Selective head-to-tail recognition in hydrazide-based molecular duplex strands induced by spectator secondary electrostatic interactions

Due to spectator secondary electrostatic interactions, nonsymmetric mono-Boc-mono-acetyl terminated hydrazide-based oligomers displayed a head-to-tail dimerization mode, which was evidenced by (1)H NMR, and 2D NOESY experiments. Dynamic behavior of the molecular duplex strands was also explored by variable temperature (1)H NMR experiments.     

Synthesis of a soluble ureido-naphthyridine oligomer that self-associates via eight contiguous hydrogen bonds

[structure; see text] An iterative synthetic route to organic-soluble ureido-naphthyridine oligomers has been developed. Use of this protocol allowed synthesis of a short ureido-naphthyridine oligomer, which presents a self-complementary DDAADDAA hydrogen bonding array (D = hydrogen bond donor, A = hydrogen bond acceptor). Strong self-association via eight hydrogen bonds was observed in organic solution.     

Large-scale honeycomb microstructures constructed by platinum-acetylide gelators through supramolecular self-assembly

A series of new platinum-acetylide complexes 4a-4c and 6a-6c were synthesized and characterized. The gelation properties of these compounds were investigated by the "stable-to-inversion-of-test-tube" method. Unlike compounds 4a-4c, amides 6b and 6c can gelate a variety of nonpolar alkyl solvents; this result indicates that the hydrogen bonds between amide groups play an important role in the formation of metallic organogels. Interestingly, compared to the typical morphologies of known organogels or metallic organogels, compounds 6b and 6c exhibited highly ordered honeycomb patterns on a large-scale (determined by SEM analysis). To investigate the driving forces for the self-assembly process, concentration-dependent (1)H NMR spectroscopy and a competitive experiment between hydrogen bonds were used to confirm that intermolecular hydrogen bonding play an essential role during the formation of supramolecular aggregates.     

Benzoxazine oligomers: evidence for a helical structure from solid-state NMR spectroscopy and DFT-based dynamics and chemical shift calculations

A combination of molecular modeling, DFT calculations, and advanced solid-state NMR experiments is used to elucidate the supramolecular structure of a series of benzoxazine oligomers. Intramolecular hydrogen bonds are characterized and identified as the driving forces for ring-shape and helical conformations of trimeric and tetrameric units. In fast MAS (1)H NMR spectra, the resonances of the protons forming the hydrogen bonds can be assigned and used for validating and refining the structure by means of DFT-based geometry optimizations and (1)H chemical-shift calculations. Also supporting these proposed structures are homonuclear (1)H[bond](1)H double-quantum NMR spectra, which identify the local proton-proton proximities in each material. Additionally, quantitative (15)N[bond](1)H distance measurements obtained by analysis of dipolar spinning sideband patterns confirm the optimized geometry of the tetramer. These results clearly support the predicted helical geometry of the benzoxazine polymer. This geometry, in which the N...H...O and O...H...O hydrogen bonds are protected on the inside of the helix, can account for many of the exemplary chemical properties of the polybenzoxazine materials. The combination of advanced experimental solid-state NMR spectroscopy with computational geometry optimizations, total energy, and NMR spectra calculations is a powerful tool for structural analysis. Its results provide significantly more confidence than the individual measurements or calculations alone, in particular, because the microscopic structure of many disordered systems cannot be elucidated by means of conventional methods due to lack of long-range order.     

Designing Foldamer–Foldamer Interactions in Solution: The Roles of Helix Length and Terminus Functionality in Promoting the Self‐Association of Aminoisobutyric Acid Oligomers

The biological activity of antibiotic peptaibols has been linked to their ability to aggregate, but the structure–activity relationship for aggregation is not well understood. Herein, we report a systematic study of a class of synthetic helical oligomer (foldamer) composed of aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues, which mimic the folding behavior of peptaibols. NMR spectroscopic analysis was used to quantify the dimerization constants in solution, which showed hydrogen‐bond donors at the N terminus promoted aggregation more effectively than similar modifications at the C terminus. Elongation of the peptide chain also favored aggregation. The geometry of aggregation in solution was investigated by means of titrations with [D₆]DMSO and 2D NOE NMR spectroscopy, which allowed the NH protons most involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonds in solution to be identified. X‐ray crystallography studies of two oligomers allowed a comparison of the inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions in the solid state and in solution and gave further insight into the geometry of foldamer–foldamer interactions. These solution‐based and solid‐state studies indicated that the preferred geometry for aggregation is through head‐to‐tail interactions between the N and C termini of adjacent Aib oligomers.     

Synthesis of a bis-amino acid that creates a sharp turn

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of a new bis-amino acid 1 is presented. This monomer is designed to create a tightly curved structure when assembled into oligomers. The monomer is demonstrated to couple to the previously developed monomer 2 through pairs of amide bonds to create a strongly bent spiro-ladder oligomer. The structure of oligomer 3 was determined in aqueous solution using two-dimensional NMR.     

A folded,secondary structure in step-growth oligomers from covalently linked,crowded aromatics

This study delineates general methods to create a new class of folded oligomers by covalently attaching overcrowded aromatics to each other. Crucial to observing the secondary structure in these oligomers was the employment of C-shaped linkers. These linkers preorganize the strands to form intramolecular hydrogen bonds. In solution, one- and two-dimensional (1)H NMR data show well-defined columnar conformations. The side chains in these oligomers are critical for the secondary structure to emerge in solution. Using tris(dodecyloxy)phenethyl side chains in combination with tert-butyl side chains in the terminal subunit provides a soluble trimer and prevents intermolecular association above millimolar concentrations. This new folding motif, formed through a synergy between hydrogen bonds and pi-stacking, is so robust that even dimers have secondary structure in solution.     

Helical molecular duplex strands: multiple hydrogen-bond-mediated assembly of self-complementary oligomeric hydrazide derivatives

Careful examination of the X-ray structure of a ditopic hydrazide derivative 7 led to the concept that with malonyl groups as interhydrazide linkers hydrogen-bonding-mediated molecular duplex strands might be obtained. Complexation studies between 7, 8, and 9 confirmed this hypothesis. Two quadruple hydrogen-bonded heterodimers formed, in which spectator repulsive secondary electrostatic interaction was found to play an important role in determining the stability of the complexes. Extensive studies on 1-4 indicated that the hydrogen-bonding mode could persist in longer oligomeric hydrazide derivatives with chain extension from monomer to tetramer. Molecular duplex strands via two to fourteen interstrand hydrogen bonds were obtained. In addition to affecting the stability of the duplex strands, spectator repulsive secondary electrostatic interaction also played an important role in determining dynamic behavior of the duplex strands as exemplified by variable temperature (1)H NMR experiments. IR studies confirmed stronger hydrogen bonding in the longer oligomers. The assemblies of 1-4 on HOPG were also studied by STM technology. Molecular mechanical calculations further revealed double-helical structures for the longer oligomers. The results provide new opportunities for development of polymeric helical duplexes with well-defined structures.     

Hydrogen bond-induced rigid oligoanthranilamide ribbons that are planar and straight

[structure: see text] A new series of oligoanthranilamides has been synthesized starting from suitably modified p-phenylenediamine and p-phthalic acid derivatives. Due to strong intramolecular three-center hydrogen bonds, the new oligomers self-assemble into highly stable straight and planar molecular ribbons, which have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and 1H NMR, IR, and UV-vis spectroscopy.     

Hydrogen-bonding-induced oligoanthranilamide foldamers. Synthesis, characterization, and complexation for aliphatic ammonium ions

The self-assembly of a novel series of intramolecular hydrogen bonding-driven foldamers have been described. Five linear aromatic amide oligomers 1-5, which bear two to six repeating benzoyl amide subunits, respectively, have been prepared by continuous amide-coupling reactions. The existence of three-centered hydrogen bonds in the oligomers and consequently, the folding conformation of the oligomers in the solid state and solution have been proved by the X-ray analysis (for 2) and the ¹H NMR and IR experiments. Molecular modeling reveals a planar and rigid conformation for the oligomers and a cavity of 0.86 nm in diameter for 6-mer 5. Fluorescent and ¹H NMR experiments have demonstrated that the new aromatic oligo-amide foldamers can bind primary and secondary alkyl ammonium ions in chloroform and the associated binding constants have been determined. It is revealed that 5-mer 4 exhibits the largest binding ability. A face-to-face binding mode has been proposed for the complexes.     

Dynamic decomposition/recombination of hydrogen bonds in molecular duplex strands

Dynamic decomposition/recombination of hydrogen bonds in the hydrazide based molecular duplex strands was explored by variable-temperature 1H NMR experiments. A shuttle-like dynamic process of the two constituent molecules of the duplex strands between two degenerate states was observed.     

Backbone-rigidified oligo(m-phenylene ethynylenes)

Oligo(m-phenylene ethynylenes) (oligo(m-PE)) with backbones rigidified by intramolecular hydrogen bonds were found to fold into well-defined conformations. The localized intramolecular hydrogen bond involves a donor and an acceptor from two adjacent benzene rings, respectively, which enforces globally folded conformations on these oligomers. Oligomers with two to seven residues have been synthesized and characterized. The persistence of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds and the corresponding curved conformations were established by ab initio and molecular mechanics calculations, 1D and 2D (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and UV spectroscopy. Pentamer 5, hexamer 6, and heptamer 7 adopt well-defined helical conformations. Such a backbone-based conformational programming should lead to molecules whose conformations are resilient toward structural variation of the side groups. These m-PE oligomers have provided a new approach for achieving folded unnatural oligomers under conditions that are otherwise unfavorable for previously described, solvent-driven folding of m-PE foldamers. Stably folded structures based on the design principle described here can be developed and may find important applications.     

Syntheses and structures of isomeric diaminotriazinyl-substituted 2,2'-bipyridines and 1,10-phenanthrolines

Isomeric 2,2'-bipyridines 4a-6a and 1,10-phenanthrolines 7a-9a with two diaminotriazinyl (DAT) substituents were synthesized to explore their dual ability to direct association by the chelation of metals and the characteristic hydrogen bonding of DAT groups. Crystals of compounds 4a-6a and 7a-9a were grown under diverse conditions, and their structures were solved by X-ray crystallography. Analysis revealed multiple shared features analogous to those observed in the structures of simpler DAT-substituted pyridines 1-3. For example, the bipyridines and phenanthrolines favor flattened conformations except in the cases of compounds 8a and 9a, where the patterns of substitution prevent the DAT groups from lying in the plane of the phenanthroline core. As expected, the DAT groups form approximately coplanar hydrogen bonds according to standard motifs I-III, which play a key role in directing molecular organization. However, the structures of simple pyridines 1-3, which favor efficiently packed chains and sheets, differ predictably from those of bipyridines 4a-6a and phenanthrolines 7a-9a in two ways: (1) The larger number of DAT groups in compounds 4a-9a typically leads to complex three-dimensional networks held together by a larger number of hydrogen bonds per molecule, and (2) the need to respect multiple directional interactions prevents compounds 4a-9a from forming closely packed structures, and significant quantities of guests are included. Together, these observations confirm the effectiveness of incorporating special groups such as DAT within more complex molecular structures to control association according to reliable patterns. Bipyridines 4a-6a and phenanthrolines 7a-9a promise to be particularly rich sources of new supramolecular chemistry because they have well-defined molecular topologies and a dual ability to direct association by chelating metals and by engaging in multiple hydrogen bonds according to reliable patterns.     

Elongation of ordered peptide aggregate of an amyloidogenic hexapeptide NFGAIL observed in molecular dynamics simulations with explicit solvent

The mechanisms by which amyloidogenic peptides and proteins form soluble toxic oligomers remain elusive. We have studied the formation of partially ordered tetramers and well-ordered octamers of an amyloidogenic hexapeptide NFGAIL (residues 22-27 of the human islet amyloid polypeptide) in our previous work. Continuing the effort, we here probe the beta-sheet elongation process by a combined total of 2.0 micros molecular dynamics simulations with explicit solvent. In a set of 10 simulations with the peptides restrained to the extended conformation, we observed that the main growth mode was elongation along the beta-sheet hydrogen bonds through primarily a two-stage process. Driven by hydrophobic forces, the peptides initially attached to the surface of the ordered oligomer, moved quickly to the beta-sheet edges, and formed stable beta-sheet hydrogen bonds. Addition of peptides to the existing oligomer notably improved the order of the peptide aggregate in which labile outer layer beta-sheets were stabilized, which provides good templates for further elongation. These simulations suggested that elongation along the beta-sheet hydrogen bonds occurs at the intermediate stage when low-weight oligomers start to form. We did not observe significant preference toward either parallel or antiparallel beta-sheets at the elongation stage for this peptide. In another set of 10 unrestrained simulations, the dominant growth mode was disordered aggregation. Taken together, these results offered a glimpse at the molecular events leading to the formation of ordered and disordered low-weight oligomers.     

Quantifying homo- and heteromolecular hydrogen bonds as a guide for adduct formation

An investigation into the predictability of molecular adduct formation is presented by using the approach of hydrogen bond propensity. Along with the predictions, crystallisation reactions (1a-1j) were carried out between the anti-malarial drug pyrimethamine (1) and the acids oxalic (a), malonic (b), acetylenedicarboxylic (c), adipic (d), pimelic (e), suberic (f), azelaic acids (g), as well as hexachlorobenzene (h), 1,4-diiodobenzene (i), and 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (j); seven (1a to 1g) of these successfully formed salts. Five of these seven salts were found to be either hydrated or solvated. Hydrogen bond propensity calculations predict that hydrogen bonds between 1 and acids a-g are more likely to form rather than the H bonds involved in self-association, providing a rationale for the observation of the seven new salts. In contrast, propensity of hydrogen bonds between 1 and h-j is much smaller as compared to other bonds predicted for self-association/solvate formation, in agreement with the observed unsuccessful reactions.     

Design,synthesis, and NMR structure of linear and cyclic oligomers containing novel furanoid sugar amino acids

Sugar Amino Acids (SAAs) are sugar moieties containing at least one amino and one carboxyl group. The straightforward synthesis of two furanoid SAAs, 3-amino-3-deoxy-1,2-isopropylidene-alpha-D-ribofuranoic acid (f-SAA1) and 3-amino-3-deoxy-1,2-isopropylidene-alpha-D-allofuranoic acid (f-SAA2) starting from diacetone glucose, is described. These SAAs were used as structural templates aiming at new structures for peptidomimetic drug design. f-SAA1 resembles a beta-amino acid, whereas f-SAA2 is a gamma-amino acid mimetic. Thus, for the synthesis of the mixed, linear and cyclic oligomers of f-SAA1, beta-homo-glycine (beta-hGly, also called beta-alanine) was chosen as an amino acid counterpart, while for the oligomer of f-SAA2 gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) was chosen. Fmoc-[f-SAA1-beta-hGly](3)-OH (3) and cyclo[f-SAA1-beta-hGly](3) (5) resemble linear and cyclic beta-peptides with a very different substitution pattern, compared with the beta-peptides known so far in the literature, whereas Fmoc-[f-SAA2-GABA](3)-OH (4) resembles a gamma-peptide. The linear f-SAA oligomers 3 and 4 were synthesized on the solid-phase using Fmoc strategy. 23 unambiguous interresidue NOE contacts (from a total of 76 NOE values), obtained from extensive NMR studies in C(3)CN, were used in subsequent simulated annealing and MD calculations, to elucidate the 12/10/12-helical structure of oligomer 3 in CH(3)CN. The results indicate that f-SAA1 strongly induces a secondary structure. A characteristic CD curve for the linear oligomer 3 is observed up to 75 degrees C in both CH(3)CN and CH(3)CN/H(2)O, even though 3 contains beta-hGly, which is known to destabilize helices. By contrast, 4 does not seem to form a stable conformation in solution. The cyclic SAA containing oligomer cyclo [f-SAA1-beta-hGly](3) (5) exhibits a C(3) symmetric conformation on the NMR chemical shift time scale.     

Hydrazide-based quadruply hydrogen-bonded heterodimers. Structure, assembling selectivity, and supramolecular substitution

This paper describes the synthesis, self-assembly, and characterization of a new class of highly stable hydrazide-based quadruply hydrogen-bonded heterodimers. All of the hydrazide-derived heterodimers possess the complementary ADDA-DAAD hydrogen-bonding sequences. Hydrazide derivatives 1, which has two intramolecular S(6) RO.H-N hydrogen bonds, and 2 complex to afford two fastly exchanging isomeric heterodimers 1.2 and 1.2' in chloroform, as a result of two different conformational arrangements of 2. An average binding constant K(assoc) of 4.7 x 10(4) M(-)(1) was determined for heterodimer 1.2 and 1.2' by (1)H NMR titration of 1 with changing 2 in chloroform-d. In contrast, 1 binds 11 and 12, both of which are introduced with two intramolecular S(6) hydrogen bonds, to exclusively afford heterodimers 1.11 and 1.12, with K(assoc) values of 1.8 x 10(4) and 5.0 x 10(2) M(-)(1), respectively. Fluorine-containing 19, which has a hydrazide skeleton identical to that of 1 but two intramolecular S(6) F.H-N hydrogen bonds, can also complex with 2, 11, and 12, to afford heterodimers 19.2, 19.2', 19.11, and 19.12, with K(assoc) values of of 1.2 x 10(4) (average value for 19.2 and 19.2'), 5.4 x 10(3), and 1.9 x 10(2) M(-)(1), respectively. The structures of the new heterodimers have been proven with NOESY, IR, and VPO (for some of the heterodimers) experiments. Moreover, 1 and 19 can also strongly bind 2,7-dilauroylamido-1,8-naphthyridine 23 to afford dimers 1.23 and 19.23 with K(assoc) values of 6.0 x 10(5) and 1.4 x 10(5) M(-)(1), respectively. Adding 1 to the 1:1 solution of 23 and 1-octyl-3-(4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-yl)urea 24 or 1-octyl-3-(4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-pyrimidin-2-yl)urea 25, which had been developed initially by Zimmerman and Meijer, respectively, induces dimers 23.24 and 23.25 to dissociate, leading to the formation of dimers 1.23 and 24.24 or 25.25, respectively. The new hydrazide-based hydrogen-bonding modules described are useful building blocks for self-assembly and open a new avenue to recognition between discrete supramolecular species.     

Synthesis of mono and difunctional oligoisobutylenes—IV. Modification of α,ω-dichlorooligoisobutylene by reaction with maleic anhydride. Preliminary study on block polycondensation

Thermal dehydrochlorination of α,ω-dichlorooligoisobutylene leads to the formation of both endo and exo double bonds; endo bonds are mainly those of 4-phenyl-2,4-dimethyl-2-pentene; exo double bonds belong either to “short” end-groups. Reaction of dichlorinated oligomers with maleic anhydride gives a mixture of oligomers with anhydride or substituted propenyl or indanic terminations. Pure α,ω-di(2-methyl-2-propenyl)oligoisobutylene was prepared by basic dehydrochlorination of α,ω-dichlorinated oligomer; only exo double bonds are formed. This α,ω-unsaturated oligomer reacts with maleic anhydride, giving an oligomeric mixture with functionality, with respect to anhydride, of 1.25 but containing endo double bonds and indane rings. When a catalyst is added (dichloromaleic anhydride), two molecules of anhydride can react with the same end of chain. Various polyamides were prepared from the α,ω-dianhydride oligomers.     

中心对称型4,4’-双(N’-取代酰基硫脲基)取代联苯类衍生物的 合成及其晶体结构

以苯甲酸和2,4-二氯苯氧乙酸为原料合成取代酰基异硫氰酸酯, 再分别与4,4’-联苯二胺和3,3’-二甲基-4,4’-联苯二胺反应, 合成了3种中心对称型4,4’-双(N’-取代酰基硫脲基)取代联苯类衍生物. 产物结构经紫外光谱、红外光谱和核磁共振谱确认, 并用X射线单晶衍射分析法测定了化合物4,4’-双(N’-苯甲酰基硫脲基)联苯的晶体结构, 该晶体属于三斜晶系, P-1空间群, 晶胞参数: a＝0.53447(11) nm, b＝1.03086(13) nm, c＝1.15550(13) nm, α＝98.24(3)°, β＝96.95(3)°, γ＝99.43(3)°, Z＝2, Dc＝1.379 g/cm3, V＝0.61472(16) nm3, F(000)＝266, R1＝0.0506, wR2＝0.1335. 该分子呈中心对称分布, 存在两种分子内氢键N—H…O和C—H…S, 形成了毗邻的两个六元环结构, 同时通过分子间氢键N—H…S在分子间形成的R22(8)环把分子连接成无限延伸的一维链状结构, 再通过两种CH-π相互作用形成三维超分子结构.     

Two novel quadruple hydrogen-bonding motifs: the formation of supramolecular polymers, vesicles, and organogels

Two new hydrazide-based quadruple hydrogen-bonding motifs are described. Dipodals based on these two motifs are revealed to form supramolecular polymers, which can further aggregate to form vesicles and/or organogels in hydrocarbons. The quadruple hydrogen-bonding motifs are characterized by the X-ray diffraction and (2D) ¹H NMR experiments, while the vesicles and organogels are evidenced by SEM, AFM, TEM, and fluorescent microscopy.