Tetrazine Linkers as Plug-and-Play Tags for General Metal-Organic Framework Functionalization and C60 Conjugation

Ligating Catalytically Active Peptides onto Microporous Polymers: A General Route Toward Specifically-Functional High Surface Area Platforms

A versatile post-synthetic modification strategy to functionalize a high surface area microporous network (MPN-OH) by bio-orthogonal inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) ligation is presented. While the polymer matrix is modified with a readily accessible norbornene isocyanate (Nor-NCO), a series of functional units presenting the robust asymmetric 1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Tz) allows easy functionalization of the MPN by chemoselective Nor/Tz ligation. A generic route is demonstrated, modulating the internal interfaces by introducing carboxylates, amides or amino acids as well as an oligopeptide d-Pro-Pro-Glu organocatalyst. The MPN-Pz-Peptide construct largely retains the catalytic activity and selectivity in an enantioselective enamine catalysis, demonstrates remarkable availability in different solvents, offers heterogeneous organocatalysis in bulk and shows stability in recycling settings.

Recent Advances in Multifunctional Reticular Framework Nanoparticles: A Paradigm Shift in Materials Science Road to a Structured Future

Porous organic frameworks (POFs) have become a highly sought-after research domain that offers a promising avenue for developing cutting-edge nanostructured materials, both in their pristine state and when subjected to various chemical and structural modifications. Metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks are examples of these emerging materials that have gained significant attention due to their unique properties, such as high crystallinity, intrinsic porosity, unique structural regularity, diverse functionality, design flexibility, and outstanding stability. This review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art research on base-stable POFs, emphasizing the distinct pros and cons of reticular framework nanoparticles compared to other types of nanocluster materials. Thereafter, the review highlights the unique opportunity to produce multifunctional tailoring nanoparticles to meet specific application requirements. It is recommended that this potential for creating customized nanoparticles should be the driving force behind future synthesis efforts to tap the full potential of this multifaceted material category.

Crystal engineering of high explosives through lone pair-π interactions: Insights for improving thermal safety

In this high-risk/high-reward study, we prepared complexes of a high explosive anion (picrate) with potentially explosive s-tetrazine-based ligands with the sole purpose of advancing the understanding of one of the weakest supramolecular forces: the lone pair-π interaction. This is a proof-of-concept study showing how lone pair-π contacts can be effectively used in crystal engineering, even of high explosives, and how the supramolecular architecture of the resulting crystalline phases influences their experimental thermokinetic properties. Herein we present XRD structures of 4 novel detonating compounds, all showcasing lone pair-π interactions, their thermal characterization (DSC, TGA), including the correlation of experimental thermokinetic parameters with crystal packing, and in silico explosion properties. This last aspect is relevant for improving the safety of high-energy materials.

1,2,3,5-Tetrazines: A General Synthesis, Cycloaddition Scope, and Fundamental Reactivity Patterns

Despite the explosion of interest in heterocyclic azadienes, 1,2,3,5-tetrazines remain unexplored. Herein, the first general synthesis of this new class of heterocycles is disclosed. Its use in the preparation of a series of derivatives, and the first study of substituent effects on their cycloaddition reactivity, mode, and regioselectivity provide the foundation for future use. Their reactions with amidine, electron-rich, and strained dienophiles reveal unique fundamental reactivity patterns (4,6-dialkyl-1,2,3,5-tetrazines > 4,6-diaryl-1,2,3,5-tetrazines for amidines but slower with strained dienophiles), an exclusive C4/N1 mode of cycloaddition, and dominant alkyl versus aryl control on regioselectivity. An orthogonal reactivity of 1,2,3,5-tetrazines and the well-known isomeric 1,2,4,5-tetrazines is characterized, and detailed kinetic and mechanistic investigations of the remarkably fast reaction of 1,2,3,5-tetrazines with amidines, especially 4,6-dialkyl-1,2,3,5-tetrazines, established the mechanistic origins underlying the reactivity patterns and key features needed for future applications.