Rhodium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis, Structures, and Properties of Single and Double Azahelicene-Like Molecules.

The enantioselective synthesis of aza[6] and [7]helicene-like molecules have been achieved by the cationic rhodium(I)/axially chiral biaryl bisphosphine complex-catalyzed intramolecular [2+2+2] cycloaddition of cyanodiynes. This protocol was successfully applied to the diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of an S-shaped double aza[6]helicene-like molecule with a high ee value of 89 %. Although no epimerization and racemization were observed in the double carbo[6]helicene-like molecule at 80 °C, epimerization and racemization of the double aza[6]helicene-like molecule proceeded at 80 °C.

Synthesis, Structures, and Properties of Highly Strained Cyclophenylene-Ethynylenes with Axial and Helical Chirality.

Single and double cyclophenylene-ethynylenes (CPEs) with axial and helical chirality have been synthesized by the Sonogashira cross-coupling of di- and tetraethynyl biphenyls with a U-shaped prearomatic diiodoparaphenylene followed by reductive aromatization. X-ray crystallographic analyses and DFT calculations revealed that the CPEs possess highly twisted bent structures. Bend angles on the edge of the paraphenylene units were close to the value of [5]cycloparaphenylene (CPP)-the smallest CPP to date.

Synthesis of a Strained Spherical Carbon Nanocage by Regioselective Alkyne Cyclotrimerization.

The smallest spherical carbon nanocage so far, [2.2.2]carbon nanocage, has been synthesized by the cationic rhodium(I)/H -binap complex-catalyzed regioselective intermolecular cyclotrimerization of a cis-1-ethynyl-4-arylcyclohexadiene derivative followed by the triple Suzuki-Miyaura cross-couplings with 1,3,5-triborylbenzene and reductive aromatization.

Rhodium-Catalyzed Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Photophysical Properties of [6]Cycloparaphenylene Tetracarboxylates.

The synthesis of C-symmetrical [6]cycloparaphenylene (CPP) tetracarboxylates has been achieved via macrocyclization by the rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular stepwise cross-alkyne cyclotrimerization and subsequent reductive aromatization. The H NMR spectra of the thus-obtained C-symmetrical [6]CPP-tetracarboxylates revealed that the rotation of unsubstituted benzene rings is slow at room temperature. These [6]CPPs formed columnar packing structures, and their absorption maxima were significantly blue-shifted compared to that of nonsubstituted [6]CPP due to the presence of four electron-withdrawing ester moieties.

Synthesis of [8]Cycloparaphenylene-octacarboxylates via Rh-Catalyzed Stepwise Cross-Alkyne Cyclotrimerization.

The synthesis of C- and C-symmetrical [8]cycloparaphenylene (CPP)-octacarboxylates has been achieved via macrocyclization by the rhodium-catalyzed intermolecular stepwise cross-cyclotrimerization and subsequent reductive aromatization. The C-symmetrical octa-tert-butyl [8]CPP-octacarboxylate forms a dimer in which eight ester moieties face each other. The dimers are aligned so as to make a one-dimensional column with a channel structure inside.