Elucidation of Substituent-Responsive Reactivities via Hierarchical and Asymmetric Assemblies in Crystalline p-Quinodimethane Derivatives.

We propose a mechanism for substituent-responsive reactivities of p-quinodimethane derivatives with four ester groups through their hierarchical and asymmetric assembly modes. Four asymmetric 7,8,8-tris(methoxycarbonyl)-p-quinodimethanes with a 7-positioned ethoxycarbonyl (2 a(H)), 2'-fluoroethoxycarbonyl (2 b(F)), 2'-chloroethoxycarbonyl (2 c(Cl)), or 2'-bromoethoxycarbonyl (2 d(Br)) were synthesized and crystallized. 2 a(H), 2 b(F) and 2 d(Br) afforded only one shape crystal, while 2 c(Cl) did two polymorphic 2 c(Cl)-α and 2 c(Cl)-ß. UV-irradiation induced topochemical polymerization for 2 a(H), no reactions for 2 b(F) and 2 c(Cl)-α, and [6+6] photocycloaddition dimerization for 2 c(Cl)-ß and 2 d(Br). Such substituent-responsive reactivities and crystal structures were compared with those of the known symmetric 7,7,8,8-tetrakis(alkoxycarbonyl)-p-quinodimethanes such as 7,7,8,8-tetrakis(methoxycarbonyl)- (1 a(Me)-α and 1 a(Me)-ß), 7,7,8,8-tetrakis(ethoxycarbonyl)- (1 b(Et)), and 7,7,8,8-tetrakis(bromoethoxycarbonyl)- (1 c(BrEt)). The comparative study clarified that the reactivities and crystal structures are classified into four types that link to each other. This linkage is understandable when we analyze the crystal structures through the following hierarchical and asymmetric assemblies; conformers, dimers, one dimensional (1D)-columns, two dimensional (2D)-sheets, and three dimensional (3D)-stacked sheets (3D-crystals). This supramolecular viewpoint is supported by intermolecular interaction energies among neighbored molecules with the density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Such research enables us to elucidate the substituent-responsive reactivities of the crystals, and reminds us of the selection of the right path in a so-called "maze game".

Aggregation-Induced Singlet Oxygen Generation: Functional Fluorophore and Anthrylphenylene Dyad Self-Assemblies.

The assembly of monomeric building blocks can manifest the display of new properties, including optical, mechanical, and electrochemical functionalities. In this study, we sought to develop a functional fluorophore self-assembly that can generate reactive oxygen species only when aggregated. With an anthrylphenylene (AP) group, negatively charged and neutral fluorescein units form non-fluorescent H-aggregates in aqueous solution because of the weak intermolecular interaction between the anthracene and fluorescein moieties. In stark contrast, a boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) and AP dyad produces two-color-emissive aggregates through the formation of an intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) complex between the electron-rich anthracene and electron-deficient BODIPY moieties. Furthermore, to our surprise, the BODIPY and AP dyad aggregates generate singlet oxygen (1 O2 ) and photocytotoxicity upon excitation, indicating that the BODIPY-anthracene CT state favors an intersystem crossing process. Based on X-ray crystallographic analysis, the lattice-like molecular packing between the BODIPY and AP moieties was determined to bring about the unprecedented aggregation-induced 1 O2 generation (AISG).

Gold-Catalyzed [3+2]/Retro-[3+2]/[3+2] Cycloaddition Cascade Reaction of N-Alkoxyazomethine Ylides.

A novel cascade reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 2,6-methanopyrrolo[1,2-b]isoxazoles based on the gold-catalyzed generation of an N-allyloxyazomethine ylide. This reaction involves sequential [3+2]/retro-[3+2]/[3+2] cycloaddition reactions, thus providing facile access to fused and bridged heterocycles which would be otherwise difficult to prepare using existing synthetic methods. Notably, this reaction allows the efficient construction of three C-C bonds, one C-O bond, one C-N bond and one C-H bond, as well as the cleavage of one C-C bond, one C-O bond and one C-H bond in a single operation. The intermolecular cycloaddition of an N-allyloxyazomethine ylide and the subsequent application of the product to the synthesis of tropenol is also described.

A Series of Layered Assemblies of Hydrogen-Bonded, Hexagonal Networks of C3-Symmetric π-Conjugated Molecules: A Potential Motif of Porous Organic Materials.

Hydrogen-bonded porous organic crystals are promising candidates for functional organic materials due to their easy construction and flexibility arising from reversible bond formation-dissociation. However, it still remains challenging to form porous materials with void spaces that are well-controlled in size, shape, and multiplicity because even well-designed porous frameworks often fail to generate pores within the crystal due to unexpected disruption of hydrogen bonding networks or interpenetration of the frameworks. Herein, we demonstrate that a series of C3-symmetric π-conjugated planar molecules (Tp, T12, T18, and Ex) with three 4,4'-dicarboxy-o-terphenyl moieties in their periphery can form robust hydrogen-bonded hexagonal networks (H-HexNets) with dual or triple pores and that the H-HexNets stack without interpenetration to yield a layered assembly of H-HexNet (LA-H-HexNet) with accessible volumes up to 59%. Specifically, LA-H-HexNets of Tp and T12 exhibit high crystallinity and permanent porosity after desolvation (activation): SABET = 788 and 557 m(2) g(-1), respectively, based on CO2 sorption at 195 K. We believe that the present design principle can be applied to construct a wide range of two-dimensional noncovalent organic frameworks (2D-nCOFs) and create a pathway to the development of a new class of highly porous functional materials.

Excited-state dynamics of Si-rhodamine and its aggregates: versatile fluorophores for NIR absorption.

Since it was first reported in 2008, great attention has been paid to Si-rhodamine (SiR) because of its far-red to near-infrared (NIR) absorption/fluorescence and suitability for high-resolution in vivo imaging. However, properties of SiR in the excited state have not been reported, even though they are directly related to its fluorescence. In the present study, the properties of SiR monomers in the excited states are thoroughly characterized for the first time. Moreover, by replacing a phenyl moiety of SiR with a 4-(9-anthryl)phenylene group (SiR-An), we prepared H- and J-aggregates of SiR in the aqueous solution, and succeeded in monitoring exciton formation and annihilation in the aggregates. Interestingly, the relative exciton population in the SiR J-aggregate increases as the excitation power becomes stronger, which is unusual considering that the substantial exciton-exciton annihilation process occurs as more excitons are generated. The results obtained in the present study suggest high versatility of SiR not only as a red fluorophore in the cutting-edge microscopic techniques but also as a NIR absorber in the light harvesting system.

A C3-symmetric macrocycle-based, hydrogen-bonded, multiporous hexagonal network as a motif of porous molecular crystals.

A C3-symmetric π-conjugated macrocycle combined with an appropriate hydrogen bonding module (phenylene triangle) allowed the construction of crystalline supramolecular frameworks with a cavity volume of up to 58%. The frameworks were obtained through non-interpenetrated stacking of a hexagonal sheet possessing three kinds of pores with different sizes and shapes. The activated porous material absorbed CO2 up to 96 cm(3) g(-1) at 195 K under 1 atm.

Engineering switchable rotors in molecular crystals with open porosity.

The first example of a porous molecular crystal containing rotors is presented. The permanently porous crystal architecture is sustained by rotor-bearing molecular rods which are connected through charge-assisted hydrogen bonds. The rotors, as fast as 10(8) Hz at 240 K, are exposed to the crystalline channels, which absorb CO2 and I2 vapors at low pressure. The rotor dynamics could be switched off and on by I2 absorption/desorption, showing remarkable change of material dynamics by the interaction with gaseous species and suggesting the use of molecular crystals in sensing and pollutant management.

Amphiphilic inclusion spaces for various guests and regulation of fluorescence intensity of 1,8-bis(4-aminophenyl)anthracene crystals.

A host framework for inclusion of various guest molecules was investigated by preparation of inclusion crystals of 1,8-bis(4-aminophenyl)anthracene (1,8-BAPA) with organic solvents. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed construction of the same inclusion space incorporating 1,8-BAPA and eight guest molecules including both non-polar (benzene) and polar guests (N,N-dimethylformamide, DMF). Fluorescence efficiencies varied depending on guest molecule polarity; DMF inclusion crystals exhibited the highest fluorescence intensity (ΦF=0.40), four times as high as that of a benzene inclusion crystal (ΦF=0.10). According to systematic investigations of inclusion phenomena, strong host­guest interactions and filling of the inclusion space led to a high fluorescence intensity. Temperature-dependent fluorescence spectral measurements revealed these factors effectively immobilised the host framework. Although hydrogen bonding commonly decreases fluorescence intensity, the present study demonstrated that such strong interactions provide excellent conditions for fluorescence enhancement. Thus, this remarkable behaviour has potential application toward sensing of highly polar molecules, such as biogenic compounds.

Characterization of supramolecular hidden chirality of hydrogen-bonded networks by advanced graph set analysis.

Supramolecular hidden chirality of hydrogen-bonded (HB) networks of primary ammonium carboxylates was exposed by advanced graph set analysis from a symmetric viewpoint in topology. The ring-type HB (R-HB) networks are topologically regarded as faces, and therefore exhibit prochirality and positional isomerism due to substituents attached on the faces. To describe the symmetric properties of the faces, additional symbols, Re (right-handed or clockwise), Si (left-handed or anticlockwise), and m (mirror), were proposed. According to the symbols, various kinds of faces were classified based on the symmetry. This symmetry consideration of the faces enables us to precisely evaluate supramolecular chirality, especially its handedness, of 0D-cubic, 1D-ladder and 2D-sheet HB networks that are composed of the faces. The 1D-ladder and 2D-sheet HB networks generate chirality by accumulating the chiral faces in 1D and 2D manners, respectively, whereas 0D-cubic HB networks generate chirality based on combinations of eight kinds of faces, similar to the chirality of dice.

Role-allocated combination of two types of hydrogen bonds towards constructing a breathing diamondoid porous organic salt.

A diamondoid porous organic salt (d-POS) composed of 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (HQS) and triphenylmethylamine (TPMA) shows reversible structure contraction and expansion ("breathing") in response to guest desorption and adsorption. This flexible structure is designed hierarchically by utilizing two different types of hydrogen bonds. X-ray crystallographic analysis reveals that the two types of hydrogen bonds are formed separately to play respective roles for constructing the d-POS. The strong charge-assisted hydrogen bond between the sulfonate anion of HQS and the ammonium cation of TPMA serves as a static node to provide a supramolecular cluster for a building block. In contrast, the complementary neutral hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl and quinolyl groups of HQS acts as a dynamic linker to connect the clusters. Consequently, these two types of hydrogen bonds yield the d-POS with one-dimensional channels through the formation of diamondoid networks. We clarify that the d-POS undergoes dynamic structure transformation that originates in the cleavage and reformation of the complementary neutral hydrogen bond during guest desorption and adsorption. From the comparative studies, it is also demonstrated that applying the complementary neutral hydrogen bond in the d-POS provides significant advantages in terms of the responsivity of the structure over applying other weak noncovalent interactions for the connection of the clusters. Furthermore, the resultant d-POS also modulates fluorescent profiles dynamically responsive to guest adsorption and desorption.

Crystalline supramolecular nanofibers based on dehydrobenzoannulene derivatives.

Supramolecular nanofibers (SNFs) composed of low-molecular-weight π-conjugated molecules exhibit attractive optical and electrical properties and are expected to be the next optoelectronic materials. In this work, five crystalline SNFs have been constructed from three dehydrobenzoannulene (DBA) derivatives. The DBAs were designed to assemble in one dimension in a strategy based on anisotropic crystal growth. The crystallinity of the SNFs allowed the molecular arrangements in the SNFs to be determined. Therefore the mechanism of construction and correlations between the molecular arrangements and optical and electrical properties could be considered. The results clearly indicate that the properties of the SNFs are affected by the chemical structures and molecular arrangements. Moreover, one of the SNFs exhibits a high charge-carrier mobility (Σµ=0.61 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)) because of its crystallinity and appropriate molecular arrangement. This systematic experimental study based on a proposed strategy has provided information for improving the electrical properties of SNFs. This strategy will lead to highly functional SNFs.

Indeno[2,1-b]fluorene: a 20-π-electron hydrocarbon with very low-energy light absorption.

Smaller can be better: The first example of meta-quinodimethane embedded in an indenofluorene framework has been synthesized. 10,12-Dimesitylindeno[2,1-b]fluorene exhibits extremely low-energy light absorption, despite the small conjugation space of the molecule, which consists of only 20 π electrons.

Supramolecular-tilt-chirality on twofold helical assemblies.

A twofold helix (2(1) helix) is an essential motif in approximately 70% of organic crystals. Although handedness of 2(1) helix has not been discussed from a mathematical viewpoint, we noticed that the handedness can be defined by considering the molecular shape and manner of assembly. Herein we propose the supramolecular-tilt-chirality (STC) method to define the handedness, and illustrate it by way of some examples. We believe that establishment of the systematic rules for supramolecular chirality will contribute to the progression of supramolecular chemistry and material science.

Regulation of π-stacked anthracene arrangement for fluorescence modulation of organic solid from monomer to excited oligomer emission.

The construction and precise control of the face-to-face π-stacked arrangements of anthracene fluorophores in the crystalline state led to a remarkable red shift in the fluorescence spectrum due to unprecedented excited oligomer formation. The arrangements were regulated by using organic salts including anthracene-1,5-disulfonic acid (1,5-ADS) and a variety of aliphatic amines. Because of the smaller number of hydrogen atoms at the edge positions and the steric effect of the sulfonate groups, 1,5-ADS should prefer face-to-face π-stacked arrangements over the usual edge-to-face herringbone arrangement. Indeed, as the alkyl substituents were lengthened, the organic salts altered their anthracene arrangement to give two-dimensional (2D) edge-to-face and end-to-face herringbone arrangements, one-dimensional (1D) face-to-face zigzag and slipped stacking arrangements, a lateral 1D face-to-face arrangement like part of a brick wall, and a discrete monomer arrangement. The monomer arrangement behaved as a dilute solution even in the close-packed solid state to emit deep blue light. The 1D face-to-face zigzag and slipped stacking of the anthracene fluorophores caused a red shift of 30-40 nm in the fluorescence emission with respect to the discrete arrangement, probably owing to ground-state associations. On the other hand, the 2D end-to-face stacking induced a larger red shift of 60 nm, which is attributed to the excimer fluorescence. Surprisingly, the brick-like lateral face-to-face arrangement afforded a remarkable red shift of 150 nm to give yellow fluorescence. This anomalous red shift is probably due to excited oligomer formation in such a lateral 1D arrangement according to the long fluorescence lifetime and little shift in the excitation spectrum. The regulation of the π-stacked arrangement of anthracene fluorophores enabled the wide modulation of the fluorescence and a detailed investigation of the relationships between the photophysical properties and the arrangements.

Construction of multi-component supramolecular architectures of bile acids and cinchona alkaloids through helical-pitch-synchronized crystallization.

Molecular assemblies based on helical motifs are of substantial interest from the view point of fundamental science as well as application. In this study, we propose a new class of organic crystal, that is, heteroH-MOC (multi-component organic crystal containing different kinds of helical motifs consisted of different components), and describe successful construction of heteroH-MOCs with P2(1) and P2(1)2(1)2(1) space groups by using steroidal bile acids and cinchona alkaloids. In the P2(1) crystals, two kinds of helices composed of the steroid and alkaloid are arranged in a parallel fashion, while, in the P2(1)2(1)2(1) crystals, those are in a perpendicular fashion. It is remarkable that, in such systems, particularly in the latter crystals, components ingeniously achieved highly-ordered synchronization of periodicity (helical pitches r and periodic distances in the array of helices p), which is first demonstrated in this study through hierarchical interpretation of the crystal structures.

Interactions between dehydrobenzo[12]annulene (DBA) and gas molecules: do the preorganized acetylenes work cooperatively?

Intermolecular interactions of the cyclic conjugated molecule (DBA) with hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide molecules were evaluated by high level ab initio calculations.

Construction of 1D π-stacked superstructures with inclusion channels through symmetry-decreasing crystallization of discotic molecules of C3 symmetry.

Supramolecular architectures that possess both 1D π-stacked columns and inclusion channels were constructed by symmetry-decreasing crystallization of dehydrobenzo[12]annulene (DBA) derivatives with naphthyl arms and C(3) symmetry. The crystallization can be interpreted as i) formation of a two-fold column, ii) layer formation, and iii) lamination of the layer accompanied by guest inclusion.

Synthesis and assembling properties of bioorganometallic cyclometalated Au(III) alkynyls bearing guanosine moieties.

A guanosine-based Au(III) compound was demonstrated to serve as a versatile bioorganometallic conjugate, which could form a variety of aggregates in the absence and presence of KPF(6)via self-assembly of the guanosine moiety.

Systematic investigation of molecular arrangements and solid-state fluorescence properties on salts of anthracene-2,6-disulfonic acid with aliphatic primary amines.

Organic salts of anthracene-2,6-disulfonic acid (ADS) with a wide variety of primary amines have been fabricated, and their arrangements of anthracene molecules and solid-state fluorescence properties investigated. Single-crystal X-ray studies reveal that the salts show seven types of crystal forms and corresponding molecular arrangements of anthracene moieties depending on the amine, while anthracene shows only one form and arrangement in the solid state. Depending on the molecular arrangements, the ADS salts exhibit various solid-state fluorescence properties: spectral shift (30 nm) and suppression and enhancement of the fluorescence intensity. Especially the ADS salt with n-heptylamine (nHepA), which shows discrete anthracene moieties in the crystal, exhibits the highest quantum yield (Phi(F)=46.1+/-0.2%) in the series of ADS salts, which exceeds that of anthracene crystal (Phi(F)=42.9+/-0.2%). From these systematic investigations on the arrangements and the solid-state properties, the following factors are essential for high fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state: prevention of contact between pi planes of anthracene moieties and immobilization of anthracene rings. In addition, such organic salts have potential as a system for modulating the molecular arrangements of fluorophores and the concomitant solid-state properties. Thus, systematic investigation of this system constructs a library of arrangements and properties, and the library leads to remarkable strategies for the development of organic solid materials.

Flexible host frameworks with diverse cavities in inclusion crystals of bile acids and their derivatives.

We have systematically investigated structures and properties of inclusion crystals of bile acids and their derivatives. These steroidal compounds form diverse host frameworks having zero-, one- and two-dimensional cavities, causing various inclusion behaviors towards many organic compounds. The diverse host frameworks exhibit the following guest-dependent flexibility. First, the frameworks mainly depend on the included guests in size and shape. The size-dependence is quantitatively estimated by the parameter PCcavity, which is the volume ratio of a guest molecule to a host cavity. The resulting values of PCcavity lie in the range of 42-76%. Second, each of the host frameworks has its own range of the values. Some guests can employ two different frameworks with the boundary values, explaining formation of polymorphic crystals. Third, the host frameworks are selected by host-guest interactions through weak hydrogen bonds, such as NH/pi and CH/O. The weak hydrogen bonds play an important role for various selective inclusion processes. Fourth, the host frameworks are dynamically exchangeable, resulting in intercalation and polymerization in the cavities. These static and dynamic structures of the frameworks demonstrate great potential of crystalline organic inclusion compounds as functional materials.