From Selection to Instruction and Back: Competing Conformational Selection and Induced Fit Pathways in Abiotic Hosts.

Two limiting cases of molecular recognition, induced fit (IF) and conformational selection (CS), play a central role in allosteric regulation of natural systems. The IF paradigm states that a substrate "instructs" the host to change its shape after complexation, while CS asserts that a guest "selects" the optimal fit from an ensemble of preexisting host conformations. With no studies that quantitatively address the interplay of two limiting pathways in abiotic systems, we herein and for the first time describe the way by which twisted capsule M-1, encompassing two conformers M-1(+) and M-1(-), trap CX4 (X=Cl, Br) to give CX4 ⊂M-1(+) and CX4 ⊂M-1(-), with all four states being in thermal equilibrium. With the assistance of 2D EXSY, we found that CBr4 would, at its lower concentrations, bind M-1 via a M-1(+)→M-1(-)→CBr4 ⊂M-1(-) pathway corresponding to conformational selection. For M-1 complexing CCl4 though, data from 2D EXSY measurements and 1D NMR line-shape analysis suggested that lower CCl4 concentrations would favor CS while the IF pathway prevailed at higher proportions of the guest. Since CS and IF are not mutually exclusive, we reason that our work sets the stage for characterizing the dynamics of a wide range of already existing hosts to broaden our fundamental understanding of their action. The objective is to master the way in which encapsulation takes place for designing novel and allosteric sequestering agents, catalysts and chemosensors akin to those found in nature.

A highly diastereoselective synthesis of deep molecular baskets.

We describe a preparative method for directing Mizoroki-Heck cyclotrimerization of enantioenriched bromonorbornenes into molecular baskets having increasingly deeper and extendable aromatic cavities. Such diastereoselective cyclotrimerizations of the bromo-olefinic substrates resulted from prevalent ß migratory insertions without the formation of palladacycle intermediate(s). The facile access to multigram quantity of a new series of basket-like hosts clears the way for creating novel supramolecular materials for storage, sequestration and catalysis.

A Molecular Capsule with Revolving Doors Partitioning Its Inner Space.

Covalent capsule 1 was designed to include two molecular baskets linked with three mobile pyridines tucked into its inner space. On the basis of both theory (DFT) and experiments (NMR and X-ray crystallography), we found that the pyridine "doors" split the chamber (380 Å3 ) of 1 so that two equally sizeable compartments (190 Å3 ) became joined through a conformationally flexible aromatic barrier. The compartments of such unique host could be populated with CCl4 (88 Å3 ; PC=46 %), CBr4 (106 Å3 ; 56 %) or their combination CCl4 /CBr4 (PC=51 %), with thermodynamic stabilities ΔG° tracking the values of packing coefficients (PC). Halogen (C-X⋅⋅⋅π) and hydrogen bonding (C-H⋅⋅⋅X) contacts held the haloalkane guests in the cavities of 1. The consecutive complexations were found to occur in a negative allosteric manner, which we propose to result from the induced-fit mode of complexation. Newly designed 1 opens a way for probing the effects of inner conformational dynamics on noncovalent interactions, reactivity and intramolecular translation in confined spaces of hollow molecules.

Tuning the allosteric sequestration of anticancer drugs for developing cooperative nano-antidotes.

A dual-cavity basket 16-, holding six γ-aminobutyric acids at its termini, encapsulates variously sized aromatics 2-7+, including four anthracyclines (8+-11+), driven by the hydrophobic effect and hydrogen bonding (HB). In particular, the formation of stable (K = 1012 M-2) anthracycline complexes [(8+-11+)2⊂16-], assembled into nanoparticles, occurred with positive homotropic cooperativity (α = 4K2/K1 = 1.1 ± 0.3 × 102-1.3 ± 0.7 × 103) in PBS medium. Importantly, weakening the first binding event (K1, i.e. by removing HBs) turned the second one (K2) more favorable. The finding is of interest for developing cooperative nano-antidotes acting as biodetoxifying agents.

Group Exchange between Ketones and Carboxylic Acids through Directing Group Assisted Rh-Catalyzed Reorganization of Carbon Skeletons.

The Rh(I)-catalyzed direct reorganization of organic frameworks and group exchanges between carboxylic acids and aryl ketones was developed with the assistance of directing group. Biaryls, alkenylarenes, and alkylarenes were produced in high efficiency from aryl ketones and the corresponding carboxylic acids by releasing the other molecule of carboxylic acids and carbon monoxide. A wide range of functional groups were well compatible. The exchanges between two partners were proposed to take place on the Rh-(III) center of key intermediates, supported by experimental mechanistic studies and computational calculations. The transformation unveiled the new catalytic pathway of the group transfer of two organic molecules.

Rh-catalyzed C-C cleavage of benzyl/allylic alcohols to produce benzyl/allylic amines or other alcohols by nucleophilic addition of intermediate rhodacycles to aldehydes and imines.

We report three transformations: 1) direct transformation from biarylmethanols into biarylmethylamines; 2) direct transformation from one biarylmethanol into another biarylmethanol; 3) direct transformation from allylic alcohols into allylic amines. These transformations are based on pyridyl-directed Rh-catalyzed C-C bond cleavage of secondary alcohols and subsequent addition to C=X (X = N or O) double bonds. The reaction conditions are simple and no additive is required. The driving force of C-C bond cleavage is the formation of the stable rhodacycle intermediate. Other directing groups, such as the pyrazolyl group, can also be used although it is not as efficient as the pyridyl group. We carried out in-depth investigations for transformation 1 and found that: 1) the substrate scope was broad and electron-rich alcohols and electron-deficient imines are more efficient; 2) as the leaving group, aldehyde had no significant impact on either the C-C bond cleavage or the whole transformation; 3) mechanistic studies (intermediate isolation, in situ NMR spectroscopic studies, competing reactions, isotopic labeling experiments) implied that: i) The C-C cleavage was very efficient under these conditions; ii) there is an equilibrium between the rhodacycle intermediate and the protonated byproduct phenylpyridine; iii) the addition step of the rhodacycle intermediate to imines was slower than the C-C cleavage and the equilibrium between the rhodacycle and phenylpyridine; iv) the whole transformation was a combination of two sequences of C-C cleavage/nucleophilic addition and C-C cleavage/protonation/C-H activation/nucleophilic addition, with the latter being perhaps the main pathway. We also demonstrated the first example of cleavage of an C(alkenyl)-C(benzyl) bond. These transformations showed the exchange (or substitution) of the alcohol group with either an amine or another alcohol group. Like the "group transplant", this method offers a new concept that can be used to directly synthesize the desired products from other chemicals through reorganization of carbon skeletons.

Reductive cleavage of the Csp2-Csp3 bond of secondary benzyl alcohols: rhodium catalysis directed by N-containing groups.

Cutting loose: 1,1-Biarylmethanol substrates undergo reductive cleavage of the C-C bond in the presence of a cationic Rh(III) catalyst and H(2) (see scheme; DG=directing group). Various functional groups are tolerated in the reaction system. Preliminary studies indicate that a five-membered rhodacycle intermediate, which then converts into a Rh(III) hydride species for the reduction, is involved in the catalytic cycle.

Extrusion of CO from aryl ketones: rhodium(I)-catalyzed C-C bond cleavage directed by a pyridine group.

Snipping tool: the rhodium(I)-catalyzed extrusion of carbon monoxide from biaryl ketones and alkyl/alkenyl aryl ketones was developed to produce biaryls and alkyl/alkenyl arenes, respectively, in high yields. A wide range of functionalities are tolerated. Not only does this method provide an alternative pathway to construct useful scaffolds, but also offers a new strategy for C-C bond activation.