Anion–π and Cation–π Interactions on the Same Surface

Herein, we address the question whether anion–π and cation–π interactions can take place simultaneously on the same aromatic surface. Covalently positioned carboxylate–guanidinium pairs on the surface of 4‐amino‐1,8‐naphthalimides are used as an example to explore push–pull chromophores as privileged platforms for such “ion pair–π” interactions. In antiparallel orientation with respect to the push–pull dipole, a bathochromic effect is observed. A red shift of 41 nm found in the least polar solvent is in good agreement with the 70 nm expected from theoretical calculations of ground and excited states. Decreasing shifts with solvent polarity, protonation, aggregation, and parallel carboxylate–guanidinium pairs imply that the intramolecular Stark effect from antiparallel ion pair–π interactions exceeds solvatochromic effects by far. Theoretical studies indicate that carboxylate–guanidinium pairs can also interact with the surfaces of π‐acidic naphthalenediimides and π‐basic pyrenes.     

On the role of mobility and hunting effectiveness in a prey-predator model

We present a new, extended, predator-prey model for which we discuss the role of predators mobility and hunting effectiveness on the dynamics of the system. We show, via Monte Carlo simulations, that the maximum of predators’ population density is a rather complex function of both – mobility and effectiveness of hunting. For a low mobility, larger effectiveness suits the predators better. When the mobility is large, the predators population is bigger if the predators are rather bad hunters. We have not observed temporal oscillations in the densities of both species.     

Phase diagram for electron-hole droplets

The phase diagram for electron-hole droplets is obtained using a phenomenological spin one lattice gas model treated in mean field approximation. Very good agreement with experimental data can be obtained.     

Optically Active Cyclophane Receptors for Mono‐ and Disaccharides: The Role of Bidentate Ionic Hydrogen Bonding in Carbohydrate Recognition

A new family of optically active cyclophane receptors for the complexation of mono‐ and disaccharides in competitive protic solvent mixtures is described. Macrocycles (−)‐(R,R,R,R)‐ 1 – 4 feature preorganized binding cavities formed by four 1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2,2′‐diyl phosphate moieties bridged in the 3,3′‐positions by acetylenic or phenylacetylenic spacers. The four phosphodiester groups converge towards the binding cavity and provide efficient bidentate ionic H‐bond acceptor sites (Fig. 2). Benzyloxy groups in the 7,7′‐positions of the 1,1′‐binaphthalene moieties ensure solubility of the nanometer‐sized receptors and prevent undesirable aggregation. The construction of the macrocyclic framework of the four cyclophanes takes advantage of Pd⁰‐catalyzed aryl—acetylene cross‐coupling by the Sonogashira protocol, and oxidative acetylenic homo‐coupling methodology (Schemes 2 and 8 – 10). Several cleft‐type receptors featuring one 1,1′‐binaphthalene‐2,2′‐diyl phosphate moiety were also prepared (Schemes 1, 6, and 7). An undesired side reaction encountered during the synthesis of the target compounds was the formation of naptho[b]furan rings from 3‐ethynylnaphthalene‐2‐ol derivatives, proceeding via 5‐endo‐dig cyclization (Schemes 3 – 5). Computer‐assisted molecular modeling indicated that the macrocycles prefer nonplanar puckered, cyclobutane‐type conformations (Figs. 7 and 8). According to these calculations, receptor (−)‐(R,R,R,R)‐ 1 has, on average, a square binding site, which is complementary in size to one monosaccharide. The three other cyclophanes (−)‐(R,R,R,R)‐ 2 – 4 feature, on average, wider rectangular cavities, providing a good fit to one disaccharide, while being too large for the complexation of one monosaccharide. This substrate selectivity was fully confirmed in ¹H‐NMR binding titrations. The chiroptical properties of the cyclophanes and their nonmacrocyclic precursors were investigated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The CD spectra of the acyclic precursors showed a large dependence from the number of 1,1′‐binaphthalene moieties (Fig. 9), and those of the cyclophanes were remarkably influenced by the nature of the functional groups lining the macrocyclic cavity (Fig. 11). Profound differences were also observed between the CD spectra of linear and macrocyclic tetrakis(1,1′‐binaphthalene) scaffolds, which feature very different molecular shapes (Fig. 10). In ¹H‐NMR binding titrations with mono‐ and disaccharides (Fig. 13), concentration ranges were chosen to favor 1 : 1 host−guest binding. This stoichiometry was experimentally established by the curve‐fitting analysis of the titration data and by Job plots. The titration data demonstrate conclusively that the strength of carbohydrate recognition is enhanced with an increasing number of bidentate ionic host−guest H‐bonds (Table 1) in the complex formed. As a result of the formation of these highly stable H‐bonds, carbohydrate complexation in competitive protic solvent mixtures becomes more favorable. Thus, cleft‐type receptors (−)‐(R)‐ 7 and (−)‐(R)‐ 38 with one phosphodiester moiety form weak 1 : 1 complexes only in CD₃CN. In contrast, macrocycle (−)‐(R,R,R,R)‐ 1 with four phosphodiester groups undergoes stable inclusion complexation with monosaccharides in CD₃CN containing 2% CD₃OD. With their larger number of H‐bonding sites, disaccharide substrates bind even more strongly to the four phosphodiester groups lining the cavity of (−)‐(R,R,R,R)‐ 2 and complexation becomes efficient in CD₃CN containing 12% CD₃OD. Finally, the introduction of two additional methyl ester residues further enhances the receptor capacity of (−)‐(R,R,R,R)‐ 3 , and efficient disaccharide complexation occurs already in CD₃CN containing 20% CD₃OD.     

Molecular Recognition of Pyranosides by a Family of Trimeric, 1,1′-Binaphthalene-Derived Cyclophane Receptors

The synthesis and carbohydrate-recognition properties of a new family of optically active cyclophane receptors, 1 – 3 , in which three 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diol spacers are interconnected by three buta-1,3-diynediyl linkers, are described. The macrocycles all contain highly preorganized cavities lined with six convergent OH groups for H-bonding and complementary in size and shape to monosaccharides. Compounds 1 – 3 differ by the functionality attached to the major groove of the 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diol spacers. The major grooves of the spacers in 2 are unsubstituted, whereas those in 1 bear benzyloxy (BnO) groups in the 7,7′-positions and those in 3 2-phenylethyl groups in the 6,6′-positions. The preparation of the more planar, D₃-symmetrical receptors (R,R,R)- 1 (Schemes 1 and 2), (S,S,S)- 1 (Scheme 4), (S,S,S)- 2 (Scheme 5), and (S,S,S)- 3 (Scheme 8) involved as key step the Glaser-Hay cyclotrimerization of the corresponding OH-protected 3,3′-diethynyl-1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diol precursors, which yielded tetrameric and pentameric macrocycles in addition to the desired trimeric compounds. The synthesis of the less planar, C₂-symmetrical receptors (R,R,S)- 2 (Scheme 6) and (S,S,R)- 3 (Scheme 9) proceeded via two Glaser-Hay coupling steps. First, two monomeric precursors of identical configuration were oxidatively coupled to give a dimeric intermediate which was then subjected to macrocyclization with a third monomeric 1,1′-binaphthalene precursor of opposite configuration. The 3,3′-dialkynylation of the OH-protected 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diol precursors for the macrocyclizations was either performed by Stille (Scheme 1) or by Sonogashira (Schemes 4, 5, and 8) cross-coupling reactions. The flat D₃-symmetrical receptors (R,R,R)- 1 and (S,S,S)- 1 formed 1 : 1 cavity inclusion complexes with octyl 1-O-pyranosides in CDCl₃ (300 K) with moderate stability (ΔG⁰ ca. −3 kcal mol⁻¹) as well as moderate diastereo- (Δ(ΔG⁰) up to 0.7 kcal mol⁻¹) and enantioselectivity (Δ(ΔG⁰)=0.4 kcal mol⁻¹) (Table 1). Stoichiometric 1 : 1 complexation by (S,S,S)- 2 and (S,S,S)- 3 could not be investigated by ¹H-NMR binding titrations, due to very strong signal broadening. This broadening of the ¹H-NMR resonances is presumably indicative of higher-order associations, in which the planar macrocycles sandwich the carbohydrate guests. The less planar C₂-symmetrical receptor (S,S,R)- 3 formed stable 1 : 1 complexes with binding free enthalpies of up to ΔG⁰=−5.0 kcal mol⁻¹ (Table 2). With diastereoselectivities up to Δ(ΔG⁰)=1.3 kcal mol⁻¹ and enantioselectivities of Δ(ΔG⁰)=0.9 kcal mol⁻¹, (S,S,R)- 3 is among the most selective artificial carbohydrate receptors known.     

Motion of influential players can support cooperation in Prisoner’s Dilemma

We study a spatial Prisoner’s dilemma game with two types (A and B) of players located on a square lattice. Players following either cooperator or defector strategies play Prisoner’s Dilemma games with their 24 nearest neighbors. The players are allowed to adopt one of their neighbor’s strategy with a probability dependent on the payoff difference and type of the given neighbor. Players A and B have different efficiency in the transfer of their own strategies; therefore the strategy adoption probability is reduced by a multiplicative factor (w < 1) from the players of type B. We report that the motion of the influential payers (type A) can improve remarkably the maintenance of cooperation even for their low densities.