A [2]catenane and a [2]rotaxane as prototypes of topological and Euclidean molecular "rubber gloves"

Field-Induced Single-Ion Magnet Behavior in Nickel(II) Complexes with Functionalized 2,2':6'-2″-Terpyridine Derivatives: Preparation and Magneto-Structural Study

Two mononuclear nickel(II) complexes of the formula [Ni(terpyCOOH)₂](ClO₄)₂∙4H₂O (1) and [Ni(terpyepy)₂](ClO₄)₂ MeOH (2) [terpyCOOH = 4'-carboxyl-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine and terpyepy = 4'-[(2-pyridin-4-yl)ethynyl]-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine] have been prepared and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 are mononuclear compounds, where the nickel(II) ions are six-coordinate by the six nitrogen atoms from two tridentate terpy moieties. The mean values of the equatorial Ni-N bond distances [2.11(1) and 2.12(1) Å for Ni(1) at 1 and 2, respectively, are somewhat longer than the axial ones [2.008(6) and 2.003(6) Å (1)/2.000(1) and 1.999(1) Å (2)]. The values of the shortest intermolecular nickel-nickel separation are 9.422(1) (1) and 8.901(1) Å (2). Variable-temperature (1.9-200 K) direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements on polycrystalline samples of 1 and 2 reveal a Curie law behavior in the high-temperature range, which corresponds to magnetically isolated spin triplets, the downturn of the χ_MT product at lower temperatures being due to zero-field splitting effects (D). Values of D equal to -6.0 (1) and -4.7 cm^-1 (2) were obtained through the joint analysis of the magnetic susceptibility data and the field dependence of the magnetization. These results from magnetometry were supported by theoretical calculations. Alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 2 in the temperature range 2.0-5.5 K show the occurrence of incipient out-phase signals under applied dc fields, a phenomenon that is characteristic of field-induced Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behavior, which herein concerns the 2 mononuclear nickel(II) complexes. This slow relaxation of the magnetization in 1 and 2 has its origin in the axial compression of the octahedral surrounding at their nickel(II) ions that leads to negative values of D. A combination of an Orbach and a direct mechanism accounts for the field-dependent relation phenomena in 1 and 2.

Ruthenium-Locked Helical Chirality: A Barrier of Inversion and Formation of an Asymmetric Macrocycle

Upon coordination to metal centers, tetradentate ligands based on the 6,6′-bis(2″-aminopyridyl)-2,2′-bipyridine (bapbpy) structure form helical chiral complexes due to the steric clash between the terminal pyridines of the ligand. For octahedral ruthenium(II) complexes, the two additional axial ligands bound to the metal center, when different, generate diastereotopic aromatic protons that can be distinguished by NMR. Based on these geometrical features, the inversion barrier of helical [Ru^II(L)(RR′SO)Cl]⁺ complexes, where L is a sterically hindered bapbpy derivative and RR′SO is a chiral or achiral sulfoxide ligand, was studied by variable-temperature ¹H NMR. The coalescence energies for the inversion of the helical chirality of [Ru(bapbpy)(DMSO)(Cl)]Cl and [Ru(bapbpy)(MTSO)(Cl)]Cl (where MTSO is (R)-methyl p-tolylsulfoxide) were found to be 43 and 44 kJ/mol, respectively. By contrast, in [Ru(biqbpy)(DMSO)(Cl)]Cl (biqbpy = 6,6′-bis(aminoquinolyl)-2,2′-bipyridine), increased strain caused by the larger terminal quinoline groups resulted in a coalescence temperature higher than 376 K, which pointed to an absence of helical chirality inversion at room temperature. Further increasing the steric strain by introducing methoxy groups ortho to the nitrogen atoms of the terminal pyridyl groups in bapbpy resulted in the serendipitous discovery of a ring-closing reaction that took place upon trying to make [Ru(OMe-bapbpy)(DMSO)Cl]⁺ (OMe-bapbpy = 6,6′-bis(6-methoxy-aminopyridyl)-2,2′-bipyridine). This reaction generated, in excellent yields, a chiral complex [Ru(L″)(DMSO)Cl]Cl, where L″ is an asymmetric tetrapyridyl macrocycle. This unexpected transformation appears to be specific to ruthenium(II) as macrocyclization did not occur upon coordination of the same ligand to palladium(II) or rhodium(III).

Ruthenium complexes based on the bapbpy ligand form helical chiral complexes due to the steric clash between their terminal pyridyl groups. The coalescence energy for the inversion of this helical chirality was 43 kJ/mol according to variable temperature NMR. Increasing the steric strain by replacing terminal pyridyl groups with quinolyl groups blocked helical interconversion, while introducing ortho-methoxy groups resulted in an unexpected ring-closing reaction, forming a dissymmetric macrocycle bound to ruthenium in excellent yields.

Covalent [2]Catenane and [2]Rotaxane Synthesis via a δ-Amino Acid Template

Despite the advances in the synthesis of mechanically interlocked molecules, a generally applicable approach to interlocked natural products, such as lasso peptides, is yet to be formulated. While amino acid sequences have been introduced into several rotaxanes, the key structural components have always been dictated by the method used for supramolecular preorganization. In this work, we report the use of an ester-functionalized, aromatic δ-amino acid as the central covalent templating unit in the synthesis of both a [2]catenane and a [2]rotaxane from the same multimacrocyclic intermediate. This represents a key step toward future synthetic peptide-based interlocked products.

Covalently Templated Syntheses of Mechanically Interlocked Molecules

Mechanically interlocked molecules (MiMs), such as catenanes and rotaxanes, exhibit unique properties due to the mechanical bond which unites their components. The translational and rotational freedom present in these compounds may be harnessed to create stimuli-responsive MiMs, which find potential application as artificial molecular machines. Mechanically interlocked structures such as lasso peptides have also been found in nature, making MiMs promising albeit elusive targets for drug discovery. Although the first syntheses of MiMs were based on covalent strategies, approaches based on non-covalent interactions rose to prominence thereafter and have remained dominant. Non-covalent strategies are generally short and efficient, but do require particular structural motifs which are difficult to alter. In a covalent approach, MiMs can be more easily modified while the components may have increased rotational and translational freedom. Both approaches have complementary merits and combining the unmatched efficiency of non-covalent approaches with the scope of covalent syntheses may open up vast opportunities. In this review, recent covalently templated syntheses of MiMs are discussed to show their complementarity and anticipate future developments in this field.

1 Introduction

2 Tetrahedral Templates

2.1 A Carbonate Template for Non-Rusty Catenanes

2.2 All-Benzene Catenanes on a Silicon Template

2.3 Backfolding from Quaternary Carbon

3 Planar Templates

3.1 Rotaxanes Constructed in a Ring

3.2 Hydrindacene as a Dynamic Covalent Template

3.3 Templating on Tri- and Tetrasubstituted Benzenes

4 Conclusion

Mechanical Chirality of Rotaxanes: Synthesis and Function

Mechanically chiral molecules have attracted considerable attention due to their property and function based on its unique interlocked structure. This review covers the recent advances in the synthesis and function of interlocked rotaxanes with mechanical chirality along with their dynamic and complex stereochemistry. The application of mechanically chiral rotaxanes to control the polymer helical structure is also introduced, where amplification of mechanical chirality appears to cause the macroscopic polymer property change, suggesting the potential applicability of mechanical chirality in polymer systems.

Mechanical Stabilization of Helical Chirality in a Macrocyclic Oligothiophene

We introduce a design principle to stabilize helically chiral structures from an achiral tetrasubstituted [2.2]paracyclophane by integrating it into a macrocycle. The [2.2]paracyclophane introduces a three-dimensional perturbation into a nearly planar macrocyclic oligothiophene. The resulting helical structure is stabilized by two bulky substituents installed on the [2.2]paracyclophane unit. The increased enantiomerization barrier enabled the separation of both enantiomers. The synthesis of the target helical macrocycle 1 involves a sequence of halogenation and cross-coupling steps and a high-dilution strategy to close the macrocycle. Substituents tuning the energy of the enantiomerization process can be introduced in the last steps of the synthesis. The chiral target compound 1 was fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The absolute configurations of the isolated enantiomers were assigned by comparing the data of circular dichroism spectroscopy with TD-DFT calculations. The enantiomerization dynamics was studied by dynamic HPLC and variable-temperature 2D exchange spectroscopy and supported by quantum-chemical calculations.

Chirality in rotaxanes and catenanes

Although chiral mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) have been synthesised and studied, enantiopure examples are relatively under-represented in the pantheon of reported catenanes and rotaxanes and the underlying chirality of the system is often even overlooked. This is changing with the advent of new applications of MIMs in catalysis, sensing and materials and the appearance of new methods to access unusual stereogenic units unique to the mechanical bond. Here we discuss the different stereogenic units that have been investigated in catenanes and rotaxanes, examples of their application, methods for assigning absolute stereochemistry and provide a perspective on future developments.

Molecular dynamic staircases: all-carbon axial chiral "Geländer" structures

Herein, the syntheses of two tightly packed all-carbon "Geländer" molecules with axial chirality are described. Motivated by our previous results, we further reduced the bridge length by excluding the heteroatoms. The absolute configuration was determined by comparison of the measured and calculated circular dichroism (CD) spectra and the thermodynamic stability was determined by dynamic high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and CD analysis. The cyclophanes were fully characterized by CD measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, NMR, UV-Vis and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Our novel all-carbon macrocycle is the most stable Geländer system reported so far.

Diquats with Robust Chirality: Facile Resolution, Synthesis of Chiral Dyes, and Application as Selectors in Chiral Analysis

Diquats with extremely high racemization barriers with ΔG^≠_theor of 233 kJ mol^-1 at 180 °C are described. Reported configurational robustness is due to a combination of two structural features: the rigid o-xylylene tether connecting the nitrogen atoms and the presence of two substituents in the bay region of the bipyridinium scaffold. The straightforward synthesis of diquats, plus facile resolution and derivatization make them attractive for chiral application studies. This is demonstrated by: 1) synthesis of the first non-racemic diquat dyes with pronounced chiroptical properties, and 2) capability of diquats to interact stereospecifically with chiral molecules. This suggests potential for diquat derivatives to be used as chiral selectors in separation methods.

Characterization of the cytotoxic activity of [2]rotaxane (TRO-A0001), a novel supramolecular compound, in cancer cells

Rotaxanes comprise a class of interlocked molecules containing a wheel threaded onto an axle with blocking groups on the ends to keep the wheel from sliding off. Here, we show that [2][bis(2-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbonyloxy)ethyl) ammoniumtrifluoromethanesulfonate]-[dibenzo-24-crown-8] rotaxane (TRO-A0001), a rotaxane compound, exerted a growth inhibitory effect on several human cancer cell lines. An MTT assay revealed an IC50 of 14-830 nM for TRO-A0001 in these cells. Neither the wheel nor the axle part alone inhibited tumor cell growth, suggesting that the complete rotaxane molecule with its unique "intramolecular mobility" is required to inhibit cell growth. Annexin-V/PI staining provided evidence of the induction of apoptosis, which was further confirmed by the observation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Furthermore, a cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry showed that TRO-A0001 treatment resulted in G1 arrest in glioblastoma T98G and melanoma G361 cells. An immunoblot analysis revealed that in both cell lines, TRO-A0001 treatment caused the induction of p21/Cip1, thereby down-regulating Cdks 2, 4 and 6 and reducing Cyclins D1 and E. The results presented in this study demonstrate cytotoxicity of the rotaxane compound and its potential as a lead compound for the development of a chemotherapeutic agent against cancer.

Strategies and tactics for the metal-directed synthesis of rotaxanes, knots, catenanes, and higher order links

More than a quarter of a century after the first metal template synthesis of a [2]catenane in Strasbourg, there now exists a plethora of strategies available for the construction of mechanically bonded and entwined molecular level structures. Catenanes, rotaxanes, knots and Borromean rings have all been successfully accessed by methods in which metal ions play a pivotal role. Originally metal ions were used solely for their coordination chemistry; acting either to gather and position the building blocks such that subsequent reactions generated the interlocked products or by being an integral part of the rings or "stoppers" of the interlocked assembly. Recently the role of the metal has evolved to encompass catalysis: the metal ions not only organize the building blocks in an entwined or threaded arrangement but also actively promote the reaction that covalently captures the interlocked structure. This Review outlines the diverse strategies that currently exist for forming mechanically bonded molecular structures with metal ions and details the tactics that the chemist can utilize for creating cross-over points, maximizing the yield of interlocked over non-interlocked products, and the reactions-of-choice for the covalent capture of threaded and entwined intermediates.

Nondegenerate π-Donor/π-Acceptor [2]Catenanes Containing Proton-Ionizable 1H-1,2,4-Triazole Subunits: Synthesis and Spontaneous Resolution

Chirality can hold the key to inducing directionality of motion in components of molecular devices. With this idea in mind, we describe here 1) the template-directed synthesis of two [2]catenanes wherein cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) is interlocked with polyether macrocycles containing, in addition to one 3,5-bis(oxymethylene)-1H-1,2,4-triazole unit, either one 1,4-dioxybenzene or one 1,5-dioxynaphthalene ring system. We also report 2) the full characterization of both [2]catenanes by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS), X-ray crystallography, and dynamic (1)H NMR spectroscopy. We reveal 3) the fact that the [2]catenanes not only exist, both in the solution-state and in the solid-state, as strictly one of the two possible translational isomers, but that they also exhibit spontaneous resolution on crystallization leading to formation of homochiral crystals, as indicated by X-ray crystallography and circular dichroism (CD) experiments. Finally, we comment 4) on the chances of switching these catenanes chemically.

Efficient Synthesis of a Chiral [4]Pseudocatenane and Its Derivatives: A Novel Ship's Wheel-like Interlocked Structure

A novel chiral[4]pseudocatenane 5H(3)[PF(6)](3) was synthesized efficiently by treatment of a solution of chiral triptycene-based tri(crown ether) 1 and three equivalents of a bis[p-(but-3-enyloxy)benzyl]ammonium salt in CH(2)Cl(2) with a Grubbs II catalyst, followed by hydrogenation. It was found that the ammonium groups in 5H(3)[PF(6)](3) could be deprotonated by 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in acetonitrile or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Consequently, N-acylation of the ammonium groups was easily performed in the presence of DBU, which resulted in a new class of neutral highly ordered interlocked molecules in good yields. In particular, the incorporation of stopper units, for example, diethyl phosphoramidate, lead to the isolation of the interlocked molecule 10 with an interesting ship's wheel-like structure, which was structurally studied with the help of detailed NMR experiments. Compared with 1, it was further found that the Cotton effect of (R)-1,1'-binaphthyl chromophore at 241 nm was greatly reduced in 5H(3)[PF(6)](3) and its derivatives. Moreover, a new positive Cotton effect at 248 nm appeared in the interlocked molecules; this observation could be attributed to the chirality transfer from the binaphthyl units to the macrocycles lying in the cavities of 1.

Chiral sensing for amino acid derivative based on a [2]rotaxane composed of an asymmetric rotor and an asymmetric axle

A racemic [2]rotaxane, composed of an asymmetric rotor and an asymmetric axle, formed a diastereomer with an amino acid derivative, and showed an optical response for the chiral recognition.

Towards the stereoselective synthesis of inherently chiral pseudorotaxanes

Herein is reported an investigation towards the stereoselective synthesis of inherently chiral pseudorotaxanes. Chiral ammonium threads were readily prepared in five steps from racemic or enantiopure (M or P) salts of di-n-propyl-1,13-dimethoxyquinacridinium cation. Their self-assembly with DB24C8 or disymmetrically oriented DB24C8F6 rings formed pseudorotaxanes as shown by 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy as well as MS measurements. A determination of the association constants (Ka) was afforded. The crucial role played by the ammonium counter-ion in the threading process was further demonstrated as salts of TRISPHAT (tris(tetrachlorobenzenediolato)phosphate(V)) anion were quite more effective than their PF6- analogues (x 7.3). A general lack of diastereoselectivity (de <or= 8%) was unfortunately observed.

Controlling the rate of shuttling motions in [2]rotaxanes by electrostatic interactions: a cation as solvent-tunable brake

A series of rotaxanes, with phenolic axle centerpieces and tetralactam macrocycles as the wheels, has been prepared in good yields. The threaded rotaxane structure is confirmed in the gas phase by tandem mass spectrometric experiments through a detailed fragmentation pattern analysis, in solution by NMR spectroscopy, and in the solid state through X-ray crystallography. A close inspection of the 1H,1H NOESY and 1H,1H ROESY NMR data reveals the wheel to travel along the axle between two degenerate diamide "stations" close to the two stoppers. By deprotonation of a phenolic OH group in the axle centerpiece with Schwesinger's P1 base, surprisingly no additional shuttling station is generated at the axle center, although the wheel could form rather strong hydrogen bonds with the phenolate. Instead, the wheel continues to travel between the two diamide stations. Experimental data from 1H,1H NOESY spectra, together with theoretical calculations, show that strong electrostatic interactions between the phenolate moiety and the P1 cation displace the wheel from the "phenolate station". The cation acts as a "brake" for the shuttling movement. Instead of suppressing the shuttling motion completely, as observed in other rotaxanes, our rotaxane is the first system in which electrostatic interactions modulate the speed of the mechanical motion between a fast and a slow motion state as a response to a reversible external stimulus. By tuning these electrostatic interactions through solvent effects, the rate of movement can be influenced significantly, when for example different amounts of DMSO are added to dichloromethane. Besides the shuttling motion, circumrotation of the wheel around the axle is observed and analyzed by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. Force field and AM1 calculations are in good agreement with the experimental findings.