Pathway-Controlled Aqueous Supramolecular Polymerization via Solvent-Dependent Chain Conformation Effects.

Solute-solvent interactions play a critical role in multiple fields, including biology, materials science, and (physical) organic, polymer, and supramolecular chemistry. Within the growing field of supramolecular polymer science, these interactions have been recognized as an important driving force for (entropically driven) intermolecular association, particularly in aqueous media. However, to date, solute-solvent effects remain poorly understood in the context of complex self-assembly energy landscapes and pathway complexity.

Tuning the Molecular Packing of Self-Assembled Amphiphilic Pt Complexes by Varying the Hydrophilic Side-Chain Length.

Understanding the relationship between molecular design and packing modes constitutes one of the major challenges in self-assembly and is essential for the preparation of functional materials. Herein, we have achieved high precision control over the supramolecular packing of amphiphilic Pt complexes by systematic variation of the hydrophilic side-chain length. A novel approach of general applicability based on complementary X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR spectroscopy has allowed us to establish a clear correlation between molecular features and supramolecular ordering.

Pathway Control in Cooperative vs. Anti-Cooperative Supramolecular Polymers.

Controlling the nanoscale morphology in assemblies of π-conjugated molecules is key to developing supramolecular functional materials. Here, we report an unsymmetrically substituted amphiphilic Pt complex 1 that shows unique self-assembly behavior in nonpolar media, providing two competing anti-cooperative and cooperative pathways with distinct molecular arrangement (long- vs. medium-slipped, respectively) and nanoscale morphology (discs vs.

Protonation versus Oxonium Salt Formation: Basicity and Stability Tuning of Cyanoborate Anions.

Anhydrous H[BH (CN) ] crystallizes from acidic aqueous solutions of the dicyanodihydridoborate anion. The formation of H[BH (CN) ] is surprising as the protonation of nitriles requires strongly acidic and anhydrous conditions but it can be rationalized based on theoretical data. In contrast, [BX(CN) ] (X=H, F) gives the expected oxonium salts (H O)[BX(CN) ] while (H O)[BF (CN) ]/H[BF (CN) ] is unstable.

Gold(I)-catalysed direct thioetherifications using allylic alcohols: an experimental and computational study.

A gold(I)-catalysed direct thioetherification reaction between allylic alcohols and thiols is presented. The reaction is generally highly regioselective (S(N)2'). This dehydrative allylation procedure is very mild and atom economical, producing only water as the by-product and avoiding any unnecessary waste/steps associated with installing a leaving or activating group on the substrate.

Difunctionalized {closo-1-CB11 } clusters: 1- and 2-amino-12-ethynylcarba-closo-dodecaborates.

Carba-closo-dodecaborate anions with two functional groups have been synthesized via a simple two-step procedure starting from monoamino-functionalized {closo-1-CB11 } clusters. Iodination at the antipodal boron atom provided access to [1-H2 N-12-I-closo-1-CB11 H10 ](-) (1 a) and [2-H2 N-12-I-closo-1-CB11 H10 ](-) (2 a), which have been transformed into the anions [1-H2 N-12-RCC-closo-1-CB11 H10 ](-) (R=H (1 b), Ph (1 c), Et3 Si (1 d)) and [2-H2 N-12-RCC-closo-1-CB11 H10 ](-) (R=H (2 b), Ph (2 c), Et3 Si (2 d)) by microwave-assisted Kumada-type cross-coupling reactions. The syntheses of the inner salts 1-Me3 N-12-RCC-closo-1-CB11 H10 (R=H (1 e), Et3 Si (1 f)) and 2-Me3 N-12-RCC-closo-1-CB11 H10 (R=H (2 e), Et3 Si (2 f)) are the first examples for a further derivatization of the new anions.