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Three diastereomers of a highly functionalized tetrasubstituted cyclopentadienylcobalt-diene complex, (Cp)Co[η4-CH(CO2Et)=C(SO2Ph)C(SiMe3)=CH(CO2Et)] (4-ZE, 4-EZ, 4-ZZ; Cp = C5H5), undergo oxidative demetallation by ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) to give the corresponding metal-free dienes, CH(CO2Et)=C(SO2Ph)C(SiMe3)=CH(CO2Et) (5-ZE, 5-EZ, 5-ZZ), with retention of configuration. The oxidation of 4-ZE by iodine occurs with a different stereoselectivity than that observed with CAN, to provide the fourth diastereomer 5-EE in high yield. B97D/Def2-TZVPP(CH2Cl2) calculations predict the diene free-energy ordering as: 5-EE < 5-ZE < 5-EZ < 5-ZZ.

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The structure and dynamics of five-coordinate iridacyclopentadiene-chlorido and -hydrido complexes of the form [(PH 3 ) 2 Ir(CY = CYCY′ = CY′)X] (X = Cl or H and Y = F and/or H) are investigated by M06-2X/Def2-TZVPP density functional theory computation. For the symmetrically substituted ring systems (Y = Y′ = H and Y = Y′ = F) the minimum energy chlorido structures are Y-shaped trigonal bipyramids; whereas the hydrido complexes favor a T-structure. Both the symmetrically and unsymmetrically (Y = H, Y′ = F) substituted hydrido complexes exhibit double well potentials for the hydrido ligand wag motion within the metallacycle ring plane, the depths of the well depending on the degree of steric, and electronic interactions within the particular constitutional isomer.

The solid state structures of the cobalt-alkyne complexes (η5-C5H5)(PPh3) Co{η2-(R3Si)Cî - C(SO2Ar)} (3-TMS, R = Me, Ar = C6H5; 3-TIPS, R = CH(CH3) 2, Ar = p-C6H4CH3) and the noncoordinated alkyne (Me3Si)Cî - C(SO2Ph) (6-TMS) have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and, in the case of 3-TMS, 6-TMS, and (η5-C5H5)Co{η2- (Me3Si)Cî - C(SO2Ph)} (5-TMS-calc), by B97D/Def2-TZVPP computational analysis. The phosphine-dissociated complex 5-TMS-calc is determined to be a ground state singlet. Analysis of bond angle and distance metrics, calculated NMR chemical shift data, and molecular orbital analysis provide strong evidence for a four-electron-donor alkyne ligand in 5-TMS-calc. The degree of asymmetry in metal-alkyne bonding, as defined by the Gladysz alkyne-slippage parameter, is dramatically reduced in 5-TMS-calc relative to that in the precursor complex 3-TMS-calc. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

Quantitative assessment of the first acidity constant (p K a ) for BFC (27.6 in CH 3 CN) and FIC (27.8 in CH 3 CN) shows the methylene protons to be significantly more acidic than those in related cyclopentadiene (32 in CH 3 CN), indene (34 in CH 3 CN), or fluorene (37 in CH 3 CN) and comparable to the methine of 9-perfluorophenylfluorene (28.14 in CH 3 CN). This work reports quantitative p K a values of BFC and FIC, places those values in a broadened context of CpH-cognate hydrocarbon acidity and presents a Clar-Loschmidt graph perspective to help understand the "surprises"., (Copyright © 2024, Liu et al.)

Polycyclic aromatic endoperoxides are important sources of singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) and their formation from polyacenes is well established. Anthracene carboxyimides are of particular interest as they exhibit excellent antitumor activity and possess unique photochemical properties. However, the photooxygenation of the synthetically versatile anthracene carboxyimide moiety has not been reported due to its competing [4+4] photodimerization reaction. Herein, we describe the reversible photo-oxidation of an anthracene carboxyimide. X-ray crystallographic analysis surprisingly revealed the formation of a racemic mixture of chiral hydroperoxides, rather than the expected endoperoxide. The photoproduct undergoes both photo- and thermolysis to form 1 O 2 . Activation parameters were derived for the thermolysis and the mechanisms of photooxygenation and thermolysis are discussed. The anthracene carboxyimide also showed high selectivity and sensitivity for nitrite anions in acidic aqueous media and possessed stimuli-responsive behaviour., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

A general synthetic approach to halogenated tetraaryl-ammonium salts has been developed and illustrated crystallographically. Bromide ammonium salts used as common synthetic intermediates together with Suzuki coupling of these bromides to a family of boronic acids provided a simplified strategy for arylation. Resolution of the C 2 subset of spiro-bicarbazolium derivatives led to the first examples of enantiopure spiro-bicarbazoliums and the assignment of their absolute configuration by comparison of computational and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. An ECD comparison with Prelog's spirobifluorenes is provided. The absolute configuration of the meta-bromide spiro-bicarbazolium salt was confirmed by anomalous scattering. Cruciform and stellate tetra-substituted salts provide a test of the limits of the methodology, and their structures suggest them to be candidates for MOF building blocks., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

A simple abiological host-guest system demonstrates racemase activity with catalytic rate enhancements of 10 4 without employing traditional functional groups. Cooperative weak interactions enhanced through shape-complementarity between the catalyst active site and the reaction transition state drive this activity, as proposed by Pauling for enzymes. In analogy to the Jencks' concept of catalytic antibodies, it is shown that a hapten resembling the planar transition state of the bowl inversion acts as a potent inhibitor of this catalytic process. In contrast, no substrate/product inhibition is detected, and a relatively weak binding of the substrate is observed ( K a ≈ 10 2 M -1 at 293 K). This simple box-and-bowl system demonstrates that shape selectivity arising from cooperative dispersive forces suffices for the emergence of a catalytic system with an enzyme-like thermodynamic profile.

Chiral carbon nanomaterials offer numerous prospects for material science. As a fundamental building block for non-planar graphenoid materials, pentaindenocorannulene (PIC) with its C 5v symmetrical structure presents a platform for creation of supramolecular chiral carbon materials. Specifically, when uniformly penta-substituted on its periphery, PIC generates C 5 symmetrical chiral buckybowls capable of columnar stacking. The synthesis and resolution of such PICs are achieved, assignment of absolute configuration is established by comparison of ECD and VCD spectra with theory, and material characterization is reported. Evidence for columnar stacking in solution and in the crystal is presented., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Condensed phosphates may exist as linear, cyclic or branched structures. Due to their important role in nature, linear polyphosphates have been well studied. In contrast, branched phosphates (ultraphosphates) remain largely uncharacterised, because they were already described in 1950 as exceedingly unstable in the presence of water, epitomized in the antibranching-rule. This rule lacks experimental backup, since, to the best of our knowledge, no rational synthesis of defined ultraphosphates is known. Consequently, detailed studies of their chemical properties, reactivity and potential biological relevance remain elusive. Here, we introduce a general synthesis of monodisperse ultraphosphates. Hydrolysis half-lives up to days call the antibranching-rule into question. We provide evidence for the interaction of an enzyme with ultraphosphates and discover a rearrangement linearizing the branched structure. Moreover, ultraphosphate can phosphorylate nucleophiles such as amino acids and nucleosides with implications for prebiotic chemistry. Our results provide an entry point into the uncharted territory of branched condensed phosphates., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Stereolabile pillar[5]arene (P[5]) derivatives, which are dynamic racemic mixtures in solution on account of their low inversion barriers, were employed as platforms to study chiral symmetry breaking during crystallisation. In the solid state, we showed that crystal enantiomeric excess of a conglomerate-forming P[5] derivative can be obtained by handpicking and Viedma ripening without the intervention of external chiral entities. On the other hand, in the presence of ethyl d/l-lactate as both optically-active solvents and chiral guests, the handedness of P[5] derivative crystals, either forming racemic compounds or conglomerates upon condensation, can be directed and subsequently inverted in a highly controllable manner., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Stimuli-responsive chromic materials such as photochromics, hydrochromics, thermochromics, and electrochromics have a long history of capturing the attention of scientists due to their potential industrial applications and novelty in popular culture. However, hybrid chromic materials that combine two or more stimuli-triggered color changing properties are not so well known. Herein, we report a design strategy that has led to a series of emissive 1,8-naphthalimide-viologen dyads which exhibit unusual dual photochromic and hydrochromic switching behavior in the solid-state when embedded in a cellulose matrix. This behavior manifests as reversible solid state fluorescence hydrochromism upon changes in atmospheric relative humidity (RH), and reversible solid state photochromism upon generation of a cellulose-stabilized viologen radical cation. In this design strategy, the bipyridinium unit serves as both a water-sensitive receptor for the hydrochromic fluorophore-receptor system, and a photochromic group, capable of eliciting its own visible colorimetric response, generating a fluorescence quenching radical cation with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. These dyes can be inkjet-printed onto cellulose paper or drop-cast as cellulose powder-based films and can be unidirectionally cycled between three different states which can be characteristically visualized under UV light or visible light. The material's photochromism, hydrochromism, and underlying mechanism of action was investigated using computational analysis, dynamic vapor sorption/desorption isotherms, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and variable humidity UV-Vis adsorption and fluorescence spectroscopies., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The polar-π effect on tetrazoles, medicinal chemistry isosteres of carboxylate, is tested by a Hammett p K a (microtitration) analysis over a series of 5-( m -terphenyl-2'-yl)-1 H -tetrazoles. A comparison with m -terphenyl-2'-yl-carboxylic acids supports the isostere analogy also in response to environmental changes. Computational (B97D/def2TZVPPD) extension of the series plus a scan of solvents (vacuum to water) demonstrates the trend with the dielectric constant. The effect is energetically small but may make statistically significant contributions to the tetrazole pharmacological profile.

Triene 6π electrocyclization, wherein a conjugated triene undergoes a concerted stereospecific cycloisomerization to a cyclohexadiene, is a reaction of great historical and practical significance. In order to circumvent limitations imposed by the normally harsh reaction conditions, chemists have long sought to develop catalytic variants based upon the activating power of metal-alkene coordination. Herein, we demonstrate the first successful implementation of such a strategy by utilizing [(C 5 H 5 )Ru(NCMe) 3 ]PF 6 as a precatalyst for the disrotatory 6π electrocyclization of highly substituted trienes that are resistant to thermal cyclization. Mechanistic and computational studies implicate hexahapto transition-metal coordination as responsible for lowering the energetic barrier to ring closure. This work establishes a foundation for the development of new catalysts for stereoselective electrocyclizations., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

An enhanced generalized analytic approach for determination of multidimensional Franck-Condon Factors (FCFs) enables efficient computational prediction of photoelectron spectra for large-dimensional systems. Incorporation of the automated assignment of Cartesian coordinate handedness and coordinate superposition between the ground and excited electronic states satisfies the Eckart conditions and allows evaluation of the Duschinsky effect. The model shows excellent agreement with experiments for the determination of FCFs and photoelectron spectra of a series of increasing dimensions polynuclear hydrocarbons (PAHs), including naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, and pyrene. In addition, a high-resolution prediction of the PES for the 84-dimensional PAH corannulene provides motivation for an additional experimental study. For FCFs, coordinate transformation between the initial and final states rather than the dimension of the systems more greatly influences the complexity of the spectral band shapes.

The addition of molecular recognition units into structures of amphiphiles is a means by which soft matter capable of undergoing template-directed micellization can be obtained. These supramolecular amphiphiles can bind with molecular templates using non-covalent bonding interactions, forming host-guest complexes that hold the amphiphiles together as they undergo micellization. In most cases, such templates are synthesized and designed for a specific molecular recognition motif. It is not clear, however, to what extent these types of amphiphile systems are responsive to members of a biologically derived class of molecular targets, for example, melatonin receptor agonists and their numerous isosteres. Herein, we describe the template-directed micellization and arrangement at the air-water interface of a bipyridinium-based gemini surfactant, driven by the influence of donor-acceptor CT interactions with a series of bioactive classical and non-classical melatonin isosteres. Under the conditions of templation by either 5-methoxytryptophol, N-acetylserotonin, N-acetyltryptamine, or the pharmaceutical agent agomelatine, favorable Gibbs free energies of micellization were observed with decreases in CMC by up to 70%, and concomitant increases of 28% in surface pressure, and decreases of 20% in contact angle versus untemplated solutions. Solid state thermochromic transition temperatures for inkjet-printed patterns of the templated amphiphile solutions were inversely correlated with trends observed for their respective CMCs, and exhibited no correlation to their binding constants. These findings contend for the generalizable use of melatonin receptor agonists as targets and/or templates for chemical systems, which rely on π-stacking donor-acceptor CT interactions in water to facilitate the actions of binding, sequestration, or template-directed self-assembly.

Despite numerous studies on the toxicities of planar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), very little is known about the toxicological profiles of non-planar PAHs. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of corannulene (COR), a typical bowl-shaped PAH with a myriad of applications in the area of material chemistry, and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a typical planar PAH with similar molecular weight, were systematically compared in various cell lines. Compared with BaP, exposure to COR resulted in less cytotoxic responses in both human (HepG2) and murine (Hepa1-6) hepatoma cells, which was characterized with a slower cellular accumulation as well as a weaker induction of cytochrome P450 1 (CYP1/Cyp1) isozymes. Knockdown of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by siRNA attenuated the inductive effect of COR on CYP1A/Cyp1a mRNA levels in these two cell lines. Further analysis revealed that derivatization greatly influenced the cytotoxicity of COR, which was positively correlated with their binding affinities to the AhR, as demonstrated by in silico molecular docking. Overall, these results suggest that AhR appears to be involved in the cytotoxic responses of COR and its derivatives, providing a fundamental understanding of the biological effects of bowl-like PAHs., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Haliclonadiamine and papuamine are bis-indane marine natural products isolated from the marine sponge Haliclona sp. Their relative structures were previously reported to differ by inversion at only one of their eight shared stereocenters. Here X-ray crystallography shows the opposite to be true: papuamine has a 1 R ,3 S ,8 R ,9 S ,14 S ,15 R ,20 S ,22 R configuration, while haliclonadiamine has a 1 S ,3 R ,8 S ,9 R ,14 R ,15 S ,20 R ,22 R configuration. Paradoxically the ECD of each structure displays a negative Cotton effect. X-ray crystallography reveals the two structures adopt similar conformations of their 13-membered macrocyclic core that comprises a configurationally relevant diene. B97x-D/Def2-TZVPP-(MeOH)-calculated ECD supports the diene configuration with the macrocycle dominating the ECD Cotton effect for haliclonadiamine and papuamine. Additional crystallographic and chiroptical analyses of three sponge samples from geographically distant locations indicate this pair of natural products always exists as a configurationally related couple. The co-discovery of a biosynthetic precursor, halichondriamine C, present in these same Haliclona samples must be considered when discussing any biosynthetic pathway. Taken together, this work justifies a reassignment of haliclonadiamine's structure and opens the question of how this complex stereochemical relationship between haliclonadiamine and palauamine arises biosynthetically.

Ten sym-penta and deca-X substituted corannulenes (1-10; X=H, F, CH 3 , or CF 3 ) define a library of fluorous compounds comprising high symmetry non-planar aromatic compunds. They provide a group of structurally similar, yet physically distinct structures manifesting special chemical behavior related to their degree of fluorination. Owing to their bowl forms, corannulene derivatives are distinct from planar polynuclear aromatic compounds; they have relatively high dipole moments, accept 1-4 electrons, and display room temperature fluorescence as well as low temp phosphorescence. Electronic structure theory predicts the bowl inversion barrier and physical properties. The syntheses of sym-pentafluorocorannulene by an efficient late stage fluorination affords a key derivative to calibrate predictions., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Here, we report that trifluoroacetic acid (TFAH) induces demetallation and protodesilylation of the cyclopentadiene ligand in cobalt-η 4 -cyclopentadiene complexes of general formula [(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Co(η 4 - exo -C(TMS)═C(SO 2 Ph)CH═CRCH(CO 2 Et))] ( 1 -Ph, R = Ph; 1 -Ar t Bu, R = p -C 6 H 4 t Bu; 1 -ArNMe 2 , R = p -C 6 H 4 NMe 2 ; and 1 -Me, R = Me). The trisubstituted cyclopentadiene products are isolated as a mixture of two tautomers, [(CH 2 C(SO 2 Ph)═CHC(CO 2 Et)═CR)] ( 8 -R-A) and [(CH═C(SO 2 Ph)CH 2 C(CO 2 Et)═CR)] ( 8 -R-B). The endo isomer, [(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Co(η 4 - endo -C(TMS)═C(SO 2 Ph)CH═CPhCH(CO 2 Et))] ( 1 -Ph- endo ), also undergoes demetallation and protodesilylation to give 8 -Ph-A and 8 -Ph-B in excellent yield. The cobalt-cyclopentadiene complex, [(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Co(η 4 - exo -C(TMS)═C(SO 2 Ph)CH═C(CO 2 Me)CH(CO 2 Et))] ( 1 -CO 2 Me), undergoes demetallation and protodesilylation upon treatment with TFAH to give a hydrogen-bonded fulvenol ( 8 -CO 2 Me). Liberation of the ethoxy-substituted cyclopentadiene ligand of [(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Co(η 4 - exo -C(TMS)═C(SO 2 Ph)CH═C(OEt)CH(CO 2 Et))] ( 1 -OEt) leads to formation of a cyclopentenone derivative ( 11 ). Thermolysis of 8 -Ph-A/ 8 -Ph-B in the presence of maleimide leads to a highly functionalized Diels-Alder adduct, whereas 8 -Ph-A/ 8 -Ph-B serves as precursors to trisubstituted ruthenocenes by in situ deprotonation and reaction with [(η 5 -C 5 R 5 )Ru(NCMe) 3 ]PF 6 ( 16 -H, R = H; 16 -Me, R = Me).

Phosphoramidite analogues of modified cyclotriphosphates provide a general and step-economical synthesis of nucleoside triphosphates and analogues on scale without the need for protecting groups. These reagents enable rapid access to pure nucleoside oligophosphates and a range of other analogues that were previously difficult to obtain (e.g., NH, CH 2 , CCl 2 , and CF 2 replacements for O, phosphono- and phosphoimidazolides, -morpholidates, -azidates, and -fluoridates). DFT calculations demonstrate that the selectivity of the cyclotriphosphate opening reactions proceeds via an in-line substitution mechanism that displaces the least charged leaving group.

Current catalysis undergoes a paradigm shift from molecular and heterogeneous realms towards new dynamic catalyst concepts. This calls for innovative strategies to understand the essential catalytic motifs and true catalysts emerging from oxidative transformation processes. Polyoxometalate (POM) clusters offer an inexhaustible reservoir for new noble metal-free catalysts and excellent model systems whose structure-activity relationships and mechanisms remain to be explored. Here, we first introduce a new {Zn n Na 6-n (B-α-SbW 9 O 33 ) 2 } (n = 3-6) catalyst family with remarkable tuning options of the Zn-based core structure and high activity in H 2 O 2 -assisted catalytic alcohol oxidation as a representative reaction. Next, high level solution-based computational modelling of the intermediates and transition states was carried out for [Zn 6 Cl 6 (SbW 9 O 33 ) 2 ] 12- as a representative well-defined case. The results indicate a radical-based oxidation process with the involvement of tungsten and adjacent zinc metal centers. The {Zn n Na 6-n (B-α-SbW 9 O 33 ) 2 } series indeed efficiently catalyses alcohol oxidation via peroxotungstate intermediates, in agreement with strong spectroscopic support and other experimental evidence for the radical mechanism. Finally, the high performance of [Zn 6 Cl 6 (SbW 9 O 33 ) 2 ] 12- was traced back to its transformation into a highly active and robust disordered Zn/W-POM catalyst. The atomic short-range structure of this resting pre-catalyst was elucidated by RMC modelling of the experimental W-L 3 and Zn-K edge EXAFS spectra and supported with further analytical methods. We demonstrate that computational identification of the reactive sites combined with the analytical tracking of their dynamic transformations provides essential input to expedite cluster-based molecular catalyst design.

Diarylfluoromethylsulfonium salts, alternatives to freons or advanced fluorinated building blocks, are bench stable and easy-to-use sources of direct fluoromethylene (:CHF) transfer to alkenes. These salts enabled development of a trans -selective monofluorinated Johnson-Corey-Chaykovsky reaction with vinyl sulfones or vinyl sulfonamides to access synthetically challenging monofluorocyclopropane scaffolds. The described method offers rapid access to monofluorinated cyclopropane building blocks with further functionalization opportunities to deliver more complex synthetic targets diastereoselectively.

The modification of metal electrode surfaces with functional organic molecules is an important part of organic electronics. The interaction of the buckminsterfullerene fragment molecule pentaindenocorannulene with a Cu(100) surface is studied by scanning tunneling microscopy, dispersion-enabled density functional theory, and force field calculations. Experimental and theoretical methods suggest that two adjacent indeno groups become oriented parallel to the surface upon adsorption under mild distortion of the molecular frame. The binding mechanism between molecule and surface is dominated by strong electrostatic interaction owing to Pauli repulsion. Two-dimensional aggregation at room temperature leads to a single lattice structure in which all molecules are oriented unidirectionally. Their relative arrangement in the lattice suggests noncovalent intermolecular interaction through C-H⋅⋅⋅π bonding., (© 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Palladium-catalyzed intramolecular arylation provides bowl-shaped azaindenocorannulenes 7-9. Crystals of 8 show bowl-in-bowl columnar stacking. A substituent model rationalizes the first reduction potential of 18 related molecular bowls. The absolute configurations of bowls 7 and 9 are correlated with VCD and ECD spectra. The bowl inversion barrier of 9 (>190 kJ/mol) shows it to be more inert configurationally than chiral biaryl, phosphenes, or [ n]helicenes.

Despite the great advances in the synthesis of diverse nonplanar graphenoids, investigations into the relationship between structural features and intermolecular interactions still present significant challenges. Herein, the novel nonplanar graphenoid structure, corannurylene pentapetalae (CRP), obtained via bottom-up syntheses of hybridization between perylene diimide (PDI) planar fragments and a corannulene curved core, is presented. Single crystal studies reveal a D 5 -symmetric as well as a C 2 -symmetric graphenoid corannurylene pentapetalae. The D 5 -symmetric structure has a unique honeycomb lattice with two chiral honeycomb layers alternately stacked, whereas the C 2 -symmetric CRP forms dimer units via π-π stacking. Transistor devices demonstrate that, without any π-π stacking, the honeycomb lattice of the D 5 -symmetric CRP has the potential to also facilitate electron transport.

Chiral corannulenes abound, but suffer generally from configurational lability associated with bowl-to-bowl inversion, thus obviating questions of stereogenicity and stereoelement construction. In contrast, peri-annulated corannulenes show greatly increased barriers for bowl-to-bowl inversion; specifically indenocorannulenes invert on a time scale too slow to observe by normal NMR methods and raise the possibility of creating chiral atropisomeric bowl-shaped aromatics. Two methods for preparing indenocorannulene from simple 2-haloarylcorannulenes-silyl cation C-F activation, and Pd-mediated C-Cl activation [5] -enable the synthesis of an array of such chiral atropisomeric indenocorannulenes. Resolution of the enantiomers by high-performance liquid chromatography over chiral support phases motivates the study of chiroptical properties, the assignment of absolute "Cartesian" configuration, and the assessment of configurational stability. These studies bring into question any systematic assignment of nontrivial stereoelements (i.e. not the molecule in its entirety) and refute any assertion of congruence between "Cahn-Ingold-Prelog elements" and the physical or "Cartesian" basis of chirality., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The bulk solution properties of amphiphilic formulations are derivative of their self-assembly into higher ordered supramolecular assemblies known as micelles and of their ordering at the air-water interface. Exerting control over the surface-active properties of amphiphiles and their propensity to aggregate in pure water is most often fine-tuned by covalent modification of their molecular structure. Nevertheless structural constraints which limit the performance of amphiphiles do emerge when trying to develop more sophisticated systems which undergo for example, shape-defined controlled assembly and/or respond to external stimuli. In this regard, the template-modulated assembly of the so-called "supramolecular amphiphiles" continues to make progress ordering molecules that otherwise have very little to no driving force to aggregate in a prescribed manner in aqueous solutions. Herein we describe the template-modulated micellization and ordering at the air-water interface of bipyridinium-based supramolecular amphiphiles triggered by host-guest interactions with high specificity for the neurotransmitter melatonin over its biosynthetic synthon l-tryptophan and the thermodynamic parameters governing the template-modulated micellization process. When bound to the bipyridinium units of micellized surfactant molecules, melatonin effectively serves as "molecular glue" capable of lowering the CMC by 52% as compared to untemplated solutions. Analysis of this system suggests that a hallmark of donor-acceptor template-modulated micellization in water is a strong positively correlated temperature dependence of the CMC and the absence of a U-shaped CMC-temperature curve. Our findings make a case for the incorporation of l-tryptophan-based metabolites and their classical synthetic pharmaceutical bioisosteres as potential targets/components of donor-acceptor CT-based supramolecular amphiphile systems/materials operating in water.

Annulated corannulenes 3-5 form via distinct synthetic pathways: (i) Pd-catalyzed sp 3 CH insertion, (ii) Pd-catalyzed aryl coupling, and (iii) silyl cation-promoted C-F activation/CH insertion. Crystal structure, redox, and photophysical studies elucidate the differing influence of 1,2,3- versus 1,2-indeno ring fusions. Mono and dianions of 3-5 are characterized. Resolution of 4 gives enantiopure forms, allowing assessment of the bowl-inversion barrier.

Correction for 'General optimization procedure towards the design of a new family of minimal parameter spin-component-scaled double-hybrid density functional theory' by Loïc M. Roch and Kim K. Baldridge, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 26191-26200.

Modification of metal electrode surfaces with functional organic molecules is an important step toward organic electronics. The interaction of the buckybowl indenocorannulene with a Cu(111) surface and the two-dimensional self-assembly on the same surface was studied by means of scanning tunneling microscopy and dispersion-enabled density functional theory. Based on the conjecture of maximizing van der Waals interaction with the surface one would expect the indeno group to be aligned parallel to the surface. Theoretical investigations predict a nonparallel arrangement with the benzo ring of the indeno group located higher above the surface than the bowl rim connected to the indeno group. This adsorbate geometry is due to strong electronic interaction between molecule and surface, including substantial Pauli repulsion. The long-range ordered monolayer shows differences for two molecules of the unit cell in scanning tunneling microscopy contrast, suggesting either different polar alignments, and therefore a different tilt of the indeno group, or occupation of different adsorption sites.

A general optimization procedure towards the development and implementation of a new family of minimal parameter spin-component-scaled double-hybrid (mSD) density functional theory (DFT) is presented. The nature of the proposed exchange-correlation functional establishes a methodology with minimal empiricism. This new family of double-hybrid (DH) density functionals is demonstrated using the PBEPBE functional, illustrating the optimization procedure to the mSD-PBEPBE method, and the performance characteristics shown for a set of non-covalent complexes covering a broad regime of weak interactions. With only two parameters, mSD-PBEPBE and its cost-effective counterpart, RI-mSD-PBEPBE, show a mean absolute error of ca. 0.4 kcal mol -1 averaged over 66 weak interacting systems. Following a successive 2D-grid refinement for a CBS extrapolation of the coefficients, the optimization procedure can be recommended for the design and implementation of a variety of additional DH methods using any of the plethora of currently available functionals.

The implementation of 300 combinations of generalized gradient approximation/local density approximation exchange-correlation dispersion-corrected spin-component-scaled double-hybrid (DSD) density functional theory (DFT) methods has been carried out and the performance assessed against several DFT and post-Hartree-Fock methods, enabling further advancements toward the long-standing challenge of accurate prediction of interaction energies and associated properties. The resulting framework is flexible and has been further extended to include the resolution of identity (RI) approximation for solving the critical four-center two-electron repulsion integrals in the basis of the Kohn-Sham orbitals for cost effectiveness. To evaluate the performance of this set of new cost-effective methods, denoted as RI-DSD-DFTs, seven validation data sets were designed to cover a broad range of non-covalent interactions with characteristic stabilizing contributions. Inclusion of the perturbative treatment of correlation effects is shown to significantly improve the description of weak interactions. The set of DSD-DFTs provide interaction energies with root-mean-square deviations and mean absolute errors within 0.5 kcal/mol. The cost-effective RI-DSD-DFT counterparts deviate by less than 0.18 kcal/mol on average with only 2% of the computational cost.

The implementation, optimization, and performance of a generalized analytic treatment of multidimensional Franck-Condon Factors (FCF) within the harmonic oscillator approximation and associated photoelectron spectra (PES) for N-dimensional systems, including consideration of Eckart conditions in the displacement minimization and Cartesian coordinate handedness for evaluation of the Duschinsky Effect, is carried out in this work. A new efficient strategy for algorithmic efficiency for high dimensional systems is introduced, and demonstrated for 3-, 15-, and 30-dimensional systems. Determination of the photoelectron spectra for H 2 O + (B̃ 2 B 2 ), vinyl alcohol, and C 6 H 6 + (X̃ 2 E 1g ) validates the capabilities with a high degree of accuracy with respect to experiment.

A general synthetic route to inherently luminescent and optically active 6-fold substituted C 3 -symmetric and asymmetric biphenyl-based trianglimines has been developed. The synthesis of these hexa-substituted triangular macrocycles takes advantage of a convenient method for the synthesis of symmetrically and asymmetrically difunctionalized biphenyl dialdehydes through a convergent two-step aromatic nucleophilic substitution-one-pot Suzuki-coupling reaction protocol. A modular [3+3] diamine-dialdehyde cyclocondensation reaction between both the symmetrically and asymmetrically difunctionalized-4,4'-biphenyldialdehydes with enantiomerically pure (1R,2R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane was employed to construct the hexa-substituted triangular macrocycles. B97-D/6-311G(2d,p) density functional theory determined structures and X-ray crystallographic analysis reveal that the six substituents appended to the biphenyl legs of the trianglimine macrocycles adopt an alternating conformation not unlike the 1,3,5-alternate conformation observed for calix[6]arenes. Reduction of the imine bonds using NaBH 4 afforded the corresponding 6-fold substituted trianglamine without the need to alkylate the amine nitrogen atoms which could hinder their later use as metal coordination sites and without having to introduce asymmetric carbons.

The preparation and full characterization of an iridium complex of the monocarba-closo-dodecaborate anion is reported. It was prepared by B-H bond activation using a tosyl amide directing group. Analysis by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography revealed the presence a direct B-Ir interaction. The carborane acts as a B,N chelating ligand towards the Ir(Cp*)(solvent) fragment, resulting in a monomeric complex that is inert in solution and the solid state. Treatment with N-chlorosuccinimide resulted in selective monochlorination of the B-Ir position. In addition, its structure, spectroscopic features and reactivity were investigated by DFT calculations.

We provide herein a mechanistic analysis of aryl sulfoxide excited state processes, inspired by our recent report of aryl sulfoxide based fluorescent chemosensors. The use of aryl sulfoxides as reporting elements in chemosensor development is a significant deviation from previous approaches, and thus warrants closer examination. We demonstrate that metal ion binding suppresses nonradiative excited state decay by blocking formation of a previously unrecognized charge transfer excited state, leading to fluorescence enhancement. This charge transfer state derives from the initially formed locally excited state followed by intramolecular charge transfer to form a sulfoxide radical cation/aryl radical anion pair. With the aid of computational studies, we map out ground and excited state potential energy surface details for aryl sulfoxides, and conclude that fluorescence enhancement is almost entirely the result of excited state effects. This work expands previous proposals that excited state pyramidal inversion is the major nonradiative decay pathway for aryl sulfoxides. We show that pyramidal inversion is indeed relevant, but that an additional and dominant nonradiative pathway must also exist. These conclusions have implications for the design of next generation sulfoxide based fluorescent chemosensors.

Pentaindenocorannulene (C 50 H 20  , 1), a deep bowl polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon, accepts 4 electrons, crystallizes in columnar bowl-in-bowl assemblies and forms a nested C 60 @1 2 complex. Spectra, structures and computations are presented., (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Complexes with purely pyridine-based macrocycles are rarely studied in photo(electro)catalysis. We synthesized and investigated macrocycles, in which two 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) units are linked twice by two cyano-methylene groups, to yield the basic tetradentate, bipyridine based ligand framework (pyr). The protons in the bridges were substituted to obtain derivatives with one (pyr-alk) or two (pyr-alk2) alkyl-chains, respectively. We present the crystal structures of the mono-pentylated and the cis-dibutylated ligands. The corresponding Co(II) complexes [Co(II)(OH2)2(pyr)], [Co(II)Br(HOMe)(pyr-bu)], [Co(II)Br2(cis-pyr-bu2)] and [Co(II)Br2(trans-pyr-bu2)] were prepared, their physico-chemical properties elucidated and their crystal structures determined. X-ray analyses revealed for the latter three complexes distorted octahedral coordination and a fairly planar {Co(II)(pyr)} macrocyclic scaffold. The axial bromides in [Co(II)Br(HOMe)(pyr-bu)], [Co(II)Br2(cis-pyr-bu2)] and [Co(II)Br2(trans-pyr-bu2)] are weakly bound and dissociate upon dissolution in water. While the alkylated complexes are paramagnetic and feature Co(II) d(7) high spin configurations, the unsubstituted complex [Co(II)(OH2)2(pyr)] displays a rare Co(II) low spin configuration. The electronic ground states of [Co(II)Br2(cis-pyr-bu2)] and [Co(II)Br2(trans-pyr-bu2)] are similar, as evident from the almost identical UV/vis spectra. Electrochemical analyses show redox-non-innocent ligand frameworks. All complexes are highly robust and efficient H(+) reducing catalysts. In the presence of [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 as a photosensitizer and TCEP/NaHasc as a sacrificial electron donor and shuttle, turnover numbers (TONs, H2/Co) up to 22 000 were achieved.

A density functional theory-based Green's function pathway model is developed enabling further advancements towards the long-standing challenge of accurate yet inexpensive prediction of electron transfer rate. Electronic coupling predictions are demonstrated to within 0.1 eV of experiment for organic and biological systems of moderately large size, with modest computational expense. Benchmarking and comparisons are made across density functional type, basis set extent, and orbital localization scheme. The resulting framework is shown to be flexible and to offer quantitative prediction of both electronic coupling and tunneling pathways in covalently bound non-adiabatic donor-bridge-acceptor (D-B-A) systems. A new localized molecular orbital Green's function pathway method (LMO-GFM) adaptation enables intuitive understanding of electron tunneling in terms of through-bond and through-space interactions.

First-principles methodology based on density functional theory (DFT) is used to investigate charge transport phenomena in molecular junctions, with the central active molecular element based on corannulene, C20H10, assembled between two carbon nanotubes (CNT). A number of key factors associated with the design of the molecular nanojunction are shown to have an impact on electron transport to varying degrees, including (I) the composition of the spacer linking the leads to the active element, (II) the composition of the active molecule element, (III) the sensor capabilities of the active element, and (IV) the response of the junction to an external electric field. This study demonstrates the ability to integrate molecular electronic functionality into electronic nanocircuits and provides novel insight into the design of new types of molecular-based devices by revealing the relationship between charge transport mechanisms and the electronic structure of molecular junction components.

Among sheet/sheet polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) hybrids, a buckybowl-graphene hybrid has been used as a model to explore the effects of physical properties of PAHs with distinct planar and bowl regions. Activation of a C(Ar)-F bond was used to synthesize this corannulene/graphenic hybrid. Photophysical and voltammetric studies together with high-level computations revealed curvature and extended π-effects on the properties of these materials., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A unique paradigm for intermolecular charge transport mediated by diffuse atomic-like orbital (SAMOs), typically present in conjugated hollow shaped molecules, is investigated for C20H10 molecular fragments by means of G0W0 theory. Inclusion of many body screening and polarization effects is seen to be important for accurate prediction of electronic properties involving these diffuse orbitals. Theoretical predictions are made for the series of bowl-shaped fullerene fragments, C20H10, C30H10, C40H10, C50H10. Interesting results are found for the LUMO-SAMO energy gap in C20H10, which is shown to be nearly an order of magnitude lower that that determined for C60. Given the ability to support bowl fragments on metal surfaces, these results suggest the concrete possibility for exploiting SAMO-mediated electron transport in supramolecular conducting layers.

For the first time, electron-rich thiophene units were fused into the skeleton of corannulene to extend π-surfaces and tune arrangement in single crystals. Two isomeric butterfly-like thiophene-fused dibenzo[a,g]corannulenes (3 and 5) were synthesized. Isomer 3 showed p-type transport properties, with a hole mobility of 0.06 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1).