Publications 2013 → 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 of the Department of Organic Chemistry

This work illustrates how minor structural perturbations produced by methylation of 4′-(dodecyloxy)-4-cyanobiphenyl leads to enthalpy–entropy compensation for their melting processes, a trend which can be analyzed within the frame of a simple intermolecular cohesive model. The transformation of the melting thermodynamic parameters collected at variable temperatures into cohesive free-energy densities expressed at a common reference temperature results in a novel linear correlation, from which melting temperatures can be simply predicted from molecular volumes.

This microreview discusses recent efforts in chemical synthesis to design divergent pathways either to access diverse natural products from a common intermediate or to produce diverse libraries of compounds reminiscent of natural products. These efforts are generally based on the development and use of powerful complexity-generating reactions and cascade reactions. A panel of eighteen examples is used to illustrate different strategies.

Herein we disclose the results of our investigations regarding the interactions between the biologically relevant nitrate oxoanion and several “two-wall” aryl-extended calix[4]pyrroles. There exists a clear relationship between the electronic nature of the aromatic walls of the calix[4]pyrroles and the stability of the nitrate⊂calix[4]pyrrole complex. This suggests that NO₃⁻-π interactions have an important electrostatic component. We provide energetic estimates for the interaction of nitrate with several phenyl derivatives. Additionally, we report solid-state evidence for a preferred binding geometry of the nitrate anion included in the calix[4]pyrroles. Finally, the “two-wall” aryl-extended calix[4]pyrroles show excellent activity in ion transport through lipid-based lamellar membranes. Notably the best anion transporters are highly selective for transport of nitrate over other anions.

Reactions templated by cellular nucleic acids are attractive for nucleic acid sensing or responsive systems. Herein we report the use of a photocatalyzed reductive cleavage of an immolative linker to unmask a rhodamine fluorophore, and its application to miRNA imaging. The reaction was found to proceed with a very high turnover (>4000) and provided reliable detection down to 5 pm of template by using γ-serine-modified peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes. The reaction was used for the selective detection of miR-21 in BT474 cells and miR-31 in HeLa cells following irradiation for 30 min. The probes were introduced by using reversible permeation with streptolysin-O (SLO) or a transfection technique.

The objective of this historical review is to recall the development of the field of synthetic ion channels over the past three decades. The most inspiring and influential breakthroughs with regard to structure and function are brought together to give the general reader an easily accessible understanding of the field. Pioneering work in the 1980s is followed by the golden age in the 1990s with structures emphasizing crown ethers, calixarenes, and peptide mimetics. Following the emergence of questions concerning specific functions such as ion selectivity, voltage gating, ligand gating and blockage, and with π-stacks, metal–organic scaffolds, and DNA origami, a new wave of innovative structures has emerged. The perspectives outline promising directions and major challenges waiting to be addressed.

The formation of chiral and sterically congested cyclohexanone derivatives has been achieved through a multistep sequence with one single purification step. (n-Butoxymethyl)-diethylamine was identified as a highly efficient reagent for the direct trapping of aluminum enolates. The Lewis acidic character of aluminum suffices to activate the α-aminoether to form in situ an electrophilic iminium species. In return the aluminum enolate is rendered more nucleophilic by coordination of the butoxy group and formation of an aluminate.

The first organocatalytic diastereo- and enantioselective domino Michael/aldol reaction of 3-halogeno-1,2-diones to α,β-unsaturated aldehydes has been achieved. This transformation tolerates a large variety of electronically different substituents on both reactive partners and allows the synthesis of challenging cyclopentanone derivatives with four contiguous stereogenic centers in excellent diastereoselectivities (>20:1 dr) as well as good yields (69–97%), and enantioselectivities (up to 94% ee).

The palladium-catalyzed intermolecular γ-arylation of γ-branched α,β-unsaturated aldehydes has been developed. The reaction allows congested quaternary centers to be forged on a remote position of the carbonyl group affording a variety of products in high yield and with consistently high stereoselectivity using very low catalyst loadings. The synthetic utility of the products has been highlighted by a series of derivatizations and the potential of the method to extend to remote ε-functionalization has been demonstrated.

The interaction of a series of chiral cationic [4]helicene derivatives, which differ by their substituents, with double-stranded DNA has been investigated by using a combination of spectroscopic techniques, including time-resolved fluorescence, fluorescence anisotropy, and linear dichroism. Addition of DNA to helicene solutions results to a hypochromic shift of the visible absorption bands, an increase of fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime, a slowing down of fluorescence anisotropy decay, and a linear dichroism in flow-oriented DNA, which unambiguously points to the binding of these dyes to DNA. Both helicene monomers and dimeric aggregates, which form at higher concentration, bind to DNA, the former most probably upon intercalation and the latter upon groove binding. The binding constant depends substantially on the dye substituents and is, in all cases, larger with the M than the P enantiomer, by factors ranging from 1.2 to 2.3, depending on the dye.

The transport of ions and molecules across lipid bilayer membranes connects cells and cellular compartments with their environment. This biological process is central to a host of functions including signal transduction in neurons and the olfactory and gustatory sensing systems, the translocation of biosynthetic intermediates and products, and the uptake of nutrients, drugs, and probes. Biological transport systems are highly regulated and selectively respond to a broad range of physical and chemical stimulation. A large percentage of today’s drugs and many antimicrobial or antifungal agents take advantage of these systems. Other biological transport systems are highly toxic, such as the anthrax toxin or melittin from bee venom.

An unusual palladium hydride complex has been shown to be a competent catalyst in the isomerization of a variety of terminal epoxides. The reaction displayed broad scope and synthetic utility. Experimental and theoretical evidences are provided for an unprecedented hydride mechanism characterized by two distinct enantio-determining steps. These results hold promise for the development of an enantioselective variant of the reaction.

Halogen bonds have recently been introduced as ideal to transport anions across lipid bilayer membranes. However, activities obtained with small transporters were not impressive, and cyclic arrays of strong halogen-bond donors above a calix[4]arene scaffold gave even weaker activities. Here, we report that their linear alignment for anion hopping along transmembrane rigid-rod scaffolds gives excellent activities with an unprecedented cooperativity coefficient m = 3.37.

Easily prepared alkenylalanates proved to be excellent nucleophiles for the creation of highly congested quaternary centers via copper-catalyzed conjugate addition. In addition, functionalized cis-decaline systems can now be prepared in a simple two-step sequence involving Cu-catalyzed conjugate addition with functionalized alkenylalanates.

Cell permeable probes to image the presence and localization of kinases are important in studying their function and as diagnostic tools. Despite the central role of kinases as therapeutic targets, there are remarkably few probes available. Herein we report the discovery of a probe to image two therapeutically relevant kinases: EGFR and ERBB2. The probe was identified from a library based on a scaffold derived from the resorcyclic acid lactones that form a covalent adduct by reacting specifically with an unconserved cysteine in the nucleotide-binding site of the kinases. We demonstrated the utility of the newly discovered probe by imaging of EGFR localization and ERBB2 inhibition in live cells.

Advances in the efficient palladium–NHC catalysed synthesis of highly enantioenriched 2,3-trans-fused and 2-alkyl indolines via asymmetric C(sp³)–H activation of an unactivated methylene/methyl group are reported. Very high asymmetric inductions (up to 99% ee) were achieved at reaction temperatures ranging from 120 to 160 °C. Factors influencing the efficiency of the reaction (halide, pseudohalide, N-protecting group) were investigated. The reaction pathway and enantioselection were probed by detailed density functional theory (DFT) calculations (M06-L functional). The combined theoretical and experimental study shows that the Pd–NHC catalysed C(sp³)–H arylation proceeds via a concerted metalation–deprotonation (CMD) mechanism. The CMD step is shown by DFT calculations and kinetic isotope effect measurements to be selectivity-determining. A good agreement between experimental enantioselectivities and calculated differences amongst diastereomeric activation barriers is observed.

We report the synthesis of multicomponent surface architectures composed of phthalocyanines (Pc), porphyrins (TPP) and naphthalenediimides (NDI). Naphthalenediimide stacks are grown first by self-organizing surface initiated disulfide-exchange polymerization (SOSIP). An oriented redox gradient driving electrons toward the surface is applied by growing electron-richer NDI stacks on top of poorer ones. Lateral stacks of porphyrins and phthalocyanines are then added by templated stack exchange (TSE). A three-component gradient is constructed to drive the holes away from the solid surface. Antiparallel gradients are found to minimize charge recombination during photocurrent generation. Templates used for stack exchange also serve as hole barriers, whereas their size has surprisingly little importance. These results demonstrate the compatibility of SOSIP-TSE technology with porphyrins and phthalocyanines, confirm the importance of oriented antiparallel gradients to minimize charge recombination, and show that electronics rather than the size matter to template stack exchange.

We report design, synthesis and evaluation of push–pull quaterthiophene amphiphiles containing one 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and a single strong twist in the scaffold. Planarizable push–pull oligothiophene amphiphiles have been introduced recently as conceptually innovative fluorescent probes that sense the fluidity and the potential of lipid bilayer membranes. The “hyper-twisted” EDOT probes respond to planarization and restricted rotational freedom with a red shift and changes in vibrational finestructure in the excitation spectrum, respectively. In solution, comparably weak solvatochromism and significant thermochromism are found. Planarization and restricted rotational freedom afford exquisite sensitivity toward nature and fluidity of lipid bilayer membranes, including ratiometric detection of phase transitions. The sensing of membrane potentials is weakened by these unique properties but remains possible.

Lessons from surface-initiated polymerization are applied to grow cell-penetrating poly(disulfide)s directly on substrates of free choice. Reductive depolymerization after cellular uptake should then release the native substrates and minimize toxicity. In the presence of thiolated substrates, propagators containing a strained disulfide from asparagusic or, preferably, lipoic acid and a guanidinium cation polymerize into poly(disulfide)s in less than 5 min at room temperature at pH 7. Substrate-initiated polymerization of cationic poly(disulfide)s and their depolymerization with dithiothreitol causes the appearance and disappearance of transport activity in fluorogenic vesicles. The same process is further characterized by gel-permeation chromatography and fluorescence resonance energy transfer.

Silica-enhanced NMR diffusometry can distinguish the signals of diastereoisomeric mixtures of supramolecular ion pairs. The experiment has a shorter timescale than Liquid Chromatography, thus allowing an easier characterization of species that are even configurationally labile on the minutes timescale.

Alkenyl and alkyl groups have been successfully introduced to six-membered α,β-unsaturated lactams via a copper-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of the corresponding alanes. Moderate to good yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities are achieved by using a combination of the very cheap copper(II) naphthenate and a readily available phosphine amine ligand. The creation of an all-carbon quaternary stereogenic center, via Michael addition to a trisubstituted conjugated lactam, is also disclosed for the first time.

In nature, spectacular function is achieved by highly sophisticated supramolecular architectures. Little is known what we would obtain if we could create complexity with similar precision, because the synthetic methods to do so are not available. This account summarizes recent approaches conceived to improve on this situation. With self-organizing surface-initiated polymerization (SOSIP), charge-transporting stacks can be grown directly on solid substrates with molecular-level precision. The extension to templated self-sorting (SOSIP-TSS) offers a supramolecular approach to multicomponent architectures. A solid theoretical framework for the transcription of information by templated self-sorting has been introduced, intrinsic templation efficiencies up to 97% have been achieved, and the existence of self-repair has been shown. The extension to templated stack exchange (SOSIP-TSE) offers the complementary covalent approach. Compatibility of this robust method with the creation of double-channel architectures with antiparallel two-component gradients has been demonstrated.

The X-ray structural analyses of homoleptic Rh(II) complexes made of enantiopure (R)-1,1’-binaphthyl and (R)-(5,5’,6,6’,7,7’,8,8’-octahydro)-binaphthyl phosphate ligands are for the first time presented. The possibility to introduce halogen atoms at the 3,3’-positions is also reported. The isolated dirhodium complexes were further tested as catalysts (1 mol %) in enantioselective cyclopropanations and Si-H insertion reactions.

Novel cationic diaza, azaoxo and dioxo [6]helicenes are readily prepared and functionalized selectively by orthogonal aromatic electrophilic and vicarious nucleophilic substitutions; reduction, cross-coupling or condensation reactions bringing further diversity. Absorption properties up to the near Infra-Red window are tuned thanks to these late-stage transformations. The diaza helicene can be furthermore resolved into single enantiomeric salts of known configuration.

The Cu-free asymmetric allylic alkylation, catalysed by NHC, with Grignard reagents is reported on allyl bromide derivatives with good results. The enantioselectivity was quite homogeneous (around 85 % ee) on large and various substrates, regardless of the nature of the Grignard reagent. The formation of stereogenic quaternary centres was highly regioselective for both aliphatic and aromatic derivatives with good enantiomeric excess (up to 92 % ee). The methodology developed was found to be complementary with the Cu-catalysed version. Several new NHCs were tested with improved efficiency. In addition, mechanistic studies, using NMR spectroscopy, led to the discovery of the catalytically active species.

With the recent clinical success of bispecific antibodies, a strategy to rapidly synthesize and evaluate bispecific or higher order multispecific molecules could facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic agents. Here we show that unnatural amino acids (UAAs) with orthogonal chemical reactivity can be used to generate site-specific antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates. These constructs can then be self-assembled into multimeric complexes with defined composition, valency and geometry. Using this approach, we generated potent bispecific antibodies that recruit cytotoxic T lymphocytes to Her2 and CD20 positive cancer cells, as well as multimeric antibody fragments with enhanced activity. This strategy should accelerate the synthesis and in vitro characterization of antibody constructs with unique specificities and molecular architectures.

This feature article offers a comprehensive account of a decade of research devoted to the combination of the grand sensing principles with synthetic transport systems that act in lipid bilayers. Differential sensing, that is pattern generation and pattern recognition, is exemplified with an artificial nose. The aptamer version of immunosensing is realized with sticky-end polymers of DNA double helices for both signal generation and signal transduction. Biosensing, that is the use of enzymes for signal generation, is exemplified first with an artificial tongue and then expanded to analytes such as cholesterol, phytate or polyphenols. Enjoyable also for the general reader, we hope that this account will inspire supramolecular organic as well as analytical, physical and biological chemists.