End-capping of a pseudorotaxane via Diels-Alder reaction for the construction of C60-terminated [2]rotaxanes

[reaction: see text] The Diels-Alder reaction of various dienophiles such as C(60) with a pseudorotaxane having a sultine moiety afforded corresponding [2]rotaxanes in moderate yields. The introduction of a porphyrin moiety on the wheel component considerably enhanced the efficiency of the end-capping reaction with C(60).     

Efficient synthesis of [2]- and higher order rotaxanes via the transition metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkyne

A novel end-capping method of pseudorotaxanes via the hydrosilylation of the alkyne of the axle terminal was developed. RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ and RhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ complexes catalyzed the hydrosilylation reactions of the alkyne moiety of several pseudorotaxanes at ambient temperature to give the corresponding [2]- and higher order rotaxanes in high yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity.     

Organometallic Rotaxanes with a Triazole Group in the Axle Component and Their Behavior as Ligands of PtII Complexes

Two ferrocenylmethyl ammonium salts were used as axle components of pseudorotaxanes with dibenzo[24]crown‐8. The pseudorotaxane with an alkyne terminal group in the axle component underwent a Cu‐catalyzed Huisgen coupling reaction (click reaction) with an alkyl azide to afford cationic [2]rotaxanes with a triazole group in the axle molecule. The rotaxane reacted with Ac₂O to produce neutral rotaxanes with an amide group in the axle component. Both cationic and neutral rotaxanes were treated with K[PtCl₃(CH₂?CH₂)] to form the Pt^II‐containing rotaxanes.     

Synthesis of helical [2.2]paracyclophanes containing carbocyclic and heterocyclic five-membered rings

The preparation of a [2.2]indenoparacyclophane-based diene is described. Diels-Alder cycloadditions of this diene with N-methylmaleimide, N-phenylmaleimide and maleic anhydride occurred in good yields and anti-diastereoselectively only under high pressure conditions. Heterohelicenophanes were prepared by dehydrogenation of the Diels-Alder products with 10% Pd/C catalyst. A new helicenophanequinone was obtained by the reaction between the diene and 1,4-naphthoquinone.     

Dual behavior of masked o-benzoquinones in intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions with acyclic dienes: a rapid entry to polyfunctionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-en-2-ones and cis-decalins

The potentiality of the masked o-benzoquinones, i.e., 6,6-dimethoxy-2,4-cyclohexadienones 5-8, to react both as dienes and dienophiles in their intermolecular reactions has been demonstrated. The masked o-benzoquinones (MOBs) 5-8 generated in situ from 2-methoxyphenols 1-4 underwent intermolecular Diels-Alder cycloadditions with acyclic 1,3-dienes 9a-e to provide bicyclo[2.2.2]octenones 10a-f-13a-f along with cis-decalin derivatives 14a-f-17a-f with regio- and stereoselectivity, except in the case of MOB 8. The formation of cis-decalins in these Diels-Alder reactions illustrates the dienophilic character of MOBs, in addition to their general behavior as dienes. The ratio of the two cycloadducts obtained in each reaction as a result of the dual character of MOBs depends on the nature and/or position of the substituents on both the cyclohexadienone moiety and the added conjugated acyclic diene. All of the cycloadducts resulted from the diene property of MOBs in intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions smoothly underwent Cope rearrangement to furnish cis-decalins as sole products in excellent to quantitative yields.     

Cyclodextrin-[60]fullerene conjugates: synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical behavior

Three different functionalized β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs) bearing the C₆₀ moiety linked covalently have been prepared in good yields by reaction between the parent β-CD and [60]fullerene via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. These compounds have been fully spectroscopically characterized and their electrochemical behavior has been investigated. Surprisingly, the electrochemical properties of the C₆₀ cage remain unaltered even after chemical functionalization, making these systems very appealing as supramolecular hosts for electron-transfer processes.     

Dynamic covalent approach to [2]- and [3]roxtanes by utilizing a reversible thiol-disulfide interchange reaction

A dynamic covalent approach to disulfide-containing [2]- and [3]rotaxanes is described. Symmetrical dumbbell-shaped compounds with two secondary ammonium centers and a central located disulfide bond were synthesized as components of rotaxanes. The rotaxanes were synthesized from the dumbbell-shaped compounds and dibenzo-[24]crown-8 (DB24C8) with catalysis by benzenethiol. The yields of isolated rotaxanes reached about 90 % under optimized conditions. A kinetic study on the reaction forming [2]rotaxane 2 a and [3]rotaxane 3 a suggested a plausible reaction mechanism comprising several steps, including 1) initiation, 2) [2]rotaxane formation, and 3) [3]rotaxane formation. The whole reaction was found to be reversible in the presence of thiols, and thermodynamic control over product distribution was thus possible by varying the temperature, solvent, initial ratio of substrates, and concentration. The steric bulk of the end-capping groups had almost no influence on rotaxane yields, but the structure of the thiol was crucial for reaction rates. Amines and phosphines were also effective as catalysts. The structural characterization of the rotaxanes included an X-ray crystallographic study on [3]rotaxane 3 a.     

Synthesis of rotaxanes consisting of crown ether wheel and sec-ammonium axle under basic condition

A novel synthetic method of [2]rotaxane by end capping of pseudorotaxane via conjugate addition of thiol to N-substituted maleimide CC bond under basic condition was developed. Several [2]rotaxanes were obtained in good yields.     

Rotaxanes and pseudorotaxanes with Fe-, Pd- and Pt-containing axles. Molecular motion in the solid state and aggregation in solution

This article reviews our recent studies on structure and properties of rotaxanes and pseudorotaxanes with Fe-, Pd- and Pt-containing complexes as the axle component. Electrochemical oxidation of ferrocenylmethylamine in the presence of a hydrogen radical precursor induces formal protonation of the amino group and produces a pseudorotaxane of the resulting ammonium species with a crown ether. Single crystals of the ferrocene-containing pseudorotaxane undergo a thermal crystalline phase transition accompanied by changes in the optical properties of the crystals. X-Ray crystallographic studies of the low- and high-temperature phases revealed different intermolecular interactions and orientations of the aromatic rings in the crystalline state depending on the temperature. End-capping of the ferrocene-containing [2]pseudorotaxane using a cross-metathesis reaction yields [2]rotaxane under mild conditions. A rotaxane having a platinum-carboxylate complex as its axle is converted into related organic and inorganic rotaxanes by partial dissociation of the Pt-O bond. An N-alkylbipyridinium forms [3]pseudorotaxane with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD), and it reacts with platinum and palladium complexes to form the corresponding [5]rotaxanes containing four alpha-cyclodextrin moieties. Complexes without alpha-CD components form micelles in aqueous solution, while the addition of alpha-CD causes degradation of the micelles and the formation of rotaxanes.     

Pentafluorophenyl Esters as Exchangeable Stoppers for the Construction of Photoactive [2]Rotaxanes

Stable pillar[5]arene-containing [2]rotaxane building blocks with pentafluorophenyl ester stoppers have been efficiently prepared on a multi-gram scale. Reaction of these building blocks with various nucleophiles gave access to a wide range of [2]rotaxanes with amide, ester or thioester stoppers in good to excellent yields. The rotaxane structure is fully preserved during these chemical transformations. Actually, the addition-elimination mechanism at work during these transformations totally prevents the unthreading of the axle moiety of the mechanically interlocked system. The stopper exchange reactions were optimized both in solution and under mechanochemical solvent-free conditions. While amide formation is more efficient in solution, the solvent-free conditions are more powerful for the transesterification reactions. Starting from a fullerene-functionalized pillar[5]arene derivative, this new strategy gave easy access to a photoactive [2]rotaxane incorporating a C₆₀ moiety and two Bodipy stoppers. Despite the absence of covalent connectivity between the Bodipy and the fullerene moieties in this photoactive molecular device, efficient through-space excited state interactions have been evidenced in this rotaxane.     

Synthesis of Tetracyclo[6.2.2.23,6.02,7]tetradeca-4,9,11,13-Tetraene

The title hydrocarbon 3, a C₁₄H₁₄ tetracyclic tetraene of C_2v-symmetry, was synthesized by new routes starting from 1,8,9,10-tetrachloro-11,11-dimethoxytricyclo[6.2.1.0^2,7]undeca-3,5,9-triene (1). The Diels-Alder cycloaddition of 1 with 2-chloroacrylyl chloride, a ketene equivalent, followed by subsequent reduction, dechlorination and deacctalization afforded the ketol 12 as a key intermediate. Elaboration of target compound 3 was carried out by either the method of ring enlargement of 12 or (better) the route of Diels-Alder reaction of decarbonylated 12 with trans-1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethcnc, an acetylene equivalent, to give trienol 17, followed by dehydration. Upon irradiation, 3 underwent intercyclic [2 + 2]-addition to caged hexacyclic diene 4. At 120°C, 3 decomposed into barrelene and benzene quantitatively.     

Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Cucurbit[6]uil and Ionic Liquid in Non‐aqueous System

A novel [2]pseudorotaxane of cucurbit[6]uril(CB[6]) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium bromide ([C₄mim]Br) was synthesized by directly mixing the host and the guest molecules in non‐aqueous system. Structural characterizations of the [2]pseudorotaxane were carried out by 1D, 2D NMR and X‐ray crystallography techniques both in solution and in crystal structure. The crystal structure demonstrated that CB[6] and [C₄mim]Br formed a complex with the ratio 1:1, in which one guest [C₄mim]Br was included inside the CB[6], while two other [C₄mim]Br molecules were free and surrounded the [2]pseudorotaxane as solvent molecules, which could stabilize the crystal structure through hydrogen bonds. Moreover, parallel solvent channels consisting by free [C₄mim]Br molecules occupied the pores among the frame of the pseudorotaxanes and formed zigzag lines in the crystal structure. [C₄mim]Br can serve as not only the guest reactant but also the solvent in the formation of [2]pseudorotaxane formation.     

Face-selective [2]- and [3]rotaxanes: kinetic control of the threading direction of cyclodextrins

New [2]- and [3]pseudorotaxanes containing alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CDs) molecules as rotors and alkyl pyridinium derivatives as axles were prepared by a slipping process. The inclusion behavior of these rotaxanes was investigated by using one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The methyl group at the 2-position of the pyridinium moiety at the end of each axle molecule was found to control the rates of threading of the alpha-CD onto the axle molecules. alpha-CD can approach axle molecules from a particular direction to form inclusion complexes. Axle molecules that contain a 2-methylpyridinium moiety at one end and a bulky stopper at the other end can regulate the direction of approach to give a [2]pseudorotaxane such as 2 b-alpha-CD. A [3]pseudorotaxane in which two alpha-CD molecules are arranged facing in the same direction at two stations of the tetracationic axle molecule was also obtained. These face-selective behaviors are dominated by kinetic processes rather than thermodynamic processes.     

Competitive thermal ene reaction and Diels-Alder reactions of 2-[N-(alk-2-enyl)benzylamino]-3-vinylpyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4(4H)-ones

Thermal reaction of 2-[N-(alk-2-enyl)benzylamino]-3-(2-substituted and 2,2-disubstituted)vinylpyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4(4H)-ones gave azepine, the desired ene products, and/or pyran derivatives. The formation of the latter was responsible for the [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between the α,β-unsaturated ester carbonyl moiety as a diene part and the alkenylamino moiety as an ene one. The reaction features depended upon the kinds of substituents both on the vinyl and alkenyl counterparts; strongly electron-withdrawing substituents on the vinyl moiety or an electron-donating substituent on the alkenyl one changed the reaction feature from the ene reaction to the hetero Diels-Alder reaction.     

氯化锌催化下C60与枞酸的反应

拟利用枞酸分子中的非同环共轭二烯在氯化锌作用下异构化成具有同环共轭二烯的海松酸结构, 再与C₆₀进行Diels-Alder加成反应, 预测可以得到Diels-Alder加成产物. C₆₀、枞酸及氯化锌在邻二氯苯溶剂中, 在氮气保护下于175～180 ℃反应8 h, 将反应物洗涤后进行硅胶柱层析分离, 采用FT-IR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H NMR和MALDI-TOF-MS等分析方法对反应主要产物进行结构测定, 却意外发现得到C₆₀与枞酸的加成过程中发生了脱羧脱氢反应且产物含有芳环的化学结构.     

Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Three-Component [4+2+1] Cycloaddition of Two Vinylallenes and CO

Transition metal-catalyzed [4+2+1] reactions of dienes (or diene derivatives such as vinylallenes), alkynes/alkenes, and CO (or carbenes) are expected to be the most straightforward approach to synthesize challenging seven-membered ring compounds, but so far only limited successes have been realized. Here, an unexpected three-component [4+2+1] reaction between two vinylallenes and CO was discovered to give highly functionalized tropone derivatives under mild conditions, where one vinylallene acts as a C₄ synthon, the other vinylallene as a C₂ synthon, and CO as a C₁ synthon. It was proposed that this reaction occurred via oxidative cyclization of the diene part of one vinylallene molecule, followed by insertion of the terminal alkene part of the allene moiety in another vinylallene, into the Rh−C bond of five-membered rhodacycle. Then, CO insertion and reductive elimination gave the [4+2+1] cycloadduct. Further experimental exploration of why ene/yne-vinylallenes and CO gave monocyclic tropone derivatives instead of 6/7-bicyclic ring products were reported here.     

2]Rotaxanes containing pyridinium-phosphonium axles and 24-crown-8 ether wheels

A triethylphosphonium group attached to a pyridinium ethane moiety can be used as an axle for the self-assembly of [2]pseudorotaxanes and [2]rotaxanes. Although [2]pseudorotaxane formation is limited due to the bulk of the PR4+ group, [2]rotaxanes can be formed utilising 24-crown-8 ether, benzo-24-crown-8 ether and naphtho-24-crown-8 ether. The synthesis of these [2]rotaxanes and the X-ray structure of the [2]rotaxane containing a 24-crown-8 ether wheel are described. When the crown ether contains an aromatic group two possible conformational isomers exist; these are identified at low temperature by 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy.     

Unidirectional α-cyclodextrin-based [2]rotaxanes bearing viologen unit on axle

1-(2-Carboxyethyl)-1′-(10-carbazole-9-yl-decyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium dibromide 2 forms a unidirectional [2]pseudorotaxane with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) in water. Condensation of 2/α-CD [2]pseudorotaxane with 4-amino-1-naphthalenesulfonate or 6-amino-β-CD provided the unidirectional [2]rotaxanes 3 and 4, in which the secondary face of α-CD is oriented toward the viologen moiety. The structures were elucidated from two-dimensional ROESY and circular dichroism spectra.     

Solid-state structures and superstructures of two charged donor-acceptor rotaxanes

Two [2]rotaxanes and a [2]pseudorotaxane containing 1,5-dioxynaphthalene recognition sites located in the middle of their dumbbell and thread components, respectively, and encircled by single cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) rings have been synthesized under template control and their solid-state (super)structures have been solved. The investigations revealed that the stoppers on the dumbbell components, the solvents, and the counterions can affect the conformations adopted by the [2]rotaxanes and [2]pseudorotaxane in the solid state.     

Pyrimidine ortho-quinodimethanes. Part 2: Synthesis of new [60]fullerene adducts based on substituted pyrimidine derivatives and their 1H NMR dynamic study

The Diels–Alder reaction of various pyrimidine ortho-quinodimethanes generated in situ with C₆₀ gives access to a variety of new fullerodihydroquinazoline derivatives. This variety is increased since substituents on the pyrimidine ring can be easily modified before or after its reaction with C₆₀. Variable temperature ¹H NMR spectra provided thermodynamic parameters related to the boat-to-boat interconversion of the cyclohexene ring fused to the fullerene moiety. The mass spectra of the prepared cycloadducts show that the retro-Diels–Alder process takes place easily with elimination of the corresponding diene molecule.