A new class of macrocyclic angle‐strained alkynes whose size and reactivity can be precisely tuned by modular organic synthesis is disclosed. Detailed analysis of the size‐dependent structural and electronic properties provides evidence for considerable distortion of the alkyne units incorporated into the cycloparaphenylene (CPP)‐derived macrocycles. The remarkable increase of the alkyne reactivity with decreasing macrocycle size in [2+2]cycloaddition–retrocyclization was investigated by joint experimental and theoretical studies and the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters that govern this reaction were unraveled. Additionally, even the largest, least strained macrocycle in this series was found to undergo strain‐promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) efficiently under mild conditions, thereby paving the way to the application of alkyne‐containing CPPs as fluorescent “clickable” macrocyclic architectures.
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10404607
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Chemical Science
- Volume:
- 14
- Issue:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 2041-6520
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 2839 to 2848
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
Abstract -
Abstract A new class of macrocyclic angle‐strained alkynes whose size and reactivity can be precisely tuned by modular organic synthesis is disclosed. Detailed analysis of the size‐dependent structural and electronic properties provides evidence for considerable distortion of the alkyne units incorporated into the cycloparaphenylene (CPP)‐derived macrocycles. The remarkable increase of the alkyne reactivity with decreasing macrocycle size in [2+2]cycloaddition–retrocyclization was investigated by joint experimental and theoretical studies and the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters that govern this reaction were unraveled. Additionally, even the largest, least strained macrocycle in this series was found to undergo strain‐promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) efficiently under mild conditions, thereby paving the way to the application of alkyne‐containing CPPs as fluorescent “clickable” macrocyclic architectures.
-
null (Ed.)Combining strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) and inorganic click (iClick) reactivity provides access to metal 1,2,3-triazolates. Experimental and computational insights demonstrate that iClick reactivity of the tested metal azides (LM-N 3 , M = Au, W, Re, Ru and Pt) depends on the accessibility of the azide functionality rather than electronic effects imparted by the metal. SPAAC iClick reactivity with cyclooctyne is observed when the azide functionality is sterically unencumbered, e.g. [Au(N 3 )(PPh 3 )] (Au–N3), [W(η 3 -allyl)(N 3 )(bpy)(CO) 2 ] (W–N3), and [Re(N 3 )(bpy)(CO) 3 ] [bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine] (Re–N3). Increased steric bulk and/or preequilibria with high activation barriers prevent SPAAC iClick reactivity for the complexes [Ru(N 3 )(Tp)(PPh 3 ) 2 ] [Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)borate] (Ru–N3), [Pt(N 3 )(CH 3 )(P i Pr 3 ) 2 ] [ i Pr = isopropyl] (Pt(II)–N3), and [Pt(N 3 )(CH 3 ) 3 ] 4 ((PtN3)4). Based on these computational insights, the SPAAC iClick reactivity of [Pt(N 3 )(CH 3 ) 3 (P(CH 3 ) 3 ) 2 ] (Pt(IV)–N3) was successfully predicted.more » « less
-
Strain has a unique and sometimes unpredictable impact on the properties and reactivity of molecules. To thoroughly describe strain in molecules, a computational tool that relates strain energy to reactivity by localizing and quantifying strain was developed. Strain energy is calculated local to every coordinate in the molecule and areas of higher strain are shown experimentally to be more reactive. Not only does this tool directly compare strain energy in parts of the same molecule, but it also computes total strain to give a full picture of molecular strain energy. It is freely available to the public on GitHub under the name StrainViz and much of the workflow is automated to simplify use for non-experts. Unique insight into the reactivity of curved aromatic molecules and strained alkyne bioorthogonal reagents is described within.more » « less
-
Abstract Mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) represent an exciting yet underexplored area of research in the context of carbon nanoscience. Recently, work from our group and others has shown that small carbon nanotube fragments—[n]cycloparaphenylenes ([n]CPPs) and related nanohoop macrocycles—may be integrated into mechanically interlocked architectures by leveraging supramolecular interactions, covalent tethers, or metal‐ion templates. Still, available synthetic methods are typically difficult and low yielding, and general methods that allow for the creation of a wide variety of these structures are limited. Here we report an efficient route to interlocked nanohoop structures via the active template Cu‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (AT−CuAAC) reaction. With the appropriate choice of substituents, a macrocyclic precursor to 2,2′‐bipyridyl embedded [9]CPP (bipy[9]CPP) participates in the AT−CuAAC reaction to provide [2]rotaxanes in near‐quantitative yield, which can then be converted into the fully π‐conjugated catenane structures. Through this approach, two nanohoop[2]catenanes are synthesized which consist of a bipy[9]CPP catenated with either Tz[10]CPP or Tz[12]CPP (where
Tz denotes a 1,2,3‐triazole moiety replacing one phenylene ring in the [n]CPP backbone).