Aliphatic polyketones as classic yet new molecular ropes for structural diversity in organic synthesis

Polyketone compounds play an important role in organic chemistry as a prominent source of reactivity and functionality. Their chemical properties vary widely depending on the ketone sequence in carbon chains. Although vicinal and β-polyketones have been used for more than 150 years, the recent development of new ketone sequences composed of alternating 1,3- and 1,4-diketones has demonstrated the further potential of polyketones as structurally flexible molecular ropes capable of derivatization to π-conjugated chromophores and molecular assemblies. In this Feature Article, we review the synthetic strategies and reactivities of polyketones with respect to their ketone sequence. Furthermore, recent research on polyketones with hybrid ketone sequences is also discussed, focussing on their structural diversity in chemical transformations including intramolecular cyclization and stereoselective oxidation.

Modular synthesis of oligoacetylacetones via site-selective silylation of acetylacetone derivatives

Aliphatic oligoketones with tailored carbonyl and substituent sequences were modularly synthesized utilizing site-selective formation of enol silyl ethers. Their unique conformational preferences in solid-state were revealed by X-ray crystallography.

Preparation, characterization and luminescence-sensing properties of two ZnII MOFs with mixed 5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalic acid and bipyridyl-type ligands

The bromo-substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acid 5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalic acid (H2ATBIP), in the presence of the N-donor flexible bipyridyl-type ligands 1,3-bis(pyridin-4-yl)propane (bpp) and N,N′-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)oxalamide (4-bpme) and ZnII ions, was used as an O-donor ligand to assemble two novel luminescent metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), namely poly[[(μ-5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalato-κ2 O 1:O 3)[μ-1,3-bis(pyridin-4-yl)propane-κ2 N:N′]zinc(II)] dimethylformamide monosolvate], {[Zn(C8H2Br3NO4)(C13H14N2)]·C3H7NO} n , (1), and poly[[(μ-5-amino-2,4,6-tribromoisophthalato-κ2 O 1:O 3)diaqua[μ-N,N′-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)oxalamide-κ2 N:N′]zinc(II)] monohydrate], {[Zn(C8H2Br3NO4)(C14H14N4O2)(H2O)2]·H2O} n , (2), using the solution evaporation method. Both (1) and (2) were characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (EA), solid-state diffuse-reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopy, and powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex (1) shows a two-dimensional (2D) corrugated layer simplified as a 2D (4,4) topological network. The supramolecular interactions (π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding and C—Br...Br halogen bonding) play significant roles in the formation of an extended three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular network of (1). Complex (2) crystallizes in the chiral space group P212121 and exhibits a novel 3D homochiral framework, showing a diamond-like topology with Schläfli symbol 66. The homochirality of (2) is further confirmed by the solid-state circular dichroism (CD) spectrum. The second harmonic generation (SHG) property of (2) was also investigated. The hydrogen and C—Br...Br/O halogen bonding further stabilize the framework of (2). The central ZnII ions in (1) and (2) show tetrahedral and octahedral coordination geometries, respectively. The coordinated and uncoordinated water molecules in (2) could be removed selectively upon heating. Most importantly, (1) and (2) show rapid and highly sensitive sensing for a large pool of nitroaromatic explosives (NAEs).