Toward long-distance mechanical communication: studies on a ternary complex interconnected by a bridging rotary module

A heterotropic ternary complex was obtained from a photochromic dithienylethene derivative bearing pyridyl groups (1), a chiral tetrasubstituted ferrocene as a scissoring component bearing two pyridyl and free-base porphyrin groups (3*), and a biaryl derivative as an intermediately bridging component bearing four zinc porphyrin handles (2). The three components are connected together via bidentate coordination bonds and mechanically interconnected. Exposure of the ternary complex to UV or visible light allowed for the isomerization of 1. This configurational change gave rise to an angular motion of 2, resulting in a scissoring motion of 3*. In the absence of 2, the isomerization of 1 does not lead to any defined motions of 3*. Thus, the heterotropic ternary complex may be regarded as a prototype of "molecular reacher" for remote manipulation of molecular events.     

A self-locking molecule operative with a photoresponsive key

Rotary host 1, composed of a ferrocene unit as a rotary module, is conformationally locked internally in apolar solvents such as benzene by a double intramolecular Zn-N coordination between the zinc porphyrin and aniline units, attached to each cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ring. Upon addition of the cis form of 1,2-bispyridylethylene (cis-2) to (+)-1 ([cis-2]/[(+)-1] = 5.0), an enantiomer of 1, the intramolecular Zn-N coordination bonds in (+)-1 are readily cleaved to form an externally locked, cyclodimeric one-to-one complex (+)-1 subset cis-2, accompanying a rotation of the ferrocene module, as visualized by CD spectroscopy. In contrast, use of trans-2, in place of cis-2, under otherwise identical conditions to the above, did not result in releasing the internal double lock of (+)-1. Such a large difference between the isomers of 2 in the affinity toward host 1, along with their capabilities of photochemical interconversion, allowed for the demonstration of a reversible self-locking operation of 1. Namely, the externally locked state of 1, as in the form of 1 supersetcis-2, spontaneously retrieves the internally locked state, after the release of 2 from 1 upon cis-to-trans photochemical isomerization of ligating 2, while the backward photochemical isomerization of 2 in the presence of 1 results in switching of 1 to its externally locked state.     

Two-dimensional free-energy surface on the exchange reaction of alkyl chloride/chloride using the QM/MM-MC method

Two-dimensional free-energy surfaces are calculated for alkyl chloride/chloride exchange/inversion reactions: Cl(-)+RCl (R=Me and t-Bu) surrounded by one hundred H(2)O molecules as a model of solvent. The methodology of free-energy calculation by perturbation theory based on a mixed-Hamiltonian model (QM/MM) combined with Monte Carlo sampling of the solvent configurations was used to obtain the changes in solvation free energy. We devised a special procedure to analyze the two-dimensional free-energy surfaces to gain unique insight into the differences in the reaction mechanisms between the two systems. The inversion reaction path for R=t-Bu on the free-energy surface is found to proceed in an asynchronous way within a concerted framework via the ion-pair region. This is in contrast to the R=Me system that proceeds as a typical S(N)2 reaction.     

Discotic ionic liquid crystals of triphenylene as dispersants for orienting single-walled carbon nanotubes

Orient and conduct: Triphenylene-based discotic ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) with six imidazolium ion pendants can disperse pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). When the ILC is columnarly assembled, doping with SWNTs results in macroscopic homeotropic columnar orientation. Combination of shear and annealing treatments gives rise to three different orientation states, which determine the anisotropy of electrical conduction.     

Living ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic carbonates by titanium bisphenolate complexes

2,2′‐Methylenebis(6‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolate) titaniumdichloride ( 1 a ) brought about the living polymerization of 1,3‐dioxepan‐2‐one (7CC) to give polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. The molecular weight of the obtained polycarbonate could be controlled by changing the initial mole ratio of 7CC and 1 a . The polycarbonate thus formed has hydroxymethylene terminal units at both ends.     

ATP-Responsive Nanoparticles Covered with Biomolecular Machine “Chaperonin GroEL”

Herein, we report an ATP-responsive nanoparticle (^GroELNP) whose surface is fully covered with the biomolecular machine “chaperonin protein GroEL”. ^GroELNP was synthesized by DNA hybridization between a gold NP with DNA strands on its surface and GroEL carrying complementary DNA strands at its apical domains. The unique structure of ^GroELNP was visualized by transmission electron microscopy including under cryogenic conditions. The immobilized GroEL units retain their machine-like function and enable ^GroELNP to capture denatured green fluorescent protein and release it in response to ATP. Interestingly, the ATPase activity of ^GroELNP per GroEL was 4.8 and 4.0 times greater than those of precursor ^cysGroEL and its DNA-functionalized analogue, respectively. Finally, we confirmed that ^GroELNP could be iteratively extended to double-layered NP.     

The first example of the copolymerization of cyclic acid anhydrides with oxetane by bulky titanium bisphenolates

The copolymerization of oxetane with glutaric anhydride was found to proceed with bulky titanium bisphenolate ( 1 ) as the initiator. The ¹H NMR spectrum of the produced copolymer shows that the copolymer contains both alternating units and oxytrimethylene units in the polymer main chain. 1 was also effective for the copolymerization of oxetane with other cyclic acid anhydrides, affording the corresponding copolymers. With the titanium bisalkolate complex ( 4 ), a copolymer rich in alternating sequences was obtained.     

Novel catalyst system for the synthesis of poly(alkylene oxide) with controlled molecular weight

An organoaluminum compound with bulky phenoxide groups as a Lewis acid can accelerate much the living polymerization of alkylene oxide initiated with aluminum porphyrin by the coordinative activation of the monomer. This concept can be extented to the polymerization initiated with aluminum Schiff base and tetraazaannulene complexes.     

Controlled polymerization reaction with new catalyst: Design of metalloporphyrin-acid systems for monomer activation

Metalloporphyrin initiator coupled with an appropriate organometallic Lewis acid catalyst could make possible the first example of living anionic polymerization of oxetane. Lewis acid built-in metalloporphyrins were designed as a new highly active catalyst/initiator system. The concept of monomer activation by Lewis acid was extended to the use of appropriate protonic acid.