NMR measurements were carried out. EDX spectroscopy confirmed the chemical compositions. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of NH groups in both structures. The crystal structures reveal an unprecedented layered tetrahedral arrangement, built up from all‐side vertex‐sharing PN₄ tetrahedra with condensed dreier and sechser rings. The resulting layers are separated by metal atoms.     

N2,N2′‐disubstituted oxalic acid bishydrazides: novel ligands for copper‐catalyzed C?N coupling reactions in water

A series of N²,N²′‐disubstituted oxalic acid bishydrazides were synthesized. Some, for example, N²,N²′‐di‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐ethanyloxylic‐(bishydrazide), are novel and effective ligands for copper‐catalyzed Ullmann‐type C N coupling reaction in water. A variety of amines could be effectively N‐arylated with aryl halides under both microwave irradiation and conventional heating (even at 30 °C) with good to excellent yields. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Super‐Resolution Imaging of Plasma Membrane Glycans

Much of the physiology of cells is controlled by the spatial organization of the plasma membrane and the glycosylation patterns of its components, however, studying the distribution, size, and composition of these components remains challenging. A bioorthogonal chemical reporter strategy was used for the efficient and specific labeling of membrane‐associated glycoconjugates with modified monosaccharide precursors and organic fluorophores. Super‐resolution fluorescence imaging was used to visualize plasma membrane glycans with single‐molecule sensitivity. Our results demonstrate a homogeneous distribution of N‐acetylmannosamine (ManNAc)‐, N‐acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)‐, and O‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAc)‐modified plasma membrane proteins in different cell lines with densities of several million glycans on each cell surface.     

Investigation of Steric Influences on Hydrogen‐Bonding Motifs in Cyclic Ureas by Using X‐Ray,Neutron, and Computational Methods

A series of urea‐derived heterocycles, 5N‐substituted hexahydro‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ones, has been prepared and their structures have been determined for the first time. This family of compounds only differ in their substituent at the 5‐position (which is derived from the corresponding primary amine), that is, methyl ( 1 ), ethyl ( 2 ), isopropyl ( 3 ), tert‐butyl ( 4 ), benzyl ( 5 ), N,N‐(diethyl)ethylamine ( 6 ), and 2‐hydroxyethyl ( 7 ). The common heterocyclic core of these molecules is a cyclic urea, which has the potential to form a hydrogen‐bonding tape motif that consists of self‐associative (8) dimers. The results from X‐ray crystallography and, where possible, Laue neutron crystallography show that the hydrogen‐bonding motifs that are observed and the planarity of the hydrogen bonds appear to depend on the steric hindrance at the α‐carbon atom of the N substituent. With the less‐hindered substituents, methyl and ethyl, the anticipated tape motif is observed. When additional methyl groups are added onto the α‐carbon atom, as in the isopropyl and tert‐butyl derivatives, a different 2D hydrogen‐bonding motif is observed. Despite the bulkiness of the substituents, the benzyl and N,N‐(diethyl)ethylamine derivatives have methylene units at the α‐carbon atom and, therefore, display the tape motif. The introduction of a competing hydrogen‐bond donor/acceptor in the 2‐hydroxyethyl derivative disrupts the tape motif, with a hydroxy group interrupting the N? H???O?C interactions. The geometry around the hydrogen‐bearing nitrogen atoms, whether planar or non‐planar, has been confirmed for compounds 2 and 5 by using Laue neutron diffraction and rationalized by using computational methods, thus demonstrating that distortion of O‐C‐N‐H torsion angles occurs to maintain almost‐linear hydrogen‐bonding interactions.     

Syntheses and Structures of F6XeNCCH3 and F6Xe(NCCH3)2

Acetonitrile and the potent oxidative fluorinating agent XeF₆ react at ?40 °C in Freon‐114 to form the highly energetic, shock‐sensitive compounds F₆XeNCCH₃ ( 1 ) and F₆Xe(NCCH₃)₂?CH₃CN ( 2 ?CH₃CN). Their low‐temperature single‐crystal X‐ray structures show that the adducted XeF₆ molecules of these compounds are the most isolated XeF₆ moieties thus far encountered in the solid state and also provide the first examples of Xe^VI? N bonds. The geometry of the XeF₆ moiety in 1 is nearly identical to the calculated distorted octahedral (C_3v) geometry of gas‐phase XeF₆. The C_2v geometry of the XeF₆ moiety in 2 resembles the transition state proposed to account for the fluxionality of gas‐phase XeF₆. The energy‐minimized gas‐phase geometries and vibrational frequencies were calculated for 1 and 2 , and their respective binding energies with CH₃CN were determined. The Raman spectra of 1 and 2 ?CH₃CN were assigned by comparison with their calculated vibrational frequencies and intensities.     

Structural Versatility in Slide‐Ring Gels: Influence of Co‐Threaded Cyclodextrin Spacers

We describe a one‐pot strategy for the fabrication of novel slide‐ring (SR) gels based on supramolecular polyrotaxane structures with cyclodextrin‐derived cross‐links and additional free cyclodextrin ring spacers co‐threaded onto the polymer backbones. Photoinitiated thiol‐yne click coupling leads to facile hydrogel fabrication from pseudo‐polyrotaxanes prepared in situ from β‐cyclodextrin derivatives and bifunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG). The obtained SR gels were characterized by NMR spectroscopy using a polyrotaxane model compound with the ratio of cyclodextrin sliding spacers to PEG backbone controlled by adjusting the feed ratio of the starting materials. This structural tuning leads to dramatic changes in the rheological properties, mechanical properties, and swelling behavior of the SR gels. In addition, the coupling of simple synthetic procedures with enhanced properties offers a versatile approach to novel elastomeric materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 55, 1156–1165     

One-pot synthesis of 1,3,5-tribenzoylbenzenes by three consecutive Michael addition reactions of 1-phenyl-2-propyn-1-ones in pressurized hot water in the absence of added catalysts

Cyclotrimerization of 1‐phenyl‐2‐propyn‐1‐one in pressurized hot water gave 1,3,5‐tribenzoylbenzene in one pot in 65 % yield after 7 min at 200 °C, or in 74 % yield after 60 min at 150 °C. The reaction did not take place in the absence of water, and added base promoted the reaction at 250 °C, suggesting a mechanism of three‐consecutive Michael addition reactions. The reaction rates increased with temperature, but the yield of 1,3,5‐tribenzoylbenzene decreased at the expense of formation of acetophenone as a side product at higher temperatures. p‐Methyl and p‐chloro‐substituents on the phenyl ring retarded and enhanced the reaction, respectively. A mechanism involving the enol of benzoylacetaldehyde at a branching point of the pathway leading to 1,3,5‐tribenzoylbenzene and acetophenone was suggested.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Two Formyl 2‐Tetrazenes

The synthesis of two formyl 2‐tetrazenes, namely, (E)‐1‐formyl‐1,4,4‐trimethyl‐2‐tetrazene ( 2 ) and (E)‐1,4‐diformyl‐1,4‐dimethyl‐2‐tetrazene ( 3 ), by oxidation of (E)‐1,1,4,4‐tetramethyl‐2‐tetrazene ( 1 ) using potassium permanganate in acetone solution is presented. Compound 3 was also synthesized in an improved yield from the oxidation of 1‐formyl‐1‐methylhydrazine ( 4a ) using potassium permanganate in acetone. Both compounds 2 and 3 were characterized by analytical (elemental analysis, GC‐MS) and spectroscopic methods (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy, and IR and Raman spectroscopy). In addition, the solid‐state structures of the compounds were confirmed by low‐temperature X‐ray analysis. (Compound 2 : triclinic; space group P‐1; a=5.997(1) Å, b=8.714(1) Å, c=13.830(2) Å; α=107.35(1)°, β=90.53(1)°, γ=103.33(1)°; V_UC=668.9(2) ų; Z=4; ρ_calc=1.292 cm^?3. Compound 3 : monoclinic; space group P2₁/c; a=5.840(2) Å, b=7.414(3) Å, c=8.061(2) Å; β=100.75(3)°; V_UC=342(2) ų; Z=2; ρ_calc=1.396 g cm^?3.) The vibrational frequencies of compounds 2 and 3 were calculated using the B3LYP method with a 6‐311+G(d,p) basis set. We also computed the natural bond orbital (NBO) charges using the rMP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ method and the heats of formation were determined on the basis of their electronic energies. Furthermore, the thermal stabilities of these compounds, as well as their sensitivity towards classical stimuli, were also assessed by differential scanning calorimetry and standard BAM tests, respectively. Lastly, the attempted synthesis of (E)‐1,2,3,4‐tetraformyl‐2‐tetrazene ( 6 ) is also discussed.     

An Approach to Mixed PnAsm Ligand Complexes

The reaction of a P₄ butterfly complex with yellow arsenic yields the largest mixed P_nAs_m ligand complexes synthesized to date. [{Cp′′′Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^1:1‐P₄)] reacts with As₄ to yield [{Cp′′′Fe}₂(μ,η^4:4‐P_nAs_4‐n)] and [Cp′′′Fe(η⁵‐P_nAs_5‐n)]. Mass spectrometry together with NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography give clear evidence about the arrangement of the E positions within the cyclo‐E₅ and E₄ moieties of the products. Moreover, the results of DFT calculations agree well with the experimental determined outcomes. By coordinating the E₄ complex [{Cp′′′Fe}₂(μ,η^4:4‐P_nAs_4‐n)] with CuCl, a rearrangement of the E positions occurs in favor with a preferred phosphorus coordination towards copper atoms in the resulting 1D polymeric chain.     

Environmentally Sustainable and Chemo‐selectively Favorable Synthesis of Substituted 2H‐Pyran‐2‐ones in Water under MWI

In this paper, a novel synthesis of diversely substituted 2H‐pyran‐2‐ones via the tandem reaction of 3‐hydroxyhexa‐4,5‐allenic esters in water under the promotion of MWI has been developed. Compared with those reactions carried out in organic solvents, water mediated synthesis of poly‐substituted 2H‐pyran‐2‐ones is not only environmentally sustainable, but also chemo‐selectively favorable.     

Combined experimental and computational modeling studies on 3,5‐dimethyl‐pyrazole‐1‐carbodithioic acid benzyl ester

The title compound, 3,5‐Dimethyl‐pyrazole‐1‐carbodithioic acid benzyl ester, has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray single crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectra, and UV‐Vis spectrum. The crystal belongs to orthorhombic, space group P212121, with a = 5.3829(15), b = 11.193(3), c = 21.824(6) Å, V = 1315.0(6) ų, and Z = 4. The molecules are connected via intermolecular C–H···N hydrogen bonds into 1D infinite chains. The crystal structure is consolidated by the intramolecular C–H···S hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the structure, stabilities, orbital energies, composition characteristics of some frontier molecular orbitals and Mulliken charge distributions of the title compound were performed by means of Gaussian 03W package and taking B3LYP/6‐31G(d) basis set. The time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations have been employed to calculate the electronic spectrum of the title compound, and the UV‐Vis spectra has been discussed on this basis. The results show that DFT method at B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level can well reproduce the structure of the title compound. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Light and pH dual‐sensitive biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles for controlled release of cargos

In this article, a light and pH dual‐sensitive block copolymer PEG‐b‐poly(MPC‐Azo/DEA) was facilely prepared for the first time by azide‐alkyne click chemistry between amphiphilic block copolymer bearing pendant alkynyl group poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(5‐methyl‐5‐propargylxycarbonyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐2‐one) (PEG‐b‐poly(MPC)) and two azide‐containing compounds azobenzene derivative (Azo‐N₃) and 2‐azido‐1‐ethyl‐diethylamine (DEA‐N₃). Light response of the polymeric nanoparticles benefits from the azobenzene segments and pH responsiveness is attributed to DEA moieties. The prepared copolymer could self‐assemble into spherical micelle particles. The morphological changes of these particles in response to dual stimuli were investigated by UV/vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nile Red (NR) was utilized as probe, and fluorescence spectroscopy was served as an evidence for the enhanced release of cargos from polymeric nanoparticles under combined stimulation. Anticancer drug, DOX was loaded into the nanoparticles and the loaded‐DOX could be released from these nanoparticles under dual stimuli. MTT assays further demonstrated that PEG‐b‐poly(MPC) and PEG‐b‐poly(MPC‐Azo/DEA) were of biocompatibility and low toxicity against HepG2 cells as well as SMCC‐7721 cells. More importantly, the prepared DOX‐loaded nanoparticles exhibited good anticancer ability for the two cells. The synthesized light and pH dual‐sensitive biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles were expected to be platforms for precisely controlled release of encapsulated molecules. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1773–1783     

Discriminating Influence of α‐ and Methylated β‐Cyclodextrins on Complexation and Polymerization of Diacrylate and Dimethacrylate Monomers

Summary: Host‐guest complexes of α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) and methylated β‐cyclodextrin (Me‐β‐CD) with diacrylates and dimethacrylates of butan‐1,4‐diol and hexan‐1,6‐diol at varying stoichiometries were studied. The complexes were analyzed by means of ¹H NMR, two‐dimensional ROESY spectroscopy and Job's curves, which clearly revealed the discriminating influence of the two hosts towards complex formation. The corresponding polymers were obtained using a redox initiator system in water. Thermal analysis and IR measurements of the polymers provided evidence for the existence of a polyrotaxane architecture.

Proposed structure of the cross‐linked polymers obtained by the redox polymerization of the Me‐β‐CD complexed monomers.     

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.     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Photodimerization of a Photoactive Yellow Protein (PYP) Chromophore Model in a Single Crystal

The chromophore of the photoactive yellow protein (PYP), the photoreceptor in the photomotility of the bacterium Halorhodospira halophila, is a deprotonated para‐coumaric thioester linked to the side residue of a cysteine residue. The photophysics of the PYP chromophore is conveniently modeled with para‐hydroxycinnamic thiophenyl esters. Herein, we report the first direct evidence, obtained with X‐ray diffraction, of photodimerization of a para‐hydroxycinnamic thiophenyl ester in single crystalline state. This result represents the first direct observation of [2+2] dimerization of a model PYP chromophore, and demonstrates that even very weak light in the visible region is capable of inducing parallel radical reactions in PYP from the excited state of the chromophore, in addition to the main reaction pathway (trans–cis isomerization). This PYP model system adds an interesting example to the known solid‐state photodimerizations, because unlike the anhydrous crystal (which is not capable of sustaining the stress and disintegrates in the course of photodimerization), a single water molecule “dilutes” the structure to the extent sufficient for single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal reaction.     

DFT/TDDFT Studies on the Electronic Structures and Spectral Properties of Carbazole‐based Blue Light‐emitting Dendrimers

The purpose of this paper is to provide an in‐depth investigation of the electronic and optical properties of two series of carbazole‐based blue light‐emitting dendrimers, including 1 – 6 six oligomers. These materials show great potential for application in organic light‐emitting diodes as efficient blue‐light and red‐light emitting materials due to the tuning of the optical and electronic properties by the use of different electron donors (D) and electron acceptors (A). The geometric and electronic structures of these compounds in the ground state are calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and the ab initio HF, whereas the lowest singlet excited states were optimized by ab initio single excitation configuration interaction (CIS). All DFT calculations are performed using the B3LYP functional on 6‐31G* basis set. The outcomes show that the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs), lowest occupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs), energies gaps, ionization potentials, electron affinities and reorganization energies of each molecular are affected by different D and A moieties and different substitute positions.     

An Efficient Thiol‐Ene Chemistry for the Preparation of Amphiphilic PHA‐Based Graft Copolymers

We present a straightforward method to prepare amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of hydrophobic poly(3‐hydroxyalkanoates) (PHAs) backbone and hydrophilic α‐amino‐ω‐methoxy poly(oxyethylene‐co‐oxypropylene) (Jeffamine®) units. Poly(3‐hydroxyoctanoate)‐co‐(3‐hydroxyundecenoate) (PHOU) was first methanolyzed to obtain the desired molar mass. The amino end groups of Jeffamine were converted into thiol by a reaction with N‐acetylhomocysteine thiolactone and subsequently photografted. This “one‐pot” functionalization prevents from arduous and time‐consuming functionalization of the hydrophilic precursor or tedious modifications of PHAs, thus simplifying the process. The amphiphilic nature of modified PHAs leads to water‐soluble copolymers exhibiting thermoresponsive behavior.     

The synthesis,structural characterization and biological evaluation of N‐(ferrocenylmethyl amino acid) fluorinated benzene‐carboxamide derivatives as potential anticancer agents

A series of N‐(ferrocenylmethyl amino acid) fluorinated benzene‐carboxamide derivatives 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i and 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i have been synthesized by coupling ferrocenylmethyl amine 3 with various substituted N‐(fluorobenzoyl) amino acid derivatives using the standard N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N′‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole protocol. The amino acids employed in this study were glycine and L‐alanine. All of the compounds were fully characterized using a combination of ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹⁹F NMR, distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT)‐135, ¹H–¹H correlation spectroscopy (COSY) and ¹H–¹³C COSY (heteronuclear multiple‐quantum correlation) spectroscopy. The compounds were biologically evaluated on the oestrogen‐positive MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line. Compounds 4g , 4i , 5h and 5i exhibited cytotoxic effects on the MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line. N‐(Ferrocenylmethyl‐L‐alanine)‐3,4,5‐trifluorobenzene‐carboxamide ( 5h ) was the most active compound, with an IC₅₀ value of 2.84 μm . Compounds 4i , 5h and 5i had lower IC₅₀ values than that found for the clinically employed anticancer drug cisplatin (IC₅₀ = 16.3 μm against MCF‐7). Guanine oxidation studies confirmed that 5h was capable of generating oxidative damage via a reactive oxygen species‐mediated mechanism. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

HP‐CsB5O8: Synthesis and Characterization of an Outstanding Borate Exhibiting the Simultaneous Linkage of All Structural Units of Borates

The new cesium pentaborate HP‐CsB₅O₈ is synthesized under high‐pressure/high‐temperature conditions of 6 GPa and 900 °C in a Walker‐type multianvil apparatus. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (Z=4) with the parameters a=789.7(1), b=961.2(1), c=836.3(1) pm, V=0.6348(1) nm³, R₁=0.0359 and wR₂=0.0440 (all data). The new structure type of HP‐CsB₅O₈ exhibits the simultaneous linkage of trigonal BO₃ groups, corner‐sharing BO₄ tetrahedra, and edge‐sharing BO₄ tetrahedra including the presence of threefold‐coordinated oxygen atoms. With respect to the rich structural chemistry of borates, HP‐CsB₅O₈ is the second structure type possessing this outstanding combination of the main structural units of borates in one compound. The structure consists of corrugated chains of corner‐ and edge‐sharing BO₄ tetrahedra interconnected through BO₃ groups forming octagonal channels. Inside these channels, cesium is 13+3‐fold coordinated by oxygen atoms. ¹¹B MQMAS NMR spectra are analyzed to estimate the isotropic chemical shift values and quadrupolar parameters. IR and Raman spectra are obtained and compared to the calculated vibrational frequencies at the Γ‐point. The high‐temperature behavior is examined by means of temperature‐programmed powder diffraction.