Self‐Assembled Columnar Triazole Quartets: An Example of Synergistic Hydrogen‐Bonding/Anion–π Interactions

The self‐assembly of triazole amphiphiles was examined in solution, the solid state, and in bilayer membranes. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction experiments show that stacked protonated triazole quartets (T₄) are stabilized by multiple strong interactions with two anions. Hydrogen bonding/ion pairing of the anions are combined with anion–π recognition to produce columnar architectures. In bilayer membranes, low transport activity is observed when the T₄ channels are operated as H⁺/X^? translocators, but higher transport activity is observed for X^? in the presence of the K⁺‐carrier valinomycin. These self‐assembled superstructures, presenting intriguing structural behaviors such as directionality, and strong anion encapsulation by hydrogen bonding supported by vicinal anion–π interactions can serve as artificial supramolecular channels for transporting anions across lipid bilayer membranes.     

Synthesis of Active Hexafluoroisopropyl Benzoates through a Hydrogen‐Bond‐Enabled Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed C−H Alkoxycarbonylation Reaction

A Pd^II‐catalyzed ortho C−H alkoxycarbonylation reaction of aryl silanes toward active hexafluoroisopropyl (HFIP) benzoate esters has been developed. This efficient reaction features high selectivity and good functional‐group tolerance. Notably, given the general nature of the silyl‐tethered directing group, this method delivers products bearing two independently modifiable sites. NMR studies reveal the presence of hydrogen bonding between HFIP and a pyrimidine nitrogen atom of the directing group, and it is thought to be crucial for the success of this alkoxycarbonylation reaction.     

Stabilization and Structure of the cis Tautomer of a Free‐Base Porphyrin

Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of the β‐heptakis(trifluoromethyl)‐meso ‐tetrakis(p ‐fluorophenyl)porphyrin, H₂[(CF₃)₇TpFPP], has revealed the first example of a stable cis tautomer of a free‐base porphyrin, the long‐postulated intermediate of porphyrin tautomerism. The stability of the unique molecule appears to reflect a dual origin: a strongly saddled porphyrin skeleton, which alleviates electrostatic repulsion between the two NH protons, and two polarization‐enhanced, transannular N−H⋅⋅⋅O−H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bond chains, each involving a molecule of water. DFT calculations suggest that the observed tautomer has a lower energy than the alternative, doubly hydrated trans tautomer by some 8.3 kcal mol⁻¹. A fascinating prospect thus exists that H₂[(CF₃)₇TpFPP]⋅2 H₂O and cognate structures may act as supramolecular synthons, which, given their chirality, may even be amenable to resolution into optically pure enantiomers.     

Retarded Solid‐State Rotations of an Oval‐Shaped Guest in a Deformed Cylinder with CH–π Arrays

Upon encapsulating an oval‐shaped hydrocarbon guest, a cylindrical host deforms its shape to maximize intermolecular contacts. Structure–assembly relationship studies with a series of hydrocarbon guests disclosed the importance of molecular shapes and CH–π contacts. Multiple contacts and weak CH–π hydrogen bonds resulted in an optimal assembly; however, the shape deformation resulted in severe retardation of rotational motions in the crystal. Thus, unlike a circular guest, the oval‐shaped guest did not change its orientation in the host. Unexpectedly, the planar guest did not affect the packing structure to form a double helix in intertwined host arrays.