Influence of selectivity on the supramolecular polymerization of AB-type polymers capable of Both A x A and A x B interactions.

The supramolecular polymerization of two AB-type monomers capable of hydrogen-bond-mediated A x B heterocoupling and A x A homocoupling is discussed. The AB-type supramolecular polymerization is based on the strong interaction between self-dimerizing 2-ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) and 2,7-diamido-1,8-naphthyridine (NaPy). In an effort to reduce the "self-stoppered" effect that is inherently present in these supramolecular polymerizations we used a novel ureido-pyrimidinone substituted with a dibutylamino group at the pyrimidinone ring. As a result of the substitution, the dimerization constant of the novel UPy unit is lowered compared to the previous UPy unit while the heterodimerization strength is retained. Unexpectedly, the increased selectivity toward heteroassociation not only influences the concentration-dependent degree of polymerization due to reduction of the "self-stoppered" effect but also has a pronounced effect on the ring-chain equilibrium by increasing the tendency to cyclize. In order to quantitatively explain our results, a model was developed that accurately predicts the degree of polymerization by taking into account homo- and heterodimerization as well as cyclization. Finally, molecular weight distributions for noncyclizing AB supramolecular polymerizations with and without a reversible A x A interaction are calculated. It is found that the molecular weight distribution becomes narrower when A x A interactions are present.

The mechanism of ureido-pyrimidinone:2,7-diamido-naphthyridine complexation and the presence of kinetically controlled pathways in multicomponent hydrogen-bonded systems.

The kinetics of association of ureido-pyrimidinone (U) dimers, present either in the 4[1H]-keto form or in the pyrimidin-4-ol form, with 2,7-diamido-1,8-naphthyridine (N) into a complementary heterodimer have been investigated. The formation of heterodimers with 2,7-diamido-1,8-naphthyridine from pyrimidin-4-ol dimers is much faster than from 4[1H]-pyrimidinone dimers. Using a combination of simple measurements and simulations, evidence for a bimolecular tautomerization step is presented. Finally, the acquired kinetic knowledge of the different pathways leading from ureido-pyrimidinone homodimers to ureido-pyrimidinone:diamido-naphthyridine (U:N) heterodimers allows the prediction and observation of kinetically determined ureido-pyrimidinone heterodimers which slowly convert back to the corresponding homodimers.

Ureidobenzotriazine multiple H-bonding arrays: the importance of geometrical details on the stability of H-bonds.

A 3-ureidobenzo-1,2,4-triazine 1-N-oxide (1) was synthesized successfully. The derivative displays an acceptor-donor-acceptor-acceptor (ADAA) hydrogen-bonding motif in CDCl(3) and DMSO-d(6) solution as well as in the solid state. Although moderately strong association of 1 was observed with DAD motifs, nonspecific binding is observed with ureidopyridines featuring a complementary DADD array. Density functional calculations of conformations 1a and 1b together with two complexes revealed the clearly nonplanar geometry of the multiply hydrogen-bonded complex, in which some bonds are significantly longer (3.2 A) than is optimal for H-bonds. As a result, only very small free energies of association were calculated, in line with the experimentally observed absence of specific assembly of the components.

Olefin metathesis and quadruple hydrogen bonding: a powerful combination in multistep supramolecular synthesis.

We show that combining concepts generally used in covalent organic synthesis such as retrosynthetic analysis and the use of protecting groups, and applying them to the self-assembly of polymeric building blocks in multiple steps, results in a powerful strategy for the self-assembly of dynamic materials with a high level of architectural control. We present a highly efficient synthesis of bifunctional telechelic polymers by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with complementary quadruple hydrogen-bonding motifs. Because the degree of functionality for the polymers is 2.0, the formation of alternating, blocky copolymers was demonstrated in both solution and the bulk leading to stable, microphase-separated copolymer morphologies.

Pd-catalyzed amidation of 2-chloro- and 2,7-dichloro-1,8-naphthyridines.

[reactions: see text] The catalytic amidation between 2-chloro- and 2,7-dichloro-1,8-naphthyridines and primary amides bearing functional groups is reported. When Pd(OAc)2, xantphos, and K2CO3 are used, it is possible to obtain symmetric as well as nonsymmetric 2,7-diamido-1,8-naphthyridines in 50-90% yield with good functional-group tolerance. Monoamidation of 2,7-dichloro-1,8-naphthyridine using 0.9 equiv of the amide proceeded with good selectivity compared to the formation of the diamide, but as a result of the difficult isolation of the product, isolated yields were poor to moderate (22-42%).

Complementary quadruple hydrogen bonding in supramolecular copolymers.

This paper describes a supramolecular copolymer based on quadruple hydrogen bonding between self-complementary ureido-pyrimidinones and complementary 2,7-diamido-1,8-naphthyridines. In contrast to previously reported polymer systems solely based on complementary hydrogen-bonding units, these polymers retain a high DP over a broad composition range.