Synthesis of Twisted [n]Cycloparaphenylene by Alkene Insertion.

Mono-alkene-inserted [n]cycloparaphenylenes 1 [(ene)-[n]CPP] with n=6, 8, and 10, mono-ortho-phenylene-inserted [6]CPP 2, and di-alkene-insertved [n]CPP 3 [(ene)2 -[n]CPP] with n=4, 6, and 8 were synthesized by fusing CPP precursors and alkene or ortho- phenylene groups through coupling reactions. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the strips formed by the π-surfaces of 1 and 2 exhibited a Möbius topology in the solid state. While the Möbius topology in the parent 1 and 2 in solution was lost due to the free rotation of the paraphenylene unit even at low temperatures, ene-[6]CPP 4 with eight 1-pyrrolyl groups preserved the Möbius topology even in solution. Despite a twist, 1 has in-plane conjugation and possesses a unique size dependence of the electronic properties: namely, the opposite size dependency of the HOMO-LUMO energy relative to conventional π-conjugated molecules.

Significant Effect of the Flexibility of Bridging Alkyl Chains on the Proximity of Stacked Porphyrin and Phthalocyanine Conjugated with a Fourfold Rotaxane Linkage.

Invited for the cover of this issue are Kentaro Tanaka at Nagoya University and co-workers. The image depicts the importance of the flexibility of bridging alkyl chains in a molecular conjugate to pack the components closely to generate efficient molecular communication. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202200819.

Significant Effect of the Flexibility of Bridging Alkyl Chains on the Proximity of Stacked Porphyrin and Phthalocyanine Conjugated with a Fourfold Rotaxane Linkage.

Spatial distance is an important factor in controlling the functional interactions between molecular units in a conjugate; therefore, the bridging unit has been closely examined. Here, we examined the effect of the flexibility of bridging alkyl chains on the proximity of stacked porphyrin and phthalocyanine conjugated with a fourfold rotaxane linkage. We found that closely stacking two π systems requires bridging alkyl chains above a certain length, and the shorter bridges hinder stacking because of their lower flexibility. The stacking distance between porphyrin and phthalocyanine in the conjugate with decyl (C10 ) chains was estimated to be 4.03 Šand showed a unique physical character arising from short-distance interactions. The longer alkyl chains minimized steric restriction inside the fourfold rotaxane and allowed efficient communication between the porphyrin and phthalocyanine units. This is due to the flexibility of the side chains.

Size-tunable MRI-visible nitroxide-based magnetic mixed micelles: preparation, stability, and theranostic application.

Metal-free magnetic mixed micelles (mean diameter: 16 nm) composed of biocompatible surfactant Tween 80 and hydrophobic pyrrolidine-N-oxyl radical were prepared by mixing them in phosphate-buffered saline. The magnetic mixed micelles were characterized by dynamic light scattering and small angle neutron scattering measurements. The stability of the micelles is found to depend on the length of alkyl side chain in the nitroxide compounds and degree of unsaturation in the hydrophobic chain in the surfactant. The size of the mixed micelle can be tuned by changing the molar ratio of Tween 80 and nitroxyl radical. In view of theranostic application of the micelle, the cytotoxicity and stability in a physiological environment was investigated; the mixed micelle exhibited no cytotoxicity, high colloidal stability and high resistance towards reduction by large excess ascorbic acid. The in vitro and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed sufficient contrast enhancement in the proton longitudinal relaxation time (T 1) weighted images. In addition, hydrophobic fluorophores and an anticancer drug are stably encapsulated in the mixed micelles and showed fluorescence (FL) upon reduction by ascorbic acid and cytotoxicity to cancer cells, respectively. For example, the paclitaxel-loaded mixed micelles efficiently suppressed cancer cell growth. Furthermore, they were found to give higher MRI contrast (higher r 1 value) in vitro than the micelles without paclitaxel. The magnetic mixed micelles presented here are promising theranostic agents in nanomedicine due to their high biocompatibility and high resistivity towards reduction as well as functioning as a drug carrier in therapy and MR or FL imaging probe in diagnosis.

Funiculosin variants and phosphorylated derivatives promote innate immune responses via the Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor-2 complex.

The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2) complex is essential for LPS recognition and induces innate immune responses against Gram-negative bacteria. As activation of TLR4/MD-2 is also critical for the induction of adaptive immune responses, TLR4/MD-2 agonists have been developed as vaccine adjuvants, but their efficacy has not yet been ascertained. Here, we demonstrate that a funiculosin (FNC) variant, FNC-RED, and FNC-RED and FNC derivatives are agonists for both murine and human TLR4/MD-2. FNC-RED induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation via murine TLR4/MD-2, whereas FNC had no TLR4/MD-2 stimulatory activity. Biacore analysis revealed that FNC-RED binds to murine TLR4/MD-2 but not murine radioprotective 105 (RP105)/myeloid differentiation factor-1 (MD-1), another LPS sensor. FNC-RED induced CD14-independent expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules in murine macrophages and dendritic cells. In contrast, FNC-RED stimulation was reduced in CD14-dependent LPS responses, including dimerization and internalization of TLR4/MD-2 and IFN-ß expression. FNC-RED-induced IL-12p40 production from murine dendritic cells was dependent on NF-κB but not MAPK pathway. In addition, fetal bovine serum augmented lipid A-induced NF-κB activation but blocked FNC-RED-mediated responses. Two synthetic phosphate group-containing FNC-RED and FNC derivatives, FNC-RED-P01 and FNC-P01, respectively, activated human TLR4/MD-2, unlike FNC-RED. Finally, computational analysis revealed that this species-specific activation by FNC-RED and FNC-RED-P01 resulted from differences in electrostatic surface potentials between murine and human TLR4/MD-2. We conclude that FNC-RED and its synthetic derivative represent a novel category of murine and human TLR4/MD-2 agonist.

Platinum(II) Terpyridine Complex That Switches Its Photochemical Reactivity in Response to Its Chromic Behavior in the Crystalline State.

A platinum(II) terpyridine complex having an enantiopure lactate anion afforded hydrated crystals l- or d-1hyd containing infinite chains of interacting Pt centers, while their dehydration induced crystal-to-crystal transformation into l- or d-1dehyd, respectively, exhibiting less significant Pt-Pt and/or ligand-ligand interactions. That transformation was accompanied by changes in the color as well as the photochemical reactivity of the crystals, where l-1dehyd showed higher reactivity than l-1hyd in the presence of amines under visible-light irradiation.

Construction of a Metal-Free Electron Spin System by Encapsulation of an NO Molecule Inside an Open-Cage Fullerene C60 Derivative.

A reactive radical species, nitric oxide (NO), was encapsulated in a unimolecular form inside an open-cage fullerene derivative under high-pressure conditions in the solid state. Surprisingly, the molecular complex showed sharp 1 H NMR signals despite the existence of the paramagnetic species inside the carbon cage. Owing to the paramagnetic shifts, the escape rate of the NO was determined experimentally. After constructing a stopper on the rim of the opening, the NO was found to stay inside the cage even at 50 °C. The ESR measurements of the powdery sample showed paramagnetic properties at low temperature. The single-crystal X-ray structure analysis clearly demonstrated the existence of the encapsulated NO molecule, suggesting rapid rotation inside the cage. The 1 H NMR chemical shifts displayed a large temperature dependence owing to the paramagnetic effects.

Bis-Copper(II)/π-Radical Multi-Heterospin System with Non-innocent Doubly N-Confused Dioxohexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.0) Ligand.

A contracted doubly N-confused dioxohexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.0) complex consisting of two paramagnetic copper metals and open-shell π-radical ligand was synthesized as a new multi-heterospin motif. X-ray spectroscopy supported the divalent character of the inner copper centers, and electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetometric studies suggested the presence of unpaired d electrons strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with π-radicals delocalized on the macrocycle. The 25 π non-innocent dioxohexaphyrin ligand allowed the facile interconversion between antiaromatic 24 π and aromatic 26 π species, respectively, upon redox reactions.

Preparation of Robust Metal-Free Magnetic Nanoemulsions Encapsulating Low-Molecular-Weight Nitroxide Radicals and Hydrophobic Drugs Directed Toward MRI-Visible Targeted Delivery.

With a view to developing a theranostic nanomedicine for targeted drug delivery systems visible by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, robust metal-free magnetic nanoemulsions (mean particle size less than 20 nm) consisting of a biocompatible surfactant and hydrophobic, low molecular weight 2,2,5-trimethyl-5-(4-alkoxy)phenylpyrrolidine-N-oxyl radicals were prepared in pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The structure of the nanoemulsions was characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering and small-angle neutron-scattering measurements. The nanoemulsions showed high colloidal stability, low cytotoxicity, enough reduction resistance to excess ascorbic acid, and sufficient contrast enhancement in the proton longitudinal relaxation time (T1 ) weighted MR images in PBS in vitro (and preliminarily in vivo). Furthermore, the hydrophobic anticancer drug paclitaxel could be encapsulated inside the nanoparticles, and the resulting paclitaxel-loaded nanoemulsions were efficiently incorporated into HeLa cells to suppress cell growth.

Dynamic Molecular Invasion into a Multiply Interlocked Catenane.

A multiply interlocked catenane with a novel molecular topology was synthesized; a phthalocyanine bearing four peripheral crown ethers was quadruply interlocked with a cofacial porphyrin dimer bridged with four alkylammonium chains. The supramolecular conjugate has two nanospaces surrounded by a porphyrin, a phthalocyanine, and four alkyl chains to accommodate guest molecules. Because the phthalocyanine can move along the alkyl chains, it acts as an adjustable wall, thus permitting the invasion of large molecules into the nanospaces without spoiling the affinity of the association. The dynamic molecular invasion allowed the intercalation of dianionic porphyrins into both nanospaces with high affinity. A photometric titration experiment revealed the two-step inclusion phenomenon. The multiply interlocked catenane complexed with three Cu2+ ions, and the spin-spin interaction was switched off by the intercalation of dianionic porphyrins.

Fullerene C70 as a Nanoflask that Reveals the Chemical Reactivity of Atomic Nitrogen.

To investigate the intrinsic reactivity of atomic nitrogen, which had previously been accomplished only by examining its decay in the gas phase using special equipment, a nitrogen atom was inserted into a series of molecule-encapsulating C60 and C70 fullerenes. Among the studied endofullerenes, H2 @C70 was able to encapsulate an additional nitrogen atom within the fullerene cage under radiofrequency plasma conditions. The product was analyzed by ESR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry in solution, which revealed that the nitrogen atom with a quartet ground state does not react but weakly interact with the H2 molecule, thus demonstrating the utility of such fullerenes as "nanoflasks".

A Stable, Soluble, and Crystalline Supramolecular System with a Triplet Ground State.

A supramolecular complex was constructed by encapsulation of a 3 O2 molecule inside an open-cage C60 derivative. Its single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of the 3 O2 at the center of the fullerene cage. The CV measurements suggested that unprecedented dehydrogenation was promoted by the encapsulated 3 O2 after two-electron reduction. The ESR measurements displayed the triplet character as well as the anisotropy of the 3 O2 . Additionally, the SQUID measurements also demonstrated the paramagnetic behavior above 3 K without an antiferromagnetic transition. Upon photoirradiation with visible light, three phosphorescent bands at the NIR region were observed, arising from the exited 1 O2 generated by self-sensitization with the outer cage, whose lifetimes were not affected by the environments. These studies confirmed that the complex is a crystalline triplet system with incompatible "high spin density" but "small interspin interaction" properties.

Synthesis and Characterization of [n]CPP (n = 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12) Radical Cation and Dications: Size-Dependent Absorption, Spin, and Charge Delocalization.

Radical cations and dications of [n]cyclo-p-phenylenes ([n]CPPs, n = 5, 6, 10, and 12), which are the models of those of linear oligo-p-phenylenes without a terminus, were synthesized as hexafluoroantimonate salts by the one- and two-electron chemical oxidation of CPP by NOSbF6 or SbF5. The radical cations, [n]CPP(•+), and dications, [n]CPP(2+), exhibited remarkable bathochromic shifts in their UV-vis-NIR absorption bands, suggesting that [n]CPP(•+) and larger [n]CPP(2+) exhibit longer polyene character than the shorter analogues. The larger bathochromic shift was consistent with the narrower HOMO-SOMO and HOMO-LUMO gaps in larger [n]CPP(•+) and [n]CPP(2+), respectively. In [n]CPP(•+), the spins and charges were equally and fully delocalized over the p-phenylene rings of the CPPs, as noted by ESR. (1)H NMR revealed that the hydrogen of [n]CPP(2+) shifted to a high magnetic field from the neutral compounds due to the diamagnetic ring current derived from the in-plane aromaticity of [n]CPP(2+). The single resonances observed in all [n]CPP(2+) strongly suggest the complete delocalization of the charges over the CPPs. Furthermore, the contribution of biradical character was clarified for [10]- and [12]CPP by VT-NMR experiment and theoretical calculation.

Assembly of Multi-Phthalocyanines on a Porphyrin Template by Fourfold Rotaxane Formation.

A stacked assembly composed of a porphyrin and two phthalocyanines was prepared through fourfold rotaxane formation. Two phthalocyanine molecules, bearing four 24-crown-8 units, were assembled onto a porphyrin template incorporating four sidechains with two dialkylammonium ions each through pseudorotaxane formation between crown ether units and ammonium ions. The Staudinger phosphite reaction, as the stoppering reaction, resulted in the formation of the stacked heterotrimer composed of a porphyrin and two phthalocyanines connected through a fourfold rotaxane structure. UV/Vis spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of the heterotrimer indicated that there is a significant electronic interaction between the two phthalocyanine units due to the close stacking. The electrochemical oxidation process of the stacked heterotrimer was studied by cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of a dinuclear Cu(II) complex, in which two Cu(II) phthalocyanines were assembled on a metal-free porphyrin template, revealed that two Cu(II) phthalocyanines were located within the stacking distance, which resulted in an antiferromagnetic interaction between the two S=1/2 spins in the ground state of the Cu(2+) ions in the heterotrimer.

9,10-Diaminoanthracenes Revisited: The Influence of N-Substituents on Their Electronic States.

The electronic and molecular structures of 9,10-diamino-substituted anthracenes with different N-substituents have been re-examined. In particular, different N-substituents influence both the electronic and molecular structures of the oxidized species of 9,10-diaminoanthracenes. The anthrylene moiety of 9,10-bis(N,N-di(p-anisyl)amino)anthracene retains its planarity during the course of two successive one-electron oxidations, whereas 9,10-bis(N,N-dimethylamino)anthracene and 9,10-bis(N-p-anisyl-N-methylamino)anthracene undergo a substantial structural change to a butterfly-like structure through a two-electron oxidation process. The structural changes observed for the oxidized states are ascribed to significant differences in the frontier molecular orbitals of the above-mentioned three kinds of 9,10-diaminoanthracenes due to different extents of mixing between the amine-localized and anthrylene-localized orbitals.

Crystallographic Evidence for Direct Metal-Metal Bonding in a Stable Open-Shell La2 @Ih -C80 Derivative.

Endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) have novel structures and properties that are closely associated with the internal metallic species. Benzyl radical additions have been previously shown to form closed-shell adducts by attaching an odd number of addends to open-shell EMFs (such as Sc3 C2 @Ih -C80 ) whereas an even number of groups are added to closed-shell EMFs (for example Sc3 N@Ih -C80 ). Herein we report that benzyl radical addition to the closed-shell La2 @Ih -C80 forms a stable, open-shell monoadduct instead of the anticipated closed-shell bisadduct. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction results show the formation of a stable radical species. In this species, the La-La distance is comparable to the theoretical value of a La-La covalent bond and is shorter than reported values for other La2 @Ih -C80 derivatives, providing unambiguous evidence for the formation of direct La-La bond.

Hiding and recovering electrons in a dimetallic endohedral fullerene: air-stable products from radical additions.

Fullerenyl radicals can be generated by addition of a free radical to a fullerene surface, by nucleophilic addition followed by one-electron oxidation, or by thermal dissociation of singly bonded fullerene dimers. However, fullerenyl radicals are usually very reactive and generally cannot be isolated. On the contrary, we have found that the reactions of the dimetallic endofullerenes, La2@Ih-C80 and La2@D5h-C80, with 3-chloro-5,6-diphenyltriazine resulted in mono-addition of the triazinyl radical to the fullerene cages to yield isolable fullerenyl radicals. The unusual stability of these fullerenyl radicals arises from the confinement of the unpaired electron to an internal, metal-metal bonding orbital. Accordingly, the fullerene cage protects the radical center from other reactive species. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the fullerenyl radical adduct of La2@Ih-C80 reacts with toluene to afford additional benzylation. Interestingly, the benzylated derivative is diamagnetic in solution, while it forms a paramagnetic dimer when crystallized.

Preparation, characterization and magnetic behavior of a spin-labelled physical hydrogel containing a chiral cyclic nitroxide radical unit fixed inside the gelator molecule.

An optically active amphiphilic nitroxide radical compound [(S,S,R)-], which contains a paramagnetic (2S,5S)-2,5-dimethyl-2,5-diphenylpyrrolidine-N-oxyl radical group fixed in the inner position together with a hydrophobic long alkyl chain and a hydrophilic (R)-alanine residue in the opposite terminal positions, was found to serve as a low-molecular-weight gelator in H2O to give rise to a spin-labelled physical hydrogel. Characterization of the hydrogel was performed by microscopic (SEM, TEM and AFM) techniques, XRD and SAXS measurements, and IR, UV and CD spectroscopies. The gel-sol transition temperature was determined by EPR spectral line-width (ΔHpp) analysis. Measurement of the temperature dependence of relative paramagnetic susceptibility (χrel) for the hydrogel and sol phases was achieved by means of the double-integration of VT-EPR spectra.

Stable π Radical from a Contracted Doubly N-Confused Hexaphyrin by Double Palladium Metalation.

A contracted doubly N-confused dioxohexaphyrin derivative served as a dinucleating metal ligand for unsymmetrical coordination. The complexation of two palladium(II) cations led to the formation of π-radical species that were persistent in atmospheric air in the presence of moisture. Effective delocalization of an unpaired electron over the hexaphyrin backbone could contribute to the distinct chemical stability.

Partial charge transfer in the shortest possible metallofullerene peapod, La@C82 ⊂[11]cycloparaphenylene.

[11]Cycloparaphenylene ([11]CPP) selectively encapsulates La@C82 to form the shortest possible metallofullerene-carbon nanotube (CNT) peapod, La@C82 ⊂[11]CPP, in solution and in the solid state. Complexation in solution was affected by the polarity of the solvent and was 16 times stronger in the polar solvent nitrobenzene than in the nonpolar solvent 1,2-dichlorobenzene. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the redox potentials of La@C82 were negatively shifted upon complexation from free La@C82 . Furthermore, the shifts in the redox potentials increased with polarity of the solvent. These results are consistent with formation of a polar complex, (La@C82 )(δ-) ⊂[11]CPP(δ+) , by partial electron transfer from [11]CPP to La@C82 . This is the first observation of such an electronic interaction between a fullerene pea and CPP pod. Theoretical calculations also supported partial charge transfer (0.07) from [11]CPP to La@C82 . The structure of the complex was unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis, which showed the La atom inside the C82 near the periphery of the [11]CPP. The dipole moment of La@C82 was projected toward the CPP pea, nearly perpendicular to the CPP axis. The position of the La atom and the direction of the dipole moment in La@C82 ⊂[11]CPP were significantly different from those observed in La@C82 ⊂CNT, thus indicating a difference in orientation of the fullerene peas between fullerene-CPP and fullerene-CNT peapods. These results highlight the importance of pea-pea interactions in determining the orientation of the metallofullerene in metallofullerene-CNT peapods.