[2.2]Paracyclophanes ([2.2]pCps), with their intimately spaced arene decks, have been used to study intermolecular charge-transfer effects in chromophores and for applications in photoredox chemistry and organic electronics. In 2016, we reported the synthesis and characterization of the first [2.2]pCp-tetracarboxamide ([2.2]pCpTA), envisaged as a covalently fixed supramolecular dimer of 2,5-dimethylterephthalamides. Demonstrated here is the idea that mixed-amide [n.n]pCpMTAs can be used to emulate stereoelectronic effects in alternating supramolecular copolymers. As exemplars, we report mixed-deck pseudo-ortho and pseudo-meta [2.2]pCpMTA monomers, each furnished with pairs of C- and N-centered amides arrayed in distinct substitution patterns. Programmable transannular H-bonding pairs dictate both small-molecule conformations and specific amide sequencing in emergent supramolecular assemblies. Variable-concentration and variable-temperature spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and density functional theory (DFT) data have been obtained that relate H-bonding geometry, elongation constant (Ke), assembly mechanism, and dipolar effects to the realization of unique structural control in amide-based supramolecular polymers. Characterization of the [2.2]pCpMTA monomers and their self-assembly behavior more broadly shows how stereoelectronic engineering either encourages or dissuades supramolecular polymerization, insight that can be applied beyond cyclophane-based architectures.

The synthesis, characterization, and preliminary activity of an unprecedented tethered alkylidyne tungsten complex for ring expansion alkyne metathesis polymerization (REAMP) are reported. The tethered alkylidyne 7 is generated rapidly by combining alkylidyne W(CtBu)(CH2tBu)(O-2,6-i-Pr2C6H3)2 (6) with 1 equiv of an yne-ol proligand (5). Characterized by NMR studies and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy, complex 7 is a dimer. Each metal center contains a tungsten-carbon triple bond tethered to the metal center via an alkoxide ligand. The polymerization of the strained cycloalkyne 3,8-didodecyloxy-5,6-dihydro-11,12-didehydrodibenzo[a,e]-[8]annulene, 8, to generate cyclic polymers was demonstrated. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and intrinsic viscosity (η) measurements confirm the polymer's cyclic topology.

Reactions between imines and tungsten alkylidyne complexes are studied. The trianionic pincer ligand supported alkylidyne [tBuOCO]WCC(CH3)3(THF)2 (1) reacts with N-(R)-1-phenylmethanimine (PMI-R, R = Me, Ph, Bn, and TMS) yielding [tBuOC(H)O]W(eta 2-tBuC0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000111111111111111000000000000000000011111111111111100000000000000000001111111111111110000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000CPh)N(R) (4-R), products from metathesis reaction. In contrast, the non-pincer alkylidyne (tBuO)3WCC(CH3)3 does not react with PMI-R imines. Reactions between imines and tungsten alkylidyne complexes are studied.

A new strategy to access α-functionalized alicyclic amines via their corresponding imine-BF 3 complexes is reported. Isolable imine-BF 3 complexes, readily prepared via dehydrohalogenation of N -bromoamines in a base-promoted/18-crown-6 catalyzed process followed by addition of boron trifluoride etherate, undergo reactions with a wide range of organometallic nucleophiles to afford α-functionalized azacycles. Organozinc and organomagnesium nucleophiles add at ambient temperatures, obviating the need for cryogenic conditions. In situ preparation of imine-BF 3 complexes provides access to α-functionalized morpholines and piperazines directly from their parent amines in a single operation. α-Functionalized morpholines can be elaborated further, for instance by installing a second substituent in the α′-position.

1,1-Dicyanomethylene-3-indanone (INCN) is a popular electron acceptor showcased in hundreds of push-pull oligomers, including some of the best nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) materials used in small molecule-based bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Consequences of the configuration (i.e., Z or E) and conformation (i.e., s-cis or s-trans) of the exocyclic olefin that conjugates INCN to p-conjugated molecules have largely been ignored. Two recent reports have implicated Z/E photoisomerization in the photodegradation of popular NFAs like IT-4F when subjected to broad spectrum irradiation. Here, we elucidate through experiments and complementary ground- and excited-state computations the photochemical behavior of a family of eight INCN-functionalized donor-acceptor molecules varying in aryl and heteroaryl substitution, alkyl group substitution, and halogen functionalization on the INCN unit. Well-controlled Z/E photoisomerization using selective wavelengths of excitation spanning the ultraviolet and visible regions is observed in all cases yielding a range of Z/E photostationary state (PSS) distributions with no evidence of a previously reported photooxidation. Z/E photoisomerization followed by sequential pericyclic reactions, consistent with one recent literature report, is identified for just one target molecule upon irradiation at 454 nm. The alkyl group positioning on the thiophene ring neighboring the INCN is found to bias the conformational preferences of the target molecules and modulate access to this reaction pathway. All eight molecules undergo facile Z/E photoswitching over numerous cycles upon selective excitation. Overall, the work reveals the well-controlled photochemical behavior of INCN-functionalized p-systems and encourages their use in the design of future functional and organic materials and photoswitches.

Described is an approach to preparing the first iClick network metallopolymers with porous properties. Treating digoldazido complex 2-AuN3 with trigoldacetylide 3-AuPPh3 or 3-AuPEt3, trialkyne 3-H, tetragoldacetylide 4-AuPPh3, or tetraalkyne 4-H in CH2Cl2 affords five iClick network metallopolymers 5-AuPPh3, 5-AuPEt3, 5-H, 6-AuPPh3, and 6-H. Confirmation of the iClick network metallopolymers comes from FTIR, 13C solid-state cross-coupling magic angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and nitrogen and CO2 sorption analysis. Employing model complexes 7-AuPPh3, 7-AuPEt3, 7-H, 8-AuPPh3, and 8-H provides structural insights due to the insolubility of iClick network metallopolymers.

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-N3, 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(N3)(PPh3)] (Au-N3), [W(η3-allyl)(N3)(bpy)(CO)2] (W-N3), and [Re(N3)(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(N3)(Tp)(PPh3)2] [Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)borate] (Ru-N3), [Pt(N3)(CH3)(PiPr3)2] [iPr = isopropyl] (Pt(II)-N3), and [Pt(N3)(CH3)3]4 ((PtN3)4). Based on these computational insights, the SPAAC iClick reactivity of [Pt(N3)(CH3)3(P(CH3)3)2] (Pt(IV)-N3) was successfully predicted.

A new family of [Ln(9)Mn(4)O(8)(OH)(4)(O2CPh)(17) (mpko)(4)] (Ln(III) = Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (1); 2Mn(III), 2Mn(IV)) clusters and their diamagnetic Y III analog (1) have been obtained from the reaction of Mn(O2CPh)(2), LnCl(3) or YCl3, methyl-2-pyridyl-ketone oxime (mpkoH), and NMe4OH in a 2:2:2:4 M ratio in MeCl\l/CH2Cl2 (22:3 mL). The crystal structure of 4 center dot CH2Cl2 center dot 8MeCN reveals a very low-symmetry core comprising a [Dy2Mn2O4] cubane sandwiched between a {Dy2MnO4(OH)(4)} unit and an external Mn atom; alternatively, it can be described as a zig-zag 1-D {(MnOMnO2MnOMnIII)-O-IV-O-IV-O-III}(6+) unit sandwiched between Dy-5 and Dy-4 units. Fitting of the variabletemperature, solid-state de and ac magnetic susceptibility data on the Mn-4 unit of 1 revealed dominant antiferromagnetic (AF) Mn center dot center dot center dot Mn interactions: J(1) = -22.5(9) cm(-1), J(2) = -7.6(5) cm(-1), and J(3) = +0.30(3) CM-1, with , a constant g = 1.97, where J(1), J(2), and J(3) are the J((MnMnIV)-Mn-IV), J((MnMnIII)-Mn-IV) and J ((MnMnIII)-Mn-IV) exchange parameters, respectively. These parameters indicate an S = 4 ground state with S-T = 3 and S-T = 2 excited states at 2.4 and 4.2 cm(-1), respectively, above it. The many non-equivalent Mn center dot center dot center dot Gd interactions in Gd9Mn4 complex 2 were deduced to include both F and AF interactions leading to an S = 18 or 19 ground state. Complexes 3 and 4 exhibited frequency-dependent ac out-of-phase (chi '' M) signals below 4 K indicating them to be weak SMMs.

This work outlines an approach to creating a catalyst for cyclic polymer synthesis using readily available materials in only one or two steps. Combining commercially available molybdenum-alkylidene 1 with two equivalents of ene-ol proligand 2 rapidly produces, in quantitative yield (1H NMR spectroscopy), the double tethered metallacyclobutane complex 3. Characterized by variable temperature NMR studies and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) experiments, complex 3 exhibits fluxional behavior in solution. Determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, the solid-state structure of complex 3 reveals metrical parameters indicating that the metallacyclobutane is not predicted to undergo rapid retro-cycloaddition. However, complex 3 is a precatalyst for the polymerization of norbornene to produce cyclic polynorbornene. An NMR spectrum of a test polymerization indicates that only a small fraction of the precatalyst is activated upon exposure to monomer. Quantifying the active catalyst is possible by measuring vinyl resonances that appear in the 1H NMR spectrum. The vinyl resonances are attributable to the release of one of the tethers upon norbornene addition. Confirmation of the polymer cyclic topology comes from gel permeation chromatography (GPC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and intrinsic viscosity (η) measurements. The double tethered metallacyclobutane complex is a novel design for catalytic cyclic polymer synthesis. The synthetic approach suggests that catalyst tuning is possible by a choice of the commercial alkylidene and alteration of the ene-ol proligand.

Innovative discovery strategies are essential to address the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States. Misuse of prescription and illegal opioids (e.g., morphine, heroin) has led to major problems with addiction and overdose. We used vincamine, an indole alkaloid, as a synthetic starting point for dramatic structural alterations of its complex, fused ring system to synthesize 80 diverse compounds with intricate molecular architectures. A select series of vincamine-derived compounds were screened for both agonistic and antagonistic activities against a panel of 168 G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) drug targets. Although vincamine was without an effect, the novel compound 4 (V2a) demonstrated antagonistic activities against hypocretin (orexin) receptor 2. When advanced to animal studies, 4 (V2a) significantly prevented acute morphine-conditioned place preference (CPP) and stress-induced reinstatement of extinguished morphine-CPP in mouse models of opioid reward and relapse. These results demonstrate that the ring distortion of vincamine offers a promising way to explore new chemical space of relevance to opioid addiction.

Explored was the competitive ring-closing metathesis vs. ring-rearrangement metathesis of bicyclo[3.2.1]octenes prepared by a simple and convergent synthesis from bicyclic alkylidenemalono-nitriles and allylic electrophiles. It was uncovered that ring-closing metathesis occurs exclusively on the tetraene-variant, yielding unique, stereochemically and functionally rich polycyclic bridged frameworks, whereas the reduced version (a triene) undergoes ring-rearrangement metathesis to 5-6-5 fused ring systems resembling the isoryanodane core.

The use of halide ions in the synthesis of Ce/O clusters diverts the reaction to two halide-containing products: Cl- gives a new Ce20 nuclearity with both a high 1 : 1 Ce3+ : Ce4+ ratio and a high percentage of (100) facet coverage, whereas F- gives a known Ce6 nuclearity. Both products include bridging halide ions and are thus the first confirmation of non-oxo (OH-/O2-) anion incorporation onto the Ce/O cluster core.

Amines such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline undergo redox-neutral annulations with ortho-(nitromethyl)benzaldehyde. Benzoic acid acts as a promoter in these reactions, which involve concurrent amine α-C-H bond and N-H bond functionalization. Subsequent removal of the nitro group provides access to tetrahydroprotoberberines not accessible via typical redox-annulations. Also reported are decarboxylative annulations of ortho-(nitromethyl)benzaldehyde with proline and pipecolic acid.

Many synthetic compounds to which we attribute specific activities are produced as racemic mixtures of stereoisomers, and it may be that all the desired activity comes from a single enantiomer. We have previously shown this to be the case with the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) 3a,4,5,9b-Tetrahydro-4-(1-naphthalenyl)-3H-cyclopentan[c]quinoline-8-sulfonamide (TQS) and the α7 ago-PAM 4BP-TQS. Cis-trans-4-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenyl)-3a,4,5,9b-te-trahydro-3H-cyclopenta[c]quinoline-8-sulfonamide (2,3,5,6TMP-TQS), previously published as a "silent allosteric modulator" and an antagonist of α7 allosteric activation, shares the same scaffold with three chiral centers as the aforementioned compounds. We isolated the enantiomers of 2,3,5,6TMP-TQS and determined that the (−) isomer was a significantly better antagonist than the (+) isomer of the allosteric activation of both wild-type α7 and the nonorthosterically activatible C190A α7 mutant by the ago-PAM GAT107 (the active isomer of 4BP-TQS). In contrast, (+)2,3,5,6TMP-TQS proved to be an α7 PAM. (−)2,3,5,6TMP-TQS was shown to antagonize the allosteric activation of α7 by the structurally unrelated ago-PAM B-973B as well as the allosteric activation of the TQS-sensitive α4β2L15′M mutant. In silico docking of 2,3,5,6TMP-TQS in the putative allosteric activation binding site suggested a specific interaction of the (−) enantiomer with α7T106, and allosteric activation of α7T106 mutants was not inhibited by (−)2,3,5,6TMP-TQS, confirming the importance of this interaction and supporting the model of the allosteric binding site. Comparisons and contrasts between 2,3,5,6TMP-TQS isomers and active and inactive enantiomers of other TQS-related compounds identify the orientation of the cyclopentenyl ring to the plane of the core quinoline to be a crucial determinate of PAM activity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Many synthetic ligands are in use as racemic preparations. We show that one enantiomer of the TQS analog Cis-trans-4-(2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenyl)-3a,4,5,9b-te-trahydro-3H-cyclopenta[c]quinoline-8-sulfonamide, originally reported to lack activity when used as a racemic preparation, is an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM). The other enantiomer is not a PAM, but it is an effective allosteric antagonist. In silico studies and structural comparisons identify essential elements of both the allosteric ligands and receptor binding sites important for these allosteric activities.

The tungsten (VI) oxo-alkoxide complexes WO(OR)(3)L [R = Bu-t; L = acNac, etNac, tbNac, acNac(Me), acNac(Et)] (1-5) and WO(OCH3)(3)(acNac) (6) have been synthesized. The isomeric purity of these complexes depends on the steric bulk of the substituent on the imino nitrogen of the chelating ligand. The thermal properties of the complexes have been evaluated to assess the effect of the beta-ketoiminate or beta-iminoesterate ligands. WO(OC(CH3)(3))(3)(acNac) (1) has been used as a precursor for aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) of WOx thin films at temperatures from 250 to 450 degrees C. The results of mass spectrometry and thermolysis studies have been used to propose possible precursor decomposition pathways during film deposition. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A series of 11 complexes of the type trans-(NHC)2Pt(CC-Ar)2 (where NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene) have been synthesized and their photophysics characterized. The complexes display moderately efficient deep blue to green phosphorescence from a triplet excited state that is localized mainly in the aryl acetylide ligand (CC-Ar). The emission energy varies with the substituent on CC-Ar, with the highest energy emission for Ar = 4-pyridyl. The emission quantum efficiency and lifetime for the series decreases with increasing emission energy (Eem), and the effect is identified as arising from an increase in the nonradiative decay rate (knr) with Eem. Temperature-dependent emission lifetime studies for three complexes give activation energies for the nonradiative decay process ∼1000 cm-1, and the thermally activated decay process is attributed to crossing to a nonemissive metal-centered (d-d) excited state. At a low temperature, two different emission progressions are observed. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the triplet energy varies with the torsion of the aryl acetylide rings relative to the plane defined by the PtC4 unit (where C = the carbon atoms bonded to Pt). The multiple emission is ascribed to emission from complexes differing with respect to the aryl acetylide ring torsion. Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy reveals a fast relaxation (∼5 ps) that may also be due to aryl acetylide ring torsional relaxation in the triplet excited state.

A series of cis-platinum(II) acetylide complexes containing two-photon-absorbing chromophores have been synthesized and characterized to explore the effects of stereochemistry on the nonlinear absorption properties. The molecules feature 4-(phenylethynyl)phenylethynylene (PE2), diphenylaminofluorene (DPAF), and benzothiazolylfluorene (BTF) ligands. The photophysical properties were investigated under one- and two-photon conditions and compared to the known trans analogues via UV-visible absorption, photoluminescence, femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption (TA), nanosecond z-scan, and femtosecond two-photon absorption (2PA). The bent cis complexes exhibit blue shifts in the absorption, emission, femtosecond, and nanosecond TA spectra along with lower molar extinction coefficients and lower phosphorescence yields relative to the trans complexes suggesting less efficient Pt-induced spin-orbit coupling and intersystem crossing in the cis configuration. The cis chromophores are noncentrosymmetric and therefore show dipolar behavior with a pronounced 2PA in the 0-0 transition of the S-0 -> S-1 band, while the trans complexes show quadrupolar behavior with a forbidden 0-0 transition. In the S-0( )-> S-n region, both cis and trans complexes show intense two-photon-absorption bands (up to 3700 GM by the peak cross section for cis-BTF) which contain a significant contribution from the excited state absorption (S-1 -> S-n). All six complexes exhibit comparable nonlinear absorption response with a significant contribution from triplet-triplet absorption that slightly favors trans complexes but is more strongly dependent upon the structure of the pi-conjugated chromophore.

Reported here is the synthesis, characterization, and isodesmic supramolecular polymerization of [3.3]paracyclophane-5,8,14,17-tetracarboxamide ([3.3]pCpTA). The self-assembling monomer, a bridge-expanded homolog of [2.2]paracyclophane-4,7,12,15-tetracarboxamide ([2.2]pCpTA), forms homochiral assemblies in nonpolar solution and the solid state through double-helical intermolecular and transannular hydrogen bonding. The additional methylene unit in the [3.3]paracyclophane bridge results in a weakened supramolecular assembly for [3.3]pCpTA compared to [2.2]pCpTA in solution. Likely origins of the change in assembly strength, revealed through X-ray crystallography, computational analysis, and solution-phase spectroscopy, are an increase in (a) the intramolecular and intermolecular deck-to-deck spacing compared to [2.2]paracyclophane resulting from larger amide dihedral angles accompanying transannular hydrogen bonding in the [3.3]paracyclophane and (b) monomer entropy associated with the scissoring motion of the [3.3]paracyclophane bridge.

The syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of two mixed-valence Mn clusters [(MnMn8O6)-Mn-II-O-III(mpko)(3)(O2CMe)(11)] (1) and [(Mn2Mn10Mn2O12)-Mn-II-Mn-III-O-IV(mpko)(6)(O2CPh)(12)(H2O)(2)] (2) are reported. They were obtained from the corresponding reactions in MeCN of [Mn12O12(O2CR)(16)(H2O)(4)] (R = Me (3), Ph (4)) with eight equivalents of methyl(pyridine-2-yl)ketone oxime (mpkoH). The cores of 1 and 2 are structurally related: 1 possesses a [Mn-9(mu(3)-O)(6)](14+) core with an unusual topology comprising a near-planar Mn-III-centered Mn-6(III) hexagon with additional Mn-II and Mn-III ions above and below the plane. Complex 2 possesses a IMn14(mu(4)-O)(2)(mu(3)-O)(10)](18)(+) core that can be described as a dimer of two Mn, incomplete-cores of 1. It is also a rare example of a Mn cluster containing three Mn oxidation states. Fits of variable-temperature, solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility data collected in a 0.1 T field in the 5.0-300 K range established that 1 and 2 possess ground state spins of S = 3/2 and S =1, respectively, which were confirmed by ac in-phase susceptibility data. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reported is the hydrolysis of a homogeneous Mo-nitride complex bearing a trianionic pincer-type ligand to produce ammonia. Treating the anionic [(ONO)]Mo≡N(OtBu)]Ph3 PCH3 with two equivalents of water produces ammonia and the dioxo complex [(ONO)]MoO2 ]Ph3 PCH3 . X-Ray crystal structures of the starting nitrido complex and product dioxo complex are presented. Evidence for ammonia release comes from GC-MS and deuterium-labelling studies. The reaction is presented in the context of a two-stage solar thermochemical dinitrogen fixation process as the solid-state nitride hydrolysis step.