Synthesis and characterization of 1,2,3,4-naphthalene and anthracene diimides.

We report the synthesis and characterization of naphthalene and anthracene scaffolds end-capped by cyclic imides. The solid-state structures of the -phenyl derivatives, determined by X-ray crystallography, reveal changes in packing preference based on the number of aromatic rings in the core. The optical and electronic properties of the title compounds compare favorably with other previously described isomers and expand the toolbox of electron-deficient aromatic compounds available to organic materials chemists.

Investigation of the Effect of Turn Residues on Tetrapeptide Aldol Catalysts with β-Turn Propensity.

Peptide catalysts for a wide diversity of reaction types contain a common motif-residues that bias the sequence toward β-turn secondary structure. In this work, we explore what role that secondary structure plays in the catalysis of aldol reactions for primary amine tetrapeptide aldol catalysts. Using a lead tetrapeptide β-turn catalytic sequence, we varied the + 1 and + 2 residues to amino acids that would affect the β-turn propensity.