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We synthesized bis and tris(macrocycle)s in which a two- or three-fold macrocycle was fused and each adopted twisted forms with M- or P-helicity. According to the sense of twisting in each element, diverse conformations can be generated in a molecule. We present two types of conformational preferences. One is the innate preference for a helical form with an identical sense of twisting throughout the entire molecule. The other is the helical-sense preference for a particular sense of twisting. We were interested in the relationship between K-n and (K-1)(n), where K-n is an equilibrium constant for the conformational interconversion between two helical forms (MM and PP, MMM and PPP) and n is the number of elements, since we considered that the relationship could be a metric to see the interinfluence among these macrocyclic elements in a single molecule. Through VT measurements in H-1 NMR and CD spectroscopy, we attempted to quantify the helical-sense preferences induced in the fused macrocycles (n = 2 and 3) to compare K-n and (K-1)(n).

We synthesized bis and tris(macrocycle)s in which a two- or three-fold macrocycle was fused and each adopted twisted forms with M- or P-helicity. According to the sense of twisting in each element, diverse conformations can be generated in a molecule. We present two types of conformational preferences. One is the innate preference for a helical form with an identical sense of twisting throughout the entire molecule. The other is the helical-sense preference for a particular sense of twisting. We were interested in the relationship between K-n and (K-1)(n), where K-n is an equilibrium constant for the conformational interconversion between two helical forms (MM and PP, MMM and PPP) and n is the number of elements, since we considered that the relationship could be a metric to see the interinfluence among these macrocyclic elements in a single molecule. Through VT measurements in H-1 NMR and CD spectroscopy, we attempted to quantify the helical-sense preferences induced in the fused macrocycles (n = 2 and 3) to compare K-n and (K-1)(n).

We demonstrate the synthesis and chiroptical proper -ties of doubled molecules of a chiral [1]rotaxane, based on the assembly of an achiral ring of a phenylacetylene macrocycle (6PAM) and a p-phenylene ethynylene rod. Two molecules of [1]rotaxane constituted the doubled molecule through the ring fusion of 6PAMs to a 10PAM, which assured stationary occupation relative to each optically active unit. The absorption properties of the 10PAM-based doubled molecule and 6PAM-based original unit were consistently characterized by the independent existence of m-phenylene ethynylene ring(s) and p-phenylene ethynylene rod(s). Thus, molar circular dichroism (CD) was directly compared between the doubled molecule (n = 2) and the original unit (n = 1) to show that molar CD was increased more than expected by an increase in the number of units, or by an increase in absorbance. Due to the invariance of the configuration and the relative occupation of two units arranged adjacent to each other in 10PAM, one more comparison was available with an isomeric molecule of two rings and two rods in a threaded-and-unthreaded form. The additional arrangement of an optically inactive unit in an unthreaded form also led to an increase in molar CD, compared to that of the original chiral unit in a threaded form.

We synthesized planar chiral cyclophanes with multiple pairs of helical conformations that were generated by twisting at the interlayer. Three- and four-layer cyclophanes preferred a homochiral form with a single sense of twisting through intramolecular transmission of planar chirality. Alternatively, a heterochiral form was dominant in a two-layer cyclophane consisting of two achiral planes that were stacked orthogonally.

We demonstrated dynamic chirality based on assemblies of three achiral rods with a twisted macrocycle. The three-fold twisting of a macrocycle can lead to two different chiral forms with C-2- or D-3-symmetry. Through a transmission of chirality to each dynamic chiral form, a helical-sense preference was successfully induced.

We demonstrate so-called “chiral diversification”, which is a design strategy to create multiple chiral molecules through the assembly and double-bridging of achiral components. We used phenylacetylene macrocycles (PAMs) as an achiral element. In a molecule, two achiral rings of [6]PAM are stacked one above the other, or bound to each other mechanically. As an alternative, a single enlarged ring of [12] PAM was also assumed to be a doubled form of [6]PAM. In any case, one or two ring(s) are doublybridged by covalent bonds to exert chirality. Through intramolecular two-bond formation, these multiple chiral molecules were obtained as a set of products in one reaction. The dynamic chirality generated in molecules with either two helically-stacked rings of [6]PAM or a single helically-folded ring of [12]PAM was characterized by induced Cotton effects with the aid of an external chiral source. Thus, a chiral structure based on [12]PAM could be demonstrated as the first success. Alternatively, enantiomeric separation was achieved for molecules with two interlocked rings of [6]PAM to show remarkable chiroptical properties.

We demonstrate so-called “chiral diversification”, which is a design strategy to create multiple chiral molecules through the assembly and double-bridging of achiral components. We used phenylacetylene macrocycles (PAMs) as an achiral element. In a molecule, two achiral rings of [6]PAM are stacked one above the other, or bound to each other mechanically. As an alternative, a single enlarged ring of [12] PAM was also assumed to be a doubled form of [6]PAM. In any case, one or two ring(s) are doublybridged by covalent bonds to exert chirality. Through intramolecular two-bond formation, these multiple chiral molecules were obtained as a set of products in one reaction. The dynamic chirality generated in molecules with either two helically-stacked rings of [6]PAM or a single helically-folded ring of [12]PAM was characterized by induced Cotton effects with the aid of an external chiral source. Thus, a chiral structure based on [12]PAM could be demonstrated as the first success. Alternatively, enantiomeric separation was achieved for molecules with two interlocked rings of [6]PAM to show remarkable chiroptical properties.

We synthesized molecular assemblies of a ring and rod that were covalently bound in a molecule. The bridged components were helically arranged in a threaded or unthreaded form to show unique chiroptical properties based on shape-persistent m-phenylacetylene rings with six, five and four units and phenylene-ethynylene rods.

On the basis of the intramolecular “core-shell strategy,” we designed dihydropyracylene with two spiro(dibenzocycloheptatriene) units, for which theoretical calculations predicted a very weak C–C bond with a bond length around 1.8 Å. This bond is expanded by the forced adoption of an eclipsed conformation and by angle strain through a “scissor effect.” The highly strained hydrocarbon was isolated as a thermally stable compound with no signs of diradical contribution because the weak C–C bond (core) is protected by the shape-persistent fused-ring structure (shell). A Raman shift corresponding to the C–C stretching vibration (587 cm−1) was very different from that for ethane (993 cm−1). The bond length determined by X-ray (1.806(2) Å) was greater than the shortest non-bonded intramolecular C…C contact (1.80(2) Å). The assumed limit for a C–C bond (1.803 Å) by supposing linear correlation between bond length and bond-dissociation energy for covalent bonding was proven to be invalid.

When two planes stacked one above the other are twisted, they provide a dynamic pair of helical conformations with (M)- or (P)-helicity. We designed a three-layer cyclophane that consists of two such dynamic pairs: the top and middle planes, and the middle and bottom planes. Hence, several global conformations could be created for the overall molecule, e.g., double-helical forms with a pair with the same helicity [(M, M) or (P, P)], and a meso-like form with a pair with a different helicity (M, P). These conformations dynamically interconvert to each other in solution. Chiroptical properties were given by the helical-sense preference of the double-helical forms, which was brought about through complexation with a chiral hydrogen-bonding guest. In terms of the conformational energy in a complexed state, when a desirable relationship between double-helical and meso-like forms was attained, complexation-induced circular dichroism was enhanced at elevated temperatures and decreased at lowered temperatures.

When two planes stacked one above the other are twisted, they provide a dynamic pair of helical conformations with (M)- or (P)-helicity. We designed a three-layer cyclophane that consists of two such dynamic pairs: the top and middle planes, and the middle and bottom planes. Hence, several global conformations could be created for the overall molecule, e.g., double-helical forms with a pair with the same helicity [(M, M) or (P, P)], and a meso-like form with a pair with a different helicity (M, P). These conformations dynamically interconvert to each other in solution. Chiroptical properties were given by the helical-sense preference of the double-helical forms, which was brought about through complexation with a chiral hydrogen-bonding guest. In terms of the conformational energy in a complexed state, when a desirable relationship between double-helical and meso-like forms was attained, complexation-induced circular dichroism was enhanced at elevated temperatures and decreased at lowered temperatures.

We synthesized molecular assemblies of a ring and rod that were covalently bound in a molecule. The bridged components were helically arranged in a threaded or unthreaded form to show unique chiroptical properties based on shape-persistent m-phenylacetylene rings with six, five and four units and phenylene-ethynylene rods.

The title dispiro hydrocarbon 1 was designed as a new electrochromic material. This multiply clamped hexaphenylethane-type electron donor was prepared from 2,2'-diiodobiphenyl via biphenyl-2,2'-diylbis(dibenzotropylium) 2(2+) salt. X-ray analysis of 1 revealed a highly strained structure as reflected by an elongated ethane bond [bond length: 1.6665(17) angstrom] and nearly eclipsed conformation. The weakened bond was cleaved upon two-electron oxidation to regenerate the deeply colored dication 2(2+). The reversible interconversion between 1 and 2(2+) is accompanied not only by a drastic color change but also by C-C bond formation/cleavage. Thus, the voltammogram showed a pair of well-separated redox waves, which is characteristic of "dynamic redox (dyrex)" behavior. The tetrahydro derivative of 1 with two units of spiro(dibenzocycloheptadiene), which suffers from more severe steric congestion, was also prepared. The crystallographically determined bond length for the central C-C bond [1.705(4) angstrom] is greatest among the values reported for 9,9,10,10-tetraaryl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives.

The title dispiro hydrocarbon 1 was designed as a new electrochromic material. This multiply clamped hexaphenylethane-type electron donor was prepared from 2,2'-diiodobiphenyl via biphenyl-2,2'-diylbis(dibenzotropylium) 2(2+) salt. X-ray analysis of 1 revealed a highly strained structure as reflected by an elongated ethane bond [bond length: 1.6665(17) angstrom] and nearly eclipsed conformation. The weakened bond was cleaved upon two-electron oxidation to regenerate the deeply colored dication 2(2+). The reversible interconversion between 1 and 2(2+) is accompanied not only by a drastic color change but also by C-C bond formation/cleavage. Thus, the voltammogram showed a pair of well-separated redox waves, which is characteristic of "dynamic redox (dyrex)" behavior. The tetrahydro derivative of 1 with two units of spiro(dibenzocycloheptadiene), which suffers from more severe steric congestion, was also prepared. The crystallographically determined bond length for the central C-C bond [1.705(4) angstrom] is greatest among the values reported for 9,9,10,10-tetraaryl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene derivatives.