Looking for chiral recognition in photoinduced bimolecular electron transfer using ultrafast spectroscopy.

Occurrence of chiral recognition in bimolecular photoinduced electron transfer (ET) is difficult to identify because of the predominant role of diffusion. To circumvent this problem, we apply a combination of ultrafast time-resolved fluorescence and transient electronic absorption to look for stereoselectivity in the initial, static stage of ET quenching, where diffusion is not relevant. The fluorophore and electron acceptor is a cationic hexahelicene, whereas the quencher has either stereocentered (tryptophan) or axial (binaphthol) chirality. We found that, in all cases, the quenching dynamics are the same, within the limit of error, for different diastereomeric pairs in polar and medium-polar solvents. The same absence of chiral effect is observed for the recombination of the radical pair, which results from the quenching. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the distribution of inter-reactant distance is independent of the chirality of the acceptor and the donor. Close contact resulting in large electronic coupling is predicted to be possible with all diastereomeric pairs. In this case, ET is an adiabatic process, whose dynamics do no longer depend on the coupling, but are rather controlled by high-frequency intramolecular modes.

Scope and limitations of the preparation of xanthones using Eaton's reagent.

Xanthones comprise a large family of heterocycles displaying fascinating biological properties. Many synthetic protocols have been developed for the preparation of natural and nonnatural xanthone derivatives. Among them, condensation reactions between salicylic acid derivatives and phenol partners are highly desirable. Those reactions can be satisfactorily performed using Eaton's reagent (P2O5 in CH3SO3H). Despite being highly effective with a variety of substrates, this approach presents limitations that depend on the electronic nature of the reaction precursors. The scope and limitations of the Eaton's reagent-mediated preparation of xanthones are herein presented and discussed. In short, this approach is limited to the utilization of very electron-rich phenol substrates (like phloroglucinol compounds), or to electron-rich phenol precursors (like resorcinol derivatives) via the isolation of benzophenone intermediates in this latter case. Electron-poor phenols are not amenable to this transformation with Eaton's reagent.

Hybrids of cationic [4]helicene and N-heterocyclic carbene as ligands for complexes exhibiting (chir)optical properties in the far red spectral window.

Synthesis, electronic and structural properties of a chiral NHC bearing a N-bonded cationic [4]helicene moiety are reported. This ligand is used to construct AuI, AuIII and RhI complexes exhibiting far-red (chir)optical properties regardless of the metal.

Chiral Near-Infrared Fluorophores by Self-Promoted Oxidative Coupling of Cationic Helicenes with Amines/Enamines.

In one pot, tertiary alkyl amines are oxidized to enamines by cationic dioxa[6]helicene, which further reacts as electrophile and oxidant to form mono or bis donor-π-acceptor coupling products. This original and convergent synthetic approach provides a strong extension of conjugation yielding chromophores that absorb intensively in far-red or NIR domains (λmax up to 791 nm) and fluoresce in the NIR as well (λmax up to 887 nm). Intense ECD properties around 790 nm with a |Δϵ| value up to 60 M-1 cm-1 are observed.

Near-infrared electrochemiluminescence in water through regioselective sulfonation of diaza [4] and [6]helicene dyes.

A series of water-soluble helicene dyes generating intense electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal in physiological conditions is reported. Those species were prepared using diaza [4] and [6]helicenes as structural cores modified with sulfonate groups in various positions. Such groups improve their water solubility and can induce a red-shifted emission. Efficient ECL up to the near-infrared is achieved in water, demonstrating a viable strategy for the design of new near-infrared ECL dyes for bioassays and microscopy.

Stereochemical significance of O to N atom interchanges within cationic helicenes: experimental and computational evidence of near racemization to remarkable enantiospecificity.

Oxygen atoms of cationic dioxa and azaoxa [6]helicenes can be exchanged by amino groups to form azaoxa and diaza [6]helicenes respectively. The mild reaction conditions developed herein allow the construction of libraries of derivatives with sensitive and/or functionalized side chains. Using enantioenriched dioxa or azaoxa helicene precursors, these exchanges lead to either near racemization (es 3%) or to a remarkable enantiospecificity (es up to 97%). This unusual behavior is fully characterized via experimental and computational mechanistic evidence. Based on these investigations, the enantiospecificity of the first transformation can be improved to 57-61%.

Merging polyacenes and cationic helicenes: from weak to intense chiroptical properties in the far red region.

A series of helical tetracenes and pentacenes was synthesized from cationic [6] and [4]helicene precursors. These colorful acenes fluoresce in the far red region. While [4]helicene-based pentacenes exhibit chiroptical properties mainly in the UV region, [6]helicene-derived tetracenes show enhanced ECD in the visible range, in addition to clear CPL responses. This difference is rationalized using first principles.

Specific labeling of mitochondria of Chlamydomonas with cationic helicene fluorophores.

Twelve cationic helicenes and one triangulene were tested for the specific labeling of mitochondria from algal cells. Octyl ester derivative 5 readily penetrates algal cells and gives rise to clear fluorescence patterns when it is used at concentrations in the µM range. Under these conditions, cell structures are well preserved and cell survival is not compromised. Cationic helicene compounds such as 5 provide new useful tools for examining the mitochondrial network and its dynamics including fission and fusion events.

Enantiospecific Elongation of Cationic Helicenes by Electrophilic Functionalization at Terminal Ends.

A strategy for late-stage electrophilic functionalizations of cationic helicenes is exposed. Thanks to strongly acidic conditions that permit reversible electrophilic substitutions, regioselective acylations, sulfonylations, or alkylations occur at the extremity(ies) of the helical cores. Extended [5] or [6]helicenes can then be generated from cationic [4]helicenes in successive one-pot elongation processes. Retention of configuration and excellent enantiospecificity (up to 99 %) are observed for the helicene growth in the enantiopure series.

Physicochemical and Electronic Properties of Cationic [6]Helicenes: from Chemical and Electrochemical Stabilities to Far-Red (Polarized) Luminescence.

The physicochemical properties of cationic dioxa (1), azaoxa (2), and diaza (3) [6]helicenes demonstrate a much higher chemical stability of the diaza adduct 3 (pKR+ =20.4, Ered1/2 =-0.72 V) compared to its azaoxa 2 (pKR+ =15.2, Ered1/2 =-0.45 V) and dioxa 1 (pKR+ =8.8, Ered1/2 =-0.12 V) analogues. The fluorescence of these cationic chromophores is established, and ranges from the orange to the far-red regions. From 1 to 3, a bathochromic shift of the lowest energy transitions (up to 614 nm in acetonitrile) and an enhancement of the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes (up to 31 % and 9.8 ns, respectively, at 658 nm) are observed. The triplet quantum yields and circularly polarized luminescence are also reported. Finally, fine tuning of the optical properties of the diaza [6]helicene core is achieved through selective and orthogonal post-functionalization reactions (12 examples, compounds 4-15). The electronic absorption is modulated from the orange to the far-red spectral range (560-731 nm), and fluorescence is observed from 591 to 755 nm with enhanced quantum efficiency up to 70 % (619 nm). The influence of the peripheral auxochrome substituents is rationalized by first-principles calculations.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Resolution of Neutral and Cationic Hetero[6]Helicenes.

Cationic hetero[6]helicenes 1+, 2+ and 3+ have been recently disclosed. Herein we report on their enantiomeric separation using high-performance liquid chromatography. Separation of the antipodes can be achieved in preparative scale on neutral adducts with Chiralcel OD-I or Chiralpak ID CSP. Selectivity factors of 1.90, 1.67, and 1.96 were obtained for 1-H, 2-H, and 3-H, respectively. Separation can also be performed on the carbenium ions on regular Chiralpak IA CSP using water-containing eluents, thus allowing for enantiomeric purity determinations in aqueous environments. Resolution of neutral and cationic helicenes is also achieved on more recently developed LARIHC columns. The versatility of the cyclofructan phases allows for baseline separations for both cases and their loading capabilities are demonstrated. Finally, the configurational stability of 1+, 2+, and 3+ was measured. For each replacement of an oxygen atom by an amino group, the racemization barrier increases significantly (ΔG‡ = 29.8, 36.3 and >37 kcal mol(-1) for 1+, 2+, and 3+ respectively).

Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Cationic Triangulene Dyes: Crucial Influence of the Core Heteroatoms.

Trianguleniums are fascinating conjugated hexacyclic cations that exhibit interesting electronic and optical properties. Herein, the electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) emission of this family of fluorescent dyes is reported for the first time. Redox behavior and fluorescence properties of eight cationic triangulene luminophores with different heteroatom patterns in the core structure and various pending substituents were examined to rationalize the ECL. Clearly, the more electron-rich the carbocation, the more efficient the corresponding ECL; two very distinct classes of triangulenes can be drawn from these studies by using an ECL wall sufficiency formalism.

Cationic triangulenes and helicenes: synthesis, chemical stability, optical properties and extended applications of these unusual dyes.

Cationic triangulenes and helicenes are highly stable carbocations with planar and helical conformations respectively. These moieties are effective dyes with original absorption and emission properties. Over the last decade, they have received greater attention and are considered as valuable tools for the development of innovative applications. In this review, the synthesis of these unique compounds is presented together with their core chemical and physical properties. Representative applications spanning from surface sciences to biology and chemistry are presented.

Development of versatile and silver-free protocols for gold(I) catalysis.

The use of a versatile N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) gold(I) hydroxide precatalyst, [Au(OH)(IPr)], (IPr=N,N'-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) permits the in situ generation of the [Au(IPr)](+) ion by simple addition of a Brønsted acid. This cationic entity is believed to be the active species in numerous catalytic reactions. (1)H NMR studies in several solvent media of the in situ generation of this [Au(IPr)](+) ion also reveal the formation of a dinuclear gold hydroxide intermediate [{Au(IPr)}(2)(µ-OH)], which is fully characterized and was tested in gold(I) catalysis.

Mechanism of racemization of chiral alcohols mediated by 16-electron ruthenium complexes.

Experimental and computational analyses provide support for the existence of a metal-hydride-based mechanism for the ruthenium-mediated racemization of chiral alcohols.

N-heterocyclic carbene-ruthenium complexes for the racemization of chiral alcohols.

The activity of well-defined 16-electron ruthenium complexes bearing an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand in the racemization of chiral alcohols is reported. Mechanistic considerations are also presented.

Au/Ag-cocatalyzed aldoximes to amides rearrangement under solvent- and acid-free conditions.

The gold/silver-cocatalyzed conversion of aldoximes into primary amides is reported. The reaction, which proceeds under neat and acid-free conditions, allows for the conversion of a range of aldoximes, and is a rare example of cooperative catalysis involving well-defined gold species.