Optically pure, monodisperse cis-oligodiacetylenes: aggregation- induced chirality enhancement.

Conformational changes in the conjugated backbone of poly- and oligodiacetylenes (PDAs and ODAs) play an important role in determining the electronic properties of these compounds. At the same time, conformational changes can also result in a folded structure that shows helical chirality. Using d-camphor as a chiral building block, we have designed a high-yielding, iterative synthesis of monodisperse, optically pure cis-oligodiacetylenes (ODAs). cis-ODAs up to the tridecamer have been formed, which is the longest monodisperse cis-ODA reported to date. UV/Vis spectroscopy suggests a large effective conjugation length in THF, likely the result of a linear, planar conformation in this solvent. High-resolution STM/AFM measurements of the nonamer cast from THF onto HOPG show a linear structure. In iPrOH, circular dichroism (CD) spectra suggest the formation of chiral aggregates for ODAs with at least nine d-camphor units, based on a strong CD response.

Water-soluble J-type rosette nanotubes with giant molar ellipticity.

A new self-assembling tricyclic module (×K1) featuring the Watson-Crick H-bonding arrays of guanine and cytosine fused to an internal pyridine ring was synthesized. When dissolved in water at room temperature, this module rapidly self-assembles into hexameric rosettes, which then stack to form J-type rosette nanotubes (RNTs) with increased inner/outer diameters and the largest molar ellipticity ever reported (4 × 10(6) deg·M(-1)·m(-1)). Using a combination of imaging and spectroscopic techniques we established the structure of ×K1-RNT and have shown that the extended π system of the self-assembling module resulted in a new family of J-type RNTs with enhanced intermodular electronic communication.

Synthesis of a tetracyclic G∧C scaffold for the assembly of rosette nanotubes with 1.7 nm inner diameter.

The synthesis of a tetracyclic self-complementary molecule 4 for self-assembly into rosette nanotubes is presented. This new heterocycle has a core structure containing two pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine molecules fused together and features the Watson-Crick hydrogen bond donor-acceptor arrays of both guanine (G) and cytosine (C). Current methods to synthesize pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines require harsh conditions and long reaction times and result usually in low product yields. This is particularly problematic for the direct incorporation of functional groups that cannot withstand these conditions. Here, we present an efficient approach to access the multifunctional pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine intermediate 2 under relatively mild conditions using three regioselective S(N)Ar reactions at C2, C4, and C7 on the trichloro compound 1. The electron-withdrawing group and amino functionalities on 2 are then used as a handle to install the third and fourth rings of 4 using a Friedländer-type condensation followed by mixed urea synthesis and cyclization.

Rosette nanotubes with 1.4 nm inner diameter from a tricyclic variant of the Lehn-Mascal G--C base.

A new strategy to access rosette nanotubes with increased inner diameter is presented and demonstrated through the synthesis and self-assembly studies of a tricyclic variant of the Lehn-Mascal G--C base.