Double-Helix Supramolecular Nanofibers Assembled from Negatively Curved Nanographenes.

The layered structures of graphite and related nanographene molecules play key roles in their physical and electronic functions. However, the stacking modes of negatively curved nanographenes remain unclear, owing to the lack of suitable nanographene molecules. Herein, we report the synthesis and one-dimensional supramolecular self-assembly of negatively curved nanographenes without any assembly-assisting substituents. This curved nanographene self-assembles in various organic solvents and acts as an efficient gelator. The formation of nanofibers was confirmed by microscopic measurements, and an unprecedented double-helix assembly by continuous π-π stacking was uncovered by three-dimensional electron crystallography. This work not only reports the discovery of an all-sp2-carbon supramolecular π-organogelator with negative curvature but also demonstrates the power of three-dimensional electron crystallography for the structural determination of submicrometer-sized molecular alignment.

Palladium-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Cross-Coupling of Azinecarboxylates with Arylboronic Acids.

The first palladium-catalyzed decarbonylative coupling of phenyl 2-azinecarboxylates and arylboronic acids is presented. The key for the development of this decarbonylative coupling is the use of Pd/dcype as a catalyst. A wide range of 2-azinecarboxylates can undergo the present coupling reaction to afford 2-arylazines. By combination with previously reported nickel-catalyzed decarbonylative coupling, we achieved a chemoselective sequential decarbonylative coupling of pyridine dicarboxylate to synthesize 2,4-diarylpyridine.

C-H arylation and alkenylation of imidazoles by nickel catalysis: solvent-accelerated imidazole C-H activation.

The first nickel-catalyzed C-H arylations and alkenylations of imidazoles with phenol and enol derivatives are described. Under the influence of Ni(OTf)2/dcype/K3PO4 (dcype: 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethane) in t-amyl alcohol, imidazoles can undergo C-H arylation with phenol derivatives. The C-H arylation of imidazoles with chloroarenes as well as that of thiazoles and oxazoles with phenol derivatives can also be achieved with this catalytic system. By changing the ligand to dcypt (3,4-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)thiophene), enol derivatives could also be employed as coupling partners achieving the C-H alkenylation of imidazoles as well as thiazoles and oxazoles. Thus, a range of C2-arylated and alkenylated azoles can be synthesized using this newly developed nickel-based catalytic system. The key to the success of the C-H coupling of imidazoles is the use of a tertiary alcohol as solvent. This also allows the use of an air-stable nickel(ii) salt as the catalyst precursor.