[2]Rotaxane End-Capping Synthesis by Click Michael-Type Addition to the Vinyl Sulfonyl Group

We report the application of the click Michael-type addition reaction to vinyl sulfone or vinyl sulfonate groups in the synthesis of rotaxanes through the threading-and-capping method. This methodology has proven to be efficient and versatile as it allowed the preparation of rotaxanes using template approaches based on different noncovalent interactions (i.e., donor-acceptor π–π interactions or hydrogen bonding) in yields of generally 60–80 % and up to 91 % aided by the mild conditions required (room temperature or 0 °C and a mild base such as Et₃N or 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP)). Furthermore, the use of vinyl sulfonate moieties, which are suitable motifs for coupling-and-decoupling (CAD) chemistry, implies another advantage because it allows the controlled chemical disassembly of the rotaxanes into their components through nucleophilic substitution of the sulfonates resulting from the capping step with a thiol under mild conditions (Cs₂CO₃ and room temperature).     

On-Surface Synthesis and Characterization of Acene-Based Nanoribbons Incorporating Four-Membered Rings

A bottom up method for the synthesis of unique tetracene-based nanoribbons, which incorporate cyclobutadiene moieties as linkers between the acene segments, is reported. These structures were achieved through the formal [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of ortho-functionalized tetracene precursor monomers. The formation mechanism and the electronic and magnetic properties of these nanoribbons were comprehensively studied by means of a multitechnique approach. Ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy showed the occurrence of metal-coordinated nanostructures at room temperature and their evolution into nanoribbons through formal [2+2] cycloaddition at 475 K. Frequency-shift non-contact atomic force microscopy images clearly proved the presence of bridging cyclobutadiene moieties upon covalent coupling of activated tetracene molecules. Insight into the electronic and vibrational properties of the so-formed ribbons was obtained by scanning tunneling microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Magnetic properties were addressed from a computational point of view, allowing us to propose promising candidates to magnetic acene-based ribbons incorporating four-membered rings. The reported findings will increase the understanding and availability of new graphene-based nanoribbons with high potential in future spintronics.     

Enantioselective Catalytic [4+1]-Cyclization of ortho-Hydroxy-para-Quinone Methides with Allenoates

The first highly asymmetric catalytic synthesis of densely functionalized dihydrobenzofurans is reported, which starts from ortho-hydroxy-containing para-quinone methides. The reaction relies on an unprecedented formal [4+1]-annulation of these quinone methides with allenoates in the presence of a commercially available chiral phosphine catalyst. The chiral dihydrobenzofurans were obtained as single diastereomers in yields up to 90 % and with enantiomeric ratios up to 95:5.     

Impact of C=C/B−N Replacement on the Diels–Alder Reactivity of Curved Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The influence of the replacement of C=C bonds by isoelectronic B−N moieties on the reactivity of π-curved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been computationally explored by means of density functional theory calculations. To this end, we selected the Diels–Alder cycloaddition reactions of the parent corannulene and its BN-doped counterparts with either cyclopentadiene or maleic anhydride. In addition, the analogous reactions involving larger buckybowls, such as BN-hemifullerene, BN-circumtrindene, and BN-fullerene, have been also considered. It has been found that whereas corannulene behaves as a dienophile, its BN counterpart better acts as a diene. In contrast, the larger BN-curved systems cannot be used as dienes in Diels–Alder reactions, but undergo facile (i.e., low barrier) cycloaddition reactions with cyclopentadiene. The observed trends in reactivity, which cannot be directly explained by using typical frontier molecular orbital arguments, are quantitatively described in detail by means of state-of-the-art computational methods, namely the activation strain model of reactivity combined with the energy decomposition analysis method. The results of our calculations highlight the crucial role of the curvature of the system on the reactivity and its influence on the strength of the orbital interactions between the deformed reactants during their transformations.     

Reversible C=C Bond Activation by an Intramolecularly Coordinated Antimony(I) Compound

The reaction of N,C,N-chelated stibinidene ArSb ( 1 ) (Ar=C₆H₃-2,6-(CH=NtBu)₂) with selected N-alkyl/aryl-maleimides RN(C(O)CH)₂ (R=Me, tBu, Ph) gave the addition products with bridged bicyclic [2.2.1] structure containing an antimony atom at the bridgehead position, fused with a 6-membered benzene and a 5-membered N-alkyl/aryl-pyrrolidine ring. These compounds were completely characterized. More importantly, additional studies showed that these reactions are reversible in solution, thereby representing an unprecedented reversible activation of a C=C bond by an antimony(I) compound.     

Catalytic Hydrocyanation of Activated Terminal Alkynes

A universal, practical and scalable organocatalytic hydrocyanation manifold to provide β-substituted acrylonitriles bearing an electron-withdrawing functionality has been implemented. The catalytic manifold operates under the reactivity generation principle “a good nucleophile generates a strong base”, and it uses 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as the catalyst, activated terminal alkynes as substrates and acetone cyanohydrin as the cyanide source. The acrylonitriles obtained as E,Z mixtures are straightforwardly resolved by simple flash chromatography delivering the pure isomers in preparative amounts.     

Anomeric effect in pyranose-ring derivatives containing carbon,silicon, and germanium as anomeric centers: an ab initio systematic study

Structural Chemistry - We have performed a systematic conformational analysis focused on the evaluation of the anomeric effect (AE) in a series of pyranose derivatives containing carbon, silicon,...     

Thermal behaviour of materials in interrupted phase change

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The most critical part and barrier of phase change material (PCM) applications are the accuracy of simulations and the control of the process. The...     

Influence of heat treatment temperature of carbon fiber felt substrate on polyaniline electrosynthesis and its properties

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Polyaniline was electrosynthesized using three voltammetric cycles on carbon fiber felts annealed at 1400, 1600, 2000, and 2300 K. Felts and...