Regulating Molecular Recognition with C‐Shaped Strips Attained by Chirality‐Assisted Synthesis

Chirality‐assisted synthesis (CAS) is a general approach to control the shapes of large molecular strips. CAS is based on enantiomerically pure building blocks that are designed to strictly couple in a single geometric orientation. Fully shape‐persistent structures can thus be created, even in the form of linear chains. With CAS, selective recognition between large host and guest molecules can reliably be designed de novo. To demonstrate this concept, three C‐shaped strips that can embrace a pillar[5]arene macrocycle were synthesized. The pillar[5]arene bound to the strips was a better host for electron‐deficient guests than the free macrocycle. Experimental and computational evidence is provided for these unique cooperative interactions to illustrate how CAS could open the door towards the precise positioning of functional groups for regulated supramolecular recognition and catalysis.     

大环多胺金属模拟酶催化水解梭曼机理研究

为解决生物酶在战场应用环境中易失活且环境耐受性差的问题,我们合成了大环多胺双锌模拟酶配合物-2,6-双{[双(2-羟乙基)氨基]甲基}-4-甲基酚(Zn L2).Zn L2对GD(Soman,梭曼)具有较高的催化活性,能够实现多次催化循环,并且在Zn L2与GD化学计量比为(0.56∶1)的条件下水解率为100%.使用高效液相色谱-质谱与核磁共振确定催化产物为甲氟膦酸酯、甲氟膦酸、甲基膦酸频哪酯与甲基膦酸,说明Zn L2水解GD为双平行反应,反应途径分别为GD的P—F与P—O键的断裂.建立在实验的基础上,使用密度泛函理论(DFT)的B3LYP方法,从P—O与P—F键断裂这两个平行反应方向对催化过程进行计算.计算结果表明:Zn L2上Ot末端醇盐作为一个碱试剂去激活水分子,使其成为羟基并作为亲核试剂进攻中心磷原子,形成一个五配位的磷酰中间体,通过进一步亲核进攻水解中间体形成最终P—O与P—F键断裂产物.Zn L2催化GD水解的活化能为分别为5.6 kcal/mol(P—F键断裂)和11.5 kcal/mol(P—O键断裂),说明P—O键断裂过程是GD酶促水解反应的速控步骤.     

Indirect Measurement of the Cooperative Hydrogen Bonding of Polymers Using NMR Quadrupole Relaxation and PFG Methods

Summary: A general method of measurement of polymer hydrogen bond (HB) cooperativity using a low-molecular weight model ligand named marker and two independent methods of ²H NMR is presented. As marker, a deutero-compound chemically similar to the functional groups of one of the polymers is used, e.g. pyridine-d₅ in the investigated interaction of poly(4-vinylpyridine) with poly(4-vinylphenol) or acetic acid-d₄ in the interaction of polyacrylic acid with poly(4-vinylphenol) reported here. The method is based on the fact that a substantial fraction of the marker, originally bound to the groups of one of the polymers, is liberated by the cooperative interaction between the two polymers. For the establishment of the fraction of the bound marker before and after mixing the polymers, ²H NMR quadrupolar relaxation or ²H PFG NMR diffusion measurement can be used with comparable precision. In both these methods, the results must be normalized to a standard viscosity using the relaxation or diffusion of an added inert compound such as CDCl₃.     

Predictable site-selective radical fluorination of tertiary ethers

In this communication,we disclose the first example of metal-free and site-selective radical fluorination of readily available tertiary alkyl ethers,enabled by synergistic photocatalysis and organocatalysis.This catalytic combination allows for exclusive fluorination of tertiary C–O bonds under mild conditions even in the presence of competing reaction sites.The excellent functional group tolerance affords valuable access to sterically hindered alkyl fluorides through late-stage modification of complex molecules.The successful use of tertiary alkyl ethers in radical fluorination enhances the structural diversity of aliphatic fluorides that can be derived from naturally abundant alcohols.     

2D sp2 Carbon‐Conjugated Porphyrin Covalent Organic Framework for Cooperative Photocatalysis with TEMPO

2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are receiving ongoing attention in semiconductor photocatalysis. Herein, we present a photocatalytic selective chemical transformation by combining sp² carbon‐conjugated porphyrin‐based covalent organic framework (Por‐sp²c‐COF) photocatalysis with TEMPO catalysis illuminated by 623 nm red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Highly selective conversion of amines into imines was swiftly afforded in minutes. Specifically, the π‐conjugation of porphyrin linker leads to extensive absorption of red light; the sp² ?C=C? double bonds linkage ensures the stability of Por‐sp²c‐COF under high concentrations of amine. Most importantly, we found that crystalline framework of Por‐sp²c‐COF is pivotal for cooperative photocatalysis with (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO). This work foreshadows that the outstanding hallmarks of COFs, particularly crystallinity, could be exploited to address energy and environmental challenges by cooperative photocatalysis.     

Rational Design of Microporous MOFs with Anionic Boron Cluster Functionality and Cooperative Dihydrogen Binding Sites for Highly Selective Capture of Acetylene

Separation of acetylene (C₂H₂) from carbon dioxide (CO₂) or ethylene (C₂H₄) is important in industry but limited by the low capacity and selectivity owing to their similar molecular sizes and physical properties. Herein, we report two novel dodecaborate‐hybrid metal–organic frameworks, MB₁₂H₁₂(dpb)₂ (termed as BSF‐3 and BSF‐3‐Co for M=Cu and Co), for highly selective capture of C₂H₂. The high C₂H₂ capacity and remarkable C₂H₂/CO₂ selectivity resulted from the unique anionic boron cluster functionality as well as the suitable pore size with cooperative proton‐hydride dihydrogen bonding sites (B?H^δ????H^δ+?C≡C?H^δ+???H^δ??B). This new type of C₂H₂‐specific functional sites represents a fresh paradigm distinct from those in previous leading materials based on open metal sites, strong electrostatics, or hydrogen bonding.     

Dynamics of end-grafted polystyrene brushes in theta solvents

The dynamics of the concentration fluctuations in end-grafted polystyrene brushes in a theta solvent (cyclohexane) are probed by evanescent wave dynamic light scattering at different wavevectors q and temperatures. When the solvent quality changes from marginal to poor, the relaxation function C(q, t) exhibits strong effects as compared with the smooth variation of the brush density profile. From a single exponential above 50 °C, C(q, t) becomes a two-step decay function. The fast decay is still assigned to the cooperative diffusion albeit slower than in the good solvent regime whereas the slow nonexponential and nondiffusive process might relate to microsegragated and/or chain dynamics in the present polydisperse brush. The relaxation function of the present three brushes with different grafting density reveals similarities and disparities between wet brushes and semidilute polymer solutions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 3590–3597, 2006     

Synergistic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene/Palladium‐Catalyzed Umpolung 1,4‐Addition of Aryl Iodides to Enals

An umpolung 1,4‐addition of aryl iodides to enals promoted by cooperative (terpy)Pd/NHC catalysis was developed that generates various bioactive β,β‐diaryl propanoate derivatives. This system is not only the first reported palladium‐catalyzed arylation of NHC‐bound homoenolates but also expands the scope of NHC‐induced umpolung transformations. A diverse array of functional groups such as esters, nitriles, alcohols, and heterocycles are tolerated under the mild conditions. This method also circumvents the use of moisture‐sensitive organometallic reagents.     

Enhancement of Ion Pairing of Sr(II) and Ba(II) Salts by a Tritopic Ion-Pair Receptor in Solution

Tritopic ion-pair receptors can bind bivalent salts in solution; yet, these salts have a tendency to form ion-pairs even in the absence of receptors. The extent to which such receptors can enhance ion pairing has however remained elusive. Here, we study ion pairing of M²⁺ (Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺) and X⁻ (I⁻, ClO₄⁻) in acetonitrile with and without a dichlorooxacalix[2]arene[2]triazine-related receptor containing a pentaethylene-glycol moiety. We find marked ion association already in receptor-free solutions. When present, most of the MX⁺ ion-pairs are bound to the receptor and the overall degree of ion association is enhanced due to coordinative, hydrogen-bonding, and anion-π interactions. The receptor shows higher selectivity for iodides but also stabilizes perchlorates, despite the latter are often considered as weakly coordinating anions. Our results show that ion-pair binding is strongly correlated to ion pairing in these solutions, thereby highlighting the importance of taking ion association in organic solvents into account.