James J. Henkelis

Metallo-Cryptophanes Decorated with Bis-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands: Self-Assembly and Guest Uptake into a Nonporous Crystalline Lattice

Pd3L2 metallo-cryptophane cages with cyclotriveratrylene-type L ligands can be stabilized by use of a bis-N-heterocyclic carbene as an auxiliary cis-protecting ligand, while use of more common protecting chelating ligands such as ethylenediamine saw a Pd3L2 to Pd6L8 rearrangement occur in solution. The crystalline Pd3L2 complexes act as sponges, taking up 1,2-dichorobenzene or iodine in a single-crystal-to-single-crystal fashion despite not exhibiting conventional porosity.

Solvent-Dependent Self-Assembly Behaviour and Speciation Control of Pd6L8 Metallo-supramolecular Cages

The C3-symmetric chiral propylated host-type ligands (±)-tris(isonicotinoyl)-tris(propyl)-cyclotricatechylene (L1) and (±)-tris(4-pyridyl-4-benzoxy)-tris(propyl)-cyclotricatechylene (L2) self-assemble with Pd(II) into [Pd6L8](12+) metallo-cages that resemble a stella octangula. The self-assembly of the [Pd6(L1)8](12+) cage is solvent-dependent; broad NMR resonances and a disordered crystal structure indicate no chiral self-sorting of the ligand enantiomers in DMSO solution, but sharp NMR resonances occur in MeCN or MeNO2. The [Pd6(L1)8](12+) cage is observed to be less favourable in the presence of additional ligand, than is its counterpart, where L=(±)-tris(isonicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene (L1 a). The stoichiometry of reactant mixtures and chemical triggers can be used to control formation of mixtures of homoleptic or heteroleptic [Pd6L8](12+) metallo-cages where L=L1 and L1 a.

Two Heptacopper(II) Disk Complexes with a [Cu7(μ3-OH)4(μ-OR)2]8+ Core

The reaction of CuX(2) (X(-) ≠ F(-)) salts with 1 equiv of 3-pyridyl-5-tert-butylpyrazole (HL) in basic methanol yields blue solids, from which disk complexes of the type [Cu(7)(μ(3)-OH)(4)(μ-OR)(2)(μ-L)(6)](2+) and/or the cubane [Cu(4)(μ(3)-OH)(4)(HL)(4)](4+) can be isolated by recrystallization under the appropriate conditions. Two of the disk complexes have been prepared in crystalline form: [Cu(7)(μ(3)-OH)(4)(μ-OCH(2)CF(3))(2)(μ-L)(6)][BF(4)](2) (2) and [Cu(7)(μ(3)-OH)(4)(μ-OCH(3))(2)(μ-L)(6)]Cl(2)·xCH(2)Cl(2) (3·xCH(2)Cl(2)). The molecular structures of both compounds as solvated crystals can be described as [Cu⊂Cu(6)(μ-OH)(4)(μ-OR)(2)(μ-L)(6)](2+) (R = CH(2)CF(3) or CH(3)) adducts. The [Cu(6)(μ-OH)(4)(μ-OR)(2)(μ-L)(6)] ring is constructed of six square-pyramidal Cu ions, linked by 1,2-pyrazolido bridges from the L(-) ligands and by basal, apical-bridging hydroxy or alkoxy groups, while the central Cu ion is bound to the four metallamacrocyclic hydroxy donors in a near-regular square-planar geometry. The L(-) ligands project above and below the metal ion core, forming two bowl-shaped cavities that are fully (R = CH(2)CF(3)) or partially (R = CH(3)) occupied by the alkoxy R substituents. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements on 2 demonstrated antiferromagnetic interactions between the Cu ions, yielding a spin-frustrated S = (1)/(2) magnetic ground state that is fully populated below around 15 K. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, UV/vis/near-IR, and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements imply that the heptacopper(II) disk motif is robust in organic solvents.

Energy and Electron Transfer Dynamics within a Series of Perylene Diimide/Cyclophane Systems

Artificial photosynthetic systems for solar energy conversion exploit both covalent and supramolecular chemistry to produce favorable arrangements of light-harvesting and redox-active chromophores in space. An understanding of the interplay between key processes for photosynthesis, namely light-harvesting, energy transfer, and photoinduced charge separation and the design of novel, self-assembling components capable of these processes are imperative for the realization of multifunctional integrated systems. We report our investigations on the potential of extended tetracationic cyclophane/perylene diimide systems as components for artificial photosynthetic applications. We show how the selection of appropriate heterocycles, as extending units, allows for tuning of the electron accumulation and photophysical properties of the extended tetracationic cyclophanes. Spectroscopic techniques confirm energy transfer between the extended tetracationic cyclophanes and perylene diimide is ultrafast and quantitative, while the heterocycle specifically influences the energy transfer related parameters and the acceptor excited state.

Catenation through a Combination of Radical Templation and Ring-Closing Metathesis

Synthesis of an electrochemically addressable [2]catenane has been achieved following formation by templation of a [2]pseudorotaxane employing radically enhanced molecular recognition between the bisradical dication obtained on reduction of the tetracationic cyclophane, cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene), and the radical cation generated on reduction of a viologen disubstituted with p-xylylene units, both carrying tetraethylene glycol chains terminated by allyl groups. This inclusion complex was subjected to olefin ring-closing metathesis, which was observed to proceed under reduced conditions, to mechanically interlock the two components. Upon oxidation, Coulombic repulsion between the positively charged and mechanically interlocked components results in the adoption of a co-conformation where the newly formed alkene resides inside the cavity of the tetracationic cyclophane. (1)H NMR spectroscopic analysis of this hexacationic [2]catenane shows a dramatic upfield shift of the resonances associated with the olefinic and allylic protons as a result of them residing inside the tetracationic component. Further analysis shows high diastereoselectivity during catenation, as only a single (Z)-isomer is formed.

Lanthanide coordination polymers with pyridyl-N-oxide or carboxylate functionalised host ligands

The first examples of coordination polymers of hard-donor functionalised cyclotriveratrylene ligands with the lanthanide(III) cations are reported, these include 1D 3-connected ladder structures and a 2D decorated kagome dual.

Allosteric Modulation of Substrate Binding within a Tetracationic Molecular Receptor

The synthesis and recognition phenomena of a tetracationic molecular receptor that possesses a nanometer-sized molecular cavity are described. The host-guest properties of the molecular receptor can be tuned and modulated allosterically, where the association of a heterotropic effector at the periphery of the molecule serves to modulate its affinity for the globular, electron-rich guest that resides within its molecular cavity. This stimuli-responsive host-guest behavior was observed in both the solution phase and the crystalline solid state, and can be reversed with high fidelity by sequestration of the effector molecule.

Tuning the coordination chemistry of cyclotriveratrylene ligand pairs through alkyl chain aggregation

Propylated cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) ligands display different coordination chemistry over their methylated congeners as a result of increased solubility, an affinity for alkyl chain aggregation and steric factors. The propylated ligand tris(isonicotinoyl)-tris(propoxy)-cyclotricatechylene (L1p) forms a 1D coordination polymer within complex {[Ag(L1p)[Co(C2B9H11)2]](DMF)}∞ (complex 1p), and a 2D sheet of 4·82 topology in {[Cd(L1p)(ONO2)2(H2O)]·(DMF)·0.5(Et2O)}∞ (complex 2p), neither of which are formed with the analogous methylated ligand tris(isonicotinoyl)-cyclotriguaiacylene (L1m). Both complexes 1p and 2p display multiple sites of aggregation of hydrophobic groups. The new propylated ligand tris(2-quinolylmethyl)-tris(propoxy)-cyclotricatechylene (L2p) forms a 1D coordination polymer with Ag(I) in complex{[Ag2(L2p)2][Co(C2B9H11)2]2·1.5(MeNO2)}∞ (complex 3p) and a novel, compressed octahedral structure with palladium(II) cations, [Pd6(L2p)4(CF3CO2)12] (complex 4p). Neither complex was accessible with the methylated congener tris(2-quinolylmethyl)-cyclotriguaiacylene (L2m).

Cooperative Reactivity in an Extended-Viologen-Based Cyclophane

A tetracationic pyridinium-based cyclophane with a box-like geometry, incorporating two juxtaposed alkyne functions, has been synthesized. The triple bonds are reactive through cycloadditions toward dienes and azides, promoted by the electron-withdrawing nature of the pyridinium rings, as well as by the strain inherent in the cyclophane. The cycloadditions proceeded in high yields, with the cyclophane reacting faster than its acyclic analogue. While the cyclophane contains two reactive triple bonds, there is no evidence for a stable monofunctional intermediate-only starting material and the difunctional product have been detected by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Molecular modeling of the energy landscape reveals a lower barrier for the kinetically favored second cycloaddition compared with the first one. This situation results in tandem cascading reactions within rigid cyclophanes, where reactions at a first triple bond induce increased reactivity at a distal second alkyne.

Metallo-cryptophane cages from cis-linked and trans-linked strategies

Abstract Trigonal bipyramidal metallo-cage species [Pd3(dppp)3(L)2]∙6OTf (where dppp = bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, OTf = triflate and L is tris(iso-nicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene (L1) or tris(fluoro-iso-nicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene (FL1)) have been characterised in solution to exist predominantly as the anti-isomers. The crystal structure of [Pd3(dppp)3(FL1)2]∙6OTf, however, was found to be the achiral syn-isomer. The complex [Pd3Cl3(L2)2] (where L2 = tris(methylbenzimidazolyl)cyclotriguaiacylene) is a trans-linked M3L2 cage, observed by mass spectrometry and in the solid state as the anti-isomer. Ligand L2 also forms a 1:1 co-crystal with cyclotriguaiacylene.