Spontaneous formation of a chiral supramolecular superhelix in the crystalline state using a single-stranded tetranuclear metallohelicate

An unprecedented one-handed coiled-coil structure was formed in the crystal of a Zn(3)La tetranuclear metallohelicate, in which the handedness of both the helical component and the helical array was well controlled by the chiral auxiliary of the flexible acyclic ligand.     

Guest-dependent inversion rate of a tetranuclear single metallohelicate

Complexation of linear hexaoxime ligand H6L with Zn2+ and Mn+ (= La3+, Ba2+) afforded a tetranuclear single metallohelicate [LZn3M]n+, whose inversion rate can be modulated by the central metal Mn+.     

Anion-directed assembly of a three-dimensional metal-organic rotaxane framework

A three-dimensional extended, metal-organic rotaxane framework (MORF) that incorporates encircled "struts" has been synthesized through a one-pot self-assembly process involving a macrocyclic tetraimidazolium "molecular box", naphthalene dicaboxylate dianion, and Zn(II) cations. The present system represents progress towards controlling the features of three-dimensional metal-organic frameworks.     

Anion-directed assembly: Framework conversion in dimensionality and photoluminescence

Six novel Ni(II)-fluconazole complexes formulated as (C₁₃H₁₁N₆OF₂)₂Ni₂(NO₃)₂ (1), (C₁₃H₁₂N₆OF₂)₂Ni(NO₃)₂·H₂O (2), (C₁₃H₁₂N₆OF₂)Ni(SO₄)(DMF)₂(H₂O) (3), (C₁₃H₁₂N₆OF₂)₂Ni(H₂O)₂(SO₄)·4H₂O (4), (C₁₃H₁₂N₆OF₂)₂NiCl₂·2(CH₃OH) (5), (C₁₃H₁₂N₆OF₂)₄Ni₂ (MoO₄)₂·6H₂O (6) have been hydrothermally or solvothermally synthesized under similar conditions except different anions and solvents. They are structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is a molecular binuclear nickel cluster. Complex 2 exhibits a one-dimensional (1D) chain linked by double-stranded fluconazole-bridge. Complex 3 shows a novel 1D chain linked by double-stranded fluconazole-bridge and double-stranded SO₄²⁻-bridge. Complex 4 shows a three-dimensional (3D) architecture and SO₄²⁻ anions occupy the cavity. Complex 5 exhibits a two-dimensional (2D) structure constructed by alternating left- and right-handed helices. Complex 6 exhibits a 3D architecture, in which the 2D layers are pillared by {MoO₄} tetrahedra. Complex 2 can be irreversibly converted to complex 1 in the presence of DMF (N,N′-dimethyllformamide). Complexes 1, 3 and 6 show antiferromagnetic interactions between the nickel (II) ions The photoluminescence properties of the six complexes indicated that the introduction of different anions can enhance or weaken the intra-ligand transitions of fluconazole.     

Formation of an interlocked quadruplex dimer by d(GGGT)

A tetranucleotide sequence d(GGGT) has been shown to self-assemble into an interlocking quadruplex dimer. UV-melting studies indicated the existence of two species that each showed distinct quadruplex melting transitions, a low-T(m) species, Q(l), and a high-T(m) species, Q(h). Conditions were controlled to favor the formation of either Q(l) or Q(h). Q(l) and Q(h) each showed circular dichroism spectra characteristic of parallel quadruplexes. Negative ion nano-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry confirmed that Q(l) was a tetrameric complex, d(GGGT)(4), and Q(h) was an octameric complex, d(GGGT)(8). High-resolution (1)H NMR spectroscopy evidenced that d(GGGT)(4) was a C(4)-symmetric parallel tetramolecular quadruplex. The (1)H NMR spectrum of d(GGGT)(8) was consistent with a structure formed by the dimerization of a parallel, "slipped" tetramolecular quadruplex that has its diagonal strands staggered by one base. This "slippage" results in two guanine bases at the 5' end of the quadruplex being presented diagonally that are not involved in tetrads. Two such "slipped" quadruplexes dimerize via these free G-bases at the 5' ends by forming an extra G-tetrad. Each "slipped" quadruplex contributes two guanine bases to this extra G-tetrad. The formation of a novel GTGT tetrad is also observed at both the 3' ends of the interlocked quadruplex dimer.     

The mechanism of formation of amide-based interlocked compounds: prediction of a new rotaxane-forming motif

Molecular modeling of four different reagent systems shows that the (free) energies of supramolecular interactions in the gas phase and in solution can explain the different reaction products (i.e., various sized macrocycles, catenanes, and linear oligomers) that are formed in classic amide-catenane-forming reactions. Self-assembly of the catenanes requires the formation of ordered intertwined chains and is driven by bifurcated hydrogen bonds, with pi stacking only playing a lesser role. The understanding gained from the computational study was used to predict the possibility of a new rotaxane-forming system that does not permit catenane formation. The predictions were confirmed by the successful synthesis and characterization (including X-ray crystallography) of two novel rotaxanes.     

Anion-directed organized assemblies of protonated pyrazole-based ionic salts

The reactions of 3(5)-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5(3)-phenyl-1H-pyrazole (L ¹ ) with nitric acid and 5-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)-3-(furan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole(L ² ) with hydrochloric acid produced [HL ¹ · NO₃] (Salt-1) and [HL ² · Cl] (Salt-2). The structures of Salt-1 and Salt-2 were determined by single crystal X-diffraction. In Salt-1, HL ¹ showed [2 + 2] binding of NO₃ ^? ions in the solid state to form dimer architecture with R ₁ ² (4) and R ₄ ⁴ (14) graph sets. An anion directed one-dimensional anion-assisted helical chain with active participation of the chloride ion and protonated pyrazole via N–H···Cl hydrogen bonding in Salt-2. In addition, the protonated HL ² molecules interacted with each other through weak C–H···π interactions resulting in the formation of another one-dimensional helical chain.     

Self-assembly of interlocked supramolecular dendrimers

Interlocked supramolecular dendrimers were spontaneously self-assembled from molecular components, metallocycles, and dumbbells bearing benzyl ether repeating units. Here, the metallocycles were in situ self-assembled from L-shaped ligands with dendritic branches, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene and osmium tetraoxide. The supramolecular dendrimers were stabilized by hydrogen-bonding interactions between the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide unit in the metallocycle and the adipamide unit in the dumbbell.     

Anion-directed self-assembly of coordination polymer into tunable secondary structure

A bent-shaped bipyridine ligand containing a dendritic aliphatic side chain has been synthesized as a ligand and complexed with silver ion through a self-assembling process. The resulting complexes were observed to self-assemble into supramolecular structures that differ significantly as a function of the counteranion size in the solid state, as confirmed by 1-D and 2-D X-ray diffraction experiments. The secondary structure of a cationic coordination chain appears to be dependent on the size of the counteranion. As the size of anion increases, the secondary structure of the coordination chain changes, from a helical chain, via a dimeric cycle, to a zigzag chain in the solid state. Interestingly, dilute solutions of the complexes exhibiting a columnar structure in polar solvents undergo spontaneous gelation and the resulting gels display a significant Cotton effect in the chromophore of the aromatic unit. These results represent a significant example that small variation in the anion size can provide a useful strategy to manipulate the secondary structure of linear chain and thereby solid-state supramolecular structure.     

Selective separation of planar and non-planar hydrocarbons using an aqueous Pd6 interlocked cage

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) find multiple applications ranging from fabric dyes to optoelectronic materials. Hydrogenation of PAHs is often employed for their purification or derivatization. However, separation of PAHs from their hydrogenated analogues is challenging because of their similar physical properties. An example of such is the separation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene from phenanthrene/anthracene which requires fractional distillation at high temperature (∼340 °C) to obtain pure anthracene/phenanthrene in coal industry. Herein we demonstrate a new approach for this separation at room temperature using a water-soluble interlocked cage (1) as extracting agent by host–guest chemistry. The cage was obtained by self-assembly of a triimidazole donor L·HNO₃ with cis-[(tmeda)Pd(NO₃)₂] (M) [tmeda = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine]. 1 has a triply interlocked structure with an inner cavity capable of selectively binding planar aromatic guests.

We report here a triply interlocked cage with the ability to encapsulate planar guests in aqueous medium. This property was then employed to efficiently separate planar and non-planar aromatic hydrocarbons by aqueous extraction.     

Anion-templated assembly of interpenetrated and interlocked structures

The rational development of a general anion templation strategy for the construction of a variety of interpenetrated and interlocked molecular structures based upon the coupling of anion recognition with ion-pairing is described. The success of this anion templation methodology is demonstrated with the halide anion directed assembly of a series of novel [2]pseudorotaxanes containing pyridinium, pyridinium nicotinamide, imidazolium, benzimidazolium and guanidinium threading components and anion binding macrocyclic ligands. Interlocked [2]rotaxane and [2]catenane molecular structures are also synthesised using this anion templation protocol. These interlocked structures feature unique topologically defined hydrogen bond donating binding domains that exhibit a high degree of selectivity for chloride, the templating anion. A series of rhenium(I) bipyridyl containing [2]pseudorotaxane assemblies and a [2]rotaxane further highlight the potential this strategic anion templation approach has in future chemical sensor design and fabrication.     

Toward interlocked molecules beyond catenanes and rotaxanes

A linear bis secondary dialkylammonium ion-containing scaffold-based upon an anthracenyl core-has been synthesized. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to dock either one or two dibenzo[24]crown-8 (DB24C8) macrocycles onto this scaffold to afford either a [2]- or [3]pseudorotaxane, respectively. In solution, the association constants for the formation of each of these species has been quantified by employing (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and both species survive in the "gas phase" as evidenced by FAB mass spectrometry. Additionally, the X-ray crystal superstructure of the [3]pseudorotaxane has been determined.     

Anion-directed self-organization of thermotropic liquid crystalline materials containing a guanidinium moiety

New wedge-shaped thermotropic liquid crystalline materials containing a guanidinium moiety at the apex organize into various supramolecular structures such as hexagonal columnar, rectangular columnar and Pm3n cubic mesophases depending on anions illustrating guest-directed self-organization in mesophases.     

A novel alpha-helix-liked metallohelicate series and their structural adjustments for the isomorphous substitution

A novel metallohelical motif is well designed and synthesized by mimicking the alpha-helical fold structure of protein. The 1D helical structures of [Cd(CH2(COO)2)(SC(NH2)2)2]n (I) and [Zn(CH2(COO)2) (SC(NH2)2)2]n (II) are primarily induced and stabilized by the multiple long-range intrahelix hydrogen bonds. Malonate dianion acts as a bidentate ligand coordinated with metal ions to form the backbone of the helix, and thiourea molecules that bend into the helical turn are involved in the intrahelix hydrogen-bond system. The metal ion occupations in the helix of I and II can be freely substituted by simply controlling the initial ratio of those two metal ions. Single crystals of three mixed metal ion complexes of [Cd0.77Zn0.23(CH2(COO)2)(SC(NH2)2)2]n (III), [Cd0.50Zn0.50(CH2(COO)2)(SC(NH2)2)2]n (IV), and [Cd0.21Zn0.79(CH2(COO)2)(SC(NH2)2)2]n (V) were synthesized from systems with an initial Cd/Zn mole ratio of 1:1 for III, 1:2 for IV, and 1:8 for V. They are isomorphous as confirmed by X-ray characterization. When the metal ion is substituted, the multiple intrahelix hydrogen interaction motifs of the coordination polymer structure are self-adjusted to sustain their 1D helical motifs.     

Cathodic initiation of reactions of macromolecule formation and degradation

Research in the field of cathodic initiation of macromolecule polymerization and degradation is reviewed in this article. A mechanism is proposed for electrochemical initiation of anionic polymerization of oligoesteracrylates, as well as an accumulative mechanism of electrochemical reductive degradation (ECRD) of cross-linked polymers. Indirect initiation of ECRD of carbochain polymers through a dissociative mechanism is examined. Problems and perspectives are set forth for the development of electrochemical initiation of processes of polymerization and degradation of macromolecules.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 307–318, November–December, 1994.     

Anion templated assembly of mechanically interlocked structures

This tutorial review describes the evolution of the field of chemical templation, in particular, emphasising the impact its application has made to the synthesis of mechanically interlocked structures. Recent advances in the use of negatively charged template species for the synthesis of interlocked structures are detailed, with the main focus of this review describing the development of a general anion templation strategy that combines anion recognition with ion-pairing. The versatility of this methodology is demonstrated by the chloride anion templated synthesis of a series of interpenetrated pseudorotaxane, rotaxane and catenane structures. Upon template removal, the mechanically interlocked rotaxanes and catenanes are shown to bind anions within their topologically unique anion binding clefts by virtue of electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions, exhibiting a strong selectivity for the chloride halide anion template. The incorporation of the photo-active rhenium(I) bipyridyl signalling group into the rotaxane structural framework highlights the potential of these interlocked systems in future chemical sensor design.     

Isothermal degradation and thermooxidative degradation of an epoxy powder coating

Summary Thermogravimetry was used to study the kinetics of isothermal degradation of an epoxy thermoset powder coating in a nitrogen atmosphere and in oxidizing atmospheres of air and pure oxygen. An integral isoconversional procedure was used to analyse how the activation energy varies depending on the degree of conversion and depending on the atmospheres used. In the case of degradation in a nitrogen atmosphere, in addition to the activation energy, the kinetic triplet was completed using an Avrami reaction model and the pre-exponential factor. With this atmosphere, the conclusion was reached that the isothermal and non-isothermal kinetics are equivalent. It was shown that the thermooxidative degradation process is more complex and consists of a two-stage process. The first stage of degradation is similar whether nitrogen, oxygen or air are present. Chain scission occurs and it seems that there is formation of thermally more stable compounds. The second stage of degradation, involving several phenomena, occurs only in the presence of oxygen or air and leads to the total disappearance of the organic material by thermooxidation. These stages are very similar under non-isothermal or isothermal conditions.     

Reversible control of assembly and disassembly of interlocked supermolecules

Two kinds of interlocked supramolecular complexes that display stimulus-responsive assembly and disassembly have been described. One is a pseudorotaxane driven by hydrogen-bonding interactions between rings 2a and 2b and rods 1a and 1b. The rods contain a binding site for the ring as well as a stimulus-responsive diazo group, both of which are conformationally constrained in parallel by connecting them to a rigid xanthene skeleton. The trans isomer of 1a bearing a rigid binding site cannot form the pseudorotaxanes with the rings 2a and 2b because the neighboring diazophenyl group sterically shields the binding site. However, when trans-1a was converted to the corresponding cis-1a by UV light, the pseudorotaxanes are immediately formed with association constants of 70 +/- 10 M(-1) and (1.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(3) M(-1) for 2a and 2b, respectively, in CDCl3 at 24 +/- 1 degrees C. The pseudorotaxanes are completely disassembled into their molecular component when heated at 80-85 degrees C for 20 min. The assembly and disassembly processes can be reversibly cycled by repeating irradiation and heating alternatively. In the case of the rod 1b that possesses a flexible binding site, both cis and trans isomers can form the corresponding pseudorotaxanes with association constants of (2.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(2) M(-1) for 2a and trans-1b and of (7.4 +/- 0.5) x 10(2) M(-1) for 2a and cis-1b in CDCl3 at 24 +/- 1 degrees C. In this system, therefore, external stimuli can modulate the relative distribution of the pseudorotaxane and its components. Finally, the work was extended to the construction of a kinetically more stable molecular machine based on a rotaxane-like complex 10.11 between a metallocycle 11 and a dumbbell 10. In this system, the complex and its components showed separate sets of the signals, not the averaged, in 1H NMR spectroscopy as expected by the increased kinetic stability.