X-ray analysis on the nanogram to microgram scale using porous complexes.

X-ray single-crystal diffraction (SCD) analysis has the intrinsic limitation that the target molecules must be obtained as single crystals. Here we report a protocol for SCD analysis that does not require the crystallization of the sample. In our method, tiny crystals of porous complexes are soaked in a solution of the target, such that the complexes can absorb the target molecules. Crystallographic analysis clearly determines the absorbed guest structures along with the host frameworks. Because the SCD analysis is carried out on only one tiny crystal of the complex, the required sample mass is of the nanogram-microgram order. We demonstrate that as little as about 80 nanograms of a sample is enough for the SCD analysis. In combination with high-performance liquid chromatography, our protocol allows the direct characterization of multiple fractions, establishing a prototypical means of liquid chromatography SCD analysis. Furthermore, we unambiguously determined the structure of a scarce marine natural product using only 5 micrograms of the compound.

X-ray Structure Analysis of Ozonides by the Crystalline Sponge Method.

The crystalline sponge method was used for the X-ray structure analysis of ozonide compounds. As this new technique requires only microgram quantities of the samples, structural analysis can be conducted without product isolation, isomer separation, or crystallization and most importantly without any risk of explosion.

Where is the Oxygen? Structural Analysis of α-Humulene Oxidation Products by the Crystalline Sponge Method.

Crystal structures of α-humulene, a cyclic sesquiterpene, and its oxidized subproducts, were analyzed by the crystalline sponge method. Regio- and stereochemistry, including absolute configuration when a chiral oxidant was applied, and the stable conformations of all the scaffold-related compounds were successfully determined for samples on a 5-50 µg scale.

Reaction of H2 with mitochondria-relevant metabolites using a multifunctional molecular catalyst.

The Krebs cycle is the fuel/energy source for cellular activity and therefore of paramount importance for oxygen-based life. The cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix, where it produces and transfers electrons to generate energy-rich NADH and FADH2, as well as C4-, C5-, and C6-polycarboxylic acids as energy-poor metabolites. These metabolites are biorenewable resources that represent potential sustainable carbon feedstocks, provided that carbon-hydrogen bonds are restored to these molecules. In the present study, these polycarboxylic acids and other mitochondria-relevant metabolites underwent dehydration (alcohol-to-olefin and/or dehydrative cyclization) and reduction (hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis) to diols or triols upon reaction with H2, catalyzed by sterically confined iridium-bipyridyl complexes. The investigation of these single-metal site catalysts provides valuable molecular insights into the development of molecular technologies for the reduction and dehydration of highly functionalized carbon resources.

Aliphatic polyketones as classic yet new molecular ropes for structural diversity in organic synthesis.

Polyketone compounds play an important role in organic chemistry as a prominent source of reactivity and functionality. Their chemical properties vary widely depending on the ketone sequence in carbon chains. Although vicinal and ß-polyketones have been used for more than 150 years, the recent development of new ketone sequences composed of alternating 1,3- and 1,4-diketones has demonstrated the further potential of polyketones as structurally flexible molecular ropes capable of derivatization to π-conjugated chromophores and molecular assemblies. In this Feature Article, we review the synthetic strategies and reactivities of polyketones with respect to their ketone sequence. Furthermore, recent research on polyketones with hybrid ketone sequences is also discussed, focussing on their structural diversity in chemical transformations including intramolecular cyclization and stereoselective oxidation.

Control over coordination self-assembly of flexible, multidentate ligands by stepwise metal coordination of isopyrazole subunits.

Structurally flexible oligoisopyrazole molecules were self-assembled into discrete complexes with structural diversity upon palladium coordination. Structural convergence was controlled by a stoichiometry change to induce stepwise metal coordination of isopyrazole subunits. Three different types of complexes were selectively generated from a diisopyrazole ligand. Furthermore, tetraisopyrazole ligands were quantitatively assembled into a discrete complex in a predictable manner.

Catalytic hydrogenation of carboxylic acids using low-valent and high-valent metal complexes.

Carboxylic acids are ubiquitous in bio-renewable and petrochemical sources of carbon. The hydrogenation of carboxylic acids to alcohols generates water as the only by-product, and thus represents a sustainable method for the production of these alternative energy carriers/platform chemicals on a large scale. Herein, we offer a brief account of the development of this new concept and molecular insights into cationic mononuclear low- and high-valent transition-metal complexes for the hydrogenation of carboxylic acids.

Bioinspired synthesis of pentalene-based chromophores from an oligoketone chain.

We report a bioinspired synthesis of 2,5-dihydropentalene-based chromophores from an aliphatic oligoketone bearing 1,3- and 1,4-diketone subunits. Unlike the natural polyketone sequence, fused five-membered rings were formed via an intramolecular aldol condensation. A subsequent Knoevenagel condensation reaction with malononitrile furnished a multiply cross-conjugated π-system with low-lying LUMO levels. Furthermore, pentalenes obtained from a non-conjugated aliphatic chain exhibited visible absorption and solid-state fluorescence.

Finding a New Crystalline Sponge from a Crystallographic Database.

Empirical searching conditions were adopted to identify suitable candidates from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) for crystalline sponge hosts for X-ray crystallographic analysis of incoming guest compounds. After optimization of the solvent and soaking conditions, one of the candidates was used as a crystalline sponge for the structure determination of an aromatic guest.

Absolute structure determination of compounds with axial and planar chirality using the crystalline sponge method.

The absolute stereochemistry of compounds with axial and planar chirality is successfully determined by the crystalline sponge method without crystallization or derivatization of the compounds. This method is applied to absolute structure determination in the asymmetric synthesis of unique compounds with axial and planar chirality.

Preparation and guest-uptake protocol for a porous complex useful for 'crystal-free' crystallography.

We recently reported a new method for single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCD) analysis that does not require the crystallization of the target compound. In this 'crystal-free' crystallography, a tiny crystal of a porous complex is soaked in the solution of the target guest. The guest molecules are absorbed and oriented in the crystal pores and can be analyzed by X-ray diffraction. We describe here a detailed synthetic protocol for the preparation of uniform single crystals of the porous host complex and for the subsequent guest uptake. The protocol describes our most versatile porous complex, which is prepared from commercially available ZnI2 and 2,4,6-tri(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine. The host complex has large pores with a cross-section of 8 × 5 Å(2). Single crystals of the complex are grown from layered solutions of the two components. The pores of the as-synthesized complex are filled with nitrobenzene, which is replaced with the inert solvent cyclohexane. This solvent exchange is essential for the rapid and effective inclusion of target compounds. The most crucial and delicate step is the selection of high-quality single crystals from the mixture of crystals of various shapes and sizes. We suggest using the facial indices of the single crystals as a criterion for crystal selection. Single-crystal samples for X-ray analysis can be prepared by immersing the selected crystals in a cyclohexane/dichloromethane solution of target compound. After a very slow evaporation of the solvent, typically over 2 d, the final crystal can be picked and directly subjected to SCD analysis. The protocol can be completed within ∼16 d.