Chiral Truxene-Based Self-Assembled Cages: Triple Interlocking and Supramolecular Chirogenesis.

Incorporating chiral elements in host-guest systems currently attracts much attention because of the major impact such structures may have in a wide range of applications, from pharmaceuticals to materials science and beyond. Moreover, the development of multi-responsive and -functional systems is highly desirable since they offer numerous benefits. In this context, we describe herein the construction of a metal-driven self-assembled cage that associates a chiral truxene-based ligand and a bis-ruthenium complex. The maximum separation between both facing chiral units in the assembly is fixed by the intermetallic distance within the lateral bis-ruthenium complex (8.4 Å). The resulting chiral cavity was shown to encapsulate polyaromatic guest molecules, but also to afford a chiral triply interlocked [2]catenane structure. The formation of the latter occurs at high concentration, while its disassembly could be achieved by the addition of a planar achiral molecule. Interestingly the planar achiral molecule exhibits induced circular dichroism signature when trapped within the chiral cavity, thus demonstrating the ability of the cage to induce supramolecular chirogenesis.

Tuning the photophysical and chiroptical properties of [4]helicene-diketopyrrolopyrroles.

Synthesis and functionalization of diketopyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole (DPP) derivatives containing chiral groups able to induce a strong chiral perturbation of the DPP core are still a challenging task. We report in this work the straightforward preparation of four bis([4]helicene)-DPP and bis([4]thiahelicene)-DPP dyes upon the condensation of 2-CN-[4](thia)helicene precursors, followed by their N-alkylation by nucleophilic substitution (compounds 9-11) or by a Mitsunobu-type strategy (compound 12). Compound 12, which contains sec-phenylethyl groups attached to the nitrogen atoms, has been obtained as (R,R) and (S,S) enantiomers. The four DPP-helicenes are luminescent in solution, while the N-benzyl (10) and N-sec-phenethyl (12) are emissive in the solid state as well. The chiroptical properties of compound 12 in solution and in the solid state indicate a strong chiral perturbation provided by the α-stereogenic centres, in spite of the stereodynamic nature of the [4]helicene flanking units.

Chiroptical properties of anionic and neutral nickel(II) bis(dithiolene) complexes based on methyl and dimethyl-dddt ligands.

Racemic and enantiopure nickel(II) bis(dithiolene) anionic and neutral complexes based on the methyl-5,6-dihydro-1,4-dithiin-2,3-dithiolate (me-dddt) and dimethyl-5,6-dihydro-1,4-dithiin-2,3-dithiolate (dm-dddt) ligands have been experimentally and theoretically investigated with a special focus on their chiroptical properties. According to the time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations, the strong near-infrared absorption bands typical for such complexes are only weakly active in circular dichroism (CD), and moreover, they have opposite signs for the axial and equatorial conformations, due to the variation of the angle between the transition electric and magnetic dipole moments, thus leading to the mutual cancellation of their contributions and the absence of these bands in the experimental CD spectra. The influence of the number of stereogenic centers and of the oxidation state of the complexes on their chiroptical properties is highlighted. The solid-state structure of the complex (TMA)[Ni(rac-me-dddt)2 ] (TMA = tetramethylammonium), determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, shows a rather unusual cis arrangement of the two dithiolene ligands, with the methyl substituents adopting an axial conformation, which is not the most stable one in the gas phase.

Desymmetrization of Perylenediimide Bay Regions Using Selective Suzuki-Miyaura Reactions from Dinitro Substituted Derivatives.

Bay decoration of perylenediimide (PDI) is an attractive approach for tuning the optoelectronic properties of the dye as well as breaking backbone planarity, which provides the possibility of preventing the undesired formation of aggregates. This is usually performed through successive bis-bromination of PDI and pallado-catalyzed cross-coupling, which leads to symmetric triads. We now describe an efficient synthetic strategy for desymmetrization of the accepting PDI core by starting from its bis-nitration. To this end, Suzuki-Miyaura Couplings (SMC) were carried out on a mixture of 1,6- and 1,7-dinitroPDI regioisomers to add triphenylamine donating moieties and obtain donor-acceptor-donor triads. Investigation of the reactivity of dinitro PDI derivatives toward SMC has allowed us to access unprecedented asymmetric π-conjugated PDI-centered triads. These 1,6- and 1,7-PDI based triads, prepared as regioisomeric mixtures, were successfully separated and their spectroscopic, crystallographic and optoelectronic differences are reported.

Visible-Light-Mediated Synthesis of AzaBenzannulated Perylenediimide-Based Light-Harvesting Dyads.

Intramolecular imine photocyclization has been explored for grafting on the bay region of perylenediimide (PDI) different electro- and photoactive chromophores to achieve new AzaBenzannulated-PDI (AzaBPDI) dyads. Triphenylamine (TPA), fluorene (Fl), perylenemonoimide (PMI), and perylenediimide (PDI) units have been successfully assembled to AzaBPDI using this straightforward one-pot synthesis starting from the easily accessible 1-aminoPDI. This original procedure was compared to the well-known Pictet-Spengler reaction and appears to be an attractive alternative in terms of versatility and efficiency with higher yields obtained. The optical and electrochemical properties of these molecular systems demonstrated large absorption capabilities in the visible range, good accepting abilities with low LUMO levels, and efficient electronic interactions between chromophoric units such as energy or electron transfers. In addition, with their large dihedral angle estimated by theoretical calculations, those dyads should present interesting applications in various organic optoelectronic devices. In particular, the PMI-AzaBPDI and PDI-AzaBPDI dyads presenting low LUMO levels, a broad absorption in the visible range, and a twisted conformation make them good candidates as non-fullerene acceptors in organic solar cells.

An Imine Photocyclization as an Alternative to the Pictet-Spengler Reaction for the Synthesis of AzaBenzannulated Perylenediimide Dyes.

AzaBenzannulated perylenediimide (AzaBPDI) dyes were synthesized in high yields via a new reaction sequence involving an imine condensation followed by visible light-induced photocyclization. The large scope and efficiency of this alternative to the Pictet-Spengler reaction are demonstrated, allowing easy preparation of dimeric AzaBPDI as potential non-fullerene acceptors for organic solar cells.

Tetrathiafulvalene-[2.2]paracyclophanes: Synthesis, crystal structures, and chiroptical properties.

Two racemic tetrathiafulvalene-[2.2]paracyclophane electron donors EDT-TTF-[2.2]paracyclophane 1 and (COOMe)2 -TTF-[2.2]paracyclophane 2 have been synthesized via the phosphite mediated cross coupling strategy. Chiral HPLC allowed the optical resolution of the (RP ) and (SP ) enantiomers for both compounds. Solid-state structures of (RP )-1 and (rac)-2 have been determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. Intermolecular π-π and S•••S interactions are disclosed in the packing. Single crystal X-ray analysis of (RP )-1 combined with experimental and theoretical circular dichroism spectra allowed the assignment of the absolute configuration of the enantiomers of 1 and 2.

Conformational Study and Chiroptical Properties of Chiral Dimethyl-Ethylenedithio-Tetrathiafulvalene (DM-EDT-TTF).

The enantiopure dimethyl-ethylenedithio-tetrathiafulvalene (DM-EDT-TTF) donor exists as biaxial (ax, ax) and biequatorial (eq, eq) conformers in equilibrium. DFT calculations combined with free energy surface (FES) analysis establish that the (ax, ax) form is more stable by ∼0.7 kcal·mol-1 than the (eq, eq) one and that the inter-conversion process involves a sequential conformational change through a boat type (ax, eq) conformer with an activation energy of ∼3 kcal.mol-1. TD-DFT calculations show similar, but opposite in sign, CD bands for the two conformers. A Boltzmann type average of the two CD curves, corresponding to a ratio of three (ax, ax) for one (eq, eq) conformers in equilibrium in solution, provides an excellent agreement with the experimental curve.

Lepidotol A from Mesua lepidota Inhibits Inflammatory and Immune Mediators in Human Endothelial Cells.

Phytochemical investigation on the fruits of Mesua lepidota (Calophyllaceae) led to the isolation of seven new phenylcoumarin derivatives named lepidotols A-E (1-5) and lepidotins A and B (6, 7). These structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and spectrometric methods including UV, NMR, and HRMS. Lepidotol A (1), the major compound, was evaluated for its inhibitory effect on inflammation and immunity using endothelial cell-based cellular assays. At 10 µM, 1 exhibited an anti-inflammatory activity, with a significant inhibition of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression induced by tumor necrosis factor-α. Lepidotol A also showed a mild immunosuppressive effect, with inhibition of the major histocompatibility complex molecules, namely, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR and HLA-E.

Thiophene-benzoquinones: synthesis, crystal structures and preliminary coordination chemistry of derived anilate ligands.

2,5-Bis(thiophene) and 2,5-bis(ethylenedioxy-thiophene) (EDOT) derivatives of 3,6-diethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (para isomers) were prepared by Stille coupling between the 2,5-dibromo-3,6-diethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone precursors and (n-Bu)3Sn-R (R = 2-thiophenyl or 3,4-ethylenedioxy-2-thiophenyl) reagents. In a parallel series of experiments 2,6-bis(thiophene) and 2,6-EDOT-3,5-diethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (meta isomers) were synthesized by the same strategy. The four compounds were structurally characterized. The thiophene derivatives show essentially planar conformation thanks to the conjugation and establishment of S···O 1,5-nonbonded interactions, while in the EDOT derivatives the thiophene moieties are twisted with respect to the benzoquinone ring because of the steric hindrance. TD-DFT calculations were performed on both para and meta thiophene isomers in order to explain the differences observed in the UV-Vis absorption spectra. The 2,5-derivatives are valuable precursors for thiophene containing anilate (An) ligands, as the first examples of electron rich substituent based anilates. The Cu(II) complex [Cu(Th2An)(tbbpy)]·2H2O (Th2An = thiophene-anilate; tbbpy = 4,4'-bis(tert-butyl)-2,2'-bipyridine) was isolated and structurally characterized. The metal center lies within a square planar coordination geometry, while the ligands engage in a set of intermolecular contacts.

Crystalline arrays of pairs of molecular rotors: correlated motion, rotational barriers, and space-inversion symmetry breaking due to conformational mutations.

The rod-like molecule bis((4-(4-pyridyl)ethynyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-1-yl)buta-1,3-diyne, 1, contains two 1,4-bis(ethynyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BCO) chiral rotators linked by a diyne fragment and self-assembles in a one-dimensional, monoclinic C2/c centrosymmetric structure where two equilibrium positions with large occupancy imbalance (88% versus 12%) are identified on a single rotor site. Combining variable-temperature (70-300 K) proton spin-lattice relaxation, (1)H T1(-1), at two different (1)H Larmor frequencies (55 and 210 MHz) and DFT calculations of rotational barriers, we were able to assign two types of Brownian rotators with different activation energies, 1.85 and 6.1 kcal mol(-1), to the two (1)H spin-lattice relaxation processes on the single rotor site. On the basis of DFT calculations, the low-energy process has been assigned to adjacent rotors in a well-correlated synchronous motion, whereas the high-energy process is the manifestation of an abrupt change in their kinematics once two blades of adjacent rotors are seen to rub together. Although crystals of 1 should be second harmonic inactive, a large second-order optical response is recorded when the electric field oscillates in a direction parallel to the unique rotor axle director. We conclude that conformational mutations by torsional interconversion of the three blades of the BCO units break space-inversion symmetry in sequences of mutamers in dynamic equilibrium in the crystal in domains at a mesoscopic scale comparable with the wavelength of light used. A control experiment was performed with a crystalline film of a similar tetrayne molecule, 1,4-bis(3-((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)bicyclo[1.1.1]pent-1-yl)buta-1,3-diyne, whose bicyclopentane units can rotate but are achiral and produce no second-order optical response.

Ethylenedithio-tetrathiafulvalene-helicenes: electroactive helical precursors with switchable chiroptical properties.

Electroactive fused ethylenedithio-tetrathiafulvalene-[4]helicene and -[6]helicenes have been synthesized through a strategy that involved the preparation of 2,3-dibromo-helicene derivatives as intermediates. The dihedral angles between the terminal helicenes, as determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis, are 22.7° and 50.7° for the [4]helicene and [6]helicene, respectively. Their solid-state architectures show interplay between S⋅⋅⋅S and π⋅⋅⋅π intermolecular interactions. The chiroptical properties of the enantiopure EDT-TTF-[6]helicene derivatives have been investigated and supported by TDDFT calculations. Remarkable redox switching of the circular dichroism (CD) signal between the neutral and radical-cation species has been achieved.

A series of tetrathiafulvalene-based lanthanide complexes displaying either single molecule magnet or luminescence-direct magnetic and photo-physical correlations in the ytterbium analogue.

The reaction between (4,5-bis(2-pyridyl-N-oxidemethylthio)-4',5')-ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvene (L(1)) or -methyldithiotetrathiafulvene (L(2)) ligands and Ln(hfac)3·nH2O precursors (Ln(III) = Pr, Tb, Dy, Er, and Yb) leads to the formation of seven dinuclear complexes of formula [Ln2(hfac)6(H2O)x(L(y))2] (x = 2 and y = 1 for Ln(III) = Pr (1); x = 0 and y = 1 for Ln(III) = Tb (2), Dy (3), Er (4) and Yb (5); x = 0 and y = 2 for Ln(III) = Tb (6) and Dy (7)). Their X-ray structures reveal that the coordination environment of each Ln(III) center is filled by two N-oxide groups coming from two different ligands L(y). UV-visible absorption properties have been experimentally measured and rationalized by TD-DFT calculations. The temperature dependences of static magnetic measurements have been fitted. The ground state corresponds to the almost pure |M(J) = ±13/2〉 while the first excited state (±0.77|±11/2〉 ± 0.50|±3/2〉 ± 0.39|±5/2〉) is located at 19 cm(-1) and 26.9 cm(-1) respectively for 3 and 7. Upon irradiation at 77 K and at room temperature, in the range 25,000-20,835 cm(-1), both compounds 4 and 5 display a metal-centered luminescence attributed to (4)I(13/2) → (4)I(15/2) (6660 cm(-1)) and (2)F(5/2) → (2)F(7/2) (9972 cm(-1)) transitions, respectively. Emission spectroscopy provides a direct probe of the |±5/2〉 ground state multiplet splitting, which has been confronted to magnetic data. The energy separation of 225 cm(-1) between the ground state and the first excited level (M(J) = ±3/2) fits exactly the second emission line (234 cm(-1)). While no out-phase-signal is detected for 3, the change of ligand L(1) → L(2) induces a change of coordination sphere symmetry around the Dy(III) increasing the energy splitting between the ground and first excited states, and 7 displays a single molecule magnet behavior.

Tetrathiafulvalene-1,3,5-triazines as (multi)donor-acceptor systems with tunable charge transfer: structural, photophysical, and theoretical investigations.

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions between chlorinated 1,3,5-triazines (TZ) and tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) trimethyltin derivatives afford mono- and C3 symmetric tris(TTF)-triazines as donor-acceptor compounds in which the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) is modulated by the substitution scheme on TTF and TZ and by chemical or electrochemical oxidation. The TTF-TZ-Cl2 and (SMe)2TTF-TZ-Cl2 derivatives show fully planar structures in the solid state as a consequence of the conjugation between the two units. Electrochemical and photophysical investigations, supported by theoretical calculations, clearly demonstrate that the lowest excited state can be ascribed to the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) π(TTF)→π*(TZ) transition. The tris(TTF) compound [(SMe)2TTF]3-TZ shows fluorescence when excited in the ICT band, and the emission is quenched upon oxidation. The radical cations TTF(+•) are easily observed in all of the cases through chemical and electrochemical oxidation by steady-state absorption experiments. In the case of [(SMe)2TTF]3-TZ, a low energy band at 5000 cm(-1), corresponding to a coupling between TTF(+•) and TTF units, is observed. A crystalline radical cation salt with the TTF-TZ-Cl2 donor and PF6(-) anion, prepared by electrocrystallization, is described.

Tetramethyl-bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (TM-BEDT-TTF) revisited: crystal structures, chiroptical properties, theoretical calculations, and a complete series of conducting radical cation salts.

The (S,S,S,S) and (R,R,R,R) enantiomers of tetramethyl-bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (TM-BEDT-TTF) show equatorial conformation for the four methyl groups in the solid state, according to the single-crystal X-ray analyses. Theoretical calculations at the Density Functional Theory (DFT) and time-dependent (TD) DFT levels indicate higher gas phase stability for the axial conformer than the equatorial one by 1.25 kcal ∙ mole⁻¹ and allow the assignment of the UV-vis and circular dichroism transitions. A complete series of radical cation salts of 1:1 stoichiometry with the triiodide anion I3⁻ was obtained by electrocrystallization of both enantiopure and racemic forms of the donor. In the packing the donors are organized in dimers that further interact through S ∙ ∙ ∙ S intermolecular contacts and the triiodide anions lie parallel to pairs of oxidized donors. The conductivity of the racemate, which adopts the same, but disordered, structural type, is considerably lower, with much higher activation energy.

Electroactive tetrathiafulvalenyl-1,2,3-triazoles by click chemistry: Cu- versus Ru-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition isomers.

Two series of 4- and 5-tetrathiafulvalenyl-1,2,3-triazoles, as multifunctional ligands and precursors for molecular materials, have been synthesized by copper- or ruthenium-based "click" chemistry. The solid-state structures of three ligands and two Cu(II) complexes were determined. Large differences in the electron-donating properties between the 1,4- and 1,5-isomers were evidenced by cyclic voltammetry. Theoretical calculations support this observation and allow the assignment of the electronic transitions observed in UV/Vis spectra of the ligands.

Tetrathiafulvalene-triazine-dipyridylamines as multifunctional ligands for electroactive complexes: synthesis, structures, and theoretical study.

The electroactive ligands (2,4-bis-tetrathiafulvalene[6-(dipyridin-2'-ylamino)]-1,3,5-triazine) TTF(2)-tz-dpa (1) and (2-tetrathiafulvalene[4,6-bis-(dipyridin-2'-ylamino)]-1,3,5-triazine) TTF-tz-dpa(2) (2) have been synthesized by palladium cross-coupling catalysis, and the single crystal X-ray structure for 1 was determined. In the solid state the TTF and triazine units are practically coplanar and short intermolecular S···S contacts are established. Two neutral and one tetracationic Zn(II) complexes, formulated as (TTF(2)-tz-dpa)ZnCl(2) (3), [ZnCl(2)(TTF-tz-dpa(2))Zn(H(2)O)Cl(2)] (4), and {[(H(2)O)(2)Zn(TTF-tz-dpa(2))](ClO(4))(2)}(2) (5) have been crystallized and analyzed by single crystal X-ray analysis. A peculiar feature is the evidence for anion-π interactions, as shown by the short Cl···triazine and O(perchlorate)···triazine distances of 3.52 and 3.00 Å, respectively. A complex set of intermolecular π···π, S···S, and hydrogen bonding interactions sustain the supramolecular organizations of the complexes in the solid state. Electronic absorption spectra provide evidence for the intramolecular charge transfer from TTF to triazine, also supported by time-dependent density functional theory (TD DFT) calculations.

In solution sensitization of Er(III) luminescence by the 4-tetrathiafulvalene-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid dimethyl antenna ligand.

In the [Er(hfac)(3)(L)](2) complex (1) (L = 4-tetrathiafulvalene-2,6-pyridinecarboxylic acid dimethyl ester), the Er(III) ion is bonded to the tridentate coordination site. Electrochemical and photophysical measurements in solution reveal that the tetrathiafulvalene moiety is a versatile antenna for erbium luminescence sensitization at 6540 cm(-1) upon excitation in the low-energy charge transfer transition (donor to acceptor charge transfer) at 16600 cm(-1) assigned via time-dependent density functional theory calculations.

Field-induced mononuclear cobalt(II) single-molecule magnet (SMM) based on a benzothiadiazole-ortho-vanillin ligand.

A unique π-conjugated benzothiadiazole-ortho-vanillin ligand (HL), characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and DFT calculations, has been prepared by condensation between 4-amino-benzothiadiazole (BTD) and ortho-vanillin. Its reaction with cobalt(II) acetate afforded the complex of formula [CoL2]·CH2Cl2 (1), for which the coordination environment of the cobalt centre is a distorted octahedron and the ligand acts as a monoanionic tridentate NNO chelate in its phenolate form. Intermolecular π-π stacking interactions between the π-conjugated BTD units provide an antiferromagnetic coupling pathway, as indicated by the analysis of the dc magnetic measurements of a crystalline sample of the complex and supported by DFT type calculations. The static magnetic behaviour of 1 is analysed according to spin-orbit coupling and zero-field splitting models. Remarkably, the complex exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization under dc applied magnetic fields being thus a new example of field-induced mononuclear single-molecule magnet (SMM).

Highly Reactive Diazenyl Radical Species Evidenced during Aryldiazonium Electroreduction.

We report the experimental reassessment of the widely admitted concerted reduction mechanism for diazonium electroreduction. Ultrafast cyclic voltammetry was exploited to demonstrate the existence of a stepwise pathway, and real-time spectroelectrochemistry experiments allowed visualization of the spectral signature of an evolution product of the phenyldiazenyl radical intermediate. Unambiguous identification of the diazenyl species was achieved by radical trapping followed by X-ray structure resolution. The electrochemical generation of this transient under intermediate energetic conditions calls into question our comprehension of the layer structuration when surface modification is achieved via the diazonium electrografting technique as this azo-containing intermediate could be responsible for the systematic presence of azo bridges in nanometric films.