Versatile switching in substrate topicity: supramolecular chirality induction in di- and trinuclear host complexes

Supramolecular chirality effects have been achieved both for ditopic and monotopic substrates by using a programmable bis-salphen scaffold that incorporates either two or three Zn nuclei. The dinuclear host shows preferential chirogenesis in the presence of ditopic systems, whereas effective chirality transfer to the trinuclear complex is realized through monotopic binding. The mode of binding in the trinuclear host has been investigated through X-ray crystallography, CD measurements, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and DFT analysis. The bis-salphen scaffold holds promise for the development of substrate-specific host systems useful for determination of the absolute configuration of various types of organic molecules.     

The Assembly of Supramolecular Boxes and Coordination Polymers Based on Bis‐Zinc‐Salphen Building Blocks

We report the assembly of supramolecular boxes and coordination polymers based on a rigid bis‐zinc(II)‐salphen complex and various ditopic nitrogen ligands. The use of the bis‐zinc(II)‐salphen building block in combination with small ditopic nitrogen ligands gave organic coordination polymers both in solution as well as in the solid state. Molecular modeling shows that supramolecular boxes with small internal cavities can be formed. However, the inability to accommodate solvent molecules (such as toluene) in these cavities explains why coordination polymers are prevailing over well‐defined boxes, as it would lead to an energetically unfavorable vacuum. In contrast, for relatively longer ditopic nitrogen ligands, we observed the selective formation of supramolecular box assemblies in all cases studied. The approach can be easily extended to chiral analogues by using chiral ditopic nitrogen ligands.     

A Recyclable Trinuclear Bifunctional Catalyst Derived from a Tetraoxo Bis‐Zn(salphen) Metalloligand

A tetraoxo bis‐Zn(salphen) supramolecular host can bind various divalent metal salts, thereby providing access to trinuclear bifunctional systems that incorporate both Lewis acid sites and dynamically bound nucleophilic anions. The formation of these trinuclear species was investigated and their stability features were also determined. The application of these trinuclear complexes as bifunctional catalysts was evaluated in the formation of cyclic organic carbonates from epoxides and CO₂. The catalytic data, in combination with control experiments, clearly demonstrate that these trinuclear compounds show much higher recycling potential compared to various control compounds and they can be used in up to five cycles without an observable loss in activity. Furthermore, this new recyclable catalytic system does not require any additives and can be applied under solvent‐free conditions.     

Controlled Dynamic Helicity of a Folded Macrocycle Based on a Bisterephthalamide with a Twofold Z‐Shaped Structure

Dynamic helicity in a folded macrocycle and control of the helical preference are described. We designed macrocycle 1 with a dual mode of folding through the integration of two flexible units that are arranged twice to form a cyclic structure. As a folding unit, we used a terephthalamide skeleton and a Z‐shaped hydrocarbon: the former acted as a control unit to induce a preference of a particular sense of dynamic helicity and the latter was just a spacer. A terephthalamide unit provided a binding site for capturing a ditopic hydrogen‐bonding guest when it adopted helically folded syn forms (M/P). Thus, only the terephthalamide unit controlled the helical sense of dynamic helicity in a folded macrocycle through the supramolecular transmission of chirality upon complexation with a chiral ditopic guest. In addition, chirality on a host could also contribute to the control of the helical preference in a folded macrocycle, which led to exceptionally enhanced chiroptical signals.     

Synthesis and Photophysics of a Red‐Light Absorbing Supramolecular Chromophore System

In search of supramolecular antenna systems for light‐harvesting applications, we report on a short and effective synthesis of a fused NDI–zinc–salphen‐based chromophore (salphen = bis‐salicylimide phenylene) and its photophysical properties. A supramolecular recognition motif is embedded into the chromophoric π‐system of this compound. The fused π‐chromophore behaves as one pigment, absorbs light between 600 and 750 nm and displays a modest Stokes shift. Upon binding pyridines, the compound ( DATZnS ) does not change its redox potentials, does not undergo any internal excited state quenching and does not appreciably alter its excited state lifetime. These notable properties define DATZnS as an alternative to porphyrin‐based components used in supramolecular light‐harvesting architectures.     

Terpyridine–Porphyrin Hetero‐Pacman Compounds

The two different coordination spheres afforded by Pacman architectures offer cooperativity derived from two different metal centers. A modular strategy is developed to produce a hetero‐Pacman scaffold featuring a porphyrin and terpyridine for metal‐ion binding. A double Suzuki reaction was employed to first attach a terpyridine moiety to a xanthene backbone and then attach a porphyrin. The new hetero‐Pacman scaffold has been characterized and all building blocks have been isolated and structurally characterized. The principle objective to incorporate different metal centers was confirmed by isolating a trinuclear complex comprising two porphyrinic units and a bis(terpyridine)–iron unit. The compounds described herein expand the Pacman scaffold concept by allowing for the incorporation of a terpyridine–metal complex proximate to a porphyrin‐cofactor active site for small‐molecule activation.     

Highly Efficient Chirality Transfer from Diamines Encapsulated within a Self‐Assembled Calixarene–Salen Host

A calix[4]arene host equipped with two bis‐[Zn(salphen)] complexes self‐assembles into a capsular complex in the presence of a chiral diamine guest with an unexpected 2:1 ratio between the host and the guest. Effective chirality transfer from the diamine to the calix–salen hybrid host is observed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and a high stability constant K_2,1 of 1.59×10¹¹ M ^?2 for the assembled host–guest ensemble has been determined with a substantial cooperativity factor α of 6.4. Density functional calculations are used to investigate the origin of the stability of the host–guest system and the experimental CD spectrum compared with those calculated for both possible diastereoisomers showing that the M,M isomer is the one that is preferentially formed. The current system holds promise for the chirality determination of diamines, as evidenced by the investigated substrate scope and the linear relationship between the ee of the diamine and the amplitude of the observed Cotton effects.     

Ion pair recognition by Zn-porphyrin/crown ether conjugates: visible sensing of sodium cyanide

Synthesis and complexation behavior of ditopic neutral receptors composed of both a Lewis-acidic binding site (zinc porphyrin moiety) and a Lewis-basic binding site (crown ether moiety) are reported; the receptors bound only NaCN in a ditopic fashion with a color change, and in contrast other sodium salts bound to the receptors in a monotopic fashion without a color change.     

Host-Guest Interactions between N,N＇-Bis（ferrocenylmethyl- ene）-Diaminobutane and Benzenetetracarboxylic Dianhydride Bridged Bis（β-cyclodextrin）s

A novel water soluble ditopic guest, the quaternary ammonium salt of N,N＇-bis（ferrocenylmethylene）-diaminobutane （1）, and a known water soluble ditopic host, benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride bridged bis（β-cyclodextrin）s （2）, have been synthesized and characterized. ^1H NMR spectra and cyclic voltammogram （CV） studies revealed the host-guest interactions between them in aqueous solution. The supramolecular interaction also exists in solid state as confirmed by the studies of the solid samples, which were obtained by frozen-drying the solution sampies, using FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） techniques. TEM measurement demonstrated that wire-shaped supramolecular aggregates exist in the aqueous solution of the two compounds. The lengths of the aggregates could reach micrometers.     

Shape‐Persistent (Pt‐salphen)2 Phosphorescent Coordination Frameworks: Structural Insights and Selective Perturbations

The development of molecular frameworks derived from binuclear platinum(II) aromatic Schiff base (salphen) complexes and their supramolecular chemistry have been undertaken. A series of axially rotating (Pt‐salphen)₂ luminophores, tethered in a cofacial manner by a rigid linker (xanthene, 1 ; dibenzofuran, 2 ; biphenylene, 3 ), was synthesized in which the O(salphen) groups are potentially amenable for guest‐binding. The molecular structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by X‐ray crystallography, revealing intra‐ and intermolecular π‐stacking interactions, as well as contrasting syn ( 1 ) and anti ( 3 ) configurations, for the (Pt‐salphen)₂ moiety. All complexes are luminescent in solution at room temperature. Their photophysical and solvatochromic properties have been examined, and the emissions are assigned to mixed triplet O(p)/Pt(d)→π*(diimine) excited states. The red‐shifted fluid emissions and lower quantum yields of 1 and 3 , relative to 2 , are ascribed to enhanced intramolecular π‐stacking interactions. Photophysical changes and selective responses to metal ions (particularly Pb²⁺) have been investigated by using various spectroscopic methods and DFT calculations, and through comparative studies with control complexes. A plausible binding mechanism is proposed based on occupation of the O(salphen)‐binding cavity, which induces perturbation of intramolecular π–π interactions, and hence the self‐quenching and emission properties, of the (Pt‐salphen)₂ unit.     

para‐Sulfonated Calixarenes Used as Synthetic Receptors for Complexing Photolabile Cholinergic Ligand

The water‐soluble tetra‐, hexa‐ and octasulfonated calix[4]arenes, calix[6]arenes, and calix[8]arenes 1 – 3 , respectively, were investigated as potential synthetic receptors for photolabile cholinergic ligand A , a photolytic precursor of choline. Ligand A is a bifunctional molecule carrying a photolabile 2‐nitrobenzyl group at one end and a choline moiety at the other end. Results from NMR studies have shown that calixarenes 1 – 3 form stable 1 : 1 complexes with A , having similar binding potential to that observed with the cholinergic enzymes acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Further studies have suggested that calix[8]arene forms a ditopic complex by binding concomitantly to both the cationic choline moiety and the aromatic photolabile group of A , whereas calix[4]arene and calix[6]arene form monotopic complexes with A . The ditopic complex between calix[8]arene and A results from mutually induced fitting process, while the monotopic complexes between calix[4]arene and A can be regulated by pH: at neutral pH, calix[4]arene specifically binds the cationic choline moiety, while, at acidic pH, it complexes unselectively both the cationic choline moiety and the aromatic group of A . Our results show that para‐sulfonated calixarenes are versatile artificial receptors which bind in various ways to the bifunctional photolabile cholinergic ligand A , depending on their size, geometry, and state of protonation.     

A Bidentate Ligand Featuring Ditopic Lewis Acids in the Second Sphere for Selective Substrate Capture and Activation

We present a ligand platform featuring appended ditopic Lewis acids to facilitate capture/activation of diatomic substrates. We show that incorporation of two 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) units on a single carbon tethered to a pyridine pyrazole scaffold maintains a set of unquenched nitrogen donors available to coordinate Fe^II, Zn^II, and Ni^II. Using hydride ion affinity and competition experiments, we establish an additive effect for ditopic secondary sphere boranes, compared to the monotopic analogue. These effects are exploited to achieve high selectivity for binding NO₂⁻ in the presence of competitive anions such as F⁻ and NO₃⁻. Finally, we demonstrate hydrazine capture within the second-sphere of metal complexes, followed by unique activation pathways to generate hydrazido and diazene ligands on Zn and Fe, respectively.     

Functional supramolecular systems with highly cooperative and responding properties

The dynamic processes of host–guest interactions contribute to the multistep regulation of various molecular functions such as the catalysis of chemical reactions, transport of materials, control of reaction pathways, and cooperative and responsive phenomena particularly in biological systems. In this review, we describe artificial metallo‐supramolecular systems, which exhibit highly cooperative and responsive functions to external stimulus, by utilizing formation of the metal complexes and their characteristic properties. Pseudomacrocycles such as pseudocrown ethers and pseudocryptands have been synthesized to control macrocyclic and macrobicyclic effects on guest recognition by using a metal ion as an effector, and remarkably positive and negative allosteric effects have been achieved. Highly cooperative stepwise regulation of the affinity to anions has also been achieved by a pseudocryptand and a salt‐binding host. The electrostatic interactions between the anions and cations are important for the combination specificity of the salts. We also introduce a linear bis‐salamo ligand as a precursor for a novel multimetal cooperative host. A trinuclear zinc complex was formed cooperatively and only the central zinc ion was replaced by lanthanide and calcium ions in a transmetalation way. © 2008 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 8: 240–251; 2008: Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20153     

Pyrrolic Tripodal Receptors for the Molecular Recognition of Carbohydrates: Ditopic Receptors for Dimannosides

Synthetic ditopic receptors, designed for the molecular recognition of dimannosides, have been prepared by bridging two monotopic units effectively recognizing mannosides with linkers of the appropriate size and flexibility, endowed with hydrogen‐bonding groups. Affinities toward the α and β glycosides of the biologically relevant Manα(1–2)Man disaccharide were measured by NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in polar organic media (30–40 % DMF in chloroform). Significant selectivities and affinities in the micromolar range were observed in most cases, with two newly designed receptors being the most effective receptors of the set, together with a distinct preference of the dimannosides for the (S) enantiomer of the receptor in all cases. A 3D view of the recognition mode was elucidated by a combined NMR spectroscopic/molecular modeling approach, showing the dimannoside included in the cleft of the receptor. Compared to the monotopic precursors, the ditopic receptors showed markedly improved recognition properties, proving the efficacy of the modular receptor design for the recognition of disaccharides.     

Transport of alkali halides through a liquid organic membrane containing a ditopic salt-binding receptor

A ditopic receptor is shown to have an impressive ability to recognize and extract the ion pairs of various alkali halides into organic solution. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the salts are bound in the solid state as contact ion pairs. Transport experiments, using a supported liquid membrane and high salt concentration in the source phase, show that the ditopic receptor can transport alkali halide salts up to 10-fold faster than a monotopic cation or anion receptor and 2-fold faster than a binary mixture of cation and anion receptors. All transport systems exhibit the same qualitative order of ion selectivity; that is, for a constant anion, the cation selectivity order is K+ > Na+ > Li+, and for a constant cation, the anion transport selectivity order is I- > Br- > Cl-. The data suggest that with a ditopic receptor, the polarity of the receptor-salt complex can be lowered if the salt is bound as an associated ion pair, which leads to a faster diffusion through the membrane and a higher maximal flux.     

Selective recognition of sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide by diaza-crown ether-capped Zn-porphyrin receptors in polar solvents

Two new ditopic porphyrin receptors Zn1, incorporating a diaza-15-crown-5 unit, and Zn2, incorporating a diaza-18-crown-6 unit, have been prepared and characterized. UV-vis study in polar methanol has revealed that Zn1 is able to selectively recognize sodium cyanide over potassium cyanide (the ratio of their binding constant is ca. 56), whereas Zn2 exhibits a higher binding affinity for potassium cyanide over sodium cyanide (the ratio of their binding constant is ca. 12). In contrast, both receptors display substantially weaker binding affinity for sodium thiocyanate and potassium thiocyanate presumably due to a monotopic binding fashion.     

Remote Control of the Planar Chirality in Peptide‐Bound Metallomacrocycles and Dynamic‐to‐Static Planar Chirality Control Triggered by Solvent‐Induced 310‐to‐α‐Helix Transitions

The dynamic planar chirality in a peptide‐bound Ni^II‐salphen‐based macrocycle can be remotely controlled. First, a right‐handed (P)‐3₁₀‐helix is induced in the dynamic helical oligopeptides by a chiral amino acid residue far from the macrocyclic framework. The induced planar chirality remains dynamic in chloroform and acetonitrile, but is almost completely locked in fluoroalcohols as a result of the solvent‐induced transition of the peptide chains from a 3₁₀‐helix to a wider α‐helix, which freezes the rotation of the pendant peptide units around the macrocycle.     

Preparation of side‐chain liquid crystalline Azopolymers by CuAAC postfunctionalization using bifunctional azides: Induction of chirality using circularly polarized light

Well‐defined side‐chain liquid crystal azopolymers have been synthesized by click chemistry of poly(propargyl methacrylate) with bifunctional liquid crystalline azides to produce materials with large degrees of functionalization. A polymeric scaffold having pendant alkyne groups was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and postfunctionalized by copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) using homo‐ and heterobifunctional azides. The azides are derivatives of 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propanoic acid (bis‐MPA) containing photoresponsive azobenzene and/or liquid crystalline biphenyl moieties. The approach is a convenient alternative to increase the density of functional units in side‐chain polymers having moderate polymerization degrees and to modulate the properties of the final material. The article describes the synthesis, characterization, and liquid crystalline properties of the obtained polymers. The effect of the chemical structure and the possible cooperative effects between functional units in the photo‐induction of chirality are also evaluated. A switchable photo‐transference of chirality from the circularly polarized light (CPL) to material has been achieved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Supramolecular chirogenesis in zinc porphyrins: equilibria, binding properties, and thermodynamics

Complexation mechanism, binding properties and thermodynamic parameters of supramolecular chirality induction in the achiral host molecule, syn (face-to-face conformation) ethane-bridged bis(zinc porphyrin), upon interaction with chiral monoamine and monoalcohol guests have been studied by means of the UV-vis, CD, (1)H NMR, and ESI MS techniques. It was found that the chirogenesis process includes three major equilibria steps: the first guest ligation to a zinc porphyrin subunit of the host (K(1)), syn to anti conformational switching (K(S)), and further ligation by a second guest molecule to the remaining ligand-free zinc porphyrin subunit (K(2)), thus forming the final bis-ligated species possessing supramolecular chirality. The validity of this equilibria model is confirmed by the excellent match between the calculated and experimentally observed spectral parameters of the bis-ligated species. The second ligation proceeds in a cooperative manner as K(2) > K(1) for all supramolecular systems studied, regardless of the structure of the chiral ligand used. The binding properties are highly dependent on the nature of the functional group (amines are stronger binders than alcohols) and on the structure of the chiral guests (primary and aliphatic amines have overall binding constant values greater than those of secondary and aromatic amines, respectively).