General and Modular Synthesis of Covalent Organic Cages for Efficient Molecular Recognition.

Cage-type structures based on coordination and dynamic covalent chemistry have the characteristics of facile and efficient preparation but poor stability. Chemically stable organic cages, generally involving fragment coupling and multi-step reactions, are relatively difficult to synthesize. Herein, we offer a general and modular strategy to customize covalent organic cages with diverse skeletons and sizes. First, one skeleton (S) module with three extension (E) modules and three reaction (R) modules are connected by one- or two-step coupling to get the triangular monomer bearing three reaction sites. Then one-pot Friedel-Crafts condensation of the monomer and linking module of paraformaldehyde produces the designed organic cages. The cage forming could be regulated by the geometrical configuration of monomeric blocks. The S-E-R angles in the monomer is crucial; only 120o (2,4-dimethoxyphen as reaction module) or 60o (2,5-dimethoxyphen as reaction module) angle between S-E-R successfully affords the resulting cages. By the rational design of the three modules, a series of organic cages have been constructed. In addition, the host-guest properties show that the representative cages could strongly encapsulate neutral aromatic diimine guests driven by solvophobic interactions in polar solvents, giving the highest association constant of (2.58 ± 0.18) × 105 M-1.

Synthesis of Cationic Biphen[4, 5]arenes as Biofilm Disruptors.

Since bacteria in biofilms are inherently resistant to antibiotics and biofilm-associated infections pose a serious threat to global public health, new therapeutic agents and schemes are urgently needed to meet clinical requirements. Here two quaternary ammonium-functionalized biphen[n]arenes (WBPn, n=4, 5) were designed and synthesized with excellent anti-biofilm potency. Not only could they inhibit the assembly of biofilms, but also eradicate intractable mature biofilms formed by Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli bacterial strains. Moreover, they could strongly complex a conventional antibiotic, cefazolin sodium (CFZ) with complex stability constants of (7.41±0.29)×104  M-1 for CFZ/WBP4 and (4.98±0.49)×103  M-1 for CFZ/WBP5. Combination of CFZ by WBP4 and WBP5 synergistically enhanced biofilm eradication performance in vitro and statistically improved healing efficacy on E. coli-infected mice models, providing a novel supramolecular strategy for combating biofilm-associated infections.

One-Pot and Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Organic Cages.

Organic cages are fascinating because of their well-defined 3D cavities, excellent stability, and accessible post-modification. However, the synthesis is normally realized by fragment coupling approach in low yields. Herein, we report one-pot, gram-scale and shape-controlled synthesis of two covalent organic cages (box-shaped [4]cage and triangular prism-shaped [2]cage) in yields of 46 % and 52 %, involving direct condensation of triangular 1,3,5-tris(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)benzene monomer with paraformaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde, respectively. The cages can convert into high-yielding per-hydroxylated analogues. The [2]cage can be utilized as gas chromatographic stationary phase for high-resolution separation of benzene/cyclohexane and toluene/methylcyclohexane. By changing the central moiety of the triangular monomer and/or aldehyde, this synthetic method would have the potential to be a general strategy to access diverse cages with tunable shape, size, and electronic properties.

Complexation of an Antimicrobial Peptide by Large-Sized Macrocycles for Decreasing Hemolysis and Improving Stability.

Traditional macrocyclic hosts have finite cavity sizes, generally 5-10 Å, which are commonly adaptive to recognize small guests rather than biological macromolecules. Here two water-soluble large-sized quaterphen[n]arenes (WQPns, n=3, 4) were designed and synthesized. These two hosts present significantly distinct recognition abilities. Specifically, they could strongly complex an antimicrobial peptide, pexiganan (PXG) with the association constants (Ka ) of (4.20±0.23)×104  M-1 for PXG/WQP3 and (2.46±0.44)×105  M-1 for PXG/WQP4. Complexation of PXG by WQP3 and WQP4 served to decrease the hemolysis of PXG in rabbit red blood cells in a statistically significant way. Furthermore, host-guest complexation was shown to substantially enhance metabolic stability of PXG in presence of proteinase K, rat plasma and liver or kidney homogenates.

Multiple Stimuli-Responsive Conformational Exchanges of Biphen[3]arene Macrocycle.

Conformational exchanges of synthetic macrocyclic acceptors are rather fast, which is rarely studied in the absence of guests. Here, we report multiple stimuli-responsive conformational exchanges between two preexisting conformations of 2,2',4,4'-tetramethoxyl biphen[3]arene (MeBP3) macrocycle. Structures of these two conformations are both observed in solid state, and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D NMR in solution. In particular, conformational exchanges can respond to solvents, temperatures, guest binding and acid/base addition. The current system may have a role to play in the construction of molecular switches and other stimuli-responsive systems.

Unidirectional complexation of pillar[4]arene[1]benzoquinoneoxime with alkyl alcohols.

Despite progress in the unidirectional complexation of cyclodextrins and calixarenes with nonsymmetric guests, unidirectional complexation using pillararenes as hosts remains scarcely explored. In this report, we describe the formation of unidirectional [2]pseudorotaxane-like complexes which were realized using n-alkyl alcohol guests and pillar[4]arene[1]benzoquinoneoxime made from pillar[4]arene[1]quinone in a selective monofunctionalizing manner.

Terphen[n]arenes and Quaterphen[n]arenes (n=3-6): One-Pot Synthesis, Self-Assembly into Supramolecular Gels, and Iodine Capture.

Herein, two new classes of macrocyclic compounds, terphen[n]arenes (TPns) (n=3-6) and quaterphen[n]arenes (QPns) (n=3-6), were designed and synthesized by a one-step condensation reaction in relatively high yields. They comprise 2,2''-dimethoxy terphenyl and 2,2'''-dimethoxy quaterphenyl monomers, respectively, linked by methylene bridges. Given their long and rigid monomers, TPns and QPns have much larger cavities and better self-assembly properties than classic macrocycles. More interestingly, the cyclic pentamers and hexamers TP5, TP6, QP5, and QP6 formed supramolecular organogels, which were composed of interwoven fibers, nanosheets, or entangled macropore networks formed by multiple face-to-face and edge-to-face π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions. The xerogel materials effectively captured volatile iodine, not only in aqueous media but also in the gaseous state, and could be recycled multiple times without obvious loss in performance.

Efficient Separation of cis- and trans-1,2-Dichloroethene Isomers by Adaptive Biphen[3]arene Crystals.

Reported here is the highly efficient separation of industrially important cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-DCE and trans-DCE) isomers by activated crystalline 2,2',4,4'-tetramethoxyl biphen[3]arene (MeBP3) materials, MeBP3α. MeBP3 can be synthesized in excellent yield (99 %), and a cyclic pentamer is also obtained when using 1,2-dichloroethane as the solvent. The structure of MeBP3 in the CH3 CN@MeBP3 crystal displays a triangle-shape topology, forming 1D channels through window-to-window packing. Desolvated crystalline MeBP3 materials, MeBP3α, preferentially adsorb cis-DCE vapors over its trans isomer. MeBP3α is able to separate cis-DCE from a 50:50 (v/v) cis/trans-isomer mixture, yielding cis-DCE with a purity of 96.4 % in a single adsorption cycle. Single-crystal structures and powder X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the uptake of cis-DCE triggers a solid-state structural transformation of MeBP3, suggesting the adaptivity of MeBP3α materials during the sorption process. Moreover, the separation can be performed over multiple cycles without loss of separation selectivity and capacity.

Bis- and mono(m-benzoic acid)-functionalized pillar[5]arenes.

Installation of m-benzoic acid functionalities on pillar[5]arene rims resulted in bis- and mono(m-benzoic acid)-functionalized pillar[5]arenes 1 and 2. Bis(m-benzoic acid)-functionalized pillar[5]arene 1 was able to self-assemble to form one-dimensional channels with DMF molecules residing in pillar[5]arene cavities. Esterification of two carboxylic acids in 1 with decane-1,10-diol did not afford a [1]catenane, but a bicyclic compound. Although 1-decanol esterification of mono(m-benzoic acid)-functionalized pillar[5]arene 2 did not form a self-included [1]pseudorotaxane-like structure, a mono(decyl m-benzoate)-functionalized pillar[5]arene bearing an ethyl acetate chain was found to form a self-included complex with the ethyl acetate moiety residing inside the pillar[5]arene cavity.

Isocyanide-Based Multicomponent Bicyclization with Substituted Allenoate and Isatin: Synthesis of Unusual Spirooxindole Containing [5.5]-Fused Heterocycle.

A three-component bicyclization reaction of isocyanide, substituted allenoate, and isatin has been disclosed. This protocol is proposed to proceed through Michael addition, double cyclization, and [1,5]-hydride shift sequence, thus leading to the formation of two new rings and five new chemical bonds, including C-C, C-O, and C-N bonds.

Ugi/Himbert Arene/Allene Diels-Alder Cycloaddition to Synthesize Strained Polycyclic Skeleton.

The present work disclosed an efficient multicomponent reaction of isocyanide, allenic acid, aldehyde (ketone), and aniline. This protocol undergoes Ugi reaction followed by an intramolecular arene/allene Diels-Alder sequence, thus providing a rapid access to synthesize strained polycyclic skeletons.

Isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions: concise synthesis of spirocyclic oxindoles with molecular complexity by using a [1,5]-hydrogen shift as the key step.

A concise multicomponent reaction of isocyanide, α-substituted allenoate, and methyleneindolinone has been disclosed. This protocol provides a fast and straightforward approach to synthesize unusual tricyclic oxindoles in an efficient and atom-economic manner. Mechanistically, the present cycloaddition may proceed through a cascade sequence involving double Michael addition, double cyclization, double [1,5]-hydrogen shift, and group migration. The introduction of a special alkyl group to the allenoate is believed to play a key role in the cascade reaction. This method also features a broad substrate scope, which is particularly useful for the delivery of a large number of compounds.

AlCl3-promoted selective Michael addition with allenoate and methyleneindolinone: synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole by using allenoate as a four-carbon component building block.

The AlCl3-promoted cyclization of readily available allenoates with methyleneindolinone is disclosed. The present strategy provides a rapid access to spirocyclic oxindole-cyclohexenones in an efficient manner. Remarkably, the allenoate is implemented as a four-carbon (4C) component to form the ring, which shows high synthetic efficiency. Flexibility of this method allows quick synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole-dihydropyrans by varying one of the components. It is also noteworthy that AlCl3 serves as the chlorine source as well as an effective catalyst to facilitate this interesting transformation.

Supramolecular Polymers Based on Efficient Pillar[5]arene-Neutral Guest Motifs.

Neutral and efficient: A neutral guest with a cyano site and a triazole site, which can be easily prepared and modified, is demonstrated to strongly bind with pillar[5]arene. Based on this new recognition motif, two neutral supramolecular polymers in organic media, which are currently unfeasible by means of host-guest interactions of crown ethers and calixarenes, were fabricated. One is AA/BB-type, and the other is A2/B3-type.

A neutral supramolecular hyperbranched polymer fabricated from an AB2 -type copillar[5]arene.

A heterotritopic copillar[5]arene monomer by introducing effective neutral guest moieties (methylene chains end-capped with cyano and triazole groups) to a pillar[5]arene macrocycle is prepared. This well-designed AB2 -type copillar[5]arene contains strong host-guest recognition motifs that are connected with relatively flexible and long linkers, thus efficiently assembles to form supramole-cular hyperbranched polymer (SHP) in chloroform solution, which is characterized by various techniques including (1) H NMR, DOSY, viscosity, DLS, and TEM. Particularly, this supramolecular polymer can be effectively depolymerized by adding a competitive butanedinitrile guest.

Multicomponent reaction to construct spirocyclic oxindoles with a Michael (triple Michael)/cyclization cascade sequence as the key step.

Multicomponent cycloadditions with readily available isocyanides, allenoates, and isatylidene malononitriles are disclosed. This reaction, which does not require the aid of any catalyst, allows the efficient syntheses of spirocyclic oxindoles with excellent regioselectivity. Reactions with ethyl 2,3-butadienoate and various structurally diverse α- and γ-substituted allenoates are also fully explored. Remarkably, we have shown that the usual three-component process can be further developed into an unprecedented four-component cycloaddition in the presence of water, which provides a new strategy to access highly unusual tricyclic oxindoles. From a synthetic point of view, this protocol is very interesting considering the high level of complexity reached in one step. The mechanism is thought to proceed by a triple Michael/cyclization process by using allenoate as a three carbon atom component (3 C). Furthermore, multicomponent reaction with γ-substituted allenoate also results in a very interesting conversion. In such cases, the unusual cleavage of the "C=C" double bond of isatylidene malononitrile and one of the "C=C" double bonds of allenoate is always observed.

Complexation of neutral 1,4-dihalobutanes with simple pillar[5]arenes that is dominated by dispersion forces.

The complexation of neutral 1,4-dihalobutanes with simple pillar[5]arenes was investigated. The results indicate the formation of interpenetrated complexes, where the dispersive interactions dominate the complex stability. Typically, 1,4-diiodobutane displays the strongest binding strength with ethylpillar[5]arene [K(a) = (1.0 ± 0.1) × 10(4) M(-1)], up to 120 fold as compared with 1,4-difluorobutane.

Cascade reaction of o-enoyl arylisocyanide and o-hydroxy aromatic aldimine: diastereoselective access to a polycyclic spirobenzoxazine chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole derivative.

A series of structurally unusual spirobenzoxazine chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole derivatives have been efficiently constructed in a single operation from readily available starting materials. This domino transformation forms successively three new rings and provides a fast and economic strategy with excellent diastereoselectivity.

Complexation of 1,4-bis(pyridinium)butanes by negatively charged carboxylatopillar[5]arene.

The binding behavior of substituted 1,4-bis(pyridinium)butane derivatives (X-Py(CH(2))(4)Py-X, X = H, 2-methyl, 3-methyl, 4-methyl, 2,6-dimethyl, 4-pyridyl, and 4-COOEthyl) 1(2+)-7(2+), with negatively charged carboxylatopillar[5]arene (CP5A) has been comprehensively investigated by (1)H NMR and 2D ROESY and UV absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in aqueous phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2). The results indicated that the position of the substituents attached on pyridinium ring dramatically affects the association constants and binding modes. 3- and 4-Substituted guests (1(2+), 3(2+), 4(2+), 6(2+), 7(2+)) form [2]pseudorotaxane geometries with CP5A host, giving very large association constants (>10(5) M(-1)), while 2,6-dimethyl-substituted 5(2+) forms external complex with relatively small K(a) values [(2.4 ± 0.3) × 10(3) M(-1)] because the 2,6-dimethylpyridinium unit is too bulky to thread the host cavity. Both of the binding geometries mentioned above are observed for 2(2+), having one methyl group in the 2-position of pyridinium. Typically, the association constant of [2]pseudorotaxane 1(2+)⊂CP5A exceeds 10(6) M(-1) in water, which is significantly higher than those of previously reported analogues in organic solvents. The remarkably improved complexation of bis(pyridinium) guests by the anionic host was due to electrostatic attraction forces and hydrophobic interactions.

Complex interactions of pillar[5]arene with paraquats and bis(pyridinium) derivatives.

The complexation behavior of a series of paraquats (G1.2PF(6)-G5.2PF(6)) and bis(pyridinium) derivatives (G6.2PF(6)-G14.2PF(6)) with pillar[5]arene (P5A) host has been comprehensively investigated by (1)H NMR, ESI mass and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. It is found that P5A forms 2 : 1 external complexes with N,N'-dialkyl-4,4'-bipyridiniums (G1-G4.2PF(6)); while it forms 1 : 1 pseudorotaxane-type inclusion complexes with methylene [-(CH(2))(n)-] linked bis(pyridinium) derivatives possessing appropriate chain lengths (n = 3-6, G7-G10.2PF(6)). Host-guest association constants in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were determined, indicating G7-G10.2PF(6) axles form stable [2]pseudorotaxanes with P5A wheel in this very high polarity solvent and 1,4-bis(pyridinium)butane (G8.2PF(6)) was the most suitable axle unit. Meanwhile, the nature of the substituents attached to 1,4-bis(pyridinium)butane dramatically affects the molecular recognition behavior. The introduction of pyridyls (G13.2PF(6)) increases not only the K(a) value (4.5 x 10(2) --> 7.4 x 10(2) M(-1)), but also the charge transfer (CT) absorption (colorless --> yellow). Furthermore, the solvent effects have also been investigated, showing they significantly influence the association strength during the course of host-guest complexation. Particularly, the K(a) value of P5A-G13.2PF(6) in 1 : 1 (v:v) acetone-d(6)/DMSO-d(6) is enhanced by a factor of 7.3 compared with pure DMSO-d6 (7.4 x 10(2) --> 5.4 x 10(3) M(-1)).