Planar Chirality Research Articles

Molecular Insights into [2.2]Paracyclophane‐Based Functional Materials: Chemical Aspects Behind Functions

AbstractMany of the functions and features of practically useful materials are the province of molecular‐level chemistry and their modulation at different length‐scale. This report illustrates the molecular‐level chemistry behind functions and features of the [2.2]paracyclophane‐based materials with a particular focus on the most recent explorations on through‐space conjugated small‐molecule organic emitters, π‐stacked macrocyclic molecules and polymers, poly(p‐phenylenevinylene)s featuring well‐defined donor‐acceptors sequence control, and surface engineering of technologically‐relevant parylenes that finds broad applications across the field of chemical science and technology. This report largely deals with the potential and opportunities associated with molecular features and functions of planar chirality, conformational behaviors, strain‐induced non‐planarity of the aromatics, the profound impacts of through‐space conjugation and π‐electron interactions/delocalization on optoelectronic properties of the π‐conjugated organic emitters, polymers and extended structures consisting of cyclophanes. A special focus is put on the concept of supramolecular polymers using chemically‐programmed chiral cyclophanes via non‐covalent stacking and controlled conformational arrangements. Illustrating cyclophane as precursors/monomers and fabrication strategies for their incorporation in structurally‐controlled (poly(p‐xylylene)s formed via chemical vapor deposition polymerization and post‐deposition fabrication for interface engineering is described. Demonstrating a rather different approach of electronically‐dictated ring‐opening metathesis polymerization employing strained cyclophane‐diene precursors that generate conjugated poly(p‐phenylenevinylene)s with well‐defined (i.e., low dispersity) and donor‐acceptor sequence control is also discussed. This report will serve as an indispensable one‐stop reference for organic, and polymer chemists, as well as material scientists working with cyclophanes for research innovations.

Planar Chiral Metasurface Based on Coupling Quasi‐Bound States in the Continuum

AbstractChiral metasurface based on bound state in the continuum (BIC) possesses extremely high Q factor. However, intrinsic chiral BIC only can be realized by breaking out‐of‐plane mirror symmetry with complicated 3D structures. In this work, a design of planar intrinsic chiral metasurface supporting orthogonal BICs is proposed. The coupling strength, eigenfrequency, and radiation loss of the two quasi‐BICs can be tuned by metasurface parameters. By adjusting the metasurface parameters, the two quasi‐BICs merge to an exceptional point (EP). Around EP, one of the BICs transforms to chiral BIC with circular eigenstate polarization. In the parameter space, different elliptical eigenstate polarizations with the same helicity wind around the EP. The polarizations of the quasi‐BICs nearly fully cover the Poincaré sphere by changing the geometry parameters. The superchiral fields of the quasi‐BICs will also be greatly enhanced near the EP. The simulation result shows high circular dichroism at resonance frequency. The design provides a new strategy for polarization detection and chiral light sources.

Kinetic Resolution of a Planar–Chiral [2.2]Paracyclophane via Michael Addition to Nitroolefins Catalyzed by N‐Terminal Guanidinylated Helical Peptide

AbstractKinetic resolution of 4‐(2‐nitrovinyl)[2.2]paracyclophane based on N‐terminal–guanidinylated resin–bound helical peptide catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition of malonate esters was developed. This approach provides a new pathway to enantiopure paracyclophane derivatives characterized by both planar and central chirality, along with the recovery of the chiral substrate with a selectivity factor of up to 111. Additionally, the synthetic potential of the resulting products has been showcased through their successful transformation into derivatives of β‐substituted γ‐aminobutyric acid.

Synthesis of Three-Dimensional Benzophenone Analogues Based on a [2.2]Paracyclophane Scaffold

AbstractHerein, we report the synthesis of functionalized three-dimensional benzophenone analogues derived from [2.2]paracyclophane (pCp). The potential use of these compounds as photocatalysts is disclosed. Benzophenone and its derivatives are well-known photoactive compounds that have been extensively employed over the years as catalysts to promote a variety of transformations activated by light. The development of differently substituted three-dimensional versions of such compounds may significantly expand the range of their applications in photocatalysis. Exploitation of the planar chirality of substituted paracyclophanes may also lead to significant innovations in different fields. [2.2]Paracyclophane-based benzophenone derivatives incorporating reactive ester or amide functions at their pseudo-gem position are successfully prepared in a selective manner. Examples of both racemic and enantiopure compounds are reported. As a proof of concept, the catalytic activities of the newly synthesized molecules are compared to that of benzophenone in a known photooxidation reaction.

Dirac materials in parallel non-uniform electromagnetic fields generated by SUSY: a chiral Planar Hall Effect

Within a Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics (SUSY-QM) framework, the (3+1) Dirac equation describing a Dirac material in the presence of external parallel electric and magnetic fields is solved. Considering static but non-uniform electric and magnetic profiles with translational symmetry along the y-direction, the Dirac equation is transformed into two decoupled pairs of Schrödinger equations, one for each chirality of the fermion fields. Taking trigonometric and hyperbolic profiles for the vector and scalar potentials, respectively, we arrive at SUSY partner Pöschl-Teller-like quantum potentials. Restricting to the conditions of the potentials that support an analytic zero-mode solution, we obtain a nontrivial current density perpendicular to the electric and magnetic fields, thus, defining a plane where these three vectors become coplanar, indicating the possibility of realizing the Planar Hall Effect. Furthermore, this non-vanishing current density is the sum of current densities for the left- and right-chiralities, suggesting that the net current is a consequence of chiral symmetry. Possible application in current steering of solitonic nature through a Type-I Weyl semimetal is discussed.

Construction of Planar Chiral Ferrocenes by Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective C–H Acyloxylation Enabled by Dual Ligands

Construction of Planar Chiral Ferrocenes by Cobalt-Catalyzed Enantioselective C–H Acyloxylation Enabled by Dual Ligands

Phosphonium-Catalyzed Monoreduction of Bisphosphine Dioxides: Origin of Selectivity and Synthetic Applications.

Controlling product selectivity in successive reactions of the same type is challenging owing to the comparable thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the reactions involved. Here, the synergistic interaction of the two phosphoryl groups in bisphosphine dioxides (BPDOs) with a bromo-phosphonium cation was studied experimentally to provide a practical tool for substrate-catalyst recognition. As the eventual result, we have developed a phosphonium-catalyzed monoreduction of chiral BPDOs to access an array of synthetically useful bisphosphine monoxides (BPMOs) with axial, spiro, and planar chirality, which are otherwise challenging to synthesize before. The reaction features excellent selectivity and impressive reactivity. It proceeds under mild conditions, avoiding the use of superstoichiometric amounts of additives and metal catalysts to simplify the synthetic procedure. The accessibility and scalability of the reaction allowed for the rapid construction of a ligand library for optimization of asymmetric Heck-type cyclization, laying the foundation for a broad range of applications of chiral BPMOs in catalysis.

Copper/BINOL-Catalyzed Enantioselective C–H Functionalization toward Planar Chiral Ferrocenes Under Mild Conditions

Copper/BINOL-Catalyzed Enantioselective C–H Functionalization toward Planar Chiral Ferrocenes Under Mild Conditions

Mid-IR and CH stretching vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy to distinguish various sources of chirality: The case of quinophaneoxazoline based ruthenium(II) complexes.

Five diastereomers of ruthenium(II) complexes based on quinolinophaneoxazoline ligands were investigated by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) in the mid-IR and CH stretching regions. Diastereomers differ in three sources of chirality: the planar chirality of the quinolinophane moiety, the central chirality of an asymmetric carbon atom of the oxazoline ring, and the chirality of the ruthenium atom. VCD, allied to DFT calculations, has been found to be effective in disentangling the various forms of chirality. In particular, a VCD band is identified in the CH stretching region directly connected to the chirality of the metal. The analysis of the calculated VCD spectra is carried out by partitioning the complexes into fragments. The anharmonic analysis is also performed with a recently proposed reduced-dimensionality approach: such treatment is particularly important when examining spectroscopic regions highly perturbed by resonances, like the CH stretching region.

Planar Chiral Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Materials Based on Di[2.2]paracyclophane for Circularly Polarized Electroluminescence

AbstractIn this study, featuring di[2.2]paracyclophane (DpCp) amine derivatives as electron donors and 4‐(4,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)phenyl (Trz) as the electron acceptor, four thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecules are disclosed. The C2 symmetric molecules, DpCpN‐Trz and DpCpCz‐Trz, bearing a chair‐like planar chiral di[2.2]paracyclophane moiety, are obtained as optically pure enantiomers (R/S)‐C‐DpCpN‐Trz and (R/S)‐C‐DpCpCz‐Trz. And the compounds B‐DpCpN‐Trz and B‐DpCpCz‐Trz with a bridge‐like di[2.2]paracyclophane skeleton are meso‐compounds, thus without optically activity. All emitters show blue emissions peaking from 464 to 485 nm, accompanied by high photoluminescence quantum efficiency (up to 93%). The enantiomers (R/S)‐C‐DpCpN‐Trz and (R/S)‐C‐DpCpCz‐Trz exhibit symmetric circularly polarized photoluminescence spectra with dissymmetry factors (|gPL|) ranging from 3.8 × 10−4 to 6.7 × 10−4 in toluene and films. The organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) fabricated with these emitters achieve maximum external quantum efficiencies of up to 19.5%. Notably, the circularly polarized OLEDs (CP‐OLEDs) with (R/S)‐C‐DpCpN‐Trz and (R/S)‐C‐DpCpCz‐Trz demonstrate |gEL| factors of up to 7.6 × 10−4. This study demonstrates a feasible way to design TADF materials and enantiomers by incorporating DpCp derivatives for CP‐OLEDs.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Planar Chiral Carbonitriles and Amines via Carbene-Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution.

We have developed a catalytic method using chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) as the sole organic catalyst to synthesize planar chiral carbonitriles asymmetrically, resulting in optically pure, multifunctional compounds. The method demonstrates remarkable tolerance toward diverse substituents and substitution patterns through kinetic resolution (KR) or desymmetrization processes. The resulting optically pure planar chiral products hold significant potential for applications in asymmetric synthesis and antibacterial pesticide development.

Synthesis and Chiroptical Properties of Radially Extended Carbazole with Chiral [2.2]Paracyclophane Core

Abstract[2.2]Paracyclophanes ([2.2]PCs) with substituents at specific positions possesses planar chirality and stands as a promising building unit for the development of chiroptical materials associated with polarized light. However, one of the easily accessible starting materials, bromo‐substituted [2.2]PC, shows low reactivity, and effective methods for π‐extension of planar chiral [2.2]PC are limited. Herein, an effective π‐extension method has established for chiral [2.2]PC with four substitutions from 4,7,12,15‐tetrabromo[2.2]PC. This has led to tetrakis(trimethylsilylphenyl)‐[2.2]PC that serves as a versatile building resource for radial‐type chiral π‐conjugated compounds with a [2.2]PC core. In this study, synthesizing compounds are further succeeded with the introduction of carbazole (Cbz4‐[2.2]PC and tBuCbz4‐[2.2]PC) and investigated their chiroptical properties and chiral induction ability in achiral π‐conjugated polymers. A thin film of [Poly[9,9‐dioctylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl)‐alt‐(benzo[2,1,3]thiadiazol‐4,7‐diyl)]] (F8BT) with 3wt% Cbz4‐[2.2]PC prepared by spin‐coating exhibits circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties with a high dissymmetry factor (|glum| = 0.01), which is much higher than that of Cbz4‐[2.2]PC in CH2Cl2 solution. By contrast, the doped film of F8BT with 3wt% tBuCbz4‐[2.2]PC exhibited only weak CPL properties. In addition, these chiral compounds show facile redox properties owing to the presence of carbazole units. Furthermore, Cbz4‐[2.2]PC undergoes electropolymerization to produce an insoluble thin film on the electrode.

Enantioselective Self-Assembly of a Homochiral Tetrahedral Cage Comprising Only Achiral Precursors.

How Nature synthesizes enantiomerically pure substances from achiral or racemic resources remains a mystery. In this study, we aimed to emulate this natural phenomenon by constructing chiral tetrahedral cages through self-assembly, achieved by condensing two achiral compounds-a trisamine and a trisaldehyde. The occurrence of intercomponent CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions among the phenyl building blocks within the cage frameworks results in twisted conformations, imparting planar chirality to the tetrahedrons. In instances where the trisaldehyde precursor features electron-withdrawing ester side chains, we observed that the intermolecular CH⋅⋅⋅π forces are strong enough to prevent racemization. To attain enantioselective self-assembly, a chiral amine was introduced during the imine formation process. The addition of three equivalents of chiral amino mediator to one equivalent of the achiral trisaldehyde precursor formed a trisimino intermediate. This chiral compound was subsequently combined with the achiral trisamino precursor, leading to an imine exchange reaction that releasing the chiral amino mediator and formation of the tetrahedral cage with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of up to 75 %, exclusively composed of achiral building blocks. This experimental observation aligns with theoretical calculations based on the free energies of related cage structures. Moreover, since the chiral amine was not consumed during the imine exchange cycle, it enabled the enantioselective self-assembly of the tetrahedral cage for multiple cycles when new batches of the achiral trisaldehyde and trisamino precursors were successively added.

Enantioselective Self‐Assembly of a Homochiral Tetrahedral Cage Comprising Only Achiral Precursors

AbstractHow Nature synthesizes enantiomerically pure substances from achiral or racemic resources remains a mystery. In this study, we aimed to emulate this natural phenomenon by constructing chiral tetrahedral cages through self‐assembly, achieved by condensing two achiral compounds–a trisamine and a trisaldehyde. The occurrence of intercomponent CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions among the phenyl building blocks within the cage frameworks results in twisted conformations, imparting planar chirality to the tetrahedrons. In instances where the trisaldehyde precursor features electron‐withdrawing ester side chains, we observed that the intermolecular CH⋅⋅⋅π forces are strong enough to prevent racemization. To attain enantioselective self‐assembly, a chiral amine was introduced during the imine formation process. The addition of three equivalents of chiral amino mediator to one equivalent of the achiral trisaldehyde precursor formed a trisimino intermediate. This chiral compound was subsequently combined with the achiral trisamino precursor, leading to an imine exchange reaction that releasing the chiral amino mediator and formation of the tetrahedral cage with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of up to 75 %, exclusively composed of achiral building blocks. This experimental observation aligns with theoretical calculations based on the free energies of related cage structures. Moreover, since the chiral amine was not consumed during the imine exchange cycle, it enabled the enantioselective self‐assembly of the tetrahedral cage for multiple cycles when new batches of the achiral trisaldehyde and trisamino precursors were successively added.

Carbene organic catalytic planar enantioselective macrolactonization

Macrolactones exhibit distinct conformational and configurational properties and are widely found in natural products, medicines, and agrochemicals. Up to now, the major effort for macrolactonization is directed toward identifying suitable carboxylic acid/alcohol coupling reagents to address the challenges associated with macrocyclization, wherein the stereochemistry of products is usually controlled by the substrate’s inherent chirality. It remains largely unexplored in using catalysts to govern both macrolactone formation and stereochemical control. Here, we disclose a non-enzymatic organocatalytic approach to construct macrolactones bearing chiral planes from achiral substrates. Our strategy utilizes N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) as a potent acylation catalyst that simultaneously mediates the macrocyclization and controls planar chirality during the catalytic process. Macrolactones varying in ring sizes from sixteen to twenty members are obtained with good-to-excellent yields and enantiomeric ratios. Our study shall open new avenues in accessing macrolactones with various stereogenic elements and ring structures by using readily available small-molecule catalysts.

Planar Chiral Ferrocendiyl and Ruthenocendiyl Bisimidazoline Bispalladacycles Featuring Pyridin‐2‐olates and Ketophenolates as Potentially Hemilabile Ligands in Asymmetric 1,4‐Additions

AbstractPlanar chiral bispalladacycles based on ferrocene have previously been shown to be excellent catalysts for asymmetric 1,4‐additions of α‐cyanoacetates to enones. For a bimetallic reaction pathway, it was found that product decomplexation is probably rate‐determining as a result of a bimetallic two‐point binding. We hypothesized that the use of hemilabile chelating ligands might accelerate this step to improve the catalytic activity. Here we report the use of pyridin‐2‐olates (pyridonates) as potentially hemilabile 1,3‐N,O‐chelating ligands in this catalytic application. In this article, we describe the first coordination of pyridonate ligands to planar chiral, metallocene based palladacycles. Four of the resulting ferrocene and ruthenocene bis‐palladium complexes were characterized by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis revealing a μ2‐(O,N) coordination mode. We suggest that an observed lower catalytic efficiency of the new complexes has its origin in this particular coordination mode. For that reason, a related trifluoromethylketophenolate ligand was installed for which κ2‐(O,N) coordination was expected and also experimentally found. Indeed, in that case catalytic activity was improved compared to the benchmark system.

P(III)-Directed Asymmetric C-H Arylation toward Planar Chiral Ferrocenes by Palladium Catalysis.

Planar chiral ferrocenyl phosphines have been employed as highly valuable ligands in metal-catalyzed asymmetric reactions. However, their preparation remains a formidable challenge due to the requirement for intricate, multistep synthetic sequences. In addressing this issue, we have developed a groundbreaking enantioselective C-H activation strategy facilitated by P(III) directing groups, enabling the efficient construction of planar chiral ferrocenyl phosphines in a single step. Our innovative approach entails the combination of a palladium catalyst, a parent ferrocenyl phosphine, and a chiral phosphoramidite ligand, leading to exceptional reactivity and enantioselectivity. Remarkably, these novel ligands exhibit remarkable efficacy in silver-catalyzed asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. We carried out a combination of experimental and computational studies to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the reaction pathway and the factors contributing to enantioselectivity.

Mechanically Planar-to-Point Chirality Transmission in [2]Rotaxanes.

Herein we describe an effective transmission of chirality, from mechanically planar chirality to point chirality, in hydrogen-bonded [2]rotaxanes. A highly selective mono-N-methylation of one (out of four) amide N atom at the macrocyclic counterpart of starting achiral rotaxanes generates mechanically planar chirality. Followed by chiral resolution, both enantiomers were subjected to a base-promoted intramolecular cyclization, where their interlocked threads were transformed into new lactam moieties. As a matter of fact, the mechanically planar chiral information was effectively transferred to the resulting stereocenters (covalent chirality) of the newly formed heterocycles. Upon removing the entwined macrocycle, the final lactams were obtained with high enantiopurity.

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Seven‐Membered Ring with Inherent Chirality

AbstractInherent chirality is used to describe chiral cyclic molecules devoid of central, axial, planar, or helical chirality and has tremendous applications in chiral recognition and enantioselective synthesis. Catalytic and divergent syntheses of inherently chiral molecules have attracted increasing interest from chemists. Herein, we report the enantioselective synthesis of inherently chiral tribenzocycloheptene derivatives via chiral phosphoric acid (CPA)‐catalyzed condensation of cyclic ketones and hydroxylamines. This chemistry paves the way to accessing the less stable derivatives of 7‐membered rings with inherent chirality. A series of chiral tribenzocycloheptene oxime ethers was synthesized in good yields (up to 97 %) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee).

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Seven-Membered Ring with Inherent Chirality.

Inherent chirality is used to describe chiral cyclic molecules devoid of central, axial, planar, or helical chirality and has tremendous applications in chiral recognition and enantioselective synthesis. Catalytic and divergent syntheses of inherently chiral molecules have attracted increasing interest from chemists. Herein, we report the enantioselective synthesis of inherently chiral tribenzocycloheptene derivatives via chiral phosphoric acid (CPA)-catalyzed condensation of cyclic ketones and hydroxylamines. This chemistry paves the way to accessing the less stable derivatives of 7-membered rings with inherent chirality. A series of chiral tribenzocycloheptene oxime ethers was synthesized in good yields (up to 97 %) with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee).