Design and synthesis of a 256-membered pi-conjugated oligomer library of regioregular head-to-tail coupled quater(3-arylthiophene)s

The rapid solid-phase synthesis of pi-conjugated oligomers is demonstrated by utilizing the parallel and the "mix-and-split" methods for the preparation of a library of 256 regioregular head-to-tail coupled oligo(3-arylthiophene)s. Chemical diversity was introduced to the growing oligomer starting from four resin-bound 3-(p-X-phenyl)-2-silylthiophenes via an iterative sequence of iodinations and Suzuki cross-coupling reactions with four 3-(p-X-phenyl)thiophene boronic esters (X = CF(3), H, CH(3), OCH(3)). Liberation from the solid support with TFA and subsequent chromatographic purification by normal-phase LC-MS provided all 256 regioregular head-to-tail coupled quater(3-arylthiophene)s.     

Innentitelbild: Regioregular Synthesis of Azaborine Oligomers and a Polymer with a syn Conformation Stabilized by N?H⋅⋅⋅π Interactions (Angew. Chem. 38/2015)

The regioregular synthesis of the first azaborine oligomers and a corresponding conjugated polymer was accomplished by Suzuki–Miyaura coupling methods. An almost perfectly coplanar syn arrangement of the heterocycles was deduced from an X‐ray crystal structure of the dimer, which also suggested that N H⋅⋅⋅π interactions play an important role. Computational studies further supported these experimental observations and indicated that the electronic structure of the longer azaborine oligomers and polymer resembles that of poly(cyclohexadiene) more than poly(p‐phenylene). A comparison of the absorption and emission properties of the polymer with those of the oligomers revealed dramatic bathochromic shifts upon chain elongation, thus suggesting highly effective extension of conjugation.     

Regioregular Synthesis of Azaborine Oligomers and a Polymer with a syn Conformation Stabilized by NH⋅⋅⋅π Interactions

The regioregular synthesis of the first azaborine oligomers and a corresponding conjugated polymer was accomplished by Suzuki–Miyaura coupling methods. An almost perfectly coplanar syn arrangement of the heterocycles was deduced from an X‐ray crystal structure of the dimer, which also suggested that N? H???π interactions play an important role. Computational studies further supported these experimental observations and indicated that the electronic structure of the longer azaborine oligomers and polymer resembles that of poly(cyclohexadiene) more than poly(p‐phenylene). A comparison of the absorption and emission properties of the polymer with those of the oligomers revealed dramatic bathochromic shifts upon chain elongation, thus suggesting highly effective extension of conjugation.     

Solid-Phase Synthesis of Phenylacetylene Oligomers Utilizing a Novel 3-Propyl-3-(benzyl-supported) Triazene Linkage

Sequence-specific phenylacetylene oligomers consisting of functionalized monomers (hexyl benzoate, hexyl phenyl ether, benzonitrile, and tert-butylphenyl) are synthesized in gram quantities using solid-phase methods. Growing oligomers are attached to a divinylbenzene cross-linked polystyrene support by the 1-aryl-3-propyl-3-(benzyl-supported) triazene moiety. This linkage is obtained by reaction of arenediazonium tetrafluoroborate salts with a n-propylamino-modified Merrifield resin. Condensation strategies are described, producing oligomers with higher yields and simplified procedures compared to solution-phase methods. Terminal acetylene is protected with a trimethylsilyl group. After deprotection of the resin-bound terminal acetylene, an aryl iodide monomer or an aryl iodide-terminated oligomer is coupled to the supported oligomer using a palladium(0) catalyst. The cycle can be repeated to produce sequence-specific oligomers of varying length and functionality. The resulting oligomers are liberated from the polymer support by cleavage of the 1-aryl-3-propyl-3-(benzyl-supported) triazene group by reaction with iodomethane producing an aryl iodide.     

Conducting Block Copolymer Nanowires Containing Regioregular Poly(3‐Hexylthiophene) and Polystyrene

Grignard Metathesis polymerization (GRIM) for the synthesis of regioregular poly(3‐alkylthiophenes) proceeds via a “living” chain growth mechanism. Due to the “living” nature of this polymerization regioregular poly(3‐alkylthiophenes) with predetermined molecular weight, narrow molecular weight distributions and desired chain end functionality are now readily available. Allyl terminated poly(3‐hexylthiophene) was successfully used as a precursor for the synthesis of di‐block copolymers containing polystyrene. The addition of “living” poly(styryl)lithium to the allyl terminated regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) generated the di‐block copolymer. Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐b‐polystyrene was also synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. Integration of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) in di‐block copolymers with polystyrene leads to the formation of nanowire morphology and self‐ordered conducting nanostructured materials.     

High-throughput synthesis of N3-acylated dihydropyrimidines combining microwave-assisted synthesis and scavenging techniques

[reaction: see text] The solution-phase synthesis of N3-acylated dihydropyrimidines was achieved utilizing microwave flash heating both in the synthesis (acylation) and purification (scavenging) steps. Quenching times for excess anhydrides using polystyrene or silica-supported diamine sequestration reagents were reduced from several hours to minutes utilizing microwave irradiation. The use of water as sequestration agent, coupled with an efficient solid-phase extraction workup technique allowed the rapid generation of a 20-member library of N3-acylated dihydropyrimidines.     

Unprecedented Demonstration of Regioselective SEAr Reaction giving Unsymmetrical Regioregular Oligothiophenes

Aromatization of 4‐cyano‐3‐oxotetrahydrothiophene by sulfuryl chloride gives the new building block 4‐cyano‐3‐pyrrolidylthiophene, which forms unsymmetrical regioregular oligothiophenes with a strict alternation of the donor and acceptor groups along the conjugated system. The self‐coupling reactions that form the oligomers are shown to proceed by a regioselective electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism involving a stabilized Wheland intermediate.     

Snthesis of dna fragmenents linked to a solid support

Two simple procedures for the preparation of DNA fragments covalently and specifically linked to a solid support are presented. The first method consists of the preparation of a nucleoside primer which serves as the initiative site for conventional synthesis of oligomers in either 3' or 5' direction. The second procedure involves the direct attachment of independently synthesized and purified oligomers to a functionalized solid support. The accessibility of such supported oligodeoxynucleotides to enzymes is checked with restriction endonucleases.     

Preparation of tripeptide-bridged dicatechol ligands and their macrocyclic molybdenum(VI) complexes: fixation of the RGD sequence and the WKY sequence of urotensin ii in a cyclic conformation

Dicatechol ligands were prepared with caprylic acid (6-H(4)) or the naturally occurring RGD (23-H(4)) or WKY sequences (32-H(4)) as spacers. 6-H(4) was prepared by solution-phase amide coupling chemistry, while 16, the precursor of 23-H(4), was obtained by solution-phase and solid-phase preparation. In the latter case, a polystyrene resin with a hydrazine benzoate linker was used as the solid support. The last coupling step was performed simultaneously with cleavage of the peptide from the resin. The protecting groups of 16 were all removed in one step to yield the free ligand 23-H(4). The WKY-bridged derivative 32-H(4) was obtained by a similar solid-phase synthesis followed by deprotection. The reaction of all three ligands with dioxomolybdenum(VI) bis(acetylacetonate) afforded 19-membered metallamacrocycles in which the short peptides are conformationally fixed in a turn-type structure. Hereby, the side-chain functionalities of the peptides do not interfere in the metal complexation.     

Computational study of the structure, dynamics, and photophysical properties of conjugated polymers and oligomers under nanoscale confinement

Computational simulations were used to investigate the dynamics and resulting structures of several para-phenylenevinylene (PPV) based polymers and oligomers (PPV, 2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene --> MEH-PPV and 2,5,2',5'-tetrahexyloxy-7,8'-dicyano-p-phenylenevinylene --> CN-PPV). The results show how the morphology and structure are controlled to a large extent by the nature of the solute-solvent interactions in the initial solution-phase preparation. Secondary structural organization is induced by using the solution-phase structures to generate solvent-free single molecule nanoparticles. Isolation of these single molecule nanostructures from microdroplets of dilute solution results in the formation of electrostatically oriented nanostructures at a glass surface. Our structural modeling suggests that these oriented nanostructures consist of folded PPV conjugated segments with folds occurring at tetrahedral defects (sp3 C-C bonds) within the polymer chain. This picture is supported by detailed experimental fluorescence and scanning probe microscopy studies. We also present results from a fully quantum theoretical treatment of these systems which support the general conclusion of structure-mediated photophysical properties.     

Solution and solid-support synthesis of a potential leishmaniasis carbohydrate vaccine

The synthesis of a potential carbohydrate vaccine for the parasitic disease leishmaniasis is described. New solution- and solid-phase synthetic strategies were explored for the assembly of a unique tetrasaccharide antigen found on the Leishmania lipophosphoglycan. An initial solution-phase synthesis relied on thioglycosides as building blocks and the establishment of the central disaccharide from lactal via an oxidation-reduction sequence. A second approach was completed both in solution and on solid support. The solid-phase synthesis relied on assembly from monosaccharide units and was used to evaluate different glycosylating agents in the efficient installation of the galactose beta-(1-->4) mannoside. Glycosyl phosphates proved most successful in this endeavor. This first solid-phase synthesis of the Leishmania cap provided rapid access to the tetrasaccharide in 18% overall yield while requiring only a single purification step. The synthetic cap tetrasaccharide was conjugated to the immunostimulator Pam3Cys to create fully synthetic carbohydrate vaccine 1 and to the carrier protein KLH to form semisynthetic vaccine 2. Currently, both constructs have entered initial immunological experiments in mice targeted at the development of a vaccine against the parasitic disease leishmaniasis.     

Chromium-mediated aldol and homoaldol reactions on solid support directed towards an iterative polyol strategy

Chromium-Reformatsky and chromium-homoaldol reactions run under neutral and mild reaction conditions. They are highly chemoselective, tolerant towards most common functional groups, and are not prone to retroaldol reactions. Initial studies directed to transfer these homogeneous chromium-mediated solution-phase reactions to solid phase are presented. The main objective was to develop a methodology to aid a combinatorial iterative strategy to polyols (polyketides) on solid phase. A general reactivity problem was observed with polystyrene based resins compared to the solution-phase reactions, independent if the electrophilic (aldehyde) or nucleophilic (bromide) end of the polyol chain was supported to the resin. A complicated penetration, or loss of the polar solvent environment after penetration into the resin, might be responsible for the reduced reactivity. Application of either a soluble polystyrene resin or a polystyrene resin with a polar polyethylene glycol tether resulted in improved yields.     

Combinatorial synthesis of oligo(phenylene ethynylene)s

The combinatorial synthesis of oligo(phenylene ethynylene) tetramers, both in solution and on solid support, is described. These products are of interest for molecular electronics applications. An iterative sequence, coupling of aryl halides to alkynes under Sonogashira conditions, was used. Five monomers functionalized with electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups were synthesized, and used to generate a library of 25 trimers in a solution-phase based process. A library of 24 tetramers was prepared by subsequent protodesilylation and coupling with the alligator clip 4-iodo-1-thioacetylbenzene. The solution-phase based sequence was successfully adapted to a higher yielding directed split-and-pool solid-phase process, with average yields of 78–86% for each step over seven steps. A triazene linker group was used to attach the starting monomer to the polymer beads. At the completion of the solid-phase-based process, traceless cleavage of trimers from the resin was achieved by sonication of the resin in 10% HCl/THF solution. The released products were then poised for the final step in the sequence, attachment of the alligator clip.     

Discrete bimodal probes for thrombus imaging

Here we report a generalizable solid/solution-phase strategy for the synthesis of discrete bimodal fibrin-targeted imaging probes. A fibrin-specific peptide was conjugated with two distinct imaging reporters at the C- and N-termini. In vitro studies demonstrated retention of fibrin affinity and specificity. Imaging studies showed that these probes could detect fibrin over a wide range of probe concentrations by optical, magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography imaging.     

Acetylenic scaffolding on solid support: poly(triacetylene)-derived oligomers by Sonogashira and Cadiot-Chodkiewicz-type cross-coupling reactions

We report the first synthesis of poly(triacetylene)-derived oligomers by Pd(0)-catalysed Sonogashira and Cadiot-Chodkiewicz-type cross-coupling reactions on solid support. Oligo(phenylene triacetylene)s, members of a new class of linearly pi-conjugated oligomers with all-carbon backbones, feature very high fluorescence intensities.     

Chemical synthesis of a glycolipid library by a solid-phase strategy allows elucidation of the structural specificity of immunostimulation by rhamnolipids

The first synthesis of a glycolipid library by hydrophobically assisted switching phase (HASP) synthesis is described. HASP synthesis enables flexible switching between solution-phase steps and solid-supported reactions conducted with molecules attached to a hydrophobic silica support. A library of glycolipids derived from the lead compound 1-a strongly immunostimulatory rhamnolipid--with variations in the carbohydrate part, the lipid components, and the stereochemistry of the 3-hydroxy fatty acids was designed and synthesized. The enantioselective synthesis of the 3-hydroxy fatty acid building blocks was achieved by employing asymmetric hydrogenation of 3-oxo fatty acids. Glycolipids were prepared by this approach without any intermediary isolation steps, mostly in excellent yields. Final deprotection to the carboxylic acids was accomplished by enzymatic ester cleavage. All prepared rhamnolipids were tested for their immunostimulatory properties against human monocyte cells by assaying the secretion of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) into the medium. The observed structure-activity relationships of rhamnolipids indicate a specific, recognition-based mode of action, with small structural variations in the rhamnolipids resulting in strong effects on the immunostimulatory activities of the rhamnolipids at low micromolar concentrations.     

Synthesis of alpha-(2-->5)Neu5Gc oligomers

A facile synthesis of the sialic acid oligomers alpha-(2-->5)Neu5Gc (1) is presented. Monosaccharides 2-4 with suitable functionality were used as the building blocks. After selective removal of the paired carboxyl and amine protecting groups, the fully protected oligomers were assembled through consecutive coupling of the building blocks by well established peptide coupling techniques. By this approach, fully protected oligomers as large as an octasaccharide were synthesized. Deprotection of these fully protected oligomers was conducted in two steps (LiCl in refluxing pyridine and 0.1 n NaOH) to afford the desired products in high yield. Enzymatic degradation of the octamer with neuraminidase, monitored by capillary electrophoresis (CE), was also accomplished. The stepwise exo-cleavage adducts were all well separated and identified in the CE spectrum. The strategy described here for solution-phase synthesis also provides the basis for future solid-phase synthesis of poly-alpha-(2-->5)Neu5Gc.     

Conformational analysis of o-phenylenes: helical oligomers with frayed ends

The o-phenylenes represent a fundamental class of conjugated polymers that, unlike the isomeric p-phenylenes, should exhibit rich conformational behavior. Recently, we reported the synthesis and characterization of a series of o-phenylene oligomers featuring unusual electronic properties, including surprisingly long-range delocalization as measured by UV-vis spectroscopy and hypsochromic shifts in fluorescence maxima with increasing length. To rationalize these properties, we hypothesized that the oligomers predominantly assume a stacked helical conformation in solution. This assertion, however, was supported by only indirect evidence. Here we present a thorough investigation of the conformational behavior of this series of o-phenylenes by dynamic NMR spectroscopy and computational chemistry. EXSY experiments, in combination with other two-dimensional NMR techniques, provided full (1)H chemical shift assignments for at least the two most prevalent conformers for each member of the series (hexamer to dodecamer). GIAO density functional theory calculations were then used to relate the NMR data to specific molecular geometries. We have found that the o-phenylenes do indeed assume stacked helical conformations with disorder occurring at the ends. Thus, the o-phenylene motif appears to have great potential as a means to organize arenes into predictable three-dimensional arrangements. Our results also illustrate the power of (1)H NMR GIAO predictions in the solution-phase conformational analysis of oligomers, particularly those with a high density of aromatic subunits.     

Convergent synthesis of oligomers of triazole-linked DNA analogue (DNA) in solution phase

A convergent route for the solution-phase synthesis of oligomeric triazole-linked analogues of DNA (^TLDNA) has been developed. A one-pot procedure for desilylation of masked acetylene and the ensuing copper-catalyzed Huisgen coupling reaction between oligomers allowed the solution-phase synthesis of 7-mer and 8-mer ^TLDNA in good yield.     

Organic Chemistry on Solid Supports

Until recently, repetitive solid-phase synthesis procedures were used predominantly for the preparation of oligomers such as peptides, oligosaccharides, peptoids, oligocarbamates, peptide vinylogues, oligomers of pyrrolin-4-one, peptide phosphates, and peptide nucleic acids. However, the oligomers thus produced have a limited range of possible backbone structures due to the restricted number of building blocks and synthetic techniques available. Biologically active compounds of this type are generally not suitable as therapeutic agents but can serve as lead structures for optimization. “Combinatorial organic synthesis” has been developed with the aim of obtaining low molecular weight compounds by pathways other than those of oligomer synthesis. This concept was first described in 1971 by Ugi.^[56f,g,59c] Combinatorial synthesis offers new strategies for preparing diverse molecules, which can then be screened to provide lead structures. Combinatorial chemistry is compatible with both solution-phase and solid-phase synthesis. Moreover, this approach is conducive to automation, as proven by recent successes in the synthesis of peptide libraries. These developments have led to a renaissance in solid-phase organic synthesis (SPOS), which has been in use since the 1970s. Fully automated combinatorial chemistry relies not only on the testing and optimization of known chemical reactions on solid supports, but also on the development of highly efficient techniques for simultaneous multiple syntheses. Almost all of the standard reactions in organic chemistry can be carried out using suitable supports, anchors, and protecting groups with all the advantages of solid-phase synthesis, which until now have been exploited only sporadically by synthetic organic chemists. Among the reported organic reactions developed on solid supports are Diels–Alder reactions, 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions, Wittig and Wittig–Horner reactions, Michael additions, oxidations, reductions, and Pd-catalyzed C? C bond formation. In this article we present a comprehensive review of the previously published solid-phase syntheses of nonpeptidic organic compounds.