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Mirror symmetry breaking in systems composed of achiral molecules is of importance for the design of functional materials for technological applications as well as for the understanding of the mechanisms of spontaneous emergence of chirality. Herein, we report the design and molecular self‐assembly of two series of rod‐like achiral polycatenar molecules derived from a π‐conjugated 5,5’‐diphenyl‐2,2’‐bithiophene core with a fork‐like triple alkoxylated end and a variable single alkylthio chain at the other end. In both series of liquid crystalline materials, differing in the chain length at the trialkoxylated end, helical self‐assembly of the π‐conjugated rods in networks occurs, leading to wide temperature ranges (>200 K) of bicontinuous cubic network phases, in some cases being stable even around ambient temperatures. The achiral bicontinuous cubic Ia 3‾ d phase (gyroid) is replaced upon alkylthio chain elongation by a spontaneous mirror symmetry broken bicontinuous cubic phase (I23) and a chiral isotropic liquid phase (Iso1 [*]). Further chain elongation results in removing the I23 phase and the re‐appearance of the Ia 3‾ d phase with different pitch lengths. In the second series an additional tetragonal phase separates the two cubic phase types., Spontaneous mirror‐symmetry breaking. Achiral multichain π‐conjugated rod‐like molecules form a series of chiral and achiral liquid crystalline networks as well as mirror symmetry broken liquids. The effect of thioalkyl chains on helical self‐assembly and network formation is discussed.

Chiral magnetic materials are proposed for applications in second‐order non‐linear optics, magneto‐chiral dichroism, among others. Recently, we have reported a set of tetra‐nuclear Fe(II) grid complex conformers with general formula C/S‐[Fe4L4]8+ (L: 2,6‐bis(6‐(pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,5‐dihydrobenzo[1,2‐d : 4,5‐d′]diimidazole). In the grid complexes, isomerism emerges from tautomerism and conformational isomerism of the ligand L, and the S‐type grid complex is chiral, which originates from different non‐centrosymmetric spatial organization of the trans type ligand around the Fe(II) center. However, the selective preparation of an enantiomerically pure grid complex in a controlled manner is difficult due to spontaneous self‐assembly. To achieve the pre‐synthesis programmable resolution of Fe(II) grid complexes, we designed and synthesized two novel intrinsically chiral ligands by appending chiral moieties to the parent ligand. The complexation of these chiral ligands with Fe(II) salt resulted in the formation of enantiomerically pure Fe(II) grid complexes, as unambiguously elucidated by CD and XRD studies. The enantiomeric complexes exhibited similar gradual and half‐complete thermal and photo‐induced SCO characteristics. The good agreement between the experimentally obtained and calculated CD spectra further supports the enantiomeric purity of the complexes and even the magnetic studies. The chiral resolution of Fe(II)‐ [2×2] grid complexes reported in this study, for the first time, might enable the fabrication of magneto‐chiral molecular devices., The trans ‐type ligand wrapping around the metal centers in an inter‐woven style makes the complex to be in chiral. This separation of Λ and Δ forms of spin‐crossover isomers was successfully achieved by appending the chiral moiety onto the parent ligand. The presence of spin‐crossover and chirality makes these multifunctional complexes intriguing for the study of magneto‐optical effects.

The synthesis of an unprecedented, π‐extended hexabenzocorene (HBC)‐based diaza[7]helicene is presented. The target compound was synthesized by an ortho‐fusion of two naphthalene diimide (NDI) units to a HBC‐skeleton. A combination of Diels–Alder and Scholl‐type oxidation reactions involving a symmetric di‐NDI‐tolane precursor were crucial for the very selective formation of the helical superstructure via a hexaphenyl‐benzene (HPB) derivative. The formation of the diaza[7]helicene moiety in the final Scholl oxidation is favoured, affording the symmetric π‐extended helicene as the major product as a pair of enantiomers. The separation of the enantiomers was successfully accomplished by HPLC involving a chiral stationary phase. The absolute configuration of the enantiomers was assigned by comparison of circular dichroism spectra with quantum mechanical calculations., Super naphthalene, super helix: A diaza[7]helicene was formed as the only isomer via the fusion of two naphthalene diimides (NDIs) to a hexabenzocorene (HBC) core, generating a fully conjugated superstructure with a wide lateral π‐extension of the inner heterohelix. The helical twist brings along an attractive spatial arrangement and affects the chemical and photophysical features. Isolation of the corresponding enantiomers was accomplished by HPLC on a chiral stationary phase and the absolute configurations were determined by comparison of their circular dichroism spectra with quantum mechanical calculations.

The synthesis of chiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is highly relevant for asymmetric heterogenous catalysis, yet very challenging. Chiral MOFs with MOF‐74 topology were synthesised by using post‐synthetic modification with proline. Vibrational circular dichroism studies demonstrate that proline is the source of chirality. The solvents used in the synthesis play a key role in tuning the loading of proline and its interaction with the MOF‐74 framework. In N,N′‐dimethylformamide, proline coordinates monodentate to the Zn2+ ions within the MOF‐74 framework, whereas it is only weakly bound to the framework when using methanol as solvent. Introducing chirality within the MOF‐74 framework also leads to the formation of defects, with both the organic linker and metal ions missing from the framework. The formation of defects combined with the coordination of DMF and proline within the framework leads to a pore blocking effect. This is confirmed by adsorption studies and testing of the chiral MOFs in the asymmetric aldol reaction between acetone and para‐nitrobenzaldehyde., Chemistry - A European Journal, 26 (61), ISSN:0947-6539, ISSN:1521-3765

We present the synthesis and self‐assembly of a chiral bis(urea) amphiphile and show that chirality offers a remarkable level of control towards different morphologies. Upon self‐assembly in water, the molecular‐scale chiral information is translated to the mesoscopic level. Both enantiomers of the amphiphile self‐assemble into chiral twisted ribbons with opposite handedness, as supported by Cryo‐TEM and circular dichroism (CD) measurements. The system presents thermo‐responsive aggregation behavior and combined transmittance measurements, temperature‐dependent UV, CD, TEM, and micro‐differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) show that a ribbon‐to‐vesicles transition occurs upon heating. Remarkably, chirality allows easy control of morphology as the self‐assembly into distinct aggregates can be tuned by varying the enantiomeric excess of the amphiphile, giving access to flat sheets, helical ribbons, and twisted ribbons., Wrapping with ribbons: Chiral bis(urea) amphiphiles can translate their molecular scale chiral information to the mesoscopic level via self‐assembly in water. The morphology of the aggregates can be tuned by varying the enantiomeric excess of the amphiphile, giving access to flat sheets, helical ribbons, and twisted ribbons. The system presents thermo‐responsive aggregation properties, in which a ribbon‐to‐vesicles transition occurs upon heating.

Control over the photophysical properties and molecular organization of π‐conjugated oligothiophenes is essential to their use in organic electronics. Herein we synthesized and characterized a variety of anionic pentameric oligothiophenes with different substitution patterns of L‐ or D‐tyrosine at distinct positions along the thiophene backbone. Spectroscopic, microscopic, and theoretical studies of L‐ or D‐tyrosine substituted pentameric oligothiophene conjugates revealed the formation of optically active π‐stacked self‐assembled aggregates under acid conditions. The distinct photophysical characteristics, as well as the supramolecular structures of the assemblies, were highly influenced by the positioning of the L‐ or D‐tyrosine moieties along the thiophene backbone. Overall, the obtained results clearly demonstrate how fundamental changes in the position of the enantiomeric side‐chain functionalities greatly affect the optical properties as well as the architecture of the self‐assembled supramolecular structures., Chiral construction: Distinct positioning of enantiomeric substituents along the conjugated backbone governs the chiro‐optical properties and the molecular arrangement of pentameric oligothiophenes. Relocating tyrosine residues from the β‐positions to the terminal α‐positions of the oligothiophene backbone had large effects on the induced circular dichroism and the structure of the self‐assembled supramolecular structures.

Spontaneous development of chirality in systems composed of achiral molecules is important for new routes to asymmetric synthesis, chiral superstructures and materials, as well as for the understanding of the mechanisms of emergence of prebiotic chirality. Herein, it is shown that the 4,4′‐diphenylbenzil unit is a universal transiently chiral bent building block for the design of multi‐chained (polycatenar) rod‐like molecules capable of forming a wide variety of helically twisted network structures in the liquid, the liquid crystalline (LC) and the crystalline state. Single polar substituents at the apex of tricatenar molecules support the formation of the achiral (racemic) cubic double network phase with Ia 3‾ d symmetry and relatively small twist along the networks. The combination of an alkyl chain with fluorine substitution leads to the homogeneously chiral triple network phase with I23 space group, and in addition, provides a mirror symmetry broken liquid. Replacing F by Cl or Br further increases the twist, leading to a short pitch double gyroid Ia 3‾ d phase, which is achiral again. The effects of the structural variations on the network structures, either leading to achiral phases or chiral conglomerates are analyzed., Soft helical networks: Achiral benzil‐based multi‐chained molecules form a series of spontaneously mirror‐symmetry‐broken soft matter structures; the steric and electronic effects of polar substituents on helical self‐assembly, local and long range network formation as well as through‐space interhelical interactions are discussed.

Cyclic silylated chalconium borates 13[B(C6F5)4] and 14[B(C6F5)4] with peri‐acenaphthyl and peri‐naphthyl skeletons were synthesized from unsymmetrically substituted silanes 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10 using the standard Corey protocol (Chalcogen Ch=O, S, Se, Te). The configuration at the chalcogen atom is trigonal pyramidal for Ch=S, Se, Te, leading to the formation of cis‐ and trans‐isomers in the case of phenylmethylsilyl cations. With the bulkier tert‐butyl group at silicon, the configuration at the chalcogen atoms is predetermined to give almost exclusively the trans‐configurated cyclic silylchalconium ions. The barriers for the inversion of the configuration at the sulfur atoms of sulfonium ions 13 c and 14 a are substantial (72–74 kJ mol−1) as shown by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. The neighboring group effect of the thiophenyl substituent is sufficiently strong to preserve chiral information at the silicon atom at low temperatures., The Corey reaction of acenaphthyl‐ and naphthyl‐based chiral silanes allows the synthesis of silylchalconium ions with control of the stereochemistry at the chalcogen atom (shown here for the sulfonium ion). The chalcogen neighboring group effect on the silyl cation is sufficiently strong to conserve the stereochemistry in a consecutive nucleophilic attack.

Residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) offer additional information for structure elucidation by NMR spectroscopy. They are measured in anisotropic media, such as lyotropic liquid crystalline phases of polypeptides. Today, some suitable polypeptides are known. Nevertheless, structural influences of these polypeptides on the alignment properties are not really understood. Thus, which influence a chiral side chain has on enantiodiscrimination and whether we can improve the enantiodifferentiation significantly by adding an additional chiral center in the side chain are questions of interest. Therefore, new diastereomeric polypeptide‐based alignment media with an additional chiral center in the side chain derived from perillyl alcohol were synthesized and their properties were investigated (secondary structure, liquid crystallinity, etc.). The enantiomers of isopinocampheol and β‐pinene were used as model analytes for the study of enantiodiscrimination. Additionally, the usage of 1H–1H‐RDCs to improve the alignment tensor quality is demonstrated., Influences on enantiodifferentiation: The influence of an additional chiral center in the side chain of a polypeptide‐based alignment medium was investigated. Therefore, new diastereomeric alignment media were synthesized and the enantiomers of IPC and β‐pinene were used as analytes. The results are unexpected. Furthermore, 1H–1H‐RDCs (residual dipolar couplings) are used to improve the quality of alignment tensors.

Resonance Raman optical activity (RROA) possesses all aspects of a sensitive tool for molecular detection, but its measurement remains challenging. We demonstrate that reliable recording of RROA of chiral colorful compounds is possible, but only after considering the effect of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) on the ROA spectra induced by the dissolved chiral compound. We show RROA for a number of model vitamin B12 derivatives that are chemically similar but exhibit distinctively different spectroscopic behavior. The ECD/ROA effect is proportional to the concentration and dependent on the optical pathlength of the light propagating through the sample. It can severely alter relative band intensities and signs in the natural RROA spectra. The spectra analyses are supported by computational modeling based on density functional theory. Neglecting the ECD effect during ROA measurement can lead to misinterpretation of the recorded spectra and erroneous conclusions about the molecular structure., A strong influence of electronic circular dichroism on the measurement of resonance Raman optical activity of colorful chiral compounds is reported for a series of vitamin B12 derivatives. Neglecting this effect can lead to misinterpretation of recorded spectra, and seriously erroneous conclusions about molecular structure and chirality.

Presented here is a comprehensive study of highly oxidized multiple‐decker complexes composed of TbIII and CdII ions and two to five phthalocyaninato ligands, which are stabilized by electron‐donating n‐butoxy groups. From X‐ray structural analyses, all the complexes become axially compressed upon ligand oxidation, resulting in bowl‐shaped distortions of the ligands. In addition, unusual coexistence of square antiprism and square prism geometries around metal ions was observed in +4e charged species. From paramagnetic 1H NMR studies on the resulting series of triple, quadruple and quintuple‐decker complexes, ligand oxidation leads to a decrease in the magnetic anisotropy, as predicted from theoretical calculations. Unusual paramagnetic shifts were observed in the spectra of the +2e charged quadruple and quintuple‐decker complexes, indicating that those two species are actually unexpected triplet biradicals. Magnetic measurements revealed that the series of complexes show single‐molecule magnet properties, which are controlled by the multi‐step redox induced structural changes., This work was financially supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP14J02656 (Y.H.), JP20225003 (M.Y.), JP15K05467 (K.K.), JP24750119 (K.K.), 18K14242 (Y.H.), 19K05401(Y.K), Tohoku University Molecule & Material Synthesis Platform in Nanotechnology Platform Project, CREST, JST JPMJCR12L3 (M.Y.), PhD scholarship from the Beilstein‐Institut zur Förderung der Chemischen Wissenschaften (M.D.), the German‐Japanese University Consortium (HeKKSaGOn), the state of Baden‐Württemberg through bwHPC and the German Research Foundation (DFG) through grant no INST 40/467‐1 FUGG (JUSTUS cluster), European Union (ERC StG 2012–306826 e‐GAMES), Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER‐BBN), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (projects FANCY CTQ2016‐80030‐R, MOTHER MAT2016‐80826‐R and the “Severo Ochoa” Programme for Centers of Excellence in R&D, SEV‐2015‐0496), Generalitat de Catalunya (2017SGR918), 111 Project (B18030) from China (M.Y.), the scientific grants R‐143‐000‐A80‐114, R‐143‐000‐A65‐133 from the National University of Singapore. We thank Dr. Norihisa Hoshino for EPR measurements, Dr. Tetsuko Nakaniwa and Prof. Dr. Genji Kurisu and Dr. Takefumi Yoshida for SCXRD measurements. This paper is Contribution No. 62 from the Research Center for Thermal and Entropic Science.

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) studies are reported on a chiral compound in which a fullerene C60 moiety is used as an electron acceptor and local VCD amplifier for an alanine‐based peptide chain. Four redox states are investigated in this study, of which three are reduced species that possess low‐lying electronic states as confirmed by UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry. VCD measurements in combination with (TD)DFT calculations are used to investigate (i) how the low‐lying electronic states of the reduced species modulate the amplification of VCD signals, (ii) how this amplification depends on the distance between oscillator and amplifier, and (iii) how the spatial extent of the amplifier influences amplification. These results pave the way for further development of tailored molecular VCD amplifiers., Amplifying the difference between left and right with a buckyball: C60 has been used to amplify vibrational circular dichroism signals. Switchable and tunable amplification is achieved by utilizing the various redox states of C60. DFT calculations on how vibrational motion influences the electronic distribution pave the way for further optimization of such “extended” amplifiers.

The {Fe2Dy2} butterfly systems can show single molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour, the nature of which depends on details of the electronic structure, as previously demonstrated for the [Fe2Dy2(μ3‐OH)2(Me‐teaH)2(O2CPh)6] compound, where the [N,N‐bis‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐amino]‐2‐propanol (Me‐teaH3) ligand is usually used in its racemic form. Here, we describe the consequences for the SMM properties by using enantiopure versions of this ligand and present the first homochiral 3d/4 f SMM, which could only be obtained for the S enantiomer of the ligand for [Fe2Dy2(μ3‐OH)2(Me‐teaH)2(O2CPh)6] since the R enantiomer underwent significant racemisation. To investigate this further, we prepared the [Fe2Dy2(μ3‐OH)2(Me‐teaH)2(O2CPh)4(NO3)2] version, which could be obtained as the RS‐, R‐ and S‐compounds. Remarkably, the enantiopure versions show enhanced slow relaxation of magnetisation. The use of the enantiomerically pure ligand suppresses QTM, leading to the conclusion that use of enantiopure ligands is a “gamechanger” by breaking the cluster symmetry and altering the intimate details of the coordination cluster's molecular structure., These 2 coordination clusters are similar but different both in the fine details of their structures as well as their magnetic behaviour. [Fe2Dy2(μ3‐OH)2(Me‐teaH)2(O2CPh)6], which normally forms with the racemic version of Me‐teaH3 by using enantiopure ligand, allows access to the S‐version, but for the R‐version there is significant racemisation. Surprisingly, by using the synthesis of [Fe2Dy2(μ3‐OH)2(Me‐teaH)2(O2CPh)4(NO3)2] both enantiopure R‐ and S‐compounds were obtained. In both cases breaking the symmetry of the parent compounds leads to enhanced SMM behaviour.

A series of perylene bisimide (PBI) dyes bearing various aryl substituents in 1,6,7,12 bay positions has been synthesized by Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction. These molecules exhibit an exceptionally large and conformationally fixed twist angle of the PBI π‐core due to the high steric congestion imparted by the aryl substituents in bay positions. Single crystal X‐ray analyses of phenyl‐, naphthyl‐ and pyrenyl‐functionalized PBIs reveal interlocked π‐π‐stacking motifs, leading to conformational chirality and the possibility for the isolation of enantiopure atropoisomers by semipreparative HPLC. The interlocked arrangement endows these molecules with substantial racemization barriers of about 120 kJ mol−1 for the tetraphenyl‐ and tetra‐2‐naphthyl‐substituted derivatives, which is among the highest racemization barriers for axially chiral PBIs. Variable temperature NMR studies reveal the presence of a multitude of up to fourteen conformational isomers in solution that are interconverted via smaller activation barriers of about 65 kJ mol−1. The redox and optical properties of these core‐twisted PBIs have been characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis/NIR and fluorescence spectroscopy and their respective atropo‐enantiomers were further characterized by circular dichroism (CD) and circular polarized luminescence (CPL) spectroscopy., The interlockedπ‐π‐stacking motif of bay‐tetraarylated perylene bisimides endows these molecules with chirality and rich conformational isomerism. These structural features are elucidated by X‐ray crystallography and NMR. Optical spectroscopy including CD and CPL provide insights into their functional properties.

Symmetry breaking is observed in the Soai reaction in a confinement environment provided by zirconium‐based UiO‐MOFs used as crystalline sponges. Subsequent reaction of encapsulated Soai aldehyde with Zn(i‐Pr)2 vapour promoted absolute asymmetric synthesis of the corresponding alkanol. ATR‐IR and NMR confirm integration of aldehyde into the porous material, and a similar localization of newly formed chiral alkanol after reaction. Despite the confinement, the Soai reaction exhibits significant activity and autocatalytic amplification. Comparative catalytic studies with various UiO‐MOFs indicate different outcomes in terms of enantiomeric excess, handedness distribution of the product and reaction rate, when compared to pristine solid Soai aldehyde, while the crystalline MOF remains highly stable to action of Zn(iPr)2 vapour. This is an unprecedented example of absolute asymmetric synthesis using MOFs., Autocatalytic symmetry breaking is observed for the Soai reaction confined in UiO‐MOFs. Reaction of Zn(iPr)2 vapor with pyrimidyl aldehyde triggers autocatalytic amplification.

The novel diacetylene bridged terphenylic macrocycle 1 is presented and discussed in the context of rotationally restricted “Geländer” oligomers. The 1,4‐bis(phenylbuta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl) benzene bridge of diacetylene 1 is significantly longer than its terphenyl backbone, forcing the bridge to bend around the central pylon. The synthesis of molecule 1 is based to a large extent on acetylene scaffolding strategies, profiting from orthogonal alkyne protection groups to close both macrocyclic subunits by oxidative acetylene coupling sequentially. The spatial arrangement and the dynamic enantiomerization process of the bicyclic target structure 1 are analyzed. In‐depth NMR investigations not only reveal an unexpected spatial arrangement with both oligomer strands bent alongside the backbone, but also display the limited stability of the model compound in the presence of molecular oxygen., The conjugated 1,4‐bis(phenylbuta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl) benzene bridge of our terphenylic macrocycle is significantly longer than the backbone it rotates around, thereby forcing itself to bend along the central pylon. The synthesis of the macromolecule is largely based on orthogonal acetylene scaffolding strategies, allowing to sequentially finalize both macrocyclic subunits by oxidative acetylene coupling. The spatial arrangement and the dynamic enantiomerization process of the final, bicyclic compound are analyzed and discussed.

Heterochiral DNA with hydrogen‐bonded and silver‐mediated base pairs have been constructed using complementary strands with nucleosides with α‐d or β‐d configuration. Anomeric phosphoramidites were employed to assemble the oligonucleotides. According to the T m values and thermodynamic data, the duplex stability of the heterochiral duplexes was similar to that of homochiral DNA, but mismatch discrimination was better in heterochiral DNA. Replacement of purines by 7‐deazapurines resulted in stable parallel duplexes, thereby confirming Watson–Crick‐type base pairing. When cytosine was facing cytosine, thymine or adenine residues, duplex DNA formed silver‐mediated base pairs in the presence of silver ions. Although the CD spectra of single strands with α‐d configuration display mirror‐like shapes to those with the β‐d configuration, the CD spectra of the hydrogen‐bonded duplexes and those with a limited number of silver pairs show a B‐type double helix almost indistinguishable from natural DNA. Nonmelting silver ion–DNA complexes with entirely different CD spectra were generated when the number of silver ions was equal to the number of base pairs., Heterochiral DNA with parallel strands has been constructed from complementary strands with nucleosides in the α‐d or β‐d configuration. Purines were replaced by 7‐deazapurines and silver‐mediated base pairs were formed when cytosine residues were facing cytosine, thymine, or adenine. The CD spectra of the modified helices show a B‐type structure almost indistinguishable from natural DNA.

A contorted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in the shape of a monkey saddle has been synthesized in three steps from a readily available truxene precursor. The monkey saddle PAH is consisting of three five‐, seven six‐, and three eight‐membered rings and has been unambiguously characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Owing to the three biaryl axes the monkey saddle PAH is inherently chiral. The inversion of the two enantiomeric structures into each other preferably occurs through a twisting of peripheral rings rather than by a fully planar intermediate, as has been calculated by DFT methods. Enantiomers were separated by chiral HPLC and inversion barriers determined by variable temperature circular dichroism spectroscopy, supporting the twisting mechanism., Based on a truxene a chiral monkey saddle shaped polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) with three eight‐membered rings was accessible in only three synthetic steps. The enantiomers were separated by chiral HPLC and investigated photophysically.