Exploring the boundaries of a light-driven molecular motor design: new sterically overcrowded alkenes with preferred direction of rotation

Insight in the steric and electronic parameters governing isomerization processes in artificial molecular motors is essential in order to design more advanced motor systems. A subtle balance of steric parameters and the combination of helical and central chirality are key features of light-driven unidirectional rotary molecular motors constructed so far. In an approach to decrease the steric hindrance around the central olefinic bond (rotary axis) and thereby lowering the energy barrier for helix inversion resulting in an increased rotation rate, the boundaries of our molecular motor design are explored. In a new design of a light-driven molecular motor based on a sterically overcrowded alkene the methyl substituent adjacent to the stereogenic center, which is responsible for the control of the direction of rotation, is shifted one position away from the fjord region of the molecule compared to the second-generation motor systems. In contrast to previously developed light-driven molecular motors, there is a preference for the methyl substituent to adopt a pseudo-equatorial orientation. Nevertheless, this new type of motor is capable of functioning as a rotary molecular motor, albeit not with full unidirectionality. Under the combined influence of light and heat, there is a preferred clockwise rotation of one half of the molecule. Surprisingly, the effect of shifting the methyl substituent on the energy barrier for helix inversion is small and even a slight increase in the barrier is observed.     

Umbrella motion in aziridines: use of simple chemical inputs to reversibly control the rate of pyramidal inversion

The molecular motion associated with atomic inversion at an aziridine nitrogen can be essentially halted by metal complexation; addition of a second chemical input that decomplexes the metal from the aziridine restores fast inversion (k=40 s(-1) at 303 K).     

Synthesis and dynamic NMR studies of the 3,7-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane system

A new bicyclic system, 3,7-diazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane, has been prepared from 3-(ethoxycarbonyl)-7,3-oxazabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane by reaction with sodium azide and reduction of the resulting tosyloxy azide with lithium aluminum hydride. The molecule can exist in four stereoisomeric half-chairs, depending on the configuration of the two nitrogen atoms. Half-chair ring reversal and piperidine nitrogen inversion are fast on the NMR time scale at all observed temperatures. Inversion of the secondary aziridine nitrogen becomes slow as the temperature is lowered (T_c= ?10°C). Complete analysis of the ¹H spectrum was possible with the 1,5,5-trideuteriated analog. At slow exchange, two aziridine invertomers are present with an exo/endo ratio of approximately 0.7 in toluene-d₈, 0.7 in CH₂Cl₂ and 1.7 in CHCl₃/CH₂Cl₂. The free energy of activation for nitrogen inversion is 13.2 kcal mol^?1 at ?10°C in CHCl₃/CH₂Cl₂.     

Control of pyramidal inversion rates by redox switching

The dynamics of pyramidal nitrogen inversion can be controlled by reversible redox switching in trans-2,3-diphenylaziridines bearing a suitable 1,4-naphthaquinone substituent. In the reduced form, an intramolecular H-bond significantly raises the inversion barrier slowing this molecular motion by >50-fold. The experimental findings are further supported by DFT calculations.     

N‐Inversion in N‐phenyloxaziridine: substituent and solvent effects via density functional theory

In this work, using density functional theory, the kinetic effects of the substitution of a t‐butyl group and\or the incorporation of an oxygen atom, and both, at the aziridine ring moiety were investigated for N‐inversion in N‐phenylaziridine. Then, for N‐inversion in 3‐t‐butyl‐N‐phenyloxaziridine, the kinetic Hammett substituent effects were studied using the different para‐substituted groups on the N‐phenyl ring moiety. The natural bond orbital (NBO) study was the last case in this work. The calculations were performed in the gas phase and solution (in carbon tetrachloride and dichloromethane). The incorporation of an oxygen atom in the aziridine ring strongly weakens the N‐inversion process. In addition, while both t‐butyl substituent and solvent slightly reinforce the N‐inversion of N‐phenyloxaziridine, in N‐phenylaziridine, they decrease the N‐inversion rate to some extent. In both phases, more pronounced in solution and especially in dichloromethane, and in agreement with the NBO results, the electron‐withdrawing groups on para position of the N‐phenyl ring strongly increase the rate of N‐inversion of 3‐t‐butyl‐N‐phenyloxaziridine molecule.     

On the effect of donor and acceptor substituents on the behaviour of light-driven rotary molecular motors

Light-driven rotary molecular motors based on overcrowded alkenes can be substituted with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents (R = OMe, Cl and CN) in direct conjugation with the central double bond (the axis of rotation) without having a significant influence on the rate-limiting, thermal isomerisation step of their rotary cycle. This indicates that in this system, it is predominantly steric factors that determine the barrier to the thermal helix inversion. In contrast, the quantum yield and photoequilibria in the photochemical step were found to be quite sensitive to the combination of substituent and solvent employed.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of exchanging systems—IV : Complete line shape analysis of nitrogen inversion of ethylenimine by the density matrix method

An NMR spectrum of completely dehydrated ethylenimine 1 in liquid phase was found to show well resolved multiplets for the aziridine ring protons at room temperature. The computer analysis was made to determine the NMR parameters. Temperature dependent NMR spectra show that the nitrogen inversion of 1 is slow enough in the NMR time scale at room temperature. In order to obtain the kinetic parameters of this inversion, the complete line shape analysis for the NMR spectra of 1 as an AA′BB′C spin system was performed using the density matrix method, and fitting the calculated spectra with the observed at various temperatures. The activation parameters are obtained as follows: Ea = 15·9±0·4 Kcal/mole Δ^≠ = 17·1±0·8 Kcal/mole ΔH^≠ = 15·3±0·4 Kcal/mole at 25·° ΔS^≠ = ?6·2+-1·2 e.u. Some discussion is made about the activation parameters of the nitrogen inversion of various aziridines.     

Computational design of a new pedal-like nanorobot based on nitrogen inversion

Ab initio calculations are employed to investigate nitrogen inversion as a configuration change that can supply an infinitely useful switchable control mechanism for some complex systems. In this paper, the design of a new pedal-like nano-scale robot is discussed based on nitrogen inversion. This work introduces the design of a nano pedal in which different structures of the arms created two diverse kinds of pedals: a) nano pedal without intersectional motion and b) nano pedal with intersectional motion. In (a), due to stereo repellent in the two pedal arms, they were unable to pass each other and could only move back and forth in one direction. However, in (b), due to an increase in the axis connecting the two arms, the issue of stereo repellent of nitrogen was looked over and the arms could pass each other and moved in a larger domain.     

Double inversion of the secondary nitrogens in cis-Diaziridinocyclopentane

1α,2α,4α,6α,-3,7-Diazatricyclo[4.1.0.0^2,4]heptane (cis-diaziridinocyclopentane) (1) has been prepared from the analogous cis-diepoxycyclopentane. Ring opening of the diepoxide with sodium azide produced a pair of regioisomeric azido alcohols. Tosylation and treatment with lithium aluminum hydride produced 1. The dibenzoyl derivative possessed the di-exo stereochemistry for the tertiary aziridine nitrogens. The ¹H spectrum of 1 was temperature dependent. Both the CH and NH resonances underwent decoalescence as the temperature was lowered. Because the rate was independent of concentration, the mechanism is probably inversion of the secondary nitrogen, the first such example to occur by the interchange of two diastereotopic, secondary (NH) amine nitrogens within the same molecule. The free energy of activation at coalescence (0 °C) was measured to be 12.8 kcal mol^?1. The unsymmetrical slow exchange of 1 is clearly consistent with the exo,endo stereochemistry for the secondary aziridine nitrogens, possibly stabilized by intramolecular attraction.     

Conformational analysis of some 11, 12-dihydrodibenz[B,F][1, 5]oxazocin-6-one derivatives by NMR spectroscopy

A variable temperature 200 MHz ¹H NMR investigation of some N-acylsubstituted 11, 12-dihydrodibenz[b, f][1, 5]oxazocin-6-ones showed the presence at room temperature of at least two conformationally restricted diastereomers (and their enantiomers) which molecular mechanics calculations strongly suggested to be a boat-like structure (major conformer) and a pseudo-chair and/or twistboat-like structure (minor conformer). The diastereomersinterconvert through a bond rotation mechanism just above room temperature (51-54°C, depending upon the nature of the N-acyl substituent), and the boat enantiomers interconvert at higher temperatures (75-95°C, depending upon the nature of the N-acyl substituent and the substitution pattern of the aromatic rings) via a ring inversion process. The N-acyl groups exocyclic to the eight-membered ring are shown to wholly exist - probably as a result of severe dipole: dipole interactions - in the sterically disfavoured conformation where the alkyl substituent bonded to the exocyclic carbonyl carbon atom is trans to the benzylic methylene group. Corresponding N-unsubstituted derivatives exhibit rapid ring inversion on the NMR time scale at room temperature.     

Computational Insight to Improve the Thermal Isomerisation Performance of Overcrowded Alkene‐Based Molecular Motors through Structural Redesign

Synthetic overcrowded alkene‐based molecular motors achieve 360° unidirectional rotary motion of one motor half (rotator) relative to the other (stator) through sequential photochemical and thermal isomerisation steps. In order to facilitate and expand the use of these motors for various applications, it is important to investigate ways to increase the rates and efficiencies of the reactions governing the rotary motion. Here, we use computational methods to explore whether the thermal isomerisation performance of some of the fastest available motors of this type can be further improved by reducing the sizes of the motor halves. Presenting three new redesigned motors that combine an indanylidene rotator with a cyclohexadiene, pyran or thiopyran stator, we first use multiconfigurational quantum chemical methods to verify that the photoisomerisations of these motors sustain unidirectional rotary motion. Then, by performing density functional calculations, we identify both stepwise and concerted mechanisms for the thermal isomerisations of the motors and show that the rate‐determining free‐energy barriers of these processes are up to 25 kJ mol^?1 smaller than those of the original motors. Furthermore, the thermal isomerisations of the redesigned motors proceed in fewer steps. Altogether, the results suggest that the redesigned motors are useful templates for improving the thermal isomerisation performance of existing overcrowded alkene‐based motors.     

Relative rotational motion between alpha-Cyclodextrin Derivatives and a stiff axle molecule

Novel [2]rotaxanes bearing alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) derivatives and a diphenylacetylene axis molecule with trinitrobenzene as a bulky stopper have been prepared to investigate the relative rotary movement of a ring relative to an axis molecule and that of an axis molecule in a ring by NMR techniques. [2]Rotaxanes 2 and 3 were composed of alpha-CD derivatives (2: 6-phenyl-amide-alpha-CD; 3: 6-stilbene-amide-alpha-CD). The protons of alpha-CDs in rotaxanes were thoroughly assigned by the two-dimensional NMR techniques (TOCSY, COSY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC). The protons of alpha-CD in rotaxane 1 did not show splitting, whereas the resonance peak shifts and splitting for the corresponding protons of alpha-CD derivatives in rotaxanes 2 and 3 were observed by the shielding and deshielding effects from a diphenylacetylene axis molecule. The splitting of resonance peaks was closely related to the rotary movements of alpha-CDs and an axis molecule. We supposed that alpha-CD in rotaxane 1 rotates freely around a diphenylacetylene axis molecule, and vice versa, whereas the rotary movement of alpha-CD derivatives and the axis molecules of rotaxanes 2 and 3 were restricted by the steric repulsion between the substituent group of alpha-CD and the stopper group of an axis molecule. To estimate the relative rotary movement of CDs and an axis molecule in rotaxanes, the rotational correlation time (tauc) of rotaxanes was measured by 13C NMR. The results indicate that the corresponding rotary movement of the modified alpha-CD and the axis molecules in rotaxanes 2 and 3 depends on the size of the substituent group.     

Ring and nitrogen inversion in a flexible highly symmetrical molecule: The conformations of 1,3,7,9,13,15,19,21-octaazapentacyclo[19,3,1,1,3,7,19,13,115,19]

The possible conformations of the title compound and their modes of interconversion via ring and nitrogen inversion processes are delineated. At high temperatures (> +80°) the ¹H NMR spectra are consistent with time averaged D_4th symmetry and rapid ring and nitrogen inversion. At lower temperatures (ca. ?10°) the time-averaged symmetry if D_2d and inversion of the 6-membered rings is frozen out, nitrogen inversion remaining rapid. The free energy of activation for the total inversion of all four 6-membered rings is 13·5 kcal mole ^?1, higher than in similar monocyclic systems. This higher energy is a reflection of the multiple ring inversion pathway required for total inversion of all the 6-membered rings.     

The crystal molecular structure of cis-13,13-dimethyl-13-azoniabicyclo [10.1.0] tridecane iodide

The crystal and molecular structure of cis-13,13-dimethyl-13-azoniabicyclo[10.1.0]tridecane iodide has been determined by a three-dimensional, single-crystal, x-ray diffraction study. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnam with cell dimensions a_Q = 21.36 ± .01, b_O = 9.07, c_O = 8.29 Å. The aziridine ring is fused to the cyclododecane ring with fusion angles of 123.5°. The molecule is bisected by a mirror plane with the cyclododecane portion distorted from its anticipated square conformation. Transannular hydrogen interactions are estimated on the basis of geometric considerations. A final value of R = 0.112 was obtained for the 557 non-equivalent reflections which were observed.     

Structure factors calculated from molecular wavefunctions. II. Analysis of the molecular charge distribution in diborane

The electron density distribution in the crystal of diborane has been determined using structure factors based on molecular densities. The libration-correction and third-cumulant terms have also been included in the expression for the temperature factor. The equilibrium r_e values for BH bond lengths obtained by this treatment are about 0.02Åshorter than the spectroscopic ones. A total librational motion of the diborane molecule is determined: the root-mean-square oscillations about inertial axis are 11.0° (8), 9.6° (5) and 7.2° (5), respectively. The dynamic theoretical deformation density shows a three-center BHB bond picture for the bridge structure.     

1-Fluoro-2-hydrostibatrane

1-Fluoro-2-hydrostibatrane was synthesized by the reaction of antimony trifluoride with triethanolamine. The molecular structure of the compound was studied by X-ray diffraction and multinuclear magnetic resonance. The coordination polyhedron of the Sb atom is intermediate between a distorted tetrahedron (AX₄E type of molecule) and a tetrahedral pyramid (AX₄DE type of molecule). Diastereotopism of the geminal protons of each methylene group in the half-rings of the heterocycle, observed in the NMR spectra, vanishes at 65°C because of reversible cleavage of the N → Sb coordination bond and inversion of the nitrogen atom. The chemical environment of the OCH₂ and NCH₂ protons of the heterocycle and 2-hydroxyethyl protons is averaged due to the fast prototropic tautomerism at 75–120°C (in DMSO-d ₆).     

Electronic structure and conformational properties of the amide linkage Part 5. Internal rotation and inversion in 1-formylaziridine

Internal rotation and nitrogen inversion in 1-formylaziridine (1) have been investigated by quantum mechanical (ab initio and MNDO) calculations, especially with respect to the variation of the geometry of the aziridine ring. While conformational stability is mainly determined by the n(N)/π(CO) interaction, the bond lengths within the ring are affected by the amount of interaction between the π(CO) orbital and the Walsh orbital ω_A. To separate the two types of interaction, calculations were also performed on formylcyclopropane (9). The torsional potential of 1 has a minimum close to the perpendicular conformation 1b. The two bisected conformations, 1a and 1c, are transition states for internal rotation. For nitrogen inversion, a barrier of 1.44 kcal mol⁻¹ (ab initio) was calculated. Calculations on 1-cyanoaziridine (7) gave inversion barriers of 5.81 (ab initio) and 12.31 kcal mol⁻¹ (MNDO). Probably due to methodical reasons the ab initio values seem to be too low, as calculations with different basis sets for aziridine indicate.     

Molecular orbital calculations on substituted carbodiimides

Semi-empirical SCF calculations (INDO) are used to predict barriers to internal motion in substituted carbodiimides. The barriers calculated for dimethylcarbodiimide yield no great surprises and are in excellent agreement with that observed for an alkyl substituted molecule. We also demonstrate, as found for other systems, that a substituent bearing a lone pair of electrons gives considerable nitrogen configurational stability. On the other hand, cyano substitution seems to yield a molecule that is extremely flexible with essentially no barrier to internal rotation or inversion.

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Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe von semi-empirischen SCF Berechnungen (INDO) werden die Barrieren der inneren Rotation in substituierten Carbodiimiden vorhergesagt. Die für Dimethylcarbodiimid berechneten Barrieren zeigen sehr gute übereinstimmung mit den für die alkylsubstituierten Moleküle beobachteten Werten. Es kann ferner gezeigt werden, da\ Substituenten mit einem einsamen Elektronenpaar die StabilitÄt der Konfiguration des Stickstoffs auch in diesem Falle erheblich erhöhen. Andererseits erhÄlt man im Falle des Dicyanocarbodiimids ein sehr flexibles Molekül, das keine Barriere der inneren Rotation aufweist.

     

Studies of the micro-brownian motion of a polymer chain by the fluorescence polarization method. III. Fluorescent conjugates of polyethyleneimine

Fluorescent conjugates of polyethyleneimine (PEI) were prepared by conjugation of fluorescent dyes, fluorescein isocyanate (FIC), and 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl chloride (DNS), to PEI. The degree of polarization of the fluorescence was measured as a function of temperature and solvent viscosity on aqueous solutions of the conjugates and the data thus obtained were analyzed in terms of an equation of the Perrin type to calculate the mean relaxation time of the conjugate. The mean relaxation times obtained for the two types of the conjugates, which differ in the excited lifetime by a factor of about three, practically agree with one another and are about 2.5 X 10^?8 sec. The relaxation time of the DNS conjugate increases with increasing molecular weight of the conjugate from 2 X 10^?8 to 4 X 10^?8 sec. These values are much larger than those of the PAA conjugates reported in Part I of this series. The relaxation time of this order may correspond to that for the cooperative rotary motion of about ten monomeric residues on the PEI chain, that is, for the motion of an intermediate segment of the PEI molecule in solution. Finally, relaxation time–molecular weight relationships for various types of fluorescent conjugates are compared. It is suggested that these data may serve as a basis for elucidating the mode of motion of a given molecule in solution from the polarization data.